Courier 1393 by The Courier Online

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Lifestyle The music, politics and comedy podcasts you need to listen to Page 12

Black History Month A celebration of black excellence Page 24

Monday 14 October 2019 Issue 1393 Free

Music Kanye West’s foray into gospel music Page 22

University delays free sanitary products

Est 1948

The independent voice of Newcastle students

Grace Dean Editor Students at Newcastle University have been disappointed to discover that the University has not followed through on its commitment to introduce free sanitary products across campus in time for the start of the new academic year. Following sustained efforts by NUSU President Raff Marioni and Marginalised Genders Officer Charlotte Boulton throughout the 2018-19 academic year to introduce free-ofcharge sanitary products for students in need, machines offering a range of tampons and sanitary towels were due to be implemented at eight sites across campus. These include the Business School, Medical School, the

Marjorie and Philip Robinson Libraries, and the Armstrong Building, and the machines would be accessible to any student simply by swiping their smartcard.

The machines were expected to be in place for the start of term

Despite being proposed and heavily supported by the Students’ Union, the venture would actually be a joint partnership, with the University responsible for financing and maintaining the machines. This, in turn, would lead Newcastle to be the first university in England to offer free sanitary products to all students financed by the University, although

these products are already available for free at the Students’ Union. This projects echoes recent developments in Scotland, where many universities have started offering free sanitary products to students. Unfortunately, however, the machines are still not in place at Newcastle. Sally Ingram, Director of Student Health and Wellbeing, said: “We have been working hard to try to get the machines in place for the start of term but the project has been more complicated than anticipated and has encountered some delays. “Together with colleagues in estates and the Students’ Union President and Welfare and Equality Officer, we are looking to install the eight machines as soon as possible. The project is in its final stages, with sanitary product options and machine designs being finalised. “As has always been case, students can con-

tinue to access free sanitary products from the Student Advice Centre.” It is to be noted that the Student Advice Centre is a branch of the Students’ Union and not of the University.

“Students can continue to access free sanitary products from the SAC”

Sally Ingram, Director of Student Health & Wellbeing

President of the Students’ Union Katie Smyth said: “Obviously it is disappointing they’re not in place yet – ideally the machines would be in place for term start. However we’re working hard to ensure they’re installed as soon as possible, so students can right-

fully access free products and the university can play its part in tackling the wider issue of period poverty. Thanks to everyone who was involved in the campaign last year, and rest assured this year’s team will ensure that what you campaigned for is followed through.” Commenting on the news, Charlotte Boulton said: “It’s really disappointing that the machines haven’t been introduced yet, especially after being told that they would be up and running for the start of the academic year. The University needs to take responsibility for letting the launch fall through the cracks as it’s not good enough; we should be celebrating their launch, not wondering where they are. There will be people missing out on the great benefits that free period products will give, so I hope the University gets their act together soon.”

Newcastle residents strike for climate change Joe Molander Comment Editor

On Friday 20 September, Newcastle residents took part in a climate strike, billed as the General Strike 4 Climate Newcastle. At the demonstration, the signs held up by protestors (highlights of which included “I’ve seen better Cabinets at IKEA” and “Fossil Fools”) jostled for space three feet in the air above the crowd with banners from organisations as diverse as the ‘North East Pensioners Association’, ‘Trade Unionists Support School Strike for Climate’, and a myriad of socialist organisations. The extinction symbol, referred to by The Guardian as “this generation’s peace symbol”, was found dotted around the many flags, banners and home-made signs at the protest. Just as diverse as the organisations supporting the strike was its demography. Often accused of being a movement made up of middle-class hobbyists, the march featured several working-class voices, and walking through the city centre, people stopped to look not with disapproval, but genuine interest. An hour of speeches at the Civic Centre was given by a diverse range of speakers. An anti-establishment vein ran through most of the speeches: one speaker accused the state of being “in the hands of multi-national corporations”, and defended his decision to strike by asking “what education do I need when… politicians threaten to break the world?”. Newcastle University student Charlotte Paige Boulton said: “What I found the most interesting about the climate strike was the diversity of people there. The cause really brought different groups of people together.” This came just days before Extinction Rebellion held a die-in on campus during freshers’ week. This saw about a dozen students from both Newcastle and Northumbria Universities lie on the floor by the Arches holding cardboard cut-outs of gravestones embroidered with messages such as “death by drowning” and “died of famine”.

The march was attended by a diverse range of lobbyists Image: Holly Rich

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

thecourier What’s inside this week? Editor Grace Dean Deputy Editor Molly Greeves Online Editor Tom Hardwick

Current Affairs

News 3 courier.news@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Aimee Seddon, Carl Smith Valdez, Em Richardson, Emma McLaren & Sophie Wilson Comment 8 courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Aastha Malik, Joe Molander & Kelly Corcoran

Life & Style

Black History Month celebrations at NUSU and black excellence in culture and activism p34

Duchess of Sussex sues Mail on Sunday in re-Markle-ble scenes while Greta faces a reg-Greta-ble activist backlash

Life & Style Editor: Nimra Rafique Lifestyle 11 c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Catherine Entwistle, Cecilia Adamou, Holly Margerrison & Jess Herbert Fashion 14 c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin Beauty 17 courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Nusrat Angela & Rashida Campbell-Allen Travel 18 courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Harris & Meggie Williams Food 21 ???@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amanda Goh & Cayla Viner

Puzzles

Sport

???@ncl.ac.uk Editor: Emma Dawson

Head of Sport: Rebecca Johnson courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Rory Ewart, Stan Gilyead, Toby Bryant & Tom Moorcroft

Stu Brew of the week

Dan Wolstenholme Stu Brew connoisseur

p14

p24

p26

Take a trip to Tallinn - Travel p18

From the archives 10 YEARS AGO

26 YEARS AGO

It will be of little surprise to those engaged in University and Union politics to hear that the National Union of Students (NUS) was also stirring up trouble ten years ago. In an attempt to promote healthy sexual behaviour on university campuses, the NUS proposed a scheme offering free alcohol in exchange for students taking sexual health tests. Attempts to introduce this scheme at other Students’ Unions led to students abusing the initiative in order to obtain the free alcohol, with reports of students pouring beer into sample vials and giving out false names and addresses. Despite being criticised by the Student Support Officer at Newcastle University Students’ Union, one student responded positively to the scheme when questioned, saying: “hey, why not, if there’s free booze going!”

Freshers’ fair 1993 was full of controversy as the Courier reported that the Conservative Students Society “caused a political storm” with a risqué poster featuring a “seductively dressed woman proclaiming that ‘Life’s better under a Conservative’”. Members of the Union Executive Committee faced a storm of complaints about the poster’s sexist connotations, including a confrontation by a member of the Socialist Workers Society and the Anti-Nazi League, which ultimately led Simon Batiste, a member of the Conservative Student Society and third-year Law student, to take down the controversial poster for the remainder of the fair. Batiste was not satisfied with this solution, however, later stating that the only complaints were from “left-wing loonies trying to cause maximum embarrassment for the Conservatives”, adding: “I don’t see what’s wrong with the poster, and I will put it up again”. Adding to the on-campus entertainment that week was a performance by Blur at the Students’ Union. Support act Salad was heavily slated by the reviewer, being described as “crap” and “dullards” with a “bad dress sense”. Blur, however, came off much more lightly, despite being described as “displaying all the enthusiasm and vigour of a rainy day at Bognor Regis”. Following the performance of popular songs such as “There’s No Other Way” and “She’s So High”, the reviewer finished on an optimistic note, saying that she “didn’t always trust that they could avoid the musical dumper, but tonight proves not only that but also there may be more and better to come. They’re not as good as the Jam though.”

STI testing for booze

The Courier, NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB Tel: 0191 239 3940 Email: editor.union@ncl.ac.uk The Courier is printed by: Trinity Mirror Printing, Barton Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1UT The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of the Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of the Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.

Established in 1948, the Courier is the fully independent weekly student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University produced by students, for students. Any Newcastle University student can write for the Courier and it’s never too late to get involved as a writer, illustrator or photographer. Whether you want to review a film, comment on worldwide issues or hold your university to account with some investigative journalism, there’s space in the Courier for everyone’s voice to be heard. We hold our drop-in writers’ meetings on Wednesdays during termtime in the Planning Room of the Students’ Union from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, so come along to find out a bit more about us. Our next meetings are on 16 October and 23 October. Unable to attend the writers’ meetings? All our leftover articles get posted in our Facebook groups, so make sure you join them all; simply search ‘the Courier 2019/20’ and the name of the section you’re interested in. For more information, visit thecourieronline.co.uk, or email editor.union@ncl.ac.uk or the relevant section email on the left-hand column of this page.

Zest Tube

Culture

Culture Editors: Charlotte Boulton & Ella Williams Music 22 c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Dom Lee, Jagoda Waszkowiak & Joe Smith Television 24 c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Brown, Sophie Hicks & William Junior Film 26 c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Elisabetta Pulcini, Joe Holloran, Lucy Lillystone & Steven Ross Arts 28 c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Caitlin Rawlings, Charlotte Slinger & Lauren Sneath Gaming 30 courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Alex Darbyshire, George Boatfield, James Troughton & Shawn Khoo Science 32 c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Eleanor Gratton, Patrick Harland & Seshadhri Subramanian

Get involved in student media

Tim Farron illustrated his Lib Dem Conference summary with this smiley mugshot Image: the Courier archives

Fair passes in a Blur

Beer of the week number one is Zest Tube. We brew it once a year when the best blood oranges are available and aim to make it super juicy. This year we added loads of blood orange purée to get the flavour just right. It’s a classic pale ale brewed with a similar base recipe to lab session our perfect pale. Get it now at Luther’s or try any of our other beers at Townmouse on Thursday.

Newcastle Student Radio (NSR) is our award-winning radio station run by students, for students. On air since 1997, NSR runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week with shows ranging from music to comedy, politics, sport and news. We have a wide range of opportunities to learn the tricks of the radio trade, from hosting your own show to event organisation and live punditry, and you don’t need any experience to get involved. For more information visit the NSR Facebook page and listen live at nsrlive.co.uk. NUTV is our high-action, fast-paced television branch. Founded in 2010, NUTV produces both on-demand and live broadcasts, covering current affairs, entertainment, music and sports, allowing students to experience the world of TV production. Have an idea for a brand new show? Make that show a reality. NUTV also helps bridge connections into the industry for anyone looking to pursue a media career. Whether you want to present on camera, direct and produce from behind the scenes, flex your editing muscles, or write and develop ideas, check out NUTV. For more information, email nutv.union@newcastle.ac.uk.

Newfess of the Week

Our Newfess of the week comes from an anonymous source (obviously) who writes: “Unpopular opinion: the courier is actually bloody spiffing”. We have interrogated our (somewhat) esteemed editor Grace Dean who insists that she did not submit this. We also want to echo her sentiment that this is not an unpopular opinion and that we are infact “spiffing”. Anon, whoever you are, we’ll forgive you for not capitalising our name and if you’d like to come to the Courier office we have a gift for you as a thanks for being a legend.

Grace Dean looks through the archives to find the good, the bad and the ugly of on-campus experiences 29 YEARS AGO

32 YEARS AGO

As a student of 20 years old, Tim Farron wrote an article for the Courier in which he reflected on his time at the 1990 Liberal Democrat Conference in Blackpool. Farron described how the Conference reminded him why he became a founder member of the Liberal Democrats in 1988, saying that “Liberal Democracy is based upon a desire for peace, freedom, democracy and a determination to eradicate poverty, conflict and tyranny.” Farron adamantly stated that “I was born a Liberal, I shall die a Liberal, thus no matter how many times we may come third or second, I’m not giving up. Nevertheless, if anyone thinks we’re in this game for anything else but to come first, then they obviously don’t understand politics!” Farron summed up his time by simply concluding: ”A good Conference, I spent £70 on beer!!!!” While the Lib Dem Conference may have gone down well, freshers’ week faced a hostile reception following controversial free Welcome Packs being distributed. Packs containing Tango were given to men, and packs containing Diet Tango were given to women. The packs also included Dairy Crunch bars produced by Nestle, despite their products being banned by a Students’ Union General Meeting the year before because of the company’s dealings in South Africa. October 1990 also saw another unfavourable music review. Following a performance on campus by the Bootleg Beatles as part of freshers’ week frivolities, one reviewer described the act as “undoubtedly the ugliest band to appear on a Level 2 stage since the horrendous Bloos Brothers of York” in an article titled “Bootleg Bollocks”.

Two first-year students were thrown out of Castle Leazes after having a food fight in the Eustace Percy dining hall. The two girls were discovered throwing trifle at each other to the extent that they were “covered from head to toe”, and were consequently expelled from Castle Leazes, being given seven days to find alternative accommodation. As this occurred during an accommodation crisis at Newcastle University, where many students were left in emergency dormitory accommodation, one of the girls involved expressed her fears that they were removed from Leazes as a quick fix solution to free up more bedrooms for other students. Current freshers at Leazes, take note…if you’re unhappy with your accommodation, maybe a food fight is the way to go.

Farron at Conference

Food fighters kicked out

Castle Leazes in 1987 Image: the Courier archives

news New Co-op offers student discount

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

@TheCourier_News courier.news@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/news News Editors Aimee Seddon, Carl Smith Valdez, Em Richardson, Emma McLaren & Sophie Wilson

to Northumbria but not NU students Molly Greeves Deputy Editor

The new Co-op in the Students’ Union currently does not provide any discounts to Newcastle University students. Opened this September, the Co-op is located on the ground floor of the Students’ Union. The store replaced the branded SU shop which sold stationary, NU merchandise and snacks. The former Union Shop offered a Student Perks discount to NU students who showed their smart cards. While the new Co-op currently offers a discount of 10% on the presentation of a NUS card, Newcastle University students are not entitled to this as we voted to leave the NUS in May 2016. The constitution of the Students’ Union dictates that a referendum on NUS membership must be held every three years; an online cross-campus ballot in autumn 2018 showed that Newcastle University students wished to stay disaffiliated, Graham Hattam, the Commerical Direction at the Students’ Union, claims that: “Our students are entitled to join the Co-op membership scheme which when you buy selected products and services from us, including our food stores, we put 5% of what you spend into your Co-op Membership account.”

This, however, is only half the discount that can be received by TOTUM card holders, which are available to purchase by all students at NUS-affiliated educational institutions. This means that students from Northumbria University, Newcastle College and many other institutions across the country will be able to receive a higher discount than Newcastle University students. Some students have expressed their disappointment on this matter on the popular Newcastle confessions page “Newfess”. One anonymous student claimed it was a “bit shit that the Co-op in the STUDENTS’ Union doesn’t offer a STUDENT discount”. Another poked fun at the Co-op membership card claiming that they “can’t wait to save those few pennies on [their] ten pound purchases”. Both Hattam and Katie Smyth, the President of the Students’ Union, claim that the SU is working to introduce the Student Perks programme to the store. This would allow NU students to access discounts specifically targeted to them using their smart cards. However, there is currently no completion date for this scheme.

Newcastle University students are not given a discount as we left the NUS in May 2016 Image: Molly Greeves

Disability Society initially placed up steps at Freshers’ fair

very stressful environment; it was too hot and there was not enough space to stand at our stall, never mind space for people coming around the fair to come to the table and see what each society was about. I could understand a lot of freshers not engaging with many societies because the environment was just too overwhelming.” In the previous years, the Freshers’ Fair took place by the Newcastle University Sports Centre. However, this year the venue is under reconstruction

“We did our best considering the circumstances”

Eleanor Killner, Newcastle Student Union’s Activities Officer

The space of The Venue raised concerns over accessibility by various societies and clubs Image: NUTV

Carl Smith Valdez News Editor The Disability and Neurodiversity Society (DANSoc) was initially placed next to the stairs at The Venue during Freshers’ Fair on 23rd September. Fresher’s Fair is an annual event for first year students that showcases over 160 societies available in Newcastle University. It provides

the opportunities for Freshers to understand what societies and clubs offer and how to get involved throughout the academic year. Georgia Corbett, the President of DANSoc and Disability Officer considers their table allocation as “not deliberate but still pretty thoughtless.” “I didn’t really understand why anyone would put the disability society on an inaccessible stage. I fully believe it was an oversight and due to it being a busy time, but it wasn’t sorted until the day and I didn’t get any apology for it which was frustrating.”

“I contacted the union over the summer as disability officer with the inten-

“I believe it was an oversight but I didn’t get an apology for it ”

Georgia Corbett, President of DANSoc and Disability Officer

tion of getting earplugs provided to students, ensuring DANsoc would be in an

accessible location and generally to give my input regarding accessibility and I didn’t hear back regarding this particular matter so it was unfortunate.” Discussing the arising issues of the Freshers’ Fair, Corbett adds: “This year the fair was so tightly packed that it had the by-product of being very inaccessible for committees and students.” The concerns over space has been echoed by several societies. Maisie Baker, the President of Newcastle University Rounders Society said: “It was a

and it would not be ready in time. Eleanor Killner, the Student Union’s Activities Officer, explains that the placement of DANSoc by the stairs was only on the early stages of planning. She said: “Before the numbers were finalised in the morning, they have been switched around. But we have moved them [towards the fire escape] before the fair even started.” Killner assures that she did her best to accommodate everyone’s needs. “The other external venues we looked for were either unavailable or would have cost about £7,000 which would have disadvantaged societies and clubs for the rest of the year. The other alternative was not having a Fresher’s Fair. “We are looking to get the dates in advance for our next Activities and Athletic Union Officers to make sure the Freshers’ Fair is in the Sports Hall next year instead of The Venue. I understand that there were issues throughout but we did our best in the circumstances.”

the courier

news

Monday 14 October 2019

TEDx Newcastle 2019: a TEDxcellent day Em Richardson and Seshadhri Subramanian On Saturday 5th October, the tenth annual TEDx Newcastle event took place at The Sage. Over a thousand people attended the event, organised by TEDx Newcastle’s founder Herb Kim. The conference was sponsored by Newcastle University and Newcastle University Business School, and Newcastle Engineering lecturer Phil James delivered a TED Talk. Other speakers included Professor Jennifer Rogers, a statistician who aims to show audiences how the mass media’s use of statistics can be somewhat misleading, with figures manipulated to prove or disprove agendas. Continuing the scientific theme, Jonathon O’Halloran delivered a speech intended to raise awareness of the dangers of anti-microbial resistance. This refers to the phenomenon of disease-carrying bacteria mutating to such an extent that they can no longer be treated by anti-biotics. By 2050, O’Halloran estimates that ten million people will die from anti-microbial resistance annually. On a lighter note, Lara Maiklem delivered a speech on ‘mud larking’- the practice of searching through a river’s foreshore, in order to unearth interesting historical artefacts, which are often hidden beneath layers of mud.

Irwin devised a plan to send positive messages to as many young people as possible,

Gary Turk also delivered a somewhat artistic speech, in the form of a poem, set to music.

even those who no longer had regular contact with a youth worker. He founded TryLife productions, a company which specialises in producing ‘interactive’ films, aimed at young

people. Viewers are asked to choose what the story’s protagonist does, with actions such as ‘unprotected sex’ being depicted as having negative consequences, in order to teach the viewer a moral lesson. Later in the day, attendees listened to a TED Talk by artist Wilfrid Wood. Wood, who jokingly describes his job title as ‘Headbuilder’, first channelled his artistic talents into producing puppets for the famed 1980s TV show ‘Spitting Image’. Now, he hosts for other artists and, in his career as a sculptor and portrait artist, focusses on producing art of a political, satirical nature. Previous subjects have included everyone from Melania Trump to

By 2050, O’Halloran estimates that ten million people will die from anti-microbial resistance annually

Greta Thunberg.

The conference was sponsored by both the University and the Business School, and Engineering lecturer Phil James delivered a talk

Gary Turk also delivered a somewhat artis-

tic speech, in the form of a poem, set to music. Turk spoke about his childhood, growing up in the retirement home his mother ran. He spoke about bridging generational gaps, with his underlying message being that the elderly serve an important role in society. They remind us of our own mortality, Turk argues, which in turn reminds us that we must live, not merely exist, if we want to make the most of our time on this planet. The day was finished off by an energetic performance from local band The Baghdaddies. For more information, visit the TEDx Newcastle website.

The most popular Ted talk has over 43 million views on Youtube Image:Wikipedia

Maiklem was followed by Paul Irwin, a Newcastle native who has devoted his life to youth-work. After the financial crisis led to funding cuts for youth outreach work,

The World's Big Sleep Out comes to Newcastle Alex Downing

An estimated 4,677 people sleep rough on any one night in England. The World’s Big Sleep out encourages people to experience these same conditions and in turn raise a target sum of forty million pounds to help one million homeless and displaced people around the world.

An estimated 4,677 human beings sleep rough on any one night in England.

The World’s Big Sleep Out is an attempt to get 50,000 people sleeping rough in unison to raise funds to help those who face it on a daily basis. There will be sleep outs on the same day accross 50 locations worldwide. The Sleep Out has been supported by several prominent individuals. Helen Mirren will support the cause on the night by reading a bedtime story to those taking part at London’s Trafalgar Square, whilst Will Smith will do the same in Times Square, New York. The general expectations of what ‘homelessness’ looks like are not the only issues that the Big Sleep Out are aiming to tackle: street homelessness is indeed one the largest issues at hand, but the charity also aims to support those who are experiencing different kinds of homelessness, for example extreme poverty. 100% of donations will go to the 1.1 billion

worldwide who live in inadequate housing, and the 100 million who have no housing whatsoever, displaced due to war, natural disasters and extreme poverty. Alongside locations such as London, New York, New Delhi and Amsterdam, The World’s Big Sleep out is to hold an event in Newcastle. It has been estimated that Newcastle alone has a homeless population of 200, which, with a total population of 296,000, equates to 1 in 1,482. Figures are likely to be higher than this in reality. For those interested in getting involved in this event, it will take place in Exhibition Park on Saturday 7th December 2019. Registration online is now open- each registration donates £15, although donations are not limited to this fee. Half of any donations made at the Newcastle event will go towards supporting people displaced internationally whilst the other half will support Street Zero, a local organisation which aims to end rough sleeping in Newcastle by 2020. The charity uses their fund to help individuals overcome struggles and get off the streets.

The event will take place in Exhibition Park on Saturday 7th December 2019

For more information on the World’s Big Sleep Out or how to get involved in Newcastle’s homelessness crisis visit the charity’s website.

The World's Big Sleep Out is also happening other cities globally Image: HeeHaw on Vimeo

the courier

news Tyneside triumph: license approved for Hard Rock Cafe Monday 14 October 2019

Libby Prescott

Plans to transform Quayside’s 17th century Guildhall into another famous rock and roll themed Hard Rock Café are closer to completion following recent developments. The couple behind the plan, Penny and David Tilly, promise the venue will honour local stars such as Sting, Brian Johnson, and Mark Knopfler.

The venue will honour local stars such as Sting, Brian Johnson, and Mark Knopfler

down Guildhall into a modern restaurant. The Hard Rock Café, renowned for its music memorabilia, currently has venues in 74 countries. In the UK, there are cafes located in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Following the licence granting, Mr Tilly said, “I am absolutely thrilled. We don't know yet when exactly we will be able to open and we are still waiting on a few things to be finalised for planning consent, but it is looking good. "We have had some good feedback and lots of support from some important organisations in the city. "The condition of that ground floor at the Guildhall is not good at the moment, so it will be nice to bring it back to life. "It is going to take some investment to do that and bring it back to what it should be for people to enjoy the splendour of the building."

lated noise issues". As well as this, Northumbria police objected to a new Quayside seating area on the pavement opposite the café. How-

Steady progress has been made, as a premises license has been submitted to the Newcastle city council and plans for a £2.5 million transformation have been developed for the historic building. However, the turning point came when council bosses approved a new alcohol license for the project in the final week of September. This is a large step forward and if the couple are able to secure the final permissions needed, such as the permission to “vary the layoutImage: Max Pixel and style”, the branch will be up and running, transforming the run-

However, there have been some objections to the plans. One neighbour in Sandhill has complained that the café being open until 1:30am is "unacceptable" due to "alcohol re-

The Hard Rock Cafe was established in London in 1971 Image:Pixabay

Aimee Seddon News Editor

At Newcastle University, extra focus was given in this year’s freshers week to initiation practices.

a caution, written warnings, disciplinary suspension, deferred expulsion from the University, and expulsion with immediate effect. Similarly, for society inductions, there was a greater emphasis on anti-initiation training for society officer roles. Their training too focused on dangerous initiation practices and the prohibition of ‘forced’ behaviour. NUSU defines forced behaviour as any instance when an individual feels pressurised or believes that they ‘must’ participate in order to be accepted into a particular group. The disciplinary action for societies who do not adhere, was also explained. Those taking part in planning, encouraging or failing to intervene in such events could risk expulsion from the University, removal from a committee position or so-

Plans for a £2.5 million transformation have been developed for the historic building

ever, this was withdrawn when the applicants agreed to scrap these plans. The Hard Rock Café will provide jobs for

students and the public, as well as creating a social hub on the banks of the River Tyne.

University and Council react to initiation dangers

Following the tragic death of Newcastle Student Ed Farmer in 2016 from the “toxic effects” of excessive alcohol consumption at an Agricultural Society initiation, Newcastle Council and the University are continuing attempts to minimise the chances of a similar incident. The inquest last year revealed how the 20-year-old student was “egged on” to drink vodka trebles by older students, ultimately going into cardiac arrest and suffering a fatal brain injury. The coroner, Karen Dilks, ended the inquest by calling for new action and awareness raising measures.

Universities have been warned against a no tolerance approach towards initations

Induction lectures for courses included slides warning second and third year students about prohibited behaviour, which included forcing others to consume drink or substances. Punishments for such behaviour included

ciety membership, de-ratification of a society and removal from any competitions. A new University report and support system has been introduced to allow students to report this, anonymously if they prefer. The President of the Newcastle University Fashion Society, Sophie Walker, said: “I find it extremely important for NUSU to educate societies about initiations and to act if societies do partake in initiations. The emphasis in officer training really drilled into executive committee’s the dangers of initiations beyond what some may see as harmless fun.” The focus comes as a new report from Universities UK in collaboration with Newcastle University, titled ‘Initiations at UK universities’, recommended universities move away from the zero-tolerance approach towards initiations. The report, whose launch coincided with the start of Freshers’ Week, said “Not all events labelled as initiations are inherently

"Institutions should review their protocols for dealing with such activities and clarify the sanctions that apply for disregarding these"

Initations at UK Universities

A memorial for Ed Farmer was held outside of the SU last year Image:Louise Hall

bad: it is the inappropriate and/or dangerous behaviours that are sometimes involved that make them risky. A blanket zero tolerance approach can push activities into private spaces, such as off-campus accommodation, and so making them more dangerous.” "A purely zero-tolerance, punitive approach is ineffective, and can lead institutions to do very little to tackle the issue since, because initiations are banned, there is an assumption that they are not taking place. "Institutions should review their protocols for dealing with such activities and clarify with students and staff the sanctions that apply for disregarding these." Eleanor Killner, Activities Officer at NUSU, and Joe Gibbons, the Athletics Union Officer,

commented: “The death of Ed Farmer was a tragic and devastating incident that still affects us all here at the University and it was

NUSU defines forced behaviour as when an individual feels that they 'must' participate in order to be accepted into a particular group

clear we needed to make a positive change. “This year we have worked very hard to move away from the term initiations, towards the culture surrounding dangerous behaviours within clubs and societies. It’s not just one-off events we should be focusing on, it is the culture surrounding coercive and noninclusive behaviour. “The Student Union had a massive influence on the content of the Universities UK recent report. We want every student to think of clubs and societies as the highlight of their time at university and we’re proud that this year’s committee members can lead the way in changing the negative reputation around socials and events throughout the year.” This comes as Newcastle Council bosses pledged in July that there will be a crackdown on the city’s bars and clubs. As well as new training for event promoters, their plans also included frequent inspections of late-night drinking venues. A report on the topic went before Safe Newcastle members in August. The city’s old ‘raising the bar’ scheme in which bars were rewarded for good practice, was found to be “not always effectively implemented” and became “undermined” by police and council interventions. The report instead explained that under a new charter, the Newcastle City Council inspectors would grade bars according to factors such as their compliance with the conditions of their alcohol licences and confidence in the venues management.

news

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

NU to name building after philanthropist

Dame Margaret Barbour, after years of donating to Newcastle University, is to have a campus building to be named after her. She established The Barbour Foundation in 1988, with the aim of helping charitable causes. The Foundation helps things alike cultural and community projects, particularly in the North East. Since 2012, however, Dame Margaret has offered significant support to the university. Notably, she gave a charitable one million pound donation to the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, which opened in 2016. This generous donation supports PhD

Olivia Jackson

A series of celebrations have been carried out this week in honour of the 10th year anniversary of the Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia International Campus. Students and alumni gathered together with staff on the South Malaysian Campus to commend the excellent education provided to so many students via this institution. Lion dancing and traditional drumming are just a few of the wide range of activities used to honour the school. Proceeding this, the Malaysian flag was raised over the Newcastle Campus commencing their celebrations. An impressive martial arts performance was displayed in King’s Gate, along with a traditional lion dance choreographed and led by Master Sifu. The showcase of traditional arts was contin-

An artist's impression of the new building Image: Newcastle University Press Office

Jasmine Cannon

Ten years of Malaysia International Campus

studentships as part of the Cancer Prevention Programme (CAPP), led by Professor Sir John Burn. Since then, Dame Margaret has donated a further two million pounds, which has offered support to a number of PhD students across Newcastle University’s Medical School. The money has the intended purpose of focusing particularly on dementia, cancer, age- related chronic diseases, infection and immunology, human genetics and neuroscience. The thirty nine million pounds six-storey building, which is being named after Dame Margaret, is currently under construction on the Richardson Road site. The building will include a lecture theatre for 300 students. It will also include seminar rooms, social learn-

ing spaces and academic and postgraduate offices. Dame Margaret recently said: “I am so very honoured to have this building named after me. I so admire the tireless academic work carried out within the University”. Professor Chris Day, President and ViceChancellor of Newcastle University also said: “I would like to thank Dame Margaret for her continued support. We are all very grateful for the opportunities that the Barbour Foundation has given to the University”. The new building will be used by the whole university, supporting both teaching and learning, with specialist spaces for Sport and Exercise Science, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Psychology and Medical Education.

Lion dancing and traditional drumming are just a few of the wide range of activities used to honour the school

founded in 2019 by 17-year old Amy Bray from Cumbria. This programme runs projects which range from educational talks to tree planting. It is working towards one main aim, which is to encourage the widespread adoption of environmentally

sustainable behaviours. Consequently, this would reignite a sense of values, morals and principles within the community. Bray, who is herself a patron of the conservation charity Friends of the Lake District, has been dubbed Britain’s answer to Greta

Thunberg for her conservation awareness efforts. Speaking of Dr Jamieson’s appointment in News and Star, she said “Another Way’s educational approach to encouraging sustainable lifestyles is based on science. We have heard, and believe, the science. Our fo-

ued by Kayu Gangsa (a Malaysian Gamelan Group) accompanied by the Newcastle University Malaysian Society. NuMed planted a native tree on campus to mark the occasion and current students from the Malaysian Campus gifted the Medical

School with a celebratory traditional rice drawing. In the decade in which this school has operated, 484 students have graduated with

"I am so happy that Newcastle University is honouring the special anniversary"

Emelia Florian, President of the Newcastle University Malaysian Society

Bachelors of Medicine, Surgery and BSC Biomedical Science. Malaysia has embraced the campus wholly: the school is currently approved by the Malaysian Qualifications Agency and is registering NuMed as a Private Institute of Higher Learning. The cross cultural opportunities have continued, and the school is now offering UK postgraduate programmes with both elearning and Malaysian face-to-face teaching as methods of study. Emelia Florian, President of the Newcastle University Malaysian Society, expressed her delight at the celebrations: “I am so happy that Newcastle University is honouring this special anniversary, and we are looking forward to showcasing a flavour of our Malaysian culture". The Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Science, summarised the aim of the events by saying that she "pays tribute to everybody...who has shaped the campus into what it is today.”

S-pacific ecology projects gain lecturer charity patron status Ruby Bartholomew The environmental conservation educational charity Another Way has recently appointed Dr Alan Jamieson of Newcastle University as its first patron. Dr Jamieson, of the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, lectures in Marine Ecology, and is best known for his work investigating the ‘Hadal Zone’. This is a name for the deepest parts of the ocean, reaching 6000-11000m in depth.

The programme is working towards the widespread adoption of environmentally sustainable behaviours

His portfolio boasts some impressive achievements: he has participated in over 50 deep-sea expeditions, and has had submersibles of his own design deployed in Hadal trenches over 220 times across 18 cruises to the Pacific Ocean. Jamieson also was part of the team that filmed the deepest fish seen alive in 2008, and again in 2014. His more recent findings have centred around human impact on these deep-sea ecosystems: in 2017, a team led by Jamieson demonstrated the presence of man-made pollutants in the fatty tissues of amphipods (a type of crustacean) taken from Hadal trenches in the Pacific Ocean. In a subsequent study, he and his team explored the level of plastic contamination in these areas, and found crustaceans dwelling at up to 36,000 feet deep with micro-plastics in their guts. Another Way is a programme that was

The dumping of plastic in the ocean is a serious environmental concern Image: Flickr

cus is to ensure we have the latest information upon which to develop our programmes and projects. Having Dr Alan Jamieson on board as our first patron allows us to maintain this science-based focus. We are extremely honoured.”

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campus comment

Got an opinion on this week's news? Students share their thoughts on the city and university on the brand new campus comment page

Will new liscensing laws help prevent initiations? Em Richardson

In 2016, Newcastle Fresher Ed Farmer tragically died after a night of heaving drinking at an Agricultural Society initiation. The city council has since promised to take measures to discourage venues from serving irresponsible amounts of alcohol. Back in August, the Safe Newcastle Board approved plans to introduce stricter rules for late-night drinking venues. Under the new rules, venues could be inspected by the council on a regular basis, and their event promoters will be expected to have undergone health and safety training, teaching them about the dangers of encouraging excessive alcohol consumption. The City Council may receive the right to ‘grade’ bars, on factors like how safely they are managed, and how closely they comply to the terms of their alcohol license.

