Steven Walker (MPhil Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 2009) recently published 'Fidel Castro's Childhood - the Untold Story', with Troubadour Books, on the 50th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. This major political event caused enormous anxiety at the time as Castro allowed Soviet Union missiles to be stationed on Cuba, provoking the threat of nuclear war with America. Steven's book traces hitherto unknown details about the enigmatic and troubled childhood of Castro as he struggled with a harsh family life, a Jesuit education and being born illegitimate. The book offers a rare insight into the formative experiences that made Fidel Castro into the man he became.

Becky Mountain (BA Illustration and Animation, 2012) has won the first-ever Filofax Design competition. Becky's entry was picked from a field of over 80 other submissions and she has now begun a six-month internship with the company. Becky told us, "The idea of my design being sold worldwide is amazing; I can't quite get my head around it. It's very tough to break into the industry, which is why I am so thrilled to have won the competition."

Filofax New Product Development Director, Julia Langhein, commended Becky's creative work for the striking hand-illustrated cover pattern and beautiful on-trend colours, which are sure to give the product broad appeal. The personal organiser displaying Becky's winning print will be launched in spring 2013.

Adam Dellar (BSc Sports Coaching and Physical Education, 2012) has launched his own coaching business, Dellar Sports Coaching, following his graduation. His coaching assistants Alex Archer, Ben Robinson and Ian Morrison are all current students at Anglia Ruskin, also studying towards a degree in sports coaching and physical education - a real Team Anglia Ruskin affair!

Congratulations go to Cheryl McDermott (UCert Ophthalmic Dispensing Assistance, 2011) for winning the Optical Assistant of the Year 2012 award. Cheryl 'fell' into her career, but has continued to go the extra mile in local schools and her community, specifically in promoting regular eye care to young people.