Issue 1434 Monday 7th Nov 2022
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thecourieronline.co.uk
A guide to the NCL fashion scene Newcastle’s Fashion society is the perfect place to get involved with the hottest trends and fashion on Campus! Fashion & Beauty | page 16
The 700 year old disease has left its mark
The Black Death still seems to impact us today Science | page 11
The phenomenon of #BookTok Has this TikTok trend changed the way we publish? Arts | page 27
Newcastle school labels being LGBTQ+ as “individual choice” in city-wide advert Rowan Christina Driver - Music sub-editor Meg Howe - Editor-in-Chief
The Royal Grammar School’s advertising campaign has recieved an overwelming reaction due to their poor choice of words
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he Royal Grammar School revealed a new advertising campaign last month, in promotion of an upcoming open event on November 12th for prospective students and families. The campaign, designed in collaboration with creative specialists Altogether, features a series of various slogans created to encapsulate the ethos of the school, alongside “real imagery” to reflect the “multi-layered experience at RGS”. The campaign consists of a series of outdoor billboards, as well as other “print, social media and online” content in and around Newcastle, including in Metro stations and on Metro trains. The private coeducational institution, based in Jesmond, have devised a series of slogans aiming to demonstrate the overarching message: “There’s more to life at RGS”. Amongst the “alliterating statements” is the rhyming couplet “from individual choices/to student voices” – a statement highlighting the school’s encouragement for individualism and self-expression. The first half of the slogan - “from individual choices” - appears alongside an image of LGBTQ+ Pride flags (pictured on the right), which observers have described as implying that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community is an “individual choice”. Overwhelmingly, the reaction to this campaign has highlighted the poor choice of phrasing used by the school. This has left both the advertisement, and the school’s, intentions exposed
to prejudicious misconstructions. Some, however, believe the campaign has utilised the concept of “rainbow capitalism” – a term used to describe when promotion of LGBTQ+ rights is incentivised by capitalism for both monetary and reputational benefits.
Observers have described [the ad] as implying that being LGBTQ+ is an “individual choice” The institution is responsible for over 1300 young people, ranging from ages 7 to 18, with most paying up to £15,369 per annum. Within the school’s ethos and vision, they state: “An environment where we look out for each other and treat everyone with care and respect, within and beyond our community”. In response to the advert, a Newcastle University student said, “it remains clear that RGS have ultimately embroiled themselves in responsibility for a gross misjudgement of what inclusivity really means, it’s a clumsy attempt at boxticking”.
profound impacts on the wider community. George Wood, LGBTQ+ Officer for Newcastle University’s Students’ Union, said “Although I choose to believe that the intentions of this poster were entirely honourable, clearly the execution of these intentions was, at best, misjudged.” Wood also urged “any organisation striving for inclusivity to consider the implications of their messaging carefully, to prevent potentially hurtful miscommunications like this.” Students across the North East, who use the Metro services frequently, expressed concern and disappointment with the advertising choices of the
school. Many identify that the language choices are “poor” and that more care should have been placed to ensure that RGS were not endorsing homophobic ideas. Newcastle University student, Sarah Tunstall, told The Courier: “there’s a lot of pain and self-acceptance that comes with realising that you’re queer. It can take people years to accept who they are, suggesting being a part of the community is a choice completely ignores the stories that come from LGBTQ+ history.” “Why would we choose to be gay?” added Northumbria student Ruby Kelleher, “Even in 2022, it is an unjust fact of society that LGBTQ+ lives are
In 2021, it was stated that 68% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered suicide This advertising comes at a time when mental health amongst LGBTQ+ youth is at an all-time low. In 2021, Just Like Us, a charity organisation specialising in LGBT youth, stated that 68% of LGBTQ+ youth have considered suicide. With this data in mind, a Newcastle student further stated that the school’s decision can be seen as “a dangerous oversight”. While it is understood that the intentions behind the combination of word and picture were not rooted in malice, it is evident that careless advertising such as this can have
Image: Rowan Christina Driver
more difficult due to discrimination and prejudice, so while I am perfectly comfortable in my sexuality, I just cannot understand why anyone could think I would simply choose to endure the reality.”
“We aceept we got it wrong... Our adverts are absolutely and ultimately our responsibility” - RGS
While in an initial response RGS apologised for any offence caused by the advertisements, when contacted for an official statement, a spokesperson from the school articulated commitment to “learning about the language of equality, diversity and inclusion” in their mission to “convey [their] broader culture” by celebrating a “diverse and inclusive community”. “RGS genuinely is a place where choices are endless”, the school stated, “and anyone can follow their interests, find their passion, explore their preferences, feel free to be themselves.” “But we accept we got it wrong by connecting this aspect of RGS with this photo.” Parents of current students at the 497-year-old establishment were also approached about the matter but declined the option to comment. When questioned on the conception of the advert and their collaboration with Altogether, the school stated, “we work with several agencies. As with most schools’ and Universities’ relationships with creatives, it is a partnership, but our adverts are absolutely and ultimately our responsibility.” No plans to remove the boards in question have been expressed, however, RGS have “stopped any digital publication of the advert” and stated it “will not be posted anywhere going forward”. Altogether were approached by The Courier, but no comment was given.
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A note from the Editor
nd just like that, Enrichment week is here! With assignment season in full swing, I hope that everyone has found the time to relax and take a break. This week also marks the midway point of the first semester. As scary as it seems that we’re now a quarter of the way through the academic year, it’s also the perfect time to reflect, recuperate and regroup in preparation for the months to come. Speaking of reflection, last
week I sorted through every copy of The Courier that is in my house. For the last year or so, I’ve kept 6 copies of each edition of The Courier in a Tesco ‘bag for life’, that has sat on the bottom shelf of the bookcase in the two houses I’ve lived in. After feeling full of nostalgia (and in an attempt to keep myself awake at 7pm on a Monday night), I decided to have a look back through the small part of The Courier’s history that I’m so honoured to have been a part of.
Inside 7th November 2022 Current Affairs | News Hearing over North East sea life deaths Parliament has heard that more research should be done into the increase in dying sea life on the North East coast | Page 4
I came across my first article (which has sparked some ideas for this year's magazine) and had a look at the pages I layed up when I was a Lifestyle sub-editor back in 2020/21. It also turns out that I have 104 individual papers (which might be a little excessive, but I have big interior design plans for them when I own my own house…)! This task was so simple, yet the act of mindfulness that it evoked during my Monday evening really reminded
Meg Howe (she/her) -- mediaofficer.union@newcastle.ac.uk
Current Affairs
News
Searching the world for content Social media is the first place many people go when they're on holiday - is it ruining the way we travel? | Page 18
Culture | Music Interview with Heather Baron Gracie The Pale Waves' lead singer and guitarist breaks down their new album and their upcoming tour. | Page 20
Culture | TV Doctor Who: David Tenant returns The BBC centenary special saw the reappearance of some familiar faces ahead of the Doctor's 14th regeneration. | Page 23
xoxo
Editor-in-Chief
Where is the best place to live at Uni? Jesmond, Sandyford, Heaton or the City Centre? Find out the pros and cons of popular student living spots. | Page 7
Life & Style | Travel
-- Meg Howe
SECTIONS
Current Affairs | Campus Comment
Blind Date Hear how it went when Jessica the dental student met Willy the medic for the first time on a pizza date. | Page 12
There will be a two-week pause in production for The Courier, to allow me to have some much-needed annual leave, and for the Editorial Team to have some refresher training. I urge you to do the same: have a break and take time to do something you enjoy! We’ll be back again on November 28th! As always, thanks for reading.
THE COURIER
Senior editor: Elsa Tarring (she/her) -- e.tarring1@ncl.ac.uk
Life & Style | Relationships
me of what it is I love about my job. Looking at years of creativity and community has really sparked something in me. I’m feeling a fresh sense of inspiration for the months ahead, and after the Editorial Team has had a break over the Enrichment week period, I’m sure they’ll be raring to go again, too!
Hannah Gul-Khan Alice Holmes Rhys James Amana Khan Ella Winskell
Campus Comment
Alexander James Ashna Mathur Sam Norman
Life & Style
Senior editors: Gabbi de Boer (she/her) --g.de-boer2@ncl.ac.uk Scarlett Welch (she/her) --s.welch11@ncl.ac.uk
Relationships & Blind Date
Ruby Butler Georgia Purcell
Lifestyle
Jenica Davis Zahra Hanif Molly Jackson
Fashion & Beauty
Opinion
Samantha Seidu Lizzie Yockney
Science
Jude Parkinson Elžbieta Voverytė
Ross Bennett Jonathan Lee
Isabel Lamb Anthony Welsh
Sport
Senior editor: Katie Siddall (she/her/they/them) --k.e.siddall1@ncl.ac.uk Campus Sport Liason: Castor Chan (she/her) --k.n.c.chan1@ncl.ac.uk Tom Barlow Arthur Ferridge Paige Rutter
Deputy Editor
Sophie McNally (she/her) -- s.c.mcnally2@ncl.ac.uk
Travel
Food & Drink
Daisy Harrison Abigail Roch
Culture
Senior editors: Carly Horne (she/her) --c.a.horne2@ncl.ac.uk Rachael McCreanor (she/her) -- r.mccreanor2@ncl.ac.uk
Music
Lucy Bower Rowan Christina Driver
TV
Olivia Crowley Imogen Smillie
Film
Rachel Carron Mitchell Hall Jessica McKeown
Arts
Louise Cusine Sarah Tunstall
Puzzles Social Media
Head of Social Media: Autumn Keil (she/her) -- a.keil2@ncl.ac.uk
From the Archives! 13 years ago today!
The Editor (David Coverdale) reported on a previous Biomedicine lecturer at the University's accusation of having sex with a 13-year-old girl. This shocking and horrific front page story detailed the specifics of lecturer Trevor Jackson's court case and police findings.
Issue 1197, 2nd November 2009
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Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Hannah Gul-Khan, Alice Holmes, Rhys James, Amana Khan & Ella Winskell
News
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National Union of Students President dismissed due to claims of anti-Semitism Amana Khan - News sub-editor
Claims of antiSemitism have led to the dismissal of the NUS President
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haima Dallali was just dismissed in her role as the president of the National Union of Students (NUS). Her dismissal came due to anti-Semitism claims which were made against her, with some of these being made soon after she was elected in March. An independent code-of-conduct investigation was held due to allegations being made against her. This investigation found that “significant breaches of NUS policies [had] taken place”, so it was decided to dismiss Dallali. Through its member students’ unions across the country, the NUS is meant to represent millions of UK students. However, this is not the first time antiSemitism has been called to light within the NUS, with the English government severing ties with the NUS due to fears
Image credit: Twitter (@Shaima Dallali)
about anti-Semitism in May.
The investigation found that “significant breaches of NUS policies [had] taken place” There are mixed reactions regarding her dismissal. The Union of Jewish Students (UJS) claimed it “respected” this outcome but argued that her being elected was “a symptom of a wider problem” in the NUS. However, the Federation of Student Islamic Societies have defended Dallali, arguing that since being elected she faced a number of “Islamophobic and racist attacks.” They have emphasised the need for an investigation into the “institutional Islamophobia” in the NUS. The NUS have said that they want to work with the UJS to “build trust and confidence with Jewish students.” However, the UJS have stated that “Jewish students across the country will be asking how an individual deemed unfit for office by the NUS was elected
in the first place.” Regarding Dallali’s dismissal, Robert Halfon, the Education Minister, said that he, alongside the Department of Education, was looking forward "to seeing the outcome of the next stage.” The findings of the wider investigation are yet to be published but said that it would “provide more detail on National Union of Students’ plans to address anti-Semitism within the organisation.”
NUS want to “build trust and confidence with Jewish students” Chloe Field, NUS vice-president, is currently acting as chair of the NUS UK board and has claimed that she is “determined to work together with the Union of Jewis Students to re-establish trust in [the] organisation.”
Whilst the babies crawl, the mothers march Roseanna Leconte
The protestors demand affordable childcare, properly paid parental leave for both parents, and more flexible jobs
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n Saturday 29 October, hundreds came together in Newcastle’s city centre to take part in March of the Mummies, a national protest organised by Pregnant Then Screwed. Newcastle was one of 11 cities across the UK where the march took place, with an estimated 15,000 people who attended nationally. The three main demands of the protest were to make childcare affordable for everybody, to introduce ring-fenced properly paid parental leave for both parents, and to make jobs more flexible.
Newcastle was one of 11 cities to take part in the protests The family-friendly march started outside Newcastle Civic Centre and made its way to Grey’s Monument, accompanied by singing and chanting. There were then a series of speakers who took to the stage to share their experiences. The CEO of Pregnant Then Screwed, Joeli Brearley, has also written an open letter to the Prime Minister asking for urgent action,
stating that there will otherwise be a "drastic increase in child poverty and families ending up on the streets." Beth Hazon, a Newcastle-based trustee for PTS, said "we want the new Prime Minister to be ambitious for women and the economy." According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the UK has the second most expensive childcare system in the developed world. As a result, many new mothers cannot afford to go back to work and are pushed out of the workforce. Pixie Jewels, a mum-of-one who attended the Newcastle march, described the situation as a ‘ridiculous struggle’.
