www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 17 October 2016 Issue 1335 Free
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Its continuing significance and the month of events organised by your Racial Equality Officer p. 12
The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students
Est 1948
SPOTTED ON CAMPUS SUMMER SUCCESSES Have a gander at the latest Get the lowdown on Team student trends, p.19
Newcastle’s victories, p.38
Rise Up event success, p.3
Rise Up event, Kingsgate Image: Fay Jiang
Dangerous meningitis strain sweeps Newcastle Head of Student Wellbeing encourages students to get vaccinated
By Louise Hall News Editor Newcastle University urges students to receive vaccine against meningitis as cases of the potentially deadly virus rise throughout the UK. The bacterial disease, which has a high frequency teenagers and students, can be very serious if not treated quickly. Certain strains of the virus can cause septicaemia blood poisoning, and permanent damage to brain cells and nerves. The particularly deadly strain, Meningitis W, is causing an increase in cases of both meningitis and septicaemia with nearly 200 cases across England in the past 12 months. At the beginning of term, the university welfare team sent an email to the student body recommending that students remain vigilant for the signs and symptoms of the early stages of the disease and receive the free vaccination from a GP or doctor’s practice. The email highlighted warning signs including
fever, vomiting, severe headache or muscle pains and drowsiness. The deadly effects of the virus hit close to home when a 19 year old Northumbria University student died from meningitis on 11 September. The student contracted the deadly W strain of the disease as one of the thousands of freshers starting their first term at the university. In the same month a teenager from Derbyshire almost died from a bacterial form of the disease. The nineteen year old spent nine days in a medically induced coma after organ failure, and now faces surgery to remove her toes and possibly even her feet. From August 2015 the Men ACWY vaccination programme has been made available to teenagers and first-time students in a bid to protect against cases like these. However this vaccine does not defend against all strains of the virus, so campaigns such as Meningitis Now stress that remaining vigilant for symptoms is vital.
University ran targeted campaign in Freshers’ Week
In a bid to raise awareness of the disease and its effects, Newcastle University ran targeted campaigns during Fresher’s week in which they aided students in signing up with local GPs. The University have also published a specific page on their website that provides information about meningitis and its consequences. A Meningitis Awareness event is also being held on the 20 October in the Robinson library. This week meningitis awareness cards, from the campaign Meningitis Now, are being distributed in the Student Union. These pocketsize cards provide advice on the common signs of meningitis and how to get emergency medical help if you believe you may have these symptoms. A free Meningitis Now app is also available. Newcastle students can receive the free vaccine from their local GP surgery. If not registered to a practice in Newcastle, students should locate and visit their nearest practice to register with a GP for their term time address.
Awareness event to be held on 20 October
Saville Medical Group provides student tailored information on their website about how and where students can receive the vaccine. Sally Ingram, Head of the Student Wellbeing Service at Newcastle University commented: “we would urge all students under 25 years of age, going to university for the first time, to see their GP as soon as possible to receive their vaccination.” “NHS records of cases of meningitis and septicaemia due to Meningococcal group W have increased from 22 cases in 2009 to 117 in 2014, vaccination and vigilance around the signs and symptoms can help.” When asked why it is specifically important for students to receive the vaccine Ingram referenced the NHS an NHS statement: “older teenagers and university students are at high risk of infection because many of them mix closely with lots of new people, some of whom may unknowingly carry the meningococcal bacteria. The highest
risk of meningitis is in the first year of university, particularly the first few months. As the Men ACWY vaccine is being targeted at those at highest risk, students in their second year or above at university are not included in this vaccination programme.” Ingram advised students to be aware of a rash of tiny red pinpricks that develops once septicaemia has set in. You can tell this is a meningitis rash if it doesn’t fade under pressure – for instance, when gently pressing a glass against. she also said that “If you, or someone you know, has these symptoms, seek urgent medical advice. Do not wait for a rash to develop. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are vital.” Any students who have already received the vaccine and are wondering about whether repeat vaccines are necessary should consult their GP, so each person’s health needs can be appropriately attended to.
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Closing the gap in mental health awareness
Outcome of the first Student Council
Monday 17 October 2016
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Deputy Editors Ollie Burton & Dan Robertson News Editors Liam Carson, Valentina Egorova, Louise Hall, Kotryna Kairytė & Helena Vesty
Newcastle University freshers to take sexual consent classes
COMMENT
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Republicans vs. Donald Trump
CULTURE
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Rant of the week: Freshers Week Newcastle University Students’ Union Image: Adam Curtis
Blind Date:
Bettina and Tom
Venue -castle: A Freshers’ guide The bake off break off
Fifa 2017 reviewed
Newcastle retain the Clash crown
By Valentina Egorova News Editor Newcastle University Students’ Union has passed a motion to introduce sexual consent classes for first-year students. The sessions will teach legal definitions of rape and sexual consent and advise participants on where to get further support. The motion, which was voted on by the Student Council, was passed by 82% votes. Sexual consent classes have already been launched at several universities, including mandatory lessons at Oxford, Cambridge, Leeds and Durham. Some have reacted with anger that they are forced to sit through the discussions, which critics have dismissed as “patronising” and “unnecessary”. Earlier this month, students at York University staged a protest by walking out of the first class, while a session at Clare College, Cambridge, was completely unattended. But statistics released by the Students’ Union Council suggest that raising awareness of sexual consent issues among students is necessary.
NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940
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The report found that 31% of female students said they were victims of “inappropriate touching or groping”. One in eight male students polled said they were subjected to groping or “unwanted advances”. Saffron Kershaw-Mee, NUSU’s Marginalised Genders Officer, said: “I know there has been a lot of controversy around consent classes, but at the end of the day the statistics speak for themselves. “Rape exists. It’s common and it happens implicitly, it happens secretly, it happens in a loving relationship, it happens every single day. It’s so casually done and it’s just overlooked.” Cara Brooke, a student at Newcastle University, initially proposed the motion. She said: “We always talk about sexual violence as if it is something bad people do, not something we and our friends do.
“Almost everyone I know has been in a sexual situation that lacked consent. “The consent classes offer a space for us all to begin or continue conversations that are often silenced or shamed. “So we can discover boundaries and recorgnise, when we are being harmed or harming someone else.” Ke r s h aw - Me e added: “It is not just about ‘yes’ or ‘no’ – it is about continuous respect and communication in the heat of the moment. It’s about listening and then responding to that. “The consent classes are not only to educate – they are also to show solidarity to students at university, who have been victims of rape.” The sessions will be timetabled for all first-year students, but will not be obligatory. According to the motion, NUSU “has a duty to implement the social content classes for the purpose of effectively
“The sessions will be timetabled for all first-year students, but will not be obligatory”
Editor Jade Holroyd Deputy Editors Ollie Burton and Daniel Robertson News Editors Liam Carson Valentina Egorova, Louise Hall, Kotryna Kairytė and Helena Vesty Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Sinéad Corkett-Beirne and Sunil Nambiar Culture Editors Jack Oliver Parker and James McCoull Lifestyle Editors Ana Beretsos, Antonia Coleman-Harvey, Ruth Loeffler and Brooklyn Shakeshaft Ward Fashion Editors Liz Rosling, Izzi Watkins and Zofia Zwieglinska Beauty Editors Miranda Stoner, Ellie Trent and Miranda Stoner Arts Editors Johnathan Hastings, Meg Holtom, Tamsin Rees Film Editors Emma Allsopp, Zoë Godden and Simon Ramshaw Music Editors Sophie Ahmed, Serena Bhardwaj and Ben Grundy TV Editors Luke Acton, Dominic Corrigan and Alison Scurfield Science Editors Matthew Byrne, Natalie Farmer and Ciara Ritson-Courtney Gaming Editors Errol Kerr, Jared Moore and Jordan Oloman Sports Editors Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin and James Sproston
ensuring students have a safe university experience.” Dom Barstow, who abstained on the vote, explained his choice: “It’s not that I want people to be misinformed, I just think there are more effective ways to get the message across. When asked whether he would attend a class, Barstow replied: “Probably not.” Sexual violence and harassment on campus have been contentious issues for several years. Last year Sajid Javid, who was the business secretary at the time, called on universities to tackle sexual violence against women on campus. He issued a statement saying: “Nobody should be put off going to University because of fears about their safety. “If my children choose that path, I would expect my daughter to be as safe as my son on any campus in this country. “This taskforce will ensure that universities have a plan to stamp out violence against women and provide a safe environment for all their students.” The consent classes will provide information on consent, sexual assaults, rapes, lad culture and relationships.
The Courier is printed by: Print and Digital Associates, Fernleigh House, 10 Uttoxeter Road, Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, DE3 0DA. Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.
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Monday 17 October 2016
Rise Up helps to raise business talents By Kotryna Kairyte News Editor On Wednesday, the 12th of October, Rise Up interns organised their first event of the year themed ‘Meet the Founders’ as a part of Thank Goodness It’s Wednesday series. A group of recent graduates, who have been selected by Rise Up team, introduced their business ideas to crowd of students, advisors and professionals and gave a breath summary of what they are hoping to achieve in the next six months that been given to them by Rise Up. The ideas ranged from new type of beer and alcoholic tea to a new E ng l i s h - C h i n e s e translation service and new type of pole dancing leggings that are supposed to protect dancers’ legs from bruises. Louisa Rogers, who founded her own vintage clothing online shop, said with a laugh: “I probably do not look like a business person! But I went to the meeting with a business adviser and I told them that I have this crazy idea – I wanted to create a platform that would suit fashion-conscious people which would look clean and funky at the same time.” The founder saw a gap in the market where Ebay and similar websites are quite fiddly and old-fashioned and wanted to change it. She emphasised
that there are very few universities that give students such opportunity as this Rise Up foundership. “The contacts that the team here provides are so great! The next six months are going to be very interesting as we’ll be meeting with potential investors, making connections and developing our knowledge on things like brand managing.” She and all other founders will receive a stipend of £7,500 for living expenses, up to £10,000 funding for the development of their ideas, access to investors and customers through the Rise Up network and unlimited help from the advisors. Claire, who started a new English-Chinese translation software, advised students to not be scared to come and talk to people at Rise Up and ask for their help: “Starting a business probably sounds very intimidating, especially for international students, but people at Rise Up are fantastic.” She also added: “Make sure you do your market research – it is the best way to know what your future customers needs and validate your idea.” Thank Goodness It’s Wednesday event also allowed students, founders, investors and Rise Up team to meet each other in a relaxed environment, share their ideas and gain some informal advice.
“Starting a business sounds very intimidating, especially for international students, but people at Rise Up are fantastic”
Interns rise to the challenge at Rise Up presentation. Image: Fay Jiang
The organisers hoped that: “The event will inspire students to seek advice and consider alternative graduate careers such as starting their own business. The event will be held every second Wednesday of each month and is open
to everybody willing to come along to enjoy the interesting talks, free pizza and refreshments. As a part of Newcastle University’s Career Service Rise Up not only gives founderships, but also provides expert
guidance, training and opportunities to help students explore their entrepreneurial side and gain valuable skills to increase their employability after graduation or even start their own business in the future.
Ricky Road bats get new accommodation By Cameron Charters
The discovery of a colony of bats has slowed work on Newcastle University’s demolition of Richardson Road. The former student accommodation site is home to the largest gathering of maternal bats in Newcastle. The bats spend June and July in the trees surrounding Richardson Road before entering the sturdier ‘Ricky Road’ flats for the colder months. They normally used the attics to raise their young during winter, but now face the gruelling Newcastle winter in two hastily erected bat houses. Mark Anderson, Site Manager, said: “They are treated like royalty! It can take a long time for bats to resettle when they are moved. A lot of schools, in fact recently a package of about 12, built in the 1940s and 1950s had bats.” In order to lure the bats into their new homes a team of bat-dropping collectors has been established. The team places mounds of the droppings in a bag before scattering them in the new homes. It is hoped that the bats will smell their excrement and assume their kin are nearby and settle in. Mr Anderson who has worked as a civil engineer for 6 years described the process of demolition as “slow and steady.” Bats are a protected in the United Kingdom and both the RSPB (The Roy-
al Society for the Protection of Birds) and the Bat Conservation Trust provide rights for bats in this country. The Pipistrelle bats are one of the most numerous breeds in the country with over 300 found in the area. A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: “We take ecology issues very seriously and the bat colony recorded at Richardson Road are of District importance. This is an extremely rare and important find for Newcastle, as we have never previously had any records of this number of bats anywhere within the city centre. From the City’s perspective, the Richardson Road student campus is an extremely important ecological feature, hence the assessment of District value.” Paul Bandeen, Head of Residences at Newcastle University said: “Bats are crucial to the wellbeing of our ecological system and I’m delighted that the new accommodation at Park View Student Village will greatly contribute to this.” He added: “Bat species tend to be faithful to the same maternity roosts and return to them each year. They often roost in occupied buildings due to the increased temperature needed for rearing pups.” The bats are expected to move into their new homes in late October and early November. The bat enclosures are to be heated with electricity and kept damp with rainwater.
“They are treated like royalty! It can take a long time for bats to resettle when they’re moved”
Temporary home for the bats Image: Newcastle University Press Office
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Monday 17 October 2016
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Gaining new insights into history By Isabel Sykes
A full lecture theatre for Professor Hall Image: Isabel Sykes
A talk by Professor Catherine Hall on black slavery and white freedom took place on Thursday 13 October, being the first instalment of the Insights public lecture series, to be held throughout the year. Hall’s lecture focused on the relationship between black slavery in Jamaica and white freedom in Britain. Her unique perspective suggested that British history tends to focus on the abolition of the slave trade in 1833, meaning we ‘forget’ the years of racial slavery that preceded it. Hall, Professor of Modern British Social and Cultural History at University College London, has been the principal investigator at the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Economic and Social Research Council (AHRC/ ESRC) project ‘Legacies of British Slave-Ownership’ since 2009. Hall began her lecture with the words: “My talk is a part of Black History Month, but this is not a celebratory talk.” Her discussion focused on a case study of the Pennant family, who featured in her research as one of the most prominent slave owning families in Jamaica in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Gifford Pennant moved to Jamaica in 1655, and by the 1770s had five estates in Jamaica, owning more than 2000 enslaved men, women and children. Hall followed the progress of this family back to Wales, where descendent Richard Pennant turned his attention to slate quarrying, employing 900 men in the Penrhyn quarry – all working in
dangerous conditions for low pay. By the time of his death in 1808, he had accumulated a huge wealth, but in his home - the 300 room Penrhyn Castle - there is hardly any indication of the prosperity derived from the enslavement of others. When asked how the public had responded to the research, Hall answered that some descendants of slave owners, particularly in Jamaica, felt threatened by the project. She added that others were extremely helpful in gathering material on their family history. The lecture was closed with Hall’s insightful comment that exploring the inextricable link between colonial slavery and white prosperity is “the telling of a new kind of history”. She added: “Knowing this history is a way for people to begin taking responsibility for that history.” In addition, the subject fits in well with the events being held for black history throughout this month. Black history month falls at an especially important time for Newcastle University, as it coincides with the launch of the Freedom City 2017 programme. The project will focus on the life and career of Dr Martin Luther King Jr.., as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of his receiving of a honorary degree from the University. The next lecture in the programme is “Eyes: windows to the soul and mind control” and will be held on October 18 in the Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building. The full schedule of upcoming lectures can be found online.
Hate crime awareness week By Ava Forbes Northumbria Police has held a series of events this week to coincide with National Hate Crime Awareness Week. It aims to elevate the knowledge and understanding of what constitutes a hate crime among the general public, and advertise the support available to those who are victims of such abuse. In particular, the Northumbria Police force has stressed the importance of education in communities on themes including self-identification, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. The week also hopes to shed light on the measures its officers are taking to tackle the hate crimes in the region. Events hosted by the service will run from Saturday October 8th until Saturday October 15th. The police force has been running drop-in sessions, talking in schools and holding a Q+A on social media. They will also be attending community meetings as well as taking part in activities and initiatives across the region. Northumbria Police Detective Chief Inspector Deborah Alderson stated, “Targeting anyone because of who they are is not acceptable. “If you have been hurt, threatened, abused, harassed or intimidated or suffered any other crime because of your race, faith, disability, sexual orientation, age or gender identity, this is hate crime. “If you are the carer of a disabled person or one of your family members is disabled and you are hurt, threatened, abused, harassed or intimidated or suffer any other crime because of a prejudice or hostility based on this individual’s disability this is also a hate crime.” This year’s National Hate Crime Awareness Week arrives as Northumbria Police reported a 39% increase in recorded hate related crimes between
2014/15 and 2015/16, in addition to a 31% increase in recorded racist hate related crimes in the same period. The police force is notably running several events for the residents of the city who are seeking asylum, focusing on ways to help them integrate into their new environment. This is a particularly significant feature of the events planned to raise awareness of hate crime, as over 400 supporters of Pegida UK were seen to take to the streets of Newcastle in February of this year, marching against what the group determined to be “the Islamisation of Europe”. This was also followed by the far-right, English Defence League protest of immigration in the city centre in June. Vera Baird QC, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner emphasised the positive and considerable impact that these events could have, “I give my 100 per cent full support to Hate Crime Awareness Week. There’s no place in our society for intolerance and prejudice and let’s be clear - it will certainly not be tolerated by Northumbria Police. “It really is important that all victims have the confidence to report hate crimes, if not to the police, to one of our partners.” DCI Alderson added “hate crime is an issue that we take incredibly seriously as a force and we can not underestimate the impact it has on victims” and that civilians should “report hate crime to the police, or if you prefer confidentially via a third party reporting scheme such as a Safe Reporting Centre, True Vision or Arch.” Hate crime can be reported to police by contacting 999 in an emergency and 101 in a non emergency.
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Monday 17 October 2016
Courier alumni receives Honorary Fellowship By Jade Holroyd Editor of the Courier On 10 October Newcastle University held its Honorary Fellowships ceremony in King’s Hall, Armstrong building. The University a select number of Honorary Fellowships to candidates who have made a significant contribution to the University. Court Steering Committee meets annually to review nominations, which are then put forward to Court for further discussion and final decisions. This year’s awards recipients were Pat Ritchie and Monica Doughty, former permenant secretary of The Courier. Doughty gained the Honorary Fellowship for, as quoted by Deputy University Librarian and presenter of the award, Jill Taylor-Roe: “Her outstanding commitment to The Courier and to generations of students who have profited from her professional and pastoral support.” Initially selected as The Courier’s parttime secretary, Doughty went on to work at The Courier for over forty years taking on many different roles including administrator, manager and lawyer. On the evening Doughty was joined by friends, family and previous associates from The Courier, all of whom have grown to become Doughty’s close companions over the years. The admiration in which Doughty is held by the former
Courier staff is a testament to both her contributions and her personal character. Amongst the guests was Diane Nelmes, the now notable broadcasting consultant. Speaking of Doughty in an article from May 1998 reporting on Doughty’s retirement party, Nelmes said that, “she taught me to be fast and accurate, to be brave and bold, and always to be truthful. She showed me how to spot a real news story and how to sell it, and shared and believed in my dream to be a journalist.” Dr Ian Thompson, Reader in Landscape Architecture, Director of Internationalisation and Postgraduate Research, recollects “the warm, chaotic, boozy bonhomie of The Courier office and the frenzy of putting the paper to bed each week - I loved it - it was a home away from home for me during my years as a student and Monica was its presiding spirit.” In remembering her years in office, Doughty could not have spoken more highly: “We had the very best of times and a lot of fun was to be had. As the new Editor of The Courier, if I had to give you a piece of advice it would be just to enjoy it.” The University Library has recently digitised every issue of The Courier published since first copy printed on 18 November 1948.
“The admiration in which Doherty is held by the former Courier staff is a testament to both her contributions and her personal character”
L-R Councillor Joe Carlebach, Professor Patrick Lavery, Mr Antony Jones, Nick Richardson, Mr Mark Scrimshaw, (C) Mrs Monica Doughty, Ms Hilary Florek, Ms Dianne Nelmes, Dr David Baines and Professor Susan Baines Image: Newcastle University
University scientists ask: is there life on Mars? By Helena Vesty News Editor
A group of Newcastle University experts, working in the newly opened Surface Engineering and Analysis Laboratory, have recently published findings which may further current research into the possibility of life on Mars. The journal article covered their study into the organic compounds deposited along microscopic ‘tunnel’ structures, within basalt rocks found hundreds of metres below the floor of the Pacific Ocean. These ‘tunnels’ are believed to have been made by microbes potentially seeking nutrients or protection from predators, over 200 million years ago. Notably, the group’s results have provided the strongest evidence to date within the field that the structures have a biological origin. Contributing author and geoscientist, Graham Purvis, suggested that the methods used for their experiment could be employed to look for signs of extra-terrestrial life. Purvis explained that “sub-oceanic basalt has very similar properties to that which we would expect to find on Mars”. This is a timely development, with the European Space Agency probe, Schiaparelli, scheduled to arrive at the surface of Mars on the 19th October of this year. The project utilised state of the art equipment, including Time of Flight
Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and a £1.5 million Helium Ion Microscope, to “detect the trace left behind by living systems”, as explained by the head of the £7million laboratory, Professor Peter Cumpson. As the only microscope of its capability in the country, the resource was used to analyse surfaces to a incredibly high degree of accuracy, reaching a resolution of 10nm. This level of clarity is five times better than available anywhere in the UK. Hence discovering the “biological fingerprint” left on the rocks, even after millions of years. Purvis did identify the challenges ahead, pointing out that “the search for evidence of life on Mars is not an easy task because of the scarcity of pristine, uncontaminated Martian meteorite samples.” However, Professor Cumpson described the possibilities as “huge and tremendously exciting”, as the technology will not just be limited to the exploration of life on other planets. He added that the techniques “have long been used in the electronics industry for fault-finding in semiconductor manufacture and processing. “But the Helium Ion Microscope can be used for the first time for the analysis of soft materials - such as surface contaminations of needles, vials and medical implants, or for tracking drugs and where they end up in the body so healthcare applications are growing strongly.”
“The technology will not just be limited to the exploration of life on other planets ”
Discovering the red planet Image: Wikipedia
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Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Newcastle University provides Metro route to the future By Laura Higgins
Newcastle University’s Open Lab has been asked by Nexus to help run a series of events to involve the public in designing the Metrocars of the future. The Metro is a vital amenity in the region, serving over 40 million passengers per year, and the Metro will be asking the community to share their thoughts about the design of the first Metrocars, since 1980. Throughout November, pop-up labs will take place across the region to enable the public to have their say on issues such as seating arrangements, space for prams and luggage, the availability of Wi-Fi access and accessibility for wheelchair users. Sunil Rodger, a PhD student at Open Lab who is involved in the project, commented: “Whilst the Metro was innovative in catering for wheelchair users when it was designed 40 years ago, times have moved on. “Disabled people still often experience accessibility barriers in everyday life, including on public transport. “We are keen for members of the public with diverse needs to get involved, so that their ideas help inform the design of Metrocars for the future.”
Modern technology enables the public to participate in this exciting project via mobile phones, tablets and webbased tools. Co-researchers are also producing a collaborative video, filming current journeys on the Metro. Simon Bowen, a research associate at Open Lab commented that public research “gives people a voice in how the future Metro should look.” By sharing personal experiences and providing detailed feedback on current infrastructure, the public can help to develop public transport for the future. Nexus have also recognized the importance of the local student population’s input into the process, with a significant number of students in Tyne and Wear using the Metro daily. Through collaboration between Nexus and Newcastle University, students have the opportunity to help transform the region’s public transport to cater for current and future generations. Through these events Nexus are encouraging student participation in the Metro’s Grand Design. Newcastle University’s team will try to ensure that the Metro remains an innovative and efficient mode of travelling and to help Nexus, in a once-in-ageneration opportunity, to take part in shaping the infrastructure of the future.
Image: Sofia on Flickr
The Courier
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Monday 17 October 2016
Closing the gap in mental health awareness By Ava Forbes
Mind the Gap Stall Image: Ava Forbes
Biking around the toon By Yoana Cholteeva Newcastle University’s cycling enthusiasts came together last week on the 12th of October to explore the city surroundings and enjoy the magnificent Quayside views while cycling, as part of the NUSU organised bike ride. Although the bad weather may have deterred some of the less committed cyclists, a group of determined riders mounted
their bikes, generously provided by Recyke Y’Bike, to admire the Tyne river. The event began at 1pm and continued for about two hours. There were participants from many different countries, including Vietnam, China and Singapore. The participants shared that they have always been fans of cycling, as not only is it a green mode of transportation, it also keeps you fit and gives a sense of freedom to your soul. Recyke Y’Bike is a Community Social
Enterprise which receives old bikes and after repairing them, they are resold, or sent to families in various African countries in order to help improve the standard of living by providing a means of transport. Their target is to send 500 bikes to projects across the African continent every year. So if you are willing to donate your worn-out bike or you would like to volunteer by repairing some, feel free to join in!
Image: Yoana Cholteeva
The university’s mental health society Mind The Gap was working last week to raise awareness for World Mental Health Day (October 10th) and OCD Awareness Week. On Monday, Mind The Gap ran a stall outside the Students’ Union handing free beverages, sweets and leaflets, which advised on mental health services. In addition, they also ran a discussion on Tuesday evening (October 11th) discussing the misconceptions surrounding Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which affects 1.2 out of 100 people in the UK. The society aims to involve the wider public in their events, reaching out to local schools, GPs and businesses with their events. Talking about last week’s events, Mind The Gap’s president Andrew Lister said: “We had really good engagement from members of the public and students. “And we had some really great volunteers, who really put their heart and soul into it so we’re really grateful to them.” Mind The Gap is looking forward to its fourth annual conference that is due to take place in April 2017. The conference has been a consistent success over the years, with a variety of delegates hosting a series of interactive sessions
to attend free of charge. The society will also be taking over the Students’ Union and hosting a series of talks and workshops on mental health run by students and invited guest speakers. Campaigns officer Zoë Godden said: “It is important to have open and honest discussion about mental health as it can save lives. Having societies like Mind the Gap on campus ensure students with mental health problems are catered for and have a safe space to come together and raise awareness ”. The actions of the Mind The Gap society have been echoed on a global level for this year’s World Mental Health Day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) ran their campaign along the theme of ‘psychological first aid’. WHO stated that the investment in ‘psychological first aid’ was an element of a much longer term effort to ensure the wider extension of care to those who need it. Particularly as even the most basic of support is often found to be considerably lacking in many places. Along with Mind The Gap, Newcaslte University provides mental health and counselling through the Student Wellbeing Service. The service offers both face to face and online help.
Job fair-y visits Newcastle By Amy Zheng The Newcastle University part-time jobs fair was held on 10th and 11th of October in the Student Union, for students interested in earning some money and gaining valuable work experience. The event aimed to provide students looking for part-time work, alongside their studies, with information about opportunities in the local area. The 2 day fair, open to all Newcastle University students, hosted over 20 employers offering aplications and recruiting students. The career service team and local employers promoted a wide range of part-time jobs on and off campus. Vacancies were advertised in a wide range of industries, from hospitality and catering to marketing, events and even care, education, and administration. Organisations such as Americamp offered information to students about their paid summer schemes, working overbroad in the USA while Newcastle University’s career service spoke of the
advantaged of JobSOC, their flexible jobs on campus scheme for students. Other high profile companies such as KFC, Hilton Hotels and the British Army also advertised vacancies across the 2 days. Any student could attend the event as University smartcards were used for easier and quicker access, no prebooking necessary. Students from other universities were asked to sign-in prior to arrival. The fair was the perfect opportunity for students to speak directly with the school career service team aswell as employers, allowing them to get up to date information and tips on the application process. The event was very popular among students, with large crowds still entering the venue even at the end of the day. Ultimatley it was a great opportunity to prepare students for future careers allowing them to build networks with potential employers, aquire application skiills and explore many great opportunities and prosperuous ways to use their spare time while at University.
Image: Amy Zheng
The Courier
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Monday 17 October 2016
Renters rising By Scott Houghton
Renters Rising, a community-based organising workshop, was held last Tuesday at the NewBridge Project as a part of the Hidden Civil War programme. The workshop provided training on the fundamentals of campaigns and community organising and a chance to stand against the housing crisis. The group are also inviting local artists and activists to contribute towards these events by presenting evidence of the divisions, in modern British society. It comes at a time when many students are exploited by misleading landlords and letting agencies and have to pay more for living in poor conditions. Others are also struggling to find decent housing throughout the country largely due to unreasonable high prices. Tom Scott, a campaign organiser at ACORN said: “It is vital that students are aware of the issues around rents especially freshers. “Our campaigns give people the skills to campaign and show how they can make a difference in their own communities, either at home or at university.” The event also covered how to plan a campaign, power analysis and effective tactics, organising communications and
strategy amongst others. The workshop was hosted by Association of Community Organisations for Reform Now (ACORN UK). This community organisation was founded in 2014, and has since won over £120,000 in home repairs from landlords, prevented illegal evictions and campaigned to make landlords and letting agents sign up to their Ethical Lettings charter. ACORN actively encourages people to learn what is good for their own community and fight for better living conditions. Scott continued: “Learning is at the heart of our movement.” “We develop the capacity and skills of our members to organise and lead our communities and to participate in politics as equals, with people power behind us.” The workshop at the NewBridgeProject is one example of wider movement around the UK fighting for better fairer housing. ACORN also campaigns against government activities that encourage landlords to behave unethically. In January 2016, Conservative MPs voted down a proposal, which would make private landlords ensure their properties to be fit for human habitation and potentially affect student renters.
