www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 3 December 2012 Issue 1261 Free
WHAT’S THE GREATEST TV DRAMA EVER? FEATURES P.18-19
Students reject biometric scans By Susie Beever News Editor
Students have rejected proposals to implement biometric fingertip swiping to monitor course attendance on campus. Results from the referendum, which was called by Students’ Union Council on 8 November, revealed a record poll turnout of 1,528 students. This worked out as a 7.3% turnout and showed a vast overall improvement from last year’s numbers in the student November elections. Statistics show that an overwhelming 1,206 people voted against the implementation of biometric fingertip swipe scans as a digital record of attendance in lectures and seminars. 320 people voted in favour of the scans. By UKBA (UK Border Agency) law, it is only international students’ attendance requiring monitoring. When asked whether, if accepted, attendance monitoring should be implemented for all students, 813 agreed. 700 voted against. Rachael Thornton, Education Officer for NUSU, said: “I think the right decisions were made. I feel the results are quite telling of the population of students we have, and that they’re not voting for something which would mean segregation of just international students.” Thornton added: “University is not about attendance monitoring, especially not biometric.” Statistics also show that 617 people were in favour of universities monitoring student attendance using all methods, whilst 904 were anti-attendance
monitoring. The University is looking to implement a new attendance monitoring system in September 2013. These results now constitute the Students’ Union’s stance on biometrics and monitoring. Other possible methods of monitoring include smart card scanners and students using a PIN input. Lindsey Lockey, Junior Returning Officer, said: “Across all elections, there was a remarkable increase in Statistics show turnout and the demographic is that 1,206 but still people voted improving requires further against the work.” 21% of all interimplementanational students tion of on campus voted biometric in the referendum, fingertip swipe while 7% of postgraduates voted to scans as a make their opindigital record ions on the scans of attendance heard. Lockey added: in lectures “Increasing turnout within both these groups is a target.” Charles Barry, Chair of Students’ Union Council and newly appointed NUS Delegate, said: “This is a sound endorsement of what the Students’ Union is doing. The results are testament to fact.” Results from the referendum were announced on Friday evening alongside those from the November elections, for which there was a record turnout of 2,899 students voting, nearly doubling last year’s total of 1,528.
INTERVIEW: THE VACCINES P.14-15
CREME OF THE CROP
FULL ELECTION RESULTS, PAGE 2
Crème Fresh edge 17 votes to become Freshers’ Week Organisers 2013. Photo: Anna Templeton
Debates turn heated as BBC3 Free Speech hits Newcastle By Aine Stott Online News Editor BBC Three’s interactive, live debate show, Free Speech, hosted a Body Beautiful Special from Northumbria University on Tuesday. The programme gave young people a unique opportunity to discuss issues raised in BBC Three’s Body Beautiful Season. Debates centred on the main body issues faced by young people to-
day, and included the rise in cosmetic surgery, the acceptance of obesity, male grooming and the regulation of the media. When speaking with The Courier, social media correspondent for the show Sam Naz highlighted the importance of reaching a young audience. The programme is specifically targeted at 16 to 34 year olds, and Naz hoped it would “give younger audiences a voice when there are so many shows that voice the
opinions of older people.” The live nature of the broadcast “means that audiences can tweet straight away”, and so “just because you’re at home doesn’t mean you can’t get involved.” Social media has proven the most effective way for the programme to reach its younger target audience: “it is where young people interact with friends, and where they get their news now. It is a key ingredient of the show.” For Naz, online interaction is essential to the formula
of Free Speech; the use of the power bar “gets interaction to a maximum, and getting lots of tweets involved in discussion helps spark the panel.” This week’s panel featured fashion stylist and TV presenter Grace Woodward, CEO of YMCA Rosi Prescott, award-winning performance poet and feminist Sabrina Mahfouz, and author of diet book Six Weeks to OMG: Get Skinnier Than All Your Friends, Venice A. Fulton.
Rosi revealed for the first time the results of recent YMCA research into body image, finding that “one in seven young people would rather be thin that healthy.” These pressures were not felt exclusively by young women, and Rosi revealed that “one in three men would sacrifice three years of their life for a better body, and one in seven young people would consider, or have had, cosmetic surgery.” continued on page 4
News
2
thecourieronline.co.uk/news
NEWS
5 7
CONSTANCE BRISCOE
Find out why the speaker visited campus last week
METRO DODGERS Metro users have spoken out against hikes in ticket prices
COMMENT
11 13 SPORT
BRAIN DRAIN Will you stay in the UK after graduation?
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
News Editors: George Sandeman, Susie Beever and Anna Templeton Online News Editor: Aine Stott courier.news@ncl.ac.uk | @TheCourier_News
‘Record’ turnout in elections By Anna Templeton News Editor
Friday saw the announcement of the NUSU November 2012 Elections. After weeks of campaigning for the crucial votes, positions for Freshers’ Week Organisers, International Officer, NUS delegates and Hall reps were revealed. In total, 2,899 votes were cast, a huge 88 percent increase on the 2011 figures (1, 543 votes). The increase in turnout has been due to a number of factors including: an increase in the number of delegate applicants, effective campaigning, additional promotion by the NUSU, the referendum alongside voting and the use of the University IT system. On Friday, the Hall Reps were the first announced, with Joseph Smith taking Henderson Hall President, Hisham Hamid as Bowsden Court President and both Ben Allison and Amy Fenny as St
Mary’s College Presidents. Olivia Petie and Jak Katterfield were named as St Mary’s College Accommodation reps, and Matthew Hutchings took Henderson Hall Social and Campaigns rep. Joseph Smith, new President for Henderson Hall, said: “I am really happy with my new position. One of the first things I will be doing is ensuring the gate near Sainsbury’s is open!” Annie Zhang and Sophia Doan were voted in as International Officers. They said: “We worked really hard and managed to speak to 200 individual people in our campaign. We would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted for us.” The newly elected NUS Conference Delegates announced were: Ahmed Gatnash, Charles Barry, Jasmine Walker, Ella Thorp and Obren Amiesimaka. Obren Amiesimaka, current Racial Equalities Officer said: “I am truly hum-
bled that I have been chosen by the students to represent them at the NUS conference.” Jasmine Walker, current Activities Officer also spoke to The Courier, saying: “I am really happy to be elected and represent Newcastle students on a national level.” Charles Barry, newly appointed NUS Delegate also said: “I’m really happy with the result. I was at the NUS Conference last year and a lot of candidates focused on undergraduate fees, but I was broader on postgraduate and international student policies. I am really happy that someone will be going to the conference that is in support of those students.” The position for Freshers’ Week Organisers 2013 was the final result announced. The team Crème Fresh won against Fresh Direction, at 1069 votes to 1052, a 17-vote margin. In their victory speech, Crème Fresh,
comprising of Amey Holdon, Charlie Lambert, Mike Holford and Henry Scutt, spoke about how they respected their competition: “Fresh Direction are such nice people and we want them to come back and be part of Freshers’. Thank you to all our campaigners. We only won by 17 votes and it could not have been closer. Thank you for everyone who voted.” Speaking to The Courier after the announcements were over, Charlie Lambert said: “Amazing, unreal, I feel Crème Fraiched! We’re best mates with the other team and there were only 17 votes in it - we’re ecstatic. It’s a shame our other partner (Mike Holford) couldn’t be here, he was going absolutely mental on the phone.” Charlie added: “We’ve worked so hard, going round Jesmond every night, Uni every day, lectures and everything. It’s a massive relief and we’re so grateful for everyone who helped us out.”
GLASS CEILING Our columnist Lydia Caroll on women bishops
41 46
SPORTS PERSONALITY Review of the sports personality of the year
FANTASTIC FRESHERS’
CLASH OF THE TITANS
Newcastle take on Poly in the rugby union
Charlie Lambert, Amey Holdon, Henry Scutt and Mike Holford, the people responsible for next year’s Freshers’
City drowned in flood defence cuts By Emily Armstrong
Newcastle will receive only 3% of the government funding needed to deal with the aftermath of this year’s floods, forcing the council to make severe cuts in other areas. Despite David Cameron’s assurances earlier this year that help would be
NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940
The Courier is a weekly newspaper produced by students, for students. It’s never too late to get involved in the paper, whether you’re a writer, illustrator or photographer. Just visit thecourieronline.co.uk/getinvolved for more information.
“generous”, Newcastle will receive just £328,000, a small amount towards the estimated £9.2m needed to restore the damage from severe flooding this year in Tyneside. Last July’s flash floods saw startling scenes in areas such as Exhibition Park and Chillingham Road, prompting an announcement from David Cameron that local councils could be “generous”
and “lend a very sympathetic ear” when setting up emergency funds for victims of the floods. Newcastle City Council, however, will struggle to care for affected residents with this small grant. With £90m spending cuts in other areas, Newcastle City Council’s budget is stretched so thin that essential services such as elderly care will suffer.
Editor Ben Travis News Editors George Sandeman, Susie Beever and Anna Templeton Online News Editor Aine Stott Comment Editors Georgie Moule and Laura Wotton Online Comment Editor Jennifer Evans Features Editor Tom Nicholson Listings Editor Sally Priddle Lifestyle Editors Emily Rae, Catherine Davison and Ellie Cropper Online Lifestyle Editors Rosie Devonshire Colette Hunter Fashion Editors Elissa Hudson and Lizzie Hampson Online Fashion Editor Sally Greenwood Beauty Editor Annie Morgan Online Beauty Editor Amy Macauley Arts Editors Lisa Bernhardt and Millie Walton Online Arts Editor Grace Harvey Film Editors Hayley Hamilton and Sam Hopkins Online Film Editor Chris Binding TV Editor Chris Taylor Online TV Editor Ben Parkin Music Editors Chris Haywood and Sam Summers Online Music Editor Sophie Coletta Sports Editors Ralph Blackburn, Nick Gabriel and Lucy Williams Online Sports Editors Freddie Caldwell and Jack Gelsthorpe Copy Editors Harriet Andrews, Helen Battrick, Georgina Grant, Rachel Horrocks, Maddie McNeill, Charley Monteith, Leanne Penning, Amy Preston, Tom Rhodes, Gemma Thompson, Jessica Timms, Chris Smith, Matty Aston
Paul Woods, treasurer at Newcastle City Council has described Newcastle as being “on the road to ruin” when it comes to pothole repairs. With such limited funding, Newcastle’s damaged streets and roads are unlikely to be repaired in the near future. No funding has been allocated to improve Newcastle’s aging drainage systems. So get your wellies out!
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.
The Courier
news.3
Monday 3 December 2012
Newcastle’s notorious nightlife under threat By Cathy Bundy A recent council proposal to bring back bar and club closing times in Newcastle’s city centre is currently under consideration. These changes would also include a rise in drink prices and a possible “late night levy”. The move aims to reduce noise and anti-social behaviour, and to re-coup the costs of late night policing and cleaning. The proposal has been met with scepticism over the benefits, and outrage from Newcastle’s revellers. Under the new proposal, bars would
posed measures could even have a detrimental effect on Newcastle’s currently low crime figures. If everyone is let out of bars at the same time, as opposed to at the natural end of the night, fights may be more likely to break out. Students see the potential new measure as a massive hit to their ability to have a good time. “It’s ridiculous” exclaimed one final year student, who does not wish to be named. “We work hard, and the majority of us are well behaved on a night out and no threat whatsoever to crime and order. Not only would it damage local businesses, but it would be detrimental to everyone’s opportunity to kick back and
The move aims to reduce noise and antisocial behaviour, and to re-coup the costs of late night policing and cleaning be forced to close their doors at 1am and clubs will have to end the night at 2am. Damian Conway, Senior Chairman of Newcastle Council’s Pubwatch, doubts the benefits of this potential measure. Conway said how he “strongly believes that crime, disorder and noise is caused by too much to drink”. He does not however blame bars and clubs for this phenomenon, but rather “supermarket pocket money prices. Pre-loading is the issue...a drink is £3-4 in a bar, but the same drink is far cheaper from a supermarket, where it is possible to buy a one litre bottle of vodka for only £8.” Mr Conway believes that increasing the minimum price of alcohol to 50p per unit country-wide will do much more good than Newcastle Council’s localised solution. This would restrict damage caused by supermarkets and the minority of bars who sell drink at “irresponsible” prices. With latest figures exclusive to The Courier, it is revealed that reported crimes in the city centre are 19.5 daily, and most of these are shop-lifting. It has been suggested that the pro-
TOON BY NIGHTTIME
Some fear the council’s proposals will ruin Newcastle’s reputation for exciting nightlife Image: Yoshimai
enjoy ourselves. “Why should we all suffer for the minority who can’t handle their drink?” Ed Stephenson, a Newcastle University student who works for Bar 38 believes that this is “not a great approach, as it’s infringing on people’s recreation time. The reason for doing this is to reduce night-time hooliganism and complaints from the public. “However reducing the time spent in a club Bars would be reduces the forced to close time that the setheir doors at lect people that 1am, and clubs choose to go the top are will have to end over in a contained the night at 2am space”. “Newcastle is known for its night-life, which contributes hugely to its local economy. “By imposing higher regulations on clubs and bars, you are restricting their ability to entertain the local and national population which infringes on one of Newcastle’s largest economic sectors”.
Moyles parties in the Toon with Geordie Shore A new and unlikely addition to the Geordie Shore cast sparked interest last Monday night. Joining Vicky, Holly, Charlotte, Gaz, Scott, Daniel, James, Ricci and Sophie for a night out on
ries of the locally based programme. A spokesman for Bijoux said: “They loved seeing Chris and had a great laugh with him. They were drinking and dancing on chairs and tables, and Vicky and Ricci sprayed everyone with champagne. We let them take over our VIP section so
Moyles originally planned to have an early night according to the Bijoux spokesman: “Chris told us he was coming in for a couple of quick drinks, but he was still in the bar drinking and having a good time at 1.30am. He loved the Geordie Shore cast and chatted with Charlotte and Holly for
the Toon was none other than Chris Moyles. The former BBC DJ joined the MTV cast, tweeting: “So we are in Newcastle and have a night off. I think we should have a nice quiet night out with the @ mtvgeordieshre family. Good idea?!” He met the group in Newcastle’s Bijoux and partied with them until 1.30am. The group had arrived earlier at 11pm, where they were filming for the fifth se-
they could be safe and protected from the crowds.” Moyles and his producer, Aled Jones, arrived in Newcastle that evening ready for his upcoming show at the O2 Academy: Chris Moyles Live. The show is part UK tour celebrating the end of an era with his break from Breakfast Radio, with a mixture of music and comedy and is heavily influenced by audience participation.
ages. Everybody seemed to have a great night.” Moyles is not the only celebrity to enjoy Newcastle’s first class nightlife; numerous stars have visited the city, with Bijoux playing host people such as Ellie Goulding and Jack Whitehall. Let’s hope Moyles had a good night with Geordie Shore and avoided the dreaded hangover!
By Leanne Penning
“Chris told us he was coming in for a few drinks, but he was still in the bar drinking at 1.30am. He loved the Geordie Shore cast”
MOYLES GOES MAD Chris Moyles partied into the early hours with Newcastle’s very own Geordie Shore in nightclub Bijoux Image: radio1interactive
4.news
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Boris attacks foreign student policies London Mayor Boris Johnson has claimed that new legislation which tightens the criteria for international students to come and study at UK Universities is “going to cause unnecessary alarm and prejudice against the UK.”
graduation, students must gain employment in a £20,000 a year job if they wish to stay in the UK. There are fears the £2.5 billion revenue stream created by foreign students, which is used to subsidise domestic undergraduates, will fall significantly due to the ‘perceptions’ generated by the new legislation.
Speaking in Delhi where the MP is trying to strengthen the capitals links with India. Johnson added: “we need to be very careful that we are not doing stuff that actively deters foreign students and at the moment the policy seems to put people off.” There are an estimated 300,000 nonEU students at universities nationwide of which 13 percent are Indian, a proportion second only to China. Ministers claim to be committed to cutting net immigration levels which incorporate foreign students within their figures. A particular bone of contention for many is the rule which dictates, post
The number of Indian students studying in the UK fell by 9% this year and there are projections of it falling by a further 25% next. “The most important thing is academic freedom — if people are genuine students and genuinely desire to learn and contribute to the economy there should be a system which allows them to travel from one major centre of learning to another” Johnson said in his speech. Home secretary Theresa May stated: “I agree that we need to support our best colleges and universities and encourage the best students to come here, but to say importing more and more immigrants is our best export product is nothing but the counsel of despair.”
By Ciaran McKenna
There are fears the £2.5 billion revenue stream created by foreign students, which is used to subsidise domestic undergraduates, will fall significantly due to the ‘perception generated by the new legislation
BOJO IN A BOTHER
Johnson worries that legislation may cause “unnecessary alarm and prejudice in the UK” Image: BackBoris 2012
“If more female role models were supported doing exciting things that don’t come down to their looks then maybe all this stuff wouldn’t matter.” continued from page 1
These recent statistics provoked a varied reaction from members of the audience, and whilst some felt that “everyone is beautiful and you don’t need to conform”, others believed “it is your own choice.” Venice, the only male panellist, offered a unique take on cosmetic surgery, stating that “if you’re a 15-yearold and your nose is bigger that all the other girls’, or if you’re a girl in the office with a particularly small chest and you’re being mocked for it, your chance to change yourself should not be taken away.”
By far the most controversial moment of the programme arose from the debate surrounding the alleged ‘pro-anorexia’ tips featured in Venice’s new diet book. His OMG Diet encourages readers to skip breakfast, take cold baths, and drink five double espressos each morning, affirming that “There’s no limit on how much fat you can lose.” 25-year-old Rachel Cowey accused the book of promoting anorexia in young people predisposed to the illness. As the media volunteer for the North East branch of eating disorder charity Beat, and having suffered from severe anorexia from the age of 16, Rachel
“If you’re a girl in the office with a particularly small chest and you’re being mocked for it, your chance to change it should not be taken away.” On the subject of male grooming, Grace posed the question: “if women have had to spend so much time looking pretty, isn’t it time men caught up?” This point was contested by Rosi, who made the point that rather than catching up with one another, we should “be coming to terms with the fact we are all individual.” The power bar revealed that the panel member most popular with viewers at home was ultimately Sabrina, who closed the show with the statement that “only 0.5 percent of sponsorship goes to women in sport, and if more female role models were supported doing exciting things that don’t come down to their looks then maybe all this stuff wouldn’t matter anyway.”
argued that “to vulnerable young people who are impressionable, books like yours can send people to the extreme.” Venice replied with: “eating disorders are nothing to do with diet books”, and Rachel was brought to tears by his comment that she was “dumbing down eating disorders.” Speaking to The Courier after the show, Venice remained unrepentant, and confirmed that the debate had “not made me look at the book differentlynot at all. It makes me want to make her pick up the book.” Rachel remained convinced that Venice “should not speak about things he has no actual experience of.” That “he did not apologise for making me cry”, she said, “just shows that he’s a coward as well.”
The Courier
news.5
Monday 3 December 2012
Arabic artwork colours blank canvases The Students’ Union hosted a celebratory event last Friday to launch the ‘Black & White City’ exhibition, inspired by the lives of Martin Luther King and Constance Briscoe. The exhibition was commissioned after the NUSU won a Mixology award following the recent refurbishment of its listed building. The union were keen to showcase art from local artists which celebrated the university’s distinguished past.
which he characterises as “Education then Working –hard- and Sedulity. Despite all the difficulties carry on with Sincerity with a Faith that one day you will get there.” All six aspects of success have been written in vibrant colours in a unique Arabic script designed by the artist himself. The Martin Luther King painting also has ‘I have a dream’ written in abstract design in the Arabic calligraphy ‘Al-Tugra’. Al-Tugra is a style of calligraphy traditionally used to honour, the reason why it was selected to commemorate King. MacLeod said how he wanted to sum
The exhibition is also the first Arabic artwork to be permanently put on public display in the North East, promoting Newcastle’s ever diversifying culture. The exhibition filled the Constance Briscoe Room and the Martin Luther King Room in the union, which Simon Gerry, Chief Executive of the Students’ Union called “a bit white, a bit cream.” The artist Lord Richard MacLeod won a competition to be in charge of decorating the blank rooms. His artistic vision was based on the life of Constance Briscoe and Martin Luther King. Richard wanted to encapsulate the characteristics of success,
up Luther King and Briscoe’s passions saying: “Art doesn’t start from the pen, it starts from the heart and the soul.” He continued speaking about how his art would reflect the values of the city of Newcastle, especially in terms of diversity. MacLeod came to Newcastle in 2001, and he praised Newcastle University for being the only university in the country to award Martin Luther King an honorary Doctor of Civil Law in 1967. MacLeod asked for student volunteers to help with his project, and had a response from fine art students. Jessica Norbury, 3rd year fine art, said: “It was a
By Anna Templeton News Editor
“The work stands as a reminder that all students have dreams and they can achieve anything they want to achieve.”
great experience working with an internationally renowned artist.” Kathryn Clarke, another fine art student, added: “It was far away from our usual subject matter, which made it really interesting.” As part of the celebration, the international artist, writer and 3D poet Wajid Hussain recited poems about cultural differences, and Newcastle’s chaplain Catherine Lack also spoke about Interfaith Week. The event saw the opening of the Constance Briscoe Room, named after a university alumnus who became the first black judge in the UK. She is also an internationally celebrated author for her books Ugly and Beyond Ugly. Constance spoke about her time as a student in Newcastle, and how the city helped shape her values for later life. She also spoke about tuition fees, and how she would not have gone through the university system if she were part of the current system. At the event, Simon Gerry also talked about the ethos of the university, saying: “It is important that all students feel welcome”. He said how a project such as the ‘White & Black City’ was the most exciting aspect of his job, reminding him that the “world is not as grey as it seems.” He also said that the work “stands as a reminder that all students have dreams, and they can achieve anything they want to achieve.”
I HAVE A DREAM
Richard MacLeod’s art was inspired by the lives of Martin Luther King and Constance Briscoe Photo: Anna Templeton
Oxfam society occupy campus in ‘land grab’ By Jack Mackenzie Last week saw Newcastle University be the victim of a Land Grab, as the Oxfam Society ‘grabbed’ sculptures, buildings and even a cardboard house around campus. ‘Keep Out’ signs were posted around the university as the society took what they wanted away from its defenceless students. Led by Oxfam’s Community and Activism campaigner for the North of England, Nicola Sansom, the society’s members dressed up as construction workers and evil bankers to comman-
ing to highlight this relatively unknown issue, supporting Oxfam’s ‘GROW’ campaign. Tackling land grabs is just one aspect of this campaign, which aims to tackle world hunger by trying to reform systems that see around one billion people go to bed hungry every night. Land grabbing is a huge cause of global hunger and research shows that land eight times the size of the UK was sold off globally in the last decade, enough to grow food for the billion people that truly need it. The practice has greatly increased since the recent financial crisis as land becomes one of the most stable,
The society’s members dressed up as construction workers and evil bankers to commandeer landmarks around the Union for themselves.
deer landmarks around the Union for themselves. The afternoon of Land Grabbing culminated in an eviction from, and then destruction of, the newly erected cardboard house in front of the Union. Despite sounding like just a bit of fun on a Wednesday afternoon, the issue behind the stunt is all too real. The society was highlighting the callous practice of Land Grabbing that is prevalent throughout the developing world. Big corporations are buying huge areas of land as an investment, often forcing people from their homes and land into poverty and hunger. Families are being thrown off the land, with no compensation and are often violently evicted by hired thugs. By staging its own mock grabs, the University’s Oxfam Society was attempt-
and therefore attractive, investments. This has led to companies ignoring the impact on real people for the benefit of their balance sheets. Every six days an area the size of Greater London is taken away from some of the poorest people of the world. Oxfam firmly believe this practice should be tackled and is stepping up its campaign throughout the next month. First of all the charity is planning a Land Grab at the Angel of the North on Dec 2, before the following weekend sees a national effort to raise awareness of this issue.
Want to help Oxfam? Sign a petition to the world bank: www.oxfam.org.uk/land
FRIENDLY PROTEST
Members of the Oxfam society occupied the space outside the students’ union Image: Oxfam Society
6.news
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Study shows UK graduate brain drain ‘likely’ By Alix Pickles Since the start of the economic crisis the number of university graduates seeking employment overseas has risen sharply. It is feared that Britain will as a result suffer from a ‘brain drain.’ According to studies from the Higher Education Statistics Agency, four in ten graduates abroad are in Europe, while one fifth secured jobs in the Far East and 12 percent went to North America. Gordon Chesterman, director of the careers service at Cambridge, said that there had been substantial increase in students taking up foreign language courses alongside their degrees, possibly indicating that they wanted to move aboard after their studies. This could reflect a greater availability of graduate jobs overseas. It is also feared that Britain is losing the cream of its crop as official figures show that graduates from top universities are more likely to seek a career abroad. Experts said that students from the best universities were being targeted during ‘Milkround’ employment fairs. Employers offer incentives such as lucrative employment deals and pay packages to secure the best talent. The managing director of High Flier Research, tracking the graduate job market, said that many global companies target top universities and often put graduates to work in other countries. These include companies such as BP, Shell and HSBC. It has emerged that 210 students from Oxford and Cambridge were in jobs abroad-an increase of 35 percent from 2008. There has also been a 27 percent
rise from other Russell Group universities. Figures taken from the Trendence Graduate Barometer UK edition found that 32 percent of high achieving students said they would leave the country to find work abroad. This comes amid wider concerns following a recent Home Office report that showed that half of those who emigrate from Britain each year are from highly skilled professions; an increasing number of executives, academics, scientists and doctors have migrated away from Britain in the last 20 years. Verity O’Keefe, employment adviser Four in ten for the manufacturgraduates ers’ organisation EEF, abroad are said that “Having in Europe, invested in students during their years of while one we need to be fifth secured study, doing our utmost to jobs in the keep hold of them.” Far East Students may be being driven away by the lack of graduate employment in Britain and the need to jump through hoops such as pursuing unpaid internships and apprenticeships. Plunging graduates into further debt. A spokeswoman for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills claimed that it is actually encouraging that there is a high global demand for UK students abroad as it reflects the high levels of university teaching and research. Turn to page 11 for students giving their views on a graduate brain drain.
JETTING OFF A study by The Telegraph shows a graduate brain drain looks likely in the future. Image: Kuster & Wildhaber
The Courier
Monday 3 December 2012
news.7
Protesters backlash over council cuts By Peter Wood Hundreds of protesters gathered outside of Newcastle Civic Centre last week to lobby against the proposed cuts to council services. Called by trade unions such as Unison and GMB, the protest coincided with last Wednesday’s cabinet meeting at which councillors recommended the proposed budget cut of £90 million. The cuts would see the loss of 1,300 jobs in the city, the closure of ten libraries and the city pool. Many children’s and social care services are also under threat as well as funding for the arts. Members of the public, as well as representatives from trade unions and campaign groups like Coalition of Resistance and Save Newcastle Libraries were present at the event. The city council says it needs to make £38 million of savings next year, and rising to £90 million over the next three years, because of cuts in funding that it receives from the government. The cuts, which equate to a third of the overall budget, come after Newcastle City Council have already had to find £100 million in savings since the coalition government came to power. Nick Forbes, the leader of Newcastle City Council wrote to David Cameron recently to express the unfairness in the cuts to local authorities and to request a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the issues facing Newcastle.
Speaking at the protest were union leaders, council workers and people who run children’s services which face ‘deletion’ under the proposals, as well as parents whose children rely on the services. Colin Smith, regional officer of GMB, said that the cuts which are proposed are potentially unlawful and accused the government of imposing cuts to Labour run councils unfairly, stating that “Eric Pickles and the civil servants in Whitehall are applying the budget The city rationale differcouncil says ently depending it needs to on the colour of make £38 the council that is million worth in power.” However, he of savings next was also critical year, rising to of how Newcas£90 million tle City Council over the next is handling the situation, adding three years. that the council had reneged on the promises they had made by “taking away the very services this council were elected to provide. “They cannot have two arguments, they cannot say the government is treating Newcastle unfairly by the way they’re proportioning the budget, and then say, here are the cuts anyway. “The big cities of the North East should say ‘it’s not fair, and we’re not prepared to set a budget unless you give us the money to provide services.’”
CUT BACK FIGHT BACK
People from Newcastle gathered in outside the civic centre to protest against council cuts last week. Image: yellowbook (Flickr)
Metro fare-dodging system ‘grossly unfair’ By Rebecca Goor With the increasing presence of Metro ticket inspectors, and plans to introduce new electronic ticket machines, it would seem that being a fare-dodger is becoming a risky business. However, the current ‘check-andchuck’ procedure, a system that allows ticket inspectors to use their discretion when dealing with those who fail to produce a valid ticket or Metro pass, has been described as “grossly unfair”. The majority of fare-dodgers are issued with an on-the-spot £20 penalty. Yet, the controversial ‘check-and-chuck’ policy means that inspectors can allow certain passengers to merely leave the train and purchase a ticket at that stop. This inconsistency has been criticised by one Metro passenger, who witnessed a man being caught without a ticket travelling to North Tyneside with his grandson. Instead of being fined, the man was told to get off at Byker and buy a ticket, but seemed to simply wait on the platform for the next train. The passenger continued to question “How does the inspector decide who gets a penalty and who is allowed to buy a ticket?” In response to these criticisms, Sharon Kelly, customer services director at DB Regio Tyne and Wear, the company that operates the Metro on behalf of Nexus, defended the current policy. “Our ticket inspectors are able to apply a level of discretion with regard to issuing fines, for example if they feel the person is vulnerable, a visitor who is unfamiliar with the area or a young person.”
CHECK AND CHUCK
Metro passengers have described new ticket inspection schemes as ‘unfair’, as well as the hike in ticket prices. Image: Wikimedia Commons
“Under these circumstances, passengers are asked to leave the train and purchase a ticket.” Fare-dodgers are estimated to cost Nexus £1 million per year. Nexus is likely to cause further upset in the New Year, with the approval of plans to increase Metro fares by an average of 4.1%. The revised fares, which come into use on 6th January, include a 10p increase in Single tickets, while DaySaver tickets are set to rise by 20p to £2.50. However, the The revised company is fares, which scrapping its come into use current peak on 6th January, D a y S a v e r , meaning cominclude a 10 pence increase muters will see reduction in in single tickets, aticket prices bewhile Daysaver fore 09:00 am. tickets are set to Annual passes rise by 20 pence will go up by £20 to £520. to £2.50 Nexus director Bernard Garner said fares had been kept as low as possible. He also added, “There are greater discounts for students, and people who renew passes online will save money too.” Students at Newcastle and Sunderland universities will be eligible for a 20% discount on Metro passes compared to adult prices, under the new fares.