48% have to cut their maternity leave short due to financial hardship Recent research conducted by Pregnant Then Screwed, a registered charity which launched on International Women’s Day 2015, found that 48% of pregnant mothers will have to cut their maternity leave short due to financial hardship, and 43% of mothers are considering leaving their jobs as a direct result of childcare costs. As well as dealing with financial hardships, the charity also campaigns against pregnancy and maternity discrimination in the workplace. In 2016, the Equality and Human Rights Commission found that three in four pregnant women and new mothers experience negative and discriminatory treatment at work each year. Image credit: Roseanna Leconte
Sub-editors: Hannah Gul-Khan, Alice Holmes, Rhys James, Amana Khan & Ella Winskell
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Monday 7th November 2022
News
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Council opts to regenerate Newcastle Joseph Thomas
The council has reiterated its commitment to the regeneration of Newcastle
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Image credit: Instagram (@StackNewcastle)
ewcastle City Council announced recently that they are committed to the regeneration of the Stephenson Quarter. The area behind Central Station is a former industrial site that the council envision as a new hub for Newcastle. Part of these plans include a new pop-up location for Stack, a shipping container-based development containing multiple bars and food stalls. The venue originally occupied Pilgrim Street before being forced to close in May 2022. A planning application has been submitted for Stack, with developers expecting to have the venue running by Christmas. Developments have been delayed. The plan for land owned between Newcastle City Council and the Clouston Group has been earmarked for redevelopment since 2008. The recession pushed initial plans back to 2012. Issues arose in June 2018 when the council dropped its
partnership with the group over their lack of finances. The group remains committed to developing sites in the area still under their ownership.
The group remains committed to developing sites in the area still under their ownership Other issues have also arisen with the Crowne Plaza Hotel, built in 2013 under a council loan of £15m. The council have repeatedly funded loans to the business, resulting in a near £30m debt incurred by the business. The hotel is now managed by an American company, Interstate Hotels and Resorts. The project continues with the developers PfP Igloo, under the name of new company, Stephenson Works LLP. The developers are credited with the highly successful regeneration of the Ouseburn Valley. The project transformed the former industrial area into a space for businesses and new homes. Redevelopment plans for the Stephenson Quarter are planned to finish in 7 years. Costs for the new project are estimated at £104m of public and private investment.
Recent hearing takes place in Parliament following mass North East sea life deaths Elizabeth Meade
Committee Chairman Sir Robert Goodwill suggested that more research should be done about the increased death of sea life
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ince October 2021, there has been a noticeable rise in sea life deaths in the North East. Many animals have died during this time, and particularly large numbers of dead crabs and lobsters have been found on beaches. This worrisome trend caught the attention of multiple groups, beginning with the Environment Agency. The Environment Agency initiated an investigation which was taken over by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) from December 2021 onwards. Several other agencies took on parts of the investigation, culminating in the publication of a joint report.
Many animals have died, particularly large numbers of crabs and lobsters
Defra claims the deaths were caused by a natural algal bloom. A North East Fishing Collective Study, however, suggests that pyridine in the water and sediments could have killed the crustaceans. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) and others suggest that dredging is to blame.
Defra claims the deaths were caused by a natural algal bloom A hearing took place on 25 October to compile information from various witnesses. In the hearing, Committee Chairman Sir Robert Goodwill suggested that more research should be done. Sir Goodwill has plans to contact Defra to suggest that they obtain more evidence via scientific sampling from the River Tees. One committee attendee of note to Newcastle students is Newcastle University professor Dr. Gary Caldwell. Dr. Caldwell is a Senior Lecturer in Newcastle University's School of National and Environmental Sciences. He said: "If we can work alongside the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs agencies, with the power of the universities, with the power of the independent research, it is a really good thing to do."
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
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Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Hannah Gul-Khan, Alice Holmes, Rhys James, Amana Khan & Ella Winskell
5 News Jesmond bar reverts to its old concept after spending £500,000 on holiday themed revamp Elžbieta Voverytė - Travel sub-editor
Popular Jesmond bar reopens on the 4th of November under it's original name
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s you like it made a return on 4 November with the former name and got its fancy dining atmosphere once again. Following its sudden closure due to the pandemic in 2020, the iconic restaurant re-emerged last August after 18 months. However, the team of owners made a drastic change to the interior and theme of the bar – it was transformed into an exotic Ibiza-themed spot named ‘Zarabanda Bing Bing’.
The owners spent half a million pounds on its refurbishment
The owners, Apartment Group, spent half a million pounds on refurbishing the classy bar with British-beloved
Spanish holiday theme 70s music, sophisticated cocktails and a menu of Spanish cuisine. Now, a little more than a year later, the restaurant is being transformed again – this time back to its original state. Although the opening at the beginning of the month marked the old-is-new celebration, the owners had said before that the biggest change customers can expect is the return of the old name along with a couple of minor changes to the interior.
Image credit: Instagram (@asyoulikeit_jesmond_)
The restaurant has been transformed again - this time back to its original state
While this came as a surprise when the old name made an appearance on Facebook, customers haven’t felt much of a difference, since the most loyal clients still used to refer to the redesigned venue as ‘As you like it’. The restaurant is advertising loads of new upcoming events and luxury dining giveaways which can be found on their social media.
90% of schools in England set to run out of money in the next year Poppy Bedford
A report has shown almost all schools will be out of money and resources by next year
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ine out of 10 schools in England are set to run out of money next year. Whether it’s energy bills, teacher's wages or the cost of living crisis, none of which have been given funding, schools are struggling to cope as the government commits to chaos. After 12 years of Conservative cuts and the ongoing cost of living crisis, 50% of schools are already running at a deficit and 90% report they will be completely out of money and resources in the next year. This comes as Jeremy Hunt, Chancellor of the Exchequer, made it clear that all departments, including education, would have to deal with further cuts as he and the new government try to control the economy and the issues facing Britain: energy bill rises, rising inflation, continued reliance on food banks, etc. Rev Steve Chalke, whose Oasis Foundation, set up to promote and encourage social change, runs 52
academies in England said, “At this burn rate, in under three years we will be bankrupt. No one is in a position to keep going for very long eating their reserves.” The Oasis foundation is also trying to find an extra £4.5m for teacher pay rises, which was announced this summer after school budgets had been set. Teachers get a 5% pay rise which is less than double inflation currently, so still essentially a pay cut; the peak body for school leaders pointed to forecasts
Image credit: Photo by Dom Fou on Unsplash
which currently predicts a £2bn shortfall by 2024.
The government said schools will have to deal with further cuts as they try to control the economy
An open letter to Conservative MPs was sent by 13 national education associations calling for assurances from Conservative leadership that they would deliver on the party’s 2019 pledge to restore funding to the levels seen in 2010. In response, the Department of Education stated, “We understand that schools are facing cost pressures due to international events driving up energy prices […] that as well as the energy relief scheme, schools would receive £53.8bn in core funding this year which includes a cash increase of £4bn." This, however, hasn’t been restated by the newly appointed government, and when you consider the 24,413 schools in England, it doesn’t transpose into enough to fix the problems that we have been dug into. Chalke said he was “absolutely frustrated” that the government was planning further cuts as electricity and gas costs in the Oasis Foundation had already rocketed from £26,000 a year to £89,000, even with the six-month energy
"[The government] had better be saving up for its future mental health and benefits bills"
price cap. “Any government that neglects the welfare and education of its children had better be saving up for its future mental health and benefits bills, and investing in the justice system,” he added.
"There are no easy fixes left [...] schools are cut to the bone" “There are no easy fixes left,” said Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers. “Schools are cut to the bone. This will mean cutting teaching hours, teaching assistants and teachers.” This issue has been affecting schools for the last 12 years as the Conservative government has widened the gap between private and public schools. This has also driven people away from the profession of teaching, cut positions and forced a compromise on education. The last four Conservative prime ministers have only succeeded in widening the gap and worsening the problem, so it is unlikely that Rishi Sunak will be the one to fix the fact that “future of education is on the line.”
Sub-editors: Alexander James, Ashna Mathur & Sam Norman
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Monday 7th November 2022
Campus Comment
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Is Edinburgh University Students' Association's attempt at representation unrepresentative? Content warning: mention of abortion and rape
Yes Ross Bennett - Opinion sub-editor
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n 27 October, Edinburgh University's Students' Association (EUSA) voted on whether or not to become explicitly prochoice. Here's why that's a bad idea. The argument between pro-choice and pro-life infects the lives of every person who has ever possessed a womb. As a writer who does not fall into that category, my voice on the larger issue itself is largely irrelevant. That being said, bodily autonomy is a necessary human right and the idea that a woman must carry a pregnancy to full term and then make important decisions about the child's life is an outdated fascist concept – in my opinion.
It is the concept of government interference that bothers me So, why do I disagree with EUSA becoming explicitly pro-choice? One word: interference. I’m passionately of the opinion that large bodies such as governments
should restrict themselves to matters only important to the state they run, leaving matters such as healthcare and right to privacy to the people. Does that mean I disagree with the NHS? Absolutely not, it is the concept of government interference itself that bothers me. Students' unions and associations are meant to be the counter to the rule of university bodies, the voice of the students – and that means all students. For EUSA to place themselves firmly in one camp on a divisive issue that is largely out of their purview is, at best, desperate pandering and, at worst, an exclusion of a portion of its students. I firmly believe that women should have the right to abortion, but notice the pronoun ‘I’. I am not a union or a governmental body. I am one person expressing an opinion. These organisations taking stances that I personally might even agree with does nothing but alienate and inflame those who don’t. There are some who are unsure of where they fall on the issue, and making the EUSA explicitly prochoice when they themselves had no input would likely only increase their support of pro-life agendas. A student association has no responsibility or right to wade into the murky waters of this kind of debate, and now we can only wait for those cursing the "tofu-eating wokeratis" that roam university campuses.
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Connor Lamb ecently, the EUSA put forth a notion to vote if they should declare themselves pro-choice or not. This is a bad idea that not only
poses a threat to student confidence in expressing their opinions, but also to the association's reputation in the process. Universities and students' unions have often been accused of being echo chambers that filter dissenting opinions. Despite all the media hysteria, it’s not 100% true. Yes, students' unions do have more “left wing” student clubs, but there are also plenty of right wing students being represented, based on the presence of conservative societies. Even EUSA has conservative societies. So, it makes sense that there might be students who do not support abortion for whatever reason. Any students' union that implicitly discards and ignores students who don’t support a certain social cause are not considering the long term repercussions of this. Given the unfair smear campaigns against the higher education sector and their vast student body, students' unions staking claims in controversial issues not related to university fuels 'culture wars' that are already diminishing the public's faith in higher education. And EUSA really need to consider the importance of including every student, since it exists to improve student experiences through tackling the issues that directly impact them, including the quality of education and accommodation. It’s one thing for students' unions to target support at students who are pregnant or look after children, and they do a fantastic job of this. But in the age of the internet, women and minority groups finally have a way of standing up for their rights which did not exist back when the National Union for Students revolutionarily campaigned for gay
Should first year count towards your degree? Jenica Davis - Lifestyle Sub-Editor
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he first year of university is infamous for being the year where you get your last dose of adolescence. It’s the most ideal time to let your social life take the reins until you have to enter the daunting, arduous stages of your degree. There is virtually no pressure – which is exactly why I believe it’s the best time to really give it a go. You don’t necessarily have to leap right into that academic mindset as soon as you move to uni, but when the second semester arrives, it may be a good idea to start putting effort into your uni work. Academically, uni can be a massive jump from A-Levels; you’ll find that you’ll have to significantly adapt your essay writing to reach the quality of writing that your degree requires. Therefore, leaving aside extra time in the second semester to focus more on your essays will be extremely useful. You’ll know that you tried your absolute best and,
after receiving feedback, you’ll know exactly what you need to do to improve your work and ascend the grade bands. First-year provides you with the freedom to make mistakes, expand your learning and writing skills, and really hone your essays by the time second year comes around. Second year is when it starts to get a lot more intense, so be kind to your future self – have the basics pinned down and elevate some of that stress off for later. You’ll further be saving yourself from the dreaded re-sits. This isn’t a worry for everyone, but it’s completely normal for first years to have to do re-sits. Re-sits turn your summer extremely dull, and the anxiety of waiting to know if you’ve passed and if you’re definitely going back to uni is simply not worth not putting the effort in. Nonetheless, do use the first year to rest –
academic burnout will creep up on you faster than you expect. If there’s a year to indulge in a social spree, then first year is that year. However, keep in mind that first year is more important than it’s made out to be and is the perfect period for you to test and push your academic abilities. It’s vital to make the most out of every aspect of uni life in your first year – socially and academically. After all, you're the one paying for it!
rights back in the 60s, 70s and 80s. I do not want an organisation that represents me and a massive body of university students to claim that everyone has certain beliefs on issues that they might not even care about. No matter what side of the issue you're on, the second that powerful organisations discard one side of an issue, we should all be worried.
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Castor Chan - Campus Sport Liason
here is no denying that EUSA’s choice has highlighted the issue of exclusion, and I would never wish for people to feel misrepresented and alienated by their own university community. But how can I, someone who has the ability to carry a child, not be supportive of a pro-choice stance? I think it is important to note that this article isn’t intended to be a debate on abortion rights, but a comment on EUSA’s decision. I also think that I should emphasise the fact that prochoice does exactly what it says on the tin - provide choice. Edinburgh University isn’t forcing its students into abortions, the aim is merely to offer better access to abortions and support for those who wish to have one. And in terms of information, The Advice Place (EUSA’s advisory
Image credit: Flickr
Durham Uni housing: it's time for change Charlotte Lee
Durham students are faced with a housing crisis leading to oversubscribed numbers, inflation and profiteering
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his past week, students at Durham University have taken to protesting against the housing crisis they're faced with. Over the last month, we have seen hundreds of students queuing overnight outside estate agents in the hopes that they can secure a house for the next academic year. The organisers of the protests said that both estate agents and Durham University have failed to recognise the effects of the rent prices going up by over 150% in the past year and the oversubscription of students, meaning there are more students than there are houses.