“The workshop provided training on the fundamentals of campaigns and community organising and a chance to stand against the housing crisis”
First Student Council of the year By Samantha Cooke Chair of Students Council
The night before my first NUSU Council as chair, I was feeling a little bit stressed. I was listening to one of the previous Councils on Recap, trying to iron out some final details. Do we use the clickers to vote on Business Motions or is it just a show of hands? Am I allowed to sit on an executive committee? When do I bang the gavel? Even though I’d had loads of training and a brilliant handover, I was still quite scared to address the Students’ Union Council for the first time. Fortunately, I needn’t have worried. The first Student Council of the year went without a hitch and I couldn’t be more excited for the next one. We began in traditional NUSU Council fashion by tucking into some free Dominos before the proceedings got into full swing. Our resident vegans were particularly excited as their food option had been greatly improved this year: delicious Turkish mezze courtesy of Grainger Market. Soon enough, it was 5:15pm and time for Council to begin. We started off with some elections, for council open places and remaining rep roles. Jack Taylor, Students’ Union President, did a brilliant job of his first ever State of the Union address to Council. Unfortunately, the Education Officer, Chris Duddy, wasn’t able to attend the first Council as he was meeting course reps on our Malaysia and Singapore campuses. Whether it was due to FOMO or commitment to his role, he
still managed to make an appearance via a very well-received video. He told Jack that his Malaysian counterpart was a much better President, and then to a chorus of ‘aww’s he wished me luck for my first meeting. After passing a few reports, we were finally able to get down to the motions. The first few motions were formali-
“The first Student Council of the year went without hitch and I couldn’t be more excited for the next one” ties and passed with ease, but we soon got down to the nitty gritty - Constitutional Motions which would change the Union’s constitution and needed a 2/3rds majority to pass. The first motion passed looked to update the Standing Orders (rules which govern how council is run), and the second, which aimed to replace Change One Thing with a bigger and better outreach programme called You Want It We Got It was also roundly accepted by the council, followed by a policy to limit printed publicity during elections. The next two motions were more contentious: one student wanted to rename the Editor of the Courier position to Student Media Officer, and also make
the TCTV and NSR Station Manager roles into Part-Time Officer Positions. Neither of these motions passed, as the Editor of the Courier, Jade Holroyd, noted that she spent most of her time working on The Courier and felt her title was fitting. The new PTO roles also weren’t accepted, as many people took issue with the stipulation that these roles would not go up for re-election and did not seem necessary. We then moved on to a couple of Ordinary Motions, which just required a simple majority to pass. The first of these was submitted by a student last year, but there was no time to discuss the motion at the May Council. As the student has since graduated, Welfare & Equality Officer Rachael Kitching proposed the motion in her stead. The motion mandated Rachael to ask the University to conduct audits into equal pay and publish a year of intent that it aims to close any wage gap between marginalised groups. After a few questions, Council accepted this motion which left just one more to be debated. Consent classes for freshers have been hotly debated in the press as of late, but after convincing speeches from the proposer Cara Brooke and the Marginalised Genders Officer, Saffron Kershaw-Mee, Council resolved to accept the motion and
look into making some optional classes available in Freshers Week next year. Even though there were no more motions to be debated, Council wasn’t over yet. We had to elect more positions, this time to the various executive committees of the Union, and then have our open debate on online voting for Council. Finally, I got to unveil one of my first manifesto promises had come to fruition - the NUSU Council raffle now had not one but two prizes! The £10 and £20 Intu gift cards were won by AU Officer Sophie Matthews and council member Jack Oliver Parker, much to everyone
else’s jealousy. After the excitement of Council ended, we all headed down to Mens Bar armed with £2 drinks vouchers to unwind and chat about what was, for all of us, a really lovely evening. The best thing about Council is that anyone and everyone can get involved to find out what’s going on at the Union, or just to eat free pizza and get a cheap drink afterwards. The next Student Council will take place from 5:00pm on Thursday November 10th, in the History Room. All the relevant info can be found at www. nusu.co.uk/council.
Deputy Editor Ollie introducig Open Debate Image: Saffron Kershaw-Mee
Comment 10.
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Sinéad CorkettBeirne & Sunil Nambiar courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Comment
Our democracy is sick, but still alive First it was Brexit. Then Trump. Errol Kerr tells us not to give up on our noblest, ailing tradition of democracy
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his past year has threatened the foundations of democratic process across the board. I’m happy to sit here and say that every process I’ve witnessed – the NUS campaign, the EU referendum, the Labour leader re-elections, Columbia’s rejection of the FARC peace deal, and the US Presidential elections, have all revealed terrifying aspects that populist democracy has created.
“Democracy is ultimately both our threat and our saviour” For once, I’m writing without initial judgment, because I’ve seen the horrors that democracy can create: The petty, bitter arguments created by the NUS debate; the rise of homophobia, racism and Islamophobia as a result of the EU referendum; reports of psychiatrists reporting staggering numbers of individuals suffering from anxiety stemming from the possibility of a Trump presidency; the Labour left ignoring the antiSemitic bodies w it h i n
their ranks. All these issues stem directly from democratic processes that have occurred in the past year. Yes, I just threw shade at Corbyn. Deal with it. Despite being as socialist as you can get, I’m more than aware of a rise in hatred being a key aspect in politics, and Labour shouldn’t think its somehow immune to it. So, yes, democracy has led to an incredibly tumultuous time, and a lot of people mightn’t appreciate the results. I’d understand people’s displeasure: wages are stagnant, households live precariously, and war continues to rear its ugly head. However, while the democratic process is at fault, it is also the only thing that can save us from the abhorrent hell that 2016 has been. In all honesty, what happened in 2016 is no different to Obama’s presidential election in 2008 – issues regarding
“I’m of the staunch belief that a few words can go a long way” one particular voting body, whether legitimate or not, were raised – and, getting people out there to vote was what won Obama the Presidency for two terms. It is also
what won Corbyn the position of Labour Leader twice. Of course, democracy is still relevant. Democracy is ultimately both our threat and our saviour, and gives voice to the bodies that use it – or choose not to, arguably. What hasn’t seemed to be paired with democracy in 2016, however, is education. It’s taken until 2016 to make the wider Western public realise that their voices do matter, and many are still yet to find out or care. Of course, we mightn’t be happy in the results – I’m not happy with most of them – but they’re still legitimate democratic results. The only thing that will change votes are conversations on what you’re voting for, and we can’t allow for a lack of education. That’s led to an argumentative, negative and petty NUS referendum here on campus. That’s led to a UK political campaign that thrived on the demonisation of individuals who weren’t white. That’s led to a US Presidential candidate at whom people cheer when he threatens his opponent Hillary Clinton with incarceration if he becomes President. Of course, her illegal acts in the email scandal are undeniable, but it’s not Trump’s position to make those threats - especially as a tax-dodging fraud himself. Democracy may have allowed for these two
contemptible nominees, and a whole host of terrible things, but democracy is the only thing that can solve it. After all, we have no alternative. Anti-democratic systems of government like Fascism will lead only to
“The only thing that will change votes are conversations on what you’re voting for” more war, more death, and more abuses of humanity and dignity. Our problem is a lack of democracy, a lack of actual peoples’ interests being represented over those of detached elites. To save democracy, we need educated discussions - they’re not happening, and all we’re doing is throwing stones at one another. We need better, clearer, less biased sources of information. We need from cradle to grave a culture of learning and education in politics and policy. I’m of the staunch belief that a few words can go a long way, and it just takes making the effort to have those conversations – and listen to those conversations – to, um, make democracy… great again? I hate myself after making that pun.
Can Republican elites ever top Trump? Alexandra Sadler considers how nominee exposes the problems of party loyalty with Trump
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t first, it seemed unfathomable to many that Donald Trump would even survive the primaries let alone present a serious challenge to the Democratic nominee. Trump’s rancourous attitude is coupled with a penchant for bigotry: It’s not a good look and does not present an image of a man well equipped to diplomatically lead an influential country such as the US. With a complete lack of political experience, and using extreme rhetoric that may damage Republican gains in the Houses of
Congress, maybe its no surprise that Trump’s support from Republican elites has leaking away for months. For example, the massively influential billionaire donors the Koch brothers will be funding only Republican
congressional campaigns and not Trump’s bid for the Presidency. Other top Republicans like former president George H.W. Bush have refused to vote for Trump. However the New York representative Richard Hanna became the first sitting Republican member of Congress to announce he intends to vote for Hilary Clinton over Donald Trump.
needs to be broken in order to ensure that political power is kept out of the hands of those who misuse it. I have to question the value of loyalty as a whole. On the one hand, politicians and public figures need to be able to rely upon their most loyal members, allowing them to focus on undecided and swing voters during elections. However, the party faithful must always balance this with what they think will do good for society. Opinions change, times change, and new generations must always challenge the ideas of their elders. A battle of ideas is healthy, and absolute loyalty to any person, idea, or party is a dangerous idea.
This mass party betrayal tells us two things: Hillary Clinton, existing on the corporate rightwing of the Democrat party, is conservative enough to attract Republican support. It also tells us that one’s interests aren’t always best served by their own party. It seems Trump is dragging away his party from their traditional interests, sparking a certain amount of rebellion. Moderate Republicans and left-wing Democrats now feel isolated in their party by two controversial nominees With young voters also abandoning the two main parties for the Libertarians and Greens, it seems Americans are getting sick of the two-party system and are forging new loyalties to insurgent parties. In the UK and EU we see the same thing, with disenfranchised voters abandoning the mainstream party politics of old. Labour and Tory in-fighting also tells us that previously powerful elites have a big problem with maintaining their loyalties when things don’t go their way. But we shouldn’t see supposed party disloyalty as a personal failing or weakness. In reality, it shows a loyalty to one’s beliefs over figures of authority. These betraying Republicans see Clinton as a better portrayal of their values, and a Trump presidency as nothing short of both a cataclysm of one disaster after another, and a corruption of their party. Therefore, whilst these new Clinton voters are unlikely to become Democrats, they demonstrate that party loyalty sometimes
“Party disloyalty... shows a loyalty to one’s beliefs over figures of authority”
“Trump’s rancourous attitude is coupled with a penchant for bigotry: It’s not a good look”
Trump is the perfect example of this danger, and the unquestioning fervour of some of his supporters makes them ignore the wilful, damaging hatred of his words. A refusal among Clinton and Trump supporters to challenge the untruths of the nominees is spreading partisanship, ignorance, and a toxic culture of post-truth politics. A certain level of scepticism is needed to promote the common good. Refusing to question authority presents a false idea of democracy, as people are not voting in line with a fully considered and personal view.
“Absolute loyalty to any person, idea, or party is a dangerous idea”
Ultimately, democracy should allow the people to steer the direction of government, in accordance with a compromise between their own beliefs. This compromise has to be allowed and nourished to exhibit fairness, and prevent disorder. Dedication to a party can be important, but we must remember that democracy can only function correctly when party members feel free to make their own voting decisions and change their mind. An overt idealism of party loyalty betrays a person’s individuality and independence.
The Courier
comment .11
Monday 17 October 2016
Islam: A threat to Liberté?
As the media paints a picture, Islam is framed. Celia Sommer discusses to what extent does supposed ‘Islamisation’ endangers the French republic’s secularism and way of life
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fter a chain of murderous attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris, including an iconic assault on free speech and liberty in the Charlie Hebdo shootings, agitations over a supposed Islamisation of France are to be unfortunately expected. It is important to keep in mind that Muslims, the vast majority moderate and harmless, represent only less than ten percent of the French population. Despite the attacks, France remains a secular state that guarantees freedom of religion and freedom of conscience, and is even more proud of this in the face of adversity. Yet in this state of emergency, people are afraid. This leads to crackdowns on Muslim life like the controversial burkini ban. Nevertheless, there is a
“Making the lives of peaceful Muslims difficult does nothing to help French security” distinction to be made between Islam and Radical Islam, and making the lives of peaceful Muslims difficult does nothing to help French security. Despite the fear the media pushes, it is important
to underline the fact that there is only a small proportion of French population that conflate problems linked to terrorism and Muslims. There are many representatives of the Muslim population in France and the vast majority don’t
“We face relentless media outlets and politicians looking to hide true economic and social problems”
recognize themselves in those terrorism attacks: they condemn it. My feeling is that the media doesn’t put enough emphasis on this idea: they are, in a way, guilty of this confusion. The topic of French identity has become a crucial stake for French politicians campaigning for the future presidential elections. Indeed, President Francois Hollande has made remarks saying that there is a problem with Islam, and that the religion wishes to affirm itself as a national religion of France. Hollande claims that one day the national symbol of his country could be a woman in a veil. I don’t think a President, due to his position, should take the liberty to say such things. It could incite
further tension and opposition, leading to more violence. I feel like these remarks are against the Left Party’s values. It would be hardly an exaggeration to maintain that politicians like Hollande are making a big mistake: they arouse fear in French society with all their questions. They only have in mind the future presidential elections, without thinking about the consequences of their words. Thus, with all this information and confusion, people are afraid of an Islamisation of France. In reality however, Muslims are a small minority, and largely have no will to tear down French values like secularism. We cannot prove that there is an Islamisation of France. As a French woman I have never felt like a Muslim has tried to impose their religion or culture on me. Our society is free, and everybody can do what they want as long as they respect other people. I worry some may see France as instead, a racist nation. More than anything, we face relentless media outlets and politicians looking to hide true economic and social problems. The EU is unstable, people still sleep on the streets of our capital and go hungry every night. Terrorism is a problem, but we must react appropriately with the same kind of sensible attitude we’d apply to issues like poverty. As independent writers we must do what we can to push the state to face up to real problems like the plight of refugees, a humanitarian crisis on our
Labour must remember what loyalty means Benjamin Eckford writes that in the face of any adversity allies should stick together
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t’s been a summer of upheaval in British politics. We’ve seen a referendum that defied expectations, a Prime Minister’s resignation, UKIP MEPs punching each other, and no fewer than three leadership elections, with a fourth underway. One election, however, was completely unnecessary. While David Cameron, Nigel Farage and Diane James resigned of their own volition, Jeremy Corbyn was forced to defend his leadership against a parliamentary coup culminating in a vote of no confidence and a new leadership election. On the morning of June 24, the government was in disarray. This was the moment when the country needed the opposition to be united, and
“Moderates, I understand your frustration, but...” it was also their chance to prove themselves as a government-in-waiting. Instead, a handful of Labour MPs dishonoured themselves by attempting a behind-the-scenes coup against their own leader, who had earned an overwhelming mandate only nine months earlier from the party membership. This attempt was fatally flawed from the start, because it ignored why the Labour members elected Corbyn last year. They were tired of Labour’s parliamentary wing acting in isolation, with no reference to the wishes of the membership – a situation that gave us Iraq, tuition fees and nearly ID cards. So when the parliamentary party attempted to remove the members’ choice of leader, It was always doomed to failure. It was self-indulgent and stubborn, simply serving to distract us from the business of opposition, turn our gaze yet further inwards, speaking only to ourselves rather than the country, and opening a fresh round of recrimination, making us appear still more divided in the eyes of the voters. As Andy Burnham rightly said at the time, it made no sense for us to do that to ourselves. I am far from Jeremy’s biggest fan. He is well to the left of me, and I wish he displayed far more seriousness about winning a general election. But you don’t have to think your leader is perfect in order to respect two simple principles called democratic rule and loyalty. The coup was a culmination of a year of sickeningly open disloyalty and deserved to be so
decisively defeated. The coup took us further away from government, not closer towards it. Labour MPs are paid to represent their constituents, and a plurality of voters in their constituencies oppose the kind of Tory policy all this in-fighting is letting slide through the Commons. Ayesha Hazarika, who supported Owen Smith, wrote in the Guardian on the 27th of September, urging her fellow Smith supporters to stop sniping and move on, and do not ‘provide a bitter, angry
running commentary about the failings of Corbyn. I suspect the wider public will start to have very little patience with MPs who continue to cause pointless trouble for the leadership on a daily basis... His opponents needs to let him and his team have a proper run at things.’ I urge the same. Labour’s moderates, I understand your frustration, but the real enemy is not Jeremy Corbyn; it is the Tories. Focus your fire on them, not your own leader.
SOAPBOX COMMENT’S HOME OF WEEKLY RANTS
TIME TRAVELLING Josh Snell
Once, for about 30 seconds, I tried to calculate how much of my life I spend commuting. The answer I came up with was a definitive “too long”. Now, I’m sure Newcastle is a lovely city. But, most of the time, I don’t ever get to see it. Why? Well, I’m seemingly forever on the public transport, watching as workers filter onto the Metro in hordes ready for another day at the office. It all came to a head the other day when I sat on the Metro and, to my right, I saw a gentleman dangling from the overhead bars with a baguette sticking out of his backpack. At that moment, I just thought “this man has lost his mind” – this is what commuting does to you. Commuting made the man mad! Let’s invent teleportation already.
GET IN LINE
Bruce Skelton Is there anything more stereotypically British than queuing? While the Royal Family and drinking tea are both up there, we seem quite content forming a line and waiting our turn. In some cases, we even allow another person to enter before us! “After you”, is a terrible convention that nobody knows the origin of. Irritatingly, an all too common occurrence is finally realising that after waiting 999 minutes we’re in the entirely wrong queue. Whilst our minds are erratically jumping on the inside, we again apologise politely, awkwardly moving to wherever we’ve been directed to restart the lengthy procedure. Potentially even more frustrating are those times I guarantee we’ve all experienced, usually in relation to a train you’re about to miss. You’re running late, you join the back of the queue for a ticket, wait your turn and then fumble desperately with the automated machine. Finally, to top it all off, your ticket never even gets checked.
DEBATE OR DEBACLE? Chris Murray Being a political enthusiast, I plonked myself down on the sofa with a slightly disappointing pizza. Despite my reservations about the credibility of the candidates, I must admit that this election does have me intrigued; if only to watch ‘The Donald’ drop another clanger and then miraculously escape political ruin for the umpteenth time. Whether it was Trump forgetting to hide how proud he was of himself after saying something he thought clever with a little self-congratulatory smile, or Clinton continuously shaking her head at the audience when her adversary was making a point like a deranged, politically inept bobble-head toy, the second Presidential debate had everything. Everything, that is, apart from a plausible candidate to become Leader of the Free World.
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Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Black History Month Black history and the power of knowledge
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Safiya Robinson, Racial Equality Officer
hat better way to introduce Newcastle Black History Month than with a little bit of Northern history? Lilian Bader, one of the first Black women to enter the British Armed Forces, was born in 1918 in Liverpool. Bader’s father was a merchant seaman from Barbados who had fought for the British in the First World War. She joined the NAAFI (Navy, Army and Airforce Institutes), but was asked to leave when her father’s West Indian heritage was discovered, as a ‘coloured Briton was not acceptable”. Later she joined the WAAF (Women’s Auxiliary Air Force), where she was “the only coloured person in this sea of white faces”. Despite this, she rose to the rank of Acting Corporal. You can find out more about her in Ray Costello’s book Black Liverpool: The Early History of Britain’s Oldest Black Community 17301918. Happy Black History Month! First celebrated in 1987, and developed by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of the African diaspora. It can be very difficult to articulate precisely why Black History Month is still vital in 2016. We have been taught that we live in a post-racial, colour blind society. This year’s Brexit referendum (both the campaign and the fallout) highlights that this is not the case. Rampant nationalism is on the rise. In the month following the vote, racially motivated hate crimes rose by 41%. If you are a person of colour living in Britain no doubt these figures will not surprise you. This hate is not new, it has just been legitimised. In an ideal world, Black History Month would not be necessary, because the media, popular culture, and the curriculum would fully recognise and appreciate the contributions of Black people throughout history. Unfortunately, this is not the case. I have spent the majority of my life in a British education system that does not represent me. A system that purposefully distances itself and lacks accountability for its colonial crimes and its direct involvement in the oppression of people of colour globally. Any attempt to look at Blackness begins with slavery and ends with civil rights, and is often taught only in a US context. Black history is British history. British history is Black history. The industrial revolution was funded by slavery. The family of our former PM David Cameron owned slaves. Major cities such as Liverpool and Bristol owe their wealth to the slave trade. Black people, both in Britain and from previously colonised countries, gave their lives for King and Country in
both World Wars. To be Black in Britain is a state of being constantly othered. Black History Month serves as a reminder that our histories are intrinsically linked, and Black narratives are just as important. This year’s programme of events is distinctly Black British. We take a look at the politics and origins of Grime music, Black British Feminism and how institutional racism manifests itself in a UK context, from police brutality, (with the screening of The Hard Stop) to employability, (our careers event). Higher Education has a race problem. There are only 100 Black professors in the UK (out of 20,000). Just 20 of these are Black women. Pale, male and stale courses are no longer enough. We must work harder to begin the decolonising process in all areas. If we are teaching knowledge through just one lens we cannot progress as a society. 1 in 6 BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) students face racism at their institution, and are less likely to graduate with a 1st or 2:1 than their White counterparts. Black students are also more likely to dropout or transfer university. This year I am undertaking research into the satisfaction and experiences of BAME students, in order to highlight to the University the unique issues BAME students face and to aid in the development of specific initiatives that are needed in order to close the attainment gap. This investigation will be launched on Wednesday 19th October with an event in the History Room, 6pm, looking at testimonies from Newcastle students and going through the NUS national race report. It would be great to see a lot of you there. In my capacity as Racial Equality Officer, I started the BAME Network as a platform for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic voices. It is open to people of all races as a forum to discuss race, racism and identity and as a place of alternative education. We are called the BAME Network, as opposed to “anti racist network” or similar, because we centre the voices and lived experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students and use these to guide change. The Network is a place where people with a genuine commitment to eradicating racism can come to learn more, listen to lived experiences and come up with solutions. You can become a member on the NUSU website and find out more on our Facebook page, “Newcastle University BAME Network”. We are all in a constant process of learning, unlearning and evolving, and I hope that you all enjoy this month’s events and use them to question some of your own ideas about these issues.
“In my capacity as Racial Equality Officer, I started the BAME Network as a platform for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic voices”
The importance of Black History Month
Editor Jade Holroyd chats with students on campus to find out what Black History Month means to them. Niall A Nagar, 3rd year Biomedical Sciences
Black history month means a lot to me as it showcases all of the amazing orators that have fought against oppression such as Benjamin Zephaniah and Nelson Mandela. However it’s important to remember that this month is not here to solely celebrate the well known figures and I think that’s why the month is so special. Black History Month incorporates the stories of black people who have influenced the lives of many through not just their activism but through sport, tv/film and music for example. Examples include Jesse Owens during the Berlin Olympics, actors like Morgan Freeman and Idrus Elba, as well as musicians like Kendrick Lamar, who still rhyme about judgement and oppression in America! This makes me even more proud to have a heritage which is so rich in talent.
Simone Kelly, 1st year English Literature and Language
Black History Month to me is recognition of all the great names that have provided us with the foundations that we build from today. It’s a celebration of the progress we’ve made culturally as a society and the obstacles we’ve surpassed. But it also stands as a reminder of the work that needs to be done through educating and demonstrating. I am proud to be part of such a strong, beautiful and inspiring culture.
Laura Hall, 3rd year Economics
I think it’s important to recognise black history and to celebrate Black History Month to show how far we’ve come and still how far we have to go before there is true equality amongst all races.
Audrey Lorde, prominent black feminist
Amy Spencer-Rogers, 1st year Medicine
To me, black history month is a time to learn about, remember and educate people about black contribution to our culture and history; something that isn’t really taught in schools. It also makes me realise how much more work there is still to do and how much inequality and in built societal racism still affects black people’s opportunities and self-esteem. At the same time though, it makes me really proud to be a black woman.
“We are all in a constant process of learning, unlearning, and evolving, and I hope that you all enjoy this month’s events and use them to question some of your own ideas about these issues”
Rachael Kitching, Welfare & Equality Officer At the students union, we are extremely fortunate to work closely with Safiya Robinson, our racial equality officer, who has worked hard over the past months to put on an excellent, really extensive programme of events. These events not only seek to promote black history, culture and important contributors to today’s society, but also include workshops and events geared around politics and arts. I was fortunate enough to attend Safiya’s first event last on Friday, which included a screening of The Hard Stop, a film about the 2011 London riots, and a discussion with Siana Bangura. The discussion was particularly enjoyable because it really generated a lot of emotion and opened up an interesting debate. On behalf of all those who attended the event, I believe it’s fair to say how truly insightful it was and I’m really looking forward to all the events that remain this coming week! Black History Month is a great opportunity for learning and I encourage you to come along to as many of the events as possible.
“We deplore the prejudice against colour, and we are severely censorious towards those who exhibit it.” Newcastle Daily Chronicle, (today’s Evening Chronicle), January 1865. Martin luther King Jr., Civil Rights activist
The Courier
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Monday 17 October 2016
Events: Friday 14 October
Black Lives Matter UK
6pm History Room, L1 NUSU Film screening of The Hard Stop, followed by a Q and A with poet and activist Siana Bangura. The Hard Stop (2016) examines the events that led up to and followed the murder of Mark Duggan, whose shooting by police in London 2011 resulted in rioting across England.
Friday 21 October
Decolonising the Pink Triangle 6pm History Room, L1 NUSU
The QTIPOC experience: a discussion on the experiences of queer, trans, intersex people of colour.
Monday 24 October
Black British Feminism
6pm History Room, L1 NUSU
Monday 17 October
The Feminist Society will lead a discussion about the contributions of Black women to the Feminist movement and reveal the untold story of Black British Feminism.
6pm History Room, L1 NUSU
Wednesday 26 October
Did you know that Afro-Caribbean people in the UK are five times more likely to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, 44% more likely to be sectioned under the Mental Health Act and 29% more likely to be restrained than their white counterparts?
12pm-4pm Katie Adie Room, L1 NUSU
Black Mental Health
Tuesday 18 October
Black British Spotlight: Kaye Adesanya 6pm History Room, L1 NUSU
An evening with the founder of the African streetwear brand MOJO KOJO and Afrobeats label ljoya, discussing entrepreneurship, the importance of black owned businesses and life in the creative industries.
Wednesday 19 October
George Padmore Institute Exhibition 11am-2pm The Venue, L-2 NUSU
A look into the Black Cultural Archives of the George Padmore Institute.
Black History Month Fair 11am-2pm Outside NUSU
With stalls celebrating food, music, art and other culture of Afro-Caribbean origin.
NUSU’s BAME Student Satisfaction Report
BAME Careers event
Did you know that Ethnic Minority graduates are between 5 and 15% less likely to be employed than their White British peers 6 months after graduation? Join us for this solution based discussion lead by the Careers Service and guest speakers from the public and private sectors.
Friday 28 October
The Politics of Grime
8pm World Headquarters, Curtin Mayfield House Carilol Square We take a look at how Grime harnesses the political power of the arts and its relationship with Black British identity. There will be a screening of Jme’s ‘The Police vs Grime Music’ and ‘Heartbreak and Grime’, followed by a panel discussion. With special guests tbc, including Caleb Femi, Young People’s Poet Laureate 2016 and Jesse Bernard, music journalist for Complex, Fader, Noisey and Paper Mag and more.
Monday 31 October
Black History Month Finale 7pm Outside NUSU
Candlelight Vigil for all victims of police brutality and to honour those who came before us.
6pm History Room, L1 NUSU
Launch of NUSU’s investigation into the experience of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students. Come and meet your Racial Equality Officer and hear the findings of the NUS Race Matters report, and find out where Newcastle stands nationally. Refreshments provided.
Thursday 20 October
What is Privilege?
6pm History Room, L1 NUSU This interactive workshop takes a look at the idea of “privilege”: who has it, who doesn’t and what does it mean?
NUSU Black History Month 2016
Safiya Robinson speaking at a Privilege workshop
Monday 17 October 2016 The Courier
14.lifestyle Astrological Antonia
In a new feature Antonia Coleman-Harvey uses her mystic powers to guide you through your week Aquarius Jan 20- Feb 18
Aquarius, this is the week to get stuff done. Do those things that you’ve been putting off, call your parents, change your sheets, you know your future self will thank you!
Pisces Feb 19- March 20
Beautiful pisces, your poise and grace will be a useful asset this week. people around you may be losing their heads, but keep yours and you’ll come out on top .
Aries March 21- April 19
Don’t let ill-mannered work colleagues ruin your day, and definitely don’t let them affect your personal life. Instead, enjoy some girl time with you best pals; take a bath, paint your nails and chug back a glass of rose. It is probable, however, that you will have to say no to an offer.
Taurus April 20- May 20
The girl that catches every passer by’s eye. It’s okay to look sloppy every now and then, the world won’t judge you. You may be feeling perturbed by a friends’ capricious behaviour, but all you need to do is show them that you’re there for them.
Gemini May 21- June 20
Listen to your ruling planet Mercury, who is telling you that Wednesday will be a good day for you. Spring-like colours like yellow and lilac will bring you much joy, and remind you of your
Cancer June 21- July 22
You’re sensitive and caring, Moonchild, so do not let those around you take you for granted. Your best day is Monday and watch out for the colours silver and blue. This is a good period of time for you as Neptune is in another water sign.
Tasty treats to try in the Toon
Sarah Davies gives us the low down on where in Newcastle you really should be eating this term and shares her finds with us all
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or the overwhelmed fresher or the self assured returning students, eating out may involve: infrequent escapades with your folks when they visit to restore confidence you are still in animate existence; or if you have slightly more cash to splash, eating out can be reoccurring ventures that deplete your student loan pound by pound. With an ornate roman historical past, Newcastle has blossomed into a conspicuous, appreciable cultural capital. Besieged with numerous restaurants, coffee shops and tea rooms, to an outside visitor the Newcastle eating scene may seem quite overwhelming and trying to find this cities best kept secrets can be quite tiring. With 2 years experience the pressure of attempting to find an innovative, scrummy, non-expensive eatery has resulted in begrudgingly taking a
1 QUILLIAM BROTHERS
Located around the corner from the students’ union, Quilliam Brothers tea room will comfort and console you through traumatic seminars and debilitating essays, whilst supplying the most avantgarde and extensive selection of teas, (ranging from apple crumble to jasmine) and classic Geordie stotties (the Mexican pulled pork is a superb shout). With a great range of meat, vegetarian and vegan friendly recipes, this establishment caters for the diverse student population. Open from 10am-12am Quilliams also offers alternative nights for those who do not favour a boozy night on the Toon by organising film nights located in their secluded, small-scale, basement cinema.
“Quilliam Brothers tea room will comfort and console you through traumatic seminars”
2 HOP AND CLEAVER
As a slightly more unusual choice, Hop and cleaver is one of the dark horse eateries of Newcastle. Located on the Quayside this American smokehouse will delight any prodigious meat eater. Serving a selection of “crates”, you can choose from a wide selection of meats (pulled pork to smoked sausage, barbequed chicken to slow roasted brisket), plus 2 different sides ranging from mac and cheese to sweet potato fries. Offering great value for money Hop and Cleaver has to be the top of your list when eating out in Newcastle.
Leo July 23- Aug 22
Anticipate surges of creativity, fiery Leo. You will be feeling instinctive on Sunday so follow your heart. Until 2017, Uranus is moving through other Fire signs; you can unleash your adventurous side by travelling to distant lands and experiences wonderful new cultures.
Virgo Aug 23- Sep 22
Virgo… Im sorry. This week is going to be bad, but not for reasons you expect. Yep, no good news today… sorry mate.
Libra Sep 23- Oct 22 You’re strong you’re fierce, and to hell with anyone that doesn’t accept that! This week focus on living for you, you’re strong, independent and you don’t need no man!
Scorpio Oct 23- Nov 21
All eyes will be on you on Wednesday, so try to look your best! Scorpios are naturally fiesty, so I’m sure you’ll make the best of it, go dazzle in the spotlight!
Sagittarius Nov 22- Dec 21 Something from your past will come back to bite you so be wary… just try to keep a smile on your face, it’s going to be a difficult week. Sagittarius, I wish you luck, just keep swimming.
Capricorn Dec 22- Jan 19
Dreams can come true, Capricorns I’m looking at you! Keep your fingers crossed on Friday, that thing you’ve been praying for will finally happen, hallelujah! Just don’t let it go to your head…
Quilliam Brothers
Olive & Bean
3 OLIVE AND BEAN
Located at the back of Grainger market Olive and Bae *Bean
is an extremely vibrant lunch eatery serving almost an unlimited array of panini flavour combinations. With a vast selection of homemade cakes, and desserts O&B succeeds as either a lunchtime option or mid afternoon coffee and cake reunion.
4 GREAT BRITISH CUPCAKERY
As a social media hit, The Great British Cupcakery may make it to the top of your list when venturing to the Quayside. Located directly beneath the Tyne Bridge, the bakery serves possibly the most creative milkshakes in Newcastle. With flavours ranging from Eton Mess to Blueberry Cheesecake, this dessert parlour is quintessential for those of you with a colossal sweet tooth.