Three years since Farmer's death, Newcastle's licencing laws are still unchanged

Obviously, this is a step in the right direction. However, it’s now almost three years since Farmer’s tragic death, and these measures are still only theoretical, meaning the shocking incident is yet to actually have a formal influence on Newcastle’s licensing laws. Moreover, it should be noted that the Safe Newcastle Board doesn’t intend to make the health and safety training for promoters a legal requirement- bars will simply be ‘encouraged’ to hire employees who have undergone it. The Board has failed to comment on whether bars who

follow their recommendation will receive any kind of reward or incentive. As for the ‘grading system’, it goes without saying that drunk students are unlikely to even notice, or care, what grading their favourite bar has received. Instead of blaming over-enthusiastic promoters for the tragic events of 2016, I’d suggest that the City Council ought to turn their attention to the bartenders who served the Agricultural Society that night. Surely, the biggest concern of this whole affair, is that there wasn’t a single piece of legislation stopping them from serving over 100 treble vodkas to a single group of students?

cedures put in place to look after students and deter such tragedy occurring in the future. The student was pressured into drinking excessive amounts of vodka at an Agricultural Society initiation event, resulting him into cardiac arrest and then

Eleasha Forster Initiations are still happening. They still pose risk for Freshers, even after the recent tragedy of Newcastle University student. More needs to be done; the university needs to take a more active role in mitigating the danger posed to students joining societies. Newcastle City Council’s ‘Raise the Bar’ scheme is not going far enough to ensure the safety of Newcastle University students during initiation events. More needs to be done at Newcastle University. Following the tragic death of Newcastle University Fresher Ed Farmer in 2016, questions and criticism have risen over the lack of consequences and pro-

Image: Pmgimg.com

death. Indeed, the university cannot prohibit students from drinking nor the amount of consumption, therefore, zero toler-

Freshers' fair fiasco Rebecca Johnson

Freshers Fair was plunged into chaos as the annual event was moved into Venue from the Sports Centre. The move was a necessary evil, as building work continues at the Sports Centre and its new complex, Venue was the next logical space for the Fair to be moved to. However, this didn’t stop it from being an unnecessarily hot and packed space, causing numbers of problems for societies and students trying to make their way around the fair. As mentioned previously, the movement of Freshers Fair was unfortunately neces-

sary, and Venue was the next logical big area. One small drawback with Venue is that it’s in a basement, adding to the claustrophobia felt down there. Unlike the Sports Centre, Venue wasn’t as spacious, meaning that Venue soon became a jam-packed and boiling hot hellhole. On top of that, it was a maze to find the society you were after, more so than in the usual Sport Centre. The crowdedness also led to massive queues from the entrance of Venue’s basement right around to the Courtyard area of the SU’s grounds. At one point, I overheard one of the Fresher’s Crew Chiefs explain to a group of freshers that the wait for the Fair would be “well over an hour”, which is pretty mad. Another issue with

the event was for stallholders themselves. People going down to represent their society in some cases had problems actually getting in to the Fair. The majority of Freshers’ Crew let society members in, but this wasn’t always the case. A minority of the bouncers prevented students from going downstairs to represent their society, despite pleas that they weren’t actually freshers and needed to get down at a certain time. This was a frustrating issue that was seemingly ironed out as the week progressed. Although I’m sure a lot of societies and clubs got plenty of sign-ups, more needs to be done next year to ensure that the adequate preparations have been made so that this isn’t repeated.

ance has the potential to cause greater harm if secret meetings are arranged in environments with less safety measures. However, more needs to be done by the university to educate and change the attitude of students organising such events, informing them of there role as a role model and caretaker in an environment where students’ vulneri is taken advantage of in order to be ‘accepted’ into a society. A second year student raised concern that: ‘Society initiations [put pressure] on vulnerable students to complete initiation tasks in an uncomfortable environments and even neglect those who cannot gain control over themselves once the alcohol hits their system.’ Thanks to media's representation of Newcastle as the best ‘Party City’ for students in 2018 (Student Hut), the drinking culture is one of Newcastle’s most attractive attributes for students coming to study. Banning initiations and drinking events cannot legally stop students from going out into unsafe private spaces. Education is the most effective tool for safeguarding students and preventing anything terrible from happening

again. Initiation organisers and society officials should have first-aid training, with particular focus on identifying the signs of alcohol poisoning, knowing when students have taken it too far, signposting individuals to people who can help them when intoxicated, making sure students can get home safely, as well as understanding how their role represents the university as well as a role model students in societies.

Zero tolerance policies have the potential to cause greater harm

There should also be meetings with members of societies before freshers come to the university educate on the dangers of peer pressure and how to be a good role model to new freshers. Other education measures could include inviting police, paramedics, and guest speakers to come in to talk about the dangers of peer pressure and excessive drinking during induction week to raise students' awareness of these issues. Wristbands could be distributed in the Students' Union with numbers of taxis or emergency contacts so that students always have information at hand at times of need. With these safety measures and facilities put in place, the university can create a better environment for students to have fun and avoid tragedy from occurring again.

Is everyone asleep to the reality of homelessness? Rachel Makinson On December 7th, thousands are set to spend a night out in the open in Exhibition Park in a bid to raise money for registered charities which provide support and assistance to those who are homeless or displaced. Whilst there are undoubtedly good intentions behind this fundraiser, questions over its appropriacy have arisen. On the one hand, it is easy to recognise that this event is likely to generate a substantial amount of money which will go towards helping people who are homeless, whilst simultaneously raising awareness of what it is like to sleep without a roof over your head.

Participants will be equipped for cold weather which isn't the reality for some homeless people

However, those who are fundraising will fundamentally return

to their homes on 8 December. Although this fundraiser is trying to achieve something positive, it centres around a sort of novelty factor appeal, which is arguably insensitive and largely patronising to those people who really are experiencing homelessness. Participants will likely be properly equipped for the cold weather, and have the security of knowing when it will end, which is unfortunately not the reality for everyone. Participants are also unlikely to be awoken by somebody telling them to move on, or to be abused, verbally or physically, by passers by. This fundraiser also has potential to contribute towards the societal illusion that everyone who is homeless is sleeping on the streets, which is just not true. Many homeless people are “hidden”, meaning they might be staying with friends or family, or living in insecure accommodation. The concept of this sleep out is certainly questionable. Those participating are doing so to raise funds for a brilliant cause, but perhaps for future fundraisers, organisers should alter the event to something of a more sensitive nature. The novelty factor appeal of the event is sure to bring in a lot of funding, but it fails to demonstrate real understanding and empathy for those who are homeless or displaced.

comment Re-Markle-ble twist: Duchess of

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Monday 14 October 2019

@courier_latest courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Aastha Malik, Joe Molander & Kelly Corcoran

Sussex sues The Mail on Sunday Joe Molander reflects on the publication of one of Meghan Markle’s private letters and what it says about the British Press

rince Harry has announced in a statement that his wife, Meghan Markle and the Duchess of Sussex, is to pursue legal action against the Mail on Sunday, following the newspaper’s decision to publish parts of a letter penned by Markle to her estranged father, Thomas Markle. The incident appears to be the straw that broke the camel’s back, the latest example of Markle’s continued negative press. Why the public have received her so poorly could lie in the fact that the monarchy is uniquely British, and crucially, traditionally British. Its supporters are older and more conservative than the average Briton, and perhaps look to the Royal family as a reminder of an era longgone. A white, English, mega-rich cabal is the diametric opposite of today’s bend towards multi-culturalism, globalisation and social justice.

People are unable to look past Meghan Markle’s demography, and see her as different from what the monarchy should be

While undeniably rich, Meghan Markle is neither white nor English. Many see the institution that was supposed

to be sealed off from these 21st century values as having been breached. She could well hold every single value that these royalists do – patriotism, conservatism, unveiling plaques – but they are unable to look past her demography, and instead, see her as different from what the monarchy represents and, worryingly, what they think it should be.

Markle has offended outmoded ideas about British institutions. To deny cultural and racial prejudice played a role in the vitriol being spewed here would be foolish

The Duchess of Sussex has been treated to an on-thejob crash-course in the vitriol that the British media are capable of spewing, and it’s been fuelled in no small part by her offending outmoded ideas about what Britain and its institutions ought to be. To deny cultural and racial prejudice played a role here would be foolish.

Image: Mark Jones on Wikipedia

Has Ellen’s DeGenerosity gone too far?

As controversy mounts, Joe Molander looks at the wider context of the popular talkshow host’s chat with the ex-President

llen DeGeneres is a TV host who will be best known to students as the presenter of a selftitled, three-quarter-hour-long talk show that tries its hardest to celebrate singing children and to remove any and all entertainment value from whichever memes her production team brings to her attention. The YouTube channel featuring highlights from the show include the Jonas Brothers pranking fans, Adam Levine relating an anecdote about his three year old and a video called “Ellen’s New Ways to Eat Cheetos”: you’d be forgiven for thinking she’s not the edgiest of comedians. Indeed, most of those reading this paper (yes, both of you) are likely too young to remember the fifteen minutes she spent in the spotlight as one of the most controversial figures in Hollywood. The year was 1997, and whereas nowadays one has to

mouth off about safe spaces and “triggered liberals” to be branded a provocateur (bonus points for talking about how your free speech is under threat by, well, exercising your free speech), Ellen’s source of infamy was being gay.

DeGeneres comes from a position of supreme privilege

A different time entirely, coming out set her career back years. “No-one wanted to hire me, no-one wanted to work with me,” she said in a recent interview with David Letterman for Netflix. Her sitcom – Ellen – was taken offair shortly after she made the announcement, once sponsors started to dry up. Her career, or career comeback, is

Image: TheEllenShow YouTube

a source of inspiration to anyone who has to face the insurmountably difficult choice between what is right and what is easy. Over two decades later, Ellen has made a return to controversy. Instead of pioneering gay rights, now she has been filmed sitting next to George W Bush. The former US President is perhaps the most controversial in living memory – no mean feat considering one of his competitors tried to reform healthcare in a country where anything vaguely approaching the NHS is denounced as socialist, and another was impeached – and as one can expect in 2019, a twitterstorm developed. Ellen responded with a four minute video going further into detail about the incident, and amidst jokes about her new iPhone and the football game the two were watching at the time, she said “When I say be kind to each other I don’t mean only the people that think the same way that you do: I mean be kind to everyone”. Unpacking what she said is tricky: in a time where politics is becoming more polarised and divided, the sentiment is certainly helpful in plenty of contexts, and one people seem to have forgotten. The idea of respecting alternative points of view would certainly help in debates around Brexit, voting intentions and our political leadership, for example. However, one of the areas where this is less constructive is the legacy of George Bush, or rather the most contentious areas thereof. No-one is upset at DeGeneres associating with Bush because he used federal power to influence state education policy, or because of the finer points of his African aid strategy. Paradoxically, as his time at the helm of the US government blurs further and further into history, his detractors have become sharper and sharper. While not agreed on everything, opposition has become more cohesive and better informed.

As a millionaire, Ellen has no reason to bring up Bush’s legacy

The source of upset at what DeGeneres did is far from

singular, but the main point of contention is the Iraq War. The conflict has only shaky justification under international law, and according to the 2016 Iraq Inquiry (conducted in the UK), failed to achieve what it set out to and led to destabilisation in the region, with thousands dead and many more injured.

DeGeneres used to be keenly socially conscious even if it meant losing her career

One can disagree on foreign involvement, and the use of conflict in the 21st century. Arguably, a record of office that displays such a flippant disregard for the law for human life and for civil liberties (should be discussed, as a matter of some urgency. DeGeneres wasn’t with Bush to talk disagreements, though. She didn’t even consider that: she looked at a man responsible for the deaths of thousands and a war many consider to be illegal, and didn’t see either as important. It is a sign of supreme privilege where a belief system as deadly as Bush’s can be degraded to a “different opinion”, something to be acknowledged but never engaged, or debated. For millions living in the Middle East, it cannot be a “different opinion”, seeing as “different opinions” rarely have as much sway in their lives as American foreign policy. DeGeneres - a millionaire living in the west - of course has no course to bring up Bush’s legacy. There are people with significantly less privilege who would give anything to, though. People were not angry at her for being “kind” to someone with whom she and they disagreed, then: they were angry at her for not giving the disagreement the gravity is deserved. DeGeneres used to be keenly socially conscious, even if meant losing her career, and now it would seem her once razor-sharp instinct for considering the right thing, and not the easy thing, has long faded.

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comment

Monday 14 October 2019

The reg-Greta-ble activist backlash

Victoria Osho takes a look at the attitudes surrounding the young activist Greta Thunberg

f you have no idea who Greta Thunberg is, she is a sixteen-year-old climate change activist who started to strike, on and off, over a year ago, but who has only recently received a substantial media presence and following. She gave a very powerful speech at the UN at the end of September, and I advise you watch it critically. She also recently published a book titled “No One Is Too Small to Make a Difference”. Despite the continued efforts of Greta to bring awareness to issues as pressing as global warming and climate change, and despite the overwhelming support she has received, she has also received a great deal of backlash, and has been badly received by a sizeable portion of the public. Some people might see this as a great enigma: I mean, she is a young girl brave enough to speak in front of politicians who do nothing about this global crisis, and she is very relatable. However, I am unsurprised by the terrible reception she has gotten from a large amount of people, and it reflects on our society that not much has changed in the way certain people from certain groups are viewed. Greta Thunberg, despite her relatability and the way in which she succeeds in conveying her message in the most powerful way possible, unfortunately represents all the people in society that are shunned and not given a second thought: women, children, and people with disabilities.

Greta rattles the people and politicians, and not in a good way

Since time began, women have not been listened

to in any part of society unless they have a man beside them backing them up. The courage of a girl such as Greta rattles the public and the politicians, and not in a good way. It is already widely believed that women should remain meek, soft, and quiet, and suddenly there is this young girl at the UN, not feigning meekness, but telling the story completely as it is. While this is certainly inspiring to young girls, this annoys men and women who wish they could do the same.

Greta having Asperger’s is a way for society to dismiss her even further, mocking her speech because of her learning disability. It is a sad world we live in where we must fit into a certain demography in order to be heard. Greta is relevant, regardless of all this.

It is damaging to society to brainwash children into believing they are too insignificant to make a change

Secondly, it has always been engraved in our heads that children are little vessels who continuously need guidance, and are too young to know the difference between left and right. This is a great tool that the people in power use to belittle her voice. She is a child, so how could she know how climate change works, and how hard it is to attempt curbing it? While children must be protected, it is damaging to society to brainwash them into believing they are too insignificant to make a change, and too young to know what they want.

President’s comments were widely denounced for what they were: racist. Munchetty weighed in on the conversation with co-host Dan Walker, relaying her own experiences with similar remarks, suggesting that every time she had been told to ‘go home’, those words had been embedded in racism. She also repeatedly stated that she was “not accusing anyone of anything” and that she was not there to give her opinion – neither of which she did. The BBC is infamous for its strict rules on impartiality; as a publicly funded organisation, presenters are instructed to stay out of political conversations, lest the company be perceived as biased towards or against an issue. Image: Wikimedia However, it’s hard to be Commons impartial on issues such

as racism. Munchetty carefully toed the line, passionately discussing the racism she has faced, whilst merely acknowledging the parallels between that and the President’s comments – despite them being clearly racist.

This is a worrying example of a woman of colour being persecuted by her employers

Considering the complaint was also made against cohost Walker, but the investigative team were only focusing on Munchetty’s comments, we have yet another worrying example of a woman of colour being persecuted by her employers and the public. The question should not be ‘did Naga Munchetty take her comments too far?’, but rather ‘has the BBC taken impartiality too far?’

Why is proroguing still in the rulebook?

Now that the Supreme Court have thwarted Boris Johnson’s attempt to prorogue Parliament, Ella Bending discusses fallout, consequences and implications of the landmark ruling on British laws

n a unanimous decision, eleven Supreme Court judges declared Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s decision to prorogue Parliament until 14 October “unlawful […] null and of no effect”. A judicial ruling of this kind has not been recorded for at least fifty years, and the last Monarch to have sanctioned prorogation was Queen Victoria, proving not only how noteworthy current political events are from a historical perspective, but also how archaic the British legal system is to allow this to have happened in the first place.

The democratic decision of the majority of British people is still being evaded by Parliament

Crucial to the composition of British society is the overriding idea that the sovereign is the symbolic embodiment of the will of the people. In my estimation, the Supreme Court’s ruling against the signature of the Queen

is a knowing decision by the judiciary, emblematically, against the will of the people. Yet, Boris Johnson, with the advice of legal practitioners and the signature of the monarch, is being painted as a democracy-hating tyrant by the Supreme Courts of both England and Scotland, and most of the House of Commons. A primary argument against the Prime Minister’s decision to prorogue Parliament was that meaningful changes to the law which may assist in Brexit negotiations before 14 October would no longer be heard, with the motivation behind this argument being that this was an undemocratic decision by the Prime Minister. Although highly valid, this point also elucidates how absent democracy appears to be in current politics at all, as the democratic decision of the majority of British people is still being

Jake Dannatt

ow more than ever, it seems that we have to pick a side in politics. Whether that be left, right, or in the middle, the war in Westminster has reached its climax. Never did I think that Labour would become such a disliked party amongst my peers, or that the Lib Dems would emerge as a true contender. Corbyn and his team have isolated many of the party’s voters, and the Tories can hardly claim to have championed Brexit. At a time when Westminster is starving for a strong opposition, the Lib Dems should be taken more seriously. With party membership at a record high of over 120,000, there is evidently a desire to pursue common sense and pragmatic politics.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

James Nash weighs up whether the company should be impartial about the issue of racism

lot of fuss was made after presenter Naga Munchetty relayed her own experiences of racism as a women of colour on BBC Breakfast in July. Her comments were made in the context of President Trump’s remarks on Twitter, where he stated that four congresswomen of colour should “go back” to the “broken and crime infested places from which they came”. Considering that three of the four congresswomen were all born in the United States, and the fourth is a naturalised American citizen, the

LEFT, RIGHT, OR CENTRE

TOAST OF THE WEEK

BBC Breakfast’s run in with racism A

SOAPBOX

evaded by Parliament nearly four years after the Brexit vote. It is a frightening day when the intervention of the Supreme Court is not enough confirmation to the House that their consistent shutting down of any meaningful action towards an exit negotiation after, like it or not, the single biggest democratic decision in British voting history is not getting us anywhere. All that this dispute between the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court proves is that prorogation itself is archaic to an undemocratic extent and has no place in modern politics, and yet it remains in our constitution. Ultimately, this ruling proves that our legal system is unacceptably outdated in a modern context and, imperatively, failing Image: Public us in the most imporDomain Images tant of times.

STUDENT SAVINGS

Hope Lynes

tudent shopping night is always filled with so many discounts for new and returning students, and this year’s was certainly no disappointment. I would therefore like to toast the effort that Intu Eldon Square went to on Tuesday the 1st October, providing students across Newcastle with some great bargains. Firstly, a big shout out to Typo who offered 30% off and a goody bag with 10 items in if you left your email. More essential junk stationary to add to the collection. Schuh also pulled it out the bag, offering 20-30% off already discounted shoes when you took a chance on the spin wheel. Cheap pairs of Reebok Classics and Vans always deserve a toast. With great savings like these, I would definitely recommend everybody to check it out next time!

ROAST OF THE WEEK

SECURITY CRISIS Iona Lowe

ow is it that with a background of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ we are still moving towards an overcontrolled state? Almost everything that we do is watched and recorded, from the films that we stream online, to the shops that we visit and purchase from. Even books such as Rod Liddle’s ‘The Great Betrayal’ are being ripped apart, with some bookshops refusing to sell it! With such restrictions, how can we argue that we are a free country? With social media and the rapid pace that technology appears to be moving in, it is a wonder that we are not all as robotic as Winston.

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Ethan Gren meets Fiona McDonald Fourth year Law

Fourth year Medicine

Blind Date Hello Ethan, how did your date go? I thought it was really good. I had a nice time and she was really fun.

How did your date go? It was good. We got on really well and I really enjoyed it.

Was this your first ever blind date? No, I went on one previously that had been set up by my friends.

What were your first impressions when you set eyes on Ethan? Probably not my usual type, but it’s quite hard to judge someone from first impressions. As soon as we got talking, I knew that we would hopefully get on alright.

Do you feel like your friends know your matches better than the Courier does? No, I think the Courier got it quite spot on to be honest…I was quite impressed and surprised. Had you been watching a lot of First Dates on the telly to prepare yourself? I actually started watching it the last week, but it was just a coincidence…I didn’t plan it for the date or anything! Did you and Fiona have a lot in common? Yeah, quite a decent bit. We both like sports. We also both travel quite a lot and like hiking and the outdoors. We had some very good conversations. She seemed quite cheery and nice, happy to be there. A bit nervous, but no more nervous than I was. How did you find Ghetto Golf as a first date activity? It was much more relaxed and informal – you could have quite a laugh as opposed to just talking to each other. And who won at the golf? Officially me, but by the end her. One of my hole in ones was changed to an 11 – I don’t know how that happened! Do you think that you and Fiona will see each other again? I think that I would like to, but I’m not sure if she will, but I would be up for it. We texted early today actually, just general chitchat about the weekend, so who knows? If Fiona were a Newcastle landmark, what would she be? This is hard! Okay…it probably won’t make sense, but she would be the Tyne Bridge, because that’s what you run over during the Great North Run, and she does a lot of running, as do I. Very structurally integral. If you described her in three words, what would they be? Funny, warm…actually, can I swap warm? Funny, intelligent and cute. If she were a bake or sweet treats from Greggs, what would she be? Can I go for a Cooplands one instead? I’d say a Yum Yum-You get Yum Yums at Greggs, don’t you?! I’m not sure, I’m not very familiar with Greggs. A Yum Yum because she’s sweet.

What did you think of Ghetto Golf as a first date venue? It was really good, it gave us something to do and also something to talk about if there were any lulls in the conversation – which there weren’t anyway! It was really fun. So what did you and Ethan talk about? He studies Law, I study Medicine, so he told me a bit about his degree and I told him a bit about mine. I’m quite into sport, and he does a bit of running, so we talked a bit about then, and then places we’ve been and things we’ve done. You both like sport. If Ethan were a sport, what sport would he be? Well he plays squash, so maybe he’s what you would expect a sport player to be like! Speaking of squash, would you rather have another date with Ethan or an unlimited supply of butternut squash? HErm…I think I would have an unlimited supply of butternut squash.

I think I would rather have an unlimited supply of butternut squash than a second date with Ethan Do you think you’ll go on another date with him? I don’t think so. He said at the end of the date that he would like to see me again. I got on really well with him, but I didn’t really feel it, I didn’t really fancy him. I think we’ll just stay as friends. Do you think a blind date was a good decision? Yes, I think it was a really fun way of doing it. It meant that we had loads to talk about as we had never even met before, although it’s probably more nervewracking, and it could go badly because you have no idea what they’re like. But it’s something quite different and quite fun.

the courier

life & style lifestyle

Monday 14 October 2019

The poshest place in Newcastle: the iconic Jesmond The top four podcasts w Lydia Pendrigh discussses the reasons why Jesmond is the students’ hotspot for housing

h, Jesmond. One of the few areas of the Toon where one can pronounce ‘Newcastle’ with a long “ah” sound freely, without being corrected or, in my experience, branded a “dirty southerner”. Complete with a Waitrose and a prep school of blazer-wearing, cello-playing bairns, Jesmond is undoubtedly one of the poshest spots in Newcastle, especially through the eyes of second-year students who have entered into their university experience considering Eat4Less to be fine dining.

Jesmond is the crème de la crème of student areas Thanks to its three Metro stations and countless bars along Osborne Road, Jesmond is the crème de la crème of student areas (ironic, given its vast population of militant vegans). Sandyford and Heaton are sour milk in comparison; and it’s sour grapes for their residents because they don’t live in Jesmond. As well as mazes of seemingly identical terraced houses, the streets of Jesmond are lined with a strange breed of student, often from the Home Counties and dressed head-to-toe in charity shop bargains: “I used to LOVE Depop but I can’t pay postage anymore because I’m a student, yah?”. Wearing mismatched vintage sportswear and permanently armed with 30g of Amber Leaf, the Jesmond second-year may look like an average 1990s council estate occupant. In reality, however, the closest these individuals will get to being on the dole is when Dole fruit salad is on special offer at Waitrose. For first-years at Newcastle Uni, attending lectures looking dishevelled is generally an accident. Appearing bright-eyed and bushy-tailed is never easy after an all-nighter at Digi or Greys Club, but it is something to aspire to nonetheless. But for second-year Jesmondites, the dress code is ‘look as shamelessly and deliberately ropey as possible’.

While throwing a puffer jacket over pyjamas is intended to say “I’m an intellectual who needs a soya flat white”, it roughly translates as “I can’t wear my real clothes because everyone will realise my parents are investment bankers”. As soon as a Newcastle student leaves halls at the end of their first year, gone are the days of weekly cleaners, and Accommodation Services on hand to fix a leaky shower or berate students for wedging the fire doors open. Instead, Jesmond tenants are met with freezing cold, filthy dirty houses, and an Invisible Man for a landlord. Though my complaints of damp and slug infestations have fallen on deaf ears, the overflowing kitchen bin has not fallen on anosmic noses. Second-year students will rarely take the bins out, presumably because Jesmond’s back alleys are much less picturesque than Larkspur Terrace or Brentwood Avenue. Paying utility bills in addition to weeknight pub crawls and Spotify Premium defines a Jesmondite’s natural state as very cold and very stinky; according to one of my flatmates, “I’ll still have BO tomorrow so I’ll just shower then”. We have also discovered that

the smoking area of SPY is warmer than our single-glazed Victorian house. For this reason, I will be pushing the Happy Hour button more often than the timer button on our heating. For those of us who were not fated for a Jesmond student experience from birth, the twentyfive-minute schlep (or two-minute Metro ride) to university is something of a safari, and not just because of the abundance of animal-print attire (sustainable and vegan-friendly, of course!) being sported. Regardless of this, Jesmond is rightfully one of the most popular student areas in the country, facilitating the transition from halls to houses for Newcastle and Northumbria students alike.

Molly Greeves recommends four po

ithout running the risk of sounding like the biggest dork alive, I do love podcasts. Though I can’t stand the phrase “adulting”, since coming to university I’ve found myself having to complete more mundane tasks and spend more time alone. Whether I’m going to the gym, doing laundry or laying up this wonderful newspaper (not that that could ever be considered mundane...) these four podcasts keep me sane whether they’re educating me or making me laugh like a weirdo in public.

Today in Focus

Keeping up with the news at the moment feels impossible, not only because the state of the world is terrifying but also because so much of current politics is hard to understand. Today in Focus is a Guardian podcast that runs for half an hour from Monday to Friday, perfect for an early commute or a small gym session (working out and listening to the news? You will honestly never feel more productive). The host, Anushka Asthana, is a talented interviewer who helps to break down the topics that make our heads spin from the Mueller report to parliament prorogation. It’s not all about politics, though. Today in Focus also covers the biggest stories in pop culture and technology, exploring the conspiracy that Facebook is spying on us and the allegations against Michael Jackson. The podcast overall is incredibly well edited, covering a great mix of serious and light topics - it has completely changed the way I get my news.

The Unofficial Expert

Image: Instagram @Billabongbarjesmond

The Unofficial Expert is somewhat of an underrated podcast hosted by two black comedians from NYC named Marie Faustin and Sydnee Washington. The two women invite guests to speak about topics they feel they are an expert in such as being a “Reformed Hoe” to being “Fabulously Unstable”. While the show has had some great guests such as Broad City’s Ilana Glazer, Faustin and Washington’s hilarious commentary is what makes the podcast and if I don’t see them with their own TV show in the next couple of years I’ll be very surprised.

How to save the Planet: a Student Guide

Image: Insta

Lily Holbrook discusses how looking after the Earth can be easier, cheaper and more accessible than university students think

eer pressure, effort, time and money. Despite the best intentions, sometimes it can be hard for even the most eco-conscious student to lead an ecofriendly lifestyle 24/7. Here are 19 top tips for saving the planet while juggling student loans, free time and fitting in with your friends. Sack the straws: Since the distressing video of a plastic straw being removed from a turtle’s nostril back in 2015, straws have definitely become the poster villain in the anti-plastic crusade. On a night out it can be easy to feel as though you’re coming across as pretentious when you refuse a plastic straw waving your metal or bamboo alternative, but don’t be afraid to use it. Even if you don’t have an ecoalternative, save battling with loud club music to request no straw and pick clubs and bars that use paper ones. Shop local: Here in Newcastle, why not try Grainger Market for unpackaged fruit, veg and other goods. Nil Living is a zero waste store offering a range of products from oats and beans to refillable washing liquid… all designed to help you minimise your plastic waste. Cut down on clothes: Buy less clothes to save your bank account and the planet. When you find yourself needing a bit of retail therapy, try out second hand stores or why not swap clothes with friends? Ditch the plastic pods: Buy boxed washing powder rather than plastic pods. Lots of students survive on coffee. Don’t get pods or at leastifyoudo,optforbrandswhereyoucantakethem back to the store to be recycled (such as Nespresso). Get involved: Go to climate strikes, get involved with the university Extinction Rebellion group or the recently established People & Planet society. Prepare a pack up: Forget Tesco or campus meal deals and make yourself a packed lunch. Not only does it save money

and single-use packaging, but it’s often a healthier option for you too. (Don’t forget your reusable cutlery!) Take the scenic route: Most of us will walk into uni anyway but try to minimise the number of trips you do in a car. Utilise public transport, cycle and walk where you can. You could even use the walking time as an opportunity to listen to environmental podcasts if you want to learn more. Eat consciously: Eat more veggie food. While meat can be expensive, healthy plant-based protein sources such as beans and pulses can often be found for less than 50p per can. Versatile, cheap and good for the planet. What’s not to like? Invest in reusable bags: If you don’t already, make sure you have your own reusable bags, bottles and coffee cups. Substitute for ecofriendly products: Maybe a little on the more ex-

Image: Pixabay @MysticsArt

pensive side but consider trying Lush shampoo/conditioner/ deodorant bars. Lush are well known for their ecofriendly ethos and have a range of packaging-free products,

including toothpastes in tablet or jelly form…one to try if you’re feeling experimental!

This may come as a surprise to a lot of students, but Fairy Liquid literally says ‘Harmful to aquatic life with long-lasting effects’ on the back of the bottle. Try switching to an eco-friendly brand such as Ecover so you can wash up knowing you’re being kind to our fishy friends. Go paperless: It’s no secret that the Amazon is in crisis. Give the rainforest a helping hand and reduce demand for its precious resources by using recyclable paper or going paperless. I’m sure you’ve already made the switch to online banking, but what about opting for info about bills/wifi/elections via email rather than post?

He ating only if necessary: Student houses are renowned for being freezing as it is, but before you switch on the heating, always consider whether you could just put on an extra jumper or another pair of socks. Ration your laundry loads: Washing machines release tiny plastic fibres with every wash, so ration your laundry loads and air dry your clothes rather than using a tumble dryer. Stop with the facewipes: Ditch the face wipes (even if they’re biodegradable). It’s very hard to know what exactly is contained within face wipes so don’t risk it and stick to a reusable flannel and zero-microbead face wash. Reconisder using harmful chemicals: Get inventive with cleaning products. It might not be every student’s favourite thing to do but when you can’t leave your kitchen sides a health hazard for any longer, lemon, baking soda and vinegar are all great natural alternatives to harsh cleaning chemicals. Who wouldn’t want a citrus scented kitchen? Cook from scratch: Despite the convenience of ready cooked food, try to steer away from this and do more cooking from scratch to save unnecessary packaging. It may take a bit longer than sticking a tray in the microwave for 2 minutes, but your body, planet and bank account will thank you. Compact plastic: Make eco-bricks with your used plastic. However hard we try, most of us are always going to produce plastic waste. Monitor your plastic usage and start ramming plastic inside bottles using wooden spoons. This not only compacts a lot of plastic into a much smaller space than it would occupy in landfill, but also offers the perfect therapeutic activity for stressed-out students.

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

we’re loving right now

odcasts that you should listen to now Race Chaser

Race Chaser is also a comedy podcast, however, if you don’t watch Rupaul’s Drag Race then this isn’t the show for you. The show involves Drag Race alumni Alaska Thunderfuck and Willam Belli recapping each episode, interviewing former contestants and providing commentary. Starting from the very first episode of Drag Race in 2009, Alaska and Willam explore the show’s legacy, laugh at past outfit choices and discuss their own experiences of being on the world’s biggest drag show. If you can’t get enough, they also have an after show called Hot Goss where they discuss events in their lives, issues in politics and read the DMs people have sent them. The concepts of both Race Chaser and Hot Goss are simple but the two queen’s banter and insights bring the show to life – an absolute must-listen for any Drag Race fans.

Song VS Song

“Why would I listen to podcasts instead of music?” I hear you say. But the two aren’t mutually exclusive: not only do I love to listen to music, I love to learn about it. Song VS Song does what it says on the tin: the two hosts, Todd Nathanson and Dany Roth, pick two songs from the same era and genre and compete to decide which one is the best. The song choices range from classics (“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” vs “Let it Be”) to cheesy pop (“Get the Party Started” vs “Since U Been Gone”). Arguments are made based on the song’s personal connection to the host, cultural impact and music video. As well as Song VS Song being an interesting podcast for music fans, it’s also really funny and the two hosts have the chemistry needed for a good show. Whether you’re a punk kid or a die-hard pop fan, this is a really fantastic podagram @Devraiesvies cast.

Saying no is self-care Arifah Badlishah and the importance of the two letter word

orld-famous billionaire Warren Buffet once said, “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say ‘no’ to almost everything”. This point of view might be difficult for most of us to digest. After all, we have been brought up being told that saying ‘yes’ to requests is the right thing to do. Whileitisnicetodofavoursforothers,ifyouareexcessively occupied trying to please people to the point that it is detrimental to your well-being, it is time to give yourself a break. Prioritizing yourself first and learning to say ‘no’ to certain things can greatly improve the quality of your life – physically, mentally, and emotionally.

You should say ‘no’ when....

but is offering an extremely low pay. If it is simply not worth it, simply refuse. You are here to maximize profit and minimize loss, not the other way around. Not just in business, but in all aspects of life. You know that you are being used Potential situation: A classmate asks to copy your homework answers for the fifth time this semester and it is driving you mad. If you know that you are being manipulated or bullied, gather up the strength to boldly say ‘no’. You have the right to decline without feeling guilty.

Some tips for saying ‘no’: • • • •

Be polite and use respectful language when declining Be firm and straightforward in your decision Avoid lying as you do not want to feel guilty Remember the value of your own time and physical / mental health and other commitments you have made • Realize that saying ‘no’ is a sign of confidence. • Know that your self-worth is not defined by being a yes-man Keep your long-term goals in mind • Offer alternative form of support or propose a different time if relevant You do not owe people a long explanation, but a brief reason for refusing will help Ignore the urge to say ‘yes’ to everything and be selective of what you agree to. Saying ‘no’ does not mean that you are cold, rude or selfish – it just means that you are taking control of your own life, and that you have a strong sense of self-respect. In the end, you must embrace the fact that the number one person you must say ‘yes’ to is yourself.