There are more students than houses
Image credit: Unsplash
centre) will be providing “free, impartial and non-directional” advice to pregnant students. For those unconvinced, I implore you to truly consider this issue. There are many reasons someone may have an abortion. It could be a case of an accidental pregnancy, where the student does not wish to keep the child, or a case of rape. Or it could be a situation where they cannot keep the baby, financially or even medically. Why is it so wrong to make access to abortions easier, especially when being forced to give birth may be physically and mentally traumatic, and let students know that they are supported even if they want to keep the child? In any other situation or case, I would be completely against a students’ association or any such organisation taking a side. But when it is a question of a person’s right to choose what to do with their own body, I firmly believe it is only a step in the right direction.
Yet, this is not an isolated incident just affecting Durham students. Here in
Newcastle, rents on student houses have also significantly increased and have left students wondering how they will be able to afford their rent for the next academic year. First-year students are seemingly one of the most affected groups this year as they are having to find people to live with after only two months of university, whereas previously most students waited until after Christmas to secure a house. Furthermore, there are reports of estate agents taking advantage of first years, who have no previous experience with the housing market, and scaremongering them into putting a deposit down on the first house they see. A first year student, who’d like to remain anonymous, said: “I felt like my lack of knowledge around finding a house was exploited by the property companies and felt very pressured to sign a contract quickly as I was being told misinformation about all the houses taken.” It begs the question - is there a better system needed for student housing? It is without a doubt that we deserve more, but the application of a new system will be a lot harder as we don’t know what a better system would be, especially in a large city like Newcastle where second and third year housing has very little to do with the universities themselves.
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors:: Alexander James, Ashna Mathur & Sam Norman
7 Campus Comment The great student housing debate Toast or Daisy Harrison - Food & Drink Sub-Editor
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he age-long conundrum for any student: where to live. Should you stay in the city centre? Follow the crowd and go to Jesmond? How about Sandyford? Whilst it can feel like a hard decision, I’m here to offer my perspective on the popular areas for student housing in Newcastle. City centre During my first year, I lived right in the centre of town, on Grainger Street, and I can’t deny the perks of this. Everything I needed was right on my doorstep, with Eldon Square
Image credit: instagram @pinklanebakery
being less than two minutes away, and uni being about 15 minutes away, it really was the perfect location for convenience. It also certainly had its advantages when it came to nights out, as I would be at home already tucked up in bed, whilst my friends had to trek 25 minutes across town, back to their own student accommodation. Living in the city centre was a great way to get used to city living, and it now means that I know the city centre like the back of my hand. Jesmond or Sandyford? Of course, it all comes down to preference when deciding whether to live in Jesmond or Sandyford, and it has been a point of controversy amongst Newcastle students for decades. Jesmond gets a reputation for being loud, chaotic, and full of ‘rahs’, but in my opinion, this stereotype only makes up about 2% of its population. W h i l s t there can be a lot of house parties, there are also plenty of quieter areas, it just depends on which street you live on! In addition to this, there are lots of small businesses to support, such as Batch bakery, 1901, Cake Stories,
and Pink Lane Bakery… basically, if you want your fill of baked goods, Jesmond is a safe bet! Sandyford has less of a bad reputation than Jesmond amongst locals and seems to be mainly filled with thirdyears who have already done their rounds of Newcastle student housing, as opposed to more enthusiastic, brighteyed second-years who tend to opt for Jesmond. Sandyford’s main selling points are its proximity to uni, Aidan’s Kitchen, and Davey’s – because who doesn’t like a shorter walk to get to those 9ams and go for brunch?! Sandyford is a great option for more peaceful nights and is typically more budget-friendly when it comes to housing rents. All in all, each area of Newcastle has its perks, and it’s almost inevitable that every student will try out living in a Beatrix Ambery
couple of different places during their studies. Plus, as long as you have some cool posters and fairy lights, you can make even the biggest of dives look nice! eaton is perhaps the most underrated student housing area in Newcastle. As a fresher you’re likely not even told to consider it as an option, the siren call of Osborne Road overrules any protests of the higher rental costs. Sadly, what you aren’t told is that it is unlikely that the difference in rent will be matched by savings on beer every Tuesday. Though it is true that Heaton can offer no equivalent to Jesmond’s strip, it has its own appeal in cafes, boutiques and trendy independent businesses. Ouseburn, which is in close proximity to Heaton, can offer its own contribution to Newcastle nightlife with its array of
H
bars and live music venues. Another misconception is that Heaton is a further commute from the university and the town centre. Like lots of houses in Jesmond, some houses in Heaton are only half an hour's walk from campus. Metro connections are
Heaton has its own appeal in cafes, boutiques and trendy independent businesses admittedly worse, but Jesmond station isn’t actually in close enough proximity to most student residences in order for it to be worthwhile in the commute to university. Anyone who has lived in Jesmond without a car will know the frustration of trying to do a food shop. Jesmond centre offers a Tesco Express and a Little Waitrose, both of which are significantly more expensive than your average large supermarket as their pricing mimics that of a convenience store, which is not ideal for the typical student budget. Lots of students living in Jesmond, ironically, end up walking to the Morrisons on Heaton’s border to do their weekly food shops. Admittedly a potential shortcoming of living in Heaton could be the smaller student community, and house parties or pres are often held in Jesmond so the socialization commute is something to be considered when making housing decisions. However, if you find the student population of Jesmond a bit overwhelming and want to shamelessly walk to the corner shop in your pyjamas, Heaton may be the perfect alternative for you.
God save our gracious... Chancellor? Katy Saunders
Ceremonial or vital: do University Chancellors serve a purpose?
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ur chancellor may seem like a far-away figure running the well-oiled machine that is Newcastle University. But, as students here, it is paramount that we understand what their actual role is, behind the flashy title and well-maintained LinkedIn profile. Do chancellors serve a proper purpose, or could they be considered as our very own monarch?
King Charles' position is far more symbolic than functional To begin with... who is our chancellor? Imtiaz Dharker became Chancellor in 2020, and is known as a poet, artist and filmmaker. She is a Poet in Residence at Cambridge University Library and was even awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal
for Poetry in 2014. She is connected to Newcastle through the art projects she has worked on across Leeds, Newcastle, and Hull. Her role at our university is to act as a ceremonial head that represents rather than runs the institution. In this sense, we can almost compare her to our monarch – though King Charles is now the face of England, his actual position is far more symbolic than functional. In contrast, the Vice-Chancellor handles the day-to-day operations of our institution.
The power of a Chancellor is limited, like that of a monarchical figure The current VC is Christopher Day, who was previously a Consultant Heptologist with an international reputation in medical research. He has served on the Medical Research Council and is currently a member of the Universities UK Board. His role is to provide leadership in both an academic and administrative sense, secure a sufficient financial base for the university’s objectives and, in briefer words, run the whole show. From this, we can compare him to the Prime Minister – they, alongside their
government, are the people who actually manage the country. So, with this set-up explained, is it effective? It seems a little perverse to place the Chancellor above the Vice-Chancellor, when it is the VC who does most of the work. But in another light, it is incredibly important that we have a good representative of our university, who can successfully save us a place at the national and international table. The actual power of the Chancellor over the university itself is limited, like that of a modernday monarchical figure. However, I believe they serve an important role because without an ambassador, a sense of identity both internally and externally would be lost. For any institution to work e f f e c t i v e l y, there must
be a shared purpose and ambition. In my eyes, our university chancellor acts as a consolidatory figure, bringing together all the essential qualities we need to continue prosperously.
Image Credit: Wiki Commons and Flickr
Roast: Luther's
Libby Griffiths
The Students' Union's famous Luther's Bar is always busy, but is it a toast or a roast?
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've only ever been to Luther’s Bar three times. The first time I visited, I went to grab a coffee with my mum on an open day before I enrolled. The second time was a couple of weeks ago when I attended The Courier’s launch party and familiarised myself with the team and the greatness of Staropramen. Most recently, I procrastinated on my upcoming assignment by observing the guy playing the piano. But I don’t plan on going back to Luther's anytime soon...
It's a cute hangout spot, but it definitely has potential for more Here’s my issue: spacing and seating. Whenever I try to find a quiet study spot, either none of the seats are free, or it’s too loud to hear my own thoughts; usually both of these apply. Despite indoors always being packed with students, the bar area lacks communal atmosphere. While the courtyard area is pleasing to the eye, I rarely ever see it being used. As far as socialising goes, it’s a cute hangout spot. But it definitely has potential for more.
It needs something fun like a pub quiz or a karaoke night Personally, I would love to see more advertising for some of the fun activity nights or introducing more of those type of things. Something fun like a pub quiz, or a karaoke night. Additionally, the seating arrangements need reworking. A lot more space is needed with different areas for different study requirements. Although I said I don’t like Luther’s Bar, I do think it provides a good space for either private study or socialising between classes. And a very good pint too.
Image Credit: Luther's Bar on Instagram
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Ross Bennett & Jonathan Lee
Opinion
9
Qatar 2022: is this the price The forgotten we need to pay for football? climate Alexander James - Campus Comment sub-editor
With Qatar's questionable track record on human rights, is the upcoming world cup a slap in the face?
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hat was supposed to be a celebration of the beautiful game of football has now been overshadowed by corruption and human rights abuses. In December 2010, Sepp Blatter announced that the 22 members of FIFA’s executive committee had voted to award the tournament to Qatar. The decision sent shockwaves through the football world. It beat off rival bidders such as the USA, Japan, Australia and South Korea, winning an absolute majority in the fourth round of balloting. Since then this decision has come under severe criticism from journalists, public officials and human rights watchdogs. The criticism comes partly due to
practical reasons. It will be the first World Cup to be held in a desert. For context, Qatar has daily highs of 30°C in November and 26°C in December. The solution to the sweltering heat? An incredibly expensive and environmentally costly commitment to outside air conditioning at the tournament's 13 stadiums. Qatar was the only World Cup bidder with little to no pre-existing infrastructure to host games, and since 2010, it has spent upwards of $70 billion on roads, hotels, stadiums, and other infrastructure networks. Not only this, but nine of its 13 stadiums were built from scratch. While this money will likely be recouped through the financial and cultural capital of hosting, it is nevertheless a huge material and environmental (not to mention human) cost for something unlikely to have a lasting use, as witnessed in Brazil. Qatari authorities reckon they will be receiving 850,000 fans this World Cup, in addition to all the official media, teams and their support staff. Where is everyone going to sleep? FIFA estimates they will need a peak supply of 130,000 rooms and other rental spaces. Recent
press releases from Qatari officials estimate there may be 60,000 readied by November. It's almost as if FIFA didn’t consider this when receiving their “alleged” bribes. The Emirate state continues to build at a rapid pace on the back of appalling human and labour rights abuses. Since 2010, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers mainly from South East Asia have been subject to severe racial discrimination and housed in ghettos outside of Doha. Some have likened the conditions to the forced labour of slavery. The technically illegal but widely used kafala (sponsorship) system gives employers extensive rights over their workers and has been blamed for thousands of unexplained deaths and injuries, instances of wage theft and exorbitant recruitment fees. On top of this, Qatar has state policies that discriminate against and facilitate violence against women and actively represses LGBTQ+ individuals. Why has Qatar been allowed to host, when it's in direct violation of both FIFA's governing statutes and a decent moral framework? There is without a doubt widespread
corruption. Bribes have allegedly been paid out to officials in exchange for votes for Qatar. It has always been endemic, but Qatar is the tipping point for FIFA. Spreading football across the world is great, but in this instance, FIFA refused to divorce itself from human rights violations, corruption and what looks to be a logistical nightmare.
Image credit: free SVG
Liz Truss' demise and the need for a general election Joseph Thomas
With the Tory party in frequent dissarray, Britain needs another general election
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here has been no better demonstration of chaos within the British government than that displayed recently. On 20 October, Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister after a mere 45 days in office, leaving a legacy of poorly planned economic policy and repeated U-turns. I dare venture further: her failing policies are not only due to incompetence, but are also a symptom of the failing ideology of right-wing thought. Truss’ election to party leader was a last-minute affair. Rishi Sunak was favoured to be the next PM after the departure of Boris Johnson, and that sentiment prevailed until videos surfaced of him promising to take money from “deprived urban areas” to richer areas in the country. Meanwhile, Truss’ campaign promoted messages of a "low-tax, high-wage" economy. Exactly how this would be achieved, no one knows. Other parts of her campaign promoted the reduction of multiple regulations including a mandate on the building of new homes a review on the ban on fracking.
The most disastrous highlight of her premiership was the infamous ‘minibudget’, championed by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and herself. The budget set out a series of disastrous policies intended to reduce taxes on the rich, bringing extra wealth down through the economy. The tax cuts amounted to roughly £45 billion, which would have been unfunded. The budget sent financial markets into a frenzy, crashing the pound and forcing an unprecedented bond buyback programme by the Bank of England. Despite intensive U-turns on the policies set out, the damage remains done. Truss’ economic policies cannot be discussed without mentioning the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). The IEA is a right-wing think tank based in London. that promotes “free market” ideas and aim to find solutions to economic problems through “low tax” and “low regulation”. It is worth noting that they do not reveal their donors. Truss was well regarded by the institute, with the ‘minibudget’ implementing similar economic thought to the British economy. As has been seen in recent weeks, these policies have failed. They had no positive effect on markets Image credit: PinkNews
and failed at stimulating economic growth. The only thing that can be said is that this mode of economic thinking should not continue. The country now faces a n unprecedented crisis with respect to our cost of living.
