Courier 1397 by The Courier Online

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Monday 11 November 2019 Issue 1397 Free

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The independent voice of Newcastle students

Eight days of strikes announced Grace Dean Editor

The University and College Union (UCU) has announced impending strike action at 60 university campuses later this month. Following the announcement on Thursday 31 October that 79% of UCU (University and Colleges Union) members backed strike action in response to a ballot over pension changes, and 74% regarding pay, equality, casualisation and workloads, on Tuesday 5 November it was declared that 60 university campuses will see strike action from Monday 25 November to Wednesday 4 December. Alongside these eight days of strike action, which is estimated to impact over one million students, UCU members will also undertake ‘action short of a strike’, such as working strictly to contract, not covering for absent colleagues and refusing to reschedule lectures lost to strike action. Discussing the announcement, UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “The first wave of strikes will hit universities later this month unless the employers start talking to us seriously about how they are going to deal with rising pension costs and declining pay and conditions. “Any general election candidate would be over the moon with a result along the lines of what we achieved last week. Universities can be in no doubt about the strength of feeling on these issues and we will be consulting branches whose desire to strike was frustrated by anti-union laws about reballoting.” A spokesperson for Universities UK (UUK), which represents university employers, said: “We hope that UCU will now join us to consider governance reforms and alternative options for future valuations, which deliver a shared set of principles, increased transparency and a sustainable scheme,” and described the pensions changes as “both fair and reasonable”, with the scheme allegedly being one of the best in the country. The Students’ Union has released the following statement on its website: “You, the students of Newcastle University, are always our first priority. We believe that taking a neutral stance on any potential future strike action is the best way for us to fully support you. We encourage students to form their own opinions, as we are aware that there are students who support lecturers in their action and those who do not. As a result, NUSU believes that taking a side would not stay true to our duty of representing the diverse student body as best we can.”

Number of students across the country expected to be affected

Of those who voted in the UCU ballot nationally, 79% backed strike action in the ballot over changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). Among Newcastle University UCU members, 77.78% voted in

65 campuses, including Newcastle, saw unprecedented levels of strikes in 2018 Image: Newcastle University UCU on Twitter

favour of industrial action including a strike, while 86.38% voted in favour of industrial action short of strike action, including a marking and assessment boycott. Newcastle saw a considerably higher voter turnout for this pension changes ballot than the national average, with 56.75% of Newcastle UCU members having voted, compared to 49% nationally. Meanwhile, 74% of UCU members nationally backed strike actions in the ballot on pay, casualisation, equality and workloads; at Newcastle, 84.54% voted “yes” to the question: “are you prepared to take industrial action consisting of strike action?” The UCU said that this support for strikes is symptomatic of serious issues in the higher education sector, and that, if universities do not adequately respond to these problems

then strike action, which is estimated to affect around a million students, would be unavoidable. UCU general secretary Jo Grady said: “The ballots reflect just how unhappy and angry staff are at the state of higher education in the UK. Universities only have themselves to blame after failing to address falling realterms pay and for refusing to deal with casualisation, workloads and the rising cost of USS pensions.” In spring 2018, over 65 university campuses across the country, including Newcastle University, faced unprecedented levels of strike action which lasted for 65 days and involved approximately 190,000 academic members of staff due to pensions changes. The higher education ombudsman for England and Wales instructed some British

universities to pay compensation for the loss of teaching hours after students complained of missed seminars and lectures and the associated stress. It is estimated that in total 575,000 teaching hours were lost, leading to over 80 complaints being received by The Office of the Independent Adjudicator, and an estimated 100,000 students signing a petition calling for compensation of their fees. Universities found different ways to compensate for this, including making lecture recordings, podcasts, and additional online materials available, and allowing students to sit in on other classes. At Newcastle, a petition to obtain “a refund for every lecture missed” at Newcastle University obtained over 11,000 signatures. To reassure concerned students, Newcastle University Registrar John Hogan declared

that “topics that have not been delivered because of industrial action will be excluded from any assessments and any money saved on the April salary roll will be invested directly for the benefit of students.” In 2018, Newcastle University Student Council chose to take a neutral stance on the strikes after rejecting two rival motions both supporting and opposing the lecturers’ strike. In response to the 2018 strikes, the Students’ Union worked in liaison with the University to provide 50% off food and drinks for students at key campus outlets during the exam revision period, free gown hire for all students graduating in July and December 2018 congregations, extra funding for mental health and counselling service, and academic and PEC support through the Student Advice Centre.

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thecourier Inside the Courier this week Editor Grace Dean Deputy Editor Molly Greeves Online Editor Tom Hardwick

AMPLIFIED WITH DOM & JACK Amplified with Dom and Jack combines the high energy of a Radio 1 or Capital show without the drawbacks of mainstream charts music. The quick quips of the presenters makes for entertaining banter between songs and keeps the show interesting throughout the hour. Dom and Jack round up the week’s best new tracks in alternative music from rock and hip-hop to garage and house, alongside some classics. The presenters draw on their wide range of musical knowledge to bring tracks that you won’t hear anywhere else. In addition features keep the show fresh such as the section “thrift shop” where Dom chooses a record at random from the cheap bin of a local record store to play on the show, resulting in some funny choices. You’ll be able to tune into Amplified on Saturdays from 4-5.

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

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: Ellie James & Rashida Campbell-Allen Travel 18 courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amy Harris, Beth Robson & Meggie Williams Food 21 editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Editors: Amanda Goh & Cayla Viner

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 editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Editor: Emma Dawson

NSR Show of the Week

Sat 4-5PM

Current Affairs

Puzzles

Monday 11 November 2019

Sport

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

Get involved in student media

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 13 and 20 November. 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. 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.

20 YEARS AGO

Farewell fishies

The Courier stunned readers with the shocking headline: “Agric boozers ate my goldfish”. Students reportedly drowned their fishy companions in beer before downing the drinks at an initiation event, which echoed similar 1999 goldfish swallowing activities by fellow Agrics at Glasgow University. In a vox pop feature, Newcastle students were asked whether the Royal Family is a “final bastion of Britishness or an expensive waste of time”. Queen Victoria told the Courier that she was “not amused”, while an excited student said: “I desperately fancy Prince Charles’ ears!” An aggravated student said “the corgis should be put down nastily and slowly”, while an Accountancy student offered a much more financially sound approach approach, suggesting that “we should sell them to the Americans or rent them on short-term lease”. Another kindly referred to the Royal Family as “a pile of shit”.

27 YEARS AGO

Shellfish safety rules

Fashion was called into question as students debated whether shell suits should be banned in the Students’ Union. A self-proclaimed “very concerned rugby player” wrote in to the Courier and proposed that those entering the Union “could be handed a bucket of water which they could carry around with them. This ensures that if their shell suits are accidentally set on fire by a stray cigarette end or petrol bomb, they could immediately douse themselves with the water, thus keeping a maximum safety standard in the Union.”

From the archives

Grace Dean looks through the archives to trace the more memorable moments of Newcastle’s history

44 YEARS AGO

52 YEARS AGO

The Courier reported on a “hall brawl” which involved a fist fight between the President of the Students’ Union and a fourth year Dentist during a formal dinner in Eustace Percy. The President of 1975 stated: “I was subjected to an unprovoked, vicious, premeditated assault occasioning permanent damage to the back of my lower front teeth” and a black eye. Retaliating against this, the Dental student argued: “It is fairly impossible to break his teeth at the back anyway; they break at the corners. It was probably just a piece of tartar.” Another student reasoned that this violence was caused by the President being a “complete pain in the arse” during the 1975 freshers’ week over an incident with a minibus. A concerned reader also wrote in to complain that the Courier’s covers so far that year were “very BORING!”

Students of Newcastle enthusiastically supported the arrival of Martin Luther King to receive an honorary Doctorate of Civil Law from the University in a ceremony in King’s Hall described by the Courier as “colourful and majestic”. In his acceptance speech, King addressed the “three urgent and grave problems” faced by the world: racism, poverty and war. The ceremony followed an “informal chat over coffee” with students, where “King had displayed other facets of his amazing character”, including “a lively, sometimes even jovial temperament”. Newcastle was the only UK university to grant King an honorary degree during his lifetime, and his acceptance speech was his last outside the US before his assassination. Fast forward 50 years later, and the University chose to commemorate the anniversary of the occasion by unveiling a two-metre bronze statue of King in King’s Quad. The statue, designed by sculptor Nigel Boonham, was unveiled by American Ambassador Andrew Young, who himself had accompanied King on his visit to Newcastle in 1967. Discussing the statue, Young said, “it probably looks more like him than any of the other statues I’ve seen – and I’ve seen a lot”. The unveiling of the statue marked the University’s commitment to the city’s year-long Freedom City programme, culminating that same day with the awarding of honorary degrees to four prominent civil rights advocates. These were the aforementioned Ambassador Andrew Young, who played a crucial role in drawing up equal rights legislation in the US in the 1960s, Archibald Sibeko, trade union and political leader who fought against the South African apartheid, author Malorie Blackham MBE whose works address the effects of racial prejudice, and Tom Caulker, advocate of multiculturalism in Tyneside.

President in hall brawl

MLK receiving his honorary degree in 1967 Image: Newcastle University

MLK receives degree

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Monday 11 November 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

New development plans for Strawberry Place unveiled Sophie Wilson News Editor

£120 million is planned to be spent on a block of offices, private rented housing and hotels next to St James’ Park. Strawberry Place is planned to have a completely new appearance next year, and it will all be close to the iconic football stadium. Earlier this year, £9 million was spent on the land for these new plans. Mike Ashely bought the land, who was an investor from Helios Investment Partners and Doncaster’s Marrico Asset Management LLP. Plans are that it will be an 18 storey high building. It was originally set to be another student housing block, but now it will be designed for more office space and to be rented out for private customers. Potentially, it could also become a hotel, but this is yet to be confirmed.

The proposed 18 story building could be used for offices, rented housing or a hotel

There were concerns voiced about these developments, however. During a public consultation on the plans in May, issues raised included how match days would be affected and how it would disrupt any future expansion that St James’ Park would want. Planning consultant Lambert Smith Hampston said that it would not limit any expansion, but there were also other concerns about how it would alter the appearance of the area around the stadium. Newcastle United fans are urging the city

chiefs to reject the plans. The Newcastle United Supporters Trust has now added its name to the list of people who are in objection to them. They think that it would obscure the

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central, voiced her opposition in October

city-line of Newcastle. Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central has also voiced her objection to the proposed developments. In her objection letter, published on the 24th October, Chi Onwurah wrote: “If planning permission is granted it will no longer be possible to extend the Metro despite the huge demand for a Metro line in the West End of Newcastle.” She also believes this will threaten any future expansion to St James’ Park, leading to it being moved from its iconic place in the City Centre. She added “Having St James Park in the city centre is a huge economic asset to the city and is also an essential part of the cities culture, heritage and historic enviorment.” Planning statements say that the site as it is now has a detrimental impact on its surroundings. The plans are therefore said to help improve the situation of the area in terms of its economical, societal and environmental impact. It is hoped that these new plans will bring the site back to being somewhere for residents to be proud of, as well as encouraging tourists to visit Newcastle. Civic centre officials say that the scheme is due to come before the planning committee on either November 8 or November 29.

The site of the development on Strawberry Place Image: Andrew Curtis on Geograph

Uni tackles racial discrimination and harassment Victoria Osho Last week, Newcastle University doubled down on their efforts to tackle racial discrimination and hate crimes at the University by writing a response to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s inquiry report ‘Tackling Racial Harassment: Universities Challenged.’ The report, published on 23 October, presented the findings of the Commision’s inquiry into racial harassment in publicly funded universities in England, Scotland and Wales. They collected much of the data from university surveys, roundtable discussions, interviews with universities, students and staff, as well as a public call for evidence. The report also offers recommendations for change.

The new report on racial harassment in UK universities was published in October

The University claims to be committed to equality and diversity Image: @newcastleuni

In Newcastle University’s response, it clearly stated the efforts undertaken by the university to tackle racial discrimination and violence between university students. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University, Professor Julie Sanders, has special responsibility for the University’s work and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as well as the Engagement and Place sub-strategy including its focus on social justice. She commented on the EHRC inquiry,

saying: “There is no place for racism or racial harassment of any kind in our universities and here at Newcastle we have been working closely with both staff and students in a number of areas to emphasise our values of

Newcastle University is now a member of the Race Equality Charter, a “milestone” achievement

inclusion and respect. “Our University has a long-standing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and much work has already been undertaken by our staff and students, and not least through our Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) staff network. Earlier this year, we became a member of the Race Equality Charter which was a milestone for us in terms of our work to address racial inequalities.” However, the response admits that more still needs to be done before the campus can ensure a fully discrimination-free environment, as Professor Julie Sanders says “we are not complacent and today’s report, which we very much welcome, illustrates how much more needs to be done to overcome and address these issues”. Sanders explains further actions the university are taking to tackle racial discrimination and harrassment: “We have set clear targets in our Access and Participation Plan to close the attainment gap for BAME students and we have appointed a dedicated Race Equality Advisor to work with both our staff and students.

“We have just completed a survey of all academic and professional services colleagues and next month we will be conducting a survey of all students, the results of which will form the basis of a new Race Equality Strategy and Action Plan for the University. And recently, our BAME staff network has conducted listening sessions with our staff and has compiled a report that is being considered by our Equality Diversity and Inclusion committee in order to prioritise meaningful actions.” Further acts mentioned by Sanders, include the recentley implemented ‘Report and Support’ System, which allows students and staff to anononymously report any form of harrassment, as well as providing support for those affected. She also described the preparation of a Hate Crime Video, in partnership with Northumbria Police, partners and other universities, to be used at student and staff inductions. Additionally, the university is working with Newcastle City Countil to promote the 24 hour helpline, ‘Stop Hate Crime UK.’

The new ‘Report and Support System’ allows students to anonymously report harassment

The response ended, saying, “The University is determined to work with all our partners across the higher education sector and we will be carefully reviewing the findings of today’s report to ensure our students and staff can have confidence that they study, work and live in a safe and inclusive environment.”

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Newcastle alumni to publish novel

Monday 11 November 2019

Iconic city mural saved from student flats

significance”. She further stated that heritage harm could not outweigh the possibility of economic benefit, despite Versant claiming the properties would generate £1.4 million per year for the city’s economy. The Local Reporting Service also revealed that Housden had warned the development would cause a drop in daylight and sunlight levels, damaging the living conditions of residents.

Grace Dean Editor

A Newcastle University graduate is publishing his debut children’s picture book. Will Hamilton-Davies, 21, from Chew Magna in Somerset, recently graduated in Journalism, Media and Culture, where he penned the rhyming children’s book The Shrew with the Flu actually during his final year of studying under his pen-name Bill Bath. Bath is crowdfunding through Kickstarter to finance the £3,357 needed for the illustration and publication of his book. Discussing the book, Bath said: “I never expected to write a children’s picture book. One night, I was reading my younger siblings bedtime stories and said to my stepmum, Lucy, ‘I swear I could write a story like this in an evening’ . . . I couldn’t. “It took me several months to write a story I was truly proud of . . . all while revising for finals.” The rhyming poem centres around the adventures of a shrew who struggles to find food on the forest floor, and in doing so explores ideas including self-awareness, greed and how to respect mother nature. bath described how the book additionally addresses his fears about climate change, making it both an entertaining and educational read for children. Regarding his choice of protagonist, Bath said: “I wanted to write about a mouse; I thought, ‘what’s an animal that people haven’t really heard of that’s both lovable and adorable?’” Bath has secured sponsorship from eco-friendly guerrilla gardening company Kabloom and illustrator Jennifer Davison to bring his character to life, but needs to hit his goal of £3,357 on Kickstarter to proceed. His campaign will run from Tuesday 5 November 5 to Sunday 15 December. Find out more at kickstarter.com

Versant claims their plans would generate £1.4m to the city's economy

Versant Developments claims their plans of student housings would bring £1.4 million a year in the city economy. Image: Andrew Curtis

Amanda Goh Food Editor The century old Robert Sinclair Tobacco sign had been recently under threat of being hidden behind a new housing block for students. The developer, Versant Developments, had been wanting to continue his developments as their 70 apartment design would be a “distinctive landmark building” on the site

of the former pub. The first scheme by the developers had been rejected by Newcastle City Council in April 2018, but the developer had recently appealed against the decision. Versant argued that the land was in a “dilapidated, derelict, vacant state” having been disused for 50 years, whilst the mural itself was “opportunistic advertising.” However, it has been found that the old ‘iconic’ advertising mural found on the side

Politics applications on the rise Imogen Davies

Since the Brexit debate on the run-up to the 2016 referendum, there has been a 28% surge in UK university applications to politics courses. UCAS, who oversees university admissions revealed that the politics course applications has risen from 34, 275 in 2013 to 47,445 in 2018. The trend is followed by further education intuitions throughout the country. UCAS found that the number of students accepted on to politics courses in the five-year period to 2018 has increased by 27%. Jamie Hampton, the President of Newcastle University Politics Society considers the increase as a positive implication for involvement with young people in political situations. He said: “Politics has become more

divisive, and as a result, people have become more engaged with it. It is so apparent how divided the country is, especially when it's circulated around such a divisive and revolutionary political movement. I think people find it fascinating and want to involve themselves more. In particular, following on from the Referendum younger people saw for once real change in the country as a result of voting, rather than the same consensus style politics we had prior to 2015 under Cameron, Clegg and Miliband.” This has been echoed by Callum Wilson, a second year undergraduate Politics student. He said: "I think it's great that students are dedicating three years to understand political concepts and ideologies at a degree level. Education opens up the opportunities for future voters to be more informed." Wilson also considers Brexit as an influen-

The number of students accepted in the Politics course around the UK has increased by 27% from 2013. Image: Flickr

tial event to the increase of Politics course application. He said: "Thanks to Brexit, young people are more engaged in politics. With a decision as big as leaving the European Union, they want a final say on what’s going to happen to their future.

UCAS applications for Politics has increased by 28% in the 5-year period to 2018

Politics is prevalent, whether we like it or not. It affects our everyday life. Students can understand the subject in more depth such as how policies such as working tax credits can affect aspects of life." Newcastle University offers politics in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate study. Their subjects ranch into political philosophy, global politics, international relations and political institutions. Their teaching approach is flexible with support from personal tutors and peer mentors throughout the degree. Students are given the opportunity to study abroad and undertake a work placement in Europe from about three to nine months. Politics BA Honours in Newcastle University is ranked as the top 20 in the UK by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020. It has a 90% overall satisfaction score from the National Student Survey 2019. According to the university's official website, the Politics course has received a 'Gold' Award from The Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) for its "consistent outstanding teaching."

of Blenheim House will not disappear behind a new building. Versant Developments had lost their bid against Newcastle City Council, as a government inspector had sided with Newcastle City Council to oppose the plans. Planning inspector Sarah Housden stated that Blenheim House, and the neighbouring Robert Sinclair building are “iconic and landmark buildings at a key gateway to the city centre with a high cultural and historic

A Blenheim House resident, Jane HodsonHamilton stated her satisfaction with the decision. She was “pleased that the inspector had recognised the importance of the site.” “I have concluded that the heritage harm would not be outweighed by the public benefits of the proposal. The proposed development would also cause material harm to the living conditions of adjoining occupiers, in conflict with the policies in the development plan which seek to ensure a good standard of amenity. Together, these issues weigh heavily against the appeal proposal.” A spokesperson from Newcastle City Council stated in the Chronicle that “It is reassuring that the Sinclair Building and Blenheim House were recognised in the appeal decision for their ‘iconic and landmark’ status and their ‘high cultural and historic significance’. Committee members deliberate on items brought before them with integrity and impartiality to make decisions purely on planning grounds, as demonstrated by the outcome of this appeal.” The iconic mural on Westgate Road reads “The Robert Sinclair Tobacco Coy Ltd”. It is in memory of the history of Sinclair, who sold tobacco on Westgate Road since the 1890s. Sinclair had produced the first set of Newcastle United cigarette cards.

Metro faces multi-m

Maud Webster When Metro was introduced to Tyne & Wear in 1981, it was the first light railway in the UK. It came about following a growing angst around the slow and unreliable services offered by Diesel National Rail trains, and was heralded as a golden gem of the North East. However, the Metro's operator, Nexus, is facing a multi-million pound budget crisis. This arose from multiple overhead line failures in May costing the company £300,000,

and also the necessity to pay out £500,000 for staff overtime and a drop in fare revenue totalling £1.2m. Another issue facing the organisation is the reduction in the levy paid to the Metro by the local council, which has been cut eight times since 2010. Nexus serves as a body which administers government funds in the Tyne and Wear area, so the financial effects will influence travel in the immediate future. Nexus can only guarantee that the public transport services they provide can only be protected from cutbacks until 2021. This includes the Metro, some bus routes, as well as the Shields Ferry.

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Monday 11 November 2019

is Tomorrow to NUSU to Rock the Cis-tem This return to Newcastle Lily Holbrook

Following the announcement that the hotly-anticipated This is Tomorrow festival is returning to Newcastle for its third year in 2020, here is a rundown of both artists who have previously appeared at the festival, and those who are rumored to be appearing next summer.

Over 30,000 people attended last year's festival over the course of 3 days

Eleasha Forster Marginalised Genders Officer ‘Rock the Cis-tem’ is a week-long campaign running from 11 to 17 November to challenge systematic oppression faced by trans and non-binary people. LGBT+ Liberation Officer, Tobias Cameron, the founder of the campaign, wishes to "highlight issues members in this community face and tackle them head-on to create a more accepting campus". The campaign ‘Rock the Cis-tem’ refers to the notion of change and stepping outside the cis-normative narratives commonly portrayed in wider society such as gender-binary spaces and identities of ‘male’ and ‘female’.

Cameron commented "the main aim of the campaign is to increase awareness, and push back societal pressure of what trans and nonbinary people face. Whether from issues they face or stigma associated with their identities." This campaign has events for people from both the community and campus-wide students yo attend, to ‘increase awareness, educate, and gain an understanding of the issues faced by people within our student body.’ Let’s support Tobias in creating a more inclusive and accepting campus by supporting this campaign and becoming more educated and respecting the pronouns people use as well as accepting their gender or non-gender

conforming identities.

Events running this week:

Monday 11 - Trans and Non-binary experiences panel (5.30pm-7pm: Planning Room, NUSU) Wednesday 13 - Clothing Exchange (12pm-4pm: Ford Room, NUSU) Friday 15 - Film Screening (5pm-7pm: Bamburgh Room: NUSU Sunday 17 - Rememberance Vigil & SelfCare session (Event: Remembrance vigil – outside SU: 10:30-11am. Self-care session – History Room: 11am – 12pm)

Budget shortfalls endanger the Metro Image: Pixabay

and it can risk the slower journeys, declining

Nexus is planning to use their cash reserves in order to meet the budget shortfall

passengers and an increase in failures. John Fenwick is the Nexus Director of finance and resources, and made this statement regarding the organisations' ability to survive in the face of these severe financial pressures:

Catfish & The Bottlemen and Sam Fender played at the festival in 2019

No names have yet been confirmed, and the official line-up will be announced nearer the festival.

For more information on the campaign and events please visit nusu.co.uk/rtc/

million pound budget crisis

Annual numbers of Metro users is around the £40m mark, which demonstrates the critical impact service changes could have on those commuting to work, education, or just into the city. Whilst Nexus is planning to use their cash reserves in order to meet the budget shortfall, the leader of Gateshead Council warns that this move is "unsustainable" and feels a dialogue between regional leaders and the Department for Transport is crucial to resolve the crisis. The issue can be seen as the uncertainty surrounding future Government funding,

Headlined by Noel Gallagher, Stereophonics, and Foals, last summer’s This Is Tomorrow Festival brought several big names to Newcastle’s Exhibition Park. With over 30,000 people attending across the 3 day event, the festival lived up to its reputation for being one of the biggest events of the summer. Early-bird tickets have been on sale since the end of October, and the festival will run on a bank holiday weekend, 22nd-24th May. Tipped to bring ‘the most entertaining and

diverse line-up yet’, hopes are high for the 2020 festival. This year’s festival saw a number of upand-coming artists perform, from Editors to The Pale White, as well as iconic names, such as former Smiths guitarist turned soloist Johnny Marr, ensuring the festival catered to the tastes of all indie rock fans. Other 2019 performers included Lewis Capaldi, The Vaccines and You Me At Six. In its first year in 2018, the festival saw performances from big names like Catfish & The Bottlemen, Everything Everything, and Brit Award Winner Sam Fender. Last year's festival wasn't without it's controversy. The headliner, Foals, had to finish their set half way through due to a broken barrier that put the crowd at risk. This caused many people to demand refunds which were never given.

"Reserves are sufficient to protect services in what remains of this year and next year. There is probably a question of how sustainable that is thereafter.” It's been suggested that solutions to alleviate the financial burden can include scrapping discounted travel fares, including that for the elderly and the disabled. However, this proposition has been criticised as it will likely serve to deter the most vulnerable in society from accessing mobility in and around the city. Financial pressures resulting from the £4.1m deficit seems to be leaving the future of Nexus' Metro on an unstable track.

Many were disappointed by Foals' early exit Image: Dominic Lee

Number of student sex workers double Phoebe Hurst

The number of students turning to sex work and ‘Sugar Dating’ has nearly doubled in the past two years, according to a recent survey by Save the Student, due to concerns surrounding rising living and financial costs. According to the survey, 4% of students have tried some form of sex work, compared to two percent in 2017. The survey, of more than 3,300 students, discovered that the most common form of sex work was selling naked or erotic photographs or used underwear. However, students have also been turning to sugar dating and prostitution in order to earn much-needed cash. Sugar Dating is a recent trend, involving a ‘Sugar Baby’, and a ‘Sugar Daddy’. The dynamic of the relationship is not like that of a ‘normal’ relationship: the ‘Daddy’ treats the ‘Baby’ to expensive gifts or large sums of money, in return for some form of relationship, and in some cases sexual favours. While ‘Sugar Dating’ appears to be an easy way of earning quick cash, it can be unsafe. It has been suggested that a total lack of financial support for students is to blame for the recent surge in student sex workers. Save the Student reported that, on average, students spend an estimated £807 per month on living expenses, including rent, bills and

food. Students involved in the survey have stated that they resorted to sex work and ‘Sugar Dating’ in order to cover the costs of basic living essentials, as well as the cost of university essentials, like required textbooks. According to The Independent, Jake Butler, who is the money expert for Save the Student, stated: “the doubling of students involved in adult and sex work over two years is alarming and very concerning, but it’s not all that unexpected, given the financial situation students are put in.”

4% of students have tried some form of sex work, compared to 2% in 2017

It has been noted that the average student maintenance loan falls short of the average student’s living costs by around £260. There is an expectation, placed upon students by the Government, that parents or guardians will make up the shortfall, however this may not be feasible for some families. Butler has also stated that most parents are not aware of the desperate measures students are taking in order to cover their monthly living expenses.

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news 6

Monday 11 November 2019

Film award successes for university film makers

Alex Downing

Staff, students and alumni of Newcastle University have received recognition from major Broadcasting Networks and International Film Festivals for their short films.

Technician James Davoll won best Experimental Film for the film Adlais at the Wales International

Two of our own English graduates were selected to be apart of the New Creatives scheme and make short films that were broadcasted on the programme Rhyme and Reason: BBC Introducing Arts last month on BBC Four. Georgia Mulrain’s short film Elephant in the Room explores what it means

to be mixed race whilst Isobel Clark’s Paper Skin showcases the experiences of a young woman with a number of ‘sugar daddies’. Meanwhile, PHD student Evripids Karydis’ work is, in his own words, ‘being acknowledged by the filmmaking community all around the world’. At the European Film Festival Mainstream and Underground he achieved Best Documentary for his film 98. Technician James Davoll won best Experimental Film for the film Adlais at the Wales International Film Festival. The film was additionally shortlisted for an award at a BAFTA qualifying Film Festival. James also won best Experimental Film with a fellow staff member Dr Clifton Evers at the ReelHeart International Film Awards in Toronto for their film A Toxic Love Affair. James Davoll spoke on his success commenting that: ‘Being nominated for and receiving these recent awards really endorses the quality of these projects and the conscious decisions to push the practice of film making’

Newcastle remembers: knitted poppies at Eldon

The Newcastle University CoHere project’s research inspired Dr Ian McDonalds film Who is Europe? Which has been shortlisted for the Arts and Humanities Research Coun-

My Working Hours app offers an easy way to track work assignments

cil Research in Film award. Research also inspired Simona Palladino’s documentary Age is just a Bingo Number, which is based around her PhD research into the North East’s Italian community. Her film has also been selected for many film festivals and was presented with the Pietro Corsi Award from the Italian municipality of Casacelenda. These many achievements are not only motivating to those mentioned but to other members of the community pursuing the same creative pathway.

Poppies have been knitted this year for the Remembrance display. Image: Flickr

Peter Bath More than 20,000 hand-knitted poppies are returning to Old Eldon Square to mark this year’s Remembrance Day. The poppies, knitted by volunteers from both the local area and around the world, were initially displayed last year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. Will decorate 20K Eldon Square on poppies Remembrance Day

Newcastle City Council have decided to return them to the Square this year. This is due to their previous popularity and the commitment that the volunteers gave to knitting and arranging these poppies.

