www.thecourieronline.co.uk Tuesday 8 March 2016 Issue 1328 Free
STAN CALVERT PULLOUT Pride restored p.24
The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students
THE OSCARS The lowdown on the
nominees and winners p.27
Est 1948
DARK SOULS III Insights and tips into the
hardest game coming soon p.37
Students support EU, Courier suvery shows Image: Lewis Bedford
By Victoria Armstrong Editor
Image: Louisa Hattam
SU holds second annual Inspiring Women conference, p.7
Fit to Sit exam policy rejected by University in face of opposition By Antonia Velikova News Editor
The University has rejected a proposal to introduce a ‘Fit to Sit’ policy for examinations, following consultation with students and staff. In November, the Student council passed a motion which declared that NUSU will actively oppose any and all attempts to implement the policy. The report from the Taught Programmes Sub-Commitee praised NUSU’s official response to the consultation for making “a particularly cogent and detailed case against” ‘Fit to Sit’. Back in November, Student Council passed a motion, with 95% support, which declared that NUSU would actively oppose any and all attempts to implement ‘Fit to Sit’. A similar policy will remain in place for students studying medicine
and dentistry in accordance with the requirements of their respective professional bodies. However, members of the University Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Committee endorsed the recommendation of the Taught Programmes Sub-Committee not to extend the policy to other programmes. Luke Allison, Welfare and Equality Officer, said: “I am thrilled that the University has decided not to pursue further ‘Fit to Sit’ policies. The Students’ Union response, compiling feedback from Student Council, Mind the Gap, the Student Advice Centre and other students
played a huge part in this decision and highlights that the representative structure does work and that the University does listen to student opinion.” ‘Fit to Sit’ aimed to establish that all students who sit an exam will be deemed fit to take it – therefore, submitting a PEC (Personal Extenuating Circumstances) form after the exam, even if they feel they have underperformed, would have been impossible. The University initiated an open conversation with students last term and staff about the policy and welcomed any and all comments regarding its
“The fact that the University invited NUSU to be a part of this consulation demonstrates the positive relationship between us”
possible implementation. “I am extremely pleased with this decision,” Matt Price, NUSU’s Edication Officer told The Courier. “The fact that the University invited NUSU to be a part of this consultation once again demonstrates the positive relationship between us and the University, which allows the student voice to have a real impact. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped us with our response for their hard work, particularly Mind the Gap, the Student Advice Centre and all the students and staff who got in touch to lend their support!” The policy has been introduced in 19% of UK universities. Staff from Coventry, Nottingham Trent and Southampton Solent have reported a decrease to staff workload but issues with student and staff awareness when introducing it initially.
A survey conducted by The Courier reveals that Newcastle University students are overwhelmingly in favour of Britain remaining within the European Union. 80.8% (235 of the 291) of the students asked stated they would vote ‘In’ at the time of answering. Only 10.7% said they would vote out, and 8.6% said they were unsure. When asked what political parties students would vote for, the majority responded with the Labour Party (49.5%). The Green Party was the next most popular, with 18.6% of the vote, evidencing that the so-called ‘Green surge’ before the 2015 general election has since a genuine long-term increase in support for Green Party, despite only one Green MP being elected, the same as in 2010. The numbers suggest that the LiberalDemocrat party are also slowly making a return. Whilst a poll conducted by The Courier in April 2015 showed that only 4.5% of students would vote for the Lib-Dems, this survey shows 8.29%(check) of students have adopted the Lib-Dem bearings. Whilst this number is still far below the level of support the Liberal-Democrats received from students before the 2010 Coalition Government, it seems that the faith of students is slowly being restored in the party following their U-turn on higher education tuition fees in 2010. This may be aided by the stepping down of Nick Clegg following the 2015 General Election results, and new leadership of Tim Farron, who was President of Newcastle University Students’ Union in 1990/91. The common view of the EU referendum as a partisan issue seems affirmed by the statistics, which show that 23% of Conservative party supporters would vote Out, whilst only 1.4% of Labour supporters and 2% of Greens would vote Out. A significant trend for voting Out also appeared in the smaller parties. Whilst only two students stated they would vote for UKIP, both intend to vote Out, as do five of the six students who support the Scottish Nationalist Party. The significant proportion of students who intend to vote in may be attributed to the fact that the Higher Education (continued on p.9)
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News
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Deputy Editor: Mark Sleightholm News Editors: Peter Georgiev, Antonia Velikova, Sinead Corkett-Beirne, Sophie Norris & Jack Parker courier.news@ncl.ac.uk | @TheCourier_News
thecourieronline.co.uk/news
NEWS
4 5
Stand By Me campaign kicks off on campus
The Courier
Video gains: 24-hour gaming marathon raises money for local health charity
Interfaith event discusses the big questions
COMMENT
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The gamers raised around £1500 for charity Images: Jule Wilson
Us v Them: the Stan Calvert rivalry
CULTURE
15 18 26 28 37 42
Blind Date:
Liam and Liv
Bloggers at London Fashion Week Anohni: Trans issues and the Oscars
By Alex Bie On the 5th of March from 11am the Newcastle University Computing and Technology Society (NUCATS) will host a 24-hour charity gameathon to raise money for the Willow Burn Hospice. The society has teamed up with local businesses such as the bespoke software development consultancy Scott Logic who are co-sponsoring the event. Chris McQueen of NUCATS told The Courier: “We’re expecting around 120 gamers to come along and we’ll be keeping them entertained with dozens of consoles, hundreds of games and a load of giveaways, competitions, intra-event tournaments, a raffle, a games quiz and even a bake sale to keep their energy up over the 24 hours.” He also added that: “Support from businesses such as Scott Logic, who
are providing prizes including a smartwatch, a Steam gaming controller and Amazon vouchers, is absolutely incredible and helps elevate the event.” According to McQueen, this support also allows the organizers to concentrate their efforts on fundraising as much as possible on the day, and hosting one of the biggest events on campus. Hemmy Ogilvie is a 2nd year Computer Science student who will be attending the event for the second year running. Ogilvie said that “It was really fun last year, the wide variety of games was quite appealing and we had people bringing in their own consoles (both normal and handheld) and laptops.
“There were competitions for lots of different types of games ranging from Wii sports to Halo and you could always keep yourself busy by either playing games or watching other people play games”, he added. Ogilvie also explained that potential participants shouldn’t be worried about getting too tired or bored over the length of the event. “The atmosphere was really good, even at 4am! Sometimes we focused playing our own games and other times we wondered around to see what other people were playing”. McQueen said that the charity of Willow Burn Hospice was chosen because “the volunteers there pour their
“You could always keep yourself busy by either playing games or watching other people play games”
souls into looking after terminally ill patients through thick and thin, which is why we’re fundraising for them through this event”. Organisers (Chris McQueen, Danwen Huang, Eva Theodoridou and Harry Large) say they expect the event to raise at least £1500 for the Derwentside-based hospice, but they are also encouraging other participants to fundraise too. Ogilvie said that he was most looking forward to the Hearthstone tournament, as “I’ve been playing that game for quite a while now”. McQueen, on the other hand, will mostly fancy the Mario Kart tournament. The event booked out within the first few days. Anyone who would like to get involved by sponsoring the event can donate on the JustGiving page which can be found on the event’s Facebook page.
Donnie Darko: cult classic or godawful? A wild new Pokémon appears! The truth behind popular pseudoscience
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Editor Victoria Armstrong Deputy Editor Mark Sleightholm News Editors Antonia Velikova, Peter Georgiev, Sophie Norris, Sinead Corkett-Beirne and Jack Oliver Parker Comment Editors Jack Dempsey, Hanson Jones and Daniel Robertson Culture Editors Ellie McLaren and Laura Staniforth Lifestyle Editors Lauren Exell, Ruth Loeffler, Katie Ackerley, Fiona Callow and Jack Oliver Parker Fashion Editors Sara Macauley, Ellen Dixon and Liz Rosling Beauty Editors Lucy Cochrane, Ellen Walker and Flo Davies Arts Editors Holly Suttle, Jade Holroyd and Emily Watton Film Editors Rhian Hunter, Simon Ramshaw and Emma Allsopp TV Editors Helen Daly and Hannah Bunting Music Editors Jamie Shepherd, Dominique Daly and Connor McDonnell Science Editors Iqra Choudhry, Louise Bingham and Anna Jastrzembska Gaming Editors Ollie Burton, James McCoull and Michael Hicks Sports Editors Calum Wilson, Alex Hendley and Lewis Bedford
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 comment pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.
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Tuesday 8 March 2016
STAR urges PM for better refugee care By Sima Nikolajeva Last week, the Student Action for Refugees (STAR) society campaigned for the UK to take more action on the ongoing refugee crisis and make a stand against any more unnecessary deaths in the Mediterranean. Newcastle STAR, which currently numbers 23 members, started organising the campaign a week after the society was ratified in early February. STAR’s activities include volunteering at local refugee projects, campaigning for improvement of refugees’ living conditions, educating people about refugees and asylum as well as fundraising for related causes and charities. The series of talks, workshops and film screenings during the week were aimed at raising Newcastle students’ awareness of the problem itself as well as the difficulties refugees face while getting both into and across Europe. Students were encouraged to take a stance on the issue and campaign for the conditions of the UK’s asylum system to be improved to offer more favourable conditions to the refugees. For three days between Monday and Wednesday, STAR held a petition stall outside the Students’ Union to collect signatures urging the UK governement to support the creation of a safe passage to Europe for refugees, preventing them from falling prey to dangerous routes created in the Mediterranean by smugglers. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 1,011,700 migrants arrived by sea in 2015, and almost 34,900 by land, although the total figure might be put at more than 1,800,000 according to the EU’s external border force (Frontex) monitoring. The IOM also reports that more than 3,770 migrants have died trying to cross the Mediterranean in 2015. STAR’s petition gathered around 100 student signatures and will be delivered to David Cameron at 10 Downing Street by STAR’s national team later this month. The first event of campaign’s week featured a talk on refugees’ access to higher education, discussing how asylum-seekers and refugees are affected by sub-standard education in camp. The talk also focused on the kind of education they can expect once they arrive in Britain and what Newcastle University can do to help. Among UK universities, which announced their decision to offer scholarships for refugees, are University of East London, The University of Sussex, University of Warwick, University of York,
The paper boat was the official symbol of the week Image: Khadija Badri and The University of Strathclyde. At this stage, Newcastle University only offers a limited number of tuition fee reductions for asylum-seekers undertaking undergraduate degree programmes, making the tution fee equivalent to that as for home/EU students. Tuesday evening presented a screening of the documentary ‘A Syrian Love Story’, telling the poignant story of a family torn apart by the Assad regime. The Wednesday session was meant to draw public attention to the problem of Eritrea, which, due to indefinite forced conscription, continues to see people fleeing the country, becoming one of the ‘fastest emptying countries’ in the world. According to Khadija, The President of Newcastle STAR Society on campus, the events were drawing an audience of
around 15 people, with a definite highlight being students’ diligence in handicraft of paper boats – a peculiar symbol of the week, which the society would also aim to deliver to Downing Street along with the petition. At the moment STAR are in the process of setting up a volunteer project with refugees in the local area, and are also planning a fundraising event for Doctors Without Borders, who work with refugees across the world. A debate on the numbers of refugees the EU should take on, and whether this should be limited or not. This debate was originally stated in the program of the week as a joint event with Politics Society but got cancelled due to lack of speakers. Therefore, it is likely to be postponed to the next term. Earlier this year, STAR also teamed
up with RenewCastle for Go Green Week, raising money through second hand clothes sale within one the events. In response to why she thinks it is important to raise all-round awareness of the problem among the students on campus, Khadija said: “There is a lot of misunderstanding about the asylum process in the UK and how difficult it is to actually get asylum here - some people are still asylum seekers after 7 years, meaning they have had to spend that time on less than £37 a week often without the right to work, and still haven’t been granted refugee status.“ According to the data from Eurostat, in 2015 the UK was receiving approximately 55 asylum applications per 100,000 local population, which was almost five time less than the EU’s av-
erage. The highest number of new asylum applications – more than one third of all claims across the EU – was received by Germany, amounting to over 476,000 in 2015. As reported by BBC, the UK has opted out of any plans for a quota system but, according to Home Office figures, 1,000 Syrian refugees were resettled under the Vulnerable Persons Relocation scheme in 2015. Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years. “Raising awareness of this could get people motivated to campaign and get the system changed for the better“, concluded Khadija.
STAR campaigns for better treatment of refugees Image: STAR
4.news
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Stand by Me campaign kicks off on campus By Bianca Ionici Last Tuesday NUSU’s Marginalised Genders Officer, Lucy Morgan hosted a screening of documentary “The Hunting Ground” in the Bamburgh Room at Kings’ Road Centre. The screening, part of NUS’ #STANDBYME campaign, took place to amplify the voices of student survivors of sexual violence. The NUS campaign was launched in November of last year to repeal outdated sexual assault guidelines that many institutions still follow. #STANDBYME will bring together rape crisis centres, universities, and colleges to improve support for survivors of sexual assault and rape. Lucy Morgan told The Courier: “Stand By Me is an NUS campaign that aims to prioritise and raise awareness of the voices of survivors of sexual violence. I have bought this campaign to Newcastle University as I believe that this universiry is currently adopting a reactive rather than proactive response to sexual assault and violence. The focus has been to raise awareness of the current reporting systems available to students and to empower them to use them” “The Hunting Ground”, shortlisted for an Oscar nomination in the Best Documentary Feature category and deemed a “monumental exposé of rape
culture on campuses”, follows the stories of several students at various US universities who were sexually assaulted and who refuse to be silenced after being let down by the way their respective universities handled their cases. The documentary focuses on former University of North Carolina (UNS) students Andrea Pino and Annie Clark who were raped while attending the university. They spearheaded a campaign to file a Title IX complaint against UNC. With their rapists still attending the university and threatening their safety and that of other potential victims, it is clear that UNC was in violation of this act. Viewers were shown examples of how universities discouraged victims from going to the police, and how an official told someone to “drop out until everything blows over”, while another told a victim, “don’t talk to anyone about this”. “The university should be extremely worried (rather than proud) of low sexual harassment reports on campus as it means that people are not coming forward rather than suggesting that it is not happening,” Lucy Morgan said. “I want to send out a strong message to survivors of sexual violence - I am with you and I believe that we should campaign for the university to stand by you too.”
“The focus has been to raise awareness of the current reporting systems available to students”
The Stand by Me campaign will provide support for survivors of sexual assault Image: Rohan Kon
The Courier
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Tuesday 8 March 2016
Conference held to honour inspiring women By Sima Nicholl
The Inspiring Womens Conference focused on the theme of global women Image: Louisa Hattam
On Saturday 5th of March for a second time NUSU became a scene for Inspiring Women Conference, this year’s theme formulated around the concept of ’Global Women’. The idea of holding the event on campus belongs to NUSU’s previous Welfare and Equality Officer, Olivia Jeffery, inspired by NUS Women in Leadership conference. Following on from last year’s success, the initiative has been actively supported by Kay Hattam, Campaigns and Democracy Support Worker at the Students’ Union, and current sabbatical officers’ team with Hannah Goring, Activities Officer, coordinating the event throughout the day. Through two keynote speeches, a panellist discussion, seven workshops and three all-day creative sessions, the conference invited all self-defining women at Newcastle University to discuss and celebrate the significant impact women make on the economic, cultural and social well being of their communities around the world. “More than 60% of the world’s university graduates are women. Women undertake over 50% of organisational management roles and are responsible for 70% of household budget management. Yet across the world they are still underrepresented in the most senior roles”, said Jacqui Henderson CBE, Honorary Conference Patron and Lifetime Member of NUSU, in her foreword. Penni Blythe marked the beginning
of the conference with a talk on her discoveries through Women of Wit, Wisdom and Wonder, sharing the stories of incredible women from across the globe who have fought for human rights, their families and even own lives, and whose voices and wisdom might otherwise have never been heard. Finishing her speech, Penni addressed the audience with a question: “Think about who you will inspire – and how?”
“More than 60% of the world’s university graduates are women yet they are underrepresented in the most senior roles” The second keynote speech of the day was delivered by Charlie Webster, TV presenter and women’s rights campaigner, through her talk paying a particluar attention to the problem of sexual abuse. Citing Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s statement “The best protection a woman can have is courage“, Charlie urged women in the audience to find their courage: “Change never happens if it’s not challenged, so let’s take responsibility and change the world“. The panel discussion, which this year consisted of Tina Simbo (BAM! Sistahood), Abi Kelly (Head of Newcastle University’s Corporate Affairs Directorate), Jo Rockingham (Founding member of the Women’s Equality Party), Charlotte Mitchell (Founder of
Charlotte’s Butchery) and Prof Candy Rowe (Chair of NU Women, Director of Diversity in FMS), focused on the leading roles of women within organizations and challenges women-leaders have to go through in their careers on a daily basis. “Leader is someone who accepts and empathizes to everyone, and women are tend to be particularly good at it, reading situation and people naturally“, commented Abi Kelly in response to the question on what makes someone an effective leader. Winthin one of the workshops, conferense also featured an inspirational talk from Muzoon al-Mellehan, who fled with her parents and three younger siblings from Syria in 2013, and in December 2015 was named one of the BBC’s Top 100 Women for her campaign efforts to keep Syrian girls in the camp’s school, rather than being married off. Taking place across the Students’ Union throughout the day, some of the sessions were aimed at addressing especially problematic women’s experiences, such as body image, menstruation and sexual violence, another celebrated the cultural, political and social heritage of BAME women in the North East, the others looked into what exactly makes women inspiring, successful and globally valued. “I myself learned so many new things!“, told to The Courier Erica, part of the coordinating team. “The conference was amazing, and it is a great space for women and pro gender equality to get to meet new people and new ideas“, said Cristina, 2nd year Chemistry student and conference attendee.
Faith event aims for on-campus harmony By Sophie Norris News Editor
Last Tuesday, February 29, Newcastle University’s Students’ Union hosted an open faith discussion in Venue. The event featured representatives from the Atheist and Secular Humanist Society, CathSoc, ISoc and the Christian Union, however the Jewish Society were unable to attend. Over 50 people attended the event that aimed to give students of all religions the confidence to discuss their beliefs openly with others. The event was introduced by the University Chaplain Catherine Lack and chaired by Sophie Harris, the faith and belief officer. During the discussion, the audience asked such questions as ‘how does your belief system affect you in daily life?’, ‘both the Bible and Quran claim to be the inerrant word of God, yet there are contradictions. Please comment’, ‘what do you think your faith has brought to wider society in the past and what do you think it is bringing in current times?’ and ‘what aspects of the other faiths here do you admire?’ Activities Officer Hannah Goring said: ‘We were keen to host an event with a more relaxed, conversational feel, as the whole purpose of these events is to equip students who have different belief systems with the confidence and language to openly discuss their beliefs with others. ‘We presented ‘big questions’ to the room and then had them discuss the question themselves before feeding back to the panel.
‘We had some really enlightening responses, both from the panel and the attendees. One student summed it up perfectly when she commented that people are afraid to talk opening about religion and beliefs and it is through talking with each other and gaining an understanding of each other’s beliefs that we can create an ultimately more peaceful and loving inter-faith global community. ‘Following this feedback we received on the night, we are keen to try and organise another inter-faith event before the end of the academic year.’ President of the Athetist and Secular Humanist society said: ‘We recognise that while not everyone shares the same views on this subject, we all must do our best to understand one another and live harmoniously. ‘This event was a fantastic opportunity to learn more about not just the the beliefs that others hold, but more crucially why they hold them.’ Despite being unable to attend, president of the Jewish society and a member of last year’s panel, Anna Ehrlich said: ‘In a world where there is still so much racism and hatred, inter-faith events are just one tiny thing we can do to prevent conflict and bring people together. I hope the event went well last week and I am disappointed i couldn’t make it, but if it was anything like last years event I’m sure it was a really positive, educational experience which was enjoyed by everyone. It also enable the building of bridges between the faith societies at the university.
“We all must do our best to understand one another and live harmoniously”
Members from Newcastle’s faith societies joined the discussion Image: Hannah Goring
6.news
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
North East creative projects boosted By Kotryna Kairyte Newcastle University has recently received more than £271,000 funding from Arts Council England for the new project Creativity Works. The important project aims to help a much larger number of creative businesses to thrive in the North East. Creativity Works, led by Newcastle University, is a pioneering idea which is set to do so as a part of the £3m Creative Fuse North East project which will launch in April and aim to explore how the Creative, Digital and IT (CDIT) sector in the North East can be developed in order to play a leading role in the region’s economy. It will be placing creative practitioners in businesses in other sectors as a way to increase innovation, along developing more entrepreneurial graduates. Professor Eric Cross, Dean of Cultural Affairs at Newcastle University and who is leading the project, said: “The creative and cultural sector is one of the only areas to have seen substantial growth since the recession, so it’s important that we are able to support it and use the universities’ knowledge, links and expertise to help these firms grow.” The project, involving all five North East universities - Newcastle, Northumbria, Durham, Sunderland and Tees-
side - received this funding through the Creative Local Growth Fund which supports arts and cultural organizations which works with Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and key strategic bodies to contribute to local economic growth and engage people in England in carrying out artistic work. Professor Cross also said: “The Arts Council money will allow the university consortium to work with partners all over the region, including the NewcastleGateshead Cultural Venues, who are a named partner in the project, and with rural businesses.” The investment is designed to lever more money in European funding so that the scheme can be extended even further for future projects and innovative ideas of the North East entrepreneurs. Helen Golightly, the North East LEP’s Chief Operating Officer said: “The arts and creative sector is an important part of the North East economy, and it’s fantastic news that Newcastle University has been successful in its bid for support from the Creative Local Growth Fund.” She was also happy to say that artsbased business’ will be enabled to win business and create more and better jobs which will be beneficial to already existing Newcastle and North East businesses as well as news enterprises that are being founded by Newcastle University students every day.
“The creative and cultural sector is one of the only areas to have seen substantial growth since the recession”
Newcastle Uni has been recived funding from Arts Council England Image: Press Office
‘Marginalised Genders Officer’ position created By Antonia Velikova News Editor Two Part-Time Officers (PTOs) of the Students’ Union have changed their job titles after submitting and successfully passing motions at last week’s Student Council. Moving for an update in her job title and job description, Lucy Morgan is now the Marginalised Genders Officer of NUSU. In her motion, Lucy declared it is her purpose to assure there is representation across the board for all gender identities and to acknowledge the different levels marginalization that exist across gender relations. Speaking to The Courier, Lucy said: “I submitted the motion to change my job title because I felt that ‘Gender Equality Officer’ was too vague and dismissive of the implications that structural sexism have on women, non-binary people and other people whose genders are marginalised. “It’s really important that Student Unions have liberation officers to represent the voices of specifically marginalised groups of people. Student Council and Newcastle University Students’ Union should be really proud of their decision to pass this motion – it shows we are becoming more progressive and inclusive of marginalised identities.” Lucy’s motion passed with 69% of voting members in support and 23% against. As a constitutional motion, it required a 2/3 majority vote to pass. The other PTO whose job title was changed, with another constitutional motion, was Blessing Christian, who put forward a motion to rephrase ‘Students with Caring Responsibilities Officer’ to ‘Student Parents, Guardians
and Carers Officer,’ with the reasoning that its more explicit description would help students understand it more easily. With support of 100% of attendees in favour, the motion passed. The final constitutional motion passed at the meeting was the mandatory Nightline training for the Welfare and Equality Officer before the start of their term in the Union. The motion passed with 98% support from attendees. Another 100% motion that went through council was Regen-James Gregg’s motion of introducing electoral registration as part of registration for University. Lucy Morgan’s second motion for the final council meeting of the term considered her ongoing campaign to support victims of sexual assault #StandByMe. Lucy’s motion called for increasing availability of support networks for survivors of sexual assault and mandated the Welfare and Equality Officer to “lobby the Vice-Chancellor to support the statement and call for change on our campus and at a national level.” This motion also received overwhelming support by council attendees and passed with 93% of the vote. Finally, the council passed a motion to mandate the Activities Officer to organise more social events around the Students’ Union, including a summer festival. The motion was put forward by Robel Bayisa and passed with 74% of the vote. This council meeting saw all proposed motions pass the vote, an unprecedented event in any meeting before it. The evening concluded with an open debate on the meaning of abstention votes in council and the traditional raffle.
The Courier
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Tuesday 8 March 2016
Food recycling app launches in the toon By Renee Mayor
Prizes all round in Bollywood battle By Mark Sleightholm Deputy Editor
A team from Newcastle came second in a major Bollywood competition, and their choreographer was named the best female in the competition. The day saw teams from 13 universities across the country compete in the live event, which raised money for the Lily Foundation Against Human Trafficking. Each team performed a six minute routine, and were judged on their technical ability, formations and synchronisation, creativity and entertainment value. 23 universities applied, and 13 were selected to take part in the competition. LSE were victorious, with Nottingham taking third place. The judges included Signature, who found fame in the 2008 series of Britain’s Got Talent with their Michael Jackson-inspired dance, and Terence Lewis, a highly respected Bollywood film director. Juggy D, a Punjabi singer who has collaborated with Craig David and Jay Sean, and Shruti Shah, a wellknown Bollywood dancer made up the
judging panel. Archanna Arunathevan, co-president of NUSU’s South Asian Society and a member of the Battle of Bollywood team, explained: Bollywood movies are like musicals, so we were given a hero, heroine, villain and comedian that have been in Bollywood movies. We were only allowed to chose songs where the actor or actress features in the song and is hero, heroine, villain or comedian in
have also done promo dance videos and challenges on Facebook where we have to get the most likes for our uni.” When judging, Signature said of the performance: “You caught our attention literally from the opening sound – that’s what you’re supposed to do in a competition like this. I love the risk you took with the choreography. Great formation, great movement.” Arunathevan said after the event: “We feel like we’ve put Newcastle on the map. We’re so far away from London and many people don’t take our uni into consideration, but now people really know who we are and what we are capable of.” Iswarya “Ice” Jayakumar, the Newcastle choreographer, won the best female award, with Terence Lewis describing her work as professional standard. Arunathevan said: “She really deserves the recognition for all her hard work. She choreographed, though about costumes, kept the team spirit up.” Judge Juggy D said to her: “We’ve pointed you out from the very beginning. You’re a star. If you keep doing what you’re doing, you will go very far.”
“We feel like we’ve put Newcastle on the map. Many people don’t take our uni into consideration, but now people really know who we are and what we are capable of” the film.” In November a representative from every team taking part travelled to London to pick the actors and songs out of a hat, and then they could plan their routine. Arunathevan continued: “We were also given challenges along the way such as the Snapchat challenge where we had the opportunity to take over the Battle of Bollywood Snapchat for two days. We
RenewCastle is a new society to the University, which really got started in early January. It aims to promote sustainable living in the everyday lives of students. The society’s intent is to teach people that sustainable life is affordable, ethical and necessary. At the beginning of February they launched a ‘Go Green Week’, where they had displays outside the union on how to live a greener lifestyle. Currently, they host bi-weekly litter pick-ups and monthly SOUP meetings, where ideas are brainstormed to help create a sustainable Newcastle. One way is to prevent food wastage, as the average family in the UK wastes about 60 pounds worth of food each month. Hence why these Newcastle students have got involved with launching the app OLIO, which aims to reduce food waste. OLIO is a pioneering project with a lot of potential. OLIO has a mission to “unlock the value of food that is wasted in the home and community.” OLIO is a free app which connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses to exchange their edible surplus food. At OLIO it is believed that small actions can lead to big change. Camille Leininger (President of RenewCastle) states that “OLIO should be brought to Newcastle because food sharing is pretty limited here.” She
brings forth the idea of the waste presented at the end of term times and international students packing up at the end of the year, which all gets thrown away. With OLIO people can share food with their local community to put an end to food waste while creating a more closely knitted community. It’s all about sustainability and community, and up until now there hasn’t been a source to promote this in Newcastle. Camille learnt about OLIO at the beginning of January. Having downloaded the app herself, she learnt the perks of it, after downloading the app she “had my first food pick-up a few days later!” She received “an unopened jar of salsa, apple juice, and onion chutney”. Then Camille started listing items that she no longer needed, “things I had left over from a bake sale”, which a Newcastle student picked up from campus and she has “continued to list more food since”. Camille states that it is “easy all you have to do is take a picture and write a little description about the item. Once you receive a request for the item you can message the requester and set up a time and place”. Although OLIO was launched in London, Camille hopes it can be extended to Newcastle. The app is free, and anybody can list their surplus food. The app will be even more successful if local businesses get on board, and instead of throwing good food away they can make up to half the original profit on it.
“OLIO should be brought to Newcastle because food sharing is pretty limited here”
Research finds TV is related to body image By Sophie Chapman New research by Newcastle University, in collaboration with Durham University, has found that television has a direct link to female body issues and perceptions of body ideals. For the first time experts have been able to link exposure to TV with perceptions of female body ideals. The research took place in Nicaragua, Central America on the remote Mosquito Coast, in two villages of the Pearl Lagoon Basin. The inhabitants had different access to electricity and TV and shared similar cultural constraints. The study involved more than 150 men and women including people from an urban area, a village with television access, and a village with little television access. Villagers with the least media access preferred curvier women, while those living in urban areas preferred thinner female bodies. This study provides evidence of how the thin ideal promoted by the media creates body image dissatisfaction which can have implications for women’s mental health and the development of eating disorders in the UK. Dr. Martin Tovee, a reader in visual cognition at Newcastle University’s Institute of Neuroscience, who co-led the research said: “Our study shows that tel-
evision is having a significant impact on what people think is the ideal woman’s body. “Nicaragua provides a unique opportunity to study media effects as we were able to minimise variance in potential confounding factors and focus on the influence of visual media. “Overall, these results strongly implicate television access in establishing risk factors for body image dissatisfaction.” The participants were tested individually and those with access to TV reported watching soap operas, imported US films and music videos. Dr. Lynda Boothroyd, a lecturer in psychology at Durham University, who also co-led the study, said, “Internalisation of a thin ideal is a well-established risk factor for body dissatisfaction and eating disorders in the West. “Our data strongly suggests that access to televisual media is itself a risk factor for holding thin body ideals, at least for female body shape, in a population who are only just gaining access to television. “For now, most people in the rural sample still hold body ideals within the healthy range. “However, the fact body shape ideals may mediate a link between television access and weight loss attempts in this population suggests we could potentially see the same kind of patterns play out here in the long-term as in the West.”
“Television is having a significant impact on what people think is the ideal woman’s body”
The Newcastle team came second out of thirteen universities Images: Newcastle Bollywood Team
The Courier
news.9
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Interview: Muzoon Almellehan
At the Inspiring Women Conference on March 5th, panellists received a talk from 17 year old Muzoon, a Syrian refugee and activist for girls’ education, currently living in Newcastle. Editor Victoria Armstrong reports. The attendees at last Saturday’s Inspiring Women Conference, held in the Students’ Union, received a range of talks and were invited to participate in various workshops. All the activities focused around the conference’s central theme of the ‘global woman’. One speaker stood out as particularly exceptional: Muzoon Almellehan. Named one of the BBC’s Top 100 Women of 2015, and called ‘the Malala of Syria’, this 17 year old girl had overcome tremendous adversity to continue fighting for her right to an education, whilst encouraging others to do the same. Following her talk on Saturday, she sat down with The Courier to answer some questions.
How would you summarise the message you’re trying to spread to young people, and girls in particular? We must not stop our education, because our education is our future and everything in our life. We may have many problems but if we have the opportunity to continue our education then we should continue our education. If we have all the problems but we continued our education then we still have opportunities. What was your experience of trying
to learn in the schools in the refugee camps in Zaatari and Azraq? I was in school with UNICEF at the refugee camps. UNICEF gave stationary, books, everything for students, the Syrian children, to allow them to continue their education and give the schools support. They came to the camps every day and worked towards providing education. They always went to see if children were in the schools in the camps and when they saw that a lot of girls and boys were not going to the schools, they decided to make activities to try and bring them in. I was in one of their schools; they saw me in their schools loving education and encouraging others to get an education. So, I started to provide activities with them. I went with them to various schools to talk to parents, children, giving them advice and support regarding education. I told them what is the importance of education, why they should let their children go to school; without education we cannot do anything, we cannot have a good future; if you love your children you should let them go to school. You should advise them to pursue education. I worked with UNICEF and Save the Children but even when I was not doing activities with them, I would try to tell others to keep learning. In any place and any time, with my friends,
Muzoon describing her life experiences as a ‘global woman’ Image: Louisa Hattam inside the schools, or with any people I saw inside the camp, I would tell them to work for their education as it is so important if we are to become something in this life. Education is everything in. In your talk earlier, you said ‘education is the future, education is power, education is everything’. What particular relevance do you feel this has for girls caught up in the Syrian conflict? If we help educate girls, and help make them strong, we give them a future. It truly means they can do anything; they can challenge all the problems of the future, helping themselves, and their future children. If a mother is so educated, she can give her children an education in turn, and then they too can achieve anything. Who inspires you? Malala Yousafzai is one of the inspirations in my life. She has a great story, and gave me the power to see a girl who is the same age as me overcome great difficulties in the name of education, facing all the problems in her life bravely. She has helped so many people to go to school. When I met her, she helped me feel strong and I was very happy to meet someone like me, ready to fight for education. She has inspired the entire world and I’m happy that she wants to
be my friend and we will fight together for the sake of education, and for girls around the school to go to school. So you came to Newcastle with your family several months ago; other than the challenge of learning English, have there been any other difficulties settling into an entirely new country? Actually, it’s been very hard where they speak another language, have different traditions and cultures. Everything is different here: new people, a new school, a new education system. When I came here, I found many things very difficult, particularly making new friends and understanding this culture and the traditions here, so that I can be active in this community. I’ve been learning English for two months though and it’s going quite well. I want to become perfectly fluent so I can understand the subjects I study better, and attend university, continuing my education. None of this is easy, but I can do it. It’s not easy but we can fight for our right to be able to do anything in our lives. So I found this difficult but I
can challenge the difficulties in my life. Finally, do you think there’s more that people in the UK could be doing to help Syrian refugees, both those resettling here and those abroad? Yes, I do. Many of them, because of the war and the problems in their lives, like constantly moving from place to place, say that ‘this is all so difficult’; they lose their hope and their dreams for the future. So whilst I am here in the UK, I still communicate with my friends in the camps and listen to their problems and try to help with their education there, giving them advice on how to fight for their education and not to stop their education. Also, I speak about all the Syrian children’s problems with education, the problems of my friends in the school, and about my activities within the schools, my experiences, what education means to me and how it can be used to help Syria. The more I am educated, the more I believe that I can help and I will be able to do more than I am now, particularly for Syrians in the future.
“If we help educate girls, and help make them strong, we give them a future”
Labour students least likely to vote ‘Out’ in EU referendum
(continued from p.1) is frequently associated with the ‘In’ campaign, given the large amount of research funding that universities receive from the European Union. Indeed, during the second Student Council of the academic year, held on November 12th 2015, a motion was passed affirming the Students’ Union’s support of the In campaign. This motion, which passed with 80% of the vote, concerned ‘NUSU’s position on the EU referendum’ and resolved that NUSU’s stance should be to remain within the EU, whilst seeking to engage students in the EU referendum and informing students of the benefits through appropriate means. Recently, the University has also reasserted their support of EU membership, with the Vice-Chancellor co-signing an open letter in The Sunday Times. This letter highlighted the benefits of EU membership to British universities, particularly in terms of forging and maintaining international connections, as well as the large amount of EU research funding that the University receives.
Which political party would you vote for?
How would you vote in the EU referendum?
10.nationalstudentnews
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Image: Scott Logic
The Courier
NEWSTACK Scholarships awarded to industry workers University of Aberdeen
The University of Aberdeen is to offer postgraduate scholarships to former oil industry workers, through their regional scholarships scheme. A range of full and part-time scholarships are available, with a 20% discount on fees available to eligible applicants. The recent fall in global oil prices has seen Aberdeen’s oil industry hit hard, leading to strain on the industry and numerous job losses. The scholarships are available to those who have been directly affected by the industry’s recent downturn and change of fortunes. The courses available cover various different disciplines within the university, including engineering, business, law, geosciences, natural and computing sciences, and biological sciences. Many of the courses within the disciplines relate to energy production and management, allowing workers to transition into a postgraduate course as easily as possible. Most of the courses will begin in September 2016, with
Porn Star Professor University of Manchester
It recently emerged that a University of Manchester professor has for the past ten years appeared in adult pornographic films. Nicholas Goddard, 61, is a Chemical Engineering lecturer has appeared and starred in several films under the guise of ‘Old Nick’, often having sex with people the same age as some of his students. Goddard has since left the profession, with details of his second career coming to light. Divorced father of three Goddard says that he quit because of the poor pay, and that he got into the acting profession whilst he was in a bad place. “Sometimes you do things that you regret later while under stress. But I’ve given it up since January, it’s too much for me now. What I do in my private life is my business not the university’s. I haven’t told anyone there.”
Kings to get new campus King’s College London
Charity Gameathon 2016 of England and Cumbria. Disability North is a user led registered charity which works with, and for, disabled people, empowering them to maximise the control they have over their own lives.