Undoubtedly, the prices of goods will increase whilst wages stay stagnant. Support systems must be in place to help the least financially able and ensure the country survives the crisis. Free market and deregulated thinking do not allow for this. It removes money from essential services in favour of tax cuts and ‘trickledown’ economics. Neither Truss nor her predecessors have had much regard for the British people. Their economic ideas have repeatedly failed and left the country broken. With four months without a functioning government, our new Tory leader, Rishi Sunak, will undoubtedly continue policies of austerity and struggle to unite an incredibly divided party.
crisis
Elsa Tarring - Head of Current Affairs
L
iz Truss managed to last six weeks in office. That’s less, as I’m sure we’re all aware, than a 60p lettuce from Tesco. Her brief stint as Prime Minister is representative of thWWe general state of UK politics at the moment – short but not so sweet. Look no further than the examples of the former politicians Boris Johnson, Kwasi Kwarteng and Suella Braverman, the latter of whom described climate protesters as the "Guardian-reading, tofu-eating wokerati." Our eyes are very much peeled on what's next on the political scene as the unthinkable becomes reality, and understandably so, but we must not forget about the ever-present, everlooming and ever-potent risk that threatens us all: climate change. A few weeks ago, two young women from Just Stop Oil, a coalition of groups that all share the aim of halting and reversing climate change, threw a can of soup at Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in the National Gallery, posing the question, “What is worth more, art or life?”. Despite no lasting damage being done to the painting, the protest is part of a series of many that have sparked outrage among the Tory Party, and ultimately led to the passing of the Public Order Bill. Introduced two weeks ago, the bill hopes to implement penalties for protests that obstruct major transport works, cause serious disruption and involve “locking on”, a technique used to make it harder for protesters to be moved from their place of demonstration. A survey conducted last year across the world shows that as the climate crisis worsens, concerns about global warming shrink, with only 48.7% of the global population believing climate change poses a “very serious threat” to the planet. The creators of the survey suggest that more current issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, and now the turbulence of our political system, could be behind the seeming lack of interest in our environment, but it is now, more than ever, that preventing climate change should be at the forefront of our minds. Chief adviser on climate change at World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) described us as being “on the brink of irreversible harm” last year, emphasising the urgent need to keep global warming below 1.5°C, as supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The political situation that’s currently unfolding, having tomato soup splattered on our most beloved works of art, being late to work because protesters have stopped traffic – all of this is insignificant if we no longer have a planet. Activists don’t protest for the hell of it, they do it because there is simply no alternative. The message is clear: we speak out and change or else we die.
THE
COURIER
Sub-editors: Isabel Lamb & Anthony Welsh
Monday 7th November 2022
Science
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Black Death 700 years ago linked to modern day autoimmune diseases
Jessica Predko
The plague pandemic left a genetic mark on humanity that still effects our health today
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illing between 30 – 50% of the population throughout Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa, the Black Death of the mid-1300s goes down as the biggest mortality in history. Caused by the Yersinia pestis bacteria, this high death rate suggested that genetic variants were positively selected to aid survival. A ground-breaking study analysing DNA extracts from the teeth of 206 ancient skeletons, from people who had died shortly before, during and shortly after the Black Death, found that certain genotypes were associated with a higher survival rate. 356 immune-related genes were sequenced, as well as analysis of previously conducted genome-wide association studies to identify loci associated with immune disorders.
Despite several advantageous genetic variations being associated with higher survival towards the Black Death, the most striking was variants and expression of the ERAP2 gene. Those who were homozygous for the Cytosine (C) nucleotide at the Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) rs2549794, located near ERAP2, had a selective advantage. To confirm this hypothesis, individuals homozygous C/C had their macrophages challenged with live Y. pestis in vitro, compared to those with the deleterious homozygous Thymine (T) allele at this position. ERAP2 expression was increased 5-fold in C/C compared to T/T macrophages.
ERAP2 gene variants have been associated with a higher risk of Crohn's Disease Those with the advantageous C/C were estimated to be 40% more likely to survive the plague. Macrophages are immune cells which engulf bacteria, but also release chemical signals called cytokines which
help cells communicate to make other immune cells aware of infection, and therefore contribute to inflammation. The macrophages of the advantageous genotype were also shown to release higher levels of cytokine, CCL3 which may recruit more neutrophils. It was also suggested the ERAP2 protein may increase the presentation of Y. pestis antigens to CD8+ T cells, stimulating a higher defensive response.
Over 2 - 3 generations there was a massive 10% shift in this mutation Over just 2-3 generations, there was a massive 10% shift in this helpful mutation. Those with the advantageous alleles survived and passed these on to their children. Despite plague resistance was good news for our ancestors, this selective pressure has been linked to autoimmune diseases in today’s society. The advantageous ERAP2 gene variant
A very British problem: the science of tepid tea George Bell
Let's spills the tea on kinetic energy...
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s we head into the winter months, our attention will focus more and more on warmth, especially with the current heating crisis. Which raises the question, why is it so hard to keep warm? The fundamental issue is that hot things get cold. There is no arguing about that. Your forgotten cup of tea didn’t remain piping hot and instead became a frozen tundra. But why does this happen? The culprit, as always, is physics. Specifically, kinetic probability.
The colder something is, the less the particles move As you may remember from science lessons at school, as something heats up, the particles within it begin to vibrate and move about more. The more heat, the more those particles move; they gain kinetic energy. It is how solids turn to liquids and how liquids turn to gases. And of course, it works the same way in reverse: the colder something is, the less the particles
move; they lose kinetic energy.
P.S. Americans, stop making tea in the microwave As these particles move about, whether it be slowly or quickly, they will collide with one another. As they collide, kinetic energy will be transferred to the particle that has been hit. Hence, if a particle with high kinetic energy were to hit a particle with low kinetic energy, the former would lose some kinetic energy and the latter would gain some, spreading it between the two particles. This process keeps happening with the higher kinetic energy particles gradually losing more and more energy with each collision. This is what is happening with your cup of tea.
Image credit: Public Domain Pictures
has been associated with a higher risk of Crohn’s Disease and other infectious diseases. What helped our ancestors survive 700 years ago could be detrimental to our health today. It was the Black Death’s capability to spread rapidly and kill millions across all age groups which caused long-lasting effects centuries later.
The hot tea particles (correct terminology) are bouncing around with high kinetic energy, hitting each other and anything they can. As they collide with lower kinetic energy particles, like the mug or milk, the net kinetic energy will decrease as a result of the transfer of energy to those new elements, which in turn will get slightly warmer. But then if a high energy particle hits a low energy particle causing a transfer of energy from high to low, the reverse should also happen from low to high. A low kinetic energy particle, as slowmoving as it may be, could hit another particle and transfer what little kinetic energy it has. Then theoretically, in a cold environment, your cup of tea could warm up slightly. So why doesn't that happen? This is where kinetic probability comes into play. Sure, a high kinetic energy particle can hit a low kinetic energy particle and a low kinetic energy particle can hit a high kinetic energy particle but it is the former that is more likely to occur. The reason is that higher kinetic energy particles move more. Something which moves more has a greater probability of hitting something else, whereas something that doesn’t move is less likely to crash into something else. To summarise, hot things become cold rather than the other way around because hotter particles (with more kinetic energy) are more likely to hit something and lose energy. Slightly unrelated, but: P.S. Americans, stop making tea in the microwave.
Word of the week: Cummingintonite Abigail Roch - Food & Drink sub-editor
To make that bedrock, you've got to get deep and dirty...
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his noun might make you crack a smile, but it's an actual term in geological science! Warning: cummingtonite is less exciting than you think, unless, of course, you're passionate about mineralogy. First discovered in Cummington, Massachusetts in 1824, this beautiful mineral exists in various colours: translucent dark green, grey, brown and colourless. In more scientific terms, it's an
It's less exciting than it sounds, unless, of course, you're interested in mineraology
amphibole mineral belonging to the magnesium-iron-manganese subgroup, which occurs as lamellae and fibres in metamorphic rocks. The chemical composition of the cummingtonite is {Mg2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2. If you want to venture out in the wild to find this mineral, some locations include the Birkeland mine in Rogaland (Norway), the Franklin Mine in New Jersey (USA) and the Jackson County Iron Mine in Wisconsin (USA).
Image credit: Unsplash
Sub-editors: Ruby Butler & Georgia Purcell
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Monday 7th November 2022
Blind Date
THE
COURIER
5
Rate the Date
Jessica, 23, Dental Surgery
What were your first impressions of the date? He was a friendly guy, up for my deep and meaningful conversations and he took interest in what I was saying. Nothing but positive! Were there any awkward moments? There were no awkward moments! Even though I had never known him before the blind date, it seemed we were just having a friendly chat, like I do with everyone! If you're date was a pizza, which one would they be? It would have to be a vegan one, because I’m a vegan! The last thing I want is bad animal welfare affecting my food! What was the best quality of your date? His friendliness – he was not awkward at all! That made the evening fun and enjoyable! Will you be seeing your date again? He may be showing me around Heaton at some point!
Rate the Date What were your first impressions of the date? She knows what she wants and has very strong views that she’s passionate about, especially those deep conversations Were there any awkward moments? A bit too many awkward moments to my liking, but I think it’s just that we have barely anything in common apart from both coming from a medical sciences background If you're date was a pizza, which one would they be? I don’t have pizza often, so I don’t know what is a good example, definitely not pepperoni or margherita, she has a personality that some people would like, but probably not for me What was the best quality of your date? She’s very honest and very straightforward, definitely a quality that I can learn from. There is no ambiguity and quite an efficient way of conveying her likes and dislikes Will you be seeing your date again? I don’t think there will be a second date
Willy, 22, Intercalating Medicine
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Ruby Butler & Georgia Purcell
Relationships
13
Swipe right: how online apps have changed the dating game Emmie Foster
Dating apps have revitalised the relationship game - but at what cost?
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rom Tinder to Hinge, Bumble to EHarmony, there’s Plenty of Fish in the sea. The risk of bumping into your matches on campus has never been higher. However, you now have to receive many ‘Hey xx’ messages that are impossible to respond to.
Most people don’t download Tinder intending to meet the love of their lives
The numerous lockdowns feel like a fever dream (realistically nobody wants to remember that time). As a result, the online dating world took off like a rocket ship, not quite like Elon Musk. Many people desperately relied on Tinder to keep them busy from making 69 banana cakes to reminisce and dream about the next time they could have socially distanced intercourse. How lovely.
Despite these dating apps revealing people’s true lack of self-respect, many couples these days actually meet through them successfully. To be completely honest, most people don’t download Tinder intending to meet the love of their lives, however, other dating apps seem to have positive outcomes. According to DateID, 72% of dates on Hinge result in a second date. The oddly specific prompts and details you can include in your bio make it easy to gravitate towards people with similar interests.
the same interests of possible love and also respects their beliefs. Let’s trace back. Plenty of Fish launched in 2003 and is one of the oldest dating sites out there. The clever and catchy name will either make you cringe or be amused - a bit of both for me to be honest. If anyone’s an avid fan of Channel 4’s ‘Don’t Tell The Bride’, one man actually organised for him and his wife get married in an aquarium due to meeting on the site. I wouldn’t know whether to drown him or
If you’re single and over 40, EHarmony is the place to be There’s a large assumption that online dating is mainly centred around the younger generation or focuses on certain religious groups. Although, over the last decade, technological changes have meant that practically anyone can find love - unless you’re an incel. If you’re single and over 40, EHarmony is the place to be. To those who have step-parents, your mum/dad could have met them there and been sexting for days. Just a thought :) The dating app era is also catered for Muslims, this is largely appreciated as within the religion there are sometimes strict requirements surrounding dating. The apps Muzz and Muzmatch make it easier for them to date and find a partner that has
Image credits: Pixabay
Bro Code: are exes off limit? Naomi Scott
How far does the boundary go - is getting with your friend's ex too far?
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t is an incontrovertible fact that getting with a friend's ex is going to ruffle some feathers and cause scandal. For clarification, let's say ‘getting with’ means sleeping with them, hooking up or shagging if you like. For the purpose of this discussion, is it acceptable to sleep with your friends ex? It is arguable that one should always go for what one's heart desires. However, given the way modern hook- up culture works, I'm sure one's heart isn’t going to stop beating over not being able to share a night with your friend's ex.
and how their perceptions of the kind of friend you are will shift. It could be deemed inevitable that your friends would begin to distance themselves from you even if outwardly they didn’t seem to mind. That aside, life is never black and white. Every scenario is different. However, if you are
going to get with a friend's ex then I suggest you contemplate whether your friend is over their ex and how you would react if the roles were reversed. Nevertheless, I think I speak for many of us when I say mates before dates!
A toxic love story: health apps and me Rosa Gac
Do health apps help or hinder people's wellbeing?
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Friendship is more crucial to us than onenight stands and tacky romance
They do say there are plenty fish in the sea, why pick your friend's sloppy seconds? You can do better than that; unless you are living out a Euphoria fantasy. We all know how the Maddie and Cassie feud turned out. Chiefly, friendship is more crucial to us than one-night stands and tacky romance. Friendships ground us; they give us belonging and joy. Out of everyone in the world for you to pick your friend's ex is to potentially sacrifice their respect and shatter a strong platonic connection that is inherently more important. Before getting with a friend’s ex you should ask yourself if it is worth the loss of friendship. Break-ups can take a tediously long time to get over and you may impede their ability to move on from it. Moreover, people love to gossip so it’s vital to consider what your mutual friends will think
myself personally. However, looking at the bigger picture it truly shows how just one simple ‘Wys b x’ can miraculously change your life.So, my advice? Get out there, dating is supposed to be fun and exciting. Whether you’re looking for a relationship or just a few good shags it's a great way to meet people and also receive unlimited validation if you get super-liked on Tinder. Now, get swiping or, wipe the tears off your face after you get left on read for having awful chat. Good luck!