What do you think? Let us know at: www.courieronline.co.uk/news
8.news
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Success for student ‘sex buddy’ website By Chris Haywood A young entrepreneur who set up a website that “helps students meet up for sex” has spoken about its’ success. ShagatUni.com, the brainchild of Tom Thurlow, 22, allows members to set up a profile in the same vein as Facebook. Private messages are used to organise liaisons with other individuals that have signed up. Although having only been conceived in October, the site currently boasts
These figures come despite its supposed unprecedented popularity among female students from Oxford University, with sources suggesting up to 722 had become members since its conception. News of Oxford students’ liberal reception of the site follows from news which sheds light on the prudish nature at the university. Students are currently fighting a filter that prevents them from accessing pornographic material on college computers; those at both Trinity and Exeter Colleges are met with the
“We offer all our members advice for meetups expressing how important it is to do the meet-and-greet in a public place. Students’ sexual practice is entirely a personal choice.” 26,933 members nationwide and sees “about 2,000 new users join every day.” In spite of its title membership is not restricted to university students; prospective members require neither an authenticated university email address nor any affiliation to an institution. Instead, the only requisite is that men make a single payment of £5. In contrast, as an incentive to curb the site’s increasing male-inclined demography, ShagatUni.com is free to join for women. At the time of going to press, 18,400 men had signed up to the site since it went live two months ago; in the same period of time, only 8,533 women had.
message ‘Forbidden category: nudism’ when they try to access such a site. Nevertheless, the safety of users is paramount to Thurlow, ShagatUni.com’s innovator and the presenter of MTV’s online show ‘The Freshers’. He noted, “We offer all our members advice for meet-ups expressing how important it is to do the meet and greet in a public place.” This sentiment has also been underlined by the National Union of Students: “University students’ sexual practice is entirely a personal choice. The main consideration for the NUS is of course safety first and safe sex information is available from most students’ unions.”
SEX EDUCATION
New website ‘Shag At Uni’ has proven a huge success, particularly amongst Oxford students.
The Courier
nationalstudentnews.9
Monday 3 December 2012
Students hijack Scottish Parliament By Alexandra Rogers Last week, a small group of protestors named ‘We are all Hanna Shalabi’ scaled the roof of Edinburgh’s Holyrood Parliament in an attempt to exert pressure on the Scottish government to condemn Israeli military action in Gaza. The initiative came after Alex Salmond met with Israeli ambassador Daniel Taub two weeks before the latest outbreak of violence with the protesters demanding a ban on future visits of the ambassador to Scotland. ‘We are all Hanna Shalabi’, advocated the avoidance of a complacent attitude towards Israel by attempting to pressurise the Scottish Government into joining global boycotts, divestment and sanctions of Israel.
Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience - Marketing Officer Employer: MSI Closing date: 09.12.2012 Salary: £600 bursary upon completion of placement Basic job description: We’d like to take a more proactive approach to our marketing strategy in order to expand the business beyond our current client base. We are looking for an individual to take responsibility in producing a marketing brochure and assist us in researching and compiling the marketing database. Person requirements: The ideal candidate will have an active interest in all aspects of marketing and digital media. You should be creative, enthusiastic and able to work independently. The candidate should also be open to learn about the technical aspects of the business. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience - Events and Communications Assistant Employer: Nova International Closing date: 09.12.2012 Salary: £600 bursary upon completion of placement Basic job description: We are looking for an individual to support the Youth and Community development aspect of our business. The successful candidate will assist in organising and planning local sporting events and outreach programmes, as well as assisting in arranging venues and logistics for the Tesco Great School Run. Person requirements: This placement will suit a student studying one of the following degrees (or contain elements of): Business Education Sport Design or Marketing. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience - Communications Officer Employer: Visual Arts in Rural Communities - VARC Closing date: 09.12.2012 Salary: £600 bursary upon completion of placement Basic job description: Visual Arts in Rural Communities (VARC) is a charity based at Highgreen in Northumberland. It aims to benefit local people and visiting groups through engagement with contemporary art. The main aim of the successful individual is to effectively communicate promotional material to new, and existing audiences to encourage participation with our ‘Walking Art’ event. The post holder will also create and place advertisements where necessary and liaise with contacts at each venue so events they
However, the recent meeting between the First Minister and the Israeli ambassador can be seen as a far cry from isolating Israel, since the possibility of cooperation between the two nations in business, technology, health and Protestor Jack renewable energy McGinn said was discussed. Protestor Jack he thought it said he was ‘disgrace- McGinn thought it was ful’ that such ‘disgraceful’ that a politically such a politically ill-judged meet- ill-judged meeting could take ing could take place at such a time where the lives of 161 Palestinians have been claimed. Given that Salmond supported the initial international calls for a cease-
fire, his recent meeting with the Israeli ambassador has been seen as nothing short of hypocritical. The United States supplies Israel with military aid and currently opposes the Palestinian bid for greater UN status. Protestors are not alone in fearing that Israel is ‘immune’ to diplomatic pressure and consequences. The protestors, on the other hand, have given voice to what the Green Party has described as a ‘solidarity’ with the Palestinian cause, and that this should be capitalised on in order to encourage peace in Gaza. What makes the protests all the more significant is that if Scotland is to achieve independence in the next coming years, it will have to be seen to be tackling such pressing international issues independently from Westminster.
also feature can be promoted together. Person requirements: You must be available from the 11th - 14th July for the event. Solid communication skills with excellent written English are a must. Thoroughly conversant with the use of computer database systems and also experience of using Twitter and Facebook as promotional tools. Location: Northumberland.
expect extensive training and development programmes and outstanding career progression opportunities. Please note the start date of this position is 14th January. The hours for this position are up to 16 per week. Person requirements: We are looking for team players with the drive to succeed in a targeted environment. Handling both inbound and outbound calls, it is essential that you have experience of dealing with customers over the phone, the ability to demonstrate excellent rapport building, excellent communication skills and proven experience of working in a sales environment. You must be able to pass a credit check. Location: North Shields.
Job Title: Sales Co-worker (Textiles & Bathshop) Employer: IKEA Closing date: 10.12.2012 Salary: To be confirmed Basic job description: A Sales Co-Worker is required to work 16 hours per week at the IKEA store in Gateshead. An IKEA coworker’s main task is to maximise sales and profitability in his/her area of responsibility using knowledge of the IKEA product range, local market conditions and the needs of customers. Person requirements: Confident, enthusiastic, work well as part of a team, flexible approach to work, prioritisation and organisation skills. An interest in home furnishing is also required. Location: Gateshead. Job Title: Healthcare Assistant Employer: Co-operative Group Closing date: 13.12.2012 Salary: £6.47 per hour Basic job description: A Healthcare Assistant is required to work 8 hours per week at the Co-operative Pharmacy in North Shields. You will provide amazing customer service alongside giving healthcare advice, nonprescription sales assistance and medicines in line with the relevant protocols. Handling day-to-day healthcare queries, your assistance will support the smooth running of the pharmacy branch. Person requirements: We’re looking for someone who has completed or is working towards the relevant pharmacy services qualification needed to meet GPhC requirements. We’ll also expect you to be great with people. Location: North Shields. Job Title: Part Time Sales and Retentions Advisor Employer: NRG Closing date: None given – Apply ASAP Salary: Competitive Basic job description: NRG are currently recruiting for a Sales and Retentions Advisor, working in a fast paced sales environment for a large financial organisation. You can
Job Title: Checkouts Assistant (Self Service) Employer: Tesco Closing date: 03.12.2012 Salary: To be confirmed. Basic job description: A Checkouts Assistant is required to work 10 hours per week (Mon: 17:00 - 22:00, Thur: 08:00 - 13:00) at the Tesco store in Eldon Square, Newcastle. Working as a Self Service Assistant, you will need to have great communication skills, topped with a passion to deliver a great service to our customers, so that each customer feels that they have had a great shopping experience. Person requirements: Someone who is able to work well in a team, is committed and makes every effort to do a good job for themselves, their department, and their store. Someone who is reliable and turns up to work on time, is smart and tidy and who is ready to roll their sleeves up and get stuck in where ever they are needed. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Women Sessional Drama Workers Employer: Them Wifies Closing date: 05.12.2012 Salary: £15.00 - £20.00 per hour Basic job description: Them Wifies is a community arts organisation based in Newcastle which, for 30 years, has worked with individuals and groups disadvantaged by their circumstances. We are seeking to recruit a number of experienced women sessional workers to add to a pool of staff to deliver a range of activities, workshops and training programmes as either lead or support drama workers working with vulnerable young women and women with learning disabilities. Person requirements: An Enhanced CRB disclosure will be required. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne.
Information Wild salmon accidently controversy leaked online in Scotland Durham University
University of St. Andrews
All Durham students had their contact details published online after a technical glitch in the University website. Departmental and collegiate information was leaked onto a public searchable database, including email addresses and telephone extensions for members of staff originally password protected, the database was recently found to be freely avai lable to the public who can perform multiple searches for individuals within the university. The concern lies in the fact that there have been prior problems involving students receiving unsolicited emails from loan and housing scams.
The University of St Andrews sparked a controversy last week in releasing supposedly questionable figures relating to the numbers of wild salmon killed by sea-lice. The university press release claimed that sea lice killed 39% of salmon, a figure strongly challenged by the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Org an i z a t i o n w h o thought it much l ow e r. Despite the contention, the university will ‘stand by its research and press release’ and ignore requests for a formal apology to be made. The university confessed that the figure was ‘unexpectedly large’ yet this will not affect their belief in the validity of their results.
Inconsistent Cambridge punishments cause stir
University funded by arms trade and Savile
University of Cambridge
Leeds University
The inconsistent discipline and punishment system at Cambridge University has caused outcry amongst the University students this week. The punishments differ from college to college; The Girtonian system fines the entire student body on an ambiguous act of vandalism, whereas those at L u c y Cavendish are fined f o r leaving theirro om s in an unacceptable state. St. John’s College resorted to manual labor such as cleaning the college toilets and digging an irrigation trench. Marked at £38,209, the total fine collection since October last year has been used to fund instances such as a staff annual coach trip, whilst the surplus has simply ‘disappeared’ into college incomes.
Leeds University was exposed this week by a Freedom of Information inquiry to have received up to £1m from companies associated with the arms trade. British Aerospace and Defense was among the companies leaders accused of financially backing Robert Mugabe. On the claim that the international arms trade is having a ‘devastating impact on hum a n rights a n d security’, The C a m p a i g n Against Arms Trade sent FOI requests to 24 Russell Group Universities in their drive to put an end to the international arms trade. Prior to this inquiry, Leeds University was also recorded to have received funds from other problematic sources, Jimmy Savile and tax-avoider Lord Laidlaw.
Images: zak355 and randomplaces (Flickr)
Laura Wotton
10.comment
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
No Brownie points for Brown
After a worldwide Twitter controversy surrounding Chris Brown’s obscenities, Editor Ben Travis argues why Brown’s redemption still hasn’t been earned
BEN TRAVIS EDITOR
C
hris Brown… is there a more loathsome character currently enjoying superstardom? A man not entirely devoid of talent, but with a wholly detestable attitude, seemingly insistent upon cementing himself further into the villainous celebrity hall of fame and with an apparently sadistic desire to give his PR frequent mental breakdowns. If, to Brown’s delight, you’ve forgotten what went down in February 2009, he was accused of beating Rihanna; and we’re not talking a momentary loss of control here. As anyone who’s steeled themselves to read the full report will know, Brown’s attack was prolonged and relentless, occurring over the duration of a car journey around L.A. I don’t think anyone needs persuading that Brown’s actions were vile, but the question remains: when, if ever, should he be forgiven for the attack? The problem with forgiving Chris Brown is his view that public absolu-
tion is simply a matter of time, rather than something earned through sincerity and remorse – or, in his own words via Twitter, “I’m so over people bringing this past shit up!!! [sic]”. The fact of the matter is, despite any apologies given, he’s demonstrated very little change and continues to act like a misogynistic pillock, evidenced once again in his Twitter feud with comedian Jenny Johnson this week.
“Brown continues to act like a misogynistic pillock” Whilst telling him that “being a worthless piece can really age a person” might not have been Johnson’s smartest move, Brown’s reply was an entirely gendered one of sexual degradation. “take them teeth out when u Sucking my dick HOE. [sic]”, came his charming response, again establishing his alarming, deplorable attitude towards
women. His further replies expressed a desire to “shart” (a pleasant combination of a shit and a fart) in Johnson’s retina, before resorting to the hideous, ridiculously stupid “Just ask Rihanna if she mad??????” Ah yes, back to Rihanna. If Brown’s further misogynist musings weren’t bad enough, his response to the Rihanna situation is that his subsequent success negates his actions that night. Instead of offering more apologies, Brown’s reaction to those who bring up the domestic violence case is to dismiss them as haters intent on putting him down. Upon winning a Grammy for his fourth album F.A.M.E almost three years to the day since the attack, he tweeted (seriously, can somebody just leave computers away from this man?): “HATE ALL U WANT BECUZ I GOT A GRAMMY Now! That’s the ultimate FUCK OFF!” Yes Chris. That’s it. You beat up Rihanna, but now that you have a Grammy we shouldn’t really care anymore – who needs public forgiveness when you’ve got success, right? So no, we shouldn’t forgive Chris Brown. Not yet anyway – maybe years down the line, his ego will subside, his remorse will come the fore and the world will see a truly changed man. But until Brown stops asking us to forget rather than forgive, he hasn’t earned it.
CHANGEDMAN?
Has Chris Brown’s attitude changed since his assault on Rihanna in 2009? Image: Eva Rinaldi (Wikimedia)
Let’s not cry over spilt milk
After a video of Newcastle students drenching themselves in milk, Richard Spier questions whether the craze is actually amusing or simply pointless users can convince me that the money spent on their computer could not have been better spent elsewhere, I shall remain unconvinced.
SOUR TIMES Newcastle Students pour 4 litre bottles of milk over themselves for entertainment purposes. Image: Youtube
RICHARD SPIER
T
he reaction to ‘Milking Newcastle’ has been surprisingly large. It’s quite an achievement: making both national and international news, the Milkers have been praised and slated in equal measure and have inspired others to ‘milk’ themselves as far away as Alabama. “Is Milking the most pointless internet craze yet?” asked the Daily Mail, and (ironically) that is entirely the point. Does everyone have to do everything for a well-constructed reason? Can’t you just do something for the sake of doing it? Indeed, most perusing of YouTube seems to lack a point – especially if one’s typing in ‘Milking Newcastle’. I do find it odd, then, that the viewers who turned this video into an internet hit could criticise the motives of Milking. Why is it that these users feel that they have to express their dislike of the video with such abhorrent curses and slanders? The most innocent of videos are often filled with cyber-conflicts between idiotic usernames. Milking is no exception – one comment simply read “c***s.” I’ll leave it to you to decide if that is an appropriate criticism. Even harder to reconcile is the lack of intelligence shown by weighing the video up against famine in Africa, as if the Milkers have a moral obligation not to drench themselves in milk. Until those
“Milkers should be praised for proving that you don’t need a ‘point’ to everything” On top of all the dairy farmers who are no doubt having a field day, I gather that at least two of our Milkers recently donated their time to sponsored triathlons and climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of worthy causes. No. Rather our Milkers should be praised for giving us something to talk about, having a laugh, and proving that you don’t need a ‘point’ to do anything. We should back them – it’s their money, their time and not our place to sit preach our dubious morals. ‘People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones’, so let’s take a good look at ourselves first before we cry over spilt milk.
Follow the Comment section on Twitter: @courier_comment
The Courier
.11
Monday 3 December 2012
Comment
Comment Editors: Georgina Moule and Laura Wotton Online Comment Editor: Jennifer Evans thecourieronline.co.uk/comment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Comment
END OF THE ROAD? Many graduates will be forced to move abroad to get employed. Photography: Zander Wilson
Would you move abroad after graduation? LAUREN SMITH
YES I
t has been reported that an increasing number of UK graduates are moving abroad to take up jobs, and in the current UK jobs climate, I can understand why graduates are looking overseas for work. I study History, a non-vocational degree that does not have an obvious career at the end. I potentially have a variety of career options I could take up after graduating, but I’m also aware that it may not be easy for me to get a graduate job without a job-specific degree. If, at the end of my degree, I found myself unable to find graduate work in the UK, I would definitely consider job opportunities abroad. Unfortunately, a good degree does not guarantee a graduate job anymore and competition for jobs is fierce. Once I’ve graduated, I’m determined not to end up unemployed, back at home and feeling like I’ve wasted £25,000 and three years of study. Similarly, I don’t want to end up with a job that I could have had after I’d done my A Levels, and know that I could have been working for the last few years instead of spending £25,000 just to end up in the same place.
In an ideal world, after graduating, I would get a graduate job in the UK in either publishing or media and settle down, but, realistically, I know that this is by no means guaranteed. If I was struggling to find work in the UK and a job opportunity came up abroad, I’d rather make the move and put my degree to good use than stay at home worrying about whether the last three years were really worth it.
“I’m determined not to end up unemployed and feeling like I’ve wasted £25,000” From my point of view, moving abroad for a job after graduation would not have to be permanent. It’s much easier to get a job when you already have one and the skills and experience I would gain from working at a graduate level abroad would make me much more employable in the UK and would hopefully lead to me finding employment back at home later on. In addition, many countries offer low taxes and cheap living costs, which would allow a better standard of living than I would be able to afford on the same salary in the UK.
Being a long way from home may put some graduates off working abroad, but I have already made the move away from home by leaving my family and friends behind when I came to university. Because of this, I think it would be a lot easier to move on to a new location after graduation. It takes me approximately four hours to travel from my hometown to Newcastle, whereas it is possible to fly to several European countries in half that time. Even if I were looking further afield, with Skype and iPhones, it would be easy to remain in contact with family and friends in the UK. I am investing huge amounts of time and money into my degree and if I have to move abroad to reap the rewards, I’m prepared to do it.
ROGER HAMILTON MARTIN
NO I
’ll be the first to concede that there are many reasons to set sail and seek employment in warmer climes after graduation. Broadening your horizons, meeting new people and experiencing new cul-
tures are all good explanations for why many are seeking jobs on the continent, and in the United States. However before you jet off to Athens to work as a banker; or to Aleppo for that mercenary job; sit down, put on BBC 2 and have a cup of tea for god’s sake. You’ve probably got loads of debt. Remember? It’s the free money the bank gives you at the start of the term. The average student is currently graduating with £26,000 worth, and those presently graduating under the new hypercharged fee system could owe up to £60,000.
“Let’s not
forget, the rest of the world is screwed at the moment”
It is definitely worth thinking about whether you really want to pile more debt on top of this, which definitely will be the case if you try to set up in a new country. It costs a lot to move, especially to a city. If you must go abroad, do it in a couple of years. Going to work abroad straight away is rash. Propelling yourself into a foreign job market without experience is unwise. In the U.K. you have contacts, places to stay, obviously know the culture and will get ahead faster.
If you want to push yourself a bit and move away from the home town, there are probably other cities in the U.K which could do with exploring before you leave your family and friends behind to work cleaning the kitchen at a hostel in Brisbane- speaking from experience. You can’t claim to really know Britain until you have spent time in cities other than the one you grew up in. Coming from London, living for three years in Newcastle has given me a different perspective on the country, and I am sure that perspective will be further improved by spending time in other places around the Isles. Lack of language skills is another problem. Living in a place with complete immersion is the best way to learn a language, let’s be clear. However, with no prior linguistic knowledge it is difficult starting from scratch in a foreign country. It is worth spending time working in the U.K. and taking a language course in the language of the country you are aiming at before diving in head first and struggling. Let’s not forget, the rest of the world is screwed at the moment. America’s economy is about to jump off a fiscal cliff into the Atlantic, same as most of Europe. The Middle East is best avoided for the next couple of years, as is Sub Saharan Africa is which leaves only the BRIC countries and Australasia. Best stick to Britain. If this hasn’t convinced you, think of the things that you will miss. Crumpets, Roast dinners, Iplayer, the coalition, unpredictable weather and Peep Show. What else could you want?
12.comment
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
City Council cuts arts venues by 100% MATTHEW HALL
I
n your time at Newcastle University, have you ever experienced the cultural opportunities offered in the city? It is not always one of the main attractions for a student wishing to move to the North-East, but away from the bright lights of the nightclubs and bars there are a myriad of venues, such as the Theatre Royal and Tyneside Cinema, which allow the local community as well as students to benefit from the area’s artistic heritage. Unfortunately, if your response to the question on the first line was an ashamed shake of the head, it may only be a matter of time before it is too late to benefit; the announcement by Newcastle City Council that arts venues will receive a 100% withdrawal of funding may be the death knoll for the aforementioned locations.
This is particularly relevant for the university since productions from the Newcastle University Theatre Society have taken place at Northern Stage, which is going to bear the brunt of some of the cuts.
“The Coalition is waging ideological warfare against the working class” It is difficult to predict the extent of the damage but Ditte Goard, a 2nd year Fine Art student, has expressed the anger felt by many by declaring that it will “seriously jeopardise the future of those who study and earn a living within the arts”.
In an attempt to defend the cuts, Nick Forbes, the leader of the council, explained that the policy was focused on protecting “essential services… we can all argue about what constitutes essential, but for us it’s quite simple. It’s the things we must do otherwise people die or suffer terrible abuse that scars them for life. It’s not funding a theatre or a cinema.” However, this argument does not consider the Coalition’s true wish behind the cuts, which is to wage ideological warfare against the working class. By reducing the amount of funding to these institutions, the most likely consequence will be closures or a hike in increase fees making it unaffordable for the average customer. It seems that the alternative to the continuation of Newcastle’s artistic venues is the creation of an underclass, unable to participate in the city’s cultural activities. It is impossible to ignore the similarities to the alienated and disaffected generations in the North of England in the 1980s. The oft-repeated claim that the country is bankrupt and no longer has the money to bankroll arts in Britain raises the curious paradox of the funding of
GOING, GOING, GONE? The Northern Stage amongst other arts venues face closure due to cuts. Photography: Laura Wotton
the Alternative Vote referendum, the Olympic Games and the introduction of the Police Commissioners, and in the same vein it underlines the short-sightedness of the cuts. If they are carried out, the consequences will be far-reaching. For example, the recent regeneration of High Bridge can be attributed to its proximity
to the Theatre Royal, thus any politically-motivated attacks on this august building will send shockwaves through the local economy. Access to culture must be available to all, not just those who can afford it. A loud, public outcry will ensure that it remains that way.
Can tax avoidance ever be justified? LEE ABRAHAMS
I
n times of austerity, the issue of finance or seemingly, the lack of it, has become the flavour of the month with every media outlet you care to name. Gone are the days of economic serenity, when immutable consumerism was the name of the game. Today, the question on everyone’s lips is ‘where has all the money gone?’ The news that big name companies are committing large scale tax avoidance really isn’t helping. Although completely legal, needless to say it’s the usual suspects that are making the headlines. Starbucks, infamous for being on the corner of pretty much every street in London is currently embroiled in a battle of wills with Her Majesty’s Treasury over unpaid UK tax. Meanwhile, online retail giant, Amazon are locked in a similar conundrum, owing millions to the UK purse. What is apparent is that these companies are essentially a law unto themselves, disengaged through the power of the legal loophole and ostensibly answerable only to their stakeholders, by virtue of locating their accounting operations abroad. By failing to pay their dues, these companies are also arguably failing the UK economy. Millions of pounds worth of tax, which the government depends upon to fund public services, is being deliberately withheld while smaller businesses, obliged to pay their fair share, go under. Furthermore, contemporaries such as retail giant, John Lewis, have waded into the debate, with CEO Andy Street suggesting that the self preserving antics of a minority of UK firms will drive the rest out of business, diluting competition and providing little value to the consumer. Amazon and Starbucks themselves
argue that their profitability entitles them to keep an extensive work force in place, guaranteeing jobs now and for the future. This could be construed as fair, especially in an austerity driven recruitment cycle where the number of workers outstrips demand. However, it does raise the question of whether this can be justified given that many UK firms are unable to operate on the same scale, despite also having extensive work forces to support. Lack of government funds will likely reduce the amount of support available to start-ups and entrepreneurs, who will relocate to regions where conditions are more favourable, further impacting upon the UK economy.
“A healthy economy is only the sum of its constituent parts” With this in mind, perhaps it is time that the government acted to implement legislation, finally putting an end to the issue of offshore tax evasion. While there is no doubt that the likes of Amazon and Starbucks contribute to the wellbeing of the UK economy, at least in terms of employment, these companies cannot be permitted to play by their own rules. A healthy economy is only as strong as the sum of its constituent parts; a future owned by just a few wealthy corporations is unfathomable, given that UK plc has so much to offer. Failure to act would be testament to giving up on the next generation of budding entrepreneurs.
The Courier
comment.13
Monday 3 December 2012
Should our Press remain free?
In the light of the Thursday publication of the Leveson Report, Jake Unsworth makes a last ditch plea for freedom of the press and emotional discipline
LYDIA CARROLL
ON THE BLOG
#6 - Bishops:
On the Stained Glass Ceiling
PUBLIC DEBATE Ian Hislop, editor of Private
Eye, believes news laws are not necessary in governing the press. Image: ian_fromblighty
JAKE UNSWORTH
T
he Leveson Report was published last Thursday and I would like to take this one last opportunity to argue that our press must remain free. There are many arguments for freedom of the press; the virtues of liberty, the pragmatic, even the conspiracytheory. I’m going to try and incorporate all three. Francis Fukuyama has argued that we have reached The End of History; that is, that we have reached the endpoint of potential sociocultural development. Basically, he believes that this is as good as it’s going to get. I would emphatically argue that this is not the end, there is more to be discovered, and some of it may confront every orthodoxy that we currently accept. We are not right about everything, in fact there could well be something that we believe whole-heartedly, that we are wrong about. As John Milton argued we
must let truth and falsehood grapple in the arena of public debate. Gandhi argued that no man could know the truth, but must instead be willing to engage in order to try. J. S. Mill believed that free speech and full freedom of the press were the only things which could allow us to discover what is true.
“We must let truth and falsehood grapple in the area of public debate” If we shackle our press, we may do the modern day equivalent of burning Galileo at the stake for rightly confronting orthodoxy we hold to be true, but which the future will find false. There would be no greater injustice to our children’s children, than to do this. (The left does not have the monopoly on “won’t somebody please think of the
children!”). As Thomas Jefferson put it: “The only security of all is in a free press. The force of public opinion cannot be resisted when permitted freely to be expressed. The agitation it produces must be submitted to. It is necessary, to keep the waters pure.” In essence, I would rather put up with a dishonorable and difficult press than one which, is unable to hold our more dishonorable and more difficult politicians to account. We must ask ourselves what do we think the true motivations are, of our parliamentarians who back press regulation? In particular, the Tories, typically ideologically opposed to press regulation, 42 of whom have signed an open letter calling for statutory regulation. My cynical belief is that they don’t like press scrutiny. There are Members of Parliament who want to cheat, lie, and expense-claim their way through their respective careers. It’s just a hunch, and I name no individuals, but if you think there is a chance I’m right, then you would support an unrestricted press able to hunt out these bastards. Not a neutered press, unable or unwilling, to search for corruption. Liberty is difficult, it requires the emotional discipline to accept that bad things happen, and that sometimes
nothing we can do will stop them without having a dreadful unintentional impact somewhere else.
“Liberty requires the emotional discipline to accept that bad things happen” Sadly, I don’t believe we have that discipline anymore, we’re too wound up in a culture of victim-hood to understand the greater good of freedom.
Got an opinion you want to share? Come along to our meetings: Mondays 3pm in the History Room on Level 1 of the Students’ Union
Because I’m a professional, well established columnist by this point (shut up, I am) I feel I have a duty to come back from last week’s column with a topic that bears a little more punch. And also isn’t about pubes. So. Let’s open up the debate about women bishops. Wishops. Bitchops. The church has run out of arguments which support the anti-Bitchops (sorry, I’ll stop this soon) stance. Women have been undeniably successful and effective priests for twenty years now, so are obviously just as capable as men. What seems to scare the anti-women faction most is the threat to the concept of male ‘headship’ within the church. This is a barely veiled terror of ‘losing’ power to women, who presumably will cause the church to collapse with their incompetence. But, obviously, this is just too subversive to be said outright. Jane Patterson, conservative evangelical, rejects the idea that it is an issue of sexism on exactly these grounds. “The church needs to guard against placing society’s views over what we see as God’s views, as expressed in his written word, the Bible,” she said. Her point is essentially that the Church is a separate isolated entity, and thus exempt from equality legislation – and it should remain as distinct as possible. Unfortunately, it seems God’s views actually aren’t so distinct from government, because select Bishops still have seats in the House of Lords – so yes, that technically means women are barred from those seats. That’s right, women in the twenty first century, in this country, are still technically banned from certain seats in the House of Lords. Refusing to share power between men and women in the church means we end up limiting women’s share of power in government, too. A lot of anti women arguments focus on the unity of the church, rather than simply asking; ‘actually, isn’t this just really fucking unfair?’ The most frequent argument used to skirt around the issue as being sexist is to talk instead about the vote causing a schism within the church between proWishops and anti-Wishops. But all this ignores the fact that not allowing women positions of authority is probably causing a fair bit of alienation and unhappiness amongst C of E members anyway. Disunity is inevitable either way – and to block the vote is like cutting off the hand to spite the rest of the body. If the church relies largely on sexist interpretations of its essential biblical text, it is enacting its own undoing. I also object to the idea that you cannot comment on church policy if you are not a practising member of the laity or an expert theologian – an ‘outsider’, basically. I’m not a supporter of the Conservative Party, but I can criticise their policy. I’m not an American citizen, but I can take an active interest in their politics. I can stand, as an outsider of the C of E, and talk about its treatment of women. I may have only a sparse working knowledge of theology, but I am a woman, and on women’s behalf, I can comment.
14.features
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Vaccine Nation
What can we expect from The Vaccines?
Before their show at O2 Academy, Kate Bennett sat down with Freddie Cowan and Pete Robertson from the acclaimed guitarrock revivalists The Vaccines and discussed their newfound fame, their upcoming arena tour and reception to their latest record. Oh, and hula hoops of course...