Newcastle Work Experience - Communications and Events Assistant Great Run Company | Newcastle upon Tyne | £2400 bursary Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) is a summer work experience programme providing current and graduating Newcastle University students the opportunity to undertake challenging, project-based placements within Newcastle University and North East businesses. This placement is for 10 weeks full time. The Great Run Company specialises in the development, design, organisation and rights management of mass participation and televised sporting events. We own a portfolio of over 38 individual events delivered annually through running, swimming and cycling. The events see over 300,000 participants taking part each year, securing over 25 hours of television programmes and include performances from some of the world’s best athletes. We are looking to recruit a placement student to assist our communications department during the summer season. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting with delivering our PR and communications plan for a number of our events including Great North Run, Great Swim Series and the Great Yorkshire Run. Closing Date: 20/03/2016 Newcastle Work Experience - Junior Developer Pebble | Ouseburn, Newcastle upon Tyne | £2400 bursary Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) is a summer work experience programme providing current
and graduating Newcastle University students the opportunity to undertake challenging, project-based placements within Newcastle University and North East businesses. This placement is for 10 weeks full time - two positions available. Pebble is a family company established for more than 20 years, we provide software, training and consultancy to enable schools to raise much needed additional income. Our goal is for every school to raise more than £100k additional funding for their educational projects and facilities. As a developer with Pebble, you will be building customer-facing products that will enable schools to raise this additional income. You will be part of a forward-thinking team that works with the latest web technologies to build products that improve educational opportunities for children across the country. Closing Date: 03/04/2016 Newcastle Work Experience - Marketing and Events Assistant Disability North | Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne | £1200 bursary Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) is a summer work experience programme providing current and graduating Newcastle University students the opportunity to undertake challenging, project-based placements within Newcastle University and North East businesses. This placement is for 10 weeks part time. Disability North is a free Independent Living Service which promotes social inclusion, independence and choice for disabled and older people in the North East
The position is part of the Disability North Marketing and Events Team. The Marketing and Events Team work to raise money to support the key functions of Disability North and also promote the charity. We organise and provide information on forthcoming events and training courses, manage external events and organise DNEX, our annual independent living exhibition. Under the guidance of the Marketing and Events Manager the Marketing and Events Assistant will work on the planning of the International Day of Disabled People, DNEX 2016, along with individual adhoc activities. Closing Date: 20/03/2016 Newcastle Work Experience - Trainee Software Developer Gavurin Ltd | Newcastle upon Tyne | £2400 bursary Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) is a summer work experience programme providing current and graduating Newcastle University students the opportunity to undertake challenging, project-based placements within Newcastle University and North East businesses. This placement is for 10 weeks full time. Gavurin is a progressive business specialising in delivering easily understood, visually exciting analytical insight through world class geo-analytics. The Gavurin team comprises agile innovators, passionate about and priding themselves on delivering excitement, continuously, to their customers. Gavurin has extensive experience in data science, economics and the development of technology, to unravel complexity and organise dense data into manageable categories and dimensions. Gavurin has a strong, dynamic, young team of exceptional talent focused on enabling customers to make decisions faster for competitive advantage. Closing Date: 03/04/2016
Kings College London has launched a £400 million redevelopment of their campus, including plans to build a new campus. The plans call for a redevelopment of their existing campus, as well as the establishment of a new 1 million square foot campus on a business park in Southwark, marking a shift away from Central London for the university. The main Waterloo campus will still be used, despite Kings’ selling off parts of the campus in recent years. The redevelopments follow on from the purchases of key buildings located within The Strand last year. Kings College London expects student numbers to increase by 15-20 percent over the next few years. The new development will include 770 new student rooms, as well as facilities that will be open to students and members of the public to be able to use. Work has already begun on the new developments, with parts of it being open from next year.
Apology attendance email University of York
The University of York’s Electronics department has been forced to apologise after one of its lecturers sent around an explosive email. The tirade of an email was sent around to every Electronic Engineering student in second year regarding attendance, with many students turning up to lectures. The email says “Frankly I don’t give a toss whether you attend my lectures or not,” The lecturer later goes on to say: “Just give a moment’s thought as to why I and my colleagues bother to give lectures in the first place.” The head of the Electronics department, Jon Timmis, has been made aware of the email and said the email and its message was “not expressed in a way that I could endorse” It is believed that the drop in student attendance is due to the introduction of recapped lectures, something that the department is looking to end within the school. By Jack Parker
The Courier
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Tuesday 8 March 2016
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Comment Editors: Dan Robertson, Hanson Jones & Jack Dempsey courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Comment
The Oscars showcase true racism in film
The lack of diversity in the Oscars is evident and the Academy needs to be held accountable for this glaring issue in the industry Lewis Elliott discusses the disparity between nominations and demographics within the Oscar awards that has led to this issue
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f you’ve listened to the news or any social media in recent weeks then there’s a good chance you’ve heard about the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, the boycotts, and the glaring lack of diversity in the nominations. Sadly it’s as true this year as it has been previously. Given the history of the film industry in Hollywood, and the USA more generally, and the world as a whole – perhaps it’s not altogether surprising that this kind of thing still crops up. We hear a lot about “diversity”, “inclusivity”, “combatting” discrimination and so on, and of course there has been progress in many areas, but this does not change the fact that if you’re anything other than white (or male!), then you could well be subject to such discrimination. When you look at the Oscars’ Academy’s composition: which in 2013 was 93% white and 76% male (LA Times), this shows how uncoupled the organisation is from the demographic reality of the wider United States.
No wonder, then, that the nominations we see are unrepresentative. As a white male I’ve no problem admitting that I can’t empathise with how
“the Oscars and its Academy must come clean and admit that for too long they have not been inclusive or fair when it comes to diversity” this outmoded and hugely dated setup might affect actors of colour, those who are female, as well as the wider audience, as I haven’t personally lived out this experience. Nonetheless even I can see quite clearly that it must change, for the sake of the white men who are unduly privileged as much as it must change for the women and for those of colour who all suffer greatly under this system. As a society, films, TV and media in general are things that have become important i n our lives, whether for leisure, news or anything else. By giving such an
Matthew Hall believes Mr DiCaprio
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ontrary to expectations, the long-awaited victory of Leonardo DiCaprio at the Oscars for his role in The Revenant did not divert attention from the criticisms directed at the ceremony for the decision not to nominate any black actors for awards. Neither was DiCaprio’s celebratory speech largely dedicated to the dangers of global warming able to steal the headlines. Instead, the lingering memory of the 2016 Oscars will be the chronic underrepresentation of black nominees. And this inevitably raises questions about the viability of its future amid the changing landscape of contemporary cinema. This is unfortunate for two reasons. Firstly, not only does it perpetuate the image of the American film industry as one which discriminates against black actors, but the ongoing debate casts a shadow over the talent which is prevalent in cinema. Take, for example, Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Adonis Creed in Rocky, overlooked by the awards committee at the expense of Sylvester Stallone who was rewarded with a nomination for the Best Performance by an Actor in the Supporting Role. Equally, Idris Elba could be entitled to feel disgruntled about not being nominated for his stellar performance in Beasts of No Nation.
“this inevitably raises questions about the viability of its future amid the changing landscape of contemporary cinema” The regrettable decision not to reward black actors for their roles is particularly problematic for the Oscars since it occupies the role of the elite of the film industry in the subconscious of cinema-goers. But this lofty position can surely no longer be assured when the aftermath of the event is
dominated not by discussion of the awards given to actors, but by polemics about the morality of the lack of nominations for black actors and boycotts by key players
asymmetrical and unrepresentative impression of society, I would argue that the Oscars risks alienating audiences, actors and indeed acting hopefuls from other backgrounds who want to enter the industry. After all, why go to all that effort when skilled actors of colour are seemingly disregarded? This reminds me in a way of the controversy surrounding Selma’s reception last year. However, it is imperative to remember that the Oscars can only nominate the content that the film industry releases – thus it’s arguably their fault as much as it is that of the Academy. Nonetheless, the Oscars and its Academy must come clean and admit that for far too long they have not been inclusive or fair when it comes to diversity. Nobody’s asking that suddenly black and minority, or indeed women or LGBT+ or any other actors be included solely on the basis of their origin/gender/sexuality – of course not – only that this should never count against them, implicitly or explicitly. Awards and nominations should always be given on the basis of merit, not where you come from, what you look like or your gender. The film industry, and consequently the nominations and awards it gives out, should broadly represent the increasingly diverse society in which they exist. Perhaps you might think Chris Rock did go too far in his monologue
at the awards ceremony, but whatever opinions we may have of that, I found that one point he made did resonate: “If they nominated hosts I wouldn’t even get this job so you’d be watching Neil Patrick Harris right now”. Regardless of how that comes across, from what I can see it does stand to reason and just goes to underline the case for real change. There’s no justification whatsoever for it to be this way. I think what we really need is some honesty. Honesty about what the Oscars and wider in-
“There’s no justification whatsoever for it to be this way. I think what we really need is some honesty about what the Oscars and wider industry got and keep getting wrong” dustry got and keep getting wrong, and some active discussion about how this ongoing problem can be changed for the better in the future.
can’t detract from #OscarsSoWhite in the film ind u s t r y. If there is something positive to be gleaned from the recent debacle at the Oscars, it is that the nominations for awards being composed
exclusively of white actors are not representative of the film industry as a whole. Steps are being taken to incorporate a more inclusive representation of society in its awards process. The César Awards in France is particularly progressive in this respect and earlier this year Fatima, a film recounting the daily torments of a North African immi-
“The regrettable decision not to reward black actors for their roles is particularly problematic for the Oscars” grant family was rewarded with a number of awards. It is inconceivable that such a film would be able to compete with the extravagance and pomp favoured by the Oscars. The French actor of Senegalese origin Omar Sy – criminally underrated across the channel in the United Kingdom – won the Best Actor award for his performance in Les Intouchables at the César ceremony in 2012 and will surely be rewarded once again for his role in Chocolat, in which he plays France’s first black circus clown. Sy praised the boycott of the Oscars, claiming that “it was legitimate and could rebalance things”, but it seems that the balance is already weighing against the Oscars due to not anticipating the fallout from the issue of racial inclusion. Therefore, while Leonardo DiCaprio’s concerns for environmental issues are admirable, it is nonetheless a shame that he chose to ignore the underrepresentation of black actors among the nominees at the 2016 Oscars. Consequently, the credibility of the Oscars in contemporary cinema will continue to come under even greater threat, as long as the clamour for an equal, fair and racially inclusive list of nominees for awards is ignored.
12.comment
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
All that divides us is the Civic Centre, but it’s war!
Poly vs Posh, Polly vs Percy, the Stan Calvert cup. Students discuss the rivalry between Newcastle and Northumbria Harry Young
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efore moving to pretty much any university in the United Kingdom, you’ll have heard about the pre-existing rivalry that exists within our higher education system. Whether you’re down south and its Bristol vs. UWE (University of the West of England), or up north and you’re greeted with Manchester vs. Metropolitan, the chances of your university having a rival is pretty high. Since moving to Newcastle, whether you’ve been here six months of five years, the rivalry between Newcastle and Northumbria is very prominent. Some claim in to be unhealthy and toxic towards students’ university experiences, whereas some say it provides students with healthy competition between fellow universities for both academic and sporting competitions. Whilst the rivalry could be seen as detrimental towards the student body and negatively affecting their time at university, I think it gives students a reason to put more effort into things. For example, the Stan Calvert is a competition for student at Northumbria against students at Newcastle. Not only does this competition give students a chance to compete against students from our ‘rival’ university, it gives students a chance to meet other students from Northumbria. The competition between universities encourages students to do the best they can in order to show their university is best, so students’ grades and experiences benefit from the competition.
“Whilst the rivalry could be seen as detrimental towards students, I think it gives them a reason to put more effort into things”
The results from rivalry can be a basis for students to want to do better the following year or semester, for example when Newcastle lost the Stan Calvert cup last year, they became even more focussed on winning and getting their trophy back! Away from the competition, a lot of students (from both universities) claim that their institution offers better academic teaching and facilities. Whilst this may be true for certain courses, both universities continue to do well and are getting better every year, despite the rivalry remaining. The rivalry between Northumbria and ourselves is nothing more than a bit of fun between the two universities, that some students decide to take more seriously than others. It’s your choice whether you go on the ‘Poly vs Posh’ bar crawls, or chant sayings like “I’d rather be a poly than a c***”. The rivalry is there, it probably always will be, and you might as well embrace it fully instead of opposing it like it really affects you that much. After all, their dads do work for ours.
Mark Sleightholm
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hat would sport be without rivalry? We’ve got the boat race against Durham, but then they refused to take part for four years because they got annoyed that we kept winning. And that’s just one event. Stan Calvert involves people from loads of different sports (although not as many as we’d like... care to explain that, Northumbria?). And we get to see Northumbria Uni on a daily basis, whereas Durham are opponents from way over yonder.
“come Stan Calvert they are the enemy”
Hating the Poly brings us closer together; it gives us a common enemy. It means anyone can go along and watch a sport they may know nothing about and still get involved, because it’s been given meaning by being part of the bigger Newcastle-Northumbria rivalry. When Poly-bashing turns into generic insults about the occupations of their parents, then that’s less cool, but it’s not as if they can’t hold their own in this epic battle. The chants and the slogans aren’t personal insults, they’re just part of the (fairly) friendly rivalry that gives both unis a greater sense of identity. The Poly v Posh bar crawls don’t descend into all-out civil war – most people don’t take the rivalry too seriously, and events like Stan Calvert and Clash of the Titans are the exception, rather than the rule. Ok, so Newcastle students might snigger at the quality of Northumbria’s degrees, and we in turn may have a certain, uh, reputation, but at the end of the day we’re all students who invade this city for much of the year. Poly or Posh, we’re all in the same queue for Digital. As proof of this, the sporting rivalry doesn’t seem to have translated into societies. Several of Newcastle’s societies have close contacts with their Poly counterparts, while others such as the first aid LINKS society and the Young Greens operate as joint Newcastle-Northumbria societies. As the secretary of the Newcastle Young Greens I have worked with several Northumbria students and spent time on their campus. This cooperation, rather than competition, has helped us to achieve a lot more – if nothing else, we’ve been able to invite twice as many people to events. Even Natalie Bennett, leader of the Green Party, was impressed by our collaboration. Now that I’m actually friends with Northumbria students, Stan Calvert’s taken on a new dimension. It turns out, surprisingly enough, that Northumbria students are real people too. That said, come Stan Calvert, they are the enemy – sporting excellence is a wonderful thing, but let’s face it, if we didn’t care about beating the Poly then Stan Calvert would just be sporty people showing off, and no one wants to watch that.
Emma Bancroft
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t would be utterly impossible for a student of Northumbria University or Newcastle University to be oblivious to the fierce rivalry between the two institutions and this local rivalry is undoubtedly fantastic for sport - it is healthy and encouraging and most of the time is perfectly good natured. We are not alone in the city of Newcastle by having a university rivalry; there are for example, the Oxford vs Cambridge and the Leeds vs Leeds Beckett rivalries. Despite this being a beneficial bit of competition in the arena of sport, there still exists a genuine hostility between students from the different universities. When it reaches the point of true animosity, surely it is time to question the necessity and relevance of this rivalry. The entire rivalry is based on comparisons, yet it is so difficult to compare two universities that are so different. Whilst some people perceive the difference between Northumbria and Newcastle students to be academic ability due to Northumbria’s lurking ex-poly status despite its inauguration to university status in 1992 - in many cases it isn’t even a question of choice; there are a myriad of courses that Northumbria offer that Newcastle simply don’t, for example nursing, just as Newcastle offers courses like medicine whereas Northumbria doesn’t. So, on these grounds, it is impossible to draw a comparison. The two universities are also markedly different in facilities and areas of excellence. Newcastle may be top in the overall league tables and in certain areas of research but Northumbria sits in the top 5% of business schools in the world due to its AACSB accreditation, has the joint 3rd best library facilities in the country and joint 5th best sports facilities. So, we can’t really make a comparison there either.
“If we base it on the comparison of solid facts and figures, surely we can deduce that this clash comes down to a severe case of pure snobbery” So what are we really basing this rivalry on? If we can’t base it on the comparison of solid facts and figures, surely we can deduce that this clash comes down to a severe case of pure snobbery. Let’s take Poly vs Posh example, isn’t throwing around “your dad works for my dad” or “I’d rather be poly than a c…” a bit tacky? And before somebody starts the whole “well I’m at a red brick”… since when in 2016 did we qualify the superiority of an institution by the colour of its construction materials? Who is feeling threatened here and why are so many on a mission to authenticate their choice of university? If we are all so clever, why don’t we become a little bit more articulate and original and move away from the seedy behaviour and find something else a little more interesting to get passionate about.
The Courier
comment.13
Tuesday 8 March 2016
RUPERT MURDOCH PROVES WHY WE CAN’T LEAVE THE EU
The fact Murdoch wants to leave the European Union is the biggest reason there for us to in fact to vote NO in a referendum Benjamin Eckford
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nthony Hilton recently revealed in his column in the London Evening Standard a conversation he once had with Rupert Murdoch about the UK’s membership of the European Union. His responses give us a clear insight into how leaving the European Union serves only those like Murdoch. Mr. Hilton asked Murdoch why he was so opposed to the EU. “That’s easy”, Murdoch replied, “when I go into Downing Street, they do what I say; when I go to Brussels they take no notice.” A superb endorsement for remaining in the EU. Murdoch’s media empire, News International, owns The Sun, The Times and Sky Television. His newspapers are often critical of the EU, and this reflects the views of the unseen paymaster confirmed by Hilton’s revelation, exemplifying why the UK must remain in the EU. Murdoch, unelected and unaccountable, boasts of his influence in Downing Street, and bases his dislike of the EU on his lack of influence within in. That is exactly as it should be. Democratically elected, publically accountable politicians should not be cowed by the views of a newspaper owner because they fear bad headlines. Of course, that is how Murdoch would like it to be. The Sun does criticise Cameron, particularly his puppet-show renegotiation, but the fact that Cameron still values and listens to Murdoch shows how behold Cameron is to News International’s agenda.
“he wants us to leave, and he has given us ample reason to do the opposite of whatever he recommends” The EU, however, is beholden only to the voters, which is why it is so crucial that we remain in. I could talk all day about how British workers benefit from the EU social chapter and the 3 million jobs dependent on our trade with the EU, or how the UK is safer in the EU, cooperating with our neighbours to defeat international crime and terrorism. I could say that the founding principle of the EU was to promote peace in a continent which was wracked by conflict over centuries, tearing itself apart in the ages of Napoleon, Kaiser Wilhelm, and Hitler. I could counter the flagwaving nationalists by saying that it is patriotic to be pro-EU, because Britain is stronger in. But despite all this, Murdoch’s comments are possibly the most damaging thing to hit the Leave campaign,
DONALD TRUMP IS A BUFFOON BUT NOT A COMPLETE IDIOT
Trump is a true demigogue through his illogical ramblings and capitalisation on the desires of the American ‘left-behind’ voter Max George
because it says something profound about how we are governed and how he wants us to be governed. He wants us out of the EU so that he can dictate government policy to Downing Street, without the EU preventing him from getting his way. This coming from the man who isn’t British (he has dual Australian-American citizenship). This coming from a man whose newspaper blamed the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster for their own deaths, and accused them of robbing the dead and injured, and attacking and urinating on police officers and paramedics. This from the man whose empire, News International, was found guilty by the Leveson Inquiry of systematic phone-hacking on a massive scale, and led to the closure of one of his newspapers, News of the World.
“bases his dislike of the EU on his lack of influence there”
Let us not forget that News of the World journalists hacked murder-victim Amanda Dowler’s mobile phone after her disappearance, and deleted text messages from her inbox, providing her parents with false hope that she was still alive. Murdoch had oversight for the conduct of his senior employees, and he let it happen. He and his company are shrouded in mystery, deceit, and unaccountable, unelected, and malignant behind-the-scenes influence in our country’s government. There are hundreds of reasons to stay in the EU, but he has handed us two on a platter; firstly, he wants us to leave, and he has given us ample reason to do the opposite of whatever he recommends, and secondly, so that we can keep the EU as a progressive bulwark, doing what is best for the people of Britain and the rest of the EU, whether or not Murdoch wants it.
D
onald Trump is a buffoon. He is a demagogue. He rambles incongruently, bewailing the tripartite menaces of Mexico, China and Islam to animate the atavistic nativism of his ass-whoopin’, guntotin’ supporters. But he is not an idiot, and to dismiss the easily stereotyped Trumpeteer as such would be foolhardy. It may be unsurprising that Mr Trump’s vocabulary in his bombastic campaign speeches scores at a reading age of less than 10 – compared to 14 years and above for most of his presidential rivals. He relies on short, blocky words such as “SAD!”, “GREAT!”, “DUMB!”, “LIAR!” and “STUPID!”. He asks himself questions and proceeds to ad lib a crowd-pleasing answer. His reductionist geopolitical solutions – “bomb the hell outta them!” and “I’m gonna take the oil!” – may not impress security experts, but they strike a chord with millions of untrusting voters. When he senses he may be losing the attention of his crowd, he resorts to the war cry of Trumpery: “I’m gonna build a great, huge, tremendous wall along the border – and it’ll be a beautiful wall”, he promises his followers, “and who’s gonna pay for it?”; “Mexico!” they howl back in unison, whooping and chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” as they go. His simpleton language and pantomime performances, though, are clearly cutting through to a hefty proportion of Republican (and non-Republican) voters. Maybe we can learn something from the Donald. The typical Trump voter is the angry voter; the left-behind voter; the losers from the game of globalisation. Free trade, mass migration and secular-liberal political correctness are what antagonise these voters. Most have lower levels of education and income; many are not even particularly ideological. But they harbour a great ire tow ards t h e elite; the
free-trading, liberal Washington Establishment – Republican and Democrat – that they feel has sold them out. Mr Trump speaks to these anxieties and enmities. Psychologists reckon that his provocative, big-talking, simplistic answers to complex problems and his self-aggrandising outsider image attract many to his style. The instinctive reaction – to dismiss these voters as racist blockheads – only reinforces their anger. To scorn at them is to scorn at the insecurities of so many people. It is to scorn at democracy.
“Leaders cannot please everyone all of the time, but they must at least attempt to please everyone some of the time” The grandstanding, virtue-signalling British MPs who petulantly called for Mr Trump to be banned from the UK showed a fundamental disrespect for this uncomfortable truth of any democratic system. We may state that only idiots or bigots hold certain unpalatable views – banning Muslim immigrants, for instance – but the nature of a democracy is that idiots and bigots are as entitled to their vote as is the holier-than-thou, sandal-wearing, tofu-eating, most metrosexual of liberal lefties. The established left, right and centre of US politics are reaping the punishment for years of condescension and disregard towards so many. Even now, his Republican rivals are failing – out of abject fear – to challenge him properly. As the Founding Fathers knew, demagoguery was a vice to stable democratic politics and it does not suffice in the serious business of governing a nation – particularly not in the world’s largest economic and military power. Nonetheless, patrician elites who believe ‘they know best’ sow very potent seeds for revolt. Robotic politicians are dispiriting and creepy. It is part of the human psyche to put faith in people who sound like we want them to, even if we don’t entirely agree with what they’re saying. I hope that Mr Trump will not win the Republican nomination – even more so, the presidency itself – but this grievous experience for the Grand Old Party should serve as a lesson to all believers in responsive democratic politics. Leaders cannot please everyone all of the time, but they must at least attempt to please everyone some of the time.
14.lifestyle
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Lifestyle Editors: Katie Ackerley, Ruth Loeffler, Fiona Callow, Lauren Exell & Jack Parker
The Robinson vs The Marjorie
U
Robinson
p until this January, the Robinson Library has been the only real place on campus to get your head down and do some work (unless you do Law or Medicine and are fortunate enough to escape the rest of us with your own library). You can try and convince yourself that your crappy little desk in your student house will suffice in order to avoid the added stress of fighting for a desk in the beloved Robbo during deadline weeks, but you’re lying – you’ll end up on your phone scrolling mindlessly through your Instagram feed or watching telly with your housemates. The struggle for desk space in the Robbo peaks around deadlines and exams to the point where you’re circling the floor waiting for someone to give up and go home. Finally, our prayers have been answered and the Marjorie Robinson Library opened this year just in time for exams. Is it a new and improved version of the original or just a couple of computer clusters not really worth checking for space?
The Great Library Stand Off
Whether you prefer the atmosphere of the Robbo or want a change in the Marjorie, the library you choose is a serious commitment, but don’t fret, Charlotte Broomfield is here to help you make one of the biggest decisions of your student life
The Café
The Robbo café is the social hub and is pretty decent. It is often used as a meeting place to help you keep your sanity during those long days staring at a laptop. The selection of food is quite varied although most of it fairly expensive, which I guess you deserve if you can’t be bothered walking down the road into town to get food. While Marjorie Robbo’s café has a similar selection of sandwiches which make perfect brain fuel, the café there isn’t half as sociable and it closes before four, which is pretty naff if you’re staying late. I think The Robbo gets a point back in this round.
Marjorie
Group Work Space
The Robinson provides you with a large area for group work which allows you to talk while you work. There is also the option to book a room for a bit of privacy. Admittedly, the YourSpace section of the Robbo downstairs is overly colourful, always packed and the lack of windows makes it way too claustrophobic. Also, it’s actually way too noisy to do any real work so really, the only positive is the abundance of vending machines. Marjorie, on the other hand, has got it all. The desks are better, the seats are better and you don’t feel like you’re in a weirdly colourful cave that’s been designed by a CBBC presenter. It’s not too loud but it’s also not too quiet so that you feel awkward for actually talking, making it the perfect place for your project or a bit of group revision. Marjorie wins this one.
Silent Study
As much as we all hate to admit it, the silent study area is the most important part of any library. Marjorie doesn’t have quite as much space for silent work, while the Robbo has endless desks for when you need to get your life together and actually get down to business. While the Robbo can feel a bit intense when you’re stuck next to someone doing their dissertation while you’re just doing a mid-module essay, seeing people as stressed or more stressed as you are is the motivation you need to actually get through. Even though you have to get up earlier to get a space, the classic Robinson has to win this time.
The Verdict
Robinson 2 - 1 Marjorie I know that sometimes it can be hard to let go but let’s be honest, overall, the Robbo still comes out on top. Marjorie is more aesthetically pleasing inside and has more chilled out vibes, however it’s only open eight thirty until midnight and is dangerously close to Northumbria. The Robbo has actual books in it (although I bet they’re barely ever used) and is there for you when you’ve stupidly procrastinated to the point of needing an all-nighter. Where else are you going to get your celebratory bacon sandwich? The good old Robinson is definitely the alpha-library.
The Courier
.15
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Culture thecourieronline.co.uk/culture
Culture Editors: Laura Staniforth & Ellie McLaren Sections: Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Arts, Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Science courier.culture@ncl.ac.uk | @CourierOnline
Blind Date India on Tj You went to 97 & Social because you each had 3 free cocktails from being coupled up on RAG Take Me Out last week, how were they? Fab. Tj hadn’t tried cocktails that much before, so the ball was in my court. I got a couple of mojitos and a gin genie, they were really good. He just had whatever I had. Did he enjoy them? Well, he said he’d only had one experience of drinking cocktails before, and they were absolutely grim. Apparently he doesn’t like alcohol… he does drink, but just to get drunk. I don’t think he could understand that if I get home at the end of a long day I would have a glass of wine because I like it. But he said he liked the cocktails there actually, they were really good. Who got there first? He got there first, but I don’t think I was that far behind. I think he’s a bit of a BNOC, he kept bumping into people he knew. When I arrived he was with some rugby guys. It was a Wednesday so all these sports socials were there who were having a drink before Tiger. What did you talk about? Erm, I don’t really have a filter on dates, so I think we probably covered just about everything. Poor guy, I think I’ve terrified him. Everything from travel, degrees, families, school, all sorts. We had totally different music tastes though. Why, what’s he in to? He likes grime, and I was like “I’m really sorry, I’ve only just found out today who Stormzy is, I’m sorry I’m so square!” [Laughs]. I had to tell him I liked the sort of music they play in Flares. What did he think of that? I think he found it funny. There was quite a mix of music going on in 97 & Social, they had a DJ in. I think he still quite liked the cheesy stuff, Aretha Franklin came on and we were both dancing away. Half way through the date, would you have “no likey, no lightey-d” by now? No, I would’ve kept my light on. Will you see him again? Yeah, he’s coming to my birthday party on Saturday, so that should be nice. How long did it last? We stayed til close, so just after 11. We basically stayed until we got kicked out, and we met just after 8. Did you feel quite drunk at the end? Yeah, after our 3 cocktails he bought us each a pint, so after that I was definitely not sober, I came back pretty pissed. I woke up in the morning and I was like “oh no…” Why, do you think something embarrassing happened? Well, I’m pretty sure we went through my entire relationship history. He asked me when my last date was, and it was only when I was talking about this guy I’d been on a date with recently that I thought… you don’t talk about this when you’re on another date. To be fair he asked me, but still! Did you ask him? Yeah. He was telling me his mum and dad want him to bring home a nice Nigerian girl. Did you feel a bit inadequate because you’re not Nigerian? I dunno, I’ll win him over, it’s fine! If he was a biscuit what would he be? A custard cream, because he’s got a hard looking exterior but he’s a wee softie on the inside.
India Tyndall 4th Year Languages meets Tj Ighomereho, 3rd Year Biomed
Tj on India Were you nervous before you met her? No, I kinda talked to her after Take Me Out so I knew she was a nice girl. She said that you’d not really had cocktails that much before, how did you find them? They were really nice! I’m a cocktail guy now. But you don’t usually drink to get drunk? No, I’m not the kind of guy who would get home and crack a beer open, beer doesn’t taste nice at all to me, it doesn’t sit well. So for nights out I just get vodka. Cocktails are nice, but they’re like £5 each time so I don’t usually bother. Did she have good conversation? She had great conversation. She likes to do all this charity stuff where you go abroad to Africa and help children, that’s cute I like that about her. Aesthetically, do you think she’s attractive? Yeah, she’s good looking. What’s her best feature? She’s got good hair. She said she was talking about her past boyfriends a lot… can you expand? That was interesting. I dunno it just kind of went that way. I kind of thought that we were gunna be friends anyway so it wasn’t really a weird topic to bring up, not that I didn’t fancy her, but the way it was going just didn’t seem romantic. So I was just getting gossip basically. Did you get drunk? Near the end yeah, after the cocktails and I bought a beer and a cider for us both too. Being a gent and all. Will you see her again? Yeah, she invited me to her birthday party next weekend, so I’ll definitely go to that. She said that your mum would prefer you to bring home a Nigerian girl, do you think she felt like she couldn’t live up to those standards? No not at all! That’s what my mum tells me but I’ll do what I want. So would your parents not approve of her? Yeah they would! She’s really nice and she’s got her head screwed on, and she got a grad job the other day! Would you date her again? Probably not. Not because it was a bad date. It was a good enough date to go on a second date, but I don’t know if there was enough there romatically. I asked her this weird question so I might as well ask you as well, if she was a biscuit, what biscuit would she be? You know an oreo, but like the custard crème version, so like a white oreo. Like a custard crème but nicer, she’d be that because they’re my favourite biscuit.
Looking for love? Send in your details to c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
16.lifestyle Foody Foddy
Taking a Turkish twist this week Emma Foddy gives Red Mezze a try
R
ed Mezze is one restaurant I have been to far too many times, for the simple reason that it offers consistently good Turkish comfort food at a reasonable price. Situated just behind St James’ Park, it is surrounded by a plethora of quirky bars should you wish to indulge in these afterwards. The restaurant itself is decorated simply with the odd Turkish trinket here and there. The staff are all very friendly and efficient; they popped over as soon as we were ready to order and we found throughout the meal we were hardly waiting around at all. The restaurant has a comfortable feel; it is often busy, providing a low buzz of conversation without being too loud that you’re having to lip-read the person sat opposite you.
“If, like me, you’re not very good at sharing food - don’t fear” The food appears simple, but the taste has a remarkable depth and rich quality. You’re able to choose a selection of hot and cold mezzes to start, which is a lovely way to try a range of freshly cooked Turkish dishes. The selection ranges from freshly made bread, served warm, with homemade hummus to more adventurous dishes such as fried aubergine with peppers and potatoes coated in a rich tomato and garlic sauce. If, like me, you’re not very good at sharing food- don’t fear. The portions are large enough that you won’t feel the need to inhale it all without chewing just to make sure you get your fair share. I would recommend getting a portion of bread with whichever starters you go for as they are all quite saucy and bread can mop up what a fork cannot. In terms of the mains, I always get the same thing when I go to Red Mezze. Normally I would avoid getting the same meal twice, however the ‘Special Wrap’ (not the most traditional-sounding thing on the menu, I know) always goes down a treat and never disappoints. Plus I make a point of always trying everyone else’s food at Red Mezze to make up for my own lack of variety and none of the other mains have ever come close to the wrap. It is a tortilla wrap filled with your choice of either chicken or lamb, both of which are equally as melt-in-themouth tender and bursting with a lush flavour that can only be achieved by freshly chargrilled meat. It is stuffed with onions, mushrooms, a mix of herbs and double cream and the whole thing is toasted so the tortilla is served crisp with a side of fresh salad and Turkish rice. Needless to say, the wrap is huge, but I feel I could just sit there and eat one after another. I can picture the taste so vividly but it is impossible to do it justice on paper so you will have to try it for yourself. The bill is brought over with a selection of Turkish delight, which is a nice touch to end the meal.
“It is a beautiful place to go and enjoy some freshly cooked food in a comfortable atmosphere. Foody Foddy throughly recommends”
Though I would love to be selfish and keep this little gem all to myself, it is too good to stay hidden. The food is of a reliably high standard, the service is quick and the price reasonable. It is a beautiful place to go and enjoy some freshly cooked food in a comfortable atmosphere. Foody Foddy thoroughly recommends. 34-36 Leazes Park Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4PG
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
The (budget) easter egg hunt
It’s come round again. Our favourite time of the year (besides Christmas) foodwise when you can satisfy all your chocolate cravings in the vague name of religion. Jordan Oloman gives you the best deals to binge on a budget. It’s a funny thing, when we go out and buy chocolate versions of our favourite breakfast savoury item in droves. We do this to appease the almighty rabbit deity, an animal that does not lay eggs, but commands us to take the products of his chicken brethren, paint them in strange colours and leave them around the garden for our children to collect. Somehow all of this is an homage to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. But let’s not get in to the semantics, here are a bunch of Easter eggs that you should, or should not buy. I’ve done the hard work for you, thanks to the wonders of online Tesco shopping.
Tesco Finest Lemon and Lime Egg
Stars Wars Egg See that little Kinnerton logo? Yeah, I didn’t, and I’ll regret that until the day I fall into the Sarlacc pit. The Star Wars branding caught my eye first, so it gets a few points for presentation, mainly because the alluring image of R2D2 averted my eyes from that devilish company name in the bottom right. Tasted like Jabba the Hutt’s back end. Don’t bother.
“Somebody at Tesco needs to be fired for this monstrosity. This was my wildcard, and in a cruel twist of fate, it betrayed me”
Taste: 2/5 Presentation: 5/5 Extras: 0/5
Taste: 0/5 Presentation: 3/5 Extras: 0/5
After Eight Egg Taste “A novel idea, Bravo. The extra mints didn’t hurt either, but there’s room for improvement”
Somebody at Tesco needs to be fired for this monstrosity. This was my wildcard, and in a cruel twist of fate, it betrayed me. Lemon and Lime and chocolate was not something that my taste buds or my stomach agreed with, and I ended up having to surgically remove the offending bits so I could eat the nice Belgian chocolate around the outside, which was far more bearable. That’s why although it was awful to taste it gets a few points anyway. Besides that, it looks cool, but you can’t polish a turd, and they don’t give you anything extra except pangs of guilt and stomach pain.
I ate this one at like 3 o clock in the afternoon, just to be edgy, but it didn’t diminish the taste whatsoever. Our capitalist overlords over at Nestle seemed to have a moment of weakness here, and instead of leaving the egg to be a bland, chocolate shape, they made it taste exactly like a big round after-eight. A novel idea. Bravo. The extra mints didn’t hurt either, but there’s room for improvement. Chocolate pocket watch or something next time? Give me a call, Nestle.
Taste: 5/5 Presentation: 4/5 Extras: 3/5
Pack of Kinder Surprise Easter Mini Eggs Taste: 5/5 Presentation: 5/5 Extras: 5/5
“it even tastes like it could be good for you and make your bones stronger or something”
Rolo Gift Tin Egg Really impressed with this one. I’m already biased because I love Rolo’s, and now I have a nice shiny tin to show for it. The egg was crap itself, but I’m a real sucker for shiny containers, and it delivered that in style. The Rolo’s were probably the best part, more of an aesthetic achievement than anything else, but I’m not complaining. I have no idea what I’ll put in my new tin, but I’m sure it might save my life one day.
Impeccable taste (if you like your milk chocolate milky as anything), great value for money, a toy in each and a nolstaglic throwback to childhood to boot. And six as well! Guilt free purchase, it even tastes like it could be good for you and make your bones stronger or something. The only real choice. Don’t play yourself.
Taste: 3/5 Presentation: 5/5 Extras: 5/5 “I have no idea what I’ll put in my new tin, but I’m sure it might save my life one day”
The Courier
lifestyle.17
Tuesday 8 March 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @CourierLifestyle
Secret student sex stories
Here in the Lifestyle section, we have been dying to share some of those fantastic awkward moments in the bedroom that are normally kept to yourselves, so here’s one to kick us off Have you ever liked someone to the point where you didn’t want to put out straight away so you gave them the chase for an adequate amount of time and then gave into temptation? Did you build up that moment in your head to be a night of passionate love making? Were they shit? Did they disappoint you on all levels? Sit down and get comfortable for what is my unfortunately short story of what my friends now refer to as the ‘6 second wonder.’
these were pretty innocent photographs) and eventually he suggested a movie night. KA-CHING!
“We had been non-stop flirting since summer when we had the Netflix but not the chill”
Without specifying a time he said he wouldn’t be long so I set about flapping around making sure my room was tidy and that I looked vaguely similar to the goddess in my snapchats. One hour later and I still hadn’t heard a word from him and I was seriously considering getting out my bullet and sorting myself out (which as you will see later in the story I should have done in the first place.) But I gave him the benefit of the doubt and another 30 minutes later I finally had a man in my bed. We went through the necessary process of putting a film on and settling down with absolutely no intention of watching it and before the opening credits had finished we were getting busy.
It was a typically boring Friday night (cause’ who goes out on a weekend, right?) when my phone lit up with a snapchat. It wasn’t the first of this type. We had been non-stop flirting since summer when we had the Netflix but not the chill. Since then we’d both been in a constant state of blue balls implying what could have been and what might happen in future and that night I decided I’d had enough. I wanted this gorgeous specimen to satisfy my every need and I wanted it there and then. Through clever use of lighting and angles I manipulated my front camera to show the goddess I secretly am (I know what you’re thinking but
At this point I was expecting him to take me in his arms, kiss every inch of my body and make me moan so loud my flatmates would feel the need to use earphones. However, the cruel reality was that we fumbled about for a few minutes with foreplay and then he was inside me and then it was over. As quick as it took you to read this
“Before the opening credits had finished we were getting busy”
article was how long the entire thing lasted and I have my suspicions it wasn’t even that long. There was the awkward ‘I’m sorry it’s been a while’ and then I did what no girl should ever do- I laughed.
“As quick as it took you to read this article was how long the entire thing lasted” I felt awful but I couldn’t stop myself. The look on his face was soul destroying and I honestly thought he was going to cry but how can you not laugh when we had built it up for so long and then that was all you got? 6 seconds. Seriously? Yep. Let’s just say he left not long afterwards and at that point I couldn’t even be bothered finishing myself off. Needless to say, in future, if you want something doing right, do it yourself.