Many Newcastle alumni won awards at the International Film Festival Image: Pixabay

The knitted are both reusable and environmentally friendly

The poppies are knitted, rather than plastic, which means that they are both reusable and environmentally friendly. They also give members of the community the opportunity

to contribute their own personal tribute by knitting one of the flowers themselves. They are to be attached to the railings around the war memorial that sits in Old Eldon Square to create a moving reminder of the lives lost in war.

The Remembrance Day fair will end in Eldon Square

Last year Christine Hardman, Bishop of Newcastle, described the display as “a sea of love” while Company Sergeant Major Gary Cannon called it “a very poignant reminder of the sacrifice of that generation.” Volunteers will put up the display for the week preceding Remembrance Sunday. The 10th November Remembrance Sunday parade, which members of the public can attend, will conclude with a service at the war memorial in Old Eldon Square, for which the poppies will be present. After Armistice day on Monday 11th November they will be taken down by volunteers to be reused in other Remembrance Day displays next year.

Tyne & Wear has UK's highest proportion of female patent inventors Alex Downing

The number of female innovators has doubled in the last twenty years, according to a report titled ‘The Gender balance in worldwide patenting’, published 2 October by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). The report tracks gender trends in individuals patenting their innovations. Despite women innovators doubling in numbers, the report showed that women still only represented 12.7% of patent inventors in 2017, compared to 6.8% in 1998. The region of Tyne and Wear boasts the highest proportion of female inventors in the UK at 13.4%. The report acknowledges that, historically, women have been underrepresented amongst patent inventors - a person who contributed to the claims of a patentable invention, but also demonstrates that there has been a marked increase in the proportion of patent applications with at least one female inventor. Statistics show that more than one in five patent inventions have a named female inventor, and in areas such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and organic fine chemistry, around half of the patent applications be-

tween 19998-2017 named at least one female inventor. In terms of specific areas of increase, the most notable was in academia. In universities, the patents linked to female inventors rose from 15% in 1998 to 20% in 2017, and during the same period women inventors in industry rose from 6% to 10%. Secretary of State, Andrea Leadsom praised the report’s findings, and said “We know more needs to be done to inspire women to patent their ideas and turn them into real products and services. That’s why we’re investing in women’s talent, including through the Women in Innovation Awards, the Industrial Strategy Youth Prize and the NESTA Longitude Explorer Prize.” The report concludes that its findings that there are fewer female inventors than male are unsurprising due to other studies on female engagement with STEM education and careers. It emphasises that the levels of female inventors are steadily increasing in both industry and academia amongst the majority of countries worldwide, a positive conclusion in relation to closing the gender gap in innovation.

The report concluded that there are fewer female inventors than male Image: Flickr

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Monday 11 November 2019

Deputy Editor: Molly Greeves @courier_latest courier.news@ncl.ac.uk courier.comment@ncl.ac.uik

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

Is Newcastle the Tackling student mental health King of tokenism? Phillip Etchells

Em Richardson

In 1967, Newcastle University awarded Dr Martin Luther King an honorary degree, becoming the only UK university to grant King such an honour during his lifetime. There’s no denying that the uni-

versity showed a progressive attitude at this time, when many others still condemned the Civil Rights movement. There’s also no doubt that Dr King’s visit to the university, where he personally accepted the degree, and delivered a rousing speech on the struggle for racial equality in the US, is a proud moment in Newcastle University’s history. His visit deserves to be commemorated. However, the university has perhaps gone too far in its quest to ensure no one forgets Dr King’s visit. A large statue of Dr King is situated on campus, and the Student Union’s bar is named Luther’s. It’s always seemed a little bizarre that, out of all the facilities on site, the university chose to name a bar after Dr King, rather than a building or a lecture theatre. On a deeper level, it seems the university could be accused both of ‘window-dressing’, and of exploiting the Luther King connection. At the end of the day, Dr King visited Newcastle University only once, 52 years ago. He never had a long-standing relationship with the university, yet they continue to use his name and image.

Only around 14% of Newcastle University students are BAME, which falls below the national average

Image: Flickr

With regards to allegations of ‘windowdressing’, a cynic might suggest that the university publicises their connection with Dr King and the civil rights movement as a way of appealing to BAME students, and depicting themselves as champions of racial equality. There’s only one issue with this view: only around 14% of students at Newcastle are BAME. This falls well below the national average of around 20%. It would seem that, in 2019, the uni needs to do more to make BAME students feel welcomed than simply publicising a brief connection to Dr King, made before many Newcastle student’s parents, never mind the students themselves, were born. When asked to comment on whether Newcastle exploits its relationship with Dr King, Welfare and Equality Officer Sara Elkhawad said: ‘Martin Luther King is an incredible figure and the activism work he achieved during his lifetime and the legacy he left after his death will always be commemorated and remembered, and I'm glad Newcastle recognises his work…but I think his legacy has been excessively celebrated by the University and has covered up some of the racial issues and injustices that both exist systematically and in the attitudes of some of our students… And it’s only this academic year that the university has started to make a real commitment in tackling those racial injustices. "Martin Luther King and African American activism was something I really wanted to move away from during my Black History Month campaign, 'Black is Gold'. It's important to recognise that there is not one homogenous black history or life experience."

When 1 in 4 people in the UK experience a mental health issue every year, something needs to change. Moving to university is a major life transition, and as exciting as this new chapter of our lives can be, it can also give rise to many new challenges in our academic, social and personal lives. Mental health problems among students are as common as among the rest of the population, but recent research suggests that rates of psychological distress and illness in universities are on the rise.

The SU claims to be "committed to supporting students to live their best lives"

According to the Newcastle University website, the SU “is committed to supporting students to live their best lives, alongside the pressures that studying and a busy schedule can sometimes bring.” The university offers a wide range of support to cater for students varying needs: there is the dedicated Health and Wellbeing staff, the iNCLude app (designed by specialists

to help create positive habits for the whole university experience), as well as both online CBT and in person counselling services - all available free to students. It is encouraging that the university has so much to offer students who are struggling with their mental health. But I still feel there is a gap between the support on offer and students

Image: Flickr

feeling able to reach out and ask for help. In a survey o f 37,000 students across 140 universities throughout Great Britain (The Guardian), 1 in 3 students reported they experience loneliness often or all the time - an

increase of almost 20% from 2017 figures. The problem lies in students feeling able to voice their struggles, and this is where we all need to do more raise awareness and re-

1 in 3 students reported that they experience loneliness

duce the stigma surrounding mental health. The work done by the Mind The Gap society is fundamental in educating the university community about mental health among students. A friend of mine who has used the support services offered by the university told me: “It’s really important to talk about (mental health), remove the stigma and normalise problems as not something to be ashamed of, but accept as just a natural part of life.’ As much as the university does to offer support to its students experiencing mental health, we can all do more to join the conversation and reach out to our peers who we may be struggling.

Cambridge readmits lecturer despite sexual assault claims Grace Piercy Peter Hutchinson has been readmitted to Trinity Hall College at Cambridge University, 2 years after he was withdrawn over sexual harassment allegations. In 2015, the lecturer was banned from direct contact with students following formal allegations made against him by 10 female students, claiming ‘inappropriate sexual and sexist behaviour’. In 2017, it was found that he had not been following these rules and was withdrawn. Now, the college has decided to readmit him as an emeritus fellow, stating that they were ‘incorrect’ to withdraw him and he has ‘rights and privileges’ to attend college events and dine at the college. When this was announced, 150 students, staff, and fellows wrote the college a letter calling for his removal. A former student of Hutchinson’s called the readmission ‘a slap in the face’. After Cambridge was exposed

for dismissing 2 complaints of assault and rape, this attitude towards Hutchinson is unsurprising, having removed sexual misconduct from their official definition of harassment, a move deemed by legal experts unlawful. It shows a complete and total lack of regard from Cambridge towards all of their female students; that their feeling of safety at university is not as important as this mans right to go to events and dinners. When I think about the 10 girls who came forward with allegations, I worry how many didn’t. How many girls sat silently in their tutorials; uncomfortable, unsafe, feeling pressure from someone they

Image: GoodFreePhotos

should trust to respond to his sexual and sexist remarks. And no matter who you are, being put in a position like this can and does silence you. Being made to feel uncomfortable by men who think it’s not serious is all too often a part of the female experience. And this is why there should be zero tolerance for those in positions of power that are using their authority to make their victims complicit, to keep them silent. When people are brave enough to come forward with allegations, especially this many people, punishments should be followed through entirely, not just for 2 years and then reversed, all so he can sit in the same dining hall as students that he made feel unsafe. Hutchinson should not be readmitted. He should not have ‘rights and privileges’ as a fellow when he behaved in such a disgusting way towards students. He repeatedly abused his power, as so many have, and should not be so easily forgiven by us or the university.

comment Discussing Boris: is the PM’s call

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Monday 11 November 2019

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

for a general election a good one?

Kelly Corcoran and Faye Navasey discuss the pros and cons of the Prime Minister’s decision to call a Winter general election

Kelly Corcoran

Like a broken record, on the 28thof October the EU agreed to Boris Johnson’s request for an extension on Brexit negotiations, granting what they have called a “flextension”. Thus, the UK has until the 31stof January to get a deal, and get out. However, as if UK politics hasn’t been unstable enough over the past few years, the PM has now called for another general election to take place in December this year, the second in two years. Why? So that he can ensure and stabilise a Conservative Party majority in parliament and get his deal through, sounds familiar doesn’t it! However, with the public’s trust in politicians decreasing, perpetuated by Boris’ betrayal of ensuring that the UK would leave the EU on the 31stof October, declaring that he would “rather die in a ditch” than fail to do so, can a general election really be considered a good idea? I would argue no. Not only does this seem a radical way to try to stabilise UK politics, but it is a risky one too. With the rise of previously ‘background’ parties such as the SNP, the Lib-Dems and the Brexit party, hundreds of seats across the country are now up for grabs. The winning party really can’t be predicted. This is a pattern forewarned to us in the 2017 election when the Conservative party unexpectedly lost their majority. Furthermore, across the three elections that took place between 2010 and 2017, 49% of voters did not vote for the same party. This proves that party loyalty has been crushed over the past decade, highlighting the increasing political volatility and uncertainty in the UK. Additionally, this general election is unlike others in that we are not just voting for who we believe has the skills and the drive to govern this country,

but rather, we are voting for who we believe has the ability to govern Brexit also. This is not only a general election about UK politics, but one about EU politics too. So how does this influence how we vote? Voting becomes significantly reliant on where you stand on the Brexit division; leave or remain. This immediately alienates parties from certain members of society, widening the sense of division and hostility within the country. With this in mind, is it really a general election that the nation needs, or rather, do we

need another referendum? A general election is often perceived as the epitome of democracy. However, if we cannot have another vote on our future relationship with the EU, particularly now that we know the truth of the situation, can this really be seen as democratic? Surely democracy covers the ability to change your mind also? And this sense of betrayal lies on both sides of the debate, not just those who voted leave. The nation’s trust in the politicians and the legitimacy of their intentions is dying, so general election aside, can any of them truly be seen to have the best intentions of our country at heart, or has Brexit and now another general election merely become part of a power play among already powerful politicians?

Faye Navasey

Whilst Johnson’s intends for this election to be a way to revive his failed Brexit plans this election provides a great deal of opportunity for the country even if it brings me great discomfort to agree with Johnson. A lot has happened since 2017, there is a new prime minister, whom no one voted

Image: Public Domain Pictures (ballot box) and Reddit (Johnson)

for, the composition of Parliament has changed and constituencies that voted for Labour or Conservative may have a Liberal Democrat or Independent MP. These factors combined make the current Parliament out of date and unrepresentative, for example, former Labour MP Chuka Umunna has been in three different parties this year but is able to retain his seat. The logical solution to this is a general election which would provide a chance for popular control to play its part in democracy and give the government legitimacy. Equally, for many, particularly students, this will be their first opportunity to vote and decide which path the country should go down at such a crucial moment, particularly those who are frustrated at not being able to have their say in the Brexit referendum in 2016. After numerous attempts, it is evident that the current parliament is unable to find a resolution to Brexit and its deadlock has become a national humiliation. If we have a general election a new government may be able to resolve Brexit, or failing that, there may be at least be more consensus among MPs as to what the path forward should be. If one thing is for certain, a general election cannot make the deadlock any worse than it already is. The current parliament has failed to offer a solution to Brexit so it is only right we elect a new one. No matter what party you are going to vote for, see this general election as a chance to make the genuine and necessary change to a country whose current politicians are failing it.

Was the UK and US’s military intervention over ISIS justified?

Following the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghadi, Victoria Osho and Joe Molander discuss what we’ve done in the region

Victoria Osho

On the 26 October 2019, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi committed suicide in Syria by detonation of a suicide vest. While in light of the atrocities that ISIS caused around the world, particularly summer of 2018, this can be considered great news, the damage the US military (funded by the UK government as well) has done in Iraq and Syria over the past couple of years cannot be disregarded.

Yes, the main leader is dead, but the teachings, the idealism, and the doctrine still remain

It would be wrong to overlook these damages just because the ISIS leader is now dead. Yes, their main goal has now been achieved. However, the means to get to that goal caused a series of bloodshed, bereaved families, and fundamentally, left a country in terrible shape and condition. Furthermore, the death of the ISIS leader does not even guarantee the end of ISIS. Yes, the main leader is dead, but the teachings, the idealism, and the doctrine still remain. That in itself will never die, and as long as there are people out there who agree with this doctrine, IS will never truly be dead. Despite the masses of bloodshed, it is important to know that ISIS did not only terrorise internationally; their own country too saw great terror. The fear that one of your rel-

atives will suddenly want to join ISIS, ripping your family apart in the process, or the fear that your home could be blown up in the name of honour and integrity. Military intervention not only benefitted the rest of the world, but the inhabitants of the country too (obviously not completely, but to an extent). This is definitely not a black and white argument, but the defeat of the IS leader sheds a light of hope, both internationally and locally. However, I do believe that the US and UK governments must help Iraq and Syria rebuild their countries, they are the ones that tore it down in the first place.

Joe Molander On 31 October, ISIS confirmed the death of its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in an announcement that prompted many to praise intervention against the terrorist group, which has been ongoing since 2014 and involves several countries, including the US, UK and Russia.

With the legacy of Iraq and Afghanistan still hanging over the western zeitgeist, intervention in the Middle East can be a hard sell politically, so when good news comes from the region, our political leadership make sure to let us know. It’s even more understandable that world leaders took a lap of honour at the news of alBaghdadi’s demise: the first recognised ‘caliph’ of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant has been killed, meaning Trump has been able to achieve what he calls “the top national security priority of my administration”. A man has been killed who owned sex slaves, directed massacres and participated in genocide, Image: Flickr and it’s hard to find sympathy. However, the achievement of one

short-term goal does not necessarily justify longterm intervention against ISIS. A successor was swiftly appointed after al-Baghdadi’s death, minimising its net impact, and several parts of the international community’s response to ISIS deserve scrutiny. In 2015, the UK Royal Air Force carried out a drone strike before it had received authorisation from Parliament, while US-led coalition forces have a history of underreporting civilian deaths.

Action against ISIS is necessary: the issue is whether military intervention is the best course of action

That action against ISIS is necessary is hard to deny: the issue is whether military intervention is the best course of action. Intervention has seen ISIS lose almost all of their territory, but we’ll still only be able to see the long-term impact in, shockingly, the long-term. Before we see if the many countries involved in the region continue to work with the affected countries after the fighting stops – to help deal with power vacuums, displacement of people and infrastructure damage – we cannot say for sure whether the intervention was beneficial to the region, and thus justifiable. The western world slapped itself on the back with Iraq and Afghanistan far before the job was done, and if we’re not careful, history could repeat itself.

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comment

Monday 11 November 2019

Operation Brock: are we doing enough for no-deal Brexit?

Emily Hawksley and Jamie Hampton weigh in on if we’re doing enough for a no-deal Brexit Emily Hawksley

Operation Brock is a plan to manage traffic congestion on the M20 as part of a plan for no-deal Brexit. The plan would see one side of the motorway being used only by HGVs heading to cross-Channel ports while other traffic is restricted to a contraflow system on the opposite carriageway. These measures are designed to keep the M20 open in both directions in case there is disruption to services across the English Channel. This plan for the M20 is the first major preparation which has been made for a no-deal Brexit, and there’s a reason. Despite setting deadline after deadline, each one announced with a certainty that Brexit will definitely happen this time, not much seems to have been done to prepare the country for Brexit, whether there’s a deal or not. While some members of the public have been preparing themselves for Brexit, the government has not had many preparations set in stone for a no-deal Brexit. The lack of government planning and preparation for Brexit is almost indicative of the fact that politicians have no idea what they are doing about Brexit. This is further emphasised by the

endless months of making plans and deals only to have both rejected while Theresa May was Prime Minister, and again with the most recent deadline change from the end of October to January 2020 for the UK to leave the EU. As a result, the general public are becoming less patient and more scared over the uncertainty and delay of Brexit, which the government has not addressed properly. People are making their own, much smaller scale preparations for Brexit: some are doing more than the politicians who are meant to be running the country.

Jamie Hampton As Operation Brock came into force prior to the dreaded Brexit extension, we could see just how extensive the preparations for a no-deal scenario were: a freedom of information request has found that £30,000,000 was pledged purely for Operation Brock, in order to properly manage Kent’s traffic system and to allow lorries to move as smoothly as possible across the channel. However, while it’s all well and good improving plans to keep the M20 open, the burden of preparing for Brexit shouldn’t lie entirely on the government. Tim Martin – founder and chairman of Wetherspoons – is a perfect examImage: Youtube

ple of how big businesses should take responsibility for their own sustainability in a no-deal scenario. The ability to turn unfortunate circumstances into an opportunity for profit is exactly what big business tycoons should be doing: after all, sustaining a business within the vicissitudes of any economy, regardless of uncertainty, is what the world of business demands. I find it frankly scandalous how many loathsome CBI-affiliated ‘remainer’ CEOs preach the idea of conscientiousness, innovation and the mantra that one can never be successful without due risk, and moving outside of one’s comfort zone (face it, we’ve all heard it), but who are also comfortable enough not to need to follow their own advice or to plan aptly for a no-deal scenario.

No-one is expecting preparations to be watertight

On the topic of public sector preparation such as the readiness of the NHS, Matt Hancock – the health secretary – was quoted as saying that he is “confident” that we could have an unhindered flow of medicines in the scenario of a no-deal Brexit, as the government has been in extensive talks with pharmaceutical companies regarding the business of stockpiling, and delivery of other drugs which may not be able to be stockpiled. Perhaps in the case of a no-deal Brexit, things may not come together as smoothly as we’d like them, nor can anyone guarantee that preparations will work out in the way they’ve been planned, and certainly nobody is expecting the preparations to be water-tight. But on the question of whether or not we are suitably prepared, I would argue that we are as prepared as we can be, and that it is up to the dithering and sycophantic CBI affiliates to pull their trousers up and prepare their industries to the best of their abilities.

Grave issue: the fuss over former fascist Franco

After the former Spanish dictator’s exhumation, Joe Holloran voices concerns about the far-right

n October 24 this year, the remains of former Spanish dictator Francisco Franco (18921975) were exhumed from the Valley of the Fallen (‘Valle de los Caidos’) monument outside of Madrid. Upon the coffin’s arrival at the El Pardo cemetery in the city centre, it was greeted by around 100 far-right supporters. This begs the simple question: why? Why did people turn out to celebrate the legacy of the man responsible for the deaths of around 100,000 of their countrymen within living memory? Franco has been dead for forty-four years now, yet his legacy in Spain is still divided. A recent El Mundo poll found that 32% of Spaniards see Franco in a positive light. To put that number in perspective, think about what the result would be if that same poll was conducted in Germany, with Franco’s name replaced with that of Hitler. When Franco’s descendants – led by his namesake grandson – petitioned the High Court to block the exhumation of his body they received support from many sections of society. Spain, like the rest of Europe, is undergoing a troubled time with high levels of migration and lowering standards of living, leading to a rise in the populist right. However, Spain, unlike the rest of Europe, has recent lived-experiences of a far-right dictatorial government. Despite this, the far-right VOX Party (only founded in 2013) are gaining support quickly. These groups use the image and myth of Franco as an example of a strong leader who can solve the nation’s problems, which only adds to Spain’s memory problem. The results could be catastrophic for European democracy.

troduced the ‘Historical Memory Law’ in 2007. The law acknowledges the crimes of Franco and the memories of his victims for the first time, yet it very nearly didn’t pass amid mass opposition from the conservative People’s Party (PP) who claimed - and continue to claim- that talking about the Franco years is unnecessary as it brings to the forefront a difficult time in Spain’s past. In recent years the populist far-right has also risen its ugly head in Germany and Italy, in the form of the ‘Alternative for Germany’ (AfD) and ‘North League’ (LN) respectively. Both of these countries were of course formerly under fascist rule, and while these groups have large numbers of supporters (the working-class mass orchestrated by a elite minority is always the case with the far-right), opposition

groups of both the democratic centre and centre-left - as well as groups of the far-left - have risen up to check their advance. This is because the legacy of fascism, and of their fascist leaders, is incontrovertible. After the re-unification of Germany in 1990, the new government ensured that the horrors of Nazism were acknowledged across society, in education, monuments and the media. The truth couldn’t be denied. The same is true to a lesser extent in Italy, but in both cases this knowledge proved to be power. The lack of a similar program of reconciliation in Spain results in poll numbers that place Franco’s approval rating at 32% forty-four years after his death and contributes to a fertile ground from which the disease that is neo-fascism can grow.

MAYO-NAY-SE Grace Dean

like mayonnaise more than the average Brit, but sometimes, you have to draw the line. Trying to get into the festive spirit, I ordered a brie and cranberry baguette from eat4less. I’m a loyal customer if I run out of time to make a packed lunch, but this truly offended my taste buds. A couple of years ago, I had ordered one to find it accompanied by iceberg lettuce - not the end of the world, but an odd addition to brie and cranberry in my opinion. This time, however, I was outright repulsed. The sandwich had been finished with lashings of mayonnaise. Mayonnaise. Mayonnaise doesn’t go with brie, and it certainly doesn’t go with cranberry sauce, and what made it even worse was that the mayonnaise was seemingly used to butter the bread, so I couldn’t even scrape it off. Eat4less, I still love you, but please stop with this unnecessary mayonnaise nonsense.

TOAST OF THE WEEK

ROCKING THE VOTE

Matty Lacey

early a third of the 316,264 people who registered to vote in the first two days after the general election was called were under

25. Young voters sent almost 45,000 applications on Tuesday after the 12 December election was announced, beaten on Wednesday by 59,000 applications. Both figures represented a significant improvement on the 13,109 applications sent in on Monday, and the 4981 applications the day before that. This is vital, as the future of our country lies very much in our coevals’ vote, and the upcoming election is truly a once in a generation opportunity to decide the future of Brexit, the NHS and the type of society we want to build. The final date for registering to vote is 26 November, and can be done quite simply at gov.uk/register-to-vote

ROAST OF THE WEEK

TICKET TURMOIL Patrick Young

hy are train tickets so expensive? They are stupid bits of paper that are used once and then binned. What is their point? Surely it would be cheaper if every station and trainline allowed people to use tickets on their phones? After all, we need to conserve the trees, and reduce our paper usage as a nation. Surely one way to do this would be to stop the distribution of printed tickets. The fact that it can cost me up to £100 with a Railcard to travel from university to London is ridiculous. Especially as I can fly two people out to France for the same price, or cheaper! This isn’t just a problem a few of us face. With some fares, it can be cheaper to fly to New York than go from Manchester to London by train. How is that okay?

Franco’s crimes were only officially acknowledged in 2007

So why has Franco’s legacy survived so intact in the four decades since his death? The answer is simple – the liberal and conservative governments who have ruled Spain since its democratization didn’t want to acknowledge their role in the consolidation of Franco’s power. The only party who stood up to Franco after the Civil War was the Socialist Workers Party (PSOE) and it was they who in-

SOAPBOX

Image: Wikipedia

life&style

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Monday 11 November 2019

c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk @Courier_Life thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle Life & Style Editor Nimra Rafique Lifestyle Editors Catherine Entwistle, Cecilia Adamou, Holly Margerrison & Jess Herbert

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Blind Date

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Hey Abbie, what made you sign up for Blind Date with the Courier? It was an unusual opportunity; something I had not tried before. No matter the outcome, it’s a story to tell. Your date was the night after Bonfire Night, but do you think there were fireworks between you two? I found myself getting along with him well, but I believe it seemed to spark a friendship rather than anything in the romantic sense.

I was 25 minutes late... and my card broke so I couldn’t pay the taxi! What’s your type and how did James compare? He was a genuine, down to earth lad and was particularly chilled - providing I was 25 minutes late... and my card broke so I couldn’t pay for the taxi! If James was a takeaway what would he be and why? Margarita pizza - enjoyable and you can’t go wrong. What did you talk about on your date? Anything topics you’ve avoided? Anything and everything! No topics were avoided. Describe James in three words. Easy-going, friendly, intelligent If you could redo your date what would you do differently? I would try not to arrive late! Will there be a second date on the cards? If so where will you go? Unfortunately not from my side. Would you recommend blind date? Yeah, it’s a rare experience, and some fun if nothing else!

Hey James, how long have you been single? I’ve been single long enough! What’s your favourite way to meet potential dates? Real life, dating apps, mutual friends etc. I normally meet people through mutual friends. If they made your dating life into a Netflix series what would it be titled? Lost. What was your first impression of Abbie? How did she compare to your normal type? She seemed really nice. What did you get up to on your date? We went for drinks at The Lonsdale. If Abbie was a club in Newcastle which one would she be and why? I think she’d probably be Powerhouse.

I don’t really go on many dates so it ranks quite high Did you have a lot in common? Not really, she was a series watcher but I prefer watching movies. Where does it rank out of all the dates you’ve ever had? I don’t really go on many dates so it ranks quite high. Describe Abbie in three words. Half hour late. Do you think you’ll see each other again? I doubt it since we live such different lives.

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life & style lifestyle

Monday 11 November 2019

My therapy: advice from students F

Reading

or me, if something is to be considered therapeutic, it has to be a form of escape. It has to be something that occupies me entirely, and allows me to switch off from the outside world, forgetting my troubles. With this in mind, a form of entertainment that can take me everywhere from Hogwarts, to outer-space, to Ancient Rome- all within a few hours- most definitely appeals. I’m talking, of course, about a good, oldfashioned book. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no better form of entertainment. These days, it’s all too easy to scroll through our phones or load up Netflix when w e want to relax, and these options can seem less taxing than actually re a d i n g something. However, are we really switched off when we’re sat in front of the television? Let’s be honest- after Image: Mohamed Hassan freeimagesandillustrawatching TV for tions.blogspot.com a while, most of us find ourselves reaching for our phones. Once we’ve reached for said phones, things go from bad to worse. When we’re trying to relax phones are, quite simply, detrimental. How can we truly ‘switch off’ from the outside world when we’re constantly getting notifications from our university email accounts, reminding us of all the work we haven’t done? How can we relax when social media is bombarding us with air-brushed images, reminding us of that diet we keep meaning to start? How can we unwind when our coworkers are constantly in touch, asking us to swap shifts on Tuesday? This is where a book has the upper-hand. Put simply, we can’t read two things at once. This means that, when we’re reading a book, we’re concentrating solely on said book. This allows us to become absorbed in the plot. When we’re reaching the conclusion of a good murder mystery, I can guarantee that we’re not worrying about the email we forgot to send this afternoon. As ‘therapies’ go, reading is cheap, too. Pop down to your local second-hand book store, and you’ll be amazed at the array of titles you can pick up, usually for no more than a few pounds. When you’re finished with a good read, you could even sell it back to them, meaning you can justify buying another title that takes your fancy. As a life-long reader, I’ve also found that a love of reading is a great conversation starter, and a great way to make friends. Chatting about your favourite books with a fellow bookworm is almost as relaxing as the reading itself. Some of my favourite memories stem from my love of books, from dressing up as Harry Potter characters as a child, to taking my Grandmother to see a stage version of a book that we both happen to love.

Exercise

often say to people that exercise is my own personal form of therapy and it’s great: available whenever I want it, can very easily be made free and the guarantee of always feeling better than before I exercised is priceless. Exercise I find never fails to lead to an improved mood, peace of mind and mental state. Provided you exercise without pushing yourself beyond what your body can handle and aside from potential next day soreness which in itself is often a good pain - the great thing about exercise is that there are no negative side effects. Exercise is far from just being about changing our exterior, ‘slimming down’ or ‘toning up’. It is proven that exercise brings about chemical changes in our bodies. By releasing endorphins into our bloodstreams we, put quite simply, come out the other end feeling fantastic. Life as a university student can get very busy. It can get stressful and overwhelming and at times it may feel like it is getting hard to cope. Using exercise as therapy can help improve your mental health and wellbeing. Exercise can cover anything from hitting the gym, going for a morning run through Jesmond Dene, practising some home yoga from the myriad youtube videos online or simply getting in your 10,000 steps a day walking to and from campus.