“Quintessential for those of you with a sweet tooth”
5 FAT HIPPO
An absolute student essential! Whether you visit the underground restaurant located at Monument or roll out of bed into the Jesmond residence, The Fat Hippo will be your guilty pleasure, your hangover cure and your best friend. With its motto: “DO THE GOOD KIND OF GLUTTONY” you know you may not leave the same weight, but you have left with a whole lot of happiness.
“Your guilty pleasure, your hangover cure, and your best friend.”
The Courier
lifestyle.15
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @CourierLifestyle
Healthy and on a budget?
Siobhan Fuller with recipes for you to recover after your Freshers’ food binge
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reshers’ Week is over and we’re settling in; the symphony of coughs, splutters and sneezes echoes around the lecture theatres. Our immune systems seem to have gone AWOL after putting up with so much abuse during Freshers’ so our bodies could definitely use some nourishment. Here are three easy meals that are wholesome and taste amazing. My go to breakfast cure is pancakes; who can say no to dessert in the morning? You will need one ripe banana and two eggs that’s it! Mash the banana then add the eggs, whisking until combined. Heat a little oil or butter in a pan over a medium heat and pour two and a half tablespoons of mixture in, which makes American style stacked pancakes. They do burn easily so make sure you keep an eye on when they need flipping. Keep them warm in the oven until you’ve finished the batter, then serve with berries, cinnamon, honey or even Nutella for added yumminess. My current lunchtime favourite is a healthy quinoa lunchbox. Boil 150g quinoa until all the water is absorbed, then add 1 teaspoon each of turmeric, cumin and chilli powder. Turmeric is hailed for its
immune boosting qualities, and the heat from the chilli helps with blocked noses. Throw one diced red onion, one pepper, six button mushrooms and half a chopped courgette into a pan with heated coconut oil. Stir for five minutes until soft, then add to the quinoa. Alternatively, if you don’t like spice, try grating carrot, beetroot, courgette and cucumber, then add walnuts and dried cranberries. Delicious.
“Tumeric is hailed for its immune boosting qualities, and heat from the chilli helps with blocked noses ”
Nothing quite hits the spot like chicken broth and luckily, my flatmate’s mum has the best recipe for it. Sauté chopped leek and carrot, then add three tablespoons of quick cook pearly barley (or rice, whatever you can get your hands on). After ten minutes, add one and a half pints of chicken
stock, then drop in 100g of precooked chicken. Finish off with a handful of spinach and a good pinch of pepper. When the spinach is wilted, grab a bowl and share it around your flat, as you will all undoubtedly have passed on your illnesses to one another. This recipe saves in the fridge for up to three days so if you want to save it for yourself, it should see out the worst of your freshers flu. Finally, a few drinks ideas to nourish and hydrate your body after the battering it’s taken from the Soho Rooms’ bartenders. The Vitamin C in oranges is a great rejuvenator, so whizz it in a blender with a banana, almond milk, spinach and half an avocado. To kick the sweet tooth cravings, you can even throw in a tablespoon of cocoa powder so it tastes just like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange. Swap for the almond milk for pineapple juice and coconut water for a tropical twist. Tasty and healthy!
RANT OF THE WEEK
Ellie Phillips tells us all why freshers week is the absolute worst
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hat’s it kids; the name status you’ve been working academically towards your whole life, usually expressed in the format of “DOWN IT, YOU FRESHER!” So, ‘Freshers Week.’ Is it all you dreamed it would be? Surely that £65 wristband was worth it? Promising us all these great activities and events throughout the week? Quad biking, grub crawls, cocktail making; you name something you wanted to do, they had it on offer- or did they? The expectation that hungover students would really want to wake up at 8am to go and sign up for all these great activities, after a night of downing jaeger bombs in the SU, was just a bit too unrealistic and a lot of people missed out on what they wanted to do. Maybe it’s time to get with the 21st century and arrange a booking app for next year. At least that would save you crawling out of bed still drunk to sign up for a 30 minute mini bus journey to the countryside, only to be bombarded by paintballs by the lads you saw signing up to the rugby society the other day. Just a suggestion that’s all.
“Maybe it’s time to get with the 21st century and arrange a booking app for next year”
Making a house a home... Student style
University is a daunting move, Victoria Affleck has some tips to make your room feel you never left home, without breaking the bank or your house deposit
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oving into university halls can be a daunting prospect for many students for a number of reasons, like packing the right things to make sure I felt at home. There are various ways us students can make our university rooms look homelier that are simple and fairly cheap too!
“This will help make your room personal to you and a space for you to retreat to” Photos If your halls allow you to, cover your walls in photos of your friends, family or your boyfriend/girlfriend, reminding you of memories you’ve had. This will help make your room personal to you and a space for you to retreat to, reminiscing the good times you’ve had – such as your 18th birthday party where you and your friends got absolutely smashed. If you can’t hang anything on your university room walls, there are alternatives such as filling a noticeboard with pictures, making it like a scrapbook, or buying cheap frames and putting pictures in them – for example, Poundland do some nice frames which will do the job nicely without breaking the student bank!
! d e t Spot
Posters You can inject a bit of your own p personality into your dorm room by adding posters of your favourite bands, artists or TV shows (such as GOT). Even the cliché ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ signs and other motivational quotes which are sure to keep your spirits high throughout the year.
“Even the cliche ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ signs and other motivational quotes... will keep your spirits high”
It’s a good idea to pick a colour scheme and stick to it because a nice room means you’ll instantly feel more at home. My halls already had a set colour scheme so I used this to shape my dorm room. I picked a few red cushions from Wilko for £5 and bought a red blanket for the end of my bed – both of which are easily accessible and cheap to buy in many shops such as Argos or Primark.
Fairy lights Fairy lights are a winner and you can never have too many! They provide a twinkle of magic to your room, whilst at the same time making it look pretty and home-like. You can get them cheap and in all different styles and colours so the right ones are out there for everyone.
“They provide a twinkle of magic to your room, making it pretty and home-like” Cushions and throws
Have you seen something weird and then wished your friends were there to witness it? Have you seen a bizarre outfit or plain shifty behaviour? We’d love to know who/ what you’ve seen around campus that has made you chuckle in the last week. The weirder the better. Just facebook us and let us know, because chances are we’d love to have a chuckle too.
This week: the man, the legend who appeared at his 9am lecture in the same white t-shirt from his social the night before. We watched you as you held your confidence walking around with obscenities scrawled on your t-shirt, which was rather impressive considering the amount of drizzle coming down that morning. Credit to you sir for not falling down the same path of puffa jackets and adidas. You sir are the real MVP and the best part? You had the word ‘ARSE’ still on your forehead. It takes a strong man to look their lecturer in the eye with all that going on. I congratulate you..
All this, however, was nothing in comparison to the main event, the worst thing of all Freshers Week - and potentially of the entire world - Tiger Tiger. I felt exploited, but also a fool for believing all the Facebook claims that it would be “THE BEST NIGHT OUT IN NEWCASTLE THAT ANY FRESHER HAS EVER SEEN!”. It was all lies. Being greeted by a £10 entry fee and discovering the absolute joke price of £3.60 for a vodka and coke was bad enough, especially considering no one’s loan had dropped yet. If that wasn’t awful enough, the music was. Once you got past the initial awe of the 70’s style light up dance floor in Groovy Wonderland, you realised that the whole place is an utter joke. I’m all up for a bit of chart music too, but when you hear ‘Hotline Bling’ played by Drake at least 3 times over, you know that you’ve been conned, and that it’s time to go home.
“I’m all up for a bit of chart music too but when you hear ‘Hotline Bling’ at least 3 times over, you know you’ve been conned” Fair enough, the horror that was Tiger Tiger was my fault, it wasn’t included in the wristband, so the loss of what little money I had to the exploitive bartenders was by my own choice. I had hope though. Hope that the SU organised nights might be better, but yet again I was wrong. Pandamonium on the Friday night was utter shambles. It was fun to dress up, but Basshunter performing at Sam Jacks was possibly one of the most dreadful experiences of my life - if he wasn’t droning on about how wasted he was over the microphone, he was torturing us with some of the worst mixes of all time. In fact he was so bad, that majority of people inside evacuated to nearby bar venue ‘The Gate’, which proved to be no better. It felt like being in a low budget ‘Dawn of the Dead’ remake, where instead of zombies entering the shopping mall, it was just newly turned 18 year olds with panda eyes stumbling across the floor having had one too many trebles. Yes, Freshers’ week might be exclusive to Freshers but honestly, I can’t imagine those smarmy second and third years putting themselves through it again. Motivating yourself to down another vodka and cranberry concoction is bad enough, the least you need is a decent night to gear yourself up for. I think I’ll just stick to pre drinks next year, and the odd house party. But hey, it was an experience and let’s face it, you don’t want to be exposed to the best of Newcastle right from the start - the only way is up from here!
16.lifestyle
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Lifestyle Editors: Ruth Loeffler, Brooklyn Shakeshaft Ward, Antonia Coleman-Harvey & Ana Berestos
Finding Friends who’ll last longer than Freshers Emily Wilkinson gives her view on how to deal with problem flatmates
F*ck me, it’s Freshers’ Crew Ciara Clarke and Krissa Ford give us the low-down on what those orange lunatics were ACTUALLY doing apart from taking over Sinners and Powerhouse and committing to fancy-dress every single night If you’ve been on campus at all during the past fortnight, the 400-strong group of weary students clad in fluorescent orange hoodies and varying degrees of fancy dress will have undoubtedly been a regular sight. Moving freshers into halls, chaperoning them to Digi at midnight and escorting them to bubble football, Tynemouth and Ikea – Freshers’ week for the Freshers’ Crew volunteers was a hectic and sleepless yet unforgettable experience.
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o Fresher’s week is over, and suddenly Rachel, who was obsessed with Rum and Rainbow Sours in Riverside and Rusty’s, has now made the Robbo her permanent home; your kitchen is more entitled to the name filthy than Filthy’s, and nobody can be bothered with those cute bonding sessions. Your flat is more boring than a 9am lecture, and you’re in desperate need of a way to distract yourself from those reading lists. So how do you go about making new friends if your flat is a bit of a dead end? Firstly, remember that everybody came to university on their own, and completely sympathise with how much the first couple of days sucked trying to find the Joey to their Chandler. Be brave; start the conversation and make an extra effort to be confident, friendly, smiley and approachable. Having a boring flat is a great excuse to get out and about and throw yourself into everything life at Newcastle University has to offer- this, as a general rule of thumb, means you’re making the most of your time as a student, and those boring flat mates are clearly the ones who are actually missing out. Most importantly, (as cheesy as it sounds) JUST BE YOURSELF. Discuss and engage in things that genuinely interest you, and hopefully this common ground will enable you to become a little social butterfly in no time. There are so many people on campus that, although it may feel like it now, having a boring flat really isn’t the end of the world. So where’s the best place to test all this out?
“Rachel, who was obsessed with Rum and Rainbow sours, has now made Robbo her home”
The most obvious start would be with the people that you spend all day every day with; people on your course. They chose the same subject at the same university as you, so clearly you must have something in common, right? Make an extra effort in smaller groups, such as seminars and study groups. Don’t be afraid to message people for help on a lecture topic, as this may actually be a great way to start a conversation over something as trivial as a boring lecturer, which could actually blossom into a life-long friendship. It would also be a good idea to check if your course has a society. These are a great way to have fun and meet sociable people on your course. It’s also an opportunity to branch out to people in different year groups and those mysterious faces in the lecture theatre that you may never have had the chance to meet on a normal day around campus.
I won’t lie to you and pretend it was all fun and games. Newcastle’s infamous nightlife reputation often reflects negatively on the University in the press, and therefore the week was painstakingly planned by the organisers with a tight schedule to ensure the freshers’ absolute safety. The Crew undertook first aid training, escorted dangerously drunk freshers home, and participated in some rather tedious daytime activities. The days were long, the sleep was lacking, and many of us are now wandering around like zombies with severe cases of “Freshers’ flu”. The most asked question of the week was, “At least you’re getting paid, right?”, accompanied with pitiful gazes when we said no.
I have grown to love NUSU and admire the work it does for students behind the scenes – such as promoting the safety of students, supporting clubs and societies, and allowing us to have a voice, when the rest of society may not necessarily take a sleep-deprived and grumpy 19-year-old seriously. True, helping out on Freshers’ Crew may only play a very small part in the running of NUSU, but it has made me feel like a more active member of the student body and I’m eager to get further involved with NUSU in the future.
In spite of this, the whole crew had a wonderful time. Obviously the free food was a major perk for us cash-strapped students, but there was way more to crew than just overindulging in Manny’s Pizza. There were many up-sides to the week; it provided the perfect opportunity to meet some brilliant new people by mocking each other’s fancy dress or downing trebs together at Embers as soon as we took our Crew hoodies off. It enabled me to take part in the daytime activities I missed out on in my own freshers’ week due to my hungover state – particular highlights included Exit Newcastle (my crew completed it in 38:50 minutes) and Mr Lynch’s (which has given me cravings for their sweet potato fries ever since).
Essentially Freshers’ Crew was the chance to relive our own freshers and get drunk every night!
With love, Laura - your new Agony Aunt
If you have any issues this year, Laura Whitwam is going to try her best to answer them taster sessions but I don’t seem to really click with the other people at the club. I really love the sport but I don’t want to be lonely. – Jenny Hi Jenny, sport teams can be really daunting because of their competitive nature and especially if the other people in the team are quite pally already. However, do remember that you have only been to the taster session so far so I would persevere and I am sure that your common interest for a love of
“They chose the same subject at the same university, so clearly you must have something in common right?”
If your course doesn’t have a society, there are many others you can join. Why not try something wacky and fun that you’ve never heard of before? Even if you don’t enjoy it, it’s a new experience you can say you’ve tried, and it gives you the option to get out of your flat for a couple of hours. Some societies offer great opportunities. The Creative Writing Society, for example, runs workshops with professional writers, which would look great on your CV. Similarly, the history society, to name one of many, offers amazing trips abroad to places such as Budapest. Choose a society that genuinely interests you, as again this should help you to find people you have things in common with. You could always try and encourage your flatmates to join these societies or attend their events with you- you never know, those fun flatmates from Fresher’s week may still be in there somewhere.
sport will help you find friends soon.
H
ello lovely Courier readers and welcome to my first ever Agony Aunt article! If you are seeking honest advice on anything from university life to relationships you have come to the right place. I like to think that I have experienced most problems university students go through. From being abandoned by my long term boyfriend for the other side of the world in my first semester, to going through the panic of starting a 2000 word essay 24 hours before the deadline in the second. As you have probably realised I am by no means an expert so please take all my advice with a large pinch of salt. I really enjoy a certain sport and I’ve been to the
“I would suggest, first of all, writing a list of all the things you need to do”
Last year during A-Levels I found that my time management and organisation was not the best and this led me to feel very stressed when it came to exams. Do you have any organisation tips? - Sophie Hi Sophie, it can be really hard to balance your work and social life at university. At times I have found myself in a similar position but I would suggest first of all writing a list of all the things you need to do. I find it helps to do this before bed and then I will try and schedule my day according to what I need to do. I’ve had a boyfriend for 2 years and I have just started at uni but my boyfriend has stayed in our hometown. How do I stop him from feeling left out? Any advice would be appreciated. – Anonymous
Hello! It is important to try and make sure you both have individual interests outside of your relationship so neither of you get jealous of each others lives. Make sure he knows that you miss him but he also needs to understand that you’re making new friends and having new experiences in your new city. Visit each other as much as possible without being overly needy!
“It is important to try and make sure you both have individual interests outside of your relationship” I hope you lovely readers find this helpful and remember, every cloud has a silver lining (even during the roller-coaster ride that is university).
Got a problem you just can’t get your head around? Email your query to lovelauraagonyaunt@ gmail.com
Culture The Courier
lifestyle .17
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/culture
Culture Editors: James McCoull & Jack Parker Sections: Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Arts, Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Science courier.culture@ncl.ac.uk | @CourierOnline
Blind Date Bettina on Tom
So firstly, where did you go? Bar Loco, we just stayed there really What was your first impression when you met Tom? He was very different to what I’d normally go for, but I thought he’d be quite funny, I stalked his facebook profile and it made me laugh... he’s so crazy, I couldn’t really belive he was as normal as he was, like underneath it all i think hes pretty cool What do you think he thought about you? I have no idea, he probably thought I was … do you know what a JAP is? No? It means Jewish American Princess, Wow, do you think you are one? A princess? Not really, but I’m from Long Island New York so it kinda fits I guess. He probably thought I was an uptight bitch, but I’m not really… you better use JAP in the article, it is the best phrase Don’t worry, I will. Did you talk about anything interesting? We actually talked a lot, he’s really chatty. Because he’s a Fine Art major, and I’m into that stuff, we talked about art a lot. Also he’s a vegetarian like me so we talked a little about that, and obviously family stuff, and how London is different to New York becuase he’s from there. If Tom was a body part what would he be? A body part? Definitely someone’s mane, just cos of his hair, it’s very long and flowing... does that count? Of course, it is pretty mane-like. Did he fulfil your hopes and dreams? He actually did! He really exceeded expectations, becuase his social media had me totally terrified, jsut because his Facebook profile is so funny but we actually got on really well. So did you kiss? No (laughs) Are you going to meet again? He invited me to see a movie on Thursday, I forget what it is, something about the internet or something? I don’t really know, it sounds pretty cool . What would you give Tom out of 10? Probably a 7 and a half or an 8?
What happened when Bettina Cataldi, 3rd Combined Honours met Tom Patel 3rd Year Fine Art
Tom on Bettina What did you think about her when you first met her? I thought ‘wow! She’s got an American accent!’ What do you think she thought when she saw you? Apprehensive.. I was pretty hungover so I wasn’t really thinking about what she was thinking of me... God, I’m coming across as a bit of an idiot arent I? Nah you’re alright, did you talk about anything interesting? Art galleries in New York, mobile PS1, we talked about how Long Island is different to other places in New York, gangs in London and New York… her course and how hard it was... when I asked her to do a shot she said nah cos she was in at 9 the next day. I don’t know, boring stuff like that, we’re both vegetarians, I dont know, but it was nice. Glad to hear it... if Bettina was a body part what would she be? That’s an awful question, it’s so loaded with traps! Errr…. can we come back to this one? Yeah okay, but you’re answer better be really good! Did you kiss? Nah. Will you see her again? Yeah, we’re going to a film next week! What would you do if she said yes but I said no? Haha, I’d never do that. Did Bettina fulfil your hopes and dreams about the date? Having never been on a date before, yeah it was good, top marks, but then again there’s nothing to compare her to. What would you give her out of 10? 8.5 - I know she’ll give me lower though Back to that other question... if Bettina was a body part what would she be? God I bet she’s got a really good one, I bet she said my hair... I still can’t think Anything- a fingernail? a tooth? I’m gonna say mouth, because whenever I couldn’t think of something to say she always managed to pull some words… from her mouth.W Very insightful... cheers Tom!
Do you want a date? We’ll fix you up! Contact ‘The Courier Lifestyle Writers 2016/17’ on Facebook
18. fashion
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Fashion Editors: Liz Rosling, Izzi Watkins & Zofia Zwieglinska
Clash of the F-ROW In this season’s fiercest fashion
fallout, Victoria Thewlis votes Vogue whilst Molly Macnamara backs the bloggers
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instagram: @jooleeloren
ictoria: The editors of Vogue have recently spoken out against certain fashion bloggers “preen[ing] for the cameras in borrowed clothes”. They’ve since been condemned and told to get back to their “Werther’s Originals”, but aren’t the Vogue elites just saying what we’re all thinking? I must admit I have often wished that I too could be granted free clothes every time I post a picture on Instagram, but should we necessarily be looking up to these men and women as the new faces of fashion? The degree of promotion work that they do begs the question of whether they’re wearing the clothes because they like them, or just because they are able to convince millions of followers that they should like them. Fashion blogging should not be about getting your readership to go away and buy the exact same outfits. It should be about expressing individual style and inspiring their readership to express themselves through their own clothes. In one sense, I think it’s admirable that any Tom, Dick or Harry can call themselves a fashion blogger but therein lies the problem. Where’s the originality gone? It seems that bloggers are just desperately trying to sell us something. There are still a rare few fashion bloggers that remain true to their own style but brands are using lots of bloggers as merely a means to sell their clothes. Vogue are right to point out the issue but it’s not the bloggers that are to blame, it’s the brands. Ultimately, the brands have found a new way to convince people to buy their clothes and lots of bloggers are happy to oblige in the pursuit of freebies. For now though, the latest war in fashion continues.
“This year the head honchos at Vogue have mounted their high horses and charged at the new kids on the block: the bloggers”
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olly: Controversy is key during fashion week - if you’re not exploding onto the glossy pages of the fashion bible that is Vogue then who even are you? Standard practice would suggest that it is the designers that prevent the dust from settling and the editors that bow down to this madness. However, this year the head honchos at Vogue have mounted their high horses and charged at the new kids on the block: the bloggers, relatable entities that bridge the gap between us and the obscure world of fashion. Hypocrisy is rife amongst the fashion set as Sally Singer, Vogue’s creative digital director, claimed that bloggers were “heralding the death of style”. Disputable really, seeing as style has no definitive image. So how could bloggers, trend devotees who build their career using the shallow building blocks from Vogue’s empire be the reason for the deterioration of style? The director of the magazine’s runway app went as far as to describe the “street style mess” as “distressing”. However, not only is street style one of the most photographed aspects of fashion week but it also has it’s own dedicated page on Vogue’s website which features over three hundred pictures from the first few days of Paris Fashion Week alone. It’s clear that these worshipped few need reminding of the fundamentals of fashion, Vogue itself continues to feature coveted fashion houses such as Dior and Chanel. Interestingly, one of the most historically powerful fashion designers, Coco Chanel, once said that “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
SS17 Fashion Week roundups
Nimra Farique covers the Spring/Summer 2017 catwalk collections from New York, London and Paris
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ommy Hilfiger’s much anticipated collaboration with the eminent Gigi Hadid finally made its public debut at his show during New York Fashion Week 2016. Instead of simply incorporating Hadid into an ad campaign, Hilfiger told Vogue that he wanted to do “something really, really meaningful and unique, so I invited her to design this collection with me.” In particular, I like that Hadid stayed true to her personal style when designing this collection and as she explained she “started to make different pieces based on different parts of her style,” giving their collective audience a real insight and a first-hand look into the supermodel’s fashion sense. Hilfiger showcased the collection along the pier at South Street Seaport, orchestrating a carnival which included a Ferris wheel, an old-school arcade, multiple rides and much more for their guests to enjoy post-show. The nautical-themed setting was also visible in the collection, which drew on Hilfiger’s preppy classics. This collection has the potential to be very successful, not just because it was designed by one of the most current and well-known models of our time, but because the variety in the collection appeals to both the more extravagant and practical fashionista alike.
instagram: @tommyhilifiger
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nother female designer, Mary Katrantzou, presented her spring 2017 collection during London Fashion Week 2016. Katrantzou takes inspiration from her own heritage, adding a personal touch to the collection, as she looks back at her time in Greece and the historical significance the destination holds. Ancient Greece is well-known for its beautiful artefacts and Katrantzou particularly focused on the Minoan culture, as she states that she “was looking at the Minoan civilization and doing it in a way that I feel is very genuine to me - not to shy away from print, not to shy away from graphics, nor from silhouettes I’ve done before. I wanted to keep it very true to what it is.” So using this angle, Katrantzou incorporates aspects found in ancient paintings and artefacts onto her designs, showing that as we evolve, we must still look back and learn from our history, even in the fashion world. Her use of bright, bold colours and geometric shapes gives off a 1960/1970’s vibe, yet it seems to work well with the Greek incorporation, keeping Katrantzou firmly within the leading young British designer group.
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or her debut at the Christian Dior show during Paris Fashion Week, Maria Grazia Chiuri presented her bold and feminist collection, with the intention of conveying her own personal vision of what femininity can look like. As Chiuri declared, “The message, really, is that there is not one kind of woman” - perhaps her intention for the collection was to elaborate on the view that women are all unique and beautiful in their own way. The show opened with model Ruth Bell wearing a white fencing jacket; the incorporation of fencing attire throughout the collection, I personally think, is daring, yet brilliant and adds an edge to the feminine portrayal. According to Chiuri, the art of fencing “involves mind and heart at the same time, which women always need if they are to realize themselves.” This definitely corresponds with the rest of the collection, in particular a t-shirt which read, “We should all be feminist,” a statement which encourages the empowerment of women. This is made even more significant as Chiuri is the first ever female creative director of Dior, and her bold stance in making such a collection will definitely appeal to a modern audience.
instagram: @marykatrantzou
instagram: @dior
You’ve got a trend in me: metallics
All that glitters is not gold - or is it? Chloe Bland takes time to investigate
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ith a number of new trends becoming popular this summer, my ultimate favourite was the return of metallics. The festival-style, glittering look of Summer 2016 need not to stop with the colder weather, as it continues through to the winter months to add some sparkle to the dark, cold nights. The shine and shimmer of this look is a fabulous way to jazz up any outfit; whether it’s for a night out on the Toon, an attempt to make the everyday lectures more exciting or even to add glitz to your workout routine at the gym. This look is sure to be striking and eyecatching! In terms of the trend itself, the look has been around in both 2013 and 2014, with its return this year adding an ultra-modern vibe to the British high street. The trends of 2016 revolve around the style from the 70s; wide leg trousers, blouses, lace and animal print patterns. The metallics were especially popular in both the 70s and the 90s, eras in which fashion was focused on freedom and individualism. The trend also represents the disco mood of the 70s, with metallics adding a musical impression upon fashion. The silver, gold and rose gold dazzle is often paired with a mirror-shine or contrasting textures. The silk pyjama-style look of the 90s has also returned with flowing dresses and feminine shirts. Many designers have used this trend to highlight the glamour and jazz of the original style from the 70’s, as a simple, yet effective way to dress up any outfit. Previous designers have associ-
ated this trend with pastel colours rather than the brightness of silvers and gold’s, however this year, the brighter the better. Designers such as Emporio Armani have included the metallics in their A/W 16 collections, particularly with outwear and footwear. Many of the mirror-shine outfits are focused on silver and are meant to be eye-catching and glamorous. You’re sure to stand out like a spotlight among the swarms of treble-drinkers in the bars! This style can be found in almost all of our highstreet favourite shops. Topshop has a lot to offer in the metallic trend with bodysuits, crop tops and jackets. My particular favourite is this gorgeous shimmery bodysuit, which could either be paired with simple black trousers, or maybe for a more casual look with a pair of boyfriend jeans and trainers. At £22 (plus the benefit of Topshop’s student discount) this is a great addition to your student wardrobe. The metallic trend is also popular with shoe wear, combining the metallic look with a leather texture, adding yet another stylish way to jazz up any outfit. These silver Doc Martin style shoes from Zara are a great pick for the winter. The cold mornings alongside the misery of 9 am lectures can also be made more bearable with a warm yet shimmering metallic jacket. Again from Zara, this stunning silver satin jacket is a fabulous way to combine the metallic trend with
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“The shine and shimmer of this look is a fabulous way to jazz up any outfit; whether it’s for a night out on the Toon, an attempt to make the everyday lectures more exciting or even to add glitz to your workout routine at the gym”
another popular style of 2016, the bomber jacket.
3. 1. Zara shoes 1339/101 £69 2. Topshop body 26L16KGLD £22 3. Zara jacket 7589/998 £29.99
The Courier
fashion .19
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion
48 hours of Fresher fashion Sally Mu takes your look from sunrise to sunset, with high-street buys that won’t leave you in debt TOPSHOP embroidered bomber jacket 11B34KBLK £69
TOPSHOP slip dress 04J03KOYS £36 TOPSHOP black clutch 24C08KBLK £32
This week, Emily Atkinson debates whether Shulman’s unique November issue missed the mark
TOPSHOP animal print shirt 13I22KBRN £36
TOPSHOP sinny sandals 32R43KSLV £42
TOPSHOP snake heeled boots 42B15KBLK £46
TOPSHOP colour block jumper 26H21KPNK £46
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e’re at that time of year when wearing a jacket is essential to ward off the early morning chill, but come lunchtime outfit regret sets in as you find yourself melting in the midday heat. Outsmart the Toon’s tricky climate by investing in this season’s go-to coverup: the embroidered vintage bomber, perfect for cooler days. It goes with everything, keep things casual by teaming it up with neutral tones and dependable denims. Autumnal layering is all about embracing the 80’s fun-loving and stand-out spirit, so you might as well go with it— forget Stan Smith and opt for snakeskin ankle boots. These tempting serpent-skin beauties will give your footwear a grungy edge that really make a statement. Get street style ready with a pair of cropped flares, or stay bang on trend by investing in some sleek straight-legged jeans.
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lthough Freshers week may seem like a thing of the past, don’t hang up your heels just yet! With the winter months comes the party season again. How should a student ace their evening style? We look to Kylie Jenner’s minimal, slinky nightwear for inspiration. Rock a silk slip dress, paired with barely-there heels, subtle accessories and a slouchy oversized bomber for an effortlessly stylish look. Seriously, what’s not to love about a show-stopping slip dress? It ties in perfectly with a trend that’s proved to stand the test of time - the 90’s. The iconic slip dress combines comfort with style in an effortless way, it demands a place in your wardrobe ASAP! Understated shades create a timeless feel and give an outfit instant edge on evenings out. Try layer it like Kylie Jenner, or better still, leave the accessories at home.
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nd for the morning after the night before, ditch the denim and don your PJs. This new trend means you wont necessarily need to take off your nightwear at all: simply throw on a jumper instead. Leisure luxe loungewear is dominating the catwalk right now and we are fully on board! Make sleepwear work for your daytime look by opting for slinky come-to-bed fabrics and layering up with contrasting textures, such as an oversized mohair or cashmere top. It’s surprisingly wearable, slouchy and strokable, adding a sensory aspect to your clothing. It makes the whole look day-time appropriate in seconds. Style note: go for softer, more neutral shades. For a quirkier and more unexpected vibe, elevate the look with futuristic metallic shoes. These are inspired by the 90’s and are very comfortable!
Spotted on campus This week, your Fashion Editors Liz Rosling, Izzi Watkins & Zofia Zwieglinska scout out four of Newcastle’s most stylish students and get the low-down on their outfit choices
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Angharad Creissen
Izzy Garfield & Sam Brooke
Sam Hawkins
Course: First Year Fine Art
1. Course: Second Year Fine Art “ My jumper is vintage and my top is American Apparel.”
Course: Second Year Architecture
“My skirt and top are from Thailand and my jacket is Unif. my favourite brand right now is American Apparel.
Brave new world: Vogue’s first ‘real women’ issue
2. Course: Second Year Architecture “My shirt is from Forever 21 and my jeans are Ralph Lauren.”
“My jacket is from Quicksilver, my bag is from Burton and my top is vintage.”
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instagram: @pixlandu2
n November’s issue, it seems that the pages of Vogue have been glossed over with a more ‘“real” filter’. Alexandra Shulman has officially presented the magazine’s readership with a ‘ModelFree Zone’, promoting ‘real women’. In her editor’s letter, she justifies this change as fundamental. Alex states that women who work in professions with no relation to the fashion world should still be able to take pleasure in how they dress. Of course this is true, however is it not fashion world’s inaccessibility that makes it so extraordinarily exciting? I think so! I have to admit; I was intrigued when I first read ‘THE REAL ISSUE’, emblazoned with big, bold, luminous orange writing, splashed across the cover of the magazine. The beautifully elegant, but understated photograph of Emily Blunt looking natural also played a part in inviting me to purchase a copy. However, as I began my journey through the pages of this month’s Vogue, I became exhaustingly uninspired. Blunt may have attained the reputation of being ‘a relatable woman’, however I highly doubt that any of us could relate to the idea of spending three hours just to achieve the barefaced, so-called ‘real’ look, portrayed on the cover. Yes, that’s correct, three whole hours for a bare face!
