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Issue 1231 Monday 16 May 2011 www.thecourieronline.co.uk

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University investments fund Gaddafi arms deal BAE subsidiary company sells Libya nearly doubles shares in • • Newcastle £158 million worth of weapons in 2007 arms giant BAE to £989, 914 since 2009 Simon Murphy News Editor The University has almost doubled its investment in an arms manufacturer which flogged weapons to Libyan tyrant Colonel Gaddafi in 2007, The Courier has uncovered. A subsidiary company of arms manufacturer BAE Systems – which the University holds a £989,951 stake in – armed the North African dictator with an estimated £158 million worth of anti-tank missiles and communications gear. BAE owns a 37.5 per cent share in MBS Missiles, which brokered the deal four years ago. In recent months the Libyan conflict has claimed the lives of thousands of civilians, with Gaddafi issuing several threats to kill his own people in the rebel-held cities of Benghazi and Mistrata.

£2,006,356

Total amount of research funding supplied by arms ﬁrms BAE and Rolls Royce to the University since 2000

The country is in turmoil, with rebel forces fighting to wrestle control from the dictator, who had led with an iron fist for 43 years. The University had agreed to review its ethical investment policy in 2009 after a student-led occupation of the Fine Arts building. A working group was established in June 2010 and is set to report its findings to University Council in July. Since agreeing to the review, the University’s shares in BAE have leaped from £526,000 to £989,951.

The statistics are not disclosed on the University’s end of year accounts, and were only obtained by The Courier after a formal freedom of information request. Third year Politics student Kat McCrave, who led the occupation against arms trade investments two years ago, criticised the University’s actions. “I am appalled by the dramatic growth in their investment in BAE over the last two years especially when there are more stable industries they could choose to invest in,” she said. McCrave presented a number of alternative investment strategies at a meeting with the University’s Executive Board last year, such as increasing the University’s involvement in green technologies. The Students’ Union Council also passed a motion in March 2010 calling on the University to cease its investments in the arms trade. BAE, the world’s largest arms manufacturer, has been embroiled in controversy in recent years. The company, which posted proﬁts of more than £22 billion last year, have been found guilty of corruption charges. In February 2010, BAE were ordered to pay £185 million in compensation after pleading guilty to false accounting and to settle bribery allegations. Abi Haque, who is Universities Coordinator of pressure group Campaign Against the Arms Trade, slammed The Courier’s ﬁndings. “Newcastle promised to review its investment policy. Now it has completely disregarded criticism by almost doubling its investments Continued on page 4

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Funding controversy: BAE systems, which helped arm Gaddaﬁ, boasts its weapon collections at Farnborough Air Show last year

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

News Editors: Simon Murphy and Charlie Oven

Have you got a news story for The Courier? Email us at: courier.news@ncl.ac.uk

Fine Art student threatened with mammoth £500 ﬁne for damages

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The Courier has now completed it’s print run for the year 2010/11. From all the team we wish you good luck in your exams and hope you have a lovely summer break. Thanks to all our loyal readers, we hope you have enjoyed the paper this year. A commemorative Gradudation edition of The Courier will be available to all graduands from Monday July 10. ‘Frosting windows equivalent to defacement’: the plastic ﬁlm, which cost the University £924.26 was partially torn by Teal Grifﬁn, who was caught on a hidden security camera

Simon Childs A fourth year Fine Art student has been threatened with a fine of over £500. Teal Griffin was caught on a hidden secutiry camera tearing down plastic film from windows in the Fine Art building. The film, which gives the glass a semi-opaque ‘frosted’ effect, had been placed on the windows at a cost of £924.26. This was done following the occupation of the Fine Art building against education cuts at the end of last year. The protesters had used the large windows in what is known as the ‘fish bowl’ space, to display banners to make their protest more visible and the university wanted to deter this happening in future. “I just thought it was so arrogant of the university”, commented Griffin, explaining his motivation for ripping the frosting down. “It represents an attack on free speech”, he added. The incident was filmed on a CCTV camera which was installed after the frosting had been damaged previously.

A member of staff who works in the department claimed that there had been no consultation with staff, lecturers, students or the head of school before the camera was installed and that they were not informed of its existence. Nor were any signs erected informing people that surveillance was taking place. This has raised legal questions, as there is a possibility that this contravenes the Human Rights Act and the government’s recommendations on use of CCTV in the Data Protection Act, which states: “You must let people know that they are in an area where CCTV surveillance is being carried out”. Grifﬁn described the use of the camera as “almost like entrapment”, saying: “if they wanted to prevent people from taking the frosting down, they would have let people know that they were being watched. They obviously wanted to catch someone in the act”. A spokesperson for the University has insisted that its actions were legal. In an email, seen by The Courier, Grifﬁn was informed that the University had received a quote for the replacement of the frosting which

came to £528.60 plus VAT. The University has warned that should he refuse to pay, they could get the police involved or take disciplinary action. Commenting on the size of the fine, Griffin said: “As an art student I’ve had to spend hundreds and hundreds of pounds on materials out of my own pocket, so in some ways I’m in a worse position to pay than the average student”. Many art students, Griffin included, used the previously ample natural light in the ‘fishbowl’ space, as it is known, to artistic effect. “This was an amazing space for students and others, so I feel that frosting the windows was equivalent to defacement. I felt I was restoring it, I just wish I had done it neater”, commented Griffin. However, a University spokesperson claimed: “The area concerned is the foyer, not an art studio, so natural light is not essential for this space.” This was disputed by third year Fine Art student Alastair Rech who said: “the ‘Fishbowl’ is one of the greatest places in the Art School to display, photograph and generally

experiment with your work. The frosting has blocked out the light which has changed the whole temperament of the space: dank and depressing” he concluded. Rech went on to describe the University’s actions as “shameful bullying”. He added: “it’s rather troubling to imagine how far the University is willing to go with regards to not letting its students express their own views”. A University spokesperson said it would be inappropriate to comment on their treatment of Grifﬁn while the case is ongoing, but highlighted the fact that “vandalising university property is criminal damage”. Newcastle Free Education Network, a campaigning group who were involved in the occupation, blasted management’s behaviour. They released a statement, saying: “It is disgraceful for the university to spend money spying on students at a time of education cuts. This highlights the utter contempt with which members of the university community are regarded by management, who have shown wanton disregard for peoples’ personal privacy”.

Editorial Team: • Editor - Fran Infante • Deputy Editor - Aimee Philipson • News Editors - Charlie Oven & Simon Murphy • Comment Editors - Danny Kielty & Laura Heads • Life & Style Editors - Mary Mullarkey & Kat Bishop •Fashion Editor - Lauren Girling • Arts Editor - Stephanie Ferrao • Film Editor - Adam Williams • Music Editors - Polly Randall & Joe Skrebels • TV & Radio Editor - Ellie Wilson & Lynsey Fawcett • Puzzles Editor - Andy Pitkeathley •Listings Editor - Ciara Littler • Sports Editors - Kat Bannon, Jono Taylor & Wills Robinson •Photo Editor - Briony Carlin • Design Editor - Helen Mamalaki •Online Editors - Bethany Sissons, Katie Hicks, Elliot Bentley and Colin Henrys •Proof Editors - Charlotte Loftus, Katy Lawson, Hannah Davey, Gemma Farina, Jessica Cree, Amy Jordan, Rebecca Gee, GemmaJayne Turner,Verity Cunningham, Emma O’Neil, Jenny Beer & Georgia Morgan The Courier is printed by: Harmsworth Printing Limited, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2DW. Tel: 01332 253013. Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Union Society at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Union Society or Newcastle University.

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

News

Royalists gather to celebrate a very British wedding with a very British breakfast Freya Marks Commentary The royal fry-up: a feast for the eyes. A week of royal build up; nerves, excitement, drama, the seating plan, last minute outfit decisions, the fine cuisine. And that was just us. When people ask us why we held the royal fry-up, we need answer with only four words. Long live the monarchy. What is Britain without them? From a global perspective, the Royal Family is a fundamental part of Britain’s identity and what makes us especially unique. When the world has its eyes on Britain, the Royal Family are our ambassadors, and we would argue they are a positive reflection of the country. We sipped the finest Cava we could buy from Mr V’s out of the finest china we owned. We realised the true magnitude of the occasion when congratulations for the couple came in from outer space, the universe was watching.

‘We sipped the finest Cava Mr V’s could buy’ The preparations were set for the monumental occasion. The amuse bouche to the royal feast was provided in the form of DVB queuing outside the abbey. It was a VVIP event. DB looking dashing and Posh Spice working angles that Tyra Banks would be blown away by. The departing of the royal brothers from Clarence House prompted royal tears being shed. We loved Huw Edwards and all the BBC coverage. We were kept up to date thanks to Clarence House’s Twitter page and the extensive and commendable Daily Mail coverage. 18 of us gathered in the sitting room of 25 Buston Terrace, where we feasted on a royal breakfast and fought for a prime viewing spot. Once the couple and the crowds moved on to the Palace we embarked on a royal doughnut-eating competition, a university tradition among the guests. After a nail-biting first round, Jess Roberson triumphed in the closing stages of the final annihilating tough competition in the form of Bannon, Oven and Linden. Kate Middleton gained a crown that day and Jess retained hers as eating champion of the world. We are planning a royal reunion soon. As we knuckle down to dissertations and revision, we remember the day fondly and daydream about the royal honeymoon.

Students have their say on the big day: Freya Marks: “During this recession, all we’ve been pining for is a right royal pick me up. And boy, did they deliver.” Oliver Arwin: “It was just like Disneyland and the characters were out in force.“ Jess Roberson: “How did Wills

Wedding fever: the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton captured the imagination of one group of Newcastle students who showed their appreciation with a royal fry-up

look? Rich.”

fantastic occasion .”

Maudie Oppenhiem: “On discovering she had chosen Sarah Burton for the dress I let out a right royal yelp.”

Dan Macarthur “I agree with Camilla that the wedding went well, it was wicked.”

Kat Bannon: That moment when Will couldn’t get the ring on was awkward.” Jack Edward Pile: “All round a

Lucy Stewart: “The Queen - what a babe.” Charlie Roe: “Who doesn’t love a wedding.”

Wills Robinson: “It was a fairytale from start to ﬁnish and a memory I will treaure forever.” Fran Infante: “The day was lovely, I was fortunate to be in the media box! An experience I won’t be forgetting too soon.” George Sandeman: “A colossal expense, the media hype was a puerile waste of time.”

Adrian Smith: “What’s to say other than Pippa.“ Sarah Fearns: “Apart from the dress I wasn’t really fussed.” Tom Delamere: “a fantastic spectacle.” Miles Foreman : “Prince William is one lucky boy.”

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

News

‘I am appalled by the dramatic growth in investment in BAE over the last two years’ Kat McCrave Commentary

s I am a member of Newcastle University Campaign Against the Arms Trade it will come as no surprise to anyone that I find the University’s hypocrisy over their investments in the arms trade abhorrent. I first began campaigning for the University to change their investment policy in 2009 after being involved in an occupation of the Fine Arts Building. The occupation aimed to highlight the great humanitarian problems being faced by ordinary people living in the Gaza Strip in the wake of the December 2008 conflict. One of the occupation’s aims was to highlight how the University’s investments in the arms trade, in companies such as British Aeronautical Engineering (BAE), were linked to this conflict. It is my belief that holding shares in a company is tantamount to condoning its actions and I personally do not feel comfortable being a member of an organisation that condones conflict in this way. After the occupation the group that took part met frequently with University management to discuss our concerns in more detail. As a result of these meetings I was invited to speak at the University’s Executive Board, to amongst others the University’s Vice Chancellor. At this meeting I presented a document that outlined my concerns with the university’s current investment policy. I also suggested how I felt they could change this policy to better suit the ethical standards I believe

the University should uphold in its capacity as an educational charity. It is my understanding that since then the University has agreed to review its financial policy and explore a more socially responsible investment route. Despite all this talk, the University has close to doubled its investments in BAE in the last two years. To me, this does not appear like the actions of an organisation committed to exploring more socially responsible investment. As an educational charity the University has an obligation to maximise return with their investments however in my view this should not come at any cost.

“I hope this will change in the future [University arms investments] but I wouldn’t be surprised if the University kept saying one thing and did another” The Charity Commission, which is the body that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, agrees that investments should be ethically screened if it can be proved that “supporters or beneficiaries might be alienated by an indiscriminate investment approach”. I am alienated by their indiscriminate investment approach and I know others are as well. In March of last year the Union

Council, the body that represents all students here at our University, passed a motion supporting Campaign Against the Arms Trade. This motion mandated the union to lobby the University to change the way they invest their money. Students are not comfortable with the University investing in an industry which prolongs conflict whilst profiting from the human tragedy it creates. Students do not want to condone an industry that does this whilst diverting funds from other important areas of government spending such as health care and education. As it stands the University does not seem to be treating students concerns with the respect they deserve. The University has professed to be taking the issue of how they invest their money seriously yet they keep choosing to ignore our concerns and I for one am appalled. I had hoped in my time at Newcastle to see the University make real progress on this issue. I now realise that this isn’t happening, I hope this will change in the future but I wouldn’t be surprised if the University kept saying one thing and did another. The University has said it will review its investment policy but it is continuing to invest in morally questionable industries such as the Arms Trade. I am appalled by the dramatic growth in their investment in BAE over the last two years especially when there are more stable industries they could choose to invest in. I would personally like to see the university invest more in a growth industry such as green technology not continue to profit from conflict and human tragedy.

University’s investments arm authoritarian regime Continued from front page in arms giant BAE. Furthermore, it allows BAE on campus to recruit students and permits academic departments to become arms company R&D labs,” she said. “The link with arms companies associates the University directly with human rights violators who buy and use the arms. The University should take immediate steps to reverse its policies.” The University appoints investment mangers Majedie and Black Rock to oversee its portfolio, a

number of which are pooled investments. The Courier was refused access to further details of the pooled investments. A University statement said: “Due to the nature of pooled investments it is not possible to obtain specific information regarding the number of shares or companies invested in.” Registrar Dr John Hogan defended the University’s investment policy, arguing that there was no lack in transparency. Dr Hogan said: “The [investment]

holding will vary considerably in the course of a year in an effort to secure the best return for all their clients including the University. “Details of the holdings and the performance are reported four times a year to Finance Committee.” Dr Hogan added: “While there are arguments in favour of not holding shares in companies that manufacture weapons, this is a complicated issue. “BAE is the UK’s largest manufacturing based employer and engineering company with 18,000 pro-

Funding fury: pressure group Campaign Against the Arms Trade has slammed Newcastle

fessional engineers including many Newcastle graduates. “Many of our students go on to careers in the armed forces.” The University has accepted £994,914 worth of research grants from BAE in the last decade and more than £1 million from Rolls Royce, which manufactures engines for military aircraft.

Newcastle engineering school is funded by a number of research grants linked to the arms trade and also receives large annual funds – believed to be around £1.5 million – from industrial consultancy and research in this area. Head of the Engineering school, Dr John Appleby, who stood as parliamentary candidate for the Liberal

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

News

CATT

Behind the story Libya, from pariah state to Western ally and back again by George Sandeman

ibya’s journey from pariah state to crucial trade partner has the UK at the centre of it. After taking formal responsibility in 2003 for the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, Libya progressed to become a key trade link. Libya’s oil reserves are the ninth largest in the world and key supplier to the UK. Libya had been accused of orchestrating several instances of state sponsored terrorism that include: a shooting of a British policewoman in 1984, the bombing of a Berlin nightclub in 1986 and the Lockerbie bombing in 1988, amongst others. In 2005, the Libyan government began to auction off exploration licenses to its off shore oil fields estimated to contain 41.5 billion barrels of oil. With Britain keen on finding an alternative oil supplier to the host of Arab countries talks between then Prime Minister Tony Blair and Libyan dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi intensified during the now infamous ‘deal in the desert.’ The aim was to secure a deal for BP to be awarded the oil contracts rather than competing companies including Halliburton of the USA. During the negotiations it was widely rumoured that the Libyan government included a request for the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi. He is a Libyan national who was accused of being a Libyan intelligence officer and convicted of the Lockerbie bombing in 2001 but released in 2009 on the

grounds of compassionate release for terminal prostate cancer. His conviction was undoubtedly controversial and was challenged by several legal experts as well the UN observer present at the trial. At the time, it was widely suspected that the American government was exerting heavy political pressure on the British government to secure a conviction as it was a Pan-Am flight with many travelling Americans that was destroyed. The now freed al-Megrahi remains alive in Libya and his release came amidst a storm of opposition in the both the UK and America. As al-Megrahi was being held in a Scottish jail it was the Scottish government who ultimately decided upon his release but it is widely speculated that the then British government pushed hard in order to keep their end of the ‘deal in the desert.’ In fact, after the release of the WikiLeaks’ diplomatic cables, one dating back to August 2009, shows Colonel Gaddafi threatening to cut trade with the Britain if al-Megrahi died in prison. After al-Megrahi’s release in August 2009 BP began drilling Libyan oil in August 2010. In February 2011 the arrest of a prominent Libyan human rights campaigner ignited protests in the eastern city of Benghazi. This was part of a storm of civilian unrest which had begun in neighbouring Tunisia, spread into Egypt, then Libya and on into Middle Eastern countries such as Syria and Jordan. In retaliation the Gaddafi government used aircraft to suppress the protestors before a no-fly zone was implemented by the UN. So far Colonel Gaddafi has refused to stand aside and has threatened Libyans who oppose his rule that he will show “no mercy, no pity.”

Newcastle University investments in arms companies

Research funding from arms trade

BAE -

2000 - £61,486

2001 - £115,743

31.12.2008 - 77,860 shares, priced at £3.77 each, totalling a market value of £293,338

2002 - £53,738

2003 - £123,974

2004 - £134,474

2005 - £164,862

31.12.2009 - 146,560 shares, priced at £3.60 each, totalling a market value of £526,883

2006 - £28,500

2007 - £17,500

2008 - £134,240

2009 - £160,397

31.12.2010 - 299,985 shares, priced at £3.30 each, totalling a market value of £989,951

Total - £2,006,356

Rolls Royce -

2000 - £9,400

2001 - £6,400

31.12.2006 - £92,937 worth of shares

2002 - £6,400

2003 - £0

2004 - £20,000

2005 - £10,000

2006 - £959,242

2007 - £0

2008 - £0

2009 - £0

31.12.2007 - £95,852 worth of shares 31.12.2007 - £154,516 worth of shares The University has ceased to hold shares in Rolls Royce since 2009

BAE -

Rolls Royce -

Total - £1,001,442

for almost doubling its investment in BAE - an example of their weaponry is pictured above

Democrats in Tynemouth last summer, argued that the majority of research funding from BAE and Rolls Royce is not defence related. He said: “Most of our work with BAE is not on weapons, it’s on bits of science and technology that might get used in weapons systems but they might get used for civilian [purposes].”

Dr Appleby, who says he banks with the Co-op, added: “I don’t live in an ideal world. I have some ideals but in terms of the way I make decisions in this school I do not make a decision about a specific piece of research or a specific piece of business work because it is or isn’t defence related. “I don’t make a decision directly

on that issue.” Dr Appleby did concede that should the department receive funding for work that was more overtly related to the manufacturing of weapons, he might have reservations. “I think if something came up that was very, if you like, explicitly aggressive, I might take a different

line but it hasn’t, there isn’t,” he explained. “If somebody came to me and said I’ve got this exciting new research to develop a new warhead, I would have more difficulty with it because there’s no way I interpret that as defensive, I see that as aggressive. “Most work doesn’t fit so neatly into one category or another.”

Lib Dems ousted in council elections Miranda Dobson The Liberal Democrats have lost control of Newcastle City council, as students turned out in force to vote in local elections on May 5. After seven years at the helm, the Liberal Democrats suffered severe losses to Labour, with 10 councillors falling to the sword, representing an 11 per cent swing in the vote. With two major universities in the city, and a population of over 50,000 students, the backlash to the longstanding Liberal Democrat leadership may be blamed on their controversial housing policy to build alternative student accommodation. The Liberal Democrats had come under fire locally for their housing policy, with some critics claiming the scheme amounted to creating “student ghettos”. Nationally, the Party has suffered in the polls after a humiliating u-turn over tuition fees. Two of Newcastle University’s own students ran in the elections, representing the student body on opposite sides of the political spectrum – both losing. James O’Sullivan, who is a third year Politics student, ran in the ward of Elswick as the Conservative Party candidate. He told The Courier: “As a Conservative candidate standing in an area that’s not naturally Conservative and very heavily Labour, I was fully expecting not to win, however it was a great experience. “It’s important that all parties stand everywhere.” O’Sullivan, who finished second in the race for Union President in March, further commented that as student running in the elections “the council has to listen to students and students need representations in local council”. Second year Politics student, Craig Johnson, ran for Labour in Castle and emphasised the need for a student voice to be heard in the council. “It is vitally important that students have representation on the City Council, but it doesn’t necessarily need to be students who do that,” he said. He added: “Students, more than ever, realise the importance of their vote and of their say, both in local and national politics, which can only be a good thing in the years ahead.” Johnson, who is President of the University’s Labour society, described the Labour victory as a “simple hammering for the Liberal Democrats, punished by the electorate for their decisions locally and nationally.” This is a sentiment which is echoed by new Labour Council Leader, Nick Forbes, who will be confirmed in his role at the end of the month. Forbes told The Courier that “people felt let down and betrayed by the Lib Dems”. He also suggested that the Liberal Democrats were “failing to recognise the huge importance that students play in our local economy. And nationally they broke their promises by selling out to a Tory agenda to turn higher education into a marketplace.”

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

News

Newcastle alumni elected Vice President Welfare Officer for the NUS Bethany Sissons Former Student Support Officer Pete Mercer has been elected to become the Vice President Welfare Officer for the NUS. In his bid to be elected, Mercer said: “This is a time for expansion, not subtraction. Providing, not depriving. We have to use all the weapons in our armoury, the right tactic at the right time, sending a message to those who stand in our way that enough is enough.” Mercer will succeed current Vice President (Welfare) Ben Whittaker, who described him as having “unparalleled enthusiasm and drive.” Whittaker added: “He is the candidate who can inspire activists and deliver on policy - a dedicated campaigner through and through.” Speaking to The Courier, Pete said: “It’s really exciting to have been elected and there’s so much stuff I want to do. Having been on the exec this year and with two years experience of Student Support at Newcastle I’ve accumulated ideas that I want to see delivered. I have the chance to do all that. I won’t lie though; I am a bit daunted because this is a big job.” When asked how his experience at Newcastle had prepared him, Pete said: “Overall I had a fantastic experience as the Student Support Officer. Being a Sab presents lots of challenges that prepare you for many jobs but I think my time as a student has prepared me most for this national role. “Issues on student finance and housing are part of the national agenda. For me, there were personal issues through my time at Newcastle that I know could have been prevented if student support had been different. This inspired me to go for the sabbatical and national position.” In his manifesto Mercer promises to keep fighting for students, saying he will campaign against the cuts to student services and demand full

equality impact assessments. Mercer also plans to create a national review of SU advice centres and provides to start a research-led case for the protection of support services. Mercer told The Courier his main aims for the year: “One is a manifesto point and the second is changing the culture within the welfare unit. With student finance everyone is obsessing about fees and funding, who should pay for education, the individual or taxation? “There are more real issues however facing student financial support. So many students are not adequately supported and failed by the system; LGBT students who need to prove they have been estranged from their parents, students with children, middle bracket income students who are living on cheap food and working 30 hours a week to pay for their education. Some students even turn to gambling or prostitution. This all stems from student finance.” Mercer continues: “To change the welfare culture for me means to look to a local level more. The NUS is there for the local too, we need to stand side by side and be at the forefront with local students.” Mercer is aware that the NUS may not be able to please everyone: “Every student’s situation is different; there isn’t a shopping list for students. “When I try to shake up student support, I’m conscious that because students are individuals there may be someone who still thinks things are unfair.” Mercer concluded: “I want to be a proactive and listening VP welfare that fights on local issues.” The NUS held its annual conference at The Sage, Gateshead in April. The conference sets policy for the coming year and hosts the elections in order to select representatives for the key positions within the organisation, including Vice Presidents for Higher Education, Further Education, Welfare Union Development

“Big job”: Mercer told The Courier that he is in the exciting position to deliver on ideas he has accumulated over the last three years.

and Society and Citizenship. Over 1000 students and student representatives attend the conference from all over the UK. Every students’ union, guild and association is allowed to send at least one representative to the conference. This year’s event saw a pleading Aaron Porter speak to a crowd of angry students. “All I ask is that you hear me out,” he said, “I’ve been accused of getting things wrong this year.” Draw-

ing abuse from the ﬂoor, people clap when he mentions his decision made in February to step down. The successor to Aaron Porter, NUS’ most high-proﬁle President for many years, was revealed to be Liam Burns. Burns, the current NUS Scotland president, addressed the weaknesses as well as practical policies to win the title. In becoming the 55th NUS president, his task will be to lead students through after a turbulent 2010,

which brought student activism to the forefront. Tripling tuition fees and cuts to higher education mean that to be the next NUS leader will be a difﬁcult job. The other winners were: Usman Ali for Vice President Higher Education, Toni Pearce becomes Vice President Further Education, Ed Marsh will be Vice President Union Development and Dannie Grufferty will be 2011’s Vice President Society and Citizenship.

Newcastle sets tuition fees at maximum level of £9,000 as universities await Offa’s verdict Elliot Bentley Every university in the country is to charge the new unregulated maximum fee of £6,000 per year, it has emerged. Out of these, 56 have announced plans to raise their fees to the maximum ﬁgure of £9,000, including Newcastle University. The decision as to whether universities should be allowed to charge over £6,000 now lies in the hands of the Ofﬁce for Fair Access (Offa), whose decisions are to be published in July. However, at the end of the last month the Daily Mail quoted Offa

assistant director David Barrett admitting they would not fine universities not meeting their quotas of disadvantaged students, confirming fears of some speculators that Offa will allow every university that intends to charge the maximum of £9,000 to do so. Jonny Pickering, a prominent member of the Newcastle Free Eduction Network, said: “With the majority of universities charging the full £9000 all the signs suggest that the Office for Fair Access will not prevent any of them from doing so. “Obviously this makes a mockery of the governments claims that £9000 fees would be an exception

rather than the rule and the latest revelation that they plan to allow rich students to buy off-quota places is barely concealed class privilege.” Business Secretary Vince Cable told Parliament last December that any university wanting to charge over £6000 would have to satisfy “very demanding tests of access for low-income families, including through the introduction of the scholarship scheme.” Although the University’s exact plans remain conﬁdential until Offa announces its decision, a University spokesman told The Courier: “In very broad terms, the Access Agreement conﬁrms the University’s

commitment to building upon and extending the outreach activities and programmes currently in place (e.g. PARTNERS, the Graduate Ambassadors scheme, Student into Schools), together with a revised student financial support scheme which offers a range of fee discounts and cash bursaries for students from less advantaged backgrounds.” In addition, the University has promised to supply up to a third of undergraduate students with bursaries of £2000 per year, with £29 million provided in fee discounts and bursaries over the first five years. Professor Barry Gills, a senior politics lecturer at Newcastle Univer-

sity, said that ﬁnancial support for less well-off students was critical to the success off both the University and society at large. “This has to be done in order to sustain the role and function of a public university in society and its ability to give a crucial opportunity to improve life experience and life chances regardless of social background,” he told The Courier. “This is essential in my view to sustaining and strengthening a just society, as well as an enlightened citizenry, which is so crucial to democratic culture.”

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

News

Students and staff pay tribute to Castle Leazes porter who suffered heart attack while on duty George Sandeman Tributes have been paid to a popular Castle Leazes porter, who passed away last Monday morning. John Dixon, 59, suffered a heart attack in the early hours after allegedly breaking up a ﬁght between students earlier on. Dixon, who had worked at the University for 26 years, was described as a “pleasant man” who “lived and breathed work”. In a statement the University said it was “deeply saddened” and it was believed that he “had been feeling unwell when he began his shift.” Police and ambulance services were called after the porter was discovered in a rest room at around 1am. Eyewitness accounts stated that a police presence continued throughout the early hours of Monday, with up to ﬁve police present at around 2.30am. Further eyewitnesses stated the smoking area by Freeman Hall had

been cordoned off by police for some time with the police appearing to carry out some sort of testing. Police have since conﬁrmed that no arrests were made and that there is no ongoing investigation. Police are awaiting the coroner’s report. In one of many moving tributes to Dixon, Castle Leazes Hall Manager, Rita Gray, said: “He was very well liked by colleagues and students alike and had a very good rapport with the students. John lived and breathed work and was so dedicated to his job – that was the kind of guy he was. “He will be sadly missed by all of us and our thoughts are with his family.” She added: “John loved his job with a passion and was highly respected by work colleagues and students alike. “He enjoyed interacting with and supporting the student community and made many student friends due to his approachable and caring nature, always focused on assisting,

supporting and being a listening ear for ﬁrst year students during their transition into university life. “He will be greatly missed by us all.” Senior Academic Warden Dr John Kamara also paid tribute to the popular porter. He said: “John Dixon was a very approachable and pleasant man who made you feel at ease with his gentle and caring personality. “He was very helpful, polite and kind; very unassuming in the way he carried out his duties. He will be sorely missed.” Fellow colleague Sue Wilson added: “I will remember John as the quiet but conﬁdent and friendly person whose life was the University. “He was always available to advise and support the students making them welcome. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.” John Macpherson, Senior Night Reception Porter, remarked: “John Dixon was a valued and well-liked member of the team who contrib-

uted to the organisation in many ways, a wonderful person and so many people will miss him, and our

“John lived and breathed work and was so dedicated to his job – that was the kind of guy he was. He will be sadly missed by all of us and our thoughts are with his family” thoughts are with his family.” Another member of staff at Castle Leazes said: “I had known John for 16 years during my time at the University. Since I started to work at Castle Leazes Halls I always found

him to be friendly and always ready to help out with any situation that arose. “I was shocked when I found out he had passed away while on duty. It has affected members of staff greatly as he was a popular ﬁgure in Halls.” Another staff member said: “I always knew that John was a favourite with the students in Halls but I was overwhelmed by their response at his passing. He always enjoyed being around the student community and making the students feel welcome.” Students at Castle Leazes also paid tributes to John Dixon in a book of condolences that will be later passed onto his family. One comment said: “A great guy, the best night porter ever! Amazing how you always remembered our room numbers!” Whilst another said: “Best wishes to John’s family and friends; a truly respectable and cheery man. All thoughts go to your family, thank you very much.”

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

News

Dying for a tan? Newcastle Professor suggests sun exposure not as unhealthy as first thought Jessica Cree This year’s Sun Awareness Week coincided perfectly with the unseasonably glorious weather of the past few weeks. Many of us will have jumped at the chance to get out in the sun. But as good as a glowing complexion may make us feel, many fail to consider the damage it can cause. Terrifying statistics are released each year and new figures from Cancer Research UK show that the rate of malignant melanoma is up by eight per cent on last year, equating to two diagnoses every day. It has also been found that just one

blistering burn in childhood or five burns at any time could more than double your risk of developing a melanoma in later life. There are two types of Brit; the type that slaps on sun lotion whenever there’s a break in the clouds and the type that sets off on an annual pilgrimage for sun worship. All of our face creams contain an SPF factor and celebrities, like Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts, have made it fashionable to have a natural skin tone. However, Newcastle University emeritus Professor of Dermatology, Sam Shuster, is now arguing that sun exposure may not be as un-

healthy as previously thought. Avoiding the sun denies the body of vitamin D, which protects against osteoporosis and rickets. Many people also argue that a sun tan makes them feel happier and more confident. Those conscious of their image worry that the sun causes premature aging, but Prof. Shuster believes that its benefits far outweigh the risks: “When you consider the enormous psychological benefit of sun exposure, its immunological and endocrine benefits, and the fact that it is our best natural source of vitamin D, which may in turn offer protection against a host of other cancers, wrin-

kles seem a small price to pay”. The professor is also questioning the, in his opinion, lack of evidence connecting the sun with fatal cancer. There are three main types of skin cancer, two of which Prof. Shuster argues shouldn’t be labelled as cancer at all as they don’t spread or kill. “Basal cell and squamous carcinomas are benign tumours. Calling them “cancer” was a wretched historical error. I don’t believe there is sufficient evidence to prove that sun exposure causes the sort of melanoma that can kill you – there isn’t enough scientific data”, says Prof. Shuster who also believes that

a gradual tan could offer natural protection against skin cancer. Nonetheless, other scientists are still cautious of playing down the sun’s risk, warning that a tan only offers the same protection as an SPF 4 lotion. Cancer Research UK has advised that “a few minutes around the middle of the day” without suntan lotion is enough to provide you with a sufficient amount of vitamin D. Furthermore, Julia Newton-Bishop, consultant dermatologist at St James’s Hospital in Leeds, recommends the most important thing “is to avoid sunburn” completely. Simple.

Cambridge academic target of blackmail

famously met, has defended its links to the country and its deputy principal Professor Chris Hawkesworth has claimed that media reports have presented facts “selectively”. It is the second British university to be embarrassed by links to corrupt regimes, after it was revealed that the London School of Economics had signed a £2.2m deal to educate young Libyans for the purpose of becoming the future elite.