It’s a time to escape from the pressures of a constantly beeping phone Walking, jogging, running - the power of moving and of getting your daily dose of fresh air is unparalleled. A huge benefit of exercise is that whilst lifting those weights, squatting that squat or holding that plank, your brain and body are so entirely focussed on the strenuous activity at hand that they simply don’t have time to think about that deadline, meeting with your tutor or the mealprep you have to do when you get home. It’s a time to escape from the pressures of a constantly beeping phone, dinging reminders and endless responsibilities. Another huge plus is that you can exercise as much or as little as you want, and whenever you want, it’s completely up to you and your schedule. You don’t need a fancy gym membership, or excess hours in the day to make exercise your therapy. I say, a little bit of exercise a day keeps the stress away so get moving, get those endorphins released and start to take control of your health, keep that mental health balanced and feel your selfesteem boost. Laura Chaney

A love of reading is a great conversation starter If you’d like to encourage yourself to read more, I thoroughly recommend making a Goodreads account. You can track your reading habits, whilst chatting with other bookworms online. Finally, if I haven’t already convinced you to pick up the nearest book, remember this: studies have shown that just 6 minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by over two thirds. Just imagine what swapping twenty minutes of Instagram for twenty minutes of reading could do. Em Richardson

Image: Instagram: @doodlebotillustration

The beach

he seaside is, and I imagine always will be, my therapy. As a child my summers were spent at Cove, a remote village on the West Coast of Scotland, where (usually regardless of the temperamental Scottish weather) July and August were spent on the beautiful, near-empty beaches. My childhood memories are a happy haze of various boating adventures, competitive beach games, building enormous sandcastles, hunting for cowries and inevitably being chased with jellyfish by my brother and his friends. Come rain or shine, a bonfire would be made and energy levels revived with sandy sausages and smokey cups of tea.

A friend and I would hop on our bikes and cycle two or so miles to the rugged coastline This love for the ocean has remained with me as I’ve grown up and it’s not a coincidence that when searching for refuge I always find myself escaping to the seaside. During my last two years of school, a friend and I would hop on our bikes as soon as lessons finished on a Friday and cycle the two or so miles to the rugged coastline. For us, this was the ultimate Friday feeling and something we would spend the whole week looking forward to. I’d watch the seabirds diving, feel the sea breeze on my face and let the hypnotizing waves calm whatever stresses and strains may have been thrown at me that week, it was, without a shadow of a doubt, my therapy. A rather stressful Freshers week over and I had an overwhelming urge to be beside the sea; the beginning of a time in my life where my ‘beach therapy’ moved from being something I loved to a genuinely crucial part of my mental health wellbeing. For the past two years I’ve usually visited Tynemouth at least once a week; sometimes to swim, to surf, for evening BBQs, sunny beach days, for ‘me’ time, to dog watch, to run, to grab a coffee or brunch, for long conversations with friends, but most importantly to clear my head and gather perspective once more. Every single time, I come away feeling happier and lighter, ready to face hectic university life once more. I’m sure a lot of you reading will know what I mean when I say there is a special type of feeling you get from being by the ocean, as cliché as it sounds, there is a reason they say it’s good for the soul. Meggie Williams

Talking

ven in today’s society, in which mental health issues have received some well-deserved representation in the media to tackle social stigma, it can still be hard to reach out to someone and say ‘I need help’. In fact, it often feels impossible. But I’ve never been more glad that I finally said those three words. I think that many people will agree with me when I say that one of the main reasons why we avoid talking about our mental health is because we fear that we will be misunderstood, or that our problems will be dismissed as easily as a casual remark. I can’t even begin to count the amount of times I’ve heard “it’s just of those days, it’s fine” or “we all feel like that” or “you’ll get over it”, and I’m ashamed to say that I believed every word. I thought that if I just give it some time, fake it till I make it, all my problems would vanish and I would feel happy again. In public, I would smile and laugh, slowly merging into a version of myself that I knew I wanted to be, but didn’t recognise. In private, I’d eat my feelings, cry, and spend most of my time sleeping. Not my healthiest methods of coping, I admit. Years passed, and all the issues that I have avoided dealing with were still there at the back of my mind, waiting to be addressed. Finally, I decided that enough was enough, and plucked up the courage to ask for help. I’ve had counselling in the past, but I was always too scared to talk about what really bothered me, so I focused on the smaller issues in the hopes that the real problem would eventually disappear on its own. (Spoiler alert: it didn’t.) A few weeks ago, I said out loud what was truly bothering me for years. And as much as it was terrifying, and painful, and emotionally difficult, for the first time in a long time, I felt like I could breathe. I didn’t feel judged, my feelings weren’t dismissed - instead, it felt like I was taking back my power. I learned that talking to someone can make all the difference, and that honesty really is the best policy. Being honest about how I feel, and talking to a professional is probably the greatest thing I’ve done for myself in a long time. So if you ask what my idea of therapy is, it’s, well… therapy in its most literal form. Talking about what’s really on your mind can truly be a therapeutic experience, and as much as I hate being a cliche, I do feel like it has changed my life for the better. Margarita Ivanova

The Contrace F

rom my own personal experience, I have never ever had a single sexual health lesson in school. Whereas most schools promoted learning how to put a condom on a banana, which was of course followed by a series of childish giggles, my experience at a Catholic state school was the opposite. We didn’t have any sexual health classes, our PSE lessons were composed of learning about drugs and alcohol. I was never shunned if I was to go on contraception, but we were never encouraged to do so for our own sexual health. There is an overarching stereotype of women who are ‘on the pill’ as being crazed, tearful lunatics , but in reality - women who are using hormonal contraception genuinely do face severe backlash side effects to mental health. Whilst I was on the implant the natural hormonal balance in my body was interupted which contributed greatly to the emergence of issues like anixety and low mood- I would worry Image: Wik constantly over things I shouldn’t even be worried about and I would stress that no one liked me - to a great extent these thoughts do still cloud me daily. I began to put on weight and started to dislike who I was, I began doubting myself, thinking everyone hated me and that I wasn’t good enough. After contact-

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lifestyle life & style Expert guide: how to smash your assignments

Monday 11 November 2019

Who knew essays could be fun? Bilyana Yordanova’s shares her tried and tested tips on how to ace your work

aving your very first assignments at university can be stressful. It’s often that you feel as if you won’t manage to meet the criteria because you’re not used to this type of work, or the deadline worries you, or the idea that you just don’t understand the task. There could be so much unnecessary pressure - all you think about is the fact that you will be marked, that you don’t want a bad one and so forth. But what if I tell you that doing assignments can be quite interesting and not exhausting at all? The key moment is to try not to see an assignment as just another obligation, but as another opportunity to learn new things and explore new areas of your field of study. After that realisation, it’s all about finding your own way, your own techniques and realising what works best for you. This could take a while, but in the meantime you can start by… Choose an essay topic you are actually interested in if possible. Once the topics are released, go through the list, think about them and choose

the one that is close to you - certainly, the research process won’t be hard but enjoyable. Recap lectures. Whether it’s a complex or a super easy topic, it’s good at all times to recap the information, to repeat some essentials parts, to go through your old notes as well as to make new ones. This way you will be prepared for the essay and by summarising the key concepts you will understand them better and you will go further in the issue. Research. Try to find the readings that work best for you - instead of using only the recommended ones, go to the library and search for relevant readings or do it online. If you have good readings, you will have a good academic base and the writing process will be easier. Make a good plan. After doing your readings, highlighting the essential information and taking notes, come up with a plan. Be mindful of the purpose of your essay, about the arguments you’re using and use the resources and the information as tools to prove the certain point. Start at least 10 days before the submission date. If it’s not a timed essay, try to start as soon as possible, just to be sure. Focus on the introduction, as this is a vital part of the essay. Know your arguments well and try to use them in a relevant and understandable way through academic resources. Keep going. Even if you are not using the right words whilst writing. You can always go back and fix the sentences, and think of better ways to express your ideas. Don’t expect to have the perfect academic work right away. Proofread. This is probably the most important moment which everyone seems to forget. When you consider your work as finished, read through it, imagine you are the examiner who’s going through it. Try to grade your work objectively and to spot the weak parts of it. Use your critical

thinking not only when writing it, but also when reading it. Stay calm. After all, we are all here at university to learn how to do things. If we already knew how to do them and were experts, we wouldn’t be here, would we? Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and use your time wisely. If the library is the place where you can focus, go there and do work until you don’t feel like studying. If your room is inspiring and cosy, make yourself a hot coffee/chocolate and study for as long as you want to. It’s all about you and your own studying habits, which you have enough time to develop. You got this!

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Table talk: do we still value table manners? Catherine Entwistle explains the art of eloquence and why manners still matter

E Instagram: @positivetools4life

eption Diaries

kimedia

ing my Doctor about these problems I was told that I was ‘a beautiful girl, with the whole world ahead of me’ from an actual NHS certified practioner with a degree in medicine. How the hell is that an acceptable response to a young girl coming to you experiencing horrible thoughts. My problems were belittled and made out to be nothing. I had tried various forms of hormonal contraception for my own sexual health up until this point including various pills, an injection and the implant, and now I’m on the Mirena Coil and things really have hardly improved. Of course I’m not going to stop being on contraception for the forseeable future where I do not want to have children, however, I think there needs to be more awareness and support for the side effects to hormonal contraception. And not only is it my mental health that has been affected - acne, weight gain, and I virtually have no periods anymore, and whatever is yet to come. From such a young age, many women are exposed to the harsh chemical imbalance caused by hormonal contracetpion - entirely their choice, granted, but little were they aware of the severe side effects that will impact them, and although I know how to manage my side effects (just about) so that they don’t bog me down too much, many don’t. Many never will. Katie Brownlee

lbows off the table”, “don’t eat with your mouth full” and “no burping at the table” are just some of the arduous reminders that most people growing up will be familiar with. They may seem silly and pointless, but manners do matter and it is shocking at times that many people seem to have navigated life without them. Even at the age of twenty-three, I must admit I very much appreciate table manners and politeness. That’s not to say I am some sort of prude – quite the opposite. But growing up, manners were always hugely important in my family, and it is only as I’ve grown up and worked with other people in a variety of jobs as well as lived away from home with other students that the importance of manners has become abundantly clear to me. They are not costly yet they are worth their weight in gold when it comes to showing respect to others as well as earning their respect in return. It would seem that in this modern age, parents are getting worse and worse at disciplining their children. Take a look around any family-friendly restaurant and it would appear that the war on table manners is yet to be fought. I have witnessed children standing on a table in a restaurant before, to which the majority of other punters as well as the manager responded with immediate horror. Often it seems that parents find a way of avoiding responsibility and rarely do you see parents telling off their children in public. Is this for fear of what people might say in today’s judgemental society? Perhaps so, but having worked in hospitality myself for many years, I can confirm that table manners and general politeness is always rewarded with a friendlier, more generous service from staff. It is refreshing that eating out has become a more accessible and relaxed pastime. With this relaxation of mealtimes comes a relaxation of the

rules however. Children don’t see going out to eat as a treat and so consider the experience as an everyday service. Food gets thrown, iPads and phones rule, and conversation and cutlery is, at best, optional. Many children now don’t understand how to sit patiently and wait, thanks to the constant need for engagement with technology. The blame can’t all be shifted onto the children however, for the parents must lead by example. Where table manners, and manners in general, don’t exist, children will have no exemplar to learn from. There are some parents out there who admit that disciplining children at the dinner table is become increasingly more difficult.

The importance of sitting around a table to eat as a family has declined The fast pace of modern life means that meal times are often rushed. The increase in takeaway food (an easy option when time is limited) means more eating with fingers, and less sitting around a

table. The importance of sitting around a table to eat a meal as a family has declined, meaning there are less opportunities to monitor manners. When we look at the bigger picture in the current climate of worldwide poverty, war and social unrest, I think it’s important to take a realistic approach to table manners. In some cultures, burping after a meal is a sign of respect. Whereas ‘elbows off the table’ is a very British thing, which shows that there really isn’t one set of steadfast rules. What’s more important is that we maintain civility and respect in social situations as we go through life. Sometimes, all you want to do after a long day is curl up on the sofa and order a takeaway and that’s fine. The key message here is that, as social animals, manners make up part of our set of social skills and it’s these skills which carry us through life. How well we are able to interact with other people is key to future success, whether that be being polite to somebody on public transport, or knowing how to conduct yourself in an important job interview. There is a famous quote that states: “good manners will open doors that the best education cannot”. Manners extend farther than the dinner table, but it’s certainly a good place to start.

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life & style fashion

Monday 11 November 2019 c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Kajal Patel, Phoebe Eyles & Shamara Mohsin

Must-have essentials for your winter wardrobe

Ellie Pidgeon gives us her ultimate guide on all the items you need to have in order to spice up your wardrobe this winter

Image: Alexandra Gorn on Unsplash

f you’re a regular reader of fash- costly purchase; I’ve been wearing mine so much, howion magazines, you will notice ever, that I’d already got my money’s worth within the the ever-changing fashion first week of wear. Again, this jacket is incredibly versatile, landscape. and can be added to almost every outfit. I think it looks Everyday new trends leave as particularly classy when paired with a black turtle neck quickly as they arrived. Not only is jumper and a patterned skirt. it extremely time consuming but it also breaks the bank. In order to save A leather jacket is at least part of that student loan, I your best friend, recommend acquiring these wardrobe staples - you can rely on them and that goes for to always remain in style and they any season too can be paired with almost anything. My personal favourite, my trusty black denim skirt, can be used for For those slightly warmer days, even though every occasion. It can simply be paired they occur once in a blue moon, I love wearwith a plain block t-shirt, or for the ing my leather jacket. I personally prefer colder months, it looks equally as fash- faux-leather as it’s slightly kinder to the purse, ionable with a knit jumper. Worn with and to the environment. It adds a new dia pair of brown ankle boots, this staple mension to even the most basic of outfits is almost certainly a classic that is easand looks extremely effective when paired ily thrown on. It gives the illusion with a fabric scarf with a monotone patthat you spent hours deliberating tern, another wardrobe staple that is on what to wear, when in reality, essential for this cooler period. A you slept straight through your leather jacket is your best friend, alarm! and that goes for any season too. Continuing with illusion of Whilst I’m certain that everya carefully constructed outone has at least one pair of jeans, fit, a block coloured jumper I cannot stress the importance adds an element of sophisticaof owning a variety of different tion to any outfit. It’s so simple - it can be coloured jeans. Jeans vary in every worn with either jeans or a skirt but a bright colour - from your classic navy and coloured jumper adds a pop of colour into black, to a slightly more unconvena dreary winter’s day, whilst keeping you tional (but equally stylish) white warm. My personal recommendations of or brown. All of these provide a colours include emerald green, cream, navy more refined outfit, especially when blue and burnt orange. paired with complementary coloured Especially as the nights draw in and top. Again, these can worn with the temperature drops, I have been both boots and trainers, but also Instagram :@tatjanadrmach heels and wedges on a night out. living in faux fur coat. At first glance it might appear that this is an extremely For me, wardrobe essentials are

extremely alluring - they take the guess-work out of outfit synthesis as they can be fashionably paired with the vast majority of items already found in your wardrobe. Due to their versatility, numerous different outfits comprise of these staples. Therefore, your wardrobe is greatly expanded, without taking upt he minimal wardrobe space provided in student accommodation.

ImageSource:PrettyL;ittleThing.com

Acing your accessories Our fashion fixation: H&M Charley Moran looks at the fashion brand she thinks is killing Cayla Viner shares 2019 accessories and how to wear them

oming up to the cold season, it’s important to know what accessories we all need to spruce up our winter woollies. From bags to hairpieces, here is a roundup of all the latest accessories that are trending this season. Bucket hats Now, this hat is definitely not a new invention but they have made a massive comeback, appearing all over the catwalks across the likes of London and New York. While we thought that they would die down when the sun stopped shining on the summer festivals, they have remained a popular piece of headwear, even replacing the beanie for the next chillier months. Vintage Scarves Another blast from the past are silk scarves, you may believe they’re a little impractical to wear instead of grandma’s knitted neck warmer, however, these vintage patterned pieces of silk can have so many uses. They can be worn around the wrist, in your hair and even become an added layer to your outfit. And with so much colour and boldness to their designs, you shouldn’t underestimate the power of their presence! Oversized tote bags This is an extremely versatile accessory in terms of its style and usage. You are spoiled for choice of colours and patterns that you will be bound to find the perfect tote for you. While trendy mini bags are on the other end of the scale this season, if you’re anything like me and end up picking up random items from the shops that you hadn’t planned, then having a tote is vital. Dress them up or dress them down this massive accessory works on all occasions. Scrunchies They are everywhere. Possibly the biggest accessory trend of 2019, these hair ties have become a bit of a comfort item. This item elicits a sense of nostalgia and child-like innocence that we don’t want to quite let go of yet. You will see them in all areas of the media, and many of your fave celebs will be sporting this wardrobe essential. And, as long as the VSCO trend is still going, I think we can rely on the fact that scrunchies are going to stay for a little while longer.

the game right now and why you should be lovin' them too

he brand that needs ‘loving’ right now is definitely the Swedish retailer H&M. The retailer is the second largest in the world and has stores in 62 countries demonstrating the global popularity of the brand. According to sources, the brand is the 12th most popular and famous brand allowing it to be recognised for its trendy and fashionable clothing, I simply cannot get enough of the brand as the products they continue to bring out excel all expectations.

The brand has pledged to use 100% recyled or sustainable materials by 2030"

Instagram: @francescas

Firstly let’s look at the brand itself, it is one of the few which can be recognised for taking a step forward to becoming a more ethical and environmentally friendly name. The brand has pledged to use 100% recycled or sustainable materials by 2030 as well as becoming 100% ‘climate positive’ by 2040 by using renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency in all its operations. Although these are in fact only targets with deadlines still fairly long away they are a huge step in the right direction and have a huge influence on other brands who are now beginning to set similar goals and targets to help the environment by limiting the damage being done with fast fashion. The brand was first seen in Sweden on October 4th 1947 coming across to the UK in 1976, meaning the brand has gone through all the trends from A-Line mini skirts and collar shift dresses in the 60s to the neon colours and leg warmers in the ’90s. The brand has been phenomenal and flourished in success throughout its time on the high street and continues to produce products we love today! The brand still introduces new lines that keep up with the fast-moving market and cover all types of clothing for Women, men, children and even a home section. H&M covers absolutely everything, and you are guaranteed to find what you need and will definitely be leaving the store with more than you needed. They never

fail to impress in particular with the variety of clothes sizes they offer, inclusive to all men and women of all sizes, so that they all can experience what they have to offer. In particular, I find personally, H&M have always excelled in their knitwear, as one of the few places I can purchase good quality clothing suitable for winter, and at a low price.

H&M covers absolutely everything, and you are guaranteed to find what you need

Therefore, the brand I’m lovin’ right now is H&M who’s recent modification to its mission focusing more upon the ethical approach, on top of the high-quality products they continue to produce at reasonable prices. You seriously can’t beat these players in the game right now.

Instagram: @hm

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fashion life & style

Monday 11 November 2019

Why can't we stop buying animal print? A Isabella Lyle explains why animal print is a purrrfectly iconic trend that will be staying in our wardrobes for years to come

nimal print and real fur have always been utilised in fashion designs for decades. It’s something we have seen continually each season, from luxury designers to high - street brands. However, we have now reached a point in fashion where wearing real fur is no longer acceptable. Recently, the luxury fashion house Prada, announced its partnership with the Fur Free Alliance, saying that it Instagram: @asos will no longer be using real fur, starting from their SS20 colicon Bridgette Bardot rocking leopard lection. We have also print on her clothes as well as British seen the rise of faux influencer/ designer Alexa Chung who a nit ith tw ex fur from the London Instagram: @n is known for leopard print coats to be based brand Shrimps, one of her staple looks. who creates luxury Animal print on clothes has been somefaux fur and strongly thing our mothers, fathers, grand advocates for cruelty free fashion.

parents have been wearing for longer than we have and it is something that will not be escaping our eyes anytime soon. And you’d be surprised the number of people who have a piece of animal print in their wardrobe.

It is something that will not be escaping our eyes anytime soon

I have become aware of the criticism that Vegans, Vegetarians and Cruelty Free activists receive for wearing a print that impersonates real animal skin, even though it is faux… Many people cannot understand how those who advocate

in people being misled when seeing someone wear a faux fur animal print. However, we buy other prints because we love the design of the piece of clothing so why not faux animal print? To put it bluntly, if one loves animal print, I say wear it! What is much more important is to think ethically about anything you wear. The implications that fast Instagram: @boohoo fashion has on sustainability is becoming increasingly more relevant. It’s important to realise that wearing animal print is not a way of promoting animal cruelty but a choice as long as it is faux and from a sustainable source it’s OK.

Animal print is a timeless, staple piece in one’s wardrobe

Although positive changes have been adopted from leading fashion brands not using real fur in their designs, the question I often ask myself, is why can’t we stop buying animal print, even if faux? For me the answer is now simple, animal print is a timeless, staple piece in one’s wardrobe. We see trends go in and out of fashion constantly, but animal print arguably has never gone out of fashion. The love of animal print even dates back to the era of Hollywood glamour, where we have stars such as Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor wearing animal print. We’ve seen the Parisian chic

Instagram: @topshop

ittlething Instagram: @prettyl

vegetarianism/ veganism and promote animal rights, would wear a jacket that resembles a leopard for instance? There’s a part of me that can see where this criticism stems from. Faux fur can nowadays looks extremely real which can result

Instagram: @bestdressed

Polaroid images: Iwan Shimko on Unsplash

The ultimate guide to knitwear this winter

Yasmin Bridge shares her tips and tricks on how to keep your knitwear fashionable during the colder months in the Toon

ith winter drawing ever closer, it’s time to put away the jackets and dust off your thickest coat (especially if you’re in Newcastle; that fluffy thing you wore last winter really isn’t going to cut it here)! We may look to our wardrobes and think we are subjected to a dreary few months of bland looking layers, but practical and warm does not have to equal unfashionable and dull.

can be enjoyed in style and sophistication, without having to risk frostbite. Your staple looks need not be lost. For example, we can convert the little black dress to its winter appropriate substitute, without losing any of the class, elegance or style it carries.

The knitted jumper dress has been on the rise for the past few years, and rightly so

We are constantly presented with fresh ways to tweak, adapt, accessorise and style our pieces

Knitwear is nothing new, but we are constantly presented with fresh ways to tweak, adapt, accessorise and style our pieces. Headwear is a good place to start. Whether or not you consider yourself a hat person, there really is something for everyone. Both fashion week and the high street are showcasing the rise of the toque. Simple, universal and trendy, these hats are a go to whether it’s a snow day or a bad hair day. Close fitting, the hat will, most crucially, keep your head and ears warm and protected, whilst the upturned brim adds a sense of edge, giving this style its trademark. High end designers showcased these at London Fashion Week ahead of the winter season, and, unsurprisingly, the high streets caught on. This, along with the array of colours available makes the toque a really versatile choice. Within the season of celebration, your festivities

Instagram: @_jessicaskye

The knitted jumper dress, for instance, has been on the rise for the past few years, and rightly so. With an array of cuts, lengths and styles available, the jumper dress can effortlessly take you from day to night, lecture to party, and stand as a showstopper on Christmas day. For a cold day, try a mid-length, roll neck cable knit, paired with laced strap/ buckle biker boots. An oversized, crew neck sweater cut can act as the most comfortable piece of lounge wear. For a night out, the ribbed sleeveless bodycon knit will make you sparkle just as much as the mini dress. What’s more, the jumper dress can really come into play for an evening event. For instance, an off the shoulder knitted maxi or cowl neck midi with a thigh split would work perfectly. For a more adventurous look, try pairing a jumper dress with a ‘seatbelt buckle’ belt on the waist, and thigh boots. As fashion continues to push the boundaries, who is to say you can’t pull off a pair of knitted trousers? If you fancy a change from jeans or joggers, this winter is the time to try all things

knitted from flares to culottes. And of course, the beloved Christmas jumper will be as prevalent this year as ever before. So, whether sheltering from the snow or shining at the Christmas party, your level of style will be much more reliable than the British weather!

Instagram: @negin_mirsalehi

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beauty life & style

Monday 11 November 2019 courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editor Rashida Campbell-Allen & Ellie James

Winter: the enemy of dermatology

y personal way of judging the changing seasons, is to look into my hands. No, I am not a palm reader or psychic, and I could just as easily take a step outside my front door and I would know that winter is coming, just from the rapid drop in temperature. I look at my hands, because when it gets colder, my eczema flares up on them, and then I know that it is time for me to stock up on hand lotion, because this is only the beginning of many months of dry, flaky and sensitive skin. Cold weather can be an absolute killer to the skin, especially if you, like me, suffer from eczema or sensitive skin. Of course, the cold weather affects everybody in some degree, as it strips moisture from any exposed skin, which is why you must take particular care of the skin on your hands and face, as they are the areas most frequently exposed. However, if you know from past experience that you are a particular sufferer from dry skin in the colder seasons, you must allow extra time to make a real effort to care for yourself in the upcoming months. Dry skin may not seem like a very big deal to begin with, but as time passes by and it remains untreated, it can become unbearably itchy and uncomfortable, and it may begin to crack and even bleed. Trust me, you don’t want that to happen. When it comes to taking care of your skin in the autumn and winter, it is best to act fast. As soon as you can feel your skin getting dryer, you should immediately apply moisturiser, and continue to apply it frequently, throughout the colder months. The key to good skincare in the autumn and winter is to use simple, unscented lotions, with minimal chemicals. The bitter cold air is doing a good enough job of irritating your skin without you helping it along, by rubbing perfumes into your dry and sensitive skin. You may need to purchase a heavier lotion in the autumn and winter, as the lighter lotions popular during the summer may not be fully affective on cold-weather damaged skin. My personal go-to brands are E45 and Vaseline Intensive Care: Advanced Repair. You should look out for anything fragrance free, for sensitive skin or dermatologist recommended. It is also important that you fight off the urge to take long, hot showers. No doubt this is the very thing you long for on those freezing cold mornings before Uni, when you forgot to set the heating on a timer, or else when you come home after a long walk from campus in the rain; but this is only going to make your skin worse. Too much washing can strip the protective oils from your skin, putting you more at risk of dryness, and piping hot water can be too intense on your already weather-damaged skin. You should try to keep your showers to a maximum of ten minutes and use warm water instead of hot. I would advise you to moisturise your full body once every day, your face every morning and night, and use hand lotion frequently throughout the day. You should carry a bottle of hand lotion with you at all times and reapply whenever you can feel your hands getting dry and after every time you wash your hands. Emma McCartney Images: pixabaay

Male makeup masters breaking the boundaries of beauty today

Life and Style Editor Nimra Rafique tells us about the beauty moguls breaking gender stereotypes

s the beauty industry has become increasingly diverse over the past few years, there has notably been a greater appreciation for male makeup gurus. From beauty influencers, to makeup artists, men are breaking gender stereotypes through expressing their passion and talent for makeup, and making a name for themselves.

Men are breaking gender stereotypes through expressing their passion and talent for makeup

Make up can be seen as an art form, and what’s an artist without his muse? I mean, look at Da Vinci with his Mona Lisa. The same can also be said for Mario Dedivanovic (@ m a k eupby m a r io), whose muse, Kim Kardashian West, became the canvas that allowed him to showcase his artistic talent to the world and make his mark in the beauty world. Whilst working at his usual retail job, Mario discovered his love for cosmetics and instantly began learning about makeup and started practicing his skills. Once Instagram:@makeupbymario he started working with Kim, his career rapidly changed in a positive way, as he gained recognition for his talent. Before he knew it, Mario became a makeup sensation, with a large following on social media and an A-list clientele such as, the Kardashian/Jenner sisters, Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Katy Perry, Ciara, Chrissy Teigen, Tyra Banks and many more.

Mario became a makeup sensation, with a large following on social media and an A-list clientele

Mario’s signature makeup look is all about creating a natural glam, making his clients look effortlessly flawless, as he states that his ‘aesthetic is about subtle

transformations’. This is something that allows Mario to maintain his fame, as his looks are classic, timeless and perfect for everyone. Along with his global masterclasses, one of Mario’s achievements are the collaborations he’s done with beauty brands such as, Anastasia Beverly Hills and KKW Beauty. With so much success, which is keep on increasing, there’s no doubt that Mario is on the list of best male makeup gurus. Patrick Ta is, again,

Instagram:@bretmanrock

another makeup artist who has risen to fame with is beautiful looks. Just like Mario, Patrick uses his many clients to showcase his amazing talent and express his love for makeup. For Patrick, women have always inspired him, from his mother, sister, best friends Instagram:@patrickta and clients who, to him, were his muses. Patrick stated that he ‘wanted to create makeup that made women feel confident and beautiful in their

own skin, just as women have made [him] feel’. Again, similar to Mario, Patrick’s signature makeup looks focus on enhancing women’s natural beauty with soft glam makeup, using mainly neutral tones. Celebs that he frequently works with are Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Adriana Lima, Hailee Steinfeld, Shay Mitchell, Eva Longoria and many more. Patrick has also launched his own beauty brand with products such as, lipstick, lip gloss, body oil, blush and more. Patrick has worked hard to build his reputation as a makeup artist, making a mark for himself in the beauty industry, and now has earned the title of entrepreneur with the success of his beauty line. A male beauty influencer that has truly built his fame from authenticity and personality, as well as his incredible makeup talent, is Bretman Rock. Unlike both Mario and Patrick, Bretman is his own muse, using his passion for makeup to create bold and daring looks. One thing Bretman does really well is using bright and vibrant colours in his makeup, giving a dramatic effect, which matches his personality p e r f e c t l y. Bretman is truly expressive and creative when it comes to makeup, as he isn’t afraid to create fun, editorial looks and push boundaries. These are just a few of the many male makeup gurus that are subverting stereotypes and proving that the beauty industry isn’t just female oriented, but a space for everyone to use makeup to express themselves and their passion.