You know you will regret saying yes Potential situation: You have had a tiring week and want to spend the weekend to yourself to complete some overdue house chores. However, your friends ask you to a last-minute day trip to the beach which you know will wear you out and delay your chores. Many people have a knee-jerk reaction, agreeing to requests that people ask of us even if it is a terrible burden on ourselves. However, it is important to emphasize more important duties. You feel uncomfortable with the request Potential situation: You might not drink alcohol due to personal beliefs, but a good friend offers you a beer.An activity that is absolutely fine for one person might be an extreme crossing of the line for somebody else. Respect yourself by acknowledging your own personal limits and boundaries. You are not qualified to agree due to lack of abilities and time Potential situation: You run a part-time home bakery all on your own. Somebody asks you to bake 500 treats at the last minute, which is nowhere near enough time.Sometimes you just do not have the capability to fulfill somebody’s request. You might end up doing half-hearted or unprofessional work if you say ‘yes’ and end up humiliating yourself. You know the work is unprofitable Potential situation: You are a freelance graphic designer. You get a client who wants detailed, beautiful work Image: Instagram @pink_bits

Instagram content: is it art? Yasmine Bridges asks whether we can consider social media posts as a form of instant art?

n this all too familiar age that appears to seek validation at the click of a button and companionship at the swipe of a finger, it seems the conflictions and contradictions regarding “the modern way of things” are at an all-time high. So, it’s no surprise that blurred lines lead us to hazy judgements with regards to online content and the status it holds, or indeed ceases to. Hence, if we were to name the one platform having taken the world by storm, rightly or wrongly so, Instagram would be at the tip of even your grandparents’ tongues. Typed into the search engine, as many frantically curious, concerned parents will have done, Instagram’s main purpose, in essence, is to capture and share the highlights from your life, although these are often edited and filtered to a new-found level of perfection. Ask a young person to name their favourite influencer, and you’ll most likely be adorned by the likes of reality stars, video creators and online models; essentially the most famous people you’ve never heard of. Ask them of a favourite artist though, and your list in response may lack variety. Yet credit where credit’s due, many people young and old remain fervently interested in art as a platform in itself, holding personal favourites from Picasso to Hepworth closely regarded. The question remains, however, as to whether these two “platforms” may sit harmoniously together hand in hand, and whether or not a justice is being done by branding Instagram content ‘art’. Undeniably, the notion of ‘art’ is an umbrella term in itself; supposed to stand as a wholly subjective, individual experience. Whether a tangible something, or a theory, you’d think it ought to count. Traditionally, we are inclined to anticipate paintings, portraits and abstract sculpture. Namely Sunflowers, Terracottas and Mona Lisas. But it could be argued that in order to move with the times, we must accept and open our minds

to a new art form… content. Taking a scroll through Instagram, you will inevitably land upon something of intrigue. This could be a jealous intrigue, noting your absence in a group photo of your mates. It may be a positive curiosity, as the pixels work to draw you into viewing that clothing website, checking out that band or watching that video. You may even land upon, say, an aesthetically pleasing bit of photography, or a painting that would compliment the colour of your bedroom walls perfectly. Instant. Recent. Relevant. If your content is on the platform, you are guaranteeing yourself an audience. At least one, if not many, will see you post. Your potential ‘artwork’ at the fingertips of the public. And who’s to say the content lacks taste? But can a scroll beat the stroll through a gallery? Did we spend years in school sketching and shading ourselves in vain? It could be said that this ‘instant art’ takes away from the years of hard work put in by enthusiastic artists often struggling to gain an audience, as opposed to an immediate and potentially temperamental following. When we look at content, it’s fair to say that many a post consists of bragging- showing off where you’ve been, what you’re wearing, what an amazing time you’re having. This type of content, therefore, may be viewed not as a form of art, but a boasting of lifestyle. Needless to say, with so many of the world’s famous artists gaining recognition and their much deserved attention posthumously, could we really place Kandinsky and Kardashian in the same league? If you invest in the theory that anything goes, then surely anything that requires creativity, (painting and content alike) counts as art?

life & style

Food for thought

Eating well shouldn’t be hard

reakfast being the most important meal of the day is constantly shoved down our throats, but many of us, myself included at times, have not paid worthy attention to this meal, or neglect it completely. Are you one of those people that wake up and detest the thought of immediately putting food into your mouth? Is breakfast not appealing? I am not declaring that you must enjoy breakfast. What I am saying is that you should eat it. It takes a while to get accustomed to eating a healthy breakfast consistently if you are not used to it, but if you keep neglecting it, it is you that will suffer immeasurably. A coffee alone, unfortunately, does not amount to eating a healthy breakfast. Food is the fuel that runs the body and the brain. 25% of the calories are burned by the brain. Something with protein and fats is a fantastic way to start your day. Cheese, peanut butter, eggs, oats, and many other foods are nutritious and can be incorporated into your diet.

The first thing you should do when you get up is eat Avid meal skippers often cite lack of time as a constraint, but you can start small. Waking up at the same time every day can highly compliment eating habits as it helps you keep a steady circadian rhythm. Upsetting that can lead to emotional dysregulation which might prompt bad eating habits. This is particularly important if you suffer from anxiety as you may be more prone to have an unstable circadian rhythm. Ideally, the first thing you should do when you get up is eat. Or you can be like me and wash your face first. Eat an oat bar or a banana if you are desperate. It is not a full meal but it sure is a lot better than eating nothing. You will not believe how much of a profound effect eating a healthy breakfast consistently can have on you. The great thing about good habits is that they propagate. So, if you are paying healthy attention to breakfast, chances are that your efforts will filter through to subsequent meals. While microwave meals are a convenient fix for when you are rushing, they are not a substitute for cooking from scratch. They are often overloaded with salt, sugar, and don’t taste all that great in the long run. If you are pressed for time (who isn’t?), consider meal prepping or make one-pot meals (shoving all ingredients into a pan). You do not have to be perfect. You do not have to be perfect. You can eat junk food, but if you value your life, try not to do it most days of the week. The ‘Tasty’ YouTube channel is a fantastic recipe channel with a variety of meals and many of them are

Yet, would Van Gough be turning in his grave at the thought of his livelihood succumbing to the quick fix, transient unknown of the online?

There are plenty of small but important ways you can improve your diet straightforward to make. They also taste great, by the way. There are plenty of small but important ways you can easily improve your diet. Cut out soft drinks with water, limit red meat and alcohol intake, and eat a balanced diet that contains essential nutrients such as protein, vitamins and minerals and dietary fibre. The food you eat can have an impact on how your mind and body work, so a nutritious diet can benefit both your health and academic grades. If you are making any drastic changes to your diet or suffer from allergies, be sure to speak to a doctor first. Bon appetite.

Image: Instagram @Earthofmariaa

Mohi Choudhury

life & style fashion

c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin

The return of a dress that

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

soared into stardom

Raquel Padoa discusses Jlo's runway appearnace in that iconic green chiffon Versace dress at Milan Fashion Week

icture vivid, jungle-themed, leafy folds, painted delicately on the one and only Jennifer Lopez at Milan Fashion Week. And it’s pure marketing genius: a celebratory fusion of fashion, with the birth of Google Images that nearly broke the internet back in 2000. Part profitable PR stunt, part recreation of iconic design, or part celebration of two industries commemorating their success? Arguably, it’s a combination of all three.

It’s a grandiose way to commemorate a culturally iconic creation

A rewind to the '02 Grammy Awards remembers J-Lo sporting that same glorious gown. Her appearance on the runway this year was a brilliant ploy, plotted for a bewitching comeback. But what Donatella Versace did was - quite literally - repeat that revamping of a dress that was originally marketed at approximately $15,000, nearly two decades later. The Versace show screamed sultry, simple, yet classic. Dotted amongst monochrome tones on jet-black blazers and golden jewels, were splashes of bright greens and rich hues of bright colour. These details - spattered amongst sprinkles of vivid emeralds -were a playful tease toward J-Lo's surprising re-appearance. Her fiery finale was matched with Versace's voice echoing across the stage “Okay Google. Now, show me the real jungle dress”. In collaboration with head of Google in Italy, J-Lo’s return

Instagram: @Jlo

was an ode to the most popular search query ever seen in 2002. So highly spoken of, that it launched the worldwide platform most ubiquitous in our current culture: Google Images. The reproduced version of the dress has raked up a remarkable $31.8 million in online impact value, (again) stirring endless chit chat. Featuring sleeveless shoulders and basked in shimmering layers of green sequins, it’s a grandiose way to commemorate a culturally iconic creation, both in fashion and tech. Despite the current rise of social media and Google-owned image platforms being available at our fingertips, it’s obvious that J-Lo’s walk on Versace’s show was a ruse to remember that gorgeous, green coloured glory - perpetuated by Google – decades ago. Without a doubt, the fashion industry is continually able to rework styles and reproduce unique moments. And now, you won’t be surprised to see that the (SS 20/20 version) dress is currently available to pre-order for a whopping £8,178.

The reprodused version of the dress has raked $31.8m in online impact value

Not only that, but with the rapid use of online fashion, it’s no shock to see online retailers creating replicas of a dress that was - and yet again - is all the talk in fashion and (Google) history.

Instagram: @Jlo

Can student rhyme with sustainability? Famous and fashionable: ones to watch

Iona Lowe debates whether students can really shop sustainably

veryone loves a good trend. We all love to dress in a way that expresses ourself. The only natural response is to run to the nearest Primark and purchase something similar for the lowest price, knowing that in a few weeks said item will probably end up in the back of your wardrobe. But, as we know our shopping addiction is killing the earth, slowly and painfully. But is it possible for the fashion industry to change? Is it possible for the student budget to cover such an expensive habit? Much like vegans, we are left in a bit of dilemma. Split between the planet and saving what little coins we may have in our purse. Sustainable fashion is a huge movement, with several brands being showcased at this years LFW, and brands found in Fenwick’s also promote the health of the environment. But, if we want to live, this does not bring much help to the student table. There are of course eco-friendly brands such as ‘Thought’ which do relatively economical clothing, however a top would still dent the bank a considerate amount. There are the good old thrift stores, but I do not believe this is really sustainable. It is simply shopping for fast fashion clothing in a different environment. Same process. Lower price. Not ideal for those who want to make a difference. However don’t get too disheartened, there is already a tactic which girls are more than familiar with. The sharing of one’s clothing. A simple method, yet an equally effective one. All you need is one similarly size individual and there you have it. No money and a happy (ier) planet.

Fashion is really all in the mind, most of the time others are far too worried about themselves

There may be downfalls to communal clothing idea but it is sustainable and prevents the promotion of both

Margarita Ivanova shares the best celebrities for fashion inspo

n a world of ever-changing trends, it can be hard to keep up with fashion and find your own personal style. Sometimes we have to turn to celebrities for inspiration, and our top four style icons below show us that fashion can be about anything you want it to be from confidence, self-expression, fearlessness or even comfort.

Billie Eilish

Although the oversized trend dates all the way back to the 1920s, when women’s clothing first became a sign of liberation and a way to reject social norms, the 21st century has seen a comeback - but for different reasons. While her Calvin Klein advert could suggest she wears baggy clothing to avoid being objectified, Billie addressed this misconception in an interview with V Magazine, saying “I wear baggy [clothes] and I wear what I want; I don’t say, ‘Oh, I am going to wear baggy clothes because it’s baggy clothes’ … But of course, everyone sees it as, ‘She’s saying no to being sexualized,’ and, ‘She’s saying no to being the stereotypical female.’” The singer-songwriter has also revealed that she has always wanted to “dress loud” and be noticed as a result of her style. Well, Billie, you certainly have our attention. Instagram: @recode_

fast fashion and a meagre planet. Whilst we all would like an extensive wardrobe filled with everything, knocking around and looking for what you need is more ecofriendly, and prevents all the useless clothing which will end up in the bin (or shoved in the back of wardrobe with the hope of being worn ) come spring when the trend moves on. Another strategy would be to simply purchase less clothes, in the words of Vivienne Westwood ‘buy less, choose well’ Maybe five or six luxury pieces will be enough? After all a pair of jeans is a pair of jeans. Very few will realise if you change or not. Fashion is really all in the mind, most of the time others are far too worried about themselves. So like most of the eco-problems it would appear that while something is being done, the action itself is not sustainable. LFW may have exhibited over 10 sustainable brands in an attempt to promote the movement, but the brands in LFW are more works of art than everyday clothing. As students we can do little things to help the planet, but it is not always within the student budget to shop purely sustainable.

Rihanna

If you’re looking for a little bit of everything, look no further. When the singer’s fashion choices range from sheer Swarovski crystal dresses to leather suits to corsets and big fur coats, it's hard to label her style as anything other than unpredictable. In an interview with The Cut, RiRi revealed that she chooses her clothing based on how she feels: “I really pay attention every day when I go into the closet about what’s working for my body that morning,” she explained, “I feel like that’s how everyone should go after fashion, because it’s an individual thing.” At this point, anything worn by Rihanna would be a fashion statement.

be known as more than her lovable character in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, but also as an emerging style icon. For the actress, there is nothing more important than comfort when it comes to clothing (though colour, prints and “pretty things” are high on that list too). In an interview for W Magazine, the actress said that despite her limited experience with fashion, Lana knows that “it’s supposed to be fun”. And, judging by her New York Fashion Week outfit, Lana succeeded in ticking all her boxes: her outfits are playful, with just the right amount of print and colour - comfortable, despite the stiletto heels! As she explained in her interview, with a background in dance, “[she] can walk in anything”. Is it okay to be a little jealous?

It's hard to label her style as anything other than unpredictable

If there’s one message that we can take away from these fashionable females, it's that fashion is all about feeling good in your own skin and owning who you are, no matter what you wear. Don’t be afraid to experiment with clothes until you find something that works for you, and follow these celebrities for inspiration in the meantime!

Zendaya

Known for her bold and daring fashion choices, even Zendaya herself describes her style as “fearless”. But we’re not the only ones who need a little bit of inspiration Zendaya admits her own style stems from looking up to people who “like to do their own thing … who dress for themselves and just don’t care”. So, when the actress stepped out onto the red carpet wearing pyjamas, we knew instantly that she meant what she said.

Lana Condor

Last but not least, we have Lana Condor, who will soon

Instagram: @billieilish

the courier

fashion life & style

Monday 14 October 2019

Fall-ing into autumn: anticipated trends Fashion Editor Shamara Mohsin shares an insight into all the trends expected to dominate this upcoming autumn/winter

s we say goodbye to the summer sun and welcome the frosty northern weather we also say goodbye to some dreadful trends and hello to some new, arguably just as terrible, new ones. Despite this, with careful consideration, we've compiled a list of the those that are actually rather fashionable and you should definitely be paying attention to!

and more a style akin to everyone’s taste and less feminine than once thought of, so why not rock the look this season with a pair of warm thermal boots and your now necessary oversized bag.

Any trend that allows you to utilise your wardrobe is a plus

Blazer

Blazers have unapologetically littered the feeds of influencers everywhere lately as they don the business casual get up to escape the chill. What may be the best part of a blazer is its flexibility in fitting into every possible look, making them perfect for nearly every occasion. There’s no specific colour or style ruling the scene this season so this one's all on you, go wild and have fun with it, and if your really daring add a pair of shoulder pads because apparently a bit of height on your arms is still a very real trend.

Beige

Neutrals were also a staple at this year's Fashion Week with many choosing to strip it all back to a simplistic colourful scheme of varied beige. While it may appear rather dull on the first inspection, beige is a perfect

Oversized Bags

Did you hear oversized bags are in? Alas lumping your ridiculously large shoulder bag to fit your precious computer and notebooks to and from class is now stylish. While this seems like a far cry from the ever-shrinking bag trend of previous years as bum bags decorated our socials- you can't deny any trend that allows you to utilise your wardrobe is a plus, and as students, big bags are practically a standard in your home already.

palette for this seasons backdrop, allowing for creativity when styling because of its ease to wear. So maybe beige is best for those who don’t want to try too hard on those drab Monday mornings. While I didn’t have a chance to cover the rising interest in capes, or the odd fascination with leather on leather this year, what I’d like you to take away from this is that trends are continuing to defy there seasons. No more are they exclusive to winter or summer as they blur the boundaries of what’s considered right or wrong. But just like a Geordie on a night out, remember to wear what you want, trends are awesome but if you want to wear your yellow mini skirt in December, I imagine people will be more concerned for your health than your fashion sense.

Ankle Hem Lines

Another trend that’s notoriously opposite of its previous year's counterpart is the dropping hemline. From once we skirted down the street holding our hands to our backs and our purses to our fronts to prevent the inevitable gust of autumn wind that lifted our itty-bitty skirts to flash passers-by now is no more- or so they claim. Ankle hems have been on the rise as many option for more, shall we say- smarter autumn attire, in clothes that cover-up. As students, the trend of low hems are ideal to fight that frigid cold taking the north but are not as versatile to convert that day dress to night. You win some you lose some.

Floral

Can you have too much floral? Apparently not this season as many Fashion Week displayed bountiful amounts of the flowery fabric. While the pattern may appear synonymous with the gloriously warm summer months feeling already so far out of reach, it appears unlike the flowers falling from the trees floral isn't going anywhere. However you feel about them, floral is becoming more

Instagram: @ @camilacoelho

Instagram: @negin_mirsalehi

Instagram: @amieesong

Turning fast fashion into thoughtful

Fashion Editor Phoebe Eyles finds out more about Newcastle alumni Connie Hall's ethical t-shirt brand, Henry and Katherina

thical and sustainable fashion is becoming increasingly important to young people in the fight against climate change. If you are trying to cut down on your fast fashion habits, Newcastle brand Henry and Katherina could be a great place to start. Set up by Newcastle University alumni Connie Hall,

Images: Henry and Katherina by Connie Hall

the brand makes sustainable t-shirts decorated with inspiring women’s names such as Amelia Earhart, with 20% of the profits going to women’s charities. We caught up with Connie to discuss feminism, thoughtful fashion and her advice on starting a business. Henry and Katherina is focused on slow fashion and feminism, with only 1886 t-shirts in each design made, homage to the year 1886 when the first petition for women’s suffrage was delivered to parliament. The t-shirts are produced by a company called Salvage where 60% of each top is made out of organic cotton and 40% is made out of recycled bottles. Inspired by the ‘Me Too’ movement, Connie decided to donate 20% of the purchase price to women’s charities. Touching on the debate of whether it is responsible to have children in the current environmental crisis, Connie added that her sustainable business makes her feel like she is trying to help the future for her daughter, even in a small way. Branching out from inspiring women’s names on their T-shirts, Henry and Katherina have created a t-shirt with the word ‘uterus’ on it, with 20% of the purchase price going to ActionAid and Freedom4Girls in a bid to tackle period poverty. Noting that many women feel shame about their bodies, Connie chose to have a bold word like uterus on the T-shirts to promote acceptance of women and taking control of their own bodies. It’s clear Connie has done ample research on the charities and issues she is fighting for and it makes the business even more worthwhile. With fast fashion being so affordable and accessible, it makes it difficult to make a

conscious choice against it. Connie acknowledged how there is a pressure on young women, particularly in the age of Instagram to always be wearing new things and keeping on top of trends. When asked if she had any advice for fighting fast fashion, she stressed the importance of buying second hand or buying good quality, versatile pieces, that will last years. As students this change can be difficult to make but slowing down our fast fashion habits will prove beneficial for our environment. Connie added that “every pound you spend can make a statement” and that the way we choose to spend our money can make a big difference. If you are an advocate for sustainable, charitable

businesses, or if you want to make a small change, Henry

60% of each top is made out of organic cotton and 40% of recycled bottles

and Katherina could be a brand to have on your radar. The t-shirts are available to buy on their website.

Image: Henry and Katherina by Connie Hall

the courier

beauty life & style

Monday 14 October 2019 courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editor Rashida Campbell-Allen

Millie Bobby Brown's new beauty range at 15

Madeleine Raine discusses the controversy of Millie Bobby Brown's bond with Boots and her new range aimed at youths

any of you will know her as the young actress who soared to fame after her role as Eleven in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things. With the fourth season being filmed as we speak, her acting abilities and ease with the public eye have given this fifteen-year-old the chance of stardom that many her age only dream about. Recently, however, she has strayed from the television screen and become known as the face of the new Boots beauty and skincare collection, Florence. Whilst this collection has certainly augmented her fame as well as contributing to the profits of Boots, it has also brought to light certain controversial issues that continue to dominate modern society today. It would be wrong to disregard the publicity that this collection has given Boots by providing them with a popular face for their beauty and skincare products. The friendly, and of course youthful, face of this upcoming star encourages the sales of these products amongst the younger generation. Its advertisement and presentation on a young model provides a more suitable and available

product to that of its more traditional competition older people but are now advertised as being suitable brands such as No7 or Clinique. Choosing this for all ages, sadly bringing to the forefront issues celebrity figure to head their new brand has surrounding self-confidence and body image. given this company the opportunity to The fact that such a large company have chosen a work for a younger audience and expand lady so young to be the face of their new beauty and its range of products. skincare products brings into question whether The fact that this actress is only this sort of advertisement should be encouraged fifteen, however, brings into question at such a young age. The large stigma that has the morality of this campaign and surrounded mental health and body image for whether it is in fact encouraging far too long is still a sensitive subject, despite the younger generation to be more it being something which is increasingly judgmental about appearances and talked about. The fact that one in four people that of others. Whilst makeup is now suffer from a mental illness each year becoming much more of a household questions whether we should be placing so name for youngsters these days in much stress and emphasis on the youth of comparison to its popularity even today. ten years ago, the pressure that this What happened to youths not caring now puts upon our youths is one to about their appearance and instead be questioned. Beauty products are enjoying the stress-free lifestyle that was Instagram;@milliebobbyno longer limited to young adults and offered to them? Do we really need to

Beauty Icon of the Week I

had never given much thought to whom I considered my beauty icon before now. Of course, I know what kind of beauty looks I like, what I hope to replicate, but have never actually attributed it to any one person in particular. I also have celebrities whose beauty inspires me, but wouldn’t think to call them my icons. So deciding on a person rather than a general idea was difficult until I started connecting the dots between my beauty aspirations. When I think about how I would like to look I have more of an idea in mind, which I have to describe as a woman in a period drama. Don’t laugh. Women in period dramas have a specific sort of look that I would assume universally appealing, with blushing skin that’s abnormally smooth, a literally impossible amount of soft voluminous hair (nobody has that much hair!) and plump rosy lips. They are, in a word, enchanting. This is how I would imagine a wood nymph or a pre-raphaelite muse to look, like they emerged from nature perfectly and have incredible beauty without access to an acid toner or a hair oil. Once I gave it more thought, I realised that my love of period dramas and the beauty looks in them are epitomised by none better than Keira Knightley. Knightley is known for her performances in period dramas, and remaining the height of beauty in whatever time and place she puts herself. I remember watching the first Pirates of the Caribbean film as a child; seeing the then-17 Knightley fighting pirates in a frock with her hair loose, this was

clearly when my beauty ideals were first shaped. Years later when I became a fan of Jane Austen, I saw her in Pride and Prejudice, and completely fell in love (I even wanted to have a wispy fringe cut in, thank God I didn’t). I have a square face, inherited from my mother and affectionately referred to in my family as a ‘moon face’. Keira also has a square face, like mine; less moon-ish of course but let’s ignore that. This ‘similarity’ is what drew me to her in relation to my own beauty, seeing where her makeup artists placed makeup on her is what taught me where to place it on my own more moon-y face. Our similar colouring also means that whenever Knightley tries a new look, I have a certain level of faith in what suits her in turn hopefully suiting me. When I saw Keira in Atonement, I was inspired to try red lipstick for the first time; before this I was far too terrified to brave red, now it’s my go-to night-out look. Keira’s rounded true red lips in the film are a thing of absolute perfection and a great source of envy for me. Everyone has an entirely different concept of beauty, and this is reflected in their beauty icons. There are those that are more common, but I think you’d be hard pressed to find people with identical icons and beauty aspirations. The individual experience of both your own and others beauty is too vastly different, but this surely only makes everyone’s icon choice all the more interesting. Grace Piercey

Instagram:@maisie_williams

One in four people now suffer from a mental illness; are we making it worse with body image pressure?

Although this campaign does not appear (at least on the surface) to hole any kind of sinister motives, one is yet to wonder the benefits of creating such a brand and introducing it to such a young audience.

Beauty Brand Lovin'

Instagram: @glowbnb

Life on a student budget requires a keen eye for savings. As tempting as it may be to splurge your student loan on that brand new palette, it can seem that there’s little room in your bank account for such luxuries. However, after scouring the web and hunting the high streets here’s a list of some of my favourites if you’re struggling to find an affordable beauty regime.

Images - Instagram: @keiraknightleyoffcialpage

The best of Paris Fashion Week Charley Moran tells us which looks really made her head turn aris Fashion Week was nothing short of fantastic, seeing statement pieces and collections across the week. Super model Bella Hadid captured all eyes on the catwalk as the legendary model was able to embrace and reflect some of the favourite looks from the week. Aside from beautiful pieces with Versace and Off White, her statement fundamentally lays with the stunning look from Vivienne Westwood. This was undoubtably one of the highlights of Paris Fashion week with the jaw dropping corseted gown for the finale of the SS20 Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood show. The gown was bridal inspired with a clean white colour designed to be a poufy cloud-like style with floral detail on the tight corset and sleeves complimenting her figure. It was worn with a matching hat, carried like an umbrella. The hair design worked perfectly, contrasting the modern style dress with a subtle 18th century hair with two rolls either side of her head and a simple pony. This look was fundamentally a career defining moment for the model. One of the most talked about beauty looks however must be the wild eyebrows from Thierry Mulger. These were such a statement look and need recognition, they combine the iconic nineties thin eyebrows with the bushy eyebrows revived by Cara Delevigne in 2013. Models used all brow sizes which we are here for, putting two eyebrow styles on the same face, with a straight line underneath their brow with a bush brow created above. These were introduced to the catwalk mid-week receiving mixed reactions yet work surprisingly well. Giving a statement to the face creates a bold and ambitious beauty look contrasting their natural makeup look allowing the eyebrows to standout and create a statement look. Maisie Williams, although she was not on the catwalk, made her statement on the front row of Browne’s show

be so concerned about beauty and skincare when we still hold such youth in our features? Is this collection an appropriate means by which a company can earn a profit?

at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. The reason she stands out is because we were able to see her own personal sense of style moving away from her iconic role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones. In the show the characters style was tomboyish, her makeup sharpened her nose and covered her in dirt with a strap across her chest to hide her feminine development. Therefore, at Paris Fashion Week we got to see her embrace her own style away from her stereotype and the most aesthetic piece is what she wore to Browne’s show. The makeup she chose, inspired by Lucy Boynton who had previously been on a red carpet, was pink blush which gave her face definition as well as fluidity with the colour successfully contributing to her eyeshadow. Her eyebrows were well defined and bushy with a nude lip complimenting the subtle but elegant makeup look. She wore a tweed coat with sequin embellishment and a matching skirt. Being a favourite of the week, the aesthetic transition from her character to Williams embracing her individuality and looking simply stunning, really stood out from the rest. These three looks represent both the best and favourite looks of Paris Fashion Week and really do embed what fashion week is all about, expressing individuality and making a statement. Instagram:@bellahadid

Makeup: I am obsessed with buying high-end makeup, a habit I knew I had to ditch due to the frugality of uni life. Revlon’s Colourstay Foundation for combination/ oily skin delivers a matte, long-lasting, full-coverage finish that is almost unbelievable for £12.99. Another product that took me by surprise was Collection 2000’s lasting perfecting concealer; at just £3.99, it created an amazing brightening effect on my dark circles, so it’s perfect to hide a night of partying or the fact that you stayed up all night to get that essay in on time. Rimmel’s Stay Matte Pressed Powder (£3.99) keeps my face oilfree even after going to the gym, while Maybelline’s Lash Sensational (£8.99) gives a super long, voluminous, false lash effect without the fuss of glue and strip lashes. I Heart Revolution’s highlighters are just £4.99 each and offer a blinding glow in a range of beautiful shades. Skincare: The Body Shop’s skincare ranges are a cheaper alternative that achieve the outstanding results. They have products that cater for every skin type and concern with a range of natural ingredients, and many of their products are under £15! My personal favourites are the Drops of Light Cleansing Foam (£12), which deeply cleanses my skin and leaves it looking glowing and awake (exactly what I need for a 9am lecture) and the Vitamin C Facial Polish (£11), an exfoliator that always leaves my skin incredibly smooth and free of impurities. All Body Shop products are cruelty free. Bodycare: I also found some lesser known body care brands that were ridiculously cheap, and yet gave the same benefits to my skin as products over ten times their price. NSPA’s Almond Oil Body Lotion is just £1.50, yet smells amazing and keeps my skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Furthermore, lnecto Natural’s Coconut Body Scrub has worked wonders for the dry patches on my knees and elbows as well as for the milia bumps on my arms, and is just £2.99. Both of these products are also vegan. Beauty products can be a great way to give ourselves some self care, and now us students can also have successful routines without breaking our banks.

Leanna Thomson

the courier

life & style travel

courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors Amy Harris and Meggie Williams

Monday 14 October 2019

I'm soy into you: a taste of Tokyo

Culture editor Charlotte Boulton details her trip to the vibrant city from traditional tea ceremonies to the Rugby World Cup

apan feels to many people like another world: two halves of culture with neon lights and sprawling metropolis cities co-existing with traditional tea ceremonies and rural villages nestled amongst its mountains. With the country hosting huge sporting events now with the Rugby World Cup and setting up for the Tokyo Olympics 2020, it’s becoming more and more visible and of interest to tourists. Although I was definitely not there for the sports, I joined the growing crowd of 3 million annual tourists and visited Japan for two weeks in June. This was a huge adventure and I could wax poetic for thousands of words, so to save printing costs for The Courier, this will only explore my time in Tokyo. After an obscenely long thirteen-hour flight, we touched down in Tokyo. Navigating the airport armed only with extremely limited Japanese and Google Translate was not what you wanted after travelling through space and time to a totally new culture, but somehow we successfully found our way to the train that took us into the heart of Shinjuku, Tokyo. Unsurprisingly, Tokyo was almost overwhelmingly huge and busy; Japanese businesspeople have no patience for tourists peering up at the signs for all the metro lines or daring to cart suitcases onto the packed train carriages. But it was also beautiful and exciting; our first night we wandered without any sense of direction and found ourselves in the heart of Shinjuku’s entertainment district and it was like nothing I’d ever experienced before. Neon lights of brand names in Kanji characters, skyscraper length signs with beaming anime girls overlooking the city, the hustle and bustle as hun-

dreds of people crossed the road in unison, the enticing sights and smells from the many tiny bars nestled into the alleyways of Omoide Yokocho, a series of tightly compact bars that could barely squeeze five people in to be served. We sampled sake, Japan’s signature dry rice wine, served the traditional way; shot glasses filled to the brim balanced inside small wooden boxes which were filled with the remaining sake to refill once the glasses were empty. It was spirit-like in taste and packed a punch, with the alcohol’s effects being aided by the claustrophobic close proximity to the other patrons in a tiny bar that quickly steamed up.

It’s hard to capture the essence of Tokyo, other than an onslaught of sensations and unfamiliarity that felt exciting rather than daunting. We visited temples, parks and the impressive Tokyo Tower, taking in just snippets of what the huge city has to offer; it would be impossible to see all you wanted of the city even if the whole two weeks were spent there. And now with the Rugby World Cup’s first ever visit to an Asian country, visitors are likely to add Tokyo’s Ajinomoto Stadium, home of the opening and final games of the competition, to their wishlist.

Skyscraper length signs with beaming anime girls overlook the city

Our holiday involved travelling across the country to Shiroishizao in the northern mountains, down to the incredible cities of Osaka and Kyoto, and the wildlife hubs of Nara and Ohkunoshima Island (better known as Rabbit Island). After this whirlwind, we ended with a few final days in Tokyo, this time staying in Shibuya. Shibuya is home to the infamous Shibuya Crossing, the busiest intersection in the world, as well as the busiest railway stations in the world. The key word here is busy. Everything in Tokyo is already over-the-top huge, but Shibuya was next level; the most normal attraction was their Hachiko statue dedicated to a loyal dog. We visited Tower Records,

nine floors of heaven for music lovers, and ventured out to the borderless labs digital art museum in Aomi to up my Instagram game, and took great pride in concocting a pick and mix of never-before-seen Lindts in their store. Tokyo has so much to offer, more than I could ever see or even share here, and it is definitely one for the travel bucket list. And with the Olympics coming up, Tokyo is sure to see even more tourists taking advantage of witnessing a monumental event in one of the best cities around. If you ever get the opportunity or want to see your life savings go to something really memorable (before spending a summer the brokest you’ve ever been, like I did), you have to go to Japan. You’ll never forget it.

Images: Charlotte Boulton

Baltic States: see Northern Europe's overlooked lands

Aimée Rees takes us on a tour of the three unique and unexplored states on the beautiful eastern coast of the Baltic Sea

f you're looking for something a little bit unique, off the beaten track, or just an escape from the crowds of Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin or Barcelona, look no further than the Baltic Nations. Bustling with a new energy, a cultural resurgence and student-friendly prices, you’re sure to find somewhere to spend your student loan. With a combined average of just three million visitors a year, you have the Baltic trio of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania all to yourself. Most known to students for their boasting of cheap alcohol and accommodation ideal for lads' holidays and stag nights, these hidden gems offer a lot more than what first meets the eye. All three countries each offer a UNESCO heritage site Old Town in their capitals complete with stunning castles, historic monuments and beautiful

Images: KiraHundeDog from Pixabay

cobbled streets. With miles of uninhabited forestland and wilderness for the more adventurous, rich cultural histories and - perhaps most surprisingly - endless stretches of Baltic beaches, there’s something for everyone. Estonia’s capital city of Tallinn is a medieval theme park, scattered with original taverns run by in-costume barmaids, museums of torture and a multitude of towers, walls and castles. If looking for something a little bit more modern, there’s the outer district of Telliskivi; the urban ‘Creative City’, founded by artists. Characterized by innovative new restaurants in old train carts, impressive graffiti projects, a plethora of theaters and studios and hosting over 600 cultural events a year, it is the bursting hub of a new generation of Estonians claimi n g their own cre-

ative space. Riga, the sprawling capital of Latvia, offers an incredible nightlife with endless streets of bars and nightclubs set in factories, warehouses and basements. Riga is a lively city blending grand Gothic architecture with quaint colourful houses. It boasts a new, modern feel, yet remains a city often defined by it’s fascinating past. Outside of the capital, the seaside resort city of Jurmala boasts 26 miles of white-sand beach and three untouched national forest parks, ideal for an all-natural getaway. Lithuania and its peaceful capital of Vilnius encompasses all that is whimsical; the city is warm and illuminates its bold architecture w it h

spectacular golden lights in the evenings, making for one of the prettiest night-time walks in Europe. Most interestingly, it also plays host to Uzupis; an autonomous region established as an April Fool’s joke within the city complete with its own passport stamp and constitution. An hour out of the city center is the iconically picturesque floating castle of Trakai, nestled on an island in the center of a tranquil lake, a popular local swimming destination for hot summer days. Coming with all three countries is, of course, a fascinating and often painful recent history. The crime of being overlooked in favor of more popular Western European destinations is that we risk missing out on experiencing the revitalization of national identity and culture which is occurring so fervently within these too often forgotten coastal states.

the courier

travel life & style

Monday 14 October 2019

Sri Lanka stole my heart Travel terrors S Charlotte Booy-Howlett gives her essential tips to staying safe when travelling in Sri Lanka

ri Lanka, possibly one of my most favourite countries in Asia: vibrant city life, astonishing natural wonders and happy, welcoming locals. Sri Lanka stole my heart! Sri Lankan tourist numbers were up in 2018 as Instagram exposed us all to Ella’s 9 Arch Bridge and jungle terrain as far as the eye could see. However, tourism has dramatically declined following the terrorist attacks that hit Sri Lanka in April 2019. Security has been stepped up across the island and the state of emergency has finally been lifted. However, for peace of mind, here are essential tips to stay safe whilst travelling to this wondrous country. Following the Easter Sunday attacks, you should remain vigilant, keep up to date with developments and follow the advice of local authorities and hotel security staff in Sri Lanka, at all times. Ensure you’re up to date with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s travel advice both before and during your travels too.