Image credit: IMDb
am a hypochondriac. I have known it since I was 4 and announced to my Mum that my heart was about to stop beating. I’m not alone in this, according to The Health Research Funding up to 20% of us suffer. Covid can hardly have helped these numbers. All hypochondriacs know the number one rule: DON’T EVER GOOGLE YOUR SYMPTOMS. You will be promptly informed you are dying and they will email you a code for 20% off a coffin measuring consultation. Now though, apps that specialise in diagnosis can be accessed through your phone and inform you of your fate or you can track steps, heart rate, sleep health and many other physical signifiers. Many people across the country are suffering from post-Covid anxiety, with two years of ill health being at the forefront of the global consciousness this can hardly be a surprise. This has been combined with growing fears about clogging the NHS leading people to want to find ways to diagnose themselves. Diagnosis apps fill this role completely. But for those who worry about health they can be a source of plenty more anxiety. I have had every app that purports to have any kind of insight into the workings of my body. Including one that claimed to calculate your heart rate if you placed your finger over the camera. Symptoms are a complicated beast and hard to quantify into an algorithm like these apps attempt to. This, on top of the fact one of the main symptoms of hypochondria is physical sensations imitating those of your chosen ailment, leads the results to possible inaccuracy that causes more harm than good. While the apps and googling may work for some, those with any kind of health anxiety should break up with them for good.
Sub-editors: Jenica Davis, Zahra Hanif & Molly Jackson
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Monday 7th November 2022
Lifestyle
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5
Taylor Swift 'Anti-Hero' backlash Neve Watson
Taylor Swift's controversial video - does it deserve the criticism?
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ollowing the release of Taylor Swift’s 10th album Midnights on 21st October, the singer unveiled her first single Anti-Hero, and its music video. This song is described through an Instagram reel as encompassing ‘insecurities’ and is ‘a guided tour into what [she hates] about [herself]’ but stresses the importance of needing to ‘come to terms [with these aspects].’ There is a specific scene in the music video which has sparked controversy: whilst being encouraged by another version of herself, Swift steps onto a pair of scales, and instead of showing a numerical weight, the word ‘FAT’ is shown in big red letters. This scene has now been edited, removing the close shot of the scales and the word shown. There are split opinions. Some have defended Swift’s artistic interpretation, explaining that it is supposed to be a representation of her eating disorder and relationship with food, whilst others have argued that whether or not this was the intent, the outcome is fatphobic and amplifies the fear of being overweight. It is worth noting that over the past couple of years, Swift has been public regarding her struggles with disordered eating and the body dysmorphia that she was experiencing at the height of her career. In the 2019 Netflix documentary Miss
Americana, Swift openly talks for the first time about this: she says that ‘it isn’t good for me to see pictures of myself everyday’ because if there are comments around her stomach looking big or speculation regarding pregnancy she will ‘starve a little bit, and just stop eating.’ She says how she thought it was ‘normal to feel like I was going to pass out in the middle of a show’ and whilst she still experiences these negative and toxic thoughts, she knows to address them and try to stop them from spiralling further. When she began putting on a healthy amount of weight, tabloids criticised her heavily.
Others have argued that whether or not this was the intent, the outcome is fatphobic
In breaking down the scene, it was clearly supposed to represent her eating disorder. She is encouraged into stepping onto these scales and is guided into what to think. It is supposed to represent the toxic and unhealthy thoughts she experienced - and probably still experiences surrounding food, and what outside presences were telling her. As a thin white woman who is arguably the beauty standard, it is understandable why having her on scales which then say ‘FAT’ would be harmful and offensive, but it cannot be disputed that most eating disorders stem from a fear of being overweight. It is impossible to
Feeling unsafe in unlit spaces Charlotte Ratheram
As winter is approaching, it's important to be conscious of the season's darker side
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arker nights are enjoyable for lots of reasons – everything seems to get a lot cosier, the fairy lights and candles come out, and staying in with a movie and chocolate bar seems a lot more justifiable than it does in summer. But as the clocks go back and dark walks home can start as early as 4pm, it's important to remember the implications that this can have on people’s safety, and what we can do to protect ourselves. Although night generally feels less safe of a time for most people anyway, data from the government’s ‘End Violence Against Women’ campaign, released in 2021, found that 1 in 2 women felt unsafe walking in unlit spaces, compared to 1 in 7 men, and that 2 out of 3 women aged 16 to 34 had experienced a form of sexual harassment when walking alone in the past year. It's no surprise then, that conversations about how to get home safe alone are an integral part of women’s lives and ‘let me know when you’re home’ messages are so important between friends. Although it is important to recognise that feeling unsafe in the dark is not the fault of women, and instead part of a wider culture of violence and misogyny, there are some extra steps you can take to protect yourself in the dark. These include trying to walk in busier areas that are well lit with street-lamps, talking to someone on the phone or arranging a halfway point to meet, and carrying an alarm with you so that you can draw attention to yourself if needed. After the deaths of Sarah Everard and Sabina Nessa, many women reached out to men online and
communicated how they can also help women feel safe, including walking ahead of women rather than behind them and calling out other men’s inappropriate behaviour. If you want to find out more information about staying safe at night you can also follow @womensstreetwatchncl on Instagram, who can also be found on street patrol in Newcastle at night, helping everyone stay safe and providing assistance when needed.
Image credit: Pixabay
erase that, and if taken too far, can result in the dangerous idea that thin people cannot have eating disorders or negative relationships with food. It’s also not the only song on Midnights where Swift addresses this – in You’re On Your Own, Kid, she sings the line ‘I hosted parties and starved my body / Like I’d be saved by a perfect kiss.’ Weight and body image are so prevalent in this society. It is still viewed that to be thin is positive and to be fat is negative. Until this is addressed properly and steps are taken to change this systemic thinking, then there will always be toxic ideas regarding eating, food, and body image. In Miss Americana, Swift says that ‘there is always some standard of beauty you’re not meeting.’ There is an unrealistic and unhealthy pressure on everyone to conform to society’s beauty standards, which she is successfully drawing attention to. As someone who has previously struggled with my relationship with food and weight, and still do to this day, I could immediately see her interpretation, and commended her for addressing it. Whilst respecting someone’s own personal experience of disordered eating and the pressure to fit the beauty standard, our final take should be to criticise and dismantle the society in which these standards are created. Image credit: Instagram @taylorswift
Love with nowhere to go: dealing with grief at uni Rebecca Wright
Are you struggling to fight grief at uni? You are not alone
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lost my dad last year, as the coronavirus pandemic was ending. Just as it felt like everything was coming to a close, it felt like the ground gave way beneath my feet. It was the first time I have ever really experienced the ‘world crashing down’ feeling. It doesn’t matter if you lost someone last week, last year, or ten years ago – grief isn’t something that disappears over time and ignoring it won’t make it go away. As ugly as it is, it is trying to help you. Inviting grief into your daily life instead of locking it away in a box is the road to consistently coping. There are things in my daily routine that help on the worse days when things are getting overwhelming. For example, I have a scrapbook of my favourite pictures of us together, and ones from before I was born – it’s a nice thought that he had an entire life, and more,
before I came along. Looking through this, and the process of making it, was incredibly cathartic and helps me come to terms with this big change in my life. Another helpful thing is making a playlist of their favourite music – you might learn something new about them by listening! My dad introduced me to The Kinks, The Sex Pistols, and The Clash. The bond we shared over music is as real and alive as ever, and it lives on in the playlists I listen to. There are a million things you can do in memory of someone you love – write down your favourite memories together, keep their pictures around, there are so many small ways to keep someone’s memory in your life. Perhaps, the most important thing of all when dealing with grief at university, is to talk. Chew your friend’s ears off with stories and ramblings about them. I promise that they want to hear. Call your loved ones for a “do you remember when…”, make their favourite foods, have a cry and get yourself back up again. Grief is an outpouring of love, and it should be treated as such. It is not embarrassing, and it does not make you weird. Talk about it and invite people in!
Image credit: Unsplash
THE
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Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Jenica Davis, Zahra Hanif & Molly Jackson
Lifestyle
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The precarious and problematic side of parasocial relationships Jenica Davis - Lifestyle sub-editor
Social media doesn't show all sides of a story - how well do you really know your heroes?
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veryone has their favourites who are in the public eye – celebrities who they’ve looked up to from a young age or perhaps celebrities they have come to admire in recent years. However, in this age of social media, what can be considered harmless adoration and respect can rapidly twist into toxic idolisation and blind worshipping. With the many different forms of media that circulate within today’s society, we are granted ways of getting to know people from all over the world that we most likely could have gone our whole lives without hearing of. It’s certainly allowed us to get to know celebrities on a deeper level and, whilst I believe there’s an innocent pleasure in that, it’s crucial to not get this form of interaction confused. Many fans and their perceived relationships with their idols have distorted fan culture into something very harmful, with social media giving them a false sense of personal connection. In reality, their favourite celebrities are ultimately strangers. The friendship
that fans believe to have built through the screen is completely one-sided – parasocial. Undoubtedly, parasocial relationships don’t exclusively cause harm. Media personas possess a huge influence and – when used as a force of good – can positively influence fans' attitudes towards a wide range of things from voting to body positivity to all kinds of social and political movements. Furthermore, they actually encourage the formation of real-life friendships. Fanbases act as a foundation for building friendships as fans share the commonality of having a parasocial connection with a certain celebrity and their work, creating a space for fans to bond.
It's very easy to put celebrities on a pedestal when you only know Nonetheless, despite its positives, parasocial relationships are also problematic for a multitude of reasons. Not only is it damaging for the psyche of the fans themselves who are forming these parasocial attachments, but fanbases can become an extremely toxic force to people and communities that have been negatively affected by their beloved celebrity. When certain communities have been hurt as a direct result of a celebrity, a lot
Me, the media, and self esteem Emmie Foster
Do you ever feel insecure? Do you ever compare yourself to someone you see online?
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been impacted the most. Many people chose to lose weight in lockdown as they had more time for it and wanted to be healthier, I was one of them. I quickly learnt that I didn’t enjoy exercise and decided to change my diet and become vegetarian, which I have now been for a year and a half. Although I feel healthier, I’ll admit the way I view my body has changed a lot. I’ve not maintained the same weight consistently and when I managed to lose the weight I was aiming for, I was very aware of when I may have gained more or lost some. I’d like to say that I think differently now, but that’d be a lie. I believe we all have insecurities, due to the media it's inherent. We feed on what we see as a drug and the consequences we face are comparison and low self-esteem. The way I feel about my body is also intertwined with my wardrobe and sense of fashion. Now I’m at uni I could not care less about what I’m wearing (I have my loosecrawl t-shirt on as I’m typing this). However, on nights out or when I feel the need to look presentable, like everyone else, I overthink. Does this make me look fat? Am I trying too hard? Sadly, the answers change depending on how I’m feeling about myself that day. I’d like to believe that anyone reading this can find it relatable, we all have little voices in our heads that completely rip into us. The media started these insecurities and made them a recurring message. Stop with the editing and let’s #BeReal. Realistically we are one out of billions of people in the world, attractiveness and a perfect body are so minuscule in comparison.
love many features of the media: lots of free entertainment, reality TV and certain aspect of social media. However, I’m not the first to say that the media has made me insecure. From a young age, we see all these beautiful stick-thin models with perfect skin, luscious hair and not a pore in sight. At that age, nobody tells you that 99% of it is heavily edited and fake. It’s only over the last few years that I’ve truly seen how artificial and deceptive the media can be. I first downloaded social media at age ten, I was incredibly jealous of my brother having it and didn’t want to miss out. Little did I know, missing out was probably for the best. I’d see all the influencers look completely airbrushed and that became my ideal, the standard I expected myself to live up to. You feel an immense pressure to look a certain way but as a woman and through my own personal experience, it is incredibly damaging. To stand there in the mirror picking apart all of the worst things about yourself, feeling trapped as you cannot control how you look. I would always question, why don’t I look like that? Over time you can learn to accept the way you look and appreciate it, but for me, my body image and weight have Image credit: Unsplash
of fans will jump to their parasocial hero’s defence, belittling that community and their feelings in the process. Even when the legal system gets involved, a victim’s trauma is often ignored or downplayed by the fans. A lot of fans run to make excuses for their favourite celebrity because they refuse to believe that they are capable of doing what they’ve been accused (and sometimes convicted) of, because ‘they know them’ – because it completely shatters the illusion that fans have parasocially created in their heads. Or even the fans who accept their favourite celebrity is not who they believed to be can be equally ignorant; they feel devastated, but not for the victim’s sake, complaining on social media how their favourite songs or favourite movies are now ruined. This is when the impact of parasocial relationships becomes dangerous – turning fan culture into something toxic rather than wholesome, and fans becoming tone-deaf and insensitive in fear that they completely misjudged the person they looked up to. Whilst I appreciate that parasocial connections don’t always have to be destructive, and they can be a source of comfort and security for a lot of fans, it’s important to not let this comforting parasocial bubble misguide you. I’m not saying to never form a bond with any celebrity ever again, but don’t let these bonds seep into your real life and cloud your judgement. It’s very easy to put celebrities on a pedestal when you only know them through a filtered context.
Wintertime sadness: living with seasonal depression Emma Hunter
Winter can be a dreaded time, but it doesn't have to be
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t's that time of year again: nights are stretching out longer, the weather’s getting grimmer, and our days are darker and shorter than ever. Even during those rare daylight hours, you’d be lucky to see a ray of sun. As amazing as the North East is (and I do love it!), it’s a push to say we get good weather – even at the best of times. As winter arrives, if you find that you’ve been lacking energy, are easily irritable, or simply often feeling down, this is both completely understandable and a recognised phenomenon. It seems Lana del Rey was singing about the wrong season: it’s in wintertime that many people find themselves experiencing sadness and associated depressive symptoms. Don’t even try to tell yourself it’s all in your head – no room for self-gaslighting here.