T
here are already fans queuing outside the 02 Academy when we head down there to talk to The Vaccines, a full two hours before the doors open. Security’s pretty tight: there’s a long wait before their Billy Connollyalike tour manager will let us in for the interview. Only two of us. Fifteen minutes and fifteen minutes only. No, we can’t take in a hula hoop. And with that, we enter the bowels of the 02 Academy and somehow navigate our way to the band’s surprisingly small dressing room, which features a fridge well-
stocked with San Miguel and a smoothie in a hat. It’s fair to say that The Vaccines’ rise to success in the past two years has been nothing short of meteoric: their debut record went gold, their latest record reached number 1 in the album charts, and along with the likes of Arctic Monkeys and Kasabian they’ve become one of only a handful of recent bands that music magazines will put on their front cover knowing that it’ll sell copies. Despite all this, the band – or at least the two that we talk to, guitarist Freddie Cowan and drummer Pete Robertson – don’t seem to have let the huge amounts of hype and attention go to their heads at all, turning out to be the sort of people that my mother would describe as ‘very nice young men’. “We haven’t played Newcastle for ages,” says Pete, when asked how it feels to be back in the Toon, “It was nearly a year ago that we last played here. But it’s always been good.” Freddie enthuses about “great early gigs” at the Cluny. “Always really welcoming, and really good crowds.” We start off talking about the new record, Come of Age. The reception to it has been great, they say, really positive. “When we first started playing the new songs live, it didn’t take long at all for people to start singing along to them, which gave us a kind of confidence.” Released just a year and a half after What Did You Expect From the Vaccines?, following two straight summers of festival appearances and high-profile support slots, it’s been a pretty quick turnaround, so that the band never really seemed to have gone away. “It sort of feels like we did it so quick that people are kind of taking on both albums at once, because it’s all happened basically in three years. The life span of the band’s been very short as a creative outlet so far. It’s good to be able to have more than an album’s worth of songs to play live.” The new album is quite a step on from What Did You Expect…, which seemed almost naïve with its short-n-sweet power-pop singles - with ‘Wreckin’ Bar’
and ‘Norgaard’ each clocking in at under two minutes - and lyrics about girls and wearing wetsuits. Come of Age is a lot more moody and introspective, with softer, emotive tracks like ‘Aftershave Ocean’ and ‘Weirdo’; even the more punchy, upbeat songs such as lead singles ‘No Hope’ and ‘Teenage Icon’ have heart-on-sleeve lyrics dealing with insecurity and self-obsession. I have to ask: do they feel they’ve ‘come of age’? “A good record should be a snapshot of a band at a certain point and you evolve every day, as a person or as a group or whatever,” says Freddie. “I think inevitably the snapshot’s going to be different this time because between our albums we’ve seen a lot, we’ve experienced a lot that we hadn’t the first time round. So I think it’s different because we’re different.” “I think it’s a lot more confident,” says Pete. “If you look at it as an overall thing, it shows that we’ve certainly got more confidence in ourselves and in our music.” I bring up their headline arena tour, scheduled for next year, and Freddie’s eyes bug out of their sockets to the extent that for a moment I wonder if someone’s forgotten to tell him about it. Nope,
he’s just excited. How big a deal is it for them? “We did quite a lot of support slots for bigger groups, we’ve done festivals and quite a lot of that stuff, but the idea of us being the main attraction is crazy. I can’t get my head around it. We’re just really, really excited about it.” They neglect to mention that these ‘bigger groups’ they’ve supported include such titans of rock as the Stone Roses and Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as critically acclaimed newer bands such as Arctic Monkeys and Arcade Fire. There seems to be mixed feelings on the experience of being a warm-up act: they note that it’s very much down to the headline act to instigate any ‘hanging out’ with the support bands when on tour, and that this hasn’t always happened to them. Perhaps as a result, they’re keen to emphasise how friendly they are with their own support acts on this tour: Pale, Deap Vally and DIIV. It’s quite a list of achievements they’ve managed to tick off – number one album, headline arena tour, supporting the Stone bloody Roses – in a very short space of time. Is it possible they’ve peaked too early? Where else is there for them to go, in terms of creative and commercial achievement?
The Courier
features.15
Monday 3 December 2012
The Vaccines O2 Academy, Newcastle Tuesday 27 November
T
he fans have been queuing outside in the grim November cold, for hours in some cases, and yet The Vaccines’ sold-out show at the 02 Academy begins pretty inauspiciously with the first of the three support acts. Pale, a schmaltzy, synthy duo with all the stage presence of a wet paper towel, whom the audience accordingly ignores. Fortunately this ignominious start is atoned for when Deap Vally, a female twosome who appear to be made of hair, sequins and face-melting hard rock guitar licks, take to the stage: imagine the ladies from Abba channeling the spirit of Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, if you can. Deap Vally are followed by DIIV (pronounced ‘Dive’; it’s a veritable field day for intentionally misspelt band names), whose sweetly psychedelic indie – in the same sort of vein as Toy and Splashh - is much better live than on record, though their lead singer needs to give Tim Burgess his hair back. The excitement in the venue is at fever pitch by the time The Vaccines themselves put in an appearance, hurling themselves into ‘No Hope’, the opening track and lead single from their new record Come of Age. The crowd – mainly underage girls in, it has to be said, ill-advised denim hotpants – know all of the words, and film everything on their iPhones. This behaviour continues throughout the show; to be honest, it gets a little annoying, as does the fact that I appear to be about ten inches taller than everyone around me. And yes, for the record, it is mildly disconcerting to hear thirteen-year-old girls singing along to ‘Post Break-Up Sex’.
Every song is received rapturously, with the crowd’s enthusiasm sustained throughout the whole show and applied equally to material from both albums...
“Oh God, everywhere. We were talking about this yesterday, about our next record. There’s endless places to go.” They’re not going to be resting on their laurels, then? “No, of course not. I think once you rest, you die.” I mention that there seems to have been a bit of a guitar band revival in the past couple of years since The Vaccines first shot to prominence, with bands like Palma Violets, Splashh and Peace beginning to garner some serious buzz around them. It’s a little like the early-to-mid Noughties, when The Strokes released Is This It and suddenly everyone wanted to be in an indie band, preferably one with a ‘the’ in the name. (Look where that got us. The Pigeon Detectives, for Christ’s sake.) What are
their thoughts on having spearheaded a similar movement for the 2010s? “I remember listening to bands when I was fourteen years old, how important they were to my life, so I guess if we’ve meant that to anyone then that’s great, that’s a big deal,” says Freddie. “I don’t know how directly we’ve influenced Palma Violets or any of those guys,” Pete interjects, “I mean we’ve played with them a few times and they’re great.” “We wouldn’t want to assume any sort of responsibility for it. They’re the same as us, they’re trying to do their own thing. I don’t think we’re responsible for them being in a group or anything like that.” I finish by asking them whether they feel that nofrills guitar music is in a healthy state, given that
“I think guitar music’s always underdog, you just have the od been the d exception”
it’s been largely absent from the airwaves for the past few years in favour of singer-songwriters and Autotuned dance hits. “I think guitar music’s always been the underdog, you just have the odd exception and anomaly,” says Freddie, pointing out that the Spice Girls were much more popular than the likes of Blur and Oasis in the much-mythologised Britpop-era of the 1990’s. “People look back to the Seventies and remember bands like Led ZeppelinW, big famous bands, but really it was the same thing. There were still pop acts, there were still the X-Factor type shows – they were the ones selling the records. They’re just not really talked about any more. I think guitar music’s healthy and it always will be.” Our fifteen minutes are now up; we’ve just got time to inform them that their tour manager wouldn’t let us bring a hula hoop in (a fact they seem mildly dismayed by) and to have a nose around their rider before said tour manager comes to kick us out. As riders go, its pretty tame – grapes and hummus, as opposed to a gallon of absinthe or a swan made of ice. But what else do you expect from such nice young men?
Fans apart, though, it’s a good gig. Every song is received rapturously, with the crowd’s enthusiasm sustained throughout the whole show and applied equally to material from both albums – showing that last year’s sudden rise to popularity and the hit debut record What Did You Expect From The Vaccines? wasn’t just a fluke. New songs that haven’t even been released as singles, such as ‘Aftershave Ocean’, go down just as well as the likes of ‘If You Wanna’ and ‘Wreckin’ Bar’. The band’s most recent single, ‘I Always Knew’, even gets the teenage boys with trendy hair and buttoned-up shirts to stop slamming into people for a few minutes and start dancing with giddy abandon instead. (I love giddy abandon, me.) The gig ends in explosive fashion with one-and-a-half minute long fan-favourite ‘Norgaard’. It’s easy to sneer at The Vaccines because they’re mega-successful and a bit posh and their music isn’t the most dangerous or cutting-edge out there. But come on, guys. You can’t listen to tUnE-yArDs or something similarly intellectual all the time, because your brain will disintegrate and leak out of your ears from the strain. (This is an actual medical fact.) The Vaccines have a plethora of catchy-as-hell tunes, and they put on an energetic live show from which you’re unlikely to emerge with a broken face. Sometimes that’s all you want, and they do it better than most. Kate Bennett
16.features
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Handbags and GladRAGs The highly anticipated fashion show ‘GladRAGs’ hosted by Newcastle University’s very own RAG landed last night in the union amongst an energetic and eager crowd The rugby boys strutted down the catwalk in nothing but boxers to ‘Lady Marmalade’. The crowd erupted with screaming girls as the boys performed a cheeky routine complete with running into the crowd and giving out high fives to their newfound fans. Christian Cargill and Annelies de Jong rounded off the first half of the show with ever witty comments creating such a great atmosphere.
The evening was opened by an elegant dance act performed by Newcastle University’s dance society, capturing the attention of everyone in the room. Described as ‘yummy’ by the night’s announcer Christian Cargill, it was brilliantly choreographed and set a classy and sophisticated tone for the night ahead The aptly chosen song ‘Moves like Jagger’ by Maroon 5 blasted from the speakers as the men strolled on to the catwalk, donning seasonal, current looks. Their walk oozed confidence as everyone began cheering and singing along to the music.
The boys then proceeded to escort the girls down the catwalk dressed up in the smartest suits, with the girls in a new range of dresses. Perfectly in time and parading up and down the runway to the beat of the loud music, it was the ideal collection with New Year’s Eve creeping around the corner. The girls then followed in all shades of sassy and beautiful. Providing plenty of inspiration for the winter party season, the striking models caught the eye of so many girls.
The Courier
features.17
Monday 3 December 2012
The models walked spectacularly with spot on timing for the rest of the night, with all the clothes donated by Topshop (styled by Cherry Cumberland) and Evie Knight, an online vintage boutique found on Asos Marketplace. This was followed by a stunning solo performance from the head of the Newcastle University Dance Society.
Then there was the real reason everyone had gathered to support tonight’s event; Zoe Hull from Teenage Cancer Trust and RAG’s Will Brandon, who also works for the charity, spoke a few words of thanks to everyone. Zoe went on to say thanks to the ‘core group’ of RAG committee who had done a ‘wonderful job’. A video was played showing real life experiences with teenage cancer, really hitting home the cause of such a great event, along with a video made for the fashion show.
Photography :Katie Dyer, Amy O’Rourke and Daisy Ridley Writer: Jessica Jones
18.features
Monday 3 December 2012
Battle for the Crown:
WinterSlam Rage In The Cage TV Drama Extravaganza (Legends Edition) 12 shows enter the ring, but only one can be crowned champion. We brought together a panel of The Courier writers to battle it out and ultimately decide who will bring the smackdown and take the title of Best TV Drama Round 2 - Twin Peaks vs The Sopranos
Not content with taking down the titan of our time, Breaking Bad, Bad the veteran, The Sopranos, Sopranos pops up again for the second round, this time facing David Lynch’s mindbending soap opera Twin Peaks. The Sopranos was feeling a bit tired after the first bout, so much of the second round belonged to Twin Peaks. Peaks Following similar arguments to The Sopranos in the previous round (that, without Twin Peaks, much of modern televi-
sion would not exist) as well as picking up on the fact that it is often batshit insane, Twin Peaks looked to be leading the round. The phenomenon that surrounded it was of much discussion, leading us to discuss what it would have been like in the age of the internet and fans discussing theories more freely ala Lost. In the end, however, it was let down by the fact it had such an awful lull in the second series, in which it basically became Dallas but with David Duchovny in drag, and the threat of cancellation by the end forcing the writers to wrap it up as quickly as possible. The Sopranos took the punches but was too sturdy on its feet. An announcement that The Sopranos taught one panelist how to cook Italian food was the KO it needed. Twin Peaks only had cherry pie and damn good coffee.
Round 4 - Doctor Who vs The Killing
The lightweight but experienced Saturday nighter Doctor Who went up against Scandanavian Dark Destroyer The Killing in this face off in a stark contrast of styles. Doctor Who showed its camp, almost playful popular appeal while throwing in a few sinister episodes here and t he re, particularly in the form of the introduction to the Weeping Angels, ‘ B l i n k ’. The Killing ing, on the other hand, was dirty and g r it t y, getting as much blood out as possible. It felt
like quite an unfair battle, as Doctor Who is very much for its audience of those just sitting down with the family after their dinner. The Killing had been so influential in the future output of BBC4 and, in some senses, popularised subtitles on British TV. The popularity of The Killing led to the explosion of such shows as Spiral, a gritty French detective drama that feels like Law & Order with a shot or five of espresso, and Wallander.. In this regard, and the fact that Moffat’s decision to throw twist upon twist at Doctor Who just to see what stuck led The Doctor into some stupid directions, meant The Killing took this round. You can’t fault their jumpers really!
The Courier
How it worked...
We gathered in a secret room from which no one could leave until the judging was completed, to debate and fight to the death to decide which of the shows should be awarded the title of Best TV Drama. Choosing which shows made it into the judging process was a difficult decision. We decided on choosing shows which had either finished its run (The Wire) or was established enough to be considered (Doctor Who), all mainly stemming from the 21st Century (with the exception of Twin Peaks) because, otherwise, we would have more shows than we know what to do with. Downton Abbey was a bit of a wildcard but, due to its almost world wide popularity, it was an obvious addition. Regrettably, this meant many shows were missed out including the likes of Homeland and 24. Now was to decide how exactly to pick who faced who. In a highly scientific process, we put the names of all 12 shows into a pot, which was named The Pot of Destiny by nobody, and picked out two shows at random. Now we have our shows, our judges and our “system”, let the battle commence!
Round 1 - Breaking Bad vs The Sopranos
We kick off the proceedings in style. We don’t mess around in our judging. No one is safe (even though the first round was picked entirely at random). Debate kicked off with those in camp Breaking Bad feverishly defending its originality, its grittiness and most of all, it’s rock solid science (which has apparently been confirmed as definitely rock solid by someone on the panel). The Sopranos camp were
equally as defensive with discussion of its groundbreaking dream sequences (they have talking fish in them!) as well as the fact that, without The Sopranos, Breaking Bad would probably never exist. In the end, the similarity of a certain bath t u b sequence in Breaking Bad to something in 1997’s Lee Evans slapstick masterpiece MouseHunt, gives the edge to The Sopranos. The Sopranos takes the first round, but not without a fight.
Round 3 - The West Wing vs Lost
Two entirely different competitors here, allowing The Sopranos to have a little break before its next bout. Round 3 was perhaps the most equal fight of the entire competition, despite the two shows being almost entire opposites. Things didn’t look too strong for Lost to begin with. Much was said about there being too much hype surrounding it, that ultimately let it down, as well as a dip in quality in the middle and an awful finale to the show. The problem of throwaway characters, particularly a certain couple named Nikki and Paulo, also allowed The West Wing to get a blow in. However, as discussion went on, we all found ourselves naming moments and characters we really loved, with general consensus being that Benjamin Linus could potentially be one of the best characters of the 21st Century. The West Wing was considered much less well known than Lost, but made up for it
in witty and poignant dialogue, courtesy of a Mr Aaron Sorkin, that made it much more accessible for a show about politics. Points were made too that no character is merely filler and each one has a role to play, even if some romantic subplots were really bad. Plus, The West Wing has Martin Sheen in its corner, which is always a winner. Unfortunately for Lost, the fact it was, at times, so incohesive and p acke d w i t h filler e p i sodes was too much to ignore. The West Wing took this fight by a whisker.
Round 5 - Mad Men vs Downton Abbey Downton Abbey came into this competition as a sort of wildcard. We didn’t hold much hope for the Yorkshire-bred aristocrats. The similarities to Upstairs Downstairs let down in the originality stakes. Much like Doctor Who it relied too much on capturing that tired, post-Sunday roast crowd that just want something nice to watch. It did have a few hefty punches in the form of Maggie Smith’s performance, providing a much needed respite from the routine soap opera style stories. Mad Men, on the other hand, had a stylish flourish to it. Sure it was drunk and had probably just come from getting off with someone not their wife, the look inside the world
of advertising in Cold War America is too interesting to pass up on. Witty dialogue and likeable (but also loathable) characters really makes Mad Men stand out. Plus, with Alison Brie on your side it’s hard not to take the round. Mad Men wins it, almost unanimously.
The Courier
features.19
Monday 3 December 2012
Round 7 - The Wire vs The Killing
Round 6 - Mad Men vs The West Wing
Mad Men had a relatively easy first round, against the altogether too soapy Downton Abbey, but things weren’t going to be so easy, now we’re in the latter stages of the competition. It has its merits, of course, with some excellent storylines, diverse range of great characters and stacks and stacks of style; there’s a reason why it’s the show that made AMC a channel to really watch for original programming in the US. But there was something about The West Wing that set it apart. They both have engaging a n d witty dia-
As we went into this round, we could feel the room getting a little bit chillier. Unfortunately, our Scandanavian jumpers were not helping to fight the predicted destruction of The Killing by the first appearance of our star fighter, The Wire. Even after the spirited performance against Doctor Who, The Killing camp faltered against The Wire, Wire mainly because everyone was unanimous that The Wire
logue, nearly anything that comes from Roger Sterling’s mouth is… well…sterling, but Aaron Sorkin’s magic touch pushes The West Wing just ahead. Much was said about how Mad Men was very much style over substance, preferring to show off beautiful suits and gorgeous locations. The West Wing focuses a lot on the politics but it doesn’t shove it in your face. Mad Men is clear which side many characters fall on, with the Republicans being a little villainous. The West Wing lets you make your own mind up. Of course, you can’t really falter Mad Men for that, seeing as it is set in the ‘50s/‘60s, an entirely different time period but, ultimately, Sorkin’s touch on The West Wing just edges as the deciding vote sways in President Jed Bartlet’s direction.
Round 8 - Spooks vs The Sopranos
Spooks came in as another wildcard. Again, much hope wasn’t held for this plucky spy drama but a spirited performance made it seem as though, for a while, it might topple the titan that is The Sopranos. Once the topic of Spooks came up, almost everyone had something to say showing that it really is a stalwart British drama that never really dipped in quality throughout its entire run. Everyone could point to a moment they really enjoyed; usually the death of a main character showing that no one in the show was really safe (a pretty ballsy move for the writers). But coming up against The Sopranos, it seemed to falter. The ultimately poor characterisations focusing more on the explosions and twists, lets it down against a show
Round 9 - The West Wing vs The Sopranos The West Wing is right back out into the ring after its close shave with Mad Men in the last round. Unfortunately, it’s up against the 4 round survivor, The Sopranos. The debate was focused very much focused on the characters here. Both have a vast array of characters, none of which are really ignored. The West Wing gives plenty of screen time to the assistants, such as Donna Moss, as well as to those movers and shakers such as Toby Ziegler. The Sopranos gives as much focus to those being used by the Mafia as to those doing the shaking down. Each character is given as much focus as the next, in both shows, and no one is really wasted. No one is introduced if they aren’t of some importance. The debate brought out that, with The West Wing Wing, everyone had a favourite character, be it CJ Cregg aka Flamingo or Jed Bartlet, Mr President itself. However, the fact that The Sopranos had no great single character did not work to its detriment as it might do elsewhere. Without one, something might not feel right, but they’ve brought together a cast which all gel well and it’s the strength of this cast that sees The Sopranos take this round.
entirely devoted to family relationships. Much of the problem with Spooks is that it often reuses many plot lines, beyond the series arcs which, again, when coming up against someone like The Sopranos with emotive and original storylines. It took us seven rounds, but we finally have our first round of judges abstaining, showing how much the people do quite like Spooks.. Ultimately, however, The Sopranos s e n d s Spooks to sleep with the fishes.
Round 10 - The Wire vs Buffy the Vampire Slayer
It has taken 10 rounds for everyone’s favourite high school ghoul butt-kicker, Buffy Summers, to emerge from the Pot of Destiny. And it couldn’t have had a worse time. Had it cropped up against something like Doctor Who or Lost, there is a chance it would’ve wiped the floor with the competition. But coming up again something as big as The Wire is not an easy task. Think David and Goliath but the rocks in the sling are just eggs; he’s not going down easily and he’s going to make a mess, but Goliath will still probably crush him. Discussion focused mainly on how groundbreaking it was. Much like
Round 11: The Final! - The Wire vs The Sopranos
So we’ve finally reached the final. After ten rounds of totally scientific match ups and some often heated (but not quite to the point of fisticuffs) debate, we’re here. I think most of the judges had money on either or both getting to the final (unless both were picked out in the same round earlier on in the competition) so it was no surprise that the final contained the two juggernauts that pretty much dominated the competition. But now, here we are; the immovable object meets the unstoppable force. A battle of equals. Opinions intensified as we really got down to the nitty gritty of what makes these shows fantastic. The needle swung one way and then the other as consensus shifted with each person that spoke in favour of either one. There was no negative debating here; everyone understood that both The Sopranos and The Wire were fantastic shows worthy of their place in the final. Now it was a case of just seeing which one just edges ahead of the other. In each area we explored, both shows seemed to be on par. Both had excellent casts, great storylines, each portraying a section of America as realistically as possible. It really was a tough battle between
truly was a fantastic show. Both are impressive in scope, with The Killing not only focusing on those trying to investigate the murder like any CSI series but also taking into account the lives of the families, the school friends and even the politicians affected by it, and The Wire basically looking at everyone (and I mean everyone) at least marginally affected by the Baltimore slums. It was decided that the scope of The Wire,, covering everyone from the drug dealers, to the police, to the media, far triumphed over that of The Killing.. Cozy jumpers aren’t going to save you this time!
the two. What swayed the vote, ultimately, was the sheer scale of The Wire. With so many characters to cover, and so many areas of society, The Wire does a lot and, in that regard, should be applauded for its guts in doing so. However, it does a lot and it does it all so well. Where many other shows may faulter with the sheer scale, no one part of The Wire feels like a weak link. Smaller characters are as good as the main characters and all the different sneak peeks into different sections of society weave together so perfectly to create tapestry of life that holds no punches. It isn’t afraid to delve right into the deepest, darkest sociopolitical themes in order to get a more realistic picture. This is not to criticise The Sopranos,, that also has a fantastic set of characters and storylines, allowing us an insight into immigrant culture in America as well as American family life, but The Wire just does so much more. It’s a tough, tough battle but David Simon’s HBO smash hit, The Wire,, takes the crown as The Courier’s’s Best TV Drama, not that it’s all that bothered.
most of Joss Whedon’s work, it takes a tired genre (in this case horror) and adds a new, often unlikely, element to breathe life into it. Buffy somehow successfully mixed horror with John Hughes-esque teen angst. With each monster being a metaphor for some aspect of teenage life, it showed a girl with already too much on her plate in life taking on the burden of killing monsters. Alongside this, courtesy of Whedon’s scripts, Buffy’s dialogue has spawned much of popular ‘90s slang, something not to be scoffed at. But despite the spirited performance from Buffy The Vampire Slayer it still was, after all, up against The Wire. It was a battle of language; Whedonisms against The Wire’s street slang. In the end, the meticulous attention to detail that was present in The Wire’ss street slang, in its attempt to truly capture life on the Baltimore streets, really set it apart. The Wire is through to the final!
And the winner is...
20.fashion
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Fashion Editors: Elissa Hudson and Lizzie Hampson Online Fashion Editor: Sally Greenwood
What I wore this week Coat: Zara (£69.99) Leather Gilet: H&M (£25.99) Black Top: Swildens (€70) Jeans: Mango (€20) Shoes: Urban Outfitters (£30) Scarf: Burberry ($295)
It was a cold day when I wore this outfit so layers were essential. When I am going to uni, I tend to dress pretty casual because I want to be comfortable but I don’t want to look like I haven’t made any effort. I like to mix high street pieces with more expensive ones and I buy most of my clothes when I am home in France, so I am not wearing what everyone else is.
Night Time
Day Time
Annie Morgan gives us a glimpse into her wardrobe as she styles an outfit for day and night Coat: Mango (£39.99) Jumper: Topshop (£26) Jeans: Zara (€40) Shoes: COS (£135)
I recently bought these trousers from Topshop and they’re quickly becoming my favourite item for Autumn. I like that they’re in a muted colour which makes them more wearable. I paired my trousers with the maximum amount of knitwear I could get away with - I don’t do cold. I chose black accessories to keep my outfit simple and to make the trousers the main focus. I think this could be a good day-tonight outfit with a change of bag and some statement jewellery.
Peplum - pretty or pointless?
Nicole Stevenson and Suziee Cassels help us to determine whether the peplum trend is here to stay or just another fashion fad
NO
YES Peplums have been one of 2012’s longer standing fashion trends lasting through both spring/ summer and autumn/winter catwalk’s. Peplums are bringing back structural flattering clothing without making us all look like we’re wearing something resembling a strait jacket. It seems too good to be true especially for those of us with what we’d like to call child-bearing hips. Women no longer need Lycra Bridget Jones style control pants that will reveal the not-so-perfect truth as soon as they are awkwardly yanked, wriggled, or shimmied off. If this isn’t reason enough for you then the pure extent of peplums out there may help - I am not exaggerating when I say that they are everywhere - meaning there is one for everyone’s style and every occasion. Not only are peplums perfect for a night out giving of a seductive yet sophisticated vibe, the ladylike silhouette is forming a new innovative restyle on women’s work and interview wear. No longer do we need to look like were trying to blend in with the men with a shirt and distinctly shapeless, unflattering trousers or waddle around in restricting pencil
skirts. The peplum top and dress looks smart and professional without losing even a hint of your femininity. Remaining in-trend and on-style allows you to strut into work or interviews with confidence. Whether or not you’re a follower of the celebrity world or a constant viewer of the Daily Mail online, the fact that the peplum has been ruling the red carpet says that they defiantly must do something right. Suziee Cassels
Peplum is so 1900s. There is no reason for this trend to come back, because it is not universal all women are beautiful, but not all women look good in peplums. The idea behind the waistline frills is to accentuate the hips, which is, on the contrary, a universal ‘problem area.’ In fact, peplums look best on girls with an athletic body type – a minority of women. A come-back trend is one that appeals to all body-types, so there is
no reason that this trend should be carried on. Peplum may have made it to the high-streets now, but its recurring nature has the domino effect – if Kim Kardashian wears it, we can. Until she wears something else, no other trend exists. Note: KK is not the best example of a fashion icon, or anything quite useful to us, really. Even the supposed advantage of peplum has a reverse quality. For men, the hips are the most attractive part of a woman’s body. So if you want a man-repellent, peplum is for you. Moreover, peplum does not highlight the sensuality of womanly hips, but draws attention to the stomach area. Do you want to look maternal or sexy? An air of mystery is desirable for women – resembling a wardrobe does create mystery, but the undesirable kind. Overall, peplum is a limited trend, with a limited market, mistakenly worn by insecure women and women who don’t know what’s available for their body-type but the clothes their friends wear. There are plenty of other options that are not only more flattering but infinitely more stylish. Nicole Stevenson
The Courier
fashion.21
Monday 3 December 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Fashion
Six of the best party dresses Kathy Davidson finds a selection of the best outfits the high street has to offer for the upcoming party season
Miss Selfridge, £47
Peter Pan collar Peter Pan collars have made a bold statement all year round and this dress is no exception. The feminine shape, cinching in the waist, is perfect for both those trying to create curves or those wanting to skim the hips. As the collar is embellished it is best to choose accessories to tie in with these colours. As well as being the perfect winter party dress it can also be dressed down with black tights and pumps making it a wise investment.
Topshop, £60
Dipped hem Boyfriend This dress is completely effortless, it’s one of those go-to pieces that will always make you look good no matter how many mince pies you’ve had. The simplicity of it makes it stand out and the flowing material is flattering on any figure. All you need to pair with a simple slip dress is some skyscraper heels, groomed hair and some red lipstick; a classic party look.
Fashion Blog of the Week
www.Indiaroseblog.blogspot.co.uk
River Island, £38
Sequined As the Christmas party season beckons, every girl needs a sparkly dress. There will always be an occasion to cover yourself in sequins at this time of year. This River Island spectacular has an extremely reasonable price tag which is an important factor for any fashion-conscious student (which also means you can spend even more money on the shoes to go with it). Since this dress is so busy keep the rest of the outfit simple and black, making the dress the centre of attention.
India Rose, a fashion communications student from Nottingham, takes effortless cool to new levels in her fashion blog which boasts up to 15,000 views a day, and it’s easy to see why. Naming her “guy friends” as her biggest fashion inspiration India shows how to work baggy t-shirts, beanies, trainers and rucksacks all whilst maintaining her femininity. Check out her blog, especially if you try hard to look like you haven’t! Follow Amy on Twitter: @imindiarose Alexandra Bonnett
Online Shop of the Week www.sosolo.co.uk
Asos, £75
Primark, £22
Classic
Body con
Sheer
Where would any girl be without her little black dress? If you’re looking to spend a little more for something you’re going to wear over and over again then this is the dress for you. The LBD never goes out of fashion and is essential for any fashionista’s wardrobe. This is another one of those dresses that suits almost everyone and flatters your shape. The textured effect of the dress means it’s quite busy despite being a plain colour, giving it a slight edge to all those other LBDs.
This dress ticks so many trend boxes it’s almost a dream come true. It incorporates body con with the midi length as well as the velvet material decorated in a gems. If you’re feeling fashion-forward then this is the perfect party dress for you. And even better news, these midi dresses aren’t just for tall people! When worn with heels, this length can be really flattering on petite girls. Court shoes and nude colours will help to elongate your legs if you’re feeling a little height conscious.
A wear, £60
Sheer dresses are huge this season and this one from primark ticks all the boxes. The dipped hem and aztec print will turn heads at your christmas party. This is a twist on those typical sequined party dresses, making for an edgy alternati ve. Not only is this dress perfect for christmas parties it can be styled for casual drinks with the girls just add a blazer and some heeled chelsea boots.
Sosolo is a vintage-heavy website, inspired by the eclectic tastes of East London. Pocket a flavour of the melting fashion pot that is Brick Lane without having to leave your bedroom, the website is full of cute dresses, shorts and blouses, without overwhelming you with choice. They only sell a finite number of items so you can be sure your outfit will be pretty unique. Their blog is also brimming with ideas if you just fancy a browse, it’s a website that’s well worth a visit. Frances Stephenson
The Courier
beauty.23
Monday 3 December 2012
Beauty Editor: Annie Morgan Online Beauty Editor: Amy Macauley
Do’s and Don’ts: Daytime makeup
You like a fresh-faced look during the day? Hazel Parnell explains what the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ are of daytime makeup, if you want to save your more glamorous looks for the night.
thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Beauty
Holy grail product
Tip of the week
Everyone loves a modern Sixties style eyeliner flick but the idea of gel liner can scare a lot of people. While it is a little trickier to master than the standard pencil, it is a lot easier to work with than liquid liner and after a bit of practice you’ll be perfecting it in no time!
Product: Clinique Brush On Cream Liner
Do: Natural-looking eyes
Price Tag: £15 Cheaper Alternative: Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner Black (£7.99)
In Tanya Burr’s makeup tutorial ‘Sunkissed glowing everyday makeup’ (youtube) on Millie Mackintosh, Tanya highlighted how using eye shadow instead of eyeliner can create a more natural and daytime appropriate look. If you’re hungover or just tired, dark eyes can be a problem. Using a small amount of makeup on the underneath of the eyes makes eyes appear larger and less tired.