My beauty icon of the week

Iona May Todd discusses Shane Dawson as an inspiration for self expression through beauty

pooky season has flitted from the forefront (Mariah Carey is already harmonising in the distance), but seemingly, I simply can’t shift my mind from the crisp coherence of conspiracies. If you can’t already tell where I’m going with this, you’re part of the conspiracy yourself my friend, because I’m not talking mad moon landings or reigning reptiles governing our rhapsodies; I’m talking one black box. One hypnotic spiral. One Illuminati triangle. Two initials – ‘SD.’ Any theories? One Mr Shane Dawson – long-time YouTuber – is being heralded in the beauty industry this week, and is taking no qualms from non-believers upon the release of his ‘Conspiracy’ collection of makeup in partnership with epitomal, billion-dollar business-babe Jeffree Star. Upon the release of the range, and the crash of each website with it’s availability, Shane Dawson has already established his stance within the industry as a one in pure power – intoning inspiration for all novices in makeup to allow for the experimentation with colour in conjunction to conspiracy. What is instantly inspiring about this week’s icon, is the archetypal embodiment of success he imposes upon his fans, in creating a world of openness for all kinds of people wanting to access what he has on offer. Despite his identity being perhaps

represented by technology, videos, perhaps you’d even say pigs, not only has Shane critically spun his identity to assert himself into the beauty industry, but he has used the subjectivity of his identity to use what he has to create something iconic against the odds. As a manner of this, you could believe that beauty then becomes a pathway of self-expression, whether that be through wearing a red eyeshadow look to your Monday lecture, or using a ‘pig’ as the mirror-side of the conspiracy conjecture.

You like being yourself? Show it. Strut it. Do a Shane and embrace it.

You like video games? Make it in make-up .You like going to parties? Express it through your clothes. You like being yourself? Do it through beauty. Show it. Strut it. Do a Shane and embrace it. The matter of the ‘iconic,’ in a business sense, sees Shane, also, re-evaluating the medium of self-portrayal and iconography, to a level of exceptionalism when established alongside his documentary series online. In

this six-part-series, we see Shane grow from the discombobulated novice he once was, to the pertinent beauty guru who, within seconds, has the power of cataclysmic consequence upon the literal and metaphorical web of beauty. In bonding between social media and beauty itself, the target audience of our generation is introduced to the power we ourselves may establish in using the outlets of our access to allow ourselves to become such business moguls as Shane himself. That, readers, is what is an inspiration. It is not the money. Not the product. It’s the involving relationship Shane clarifies between himself and fans, thus, intending tenors of reality to establish a bond upon what can truly be achieved if you try. In doing so, Shane Dawson does not only create a literal spectacle on YouTube upon the look of his beauty methods, he too, creates a platform for society to allow for accessibility. A platform, to allow involvement. A platform, for Shane Dawson to become one of the leading stars for not only beauty, but an idol for inspiration.

Instagram:@shanedawsom

life & style travel

courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors: Amy Harris, Meggie Williams and Beth Robson

the courier

Monday 11 November 2019

Island hop the Cyclades Islands

Is your group chat struggling to agree on your next adventure? Emily Cartwright has found the perfect sun-soaked solution

reece is made up of many beautiful islands, with estimates ranging between 1,200 to 6,000, of which only roughly 200 are inhabited. With much to see, one of the most favoured ways to get around Greece is to go island hopping. There are frequent ferries between most of the inhabited islands so it is fairly easy (and cheap!) to hop on and explore. One of the most popular and beautiful islandhopping routes is touring the Cyclades Islands. Paros sits in the heart of the Aegean Sea and has both modern and traditional aspects to suit your tourist wishes. It has stunning Cycladic and Venetian architecture, good nightlife, beautiful beaches, isolated villages and historical monuments. It also has fantastic water sports available on the beaches. It isn’t one of the most popular islands but is a good start to an islandhopping holiday for the authentic Greek experience. Next, you can go to Naxos, a selfsufficient island even though it’s a onehour ferry from Paros. Like Paros, it has Venetian towers, magical churches, villages, mountains and

beautifully eerie caves. The water surrounding it is a famous turquoise blue like most of the Aegean, and it even has its own castle which has been inhabited for centuries. Then, prepare to party in Ios – one of the most famous party islands in Greece! The clubs and bars are open until dawn in Hora (the capital town of the island), perfect for letting loose after a relaxing few days on beaches, and seeing cultural and historical monuments. For those studying Classics or English Literature (or anyone who’s a bit of a literature geek!), you can visit Homer’s grave on this island. That’s if he even existed, of course! You’ll also be able to find the largest known settlement of the Protocycladic period amidst the night-time chaos. This island, though known only really for its wildness, just proves that Greece has it all to offer: history, culture and party. Santorini proves to be a good next stop after Ios; one of the most popular Greek islands, known for its crystal-

clear beaches and pristine white and blue houses, it’s rather popular with celebs these days, meaning that it’s certainly a place for a treat. It has a plethora of upmarket restaurants, clubs and beach bars. Of course, if this isn’t your cup of tea, you’re still in Greece – you will always be able to find a cheap, family-run taverna! Santorini is actually the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Arc, though what remains today is a water-filled caldera that you will likely see as you head to the port of the island. For this reason, unlike the other islands, Santorini has little architectural history because of its past eruptions. Finally, a perfect stop is Mykonos. Viewed as Santorini’s twin, Mykonos has picturesque blue and white houses alongside its Caribbean-like beaches. The party never stops in Mykonos too, as the gay capital of Greece, there’s always somewhere to have fun. This tour of the main Cyclades Islands is the perfect way to capture Greece as it explores Greek culture, history, party and amazing food. Though if you aren’t keen on doing the island-hopping thing, a recommendation I would stress is Kefalonia. It’s t h e

largest of the Ionian islands in the West of Greece, known for its popularity with turtles. You can even visit to help save the baby turtles who struggle to reach the sea from the beach on their own! Like Paros and Naxos, it has plenty of Venetian architecture and history. It was also ruled by Britain at one point and France at another, so the stamps of different countries can be found all over the island. It has caves to explores, amazing mountains, restaurants galore and has a great nightlife. In my experience, after having been to five other islands, I felt it really captured the essence of Greece. Of course, for all Greek destinations, summer is the best time to go. By June the highs of temperature can be around 27 degrees Celsius which has been known to raise to around 35 degrees Celsius by August. It’s normal to stay above 20 degrees Celsius towards the end of September, so can make a perfect break before returning to University. Greece is one of my favourite places in Europe because it really does have everything, so give it a go!

Image: EzPzPics from Pixabay

Life on the road: the pros & cons Annie Dineen weights up the good and the bad of sub-culture van life and embracing the journey to modern minimalism

ired of raising rent prices and messy house mates? Ditching student digs and adopting van life could be the solution! The new YouTube fad has broken the travel blogging scene, attracting millions of views per vid-

eo, but what is it really like living the van-life in the UK? This article will take you through the pros and cons of van life, to see if this money sav-

Being able to have a house on wheels essentially gives you free accomodation

ing idea could change your life. ‘Van life’ is a phrase used to refer to living inside a converted van, and it has begun to make its way from America over the Atlantic Ocean to the UK. This new and nomadic trend coincides with the rise of minimalism in the UK, forcing people to detach themselves from their belongings and stability of a home, in favour of the financial and physical freedom of living out of a camper van. YouTube and Instagram are overwhelmed with posts of people showing the process of renovating their vans and documenting their daily routines of van life. It’s easy to get swept up in the van life craze after seeing regular people online live a life less ordinary, although rose-tinted videos might not provide the whole picture.

The Pros

Image: Pedro Henrique Santos on Unsplash

Low cost of living One of the main pro’s associated with van life is the low cost. Living out of a vehicle cuts the price of rent out of budgeting, which can be between £300-500 a month in Newcastle, rising significantly in other parts of the UK. Bills such as electricity and water are also a lot

cheaper when living out of a vehicle, as adding features such as solar panels are often used to drastically reduce costs. Freedom to see the world Another pro of van life, which was touched on previously, is the freedom that comes with living out of a van. Being able to have a house on wheels essentially gives you free accommodation in any country you’d ever visit. For people with wanderlust and no commitments, this lifestyle can allow you to travel the world. Lots of privacy The final advantage to van life is extreme privacy. Some couples, families and friends choose to move into a van together to really cut costs, however for people who choose to partake in van life alone, there is a huge amount of privacy. No housemates and neighbours could be perfect for newly graduated professional, tired of living in student houses.

The Cons If the pros of van life listed are currently turning your head away from looking for a house next year towards starting to search for a van on Gumtree,

The small space means having to get creative on space saving ideas.

make sure you’re being realistic that the lifestyle is really for you. Potentially no bathroom and minimal space It’s obvious that moving into a van would be a lower quality home, sometimes without a toilet or a shower. The small space means having to get

creative on space saving ideas. Entertaining guests while living in a van would be a big no-go, so say goodbye to having pre-drinks and afters. Expensive start-up costs Although van life does cut down costs over a period of time, another thing to think about when researching van life is that it does require spending a large chunk of money to start with. Vans initially cost thousands of pounds, with even more money needed to renovate a van into a living space. You also need to remember to factor in the cost of vehicle insurance, maintenance, tax, and petrol. Stressful living situations The final disadvantage of van life is the stress surrounding living in a vehicle. Especially in the UK; where would you park a huge van? Being confined to a caravan park or storage facility could take away from the freedom associated with van life, not to mention the cost of parking fees! Where would you go to the bathroom? Where would you shower? Despite the fact that people currently living a van life all have solutions for these problems, you have to think if it really is worth it. So you decide, does van life seem like a way to escape stress, or does it seem to create more?

Image: Meggie Williams

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travel life & style De-stress International interviews Heidi-Faye Bates interviews student Lisa about the historic French city she calls home home destinations Madeleine Raine shares W the top three locations in the North East to de-stress A Monday 11 Novermber 2019

ith over 5,000 international students from more than 120 countries studying at Newcastle, our exchange students are an important part of the university community. Over the coming weeks we will be getting to know some of them, finding out about the intriguing far flung corners of the world they have come from and what has attracted them to our beloved Toon. Looking for some holiday inspiration or a place to study abroad? Our international students have the answers for you. The first stop on this international tour isn’t too far across the water, to the traditional French student city of Nancy. Erasmus student Lisa, studying Business, English and German, gave me an insight into the historic medieval city which proudly boasts a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Place Stanislas. Situated 96 miles from the fairy-tale city of Strasbourg in the north-eastern department of Meurthe-et-Moselle, Nancy is a major French university centre and its abundance of bars and restaurants caters perfectly for its 47,000 students, giving the city a

vibrant atmosphere and a great place to spend an exchange programme. Lisa described Nancy as a real depiction of a northern French city, which offers both the quaintness of the picturesque oldtown with narrow streets and medieval facades, and the modernity of a working city such as the shopping centre of San Sebastian. Typically smaller and less touristy than its rival university cities, the cost of living is significantly lower with cheaper rent and a good glass of wine for 4 euros, (no trebs I’m afraid). No matter where you go, there’s always an Irish bar for some evening entertainment, and Nancy is no exception to the rule as Lisa told me her favourite was Pub Mac Carthy. Aside from its wealth of bars, let’s not forget what the French are famous f o r , their cuisine. Nancy is known for its delicately delicious macarons, tangy translucent bergamontes (sweets) and the traditional Quiche Lorraine which you must try. If you’re looking to spend a weekend in the city, make sure to visit La Porte de la Craffe,

Image: Berthold Werner from wikimediacommons

a 14th century gate marking the edge of the Vieille Ville, with two towers that give it that postcard fairy-tale castle look. Admire the beautiful 18th century architecture of the Place Stanislas with its own version of the Arc de Triomphe, whilst drinking fresh coffee in one of the many cafes around the square or watch it be illuminated in the daily light show during the summer months. Finally, take a relaxed stroll around the 50-acre Parc de la Pépinière, home to a small zoo and open-air auditorium. Whilst Nancy is not known for its excessive temperatures, Lisa recommends visiting around Christmas time, not only to experience its festive markets in Place Charles III, but also to take part in the traditional Fêtes de Saint-Nicolas, (usually the first weekend in December). The festivities begin on the Friday evening with the illumination of the Christmas tree and continue throughout the weekend as street performers and parades line the streets. When asked what Lisa makes of Newcastle, she told me she had only just scratched the surface and didn’t have a favourite place yet but enjoys her morning walk to Uni through Leazes Park. One thing she has noticed between French and English student life is that the parties start much earlier here as normally she is used to going out after midnight. I guess we like to leave time for more merriment? Unfortunately, Nancy isn’t the easiest of places to get to as it doesn’t have an airport and Lisa had to fly from Luxemburg to Edinburgh. Nevertheless, why not make Nancy a stop on a Tour de France as it has excellent train links from Paris? Or even contact your School’s Exchange Coordinator to see if there is a study abroad programme for your course. Are you an international student wanting to put your city on the Newcastle University map? Please get in contact with the travel team at courier.travel@newcastle.ac.uk if you’d like to see your home city appear in next weeks edition of the Courier.

Night of the Northern Lights Jamie Hampton does a countdown of the top four locations to experience Aurora Borealis

or the travellers and those struck with wanderlust amongst you, hoping to catch a glimpse at the world’s most beautiful and well known displays of natural light, here are the top four picks for the most picturesque and culturally inexhaustible locations to visit where you may also catch a glimpse of the most captivating displays of light on Earth; Aurora Borealis. 1. Isle of Skye The first on our list has to be one close to home, the ancient pastures of Scotland are always just a stone’s throw away from Newcastle, and ideal for the backpackers, the budgeters and those who have their heart set on the land of the brave. The Isle of Skye is worth visiting as you’ll undoubtedly admire the true beauty of both the island, and the lights above. If you want to catch sight of the beautiful light display, make sure to head to Skye in autumn or winter for the best chances; though you have to be very lucky, the stunning light display is a sight worth catching in all it’s glory as it dances

Image: David Mark from Pixabay

across the North Sea on the horizon. 2. Calgary, Canada Interestingly enough, Calgary takes it’s name from the Isle of Mull in Scotland, ironically below the Isle of Skye. Yet Calgary which is located in the Western Province of Alberta has far more to offer than an etymological connection to Scotland. For the last ten years, the Economist Intelligence Unit had ranked Calgary as being within the top 5 most liveable cities in North America, and won the title in both 2018 and 2019. If you’re lucky, you might just see the Lights from your hotel room as they illuminate the city-scape’s sky. This makes for a wonderfully vibrant, yet suitable destination to both unwind, and admire the majesty presented by Calgary. 3. Kakslauttanen Resort, Finland It’s far too easy to become completely infatuated with Kakslauttanen’s resort, I would argue that there is no greater tranquility, or indeed comfort than to hunt for the Northern Lights in a thermal

insulated glass igloo, yes a glass igloo, in Lapland. If gazing out above the Northern Lights was not enough, then the Husky Farm next door might be, where you can hire one of the most admired breeds of dog in the world to accompany you on a hike. Or of course, for the more culturally absorbed types, then there is a chance to converse with the indigenous Sami people of the Lapland region, available through a Reindeer driven sleigh safari.

On the Isle of Skye you’ll undoubtedly admire the true beauty of both the island, and the lights above

4. St. Petersburg, Russia Whilst it’s regrettably a rare sight within Sanct Petyr’s to glimpse the Aurora Borealis, it felt wrong not to include Peter’s “White Night” which takes place between the 12th of June and the 2nd of July, in which the midnight sun phenomena takes place, whereby the sun is entirely visible until midnight, and the sky never quite breaks past the twilight hue of a setting sun. Tourists and locals alike recommend viewing the Lights from Lakhta Tower; the tallest tower in Russia. The city celebrates with a range of cultural activities, ranging from carnivals whereby actors demonstrate historical chapters of the nation’s history, dressed as figures such as Petyr the Great. To operas, celebrity gigs and the Scarlet Sails firework show. Whilst not quite as tranquil as the other locations listed, nor particularly connected to the traditional Auroras people tend to think of, it is none the less the first place on this list for any seriously culturally attentive self proclaimed wanderlust-er!

s many of you may or may not know, this week is International Stress Awareness Week. As students, we all know the overwhelming nature that stress can have and how it can take a hold of our everyday lives. With mid-term assignments looming, and the fear of exams on the horizon, many of you may feel completely overwhelmed and lost. This article is here to give you just a few places that are perfect destinations to de-stress across the North East. Jesmond Dene Park Most students who have lived in Jesmond will know how beautiful and tranquil Jesmond Dene Park is. Situated in the heart of Newcastle, this hidden gem offers something for everyone. With its old-fashioned windmill, waterfall and copious trails, this is the perfect place to appreciate nature and its calming effects on the body. It also has its very own Pets Corner which is perfect for any animal lover.

Image: dun_deagh from Flickr

The Quayside The Quayside is another highlight of Newcastle that boasts a spectacular view and is the perfect place to unwind. With its own seasonal mini beach and deck chairs, you can take in the sweet northern air and watch the world fly by. If you’re wanting a quieter experience, visiting the Quayside early on a morning or on an evening introduces you to a whole new world; with breathtaking sunsets or sunrises, this place never fails to impress.

Image: Wilka Hudson from wikimediacommons

Tynemouth If you’re willing to trek a little further afield, Tynemouth is a chic seaside town only half an hour away on the Metro. Boasting numerous bars and shops along its main high street, this is the hub of life during summer. Whether it’s going down to the beach, eating fish and chips, or wandering around the old priory, this quaint seaside-resort has so much to offer, and takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the City Centre. Whether you’re neck-deep in assignments or just want to get out the house, these places are perfect to unwind and de-stress. Aligning yourself with nature not only excites your endorphins, but also allows you to really appreciate the city that we live in. Image: mariamichelle on Pixabay

the courier

food life & style

Monday 11 November 2019

Food Editors: Cayla Viner & Amanda Goh

Instagram inspiration Meggie Williams’ favourite tasty Insta food account

ne of my favourite food Instagram account has got to be Tell Tale Food by Julius Roberts who swapped the hectic life in the big smoke for a smallholding in the Stour Valley, all in his early 20s. The Instagram documents his journey towards selfsufficiency through farming, gardening and beekeeping, the produce of which is then transformed into delectable food using skills learnt from working as a chef in London (and a lot of passion). In a day and age where supermarket shelves are stocked with thousands of different food from across the globe, eating locally and seasonally has become sadly, and rather crucially, overlooked. From hugely reducing your carbon footprint, to supporting small local businesses, the benefits from this type of diet are endless. I personally believe there is no better way to nourish your body than with vegetables fresh from the soil and meat that has not been farmed subject to artificial lighting, chemicals or inhumane conditions. After all, eating local and seasonal produce was intended by nature to give your

Instagram: @telltalefood

body e ve r y thing it needs to achieve maximum health, known as the Paleolithic diet (in other words the Cavemen had it right!) Tell Tale Food could not inspire this diet, and way of life more, more; his cooking is amass of colour, creativity, health and downright deliciousness. I particularly love the Instagram stories where Julius shows the whole process from ‘farm to fork’ which gives a real insight to the self-sufficient lifestyle and his cooking prowess. If you think about it, it’s kind of amazing to be able to trace every ingredient in the meal you eat… when was the last time you could do this? The stories show all the steps involved, from foraging to milking, collecting to harvesting and even a rather sad but honest, ‘Bye to the Pigs’ to the final finished creation, whether this be a damson clafoutis, pumpkin tart or a wild garlic rosti. Each story I watch feels like a cooking lesson and I come away feeling inspired… and slightly peckish. So get following, let your Instagram feed be lit up with beautiful food and to let yourself gently be reminded that it’s better to live simply.

With a Lidl help from my friends Editor Grace Dean discusses Lidl’s online delivery rumours

wo student grocery staples – online shopping and Lidl – are set to combine and offer UK residents some of the cheapest grocery products straight to their door. Don’t ditch ASDA just yet, though – currently this is all just speculation based on a job posting by Lidl for a new digital project manager who will lead a “new online platform” and “drive online sales”. This came after Lidl management told The Grocer in June how it was “actively exploring” launching online shopping. Rival German discounter Aldi has recently branched into online shopping, though this is limited, with this option only beingavailableforwine,spirits,Specialbuyproductsanditseveryday collection range; groceries are not available for delivery. Despite arriving relatively late to the online shopping market, the rapid growth of German discounters Aldi and Lidl doesn’t seem to show any signs of stopping according to statistics by Kantar. Lidl is now the UK’s seventh largest supermarket, having overtaken Waitrose to reach a 6% total market share, which is a very considerable growth from 5.2% in 2018. Aldi currently has an 8.1% share of the market while the “Big Four” - Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisons – continue to experience a gradual decline in market share, holding just 62.7% of the market, which is a 15-year low.

Lidl is now the UK’s seventh largest supermarket

Since launching in the UK in 1994, 21 years after its founding in Germany, Lidl has expanded to now boast 760 UK stores. Not many of these, however, are in Newcastle. Closest to most student accommodation are the Walkergate and recently opened South Gosforth stores, though for most students these are either a cycle, bus journey or taxi ride away – and after paying for this transport, a trip to Lidl would

roughly equate to buying the same groceries from the slightly more expensive supermarkets on Northumberland Street or in West Jesmond. Launching online shopping, therefore, would revolutionise this, and make Lidl an even more attractive supermarket offering to many students. Will Lidl be able to sustain this online shopping, though? While this market offers great potential, with Mintel reporting that the UK spent £12.3bn on online groceries in 2018, such a delivery service can often be very expensive for supermarkets to run and greatly restricts their profits. Brittain Ladd, a food retail consultant, stated that “it is truly one of the worst business models in existence. Retailers simply do not have the competence to deliver to homes profitably.” Indeed, this may be why Lidl has waited so late to launch into the market - Morrisons, despite being UK’s fourth-biggest supermarket by revenue, only introduced online shopping in 2013, and Marks & Spencers only earlier this year. Lidl has clearly displayed its ability to reap in the profits without turning to online shopping. With pressure to introduce low or even free delivery charges, retailers are continually trying to undercut each other with regards to both delivery charges and minimum online spends, despite the extra costs associated with delivery making these transactions much less profitable for supermarkets than in-store purchases. Will Lidl raise products prices to reflect this, or maintain more realistic delivery charges for customers in the hope that their low product prices will continue to make them more attractive to their competitors? Only time will tell, but with Lidl stores now prevalent in every member state of the European Union except Latvia and Estonia, the German giant will only continue to grow.

Dish of the week: spiced apple pie

Celebrate autumn with Marcel Shamshoum's apple pie, guaranteed to warm you up on these chilly nights

Ingredients:

Shortcrust pastry (you could always use store bought pastry, but why not give it a try?): - 500g plain white flour, plus a bit more for dusting - 50g icing sugar - A pinch of salt - 250g cold butter, cut into small cubes - 1 large egg - 1 tbsp of cold milk

Apple filling: - 5-6 apples ( a mix of granny smith and honey crisp) - 1 heap tbsp brown muscovado sugar - ½ of freshly grated nutmeg (or ½ tsp ground nutmeg) - 1tsp ground cinnamon - A pinch of salt - 2 1/2 tbsp butter - A splash of cognac or bourbon (optional)

Image: Marcel Shamshoum

Method:

Start by making the pastry. In a large bowl add the flour, icing sugar and salt; and mix well. Then start adding the cold butter; rub the butter with flour with your hands to resemble a breadcrumb consultancy. After that add the egg and the milk and kneed. Shape your dough to a disc shape, place it in a plastic wrap, and put it in the fridge to rest for 30 minutes. In the meantime, prepare your filling. Peel and cut the apple to medium chunks. In a medium-sized pan melt your butter on medium heat. When the butter starts to sizzle add the cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar; and wait until it reaches a caramel constancy. Add the apples and cook for 5-7 minutes. At this point you could add the cognac and flambé or leave the alcohol to evaporate. Now set aside to let it cool. Preheat the oven to 180C. While the apples are cooling, take out the pastry and divide to two. Roll out one half and place in the pie dish, with a fork poke some holes, take a piece of parchment put it on top of the pastry, add some baking beans. And bake for 12 minutes, or until golden. Take out the cooked pie crust, add the filling , roll out the other half and palace on top. Prick the surface of the pastry lightly, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle some normal white sugar. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with vanilla ice cream, custard or whipped cream.

Snacks, students and

sustainability? Sophie Wilson discusses how to eat sustainably as a student

ustainability seems to be the new hype word at the moment. Shop sustainably, dress sustainably, eat sustainably… but what does this actually mean? Sustainable eating means many things. It largely means eating food that has been farmed in ways that are helping to conserve natural resources and also is having minimal impact on the environment. It is also about choosing foods that help our environment. So, what can we do to help? Firstly, no matter what food you eat or where it comes from, we need to reduce our wastage. You can eat as much organic and locally sourced food as you want, but if half of it is going in the bin

Image: Pixabay

each week then there is no point. Buy what you need. Buy ONLY what you need. Reduce your wastage and this largely helps the environment in many ways (as well as your finances).

Grow some basil or chives at home

Secondly, cutting down your intake of meat is very beneficial. Try and eat meat three times a week and then cook vegetarian meals for the rest. You can easily get enough protein from meals that don’t consist of meat. We’re talking about eggs, seeds, lentils, chickpeas and the like. Not only is it a more sustainable way of living, it will help you to be healthier. A lot of meat is very fatty, and so reducing your intake can help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Another way of eating more sustainably is through growing something for yourself. Why not try to grow your own herbs, or your own vegetables? Obviously, this needs to be in reason for a university student. We are not all going to go and sign ourselves up to the allotment list now, but why not have a few pots on your shelf. Grow some basil, grow some chives, grow anything that takes your fancy. It cuts down on the travel miles for buying things from supermarkets, and also provides you with a lovely experience watching your herbs grow, from seed to plate. Finally, eat what is in season. I know that strawberries taste great all year around, but can you really not wait until Wimbledon starts to start tucking into them again? Are a few strawberries really worth the impact that it has on the environment of shipping in food from afar? Think carefully about what is in season, and try something new! There are so many ways to eat more sustainably, and even just searching the internet can fill you with ideas on how to do so. It can be made fun, I promise. Hopefully, eating sustainably can also make you healthier, provide you with more money, and maybe give you a new hobby of growing plants. Who knows what you helping the environment will lead to…

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culture music

Monday 11 November 2019

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

“Deskovering” NPR’s Tiny Desk Performances Joe Smith

he best band in the world, IDLES, took the tiny desk stage by storm, delivering the same amount of raucous energy they would at any of their live shows, the only difference being is that this time, it’s a little more intimate. Starting off with the incredible ‘Never Fight A Man With A Perm’, frontman Joe Talbot makes it clear that he owns the stage as he struts about whilst the rest of the band head bang ferociously, delivering the pure punk not punk IDLES are known for. The band attacks toxic masculinity with such strong passion, it’s hard not to love them. One song down and Joe’s already red in the face, displaying his devotion to the music. An IDLES show isn’t an IDLES show unless guitarist Mark Bowen is shirtless and prancing around the stage, which is exactly how the next song ‘Mercedes Marxist’ chorus begins, with Mark climbing onto multiple amps and delivering the songs signature riff. This shows just how well the band work together, able to perform their songs with chaos of sorts happening all around them. “We are not the Jonas Brothers” states Joe Talbot before they kick off their last song ‘Scum’. A song about the retaliation

Beth Lamb

ou might think that the power of an anthem such as ‘Take Me To Church’ in all its ferocity may be lost in translation with the Tiny Desk format, but Ho z i e r delivers, as always, with pas-

against the upper class. Mark brings on two members of the NPR team to play the drums for the track, just another example of how fun IDLES are. “Dirty rotten filthy scum” scream the entire band on the songs final chorus. A perfect end to a perfect tiny desk performance.

sion and the stripped-back accompaniment lifts the song to the point of transcendence. He continues the set with ‘To Be Alone’, and this is when the magic truly begins. For the rest of the set it’s just Hozier, his guitar and his man bun, arguably him at his best. ‘To Be Alone’ is a yearning bluesy number that proves his pure talent as a guitarist and as a vocalist. If you have ever seen Hozier perform live you will know that when he hits that falsetto in the chorus, there is no other option than to be blown away. There is a mystical quality to his voice that captivates any audience, be it in an intimate setting such as the Tiny Desk Concert or a crowded concert hall. The final song in the setlist is definitively the jewel in the crown. ‘Cherry Wine’ is a heart-wrenching acoustic ballad that is one of Hozier’s finest lyrical moments. He plays a sweet, benign melody as he tells the tale of an abusive lover which, along with his raw emotional delivery, immerses the audience in a palpable melancholy. The concert showcases Hozier’s impressive musical versatility and that rare ability he has to hook you with his words and play with your heartstrings – a sorely underrated modern-day bard.