Take me back to the noughties Sarah Davies reminisces about the best parts of her childhood, with Busted lyrics still heavily ingrained in her memory and stationery the only thing you would spend all your pocket money on. Now that I have reached the grand old age of 20 I feel as if I should have achieved the organizational credentials of being an adult. New modules colour coded with individual highlighted titles, accompanied with the exact same colour defining folder. As I sit here admiring my procrastinated work I am transported back to the last week of the August holidays, when W.H. Smiths would be chock-ablock full of new Bic pens, neon coloured highlighters, plastic triangle things that you never had a clue what were for and the obvious new pencil case that had to be purchased every new academic year. As a child however, there was nothing more satisfying than the purposeful application of PVA glue to your fingers and then peeling it off. While PVA glue never had any use but to persistently destroy paper, now as an “adult” I actually found a use for it in the form of fixing certain wrecked items in my unequipped student home. With the back of a dining room chair completely severed off I got to work administering the PVA (why I had not thought of super glue is beyond me). But quite possibly the excitement of being able to apply the glue once again to my hands and rip off the dried
“ There was nothing more satisfying than the purposeful application of PVA glue to your fingers and then peeling it off” solvent in one whole go was too much to contain. However, nothing can bring back juvenile memories like those of childhood foods. While adult sophistication may have increased my acceptance of vegetables, and the swapping of the yellow potato for one that is orange and sweet has become day-to-day life, my 11-year-old self is shaking her head in disbelief. The pre-teenage me would stand in utter awe at the magical moment when radioactive looking pink dust would be mixed with milk to create the strawberry Angel Delight sensation. Or the combination of raspberry jelly and ice cream topped with hundreds and thousands plated in a plastic bowl. Or the sickeningly vibrant trays in which assembled school dinners of fish fingers, smiley faces and peas. With pudding in the sepa-
rate compartment, lumpy custard that you believed had sweet corn in it, but it was in fact just
“On the rare chance that torrential snow/wind/rain meant indoor play commence, you may just have to play... MASH” lumps, was dolloped over your spotted dick. Attending primary school “North of the Wall” meant that you were almost always subjected to playtime outdoors- in the complete unknown weather of the Yorkshire countryside. However on the rare chance that torrential snow/wind/rain meant indoor play commence, you may just have that chance to play every girls secret fantasy: the
all important MASH game. Mansion, apartment, shed, house, boys, car, city, job- the choice was yours. And while some of you maybe throwing some 90’s moves out at Throwback, I, however am enraptured by the early years of school discos. Busted, McFly and S Club 7 all send me into a rhapsody of childhood memories. Standing in the middle of the dance floor with my hair in pigtails that my mum had some how mastered, sprayed with aerosol glitter, with a gleaming silver skirt and an attempt at some form of lip-gloss, I was ready to reach for the stars. These were the memories of ‘00 kid born in the late 90’s and no matter how much I try to believe I am some form of “adult”, the days of MSN still haunt me.
Golden Rules for any noughties kid:
1
DON’T STOP MOVING!
We were slightly too young to fully appreciate the Fresh Prince- we’ll leave that our proper nineties predecessors, but I did watch it every night without fail for the rap at the start... and because it was shown straight after The Simpsons. Back in Primary School was really where you learnt respect for your elders. Humiliation- they were masters. Talking whilst queueing to go into your classroom? Stand in front of all your classmates for a few minutes and that will sort you out. Relating to this, how weird is it that we used to queue for EVERYTHING; dinner, end of break, start of break, fire drills... I suppose for us Brits queueing does go hand in hand with learning mental maths.
2 3
Rant of the Week
This week, Brooklyn Shakeshaft Ward tackles the issue of dick pics - is it a rite of passage or just not right.
David Mitchell has been quoted as saying he’s never been offered cocaine. And while he’s sure he’d hate it if he tried it, and doesn’t particularly want any, he’s annoyed he’s never been ‘cool’ enough to have been given the opportunity. Similarly, this is my view on dick pics. It may come as a shock, but in 20 years I have never received one. Sure, I would hate it, and I don’t want any, but does that mean I’m not hot enough to be sent an anonymous picture of some genitalia?
“A girl’s first dick pic is a rite of passage, high up there with other such noble traditions as being wolf whistled at”
We’ve all seen random dicks on chat roulette when we were way too young to be looking at them - but they don’t count, they’re so impersonal. What I’m talking about is someone posing to make it look as big as possible, setting the snapchat timer to 10 seconds for maximum effect and adding a little caption on it especially for me- ‘like what you see?’ for example, or ‘my little friend says hello’, followed by a winking face and maybe a kiss. Sadly, this has never happened - I am to dick pics what David Mitchell is to cocaine. Am I missing out? A girl’s first dick pic is a rite of passage, high up there with other such noble traditions as being wolf whistled at or being told to pull your skirt down because it’s too short. These blatant expressions of the patriarchy are the building blocks of many a social group, because it’s something every girl can relate to.
“It would be nice to know I’m so drop dead gorgeous that people can’t help but wap out their cocks”
Alas when the conversation turns to dick pics I have nothing to say. I can’t laugh off the inappropriateness or shudder with disgust. Maybe I should be more alluring in my snapchat stories, less goofy, poutier on Facebook and better filtered on instagram. It would be nice to know I’m so drop dead gorgeous that people can’t help but wap out their cocks and offer them to me on a silver platter on social media. I picture myself spinning, angels singing in the background while phones fall around me flashing their wares, beckoning me to click the little red square on snapchat, each one offering a reinforcement- ‘yes, you are hot enough to receive a picture of my willy, here it is!’. The want for that level of acceptance is hard to
“Are dick pics akin to unsolicited street flashing?” shake, even though I know it’s ridiculous. I know my own opinion of myself is the most important, but still… Maybe I’m thinking about them in the wrong way. If someone in the street unapologetically whipped their schlong out and winked at me, expecting a nude in return for their generosity, I would probably scream and walk the other way. When I say it like that, it sounds more than a little creepy. In fact, something similar did happen and it was a horrifying experience. Are dick pics akin to unsolicited street flashing? Probably not, but the line is thin and getting increasingly blurred. Is it a line that’s even worth crossing? Is the outcome of your surprise virtual dick attack- probably a surprised gasp and a delete from their contacts- really worth it? Hmmmmm … I think I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want a dick pic. I’ll choose being David Mitchell in a world free from pixelated penises any day.
18.fashion
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Fashion Editors: Ellen Dixon, Liz Rosling & Sara Macauley
Your new spring wardrobe Emily Higgins ditches the florals and pastels and brings back the black
Izzi Watkins shows us what her three favourite fashion bloggers wore to the biggest British sartorial event of the year
Dorothy Perkins £16
Topshop £26
New Look £17.99
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What our fave bloggers wore to LFW
pring is all about pastels. High-street stores become awash with pale pinks and floral prints by the start of March, and most girls go crochet crop-top and pastel kimono crazy as soon as spring pieces hit the rails However, if you’re like me and don’t particularly like wearing colour but still love fashion, this season can be a bit of a nightmare. It’s a running joke amongst my friends that while they look fresh, floral and ready for spring, I’m wearing black and prematurely ready for Halloween. This, along with my long black coat, has meant that they’ve even nicknamed me ‘Morticia’. Now don’t get me wrong, I love Morticia’s sass but I’m not a sunshine-hating vampire, I swear. I just don’t particularly like bright bold colours and prints, and to be quite frank I think most florals are tacky. Don’t get me started on neon. I do love the spring and summer months, but finding clothes to match has been a bit of a challenge in the past.
“It’s a running joke amongst my friends that while they look fresh, floral and ready for spring, I’m wearing black and prematurely ready for Halloween”
@mrsmorticiaaddams
I know I’m not alone on this, surely not every girl’s idea of the perfect spring outfit matches what we see in the high-street. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with what H&M, for example, bring into stock come spring. It’s just not for me. I much prefer minimalism and structure to my outfits, I think it’s more edgy and timeless. But finding clothing which fulfils this is sometimes a challenge. Over the past couple of years though, I think I’ve got closer to mastering a seasonal outfit that still fits in with my style. Buying in preparation for spring has been an excellent method, and picking up a few bits from shops during the winter/spring season changeover has, so far, been a great start. A lot of clothing is brought out with the intention of it being layered during the later months, however as the season progresses lots of items can work in spring too, with a few minor adjustments of accessories. Also, another method for me has been finding inspiration online. Unfancy.com is a gold mine, the site has a capsule inspiration section which is like a look-book of minimalistic seasonal outfits. ASOS is also super helpful for me at this time of year, they have a vast amount of black, white, camel and grey clothes in season which is always great for me. Especially when you can use the filters while shopping online, allowing you to choose which colours you view. Bye-bye neon pink, hello neutrals. A simple oversized jersey dress can work at any time of the year. It can be worn well into spring with some trainers, simple jewellery and a felt hat making a season appropriate look without all the floral faff. I’ve also discovered a love for culottes and flares during my quest to discover a new spring look. A pair of black flared jeans and a simple crop top with a leather jacket is an easy to wear simple chic outfit which is perfect for a spring evening. In short, if bright spring colours aren’t for you, then there are loads of options out there. Simple statement pieces and clever layering will serve you well. Wear what makes you comfortable; stand out amongst your friends in the pastel and florals and play around with your looks until you find your perfect spring wardrobe.
3.@sarahashcroft 2.@lucywilliams02 1.@inthefrow As well as the owner of a successful YouTube Victoria, once a fashion marketing lecturer at Man- Lucy is the curator of the achingly cool blog ‘Fashchester Uni (coolest lecturer ever?!) has received much acclaim for her sleek and sophisticated blog. Her Insta, which has racked up over half a million followers, is a mixture of fashion, lifestyle and beauty snaps. Her style for LFW was notably monochromatic, with a handful of fitted jackets and tailored trousers. Her mixing of neutrals and black layers perfectly accentuated her glossy grey hair, which was hard to miss on the Burberry front row. Although she is often seen in head to toe designer attire, her looks tend to centre around staple items that could easily be replicated on the high street.
ion me now’. Never far from her leather biker jacket and cut-off Levis, she brought her perfectly formed yet laid back style to the streets of London. A personal favorite was her 90s inspired look for the Topshop Unique show. The look featured a suede Harrington jacket layered over a striped T, finished off perfectly with her trademark blue jeans. Another look of hers also featured a black turtleneck, cleverly layered under a grey T-shirt with an oversized khaki bomber. Her blog stands out due it’s attainable and yet sleek vibe, the perfect inspiration for nailing your everyday uni look.
channel, Sarah Ashcroft is behind the blog ‘That Pommie Girl’- which she started as a hobby whilst pursuing a career in fashion PR. Her archetype glamorous style is always topped off with flawless contour and on-fleek brows (which, luckily for us, she makes tutorials for regularly for her YouTube channel). She channeled the off-duty model look, with the cult knee high black boots and aviator sunnies making an appearance. Keeping it simple for the David Koma show she opted for black leather trousers, a basic white shirt and cream fur jacket- notably entirely high street (minus the Celine bag… a girl can dream right?).
The future of the fashion runway
Hannah Sharratt questions whether the rise of technology is the demise of the fashion show
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ith ever advancing technology and the rising influence of social media, we are left with a world in which things can be achieved or communicated with a simple click in a matter of seconds. We have become accustomed to and dependent on the notion of the instant. The fashion industry has, since its birth, been far from something instant. It involves itself with long and nurtured processes over extended periods of time, effort and craftsmanship put into the designing of the products, and their showcasing at fashion shows. So how are these continual technological advancements affecting the fashion industry and how is the future of the runway panning out? Burberry has made a bold move, and certainly a revolutionary one in the fashion industry, with their announcement that as of September they will continue with 2 seasonless catwalk collections per year. The items from these shows will be available to purchase online or store immediately upon the show’s finale. Burberry has laid plans to switch the seasons so that their Spring/Summer collections are shown on the runway during the months of February and March and the Autumn/Winter collections are showcased during the months of September and October. The time between getting a first look at the collection and the collection being available to buy is ultimately shortened considerably, making collections more relevant to the actual time of year – so we are not thinking of bikinis whilst sat in boots and
Images: Burberry
scarves shivering at the thought of stripping off and vice versa. Burberry’s CEO, Christopher Bailey has commented on Burberry’s recent changes: “I told the teams that we can’t expect a customer to understand our timings because, I mean, it’s silly, which is why we did runway made-to-order collections”. He added, “You can’t talk to a customer and say, ‘we’re really excited, we’re going to stimulate you and inspire you, but you can’t touch it or feel it for another six months.’ In fashion we talk about ‘a moment’, and what feels right for the moment. And I’ve always battled with that because the moment is when you’re showing it, but then you’ve got to kind of say is it the right moment five or six months down the line?”
“Runway shows have always been an iconic aspect of the fashion industry and should we really take away the appreciation of this art form to hard fast business?” Other designers such as Tom Ford and Matthew Williamson may soon be following in Burberry’s footsteps in regards to the organisation of their fashion shows, so who knows how many other brands will follow suit to changing the concept of the runway. With the increasing power of social media in today’s society a company can have extremely effective digital marketing campaigns
which reach a mass audience almost instantly. But we have to consider the importance of the press as much as the customers. With good press, a particular item or brand can absolutely soar and runway shows are crucial for attracting this press. Given that fashion is, and has been for years, a multi-million pound industry, can catwalk shows really be considered an unsuccessful means of brand promotion and product advertising? If this see now - buy now concept with the runway shows is really going to work, every item of the collection shown on the runway would have to be available immediately. This could result in a reduction in quality of the pieces, given that runway items are usually of very high quality and huge amounts of time and work have been put in to get to their maximum standard. Finally, runway shows have always been an iconic aspect of the fashion industry and should we really take away the appreciation of this art form to hard fast business? A runway show is about so much more than the clothes. Fashion is art, creativity, beautiful designs, intricate handwork and the creative direction of catwalk shows incorporates the lighting, clothes, hair, make-up, and music to create a certain mood or atmosphere. All these carefully thought out aspects contribute to a complete celebration of the designer’s vision. The movement, feel and sound simply can’t be transferred to the digital world. So should we really lose all this in the face of iPhones, tablet screens and Instagram likes?
The Courier
fashion.19
Tuesday 8 March 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion Instagram:@thecourierfashion | Facebook: facebook.com/thecourierfash |Email: c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk
Celebrity style icon: Rihanna
Our Agony Aunt Phoebe solves your fashion frustrations
@ andreea.balaban
This week, Hannah Sharratt spots the most stylish students out on campus
Harriet, 21
Stage: 2 Course: Zoology Outfit: My jeans are Topshop, the coat is ASOS, my scarf is H&M, as is my top. Celebrity style icon: Kendall Jenner Favourite coffee shop in Newcastle: Flat Caps Coffee Favourite fashion retailer: ASOS
Marvin, 18 Stage: 1 Course: Architecture & Urban Planning Outift: My bomber jacket is Zara, my jeans are Topman and my hat is from JD Sports. The backpack is Sprayground. Favourite store: Size Celebrity style icon: Chris Brown
@vivalalaura_vivalalaura
@flawlessputasx
Spotted on campus
Phoebe, 18
Sean, 20
Stage: Prospective student Course: Fine Art Outfit: My coat is ASOS, and my top is actually from Tesco! The boots are New Look, and my skirt and necklace are H&M. Celebrity style icon: Alexa Chung Favourite fashion retailer: ASOS
Stage: 3 Course: English Language My coat is Topman, the scarf is from Next, and both my jeans and shoes are Topman too. My bag is Ted Baker. Celebrity style icon: David Beckham Favourite trend: Tailoring Favourite bar in Newcastle: Barluga
“A thin scarf draped around the neck allows you to stay true to the original seventies style, or big, statement jewellery pieces can really jazz up your look for a night on The Toon!”
As with any outfit, the number one rule is: if one half is loose, the other half must be tight. If you are rocking a flare, you need to be wearing something form-fitting on top. Show off that waist with a crop top, that sliver of skin on display, just enough to give you that sexiness but not too much to be deemed OTT. Either a crop top or a tight top is fine, something that shows off your figure. This will counteract the loose fitting flare and extra material you’ve got swaying around your ankles to give you a nice, balanced outfit. As we are in Newcastle and we need an extra layer to keep us toasty, adding a thick cardigan keeps your look Toon friendly. Sometimes something loose on the upper half can work too. Flares are tight around the thighs then get wider further down, so as a result, a loose crop top or baggy jumper can work with them. A pair of heels ALWAYS look good with flares, whether casual heeled boots or a strappy high heel if you’re going out, because they add height and make your legs look longer. There is always a risk of looking dumpy wearing flares, particularly if you’re on the shorter side. A thin scarf draped around the neck allows you to stay true to the original seventies style, or big, statement jewellery pieces can really jazz up your look for a night on The Toon! These are just a couple of ways to wear your flares, but remember, the best accompaniment to flares is flare! You’ve got to wear them with confidence and with attitude. They were a seventies thing, and that lot didn’t give a damn about what anyone thought (let us not forget the florals). As long as you’re loving it and look like you’re loving it, you’ll pull off your flares, no problem. Phoebe-Claire Bower
Topshop £22
video. For the journey to the after-party, Rihanna wore a satin olive-green dress and silver sandals with a floor length mustard puffer jacket, all topped off with a black baseball cap. The puffer jacket is set to be the style staple of Winter 2016, and Rihanna chose well with an on-trend colour and cute toggle button detail. Although puffer jackets are known to make even the slenderest of figures look like the Michelin Man, if Rihanna’s willing to give up her umbrella for a luxurious fur lined hood then maybe it’s time we did too! And it’s not just the BRITs where Rihanna has been displaying her fashion prowess; her street style shows equal attention to detail. A recent example of this was when she was snapped in New York in a thrift shop style look. She combined a white crop tank with high-waisted baggy pinstripe trousers and an open 3/4 length gingham jacket. The combination of the high waist and crop top keep her silhouette clear cut, whilst the varying intensities of patterns ensured no-one was calling S.O.S due to a severe case of overwhelmed eyes. Even if you can’t sing, dance or walk like her, you’ll be guaranteed success if you dress like Rihanna.
: How to wear flares with flare? A tricky question to say the least, and one that has left many a fashion follower baffled in the face of wearing them. Flares, or bell-bottoms, are a style of trouser or jean that becomes wider from the knee downward. American sailors were the first to adopt bell-bottoms in the 19th Century, due to their practicality in being able to snag a man who’d fallen overboard or to remove when wet. They didn’t really take off as a general fashion item until the mid-1960’s, with celebrities like Sonny and Cher popularising them by wearing them when making TV appearances. Gaining popularity in the 1960’s, with stars like Twiggy, Jimmy Hendrix and Mick Jagger, it wasn’t until the 1970’s that flares really dominated the fashion world. Influential designers like Mary Quant and especially music groups, like Slade and ABBA, fuelled the trend, performing in flares and silver boots. One of the most successful groups to don flares were the Scottish band, the Bay City Rollers. Although the ‘70’s was definitely the hay day of the flare, they’re now back in a big way. As soon as Kate Moss rocked up to an event in a pair, they became the new must-have piece. For those of you who feel like flares aren’t for you, or maybe you think that you couldn’t pull them off, I’m going to change your mind. This is how to wear them.
@armani
@badgalriri
he’s been spotted leaving night-clubs in oversized hoodies and sandals, as well as attending weddings in floral silk dressing gowns, all whilst retaining a sense of effortless style. She is both a style chameleon channelling the latest trends, or adds a sense of her own laid-back chic through unusual colours or outfit coordination choices. The only girl in the world this could all be referring to is, of course, Rihanna. She’s been out of the limelight for a while but has come back with a bang recently, and it’s fair to say she’s absolutely killing it in the style stakes. At the BRIT Awards on 24th February, Rihanna wasn’t only robbing attention from her less daringly-dressed counterparts through her risqué dance moves with Drake. It was her on-trend outfit choices that really caught our eye. For the red carpet she opted for a glamourous lilac and lace Giorgio Armani dress and its nightwear style created a beautiful sheer-silhouette. Although pastels aren’t generally associated with RiRi, the low cut neck-line, figure hugging shape and of course the Swarovski crystal embroidery, ensured she still shined bright like a diamond. The second outfit was a perfect performance choice, as she worked (pun intended) her flapperesque Balmain pants with an unembellished white long sleeved crop top. The plain top balanced the look ensuring it was more couture than costume. Her white heeled boots suited the all-white look perfectly and created a more uniform look than the vibrant and varied outfits of the official music
Q A
: Phoebe, I really want to wear flares but don’t know how to style them! Have you got any ideas that could help me? Thanks, Ellie
@_modabellezaa
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@rihannadiva
Miranda Stoner tells us why Rihanna has been winning in the style stakes lately, and shows us her favourite looks
20.beauty
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Beauty Editors: Flora Davies, Ellen Walker & Lucy Cochrane
Think pink
Get a spring in your step Molly Harris shares with us her best beauty trends of the upcoming spring season, including the perfect glowing complexion, pastel lids and metallic glitter
Lucy Cochrane shows us how to get out makeup bag ready for spring by trying the pink trend
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ncorporating pink into our make-up is a great way of creating a really feminine and fresh look which is set to be a huge trend this spring. Think petal pinks, pastel shades, and rosy cheeks. A great way to start if you are a bit apprehensive with using pink is on the lips. The right shade of pink can really brighten your complexion and transform your overall look. I normally opt for darker, blue toned pinks but for spring, it’s all about the pale petal pink. One of my recent favourites is Revlon’s Colorburst Lip Butter in the shade ‘Strawberry Shortcake’. This shade is perfect as it is not so light that it will completely wash you out, yet it is not super bold which keeps things soft and pretty for spring. The formula of these lip butters is great as they are really moisturising, yet not too sheer so you still have quite good colour payoff. For eyes, although the idea of pink eye shadow may seem scary, it can work if you find the right shades. There is only one palette I turn to and it is Urban Decay’s Naked 3 palette. This is perfect as it is full of all really wearable shades, with a subtle touch of pink. All these shades veer on the warmer side of things which is great, featuring a lot of sparkle as well which is really pretty for spring. I use the shade ‘Limit’ all across the lid which is a great neutral pink tone. The shades ‘Dust’, ‘Burnout’ and ‘Buzz’ are all pink sparkly shades which look really pretty on the centre of the lid.
“Think petal pinks, pastel shades, and rosy cheeks” I then use the darker almost mauve-pink ‘Nooner’ in the crease to add definition, followed by the darkest shade ‘Blackheart’, which is a really beautiful almost black shade, with an infusion of pink glitter. The palest shade ‘Strange’ is an understated off-white pink which is great if you want to go for something much softer. Alternatively you can apply it in the inner corner and underneath the brow bone to highlight. If you want an easier way to achieve this pink trend, a great alternative is Maybelline’s Color Tattoo in ‘Pink Gold’ which is brilliant on its own for a subtle pink sheen with surprising pigmentation. You could also use this to layer under eye shadow for a really long-lasting effect. Sleek also do a really great pink blush which is perfect for spring in the shade ‘Pixie Pink’. It looks super bright in the pan but it transfers quite naturally and its high pigmentation means you really only need a tiny bit. Another firm blush favourite is Max Factor’s Miracle Touch creamy blush in ‘Soft Pink’. These little pots are great as you literally only need the tiniest amount, plus the cream formula makes them ideal for spring as dewy skin is always on trend and compliments the pretty pink look to create a really feminine feel.
Beauty tip of the week
Going on holiday this Easter? Don’t forget these things while you are on holiday: 1) Drink plenty of water, the small cups they bring around during food service is definitely not enough 2) Don’t forget moisturisers to combat dry air in the cabin. Many skin care brands provide items in samples or travel size. Or you can downsize your favourite cream in a travel size bottle. 3) You are closer to harmful radiation flying on a high altitude, so SPF is the most important thing to pack. 4) Spritz facial mists like Clinique Moisture Surge Face Spray (£22) because you can never have enough moisturizer Phoebe Ng
Instagram @benefitcosmeticsuk
Instagram @pracht_pr
Instagram @burtsbeesus
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s winter moves to spring (yes, even in the Toon there have been glimpses of sunshine) that quote from The Devil Wear’s Prada always pops into my mind: ‘Floral’s for spring, groundbreaking’. But for me, despite Meryl Streep condemning the trend, spring is all about floral pastel shades. I won’t talk about how you can move them from the fashion in your wardrobe to the make up on your face.
“Cirque and Swingers girls rejoice because according to trend predictions- glitter is in”
Spring is all about the glow, so a good highlighter is a must. For pale skin you can’t go wrong with benefit’s High Beam – a liquid product with a built in brush is ideal for that spring season pinky pastel glow that you strive for. This product can be a little tricky to blend because its quick drying, so make sure you use either your finger or a stipling brush to pat the product onto the cheek bones, between the brows, the top of your nose and cupids bow straight. If such a liquid product is not for you I am also a fan of Kiko’s Radiant Touch stick in shade 100 ( a cheaper version of Nars illuminator in Cococabana) or the cult product that is MAC’s
soft and gentle. For a darker skin, or for a more bronze highlight I’d recommend Benefit’s sunbeam or Nars illuminator in Laguna. Spring is not Summer and is not all about the full fake tan or golden glow bronze so be careful with over-bronzing. Spring seems to be more about the blush. In my opinion, for blush there is no better shade range than MAC. My spring favourites are Melba, a soft coral pink and Love-cloud, these two are the perfect shades to give you that spring time hue and compliment the pastel shades this season. Pink and peaches are usually reserved for the cheeks and lips, but this spring they are being used on the lids too. A trend named ‘sunset streak’ has popped up in catwalks regularly, Altuzarra and Erden showed soft oranges for an earthy sunset vibe. Such trend it highly wearable on and off the catwalk, especially for girls with blue eyes as the contrasting shade will only make them stand out more.
“Spring seems to be more about the blush. In my opinion, for blush there is no better shade range than MAC”
Cirque and Swingers girls rejoice because according to trend predictions- glitter is in. The
spring shows provided an easy, subtle guide to sparkle: At Kate Spade and Dries Van Noten, shimmer discreetly flashed from the upper lashes; at Delpozo, silver was sprinkled lightly across the lids like fairy dust; and at the recent Grammy awards model of the moment Bella Hadid rocked a thin silver liner, proving metallics are in and can easily be incorporated into your make up look.
“At the recent Grammy awards model of the moment Bella Hadid rocked a thin silver liner, proving metallics are in and can easily be incorporated into your make up look”
Despite it being spring it is still pretty windy so lip-care is essential, especially because lipstick is one of the key make up pieces to achieving springpinks. Anything from Burts Bees, Carmex or Vaseline will nourish the lips and stop them cracking under your lipstick. A few of my favourite lipsticks for spring are MAC Cremesheen Koi Coral, worn on models during Jeremy Scott’s spring catwalk, but if your budget doesn’t stretch to MAC, Rimmel have some gorgeous nude and pink shades especially in the Kate Moss collection.
The backstage beauty lowdown at LFW
Catwalk makeup trends define the upcoming season. Flora Davies shares with us the looks that truly captured this year’s catwalk at LFW and anticipates their popularity in the year to come
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here was one make-up style in particular that stood out and cemented itself as an emerging beauty trend – embellishment. Lots of it graced Burberry’s catwalk. A departure from Burberry’s usual minimalistic chic, this year at London Fashion Week, Christopher Bailey presented flashes of sequins, which called for something a bit more Bowie-esque. Backstage at Burberry, the make up master that is Wendy Rowe, gave us glitter fallout as she dusted models’ cheeks and under eyes with tons of sparkle. “The glitter tears that are happening on the runways at the moment are really cool,” says Lou Teasdale, ELLE UK’s special hair and makeup correspondent.
Instagram @mavalauk
“The trick for making the trend modern? Make sure you depart from overly pearlised shadows, as it’s scarily reminiscent of your first teenage foray” Bolts of electric blue slashed across the lash line at Jonathan Saunders made a striking statement on the runway, while a flash of turquoise and sapphire hues smeared across the lid at Mary Katrantzou for a aquamarine effect, proved there are many different ways to wear this look and I’m obsessed. Nothing illustrates the resurgence of the eighties more so than the blue eyes. The modern update of blue-eyed beauty sees a departure from nude peepers; its time to experiment with the spring offering the beauty world has to offer. The trick for making the trend modern? Make sure you depart from overly pearlised shadows, as it’s scarily reminiscent of your first teenage foray. A top tip: experiment with blue in the inner corner: using a small angled eyeshadow brush in the tear duct area, as well as a little over and under, here the colour evenly widens the eye area to provide you with a bright eye area. If you’re fearful of sporting such bright hues, never fear- there are subtle ways to wearing this flattering trend. I’d recommend sweeping a sheer wash of powder blue to give you a more subtle, pastel take on this eighties comeback, and when it’s eighties revival, it’s a yes from me.
“Nothing illustrates the resurgence of the eighties more so than the blue eyes. The modern update of blue-eyd beauty sees a departure from nude peepers” The key to the look of the Burberry girl is to not be too meticulous about it, the secret too success here lies in a haphazard application. For best results, apply an eye cream to form a base for the glitter to stick too, follow by applying holographic glitter all over the lid. This can be achieved either with a simple glitter shadow, or alternatively step out your comfort zone and dust on some loose glitter flexes. According to Rowe, “If it drops onto the cheekbone, that’s a great thing. It needs to feel effortless”. What’s important is to keep the rest of the skin and the lips pared-back; a cool complexion is vital so the eyes attract as much at-
tention as they are worthy of. Blue eyeshadow is making a comeback…this week we spied LFW feeling blue and it was the eyeshadow that really caught our attention.
Instagram @puckermakeup
The Courier
beauty.21
Tuesday 8 March 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty Instagram: Courierbeauty_ | @Courier_Beauty
Blogger of the moment: Lustrelux Hot or Ellen Walker introduces us to Lustrelux, her favourite beauty blogger of the moment
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Instagram @lustrelux
ased in sunny LA, Lustrelux (A.K.A Katy) brings us the best of U.S cosmetics and beauty tips from across the pond. Based on Youtube, her channel provides tutorials for hair, makeup, skincare, reviews, beauty and clothing hauls and personal vlogs; I think it’s safe to say she’s an all round talent. She shoots such a variety of looks there really is something for everyone, from soft girlie pastels to smoky eyes to vibrant pops of colour, she’s done it all.
“Katy shoots such a variety of looks there really is something for everyone, from soft girlie pastels to smoky eyes to vibrant pops of colour, she’s done it all”
Katy’s videos are not only really informative and interesting but also extremely entertaining as her bubbly approach and hilarious outtakes really give you a sense of her personality. She’s also done Q and A sessions and ‘get to know me videos’ and isn’t shy about letting you get to know the real her and giving you a genuine insight to her life. My personal favourite videos are her collaborations with her best friend Desi Perkins, a fellow beauty blogger (who is equally as talented and definitely worth watching). They’ve completed some hilarious attempts at the ‘no mirror’ make up challenge and the ‘not my hands’ make up challenge featuring their husbands John and Steven. More recently she’s embarked on a healthy living journey, snapchatting(lusterlux) daily about her struggles against tough workouts and healthy eating, definitely something that we can all relate to! Her transformation is really something to admire and serves as a great motivation to get in shape. She also posts her best looks regularly on Instagram and even runs an account on the behalf of her adorable Chihuahua Cockapoo cross, Zoey (apupnamedzoey). Her most recent vlog follows her and her stunning to colleges on their trip to Hawaii with Tarte Cosmetics. They showcase all the brand new Tarte ‘Rainforest of the Sea’
not?
Braids Instagram @kimkardashian
Gwen Stefani Urban Decay collection
collection and show their support of Tarte’s new ‘Kiss and Makeup anti-bullying campaign. The trip itself looked incredible, not only did they receive the entire new collection, but they were lucky enough to stay un amazing accommodation, zip line through rainforests, race dirt buggies and skydive. If you’re looking for some fresh beauty inspiration, tips and tricks, Lustrelux’s channel really a great place to look. She posts new videos weekly so is always up to date with the latest techniques and trends. The perfect place to go if you’re stuck on how to glam yourself up for a night on the town or how to preen yourself for date night. I highly recommend following her on Snapchat too for regular tips and hilarious updates on her day to day life.
Instagram @ urbandecay-
Light coverage/ dewy skin
MAC Review: Zac Posen
Instagram @ bareminerals
Lois Johnston brings us all the goss on the new Zac Posen collection in collaboration with MAC cosmetics, sharing her thoughts on the best of the bunch
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his month, 35-year-old fashion designer Zac Posen releases his collaboration with MAC and the beauty industry has already gone crazy over it. The limited edition line contains one six-shade eyeshadow palette, a fluidline liquid liner pen, a mascara, three lipsticks, a contour and blush duo, a finishing powder and two brushes. The whole line has gorgeous grey-teal coloured packaging with the MAC logo embossed in gold and the prices range from £16.50 to £38. One of the most attractive pieces for me was
Instagram @macys
the ‘Eye Z You’ eyeshadow palette. The shades are undeniably very cool toned with four of them being pinky-nudes perfect for a daytime and night time look. The other two are bolder, one being a dark frosty-grey and the other a bold deep violet which is bang on trend for this season and perfect for bringing out brown eyes.
“My favourite, Dangerously Red, has some prominent blue undertones which gives it a really deep berry red colour that would look gorgeous on any skin tone” The three l i p sticks a r e possibly my favourite p a r t of the collection. T h e baby nude pink which, in my opin-
ion is not anything special for £17 but would probably look nice layered over another colour to give a glossy finish. The other two are extremely bold, lustre finish lipsticks. My favourite, Dangerously Red, has some prominent blue undertones which gives it a really deep berry red colour that would look gorgeous on any skin tone. The third, Darling Clementine is a gorgeous bright orange colour which is perfect for the upcoming summer months and I think would suit darker skin tones very well. Unfortunately, because they are limited edition lipsticks, they are unavailable in the Back to Mac scheme.
Harsh ‘Kim K’ contouring Instagram @twml_mua
“The shades are undeniably very cool toned with four of them being pinky-nudes perfect for a daytime and night time look”
The haute contour blush duo is the most value for money out of the whole collection. Priced at £23, it is on the lower end of the spectrum and is well worth it. The blush is a coral pink with pearlescent flecks which give it a more natural shimmer when on the skin. The contour half is a very warm colour that is perfect for anyone whose skin picks up ashy tones easily or could even be used as a bronzer for very pale skin tones. I would say that if they were separate products it might be easier to use so that you don’t have to be cautious of mixing the two colours when applying, however one of the main attractions of this is that it is compact and with a mirror that is perfect for girls on the go.
Instagram @yslbeauty
Coloured Mascara
22.arts
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Arts Editors: Holly Suttle, Emily Watton & Jade Holroyd
Newcastle inspires Instagrammers Who doesn’t love the waterfalls at Jesmond Dene? A lot of pretentious photographers go there. Taken by @kitty.cat.82.
Taking a dip in authorial Waters Lydia McNeillie attends the biggests literary event of the year: An evening with Sarah Waters on her latest book ‘The Little Stranger’...
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arah Waters has enjoyed literary fame for quite some time. She has six novels currently published and is working on her next. She has been nominated for the prestigious Man Booker Award twice. Many of her work has been adapted for TV including “Tipping the Velvet” and “Fingersmith”. “ The Little Stranger” was Sarah Water’s fifth published novel and was released in 2009 and it enjoyed great success. Set in 1940s England, the novel follows the upper class Ayres family and Dr. Faraday as they come to grips with post war England and the mysterious happenings which are beginning to haunt the house. Now in 2016, this story has been welcomed by Newcastle University students as the chosen book for The Booker Foundation.
to see the creator of what we spend hours studying and analysing. An event like this also holds for any reader elements of intrigue. The author figure is so often presented as a genius, as a person with understanding far greater than any of us mere mortals and an individual of extraordinary talent. Whilst, many authors in recent years have taken
“Waters did not shy away from engaging with multiple meanings and interpretations of the text”
“An event like this also holds for any reader elements of intrigue”
I never realised Leazes Park could be so idyllic and heavenly. If I didn’t recognise the buildings in the background I would call bullshit. Taken by @ jabbawockeezw.
The Booker Foundation has worked with Newcastle University for six years now and the principal of the foundation is to engage students from all academic areas and walks of life in the reading of literature by providing a free copy of the selected novel to students all over campus. In addition to this, the University and the Foundation work together to provide a talk with the author, and free tickets are provided to all students to the event. So, this year, Newcastle University was lucky enough to welcome Sarah Waters to this event, and I was lucky enough to attend. As an English student and an avid reader, an event like this is always anticipated. We finally get
steps to debunk these myths, which probably stem from the tragic romantic poets such as Keats, these myths still stand the test of time with many placing authors and artists alike in a state of awe. However, the talk between Jackie Kay and Sarah Waters took steps away from this myth as both came across as highly relatable, pleasant people and as it turns out mortal like the rest of us. It is undeniable that both Jackie Kay, a professor of creative writing at the University and an
Resurrection of the Artistic Spirit
Zofia Zwieglinska explains to us the traditions and crafts behind our beloved Easter eggs during this festive holiday...
Taken by @jasonleeturton.This bridge is ridiculously popular with instagrammers but I was so impressed with this one., it made me think of a steampunk novel.
At Greys Monument taken by @dan_mcc. This was spotlighted because the use of the perspective and light make it stand out from webpage of over a hundred instagrams.
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he tradition of giving (and getting) Easter eggs was originally not so commercially controlled. Eggs (in their unadulterated pure form) were given as a sing of new life, along with everything else that people used to give up for Lent, as sign that new life has come in the Christian faith. Many countries in Europe still practice the tradition of egg-giving and traditional egg decorating as a part of their religious duties during Easter. We have now, especially in this country, stepped away from the traditional values and now glorify in a ridiculous chocolate-fest that lasts all of Easter (and beyond!). As Easter falls on the 27th of March, a week earlier than last year, retailers are scrabbling to get everyone buying just as Mother’s day decorations fly out of their shops. The chocolate Easter egg craze started out in 1837, when JS Fry, of Bristol, made the first chocolate egg. Cadbury were quick to follow suit, and before the war rationed the supply of chocolate, Easter eggs became quite popular. Many chocolate companies are taking full advantage of our wanton needs, and provide us with shelves upon shelves of gloriously gooey, chocolate-filled chocolate eggs. Some are even making
Easter eggs upmarket, with fantastic designs and decadent fillings like salted caramel chocolates, or champagne truffles. While these may not be in the student price range, Easter eggs are considered a treat, and many will be trying to buy (or make) something better than Cadbury’s creme egg (sorry everyone). However, Easter is not only about the chocolate after all. As people are generally excited for the proper start of spring, Easter seems like a good occasion to pull out the daffodils and the pastelcoloured rabbit and get into spring decorating. Recently the focus has shifted also on table decorations and finally, actual egg decorations too! While it may be too finicky for some, egg decorating could be used as a flatmate bonding exercise, if things are tense after assignment season. So bring together some paint and glitter and get at those eggs! Usually the egg yolk and white are removed through a small hole to make the egg decoration last longer, however it isn’t necessary. If you are planning to eat any actual eggs this Easter, or are simply a bit bored over the Easter break, why not give it a go? It is simple enough to decorate eggs at home, whether those are the chocolate kind or not.
Here are some simple ideas to get you started with decorating eggs for Easter:
1. This year you could go for normal eggs. Using edible blue dye in a pan of water, submerge the eggs in the dye for around 1-3 hours, depending on what shade you like. Then just wait for them to dry and speckle them with a paintbrush and edible gold paint.