“How can this concept possibly be achieved whilst Vogue is still packed full of lustrous advertisement pages showing the unattainable?”
As I continued to read, Vogue’s endeavor to present style as something that is more attainable to the ordinary person felt somewhat misleading. How can this concept possibly be achieved whilst Vogue is still packed full of lustrous advertisement pages showing the unattainable? The flawless faces of Kendall Jenner and Charlize Theron in exclusive collections still dominate the front section of the magazine, their unblemished, Photo shopped poses exuding fantasy and perfection. When I reached the latter pages of the issue, I found some enjoyment in reading about the lives of the ‘real’ women who had been chosen for the feature. Nevertheless, I found this concept heavily contradictory. The fact that these newly selected ‘real’ women continue to wear Prada, Stella McCartney, Hermes, and other extortionately priced brands raises the question: are these designers really what the ‘real’ woman would dress in from day-to-day? I think not. After all, Vogue offers an idealized world of glamour, beauty, and exclusivity; as the editor herself stated, ‘nobody knows better than me the lustre that a great model can bring to pictures’, so why take this away? For me, Vogue evokes excitement for the simple reason that it allows us to experience an elite world that not everyone can be a part of. As Alexander McQueen suggested, ‘fashion should be a form of escapism, not a form of imprisonment’, so why should we limit ourselves to the uninspiring reality? For many designers, fashion is an art form and, as model Lillie Rage claims, ‘the model is to be the blank canvas’, on which the clothing is presented. It appears that Vogue has shifted the focus from the clothing to the model, which surely defeats the point of it being a fashion magazine itself. In my opinion, ’THE REAL ISSUE’ is a one-time entity, as opposed to a big step forward in bringing in real women into the everevolving Fashion Industry. instagram: @ruthiecoops
20.beauty
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Beauty Editors: Miranda Stoner, Ellie Trent & Ellen Walker
Beauty S.O.S: Save our skin update of the Amanda Jane Wap rescues our poor skin after wild and crazy Fresher’s week L week... ate nights, minimal sleep, all day drinking, slapping on mysterious make-up brands to look the part of an enthusiastic crew member on top of eating every conceivable thing that looks like food are permissible during the annual iconic Fresher’s Week. For most, it closes the Summer holidays with a massive bang. For others, it’s an excuse to celebrate before the start of another year of academic pursuits. Whatever it is, your health – right down to your skin – suffers the consequences of this insane week. But how to transform your skin from fresher’s week to a fresher glow?
Hydrate - A LOT!
The infamous American make up brand by ‘Kat Von D’ is here in the UK! Available online at Debenhams and in selected stores.
It’s simple; no need for top-of-the-range face elixir or a time-consuming facial care regime. Just drink 7 or more glasses of water daily for a week and watch your complexion transform. Besides water, Vitamin E and C-rich foods like cucumbers, celery, apples, plums, pomegranates and bananas have hydrating properties which constitute 20% of our water intake. Sufficient Vitamin C also helps dispel inner toxins, thus reducing the appearance of pimples and blemishes. It’s key to nourish inter-
“It’s simple; no need for topof-the-range face elixir or a time consuming facial care regime”
Sleep, just sleep
Wonders of coconut oil
moisturising the skin. The best part is that all items are organic and suitable for university students on a budget. After all those sleep-deprived nights, your skin is just screaming for some quiet time. When you sleep, your body’s hydration level normalises, producing the moisture responsible for that youthful glow. Without sleep, your skin cells cannot repair themselves causing your blood vessels to dilate and the formation of dark eye circles. On close inspection your skin feels drier and perhaps slightly
you go, slap on some sunscreen. Too much sun and radiation dulls the skin and causes it to age faster and nobody wants to look 35 at 20.
Workout bumpy making you resemble a shrivelled elderly person. Sleep just 8 hours a night and age backwards. No, it’s not too cold yet to hide under a blanket and Netflix until February. If anything, exercise gets your blood flowing to flush out the toxins and carry nutrients throughout your body, even to your skin. Exercise also eases stress that causes acne outbreak and the appearance of dark spots, but before
If you have not heard the raves about coconut oil, it is not too late. Virgin organic coconut penetrates the skin better than any other oils, repairing the collagen, a protein found in our skin that keeps our skin elastic and smooth. Furthermore, it effectively works as a moisturiser and a deep cleanser that softens the dirt-filled keratin caps in your skin, making it much easier for nutrient absorption.
Image: Veganbaking.net
Go make-up free
Use face masks
The journey of flawless skin needs a bit of sacrifice, which means ditching your daily makeup regime for a week or so. This is just to prevent the chemicals from the make-up from clogging up your face, giving your skin a chance to breathe. Your skin will feel and look so good that you may even forget the need for make-up, so your oncedaily make-up regime is only reserved for nights’ out. Don’t take my word for it though, try it yourself.
nally, so beauty can radiate from within. Use store-bought or DIY-kind depending on how sensitive is your skin. On top of your daily fruit and vegetable consumption, face masks are a good supplement. Get creative and have fun mixing a DIY mask from blended bananas, vinegar, oats and mayonnaise applied to your face. The mask can tighten pores and cleanse as well as exfoliating and
Best beauty blogger-Shaaanxo
Laura Greatre introduces us to her absolute favourite beauty blogger of the moment and tells us why she thinks her channel really is worth a watch both for her tips and character This much sought-after, high quality brand includes a range of products, including some of the best eyeliners and liquid lipsticks money can buy! Definitely worth checking out.
Image:s @katvondbeauty on Instagram
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haaanxo (a.k.a Shannon Harris) is a straight talking, down-to-earth and extremely talented YouTuber and beauty blogger from New Zealand. She is a very versatile YouTube personality, producing a huge variety of videos, ranging from stunning makeup tutorials and first impressions of products, to fashion hauls and collaborations with other YouTubers. Shaaanxo also participates in fun beauty challenges which are always amusing and entertaining to watch. I particularly enjoyed her ‘Full Face Using Children’s Makeup.’ I love that whether you’re stuck in a makeup rut and need some inspiration, or would like a bit of a giggle, Shaaanxo’s channel will have what you’re looking for.
“With a makeup collection vast enough to make any beauty lover envious, there’s a makeup look by Shaaanxo for everyone, regardless of how skilled at makeup you are, or how many products you own.”
With a makeup collection vast enough to make any beauty lover envious, there’s a makeup look by Shaaanxo for everyone, regardless of how skilled at makeup you are, or how many products you own. Although she frequently uses high end brands like Urban Decay and Tarte Cosmetics, Shaaanxo also uses many affordable products so even those on a budget can recreate her gorgeous looks. I also find it very therapeutic to watch how skilfully and
flawlessly she applies her makeup. I especially love viewing her create beautiful eyeshadow looks, and am frequently mesmerised by how easily she blends the shadows and perfectly draws on eyeliner. Shaaanxo isn’t afraid of experimentation and some of her looks are pretty complex and more suitable for a night out or special occasion. Having said that, I love that the majority of her tutorials are easy to adapt and recreate yourself.
dations, providing helpful reviews for someone who may be considering splashing out on a foundation which is more expensive than they would usually go for. If anyone is looking for some Halloween makeup inspiration, Shaaanxo’s channels is the place to go. Her Halloween looks range from gory and scary, to girly and cutsey, from complex and advanced, to simple and straightforward. Like all her tutorials, Shaaanxo’s Halloween makeup is easy to adapt to suit your own style or costume.
“One of my favourite things about Shaaanxo is her hilarious personality”
Image: @shaaanxo on Instagram Shaaanxo’s videos are not only inspirational, they are also informative as she has uploaded many first impressions and reviews of products. I find that foundation can be a problematic product to purchase, with so many factors to consider including coverage, shade, and price range. Many of Shaaanxo’s first impressions are of high end foun-
As a fellow makeup and beauty enthusiast, I love how innovative and passionate Shaaanxo is in this industry. She even has her own brand, called XOBeauty, and has created a range of false eyelashes and makeup brushes, as well as her own beautiful eyeshadow and lipstick palette (the only thing stopping me from purchasing everything is that they ship from New Zealand!) One of my favourite things about Shaaanxo is her hilarious personality and how she doesn’t take herself too seriously. She has uploaded many videos of bloopers and outtakes which are always guaranteed to make you smile. My favourite of her video formats are Shaaanxo’s ‘Get Ready With Me’ tutorials, as she uses a relaxed and chatty style to talk you through the makeup look. I would also recommend following Shaaanxo on Snapchat @xoshaaan as she snaps her daily life, unboxing new products, playing around with Snapchat filters and recording her adorable dogs Lewie and Zeus.
The Courier
beauty .21
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty Instagram @courier_beauty | Twitter @CourierBeauty
LFW 2016 beauty review Rachel Baker reviews her favourite looks, outfits and styles from London Fashion Week
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ondon Fashion Week 2016 established the crazes that will dominate the season in terms of beauty. An eclectic array of colours, shapes and textures were to be seen across the board: however the season’s beauty seems to be concerned with a fresh, low coverage base. Foundations are being swapped for tinted which allow the model’s complexions to shine through with a ‘barely-there’, beautiful glow. Moreover, the concern for contour and accentuated features has been abandoned in favour of the natural look. Bushy, feathery brows were seen everywhere, whilst the sharp contour, which has been so popular in past seasons, has been exchanged for a dewy blush instead. There were a few shows in particular where the artist’s choice of techniques particularly stood out. Ashish stole the show at LFW with their simple, artistic sequin beauty. Brightly coloured sequins were the feature to their model’s bare faces, only made to look dewy with a hint of the right base. This look makes wacky appear elegant, and is probably my favourite from the season.
“This look makes wacky appear elegant, and is probably my favourite from the season.” Vivienne Westwood took a more daring approach. Their bold brows are resonant of Westwood’s own drawn on ones, and they harshen the features of the model, reflecting the general theme of Westwood’s clothing line. The asymmetry of the look was confusing if you looked too closely, however the impact of the appearance ensured that the show remained in the minds of its audience. AF Vandervorst attempted to resurrect the grimy, 80s grease look with their model’s hair giving the impression to almost be falling out. This however worked in favour of the line, as the model’s intentionally undone look accentuated the chic fabrics and bold colours of the clothing. The choice of colour is somewhere in between rave age 90s
pulls the focus away from the understated eyelashes to the model’s feathery brow, the look many of us aim for in our everyday routine. I adore the pastel blue into tinted white brow hairs and white eyeliner, which stands out against a, once again, glowing, understated complexion.
Image: @alexandermcqueen on Instagram Image: IMAXtree England and dodgy Halloween makeup, yet somehow working against the models’ features, softened by a pale, understated base free of the contour and highlight which dominated the faces of last season’s models.
“Mcqueen’s models resembled Snow White-esque princesses, all seemingly made to look so pale they glowed against the egg shell fabrics, which much of the line
Chanel’s look embodies the season’s obsession with the bushy brow. The large rim of eyeshadow
Alexander Mcqueen’s models resembled Snow White-esque princesses, all seemingly made to look so pale that they glowed against the egg-shell fabrics which much of the line consisted of. Again the naturally bushy yet defined brow is the focus of the face, whilst a hint of blusher and a pink nude lip renders the look simply beautiful and unexpectedly striking. It’s safe to say the looks scene at LFW 2016 were full of variety, ranging from natural beauty to some more daring, experimental looks. This large number of contrasting looks and the embrace of all things au natural makes it seem as though high-fashion beauty may be moving away from the completely unattainable, which must come as a breath of fresh air to us all. London Fashion Week is a clothing trade show held twice yearly in February and September. First taking place in 1984, it is organised by the British Fashion Council and is regularly attended by upwards of 5000 buyers and press agents.
Amy Zheng gives us her simple steps on how to take your look from daytime to night out
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mascara, apply a loose powder to the lash, then go on with next coat of mascara. This easy tip makes the lashes appear longer and allow them to stay volumised for longer.
Eyebrows Eyebrows can make or break your make up. Nice eye brow makeup can not only enhance your face shape ,but also increasingly improve the appearance of your all over look. First, carefully choose the colour you use on your brows and practice how to soften and intensify the colour through the amount of pressure applied. The colour should be relatively soft and light at the start of brow and become deeper and darker towards the brow’s tail. It’s always best to brush or draw with light strokes from the start point to the end of the brow adjusting the pressure and amount of product used to your taste. Next, like using a loose powder to set your face makeup, your eyebrows should also be set using a brow gel or a loose powder. This keeps the brows in place and avoids them slipping out of place throughout the night. Remember, do try to use waterproof or long lasting products for extra staying power!
Long lasting Lash Try these two easy fix tips that can recover your lashes and keep them looking perfect from day to night. An eyelash curler is a girl’s best friend. It can prepare the lash ready to apply more mascara. Try using the hairdryer to heat the lash curler before using, this creates a more dramatic and long lasting curve. Moreover, after applying the first coat of
Katherine Rowlings saves the day with her hungover morning beauty routine.
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From seminars straight to Soho Rooms ye makeup is the most obvious place to start to give you a more glam look. Become more charming by perfectly framing your eyes and let them do the talking.
Wait a minute
definition and build a very dimensional look, easily and quickly! Two small tricks to avoid fallout while you’re doing this are to tap the brush before applying powder and to place tape or tissue under the eyes while applying your eyeshadow. This will help you avoid the raccoon eyes look!
Sparkling eyeliner
Sometimes you want an ultra girlie eye make up look. Try this simple tip to create a subtle, but fabulously shimmery eye. If you’re a little unsure if girlie and glittery is for you, then a little bit of glittery liner. These come is more understated colours (such as grey and deep green) and alow you to explore you girly side while keeping it discreet and somewhat smokey. It’s subtle, but still has a bit of sparkle in it. Whether you’re using glitzy pigments or just a simple shimmer, you’ve taken your look from desk to disco.
Image: @rateithrisingh on Instagram
Glamour eye shadow Deeper coloured eye shadows are the perfect tool to create a pair of big, bright and glamours eyes. First, use a smaller shadow brush to apply a little bit of a dark coloured powder to your lashline. This works to create an elongated and defined lashline to make your eyes bigger. This could also be done with a kohl pencil or liquid liner. Secondly, pick up more product on your brush and brush it softly into your eyelid crease to add a soft layer of
Heavenly highlights
If you want your eyebrows to really steal the limelight, a pop of highlight is the perfect product or you. The most effective area to apply the highlight powder is to brow bone, you can feel where this is by pressing lightly to the area just below your eyebrows. Any of these simple steps will leave you ready to hit the toon with your makeup looking fabulous.
Image: Philippa Willitts on Instagram
e’ve all been there. It’s 8:30am, your lecture starts at 9am, and you’re not sure whether you would rather still be at the party throwing shapes or buried under a mountain of pillows. By this point, you’re either already raving about the night before, or announcing the all too frequently promised statement of “I’m never drinking again!” which is, of course, a lie. However, no matter how many times you press that snooze button or consider simply dropping out of uni and settling for a career in McDonalds, you know you’ve got to lift your hungover self out of bed at some point before that lecture starts. But, with the time rapidly disappearing, how are you going to transform your look from ‘just out of bed’ to ‘hungover-chic’? Well, this guide is here to help.
“Leaving yourself dehydrated the next day will only lead to headaches” First, don’t forget to rehydrate! Leaving yourself dehydrated the next day will only lead to headaches – aiding neither your health nor your appearance. Once you’ve been watered and fed, it’s time to start work on your look. Always begin by taking care of your skin; there’s no point applying makeup to unhappy skin, it will only serve to worsen it. A quick wipe with a product such as Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water will ensure any makeup from the night before is completely removed, as well as helping to cleanse and soothe. Following this with a hydrating moisturiser will also be valuable. This doesn’t have to mean a thick or oily cream that will clog your pores either, but simply one that will prevent the dullness from stealing your natural glow. My personal favourite is Clarins Hydraquench Cream, but at £30 for 50ml it isn’t the most pocket-friendly purchase. A more student friendly buy might be Forever Aloe Moisturising Lotion. After this, it’s probably time to apply some makeup. A BB cream is a lighter option than the typical foundation, whilst still providing enough coverage to hide any tiredness. Garnier’s All-InOne BB cream also claims to boost hydration and natural glow, as well as providing vitamin C. Your skin should now be looking a lot healthier, so simply apply a few dabs of concealer to hide any dreaded under-eye bags, and finish with a few sweeps of powder to avoid oily patches. An extra sweep of blusher will add some colour back into your cheeks.
“A BB cream is a lighter option than a typical foundation”
Depending on your makeup skill level, a little natural eye-shadow and flick of mascara can help to make your eyes appear more awake (Benefit Roller Lash Mascara is a brilliant option), and a swipe of eyebrow powder is an easy way to correctly frame your face, especially if they are naturally very light. Avoid mascara though if you have sore or tired eyes. It’s now time for hair. Dry shampoo can go a long way when your hair is betraying the fact you’ve not showered. If your natural hair just isn’t working pull it back into a messy bun for that typical next day look. There you are – now get ready to break that promise of never drinking again.
22.arts
Arts Editors: Meg Holtom, Jonathan Hastings, Tamsin Rees
Spotlight:
Little parts of creative arts from your student hearts
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
The Rise of Hamilton: an American Musical Nick Watson gives The Courier a preview of this exciting must-see new show
Tell me again, Sir A poem by Kitty Marie The bodies, debris and rubble I must paint it all, Women and children covered by blankets pulled by a horse. Cities and empires that rise and fall, Shouldn’t nature follow its own course? The massacre, madness and torture will never end, After all this fighting, will we ever be clean? If we continue our souls will surely twist and bend, All of this before and after nineteenfourteen. On the brighter side I found happiness in a cat, And a Heavenly place named Cookham. I always return there with such a blat, From art school to a table of tea, toast and jam. The war brought with it denial, confusion and then hysteria, I think of and try to paint truth, happiness and love. I wish to return to my beloved Wisteria, Back off the train in time for tea waiting on the stove. After the demise of my brother Sydney and so many a fellow, I dramatically changed my views to life and death. So many taken away by the flag of black, red and yellow, I will paint the truth right down to my last breath. What is it now that I must portray with paint, Please do tell me again sir. Whatever you may think I never was or will be any saint, Just a man from Cookham, I’m just Stanley Spencer.
Fred Walker’s ‘Our Village’
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ow does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore grow up to be a hero and a scholar? This is the central question of Hamilton: An American Musical, a two and a half hour play that looks at the life of Alexander Hamilton, who rose up the ranks of the military during the American Revolution, became the first Secretary of Treasury under George Washington, and ultimately fell from the public’s good graces after a scandalous affair. He achieved much more than this summary, as the musical reminds us every so often, but the excitement of Hamilton doesn’t really come from its subject matter.
“He decided that this was a story that could only be told through hip hop...”
Hamilton: An American Musical is a story told mostly through rap, a medium considered risky by Broadway standards, especially if the play is a biography of a man who lived two hundred odd years ago. And yet, Lin-Manuel Miranda, the writer of the show- who also played the titular Hamilton from the plays inception until a few months agoread Alexander Hamilton, an 800-page biography
Image: HamiltonMusical on Facebook by Ron Chernow, and realised that this man’s life had something in common with classic hip hop stars; he was a loud mouthed, genius with words, immigrant. He decided this was a story that could only be told though hip hop before he had fully made the decision to be the man to tell it. To find a cast that could pull off his fast rhythm and intricate rhymes, and more importantly, would understand fully his decision to make these historical figures start rapping, Miranda filled his show with people competent with the genre, instead of looking for actors that bared any resemblance to the characters. As such, of the major cast members, only one person is white, and he plays King George III for about nine minutes. It’s this blending of American history with American present to show how little the story has changed that has made this show such a success. With instances like Chris Jackson, a black man, playing George Washington, a slave owner, the play doesn’t pretend that these American heroes are flawless; they are worthy of both admiration and criticism. By not shying away from this important truth, Hamilton: An American Musical distinguishes itself as revolutionary. Even now that Miranda has left the show, there’s still a lot to look forward to. The Hamilton mixtape are planned to be a throw-back to how he origi-
nally imagined his project: a selection of famous artists- not all of them from a rap or R&B background- covering songs from the show without any context, reimagining them to suit their own needs. Before Miranda, or any of the other original cast members left, the show was recorded, and many people hope that this could signal a DVD release of the original Broadway show, a rare and coveted event for any musical.
“Miranda filled his show with people competent with the genre, instead of looking for actors that bared any resemblance to the characters”
The show itself has begun its inevitable takeover of the national musical scene; it recently started playing in Chicago and Los Angeles with San Francisco expected to open early next year. More excitingly, for people who can’t afford plane tickets to the states just to see a musical, Hamilton is coming to London late next year. Until then, just keep playing the Original Broadway Cast Recording on Spotify.
Modern Art: is it just Childs’ Play?
The Baltic’s Playground exhibition showcases how art has potentially lost its way. Eleanore Wallace elaborates...
N
ewcastle’s Baltic divides spectators with its interactive exhibition, The Playground Project, open until 30th October 2016. Situated along Gateshead’s quayside, the centre for contemporary art continues to leave us pondering over what should, and shouldn’t be classified as ‘art’. The Baltic is home to multiple exciting, unique and outright weird pieces of artwork. However, more often than not, this house for contemporary art can take ‘contemporary’ a bit too far as it pushes the boundaries between art and pretentiousness, leaving half of its visitors inspired and the other half shouting ‘this is not art!’ Since mid-July this year, on the fourth floor of The Baltic, The Playground Project, announcing itself as a ‘homage to play, a plea for playgrounds to be more daring,’ has been on display. After a failed attempt to visit in the summer of 2016 – cut short by the sheer velocity of under 7s rampaging around the room – I visited once more during term time. The exhibition was inspired by over sixteen artists from across the globe. From Paul Friedberg’s use of wooden climbing frames, to Marjory Allen creating junk play yards in the wreckage of WWII, the architects and landscapists all had in common a desire to bring freedom and creativity to communities. Which, in itself, sounds quite artistic. However, what appeared to be the main attraction: the slides, swings, sand pit and climbing frame, all seemed somewhat typical of playgrounds evident in present day England. The
impetuous shrieks of six year olds over that summer had left me suspicious that the Baltic had once again placed something obviously not art into an art gallery and labelled it ‘contemporary art’. The centre pieces certainly didn’t strike me as ‘daring’. Nonetheless, I explored the numerous other materials on display around the room. Most
notably, the walls were plastered with images of playgrounds from New York to France, tracing the history of their development into what we know today, forfeiting adventure and anarchy for the
“It made me think about my local park; lots of fences and bland colours”
sake of health and safety. Yes, it felt more like a history lecture than an art gallery, but the chronology of images from the 1930s up until now, made explicit the extent to which playgrounds have changed. They once facilitated art, not only with their design and aesthetic, but also their function in providing joy to those who use it, parent or child, without being confined by the restrictions of health and safety. Art is meant to be enjoyed, after all. It made me think about my local park: lots of fences and bland colours, juxtaposed with the innovative projects of Paul Friedberg, Marjory Allen and many more. The intro reads, ‘a playground is [where] art and public space collide,’ and this was perfectly depicted in that room. Those under 7s were shrieking with joy that summer, while adults immersed themselves in history and culture. Normally, I’d be one to argue that placing a climbing frame and some sand in the middle of a room would be classified in the ‘this is not art’ box, but this time, the Baltic has inspired me, by making playgrounds works of art, as they once were. It was as though the architects were screaming at us to go back, stop worrying and once again scribble with reckless abandon. “The Playground Project will bring back many exemplary , but now forgotten playground initatives, pioneering acts and adventures with a playground in which children (and inner children) can run, climb, hide and imagine.” - www.balticmill.com (Running until 30 October)
The Courier
arts.23
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/arts c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk | Instagram: @CourierArts
Newbridge Project Space: Block Party
We sent Luke Acton to go get drunk, steal balloons and aggressively judge art
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lthough the expectations of a ‘block party’ were way higher than the reality of the function, the quality of the work met them. The joint showcase took place in the creative ‘quarter’, the corner of Newbridge and Pilgrim Street, which houses the majority of Newcastle’s independent creative ventures. Fifteen of those took part in the event - full disclosure: I did not go to all of them. This is going to be more of a holistic look. The sheer volume of projects that exhibited surprised me, with all the secret spaces hidden in door-manned, 1970s blocks. The multimedia, multifaceted nature of the event was nice, but you got an A4 map and nothing else. This competing with the labarynthian plans of the city planner, you couldn’t find shit. Rather than being a single project/person show, this kind of event endears itself to the exhibition of a scene. And that’s what I’m going to be focusing on rather than getting into each of the specifics of the 15 events that were on that night: highlights. I turned up with my friend about an hour after the event started three beers drunk not knowing what state would be okay to go into these places with. The New Bridge projects was the most memorable as it was the primary project space as well as being the most visible and best known. It was split between the DJ set in the bookshop (better than it sounds) with the Grace Denton & Competition: Both Things Are True zine + film, and the late-night opening of the Hidden Civil War exhibition in their space next door.
Hidden Civil War looks at the wider crisis in activist circles, and the lack of effect of civil disobedience due to counter measures by the government. Balloons are really nice, so when an artist gives ones that say things like ‘NO MORE PETITIONS / ABOLISH POLITICIANS’ to people attending shopping centre openings and the Frieze Art Fair, no one really cares. The police will take away your placard but they feel bad taking away your balloon. The Grace Denton and Competition stuff was very solid cross-media content, the zine well laid out and the images a good mix of things like blown-up still lives and gratuitous and satisfying texture shots of velvet. Mao Kai’s Superior Animals paintings, in her first show outside China, have a clear surrealist vein running through them. Sometimes the choice of colours reminded me of the safe kind that you see in some places on Etsy but I saw that as more being in touch with popular internet aesthetics rather than as a lack of polish. Unlike their counterparts in London, the artists did not make anything more important than it was. They were sincere, still, but not in the way that marked themselves as the shit. They didn’t fall back on irony either and I did not see a single pair of Air Max 95s, which was nice. There’s a distinctly shoestring feel about some of the projects but that does not make them bad, it makes them creatively agile.
Weekly Review
TWO MAN SHOW
NORTHERN STAGE
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ll I was told about ‘Two Man Show’ before I went to see it was *WARNING*: contains strong language, nudity and feminism. The show immediately sounded right up my street. However, I had no way of knowing just how brilliant a performance it would be. The show explored ideas of masculinity and patriarchy in a way that was both hysterically fun whilst also being very eye-opening at times. The main storyline centred around two brothers Dan and John, played by Abbi Greenland and Helen Goalen. It was refreshing to see a portrayal of masculinity by two women given how often we have men’s portrayal of femininity shoved in our faces. I say two women - but really, ‘Two Man Show’ was a three woman show. The music provided by Becky Wilkie was such an essential part of the piece because - as RashDash say about the show themselves - the music and dance in the show make up for the fact that they “want to talk about masculinity and patriarchy but the words that exist aren’t good enough”. As someone who can’t even touch their own toes, I was memorised by the physical capabilities of the two actresses. They moved with absolute precision and paired graceful flowing movements with explosive high-energy ones in a way that made the two vastly contrasting styles of dance fit together perfectly. I whole-heartedly agree with their idea that there are some things that cannot be communicated with words and their dances definitely did all the “talking” that words did not allow for. What really resonated with me about ‘Two Man Show’ was how inspiring it was to see such a talented trio of women conveying a passionately feminist message that I found so relatable, without making the piece too weighed down by the heavy topics it dealt with. It was light-hearted and hardhitting, hilarious and heart-wrenching all at once. I’d definitely recommend you look out for other shows of RashDash’s in the future. Carys Thomas
BACON KNEES AND SAUSAGE FINGERS ALPHABETTI THEATRE
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he name of the play leaves much to the imagination, perhaps lending suspicion to a play about a pork enthusiast. The reality is that the play is in fact of a much more abstract nature. Last Wednesday, I was welcomed into the Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle’s smallest and most intimate venue, to watch Bacon Knees and Sausage Fingers. The play follows the lives of two men as they journey from childhood to adulthood. The characters are equally as out of place in this world, as the title is abstract. Within the hour and a half performance, I was invited to laugh, somewhat hysterically, at the tales of the anonymous characters; but what I remembered about the play as I left, and even as I woke up the next morning, is the way I was made to feel saddened and at points, on the verge of tears.
The venue was intimate; meaning all I could do was come to terms with what it must be like to live a life where you’re constantly an outsider. This, as well as the structure, was something I’d never seen or experienced before. The play was heavily repetitive, perhaps one of the only downfalls of the play. As each dialogue ended, we returned to the opening words, gaining only a few more lines of insight each time, meaning an incredibly slow progression to the play. In all, the play was excellent. I want to end by urging any art enthusiast to visit this gorgeous, small slice of heaven in the heart of the city centre. The Alphabetti Theatre faces closure, and can only go on with the support of enthusiasts like yourself. Mhairi McGee
Toon Happenings 19 October Red Raw The Stand Comedy Club @ 19.00
20-22 October
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Family Alphabetti Theatre @ 19.30
21 October Fight Like a Girl Bar Loco @ 18.30
21 October
The Crime Factory The Lit & Phil @ 19.00
22 October Ultimate Dancer: Holy Smoke The BALTIC @ 19.30
Classics Corner Krissa Ford reveals her intimate thoughts on the nature of classic literature
CIRCLES ARE SLICES OF SPHERES LAING GALLERY
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osie Morris’ first major solo exhibition Circles of Slices of Spheres (Laing Art Gallery, 1 October – 8 January) is a totally immersive yet isolating installation on one of the first floor Edwardian galleries. The colossal paintings arc from the floor up the walls down two lengths of the room, curated perfectly to mirror the curvature of the ceiling. Drawing on the word Slices in the exhibition title, Morris’ wanted to draw attention to the fact that this space is an ‘intersection’ or portion of the rest of the gallery; even the rest of the world. I thought this was really well achieved – the contemporary installation is juxtaposed brilliantly with the adjacent room, which displays only 18th and 19th century art by male artists. It was also an innovative way to transform an otherwise traditional gallery space; the swooping paintings undermined the rigid structure of the walls. Morris’ also wanted to underline that, despite the isolation of the gallery, it was still a ‘slice of a greater whole’, and thus the Edwardian paintings at either end of the room serve the purpose of reminding you this. I do, however, think had you been able to view the paintings totally 360°, the experience would have been overwhelming and thus even more successful. Morris has expertly created an atmosphere through her work; the accompanying soundtrack by Sam Grant creates a subdued tone throughout the gallery. The hushed music I thought reflected perfectly with the pastel colours in the paintings. I was very intrigued by the performance script scattered across the floor of the gallery. It was a list, instructing you to ‘examine the paint’, ‘consider the space’ or ‘notice areas which draw you in.’ The script went on to incorporate movement through the city, as well as rural landscape. The part focusing on examination and wonder about the artwork really helped involve yourself thoroughly in the piece; when reading the script, there was no time for mobile phones or giggling with friends. You focus wholly on the words and Rosie Minney
What’s your favourite classic? Clearly being the stereotypical English Literature student that I am, I am going to have to say Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is my favourite classic. I mean how can you not fall absolutely in love with Lizzy Bennet’s sarcastic, witty ways! And not forgetting when Mr Darcy confesses his love for Lizzy, “I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honor of accepting my hand,” my poor little heart just can’t take it! The most overhyped classic? As much as I love Shakespeare, I’m going to have to say Romeo and Juliet. I know, I know! I love the play too, but I just feel like it’s everyone’s go-to answer when asked about classics and The Canon. Which classic do you lie about having read? To Kill a Mockingbird - I know, truly shocking! I’m judging myself too…
it’s
What is your next future read? Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita is something that’s been on my reading list for a while now. Hopefully, I’ll get chance to read it when I’ve finished this year’s Literature reading list; so basically when I’m 75. And your most hated classic? Straight to the point, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Whilst I appreciate the imagination of such a story and how extraordinary it is that Shelley began writing this well-regarded novel at the age of 18 (making me feel really inferior right now), I just think the entire novel is quite tedious.