It’s in wintertime that many people find themselves experiencing sadness and associated depressive symptoms
It’s been shown that reduced exposure to sunlight limits your body’s production of serotonin, which in turn can negatively affect your mood. The severe form of this is a recognised medical condition, Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD (whoever came up with that was thinking creatively). If you’re affected, you might not be consciously upset about the time of year; simply a correlation of low mood and seasonal changes is enough. Thankfully, there are some evidencebacked things you can do to lessen these feelings – but the key word here is lessen. Please always speak to a medical professional if you feel you’re
struggling with your mental health.
Find something that you enjoy and look forward to, and then do it That said, let’s think logically. I hate to state the obvious, but if a lack of sunlight is the cause, you’ve got to get outside! When it’s cold and grey outside I understand the temptation to stay huddled up inside, but once you’re out there I promise it’s not so bad, because the way in which your brain reacts to sunlight increases alertness and boosts mood. You can sit, stand, walk, or even run, as long as you’re in the fresh air. You’ll find the worst part is leaving the house: if you force yourself out for only ten minutes, chances are you’ll end up staying longer – but if you don’t, no stress! You can also try to increase light exposure artificially, such as with natural light-emitting lamps, which have their place, but these can be expensive; I would make sure to get outside properly first. Exercise is another way to feel happier, because serotonin is produced when you move your body. Any form of it will do, but say you run or cycle outdoors, you’re getting sunlight too, so you’re killing two birds with one stone. Plus, if you do it with other (preferably humorous) people you have three poor birds to kill, because laughing and socialising release endorphins, another mood booster. Just talking with friends or watching a comedy can give you some of this too. Don’t actually kill any birds though; I doubt this releases serotonin. My final piece of advice to combat winter blues is less scientific and more anecdotal. It’s simply to try accept that winter is coming, and to take pleasure and joy in any way you can. If you’ve tried everything I’ve listed but you’re still feeling down, don’t beat yourself up, don’t force it. Romanticising your everyday life can help, but there’s no pressure to feel good. Find something, whatever it may be, that you enjoy and look forward to, and then do it.
Sub-editors: Samantha Seidu & Lizzie Yockney
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Monday 7thNovember 2022
Fashion & Beauty
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NUFS: How to get involved with fashion & beauty on campus Zahra Hanif - Lifestyle Sub-Editor
This is your sign to join the most stylish group on campus
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f you're looking to get involved with fashion and beauty on campus, the fashion society is your natural starting point, and a great one at that. NUFS runs a variety of events, catering to all degrees of interest in fashion, from those who just like to look stylish to those who want to create their own garments. There's opportunities for modelling, blogging, and of course just the chance to meet like-minded fashion enthusiasts and make those special connections through your shared passion. I decided to go down to a couple of their events to try them out, as someone who has minimal knowledge of fashion beyond what's trending on TikTok and who rolls up to uni in their sweats most days. As nervous as I was, everyone was lovely and made me feel very welcome. I began with one of their sewing sessions, run weekly by the committee. And, well, I didn't break or accidentally jab anything and that's all I was really hoping for. Seriously though, it was great. I learnt how to properly thread a sewing machine, tricky and fiddly as it is. I made a funky little tote bag that
I'll be carrying around with me for the foreseeable just for the bragging rights. Anyone asks me where it's from? - "oh I made it". While sewing was fun, I also wanted to try out one of their socials, because, well, it's hard to converse when you're focusing on stitching that line dead straight. I decided to go with them down to NQ64, the arcade bar. Being the fashion soc, obviously there was a dress code, here it was 'retro' to match the 90s vibes that the arcade exuded. The natural choice was my black flares. I paired these with a bright red Mario top I bought a while back, and a matching headband to accentuate the preppy y2k look.
NUFS caters to all degrees of interest, from those who just like to look stylish to those who want to create
It was a lot of fun, while less specific to the fashion side of things, it was a lovely way to unwind by trying my hand at the old machines, from Street Fighter to Guitar Hero, and to embarrass myself to Cotton Eye Joe on Dance Dance Revolution. Everyone around me was lovely and it was interesting to see
all the different member's interpretation of the theme, as well as how each person adapted it to their own style and item preferences. I got to speaking with some of the committee members, to ask what their aims were with the fashion society. Welfare officer, Maisie Moss, told me that her goal was "to provide a smiley friendly face for people in fashion soc, and put on events that are out of this world!". So there you have it, an insight into the most stylish group on campus. I would wholeheartedly recommend getting yourself a membership as the society accommodates for all levels of enthusiasm in the subject, enabling you to take your passion that one step further by giving you a platform to branch out, whether that’s in creation or photography, modelling or even just socialising in a friendly and welcoming community.
Image credit: Instagram @nufashion_
'Out out' fits for a night in the Toon Adriana Newbury
Here are some ideas for a night out in the Toon!
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s the uni year comes into full swing, I’m sure many of us are starting to run out of outfits to wear out out. Newcastle students are infamous for our love of nightlife, so getting the right ‘fit for the night is essential. It’s the question that’s over our head the whole day prior, when we should be concentrating on what the lecturer is saying … what should I wear tonight? Firstly, I feel the need to clarify that the student fashion is far from the neon, body hugging micro dresses and tower-high heels that grace our screens on Geordie Shore. The student scene focuses more on y2k, low-waisted pants and tiny tops. One of the best budding brands that has unique but popular pieces in Daisy Street, and they even have a 15% student discount! My favourite for the club is a mini skirt. The clubs can get so hot and sweaty, and miniskirts help you to avoid overheating. Right now I love a cargo skirt or a camo skirt. Paired with a baby tee and lots of heavy jewellery, this is a look I’d love to see in Shaker. If you don’t feel comfortable in a skirt, a skort is a great alternative to help you feel more protected; I love the Slazenger tennis ones for a sporty play on the club outfit without the worry of accidentally revealing too much.
The trousers are baggy and make it fun to play around with sizes and silhouettes The only issue with a miniskirt is the winter cold we have to combat when going out. My flatmate once told me she knew someone who would wear a binbag on the walk to the club, and
throw it away when she got there: it kept her warm and meant she didn’t have to take a coat to the club! Now I wouldn’t personally try this myself but let me know if you get round to it…instead I opt for a cheap hoodie from Primark which I then tie around my bag so I don’t have to wear it in the club. If I’m off to the pub, I categorically go for a lowwaisted trouser. An upand-coming trend is the parachute pant, which I’m obsessed with, and looks so cool with a tie in the middle top, or a chunky knit if you’re going for cosiness. Plus they’re way more comfortable to have a few pints in! Love it or hate it, low waisted jeans are also making a comeback, but fear not, a loosefitting version rather than skinny. These are a great option for the pub too, and look
great with a pair of chunky trainers to retain that comfort. If you’re sat outside on Osbourne road, a coat is necessary: think long, felt or camel coats with a hoodie underneath.
Image: Pixabay @monstreh Image credit: Instagram @daisystreetcouk Image credit: Instagran @sherylaurelie
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Samantah Seidu & Lizzie Yockney
Fashion & Beauty
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A militant rant on niche aesthetics Libby Griffiths
Why do we attach ourselves to niche aesthetics?
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feel like I can’t get a coffee or study in the library without it being transformed into an entirely new aesthetic. Everything I do feels like a performance, an act of commodity as a consumer. I am a product of society, and I’ve lost all sense of individualism and identity. TikTok has revolutionised how our identities are marketed and moulded into ‘aesthetics’. Recently micro-labelling has surfaced as a way to commodify the human experience and categorise personality models. I saw a tweet addressing a more recent example, in ideas of the ‘warm girl’ and ‘cool girl’ - essentially images from Pinterest in warmer or cooler hues. Every minute detail of how and what we consume is taken and transformed into ways to label us for consumption and tailor us to how we want society to perceive us. Most of the time, this behaviour is self-inflicted too. A while ago, I read a Substack article on the cultural issues of the commodification of consumerism to complex female characters and how we replicate these traits to appear “through the eyes of a consumer.” Many of the ideas brought up relate to Laura Mulvey’s genius feminist theory, the Male Gaze - the depiction and sexualisation of a woman’s existence and how this can trigger an identity crisis. Everyone has either done or considered cutting their own hair, getting an
impulse piercing, changing up their diet, etc.
I am a product of society, and I’ve lost all sense of individualism and identity
As women, our brains are ingrained with Male Gaze ideologies: the patriarchy has infiltrated our livelihoods before we’ve even left the womb. There’s no surprise when we react by using every niche element of our lives to box ourselves into society's standards. Who do I want to be today? A smoothie drinking, claw clip, pilates, matching Gymshark set girl, or do I want to watch my mascara run with my tears in the mirror, listen to Lana Del Rey, and glamorise mental health disorders? Most of the time, it has nothing to do with how we want to appear and everything to do with how we want to be perceived. We’re born into a system we cannot escape as if we’re trapped on a hamster wheel, neither running away nor towards any type of progress. Every time we change ourselves to empower our identities, simultaneously, we objectify ourselves. As Belinda says in Fleabag, we are born with pain built in. Maybe to cope with this, we’re trying to romanticise our pain in different forms of niche aesthetics. As I said in the beginning, we’re all a product of society at the end of the day.
Image credit: Instagram @matildadjerf Image credit: Instagram @ldr_california
The rear-end of the BBL trend: what it means for body trends Trinity Richardson
After speculation of the Kardashians allegedly reversing their BBLs, questions of what body types will be "in" have begun to
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uring the late 2000’s the fashion industry became overrun by models with curvaceous figures, however in recent years, we have seen a shift in society, creating a new “body trend” for women. Online controversy has claimed for some time that the Kardashian sisters, famous for their curvaceous figures, have had their BBL’s (Brazilian butt lift) “reversed”. The claim comes from online sleuths searching through paparazzi pictures of Kim Kardashian, and comparing her body now to old photos where her body looks vastly different. Whilst the Kardashians have never confirmed they’ve had an invasive plastic surgery like a BBL, with Kim even going as far as to show an X-ray of her body on their show, as “proof ” she’s all natural, it is a common assumption that her, and most of her sisters too, have had some form of plastic surgery.
We are surrounded by so much media that subliminally tells us we aren’t good enough as we are
The Kardashians are the "founding fathers" of repopularising the hourglass figure, promoting weight loss teas and appetite suppressing lollipops to their young followers, making having a tiny waist and a big bum not just a trend, but a lifestyle. Throughout history with changes in fashion
But the real question we should be asking, is why do women’s bodies constantly go through cycles of being “on trend”? came changes in the “ideal” body type. The 50’s gave us Marilyn Monroe with her hourglass figure, the 60’s, Twiggy with her boyish figure and doe eyes, the 70’s and 80’s gave us tall Amazonian super models, the 90’s brought Heroin chic, the 2000’s brought boobs back, and now it’s all about bums. This shift in the “ideal body” isn’t coming from women themselves, yes, many women will take part in these trends, craving for their body to look like this new “ideal”, but those pushing a "new kind of beautiful", are those with something to gain. It’s not news that capitalist society needs constant change and engagement to thrive, and women’s fashion is a perfect way to keep people in the loop of buying. I, like many women, struggle to find the balance between wanting to be true to myself and enjoying living in my body as it is, but deep down I find myself wanting and longing to look like the women I see plastered all over my TikTok, Instagram, billboards and TV shows. We are surrounded by so much media that subliminally tells us we aren’t good enough as we are, that we need a new cream, a new makeup product, a new shape, and then,
finally then we might be enough to be valued by society. I hoped that after lockdown, where we were all isolated and couldn’t live our normal lives, that something would’ve changed. That we would’ve learnt that our bodies don’t need to be constantly adorned or primped, but rather that they are simply vessels for us to live, and we should exercise and eat to fuel ourselves, not to look a certain way. But sadly, sex sells, and to keep it selling, the goal post must constantly be pushed
back, inch at a time, until the new “standards” of beauty are unrecognizable from the last. I don’t know where the next “trend” for women’s bodies is going to come from, or what will follow after, but I hope that someday, we can move away from the obsession of what we look like, and instead can look inwards, and care more about our character, than the size of our jeans.
Image credit: Instagram @kyliejenner
Sub-editors: Jude Parkinson & Elžbieta Voverytė
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Monday 7th November 2022
Travel
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Picture perfect: is social media ruining travelling? Rosy Knox
Has the main focus of travel shifted from cultural to Instaworthy?
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ravel is becoming increasingly popular amongst young adults, especially with those that take the infamous ‘gap yah’ before starting university. However, whilst travelling is an incredibly worthwhile thing to do, it seems as though social media may be endorsing a false idea of what it actually entails. It is inevitable that whilst scrolling through your feed at least one post showcasing someone’s travel experience will come up. These are usually heavily filtered, extremely glamorous, and of course, only showing the best bits. However, if you take the time to look at the accounts posting these
videos, you notice that they tend to be influencers or promoters who are being paid for the content they produce. This means that they will heavily glorify the country they are in, or the place they are staying in order to satisfy the brief. Whilst there is nothing wrong with doing this in theory, it can set unrealistic standards for travelling which may influence people in the wrong way.
Recent study shows that 40% of millennials value how ‘Instagrammable’ their holiday is Nowadays, there is a desperation to 'fit everything in' which is heightened by the competitive nature
24 hours in Mexico city Charlie Reid
The oldest city in the Americas is becoming the newest in-demand location.
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ome to over 8 million inhabitants, Mexico City is a Latin metropolis with a bountiful list of activities to keep you enthralled, you’d regret skipping this city. Location is key when deciding where to stay here. As a large city, there’s a variety of areas to choose from depending on what you’re looking for. Just south of the historical centre is Colonia Roma, which can be described as idyllic and trendy. Vegetation lines the streets, complimenting the unique architecture in turn creating a relaxed vibe which has become a millennial safe-haven in this fast-paced & bustling megacity. However, the hipster bars and eateries dotted around this district can be to thank for this district gaining merit for it’s culinary scene. One could easily hop along the selection of restaurants and cafes through Roma Norte & Sur, and never get bored of the cuisine. After you’ve spent a morning gliding through
Colonial Roma, take yourself south of the city to the home turned museum of iconic Mexican painter, Frida Kahlo, where you can bide your time learning about the artists life, career and the causes most important to her, which live on through her memory. South of the city you’ll find Mexico’s own little Venice, Xochimilco. A colourful boat trip winding through a labyrinth of canals and you will find floating vendors, who approach your vessel, offering local delicacies and drinks. To keep you entertained whilst you indulge, mariachi bands often come by and keep you company with their music.