Don’t: False eyelashes
My Clinique cream liner in True Black is a product that I reach for everyday (and night). You can use an angled brush, such as the MAC. #266, to create a fine line for extra definition in the day or a heavy flick for a dramatic look on a night out. I love the Clinique liner compared to other alternatives because it is really creamy and easy to work with, lasts forever, and it even comes with a free brush! While the price tag may be a little hefty for a student budget, the liner will last up to three months with daily use. I have never actually used all of mine up because it tends to begin to dry out after that time. Alternatives include MAC’s Fluidline, which comes in a well-made glass jar, but I don’t think the product inside is as good as Clinique’s liner and my Fluidline has dried out really quickly in the past. It is definitely worth the extra £1 in cost for a better quality product. However, if you were looking for colours other than black then MAC would be the first place I would look. If you do not want to splash out so much and you want to save some pennies then go for Maybelline’s gel liner, which is one of the first gel liners to be released by a more low-budget beauty brand and claims to last for 24 hours! They have a diverse array of colours and you also get a brush included. However, I think Clinique liner is sure to remain a staple in my makeup bag for a long time!
Top Tip! If your gel liner is beginning to harden, add a drop of makeup remover or olive oil to bring it back to life. Only a drop, or you will ruin the product! Alexandra Bonnet
This may seem like an obvious one and it is subject to opinion but big false eyelashes are way too much for the daytime. However, individual eyelashes can look really good in the day as they look a lot more natural and you can risk not wearing mascara when you have them in.
You probably wouldn’t apply your foundation without preparing your base by cleansing and moisturising, and preparing your nails before applying this winters’ hottest polish is just as important! In the winter months, the nudes and pastel colours are ditched and replaced by festive vampy reds, glittering golds and gem stone navy and deep purples. The shift to darker colours makes prepping your nails even more important, as however gorgeous they look on, the stain, discolouration and weakened nails they leave behind is not so attractive. The first step in preparing the nails for your chosen winter polish is to remove all traces of varnish that may still be lingering with an acetone-free remover. Next is shaping your nails with a file; the classic ‘squoval’ shape is a failsafe favourite. Then use a four sided buffing block for shining, buffing and removing ridges to even out the nail surface and enable a smoother polish application. The next step is the cuticles; push them back with a cuticle stick and use a rich moisturiser to nourish the nails. The final and most important prep step is to apply a base coat (Nails Inc ‘A&E’ is great) to protect the nails before applying your festive nail polish of choice! Grace Beddow
Eat yourself beautiful
The student lifestyle of late nights teamed with the stress of deadlines can be draining on the skin but by eating so called ‘superfoods’ you can help your skin to look its best at all times and keep it looking radiant. Hayley Durrant explains how to eat yourself beautiful
Do: Classic red lips
Dark Chocolate
I would like to say a big thank you to the scientists who discovered the benefits of dark chocolate, no longer do I feel guilty after scoffing a chocolate bar. Contrary to popular belief chocolate does not cause acne, dark chocolate is extremely beneficial to your skin, keeping it hydrated and protecting from sun damage, however before you make a mad rush to the student union to buy a galaxy bar keep in mind that the best kind of chocolate should be at least 60% cocoa.
Blueberries
One of the best known antioxidant superfoods is the almighty blueberry. Blueberries are ranked number one in antioxidant activity. The antioxidants in these super berries help protect you from premature aging as well as helping the body to make collagen, which keeps skin supple. Add half a cup to your yogurt or cereal every day to keep your youthful glow.
A lot of us shy away from using bright or bold lipsticks in the day in the fear of it being too heavy for daytime use. However, using bright lipstick is easy to do, especially if you’re in a rush as its minimum effort, maximum output. Make sure eyes are toned down though as you don’t want to look overdone, save it for the night!
Don’t: Statement eyes & lips
Spinach
An easy way to add superfoods into your lifestyle is by swapping your everyday lettuce for spinach. This leafy green vegetable is rich in nutrients and antioxidants. Spinach is also a good source of vitamins B, C, and E, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids, which will keep your eyes healthy and sparkling.
Green Tea
Green tea is a favourite among supermodels. Traditionally, many types of make-up, lotions, creams and beauty preparations have used chemical antioxidants, or vitamins A, C and E as preservatives for their products. And green tea contains all of these antioxidant properties and powerful vitamins, which will benefit your skin as well as boosting your metabolism.
Similar to my comment before on false eyelashes in the day, it is nice to save both looks for the night. Also it follows the mantra - Don’t do bold lips and dark eyes. It should generally be one or the other, a rule most of us girls are aware of. Although this look is pretty, it is more suited for the evening, in the day it can look like too much effort and a tad overdone.
Superfoods contain high levels of vitamins and antioxidants. New superfoods are being discovered all the time followed by a cult of fans who worship the latest “it” foods. All these foods (plus the green tea) are easy to find, so make sure to add them to your shopping list! (Top left photo by Jules Clancy, right photo by Thomas Mues [both Flickr])
24.listings3-9December
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Listings Editor: Sally Priddle
Monday Glasvegas 7pm o2 Academy
Glasvegas are a Mercury nominated Scottish indie rock band from Glasgow. Described as a stadium ready band that are just down to earth, this is a pure music gig that doesn’t fuss around and you can just enjoy and rock out to. Tickets £17 available from o2 Academy website and box office
Tuesday A Good Yarn 7pm Tyneside Cinema
For more information see this week’s Something Free
7pm, 3rd- 29th December Northern Stage
The Borrowers is the extraordinary story of some rather small, very clever folk who run into trouble when “human beans” work out what they’re up to. Pod, Homily and courageous Arriety live underneath the floorboards, in a perfect, well-appointed home with postage stamps for paintings and blotting paper carpets. They survive by borrowing what they need - even if it means scaling the living-room curtains to get it. But Arietty is restless and dreams of exploring the outside world. When she finally does, their secret is out and nothing will be quite the same ever again. This classic story will be brought to spectacular life on Northern Stage’s main stage, with puppets, live music and straight-talking charm. Tickets from £12.50 available from the Northern Stage website and box office
Sarah Millican
7pm The Stand Comedy Club
Star of Live at The Apollo, Sarah Millican pops in to try out loads of new stuff in preparation for her BBC TV series. She will bring jokes, if you bring laughs. It’ll be rough and ready and very very fun. With hilarious guest comics on the bill too, it’ll be a cracking night. Tickets from £7 available from The Stand website and box office
Student Council
Virtuoso guitarist and visionary composer Steve Vai is set to release a new solo album of original material, on 11 September (in the UK) called The Story Of Light. Tickets £27.50 available from City Hall’s website and box office
Student Council is the highest democratic body in your Students’ Union. It exists to ensure that students have a say over their Union from the top to the bottom of the organisation. Student Council decides the campaigns the union runs, the products they sell, the events they support, hears what your elected Officers are up to, and scrutinises the work the union do every day for you and the rest of the student body . This is the main decision making body of your Students’ Union. But none of this works without students. This really is the chance for you to have your say. Please come along and find out more!
Wild Beasts 8pm The Sage
Wild Beasts are four young men from Kendal who, despite journeying towards the centre of things on a trajectory that took them from Kendal to Leeds to London, still make music retaining an outsiderdom and intimacy informed by a childhood spent in the Lake District. Tickets available The Sage’s website and box office
7pm The Stand Comedy Club
As seen on Celebrity Juice, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Russell Howard’s Good News, Argumental and soon to be playing the lead role in brand new BBC Two sitcom Hebburn, Foster’s Comedy Award Nominee, Chris Ramsey, brings his hugely anticipated new show to venues nationwide on his biggest ever live tour, following his complete sell-out 2012 spring tour, ‘Offermation’. How did we get here? Elaborately laid plan, or just pure fluke? Who knows… do you feel lucky? Perhaps you should. Tickets £10 available from The Stand’s website or box office.
Fresh: Monthly Club Night for people with learning and physical difficulties 7pm World Headquarters
Fresh is a great night which everyone involved looks forward to very much. If you have friends or family with learning or physical disabilities feel free to come along. Fresh is a safe and enjoyable way to meet new friends and gain confidence in a lively and safe environment. Plus there’s a bar! Check out the Fresh blog at… http:// freshwhq. blogspot. com/ Tickets £5 on the door
Thursday
Steve Vai 7pm City Hall
Chris Ramsey: Feeling Lucky
The Borrowers
Wednesday
5pm History Room, Students’ Union
The Courier
Monday 3 December 2012
3-9Decemberlistings.25 thecourieronline.co.uk/listings courier.listings@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Listings
Friday
Fine Art Postcard Auction 5pm Fine Art Department
An annual art event where we ask artists from across the UK, ex-alumni and students to submit their creations ‘on a postcard’ to be exhibited and auctioned professionally with the help of renowned North East auction house, Anderson & Garland. This is always a popular event, attracting artworks from acclaimed local and international artists and interest from galleries and collectors nationwide.
Electric Six: 10th Anniversary Tour 7pm o2 Academy
Tickets from £15 available from o2 Academy’s website or box office.
Something for the weekend NSOC Christmas Carol Concert Sunday 9 December, 7pm St. George’s Church, Jesmond
Newcastle Student Orchestra and Choir present their annual Winter Concert. Playing a wide range of pieces including: • Francis Poulenc - Quatre Motets pour le Temps do Noël • Georges Bizet - L’Arlésienne Suite No. 1 • Samuel Barber - Angus Dei (Adagio for Strings) • H. Balfour Gardiner - Evening Hymn (arr J.R.J. Hardiment) Tickets £3 to book email nsoc@ncl.ac.uk
Not in Newcastle...
With the Metro going to Sunderland, trains to Durham only £5 return with a Railcard, and special weekend deals on trains and buses to Scotland, there really is no excuse for your weekend or evening activities to be limited to the Toon. Expand your horizons and find out what the whole of the North East and beyond has to offer.
Beamish: The living museum of the North I can say with full certainty from first hand experience that Beamish is one of the best days out in Britain, it is a working Edwardian Town and pit village. With your chance to experience what life was like in an old fashioned bank, sweet shop (where they make the sweets in front of you), printers, train station and much more. This a must see for any true Newcastle student and Christmas time is the perfect opportunity, with the addition of an ice rink, old fashioned Christmas decorations and a Santa’s Grotto,. As a final plug for this wonderful experience, once you have bought your ticket you can visit as many times as you want in a year, which means you can enjoy Beamish in the summer time too, seriously what is stopping you?
Radio show of the week: Essentially Unessential Two fun-filled hours to gear you up for your night, get you through some last minute work or to just get you by in life. Great music, random activity and a few more things along the way. The mayhem will unfold on air. Who knows what could happen on the show, it’s all one big surprise, even to the presenters...
When do you tune in? Tuesdays between 8pm-10pm
Something free: A Good Yarn
Tuesday 4 December, 7pm Tyneside Cinema
Whether you are a beginner or expert, pop along and join the fortnightly crafty community. If you’ve never knitted (or crocheted!) before never fear, as Tyneside Cinema’s very own knitting queen Jenny Payne is here to welcome you and help you get started. A Good Yarn takes place in the gorgeous 2nd floor Digital Lounge, with comfy sofas and a private bar no less! Entry is free however capacity is strictly limited so advance booking is recommended.
Something to look forward to: It’s A Wonderful Life
12 December, 11am Tyneside Cinema
It’s back! Tyneside’s screenings of Frank Capra’s amazing festive feel good hit. James Stewart is George Bailey, the everyman who turns to thoughts of suicide when his life looks to be coming apart. But when Clarence, an angel with one chance to prove his mettle, arrives on earth he teaches George just how much life is worth living. a tearjerking, hilarious masterpiece. Tickets available from Tyneside website and box office
@CourierListings
26.lifestyle
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Lifestyle Editors: Em Rae, Catherine Davison and Ellie Cropper Online Editors: Rosie Devonshire and Colette Hunter
Top 5:
Christmas Markets Newcastle Continental Christmas Market:
From huge hog roasts to jerk chicken wraps, the market is full of culinary delights. The mulled wine feels like Christmas in your belly and really helps you get into the festive mood. For those of you who are more adventurous, you can try ostrich or kangaroo burgers. It is also a great place to get Christmas gifts; including scarfs, mirrors and handmade soap- a great place to buy a Secret Santa present. The market closes at 8 and is on from the 16 November to the 1 December.
Durham Christmas market: Open from Friday 30 November - Sunday 2 December 2012, the Durham Christmas market consists of 190 stalls with a variety of arts, crafts and food all situated in the Cathedral which is a world heritage site. On the Friday and the Saturday there is another 30 food traders and on the Saturday and Sunday there will be carols to really get you into the Christmas mood. There will also be other events to take advantage of such as live reindeer and performances by local musicians. Tickets can be bought from the website and entry is £3.50.
Make and Mend Market:
‘Newcastle’s biggest independent arts, design and handmade market gets its Christmas jumper on’. On the 9 December the Star and Shadow cinema is holding a make and mend market. There are stalls including jewellery, stationery and home ware. With hundreds of stalls, they can promise that you will be able to find a gift for all your family friends making Christmas shopping very easyand hopefully, all done in one day. The market is on between 11.30am and 5pm and there will be mince pies and mulled wine to keep you refreshed during your shopping. For more information go to makeandmend.co.uk.
Tynemouth Market:
The recently expanded Tynemouth metro market is a great place to go to either on the way to beach or for Christmas presents. It is described as the ‘North’s most vibrant market place’. With a variety trinkets, jewellery, vintage clothes, memorabilia, arts and crafts, books, cakes, sweets and other delicacies. Situated in the beautiful old metro station, which also has a quaint café. It’s easy to get to via the metro, well within the student budget and a good way to get all your Christmas shopping done in one swoop.
Northumberland Square North shields Christmas Market:
For all you history lovers or those that just want an unusual day out, the 2012 North Shields Victorian Christmas Market is the place for you. With Victorian themed entertainment the market will be held between the 8–9 December, in North Shields’ famous Victorian Northumberland Square. There will be roughly 100 stalls selling Victorian food and a carol service from 11am on the Sunday- a great place to get into the Christmas spirit. Tickets are £6.00 for adults and £3.00 for concessions so definitely within the student budget. Sian Ayling, Tara Fenttiman
How to: Not be a Scrooge this Christmas
Not feeling Christmassy yet? There’s only two weeks left of Uni so get into the spirit with our festive ideas... Woolly Jumpe Looking around a lecturers and seeing an array of rei theatre snowflake and polar bear-ndeer, cosy jumpers is guarantee adorned bring Christmas cheer – d to perfect way to recover coand the ably from a mulled wine mfortinduced hangover.
Sparkles e one time of year th Christmas urself in glitter, you can cover yohing lights, and sparkles and flas ve walked off the not look like you’ Gyspy Wedding. set of My Big Fat
Wine Mulled season to ‘Tis the and noth... be jolly you jolly like a. s t e ing g f mulled wine glass o
Christ Last Christmas mas playlist The radio spreI gave you my heart... cheer. It is now ads the Christmas to listen to the socially acceptable Biebs all you w ant.
The u TV gets y ltimate q adverts The C ou in the uestion, w comm oca Cola spirit the hich most Chris ercial : t Chrisor the Johmas n Lew tmas comm is ercial ?
Ice skating age that every stuIt is a rite of pass ate at the Censk dent MUST ice t once a year. Sure, as le at fe t tre for Li bruised bum…bu you might get a h whilst doing it! you’ll have a laug Advent Calendars You’re never too old! Especially exciting if you forget for a few days and get a whole lot of chocolate eating to catch up – the best kind of forgetful.
Carol Singers Strolling down Northumberland Street is a much more pleasant experie nce when surrounded by jolly carol sing ers…definitely preferable to being surrounded by Save the Tig er.
Words: Katie Smith and Eleanor Moore Illustrations: Daisy Billowes
Vox pop: What will you be doing in the run up to Christmas? ina Angus Burns - 3rd Year Medic
l Chemistry
semates? Plans for Christmas with houother house of friends and our with ing join is My house ner. I also have my Polo we’re having a Christmas din ing in the wind band Christplay I’m Christmas dinner and mas Carol Concert. sents with houseAre you giving Christmas pre mates? It’s the best part of Yes, we’re doing Secret Santa. as! uni Christm getting home for Are you looking forward to as? istm Chr puppy called Yes, my dad’s got a new spaniel . him t mee to t wai ’t Fitzgerald, I can Favourite Christmas Song? tradiGood King Wenceslas, a happy, tional Carol.
Rebecca Parkin
son - 3rd Year P
olitics Plans for Chris We’re having th tmas with housemates? a Christmas Q e standard house mate meal, uiz. watching C
Are you giving Yes, very excite Christmas presents with ho should be intered about that, we’ve put a limitusemates? sting. of £5, so it Are you lookin g forward to ge mas? tting home for ChristYeah, my boyfri end lives back home so I get to see him. Favourite Chr is tm as So ng ? Merry Christm been my favouras Everybody by Slade, It’s al ways ite, I love it. Favourite Chr The Snowman, istmas Film? I’v mas Eve since e watched it every year on C I can remembe hristr.
hristmas films
and we make
?
5) Favourite Christmas Film Home Alone 2, it’s a classic.
Jen Haslam - 2nd Year Economics rd to the pigs in Plans for Christmas with housemates? ther, joining for one big dinner. I’m looking forwa There’s going to be 3 houses of us, about 20 altogedecorations and we’re getting a tree. blankets. We’ve been making our own Christmas mates? Are you giving Christmas Presents with house Yeah, definitely. tmas? Are you looking forward to going home for Chris Yes, because I’ve ran out of money! Favourite Christmas Song? Pogues, Fairytale of New York. Favourite Christmas film? Elf, it’s hilarious.
Roseleen Coleman
The Courier
Monday 3 December 2012
sex&relationshipslifestyle.27 thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Life
‘Blind’ Date - The Literal Special Em Rae, Lifestyle Editor and 2nd year Linguistics with French meets Richard Kirkwood, 2nd year Biomed
What happens if you leave two people who barely know each other in a room with some blindfolds and chocolate fondue? This week Lifestyle Editor Em Rae experienced an actual ‘blind’ date...
Em on Richard
What’s your usual type? I always go for brown haired guys and they’ve got to be able to make me laugh. I’m a busy person so I like people with strong interests. A love of Jack Wills/Abercrombie or the whole tanned, gym junkie, deep V Geordie look would put me right off. First impressions? I had a cheeky FB stalk of Rich before the date. We have quite a lot of friends in common so I kinda knew what to expect. What did you think they’d look like? He doesn’t really sound northern as he went to a private school but he said he was from Liverpool so I was expecting a charva in a Barbour jacket. What was the weirdest thing you talked about? I mentioned that I didn’t want this Blind Date feature appearing on my wall as I have people like my nan on FB. He said my nan would love the blindfold/chocolate situation which I thought was a bit weird. Maybe he’s into that kind of thing... Any awkward moments? I put my ipod on shuffle, big mistake. I have a pretty eclectic mix and unfortunately “Just a Little” by Liberty X and “Right Round” by Flo Rida came on at quite inappropriate moments. Awkwardly it looked like I had tried to create some sort of cringy sex playlist, but shamefully that’s just my music taste. Did anyone dominate the conversation? Nah, there was decent chat in between the chocolate dipping and he made me laugh. Halfway through the date, would you have ‘No likey, no lightey’-ed by now? Nah I was quite curious to see what he looked like in the flesh after my initial FB stalking. What was their worst personality trait? Where do I start. He was quite generous with the chocolate/fruit sharing however this may have just been an excuse to touch me.
Richard on Em
What’s your usual type? Sporty, competitive girls that will stand up to me. There’s nothing worse than someone who can’t have a laugh with you, otherwise it’s like you’re talking to a brick wall. First impressions? Going off voice, she’s Southern, but I won’t hold it against her. She was well spoken and generally sounded happy which put any of my nerves at ease.
What did you think they’d look like? I’d have guessed dark hair and eyes, blondes tend to be higher pitched. Couldn’t really think of the voice coming out of anyone different. What was the weirdest thing you talked about? She brought up having her nan on FB and she told me she didn’t want this report to end up on her wall. Was I really that bad. I joked that if it did end up on FB, her nan would have a right laugh reading about this Blind date. Any awkward moments? Her Ipod playlist brought up a couple of shockers. ‘Just a Little’ by Liberty X was my personal fave. Also, chocolate ended up all over the show, trying to feed each other’s not nearly as hot as you imagine. Did anyone dominate the conversation? Nah it was a pretty 50/50 share tbh. Wish the same could be said of the chocolate. Halfway through the date, would you have ‘No likey, no lightey’-ed by now? No this may sound shallow but I did want to see what she looked properly like before I judged. What was their worst personality trait? Self-confidence will never be a problem with this one. If I’m honest she seemed good fun, if there is anything nutty about her she kept it well hidden. Do you think they fancied you? I can never really tell if a girl fancies me or not. We had a good laugh so I don’t think she hates me! Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss? She did first! Not that I’m complaining, she hadn’t seen my tash yet,.I’d already seen her on FB so I wasn’t too concerned with the Blindfold.
Do you think they fancied you? Yes. Note above.
Would your parents approve? She came across as intelligent and witty so my dad would approve yeah.
Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss? There may have been a cheeky smooch or two.
Blindfolds off, first impressions? Get in. How did I get away with this on the last day of Movember!
Would your parents approve? He comes across as a nice genuine guy and is really chatty which is always a good thing. Blindfolds off, first impressions? What is that on his face?! What was their most attractive physical feature? He was wearing quite a tight fitting top (not too much of a deep V though phew) and his bod looked pretty good. Marks out of 10? 9 Snog, marry or avoid? Snog
What was their most attractive physical feature? There’s only so many times you can accidently grab a boob and blame it on the blindfold. If I had to pick though, it would be her eyes, it’s always the eyes that get me. Marks out of 10? Really enjoyed it, a solid 9. Snog, marry or avoid? Snog
Unlucky in love? The Courier is here to help! Send your details to c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
Jonathan Lipfriend
Lost in translation
#2 - As Bole as Brass
Boots. I have nothing against the establishment. In fact I find it very useful when I’m out of shampoo. The problem comes when I’m not the one shopping. We only live for around 700,000 hours (if we’re lucky) and I don’t really understand why anyone would want to spend more than 10 minutes at a time in a chemists. “Why is it so fucking difficult to find taupe eye shadow?!” My girlfriend is certainly not the girliest of girls, but sometimes, she has her moments. However, as much as I would have liked to help her (if only to avoid turning a 10 minute Boots trip into a half hour long one) my knowledge of eye shadow failed me. What the hell does taupe mean? Even as I write it, Microsoft Word seems confused by the term, which made me immensely happy (right up until I realised I was spelling it wrong). For those who don’t already know, taupe is a colour. What kind of colour I hear you ask? Well, that is a difficult question. Microsoft Word’s synonym button only yields ‘mushroom’ and ‘fawn’ as answers. These do not help me at all. Mushroom is something I put in omelettes and fawn is a creature Lucy meets in Narnia, neither of which bring an immediate colour to mind. The other explanation I received is “the perfect midpoint between gray and brown” which made far more sense, mainly due to the lack of forest flora and fauna in the description. However, after this encounter with an unknown word I found myself wondering, as I hadn’t done since my French GCSE, if I did in fact know all of the important colours. The Wikipedia page entitled ‘Names of Colors’ is quite a distressing article. Well, less article, more comprehensive list. Numerous questions immediately assailed me; why do I only know 30% of these? Does everyone know these colours? What in God’s name is Bole? However, after a minute or two of frantic scrolling, I realised it wasn’t so bad. A lot of the so-called ‘colours’ were in fact just names of various fruit and vegetables. Pumpkin, mushroom, asparagus, peach, apricot etc. Instead of answering my questions, this just created more; such as, why must people insist on painting their walls pumpkin, not orange? Or, why would you want to call an item of clothing asparagus coloured? And, what in the name of Jesus Christ is Bole?! The earlier question of whether all people know these colours was easily answered. Whereas my male friends described a certain top in question as pink or orange, the female contingent told me that it was clearly coral. How do we men deal with having only a quarter of the words ‘needed’ to describe such colours? Simple, the –y rule. What colour is taupe? Browny-gray. What colour is mauve? Purpley-red. Easy. So, what is the moral of this tale? If you want a guy to find your pumpkin dress, for everyone’s sake, tell him it’s orange.
28.lifestyle
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_life
Naked Bakin’
Diary of a Party Boy
Brownies
There are some things in this world that simply should go in your mouth. There are no two ways about it: some things are just pure pleasure and satisfaction. Many brownies you will have tried before will have been dry, crumbly and even at times bitter, this is the opposite of what a good brownie should be- it should be gooey and slightly sickly yet so irresistibly more-ish. This recipe gives you the key to enjoy all these wonderful brownielicious qualities. I don’t mean to offend or upset anyone when I announce this but I don’t do nuts. Although that may be controversial in the brownie department, no nuts means that the recipe is suitable for everyone. More importantly, why have nuts when you can have even more chocolate? I have done this many times before and so far I am yet to have a complaint so this method comes with a seal of approval; the approval of my judgemental and brutally honest friends. You will need: A large bowl A medium sized tin that is suitable for the oven (squared is preferable but any will do) A microwavable dish A whisk (electrical is obviously quicker but if you use a manual one then you’ll be working off the calories ready for the chocolatey indulgence) My favourite tool: A fork Ingredients: 200g/7oz dark chocolate 185g/6.5oz butter 85g/3oz plain flour 40g/1.5oz cocoa (or use 60g/2oz hot chocolate which you will probably already own) 100g/3.5oz white chocolate 3 eggs 275g/10oz light muscavado sugar (golden caster sugar works just as well) 1. Preheat the oven to 180C/165C for a fan/gas mark 2. Melt the dark chocolate and butter in the microwave. Once melted, put the mixture to one side to cool. 3. Break the eggs into a large bowl and add the sugar, take your whisk and go to town. You’re aiming for the mixture to treble in size. You know it’s ready when the whisk leaves trails in the mixture. 4. Add the chocolate and butter to your egg mixture and fold together with a fork. At this point, the mixture will completely change colour and become a dark and chocolaty thick mixture. 5. Once everything is mixed together, add the flour and cocoa, and fold it all together. It should look gooey and you should 100% want to dip your finger in. 6. Cut the white chocolate up into chunks and add it to the mixture. 7. Line your tin with either greaseproof paper or foil and pour the mixture evenly into your tin. 8. Bake for 20 minutes, this may not be quite enough time, but it’s best to take them out after 20 minutes, stick a knife in to test if any mix comes off on it, then put it back in for another 5 minutes if needed. 9. Leave the brownie to rest for about 10 minutes and then take it out of the tin. Although they are still lovely cold, served warm with ice cream creates the best possible brownie experience. Sally Priddle
#1 - A trip to Ozzy Road Rafiq Ahmed Being from a religious family it is very important to my father that I work hard and that I am not distracted by alcohol and young or even old women. When in reality I spend most of my evenings sinking pints, playing pool and wooing mature women in the bars of Denton and Fenham. At the end of first year when my flatmates from Castle Leazes moved into houses on or around Osborne Road, my friend Robert and I decided to move into the vacant rooms at my cousin’s house on Westgate Road. Since then I have spent the last fourteen months listening to students on my course and my former housemates rant and rave about the delights of Osborne Road, whilst checking themselves in on Facebook and begging for likes. I therefore decided earlier this week to pay ’the strip’ a visit with Robert and see for myself if it really is worth my newsfeed being filled with Ozzy Road spam on a daily basis. The first bar we encountered was Berlise. Trying to compare this to my local would be like trying to compare Paris to Kabul or Marilyn Monroe to Cilla Black. To say the girls were phenom-
Restaurant Review Desserts Delivered
This week the Lifestyle Editors took on the tiresome task of reviewing the student-friendly local business, Desserts Delivered. Forced to combat our way through cheesecakes, brownies and pies we trialled our taste buds and selflessly saved you getting out of pocket by working out the best bargains and most droolworthy desserts up for grabs. The brains behind this scrumptious sensation is the 26-year-old owner of the already successful Gourmet To Go takeaway. After snapping up a gap in the market and testing out samples on hungry students in Newcastle halls of residence, the idea took off around 6 months ago. A combination of his Mum’s baking and freshly bought cakes make up the 70-80 deliveries flying out of a unit on Foundry lane Ouseburn every night. With plans to expand into a dessert parlour, interest from BBC news and London businesses wanting in, this unique idea is flourishing. The most popular dish to date is a close call between a homemade brownie
enal is an understatement of the highest order. Robert and I decided not to mess about and go for the kill early; after trying to speak to a few girls with not much success we decided to take refuge in the seating area near the toilet and re-evaluate our situation. It was at this time that I discovered further still the great gulf between our local and the bars of Jesmond. My local watering hole has men playing pool and watching horse racing whilst drinking beer, purchased in rounds, at a decent pace. And crucially the gents’ toilet does not have a mirror - one is not required. In Berlise I witnessed 3 young men, if you can call them men, take nearly 45 minutes to drink a pint they had queued up to purchase individually. A bizarre concept I have never encountered before. Had they not heard of rounds or buying your mate a pint? Another group of men, who had enough money to purchase food but not enough money to buy a belt to keep their trousers at a decent enough height, spent the whole time checking their hair in the reflection of the window. What use is good hair when your trousers are at your ankles
and your smalls are on show? It became clear that although the girls were of a high standard the guys where very vain, tight with money and, to top it all off, lightweights. My grandmother always told me stick to what you know. So with my comparison complete and my chances of pulling a girl about as slim as Nick Clegg surviving the next election, we decided to take my late grandmother’s advice and head to Idols. Idols has been a regular Friday night stop-off for me since first year. The girls may not be the cutest specimens in the world and the guys may look like something from the Adams family, but at least you know where you stand. If you want someone to take home and ‘entertain’, Idols is the place to go. Friday was no different. Within ten minutes of arriving I was on the bus home with my catch for the night. Osborne Road can keep their childish button games, posing pretentious guys and mirrors in the toilets; I will be sticking to Idols and my Illustrations: Francesca Ede local. and Daisy Billowes
Opening times: Mon: Thurs :6pm till midnight Fri: Sat :6pm till 1am Sun :6pm till midnight Tel: 0191 276 1375
and a classic cheesecake. Rumour has it that his brownie supplier is soon to be battling with the likes of Simon Cowell on a yet to be announced TV show. With a menu to tickle the fancy of families on a Saturday night to students needing a well-earned treat after a long day at the library, Desserts Delivered is an answer to the prayers of many Toon tummies with a sweet tooth. First place goes to: Banoffee Pie (£2.75) This classic pud reigned supreme above the other delicacies. Too good to share with your friends, it’s quite a sweet feat to go through alone so you may end up finishing it for brekkie the next morning. The thick toffee layer is laid on a, yes, buttery biscuit base. The fresh whipped cream is piled high above the banana layer and perfected with a hard drizzle of chocolate over the top. Second place goes to: Rocky Road Blondie £1.50 It took us a while to work out the Blondie vs. Brownie difference and we were initially puzzled by the chewy squidgy texture of this Blondie. This variant of a Brownie is thick and moist, and the marshmallows spread across the top add to the general squidgy-yummyness. It’s sweet without being too sickly, and one you can definitely manage on your own along with being well worth the £1.50. The only annoying thing is that it’s so moist it sticks to the foil it’s served in; however it’s too good not to lick off.Third place goes to: Chocolate Fudge Cake £3.00 This Chocolate Fudge Cake is really rich – but in a good way. Anyone having major chocolate cravings will be satisfied by this generous portion of triple layer fudge goodness. This portion is not stingy and will work wonders for any choco fans in will-
“an answer to the prayers of many Toon tummies with a sweet tooth.” ing to pay £3.00 a slice for an energy perk. Another firm favourite with the group was the Toffee & Daim Crunch Pie (£2.75). Although we couldn’t really recall what a Daim bar was, that didn’t matter as we tucked into the layers of smooth toffee and light mousse. We also tried the Bailey’s Cheesecake (£2.75) and Ferrero Rocher Cheesecake (£3.00). We liked the original idea however found there was an unjust cream to sponge ratio with the Baileys but we liked the nutty chocolate layer with the Ferrero as the taste wasn’t too overpowering. Last of all, we encountered the Oreo and Ferrero Rocher Brownies (£1.50). The freshly baked Oreo Brownie is really amazing tasty if you ate it thinking it was a normal chocolate brownie however we were disappointed to find that it didn’t have an Oreo on the top. On further inspection we discovered one inside and it merged well with the taste of the Brownie. Dedicated to our journalistic cause, we later underwent yet another tedious session of trying out desserts – only this time undercover, in order to test just how good the service is for the everyday student. We were a little disappointed to discover that in real life, cheesecake costs money and takes the full allotted time of 45 minutes to be delivered. But at very reasonable prices (although with an £8 minimum order, maybe not so much that the average student could afford to order regularly) and the amazing range of tasty and creative late night treats on offer, we didn’t feel the need to complain (or maybe our mouths were just too full of cake...). Ellie Cropper, Em Rae and Catherine Davison
The Courier
lifestyle.29
Monday 3 December 2012
Lifestyle Editors: Em Rae, Catherine Davison and Ellie Cropper Online Editors: Rosie Devonshire and Colette Hunter
Johnny Heseltine tries out the flips and, more importantly, giant foam pits at Gymnastics
When given the opportunity to try out Gymnastics Society I was really enthusiastic. I watched quite a lot of it during the Olympics and watching the professionals fly through the air with such finesse, doing more flips than should be humanly possible, was quite inspiring; basically it just looked like a really fun sport to try. Plus I’d heard there was a trampoline next to a swimming pool filled with foam to jump into – what doesn’t sound fun about that? When I told friends that I was going to Gymnastics Society, quite a few of them gave me some odd looks. ‘Isn’t that a bit....girly?’ one of them asked cautiously. This does seem to be a common misconception, but I was surprised when I got there to find out that there were actually almost as many boys as girls at the session. In fact, some of the equipment, such as the rings, are only used by men to compete on – as I found out, they are actually really tiring and require more strength (or possibly technique) than I have to do anything other than slowly rotate upside down. The sessions last for two hours, from 2 to 4 on a Wednesday at Benfield Centre of Sporting Excellence. The facilities there are world class. They have everything you need to become a gymnast - sprung floors (they’re actually bouncier than I expected), trampolines, rings, beams and vaults to name just a few pieces, plus more padded mats than a children’s soft play area. The session started with a warm up followed by some stretching, which was a great opportunity for me to show off how incredibly inflexible I am; I was struggling to touch my toes when people around were just casually chatting whilst effortlessly doing the splits. After this everyone split up into groups to do what they like. There’s so much equipment and so much do to that I was rarely left waiting around wondering what to do. I started off my first ever session practising the basics such as headstands, but soon felt confident enough to try out a flip. It was slightly scary at first, but once you’ve tried the first flip and realised failure doesn’t hurt too badly the fear goes away and
you build up more confidence to try again. I fell over quite a lot and got a few laughs, but everyone’s trying new tricks and falling over all the time as well so it wasn’t like I was the odd one out (although admittedly some of the members were trying slightly harder tricks...) Overall I really enjoyed my time at the Gymnastics Society and proved my housemates misconceptions wrong; not only is gymnastics definitely not ‘girly’, but it’s also not as dangerous as people think – although you do quite dangerous looking moves there’s always plenty of padding and people nearby to help so it’s actually safer than it looks. Thanks Gymnastics Society - I will definitely be going back, if only to jump repeatedly into the giant foam pit! Johnny Heseltine Team Captain Fin Davidson discusses how Johnny did... How did Johnny do for his first attempt at gymnastics? He did pretty well - he seemed to pick things up quickly and by the end of the session he managed to do a back flip on the trampoline. What do you think his best asset is as a gymnast?