Elliot Bentley The Careers Service provides information and advice on developing your skills, finding a part-time job, work experience, supporting business start-up and (when the time comes) exploring graduate opportunities. For more details about these and other vacancies, including details of how to apply, visit their website at www.ncl.ac.uk/careers. PART TIME VACANCIES Job Title: Rise Up Interns Employer: Newcastle University Closing date: 27/05/2011 Salary: £7.99 per hour (including holiday pay) Basic job description: The Rise Up Team is looking to recruit part-time interns working a maximum of 15 hours per week throughout the 2011-12 academic year. Location: Newcastle University Job Title: Community Football Project Coordinator Employer: Sports for Youth CIC Closing date: 01/06/2011 Salary: £11,250 (pro rata) Basic job description: Duties will include coordinating the dayto-day activities of our Football project and managing volunteers, coaches, and work placements within the project. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Job Title: Part time Sales Adviser Employer: Debenhams Closing date: 25/05/2011 Salary: National minimum wage Basic job description: Duties will include engaging with customers, selling items, housekeeping and paperwork. Location: Metrocentre, Gateshead Job Title: Customer Service Advisor Employer: Lloyds TSB Group plc Closing date: 31/05/11 Salary: £14,000 - £18,420 pro rata

Basic job description: To be the key first, and often only, point of contact for customer calls, providing an excellent level of customer service that exceeds expectations and in doing so reduce the need to transfer calls Location: Sunderland Job Title: Part Time Cleaner Employer: Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service Closing date: 20/05/2011 Salary: £6.29 per hour Basic job description: Undertake individually or as part of a team, the cleaning of designated offices and associated accommodation to ensure that they are kept in a clean and hygienic condition Location: Newcastle Job Title: Sales Consultant Employer: Next Closing date: 20/05/2011 Salary: £4.85 - £5.93 p/h Basic job description: Replenishing stock and maintaining high standards of merchandising and housekeeping, displaying good listening skills, identifying customer needs and responding to them quickly Location: South Shields Job Title: Team Member Employer: ODEON Cinemas Closing date: 31/05/2011 Salary: National Minimum Wage Basic job description: Act as the first point of contact for all of our guests and serve guests at the box office. Location: Metrocentre NCL WORK EXPERIENCE NWE offers project based work placements in local companies over the summer period. Placements are for 10 weeks, working full or part time, and students are paid a £240 bursary per week. Visit Vacancies Online and select Work Experience, and check the

‘Newcastle Work Experience’ option for details of all opportunites. Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience – Events Manager Employer: Creativity, Culture and Education Closing date: 22/05/10 Salary: £2400 bursary Basic job description: Event management for conferences for two key projects – Artists in Creative Education and Well Versed. You will also support the development of work to deliver a new Creative Partnerships programme in Lithuania. Person requirements: Excellent organisational skills, and a confident communicator. Location: Newcastle and Brussels Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience – IT Systems Development Employer: Clayton Glass Closing date: 22/05/10 Salary: £2400 bursary Basic job description: Customer service and shop-floor systems development. Person requirements: Creative software developer who can lead on the research and then development stages. You will be able to produce strong visual content, have used Flash/Shockwave or similar and worked with HTML and php before. Location: Stanley, County Durham Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience – Marketing Placement Employer: eAchieve Closing date: 22/05/10 Salary: £2400 bursary Basic job description: Supporting the Marketing Manager to develop marketing initiatives to engage new learners. Person requirements: You don’t have to have an academic background in marketing but will be a confident communicator who is able to use your initiative. Location: South Shields

A male prostitute has been jailed for 30 months after attempting to blackmail a Cambridge academic. Peter Ellis, 20, was approached by the elderly don and was paid £50 to perform sexual acts. However, Ellis, who is a homeless drug user, later demanded £4,000 from the married academic. Oliver Renton, defending, described Mr Ellis as a “young homeless man, penniless and destitute and struggling to come to terms with his sexual identity”.

UCL to charge up to 10p a day for library books UCL is to charge students up to ten pence a day for the privilege of borrowing books from its library. This unprecedented move, labelled a “disgrace” by a senior lecturer at the university, comes as part of cost-saving plans introduced as a result of cuts to the institute’s budget. Under the new plans, students will be allowed to borrow up to five books at one time for free, but will have to cough up if they wish to borrow any more at the one time. The library has, however, conceded to an intense online campaign to install water machines in the library at a cost of several hundred pounds.

St Andrews defends links with Syrian regime The University of St Andrews has launched an internal review into its Centre for Syrian Studies, after claims it had been receiving funding from members of the Syrian regime. The university, where Prince William and his new wife Kate Middleton

Building blunder at Imperial College may cost £1.5m University bosses at Imperial College London are struggling to appropriate blame for a construction blunder that may cost them up to £1.5m to fix. A new exhaust system for the Mechanical Engineering building, introduced as part of a £13.5m refurbishment of the facility, was built using galvanised instead of a stainless steel. Steve Howe, Director of Capital Projects and Planning, told student newspaper Felix: “it was felt that [the galvanised steel exhaust system] wouldn’t stand up to long-term use”. The renovation was originally scheduled to be complete in October 2010 but is now over six months late and looks likely to exceed its original budget.

Sheffield students conviction overturned Two Sheffield University students who were arrested for “cooking” a TV have been released from jail after their sentence was overturned. Joshua Hart and Daniel Gyi set a television alight in their oven and then threw it off the top floor of their student accommodation after damaging the kitchen. Hart and Gyi have seen their immediate jail sentence delayed for a year, after which they will serve for 51 weeks.

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Interview News

Broadcasting legend Kate Adie returns to her former university department for commemorative speech Fran Infante Editor As part of the centenary celebrations of the School of Modern Languages Kate Adie made a rare appearance at her former university address to a packed lecture hall shortly before the Easter break. She arrived at the entrance of the Herschel building, effortlessly stylish in a black body con dress accessorised with a turquoise jacket and high heels. She looked impossibly young for her 65 years and the small group of language students who had been selected for a brief private conference with her literally quaked as she entered the room. Adie spent three years at Newcastle in the sixties, studying Swedish with Old Icelandic and German as part of her Scandinavian Studies degree. Newcastle was still a subsidiary college of Durham University at the time and she was one of just over 200 female students out of a 12,000 strong student population. “Languages were the sort of subjects girls studied back then; we were very naïve. I remember being amazed during First Year Conference week (Freshers’ week as it is now) when I found out that it was possible to study Law at Newcastle; it just wasn’t the sort of thing girls were even told about, much less allowed to actually consider.” Despite a hugely successful career post-graduation that has seen her reporting for the BBC from war zones across the globe. Adie admits that ‘career’ was not something she contemplated greatly: “I arrived at Newcastle by what can only be described as the university cat-flap”, she announced. “My A level results were embarrassing and my headmistress had to make some reassuring calls on my behalf.” Despite the potential controversy of this confession, her frankness about her own early failings can only be of comfort to the many whose final exams loom large over their next few weeks and remain utterly convinced that the right or wrong performance on that day will seal their fate forever. Adie’s further assertion that “academic achievements are helpful but not necessarily enough” offers yet more pacifying advice. During her studies at Newcastle Adie, admitted to having been a keen political activist and proudly counted throwing an egg at the then Vice-Chancellor as one her many achievements during her degree. Commenting on the recent student unrest she laughed: “Some things don’t seem to have changed much since I was here, the atmosphere of student protest was very similar then. I remember one week there was quite a lot of our student committee missing; we later found out it was because they had been arrested. “I know I sound like a dinosaur”, she laughed, but “your job as students is to question everything that says to you it is a power. I am from the generation of students that regularly held sit-ins in the ViceChancellor’s office. This sense of rebellion appears to have diminished little over the intervening years. She later proclaimed: “I am the enemy of political correctness – I believe in using the richness of our wonderful

language to describe with precision, what exactly is what.” As we sat and listened, it became apparent that with the last decade’s progressive changes to the mechanisms of university funding, the student experience has - and will be - brought full circle. Sitting in front of cluster of soon-to-be graduates,

Adie may well have felt prehistoric ,but her reflections on the value of education have never been more apt: “Our attitude to education then was different, we took our degree study very seriously – there was no suggestion that you could coast; the fact that you were getting a degree mattered and the fact that you were

getting a degree from Newcastle mattered even more.” It appears the experience of being a student at Newcastle really has changed very little since the sixties, her anecdotes of her time here will, I’m sure, resonate strongly with any current student. “I remember spending a lot of L.MACKENZIE

Vice-Chancellor Chris Brinks with Kate Adie who admits to throwing an egg at the then VC whilst a student at Newcastle

time in the library [now the old library building] partly because of the books and partly because it was the only building on campus which had central heating.“ Certainly if her recollection of sports clubs are correct, even less has changed: “I remember our Rugby team going on tour in Scotland and not being allowed to cross back over the border because they had been caught stealing road signs!” As with all language students at Newcastle, in her third year, Adie was sent on her Year Abroad to improve her fluency. However, it appears that even at this young age, her aptitude to work effectively in less than hospitable environments had already been spotted by her professors. “My placement was fairly unusual”, she told us. “ I became a language assistant in Southern Lapland. My tutor later told me that he assigned me to that role because he thought I looked like I could survive it.” With a career in broadcast journalism that has spanned almost 40 years, a healthy chunk of which has seen her reporting from some of the most perilous places in the world, danger has long been just another part of her life. Having read her accounts of reporting on Tiananmen Square, the Rwandan genocide and the Gulf War, the courage and poise she has maintained in situations that would have rendered the rest of us utterly useless, is astounding. When asked by a student what her most frightening experience had been, she laughed ironically: “That all depends on how you quantify danger, how do you compare a drunk holding a knife to your throat with a psychopath holding a gun to your head? It’s really very difficult to compare and contrast.” Adie is a fascinating woman to talk to; she has a plethora of anecdotes including the time that her knowledge of Swedish saved her life when she got caught in the crossfire of a Croatian massacre and was able to call for help from a passing UN police car, without the gang who were holding her hostage understanding. With characteristic charm, Adie remains refreshingly disdainful of what she terms “celebrity fluffy duff.” Anticlimactically, she described the start of her career in journalism as “accidental” and “serendipitous”, which though inspiring to a point, was clearly not the answer hoped for by the anxious row of young faces in front of her trying to establish exactly how she did it - and more importantly how they can replicate it. “Don’t ask me where you’re going to get a job, I didn’t know and actually I didn’t panic about it. You don’t have to make your entire career start bang as soon as you leave university; don’t panic and take your time, that way you will get it right.” With her typical tongue-in-cheek style, Adie offered current students her advice on how to face life after Newcastle: “Whenever you get an opportunity to do something, do it. Grab a lot of opportunities – I’ve grabbed a lot of strange things and I have never regretted it. “Always expect that you will be able to do more than you think. Ignore the health and safety twats – intelligent people take their own risks.”

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Would independence be beneficial for the future of Scotland? Comment Editors: Laura Heads and Danny Kielty - courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk

> Page 12

Is the killing of Osama really that big of a deal? J.WHITTAKER

Laura Heads Comment Editor

Recently America, and more speciﬁcally Obama, have shot (if you ignore the pun) once more to the front of every newspaper, this time for the conceivably controversial killing of the West’s number one terrorist, Osama Bin Laden. Quite honestly, I could write pages on Bin Laden. Perhaps not so much on the man himself, but most deﬁnitely on the whole concept of terrorism and what he stood for; I guess studying a module on it will do that to you. His death was amongst one of the most highly controversial news stories to emerge of 2011, and it’s only May. Amidst the almost galactic sized celebrations in Washington DC and Times Square, New York, there are also those who disapproved, whether vocally or not, of the way in which the Navy Seals, and in turn, their Commander in Chief, handled the entire operation. The controversy surrounding the decision to shoot Osama dead is a complex one; numerous facts have yet to be released about the shooting, and I doubt they ever will. As Oliver Duggan, writer for The Independent, states “Osama’s death will be scrutinized by hundreds of authors for many years to come, and no one will ever reach a direct consensus.” Whether or not it was right to shoot

You, The Courier Elliot Bentley, Biology student, reviews the last edition.

he last issue before Easter started off with another big university scandal - Jonathon Offredo seems to be quite good at snifﬁng out these things. Although I’m not usually interested in the fashion section (I’m not a particularly big fan of wearing women’s clothes), I was surprised to ﬁnd a rather eye-opening piece on the messenger bags most guys have at the moment - are they really rebranded manbags? I’m sticking to my trusty backpack. In lifestyle, they had a couple of great, really in-depth articles on living on £1 a day (though I’m keeping an eye on the author of the piece if she’s ever in my house), and a day (night?) in the life of a campus

kill off the leader of a cell and there are still hundreds of cells which will operate, 99 per cent of them probably entirely unaware the others exist.

“We were so quick to condemn the hundreds who rejoiced at the death and destruction of 9/11, and yet here we are doing the same thing, rejoicing in the death of a human.”

Osama is not the topic of my article, even though we could analyse and over analyse that continuously. My main problem with this whole situation is the fact that a) we are readily supporting the killing of a man, and b) some people think this will sort everything; terrorism will immediately be gone. Although I do entirely empathise with the victims of 9/11, and can completely see their side of the argument that their jubilations at his death are merely because the man who caused them so much pain is now no more, and for them closure has ﬁnally come, I still fail to see the

security guard. It’s always nice to see the paper supporting local events and such. It is, however, an example of how the paper can sometimes feel a bit text-heavy; it’s difﬁcult to get through so much writing without some pretty pictures to accompany it. Can Newcastle make it four in a row? Stan Calvert preview All the sports, all the build up,

pull out inside

COURIER THE

Issue 1230 Monday 28 March

2011 www.thecourieronline.co.uk

OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS THE INDEPENDENT VOICE

University backtracks on £850k VIP lounge • •

Management wanted King’s Gate to be VIP-friendly Vice-Chancellor’s ofﬁce too noisy in current location

The now-shelved project was part Jonathan Offredo of this year’s £50m estate budget, new which includes projects like the The University has indefinitely Business School and Students’ Unpostponed a £850k refurbishment ion refurbishment. in to the King’s Gate building, after University officials say the blitz administration baulked at their own construction is to compensate for proposal to make the £30m building previous years of little to no conmore VIP-friendly. struction, but the scaffolding, cranes The proposed change to the all but and construction barriers dotting brand new, 18-month-old building of campus, come during a time of auswould include the construction of terity, when tuition fees could triple relocation the and bar oating fl a of- and lecturers take industrial action Vice-Chancellor Chris Brink’s over pension and pay disputes. in fice. project was first introduced The regisUniversity’s the John Hogan, the 2010-2011 construction budget, trar, said not a penny has been spent and was initially budgeted for £150k, on the project so far, and the deciin but after looking at the initial optiona sion to postpone the project was of converting a meeting room into light of the upcoming cuts, and how lounge, Hogan said administration the spending would be perceived was “not convinced the changes we be during a time of austerity. had originally envisaged would “If money were no object, you can successful.” see why we’d do it,” Hogan said. When asked about why the conin“I would still like to wave a magic ac- struction to King’s Gate was not wand and do it, but we have to cluded during the building’s initial prioriother be will there that of cept it’s construction, Executive Director ties and in this particular case, Finance Richard Dale said: “havrea good message to send that we’re ing been here a while now, we on exof bits other prioritising two alised not everything was spot penditure, which will virtually ben- in the original spec, in particular, in efit everyone that visits the campus. the way we deal with visitors. The “That’s probably a good message building needed some enhanceto send at this time,” he explained. ment.” “I couldn’t say it will never happen, in Continued on page 4 but I can say it will not happen the foreseeable future.”

D.HAMILL

EST 1948

FREE

Lecturers stand ﬁrm in wage dispute Finola Miles

Academic staff took to the picket in lines last Tuesday and Thursday response to a pay dispute. Lecturers taking part were docked the a day’s pay as they clashed withpay University over a 0.4 per cent rise, which after inﬂation, would of 4 amount to a real terms pay cut per cent. The treasurer of the Newcastle University and College Union (UCU) branch, Dr Geoff Abbott, also explained that the strikes were motivated by disagreements over pension schemes and the dramatic cuts to higher education funding. Members of the UCU from Durtake ham and Newcastle voted to adaction in a strike on Tuesday, in dition to the national day of action involving 63 other universities from across the country on Thursday.acaA letter sent to Newcastle demic staff by the local UCU branch to said: “the reason for the strike is jobs protest against the thousands of rethe lost, been already have that a fusal of our employers to negotiate and package to improve job security, their insistence on pushing through4 a real terms pay cut of more than per cent compared to inﬂation. “Two thirds of UK universities have already announced their intention to seek further redundancies, and despite recent reassurances, at rendundancies are highly likely is Newcastle. Yet the Universityexcontinuing to spend lavishly onand ecutive expenses and estates, VIP has even proposed an £850,000 Lounge.” In a meeting of one strike committee prior to the protest, lecturers from the School of Historical cuts Studies explained that whilst in the pensions scheme had played of a decisive role in the resolution Newcastle University staff to strike, of they were not the primary cause the strikes. Calling for students to see the bigger picture in terms of the strikes, in and demonstrated their opposition Continued page 5 lecturers face a real terms pay cut city centre

the Bleak future: that saw hundreds march through coordinated strike action last week

What do you think of The Courier this week? Send your 180-word review to courier. comment@ncl.ac.uk

sense in celebrating. For a start surely the reason we killed Osama in the ﬁrst place is because he was responsible for thousands of deaths across the world, thus doesn’t glorifying America’s killing of a man kind of ring true with why we killed him in the ﬁrst place? We were so quick to condemn the hundreds across the Arab world who rejoiced at the death and destruction of 9/11, and yet here we are doing the same thing, rejoicing at the death of a human, albeit a terrorist, but still a human nonetheless.

It seems entirely against what we as a society have attempted to set our morals as, simply, it makes us no better than those who we condemned, none at all. Although many will denounce my approach as a crude one, it is nevertheless an important one. Surely we have attempted to set ourselves above these ‘terrorists’ and yet we engage in the same practices as them. Do the rule of law and the right to a fair trial mean nothing anymore? The idea that this will end terrorism is somewhat naive also. Al-Qaeda operates as a cell organisation,

Although Bin Laden was seen as the overall ‘leader’, it would be absurd to suggest that there are not others who are just as keen, just as violently minded, and just as politically inclined. Osama’s death will mean little to those involved with Al-Qaeda, and if I dare put this view out there, probably symbolically means more to the West than it ever will to the East. Agreeably Bin Laden’s death marks somewhat of a pause in the ﬁght the West has waged against terrorism, but to say that it is over cannot ever be considered the truth. In fact, the truth of the matter is that Al-Qaeda will probably hit back stronger than ever. I just hope that we can at least use this temporary break to our advantage, use the information wisely and, when they inevitably attempt to attack again, be ready to defend with the rule of law this time, not mindless weapons and violence.

Studying spooks and screams Bethany Sissons

Approaching my ﬁnal week of university, the end really does seem to be in sight and for many students, the big question about what to do next looms. The University of Derby poses studying a postgraduate MA in Horror and Transgression as the next step. First of all, I studied the Gothic Novel this semester. I spent the rainy nights of February reading horror and being scared out of my wits. Dracula invaded England and Frankenstein released his creature into the wild whilst the wind raged against my bedroom window, providing the perfect atmosphere to frighten me. Studying this MA surely couldn’t be good for your nerves… However, for students at the University of Derby, this frightening degree course starts in September and

is expected to cost students about £2700. With a duration of one year, the course is aimed at film-makers and writers with a desire to learn about the history of horror on screen and in books. Moreover, British horror author and director Clive Barker has given the degree his backing and hopes to take a class. There is definitely something spine-tingling and enthralling about the horror genre; they’re films and books which should be studied because they’re different to other styles of film and fiction. People seem to have the innate desire to be scared, to explore taboo subjects and to hear about the sinner’s point of view for a change. It’s an exciting genre in this sense, constantly unnerving you and filling you with suspense. Being bad is usually forbidden so being able to access evil through horror makes it attractive. Viewers and readers get their fix of deviance without turning heads. The interesting thing about horror is how the tropes of old novels are still used today. Ghosts, serial killers and vampires have epitomised horror for decades, so will the

course actually bring anything new and exciting to the horror genre? Dr Jason Lee, the University of Derby’s head of Film and Media, said the degree was relevant because horror was one of the film industry’s most lucrative genres. The course appears to depend on using the past of horror and therefore will it be able to inspire those wanting to make new horror films or develop ideas about what makes an audience frightened? And, again, this new and different course prompts the question about whether this is just another postgraduate degree course which is too specialised? However, I think you can justify dedicating a year to studying blood and gore. Dr Jason Lee argues that “people want jobs with international scope and this MA offers that”. Lee also calls it “the only MA in the world of its kind” and continues: “in terms of doing something which will enhance you as a writer, cultural theorist, film-maker and a person, this degree is ideal.” So if you want to learn how to scare people, it looks like you’re going to have to go to Derby.

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Comment

Should Scotland choose independence over union? Yes Louise Naylor

Now, I like the Scottish. A blood tie from Braveheart days and a fondness for accents have endeared the people and country to me, but I still feel Scotland should be independent from England. The main reason is, they seem to really, really want it. For years, the Scottish National Party has been campaigning to free Scotland of its English overlords and make it a separate country. For the first time, the SNP got the majority vote in the elections and independence is becoming more and more of a possibility. On a financial level, England could do well as Scotland’s economy sucks England’s taxpayers of £8bn in annual subsidy. That’s a lot of haggis. It also constantly goes over its spending budget and makes a deficit three times the percentage deficit of the UK as a whole. And with the rise in tuition fees only occurring in English universities, I’d like to see how Scotland can do without our help in that department. I’d feel more generous if they fairly accepted English students into Scotland’s free higher education, but something called positive discrimination is stopping that. In sport we have a little problem too, as Andy Murray jokingly insists on being called Scottish, not British. Come on Murray, you’re the best we have, share the glory. On a more positive note, Scotland could actually do better off in the long run, as they will probably apply to be in the EU and once granted membership, adopt the euro. It’s got its pros and cons, but at least in the early years Scotland could benefit from the help the EU could provide. It is also bigger than a lot of the countries involved and could follow the break up of the Former Yugoslavia (only without the violence) which has economically thrived from separation.

Regarding money, there is still a fight for Scotland’s oil in the North Sea, but with production at its lowest rate ever, I’d say that ship has sailed...south, and you can bet we won’t be giving it up without a fight. However, with all the mountainous and deserted areas in Scotland, hydroelectric power is fit to boom, whilst realising the promise of a greener Scotland. Scotland’s a beautiful country is full of heritage and by stopping muddying English habit, this could intensify, into what I hope will be a soup of battling clans and kilts. Maybe a little far-fetched, but I would certainly pay to see that bit of culture, for a cheaper plane ride. Now it seems that there has been a change in public opinion. A recent poll said just 29 per cent of Scots wanted to go their own way compared with 41 per cent of other Britons. But the votes have been cast and it could be too late. Just remember Scotland, if you make this choice and it goes kilts up, don’t come running back over the border. We might not want you back.

No Tarren Smarr

As an American whose ancestors stood up to the British Empire to gain independence, part of me wants to give Scotland a high ﬁve and say, “have at it.” Then the academic part of me (the part I try to hide in everyday life) comes out and suggests that Scotland’s independence is not such a hot idea. Scotland, your struggle has gone on for centuries…literally. There was the First War of Independence from 1296-1328, then the Second War of Independence from 1332-1357 and during this time, you may or may not have had your independence in the manner of being de facto.

After the Scottish National Party’s majority haul in the recent elections, is Scotland heading for a beneﬁcial move to independence?

After King James I (may he rest in peace) “united” England and Scotland, the countries still had separate parliaments and governments. Soon after came the War of the Three Kingdoms, dragging Ireland along for the ride and once again, a treaty was signed, uniting Scotland and England. Though this time both parliaments were dissolved and a new one was formed, I am beginning to sense a pattern here…war, treaty, war, treaty etc. But regardless of history, we can have a chat in grown up terms about modern day current affairs. We’ll start with the economy. If Scotland becomes an independent state (which will also have to be recognized by the United Nations in order to fully engage in treaties with backing and support - an additional argument entirely), the pound would no longer be the currency of

the state. Though it can be argued that some European states do conduct business with their own currency as well as the euro, the pound belongs to the United Kingdom and those leaving the Kingdom can find their own currency! Truth be told, Scotland would be incurring the same financial issues that are burdening many of the European states that are linked to the Euro. Do the independent states of Greece, Ireland and Portugal ring a bell? They need financial help and Scotland would have to help carry that weight. Though I mentioned the UN, the legality issues will be kept brief. After all, they can be boring. However, as it stands, the UK would not have to legally recognize a referendum or Bill from Scottish Parliament seeking to change their

constitutional status. After all, these matters are meant for Westminster. Scotland could go the route of Ireland in the early 1900s and go de facto, the legal version of going rogue or about gaining what is desired with less than honorable means. It clearly didn’t work the first time, hence the situation Scotland is in now. Long story short, being part of the United Kingdom is in the interest of the Scottish people. The people have their own distinct culture, social life, political sphere and influence with all the benefits of being Scottish. As it stands, Scotland is part of a superpower. A superpower comprised of four national identities that only make the union of countries in the United Kingdom stronger. Leaving the UK would set Scotland back more than it would help move the country forward.

Squeamishness about Sex Education won’t help young adults Susie May Beever

It seems like only yesterday that I was sat in a Year Eight Biology classroom, being indoctrinated with the ‘facts of life’; one full hour of graphic diagrams, mutual embarrassment, and teenage boys sticking sanitary towels on each other’s jumpers. One lesson was more than enough, and needless to say, we didn’t have it again. Sex Education is a milestone for young people, like an educational rite of passage. Nowadays, students make a con-

versation point of the embarrassment of putting condoms on polystyrene rods and watching live birth videos, and all at the tender age of about 12 to 13-years-old. However, that could soon be set to change, with a recent survey proving that more than half of parents showed disapproval of young people being taught sex education below the age of 13. Of 1700 parents of 5-11-year-olds asked, 59 per cent said that sex education at a young age was ‘inappropriate’, with popular reasons being that the lessons may “encourage children to ask more about sexuality and sex” (heaven forbid). It seems that for a highly westernised country that doesn’t half hold back on the sexualised advertisements, music videos and television programmes, half of which are aimed at young people, Britain

holds a very prudish attitude when it comes to actually sitting down and talking about the real facts of life. Some parents in the survey also admitted to either diverting or scolding their children when asked

“Each year it is estimated that children view about 400 adverts on television alone, a lot of which project a distorted attitude to our sexualities.” where babies come from. With such overt attitudes to women and sex being displayed everyday in the media (News of the World, anyone?), combined with the right remaining for teachers to abstain from teaching reproduc-

tion as part of the curriculum and parents to withdraw their children from such lessons, Britain must ask itself why it holds the highest seat in Europe for the number of teenage pregnancies each year. Is it really any wonder that young people have such warped attitudes to sex? Each year it is estimated that children view about 400 adverts on television alone, a lot of which project a distorted attitude about our sexualities. With the likes of Lady Gaga ﬂaunting her lady (or male, if you happen to believe those rumours) parts, and Rihanna exhibiting her new-found fetish for PVC knickers, children, being the most vulnerable, must surely harbour a confused outlook on the way in which they are expected to behave. Whatever happened to good oldfashioned self-respect?

The issue of sex education in the national curriculum, which was brought to light in the House of Commons last week, was argued by Tory MP Nadine Dorries who proposed a Bill requiring 13-16-year-old girls to be given extra sex education lessons. Note the emphasis on girls, as according to Dorries, boys are not affected by young people’s mutual uncertainty over their sexualities. It seems that while pop concerts aimed at young people are vastly morphing into live sex shows, adults still seem unsure about how to handle the simple issue at heart, and usually avoid it altogether for fear of embarrassment. Surely boys as well as girls should be encouraged not only to engage a healthy attitude to their sexualities from a young age, but ultimately to respect one another.

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Comment

Catchment area just as important as ambition in the achievement of celebrity

Run Rabbit Run Matthew Blackwell Columnist

Louise Naylor

What makes a celebrity? Is it their talent, burning ambition or just where they went to school? A new report suggests the latter, as certain schools appear to be producing more celebrities than most. Well-known institutes such as Eton are famous for having powerful alumni, including our current Prime Minister, David Cameron. But it seems other schools are getting in on the act too. Comprehensive school, Drayton Manor High, just a few miles from Eton, boasts past pupils such as singer Jay Kay, front man of Jamiroquai, and Tottenham footballer Peter Crouch, who is arguably as much of a celebrity for his dancing, as he is for football. Haverstock School in north London also appears to be a fertile petri dish for the rich and famous, with ex-pupils, such as Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, and his brother David. Furthermore, all three members of the successful hip-hop group NDubz, footballers John Barnes and Joe Cole are also former students, as is actor Steve McFadden. When asked what makes his school so fruitful, head teacher John Dowd believes it is down to the school’s diverse set of students. Half of its pupils are entitled to free school meals, more than half are bilingual and 23 per cent are refugees. He says, “We try to generate a culture of high aspiration, and success in any ﬁeld is something to be lauded, whether that’s in sport or politics or on television”, demonstrating the school’s key philosophy

Eton School: Along with Haverstock School in North London, are these now the must attend schools if you want to be famous?

of nurturing a wide range of talents, including the purely academic. Perhaps most touching is how former student, David Miliband, comes into Haverstock every Tuesday to teach politics and mentor pupils, showing a loyalty to his roots and undoubtedly inspiring many MPs to come. Now, it is true a lot of these schools are based in London, raising the question: is there more celebrity

glitter in the capital air, or is it only down to population numbers? It seems a bit of both, as Michael Portillo attributes his success to the incredibly competitive environment in London schools, where, “twice a year we got our exam results and everyone would know each other’s results,” he says. “In my class there were three of us who competed for the top spot.” Similarly, DJ Judge Jules attributed

his fame to the school’s location in a middle-class area, where there was a high proportion of “pushy parents”, willing their children to do well. Now I think we can all agree, up north we have enough competition and pushy parents to create a hundred celebrities. And I strongly feel it is just a matter of time before we see our classmate’s, or even our own names, in the paper.

‘No’ to AV shouldn’t deter need for reform Thomas Saunders

A year ago, Nick Clegg was the most popular politician in the country and was making a decision over the formation of the government. He was putting the Lib Dems in power for the ﬁrst time in their history, bringing with him a new kind of politics. How hollow this now sounds to many. Tuition fees, EMA, the NHS, bankers’ bonuses. These are amongst the issues that have alienated the nice guys from the voters, and the reason they took such a phenomenal pummelling in the May 5 local elections. Who knows what state the party will be in by the next general. Unfortunately, these are also judged to have been the main reasons why the AV referendum was

won by the ‘No’ campaign on the same day. Both ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns could claim to be cross party, driven by issues rather than down Westminster whipping lines. In theory. In reality, this was the bitterest of political squabbles. Nick Clegg was positioned as the father of all broken promises, and we were warned that to vote ‘Yes’ meant to vote for more coalitions. It seemed slightly strange that this particular leaﬂet was funded through Conservative donors, and published by a Conservative councillor from Worcestershire. Responsible behaviour is evidence their from partners in a coalition government. From the Lib Dems came Chris Huhne’s bizarre attack on George Osborne and David Cameron in a Cabinet meeting. This not only was futile, but served to reinforce the idea of the AV referendum being associated with political party popularity. In a popularity contest, David would beat Nick every time at the moment.

So, having been thoroughly defeated in the referendum, by 68 per cent to 32 per cent, where does this leave the cause of electoral reform? Very much put on ice is the simple answer. For the ﬁrst time in our history, we were given the chance to choose the way we elect our MPs, were treated to a negative campaign of political egos, and are now promised that the issue is off the table for a generation.

“However you voted on the day, and whatever you believe to be the merits of the voting systems themselves, no one can claim that the current political climate is healthy. ” This only reinforces the need for a radical rethink of the way we do politics in this country. However you voted on the day, and whatever

you believe to be the merits of the voting systems themselves, no one can claim that the current political climate is healthy. And the campaign was run in that exact same spirit. First-past-the-post, then, is here to stay for the foreseeable future. Electoral reform does not, however, end with the referendum. In fact, a new generation of grassroots supporters of reform have been given a baptism of ﬁre, which may indeed serve them well in the long run, a sense of grittiness that clearly wasn’t at the disposal of the ‘Yes’ campaign. The ﬁrst referendum for a generation was poisonous and a disservice to voters. But, give it a year, and I’m sure there’ll be something else to be angry about.

Courier Online What do you think? Let us know! Comment on this story and more at: www.thecourieronline.co.uk

Well, it’s that time of year again, when the library becomes the place to be and a general ban is placed on fun in all its various forms. I suppose that really only leaves one thing for me to talk about; that’s right, you guessed it: rabbits. Nobody needs to be reminded in a dreary, depression inducing piece of writing just how large that exam looms above your head; exactly how many precious hours remain before that essay deadline, or how each second spent reading this paper will decrease your potential mark by a factor of nought point two. No, for my last column in the last issue of The Courier in my last year at University, I wanted to turn to happier thoughts, those lovable creatures that lollop around outside the Robinson Library and Civic Centre. Now I don’t mean to get off on the wrong foot, but I’ve noticed a marked increase in, how do I put this, rabbits whose spirits have been granted freedom from the constraints of their earthly bodies. This is perhaps inevitable when you set up camp next to the Great North Road. However, it did lead to the need to comfort my semi-hysterical girlfriend when we walked past the other day, and after many soothing words about bunny heaven, things appeared to be in order. I even got a text from her later in the day saying ‘I have seen three rabbits to make up for the dead one earlier’. Putting aside her interesting take on logic, I was reassured that everything was well. That was until later on when my housemate crashed into the room in a state of blissful ignorance and gruesome fascination declaring ‘Here, I saw a mangled rabbit earlier with a hole in its stomach!’, bringing previously repressed notions of rabbit suffering ﬂooding back. Moving on, I have seen many a rabbit in my time at Newcastle and there is something about these little chaps that always brightens my day. I have no idea why they chose such a small strip of green in the middle of town to call home, but this is part of their charm, their lack of sound reasoning before settling down rewards us with a glimpse of the countryside in the heart of the city. They also add an extra dimension to nights out; it’s great, as the 3am walk home or wait for a taxi evolves into a game of catch the rabbit. Although they invariably escape, and last time I engaged in this particular pastime, my friend lost his phone and threw up in a bush whilst I ran into a tree. Not since my days as a fresher, chasing the cows around the ﬁelds at Castle Leazes has so much animal based amusement been had. I always scan the grass whilst walking past in the attempt to register a sighting and it is this, together with people basking outside the Civic Centre that, for me, marks the start of summer in Newcastle.