Images: YouTube (NPR Music)

Alex Gervas

Ben Travis

ack in August 2016 Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals did an acoustic version of their songs ‘Come Down’, ‘Heart Don’t Stand A Chance’, ‘Put Me Thru’ and ‘Suede’ for the NPR Tiny Desk. Anderson .Paak’s style during live performances is exceptionally characteristic. When they play, the whole room fills with positivity. The band made spontaneous jokes and comments through the set, which seemed to come naturally. The best part came when Anderson .Paak and guitarist, Jose Rios tried to explain what the song ‘Come Down’ meant. The Tiny Desk especially made Anderson’s voice stand out. His raspy, jazzy voice blended perfectly with the guitar and keys. The ability to talk and play the drums at the same time is something that I still find fascinating about .Paak. However, the voice is not the only thing that makes this Tiny Desk brilliant. Kelsey González’s bass lines are already marvellous outside the acoustic performances; but this set makes it more present, fuller. The bass feels the room and serves as an excellent base for the songs, while still keeping itself low key. Bytheendoftheset,Anderson.PaakandtheFreeNationals decided to accept a request. And, the band was surprised when the audience chose ‘Suede’. Although the music was

Image: Wikimedia Commons (NPR)

NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts take some of the world’s best artists and place them on a tiny stage, situated behind a tiny desk. Some of our writers chose their favourite concerts and “deskuss” just what makes them so good.

highly melodic a n d subtle, the lyrics of the song were full of curses and crude language. As they said at the tiny desk, the band wrote the song for the guitarist, Jose Rios’ ex-girlfriend. The good vibes and soft music make this NPR Tiny Desk wholly unique and beautiful. The artists’ humour and ease make it look like any instrument is easy to play.

hance the Rapper’s Tiny Desk concert should be stapled to his artistry. Each artist usually betters Tiny Desk, giving the platform more prestige and culture credit with every performance. Mac Miller’s concert, for example, holds a certain level of sentiment for the fans, being one of his last recorded shows. Therefore, showing the significance an artist can

make on the platform’s popularity. For Chance the Rapper, this is the opposite. Chance the Rapper is bettered by his Tiny Desk show. It amplifies his raw talent in three ways. Chance opens with ‘Juke Jam’; a song from his debut album Coloring Book. Arguably, one of his more unfamiliar songs. However, Chance delivers ‘Juke Jam’ better than the original recording. Don’t believe me? Read the YouTube comments. Chance’s fanbase repeatedly state how they don’t hold J’uke Jam’ to high regard, but the performances effortless vocals and raw instruments provide them with a new appreciation of the song. For the second piece, Chance performs is a poem; written the same day as the show. He apologises to the audience before he begins, saying he had not written poetry for a while. The self-reflective poem sees chance tracking where he is now, in comparison to where he has been. ‘I still have the keys that are no used to me, they use to though’. The poem allows us to see him as more than just chance the rapper, but as chance … the artist, If you will. Finally, Chance performs a cover. Stevie Wonder’s ‘They Won’t Go When I Go’ is an unlikely adaptation for Chance to take. But his ability to master it, speeding up its tempo by infusing it with a Jazz and Funk influence, shows Chance’s innate ability to take the old and make it his own.

Of Monsters and Men stun the academy with a captivating show Alexandra Mroczek reviews the indie band’s performance at the O2 Academy four years after their last big show in the city

celandic indie folk/pop band, Of Monsters and Men, came back to Newcastle on October 27th after four years since their last concert here. O2 Academy Newcastle, where the concert took place, was full of fans a long time before the support, Black Honey, began playing. Starting with ‘I Only Hurt The Ones I Love’ Black Honey appeared on stage without any lights directed on them creating a mysterious and electric atmosphere. Their other songs, such as ‘Dig’ and, the most popular, ‘Corrine’, made everyone sing and dance, even those, who didn’t know the band before. They warmed up the audience and made people even more excited about the Of Monsters and Men performance. After half an hour lights went off again and fans invited Of Monsters and Men to the stage with excited applause. Nanna and Ragnar, who are the lead vocalists, started singing the first song, ‘Alligator’, with the band joining them Image: Wikimedia Commons seconds later. Throughout the (Drew de F Fawkes) whole show, they played a simi-

lar number of songs from their 2019 album, Fever Dream’ and their debut, My Head Is An Animal. There were only three songs from their second album, Beneath The Skin, which was a good decision as the audience was clearly waiting for the most popular and the newest songs. Of Monsters and Men perfectly mixed their upbeat songs with the slow ones. ‘Ahay’, with an emotional Nanna’s solo, and ‘Sleepwalker’ calmed down the crowd between fast-paced, dance songs. The most powerful song, apart from the popular ones, was definitely ‘King And Lionheart’ when everyone was singing their hearts out and loudly stamping their feet shaking the whole place. Another one, ‘I Of The Storm’, with the parts sounding like military drums created a sublime and magical atmosphere. Right before ‘Wars’, Ragnar gave a short speech asking everyone to dance

They perfectly mixed their upbeat songs with the slow ones

and made a few jokes making the crowd laugh and leaving everyone in a great mood for the song. A few songs later the band played ‘Little Talks’ and later, ‘Dirty Paws’. It was clear that all fans were waiting especially for these two songs as I don’t think there was anyone who wasn’t singing and dancing then. The last song, ‘Yellow Light’, was a good one to finish with as it was so calm and emotional that it allowed everyone to reflect on the whole concert and enjoy its last moments. The well-deserved applause lasted long after the band had left the stage.

/The CourierMusic @culture_courier

Image: Alexandra Mroczek

the courier

Monday 11 November 2019

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/music

music culture

An Interview With: Kristian Matsson AKA The Tallest Man on Earth Evie Lake chats to the Swedish singer-songwriter on the phone before his show at The Sage Gateshead about New York, new albums and all in between

had the chance to chat to Kristian Matsson, alias The Tallest Man on Earth, on the phone, over my morning coffee. Ahead of his gig at The Sage, we talked about his new album, I Love You. It’s a Fever Dream, New York vs Sweden and the many sources of his inspiration. So there was a 4-year gap in between ‘Dark Bird is Home’ and ‘I Love You. It’s a Fever Dream’. Was this your intention? Do you think it was necessary? To explain the four years, there were two years after Dark Bird (2015/2016) where I just toured like crazy; I toured all of the time. We played so many shows, so there was not really any time to do anything else. So those were half of the four years, but then I was very tired after all of that touring and I was done with my record deal, so it was actually 2017 that I decided to take a little break, a breather. I didn’t rest that much though because I did an EP with some classical musicians that arranged music for some of my songs, called yMusic, so I did that and I did some concerts and then I started my video projects. Coming up with songs, writing songs, a demo and then recording them the same day on video, you can see that on YouTube. And then coming into 2018 I continued to do that and… yeah, it felt like I didn’t have any time off. Do you find it difficult to be creative on tour? It has been, but now it’s getting a little easier, maybe I’m getting a little older and don’t feel as sorry for myself anymore. I’m not touring as crazily as I did in the past because I’m trying to build some air into there, to actually be creative because playing show after show, you get very tired, your sleep quality is not great on a bus, so the energy I have is for the show. I wake up and I have the best time of the day and then I go into kinda zombie-mode when you’re on show 163. So, we’re obviously living in quite a chaotic and even, sometimes, scary world. Does this influence your music at all? Do you feel a need to address it? (laughs) I feel that from the start my songs have never explained anything, or given any answers to anything. They’ve been questions of me trying to figure out the world, and I guess for most of my career I’ve been trying to figure out relationships and how to make those workand where that is. But, recently we need to kind of figure out what’s going on and how to make it better and how to be nicer to each other. So that’s, basically, the big part, or the biggest part, of what I’m doing right now.

So you live in New York now, what was it that motivated you to make this move? It’s quite a stark contrast to living in Sweden. Yeah. I was going there lots, but then I met a woman (laughs) that had to be there for work so, but then… for it being a chaotic place and a place that I’d say that I don’t like once in a while all because it’s just… it’s a beast. But then, I’d say i love it too and I… I kind of stayed. I’m in Sweden now, in my kitchen, I have a little farmhouse here that I’m not getting rid of, and it’s probably here I’ll grow old. It’s especially good for me, as we’ve just talked about because in these crazy days, New York’s been really good for me: it’s where I can, every day, be reminded that I’m grateful for this and it’s a luxury, I can be reminded that we all have to figure out how to live together because, in New York, it’s from the poorest to the richest and people from all across the world on this pretty, tiny island- there’s the sam-e amount of people in New York as the entirety of Sweden. So, I get reminded not to lose track cos I love it out here, it’s beautiful and I have the mountains and the rivers, but it’s easy to get stuck in a bubble and just get your inputs from, you know, your computer and your phone, and that’s deeply problematic. So I get that from New York, but then I come here and get reminded of the other pressing issues that we have to figure out, which is the environment because here I spend a lot of time

The Courier Classics Amy Winehouse Back to Black

Neil Young and Crazy Horse Colorado

lthough Amy Winehouse’s short career only spanned seven years, she changed the sound of contemporary music forever. Today, more than eight years after her tragic passing, many musicians continue to emulate her vocal technique and musical style. Her most recognised and acclaimed album is the 2007 Back to Black. The preceding 2003 debut album, Frank, was largely a jazz record, in which a much youngersounding Winehouse scatted vocals over airy instrumentals. Back to Black, however, exhibited an immense personal and musical transformation. The new beehive-donning, heavily tattooed Winehouse’s vocals became incredibly raw and poignant, showcasing a notably deeper tone, heavier lyrics, and impactful percussion. Furthermore, this album amalgamated several genres into one beautiful package. It is challenging to label this record- and this is precisely what makes it a classic. In 2007, when mainstream music was filled with sickly-sweet pop tunes and primitive lyrics, Winehouse stepped out with a jazz-hip hop-reggae hybrid that took the music world by storm. Only Amy is able to maintain the same intensity, while delving into several different styles. ‘Rehab,’ ‘Me & Mr Jones,’ and ‘He Can Only Hold Her,’ are upbeat, 1960s-style tracks, while songs like ‘You Know I’m No Good,’ ‘Back to Black,’ and ‘Some Unholy War’ are a 180-degree turn - songs in a minor key that deal with profoundly dark subject-matter. As if that wasn’t enough, Winehouse even experimented with reggae in this album, in songs such as ‘Just Friends’ and ‘Monkey Man.’ Even more astonishing is that Winehouse personally penned most of these songs, showing the depth of her creative genius. This albus takes us through an eleven-track adventure. I believe that it will continue to be prominent for decades to come, as it has been for the last twelve years. Bonya Kleyman

in nature and get reminded of all these types of species: animals, plants and trees and seeing how vulnerable they are. It’s a life of reminders and frustration. It’s not about seeing the negative and the problems, to me, all of these people in New York inspire me, they give me so much, just as nature here in Sweden inspires me so much and I’m extremely grateful, I’m trying to walk through life with gratitude because that empowers me. Then I feel like I do good things, it inspires me to do good things. Do you feel part of the music ‘scene’ in N e w York? I’m

Image: Wikimedia Commons (Caitlyn Ridenour)

Brooke Candy Sexorcism

here has been a lot of curiosity about this project as it’s been 50 years since Neil Young and Crazy Horse first collaborated. Young has always been a political singer. Seen by his earlier years, when he recorded ‘Ohio’ with Crosby, Stills, and Nash. The song details the outrage towards the Kent State shootings. Therefore, it would be expected that Young takes on some modern issues in ‘Colorado’. He doesn’t disappoint. The album was recorded in a studio in the Rocky Mountains. It’s rural beauty might be expected to trigger a more country. Instead, it offers a more rock orientated album, continuing in Young’s uncompromising style. ‘She Showed Me Love’ is the first political song on the record, addressing the fight for nature between “old white guys” trying to destroy it and the “young folk” trying to save it. Loss is a recurring theme through the record as whole, particularly Young’s former long-time manager, Elliot Roberts. ‘Help Me Lose My Mind’ and ‘Shut It Down’ take an angrier, heavier rock turn on the half way mark. Taking on issues such as lies anddeception, ending with a call to “shut the system down”. Later, ‘Milky Way’, begins to offer a more optimistic and gentler view of the world, along with the following track ‘Eternity’. In that vein, ‘Rainbow of Colors’ sounds defiant towards the people that the earlier tracks were no doubt aimed at. All members of the band join in the chorus, implying that USA will not be “whitewashed”. The album slowly ends on the softer ‘I Do’ with an optimistic spin about how beautiful the world still can be. It is easy to forget that Young is now well into his 70s, still making the same music as in his 20s. The record ended on a well fulfilled promise “We’re gonna do it just like we did back then”.

Sam Slater

or Brooke Candy fans, it’s been a long few years. Since her appearance on the music scene in 2012, and her first major-label single release in 2014, she’s been releasing a steady stream of tracks but with no cohesive release to show for it. Sexorcism marks her long-awaited debut, following a cancelled album in 2015 and a string of independently released singles; unfortunately, it doesn’t feel worth the wait at all. As the name suggests, Sexorcism is about one thing only – sex. A quick look at the tracklist should tell you this: tracks like ‘Nymph’, ‘Rim’ and ‘Cum’ set the tone for the entire release, and the vibe is very similar throughout – much to the album’s detriment. The LP’s major downfall is that it all feels incredibly one-note; every track is focused on sex (save for the uninspired empowerment anthem ‘Freak Like Me’, which breaks up the action halfway through), making a full front-to-back listen of the album dull, uninspired and downright exhausting at times. There is, of course, something to be said about a female musician going independent and reclaiming her sexuality, and in that regard there are a handful of standout tracks, such as album opener ‘Nymph’, which offers a glimpse at Candy at her best: oozing with unbridled, ferocious seductiveness. Sadly this energy doesn’t persist, with some tracks (particularly her collaboration with Drag Race alumni Violet Chachki and Aquaria, which bears more than a passing resemblance to Madonna’s Erotica) sounding downright vulgar. It doesn’t help that in obtaining some high-profile guest verses from artists like Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX, she’s often out-performed in her own songs. A small handful of standout moments aside, the majority of Sexorcism is an exercise in repetition; a half-baked slog that feels very at odds with the amount of time it’s been brewing. Longtime fans will no doubt appreciate this freshman release for what it is, but for newcomers, Brooke Candy has done the impossible: she’s made sex boring. Lex Firth

(laughs) not sure what the music scene is over there anymore. But since it’s such a hub of touring bands, I’ve been touring for most of my grown-up life, so I would say most of my friends are musicians, and they’re touring musicians which is kind of weird because then you don’t see each other that often. But then, if you just position yourself in this spot, where you know they’re going to pass through, then New York is great because there are bands coming through all the time. It is very inspiring, I have a lot of thanks to give to friends, cos friends are coming through and they play and I’m inspired, I run home and I play my guitar all night from seeing them. They give me musical life for sure. This interview is for a student newspaper, so I was wondering if you had any advice, or words of wisdom, for young, aspiring musicians? Well, I… actually I do. I… oh god I’m going to sound like a dad… but just remember to have fun. I know that sounds really vague. To remember to have fun and remember what drives you from the beginning, why you wanna make music because there is so much today of this ‘career-making’ that had nothing to do with the music, of just ‘oh, this will look great on Instagram!’ It gets really far away sometimes. All of a sudden it’s not fun and we measure things in fame. In those moments that I’ve stopped thinking about that and go back, which I’ve been doing a lot lately because I’ve been so inspired meeting and playing with a lot of great musicians, that I’ve been playing instruments a lot. You should really get good at what you’re doing, spend hours and hours doing it and have fun and don’t think too much about the outcome or product or concept. Just do a lot, and then it kind of works out in the end, then you already have success. For me, success is defined as something in life that is meaningful to do and something that creates a positive outcome into the world. Success is not the end product because I’ve played a lot of cool places; I’ve played the Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House but I don’t think that’s what I’m going to remember in the end, it’s the joy of figuring out a new song or getting better at your guitar or meeting someone through your music. That’s what I’m going to remember.

Ones to Watch The Snuts

ith only singles and one demo EP under their discography, The Snuts are breaking into the indie music scene with incredible speed. The 4 piece from Scotland are rising up the ranks at festivals and this year has seen the band become one of the hottest new up and coming bands on the indie scene, creating hope for the future of guitar music. The band clearly have a very unique sound. Every song sounds different in its own way yet still distinctly them. Notable song mentions include ‘Glasgow’, the first song put out in 2016. The way it changes from a romantic guitar riff into a perfect summer festival tune shows band’s magic. ‘All Your Friends’ was released earlier this year and showed a style change, as the riffs got heavier with the bast bassline I have heard for a long while. Finally, ‘Sing For Your Supper’ is an incredibly beautiful song with powerful lyrics and a catchy tune, that could easy be classed as a classic indie tune in the future. Homeland Scottish gigs sell out in seconds, as most of their UK autumn tour. They’ve made their way up the festival scene, as last year saw them on the BBC Introducing Stage at Reading and Leeds. Whereas this year the band were placed on the much larger BBC Radio 1 stage. They also had major slots at festivals such as TRNSMT, NBHD weekender, and Kendal Calling, I’ve been following the band for a while and recently saw them in Liverpool at the Arts Club in September, and the energy at the gig was like something you’d expect at a concert of a legacy band, fans singing every word and even the riffs with incredible energy and love for the anthems. I believe within a few years this band could well be on the way to headlining the likes of Kendal Calling, and in the future, even Reading and Leeds with the amount of intense support the band get from their passionate fans. Hope Lynes

culture TV TV Time Travel

Fawlty Towers

t was when Monty Python were filming in the small southern seaside town of Torquay that one of the best comedies of all time was created. Tired from filming, the Python crew were put up in a hotel run by Donald Sinclair, who according to Michael Palin, acted as though the guests were a major inconvenience. His antics including critiquing “too American” eating, throwing a briefcase out the window “in case it contained a bomb” and being unwilling to serve drinks at lunchtime. Basil Fawlty was born. John Cleese witnessed these events to some amusement, plotting the format of what would become Fawlty Towers. The mixture of slapstick, observational, and surrealist humour built on a brilliant cast, tight script, and a wobbly set, has meant that the show remains as fresh as it did when it first aired in 1975, as well as still being one of Britain’s most popular TV exports. People are often surprised when realising there were only 12 episodes.

Absurd but believable plots are what rounds this show off as a classic The owner, eccentric and neurotic Basil, is motivated by impressing guests of a “higher clientele” rather than his usual customers, some of which look “as though they had never sat on chairs before”. His wife, Sybil is disinterested in her husband’s antics, seemingly only still with him and the hotel through convenience. Polly the young maid, portrayed by Booth, is perhaps the most normal character, sensible and taken for granted by her employers. Finally, Manuel the Spanish waiter provides most of the slapstick humour, with his lack of a grasp of the English language creating several humorous problems. Absurd but believable plots are what rounds this show off as a classic. The arrival of guests such as a con-man posing as a Lord, cowboy builders which remove the wrong doors, a spoons salesman who Basil is sure is a hotel inspector, and a woman who refuses to turn her hearing aid on in case it “wears the batteries down” all contribute to this fine show. However, being a product of its time, there are some issues that may reduce its popularity today. Particularly the final episode of the first series, ‘The Germans’ which is coincidentally considered by many to be the finest episode. Racist language is used by one of the elderly guests in a scene which is now often cut from TV repeats, plus the premise of German’s staying at the hotel whilst Basil, recovering from a concussion, mistakenly mentions the Second World War, which may be problematic for some. Although, in its defence, Cleese has always been open to the fact that the racism and xenophobic language and premise of the episode is more of a reflection on Britain’s own arrogance and world view, with the episode ending on the immortal line by a German guest “however did they win” after witnessing Basil chased through the hotel by a doctor from the hospital he had escaped from. The episode is incidentally one of the most popular in Germany. The show easily still stands up today, coming up to 50 years since it first aired and arguably far better than similar sitcoms, some of which from the last decade. It is testament to the quintessentially British humour and drama, and will be enjoyed for years more to come. Sam Slater

Image: IMDb

the courier

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

Monday 11 November 2019

Queer Eye just keeps getting better

Kate Dunkerton talks the new season of the hit mini-series which sees the Fab Five go to Japan

fter binge-watching season 4, the Fab Five are back in the Netflix mini-series Queer Eye: We’re in Japan! Heading east, the Fab Five take their positive energy to Tokyo where they help four Japanese men and women love themselves again following a popular request to bring Queer Eye to Japan. In the first episode of the special, titled 'Japanese Holiday', Antoni, Bobby, Jonathan, Karamo and Tan are greeted by their host Kiko Mizuhara, a famous actress, model and social media influencer in Japan. As their host, Kiko teaches the Fab Five about Japanese culture as they dance around the streets of Tokyo. Their first challenge is support worker and Audrey Hepbur n enthusiast Yoko, who was nominated by her friend because she spends all her time helping at her community centre, in which she provides help and support for hospital patients who would otherwise be alone. Because of her commitment to the community centre, Yoko struggles to take care of herself, including neglecting her hygiene, sleeping on the floor so patients can have her bed and overall having little time for selfcare. This began after the death of her sister, as Yoko felt her life wasn’t as important as her sister’s because she didn’t have a husband or children. Over the course of the week, the Fab Five help Yoko rediscover herself and remind her that her life is worthy and important.

The mini-series differs from the classic episodes in America, in that the Fab Five and the audience become informed about the sexism and prejudices in Japanese culture. Yoko had been told she had “forgotten how to be a woman” simply because of her ill-fitted clothes and her commitment to the community centre at the expense of style. Guest host Kiko shares the criticism she has received surrounding her bright fashion sense and occupation, despite being a household name in Japan. In the second episode of the mini-series, the Fab Five meet Kan, a gay man who struggles with anxiety over his sexuality in Japan. Like the first episode, this episode is also informative as Kan explains how he doesn’t feel at home or himself in his own country. Kan explains how he felt he could be himself in cities such as Vancouver and London, but not in Tokyo because it is still deemed “morally wrong” t o be gay in Japanese culture. In a long-distance relationship, the Fab Five help Kan prepare for his boyfriend’s first visit to Japan and meeting his family for the first time. The episode packs an emotional punch as Kan discusses with Karamo the homophobia and racism he has received in the dating world both in England and in Japan as a gay Japanese man. Despite slight progress in Japan over LGBTQ+ rights, Kan explains how there is still a long way to go. After meeting the Fab Five, Kan embraces himself and his identity despite still harbouring anxieties over how he and his boyfriend will be received in Tokyo. Overall, Queer Eye: We’re in Japan! is a worthy special to the original series which will hopefully be preceded by other series in different countries. Will the Fab Five come to the UK next?

Image: IMDb

Now available on Netflix

Top Boy: Series 3 succeeds again Rory Cameron reviews the reprise of cult drama Top Boy

eturn of the prodigal son…It has been six years since the last episode of the branded ‘Britain’s answer to The Wire’ was on UK screens. After the shock cancellation of Top Boy, this comparison to the Holy Grail of crime shows began to feel like a cruel joke. Fans were left to ask themselves ‘What might have been?’ had Channel 4 backed the explosive first 2 series of the show with the same time and money that HBO invested into The Wire. From when it first hit UK televisions, Top Boy was different. It was raw, and won its cult following as it hit its audience harder and with a more brutal honesty to anything else in the immediate aftermath of the London riots. The show tapped into a side of London which had not been represented and unforgivingly depicted the grim realities of growing up trapped in a system of social and physical violence. The London borough of Hackney has changed a lot since Dushane and Sully patrolled its streets the best part of a decade ago. The rulers of the fictional Summerhouse estate find themselves changed too, after years on the run and at Her Majesty’s Pleasure. The game, however, remains the same. Fight to survive, earn your respect, and do whatever it takes to be Top Boy.

The latest instalments of the show continue to deliver the same stopping power of the previous series without compromising any of its identity or integrity. Perhaps this is the reason Drake chose not to make an appearance in the show (besides briefly in the soundtrack), so as not to detract from the authenticity of this inner-city lamentation. It is a cry in anguish for the years of poverty, austerity and neglect, with the great cultural-scrubbing spectre of gentrification looming above.

It is a cry in anguish for the years of poverty, austerity and neglect So the long wait has been worth it, and series 3 successfully holds a mirror overlooked underbelly of our cities, showing it warts and all. Top Boy has once more rightly staked its claim for the crown once more. And to cap off this explosive showcase of UK talent, the foundations of an exciting new series are already in place. No longer will we have to ask ourselves ‘What might have been?’ but ‘What could be?’ Image: IMDb

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Monday 11 November 2019

PREVIEW

The Crown: Series 3

t is a truth universally acknowledged, that an English actor of sufficient calibre must eventually play a member of the British Royal Family. So it is with the Netflix series The Crown, in which Britain’s acting royalty- momentarily stirred from playing leads in BBC Dickens adaptations and villains in Hollywood blockbusters- all fell on the roles of Britain’s actual royalty, with a television series following the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, beginning in 1947 and continuing, presumably, indefinitely. So much of the royal family and their political acquaintances have been mythologised in the media of the last half-century, so there is something oddly comforting from having these old familiar faces march in front of your screens. Here is John Lithgow’s cigar-chomping Winston Churchill, dispensing advice while submerged in boiling hot baths, and there goes Alex Jennings’ Duke of Windsor, looking enviously at Elizabeth’s coronation from his exiled Parisian villa. It’s all very welcoming, although it doesn’t hesitate to be serious if necessary.

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Is niche content the future of TV?

ome TV shows appeal to such a mass audience that they bring families and communities together. Take sitcoms like Friends, Seinfeld and The Simpsons for example, most people who consumed television during their times of relevance at some point watched at least an episode of these shows. Friends is actually the most streamed TV show in the U.K. and second most streamed in the U.S. And certain content brings all available eyes to the TV such as the news, major sporting events and Love Island. This sort of content has a very general viewership and assumptions cannot really be made about them. Some TV shows fall into more niche categories, for a more specific viewership. We can make vague assumptions about the type of individuals who watch these shows as there is usually a specific theme which attracts them to the show. For instance; we can assume that viewers of Top Gear (a show about cars) are car enthusiasts or that people who watch conspiracy theory documentaries probably don’t trust traditional media. Despite not reach-

ing levels of popularity which more general shows reach, there are benefits to producing especially catered content. Niche TV shows are likely to grow a loyal audience who truly love the content, rather than a huge sum of people watching the content simply because their friends and co-workers do. They are also more valuable to advertisers. Although a show like Friends which consistently brought millions of viewers every season would be very influential due to its numbers, a more niche show connects businesses with their target consumers. Let's take for example Top Gear a show designed for car enthusiasts, this show has more influence over people’s car-related expenses than Friends (despite being less popular). Fortunately, Top Gear is funded by the BBC so no companies can infiltrate their content, but in a world where Top Gear needed sponsors car manufacturers would be paying top dollar to be endorsed by Chris Harris and the gang. For these reasons I believe the content we consume will become nicher and nicher.

Image: IMDb

Molly Greeves discusses the fate of our beloved Horseman in part one of its final horse race

Actor's Corner

George Bell discusses Cameron Monaghan and his best works

est known for his roles as Ian Gallagher in Shameless and Jerome/Jerimiah Valeska in Gotham, it looks like Cameron Monaghan is gearing up to be one of the best actors in Hollywood today. Aged 26, Cameron Monaghan has built up an impressive library of roles each with great performances. Since 2011, Monaghan has starred in one of his more recognisable roles as Ian Gallagher in the hit comedydrama series Shameless presenting a deeply emotional and complex character that when combined with the rest of the cast, made the show such an enjoyable watch. Monaghan’s performance earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series at the 2015 Critics’ Choice TV Awards. Also, from 2014 to 2019, Cameron Monaghan played the Valeska twins in the Batman prequel series Gotham. From his first bone-chilling scene as the charismatic psychopath Jerome to the eerily calm and unhinged gangster Jeremiah and everything in-between, Monaghan gave a brilliant performance as one of the shows frequent antagonist. Monaghan clearly did his research on the role as the performances feel like a homage to previous people who have taken on the Joker role (Jack Nicholson, Mark Hamill and Heath Ledger to name a few) by implementing aspects from all of them in his characters.