Hottie of the Week Heather Ratcliffe, 21 Interviewed by Roseleen Coleman
Course: 3rd year Politics Relationship status: Single What do you look for in a person? Ambition, drive, and a nice smile. Ideal Date: Water Zorbing in the lake district and then a picnic with cake. Best date I’ve ever been on: A comedy night and then drinks. The comedy side really broke the ice and there was no awkwardness. Any Christmas plans: We’re having a Shit knit party, inviting our friends over and they have to find the worst Christmas jumper, then eat mince pies and get drunk. Favourite Christmas song: ‘Little Donkey’: I sang a solo of it in the school nativity when I was 6. Best Secret Santa Gift you’ve ever received: A Justin Bieber alarm clock. Ideal present from Santa: A Mulberry bag.
Probably his athleticism and audacity. Although technically not the best or the most flexible, he is full of energy and enthusiasm, and is always willing to try new moves without being put off by the fear of failure. As a beginner, what do most people start off doing to improve their skills? The club has members with a very mixed ability range including beginners. They tend to start off with the basics like handstands, forwards rolls and cartwheels but can very quickly progress on to doing flips if they feel confident. Who would you recommend Gymnastics Society to? Anyone who’s free on a Wednesday afternoon and wants to have fun, keep fit and learn something new.
Fancy trying something new and promoting your own society in the process? Get involved with Society Swap! Email us at c2.lifestyle@ newcastle.ac.uk or tweet us @Courier_Life.
Trending Topics of the week #JimiHendrix A man who needs no introduction. The legendary guitarist would have been 70 years old on the 27th November if he hadn’t died tragically in 1970, at the age of 27. If you’ve only ever heard the Devlin cover of ‘All Along the Watchtower’ featuring Ed Sheeran, do yourself a favour and check out the Hendrix version. R.I.P Jimi. #Thanksgiving American or not, it has been impossible to miss Thanksgiving. Originally to commemorate a harvest festival, it appears that this year it was all about which celebrity could upload the best Thanksgiving dinner photo to Twitter. I’m pretty gutted I couldn’t make it to Pink’s house this year… #Christmas This means that people no longer have the right to laugh at me and the Christmas tree that I put up in mid-November. The countdown has begun! #ReplaceABieberSongWithCereal Whoever came up with this one must have been a right crunchy nut... Replacing a word in the title of a Justin Bieber song with the name of a breakfast cereal isn’t anywhere near as funny as some of the ruder song lyric replacement jokes, but it seems like people were really ‘milking’ it! #20ThingsIDon’tLike Now if there is one thing that people are good at on Twitter, it’s moaning! There was a never ending list of things that people don’t like. I can’t really complain, being infamous for moaning. I have the sort of face that makes randomers on Northumberland Street stop to tell me to cheer up! TWEET OF THE WEEK: ‘The UK are so behind with charitable causes. I just got back from the Mediterranean, and even the women join in with Movember over there.’ @rickygervais Grace Stephenson
With Olive Winterbottom Nov 26 This week has been so intense! I’ve been experimenting with paint in the studio so Mother sent across a case of premium oils from France and they’ve gone missing. I am totally devoed. Then I had an art history exam. I mean, really, an exam? I think assessments are so passé. Why can’t tutors just score us on emotional presence? Obviously I’d get a first. Nov 29 I went down to London on the coach with some of the other activists for the demo in London. I knew it would be a journey of self-discovery so I brought along my copy of On The Road for inspiration. The vibe was amaze! Unfortunately I had to sit next some dentistry students but it was okay because I just put my headphones in and pretended to be asleep when they started spouting inane bullshit. I absolutely abhor small talk. I mean, just tell me something real. When we got there I managed to shake off the toothy nerds and took a little detour via Shoreditch. I met up with some friends from St Martins and went to this shabby-chic gallery. The exhibition was made up of undeveloped rolls of camera film. It was all about un- fulfilled potential. I was so moved that I couldn’t really participate in any political action so we went to a bar, sat in silence and drank bottles of Kiwi Steinlager. Dec 1 I’ve decided to create my own brand of T-Shirts. I bought some plain white ones from Primark. Obviously I didn’t actually venture inside (I paid one of the first years to do it for me). I’m working on a really meaningful design based on things Ryan Gosling has said in interviews. I’ll sell them at about £45 each (which is a bargain for an Olive Winterbottom original). Dec 2 Bumped into Pandora in the libes. She was fawning all over Henry. I don’t understand why all the girls fight over him. He’s started wearing tortoise shell glasses and one earring in his left lobe. Such a try hard and a bit of a moron. He thinks The Tate is a new bar on Ozzy Road. He definitely doesn’t ‘get me’. Anyway, he’s clearly up to no good. I walked in on him and Louisa at a sick housie last week. It was a bit of a shock. They were in the pantry and there was flour everywhere. I only wanted to see if there was another bottle of Moet. In other news, I’ve got a hot date of my own tonight. I’ll let you know how it goes. Lauren Stafford Illustrations: Daisy Billowes
30.arts
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Arts Editors: Lisa Bernhardt and Millie Walton Online Arts Editors: Grace Harvey
Cutting in too deep
James Ricketts discusses the consequences of the recent arts funding cuts in the North East
T
This week, our columist Shaun Thomas discusses whether the film adaptation of The Silver Linings Playbook exceeds Matthew Quick’s novel
T
he film adaptation of Matthew Quick’s The Silver Linings Playbook has been tipped for awards at this year’s Oscars and with an impressive cast, including Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert De Niro, it’s hardly surprising. Both the book and the film follow Pat Solitano, played by Cooper, a man who is released from a mental institution and has lost everything. In attempt to piece his life back together, Pat moves back in with his parents and meets recently widowed, Tiffany. Having forged a close friendship and in need of focus, the two set out to win a dance competition. This is where similarities in the plot end. The film adaptation reorganises the sequence of events and ends in a strikingly different way to the novel. The film aims for a more dramatic end to the story of Pat and his family and the book a subtler one. Although both endings are fantastic, the film’s, in my opinion, supersedes the novel’s because of its originality and spark. Pat’s father, played by De Niro, plays a much bigger and more important role in the film and the effects are obvious. In classic De Niro style, he dominates the role, making the audience laugh one minute and cry at another. His scenes with Cooper posses a rare authenticity and are, consequently, some of the most memorable. After watching the film, the book almost seems lost without the father as an important character. Despite this, the book is much more character based, though the focus is largely limited to Pat and Tiffany. Quick gives Pat a unique voice, highlighting his dislocation with reality and those around him. Therefore, it is easy to follow his progression and struggle whilst he embarks on a journey of self-discovery. You are only able to see the other characters of the novel from Pat’s point of view and while this is interesting, it doesn’t leave the characters much room to become anything other than what Pat perceives. However, the relationship between Pat and Tiffany is much more complex in the book. Tiffany in particular, played by Lawrence in the film adaptation, is a much deeper character in the novel as Quick explores her grief and vulnerability in the wake of her husband’s death, emphasising the unusual chemistry between her and Pat and their mutual dependence. By the end of the book the pair seem to be more real and less like they are in a Rom-Com. The film and the book are so different that it is almost impossible to decide which is better, but, to me, the winner is certainly the former. Whilst the book is psychological, creating a deeper empathy for the protagonists, the intense focus on Pat and Tiffany blurs the more minor characters and events making it less interesting and more forgettable as a whole. By contrast, the film is hilarious, touching and powerful, unearthing intriguing sub-plots, which make for a hugely entertaining watch.
he momentous scale of cuts being made to the arts is causing unprecedented damage. Politicians have failed to gauge the importance of the art in society and the economy. Alongside the cuts, the educational system is making decisions to downgrade the education of art in schools, colleges and university. It is a bleak era for the arts in the United Kingdom. There is a misinformed popular opinion that in times of austerity the arts should be the first to be guillotined because after all, art is not going to cure the sick or give jobs to the unemployed. However, art does have a valid economic argument; by 2017 the treasury have estimated that 50% of new jobs will be in the creative industry. Furthermore, the creative industry employs around two million people
benefits those wanting to pursue a career in design or artistic orientated professions. Many jobs in Britain involve some level of creative aptitude. Art is a unique subject as it combines theoretical ideals into a malleable physical outcome; it is a way of thinking that cannot be achieved in any other area of academia. But despite this, art education is being removed from the national school curriculum. It has not been listed as a ‘priority subject’ in the national interest and the baccalaureate is withdrawing the arts as part of their programme. The Russell Group, of which Newcastle University is a part, no longer accepts the arts GCSE in applications for degrees. On top of this, the government is redirecting vital funds from the arts to other areas of research that they deem more suitable. ‘Art for arts sake’ may not be a convincing argu-
Art... is a way of thinking that cannot be achieved in any other area of academia in the United Kingdom, compared to the financial services lower employment of one million people. Art is the fuel that keeps fashion, design and the media innovative and fresh. Removing art from the foundations of Britain’s creative industry will leave a large dent in the economy and result in less tax revenue to be spent on the fundamental state services. With the right sort of investment, the art world can earn its money back and with interest. The education of the arts teaches students how to engage their ideas to produce a physical outcome. The exploration of shape, colour and form
ment for those outside the arts sector in regards to giving financial support to museums, art departments and galleries, but these institutions challenge us to think differently and to be more perceptive of our surroundings. Art for the sake of benefitting our creative industries and economy is a tune we can all agree to. Consider the Angel of the North designed by Antony Gormley, its symbolic presence has help changed the perspective in which investors and the general public view the North East of England. The creation of the contemporary sculpture cost roughly one million pounds to make yet it has been a cost effect method in emblemising the revitalization of the region. The benefits of art are wide spread, from offering the individual a sense of beauty to pushing the boundaries of modern society. It is a shame that instead we have to experience the withering of university art departments due to the diversion of funds. It is a tragedy that many of Newcastle’s museums and centres of art will soon be boarded up and sold off to developers. The three major political parties and those in charge of the educational system need to realize the long-term damages they are instigating onto the arts. Art is something we need to invest in.
Art or no art? That’s the question here...
With the winner of this year’s Turner Prize to be announced on Monday, Sally Priddle comments on the touchy subject of popularity and bias in the judgement of art work
W
elcome to the wonderful world of art, a world where beauty is literally in the eye of the beholder- after all, people pay thousands of pounds for the latest thing for it to be thrown out as trash. Despite the highly contested and dubious world of modern art this is not a new phenomenon; Vincent van Gogh, one of the most famous artists in the world whose paintings are sold for several millions dollars today, was not appreciated in his own lifetime, not even by his own mother. I wouldn’t go as far to say that this story has been recreated but it is fair to say that the case of Paul Noble, 2012 Turner Prize nominee, demonstrates that what is art is still a down to those judging it. It is like fashion based on trends, popularity and what the ‘in’ people say is ‘in’. Paul Noble is the bookies favourite to win this year’s most prestigious art prize, but from a young age it was only his love for creating and a laissez-faire art teacher that encouraged him to continue. His dad fought tooth and nail to argue that he should not do art at A-level and then when he went on to get a D in his exams, it did not look like this was the making of an artistic genius. Even today newspapers and critics are ready to throw stones at Noble who is categorized as ‘Plop Art’ whilst they complain that this ‘pile of poo is favourite for Turner Prize’. So when critics, buyers, observers and appreciators are so torn between what sells and what is quite literally shit, how can we ever truly judge art? The phrase what is one person’s trash is another’s treasure is used to reference a lot of things but it doesn’t traditionally get associated with items that get sold for thousands, if not millions. So if art is the subject in question, how can anything ever become a classic? In literature it tends to be a case of popularity, a new phase that transcends
Paul Noble: nobnest zed (2002); photo by Wally Gobetz (flickr)
Print Versus Popcorn
its original audience and time and becomes an intergenerational sensation and gains what I can only define as ‘staying power’. But art’s unique essence and the thing that makes it so special is that pieces are one of a kind, so they can’t have the same sort of success as literature. How can anything really be defined as a classic nowadays, then? Damian Hirst is one of the most popular modern artists, constantly challenging levels of art, pouring thousands into one exclusive piece to
show at the Tate for a ‘limited time’- surely this doesn’t mean we should start defining him as a modern classic? Personally I think art should convey a message to each individual person, regardless of whether it is the same. But if a long blurb or spiel is required for anyone to enjoy the artwork, then it isn’t something worth celebrating if it merely justifies the pointless. Art is subjective, but it should still make a point and communicate with the person who experiences it.
The Courier
arts.31
Monday 3 December 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/arts c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_arts
Panto Guide 2012
previews
reviews
Aladdin
The Borrowers
Theatre Royal
27 November - 19 January Tickets start at £11 A hilariously flamboyant production by the world’s biggest pantomime producer; this is pantomime at its very best. Expect heavy make-up, a sparkling set and brilliantly over the top acting.
Sleeping Beauty Gala Theatre
29 November - 5 January Tickets start at £6.50 Well worth the 15 -minute train journey to Durham, Gala Theatre’s adaptation of the fairy tale classic embodies Christmas spirit with a live band, fabulous costumes and dazzling dance routines.
Jack and the Beanstalk Dance City
Ava Vidal
Northern Stage 3 - 29 December
M
ary Norton’s The Borrowers is one of the most loved and wellknown children’s stories and now, to great excitement, it has been transformed into a play! For those who are unfamiliar with the classic, it’s the tale of a family of extraordinarily small people called Pod, Homily and Arriety who live beneath the floorboards in a tiny, but well equipped home with postage stamps for paintings and blotting paper carpets. The family survives by ‘borrowing’ things, at great risk, from the ‘human beans’ who live above them. However, Arriety is bored of her enclosed life and dreams of exploring the gigantic external world above her, but when she does, the secret life of the borrowers changes forever. This December the Northern Stage will bring this magical tale to life with live music, puppets and good-hearted humour. Though it can’t be guaranteed that real life borrowers will be performing, it’s still the perfect Christmas treat for those suffering a pang of nostalgia and rumour has it, there may be some festive face painting before the matinee performances! Millie Walton
The Nutcracker
The Stand 20 November
I
’ve heard the words ‘women comedians just aren’t funny’ more times than I care to mention, but Ava Vidal definitely proved those naysayers wrong. In her show Ava Vidal Goes Dutch, she discussed the idea of community, and how much we should share. Would the world be a better place if we were all independent and just looked after ourselves? At over 6 feet tall, Vidal definitely commanded the stage, and wasn’t afraid to court controversy, resulting in 3 members of the small audience leaving during the interval, apparently offended by a joke about fat people (perhaps the least offensive part of the show). At times, Vidal’s material gets very political. While this is by no means a bad thing, she has a habit of undercutting herself when things get too serious, and interspersed the serious with the trivial- her fear of mice being a personal highlight. Vidal makes a refreshing change in comedy. Her acerbic material certainly isn’t for everybody, but her delivery and skill at making serious issues funny prove how talented she is. Georgina Moule
Tyne Theatre 22 November
T
he Moscow Ballet La Classique’s version of The Nutcracker was, heartbreakingly, a bland and uninspiring performance, lacking in professionalism and resulting in a disinterested audience. After all, the last thing you want is a crackly sound track in place of an orchestra and a group of dancers gossiping on stage. The Christmas magic expected from The Nutcracker was demolished by the giggling dancers and the cringe-worthy moments when pointe shoes fell off; furthermore, the tacky Christmas baubles did not lend to the beautiful, fantastical world that the ballet should present. The performance, however, was not all doom. Despite casting an ageing ballerina to play the role of adolescent Clara, many of the dancers created a charming display. The duets were delightful and enchantingly choreographed, restoring a sense of professionalism to the otherwise humiliating spectacle. The fluttering snow, scene of domestic bliss and familiar enchanting story allowed me to leave the theatre feeling festive if somewhat under-whelmed by the experience. Chloe Emmerson
5 - 8 December Tickets start at £6 Dance City breaks the mould with their daring production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ played out by aerial artists, dancers and storytellers, including a special appearance from the star of CBBC’s Wolfblood, Rachel Teate.
Robin Hood & the Babes in the Wood Tyne Theatre
7 December - 6 January Tickets start at £10 Newcastle welcomes Robin Hood and his merry men as they attempt to free the babes in the wood and their unfortunate nanny from the clutches of the evil Sheriff of Nottingham in the newest take on the traditional family panto.
Peter Pan Sunderland Empire
13 December - 6 January Tickets start at £10 With a star-studded cast, including Tom Lister (Emmerdale’s Carl King) as the infamous Captain Hook, Sunderland Empire prepares to fly us away on a magical journey to Neverland with Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys.
The Importance of Being Earnest St. Luke’s Church 22 - 24 November
O
Newcastle Sinfonietta Jesmond Parish Church 23 November
S
ne of the greatest comedies in the English Language, Oscar’s Wild’s theatrical masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest was successfully performed by Newcastle University’s very own Theatrical Society. From the onset, the actors showed an impressively high level of performance. Christian Cargill created a charismatic and adventurous Algernon Moncrieff and Daniel Lockett perfectly depicted the intelligent John Worthing. As a result of the talented acting, the audience was able to follow the fast changing, improbable plot with pleasure and ease. The sparkling dialogues created a light and ironic atmosphere on the stage, whilst beautiful costumes plunged the audience into the aristocratic society of late Victorian London. Each character was shown by the students as a brilliant expressive individual; especially, Rebecca Ward who depicted Lady Bracknell so brightly, that it was hard to believe this strict, old fashioned lady was being played by a young student. The performance maintained interest as the different, interweaving stories and characters were skillfully unraveled, leading to a grandiose culmination of events, which delighted the enthralled audience.
itting in Jesmond Parish Church listening to the Newcastle Sinfonietta was certainly one of the most relaxing evenings I’ve ever spent. The grand but calming setting of the Church provided the perfect atmosphere for the Sinfonietta’s members to show why they are considered the most musically talented in the university. The fairly large ensemble, conducted by Miles Cragg, performed beautifully arranged renditions of Brahms, Haydn and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Although I am by no means a classical music connoisseur, each movement was strikingly professional and the undeniable talent of each player shone through every note. A particular highlight was the superb solo played by Tim Robinson as he eased his way through Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto. The overall impression of the concert was one of extreme professionalism and I’m quite ashamed it’s taken me until my final year of university to see one of their performances! Definitely an enjoyable evening’s entertainment and I urge anyone to catch one of their upcoming performances!
Inna Iljina
Alexandra Walker
Frisky and Mannish The Stand 27 November
F
risky and Mannish, in their ‘ExtraCurricular’ show, achieved perhaps the most difficult of feats: combining outstanding musical talent with raucous comedy. You don’t often expect grown men (and me) to be falling off their seats with laughter at what is technically a cabaret show, but they certainly succeeded. With a sporadic display of impressions, parodies and remixes, they poked fun at pretty much every figure of popular musical culture. Whilst, in one scene, they created a hilarious Danni Minogue version of Gotye’s relentlessly dull song ‘Somebody that I used to Know’, in another scene they were parodying the equally dull lives of the Made in Chelsea characters. Their intention, I think, is to make you think of songs in a completely different way to what your used to, something demonstrated very well by their Pro-Green style cover of Karen Carpenter’s ‘Top of the World.’ There was literally no order or correlation between their acts but I think this is what made it such a great show, as they kept the audience on their toes and produced an act unlike any other. They are always touring and appearing at festivals, so I would definitely urge anyone to see them! Alexandra Walker
32.musicreviews
The Courier
Monday 3 December 2012
Music Editors: Chris Haywood and Sam Summers Online Music Editor: Sophie Coletta
Cee Lo’s Magic Moment
How To Buy...
Cee Lo Green
Stadium Rock
R
Big bands. Big venues. Big records. Matty Aston guides you to the Good, the Best and the Ugly. For Beginners: AC/DC Back In Black (1980) What better place to start than with the second bestselling album of all time? Back In Black is one of, if not the greatest classic rock record ever. Released in 1980 following the death of original frontman Bon Scott, the album lead them to even greater success, with Geordie Brian Johnson taking over lead vocal duties. Very rarely do you come across an album that can be described as faultless, but this is one of those special exceptions. From the opening chimes on ‘Hells Bells’ to the thunderous closing track ‘Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution,’ the group produce anthem after anthem. And whether people realise or not, there are very few who will not have heard classics such as ‘Back In Black’ and ‘You Shook Me All Night Long.’
od Stewart, plus Kermit the Frog, plus Christina Aguilera, plus Cee Lo Green, plus loads of cheer and songs that come ready made to sing along to because you’ve been hearing them every Christmas since you were spawned. That’s what we’re dealing with here. As you can imagine, the product of this equation is a shit hot album. If you hate this album, you hate Christmas, and you’re a bad person. Now, onto the songs: The album kicks off with ‘What Christmas Means To Me’ which, like many of the tracks on the album, is a bit of a classic reworked with Gnarls Barkley trumpets and some splashes of classy jazz piano, getting you in the mood for what’s to come. Next up is Christina and Cee Lo crooning ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’, which makes you want to go round for Christmas Dinner, chin mulled wine and stare, mouth agape as those two just make your life a bit better. ‘This Christmas’ sort of sounds like something that could be used in a porn film involving The Sims, and ‘The Christmas Song’ makes you feel like you’ve had a few too many mince pies (sweet to the point of sickly), but then you’re thrown into a frankly euphoric ‘White Christmas’ which picks you back up. Nothing, however, can prepare you for the song that comes next. ‘All I Need Is Love’ is introduced by Kermit the Frog, and features the rest of the Muppets on vocals at various points during the song. I’m not exaggerating when I say it could be the best Christmas Song I have ever heard. At the end of the song you get this: ‘wow , I think we reached a new low with that one’ and then ‘yeah and his first names Cee’. Brilliance. I really hope that he releases the abso-
This Christmas
Arguably the album that catapulted Springsteen into global superstardom and stadiums worldwide, Born in the U.S.A. sees the New Jersey favourite at his story-telling best. With the perfect blend of radio-friendly singles such as ‘Dancing In The Dark’ (the music video for which features Bruce dancing with a young Courtney Cox) and ‘Glory Days’, alongside the slightly more downbeat and emotional ‘Downbound Train’ and ‘I’m On Fire,’ Springsteen covers all the bases. However, it is perhaps best known for the often misinterpreted title track ‘Born In The U.S.A,’ one of the greatest rock anthems of its era, whilst the iconic album cover became a symbol of working class America in the 1980s. With many of these stadium-worthy hits still played live today, this record has definitely stood the test of time.
For The Bin: Coldplay Viva La Vida (2008) Quite how Coldplay have managed to conquer stadiums worldwide is anyone’s guess. Apart from their slightly tolerable debut album Parachutes, no other record of theirs deserves any positive recognition whatsoever. To be honest, picking one particular Coldplay album to annihilate proved to be a very difficult process, but Viva La Vida just shaded it. Now, where to start? The seven-minute long borefest ‘Yes’ that leaves you screaming the opposite? The mind-numbing ‘Violet Hill’, devoid of any real enthusiasm whatsoever? Or the title track, with its truly awful refrain of ‘woah oh oh oh?’ Sure, Coldplay may have achieved much success on the stadium circuit, but when the most talked about aspect of their recent shows are flashing wristbands, I think that just about says it all.
Lastly, you get ‘Silent Night’ which you wouldn’t really have as a set closer, but then again you don’t normally have Cee Lo Green and a gospel choir singing it. It’s smooooth with four ‘o’s and manages to pull out a lot of emotions, especially for a song that you probably used to hate singing in assemblies. So yeah, get it bought and have a very merry Christmas. Recommended download: ‘All I Need Is Love’ Kris Holland
If you like this, try ... Various Artists Motown Christmas
Featuring legends such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and The Jackson 5 performing a huge range of holiday favourites, this is pretty much the ultimate soul collection for Christmas.
Light Up The World
Rod Stewart
P
W
If you hate this album, you hate Christmas, and you’re a bad person
Merry Christmas, Baby
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John
For Experts: Bruce Springsteen Born In The U.S.A (1984)
lute behemoth of a song to the world at Christmas, because after hearing it, you’d take a punch in the face and still smile on Christmas Day. The rest of the album is CeeLo cruising, stylishly, through a lot of covers that will get the toes tapping whilst you tuck into your turkey and make you want a cup of Eggnog even if you don’t know what the hell eggnog is. A personal highlight is when Rod Stewart crops up on the penultimate track and makes you want to kiss everyone and everything under mistletoe, or potentially a nettle: it won’t matter because the harmonies will make you lose your shit. Christmas style.
Steps
I
S
icture this - you’re sat by the fire on Christmas Eve, its ‘cold outside’ (as they’ve covered on this album) feeling all warm and romantic with a cup of mulled wine. This collection of covers from the ‘Grease’ pairing takes you back there. Thirty-four years on they still sing as well together as they did in those leather-clad days. They sing all the classics including a jazz version of ‘Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ and a big band version of ‘Winter Wonderland’. There are guest appearances from Cliff Richard (‘Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas’), Tony Bennett (‘Winter Wonderland’) and Barbra Streisand (‘I’ll Be Home For Christmas’). It all seems very loveydovey which is what you want from a Christmas album. It’s a bit of a stocking filler for the over-40s though. It’s a good album I admit that, but it’s no Christmas With Dean Martin and I cannot foresee it displacing 101 Christmas Classics from the pedestal of music to be played whilst cooking the Christmas turkey. Though, if you do want a calm Christmas album to give your mum or dad as a present then this soothing record could be a viable option. Furthermore, This Christmas brings a bit of romanticism back into Christmas. It’s such a money-draining, hard, even tiring time of the year when you have no idea what presents to buy and you really cannot afford anything good for family members, but after listening to this well thought-out album you’ll remember why we do it. So, this Christmas buy this one for your family. It’s guaranteed to bring a smile to any Scrooge’s humbugging face.
t just wouldn’t be Christmas without a cheap, cheesy festive album from a well-known star. Last year Michael Bublé made our mothers swoon with the innovatively-titled Christmas, and the year before that Susan Boyle made us all feel a bit fuzzy with The Gift. This year it’s your Dad’s favourite, Rod Stewart. Merry Christmas, Baby is a very listenable album by these standards. You get plenty for your money, with sixteen tracks spanning 57 minutes. Rod’s voice is like a vintage sherry; sweet, warm and well-aged, perfectly suited to the jazzy, familiar standards you’ll hear on this LP. The classics are all here: ‘Let It Snow!’, ‘Santa Claus Is Coming to Town’, ‘Silent Night’, and so on. Highlights include the title track, a collaboration with inoffensive Santa Claus lookalike Cee Lo Green (who, coincidentally, also has a Crimbo album out this year). The album also features several other respectable guest stars: Ella Fitzgerald, Mary J. Blige and, of course, Michael Bublé, who brings a genuine touch of class to ‘Winter Wonderland’. The album certainly isn’t an iconic piece, but it’s überaccessible and, having reached #2 in the charts, it’s sure to be the soundtrack to many a turkey dinner this December. Sure, it’s a shameless attempt by an ageing rocker to scrape a bit of cash this holiday season, but it’s perfectly bearable, and will undoubtedly shift a ton of copies around the country. It’s hardly groundbreaking stuff, but then what else would you expect from the man who sang “Maggie May”? If all else fails, it’ll make an excellent present for your Dad.
teps’ Christmas effort evokes classic fireside imagery associated with the festive period, moving away from the neo-disco clichés of their nineties records, the album has a choral feel, more akin to that of latter day Bublé. The four minute romp that is ‘History Is Made At Night’ largely involves the band harmonising with a low key backing band, though this transcends into ‘Overjoyed’, a feeling I was left with as the soulful voice of the female section of the band came to the forefront and left me weak at the knees. ‘It May Be Winter Outside’ is a stark reminder of the early work of Martha Reeve’s and the Vandellas, though it is somehow more reserved, a reflection of Steps’ calmer side. It is now that the album takes an unexpected turn. One would not expect to cite Des’ree as one of the inspirations for a group heralded as one of the greats of the last days of the Top of the Pops chart toppers. ‘One Less Bell To Answer’, however, makes it clear they are a group with many strings to their bow. ‘A House Is Not A Home’ also sees the men in the group taking a backseat; there is a definite lack of H until ‘Light Up The World’, which harks back to their original sound, though it is a more mature take on their powerful ballads. ‘When She Loved Me’ is a poorly placed cover as the listener is instantly removed from the winter wonderland that they have been placed in and transported into Toy Story 2. Christmas album or not, Steps are still as relevant as they ever were.