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Comment

Modern fascists threaten Fourth Reich Anthony Ash

“Following the Second World War… after the moving of the borders, after the tragedy of the Holocaust and the murder of Polish Jews, we don’t have large minority groups anymore”: Aleksander Kwaśniewski, former President of Poland. The former president’s words are unmistakably true of both Poland and Europe as a whole: Jews no longer form a significant minority in European society. Of the 9.5 million Jews living in pre-war Europe, 6 million were ultimately exterminated. Those who survived fled for the Promised Land or the Americas, driven from the old continent out of fear. Fascism did not cease to exist from 1945 onwards; the shock of the Holocaust simply put it on hold. Over time it has slowly resurfaced under various names, such as the ‘National Front’ of the 1970s. Today, fascism has changed its name and image, and during the course of the last 10 years its new postmodern form has swept across Western Europe: the extreme right. Its presence has been felt in the UK under the leadership of Nick Griffin and his BNP party as well as by the hooligans of the English Defence League. It has made a mockery of the Dutch democratic system by forcing itself into the ruling coalition government

under the reigns of Geert Wilders. It has lead to protests, riots, attacks and attempted-murders in East Germany. What all these WesternEuropean manifestations of the extreme right have in common is their utter despise of and public-rallying against the new minority of Europe, the Jews of the 21st century: Muslims. With the atrocities of the ﬁrst half of the twentieth century ﬁrmly behind us, the leaders of the postmodern fascist movement feel the timing is right to push for fascism’s 21st century debut on the political stage. With a seat in the House of Commons, being in the Dutch coalition government and the banning of headscarves in France, its entrance into the world of politics has already begun. This is being enabled by conservative governments: the coalition partner in the Dutch government is the Dutch conservative CDA party; the party of the current French president is the conservative UMP party. This growth of extreme rightism is not limited to Western Europe. Countries of the former Eastern Bloc, including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the federal states of the former Eastern Germany, have all seen the powers of the executive handed over to democratically elected conservative parties. Moving even further east, to Hungary, the current government is a conservative government headed by the right-winged politician Viktor Orbán. Under his leadership, Hungary has not only politically but also socially become ever more

right-winged and, in many examples, even extreme right. Hungary’s largest minority population is the Roma or ‘gypsies’ and they make up less than one tenth of the country’s population. They, and all other minorities, have been made politically unwelcome by the current government, which recently voted to amend the constitution so that a sentence would be added which declares Hungary to be a Christian based society and all Hungarians should strive to follow its Christian traditions. As if that was not enough, the Roma regularly suffer social abuse from ordinary Hungarians. A typical example is the raids on gypsies that Hungarian men carry out whilst being dressed in paramilitary uniforms. In one particular case, the threat towards life became so pressing that the government decided to bring in the Red Cross and had the entire Roma population of a town removed and sent to ‘summer camps’, out of fear a paramilitary exercise would result in harm to them. Hungary is an eastern European country which provides us with some examples of what may be waiting for us in the west should extreme rightism be allowed to ﬂourish further. We must look back to what has happened and search for the signs which marked the route to fascism. We must ﬁnd the tendencies in our current trend which will lead to a repetition of the Third Reich and put a stop to them, before the Fourth Reich rises.

Letters to the Editor “Utterly absurd” Dear Editor, In response to Harriet King’s article on ‘Is a change to the Alternative Vote the way forward?’ in, The Courier, Issue 1229. With regards to Harriet King’s article against the referendum, I have to say I am disappointed that The Courier chose this piece to represent the viewpoint against AV. Whilst Alternative Vote may not be as arguably a fair a system as Proportional Representation it still holds a larger degree of accountability on MPs to ensure they get elected. Under AV, they must attain over 50% of support from their consituents as opposed to the possible 30-40% seen now. A much more valid argument against AV on this matter would be that MPs and indeed parties would broaden their policies to gander more votes leading to disenfranchised parties slowing the movement of parliament, much like a hung parliament which contrary to King’s article, after BBC (who aren’t allowed to lie) analysis of previous elections would not be any more frequent than ﬁrst-past-the-post. The idea that extremist parties would beneﬁt from AV is utterly absurd. As stated before, AV requires over 50% of voters to nominate the elected candidate; over 1 in 2 people in a constituency would have to prefer the extremist party to any other in order for them to get elected.

If anything this makes it harder for them to get seats in parliament which is why the BNP’s ofﬁcial stance is against AV. The most insulting point raised in King’s article was that AV would cost up to £250 million to carry out. This ﬁgure is based on the idea that electronic counting would be implemented to count votes. No plans of this nature would be considered however making this whole point non-existent. A much more valid point to make would have been that under AV vote counting may take considerably longer than under First Past The Post meaning that the announcement of results during the morning after the day of election unfeasible causing David Dimbleby to stay awake longer. Whilst I myself am a supporter of AV I hope in future The Courier chooses its writers more wisely in order to remain neutral, however, in its defence the BBC’s website had a similar article against AV on the website. SINCERELY,

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THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Lifestyle review Cake - the toon’s tastiest new cafe > page 16

Sex & Relationships blind date special

Maria Moffatt & Nick Willmore He said: I was on holiday in Spain when to my surprise I got a text from The Courier’s Lifestyle editor asking if I was interested in a blind date. Since I’m approaching some important exams I wasn’t sure whether to go. As I was with my parents I thought I’d get their opinions. Mum’s response was “you shouldn’t go… prioritise your exams!” So immediately I knew what to do - I was going on a blind date. We arranged to meet in Madisons at 8pm and I duly arrived five minutes early. Being a blind date virgin I was a tad nervous waiting at the bar. Just after 8 I had a bit of a fright… an absolute MONSTER came in and made a beeline for me sitting alone at the bar. I’m ashamed to say I thought I was about to star in the sequel to Shallow Hal or Big Momma’s House! But, as it happened, she just wanted to swap bar stools... probably because mine was made from reinforced steel. I then had a cheeky beer to calm any nerves, as well as a solid 20 minute wait. Classy lady. When Maria arrived I was pleasantly surprised, she’s attractive and has a great smile. She fancied a cocktail so I followed suit and after initial pleasantries, the

chat flowed easily, along with a few more cocktails. Maria’s involved in the debating society and has even entered a few competitions, which I thought was pretty impressive. She seems to have the attitude of “give anything a try” which I also share… Next thing you know we’d ordered a jug of Long Island Iced Tea. Maria hadn’t tried it before and I’d forgotten how rough it is. The conversation carried on flowing and before I knew it, it was gone midnight. We decided to finish the night with one final cocktail and I thought I’d impress Maria saving the classiest drink for last… the Cheeky Vimto. She went for a Skittles. However,

had she been bowled over with my banter?! Either way I enjoyed a fun night off revision with a lovely girl. She said: Writing for the Lifestyle section of The Courier, I had been asked previously (both directly and indirectly) if I would go on a blind date, but I always turned them down as all the ones I’ve had in the past have been disasters. But this time I thought, why not?! (as well as having some ill-advised encouragement from some debating society friends who wanted me to criticise the poor guy no matter how nice he was!)

Fred Kenyon Shutes & Hannah Shaw He said: I got a text around the time of the royal wedding asking if I wanted to go on a blind date for The Courier. My mate had signed me up as he noticed I’m always reading it in his room and that I always seem to enjoy myself! I thought why the hell not, could be really fun, and I’m glad I did. After some jiggling about with timings and days, a little bit of research later and after a few recommendations I decided the Café Royal somewhere near Eldon square was a good shout. I was pretty relaxed the whole time before the date but when I woke up around midday and we were meeting in an hour I started to get a little bit nervous/excited. After some generally rubbish advice from my mates, such as don’t wear those shoes or that hoodie or that top and don’t talk about golf or football, and after managing to dress myself, I set off. On the way down I bumped into some girl mates and they all got quite excited about the whole thing which didn’t help my nerves. I got there a little bit early and as I expected she turned up fashionably late. A friend of mine had already found out who she was on Facebook and, even though I was really curious, I was adamant that I didn’t want to

know anything about her and, I have to say, she was worth the wait. Hannah was absolutely gorgeous with a fantastic smile and glowing eyes. She was really chatty and we soon found that we had loads of things in common, funnily enough, golf and football being some of them. We chatted about all sorts from family and previous relationships to messy mates and Uni life. The food was pretty good (her chicken Caesar salad beat my mussels) and was reasonable value. There were no awkward silences and the conversation flowed pretty smoothly right up until we hugged goodbye at Waitrose where she was off to do her shopping. The only annoying thing about the date was

that it was in the middle of the day and going in for a goodbye kiss in the middle of a tightly packed Eldon square was a bit risky so I decided not to. I would really like to see her again pretty soon and maybe take her to the football (although I’m not sure if St. James Park is a place for girls), a round of golf or just a night out, depending on what she thinks of course! She said: When I agreed to do this Blind date, I must admit, I did think “What on earth am I getting myself into?” as I don’t usually like the idea of being set up, but all the same I thought it would be a laugh. I am also pleased

Dangerous Liaisons We text for a few days, where I discovered Nick was a busy medical student who seemed to envy my five day weekend and we arranged to meet at Madisons bar for some drinks. Initially, I thought he’d done a runner (there was a bit of confusion as I waited outside and it turned out he was waiting inside). When I went in Nick was sat down at the bar and offered to buy me a drink. I asked for a Cosmopolitan, which seemed to set a precedent for the rest of the night as we worked our way through the cocktails on the menu. Even though our courses are completely different (Nick is a final year Medic whilst I’m studying a Postgraduate course in Media and PR), it provided us with conversation, as he talked about the medical examinations he had to do on patients and I chatted about a four page newspaper redesign I am currently enjoying. Conversation flowed easily throughout the night as we chatted about holidays, drunken nights out, hangovers and lost cameras. Time flew and before we knew it we were being thrown out of the bar at one in the morning! I’m not sure there was any romance. This blind date was no disaster, as it was good fun and Nick was a complete gent: even though I offered, he wouldn’t allow me to pay for a single drink. to report that I had a really nice time. Having had no information about this guy, except a mobile number and that his name was Fred, it was actually really exciting! A few texts were exchanged prior to meetingbut no specific information as we wanted to keep it ‘blind’. I set him a task - deciding where we would go for lunch - a test to see if he would impress. Fred made an excellent choice, Café Royal, great start in my book. A true gentleman from start to finish. Girls who are reading this, I think that the old romantic is definitely dying out with boys today - not Fred though! Doors were opened for me, my chair was pulled out and he was a great listener. Conversation flowed from start to finish and we actually had a great deal in common, from travelling to New Zealand and Dubai to our enjoyment of golf. So those guys who advised Fred to stay off the topic of golf - bad convo advice! The food was lovely, company was good and I had a fun time. I honestly have to say that in my experience, the stigma attached to blind dates should be ignored and single girls should have a try for themselves. I’m not sure if love is on the cards, but I definitely wouldn’t say no to meeting with Fred again. The date has reminded me that girls should not settle for anything less than being treated like a lady. Great company and a great guy.

#18 Beyond University Pamela Mardle Columnist

It’s the final copy of this year’s Courier (weep) and things are winding down for summer. The year has been a hotbed of gossip, tension and hook-ups: some ending happily ever after (for now), some... not so much. So what now? Who decides the fate of new found couples who are forced to continue their once convenient hook up with striving efforts reminiscent of the Slumdog romance due to the extortionate train fares linking home towns? The strangest relationship ending this summer is the one that never was: the one that involved 2am drunk texting and a red face in the following morning’s lecture; the one where using each other as thermal blankets in the taxi queue seemed just that little bit too close to be purely practical; soon to be the one that got away. What becomes of this scenario? There are two options, and the choice between them requires a bit of educated insight. First, you can leave university as friends, permanently etched onto each other’s Facebook walls. If this situation had occurred at home and a chance sighting in your local once a month was enough to get your fix, is it worth risking your friendship and freedom to commit to this soon-tobe stranger? If the thought of finishing Uni without ever embracing the feelings that cause you to have futuristic visions of you sitting in a tatty wedding veil, Ms Havisham style, perhaps you should pursue option two. Use the confidence that Sinners trebles give you to walk right up to the object of your (unconscious) desire and have your wicked way. If sparks fly, there’s your answer. Or, if unashamed public displays of face rape are not quite your thing, maybe just a quiet date post-exams, out of the spotlight of uni banter (and Idols’ podiums) is more appropriate. Whatever these couples (and anti-couples) decide once the postexam lash hangover wears off, a university challenge is about to present itself in a big way. Whether the hilarious memories of childishly kissing behind the bike sheds to avoid the inevitable onslaught is enough or job-hunting is conveniently focused within the same Geordie suburb, I’m sure that we can all say we’ve had our fair share of laughs, heartache, banter and most of all, experience, over our time in the brilliant city of Newcastle.

Life & Style

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Life

life

Speech and language therapy transforms lives ME: Don’t Christian Davis and Rachel Hewitson explain the importance of having the ability to communicate We’ve all seen and probably laughed at the infamous phone advert when people spontaneously start dancing in the train station…but what if all those people were displaying an important message at the same time? It seemed like a perfect combination and an ideal opportunity for getting our message out there (minus the dancing!) So on Saturday March 26 when the clock struck 12, a whistle blew to signal the start of a two minute ‘flash mob’ of 200 strong. Speech and Language Therapy students, Therapists, clients, friends and family gathered at Monument to demonstrate the importance of Speech and Language Therapy. Banners, balloons and displays were whipped out from the crowd and most importantly, speech bubbles. Whether handwritten, brail, computerised, or picture symbols, each was an important personal message of what speech therapy means to them. Curious onlookers observed and read the messages as the flash mob stood in silence with only the sound of the clock bells chiming. Once the two minutes ended, the demonstration dispersed and the crowds continued on with their Saturday shopping. This flash mob was organised by a group of Speech and Language Therapy students currently studying at Newcastle University, with help from the North East Giving Voice team. Giving Voice is a campaign run by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and is designed to promote both the importance of, and need for, Speech and Language Therapy to many individuals throughout the UK. “So what actually is speech and language therapy?” As students of this profession we frequently come across this question. When stating our degree, we are often presented with a blank face followed by a request to fix slurry speech after sampling one too many of Newcastle’s toxic trebles. This is not what Speech Therapists do. We are not elocution masters. Nor do we learn a foreign language! Unless you have received Speech and Language

All kitted out: Aimee and Fran with University Police Officer Derek MacArthur

Therapy yourself or have known someone who has, it is unlikely that would know what it’s all about. But the fact is there is a huge demand for this service which so many know so little about. Within the North East alone there is an estimated 104,000 individuals with speech, language and communication needs all requiring some form of input from this service (this exceeds the combined capacity of St James’ Park and Stadium of Light!). Recently, there have been noticeable job cuts to this service across the country, despite the high demand for Speech and Language Therapy for so many individuals across all ages. As students in training, we feel strongly that the general public should be made more aware about the job role and the benefits it can bring. Speech and Language Therapists enable people to develop or regain vital communication and swal-

lowing skills. We are involved with many different client groups for a number of reasons, including people with severe learning difficulties, children who struggle to develop normal speech and stroke patients who lose their ability to understand or produce speech. The therapy we offer is wide ranging, as communication can be affected in numerous ways. An individual can be without obvious physical difficulties, and it may not be apparent to others that he or she struggles with their communication. For any of you who missed the award-winning King’s Speech movie, it featured King George VI who received Speech Therapy for his stammer by Therapist Lionel Logue. Little did we know that the King George VI Building, the current home to the Speech and Language Sciences Degree, was officially opened on February 21 1939, by King George VI

himself, as the Newcastle University Medical School. It is speculated that at this time, he was receiving Speech Therapy to prepare him for public speeches, including addressing his nation and dominions at the outbreak of World War II later that year. Alison Proudfoot, Clinical Manager for Speech and Language Therapy at North Tyneside PCT, says: “It’s a quirk of history that speech and language therapy students now learn in the building opened by possibly the most famous person with a speech impediment in the country nowadays.” Newcastle University was the first in the country to offer a degree in Speech & Language Therapy. It is now a leading centre for clinical research in Speech Sciences and will host a major conference in June with leading international academics. This building houses two on-campus clinics run for students to participate in practical placements. One of which is the North East Aphasia Centre, offering therapy to those whose communication has been affected by a stroke. Some of these clinic attendees were present at the flash mob, expressing their appreciation for what Speech and Language Therapy has done for them. One fourth year student flash mobber commented “I felt that the atmosphere was very powerful and it was nice to see so many different people of all ages showing their support. It was quite emotional.” Newcastle University were the first group of students to hold an event of this size for the campaign, and news of this success has encouraged speech students at other universities to organise their own flash mob. Ideas for a national event to be held on the same day in different cities across the country are currently being explored. The Giving Voice campaign as a whole is continuing and more events are being planned to keep spreading the word. On a final note, take a moment to ask yourself this question ‘What would you do if you couldn’t talk?’ For more information, please visit http:// www.givingvoiceuk.org/

Life after university- what about the Summer?

Not ready to face the world of work? Georgie Denny takes a look at what you can do with your last long holiday With deadlines, dissertations and the excitement of ‘gold rush week’ looming, our time and thoughts are all pretty consumed. If, like me and most of my friends, you have nothing more than a vague idea of what you want to do after leaving the uni bubble, the prospect of no longer being in education is pretty daunting. Although sitting in your pjs watching Jeremy Kyle and shouting at the TV all summer is an inviting prospect, with the job market at its most competitive, it’s probably not a good idea. But don’t worry, there are lots of options that you can pursue over the summer, and they don’t just involve mindlessly filling out application forms. I will run you through a few good ideas that will ensure you spend your summer in the most pro-active way possible.

1.Travel If you didn’t take a gap year then this is probably your last chance for no-strings travelling. So do it! It’s probably the most continuous fun you can have, and if you can throw in some charity work then that’s great for the all important CV. Employers like travelling, it shows independence, sense of adventure and maturity, so start saving your pennies now for a potentially amazing summer! 2.Learn a language If you’ve sadly already taken a year out, then another one probably isn’t the best idea. Having a second language on your CV is gold dust, it gives your employer the option of using you for work abroad or with international clients, and, to be hon-

est, it’s pretty cool to be bilingual! There are lots of good teach yourself programmes on the market, and a cheeky early September city break would be a great opportunity to show off your new skills! 3.Work Experience Although most companies don’t actually pay for work experience placement these days, they’re invaluable on your CV. Employers seem to value experience over anything else; so start sending out pleading emails, and exhausting any contact you have to get a couple of weeks here and there. Many companies also offer summer internships which are often paid! It’s also a great opportunity to see what you might enjoy, be good at, and, if you really impress it could lead to a full time job!

4. Charity/Voluntary work Again it’s CV gold. Employers love people who have volunteered, and you might just get something out of it too. Most areas have some pretty good projects that don’t require training and are always looking for volunteers. Whether it’s a soup kitchen or a youth mentoring programme, you can always participate part time and it’s a very worthwhile way to spend your summer. So don’t panic, and don’t rush into anything you’re not ready for. Planning your career is the single most important experience you will have in your lifetime. Consider your options and ensure you enjoy the last long summer doing something that’s going to help you along into this all too scary future!

suffer in silence

It was ME Awareness Week from May 8-14, with International ME/ CFS Awareness Day on May 12, and although MEAW looks a lot like the noise a cat makes, I’d like it to have a deeper meaning for as many people as possible. First, a few facts… It is estimated that approximately 250,000 people across the country suffer from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, with 25% of these being severely affected. It is also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Post Viral Fatigue Syndrome (PVFS) and Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), among others. It is classed as a neurological condition by the World Health Organisation. Its aetiology is currently unclear - both cause and cure remain unknown, although research is on-going and there have been significant biochemical abnormalities found in many studies. Symptoms are wide-ranging and can include: persistent debilitating fatigue, post-exertional malaise (feeling unwell after activity), cognitive problems including difficulties with short/medium term memory and concentration, widespread pain in muscles and joints, headaches, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, balance problems, dizziness, nausea, disrupted sleep patterns, unrefreshing sleep, and sensitivity to noise and/or light, among others. Severely affected sufferers are bedbound or housebound, and often have to lie in a darkened room in silence for a vast majority of the day. Many are unable to sit up and some have to be tube-fed due to being too weak to eat or drink. For those that are severely affected, achieving a reasonable quality of life is difficult and each day is a struggle. There is, however, a continuum of disability, with the majority of sufferers being moderately or mildly affected. Even those that are mildly affected often face significant barriers when trying to live a ‘normal life’. They often have very little energy so have to pace their days and rest frequently. Doing too much one day can lead to an increase in symptoms in the following days, making the illness unpredictable and planning ahead problematic. Many live in constant pain, with a constant flu-like illness, drained of all energy; ironically, they often look perfectly healthy, leading others to make assumptions about their health and wellbeing. Living with a chronic illness is difficult, and without on-going help and support from friends and family whilst enduring unrelenting illness, life can seem very lonely and bleak. To all non-sufferers I would like to say: appreciate your health - you would be lost without it. If you know anyone with ME/CFS, now is the perfect time to reach out and let them know that you are there for them, now and always. If not, please leave with the message that you shouldn’t assume that everyone is healthy; even those that look perfectly well on the outside can be feeling awfully unwell on the inside. ME Sufferer, for MEAW 2011

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Life

The Alternative Survival Guide to Exams and Revision Pete Warcup sets up camp in the Robinson library to give you his top tips this exam season With the exams season getting well and truly underway, there is no better time than now to try to impart my very limited wisdom. Whether this is the final furlong or just the first of many hurdles, some useful advice (I use the word useful loosely) may be welcome to allow you to end the year with a flourish. This concise, but nonetheless indispensible guide will help you to get through the exam period and furnish you with the skills and techniques to prove yourself a veritable Einstein. Each of these winning tips has been carefully formulated and crafted with all the care of a Jackson Pollock painting, so I am positive that you won’t be disappointed. Stake your place in the library Constructing the ideal study environment is, like our good friends Kirstie and Phil are keen to remind us, all about location, location, location. They could not be more right; there is absolutely no point in setting up your workspace ready for a hard day and night’s studying, only to discover that the feng shui is all wrong. Given that during the exam period, students flock to the library like seagulls to the proverbial trawler, it is important that, like clichéd holidaymakers on the poolside or the prospectors of the old American West, you stake out your claim to an area. To that end, get in there early and grab all the books and study literature you need for your epic study session and use them to effectively mark your territory. Get comfortable There is little to no point in trying to study if you find yourself distracted by discomfort, so it is especially important that you learn to study in comfort. There is however a fine line between being comfortable and making yourself too much at home. Conducting the occasional, elaborate hand drum solo on your desk is unlikely to earn you anything but angered scowls and glances. However feel free to loosen those loafers so long as the smell is not enthusiastically cheesy, as not everyone is accustomed to or welcoming of the hot, fungal fug generated by a set of sweaty sneakers. Dealing with rubbish To save time you may well end up trying to combine dinner time with study time. Gross though it may be, some students seem to think that the humble computer keyboard doubles up as a handy tray come crumb-catcher and that the CD tray makes a great, stowable cup holder. I can now clarify that after extensive research that this is in fact NOT the proper use of a computer, and is indeed more than just a little grim for everybody else. It is inevitable that the long hours of hard work and snack-food will result in you amassing a colossal pile of rubbish. This can however be put to good use! Why not create a small sculpture that Blue Peter would be proud of, consisting almost exclusively of

Make your mark: Maximise your time in the Robinson by bringing enough essentials to get you through the day/night

sandwich boxes, coffee cups and salt and vinegar crisp packets. Likewise, why not try your hand at a game of trash basketball; something which has helped me to pass many a happy spare moment. Don’t neglect your social life Engaging fully in academia does not require that you neglect your social life. What is to stop you from nipping up or down a level to have a brief chin-wag? If you are struggling to make yourself heard, then head to one of the quiet areas. Here at least your conversation will only be interrupted by a touch of booing and hissing. What’s more, with the advent of the smart phone, there is simply no excuse for not being k e p t abreast of all the happenings on Facebook or the Twittersphere. Let’s face it, there really is no point in going to university to become enlightened if you are not able to chat to your mates and check out which celebrity’s cat is suffering from alopecia. Late night studying Studying late into the night will inevitably wear you down, causing you to feel a wee bit groggy and grumpy. In prospect of this you should prepare your ‘overnight bag’ - a rucksack or satchel containing all those items necessary for a comfortable overnight stay at La Bibliothèque. Pack items which are both necessary and homely; your

best pjs, pictures of the family dog, a dressing gown, ‘teddy’ and a fresh set of Jack Wills for the morning are all perennial favourites. Bring these few simple items with you and you will be guaranteed a restful stay. Food for thought Get over faddy ‘brain boosting’ super-foods like blueberries, bioyoghurts and birdseed, in order to get a proper diet that will allow you to function properly. A good breakfast will only get you so far, what is needed is convenience foods; what they lack in nutrients they make up for in saved time. Pot based noodle snacks, microwave meals and such like are the order of the day. Cup-asoup? More like cup-a-success! This lunch of heroes is not just a convenient source of calories but a worthy reason to slip down to the next belt notch over the exam period. Make sure that you have a break The importance of taking a brief break to recharge your batteries should not be underestimated; all you need do is to ﬁnd a suitable activity to pass the time. Why not try out your new Nintendo DS? What better place to play on it than in the library, where its soothing tones will alleviate the anxieties of even the most uptight of your fellow students. Alternatively a spot of Sudoko will prevent your brain from entirely fermenting

into insipid goo between study sessions. Equally entertaining is trying to learn to play a new beat box tune, which will undoubtedly win you the admiration of fellow students. Revision tips Leaving revision until it is too late is never advisable, however, we all on occasion do it, and when we do there is no other option but to cram, cram and cram some more. Though much maligned, cramming is in fact a practice that has been performed over countless generations by our scholarly predecessors. Let’s face it, if it has worked for you over the past few years of university, what difference is it likely to make now? Although health food providers may recommend stocking up on the supposedly memory enhancing Ginkgo Biloba, this witch doctor inspired stuff is hardly the solution to your problems, rather it is hard work and energy drinks. Relaxation techniques Finally and perhaps most important to your studying success is the ability to properly relax and de-stress. Try investigating the different ways in which you can calm your inner chi, such as scattering pot pourri around your work area or investing in a bumper pack of incense sticks for at home, or a few scented candles. At least equally successful to aromatherapy is my personal favourite; close your eyes, breathe deeply and count backwards from ten before reaching for your hip-ﬂask.

Life & Style

The Penny Pincher #18 Golden Rules Sarah Bennett Columnist

So this is the last Penny Pinching column of the year! Something new I discovered over Easter is www.vouchercloud.com. This is like a normal voucher website with national vouchers for restaurants, entertainment and holidays. There’s a free app available for iPhone, Android and Windows Phone (with a Blackberry one in development). This will use your GPS to determine your location, so you can access vouchers on the move. This means wherever you are, you can get vouchers without the need for printing them, great for when you’re on a weekend away! All you need to do, online or via the app is sign up for an account! So what have been my golden rules whilst being a student? 1. Shop around – always check online and in-store for anything you buy. There are some things that I like to handle before I buy, so I know it’s right for me before checking online prices. Same with clothes – if you know you’re a size 12 at (insert favourite shop here), then try online and see what you can find for cheaper. eBay can be a godsend for this kind of thing. 2. Don’t rush to Blackwells – Always shop around for your text books when you come back to university next year. On www.abebooks.co.uk, www.amazon.co.uk and even eBay you can usually find cheaper alternatives. 3. Vouchers, vouchers and more vouchers – there are so many sites out which offer money-off vouchers. Whether it’s on your phone, or going onto your favourite pizza chain’s website to find the latest voucher for 2-4-1. 4. www.moneysavingexpert.com – this is an absolute Bible of money saving ideas. Martin Lewis has worked hard on this website and it can help you with tips and tricks from everything from days out, to banking, to utilities and car insurance. There’s also a forum where people regularly discuss money saving ideas. 5. 16-25 Railcard – A must for any student wanting to visit friends/go home for the holidays. 6. Get points for your shopping – whether it’s doing online shopping via www.maximiles.co.uk, or on the high street earning points at Boots and Tesco, points gained from shopping usually equals money off shops or even free stuff. My favourite thing. 7. Make your own lunch – not only have I saved money, I also feel healthier. Walking to university everyday has also attributed to this, free exercise that has not been a drain on my funds. 8. Make the most of this wonderful city – there are so many things you can do in Newcastle for under £5, culturally, historically or even seaside-y. If you know you’re going to be living in London once you’ve graduated, make the most of the North East while you can, it’s an amazing place!

Lifestyle

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Food

food

Food for thought:

review Cake

Verity Cunningham reveals the best brain boosting food and drink

112, Grainger Street 0191 232 2660 I have a (slight) obsession with cupcakes. So when I discovered Cake., a bakery whose main produce is the icing-coated-treat-from-heaven itself, my reaction was, to say the least, ecstatic (the salesgirl might have thought I was nuts, and the friend I was with was definitely very embarrassed). Cake. makes their cupcakes using natural colours and flavours, then baptises them with cool, funny names. There are twelve different sorts and today I am reviewing four of them to give you just a sneak peak! The ‘Bananarama’ was the first one I sank my teeth into. Looking cute with a little slice of dried banana stuck on top of the icing, the cupcake looked like a winner; although I must say I felt like there should have been more icing. As soon as I tasted it though its lack of substantial topping was immediately forgiven: its flavour was out of this world. Mark: 9/10

The impending doom of exams evokes a similar response in most students: frantic revision sessions combined with losing the will to live, often accompanied by substituting proper meals with cereal or toast or buying endless takeaways. A balanced diet helps absorb all the nutrients the brain needs to function properly.

Drink

Perfect for a sweet tooth: situated in the centre of Newcastle, Cake. put a lot of love into their food, baking fresh produce daily.

Next was the ’Peanut Buttercup’. Let’s face it, chocolate and peanut is a winning combination, especially in a cupcake! The peanut butter icing was sprinkled with little nuts and sat comfortably on the chocolate base. A very enjoyable cupcake indeed, although I think I would have preferred a bit more peanut and a bit less chocolate! Mark: 8/10 The classic ‘Very Vanilla’, thankfully, had mountains of icing on it,

including quite a lot a pink edible glitter. It had a very sweet, subtle ﬂavour - it is safe to say that you cannot go wrong with this one. However, it was a bit too conventional for my taste, as a cupcake needs a little more ‘crazy’ to make me spark! Mark: 7/10 The ‘Cool Carrot’: rich and creamy icing artistically topped with a single walnut, a delicious cake stuffed with a fruity-nutty mix. Truly noth-

ing to complain about. Mark: 9/10 So if your mouth is watering right now (I know mine is!) get yourself down to Cake. and enjoy the many other cupcakes it has on offer: Bean me up Coffee!, Chocoholic, Hawaii 5 Oh, Lemony Lush, Raspberry Riplette, The Limey and Very Cherry. Emma Balter

Georgie Davies shares her favourite summer recipes The sun is out, which in culinary terms, means it is time for delights such as BBQs, Pimms, strawberries and cream and ice cream, to name but a few. This week is homage to seasonal, summer recipes. With everyone being up to their ears with essay writing and exam-revision, what better break than a barbeque with friends? I’m going to start with one of my favourite, though slightly unconventional things to pop on the barbie: halloumi cheese. If you haven’t tried it, it’s a real must: cheese that can be sliced up and griddled on the barbeque without melting and disappearing amongst the coals. It is delicious in a green salad of crisp leaves, torn basil, avocado, spring onion and cucumber. Simply slice the halloumi and place on the barbeque until it is golden, then scatter amongst the salad and serve with a lemon and garlic dressing. Onto the main attraction: the meat. No barbeque this summer will be complete without a burger, so why not prepare homemade burgers? To serve four take 450g of minced beef; roughly broken up with your fingers into a bowl, next add six finely chopped spring onions, two crushed garlic cloves and half a finely chopped red chili, and a handful of town basil. Add a squeeze of tomato ketchup and a teaspoon of mustard to the bowl and combine everything together. Divide into four equally sized burgers, and set aside in the fridge until you’re ready to cook them on a hot barbeque! Next in the meat department, is another all time favourite: spare ribs. For the barbeque sauce you will need to blitz an onion, two chilies, and three cloves of garlic in

Easy: Home-made ice cream is quick to make and is the perfect after dinner treat.

the food processor and then add to a medium, preheated pan with some olive oil. When soft, add 100g of brown sugar, three tbsp of Worcestershire sauce, two tbsp of soy sauce and 2tbsp Chinese ﬁve spice and stir until the sugar has dissolved. Add 600ml of tomato ketchup and 1tbsp of tomato puree, before seasoning with salt and pepper. Keep this pan on a low heat to reduce for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cook 12 pork ribs in a roasting tin in a 180C preheated oven, for about 25 minutes. Brush the ribs liberally with half the sauce and put onto a hot barbeque to cook for 10-15 minutes. Whilst they cook, continue to brush them with the

remaining sauce until they have a thick, sticky glaze. Turning to some sweet treats, summer wouldn’t be summer without a generous helping of ice cream. As with most things cooked from scratch, there certainly is nothing scrummier than homemade ice cream. You can make ice cream in virtually any ﬂavour you fancy; from strawberry to brown bread. Although many recipes call for the use of an ice cream maker to churn the cream, you can successfully make ice cream simply with the use of the freezer and a Tupperware box! To make a deliciously simple berry ice cream take 285ml of double cream

and whip until thick; be careful not to over-whip. Meanwhile, blitz 400g of frozen berries of your choice, in the blender and mix with 150g of golden caster sugar the juice of one lemon. Stir the berry mixture into the whipped cream until fully combined. Pour the mixture into a Tupperware container and pop into the freezer for at least three hours. This makes for a quick and easy pudding, great served with a scattering of fresh berries and chocolate sauce. The ﬁnal attraction is a Pimms jelly, a delightful take on the essential summer-time staple. To make 6 glasses, pour 100g of caster sugar and 100ml of water into a pan and dissolve over a medium heat. Meanwhile, place 5 gelatine leaves into a small bowl of water for a few minutes, squeeze out any excess water and add the leaves to the pan until dissolved. Take the pan off the heat, and leave to cool before adding 175ml of Pimms and 300ml of lemonade. Place a strawberry in each serving glass and pour in just enough jelly to keep the strawberry at the bottom (without it ﬂoating upwards) pop them into the fridge until the jelly is set (this shouldn’t take too long), before topping up each glass with the rest of the jelly, a few thin slices of cucumber and a couple of mint leaves, and set in the fridge for a further couple of hours before serving. This two-step setting process allows a layered effect with the fruit in the jelly, doing it all at once will produce a jelly with the fruit all having risen to the top. Try with other fruit including raspberries or oranges but watch out as some fruits, such as pineapple and kiwi, contain enzymes that prevent jelly from setting.

Water,fruit squash and tea are best, though green and black tea are more effective than the average ‘milk and two sugars’. Drinks are best consumed with food, as absorbing water on its own is more difﬁcult for the body.

Breakfast Whole grains and cereals are especially good, because they improve memory. Eggs are a good source of protein and energy to keep you going, and the essential fatty acids will help your memory and concentration as well.

Lunch A simple sandwich made with brown bread will provide slow release carbohydrates to release glucose over the afternoon. Meat ﬁllings provide iron to increase concentration and boost your intelligence, while ﬁsh will improve concentration and memory.

Snacks Snacking on nuts and dried fruit will give you that much needed energy boost, with less sugar combined with essential oils or vitamins and minerals. If chocolate is too hard to resist, opt for a Snickers - it’s low GI and will slowly release sugar.

Dinner It’s easy to replace a proper meal with a bowl of cereal, or a takeaway. Takeaways are quick and easy, but full of fats that are detrimental to brain and body. If you absolutely can’t resist, opt for a curry - the spices will revitalise the brain!