Fast-paced and bustling megacity. If you’re in the city on a Sunday, head to La Languilla flea market. Here, you’ll find everything from antiques to vintage clothes, food & drink stalls you’ll lose yourself in (literally). Head to the Teotihuacan Pyramids, just outside the city to top up your knowledge of Mayan history. There isn’t a better way to end your time in Mexico City than by heading to a Lucha Libre wrestling match, an authentic experience for anyone lucky enough to visit.
of social media and the need to convince everyone that you are living your best life. So why are these unrealistic standards being set? A large reason is competitiveness with others. One recent study shows that 40% of millennials value how ‘Instagrammable’ their holiday is over discovering the culture of an area and the cost of travel. This implies that people will flock to the tourist destinations, take the best pictures, and then leave. These photos then end up on social media with a deceptive caption about how wonderful a place is, when in reality, they haven’t experienced the area at all. However, despite the amount of misleading content online, there are accounts that promote
realistic travel. These are the ones that share their true experiences and offer tips and tricks to make travelling easier. Because of this, social media shouldn’t be completely ignored as a source of information, instead it should be used as an initial guide which is then built upon with further research using accredited travel guides. We need to remember that social media does not reflect real life, instead it acts as a platform for paid influencers to promote their content to unsuspecting followers. In order to avoid this deception, people need to follow a number of accounts and prioritise those that post factually correct information. Image credit: Pixabay
Germany’s lifestyle capital: Much to do in Munich
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Rebecca Wright
city as buzzing with life as it is tranquil, Munich is full of beautiful contradictions. It’s no wonder it has been deemed the ‘lifestyle capital’ of Germany. With an electric nightlife, gorgeous neogothic architecture, modern gardens, and rich, nourishing food. Staying in Munich, my boyfriend and I opted for the ‘HI Munich Park Youth Hostel’ because it was cheap, but we were pleasantly surprised at the quality of our stay. I cannot recommend this hostel enough – there was a full buffet
Image credit: Pixabay
breakfast as part of the price (with pineapple jam, which was as delicious as it sounds) and it was just out of the centre, meaning it was quiet when we wanted to sleep. And when we did want to sleep, we had bunkbeds! These were an absolute novelty, adding to the feeling of having an exciting sleepover in a new city. The only issue with staying outside of the centre was that we had to navigate the U-Bahn, the city’s metro system. This was not an easy feat - ticket machines were scarce, and the maps were quite confusing, but the app ‘Citymapper’ quickly helped us out. We saw the ‘Neuesrathaus’, a beautiful neogothic town hall, and the Frauenkirche. Though, my favourite by far was the beautiful ‘Hofgarten’; a memorial garden, where a man was playing the piano in the sun. A definite must for your time in Munich is the ‘Chinesischer Turm’ Biergarten. This is located within the beautiful English Garden, Munich’s largest park (which is actually even larger than New York’s Central Park.) We enjoyed some Munich white sausage and soft salted pretzels under the Chinese tower. We finished our day with a walk to the waterfalls near the Eisbach Wave, and of course no trip to Munich would be complete without a stein of beer!
Britain's unusual and unique hotels Joseph Williams
Go from boring to bizarre with these individual hotel stays.
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or the average person like you and I, a hotel serves the purpose of providing shelter, a warm bed, a hot shower and an absolutely banging cooked breakfast the next morning (hash browns are my favourite cooked breakfast item if anyone’s wondering). Yet, there are a select few hotels that have managed to redefine how we spend a night away from home, and you could almost say, have turned the hotel industry into somewhat of an art form. When I think of unique hotels, my mind conjures up images of Venice canals, volcanoes, and violently pink flamingos, overlooking a rather indulgent allyou-can-eat buffet. And whilst it's safe to say that Las Vegas has got somewhat of a monopoly on unique hotels, I was surprised to learn that the UK has some hidden gems of its own, a few diamonds amidst a sea of Travelodges and Premier Inns. So
without further ado, here are 3 unique hotels that I think are worth your attention. Given the aptly named title: ‘Head in the Clouds', our first hotel on the list gets its name, quite literally, from being thrust some 20 metres into the air. And having seen it in person, I can confirm that it looks magical, almost like a 21st-century wizard tower, but instead, this wizard conjures up cocktails and quinoa stuffed peppers. In another life, it was a water tower, but now that it boasts a grand total of 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms, it has morphed into Thornpness' most quirky holiday destination. Alternatively, if you’ve ever fancied having a snooze with a stegosaurus, or taking a nap with a blue whale, this next ‘hotel’ is the one for you. I use quotation marks because technically this isn’t a conventional hotel at all, rather, it is the Natural History Museum in London. On selected nights throughout the year, the museum kindly opens its doors to all ages, to create what is essentially a ‘mammoth’, pre-historic sleepover. And as if a night with a pile of 65 million-year-old bones doesn’t tempt you, to top it all off the experience includes a 3-course meal and a complimentary breakfast the next morning, along with an optional yoga session,
where you would hope and pray they have created a new stretch called the ‘downward dino’ Last but not least, if the world is becoming a bit too much to handle (which it most certainly is), and you fancy some much-needed solitude, Spitbank Fort should do more than fulfil that. Located a few miles off the coast of Portsmouth, the fort was built as far back as 1860 to protect against invasion of the British coast, from countries such as France. More recently, it's home to 9 luxurious suites, 3 restaurants and a heated pool. But despite the fort’s current occupation, it's safe to say that a load of half-naked, sunbathing brits should do just as good of a job at scaring away invaders, as canons did some 160 years ago. So in short, these hotels are no less than incredible, and can be a pretty cool place to stay if you can scramble together the money. Sure, they may make the Shang-ri-la look sub-par, and make the Savoy seem to like your Dad’s old garden shed, but personally, I think I might stick to my 5 hash browns and coffee for breakfast thanks. If it's good enough for Lenny Henry, then it's good enough for me.
Image credit: Pixabay
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Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Daisy Harrison & Abigail Roch
Food & Drink
Starting bonfire night with a banging meal Andrew Bassett
Wondering what to eat this November 5th?
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alloween has passed. With it, autumn is ushered out, and winter is welcomed in. With the change in season comes a new night of traditional British folklore, everybody’s second favourite family holiday: Bonfire Night! The night when communities gather in one spirit to burn effigies of Catholics, and when your dog has a stroke after 69 billion fireworks explode above your house. This practice is nothing strange to the British Isles, as the burning of papal papier-mâché takes place across the United Kingdom, notably in summer celebrations in Northern Ireland. The warm July climate allows the bonfires to be enjoyed with summery Northern Irish classics, such as a bag of quavers and a warm can of Strongbow. However,
the chill of November 5th demands a hot and comforting meal.
It truly is a meal that brings families together That’s why I want to share with you this Bonfire Night classic you’ve probably never heard of before: catherine wheel toad-in-thehole. A quintessentially British meal, with an on-theme twist. The twist being the toad is twisted. Sick. BBC Good Food described the delicacy as “perfect for a cold autumnal evening, this combination of sausage and Yorkshire pudding in a pretty coiled design is sure to be a family hit” - and those guys are actual journalists, so you should take their word for it. Another description of this dish could be “mum put effort into dinner for once: great googily moogily!” It truly is a meal that brings families together on a family night. To be enjoyed by both Catholics and Protestants. Happy heretic hunting!
Image credit: Pixabay
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Recipe of the week: Easy baked cabbage Amelie Baker
Quick & simple recipe for cabbage lovers (and haters!)
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know what you’re thinking - cabbage equals gross. But I promise you, this recipe will change your entire outlook on cabbage forever. Easy and cheap (around 20p a serving!), this recipe has it all, in terms of deliciousness and healthiness. It can be served with rice, other vegetables to beef it out, or even meat if that's what you fancy. Different spices can also be used if you want more of a curried cabbage, or even a taco-flavouring vibe. This recipe makes one serving.
Image credit: Pixabay
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon paprika 1-2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1-2 teaspoons of butter, melted ½ teaspoon of salt, to taste ¼ of a cabbage Fresh chilli or chilli flakes (optional) Method: Step 1 - Preheat your oven to 180C and line a baking tray with baking parchment. Step 2 - Remove the damaged outer leaves of your cabbage and cut your cabbage into quarters. Cut out the core and slice and chop the cabbage into thin strips. Step 3 - In a microwavable bowl, melt the butter before adding the paprika, salt, garlic and chilli/ chilli flakes (if using). Mix well and add the cabbage to the mixture. Step 4 - Spread the cabbage mixture evenly onto the baking tray and pop it into the oven for 25 minutes, or until it is nicely roasted around the ages. Best served warm.
Halal-friendly food A look at Heaton's around Newcastle! 109 General Store Jauza Mumtazah & Bibi Alysha
Here's the ultimate guide to Halal food in Newcastle...
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ewcastle is nothing less of a food paradise. You are sure to find the perfect food spots on virtually every street in town to spend your afternoons or evenings. While Newcastle prides itself on the myriad of restaurants (& of course, pubs), many of its Muslim population, unfortunately, have to hassle through finding the right halal restaurants, especially given the overwhelming pool of delectable eateries present in town. This list could be the ultimate guide for Muslims looking to satisfy their food cravings. In Islam, halal means something is permissible to do or eat. Some haram things include alcohol, pork, and meat not cut according to specific procedures. Chilli Padi: For those looking to try authentic East Asian food, Chilli Padi a dream come ture.. From the chef 's special Nasi Lamak, to Malaysian Curry, Kung Fu Chicken Bites, as well as mouthwatering Wonton Soup served in Halal chicken broth, you will be amazed at the abundance of selections and portions of each dish. Considering the generous portion sizes and price, each dish is best-enjoyed sharing. One of my go-to dishes is definitely the Nasi Lamak—served with dried fish, succulent chicken bites, aromatic coconut rice, with roasted peanuts topping off the dish (you are welcome!) Halal Fast Food Chains: If you are feeling Western food, or are on a
budget, there are plenty of Halal fast food chains to choose from. KFC {*Bear in mind that the only KFC-certified halal store is located right outside The Gate (N58 Newgate Street, NE1 5RF)} Jollibee Chicken Cottage Nando's Chicken Shack
Halal Supermarkets: If you are looking for butchers that sell halal meat, there are plenty of supermarkets in Newcastle that you can visit. The first one is Bilal Foodstore on Elswick Road. It's a 16-minute bus ride from Haymarket Barras Bridge, located in a quiet part of the town where you can also visit a mosque nearby (sadly, it was closed when I visited). Not only does it sell halal meat, but there is also a bakery and fresh produce. Another similar supermarket is Najeb Continental Superstore, located on Westgate Road. Though it's a 20-minute bus ride from Sandyford, the meat prices are slightly lower, and you can find almost everything there, from Indomie, to kitchen utensils. Newcastle Halal Superstore is another great place to get your halal groceries. Apart from fresh meat, you can also find the most genuine South Asian snacks, like Kurkure, as well as everyone's all-time favorite - Middle Eastern Baklawass. Though it requires extra effort to find halal food, there are plenty of supermarkets, restaurants, and even products, all over Newcastle that provide halal (look out for vegan and vegetarian as well!) options. Ultimately, this city is as friendly as its people with its halal options! Image credit Instagram: @comedinewithel
Joseph Wenham-Brown
Have you ever been inside this hidden gem?
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friend recently introduced me to a store nearby to where we live; the 109 General Store. Prior to this I had never even heard of the place. The name certainly did not give away much as to what they sell. My friend's answer was “all sorts!”… I can’t say this helped in gaining an idea. By no means is it a large shop, just two rooms for customers to browse. However, the range of products are vast, it's stocked with pantry essentials, toiletries, fruits and veg, baked goods (whilst you’re there you may see a fresh batch of bread being made); it’d be hard not to find something you’re after. Though once you’re in the store, you see the main selling point; a focus on sustainability, that has been all too forgotten
by main brand shops. Within the store, they sell spices by weight, refillable shampoo/soap, and a milk dispensary, also offering vegan alternatives. These are all an encouragement to bring your own containers and reduce waste. They even sell sustainable, reduced packaging toilet-paper; whilst I won’t go into details on this, I can promise good quality! You’ll notice the store has a homely feeling, encapsulated by the fact that it is ultimately a small, family run business, loved deeply by its local community. It works closely with other businesses, such as neighbouring sister store: ‘The Heaton Perk’. Despite questions around environmental impact and conscious living being large problems to face head on, this intimate business looks at its own direction. And it acts as reminder to us all that even the biggest issues can be approached first at a smaller scale, such as looking at how one lives within their local community. The 109 General Store can be found in Heaton, and has a pages on Facebook/Instagram, which are more than worth checking out.
Image credit Instagram: @109generalstore
Sub-editors: Lucy Bower & Rowan Christina Driver
Music
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The Loneliest Time Carly Rae Jepsen
Is Carly Rae Jepsen's latest studio album worth a listen?
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ime flies by, doesn't it? A decade ago, Carly Rae Jepsen became a global success thanks to 'Call Me Maybe', topping the charts everywhere, and making her international debut album Kiss moderately successful. 'Surrender My Heart' is a great album opener that combines propulsive beats with vulnerable lyrics ("I wanna be brave enough to show you my not-so-perfect family" is a particular standout) and feels like a spiritual successor to 'Run Away', even if that chorus
o f t h e We e k
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The god's honest truth is
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is catchier. 'Joshua Tree' then follows that up through pairing Carly's honey-covered voice with simple electric guitar plucks in the verses. While not the strongest voice in the world, Carly's voice is sweet enough to pull off songs like this.