He has the potential to become one of the greats in Hollywood

REVIEW Bojack Horseman Season 6: Is Bojack back on track?

s season five closed with our favourite alcoholic cartoon horse going to rehab, it was clear that the show was on the brink of change. But after it was announced that Netflix was cancelling the show after season six, my expectations were even higher. For those of you who haven’t seen the show, it’s important to know that Bojack is so much more than an edgy cartoon with swearing animals. In fact, despite being a comedy, I don’t go to the show for laughs most the time. Despite its ridiculousness, I watch Bojack for the incredible storytelling and the characters that, despite being golden retrievers and pink cats, feel entirely real. And on this basis, it’s fair to say season six delivered. I can imagine that keeping Bojack sympathetic to the audience has been a huge challenge for the writers over the course of the show. The first episode of this season finds us rooting for him more t han e v e r b e fore as he stumbles through rehab trying to take responsibility for the awful things he’s done. The portrayal of recovery feels so accurate – after seasons of us root-

Image: openclipart

Will Nsieyanji explains why TV shows are becoming more niche

The times, they are a-changin', as the trailer's music tells us Which brings us to the trailer for series three, which looks to be heading towards darker territory; it will apparently cover from 1964 to the Silver Jubilee of 1977. That’s a lot of material: the Aberfan Pit Disaster, the Moon Landings, the decolonisation of the British Empire. Britain entered the European Union in 1973- who knows what the angle will be with that, or indeed what the episode will be called. ‘Brenter’, presumably. “The times, they are a-changin’”, as the trailer’s music tells us, and there seems to be a running theme of familial discord and change going forward. The biggest change, of course, is the recasting of the two central characters with Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter, both huge names, and both of whom prior played Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, whether in Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) or The King’s Speech (2010). As national treasures, the two roughly inhabit the same prestige as the actual Queen, and so, if the times are a-changin’, it’s definitely looks like that’s a good thing. George Gardner

TV culture

ing for Bojack’s sobriety, seeing him cling onto stability made him even more human (even though he’s a cartoon horse). If part one was about setting up a climatic ending, it did so in the most entertaining way possible. Even aside from Bojack, every character is on the brink of what they want; Princess Carolyn is finally a mother, Diane is making social change, Mr. Peanutbutter is… still not facing many consequences for his actions

Images: IMDb

(the only disappointing part of the season for me). But despite getting what they’ve wanted for seasons, they’re learning, as Bojack is, that a happy ending won’t come so easy. For a Netflix show, Bojack isn’t massive on season finale cliffhangers. But if the audience was used to relatively calm endings, we were granted no such privilege this time. In what can only be described as a sucker punch, episode eight looks at all the people that Bojack has hurt and leads us to wonder whether it’s too late for him after all. If this show has one cohesive message, it’s that there are no bad people, only bad choices. But whether Bojack and the people around him can keep believing that is yet to be seen. F u n stuff.

For his role as the clown prince of crime, Monaghan has earned multiple nominations at the Teen Choice Awards for Choice TV: Villain before finally winning it this year for his performance in season 5. This performance alone shows that he has the potential to become one of the greats in Hollywood and I for one can’t wait to see what he does next. While unlikely to take his Joker performance to the big screen, thanks to Joaquin Phoenix, that doesn’t mean he has nothing to give to Hollywood and is sure to give a brilliant performance no matter the role he may be in. While he is still working on Shameless season 10, Monaghan has also in the more recent year been lending his voice to other roles. Most prominent of which is probably the upcoming video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order set for release 15 November 2019 which is said to be one of the biggest releases of the year. His willingness to explore all forms of media with his acting shows that as media continues to change and potentially drift from film and Hollywood, Monaghan has the potential to become o n e of the most prominent actors of the Image: IMDb future.

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International Film

Image: PublicDomainPictures

Image: YouTube

(2015)

ith multiple nominations and wins, including winning in the Label Europa Cinemas category at the Cannes Film Festival 2015, as well as much critical praise, it’s no surprise Mustang (2015) received an increasing amount of attention. The film had celebrities and the general public talking on social media, which is how I first came to know about it. I was immediately intrigued by the films gripping and heartfelt plot, and was incredibly impressed that such a work was being represented in mainstream media. It was co-written and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven, who took influence from her own experiences to write the powerful story, a one which she believed was vital to share. The film follows five sisters living in a small village in Northern Turkey. After what was a seemingly innocent encounter with their male classmates, the girls are confined and shut out from the outside world, living with their abusive uncle and forcefully being married off. The combination of the film’s melancholy plotline and juxtaposing beautiful cinematography makes the film incredibly captivating, a combination which the girls themselves perfectly embody. This film represents the true, tragic experience of the sisters whilst also beautifully presenting them as free-spirited, strong and courageous.

It is a representation of change, advocating female empowerment and strength

Ergüven herself also shows her courage, which I truly admire, as she wasn’t afraid to expose such an authentic and sincere story, despite possibility of controversy. She believed it was a story worth telling, a story of youth, sisterhood and courage, with feminist connotations. Although the film has a very particular setting and representation, I think the underlying message is one that will resonate with many people, which is what makes it so powerful. The ending of the film gives a sense of hope, but not your cliché happy ending. Rather, it is a representation of change, advocating female empowerment and strength. The Telegraph called Mustang ‘a powerful, uplifting, portrait of defiance’, which is conveyed through the girl’s brave and persistent attitude throughout the film. It is amazing when such powerful international films get global recognition, and can touch a wider audience, making people more aware of issues that occur around the world. Nimra Rafique

Image: IMDB

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

Monday 11 November 2019

Is the future of film rated R?

Film fan George Bell discusses how restricted rating films are taking the box office by storm

ith the recent success of Todd Phillip’s Joker I think its time to take a look at some of the best and most successful movies that you shouldn’t watch with your family. We can’t talk about R-rated movies without mentioning Todd Phillips extremely successful Joker that just got released. Thanks to a combination of great acting, writing, cinematography and score, the Joaquin Phoenix clown origin story quickly became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time, beating previous best Deadpool 2’s 785 million USD with an impressive 870.5 million USD worldwide. This is particularly impressive as it has now passed more accessible movies like Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice. Superhero movies are most commonly familyfriendly action movies, so the recent success of adult superhero movies is certainly interesting and shows the genre has the ability to reach a much broader audience. While 2016’s Deadpool is responsible for the recent revival in this sub-genre it is by no means the first one to do this. Movies like Blade and Kick-ass all came before Deadpool and, while they were

Doctor Sleep (15)

Image: IMDB

n adaptation of Stephen King’s eponymous 2013 novel, Doctor Sleep is the long-awaited sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 classic. Set primarily in the modern day, the film follows an adult Danny Torrance as he struggles with acute trauma and alcoholism, all the while trying to protect Abra – another child with the Shining – from the nefarious True Knot. The Shining has been a large part of the horror canon since its debut, through its growing sense of dread, which places a lot of pressure on Doctor Sleep to recapture the same energy. Fortunately, director Mike Flanagan sidesteps these expectations, trading in cabin fever terror for a slow-burning supernatural thriller. With this he demonstrates his understanding that the subjectivity of horror means that it can’t lean on jump scares to engage a wide audience. At a roughly two and a half hours running time, Doctor Sleep is undoubtedly long for a contemporary horror film but its invigorating cast makes sure it’s never slow. Ewan McGregor returns to the spotlight with a subtle performance, accented with self-doubt and defeat. Unfortunately for McGregor, he is outshone by the always captivating Rose the Hat portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson. Feguson’s performance is immensely fulfilling, capturing all of the villain’s quirky threats and vulnerabilities perfectly, while also engaging with her True Knot companions in a hauntingly entertaining fashion: any scene with the True Knot is instantly great. It’s no secret that good child actors are still hard to find – even in the Stranger Things era – but Kyliegh Curran as Abra Stone is phenomenal, exulting confidence and solidifying her own place as one of the great horror protagonists. Peter Lennon

mostly well received, didn’t earn anywhere near Deadpool’s staggering 783.1 million USD. The success of Deadpool is due to the dark humour and action that while making it feel like an MCU movie is different enough to allow future movies to fully embrace the darker side of the genre. In short, Deadpool has played a fundamental part in opening the door to more serious R-rated superhero movies like Logan, Joker and even TV shows like Titans. And if box office takings for movies like Joker and Deadpool are a sign of anything, there is definitely a market for future movies like this. Of course, R-rated movies are definitely not limited to the superhero genre with adult themes being covered in countless films over the years many becoming classics. Terminator II: Judgement Day and The Matrix performed amazingly at the box office earning

523.7 million and 463.5 million respectively, showing that action/sci-fi movies clearly benefit from the R rating. Movies with a more serious tone and topic will also require R ratings if the director wants to properly convey their points; point and example is Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ which while controversial with its brutal interpretation of the bible, was a huge success at the box office bringing in 622.3 million. Horror has also made great use of R-ratings with some of the best movies here simply not being as effective if they went for a more family-friendly direction. A prime example is the horror masterpiece The Exorcist which was so controversial that in the UK you couldn’t buy home copies of it in 1988 and remained prohibited for 11 years. Despite this, it is the ninthhighest-grossing film of all time in Canada and the US just showing how, with correct tone and themes, a movie can excel. Recent years have clearly shown a rise in interest for R rated movies with them earning more and more and starting to rival titles available to all audiences. Is this a sign we as an audience are getting more mature and want darker, bloodier stories rather than familyfriendly flicks? Or rather a sign of the excellent quality of these movies? Personally, I hope movies will become more diverse and explore more R rated themes so to help address certain issues in the world today rather than simply sticking to superheroes and fairy tails. If the small screen is bringing out powerful and relevant shows like Euphoria that depict important topics through graphic imagery, then surely Hollywood can start investing in more such projects, regardless of rating. Image: YouTube

The Last Black Man in San Francio (15)

Image: Youtube

e know home is where the heart is, and we feel it in the beating hearts of the cities that brought us up. This is the affectionate tone which runs through this film as co-writer and protagonist Jimmie Fails searches for belonging in his home city, San Francisco. The city itself becomes a character, playing the role of that friend who has ‘moved on’ to better things leaving people like Jimmie in the dust. He subsequently pours his soul into his Grandfather’s house, renovating it and consequently disturbing the current couple who are still residents of the house. Jimmie’s passion for the stunning 1800’s house that stands tall upon the hills of San Francisco is a relationship like that of father and son. Themes of gentrification run through the film and are handled well due to the semi-autobiographical nature of the script. Conversations between characters flow seamlessly leaving you truly believing and hanging onto every word said. A bold soundtrack plays through the film, adding music to the almost choreographed filming of San Francisco. As a feature length directorial debut from Joe Talbot there were minor errors such as continuity however I found these endearing not disruptive; adding to the sense that both the main character and director were finding their feet. The talent of director Joe Talbot was really seen in the shooting of San Francisco giving the city a romanticism that is usually only reserved for New York; Talbot’s love of the city was evident. The combination of beautiful filming, accompanying music and dialogue results in a striking, tender and compelling fairy-tale story of a man searching for identity in a gentrified San Francisco that he feels has left him behind. Eve Ducker

The King (15)

Image: IMDB

imothée Chalamet stars as Prince Hal turned reluctant King Henry V in Netflix’s latest original film, The King. Directed by David Michod and co-produced by Brad Pitt, the historical drama is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s 'Henriad' plays including both parts of Henry IV and Henry V. As King Henry IV of England (Ben Mendelsohn) becomes weaker, he calls upon his estranged son Prince Hal to inform him that the crown will be passed onto his younger brother Thomas (Dean Charles Chapman). Because of the disagreements with his father’s war politics and tyranny over England, Hal continues to pass the time carelessly away from court. When Thomas dies in battle after their father’s death, Hal is forced to become King and deal with his father’s mistakes by taking part in a war he wanted nothing to do with. Following his coronation, Hal must cement his title and maintain control over the kingdom as he faces threats from France. Sporting a convincing English accent, Chalamet’s performance as the wayward prince turned king is one of the highlights of the film, as he captures the intensity of a young man who is suddenly forced into a role of power with advisors he struggles to trust. Despite high-quality battle sequences and leading performance, the film’s promotion can seem misleading. Pattinson’s Dauphin of France and Depp’s Catherine of Volais, appear albeit sparingly. Most of the film sees Chalamet preparing for battle with France and talking about his enemies without seeing them. Despite their small screen-time, Pattinson and Depp deliver memorable performances,. Overall, The King delivers for fans of historical dramas and battle sequences but can, at times, feel slow and wastes actors who deliver powerful performances in their limited screen-time. Kate Dunkerton

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Monday 11 November 2019

@Courier_Film thecourieronline.co.uk/film

Disney locks Fox properties in the vault considers the impact of the latest move from the entertainment giant D Elisabetta Pulcini

isney is locking Fox movies in the vault. While these might still be available to stream on Disney+, prohibiting theatres from showing them not only undercuts an already struggling industry, but might very well tarnish the legacy of iconic films. One of the many problems regarding this policy is the lack of coherence and transparency regarding its application. Vulture reports that theatre owners, despite seemingly adhering to the requirements for the venue, have had the permit to screen the movies revoked. This has a disturbing impact on smaller theatres, who often seek to rely on established properties. Another point of confusion seems to be regarding the movies that will actually be affected. For example, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a Fox movie, is not currently affected by the policy. This is probably because Disney is aware that prohibiting screenings of a film that established a cult following through midnight screenings would cause an up-roar in the community. Although it is certainly a relief that such movies are not currently affected, the lack of clarity regarding this dangerous policy is frightening.

The infamous Disney vault has been used for years to fabricate excitement

Now that it has been established that the potential impact on an already shaky theatre industry could be disastrous, it is important to analyse why Disney would resort to such measures. The short answer? Money. The infamous Disney vault has been used for years to fabricate excitement regarding the release of an older property. In fact, instead of making its titles always available for purchase, Disney prefers to secure them in their ‘vault’, waiting for the most profitable opportunity to release them again. This included preventing these films from being screened in theatres. Of course, with the imminent arrival of their very own streaming platform, Disney+, all of this manufactured build up will be employed to lure customers to subscribe. However, while the presence of family friendly properties on the service is guaranteed, the same cannot be said of other films. This will affect Fox’s legacy in particular, due to the volume of films that might not fall

under the Disney brand: Alien, Aliens, Suspiria or Fight Club being just a few examples. Assuming but not conceding that Disney might sort out a way to present such titles on their platform, the main problem still remains: the loss of theatre as a venue for experiencing iconic movies. The value of the theatrical experience is wide-ranging. There is something about going to the theatre that can never be replicated at home. It might be knowing that, in the darkness of the room, everybody shares the same purpose: to escape. To completely let go of lives, and be immersed in the vision someone else created for our entertainment. It is exactly that communal experience that makes cinema different than any other art form. Reading a book or analysing a painting tends to be, while deeply rewarding, isolating. Movies are not like that. The better ones are made to be experienced by an audience, and therefore create a sense of community that is not readily available in our daily lives. To allow future generations to fully understand why movies like Alien are so relevant in our culture, it is essential to have them available to be experienced the way they were meant to. The use of colours, soundtrack and tone create an atmosphere that is hard to replicate at home. One such movie, now available on Disney+, is The Shape of Water. So much of the genius of Guillermo del Toro comes from his ability to create other worldly experiences through deeply immersive direction: some of the magic of his project is inher-

ently lost when experienced on a TV or, God forbid, a laptop. No matter the brand Disney has established for themselves, moves like this are a harsh reminder of the reality of corporation.

Corpse Bride (2005)

Image: FreePhotobank

hen it comes to Halloween, and the dark eerie nights that the winter seasons bring, what better way to spend the evening than to divulge into the widely creative mind of Tim Burton? With the additional treat of the ever-so-talented Depp and Bonham Carter voiceover combination. The film evokes a dark and devious plot, a two-tone visual set and a seriously unfortunate tale of love and loss. Corpse Bride is a stand-out film for the melancholy adults among us.

Burton manages to create a world in which we can all envelop into, cleverly illustrating the mundane reality of the living, against the rivalled afterlife, of which the characters are ironically full of more life and soul. One of the most fascinating reasons to watch this film is the clever characterisation of the animations of which, they are so creatively idolised, spooky and frightening yet warm and loveable. They are all layered and all have stories which keep us encapsulated. The movement of social discrimination and politics is suggested all the way through via these animated characters. Granted it is still intended with parental guidance, yet it is still a bold move to have such dense themes running throughout, reflected non more so than when the two worlds collide. The living automatically take a guarded stance against the unknown, the assumed assault on their reality. Yet, they are harmless, and harmonious, wanting to connect and communicate as one united society.

Images: Wikimedia

Katerina Vasilaki pays homage to the best partnerships between actors and directors

Animation Station

So creatively idolised, spooky and frightening

Best actor-director dynamic duos ust like football, film is a team effort. In order for the team to win, the most important factors are compelling chemistry and good communication between the actor and the director. Nowadays, people credit mainly the director for the success of a film or a play when in reality, editing, sound, performance and a myriad of unthinkable details are just as important ingredients for a good recipe and a profitable release. However, a factor not often examined is the relationship between the director and the actor. A ‘filmmaker’, while reading or writing his script has a vision in his mind about the way he wants to transform this 2D paper that describes the story, to a 3D visual piece of art. The actor could in that sense be figuratively the ‘means’ a director must utilize in order to draw the Picasso in his/her mind as accurately as possible. In this list, I will be breaking down some of the duets that left history and have proved that the main distinction between ‘good’ and ‘bad’ films simply hides under the relationship between all the artists involved. Starting this list with a relatively new duet, Ryan Coogler and Michael Jordan are widely known for their movie Black Panther, however, they have also worked together in films such as Creed and Fruitvale Station. Although compared to my other picks for this list, this one is not as well established, they show a lot of promise through the memorable way in which they use visuals and deliver stories. My second pick is a heavenlymade match for film. Having collaborated in more than ten films, Image: IMDB including the Mission Impossible

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franchise, it is safe to say that Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie have found the secret to success. In a 2018 interview with EMPIRE, they said that a five-hour script session for them is "like a walk in the park" and that they both want the movie to reach its full potential every time. George Clooney is an iconic actor and has been working with the great directors. However, his best work has undeniably been with Steven Soderbergh, with their

collaboration on movies like Oceans' franchise, as well as Out of Sight, Solaris and The Good German. Soderbergh is notorious for experimenting with the visuals of a film and the fact that they stuck together creating one blockbuster after the other is not a matter of luck. Clooney seems to be able to understand Soderbergh’s artistic vision and brings it to life successfully. The next duo has brought approximately 1.3 billion earnings from their films. Leonardo DiCaprio has given some of his best performances when he collaborates with Martin Scorsese, and the industry knows it. The Wolf of Wall Street among others has been iconic in every sense for DiCaprio. The dyad has been experimenting with different genres such as crime and comedy, nailing all of them. To vividly illustrate my point, I must mention the fact that the duo’s movies have been nominated for 31 Academy Awards, winning 9 of them Now it’s the time for the pick you have all been waiting for and definitely expecting. It goes without saying that the best actor-director collaboration the film industry has seen is that of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. They have been working together since 1973 and many of their films are featured among the list of the greatest movies ever made. Brian De Palma was the one who introduced De Niro to Scorsese at the start of his career and since then, the creative connection and incredible chemistry has led to films like 1976’s Taxi Driver and 1990’s Goodfellas, leaving their mark on the industry and forever changing the notion of film belonging only to the director.

Image: IMDB

A stance we could all embrace throughout this current rocky political journey we’re on, hint hint Boris. Another reason why Corpse Bride stands out in amongst a sea of animated films, both of past and present, is that it does not try to conform to what a child may like. Burton sticks with his manner of creating outlandish characters, which all plays out beautifully well on screen in this paradoxical film, full of schizoid old school, Frankenstein-esque visuals. The film is endearing all the way through, with inspired theatrical numbers, evocative heart to hearts and joyous whimsical moments to indulge. The movement of the film, and the journey the characters take is a true reflection of our innate human nature, certainly an endearing guide to love, loss and relationships. The choice that Victor Van Dort has to make, between his living soon-to-be wife, and recently deceased assumed wife. This is subsequently a journey of acceptance, laughter and high-spirited connections. It is unlike any other macabre child’s spooky movie, it has thrills, scares and spooks, yet simply the best kind. A good old family pleaser, with a classic poignant tale for all to enjoy. Ellie Parkin

Image: IMDB

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Monday 11 November 2019

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

Daisy Jones & The Six: a novel of sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll

New release from Taylor Jenkins Reid, compelling historical 'faction' inspired by 1960's music scene, reviewed by Katerina Vasilaki

hoosing one favourite book for a bookworm is like choosing one favourite song: nearly impossible. Right now I’m interpreting ‘nearly’ as in ‘favourite book of 2019 so far’, otherwise, this would have been impossible. Now that the disclaimer has been made, I have to express how happy I am to have discovered Taylor Jenkins Reid. Well - happy might not be the right word because her books always leave me emotionally destroyed for other books and people. This time it was a book she came out with this year, Daisy Jones & The Six. First off I need to say that I don’t really read historical fiction, and never go near that shelf, but reading about why the biggest rock ‘n’ roll band of the ‘60s fell apart at the peak of its career sounds intriguing. Especially for a person whose headphones are an integral part of their ears (like me). Before I read this book, I was scared that my love for her previous masterpiece The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo would leave me disappointed. Spoiler alert; I was anything but. Although there were elements that I didn’t quite enjoy, they paled in comparison to everything else that makes this book worth reading.

When I finished it (at 5am because I couldn't put it down), I felt as if I lost touch with very close friends One of the elements that make this book stand out is the format and the structure. The story is told as an oral history, like edited snapshots of a documentary, from the characters in the present day many years after their split. This results in having all these different point of views in the same situation, leaving the reader

having to choose whose tale to believe and fill in the gaps of what is not said; and although it is fiction, with this format the reader would be forgiven for thinking this is about a real band. Some characters more than others aim to make themselves look better, therefore, it makes one question every statement. Another reason why I adore this book is how the characters are just so realistic. You could have met Daisy and Billy, despite them having this star quality about them. Even if it sounds strange, when I finished it (at five am because I couldn’t put it down for the life of me), I felt as if I lost touch with very close friends. Writing a book about music is difficult in itself, however, Reid did a wonderful job at describing the quality of the sound. A detail that elevated the book was the fact that she wrote the lyrics of all of the songs on their album. Having said that, at times I felt that some characters were unnecessary and sometimes the book went off on a tangent about music terms, which if one was not familiar with, would get a bit bored and lost. It also dealt heavily with addiction and mental health in a very raw way, so please be aware

of that before picking up the book. It is worthwhile noting that the audiobook is magnificent as well with a full cast of actors, which highlight what this story is all about. My recommendation is to listen to the audiobook, even if you don’t normally do. There is also a mini-series coming out in time so you might want

to keep an eye out for that! One more thing just in case it isn’t clear; I recommend it with every bit of my broken-because-of-this-book heart.

Image: instagram via @tjenkinsreid via @bookreviewsbyd

They sing, they dance, they act - and they save lives

Our very own musical sceptic Grace Dean is converted by the glitz and glamour of the Musical Medics at their annual showcase

’m not a fan of musicals. Yes, I learned all the words to Cats and Joseph at primary school, and I had a bit of a High School Musical phase, but that’s as far as my interest in musicals goes. I only watched Hairspray once, and after hearing all the hype surrounding La La Land I was disappointed when I settled down to watch it and discovered it was a musical. Musical Medics, however, are an exception to that. After being truly dazzled by last year’s production of Legally Blonde, I was incredibly excited when Musical Medics announced the show dates for 2019. And they really didn’t disappoint. I had never seen Chicago before, so I turned up at the Jubilee Theatre in St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, with very few preconcep-

They had the audience in 'stitches'

tions. From the start, I was, quite frankly, blown away.

Each song saw the audience singing along

The opening number ‘And All That Jazz’ set the tone for the rest of the night. Victoria Smith’s ability to sing in a flawless American accent – while twirling round the stage very energetically - was only echoed by the rest of the cast, who performed not just their scripted lines but also their musical numbers in incredibly accurate Illinois accents. Despite a few technical issues with the microphones, each song saw the audience singing along accompanied by a full orchestra. A personal highlight was the performance of 'Cell Block Tango', which I must admit has been stuck in my head ever since – the performance just oozed sass. The characters were all played incredibly convincingly, with clear characterisation. It was difficult to believe that Chicago wasn’t performed by Musical Theatre students; the approximately two-hour long performance featured an all-singing all-dancing cast comprised primarily of fourth year medical students, as tradition of the society dictates. The art deco surroundings of the Jubilee Theatre complemented the roaring 1920s tone of the show, which oozed class, elegance and intrigue with its - to quote the musical, very “razzle dazzle” - allblack costume design, complete with tasselled skirts and intricate lace outfits. The excellent show was for an excellent cause, with profits split between Papyrus, The Brain Tumour Charity and future Musical Medics events.

The lab coats came off and the glitter came out

Images: Kelly Zhou

A musical approached with 'surgical' precision

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Monday 11 November 2019

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/arts

Shows worth going NUTS for The NUTS directors tell us all about their upcoming shows set to hit venues across Newcastle Another Country

Witness for the Prosecution

Legally Blonde

Images: Ross Lowton

arts culture Poem Box Terrace on Terrace Cobble rippled pathways Swaying in a permanent wave underfoot Bespectacled with fragments of coloured glass A memory enjoyed, spent and discarded to the past Rooves melt away into the metallic sky On worn red brick built to last standing to attention Each door telling of a culture not always born into Yet one able to be shared in by all Leaves trod so repetitively into the road Flaked away until a ghostly shadow is all that remains Fine, clear night settles unlike anywhere else A source of excitement juxtaposing its outlook It is this place that we, smiling, call our own Here we have built our present, become our true selves. Lived our lives as if we knew no other way I am proud of you

Dominic Hancock

The Courier's Creative Writing Corner presents:

Another Country by Julian Mitchell Directed by Daniel Collins 12-14 November, Newcastle Arts Centre The early 1930s. In an English public school, future leaders are being prepared to take up their positions in the ruling class; but amongst these soon-to-be heavy hitters are two outsiders. Tommy Judd, a committed Marxist, and Guy Bennett, a boy coming to terms with homosexuality. One wants to abolish the whole system of British life, one just wants a successful, happy life within it, but both are stuck in a school and system that bear traditional ways of dealing with rebels and outsiders. Daniel Collins

Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie Directed by Gracie Catchpole 19 and 20 November (with a matinee on the 20th), Venue (NUSU) The Agatha Christie classic, Witness for the Prosecution, tells of young New Yorker Leonard Vole as he is put on trial for the murder of a wealthy English woman named Emily French. Protesting his innocence, Leonard enlists the help of lawyers Mayhew and Sir Wilfred who go head to head with prosecutor Myers in a fierce court battle to get him acquitted. The story of this awful crime slowly unravels thanks to witnesses close to victim and prisoner and it is revealed that everything is not as it seems… Gracie Catchpole

Legally Blonde Directed by Katie Lynn 21-23 November, Newcastle College Legally Blonde tells the story of Elle Woods, a sorority girl who enrols at Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend Warner. There, she defies the stereotypically blonde impression that she makes by excelling in her academic journey at law school. We also uncover a new budding romance between herself and ‘friend,’ Emmett – this show is full of emotion, humour and of course some killer musical numbers! Come on down to Newcastle College from 21st-23rd November to see our stellar cast shine. This show promises to make you laugh (maybe even cry), you will be guaranteed a fun-filled evening that will have you dancing in your seats! Katie Lynn

Play Review: The Diary of Anne Frank at People's Theatre

Keen theatre-goer Katerina Vasilaki reviews the moving portrayal of the life of Anne Frank

n Tuesday the 29th October I was given the chance to watch the staging of The Diary of Anne Frank by The People’s Theatre and if I could sum up my experience in one word, I would choose ‘moving’. The story of Anne Frank is very raw and sad, drawn from the young girl’s diary, in which the horrific situations Jews underwent are recorded. Overall, the performance was amazing, however, there were a few actors who stood out. Pete McAndrew who embodied Anne’s father Otto was very transparent, conveying the pain and desperation of a father after losing his wife and daughters. The beginning as well as the end were directed brilliantly by Gordon Russell and really spoke to the audience. Ellie North who played Mrs Van Daan was outstanding, creating such a realistic illustration of a mother, a wife and a woman and the way sometimes those social roles contradict one another.

The dialogue was conducive to understanding her inner psyche Abigail Martin who portrayed Anne was a very good choice, really showcasing her youth and the change of the way she thinks as she gets older. Because she was narrating some bits the dialogue was conducive to understanding her inner psyche. On the flip side, Honor who played Margot didn’t

have much dialogue going on for her, however, she was constantly on stage and at times I found her presence a bit awkward. Mrs Frank really appeared near the end of the play, finally exhibiting the frustration build up during the previous events.

The setting was simplistic but worked exceptionally well with the performance The setting was simplistic but worked exceptionally well with the performance as a whole, with the costumes being representative of the characters and the costume changes being quite smart. My final thoughts are that this beautifully written play is able to touch one’s heart and do Anne’s story justice, and it would deserve 3.5/5 stars!

Music and Me: An Internal Monologue

always found it tricky to verbalise some of my thoughts- still do, to be honest. The powdery, will-o-the-wisp thoughts, which disintegrate before I can express them in sentences, have always been the hardest. I can sense their meaning but they hang just out of reach, sprites taunting me with flashing smiles and quick feet. Processing thoughts is a tricky business, and often requires a friend to pick up some of the slack, to provide respite from the solar system of emotional debris circling every overworked brain. As a child, Katie Melua was that to me, was my first confidante. She responded to my every inner query with her soothing croon, swaddled me in soft chords, my jumbled thoughts were untangled by her murmurs. Our conversations ran up and down scales, jumped rest breaks, slid between keys. As I grew, so did my musical library and by extension my friendship group. I could pick away at a lyric all day, chisel away at it until it fit roughly into my limited experience. Meatloaf was moulded into memories and Whitney wound so tightly into the fabric of my imagination that I would extrapolate experience from every ‘ooo’. I couldn’t help but read personal experiences into public lyrics, find solace in a stranger’s poetry. I used music to escape the world, and then to return with new understanding. I was comforted by the fact that someone else knew, understood me like no one could seem to in flat monotones. I’d lock myself in the bathroom, innocent and colourless with lack of exposure to life, and let my cheeks flush/blush rainbow and glowing flowers bloom, their purplish vines twist and two-step into my mind, as orchestras swelled and high notes flung themselves, sometimes with assurance and sometimes with desperation, into my ears and down, out of my mouth. And God, I’d dance, and very poorly, but I loved it. Artists long dead or retired held out their ever-youthful hands out to me, and we swung in circles around my worries- and menial and distant my worries would become. Inevitably, most of the love songs I grew up with involved a sadness I found inexplicable at that age, but just as I had cried with Bryan Adams (thanks, Mum) and agreed at age seven that everything I did, I also did for a faceless ‘you’, so I laughed with the insane euphoria Freddie Mercury projected through his every pore. Lauren Sneath

This creative submission will be continued in next week's issue....