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Health

Lifestyle

health

Tynemouth: the ideal place to tone up

Vicki Dacker explores great ways to get fit on the North East coastline Gym: too hot. Swimming pool: too crowded. Beach: just right for getting fit during summer. Now that the sun has made an appearance and hopefully will be here to stay, it’s the perfect time to try a whole host of beach based sports right on our doorstep. Over at Tynemouth grab yourself a board and wetsuit and get into the surf. Longsands beach stretches proudly from the Cullercoats edge of Whitley Bay to the Grand Hotel on the edge of Tynemouth town centre – half a mile of surfing joy hosting the UK Pro Surf Tour every year. A number of surf shops in town offer group and individual tuition including hire for roughly £25pp; definitely a wise choice given the wipe-out potential for newbies. Once you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, jump in a VW van and head off on a Northumberland coast road trip to see some of the best surf spots in Alnmouth and Bamburgh. For something a bit more extreme, look no further than kitesurfing. With a wakeboard/surfboard, huge kite and the Northern seaside winds to contend with this activity is sure to get you fit and laughing as you get carried away by the wind out into the North Sea. The NE Kitesurfing website features info about the best kitesurfing spots in the North East and places to receive that muchneeded tuition. Prefer to stay on the water rather than in it? There are a number of sailing clubs dotted about the Tyneside coast offering hire, tuition and professional training courses. First stop Tyneside Day Skipper training, next stop London 2010 or a Monaco yacht complete with beach and yacht posing body. Some of the clubs also offer sea kayak hire or water sports sessions including wakeboarding and waterskiing – definite thigh burners. If water based sports aren’t quite your cup of tea then how about bootcamp - two syllables that signal fear

Tynemouth beach: Surprisingly, local beaches are a perfect place to get ﬁt. Try windsurﬁng, sailing, horse riding, and boot camps.

in the hearts of many. For a really effective workout try one of the beach based bootcamps in the North Tyneside area. David Fairlamb Fitness runs 45 minute sessions TuesdayThursday and Saturday mornings in Tynemouth for only a ﬁver. Prepare to sweat and get sandy whilst your ﬁtness experts or former rugby international trainers make you run, lunge, walk, press-up and sprint, sprint, sprint. Rather be the one in control than

being bossed about by a Mr Universe lookalike? How about riding along one of the Northumberland beaches on horseback. Horse riding is one of the best ways to burn calories whilst enjoying the summer sun. Treks can cater for a variety of levels so all can join on a group riding trip to the coast. Galloping through the surf is not advised for all! It may not seem like the greatest way to burn off that Easter egg binge but trying to get your ball

across water features or around dinosaurs/crocodiles/pirates at one of the coastal towns crazy golf circuits works up a sweat...through frustration. What’s more on the spur of the moment get a few friends together, some cheap plastic sports sets and balls packed and head to the beach for a game of volleyball/rugby/ cricket or even that childhood classic tig with the added sand difﬁculty factor. Barbeque optional.

Wrap up this summer, Julia Middleton tries the latest celeb fad: nail wraps As summer approaches we’re baring all and nothing adds a touch of sunshine to days in the library slaving over dissertations and revision than nice nails. Take this a step further by getting involved in the latest in nail fashion - I bring to you nail wraps. A cross between nail varnish and false nails, nail wraps are transfers that last (and don’t chip!). The whole beauty of nail wraps is that they come in a variety of designs and effects that are impossible to achieve without the help of a professional, and the looks are far more dazzling than normal nail varnish. They are far less clunky and more individual than the dated look of false nails, plus no fear of losing one on a night out! Choose from leopard prints in various colours, polka dots, lace effects, snakeskin, ﬂowers: the list is never ending. My personal favourite is the metallic union jack, in keeping with the patriotic feeling this month. Costing as much as a pair of false eyelash-

es would, and lasting longer, nail wraps are a fun way to brighten up hands and feet, and with celebrities like Katy Perry, Alexa Chung, Beyoncé and Rihanna sporting them you’re in good company. They are designed to last up to seven days on nails and eight weeks on the toes, with each at home nail

wrapping treatment taking just 15 minutes to apply. In preparation to apply, remove any existing traces of varnish and buff the nail. Then just trim the sides of the wrap to the nail width, place on nail and using a hair dryer (preferably a smaller model, such as a travel one) blast the nail with hot air, smoothing down the

Varnish: a thing of the past? Nail wraps are cheap, light-weight, and very easy to apply.

wrap till it is soft and has stuck. Then with a nail ﬁle just ﬁle off the excess at the tip of the nail and voila, perfect nails. Add a coat of clear varnish on top for an even longer lasting look. The key to success is to make sure the wraps are constantly hot and pliable. To remove them repeat the process, using the hot air to soften the wrap and peel it off. Acting like a shield for nails, the wraps leave no trace on the nail once removed and are completely lightweight to wear. Currently ‘in’ at the moment are black and white stripes in a nod to the summer trend seen across the board at fashion houses from Prada to Marc Jacobs. You can buy them from www.nailrock.com and ASOS are also selling them and the more expensive Opi range as well. For an even better price head to ebay to scour out a bargain or to Primark and Superdrug for cheap buys. The perfect way to nod to trends without having to fork out huge sums of non-existent money.

Doctor, Doctor: Give me a real hayfever remedy! You can’t completely cure hayfever, but there are ways to can keep it at bay. Did you ever see that wheezy kid on the playground carrying around an inhaler; well this could be you if you want to stop your hayfever blues. If you go to your local GP they can prescribe you a standard inhaler which may stop symptoms such as difficulty with breathing. Your GP can also give you eye drops that stop your eyes from itching: you will no longer have to look like you’re randomly crying every time you leave the house. Another cure is the use of nasal sprays. You can pick up a dose in your local supermarket or you can be prescribed a stronger dose from your GP. However, shoving a nozzle up your nose every five minutes may make you look slightly (maybe extremely) unattractive and is likely to cause you public embarrassment. On the other hand, these cures are mainly used for patients who do not wish to take tablets or may also be allergic to the tablets (ironic, I know). Some tablets can be purchased in supermarkets, such as Claritin. Bupa recommends immunotherapy if all other treatments fail. Immunotherapy involves you ingesting small doses of pollen each day either through an injection or by placing a tablet under the tongue. The idea of the therapy is to expose you to the pollen before the spring season so that when pollen levels do rise, they do not have as strong an effect on you. However, cases have shown that side-effects may occur, with the most common of these being an itchy mouth. Not quite sure how you’d cure that one. If none of these treatments work for you then there is no other option really than for you to stay inside, become a hermit and stop seeing people. You can invite people round to your house but avoid open doors and windows as that pesky pollen might just find an opening and come and get you! Ben Parkin

Visit the GP for nasal sprays, tablets and eye drops

K. VONG

Lifestyle

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Travel

travel

Berlin: The cultural capital of Germany Maria Moffatt discovers there is more to the city than WWII and bratwurst sausage- even for those on a student budget When going to Berlin, people’s first thoughts are Nazi Germany and all WWII... your impressions are not wrong but there’s still plenty to explore: the food, nightlife and of course the shops. Berlin is the cultural capital of Germany. There are many museums and landmarks that are free to visit, including the spectacular Brandenburg Gate: this is fantastic at night time when the surrounding area is lit up. The food is also great value. Enjoy a German kebab during the day they simply do not compare to those you’ll get in the UK. The bratwurst sausage is another welcome addition to your palate, especially when you’re returning from a night out at 6am and there’s nothing open but a bratwurst stand. Nightlife is certainly an experience. Most people do not go out until after midnight, and the queues into clubs are often huge. The wait is worth it however, as the club we visited was totally free! Hostels are great value for money, and staff are very friendly. For the best deals, visit www.dirtcheapberlin.com. Visiting the Reichstag (the German House of Parliament) is a must. Again, this is free to enter, and the architecture is incredible. It is made of glass, and a spiral walkway to the top gives you an excellent view of the city. As entry is free, you can enjoy the stunning views at both day and night! You can’t go to Berlin without seeing the Wall, which up until 1989, signalled the divide between West and East Germany. Amongst many others, there are postcard souvenirs all over Berlin with pictures and a piece of the Berlin wall if you want a memento for yourself or a present for family and friends. Checkpoint Charlie is well worth a visit. This was also a symbol of the divide between West and East

The Brandenburg Gate: located in the centre, this is spectacular during day and night

Germany and was knocked down at the same time as the wall but rebuilt years later as a tourist attraction. The museum is full of fun facts and information as it retells the different ways in which the people of East Germany tried to escape to the West. Make sure you go to Bebelplatz Square and visit the monument marking the Nazi book burning. The Nazis burned Jewish books, communist books and any other literature that opposed the regime. Be sure to visit the Holocaust memorial which was unveiled in May 2005, after much controversy over its construction. It consists of thousands of concrete pillars and seeks to remember the Jews murdered in Europe during WWII. An attached underground “Place of Information” holds the names of all known Jewish Holocaust victims and gives us a historical background with re-

gards to the horrific treatment of the Jews during the war. As there is no entry fee you can enjoy a piece of history for free. If you’re interested in Arts and Culture then visit the seventeen Berlin State Museums which are free to visit (but only on Thursday afternoons, so make sure to get there towards the end of day to enjoy the freebie!) If you’re interested in Roman and Greek Classical Antiques go to Altes Museum, discover Old Masters Paintings in Gemäldegalerie and enjoy the Museum of Decorative Art in Kunstgewerbemuseum. If you’re not one for discovering the sights yourself, there are plenty of tour guides and buses to take you around the city. Students pay only £10 for a 24 hour ticket on a bus tour. Travel around the city and discover the famous streets, museums and historic buildings of Berlin. Or enjoy a free walking tour around the main

sights in the eastern city centre several times daily. Although the tours are free, the guides are paid only by the tips they receive so you may want to give them a little something as the tours are definitely worth it. While featuring some of the well known shops of the UK such as Zara, Berlin also presents us with something different as we work our way around typical German shopping areas. Plenty of unique purchases to take home: from pretty jewellery to bags and shoes as well as the tourist shops where you’ll find plenty of mementos for yourself or to take as gifts to take home for friends and family. If you love festivals then attend Berlin Festival in Flughafen Tempelhof from September 9-10. Get the chance to see Suede conquer the stage with their greatest hits as part of this year’s top line up! There’s also Primal Scream who are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album Screamadelica and will be performing the whole album to mark the occasion. For indie lovers there will be performances by Beirut, Mogwai, Battles, The Drums, Hercules And Love Affair, dEUS, Health, and Wire. On day one acts and DJs of all genres will perform from noon until midnight but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop there as the nightlife across Berlin stays open till the early hours. Pay just £70 for a ticket to Berlin Festival and you get to enjoy the music, use free public transport, and free entry to over 30 clubs in the city. For those that love sight-seeing, historical landmarks and German culture, this is without a doubt an excellent city to visit. So if Berlin’s cheap sightseeing, food and culture appeals to you then add cheap flights into the mix as well. Get a return from Edinburgh to Berlin for just £70 with Ryanair so go book your tickets now and explore the much loved capital of Germany!

Bored of Zante? Julia Middleton explores some holiday alternatives across the Continent... If you’re wanting to experience what Europe has to offer away from the 18-30 club scene, and be the envy of all your friends, why not visit one of these alternative holiday destinations this summer? Slovenia: Slovenia’s capital, the rather unpronounceable Ljubljana, is a city with the feel of a small town, offering beautiful architecture, cheap bars, food and good weather. The Sunday flea market is definitely one to watch out for, selling vintage jewellery to furniture and collectables. If you’re feeling fit climb up to the castle to get stunning panoramas of the city or for some interesting nightlife head to Metelkova town (previously a prison), which hosts concerts and DJs playing all genres of music. Also worth a visit is Lake Bled for idyllic swimming looking onto a fairytale castle that sits in the middle. Eastern Europe at its finest. Slovakia: Usually a cheap destination associated with skiing, Slovakia is well worth a visit in summer. Its

terrain means it is great for hiking as well as a multitude of other outdoor sports. The Tatras mountains are where you want to be, and here you can stay in a pensione with a three course meal plus drinks (and the Slovaks love their beer) for around a fiver. With lots of bending mountain roads and forests to explore by bike, as well as a fair few mountains to conquer, Slovakia is the place to go for an active, countryside holiday. Quite literally a breath of fresh air. Bulgaria: Bored of the usual suspects of Zante and Malia for a cheap boozy holiday? Look no further than Bulgaria. With white sand beaches along the coastline and all the culture and bustle you could want in cities such as Sofia, this country is now on tourist’s radars. Take advantage of cheap package holidays to destinations such as the aptly named Sunny Beach, a place which pretty much does what it says on the tin; a perfect substitute for the more popular cheap destinations. There is also an old town that is really beau-

tiful if the thump of Lady Gaga by the pool gets to you. Norway: As part of the WWOOFing scheme - that’s the World Wide Organisation of Organic Food to you - why not visit one of the many countries that offers this experience? The deal is you only pay for your flights, with free accommoda-

WWOOF: fund your travels in a fun way

tion and food in return for work. Norway is a country known for its natural outdoor beauty so this provides a perfect place to do this sort of work. Work can vary from looking after farm animals, to fruit picking, to harvesting vegetables. Take a long train ride up the coastline, try out the wood burning hot tubs and make sure to visit the lively city of Trondheim. Britain: Reduce your carbon footprint by rejecting foreign holidays and exploring Britain instead. Campinmygarden.com is a great way to travel around Britain literally staying in people’s back gardens. The website has gardens for hire near lots of different events and festivals around the country and sites range from basic camping facilities to glamping (for those that TOWIE has bypassed - glamorous camping). So beat the crowds and set up your own camp, you can be at the very heart of a city, or right in the depths of the countryside - the choice is yours.

Best of Britain

Sarah Bennett visits Longleat, the home of BBC’s hit show ‘Animal Park’

Longleat House is home to the 7th Marquess of Bath. The Marquess is famous for his colourful dress sense and the fact that he has a polyamorous lifestyle (the practice of having more than one intimate relationship at a time with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved) leading him to have what he terms as several ‘wifelets’; mistresses to you and I. He is also famous for his murals, which are on display in the house. There are seven libraries, holding over 40,000 books, and there is also the chance to see the blood-stained under vest worn by King Charles I at his execution in 1649. Famous for its ghosts, you could meet the Grey Lady, and many other characters from the past 450 years of history at the house. However, the main attraction is situated within the 900 acres of parkland. Longleat Safari Park was the first drive through safari park outside of Africa and also the home of the hit BBC series Animal Park. The park was opened in 1966, with the idea that instead of the animals being in cages, the visitors would be in their cages (cars). You can drive through the East African Reserve, with animals such as zebras, camels, giraffes, wallabies and rhino or carefully navigate through the lion and tiger enclosures. You can even drive through Monkey Kingdom if you’re brave enough, but don’t be surprised if the monkeys start jumping on your car and chewing it! Longleat also boasts the new Jungle Kingdom attraction, opening at the end of this month, where you can walk among the meerkats, watch more monkeys swinging around and also hand-feed birds. The Jungle Kingdom also extends to Longleat Lake, where you can take a cruise around Gorilla Island and see Californian sealions swim around the boats and you might also get a chance to see the two hippopotami – Longleat’s most dangerous animals! Away from the animals, Longleat boasts an adventure play park for children and a 3D maze. This has over one and a half miles of pathways and a visit there can take anything from 20-90 minutes, depending on how quick you reach the middle! The maze also has six bridges, where you can get a teasing view of the observation tower that’s at the centre of the maze. All in all, Longleat is a great day out for all the family. If you’re not sure you want to travel that far though, just check out Animal Park – you’ll see all the fun on there.

Longleat’s 3D maze is a real challenge

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Swimwear set to be a scorcher! > Page 20 and 21

The Royal Wedding: a fashion overview Victoria Mole discusses the hats, diamonds and most importantly the much anticipated dress When Kate Middleton stepped out in front of Westminster Abbey, it was clear that she was a ‘commoner’ no more. On April 29 2011 one of the most iconic wedding dresses in history was unveiled and all onlookers would agree that it was the deﬁnition of ‘stunning’. Aspiring princesses and fashionistas worldwide had long been anticipating the style, the length of the train and the designer: and the dress deﬁnitely delivered! Of course it was a day to celebrate love and everything quintessentially British but as with any glamourous occasion, it was an opportunity to gaze upon and assess its own exclusive catwalk i.e. the honoured guests (especially in the case of it being a Royal affair, which can mean only one thing: hats). Princes William and Harry looked, without a better word to describe it, dashing in their military uniforms. The groom in particular looked the part of the handsome prince in his regally crimson uniform as Colonel of the Irish Guards, the splash of colour was suitably dramatic and accentuated his sash emblazoning the RAF symbol. David Beckham also arrived looking suave with his own princely good-looks wearing a classic tuxedo and top hat with a silver tie. Accompanying him, looking equally fabulous, was wife and style icon Victoria who exuded elegance in very high-heeled Christian Louboutins that she’d had designed to match her clutch courtesy of her own label, as was her midnight blue dress from her label’s A/W collection. Additionally her hat, reminis-

cent of a cameo by the oval shape with a subtle fascinator, matched her dress beautifully. It was designed by none other than famous milliner Philip Treacy whose creations graced the crowns of many a guest at this particular wedding. He designed the hats for Camilla Parker Bowles, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, Ladies Sophie and Gabriella Windsor, the three Spencer sisters and also Princess Marie Chantal of Greece. Samantha Cameron received a lot of controversial attention due to her attending without a hat, however she looked lovely in a teal Burberry London dress and accessorised it with jewels in her hair by Erikson Beamon for Erdem. The wife of Nick Clegg, Miriam González Durántez also accessorised her outﬁt with a large coral fascinator attached to a ruched cloche hat that was glamourously reminiscent of the 1920s. Another even more striking fashion choice was Tara Palmer-Tomkinson’s ﬁttingly royal blue Deborah Milner ensemble with everything perfectly matching in colour including a pair of classical long gloves. Palmer-Tomkinson was not the only guest to make a statement with colour: the Queen also looked lovely in a canary yellow dress, coat and hat courtesy of Angela Kelly, a designer that has worked for her for almost 20 years. Some of the other guests opted for more neutral peachy shades such as Princess Victoria of Sweden, Princess Máxima of the Netherlands and Princess Letizia of Spain. With their dresses designed by the likes

Wills and Kate: the fashion elite was out in force as top designer labels were a must

of Elie Saab and Felipe Varela, it can only be assumed that these subtly warm and skin-tone ﬂattering shades will become prominent features of designers’ collections later

this year. Another notable guest that looked the height of modelesque was the Prince of Monaco’s ﬁancé Charlene Wittstock whose outﬁt was by Akris.

The fashion highlight of the event was undoubtedly Kate’s wedding dress, with a train of 2.7m and an array of handmade lace she looked simply angelic. It bears similarities to the late Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly’s wedding dress with the long lace sleeves and heart-shaped bodice. The skirt was fashioned out of heavy zibeline and the bodice was covered in satin gazar. It was all traditionally ivory and white, and the design of the skirt was intricately woven with the shapes of different ﬂowers that the United Kingdom is famed for such as roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks. Of course the credit is attributed to Sarah Burton for McQueen, she served as Alexander McQueen’s right-hand woman for years so it was only right that she designed the dress as a highlyacclaimed London-based designer. Interestingly Pippa Middleton’s dress was also by Sarah Burton, it was so simple yet serene and pretty that it highlighted her silhouette perfectly. One of the most beautiful parts of Kate’s wedding gown was the tiara. She wore the Cartier Halo tiara that was made in 1936 to be given to the Queen for her 18th birthday. It is encrusted with diamonds and is a royal favourite as it has been worn also by the likes of Princesses Anne and Margaret. It is undeniable that this wedding dress will go down in history as an incredible product of British fashion and it will not be surprising to see the essence of it on many future brides to come.

The fashionable life: how to get ahead in business

Lauren Girling meets with Alexander Fahie, part of Newcastle University’s newest entrepreneurial team When I met Alexander Fahie, it was clear that he was full of promise. Alexander, a third year Politics student embarked into the world of business alongside his studies, launching Painted Zebra Promotions with his business partner and fellow Newcastle University student, Duke Ubong Ata. The pair have their sights set high in the fashion world as Alexander made it clear that “Painted Zebra has big aspirations.” The humble beginnings behind this student enterprise began in 2010 when Fahie and Ata wanted to launch a charity fashion show on World Aids Day. However, they began to have bigger ideas and launched their own promotions company, Painted Zebra. The company, learning their craft through the organisation of fashion shows, then branched out to arranging events at London clubs with the aim to add a greater wealth of designer and brand-promotion events to their portfolio.

Alexander, describing his business as “a luxury consortium for events” has a clear path for his career to pursue, describing Painted Zebra’s speciality in three categories – public events, private events and club nights. Fahie is very realistic that fashion is not his background or his expertise but speaks with enthusiasm about the sartorial niche that Painted Zebra accesses. After travelling to Africa on another business project, Alexander described how there was “a revolution in African fashion” commencing. Fahie went on to explain that he met so many label-clad professionals, eager to dispel the myths that some followers of western fashion have. With this very much in his mind, Painted Zebra intends in the coming years to showcase much of the design talent coming out of Africa, including a label, Mojo, that Fahie was passionate to promote. Staying closer to home, Painted Zebra have also championed local fashion as they hosted a brand

PAINTEDZEBRAPROMOTIONS.COM

Painted Zebra: students in partnership

launch for Nakal clothing, a Newcastle-based brand that The Courier also proﬁled this year. Keeping it in Newcastle, Alexander added that Painted Zebra’s discussions with Fenwicks on a project to showcase luxury brands in the North East were a fantastic learning experience. Speaking about the opportunities that the company have had whilst they are still in their infancy, Alexander said both he and his business partner had been “really lucky.” When asked how he juggled his degree and running a dynamic, London-based company, Alexander replied that “unless you really love what you are doing, you have to focus on your degree.” Painted Zebra, as a consultancy business, Alexander told me, made it easier to plan a work schedule around essays and deadlines as in promotions and particularly in fashion, there is no nine to ﬁve job. When asked what his most fashionable moment was and what his hopes for the future were, Alexan-

der played it cool and diplomatically replied “we have been fortunate and been able to be exposed to a lot of fashion inﬂuences.” As for Painted Zebra in 2011 and beyond? “Watch this space!” Alexander, the self-confessed “dreamer” and his business partner intend on expanding on their global franchise with a ‘7 Deadly Sins’ themed event, carried out across continents. However, the promotions company are getting ready for an EndOf-Year Ball that is in Newcastle next month. With Painted Zebra’s global ambitions, the fashion world will soon be familiar with the faces behind the company, and remember that they are Newcastle Alumni.

Web Exclusive

Not seen your article in this section this year? Go to www. thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion for more exclusives

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Fashion Swimwear

Summer Special

Summer swimwear sussed:

Time to bare those beach bodies with pride, Olivia Bowden shows how to dress your shape and the look with killer shades. It’s all about style as Sarah Welsh talks colour and Katie Henry goes Swimwear For Your Shape: Olivia Bowden

It’s that dreaded time of year again, girls everywhere are counting calories, planning gym programmes and slathering themselves in fake tan, whilst trying to avoid the call of revision munchies in order to achieve that perfect beach body we aim for every year. But for that extra boost of confidence whilst strutting your stuff on sandy beaches, choosing a swimsuit that suits your body shape is vital. Being equipped with the right information about what flatters your shape will help you make the most of what you’ve got. If you are pear-shaped, look for a bikini that balances your top half with your bottom and draws attention away from your hips. Try pairing an eye-catching bikini top with plainer, darker bottoms to draw the eye to your slimmest part. A ruched or patterned top that follows the contours of the breast is perfect for enlarging your bust to take the focus away from your hips. For bottom coverage aim for moderation as the two extremes won’t flatter you. If you are an apple shape and are fortunate enough to carry your weight around your middle and have slim limbs, full swimsuits are perfect for you and with the massive range available on the high street now it’s easy to find a sexy and stylish one. Choosing a halter neck will give good support and takes the sporty element out of the all in one. However if bikinis are more your thing go for boy shorts or bottoms with tie sides as they can add curves to give you a more hourglass figure. An athletic figure may be able to pull off the classic triangle bikini and enjoy the challenge of choosing between the thousands out there as they’re the most common on the high street and all of them will flatter your figure. So just focus on finding the right colour for your skin tone and keep the design feminine. Alternatively, if you want to achieve a curvier look your best option is the monokini which is cut out at the waist. Finally, the hourglass. With balanced proportions, you can stick to matching tops and bottoms to make the most of your curves. All styles may suit you so focus on getting the right support for your bust and the right colour for your skin. If you feel daring, why not go for an on-trend monokini, also favoured by sunworshipping celebs? The key to finding that perfect swimsuit this summer is to prepare by discovering your body shape and sticking to the rules!

Colour-blocking: Sarah Welsh

It’s all about ‘colour blocking’ this season. Colour blocking was rampant on the international catwalks, with designers sporting the trend including Jil Sander, Christopher Kane and Proenza Schouler, amongst others. Designers used a variety of bright colours like red, purple and yellow colour blocks, creating exuberant looks. The take-home message was clear and simple. The block colour styling technique can be applied to dress, accessories, shoes and even makeup. With summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about swimwear. No matter what swimwear you choose, whether it’s a one-piece, two-pieces, tankini, or bikini, choose bright color to cheer. Feeling apprehensive about this head-turning trend is perfectly normal. After all, nobody wants to look like a walking pack of highlighters! However, simply follow these key pointers, and you will be looking fabulous when you hit the beach this summer. Creating an ensemble of two or more bold, bright block colours creates the look. It is important to know your colour wheel, so to match opposing colours accordingly. Choose complementary colours of vibrant hues in ‘paintbox colours.’ Citrus shades of orange, lime and lemon balance well together, along with pinks, purples and reds. For those of you who are not too confident with this trend, choose plain swimwear with bold bright colors like fuschia, orange and motifs that give the impression of length, such as vertical stripes. Stay clear of the colours green, blue, and yellow to avoid the impression of width. Of course, when going to the beach or pool, swimwear is incomplete without accessories. These are another great opportunity to embrace colour blocking. Pair your bikini with a sheer kaftan, choosing colour appropriately using the colourwheel for an eye-catching match. Kaftans, loose dresses, jumpsuits, hair accessories, sandals and electric nails are all ways to add to your exciting look. Whether you only dip your toe into the colour block pool or dive right in, it’s going to be a very colourful summer.

Boho Beachwear: Katie Henry

The sun is out, the pitchers of Pimms are being prepared and there is that oh so familiar smell of instant tan in the air. The summer months are quickly approaching, and a key trend of summer 2011 is boho-chic. Drawing on various bohemian and hippie influences, boho-chic combines ethnic prints with floaty materials. Whether you’re home or away this summer, this particular look will be right on trend, especially with that sought after golden tan. Missoni are known for making bi-

kinis that epitomize the bohemian look, and even Rihanna has been papped frolicking on the beach in the designer label. For those of us that can only dream of owning such a designer piece, high street stores including H&M and student favourite Primark offer a great range of printed bikinis and one-pieces. Patterned kaftans are a perfect way to cover up when having a break from the sun, and are a cheap and cheerful way to achieve a perfect bohemian look. Another cover up option for the beach or poolside is the maxi dress. Printed maxis ooze boho-chic, and offer a less exposing alternative to a kaftan. Maxi dresses were huge in 2010, and will continue to be a big hit in the summer of 2011. From silk to cheese cloth, they come in a range of colours and materials ensuring that you stay cool and look your best

in the summer sun. Whether you’re tall or short, anyone can pull off a maxi, with celebrity fans including Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson and Kate Hudson. Not only a stylish accessory and the perfect way to hide sandy beach hair, a hat can also protect your face and head when the summer sun gets just that bit too hot. When it comes to boho beach wear, an oversized floppy hat worn by the likes of Vanessa Hudgens can add a touch of glamour to even the simplest of beach outfits. The queen of bohochic herself Sienna Miller prefers a classic straw trilby to keep the sun off her face in the summer months. If you want to obtain the ultimate boho-chic look, then a patterned headscarf is the way to go – Nicole Richie is rarely seen on the beach without the 70s inspired headwear.

Although jewellery may seem like an unnecessary accessory when poolside or on the beach, a simple chunky wooden bracelet and large hoop earrings will definitely help to create the desired bohemian look. Just remember to remove the bracelets before a lengthy sunbathing session to avoid stripy tanned arms. Celebrities such as Beyoncé are huge fans of blinging up their bikinis - if it’s good enough for B then it’s good enough for us! To complete the perfect bohemian look, oversized sunglasses are a must. Perfect for protecting the peepers, large shades also help to disguise a makeup-free face. You’d be hard pushed to find an A-list star on the beach without this accessory, with celebrity fans including Victoria Beckham, the Olsen twins and Paris Hilton.

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Swimwear Fashion

Summer Special

our line-up of beach trends Rosanna Sopp takes a look at vintage swimwear whilst Poppy Gardner adds the completes boho for the beach. Finally, men’s expert, Tim Perkin shares his swim shorts wisdom B CARLIN

tains the luxury vintage feel of the ensemble. Grace Kelly was a pioneer of what is now known as vintage swimwear and she was regularly seen in a high waisted white bikini. Celebrities aplenty are seen in vintage beachwear and it’s hardly surprising when the trend is known for ﬂattering and glamorous ensembles. For these swimsuits, ASOS is great for girly vintage beachwear whilst Cath Kidson do a gorgeous range of retro beachwear which ﬁt this trend to a T, from ditzy prints to polka dots.

Sunglasses: Poppy Gardner

Ah, sunglasses. Quite possibly my favourite things in life. I make no exaggeration when I say I have well over 20 pairs, and counting. When people comment on my Facebook holiday snaps, pretty much the first thing mentioned is how many pairs I appear to have taken with me. Why the fascination, I hear you ask…. Well, for starters, they are the ultimate accessory, capable of changing an entire outfit’s tone and connotations in a mere moment. Simultaneously, they work wonders in hiding a multitude of eye related issues (Hangover redness, tiredness bags, general puffiness) while adding glamour and panache. Plus, let’s not lie, we all love a sneaky people watch through a pair of blackout lenses. I was filled with joy at the news that this summer was to be a ‘sunglasses season’, this meaning that after months and months of oversized bags, statement shoes and enormous earrings, it’s the time of my favourite item to take centre stage. Perhaps the trickiest styles to pull off are this season’s especially prevalent ‘kooky’ styles. Seen on the catwalks at Prada, these include cat eye shades in flouro colours and huge rectangular lenses with baroque and multicoloured arms. Chanel have

Vintage Chic: Rosanna Sopp

The beach - a place full of screaming children, old men wearing ill-fitting swimsuits and dogs running amock. If there was any place to look as stylish as possible, it is the place beside the seaside. Think back to the days of 1950s pin-ups; where curves were embraced, glamour was Queen and if your sunglasses didn’t cover the majority of your face then you had the wrong pair. In a place full of chronic sunburn and Speedos, donning vintage and glamorous beachwear is a sure-fire way to stand out from the crowd and show that beachwear really can be stylish. Vintage swimwear was all about highwaisted bikini briefs, polka dots and large floppy hats. For those wanting to fully embrace the glamour of this beachwear trend, heels really add a finishing touch to

proceedings. Impractical, yes, but who cares about practicality when you look so good. Vintage beachwear is all about covering up and being demure, whilst still showing off your curves in a way that makes all the boys stare. To achieve this look; pick up a pair of oversized sunglasses (the more dramatic the better, Topshop do great distinctive vintage looking pairs), a high waisted bikini - preferably spotted or nautical, a pair of cork wedges, some bangles and a ﬂoppy hat. If you want a one piece, pick something halter-neck with frills, and for the slimmer among you, a checked bikini covered in rufﬂes looks back to 1950s America, whilst still being young and fresh. For those conscious of their stomach, hips or thighs, a white sarong covers all manner of sins and main-

gone all-out and created a pair with a built in mirror for on-the-go touchups. These work best on people with narrow or heart shaped faces and flawless complexions and aren’t the most flattering. Other more forgiving styles include the classic big black Jackie O type sunnies. Favoured by Posh and anyone else wanting to hide from the paps without resorting to a balaclava, this 70s style is all over Vogue this season, with lovely frames by Gucci and Armani. Huge blackout lenses are almost universally forgiving, and of course, best for those peaky mornings. The ever-present aviator is also big this summer, and again, über flattering. The aviator comes in many guises, from plastic to metal framed, and while the metal ones are probably the most beach chic, I have issues with getting them stuck in my hair, so watch out for that. Another chic style to watch out for is the increasingly popular John Lennon/Lolita round frame. The acetate or plastic Lolita frames exude a certain 30s style which I adore, plus they look great with pretty much any outfit. I love them so much that I have a pair in black. And white. And tortoiseshell. Again though, possibly best to dodge these if you have a wider visage, as they tend to exaggerate round features.

Men’s Swimwear: Tim Perkin

Recently I have been increasingly ﬁnding myself sitting alone at home pondering the whereabouts of my housemates. The reason for being constantly left on my tod at the moment is that the boys have gone gym crazy, every spare minute not at the library they seem to be pumping iron. Quite understandable really with summer and the beach season coming up but personally, being exercise phobic I’ve been devising ways of making myself beach ready with minimal effort. So for all you

lazy Newcastle boys, here is a few tips for looking good on the beaches of Bali to Brighton this summer. The starting point for beachwear is the swimming trunks and coming in such a variety of styles, it can be a difﬁcult choice to make. I would hope that most people would steer way clear of the tighter option, unless you genuinely look like an Armani swimwear model. Personally I prefer quite tailored, above the knee, single-coloured swimming shorts such as Polo Ralph Lauren’s summer line. I think classic tailoring like this suits most body types and gives a fairly grown up look compared to board shorts. However it depends what you are doing on the beach. For me, that is mostly sunbathing with maybe the occasional frisbee being thrown. Board shorts are very popular for the more active people on the beach, but my piece of advice for boardies is not to get them too long below the knee as you run the risk of looking like an overgrown child. Now I’m going to discuss a certain taboo subject amongst boys: fake tanning. Why is something that is so commonplace for girls such a no-no for boys? Now I personally know a few boys who might be prone to a little sunbed now and again but they guard this information ferociously and I would be a hunted man if I were to give names. Everyone likes to look tanned so why do these boys have to do it in secret? Having a tan before you get to the beach has loads of advantages - you don’t obviously stand out as a stereotypical pale British tourist, you avoid spending the ﬁrst few days of your holiday looking like a lobster and your chance of scoring with that Spanish senorita just doubled. So lads, don’t mug each other off and embrace the tanning a la ‘The Situation’ in Jersey Shore - what’s good enough for him is good enough for me! See you on the beach!

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Listings

what’s happening on your campus? monday Give it a Go! Zumba

17:00, FREE The Brazilian dance craze that’s sweeping the nation! A fun and funky way to keep ﬁt, Zumba’s Brazilian beats will have you shaking your ass like a crazy thing… Interested? Email giag.union@ncl.ac.uk with subject line ‘Zumba’ for your FREE ticket. Limited spaces.

NUTS present... Drama Festival

Northern Stage, 16-18 May, From 19:00 NUTS end the academic year with a bang, with their very own drama festival. See box below for details and be sure not to miss out.