Images: Charlotte Booy-Howlett

Although violent crimes against tourists are infrequent, there have been a number of reports of sexual offences. These often take place in crowded areas, such as markets, public streets and railway stations. When travelling around Sri Lanka, you should make arrangements through reputable travel companies, join a tour group, travel with friends and most importantly, stay alert to your surroundings. There is safety in numbers, so stick with your mates! I also carried a personal alarm with me at all times, however not once did I ever feel threatened and use it.

You will find yourself in a beach bar, siping on Sri Lanka's famous Lion beer with the local surfer boys.

I never expected to go out partying whilst I was travelling Sri Lanka but soon enough you will find yourself in a beach bar, sipping on Sri Lanka’s famous Lion beer with the local surfer boys. However, there have also been reports of drinks being spiked in bars and restaurants in southern tourist beach destinations. Never accept drinks from strangers, even if they seem friendly, never leave your drink unattended and if you do, throw it away! My top tip is to buy alcohol in bottles so that you can cover the top with your thumb to guarantee no one can slip anything into your drink. The Sri Lankan Department of Immigration & Emigration announced that from 1st August 2019 to 31st January 2020, British nationals visiting Sri Lanka up to 30 days are exempt from paying visa fees. This leaves you with a more generous weekly budget. Result! I used the local bus services to travel around Sri Lanka. Although it gives you an authentic experience, with locals selling Sri Lankan cuisine on board, playing live music

and

chatting with your neigh-

D Images: Charlotte Booy-Howlett

bours, I would use a tourist bus service if I was to travel around Sri Lanka again. Public buses are notorious for going fast and rarely giving way. A number of serious bus accidents have occurred in recent years, which doesn’t come as a surprise to me after experiencing them first hand. The entire duration was pretty terrifying! My group of friends and I didn’t get the chance to use the toilet for the whole of the 7 hour journey either and ended up getting dehydrated. They are also poorly maintained, with no air conditioning, which in nearly 40 degree heat, was torture. However, despite the journey, the end destination was insane! I’ve never seen such a beautiful site. Ella town, the 9 Arches Bridge, Little Adams Peak, Ella Rock and Ravana Falls are definitely worth the drive. So yes, you do need to have your wits about you in Sri Lanka and think street-smart. But, Sri Lanka has so much to offer, from their traditional culture, stunning views, white sandy beaches, picturesque sunsets and bustling city life! I hope Sri Lanka steals your heart, just like it stole mine.

Thomas Cook's crash landing

From taking off to reaching new heights, Thomas Cook, once the UK's leading package holiday provider, plummets into compulsory liquidation. Louise Cusine bids them a final goodbye

n 23rd September 2019 we bid a final farewell to Thomas Cook, one of the world’s leading UK package holiday companies, as it went into liquidation which resulted in absolute turmoil amongst staff and holidaymakers alike; a colossal total of 600,000 customers and 9,000 staff have been affected by this collapse. Thousands of people are anxious about what the collapse will mean for them. Holiday makers, whether they are currently abroad or were meant to go on a Thomas Cook holiday in a few weeks, have been left in despair as all holidays with this company have been cancelled. It has caused mayhem

amongst Image: Alan Wilson from Flickr customers, particularly in the case of those who have booked weddings. Weddings are a one-off special occasion, however many have been stressed out at the possibility that their wedding might not take place. Andy Aitchison and Sharon Cook were all set to go to Las Vegas through Thomas Cook to get married, but the shutdown of the company disrupted their plans. Fortunately, they were put on a flight through Delta Air Lines and their wedding still went ahead when it was almost in ruins. The government are doing everything they possibly can to help resolve the situation; they have set up Operation Matterhorn to help those already abroad return to the UK by putting on repatriation flights with other airlines, including EasyJet. The foreign secretary, Dominic Raab said

that he would ensure that all customers return home. It cannot be predicted how successful this operation will be, but there is hope that it will go smoothly as after the Mon-

600,000 customers and 9,000 staff have been affected by this collapse

arch Airlines collapse in 2017, 98% of their customers managed

to fly home on the same day that they were meant to return just on a different airline. However, there is a worry that not all customers will be able to travel on these flights, because there is limited capacity onboard as they have to prioritise

the customers who were originally booked onto that flight; for those returning from the Caribbean, there are no seats available. Another problem is that these repatriation flights are only

Heidi-Faye Bates not-sofondly remembers her trip from Brazil to Argentina

running until 6th October, therefore those staying abroad for more than two weeks will have to make their own travel arrangements. In terms of staff, of which include air hostesses, pilots, hotel reps and travel agents, they are questioning how they became jobless and what they are going to do next with regards to becoming employed again. One cabin crew member, Rachel Morrell walked over 200 miles to Westminster demanding for answers from the PM Boris Johnson but unfortunately was turned away. Although many of the customers and staff want answers for the collapse, the causes of the collapse have stemmed from around 2015. First of all, the gas deaths of two Brits in 2015 sparked outrage amidst customers and Thomas Cook was accused of failing in their duty of care. The deaths of Bobby and Christi Shepherd, aged six and seven, was an unforgettable tragic event, triggering damage to the reputation of Thomas Cook. From then on their number of customers decreased dramatically as they simply lost trust in the company, therefore they decided to fly with other airlines instead. Subsequently, the company took a massive hit with competition from other airlines. Another part of the company’s inevitable demise last week is that people have drifted towards looking online for holidays or booking hotels and flights separately as oppose to booking a package holiday in a Thomas Cook store. Ultimately, this is why we have to say farewell to Thomas Cook.

o you ever have that frustrating dream when you’re trying to get somewhere but it just seems to take forever and you wake up before the nightmare is over? Traveling can be a bit like that, a real headache. From delayed flights to lost luggage, to horrific hostels and dodgy Airbnbs, we’ve all been there. After six months in Brazil for my year abroad, I was lucky to avoid these disasters and with a newly acquired sense of Brazilian calmness, I felt confident about getting to my final destination in Buenos Aires. The journey, however, was not, (as the Spanish speakers would say), a camino de rosas. I should have taken the hint that my trip was doomed from the start after spending hours trying to book my flight, unfairly taking out my frustration on the cheery Scottish fella who was just as confused as I was , during a £3 a minute phone call to my UK bank. Fellow travellers in Brazil can share my pain when your CPF (Individual Taxpayer Registry) doesn’t match with your English card and you can’t buy certain tickets because you’re not Brazilian. But here’s a tip, PayPal “usually” works (however not always). Luckily, in the end, a kind-hearted Brazilian bought my ticket, otherwise I would have been standard on Ipanema beach right now, not stuck in the Robinson library. What a shame. With my three connections flight booked, I was ready to go. Bye-bye Brazil, hello Argentina. My journey took me from Salvador to Belo Horizonte, then finally São Paulo before my final flight to BA. The time given for my connection between all three flights would have been enough, had the planes arrived on time and I was Usain Bolt. Consequently, I was running through the airports like the McCallister Family in Home Alone, arriving just as the gate was about to close, heart pounding, face sweaty and a heavy cabin bag slumped over my shoulder. But I made it. Even when I had 10 minutes to pass security and the Federal Police, who thought it a great time to joke that I had been in the country illegally (which, to clarify, I had not). I arrived in BA almost 10 hours from when I had set off, to be greeted with the news that my bags were still in São Paulo but should be with me by the evening. Fantastic. Surprisingly, my relaxed Brazilian alter ego took over and after a brief conversation with the airport staff, I was on my way to explore my new home. I can’t say I was in the same state of mind, however, four days later when my luggage finally arrived and the airline rep gave me a huge, well-practised smile and told me that my luggage was here now, so there was no need to file a complaint. Oh, there was every need. Lesson learnt? Don’t let your travel horrors taint your trip as they are all part of the experience and good stories to tell back home. Sometimes in the face of adversity, with nothing but the clothes on your back, you just have to keep calm and carry on, and go out clubbing in Buenos Aires in your Adidas leggings and hoodie.

Image: oberaichwald on Pixabay Image: Karen Arnold from publicdomainpictures.net

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

Food Editors: Cayla Viner & Amanda Goh

Essential student tips:

food life & style

Welcome to the Food section

cooking for one Always plan ahead If there is one thing you should take away from this article, it is the value of meal plans. They don’t have to be complex recipes or culinary feats planned down to every minute detail. Having in mind the type of meals you want to eat each day is incredibly useful. This way you can set aside time to food prep without worrying about what you can make with the random ingredients you have left in your fridge. You can plan this in a notebook, make a mental list or jot it down own your phone if that works for you. Remember: organization is key.

Tupperware is your friend If you’re in a rush and don’t have the time to cook from scratch, cooking in bulk is a lifesaver. Whether it’s a refrigerated ‘spagbol’ or a frozen sweet potato curry, it’s possible to have yourself a nutritious and filling meal in a matter of minutes. Although you might not believe it, you don’t have to restrict yourself to the dreaded pot-noodle. Be strategic about food shopping - one of the best things you can do when you’re cooking for just yourself is to get savvy with sell by dates and buying in bulk. Make sure you have enough products to make a few meals and learn when things are in season.

Be flexible This tip is a follow up to the previous one. While planning is important, being flexible is also helpful as unfortunately, life isn’t always smooth and things can hap-

Work out portion sizes that work for you One thing I struggled with when I first taught myself to cook was managing portion sizes. I always ended up with either too much or not quite enough. You can avoid this by cutting recipes in half and working out which ones are best for freezing.

Switch things up There’s nothing worse than feeling as though you’re stuck in a rut, as having the same old set of recipes week-in-week-

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pen unexpectedly. This means being adaptable. For example, buying a selection of ingredients you know work together in different recipes and always having a quick option in case you need to eat in a rush.

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t a first glance, cooking for just one person seems like a simple task. Yet it can be a surprise how difficult it is to simultaneously avoid waste, vary what you eat day to day and to shop for groceries cost-efficiently. It is so easy to bore yourself with the same set of meals or to let delicious food go to waste. And this is especially true, if you’re learning to cook independently at university for the first time as I was last year. Here are several tips and tricks I learnt painstakingly over time, so you don’t have to.

d blic : pu age Im

Writer Imogen Davies shares her best cooking tips and tricks

Sub-editors Cayla Viner and Amanda Goh welcome the new section to the Courier

out c a n become tedious. A way to conquer this is to experiment and explore. There are so many i n t e r e s t i n g and cheap meal ideas circulating on social media so there is no excuse not to try something new. Food doesn’t have to be a chore. With the right amount of practice anyone can learn to cook well for one.

ello Foodies! This academic year, we are welcoming the new Food section to the Courier! Your sub-editors this year for the new section, Amanda and Cayla have some amazing plans for this section! We have all sorts of articles from food reviews to latest trends to step-by-step recipes. Anything related to food, you name it, and we will have it up! But first, get to know us! Amanda’s favourite cuisine is Japanese. While raw fish may not appeal to everyone, if made properly you will have a whale of a time eating it. Whether it is sushi or ramen, Japanese food is the way to go! Located in the heart of Newcastle’s Chinatown, try Dojo Restaurant for some mouth watering Japanese food! Cayla loves to travel! Therefore her palate enjoys an eclectic array of foods from all over the world and is always excited to try something more. Whether that be a South African braai, a paella from Spain or gratin dauphinois from France, there’s no end to what varieties of food and cultures are waiting to be explored! Honestly, we are pretty excited to have this new section up and running! Come and participate by writing articles for us! Who knows, with our ideas and yours, we just might get a double page spread soon!

The Mediterranean Find food for your Secret: the ‘F’ words soul in Newcastle Marcel Shamshoum discusses some Meditterranean dishes

ver the past 10 years or so people around the Syrian Kebab with Aubergines (Kebab Halabi) world have been obsessed with what is called Serves 6-8 the Mediterranean diet. But why? What is This recipe originates from Aleppo, Syria. It has a very it? What makes it special? Don’t worry, I’ve got you uniqueshapeandtaste.Thisiscompletelydifferentthanan covered! Here is everything you need to know about ordinarykebabthatyougetonaSaturdaynight.Thiscould Mediterranean cuisine and culture, plus an easy recipe be a good replacement for your traditional Sunday roast. to share with your friends on a Sunday dinner! The Mediterranean’s strategic geographical location, Ingredients: Meat seasoning: resources, temperate weather and multiple religions have 1 kg ground lamb 1 chili been a motivation behind thousands of years of coloni- 1.5 kg aubergines 2 medium onions alism, occupations and trade. These have resulted in a 1 kg tomatoes finely chopped Parsley deep historical and cultural interconnectedness of the 2 bell peppers 1 tbsp. allspice Mediterranean. Now, Mediterranean living, food and 2 chilli peppers 1 tbsp. nutmeg travel have become the interest of individuals from all 2tsp tomato sauce Salt and pepper over the world. Olive oil However, what makes this area special is a secret be- Salt and pepper yond its strategic location and amazing weather. It is the shared values of the people living in it, represented by sol- Method: id family relations and heritage. It is also the fun and fes- 1. Start with seasoning the meat. Chop your chili, onions, tivities in celebrating holidays and harvests brought to- and parsley super fine; add them to the meat. Then seagether over natural, simple and wholesome foods made son with allspice, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Mix really well. with lots of love. These elements are what I call the Medi- 2. Cut your aubergines into circle pieces about 1cm thick. terranean Secret: The F words; family, festivities, fun and 3. After that, chop the tomatoes, bell pepmost importantly FOOD. To me Mediterranean food pers and the chili roughly because they can be anything as long it stays simple, fresh, organic are going to be like a bed for the kebab. and humble 4. Add the roughly chopped vegetables, toMediterranean cuisine is a very broad term, as it inmato sauce, salt and pepper to a baking cludes very unique dishes from very unique places like pan. north African e.g. Egypt and Morocco. Italy, Spain, 5. Using wooden skewers arrange the Greece, Turkey, south of France and where I’m from, kebab by putting on a piece of aubergine the middle east, mainly Palestine, Lebanon and followed by some meat. Repeat the process Syria. All these places may seem very different. until the whole skewer becomes full. Then However, they all share the same core ingrediplace them on top of the vegetable bed ents; most importantly olive oil. in the baking tray and drizzle with olive Which reminds me, it’s October! Which oil. means olive harvest season in the Mediterra6. Cover with aluminum foil, and bake nean region. Freshly harvested olives are finein a preheated oven at 180C/356F, for ly pressed to extract a beautiful green liquid about 30 minutes. called olive oil. And while we’re at it here are 7. Remove the aluminum foil, and some important health benefits of olive oil. It bake for another 10 minutes until is a fantastic source of antioxidants, it decreases golden brown. bad cholesterol (LDL) and increases the good 8. Serve with pita/flat bread. cholesterol (HDL). Consuming more olive oil What are your favourite MediImage: could decrease the risk of heart disease. terranean dishes? Let us know by Needpix.com Now to the main part of the article which is an tweeting us at @courier_life. We’d easy recipe to share with your friends on a weekend love to hear from you! inspired by the Mediterranean!

Dasha Romanova gives a taste of what is to offer in the Toon

oving to the North East came with a lot more Greggs than expected. Although evidently proud of its pastry, Newcastle should not be mistaken as only having sausage rolls to offer. The Freshers’ food crawls were a great introduction to the sea of street food and expanse of more exquisite dining that can be found just around the corner, sandwiched between a Greggs and a Subway no doubt. But as marvellous as these chains and large restaurants are, look out for the hidden wonders of the food world; the little independent cafes that provide you not only with happiness for the stomach but happiness for the heart as you’re embraced by warm welcomes and a desire to come back to the community that seems to have been established over a plate of cake and a pot of tea.

Newcastle should not be mistaken as only having sausage rolls

Upon researching the food culture, its easy to get swept up in tradition and the staples of family cooking. But as much as these dishes are vital

Image: commons.wikimedia.org

when looking at Newcastle’s heritage, its important to note that the variety of cuisine they have on offer is astounding and goes way beyond century old meals. There is no sole food culture for the North East, only food for the soul. As it embraces a number of different cultures through its many restaurants, bars and cafes, the beauty of being able to dine on sushi for lunch at Sushi Me Rollin then have a choice of gourmet burgers from Fat Hippo, Five Guys or SmashBurger in the evening is a beautiful experience. When asked what they believe the food culture of the North East to look like, locals talk of fish and chips, Greggs (of course) and scotties. With many students seldomly straying from campus and its surrounding comforts, its likely that many are unaware of the twenty minute journey that brings them to the cold but charming coast. And what better incentive to get on a bus and spend your afternoon walking around in perpetual drizzling rain with the seagulls overhead than a homely fish and chips at the end. And if the weather permits, and you have half an hour to spare, with your stomach full of bettered goodness, you can take a walk to the end of the pier and marvel at the brave individuals taking on the waves. Whether you’re a first year or a postgrad student, whether you’ve been local your entire life or have moved countries to study in this beautiful city, I urge you to go out and explore the food culture of the North East for yourself. With the range of delicacies growing, changing and thriving, you’ll always feel behind with the trends but that isn’t reason to leave them unexplored.

the courier

culture music

c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Dom Lee, Jagoda Waszkowiak & Joe Smith

Monday 14 October 2019

From ‘Jesus Walks’ to ‘Jesus is King’ Rohan Katargamwala discusses what is going on with Kanye West and his foray into gospel music, suprising his loyal fans

e’ve been here before; in September of 2018 Kanye West’s 8th solo studio album Yandhi was slated for release, billboards and bus stops around LA and NYC appeared, with the album cover and release date plastered everywhere, it was supposed to release after Kanye’s SNL performance, but Saturday night came and went and it didn’t materialise

and it rounded off one of the most eventful years in Kanye’s public life in bizarre fashion. Exactly a year later and we’re in the same position from Kim Kardashian’s instagram a trackless was revealed and a date, 27/9/19. It was already more than we had gotten from Yandhi, which had an album cover but no singles and no tracklist. So naturally we all got excited again, surely he wasn’t going to pull the same thing 2 years running? But I woke up on the morning of the 28th to no new music, there was however a new tracklist and listening parties for Detroit, Chicago and New York, with the album promised to release after the New York event on Sunday night. Yet again the listening parties came and went with no album, but people had heard that

Images: Wikimedia Commons (David Shankbourne), Flickr (Philip K)

at least Jesus is King existed, something that I’m not sure I can say about its alleged predecessor Yandhi. The only thing we’ve heard from the Kanye camp since then is that Kanye will no longer make ‘secular’ music, only religious music. So what’s happened behind the scenes so that we’ve been put in the same position twice in 2 years with no explanation?

Kanye will no longer make “secular” music, only religious music Kanye is no stranger to religious music; his second single off of the The College Dropout was ‘Jesus Walks’, a gospel, god driven anthem. One of the lines in this became a bit of a joke in the Kanye community: ‘If I talk about God my record won’t get played’… and hence no album. However in the months between Yandhi and Jesus is King, Kanye turned his attention back to religion, with his weekly Sunday Service he delivered a religious ceremony through music. All this followed several public outbursts from Kanye which stirred controversy that came before his label’s slate of 5 albums in 5 weeks, West claiming that black people were compliant in slavery as well as several Twitter outbursts. It was also later revealed that Kanye had bipolar, something that is close to my own personal life experiences. People with type 1 bipolar which is what Kanye was diagnosed with, have 2 distinct periods of moods: mania and depression. From the outside it looks like easy to clarify when Kanye was going through each one; his 5 album stint, looks to be a manic period for Ye, being productive and outspoken, but his TMZ outbursts and Twitter rants look to be more depressive, as he famously claims he was “off the meds”. Yet in the last year he has become more introspective and turned his attentions to religion. In the aftermath of the Yandhi debacle he launched his Sunday Services, playing christian gospel renditions of his tracks to large audiences and this has clearly served as inspiration for Jesus is King, maybe West’s introspection led to a change of heart about all the controversies and missteps through his very public life and he wanted to turn his attention musically and socially back to God. However while Kanye’s return to God has fulfilled him, he still leaves his fans hungry.

Kanye’s album timeline

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Toon trolley talks with Casey Lowry

Music Editors Dominic Lee and Joe Smith have a natter and a pint with the wonderful indie-pop musician between shows

n the midst of a busy headline tour, Sheffield’s Casey Lowry was able to sit down and chat with myself and my fellow music editor Dom about EP’s, the new ways to make it in music and life on the road, all whilst sitting in a Morrison’s trolley in the middle of Digi’s main room. You’ve been on tour for quite a while, how’s that going? I have, its why my brains so frazzled to be honest with you mate. I’ve been on tour for the past three weeks or something, but the issue is, it’s not just three weeks, it were festivals before that and I was on another tour before that. It’s becoming a lifestyle and it’s a proper good one! You’ve had a busy year so far then! Do you have much planned for the rest of 2019? Too much! I just want to sleep for a bit to be

honest with you. Currently --I’ve got the tour I’m

Image: Instagram @caseylowrymusic

on now for another two weeks, and then, this is a classic mate, just found out I’m going on tour with Conor Maynard, get in! I had no idea how big he is. I checked him out on Spotify before and he’s like 400th in the world and he started from YouTube!

All the labels are trying to get their artists on TikTok What do you think about people starting out from YouTube and other similar platforms? I don’t hate it mate, if you’re making a career doing what you want to do then good for you! If YouTube is that platform that helps you get into music, then go for it! YouTube’s not the biggest thing at the minute though, its TikTok! It sounds stupid but all the labels are trying to get their artists to go on TikTok now. I tried it for a day and I just didn’t get it, it was like a very bad vine! What’s next release wise? I’ve got an EP coming out, I think its my best stuff yet. It’s very mature comparatively to what I’ve done before. As much as I love the songs I’ve released before, I wrote them when I was a lot younger and they aren’t what I establish myself to be now. It’s not the kind of thing I would listen to these days. This new stuff is very mature. I did it with a guy called Jim Abyss and he’s the guy who did the first Arctic Monkeys album and the first two Adele albums. It was a weird experience but I really loved it! Did you find producing this EP different to producing your music in the past? 100%. It depends who you work with as well. I used to

make tracks in my basement, but for this EP, going into a big studio with a big producer it was mad. I trusted his opinion more than I trusted my own. The fact that you have to stay in the studio for a long time changes it as well. If you’re doing a single you can just crack it out in a day. With an EP you must spend time with someone, you have to build that relationship and it all has to sound sonically similar and established. Do you have a particular venue that’s really stuck with you? One that stuck with me emotionally was the Bataclan in Paris. I played there on a support tour and I walked in it was really eerie, it’s hard to explain it, but I walked in and I was genuinely upset because being from England you hear about it on the news, but you don’t see it. We don’t experience it ourselves. On stage I mentioned the event and I said, ‘Don’t let a tragedy like this ever happen again’. You could tell the crowd felt it and resonated with it and it was just amazing, the best show I’ve ever played. I’ve never heard a louder crowd in my entire life. It’s weird as a musician as you can become a bit out of touch with things, but that show really brought me back down to earth.

Image: Joe Smith & Dominic Lee

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/music

music culture

Review: Rudimental Ones to Watch Carl Smith Valdez gives his thoughts on Rudimental’s performance kicking off Freshers’

he Freshers’ Week 2019 commenced on 22nd September with an explosive performance by Rudimental outside the Student’s Union. The pathway usually passed by the students to get to their lectures and seminars had been filled by hundreds of Freshers on the night. The night was opened by Aiken, who deejayed alongside Dagan Wilkin’s immaculate live guitar performance. Their performance featured the style of anthemic rock songs. Aiken and Dagan share the same vibe as Rudimental. It was no surprise that they warmed everyone with their eloquent set.

Their eclecticism encapsulates the band’s ability to handle any genre with dexterity Wilkin’s stage presence stood out amongst the crowd as he swayed vigorously with his electric guitar. His enthusiasm was contagious, as many cheered and headbanged to the beats of the songs. They truly livened up the crowd in preparation for the main act. Rudimental immediately presented their best from the very start. As soon as they greeted the audience, the whole crowd were captivated. It is through such a welcoming address, that the band has already built a bond with students of Newcastle. The band’s spark was shared by the crowd cheering them on to start performing. When they started to play their first track, everyone was enchanted. Their rapturous performance emulated with the crowd singing, waving, and leaping to the infectious rhythm. Even the rain did not become a hindrance for neither the band nor the audience. Rudimental featured various songs from soul to reggae

Liam Gallagher

Why Me Why Not?

enowned frontman, rock’n’roll star and music legend Liam Gallagher’s second solo record, Why Me, Why Not? earned him another number 1 in the charts following up his debut As You Were, but does his latest music cement his ability as a formidable stand-alone act, or does it just show further desperation for a reunion with his brother? Similarly to his initial effort, this 11-track LP is a mixed bag in terms of the style of songs featured, and admittedly, the impact they have. For me, ‘Gone’, ‘Alright Now’, and ‘Meadow’ are the more forgettable additions here, but there’s more than enough incredible music to make up for what these lack.

He doesn’t need Noel to succeed

‘Shockwave’, the first single and opening track, is a guitar-heavy rock belter which sets the tone nicely, both sonically and lyrically. ‘The River’, another single, has the same loud and proud tone. ‘Once’ seems to be one of the breakout tracks, with special live performances sounding outstanding compared to the Liam of 10 years ago. Reflecting on his youth and the inability to recapture the past, this is truly one of the best pieces of music Liam has produced. ‘One Of Us’ also focuses on the sweetness of the past, with a specific focus on Noel: “act like you don’t remember, you said we’d live forever”. Another standout for me is ‘Now That I’ve Found You’, proving that the family side of Liam we see in his recent documentary As It Was is real. The overall quality of the tunes on this album is impressive and I’ve found myself blown away by the live performances. This record delivers more depth than his first attempt, and with Liam already back in the studio the hype for album three is real. His sound has been on-andoff throughout his singing career, but right now he is on a high and with the new music to back him up, he has truly proven that he doesn’t need Noel to succeed. Sadly, although he doesn’t need Oasis anymore, he constantly reminds us how much he wants it. Finlay Holden

Image: NUTV

to electronica. Their songs were filled with catchy choruses and inspiring lyrics. Their eclecticism encapsulates the band’s ability to handle any genre with dexterity. The band intentionally teased the crowd by pausing their tracks. The gap seemingly disappeard, as the crowd eagerly sang along to the missing pieces. A deserving mention is to DJ Locksmith, who jammed along to the remixes with a trumpet. He harmonisesdperfectly with the irresistible beats. This added a different layer of music from their repetitive drum and bass drops.

Locksmith brought an original persona to the songs whilst equally flowing with the rhythm. Rudimental certainly finished the night on a high note, with ecstatic applauses and praises. They successfully showcased their talent and devotion to their music, to each other and to their fans. This performance emphasises that nothing, not even a harsh weather can stop the power of music. The night has caught the spirit of university night life. Rudimental has been able to unite the crowd of students despite their differences.

Sleeping With Sirens How It Feels To Be Lost

Charli XCX Charli

ou stare at your phone, anxiously waiting for that last crucial minute to tick by. You refresh the Spotify page again. Again. Again. You’ve heard the snippets, religiously listened to the singles, stalked the band’s twitter page. And finally it appears. The album you’ve been waiting for; that list of songs finally within your grasp. You stammer over the lyrics and stumble over the notes. Your breath catches and your heart tumbles- a feeling that can only occur when listening to an extraordinary song washes over you. For days upon days, the lyrics flowed through your head, keeping your attention hostage. For those of you who have no idea what I’m babbling on about, let me clue you in to my insane rambling. On the 6th of September, a band by the name of Sleeping with Sirens released their sixth studio album How It Feels to Be Lost. And let me tell you, you’re not going to miss this heart- stopping, mind- shattering album. The album explores the complexities of family dynamics- most notably the song ‘Blood Lines’- and how being born into a broken family doesn’t make you yourself broken; your bloodline doesn’t have set you up for failure. Vocalist Kellin Quinn spoke out about the album, saying it is all about depression and anxiety, and how he believes it’s something that desperately needs to be talked about. More than anything, he wanted the album to be raw and honest; he wanted it to be for the people who really needed to be told that it was okay to feel anxious or depressed- it doesn’t make you weak or dramatic or attention- seeking. It makes you a valid human who is struggling with demons that others may not understand. I definitely needed it, and if you’re someone who does too, this is an album you should without a doubt give a long listen to. Even if you’re not struggling with anxiety or depression, it may help you understand those who are, which is equally as important. I will leave you with a line from one song on the album that rattled around my head for days after it was released: “If you feel like you are nothing/ If you feel like letting go/ I’ll be your hope when you are hopeless/ Together, we are not alone/ You’re not alone”.

trailblazer, a musical soothsayer, a pop revolutionary – Charli XCX juggles these labels with expertise, balancing on a tightrope of appealing to the mainstream to further her career and using her platform to shine a spotlight on leftfield artists that status-quo pop has disregarded. Her latest album, Charli is the epitome of this tightrope. If you merely remember Charli as the ‘Boom Clap’ girl, you’ve missed years and years of sophisticated musical progression. But this is also understandable – she hid from the mainstream, and her next effort after 2015’s Sucker (AKA the album with ‘Boom Clap’ on it) was 2016’s criminally underrated Vroom Vroom EP that cemented her role as a PC Music-adjacent artist.

Grace Lazzaro

Ali Nichols

With tracks like ‘1999’, has Charli supplied the future of pop to us already?

Charli is a dissection of relationships and honesty staged in the relatable arena of a party. A non-explicit concept album that explores pop absurdity and introspection in 50 sweet minutes. Dance anthems are supplied in abundance – stand out high energy collaborations ‘Shake It’ and ‘Click’ are an assertion of Charli’s auteurship, a smug grin bookending a four-song streak of solo contemplations. Verses bounce off one another like atoms – Tommy Cash providing his sincere-satire post-Soviet rap, Brooke Candy’s vocals metallic enough to blend in with Cook’s mechanical beats like quicksilver. The album culminates with Troye Sivan collaboration ‘2099’, Cook’s immaculate production whirring and whizzing over intimate, hushed vocals. Though the track is intended to be a gaze into the future following the millennial introspection of ‘1999’, one must wonder: has Charli supplied the future of pop to us already?

Recent Rumors

veryone has that band; that band that makes your brain shut off and your heart race. That band who can bring a smile to your face no matter how far into the darkness you have sunk. Maybe you haven’t listened to them in ages, or maybe you’re listening to them right now. That band for me goes by the name of Recent Rumors. They are a three- well, now four (they finally added a new drummer recently)- member alternative pop band based in Dallas, Texas. The band is led by singer Josh LaBoyteaux, a seemingly quiet individual who in reality has a wicked sense of humor that’s able to put a smile on your face no matter what. Next is bassist Alex Lopez who seems crazy and a bit intimidating at first glance but has the largest heart and goofiest personality. Lastly, there’s guitarist Tymothy Clark, who is quite possibly the most caring and empathetic person I have ever met.

10.6k

The number of monthly listeners of Recent Rumors on Spotify

I began listening to them about a year ago and haven’t been able to get them out of my mind since. I think I listened to their then five, now six, released singles on repeat for weeks on end. Each song holds a seemingly new voice and sound which confounded me for some time but upon asking singer Josh, he told me that as a songwriter, he draws from different influences like any artist would whenever he writes a new song. And it is whatever singer he is channeling at that time that comes out in his voice style- a fact that I feel distinguishes them from being just another band.

Each song holds a seemingly new voice and sound which confounded me for some time The deeper I delved into my obsession with their music, the more I began to idolise them; because finding their music was an amazing twist of fate but getting to know them as people and as friends is a privilege I will forever hold close to my heart. So put down this paper and take out your music- listening device because this band are rising stars bound for greatness and you don’t want to miss it. Grace Lazzaro

Image: Twitter (@recentrumors)

/The CourierMusic @culture_courier

culture TV

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors Amy Brown, Sophie Hicks & Will Nsieyanji

TV Time Travel: Twin Peaks hen Twin Peaks first arrived on our screens in W 1990, nobody really knew what to make of it. At first, the show was a slow-paced murder mystery

surrounding the death of school princess Laura Palmer, whose body is found on a river bank (“She’s dead, wrapped in plastic” drawls lumber mill owner Pete Martell). To solve this comes Agent Dale Cooper, a knight in a well-pressed suit, constantly talking to the off-screen Diane. The eccentric detective in a murder mystery normal for television drama; just as Lovejoy had his antique collecting and Columbo his wink-to-theaudience ‘One More Thing…’, so to did Cooper live in a world of cherry pie and eastern mysticism. The first series dealt with familiar themes, but we were already seeing cracks in the façade. The show became increasingly melodramatic, drawing on soap opera clichés.