@TheCourierArts @thecourierarts Image: Flickr

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culture gaming

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

Monday 11 November 2019

Review Call of Duty: Modern Winter of Bl Warfare '19 multiplayer mode B With this reboot now out of the shadows, Shawn Khoo gives us a sitrep of its online multiplayer

hile the less successful counterpart that is Black Ops 4 continues to decline in playerbase, Activision’s new instalment to the Call of Duty franchise may just be the saving grace that they want so badly. Jumping right into it, the graphics for the game are well done to say the least. They certainly aren’t going to win any awards for aesthetics, but the developers have understood what is needed in a Call of Duty game and worked accordingly. If you’ve played in the beta, you might remember a graphics bug that made lobby screens extremely blurry and pixelated – a problem which no longer exists in this full release, thankfully. Building upon that, the maps are quite well designed and capture the wartorn landscape that you would expect from a game like this. Each map has a different atmosphere, ranging from the arid, dusty

Azhir Cave to the metropolis that is Piccadilly. While not all maps can be played in all game modes, there are enough maps now to ensure fatigue does not set in as you grind your way to unlocking more guns, attachments and cosmetics.

The maps capture the war-torn landscape you would expect

An interesting feature to note about the unlocks system is that you don’t necessarily need to unlock a weapon or loadout yourself to use it – if you happen to see a player destroying game lobbies and racking up nigh-infinite killstreaks, you can choose to use their loadout instead. This, however, only applies as long as you are in the same lobby as the player and is not a permanent unlock, ensuring that you will have to work for your gear. Aside from the satisfying gunplay it offers, the defining feature that separates Modern Warfare from Black Ops 4 is the time-to-kill. It was a major complaint in Black Ops 4 that it took too long for players to down an enemy, and the developers of Modern Warfare seemed to have taken notice of this and decreased time-to-kill in their game. With this, the gameplay is sped up: you can take down multiple enemies within the span of a few seconds, all with a single magazine. This does have its downsides, however. Some guns have been taken to the extreme, far beyond what they ought to be capable of. The 725 double-barrel

shotgun, when equipped with a choke, is capable of blasting players at mid-range and instantly killing them. What would otherwise be a guaranteed victory for an assault rifle has become an almost impossible battle for the player, even more so if the shotgun user is hiding around a corner waiting for the player to approach.

2007

The year that the first Modern Warfare game launched

Speaking of which, this leads to another problem in Modern Warfare. The developers have done a great job with the audio – too great, in fact. Footsteps are so incredibly loud that players have become disincentivised from roaming, choosing instead to set up shop around corners and windows, ready to blast players when they hear the slightest clomping of combat boots. Although this is a method of play, it’s generally frowned upon in the Call of Duty franchise as it goes against the high-octane, adrenaline-pumping run-and-gun gameplay.

There are enough maps now to ensure fatigue does not set in

Much of my playtime in Modern Warfare has been in the multiplayer, so I’ve not been able to play the campaign just yet. However, I’ve heard nothing but good things about it, and let’s be honest - Call of Duty is first and foremost a multiplayer game, anything else is secondary. Although it does have a steep, triple-A price tag of fifty pounds, the inherent replayability and potential of the game is well worth it.

Though Blizzard remain in hot water lizzcon really was astounding this year. The 'Free Hong Kong' protests and relentless leaks in the week leading up to the event made us wonder what Blizzard could do to save the hype around the event this year - and they didn't really disappoint. The opening ceremony began with a serious tone as J. Allen Brack, Blizzard's president, apologised for their lack of communication with players regarding the 'Blitzchung' incident. However, there was no apology for the actual punishment dealt to the Hong Kong Hearthstone professional, their conflicting statements to their Chinese and western audience or their banning of participants in a college Hearthstone tournament. As for actual announcements, there were quite a few. At long last, Diablo 4 is official, with a grisly, frightening new nine-minute long cinematic as well as gameplay for three different classes (Sorcerer, Barbarian and Druid). From the cinematic, we know that the main villain of this installment will be Lilith, 'Mother of Sanctuary', one of the two beings that created the in-game world we know and love. Diablo 4 will also be open world and feature a non-linear narrative. Unfortunately, it was confirmed during the Diablo 4 panel that the game is not coming soon whatsoever.

At long last, Diablo 4 is official, with a new grisly cinematic

The other huge announcement was the confirmation of Overwatch 2. After a number of leaks showing talent trees and updated visuals, people were skeptical, but these leaks were confirmed to be true. With the newest, and frankly amazing cinematic 'Zero Hour' and a short gameplay trailer, Blizzard confirmed that Overwatch 2 will have a complete player-versus-environment (PvE)

Image: YouTube (Call of Duty)

The Last of Us Part II delayed Is this Poké Following this outbreak of bad news, Stacey Henley searches for a cure down the path ahead

higeru Miyamoto once said, “a delayed game is eventually good, but a rushed game is forever bad”. As the creator of Mario, Zelda and Star Fox, he certainly knows a thing or two about development. The Last Of Us fans are going to have to hope he's right, given that Part II has recently been pushed back from 21 February to 29 May next year. The timing of the delay has raised more than a few eyebrows, seeing as the initial February release date was only announced a month ago. Developer Naughty Dog revealed at the time that certain portions of the game were already in a playable state, and that they had deliberately avoided revealing it until they were confident of their release date. It speaks volumes about Naughty Dog's confidence in The Last Of Us that they felt the game would generate hype in a shorter run up to release. Though the game is still expected to enjoy hugely successful sales figures, a three month delay announced so soon after the initial reveal has undoubtedly dampened some expectations. According to

Image: Twitter (analuizatxt) & YouTube (PlayStation)

the game's director Neil Druckmann, the team was "closing out sections of the game, and we realized we simply didn't have enough time to bring the entire game up to a level of polish we would call Naughty Dog quality. At this point we were faced with two options: compromise parts of the game or get more time."

The February release date was only announced a month ago

Crunch time and excess pressure on developers to meet deadlines has been a continuous issue in the industry. As disappointing as a delay might be, Druckmann's promise "to finish everything to our level of satisfaction while also reducing stress on the team" marks a positive step. There was no news on multiplayer Factions mode, suggesting it will remain absent until after the game’s launch.

non-binary

Stacey Henley applauds Nintendo's

nbies everywhere can add another virtual face to their team alongside fellow video game enbies Fl4k and Bloodhound - Pokémon seems to have suggested that one of their characters is non-binary. The character in question is Blanche, the leader of Team Mystic in Pokémon Go. A recent press release from Go developers Niantic referred to Blanche with the gender neutral pronoun ‘they’, while using ‘she’ for Valour team leader Candela and ‘he’ for Instinct’s Spark. While they stopped short of actually saying ‘non-binary’, it’s clear this was a deliberate choice to have Blanche use typically nonbinary pronouns.

Appreciation for nonbinary has increased in recent years

With their typically feminine hairstyle, more masculine face and stance plus their gender neutral clothing, it has been fan canon that Blanche is non-binary ever since they were revealed back in 2016. The mainline Pokémon games have some form in this area too. Back in 2013 with Pokémon X & Pokémon Y, an NPC Beauty told the player character they used to be a Black Belt, but thanks to “medical science” are no

the courier

Monday 11 November 2019

@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming

gaming culture

Blizz-content Review Pokémon Centre London

r, Kaitlyn Maracle is excited anyway campaign story mode, a new game mode called 'Push', two new heroes, Soujourn and Echo, as well as a rework of all heroes' visuals. They also reassured players that all collectibles (including skins) will transfer between the two games, and that any player-versus-player (PvE) map or hero made for Overwatch 2 will be available in the original game. Jeff Kaplan, Overwatch's game director, said that there was no release date or price information yet.

After a lengthy Pika-queue, Joseph Caddick shares his experience of this pop-up merch store

pening in October, a Pokémon Centre finally made its way to London after years of fan demand. The catch: it’s only a pop-up shop

The interior was mesmerising, with music from the games

Overwatch skins will transfer between the two games

World of Warcraft was certainly not left out, with yet another cinematic to herald the release of the next expansion: Shadowlands. This brings five new zones to explore, more customisation options, new dungeons and raids, and the option to join one of four 'Covenants', giving you specific abilities and cosmetics. The levelling system has had a complete overhaul, with the new level capacity reduced to sixty (confusing, I know) so that new players can get to the Shadowlands expansion faster. Don't worry though, any current characters at the maximum level will be reduced to level fifty, but will still be able to use all of their gear. The next Starcraft 2 co-op commander, Arcturus Mengsk, was also very briefly announced. The newest Hearthstone expansion, Descent of Dragons, has been confirmed, as well as a new game mode called ''Battlegrounds'', featuring eight players battling to be the final winner. With even a game like Hearthstone becoming a battle royale, Blizzard really did pull out all the stops this year.

As all the rumours suggested, the queue was long; eight hours long, to be precise. People had been camping since midnight to get their spot in the queue, and it showed - we were somewhere in the five-hundredths or so in the queue. Whenever the wait got tedious, a jolly Pikachu would stroll along the line to lift everyone’s spirits - it was incredible. A wild Eevee appeared about four hours into the wait, although it stayed at the front of the queue. We got into the store at around quarter past two but, much to my dismay, the adorable bowler hat Pikachu had sold out by that time. We’d heard the news through Twitter just minutes before we got to the front of the queue.

s progressive moves

longer. For context, Beauty is a trainer class only available to women, while Black Belt is just for men, implying the Beauty had completed her gender transition. The Western translations nixed “medical science” for “quite the transformation”, but the message remained the same. Understanding and appreciation for nonbinary folk has increased rapidly in recent years, and Blanche is the latest in a growing number of notable figures to join the they/ t h e m ranks.

Image: Twitter (PokemonGoApp)

The interior was mesmerising, with music from the games and vibrant shelves full of merchandise. It was a little on the small side, as I expected to see most of the original one hundred and fifty one Pokémon on display. Unfortunately, there were only around eight, and they weren’t incredibly popular ones either. The Wailord I was eagerly anticipating was nowhere to be seen, but there was just enough merchandise on offer for me to find something else I liked. After my spending spree, I went upstairs to experience the demo of Sword and Shield and was drawn to the lovely artwork surrounding the room whilst I waited to play. As I strolled through the gym puzzle that was featured in the demo, I had the biggest grin on my face, although the 10-minute limit cut my final battle short just as we both

As I strolled through the gym, I had the biggest grin on my face

unleashed our Pokémon. Overall, despite the excruciating wait, I had a blast once I got into the Pokémon Centre. The merchandise was really good quality and the Sword and Shield demo is a great way to build hype before its 15 November release. This is something we’ve never been able to experience before in the UK, though I would advise people to get there as early as they can, and not to go to London solely for this experience as the city has plenty more to offer.

Indie Corner Faith of Fate After placing a week's faith in this game title, Kaitlyn Maracle kickstarts a brand new series

émon's first y character?

and will be closing on 15 November. Unsurprisingly, fans flocked from not just London, but all over the UK, Europe and beyond. I was one of those fans, and I managed to visit on 2 November. The Pokémon Centre was located in Westfield Shopping Centre in Shepherd’s Bush. We arrived at half past six, and with the help of a very friendly staff member, were able to find our way to the queue with ease. Thankfully, it was indoors.

id you like the combat and art style of The Binding of Isaac? Did you revel in the story and morality of choices in Undertale? Do you keep an eye out for cheap indie games on Steam? If you’ve answered yes to some of these questions, then perhaps Faith of Fate will be right up your alley. The purple and blue colour palette and the homegrown art style of Faith of Fate were the first things that stood out to me as soon as I loaded up the game. This was by no means a bad thing, as personally, I love an art style that differs from most mainstream games. Like many indie projects, that love is requited here.

Combat is slow and clunky compared to the smooth movement

while it does get repetitive - I found myself muting it and listening to my own music instead. Then again, according to developers, new additions to the score are set to arrive within a few weeks. Some dialogue from the characters did make me cringe a little, but perhaps this issue might be unique to me. This wasn't a huge problem though, and it sometimes felt thoroughly endearing and almost sweet. It’s best to keep in mind that this game is still in early access and the developers have been very keen for feedback and opinions. I'd highly recommend this game, if only to take a break from some of the more gritty or competitive games that tend to dominate the conversation.

Using a pretty simple combination of the WASD keys on your keyboard for movement and the arrow keys for shooting projectiles labelled as ‘LOVE’ or ‘HATE’, you begin a quest to be 'reunited with your love'. To do this, you must defeat a series of bosses and traverse through levels. If you manage to avoid bumping into anything that isn't the wall all while shooting down the bosses and dodging a plethora of different attack patterns and you're good as gold. You can also collect lives and money to spend on items as you progress through the game.

Ris Aos is an eighteen year old Mexican developer and this is the first game he has published on Steam

One aspect of Faith of Fate I had difficulty with was the combat. I found myself just trying to get through the mini-stages without shooting after discovering how slow and clunky it was compared to how smooth and nimble the movement felt. However, attempting to dodge around enemies to try and make progress isn't the intended way to play the game, and eventually you’ll reach a boss fight. I think the main problem I had was that the projectiles fired at a super slow pace, meaning that boss fights were long and drawn out, and ultimately quite frustrating. On the flip side, however, combat updates are in the works, so by the time some of you play this game, that issue may have been ironed out. My feelings about the soundtrack are a little conflicted. Initially, it's a pretty cool 8-bit sounding accompaniment, but after a

Image: James Troughton

culture science

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

the courier

Monday 11 November 2019

Possible new treatment for early Alzheimer's

Gemisha Cheemungtoo reports on a potential new drug for patients suffering from the early stages of the disease process

iogen, a biopharmaceutical company in the US, have recently announced that they will be applying for a biologics license for a new drug developed to treat early stage Alzheimer’s. The clinical trial for the drug was previously halted at its third phase in March, however analysis of a larger dataset has shown that the treatment can slow the progression of cognitive decline.

years until physicians will be able to prescribe the drug for patients

The drug on trial, Aducanumab, is a derivative of a specific protein discovered in the brains of healthy elderly people, as well as in cognitively impaired brains with a slow pattern of decline. This biologic drug is being used to target another protein called amyloid beta, which, in Alzheimer’s disease, is found in the brain clumped together in abnormal quantities. By preventing the for-

mation of these abnormal amyloid beta plaques, Aducanumab could help to preserve the cognitive functions that are lost as a result of Alzheimer’s. Anton Porsteinsson, director of the University of Rochester’s Alzheimer’s programme in New York state and lead investigator in the study, said it provided new hope for families. “There is tremendous unmet need and the Alzheimer’s disease community has been waiting for this moment,” he added. Biogen have expressed their intention to submit a Biologics License Application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in early 2020. This announcement has been a surprising turn of events as earlier on in March this year, they had decided to halt the third phase of their clinical trials. This was due to evaluation of early data predicting that the primary outcome of the study would not be completed by the end of the trial. According to the previous data on approval times for such license applications, the approval process could take up to 2 years until physicians will be able to prescribe the drug for patients. Biogen have also stated that they ‘will

continue dialogue with regulatory authorities in international markets including Europe and Japan’.

If we just slowed the course of the disease, we could halve the number of people that have Alzheimer's at any one time

In response to the announcement, Hilary Evans, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “The FDA will now assess the new data and its strengths and limitations before deciding about whether aducanumab should

be made widely available in the US. Should Aducanumab be given approval by the FDA, Biogen have stated that they will offer the drug to previous patients who are still eligible from the third phase of the clinical trial. This would provide relief to many of the patients who had been benefitting from the therapy when the company had announced to halt development of the drug. “With such a devastating disease that affects tens of millions worldwide, today’s announcement is truly heartening in the fight against Alzheimer’s,” said Michel Vounatsos, Chief Executive Officer at Biogen. Although unable to cure the disease, there is use for the drug in preventing the manifestation of symptoms such as memory loss and preserving patients’ independence for longer. Dr Cath Mummery, Head of Dementia Research Trials, UCL, said: ” Even if we just slowed the course of the disease in total, by say, five years, we would halve the number of people that have Alzheimer’s in this country [the UK] at any one time.”

Image:Pixabay

Cure at last for cystic fibrosis Has brain study crossed a line? Patrycja Ubysz talks about the newest FDA-approved drug Lilla Marshall reports on ethical issues that surround the field T F DA approved the new cystic fibrosis (CF) drug, Trikafta, developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals on Monday 21st October. The treatment can potentially help up to 90% of the patients and will cost over $311,000 per year. Cystic fibrosis is a rare genetic disease manifesting itself through accumulation of thick mucus in the body. Mutations in the gene coding CFRT (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) protein impair the processes of exchanging water and salts between the inside and outside of the cells, causing problems with respiratory and digestive systems and, ultimately, shortening the life expectancy to between 30 and 40 years. 75,000 people in North America, Europe and Australia have cystic fibrosis and is affecting more than 10,500 people in the UK. The disease is currently not treatable, only symptoms can be controlled and sometimes even lung transplantation is recommended. Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a biotech company has dedicated nearly 20 years of research to develop treatments for people affected. Trikafta is the fourth Vertex drug approved by FDA for treatment of CF. In 2012, a drug ivacaftor with a trade name Kalydeco was approved by FDA, effective in people with G551D mutation which is around 4% of the CF patients. In 2015, combination of ivacaftor with lumicaftor, known as Orkambi, was approved and was aimed at the most common

cause of CF – the mutation of F508del gene. In 2018, an ivacaftor/tezacaftor drug was approved and eventually, on Monday 21st October this year, elexacaftor/ivacaftor/tezacaftor combination drug was approved, priced $311,503 per year. The newest drug consists of ivacaftor, a chloride channel opener, aiding regulation of salt transfer in and out of the cell, elexacaftor and tezacaftor helping the CFRT protein fold the way it does in a healthy person, and is distorted in a patient suffering from CF. The treatment is potentially effective in 90% of patients with cystic fibrosis.

The disease is currently not treatable

The cost of over $310,000 per year makes the drug one of the most expensive on the market. Sadly, the treatment can only help the people who can access it and Vertex was already criticised in the UK for setting such a high price of the life-saving drug. However, the extensive research and increased awareness on what causes cystic fibrosis gives people affected a chance to increase the life expectancy that did not exist couple of years ago

he growth of human brains in the lab have sparked fierce debate within the scientific community about sentience and suffering. For years, animals have been the main source for experimentation in the lab and while there has been some effort put towards creating new artificial techniques (which don’t involve the potential suffering of a living creature), they are still the most common, and best, model available for testing the presentation and treatment of various diseases. Despite this, they come with huge problems – they’re expensive, their use raises many ethical questions and they’re often too different from us to be completely reliable. One attempt at creating an alternative is the creation of brain organoids: brains which have been grown from human stem cells, which could be tested alone or transplanted in to an animal for research. It could allow us to look at the human brain in ways we never thought possible. However, the technique has caused some concerns within the scientific community as many worry that it is equivalent to human testing. “We’re already seeing activity in organoids that is reminiscent of biological activity in developing animals,” said Elan Ohayon, the director of the Green Neuroscience Laboratory in San Diego, “We don’t want people doing research where there is potential for something to suffer.”

The technique has caused some concerns as many worry that it is equivalent to human testing

Could an organoid be sentient? Are these brains waking up as alternative versions of ourselves, à la the “cookies” in the Black Mirror universe? Hank Greely, the director of the Center for Law and the Biosciences at Stanford University, doesn’t think so – saying “I’m confident they don’t think we’ve reached a state, where a person wakes up and finds he is an organoid. I strongly doubt that anyone has reached that point or come close to it.” However, he does raise concerns for the future and thinks debates on the topic are very important to ensure the correct ethical guidelines are in place.

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Monday 11 November 2019

@culture_courier thecourieronline.co.uk/science

science culture

Does Bristol's Wave pool survive the eco test?

Lily Holbrook on whether or not Bristol's newest artificial attraction is, while tourist friendly, good from an environmental point of view

he end of October saw huge excitement among the surfing community following the opening of a brand new outdoor wave pool in Bristol. But is the £26m development in the middle of rural countryside a contradiction to its eco-friendly ethos? After almost a decade in the making, on 26 October 2019, Nick Hounsfield’s brainchild finally opened to the public. The Wave is the UK’s first inland surf facility inviting people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to take to the waves. The story behind the newly established wave centre, located 20 minutes away from Bristol city centre, is an inspiring one: to bring people together through surfing, nature and connecting with others. But what exactly is a surf lake? Over 7 times the length of a regular 25m swimming pool, the 180m long surf lake is the only inland pool of its kind in the northern hemisphere powered by Wavegarden Cove technology. This can generate up to 1000 waves per hour, each one carefully curated to be as close to a natural ocean wave as physically possible. This provides the perfect training ground for seasoned surfers looking to take to the water without contending with popular surf spot crowds.

1000

Number of waves generated per hour at the inland pool in Bristol

Designed to bring communities together, The Wave is ideal not only for pros, but for first-timers, kids and amateurs unable to easily access the coast. The centre also welcomes people with disabilities, including meningitis survivor Marshall Janson who was one of the first to ride the waves. Described by UK surfer Harry Timson as ‘a skatepark for surfers’, The Wave’s authentic waves over 2 hours from the ocean will also be an invaluable facility for athletes in the lead up to the Tokyo 2020 Olym-

pics. With no noise apart from the lapping of waves and murmur of excited surfers, The Wave has passed the test on the noise pollution front.

The site may inspire a new apprectiation of nature for those who have become disconnected

But can this justify the unavoidable disturbance to the surrounding area during construction? Mr Hounsfield admitted concern over public reaction to the artificial site, but with the go-ahead from environmentalists who suggest it will ‘be the perfect classroom to get [their] message out there in a really engaging way’, developments like this may be the way forward. The site may also inspire a new appreciation of nature for those who have become disconnected. By promoting ways to minimise environmental impact by raising awareness of plastic pollution and carbon emissions, The Wave may be the missing piece of the puzzle igniting that reconnection. Away from the surfing, there’s a lot more to this place than sport. Accommodation for family camping trips, an education centre and beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces are just the start. Powered by 100% re-

newable energy costing an extra £100,000 a year, chief executive Craig Stoddart says the environmental element of their business is a big price to pay, but one they are determined to stick with, ‘The idea of helping to acidify the ocean, where natural waves come from, that’s crazy’. With timber buildings insulated by sustainable wood fibres, an initiative to plant 16,000 trees onsite and plans to generate their own power within 6 years, the people behind The Wave undoubtedly have an environmental conscience. By adopting a triple bottom line approach or ‘three wave thinking’ to consider the social,

environmental and financial implications of their business, it is clear that this wave is moving in the right direction. Despite costs of development, it’s safe to say that The Wave is striving to make a positive difference. And it’s only the start: plans have already been agreed with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority to bring the next wave to London. None of us are environmentally perfect, but the message here is clear: anyone can change the world, one wave at a time.

Image:Wikimedia Commmons

Greta makes her mark in the insect world

Emma Monaghan on the newest honour for the climate activist

Word of the Week - Aphasia

Em Richardson explains the effect of a common speech disorder

phasia is the inability to either produce or comprehend speech, as a result of a brain disease or injury. Common causes of aphasia include strokes, traumatic brain injuries, complications from brain surgery, and progressive neurological diseases, such as dementia. Aphasia is a common side-effect of damage to the left-hemisphere of the brain, as this hemisphere is responsible for language production. Physical symptoms of aphasia often include weakness in the right-hand side of the body, since this area is controlled by the left-hemisphere. It is estimated that 1/3 of stroke victims are left with some form of aphasia, and over 250,000 people in Britain currently show signs of the condition. A common misconception is that people with impaired communication are of below average intelli-

gence, but this is not the case for most people with aphasia. Evidence suggests many aphasia sufferers are able to think and process thoughts normally, despite having problems articulating said thoughts. There are two types of aphasia, with each affecting patients differently. The two are named after the particular areas of the brain which are affected in the brain. Broca’s aphasia (named after Broca's area and also called motor aphasia) affects language production, meaning patients can comprehend language as normal, but struggle to produce speech themselves. Wernicke’s aphasia (named after Wernicke's area and also called sensory or receptive aphasia) affects language comprehension, meaning sufferers can produce language as normal, but their utterances often make little sense, as they struggle to understand spoken interactions.

Images: Pixabay and Pexels

he Nelloptodes gretae beetle, inhabiting the soil of Kenya, has recently been named after the global warming warrior Greta Thunberg. Discovered in the 1960s, this teeny bug has been nameless until the recent dubbing by the Natural History Museum in London. This minute creature has no eyes and reduced wings,

At home in our natural world is also the Beyonce Horse fly, John Cleese Lemur and Kate Winslet beetle

and some of the tiniest beings in the world belong to its clan, the Coleoptera family Ptiliidae. These beetles may be tiny, but they are vastly important for a healthy environment, much like Greta. They indeed

epitomise her words – “You are never too small to make a difference.” Michael Darby, the museum’s scientific associate who named the little bug praised Greta “I am immensely impressed with the work of this young campaigner,” He “wanted to acknowledge her outstanding contribution in raising awareness of environmental issues.” Travelling via boat to reduce her carbon footprint, Greta is currently in America to join colossal climate protests scheduled in New York. She is yet to comment on this scientific recognition in the form of a beetle, but has recently declined an award from the Nordic Council for her environmental activism. “The climate movement does not need any more awards.”, stated the frustrated activist. Around 17,000 to 24,000 animal species are named every year. The fact that the discovering scientist can name their found species, can lead to some strange and bizarre nomenclature. A small parasite of the Caribbean Gnathia marleyi is named after reggae legend Bob Marley, purely because this crustacean’s discoverer had true “respect and admiration” for good old Bob’s tunes. At home in our natural world currently is also the Beyonce Horse fly, John Cleese Lemur and Kate Winslet beetle.

Image:Wikimedia Commmons

puzzles

the courier

Monday 11 November Puzzles Editor Emma Dawson

Solutions will be revealed in next week’s issue, available on campus from 18 November

MR TAYTO’S CROSSWORD Across

Down

1. Band formed in Manchester in 1991 (5) 2. American new wave band (7) 5. Chemical element with the symbol Sn (3) 6. University teaching format (7) 9. Historic political party founded in 1678 (5) 10. ____ Allan Poe, American writer (5) 13. name for the thigh bone (5) 15. long narraitve poem usually about extraordinary achievements (4) 18. Vanity ____ , 1848 novel (4) 19. Yes in French (3) 20. Pixar film set in Polynesia (5) 21. 1975 play adapted into a 2002 film (7) 22. Type of wheat flour noodle (4)

1. Capital of Canada (6) 3. Unit of weight equivalent to 28.3 grams (5) 4. ____ Game, 1985 sci-fi novel by Orson Scott Card (6) 7. ____ Girls , 2004 teen comedy film (4) 8. American singer nicknamed the ‘Godfather of Punk’ (4,3) 11. Mild yellow cheese from the Netherlands (5) 12. Method of restarting play in Rugby (5) 14. Martial art created in 1882 (4) 16. US state with the capital Salem (6) 17. Cameron ____ , American film Actress (4) 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

8 9

12 14

16 17

FILMSOC QUIZ

LAST WEEK’S SOLUTIONS

Film Soc Quiz , 14 November , 7:30pm, Trent House (1-2 Leazes Ln, NE1 4QT) Work out the missing word from these mixed-up film quotes and name the film they come from 1. GOOD. UP TO SWEAR, THAT I AM NO I. 2. ALL SHOULD BE PERFECTLY AS THINGS. 3. I GIVE MY DAMN. DON’T, A DEAR. 4. WAIT, OH KING. BE JUST TO I. 5. TO GOING BIGGER. NEED A BOAT.

Name the film these songs are famous for featuring in 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Whistle While You Work Don’t You (Forget About Me) Happy The Hills Are Alive Shallow Twist And Shout Somewhere Over The Rainbow 8. My Heart Will Go On 9. You’ve Got A Friend In Me 10. When You Wish Upon a Star 11. Que Será, Será 12. Mrs Robinson 13. Stayin’ Alive 14. Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life 15. Power of Love

VBB

A N

W S

A F

U D

O R

T W

T H

U M B

A H A P

N K

S U

E Z

L O

C U

D U

P P

R U

A M

E M U

Man Who Knew Too Much 12. The Graduate 13. Saturday Night Fever 14. Monty Python’s Life Of

ANSWERS: MISSING WORDS 1. Solemnly 2. Balanced 3. Frankly 4. Can’t 5. You’re

Brian 15. Back to the Future

is Born 6. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off 7. The Wizard of Oz 8. Titanic 9. Toy Story 10. Pinocchio 11. The

FILM SONGS 1. Snow White 2. The Breakfast Club 3. Despicable Me 2 4. The Sound of Music 5. A Star Images: IMDb

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sport

Monday 11 November 2019

Days you’d rather forget: big sports losses Following Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy-inspired 9-0 whooping of Southampton last month, our team relive other painful defeats

Man Utd 1 - 6 Man City Sesha Subramanian

The “noisy neighbours” made noise for the right reasons in October 2011 as they announced their arrival as the Premier League’s elite team in style. For the first time since 1930, Manchester United conceded six at Old Trafford as Roberto Mancini laid down a marker for the rest of the season. The first goal for City came much against the run of play as Mario Balotelli (fresh from accidentally setting his house on fire) slotted home from a David Silva pass before unveiling the now famous “Why Always Me?” t-shirt. At halftime, City looked in control of the game but were still only 1-0 up. The second half however, saw United unravel completely. Jonny Evans began proceedings by earning himself an early trip to the dressing room, hauling Balotelli down after the striker had gone past him.