Thank you to @mittlillapyssel for her contribution to our ‘Resurrection of the Artistic Spirit’
author herself, and Sarah Waters are highly intelligent woman with a talent for the written word. The talk offered an insightful light on to Water’s writing process. She stated early on in the talk that for every novel she wrote, she had nearly as many pages worth of notes. She also revealed that the novel “The Little Stranger” had taken her nearly two and a half years to write. Both these revelations were endearing and yet again evidence to the fact that behind the novel as students we were so kindly given for free, came from more than simply talent but from years of hard work.
2. Buy a cheap chocolate egg and a 100g bar of white chocolate. Melt the white chocolate in a glass bowl in the microwave, then drizzle the melted chocolate over your bought
Her comments upon her work “The Little Stranger” were also deeply appreciated. Waters did not shy away from engaging with the multiple meanings and interpretations of the text. Finally, she was also able to reveal that Domhall Gleeson had been cast to play Dr. Faraday in a TV adaptation of the novel. Whilst, many book purists were clearly outraged at this decision, I was personally rather ecstatic and it has definitely ensured beyond all doubt that I will watch the adaptation. Overall, a great event, and I would recommend going to the The Little Stranger is a 2009 novel written by Sarah Waters . It is a ghost story set in a decrepit mansion in 1940s Warwickshire, England.
Easter Poetry Easter, Easter! Have a feast-er! Eat and feast You chocolate beast. Make some toast, Egg and Yolk, Spring is here! It’s time to boast About flowers blooming Fresh scents fuming And at least If you don’t feast Try to appease Your tastebuds please, Celebrate the trees With all-new leaves! What you want most Why, cook a roast! Birds are looming Past Winter’s ghost. There’re paddling geese And daffodil peace, Lambs in a fleece... So I’m off to buy a Creme Egg.
Holly Suttle
The Courier
arts.23
Tuesday 8 March 2015
thecourieronline.co.uk/artsc2.arts@ncl.ac.uk | Instagram: @CourierArts
The art of travelling
We hear from Topdeck Travel Academy Ambassador Holly Suttle who recently hosted the Travel Night Out for all travel-loving students about holidaying the right way
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ast Thursday, travel-lovers from various Newcastle societies such as the ERASMUS society, English society and salsa society attended the event held at the Trent House, a popular water-hole for many students at university. The event hosts were three Topdeck ambassadors, Holly Suttle, Paige Roddam and Christa Tjadens, who all won a competition with Topdeck to become ambassadors for the brand and receive a free holiday travelling with Topdeck. The entire evening consisted of excitement around travelling, past travel stories of both romance and relentlessness, and conversations around the best places to see around the world as well as those moments where you experience the stress of travelling and missing flights. Overall, the entire night was a great success —
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from the free Dominoes pizza, the talks about travelling with Topdeck, and the night out afterwards in MSA where free vodka was distributed from all sides. As someone who has been on a trip with Topdeck, I can honestly say it was one of the best trips of my life. I made so many new friends all from around the world, and saw some of the most amazing spots around Europe that I would have never been able to find on my own. Topdeck made it cheaper for me to do extra-activities outside of the trip, including a ride on a gondola in Venice, seeing a Burlesque show in Paris and going to the top of the Jungfrau peak in Switzerland. Having someone drive you between each country on a bus meant you could chat with your friends and enjoy the journey full of games and banter, getting meals already prepared for you whilst stopping over in places like Austria and having accommodation already paid for every night. It’s cheaper and safer to travel with Topdeck, and the moment I finish my year at University, I have already decided I’m going with Topdeck again! Topdeck are also giving 10% off to students who can remember a Topdeck Ambassador’s name when booking, so if you remember who wrote this article, (look above), you’re in for some luck. Remember: Travelling is a beautiful thing. Ex-
Review: NUTS A View from the Bridge
ewcastle University Theatre Society take on Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge. One of the greatest American plays, A View from the Bridge centres on longshoreman Eddie Carbone’s (Joe Sample) family in 1950s Brooklyn. Eddie struggles both with poverty, and his increasingly romantic love for his niece Catherine (Flora Squires). Lawyer Alfieri (Jasper Maberly) narrates the tragic events that unfold after the arrival of Beatrice Carbone’s (Coco Anthony) Italian cousins, Marco (Jake Hodgkinson) and Rudolpho (Oli Garcia-Warren). Miller’s play, while set in Brooklyn, could be about any working-class community, now or then. The minimal set, just three chairs, was a shrewd decision by directors Caroline Simonsen and Bailey Pilbeam. With audience seated on three sides and separated from the stage by lengths of rope, it felt as if every effort had been made to draw the spectators into the world of the play. The problems faced by Eddie and Beatrice feel incredibly present and relatable.
““It It is a mark of how excellent the production was when the only flaws that can be found are pedantic in the extreme””
The play got off to a strong start, with Alfieri proving a brief but engaging slice of Brooklyn history as Eddie and his colleagues slowly clean off the grime of their trade. Jasper Maberly deserves a lot of praise for his portrayal of Alfieri. As equally comfortable talking directly to the audience, or stepping over the rope that separated them from the stage and taking part in the events of the play. Likewise, Coco Anthony doesn’t put a single foot wrong as Beatrice, Eddie’s careworn and badgering wife. She would not have been out of place in any professional production of the play.
As for the rest of the cast, Flora Squires turns in a solid performance as the naive Catherine. She is particularly strong in the early scenes of the play, wide-eyed and fawning first over Eddie and then Rudolph. Jake Hodgkinson has little to do as the taciturn Marco, but his moments of confrontation with Eddie are played to perfection. Oli GarciaWarren grows into his role, but his anger during an argument with Catherine is a little jarring, and could perhaps have been built more gradually as that scene progressed.
“NUTS’ presentation of A View from the Bridge was a resounding success”
Joe Sample’s performance as Eddie was, simply put, electric. The play fades a little whenever Sample is not on stage, but this is not due to a failing from the rest of the cast, just that he was so charismatic. When he was on stage it was almost impossible to look anywhere else, as Sample shifted effortlessly from caring uncle to violent bully. Eddie’s final speech, delivered by Sample while staring piercingly at the audience, does justice to Miller’s text. No higher praise is needed. It is a mark of how excellent the production was when the only flaws that can be found are pedantic in the extreme. Sample doesn’t look much like the over-the-hill, overweight Eddie, but then again it is notoriously hard to find 40 year old actors in a student society. And as soon as he starts talking, this is forgotten completely. The accents sometimes wander from Brooklyn and Italian (occasionally to Canada, occasionally somewhat further afield to an unidentifiable Eastern European country), but this happens only sporadically and didn’t detract from the enjoyment of some wonderful performances. In summary, NUTS’ presentation of A View from the Bridge was a resounding success, providing an excellent advert for student theatre. Anonymous Newcastle Student
perience the world in a different way. I’m currently checking out different cultures and deciding my next destination. Where will you go next?
Katie Read Event: Gertrude Bell and the Woman Question
O Photos accredited to Holly Suttle
n Tuesday 23rd February, Newcastle University’s own Helen Berry, professor of British History, gave a talk about one of the region’s most influential and inspiring women in her talk, ‘Gertrude Bell and the Woman Question’. Curtis Auditorium was completely packed out for the event, as was the overflow room in Lecture Theatre 1. I was brought up in or around Newcastle and so this woman was an entirely new figure for me, but her story is one that’s quite simply amazing. Born in the North East, Gertrude Bell eventually managed to travel all across the world in her pursuit of discovering other cultures, revealing things that had before been hidden to the Western World, such as the harems of Arabic kings, while also campaigning for the right for women in Baghdad to have access to an education.
“Though women were barred from graduation at the time, Bell was able to study at Oxford”
Review: Death at Dawn
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his week I went to see Death at Dawn. The plot followed a young ‘Geordie Toe-Rag,’ William Hunter, falling in love (multiple times) and enlisting in the army. Hunter, along with his platoon, demonstrate the physical and emotional hardships of war as their friendships get stronger as the war rages on. Hunter (Stephen Gregory) was a strong lead. He offered the audience a very real and authentic performance. What I found most impressive was the sheer desperation that covered his face in the very small instance when he realised that his very own firing squad was made up of his friends. I was particularly impressed with Jamie Brown, who played Private Stevens. This cheeky Scouser had the audience in stitches before bringing them to their knees in the closing scenes of the performance. Dean Logan- Smiley- was breath-taking. Starting out as an optimistic, Liverpudlian lad, we follow Smiley’s dissent into shell-shock. Smiley was treated brutally by his sergeant, making the audience flinch, but due to Logan’s sheer commitment to the role I could not look away. A lot of the actors played multiple roles, including Heather Carroll who played every female character within the play. The most prominent feature of Death at Dawn was the use of sound. During scene transitions there would often be the sound of screaming or bombs dropping. This filled the silence but also continued to set the scene all throughout the evening. The soldiers would break out into songs that were notorious for soldiers during war time, these songs created a very still atmosphere from the audience. It left me speechless. The stage was set up in the round, we could see the stage from all angles and the actors could see us. It was a very intense set up, but it worked for a show like this. The closeness of the actors and the audience was needed to feel the raw emotion of the trenches. At the end of the performance the audience broke into a very slow applause, as if everyone was absolutely stunned. The ending brought tears to my eyes and I couldn’t have asked for any more from a performance about the war. The only way to describe it would be brutally hilarious and Stacy Williams heart-wrenchingly sad.
While Gertrude Bell had been influential in these areas, as well as loudly voicing political opinions, she is also seen a paradox figure in women’s history. She was a staunch believer that women should be educated and allowed roles in the same areas as men, yet she was also a founder member of a Northern branch of an anti-women’s suffrage group. Within this, she had a prominent and controversial role as the Secretary of the group, while also actively canvassing both men and women to join her cause. However, in her talk, Helen Berry gave her side on why this could have been. Gertrude Bell was born into a staunchly imperialist family, her father owned Cleveland Iron works and her stepmother had even written and published her own book. Though women were barred from graduation at the time, Bell was able to study at Oxford and gain a 1st Class Degree in Modern History. In her father’s London home, she was able to mix with important politicians of the time, allowed to have her own say in this. All of this seems to point to a woman who would have been strongly interested in promoting the women’s cause, but, her family held very strong imperial views, and Bell seems to have belonged to the group of women who viewed the Suffragist movement in particular as damaging. Not only to preconceived gender roles of the time, but also that what they as professional women had achieved could be undermined and destroyed by the militant WSPU.
“This talk was simply brilliant in delving into the world of Gertrude Bell”
Yet, given all that, Gertrude Bell was also a woman who could be highly critical of women who performed these gender roles. She herself set out and traveled the world, photography and speaking with women from cultures so different from her own. She was even with T. E. Lawrence on some of his digs, yet there is no mention her in his film. And without wanting to come across as a militant feminist myself, this is largely due to men’s opinions of women at the time. As well as for the fact that history was written by men about other men, leaving women like Gertrude Bell and many other women of her ilk to be left out of history and forgotten. This talk was simply brilliant in delving into the world of Gertrude Bell, something that can’t all be told in one article. However, there is an exhibition in the Great North Museum about Inspirational Women, which would definitely be worth checking out.
PRIDE IN THE LION RESTORED 2015: LOST BY 34 POINTS
2016: LOST BY 6 POINTS
We won the battle, but we lost the war STAN CALVERT FINALE 2016
MEN’S FOOTBALL Newcastle 1st
1
Northumbria 1st
0
By James Sproston at Gateshead Stadium For the last time in this year’s Stan Calvert Cup, Newcastle and Northumbria clashed as they looked to finish the competition in style. This year the curtain closer was the beautiful game, and it was Newcastle that took the spoils. Newcastle’s players would have been filled with confidence having read last week’s preview of the game in the Courier. This fixture rarely takes into ac-
count league position and an upset is never off the table. So much so that the underdogs often become favourites just because they’re the underdogs. That’s what Newcastle were ultimately able to capitalise on. Both teams brought a raucous set of travelling supporters with them from north of the Tyne, providing an electric atmosphere that the majority of Gateshead could feel. Newcastle kicked off, with Tom Espin rolling the ball to Olly Walker to get the game underway. Needless to say it wasn’t long before the adrenaline was pumping. Peter Mairs, playing in the right-back position for Newcastle, was the first to get stuck in, before an equally meaty challenge from Northumbria’s Ross Mckeown brought about the first free kick of the match. Espin took the free-kick, picking out Alex Ames in the middle. Unfortunately the forward couldn’t get the right contact, sending his header just wide. Ames was then involved again, playing a neat one-two with Scott Huntley
before sending the ball onto Walker on the left-hand-side. The striker took on a defender with a lovely pirouette, but attempting a second was slightly too cheeky. From the following attack, a dodgy Northumbria clearance spurred the Newcastle crowd into action, with “feed the Poly” and “stand up if you know
The game continued to be very physical, besides Hannant’s little swan dive in the corner, as Huntley gave Marco Baldelli a friendly shove, and Ames stopped former Sheffield Wednesday man Matty Tumilty in his tracks as he tried to bring the ball out from the back. Shortly after, Newcastle keeper Stefan Holden was called into action when he
In the other box, Northumbria striker Louis Storey had a good sight of goal but miskicked, allowing Declan Stockle to start a Newcastle counter attack. His ball gave Owen the freedom to stretch his legs but his final ball was lacking. From the resultant turnover of possession, Northumbria constructed the best move of the game so far. Tum-
“A dodgy Northumbrian clearance spurred the Newcastle crowd into action, with ‘feed the poly’ and ‘stand up if you know your dad’ ringing out around Gateshead stadium” your dad” ringing out around Gateshead stadium. However the first Northumbria chance of the match came just moments later when a Luke Hannant cross was met by Sam Read, but the defender could only put it wide. Recently elected NUSU president Jack Taylor then floored Nick Green, who’s foot was a little too high for the referee’s liking anyway.
had to save Tumilty’s header. The keeper attempted to quickly set Allan Owen free at the other end of the pitch, but Alex Newton in the Northumbria goal did a good job of sweeping up. At the second time of asking, Holden picked out Ames on the right. Having held up the ball, the Newcastle No.11 looked to pick out a blue shirt in the box but his attempted low cross was cleared well.
ilty started the attack, moving the ball along to Mckeown. The ball then went to Green and Baldelli before finding itself back at the feet of Mckeown. The captain subsequently released Hannant, whose attempted one-two with Storey would’ve put him clean through, but Storey’s backheel was intercepted and cleared. Northumbria looked to capitalise on this momentum minutes later as Green
On the attack: goalscorer Olly Walker swings in a dangerous corner Image: Jack Cryer
The story of the Stan Calvert week
Monday 29 Feb Holders Northumbria take an early lead in the varsity competition with a 5-0 drubbing in Women’s Football 1’s. Initial hopes of Newcastle producing a shock re-claiming of the trophy are wounded.
Tuesday 1 March The Volleyball Men’s 1sts go down 0-3 in straight sets (25-13; 25-7; 25-13) as Northumbria continue the defence of their title well. Meanwhile, Rory the Lion stepped us his preparation for the battle ahead featuring in a Rocky Balboa inspired promo.
We
We lo to ha comp
Club captain Tom Espin runs up to deliver a free kick into the Poly box Image: Jake Jeffries-Jackson put a tasty looking ball in to the Newcastle box. Tumilty’s miskick sent the ball out to Hannant on the left-hand side, whose pinpoint cross found Baldelli on the far side, yet the midfielder couldn’t trouble Holden in the Newcastle goal. In response, Newcastle fashioned a chance of their own. A lovely passing move sent the ball to Owen via Espin
and Walker, and the forward’s shot was deflected wide. However Walker’s corner wasn’t good enough to reach a Newcastle player. Up until this point the game was scrappy, with the best of the entertainment coming from the ‘Untouchable; stewards that enforced prohibition in the stands.
Balls between the strikers, Allen Owen and Olly Walker, didn’t come off, and a poor Nick Harrison ball went straight to the feet of Mckeown. The Northumbria defender fed George Dibb-Fuller for a one-on-one but the winger couldn’t beat Holden. In similar fashion, Newcastle created their best chance of the match; a Mairs throw reaching Walker, whose shot went across goal and wide of Newton’s right-hand post. Tactically it had become apparent that Newcastle had wanted their three central midfielders to sit deep to protect the back-four. However this had isolated the men up top, proving that the team were missing James ‘Orlando’ Golby. The man who usually plays in the ‘hole’, linking up defence and attack. Nevertheless, the shots kept coming in at both end, with Owen and Walker for Newcastle and Robbie Spence for Northumbria having shots blocked at each end of the pitch. However these
defensively tight. An ongoing drama throughout the game was the situation with the balls. Although there were a number knocking about with stewards, the balls were regularly being kicked into touch and not retrieved. Next year there should definitely be an investment into ball boys. Nonetheless Newcastle gained momentum at the start of the second half. Owen, Walker and Taylor all had opportunities to set up goals, however they didn’t have to wait long for the deadlock to be broken. A world class touch from Ames gave him ample time to pick out the onrushing Allan “The Black Mamba” Owen. The striker then played a dainty onetwo before finding Olly Walker on the edge of the box. The No.10 created some space by cutting in onto his right, before unleashing a shot with pinpoint accuracy into Newton’s right-hand post. Walker may not be quick but he’s the best
Espin and Woodier personified the Newcastle midfield’s afternoon, however their defence remained resolute. A double block from Mairs demonstrated this, as did Espin’s shepherding after a lovely little Northumbria move. As the game drew to a close, Northumbria seemed to run out of ideas. Substitute right-back Jake Armitage kept pumping left-footed crosses aimlessly into the Newcastle box to no avail, and Newcastle could’ve sealed the win on the counter if not for Walker’s deteriorating pace. Nevertheless, Newcastle managed to hold out for the five minutes of stoppage time and take the win. It shows that it is hard work and commitment that win games, rather that so-called ‘talent’. It may be more competitive to get into the Northumbria team but that didn’t show on Sunday. In the end it was a well-deserved win for a team that fancied it more on the day. Speaking after the game to The Cou-
“There’s no better feeling than getting one over your local rivals, especially going into the game as underdogs... the heart and desire shown by our boys was first class”
‘Feed the poly’: the Newcastle crowd were in fine voice in Gateshead Image: Jake Jeffries-Jackson
ednesday 2 March
ove Wednesdays! Having generously allowed Northumbria ave a head start, Newcastle announce themselves into the petition completing a quadruple of posh victories in Men’s 1’s and 2’s Indoor Cricket, Rowing and Dressage.
shots were vastly outnumbered by fouls, as Walker, Stockle, Tumilty and Owen were all penalised for unfair challenges. An enforced injury break then ensued as a late challenge by Spence on Stockle left the midfielder on the ground for a while. Due to that stoppage there were a hefty four minutes added on, with both team having the opportunity to score. First a lovely Walker corner was left uncovered, whilst a Baldelli cross was headed back into the mixer by Ryan Redford, but nothing came of it. A cagey, scrappy affair in the first half, most of the spectators hoped they were going to see less route-one in the second, but many fans left after the halftime athletics entertainment had concluded. Perhaps because there was no alcohol allowed in the stadium. Clearly the challenge had left its lasting mark on Stockle, and with firstchoice central midfielder Joe Watson not included today, Tom Woodier got a run-out to ensure the team remained
finisher I’ve seen in university football. From the restart Northumbria piled on the pressure. Tumilty wasted a free kick after Espin was booked for a cynical trip of Hannant, Storey blazed over a one-on-one, and Dibb-Fuller was stopped in his tracks by a fantastic tackle by Huntley in the right-back position. Injury breaks for Huntley and Owen followed, with the latter still perhaps feeling the worst of his injuries from Fight Night a short while ago. Jake Salisbury came on to replace the speed merchant, but Huntley decided to continue. From here on in it was a matter of preserving the lead for Newcastle. Holden got booked for becoming a ball boy on several occasions, but was actually needed when a turn and shot from Dibb-Fuller required an instinctive save from the No.56. Another Tumilty free kick was blocked, as were the follow up efforts from Redford and substitute Kane White. Two misplaced passes from
rier, Newcastle’s Club President beamed with pride for his team. “There’s no better feeling than getting one over your local rivals, especially going into the game as massive underdogs. They had much more of the ball but the heart and desire shown by our boys was first class.” Taylor added, “we knew if we could keep it tight at the back our flair players had it in them to do something special which is exactly what happened with the goal as a combination of moments of magic from Ames, Owen and Walker resulted in an incredibly well worked goal.” Despite their heroic victory in the finale, Taylor expressed his disappointment at not winning the overall competition. “It’s a shame we couldn’t wrestle the trophy back off Northumbria but we’re pleased to have contributed in the manner we did.”
Thursday 3 March
Saturday 5 March
Newcastle’s Equestrian team complete the double over the poly with victory in the Show Jumping. Elsewhere, Northumbria dominate in the Futsal but Uni do well in the pool, winning Men’s and Women’s 1’s Waterpolo.
On a not so Super Saturday, Northumbria extend their lead with wins in Skiing and Snowboarding, Gaelic Football and Men’s 3’s Basketball. Northumbria lead 3218 going into the final day’s sports.
Bad day at the office for Uni netballers STAN CALVERT CUP 2016 NETBALL Newcastle 1st
14
Northumbria 1st
66
By Abi Dodwell at Sports Centre Newcastle has had a very successful run of games leading up to the 1st team match with the 4th and 3rd teams taking solid victories, whilst the second team only just missed out on a win. The clubs great performance up to that point in the day created a great atmosphere in the sports centre, as lots of supporters surrounded the court. But despite the rowdy audience, both teams remained calm and collected during the warm up allowing themselves to mentally prepare for the battle ahead. From the first centre pass it was clear
that both teams were willing to fight to the death to take the win. Newcastle’s centre court started out strong with Captain Georgia St Rose staying close to her player at wing defence, trying her hardest to block Northumbria’s feeds into the D. Hattie Grant also moved with Georgie to apply pressure on Northumbria’s attack and force errors. However even though Newcastle managed to force the poly into making errors, they struggled to pick up the loose balls meaning the Northumbria kept possession. The team’s difficulty to convert their gains in defence, combined with Northumbria’s unbelievably accurate shooting meant that the poly took a fast lead and by the end of the first quarter were ahead 3-11. As the 1’s returned to the court after a team talk they knew that they needed to step up their game in order to have a chance to lower the goal difference. Emily Hollingworth really stood out in the entire game as she dominated on court against one of Northumbria’s best players. She managed to tip very strong feeds made by the poly into the D but Newcastle were struggling to move the ball up the court once they gained possession. Northumbria were applying
contestant pressure on every player and the Poly chanting continued to grow louder and louder. With five minutes left in the quarter the score had built to 7-25 as Newcastle were unable to tip the poly’s strong feeds into the attack. However the team continued to keep their heads focused thanks to Hollie Joyce who despite the incredibly hard job she had against the defence managed to score whenever she was able to receive the ball in the D. Newcastle fought until the last seconds counting down to half time as Emily Hollingworth made a clean interception that stopped the poly from increasing their lead even further. By half time the score stood at 7-31 to Northumbria which was obviously disappointing for Newcastle. However when they came back to play for the third quarter they kept their heads high and didn’t allow the poly’s immature songs and jabbing elbows to draw away their focus. The line up the team altered slightly with Farah Hassan moving out to goal defence, a change which worked well as she offered lots of support down the court making strong passes to Hannah Dearden at wing attack, allowing Newcastle to keep challenging the poly. However Northumbria managed to
seek out every feed that was misplaced and stole back possession. This meant that their lead continued to increase meaning that going into the final quarter Northumbria were ahead 8-48. The team drastically changed in the final quarter with Steph Garfield coming on as goal shooter whilst Hannah Dearden swapped with Hattie Grant and centre, and the defence reverted back to Farah Hassan at goal keeper. Hattie Grant at wing attack asserted
herself on court as she made constant drives and gave strong feeds which created more shooting opportunities. Hollie Joyce also stepped up in the final push of the game as she marked her goal defence tightly allowing her to make steals in attack. This final fight meant Newcastle were able to score six goals, however this was not even a dent in the goal difference and the final whistle blew leaving a Newcastle loss of 14-66.
Despite NUNC’s valiant effort, Poly took the spoils Image: Abi Dodwell
Blades cut Underdogs slip to heavy futsal defeat down rivals with ease STAN CALVERT CUP 2016
MEN’S FUTSAL
STAN CALVERT CUP 2016 WOMEN’S FENCING Newcastle 1st
133
Northumbria 1st 52 By Navneet Kandhari at Sport Central 11:30, the fencers amassed outside the legendary breakfast pit stop, eat4less, for essential budget carbo-loading ahead of their games. 12:30, Northumbria Sports centre. The weapon order had been announced: Epee, Foil, Sabre. After a quick warmup, they would go into the fray, and battle against the Poly. The women’s started off first with “Madskills-len” Ivanova securing a commanding early 5-2 lead in the epee. Accompanied by her twin’s neat and tidy footwork,”Ele-nah you ain’t getting any points” Ivanova, pushed NCL even further into the lead. Acting captain “Ellie-Ir-winner” brought the event to a short close, using their already wellestablished score to spring board the
team to victory, leaving Newcastle with a promising 45-16 epee-ic result. The women’s momentum propelled them into further successes in the foil, where “Katie-10 points to-Griffinsdor!” was able to lay down a strong head-start for the remaining fights. Combined with “Francesca-Don’t call me Francesca- Smithers” impenetrable defence, the Poly were left on the receiving end of some unfortunately quick parry ripostes, yielding an impressive score of 43-12 for the NCL blades. Last was sabre. As a result of the women’s huge hit lead, the Poly were fighting an already lost battle. Sabre was the Poly’s best weapon, but the NCL team were un-phased. After a concerted effort, and some questionable referee calls, the team pulled together to hit the final nail in the Poly coffin to a score of 45-24, bringing the overall result to a resounding 133-52. With Stan Calvert finished, this brings the end to the Newcastle Fencing Club’s successful BUCS season. It also brings the end to many of our athletes tenure at the club, to the Bulgarian bosses: Elena and Madlen Ivanova, 1st’s Captain Matthew Grogan, and the master delegator Andrew Dixon, thank you for all your hard work and effort in the club, and good luck in your respective fencing careers, you will be sadly missed!
Super Sunday: How it all happened
Newcastle 1st
3
Northumbria 1st
10
By Ritwik Sarkar at Sport Central As the old adage continually reminds us, goals win games. During the futsal match at the Stan Calvert championship, Northumbria University routed Newcastle 10-3. Being the outright favourites, and amongst the top three teams in the country, Northumbria played a team that is scarcely six months old. Having finished alongside Northumbria’s third team in the BUCS third division, the Newcastle futsal team were as persona non grata as they come. Facing the first team of a university, lauded for it’s sporting accomplishments above all else, was always going to be an uphill task. Luckily for Newcastle, they had nothing to lose. The first ten minutes of the game rendered the pre existing notions null and void. Newcastle took the game to their cross-town rivals with pace, precision and an almost gallant sense of belief. All this pressure translated itself into the most unlikely of leads, when Japanese pivot, Noriyuki tapped in at the near post to give the away side a crowd-si-
11.20am Newcastle get off to the worst possible start on Stan Calvert Super Sunday, losing 8-50 in the Women’s Basketball 2’s match at Sports Centre. Meanwhile the Men’s 2’s go down 61-80.
lencing advantage. Not to be undone however, the home team quickly fired back with a blistering counter to level the tie. The half then reached a decisive moment when both teams, on the verge of committing the fifth (penalty) conceiving foul, got into a physical scrap, that somewhat unjustly went the way of the hosts. While failing to convert the penalty, Northumbria capitalized on a lapse of concentration from the Newcastle camp, to end the half with a slender lead. With the match finely poised heading into the second twenty minute half, Newcastle could’ve felt very proud of their achievements. Their defensive work rate had kept Northumbria to only a few pot-shots at best. The second half however, did show the gulf of quality between both sides. For all of Newcastle’s defensive work rate, the product in the final third was lacking. Unable to capitalize on plays made to the pivot, the visitors had to try and build up through moves of individual brilliance, which couldn’t be sustained through the match’s entirety. As a result, the hosts pressed high and buried every opportunity they had to score. The goals came in largely from set pieces, as Newcastle’s inability to close down the short corners and free kicks gave the hosts a decisive extra moment to place their shot and bury it with aplomb. The score-line began to look very grim for the visitors, as Northumbria were leading 6-2, with the final ten minutes still to play. Going for broke, the visitors resorted to the tactic of ‘flykeeper’ where five opposition players
take to the pitch, while the goalkeeper remains on the bench. The move did lead to goals, however the lack of a permanent man between the posts gave Northumbria an easy target to score goals, which they did end up doing. The final score-line of 10-3 was fairly representative of both teams’ attacking efforts, but it was Newcastle, ironically, that could leave the happier of the two teams. Without much administrative or logistical backing, the six-month Newcastle Futsal gave Northumbria a match they did not expect. Training just once a week for an hour, and twice on rare occasion, the futsal team did not have much in the way of depth of experience or finely tuned skill. Instead, the team were largely diamonds in the rough, whom can be easily polished with a better support structure in the years to come. Amongst the metaphorical diamonds, Newcastle’s goalkeeper, and Leeds native, Jack Taylor was by many accounts the stand out performer between both teams. His departure from the team next year will leave a void, which successive recruitment drives will hopefully fill. The journey has been a tough one for the Newcastle futsal team. The match against Northumbria however shows that while the summit might seem high, the peak is now well within sight. With the proper infrastructure, administrative backing and interest that is already drumming up, Newcastle can make Futsal an unlikely success story.
11.25am The Badminton 2nd team girls restore some pride by winning 6-2. Belief in the possibility of a comeback is re-ignited just in time for the average Twitter user to wake up out of their Sunday slumber.
Poly pushed aside by Uni polo power
Uni claimed two wins from three in the water polo Image: Hannah Linaker
STAN CALVERT CUP 2016 WOMEN’S WATER POLO Newcastle 1st
12
Northumbria 1st
4
By James Sproston at Sport Central On the back of the Men’s 2nds 14-9 defeat, it was up to the Women’s 1sts to restore Newcastle’s water polo reputation. Needless to say they didn’t disappoint, sealing a convincing 12-4 victory. Last year’s 9-8 victory was reason to be confident going into tonight’s match, as was the comfortable friendly victory in their last outing against Northumbria, so history was on their side. Straight from the referee’s whistle, Newcastle looked that split-second quicker than Northumbria, as Charlotte Blyth contested for the swim off. After some neat exchanges, Newcastle fashioned the first chance of the match. Sophie Sowerby played a quick one-two with Sarah Poyntz, but her shot flew just over. Moments later Newcastle took the lead. Captain Emma Little, playing as the pivot, beautifully found Sowerby down the right and she fired low past Sucan in the Northumbria goal. The following attack led to another goal. Little gave the ball to Poyntz who, after a give-and-go with Sowerby, found Blyth out on the left-hand side. The Newcastle winger swam it in and slotted past the onrushing Sucan to make it 2-0. After retrieving the ball from a tackle, Little once again got the next attack moving. Following a pinpoint pass from Megan Lord, Sanne Mooren had the time to pick out Blyth again on the left. This time Newcastle’s No.11 gave the keeper the eyes and put it in the other corner. Clinical finishing. Having gained the momentum, Newcastle
kept pushing and soon scored a fourth. Once she was fouled, Little swam the ball forward waiting for the right pass. Mooren collected the ball from Little, fought off a challenge from Michele Relton and coolly threw the ball past Sucan. As the first quarter drew to a close, the LittleSowerby combination again almost proved effective, but Sucan saved her shot and Poyntz’s follow-up hit the crossbar. Although Northumbria went into the second quarter 4-0 down, they started the more brightly of the two teams as Relton fired a long-range effort past Jess Newman. Beth Laidlaw then got stuck in at pit to give Little an opportunity to lead by example, but her shot hit the crossbar, and Blyth’s effort from the subsequent attack was smartly saved by the keeper. Both keepers starred in the next five minutes. Newman saved two shots from Char-
“Clever build-up play opened up the Northumbria defence, paving the way for Sowerby to score her second goal” lotte Mould and Katie Bell whilst Sucan in the Northumbria goal had to be in top form to ensure Poyntz didn’t score. Once the teams had been given a breather during the timeout, Newcastle used their restored energy to extend their lead. This time Sowerby turned provider as she set up Poyntz for a powerful shot that Sucan couldn’t keep out. Poyntz tested the Northumbria keeper yet again, but it was Mooren who scored the next goal as Little carried the ball forward and offloaded it to the Newcastle No.5. That concluded the quarter, with Newcastle 6-1 up and cruising. Just as in the previous two quarters, Northumbria won the swim off, but it was Newcastle that drew first blood. Clever build-up play from Little, Ellie Churchill and Mooren opened up the Northumbria defence, paving the way for Sowerby to score her second goal of the match.
1.15pm The first result of the afternoon goes Newcastle’s way as the Women’s 2’s Squash win 4-0, taking the overall score to 36-20 in Northumbria’s favour.
Clinical finishing and a tight defence helped Uni’s win Image: Hannah Linaker
Though Relton pulled one back, Sowerby bagged her third of the match immediately after following a swift one-two with Mooren. Then after a world class save from Newman, Northumbria were awarded a penalty that Relton dispatched with ease. There were no more goals in the quarter, as Poyntz came closest to adding another but shot over. A Newman save at the start of the fourth galvanised Newcastle as two quick-fire Little and Sowerby goals put the game well and truly out of Northumbria’s reach.
1.25pm Newcastle Women’s 2’s Hockey enjoy a second half flurry of goals as they win 5-1. In the Netball, Uni’s 4th team hold on to complete a narrow 26-24 win. Newcastle close the overall score to 37.5-26.5.
Tasha Coleman almost made an instant impact as a substitute on her debut for the 1sts. She took Little’s long ball in her stride, but her shot ricocheted back off the crossbar and Sowerby’s attempt from the rebound was disallowed. Following a timeout, Relton’s fourth goal was sandwiched by a clinically converted Little chance and Sowerby’s fifth goal of the game. As the game drew to a close coach Andy Little subbed on Jade Holden and Jess Lewington to see out the rest of the match since they were
still fresh. Although they didn’t see much of the ball, they ensured that the team remained defensively solid as Newcastle saw out the 12-4 win. In the pool after Women’s 1sts were the Men’s 1sts. In a thrilling encounter, Newcastle snatched a 10-9 win to take the bragging rights away from Northumbria. No matter the overall result of Stan Calvert, NUWPC can be proud of their performances having sealed an overall 2-1 victory.
3.06pm The excitement builds as the lunchtime fixtures are completed and news spreads that the gap has been cut to just 3 points. All to play for going into the late afternoon games.
Luck runs out for Gaelic footy STAN CALVERT CUP 2016 MEN’S GAELIC FOOTBALL Newcastle
4
Northumbria
26
By Mark Sleightholm at Bullockstead Sports Ground Gaelic Football, Ireland’s ancient and most popular sport, looks something like a cross between football and rugby, with H-shaped goals that have a net behind the bottom half. Goals are worth three points, shots over the crossbar are worth one. Players can kick the ball or pass it by hand, making it an exciting and varied game over the course of two 25-minute halves. A mostly sunny morning at Bullockstead saw just twelve Newcastle players available to play, down from the usual fifteen. In the BUCS North East league, Northumbria sit comfortably at the top of the table, while Newcastle are in third place out of the four teams. Northum-
bria were victorious in both their meetings with Newcastle this season. Newcastle began with possession of the ball, but the Poly dominated from the off, making their first attempt on goal inside the first minute. The ball stayed close to the mid-way line for much of the first ten minutes, but then the game began to open up. Most of Northumbria’s early shots failed, although they saw more success in over-the-bar points than in goals. Newcastle’s goal attempts were frustrated by the Northumbria defence, with the Poly players able to regain possession swiftly and pass the ball to safety time and time again. By 15 minutes in Northumbria had started to rack up the points, even throwing a goal in for good measure. The sunny start gave way to a heavy shower, bringing further misery to the Newcastle side. After around five minutes of solid Poly possession, Newcastle were able to regain the ball on a few occasions, but Northumbria were always quick to defend their goal. Towards the end of the first half a Northumbria shot bounced off the crossbar but slipped through the H to give them another point. By half time the rain had stopped, but Newcastle had yet to trouble the Poly’s score. Newcastle began the second half
as they had the first, with possession. Once again, though, it was the Poly who scored the first point, with a high shot through the H in the opening minutes of the second half. It would be another four minutes before the ball crossed the midway line, such was the dominance of the Poly. Being three players down, Newcastle’s players were forced to stay on pitch for the duration of the match, but early into the second half Northumbria began to make several substitutions, bringing a new level of energy into the game. 30 minutes into the match Newcastle had a brief resurgence, when a quickthinking save by the goalie put a temporary stop to Northumbria’s onslaught. Newcastle quickly passed the ball down the pitch, but they were unable to convert this into a goal when their shot fell wide. As the game neared the 35 minute mark Northumbria extended their lead with a goal followed almost immediately with a point, although their next attempt was well wide of the goal. Newcastle scored a solitary point from a free kick at 38 minutes, but within seconds Northumbria had responded with another goal. But Newcastle were not ready to give up just yet, and after extensive passing and jealous guarding of the ball they got it into the net, add-
Newcastle’s team consisted of a lot of relatively new players Image: Mark Sleightholm ing a goal to their point. A further Poly goal negated the efforts of the Newcastle players, and two more Northumbria substitutions only served to put them further ahead of their exhausted opponents. The Newcastle defence were kept busy in the final minutes, with the ball almost constantly in their half. Two more Northumbria points resulted in a final score of 5 goals and 11 points
to Northumbria and one of each for Newcastle. Since goals are worth three points, this left the Poly victorious 26-4. Newcastle player Conor McCartie said afterwards: “The game didn’t go our way. We were missing a few key players and we were lacking numbers this year so we didn’t get as good a game as we usually do. But we’ll get a chance to come back stronger next year, and hopefully we’ll beat them then.”