Read a good book and want to write us a review that will be in the paper? Email us! c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk
24. music
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Music Editors: Sophie Ahmed, Serena Bhardwaj & Ben Grundy
Toon In
Venue-castle: a freshers’ guide
Being a regular haunt of Hendrix’s in the 60s, and generating the likes of Dire Straits and Brian Johnson, Newcastle is the cultural centre for music in the North-East. Jack Redley went to Charlie Isaac offers a run-down of the main live music venues across the Toon
watch Loyle Carner at Newcastle’s very own O2 Academy
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he stage was set with a huge Cantona shirt hanging behind the decks. The lights were low apart from a spotlight illuminating the Manchester legend’s name. Although the Newcastle O2 Academy wasn’t sold out, the noise in the room when Loyle Carner jumped on the stage with his opening track ‘BFG’ made the crowd go crazy. Holding his dad’s Cantona shirt, he waved it around like someone drowning and the crowd bopped along with him. It is hard to believe that Ben Coyle Larner is only twenty-one. His energy and confidence on stage created a buzz in the crowd that some artists performing live struggle to generate. During ‘Stars and Shards’ the crowd were even louder. For the lyric ‘stars and shards of glass will harm if they meddle,’ in the chorus, Rebel Kleff stopped the music as Loyle Carner - held out the mic for the crowd to scream the lyric. I think the South London rapper was surprised at the loudness of the crowd as he exclaimed ‘what the fuck’ after the song.
“His energy and confidence on stage created a buzz in the crowd that some artists performing live struggle to generate”
Perhaps what was most impressive about Loyle Carner’s set was his obvious versatility as an artist. He switched from ‘No CD,’ a heavy rap song about having no money, to recite a poem. This was then followed by ‘Ain’t Nothing Changed,’ a sentimental song about the passing of his dad and having to grow up quicker than he would have done otherwise. Oh, and he also broke up a fight in the crowd by telling two strangers to ‘hug it out.’ There are few artists that are as talented as the young Loyle Carner.
O
2 Academy: What better way to kick off the list than with the Wetherspoon’s of live music venues, the O2 Academy: your onestop destination for all the questionable cover acts and ‘bands inexplicably still touring despite having not been relevant for at least 10 years’ you could ask for. The interior is characterised by a lifeless blue glow, and sleek, uncomfortably symmetrical furnishings; the sort that only a soulless corporate-owned venue could provide. All this being said however, the Academy undeniably sees some quality acts pass through its doors, filling a crucial role in the city as a mid-sized venue. Just don’t get tricked in to purchasing any of the incredibly underwhelming ‘Agwa bombs’ on offer at the bar. Riverside: Located, as the name would suggest,
Bar Loco: Not primarily a music venue, but there’s always some weird and wonderful live music going on at this quirky pub. Some personal highlights include an impromptu jam of about 15 folk students, the world’s smallest yet proportionally-intense rave, and performances by none other than Ojay, the legendary bassist of Northumberland Street. The Cluny: Based in a former bottling plant, The
“There’s always some weird and wonderful live music going on at this quirky pub” Cluny is, in a nutshell, a very cool place. Generally hosting up-and-coming acts, its indie cred is somewhat diminished when one discovers it is actually owned by Head of Steam. However, the cheerful atmosphere and tastefully DIY aesthetic more than makes up for this.
“Your one-stop destination for all the questionable cover acts you could ask for”
down at the quayside, Riverside unfortunately has no affiliation to the legendary Newcastle venue of the same name (which, in a tragically predictable twist, is now office space). Nonetheless, Riverside is undoubtedly an excellent venue, with a balcony for those trying to avoid the pits and the capacity to regularly book more established acts. Alternatively, you can pay £6 for the Saturday club night, which is summed up quite aptly by my friend’s observation: “I’ve never been groped as much as I have at Riverside.” Newcastle SU: Just your run-of-the-mill ‘large room with a stage’ really. Its lack of any notable features is perhaps redeemed by the convenience of its location, plus the ability to avoid those godawful transaction fees by buying direct from the SU.
“I have never been groped as much as I have at Riverside”
Look at Jack’s interview with Loyle Carner online
Tom Cooney, Ellie Phillips and Nicola Bennell review the top UK festivals
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and-coming artists, and way too much mud. This summer’s effort was no exception to these rules, providing some of the most exhilarating gigs I’ve seen at the event in years. With a line-up varying from classic Leeds rock acts like Biffy Clyro, through a whole host of DJs, to grime collective Boy Better Know, it’s safe to say that Leeds is no longer the rock-oriented affair it once was. This is no bad thing though, with acts like Disclosure and Stormzy pulling in a wider range of fans than the festival had ever seen before. It’s no secret that Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Sunday headline slot was one of the main selling points this year. Fans old and new piled in to hear the hits: everything from ‘Under the Bridge’ to recent singles like ‘Dark Necessities’. Friday performers Fall Out Boy also delivered an electric set, interwoven with a genuinely touching tribute to the late David Bowie.
“It’s safe to say Leeds is no longer the rock-orientated affair it once was”
Be sure to follow us on Spotify so you can have a little listen to local music and more at - https://play. spotify.com/user/thecourierdoesmusic
Metro Arena: Admittedly I have yet to see a concert here. All I can say on the matter is that my friend has tricked me into paying £50 to go and see, of all bands, Disturbed and Avenged Sevenfold. Take from that what you will.
Enjoying the fest-ivities
Bestival “Oh, and he also broke up a Leeds Festival hursday night was a personal favourite. rguably the North’s biggest music festival, fight in the crowd by telling As Shy FX’s ‘Party on the Moon’ got eveLeeds is always a killer weekend of highrybody raving, a promising buzz of excitetwo strangers to ‘hug it out’” octane headliners, the most exciting up-
The Cantona tour heads next to Brighton, Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester before he heads to Europe. Don’t miss out on seeing this incredible artist perform before he leaves the UK!
Think Tank: If you’ve ever been to ‘Digi Mondays’, chances are you’ve drunkenly stumbled into Think Tank. Under the manic gaze of a massive, omnipresent Jeffery ‘The Dude’ Lebowski – part of an impressive collage of cult-pop culture imagery adorning the walls – the awkward layout of the room adds to the rough-yet-intimate vibe. Similarly, the barely-elevated stage allows you to get up close to acts. Though don’t expect Foo Fighters to be playing here any time soon.
Despite the headliners garnering the biggest crowds though, many of this year’s smaller sets were amongst the weekend’s best. Ezra Furman’s typically rock ’n’ roll Friday afternoon show kicked the weekend off to an energetic start, whilst electronic duo Honne’s chilled Alternative Stage slot closed Saturday evening in style. It may have been one of the rainiest and muddiest weekends at the festival in years – with toilets that don’t even bear thinking about – but Leeds 2016 was another weekend bursting with unforgettable performances. Tom Cooney
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ment fills the Bestival air for the days to come. Redlight was especially impressive during this set, delivering banger after banger - from hits like ‘Get Outta My Head’ to old school Mary J. Blige - making it impossible to leave the tent stage. By Friday morning, the party was already starting again with a disco and funk set at the Spaceport hosted by the Morning Gloryville crew who were getting hundreds of early risers moving their feet in the name of peace, love and unity. Reggae fusion headliners Major Lazer definitely topped off the day by generating enough energy from the crowd to fuel the Isle of Wight locals with electricity for the week.
“Everyone was up and jumping - despite the muddy ground”
On Saturday, Bestival main stage was graced with the presence of infamous legends The Cure who blessed us with classics such as ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, ‘Just Like Heaven’ and ‘A Forest’ throughout their unforgettable 3-hour set. Old school techno masters Leftfield were also a gem of the weekend as they blasted out head-bopping beats accompanied by insane trip lighting to create a hypnotising hour of wonder. French electro swing group Caravan Palace had us jiving by 11am on the Sunday, a perfect start to last day of partying. Everyone was up and jumping - despite the muddy ground holding us down by our wellies. Fatboy Slim finished of the evening but was sadly disappointing, playing ‘Eat Sleep Rave Repeat’ for a good 70% of the set, maybe he should stick to the classics next time. In conclusion, if you’re looking for a guaranteed weekend of fun, I’d start saving up for Bestival 2017 now. Ellie Phillips
Creamfields
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his place is literally heaven for any House and EDM fan. If you’re someone who loves a good night out, a crazy atmosphere with sick music, this place is definitely for you. For anyone who doesn’t know Creamfields, it’s basically in a muddy field in the middle of nowhere so if you forget to bring your wellies you are definitely in big trouble! But the mud didn’t change a thing - nothing could change how incredible the festival was this year! The lineup couldn’t have been much better. The only downside was that so many amazing acts were performing simultaneously so you had to miss out. My favourite sets this year were definitely Lucas & Steve and Tiesto. Of course Tiesto absolutely killed it. He is, after all,W one of the top DJ’s in the world! Lucas & Steve were so much better than I expected. Lots of people don’t know them but they seriously know how to get a crowd going and they are extremely good producers. So, Lucas & Steve, you have a new number one fan right here!
“Nothing could change how incredible the festival was this year!” There were definitely a few acts that surprised me. Route 94 were actually really good! Also, I wasn’t exactly surprised, but Don Diablo and Hardwell put on an amazing show. I’m not a huge fan of Hardwell but he definitely brought it this year! If there was anything at all that was slightly disappointing, I would say Avicii. I absolutely hate to say it as I am a big fan of Avicii’s music, but he just really wasn’t that spectacular live. Overall, the festival was an incredible experience. The atmosphere was insane and being surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people who worship the same music as you do just makes it so much better! Nicola Bennell
The Courier
music .25
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk
Heads Up
Following My Intuition
Though these kinds of songs are still in the minority, the album is all the better for their addition. Warpaint haven’t quite set out to redefine their self-proclaimed genre, but they may just have added a disco ball to that smoke filled teepee. Christopher Little
tions, he had chosen to be influenced by other artists out there, reaching a point, where he actually uses the music from Jack Ü’s Where Are Ü Now. It is arguable, whether if it’s only a matter of being influenced by someone, or just clear-cut copying, but nevertheless, the song in which it’s used in ‘16’ is enjoyable enough to divert you from thinking about it too much. fter listening to the first three David is full of confidence, tracks of Craig Dawith his rapid-fire vocals vid’s big comeback, and cheesy lyrics, transFollowing My Intuition, it porting us back right into becomes clear, that if not the 2000’s, meanwhile else, he’s ready for one also trying to cover that thing: transporting himup with a typical 2016 self and his music into sound. That said, beside 2016. That intention is all the influences, there apparent throughout is not much else here, the album, even if it really. Sometimes the is sometimes a little album struggles to be bit too on-the-nose, too relevant in today’s and somewhat musical landscape, to clumsily executed. a point where some However, the album songs are easily distinwholly couldn’t be guishable as nothing taken as a failure: more, but attempts it is a mildly dito be shiny, fresh verting listen, and chic. that won’t turn There are a few the world upstand-outs, like side down, but the hit single will provide Nothing Like This, for a nice lisor the pleasantly ten or two. eastern-sounding After Bo’ Secollaboration with lecta!, David “David is full of Kaytranada ‘Got must’ve had it Good’ but, othconfidence, with a hard time erwise, the short figuring out, his rapid-fire vocals bursts of songs, how we can however energetic, take him seriand cheesy lyrics, can become repetiously again, tive very soon, as transporting us and how he the album drags on can make back right into the for too long. his new re2000’s” cord relevant. From all the opFerenc Orosz
Take Control
The Altar
22, A Million
Slaves
Banks
Bon Iver
Warpaint
Craig David
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os Angeles based band Warpaint define their genre of music as ‘smooth and smoky’. Whilst that is not a specific genre I was aware of per se, you can’t deny that their music is exactly that. What you also can’t deny, is that they’re all exceptionally talented musicians. Perhaps their biggest criticism is that at times they may just try a little bit too hard. For the unprepared, that smoke can sometimes get a bit overwhelming. Many may not have the patience to wait for the shapes to emerge from the haze. Their ethereal tendencies are given credence though by their originality and willingness to experiment. They also have a stirring energy that they all too infrequently unleash. It is exactly that version of Warpaint the band have set out to showcase on their third album Heads Up. Aptly named, ’New Song’, is the exemplary track that represents a real divergence from their previous offerings. An upbeat Pop song no less, and a damn good one at that, it is complete with a catchy melody and a sing-a-long chorus. Then there is the titular track ‘Heads Up’ and its feverish jamming that drives relentlessly forward. On ‘So Good’ a sumptuous beat leads the way as instruments and voices drift in and out, pirouetting around the intensifying beat, until they are all entwined in a raucous dance.
“Perhaps their biggest criticism is that at times they may just try a little bit too hard”
S
traight outta Kent-Town punk rock duo Slaves have given us a taste of their new work this week, with the release of their second album Take Control- but does it live up to the anticipated hype? After the total buzz that electrified thousands of young rockers from the debut album Are You Satisfied?, it was always going to be hard to top such a successful entry to the music scene. Sadly, I’ve found that Slaves haven’t quite managed to hit the high top with their new tracks (maybe Isaac’s sustained stage diving injury has held them back from this?).
“It’s nice to see the pair trying to take their material in a new direction” ‘Hyponotised’ luckily doesn’t disappoint; delivering heavy drum clashes and bass slaps to get your head banging, the way the band usually succeed in doing. ‘Lies’ is also a bit of a hidden gem, as you get to hear a bit more of a sing song vocal from Isaac, rather than the usual screaming (not that it’s bad at all), but the boys show good variety. In fact, it’s nice to see the pair trying to take their material in a new direction- it’s just a shame that the majority of the album sounds so similar. ‘People That You Meet’ drones on like a drunken nursery rhyme and lacks any charming angst. Similarly, ‘Cold Hard Floor’ sounds like it could have been produced by any average try-hard teen punk band. I get that it’s important to experiment with new sounds, but I reckon that Slaves are best of returning to their old roots. Having paid £22 as well to see them in November, I feel bad in saying I hope Take Control is played in the minority. Here’s hoping album number three will be better! Ellie Phillips
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“I fuck with myself more than anybody else,” says Banks, reintroducing herself to 2016 with unapologetic swagger on lead single, ‘Fuck With Myself ’. After making her breakthrough in 2013, LA based singer Jillian Banks returns with The Altar, blending raw and autobiographical lyricism with twitchy trip-hop. Album opener ‘Gemini Feed’ is a dancy alt-electro pop song that centres on her relationship with a controlling ex-lover. On track three, Banks delivers a sleek and effortlessly sexy R&B highlight titled ‘Lovesick’ on which a soft pulsating beat grows slowly underneath breathy vocals. The lyrics are unashamedly blunt, with Banks murmuring, “I’m lovesick I ain’t even ashamed, ah, ah / And I’m hard up for some time in your sheets,” but they’re certainly part of the song’s appeal.
“The lyrics are unashamedly blunt”
There’s an impressive variety of genres on this album too. Guitars and violins provide the main instrumentation on ‘Mother Earth’, whilst rap, grime and trap influences can be heard on the fiery ‘Trainwreck,’ ‘Poltergeist’ and the irresistible ‘Judas’. It’s a sensual mix of textures, but this fusion of supposedly distant genres is far from revolutionary: just look at FKA twigs 2014 LP1, or even Lana Del Rey, who experimented with synthetic production within a typically more indie-pop soundscape on Honeymoon. Towards the end of the album, Banks delivers the post-break-up piano ballad ‘To The Hilt’. It’s raw, and minimal, showcasing not only her vocal and lyrical capacity, but also her vulnerability: “Hated you for leaving me / You were my muse for so long.” The Altar is consistent, at times excellent, but an assortment of sexy sounds doesn’t warrant worship. James Ketely
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efore you listen to 22, A Million — Bon Iver’s first album in over five years— it’s best you forget everything you know about Justin Vernon’s enigmatic project. Where ‘For Emma, Forever Ago,’ explored Vernon’s heartache in folksy, stripped-back terms, and the eponymous ‘Bon Iver’ conjured up images of bucolic Wisconsin with its lush, chamber pop, 22, A Million, traces a more inaccessible path. The warmth of Bon Iver’s previous two albums makes way for something that feels more synthetic, and a lot less decipherable. Vernon’s vocals are recognisable, but are hidden beneath distortion, looping and sampling; if you think of artists like Frank Ocean and James Blake, then you’re heading in the right direction. In fact, Kanye West described Vernon as his “favourite living artist,” and Yeezy’s influence can easily be found in the heavily auto tuned ‘715 – CRΣΣKS.’
“More synthetic, less decipherable”
Beyond Vernon’s sonic ambitions, there are glimmers of the personal: you just have to listen harder to find them. ‘22 (OVER S∞∞N)’, opens the album with a beautifully fragmented account of Vernon’s severe depression and anxiety, whilst making overtures to the album’s more grandiose, existential themes, which are more fully-developed in ‘33 “GOD.”’ However, the album sometimes falls short of its huge ambition; tracks like ‘21 M◊◊N WATER’ and ‘10 d E A T h b R E a s T ’ felt underdeveloped. Saying this, songs like ‘29 #Strafford APTS’ are genuinely stunning. Considering the album’s tendency towards the unanswerable, it seems apt that at points Vernon cannot articulate the ungraspable—because, really, who can? Louise Message
Electronic Blanket In her first column of the year, Robyn Wainwright traces electronic music back to its European conception and comes full circle to discuss Berlinbased DJs in Newcastle.
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hilst travelling around Europe this summer, I learned a lot about electronic music, and how the love for this genre is undeniably vast. With the birth of electronic music beginning in Germany, it is no wonder that I was introduced to some weird and wonderful types of dance music whilst exploring German nightlife. Visiting nightclubs such as Club Harry Klein in Munich, renowned for its electronic music, and choice of DJs, it was an eye-opening experience for me, and a first real look into the ever-growing genre. This growth is definitely evident in the rise of electronic music festivals across Europe. With more obvious choices such as Tomorrowland in Belgium and Creamfields here in the UK, Croatia seems to have the largest number of popular festivals with festivals such as Sonus, Ultra Europe and Dimensions. Other electronic music festivals across Europe are Sonar in Barcelona, Awakenings Festival in the Netherlands and Nuits Sonores in France. The European Electro Playlist brings together the best electronic music from across Europe. With songs such as ‘Aaron’ by Paul Kalkbrenner from Germany, to ‘I’ll be Gone’ by Mario Basanov and Vidis from Lithuania, this playlist confirms that there is innovative and exciting electronic dance music being produced all over Europe.
You need to hear: The Chemical Brothers These guys are insane. They’ve been around since 1989 and they still continue to produce original and authentic electronic music. They were part of the important group that brought electronic music to the forefront of music culture at the turn of the decade. As veterans of the genre, it’s comforting to know that they’re still producing albums such as Born in the Echoes, which came out in 2015. Their soundtrack to the German Thriller Film Hanna is mesmerising, and I’m so excited to hear their compositions for Michael Fassbender’s new film Trespass Against Us which is released on the 22nd September. They are performing at the Eventim Apollo in London on the 10th and 11th December if you’re interested in catching them live.
Listen to: Chemical Brothers – ‘Hanna’s Theme (Vocal Version)’ Preview: Percolate presents: Scuba on Friday 21st October at Cosmic Ballroom. Percolate, originating from London, are bringing the party to Newcastle with four different events, starting on the 21st October at Cosmic Ballroom. With Scuba playing a set in one room, and another two resident DJs hitting up the other room, it is sure to be a night to remember. With a Soul Jazz flavour to his music, Scuba has his own unique take on electronic dance music. Normally based in Berlin, it’s an honour to the electronic music scene in Newcastle that he has chosen to perform here.
Listen to: Scuba – Why You Feel So Low Go follow us on intagram for live gig updates, fun pictures and the latest music gossip- @courier_music
26.tvfeatures
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
TV Editors: Luke Acton, Alison Scurfield and Dominic Corrigan
ck a b w ro h T
Our weekly column where we look back at cult favourites and other atrocities from the past. This week, Flava Flav’s problematic MTV reality show, The Flavor of Love
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otoriously difficult to find online, Flavor of Love, the show following Public Enemy’s Flava Flav on his quest for love, is my guilty pleasure and my new obsession. The premise sounds remarkably similar to NextEntertainment’s The Bachelor- twenty women fight over one man, the winner wins a ring and a lifetime of appearances on minor reality TV shows, the losers fade into obscurity. But MTV had other ideas. The resulting show was so far removed from the simpering piano music and wistful glances we’ve become accustomed to on other dating shows that it’s become a cult hit in its own right. It’s The Bachelor’s wilder, funnier and nastier cousin, with far more nudity.
“It’s trashy, it’s problematic, but somehow I can’t look away” From the opening titles there’s no denying the show is a huge exercise in ego for Flav. The lyrics to the theme song are essentially ‘Flava Flaaaaaaaav’ on a loop, while clipart style images of bikini clad women spin around Flav’s mansion. As the real Flav appears laying back in a throne, draped in furs with his signature clock round his neck, screaming his own name, we have to admit – damn that man’s name is catchy! He enters the room full of women desperately trying to touch the hem of his cloak and kiss his snakeskin-booted feet. As he surveys the room, waiting for the crying girls to compose themselves, he smiles the smile of a man who has been waiting for this moment since he was a horny 14 year old. The talking head reel shows every girl declaring their undying love for him, how sweet and gentle this man they’ve never met before is, how much they want to bear his children. It makes you wonder: how did he end up with so much power? Should MTV have made this show, so blatantly gratifying for Flav, yet possibly demeaning for the girls involved?
“Once you’ve watched Flavour of Love, I guarantee all other reality shows will pale in comparison” It would not have been made in 2016, and that’s a good thing – there’s no denying Flavor of Love contains problematic moments. But once you’ve watched Flavor of Love, I guarantee all other reality shows will pale in comparison. Sure, they have their moments – Tyra rooting for Tiffany on America’s Next Top Model, Ian binning his baked Alaska on The Great British Bake Off – but these moments are few and far between, and these shows aren’t really about creating scandal, they’re about modelling, or baking and if there’s drama it’s a bonus. Flavor of Love knows what the people want. And what we want is a contestant to vomit in a bin minutes before elimination and survive. We want a woman to cook a full chicken in a microwave, garnish it with raw carrots and serve it to her potential mother in law. We want the catfights, the hair pulling, the hot tub sabotages and the ridiculous nicknames. We want it all, and Flavor of Love gives it to us on a diamond incrusted platter. It’s trashy, it’s offensive, but I can’t look away. Never change, Flav. Brooklyn Shakeshaft-Ward
The bake off break off
Have Channel 4 bitten off more than they can chew? Aisling Hough and Dominic Corrigan give us the lowdown on the tent’s latest controversy
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n the past, The Great British Bake Off’s controversies have been limited to the likes of custard swapping and binned baked Alaska, but more recently the biggest scandal to hit the tent is the upcoming move from the BBC to Channel 4. Love Productions, the company behind the hit show, has announced they have failed to negotiate a new contract with the BBC, and instead struck a £25,000,000 deal with the rival channel. Naturally this has stirred up more than a few strong feelings among die-hard Bake Off fans One of the most noticeable changes will of course be the change in presenters, as three out of the four have not agreed to return after the move. Many viewers feel that the trademark humour of presenters Mel and Sue (who even signed off with a pun, stating that though they had loved watching the show “rise like a pair of yeasted Latvian baps”, they were opting to leave rather than “go with the dough”) will be lost and very difficult to replace. With a show such as Bake Off, in which that signature humour is a large part of the show’s flavour, future success could depend on their successors. Add to that the departure of Mary Berry, an iconic figure in baking and one half of the judging team, and you’re left with Paul Hollywood who – if the comments from my flatmates represent wider opinion – is arguably the presenter they’d most like to see in the (bread) bin.
“The loss of Bake Off may also have severe repercussions for the BBC” Furthermore, the programme will now have to contain advert breaks which if you follow Channel 4’s usual system will cut the show down from an hour to around 45 minutes. It is as yet unclear how this drop in length will affect the show, with some worried that it may mean fewer contestants, challenges cut short or possibly omitted altogether.
The loss of Bake Off may also have severe repercussions for the BBC, following the government’s recent attack on the broadcasting institution. Bringing in over 15 million viewers at the best of times, the show was undeniably a flagship programme for the BBC, much loved and often discussed in such varied places as classrooms, boardrooms, living rooms and pretty much anywhere in between. A show with such wide appeal was a great asset to the BBC, evidence of a commitment to produce entertainment suitable to all. Losing Bake Off due to (primarily) financial reasons is perhaps a worrying omen of what is yet to come. But perhaps the news isn’t as bad as it could have been. Channel 4 have made the valid argument that at least in their possession, the show remains in the hands of a publicly owned company and
free to view – as opposed to going to a pay to view channel such as Sky. In this case, it would mean potentially not only a very different show, but one that many viewers may be unable to watch.
“Perhaps Channel 4 will not edit the recipe too much, and be able to recreate the show’s flavour, or even add to it”
Even so, the future is very unclear for the hit show. Perhaps Channel 4 will not edit the recipe too much, and be able to recreate the show’s flavour, or even add to it. Is it even possible that, like Countdown, we could see an 8 Out of 10 Cats remix? (Who wouldn’t love that?). At the end of the day, all fans can hope is that The Great British Bake
Leave ‘em Laughing Is comedy better short and sweet? Jack Taylor investigates whether it is or not
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hether it be Spaced, I’m Alan Partridge’ The Office or even Fawlty Towers, all of us have watched, or are at least aware of, one of these short British comedies of about two seasons. And let’s be honest, it was probably one of the best pieces of British television you’ve ever watched, with that classic six episode a season formula, quirky and often cult-status humour, and unique characters. These sitcoms have always been praised and remembered for being short, concise, and highly re-watchable. So this begs the question: Can comedies go on for too long, and does this make them lose the kind of magic that our favourite cult comedies have? Yes and no. While some might see a show like the US Office as a worse version of the British one, that has gone on for far too long, it has absolutely won in terms of popularity and, according to IMDB, is actually better by a small percentage.
“These sitcoms have always been praised and remembered for being short, concise, and highly re-watchable.”
Then, of course, there’s the well-known notion that a comedy is running out of ideas. I pretty much agree that this can happen with some longer sitcoms, if we take the myriad of newer Simpsons episodes as a reference, wherein the openings themselves can sometimes even set the tone for the entire episode. Just take the episode that opens with Ke$ha’s Tik Tok, for example. Without even parodying the song or doing anything witty whatsoever, the characters just sing along. But, with this in mind, comedies like Peep Show, which seem to
go on for a relatively long period of time, seem to be completely justified in taking so long to finish. I want more, damn it! I think I can best express this conundrum like this: not all longer running comedy shows lose their magic after a while, but shorter shows never lose their magic. If a comedy is short but has also lost its magic then it was probably bad from the beginning. A good example of this might be a comparison between Little Britain and Come Fly With Me by the well known David Walliams and Matt Lucas. Both shows demonstrate similar qualities in terms of comedy, in the unexpected and stereotypical characters but, in my opinion, Little Britain became too reliant on the catchphrases of Vicky Pollard and casual racism. Come Fly With Me, instead, did enough with each stereotyped character
that it stayed funny by the end of the first, and only, season. One thing that we can never be certain of, though, is that a comedy show will stay magical for everyone. We can enjoy a sitcom, and it can keep its magic, even if it is generally seen as bad. Just think of all the cringey comedy of the 80s and 90s that would have been seen as pretty great back in the day, but are now extremely outdated and, in some cases, only finished running relatively recently. Personally, and to reiterate, I think shorter sitcoms are more likely to retain their magic simply because another season is always a risk. At the risk of sounding somewhat patriotic, it’s why British sitcoms are generally so great. With so many less episodes a season, more humour can be squeezed into the shows.