The show became increasingly melodramatic In the second series, a love triangle developed between three detectives working on the case. A painfully extended six-episode arc revolved around a tangential affair between biker James Hurley and a femme fatale. The plots seemed more appropriate for Invitation to Love, the corny TV show that played throughout the series. And, of course there was the underlying mind-bending surrealism that came to the forefront in the third 2017 series. Suddenly, the laws of television programming were rendered moot. Kyle McLachlan played three separate doppelganger versions of the same character. Arcane orbs and brain-like trees took centre stage. The villain of the piece was revealed to be a cosmic entity played by a set dresser that the director happened to rope into acting. So, that’s Twin Peaks, the show with three faces. Watch the first series for a murder mystery, the second for a soap opera, and the third if you want your brain to dribble out through your ears. George Gardner

Summer sun shines on the small screens Joe Holloran claims we are in the golden age of TV and that the summer of 2019 proves that

f critics are to be believed today, we are living through a new ‘Golden Age of Television’. A cursory glance at the list of the shows nominated at this year’s Emmys and BAFTA’s makes this assertation hard to argue. So, let’s take a look at a few of the televisual highlights of this summer. First up is the second season Phoebe WallerBridge’s modern masterpiece Killing Eve. A great example of trans-Atlantic creative endeavour, Killing Eve stars the legendary Sandra Oh (Grey’s Anatomy) as former MI6 operative and hybristophile Eve Polastery, and the master of accents herself, Jodie Comer. Truly one of the finest young British acting talents of her generation. Picking up immediately after the season one finale, season two continued the twisted, tormented and darkly humorous adventures of the psychopathic contract-killer Villanelle as she attempts to come to terms with her obsession for her hunter, Eve, and how to move on from the shocking, dramatic events of the previous season. I will say no more for fear of spoiling one of the best shows of the last decade. Suffice to say, if you haven’t already, it’s time to jump on the bandwagon. Next is continue the BBC crime/thriller theme with the fifth season of Jed Mercurio’s acclaimed police procedural drama Line of Duty. Starring Nottingham’s own Vicky McClure (This is England) and former professional footballer Martin Compston (Monarch of the Glenn, Greenock Morton FC) as detectives Fleming and Arnott respectively. The latest season of only six episodes – quality over quantity – sees our two protagonists investigate a conspiracy of collusion between an organized crime group and the recently MIA undercover officer D.C. Corbett (Stephen Graham). Considered by many to be the spiritual successor to ITV’s Broadchurch, Line of Duty showed that after many decades and countless adaptations, there is still life in the po-

lice procedural drama. With original, intelligent and often dark scripts brought to life by impactful and nuanced performances from all involved, it is easy to see why Line of Duty latest season drew in the biggest UK TV audiences of the summer. If you missed it airing on BBC One first time around do not fret, it can be watched in full on the BBC iPlayer for free. One of the most entertaining shows of the summer for me came in the form of the second part of the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Released in one go back in April the nine-part season one conclusion continued the dark adven-

tures of teenage half-witch Sabrina Spellman (Kiernan Shipka) and her family and friends (mortal and witch alike) in the quiet town of Greendale. I like many others, were concerned when the show was initially announced. I worried it would be a simple re-making of the 90’s Nickelodeon series, which was better left alone. Thankfully we doubters were proven wrong. Filled to the brim with demons, Satanic imagery, high school dramas and evil intentions all brought to life with a script full of genuine teen-angst and self-aware humour the show was a deep, dark breath of fresh air to combat the summer heat. High school never looked so cool. So, there you have it, my little rundown of the summers best small screen offerings. Winter may be upon us, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a little trip back in time a few months by seeking out these (and some other great) shows you may have missed, and treating yourself to a small piece of this, the new ‘Golden Age of TV.’

Image: IMDb

Previews

Review

The return of Peaky Blinders Harriet Metcalfe gives us a peek into the newest season of the show

his August saw the return of everyone’s favourite dysfunctional gangster family from Birmingham – the Shelbys – for season 5 of Peaky Blinders. It begs the question: do I have freshers’ flu, or am I just coughing from all this second-hand smoke? In the wake of the 1929 Wall Street Crash, the family ends up with a lot more than economic issues to deal with. Tommy’s ‘allegiance’ with (real-life historical figure and fascist politician) Oswald Mosley puts a lot into question, whilst the return of Michael from Boston seems to have an ulterior motive. Despite all the drama – there’s still an intense vulnerability to the characters that rears its head every once in a while. Grace has a much more demanding presence in this season (I’m still not over it), and Arthur is still trying to change himself to make Linda happy. Whilst the sub-plot on the women’s rights movement does seem to have disappointingly fizzled out, season five is certainly not lacking powerful female characters. Peaky, as expected, doesn’t fall short in its soundtrack. Nick Cave’s 'Red Right Hand' will always remain a firm

Image: Flickr ,Terry Kearney

fan favourite, but the standout artist from season five almost has to be IDLES. 'Never Fight A Man with A Perm' deserves a gold star for the name alone. Cillian Murphy told NME that “you just know when a song is peaky.” At that rate, Tommy might as well join the band. Andthenthereisthatending.Peaky lovestothrowaspanner in the works right at the last minute, and the finale is no different. It’s just as unpredictable as Tommy Shelby himself. You’ll be wanting season six as soon as the credits roll. If you’ve been following from season one (and bless you if you jumped straight in at season five), it’s easy to see just how far this show has progressed. We’ve come a long way from Sam Neill’s (or, if you’re anything like me – Dr. Alan Grant) Major Chester Campbell, and even the quality of footage has stepped up. It’s cinematic television, it’s glamorous – Tommy even wears a tie now! Peaky has even become somewhat of a cultural phenomenon, with the first ‘legitimate Peaky Blinders festival’ taking place in Digbeth, Birmingham (of course) back in September. For a show with so much blood, sweat and violence, Peaky has an odd way of bringing people together.

Bojack Horseman Stranger Things 4 Alfie Blincowe tells us what to expect in the final season

etflix’s favourite troubled horse-man is returning for his sixth and final series. Will BoJack be getting the ending he deserves? Last time we saw the famous 90s TV star he was being dropped off at rehab after struggling throughout the entire series with various addictions. The trailer for the new season, that aired on September 27th, seems to point towards him getting his life together while the other character’s lives fall apart. As BoJack says in his letter to both Diane and the audience “Every time someone leaves rehab it makes you think about your own progress.” Last series we saw Mr. Peanutbutter’s facade of happiness slip, but he ultimately pushed through his negative thoughts, pretending he was happy enough to propose to his pug girlfriend. There are sure to be ramifications for this, which may lead to the happy-go-lucky dog falling into despair even deeper than BoJack’s. The future doesn’t look too bright for Princess Caroline who has finally got her baby, after the audience has watched her struggle to conceive, leading to the process of adoption. Fans of the show know that the writers don’t shy away from depression and the darkness of the mind, which is why the show is so beloved by many. We may see the more depressing side of motherhood and how overwhelming it can be, hopefully in an episode as creative and harrowing as ‘Time’s Arrow’ or ‘The Old Sugarman Place’. But this is a comedy show, after all, so we’re sure to have a few laughs in between the raw existential crisis that BoJack Horseman always brings. Look forward to more high-jinx in Hollywoo on October 25th when part one of the final season is released. Fans will have to wait until January 31st to see the final in part 2- here’s hoping there isn’t a gut-wrenchImage: IMDb ing cliffhanger between them.

George Bell explores what's in store for Stranger Things 4

ince its inception in July 2016, Netflix’s Stranger Things has taken the world by storm and now has three successful seasons under its belt, with its most recent grossing over 12.8 million viewers in its premiere weekend alone. It is, therefore, no surprise that a fourth season has already been announced, but what was not expected was the tag line that came with that announcement. On September 30th Netflix posted a 38-second clip all over social media announcing the much anticipated fourth season of the 80s based sci-fi show. This clip showed the iconic Stranger Things logo being entangled in the creepy upside-down dimension before cutting to the surprising new tag line “We’re not in Hawkins anymore”. This gives way numerous possibilities as to what could happen next as so far, all bar one episode, Season 2 'The Lost Sister', have been centered around the sleepy town of Hawkins and its numerous pop culture references. If the show is really taking this route and leaving Hawkins, it can answer all manner of questions that are still to be answered. To name a few; who is the American in the Russian Prison? Will El find more people with powers like her? Can Will finally get the chance to play D&D? Following the teaser, the internet has become rampant with countless weird fan theories like the upcoming s e a son including time travel all the way to the fourth season coinciding with the Chernobyl incident. But with no release date yet, the season is probably quite early in production, so all of this is just speculation. When opening the door to the upside-down, the internet, and the many theories that come with it make sure to keep a three-inch minimum.

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TV culture Ruvealing Drag Race UK A hidden heist of Netflix Meg Blount highlights their underrated show that needs love Ellie Pidgeon says shantay you stay to the new Drag Race UK B T Monday 14 October 2019

ella Ciao to all those classic stereotypical expectations belonging to a heist drama. Hola to Lacasa de Papel, otherwise known as Money Heist: the Netflix show that undeniably offers a fresh, original perspective to the typical robbery plotline that has been beaten and bruised repeatedly over time. The Spanish series immediately submerges the audience straight into the action, creating a sustained tension from the outset, which is amplified by the unreliable narrator and the lack of initial information surrounding the characters; almost mirroring the unexpectedness of a heist, dragging the watcher straight into the heart of the chaotic environment. The realistic agenda of the series is exaggerated by the relatable Spaniard identity and the ever-changing moralities of the characters, causing conflict as the robbers become somewhat heroes to the public as the episodes progress. A ‘robin hood’ effect is generated, forming ethical and empathetical justifications to the heist, as the protagonists create the impression that their i nt e n tion o f

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robbing the Royal Mint of Spain in Madrid is to give the money back to the public. Also, the use of red as an identity colour can even be suggested to link to socialism, and therefore a challenge to capitalism, underlining a political debate subtly entwined within the plot. Especially as the view of the police is twisted by the ingenious manipulation of the Professor, to portray the law enforcement as the criminals, further intensifying the drama. Moreover, the additional emotional motivation of theheist increases the sympathy and attachment felt towards the thieves and creates an impassioned vacuum, causing irresistible distress when main characters become inevitable martyrs. These unexpected plot twists emphasise the originality and individualism of the series and show how the producers have completely transcended the clichés attached to a typical ‘heist’ and constructed a thrilling, heart-wrenching masterpiece. Lacasa de Papel (Money Heist) is considerably underrated, deserving more recognition and appreciation than it currently possesses. It is undoubtedly one of the more accomplished Netflix series out there.

he time has come for you to... watch Drag Race UK! Finally, after years of waiting, RuPaul’s Drag Race is finally receiving a British makeover. Cue the bad tans and British slang! All of the queens in the lineup all bring something different, and their looks range from stereotypical 'British Drag' to the more recent conceptual drag. Baga Chipz screams British culture with her Kat Slater inspired entrance look.

RuPaul's Drag Race is a show with community at its core Also embodying Kat Slater? Vinegar Strokes with her iconic entrance that puts all the American Drag Race entrances to shame. Blu Hydrangea, the self proclaimed GCSE art project, will certainly inject colour into the line up with her out of the box makeup skills. However, she isn't alone as Gothy Kendoll, Scaredy Cat and Crystal

Image: IMDb

Image: IMDb , Leigh Keily

The Good Place needs a goodbye Emma McCartney shares her thoughts on the final season

etflix’s comedic take on the afterlife, The Good Place finally returned to our screens for its fourth and final season on the 27th September. The fourteen-part series picks up right where the season 3 cliff-hanger left off, following moral philosophy professor, Chidi Anagonye (played by Willian Jackson Harper)’s decision to sacrifice his memories and relationship with Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) for the sake of the greater good.

the opening episodes have maintained the series' light-hearted and easily watchable tone While the opening episodes have maintained the series’ light-hearted and easily watchable tone, the new season has also successfully addressed real issues, such as self-doubt and the pressures of leadership, as Eleanor

Image: NBC

all radiate creativity and uniqueness, heightening the competition. Divina Del Campo, Sum Ting Wong and The Vivienne also share strengths that lie in the region of campy, 'British drag'. Cheryl Hole, however, relies on authentic Essex realness, and so it will be interesting to witness the contrast of these different strands of drag. What I'm most excited for, however, is the infamous Snatch Game. Some of the queens alluded to possible personas they could take in this Drag Race version of 'Match Game' and for once, I might actually recognise at least some of the characters! But, beneath the lace-front wigs, the makeup, and the runway outfits, RuPaul's Drag Race is a show with community at its core. The show provides a comforting home for people throughout the world who are deemed weird or different due to society's ideals. So, during this time of disunity and political turmoil, Drag Race UK will hopefully provide us with a brighter outlook upon the world, and a couple of laughs along the way. Drag Race UK, shantay you stay! New episodes of RuPaul's Drag Race UK are available on BBC iPlayer; episodes are released weekly every Thursday evening.

struggles to adapt to her new roles as the ‘architect’ of the supposed ‘good place’ and potential saviour of humanity. Despite the addition of new characters, such as the utterly obnoxious, yet painfully familiar, Brent, as well as Tahani (Jameela Jamil)’s former arch-nemesis, John, fans will be pleased to find that all original main cast members have returned, remaining at the very heart of the show. So far, the new series has continued to demonstrate a clear focus on the prospect of redemption and self-improvement, as Eleanor, Michael (Ted Danson) and the gang work together in attempt to rehabilitate their testsubjects, Chidi, Simone, John and Brent. If Michael, a reformed demon, could change for the better, then surely there’s hope for the rest of us, right? Why The Good Place must come to an end so soon, I do not know. Surely a show as delightfully original as this could go on for many more years, but I suppose all good things must come to an end. I only hope that we get to meet Disco Janet before the series is through, because she sounds forking amazing. New episodes of The Good Place are available every Friday on Netflix (UK).

Review

Will The Politician get your vote? Ruby Osborne reviews Ryan Murphy's newest Netflix satire

n Netflix’s new high school satire, which follows a competitive student election in middle-class California, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan bring us a tale of murder, suicide, and adultery straight out of a telenovela. Ben Platt plays Payton Hobart, a senior with a plan. First stop is student body president, next, Harvard, and finally President of the United States. But when the popular and handsome River Barkley decides to run against him, Payton’s big plan begins to waver. Especially as the duo’s history doesn’t make them merely opponents. The Politician clearly pays homage to Wes Anderson in symmetrical shots and colour palettes. But it goes further than that. It investigates the family and relationships of the slightly broken male protagonist. We see affairs, adoption, and emotional abuse with a comedic lightness to them. The focus of the series is not really on politics, despite the title and the grazing over of class, colour, gender and LGBT issues. On the surface, it appears to comment on the US political system; a politician and a human are

presented as being mutually exclusive. But, really it is just a comment on human nature in itself. No one can avoid their emotions in the name of success for too long. Your quirky costume and monotonous way of speaking may make you seem like a movie character, but layers of complexity and imperfection lies behind the salmon coloured pantsuits. Jessica Lange of course delivers a stellar performance as Dusty Jackson, the overdramatic southern belle that even Blanche Dubois would envy. Lange portrays the Nana of one of Payton’s classmates with a form of cancer that seems to only make her ill after she goes to the hospital… strange. The series also focuses on the idea of ‘cancel culture’ and provides a fresh view on the vindication of people of one mistake, in the political and celebrity world. In reality, high schoolers and adults alike don’t just drop people after a blunder, however big it is. Overall The Politician demonstrates how things don’t always go to plan, how nothing is as perfect as a candycoloured movie, and most importantly, that power doesn’t last forever.

Image: IMDB

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culture film

c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors: Elisabetta Pulcini, Joe Holloran, Lucy Lillystone and Steven Ross

Monday 14 October 2019

Joker hits the mark with violence in film A Second Look Why Elisabetta Pulcini comments on the controvery surrounding the new Todd Phillips project (1996)

ne would not expect criticism like "A monumental disaster”, “horrifying”, “unsettling”, “so obnoxiously brash and in-your-face that it just becomes tiresome” to be attributed to Shakespeare’s seminal tragedy Romeo and Juliet. But in 1996, even revered reviewers like Ebert and major publications like the Washington Post were overwhelmed by the chaotic, glitter-bomb explosion that was Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet. 23 years after its release, it's clear to see that this adaptation suffered at the hands of purists. But the film deserves its praise as a frenetic fireball of carnal desire and adolescent fervour. There should be no shame in the enjoyment of such a product of passion, a pure encapsulation of youth and a perfect homage to a legendary play. Many criticise the film as style over substance, but what happens when a film’s style is its substance? What if Romeo and Juliet, a familiar story to all, transcends the restriction of style in ways that Shakespeare’s stories of the monarchy could not?

New life is breathed into a play written 400 years before Luhrmann’s adaptation, and even in the 21st century, this new life remains. As a collection of late-teens and twenty-somethings, the dramatic and tumultuous nature of the play is something inherently relatable - it’s highly doubtful that any of us are the children of mafia bosses, but the modern setting provides a platform for us to relate to otherwise untouchable characters.

New life is breathed into a play written over 400 years before

I propose that this should no longer be considered a guilty pleasure, and instead just a pleasure. An underrated piece of cinema that has maintained over 20 years of ferocious energy, Romeo + Juliet is indubitably undeserving of its criticism and should be re-watched as often as possible. A tonic to the trend of dark and gritty adaptations and a ray of sunshine despite its tragic subject matter, an unflinching depiction of melodrama and emotion that is “tiresome” and “unsettling” purely because of its relatability. Ali Nicholls

All images: YouTube

rom the Satanic panic of the 1980s, to complaints that inevitably accompany every Tarantino movie, the idea that media is the direct cause of horrific acts of violence is recurring. Frankly, it is also a tired stereotype. This is not to say that cinema does not affect us. Movies have the power to inspire us, especially when they're well made. However, the actions of someone sick enough to replicate fictional violence into reality cannot be a responsibility of the filmmakers. Such individuals, much like Joker protagonist Arthur Fleck, have a dangerously warped perception of reality, which does not allow them to see the movie for what it is.

its protagonist: it demands the audience to empathize, not idolize. And while understanding his actions is necessary, justifying them is not. S o m e

This movie does not invite cosplay, imitation or adoration of its protagonist.

In fact, maybe the most important, yet overlooked aspect of this discussion should be the film itself. Does it go too far in its depiction of violence, rendering it dangerous to society? The truth is that the violence in this movie is shocking, disturbing, and unsettling. Just like it would be in real life. Todd Phil- lips does not allow the actions of the protagonist to be concealed by cinematic sheen: that’s what makes them effective. The controversy on the violence present in this movie showcases how unaccustomed we are to seeing this kind of realism on screen, without any glorification to distance it from reality. It is because of this raw depiction that Arthur Fleck’s actions do not read as cathartic nor liberating, but rather as a grave development of his mental illness. The characterization of Arthur Fleck is another point of controversy, with many believing that he could be hailed as a hero by violent groups of society. However, the movie does not hold the Joker as a champion for the ‘misunderstood’: he cannot lead a movement because, due to his mental illness, he only sees himself. The following he gains in Gotham, or might gain in reality, is from people who do not know, nor care about him or his story, but merely project their struggles upon this tragic figure. Yet, this movie does not Images: YouTube invite cosplay, imitation or adoration of

American activists have even called for Joker to be banned from theatres. While this might be well-intentioned efforts of concerned citizens, it is dangerous to target movies like this one, because it provides politicians with a welcomed distraction from reality: although media is consumed everywhere, massshootings are a distinctively American issue. Regrettably, Todd Philips is not contributing to the discussion this movie deserves. His upsetting inquire of why people react to this movie differently than they did to John Wick 3, does not serve the movie nor its message. Rather, he should recognize that people being shocked by the violence means that he has done his job as a director, by creating art that arouses a visceral response. From the stigma around mental health, to the blind following of problematic individuals, this movie conveys a dark portrayal of our reality. While it may be misunderstood by those who watch it superficially, its creators should not be condemned for it. At its heart, it encourages discussion, empathy and understanding for the ‘other side’, and warns us what happens when that advice is not followed.

Left: The perpetrator of the 2008 Auroa Colorado cinema shooting, in which twelve people were killed.

Spider-Man's web set to unravel? Emma Atkinson untangles the drama surrounding beloved Spider-Man's future in the MCU

ver summer Spider-Man’s parents broke out in a very public custody war and the fans are to thank for the outcome. The studios have since come to a new arrangement, keeping Tom Holland’s Spider-Man in the Marvel cinematic universe for at least two more films, a third Spider-Man film and an additional mystery marvel film. Following the rumours circulating regarding the fate of Spider-Man there was a huge social media backlash, particularly aimed at Sony. Fans expressed their outrage at the studio’s failure to come to an agreement to save Spider-Man’s place in the MCU through the hashtag #SaveSpiderMan. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man has quickly become a fan favourite and plays a integral role in the franchise, so it comes as no surprise that the thought of Peter Parker’s journey coming to a close, especially after the cliffhanger in Far From Home, caused uproar within the community. Tom Holland himself is said to have made appeals to both Sony and Disney during the split to form a new deal to get Spider-Man back into the franchise. Bob Iger, Disney CEO, in an interview reveals that Holland called in attempt to protect his role. Iger stated that this prompted a continuation in negotiations to in his words ‘get this done for Tom and the fans’. Without the role of social media fans would not have been able to play a vocal role in the public negotiations catching the attention of Tom and the studios and the outcome could have been very different. The internet and social media is without a doubt a massive factor in franchise’s success. The new deal leaves Disney, Marvel's parent company,

paying 25% of the production cost and receiving around 25% of the profits as opposed to the 5% of the profits they previously earned. However it seems as if Sony actually

came out on top. Whilst gaining the publicity and profits from the character in the Marvel cinematic universe Sony now additionally is able to include Tom Holland’s character in their own films including his rumoured appearance in Venom 2. Sony actually ending up with having the best of both worlds. Kevin Feige implies the increasing involvement Spiderman will have in Sony’s cinematic universe: “[Spider-Man] happens to be the only hero with the superpower to cross cinematic universes, so as Sony continues to develop their own Spideyverse you never know what surprises the future might hold.” All this brings to light questions regarding Tom Holland’s

future in the MCU. Will Marvel attempt to lessen his importance in the franchise? Many have speculated that since Far From Home has already introduced the idea of the multiverse, Spider-Man could be phased out of the marvel franchise through being transported into a new reality. This would allow for a seamless integration into Sony’s franchise whilst having a conclusion from marvel’s. But for now Spider-Man fans can look forward to a third film out in 2021!

Image: YouTube

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Monday 14 October 2019

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Joker (15)

film culture Coming Soon!

Eve Ducker on the latest DC adaptation starring Joaquin Phoenix

he world of superheroes and super-villains is new territory for director Todd Phillips of the Hangover films. This is fitting, because Joker is not a superhero origin film, but rather an intense character study, that picks apart the anatomy of this infamous villain. Frank Sinatra's 'That’s Life' crackles through a dated 80’s television set as a mother and son slow dance by the grey light given off by the screen. The son here is Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) a failing clown hounded by negative thoughts and depression who suffers from a mental illness which causes him to bursts into spontaneous crippling laughter. Presented as a symptom of the society which he lives, Fleck navigates his way down a twisting spiral of increasing madness to become Joker, a criminal molded from his neglect by those in Gotham city. The physical and mental beatings the character takes throughout the film eventually leads him to his wellknown murderous conclusion, in which he becomes a symbol of rebellion in a city already drowning in chaos and riots.

The humanity that Phoenix brings to the role aids our understanding of the character

The fictional city of Gotham mirrors that of 1980’s gangster New York. The streets are bathing in trash due to a refuse strike to the point where you can practically smell the stench and garbage bags obscure most of the exterior scenes. The brown/deep red colour palette soaks the film in dark tones; all contributing to a very bleak aesthetic. Stalking camera movements follow our protagonist Arthur (Joker) as Joaquin Phoenix waltzes in

The Goldfinch (R)

and out of scenes. This performance is truly one to behold as he manically dances faster and faster through the character’s journey. Led by his skeletal appearance, he contorts himself abusing his physicality to portray Fleck’s internal turmoil. While bold movements rule, his boyish voice elicits pity from the audience only cut by his bitter laugh which halts momentum to his speech. The humanity that Phoenix brings to the role aids our understanding of the character, explaining why he becomes such an icon for the silenced lower classes of Gotham. This was a film that certainly was surrounded by hype, however equally haunted by controversy stirring up uncomfortable yet necessary conversations about violence in cinema. There were scenes that flicked between slap-stick and outright bloody violence the contrast heightening the sickening feeling at who this character is really becoming. I see this film as one stuck in limbo, it a superhero film but it’s not. It’s grounded in realism yet we live out Joker’s fantasies. The director twists the lines between social justice and vigilante killings. It's truly divided a genre as much as it's divided critics. I enjoyed Joker as a crazed psychopath who I loved to hate, now I know his story I can’t hate a man who is a result of this world that created him. Therefore as a stand-alone film, excellent; where it fits into the bigger picture or into the DC comic book universe is not clear. All I know is to remember to keep smiling.

wo years after the controversial Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Rian Johnson is set to grace the silver screen once more with his new film Knives Out, an Agatha Christie inspired whodunit with a modern twist. Knives Out follows the classic premise of the genre, with a family reunion falling into dire straits when the patriarch is found murdered and detective Benoit Blanc is called to investigate. The most fascinating thing about this film is its ensemble cast, boasting such names as Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michael Shannon. Not only are these terrific actors crossing unlikely paths, but for the first three Knives Out is something of a proving ground. Craig, Evans and Curtis have all fallen back on their respective franchises in recent years and have struggled to find equal success outside of them, which invigoratingly raises the stakes, not just for their characters’ survival, but their careers as well.

Image: YouTube

Ad Astra (PG-13)

Image: YouTube

his film is an adaptation of the same titled novel, by Donna Tartt. It's fans however have been very vocal about how much they hate this adaptation. It's about about a boy - Noah, who loses his mother in a bombing of a gallery and the only thing that survives from that day is a painting of a goldfinch. Noah keeps the painting with him wherever life takes him. The Goldfinch is the first movie that John Crowley directed after his much praised Brooklyn which in truth set a very high bar for his next film but with this one he doesn’t even seem to try. The plot jumps from place to place, there are characters appearing and disappearing but you don't get to miss them. The problem is that the titular goldfinch painting gets mentioned so sporadically, you forget about its existence and the movie does little to tell why is it so important. Not only the direction was confusing, it was also the acting that made it hard to connect with the story. Ansel Elgort is not able to carry this movie. He just does not have the ability to make the audience care about what his character is going through. This is a story about a boy with so many misfortunes, so much loss. But the performances are just distractedly terrible. At one point young Noah makes friends with Boris, a Ukraine boy whose Russian accent is about him starting every line with “Ha!”. It’s not all bad though. Set design is impeccably done by K.K. Barrett, whose attention to detail made you forget for a second that nothing else makes sense in this movie. Another actress this movie doesn't deserve is Sarah Paulson who seemed to enjoy playing the trashy stepmother as much as I enjoyed watching her. However, one good performance is not enough to recommend this film to anyone.

ike zodiac signs in astrology, you will have moviegoers who believe this film is complete nonsense. Yet, if you go into this experience with an open mind and welcome the slow burn this film emits, you may walk out of the cinema seeing the universe differently. And, sometimes, that’s enough to make a film land. Still reeling from his most recent success in Once Upon a Time, Brad Pitt seamlessly steps into this new role. His character, Roy McBride, an emotionally stunted astronaut living in the shadow of his highly esteemed father, and fellow astronaut, embarks on a mission to stop catastrophic events caused by his father thirty years prior. McBride is confronted by difficult truths and dangerous forces at play. While there are frames that depict these forces, Ad Astra could not take a further departure from films such as Apollo 13 or Gravity. If a moviegoer walks in with these expectations, they’ll leave missing the point. This film is almost entirely shot in space, yet is firmly tethered to humanity. This is not a film about space exploration, it is a film about self-exploration, and the challenges of coming to grips with who you are and what is important to you. Gray’s storyline mirrors the pace of real-life space travel - slow. It is through McBride’s slow journey that we begin to fully understand his reluctance to really connect with those around him. The angles of this film leave us in awe of the beauty of our galaxy but we cannot help but feel sorrow in light of McBride’s journey. Is this film flawed? Yes, absolutely! There are moments when it dilutes the seriousness of the film or we lose sight of the direction we’re headed. Gray outlines the importance of being connected with others, and challenges the pursuit of divine beauty at the cost of living in isolation.

Anna Marczynska

Krista Volden

Lights, camera, action! Film-Soc's ready to roll

ewcastle University has had a Film Society for the last 5 years for any students interested in watching or making films. The society runs weekly film nights every Monday at 6.30PM in the BSTC. The films shown cross a wide range of genres, from classic comedies like The Breakfast Club to lesser known hidden gems like the psychological thriller The Prestige and cheesy American rom-com's such as 10 Things I Hate About You. Following large turnouts for the semesterly film quizzes that were run last year, Film-Soc plans to host a film trivia quiz every month. If you’re keen to put your film fanaticism to the test and try to win some prizes, then these are definitely worth attending. Furthermore, the winners of each month’s quiz will be invited back to a champion of champions quiz at the end of the academic year. On the production side of the society, there are production workshops and screenwriting courses being held across the year with a view to making screenplays into films too. Therefore, any students who want to get involved in writing or helping to produce a film will be provided with the expertise and equipment to do so. Furthermore, the society is hoping to establish a student film festival in 2020, to showcase different forms of student cinema from universities across the UK. This would provide a meeting ground for avid filmmakers to network with other likeminded students and share ideas. Aside from this, many other projects are in the works, including a Halloween night out, a much hoped for trip abroad (though with an eye on Brexit it is too soon to disclose a definitive destination), a society ball and several collaborative events to be co-hosted with other societies at the university. The next Film-Soc screening will be Moana on 14th October and the next production event will be a production workshop on 20th October. To keep abreast of Film-Soc news and event locations, check out the Film-Soc Facebook page. Anyone interested in joining the society is welcome to come to their first event without paying membership. Steven Ross Image: Pixabay

Fortunately for these actors, Knives Out has already received rave reviews from critics during the Toronto Independent Film Festival in September, with praise being placed on the use of the ensemble, as well as Rian Johnson’s sharpened suspense. While it’s exciting that Johnson may finally recover his own place as a deservedly reputed director, the larger picture bodes well for the whodunit genre itself.

$1.3b

The worldwide gross for Rian Johnson's last film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi

The whodunit mystery has been trapped in a creative limbo in recent years, with many rehashing well-known tales without taking any creative liberties. 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, although visually elegant, is itself a culprit in the creative massacre of the beloved genre. Bringing a modern twist and an original story already situates Knives Out head and shoulders above its derivative counterparts, and if initial reviews are anything to go by, the game will certainly be afoot this November 29th. Peter Lennon

All images: YouTube

/NewcastleCourierFilm @Courier_Film

Ima

culture arts

c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Arts Editors Caitlin Rawlings, Charlotte Slinger & Lauren Sneath

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

Durham Book Festival 2019 Why trek all the way to Durham to visit its annual book festival? George Gardner is on the case to convince you to head over

f you are going to hold a book festival, Durham is undoubtedly the place to do it. Simply by walking into the festival site at the eleventh-century campus of Durham University, one passes several secondhand bookshops and two branches of Waterstones, all overflowing with books and bibliophiles. The atmosphere is convivial; part rock concert and part academic lecture hall, if you could believe it. The list of authors honoured here includes some of the greatest names in the business, such as Roger McGough, David Nicholls, Louis de Bernieres, Colm Tóibín. At the time of writing, I’ve only had the chance to see the first day of events, with the festival extending for an entire week in early October, but the necessity of a festival in today’s climate has already become clear. There is a tendency to dismiss events like this as the purview of the elite, or of interest only to older generations. Durham proves this a fallacy; I was surprised by the undercurrent of anger flowing during the panels, and fierce raging at the post-Brexit world. I was able to go to two debates, the first featuring Charles Fernyhough, Louise Doughty and Leila Aboulela’s anthology Others. The second starred Damien Le Bas, Jo Clement and W. John Hewitt’s poetry collection Outlandish. The two events, whether deliberately or not, shared the common theme of those outside of society - in particular, groups who are labelled ‘other’ and discriminated against in thousands of small ways. Both events took place in the Palace Green Library at Durham University, a comfortably cosy and intimate space commandeered from one of the museum galleries. The walls were lined with excavated artefacts from the Roman North East, overlooking the assembled guests, and the speakers perched on a specially-constructed set, with faux wooden trees and branches creating a makeshift forest clearing. There was something curiously appropriate about the set design, like an echo of a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with the ancient stones harmonising with the hot-button, modern political issues up

for debate. The first talk concerned society’s nature of exclusion, and the thousands of petty annoyances dealt with by people of colour on a regular basis. Many of these anecdotes had a humorous thread to them, balancing out the bitter truths. The Sudanese author Leila Aboulela shared a story about an Islamic schoolgirl’s first taste of a taboo pork pie on the menu (the verdict? “It tastes just like chicken”). The stories were not always pleasant, however. Louise Doughty, who has a Romani family background, recounted how her father was reluctant to publicise their ancestry, for fear of a brick thrown through the window. Doughty elsewhere revealed her experiences during a trip to the Hodonin Concentration Camp in the Czech Republic, where the Romani people were executed during the war; in a tragi-comic twist, the camp is now a holiday destination, with ping-pong tables visible where people once lay.

It offers creatives the space to share important and deeply personal works

old routes down St. Cuthbert’s Way, tracing the voyages of weary feet many centuries ago. This way of engaging and communicating with Romani heritage provided a compelling insight into an ethnic minority that is much misunderstood among modern media. The poetry collection was produced by New Writing North, the overarching body which funds the festival.

I was surprised by the undercurrent of anger flowing during the panels Therefore, the festival is not just a celebration of poetry and literature, but an organisation that creates a very unique interaction with the genre. It offers creatives the space to share important and deeply personal works with the public. It positions itself at the cutting edge of British literary culture, constantly looking forward and creating its own future. As one of the

It was this conflation of humour with horror that made the talks so compelling; the audience themselves frequently broke up the uneasy tension with bursts of, perhaps nervous, laughter. The theme of dealing with Romani-Gypsy heritage segued neatly into the second talk, in which writer Damien Le Bas joined with our very own poet Jo Clement, who tutors here at Newcastle University in the Creative Writing department. The two were joined by W. John Hewitt, who filled the Outlandish collection with charming illustrations a la Thomas Bewick. The book charted a journey undertaken by following the

speakers commented, the visual and literary popular culture has replaced the evangelical sermon in transmitting philosophy and ethics into the mind of the general public. By engaging empathetically with other cultures, the ugly knots of bigotry and hatred that currently fill this country are loosened, whether this be by reading a book of Romani poetry or by hearing Sudanese authors discuss their experience. It is no coincidence that the book chosen for the ‘Big Read’ is Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn, a novel about the meeting of two disparate cultures. Durham Book Festival is more than a collection of authors. It is a culturally significant display of up-to-theminute writing talent of people from groups who do not have their voices heard being able to speak out. The Festival dwells on the current complex questions we must all ask ourselves- questions of identity, of meaning, or determining our place in the world around us. Do we accept the stories and narratives imposed upon us by others, or do we strike out, verbalising our own thoughts and feelings? The Festival is modern, biting and incisive, and you owe it to yourself to go.

Image: Mattbuck via Wikimedia Commons

Bal-tick this off your list Poems to live your life by? Ceri Clarke updates us on the current exhibitions at BALTIC

ith everyone getting back into the swing of things with the start of a new year, fears of 9ams and assured hangovers are becoming the norm once again. It’s easy to get bogged down in the mundanes of uni life but the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is here to introduce that much needed culture and artistic retreat with their new exhibitions this semester and they are not to be missed. The BALTIC is playing host to the political and cinematic art works of John Akomfrah. He accounts the life of Charles “Buddy” Bolden, a key African American figure in the history of jazz music, and the emotive story of Jamaican born political activist Stuart Hall. With the use of three large scale installations, his piece ‘Ballasts of Memory’ provide three film montages reflecting the culture and experiences of the black diaspora in the UK. Yet even without context, Akomfrah’s work is still something fascinating to witness. Mick Peter provides a more light-hearted exhibition with his piece ‘To Me, To You’ which undermines the au-

thority of traditional sculpture in art. This exhibition is like stepping into your own cartoon as Peter’s style of art brings illustrations to life.