Recommended download: ‘I Think You Might Like It’
Recommended download: ‘Winter Wonderland’
Recommended download: ‘It May Be Winter Outside’
Josh Nicholson
Alex Bell
Max Palmer-Geaves
The Courier
localmusic.33
Monday 3 December 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_music
sceNE: O’Messy Life
Confessions of a
Delving into the region’s exploding music scene, Editor Ben Travis brings you a sample of what the North East can offer you... You can’t accuse the North East music scene of being unambitious. The region’s recent musical history is most well-known for indie-rock anthems courtesy of the likes of The Futureheads, Maximo Park and Field Music, yet in the last year, all three made ambitious moves. The former released a fully a Capella record and played Sunderland’s Stadium of Light, Maximo Park did five in-store performances in independent record shops across one afternoon to celebrate the release of their latest album, and the latter rightfully found their way onto the Mercury Music Prize 2012 shortlist. That ambition isn’t limited to the more famed
acts, though - just look at O’Messy Life. Not only does their musical output take elements of doom rock, folk and punk and turn it into something not merely cohesive but particularly brilliant, their upcoming release is set to be a double concept EP based on NASA missions. Impressive, not even taking into account an extended hiatus following singer and guitarist David Littlefair unfortunately gouging out half of his thumb. Announcing their return to the local live circuit, the band released a new song from said space concept EP, ‘Challenger’, which is, to put it simply, a slowie but a goodie. Or rather, that’s how it starts
EP #1
EP #2
before beefing up with some huge guitars for the last minute in an immensely satisfying crecendo, which once again brings that word ‘ambition’ to mind. It’s the sort of track that unashamedly makes you sit back and think, isn’t it great that people round here are making this sort of music? With the full EP still in the works, now is the best time to brush up on O’Messy Life, and, being the excellent chaps they are, a significant selection of their former EPs are available as free downloads on their Bandcamp page. Lucky you. With 12 free tracks up for grabs, read below for your guide to one of the North East’s best rock acts.
EP #3
Worry Party
Green Posies Growin’, Gangrene Below ‘Em
O’Messy Life & The Quarter Life Crisis of Conan
Its rawer production might make Worry Party a very slightly less accessible listen than later EPs, but O’Messy Life’s first release is still a cracker. Grungey guitars, blasting horns and drunk-sounding vocals abound on ‘O’The Good Times’, whilst ‘Milk Sick’ opens with some wonderfully woozy slide guitar before venturing down an alt-folk path. The EP builds to a rousing, waltzing close with fantastically-titled final track ‘armageddonwithit’, all whirling organs and warm, rich strings - it’s a wintry, intoxicating brew. Wonderful stuff.
The production values on O’Messy Life’s second EP are hiked up a notch from the rougher sound of Worry Party. Green Posies gets off at a rollicking pace with ‘Permanent Threshold Shift Blues’, like a folky Titus Andronicus powered up with billowing horns. It’s a stunning opener, almost matched in quality by the rest of the tracks. ‘The House That Howls Built’ brings the Pixies influence to the fore, shifting through dark melodies in its five minutes. ‘Be Well (The Well Song)’ is great, leading into epic eight minute closer ‘The Great Decompose’.
Taking cues from the EP’s brilliant title, The Quarter Life Crisis of Conan’s opens with the famed ‘What is best in life?’ quote from Conan the Barbarian. From there it’s straight into vintage Pixies-esque riffing on ‘Fear & Trembling’. The guitars have a powerful crunching tone to them, underpinned by a booming anchoring bassline. Conan culminates in ‘Dryads’, one of the band’s best tracks, and probably the best song ever written about a man who
Oh, what a night
Chris Binding catches the infamous and intriguing subject of Searching for Sugar Man, Sixto Rodriguez, performing at The Sage Gateshead
M
usic history is rife with legendary failures, underappreciated artists and stories of ‘almost making it’ and in the case of seminal artist Sixto Rodriguez, these sentiments could have applied to his career. Releasing two albums Cold Fact (1970) and Coming From Reality (1971) that bombed in America, his instant fade into obscurity was matched by a overwhelming popularity with apartheid counterculture of middle–class South Africa.While Rodriguez was shelved there in a canonical pantheon amongst The Beatles, Neil Young and Simon and Garfunkel, he remained blissfully ignorant, living a humble life of manual labour while his baying South African audience were convinced he had died on stage. That is until a South African music journalist and fan decided to hunt down their hero , finding their idol living in Detroit and inviting him back to South Africa for a series of sold–out gigs equivalent to ‘Elvis coming back from the dead’. The story of Rodriguez’s resurrection is a touching tale nonetheless and one that provoked a music biopic Searching For Sugar Man, catapulting Rodriguez back into the public domain while introducing new generations to a musician, storyteller and social commentator that stands up to his Bob Dylan comparisons. With an incredibly distinctive voice, deeply melodic tracks and counter-culture lyrics that are impossible not to be affected by, Rodriguez is a delicious hidden pleasure. Although the film was a final chapter of almost a decade of re-discovery, being sampled by Nas in 2001, David Holmes in 2002 and debuting live in London in 2005, Mark Banjalloull’s film added a fresh twist on the legend, leading to a series of UK dates including the main hall at The Sage Gateshead. Black clad and led on stage due to failing eyesight, the 70 year old Rodriguez emanated a curious mixture of strength and frailty, with a tangible disorientation between tracks matched by an unabridged confidence of a seasoned performer with a strong political voice. Backed up superbly by the guitars
and organ work of act Phantom Limb, Rodriguez moved effortlessly between satire and sentiment, from the sneering ode to a Detroit Drug Dealer in ‘Sugarman’ and attacks on self- denial in Crucify your Mind to crooning out love – songs, his power live clearly shines though his music. When called on his choice of covers with the heckle “Alright Elvis , let’s hear some Rodriguez songs”, his response of “I do covers because I’m a musician” left audiences unsure at the apparent condescending tone of such a ‘man of the people’. Yet as he openly admitted on stage, ‘I know my audience’ reinforcing the artist’s total control. However despite rattling through his beautifully composed songs, the environment of the Sage seemed quite alien in contrast to Rodriguez. With very little unprovoked crowd participation on Rodriguez’s part, often turning his back to the audience between songs, the gig was a mixture of unbearable silences between songs and an audience attempting to break the silence with their own jokes making the concert feel at times like a live
screening of The Room. Yet despite the clinical venue taking something away from the ‘performance’ aspect, Rodriguez’s voice, songwriting and sheer presence were enough to make people shut up and listen. Although this ‘sellable’ mythical status perpetuated by a lifetime in musical exile can justify charging almost £25 a ticket, the unsteady veteran rocker is far from a ‘cash cow’ - rather, an honest musician with a presence bordering on pseudo spiritualist monk. As an unruly South African supporter whooped, hollered and dominated the silence (much to the annoyance of those sitting by) it beckons the fact that without the fanatical South African fanbase, Rodriguez would probably never have gained the popularity he now wields today, rising from the dead again and again to capture the imaginations of new generations. In the context of Rodriguez’s story, ‘better late than never’ seems less like an apathetic anecdote and more a potential reality. If that isn’t inspirational I don’t know what is.
Failed Rock Star
S
o, gig number one was out of the way, and as far as we were concerned, with the quality of songs we had written, it was just a matter of when, not if. Eventually, as is the case in a lot of towns and cities, a bit of a scene developed around the cultural hub of Pontefract, and some half decent bands started springing up. With the catchphrase to end all catchphrases – ‘it’ll be better than a titwank’ – we decided to host the gig to end all gigs. Pontefract has a pub, The Counting House, which is one of the oldest pubs you’ll find, and also gave us our first gig. In order to show our gratitude, my friend from another band, The Antix, and I decided to try and put the floor through and create a gaping crevasse through which everyone could
It was going to have the liberal attitude of Woodstock, the numbers of Glastonbury and the status of Jimi Hendrix’s performance at the Isle of Wight enjoy our sultry tones. This was created under the moniker ‘Floormageddon’. It was going to have the liberal attitude of Woodstock, the numbers of Glastonbury and the status of Jimi Hendrix’s performance at the Isle of Wight. Suffice to say that it did happen, and that too many people came. Windows got broken, and someone’s foot got put through a fusebox. There was plaster falling from the ceiling into the pub below and there were rumours of the owner of the pub locking himself in a cupboard. People even sold t-shirts. White t-shirts, from Primark, with Floormageddon written on them. For money. I requested a t-shirt as an organiser, but wasn’t allowed one due to my refusal to pay. It must be like how Pete Best feels like when he tries to buy a Beatles shirt.
So, that was that. We received a ban from The Counting House after that, which lasted absolutely ages, and a lot of people who weren’t old enough showered Pontefract’s streets in sweat and underage VK sick. We thought that that was the start of our guerilla music scene, and that our Libertineesque house parties were sure to come next before national acclaim, followed by tours, half decent merchandise and more money and women than we could shake a stick at. So, in conjunction with these dreams, obviously that was the only time it ever happened. Kris Holland
The Courier
Monday 3 December 2012
musicfeatures.35
ABC: Absolutely bloody crackers
The surviving Jacksons have just announced they’re teaming up for their first UK tour in three decades. As we all flock to our nearest venue, Mike Slaski answers the question on everyone’s lips: God, the Jacksons are mental, aren’t they? You’ve called him what..?
Honey, I nearly dropped the kid... Michael Jackson, may god rest his soul, made the headlines for the wrong reasons when he nearly dropped a baby from a third story balcony. Clutching baby Blanket under his shoulder, with a towel draped over its head, Jackson waved enthusiastically to fans as the child dangled precariously. Jackson later admitted he’d made a “terrible mistake”. “I got caught up in the excitement of the moment. I would never intentionally endanger the lives of my children,” Jackson said. Fair enough Michael, still no excuse for calling your son Blanket.
The Jackson family definitely do pick some questionably names for their children. Most people have heard of MJ’s children: Blanket, Paris and Michael Jackson Jr; But there’s a plethora of other unfortunately-named Jacksons out there. Jermaine Jackson’s kids include Jafarr, Jourdynn, Jaimy, Jermaine Jnr, Jeremy and Jermajesty while Tito Jackson has three boys: Taj, Taryll and TJ. Other notabley named Jacksons include Stacee, Yashi, Sig Junior and Stevanna.
Take your mama out... It’s not easy being a Jackson. Not even when you’re a grandmother. Katherine Jackson, mother of Michael, signed a sworn declaration this summer claiming that her children ‘kidnapped’ her. She was tricked into getting a plane to Arizona, where she was taken to a hotel and relieved of her phone and iPad. Why would anyone want to kidnap their mum? Well, Randy Jackson believes that the executors of MJ’s will have a plan to kill his mother. “It is my fear and belief that they are trying to take my mother’s life,” he tweeted, potentially explaining why he decided to kidnap his mother. Potentially.
What’s in a name? ‘Nipplegate’ Sometimes referred to as ‘Nipplegate’, it’s since become the most replayed moment in TiVo history. I’m talking about the ‘wardrobe malfunction’ that befell Janet Jackson during the NFL Superbowl halftime show. Whilst performing a duet, Justin Timberlake ‘accidentally’ tore off part of Janet’s bra, exposing her breast to a TV audience of around 100 million. The Americans, predictably, made a massive deal out of it, with the FCC receiving over 540 000 viewer complaints. A very embarrassing ordeal for the second most successful Jackson sibling. At the end of the day guys, it was just a bit of nipple.
Jermaine Jackson has filed a legal request to change his surname, hoping to switch from “Jackson” to... “Jacksun”. The older brother of Michael Jackson has cited “artistic reasons”. What those reasons might be? Your guess is as good as mine. “Phonetically, it changes nothing,” said friend Steve Dennis, speaking on behalf of the singer. “It is something he has chosen to do, and it’s fair to say that you cannot blame this one on the boogie, you’ve got to blame it on the sunshine.” Ho, ho, ho. In any case it’s probably only the second most bizarre celebrity name change of recent times, behind the American NBA basketball player “Metta World Peace” (formerly known as Ron Artest).
36.tvlistings
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
TV Editor: Chris Taylor Online TV Editor: Ben Parkin
Troopers of Telly Most of our Troopers of Telly have been pretty family friendly. This week Matt Tate decides to delve into the world of narcotics to tell us why Walter White should be feared and (kind of) admired
I
must confess that in writing this tribute, I am yet to conclude the fourth series of Breaking Bad, so I don’t know how this week’s trooper of telly, Walter White, actually turns out in the end. I don’t know if he lives or dies, I don’t know if he kills any more people (if I had money I’d happily gamble it on the chance that he does though), and I don’t know how many more outrageously criminal ploys he can realistically conceal from his unfortunate family. But I don’t think I need to know the answers to any of those questions in order to be qualified to go on about how good he is. When first introduced to ‘Walt’, I immediately did a mental recount of all my old high-school science teachers, and dedicated at least 40 seconds of my time pondering over the possibility of one of them chucking in their mundane day job, recruiting the local junkie and starting a multimilliondollar class A drug-dealing operation. I decided it was a bit unlikely. Possible yes, but unlikely. But that’s the magic of Walt. Nobody would ever expect he was up to it either. Nobody in their wildest dreams would envisage him strolling into a local stronghold making outrageous financial demands before blowing it up, walking out unscathed and still making it home in time for tea.
Him & Her BBC3, Sunday 10pm im & Her returned to our screens the other week to general rejoicing and the ringing of church bells across the land, though that may just have been a clash with the normal Sabbath bell-ringing schedule. Written by the very brilliant Stefan Golaszewski (if you’ve not seen the work of his sketch troupe Cowards, look it up on YouTube. They wrote a sketch about Martin Clunes trying to round up his neighbours for a kickabout. It’s great. I digress), Him & Her follows the very humdrum existence of
Becky (Sarah Solemani) and Steve (Russell Tovey), a couple who can very rarely be bothered to get out of bed. That’s pretty much it; it’s in the grand tradition of sitcoms that aren’t really about anything in particular, following programmes like Seinfeld and The Royle Family, but with a lewd and frequently slightly disgusting undercurrent entirely its own. Think of Him & Her as the slovenly older brother of Gavin & Stacey, unemployed and still sat in its pants at 4pm, beer in hand. If it’s about anything, it’s a still life portrait on the hazy warmness of young love (please try not to vomit all over this page) and the very irritating habit life has of interrupting this bliss with diversions and irritants. For Becky and Steve, these come in the form of their very odd neighbour Dan (Joe Wilkinson), Becky’s vindictive sister Laura (Kerry Howard), and her borderline psychotic fiancé Paul (the triumphant-
ly-named Ricky Champ). The beginning of this third series finds Becky and Steve on the brink of engagement, though of course it’s pretty certain that not everything will go to plan. For a start, Steve’s proposal to his beau came while she was immensely hungover, and it’s hard to imagine the lazy lovebirds managing to get their act together enough to get to the church on time. For me, the essential appeal of Him & Her lies in its simple truthfulness. Consider, for example, the occasion on which Becky and Steve discover a sausage roll behind their sofa and share it between themselves. Don’t even try to pretend you’ve not rediscovered a day-old Big Mac and been sorely tempted to polish it off. Don’t look at me like that. You definitely have. Well I have, at any rate.
The Fear Channel 4, Mon - Thurs 10pm
Limmy’s Show BBC Scotland, iPlayer
The Secret of Crickley Hall BBC1, Sunday 9pm
H
W
There’s no doubting that Walt turns into a fully blown and particularly unfriendly villain over the course of Breaking Bad’s relentlessly exciting duration. He does some despicable things, and leaves more than a few casualties in his wake. But we always believe in his cause. There is genuinely no happy, smiley conclusion to that cause. He is in far too deep for that, and manages to dig deeper still with each new episode. But we still believe in what he’s doing. We know that forging a dual identity as an unrelenting drug kingpin flirting with the infamous cartel is all in a day’s work when you have a family to feed and a baby on the way. There is something about watching a man who starts out so good, so law-abiding and conformist, go completely mental until he is totally beyond redemption. You kind of lose your morality as he loses his. A high school chemistry teacher liberated by the fact he doesn’t think he has long left to live, realises he can do quite a good impression of Scarface, and is able to single-handedly make lab coats and periodic tables embarrassingly cool. That’s escapism. We all know Walt’s not a bad man deep down, but we’re envious of how bad he is able to become on the surface, and as soon as he dons that infamous hat, not even a shotgun-wielding psychopath can sleep easy.
henever someone mentions a new TV series about a gangster or rival gangs, there is often a groan or a sigh. Even the least avid TV fan is aware that the topic has rather exhaustively been covered by the likes of The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Top Boy and Boardwalk Empire. However, The Fear appears to be less about the lifestyle or the action and more about the effects that living such a life can have on someone’s mental capacity. The Fear follows Richie Beckett (Peter Mullen), a man whose Brighton-based empire is quickly coming under threat from an Albanian gang. His sons (Harry Lloyd and Paul Nicholls), completely at a loss of how to resolve the situation, get their retired father involved. When Richie is forced into a meeting with the Albanians at an old farm, a violent attack on the ageing Albanian leader forces the rivals into a spiralling and relentless turf war. Not only are the family under threat from the Albanians but from Richie as he struggles to separate the past and the present. Reality and fantasy quickly bleed into one as it becomes obvious that Richie is suffering from some form of dementia. Richie begins to clutch at the straws of his memory to try and find a solution before he, his family and his legacy are lost. Showing over four consecutive nights (Starting tonight), The Fear promises to be a riveting portrayal of a man falling beyond redemption full of tension, dread, nail-biting and wide eyed addiction. Alexandra Stonebanks
E
nglish viewers, welcome to the funniest, oddest BBC sketch show you’ve probably never seen. Limmy’s Show is pure BBC Scotland, making no viewer concessions in terms of accents, sense of humour or target audience. Thank god, then, for iPlayer, allowing the rest of the UK the opportunity to subject itself to Brian ‘Limmy’ Limond’s twisted take on sketch show conventions. I say ‘submit’ - it’s worth saying early on that Limmy’s is a weird, weird show. Generally wonderful, but predominantly weird. We’re not talking Little Britain-OTT pantomime or Tramadol Nights-controversy here, more a degree of randomness underpinned by an unexpected flouting of sketch clichés. Vignettes regularly begin as one thing before taking severe left turns to catch you off-guard. Take, for instance, his ‘runners’ sketch (search it out on YouTube), which adds an extra punch line just when the audience recognises the crux of the joke. It’s this knowledge of expectations and methods of subverting them that makes Limmy’s Show special, and such entertaining viewing. Luckily, for all its strange inclinations, it’s not an impenetrable watch, with hilarious, accessible recurring characters in Dee Dee the zoned-out waster and recovering alcoholic Jacqueline McCafferty. Further fan favourites include Raymond Day (a phony TV medium with some disturbing messages for families of the deceased), and the subservient host of a late-night ‘Adventure Call’ show. If you seek self-aware, off-beat, dark comedy, be sure to hit up iPlayer and check out Limmy’s Show. Ben Travis
Tom Nicholson
A
lthough I am always dubious when the BBC assigns an advisory notice to shows on iPlayer, I have to say The Secret of Crickley Hall is a show that is justified to have one. The show is a classic two plots at two different time periods, in the same setting with links between the past and present. The modern story sees a mother (Eve) lose her son, and after a year of heartache the whole family moves to Crickley Hall to start again. However, as you expect, it is not that simple. Crickley makes Eve feel closer to her lost son, believing she can hear him. The second story is set in the Second World War, where Crickley was used as a safe house for orphans during the Blitz. Nancy is hired as a new tutor but soon discovers that the children are being wrongly beaten and starved until they do right by the mysteriously injured Augustus Cribben. Traditional paranormal drama sees the modern day children feel themselves being beaten in their sleep, hear the voice and footsteps of Cribben and wonder what the truth is behind the history of Crickley Hall. With the discovery that Crickley Hall was built on top of an underground river, where orphans were often drowned, things get a bit creepy but Eve is still not willing to move out due to this connection with her son. It is a quintessentially brilliant British BBC drama with a great cast and a plot that is released slowly, pulling you in and getting you totally addicted. Sally Priddle
The Courier
featurestv.37
Monday 3 December 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/tv c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_tv
First impressions are everything
Opening titles aren’t how they used to be. Gone are the days of just showing the title of the show over shots of Hebden Bridge. Titles are a selling point now - TV Editor Chris Taylor takes a look at what makes a good opening title in the modern world of TV
Exemplary Episodes # 2: Route 66
In the second in the series of our TV writers waxing lyrical about their favourite episodes, Helen Daly takes a trip down Route 66 with everyone’s favourite man with an orange for a head.
W
e’re told to make excellent first impressions. It takes only a few seconds for someone to decide if they are attracted to a member of the opposite sex. We’re told not to judge a book by its cover, but often that’s what makes us pick up the book. We need something to draw is in, something to make us want to dive into this world, whatever it may be. It’s a little bit shallow, yes, but it’s oftentimes a deal breaker. It’s no different with TV credit sequences. They kick start the show and, if they’re exceptionally good, will give you a flavour of what the show is about. Even if it’s relatively simple, it can still tell you something about what you’re about to watch. HBO are the main proponents of a good opening sequence. Point to any HBO show and try not to be blown away by their opening credits sequence. Even Sex and the City’s opening credits provide a great introduction, showing you Carrie Bradshaw’s New York, an altogether removed one full of glamour but also a lot of imperfections. The Wire makes an excellent job of replacing their opening titles
each season to capture the essence of that season. Urban decay is prominent throughout all 5 openings but, with each season focusing on a different aspect of Baltimore life, Season 3 throws in some politics whilst Season 2 chucks you into the life of a blue collar worker. Then you have the more visually striking side of things; the likes of Carnivale, True Blood or Deadwood showing you the everyday surrounding the series, be that gold prospecting or travelling caravans. To pick a recent example, the opening to Game of Thrones is perfect. Visually stunning, it sees the camera fly over a game board in the shape of Westeros, as the cities evolve and the pieces move into place, evoking the tension and drama of the show itself. But HBO don’t hold a monopoly; just think of Dexter, perhaps one of the best opening sequences of the 21st Century, even if the show itself is declining in quality. We’re aware that Dexter is a serial killer also trying to live a normal life, so here we see him cooking his breakfast, flossing his teeth and putting on a t-shirt, getting ready for the day but
with a sense of malice to it. He tightens the floss and shoe laces like he’s preparing cheese wire to strangle someone, and the spurting of the blood orange is... well... pretty obvious really. As much as I loathe the opening to Homeland, it does what it needs to do well. It’s messy, disorganised; just a jumble of ideas. But then you realise that what we are seeing in this credits sequence is Carrie’s mind. Doubting her own ideas, while juggling everything else going on, this is the jumble we see; a mess of everything going through her head from her beloved jazz to news broadcasts. A good title sequence does the job of hooking you in. Think Mad Men and, beyond the sharp suits, ridiculous alcohol consumption and Alison Brie, the first thing that springs to mind is that opening sequence. Mirroring the style and class, but also the quick fall many characters face, it sucks you in and lets you know what exactly it is you’re in for. First impressions really are everything. At least in the land of TV.
Get yer lug’oles round this! A good theme tune is one that you find yourself whistling in the shower completely without realising it. Your Fresh Prince of Bel Airs for instance. Beth Durant looks into what makes a theme tune truly iconic
W
hen I look back at my childhood I have this vague memory of my eight yearold self scrambling to pull a chair up in front of my TV when the Casualty theme tune started playing, my entire body pretty much vibrating with excitement as I hummed along. It’s safe to say that I wasn’t the coolest kid, but that dramatic orchestral ensemble still haunts me to this day. There’s a reason why pesky theme tunes like this stick in your head; they all follow a very similar formulaic list of ticked boxes. You need something the audience can absorb and interact with; a sleek guitar riff, a clapping interlude, and maybe some easy-to-follow lyrics that melt like butter in your mouth. Let’s be honest, you’d be a poor soul if you said you didn’t do
the ‘clap clap clap clap’ part whenever you hear the Friends theme tune, and you’d probably be lying if you said you didn’t know the lyrics off by heart. The single ‘I’ll Be There For You’ will forever be associated with the famous sitcom, and I’m pretty sure The Rembrandts (the original writers of the song) won’t mind too much if their royalties are anything to go by. Of course, it’s not just the songs that attract our attention; it’s the visuals that create the perfect synonymous blend. For example, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer theme tune is instantly recognisable; the ‘90s alternative rock influence seeping through and providing a brilliant introduction to the show that boasted a lead in the sub-genre of underground cult TV shows. Combine that with the fast-paced
clips of cast members, ghouls and ghosties, and you’ve got yourself a set of opening credits that becomes a cultural phenomenon. Similarly, shows like Mad Men and Chuck make use of simple animation and thrumming bass-lines to introduce us to the stylistically-designed look of the shows. RJD2’s ‘A Beautiful Mine’ and Cake’s ‘Short Skirt Long Jacket’ (the themes for Mad Men and Chuck respectively) are stupidly catchy and instantly recognisable. They’ve wormed their way into the public psyche as “that song from that thing”. Alongside that you have the more simple, orchestral themes that grab you from the word go. The Walking Dead’s frantic string section followed by urgent percussion evokes the tension and “grab you by the scruff of the neck” feel of the show. To add to more brilliant things about The Wire, its theme song, Tom Waits’ ‘Way Down In The Hole’, is covered by a different artist each season, keeping it fresh and exciting. Season 3’s Neville Brothers cover, with a soul feel to it, is ridiculously catchy. Whether it’s the simplicity of the ominous crescendo that submerges you into Lost, or those all too-familiar cheesy crashing drums sinking you into the heart of London for the start of Eastenders, there’s a theme tune out there that everyone knows off by heart. Add some sugar, spice, and everything nice, and you have the perfect song that people will be remembering for years.
Karl Pilkington (‘The Idiot Abroad’) is probably one of the most unlikely heroes of today. I literally could have picked any episode from the series, but when pushed for a favourite, there is only ever one. Route 66 from the second series has some of the best ‘Karl moments’ from the collection. For those who haven’t seen An Idiot Abroad, the premise is simple. Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have found a quiet and down-to-earth guy with some pretty ‘out-there’ ideas and placed him in situations that most of us would either love or hate. Highlights from the series include land-diving and climbing Mount Fuji. Pretty exciting stuff, right? Well not for Karl Pilkington, who moans about pretty much anything (and everything), which is rarely shown more perfectly than in this episode. On his travels down the famous route, Karl experiences a ‘different’ side of Route 66, including a house filled with glass bottles and a ‘cuddle party’. All of these leave Karl bemused, bored and mainly, moaning. What makes this episode the epitome of the series is the sheer variety of the activities that are on offer. Karl takes part in the good, the bad, and the downright freaky, including the new American phenomenon, Glee (“They’re not doing English or Maths; they’re piss-arsing about to Van Halen!”). He is made to dance around and join in signing lessons. For those that have seen Karl in action before, seeing him awkwardly dance around the stage is probably one of the must funniest things from the whole series, mainly just for the awkwardness of the situation. It is almost impossible not to cringe during this episode; especially when Glee is followed by a cuddle party. Through this first section of the episode, Karl is at his most awkward and therefore moans the most throughout. I can literally watch this any time, and still laugh; there isn’t anything funnier than seeing Karl in an uncomfortable and alien situation, and moaning his way through it. The closing scene shows this perfectly - Karl is faced with a dilemma: take part in ‘Mr Leather International’ or finish the route on top of the wings of a fairly old plane. The show, of course, ends with Karl whizzing through the air, shouting obscenities about Ricky and Stephen whilst standing on top of aeroplane wings. There’s literally so much I could talk about; Karl Pilkington makes the show what it is today, and if anyone hasn’t seen it, I would seriously urge them to watch it. Now.
iteh: Jack Wh News Flas at nfirmed th hall has co dent vourite stu fa ’s e n o y r eve eat, is m, Fresh M ies. r based sitco r a third se fo n r tu e r set to firmed haven’t con ain 4 l e n n a h C mB -creator Sa this but co ws to cussing ne is d n e e b s ha n Twitter this effect o
38.filmfeatures
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Film Editors: Hayley Hamilton and Sam Hopkins Online Film Editor: Chris Binding
Top
5
‘Smells like bacon’: Police in movies How is law and order represented in film? Chris Binding explores police stereotypes
Cop Films
Bad Lieutenant
5
Harvey Keitel plays ‘The Lieutenant’ in this 1992 crime drama which tracks a corrupt New York City police detective with a serious drug and gambling addiction attempting to change his ways and seeking forgiveness by investigating the rape of a nun. Gritty and hard-hitting, director Abel Ferrara provides a truly harrowing cinema experience.
4
Lethal Weapon
Mel Gibson plays Martin Riggs, a young suicidal cop who is partnered with veteran Roger Murtaugh (Danny Glover). Although they both hate working in pairs, they are forced to work together to put a stop to a drug-smuggling gang. With great acting, this tense 1987 action thriller is gripping and tense throughout.
Se7en
law for a noble cause; they abuse it for pleasure because they can. From Harvey Keitel dealing drugs and enacting random violence, pill–popping Gary Oldman in Leon, Denzel Washington in Training Day and Al Pacino in Donnie Brasco, these are cops who have lost faith in the system. They resort to the same practices of the criminals and betray the citizens they are paid to ‘protect and serve’. Bad cops are always more interesting characters and are likely to fare well critically in awards season. Who can forget Dirty Harry?