The Courier
highlightstv.27
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/tv c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_tv
A The Apprentice
BBC One, Thursday, 9pm
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t’s that time of year again, pumpkins are in the shops, costumes are a plenty and Lord Sugar is looking for a new investment - the fight for the £250K begins. As usual, the 18 candidates come with a plethora of cringe-worthy cliches, recognisable to anyone who has watched the show every year, like me. My favourite quote being from cocky candidate, 33 year old Karthik Nagesan “I am an emperor, a true leader, a country is not enough, a continent is not enough. I am after the world.” Yeah, okay, let’s see how long you last Karthik. However, long running shows such as The Apprentice do tend to bring out more unusual candidates such as doeeyed Frances Bishop an “ex-world karate champion” who isn’t “afraid of a fight” or childish Rebecca Jeffery who said her “business acumen would be like a bouncing puppy”. It’s fair to say that she and
Lord Sugar didn’t get on very well during the episode. There are a couple of familiar faces, Lord Sugar is joined by his aides, the ever strong and feisty Baroness Karren Brady and Claude Littner; who I don’t find as intimidating as he used to be when he was doing the interviews pre-2015. Although he is a more fearsome character than Nick Hewer who left the show in 2014. The twelfth series started with no-nonsense Alan roasting the new candidates. The business man said that if they want to “complain” or “moan” they can send an email to “LordSugar@ idontcare.com”- probably Lord Sugar’s sassiest comment to date. While trawling through some of the rather ‘unique’ CV’s, Jessica Cunningham made herself known to Karren Brady. The overly excitable candidate put herself on the radar by interrupting Lord Sugar; Karren responded with a steely-eyed look, telling her to “take a breath”. The traditional activity of a car boot sale certainly showed the candidates’ true colours and it’s not surprising that after deciding on the name ‘Nebula’, the girls’ team did horrifically in the challenge. The nonchalant project manager Michelle
Mr Robot
stating the prices should be “£5, £10 or £15” was the beginning of the day’s disasters. Whereas the boys’ team decided that Paul Sullivan should be project manager based on the fact that he watches a lot of Bargain Hunt - not exactly the best logic on the first challenge. However, while they did get some of the prices correct for some of the items, the little snaps and bickering between Samuel and Paul certainly showed some cracks in the team. In the boardroom, it was the battle of the blondes. After losing the challenge, the girls’ team was boiled down to Michelle, Rebecca and Alana. Despite Lord Sugar calling Michelle an “astute businesswoman”, her hapless management lead to her to being questioned by Claude in particular on her pricing strategy. Nevertheless, it was Rebecca that seemed to be the weakest candidate in my view. After only selling £25 worth of ‘antiques’ and not being the most forthright when it come to selling and strategy, I was surprised when (typical of the first show) Alan decided to fire the project manager Michelle, the first casualty of the boardroom in 2016. Sian Dickie
Our Girl
Amazon Prime
Luke Cage
BBC 2, Wednesday 9pm
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f you want to avoid some awkward moments with your new flatmates, you might want to skip on recommending you all sit down to watch Mr Robot. At first sight, this can seem like a really good idea. It is a new, popular, Emmy-winning series, and everybody seems to be watching it. However, if you dig deeper, it becomes apparent that this show is not for everyone. Firstly, Mr Robot is filled with hacking and computers. Although it is presented as understandable, and sometimes even relatable, it can still prove to be difficult for some. Even if your flatmates understand it, they might not be into the cyber-crime stuff the show is selling. Going into season two, Mr Robot becomes harder to follow. Although the first season is quite viewer-friendly in a narrative sense, the second season goes into uncharted territory. The plot becomes much more convoluted and layered, and sometimes it can be hard to track the storylines, even for the more experienced viewer. Not only this, but sometimes Mr Robot can just be really weird. Character Joanna Wellick is into some really perverted stuff, and things happening around the characters is sometimes weird, or cringe-inducing. It will definitely cause some awkward moments in the viewing room. That said, Mr Robot is one of the best TV series out there, so you might want to give it a go, when you’re more comfortable with your new buddies, or perhaps you could also try to watch it alone first.
eries Two of BBC’s five-part drama Our Girl came to an end on Wednesday evening with a compelling concluding episode. The story focuses on Georgie Lane (Michelle Keegan), a medic in the army who is sent out to Kenya, alongside Captain James, on a humanitarian mission. After recovering from heartbreak from her special forces ex fiancé Elvis, Georgie leaves her new man behind for this tour just before her wedding. The fast paced plot line kicks off when an IED explodes and Georgie is captured and held hostage by Al Shabaab terrorist Abu (Michael James). The romance and love triangle through which the lead characters are humanized, combined with a thrilling war/terrorism plot holds a unique appeal for viewers, setting it apart from other BBC dramas such as Silent Witness, also directed by David Drury. Despite having a generally convincing plot line and mostly believable characters, the programme’s depiction of the army is somewhat unrealistic, with the glamorous Michelle Keegan being more persuasive as an emotional hostage than a heroic army medic. Regardless of the seemingly resolved finish on the terrorist front, and a lack of a ‘cliffhanger’, which resulted in a disappointing and predictable end, confirmations of Michelle Keegan returning for a third series leaves viewers hotly anticipating more romantic drama with the gorgeous Elvis.
Ferenc Orosz
Victoria Greenland
Netflix
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uke Cage is exactly what the world needs right now, while being a disappointment as a show at the same time. Netflix’s newest addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe gives us more about the character introduced in Jessica Jones, following him while he’s staying under the radar in Harlem as he accepts his role as a hero. Mike Colter’s powerful performance as Cage makes the series, bringing a depth to the beloved character, and is joined by a powerful cast playing interesting allies and antagonists. Even the neighbourhood feels like a character, and it is supported by a wonderfully fitting soundtrack filled with ‘90’s hip hop beats. However, the plot feels slow and lacks substance, and it appears that thirteen episodes might have been too much. The series starts with welldeveloped and thrilling antagonists, but when it switches to another enemy halfway through the series it all goes downhill. This new threat is underdeveloped, lacks the right back-story, and the grand finale is a huge letdown. Yet the strong political commentary within the series shows why the world needs Luke: with a bulletproof black man as its main character and a predominantly non-white cast, the whole show reflects contemporary conflicts and debates, there’s no possibility of ignoring it. Luke Cage is holding a mirror to the world, and considering the people who went onto the internet calling the series ‘racist’ for its lack of white characters, it is more than necessary. Even with its many flaws, we need Luke Cage. Becky van Leeuwen
Autumn Picks
s the warm weather gradually disappears and is replaced by rapidly darkening evenings, we can all take solace in the fact that autumn is undoubtedly, the best time of year to settle in front of the TV and blast the night away. The BBC has given us plenty of chills with its suitably autumnal showing of The Fall. Luckily for the ladies, BBC’s most disturbing drama, and the world’s hunkiest serial killer, Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan) is back for another season. After being shot at the end of season two, the brooding murderer is on the brink of a grisly demise. Season three opens with Spector strapped to a gurney, being steered into an operating theatre, leaving viewers confused as to whether or not they were watching an episode of Casualty. The blood and gore we saw in the hospital scenes was vastly different to the scenes of horror we’re used to in the murders of Paul Spector. Seeing Jamie Dornan stalk the streets of Belfast was certainly what had everyone teetering on the edge of their seats in the first two series, however, series three seems to be veering down a different path. Three episodes in, and viewers were expecting to see Paul and Stella’s dance of death around each other intensify; but instead we have a confused Paul Spector forgetting that he is Belfast’s most wanted. The question on the edge of each and every fan’s lips is ‘will he get away with it?’ I’m sure I’m not the only person who is hoping so.
“Motorheads all over the world hung their heads in sorrow after Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May departed from the BBC after a long and laughable thirteen years.” Motorheads all over the world hung their heads in sorrow after Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May departed from the BBC after a long and laughable thirteen years. However, fear not, the Top Gear trio are still going strong, and they have reinvented their beloved show. The Grand Tour starts on Amazon on the 18th November, so, fellow students, if you haven’t yet got your free six month subscription to Amazon Prime, I suggest you get a wriggle on. As the title suggests, the popular trio will tour the world throughout the twelve episodes. As the trailer shows, the producers certainly haven’t been frugal in their modes of transport, as we see jet skis, luxury cars, and a tank that appears to blow up a van. We can be sure it is going to be an explosive series.
“I’m gonna kill you. Not today, not tomorrow, but I’m gonna kill you” are Rick’s words to Negan in the trailer for season seven of the Walking Dead. “I’m gonna kill you. Not today, not tomorrow, but I’m gonna kill you” are Rick’s words to Negan in the trailer for season seven of The Walking Dead. We’ve come a long way since we saw Rick wake up in a hospital bed back in season one, following his progress as he treks round America, battling for survival in a zombie apocalypse. Over a span of nearly one hundred episodes we have seen our beloved cast ‘Fight the Dead’ and ‘Fear the Living’, and last season’s finale certainly lived up to that catchphrase. Season six ended on a jaw-dropping cliff-hanger as viewers were left unsure which beloved character met their death at the end of Negan’s barbed wire baseball bat. One thing we can be certain of, though, is that Rick’s post apocalyptic family certainly won’t be the same again. The Walking Dead is the show to watch this autumn. Holly Cowan
28.filmfeatures
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Film Editors: Emma Allsopp, Zoë Godden & Simon Ramshaw
We know what you saw last summer
GUILT TRIP Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001)
Welcome to our brand new column, Guilt Trip, the corner of shame... Each week we will invite someone to either tear down a film they dislike, or justify why their pleasures are guilty ones. This week, in honour of the release of Bridget Jones’s Baby, Nita Madjuni tells us why she hates everything Bridget Jones’s Diary.
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hy is Bridget Jones regarded as a film starring ‘Britain’s foremost fictional everywoman’ considering how utterly unsuitable a heroine Bridget is? The titular character is made unlikable by her complicity to the continuous degradation of women in the film, herself included. This deeply contradicts what Bridget’s supposed to represent; a woman enjoying ‘the fruits that feminism has borne’, her independence, apartment and successful career. Yet she’s still self-loathing, still pursues the affections of love interests who label her a ‘bitch’ and ‘ridiculous’, although admittedly as the film proceeds it’s hard to argue with the latter. Most appalling is the way she accepts the casual groping of her ‘Uncle Geoffrey’, the leers of ‘Mr. Tits Pervert’, and the implication that career women ‘can’t seem to hold down their chaps’ without verbal complaint. Sure, she rolls her eyes, lets viewers know what she thinks of them, but she fails to confront the issue. In short, Bridget Jones lacks a back bone. It’s hard to believe many consider this film as comedic when it presents such a nonchalant attitude towards sexual harassment.
When insinuating herself as a ‘tragic spinster’ at the absolutely ancient age of 32 (note the sarcasm), Bridget insults all single women, the screen-writers having forgotten that it is the 21st Century. Then again as the film’s considered by many a modern-day adaptation of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, references to practically archaic terms shouldn’t be surprising. Although, how anyone could suggest Bridget’s character is on par with Elizabeth’s is beyond me. Whilst both are judgmental (I rather liked Darcy’s reindeer sweater), Bridget lacks Elizabeth’s intelligence. Take for example her ‘relationship’ with her boss who didn’t meet her criteria of ‘nice and sensible’. Yet she somehow goes from recognizing him as a ‘commitment phobic’ and ‘emotional fuckwit’ to claiming he’s ‘perfect’? Can she really be so blinded by lust? All in all, I struggle with why Bridget Jones’s Diary is so acclaimed. If Jones is an ‘everywoman’, I fear for the future of the female sex. Nita Madjuni
Since summer is over and the new semester has begun, Dan Haygarth takes a look at the blockbuster hits and misses over the past few months
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ollowing the monumental success of both Deadpool and Captain America: Civil War earlier in the year, the summer blockbuster season promised much and was met with high expectations. Unfortunately, these were not met and it would be fair to say that 2016 has been far from a vintage year, especially for studio filmmaking. Despite some exceptions, the summer months saw a succession of utter disasters. Of the large-scale studio films, the muchmaligned Warcraft became the latest addition to the long line of underwhelming films based on video games, while the long-awaited Independence Day: Resurgence and the latest remake of Ben-Hur were both resounding critical and commercial failures. Likewise, Now You See Me 2 was a sequel that nobody asked for, David Yates’ The Legend of Tarzan was an adventure film that lacked any sense of adventure and X-Men: Apocalypse’s dull villain, recycled plot and a weak third act made it a forgettable entry in the long-running series. Yet, the title of the summer’s biggest disappointment must go to Suicide Squad – a considerable achievement, considering the wealth of competition. Despite Margot Robbie’s superb portrayal of Harley Quinn, the film suffered from an incoherent plot, Jared Leto’s shortage of screen time and none of the of anarchic excitement promised from the trailers. Nevertheless, not every blockbuster released this summer was a disappointment. Jason Bourne, Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon’s return to the acclaimed franchise, was fortunately more inventive than its title and a worthy successor to the original trilogy. Its stunning opening action sequence, which takes place during an austerity riot in Athens, is one of the year’s best and sets
the film’s electric pace. Pixar also succeeded with their return to a beloved amnesiac character with Finding Dory. Funny and touching, the sequel ranks amongst the animation studio’s best. Star Trek Beyond and Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of the Roald Dahl classic The BFG were also wellreceived, despite the latter being a rare box-office flop for the great director.
“Warcraft became the latest underwhelming film based on a video game” As an antidote to the inundation of sequels and franchise films, the summer saw the release of some excellent small and independent films. Café Society was a welcome return to form for Woody Allen; charming, witty and beautifully-shot, the film is the director’s funniest in years and featured
a fantastic performance from Kristen Stewart. Sing Street, the third film from John Carney, tells the tale of Dublin teenager who forms a rock band in the hope of winning a girl’s heart. The film’s young cast, its soundtrack and Carney’s use of the 1980s setting are all superb; making it one of the best films of the year so far. Another film that would challenge for that title is Hell or High Water, a tense, taut and characterdriven thriller, which stars Ben Foster, Jeff Bridges and Chris Pine, whose excellent, understated performance is comfortably his career best. Overall, the summer season must be viewed as a significant disappointment - there were too few shining lights amongst the inundation of substandard blockbusters. However, the early release and success of Deadpool, Civil War and The Jungle Book as well as the fact that Doctor Strange and Rogue One are yet to come is encouraging and shows that the summer blockbuster season may be a thing of the past.
Film to TV: spin-off or spin-on?
With film to television spin-offs becoming ever popular, Pablo Pla Lado examines whether they are worth watching or better off avoiding
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pin-off is a recent word that can include a huge quantity of meanings. But when it’s referred to the cultural industry, we’re able to know that it’s a cultural product (mainly TV series and movies) derived from another cultural product’s features (especially some characters or subplots). The television’s world has been the most successful machine when it comes to these kind of creations. Better Call Saul from the Breaking Bad series or huge franchises such Star Trek are a few examples. But cinema’s influence on these TV spin-offs is undeniable too, and often have less well-known connections. Let’s talk about some examples like Fargo. Who doesn’t know this Cohen brothers’ black comedy released in 1996? Well, the homonym series (2014) by Noah Hawley has given two seasons with such celebrities as Martin Freeman and Kirsten Dunst as main characters. It has many similarities with the original movie, despite offering new creepy, gory stories (an eventual, third season is thought to be released next year).
“Fargo has many similarities with the original movie, despite offering new creepy, gory stories”
Have I written gory? That’s because horror films also have their own spin-offs. After the famous tetralogy directed by horror master Wes Craven and starring Neve Campbell, MTV brought the famous slasher Ghostface to life again with Scream (2015-2016). There are new characters and relevant changes, but the story continues with the crimes committed by a masked murderer and the young people who fight against them. Craven and Kevin Williamson (the original series’ writer) joined again to do
it, and two seasons were released. TV spin-offs can also expand the original movies or reinvent them successfully. The best Hollywood’s villain according to the American Academy, portrayed by a stunning Anthony Hopkins in three films, finally came to small screen in a NBC production with three seasons. In Hannibal (20132015), the FBI inspector Will Graham (Hugh Dancy), and the psychiatrist and secret serial killer Hannibal Lecter (Mads Mikkelsen) have to work together to catch a mass murderer. Fortunately, the series gives great results, and it delves into some aspects of the most famous cannibal’s story with memorable technical skills and a strong plot.
“Hannibal gives great results, and delves into aspects of the famous cannibal’s story with memorable technical skills and a strong plot”
But not all the spin-offs come from Hollywood. When City of God (2002) by Fernando Meirelles struck the world with the cruel stories from one the poorest, most dangerous districts in Brazil, TV producers didn’t waste any time. City of Men (2002-2005), also made by Meirelles, was set
in the same favelas’ world, but it differed by casting two children, Acerola and Laranjinha, as main characters. The series obtained good results with audiences with its four seasons in Brazil, but it couldn’t achieve any international fame. Finally, why should we forget cartoons? Clearly, big companies like Disney or Dreamworks have developed many spin-offs inspired by their popular characters. We could talk about many of them (The Legend of Tarzan, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness...), but the Disney Channel’s cartoon The Emperor’s New School (2006-2008) is miles better than any other. After recovering his human shape in hilarious The Emperor’s New Groove (2000), the Incan emperor Kuzco had grown, so he needed to go to school if he wanted to be one day a good governor. Luckily, the series maintained the original film’s characters and its main features; lots of gags and absurd humour, and frequent fourth wall breaks.
The Courier
reviewsfilm.29
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/film c2.film@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Film
Golden Oldies Presents...
Bridget Jones’s Baby (15)
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Georges Franju’s
ridget is back - and better than ever before! The long awaited third instalment in the Bridget Jones series was finally released last month, and faithful fans of the franchise are right to rejoice; director Sharon Maguire has indeed ensured audience’s expectations were more than met with the return of another remarkable romantic comedy, Bridget Jones’s Baby. Thankfully, the film is very loosely based on author Helen Fielding’s third novel. Indeed, the film follows 43-year-old Jones several years on from where the plot left off. Renee Zellweger resumes the title role and her outstanding interpretation of the protagonist does not disappoint. The American actress continues to have the talent for perfecting the British accent whilst embodying Bridget’s most awkward moments. The single, independent and confident Bridget is a strong contrast to the sometimes tragically lonely woman in the previous two films. However, she still manages to provide plenty of laughter through her often relatable yet hilariously unfortunate circumstances. A new chapter in Bridget’s life begins when she falls pregnant and is unaware of whom the father of the child may be. The two possibilities are Mark Darcy and dating website guru Jack Qwant. Colin Firth reprises his role as hopelessly romantic Darcy and once again pursues Bridget. Meanwhile, newcomer Patrick Dempsey undertakes the character of love rival Qwant. Undoubtedly, Dempsey will be widely recognized from his career pivoting role as Greys Anatomy’s Doctor Shepherd. The comical
rivalry between the two characters echoes Darcy’s difficulties with Bridget’s other former flame, Daniel Cleaver, who is referenced but was somewhat a miss after his memorable appearance in the first two films. The competitive scenes in pre-natal classes, a television studio where Bridget works as a producer and London’s smallest Italian restaurant only add to the incredible humour evident throughout the whole film. British Actress Sarah Solemani is also a welcome addition to the fresh cast. Solemani takes on the role of Bridget’s new best friend, Miranda. The outgoing Miranda is Bridget’s amusing sidekick who works as a news anchor on the show Jones produces. This makes for a particularly notable scene in the studio when they attempt to communicate with each other on air while interviewing love interest Jack. The character’s alternating enthusiasm and shock towards Bridget’s triumphs and trou-
bles mirror the audience’s reaction. The character’s endless wit creates a stand-out performance, which would have not been out of place when looking back at the other films in the series. Miranda brings a more youthful tone to the film that this time focuses on a maturing Bridget, another reason the film appeals to a wide audience. The success of both Bridget Jones’s Diary and the sequel Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason certainly would have been an intimidating achievement to follow. However, this must see film remains at the top of the box office charts weeks after release, proving Bridget is more popular than ever. Don’t miss it, you will not be disappointed and as they all say, ‘to Bridget, just as she is.’
The Greasy Strangler (18)
Swiss Army Man (15)
Under The Shadow (15)
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he most disgusting movie of 2016!!!” this is the most common opinion you’d run into if you started reading about The Greasy Strangler, which premiered at Sundance this year, and has been causing havoc everywhere it appeared ever since. If you’re interested in whether it is really that disgusting, then I can assure you: it is. Though this won’t be the most stomach-churning film you will ever see in your life (especially if you’re familiar with Peter Jackson’s earlier work), it will surely give you some cringing and nausea while you’re watching it. However, amidst all the grease, innuendo, and the prosthetic penises (yes, you have read that right), there is some real, serious drama to be found here. The film is about Big Brayden (Sky Elobar), and his father, Big Ronnie (played wonderfully by Michal St. Michaels), who are living together in a filthy, old house, and earn their living by giving fake disco-themed tours to the unsuspecting. But Big Ronnie is also the eponymous ‘Greasy Strangler’, a maniac serial killer, covered in, well, grease. When Big Brayden starts to date a girl, Janet, things get complicated, messy, and really, really weird. Although this film will definitely not be for everyone, if you can get in line with its twisted sense of humour, and have a strong stomach, you will sorta-kinda enjoy it. Just be prepared for extensive amounts of over-the-top sickening scenes and unhinged silliness, to the point, where you will actually be asking yourself: “What were they thinking?” I certainly don’t know. Yet if you can endure all the torture, you will find a real gem: a complicated story of a failed person, who’s trying to live off his own son, not letting him live his life to its fullest. Of course, this will not be apparent from the get-go, and you will have to endure a lot of craziness, but the film is interesting and rewarding enough to sit through. More like this: Pink Flamingos (1972) Ferenc Orosz
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ou’re stranded on a desert island. What items do you want with you? A fully charged mobile phone? How about the bloated, washed-up corpse of Daniel Radcliffe, talking inexplicably, offering you desperately needed companionship and evacuating his gaseous bowels in realistic corpse-like fashion with enough force to use him as a makeshift jetski? That question, posed by writers/directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert in Swiss Army Man, was enough to send audience members running at the film’s Sundance premiere in January, with many exiting the screening long before the end of its 97-minute runtime. They made a huge mistake. In many ways, Swiss Army Man’s humour about matches that of a bunch of sniggering fourteenyear-old boys. Its cinematography borders just on the wrong side of a Mumford and Sons music video (unsurprising, since this is the school of filmmaking from which the Daniels originate), while our hero, Hank (Paul Dano), teeters on the edge between loveable loser and irredeemable creep. And yet, despite - or even because of - all this, the film pulls through as one of the most disarmingly charming of 2016. Radcliffe and Dano find a way to tread through constant fart and dick jokes with a heartbreaking fragility. Manny’s (Radcliffe) postmortem amnesia sees Hank deconstructing and explaining the basics of humanity (love, buses, erections, shame) in a way that’s simultaneously hilarious and life-affirming. Its soundtrack, partly performed by the co-stars themselves, is woven beautifully through the onscreen action. Although at times the film finds itself dragging and grating - perhaps the result of stretching what is essentially a cute, funny premise for a maybeviral Vimeo short into a feature-length adventure epic, with added soul-searching and inspirational dialogue - it emerges as a must-see. Strangely touching and delightfully twisted, Swiss Army Man tests its viewers to the limits, and rewards them ten times over for sticking through. More like this: Weekend at Bernie’s (1989) Fiona Cunningham
More like this: Love Actually (2003) Sarah Aston
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midst the suspense and merited jump scares, there is a film that delves into the horror of a society that is unforgiving to a mother and daughter trying to survive a variety of evils, both real and imaginary. Under the Shadow is an Iranian film helmed by debutant Babak Anvari. Let me start out the review by saying what you are probably thinking - I’ve never seen an Iranian film before either. Even if you aren’t a fan of subtitled films, don’t let that stop you from watching this highly gripping and taut psychological horror. The movie, set in Tehran 1988, sees a mother (Narges Rashidi) struggling for her right to study after her involvement in the Iranian cultural revolution. This leads to friction with her husband, who is shown to be supportive but realistic in an otherwise oppressive society. When he is sent off to serve his country in the war, she is left to fend for herself and her daughter in a harsh world where uncertainty awaits them. With no exaggerated music building up to an obvious jump scare or cliché horror tactics weighing the film down, this original piece of work manages to immerse you in a world that, even without the supernatural elements of djinns (supernatural beings from Islamic mythology), leaves you shaken. Compelling performances by both Rashidi and the young Manshadi make proceedings far more believable and interesting than in more expensive Hollywood counterparts. The magic here doesn’t lie in its CGI mastery but rather in its enthralling story and thought provoking subtext. I am not a horror film fan by any means. I find them far too repetitive and uncreative to be truly effective. However, Under the Shadow works on a variety of levels. It is a rich psychological thriller; a chilling drama showcasing the struggles of a woman in a patriarchal society. An all-rounded and exceptional film, this one is a Halloween must see if you are in search of some horror with depth. More like this: A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014) Rishav Kumar
Eyes Without A Face
In our new, fresh and crispy column, we’re sending people to the Tyneside Cinema every week to see a classic film. This week, it was Georges Franju’s unnerving French-language body-horror, Eyes Without A Face, presented at the Tyneside Cinema in a 35mm print as part of their World of Horror season. Did it face up to expectations, or was everyone in the audience’s face left as blank as the film’s protagonist? Kitty Marie went to find out.
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f you want a film with a confusing beginning, a very linear plot-line and an annoying, repetitive music score, then Eyes Without a Face is certainly a film you’ll like. The central concept of the film can be traced back as one of the very first ‘body-horrors’, as a young girl is literally left ‘faceless’ after an accident and her father, a surgeon, does everything he can to make her a new one. This is a film that outlines true, sinister horror in very 1960s style, almost akin to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho; the women were beautiful and the cars were even more stunning. Although we don’t get to see Edith Scob’s face often, she embodies her porcelain doll-esque costume with elegance, so at least the film has a nice aesthetic quality. The special effects, although jaw-dropping at the time (1960) do not hold well in 2016 - the viewer is constantly left eagerly anticipating what the girl looks like under the mask. The girl is left miserable for the fact she can’t see her fiancé again and she is alone. Her only company seems to be her father’s large collection of vicious dogs kept in the kennels below the house, even though the audience doesn’t actually know yet why these dogs are being kept here. This film is a prime example of a director portraying his knowledge and views of a story in the assumption that the viewer will immediately know what is going on.
However, despite the confusion, slow-paced acting and unnecessary scenes, this French film, Eyes Without a Face is a charming piece of art by Georges Franju that will be truly excellent, and horrific, if remade. Even though it is originally French, it would still make sense to be remade in relation to matters particularly prevalent in the United States. The film touches on realistic issues of murder, theft, bribery and kidnapping all in one search for one of the things that makes us human: our vanity. Although science has caught up to the film’s borderline-dystopic view of skin grafting and other assorted body-horror, it would nonetheless be interesting to see a modern update. Kitty Marie
Next week: Hideo Nakata’s Ringu
30.gaming
Monday 17th October 2016
The Courier
Gaming Editors: Errol Kerr, Jared Moore & Jordan Oloman
Insomnia 58: A Beginner’s Guide Though festivals and gigs might work for some, Jared Moore takes us inside something much more exciting: a games convention
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hilst Britain’s music scene rocked to the sound of Reading and Leeds throughout late August, for gamers the attention was all on Insomnia 58. Multiplay’s leading-edge gaming festival, now in its 17th year, overran the Birmingham NEC for four unforgettable days that packed together a combination of the best gaming talents, technologies and faces all into one venue. Some of the biggest brands in gaming were on show throughout the weekend to exhibit their latest releases and masterpieces. Included amongst the many famous promoters and developers were gaming giants Microsoft and Sony. Whilst the former showed off their new smaller quieter Xbox One S and helped to promote a fresh look FIFA 17, the battle of the heavyweights was blown out of the water by Sony’s VR presence. Throughout the weekend, Sony showcased their Playstation VR allowing gamers to fully immerse themselves into the future of gaming. Insomnia’s line up of special guests demonstrated just how far the festival has progressed and developed over time. Fans turned up in their thousands across the weekend to attend meet and greets with Tom (Syndicate) and The Yogscast, whilst many other streamers could be seen constantly posing for pictures and signing autographs. Trying to put into perspective just how much the current generation adores YouTube stars and personalities is difficult. Whilst it’s easy to get lost in the numbers of YouTube subscriber counts and video views, Insomnia brought those figures much closer to home.
Review: FIFA 17
Andrew Evans kicks up a fuss with EA’s latest foray into football simulation
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s another academic year rolls around, EA has sure enough provided another instalment of FIFA to make procrastination all the more inevitable. This year feels different, however. Whilst the typical roster changes and gameplay tweaks make their reappearance, there are some pretty defining changes that are clear signs of where the series as a whole is headed in the future. The much-anticipated story mode, The Journey, is the most important inclusion since Ultimate Team 7 years ago. Borrowing Mass Effect’s choicedriven dialogue system, you can determine how protagonist Alex Hunter adapts to life in the top tier of English football. At least, you can in theory. The match day targets as well as the options to appease the manager or the fans with what you choose to say are novel ideas, but in practise give little in the way of actual choice. For example, the game will always lead you to being sent out on loan early on even if you achieve all your match day targets beforehand. While the story is more linear than hoped, what is there is surprisingly fleshed out, albeit predictable, and will make you want to see it through to the end to see how Hunter’s season pans out.
“ Tweaks aside, the big difference this year is setpieces”
Another welcome addition to the franchise is the inclusion of DICE’s Frostbite graphics engine. It’s easy to see why too. The player models’ actions and expressions feel more fluid, while the in-game atmosphere is made more immersive due to realis-
tic lighting effects reducing the relatively washed out feel of previous FIFAs. In a nice touch, EA has included all 20 Premier League managers into the game. A strange enjoyment comes out of seeing Mourinho prowl the dugout, silently (or not so silently) judging the horrendous play happening out on the pitch. On the pitch, FIFA 17 boasts more attacking play than its defensive-minded predecessor. Passing the ball feels smoother and more natural, allowing for more control when moving the ball up the pitch. It feels as if you can be more physical on the ball too as aggressive play seems to be penalised less. Tweaks aside, the big difference this year is the set pieces. If you’ve played the demo, you’ll be aware of the embarrassing moment when you’ve sent your first free kick sky high, or tamely placed the ball into the palms of the keeper during a penalty. Fight past the initial trepidation and you’ll find a more nuanced system, however, that means you have far more control over set pieces than ever before. FIFA 17 is successful in showing where the series is headed in the future. The Journey provides a solid basis for a story mode that will no doubt be improved on in future iterations, while the visual and set piece overhauls will keep players coming back to the addictive FIFA gameplay.
Pokémon Sun And Moon The newly revealed starter evolutions create brutal rivalries between our writers... Image Credit: Nintendo
“Fans turned up in their thousands across the weekend to attend meet and greets ... many other streamers could be seen constantly posing for pictures and signing autographs.” Speaking with LDShadowLady, a YouTuber with over 2.4 million subscribers, she noted how Insomnia creates “a safe place for people to meet up from online communities in the real world”. Over the course of the weekend, Insomnia clearly demonstrated that it’s more than just a platform for developers to show off their new software and tech. Behind the robot battling arenas and main stage events, i58 becomes a place for gamers to interact and build communities. Multiplay’s events director Andy Smith spoke about the kind of atmosphere that is being built at Insomnia: “Insomnia is all about trying to create a holistic experience. Attending the festival is not just about making a purchase on a shelf but about making each customer a part of something bigger. “We are trying to create the most immersive but safe place for gaming communities to gather. At each new event we are striving to make the festival bigger and better than the one previous”. In truth, what Multiplay have created is a perfect balance between both the marketing and social side to the gaming community. Insomnia has something for everyone. Whether you want to check out the newest games on the high street, meet your YouTube idols or hang out and play some League of Legends at League fest, it has you covered. From Team Fortress 2 to Overwatch there’s a fantastic display of eSports on show. Or, if you just want to bring down your computer and play Hearthstone for the entire weekend, then Multiplay have invested the time and resources to make that possible as well. i59 takes place from the 9th to the 11th of December at the NEC in Birmingham and although Newcastle to Birmingham is quite a distance, we think it’ll certainly be worth the journey.
Image Credit: EA Sports
Images: The Pokemon Company
Brionne - Georgina Howlett Popplio’s initial haters picked on its seemingly clown-like appearance, similarity to existing Pokémon, feminine undertones and even its animal influence – the sea lion – with memes of sad-looking sea lions with Popplio’s face photoshopped onto them appearing in abundance before the first night was over. However, Twitter user @cosumik quickly stepped up to the mark to form the ‘Popplio Defence Squad’ – and with good reason. Popplio’s first evolution, Brionne, is not only described in its official biography by the Pokémon Company as being a “hard worker” that “pours itself into its efforts”, it is also definitively marketed as what it has inevitably become; the unpopular, unloved underdog. Brionne’s design improves upon Popplio’s slightly creepy appearance, sporting cute white frills and eyes enough in the anime style to captivate your soul. Additionally, its familiar Torrent ability promises it to be a formidable opponent in Pokémon battles, its exploding water balloons causing damage all over the arena. It is said that Brionne will always act cheery and positive, never showing its true sadness unless it is in the presence of a Pokémon or Trainer to whom it has “opened its heart completely”. If that sob-story doesn’t make you think twice about putting Popplio and Brionne down immediately, then what are you?