Theatre

The fall of new labour

Live Theatre, Until June 4, £16-£18 On the ﬁrst anniversary of the fall of New Labour, Live Theatre brings Mullin’s witty, irreverent take on contemporary politics to the stage, reﬂecting three worlds during a time of crisis and change See www.live.org.uk for more info.

tuesday Public Lecture

wednesday monday

Public Lecture

Tales from the biomedical frontier

Common values, common Go Karting politics 13:45, £7 Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, 17:30- 18:30, FREE

One year on, how has the coalition government fared on human rights? Bound together by the language of rights and liberty, the key to its success will be how well it has protected rights and freedoms. The common values of dignity, equal treatment and fairness bind us all, but do they bind the coalition partners? Bound together by the language of rights and liberty, the key to the new government’s success will be how well it has protected rights and freedoms. From a welcomed start with the repeal of ID cards legislation to the disappointing continuation of the odious control order regime, the government’s record is certainly mixed. But with the recent announcement that Britain’s human rights framework is to be reviewed by a commission on a British Bill of Rights, we now face the greatest threat to our human rights protection in the lifetime of the Human Rights Act. The talk is taken by Shami Chakrabarti, who has been Director of Liberty (The National Council for Civil Liberties) since 2003, having ﬁrst joined as In-House Counsel in 2001. She became heavily involved in its engagement in the ‘War on Terror’ and in the defence and promotion of human rights values in Parliament, the Courts and wider society.

-In My Father’s House (wr. and d. by Patrick Robertson) -Dillon (wr. by Dale Pearson, d. by Dale Pearson and Tom Dickson) Tuesday May 17, 7pm: -Working Title (wr. and d. by Lucy Graham) -On Sleepless Roads (wr. by Nige Whitaker, d. by Gemma Ackerley and Dan Bradshaw) -Am I the Only F***ing Professional? (wr. by Mitch Labiak, d. by Mitch Labiak and Rosie Tallant) Wednesday May 18, 7pm:

Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, 17:30- 18:30, FREE

Come for a fun and spine-tingling day out Go Karting in Newcastle! This cost includes transportation and Go Karting! Book FAST to get your space, as spaces are very limited! Email giag.union@ncl. ac.uk with subject line ‘Go Karting’ for details and to book your ticket…

Three young researchers — winners of the Faculty of Medical Sciences’ postgraduate public speaking prize —will describe their quests at the cutting-edge of science, and how their ﬁndings may underpin the medical treatments of tomorrow. Laura Ions asks ‘How can we live healthier for longer?’ While the increase in lifespan is a success for public healthcare, concerns remain about the effects of an ageing population on society as a whole and how to ensure that a longer life is also a healthier one. Scientiﬁc research into the effects of diet on healthy ageing may contribute to meeting some of these challenges. Stephen Hall will be talking on ‘All you need is love... the impact of early-life stress on the brain’, his work has highlighted the longterm effects of early-life stress on adult brain function. Sally Spendiff’s talk, Regenerating the Batteries, will discuss mitochondria - the batteries of the human body.

Performance Iolanthe

Playhouse, Whitley Bay, £11 From the people who brought you The Gondoliers, Tynemouth Gilbert and Sullivan Society take you on a trip to fairyland and mark one year of coalition government in their most topical operetta, Iolanthe. Iolanthe tells the tale of an innocent young shepherd boy who becomes the ﬁrst ever Liberal-Conservative Member of Parliament. Fairies and Lords battle each other and fall in love in the fairytale lands of Arcadia and Westminster, backed by Gilbert’s sharpest satire, and Sullivan’s most sparkling tunes.

Your North East: The Sage in Gateshead ﬂanked by the Millennium and Tyne Bridges. The evening sun highlights stunningly sets off one of Newcastle’s most beautiful areas and reﬂects the iconic bridges onto the river itself. Thanks to Amir Hamzah Khalid for you photo.

this month

Public Lecture

Relapse@WHQ

Thursday 26 May, Research Beehive

Mussoc and Ravesoc joint production

Don’t miss former journalist Chris Mullin as he joins writer Michael Chaplin and director Max Roberts to talk about the process of transforming the diaries from page to stage. On Thursday June 2 you can join Cris Mullen as he talks about Decline & Fall, the second volume of his diaries covering the ﬁnal years of New Labour. This highly acclaimed volume followed the success of A View from the Foothills. A third volume is due to be published in September 2011.

Science Fiction in the Present: Military Technology & Contemporary Culture. This workshop will explore the relations of military research and techno-science with broader patterns and tendencies in contemporary culture. It will be concerned, in particular, with how speculative and science ﬁction traditions in novels, ﬁlms, video games and other media cross-fertilise with military futures research and development. Participants will discuss the long history of interaction between cultural and military spheres and will address how predictions and fears of future social, ecological, technological and political threats are constructed, explored, exploited and propagated. Please register with anne.fry@ncl.ac.uk

Relapse is the new student club night run by students for students celebrating the top talent Newcastle University has to offer. The night will feature some of the hottest student bands and DJs in Newcastle at the moment, spanning both ﬂoors of World Headquarters, with bands playing downstairs and DJs upstairs. A whole host of genres from Electro to Hip Hop, Reggaeton to Trance, Indie to D’n’B and everything in between. All at the No.1 independent party run by students for students. All money raised will be put back into supporting student talent. Tickets will be available from Beatdown records, RPM or the mussoc and Rave soc committees. Contact s.t.ferrell@ncl.ac.uk for info

4. Music

5. Books

6. Art

70 Years of Pufﬁn

Metro Radio Arena, May 21, 19:30, £45-£75

Harry Merry (Netherlands), Box Motifs & DJ Michael Clunkie

Wallace and Gromit present... A World of Cracking Ideas

Rush is without question one of the most inventive and compelling groups in rock history, equally famed for both its virtuoso musicianship and provocative songwriting. Rush is one of rock’s most inﬂuential bands, ranking third for most consecutive gold and platinum albums behind The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. The band has engaged legions of devoted fans over the decades and is admired by generations of musicians.

Sailor suited and mop topped one man keyboard orchestra all the way from Rotterdam, singing songs in both English and Dutch and with a wild and chaotic Euro/ Schlager feel. As covered and championed by Ariel Pink and John Maus. Be sure not to miss Harry Merry on his ﬁrst full length tour of the UK!.

Northern Stage, May 16-18, From 19:00 each night, £6.50 per night

Monday May 16, 7pm: -Vanity Piece (wr. by Matt Doyle, d. by Matt Doyle and Katie Quinn)

thursday

Give it a Go!

NUTS Drama Festival 3 nights. 9 plays. 1 venue. Newcastle University Theatre Society presents a vast array of student talent. All plays are written, directed and performed by members of the society, guaranteeing three evenings of spectacular theatre. Tickets are £6.50 and are available from Northern Stage box ofﬁce NOW. ... The plays:

Listings Editor : Ciara Littler - courier.listings@ncl.ac.uk

-SETI (wr. by Ben Schwarz and Sam Steventon, d. by Richard Speir and Kate Beckwith) -Surﬁn UAE (wr. and d. by Charlotte Mountford) -The Death Bureau (wr. and d. by Ollie Booth) Don’t miss out on this great chance to see some home brewed theatrical talent from Newcastle University students, from the writing to the props every bit of every performance was thought up by students. Don’t miss what they have come up with . Tickets available now from Northern Stage or OTD.

Theatre

From Page to Stage

Thursday 21 May, Live Theatre

Science Fiction

Wednesday June 1, £3 adv

Your City:

Our top events happening in Newcastle this week 2. Style 3. Music 1. Comedy Dylan Moran

Journal Tyne Theatre, May 16, 20:00, £23 Dylan Moran star of Black Books, Shaun of the Dead and Run Fat Boy Run is about to spread a little happiness with a brand new tour for 2011. Ageing, religion, kids, relationships intertwine with the general absurdities of life. Searing observations and sumptuous imagery, painted across a large fraying canvas with cruel, curmudgeonly ‘Moranesque’ brush strokes and all delivered with Dylan’s renowned, shambolic charm… It’s simply unmissable.

Newcastle Fashion Week

Eldon Square and various locations, May 16-18 For three days only – Newcastle shoppers will have the opportunity to get a free assessment of their style and whether they are choosing the right clothes and styles to suit their shape and size. Knowing your body shape is crucial to ﬁnding clothes that ﬁt. Using state of the art technology, you can get the real measure of your body with the 3D style scanner. The scanner will be at Eldon Sq on May 16 & 17, and Monument Mall on May 18.

Rush - An evening with

Seven Stories, Ouseburn Valley, Until June 26, £5.50

Life Centre, From May 16, £9

Star and Shadow Cinema, May 20, 20:00, £5

Over the past 70 years Puffin Books has been at the forefront of children’s publishing. Seven Stories is proud to present an exhibition that celebrates Puffin Books and showcases some gems from the Seven Stories archive. There’s Nuffin like a Puffin will provide visitors with a rare chance to see original material from some of the best known and loved children’s books, classic and modern, of the past 70 years

Visitors to the Life Science Centre, Newcastle will be able to experience this hands on exhibition and learn how innovation and intellectual property (IP) impact on our everyday lives. Featuring the Oscar winning inventors Wallace & Gromit, the exhibition features innovations from past and present and aims to inspire the innovator in all of us.

friday

weekend

EngSoc present...

Give it a Go!

The Sage, Gateshead, 19:00-22:00, £28-£30

10:00, £15, Saturday 21

The Summer Ball

The ball will be on the evening of Friday May 20 (after handing in all those essays and dissertations) at the amazing venue The Sage, Gateshead. Tickets include: welcome drink, meal, half a bottle of wine and a professional DJ set. Don’t miss the chance to send out the year with a bang. All years are welcome to what promises to be a great evening.

Do you want be involved in The Courier’s student led marketing team next year? E-mail s.r.murphy@ncl.ac.uk

Alnwick Castle

A beautiful medieval castle based just north of Newcastle, that some of you may recognise as the actual Hogwarts Castle in the Harry Potter ﬁlms! Come and explore this stunning Castle and its award winning gardens. A great day out to experience one of England’s ﬁnest and most famous historical sites. Book early to avoid disappointment. Email giag.union@ncl.ac.uk with the subject line ‘Alnwick’ to get your space.

Fashion Week

Charity shop challenge Grey’s Monument, 13:00, Sat 21

Get the best of our your local charity shops! Stylist Krisa Puranen shows you this season’s key looks with clothing all from your local charity shop. There’s also a Charity Shop Challenge - ﬁve contestants get the chance to compete to ﬁnd the best look for under £15, the winner will be picked by the crowd and winning some fantastic prizes!

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Life & Style

Explore the remarkable world of Japanese animation > Film, page 30

stage

Contemporary dance goes acrobatic

Rosie Tallant on the internationally-recognised company performing aerial dance blended with contemporary choreography If you fancy a break from late night revision this month but aren’t sure where to turn, Northern Stage offers a night of intriguingly different dance. Reﬂected is the new tour by longrunning Phoenix Dance Theatre, which was formed in inner city Leeds in 1981. Since then it has grown to be one of Britain’s strongest dance groups, aiming to bring together the best contemporary dance choreographers from around the world. Its performances have been described as communicative, highly accessible and representative of life in a multicultural society, so you don’t need to be a dance-buff to really understand and enjoy their pieces. The company have also developed an education programme Phoenix Dance Education, which promotes participation in the arts within schools and community settings. It includes four highly contrasting pieces that use a diverse range of music, two of which are Phoenix world premieres from artistic director Sharon Watson and choreographer Richard Wherlock. Watson was appointed as the seventh artistic director of Phoenix in 2009, having previously trained at the London School of Contemporary Dance and has danced with several companies, including Phoenix. She has created works for numerous other companies, and this year was named as one of the Cultural Leadership Programme’s Women to

Reﬂected is the latest offering from Phoenix Dance Theatre with dramatic choreography set to tracks from bands including Wild Beasts

Watch, a list of 50 inﬂuential women working in arts and culture in the UK. Watson’s latest piece Melt is an

elegant and visually stunning creation, set to the music of Leeds-based band Wild Beasts. Seven dancers

perform the gliding and swooping movements, which also include aerial dance to merge the stage with

the air above. Another Phoenix premiere Switch creates a dynamic contrast with Watson’s piece through vibrant costumes and a pulsating beat consisting of tracks from dance composer b.free. This lively piece provides some respite from the more serious themes of the other compositions. Philip Taylor’s dramatic creation, What It Is also features in the lineup, providing an emotional journey depicted by three dancers and two early Amy Winehouse songs. The recognisable music serves to draw the audience into this piece, making the poignant story more accessible. The final piece in the Reflected tour is Pave up Paradise, which depicts Adam and Eve after their fall from the Garden of Eden. It includes spoken word interludes and live acoustic arrangements of Jeff Buckley, Strokes and Gomez tracks, which combine with the couple’s squabbling to create a witty and somewhat cheeky performance. The Reflected tour consists of a lineup of pieces that range in sensation from emotional, to elegant, to comedic, offering something for every mood. Having received excellent reviews in the last year, Phoenix Dance Theatre is only getting stronger, perhaps due to the accessibility of their music, themes and narratives. Reflected is performed at Northern Stage on May 19 and 20.

opinion

Forget Glasto, arts festivals are topping the summer hot-list Summer is just around the corner, which for most probably equals sheer excitement at the prospect of a break from deadlines and university work, with many sunny and relaxing days to ﬁll, doing whatever you like. Do you want to get away and travel? Or get a job or maybe attend a music festival? For some people I’m sure they could think of nothing worse than sleeping in a sweaty tent, in a muddy ﬁeld with loud music blasting out until the small hours of the morning, for an entire weekend. If this sounds like you, then there is a far more tranquil option: the arts festival. This is the way some of the well-established music festivals are going, such as Latitude in Suffolk, whose main ethos is, “It’s more than a music festival”. So with this marked

change in our festival culture and many new arts events popping up all over the country, would it be fair to say that the summer arts festival is overtaking the music festival as the trendy alternative to a lot of loud music in a ﬁeld? Possibly the most well known festival of this kind is the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which involves several arts events running simultaneously, fully demonstrating all arenas. From the highly popular comedy to fantastic art exhibitions to the more traditional Military Tattoo, the city becomes a hive of activity throughout August, with something on offer for all tastes. And fear not, anyone who disagrees with camping won’t ﬁnd a tent in sight! Established in 1959, it is still as popular as it has ever been, bringing tourists from all over the world to

Scotland’s capital of culture. This clearly demonstrates the demand for arts festivals across a wide demographic of audiences, and the success of the Fringe indicates why these events are growing in number. If camping is more to your taste, then there is the Port Eliot Festival in Cornwall, set in the beautiful, lush grounds of the historic seat of the Earl and Countess of St. Germans, which runs from July 21-24. It has been described by musician Jarvis Cocker as “a festival of ideas”, which is clearly demonstrated by the vast array of original options on offer. For example, you can visit The Poetry Takeaway, which ‘serves up free, made-to-order poems to YOU - the hungry yet discerning literary consumer FAST.’ I love the

idea of made-to-order poetry and the thought of getting personally involved in the writing process, fully engaging in literary practice. Another inspiring facet to this event is that they hold a ﬂower show, which beautifully brings together nature and art within the context of the leafy environment of the festival. With tickets for Port Eliot at £140 for the weekend, with camping, it is around the price you would pay for any music alternative. On the literary festival front, Hay on Wye is by far the most recognised option for those book lovers amongst you. This year you can marvel at Nobel Laureate V.S. Naipaul, return to great childhood memories with Malorie Blackman and Jacqueline Wilson or get historical with Michael Wood.

For some, a book festival might seem the height of boredom, but there is a huge variety of arts festivals and what they each offer is vast. I would argue that such events cater for a huge demographic of people, from children and families, to young people as well as the older generation. On the other hand, music festivals are generally focused on the 16-24 age group, and once you’re beyond this they often lose their appeal. The arts festival is quirky, en vogue and a great way to make the most of the long, sunny days. So why not do something a little different with your time this summer and see what an arts festival can do for you. Catherine Langley

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Life &

Arts Culture

Arts Editor: Stephanie Ferrao - courier.culture-arts@ncl.ac.uk

stage

A political performance that pulls no punches With the one-year anniversary of the coalition, Sally Priddle looks at a timely new production about the fall of New Labour

Knockout: A Walk On Part is based on the diaries of Labour MP Chris Mullin, who captures the party’s tumultous Blair-Brown years

opinion

Given the recent local elections and referendum on electoral reform, Parliament could not be any more in the public eye, which has spurred the dramatic real life action to be adapted and interpreted for the stage. Exactly one year after the drastic fall of New Labour, Newcastle’s Live Theatre is offering audiences ringside seats to a riveting, witty and moving insider’s account of how this unique phenomenon dominated British politics for a decade, before a series of self-inflicted blows finally led to a knock-out at last year’s General Election. The production is based on the critically acclaimed diaries of former MP for Sunderland South Chris Mullin. A Walk on Part explores three worlds: the febrile political village of Westminster, the flash points of Africa where Chris toured as a Minister and the fragile community in which he served as their MP. Which together create a colourful story of the reality of worlds that completely contrast yet for Mullin’s had to be combined. Mullin’s career at Westminster, spanning 23 years, include a spell as Minister in three Government departments, including the Foreign Office and chairman of the Home Affairs select committee. Respected as an influential backbencher, Mullin was brought into government by Tony Blair, with whom he enjoyed a productive relationship, despite their disagreement over the invasion of Iraq. The ups and downs of this relation-

ship and Mullin’s political career are graphically captured in his diaries. The diaries are said by many observers (including David Cameron) to offer the clearest insight into the Blair and Brown years and the nature of modern British politics. Michael Chaplin adapted the diaries and said: “It has been a fascinating experience as a writer - and a voter - adapting Chris’ diaries for the stage. “Witty, wise and deeply felt, they form an incomparable record of the last 10 years of this new century, explaining precisely how we all got to this point in our history, but also present a touching portrait of a family man and Sunderland resident” This is the first outing of this newly staged production which, including scenes involving everyone from Tony Blair to African refugees to a Durham taxi driver, promises to be a revealing and entertaining evening of theatre. The project, which is in association with New Writing North, is a chance for audiences to see some of the key figures in the last 10 years brought to life on stage. The play will provide audiences with a revealing, entertaining and timely insight into the fascinating world of politics. This is a unique experience that will be combined with talks with Chris Mullin at the Live Theatre throughout May and June. A Walk On Part is performed at the Live Theatre until June 4

books

Theatre al fresco: does it work? Top summer reads Theatre offers an audience a chance to be whisked away from reality and become absorbed with issues other than their own. A world of the dramatics, thrills and laughter; where the only restrictions are the physical ones. But does outside theatre offer a better stage for shows as it does not have the limitations of walls and ceilings? Outdoor theatre for many provides the audience with a fuller experience, as the setting surrounds them and gives a visually realistic experience that can be appreciated alongside the production in front of them. Although with the unpredictable and temperamental British weather perhaps outside theatre would be a better experience in a different country. However, for certain scenes the dampening British weather would provide the best setting, if not the most enjoyment for the uncovered audience. Outside theatre in the past has been favoured by Shakespearean productions as plays such as A Midsummer

Night’s Dream lend themselves to a performance in the open air. Some would argue the show would be improved by enclosing the audience in a wondrous world. Modern plays about the current world do not as easily translate to outside performances due to their complex sets, electronics and digital technology. Although there are no restrictions of the size of the space in which to perform, using digital effects in the performance is a more complex affair when the outside elements have to be factored in as well. Outdoor conditions can also ultimately lead to the cancellation of performances. However, when the conditions are perfect outside performances do regularly offer a better and more unique experience, as people get the chance sit on the ground, relax, eat and drink. Amd you don’t need to push awkwardly past everyone down the row when you need the toilet and have been given the middle seat in the second row from the front.

Outside performances can also be seen to offer a greater challenge to the actors and actresses, because the unusual nature of the performance means they have to project their voice without the aid of acoustics. However, there is something special about going to a theatre and enjoying the whole experience of finding your seat, the bright lights, the clever use of one space to become numerous settings throughout a play and, for people like me, the drinks at the bar during the interval and the overpriced fruit pastilles that come in a box. I can therefore understand that some theatre can be brought to life with the outside atmosphere and it can be magical to starti a play at dusk and end it in the dark. Similarly there is something intrinsically theatrical about the buildings themselves that I will associate with and enjoy about the theatre experience. Sally Priddle

The Comedy: Bad Karma by David Safier If you believe in re-incarnation, you would certainly hope to be reborn as something decent, not as an ant or something similar... Well, it all comes down to earning good karma which can be tough as the protagonist of Safier‘s outstandingly funny debut has to find out. The Young One: Flush by Carl Hiaasen Carl Hiaasen might be rather known for adult fiction, but his second book aimed at young readers about two teenagers against a shady environment polluter is written in such a witty and intelligent manner that even grown-ups will enjoy it. If you haven‘t read anything by him yet, start now! The Wacky One: The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers If you like stories that bristle with weird fantastic worlds and characters, you will love this book. Moers‘ third novel of the highly successful

Zamonia series was called ‘the best book about books, ever‘. The Historical One: Imperium by Robert Harris The ultimate disproof of the still surprisingly common prejudice that history is generally boring. Robert Harris‘s biographic narration of the Roman politician and lawyer Cicero‘s rise to power is both gripping and informative, not just for history and classics students or those who liked Julius Caesar‘s Gallic War. The Thriller: Next by Michael Crichton We know Emergency Room. We know Jurassic Park. But Michael Crichton, the creative mastermind behind them who died in 2008, was also a successful author and this nail-biting, well researched story about genetic data theft and the possibilities of science is the last book published during his lifetime. Lisa Bernhardt

Culture

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Arts

arts reviews

With almost 300 members, All that Glitters was an opportunity to showcase the breadth of participation and enjoyment of dance, alongside the competition-winning dances that earned the society their formidable reputation. Hosted at the Northern Stage, the society made full use of its lighting and staging by opening with a dark and dramatic full cast performance to Justice’s ‘Genesis’. Choreographed by the out going President Ania Kurek, it was an enjoyable introduction to all of the dancers involved, with students of varying experience dancing side by side. To be able to offer every member the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of dance styles is a substantial achievement by the society’s dedicated student teachers. Their hard work was reﬂected in the smiles on their faces of the ‘Jai Ho!’ performance, who seemed to enjoy every second of their Bollywood dance, whilst the Musical Theatre group’s upbeat act “Rehab” smacked of Glee-style enthusiasm. For me, this was why the Beginners performers reﬂected the sheer popularity of the society. ‘The Nutcracker’ by the Beginners Ballet group was an unexpected choice, performing traditional choreography that contrasted with the more modern ballet performed by the Intermediate and Advanced groups.

‘Fever” was a particularly enjoyable performance, rich with the dramatic and sassy attitude that you’d probably only expect to ﬁnd in more experienced dancers. The Intermediate groups seemed to be a ﬂuid category, using dancers from both Beginners and Advanced, which explained the small number of dances they performed compared to other groups. Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ was the perfect soundtrack for Intermediate Jazz’s vivid performance, whilst ‘Dog Days Are Over’ was a particular highlight, as Intermediate Ballet presented a vibrant and uplifting dance in partnership with Advanced dancers. Naturally, it was the Advanced groups who presented the most choreographically innovative and challenging performances. In ‘Billy Elliot’ and ‘Workmen’ the Advanced Tap group showed off their practiced technique, whilst Contemporary’s ‘Bird of Prey’ and Jazz’s ‘Black and Gold’ were stylishly choreographed and powerfully performed. However, it was the street dances that stole the show. Dancing competition-winning routines that had been rehearsed to perfection, they wowed with their precise execution of challenging choreography. Unfortunately, there were a couple of technical issues that interrupted the professionalism shown by the dancers, as the accompanying music was edited to cut off abruptly and was at times uncomfortably loud. Nonetheless, the audience were in raptures by the end, and it was an absolute pleasure to watch. Steph Ferrao

Newcastle University Dance Society put together a collection of their competition-winning performances ranging from jazz to street

Cluster 10 Lazarides Gallery April 22- May 21

The Way of the Cross University Gallery April 15- June 3

Topher McGrillis Northern Stage January 29- April 9

H.M.S Pinafore The Struggle Continues St Nicholas Parish Church Side Gallery 12 - 14 May April 2- May 28

Cluster 10 is the UK debut collection for the American-based artist Mario Wagner. The collection consists of ten pieces: eight canvases and two three-dimensional images. The pieces possess some common motifs, perhaps the most noticeable being silhouettes of men wearing balaclavas and suits. The contrast between the dark, intimidating images of the men, against the vivid colours of the scenery, creates an interesting picture. The paintings seem to combine both a harsh sense of realism and an abstract perspective, demonstrated in some out of place items in the landscapes. The exhibition possesses a very arresting style, which could be distracting for some, as its abstractness can tend to draw away from Wagner’s intended meaning. In spite of this, the collection will be pleasing for many. It has an alluring appeal, due to the images opulence, and has a definite mystique in regards to its subject area. The exhibition is housed on the lower floor of the gallery, but the entrance floor is also worth a look, as it shows an eclectic mix from some of the most innovative artists of the day.

University Gallery is currently exhibiting the artwork of Norman Adams, in a collection that’s diversity is very intriguing. A former Professor of Fine Art at Newcastle University, he undertook the challenge of painting the events surrounding the crucifixion of Jesus, commissioned by his local church. Norman Adams’s own reverence to the crucifixion is clear in his depictions, which show a timeline of events from the betrayal to the resurrection. The images somehow demonstrate both the godly side and humanity of Christ, whilst others portray the anger, violence and anonymity of the crowd at the crucifixion. The faces of the characters are never revealed, and this allows for the ambivalent nature of the legends to be understood. The variation of the artwork featured is impressive. The collection is thought provoking, and his paintings of the crucifixion display the event in a curious and stirring way; yet the emotion of the image is not confined within Christianity, which makes the collection accessible to everyone.

What a better way to finish off the second semester, than with a fantastic evening of hilarious anecdotes from the talented members of Newcastle’s comedy society. It was a delectable treat with class performances all around from those involved. Ollie Savory did a terrific job of hosting, finding a beautiful balance of witty remarks and keeping the ball rolling. The audience got their money’s worth with almost three hours of sardonic stand up acts and improvisational sketches. The comedic antic’s of students Ian Clifford Moss, Tom Acworth and other up-and-coming stand-ups were a pure buffet of hilarious tales, observations and performances. The highlight of the evening had to be the wonderfully irreverent humour form stand up ‘Mr Face’. With what can only be described as obscurely insane double personality, he had the whole audience in riots of laughter. The improv sketches were absolutely fantastic; watching the peformer come up with such ingenious and witty comments off the top of their heads, both intelligent and entertaining. It’s safe to say that the evening was a success, with everybody leaving with smiles on their faces.

HMS Pinafore, set during World War Two, portrays the anguish of Ralph Rackstraw, a common sailor who falls in love with the Captain’s daughter, Josephine. However, this beautiful young girl is desired for marriage by Sir Joseph Porter. Ralph’s common rank is no match for Joseph, until bumboat woman ‘Little Buttercup’ reveals a secret that will irreversibly change the lives of all those on board. This performance by Newcastle University’s own Gilbert and Sullivan Society is a fantastic homage to one of the best-loved pieces in musical theatre history. The cast are phenomenal actors and singers and delivered a performance that captured both the satirical and sensitive moments of the story. It is also important to recognise the superb recital that the orchestra provided, led by Philip Hall. Whilst the entire cast were sensational, a special mention should be made to Sarah Harris, who delivered a beautiful performance as Josephine. Prior to tonight, I wasn’t sure about this style of theatre, but I have been totally converted. The Gilbert and Sullivan Society should be proud of themselves and I look forward to their next production.

The exhibition photographically represents a long line of political struggles, from 1914 until the issues surrounding our modern world, including local issues. The collection captures how different people’s lives are tormented by such struggles, with a particular focus on the actions of young people and students. The exhibition is not extravagant, as it chooses to more subtly show the continuity and recurrence of political problems by displaying each event the same size and in the same, linear fashion, and this simplicity enhances the reality of the issue. Different vantage point and educational text panels allow for an extensive scope of the subject, and the people featured in the images represent many aspects of society. Riots, protests and revolutions are all demonstrated in the collection, and the faces pictured in each photograph tell moving stories of sadness and happiness, and the more gruesome shots put an incredibly serious vibe to the exhibition. The fact that the exhibition is absent from special effects, artistic adaptation and exaggerated colours is what enables the collections seriousness to be appreciated.

Laura Armitage

Wendy Malkin

Luke Hearﬁeld

Laura Armitage

Wendy Malkin

Dance Society Showcase Northern Stage 18 - 20 May

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Film

film

Culture

Film Editor: Adam Williams - courier.culture-film@ncl.ac.uk

film of the week

Hanna Director: Joe Wright Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett Runtime: 111 mins

Since March last year, any mention of a film about a young girl assassin instantly brings forth two words in particular: Hit Girl. Yes, Kick Ass created an icon in Chloe Moretz’s tinybut-deadly lovable killing machine, and it’s difficult to see the trailer to Joe Wright’s latest film Hanna and not feel Hit Girl’s influence all over it. However, where Hit Girl could burst with snarling, punk energy, Hanna is an entirely different beast. Trying to pin down what exactly Hanna is, as a film as well as a character, is a tough one. Wright, who previously specialised in period dramas such as Atonement and Pride & Prejudice, has made a film that, despite often entertaining, is certainly in a state of identity crisis. The style veers between straight-up Euro-

thriller, quirky ponderous arthouse and Hollywood actioner, and it’s often difficult to feel grounded in the characters and situation – as soon as a firm footing is found, another seismic shift threatens to bring everything down. The episodic nature of Hanna’s search for an identity and a life away from her extensive military-style training sometimes causes a slackening of pace, while moments of satirical comedy feel misplaced. Despite all of that, there’s much in Hanna to celebrate. Saoirse Ronan, who most notably starred in Peter Jackson’s underwhelming adaptation of The Lovely Bones, puts in an excellent performance in the titular role, with impressive physicality and a strong understanding of the complex character. The action sequences pack a visceral punch, and the whole film really pushes the boundaries of the 12A rating – at times you wonder whether this is really a 15-rated film hacked at by studio execs to bring in more punters, though this isn’t a film I imagine many 12-year-olds would enjoy.

Wright presents a stunning visual style a million miles away from the pastoral vistas of his previous ﬁlms. If anything, it’s nice to see an action ﬁlm with such an extensive visual pallet – the white wilderness of the Scandinavian forests, burntorange deserts, and dark, foreboding woodlands all make a strong impact. Coupled with a penchant for unconventional angles and a thumping soundtrack from The Chemical Brothers, Hanna is often a disorientating head-trip. There’s also plenty going on under-

neath the surface, with an intriguing fairytale motif which plays out very interestingly, but isn’t shoved heavy-handedly into the audience’s face. Overall, there’s enough killer material here to make Hanna a worthy cinema trip. Verdict: Hanna may suffer from an identity crisis, but a dynamic visual style and a brilliant soundtrack courtesy of The Chemical Brothers makes this a ﬁlm that might not always succeed, but consistently intrigues and entertains. A few

dodgy accents aside, it’s well-acted and takes a genre which is often paint-by-numbers, and does something different with it, for which it should be applauded. As odd a ﬁlm as it may be, it’s also the best little-girl-assassin movie of the last 14 months. Ben Travis

feature

Are you still talking about the King’s Speech? Now the hype has died down, Beth Kirk reflects on whether this year’s Best Picture winner really deserved all the praise it recieved Few films encapsulated England and spoke to our inner patriot quite as well as The King’s Speech, and it caught us at just the right moment. Not only did it showcase our very best actors, such as Helena Bonham Carter, Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, but everything from the costumes to the dialogue (‘the nation believes that when I speak, I speak for them’) was just so terribly British; and the nation fell in love, along with the rest of the whole world. The Americans love how quaint we are, they find it charming apparently, and it seemed to have the same effect on them as it did on us. It became the film everyone had to see, if you didn’t there was almost something wrong with you, it was just talked about so much. A few months down the line, though, can it stand the heat as everyone inevitably goes to buy the DVD and watch it again, this time on the small screen? After all, it wasn’t just a blockbuster success, the critics fell in love as well, and it cleaned up at the Oscars, even winning Best Picture. Will it be remembered, though, and was it the timing that gave it such an impact? Catherine and William had just announced their engagement, making us particularly patriotic, ready for street parties and cream teas. It was Christmas time, we were all especially festive with the free time available to go to the cinema. No one

can deny the acting was ﬁrst class either, with every role played just beautifully, especially the leads, but looking back that’s all I can remember about it, and maybe in reality it wasn’t that good, it just caught us at the right point in time with a fantastic true story of royalty and England against the might of Hitler in the run up to the Second World War. Even at the time I was a little unsure, and despite being blown away by the script and acting, I couldn’t help but notice the weak camera work and rather obviously planned and overly complicated shots.

As the buzz dies down I can’t help but think that critics everywhere will be wondering why they went mad over The King’s Speech At points it was if the director, Tom Hooper, had read a manual on good directing and wanted to put it all into the ﬁlm, but without any subtlety or softness to it, as he used the camera to zoom in and out again and again on the actors, making for some unpleasant viewing. The worst scenes were deﬁnitely the ones between Colin Firth and

Geoffrey Rush, as they both stood in strangely stretched out rooms and on sofas in shots rather like the ones in Lord of the Rings that were meant to make Gandalf look larger than the Hobbits. Instead these apparently let the audience see how far away emotionally the characters were from each other. No matter how great some of the ﬁlm’s individual components were, without a fantastic director and decent camera work tying it all together, the overall affect was strangely jarring. The oddly play-like script was a triumph, harking back to the greats of cinema, but what made

these old films timeless classics was the stunning filming and tasteful attention to detail - Casablanca being probably the best example. It missed out however, making it another Oscar winner that we’re probably not going to be watching in 50 years time. I’m sure a lot of people will disagree, but as the buzz dies down I can’t help but think that critics everywhere will be wondering why they went mad over The King’s Speech, and why they gave it five stars. Competition Thanks to our friends at Momentum

Pictures, we have copies of The King’s Speech on DVD to give away. To win, simply answer the following question; Colin Firth played King George VI in the ﬁlm, but by which name was his character commonly known? a) Bertie b) Barney c) Betty Send your answers to courier.cultureﬁlm@ncl.ac.uk with the correct answer by 4pm on Thursday.