Hockey boys held to draw Northumbria STAN CALVERT get the owls’ CUP 2016 heads turning MEN’S HOCKEY
Newcastle 1st
1
Northumbria 1st
1
By Calum Wilson at Coach Lane The Newcastle Hockey 1st team left the field looking deflated after being held to a draw by their Northumbrian counterparts in the Stan Calvert clash at Coach Lane last Sunday. The Uni side took the lead in the first half courtesy of Alec Foxall, but were pegged back in the second half, meaning the points were shared. Newcastle, who compete in the division above their local rivals in the BUCS leagues, went into the match full of confidence and expectation. However, Northumbria proved too tough to beat and were worthy of the 1-1 draw. In fact, it was the poly underdogs who made the brighter start to the game. Their lead forward missed a good opportunity in front of goal inside the first minute, after Newcastle had given possession away in defence. Shortly after that, Northumbria had a goal disallowed when a heavily deflected shot was deemed a high pass. Newcastle began to grow into the game with midfielder Simon Jones making a lot of the early running. At the other end, Uni keeper Jack Paisley was called into action to deny Northumbria’s captain from breaking the deadlock after the poly had been awarded a dubious
short corner on 14 minutes. The tall figure of Paisley getting down well to his right to produce an acrobatic save. One for the cameras indeed. After a relatively calm and low-tempo opening 20 minutes, Newcastle sprung into life and scored the game’s first goal. A swift attack down the left hand side eventually saw the ball find its way to Navraj Johal, who helped it on its way to Foxall, for a simple finish to put the Uni ahead. What happened next was perhaps even better than the goal itself, as Foxall set off like a man on a mission toward the poly supporters. The Uni forward then dropped his stick before executing a double back flip in front of the stunned crowd. The celebration of the season award is undoubtedly already in the post. Lifted by the goal and Foxall’s gymnastic display, Newcastle sprung another attack. Jones again played a part, finding space in midfield before travelling toward goal and feeding his teammate on the left. The Uni number 80 took the ball wide, making the angle tight and allowing for a simple stop from Northumbria’s goalie. The hosts, Northumbria, came close to levelling on the half hour mark. Having worked the ball into space down the left, a poly attacker swivelled and his shot came back off the outside of the post. Paisley, in the Newcastle goal, seemed to have it covered nonetheless. As the match moved towards half time, the crowd swung into life. The usual Stan Calvert chants were exchanged, led by members of the Newcastle Ladies Hockey Club. Not to be outdone, a member of the men’s Hockey club provided some half entertainment by streaking across one end of the pitch. Although, the March climate limited its length. Both sides, perhaps startled by the
3.16pm Just when it looked like the pendulum might by swinging in Newcastle’s favour, they suffered a double set back, losing in both Women’s 1st Hockey and Men’s 1st Fencing.
streaker, started the second half slowly. No chances of any merit were mustered by either side and the Newcastle boys were guilty of a few sloppy errors, meaning the poly grew in confidence. A rare mistake from Jones gifted possession to the opposition deep in Newcastle’s half. Northumbria attacked quickly and sent a dangerous low pass across the danger area but the poly striker somehow missed from straight in front of the goal, when it looked easier to score. The poly’s pressure finally told two minutes later. The hosts turned the ball home after a goalmouth scramble, to the delight of the poly faithful on the sideline. Buoyed by the equaliser, Northumbria took a hold of the game. Meanwhile, Newcastle looked shaken and continued to struggle to hold on to any meaningful spells of possession. As the game entered the last ten minutes, it was Northumbria who looked most likely to steal the crucial Stan Calvert points. Jack Paisley was again called upon to confidently fist clear from a poly short corner. Newcastle were then awarded a short corner of their own after their number 8 was hacked down by a poly defender, who then went on to shove the Uni player to the ground. Jones was unable to convert the subsequent chance. With only minutes remaining, Newcastle’s hopes of nicking the victory were dashed as Danny Dempsey-Parr received a two-minute sin bin for committing a cynical foul as Northumbria broke forward. Neither side ever looked to fully commit men forward as both seemed wary of conceding a late goal. The last play of the game almost saw Northumbria break Newcastle hearts. The poly again looked like scoring but, under heavy pressure from the formidable Paisley, the striker couldn’t get his effort on target.
3.45pm The poly’s lead is stretched to 49.5-44.5, helped by another comprehensive 5-0 win for the female footballers, this time the 2’s getting in on the action.
STAN CALVERT CUP 2016 MEN’S RUGBY LEAGUE Newcastle 1st
4
Northumbria 1st
32
Janney. The Poly hit back late in the first half bagging two tries but only one conversion, sending the teams into the sheds at 10-4. The second half started as the first half finished. Errors from the owls allowed for the Poly to dominate possession, and the score board. Northumbria scored four tries in the second half. Two tries coming from lucky bounces beating wingers, one from a terrible refereeing decision and one being simply good rugby.
“Errors from
By Alex Leahy at Cochrane Park The day started with an absolute debacle: a last minute change of venue, and kick off time, started the day poorly for the owls, eating into their preparation. Luckily the players managed to overcome these early Super Sunday hurdles and warmed up well. By the time the game kicked off, the owls were hooting and ready to go! NURL enjoyed a lot of ball early on, forcing errors in Northumbria’s twenty, and ultimately capitalising on their dominant possession in the 10th minute. Bowden Morgan tied up the markers well, creating space for fresher Alex Johnson to barge his 120kg frame over the line. The first half continued on in similar fashion with fantastic defensive performances coming from finalist Tom Whalley and great carries from Steven
the owls allowed for the Poly to dominate possession, and the score board” Although the owls ultimately lost the game it was a great performance from NURL, and a great way to end the season. Good performances from Morgan, Levy, Bass and Sturdy demonstrates the quality the club is carrying into next year and shows the direction the club is moving in. The battle may have been lost; but the war is certainly still raging. Hoot Hoot.
4.30pm As Super Sunday reaches its busiest period, Northumbria’s lead is 53.5-45.5. Men’s 2’s Football finishes 3-1 to the poly despite a valiant effort from a Uni side featuring AU Officer Gus Taylor.
Double joy for Uni cricketers STAN CALVERT CUP 2016
scores before fielding and bowling incredibly well to record two comprehensive wins against their close rivals. The 2’s got off to a fairly slow start in their innings due to some very tight
MEN’S INDOOR CRICKET Newcastle 2nd
“The match was
evenly poised... but the Poly crumbled to be bowled out for 66 after 8.2 overs”
92 for 4
Northumbria 2nd
66
By Angus Taylor at South North CC On Wednesday the 2nd March Newcastle University Cricket Club (NUCC) took on their Northumbria counterparts in two indoor cricket games and came away with two fantastic wins. Both games took similar patterns, with NUCC batting first in both encounters and notching up two slightly under par
bowling from Northumbria. They were indebted to some strong hitting from James Wolfenden to keep the runs flowing, a fine 30 not out was the backbone of the innings. He was ably supported by Paul Clarke and James Gregson as NUCC reached 92 for 4 at the end of
their 10 overs, a score that was seen to be slightly under par by the supporting faithful. NUCC came out firing in the 2nd innings, however, with a superb run out in the 1st over from Guy Sunter setting the standard. Incredibly tight bowling from Tom Ryder, Sunter and Clarke was ably backed up by a terrific fielding performance, with 3 run outs and 2 fantastic catches from wicket keeper Gregson. The match was evenly poised halfway through Northumbria’s chase, but the Poly crumbled to be bowled out for 66 after 8.2 overs. Newcastle 1st
87 for 4
Northumbria 1st
65
The 1’s followed the 2’s lead by batting first in what was expected to be a very tight contest. The innings started off in
poor fashion, with Club President Matt Baxter being unfortunately run out after a strong shot down the ground. It didn’t get any better next ball, with Matty Smith being caught down the leg side for an unlucky golden duck. Charles Anderson and Will Donald went about rebuilding the innings, albeit slightly slowly. Anderson was the main man, anchoring the innings to drag NUCC up to 87 for 4 with a composed and gritty 28 not out. For the second time in the day, a NUCC side had to defend a below par score. For the second time in the day, NUCC came out flying in the field. A terrific first 4 overs from fast bowling duo Josh Cutts and Ed Whyte saw Northumbria reduced to 16 for 3. Whyte then summed up NUCC’s fielding excellence across the two teams by snaffling an outrageous catch off Smith’s first ball to leave Northumbria reeling at 16 for 4. This quickly changed to 30 for 5 and victory was in touching dis-
tance for Uni. Credit to Northumbria’s number 5 who dug in valiantly to make 40 and take Northumbria to 65 for 5 after 9 overs. Northumbria needed 23 off the last over, Newcastle just had to take 1 wicket. Thankfully Donald showed
“For the second
time in the day, a NUCC side had to defend a below par score”
nerves of steel to bowl the last man to give NUCC a 22 run victory and a clean sweep for Indoor Cricket in the Stan Calvert. During NUCC’s post-match celebrations, it is reported that Ed Whyte’s good day was made great following a sighting of Newcastle legend Steve Harper.
Fifty not out: Poly stroll to victory STAN CALVERT CUP 2016
Poly kept up the pressure on Newcastle throughout the game Image: Mark Sleightholm
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Newcastle 2nd Northumbria 2nd
8 50
By Mark Sleightholm at the Sports Centre Northumbria dominated from the start to win 50-8 in the women’s second team match. Despite a strong first-quarter performance Newcastle were unable to match the quick pace of the Poly players. Newcastle’s seconds are currently top of the Northern 3B BUCS league, while their Poly counterparts are second in the Northern 2A, making them the favourites to win this Stan Calvert fixture from the start. The first five minutes saw the Poly open a convincing lead after four of their many shots went in, and a further point from a penalty saw the score rise to 9-0. Both sides fought hard for possession, with the referee having to intervene on two occasions when players from each side hand their hands on the ball. Newcastle made several attempts on the net, but were frustrated every time, until a desperate scrabble underneath the net allowed Nicola Blincow to score two points for Newcastle. A minute later Jade Scheepers, unable to find a clear shot at the net, passed to Eva Theodoridou, who neatly placed the ball in the net to bring the score to 9-4. Elsah Galenda was able to make this 9-6 when she found herself next to the net with no Poly defenders anywhere near. With just 13 seconds to go until the end of the first quarter Northumbria scored again, bringing the total to 11-6. Three easy nets from Northumbria early in the second quarter gave the Poly
a 17-6 lead, with Paige O’Hagan scoring the first two and assisting in the third. Newcastle were able to gain possession from the rebound of a failed Northumbria shot, but lost the ball soon after, and for much of the second quarter the ball passed back and forth between the two teams, with neither side able to maintain possession for long.
the net. Another attempt, by Newcastle’s Captain Charlotte Warren, missed, but an obstruction by Northumbria players gave Newcastle a penalty. Warren missed the first, but had to wait to take the second while Northumbria’s Jodie Tucker received medical attention for a cut on her leg. Both sides made more attempts at
again for Northumbria, taking one of two points available from a penalty. Northumbria scored again towards the end of the third quarter, although this time Newcastle’s Warren was able to respond, taking the score to 31-8 at the end of the third quarter. The final quarter saw a faster pace, with Northumbria scoring in the open-
“Newcastle made several attempts on the net, but were frustrated every time” Newcastle put in a team effort around the net, getting rebound after rebound, but none of their attempts went in. Instead the Poly extended their lead to 196. Two points from a penalty at the end of the second quarter gave a half-time score of 21-6. Northumbria’s O’Hagan scored again early in the third quarter, while an attempt by Newcastle ended up wide of
7.50pm The final few supporters of Newcastle and Northumbria stream into Gateshead International Stadium as the football finale kicks off. The crowd seem unaware of the latest score, although it is presumed that the poly are ahead.
nets in the third quarter, and although many of these were unsuccessful, Northumbria were able to score, and a point from a penalty put them twenty points clear of the Knights. Tucker managed to gain possession of the ball and dribbled it quickly down the entire length of the court, finishing with a neat lay up for another two points for the Poly. 90 seconds later Tucker scored
ing seconds and several attempts by Newcastle’s Magdalena Smigaj. For much of the remainder of the match the Poly players marked their opponents like shadows, allowing them to gain possession again and again. Several more shots from Northumbria took the score to 39-8. Northumbria were able to move the ball quickly down to their net, away from all the
9.15pm GOOOOAAAALLLLL!!!!! Olly Walker nets the opener of the Stan Calvert finale. The goal is a contender for Budweiser Dream Goal after some intricate build up play and a pin-point finish.
Newcastle players, and yet missed the shot and the rebound. Two points from a penalty a few seconds later offered some consolation to the Poly, but by now they were 41-8 and victory was in sight. Northumbria dominated possession for the remainder of the match. With the score on 48-8, Tucker repeated her feat from earlier in the match, taking the ball the length of the court to shoot before Newcastle’s defence had a chance to react. Her two points in the final minute put the score at 50-8, leaving Newcastle soundly beaten. Newcastle Captain Charlotte Warren said afterwards: “We’re not at our strongest point because we’ve had a few weeks off, but it went alright. We knew we weren’t going to win so we just thought we’d use it as practice. We worked hard and for the first quarter I thought we had a chance, but... it’s a bit of fun, it was a good game and we all worked hard.”
9.40pm The full time whistle goes in the football and Newcastle run out 1-0 winners. The tannoy announces that Northumbria have sealed the trophy for the third year in a row. Final score: 73.75-67.25.
Sport Venue Score Je suis Charlie Hendo: Super Sunday my way By Alex Hendley Sports Editor At 3:49am, while compiling reports and trying to polish off what is essentially eight pages of ‘how we lost Stan Calvert’, it’s important for a sports editor to unwind. After hearing the Poly cheers from over my shoulder in Gateshead, and knowing that the following night will be spent not in bed, but in the blistering heat of the Courier office, miles (1.7 by Google Maps) from home, a man has to find something to keep him going. For me, it’s the little things in life, such as Twitter fishing with overly smug Northumbria students, remembering my favourite moments from this year’s finale and pondering on what ‘could have been’ at this year’s Stan Calvert. As 4am approaches, it’s time to share those thoughts. When I woke up this morning, Stan Calvert’s Super Sunday, there was only one thing on my mind. I DID buy my Mam something for Mother’s Day didn’t I? Then, having checked the unimaginative Marks and Spencer’s gift set, another thing struck me: we couldn’t really win Stan Calvert... could we? Having been battered like a fish at Whitley Bay in 2015, few thought that Newcastle could overthrow, or even come close, to the ‘mighty’ Poly (do they like being called that? I’m not sue they can decide), who seem to improve year on year. However, while following the results on Twitter, one thing became apparent. It genuinely was a possibility. Us, Newcastle University, who read books not go to the gym, who dine at Jamie’s Italian not eat4less, could actually beat the Northumbrian superpower to the trophy. There had been small signs, such as the Indoor Cricket double in midweek, the Equestrian triumph and the Water Polo splashathon on Thursday that suggested that this year we would put up a fight. Filled with hope, pride, and nowhere near enough reality, I boarded the Northern Rail service at Carlisle back to Newcastle, where I was worryingly informed over tannoy that any left-behind-belongings would be ‘taken and destroyed’ by station staff. There’s no peace any more. Arriving in Newcastle it was still achievable, we’d pushed them within
Rock-a-bye Burnley: Hendo has earned his rest Image: Calum Wilson
a few points of the lead that they had opened up against us on Saturday and more and more positive results flew in via the twitterverse. Then it all started to unravel. Poly picked up points where they weren’t expected to, and thumped us where they already had an advantage - yet, going into the football finale, victory was still within our grasp. With swimming, athletics and various other results yet to waft their way into our ears, a lot was riding on the footy lads to put in a performance that would make the diabolical cold worthwhile. Now, I feel it is time to digress. Anyone who followed the Courier Sport’s Twitter feed will know that I had quite the experience with a pie at half time in the football. With frozen fingers from live tweeting what was a largely uneventful first half, I ventured into the concourse in search of a good northern pie. What I found, can only be described as the worst queue I have ever seen formed in the British Isles. Maybe in the Poly end but not from you, Newcastle students. Up your game. I’m not the tallest of fellows and trying to barge my way towards the hallowed meat-filledpastry was uncomfortable to say the least, not to mention the fact it caused me to miss the athletics, which I was supposed to be live tweeting. I also left my Fanta Lemon behind. Unforgivable. Fast forward 45 minutes and the games up, we’ve won the final. Celebrations galore, hip hip hooray let’s do it all again next year. But something left me wanting at this year’s final. Where was Rory the Lion? Where was left shark (joke courtesy of James Sproston)? Poly the Parrot is too much of an unbearable sod to go unchallenged. Also, where were our cheerleaders? Please come back next year. the lack of some Uni dancers forced us all to endure something you’d see pre-match at a Penrith Town game. Shoutout, however, must go to the athletics troup, whose performance was blinding, unfairly perhaps overshadowed by the game of football. And so, finally, I’ve come to the end of my ponderings. We’ve hit 4:25am and I’d just like to say well done to all the Uni competitors who pushed the Poly all the way this year, and a message to next year’s editors: don’t stay up this late. I’ve gone mad.
American Football M1
Gateshead Stadium
14-7
Athletics Track & Field
Gateshead Stadium
2.75-4.25
Badminton M1 Badminton M2 Badminton W1 Badminton W2
Sport Central Sport Central Sport Central Sport Central
Basketball M1 Basketball M2 Basketball M3 Basketball W1 Basketball W2
Walbottle NU Sports Centre Coach Lane Sport Central NU Sport Centre
53-78 61-80 53-72 56-79 8-50
Cricket Indoor M1 Cricket Indoor M2
South North CC South North CC
87-65 92-66
Cricket Outdoor M1 Cricket Outdoor M2 Cricket Outdoor W1
-
Equestrian Dressage Equestrian Showjumping
Murton Stepney Bank
1-0 1-0
Football M1 Football M2 Football W1 Football W2
Gateshead Coach Lane 3G Coach Lane 3G Longbenton
1-0 1-3 0-5 0-5
Fencing M1 Fencing W1
Sport Central Sport Central
103-134 133-55
Futsal M1 Futsal W1
Sport Central Sport Central
3-10 2-15
Gaelic Football M1
Bullocksteads
4-26
Golf M1 Golf M2
Close House Newcastle United
Hockey M1 Hockey M2 W Hockey W1 Hockey W2
Coach Lane Coach Lane Longbenton Longbenton
Lacrosse M1 Lacrosse M2 Lacrosse W1
Bullocksteads Bullocksteads Bullocksteads
Netball 1 Netball 2 Netball 3 Netball 4
NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre
Rowing 1
Newburn
Rugby League M1 Rugby League M2
Cochrane Park Kingston Park
Rugby Union M2 Rugby Union M3 Rugby Union W1 Rugby Union W2
Bullocksteads Bullocksteads Bullocksteads Bullocksteads
Snowsports Skiing Snowsports Snowboard
Silksworth Silksworth
0-2 0-2
Squash M1 Squash M2 Squash W1 Squash W2
Sport Central Sport Central NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre
2-3 3-0 3-1 4-0
Swimming M1 Swimming W1
Sport Central Sport Central
Table Tennis M1 Table Tennis W1 Table Tennis W2 Table Tennis W3
NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre
4-13 0-3 3-2 5-0
Tennis M1 Tennis M2 Tennis W1
N’umberland Club N’umberland Club Virgin Active
0-12 8-4 0-12
Ultimate M1
Cochrane Park
15-4
Volleyball M1 Volleyball W1
NU Sports Centre NU Sports Centre
Water Polo M1 Water Polo M2 Water Polo W1
Sport Central Sport Central Sport Central
5-3 3-5 5-3 6-2
Newcastle Win 181-182 77-76
1.5-4.5 1-5 1-1 3-1 2-3 5-1 5-9 7-3 22-2 14-66 33-59 37-21 26-24 1-0 4-32 4-64 Newcastle Win 47-14 0-34 17-5
0-3 1.5-1.5
0-3 1-3 10-9 9-14 12-4
Newcastle 67.25 - 73.75 Northumbria
In this Stan Calvert Special, we take you through our step-by-step guide of how to land a juicy catch while fishing on Twitter. The varsity competition that pits Newcastle against city rivals Northumbria is prime time for reeling in some tetchy students, however on Super Sunday we had our eyes set on bigger and better things. Few Poly fish come bigger than Director of Sport at Northumbria University, Col Stromsoy. But we don’t expect to be able to tempt a bite from someone so high up in the Northumbrian ranks straight away. Don’t be silly. You have to start small and work your way up, but we fully believe that if you follow these instructions, you too could replicateW our feat. 1. Mention job prospects. Once you’ve cast your net with a few immature jibes regarding the Stan Calvert result, it shouldn’t be too long before some Poly faithful come running to their university’s defence. If you, rather than actually insulting someone like many on Twitter, want to simply turn up the temperature on the Stan Calvert pressure cooker, then job prospects is a good place to start. Don’t target anyone personally, simply make the crowd aware of your fishing intentions. Those too blind to see will come before you have a chance to say ‘fix’. 2. ALWAYS suggest they bought it Nothing get’s someone from Northumbria more riled than suggesting their excessive sports budget is the only reason they lifted the trophy. While Northumbria’s students possess clear exceptional talent and determination which deserves applause, if you’re after a big fish you MUST mention their expenditure. The odd tweet here and there aimed into the Stan Calvert stratosphere will before long strike a nerve, giving outstanding results. Prime example came from a Mr Whitehead, who provided the office with a whole night of entertainment: “The only thing that make this poor sportsmanship worse is the weirdos in your cover photo #virgin”. We salute your maturity, sir. 3. Go over the top in celebration Despite having already lost the Stan Calvert Cup, overly celebrating the finale victory was a good plan. Tweeting the word ‘goal’ with fifty ‘a’s may seem subtle, but it plants the seed in the opposition’s head that you’re both intolerable on social media and up for a hilarious argument with whoever’s willing. This seed will grow, and nurtured with a few comments about swimming badges, family hedge funds and money, this seed will grow into the ultimate banter tree. One response read “you all must be hurting very badly. We feel sorry for you if that helps!”. Thank you, Northumbria Rugby League Club, your crying laughing emoji made me feel much, much better. 4. Put it all together... ... and what do you get? Catch of the day. Follow our steps very, very carefully and more to the point: never give up. If you have a dream, like we did, then you too can get a Twitter direct message from Northumbria’s sports director who, with a pinch of luck, sees the funny side. Rivalry between Newcastle and Northumbria rarely stretches to off the court, but Twitter is a pitch of its own. Tackles will fly, cards will be shown, but remember if you use the right bait, and take a bit of humour, the brutal playing field can become a serene fishing lake.
26.music
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Music Editors: Jamie Shepherd, Dominique Daly & Connor McDonnell
Living La Vida Local
Kesha, we stand with you
After the shocking revelations that Kesha has suffered abuse at the hands of her proMusic Editor Jamie Shep- ducer Dr.Luke, Rebecca Jackson explores its impact on other female musicians
herd sat down with Newcastle students Ali’s Love Child to discuss their latest single
Jamie Shepherd: So the last time I spoke to you guys, you were off to Manchester for the finals of the iSessions completion. How was that for you? Jordan Smith: It was so good. Al Smith: It was one of the best gigs we’ve played. JaS: Was that your first gig outside of the city? AS: Well… yeah, we played one really weird one in Durham but it didn’t really seem like a gig. JoS: It was more of a private party gone wrong. AS: The Manchester gig was our first proper gig outside of Newcastle and it was really good and it was packed. There was lots of different people there supporting us and there was some relatively high profile industry people there so it was good to get some feedback from them. JaS: Have you seen much success out of the city? JoS: We haven’t, no. We just try and do a day in Leeds then go back to Newcastle or go back to Manchester etc. We try to avoid doing tours at the moment but it’s all in the pipeline at the moment. AS: Obviously, that’s our next big step. We’ve just done the launch of our debut single and we were really pleased about how that went. JaS: I’ve got to ask you about the single as well, how was the recording process? JoS: It was quick. We had a very short time to make it. We had a show booked on February 13th and then we only decided to go to the studio in December. Normally thing’s like this a lot longer. We were pushed but we pulled it off. AS: Yeah, we had this really great guy called Marcus who’s got a practice space called Nemix by the Discovery Museum. He’s been doing music in Newcastle for years and he’s really good at what he does. He pulled out the stops to make sure we did it all on time and we were happy in the end. JaS: How do you guys slot into the Newcastle scene? JoS: Sometimes really well. Like when we did the gig at the O2 we were absolutely chuffed. We had a couple of local support bands and there was various good feedback from their supporters and all that. Sometimes we play gigs with other people and we really stick out. AS: There’s kinda like two tribes. There’s the really indie bands and then there’s the heavier bands. JoS: and we’re slap bang in the middle. JaS: What’s next in the pipeline? JoS: Hopefully, we’ve got a music video or two coming along. Which is a first for us. AS: We’ve got two tracks which is a single and a b-side so we’re gonna make one for both? JaS: Are the vids gonna be Beyoncesque? JoS: Synchronised dancing and all that. No. Your mate wanted to do a story board for us, didn’t he? AS: The single’s all about atheism and that sort of thing. He’s really arty and good at cinematography so he’s got this concept to do with that. We want to film in a church if we can get permission. We’re not gonna tell them what it’s about. The other one, Dom’s mate’s doing it isn’t he? He’s a professional music producer he’s going out with Dom’s sister’s, wait no Dom’s girlfriend’s sister and he’s come up with a few ideas of what it’s going to be. It’s going to be all shot in Newcastle and maybe with a little bit in London because that’s where the guy’s based. JaS: I hate asking this but what’s going to happen after graduation? Will the band stick together? Can you guys handle an LDR? AS: We’d love to. Jack’s going to still be here. Dom’s definitely here next year. I intend to stay around . JoS: We don’t know. It’s all up in the air really. AS: We’ve got a few gigs lined up here though. We’ve got one lined up at Think Tank on the 11th supporting the Hyena Kill. Their sick. Their from Manchester and we really like them. We’ve got a few supporting random bands around Newcastle.
Be sure to follow us on Spotify so you can have a little listen to local music and more at - https://play. spotify.com/user/thecourierdoesmusic
“
All I ever wanted was to be able to make music without being afraid, scared, or abused,” writes singer Kesha, 28, in an emotional Facebook post days after her plea to be freed from a contract with a man that she say’s tormented and abused her, psychologically and physically for 10 years during their partnership in the music industry.
“the condemning of victims makes it harder for any to speak up at all in fear of how they might be perceived” At only 18 years old Kesha signed a record deal with a label co-founded by Dr. Luke, her producer, and in 2014, Kesha first made the allegation that Dr. Luke had drugged and abused her, but was too scared for her career and family to come forward. Now in 2016, supreme judge Kornreich officially ruled, “My instinct is to do the commercially reasonable thing,” denying Kesha from an injunction from her contract under not enough evidence, the denial of allegations from Dr. Luke and legal matters of the contract. Since the trial, head label Sony have reported that they cannot legally terminate the contract between Kesha and Dr. Luke, but will make it possible for her to record with no interaction with the producer as long as she continues in the contract that sees her make another six albums. Although there are many binding legalities to this case in particular, Kesha’s story is one unfortunate example of many who come forward. The judges’ refusal of freedom from a man who abused her, to be “commercially reasonable”, is why thousands of victims are too scared and ashamed to speak up about abuse in fear of being ignored or not believed. Unless Kesha now agrees to work with Sony and on a label that refused her release, she may not be able to continue doing the one thing she loves.
“Kesha’s story is one unfortunate example of many who come forward”
In the same instances, a staggering amount of male celebrities have been arrested and charged with abusing women in the past, only to go and further their careers. Musicians such as Chris Brown, who famously beat his then girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 was awarded a Grammy award 3 years later, and Eminem who rapped about killing his wife and domestic violence throughout his lyrics was awarded Global Icon in 2013. Actors such as Charlie Sheen and Sean Penn were charged for beating their wives and girlfriends multiple times, yet are seen as icons in film and television for years after the abuse almost condoning their behaviour
with no career halt or punishment. Of course it’s not just women that face abuse but the publicizing and condemning of victims makes it harder for any to speak up at all in fear of how they might be perceived or what they may lose. Celebrities and fans alike have come together to show their support for Kesha through social media, petitions and even boycotting Sony as a way of igniting the need for recognition of tolerance of abuse. Is it up to a judge to say whether or not Kesha was the victim of abuse for years or scrutiny of the public? It’s with hope from this case that not only Kesha is freed from a contract bound with her past, but that it brings people together to help those in similar situations to not to be afraid to speak up and make a change.
Anohni: Transforming the Oscars
After the #OscarsSoWhite controversy, music editor Jamie Shepherd examines one of the under-reported snubs at this years Oscars when Anohni was not invited to perform
W
ith #OscarsSoWhite dominating the entertainment headlines this year it’s very easy to slam the 88th Oscars as the clusterfuck of underrepresentation that it is. With all the negative publicity surrounding the ceremony you’d assume that the ceremony would attempt to promote inclusivity in any way possible. Unfortunately, this was not the case when it came to the musical performances that took place that night as transgender artist Anohni (previously Antony Hegarty from Antony and the Johnsons) was not invited to perform despite her song ‘Manta Ray’ being nominated for Best Song. On first glance, the performances at the ceremony seemed to herald a victory for queer inclusion, as the openly gay Sam Smith performed his contribution to the Spectre soundtrack and the ultimate gal pal for cis-gendered white males, Lady Gaga made an appearance. While all of this gave the illusion of queer acceptance, Anohni’s absence left a bitter taste in the mouth of many. At a time when transvisibility throughout the media is at all time high (think Caitlin Jenner, Laverne Cox, The Danish Girl) you’d expect the second transgender nominee for any award in the Oscars’ history to be welcomed with a fanfare of 21st century understanding. Alas, this was not the case.
“Anohni is in an unfortunate position in that her feminine identity does not conform to the expectations placed on female performers in the music industry”
The official reasoning behind Anohni’s absence was time constraints, however I feel that this has more to do with Anohni’s outsider status as a musician. Despite being critically acclaimed, and her 2005 album I Am A Bird Now stealing the Mercury Music Prize of that year, Anohni’s latest direction has seen her entering more avant-
garde and experimental realms. Anohni’s frank discussion of her own experience as a transwoman rendered her, in her own words, less “commercially viable” in comparison to the other artists chosen to perform. The problem with commercially viable transrepresentation in the media is the way in which it is polarised into two spheres by the lens of popular culture. On the one hand, we have the Caitlin Jenners of the world who, after facing a period of adversity, have landed in the safety net of an easily identifiable feminine identity. These are the individuals who society has acknowledged as the gender that they now identify with and conform to the rigid standards of femininity or masculinity that we’ve had shoved down our throats from a very young age. On the other hand we have the queer identifying figures who want to fuck with our perceptions of gender, sexuality and identity who have always existed on the peripheries of pop culture. Icons such as the protopunk singer Jayne County and Throbbing Gristle’s Genes P-Orridge and h/er so named Pandrogyny Project poked fun at the binaries of gender through their own subversive bodily performances and thus rendered them outsiders when it came to critical and viable success. Anohni is in an unfortunate position in that her feminine identity does
not conform to the expectations placed on female performers in the music industry and thus she cannot be accepted by the mainstream. At a time when acceptance and diversity is championed and valorised, there will always be that one group that is silenced in the grand narrative of equality, and in the context of the Oscars it seems like that the black community have bedfellows with the non-cisgendered community.
The Courier
music.27
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Phase Jack Garratt
Electronic Blanket Sophie Ahmed chats about DJ EZ’s all-nighter, and a soundtrack to daybreak
I
n order to break into an already over-crowd- halls of residence can empathise with. Like in most ed male singer-songwriter environment, of Phase, Garratt is at first lightly accompanied enGarratt needs to differentiate himself from abling his voice to build alongside the track’s layers the likes of James Bay and Ben Howard. Gar- before breaking out into a heavily infectious choratt achieves this in Phase by intertwining his rus. Dubstep murmurs combine with drumbeats soulful, powerful voice with fresh synth beats. and a pining Garratt seeking redemption, which Though some criticism fired at Garratt deems works well, whilst Garratt confesses his inability him bland, that is not the case, it is rather that to continue his external pretence of acceptance Phase is somewhat one-dimensional. ‘Coa- and indifference towards his break-up. ‘The Love lesce’ kickstarts Phase and sees an emotionally You’re Given’ underscores the purer, less electronic charged Garratt introducing his blend of fal- elements of Phase as well-considered layers cresetto and synth. This track slides effortlessly into scendo into vibrant soul. ‘I Know All What I Do’ ‘Breathe Life.’ and ‘Surprise Yourself ’ resonate as Garratt morphs Whilst Garratt’s songs seem at times almost in- into an electronic Ed Sheeran. ‘Chemical’ brings distinguishable from one another, they are undeni- this part of Phase to an end with his harsh yet ably catchy, but you cannot help but want Garratt encapsulating chorus alongside his admission of to break away from his formulaic approach. This “chauvinistic” love demonstrating a meaning beever-present dichotomy in hind Garratt’s lyrics that far Garratt’s music between “Whether or not this style will surpasses those seen in the soul and synth is most be enough for Garratt himself to majority of “radio-friendly” transparently exemplified ‘Fire’ is arguably Garerupt as well is left to be seen” music. in ‘Far Cry’ where we have ratt most dance-orientated smooth piano accompatrack incorporating elements nying Garratt’s vocals before erupting into blaring of house at times, which is in stark contrast to synth until it reverts back to its more hushed be- Phase’s finale ‘My House is your Home’. The album ginning. Whether or not this style will be enough concludes with Garratt finally truly stripped back for Garratt himself to erupt as well is left to be seen. and away from the computer-generated sounds The cyclical nature of both Phase as a whole and its epitomising Phase. Despite containing a few cliindividual components is reflected in ‘Weathered’ chéd lyrics, this side of Garratt is criminally underwhich starts and ends with the lyric “When I grow used throughout as Garratt’s vocal power is here old, I’ll drink and smoke…”. ‘Weathered’ furthers truly indicated. the sense of Garratt’s clear multi-faceted instruMore long-term Garratt fans may however feel mental capabilities which shine through Phase. slightly underwhelmed. The stand out tracks The epicentre of Phase sees its best tracks and the have all been released as part of earlier EPs with greatest examples of Garratt’s potential brilliance any alterations being minimal. Regardless, there – in particular the stand out ‘Worry’. Garratt be- is enough potential in Phase to suggest Garratt moans “my nights are broken up by the sounds of could be the next big name in music but he is in no women I’ll never meet” which is a sentiment that means the finished article. I’m certain anyone who’s ever lived in a student Ben Grundy
More than this Oh Wonder - Oh Wonder The more laid-back elements of Phase are similar to Oh Wonder’s spectacular debut with tracks such as ‘Livewire’ and ‘Technicolour Beat’ providing delightful easylistening. This is an album designed for unwinding and the relaxation period after a heavy and hedonistic weekend. Lockjaw - Flume and Chet Faker Lockjaw sees Flume at their best with their big drops which are designed for the dancefloor. Similar to some of the big choruses in Phase which erupt into life but more at home on the soundsystem at Digital or Cosmic Ballroom. This is a collaboration that fans of Garratt should take a look at.
Stranger Things
Aralia
Jerome Raheem Fortune
Yuck
Alga
Rome Fortune
I
T
t’s instantly apparent that Yuck planned to form a imitation of the lo-fi Slacker Rock sound from the late 80’s and 90’s, heard in American bands such as Dinosaur Jr and Pavement, while also mixing it with the British bands of this era. The band produced perhaps a more grunge-focused version of this in their self-titled debut. Although this is a great sound to pursue and imitate, there is a tendency for bands to copy this sound perhaps too closely. The result is a very bland rendition of that period that is far too similar to its influences. Luckily, Yuck manage to avoid this by taking influence from a range of bands and also making good use of fuzz and wah wah pedals, while also expertly creating a fuller sound by utilizing synthesizers. The first two tracks, ‘Hold me Closer’ and ‘Cannonball’ make for an energetic start to Stranger Things with their light–hearted vocal lines, and strangely pop-punk atmosphere. These songs, at first, seem fairly unoriginal but they do pick themselves up with their rhythmically interesting drum patterns and catchy guitar riffs. The songs that follow, take a similar approach, once again with a range of British and American influences. It’s easy to hear specific influences in certain parts of these songs, for example, ‘Only Silence’ resembles Green Day’s pre-American Idiot slower songs. ‘As I Walk Away’ instantly makes you think of The Cure and the riff on ‘Hearts in Motion’ is unmistakably similar to ‘Where Is My Mind’ by The Pixies. The most interesting part of this album is concentrated in the last 2 songs; ‘Down’ and ‘Yr Face’ due to droning psychedelic aspects of its guitar parts and the elements of dream pop that are introduced by the keyboards. ‘Yr Face’ is a perfect finale as it builds and drops throughout thus when it finally fades away as an ending it has a very conclusive atmosphere to it. Toby Livsey
he newly released EP titled Aralia from Alga, Newcastle based producer Daniel Egdell, and Newcastle University music department alumni, is diverse and satisfying to the ears. The two-track release, titled Aralia is the perfect infusion of electronica, afrobeat and multi instrumental jazz. The opening track of the EP ‘This Is Your Carnival’ starts slow but builds up to a gorgeous beat that is reminiscent of the turn of the century Jon Hopkins style electronica. ‘This Is Your Carnival is infused with live percussion and afrobeat that works so well you almost don’t want the song to finish. Then you are met with the second track on Aralia, ‘Patina’. This is a dreamlike song that feels visual. The song feels like it is leading you into a trance with the afrobeat percussion before eventually reaching background vocals that fit in tightly with the surrounding techno crescendo. With vibes that remind me of the eclectic producer Bonobo in combination with the intense finishes, the two tracks, ‘This Is Your Carnival’ and ‘Patina’, that make up this EP just leave me wanting more. The talent and passion is very clear on this EP along with the diverse and unique range of influences Dan Egdell has drawn from. Aralia sounds like it has been made by someone that not only loves creating electronic music, but also by someone who enjoys listening to the ever expanding genre itself. It feels fresh and experimental and unlike a lot of what I have heard before, something that is desperately needed within the world of electronic and dance music Alga is a visual and diverse project in many ways, and I will definitely be keeping an ear out for more of what Daniel Egdell produces. Sarah-Kate O’Hare
R
ome Fortune has worked alongside Chaz Bundick of Toro y Moi and had a couple of his tracks, from his Small Vvorld EP, produced by the musical demi-god Four Tet. There is the expectation that working alongside these giants of electronic melody-making would send Rome’s name spiralling through the soundwaves. Starting with the modulation of a sweet organsounding chord progression and an auto tuned voice singing ‘I’ve got to take it all the way’, Fortune’s album promises an all-or-nothing sentimentality and candidly confessional, straight from the opener, ‘All The Way.’ Following this theme, ‘Blicka Blicka’ begins with a lo-fi melancholic orchestration before shifting to a menacing arpeggio. Fortune sings ‘They said “this shit would be difficult / To make it I needed a miracle” / But I did it, and did it without you / What d’ya think I’d amount to?’ This is a roar of a verse from a newcomer, telling the abundance of wannabes and big-timers, in the ever-expanding hip-hop genre, that he is not just a whisper at the shouting contest. ‘Dance’ is produced by Haitian-Canadian young DJ KAYTRANADA, a presence which can be heard on this track - it is imbued with synthesized funk. On ‘What Can You Do’ there is a sprinkling of ATrak’s (owner of Fool’s Gold Records) potential influence on the album. The dense Trap basslines meld beautifully with Rome’s melodic reels of rap. The final song ‘Find My Way’ leaves nothing left unsaid from the album. A tangy guitar riff is muddled among the heap of drum machine sounds. It frames a proper closure to the album, like the mirror of the album opener. Rome Fortune is a chameleon rapper; he could blend in to any sound. The production behind Jerome Raheem Fortune ensures he doesn’t falter on the album that will stack his name in the lime-light. Connor McDonnell
The days of wrongly assuming that electronic music is for carefree ravers who wish to disassociate themselves from the real world are long gone. Last week, Garage God DJ EZ used his skills as a powerful and valued force, heroically hosting and completing a 24-hour sponsored set in aid of Cancer Research. The live stream was broadcast through Boileroom to bedrooms across the globe, enabling fans to tune in and out at their leisure, for a cost of their own choice which went to a great cause. I started watching when the maestro was well into his 8th hour, and at this point he was still boogying away, which probably wasn’t the best idea considering he had to retain enough energy to last him 16 more hours. EZ has been in the business now for over 20 years, so manning the decks for a full day is a minor achievement in the grand scheme of things. It’s just refreshing to see a DJ using their recognition to improve people’s lives, as this is a power usually reserved for Pop artists in the mainstream.