Dartrix - Michael Hicks Torracat - Richard Liddle So the second stages for Sun and Moon’s starters have been revealed, and unsurprisingly Rowlet’s is great while Popplio’s is naff. Slightly more unexpected was Litten’s evolution Torracat. If you’ve been keeping up with all the supposed “leaks” you’ll know there’s a fairly convincing one showing off the final evolutions of the starters, and Litten’s final form is apparently a sort of cat-wrestler hybrid (think Tony the Tiger mixed with John Cena, then throw in a belt made of fire). A lot of people have taken that to mean we’re in for yet another Fire/ Fighting starter, but with Torracat’s reveal I’m not so sure. In the past the Fire/Fighting starters have gained their second typing by their first evolution, but Torracat hasn’t yet, and the fact it’s said to be good at hunting in the dark makes me think it’ll gain a Dark typing instead which will be a nice change. Types aside, there’s no denying Torracat is one cool cat; it even has a little bell on its neck which it can shoot fire from, which is simultaneously awesome and adorable. I was dead set on choosing Rowlet at first, but Torracat’s reveal has made the decision a lot harder.
Ever since I first played Pokémon back as a wee lad, I’ve always chose the Water starters. Yes, I was a Blastoise kid. Me and my friends were all too dumb to realise that you could use Pokémon other than your starters back in the day. They all picked the obvious Charizard. I, being the devious little sod I was, picked Blastoise to crush them under the foot of my tortoise tank powerhouse. Sun and Moon, however, mark a big shift in my Pokémon life: it’ll be the first time I pick a Grass starter on my first playthrough. On October 4th, we learned what the new starters we’ve come to know and mostly love (sorry Popplio) would look like in their usually awkward teen stages. Dartrix, the evolution of the adorable Rowlet, is anything but awkward. He’s got a sweet green fringe and rocks a bowtie better then Matt Smith ever did. His smug face says it all. He knows he’s better looking than your Pokémon, and he’ll be mopping the floor with it before long with his bladed feathers too. But at the end of the day, Dartrix still extends a wing of friendship. Partially because he’s a bro, but mostly because he knows the other options are probably yet another Fire/ Fighting starter and a crap seal. He knows he’s the correct choice. His face says it all.
The Courier
gaming .31
Monday 17th October 2016
Rage Quit: Baldur’s Gate
Taking on a BioWare RPG?! Really? Gerry Hart slates the game that started it all
thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming @Courier_Gaming
Top 5 Budget Games
Since we’re all skint, Sam Blackburn discusses the best places to put your gaming cash 5: Civilization V
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honestly thought I’d enjoy Baldur’s Gate. I’d always been told that this BioWare classic was a must play for RPG fans like myself. So naturally I bought the advanced edition and created a mage (likely handicapping myself) but after about 13 hours I just couldn’t be fucked playing anymore. I guess my problem is I just don’t get it. Baldur’s Gate was released in 1998 (when I was only four and barely sentient) and alongside games like Planescape: Torment and Icewind: Dale became emblematic of isometric, party-based RPGs that require diligence and strategy to play effectively. It was also based on the Second Edition of Advanced Dungeons and Dragons which isn’t easy to grasp. I don’t even know how to begin describing the myriad of stats, spells, classes, races and how they all interlink. Granted hard copies of the game came with a huge manual detailing these eldritch rules and walkthroughs are readily available but it’s still a tough nut to crack, as are trying to utilise these mechanics in-game. Speaking of which, the combat’s brutal. Char-
acters have few hitpoints and can be killed permanently should they fall in battle. The game also occurs in real time, requiring the player to pause frequently to issue orders to their party. Mechanically it’s a smart system, but frequently my party struggled to land a hit whilst enemies would just shit all over me (metaphorically speaking). Mages in particular get dicked over with their relative lack of combat capabilities as spells can only be cast a limited number of times per rest. It doesn’t help that trying to move your party feels like trying to shepherd spiders either. The plot isn’t much better. As the adopted child of the wizard Gorion, you must uncover a sinister conspiracy concerning yourself, your adoptive father and the fate of your homeland. Its an okay premise, but I never felt like the plot had much presence in the overall game. Oftentimes there is little to differentiate main and side quests save for some exposition at major plot points (some of which I stumbled into by pure chance). Compounding this are the in-game locations, which often lack visual variety in addition to feeling static,
lifeless and full of townspeople spouting off ye olde fantasy bullshitte. I also found myself disliking the game’s iconic party members. For one there were just too many of them and besides the ones in the advanced edition they all have one personality trait they cling to like barnacles. Examples include a neurotic half-elf warrior, a “suggestive” pirate (not a cool one like Isabella from Dragon Age) and some dude with a hamster. Moreover most companions seldom interact with you which in turn afford them few opportunities for character development. Compare that to Planescape: Torment or Pillars of Eternity which both had fewer but far more interesting companions with unique, multi-faceted personalities and plenty of opportunities for player interaction. So as I said I don’t get Baldur’s Gate though I suspect I’m partly at fault. After all I didn’t play it at the time - and I’m not into D&D - but I nonetheless found it to be dull at best and obtuse and frustrating at worst. I gave it my best, but I anticipate some interesting responses to my sacrilege.
Memory Card: Morrowind Oculus Miffed Jack Coles turns his back on Skyrim and heads for the Ashlands
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he Elder Scrolls series is a little like one of those people who suddenly get weirdly popular and attractive at the age of 18. The series started in 1994, but sales exploded with the release of Skyrim (2011), a game that ended up being more extensively used than recreational ketamine. Morrowind was released nine years before, and it really was the point where the series started to get pretty good. Previous games were mostly procedurally generated and looked like they were drawn on Microsoft Paint – much like a lot of indie games released in the past year or so. Morrowind was a bold new step for Bethesda, where they put every single building, NPC and even many items in place by hand with some crushing attention to detail. It’s a very clunky game, both in visuals and design, but that just adds to its charm. There are a bewildering 27 skills available that need a bit of experimentation and/or Wiki reading to understand fully, making it feel like those bygone times when you had to use dial-up Internet or expensive phone calls for cheats. Visually it’s boxy and underwhelming; the graphics were cutting edge at the time, but then again, so was the Eurozone. Most of the dialogue takes place within a text box, so most NPCs end up feeling exactly the same – but the few truly unique characters really stand out as a result. The
few lines that are spoken are usually shared across many NPCs, to the extent where you can get three people saying the exact same phrase within seconds of each other. Morrowind has the air of a Dungeons & Dragons campaign run by someone with great imagination but very little memory: the map is vague, directions are vaguer, and draw distance is not much more than thirty metres. Skyrim only has eight joinable factions, but Morrowind has fifteen. The interplay between various factions is very important in Morrowind, as is the lore and history of the place, creating a rich combination of cultures and religions. It does, however, carry some problems where just one simple action can end up locking yourself out of many other options (looking at you, Sottilde). Also, like D&D, nearly everything from casting spells to hitting people with axes to bribing government officials has an element of chance to it. Some people can deal with that level of RNG. Others… cannot. When in Morrowind, consider visiting some of these landmarks: Tel Vos, a plant tower forced to grow through an old fort; The House of Earthly Delights in Suran, a strip club less sexy than Duke Nukem 3D’s; and Vivec, a city founded by a chap so obviously brilliant that he just had to name the place after himself.
Image: Joshua Ezzell on Flickr
Alex Peden talks alt-right Oculus shenanigans!
Since it was revealed that Palmer Luckey, founder of Oculus VR and inventor of the Oculus Rift, had donated $10,000 to pro-Trump group Nimble America, which claims to be ‘dedicated to shitposting in real life’, according to an article in The Daily Beast, there has been a widespread backlash amongst developers, with many pulling funding and support for the company.
“Politics is at the heart of this issue”
It has also been reported that Luckey may actually be the founder of the group, operating under the Reddit username NimbleRichMan. Although Luckey has since denied that his funding of the group was motivated by politics, a number of developers have called for his resignation, and have stated that they will not work with Oculus whilst they employ Palmer Luckey. Personally, I think developers such as Scruta Games and Polytron are all well within their rights to remove support for the Oculus Rift in their games for moral and political reasons. Yes, the Oculus Rift is a brilliant piece of hardware, and represents a real revolution in gaming, but if the company is managed by a racist, or a supporter of racists, I’d prefer to use other VR platforms. And developers agree. Politics is at the heart of this issue. The hysteria surrounding politics in America is at its highest with the US presidential election rapidly approaching, and with Trump moving dangerously close to becoming the most powerful man in the world everyone has their own opinion, including games devs. Expressing support for Trump, even by proxy through donating to a troll group which supports his ideals, is just asking for trouble. Even if Luckey didn’t set out to support Trump and his values – he has stated on Facebook that he donated to Nimble America because he believed ‘they had fresh ideas on how to communicate with young voters’ (yeah, sure mate) – he was still naïve to think there would be no backlash from games developers, who are perfectly justified to distance themselves from him.
This is one which you may find prices from £5-£20, but Empire Gaming are selling the complete edition which features all expansion packs for £7.99. That is an amazing deal for a fantastic turn based strategy. Although Civilization VI is out soon, this is the perfect alternative for those who would prefer to spend their student loan on trebles at Sinners most nights, but are also partial for trying to conquer the world. A great one for students of politics and history. If you do fail University because of this game I take no responsibility.
4: The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time When people talk about what is the greatest game of all time, many will mention Ocarina of Time. A massive adventure from yesteryear, Ocarina of Time is a game which will take you on an unforgettable adventure all gamers should be made to play at least once. Despite its age, those who own Nintendo consoles can pick up this masterpiece at £8.99 for the Virtual Console port of the original on the Wii U or £15.99 for the 3DS reimagining. The N64 version may be harder to find though…
3: Fallout: New Vegas Many may be scowling at the emission of Fallout 3 in favour of its ginger stepbrother, but I am in the camp that Fallout New Vegas is both the best Fallout game and easily one of the best roleplaying games ever made. You can pick this up for less than a fiver in places such as Grainger Games and CEX, found around Newcastle. For less than a McChicken Sandwich meal, you are getting over 200 hours worth of content in one play through alone! Not gelling with your flatmates at the moment? Who needs to socialise when you can lock yourself in your room playing this masterpiece all night?
2: Burnout Paradise Maybe you’re not that hardcore of a gamer and would prefer something a little bit more casual. Although almost 9 years old, one cannot go wrong with picking up Burnout Paradise. An arcade open world racer, with an insane amount of content, you will be driving around Paradise City for days. The last of its franchise, Criterions swansong is easy to find and will only set you back between £4-10 depending on which version you get. Despite featuring Avril Lavigne’s 2007 hit ‘Girlfriend’, the game also boasts an amazing soundtrack and the option to turn every song off apart from ‘Stand and Deliver’ by Adam and the Ants.
1: Minecraft I think the common theme I’ve tried to push within this list is the idea of getting way more content than you actually paid for. Is there a game over than Minecraft that sums up this concept more? A game limited only by your own imagination, Minecraft is an essential component of all gamer’s libraries. With so much to do, so many ways to play and for about £15, Minecraft is the perfect sandbox game. Although it may become a distraction, I’m sure Architecture students can somehow blag a way to make this seem relevant to their course.
32. science&technology
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Science Editors: Matthew Byrne, Natalie Farmer & Ciara Ritson-Courtney
The Courier shows you how to get To re-freeze or not to re-freeze? a 1st in first impressions first time That is the question on our minds
Jodie Harrington explains why there are no second Jack Coles opens the figurative fridge door chances and what we can do to improve perceptions into the health implications of re-freezing food
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ood news freshers! Recent research has found that you already possess everything you need to make a great first impression. Furthermore, it doesn’t require conventional beauty or a radical wardrobe. According to York psychologists, the answer is all in our expressions.
“Faces were judged as most trustworthy when expressing happiness but least when angry” Fleeting facial cues of emotional expression and head orientation contribute more to social judgements than physical features. In one study, 48 participants were encouraged to go with their gut-instincts and quantify their first impressions of facial images shown for one second. Researchers aimed to establish the effects of a range of expressions for key social attributes, trustworthiness, dominance and attractiveness, and the interaction of head-orientation on the results. The study showed that people are most affected by emotional expression in the formation of their judgements. Faces were judged as most trustworthy when expressing happiness but least when angry; most dominant when angry and least when fearful; most attractive when happy and least when angry. However, participants were also responding to a factor as subtle as how faces were viewed.
Interestingly, social impressions were amplified if the face was viewed frontally rather than by profile. This may be a vital adaption for detection of threats. Participants are demonstrating the ability to categorise emotions, whilst simultaneously judging if the emotion is directed at them. An angry expression with a direct gaze is perceived as more threatening. Whereas, a direct gaze when displaying happiness is perceived as reciprocated interest. Other researchers have found similar findings. Particularly, human judgements of trustworthiness are especially efficient and people are able to make enduring inferences in just one tenth of a second.
“You already possess everything you need to make a great first impression” Evidence suggests that impressions from photographs correspond accurately to impressions we get in the 3D of real life interaction. So, how can we use these instincts to our advantage? You may have been doing it all along. It is as simple as facing each other directly and smiling! However, it might be advised to avoid an artfully, moody selfie in future. You may accidentally be threatening cyber-space.
W
hen I was about six years old, I remember re-freezing food that has been defrosted in the my mum accidentally defrosted too much fridge? That’s perfectly safe. The fridge is too meat for dinner. She was swearing away, cold for Salmonella to reproduce easily in, so and I suggested “can’t you put it back in the freez- you won’t have too much growth there. Same er?” She said no. Doing that causes food poisoning. goes for the freezer. The real reason that we don’t And for many years, that was the end of it. I re-freeze food too often is the freeze-thaw effect. Ask any passing geologist about freeze-thaw and never really did much cooking until I moved to Newcastle University, and then I was very they’ll go all excited and tell you about how water careful to not re-freeze my food. After all, it seeps into cracks in rocks, freezes and expands, and causes food poisoning. Everyone knows that. then widens the crack in the rock. A similar process It wasn’t until my second year when something occurs in the cells our food is made from (unless changed. I had specialised from regular Biomedical you literally drink primordial soup for your meals). Every time food is frozen, Sciences to Biomed with Microbiology, a course “Why don’t we re-freeze food? sharp little ice crystals form and poke a few holes in the which spends a lot of time working with diseases. Obviously, it’s food poisoning, cell membrane. Even a dead cell can survive a few litOne of our lectures was right? Wrong” tle holes in its membrane, about Salmonella enteritidis, a bacterial subspecies which causes food poi- so re-freezing food once or twice is no big deal. After that though, the holes will eventually soning. Our lecturer asked us “why don’t we re-freeze food?” Obviously, it’s food poisoning, right?Wrong. damage the membrane to the extent that the Food poisoning occurs more easily if meat cell will burst and leave its contents all over the is defrosted outside the fridge. When left on a place. In a lab this can be used to release procounter, S. enteritidis can quickly multiply if the teins from inside a bacterium. In a kitchen, it temperature of the room is above 5°C. It’s not go- creates a weird mush that used to be a chicken ing to be a problem if you then thoroughly cook breast or a stew or anything else you might have. And that that meat that very same day, but leaving it too long will make it almost impossible to kill all the is why we rebacteria on the items in question. Just 1,000 Sal- don’t monella bacteria can cause an infection, while freeze food. a piece of meat can have billions or even trillions of them on it. Dettol will not save you. That’s all very well and good, but what about
Brexit: how will the environment fare?
David Tooby discusses how leaving the European Union on our environmental science
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or environmental science the uncertainty surrounding Brexit is particularly troubling, as much of the legislation which safeguards our wildlife and environment is based on EU directives. These directives have had an overwhelmingly positive effect on environmental issues in the UK. In addition to this, very little has been revealed by the government with regards to environmental legislation, and such issues are clas-
sically ignored in British politics. The ‘Great Repeal Bill’ has recently been announced, which will allow the transcription of EU directives into domestic law, keeping desired components and discarding those which are not. ProBrexit rhetoric involved ‘removing the red tape inhibiting development’, referring to restrictions enforced to protect threatened and ecologically important species and habitats. In rewriting this legislation, especially without positive pressure from the EU, environmental aspects may be underrepresented in favour of easier planning permissions and therefore quicker development. This would be highly detrimental to ecological processes in the UK. However, the ability to rewrite legislation, and not being restricted by EU directives, may allow for more adaptable systems of environmental protection necessary for a rapidly changing climate. For example protected areas, traditionally static areas of
“Brexit may have effects disastrous to the environment”
heightened environmental protection, may instead be varied spatially and temporally to fit changing species range and biome shifts. In recent years steps have been taken by the international community towards a more sustainable society, with growing acknowledgement of the importance of large scale cooperation and unilateral efforts in these matters. Despite Brexit not affecting the UK’s involvement with global treaties such as CITES, and membership of international bodies such as the IPCC and IPBES, there will be changes in our involvement with EU directed projects. One such project, Horizon 2020, provides grants for research, technology and innovation in order to move towards a sustainable and fair society. Though this project is open to all countries, Brexit may cause a shift in the UK’s political direction towards less progressive destinations. Funding has been guaranteed for Horizon 2020 projects until we leave the EU, though beyond that is still unclear. There may also be difficulties in international collaborations in environmental research, as crossborder movement becomes more complicated and gaps in funding emerge. A confidential survey of Russel Group Universities conducted by The Guardian found significant discrimination against UK researchers in EU projects, as British researchers become a ‘financial liability’ due to funding insecurity. Funding has been guaranteed for projects involving farmers until 2020, and agro-environmental schemes agreed before we leave the EU. However there is no promise on non-agricultural projects, potentially leaving environmental practice with vastly reduced or non-existent government funding. Brexit may have effects disastrous to the environment if such factors are not given sufficient notice. However, increased autonomy in legislation may allow more flexibility in ecosystem management and protected areas, and an ability to adapt quicker with contemporary research. Whether Brexit proves harmful to environmental health, or whether it leads to more dynamic and progressive protection depends entirely on the actions of the Government
overseeing this transition. With careful decision making and effective prioritisation the UK may emerge from this transition still part of a progressive vision of a green, sustainable society.
On this day
17th October 1956 The 17th of October marks the anniversary of the first industrial nuclear power station opening. Calder hall in Cumberland was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 1956 (exactly 60 years earlier from the day this issue was published) and this date represents a revolutionary turn in electricity production. International scientists and political figures from 40 different countries travelled from afar to attend the ceremony. Known as a gas-cooled, graphite-moderated reactor, Calder Hall used the nuclear reaction in uranium rods to generate power. This remarkable technology led to Workington, located 15 miles from Calder Hall, becoming the first town in the world to receive light, heat and power from nuclear energy and within four hours, the first nuclear-powered electricity was even reaching London. However, despite its success, the power plant is now undergoing decommissioning after ceasing power generation in 2003. The Queen at the time made a powerful comment stating how “This new power, which has proved itself to be such a terrifying weapon of destruction, is harnessed for the first time for the common good of our community.” Therefore, although nuclear power has remained controversial by many governments, this shows how Calder Hall represented how something positive could come out of the political nuclear tensions of the Cold War.
The Courier
science&technology.33
Monday 17 October 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/science
Physics just got stranger
Mythbusters:
A
The night before is hitting you hard and a bacon sandwich is calling your name, but the question is, does greasy food really help cure a hangover? Aine Wilcox finds out
Warning: pure physics ahead! Errol Kerr discusses how strange matter has won the highly acclaimed and world renound Nobel prize for physics this year team of British-born scientists have won 2016’s Nobel Prize in Physics for their studies in strange forms of matter. The studies, pioneered by Duncan Haldane, Michael Kosterlitz and David Thoules, looked into the weird and wonderful realm of phasetransitions, the points where matter transforms outside of the three standard states – solid, liquid and gas.
“In more exotic states, certain matter has incredibly odd effects”
For their work, the three scientists have been awarded an 8 million kronor prize (roughly £730,000), which they shall share between themselves. In certain extreme environments, matter can exist in more exotic states, such as plasma, or the ultra-dense quantum condensate. In these states, certain matter has incredibly odd effects – such as the materials within superconductors or magnet-
ic film. Up until this point, these effects have been viewed as relatively random; however, the studies performed by Haldane, Kosterlitz and Thoules have proven these to be, in fact, regularities rather than random. What caught my eye in particular during the awards ceremony was the committee’s explanation of the mathematic field used to study this matter. Known as topology, this field focuses on matter at extremely small scales as well as extremely large scales. To explain this, one member of the committee proceeded to bring out bread-based lunch items in order to discuss the minutiae of different types of matter. If more science-types brought pretzels, bagels and cinnamon buns in paper bags to explain how matter works, perhaps I’d have been a physicist rather than a politics student. I’d also probably have eaten the science. Whilst in these states, Kosterlitz and Thoules found layers of matter that were so extremely thin they could arguably be described as twodimensional objects. To make things even more
fascinating, Haldane then discovered strings of one-dimensional matter in the most extreme of environments. On top of this, their studies led to the discovery of the Quantum-Hall Effect. This effect, and the studies spearheaded by these British scientists, has provided a precise definition of the Ohm (Ω), the unit used to describe electrical resistance.
“This discovery could also have vast applications in the future” Not only is this discovery just plain awesome, it could also have vast applications in the future, especially in the field of quantum computing. Concepts developed through topology could arguably improve conductors and transistors, assist in protection of quantum data and assist in the development of Quantum Computing. This discovery has already been looked into by Microsoft’s Station Q project for further application.
Earth reaches CO2 threshold Sam Griffiths reports about our carbon footprint that just won’t wash away
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ith Brexit, the continuing refugee crisis and war in Syria, and the upcoming US election, 2016 is going to be a very significant year in the history books of the future. However, most importantly, 2016 will go down as the year that the world permanently passed the carbon dioxide threshold.
“2016 will go down as the year that the world permanently passed the carbon dioxide threshold”
The carbon dioxide threshold of 400ppm (parts per million) has been passed before at certain parts of the year, but never before in September. During September, atmospheric carbon dioxide is usually at its lowest. This is because the northern hemisphere, where the majority of CO2 emissions come from, has just had Spring and Summer. During these seasons, plants and trees take more carbon emissions out of the atmosphere, but as the Northern hemisphere moves into Winter those plants decompose. This releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and increases CO2 ppm. There is no likelihood of us dropping back below the threshold anytime soon either. According to scientists CO2 levels will not drop back below the threshold anytime in our lifetimes. Carbon pollution levels have not decreased since before the in-
dustrial revolution and there are no signs of this trend reversing, especially with even more countries undergoing the process of industrialisation. Now we have passed the threshold, there appears to be no turning back. In spite of the Paris Agreement confirmed earlier this year, which is set to come into effect on November 4th, the hope that the world’s temperature will not increase by more than 2°C by 2100 looks ever more doubtful. The symbolic passing of the 400ppm threshold just serves to show the extent to which humans have altered the environment in just 150 years. We are now a long way away from the “safe” level of 350ppm carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
“There is no likelihood of us dropping back below the threshold anytime soon either...”
Christopher Little tributes to Rosetta’s final mission
T
“They revealed a geologically complex world with chemicals crucial to the emergence of life
67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko in a controlled descent. Faced with the prospect of losing power as the pair hurtles away from the Sun, ESA made the difficult decision to send Rosetta on a kamikaze mission to collect some last vital data. Named after the ancient stone that provided the key to deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics, ESA’s spacecraft was tasked with solv-
D
espite justifying many a trip to McDonalds, the sad truth is no, it doesn’t. There has been very little scientific evidence to suggest greasy food helps a hangover at all. The simple fact being that the damage is already done. The alcohol in your stomach, which you were hoping to soak up, has long since been absorbed. We crave sugary foods and the quick energy they provide, but the solution is only temporary. In fact, because alcohol is a diuretic, those pre-drinks you had went straight through you and took a lot of the water and nutrients in your blood with them. So your insides are now a mess of unbalanced sugar levels that would be better aided with a nutritious piece of fruit.
“There has been very little scientific evidence to suggest greasy food helps a hangover at all” It’s not all bad news, however. If you are a fan of the fry up you will be pleased to know that eggs contain the amino acid cysteine. This helps to break down the toxin acetaldehyde that comes about when your liver can no longer break down the many shots you sent its way. So my suggestion would be to have the Big Mac before the trebles or if you really can’t resist try the Mcmuffin with extra egg!
The Paris agreement was an important milestone in combating climate change caused by increased levels of greenhouse gases. But, it needs to be seen as the start of a new chapter rather than a culmination of human attempts to stop climate change. There now needs to be a globally co-ordinated effort to minimise the impacts of the effects we have set in motion. A move away from fossil fuels to more green renewable energies, as well as stop-
Rosetta: The final descent he Rosetta spacecraft has pursued a comet across the Solar System for over 12 years, but now the chase is well and truly up. In a grand finale, the European Space Agency’s historic mission came to an end on 30 September when the spacecraft collided with the Comet
ping mass deforestation of the Amazon rainforest, is essential. On a small scale individuals can also do their part by simply turning lights off when not in a room, and taking public transport or walking instead of going by car. There are many steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint. However, for this to have any impact it needs to be part of a wider global mass commitment to conserving the planet. Otherwise the planet as we know it, will becoming increasingly inhospitable and unstable.
Hungover Bacon butty or banana?
ing a much older puzzle; to look back 4600 million years ago and unlock the mysteries of the building blocks of our Solar System. Rosetta journeyed 6.4 billion kilometres to rendezvous with one of these primordial time capsules and became the first spacecraft to ever orbit a comet. Further history was made when its probe Philae made a bumpy landing on the duck-shaped comet’s surface, after its harpoon anchoring system failed to fire. Together, they revealed a geologically complex world with chemicals crucial to the emergence of life. They shook up existing theories by discovering an abundance of molecular oxygen (something that was not thought possible) and even let us know what a comet’s atmosphere smells like. With Rosetta’s swansong only adding to the treasure chest of data waiting to be analysed, it is now down to ESA to decipher the ancient mysteries that are lurking within.
Word of the Week
Gastromancy
Jordan Oloman gives new meaning to the sounds of our stomachs You know when you finish your Sunday dingastromanteia: gaster meaning ‘pot-belly’ and ner and that food baby is nestled up in your manteia meaning ‘the power of divination’. belly gurgling like nobody’s business, putting on Hellenistic and even Medieval folk would gatha concerto commemorating the sinful gorging er around the stomach of a well-feasted person you’ve recently parand listen to the soothsay“Hellenistic and Medieval folk ing of their Yorkshire pudtaken in? Have you ever considered that would gather around the stomach dings, as they thought they those noises could be would whisper soft truths the voices of the dead, of a well-feasted person and listen” about the future. Even the making hushed preOracle of Delphi thought dictions about the future of mankind? this was fair game, so next time you’re lazing Me neither, but I guess that’s why you need after a heavy meal, light some candles, alert an some education in the after-dinner pastime, gasinterpreter, and get ready for some gravy-laden tromancy. You see, it comes from the greek word prophecy!
The Courier
Puzzles Across
puzzles.35
Monday 17 October 2016
1 ___ Richards, also a rocky outcropping (5) 3 Japanese poem form, three lines long (5) 6 Any of these seven things are punishable in Christianity (3) 8 Athletes and sick people have these in common (4) 10 Common shorthand for ‘tuberculosis’ (2) 13 Verb meaning ‘to build’. Minds out of the gutter, please (5) 14 A sad film might make you... (9) 15 Like 16-across, something students commonly have too little of (4) 16 See 15-across (4) 17 Reluctant to exert oneself (4) 18 Winged insect (3) 20 A horrible word somewhat synonymous with ‘damp’ (5) 22 Russian music duo, with a big hit in 2002 (4) 23 You can get 6 of these at Subway for three quid (4) 26 The final glory of something in its dying stages (8) 28 Complete the phrase: ‘Dicks out for ___’ (7)
Down
1 A practice or trade in which the primary material is (usually) wood, to produce furniture etc. (9) 2 An atom with an unequal number of protons and electrons (6) 4 Shorthand for a synthetic entity capable of independent thought (2) 5 Collective pronoun (2) 7 A material which emits light as it grows hotter (12) 9 Hire one of these to watch your kids when you go out on the lash (6) 11 One-story building (8) 12 Translucent dessert made of cows (5) 19 Amplified light, used to read DVDs or destroy TIE fighters (5) 21 Something you cut and something you wear (4) 24 Catchphrase of a certain Simpson (3) 25 Universal port for many electronic devices (3) 27 A different collective pronoun (2)
Puzzles Editor: James McCoull Ghost of Puzzles Past: Mark Sleightholm 5 3 4
2
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6 9
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7
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14 15 16
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Completing this crossword will earn you a sense of fleeting satisfaction until you remember you will one day be dead and this paper will be dust, and then not even that. Bring proof of your hollow achievement to the Courier office where you will be rewarded with a callous, distant stare.
36. sport
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Sports Editors: Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin & James Sproston
Another wet, hot sporting summer Here’s our angle on a summer of scintillating sporting action
Rio Olympics Fantastic farewell for legends Bolt and Phelps
The Baltimore Bullet hangs up his speedos Image: Wikipedia
Euro 2016 England’s Euros end in tears
This summer’s European Championships, for many the footballing highlight of the summer, failed to live up to England’s expectations. The Three Lions entered the competition after an unbeaten qualifying stage and English hopes were high. Roy Hodgson’s side was bursting with youth, flair and talent which meant goals were plentiful in the run-up. The only murmurs of worry voiced by pundits across television and social media were concerning the defence. Hodgson hadn’t settled on a first choice back four and there were inconsistencies that sides could exploit. Unfortunately, the naysayers were right. A comfortable 1-0 lead against Russia in the first fixture was thrown out the window in the 92nd minute when confusion between full-back Danny Rose and midfielder Adam Lallana allowed Vasili Bereztski a free header over Joe Hart. A 2-1 victory over Wales followed, but it was a match that raised even more questions about the squad. The final group match against Slovenia was a dire
affair. England managed 29 attempts on goal, more than seven times the amount of their opponents, but failed to hit the back of the net. Nonetheless, it was enough to secure qualification to the final 16. What followed is widely regarded as the national side’s most embarrassing defeat to date. A loss against minnows Iceland, whose population is 323,000 (less than half of Tyneside), which sent them crashing out of the competition. It was not just the result but the manner of the loss which was so shocking. Iceland played well, and showed a unity that England lacked, coupled with no ambition, no fight and no desire. The potency that became so natural in the run-up to the competition vanished. Immediately after the match manager Roy Hodgson, unsurprisingly, issued his resignation which marked the end of the Euros 2016 horror show.