For the first time since 1930, Manchester United conceded six at Old Trafford

City took full advantage of their numerical superiority as James Milner found Balotelli at the end of one of his crosses to double their lead. 69 minutes had gone before Sergio Aguero decided to get in on the act - turning in a Micah Richards cross to make it 3-0. Despite the odds, United refused to give up, with Darren Fletcher firing one from 20 yards out. It was the one shot that City needed to finally open the floodgates. Two Edin Dzeko goals on either side of a deserved goal from David Silva in the last ten minutes or so meant United left their own turf with the most embarassing defeat to their noisy neighbours. The defeat would eventually prove costly as City would win the league on the final day thanks to goal difference.

Brazil 1 - 7 Germany Nicholas Lyon On 8 July 2014 on a moderately cool, compared to the rest of the tournament, Brazilian Evening in the Estadio Mineirão, the World Cup semi-final was about commence. Brazil, who were the host nation, were playing Germany. Even though Brazil had played relatively poorly in the proceeding rounds, largely getting through of moments of brilliance from Neymar who was injured for the Semi-final, the Brazilian fans still expected them to beat Germany and go on to win the World Cup. The game started and Germany won a corner in the 11th minute, which was taken by Phillip Lahm and finished in a controlled fashion by Thomas Muller on the volley. A bad start, but nothing could prepare the Brazilian fans for what was coming next. Then suddenly, within the space of 16 minutes, Germany had

Balotelli reveals his famous “Why Always Me?” shirt Image: YouTube, Man City

scored another 4 goals. The Brazilian fans in the Estadio Mineirão as well as the Brazilian fans at home couldn’t believe what just happened. Brazil 5-0 down in a World Cup Semi-final hosted in Brazil.

The Brazilian fans in the Estadio Mineirao as well as the Brazilian fans at home couldn’t believe what just happened

Their misery was further compounded by two well finished goals from Andre Schürrle. Brazil’s Oscar scored in the 90th minute but that wasn’t enough to save a game considered to worst night in Brazil’s sporting history, dubbed by the Brazilian press the ‘Agony of Mineirão’. While it wasn’t technically the biggest defeat in Sporting history it was a defeat that had the biggest impact on a nation of which will be felt for many generations of Brazilians.

Kazakhstan 3 - 0 Scotland Stanley Gilyead The fortunes of Scotland’s national football team have been on a downwards spiral for decades. The nation that once produced superstars like Kenny Dalglish and Alan Hansen have failed to qualify for an international tournament since 1998 and have suffered disappointing defeats to Georgia and Belarus in the course of their fall from grace. But their most embarrassing defeat came this March, as they lost 3-0 to Kazakhstan in a European Championships qualifier. Kazakhstan only established a national football federation in 1991 and have only ever qualified for one international tournament, the 1998 Asian Games. The Central Asian nation went into the game ranked 117th in the world and considered huge underdogs. Even the most pessimistic Scot must have expected a win.

Even the most pessimistic Scot must have expected a win against Kazakhstan

But it wasn’t to be. Within ten minutes Alex McLeish’s Scotland side had gone 2-0 down. The night didn’t get any better as Scotland appeared second best in every department. Kazakhstan got another after half-time to put the game to bed and cruised home to a 3-0 win. Whilst Scotland fans have got used to being disappointed by their national side over the past couple of decades that night in Kazakhstan represented a new low, with the result ranked the worst in Scottish history by sports data company Gracenote. Alex McLeish has since been replaced as Scotland manager by Steve Clarke, and fans will hope that they can rebuild and put their Kazakhstani nightmare behind them. Scotland host their Central Asian foe at Hampden Park again on 19th November

Germany celebrating their trouncing of Brazil in 2014 Image: Wikimedia Commons

and, whilst it is now impossible for them to qualify for next year’s Euros, they will be hoping for a decent victory to make up for one of the most embarrassing defeats of all time.

Southampton 0 - 9 Leicester Toby Bryant As Leicester City traveled south to take on an incredibly average Southampton side on the 25th October this year, Brendan Rodgers’ team would have been hoping to sneak the three points away from home. The record-breaking win that followed, however, no-one saw coming. Within 10 minutes, full-back and England international, Ben Chilwell, slotted home to edge the midland’s side ahead. A 12th-minute red card to Saints defender Ryan Bertrand followed and then the floodgates opened. Youri Tielemans netted, then Ayoze Pérez twice and Jamie Vardy grabbed his first – it was already a painful 4-0 at half-time. Tasting blood, Leicester City were far from finished when back out for the final 45. Pérez bagged his hat-trick with the sixth in the 57th minute and Vardy the seventh in the 58th. James Maddison chimed in with five minutes left on the clock for an eighth and Vardy capitalised on a 94th-minute penalty to add another Premier League hat-trick to his name.

Leicester City had recorded the joint largest ever margin of victory in Premier League history alongside Manchester United

Leicester City had recorded the joint largest ever margin of victory in Premier League history (alongside Manchester United’s 9-0 thrashing of Ipswich in 1995) and the biggest ever win from a side away from home. Saints’ boss Ralph Hasenhuttl tried to shelter his player by taking “100 per cent responsibility for this result today”, although fans of the seaside club weren’t too convinced that their players weren’t to blame. Sure enough, the full squad and coaching staff donated a days’ wages to charity the following day as an apology for their shambolic performance.

James Cahill vs Ronnie O’Sullivan Tom Moorcroft If we’re thinking about some of the biggest losses in sporting history, and focus on the wonderful world of Snooker, then you won’t have to look any further than this years World Championship The Betfred tournament that discovers who the biggest snooker player in the world is saw an all-time giant of the sport, Ronnie O’Sullivan, lose in the first round against James Cahill. The game shocked snooker fans as the Number 1 highest rated player in the world was beat, in a close but decisive 10-8 loss.

The game saw James Cahill mirror a younger, more optimistic Ronnie O’Sullivan

As someone who’s had the pleasure of watching Ronnie O’Sullivan personally (albeit in a loss against Marco Fu), I think he’s one of the trickiest players in the world to play against, who’s coupled years of training with an innate ability to play the ball. The fact that Cahill, the 23 year old ameteur, who had 750-1 odds of winning the competition, beat the best player in the world was one of the biggest moments in snooker history. The game was the single most defining moment from the tournament, and even outshone the stellar performance of the year’s overall champion, Judd Trump, who had a terrific campaign. Ronnie was left stunned, being quoted as saying “I feel absolutely shattered, drained, no energy, struggling to stay awake. I feel absolutely horrendous.” He had been suffering from a virus that week, and used it to explain how out-of-character he was.

The age of James Cahill, also known as the ‘Giant Killer’

However, it seems that Cahill, who was once only known as “Stephen Hendry’s nephew”, is still living in the shadow of bigger stars, being appropriately nicknamed ‘The Giant Killer’. Only time will tell if he was given this nickname too early, as he’s qualified for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 world snooker tours.

Southampton 8 - 0 Sunderland Rebecca Johnson As far as biggest sporting losses go, Southampton and my beloved Sunderland are up there for all the wrong reasons. The Black Cats fans refer to this day as when Sunderland well and truly “did a Sunderland”.

It was a day to forget for the Black Cats as Southampton only knocked in five of their eight goals, the rest were Sunderland

Fans made the 650 mile round trip from the Stadium of Light to St Mary’s to go and watch their side concede eight goals to the Saints. It was a day to forget for the Black Cats as Southampton only knocked in five of their eight goals, the rest were a hat-trick of owngoals for the Wearsiders. It was already going to be a bad day for Sunderland when their full-back, Santiago Vergini, found the back of the net with what must be one of the most beautiful own goals ever seen in football. A fantastic curling volley from 18 yards beat Sunderland’s Vito Mannone to give the Saints their first.

The amount of own goals that Sunderland scored against Southampton that day

The game quickly deteriorated from there, a goal from Jack Cork and two from Graziano Pelle scored in quick succession to give the home side a four goal advantage. At this point, Sunderland midfielder, Liam Bridcutt decided to get himself on the scoresheet, he fumbled a Pelle shot into Mannone’s goal to register Sunderland’s second own goal of the game. Dusan Tadic scored Southampton’s sixth, before Victor Wanyama netted the seventh. And just for good measure, Sunderland’s other full-back, Patrick van Aanholt decided to add the cherry on top of the cake with another own goal. This gave the Saints their biggest ever Premier League victory and Sunderland their most embarrassing performance ever.

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sport

Monday 11 November 2019

FC Barcelona: more than a club

Amidst more Catalan political turbulance, Sports Editor Toby Bryant looks at the larger role of the football club in the region

A city teetering on a political epicentre for decades, Barcelona’s independence debacle is a crisis that stretches much further than the parliament’s four walls. Today, Catalonia remains gripped by protests since October 14th’s supreme court verdict to jail nine separatist leaders over the failed attempt for succession in 2017.

The football side’s political power remains perhaps more important then their ability with the ball

What does any of this have to do with sport? On the larger picture, every detail of Catalan culture revolves around the question, ‘are you for or against independence?’. And the biggest part of Catalan culture? Unsurprisingly, that would be the city’s football giants, FC Barcelona. Whilst fans from further afield may just know Barça for their untouchable historywriters such as Lionel Messi, Johan Cruyff, Andrés Iniesta, Ronaldinho and Pep Guardiola, it’s a club whose identity is a lot more deeply rooted than just their on the pitch prowess. Just hours after October 14th’s condemnation of Catalan separatist leaders, the club had readied a statement, brandishing their undeniable power in the region. “El FC Barcelona, as one of the leading entities in Catalonia […] Prison is not the solution”.

The club’s away kit remains the colours of the Catalan flag in yellow and red

“FC Barcelona also expresses all its support and solidarity to the families of those who are deprived of their freedom”, it continued. A football club involving itself with a nation’s politics in such a bold way is next to unheard

of in the United Kingdom and, in fact, across the globe too. And as the club’s towering centre-back Gerard Piqué took to Twitter to support the statement, it’s reach cannot be underestimated. When the side play, 100,000 citizens crowd into the Camp Nou and the rest empty the streets and duck into local bars to catch the game in a phenomenon that turns the Catalan capital into a ghost town. For many Catalans, supporting the city’s football club is a religious-like commitment that surpasses the feelings of disillusionment and mistrust that many feel towards the current government. The club’s maintaining of a watchful eye over politics is far from a trend that has come about with this year’s latest protests. In October 2017, on the day of an independence referendum deemed illegal and shut down by police, the club announced just half an hour before kick-off against Las Palmas that gates would remain shut in protest – creating mayhem for those police officers outside the Camp Nou. A club statement condemning the police’s actions followed, as did a visit from Gerard Piqué to the polls and the projection of a ballot box with the word ‘democracy’ onto the scoreboard.

For many Catalans supporting the city’s football club is a religious-like commitment

The club’s slogan of “mes que un club”, in the region’s Catalan language of course, translates as “more than a club” and it’s clearly the case. The club’s away kit remains the colours of the Catalan flag in yellow and red and gets marched into clubs across the country and worldwide. The team’s infamous ‘Cant del Barça’ song lyrics are blown up on the big screen for fans to scream before matches and the club is owned and operated by its supporters. The most tangible link to understanding the political impact of the club for fans away from Catalonia rests in the side’s duels with

Camp Nou parades the Catalan flag colours before a Classico clash with Real Madrid Image: Wikimedia Commons Real Madrid. The rivalry to end all football rivalries, it lies not just in the unbeatable nature of both the sides, but in their political history too. Founded in 1902 and granted permission to use the status ‘real’ from King Alfonso XIII, Real Madrid’s crown emblem connects the club directly to the monarchy. For Barcelona fans, many of whom see themselves as politically and culturally independent from Spain, it’s in the Classico that football becomes a political battleground. It’s a reason for rivalry that many modern Madrid fans deny, but the execution of former Barça president and pro-

independence deputy Josep Sunyol by General Franco in Madrid in 1936 is not so easily forgotten by those pro-Independence Barcelona fans still in political turmoil at home.

1936

The year former Barça president Josep Surryol was executed

A rivalry story that gets re-written time and time again as Barcelona’s footballers come

and go, the Classico is infamous in football culture. From ‘El Salvador’ Cruyff’s registering of his son in the city under the Catalan name of Jordi and his role in a 5-0 Madrid bashing in 1974 to 2019’s outspoken Gerard Piqué taking to Twitter last month, club heroes are plentiful. Whilst the club continues it’s support of freedom and expression, without ever explicitly stating a political leaning, the football side’s political power remains perhaps even more important than their ability with the ball.

Please don’t take my Haka away

Meggie Williams defends the New Zealand rugby tradition as some fans call for the side to abandon their trademark If you’re anything like me, the build up to New Zealand playing a rugby match is only made more exciting by the prospect of the haka and watching their opponents trying to hold their nerve in the face of what some describe as a ‘war dance’.

The haka binds people together regardless of religion, history or ethnicity

Image: Flickr David Mollow Photography via Flickr

The haka is a traditional ceremonial dance in Maori culture, being adopted into the pregame routine for the All Blacks since 1905. Though some may argue that using the haka as a form of intimidation gives the players an unfair advantage and psychological edge against their opponents, I will challenge this by claiming that it represents a cultural bind between the Maori’s and white settlers that is far more important than aiming to intimate the All Blacks opponents. Also, isn’t trying to psych out your opponents’ part and parcel of competitive sport? In fact, many teams even enjoy the challenge of coming up against the haka. Similar to many settler colonies, New Zealand’s history has not always been pretty; from the arrival of the Dutch in 1642 followed by the French

and British in 1769, much of New Zealand’s land has been fought over, culminating in the New Zealand wars in the 1960s. The war pressured the Maoris to hand over land which led to decades of tension. The Maori population, and indeed their culture, was largely shunned by the settlers until efforts were made in the 20th century to improve their position within wider New Zealand society. The Maoris have fought hard to increase their social footing, for example the Maori protest movement which emerged in the 1960s and the New Zealand government have equally responded with initives that aimed to bind the different cultures and redress historical grievances.

114

The number of years the Haka has been performed by the side

The introduction of the haka into the pregame ritual of the All Blacks is an important acknowledgment of New Zealand’s history and the Maori culture. The haka enables the display of the best thing that sport has the power to achieve; binding people together regardless of religion, history or ethnicity. To deprive the All Blacks of the haka would undermine New Zealand’s efforts to successful unite its nation.

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sport

Monday 11 November 2019

Hamilton one step closer to Schumacher record in Texas Sesha Subramanian is back with more on the British speedster’s succesful season behind the wheel as he takes the trophy home in Austin The two Mercedes cars were helped out massively at the start of the race as Sebastian Vettel felt his car understeer “like crazy” from the get go, whilst Charles Leclerc somehow never found good pace in his car - the one thing Ferrari had going for them this season. After Verstappen in Mexico, it was disaster in

The race soon turned into a threeway competition as Hamilton surged ahead into the top three behind Verstappen and Bottas

lap one for Red Bull teammate Alex Albon as he found himself in a collision with McLaren’s Carlos Sainz on turn one and had to pit to repair damages to his front wing. The race soon turned into a three-way competition as Hamilton surged ahead into the top three behind Verstappen and Bottas. With Bottas and Verstappen on two-stop strategies, Hamilton gambled on a one-stop to try and take the lead before being forced Lewis Hamilton celebrates his latest title Image: @LewisHamilton (Twitter)

Finnish driver Valteri Bottas needed a miracle in the three races going into the United States Grand Prix to have any hope of winning the Drivers’ World Championship ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. Unfortunately for him however, despite his maiden win at Austin, Texas, it was the Brit who took the title for the 2019 season at one of his favourite tracks on the circuit. Unlike in Mexico, Mercedes looked very comfortable on the Circuit of the Americas

from free practice one. Bottas and Hamilton

Charles Leclerc was completely off-pace and had a fairly lonely drive to fourth

were consistently among the fastest times on the circuit as were their main competitors Ferrari and Red Bull. Hamilton did, however, run into a little bit of trouble in final qualifying as he seemed to be a touch slower compared to some of his rivals. Bottas, however had no such issues, qualifying on pole position - just 0.012 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton was a distant fifth with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc ahead of him.

Sebastian Vettel felt his car understeer “like crazy” from the get go

into some defensive driving at the end. Unlike Mexico however, the hard tyres were worse for wear in this race and as it went on, it became clear that it would get increasingly difficult to manage the hard tyres in the closing laps of the race for Hamilton. Eventually

the Finn would get him on lap 52 while Max Verstappen also made a late charge for second - missing out to the Brit by 0.854 seconds. Ferrari meanwhile had troubles of their own. While Charles Leclerc was completely off-pace and had a fairly lonely drive to fourth, Sebastian Vettel broke his suspension riding the kerbs and had to retire immediately from the race - a disappointing end to a weekend that promised more for the German. Red Bull’s Alex Albon was voted driver of the day for his recovery drive from 20th to 6th on a three-stop strategy. Renault’s Daniel Ricciardo and Niko Hulkenburg both finished in the points, as did the McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz. Sergio Perez in the Racing Point finished 10th to round off the top half after Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat was penalised for a last lap collision

The story of the day was Lewis Hamilton and his title win in Austin, Texas, in front of his family

with the Mexican and pushed down with a five-second penalty. The story of the day, however, was Lewis Hamilton and his title win at Austin, Texas, in front of his family. Speaking after the race, he said, “It’s beyond surreal that my life journey has brought me to this point in winning the sixth title...I have my family with me. I don’t remember the last time my mum and dad and step mum and step dad were at a grand prix, and I don’t think I’ve had them at World Championship Grand Prix before. I am really happy to share that with them - the people who have been at the core of who I am and sacrificed everything they have for me to have the life I have to do and have this opportunity.” His sixth World title puts him ahead of Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio, with just Michael Schumacher in front of him on the all-time list.

KSI vs Logan Paul: the rise of You

Sports writer Andrew White tracks the rise of the new phemonena of YouTube boxing as KSI a KSI vs Logan Paul is fast approaching and the fight is gathering plenty of attention form both sides of the Atlantic. The whole boxing world has their eye on the bout, with wide opinions. Eddie Hearn before the last fight in Manchester said ‘I don’t think I could stand up there and be part of that’. Yet one year later, here Hearn is promoting he fight seeing ‘a phenomenon, a sold-out arena but more importantly an energy of a new audience to the sport of boxing’. Money talks. The fight itself is being held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, one of the most iconic venues in the world. How did a fight between two online vloggers turn into the most anticipated fight of the year?

50 KSI preparing for his fight Image:Instagram @KSI

million. The amount of audience Eddie Hearn reckons will tune in

With 40 million subscribers between them, KSI vs Logan Paul have a mass audience which has made the fight a promoter’s dream. None of this would be possible without YouTube. In 2018, YouTube was the most downloaded app worldwide on the IOS store, rising

from second in 2017. YouTube is continuing to grow as a platform year on year with the number of channels earning six figures per year growing around 40% every year. KSI and Logan Paul owe everything to the

million subscribers between KSI and Logan Paul

rise of YouTube and the fight would not be possible without the platform, YouTube has allowed KSI and Logan to grow but simultaneously the popularity of the two channels has made YouTube an even bigger platform. What attracts people to YouTube is the ‘Micro-Celebrity’ of which KSI and Logan both are. A Micro-Celebrity is ‘ a person famous within a niche group of users on a social media platform’. The term first coined by Theresa Senft in 2008 Is an ever-growing phenomenon, people are attracted to micro-celebrities and their content because it is a more personal interaction than that of your favourite actor/favourite football player. You feel like you really know the person based off their online persona and it is this phenomenon of the micro-celebrity that has made YouTube such a popular plat-

form. YouTube will continue to grow at such a rate that ‘micro-celebrities’ drifting into the mainstream media will become much more common, as Zoella has done and now KSI. This isn’t KSI’s first fight against a fellow YouTuber. The first spectacle came against Joe Weller in February 2018. Weller fought his friend and broadcast it on YouTube before challenging other YouTubers to fight. KSI then challenged his fellow YouTuber to fight, which suddenly became serious. The Joe Weller v KSI fight became real in 2018 and was streamed live on YouTube. KSI beat Weller with flying colours which arguably led

The fight itself is being held at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, one of the most iconic venues in the world

to the rise of the YouTube fights as he challenged other YouTubers to fight him and di-

the courier

sport

Monday 11 November 2019

Ultimate 1sts suffer league opener defeat Christopher Griffin discusses how Newcastle’s ultimate frisbee team, the ‘Pies’, got on against Leeds University The Ultimate 1st team’s BUCS campaign got off to a losing start as they fell to a 7-15 defeat to Leeds 1st on Wednesday afternoon. It was a good effort by the hastily assembled Pies team though, who only had a few days notice of this fixture taking place.

BADMINTON

M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v Durham 2nds W1 v Nottingham 1sts

Chris Larkin got one back for the Pies a couple of minutes later after a great catch from a long huck by Willy Wang for the assist huck

BASKETBALL

M1 v Loughborough 1sts M2 v Sunderland 1sts M3 v Leeds 3rds W1 v Loughborough 1sts

FENCING

W1 v Durham 2nds

FOOTBALL

On several occasions Pies were unlucky, none more so when Alex Monaghan looked to have scored an amazing layout point but

GOLF

1 v Liverpool 1sts

HOCKEY

M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v Durham 5ths M3 v Durham 4ths M4 Leeds 2nds W1 v Oxford Brookes 1sts W2 v Manchester 1sts W5 v Northumbria 2nds The Pies huddle together in a pre-game team talk. Image: Christopher Griffin

the disc slipped out of his hands in the end zone. He redeemed himself within a couple of minutes though, getting on the end of a Will Kershaw throw to make it 3-7. Another point for the visitors meant it was half time on the 28th minute with Pies having a 5 point deficit to make up. The tactics were changed for the start of the second half, with Pies using a vertical stack used for the first time this game at the start

of the second half. This switch-up appeared to have worked as Willy got his first point of the match within a minute after the restart and captain Will Mercer getting another four minutes later to make the score 5-8. The visitors managed to get a point back in the 35th minute before Alex restored the three point deficit with a point resulting from a well caught D in the 39th minute. Leeds then wrapped up the game with three points either side of a Ben Lee

point from a hammer assist in the 26th minute, leading to the game ending at the hard cap on the 63rd minute. Up next for the Pies is the first women’s BUCS outdoor tournament of the season at Maiden Castle in Durham this coming Saturday, followed by Men’s Indoor Regionals at Northumbria the next weekend.

KSI and Logan Paul having such a big audience on them come November 9th can only be a good thing for the platform. Despite the

RUGBY UNION

M1 v Leeds 1sts M3 v Leeds 2nds M5 v Teeside 1sts W2 v Durham 2nds

SQUASH

M1 v Durham 1sts M2 v Durham 5ths M3 v Northumbria 1sts M4 v Durham 2nds

77-90 56-63 64-61 44-79 132-110

4.5-1.5 5-2 3-4 2-5 0-10 2-0 4-2 3-0 28-0 6-2 6-18 W/O Ncl 46-49 48-57 37-50 35-43 13-0 12-15 12-27 46-0 14-54 3-2 3-0 0-3 0-3

TABLE TENNIS

move of KSI and Logan into the mainstream media’s attention they will always be known as ‘YouTubers’ primarily. The fight is bound to add to YouTube’s exposure and audience.

M1 v Sheffield 1sts M3 v Sunderland 3rds

TENNIS

It won’t be streamed on YouTube and it is instead being shown on SkySports Box Office for a fee of £9.95

Eddie Hearn has suggested that the worldwide audience for the fight could be more than 50 million, this should be taken with a pinch of salt given promoters love to exaggerate. However, with 40 million subscribers between the pair of them all bound to watch the fight, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this figure matched and eclipsed. November 9th we’ll see two of the world’s biggest online personalities finally settle their differences and it wouldn’t have been possible, without the rise of YouTube.

NETBALL

W1 v Leeds 1sts W2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts W3 v Sheffield 2nds W4 v Durham 2nds

M2 v Northumbria 1sts

and Logan Paul go head to head at the Staples Centre this month

This isn’t KSI’s first fight against a fellow YouTuber, the first spectacle came against Joe Weller in February 2018 which was streamed live on YouTube

LACROSSE

M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v Durham 3rds W1 v Durham 1sts W3 v Hull 2nds

RUGBY LEAGUE

uTube boxing matches rectly called out the Paul brothers. What’s interesting about the fight is unlike the previous, it won’t be streamed on Youtube and it is instead being shown on SkySports box office for a fee of £9.95. YouTube has always been portrayed as a rival to the mainstream media, but it now suggests that YouTube is becoming part of the mainstream media and acts as more of an ally than a foe.

6-2 0-8 1-7

M1 v Liverpool John Moores 1sts 5-4 M2 v Leeds 3rds 2-1 M3 v Hull 3rds 2-1 W1 v Sheffield Hallam 2nds 2-3

The game got off to a bad start for the hosts as they fell a point behind within the first minute of the game and were 0-3 down within 6 minutes. Chris Larkin got one back for the Pies a couple of minutes later after a great catch from a long huck by Willy Wang for the assist, but the three point deficit was restored in the 10th minute. Ben Lee brought the score back to 2-4, but a six minute spell where Leeds scored three points meant Pies were 2-7 down by the 22nd minute.

The tactics were changed for the start of the second half with Pies using a vertical stack used for the first time this game

BUCS RESULTS

M1 v Leeds Beckett 3rds M2 v Chester 2nds W2 v Hull 1sts

8-9 13-4 4-2 12-0 6-0

VOLLEYBALL M1 v Loughborough 1sts W1 v Durham 2nds

3-0 3-0

SURF FORECAST

Tynemouth Longsands

Logan Paul was challenged to fight KSI Image: Instagram @ loganpaul

The Tynemouth waves will be the envy of Beach Bums from Honalulu to Brisbane this week as the Tyne’s premier surf venue will provide non-stop gnarly waves this week, with heights reaching 12 foot. With high winds and little rip tide Tynemouth’s surf is expected to be the best in the UK this week.

sport the courier

Monday 11 November 2019 Issue 1397 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

Newcastle Pies crumble to Leeds in opening day defeat p39

The Newcastle team regroup for a debrief Image: Christopher Griffin

Team Newcastle bring perfect storm to quench Hurricane

Krista Volden reports on Team Newcastle’s Basketball Men’s Northern Division Two match against Bristol Hurricanes from Saturday afternoon Men’s Basketball

Team Newcastle 92 Bristol Hurricanes 79

Krista Volden at Newcastle University Sports Centre Last Saturday night, Team Newcastle men’s basketball team took home their fourth win of the season – putting them in second place in their division. They got off to an early lead against their opponent, the Bristol Hurricanes, and maintained it until the final buzzer sounded … ending with a final score of 92-79. Leading the team with 28 points was guard Tom Horvat, a first-year master’s student from Cranston, Rhode Island, USA. Horvat contributed 25 of the team’s 52 first-

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half points.

Leading the team with 28 points was guard Tom Horvat, a first-year master’s student from Cranston, Rhode Island

Team Newcastle is in the Division Two National Basketball League (NBL) and is headed up by coach, Mark Elderkin, and assisted by coach, Josh Szymanis. Apart from Newcastle’s national league, which has been in existence for six years, Newcastle also participates in the British Universities and College Sports (BUCS) leagues and commits two teams to this.

As guard Horvat said, “We practice together as one team but it’s two different teams.” The NBL is allowed to have one American on each team, but the BUCS allow for a larger number of foreign talent on their roster. The BUCS were the champions of their division last year with a record of 8-1. This season, they are playing in Division Two for the first time in their history. Foreign students are often on one-year programs, so the turnaround in players is on an annual basis. Coach Szymanis commented, “Six or seven foreign scholars come in every year and recycle. We try to keep five or six British guys that are part of the three or four years at uni.” Other notable contributions throughout the game were guard, Kabengele’s, 21 points and centre, Urli’s, multiple rebounds. The team focused heavily on creating space

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and waiting for good shot selections, but when Bristol’s defense stiffened, and began to put the pressure on, they looked inside for a quick hand off where they attacked the rim … drawing fouls from the opposing side. The Hurricanes closed the deficit down to seven points during the third quarter, but Newcastle regained the momentum and finished the game off strong.

The team focused heavily on creating space and good shot selection

Tom Horvat said, “We didn’t play a perfect game by any means, but we came together when they started to come back and played

hard.” The NBL games are played on Saturday evenings and the BUCS games are played on Wednesday evenings. Team Newcastle’s next home game will be against the Derbyshire Spartans at 19:00 on 16 of November. All their home games are played at Newcastle University’s Sports Centre. BASKETBALL Men’s Northern Division 2 Top Half

Pld

Pts

1 Team Newcastle

2 Myerscough

3 Uni of Chester

4 Derbyshire Arrows 5

5 Manchester Magic 5

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