You Need To Hear: Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons Whilst I get hooked on tracks regularly, the obsession usually subsides after about a week, and I move onto the next best thing. This wasn’t the case with Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons’ extraordinary track ‘Lovers’ Eyes (Mohe Pi Ki Najariya’ which has held a permanent place in every playlist I’ve made over the past few months. Seamlessly blending traditional Pakistani Qawwali vocals with an infectious beat, 7 minute masterpiece transports the listener to a foreign land and succeeds in Lazarus’s aim of making music ‘for deserts, jungles and sunrises’. The heart-wrenching harmonies of Qawwali and techno really shouldn’t mix, but it works unbelievably well. Another combination that shouldn’t work is electronic music and live instrumentation, but once again Damian Lazarus defies this. Having set up his own label Crosstown Rebels, Damian has been on the scene for years, but his project with the Ancient Moons and Simian Mobile Disco member James Ford has only been in existence for around a year. The project released a full length album ‘Message From The Other Side’ and contributing to its international sound were Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramzy, US jazz pianist ELEW and Mozambican guitarist Neco Novellas to name but a few. Lazarus aptly captured the essence of his music when he said: ‘There is nothing that compares to DJing under the stars in the night air or being responsible for soundtracking the rising of the sun in the morning and I wanted to create an album that reflects these beautiful moments’. If you’re a night owl that enjoys these times of day, get on this. Listen To: Damian Lazarus & The Ancient Moons – Trouble At The Séance
Preview: Pirate Material w/ D Double E & Dub Phizix ft. Strategy, 10th March, World Headquarters This week I’m hoping to end the term on a high with my first ever Pirate Material. Whilst this might be risky business, I’m not worried in the slightest as the line-up seems incapable of disappointing. Downstairs in the Grime room is supposedly ‘The Greatest Grime MC of All Time’ D Double E of the East London crew Newham Generals, and upstairs you can find Manchester’s Drum & Bass producer Dub Phizix accompanied by Strategy. I’ll be overcoming this North/ South divide by bouncing between the two rooms throughout the night. As long as I don’t miss ‘Street Fighter Riddim’ downstairs or ‘Marka’ upstairs, I’ll be happy.
Go follow us on intagram for live gig updates, fun pictures and the latest music gossip- @courier_music
28.filmfeatures
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Film Editors: Emma Allsopp, Rhian Hunter & Simon Ramshaw
MEGA FAN Best bunnies in the world of cinema
With the time of chocolate eggs coming up very soon Jamie Gomersall takes a look through the history of cinema and tells us all about the best bunnies in film
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GIANT CYNIC With Easter just around the corner we decided it was time for two lucky souls to battle it out over a Halloween film. Wait, Halloween film? Yes, but it has a rabbit in it (even if it is a man in a “stupid bunny suit”) so it definitely counts. So this week Jordan Olomon and Jenny Cooke debate whether Donnie Darko is a murky and angsty drama, or just a bit pointlessly weird.
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eenage angst sells, and Donnie Darko is the king of this genre. It’s so tragically emo and surreal, but still funny at the times when it needs to be. That’s why I think it’s a brilliant film. It’s got that suburban, high school coming-of-age feel of 10 Things I Hate About You or Clueless, just if it was directed by David Lynch. The looming notion of the end of the world is dark and atmospheric, and just the design and presence of ‘Frank’ stayed with me for years after the film concluded. It’s almost like a parody of those aforementioned films, grounding the fanciful, happy-go-lucky characters whose only problems are popularity and prom dates with a grittier alternative, tackling therapy and death. I’ve also got a soft spot in my heart for films that can really scare you with atmosphere, not jump-scares! Jordan Olomon
aster is nearly here, and what better reminds us of Easter than the heart-warming thought of fluffy little bunnies hopping around in a blossoming field? As we shrug off Winter and head for Spring, here’s a tribute to these cutesy carrot-loving creatures: a list of my favourite rabbit-related films. Let’s begin with 2001’s Donnie Darko, memorable for featuring the most disturbing rabbit in cinema history. In this fantasy drama, teenager Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is awoken and led outside by a sinister individual in a hideous rabbit costume. Calling himself ‘Frank’, the rabbit, in its chilling whispery voice, informs Donnie that the world will end in twenty eight days. A product of Donnie’s schizophrenic delusions, Frank accompanies him over the next few weeks, as a series of unusual and unsettling events unfold, culminating in a mysterious vortex right above his house. Perhaps the best piece of dialogue is when Donnie asks Frank, ‘Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit?’, only to hear Frank’s unnerving response: ‘Why are you wearing that stupid man suit?’ Shiver.
“Perhaps the best piece of dialogue is when Donnie asks Frank, ‘Why do you wear that stupid bunny suit?’”
Moving on to a more cheerful rabbit brings me to Robert Zemeckis’ Who Framed Roger Rabbit? In this bizarre treat, traditional live-action footage is melded with hand-drawn animation to create a visually-stunning cinematic experience. In a version of 1947 Los Angeles where humans coexist
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ow I hate to hate but time travel, apocalypses and bunnies…BUNNIES? The nightmare-inducing rabbit aside, what the hell is this film? In my life, I must have seen it upwards of five times trying to understand the hype, but it still doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. Aesthetically, it’s enjoyable enough, but plot-wise it makes about as much sense as the fact Tesco’s started selling Easter eggs in January. Even after shamelessly googling what it was supposed to be about, and then watching it again, I still confess to be confused as all hell. Even if I were taking it at face value, and pretending I understand it, the Smurf conversation adds…what exactly to the narrative? There are better films that make a lot more sense is all I’m going to say, and why a rabbit? Important question, let’s be real. Jenny Cooke
“few films are as beautifully crafted as Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the WereRabbit”
But, what’s top of my list of best rabbit-themed movies? Well, in my opinion, few films are as funny, delightful, and beautifully crafted as Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. In Aardman’s 2005 animated gem, the nation’s favourite plasticine characters take on the role of pest controllers, and when a plague of rabbits threatens to ruin the villagers’ gardens, weeks before the annual vegetablegrowing competition, it’s up to Wallace and Gromit to
save the day. To prevent the rabbit infestation, the absent-minded inventor and his trusty dog create a hypnotic device to put a stop to the rabbits’ hunger for carrots and cucumbers. However, horror ensues when they discover the side-effect of this invention: a huge, beastly were-rabbit has been let loose in the village, causing all manner of vegetable carnage. With a cast that includes Peter Sallis, Helena Bonham-Carter, Ralph Fiennes and Peter Kay, The Curse of the Were-Rabbit is the first and only British film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Packed to bursting with delightful puns, horror movie references, and veg-related innuendo, it’s hard not to be charmed by this plasticine masterpiece. It’s definitely the best bunnybased film out there. Cracking job, Aardman!
Fifteens are the new eighteens
Nowadays it seems like there are no 18-rated films . Imogen ScottChambers investigates the causes and effects of this phenonemon
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with cartoon characters, known as ‘toons’, private detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) investigates a case where the head of the cartoon studio, R.K Maroon, was murdered. Rumours that Maroon was having an affair with Roger Rabbit’s wife, the incredibly glamorous Jessica Rabbit, leads to Roger being the prime murder suspect, and it’s up to Eddie to clear Roger’s name. The film also includes Christopher Lloyd’s creepy performance as the villainous Judge Doom, who wants to tear down Toontown to build a freeway, as well as cameos from Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Daffy Duck and Droopy. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? has it all: jokes, romance, scares, and a fantastically rewatchable blend of live action and animation.
ecently there seems to be a shocking lack of censorship within the film industry. Fifteen year olds are being exposed to sex, violence, drugs and horror, much more than they were 10 years ago. So what has changed? When Deadpool was released 3 weeks ago, it was released with a 15 rating, despite a multitude of scenes of excessive gore and brutality, which some would say it for more worthy of an 18 rating. A further example of this can be seen in Jurassic World released last summer, which rather sadistically showcased bloody and pointless dinosaur deaths and a ferocious final fight scene. So what does it take for a film to be rated an 18 nowadays? When I watched Jurassic World, I was thinking that if I had a 12 year old child, I wouldn’t want he or she exposed to so much violence. Even though it was fictional, it was too distressing for a child who had just started secondary school. When I was 12, films with that level of violence and loose morality were rated 15. It would seem that society has changed.
“In the UK, until you reach the age of 16 you are still classed as a child, so why are you being exposed to adult themes?”
The rise of the internet and the fact that 12 year olds can access whatever they want on it (if parents haven’t cracked the parental control function) has meant that they are becoming more aware of the violent realities of life. In the UK, until you reach the age of 16 you are still technically classed as a child, so why are you being exposed to adult themes? Last Christmas, the comedy film, Daddy’s Home, was rated 12A, despite repeated reference to sexual activity, swearing and moderate violence, even the child actors were swearing. Is this really an example that should be set for the youth of this
country? That it is okay for children to swear? Also, presumably for 15 year olds to be knowledgeable about sexual activity, even when it is illegal to have sex in this country until you are 16?
“Films with extreme adult themes are managing to slip in through the backdoor of censorship” Another recent film exposing 15 year olds to horrific scenes is Sinister 2. It was released last year, it also rated 15 despite sex scenes, blood, torture and fear. However, Sinister 2 was even worse for ignoring the notion of censorship. The film has
scenes of torture, excessive profanity, sexual activity and gratuitous violence throughout which could easily disturb any 15 year old (in fact, any adult). I found the film completely distressing; not because it was scary, just because it was disgusting. The sensationalism and ‘sexing up’ of films in recent years may be designed to appeal to a larger audience. Therefore, films with extreme adult themes are managing to slip in through the backdoor of censorship. However, disregarding this argument, Quentin Tarantino films continue to be appropriately rated 18, and yet audience numbers have not declined. Django Unchained made over $162 million gross total. So obviously, the size of an audience is not dictated by the rating of a film. Place Django Unchained next to Sinister 2 and consider: which is the more adult film?
The Courier
reviewsfilm.29
Tuesday 8 March 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/film c2.film@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Film
Triple 9 (15)
The Good, The Bad and The Eggly: Easter Edition
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riple 9 follows a crew of dirty cops, both former and current, executing multiple heists in a gun-infested and politically corrupted city of Atlanta, Georgia. This American crime thriller revolves around a crew of five ex-military and current/former police force officers. Throughout the film, the crew face many internal conflicts with their own respective members as well as heavy threats from the Russian mafia, who are also the ones that have hired them for their missions. Movie writer Matt Cook throws in a twist of elements where the crew is consisted of members who have strong ties and familiarity with the police system and that they must initiate a 999 (or ‘Triple 9’ for short which is essentially taking down one of their own, a police officer. It is through the 999 that the classic criminal-based protagonist crew attempt to execute a virtually impossible heist of stealing classified information for their Russian mafia bosses. Given its $20 million budget and its wide range of talent such as Kate Winslet, Woody Harrelson, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, there were high expectations for the film to succeed as a high rated box office thriller. The original casting included Shia LaBeouf among the lead protagonists before he left the project and was replaced by Charlie Hunnam, known for his performance in Pacific Rim, who would go on to also leave the project. Eventually, Casey Affleck would take the role of the police officer featured in the film. With this line-up for casts of the
film, there was no doubt that there’s top-notch talent at hand. There were expectations that the stellar casting of Woody Harrelson, Norman Reedus, Anthony Mackie and Chiwetel Ejiofor would make this one of the most impressive ensemble crime dramas ever made. However, the film doesn’t live up to such high expectations for the cast and brings up the question of what more could have been done. The utilization of the film’s popular and talented cast was inefficient as there was weak connectivity with the characters throughout the film. Each actor and actress performed their best with the characters they portray. Unfortunately, that proves to be the main questionable element of the film: everyone has their own story going on. This proves to be its upside and downside as the film’s divided story segments strangely deliver multiple visual and auditory appeals with the audience. There is consist-
ent entertainment and complexity delivered while at the same time uncertainty and questions arise as the story continues. There is uncertainty that blooms throughout the film as grows unclear whether or not the film suggests that relationships matter. The film highlights the significance of family and group bonds but does not spend a significant amount of time developing such relationships. This makes it questionable if a theme of loyalty and camaraderie is significant and the impact of betrayal isn’t as powerful as the director and writer would want it to be. Fortunately, the film was able to showcase itself as an overall decent film that won’t bore you with its delightful suspense and solidly-crafted ‘cop-oncop’ action. More like this: End of Watch (2012)
Bone Tomahawk (15)
The Finest Hours (12A)
Grimsby (15)
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can count the number of films that send me into a state of quaking existential dread on one hand. Now, it looks like I’m going to have to go onto the second hand, because Bone Tomahawk has finally found its way to UK shores and (forgive the foreshadowing pun) ripped a new one in both the western and horror genre. The set-up of S. Craig Zahler’s debut (!) film is deceptively simple. A Native American tribe kidnap three people from the sleepy town of Bright Hope, including the town’s forthright female doctor (an underused Lili Simmons). It’s up to a mismatched posse consisting of Kurt Russell’s levelheaded sheriff, Richard Jenkins’ naïve deputy, Matthew Fox’s gentleman gunslinger and Patrick Wilson’s hobbling cripple to get them back. A procedural western first and foremost, Zahler knows and loves his characters with sincerity and lack of pretention. That’s a hell of a refreshing achievement when you look at 2015’s other big westerns; while The Hateful Eight crammed in political commentary with exploding heads, and while The Revenant might be the most self-serious movie ever created, it’s good to see a director who keeps things simple without any grandiose delusions. It takes a while for Zahler to shift the film’s gears to ‘nerve-shattering horror’, but he does it with such ruthless efficiency that you’d be forgiven for leaving the cinema because of the intense stress and extreme barbarism. But this is the real sellingpoint of Bone Tomahawk, a film which proves to be one of the most effective genre-benders of recent memory. Bolstered by a career-best performance from Matthew Fox and the presence of the ever-likeable Richard Jenkins, I find it hard to imagine a film that suits my tastes more than this. It won’t be for everyone, and many will be bored by the slow pace, but for a chilling portrait of the primal side of human nature, it’s unbeatable.
n the winter of 1952, four daring coast guards attempt to rescue the crew of the SS Pendleton, an oil tanker that has been torn apart during a violent storm. Based on the true-story, Craig Gillespie’s The Finest Hours is an exciting and visually-striking spectacle that delivers impressive action and features a talented ensemble cast, including Eric Bana, Casey Affleck, Holliday Grainger, Ben Foster and Chris Pine. Pine, best known as Captain Kirk in the recent Star Trek films, is perfectly cast as earnest and principled coast guard, Bernie Webber, whose understated nature suits the actor’s talents considerably, more than that of the brash and arrogant Kirk. Although Pine is the stand-out, Casey Affleck also impresses as Ray Sybert, the engineer aboard the tanker, in a brooding and intense performance. Holliday Grainger deserves more screen-time as Bernie’s spirited fiancée, Miriam. Her chemistry with Pine gives the film its heart, but is quickly overshadowed by the focus on the action set-pieces. The sequence focusing on the rescue boat’s journey out to meet the tanker is gripping and creates a genuine sense of peril. The superb special effects successfully convey the scale of the storm and heighten the tension, in what is the film’s most thrilling and intense stretch. Sadly, the fast pace and excitement of the second act is not maintained, which results in a critical loss of momentum towards the film’s conclusion. Though, and perhaps because it remains faithful to the true-story, the final sequence is neither as gripping nor as visually-impressive as the earlier action. The final scenes are a triumph of sentimentality over what should be a powerful crescendo. Action-packed and excellent at times, but ultimately as uneven as the waves that Pine and his crew were battling, The Finest Hours is an enjoyable, but predicable voyage.
More like this: The Hateful Eight (2016)
More like this: The Perfect Storm (2000)
Simon Ramshaw
Dan Haygarth
Mark Tam
The Good: Chicken Run (2000)
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ardman’s first feature length film, Chicken Run deviated from Nick Park’s beloved Wallace and Gromit franchise to create a feather-fuelled parody of classic British wartime epics, to great critical and commercial success. If you can get over some clichéd elements, the anthropomorphic poultry of the terrifying Mrs. Tweedy’s farm prove to be far more heartwarming than the pies they’re destined to become. With sharp humour and impressive animation, it was rightfully the highest grossing stop-motion film for some time. Also, Mel Gibson is a rooster, and that alone makes it a cracking way to spend your Easter Sunday.
The Bad: The Birds (1963)
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hen Sacha Baron Cohen burnt the reputation of an entire country, especially one as harmless and unsuspecting as Kazakhstan, he hit a comedic high which he will frankly never surpass. That is nothing to be ashamed of, though. Grimsby stands as a respectable return to form for the controversial comedian, blending social satire and simply outrageous set-pieces to deliver a soulful, if formulaic, look at the north of England. Grimsby, or The Brothers Grimsby as it is called in America, follows Nobby Butcher (Cohen), a football hooligan and father of 9 from the eponymous town. Nobby is searching for his long-lost brother who turns out to be an MI6 agent in the form of Sebastian Graves (Mark Strong), and once the two are reunited they embark on a mission to clear Sebastian’s name and stop a terrorist cell from killing people. The plot is as simple as they come, with a virtually non-existent villain, but Grimsby is totally aware of this. There is major heart to this film which subverts the fictional British image of the sexy spy seducing improbably gorgeous women. Grimsby celebrates English culture, and goes much further than the obvious sartorial oxymoron of Sebastian’s turtleneck and Nobby’s retro England shirt. Celebrated are the brutes of the north, the unremarkable, unemployable forgotten who are so sparsely represented on screen. It shouldn’t be, but absolutely is, refreshing to root for characters like Nobby and Rebel Wilson’s hilarious Dawn. I haven’t seen the working class so heroically portrayed since The Full Monty. One could easily point the finger at Baron-Cohen and accuse the Cambridge-educated millionaire of poking fun at less-affluent Britain, but he has drawn these characters with too much charm for that to be seriously argued. Their hearts beat proudly, no matter how much social hierarchy, kebabs and John Smiths try to stop them. More like this: Bruno (2009) William Leng
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o longer satisfied with stealing your cone of chips, the seagulls and crows of this Hitchcock ‘disaster’ flick have developed a taste for human flesh. In a tale of man vs. nature, it’s one of the Master of Suspense’s more infamous offerings, with notable behind-the-scenes drama and a dodgy green screen to boot. The film treats its source material so seriously that it enters the realm of self-parody, rehashing characters from Psycho and attempting to frighten us by sticking Tippi Hedren in various claustrophobic spaces, all whilst she won’t stop screaming. Forget Birdemic, this is the quintessential so-bad-it’s-good avian apocalypse.
The Ugly: Howard the Duck (1986)
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emember the end credits of Guardians of the Galaxy? You know, the one with the giant duck drinking a cocktail? Yep, that abomination was actually the star of the first Marvel film to have a theatrical release, and it’s just as awful as you’d expect. Taking what was originally a tongue-in-cheek cult comic that celebrated surrealism and film noir, Lucasfilm instead gave us an abysmal plot (seriously, he joins a band), an uncomfortable ‘romance’, and out-of-place adult humour – no less than five minutes in, and Howard’s reading Playduck and looking at plastic breasted waterfowl. Best take this one to the chopping block. Zoe Godden
32.filmfeature
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
The Academy Awards: The lowdown
The biggest film award ceremony of the year has passed once again. But who were the biggest winners and losers? And more importantly, did the winners deserve the title? Here we tell you who won (not that you don’t already know) alongside a rundown of our own would-be winners for each category
Best Actor/Actress
WINNER: Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant/Brie Larson, Room Simon Ramshaw: Paul Dano for Love & Mercy/Cate Blanchett for Carol Emma Allsopp: Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant/Brie Larson for Room Jordan Oloman: Leonardo DiCaprio for The Revenant/ Brie Larson for Room Zoe Godden: Matt Damon for The Martian (to spite his Departed co-star)/Anyone but Jennifer Lawrence Rhian Hunter: Leonardo Di Caprio for The Revenant/Cate Cate Blanchett for Carol
Best Supporting Actor/Actress
WINNER: Mark Rylance,Bridge of Spies/Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl Simon Ramshaw: Ralph Fiennes for A Bigger Splash/Tilda /Tilda Swinton for A Bigger Splash Emma Allsopp: Mark Ruffalo for Spotlight/Marion /Marion Cotillard for Macbeth Jordan Oloman: Tom Hardy for The Revenant// Kate Winslet for Steve Jobs Zoe Godden: Is still bitter about Idris Elba and Benicio Del Toro getting snubbed/Kate Winslet for Steve Jobs Rhian Hunter: Mark Ruffalo for Spotlight/Rooney Mara for Carol
Best Picture
WINNER: Spotlight (pictured right)
Simon Ramshaw: Mad Max: Fury Road Emma Allsopp: Mad Max: Fury Road Jordan Oloman: Mad Max: Fury Road Zoe Godden: If Fury Road could get it, that would be greeeeeeat Rhian Hunter: Mad Max: Fury Road
Best Director
WINNER: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, The Revenant Simon Ramshaw: George Miller for Mad Max: Fury Road Emma Allsopp: George Miller for Mad Max: Fury Road Jordan Oloman: Alejandro González Iñárritu for The Revenant Zoe Godden: Alejandro González Iñárritu for The Revenant Rhian Hunter: Alejandro González Iñárritu for The Revenant
Best Animated Film WINNER: Inside Out
Simon Ramshaw: Anomalisa Emma Allsopp: Inside Out Jordan Oloman: Inside Out Zoe Godden: Inside Out Rhian Hunter: Inside Out
Best Cinematography WINNER: The Revenant Simon Ramshaw: Macbeth Emma Allsopp: Macbeth Jordan Oloman: Mad Max: Fury Road Zoe Godden: Sicario Rhian Hunter: Macbeth
The Courier
featurefilm.33
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Best Foreign Language Film: WINNER: Son of Saul
Simon Ramshaw: The Dance of Reality Emma Allsopp: The Tribe Jordan Oloman: Embrace of the Serpent (pictured left) Zoe Godden: When Marnie Was There Rhian Hunter: Wild Tales
Best Adapted/Original Screenplay:
WINNER: The Big Short/Spotlight Simon Ramshaw: Carol/Ex Machina Emma Allsopp: Room (pictured right)/Ex Machina Jordan Oloman: The Martian/Ex Machina Zoe Godden: Leonardo’s acceptance speech Rhian Hunter: Room/Ex Machina
A critical look at this year’s Oscars M
y fantasy picks mainly go with those who were nominated, but I was most aggrieved to see Macbeth being unfairly snubbed. What a travesty! Even though I wanted Mad Max to win Best Picture I was most definitely fine with Spotlight taking the top spot. It was a genuinely moving film with awesome performances all around so put me down as satisfied (I’m also glad it beat The Revenant because who doesn’t love surprises?). I was overjoyed to find out Leo had finally won, what a great day. Looking through those nominated I think he was truly the most deserving and he climbed inside a dead animal so give him a break. I was backing Brie Larson from the very moment I saw Room so I was absolutely overjoyed to find out she had triumphed, what a beautiful and deserving performance. I was hugely disappointed with the winners for the supporting categories as I thought Mark Ruffalo was definitely going to get one this year for his staggering performance in Spotlight, but that was not the case. For the supporting actress I still believe Marion Cotillard should have won for Macbeth, but she wasn’t even nominated. This year has been a mixed bag for me, but I am happy for the big winners. Emma Allsopp
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y dream Oscar wish-list is pretty hipster as is, but Hell’s bells, this year’s Oscar winners were essentially the polar opposite of what I wanted. When I found out I lived in a world where a Mad Max movie had been nominated for Best Picture, the world felt like a better place. But, deep down, I knew it was a tease, and they wouldn’t crown ‘The Greatest Action Movie Ever Made™’ with what it deserved. Spotlight took Mad Max’s rightful place at the top (which I’m very mildly okay with, because yay for us journalists, right?), but it was Alejandro González Iñárritu snatching Best Director that really got my goat. That being said, Brie Larson’s Room win was well-deserved, and even though I thought Blanchett gave a better performance by a hair, she’s had a total of two Leading wins already, so it’s clearly Brie’s time to shine. As for Mark Rylance’s gong for EXTREME WHITEKNUCKLE ACTING in the otherwise glacial Bridge of Spies, I don’t have any enough words to express my discontent. Simon Ramshaw
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sually, I pretty much disagree with every winner. But this year wasn’t too bad - although Carol not even getting a look into any of its nominated categories was an absolute travesty. Mad Max: Fury Road got almost everything it deserved, but a snub in the soundtrack category was just baffling - and Lady Gaga’s overlooked ballad ‘Til it Happens to You should have won Best Original Song over Sam Smith’s sub-par Bond theme. But with more and more outstanding films being nominated in the main categories, realistically the winners are never going to be exactly who we want them to be. The Academy voters have been emboiled in controversy this year for the lack of diversity among the nominees, and there are plenty of films that were overlooked - Beasts of No Nation, Creed, Straight Outta Compton - but considering how strong this year’s candidates were, the actual results have turned out pretty much as I expected them to. Rhian Hunter
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hat a night! I was pretty happy with the results here, to be honest. I didn’t care for Mark Rylance, or Bridge of Spies in general really, so to see Tom Hardy get snubbed there was annoying. I really enjoyed Ex Machina and Inside Out, and was glad they got the recognition they deserved. I thought George Miller really deserved Best Director though, after spending a tremendous amount of time trying to get Fury Road made. But none of that matters, because the man of the night, and professional tear in my heart Leonardo DiCaprio finally got the golden statue that he should have had way back in 1993 when he played Arnie Grape. If I was the president of the Academy, the awards would have their own section solely for ‘Best Leonardo DiCaprio Performance’ which he would win every year, but that’s just me. Like, have you seen Romeo + Juliet? Jesus. Jordan Oloman
f there’s anything to take away from the 88th Academy Awards, it’s that marginalised groups need a platform. From Kevin Hart and Chris Rock addressing Black Lives Matter, to Lady Gaga sending a powerful message about consent and sexual assault, and yes, Leo dedicating his acceptance speech to climate change and how it affects indigenous societies, this year’s Oscars were not about who won, but rather, who’s winning globally, and how we can tackle this. Of course, there’s the supposed ‘shock’ of Spotlight taking Best Picture from The Revenant (the Academy don’t like awarding people consecutively), and somehow Sam Smith won for that god-awful Bond theme, but ultimately viewers tuned into something not just about obsessing over J-Law’s bob. It’s an event that showcases progress, highlighting the talents of the world’s most diverse auteurs, giving them a voice. So perhaps stop celebrating that Fury Road dominated the technical categories, and instead see what the film represents for our journey to become an intersectional society. Zoe Godden
34.tvfeatures TV Editors: Hannah Bunting & Helen Daly
Steven Universe: Gem and Tonic Open your mind, and your liver, to the magic of Steven Universe with Zoë Godden this week. You will need: - A bottle of wine/cans of beer. - Vodka or any other spirit. - Some fabulous Fusion-inspired cocktails. - All of your Ruby and Sapphire fanfics stashed away before your friends arrive. 1. When the theme song plays, drink until Steven’s last lyric.
Play that ukelele like you play my heart strings 2. If someone refers to Gem history, drink. Finish it if it turns into a flashback. 3. Take a shot if you’re treated with a new song (two if it’s got a ukulele in it). 4. Spot an anime or Estelle reference? That’s another shot.
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Have a bingin’ Easter
Easter is coming, and it’s looking dangerously like you might have to actually get some work done. Reece Hanson has your back, procrastinators, with the top four vaguely academic shows you can binge-watch in the break, totally guilt-free
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or law students, idly wondering what life could be like five years down the line if you ever get to revising for that exam will naturally lead to a binge of Suits. Mike Ross’ (Patrick J. Adams) ability to recall anything he has ever read lands him a job as an associate for one of New York’s best lawyers, Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht), despite having never so much as attended law school. Protecting Mike’s secret from the firm’s Managing Partner, Jessica Pearson (Gina Torres) and slavedriver Louis Litt is a must. Yet when his old life comes back to haunt him, in the shape of best friend Trevor, Mike’s new life threatens to unravel. Word of warning, a Suits binge will inevitably lead to immense envy. Between the lavish lifestyles and Mike’s lack of any Law degree, Better Call Saul may seem a better choice, but at the very least Suits will leave you with a Harvey Specter strut as you march back into the Robbo to do what Mike never could. The nature/nurture debate takes centre stage in when Sarah Manning discovers the secret of her past in Orphan Black, making it perfect procrastination viewing for both Biology and Psychology students. Watching as her doppelganger takes her own life, Sarah is left to piece together the jigsaw. Unknowingly the subject of an illegal cloning experiment, Sarah’s battle to protect daughter Kira brings her face-to-face with her clones, and not all of them are welcoming. Battling identity issues and
genetic flaws brought about by untried scientific experiments, Sarah and her clones are scattered around North America and Europe. Tatiana Maslany stars, almost unrecognisably, as gun-wielding housewife Alison, scientist Cosima, assassin Helena, and protagonist Sarah Manning herself, as well as the numerous other clones in the series.
With short, ten-episode seasons, and ahead of season four premiering this year, there has never been a better time to binge. Make no mistake about it; a House binge will take a monumental effort. With 177 episodes spread across eight seasons, it’s a challenge not for
the faint of heart. While there is no shortage of medical dramas, with Code Black the latest to follow ER, House is perfect for those Medic students come this time of year. Starring the illustrious Hugh Laurie as Dr. Gregory House, a man whose grumpy, irritable nature and general dislike of people may be relatable. For all the emphasis on the show as a medical procedural, House’s own story makes this one stand out. Addicted to pain medication following an earlier leg injury, House must battle his own demons as well as fixing everybody else’s. His unconventional methods may often be frowned upon, but he’s always right… most of the time. With season four of political drama House of Cards airing recently, will there be a better time for Politics students to go back to Frank’s early days as a U.S. Congressman? Having been passed over for a seat at the big table as Secretary of State, House of Cards follows Frank Underwood as his revenge plot ensures. Out to sabotage President Walker’s term in office, Frank, played by Kevin Spacey, will stop at nothing to exact revenge on those who betrayed him. While lot has changed in the last four seasons, as casualty after casualty has fallen to Frank’s mission, his hunger for power remains. And by his side is the equally ruthless Claire (Robin Wright). Having played her part in Frank’s rise, Claire is not someone Frank can afford to cross now.
Big screen to small screen Brooklyn Ward tells us about the movie characters she wants to see with a TV series 5. Whenever a Fusion appears, swap drinks with another player and down it. 6. Garnet is Best Mom, so drink every time she gives words of wisdom. 7.Pearl getting gay over Rose again? Drink to wash away that saltiness. 8. Every time Amethyst shapeshifts, take a shot. All the better for you if she does it in succession. 9. Drink when Peridot calls someone a clod. Add a shot if she pulls an exaggerated expression. 10. And every time someone cries, down your drink to help you digest the tears you’ve shed over a bunch of cartoon characters.
Waking up without a hangover like...
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ometimes two hours just isn’t enough. In an age where binge watching basically turns every series into a super long film, having a story told in 90 minutes can be a novelty— or it can leave us feeling cheated. No one could have predicted how successful and well-done the This is England TV series would be, but it didn’t feel like a spin-off, it felt like a natural progression and was one of the rare cases of a successful film to TV transition. However, this isn’t always the case. Our endless search for something more at the end of the film is sometimes overkill, and in searching for endings we lose what made the film special. The first on my list of shows dues for a TV remake was Clueless, naturally. There has never been, and probably never will be, a better high school drama. The outfits, the catchphrases, the slightly incestuous relationship between Cher and her stepbrother —it’s incredible and could easily be spun out for a couple of series. Turns out, I’m not the only one who thought this. The spin-off series ran for three seasons, with Paul Rudd and Alicia Silverstone were replaced by lookalikes. It’s a little jarring but it’s better than nothing. Stacey Dash as Dionne is still there, flying the flag for the original ‘Clueless’ cast and continuing to bless us all with her fabulous hats. Deadpool was another popular choice for the TV treatment. I don’t
necessarily agree with this one because, although it was fun for a few hours, the novelty of Deadpool being aware he’s in a cartoon might wear thin if he had his own TV show.
“I could certainly spend a series or two rooting for Elle Woods to find different ways of linking hair-care to murder cases.”
Having said that, he is an interesting superhero, and if his show is anything similar to the 1966 Batman series I would definitely watch it. The over the top acting and low-fi special effects would probably suit him and there are certainly enough stories to draw on from his comics. Even Superman—arguably one of the most boring and goodytwo-shoes superhero in the DC/ Marvel universes—got his own show. Plus, think how happy it would make Ryan Reynolds! And while we’re on the subject of unlikely heroes, why didn’t Legally Blonde get its own show? Elle Woods, for all her wealth and beautiful hair, was still an underdog, and I could certainly spend a series or two rooting for her to find different ways of linking haircare to murder
cases and using her extensive fashion knowledge to change the world. Like Clueless’s Cher, Elle’s outfits are a joy to behold and Reese Witherspoon basically looks the same as she did in 2001—I don’t think it’s too late for a reprisal. Or they could take the This is England approach and purposely use the aging of the cast in the storyline. This way, characters can slip in and out of stories seamlessly with no need to hire lookalikes (I’m looking at you, Clueless TV show). The best films have their stories encapsulated within them and leave us wanting more. At the end of This in England ‘90- the final series- we are still left with questions and a yearning for just one more series, and maybe that’s the way things are meant to be. No matter how many series we get of something, if it’s good it will probably never be enough. Maybe we should stop our quest for more and just accept that some things should be left as they are. I’m still rooting for Legally Blonde 3 though.
The Courier
highlightstv.35
Tuesday 8 March 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/tv c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_tv
Hashtag Not Dead
Geek Peek
In the spirit of new beginnings, second chances and writers heartlessly toying with the emotions of their fans, Errol Kerr has scoured the TV archives to bring us his picks of the the top five TV resurrections of all time. Spoilers. Obviously. 5) Rory, Doctor Who
This is on the list because it’s well-known, but so high up because the experience of death is something that’s pretty regular on this show, whether The Doctor himself or other characters that just somehow turn back up. So, let’s have a think. He gets blasted and dissolved the first time, but that was just a dream. Then he gets removed from existence entirely, and brought back when he is willed back into existence (if only it was that easy). Shame he and Amy couldn’t just avoid those Weeping Angels.
4) The Winchesters, Supernatural Sam and Dean Winchester have died more times than I can count. The Winchesters have had meetings with death and been to Hell and back an unhealthy number of times – and
there’s an entire episode dedicated to killing off Dean in the most varied of ways – hit by a car, a chest of drawers dropped on him, attacked by a dog, slipping in the shower, electrocuted whilst shaving, the list goes on. Hell, there’s a ten minute montage of their collective deaths on YouTube. And yet, they just keep coming back. Wonder if there’s a way to permanently put them down now we’re on, what, eleven series?
3) Beric Dondarrion, Game of Thrones It turns out that challenging The Hound in single combat tends to be a bad call. Despite Beric setting his blade aflame with his blood, The Hound proceeds to cut through Dondarrion’s sword – and most of his shoulder. As it goes, the leader of the Brotherhood Without Banners should have been a corpse. However, Thoros of Myr, the drunken priest of the Lord of Light, runs to his side. As Arya tells the hound to “burn in hell”, the unmistakable voice of Beric Dondarrion announces that “he will, but not today.” Turns out that he’s died six times and been resurrected regularly by Thoros, however each death has led to his memories and personality being chipped away. With this in mind, I shall say two words: Jon Snow. Moving on…
2) Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock This one’s a literary legend – Holmes was such a
Imogen Scott Chambers
While I don’t watch the show, it’s undeniable that the death of the Griffin family’s dog, Brian, caused massive upset for the fans of the show. Brian ends up under the wheels of a speeding car, and the family all spend time saying a tearful goodbye. Not a show well known for its emotional moments, the family spent their time mourning – however a few weeks, a replacement dog and many petitions from angry fans later, the Christmas special episode sees Stewie travels back in time in order to jump in front of the car and push Brian out of the way. It might be worth watching out for Seth McFarlane’s TV show now – as he might just drop someone else with a lesser chance of revival…
Quantico
9pm, Alibi, Thursday
Amazon Prime, Friday
11pm, Dave, Monday
he first season of The Last Man on Earth was a comedy rollercoaster ride. Phil Miller (Will Forte) went from thinking he was the last human on Earth, to the last man, only to discover that he is actually one of a group of survivors. From there he had various relationships and complications with other characters leading to comedy gold. So what will season two have in store for us? In an interview last year, Forte revealed that the last season had a large focus on re-population and coupling but season two is going to centre on different facets of the post apocalyptic lifestyle. I expect that the next series will probably focus on rebuilding societies infrastructure, such as setting up a government, a justice system, laws and other societal institutions. This will be a welcome change from the last season which seemed to be overbearingly obsessed with relationships, sex and marriage, albeit providing priceless moments that left you laughing for hours afterwards, still, it was done to death and the writers need to squeeze some funny from some different places. I hope that it keeps it quirky comedic style. The first season offered viewers a fresh take on the apocalyptic genre. Every episode was an amalgamation of hilarity, grotesqueness, ingenuity and sadness. Will Forte’s subtle acting talent made you both empathise and hate Phil Miller at times, but this is the beauty of the show. The character is real and if this realness slips away in the next season, so will the viewers.
1) Brian, Family Guy
Bosch
Last Man on Earth
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popular character that Conan Doyle had to bring him back in the books due to fans complaining about his death. The story of The Reichenbach Fall was reiterated in the final episode of series 2 of BBC’s Sherlock, with Holmes apparently falling to his death in order to save John. At the end of the episode, John leaves Sherlock’s grave, asking him to just “don’t be dead” – at which point, the camera pans across to reveal Sherlock watching John from a distance, setting up series 3… which occurred two years later. Loving the suspense, Moffat/Gatiss. Sure, he wasn’t *technically* dead, but we were all fooled, weren’t we?