The Olympics in Rio was unquestionably one to remember. For Team GB in particular it was a resounding success. Stacking up 27 golds in total GB finished an impressive 2nd in the medal table above China who narrowly missed out with 26 golds. However, many will not remember the games in Rio so fondly; numerous athletes didn’t travel following the outbreak of the Zika virus, while some 120 Russian competitors were banned after it emerged that a state run doping programme had been in force. Aside from this, swimming pools turned green, athletes were mugged and others pretended they had been. Also, despite the substantial investments into infrastructure developments, seats were vacant in their thousands, a stark con-
the tournament, with England, Spain, Croatia, Ireland and Iceland all leaving it late. The captivating journeys of Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Iceland further papered over the cracks of the lack of real quality on the pitch. Wales especially, led by their superstar Galáctico, Gareth Bale, were incredible in their march to the semi-finals. The stage seemed set then for France to triumph on home soil – it would have been a poignant feat, coming just eight months after the Paris terror attacks. Instead though, the spotlight shone brightest on Portugal’s captain. Despite succumbing to injury after just 25 minutes, the European Championship record goal scorer remained centre of attention, inspiring his side with raw passion we’ve seldom seen from Ronaldo. Éder’s extra-time winner almost seems a footnote now, but was the trigger for the tears to roll and celebrations to begin. The king had at last been crowned. James Harris
Alfie Higgins
England impress on home soil
Relief for Ronaldo Image: Wikipedia
Vindication. Relief. Pure, unadulterated joy. After a month of upsets, cagey football and the obligatory England meltdown, Euro 2016 proved to be the final feather in the cap of the self-proclaimed best player in the world. And the look on Cristiano Ronaldo’s face as he lifted the trophy told the story as to how dearly he desired this glory on the international stage. The tournament was not one to be remembered for its great football or highscoring games. Instead, the group stages often consisted of matches that were almost identical in pattern, epitomised by the competition’s opener between France and Romania. Les Bleus dictated possession, but struggled to break down a tough and energetic Romanian rear-guard. Dimitri Payet, in the form of his life, stepped up to send Saint-Denis and France into delirium with a gorgeous, swerving lastminute winner. And so, the tournament had lift-off, though the subsequent games followed similar, monotonous patterns. However, drama in the final minutes became an enchanting theme of
The greatest sprinter of all time completed the ‘triple triple’ having won another 3 golds in the 100m, 200m and the 4X100m relay. He’s established himself as one of the greatest athletes of all time, matching Paavo Nurmi and Carl Lewis’ 9 gold medals. With dominant forces in the Olympics such as Phelps and Bolt retiring from the big stage, Tokyo 2020 is now anyone’s game. The organisers in Tokyo, however, will hope not to attract the same negative attention as those in Rio by filling seats, tightening security, and at the very least keeping the pools blue.
Cricket
Toby Bryant
Ronaldo relishes rare victory
trast to scenes at London 2012. While much did not go to plan for organisers in Rio, the same cannot be said for Team USA. They topped the standings with 46 golds, making this their 17th Olympic triumph. While this total was not achieved by individuals alone, Michael Phelps could leave Brazil safe in the knowledge that he did his part once again taking home 5 golds and one silver. ‘The Baltimore Bullet’ now has 28 medals to his name only strengthening his position in Brazil as the most decorated Olympian of all time. Though Phelps’ second retirement was saddening, perhaps more so was the retirement of the vivacious Usain Bolt. True to his nature Bolt went out with a bang and didn’t leave us empty-handed.
Cooky at the crease Image: Wikipedia
Another tumultuous summer of cricket has drawn to an end with a whole new set of champions crowned. Northants Steelbacks beat Durham in a thrilling final at Edgbaston in the T20 Blast, Warwickshire romped to an eight-wicket win over Surrey in the One Day Cup, and Middlesex prevailed in the County Championship for the first time since 1993. This summer has seen the ECB introduce franchise cricket to the UK, with the creation of the Women’s Cricket Super League. The inaugural champions, Southern Vipers, were led to victory by former England captain Charlotte Edwards. On the international scene, England dominated an inexperienced Sri Lankan side in both ODI and Test competitions early in the summer. Number one test team Pakistan provided England with some food for thought, and proved the test match is still well and truly alive. The clash between England and Pakistan proved that cricket needs variety and there are rivalries not considered ‘iconic’ that can captivate audiences. Despite some difficulties in the tests, England were quickly back to their win-
ning ways in the ODIs, with disappointment at Cardiff being the only mistake in an otherwise flawless series. In what is already a very changeable England line-up, new key players emerged. Jake Ball proved himself to be more than a pace bowler, providing much needed resistance with the bat further down the order. Jonny Bairstow showed he is ready to fight for a place in the team, whether this is with the wicket-keeping gloves or not, whilst Alex Hales pulled off a record-breaking performance that some were doubting he was capable of. Alastair Cook was able to regain some of his best form, which has been lacking in recent series, proving he is still the man for the captaincy. England take their matches overseas for the winter. They are currently playing in Bangladesh despite security concerns. The team then travel to India, with the winter season finishing in the West Indies. England will be hoping that their home dominance is repeated overseas.
Rio Paralympics
Sophie Chapman
GB Paralympians return home as heroes Widespread praise could be heard across the UK toward the end of September as Team GB’s Paralympic athletes outperformed their able-bodied counterparts, succeeding in not only beating their target medal count, but coming in overall second in the medals table. With 64 Gold medals and 147 medals overall, disabled British athletes’ medal count was only bettered by the Chinese Paralympians in medal count. Winning several golds in cycling and swimming, Paralympians such as Lee Pearson and Kadeena Cox secured the country’s position as a powerful sporting contender, whilst Dame Sarah Storey became Britain’s most successful female Paralympian this year as she
tallied a total of fourteen gold medals across seven Paralympic games. The credit for achievement lies not only with British Paralympians, however. An unprecedented number of Paralympic, Olympic and World records were broken across the board. In several occasions, Paralympians exceeded their more well-known and able-bodied counterparts – four of the Mens 1500m Paralympic runners finished faster than the Olympians, with the visually-impaired Algerian runner Abdellatif Baka finishing a full 1.7 seconds faster than the run by the American Olympic champion, Matthew Centrowitz. Nigeria’s Lauritta Onye beat her own world record in the shot-put F-40 event
with a remarkable 8.40m throw. Likewise Britain’s Jo Butterfield bettered her own world record in the club-throw F-51, whilst Cramlington based clubthrower Stephen Miller, who suffers from cerebral palsy, achieved a bronze medal in the same field as Butterfield. Whilst televised media of the Paralympics was extremely limited in comparison to Olympic coverage, the successes of our disabled athletes has not been ignored. On the 17th October, their successes, and the successes of British and Northern Irish Olympic athletes, will be celebrated via a parade through Manchester and a commemoration in London. Errol Kerr
The Courier
sport .37
Monday 17 October 2016
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A long summer of success for the Boat Club
From Oxford to Croatia to Rotterdam to Poland, Newcastle’s Boat Club has certainly had a very busy (and highly successful) summer. We spoke to publicity officer, Kelsey Stoddart, to get the lowdown on what they got up to over the summer:
JUNE
JULY
Henley Women’s Regatta, Oxford, UK:
Henley Royal Regatta, Oxford, UK- June- July:
Newcastle sent three boats down to the international regatta. The Senior Eights lost out by ¾ length in the semi-final to Imperial College London, who finished second overall in the competition, whilst the Senior Coxed Fours lost to Molesey in the quarter finals. Victory came from the Academic 8 who won gold, beating Cardiff, Kings College London, Nottingham and then Oxford University in the final to clinch the title. Never won before. Durham won it last year.
At one of the most prestigious events in the rowing calendar, Newcastle shone on the world’s stage, with six crews competing for the toon.
“Newcastle took silver after a strong comeback from Edinburgh” Whilst the women’s eight failed to qualify in the Remenham Challenge Cup, in the Temple Challenge Cup, the men’s eight lost out to eventual winners of the competition, Oxford
AUGUST Brookes, after beating Exeter by three lengths. In the Visitors’ Challenge Cup, the men’s coxless four qualified, but lost out to an Australian crew from Adelaide. In the men’s quadruple sculls, it was a northern showdown, with Newcastle losing to local rivals, Durham, after qualification. Newcastle’s most successful result came in the form of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup, a cup which they had previously won back in 2008 and 2014. Newcastle were to face Edinburgh, who they had previously been beaten by at the Marlow Regatta. Despite leading the race up until half way, Edinburgh came back strongly, and clinched victory by a length and a quarter, meaning Newcastle took silver.
SEPTEMBER European University Games (EUSA), Zagreb-Rijeka, Croatia:
World University Championship (FISU), Poznan, Poland:
Newcastle university sent four crews to Croatia to compete at the European University games in a multi-lane regatta. The men’s lightweight coxless four came fourth, whilst the men’s coxless four, quad, and the women’s eight all took home a silver medal.
Representing Great Britain at the games were three Newcastle students. Alex Haynes and James Robson placed sixth in the men’s pair, whilst Olli Knight clinched gold as part of the men’s coxless four.
Word Rowing Under 23 Championships, Rotterdam, Netherlands: Four athletes from Newcastle competed in the championships, representing team GB. Newcastle alumni James Rudkin took silver as part of the men’s
coxless four, whilst Em Ford placed third alongside cox Sasha Adwani in the women’s eight. The most successful story of the tournament came courtesy of Ollie Varley, who clinched victory in the lightweight men’s quad.
38. sport
Monday 17 October 2016
The Courier
Sports Editors: Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin & James Sproston
Shrimpers Samples: Bubble Football
Sports Editor Tom Shrimplin on his first experience of the weird and wonderful Bubble Football By Sophie Matthews AU Officer Hello all! I’m Sophie Matthews, the Athletic Union Officer for 2016/2017. Basically, I’m here for all things sporty, and I’ll be your point of call for all things sports- related over the next year. Sport has been a huge part of my university life here in Newcastle, and I’m so excited for the upcoming year and really getting stuck in to the Athletic Union in all its glory! The true beauty of the Athletic Union is the vast range of sports and activities on offer. From fencing to football, swimming to sepak takraw, the AU offers the chance to get involved with 65 different sports clubs and I’m really looking forward to working with all clubs to make sure we really thrive this year. There is so much to look forward to, and I’m confident that this year will be Newcastle’s finest. We currently sit 9th in the BUCS league table, going up 2 places since last year. This is such a great achievement, and I’m so excited to watch clubs progress and press on this year. Already this year, we’ve been victorious in the Clash of the Titans, one of the most anticipated events in the sporting calendar. After an unbelievably tense match, the team stayed strong and managed to get the win over Northumbria, with an amazing reception from the AU supporters! This is such a cracking way to start the year, and I honestly think we’re going to have more incredible wins just like this. With fixtures beginning last week, the wins are obviously going to be soon to follow. There is so much to look forward to this year in the Athletic Union, and with more clubs than ever before there has never been a better time to either get involved or, as one of our 4000 AU members, you can get down to the matches to lend your support. One event that can’t be overlooked is the famous Stan Calvert- Newcastle’s varsity against our rivals at Northumbria University. Here, teams across the Athletic Union will compete against Northumbria in an attempt to win back the cup. After a six year winning streak by us, Northumbria have won the last two events so we’re out for revenge! This fierce and intense rivalry takes place over a week, with the culmination on the Sunday when the majority of matches are played. It will be in February or March 2017, and it’s something you won’t want to miss! After all the fixtures are settling down, there’s going to be no better way to unwind that the AU ball. A fancy meal, wine (a glass… or two), and fair groundrides all sound pretty good to me. I’ve attended the event since my first year at university, and I can safely say it’s one of the best events at university. I’m so excited to be organising this event this year, so I’m hoping I can make it even bigger and better! The Athletic Union is always ready to welcome more players, so whether you want to join an AU Club on a competitive level, or play intramural or Hall Sport on a more social basis, the Athletic Union is ready for you. I would like to officially welcome all members, new and old, to the Athletic Union and encourage as many of you as possible to become a part of this community! I can’t wait to work with you all this year, and if you need anything at all feel free to contact me or pop by my desk.
By Tom Shrimplin at Soccerworld, Fenham Starting from a coach at the Hatton Gallery, we headed to the 3G pitches at Soccerworld in Fenham to play the brutal sport of Bubble Football on a chilly October evening. The first challenge was to actually get into the bubble itself, trying to jiggle your arms into the straps and pick yourself up. Then the games began, with a few rounds of ‘Bulldog’- the old school game where a group of people try to run from side to side while avoiding being tagged by a single chaser or ‘bulldog’ with people who were caught also becoming a chaser. Of course this being bubble football, things were somewhat
Following this intense form of ‘Bulldog we moved onto the main event of bubble football itself in a five vs five format. Again, there was much fun to be had with tactics including bouncing the ball off your bubble, or in one case holding it in the bubble to crowding out opposing players if they were holding the ball. If nothing else, you could always try knock each other and tire them out that way. I’ll admit I was rather glad to see my fellow reporter be tipped upside down in the first few minutes. After a few matches with people swapping in and out to give everyone a go, we then had a couple games of bowling. Bubble Footbal bowling involved using six people as pins, with one bowler sprinting towards them
“I’d wholeheartedly recommend Bubble Football to anyone who’s interested in sport, fun, or inflatable-related violence” more physical, as rather than being tagged, runners needed to be toppled over. Meanwhile, runners could either try to run or knock chasers over. Needless to say an encounter as a chaser with my fellow sports editor James as a runner, ended with me worse off. In fact it pretty much knocked the sniffles out of me! It also proved to be a lot more tiring to have to hold a big sphere around you while running, especially as the number of chasers got higher and the number of runners dwindled. ‘Bulldog’ proved to be as much a game of agility as it was speed.
aiming to knock as many people over as possible. I, myself, only managed to knock one pin over, but trust me it was harder than it looks! The session then ended with a final game of bubble football to end what had been a very entertaining, if tiring, experience. I’m very grateful I got to go along with NUSU’s Give It A Go programme and spent the evening having so much fun. I’d wholeheartedly recommend Bubble Football to anyone who’s interested in sport, fun, or inflatable-related violence. I’d also recommend giving the Give It A Go programme a browse on the NUSU website!
Ready to rumble: Shrimpers faces up some oversized balls Image: James Sproston
We know what you did last summer Whilst we’ve all been enjoying the summer rain, a number of Newcastle’s teams have been very busy Non-League Society
Polo
Squash
Ultimate
The Non- league Football society, which has only been ratified this year, offers a cheaper and more sociable alternative to for those interested in football. Every fortnight, groups travel around the North East to spectate local games. Club President, Hannes Read, a diehard Rovers fan, has focused his attention to his hometown team, Lancaster City, and wants to offer others the same opportunity. He says “lots of people have become disenchanted with super rich elite football and I hope this can give people the chance to feel part of the game again.” After only three weeks, the society has proved highly popular amongst students, leaving Read rather ‘overwhelmed’. If you want to get involved, email J.Read1@newcastle.ac.uk
Newcastle University Polo Club rounded off their summer season with a successful outing at the National University’s championships entering more teams than ever before. The opens came up against stiff competition from some of the best players in the country, but they held their own and lost out on first place by milliseconds. All beginner and novice teams also showed promise, with the beginners getting stuck in despite their lack of experience. The novice teams similarly came up against strong competition, with novice being the most diverse category and including players from little to years of experience. Despite this, Newcastle did their club proud, showing much promise for the up coming winter season. Football M1 v Manchester 1sts 1-0 M2 v York 2nds 2-0 W1 v Northumbria 2nds 2-1 W2 v Leeds 3rds 6-0
The university’s squash team has enjoyed a particularly successful summer of sport, following the best season to date in the University’s history in 2015/2016. In particular, the Men’s firsts Squash Team managed to secure a place in the British University and College Sport premier league for the first time. Such an incredible achievement should serve to boost interest in squash in the North East. Over the coming season, squash hopes to improve on this performance, and are looking forward to having the honour of hosting the first ever premier league weekend in Newcastle history on the weekend of 29th – 30th October 2016.
In August, Ultimate Frisbee sent their team ‘Desert Pieland’ to Croatia to compete in a beach Ultimate Frisbee tournament. Held over three days, the team faced tough competition, competing against the Slovenian U20 national mixed squad as well as British club team, Curve. Despite finishing last in the competition, the squad had a great time and now hope to host the Slovenian team at the annual party tournament “Ultimate Resolution” which happens in Newcastle at New Year. Pies start the academic year with three back-to-back tournaments in Liverpool, Edinburgh and Preston before BUCS gets underway at the end of the month.
Lacrosse M1 v Leeds 1sts M2 v York 1sts W1 v Birmingham 1sts W2 v Sheffield 1sts
17-2 0-15 6-7 7-8
Squash M2 v Sheffield 1sts M3 v Sheffield Hallam 2nds W1 v Liverpool 2nds W2 v Durham 2nds
1-4 2-1 3-1 4-0
Golf 1 v Hull 1sts
6-0
Hockey M1 v Leeds Beckett 1sts M2 v Durham 3rds M3 v Leeds 3rds M4 v Sunderland 1sts W1 v Northumbria 1sts W2 v Sheffield 2nds W3 v York St Johns 1sts W4 v Hull 1sts
1-5 2-2 1-2 5-0 2-0 1-2 1-3 1-4
Netball 1 v Northumbria 2nds 2 v Leeds 2nds 3 v Durham 3rds 4 v Bradford 1sts
55-39 45-51 21-40 55-23
Tennis M1 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts M2 v Leeds 3rds W1 v Manchester Met 1sts W2 v Leeds Beckett 2nds
10-2 6-6 12-0 0-12
Volleyball M v Sheffield Hallam 2nds W v Edinburgh 1sts
3-2 3-0
Table Tennis M2 v York 2nds
12-5
Badminton M1 v Leeds 2nds M2 v Sunderland 1sts W1 v Manchester 2nds W2 v Leeds Beckett 1sts
6-2 8-0 8-0 4-4
Basketball M1 v Durham 1sts M2 v Sunderland 1sts M3 v Durham 3rds W1 v St Andrews 1sts W2 v Leeds 1sts
82-95 64-68 50-55 74-43 51-43
Fencing M2 v Bradford 2nds W1 v Durham 1sts
135-52 86-129
Rugby Union M1 v Bishop Burton 1sts M2 v Sheffield 1sts M3 v Northumbria 2nds M4 v York St Johns 1sts W1 v Durham 1sts 0-46 Rugby League 1 v Leeds Beckett 1sts 2 v Huddersfield 1sts
5-30 18-34 0-51 26-14
0-56 0-46
Wednesday 12th October results
The Courier
sport .39
Monday 17 October 2016
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NUAFC edge stubborn Mancunians Men’s Football Newcastle 1sts
1
Manchester 1sts
0
by Manchester’s centre back. An advantage allowed Walker to get his shot away, only for it to go wide and for the Manchester player to controver-
“Newcastle continued to look dangerous from corners and free kicks as well as remaining solid at the back”
By Kourosh Parvizi at Cochrane Park Newcastle University men’s first team edged out their University of Manchester counterparts 1-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Cochrane Park. Newcastle dominated early on and looked threatening from set plays, with frontman Olly Walker going close from a corner. It took another corner, nine minutes in, for the Royals to score what would turn out to be the only goal of the game – central midfielder Jake Dutton hammering in from close range after a mix-up the in Manchester penalty area. Manchester responded well to going behind and grew into the game, looking more comfortable, albeit still shaky, in defence. Clear-cut chances for Man-
to an improved Manchester side by introducing Josh Ferguson and Ben McCarthy around the hour mark. Despite an impressive cameo by Ferguson New-
Tight margins: both sets of players contest a decision Image: Kourosh Parvizi chester were non-existent, however, and Newcastle’s dominance on set pieces and swift counter attacks continued to trouble the away side. Callum Horn thought he’d made it 2-0 in the thirty-first minute after more
good work by Walker, only to be denied by the offside flag. Walker continued to trouble Manchester’s defence, along with right-winger Ollie Walden, and in the forty-second minute was played through on goal only to be hauled down
ing from Newcastle coming from their guards, and St. Andrews using their size to their advantage down low in the post. Guard Courtney Strait scored the first ten points for the Knights to help them capture the first lead of the game and retain it for the remainder of the contest. The St. Andrews squad displayed
The Knights were able to freely move the ball all game and handled the quickly changing defences with ease. Although the scores in the first and second quarters were closer than the game would appear, the Knights regrouped during halftime and came out firing in the third quarter. Upon the
sially escape with only a yellow card, despite being last man and arguably denying Newcastle a goal scoring opportunity. The second half was disappointingly lacklustre. Manchester started the better of the two sides after the interval, putting together some decent passes in midfield and making use of their frontman’s strength and technical ability. The game developed into one of few chances for both sides. Newcastle continued to look dangerous from corners and free kicks as well as remaining solid at the back in the face of Manchester’s spells of pressure. Walker and Pete Mairs both had chances for Newcastle, who responded
castle were unable to fully replicate their attacking dominance of the first half. Nonetheless, the Royals will be happy to walk away with a win and three points in the bag in their opening fixture of the BUCS Northern 1A division. Captain Scott Huntley said after the game; “We were a lot better on the ball, especially in the first half. Our defence held firm and played well, I don’t think they had any clear-cut chances.”
boxing out, and moving the ball swiftly up the court for fast break points. The quick but undersized Knights team gave up a handful of offensive rebounds and easy buckets that led to the majority of St. Andrews’ scoring up to that point. During the second half, the Knights used their conditioning to their advantage and were able to score double-digits fast break points. The combination of physicality with St. Andrews post players, a more intense defensive effort, and pushing the tempo of the game all contributed to the Knights’ hefty victory. The Knights’ offence was firing at all cylinders for the majority of the game, with points coming from all areas of the court. Players Courtney Strait and Eleanor Goodwin both recorded double-
digit scoring performances in their first game for Newcastle. This years’ team is a very different one than last year, and they will have to rely on their ball movement, rely on each player to fulfill their role, and play within their system more than before. With that in mind, the Knights have a week off to work out the kinks and prepare themselves before their next match-up against Loughborough on 26 October.
feed into GS Heloise Wormleighton, who was clinical in her shots, and widened Newcastle’s lead. Defence heightened their pressure, forcing Northumbria to make risky passes into the circle, which Newcastle capitalised on. Centre court was marked tightly, which made even moving the ball down the court difficult for Northumbria, and they struggled to respond,
making the final score 55-39. Coach Percy praised her team for a “good, strong first game” despite their nerves. If this continues, perhaps promotion could beckon?
PLAYER OF THE MATCH:
Olly Walker
Knights ease past scrappy St Andrews Women’s Basketball Newcastle 1sts
74
St. Andrews 1sts
43
By Courtney Strait at the Sports Centre The Newcastle women’s basketball first team debuted its 2016 BUCS regular season with a 30-point victory. Despite the Knights playing without one of their top returners, injured Noelia Quintas, Newcastle defeated a scrappy St. Andrews team 74-43. The first quarter featured a tightlyknit game, with the majority of scor-
“The Knights were able to freely move the ball all game and handled the quickly changing defences with ease” many different defensive schemes in the effort of stopping Newcastle’s offensive attack. Man-to-man, a 2-3 zone, and a soft match-up zone were all employed against the Knights with little success.
buzzer sounding after the quarter, the lead had been extended from 13 at halftime to over twenty points. Head coach Mark Elderkin said the focus during halftime was on defence,
bria centre, which Newcastle managed to successfully turnover due to their tough marking, on coach Deborah Percy’s instructions for an “all on” defence, to give them the first goal of the match. Both sides were excitable as the game began, with the high speed of play meaning that loopy, high, passes were common, and interceptions were rife. Newcastle’s WD Jaydene Robinson stayed calm under the pressure, and helped to steady the team, with considerable interceptions. Northumbria struggled to find their groove in the opening minutes, allowing Newcastle to pull ahead to 7-1. This seemed an unfair reflection of their play, as they moved the ball down court well, but just couldn’t seem to get the ball into
castle led 16-7, with Northumbria making key changes to their centre court attackers. Newcastle continued to apply pressure to centres, with Northumbria relying on their defence to get the ball out at the last moment. Despite this, Northumbria finally began to make their mark, with successful high balls into Le Brocq which she effortlessly converted. Strong circle defending from Northumbria made life difficult for Newcastle in the circle, with captain Hollie Joyce and Heloise Wormleighton at GA and GS having to work hard to find space for the feed in. This, combined with Newcastle’s failure to get ball side began to really cost them, as Northumbria made easy inter-
PLAYER OF THE MATCH:
Eleanor Goodwin
Nervous netballers overcome Northumbria Netball
Newcastle 1sts
55
Northumbria 2nds
39
By Lucy Brogden at the Sports Centre Newcastle’s first team took on Northumbria’s seconds in the sports hall on Wednesday in what was a tough, and physically demanding match. Both sides were out to prove themselves, with Newcastle vying for promotion following their relegation last year, and the newly-promoted Northumbria side itching to make their mark.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH:
Kiera Mchattie
“Hattie Grant and Emily Hollingworth worked well together to feed into GS Heloise Wormleighton, who was clinical in her shots, and widened Newcastle’s lead” Newcastle Coach Sarah Metcalfe seemed confident in her new squad, which had benefitted from a “large influx of good players” and were now a ‘much stronger team than last year’. The varsity began with a Northum-
the circle and convert. Instead, Northumbria relied on risky high balls into their statuesque GS Abbie Le Brocq, which Newcastle keeper, Kiera Mchattie, did well to defend. As the second quarter began, New-
ceptions, and brought the score to 23-19 at half time. Following half time, Newcastle had a shake-up of the team sheet, and began to take control. Hattie Grant and Emily Hollingworth worked well together to
Confidence boost: NUNC put pressure on in the centre to turnover possession Image: Lucy Brogden
Sport
thecourieronline.co.uk/sport
SUMMER REVIEW P.36
www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 17 October 2016 Issue 1335 Free
Sports Editors: Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin & James Sproston courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @Courier_Sport | Instagram: thecouriersport
ROWING SUCCESS P.37
BUCS MATCH REPORTS,
Titans: NURFC emerged victorious Image: NURFC
Newcastle retain Clash crown Uni struggled to put runs on the board from ‘The Big Head’s bowling Image: James Sproston
Men’s Rugby Union Newcastle
19
Northumbria
18
By James Sproston at Kingston Park Newcastle once again clinched the Clash of the Titans crown in dramatic fashion as a last minute try snatched the title away from Northumbria. The win also counts towards Newcastle’s Stan Calvert total this year, pulling them level with Northumbria after losing the cricket in June. Though the two sides didn’t meet in Stan Calvert last year, Northumbria were out for revenge after losing both matches in the league last year. With Northumbria having been selected over
for a penalty to Northumbria. Despite being in a relatively central position, Haldane couldn’t squeeze the ball between the posts. Newcastle were again on the back-foot from the restart as Joe Luca Smith’s kick didn’t make much distance downfield. After the lineout, a George Wacokecoke dummy disorganised Newcastle, leading to yet another penalty. Haldane made no mistake this time, dispatching the kick with confidence. Smith’s kick was better from the restart and sent Newcastle into Northumbria territory. In the second of the two resulting scrums, Northumbria’s front row collapsed, awarding Newcastle an opportunity to level with the penalty. The subsequent scrapping between the Newcastle and Northumbria players may have distracted Newcastle captain Joe Luca Smith, since his penalty went wayward, leaving the score at 3-0 to Northumbria.
“By the end of the half, it was damage limitation for Newcastle” Newcastle to compete in the new BUCS Super Rugby league, this looks to be the only meeting between the two rivals this academic year, so victory would be that little bit sweeter. Though unconfirmed reports claimed that Northumbria had sold all of their tickets, it was Newcastle that filled up their seats quicker. The louder Newcastle crowd seemed to spur their team on in the earlier minutes as they received the kick and pressed forwards. After two scrums that Newcastle seemed to overpower, Northumbria’s Rob Haldane broke clear. Though the number 10 ran into traffic, referee Hamish Smailes brought the play back
In the passage following the restart, Newcastle took the initiative. Breaks from Sam Matanle and Alex Nissim showed promise but were defended well by the black-clad Northumbria players, with the ball being kicked into touch away from danger. As the teams were buoyed on by the increasing number of fans, the pace got noticeably quicker. Turnovers from both sides eventually led to a Northumbria penalty that was kicked into the corner. Newcastle once again stole possession, but a well-organised Northumbria line kept their opponents at bay. A neat exchange by Matanle and Harry Glover allowed Joel Macfarlane to run
clear. However, Newcastle’s no.14 was hit hard and knocked the ball on. From the subsequent scrum, Northumbria won a penalty that Haldane clinically converted to double his team’s lead. By the end of the half, it was damage limitation for Newcastle. With the wind against them it was a noticeably difficult task to get the ball downfield. At the half-time break there was positivity in the Newcastle camp. Though there was no sign of Percy the Lion coach Scott Powell was pleased with the performance against the wind, especially defensively. Likewise, Andy Kennedy said that “6-0 down at half time into the wind is a good result for us,” whilst singling out Finn Walsh, Alex Watts and Matanle for their impressive performances during the first 40 minutes. Newcastle’s fans gave a hostile reception to Team Northumbria as they took to the field, and it seemed to shake their confidence. Two questionable kicks from Northumbria’s Nat Lunt and Ruairi Howarth allowed Newcastle to pile on the pressure. A scrum led to a Newcastle penalty that Smith kicked towards the corner. From the lineout Alex Todd retrieved the ball and charged into the opposition’s half at the rear of a maul. After two scrums, Newcastle won a penalty and once again kicked into the corner. Another Newcastle maul from the lineout bulldozed down the Northumbria defence and this time Alex Todd was able to get the ball over the line. An impressive conversion from Joe Luca Smith put Newcastle 7-6 in the lead with half an hour left on the clock. Northumbria reacted strongly, with Aedan Moloney bursting clear, but Ben Sinclair ensured that the attack was stalled. In the ensuing scramble Northumbria won another penalty. Again
Newcastle were let off the hook as Haldane hit a routine-looking kick wide. With that scare in mind, Newcastle looked to increase their advantage. Smith again kicked Newcastle into a good area, with Jordan Tisdale breaking through the Northumbria line. The no.12 passed onto substitute Will Scholey who then released to Macfarlane who hit the deck. Ewan MacGarvie picked up the ball and ran for the line. Despite looking like he was going to be stopped, the winger defiantly forced his way through to score Newcastle’s second try of the game. After yet another classy kick from Smith, Northumbria showed immense character to bounce back. Having caught the ball from a somewhat lucky bounce, Moloney sprinted away from the Newcastle defence to score his team’s first try of the tie. Haldane converted to put Northumbria back in contention, being only one-point shy of Newcastle. In the final fifteen minutes the game opened up. Within twenty seconds of having the ball within 10ft off their try line, Northumbria were in the corner inches from a try. Two minutes later the try came, but Howarthß missed the
play due to a fantastic challenge from Tisdale. A late Newcastle penalty gave the team a lifeline, but Northumbria turned over possession and seemed in control. A wayward pass gifted Newcastle a lineout that would lead to the decisive moment in the match. One ruck after another ran the time down as the clock ticked past the 80-minute mark. Mike Scott pressed forward after Tisdale hit the deck, then Piers Goodwill looked to have conclusively got the ball over the line. However, Smailes took his time over the decision, and, after a long discussion with his assistant, awarded the try. Rapturous and animated celebrations followed amongst both fans and players as the score read 19-18 to Newcastle with no time left. Afterwards captain Joe Luca Smith couldn’t stop saying how “unbelievable” the win was and how much it meant to the team. Moreover, he stressed the togetherness of the team and how that was going to be pivotal in the season to come. Though head coach Matt Fieldhouse stressed the significance of the match as a preparation for the team’s first league
“Rapturous and animated celebrations followed amongst both fans and players” conversion. From the restart, Newcastle struggled to regain control. Northumbria’s no.22 Dave Elliot broke free, but was brilliantly tackled by MacGarvie. Ed Bloodworth was then flattened by the Newcastle defence, giving Northumbria then chance to extend their lead with the penalty. Instead they went for touch and found no luck in the subsequent
fixture against Durham, coach Jim Pollock maintained that it was “fantastic that they won” such an important fixture. Joe Luca Smith praised Newcastle for being able to rise to the big occasion, and now that bragging rights will be held over Northumbria until next year, it’s just as well they did.