Culture

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Film

film film five

feature

Behind the Japanese Pixar

Japanese films

Kathy Jackman looks at the success of the Japanese animation house Studio Ghibli

Since its foundation in 1985, Tokyo based company Studio Ghibli has come to represent the very best in animation the world over, having produced critically acclaimed films such as Princess Mononoke, My Neighbour Totoro, Laputa: Castle in the Sky and the Oscar winning Spirited Away, the only anime feature film to receive such an award. Now, with Arrietty, an adaptation of The Borrowers, on its way to audiences outside of Japan and many other projects underway, Studio Ghibli continues to prove itself as one of the major growing powers in the entertainment world. Studio Ghibli’s filmography is fascinatingly diverse, ranging from the devastating Grave of the Fireflies to the fairy-tale whimsy of Howl’s Moving Castle. With directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isoa Takahata at the helm for the majority of productions thus far, their movies successfully tap into the nature of youth and childhood in a way that is appealing to both children and adults alike, capturing the minute facets of life and applying them to the fantastic. There is a universal quality to these films despite the fact that the protagonists are either children or teenagers, because there is a deft and well handled focus on issues that are and continue to be relevant. Children can enjoy Studio Ghibli’s films because they understand what it is to be a child, and adults can enjoy them because they want to remember that experience. Take

My Neighbour Totoro, a film created with the intention of being devoid of conflict; never has nostalgia been portrayed as perfectly. Another remarkable achievement under Ghibli’s belt is the realistic portrayal of characters, be it male or female, hero or villain. Princess Mononoke remains a sterling example of this. Prince Ashitaka is a warrior, but humble; San, a girl raised by wolves, is strong and vicious but remains a girl at heart. Even the movie’s antagonist, Lady Eboshi, isn’t your average cookie-cutter villain. She’s cruel and calculating, but takes it upon herself to care for both fallen women and lepers. It is a film in which both sides are right and wrong, and it effectively displays that the worlds that Miyazaki and his company create are not black and white. Though Studio Ghibli films are largely intended for children, they refuse to treat them as such. Instead of throwing bright colours and simple storylines on the screen, it allows them to provide a clear message without shoving it down their audience’s throats. Ghibli evidently takes pride in its work, and continues to provide movie lovers with the traditional, hand drawn animation that’s all but phased out in western cinema. Though Miyazki has employed the use of CGI in the past, he eventually decided to phase out the CGI department in favour of pure hand-drawn animation; working under the belief that hand-drawn is the heart

5) Godzilla There’s no denying the influence Godzilla has had on cinema. Released in 1954, it received mixed reviews with many of the negatives ones seeing the film as ‘too soon’ after the devastation of World War II. But that obviously didn’t stop them because, after Godzilla, monster movies took off. Some may cite Ray Harryhausen as the master of monster movies but, without the monster movie craze led by Godzilla, there’s a chance he may have faded into obscurity.

of animation. This attitude in itself sets the company apart from most, remaining happily rooted in an increasingly out-dated art form. It’s a clever angle that lends to its feature films a distinctive style and charm, with top-quality visuals that never fail to both astound and delight. The films of Studio Ghibli are clear labours of love, painstakingly crafted and honed to near-perfection. Unlike the Hollywood system that churns out film after film, Ghibli produces one film a year at most, and this is more than obvious in the final product. Miyazaki himself claimed that children should only ever see one film a year, and it’s clear from the quality of his company’s productions that his philoso-

phy is at work and thriving. In the end, Studio Ghibli is well loved and appreciated for too many things to count. Whether it be their fantastical, surreal storylines, magical atmosphere or great characters, it’s clear that the works of this company shows no signs of diminishing. Each film that bears the Studio Ghibli logo is a delightful, innovative and ultimately beautiful expression of youth and all that comes with it. There is a rare insight to be found in these movies, and it is an insight that should be treasured. Miyazaki recently announced that he is stepping down as a director to allow for new blood to take the helm. Let’s hope his brain-child continues to flourish.

feature

The rise of Japanese horror cinema Horror cinema has long been a component of the Japanese film industry and following the decades after US military occupation of Japan to the present day has remained palpable financial export in worldwide markets. Drawing visual influences from the aesthetics of traditional Kabuki theatre and engaging with social-political and cultural contexts, its uniqueness is indebted to its national heritage. However as monster films such as Godjira (1954) became commodified and franchised. Parts of popular culture, other genres of Japanese cinema have also met the same fate, with popular ‘cinema trends’ homogenising national traits and launching Japanese cinema onto the world stage. Despite Kazuo Miyazaki’s assigned patronising label ‘Japanese Walt Disney’, American Godzilla remakes and the 1990s explosion of J-Horror, Japanese cinema is far more complex in its presentation of horror than it appears on the global film market. Japanese horror’s dialogue with its own culture and its iconic visuals remain unique and the many influential filmmak-

ers working across different horror genres continue to influence the narrative practice and the limits of the cinematic form. In the 1990s wider distribution saw Japanese cinema become incredibly popular with the double bill of Hideo Nakata’s Ringu and Joji Lida’s Spiral in 1998 causing a worldwide storm. Following the typical tropes of the avenging spirit film the narratives externalised horror onto a female child, who in retaliation for a sexual or violent act, returns from beyond the grave to seek vengeance. From 1953s Bôrei Kaibyô Yashiki series to Dark Water (2001) this form of rape revenge film examines subverted gender roles, exposing the faults inherent in a patriarchal Japanese culture. However it’s not all ghost-faced children and cursed videotapes, as Takeshi Miike demonstrated in his gruesomely macabre take on the genre, Audition, in which a widowed businessman strikes up a relationship with a psychologically tormented woman, before being intimately tortured and mutilated. Despite Miike’s mod-

ern, sadistic additions to the genre, American remakes stuck with ghosts and shock scares producing glossy star headed versions of Ringu, Grudge and The Eye. Although Gojira films today could be seen as ridiculous, with their hypereal special effects they arose from a context of nuclear paranoia. Recovering from the devastating atomic bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945, palpable fears arose from further atomic tests in the Pacific. Gojira’s radiation-induced growth and annihilation of Tokyo embodies the horror the Japanese people had for the devastating effects of nuclear power and the deadly union of science and warfare. Japanese horror also has a strong dystopian impulse portraying society in ruins in the hyper-violent Battle Royale (2001) in which children are forced to fight to the death in a highly publicised government initiative. Anxieties in

these films are projected onto real socio-political targets of the government and technology, creating a more potent horror than its predecessors. These films prove there is still talent and creative ideas left in Japan, although J-Horror is growing unpopular. With such a confusing array of remakes and original releases on the market it’s a case of quality been sacrificed for quantity (with the original Ring alone spawning 5 sequels and two remakes). Filmakers and studios seem reluctant to step away from the familiar tropes and mechanics of J-Horror, failing to explore new ideas, creating clichéd fare while isolating the foreign viewer. But there is still life in Japanese horror, as long as directors pursue original ideas rather than succumbing to the self-destructive Hollywood model of delivering more of the same. Chris Binding

4) Grave of the Fireflies Grave of the Fireflies is potentially the most depressing film you will ever see. And is an animated film. Based on a semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, the story focuses on a brother and sister who try to survive in Japan after their mother died in a firebomb by American B-52s. It shows the true struggle to live and find shelter in war torn Japan. Not only is it a tale of sibling love, it’s also one of the strongest anti-war films ever made. 3) Battle Royale This is definitely from the weirder spectrum of Japanese movies. Based on a 1999 novel of the same name, Battle Royale involves a class of school children placed on a remote island to battle it out to the death. They are each issued with a weapon ranging from useful to useless and must kill their fellow classmates in order to survive. The reason? They’re all really disobedient and the government decided this was the only solution. It’s silly, it’s crazy, but it’s oh so good. 2) Princess Mononoke Studio Ghibli is perhaps one of the most influential studios in anime. They’ve often been described as the Japanese Pixar and, in many ways, this is true. But Princess Mononoke is one of the darker Ghibli films. The story is a struggle between nature and man. Nature wants rid of man whilst man wants all of nature’s resources. Many environmental metaphors can be derived from the film, with hopes that man and nature can live in peace. One of the more harrowing Ghibli films but no less beautiful. 1) Seven Samurai Akira Kurosawa’s undoubted masterpiece is the influence behind most action films today. Even though they seem worlds apart, it’s scary how you can compare the likes of Ocean’s Eleven and even The Expendables to Seven Samurai. The tale of a group of ronin who protect a village from bandits was Japan’s highest grossing film ever. The Magnificent Seven is a direct adaptation of it set in the Western period, which shows just how influential it was. Chris Taylor

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

in cinemas

Film

film

Water for Elephants Director: Francis Lawrence Cast: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, Christoph Waltz Runtime: 120 mins Adapted from the novel by Sara Gruen, Water for Elephants catapults audiences back into the 1930s, a period piece centred around a circus attempting to survive prohibition and the crippling depression plaguing America. The plot follows Jacob Jankowski (Robert Pattinson), a

Something Borrowed Director: Luke Greenﬁeld Cast: Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin, John Krasinski Runtime: 113 mins Given that romantic comedies are a genre which for so many years have played so consistently on the same clichés and used the same plot pattern of love overcoming adversity,

Priest 3D Director: Scott Charles Stewart Cast: Paul Bettany, Stephen Moyer, Christopher Plummer Runtime: 87 mins

‘‘And then the ultimate weapon was found…priests. They alone turned the tide for men.” Consider the plot; rogue agent of the church on a mission to defy constraints for the sake of the helpless innocent. Sounding familiar? Factor in the onslaught of ravenous vampire colonies, Paul Bettany and director Scott Charles Stewart, and it sounds like knocking on Legion’s door with a stake. But this is a good thing. In

13 Assassins Director: Takeshi Miike Cast: Koji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Goro Inagaki Runtime: 141 mins From badly dubbed American imports to Kurosawa’s cinematic classic Seven Samurai, samurai flicks have always been a popular and influential genre. The mix of characterisation, cultural exploration and violence have influenced everything from the Western genre The Magnificent Seven to Quentin Tarantino’s homage Kill Bill. As a director notorious for his own ridiculous brand of violence in films such as Ichi the Killer cult Japanese director Takeshi Mi-

Culture

Film Editor: Adam Williams - courier.culture-film@ncl.ac.uk

young veterinary student whose life is disrupted by the death of his parents. With no money and no home, Jacob ﬁnds a new life as a vet with the Benzini Brothers travelling circus, where he falls in love with star attraction Marlena, wife of the sinister ringleader August. Robert Pattinson will never be an actor of huge range, but he plays the idealistic Jacob well. He has the right amount of youthful vigour and enthusiasm to pull the role off. It’s a shame then that he and Reese Witherspoon, his love interest, share so little chemistry. Christoph Waltz, as ever, is brilliant as August. He possesses the ability to go from charming and amiable to unhinged and violent in a nanosecond, making him an unpredictable villain. He

cynical heart, particularly when they involve Rosie, the adorable elephant that Jacob is given the task of training. It makes for an intense, complex tale that goes beyond the predictable romance plot.

displays genuine pathos, with suggestions that he is driven by deep, psychological problems. Every child dreams of running away and joining the circus, but Water for Elephants is a dark and disturbing wake up call to nostalgic dreamers. While the ﬁlm is a period romance at heart, it also goes on to

explore the very dark side of the entertainment business; animals are violently abused and working men are thrown from moving trains to cut costs. It’s a world of desperation and cruelty, certainly a far cry from the magical atmosphere synonymous with the circus. There are moments will break even the most

you would think that directors today would try to shake things up a bit. Luke Greenfield, director of Something Borrowed decided painfully not to try anything new, employing every possible romantic cliché imaginable in this dire and not particular funny or romantic film. The film opens with Rachel, played by Ginnifer Goodwin, celebrating her thirtieth birthday at a party organised by her exuberant best friend Darcy (Kate Hudson). True to romantic comedy form it becomes apparent very quickly that she has marginally repressed feelings for Darcy’s fiancé Dex, played by Colin Egglefield who looks remarkably

like a young Tom Cruise (it is unclear whether this is intentional or not). However, rather than harbouring these feelings secretly for the course of the ﬁlm only to blurt them out on the wedding day, Rachel drunkenly expresses her love and he reciprocates. For the next hour and a half the audience is subjected to a will-they won’t-they storyline which offers no surprises before ultimately coming to the conclusion that was always apparent. Whilst most romantic comedies also offer this structure, what makes Something Borrowed so predictably terrible is the lack of empathy you feel for any character in the story,

the horrendously wooden acting on the part of the lead man, and the ridiculous ‘I’m upset and I’m running in the rain down a country road and Radiohead is playing’ scene – that is just one too many cliché to handle. You are unable to feel sorry for Rachel as Darcy is such an horrendously self-loving, obnoxious creation you wonder why she is possibly even friends with her, which then means you struggle to see how Dex was ever infatuated with her in the first place. The only mild saving grace of the film is Ethan (John Krasinski) who seems genuinely likeable and vaguely humorous until Greenfield had to drag him into yet

a dystopian future of redundant exwarrior priests, Bettany and classic cowboy sheriff Cam Gigandet defy church law to rescue a teenage girl who has been kidnapped. The ﬁlm begins with an enjoyably arty animated prologue, realised by director Genndy Tartakovsky (Dexter’s Laboratory), and thereafter presents highly stylized special effects from director Stewart, involved in the visual effects of Sin City. It is most certainly a fun ride, calling on fans of gory sci-ﬁ such as Underworld and the original graphic novel, yet with such fast moving, intensely dark images, coupled with the post-production 3D conversion it is understandable why the clarity was at times compromised. The plot thickens as other priests are sent to track Bettany and return him dead or alive to the conformity and endless drizzling of black

ash within the city walls. Bettany was a strong cast for the male lead, presenting a solid performance and believable portrayal of an ex-hero, itching for another chance in the sunlight, or rather, another chance in the dark catacomb tunnels where vampires skulk and growl. His character’s ease and experience outshine

his comparatively weak assistant Gigandet, whilst Christopher Plummer provides an excellent contribution as Monsignor Orelas and Stephen Moyer retracts his fangs for his small role, True Blood. The ﬁlm’s main downturn is the ending, where the slight dissatisfaction could be overlooked if the

ike creates a somewhat clichéd but entertaining tale of assassins assembled to kill a despotic lord. Mixing traditional historical imagery, complex characterisation and gripping set-pieces, Miike’s ambitious epic transcends stereotypes and emerges as an extremely well executed modern take on a tired genre. Taking place at the crux of the Japanese feudal era the plot follows the repercussions of murders executed by the sadistic Lord Naritsugu (Inagaki). A ragtag group of skilled warriors are assembled on a suicide mission to ambush the lord and his personal entourage en-route. Holed up in a small, isolated rural town, the 13 assassins face Naritsugu and his 200 bodyguards in a battle of honour against overwhelming odds, with the future of Japanese people at stake. The ﬁrst half of the ﬁlm is slow and atmospheric introducing characters and assembling

the group of Samurai led by the brilliant Shinzaemon (Koji Yakusho) along with the familiar mixture of vigilantes, drunken–masters and a forest dwelling comedy sidekick (Yusuke Iseya). Despite this clichéd fare, the exploration of the internal hypocrisy of the Samurai code scathingly critical, while stunning cinematography, intricate costume design and location photography constructs Japan as a mythical and immersive cinematic setting. Despite the historical criticism and visual aesthetics, the ﬁnal act boasts an ambitious forty minute ﬁght scene ripe with hara–kiri and decapitations galore. Drawing the two hundred bodyguards into the village the 13 assassins block all exits, making the close quarters skirmish realistic and gritty, with a number of creative booby traps and explosive tripwires providing spectacles and racking up the body count.

Along with awe-inspiring swordplay and choreography, the effective real-time element of the battle shows the degradation of Samurai under fatigue and the transformation of the town into a demolished corpse filled abattoir. Miike’s signature style is also apparent from the humorous, cartoonish rampage of flaming CGI bulls to the horrific images of a starved dismembered servant girl kept alive as a ‘sex doll’. Although somewhat generic in places and seemingly predictable 13 Assassins is a film that should not be ignored. With incredibly ambitious choreography, immaculate period detail and endearing performances it is one of Mike’s most visually arresting films to date. And with the universal themes of identity, allegiance and power–politics evaluated throughout, Miike has pertinent questions to ask inbetween the gratuitous violence. For a director

Verdict: Surprisingly affecting and intense, the ﬁlm gloriously captures the feel of the 1930s while exposing the darker side of nostalgia. At times difﬁcult to watch, it makes for a heady and immersive experience fraught with tension and melodrama. Good performances all round. Kathy Jackman

another predictable story twist. Verdict: Even fans of romantic comedies should avoid this stale effort which lacks both humour and emotion where the characters don’t even appear real, being a conception purely for film which has no relation to the way humans really act. Even more frustrating is the films willingness to sacrifice female friendship for male acceptance, and you wonder who is this film supposed to appeal to. Polly Randall

intention were to invite a sequel. If this is not the case the result is a little clichéd and leaves some strings untied; unexpectedly sloppy for an otherwise slickly made film. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable, if a little short, Hollywood production with violent and demented images that, although fast-paced will leave some viewers questioning the 12a rating. Verdict: Extremely entertaining but perhaps lacking in depth. Enjoyable fight sequences which demonstrate an innovative and creative flare, dispersed between bridges of dialogue and some character development. Hayley Hamilton

who is most recognizable to Western audiences for his signature perversity, his latest work is a welcome difference, aspiring to the artistry of Kurosawa and making an historic Japanese genre feel fresh and relevant once again. Verdict: With beautiful cinematography, complex characters and breathtaking ﬁght scenes, 13 Assassins ticks all the right boxes. With obvious inﬂuences from ‘Seven Samurai’ complimented by a dark tone, political intrigue and Miike’s direction, it exudes atmosphere. Both visually arresting and emotionally immersive, this is cinema at its best. Chris Binding

Culture

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Film

film feature

Summer listings

Do we need blockbusters?

May 18 2011 Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides May 20 2011 Julia’s Eyes

Lucy Johnson asks whether summer blockbusters cause lasting damage to cinema

I’ll be honest, I’m not entirely sure how I feel about blockbusters. On one hand, the huge budget delivers great CGI, visual effects and fast paced plot lines - perhaps what the modern day cinematic experience is all about. On the other, they can sometimes end up lacking in content, dialogue and well thought out plot lines – resulting in a disappointing cinema visit. One of the main problems with blockbusters is that the hype that surrounds them is quite often impossible to live up to. If a film has masses of funding, an ‘all star’ cast and already well established story to go on, chances are it’ll be across the internet before filming has even finished. Who can forget the 2003 movie Daredevil, starring a then over exposed Ben Affleck as Matt Murdock, criminal attorney, whose run in with some hazardous waste leaves him blind but also really good at Kung Fu. I digress. But now Hollywood has decided that it is time to bring back Daredevil to the big screen, hiring director David Slade (responsible for The Twilight Saga: Eclipse film) to revamp the film for a new generation. This has also fuelled speculation that messy haired teen sensation Robert Pattinson will be taking on the lead role; he’d be pretty smart not to. Infact, some Marvel adaptations have been marginally more successful than they should have been; Fantastic Four, Iron Man 2 – time will tell if Captain America: The First Avenger will deliver, but lest we forget the

perils of a blockbuster sequel. Take Spider-Man 3, the plot was inconsistent, the villain was poorly cast and we’d all had enough of Toby Maguire by then, but still it managed to gross a massive $336 million at the box office. Maybe this is what the 2000s are all about, the bigger, the better. If a film can make a massive profit on what is already a pricey movie, surely they must have done pretty well. If I’m honest, I never had the inclination to go and see any of the Transformers films, and the only time I watched the first one was when it turned up on Channel 4. The notion that they decided to bring out a third one baffles me – let’s be honest, now that they’ve gotten rid of Megan Fox, that’s a large teenage male demographic they’re missing out on. Between the giant robotic tussles, Shia La Beouf’s casting as geeky anti-hero left a lot to be desired. Even Michael Bay’s earlier attempt at box office success with Pearl Harbour in 2001 didn’t go without its fair share of criticism, despite grossing $198 million at the box office. Book adaptations are also open to widespread criticism, the movie adaptation of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code was panned for its lack of explanation and its poor attention to detail. One of the most successful and not completely awful book adaptations has been the Harry Potter franchise. Now nearing its end, with the release of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part II in July, the films have been enjoyed by a wide

May 26 2011 The Hangover Part II May 30 2011 X-Men: First Class June 9 2011 Rise of the Damned June 10 2011 Kung Fu Panda 2 June 17 2011 Green Lantern The Beaver June 24 2011 Bridesmaids July 1 2011 Transformers: Dark of the Moon July 15 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 July 22 2011 Cars 2 July 29 2011 Captain America: The First Avenger August 5 2011 Mr. Popper’s Penguins August 10 2011 The Smurfs demographic, with loyal fans not leaving the cinema displeased. By making the smart decision to split the last book into two films, viewers have not missed out on content, making the first part of The Deathly

Hallows not a chore to watch, despite its length. Yes, the franchise has had its inconsistencies, but hopefully Warner Bros. will deliver a film which will leave loyal fans content with the end of the saga.

feature

Summer at Star and Shadow Cinema

Lisa Bernhardt takes a look at the films hitting our screens this summer

tween Dr. Xavier and Magneto, a new league of superheroes enter the stage in Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds, and Captain America: The First Avenger does the honours as well. Transformers: Dark of the Moon will end the Transformers triology, originally based on: plastic robot line for children. Speaking of toys: Megan Fox will be replaced by the English Victoria’s Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, but seriously, will there be any difference? It’s doubtful that they were hired due to their ‘great’ acting skills. In contrast, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 seems to be very promising indeed and a worthy end of one of the most successful stories ever. Before the return to uni in September, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Final Destination 5 in August should be worth a watch. But if these aspir-

August 19 2011 Super 8 Conan the Barbarian Spy Kids 4: All the Time in the World The Inbetweeners August 26 2011 Final Destination 5 The Change-Up

Summer preview If you’re into sequels, fantasy and a whole lot of rootin’ and tootin’, you’re in for a treat this summer when the big film studios release some of their most anticipated flicks of the year. Most of it is admittedly Hollywood-popcorn-entertainment-cinema, but that should be alright for the (almost) uni-free coming months. The season will be kicked off at the end of May with the return of Captain Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (of course with Johnny Depp, but with Penelope Cruz instead of Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley) and the wolf pack in The Hangover 2 foreshadowing the end of the exam period. June and July will be a feast for comic and fantasy nerds. While X-Men: First Class deals with the events before the first three films and illuminates the relationship be-

August 12 2011 Cowboys & Aliens

ing blockbusters aren’t your cup of tea, you might want to give the twee-looking The Art of Getting By, the surreal drama Tree of Life or the thriller Yellow Brick Road a try. There’s also something for those young at heart this summer: Kung

Fu Panda 2 and Cars 2 are hoped to continue the success of the original films while one of our favourite childhood heroes returns to the big screen as The Smurfs make their cinema debut in August.

The Star and Shadow Cinema in Ouseburn has the perfect antidote to the blockbusters this summer a range of films due to be screened. They start with their Xtreme Asia Cinema Season this Thursday which features four modern classics of Asian horror cinema. Audition, Battle Royale, Old Boy and Sympathy for Mr Vengeance are set to be screened between now and the end of May. In June the ¡VAMOS! festival returns for a fifth year with an array Spanish and Portuguese speaking films, the varied programme of music, dance and films takes place througout the month. During July the Star and Shadow has two seasons with a special showcase of Cult British TV with some classic shows from the BBC archives and then a season of legendary French actor Jacques Tati’s work rounding off the month. Adam Williams

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Music

music

Culture

Music Editor: Polly Randall & Joe Skrebels - courier.culture-music@ncl.ac.uk

interview

Having a whale of a time After the release of a new album, Emily Songhurst catches up with Noah and the Whale’s Tom Hobden Last Night on Earth, the Twickenham four-piece’s third album, sees the band making the shift into more optimistic territory after the bare-bones sound of their debut, Peaceful the World Lays Me Down and its darker follow-up First Days of Spring. “The first album was very acoustic; it had a stripped back, honest style of songwriting. It reflected coming from a light place looking into a dark place. Whereas the second album was very introvert; it is a reflection of a dark place looking into the light place,” explains Tom. “The new album has an exciting, optimistic outlook on being young, breaking away from home… it’s a record where we experiment with new sounds, drum machines and I guess it’s pulling ourselves out of our comfort zones, so it’s generally fresh on all degrees.” Lyrically the album is much less personal than First Days… which dealt with lead singer Charlie Fink’s break-up with former bandmate Laura Marling. Instead it contains a more narrative style of song writing, with Fink’s lyrics looking at other people’s lives for inspiration. With a much more experimental sound, this album means that it is now harder then ever to pinpoint whereabouts the band fit into the current musical climate; “We are honoured to have found a niche in the UK music scene,” Tom tells us. “We have never thought of ourselves as a folk band as such and that it is more the musical instruments that we play that have connotations with folk music.” Although the band are often cited for their twee influences (their name taken from Noah Baumbach’s film The Squid and the Whale) and are often pooled in with other ‘new-folk’ artists such as Johnny Flynn and

debate As Spotify limits its free service, to much internet protesting, Elliot Bentley and Stuart Edwards ask whether Spotify is fair, should stay free or even if we should be using it at all (Spoiler alert: they’re not very happy)

Mumford and Sons they are actually much more influenced by classic rock then their contemporaries. “We have always been big Lou Reed fans - when we were making this album we were all listening to a lot more 70s stuff which I think definitely shows. Fred and Urby (the band’s bassist and guitarist respectively) have always been imbued with 60s rock like Springsteen and Neil Young and we all listen to a lot of Tom Petty. Equally significant are artists such as Prince or Arthur Russell.” says Tom. The 60s and 70s influences can also be seen in the album’s artwork, which has a classic feel to it, with block print and track listings displayed on the front. Tom explains that this is down to the band’s love of the classic record covers of Serge Gainsbourg and Elvis Presley. After releasing a film as a companion piece to their last album we were keen to know if they would be following a similar trend with this album; “For the second album the music and the film were a whole package and that hasn’t been the case for this record. However, Charlie’s songwriting has been influenced by having made a film. Especially in how every detail is important. You can view each song on the album as a short from a film.” Although the band put the finishing touches to the album in Los Angeles, most of the sounds used on the album were actually recorded in a synagogue in London; “We always like to start recording on the second of January. We needed a big space and then the synagogue turned up in Bethnal Green in East London. It was a conversion of an amazing building. We demoed there for a month. It is from the recordings here where a lot of the sounds came from on the album.” “After recording at the synagogue it was exciting to have strong demos to take to L.A. where there was a wealth of session musicians that we were lucky enough to work with, including The Walton Sisters, a legendary group of backing singers that sang on numerous Michael Jackson tracks.”

Right now, as I write this very article, Spotify is inaccessible to every single one of their users – including the million paying a monthly fee for “unlimited” access. As wonderful as the idea of an extensive, on-demand catalogue of music is, ultimately it will never, and could never, replace actually keeping the music on your own computer. While some might claim that an MP3 in iTunes is hardly tangible, at least it won’t disappear on you when Spotify’s own internet connection goes down. It’s not just technical problems that pose a risk to the service. The record companies are known to be unhappy with the service, receiving a tiny compensation for every listen (Lady Gaga famously earned only

“The new album has an exciting, optimistic outlook” - Noah and the Whale have embraced a new lighter style for their new album

With the end of a tour and numerous summer festival appearances ahead of them, as well as the hon-

oured position of support to Arcade Fire for their Manchester stadium gig in September, the future looks

as bright as their music has now become for Noah and the Whale.

£108 from a million plays of ‘Poker Face’) – so what if they decide, at the end of their next contract, to withdraw their music from Spotify’s, at the moment, extensive catalogue? The latest indications that the business model may be a flawed one are the recent changes to the service’s free accounts, which, from May 1 onwards, are now only allowed to listen to ten hours of music a month and to listen to a single song five times. Sure, you could shell out a fiver a month to lift these caps, but with so many other free services out there (YouTube, Grooveshark and Soundcloud to name a few), why should we bother?

Free music on-demand was always going to be too good to be true. It should not come as a surprise that Spotify has had to reduce its free service to ten hours of personal listening a month. Whilst advertisement revenue is capable of singlehandedly propping up our local and national newspapers, Spotify must pay for not only access deals with major labels, but for a maintenance team that allows millions of users to simultaneously access multiple 5MB+ files. The distribution of Spotify is as ambitious as its concept. The artist revenue of each track play is minimal, just $0.00029 per track. Informationisbeautiful. net states that for an artist to earn the minimum wage in the USA of $1,160 per month they must record just over 4 million plays per band

member, compared to just 143 selfpressed CDs or 1,161 major-label records. As a financial model, there is no way that as a business model with minimal paying subscribers, Spotify can pay the artists more. Whilst the argument still holds that people constantly discover new music they would otherwise have not been aware of, it is flawed, as greater exposure does not necessarily entail greater financial benefits. Whilst financial incentives shouldn’t necessarily play such an influence in art, art still remains like any other business model. To earn a dollar, a tentrack album must be listened to in full, 18 times. In the ‘playlist’ culture of the mainstream market, that simply isn’t good enough.

Elliot Bentley

Stuart Edwards

Culture

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Music

music listings

introducing

With the end-of-year exams looming, we take a look at the best gigs coming up this summer

For his last feature Chris Haywood introduces us to alternative popsters Mausi

May 23, Warpaint, o2 Academy, £12.26, 7pm This super-hyped chilled-out all-female four-piece made a strong impression with their debut album The Fool last year and now UK audiences are catching up. After featuring on the BBC’s Sound of 2011 poll, Warpaint’s latest single ‘Undertow’ has entered the Radio 1 playlist, and showcases why this will be the perfect summer soundtrack.

Built upon an abrasive industrial landscape, the North East is a region wherein guitar music has traditionally prevailed and music snobs have been able to remain detached from that seemingly ‘lesser’ genre of pop. But of late, this same region has begun to nurture a burgeoning scene of young, innocent, not-so-abrasive artists, whose intent it is to gradually strip the stigma surrounding it, with their own ‘intelligent, alternative pop’. It is a term impulsively coined tonight by Thomas Finetto of Mausi; a group very much at the forefront of this emerging, ‘intelligent, alternative pop’ movement. And whilst they all recognise that ‘there’s no point in [them] trying to fight against the word ‘pop’’, they’re clever enough to describe themselves in terms that also allude to their underlying, alternative, indie pulse, whilst additionally demarcating themselves from the unintelligent, undemanding pop of, let’s say, fellow Newcastle export Cheryl Cole. That aside, Mausi never get ahead of themselves; they never profess to have carved out a uniquely distinct sonic niche for themselves, despite there being a certain indescribable ‘Mausi-ness’ to their sound. In fact, Thomas admits ‘we just want to make music people like, and I don’t see what’s wrong with that.’ And what is wrong with that? After all, if tonight’s single launch was a success for one sole reason, it would be for their captivating, boundless exuberance more than anything else. Unsurprisingly, as Benji explains, their collective, relaxed presence on stage tonight reflects the same atmosphere which ‘was right, just right’ at the very beginning, one and a half years ago. It’s an atmosphere that clearly owes itself to the brother-sister relationship (Daisy and Thomas) at its very heart, and the otherwise tight-knit nature of the group, which they have seemingly refused to complicate by adding unnecessary numbers: ‘we like being a small unit, less is more.’

May 25, Cass McCombs, Cluny2, £8.50, 8pm Singer-songwriter Cass McCombs makes a rare appearance in Newcastle – this is a highly acclaimed artist, in one of the very best venues in the city, for £8.50. Certainly a must-see date for your diary. May 26, Sparrow and the Workshop, Cluny2, £6, 8pm I must admit that I know very little about the critically acclaimed Sparrow and the Workshop. However, supporting the group at their Cluny2 date are Scottish group Meursault, who are absolutely brilliant. Blending Kid A-style electronics with heartbreaking Frightened Rabbitesque folky alt-rock, they’re worth the £6 entry alone. June 4, James Blake, o2 Academy2, £10, 6.30pm If you’ve still not heard James Blake’s cover of ‘Limit To Your Love’, you’ve probably been living a life of seclusion from the outside world – well, now’s the time to reacquaint yourself with daylight and Blake’s exquisite, refined take on dubstep. Layered with sheets of bubbling, rippling bass underlying glacial electronics and bruised vocals, it’s a brilliant genre-busting listen that should make for an incredible live show. June 9th, Metro Radio Live, Metro Radio Arena, £25-£100, 7.30pm After last year’s line-up featured The Saturdays, Olly Murs, The Wanted and Jason Derulo, you must be thinking – how can Metro Radio Live 2011 top it? With Tinchy Stryder, Example and, erm, The Wanted again, of course. Seats for the front row are a bargain at £100 a pop. July 12, Bright Eyes, The Sage, £17.50, 7.30pm Supporting this year’s new release The People’s Key, Conor Oberst is making a live comeback with his Bright Eyes project in one of the more unmissable shows of the summer. Full of angsty vocals, impassioned, swooning guitars and a roaring passion, Bright Eyes have developed a cult following for good reason. Support comes from hyped Boy/ Girl duo Jenny & Johnny. September 14, Adele, o2 Academy, SOLD OUT, 7pm You all know her by now – she hates to turn up out of the blue uninvited, and you can often find her chasing pavements or setting fire to the rain. Yes, 2011 has been the year that Adele completely dominated the UK charts. Unsurprisingly, her date in Newcastle has sold out – for the lucky few with tickets, this is sure to be the last time you see Adele rolling in the deep in a venue of this size. Ben Travis

feature

It’s by being such a tight-knit unit, that they’ve been able to find and successfully organise themselves around that elusive middle-ground between being clean-cut, controlled and cohesive, and the itchy and urgent sound of being musical maximalists who are seemingly on the verge of collapsing over each other at every turn. Hence, throughout the set they manage to draw neat lines through the fractious moments which feed their music, ensuring Benji’s tumbling, thunderous drum-fills and Ben’s razor-edged, lawnmower-esque guitar of ‘Kiss So Slow’, and then the squalid, spleenventing choral surge of single ‘Follow Me Home’, are contained within their respective track’s sonic barriers. It’s here that the very substance of Mausi – their potent warmth - can be found, as Daisy’s delicately vig-

orous and Thomas’ almost-shouted vocals merge into choral, harmonised chants. In the end, it seems that in every respect, Mausi are capable of crafting their own success. Take ‘Follow Me Home’, for instance: “we edited, shot, storyboarded our music video, we remixed our own song, we released it; we have complete creative control.” Their commitment ultimately transcends their musical output, and considering the overwhelming success of tonight, I can’t argue with their conclusion that “if you’re smart about it, you can do it yourself’. It’s at this very prospect, that we leave Mausi as their ‘imaginations begin running wild.” WHAT ARE THEY?: Very much a product and now model of Newcastle’s developing,

alternative scene: eclectic, sharp and guitar music with strong popleanings. WHO AND WHY ARE THEY?: Two Milan-born teenagers decided to bring Italian beauty and charm to Newcastle’s music scene. How? By fusing it with the inherited English brusqueness and jauntiness of two home-grown students. WHEN AND WHERE ARE THEY?: They’re supporting Dutch Uncles at The Other Rooms on May 20, followed by a slot at Evolution Emerging and our very own Graduation Ball. But until then, download ‘Follow Me Home’ from their website. No excuses: it’s free for all you scrounging students!