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mazon’s first original hour-long crime drama series Bosch is back for season two. For those of you who are not familiar with the show, the storyline revolves around Harry Bosch, an LAPD homicide detective who is obsessed with his work. Last season, he worked on the murder of a 13-year-old boy while also standing trial in federal court for the murder of serial killer. The second season picks up where season one left off. The story will follow the relentless LAPD detective who will investigate the murder of a Hollywood producer, who laundered money for the mob. Bosch will also pursue serial killer called Chilton Hardy that takes him from Hollywood Hills to the gritty streets of Los Angeles and Las Vegas, threatening his teenage daughter and ex-wife. The stars of the show, Titus Welliver, Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, Annie Wersching, Sarah Clarke, and Jason Gedrick are all back for the second season. The show is based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling Harry Bosch book series that sold nearly 50 million copies. The new season is based on Connelly’s novels Trunk Music, The Drop and The Last Coyote. Since its first season in 2015, the show has become one of the most successful original series on Amazon. According to Amazon, the season one the show racked up the biggest debut weekend among the other Amazon Original Series. Also, it was the most-watched title on Prime Instant Video in its first four weeks. If you haven’t watched the show, you can catch up with the first season on Amazon before the second season returns on Friday, March 11th 2016. Nathasya Gunawan
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icking off its first UK season and already renewed for its second, Alibi’s latest thriller series promises everything you’d expect from a show of its kind. The trailer alone is a glorious mixture of guns, sex, and a hammy firstperson voiceover from star Priyanka Chopra. Chopra takes her turn here as FBI recruit Alex Parrish, shipped off to the show’s namesake training base to be whipped into shape to defend the good old US of A from the forces of evil. Her big plans go pear-shaped, however, when the biggest terrorist attack since 9/11 hits. Rumour has it that it’s an inside job, and Parrish soon finds herself under close scrutiny. The trailer showcases a promisingly diverse cast that could go far towards moving on from the usual ‘muscular white man in a suit vs. tough woman with a striking inner sensuality just trying to make it in this man’s world’ formula we’ve become so accustomed to seeing on our screens. The audience can only hope that the show itself will deliver on this promise. The show promises action, thrills, and enough cheese to rival the dairy aisle at Tesco. The writing and narrative quality are yet to be seen, but, in all honesty, this probably isn’t the kind of TV you’ll be shouting about, except to demand some kind of proof that Priyanka Chopra is in fact human, and not some kind of super-species genetically engineered to bring peace to the world through the medium of perfect skin and almost unnatural facial symmetry
Hannah Bunting
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fter a critically acclaimed season one, Daredevil is returning for a second season, heralded by a flood of rumours and trailers, but what should we expect? First of all, Matt, Foggy and Karen still seem to be in business together, and it looks like there’s a potential romance between Karen and Matt. Of course, the fact that Matt is Daredevil is still a secret to her, though it’s quite likely she’ll learn the truth this series. Karen also obviously has some secrets of her own that have yet to be revealed. It’ll be interesting to see the dynamic between Foggy and Matt, now that Foggy knows who the man in the mask is. Foggy was supportive in the series finale as the fight against The Kingpin came to an end, but without the massive threat of The Kingpin we might see Foggy take a more negative stance. Though The Kingpin is currently incarcerated, it would not be surprising to see him return given not only his importance during season one, but his acclaim and popularity outside of the show. Having said that, if The Kingpin was brought back this season in a major role, it might make it difficult to imagine the show without him making further seasons difficult.
“The Punisher represents what Matt could have been, or perhaps what he is yet to become.” The official trailers show that Elektra and The Punisher will have major roles in the new season. The Punisher offers an interesting new perspective, as his methods differ from Daredevil’s in the fact that he has no problem killing his enemies. Matt Murdock has struggled with this issue in the past and The Punisher represents what he could have been or perhaps what he is yet to become. The murky morality of The Punisher means that it is also unclear whether he will primarily an enemy or an ally to Daredevil, though confrontation between the two is certain. Elektra, likewise, also has an interesting moral compass, being portrayed as both a hero and a villain in the comics. From the trailers, it appears that this version of Elektra will be fighting against The Hand alongside Daredevil, but their alliance is likely to be quite complicated. With Elektra being Matt’s ex-girlfriend, the setup allows for a lot of tension, especially as they fight against The Hand, a mysterious Yakuza-like group of ninjas. Last season, the mystical undertone of The Hand’s schemes felt at odds with the gritty tone of the rest of the show and out of place at times. If the role of The Hand and mystical forces is increased, the entire feel of the show could change. While not necessarily a bad thing, this may alienate fans of season one. This particular plotline will also likely bring back Stick and Stone, the mysterious people who are in part responsible for creating Daredevil for some goal which has been touched upon but not explained. The father/son dynamic between Stick and Matt is always enjoyable and it would be nice to see this explored further. All in all, Daredevil season two really looks like something to look forward to. Whether it can emulate the highs of season one and create an antagonist as developed and engaging as The Kingpin remains to be seen, but with the addition of Elektra and The Punisher to the mix, it’ll certainly be interesting.
36.gaming
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Gaming Editors: Michael Hicks, Ollie Burton & James McCoull
Top 5 games that tanked on launch
Club Trope-icana: Secret Areas
Errol Kerr recalls titles with James McCoull delves into the nooks and crannies of video games so you don’t have to less-than-stellar initial success hether it be the hard-earned prize of work for you: in addition to tips and guides for ample: riddled with so many areas hidden behind 5. Psychonauts Bear with me. I know, right? It’s an amazing game! A complete cult classic, which really picked up in 2012 after Steam sales and the like. However, you weren’t there in 2005. Yes, the gameplay and storyline is absolutely fantastic, I won’t even contest that, but its release was underwhelming, with such massive losses upon its release that the CEO of Majesco resigned and their stock plummeted drastically. Thankfully, their modern release on Steam has revived one of the best games nobody had played.
4. Duke Nukem: Forever Duke Nukem: Forever was announced as a sequel to the fantastic Duke Nukem 3D – which was released to fantastic reviews and sales in 1996. After a sequel was announced in 1997, which could have been a fantastic game of its time, the disappointing sequel that eventually turned up was released in 2011. Yes, fifteen years later. And whilst the gameplay was what you’d expect from a 21st century shooter game, the humour and some of the graphics looked like they’d come straight out of the 1990s. Overall, the series clearly should have stopped whipping the Duke for cash in 1996.
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the meticulous explorer, or a freak discovery of the hopelessly lost, games have had secret areas hidden away in their code for decades. In the early days, these were often walls that slid back, blended into identical textures and seemingly something you never found yourself so much as heard from friends and relatives, passed down like ancestral knowledge. We all know about the warp zone from World 1-2 of Super Mario Bros., but how many of you actually found it yourself?
“Finding it when you already know it’s there is like buying yourself an Easter egg: nothing is different, but it’s somehow less satisfying.”
Of course, the internet – and more specifically the advent of a global gaming community – has had a hand in that in years since. Sites like GameFAQs make their ad revenue by doing the hard
games, most of them include comprehensive lists of all the little nooks and crannies lovingly hidden away by the developers. On the one hand, this massively streamlines the gaming experience for the compulsive 100%-er, a serious boon with more and more games hitting shelves all the time. Purists, on the other hand, might argue that guides to finding secret areas in fact undermine the whole point of a secret area in the first place. And sure, it’s tempting to get someone else to do the work for you, but it’s certainly an understandable point of view. If you’ve ever found a secret area purely by chance, you know how satisfying it is to come upon that knowledge, or even better by finding it after looking on a hunch and having your insight rewarded. But finding it when you already know it’s there is like buying an Easter egg for yourself: strictly speaking, nothing is different, but it’s somehow less satisfying. Of course, the rewards beyond the thrill of exploration can be plenty. Secret areas can skip chunks of the game – a vital tool for speedrunners – or give access to useful equipment otherwise hard to come by. Take the Metroid series, for ex-
wall tiles and atop high areas that it’s practically more secret than main level. Missile expansions, energy tanks and even certain weapon upgrades are reserved for the adventurous and the cunning, so it can improve your game experience massively by sneaking a peek at a forum here and there for a little help.
“Purists might argue that guides to finding secret areas undermine the point...”
Secret areas have certainly come a long way, and yet ostensibly changed very little. Some games still even have little chimes and pop-up messages for finding one a la Legend of Zelda or DOOM – Shadow Warrior, for example, apes the classic FPS in this fashion. In the end, they’ll always be out there, and it’s up to you to decide how to find them – will you succumb to the temptations of Google’s ‘easy way out’, or take the road less travelled and unearth them yourself? Either way, there are plenty of secrets waiting to be discovered: happy hunting.
Journey is known for its stunning visuals and amazing sense of atmosphere.
3. Tomb Raider: Angel of Darkness Prior to the phenomenal reboot of Tomb Raider, Eidos attempted to make a darker and grittier Lara Croft, and thus Tomb Raider: The Angel of Darkness was born – or should I say, ripped from the belly of gaming hell. Taking everything that the franchise had initially and throwing it out of the window, the graphics were average, the gameplay poor and glitchy, the camera angles awful and the story not even worth playing, there’s a reason another sequel, Tomb Raider: Legend took three years – the entire franchise was transferred from Core Design to Crystal Dynamics.
2. Too Human When Silicon Knights spent nine years and almost $100 million on a game, you’d think that this would be a complete success. The idea of a science-fiction take on Norse mythology should be a complete success, right? Wrong. This third-person action RPG was initially planned for release on the PS1, however ended up being released on the Xbox 360 and PS3. The game itself just couldn’t sell enough, and it doesn’t help that Epic Games then threw a lawsuit at their child company for breaking contract – dropping the Unreal Engine for their own engine just months before release. The result? This game was recalled and removed from online marketplaces. If you still have a copy, you’re one of a select few (including myself).
1. ET: The Extraterrestrial I couldn’t forget to include this. This game was released for the Atari 2600 in 1982. You’d think that a game based upon such a legendary film would have a fantastic game – however having only six weeks to develop and release the game for Christmas of 1982 led to what can only be described as a complete flop. Still known as one of the worst videogames in history, this one tanked so hard that it was partially responsible for the videogame market crash back in 1983, and the death of Atari – with as many materials as possible disposed of in a landfill site in New Mexico and hidden under rubbish and rumour until 2014. Should’ve quit while you were ahead, Duke
Image; Playstation.Blog on flickr
What I’m Playing: Journey
Andrew Evans goes on a journey of self-discovery in this sandy, artsy cult favourite
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riting about Journey is difficult. Having played through it, the vague advertising around the game suddenly makes a lot more sense: it is best to start your journey unspoilt. This isn’t because there’s some grand Game of Thrones-esque plot twist or a super-secret area where all your hopes and dreams will come true (in fact, the game itself is simple). It is designed to allow you to interpret it in your own way, meaning every player will experience something rather different. Having varying interpretations is something that lead designer Jenova Chen wished for, stating that “people have to experience a powerful range of feelings”. Journey sees you play as a robed figure in a desert aiming to get to the summit of the mountain looming in the distance. And that’s all the game gives you to start with. No tutorial, no overly long cutscene, nothing. For reasons that will become clear, this is done with purpose and to great effect. You truly get the feeling you are exploring a new world, with every encounter providing clues as to what happened in this mysterious area you find
yourself in. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself so engrossed in this beautifully realised world that a simple fact will escape you: there is no dialogue. All story progression is told through art, helping the game play up to one of its major strengths: its visuals.
“Journey is an odd mix of simplicity and beauty.”
If you’re familiar with thatgamecompany’s back catalogue, games like ‘flOw’ and particularly ‘Flower’, will teach you to expect a visually striking game. Journey carries on this tradition, echoing elements of Wind Waker’s cel-shaded graphics. From the marks that are left in the sand to the grand vistas shimmering in sunlight, the sumptuous visuals will captivate you throughout. As will Austin Wintory’s score, whose Journey soundtrack was nominated for a Grammy in 2012, a first in video game history. The music interacts with certain actions in the game, immersing you further into its beautiful world. The range of tracks on offer here (from tranquil songs to sweeping orchestral pieces) is fantas-
tic and truly adds to the whole experience. The gameplay in Journey is simple, allowing the game to be enjoyed without having to remember overly complicated sequences of buttons. You can perform two actions: jump or emit a musical note to interact with the environment, meaning the game can introduce new ways to play seamlessly, with clues on how to progress captured in the symbols discovered throughout. At times, the game allows the player to take a backseat and soak up the visuals as you glide or surf your way through the world. The gameplay is designed to be as unintrusive as possible, providing a means to explore without creating any unnecessary obstacles for the player. Journey is an odd mix of simplicity and beauty. Easy-to-master gameplay compliments the stunning aesthetics and epic soundtrack, leading you through an intricate yet wordless story. Do yourself a favour and free up 2-3 hours to play through this game unspoilt. Its simplicity on the surface betrays a complexity that will keep you coming back to soak up the beautiful world “just one more time”.
The Courier
gaming.37
Tuesday 8 March 2016
A Wild Direct Appears! New Pokémon Games! Richard Liddle takes us through Nintendo’s last update on the world of Pokémon
thecourieronline.co.uk @Courier_Gaming
Rollin’ Rollin’ Rollin’ Ollie Burton examines a game about balls. Minds out of the gutter, please.
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ith Pokemon reaching its twentieth anniversary on 27th February, Nintendo has been doing its best to give the franchise a birthday to remember, with various new games such as Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon and the Tekken crossover Pokken being released this year, as well as the re-release of the original Pokemon games on the 3DS Virtual Console to get the nostalgia pumping. So naturally, when it was announced that there was going to be a special five-minute Nintendo Direct dedicated to Pokemon’s 20th, the hype train picked up even more speed and the rumour mill went into overdrive. The general assumption was that the next main games in the series would be announced; some were expecting Pokemon Z, the long-awaited follow-up to X and Y, others were claiming that a leaked Nintendo of America marketing schedule confirmed the existence of Pokemon Rainbow and then the day before the Direct somebody found trademarks and logos for Pokemon Sun and Moon. Then the Direct finally arrived, with the Pokemon Company’s CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara being
introduced via a throwback to the title screens of the original Red and Blue. After a short introduction came a video showing off how the games have evolved over the years, culminating in what everyone had been waiting for: the announcement of the next games, Pokemon Sun and Moon, releasing later this year on 3DS.
“...the hype train picked up even more speed and the rumour mill went into overdrive.”
However, that’s about all the information we’ve been given, apart from a glimpse behind the scenes of development showing some concept art of a hotel and a 3D model of what looks like some sort of bird Pokemon. One final announcement was made, though: Pokemon caught in the re-released 3DS versions of Red, Blue and Yellow will be transferable to Sun and Moon via the Pokemon Bank storage service, meaning that Pokemon from the original games can finally be transferred all the
Memory card: The Sims 2
Tom Shrimplin geshniflu bah, benoola fellah! Senny nesh nesh.
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game that I hold dearly in my heart, and kick-started my love for gaming (alongside the hilarious Theme Hospital); The Sims 2 was an incredible game that built on the success of the first in early every way.. Coming with features such as life stages ranging from babies to elder, an expanded Create-a-Sim and a new aspiration system, The Sims 2 brought new stuff to the table, in terms of how it is possible to improve simulation-style games. I first remember playing The Sims 2 while I was at my Grandad’s home, making a family then only 1 hour later had already having killed one of my sims in a kitchen fire. The first time was an accident. However from then on I was hooked in being a virtual god, building homes, making sims and then playing out their lives. The freedom to create your own stories and just mess about with no overall mission over then the arbitrary aims you set yourself makes the game entirely your own.
“Who didn’t like the arrival of the Social Bunny when they reached the point of social failure...”
Sometimes, you may create a new neighbourhood where you play with sim-versions of your friends and families, as well as torment the simversions of people you hate in real life. Who didn’t like the arrival of the Social Bunny when they reached the point of social failure, starving them to death or making them wet themselves? You may also choose to play in one of the pre-set neighbourhoods: Pleasantview (which is set 25 years after the original game); Strangerhood, which as the name would suggest is quite strange (hint: alien babies, test subject sons etc.) and finally the Shakespearethemed Veronaville. Then there are cheats like motherlode (which I believe everybody wishes would exist in real life) to gain tons of cash instantly, stretch your sims into lengthy aberrations that will definitely give you nightmares, or you could even prevent your favourite Sims from aging. Spawning the Tombstone of Life and Death was my favourite cheat in the game as it could enable just about anything. I
remember causing complete chaos in one neighbourhood by resurrecting dead Sims and turning them into zombies with this cheat. Of course let’s not forget EA’s penchant for taking more money out of your pocket, a number of expansions were released all adding a number of new features to the base game. The first being the University expansion, including learning about the American college system and mascots in llama costumes stripping. Later expansions included everybody’s favourite, Pets (which brought in both cats and dogs), as well as Seasons, which introduced, well, seasons plus weather and gardening. All expansions helped add even more content into what was already an excellent game. Ultimately I think the thing that defines this game as the series high at least for me is the fact that it had a distinct charm and was clearly a game that was lovingly crafted by the Maxis team, which just isn’t as apparent in its successors. Simception!
Image; Jimmy Dali on YouTube
way to the most recent. It’s not clear exactly how this will be managed, given that in the 20 years since the originals were released the stat system and movesets of Pokemon have been completely revamped, but it’s a nice touch all the same. It’s nice to think that the companions I made on my first ever Pokemon adventure can still be part of the world in some small way. Overall, it was an impressive presentation that, while not revealing much, has certainly created a lot of buzz around the newest entries in the series. It has raised a few questions surrounding the long-rumoured Pokemon Z, however. Many had assumed that the announcement of new Zygarde formes and a movie entitled “Pokemon XY and Z” meant that the traditional third entry of the generation was on its way, but the announcement of Sun and Moon seems to have knocked that theory on the head. Whether this means Sun and Moon are in fact sequels to X and Y in a similar vein to Black and White 2 or they’re a new generation with Zygarde somehow incorporated into the plot is uncertain, but all in all, one thing is clear: it’s going to be a good year for Pokemon fans.
Kojima-king me crazy
Michael Hicks follows the saga of the MGS wizard
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amescom 2014 will go down as one of the defining moments in video game history. It was at this event that was assumed to be a small indie team called 7780s Studios took to the Sony stage and announced a new horror game; releasing a trailer and a playable demo for their little pet project. Something definitely didn’t add up. The demo was called P.T, and it was immediately clear that there was more to it then met the eye. Taking control of a man doomed to wander an ever slightly changing looping hallway haunted by a ghost named Lisa, the player’s job was to solve a series of obtuse puzzles to break the loop and escape. People grouped together on Twitch to solve these tricky puzzles as a community, and gamers were very surprised by what we learned. It turns out that P.T. was a demo for a reboot of the beloved Silent Hill franchise, named Silent Hills, and 7780s Studios was a cover name for a team consisting of revered game designer Hideo Kojima, beloved cult director Guillermo Del Toro and Walking Dead leading man Norman Reedus. Everything seemed perfect. After that, after a tumultuous year, which saw Konami burn bridges and squander their decades of good will, Silent Hills was cancelled in April 2015, with P.T. being pulled from the Playstation Network days later. Later in the year, after the release of Metal Gear Solid V, Hideo Kojima would leave Konami (the place he called home for near three decades) he decided to leave Konami and set up his own studio, announcing his first independent project would be in collaboration with Sony. However, the rumour mill starting turning once again when Kojima tweeted an photo of a meeting with Reedus, stating that he was giving him an update on the state of his company. Kojima then co-hosted a panel with Del Toro at the DICE Summit a week later, discussing their creative visions. Could Kojima’s first project be a revival of Silent Hills under a different name, with Sony backing it with their money? Only time will tell.
id you ever have an insatiable desire to collect everything you hold dear into a rather large ball and roll it around? Oh good, I’m not the only one! Katamari Damacy (The Japanese translation being literally ‘clump soul’) is Namco’s action-puzzle title centred around this very bizarre mechanic. Our basic premise is thus – the King of All Cosmos has committed a blunder of galactic proportions, and knocked the stars from the sky. In order to fix this presumably quite traumatic situation, starting at tiny proportions, the Prince (you) must roll his ‘katamari’ and collect everyday objects (be it thumbtacks, snails, or even people) in order to increase its size. However, knocking into objects larger than your katamari will break items off and deplete your magnificent sphere. You should also take note of the objects you are about to incorporate – they change the handling of the ball. For example, if you were to pick up a pencil, prepare for some wonky manoeuvres when that side comes down. Level requirements are typically based around picking up certain items to satisfy an objective, or simply build a katamari of a certain size within a given time limit. Controls are nicely snappy and responsive, although it might take you a few minutes to get used to the double analog stick configuration, which can seem a little alien if you haven’t tried this scheme before. We are provided means of achieving extremely quick turns and other such changes in direction, which become extremely important once the katamari gains some momentum.
“It really is just another kind of wacky that is totally atypical of a western studio...”
The general theme with this title appears to be ‘unbridled surrealism’. I perhaps should have mentioned that this game is a Japanese import, and this becomes apparent rather quickly. It really is just another kind of wacky that is totally atypical of a Western studio. In a good way though. The characters, particularly the King, are extremely likeable, and there some gem pieces of hilarious dialogue. This probably stems from the fact that in the original the King was portrayed as a drunkard ruler, but this has not been carried over into the Western releases so he merely comes across as extremely eccentric, which almost seems funnier to me. It would be churlish not to mention the single but incredibly catchy theme song which manifests in a variety of ways within the game. Just play it to understand what I’m talking about here, trust me. In the pixel department, there’s nothing revolutionary going on here, but I must stress that it’s not a deal-breaker. The pseudo-cubism thing looks absolutely fantastic, and the game scaled perfectly when changing the magnitude of the katamari, cleverly and convincingly changing the depth of field. I imagine this allowed the developers to take some of the workload off the CPU during larger scenes, and I maintained a smooth 60fps during my testing without any hiccups. A tragically overlooked gem - rather hard to find, but I certainly recommend you try.
First the drawing pins, then the world!
38.gamingfeatures
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Gaming Editors: Michael Hicks, Ollie Burton & James McCoull
Prepare to die.
Flickr: Faizan Hassan
With Dark Souls III peering ominously from behind the imminent Easter Break, threatening stable minds and dissertations everywhere - we thought it was time to give this beloved cult series the (slightly bitter) adoration it deserves.
Michael Hicks looks back at the punishing title that started it all: Demon’s Souls
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he Playstation 3 had a huge year in 2009, which saw the releases of huge games such as Assassin’s Creed II, Modern Warfare 2 and Uncharted 2. However, that year also saw the release of something radically different. 2009 was the year that the then little-known From Software (previously known for the Armoured Core series) released Demon’s Souls. Set in a dark fantasy world, players take control of a hero who has bravely travelled in search of fame and glory to the kingdom of Boletaria, a land plagued by a cursed fog that summons blood-
Errol Kerr relives (and redies) the mighty Dark Souls
thirsty demons to feast on the souls of mortals.
“When you die (and that’s when, not if)...” Players create their own avatars, and in contrast to the typical open-world RPGs of the time such as Oblivion, Demon’s Souls had players travel through a series of linear (but very elaborate and meticulously-designed) levels, with items having to be earned in combat or looted from the corpse of one of your fellow fallen brothers-in-arms. Demon’s Souls boasted a truly unique online multiplayer,
in which players could leave helpful messages for other players in their single-player world, or join forces with other players in their world to assist or kill them. Demon’s Souls had another trick up its sleeve - it was hard. Combat was slow, heavy and methodical. Enemies were smart, worked together and hit like trucks. Bosses were huge, each being radically different from the last but all requiring skill and strategy to beat. To top it off, when you die (and it is when, not if) not only are you sent to the beginning of the area, but your health bar is halved, only
Iconic characters like Artorias are part of what makes the series so memorable. But the worlds themselves are just as rich and tragic.
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rom Software’s Dark Souls is the pinnacle of challenging gameplay, something I play now for pure enjoyment – even when I die. I remember picking up the game for the Xbox 360, getting back home, inserting the disc, going through character creation (spent too long there) – and entering the world of Lordran for the first time. The medieval fantasy setting was dark and gruelling from the outset – the world around you in various states of ruin, the plot left barren unless you ventured into it (which you really should, honestly) – and you begin the game as an undead, having to restore your humanity upon your (eventual) death. The game eases you in for the first five minutes – showing you movement and basic combat mechanics– before you walk into the main courtyard of the asylum and a titanic Asylum Demon drops in from the balcony above the exit, crushing anyone not quick enough. A game had killed me within the first six minutes of gameplay and that was it – I was hooked: this game wasn’t messing around when it told you to “prepare to die”. I was enthralled by the concept of death as a mechanic rather than just a punishment. Every death was part of a learning curve, each restoration of your humanity and subsequent attempt to retrieve your lost souls from where you died last time a challenge and aim rather than a gruelling, repetitive task. The game’s combat mechanics revolve around timing and skill – if you rush in, you’re going to die. If you don’t watch your back, you’re going to die. Every fight, whether the hordes of undead or various minibosses or bosses, forced you to think about what you were doing – if you’d thought things through and you were quick enough, you’d be more than fine; if you weren’t fast enough, you’d be dead within seconds. The game’s actual storyline requires significant focus from players – you’re not given much guidance throughout the game. The game takes openworld gameplay to a completely new level – other characters know as little as you do, and you have to explore through endless sewer passages, tight corridors and ruined cityscapes in order to progress through the game. If you wanted to work toward joining factions, you had to find them first. On top of this, no matter where you are, you could be under threat. If not from mobs of enemies, invasion of your world by other players is always a danger, no matter where you are, no matter what you’re doing. The threat of death was around every single corner, and this threat is where Dark Souls has always shone, and how its legacy was secured.
Image: From Software / Bandai Namco
becoming whole again when you’ve beaten a boss, proving you don’t need it. The cult that Demon’s Souls grew was small, but vocal and determined. The game received rave reviews upon release and helped put From Software, and the game’s director Hidetaka Miyazaki, on the map. Whilst Demon’s Souls was a little rough around the edges, and veered too close to unfairly hard one too many times, it remains one of the PS3’s finest games and is well worth a look for any one who wants to check out how this whole Souls thing started.
Reese Armstrong takes another trip to Yharnam in Bloodborne
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loodborne is arguably the PS4’s best game, certainly in terms of exclusives. The Lovecraftian inspired horror, created by From Software and helmed by Hidetaka Miyazaki is both similar and vastly different to the Souls series. With Dark Souls III looming we thought a reminder of Bloodborne’s greatness was needed. Set in the plagued city of Yharnam, Bloodborne takes players through a strange, nightmarish journey, all to stop the source of the infliction. The environments are ranged and varied but all of them radiate an evil that is persistent throughout the game. It’s amazing that the environments are so diverse and are yet intricately connected in a way where players can navigate them with ease. Battling your way through the many enemy-infested areas is challenging, but the shortcuts that are available offer respite from the struggle. The brutal difficulty is still apparent but the game’s fast paced combat makes for more messy and bloody encounters. A methodical and violent approach is needed to best Bloodborne’s enemies, most of which are the things of nightmares. Bosses such as Darkbeast Paarl and Vicar Amelia are fast and dangerous; the elation which comes from slaying them is a feeling that is perhaps only comparable in a game such as Monster Hunter. With that said the fighting can also be a graceful affair, especially against other hunters. Knowing when to dodge, slash and activate a visceral attack takes coordination and skill. Mechanically speaking the learning curve is vast, and it’s a game not suited to everyone, but besting enemies and gaining a deeper insight (pun intended) into how to play the game is rewarding. Playing Bloodborne solo is a great experience, but its use of multiplayer sets it apart from others in similar genres. The many notes and warnings left by players are useful to consider and can give you an advantage against bosses. Perhaps the biggest risk in Bloodborne is asking players for help by using the resonant and beckoning bell. By doing this you open your world to other enemy players who can kill you and obtain your blood echoes. Fights with online players are serious tests of your ability and you can see how far or how little you’ve progressed through them. Bloodborne is a strange and bizarre journey that will have you pulling your hair out in frustration. The endless night, horrific monsters and the consistent killing of the undying is something that you’ll wish to escape but also for it to never end. Bloodborne is so far the crowning exclusive of the PS4’s library and it’s likely to remain as such.
The Courier
gamingfeatures.39
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Prepare to die again.
James McCoull readies for the pilgrimage in Dark Souls III
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t feels like an age since our last visit to From Software’s gothic world of immortal, determined heroes facing a chain of ageless monsters just waiting to be put to the sword. No, not Bloodborne, the other one. But in fact it’s hardly been any time at all. Dark Souls II, strange as it may seem, only came out this time a couple of years ago, with the full-content Scholar of the First Sin edition arriving about a year later in all of its sixty frames per-second glory. And yet there’s no shortage of eagerness amongst From’s dedicated, overtly masochistic and rapidly growing cult following. Show me a Souls fan and I’ll show you a gamer that’s not
just fiercely loyal to what appears on the surface to be some kind of medieval-themed self-abuse simulator, but always, always yearning for more. So what’s there to be excited about? Well first and foremost what you’ll notice from the promotional footage and screenshots that From Software have been using very generously to whet our collective whistles is that Lothric, the setting for Dark Souls III, is more than living up to the series’ reputation for stunning environmental design. The distinctive fusion of Gothic and Baroque architecture is on full display in the form of sprawling castles and battlements, populated by familiar yet distinguished enemies. And speaking
of enemies, there’s some new ways to fight them in the form of Battle Skills. Taking a leaf from Bloodborne’s Trick Weapons, these skills are unique to each class of weapon and modify the way your attacks function. From the gameplay video it looks like this new (yet also familiar) feature promises to change the way you think about builds and in fact your strategies for enemy engagement as a whole. Storywise, it looks like we can expect more in the way of environmental storytelling. Souls has always been a series perfectly happy to let you meander from start to finish without a clue of what you’re doing or why (this, in fact, was the
state in which I completed Bloodborne) but for the determined player there’ll surely be a rich and fascinating tapestry of lore to unweave. Concrete details are scarce, but the recurrent images of maddened, immortal lords and fading flames are ubiquitous as ever. Unlike Dark Souls II’s Drangleic, however, Lothric looks like it’ll be a little more familiar to players of the first game in the series, with promotional material teasing locations and characters returned from the first game. All in all, everything we’ve seen looks as promising as FromSoft have led us to expect, and I for one eagerly await the torturous pleasures Dark Souls III has in store.
VICTORY ACHIEVED: Our tips to beat the bosses you love to loathe
The Tower Knight
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he Tower Knight is the first true trial your first-time Demon’s Souls player will face, and with his huge spear, massive statue and ginormous shield, he can really intimidate new players; especially as he appears at the end of a particularly tricky section; making messing up an infuriating (and very real) possibility. The first step is to run past the hulking Tower Knight and up on to the battlements behind him; taking out the archers as you go, ducking and weaving between the pillars to avoid a barrage of energy spears. From this point magic users have it easy; simply target the head with your soul arrows and wail away; the Tower Knight will yield in no time. For melee users, you’ve got a bit of a puzzle to solve first. The only weak point is his head, and in all of his three-story glory figuring out how to hit it can prove to be the real mystery; many players falter in the process of figuring it out. The way to reach it is to hack away at his heels until the big brute topples over, making his head easy pickings. Repeat this two or three times whilst dodging his stabs and shield smashes and you’ll soon achieve victory.
Ornstein & Smough
The Duke’s Dear Freja
his well-loved pair very much act as a so-called ‘skill wall’ in Dark Souls, and I’m sure you realise what I mean. If this is your run of the game, be sure to summon Solaire of Astora to help you, but this is definitely not worth the extra trouble in NG+. For a slightly easier time, make sure to kill the lightning-fast dragonslayer first - of course Smough will then gain his electrical capabilities but it’s far preferable to the giant Ornstein. Make sure to use the pillars behind you to take respite and heal, but be careful - Ornstein has been known to clip right through them, leading to an untimely death. Smough is incredibly susceptible to the bleed effect, so using a fast weapon such as Priscilla’s dagger or the Gold Tracer can keep him stunlocked as long as you have the stamina to keep up. If worst comes to worst, you can use the dung pies you saved from Blighttown to inflict Toxic on either of them in theory - but good luck getting Ornstein to stand still long enough.
ake it from me, this is one of those boss fights where you don’t want to take out the additional enemies first. Essentially the trick to beating Freja is strike the active head until it flinches, then run to her other side as quickly as humanly (or Hollow-ly?) possible. Her beam of light attack covers a huge area in front of her active head, and can’t be blocked, so again make a beeline for her far side. You can work this in with the above attack strategy to make sure you get hit very rarely if at all. The jumping strike can be quite damaging if it makes contact and is somewhat difficult to avoid due to its accurate tracking - your best bet is to roll right before she lands, having run underneath her body. Of course, if the smaller spiders become a problem feel free to take out a couple of them, but it’s easy to become bogged down and lose track of Freja. After dealing with her, grab the great soul at the end of the room, and continue onwards to take out the Duke himself with a sneaky critical hit to the back.
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Vicar Amelia
icar Amelia is a name that will make most Bloodborne players wince in pain, or scream in anger about how they’ve died yet again by her hand. Vicar Amelia is the third major boss in Bloodborne, and you need to take her down in order to progress; no easy feat, but these tips should make her a little more manageable. Hopefully you saved up your fire paper, as Vicar Amelia is rather flammable, so keeping a supply of the stuff before going in can make a world of difference. What makes her so dangerous is her wide variety of attacks, having options covering close range, long range, her sides and a few devastating combos to boot. The best place to hide is behind her legs, as that’s where she’s least likely to hit you, but keep on your toes and be prepared to move at a moments notice. You can also perform a visceral attack by repeatedly slashing at her legs, which can help a lot. Learning her tells and being aggressive are the keys to success.
The Courier
sciencefeature.41
Tuesday 8 March 2016
2016 Easter break bucket list
Stuck in the Toon for the next month? Bored of going to the pub over and over again? Look no further! We present you a selection of more and less known natural wonders and places of scientific interest in the UK. How many have you been to? 2. Mendip Hills
1. Giants Causeway 254 miles away*
The Mendip Hills is a unique location in Somerset, located just south of Bristol and Bath, which overlooks the Somerset Levels and Chew Valley. Spanning over 76 square miles and with the wide range of activities from hiking to cave diving, you’d be hard pushed to see it in a day. Among the sites you really can’t miss are Wookey Hole Caves, Chew Valley Lake, which boasts international importance for birds, and the more renowned Cheddar Gorge, with the highest inland limestone cliffs in the country. The dramatic ‘karst’ landscape comprises vast underground drainage systems and caves in addition to the surface formations of gorges, sinkholes and springs. These landforms were created by water reacting with the Carboniferous Limestone which dominates the local geology, with the exception of a small area of Silurian volcanic rocks. These sedimentary deposits date back to around 380 million years when buried debris, such as sand and shells, undergoes diagenesis to form limestone which is subsequently folded, uplifted and eroded to produce the scenic landscape you see today. The ideal place to escape to and forget the confines of the Robbo over the break. Louise Bingham
After just a quick dash across the Irish Sea and you can find yourself standing on one of the greatest natural wonders the UK has to offer. The Giants Causeway is located in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and is known as Clochán an Aifir to the locals. This breath-taking feature was formed around 60 million years ago during a period of intense volcanic activity (I know what you are thinking, but no; you don’t have to worry about a volcanic explosion during a visit in this geological age). The molten lava seeped through the chalk beds to form an expansive plateau. As the lava cooled, it contracted and formed fractures, like you would see in arid clay environments, which spread vertically to form the interlocking hexagonal columns. These huge pillars fit perfectly together all along the coastline creating a massive playground of stepping stones. Alternatively, legend states that the causeway was built by the giant Fionn Mac Cumhaill (hence the name) so that they could be used as stepping stones to enable him to cross the sea and meet the Scottish giant Benandonner. Whichever creation story you chose to believe, this is one natural marvel that is begging to be explored and wondered at. Louise Bingham *all distances are measured from NUSU
5. Kielder Observatory 51.7 miles away Not many people know that the third largest protected Dark Sky in the world lies just a stones throw away from Newcastle - albeit for someone with a pretty damn good arm. Just a short drive away from the fluorescent lights of the Toon’s nightlife and you can be meandering your way through 250 square miles of forest, also home to the biggest population of red squirrels, as you make your way towards Kielder Observatory. The welcoming warmth of a log fire and a steaming cup of hot chocolate will be awaiting you, as well as a plethora of stars, planets, nebulae and galaxies. Secreted away in the nation’s last great wilderness, the observatory offers the chance to embark on a laser-guided Night Safari through the constellations, hunting for Orion and Pegasus the Winged Horse. You can gaze through their immense telescope in to the depths of space or recline in their Moon chairs on one of their Aurora Nights, in eager anticipation of those magical Northern Lights flickering across the Northumberland horizon. And if that pesky British weather clouds it all, well you can always just nibble on some of their astronomically themed confectionary - Mars Bar or Milky Way anyone? Christopher Little
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3. Eden Project 441 miles away
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4. Centre for Life 1.5 mile away A little bit closer to home, the Centre for Life in Newcastle (down by Digi) has many on-going science events on over the Easter holidays that are suitable for all ages. For example, science fiction geeks can enjoy the new exhibition Robot featuring over 40 full-size robot models, cyborgs, heads and toys inspired by TV shows and films from the past 60 years, while those pyromaniacs can explore the story of colours, flames and flashes at the centre’s Bright Sparks talk in its very own science lecture theatre. Other events included in the general Science Centre admission price involve The Brain Zone (starting on March 25th) where you have the opportunity to come face to face with a real brain and take part in some psychological tests to explore the vast complexity of the human mind, how it works, and how it controls so many of your body’s functions. The centre also offers many adult workshops, live planetarium shows and extra events throughout the year in its modern facilities and is open every day each week and tickets cost £7.95 for students. It may be less busy during the school holidays due to fewer school groups, making Easter a great time to visit! Ellen Jones
If you happen to be down south in the West Country over the Easter holidays, the well-known Eden Project in Cornwall is a great science-orientated day out for all the family. This educational charity and social enterprise is a unique attraction build upon an ethos of environmental sustainability. Its vast greenhouses showcase ecologically important plants from around the world – check out the tropical rainforest biome with its canopy walkway and exotic fruit, cocoa and nut trees or feel like you’re on holiday in the more temperate Mediterranean biome and colourful outdoor gardens. As well as its on-going garden and wildlife exhibits, over the Easter holidays the Eden Project will be holding events such as the Easter Eggstravaganza which involves talks about chocolate growing and production in the biomes and its 60mph Sky Wire, Giant Gravity Swing and Freefall Jump rides are all open for adrenaline junkies from March 25th onwards. The Eden project tends to be open 9.30am until 6.00pm during the Easter holidays, plus you save 10% if you pre-book online. Ellen Jones
42.science&technology
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Science Editors: Louise Bingham, Iqra Choudhry & Anna Jastrzembska
Sea-ing to oceanic conservation
The recent dolphin selfie incident has brought the importance of sea-life stewardship to the forefront of environmental news but Matt Byrne questions if the world really is doing enough to protect and promote survival of maritime wildlife
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rom the dolphin that was passed around for tourist selfies at an Argentinian beach to the former Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott’s, destructive policies on the Great Barrier Reef, it is clear that recently there has been substantial negative publicity that we are not doing enough to conserve sea life. Until recently mankind viewed the oceans as an unlimited source of food. However, over fishing has become an increasingly major problem. It is estimated that 85% of fisheries are currently over fished and that 90% of adult tuna do not reproduce. As a consequence the extinction risk of blue fin tuna moved from “least concerned” to “vulnerable” in 2014. To prevent overfishing experts suggest eating more anchovies and other fish lower down the food chain, as fish lower down the food chain are more plentiful. Moreover the limited supply and increased demand for predators, such as tuna, drives prices higher and the increased price is an incentive for fishermen to fish predators further. The experts also suggest rewarding sustainable fishing, pun-
ishing unsustainable fishing, and promoting small fisheries as they have a smaller impact on the environment. Despite this advice, it is unlikely that there will be significant change unless consumer practices change or laws are introduced. After all who likes eating anchovies? As well as the fish themselves concerted efforts are needed to protect their environments. Coral reefs are an essential habit for many species of fish, however they are at risk. The deterioration of the coral reefs is primarily due to human activity. Currently 88% of coral reefs are endangered due to increased carbon dioxide, overfishing, destructive fishing and pollution. There appears to be no consensus on global warming, and it is estimated that the global temperature will increase by two degrees. Over fishing and destructive fishing methods are especially damaging for pacific island nations, such as Samoa and Indonesia, which rely heavily on fish as a food source. However, in some places a dangerous cycle has arisen. Strained coral supports fewer fish, which has lead to fishermen
using to more destructive fishing processes, such as cyanide and dynamite. While this is provides short-term solution, it results in long-term damage that compounds the problem. Solutions suggested include community education.