Double Team ‘Buddy Cop Movies’ Starsky and Hutch,, Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, Mel Gibson and Danny Glover...all good cop teams come in pairs and have since become a staple of the genre. With chemistry that often borders on homoerotic of the ‘you can be my wingman anytime’ variety, their escapades often revolve around arguments, slapstick gags and rolling over car bonnets in unison. Racial or background differences also help, turning strangers into companions: foe into friend (yawn). It’s a nice sentiment to view police work as a perpetual lads holiday but as Edgar Wright referenced in Hot Fuzz, for every building that’s blown up, there’s also a tonne of paper-work.
Comedic Cop Being a cop lends itself to comedy pretty well. You’re expected to be up-tight and maintain a caring masquerade, while attempting to negotiate with complete morons on a day to day basis . In the case of Leslie Nielsen, known for the Naked Gun series, he made a career making jokes about the size and circumference of his truncheon. It’s a laugh a minute with these cops, but don’t go expecting realism.
‘Bad Cop’ ‘I AM THE LAW’ etc. With the amount of police brutality inherent in media, it’s interesting some of the more memorable cinematic cops are sociopaths, racists and violent thugs. As opposed to vigilantes and ‘honest Joes’ , they don’t break the
Fantasy Cop Alongside characterisation, dirty scoundrels and genital jokes , Sci–Fi and fantasy cinema have also had their wicked way with policeman, often taking the image and warping it for weird and wonderful results. From mounting metal onto Paul Weller in Robocop, proto fascist fantasy in the enforcers of Judge Dredd, to the terrifying liquid terminator in Terminator 2, police are a great blue–print for fan-
3 Interview: Electric Man
This 1995 crime thriller stars Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as detectives David Mills and William Somerset, who follow a serial killer who operates using the seven deadly sins. Dark and mysterious, the murderous scenes are graphically portrayed as Mills and Somerset desperately try to get into the mind of a killer.
2 Heat Starring Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, this 1995 crime drama is intensely thrilling. The film opens with a group of professional bank robbers who mistakenly leave a clue at their latest heist; what follows is a violent and tense ride with Al Pacino’s portrayal of Lieutenant Vincent Hanna providing the intensity.
The Departed
Horror Movie Cop We’ve all seen the poor guys in horror films summoned to a distress call during routine rounds. These poor fellows walk straight into the jaws of death (sometime not even making it out of their car). They do nothing for your faith in law enforcement and are often more sympathetic characters than the chronically annoying protagonists. Hence the parody ‘Doofus’ in Scary Movie which is more literal than you would actually think. Moral of the story. Call in back–up.
1
From director Martin Scorsese, 2006 thriller The Departed centres around two men from opposite sides of the law, one working undercover in the Massachusetts State Police and the other in the Irish Mafia. With a fantastically clever plot and an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon and Martin Sheen, this is one of the greats. Alex Gray
tastic and exaggerated representations. Lest we forget the FBI agents in David Lynch’s Twin Peaks series. Girl Power! – Female Cop As a lot of the buddy cop films involve themes of male bonding and noble bravery in the face of adversity, a lot of 1980s cop pictures under-represented women in favour of minor supporting roles. From sarcastic FBI agent Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality becoming an icon for new–wave feminism to Jodie Foster’s incredible performance as Clarice in Silence of the Lambs, portrayals of female cops are memorable because of their scarcity. Even in the modern market women rarely get major roles as police officers in film. It’s a genre (like the prison movie) that is aimed towards male audiences and their preoccupation with macho power struggles. John Mcclaine Because sometimes (cop or not) you have to restore the law by putting on a vest, re-solidifying capitalism and rekindling your marriage. Illustrations by: Isabelle Owens
Online Film Editor Chris Binding interviews the writer and director of this year’s new cult favourite Electric Man, after a special screening at Tyneside Cinema
Writer Scott McKay and director Dave Barras presented ‘Clerks meets Maltease Falcon’ in Electric Man, which has been going down a storm at film festivals and conventions around the UK and America. “The biggest audience we have had is 500 alongside the premiere at Glasgow film festival and then again we put it in a small cinema in a town where both Dave and I grew up, where we used to go see things like Star Wars and got an unbelievable reception. It was almost like coming home.”
Despite the Star Wars-esque poster and familiar themes Barras stresses the film is not just for fan boys. Although the recent popularity of comic book films was an important influence on Electric Man, the film itself is less Kick-Ass and more ‘film noir’ in disguise. As Barras elaborates: “When it comes to film style and films I like, I am a big fan of The Big Sleeper and screwball comedies. Anything that is fast, verbal and witty and the comedy in these movies is so gorgeous, sharp and clean. Because I liked these movies we decided to bring a noir–esque element and take it further than you would expect.” With Electric Man being more a film revolving around the deception, fanaticism and double crosses that orbit around an extremely expensive comic book falling into the hands of two unwitting shop owners, Barras and McKay do a great job of treading the line between pop culture gags and complex noir plotting. As well as being a great example of genre experimentation, the film’s budgetary problems and fan-boy demographic actually helped fund the project in the early stages, gaining money from pre–film merchandise. “I was at a session with Shane Meadows and his film Le Donk made for £50,000 and urging people to make a film on a low– budget motivated me to go for it myself.” In some cases of copyright, these budgetary problems helped develop the project even further as Barras recalls: “We called it Electric Man because we couldn’t get ‘Superman’ as we couldn’t afford the licensing, the time or paperwork of such a heavily copyrighted character. He was originally going to be a comedy character swallowing batteries but I luckily changed him to a historical character that has been around since 1937.” With a digital distribution deal set to fall into place in 2013, limited edition posters going to print and a current series of live appearances touring the film, writing duo Scott and
Dave prefer to stick together with a grassroots approach for their new projects due to their experiences in the entertainment industry. “We recently worked on a project that is made more different by the fact that we have known each other for over 30 years but it doesn’t matter: at the end of the day we can go to the pub. With other people it’s all about egos - who scores the points and who is getting the lines in.” With an Electric Man 2 script set in New York and several genre scripts including a “time travelesque thriller, a supernatural horror movie and a Scottish-based comedy” in the works, exciting times are ahead for the Scottish writer/directors. Despite not being the superhero movie that the poster may have alluded too, Electric Man is a film of fanaticism, crime and murder in the name of ‘comic books’ themselves, and is based more in reality than Kick-Ass and Super ever were. As writer Scott McKay laments, “we are getting to the end of the Electric Man story now and let it get out in the world, it will be sad and it is time for us to move on to new things.” As a smart movie with great audience potential and snappy humour, Electric Man is a great example of quality filmmaking on a low budget and deserves all the recognition it is now receiving. Before you hang your leotards up with a small tear in your eye, you can support the film and get hold of hard copies at www.Electricmanmovie.com.
The Courier
reviewsfilm.39
Monday 3 December 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/film c2.film@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Film
End of Watch (15) David Ayer’s latest film End of Watch is a return to his favoured crime-drama genre. It is set in the mould of Training Day (2001); the film he wrote and helped produce, and which gave Denzel Washington his second Oscar. After the plaudits Training Day received and deserved, End of Watch had a lot to live up to. Somehow it needed to recreate the thrills and grittiness whilst injecting something new into a much-treaded cinematic path. This time Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena are the boys in blue manning the thin blue line in the rough and tumble world of South Central, Los Angeles. The story follows Brian Taylor (Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña) during their daily lives, patrolling in their comfortable police car around the rough neighbourhoods of suburban Los Angeles. A few routine house and vehicle stops involving large quantities of the three basic necessities (drugs, money and guns) leads them into the folds of cartel businesses operating in LA, having spread north from Mexico. Their lives become endangered as the cartels obviously take a disliking to anyone, cop or not, snooping in their illicit dealings and mark both of them for death. Their skills and camaraderie are seriously put to test. First off, End of Watch is going to be compared to Training Day – a lot! The comparison has already
been made in this review by yours truly. Unfortunately, this film is nowhere near as good as the 2001 classic, but is nonetheless worth watching. The best aspect of the film is the wonderful relationship and bromance between Taylor and Zavala as they go about their daily lives in the LAPD. There is a fantastic and natural chemistry between them and the cop car banter is a real highlight of the film. It helps to balance out all the dirty and messy crime business they have to deal with once out of the car and back on the mean streets. However, the entire film is merely a collection of cop clichés, including rescuing helpless kids from a burning house as the fire service are conveniently running late. The camerawork is another gripe as the film uses handheld cameras for the most part, utilising lapel and car dashboard cameras when Taylor is not physically filming himself for an oft-mentioned personal project. However, as the film progresses, the idea of using personal cameras seems to wear off and there is ultimately a mix between handheld and professional camerawork, which seems rather pointless and we never see Taylor’s final video project. The ending is good and rather emotional which helps make up for the first two acts of crime fighting. Even the villains are clichéd and have lit-
tle or no back-story; they are there just to kill ‘pigs’ and move drugs.
The Silver Linings Playbook (15)
Alps (15)
Gambit (12A)
Sister (15)
Critically applauded on its release at the Toronto International Film Festival, The Silver Linings Playbook (based on the novel of the same name) follows the story of Pat (played by man of the moment Bradley Cooper); a bipolar former teacher who has just spent eight months in a mental institution. Pat has lost everything: his job, his wife and his house. Moving back in with parents (played by Robert De Niro and Animal Kingdom star Jacki Weaver), Pat makes it his mission to rebuild his life and rekindle his relationship with his wife. However, things get complicated when he forms a bond with young widow Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), who happens to have problems of her own. Helmed by David O. Russell (of The Fighter fame), the film succeeds as a dysfunctional comedy drama. The cast is excellent, with career-best performances from both Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, who manage to wholly convince as their outlandish characters. Expect them both to be nominated at next year’s Oscars. It’s also great to see Robert De Niro back in serious mode instead of in autopilot. The zany and quirky screenplay is both funny and touching, achieving just the right balance of poignancy and humour without trivialising or exploiting the affliction at its centre. Sure, it may not fit into any specific genre and the ending is a tad clichéd, but as a character-driven story it’s pretty much perfect.
After the critical acclaim of Dogtooth, George Lanthimos finally returns to the big screen. Alps is a weirdly wonderful tale of four people who offer their services as surrogates for recently deceased relatives. However, what begins as an entrepreneurial exercise to help grief soon transforms into something much more sinister. As the story of a disillusioned Accident and Emergency nurse (Aggeliki Papoulia), along with a paramedic, gymnast and coach unfold, we are led down a winding path of bleak truths about humanity. We are constantly suspended in an alternate world of possession where, almost beyond recognition, the line between spirituality and reality is blurred. This is undoubtedly a narrative of absurdities and any remnants of cinematic uniformity are forcefully cast away. Lanthimos’ directorial style and Papoulia’s performance alike exude a stifling power that at times is uncomfortable to bear. Nevertheless, there is an excellence at work here which is as much magical as it is haunting. This is Indie cinema at its darkest and best, although it remains largely inaccessible with regard to audiences. Alps is a true embodiment of the ‘marmite’ phenomenon, existing as an effective drama on the one hand, and a confusing misstep on the other. Consequently, caution must be taken prior to your trip down Lanthimos creek and preparations made for a rather unsettling experience. Nevertheless, it is not all doom and gloom and there are sparing laughs, however bitter and bleak.
Gambit, an adaptation by the Coen brothers of a 1966 Michael Caine movie, tells of a disheartened London art curator (played by Colin Firth) who is sick to death of being ridiculed and undervalued by big time boss (Alan Rickman). He resolves to expose him as the fool he is by faking a Monet and conning him into buying it for millions. However, as usual things do not go to plan and he requires more help from eccentric Cameron Diaz’s Texas girl than he first envisioned. The film takes you on a roller coaster ride around London, where events turn from lightly comedic to increasingly ridiculous. Firth’s seemingly smooth plan goes from bad to worse, rendering him bankrupt and wandering trouserless around the posh Savoy Hotel trying to steal an expensive Ming vase to dig himself out of debt. Events culminate in him trying to out-smart a security guard lion in his boss’ house while trying to swap the fake painting for the original. The plot itself was entertaining, never lacking in spontaneity yet at points unnecessarily veering off on random tangents (e.g the lion, which didn’t fit with the film). Firth delivered with his classic deadpan comedy, and Rickman too had some classic comedy moments as unforgiving, snobbish boss; yet Diaz’s cheesy caricature of a character was infuriating.
Premiering at Tyneside this week is the latest offering from Ursula Meir (Home). Sister has received much critical acclaim on the continent and received multiple awards including the Award for Best Foreign Feature Film at the 35th Starz Denver Film Festival. It follows the story of Simon, a young boy turned thief at a luxury Swiss ski resort. Simon lives with his ‘sister’ in a housing complex and while she ineffectually drifts through various relationships and jobs, Simon forms a bond with a British seasonal worker who becomes his new market for stolen goods. The demands of his sister however, soon push him into situations previously seen as too risky. Sitting there for an hour and forty eight minutes seemed an incredibly long time when, in fact, nothing actually happened. Meir spends more time showing us mountains than she does involving us in a defined or interesting story line. The whole thing just gets a bit tedious, and instead of thinking about the message or a potential societal critique, it’s more than easy enough to end up drifting or getting distracted, as several other audience members did. The most redeeming relationship of the film comes from that of Simon and a tourist (Gillian Anderson). Simon’s desire to please her provokes a true sympathy as he cannot find the sort of mother-son relationship he attempts to imprint on her. However, this is ruined when he tries to steal for her, making the whole idea that he will ever have a meaningful relationship seem desolate and hopeless.
VERDICT: A charming, touching and at times hilarious film that manages to breach the sensitive subject of mental illness without succumbing to a morbid tone often typical of this genre. Expert performances, an excellent screenplay and solid direction make this a film not to be missed. It may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a different sort of rom-com, then this is the film for you. Sam Hopkins
VERDICT: Dark, haunting and remorselessly perplexing, Alps effortlessly lures viewers into a world of weirdness and cryptic depths. Lanthimos, I salute you.
Muneeb Hafiz
VERDICT: Inevitably compared to Training Day but unfortunately lacking its slick quality and clout. Nevertheless, despite being a cliché-littered LA crime-drama it has a strong ending and a funny, cop-buddy chemistry. It is good enough to make it respectable for duty.
Still Showing The Master (15) Breaking Dawn Part Two (12A) Argo (15)
Jacob Crompton-Schreiber
VERDICT: Overall, if you’re looking for an easy, light-hearted watch with a classic twist at the end, this is a good pick with some occasionally laugh out loud moments. But don’t expect an intellectually demanding or steady plot as this film does end up as one wild goose chase.
Isabelle Owens
VERDICT: Sister is both thought provoking and evocative but not exactly enjoyable. The characters are unlikeable, and the director seems to be more interested in the scenery of the Alps than in actually presenting the audience with an intriguing plot. Alexandra Stonebanks
40.sportfeatures
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
BBC Sports Personality preview: Ben Ainslie Hometown Lymington
Success: of Personality:
Likeability: 8/10
Ralph Blackburn
Likeability:
About Me Hoy deserves every accolade he receives and would be a truly worthy winner of the Sports Personality award. With 6 golds and 1 silver medal to his name, he is both the most successful Olympic cyclist of all time, and the most successful British Olympian ever in terms of Gold medals. The big Scotsman has come a long way since being inspired to first jump on a bike after watching E.T. when he was 6. Originally opting for BMX, he became 2nd in the UK before switching his focus to track cycling in 1994. The 2000 Sydney Games brought with them Hoy’s first taste of Olympic success bringing home a silver medal again as part of the team sprint. Four years later, in Athens, he had his first taste of
Olympic Gold Medal Time Trial, Tour De France Winner
200/1
Peter Deeley
About Me
Success: Personality: Likeability:
About Me Katherine Grainger’s Olympic story is one of a stubborn refusal to submit to silver. A six time world champion who, prior to London 2012, had failed to replicate that golden standard in an Olympic final. An under-23 world champion in the coxless pair, three years later Grainger achieved the first of three Olympic silvers at the 2000 Sydney games, by the finest of margins, as part of the women’s quadruple sculls. Four years later in Athens, Grainger, alongside Cath Bishop, competed in the Coxless Pair as reigning World Champions. Again she had to settle for silver. In the following three years,
Sarah Storey Hometown
Manchester
Honours in 2012
Olympic Gold Medal Pursuit, Road Time Trial C5, Road Race, Time Trial C4-5
200/1
7/10 7/10 8/10
Grainger was a fixture atop the World Championship podium as part of quadruple sculls. However, once again the Olympic final proved her nemesis as Beijing’s Shunyi Olympic Park played host to a Chinese victory. London 2012 was to be Grainger’s seminal moment where alongside Anna Watkins, the pair led the double sculls final from the outset eventually winning by more than a boat length. In the hysteria that followed Grainger made noises about competing in Rio in 2016 where no doubt she will aim to add to her Olympic gold medal collection that was twelve years in the making. Ciaran McKenna
125/1
weeks after his Wimbledon defeat, this time at the Olympics. Same court, same opponent, different result, as Murray beat Federer in straight sets to claim his medal and deny Federer the only thing he is yet to win in tennis. That alone would have been a successful season for Murray, but he then ended Britain’s 76-year wait for a male Grand Slam singles champion as he defeated Novak Djokovic in five sets and almost as many hours to win the US Open. Now ranked the third greatest tennis player in the world, it is clear to see why Murray’s rollercoaster year has resulted in his nomination. Jack Legind
This summer has seen Andy Murray rise above Rafael Nadal in the world rankings, and although it is not a surprise that he is on the shortlist for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year, it could all have been very different for the Scot. Murray made it to the final of Wimbledon, the first Briton to do so since 1938, but was defeated by Roger Federer in four sets. Devastated by the defeat, Murray was in pieces during the post-game interview. But Murray didn’t have long to wait in his quest for a title, and found himself in the exact same scenario just four
Olympic Gold Medal in Double Sculls
Success: 10/10 Personality: 8/10 Likeability: 9/10
200/1
gold in the now defunct 1km time trial. 2008 saw him ride his way into the public’s consciousness as he claimed 3 golds in Beijing, making him the first Brit to manage the feat for 100 years, which brought with it the first of what will hopefully prove to be two BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards. Through winning two Gold medals in London he beats or matches all of the other Olympians featured in this year’s shortlist. It was an inspirational feat that took him past Sir Steve Redgrave’s record and provides ample support for his claim to this year’s Sports Personality crown. Sir Chris is a sporting gentleman who represents all that is good in sport.
Success: 10/10 Personality: 7/10 Likeability: 8/10
Honours in 2012
Honours in 2012
Miles Reah
8/10 8/10 9/10
Glasgow
Ghent, Belgium
Bradley Wiggins in the past year has become everything that the sport of cycling needed after years of scandal. Wiggins’ year has been nothing short of sensational. Despite crashing out of the Tour de France last year with a broken collarbone, Bradley was instated as one of the favourites to win the most famous bicycle race in the world. The Mod rode to victory along the ChampsÉlysées in front of thousands of adoring fans. With the world’s press watching and waiting on his victory speech, he delivered it in his usual style “Excuse me ... we’re just going to draw the
Honours in 2012
Olympic Gold in Men’s Singles and Silver for Mixed Doubles. US Open Champion
Hometown
Hometown
raffle numbers now”. He went on to take gold at London 2012 in the time trial, the only cyclist to win the tour and an Olympic medal in the same year. Wiggins’ gold took his overall Olympic medal total to a British record equaling 7. These feats led him to also receive the Vélo d’Or award for best rider of the year. Wiggins won a tournament which requires extreme concentration and gargantuan fitness. However, the thing that makes him stand out from the rest of the field is that he genuinely has a personality to match what he can do on a bike.
Dunblane
Katherine Grainger
Bradley Wiggins
About Me
Hometown
Olympic Gold Medal in Team Sprint & Keirin
10/10 Success: Personality: 7/10
A few eyes may skip over Ben Ainslie’s name on the Sports Personality of the Year list. Sailing is hardly the most glamourous sport, however in terms of consistency and success over a period of time, Ainslie is unrivalled. Four consecutive gold medals, stretching back to Sydney on the turn of the Millennium, makes Ainslie’s Olympic achievements as staggering as that of Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt. At least that was what IOC President Jacques Rogge said in 2008, before Ainslie won at London 2012. Who knows the praise Rogge would shower Ainslie with now. Whilst cyclists such as
Hometown
Honours in 20122012
Olympic Gold Medal for Men’s Finn Class
Wiggins and Hoy may have accumulated more medals, Ainslie is only able to compete in one class, and has made dramatic late comebacks to pull the gold out of the fire. On top of this, Ainslie is undoubtedly a personality. He made national news earlier in the year when he climbed aboard a media boat to berate them for getting in his way during a warm up race before the games. There is no better way to recognise one of Britain’s greatest Olympians of the last twenty years than awarding him Sports Personality of the Year.
Andy Murray
Edinburgh
Honours in 2012
About Me
Chris Hoy
9/10 Success: Personality: 8/10 Likeability: 8/10
About Me
ed When an ear infection endcaing mm swi ’s rey Sto Sarah onto reer, she simply moved ued two wheels and contin In her drive for success. the London, she continued g is golden era British Cyclinwith currently experiencing Purfour gold medals in the ad suit, 500m Time Trial, Ro ce. Time Trial and Road Ra s a In every event she wa . eld class apart from the fi Lon at ses ces suc r fou Her ic don give her 11 Paralymp DaTitles overall, equalling ss vid Roberts and BaronetoTanni Grey-Thompsons’ tals. aTo win medals in two sep is rate Paralympic events
125/1
also remarkable, but Storey ed odi e-b abl in competes won competitions, having it the national 3km PursugEn ed ent res rep and title th land at the Commonweal this Games. Competing at rld level, along with UCI Wo a Cup events, has given herin desire to achieve and winthis every event, leading to record-equalling haul. s at Her Paralympic succes m events from 500m to 64k rmeant she shared Flag Bea ir ing duties with David We ony at the Closing Cerem tish and no-doubt gives Bri ut Cycling more to think abo next regarding selections for . nts eve I UC ’s season
100/1
James Docherty
50/1
The Courier
featuressport.41
Monday 3 December 2012
Wiggins leads Olympic-heavy list Rory McIlroy Hometown
Olympic Gold in 5,000 and 10,000 metres
Olympic Gold Medal in 1500m T54, 5000m T54, 800m T54, Marathon T54
9/10 Success: Personality: 7/10 Likeability: 8/10
Success: Personality: Likeability:
About Me Over the course of the Paralympics, one man defined the effort, determination and pride every Team GB Athlete had in representing their country at the greatest sporting event. “The Weirwolf ”, as he became known, took gold at 800m, 1500m, 5000m, and in the Marathon, completing over 35 miles overall in seven races to add to his previous medals from Beijing. After his run of fantastic results, Usain Bolt tweeted that he found the performance “simply inspiring”, and the UK Athletics Paralympic Head Coach said: “He is the best racer I’ve seen in history.” Weir says his success comes
Success:
10/10 Personality: 10/10 Likeability: 10/10
9/10 9/10 9/10
from the support and treatment from his family while growing up. “It would have been easy for my family to molly-coddle me, but they never treated me like I was disabled or different in any way.” This he claims gave him the determination to push hard and continue training day-in day-out to achieve the success this desire has now delivered. To win at one distance is impressive, but to succeed at middle and long distance events in the same Paralympic Games takes powers of stamina and recovery that rivals Mo Farah’s in winning the 5000 and 10,000 metres. James Docherty
About Me
Hometown
Hometown
Nicola Adams
Honours in 2012
Honours in 2012
Hometown
Leeds
Walsall
Sheffield
Success: 8/10 Personality: 8/10 Likeability: 9/10
Jessica Ennis, the darling of the British nation, was arguably one of the athletes under the most pressure in the build up to the London Olympics. As well as being the poster girl for Team GB, she had to compete in an event which required her to excel in not one, but seven different sports. Ennis did not crumble under the pressure, but in fact thrived and produced a stunning victory with 6,955 points, a British and Commonwealth Record and a convincing 306 points more than silver medalist Lilli Schwarzkopf. So competitive was her racing that she
broke the world record time for 100m hurdles in a heptathlon, and won the 200m hurdles with a personal best. Not only does Ennis display remarkable athleticism, Ennis has also proved an exemplary role model as an athlete and as a woman. Her genuine smile and charming personality out of competitions has earned as much love from the British public as her steely athleticism has gained respect. Her performances and her personality have proved to young, impressionable girls that women can be both sporty and sexy, and that competing and succeeding in sport is not just a man’s domain. Christy Clemence
33/1
10/1
Honours in 2012
Olympic Gold Medal in Women’s Flyweight
Olympic Gold in 400m f’style, 200m indiv medley Silver in 100m f’style , Bronze in 50m f’style S6
Olympic Gold Medal Heptathlon
Success: Personality: Likeability:
About Me In the run up to the 2012 Paralympic Games, the poster girl of Team GB’s hoped success was nodoubt Ellie Simmonds. In her first event, the 400m Freestyle, she set the tone for all of her performances by completely dominating; setting a Paralympic record in the heats and breaking Arlen’s World Record in the final to capture her first gold. Two days later, she repeated this feat, taking gold and a world record in the SM6 200m individual medley after a fantastic freestyle leg saw her take gold despite being 10 metres behind at the last turn. In her other two events, Arlen won the 100m Freestyle in a world
9/1
5,000m; the truly deafening roar from his home crowd inspiring Farah to triumph once more. Mo’s accomplishments this year also included gold at the European Championships as well as the vital work his Foundation does in giving those in his homeland a better life. His actions on and off the track have truly endeared him to the entire British public, and when we consider he started his life in real poverty in Somalia, Mo has overcome more than most. If Farah does lift the iconic Sports Personality of the Year trophy, he will surely be one of the most deserving winners ever. Jack Mackenzie
What a Mo-mentous year it’s been for Farah as the Somalia-born distance runner became double Olympic champion and father to twins within the space of a month. If the likeable 29-year old was popular before London 2012, his exploits on the track exploded him on to the global stage. He blew away his competitors on consecutive Saturdays while the world watched in awe. His first gold came in the 10,000m as he ran the perfect race, making his move at the bell, seemingly getting faster and faster as he saw the finish line. Mo took a second gold a week later, this time over
Ellie Simmonds
Jessica Ennis
About Me
Honours in 2012
Honours in 2012
PGA Championship Winner, Ryder Cup Winner, World No. 1
tender age of just 23. I am under no illusions that an Olympian will win this year. The choice is staggering and the magic of the Olympics still nuzzles every British person, the memories keeping them warm on cold winter nights. However, the consistency that Rory McIlroy has shown and his ability to hold off and rise above an unbelievably strong field, including golfers such as Lee Westwood, Phil Mickleson, Luke Donald, and of course Tiger Woods, shows that he deserves his current ranking of number one in the world. Plus, he has bagged himself Caroline Wozniacki. Well done Rory. Jack Gelsthorpe
Mogadishu
Sutton
Honours in 2012
If it were any other year Rory may have just walked this competition, as his victory at Kiawah Island in the 2012 PGA Championship and six of his ten professional competition victories have come in 2012. McIlroy is the youngest golfer to have won two majors since Seve Ballesteros, he topped the money list for the year both in America and Europe, has dominated competitions throughout the year, and was integral to one of the most amazing comebacks in Ryder Cup history when Europe snatched victory away from the Americans in their own back yard. He has done all this at the
Hometown
Hometown
Holywood
About Me
Mo Farah
David Weir
8/10 9/10 9/10
record, with Simmonds taking the silver in a personal best – saying afterwards that “Victoria was unbelievable” and showing her maturity and sportsmanship in congratulating her opponent. Her other event, the 50m Freestyle, ended with a bronze, giving her a full set of London medals, and two world records from her home games. At just 18 years old, Ellie has already achieved an amazing sporting legacy. With her likely to be at the peak of her ability for Rio, the British record of 11 Paralympic titles must surely be under threat from this skilful swimmer. James Docherty
11/2
8/10 Success: Personality: 7/10 Likeability: 7/10
ion, her to the British nat on ini op c bli pu d ene and soft boxing. ale fem s ard tow ed ng triNicola Adams has chaGreat Her success proved a g, xin bo for ly the face of boxing in on t no , ph ale um equality in Britain. As the first fem win- but for gender Olympic gold medal ced all sports, as Adams proved pla the best and ner in boxing, she t of herself among demanding ly Britain at the forefron cal ysi ph st Defy- mo As well as a historic moment. she of competitions. ing gender stereotypes,steely embracing her new position e model for demonstrated the in in as a sporting rol courage necessary to trairon- young girls by being open a male-dominated envyouth, in her bisexuality, she has ment throughout her her a also become an inspiration nity, which she claims made for the LGBT commu iondit tra has t better boxer. tha y iet soc nce a Her Olympic performafirm ally, and unfortunately, felt a showed maturity and fol- excluded from sporting acpunch that was always s grin tivities. lowed by an infectiouh vicChristy Clemence eac er aft of happiness entory. This humble andeared end de itu att stic thusia
About Me
1/3 All Photography: Getty Images/ All bets: SkyBet
42.sportintramural
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Let’s get fact up: Toon woes special Jack Mackenzie takes an in-depth look at the statistics behind Newcastle’s Premier League troubles and how they might improve One of the most drastic changes in this Premier League season has been Newcastle’s poor form that has seen them slump to 14th in the table. In comparison to the first 14 games of
last year, The Magpies have won 3, drawn 5 and lost 6, compared to 7 wins, 5 draws and 2 defeats - 12 points fewer. One of the main reasons for last year’s good form was the consistency in Alan
Pardew’s starting line-ups, particularly in defence where the same back five (Tim Krul, Danny Simpson, Fabricio Coloccini, Ryan and Steven Taylor) all started the first fourteen games. They
A glum Pardew watches on Photography: Getty Images
were also joined by Yohan Cabaye on all occasions, as well as Jonas Gutierrez 13 times and Demba Ba and Gabriel Obertan in eleven games. This campaign, only Davide Santon has started every league game, while key players Coloccini and Cheik Tiote have only played on 6 and 7 occasions respectively. This lack of a consistent line up has been due to a combination of injuries, suspensions and the toll of the return of European football, resulting in fewer clean sheets (1 compared to 4) and more goals conceded (21 to 15). However, it is not only defensively that the team has suffered as the side averages only 1 goal per game, compared to 1.3 in the first 14 games last year and 1.5 in the entire campaign. Only 4 different players (Ba, Papiss Cisse, Cabaye and Hatem Ben Arfa) have scored this term compared to 8 different scorers at this point last year. Although the number of shots on target per game has increased from 4.05 to 4.15, there has been on average half an assist less per game, suggesting that a lack of midfield creativity has been a key cause of Newcastle profligacy in front of goal. Despite what might be expected, the difference in levels of possession is negligible; the respective stats being 47.4% of possession this year compared to 47.8% after 14 games last time round. This further suggests that Newcastle have become dramatically less effective at translating possession into goals. Pardew’s attempts to accommodate both his front line strikers has seen Newcastle move away from the 4-3-3 formation that proved so fruitful at the end of last season, in favour of a 4-4-2 which arguably asks more defensively of the Geordies’ two most creative players, Cabaye and Ben Arfa. Another key factor in The Toon’s poor form this campaign has been the added burden that European football has placed on an already small squad that was arguably not sufficiently strengthened over the summer. The only summer signing of any significance was Vurnon Anita from Ajax, who has hardly set the world alight in a black and white shirt. It is also easy to forget the contribution made by now departed squad players Danny Guthrie, Peter Lovenkrands and Leon Best, who between them made 43 league appearances and scored 5 goals, a void not easily filled. This is especially damning when the clubs that finished closest to the ‘Black’n’Whites’ brought in a number of high quality players to strengthen their squads. Arsenal, (Santi Carzola, Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud) Chelsea, (Eden Hazard, Oscar, Victor Moses) Tottenham (Jan Vertonghen, Hugo Lloris, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Moussa Dembele, Clint Dempsey) and Liverpool (Joe Allen, Nuri Sahin, Fabio Borini and manager Brendan Rodgers) have all invested in their squads, while Mike Ashley seemed content to maintain a squad that looked stretch at times last year with a less demanding fixture list. The transfer policy that was so widely praised by so-called ‘experts’ is not looking quite as effective under closer observation as injuries have exposed the true level of depth in the squad. Pardew and his coaching staff do have time to turn their season round though; November and December brought one win in eight games last year and Toon fans will be hoping this is another isolated slump that has simply come a month earlier this time round.