Volunteering for festivals

Lucy Johnson discusses how to go about getting work at festivals, and, best of all, getting in for free

If you’re like me, and constantly worrying when you’re going to hit your overdraft, chances are you don’t have the money to shell out for a festival ticket. I’d been toying with the idea of selling a kidney before I heard about volunteering at festivals. And this definitely doesn’t come without reward. Here’s the long and short of it, you work three eight hours and 15 minute shifts at

a festival, and you get to attend that festival for free. Considering this years Glastonbury ticket is £195 that you won’t get back, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal. Many students have been attending festivals through the Oxfam Festival Stewarding Scheme, which allows Oxfam to raise funds through a donation from the festival itself. The Oxfam Festival Scheme has been very successful thus far, and has yet to lose momentum. Volunteers simply choose their festivals online and pay a £195 deposit (which is the only time you’ll have to pay a large chunk of money), which is entirely repaid to you once you have worked your chosen festival(s). It also requires that you attend a three

hour training session in your nearest city, and you’re responsible for planning and paying for travel to your given festival. Although the shifts may sound long, you’re free to do whatever you like with the time in between, and if you’ve applied with a friend, during the application process you can request that you work the same shift pattern. Considering the dodgy Friday night line up at Reading, I wouldn’t mind being on duty then. Jobs can vary from working at the entrance barriers, checking tickets, to standing on fire towers, watching for fires set by campers. Much of it is answering questions and giving advice, and generally watching out for the safety of other festival goers.

Volunteers are also allowed to camp in an area separate from public camping (with toilets and hot showers) which means if you’re a first time camper, the experience isn’t too daunting. You also get a meal ticket with each shift, which you can use at any of the concessions around the site. Volunteering comes with great benefits; once you’ve volunteered, you then get priority choice for the next year, enabling you to work some of the more popular festivals like Glastonbury. Time will tell if I actually survive and enjoy the experience but if so I might be doing just the same next summer. Lucy Johnson

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

festival previews

Where: Isle of Wight When: July 8-11 Cost: £160 for Students Perhaps not the most convenient of festivals to get to, given its location at the other end of the country and the necessity of a boat to reach it, but all that travel is surely worth it for the stellar line up Bestival is hosting this year. With a distinctive mix of DJs and live acts, the festival certainly has one of the most eclectic line ups around. The headliners certainly set the president for the variety of acts appearing, The Cure taking the stage on the Saturday night, and Pendulum closing proceedings on the Sunday night. In between you can feast your eyes on the likes of PJ

Where: Bramham Park, Leeds Richfield Avenue, Reading When: August, 26- 8 Cost: £192.50 Having received a bit of bad press the last couple years for not producing the best of line-ups, the Leeds and Reading weekend has gone back to what it does best; giving festival goers of all ages a choice of acts old, new and unknown. This really is a universal festival, which means picking a line-up that works can’t be easy, but this year they’ve upped their game and given us all a reason to dig out our sleeping bags and tents and pitch up for a great weekend of music and entertainment. The headliners are Muse, Pulp (Leeds)/The Strokes (Reading)

Where: Glastonbuy Farm When: June 22-26 Cost: SOLD OUT For the purposes of fair competition, I’m going to do the honourable thing and exclude Glastonbury Festival from all cross-festival comparisons. I’m not going to suggest anything about the festival’s quality other than it can sell out over 135,000 tickets without announcing a single act and I’m definitely not going to suggest that at the same price as most major festivals, it’s simply the best value for money. What I will mention, is that Glastonbury 2011 looks set to continue its staggering success of the last two years, with a bill of artists that you

Music Culture

music

The UK’s biggest festivals Harvey, The Maccabees, Kelis, Mogwai, Graham Coxon, Noah and the Whale and the legendary Brian Wilson. On the DJ front, you can except to see Diplo, Claude Vonstroke, as well as a set from the one and only Fat Boy Slim. Not only does Bestival boast one of the best line ups around but its atmosphere defines it, with a fancy dress theme being picked each year and areas titled enticing things such as the Swamp Shack and Wishing Tree field, there really aren’t many festivals like this. So for those of you unsure of what you might want to see, but know you want an unforgettable end to the summer make a trip to Besitval, especially as weekend tickets are priced at £160 for students. Polly Randall

and My Chemical Romance, which means the organisers have covered their options and appealed to a large range of people. The weekend has become notorious for bands and acts being ‘bottled’ off stage which is a spectacle in itself, and if you’ve never gone through the confirmed acts list and tried to figure out if there are any secret bands playing under pseudonyms you’ve never lived! Tickets are £192.50, but that does include camping from Thursday until Monday so gives you the complete festival experience. If you have never been before, it’s a festival you have to experience at least once along with the 75,000 other attendees. Chris Scott

simply will not find anywhere else on the festival circuit. The likes of U2 (their first festival show since the early 80s), B.B. King, The Wombles, Paul Simon and WuTang Clan are just a handful of artists on this year’s bill. Glastonbury successfully caters for every type of audience it can attract. It’s a family friendly community that David Cameron would do well to model his ‘Big Society’ on. It’s a 24 hour party hub. It’s a place to enjoy some left-wing folk music and cider in the sun and it’s a place to sing along to classic anthems in the biggest crowd in Europe. It’s the best festival this country has to offer. Stuart Edwards

Where: Donington Park and Knebworth Park When: June 10-12 and July 8-10 Cost: £190 each In its ninth year this year Download continues where the legendary Monsters of Rock left off, taking place at Donington Park. This year features three well established headliners in the hard rock/metal world; Def Leppard, System of a Down and Linkin Park, all whom have headlined Download before. This unsurprisingly doesn’t please everyone but look further down the bill and there’s a huge range of bands from every sub-genre imaginable. From Rob Zombie and his huge stage show and Twisted Sister with their 80s cheese, to GWAR and

Where: Daresbury When: August 26-28 Cost: £135 The well established dance music festival, which takes place in Cheshire, recently unveiled its line up to the world and got the hearts of many music lovers pumping wildly. This year’s line up manages to step up to the mark and deliver three days of pure non-stop dance and entertainment and promises to be one of the highlights of many students’ summer. With acts performing over seven stages all weekend, the sheer plethora of choice the gig goer has at Creamfields will definitely never leave anyone waiting long for an

their ridiculous costumes, it’s set to cater for all. Set up to rival Download, Sonisphere returns to Knebworth Park in July this year, slightly earlier than the previous two years August dates. After playing together for the first time ever last year at Sonisphere’s other European festivals, the ‘big four’ of thrash metal (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax) make their UK debut together on the Friday. Headlining Saturday night is Biffy Clyro followed on Sunday by everyone’s favourite eighteen legged metal beast Slipknot, playing their first UK show since the death of bassist Paul Gray last year. Could the title of the UK’s best hard rock festival be about to change hands? Graham Matthews

artist of choice to perform. In fact, with seven stages, there is the potential for many clashes to occur, so plan well ahead is the advice! With just some of the confirmed acts being Annie Mac, Paul Van Dyke, The Chemical Brothers, Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta and many more. The festival takes place on the August bank holiday and the ticket price is £135 for a standard three day camping pass, which considering it’s one of the world’s leading dance festivals is pretty cheap! Tickets last year sold out for weekend camping, so it’s advised you book soon, and seeing as the student loans are in, why not treat yourself? Chris Scott

Where: Southwald, Suffolk When: July 14-17 Cost: £170 Into its sixth year, Latitude has established itself as the distinctively more leisurely choice on the festival circuit. The line-up balances wisdom with youth: old hands like Suede (headlining on the Sunday) or much-loved American indie heroes Eels rub up against newer acts like Bombay Bicycle Club and Foals. Of the music acts already announced, Friday headliners The National might be the biggest names, but as ever their under-card boasts some superb names, with American rockers My Morning Jacket, post-punk icons Echo and The Bunnymen and a rare live appearance from tropicalia pioneers Os Mutantes looking like must-see sets – and that’s without the Sunday afternoon Joanna Newsom/Thom Yorke slot announced yet. But Latitude’s always been about the more than the music, and with a huge variety of alternative stages including the Comedy Arena (this year featuring the likes of Angelos Epithemiou), the Poetry Arena (including performances by Simon Armitage) and the arts and after-hours entertainments of The Woods, a trip to Latitude will never leave you short of inspiration. Mark Corcoran-Lettice

Competition We have two VIP passes to give away for Newcastle’s own Evolution Festival and all you need to do is email courier.culture-music@ ncl.ac.uk with the answer to this question: “Who is headlining on Saturday on the Spiller’s Wharf stage this year?”

Culture

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Music

albums

music

top 5

Fleet Foxes

Helplessness Blues

You can say a lot with an album cover. Fleet Foxes’ self-titled debut revealed the band’s character, with depictions of rustic, pastoral life and religious imagery all bathed in the glow of the watching sun. If we take the same approach to the cover of Helplessness Blues, things seem a little more confusing three years on. That busy image of humanity is certainly still present, but in twisted form, and that sun sits at the centre now, unfamiliar, almost alien. That’s the feeling that becomes the sound of Helplessness Blues. Their trademark remains; lilting, harmony-laden music, but with new purpose. Robin Pecknold opens the album with, “So now, I am older/ Than my mother and father/ When they had their daughter/ Now, what does that say about me?” These are no longer stories about people, these songs are questions of what it is to be a person, and the uncertainty that brings. This is manifested in shifts throughout, with the gentle Simon & Garfunkel-esque acoustic plucks of ‘Sim Sala Bim’ giving way to the echoing choruses you’d expect,

The best tracks of the academic year

before dropping away again and building to a wordless, strummed outro. Some songs end prematurely, with ‘Someone You’d Admire’ seeing Pecknold admitting a dual personality and questioning ‘God only knows which one of them I’ll become’ – the song mirrors his indecision, ending with as little resolution as Pecknold himself comes to. Helplessness Blues is an immaculately constructed affair, on the surface providing more of what’s expected; beautiful, fragile folk songs. But look deeper and there’s an introspection present, reflections of turmoil that weren’t present on the first album. Fleet Foxes have almost imperceptibly changed, but it’s that image of the sun that returns again in the eight-minute breakup saga of ‘The Shrine/An Argument’ – in the first time we’ve heard Pecknold’s voice crack, he shouts ‘sunlight over me, no matter what I do’. The warmth of Fleet Foxes’ music is still there, but it has new, darker implications, and is all the more interesting for it.

Lotus Flower – Radiohead

The release of ‘Lotus Flower’ showed us just how sneaky Radiohead can be. Here we were, sitting around, not expecting any new Radiohead any time soon and then, all of a sudden, they announce a new album. With this announcement came the release of ‘Lotus Flower’, sounding like it was taken straight from the Kid A reject pile accompanied by a video of Thom Yorke dancing like nobody’s watching. What more do you need?

Inﬁnity Guitar – Sleigh Bells

Sleigh Bells were the buzz band of 2010. Pitchfork, NME, Drowned in Sound. You name it, they were gushing about them. And with good reason. ‘Inﬁnity Guitar’, one of the more memorable singles from their debut album, is shouty, loud and a hell of a lot of fun. Not many people bother to make fun music anymore but Sleigh Bells have brought it back in a super lo-ﬁ way and all the more for them!

Joe Skrebels

Beastie Boys

Hot Sauce Committe Part Two

Wild Beasts Smother Calm. Pristine. Modern. When Wild Beasts ﬁrst emerged onto the music scene four years ago with the startling Limbo, Panto, a debut album equal parts music-hall camp, gothic stomp and Smiths-esque jangle, those aren’t words you would have associated with their singular sound. Yet here they are, two more albums and one Mercury nomination down the line, and that’s what they’ve become with third album Smother. From opener ‘Lion’s Share’ onwards, the band build on and expand the sound of Two Dancers, replacing dynamic rockers like ‘This Is Our Lot’ with simpler but no less engaging arrangements. Naturally, there are certain aspects of their aesthetic

that have stayed constant – their intelligent, sexed-up lyrics (see ‘Bed Of Nails’ come-on “like the Shelley’s on their very first time, when our bodies became electrified”), and the remarkable falsetto of Hayden Thorpe are present and correct –but Smother is the sound of band that refuses to stay still. The chiming harmonics and almost R&B groove of ‘Deeper’, the sound experiments of ‘Burning’, the epic post-rock closer ‘End Come Too Soon’ all attest to a band not only growing, but going from strength to strength. While it’s hard not to suspect Wild Beasts are always going to be too left-field for some, Smother makes their sound more palatable whilst keeping them as distinctive and heart-wrenching as before. The best band in Britain right now? After Smother, quite possible so. Mark Corcoran-Lettice

Beastie Boys ﬁnd themselves in a curious position in 2011. After nearly three decades of constant evolution but not revolution, they’ve come full circle. They have an extensive, dedicated fan base spread throughout the globe and are universally respected for their contributions to hip-hop. However, they are a band who have nothing to prove. Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is a well-crafted reminder to the world that the Beastie Boys remain an active force, but it is little else. After a disappointing response to 2007’s instrumental release The Mix-Up, a more conventional record was in need to introduce a new generation to the iconic trio. Debut single ‘Make Some Noise’, which also serves as the record’s opener, is a familiar three and a half minutes of furious lyrics layering over the decks of MCA, a sound that inspired the likes of Rage Against the Machine. Following tracks ‘Non Stop Disco Powerpack’, ‘OK’ and ‘Say It’ all follow in a similar fashion, before the latter half develops

into a slightly more experimental sound, including short instrumental interludes that spreads the 16 tracks over an explosive 44 minutes. The record was originally intended to be released as Hot Sauce Committee (Part One) in 2009, however the release was postponed due to Adam Yauch being diagnosed with cancer, of whose recovery is still ongoing. Part One may now serve as a sequel. Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is the product of one of the most respected hip-hop groups of all time writing as the arrogance of youth matures into middle age. It seems that the Beastie Boys are aware they will never return to the inﬂuential heights of the early 90s, but this modest record succeeds in extending their legacy. Whilst the industry is still coming to terms with the mind of Kanye West, Beastie Boys have cautiously written a record that shifts the spotlight again, if only for the briefest of moments.

Seasick Steve You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

try blues singer with a beautifully gravelly voice and songs with more soul than could be imagined and still sporting the same grey beard and dungarees. Hearing his music any intrigue into his past is irrelevant as he is now a country blues legend. The title track takes us back to his roots, disregarding more modern trends. While tracks such as ‘What A Way To Go’ send a message from the old dog himself; depicting a man who has worked for 25 years and who is looking forward to a life of ease who then dies a month after he retires. From a wonderful cover of ‘Treasures’ to the more ballad like ‘Don’t Know Why She Love Me But She Do’ Seasick Steve has produced another beautiful and meaningful record. Olivia Mason

This man is perhaps not the sort of person you’d want sat next to you at a dinner party – with a history that would make anyone proud. The blues legend started off busking in Paris with friends including Janis Joplin, Joni Mitchell, and Kurt Cobain. Using contacts from his colourful social circle he managed to go from hobo to critical acclaim making his breakthrough on Jools Holland. On his seventh studio album you would presume by now some of his initial roughness would have been lost yet with You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks the title says it all. Seasick Steve is still the same coun-

Stuart Edwards

Ice Cream – Battles

Battles have been trying to prove that they can still be a great experimental group without the, shall we say, interesting vocals of Tyondai Braxton who left for a solo career last August. If ‘Ice Cream’ is anything to go by, Battles are back on form. Enlisting the help of German DJ Matias Aguayo, Ice Cream is as summery as its title implies. Weird yet somehow refreshing.

Monster – Kanye West

It’s ofﬁcial. Kanye is on a power trip. The last year for Kanye has basically been an attempt to do the most ridiculous stuff possible. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy pretty much solidiﬁed him as the most mental person in music today. But it isn’t stopping him making damn good tracks. ‘Monster’, featuring the likes of Jay Z, Nicki Minaj and, in an unusual turn, Justin Vernon from Bon Iver, shows Kanye back at his best.

High Five Swan Dive Nose Dive – Pulled Apart By Horses

Leeds based Pulled Apart By Horses have been wrecking stuff for quite a while now. Hiding in the tucked away venues, they made an effort to cause as much mayhem as is humanly possible. You enter a PABH gig and you will probably leave drenched in sweat, beer and with a few cuts and bruises. ‘High Five Swan Dive Nose Dive’ is the audio equivalent of this. It’s like being musically punched in the face…in a good way of course. Chris Taylor

The Courier Online For exclusive reviews of album releases and live gigs from around the city, as well as Spotify Playlists, head to the music section of The Courier website: thecourieronline.co.uk/music

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

TV & Radio Culture

tv & radio

tv highlight

TV & Radio Editors: Lynsey Fawcett & Ellie Wilson - courier.culture-tv@ncl.ac.uk

soaps

The British Soap Awards

Philip Schofield returns with a host of soap stars, as the five biggest soaps battle it out to win prestigious awards Wednesday 8pm, ITV 1 It is that time of year again when a plethora of tight dresses, orange tans and ridiculous high heels hit the magazines. No it isn’t The Only Way is Essex wrap party or the Geordie Shore launch, but the British Soap Awards 2011. This year the show promises to be bigger and better then ever as it looks back over another dramatic year in the soap world, which was full of trials, tantrums, tribulations and a tram crash. The five biggest shows, Emmerdale, Eastenders, Doctors, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks will all be up for awards. The show is hosted by Philip Schofield, who will be providing humour and wit to the British equivalent of the Emmys. There are 17 awards and categories up for grabs which are voted for by either a panel of expert judges or by the public. The accolades include awards for sexiest male and female, villain of the year, best actress/actor and best soap. Up for sexiest female are Michelle Keegan, Rita Simon and Jennifer Metcalfe. Unfortunately no females from Emmerdale have been nominated, perhaps the girls in the Dales can’t pull off the Barbour and Hunter wellies like girls in the North East can. The males up for the sexiest male award include Chris Fountain, Danny Miller and Keith Duffy. No

tv previews Made in Chelsea Monday 10pm, E4

Coronation Street

Mon, Thurs, Fri on ITV1 John has some devastating news for Katy and she is in left in turmoil when Owen piles on the pressure. Tyrone puts Kevin’s life in danger and struggles when an investigation begins, while Sean gets a shock on his mystery blind date. Rosie and Jason try to give their relationship another go and Fiz receives some good news, but it is overshadowed by Chesney’s absence.

Eastenders

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri on BBC1 Alfie and Kat receive some shocking news at Tommy’s christening, while Roxy waits anxiously to see if Ronnie receives bail. Jane makes a heartbreaking decision after Ian makes a shock announcement and Zainab and Masood make an unexpected decision about Tam and Afia’s future. Christian and Syed panic when their adoption meeting doesn’t go to plan. Drama: The soaps have produced entertaining and shocking storylines over the year and are hoping to be the winners of the nights

offence to the boys but it is at times like this when we realise that British soaps are seriously lacking talent. Charlie Brooks, from Eastenders, is most likely to receive the award for best villain, she is pretty sinister. But she will have to fight off competition from Coronation Streets Kate Ford and her fellow ‘Ender Don Gilet who plays Lucas. Let’s hope the actors aren’t as evil in real life otherwise the battle could get nasty! The main award (and perhaps most reputable) is best actor/actress.

This year’s nominations for best actor are Shane Ritchie, Danny Miller, Chris Gascoyne and Scott Maslen. I personally think the award will go to Shane Ritchie who plays Alfie in Eastenders, as he has had varied storylines this year, which have shown his ability to portray both comical and serious situations. Up for best actress are Jessie Wallace, Katherine Kelly and Jane Cox. Cox, who plays Lisa Dingle in Emmerdale, is the serious contender after she gave a convincing perform-

ance throughout the year, with her turbulent and emotional story lines. The award show will be filled with guest presenters and overtly dramatic acceptance speeches (they are actors after all). Who will win the best soap? Who will be practiscing their disapointment face? For the perfect distraction and escape from revision and dissertation turmoil, it is sure to be a must for soap fans so make sure you watch.

The Apprentice Tuesday 9pm, BBC 1

Jamie’s Food Revolution Hits Hollywood Tuesday 10pm, C4

The Culture Show Thursday 7pm, BBC 2

Rosie Daly

Emmerdale

Weekdays 7pm on ITV Victoria is relieved to hear from Amy, who is met with a temping offer from Pollard. Rhona and Marlon try to make amends, but she panics when she realises the baby might be coming. Holly’s absence sends Moira into a panic, Jackson receives some good news and Jimmy tries to make things up to Nicola.

Hollyoaks

Weekdays 6.30pm on C4 Jacqui returns to Chester and suprises her family when she reveals she is going to be a kidney donor for Billy’s daughter Emma. Liberty’s plan to set up Will and Theresa backfire and Tony declares his feelings for Mandy. Jacqui asks Rhys to marry her but will he forgive her after the trial? Bart wins back Sinead, much to Seth’s dismay and Ste finally stands up to Brendan

Neighbours

Wanting to follow in the footsteps of the surprising hit of The Only Way Is Essex, E4 have commissioned their very own version but with a distinct difference. Set in the glamourous setting of upmarket Chelsea, it follows the day to day goings on of 11 privileged 20 year olds and their extravagant and globetrotting lives. Punctuated with glasses of champagne and cat fights amongst the girls, we follow them as they attend exclusive parties, perhaps not at the infamous Sugar Hut like their Essex counterparts, but in the more elite clubs of London, allowing us to gain a fascinating insight into how the rich and super rich live. With the cast including the likes of polo players, aspiring singers and diamond heirs, one thing is for sure. there certainly won’t be a dull moment.

It is that time of year again when Lord Sugar tries to find another apprentice. Previous series have not disappointed with memorable moments such as Stuart Baggs “Everything I touch turns to sold”. Back for a seventh series, the format has been changed. Reflecting on the country’s financial state, each of the tasks is based on a start up business with the winner and their business idea going into a £250,000 partnership with Lord Sugar. We can expect the familiar faces of Nick Hewer and Karen Brady, who will been watching the candidates over the next three months. As for the candidates, the line up reveals an inventor, a former cycling champion and an accountant, who will all be living together in The Apprentice mansion -Wednesday nights never looked so good.

After last year’s successful Food Revolution, where Jamie travelled to America’s unhealthiest city, Huntington in West Virginia to discover america’s junk food addiction; he returns with this new series. This time he targets Los Angeles. As he heads his campaign, it does not get off to a good start when the city’s school authority refuses to let him film in their schools. We watch as Jamie turns on the charm to win over parents and teachers and try to persuade the authorities to change their mind. He discovers the schools cook processed food and distribute sugar laden milk and this leads to a demonstration by Jamie that we have come to know and love, but will he win over the community or has his revolution failed before it has started?

With the new series comes a new presenter, in the form of Andrew Graham-Dixon, returning to anchor after Lauren Laverne. At its launch, Andrew presents from London’s South Bank at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Festival of Britain. The event will show a wide range of performances and includes an interview with Tracey Emin about her new exhibition. This will not disappoint as Emin is famous for controversial art and ideas, after exhibiting her Turner Prize piece, My Bed, which was her dirty unmade bed, covered with used condoms and underwear. For music lovers, there’s a chat to hip hop producer Danger Mouse, plus much more. There is something for everyone, and definitely worth a watch, if only to impress your friends.

Ayse Djahit

Lynsey Fawcett TV & Radio Editor

Louise Naylor

Weekdays 1.45pm & 5.30pm on Five Andrew tries to win back Summer but she rejects him insisiting he is a fraud, but he knows she still has feelings for him. Toadie struggles with his guilty conscience as he continues to hide the box left to Callum by his gran, but Susan pushes him to do the right thing. Kate goes on a date with Kyle with unexpected results and Libby and Paul form an unlikely alliance.

Home and Away

Weekdays 2.15pm & 6pm on FiveLiam turns down a gig organised at the Surf Carnival, so Bianca confronts him to find out what is wrong. Miles confesses he has feelings for Leah and Elijah discovers his attacker is walking the streets again. Ruby decides that Charlie needs a man and signs her up to a online dating site, leading her to an ideal match Indi has a scary experience with Kieran and Roo discovers Nicole’s depression over the baby. Lynsey Fawcett TV & Radio Editor

Culture

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

TV & Radio

tv & radio nsr

It’s been a busy year for NSR, we have now officially finished broadcasting, but you can catch podcasts of our shows whenever you like at www.mixcloud.com/nsr. I thought I’d use my final column to re-cap some of the best bits of our year! Fresher’s Week 2010 was manic with plenty of interviews with new students and artists like Doorly who sound-tracked the week. November brought BBC Radio 3 to the Sage in Gateshead for their annual Free Thinking Festival, a fantastic intellectual event that they invited NSR to be part of. We took the chance to record two speech shows live at the venue, which provoked some heated debates about “the pursuit of happiness” - the festival’s theme - between presenters. As well as hosting intimate gigs with bands throughout the year, NSR also had a huge club night at WHQ in January with cutting edge electro musicians. Without a doubt the year’s highlight was our successful fortnight as NSR 87.7FM boosting listeners and dragging presenters out of bed in the early hours for the coveted breakfast slot. I would like to thank everyone who made this possible and the presenters who really stepped up their game with very professional shows. It seemed only appropriate to end on a high and the Student Media Awards last Tuesday really showcased the diverse talent that has emerged through NSR this past year which has been notable for the number of new presenters who have graced our airwaves. NSR will be providing exclusive coverage of Evolution festival at the end of this month so keep your eyes peeled for interviews with the likes of Billy Bragg popping up on our website, as will the details for our final gig of the year featuring NSR presenters DJing talents as well as the usual eclectic mix of bands. Louise Morris Station Manager

catch up Maria Moffatt gives us a round-up of her five top shows that started over the Easter holidays Doctor Who Doctor Who is back for the fantastic Matt Smith’s second series. The season opened with the Doctor being shot dead in the desert by a mysterious astronaut. It soon became apparent that the Doctor who died was a future version of himself. His present self appears completely oblivious as to what awaits him and Amy struggles with whether to warn the doctor of his fate. Meanwhile, the Doctor, Amy, Rory and River work with the US government to fight The Silence and to prevent them from keeping control planet Earth. More excitement to come in future episodes I’m sure! Britain’s Got Talent The series got off to an excellent start for comedy value when first contestant Mary appeared: she thought Amanda Holden was Joanna Lumley and had no clue who Michael

radio highlights

comment Rosie Daly tells us why she thinks that everyone should watch, and enjoy, the musical stylings of Glee.

Vesuvius, The Most Famous Volcano In The World Monday 9.45am, BBC Radio 4

Dylan at 70 - Nashville Cats: The Making of Blonde On Blonde Monday 10pm, BBC Radio 2

Emma Fielding reads Gillian Darley’s book detailing Vesuvius’ rich history and the impact it has had on people’s lives through the centuries. The opening programme tells of how thousands perished after the 79AD eruption in a pyroclastic surge – gases travelling at immense speeds incinerating everything in their path. Pliny the Younger recorded the terrifying events and describes how some Naples inhabitants believed the universe had been plunged into eternal darkness. The series describes how philosopher and cleric Bishop Berkeley and British Ambassador William Hamilton, in the 1700s, became fascinated with the volcano, both risking their lives climbing it. The volcano similarly fascinated Goethe, the poet Shelley and Charles Dickens. In the 1800s Vesuvius captivated industrialist James Naysmith, polymath Mary Somerville and volcanologist Frank Perret, who photographed the 1906 eruption and was imprisoned in its observatory. Now tourists view casts of Vesuvius’ victims in Pompeii, but what does the future hold for Naples’ inhabitants?

It would be difficult to find someone who hasn’t heard of Bob Dylan, or his influential music. His political songwriting and unique guitar-harmonica playing is still popular today, almost 50 years on from when the rocker started making music. Ahead of his 70th birthday later this month, the BBC honours his career with a Radio 2 Dylan Season, which includes a documentary (Nashville Cats) about one of the singer’s most celebrated albums, Blonde on Blonde. Bill Nighy tells the fascinating story of how the classic album was produced during what’s considered to be his most creative period. In 1966, Dylan went to Nashville, to work with his new record label after a lack of success in New York. Traditional country music and his revolutionary style were an unlikely alliance, and he had mixed reactions among country veterans: some were unimpressed with him changing music, while others were inspired by his contemporary approach. Dylan once described the album as being “the closest I ever got to the sound I hear in my mind... it’s that thin wild mercury sound”. As well as quotes from Dylan, Nashville Cats digs up interviews with people who have worked with him.

Ellie Wilson TV&Radio Editor

Adam Rummens

McIntyre was! When he told her he was Simon Cowell (and did some brilliant impressions) she took him as his word. Some of the acts that got through were Denelda with her two dancing dogs and 50-year-old dancer Steven. While some of the less impressive acts included Blair pretending to be a dolphin. Sit back and enjoy the talent... or talentless.

Shergold star as Inspector Vera Stanhope and her long suffering sidekick Joe Ashworth. Set in Northumberland, the first episode saw them investigate the murders of two people who have been killed in the same way: placed in water and surrounded by flowers. As they interviewed the friends and family they uncovered sinister secrets that lay behind the murders. Based on stories by international bestselling novelist Ann Cleaves, the show is bound to be full of suspense.

Supersize vs Superskinny For the first time, this series introduced a double swap. The supersizers were mother Janet and daughter Tara who live on fast food and cakes. Meanwhile, Joanne lives on crackers and decaffeinated tea and Keith eats small amounts of bread and drinks lots of caffeine to keep hunger at bay. In addition to this, we watched as three women embarked on a course to battle their eating disorders and issues with food: Emma, an anorexic, Mina, who is bulimic and 19-year old Erin, who suffers from a life endangering combination of both conditions. Vera In this brand new detective drama series, Brenda Blethyn and Adrian

The Great British Menu Britain’s best chefs are challenged to create a four course shared banquet for the people. They must concoct delicious, visually appealing food that is easy to share. In the first week we saw the North East chefs Stephanie Moon, Tim Bilton and Andrew Pern produce lamb, pork and rhubarb desserts. Last week was the turn of South West chefs John Hooker, Paul Ainsworth and Andre Garrett where the array of delicious foods included pork belly, oysters and fairground themed desserts. Tune in to see who makes it through!

I love musicals, everything about them makes me smile and feel happy and it isn’t just the traditional Andrew Lloyd Webber stage shows that capture my attention. Sister Act (especially Sister Act: Back in the Habit) and Singin’ in the Rain are (in my opinion) two of the best films ever created. However despite my (slightly tragic/embarrassing) love of musicals, when I first heard about Glee I wasn’t overly keen. In my mind a group of teenagers covering some of the best known pop songs in their own style sounded a little annoying. However, after the first episode I quickly became a self confessed Gleek. With an phenomenal number of viewers I am not the only one who thinks the show is amazing. Even celebrities are desperate to get on the show to repeat the success enjoyed by both Gwyneth and Britney. Rumours are that even our own Mrs Beckham is keen to get on the show; and I think that an episode of her

own solo material would be pretty funny. Despite all the fans I know there are some people who dislike Glee and don’t understand how something they find so annoying could be so popular. The main reason several of my friends can’t watch it is because they dislike the way the characters break into song at every moment, in their opinion a show doesn’t need to include so many songs. However, I would just like to point out to all those critics that even some of the most serious shows have had musical episodes. The sci-fi show Fringe recently had an episode in which the characters sang all the way through and who can forget the notorious Buffy musical episode. While the actors in these shows may lack the singing abilities of the Glee cast, it is my belief that the writers of these shows include this musical element because it provides a bit of light entertainment. Musicals make people smile and the inclusion of songs in these TV shows indicates that everyone loves a good old fashioned sing song. Glee is the perfect escapism tool for people. At times episodes verge on the sublime and ridiculous but after watching it I challenge anyone not to smile and be slightly addicted.

tweets of the week Al Murray Dear Radio 4, I’m sorry, quirky and interesting though it is, I can’t do half an hour of dead people’s hair.

Jack Whitehall Would the restaurant Chez Gerard go out of business if I opened a restaurant called Chez Lampard next to it?

Chris O’Dowd This prozzie on 5live seems to hate adultery. Which is like accountants hating numbers. But with herpes.

Dara O’Briain I’m thinking of putting a superinjunction on next year’s tour dates, because it does seem a very effective way of getting the word out.

Drama: Doctor Who opened with an exciting two-parter that provoked a lot of questions

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Culture Puzzles

puzzles Get all of the solutions to this week’s puzzles at www. thecourieronline.co.uk

Across 4 Viper (5) 9 Musical note equal to two quavers (8) 10 One of the twelve disciples (6) 11 Deed (3) 12 Fossil resin (5) 15 Cheap lodging for travellers (6) 16 Bag-like structure in an animal or plant (3) 18 The beginning of something’s existence (6) 19 Non-metallic element part integrated circuit (7,4) 21 Drum (5) 23 Captain Kirk’s sidekick (5) 25 Coiled structure of double stranded DNA (6,5) 28 America’s 49th state (6) 29 Small mouthful (3) 31 Sterile, unproductive (6)

logic problem The driver of a truckload of ducks is flagged down by police for a weight check. As he drives onto the weighbridge, he notices that he is just over the permitted ten tonnes. Then he has an idea. He bangs on the cab with a spanner. Alarmed, many of the ducks take to the air and flap about. Will the weight on the weighbridge be reduced?

phone in Use the clues and the keypad to find the answers to the grid using the week’s theme to help you. For example the number three in a clue could be D, E or F. This week’s theme is Sports

Puzzles Editor: Andy Pitkeathley - courier.puzzles@ncl.ac.uk

32 Arabic word for God (5) 33 In favour of (3) 37 Able to speak and think in a different language (6) 38 American car manufacturer (8) 39 One who is opposed to (5)

30 Rule, strategy (6) 34 Felt tasselled hat (3) 35 Bind, fasten (3) 36 Viral infection affecting the respiratory system (abbrev.) (3)

Down

Last edition’s Crossword answer

1 Green cauliflower-like vegetable (8) 2 Cash machine (abbrev.) (3) 3 Type of lizard (9) 4 Greek capital (6) 5 Barrier to impede the flow of water (3) 6 Arc of spectral colours (7) 7 Verse (3) 8 Acting in a particular way (8) 13 Flight of steps (9) 14 Metric unit of length (9) 17 Go up, ascend (5) 20 Blocks, bungs up (5) 22 Dutch painter (9) 24 Fashionable London street (4,4) 26 Sweet cold food (3,5) 27 Aluminium ore (7)

sudoku

wordsearch

logical The word below makes up a common phrase. Can you read what the phrase is as well as the word?