“88% of coral reefs are endangered due to increased carbon dioxide, overfishing, destructive fishing and pollution.”
However, this only targets the symptoms not the problem itself. Therefore more needs to be done to protect the coral reefs themselves, to prevent the problem arising in the first place. It is clear that more can be done to protect reefs and prevent deleterious fishing methods. It must be considered that the concept of marine
conservation has only existed since the 1970s and the effects of overfishing were not fully considered until recently. Behavioural changes and policies do take time to have an effect and therefore their effects may have not been fully felt yet. There are a number of charities that are involved in marine conservation, such as Green Peace, and some more militant organisations such as Sea Shepherd. These organisations work to conserve sea life, and have been relatively successful in doing so. Green Peace is a major proponent of marine conservation and due to their efforts Iceland’s fin whale hunt has been cancelled for 2016 and John West, a tuna company, agreed to 100% sustainable fishing due to Green Peace campaigns. While it is clear that not enough is currently being done to protect sea life, the movement towards protected oceans is gaining momentum. However, for marine conservation to be fully realised there needs to also be consumer education, and government involvement to develop laws to prevent damaging fishing practices.
Picking apart popular pseudoscience
Molecular biologist Ollie Burton examines and refutes the pseudoscience practices that grind his gears as a scientist
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ewer things get me wound up faster or more tightly than people trying to pass off unscientific garbage as the real deal. One of the things that will, however, is when such shills knowingly do this at the risk of the wellbeing of another human. When this happens, we have a much more serious problem. I tend to be quite unapologetic when it comes to dealing with pseudoscience, and it pervades our culture to a point that sincerely has me worried. But how exactly would one characterise a pseudoscientific belief? In this case it’s probably best to define what we mean by science – knowledge based on rigorous testing and strictly empirical research. Those who practice pseudosciences however are usually unwilling to submit to scrutiny by other researchers in their field, and tend to rely heavily on distortion of experimental results and confirmation biases.
“there’s something satisfying about watching people flounder, and this is a sure-fire way to observe a charlatan in their natural habitat” Obviously on the individual level it makes little difference if someone thinks they can read palms, for example. But large-scale groupthink and mass delusions can have very real sociological and eco-
nomic impacts. First and foremost – the so-called ‘antivaxxers’. I find them particularly aggravating, because whilst I respect the bodily autonomy of each and every individual out there, often they have children who might suffer because of their ignorance of demonstrable s cience. H e r d immunity r e -
quires t h at t h e vast bulk of the group be vaccinated, and of course some individuals cannot have the appropriate inoculations for medical reasons. However, we can protect such vulnerable people
by ensuring the rest of us aren’t walking polio conduits. No links to autism, no illuminati-style conspiracy to make us all drug-dependent, so remove your tinfoil hats at your own leisure. How about a more celestial pile of sparkly nonsense? That’s right – astrology. It boggles the mind to think that the location of distant heavenly bodies could have any impact on your life choices or personality, and with good reason. Next time someone offers to give you an astrological prediction, ask them about the mechanism by which this is supposed to work. There’s something grimly satisfying about watching people flounder, and this is a sure-fire way to observe a charlatan in their natural habitat, and poke them with a sceptical stick while you’re at it. But perhaps the group that succeeds in getting my proverbial goat with disturbing regularity is the homeopath community. No matter how many double-
blind controlled trials we perform, no matter how many times they fail to give a scientifically plausible means of action for the products, their positively absurd system survives.
“no illuminati-style conspiracy to make us all drug-dependent, so remove your tinfoil hat at your own leisure” Dissolve an infinitesimally small quantity of an active chemical ingredient into a relatively enormous quantity of water many times over. This is a on a scale of two orders of magnitude per division, so a so-called ‘1C’ dilution contains 1 part ingredient per 100 parts water, or a 1:100 ratio. The creator of the scale and founder of homeopathy, Joseph Hahnemann used to advocate for 30C dilutions of a given chemical agent. To give some sense of dilution scale, about 12C is where you will reach Avogadro’s limit, beyond which it is unlikely that even a single molecule of the original ingredient remains. But of course, homeopathy is still available in some NHS hospitals, funded by the taxpayer no less, with absolutely zero evidence that it does anything beyond placebo. My gears are sufficiently ground, and I can only pray that education improves to the point where this is no longer the case. To quote the great magician and sceptic James Randi – ‘If you open your mind too much, your brain will fall out.’
The Courier
technology&science.43
Tuesday 8 March 2016
thecourieronline.co.uk/science c2.science@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_science
therapy The real dark side of the moon T-Cell for tumours
In the wake of NASA’s declassification of the music heard on the dark side of the moon in 1969, Errol Kerr investigates if The Darkness really is to blame for the mysterious melody Holly Pearson talks us through a
B
ack in May 1969, Apollo 10 – the fourth manned Apollo mission and the first manned mission to orbit the moon - was conducted to field-test all available technology for the subsequent lunar landing, which would occur two months later by Apollo 11. The Apollo spacecraft completed several revolutions of the moon in the eight days it spent in low Earth orbit. In 2008, information was released that reported that at one point during these revolutions, astronauts Gene Cernan and John Young heard an unexpected noise through their headsets - a medium-pitched whistling - whilst on the dark side of the moon. As of recently, a recording has been released of said astronauts conversing about the noise, confirming the reports and rumours. NASA denies that the recordings were made public in ’73. The truth of this is unknown and will likely be disputed entirely.
“Could it have been the
interstellar equivalent of the calling of a whale in the ocean?”
The sheer size and volume of the moon made and still makes – many transmissions from Earth to the shuttle completely impossible to send and receive, therefore radio silence is to be expected from us - however EM storms from deep space cause the usual static. Therefore, a noise occurring which definitely shouldn’t have is kind of a big deal. On the recently released recording, the astronauts can be heard saying ‘you hear that? That whistling sound? “whoooooo…”’ and is described as “space music”. The sound made by Cernan isn’t exactly very tuneful - it’s not something I’d go out of my way to classify as music, however the noise cutting
through their headsets is clearly not the static that’s to be expected from deep space radiation. But what exactly was it, and if it’s important, was it even remotely significant? Was it simply an inexplicable blip of electromagnetic waves from a distant solar storm? Interference of this sort could have fried the headsets temporarily or messed with the communications systems of the shuttle. During re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, ionised air would shut off communications completely, which was a completely normal occurrence from the Mercury shuttles up to the end of the Apollo project, so perhaps something similar could have occurred with radiation interference, just a bit further out? Could it have been the interstellar equivalent of the calling of a whale in the ocean? A noise made by something else out there? I’m sure a lot of you people would appreciate this outcome. Was it simply a glitch in the radio technology on the spacecraft? Whilst the Apollo craft wasn’t of poor construction at all, each was designed slightly differently and there could have been certain things crossing frequency pathways – the Apollo radio systems had a tendency to interfere with one another across the voice, telemetric, and biomedical systems, as well as being the first mission to carry and utilise the lunar module
Weird, wacky and wonderful: sighing Ana Beretsos investigates the sigh-ence (get it?!) of the respiratory system and how it actually benefits our lungs
H
as anyone ever told you off for being rude when a small sigh is let out? Or did someone think you were really upset? Maybe we now have the information to allow yourself to keep your title of ‘having an answer for everything’. It turns out that sighing is actually a crucial reflex to keep our lungs healthy.
“the Journal of Biological Psychology... have termed a sigh as “the general re-setter of the respiratory system” UCLA’s Jack Feldman explains that “A sigh is a deep breath, but not a voluntary deep breath. It starts out as a normal breath, but before you exhale, you take a second breath on top of it.” It is thought to re-inflate collapsed alveoli, that compromise gaseous exchange in the lungs. Alveoli are tiny sacs in the lung that interact with the blood stream to allow oxygen in to the blood and remove carbon dioxide from it. The sigh, pops the alveoli open to keep us breathing right. According to Feldman, we sigh roughly every five minutes (or 12 times an hour). This can even be seen by yourself at home, if you lie in a quiet room and pay attention to your breathing. After five minutes or so, you should recognise an inhalation that is shortly followed by another before the
chance to exhale the first. The basic neuroscience is still trying to be understood, however, UCLA and Stanford are collaborating and have found a cluster of neurones in the brain stem that are thought to turn normal breaths to sighs by controlling the breathing muscles. Elke Vlemincx from the Journal of Biological Psychology found that respiratory dynamics are different before and after a sigh, and so have termed a sigh as “the general re-setter of the respiratory system”. We may have the physiological answers for you on why we sigh, however, the reasons behind emotional sighing is still a mystery. It could have a different mechanism all together. Feldman also found that when someone is stressed, they sigh more. So they are asking the question to whether the brain neurones trigger a similar activation of neuropeptides, when feeling depressed or sad. A breakthrough for sigh-ence right?!
as well which could have led to this - and Apollo 13’s re-entry was famously longer than expected.
“The sheer size and volume
of the moon makes many transmissions from Earth to the shuttle completely impossible”
Could it have simply been a technical fault? Whilst the former and latter are the most likely - 1969 was one giant leap for mankind’s endeavours into space exploration (see what I did there? #NeilArmstrongBants) but we didn’t have as full a knowledge of space as we do now. If we had experienced the same thing today, we may be able to identify it - however we haven’t done so. Being literally the biggest nerd in existence (see also: gaming section), I’d love it to be attempted contact from extraterrestrial life. If it was, however unlikely, I’d be both exhilarated and terrified. Why would something like that only contact us once, and make no contact from 1969 until now?
Word of the Week: AMAZONIA Amazonia, or the Amazon rainforest, is the world’s largest rainforest. It covers an area of around 2,124,000 square miles across 9 countries, including Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana, and is home to the world’s largest river. The rainforest has a huge range of species; 1/10th of the world’s known species can be found in the Amazon. It is the only habitat in the world home to the Amazonian Manatee, Giant River Otters, and the Black Caiman. A large number of animals found here are deadly, including the Green Anaconda, Piranhas, Jaguars, Bull Sharks, and the Brazilian Wandering Spider. It’s probably worth a mention too, that Amazonia can also refer to a type of fungus, an indoor park in Scotland, a Wonder Woman comic, a Brazilian satellite, and a village in Missouri, among other things! Sarah Main
breakthrough in cancer research
R
esearch into the treatment of cancer is something that is often well documented in the media. You may have seen one example this month, when headlines such as ‘Cancer researchers claim ‘extraordinary results using T-cell therapy’ and ‘‘Extraordinary treatment could be cancer breakthrough’ were published. This isn’t the first time claims of a breakthrough in cancer treatment have been seen, but people do seem to be extraordinarily enthusiastic about these results in particular. Now, what exactly have they found? There were 26 patients participating in this early study who typically only had months to live. Other forms of treatment had been unsuccessful, so they were chosen to participate in a new treatment. The treatment in question focuses on T-cell therapy. Tcells are another term for the T-lymphocyte, and are a very important part of our immune system. They are a type of white blood cell, which main purpose is to scan for cellular abnormalities and infections, and help defend our bodies against these. Since cancer is caused by uncontrolled division of abnormal cells, T-cells have the ability to naturally eradicate cancer cells, which is why they are of great interest in cancer research. Modified T-cell cancer therapy works by first taking a sample of the patients T-cells from their blood. These cells are then taken to a lab, where antigen receptors (genetically modified sensor cells) are added to them, which can help seek out specific cancers. These modified T-cells are then allowed to multiply, before being transferred back into the patient. The new antigen receptors on the engineered Tcells are now able to target and destroy the cancer cells.
“This does seem to be a very exciting progression in immunotherapy. After all, it is rare we hear scientists themselves describe research as extraordinary”
The reason why this research seems so extraordinary, is because of how successful it has been so far. One study showed that 94% of patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia saw symptoms ‘vanish completely’. For other types of blood cancers, response rates were greater than 80%, and over half of people treated went into complete remission. Tcells have been described as a ‘living drug’ because of their ability to stay in our body for our whole lives. There are a few issues to note with this research however. The first being, that this has only been tested in certain blood cancers, so it is still unknown as to whether this type of therapy will prove successful in other types of cancer too. It may be more challenging to apply this to patients with solid tumours, as apposed to blood cancers. Secondly, T-cell therapy is often considered the last resort when it comes to treating cancer. This is because it can come with dangerous side effects due to reprogramming the immune system. One such side effect is cytokine release syndrome (sCRS) which can overload defense cells and cause symptoms of hypotension (low blood pressure), fever and neurotoxicity. 20 patients in the trail experienced some side effects, and 2 died due to sCRS.
“T-cells have been described as a ‘living drug’” Overall, this does seem to be a very exciting progression in immunotherapy. After all, it is rare we hear scientists themselves describe research as extraordinary. However there is more work to be done to overcome the challenge of extending this research beyond the specific trails that have showed such amazing success. Every patient is unique, and this is certainly not going to be a ‘cure all’, but if it saves the lives of even a few, that is extraordinary in my book.
The Courier
puzzles.45
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Puzzles ?? ?
Puzzles Editor: Jack Parker Crossword Editor: Mark Sleightholm
Can you guess where the hell we’ve taken this photo, and why?
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18 Image: Ultra7, Wikimedia Commons
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“I’m Jack Parker and I heartily endorse this event and/or product”
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Across
1 Loyalty card scheme you can use in Sainsburys (6) 4 Holiday to celebrate resurrection (6) 8 What Tim Peake will go through in a few months’ time (7) 9 Famous fictional train (6) 10 The part of the American Armed Forces who defend America’s coasts (4) 11 Snooker-related prompt (3) 13 He chats shit, he gets banged (5) 14 Entertainment district of London, formerly ‘entertainment’ district of London (4) 17 To show you the way home at night (11) 19 Location (2) 20 Two-wheeled transport (7) 21 Rip; water from your eye (4) 22 Invented by John Logie Baird in 1926 (10)
Easter Boiled Duck
Down
1 Eastern city struggling to stay up in the Premier League (7) 2 Marxist icon and Cuban revolutionary (3, 7) 3 For when you can’t ducking type (11) 5 Rural radio soap opera (7) 6 Donald _____, potentially the next US President (5) 7 Water connecting Africa and Asia (3, 3) 12 Part of a word (8) 15 Japanese conglomerate that makes everything from TVs to nuclear power plants (7) 16 Dexys Midnight Runners wanted her to come on (6) 17 Roof tiles; election candidates pooling resources (5) 18 Body that scrutinises doctors (3) 19 Paintings, sculptures, music, dance (3)
Connectword Find the word that connects these three words.
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Completing the entirety of this puzzles page will entitle you to the respect of (some of) your peers. Feel free to bring the proof of your achievement into the Courier office, where you’ll receive a firm handshake
46.sportbucs Gus’ Club of the Week
By Alex Hendley Sports Editor This week’s Club of the Week chosen by AU Officer Angus Taylor is the Equestrian Club, who won their first ever Stan Calvert fixture in style. The Courier spoke to Helen McAll to get the details. First to go was Anna Clowes, competing in her final event for the club, she drew her favourite BFG Dario. Putting in a smooth and accurate test to start she set the bar high for the Northumbria rider. Next up was Katie Aspinall, who produced a solid performance for the team. Penultimate rider, Ella Fraser, watched the Northumbria rider struggle to get the mare going forward, but produced a lovely test with team captain Katie running to Ella’s side for much needed water at the final salute. Last to go was Helen McAll, being the smallest rider she was put on her favourite little bay mare, Gem. Gem had attitude in the Northumbria rider’s test, refusing to work in an outline as well as stopping for a toilet break mid-test! Helen and Gems bond shone through resulting in a ‘Pleasure to watch’ test. The scores were in; Anna drew on her ride and Katie was narrowly behind, however Ella’s win on Indie made up for it, secured by Helens 30 penalty difference on Gem. Putting Uni into a strong lead of 29.5 penalties after Dressage! Wednesday saw the turn of the Show Jumping phase held by Northumbria. After narrowly missing out in the BUCS league at Northumbria’s home competition by just 3 penalties – the team was ready for sweet revenge. First to go was Helen in what turned out to be a deceivingly tricky ride resulting in 2 poles down in the double. Luckily, the Northumbria rider had the same issue putting us back in the game. Next up was Anna who put in a stellar performance, although a tad speedy, stayed in control to come home with a clear round. Annoyingly the Northumbria rider managed to calm the grey down and also go clear…it was going to be tight. Penultimate rider again was Ella. After watching the Northumbria rider lose her nerve and incur a number of penalties, she knew what she had to do. Keeping very quiet and sympathetic she gave the horse a fabulous ride and came home clear. Meaning Newcastle’s victory was almost in the bag! Last to go was Katie, with the Northumbria rider already going clear the pressure was on, but she handled it with ease coming home with a very stylish clear round! Helen and Anna were marginally behind but thanks to Ella’s massive 96 penalty difference and Katie’s 25 penalty difference, Newcastle won the Show Jumping by a whopping 83 penalties. This meant that Newcastle Equestrian team had won their first ever Stan Calvert by a huge 112.5 penalty lead. Such a fabulous result for the girls who have put in such hard work throughout the year; they thoroughly deserved to qualify for the BUCS regional round instead of Northumbria.
Tuesday 8 March 2016
The Courier
Sepak Takraw: the next big thing? By James Sproston Sepak Takraw is Newcastle’s newest and most obscure sports society. Just like volleyball, it involves three players with the aim not letting the ball bounce on your side of the court. However the twist is that instead of using your hands and arms, the players can only use their head, knees and feet, and you use a small wicker ball. Originating in South East Asia, the sport can be traced back to the 15th century, developing from the Indonesian game ‘Raga’ that was popular with the Malacca Sultanate. The first official rules were drafted in 1829 by the Siam Sports Federation and soon became part of the curriculum in most schools. In the 1940s the game first became known as sepak takraw, and the modern form of the sport was born. These days it’s Thailand and Malaysia that rule the sepak takraw world, with the highest-ranking European team being Germany in 14th. Only France and Switzerland accompany them in the top 24, and you’ll struggle to find any recognised Great Britain team. However Newcastle’s finest are looking to buck the trend. After playing takraw when out in Malaysia, society president John Haswell decided to bring it back to the Great North with him. “After picking up the sport out in Malaysia and loving it, I told myself while I was out there it would be a good thing to try and start at uni. So eventually I managed to get the housemates to back it and kick-start the society” Once he got the initial support, it was important to get more people involved this year. “When we were first trying to get up and running, I was just trying to get my mates on board. But when we had the chance to really get it going in third year, we got quite a bit of attention at the freshers fair as we had a video of some professionals playing and people couldn’t believe what they were seeing.” The Takraw Society now has a growing number of committed members, who turn up regularly on Friday evenings and Sunday mornings. They usually play games with occasional drills; led by Ali and Azni, two Malaysian lads that have added some much needed expertise to the young society. Having started out never having played the sport before, the players who turn up on a regular basis are now fullyfledged takraw maestros. All their work this year is now being geared towards playing some competitive fixtures in the near future. Although there are few universities with established takraw societies, President John Haswell has searched far and wide to find teams for Newcastle to play. Instead of sorting a one-off fixture, he’s
Let’s play Sepak: there’s a new kid on the sports block Image: James Sproston organised an entire tournament that will be hosted right here in Newcastle. The University will welcome teams from Germany as well as other parts of the UK as the best of European talent clash in the Toon. There were initially some Belgians interested, but they must’ve pulled out because Newcastle look too damn good. The tourney starts on Saturday the 16th of April and continues the following day as the knockout rounds get underway. If you come along you’ll definitely see something you’ve never seen before. Some of these guys do backflips and roll spikes just like tennis players hit winners so it’s certainly going to be
hope to get the society involved more next year. However the most important thing for the takraw society at the moment is to keep encouraging new players to get involved in the sport. As the sport grows bigger in Newcastle and in the UK hopefully that’ll be a stepping-stone to build a great team, and this University should be at the forefront of that. In a sit-down interview, we talked with Jack Cryer, who only started playing takraw in October. Like most who took up takraw this year, he’d never heard of the sport before joining. When asked, he recalled “My housemates and I wanted to get involved in a sport
a spectacle. Everyone at the society wants as many people as possible to come to the tournament, or even better come down to one of the sessions on at 7pm on Fridays and 11am on Sundays. It’s a growing sport and the more people that get involved, the better. If the tournament persuades more members to join next year then whatever the outcome, it’ll have been a success. Newcastle Sepak Takraw is also getting involved in some Europe-wide initiatives to grow and develop the sport, as John has been in contact with the organisers of Swiss and German opens, as well as European boot camps, and will
this year. We originally thought about archery, but then we saw the Sepak Takraw stand at the Fresher’s Fair. We decided to go along to the first session to see what it was all about.” We asked Jack to share his first impressions with us. “At first I thought it was going to be a bit like volleyball, but with your feet. While this kind of sums it up exactly, it’s even more fun than I thought it would be. My housemates and I already play for a very successful and popular 5-a-side football team called Berocca Juniors, and it’s really helped develop our first touch and ball control” Jack is now a club stalwart and can’t
“You’ll struggle to find any recognised Great Britain team. However Newcastle’s finest are looking to buck the trend.”
imagine his life without the rattan ball. “From the first session, I was hooked. I think the fact there’s a good mix of people is really helpful. There are a few Malaysian guys who are just incredible, but they really help out those of us who had never even seen a Takraw ball before. It’s always great to see one of the newer guys doing an overhead kick.” As a member right at the heart of the society, Jack (like many players) appreciates how much work John has put into making this year as enjoyable as possible, and knows how far the society has come. “I’m really looking forward to this tournament in April that John Haswell has spent a lot of time organising. I think that we’re one of the only University Takraw teams in the country but I hope this isn’t the case next year. Considering that a lot of the team hadn’t even heard of Takraw six months ago, I think it’s pretty amazing how we’ll be competing against people from all over the world.” Jack’s final remarks were “I don’t know why, but I get the feeling that Takraw is really going to take off in the UK soon and I think it’s really exciting to be so involved in these early stages.” To echo what Jack said, Newcastle is really part of the worldwide takraw movement. Having spoken to both Jack and John, it’s really refreshing to feel their enthusiasm for the sport, and their desire to make it bigger. At this rate, there’s no reason why Newcastle can’t rule takraw in Britain, and go on to challenge Europe. Wednesday 2nd March results
Overall BUCS Position: 9th
Basketball M1 v UCLAN 1sts
99-64
Fencing W1 v Surrey 1sts W3 v Liverpool 3rds
108-117 Appeal
Golf 1 v Liverpool 1sts
4-2
Netball 3 v Leeds 4ths
37-43
Rugby Union M1 v Exeter 1sts M2 v Manchester Met 1sts W1 v Cambridge 1sts
5-39 24-41 15-0
Squash M2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts M3 v Northumbria 1sts W1 v Nottingham 1sts W2 v York 1sts
3-2 0-3 0-4 4-0
Table Tennis W2 v Liverpool 1sts
2-3
Ultimate 1 v Huddersfield 1sts
15-2
Volleyball M1 v York 1sts
1-3
Waterpolo W2 v Leeds Beckett 1sts
6-22
The Courier
sportbucs.47
Tuesday 8 March 2016
Uni girls return north with a place in the final
Women’s Rugby Vase Cambridge
0
Newcastle
15
By Amie Walker With the BUCS season slowly drawing to a close for the women’s rugby team, last Wednesday saw the Geordie girls competing against Cambridge for a place in the Vase Final. The girls were excited at the prospect of fresh opponents as usually the north and south do not mix. So the constantly improving squad travelled the long journey south on the Tuesday night; hopeful with recent strong training sessions and growing strength that they would be successful in their battle against Cambridge. It had appeared on match day the girls had brought the beautiful, tropical weather of the north to Cambridge when hail and the cold greeted the team off the coach on the Wednesday afternoon. But that didn’t deter the girls; the wet weather failed to dampen the spirits of the team. Thankfully the heavy rain and hail stopped shortly before kick-off; to both team’s happiness. Newcastle set to receive first and with a high Cambridge kick caught by the scrum half Critchley, the offensive attack began. The first onslaught was strong. The tough Newcastle forwards made metres against the Cambridge defence, using their speed and power to break the line. With fast plays of the ball due to solid consistent rucking; the ball was soon out to the backs. Captain Buckley’s sturdy hands allowed the backs to work their magic with fast pace, Newcastle found themselves quickly in the opposition half with the try line in sight. However the girls couldn’t have their typical fairy tale ending try when the ball was sadly knocked on, giving Cambridge a scrum. Looking at how close they were to the
try line, the Newcastle scrum’s energy and enthusiasm peaked, the power of the pack collapsing the Cambridge scrum, forcing a penalty. With a quick penalty tap, Newcastle began their attack again on the Cambridge line followed by some quick pick and go’s from the forwards; the girls within a few phases were knocking on the door of the try line. Soon the door was knocked and smashed through when Critchley saw her try scoring opportunity, a gap appearing at the side of the ruck, allowing the small scrum half to charge through over the line, putting hard earned points on the board for the girls. Newcastle continued to play the same way for the rest of the first half. Their defence as strong as their attack, Cambridge’s onslaught did not break through Newcastle even after several penalties left the girls pushed back onto their own try line. But with fast line speed and pressure, Newcastle forced a knock on, turning the ball over to a Geordie scrum. After another strong attack, the girls found themselves metres away from the try line again after strong ball carries and a well-timed offload between forwards West and Walker. With a determined run from Buckley; coupled with her signature spin; Newcastle stacked more points behind them, finishing the first half 10-0. The second half set to challenge the Newcastle defensive when Cambridge were set to receive, hoping to put points on the board against their Northern rivals. In several Cambridge line outs, the Newcastle hooker Bloor found herself receiving the ball after intercepting tips from De Craecker, forcing the turnover. With a high kick from Critchley, Newcastle’s speedy back Woodman managed to sprint and catch the bouncing ball, running nearly the entire pitch before Cambridge successfully tackled her at five metre line, stopping the quick footed player scoring. With Woodman’s efforts, the girls found themselves within reaching distance of another try and
Newcastle ventured south and returned with a final spot Image: Amie Walker
after several phases, the strength of the forwards in the maul pushed Robinson over the try line, giving the chemist her first try for the university. Later in the second half showed the determination and strength of the team when within minutes players Walker and Howard; Newcastle’s second row; were both yellow carded for coming in at the side of the ruck and not rolling away from a tackle. This left the girls
with only 13 players, defending 10 metres away from their own try line against a strong, determined Cambridge. However the spirit of the team did not falter, backs Davis and Hepburn replacing the missing forwards in the scrum and even with only 13, Newcastle did not allow the Cambridge attack to break through. Captain Buckley’s players of the match were Daphne De Craecker for her strong picks as number eight in the scrum and
fast ball carries and Amie Walker for her strong rucking and good overall defence. Olivia Critchley received the Cambridge’s player of the match due to her huge presence and command as the scum half. With the 15-0 victory against Cambridge, Newcastle now are travelling to Big BUCS Wednesday in Sheffield on the 16th of March with high spirits to win the Vase Final.
Newcastle crash out in final seconds Women’s Basketball Newcastle 1sts
71
Cardiff Met 1sts
73
By Mark Sleightholm at Sport Central Amid the excitement of Stan Calvert, it’s easy to forget that normal BUCS matches are still going on. But a tense women’s basketball match against a different poly saw Newcastle dramatically knocked out of the BUCS Championship by just two points. Cardiff Met’s strong performance in last year’s Championship gave them a bye in the first round, while the Knights saw off Oxford 84-42. Cardiff Met sit at the top of the Premier South table, while Newcastle are mid-table in Premier North. The sides were evenly matched from the start, until a three-pointer from Cardiff ’s Judit Fritz put the poly ahead 7-4. Even then they were unable to extend their lead, and Lauren Godde responded within seconds for Newcastle, to level the scores once again. Fritz continued to perform well for the Cardiff Archers, but every point was
matched by a comfortable Newcastle side. Much of the first quarter saw the ball going net to net as neither side was able to pull ahead. The pace quickened towards the end of the quarter, with six nets scored in the final 90 seconds. Tina de Martino scored for Cardiff, Newcastle got the rebound, took the ball straight down the other end and scored, and then de Martino responded with another net for Cardiff. The Archers were now narrowly ahead, with the score 21-17. On the next court another Final 8s match saw Durham take on Sheffield Hallam. The poly side were leading there as well, with Hallam leading 2315. The second quarter to Newcastle’s game began with a scrabble for possession, with Newcastle’s Karin Robinson awarded a free throw. This gave Newcastle possession and they were able to score, taking the score to 21-19. Fritz widened the gap again with two points from a penalty, but Kara Bonenberger responded once more for Newcastle. Newcastle scored twice to close the gap to a single point, before two Cardiff nets put them further ahead. A penalty shot from Fritz extended their lead to six points. Newcastle fought back, however, and in two minutes Newcastle scored three times while Cardiff could muster just two points, leading to a
score of 34-31. Three more points by Newcastle levelled the scores in time for the third quarter. Newcastle began the second half with possession, and an early shot by Robinson put the Knights ahead for the first time in the match. Bonenberger extended their lead to 38-34. Cardiff began to slow down, while Newcastle’s passing got smoother and more confident. Another net from de Martino for the Archers was answered by a three-pointer from Newcastle’s Lauren Godde from the corner of the pitch to take the score to 41-36 to the Knights. Robinson scored two points for the Knights from a penalty and then followed this with three shots on the net. The first two bounced off the rim but the third went in to give Newcastle a nine point lead, which Robinson extended to ten after another point from a penalty. Both sides got several shots as the pace picked up to take the score to 4941 to Newcastle. Two shots from Fritz narrowed halved Newcastle’s lead, and a three-pointer from Collins put Cardiff just a point behind. Newcastle responded, however, to finish the third quarter with a 54-48 lead. Cardiff scored three times at the start of the final quarter to level the scores, and the two teams remained within three points of each other for the whole
rest of the match. Another three-pointer from Collins gave Cardiff the lead once again. Newcastle called a time out and managed to regain the lead to 63-60 a few minutes later. A shot by Robinson was disallowed, but Cardiff were also unlucky when Fritz missed a potential three-pointer. Fritz scored two points twenty seconds later to take the score to 63-62. Several more frantic shots from both sides followed as the scores stayed stubbornly level. The score was 71-71 going into the final seconds, but the promise of extra time was snatched away from Newcastle when, with a solitary second left on the clock, Cardiff scored a two-pointer to claim victory as the buzzer sounded. Newcastle Captain Anne Heiss said: “I thought we had a really strong team performance, and we showed that we were more than capable of winning this game.” The dramatic conclusion knocked the Knights out of the Championship and ensured that it will be the Archers who go on to play Sheffield Hallam, who achieved a final score of 89-71 over Durham. The winner of this match will play either Northumbria or Edinburgh in the final. Club president Isobel Johns said: “Today’s result was absolutely gutting. To be on the loosing side of a buzzer beater is
heartbreaking. We produced an excellent team performance today and the result really could have gone either way. “We started very nervously and didn’t move ourselves or the ball as well as we know we can. Once we settled into the game it was a very even; Karin Robinson and Lauren Goode really made a difference today and were unplayable. As a team we showed real character and how well we can play basketball.” The match marked the end of the first team’s season, which saw them come fourth in the Premier North division, and included two emphatic victories over Loughborough. Johns continued: “Today’s result cannot take away from what we have achieved this season. The result didn’t go our way today but we’ve come so far, not only as a team but as a club this year. “We’ve exceeded all expectations, at the beginning of the season we were seen as the ‘easy-to-beat’ team and nobody had any respect for us in the prem. Over the course of the season we have improved massively and now we are treated with the respect we deserve. “I’m very excited for next season, we are working hard on recruitment for the first team at the moment. Our seconds have also been promoted this year so next season is going to be fantastic!”
Sport
www.thecourieronline.co.uk Tuesday 8 March 2016 Issue 1328 Free
thecourieronline.co.uk/sport
Sports Editors: Alex Hendley, Calum Wilson & Lewis Bedford courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @Courier_Sport | Instagram: thecouriersport
Poly pockets cup three times running
Newcastle 67.25 - 73.75 Northumbria By Calum Wilson Sports Editor Having comprehensively regained the Stan Calvert Memorial Cup last year, Northumbria’s 73.75-67.25 victory in this year’s varsity competition means the Poly have, for the first time in their history, lifted the cup three times in a row. The victory is the latest chapter in a story of Northumbrian sporting dominance over their city rivals. Newcastle’s wait to re-claim the trophy goes on, but the Uni will be heartened to have closed the gap between the two Universities from 34 points in 2015, to just 6.5 in 2016. The main week’s events began with Northumbria establishing a head start in the competition by managing a comprehensive 5-0 thrashing of Uni’s Women’s Football 1sts. It was a week to forget for the Uni female footballers whose 2nd team were also beaten 5-0 on Super Sunday. Tuesday saw Northumbria stretch their early lead with a win in the Men’s Volleyball 1’s. The Poly wrapped up the points with a 3-0 straight sets victory over the Uni. The reigning champions
comfortably secured the three sets (2513; 25-7; 25-13). Newcastle closed the gap on Northumbria on Wednesday with a clean sweep of victories. Despite both posing relatively low batting scores, the Newcastle Uni Cricket Club’s 1st and 2nd team bowled their opponents out quickly to take the points. Elsewhere, Newcastle’s Boat Club continued their good form in the rowing. The Equestrian competition took place over two days, with Dressage being held on the Wednesday and Show jumping on the Thursday. Newcastle showed their dominance on horses, winning by a hugely impressive 112.5 points. By Thursday night there was very little to separate the two Universities, after Newcastle battled hard in the pool to win two out of the three Waterpolo matches. The highlight of which was a 10-9 win for Uni’s Men’s 1st team, who survived a last minute surge by Poly to take the points, narrowly. Saturday saw Northumbria regain a clear advantage and mount the pressure on their rivals going into the final day. Defeats for Skiing, Snowboarding, Gaelic Football and Men’s 3’s Basketball saw the Poly’s lead stand at 32-18 at the
start of Super Sunday. The day’s earliest kick off, the Women’s 2nd Basketball, got Newcastle off to a poor start with Northumbria running away as 50-8 victors. On the adjacent court, a bloodied and battered Men’s 2’s were also beaten, 61-80. Better news emerged from Northumbria’s Sport Central, where the Badminton girls’ 2nd team had beaten the Poly 6-2. Midday successes from Newcastle’s Women’s 2’s in Squash and Hockey saw the overall gap closed to 36-20, but the underdogs were still left with plenty to do. Back at Newcastle’s Sports Centre there was more good news as the Netball 4’s clung on to secure a narrow 2624 triumph. As more lunchtime results flew in, the competition reached boiling point. At around 3pm, only three points separated the two teams and both were now going gung-ho to try and get across the line in pole position. Newcastle were then dealt a huge blow as the Men’s fencers lost unexpectedly 103-134, the first time that the Newcastle Blades have ever lost a varsity match. To add to the woe, the Women’s 1st Hockey suffered late heartbreak, losing 2-3 to their Poly counterparts at Longbenton.
Over at Coach Lane the Men’s footy 2’s battled bravely but were undone by two goals from Ayoze Perez’s brother in a 1-3 defeat, despite being cheered on by their 1st team colleagues who looked calm and collected ahead of their trip to Gateshead International Stadium for the finale. The Men’s Hockey Club endured a mixed afternoon at Coach Lane. The 2’s laboured to a 3-1 win against a Poly outfit who compete three tiers below in BUCS. Then, the 1’s threw away a lead to draw 1-1 with a side also a league below themselves. With the afternoon’s matches drawing to a close, supporters from both Uni’s made the short Metro journey down to Gateshead Stadium for the finale. This year the honour fell on Men’s Football, who were locked in battle last year in an enthralling 2-2 draw. This time around underdogs Newcastle went one better and came away 1-0 winners, to the delight of the gathered Uni supporters. Olly Walker’s perfectly placed finish coming midway through the second half, after neither side managed to create much in the first. The surprise victory marked the end of what was a valiant effort from Newcastle in the competition as a whole.
Poly want a cracker? Poly the Parrot was one happy mascot Image: NUstudents
Eager to dampen the footy lads’ celebrations, the stadium tannoy quickly announced that Northumbria had won the overall Cup. The Uni fans remained standing to proudly applaud the heroic footballers off the field. Reflecting on his team’s brave efforts, AU Officer Angus Taylor expressed his pride. “Absolutely gutted to lose the competition by only 6.5 points but at the same time I’m immensely proud of all Team Newcastle athletes and clubs who competed in the event.” Taylor believes that Newcastle performed admirably to close the gap to Northumbria so quickly. “Considering the margin of defeat was 34 points last years I feel we have made incredible strides forward this year and were thoroughly competitive against a fantastic sporting University in Northumbria.” The narrow defeat has certainly restored a sense of pride in Newcastle’s sports teams and all but buries the ghosts of last year’s haunting competition. With that in mind, Stan Calvert 2017 looks set to be another cracker and Newcastle will be hopeful of going one better and reclaim their crown.