This exhibition is like stepping into your own cartoon

You feel like a comic book drawing yourself and it is a feeling you never knew you needed to experience and it is something I highly recommend. Along with the incredible view of Newcastle on the top floor over the balcony, the BALTIC is definitely worth a visit to really shake off those impending deadlines and get in touch with those artistic and creative vibes like we all need to do once in a while.

Image: Pixabay

Lily Hopkins on Chris Riddell’s illustrated poetry collection

oming to university – be it as a fresher or returning after a summer off – can be daunting. If you’re feeling any anxiety, pressure, happiness or anywhere in between, it’s important to find some form of comfort among the sea of unpacked boxes flooding your bedroom floor; for me it’s a good book and a glass of vino. Poems to Live Your Life By is a collection of poems arranged by Chris Riddell given to me by a dear friend upon leaving for Newcastle University to study English Literature. Riddell studied illustration at Brighton University and went on to settle down in the seaside city, where he now lives with his wife and three children. He is widely known for his illustration and works as a cartoonist. His caricature work, mainly of politicians, is featured in the Observer and has established him as a sort of political-artistic narrative voice for readers of the paper. Poems to Live Your Life By is an intriguing read, taking the reader through a range of poems to suit any mood. When one is feeling nostalgic and fancies a more melancholic tone of poetry, a dip into the ‘Musings’ chapter would be ideal. Here Riddell has gathered poems from the likes of William Shakespeare through to Robert Frost. Frost’s ‘The Road Not Taken’ has always been a personal favourite of mine, focusing on the reality of choosing life paths – a feeling I’m sure most, if not all, students can relate to. The poem explores the idea of individual thought, and having enough confidence and the self-belief to follow your own way in life and not the one that may be so obviously apparent at the start of your journey. For the times where one feels the pang of loneliness on those cold Image: Blackwells Newcastle evenings, ‘Youth’ offers a comforting pillow of nostal-

gia and sentiment. The chapter includes the work of current poet laureate Simon Armitage and includes a poem written by Riddell himself. ‘The Great Escape’ is written in the first person and portrays the poet recalling his childhood, as an adult, from his garden studio. The poem is written in free verse and hits upon some of Riddell’s very personal childhood memories regarding his schooldays, focusing mainly on the sadness and abandonment he felt when left at school by his mother and his childlike need to escape the institution. The poem is bittersweet, and to me reflects a lot of the emotions I felt having being dropped off at university by my mother in my first year. Riddell accompanies the poems with his intricate and thoughtful drawings. In some of the pages, the illustrations are carefully curated to match the literary contents of the poem, depicting beautifully crafted illustrations of the scene the writer is portraying. However, some pages are less specific, or reliant upon the literary contents of the works,instead depicting what appears in Riddell’s imagination upon reading the poems. Being from Brighton myself, and having actually grown up with his son, the book holds a special place in my heart. Artistic eccentricities are prevalent and even indulged throughout this lovely little hardback. This is one for the dreamer. Be it a cosy night in your halls bedroom, a creative holiday read or one for the long Megabus journey back to university, I would highly recommend Poems to Live Your Life By.

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/arts

Alphabetti Theatre: can you ‘Write Faster’?

Charlotte Slinger conquers her fear of improv drama at Alphabetti’s speed-writing production

“

See a brand-new play written and performed live before your very eyes. It’s live writing. It’s ridiculous. It could be pants.” So reads the description of Alphabetti Theatre’s production ‘Write Faster!’ - and it proved very accurate. Theatre is definitely something I admire from a distance; I can appreciate or be touched a great play, but the thought of acting or even watching things like (shudder) ‘improv’ or interactive theatre has cemented me firmly on the spectator side of the stage. But if coming to uni has taught me anything, it’s to try new things, and so when my friend invited me to try it out, off I went with a hangover and an open mind. Alphabetti is a rather unsuspecting little theatre, not far from the Life Centre (or opposite Powerhouse, if that’s a more notable landmark for you). With its chipboard walls, mini bookstore, and resident dog, the individual quirkiness of the place comes across straightaway, and inside the theatre itself is small and very intimate (read: warm), so if or when audience participation rears its awkward head there’s nowhere to hide! The host of the event had asked early arrivals at the theatre’s bar for random phrases and words off the top of their head, and from this list one was chosen to be the play’s title. This was decided at 8:45, and by 9:30 the curtain went

up. The writers’ table was actually onstage with the actors, with another offstage typing on a very audible typewriter, so we were constantly aware of the creative process and able to see them responding to the first scene play out as they wrote the second. By the end, the host was handing the three actors their lines from individual strips of paper piled on the stage floor, thrown to him from the writers’ little assembly line. Audience and crew alike were laughing at the whole process’ spontaneity, and any cringe-worthy moments seemed less so because the cast and writers acknowledged and embraced them. The actors themselves responded to this spontaneity amazingly well - their ability to put so much confidence into a scenario they had read either 15 minutes or 15 seconds ago is something I definitely couldn’t do. At one point, the lights were turned onto the audience to become an interrogated school assembly: one of the three actresses played a great headmistress role and her stern sarcasm was probably my most genuine moment of laughter. This said, it can’t be avoided that the play itself wasn’t a good one. There were inevitably awkward silences, some pretty stilted dialogue and a couple of topics that I felt joking about or laughing at seemed in bad taste. So, if a compelling plotline, flawless acting or laugh-a-minute comedy is what you are searching for in your evening’s

drama, ‘Write Faster!’ probably wouldn’t be for you. But as the act of speed-writing was the true focus of the production, I couldn’t help being impressed with the idea of it all. It was an altogether different evening at such a friendly, alternative venue with my friends (and a reasonably priced bar), and Alphabetti even has a ‘Pay What You Feel’ scheme which is not only skint-student-friendly, but acknowledges the varying success of improv as advertised alongside the production.

“If you had to be in a human centipede with two other people, who would you choose?” The guests range from big names (recent guests include Russell Howard, Sarah Millican and Matt Lucas) to up and coming comedians and actors, and this variety makes for something of a lucky dip. Although the majority of the guests are comedians of some description, there are also episodes with writers, actors and academics. While it is interesting to hear revered people like The Goodies

The Diderot Efffect A horde of ambitious, young hopefuls traverse roads with perpetual bends as they wade through the flood to the rainbow, and find a glass half-drunk at the end. Their armour seems rusted now they see the hypnotic, utopian glow of the shields that sit, wheezing with gold dust on the overgrown green grass below.

And the party decide to wage forwards, their hope and their hunger in tow. Craving to eat in the new fields Where the wise say the freshest fruits grow.

Image: Alphabetti Theatre

Down the rabbit hole and into Richard Herring’s off-the-wall audio experience, by Peter Bath interview lasts around an hour, which means that usually a lull is inevitable at some stage in the conversation, but at the same time this is what makes the interviews unique. In the space of an hour the guests quickly exhaust their standard answers and Herring allows the conversation to drift to unexpected places, often prompting unexpected responses from the guests. Herring’s interviewing style is to essentially take up different personas, depending on the guest and topic. Talking to Mary Beard, for example, he is intelligent and curious, but with Greg Davies he is energetic and jovial. This freedom to be a completely different show each week is another reason that these are interviews like no others. There are occasions on which he misjudges the tone, either confusing or offending the guest with bizarre questions, but these same questions are often the ones which produce the most interesting answers.

Poem Box

Gold is quite flimsy in nature, but the body adopt it with haste. Their old armour abandoned on dirt ground, its steel shining bright on the waste.

Embodying eclecticism: Richard Herring’s RHLSTP ichard Herring, writer, comedian and podcasthost, asks the questions on everyone’s lips in his podcast series of wide-ranging interviews. Stephen Fry’s episode is RHLSTP (as the cool kids call it) at its best, as Fry gives a “thorough” answer on the aforementioned topic, but later in the interview talks openly about a suicide attempt. This contrast is far from jarring though, as the intimate tone allows space for scatological anecdotes and sincerity to sit together naturally in a way t h a t could never exist in a television chat show format. This freedom to be a completely different show each week is another reason that these are interviews like no others. Each

arts culture

talk about their careers, often it is the more obscure interviewees that make for funnier listening, because Herring is less reverential towards them. Although some episodes have the tendency to become background noise, there are some real gems. Greg Davies and David Mitchell’s episodes stand out for comedy, while Jon Ronson’s episode is fascinating. The episode (yet so much more than just an episode) with Brian Blessed is a must-watch. The joy of RHLSTP is that it feels like a little club (in fact donors can receive Beano Club-style badges). There are catch phrases and inside-jokes which often confuse the guest as much as they entertain the audience, for example the ‘Emergency Questions’. Regular questions include “Have you ever seen a ghost?” and “If you had to be in a human centipede with two other people, who would you choose?”. For regular listeners, Herring becomes a companion, and even when things go wrong, for example in the frosty Stephen Merchant interview, the listener’s sympathies lie with Herring. Though the inside-jokes could be off putting to new listeners, the best episodes have enough individual merit to engage sceptical listeners. There are upwards of 200 episodes of the podcast available, so ultimately there will be something for everyone. If you think of a comedian, they’ve probably done a RHLSTP episode. Unless they’re too famous. Or have a grievance against Richard Herring. Or they recorded one but didn’t allow it to go out. Each episode is available through your podcast provider and most are filmed for YouTube. For true devotees, there are opportunities to see the recordings live on tour, with two recent shows in Newcastle at The Stand selling out and various future dates elsewhere.

The apples are sweeter, more pungent than all the food tasted before. And the lingering sugar on their tongues makes the band grasp the tree to eat more. Despite how their stomachs stay empty, the saccharine party drives on. With arms weak but sparkling and handsome, they stagger under the setting sun. From bird’s eyes, one sees their path’s roundness. Their thirst for the best won’t back down. So, lead on by the tastes that consume them, march our club in the red dressing-gown. v Lydia Eavers

Image: “Denis Diderot”, Wikimedia Commons

Exhibition Review: Paris can go to bed

Sophie Schneider steps out of her comfort zone and enters an ethereal world of blown glass inside Vane

Image: Sophie Schneider

ntering the exhibition room at the Vane Gallery, I slid past seemingly sporadically-placed, glass sculptures on the studio floor, that appeared to me as enlarged, multicoloured ‘liquorice allsorts’. Four sculptures were displayed in the first room, each made-up of delicately blown glass in nostalgically bright colours, balanced somewhat precariously on top of tall coloured blocks and marble slabs. Although they

may sound good enough to eat, the viewer is immediately drawn in to study these fragile, complex structures. The exhibition ‘Paris can stay in bed’ is Sheffield and Berlin-based artist Simon Le Ruez’s fourth solo exposition at The Vane, and it is instantly obvious that he is perfectly familiar with the space. Though his sculptures may feel when you’re trying to carefully criss-cross around them, upon taking a closer look (and one glass of red wine down) I could see that everything was meticulously arranged. Not only did the separate pieces reference one another, but the carefully positioned lighting bounced off the reflective surfaces of the glass and marble, creating specific shapes and images.

When it comes to his work, he is open to all interpretation Le Ruez’s starting point of reference was Leo Carax’s 1991 film Les Amants du Pont-Neuf (The Lovers on the

Bridge), and his collection touches upon its themes of fragility, abandonment, freedom and redemption. This fragility is clearly referenced through the medium of glass itself, and is also partnered by the precarious positioning of the forms balanced on the floor. In addition, many of the pieces hold small objects which could allude to characters within the film. Each piece continuously pays homage to both the city of Paris (the location of the film), and the theme of bridges and their role as inter-sectional structures. Both of these reference points are present in what is arguably the most striking piece: Between Brooklyn and the Bronx (2019). This particular sculpture looms over the room like a large apartment block. Made up of wooden panels, painted pastel pink and with two wooden disks fixed on top, it has the manner of a cake stand. The block hosts a collection of objects, which could be interpreted as characters or inhabitants. The painstaking positioning of the light above this form throws a shadow alongside the sculpture. For me, this shadow suggests an image of another potential block of apartments in the same homogeneous form, much like Georges-Eugène Haussmann’s 19th century, unified urban architecture in Paris. A brooding, dark ma-

roon and turquoise glass form sits atop the sculpture - a clear pièce de résistance - watching the scene down below. In the second, separate exhibition room, Le Ruez continued to reference the idea of bridges, such as through his piece Alice (2019). This work depicts a block with pieces of string tenuously falling across the piece, intimating the structure of a suspension bridge. Le Ruez explains to me that he is fascinated by the material inter-sectional nature of bridges, as they create links between different parts of land. This theme plays throughout his collection; though Le Ruez is keen to stress that when it comes to his work, he is open to all interpretations: “Although this may appear like part of a bridge – you can take it or leave it. I’m interested in what the viewer chooses to see”. ‘Paris can stay in bed’ by Simon Le Ruez is on public display on Wednesdays - Saturdays 12 to 5pm, until 2nd November 2019, at The Vane Gallery for no cost.

@TheCourierArts @thecourierarts

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culture gaming

Monday 14 October 2019

courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Gaming Editors Alex Darbyshire, George Boatfield, James Troughton & Shawn Khoo

Review: Borderlands 3

Image: IGDB

Has the latest treasure hunt been worth the long wait? Kaitlyn Maracle reviews the booty

ell, there ain’t no rest for the wicked, right Vault Hunters? Borderlands 3 is finally upon us after seven painful years of waiting for the continuation of the story, and I have to say it does not disappoint. You begin your journey as one of four new vault hunters: Zane the Operative, Moze the Gunner, Amara the Siren and, my personal favourite, FL4K the Beastmaster. After making the tough choice of who to play, you’ll begin your fight against Tyreen and Troy Calypso, evil twins with egos that rival that of Handsome Jack himself. Together, they have united all of the bandits using the internet (allegory much?) in order to open the Great Vault.

Thankfully, the things that make Borderlands great haven't changed

The story is incredible, properly capturing the definitive Borderlands feel. Plot twists, crass humour and, of course, Tiny Tina, guide you along a crazy journey across planets that feel wholly unique. Much like in the past, the characters fall into two camps: rage-inducing, or wonderfully endearing. Now, onto gameplay It feels like the developers must’ve looked at each complaint made against Borderlands 2 and made fixing them for the third entry their top priority. New mechanics like wall climbing and sliding make movement feel notably more smooth, while the extra options for action skills (each character has three) and seemingly hundreds of cosmetic options and skins ensure you can mix and match to your

heart’s content. Both vehicles and guns can be modified, the map shows different levels of terrain, and legendary items seem to drop like candy. All of these changes give the game a more varied overall feel, while also more rewarding and much more fun. To me, it is flawless.

Mechanics like wall climbing and sliding make movement feel notably more smooth

The biggest change that I loved was the boss fights. Each and every boss has their own unique attack pattern, meaning that every single fight is different. The game no longer feels “walk in, shoot a guy a few times, hope for some good loot” - instead you have to prepare for a fight and pay attention to their attacks. It brings a whole new experience to the game, as well as a greater sense of achievement.

Thankfully, the things that make Borderlands great haven’t changed. The game is graciously loaded with side-splitting pop-culture references, alluding to a variety of media from Skyrim to Rick and Morty. While desperately trying to save the galaxy, you are still sent on ridiculous missions like reclaiming a coffee shop for a distressed employee! All-in-all, BL3 is a fantastic game. If you can afford the fifty quid, this one is certainly worth the splurge.

The lifetime sales for the

franchise as 48 million Borderlands of August 2019

Image: IGDB

‘Outbreak Day’ spreads The Last of Us Part II info Duke Nukem Comp With a release date now locked in, George Boatfield shares new details on PS4's swan song

n 23 September, Sony returned to the digital stage with another ‘State of Play’ broadcast. Since March of this year, they have been attempting to capture the same market buzz that Nintendo has found with their ‘Direct’ presentations. Now, after a couple of broadcasts widely regarded as misfires, they may have struck gold, not least thanks to a bevy of information on the much-anticipated The Last of Us Part II. PlayStation weren’t shy in making sure people knew that

Naughty Dog’s sequel to the 2013 hit would take centre stage during the show. Advertised on their social media feeds a few days in advance, the atmosphere surrounding the presentation was already one with distinctly more buzz than previous ‘State of Play’ events. And, during the show itself, a three minute-long trailer showed gruesome combat, vengeful cutscenes and a merciful release date confirmation of 21 February 2020. However, the hype from the trailer was just the beginning. Immediately following the broadcast, it was

Image: YouTube (PlayStation Official)

confirmed that gameplay demos would be given to games press, who would then be presenting them shortly after. Specifically, this would coincide with the in-universe ‘Outbreak Day’ - the day that the Cordyceps fungus first began infecting human hosts. Although ‘Outbreak Day’ has often been commemorated through the presentation of something new regarding The Last of Us, this is the first time that something quite as major as a new trailer with three hours worth of gameplay impressions has marked the day. Coverage was heavy with praise, nearly unanimous across the major outlets. Notably, Nathan Grayson of Kotaku described an early scene in the demo as something that “left a smile on [his] face. It was a rare moment of authentic warmth in a big-budget action game.” While Naughty Dog’s latest made for an effective finale to PlayStation’s broadcast, that’s not to say that there weren’t notable announcements earlier on. Perhaps most prominent was the announcement of a limited-edition Death Stranding PS4 Pro bundle with a dripping-handprint design. Immediately following the presentation, the remake of PS1 classic MediEvil received a demo that PS4 owners could download. Similarly, LA Noire: The VR Case Files was shown with a trailer that announced it was available straight after the presentation. PlayStation has done right to shift the emphasis of the ‘State of Play’ broadcasts onto their more substantial firstparty efforts. That said, it remains to be seen if they can guarantee major announcements during future ‘State of Play’ events while still holding broadcasts at a similar rate to their rivals, namely Nintendo. What’s certain is that they are confident in the ability of Naughty Dog and how The Last of Us Part II is shaping up, and from the looks of the press coverage so far, they have every right to be.

against Gearbox, P

Although the loot-filled Borderlands reports on a story that could see Ge

t seems like Randy Pitchford can’t keep himself out of trouble these days with him currently facing yet another lawsuit. This time, it’s from Bobby Prince who has sued both Gearbox Software and Pitchford himself. Everyone loves a bit of internet drama, even someone who hates it sometimes gets pulled into the teapot. This particular case has grabbed my attention due to how far back this problem goes. Bobby Prince is a video game composer who gained his renown back in the 90s for his work in many early FPS games. Games on Prince’s résumé include Wolfenstein 3D, the hardcore MIDI sounds of the original Doom, and most importantly, Duke Nukem 3D. According to Prince, publisher Apogee (formerly 3D Realms) licensed his music for use in Duke back in 1996. More than a decade later, Gearbox acquired the rights to Duke Nukem and, after a short wait, released Duke Nukem 3D: 20th Anniversary World Tour. This HD remaster of the game used the original music which is where the problem lies. Bobby Prince alleges that this music license did not transfer along with the rest of the rights in Gearbox’s 2010 acquisition of the franchise. It’s important to note that the HD remaster remains available for purchase on the Steam store at the present time, perhaps indicating that Pitchford intends for this case to be easily won. At the same time, Prince has issued a lawsuit against Valve Corporation, who refused a request made by

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

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gaming culture

Summer round-up Halo: Reach Memory Card

Back from their breaks, our writers share some scorchers they enjoyed through the holidays Courtesy of Xbox One's backwards compatibility, Patrick Crash Team Racing Fire Emblem: Three Houses Untitled Goose Game Stacey Henley Lucy Elliott Lex Firth Harland is ready to reminisce

ollowing the success of the N. Sane Trilogy in 2017, this summer served us another Bandicoot blast from the past with Crash Team Racing: Nitro Fueled. The manic marsupial needs a truly ‘new’ game to officially return, but it certainly seems like Crash has been brought in from the cold. The original Crash Team Racing had some of the tightest mechanics in kart racing history, with an easy-to-use, difficult-to-master boosting system and those turning mechanics still hold up 20 years later. Four character classes offer some variety of playstyle too, although in making Nitro Fueled more lightning paced, handlingcharacters like Pura have been left behind. It’s not just the original characters, tracks and adventure mode that have been lovingly recreated, but those of the sequel, Nitro Kart, have as well! Despite bringing no extra narrative, these additions add more depth, offering character variety and extra tracks that keep the relatively short game from going stale. The online also helps to keep Crash Team Racing alive despite some server issues. Nonetheless, this is clearly a game made for multiplayer and so the wait times are worth it.

ne wrong move is all it takes for one of your beloved characters to end up dead. Fire Emblem: Three Houses is a tactical role-playing game that places you in the role of the newest professor at The Officers Academy, a school dedicated to training the children of nobility in the arts of war. Nintendo’s latest entry in the Fire Emblem series is determined to reinvent itself, and for the most part that’s a good thing. The entry adds a ‘slice of life’ aspect that is welcome: you can now take your students to dinner, attend choir practise, or play fishing minigames to your heart’s content leading them to become better warriors. Yet the role-playing elements have come with a downside: the sidequests available are endlessly repetitive, sending you on tedious fetch quests that are rarely more meaningful than empty dialogue. While these quests aren’t necessary for the main plot, completionists won’t want to miss their rewards. The battles are fun and fresh, accessible to both newcomers to the series and longtime fans. Although it’s easy to see why some fans have made comments about reduced difficulty, the addition of ‘maddening’ mode means that there’s still plenty of challenge to be found. Three Houses is a fun new direction for the series and a great starting point for anyone new to Fire Emblem.

eese are evil. That’s the ethos behind recent indie darling Untitled Goose Game, which puts players in the shoes of the titular wicked waterfowl with just one mission: cause as much havoc as you can in your small English village. The end result is a wholly enjoyable, surprisingly deep and well-crafted indie experience. Compared to its more action-oriented cousins in the stealth genre, Untitled Goose Game is as understated an affair as its title suggests. There’s little in the way of exposition, tutorials or even plot, and the game’s openended sandbox focus is one of its greatest strengths. Part of the game’s appeal is the freedom to see and do as much of your own volition as possible, but there is still a small “to-do list” of missions - all of which involve causing as much distress to the human residents as possible, while plenty have open-ended solutions. Watching the world expand as more and more chaos is unleashed is a joy unto itself. From the humble beginnings of a single man’s garden patch, to the local high street, and wrapping up in a beer garden full of angry customers, the self-contained hamlet where the action takes place is so well-crafted that it’s a surprise to learn that the developers aren’t even British. Add to it a brilliantly-executed dynamic piano soundtrack that rises and falls according to the action and Untitled Goose Game perfectly nails its quaint atmosphere. It’s an unsurprisingly short affair, weighing in at around three hours, but even during its brief duration, Untitled Goose Game is proof that sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. It’s such a tightly-crafted game that you’d scarcely think it were only developer House House’s second release. It goes without saying that this indie gem comes highly recommended after all, it’s the only game on the market with a dedicated “honk” button.

Image: IGDB

poser issues lawsuit Oculus reveals VR hand tracking VR might say bye-bye to buttons, at least Shawn Khoo Pitchford and Valve While still has his keyboard primed to type out a couple more stories

s 3 is finally out, Alex Darbyshire earbox losing out on a sizeable haul Prince to remove the game from the store, through the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (DMCA). In his opinion, while Gearbox themselves infringed upon his intellectual property, Valve have actually contributed to this due to their refusal to act on his takedown notice. It’s been a year of controversy for both Pitchford and his company, and it looks like the flames aren’t dying down a ny t i m e soon.

Image: IGDB

culus has revealed new developments in the field of virtual reality (VR), paving the way for more realistic interaction with environments. At the Oculus Connect 6, held on the 25th and 26th of September, Oculus presented their new controller-less hand-tracking technology for the Quest. Guests played around with this technology in a demo game called Elixir, interacting with various items and effects in a witch’s house. Players were able to turn their hands into very odd things, such as octopus tentacles or beast-like fists with Wolverine-esque claws. These changes still gave

participants more autonomy over their movements, which is remarkable. However, what’s truly impressive about the technology is the stability of it – while other hand-tracking technologies would show your hands vibrating and occasionally glitching out, this new development promises smooth, precise movements with little visual errors. This hand-tracking technology is expected to be available for Oculus’ Quest early next year. While these developments are yet to reach consumer hands, they may just be crucial to the field of VR in the future.

Image: YouTube (Oculus Official)

ine years on from its release and Halo: Reach is still the game that keeps on giving. Despite being a prequel to the ubiquitous Halo franchise, I’m ready to make the case that Reach is a contender for the best Halo instalment thus far. Ahead of a return to the franchise in Halo Infinite, expected to release in 2020, I decided to take a retrospective look at what I deem to be the greatest game of Microsoft’s flagship series. Perhaps the most striking of its major selling points is the personal spin you can place on your character, right from the beginning of the campaign to the hundredth hour spent in multiplayer. Designing the character yourself - making and giving it a personal touch - not only gives a greater sense of immersion, but also of an emotional connection to the story. Reach also sports a more gritty and realistic story than that of previous Halo games, giving a feeling of shock and horror. This is swiftly followed by the desperation experienced in a fight for your life, culminating in an incredibly poignant end to a campaign which was limited only by the intrinsic nature of it being a prequel. The gameplay features of Reach also allow the game to stand out among other counterparts in the franchise, introducing abilities such as sprinting and a bubble shield. This increase to mobility and durability was counterbalanced with a lower initial player health bar, making the game more challenging and forcing players to consider the environment they were entering. Despite these changes, Reach still manages to make itself feel like a classic Halo game with recognisable environments, weapons, and of course, spartan armour.

No game is perfect, but I can easily say that Reach isn’t far off

The multiplayer takes development of the game a step further with additional game modes and maps, all based off the campaign. With an intensely exciting feel to playing it alongside an accessible gameplay structure, the game is very much playable for all skill levels. Additionally, the survival modes are not too dissimilar to the Call of Duty: Zombies franchise that provides players with a tough challenge: players must survive and make their way through hordes of enemies rushing after them. No game is perfect, but I can easily say that Reach isn’t far off. Its incredible visuals and sound design create an atmosphere vital to the game, and its impressive control re-jig made the game easier to jump into despite the new features introduced. It did however have some downfalls, mainly in the fact that the characters and story, while fun and immersive, did lack the complexity seen in previous games. Of course, this isn’t enough to overshadow the qualities of the game, for which it received huge plaudits across the board from critics. The most important trait that an old game must have is to be reliably replayable - Reach, without a doubt, passes this test. The campaign remains just as enthralling on the fiftieth playthrough as it does on the first, and the multiplayer maintains its freshness through the endless firefights. Each new match can bring new challenges every time, so why bother with a new Halo instalment when you could just come back to this classic?

Image: IGDB

culture science

c2.science@ncl.ac.uk Science Editors Eleanor Gratton, Patrick Harland & Seshadhri Subramanian

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Monday 14 October 2019

UN Climate Change Report: A Global Warning

Lily Holbrook on the existential crisis that climate change poses and how doing our part in it is of paramount importance

t’s no secret that climate change is probably the greatest problem we as a human population will ever have to face. With the increasingly real prospect of our own climate induced self-destruction, the words of David Wallace Wells may perfectly foreshadow the future we are heading towards within just a handful of generations. Article after article, news story after news story, climate change never goes away. Yet we still refuse to listen. Over many years, our continued ignorance has led to a reality where a 2 degree temperature rise may now be inevitable. Even if the UK cut 100% of its carbon emissions tomorrow, our ability to stop irreversible climate change is far from certain.

Nothing else matters if we don't have a planet we can inhabit

That is only the beginning of the story. Extreme flooding, extreme weather events, habitat loss. A positive feedback loop where less re f l e c t ive ice means more heat absorption, more melting,

But what does this mean? The latest UN climate report issued by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) predicts that at 1.5 degrees of warming, sea levels can be expected to rise 10 to 30 inches by 2100. If emissions are not cut, this figure could be as much as 43 inches. Looking optimistically, this would mean millions of people having to migrate away from flooded homes. But with enough warming, the entirety of our polar ice caps will, albeit over centuries, melt completely. In time, this could lead to sea level rise by as much as 80 metres. And that phenomenon will drown out the map of the world as we know it. You hear people talk about losing the Maldives. Image: Instagram @GreenRebelll

more sea level rise. It might be hard to imagine how just 2 degrees of warming can have a devastating impact such as this. But summed up simply by 11-year old Dutch climate activist Lilly Platt: "If you are 2 degrees above normal, you feel very ill. So imagine how the planet will feel." The natural world and the human world are so deeply intertwined that we can no longer neglect one at the expense of the other. Economy, politics and industry have long held the priority but the human world and everything it contains cannot go on if the natural world does not exist. Nothing else matters if we don’t have a planet we can inhabit. Up until now, we have thrived in this world, drilling its resources and pushing it to the brink of its ability to sustain. Soon, as the global population continues to rise, we will no longer be thriving, but fighting for survival. And only then, when there is simply nowhere else we can turn a blind eye, will we be truly sorry. When we reach that day, we will wish we did something now. And we still can. Evidence of this is proved by the power of individual people to make a difference. It’s hard to believe that a year ago the world had not yet heard of Greta Thunberg. The 16 year old earth advocate and climate activist first came to the media’s attention when she began her Friday school climate strikes. Since then her popularity has exploded, with her recent speech at the UN Climate Summit sparking praise for

inspiring a new generation of climate activists. However, not all comments have been so positive. People have been criticising her for being all talk and no solutions, for pointing blame and fear mongering rather than actually giving us workable solutions. Critics resent her age and gender; some people have even accused left wing political groups of using her as a propaganda tool for political gain.

In the words of Greta Thunberg, change is coming whether you like it or not

But we must remember that she is one individual. One individual who is doing so much more than most of us to speak out about climate change. In my view, she is a girl who knows firmly what she believes in and she isn’t afraid to stand up for it. It is without doubt that she inspires us to talk about climate change and that is something that shouldn’t be underestimated. So what can be done to slow the effects of the very demons that threaten to take away our future? The first step is to realise that we are the demons. We need to change the whole way society works. Relying on future technologies as we continue business as usual isn’t enough anymore. We have to start now. A small group of people is the only way change can ever start. And in the words of Greta, change is coming, whether you like it or not.

Labradoodle creator: "My life regret"

Lilla Marshall discusses concerns about dangerous breeding

hen Australian dog breeder Wally Conron was approached by a lady who needed a guide dog with short hair, due to her husband’s allergies, he had no idea what box he was opening. This task led to the creation of the first ever Labradoodle, named Sultan – a creation that Conron confessed was his “life regret”.

There's no evidence 'hypoallergenic ' dogs like labradoodles have less allergen

Within days of announcing the first ever labradoodle to the world, Conron realised what he had done. Speaking to ABC in Australia, he described the breed as “Frankenstein’s monster” and stated that “people are just breeding [them] for the money”. While a well done breed between two healthy dogs can result in a perfectly healthy hybrid, Conron (rightfully) worries that most breeders are not taking this care with their breeding, and it is resulting in labradoodles with genetic defects from both labradors and poodles – including elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia and eye diseases. To make matters even worse for Conron, it is not clear whether he even achieved his original goal. The chair of

Image: Max Pixel

Henry Ford Hospital’s department of public health sciences declared that there is “no scientific evidence that ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs (such as labradoodles) have less allergen”. This is because most allergic reactions to dogs come from ‘dander’, which the American Lung Association describes as “tiny, even microscopic, flecks of skin shed by cats, dogs, rodents, birds and other animals with fur or feathers”, rather than their hair. Yet, the Labradoodle persists as a very popular dog breed. In 2018, ITV revealed that they placed 14th in a survey of Britain’s favourite dogs – higher than a poodle, although the #1 spot was taken by the labrador. Labradoodles are often regarded as good candidates for “therapy dogs” – to provide comfort to people suffering from depression, although it’s easy to argue that there are many other breeds who can fill this role.

14th

The place Labradoodles came in the ITV 2018 survey of Britains favourite dogs

Nevertheless, if done properly the Labradoodle can lead a healthy life if the breeder does their job properly. If you are going to adopt a labradoodle from a breeder, ask to see certification that their parents were free from genetic health problems if you want to ensure you are not adopting “Frankenstein’s monster”.

Brain Implants: break-through solution or Black Mirror nightmare? Sophie Schneider discusses whether devices implanted in the brain are viable long term solutions to neurological problems

he concept of texting through your brain seems like it should feature in sci-fi flicks and dystopic Margaret Atwood novels. Sure, over the past decade human beings have created AI butlers, robotic gyrating strippers magic mirrors that analyse users’ dermatological health – but Dennis Degray’s brain implant invention sounds like a plotline in an episode of Black Mirror. You can now send text messages from the neurons of one mind to a telephone in another. Unlike Charlie Brooker’s dystopic series, this new technological advancement is not for all humans to hungrily consume and rely on (yet). This is a solution for people whose minds function normally, but who are physically handicapped and have lost bodily connection. This could be due to limb loss, a neurodegenerative disease such as Spinal muscular atrophy, or paralysis. Degray has been developing his ‘Utah array’ as part of

the BrainGate programme, which funds research in the US to develop neurotechnology. After a decade of living with paralysis from the neck down after an accident, Degray decided to create a neurological technical device to restore communication. He developed two small silicon squares with metal electrodes that are implanted into the motor cortex of the brain, which then records neuron activity and translates into external action. If you were physically handicapped and had the implant, with the power of your mind you could go online shopping, move a robotic limb, and type on a screen. This is completely revolutionary for someone who has been limited in their movements for decades – or their whole life. The question is, how viable is this ‘brain job’ as a longterm solution to neurological problems? The reality is, like many technological inventions in the 21st century, there is still a way to go. The Utah array typically has 100 elec-

trodes, and each electrode records from between 1 and 4 neurons. This means that the activities are fairly limited. Another issue is that the system is not wireless, so unless you have access to the decoding computer with a research team working 24/7, you are pretty stuck. Also, like all good things, it will not last forever. The brain’s response to the device is to build-up scar tissue which will eventually lead to a decline in the signal of the electrodes.

Surely this progression is the inevitable next step

However problematic the device may be, Degray’s pioneering invention has launched a whole array of research

from other entrepreneurs and start-ups, with even Elon Musk (CEO of electric car company Tesla, for those living under a rock) starting to develop his own implant. Musk’s implant claims to have 10x more electrodes than Degray’s device, and that ten could be implanted per person. Although none of the companies state that they see nonmedical applications in the short term, surely this progression is the inevitable next step. So, what’s next? Brain-controlled typing in every classroom? Brain-to-brain communication in next Monday's meeting? Only time will tell.