Across

Down

2. 462539 5. 7666537 6. 5836

1. 836647 3. 2742538 4. 7656

word link Find the word that can be placed between these words to make two new words or phrases

Find all the words in the grid below, the words are all linked. This week’s link is writer’s surnames Hemingway Bronte Hugo Dickens Steinbeck Rowling Christie Salinger Austen Pinter Stoker Tolkien Shelley Joyce Tolstoy

andy’s number cruncher Keep your brain in shape by trying to complete these sums as fast as you can without using a calculator

CROSS

EASY

DOOR

BAR

BROWN

BAG

LAP

COLLAR

HARD

DRUM

BAG

Divide by 3

-5

Square this

+35

Square Times root by 13

+52

Divide 1/12 of Cube this by 1/2 this

-87

Multiply Divide Square by -5 by 25 this

MEDIUM

Square Divide Square this by 4 root

+19

Divide Multiply by 10 by 4/7

Square root

The puzzles get harder as you work your way down the page.

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

End of year Intra Mural Review > Sport, page 44 Sports Editors: Jono Taylor, Wills Robinson and Kat Bannon - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Building on Beijing success

Grace Harvey catches up with Olympic sensation Rebecca Adlington, who is aiming to emulate her 2008 success in London 2012

Rebecca Adlington has risen to prominence since her outstanding performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and is now recognised one of swimming’s ﬁnest athletes. Can she repeat her success and win gold in London?

Most 22-year-olds consider themselves lucky to have a degree or a job, but gold medal Olympian Rebecca Adlington OBE completely transcends this. From the moment she ﬁrst entered a pool, there has been no championship she has failed to win, showing herself to be Britain’s most successful swimmer in over a century with an endless list of achievements including Olympic gold, Commonwealth gold, and a stream of world records. The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics saw Adlington claim gold medals in both the 400m and the 800m freestyle events, and she then went on to secure victory in the same events at the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Championships. In addition to this, she holds the 2008 World Championship and the 2010 European Championship titles to her name, conﬁrming her position as a key representative in the GB squad. Although one of the youngest Team GB medallists, Adlington is Great Britain’s most successful swimmer in over 100 years, yet shows no signs of complacency, and

continues to chase the top place on the podium. “I never think of what I’ve achieved in the past, just what I want to achieve in the future. Obviously my biggest challenge and target is gold at the London 2012 home Olympics.” Being a full-time athlete not only enables Adlington to wholly focus on her next conquest, but also entails a demanding and rigorous training schedule, with over 25 hours a week spent training in the pool. “I usually have over 10 swim sessions a week; sessions run from 6-8am and 5-7pm. I then have four gym sessions a week as well. “Fortunately I do get some down time in the day and rest of the week; I love to sleep in on Wednesdays and Sundays and just have lazy days where I’ll normally just go to the cinema or for a meal with friends, but nothing beats going home for my mum’s Sunday roasts” Without this dedication and commitment to the sport, Adlington would not, by her own volition, be even half as successful as she is today. Her most recent triumph at the British Championships earlier

this year once again saw her storm the competition, ﬁnishing seconds ahead of her rivals. Yet despite her position as Britain’s top swimmer, she is not able to become relaxed ahead of the London 2012 games, and still has to compete for a place on the GB squad. Given her past achievements, most would assume she’ll have an added pressure to qualify, but the Olympian insists on remaining calm and prepared ahead of the tough competition.

“I never think of what I’ve achieved in the past, just what I want to achieve in the future” “Our qualifying isn’t until March 2012 and I’ll have to hit a certain time and top two places to go. There is a bit of pressure as I was Olympic Champion in 2008, but I think the most pressure is from myself. “Nothing could ever top a home Olympics and it is the ultimate achievement in the sport so I would

put the pressure on myself as it’s so important for me to compete.” Although the British Olympic squad is one of team GB’s strongest in recent years, media coverage of sports such as swimming and athletics is sometimes compromised for more popular sports like football and rugby. Despite this, Adlington has no doubts the London 2012 games will put these key athletes and disciplines ﬁrmly in the spotlight, and give them the recognition that they undoubtedly deserve but are perhaps not always rewarded. “The Olympic sports are incredibly important. We don’t compete as much as football and rugby, as our sports involve so much training rather than competing every week. I think Athens and Beijing have helped raise the proﬁle of the smaller sports and London is just going to increase that - people are learning more and more about the smaller sports and the interest is growing so much. “I’m so proud of what I’ve achieved and so glad to have experienced all the competitions as it’s taught me so much, yet there are just so many strong young swimmers, which is

just amazing. “Obviously London is massively important but the sport will continue afterwards and it’s so good that British swimmers are getting stronger and stronger every year, and it’s amazing that we can carry on the legacy into the future.” Adlington is not only instrumental in raising awareness of the sport, but also in generating and supporting younger Olympic talent fulfil their potential. Other young swimmers like Lizzie Simmonds and Hannah Miley are amongst other 2012 Olympic hopefuls, and are integral to the challenges the GB squad will pursue in the future. However without athletes like Rebecca Adlington as their mentor, they will surely be less likely to achieve their goals. For those graduating this year, most will be happy to know what tomorrow will bring after leaving university, yet at only 22, Adlington has not only secured an absolute phenomenal list of achievements, but is without doubt the ultimate figure of inspiration, and is sure to pursue gold into the indefinite future.

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Sport

Sterling to work with Stelling Dan Robinson talks to Sky Sports News presenter Pete Graves, who reveals all about working with national treasure Jeff Stelling “He’s a real master of what he does, he’s on top of everything and knows football inside out. At Sky Sports all the presenters are in awe of him.” Pete Graves could only be talking about one person: Jeff Stelling. While most football fanatics could only dream of sharing an office with the legendary face of Soccer Saturday, it is merely the day-to-day life for this Hexham-born Sky Sports News presenter. “A lot of people see Jeff and they think he’s fed a lot of information, but most of what comes out Jeff’s mouth is coming straight from him as he works so hard. “He comes on air and he knows everything, he’s an example to all of us.” This is just one of the secrets to the success of Britain’s biggest sports news station, of which Graves is clearly proud to be a member at the tender age of 29 – the youngest male presenter in the team. While to the unassuming public eye the switch in faces between broadcasts is barely noticeable, as the presenters preside over a smooth transition which allows the minuteby-minute feed on our favourite sports, it is actually the work of a gruelling preparation process. “I tend to get into work five hours before going live on air, and in that time I’ve got to make sure I’ve gone through all the stories of the day and learn all the scripts, which might change on an hourly basis”, he reveals. “Then I have to put on make-up – which, as a bloke, is never very comfortable - get my suit on, which they’ll tell me what I have to wear on the day, get the earpiece and microphone fitted in and then finally go on air.” If this is all the work which goes on behind the scenes, it isn’t until Graves sits behind his note-stacked desk before the real work begins.

“He’s a real master of what he does, he’s on top of everything and he knows football inside out” “Quite a lot of it is off the cuff and I’ve got to make sure I’ve done plenty of preparation.” Night shifts are common, and it was Graves on the air when the news unfolded concerning Tiger Woods and an attack by his wife for the extra-marital activity which would capture headlines for weeks. Certainly, Graves can expect to be constantly on his toes next summer when the Olympics descend upon London, something that this allround sports enthusiast welcomes with open arms, particularly after the “farce” of England’s World Cup bid failure. “As a nation we get really excited by World Cups in particular, but this is a fantastic event and I hope the whole country embraces it, as it could be a great opportunity for us to show what we’re capable of as a nation. “I’ve been to the Olympics before in the past; I went out to Barcelona and saw what it did for the country. “It’s going to be quite phenomenal, I’m really looking forward to going

Hexham-born presenter Pete Graves (right) now ﬁnds himself in a dream job at Sky Sports, working alongside the likes of Jeff Stelling, Chris Kamara and Georgie Thompson

to some events and I think it’s going to be great. “Especially in places like Newcastle where there are going to be events - potentially with football at St James’ Park - and I’d just encourage everyone to go out and see it”. Of course, there is one member of the Sky Sports News team who does manage to capture the attention – and hearts – of an adoring public. But what is Georgie Thompson like in real life?

“He comes on air and he knows everything, he’s an example to us all” “She’s just as she comes across on air, a really nice girl, so it’s great”, he beams with North Eastern pride. “It’s funny, since I started working at Sky I’ve probably been asked that question more than anything else!

“The presenters all get on really well, socially as well as at work. We all try and grab the odd pint or meal together every now and then- it’s a really close-knit team, and I enjoy every minute at work. “We all work for each other and get on with each other, but it’s also very competitive in the office and we all take it very seriously. “At a lot of the places I have worked it has been really fun and we all have a laugh, but at Sky it’s a lot more serious. “We have got to know ourselves as a serious news channel, and our hard work reflects that”. However, not all young sports journalists acquire the opportunity to share a desk with Miss Thompson, or personally visit Ian Holloway’s house to reveal his team’s fixture list on live TV – and certainly not after just five years and four jobs in the field. But for Graves, this is the product of intense hard work following his graduation from Manchester Metro-

politan University. His career has taken in work experience stints at Tyne Tees and Radio Tyneside, before commentating on Newcastle United games for Metro and Century radio, where both he and his wife became close friends with Toon legends Bob Moncur and Mick Martin.

Sky Sports is currently celebrating its 20th year anniversary, and is now recognised as one of the best sports news providers internationally. For Pete and the rest of the team, the aim is to continue improving.

But his big break came while freelancing for the sport department of ITV’s North East Tonight. “ITV were making a lot of redun-

dancies so I applied for a reporter’s job at Sky. “They rang me back to say I hadn’t got the job but had me under consideration for something else, and they ultimately rang back and offered me the job as a presenter for Sky Sports News.” Now, to continue his meteoric rise through the presenting ranks, Graves is set to make the next step having hosted Sky’s coverage of the Victory Shield contest between England and Northern Ireland U16s in March. It’s a stride he hopes will one day lead him into the shoes of Jeff Stelling, or better yet, as the face of Sky’s Premier League coverage which is watched by millions. “If you work in sport there’s a few jobs you would want if you want to be at the top, and working at Sky has got to be the best place to be”, Graves proudly states. “Hopefully, one day I’ll be hosting the live Premier League matches for Sky.”

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Sport

Knocking on England’s door Colin Henrys In sport a lot can change over the course of a year. Little over 12 months ago, Ben Stokes was playing for the England under-19s and had played just a solitary one-day match for Durham County Cricket Club. Fast forward to April 2011 and the New Zealand-born all-rounder from Cumbria was looking forward to his second season of first class cricket at the Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground, having just returned from spending the winter with the England Lions in the West Indies. Still just aged 19, few could have expected Stokes’ meteoric rise to success last summer, let alone the player himself. Describing his call-up to the first team, Stokes explained that it had been “quite a random call” as Durham, at the time the reigning County Champions, called Stokes into their squad for the season’s curtain-raiser – a four day match against the MCC in Abu Dhabi. He scored 51 in the first innings and picked up his first wicket too. The following month he scored his maiden first class century. It was ultimately in a losing cause as Durham crashed to defeat against Nottinghamshire, but recalling the achievement, Stokes described it as “the proudest moment” of his career, and something that he would never forget.

Coupled with a score of 168 the following week, he was shot into the limelight and earned widespread praise for his performances. He ﬁnished the year having scored 798 runs at an average of just below 45, with his place in the England Lions squad capping a spectacular rise to prominence. Having moved to Cumbria at the age of 12, he explained that cricket had not been his ﬁrst choice. Up until the age of 15, he had also harboured hopes of a rugby career, following in the footsteps of his father, Ged, who represented New Zealand in Rugby League.

“He finished the year having scored 798 runs at an average of just below 45” However, having been invited to join the Durham Academy at the age of 14 he committed himself to cricket the following year and hasn’t looked back. He described how he has been able to look around the Durham dressing room and find several role models including former England bowler Steve Harmison and captain Dale Benkenstein, and that any nerves he was feeling were soon extinguished. “When I first played I was nervous

but my first ball came and went, and then it just became another game of cricket.” “The team just let you get on and I’ve never been told to change the way I play.” As a naturally aggressive batsman, Stokes also confesses that he likes to keep a fire inside him while out in the field too. “I’m somebody who likes to be in the game throughout. I bat and I bowl and I enjoy the psychological battle in the field.” He describes sledging as something that helps him to stay involved and provides him with more drive when playing. Such ambition is evident from the targets he has set himself for this year, with the aim to achieve 1000 first class runs in the season and begin to make an impact in one-day cricket too. After spending the winter receiving coaching from England legend Graham Thorpe and facing “a lot of good pace bowlers” on fast West Indian wickets, Stokes said he hoped the hard work would pay off and he carried confidence into the new season. One month in, and with two oneday half-centuries, another unbeaten first class hundred and even personal best bowling figures of 6-68 already to his name, it is easy to see why he held such confidence. It can only be a matter of time before a full England call-up arrives. Ben Stokes’ form for Durham has not gone unnoticed, and has been tipped for England

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Sport Intra Mural

A season to remember: IM review As the curtain falls on the Intra Mural campaign, The Courier evaluates the season’s winners and losers S. TYSON

Division 1 (Wed) Dan Robinson As the academic year tunnels towards exam time, the curtain is about to be drawn on yet another eventful top flight campaign – yet much is left to be finalised at both ends of the table. Saturday league winners Medics 1sts are in pole position to reclaim the title won in their previous form of Garnett, but know they can’t afford to slip up in their two remaining games, with Barca Law Na currently occupying top spot, having played an extra game. It’s been the same old solid story for the Medicine Men, with only five points dropped all season the secret to their success. Yet, for the lawyers it has been a different story altogether, with a poor year last time round wiped from the memory with a barnstorming run, which has seen nine victories and 38 goals in 11 games. The two title hopefuls, however, must hurdle the challenges of two sides playing for their Intra Mural lives before they can begin to think about champagne and silverware. Barca take on Castle Leazes, while the Medics must entertain Real Politique before what could be the title decider against Henderson Hall. For Leazes and Politique, the campaign has been one of struggle, and one will join Boroussia Forsythe, whose 33 goal difference has not helped their first season in Division 1, in the second tier next year. The latter have failed to build on an impressive 2009-10 campaign, in which they finished second, while Leazes will be desperately hoping to avoid double relegation, after finding themselves in the bottom two on a Saturday. In mid-table, Dyslexic Untied struggled to mount a title challenge despite a strong start, but will be pushing Henderson Hall, who have fared well upon their return to the big time, for a third-placed finish. The end may be fast on the horizon, but with so much left to play for, the final few games of the Division 1 season may yet spring up a surprise.

Division 2 (Wed) Harry Slavin In what was the most fiercely contested division in this year’s Intra Mural competition, three teams go into their final games still with a shot at promotion to the top tier. Described by Hurricanes captain Andrew Selby as ‘a highly competitive league’, at the turn of the year six of the seven teams in the division could have laid reasonable claim to a shot at promotion. However, the pretenders have all stumbled at the final hurdle, leaving Crayola, the Medics 2nds and Aftermath battling for the right to play Division 1 football next year. Aftermath have undoubtedly the

The 2010/11 Intra Mural football season is one that will live long in the memory, with sides competing across four divisions for title success, and more importantly, bragging rights

hardest task, needing to win their penultimate match against Lokomotiv to stand any chance of stealing a promotion place from under the nose of either Crayola or the Medics 2nds, coupled with a victory over already relegated Ecosoccer on Tuesday. Meanwhile, to the excitement of all, the end of the season sees first place Crayola take on second place Medics in a top of the table, winner takes all, clash of the titans. While the winners of this match will be crowned champions, the losers can’t even console themselves with the prospect of promotion, with Aftermath waiting in the wings to pounce on any slip up. At the midway point of the season both the Hurricanes and Lokomotiv were gearing their efforts towards immediate returns to the top flight, both will be relieved to have found mid-table obscurity, with the Hurricanes in particular perilously close to being dragged into a relegation battle. Relief for them however obviously spelt misery for another team, and despite looking like promotion contenders at the beginning of the season, Ecosoccer have only attained four points since the beginning of 2011, and as a result, are facing life in the third division. Whilst harbouring the most competitive league this season, the Division 2 also played host to the worst record in the entire Intra Mural setup. Olympic Mayonnaise conceded

a whopping 59 goals this season in just 12 games, an average of almost six per game, but they can take a nugget of comfort out of the fact they did not leave the division empty-handed - a solitary point from a draw against Aftermath means they avoid the unwanted 100 per cent record for defeats in a season.

Division 3 (Wed) Rory Brigstock-Barron This year, Division 3 showcased the highs and lows of Intra Mural football - from the sensational unbeaten campaign of Ar U Shavin a Laugh, to Jesmondino’s three-point deduction, which added further insult to injury in a difficult season. If you had told this year’s champions at the beginning of the season that they’d be gaining a second straight promotion, they may well have believed you were having them on. But with eight wins and four draws, conceding only six goals, the side named after the little Russian have proved a class apart. The team now boast a two-year undefeated streak in the league and will certainly be one to watch next campaign as they make the step up to the second tier. Joining Ar U Shavin a Laugh’s invincibles in the second division

next year will be Boca Seniors, whose only defeat this season came at the hands of FC Molesok back in November. Despite being pleased to gain promotion, the team will surely feel that with five draws to their name – two of which coming against this year’s champions – they may well have finished top. Results were far less positive for this year’s bottom two. Jesmondino may feel hard done by after a three point deduction for fielding an ineligible player sees them propping up the table at the end of the campaign. These points would have saved the side the humiliation of bottom place, but not the pain of relegation. A second successive demotion for Real Mechanical sees the side drop in the fourth tier, where they will be hoping to fair much better, after just four wins in the last two seasons. Brown Magic FC and FC Molesok both sit comfortably in mid-table alongside Politic Thistle who have a cup semi-final against Henderson Hall to look forward to. All three will be hoping to push on and fight

Division 4 (Wed) Owen Evans for promotion next year. As the season draws belatedly to a close, it looks as if Roman Villa have done enough to lift the Division 4

title due to the gulf in goal difference between them and Never Been Athletic. With both teams having lost just once this season, the battle for the top spot has been fierce, but the 3-2 win for Villa over Athletic back in October looks to have secured them the title. At the other end of the table, it has been a torrid time for Bayern Music, who only managed to amass a single victory this season, and the fact that you cannot be relegated from the basement division may be the only real positive to take from the campaign. They were not the team to concede the most this season, however, with that hotly contested accolade going to the somewhat misleadingly named Barca Juniors. Along with winning the title, Roman Villa can also rejoice in the knowledge that they were the top scorers in the league, thanks largely to the prowess of Tom Islip’s head. Overall praise should be heaped upon Roman Villa and Never Been Athletic, who have both won promotion to the glitz and glamour of Division 3. If their performances this season are anything to go by, they should both be confidently looking upwards next year. Both Jesmondino and Real Mechanical look set to replace them after relegation from Division 3, and both teams need to ensure that they do not underestimate any team in this league.

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Intra-Mural Scandal Sport

Catchpole caught out on Facebook Wills Robinson Sports Editor A video has been posted on the internet showing Steve Catchpole drinking champagne with the Medics First Team after their 9-1 win over Dyslexic last Monday. This was after the University had tried to stop him officiating at the game as a result of a difficult relationship with University football. The footage, filmed by Catchpole himself, shows the Saturday Division One champions, arm in arm singing “championes, championes, ole, ole, ole”, and “we are number one”. Following the chanting, a player walks up to the cameraman with what appears to be a bottle of champagne and hands it over. The camera then turns to reveal Catchpole, who was filming the video, drinking the champagne that is handed to him. He smiles with his thumbs up to the camera and says, “Get my smile in as well”. Medics captain Rishi Dhand, after handing him the bottle, then introduces the man on camera as “Steve Catchpole”, as the lens is turned towards him. The camera then turns towards the ground, with a thumb or finger attempting to conceal the lens. However, it is evident that Catchpole then begins to shake the champagne up. President of Newcastle University Football Club, Matt Gouland said “I am taking nothing away from the Medics win, because they are fully deserving champions. They were the best side in the league. To see a supposedly neutral referee, howev-

er, drinking champagne with a team after the game, surely poses some questions. “It is the equivalent of Howard Webb getting into Manchester United’s team photo after winning the Champions League”. Dhand denied that Catchpole was celebrating with the team, and said that decisions went each way during the game, calling the penalty decision a “blatant handball”.

“I’ll take advice off any student if he can improve my finances” “All we did was to ask him to take a photo and film us celebrating. He agreed, if he could get a swig of our champagne in return. It was all very innocent. “Steve is a top referee who has too much respect for the game and pride in his performance as a ref to let anything cloud his judgement”. The referee, who has been involved at the University for 19 years, was banned by NUAFC from refereeing University fixtures a few weeks into the season after a string of controversial sending offs. Catchpole even appeared before an FA tribunal earlier this year after NUAFC disputed another sending off during a University fixture, but was cleared of all wrongdoing. In an interview with The Courier in 2009, he responded to claims from students that he was ‘controversial’ saying, “Controversial? Well, I’m

not afraid that’s for sure. I make an honest decision whether it’s right or wrong. If it’s controversial, well that’s a matter of opinion. “True, you don’t always make the right decision...in fact as I get older I get the impression I’m making more and more wrong decisions.” The local referee, who is a plumber by trade, also described his rocky relationship with Newcastle University football: “I’ll take advice off any student if he can improve my finances. “Controversial? Nah. I’ve never wanted to be famous. Notoriety follows me.” The Medics needed to win last Monday’s match by more than five goals in order to clinch the title. They found themselves 7-0 up after 26 minutes, effectively ending the game before the half time whistle had even been blown, with Chris Kay and Nathan Campbell scoring three and four goals respectively. The Medics are now eyeing the quadruple, which is very much in reach as the season reaches its climax. Dyslexic, who only lie fourth in the table, were expected to put up a decent fight, but were on the receiving end of a crushing score line. Dyslexic captain Dan Robinson told The Courier, “He gave quite a few decisions against us, but there was nothing ridiculous. “The second goal was a bit dubious. A cross into the box hit a defender on the arm and Catchpole pointed to the spot. It was accidental, and normally decisions like that aren’t handed out in Intra-Mural football”.

Referee Catchpole seen drinking champagne alongside the Medics after league victory

Medic captain Dhand said, “I’ve never seen a game like it. Matt Anderson gave the lads some motivation before the game by reading an extract from the Bible, which obviously paid off. I was delighted”. When contacted by The Courier, Catchpole said, “I only took the

video, they just asked me to hold the camera.” When asked about sharing a celebratory drink with the winning side he laughed, “What’s wrong with it? Don’t you think I’m old enough to drink?” To watch the full video, go to www. thecourieronline.co.uk

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Sport

All good things must come to an Frozen fields, cup triumphs, promotions, relegations and of course Netball With so many squad members graduating, the club found itself full of new players at the beginning of the year. However, despite this lack of familiarity, the club has thrived this season. With the players all working and playing hard together, there has been a massive difference in the ambience of the club. The positive attitude the girls have maintained has been carried over into their match play, which has grown from strength to strength over the course of the year. The few leaving the club will be sorely missed, but with the majority remaining with ‘NUNC’, the excellent progress that has been made can be built upon next season, hopefully leading to more success for the club, under the leadership of new club captain Sally Burden; ‘the club member of the year’. The first team faced a difficult season, playing against the top clubs in the country. However, matches against high class opposition was a great experience for the girls. Katie Rimmer thrived on this and was awarded most improved player of the First and Seconds, with Rachel Saville being rightfully distinguished as ‘player of the year’. Despite relegation to BUCS league 1a, this experience will hopefully help the girls quickly return to the top league next season. The second team, on the other hand, had a more successful season, finishing second in their league. Sassa Hamilton had an outstanding year and her consistent excellence was rewarded with the much deserved title of ‘Player of the Year’. The girls will remain in their league, 3b, going in to next year with the potential to push for promotion after narrowly missing out this season. The Third team had an excellent season. Losing only one match, they finished at the top of their league and were promoted, with Charlotte Plumtree, ‘player of the year’, shining throughout the season. They will now face the Second team next season, as they move on up into the same BUCS league. Furthermore, the girls made their way to the semi-finals of the cup and were the only team in the netball club to win their Stan-Calvert tie. Struck by a number of injuries, the Fourths had a tough start to the season. However, new recruits Freya Cromarty and Victoria Martin helped fill out the depleted defence, with Freya going on to win ‘most improved’ of the Thirds and Fourths. Although the team struggled in the league, a win in their first cup match was a big confidence boost in an otherwise disappointing season. Despite relegation to BUCS league 5b, massive improvements have been evident, and Sophie Kennedy was commended as the teams ‘Player of the Year’. Fiona Moss

Smiles all round: Newcastle make their triumphant return to BUCS 1A after a season in which they consistently dominated the chasing pack, only dropping four points overall

Men’s Hockey Newcastle began the season, with one clear objective: securing an immediate return to BUCS 1A. The season began with several comfortable victories, but a home defeat to Leeds in November left the side in a position where they would have to go undefeated for the rest of the season in order to be promoted. A blend of new recruits with more experienced veterans led to a greater depth in the squad, meaning they

were able to provide cover during an injury-besieged winter period. The winning mentality that the side adopted led to a string of victories not only in the league but also the cup, and as the season approached its climax, Newcastle had placed themselves firmly in contention for success in both competitions. The season was defined by two performances; victory against Leeds secured promotion into 1A and the

being at the heart of this success. The league and cup double represents a significant achievement. but with seven of the victorious side departing, including the creative midfield partnership of Patrick Ost and John Yarrow, the responsibility will fall on the shoulders of a new crop of players to maintain the side’s hard-earned division 1A status. Calum MacKenzie

Men’s Football

W Basketball In Fraser Kennedy’s own words, Women’s Basketball has been “very static, doing nothing great, going nowhere” for several years. That was until gal pals Alice Holloway and Jessica Ambler burst onto the scene in 2008, bringing with them winning streaks and worldclass humour. The club has gone from strength to strength, each year attracting players world-wide, including Hong Kong’s volleyball superstar T.Fung, Polish 9.5 size shoe-wearer Magda, and of course the current Captain’s sister and professional translator, Corinne Vaughan, to name a few. After narrowly missing out on promotion for the previous two years, it was time to shine for the First team. They began the season with a ninegame undefeated spell, leaving opponents whimpering on the sidelines after leads of 60 points, and inviting teams to ask the Knights,

defeat of UCLAN allowed Newcastle captain, Hector Hall, to lift the Northern Conference Cup. The team’s unstoppable strike force became the division’s most prolific scorers, with both Ian Rossister and Patch Brown finishing with their respective goal tallies reaching double figures. The Newcastle side also finished as the division’s most miserly defence, with Kieran Borrett, Mike Pollock and goalkeeper Toby Raper

‘go easy please’. A slight lull in team confidence meant Coach Ballard’s dreams of cup victory were smashed; however the loss simply inspired the girls as they pushed to finish the league top, with a couple of buzzer-beaters and stare-offs thrown in for good measure. Our non-toe touching second team also had an impressive season, being just pipped to the post by York Firsts, the same wily athletes that denied 1sts the Conference Cup, despite great turn-outs week after week. Most notable victories include smashing the Poly three times this year! Special thanks goes to ‘Coach of the Year’ Adam Ballard, who has been extremely committed all season, thriving on our 7am training slots and there with wise words throughout. Alice Holloway

The Men’s Football team had a very good year overall. The First team finished top of the BUCS Northern Conference league 2B to gain promotion to the BUCS Northern Conference league 1A. The 1st team finished the year on 21 points from 10 games, three points clear of the nearest opposition, Hull University Firsts and next year will be playing the likes of Manchester University Firsts and both Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam 1sts. The 1st team also reached the semi-finals of the BUCS cup where they were agonisingly edged out in the dying moments of the game by Leeds Met 2nds. The First team also play in the Northern Alliance league on Saturdays and look set to achieve a high position in the league, with four games remaining. Furthermore, Newcastle’s first string reached the final of the Combination Cup where they unfortunately lost 2-0 to Hebburn Rovers.

The Second team played in the BUCS Northern Conference 3B this year and finished in fifth place on 11 points after 10 matches, which agonisingly was one point short of avoiding relegation as two teams are demoted from this division. Next year this means they will be playing in 4B and looking to bounce back straight away. The second team also play in the intra-mural league and narrowly missed out on the championship on goal difference. They are still in the intra-mural cup at the quarter final stage. The Third team had a good season that they will look to build on next year as they finished in fourth place on 15 points in the BUCS Northern Conference league 5B. With the strength and depth throughout the squad, Men’s Football will look to build on their successes and recover from the disappointments of the 2010-2011 season. Matt Gouland

THE COURIER Monday May 16 2011

Sport

end; a look back at BUCS 2011 Wednesday nights, The Courier reflects on a season full of drama Rugby League The Owls have enjoyed their most successful season ever under new coach Andy Stanton, boasting Premier North and North 2 league titles as well as a handful of victories over local rivals Northumbria on their way to being crowned AU Team of the Year. Due to a questionable league system, the Firsts will remain in the same league but the Seconds will be promoted to Rugby League North 1. The Owls also embarked on their first international tour, lifting the championship trophy in Lloret de Mar’s coveted Dodgems Derby. As is the case with all university teams, NURL will lose a significant number of senior players in the summer, leaving the club with the challenging task of rebuilding, if they are to reach the successful heights of the past season. It is undeniably the end of an era for the club, with the loss of some stalwart performers who have been hugely influential in recent seasons. Despite this, the club’s future looks bright thanks to this season’s promising crop of Freshers, who have been invaluable throughout the year and make up a significant proportion of next season’s committee. There will always be a question as to whether the club can replicate such a successful season, but with a similar intake of Freshers in the summer, under the leadership of the AU’s most handsome Presidential partnership, the Owls can set themselves the target of earning another two league titles and recording a brace of wins in next year’s Stan Calvert. Despite a disappointing defeat for the first team at Stan Calvert in March, the Owls have had a tremendous season, with both teams winning their respective league titles

Ian McPherson

Men’s Lacrosse The Men’s Lacrosse team attacked the 2010-11 season with great spirit and rejuvenated enthusiasm. After the disappointment of the previous year, the new committee had high ambitions to take the boys to the level of a high performing club. A great intake of new players in Freshers’ week, coupled with commitment and a studious attitude to training, produced some valuable new assets to the team. Unbeaten in their first tournament, the Fresher’s team continued to impress throughout the season. The First team had a tough start to the season, coming up against Durham and York in their first two fixtures. Both were favourites for the top spot in the league, and Newcastle failed to topple them; gaining no points from their encounters. The boys went into subsequent matches with increased vigour and fight after their false start, and the points started to rack up.

By the time Stan Calvert came around, the team were riding high on the back of five consecutive wins, including triumphs over the likes of Liverpool 1sts who had previously occupied the top of the league. The local derby against Northumbria was a hard fought and physical game, but with great sportsmanship shown from both sides. Walking away with the points, Newcastle had smothered the poly’s attack and constantly stabbed at their defence, showing their class against the opposition from a league above. Finishing 5th in the BUCS Northern conference, Newcastle Men’s Lacrosse can take a huge number of positives from their season and, with a new committee, will be able to build on this success. Ambitions of finishing top of the league next year are well within the team’s reach. Duncan Oliphant

A strong comeback for the club has been attributed to a strong intake of keen Freshers and a disciplined approach to training

Monday May 16 2011 THE COURIER

Interview with Rebecca Adlington > page 41 Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin and Tom James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Sports Editors: Jono Taylor, Wills Robinson and Kat Bannon - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Video controversy marrs decisive intra-mural ﬁxture page 45

L.MACKENZIE

Men’s Rugby Union 1sts were one of the clubs this season that produced mixed results, being in the middle of a relegation battle for the majority of the season. However a win in Stan Calvert turned their season around

Royals drop down BUCS standing Wills Robinson Sports Editor Performance Sport Manager, Fraser Kennedy, has called for action from the University’s sports clubs as Newcastle dropped out of the top 12 in the BUCS league for the ﬁrst time since the creation of the performance sport programme. Despite Wednesday sport returning one of the best points tallies in recent years and a fourth successive Stan Calvert victory, overall the year has been disappointing, with walkovers and poor weather conditions being some of the key factors behind the downfall. Kennedy has now called for clubs, “to take more responsibility for their performances on and off the ﬁeld of play”, suggesting improved handovers between old and new committees, the placement of strategic development plans and better club ethos. Club committee members

and staff will be interviewed over the coming weeks to help implement these new guidelines to ensure that next year Newcastle will be back amongst the top sporting institutions in the country. The performance sport programme in Newcastle began in 2005 and was an area in which the University was severely lacking in comparison to other institutions around the country. The likes of Durham and Stan Calvert rivals Northumbria began their programmes four years before, and have since continued to develop their sporting programmes. Despite signiﬁcant inroads being made in the ﬁve years since the programmes initiation, including additional facilities, staff, sports science support and improved administration standards, a four year stint in the top twelve in the BUCS points table has ended. Performance sport clubs in the university follow strict guidelines

which entitle them to various benefits that other clubs do not have access to, such as additional funding and additional, specialist training sessions. Aside from obtaining a high level of performance on the pitch, sides are expected to, “adopt a lifestyle conducive to high performance in sport”, including refraining from alcohol consumption 48 hours prior to any fixture or event and not smoking in a way that could potentially hinder performance. AU Officer Charley Wright has said that, despite the drop in the tables, it necessarily as a result of poor performance. “On the whole, the performance by Newcastle has been good, with the commitment and effort of all our athletes being outstanding on all levels. “The goal posts in university sport are continually moving, with the competition improving substantially year in, year out. The fact is

that we cannot match the investments in sport made by some of the other universities around the country. Without this financial backing, we will not be able to match these growing standards. “I think that without a sports specific degree at the university, Newcastle’s success in BUCS sport is continually impressive, with seven premier league teams at the beginning of this year. The drop in the table cannot necessarily be attributed to performance, but the massive competition being created by university who are taking extra steps in sport, which Newcastle will be looking to take in the near future.” With the introduction of a £200,000 strength and conditioning room in October, the first step in a sporting regeneration is taking place, with Kennedy looking for clubs to really embrace this initial investment, which will allow teams to train in a quality high performance environ-

ment and begin the process of reaching the standards of Newcastle’s competitors. The AU has also begun its move in a new direction, changing their kit supplier to O’Neills, after an arduous two year relationship with Cramlington based Orion. AU ofﬁcer Wright said, “This is a great opportunity to take Team Newcastle to the next level, matching our high standards of performance with a kit supplier on the rise and with an incredible heritage dating back nearly 100 years. After our experiences with Orion, the AU Execs were keen to choose a company who could deliver on their promises, and we look forward to working with the company over the next two years.” The new deal marks a new era for Team Newcastle, with clubs being urged to start talking to the company once prompted to do so by the AU.