Thistle’s Division Three Football Politic Thistle
3
50 Elias, 66,82 Thornton
Newcastle Dynamos 0 By Leela Prasad at Longbenton
Barratt
Elias (c)
Ramsey
Charleston
Benson
Marsala
Du Fresne
Hughes
Thornton
Shuttleworth
Martin
Glendinning
Ferreira
Cohen Kirrane
Torpey
Greewood
Lees (c)
Osman
Jackson
Bray
Mckuskey
Politic Thistle recorded their second straight win in the Intra Mural third division by defeating Newcastle Dynamos last Wednesday. Three secondhalf goals from Thistle made sure of the victory that sees them leapfrog the Dynamos into third place in the table. Thistle forward Ollie Thornton put
The Courier
intramuralsport.43
Monday 3 December 2012
Darkness descends on the 3G as both sides poise to compete for a highball Photography: Leela Prasad
The Secret Intra Mural Footballer #6 Image
Thornton gorges on unexplosive Dynamos in a man of the match performance by way of netting twice and winning a penalty. His tendency to hang on the shoulder of the last defender along with a willingness to try and run in behind the Dynamos defence undoubtedly proved pivotal to the final result. The first goal of the match came five minutes after half time. Thistle forward Ben Hughes dribbled down the left before his low cross was fumbled by the Dynamos goalkeeper. Thornton was the first to react. As he tried to take the ball away from the onrushing Stuart Mckuskey’s reach, he was brought down by the ‘keeper to earn his side a penalty. Player-manager Owen Elias stepped up to take the kick. His effort was initially saved by Mckuskey, but the referee ordered for the penalty to be retaken as
one of the Dynamo players had entered the box before the ball had been struck. This time Elias held his nerve to put Thistle ahead. Later on, the Dynamos defence was guilty of a lapse in concentration when a quick Thistle throw-in resulted in a second goal. Thornton raced past the four-man defence to receive the throwin in behind the back four, giving himself just Mckuskey to beat. The advancing ‘keeper went to ground early, giving Thornton enough time to round the last line of defence and slot the ball into the empty net. The third goal arrived in the last 10 minutes of the game. Thornton struck a powerful shot with his left foot that whizzed past the diving ‘keeper, capping an excellent individual perfor-
League Tables Division 1 1
mance. Despite the forward being involved in every goal, it was however his linkup play with strike partner Hughes that was most impressive throughout. The only blip in their partnership was when the two players found themselves in a two against two situation early on in the first half, a rare misunderstanding between the two resulted in the opportunity being wasted. Thistle ‘keeper Matt Barratt had a quiet game between the sticks, but still rose to any challenges that came his way. He was called upon to act in the firsthalf when Dynamo player Rick Shuttleworth smashed a shot to the rightmost corner of the goal, only too see his effort superbly tipped over the bar. Unfortunately for the Dynamos, this was the closest they came to troubling
Team
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
6
4
1
1
23
9
13
1
Man of the Match: Ollie Thornton
Division 13
Division 2
Newcastle Medics 2nds
the scorers all game. Whilst impressing individually, the Dynamos ultimately failed as a team. Their passing was fluid, but too often they were guilty of giving the ball away cheaply. They quickly switched from defence to attack, but failed to create enough chances to pose a serious threat to Thistle’s goal. Moreover, Thistle enjoyed a significant height advantage over the Dynamos, who looked like a miniature Barcelona team against the towering Thistle players. Speaking to The Courier after the game, Politic Thistle captain said, “I am very happy with the result, hope this is the first of many wins to come, and I am pleased that we kept a clean sheet.”
Team
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Ecosoccer
4
4
0
0
13
5
12
1
It was a wise man (Popeye) who once said, “I am what I am.” Unfortunately, the loveable sailor lived in an age undisturbed by the media’s all-encompassing hegemony - where reputations can be built up and destroyed in an instant. No more so than for the modern footballer, whose image relies almost entirely on their portrayal in the media. That’s why my club forced me to apologise this week after failing to provide information when I was stopped by the police for speeding. I realise now that it is incidents like these which detach the majority of students on campus from the stars of the intra mural league. As a professional, I know it is my duty to act in a responsible manner, or at least take out an injunction when caught doing otherwise. After all, this was not the first incident that has led to an intra mural press scandal. There was the time that Richard Keys and Andy Gray were caught making sexist comments about the physiotherapists that travel to Close House every week. And who could forget the time that one lad infamously transferred from ‘Crayola’ to their local rivals, who then paid for an infamous ‘Welcome to Newcastle University’ billboard. Not forgetting also the numerous accusations of players having an affair with their team-mates’ partners. It is hardly surprising then, that footballers are still seen in a negative light by the public at large. Even so, I was disappointed to hear that not one of my intra mural colleagues made the shortlist for The 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. I think that sometimes people forget how hard my fellow pros and I have worked to make it in the intra mural game. Still, we are not ungrateful. One footballer put it best when he was asked what he would have been if he had not made it as an intra mural footballer. The reply? “A virgin, probably.” Thank god for Intra Mural football.
Division 41
Team
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Jesmondino FC
4
3
1
0
23
7
10
Team Team 1 1 Sub-Standard Barca Law NaLiege
Pld Pld WW
DD
LL
FF
5 12
21
02
25 50 13 15 11 28
39
AA
Pts Pts
2
Newcastle Medics 1sts
5
4
0
1
21
4
12
2
The Hurricanes
5
4
0
1
17
12
12
2
Brown Magic FC
5
3
0
2
14
11
9
2 2 FCNewcastle Bayern Toonich Medics 1sts
4 12
38
12
02
26 36 8 20 10 26
3
Henderson Hall FC
5
3
1
1
13
10
10
3
Aftermath FC
4
3
0
1
20
12
9
3
Politic Thistle
5
3
0
2
13
13
9
3 3 Thundercats Henderson Hall
4 12
27
11
14
22 41 8 29 722
4
Crayola
5
2
1
2
11
16
7
4
Roman Villa FC
5
2
0
3
11
15
6
4
Newhist FC
4
3
0
1
10
10
9
Dyslexic Untied 4 4 The Establishment
4 12
26
01
25
32 1026 619 13
5
Barca-Law-Na
4
2
0
2
16
9
6
5
Boca Seniors
4
1
1
2
11
14
4
5
Newcastle Dynamos
5
2
0
3
6
9
6
5 5 Geomatics Crayola FC
5 12
25
00
37
13 18 15 22 615 6 14 26 47
6
Dyslexic Untied
5
1
1
4
9
24
4
6
Lokomotiv
5
1
1
3
16
20
4
6
Multiple Scoregasms
5
0
1
4
7
13
1
6 (R) Trigger Happy Aftermath
4 12
13
00
39
7
Borussia Forsyth
5
0
0
5
6
27
0
7
Castle Leazes
5
0
0
5
4
14
0
7
Bio Neverlosen
5
0
1
3
2
12
1
7 (R) Crystal CastlePhallus Leazes
4 12
01
01
4 10 2 12 2742 0 4
Top Goalscorers 16: Batham (Medic 2s) 6: Campbell (Medic 1s), Hurworth (Barca)
4: Robson (Dyslexic), Holt (Medics 2s), Womersley (Crayola), Hoctor (Barca) 3: Kemp (Borussia)
Top Goalscorers 13: Duckworth (Hurricanes)
(Aftermath), Wilson math) 4: Stacey (Ecosoccer)
5: McCrory (Hurricanes), Jones
3: Golzari (Aftermath),
(After-
Top Goalscorers 9: Thornton (Politic Thistle) 6: Smith (Jesmondino),
3:Wren (Brown Magic)
Top Goalscorers
15: Wimhurst (Sub2: Grosvenor (Scorgasms),, Standard Liege) Walton (Newhist) 9: Armour (Toonich)
6: Prichard (Thundercats) 5. O’Callaghan (Toonich) 4: Page (Toonich), Parkinson (Liege)
Fixtures (5/12/12) Crayola vs. Newcastle Medics 1s Newcastle Medics 2 vs. Borussia Forsyth Dyslexic Untied vs. Henderson Hall FC
The Hurricanes vs. Castle Leazes Ecosoccer vs. Lokomotiv Roman Villa FC vs. Boca Seniors
Politic Thistle vs. Multiple Scoregasms Bio Neverlosen vs. Newhist FC Newcastle Dynamos vs. Jesmondino FC
39
Geomatics FC vs. Sub-Standard Liege Thundercats vs. Crystal Phallus Trigger Happy vs. The Establishment
The Courier
bucssport.45
Monday 3 December 2012
Royals fail to rule in extra time Fencers take to battle Continued from page 48
for the wooden spoon. No doubt the old clichés will be trawled out that the result will “allow Newcastle to concentrate on the league”, but to have battled so bravely and skilfully for 120 minutes cup heartache will be a bitter pill to swallow for the Longbenton based side.
ball over the bar when through one on one with the Met goalkeeper. Unsurprisingly, the home side were made to pay for this missed chance with 15 minutes remaining as Cartman scored a real candidate for goal of the season. Storer crossed innocuously from the right before Cartman swivelled, rocketing an unstoppable volley past Grant with a shot which threatened to break the net. This strike certainly awoke the Newcastle team from their mid afternoon nap; they looked the more likely team to grab a winner in normal time
with Will Allison twice denied from point blank range following a lightning fast break led by substitute Mike Spencer and the energetic Okonkwo. However, neither side could find the winner and the evenly contested affair headed to extra time as darkness drew in.. Supporters and substitutes alike were forced to jump up and down to keep warm at this time, but another moment of magic from Grant, as he denied Cartman from point blank range, will have done much to warm the hearts of the Royals’ diehards. With just ten minutes remaining of extra time, it was Leeds Met Carnegie who made the vital and decisive breakthrough: Tawanda Rupee’s cross proved real value for money as the otherwise excellent Okonkwo failed to properly clear the danger, this allowed Carr the chance to exquisitely place the ball into the top corner of the net from 18 yards out. The goal sparked wild celebrations from the players and travelling fans alike, and these were extended at the final whistle just minutes later, as Leeds Met Carnegie clung on to progress to the quarter-finals where they will host Cambridge in February. The 2-1 defeat was harsh on the Royals who battled hard and defied their league position as early season front runners
Shots
Corners
Fouls
Leeds Met, led by Carr, were now motoring through the gears but the key moment in the game came midway through the second half as Jake Salisbury found the in form Stapleton who spun his man expertly but lacked the necessary composure as he lofted the
“The 2-1 defeat was harsh on the Royals who battled hard...cup heartache will be a bitter pill to swallow... ”
10
8
21 Shots
4
Shots
Newcastle
Duggha
Okonkwo
Auld (c)
Newcastle succumbed to their first defeat of the season in a thrilling encounter at Durham that had everything in it but the kitchen sink. The visitor’s early arrival gave them plenty of time to navigate the moat surrounding Maiden Castle. Once Durham finally appeared, albeit slightly damp, and minus a teammate whose dinghy took a wrong turn and sailed him out to open ocean, all eyes turned to foil. Newcastle dominated from the start and took an early lead. The foil squad of Nick ‘The Italian Stallion’ Favero, Grant ‘ El Presidente’ Turnbull, and Alex ‘Badger’ Walchester showed their resilience as Durham launched a counter attack and were rebuffed more brutally than Rafael Benitez. Sabre was the next weapon fought
Southgate
Salisbury
Walkin
Wheeler
Swainston Allison
Stapleton
Black Rupee
Cartman Gunderson
Carr
Williams (c) Holland
Devonish
Allen
119 126
Storer
Smith
Women’s Fencing Newcastle 2nds Loughborough 1sts
4
On Target
By Fiona Cooke at Newcastle
122 120
On Target
On Target
13
Grant
On Target
3
Newcastle 2nds Durham 2nds
By Alexander Walchester at Durham
4
On Target
Men’s Fencing
Leeds
Newcastle
Back of the net Video of the week
9
14
12
Leeds
Newcastle
Leeds
If Loughborough were expecting an easy win on their travels to The Toon then Newcastle were going to give them a bit of a shock. Waltzing onto the piste, Loughborough gave off an air of confidence, which was abruptly blown away as an arduous and epic battle began in the foil. Both teams had moments where points were lost and then clawed back to end with a tense scoreline of 4544 to Newcastle. The second weapon up
Spot the ball
Testing times
A
1) In what year was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) award created? 2) Who won the one-off award for Sports Personality of 1 the Century in 1999? 3) Winning it in 2006, who was the last female to win the SPOTY? 4) Winning it in both 1994 and 1996, who is the only person to have won the SPOTY on two occassions ? 2 5) Including both the Olympics and Paralympics, how many gold medals do the 12 SPOTY nominees collectively hold? 1.) 1954 ; 2.)Muhammad Ali 3.) Zara Phillips ; 4.) Damon Hill ; 5.) 11
Fearless Felipe Melo made a successful cameo between the sticks and celebrated the only way he knows how. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn4gOvUHDL0 The Brazilian midfielder pulls on the gloves in the 90th minute and saves the penalty to secure Galatasary the win against Elazigspor
- Joey Barton - @Joey7Barton “All my tweets for the foreseeable future to be read in a French accent. Thank you for your cooperation in advance...”
(29 Nov) Having been lampooned for conducting a press conference in Marseille in a French accent, Joey Barton shows a sense of humour about the incidenr. Yet, we are still left wondering why he did it?!
Tip of the week
With all eyes on Wiggins as being certain for the SPOTY prize, The Courier fancy an upset and suggest placing a cheeky tenner on Andy Murray to walk away with the top award. Always somewhat of a love to hate figure, this year has seen Andy finally rid of most of his critics and the SPOTY could be the crowning glory for Muzza (Odds from SkyBet)
10/1
3 4 5 6
B
C
and Durham, clearly furious from failing in foil, fired into the lead. All ‘El Presidente’ and ‘Audacious’ Anton Chan could do was hold on and take what points they could in order to keep the opposition’s advantage slight. At the start of the final bout, with Newcastle trailing 40-32, Paul ‘El Magnifico’ McGenity began a comeback so monumental it was first predicted by the Mayans. Those on the ground dared not hope, but ‘El Magnifico’ took the weapon 45-44, earning him man of the match. With two weapons won, it appeared it was Newcastle’s match to lose… which they promptly did. A bad start did all the damage as Durham took the lead as they ran away with it faster than Newsnight from a controversy. ‘El Presidente’, ‘Audacious’ Anton and the ‘Italian Stallion’ rallied for one last push, but it was too little too late. Despite ‘Audacious’ Anton’s late battle where he seemed to win back all the points that had been scored against him, and general heroics worthy of Luke Skywalker, Indiana Jones and Batman combined, Blades lost the weapon and with it the match. Disappointment in the cup will hopefully fire success in the league as Newcastle remain undefeated on that front and in strong contention for top spot. was sabre, a strong weapon for Loughborough. Newcastle bravely held their own, but it ended with a 32-45 victory for Loughborough. The last and possibly most anticipated weapon for the Newcastle team was épée. Both teams took to the piste knowing that everything rested on this. As the match continued with consistent scores from Newcastle, it became clear that this weapon belonged to the home team; the question was whether the team could pull off a big enough points difference to gain the overall win. With 3 seconds left on the clock, Newcastle finished the match with a 4531 win. This made the final score 122-120 and confirmed an epic victory for the Newcastle team. Huge congratulations must go to the team for coming through this intense contest and they will now look forward to the next Trophy match.
D
E
F
46.sportbucs
Monday 3 December 2012
The Courier
Net-ball so hard: Clean sweep for 1st, 2nd and 3rd teams Netball Newcastle 1sts vs Leeds Uni 1sts : Won 41-33 Following last week’s epic triumph against Leeds Met, the 1sts faced Leeds Uni this week to fight for the top spots of the Premiership. It was a really tough match this week and Leeds were tight from the off. Their defence was strong and didn’t give any of the Newcastle players an inch, so Hannah Swainston and Emily Whiteside in attack were forced into
Newcastle defence to pick up. The game finished as 41-33; it was a tough match but hard work and dedication clinched it for the home side. Newcastle 2nds vs Sheffield Uni 1sts : Won 38-22 This was quite possibly the 2nds best game of the season. A long journey and a late start didn’t deter the girls and they started strong and hard, and were on top from the beginning. Even though there were a few silly mistakes at the beginning of the match, Newcastle were still controlling the play.
“It was a tough match but hard work and dedication clinched it for the home side” shooting under lots of pressure. The first quarter ended 7-9, after which Newcastle stepped up their play with Katie Rimmer and Alice Hagyard working extremely hard on the circle edge. The second quarter ended 17-21 to Newcastle and the third quarter saw the home side up their work rate and passion drastically, winning it 33-25. Rachael Saville as WD was tight on her WA, which forced the high ball into the circle, making it easy for the tall
The girls settled and the beautiful calm play down court annoyed Sheffield and penalties started to get picked up and advanced. Louisa Sorenson did amazingly holding off the vicious GK, and the new combination of Tesni Fellows as WA and Harriet Humphries as GA worked well; the girls were not missing a shot. The defence worked perfectly, intercepting and fighting for the loose balls resulting in a very unhappy Sheffield team and a 38-22 win for the Newcastle
girls, continuing their run in the cup. Newcastle 3rds vs York St Johns 1sts : Won 41-38 This week the cup drew Newcastle 3rds against York St Johns, who we played last week and beat, much to they disappointment, however, this meant that York came out very determined this week. Newcastle started the game shakily; York took the lead by 4 points thanks to some loopy balls and aggressive play. Freya Cromarty did amazingly well to stay tight on a very angry GA; Newcastle kept their heads in the game and didn’t react to their contact. The home side began to pull back the score and were winning 28-26 by the end of the second quarter. Newcastle’s game then hit a high in the third quarter, as they began to play their own game, with excellent support from Amy Hill on the goal third line. Constant attack from Lauren Parker on the circle edge made shooting and converting goals easier. The score sneaked up, and a very annoyed York team had to once again suffer a defeat, with the game ending 41-38, meaning that the thirds are also through to the final 8 in the cup. Sophie Haslam
NORTHUMBRIA 1sts vs NEWCASTLE 1sts Preview
ed due to missed opportunities, the game against Loughborough a fortnight ago a case in point, but our boys have looked to impose their attractive brand of rugby on games and sometimes have been undone in poor conditions. However, whilst not being as big as the boys in red, Newcastle look to be much fitter, much better looking and tend to move the ball much quicker than the Poly. This makes for an intriguing matchup. The Poly will muscle up and look to smash their way through the game, hoping to keep it tight like the disappointing Stan Calvert clash last March. Uni will tend to tackle hard, chopping the opposition low, then
It’s the game we’ve all been waiting for, one of the biggest events in the University calendar. Of course, its the Varsity match, the ‘Clash of the Titans’, this Wednesday evening, at Kingston Park. With massive crowds expected, it makes for an epic encounter between two pretty evenly matched sides. As we all know the Poly boys will be incredibly physical, and despite not having the same intellect as The Royals, unfortunately make for good rugby players. Especially as they boast one of the better Poly sides of recent years, particularly their new inside centre, who resembles more of a bear than student, thankfully just not as sharp. Yet, recent results haven’t gone their way and like the Uni lads have only registered a single win in this year’s BUCS championship. For our boys in the Rugby Club, this season so far as been a mixed bag. Nic Pass crashes into the Poly in the Stan Calvert clash Good performances last March, Photography: Moises Bedrossian have gone unreward-
move and spray the ball wide whilst outwitting the opposition, as Leeds have seen to their peril already this season. As a Uni boy myself, I’d like to say that our boys will run away with it. Turning over the Poly is a way of upholding the natural order of things in the world. But the reality is that it’ll be a tough battle for the boys in blue. Competing against a ‘University’ where they offer courses such as Sports Business Management with Hairdressing, and where a B-tech in Beauty Therapy is a sufficient entry requirement makes it difficult for our boys who have to weigh up writing PhDs and dissertations. On top of this, Newcastle doesn’t offer a Sport course, giving the Poly an advantage. Ultimately despite the resurgent Poly, Newcastle tend to make up for size with raw talent, which will make the game on Wednesday even more exciting. Of course, no doubt it’ll be a cagey affair, especially if the weather stays true to form over the past week, which could favour the Poly. Undoubtably it will live up to expectations and be an absolute battle of game, one we’re taking straight to the Poly. Ted Bunn Tickets are £5 advance, and are available from Newcastle University Sports Centre. Tickets on the door are £7, with doors opening at 18.30, and kick off 19.30.
Underwood brothers Men’s Hockey Edinburgh 1sts
3
Newcastle 1sts
5
By Ben Underwood in Edinburgh The Men’s 1sts travelled north to Scotland for an encounter with Edinburgh 2’s in BUCS trophy last 16 contest. With talismanic captain Ben Gowing still sidelined and enigmatic Joe Cooper unavailable, the 1s were short of players in the frontline and midfield. The game started tentatively with possession being thrown away carelessly by both sides. However, the royals soon got a foothold in the game. Some smart work upfront won Newcastle a
short corner. Harry Kempe trumped all previous efforts by playing an inch perfect pass for Ben Underwood to deflect. Upon scoring the controversial striker took off his shirt to reveal the slogan “Why always me?”, a very fitting question based on recent events. It wasn’t soon till the baby-faced assassin was to double his tally. Wriggling away from four players, the Marketing student showcased all his shrewdness before placing the ball calmly past the keeper and wheeling away to the adulation of his teammates. With the Royals in control and Edinburgh looking very shaky, a controversial umpiring decision led to a flick for the home side. This was duly converted high above the diving Linden by the Edinburgh player. The Royals characteristically bounced back strongly, a free flowing move lead to a shot from Marcus Adams, a Scottish native, who was thwarted by some fine keeping. The ball fell to the rambunctious Simon Miles who
The Courier
bucssport.47
Monday 3 December 2012
The Owls’ Connor Ellison on the charge Photography: NURL
Owls reduce Tigers to cubs in crucial win Men’s Rugby League
York St John’s 1sts Newcastle 2nds
the Owls the chance to swoop for glory once more. They responded in attack too, with one of their wingers tricking his way over the try-line after numerous forward passes and players crossing each other. G. Herbert was quick to respond with a nicely-worked individual effort. As the Tigers began to claw their way back into the game, Dan Cappaross lead the defensive charge against the St Johns attack. Dan, who has been in prolific scoring form in recent weeks, made it evident he was not just a one-trick PhD student, showing the Tigers pack who was boss. One Tiger had clearly not eaten his Frosties for breakfast before stepping-out onto the turf, and Capaross made sure he wouldn’t make such a mistake again by putting in some sternum-crunching tackles. He then had some good carries and putting away second-rower Hanratty for a 50m dash: his first of the season. This was followed by Conor Ellison gracefully plodding his way over the St Johns line. With the game all but beyond the reach of St Johns, they somehow blundered their way over once more to give them a flattering 18 point tally. However, Mathieu Fry touched down to put the game well and truly beyond the Tigers ensuring a comprehensive victory and 2 points for the Owls.
18 34
By George Clarke in York The AU’s most beloved team returned to winning ways with a hard-fought win away to York St Johns Tigers. The first half began with the Death Machine crashing over twice in quick succession via happy-chappy Irishman Dave Knox and half-back Chris Griffiths leading to an early 10-0 lead. However St Johns were quick to respond with one of their halfbacks tripping over his laces and somehow placing the ball over the try line. The ever-improving Frank Bagley was impressive, the 30-something prop forward penetrating the St Johns line on numerous occasions generating momentum for Loose-Forward Larry Rigby to cross the white-wash. The hordes of travelling NURL supporters were egging the Owls on as they looked set to cut open the Tigers. However, credit must go to St Johns who showcased some tenacious defending to deny
How ‘The Death Machine’ lined up
Capross-Midwood
Emmott
Clarke
Bagley
Hanratty
Rigby (c) Schofield Griffiths Portsmouth Rutherford
Herbert Rutherford
Fry
at the double as Royals advance to quarters in the cup audaciously chipped the keeper. He then turned picked the ball out of the net and like the true professional he is let out a cry of “Lads. Let’s get another” in his strong Birmingham accent.
“Upon scoring the controversial striker took off his shirt to reveal the slogan “Why always me?”, a very fitting question based on recent events.” The Royals continued to dominate, but another strange decision befell the boys in blue. A ball hit from outside the D found its
way to the goal without seemingly getting a touch. The impartial umpire deemed it to have touched the horrified Linden. The Royals were so shocked, protestations were sounded strongly, with the feeling that a real injustice was transpiring. This lead to the eventual yellow carding of Northern Irishman John Colville, his love for the game seemingly boiling over into a pure rage at the injustice in front of him. The score being pegged back to 3-2 in somewhat baffling circumstances didn’t faze the Royals. Newcastle still controlled the game, despite being a man light. Kempe’s typical persistence allowed the spritely Navraj Johal more freedom and gave Adams, whose tartan blood was plain for all to see, free rein. When Newcastle returned to their full complement, a goal was not long in the making and came from the most unlikely of sources. Max Underwood, a defender by trade, popped up in the D before nutmegging
the goalkeeper from a near impossible angle. Underwood Snr wheeled away in modest fashion with Miles picking the ball out the net once more to run and place it on the centre circle.
Royals were caught cold midway through the second half, poor finishing from Ben Underwood and lackadaisical midfield play allowed Edinburgh an avenue back in the game.
“It wasn’t a vintage display, but we are a side who are enjoying their hockey and are getting results. Champions are made on results not performances” With the half-time break came an opportunity for ground rules to be established. Discipline was key; the keeping of heads would win them the game. With inspiration needed, up stepped Charlie Russell-Jones who sought to motivate the troops with an extract from his favourite Rudyard Kipling poem “if.” That seemed to do the trick. With the winter chill biting, the
This resulted in yet another dubious umpiring call. After a fracas in the D it was unsurprisingly adjudged to have been a foul by Newcastle. The resulting corner was hit firmly and Linden was beaten once more. Urgency crept back into the Royals game and they dominated again. A sharp turn by Underwood resulted in a firmly struck reverse
stick effort that smashed against the crossbar to deny him his hat-trick. Five minutes later the game was over with another effort from Underwood Snr. After picking the ball up on the baseline he once more put the ball between the legs of a bamboozled goalkeeper to score. Speaking after the final whistle, Miles was quick to describe the game as “not a vintage display, but we are side who are enjoying their hockey and as such are getting results. Champions are made on results and not performances. That being said, I hope not all our games are that tight!” This win places the Royals in the quarter-finals against a strong Nottingham Trent side. The match will be played at the Royals’ fortress Longbenton, where the Newcastle outfit will be favourites to progress to the semis. Man of the Match: Max Underwood
Sport
www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 3 December 2012 Issue 1261 Free
thecourieronline.co.uk/sport
Sports Editors: Ralph Blackburn, Nick Gabriel and Lucy Williams Online Sports Editors: Freddie Caldwell and Jack Gelsthorpe courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Sport
FROM MO TO MUZ, WHO IS YOUR SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR? P40-41
Photography: Getty Images
Heartbreak for Toon in cup exit Mens’ Football Newcastle 1sts
1
41 Stapleton
Leeds Met 1sts 75 Cartman, 110 Carr
2 (AET)
By Joey Barton at Longbenton Newcastle’s cup dreams were shattered on Wednesday as they fell to a gut wrenching defeat to Leeds Met Carnegie after extra time. The home side had led at the break following Tom Stapleton’s cool finish, but were ultimately beaten by an 110th minute winner from Ryan Carr, leaving Bumble’s famous catchphrase of “start the car” ringing in the Royals’ ears. Capacity crowds had clearly been expected for this BUCS Trophy last 16 encounter, as two people had taken the effort to camp out behind the goal
overnight. As they emerged from their tents, in freezing but bright conditions, the match itself began at a frantic pace with neither side able to gain a particular foothold in the game. The Royals started the brighter of the two sides, with Arthur Okonkwo providing a strong threat in the air from set pieces. Okonkwo, referred to throughout the game as Obama by his teammates, was showing he was up for the cup as he made two sprawling last-ditch blocks to deny Leeds Met the opening
lob the ball over the bar. Black and strike partner Josh Cartman will have had fond memories of playing at Longbenton, as just four weeks previously the pair had both scored in Carnegie’s 2-1 away league triumph, yet on this occasion the Royals defence was largely standing firm. With just four minutes to go until the half time interval, Newcastle, playing in an all-red kit, broke the deadlock. Fittingly it was Okonkwo, the man of the first half, who played the key role as his
“The home side had led at the break following Tom Stapleton’s cool finish, but were ultimately beaten by an 110th minute winner from Ryan Carr ” goal on the break. It took around 35 minutes for the first clear cut opportunity of the game to be crafted which was created by Met centre back Olly Devonish whose wonderfully flighted ball beat the Newcastle defence only for Nick Black to rush his shot and
long ball beat the Leeds defence allowing Stapleton time and space to pick his spot as he smashed the ball into the roof of the net. The Royals were good value for their half time lead proven by the fact that Connor Grant in the Newcastle goal
had yet to be forced into a save. This changed after the break when Grant became the star of the show with his first moment of brilliance coming when he made a superb low reaction save down to his right to deny Carr, who had been sent clear by Cartman’s flick on. There was a clear momentum shift in favour of the Yorkshire outfit at this point in the game, as just seconds later Christer Gunderson was inches away from connecting with Gary Storer’s low driven cross, when the Newcastle defence stood like statues as their appeals for offside fell on deaf ears. Grant, now performing like a young Gordon Banks between the sticks, was again to be thanked for keeping Newcastle ahead minutes later as he got down low to his left to get a strong hand to a fierce Carr drive. This was after brilliant build up from Devonish and Black had left the Royals defence at sixes and sevens. After such a promising start to the match, the men in royal blue were now firmly on the back foot, with the one goal lead beginning to appear slightly flimsy. Continued on page 45
DESPITE TORRENTIAL RAIN, SOME BUCS MATCHES DID GO AHEAD: RUGBY LEAGUE, NETBALL AND HOCKEY ACTION P46-7
Photography: NURL