Image: Pixabay (Geralt)

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Monday 14 October 2019

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/science

science culture

Skin cancer survival rates University crowned 'Centre of Excellence'fordementiaresearch soar with novel treatment Louise Elliott with an anecdotal piece on a new therapy regimen Jake Dannatt on the NU Institute for Ageing's new achievement A A dvanced Melanoma, or stage IV melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that has moved (metastasized), via the lymph system, to another area of the body. Commonly, these metastases are found in the lungs, liver, brain or other organs. Before 2011, treatments for advanced stage melanoma were fairly unsuccessful and usually had devastating effects on quality of life for patients. However, a clinical trial which started in 2013 has shown survival rates soaring due to development of immunotherapy. The two drugs used in this immunotherapy trial were Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. They work to enhance one’s own immune system by altering the body’s own immune ‘checkpoints’. These checkpoints are on each of our cells and tell our immune system whether or not to attack an infection. Cancer cells harness this to survive; telling the immune system that it should not attack and allow the canacer to grow and spread. These immunotherapy drugs block these cancer cells from communicating with the immune system allowing it to attack and kill these cells.

44%

Percentage of patients making the five year survival rate with Nivolumab

In this trial patients were given either Nivolumab, Ipilimumab or both. Over the course of the trial, which is still ongoing, it has been shown that the 5 year survival rate of those taking the combination treatment is 52%, and 44% with Nivolumab alone. What was this treatment like for patients? My Uncle, Bryan, a 48 year old Dad of two young children, was

diagnosed with advanced melanoma in 2017. He was first given the combination dose of Nivolumab and Ipilimumab. The first round resulted in a development of a rash all over his body and, after the second round, developed colitis (inflammation of the colon inner lining). It was at this point he was advised to continue only with the Nivolumab therapy, as the side effects were lesser than on the combined treatment. This treatment was successful after 3 months of fortnightly treatments with Nivolumab. However, he remained on a ‘maintenance’ treatment of Nivolumab for 2 years after. Before this trial, the life expectancy of someone with advanced melanoma was not much more than 6 months. This treatment not only allowed him to maintain a good quality of life whilst on treatment, but means he will see his children grow up. The outcome of this trial has huge implications on the future treatments for melanoma, as well as other cancers such as renal Image: and gynaecological pngimg cancers. The safety and effectiveness of these drugs hold incredible potential for people diagnosed with these cancers to survive with a good quality of life.

research project at Newcastle University’s Institute for Ageing into the care of dementia patients has gained high appraisal from the Alzheimer’s Society, after they were awarded a £1.7m ‘Centre of Excellence’ grant in the summer of 2017. Director of the Institute, Professor Dame Louise Robinson has described the project as being the one closest to her heart. According to the Alzheimer’s Society, over 850,000 in the UK suffer from some form of dementia. This equates to 1 person being diagnosed every 3 minutes. The disease describes several brain disorders, more common in those over the age of 65, with memory loss and confusion amongst the primary symptoms. Alzheimer’s effects 62% of those with dementia, making it the most common form of the illness. Others include vascular dementia and mixed dementia. In 2017, dementia was the primary cause of death in the UK (ONS) resulting in 67,000 passing away – 7,000 more than in 2015.

1 person is diagnosed every 3 minutes

As the cost of care can be a great burden on a patient’s family, many take on unpaid carer roles, saving the economy £11bn a year (Alzheimer’s Society). While this improves the quality of life for patients, there can still be an absence of the correct support and knowledge. This was one of the reasons Professor Louise Robinson felt the need to begin research into care given to people suffering

with the illness. Whilst training to be a GP, Robinson realised a significant amount of funding was being invested into cancer research, but the opposite was happening with dementia, for which there was no cure. Although significant research has aided the development of new drugs to improve quality of life and slow down the progression of the illness, the care available to patients is not equal across the country.

Over 850,000 in the UK suffer from some form of dementia

Therefore, research into a ‘sustainable and feasible’ care pathway being delivered by GPs is at the forefront of the University’s project. Robinson wants to ensure GPs have the “knowledge and resources to deliver good quality care”. After gaining several grants and establishing a well-respected dementia research centre, the Alzheimer’s Society announced Newcastle University as one of three ‘Centres of Excellence’ in June 2017. In addition, they were granted £1,680,224. This will allow focused research in priority areas within dementia care. It is hoped the Institute can drive improvements in medication and care for the illness which not only effects the individual, but the ones closest to them. Having experienced the effects first-hand, I welcome projects such as this one in the hope we find a possible cure in the future.

Attenborough's "Boaty McBoatface" sets sail NU research indicates new cure for Diabetes

Courtney Huck tells us about the latest plan to save the planet Maud Webster reports on the newest research into diabetes

ast week the research ship, RRS Sir David Attenborough (or more commonly known as “Boaty McBoatface”) launched for its polar expedition from the River Mersey. The £200 million ship will spend the next 25-30 years gathering information about the changes taking place in the polar region of the Arctic and Antarctica. To raise public interest in the expedition, the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) opened a public poll in 2016 for the naming of the ship. To the council’s surprise, the name “Boaty

McBoatface” was the most popular choice. From the beginning, the council stated they would have the final say in the naming of the ship. They decided that Boaty McBoatface was not a “serious enough” name for the vessel. Jo Johnson, the science minister at the time, then decided to name the ship after Sir David Attenborough instead.

Boaty McBoatface was not a "serious enough" name

Attenborough is an English broadcaster with a large background in natural history. Interested in natural history at an early age, he has written and narrated a wide variety of television programs on the subject, including The Blue Planet (2001) and Are We Changing Planet Earth? (2006). In his speech at the launch of the ship, Attenborough said, “great problems require great research and facts in order to solve them. That’s what this astonishing ship will be here to do: to find out the facts.” He also stated that, “It is the greatest possible honour that this marvelous ship shall carry my name. And I wish good luck, good fortune to everyone who will sail and work with her.” Over the course of its life, the research vessel will allow scientists researching oceans, marine life, and climate systems to have access to state-of-the-art facilities. For those who are disappointed that the original name did not go through, no worries. The ship’s mini-sub was gifted the name “Boaty McBoatface” instead.

Image: Flickr (Johann Edwin Heupel)

he WHO [World Health Organisation] estimates that by 2030, diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. It’s becoming an increasingly critical medical issue – but one that researchers at Newcastle University have come close to finding a possible solution to. Whilst most people are familiar with diabetes, they find it a bit trickier to differentiate between the two types; the simple difference is that type 1 isn’t affected by an individual’s lifestyle because it is caused by an inherent inability to produce insulin, whereas type 2 is because it is caused by an inadequate response to rising insulin levels. Whilst only 8% of people with diabetes are affected by type 1, around 90% of diabetes sufferers are affected by type 2.

Research has confirmed that type 2 diabetes can be reversed

So, what causes type 2 diabetes? It was considered for a long time to be a chronic disease, with a vague and complicated cause. But now, research conducted by Newcastle’s Prof. Taylor, Director of the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, suggests a simpler answer: excess fat in the liver and pancreas. In the liver, this leads to a limitation in usual insulin action, whereas in the pancreas, excess fat prevents usual insulin secretion. Now that the cause of the disease can be clearly defined, leading researchers and medical scientists can begin work on treatments which can potentially reverse type 2 diabetes. Research has confirmed that type 2 diabetes

can be reversed to the point that the diabetic doesn’t need medication. It has demonstrated that for a large sample of people who suffer from type 2 diabetes, major weight loss can revert their insulin secretion in the pancreas to a normal level. This is an incredible discovery which is now being used to launch a new trial, one to locate an effective way to put type 2 diabetes into remission, long term. And crucially, it proves that the disease isn’t necessarily progressive.

90%

Percentage of people with type 2 diabetes compared to 8% with type 2 diabetes

There are many variations on the common maths joke: “Jack has 40 cakes. Susan takes 5. What is Jack left with? Diabetes.” Obviously, the issue is vastly more complex than this. It neglects the fact that you have your own personal fat threshold; this determines the level of fat in the liver and pancreas that you can tolerate. Simply, when this threshold is breached, type 2 diabetes can appear. Once levels go back down below this threshold, theoretically the type 2 diabetes will cease. Therefore, Jack may be able to reach a BMI of 38 before developing diabetes, so his inordinate cake-eating habits may actually be okay. On the other hand, Susan might only be able to tolerate a BMI of 22, so those five cakes may be taking their toll. Overall, this research is very promising, and it’ll be exciting to follow the research team’s progress on this pressing medical issue.

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Rodhullandemu)

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black history month

Monday 14 October 2019

What is Black History Month? Kemi Adediran discusses the importance of the month and counters some of the myths

he origins of Black History Month within the UK seems to be a wide-ranging debate. However, according to Reni Eddo-Lodge, Black History Month began with Linda Bello and Ansel Wong who pitched the original ideas of Black History Month to Linda. Linda is a British born woman of mixed heritage (Nigerian and British). She was a leader of South London’s Lambeth Council and chair of the London Strategic Policy Unit (part of the now-defunct Greater London Council). In 1970 Ansel organised the month, and Linda hosted the event, it was a London-wide affair and the guest of honour was Sally Mugabe. Prior to this in 1987 local authorities began putting on events to celebrate black history, but there was no dedicated month. The reasoning behind the choosing of October as BHM is varied, however, Linda states there was no real reason for the choice of this month apart from logistical reasons. However, it proved important that it would be distinct from February (which is black history month in the US). Other commentators have noted that October was chosen because it coincided with the Marcus Garvey celebrations and London Jubilee.

use of my native tongue on a bus runs to decentre the normativity of ‘whiteness in Britain’. And so yes, I do want a month where I can be black, just for being black sake, without it turning into a televised debate.

So, what really is Black History Month?

No, it did not. Black people have been in the UK since the Roman empire and possibly prior. Shakespeare’s Othello? He was a black man, Fredrick Douglass a freed slave, in 1845 was travelling to Ireland, Dido Elizabeth Belle, a daughter born from an enslaved mother and the white Sir John Lindsay, she lived in the UK from 1765 as an heiress. And my favourite Sara Forbes Bonetta! A West African (Yoruba) princess who was enslaved and liberated becoming Queen Victorian’s goddaughter lived in the UK. Windrush was a moment of mass migration, but it was not the beginning of the black presence in Britain.

Linda highlights that BHM is here “to celebrate the contribution that black people had made in the United Kingdom. It wasn’t about hair . . . it was history month, not culture month”. While Linda is against what black history month has become, it is a wide-ranging month of activities. From marches to carnivals, fashion shows and more, October has become celebratory as well as educative. Again, while some people have become sceptical of this move, I have come to understand and truly embrace it. Whether I like it or not, my blackness is a political statement. My choice to wear natural hair is a defiance of institutional codes and conducts, my mention of race insights danger against the establishment of white privilege, my

Is it not unfair to have a month dedicated to black history?

It is also unfair to live in a society established and bound in racism, but here we are! Really, our society is bound in whiteness, and often the voices and simple visibility of black people never occurs, BHM is all about giving black people a platform to acknowledge themselves and their heritage. If you want a [whatever your marginality is month] set one up and leave black people alone. I will also make the comment since it has become relevant, Black History Month should be distinct from OTHER ethnicities. While I do understand the complex Asian and Black relationship of Black History, it is important to acknowledge the specific struggles of Black people.

Did black history in the UK start with Windrush?

Can only black people can celebrate the

month?

One of my favourite quotes is by Ambalavaner Sivanandan: ‘We are here because you were there’ It is becoming more and more important that people decide to care about issues that do not affect them. In Renni Eddo-Lodge's words, “lukewarm acceptance” is no better than “outright rejection”. Within the climate, we are in solitary and allies are fundamental, all people should be taking an insight into the history of blackness. It is the same way everybody has to mandatorily learn about the Saxons, Tudors and World War One, it is time we place that mandatory nature on black history, black history and black people have and continue to shape culture, economics and politics, our history deserves to listen to, it deserves to be praised.

Are black history and American history are the same?

The British education system has taught us that racism and prejudice only happened in America, that Americans are the ones with the ‘race problem’. In reality the British are the same, the same way lynching occurred in America is the same way ‘Nigger Hunting’ was the mainstream culture in Britain, let’s not put Britain on any kind of pedestal. There is a neglected history that Britain consistently wishes to repress, but it is a history that we must explore. It is a history that is dark, gruesome and dangerous but it has the potential to open doors of understanding race relation in the UK better, understanding cultural isolation, knife crime and so much more. While Black people share similar experiences, it is important to express our differences, an event such as Notting Hill, Windrush or even Bristol Bus Boycotts are personal and unique experiences that other diasporic black people may not be able to feel connected to or engaged with.

British black history W

hen we think of Black history, a lot probably comes to our mind. However, when we mention Black British history? We seem to pause and think maybe Windrush, Grime and immigration. Few will think to look back to the 18th century, not to talk of the 14th century. Recently, I heard a talk by David Olusoga about the importance of Black British history and the need to redefine Black history. Totally changing my perspective on how I perceive what Black ‘Britishness’ is. Rather than writing an in-depth post on his talk, I thought I would drop five interesting facts he touched on.

The first Africans in Britain

There is factual evidence that there were Black Romans, but it can be heavily suggested that African people lived in Britain before this period. History Today highlights “in 862 AD the Annals of Ireland record the landing of black slaves (‘blue men’ they are called in both Irish and Norse) by Vikings returning from raids on Spain and North Africa”.

Currency

Celebrations at NUSU

The guinea was once the everyday currency in Britain. Dates of when the guinea came into use in the UK is contested but, generally, the guinea coin began to be in use by the 1600’s. The coin was made of pure gold and was in use until the 1800’s when it was replaced by the Sovereigns. We can still see elements of the Guinea in use today with horse racing.

or as long as I can remember, the history I have been taught at school and higher education, through media, art and literature, is a white history. Even the month that is marked out specifically for black history too often focusses on the same historical narrative: white empire and slavery. But black history, and more importantly, black excellence, achievement and royalty was being made long before colonialism - where Nubian royals ruled the lands of Sudan and Egypt for 1400 years, never to be dominated by the Roman empire, and black queens ruled kingdoms across Africa including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Madagascar and Zulu Kingdom. As the first woman of colour as Welfare and Equality Officer I am keen to change and reclaim the narratives currently dominating our Black History “celebrations”, and honour the black beauty and excellence that our black students deserve. Which brings me to the month’s theme: Black is Gold. The closing party will take place in World Headquarters with DJ sets from black student DJ’s. The month will also hone in on current issues affecting blackness, with a panel on racism, toxic masculinity, colourism and hyperfemininity, as well as interviews with black students about their lived experiences.

Jazz music

Our monarchy has had a long-held love for black jazz music. During the Edwardian period, jazz became largely popularized due to the influx of West Indian immigrants, African immigrants and African American immigrants into the UK. Specifically, many African American immigrants looked to Britain for a chance of fame. Prince of Wales (later to abdicate as Edward VIII) and his younger brother Prince of George were continuous addicts. Alongside jazz, both took a keen interest in black entertainers such as Florence Mills, Jessie Matthews and “Hutch” Hutchinson, a Grenadian pianist.

Lancashire and the slave trade

During the industrial revolution, Lancashire became one of the major plays in manufactured goods. Figures are disputed but generally, Lancashire at least processed half of the worlds cotton. More than 2/3rd of cotton used in the mills for later textile production was picked cotton by African slaves. Approximately 1.8 billion slaves become essential to the textile industry in Lancashire.

Black history, and more importantly, black excellence, achievement and royalty was being made long before colonialism

Hanslope Park

There is a lot we still do not know about Britain’s involvement in Africa during its colonial rule. And documents that have been withheld in Hanslope Park have highlighted such. In 2011 a group of Kenyans sued the FCO for the abuse they dealt with under Britain’s colonial rule. The FCO claimed they did not have correct documents to support this case …In actuality they did. In Hanslope Park, it was later found out that 8,800 – and, eventually, 20,000 – undisclosed files, covering 37 former colonies were found as VICE highlights. In conclusion, while we know so much about our history there is still so much to be discovered and learned about our presence in this country. Nevertheless, redefine what you see as ‘British’ history and culture. Britain for centuries has been BLACK and continues to be BLACK!

All the events are free to attend and are open to students from all backgrounds who want to learn more about black history and experience some of the beautiful black culture here in the Toon. Keep an eye out for posters and social media posts for dates, times and venues. If you are a black student and have a keen interest or skill in black history, music, DJing, poetry or dance and want to get involved in the event just drop me an email at welfare.union@ncl.ac.uk or pop into the Your Voice office on the ground floor of the SU to have a chat!

Kemi Adediran Images: Grace Dean

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black history month

Monday 14 October 2019

In conversation with Dr Funke Abimbola MBE

News Editors Sophie Wilson and Aimee Seddon spoke to Newcastle University graduate Dr Funke Abimbola MBE about her involvement in activism, diversity within the legal profession and cultural biases within society to inspire future generations Dr Funke Abimbola MBE studied Law at Newcastle Law School, graduating in 1994. She is an award-winning solicitor and diversity campaigner and the most senior black lawyer working within the UK’s pharmaceutical industry. Alongside her day job as General Counsel of Cycle Pharmaceuticals, she volunteers her spare time towards improving diversity across the UK solicitor profession. With a focus on gender equality, race diversity and social mobility initiatives, Funke has been involved in a range of activities including most recently being appointed as a Champion for Action as part of Grant Thornton International’s global diversity campaign, challenging gender-based barriers to career progression including recruitment bias. As part of the Law Society’s Women in Law Group, she contributed to the success of the largest ever international survey of its kind, resulting in the Law Society’s ‘Influencing for impact’ report with practical recommendations for increasing gender diversity across the global legal profession. She was awarded an MBE for services to diversity in the legal profession and to young people in 2017. In September 2019, she received an honorary doctorate from the University of Hertfordshire, recognising her significant contributions to corporate and social diversity.

rienced blatant racial discrimination when trying to secure an entry level position, largely due to my obviously African name. Having entered the profession, I then struggled to keep my career going after having my son and returning to work as a corporate solicitor for a medium sized firm in Central London. These experiences made me very angry and I decided to channel that anger into making positive changes to level the playing field across multiple diversity strands. The main focus of my diversity work is race diversity, gender equality and improving social mobility within the UK solicitors’ profession. University in many aspects is about seeing the world in a new light. If students want to help society to change these cultural biases, is there anything that they can individually do at university? Any change starts with an aware-

It is so inspiring for us Newcastle students to hear such a success story about a female alumna achieving so highly in the legal sector and having such a large impact in wider society. Did your aspirations to be a lawyer start from an early age? And why did you choose that specific career path? I come from a family of doctors so law was not my family’s expected choice of career! But I have wanted to be a lawyer since I was about 10, the main reason being that I was excited by the potential for the legal system to be a force for positive change. My thinking was hugely influenced by being born in Nigeria at a time when various governments were military dictatorships with all the challenges associated with that. I saw, first hand, the downsides of not being in a democratic society, constantly having constitutional rights set aside and not having the rule of law upheld. Did your activist interests begin at university? My activist work actually started when I experienced difficulties in entering the legal profession a few years after graduation. I expe-

ness and acknowledgment that discrimination does exist and negatively impacts the lives of those from underrepresented groups. I have found this acknowledgment in itself can be a major challenge – the playing field is not level yet it is only those experiencing this that truly appreciate how tough it is. With this acknowledgment comes a much better understanding of what the issues are. I believe that only concerted positive action drives change in this area - setting tangible goals that are regularly measured and monitored. In terms of individual action, I do despair when people blame issues on others and refuse to be a part of the solution. For example, anyone can decide to take a stand and, at the very least, call out discrimination for what it is rather than ignoring it. If we all did that, the shift would be tangible and positive changes would follow. Loking more broadly, is there anything that universities can do right now to help to reduce this discrimination? I would suggest that universities need to look very carefully at the pool of students that choose to attend university in the first place. Is this pool a diverse pool, representative of wider society? If not, there needs to be a plan of action around proactively attracting a more diverse student pool. This is what diversity is all about – an ‘invitation to the party’. However, having entered university, inclusion (being asked to dance at the party) then becomes key. Do students feel included as a part of university life? Do they feel that they belong? There are many university societies but more of these should be focused on inclusion rather than exclusion of those who do not meet a society’s criteria, in my view. I believe that something as simple as a buddy system, pairing up students from different backgrounds, would go a long way towards assisting inclusion. At the start of your career there were some obstacles to overcome, like being told that corporate law was “too competitive for a black woman”. What advice would you give to stop setbacks like this putting students off? My advice would be that it is important to understand your ‘why’ and to keep reminding yourself of this. When I was given this ridiculous feedback from a recruiter, it did knock my confidence but I sought the support of friends and family and reminded myself why it was that I wanted to be a corporate lawyer in the first place. I realised that one random recruiter advising me that my chosen field was too competitive because I was black and female could not limit my potential or stop me achieving my goals. It was on the back of this that I decided to make over 150 phone calls to top law firms and in-house legal departments to secure entry level interviews. I was absolutely determined to prove this recruiter wrong. Do you still think that diversity is an issue within both

the legal industry and society in general, and has it improved at all since you began? Diversity and inclusion are still major issues. What has improved since I began is that there is much greater awareness and acknowledgment of the issues faced by those from under-represented groups and there are many more action plans in place to address specific diversity challenges, supported by target-setting and monitoring. There is a lot more data available to support these plans too with many plans being driven at central government level. Many more law firms have signed up to various Law Society initiatives and the Law Society itself has invested significant amounts into networks and initiatives aimed at increasing diversity across the solicitors’ profession. That said, some forms of discrimination are now a lot more subtle, less blatant and much harder to prove. This means that, if you are experiencing this more subtle form of discrimination, it can be very difficult to pinpoint it, highlight it and address it. It is also much easier for those who are not experiencing that discrimination to deny it exists. I see this as being a real challenge, especially when it comes to race discrimination and bias. Do you have any specific advice for young BAME women hoping to pursue a career in law? My advice is to recognise your worth and keep your ‘why’ constantly in front of you. BAME women face multiple challenges and are so easily stereotyped as being less than what they actually are. I say this based on the visibly surprised reaction I always receive any time that people I meet for the first time realise that I am a senior lawyer with an MBE. It is very important to recognise your own worth as a BAME woman and to have the support of good friends and family to see you through the inevitable setbacks. Mentors, sponsors and coaches are also invaluable in maximising potential. It's currently Black History Month. Why do you think that BHM is so important, and do you have any ideas for how students can get involved in this? Black History Month is extremely important because there is still very limited understanding of the black experience in the UK. I see Black History Month as being an important way to educate and raise awareness of these challenges. It also serves a useful purpose in unifying the BAME community itself. There is no ‘BAME community’ as such but rather a disparate community that is non-white. The need for better understanding within the BAME community is extremely important. For example, my experience as a privately educated, black woman born into a privileged Nigerian background will be fundamentally different to that of a black woman of Jamaican heritage born in the UK. Essentially, a better understanding of our history can only be an empowering factor in building future bridges across the board, both within and outside the BAME community. Thank you for answering our questions, and thank you for inspiring students here at Newcastle, showing us that we too can make a difference in our society.

June Jordan: a profile Image: Newcastle University

Jane Howard discusses the life and legacy of June Jordan and her contributions to race, gender and LGBTQ equality

une Jordan was a poet, writer, journalist and teacher. Jordan’s work spoke passionately about subjects such as race, bisexuality, inequality and feminism just to name a few. She is well known for her activism in political movements for civil rights, gender equality and racial equality. Her courageous efforts have formed her a legacy consisting of multiple honours and awards from universities, LGBTQ communities and other associations. Jordan was born July 9 1963, in Harlem, New York, to Jamaican immigrant parents. In her work such as Civil Wars (1981), she explains the ups and downs of her childhood. From a young age Jordan was a target for bullies, her father being one of them. Yet pleasant memories of her childhood were writing and reading poetry. When

Jordan was five she moved to Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York, a predominantly black urban area. During this time she attended Northfield Mount Hermon School where the majority of the students were white. This made Jordan aware that there was a problem with racial segregation and conflict. After graduating from Northfield Mount Hermon she enrolled into Barnard College where she met Michael Meyer. Although interracial marriages at the time were frowned upon, the couple went against the norms and married in 1955. Ten and a half years later they divorced leaving Jordan to support their son just as she was launching her writing career. Throughout Jordan’s career, gender, race, sexuality and other categories of identity were key topics that were at the core of her writing. She also focused a lot of her content

around the use of Black English and its importance of expression for her culture. While teaching at institutions such as Yale University and the University of California Berkley, she published various works – Who Look at Me (1969), Technical Difficulties (1993) and Some of Us Did Not Die (2003) just to name a few. She was not afraid to point out the problem of Western Colonial mentality. Her writing, especially in the essay ‘Report from the Bahamas’ in Some of Us Did Not Die, argues that it is not just about race, class or gender that defines a common identity between people, but what we know and what we can do for each other that will determine this connection. This would later lay down the foundations to intersectional feminism, making Jordan’s writing innovatory. Her political and social activism also took up a large

part of her career. Jordan went against the social norms by declaring herself bisexual even though at the time the bisexual, gay and lesbian communities faced a lot of opposition. As well as being active in movements for anti-war and civil rights. Jordan’s efforts received a legacy of honours and awards. In June 2019, to showcase Jordan’s leadership in paving the road for liberation for the LGBTQ people, her name was placed on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honour in New York. Some other honours and awards include National Association of Black Journalists (1984), Ground BreakersDream Makers Award from The Woman’s Foundation (1994) and a congressional citation for her activism.

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black history month

Monday 14 October 2019

BLACK EXCELLENCE IN... FASHION With the Fashion Month behind us, this is the time of the year when the industry sets the trends for the spring season, all based on the designs presented throughout September. Regardless of the designer, the house or the quality, all runways were dominated by a notion of ‘bringing back’ the old. Talking about historical references, it would be impossible not to mention the overwhelming black influence on modern fashion. As a fashion historian, Constance C.R. White puts it: “Style shaped by the African Diaspora is ubiquitous in fashion today for people of all colours, races and creeds.” This popularity is partly driven by the desire of the new generation to freely explore and manifest their African ancestry and history. The increased use of those references also corresponds with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement. This connection might seem far-fetched as fashion is often seen as something meaningless, however, especially in high fashion, each collection can tell a story and even point out cultural and social issues. A great example of this is a Haitian-American fashion designer Kerby Jean-Raymond and his brand Pyer Moss. This luxury streetwear label has been on the rise since 2015 and it’s regarded as one of the key new players in the fashion industry. Indeed, this year Pyer Moss has collaborated with the sportswear retail magnate Reebok to create a ‘ready to wear’ collection. This means that tracksuits, sweatshirts and sneakers designed with black influence in mind are coming to our stores. This was the final collection of his three-part series called ‘American, Also’. Jean-Raymond’s designs re-

MUSIC

Black Excellence has played a large part in the evolution and progression of musical trends and movements of the 20th and 21st centuries. Starting with ragtime and jazz in the early 20th century, which sprouted countless genres enjoyed by millions, the black community has made and continues to make musical breakthroughs that have sent ripples of impact throughout the entire globe.

frame American history, getting rid of the white-washed narrative, instead of focusing on black cowboys, families and artists. His latest installment was called ‘Sister’ – for Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the true pioneer of rock’n’roll. Pyer Moss pays tribute to the black and female history of music that continues to influence fashion worldwide. The leather jackets, bold floral dresses and oversized suits all share history with Black American creators. Moreover Pyer Moss’s signature bright yellow and orange have influenced others to such a degree that now they’re predicted to be the biggest colour trend for 2020. This Fashion Month definitely showed us how much of the 60s and 70s still influences our wardrobes, especially visible at Zendaya’s, the fashion show in collaboration with Tommy Hilfiger. Hilfiger is one of those designers that set the tone for what will appear in retail stores worldwide. Zendaya was heavily influenced by the 70s style of black American actress Pam Grier, known from her role as Tarantino’s Jackie Brown. That’s where the bell pants, jumpsuits, polka dots and long flowy dresses come from. Additionally, there was an impressive amount of black leather designs present: high boots, coats, pants and iconic black berets manifest the continued influence of the Black Panther Party in popular culture. It is important to remember that the growing inclusivity in fashion is the product of decades of resistance achieved through sustained efforts to promote racial diversity and more body positive approach of fashion designers. In particular Pyer Moss and ZendayaXHilfiger remind us of the true Black origins of our modern garments. For more Black History of fashion check Image: out Newcastle University Fashion Society’s Pyer Moss website: nufashion.org! Jagoda Waszkowiak

and performance techniques used in decades to come. Notable musicians: Charles Tindley – “Father of Gospel Music” , Mahalia Jackson “The Queen of Gospel”, Thomas A. Dorsey – “Father of Black Gospel Music”

Ragtime, Jazz, and Blues (early 20th century)

Characterized by a distinct piano sound, syncopated rhythm, and steady beat, ragtime was the immediate precursor to jazz and blues. Eventually, jazz – the first of many revolutionary musical movements originating from the black community – took the world by storm. Beginning in New Orleans, USA, it is considered “America’s Classical Music,” staying a relevant genre for over five decades. Notable musicians: Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald (“Queen of Jazz”), Billie Holiday, John Coltrane, Nat “King” Cole (L, is for the way you look at me…), Ray Charles

Doo-Wop (1940s -1960s) Soul & Gospel (late 19th century)

Image: Drew on Wikipedia

Considered to be the originator of all genres later created by the African-American community. Performed in an upbeat, euphoric, and incredibly soulful way, gospel music was used for worship, but also paved the way to vocal

Created by young African-American men in New York City, Doo-Wop became the sound that moved the world in the mid-20th century, characterized by simple harmonies and upbeat tempos, with little instrumentation. It especially appealed to youths, as the heartfelt lyrics were usually about love. Notable musicians: The Mills Brothers, The Ink Spots, The Drifters

Ska & Reggae (late 1950s – 1970s)

Reggae is characterized by its offbeat rhythms played in 4/4 time (“skank” rhythm) , as well as its simple incorporation of piano and guitar. It originated as a result of speeding up the tempo of its traditional parent, ska, in 1960s Jamaica. Eventually, it reached new heights of popularity in the 1970s, and was used mainly for political commentary as a result of the turmoil occurring in Jamaica at the time. It is deeply linked to the Rastafarian movement. Notable musicians: Bob Marley, Toots and the Maytals, Peter Tosh

FOOTBALL Football is a game that is designed to bring people from every type of background together, but that hasn’t always been the case. Incidents of racism within the ‘beautiful game’ have been all too familiar. However, there have been several black pioneers who have had a huge impact in fighting racism within the sport as well as wider society. October is Black History Month so it is only fitting to celebrate these black icons of English football.

Arthur Wharton

The Ghanian goalkeeper is universally regarded as the world’s first black footballer. He moved to England in 1882 at the age of 17 before relocating in the North East in 1884. Wharton began his career at Darlington before moving to Preston North End. It was here that he made a real name for himself, establishing himself as an unorthodox, agile ‘keeper. In 1886 he was picked to play for the highly prestigious Newcastle district team. Wharton left Preston behind in 1888 to focus on athletics and even set a new world record in the 100 yard dash at Stamford Bridge. In 2003 he was initiated into the English Football Hall of Fame in acknowledgement of the huge influence he made within the sport. Wharton has since been honoured with a statue at St George’s Park National Football Centre.

John Barnes

Heralded as one of Liverpool and England’s most talented wingers, Barnes scored an impressive 198 goals throughout his illustrious career. Barnes was born and raised in Jamaica but moved to England at the age of 12. He is seen as a legend by both Watford and Liverpool, appearing 547 times for the two clubs combined. It was at Liverpool that Barnes became a world superstar, winning eight trophies as well as being named FWA footballer of the year on two occasions. Barnes has always expressed his opinions when it comes to racism, suggesting American Football’s ‘Rooney Rule’ be introduced to the Premier League. The rule states that at least one ethnic-minority candidate should be interviewed for head coaching positions in the NFL.

Funk & Disco (1960s-1970s)

A mixture of soul and jazz, funk was a fresh movement that shifted its focus from melodies and rhythms to a strong bass and rhythmic groove that became a signature element of disco and pop. It was an immediate dancefloor filler in the 1960s, and popularized the concept of listening to music for the purpose of dancing, rather than it being perceived as a strictly sedentary activity. Notable musicians: James Brown “Godfather of Soul”, Chaka Khan, Sly & The Family Stone, Donna Summer, Diana Ross , Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind and Fire, Boney M., Kool & The Gang

Barnes has also appeared on the BBC Breakfast show and Question Time to discuss issues of racism in football and society.

Hope Powell

Powell is currently the manager of Brighton Women in the FA Women’s Super League. She is most recognized as the first female and black manager of any England national team. Powell was an extremely talented player herself, scoring 35 goals in 66 games for England Women. After she hung up her boots she dived into the managerial game. The Lewisham-born coach took over the reins of England Women in 1998 and stayed for an extraordinary 15 years. Powell guided England to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup in 2007 and 2011. She was additionally the first woman to be awarded the UEFA Pro License in 2003, the highest qualification a coach can obtain.

Raheem Sterling

Sterling is the only active player in this list and is here for good reason. Having been on the end of consistent racially-motivated attacks from English tabloids, Sterling decided to stand up for a team-matte in heroic fashion last year. He accused the Sun and Daily Mail of “fuelling racism” and encouraging “aggressive behaviour” against young black men – accusations which are justified considering Sterling himself was described as “bragging” and “flash” for buying his mother a house by the aforementioned papers. The English international has since been a highly influential activist in regards to racism within football urging society to “wake up” and realise racism is still prevalent in the United Kingdom. He was also instrumental alongside the players’ union in organising a 24-hour social media boycott in April of this year in protest of racial abuse within English football. Sterling isn’t just in the spotlight for his valiant actions he has also developed into an outstanding footballer, earning 53 caps for England by the age of 24 as well as being voted the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year for the 2018/19 season. Aaron Catterson Reid

us enjoy (Justin Timberlake or Eminem, for example) has elements that have been adapted from songs that have already existed in black music for years. Without the musical contributions of the black community, we would not have the vast array of tunes that we so cherish today. Bonya Kleyman

R&B & Pop (1980s-Present)

R&B and Pop ushered in a new era of music in the 1980s. With the advent and rapid growth of new technologies, pop was characterized by more ‘electric’ sounds and a deep, driving baseline. Vocals were also brought to the forefront, and global superstars were birthed out of international broadcasting and global following. Notable musicians: Michael Jackson (“King of Pop”), Whitney Houston, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey

Hip-Hop, Trap, & Grime (1980s-Present)

Although a young genre, Hip-Hop (USA) and Grime (UK) have seen constant transformation in their last 30 years of existence. They were revolutionary because they introduced the ability to create meaningful music out of spoken word, and still continue to hold top 40 spots on the charts. Reaching their peak in the 1990s, and then reborn in the 2000s, and once again in the current period (2010s) , hip-hop and grime continue to be products boundless creativity. Notable musicians: Tupac, Notorious BIG, RunDMC, Wu-Tang Clan, Ice Cube, NWA, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Nas, Drake, OutKast, Childish Gambino, P. Diddy, Snoop Dogg, Lauryn Hill, Stormzy, Skepta Chances are, even a lot of the white music that most of

Image: Martin on Flickr

puzzles 35

the courier

Monday 14 October 2019

Puzzles Editor Emma Dawson

Solutions will be revealed in next week’s issue, available on campus from 21 October

MR TATYO’S CROSSWORD Across

Down

1 County of South East Ireland (7) 5 Indianapolis ____ , NFL team (5) 8 Killing ____ , British Drama (3) 9 Divison of a Baseball game (6) 12 Discount supermarket brand (4) 13 ___Farrah, British distance runner (2) 14 First ____ , highest degree classification (5) 15 Practice hall for martial arts (4) 17___ Call, Kings of Leon song (2) 18 Island nation in the South Pacific (5) 21 Wayward ____, US Sci-fi TV series (5) 22 Capital of Greenland (4) 24 Jordan Peele film (2) 25 Lead singer of U2 (4) 27 Ape-like folkloric creature (4) 29 ___ La Soul , US hip-hop trio (2) 30 ___ , Wrestling franchise (1,1,1) 31 ____ Army, Nickname of Newcastle United (4) 32 Cumbria’s only city (8)

1 Facility allowing internet access (4) 2 US Superhero film franchise (1,3) 3 Middle Eastern country (4) 4 ____ Patel, star of skins (3) 5 Glaswegian football team (5) 6 ____ Democrats, Political party (7) 7 ____ Ronan, Star of Brooklyn (7) 10 Cuisine known for Nasi Goreng (10) 11 African country on the equator (5) 13 Cillian ____, Star of Peaky Blinders (6) 15 Dessert with a UK and US spelling (5) 16 Victor ____ , 19th Century French writer (4) 19 Popular US card game (3) 20 Political union of 28 states (1,1) 23 University in Staffordshire (5) 25 Second letter of the Greek alphabet (4) 26 ____ Armstrong, first man on the moon (4) 28 In psychoanalysis, sense of personal identity (3) 30 ____ Craven , Creator of the Scream films (3)

The first person to find Editor-in-Chief Grace Dean with a completed copy of the crossword wins a mysterious prize from our puzzles drawer

WORDSEARCH E

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BRIDGE GEORDIE METRO

TYNE NORTHERN BROWN ALE CHINATOWN GREGGS MAGPIES

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the courier

sport

Monday 14 October 2019

England Cricket’s Ben Stokes at the

From Super Overs to the introduction of VAR at the Women’s World Cup, to disruptive hurricanes in Japan and more semi-final heart

Roses’ blown over on home turf after a tricky Netball World Cup

Rebecca Johnson Head of Sport

Amongst all the sporting chaos of this summer, the Netball World Cup came to England in July. Hosted in Liverpool and sat in the healthy position of third best in the world, England’s Roses were aiming to seal their first ever World Cup win on home turf. With nine days of play, and matches being played at the same time on two courts, the competition kicked into gear on July 12, with the Roses taking on Uganda in the opening match. A comfortable 64-32 victory being exactly what the girls needed to open up their campaign. As the tournament went on, England were

getting the results under their belts. A 70-34 victory over local rivals, Scotland, came next, followed closely by a 90-24 win against Samoa, and a close 56-48 win against a strong Jamaican side- who at the time were ranked second best in the world- ensured that England had booked their place in the semi-finals of the competition. England had pulled a last gasp win over the Aussie Diamonds in the Commonwealth Games last year to win gold. The Diamonds were eager to show the world that they deserved their top spot in the world rankings, cruising through the tournament with wins against Northern Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, Barbados and Malawi to secure a place in the semi-finals. Semi-finals have been painstakingly heart-

England took Samoa out to become top of Group D Image: Instagram englandnetball

breaking for many England supporters in the last year alone. Many people describe Kieran Trippier’s free kick into the top corner of the Croatian net in last year’s football World Cup as the peak of their life, before Croatia knocked two in to ensure England suffered 52 years of hurt, and no World Cup

However, whilst England racked up the goals and wins, their close rivals from the other side of the world, Australia and New Zealand, were up to their old tricks

final. Even this year, the women’s side in France suffered semi-final heartbreak against the USA, losing 2-1 and failing to progress to the final. This was the chance for netball to break the semi-final spell and reach the final of a tournament. Alas, fate was not on the Roses’ side, and England’s semi-final curse has not been broken. Coming up against a strong New Zealand side, England missed out on the final by the skin of their teeth, falling to a 47-45 loss. New Zealand went on to beat Australia, in another tense final, eventually winning by one single goal, 51-52. The tournament has given the Roses a lot to mull over. They are a side who are on the cusp of winning trophies. With Tracey Neville stepping down from the role of coach, this is a team full of potential who need a coach with a similar ethos as Neville, who isn’t afraid to take risks and experi-

A Cracking Cricket World Cup

Sesha Subramanian Science Editor

In a tournament that was more dependent on meteorological reports than any other in recent times, it was England who came out on top with their maiden World Cup win in their own backyard – albeit in extremely controversial fashion. The first fixture between England and South Africa set the tone for both sides going into the tournament. With an overall solid team and the X-factor in Jofra Archer, this was an England side with hopes higher than ever before. South Africa, however, never found a stable footing in the tournament – bowing out in 7th at the end of the group stages following a loss to New Zealand in Birmingham.

England had an solid team along with the X-factor in Jofra Archer that past England sides have lacked

Elsewhere, Afghanistan failed to pick up even a single point at the tournament, but there was no shortage of entertaining games

from their side. Wins would have come against both Pakistan and India if not for debutant naivety. Australia and New Zealand – the two final-

The positiona a very disappointing South Africa team finished out of 10

ists from the 2015 edition – continued to go about their business quietly with both Kane Williamson and Aaron Finch proving efficient leaders for their side. Australia became the first team to qualify for the semis after beating England at Lord’s. Despite the fact that New Zealand had to depend on Pakistan’s result to qualify for the semis, it would have been a shame not to have the Kiwis in the final four given how they had played overall. Joining the two trans-Tasmanian rivals were India and the English hosts. The first semi-final was interrupted by rain towards the end of the first innings as New Zealand eventually put up 239/8 in their 50 overs over two days, Kane Williamson key in proceedings. After a slow Indian start, MS Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja (along with a small but key previous partnership from Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya) got India close but the lacklustre start saw New Zealand win by 18 runs.

The second semi-final between England and Australia saw an incredible bowling performance from Chris Woakes and Adil Rashid to restrict the Aussies to 223 in 49 overs. England, meanwhile, had no problems dealing with the Australian bowling attack as Jason Roy’s 85 from just 65 balls set up a first World Cup final appearance since 1992. The final between England and New Zealand saw the Kiwis choose to bat first and put up 241/8 on the board. Henry Nicholls’ first half-century of the tournament and a further 47 from wicketkeeper Tom Latham helped set a competitive target as Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett each secured three wickets for the hosts. When into bat, England soon found them-

managed to keep the strike and, more crucially, score runs - leaving England needing 15 to win from the final over. After two dot

The second semi-final between England and Australia saw an incredible bowling With five overs to play performance from England still required Chris Woakes and Adil 46 runs with Ben Stokes still at the crease Rashid

selves down four wickets with just 86 on the scoreboard. However, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler put up a century 5th wicket partnership to steady the ship before Buttler departed. Nonetheless, with five overs to play, England still required another 46 runs. Stokes

balls, Stokes hit a six into the stands, bringing their score to 233/8. A comedy of errors with three balls left to play gifted the home nation another six runs before two runs and two lost wickets saw the game left to a Super Over. England returned Stokes and Buttler to the crease, and they handled Trent Boult’s bowl-

ing to accumulate 15 runs without loss. For New Zealand, Guptill and James Neesham went up to face Jofra Archer needing at least 16 to claim the title. Despite a bad start from

The total both team scored in their respective Super Over’s

Archer, New Zealand found themselves needing two off the last ball to win. It wasn’t to be as a Roy throw into Buttler saw Guptill run out. New Zealand finished with 15 runs, the Super Over tied, but England’s superior boundary count (26 to New Zealand’s 17) meant they claimed the World Cup title for the first time in four final appearances. A final which raises questions in regards to the Super Over’s power, but that’s a rant for another day. England are world champions and controversial as it may be, that’s the way it will be recorded.

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Monday 14 October 2019

helm of a sizzling summer of sport

tbreak for England’s teams, sit back as we run you through some of the talking-points of what truly was the summer of World Cups

USA take the spoils in recordbreaking Womens’ World Cup

Sesha Subramanian Science Editor

The 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup kicked off in June 2019 with the hosts France beating South Korea 4-0. The French went into the tournament as one of the favourites alongside defending champions USA, Netherlands and England. The latter two took some time to get into their stride. The United States, on the other hand, walloped Thailand by 13 goals to open the tournament. The USA played some of the best football of the tournament. Youngsters like Rose Lavelle gelled well with veterans like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe to give them the best chance going into any game. That didn’t mean they didn’t have problems against teams. Spain gave them the most trouble with Jenni Hermoso and Lucia Garcia proving especially troublesome to a United States backline that has occasionally come under fire. England against Cameroon turned out to be hot-tempered as the African side felt aggrieved by a perceived bias from the referees towards the Lionesses. England coach Phil Neville had a rare moment of anger in his post-match press conference as he expressed his displeasure against a Cameroon team that committed cynical fouls and disagreed with every decision in the game.

Late drama characterised some of the games in the World Cup, with Italy coming back from a goal down to beat Australia in

The number of goals scored by the USA in their comrpehensive vicotry over Thailand

the group stages . The Netherlands and Japan also served up a good second round finale as a last minute penalty put the Dutch through despite a spirited performance from Japan. The first big test for the United States came in the quarterfinal as they took on France. In a test of nerves, it was France who crumbled under the expectations of being both the favourites and hosts. They wilted as the USA ran riot around them for most of the game. Wendie Renard’s late consolation proved too little, too late as Megan Rapinoe’s brace sent the States through. Meeting them at that stage were the other favourites – England. A confounding change of approach from Phil Neville saw England struggle despite Ellen White cancelling out Christen Press’ opener. A second USA goal from Alex Morgan capped off by a tea-drinking celebration sealed the deal as England finished the tournament limply. The Netherlands meanwhile grew from

strength to strength as the tournament went on, goalkeeper Sari Van Veenendaal, Lieke Martens and Jackie Groenen were especially impressive. A thrilling extra-time semifinal against Sweden where neither side was willing to give an inch was settled only by a long range Groenen effort. The final between USA and the Netherlands was as engrossing as it could have been with the Netherlands managing to hold the USA to a 0-0 draw at halftime. However, a sixtieth minute penalty, awarded to the USA by VAR, changed the complexion of the game. With Rapinoe slotting it home for a 1-0 lead, the Dutch were now drawn out into a more open game, eventually allowing Rose Lavelle to cap off a brilliant tournament with a second goal, sealing a 2-0 victory for the US. The 2019 Women’s World Cup was the most widely viewed of all the editions of the tournament and was a testament to how much the game has grown , but also how much it has to grow considering the gulf in quality between various countries. The World Cup also proved a testing ground for VAR and some new rules of the game, a lot of what we see today in the men’s Premier League was tinkered with in France across the one month period. It was not the most perfect World Cup in terms of quality but it is a promising start.

Nikita Parris gets involved in a tustle in England’s semi-final Image: Instagram fifawomensworldcup

Jubilation as Ben Stokes delivers the winning runs Image: Instagram englandcricket

Rugby World Cup: Home-nations round-up in Japan Tom Moorcroft and Rory Ewart Sports Editors

George Ford was voted Man of the Match against the USA Image: Instagram englandrugby

With the end of the group stages, and the imminent beginning of the quarter finals, this year’s Rugby World Cup hasn’t fallen short of exciting. We’ve seen upsets, heart-break, and domination across all 4 groups, and our home nations of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales have stepped up to the task. However, it’s clear that some of our nations have done better than others, so let’s take a look at our World Cup giants and stragglers. England: Despite the fact they couldn’t take on France, due to the potential danger of Typhoon Hagibis, England have excited fans across the world, with their forward-based play and hard-hitting talents. The likes of Kyle Sinckler has risen as

a promising talent, whilst the veteran players of Courtney Lawes, Ben Youngs and George Ford have all provided positive play on a consistent basis. However, with England likely to play Australia next round (at the time of writing), only time will tell how long our World

England have excited fans across the world with their forwardbased play

Cup campaign will last. Ireland: The luck of the Irish fell short during this campaign as the European giants got beaten by Japan, in a scrappy, but well deserved 19-12 win. Although Ireland have never got to a World Cup semi-final, some Ireland fans will be hopeful to break this

curse, with the big name talents of Best and Sexton hoping to lead Ireland in a positive direction. Although not mathematically safe, a win against Samoa will guarantee them a spot in the quarter finals. Wales have picked up from where they left off from the Six Nations with, arguably, the finest display from any team in the group stages. Peaking with a tactical masterclass victory over Australial, Wales have also managed to register convincing wins against Fiji and the ever-physical Georgia. Scotland meanwhile have left it all to-do as they face off (at the time of writing) against Japan on Sunday. Typhoon Hagibis has already reeked havoc on two matches, thankfully both being virutally dead rubbers. However, should Scotland’s clash on Sunday be called off, it would effectively wipe away what arguably would’ve been the game of the tournament so-far.

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Monday 14 October 2019

Copa to Brazil and Urn for Aussies after tie Matthew Crichton and Ollie Milner analyse the Copa America and Ashes series that took place over the summer Richarlison converted an injury time penalty. All smiles for Brazil overall, the focus now will be on their preparation for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where they will be hot favourites. This summer saw the 71st Ashes test series played out in England at 5 different grounds up and down the country (Edgbaston, Lords,

Ollie Milner

Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval). Although the series was eventually drawn 2-2 and so Australia retained the Ashes as the previous holders, the score really only scratches the surface of a series that had many ups and downs and moments that will go down in history. In the first test one player truly stood out - Steve Smith, his class was truly shown as he scored 144 in the first in-

Dani Alves celebrates with family Image: Instagram - copaamerica

Matthew Crichton Hosts Brazil beat Peru 3-1 to lift the Copa America in front of 70,000 fans at the Estádio do Maracanã. The Seleção were easily the most superior team throughout, even without their talisman Neymar who missed the tournament with an ankle injury. Although they were clear favourites, Brazil faced fierce competition from the likes of: Argentina, Colombia and Uruguay. The group staged proved effortless as they scored eight with Allison not even conceding a single goal. They dispatched Bolivia 3-0 and Peru 5-0 with ease, the only hiccup coming in a 0-0 draw with Venezuela where VAR became their arch nemesis. Elsewhere, Colombia also achieved an 100% record whilst Uruguay also remained unbeaten. Argentina struggled to gain consistency losing to Colombia and drawing

with Paraguay, 4 points from 3 matches was underwhelming for Messi and Co. Foreign invitees Qatar and Japen both failed to qualify or win a single game. The quarter finals proved uninspiring as 3 out of 4 matches were 0-0 draws decided by penalty shootouts, including Brazil who nearly faced a shock exit at the hands of Paraguay. Barcelona striker Luis Suarez stole the headlines as his penalty miss seen Peru advance at Uruguay’s expense. The two giants of South American football

The number of minutes it took Gabriel Jesus to strike back in the final

Brazil and Argentina played the match of the tournament in the semi-finals. Goals from Jesus and Firmino secured Brazil’s place in the final, but the referee stole the limelight as he denied Argentina several penalties. The

surprise of the tournament came in the other semi-final as Peru shocked holders Chile 3-0. The final proved a tighter affair than expected, Brazil took the lead through the sur-

The final proved a tighter affair than expected and Brazil took the lead through the surprise star of the tournament, Everton

prise star of the tournament Everton. Peru then equalised from a penalty from their record goal scorer Paolo Guerrero, however the lead lasted just 2 minutes as Jesus fired Brazil back in front. The twist came Jesus was then sent off for two yellow cards, he left the field in tears before pushing the VAR monitor. Peru pushed hard for an equaliser, but their triumph was completed when substitute

Stokes finished with 135* and was ultimately the main reason England won this test

nings and 142 in the second. Australia eventually won the first test by 251 runs but this wasn’t just a result of Smith’s class. England suffered an embarrassing second innings collapse with no player scoring higher than 37, partly thanks to a great display of off-spin bowling by Nathon Lyon, who posted figures of 6 wickets for 49 runs. The second test was impaired by rain, meaning no play at all was possible on day one and days three and five were shortened - this meant the second test was eventually drawn and the series remained 1-0 to Australia. Test match three at Headingley will go down in history as one of the most dramatic matches ever. It was a game England had to win to still be in with a chance of winning the Ashes. Following a good bowling performance by England in the first innings, Australia were all out for 179. However England’s batting order collapsed again as they scored a dismal 67. The pressure now really was on as England already trailed by 112 and following a solid batting performance by Australia, who scored 246, the deficit was extended to 358.

This meant that by lunch time of day three England’s chances of winning the Ashes were hanging by a thread as they were faced with their highest ever run chase in test cricket. They got off to a poor start with both openers getting out, leaving England with a score of 15 for 2 wickets. Joe Root, England’s captain, rebuilt well and they finished the day on 156 needing 203 more runs for victory.

The number of wins both Australia and England achieved this summer

What followed on day four was historic. The pressure was on and it showed as wickets kept falling. England were eventually down to their last wicket with a score of 268 and Stokes and Jack Leach at the crease needing 73 more runs to win. Through pure resilience they pulled it off, completing England’s highest ever test chase in history as they pulled the series back to 1-1 with 2 tests yet to play. Stokes finished with 135* and was ultimately the main reason England won this test.

Test Match Three at Headingly will go down in history as one of the most dramatic matches ever. It was a game England had to win to have a chance of winning the Ashes

Unfortunately all of this was in vain as in the fourth test Australia (and mainly Steve Smith) bounced back and showed their class, winning by 185 runs to therefore bring the series to 2-1, meaning they retained the Ashes as with only one match left England could only draw the series. But in the final match with only really pride to play for England put on a good show and won by 135 runs, meaning the series finished 2-2 but Australia retained the Ashes as previous holders. Looking towards the 2021 series, which will be played in Australia, England have many things to work on but should be excited by the prospects of Archer and Stokes who really shone this summer.

Cross-Country captain Chris leads confident NUAXC return to Harrier League form Shona Haston NUAXC President The final weekend of September marked the start of the cross-country season for Newcastle University’s Athletics and Cross-Country Club (NUAXC). Eight especially keen members ended freshers’ week by travelling across the river to Wrekenton in Gateshead for the first

Happy smiles in the Harrier League Image: NUAXC

North East Harrier League cross-country race of the year. With a number of races throughout the academic year, the Harrier League gives University runners a fantastic chance to test their fitness in-between the bigger intra-University competitions dotted around the calendar. Competition comes from all ages as local runners mix with younger athletes for what is always a busy race.

Race days open with juniors and finish with senior men as runners tackle the muddy offerings of the North East. And this year, NUAXC started in top form. On arriving in Wrekenton, the team (some feeling fresh, others not so fresh) set off to walk the course, and it was soon evident that the heavy rainfall over the week meant a soggy race was on the cards. The women’s team, comprised of cross-

country captain Lauren Davies-Beckett, Anna Keeble, Emily Davis and club president Shona Haston, were the first to race. Lauren, Anna and Emily were first off the mark in the race’s big pack as they made their Harrier League debut, whilst Shona was hot on

Chris also managed to bag himself a bronze medal out of the 666 runners in the race

their heels five minutes later in the ‘fast-pack’ thanks to hard-earned promotions last year. The 4-mile course consisted of two laps, each featuring a few hills and plenty of puddles. Out of the 499 runners in the race, Shona finished with the 5th quickest time, Lauren 11th, Anna 29th and Emily 57th fastest even more impressive considering Emily is predominantly a 400m runner. Now that the course had been nicely churned up from the earlier races, it was time for the men’s 6-mile race. Fellow crosscountry captain Chris Larkin, club social secretary Toby Loveday, Sam Hansen and David Warnes made up Newcastle’s team, with Sam and David starting from the medium pack, two and a half minutes after Chris and Toby. Chris ran the 11th quickest time, David 46th, Toby 78th and Sam 165th out of 666 runners

in their race. Chris also managed to bag himself a bronze medal, crossing the finish line in 3rd place – which we love to see! The first cross-country of the season was a good one, with Lauren and Anna earning promotion to the medium pack by being in the top 10% of finishers. Chris and Toby both also gained promotion to join Sam and David in the medium pack for the next race. The whole team enjoyed the day and are looking forward to a busy season of Harrier League races across the North-East.

Harrier League Fixtures 2019-20 28/09/19 - Wrekenton, Gateshead 06/10/19 - Druidge Bay, Amble 26/10/19 - Lambton Estate, Washington 23/11/19 - Aykley Heads, Durham 04/01/20 - Sherman Cup, Temple Park 09/02/20 - Thornley Hill Farm, Peterlee 29/02/20 - Alnwick Castle, Alnwick

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Monday 14 October 2019

Exclusive: GB’s Ed Coode on Olympic Success, Newcastle University life and friend James Cracknell’s Strictly stint

Sports Editor Toby Bryant talks to the Newcastle University alumni and Olympic champion about life since the Toon ‘I did a lot of losing’, Ed Coode jokes at one point whilst speaking to The Courier. He’s referencing the 1998 Boat Race where Oxford were beaten by Cambridge, but it was here at Newcastle University that Coode’s illustrious rowing career started to shift up gears. When Coode jokes about losing, it’s largely a nod to the excruciating 4th place finish he endured alongside Greg Searle in the Men’s Pair category during the Sydney Olympics of 2000. “I was a spoilt brat. I was so gutted and so was Greg, although he was less spoilt about it. Looking back, I’m slightly embarrassed about how I dealt with that. I was left feeling, ‘if only I rowed it again’, but that’s just missing the point – you’ve got to get it right and be good enough that even when you get it wrong, you still win.” It proved a springboard from which the rower would leap into golden Olympic success four years later. Yet, when he crossed the Tyne Bridge from Cornwall in 1994, reaching those heights wasn’t even in his plans. “I wasn’t really planning on rowing when I turned up at Newcastle. There were some key characters in the Boat Club from the year before who came and found me because I had rowed at the Junior World Championships two years previously. I was thinking I’d just be focusing on marine biology. To start with, I owe anything I achieved in rowing to those lot [Newcastle University coaches].”

You’ve got to get it right and be good enough that even when you get it wrong, you still win

Coode’s Newcastle University journey started at Henderson Halls, which he is only half disappointed to hear have closed, recalling that “they were miles out on the coast road”. However, despite the trek from Henderson to campus in the mornings, Coode speaks fondly of his fresher’s experience. “I think everyone feels a bit nervous on that weird opening few days in Fresher’s Week. There’s so much new stuff happening. The amazing thing is the cliché that the friends you make in the first few weeks at Newcastle stick with you through life. It’s amazing when I think of mine, including my wife!” Any Newcastle student will know that being asked to pick out one memorable anecdote from their time in the Toon would be next to impossible. Nonetheless, after racking his brains for a few seconds, Coode manages. “The sport was pretty different at University then. One thing that I remember is that the Students Union had a sports budget of around £8,000 a year. The Boat Club had a new trailer two years before I got to Newcastle and that had pretty much used up the club’s budget for the rest of the decade.”

Crunching Coode’s Numbers

0.08

The fraction of the second Coode’s 4- beat Canada by to claim Gold in Athens. The year Coode graduated from Newcastle University. The number of World Championship mealds won by Coode (2 x gold, 2x bronze).

“We had absolutely no money at all, I’m sure it made the club smaller with fewer people involved, but it did drag an extra commitment out of everyone involved. We looked after boats like they were babies and travelled miles at our own expense to compete. It produced a really special club atmosphere.” And now, as he catches Newcastle University Boat Club (NUBC) on the rowing scene he’s proud to note how great it is “to see NUBC in the top handful of clubs in the country now”. “The Boat Club is special and the epitome of the ‘student club’, run by the students. Angelo [Savarino, NUBC Head Coach] buys into that totally.” Another aspect of University life that Coode remains proud of today is his role in the creation of the Boat Race of the North. First run in 1997, the year Coode graduated from Newcastle, it’s a prestigious fixture in the Northern Rowing calendar that still reigns supreme today - even as other intra-Universi-

BADMINTON

M1 v Manchester 1sts M2 v Hull 1sts M3 v Teeside 1sts W2 v Manchester 1sts

M1 v Durham 1sts M2 v Huddersfield 1sts W1 v Durham 1sts W2 v York St John 1sts

54-82 56-70 54-57 71-28

FENCING M1 v Durham 3rds M2 v Durham 4ths W1 v Leeds 1sts 72-6 8-0 2-6

The Blue Star’s ‘Ed Coode’ boat Image: Fergus Mainland ty competitions like Stan Calvert have fallen. “It focused both universities on the boat clubs in a way that never happened before – it was a peripheral sport until then. The NorthEast loves those derbies. There’s always been a lovely rivalry with Durham.”

Another aspect of University that Coode remains proud of today is his role in the creation of the Boat Race of the North

After leaving Newcastle, an under-23 rowing camp saw Coode training with “a couple more loud-mouth rowers talking about the Olympics” and a seed was planted.

Ed Coode in the 1996-7 NUBC squad (first in blue, top row) Image: Fergus Mainland

BASKETBALL

BUCS RESULTS

1997

FOOTBALL

M1 v UCLAN 1sts M2 v Sheffield 1sts M3 v York St John 6s W1 v Sunderland 1sts W2 v Leeds Trinity 1sts

97-132 71-135 W/O NCL 4-2 2-2 9-1 3-2 9-0

HOCKEY

M1 v Liverpool 1sts M2 v Leeds 2nds M3 v Durham 4ths M4 v Leeds 5ths W2 v Liverpool 1sts W3 v Durham 4ths W4 v Bradford 1st W5 v Leeds Trinity 1sts

LACROSSE

4-2 4-2 3-1 6-0 1-5 1-2 11-0 4-1

M2 v Hull 2nds 3-3 W1 v Birmingham 1sts 8-12 W2 v Leeds 2nds 31-2 W3 v Sheffield Hallam 2nds 31-2

NETBALL

W1 v Durham 1sts W2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts W3 v Leeds 5ths W4 v Hull 1sts

51-45 48-50 39-27 32-24

“I just thought, no way, you aren’t that good. But that’s how those things work. You think, hang on, these guys are serious. And even if I’m not as good as them, I’m not far behind, so I’ll give it a go. I thought at worst I’d waste a couple of years… [he chuckles] in the end I wasted more like 30!” Fast forward, past the bitter fourth of 2000, and you get to the Athens Olympics of 2004. A gold medal alongside Matthew Pinsent, James Cracknell and Steve Williams saw Coode finally scratch that Olympic podium itch. “It was a long four years. Four years is a long time anyway, but I had a bit of a rollercoaster in between. We won comfortably in 2001 and looked dead set to right the wrong of the previous year. Then I was out with a training injury, everyone was coming up around me, I couldn’t compete, people were pulling funding… I suffered a virus in the Olympic year itself! I totally bombed in the final trials and wasn’t actually going to Athens at that stage.” Not down and out, Coode managed to work his way into the eight and all was going well again. Then, just before Henley Royal Regatta 2004, Team GB head coach Jürgen Gröbler came knocking. An injury to Alex Partridge made space for Coode to compete in the coxless four. With just 40 days to get to gold medal challenging level, the race to prepare was on and, in fact, continued right down to the line on final’s day in one of rowing’s most infamous showdowns. “We were leading by about half a length at halfway, and 250 meters later the Canadian crew were leading by half a length. Whether you are in the zone or just fighting for your life at that stage, I couldn’t tell who had it.” “I’ve seen the replay a few times and you go, wow we must have panicked. Clearly, we can’t

RUGBY UNION

M1 v Loughborough 2nds M2 v Durham 3rds M3 v Leeds 2nds M4 v Huddersfield 1sts M5 v Sheffield 3rds W1 v Leeds Beckett 1sts

RUGBY LEAGUE

M1 V Hull 1sts M2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts

28-3 23-5 31-24 22-19 15-17 7-29 28-8 6-34

SQUASH

M1 v v Sheffield Hallam 1sts 5-0 M2 v Durham 2nds 3-2 M3 v S. Hallam 2nds W/O NCL M4 v Leeds Beckett 2nds 3-0 W2 v Durham 3rds 4-0

TABLE TENNIS

M2 v Leeds 2nds M3 v Durham 3rds

TBR 15-2

have totally panicked because we managed to pull it back. We didn’t stick to the plan, but races rarely go to plan. You learn that over your career and the important thing is just to be ahead at the finish line.” Hanging up his rowing blades shortly after the win, Coode now works as a lawyer in Cornwall - a radical change of career plan from Marine Biology, he admits. Asked if he still re-unites with the gold-winning crew, Coode says yes but “not as much as we would all like”. At the time of speaking, James Cracknell prepped to switch the lycra for dancing shoes on Strictly Come Dancing – a sadly short-lived career change that ended in the show’s opening weeks, as Coode foresaw. “I haven’t got great hopes for James’ dancing… I don’t know what it takes to win Strictly Come Dancing. James has got some pretty special reserves inside him, and if it’s just down to sheer hard work then he will do it… but I don’t think it is”, he laughs off. As a new wave of arrivals settles into their Newcastle University journey, we finish by asking the alumni for any tips he has that might make school level rowers wanting to make the switch to University standard a little bit easier: “As a very general thing, Angelo will make a man or woman of you.” “You’re always bringing the skills and the race experience that you’ve had up to now to add into the whole crew. Your experience, whether you’ve done a lot or not so much, will be useful. But you’re really only as good as the training you’ve done in the last six months – you need to put in the miles.” And put in the miles Coode certainly has. From Cornwall to Newcastle to Oxford to Sydney and Athens, the former Newcastle man is a leading sporting light for students past, present and future.

TENNIS

W1 v Northumbria 1sts

VOLLEYBALL

M1 v Durham 1sts W2 v Durham 3rds

6-6 0-3 3-0

SURF FORECAST

Tynemouth Longsands

New year not only means new waves, but new editors. Our previous surf forecaster has shipped off elsewhere, so we’re in the market for a new surf forecaster. If you’re a seaside fanatic who likes getting a bit wavy, then give us a wave and get in contact.

sport the courier

Monday 14 October 2019 Issue 1393 Free

@Courier_Sport courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/sport Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson Sport Editors Rory Ewart, Stan Gilyead, Toby Bryant & Tom Moorcroft

New Sport Centre nearing completion Rebecca Johnson Head of Sport Incoming freshers and returning students will be delighted to know that Newcastle’s new Sport Centre is nearing completion. Situated on Richardson Road next to the “old” sports centre and the new Park View accommodation, the new centre began to take shape in Summer 2018, with £30 million backed behind the project. After their respective refurbishments, the new and “old” sports centre will combine to create a big building jam packed with a range of facilities.

After their respective refurbishments, the new and “old” sports centre will combine to create a big building jam packed with a range of facilities

Parts of the new building are open to students and staff now. Refurbishment on the “old” sports centre is due to begin sometime this month, with plans to install a new gym, spin studio, two additional studios, and a strength and conditioning room. Both centres are aiming to be complete next summer/autumn, with plans for a “grand opening” of the new facilities. The refurbishments come after Team Newcastle secured another top ten BUCS finish last season, a feat which they’ll be looking to replicate this season. The facilities in the new part of the complex include more resources for Sport and Exercise students. Features such as labs, running tracks and recreation areas are a big feature of

The intra-mural sport programme continues to grow every year at Newcastle

the building. Furthermore, for the first time, squash courts have also been built. What’s arguably the most impressive feature, is the new sports hall. Slightly bigger than the current hall, the new one has drop

and lock futsal goals, basketball nets that lower for players of all ages and abilities and a viewing platform from above. In regards to the new facilities, AU Officer for 2019/20, Joe Gubbins, said, “I think the facilities that are complete currently are really good, especially the sports hall that looks brilliant, it’s a much more professional set-up than the old place. Clubs are going to come here on away fixtures and think “wow”. For our clubs it’s definitely a massive asset to them, and it especially will be when the refurbishment of the old sport centre is complete in April/May time. It’s a little bit disappointing that there’s been some delays. I think Clugston have their reasons for these, it’s still a bit disappointing that we couldn’t open it all at the start of term with a bang, but it should be complete within the next week or so, we’ll have the whole new building then.” Further to the developments around the Sports Centre, Team Newcastle’s outdoor facility, Cochrane Park, has had a facelift. The grounds have been expanded to include three new artificial pitches, a rowing ergometer training centre and multipurpose space, a bigger sports pavilion and new changing rooms as well as more car parking space.

Whilst BUCS teams will make the most of the new facilities, Newcastle’s intra-mural programme are also excited to make use of them

Gubbins added, “Outdoors, Cochrane Park is absolutely fantastic. The quality of the pitches is brilliant, the Clubhouse is a massive improvement. Again, this is a much more professional set-up and away teams are going to come here and think, “wow, this is a decent facility”. And also having the bar there as that social space that people can stick around and watch games on the balcony and stay around for a chat and a drink after a game is a really good addition.” Whilst BUCS teams will benefit from all the brand-new facilities, Newcastle University’s intra-mural programme are also excited to stage their events and make use of the new features at their disposal. Intra-mural sport continues to grow every

Lauren Davies-Beckett leads the Newcastle charge. Image: NUAXC

Cross Country have a field day in Wrekenton

year at Newcastle, with the programme effectively split into two parts. The first is a league format, which offers sports such as football 11s, 7s, 5s, women’s football 11s, netball and rugby union 15s. For the cost of the silver sports membership, the league format offers exciting opportunities to enter cup competitions and tournaments throughout the year on a more relaxed basis. The second format is a “pitch-up and play” style. Unlike the league format, pitch-up and play doesn’t require silver sports membership. In a similarly relaxed format, students can get involved in mixed basketball, women’s only basketball, women’s football, men’s and women’s futsal, mixed hockey and, new for this year, mixed squash. What’s more exciting about the intra-mural

sides, is the fact that they’re constantly developing and improving as each year passes. For example, the women’s football 11s have grown from a small social group to a full

million pounds has been put behind the new sports development project

11-a-side squad involved in local leagues. Whilst they’ve taken off in their league format, the side haven’t forgotten their roots, and still offer a “pitch-up and play” style of game. Intra-mural coordinator, Liam Isaac, commented, “The Intramural programme is a

great way to play sport in a fun and friendly environment with an element of competition across a huge variety of sports, from football, netball and hockey to futsal, rugby and more. Our traditional team sports are played in a league format, whilst sports such as squash, basketball and futsal offer opportunities to pitch up and play with organised matches and tournaments on the day. With over 3500 students playing Intramural it’s also a great way for you to meet other students on your course, in your halls or from other areas of campus.” If you fancy getting involved with intramural sports this season, contact Liam Isaac (liam.isaac2@newcastle.ac.uk) for more details.

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2019: The Summer of the World Cup

Our Sport writers round up all the key parts of summer’s World Cups Page 40-41

Ed Coode interview

Ed Coode talks Olympic Gold, James Cracknell’s Strictly stint and life at Newcastle University Page 43

A whirlwind summer of sport

An overview of all of this summer’s key sports events Page 42