Connor James Lamb
ic Ly r
Monday 7th November 2022
Carly belts various questions to a deadbeat ex over a danceable beat Out of all the pre-release tracks, 'Talking to Yourself ' is not only the best single but also the album's standout track. It easily has the catchiest chorus, as Carly belts various questions towards a deadbeat ex over a danceable beat that wouldn't be out of place on previous release EMOTION. It easily has the catchiest chorus, as Carly belts various questions towards a deadbeat ex over a danceable beat. Another highlight is 'Beach House', which pairs a slower but still melodic beat with witty lyrics about Carly's past experiences. The only issue is that she seemingly goes up a semioctave for the final chorus, which feels really out of place. The album suffers from an adherence to some current pop trends spurred on by the rising popularity of TikTok, including song lengths being so short that the album highlights feel unfinished. However, this album has some of the most solidly constructed songs of 2022, and maintaining Carly's hold on pop music.
that the pain was heaven. Taylor Swift, Would've Could've Should've Image Credit: Spotify, Pixabay
Live review: The Feeling Ruby Butler - Relationships sub-editor
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f I had to sum The Feeling up with one feeling it would be: joyous! You may be thinking ‘who the hell are The Feeling?’ This was exactly my thought upon entering the gig. A sudden regret washed over me when I walked in and saw that the audience were all aged 40 plus - oh dear God, what I have I gotten myself into, an hour and a half of some rock band trying to emulate their lives and career from their bygone era…
The lead man, Dan Gillespie Sells, made for an extremely charismatic silver fox However, most of my night consisted with me and my friend exclaiming ‘oh my gosh, I know this one too, banger!’. Give ‘Fill My Little World’ and ‘Never Be Lonely’ a listen, trust me, they will ring bells from deep within your subconscience. I was also delighted when they sang a rendition of Video Killed the Radio Star and ended the gig by belting ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’. The lead man, Dan Gillespie Sells, made for an extremely charismatic silver fox on vocals, twirling, prancing and air guitarring all night while hyping up the crowd with his very impressive vocal range. He is
clearly musical theatre trained (having written and recorded the musical ‘Everybody’s talking About Jamie’) which made for a dramatic set list and a bit of cringe. But who doesn’t love that every once in a while? Gillespie Sells has an enthusiasm which commands the room and makes everyone else seem like a complete funsponge. Unfortunately, his two bassists, Kevin Jeremiah and Richard Jones (who, fun fact, is married to Sophie Ellis Baxter), fell victim of this and had faces like slapped asses all night. Fortunately for them, I was so enraptured in Gillespie Sells’ performance that I hardly noticed the other four members on stage! While the gig was fabulous and the crowd enjoyed singing along to all the oldies, my highlight of the night still remains the moment when I met 56 year old Al from Morpeth in the smoking area who gave his unsolicited dating advice which consisted of some very wise words indeed: ‘I don’t care if you’re heterosexual, homosexual or pandemic, don’t be a c**t’.
Image Credit:Facebook @TheFeeling
"We're not an indie b that": Interview with Lucy Bower Rowan Christina Driver -Music sub-editors
Pale Waves' Heather discusses album Unwanted, their upcoming tour and why the band hate being called "indie".
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ince their formation in 2014, Mancunian four-piece Pale Waves have had a stream of success, now with a trio of studio albums to their name. We sat down via Zoom with lead singer Heather BaronGracie ahead of the band's upcoming tour. Your new album Unwanted came out in August, talk us through it! What were the main inspirations and influences behind the band’s evolution of sound that comes with this third album? Heather: With Unwanted, I wanted to dive into subjects that Pale Waves had never really spoken about before. I wanted to channel a lot of anger, resentment - a lot of the darker, forbidden and taboo subjects that people don’t generally like to speak about, like jealousy and vanity. It was really nice to release that. After the pandemic, we wanted to really enjoy playing live, and I think these songs have allowed us to do that. It’s definitely more alternative than we’ve ever gone before. I wanted people to identify us as a
more alternative band rather than indie pop or indie shoegaze. I hate when people refer to us as that. I get why, because at the start we had that kind of sound, but I just really don’t like when people call us that. Nothing about us, or me in general, feels like an indie band. We’re like, no, we’re not an indie band, so stop saying that. We love high fashion, things that are chic, and we now have a very strong identity, so we’re over being called indie. That’s another reason why I wanted to push into the more alt/rock world.. We wanted to explore a world we hadn’t before. We needed to for our own sanity, we just couldn't write the same record again. Is there a song on Unwanted that you feel completely sums up the album’s themes? - If yes, what? H: I think ‘Jealousy’ summarises it pretty well. It’s one of the bigger songs, and it almost has this attitude, this unapologetic personality that I wanted Unwanted to have. Do you have any specific artists you’re inspired by, both for this album and generally? H: Surprisingly, in this era, I wasn’t really listening to a lot of similar sounds to what we created. I was listening to a lot of folk and acoustic artists. Whereas in comparison, with the second album I was listening to a lot of 2000s and 90s era stuff, but with this one I wasn’t really listening to artists on purpose. I just wanted the freedom to do whatever and not to feel influenced much by anything. Our producer, Zakk Cervini, he has his own sound so I feel like he helped us create that identity with his expertise.
Generally though, I have a really mixed music taste. I like a lot of folk and country, classic rock, and I love musicals as well. It can go from Aerosmith to Dear Evan Hansen. I don’t really like jazz though, it’s just not my cup of tea. Maybe it will be, who knows, but right now it’s not for me.
Do you feel, with it being your third album, that you felt more comfortable to do more of what you wanted rather than what you felt you had to do? H: In a way, although I try not to feel pressure from people. I’ve seen a lot of people who heard the second album and then the third album and went “oh my god Pale Waves are trying to go too mainstream!” But if we wanted to go mainstream I would have a really autotuned voice and electronic runs, so if anything we’re going the other way and going more alternative - so that doesn’t make sense. And people go “oh the record label probably made them do that”, but no, nobody made us do that, we just wanted to go in that direction ourselves. I don’t like to listen to other people’s opinions, we just do what we want to do, we’re the ones that have to play it!
You’ve notably changed your image, and we noticed some stylistic differences as you delved head-first into a darker, heavier sound in your new album, but how would you describe your “aesthetic”, so to speak?
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Monday 7th November 2022
Glastonbury price increase: too much for too little Jack Evans
Are Glastonbury asking for too much whilst their lineup remains unreleased?
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lastonbury confirmed recently that tickets for the iconic festival will be upped to £340 when they go on sale this November. Glastonbury returns to Worthy Farm in Somerset from the 21st to the 25th of June next year, with tickets being the first ones for Glastonbury to go on general sale since 2019. However, the tickets 3 years ago cost only £265 for the weekend, plus a £5 booking fee and £50 deposit, which is £70 less than the tickets that will go on sale next month. Glastonbury’s organiser Emily Eavis addressed fans on twitter by explaining the reasoning behind such a steep increase in prices. She explained the rise in cost of running the festival and the huge financial impact of Covid on Britain’s most beloved music festival. The festival lost 2 years of music in 2020 and 2021, the first of those 2 years being the festivals 50th anniversary. Eaves explained to people how all was done to minimise the increase, but the financial implications of the past few years couldn’t allow them to keep the show at the same price. With the lineup still unannounced many are reluctant to purchase tickets, as there are still few rumors as to who will perform. Robbie Williams recently revealed to the
BBC that he would like to fill the Sunday tea-time legends slot, with Roxy Music being the other artist who are rumored to be performing the slot. Artists such as Pulp and the Arctic Monkeys have also had their names thrown into the rumor hat, but nothing has been announced yet. The festival finally got to celebrate its 50th anniversary earlier this year, 2 years after it should have. This year's lineup was stacked full of stars, with Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Paul Mccartney all performing the anniversary show. With a lot expected of next year’s show, the price is sure to be a concern for many who wouldn’t want to risk such money on a festival where they don’t know who is performing. The first Glastonbury in 1970 had Marc Bolan’s T.Rex as the headliner, with tickets costing only £1, which is roughly £18 in today’s money. With the cost-of-living crisis only worsening for many as the pound continues to lose value, many people probably wish it was still this cheap to go now.
Image Credit: Instagram @emily_eavis
Sub-editors: Lucy Bower & Rowan Christina Driver
Music
Please Don't Take Me Back Martha Rowan Christina Driver -Music Sub-editor
Durham indie anarchists Martha are back after a long three years with their best album to date.
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hree years on from the release of Love Keeps Kicking, Pity-Me indie punks Martha are back with their fourth album, Please Don’t Take Me Back, a much-needed party after the “darkest timeline” of late. ‘Beat, Perpetual’ opens the record with the roar of pumping guitars riffs, a signature hallmark of a Martha track which rears its glorious head multiple times over the 35-minute set. The titular track, ‘Please Don’t Take Me Back’, is littered with juxtapositions: yearnings of a desire to “take me back to the old days” rub shoulders with a glum defeatism of how bad these old days were, while the rise and fall of the electric amped-up refrain of ‘Baby, Does Your Heart Sink?’ elevates lyrical simplicity to utter musical euphoria. Track tumbles seamlessly into track, an energetic release of stifled creativity off the back of three long and rather repressive years – it is not until the gentle melodic twinkle of a piano interlude in 'Take Me Back to The Old Days (Reprise)' that we get a moment to pause and reflect before a mellower three-track encore. Closing the record, the almost whimsical ‘You Can’t Have a Good Time All of the Time’ displays controlled restraint – another subdued
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track to round off the charged energy of those which precede it. From ACAB spray painted on the walls on 2016’s ‘Curly and Raquel’ to the “funeral parlour” of present-day England in ‘Hope Gets Harder’, Martha’s riotous commentary on political issues remains expressive as ever. Deeply political sentiments again cloak themselves in sprightly melodies as the fourpiece dive headfirst into steadfast anarchism against the cultural, political, and economic shit-show we continue to suffer. Fundamentally northern and working-class, Please Don’t Take Me Back is an ode to everything that Martha stand for. Fuck this place, I hate it too.
Deeply political sentiments again cloak themselves in sprightly melodies On Please Don’t Take Me Back, Martha may not stray too far from stylistic familiarity. Catchy lyrical hooks and the prevailing melodrama of blasting guitars have been Martha mainstays from the very beginning, yet this is by far the most refined material they have produced to date – their signature DIY production style appears more polished and mature than ever. You may not be able to have a good time all of the time, as Martha make clear, but this album may just be the best time I’ve had for a while. It is rare an album has no standouts, but this record is standout in itself, a complete masterpiece start to finish. Light your candles, burn your flags, and vote Labour. Image Credit: Spotify, Pixabay
band, so stop saying Heather Baron-Gracie As a band, it’s only recently that our look has gotten more cohesive. I feel like mine and Ciara’s aesthetic was very similar for a long time, but the boys’ aesthetic was drastically different to ours. And in a way, it complimented that. But only recently, I feel like we work collectively as a four piece in terms of fashion and aesthetic. That was really important to me, especially on this album, I really wanted to bring in a more chic image, and I
think we’re going to continue to push that. My fashion sense has always been quite dramatic and dark. I don’t really love colour. As the years have gone by, I have become more feminine so that’s definitely impacted my fashion sense as well.
Where are you most looking forward to playing on the upcoming tour? H: I’m excited to go to Japan, we’ve not been there for a few years. I’ve been there twice before, but I think it’s really cool we can go so far away from home and people are still going to show up. What are you most looking forward to playing on tour? Do you have any particular songs you always look forward to when you’re playing a set, either from the new album or the older material? H: Maybe it’s because I’m quite biased, I really look forward to playing ‘You’re So Vain’. We’ve only recently started playing it. I love playing ‘Jealousy’ - we all love playing ‘Jealousy’ - we always look forward to that moment. I love playing ‘She’s My Religion’, that one is such a moment for everyone. The crowd really just engages and it feels like they’ve been waiting the entire time to hear it. I do love playing things like ‘TV Romance’ from the first album too. Image Credit: Ian Cheek Press
You mentioned 'She's My Religion' - as a band, Pale Waves very open about LGBTQ+ issues/ identities, but how would you feel about being labelled as a “queer band”? Do you think there are issues surrounding being almost “branded” as a queer band, or is it purely a positive thing in terms of representation? H: I definitely feel like it’s a good thing! I mean, we are that, so why would we not try and embrace that. But I do feel like even though we do a lot for the LGBTQ+ community, in general there are a lot of people in the community who don’t embrace us as much. I don’t know why, when we literally have a song called ‘She’s My Religion’. So yeah, we are embracing it, but we’re waiting for people to fully embrace us too. But I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all, I feel like we need the representation, because there isn’t a lot. And it’s what we are, we are queer. Well, 50% of the band are. The boys definitely aren’t. How does it feel to be providing representation? Do you feel that you are if you’re not necessarily being embraced? H: No, we are [embraced], in a way. But we should be more embraced than we are being. You know, Gay Times, they really embrace us, they put us on the front cover and stuff. Maybe it’s because we only have a few songs that are queer. But it’s like, why, when we’re such advocates for that community? I think it’s really sweet we can create this safe space for people to come to a show and just be themselves, and not feel judged. They can just be who they truly are. I feel like, if you are a Pale Waves fan, you’re going to have similar interests or have something
similar to the other people that are going to that show, inevitably. Don’t get me wrong, there are a few characters that come to a Pale Waves show and I’m like “hm that’s interesting”, but the majority of people are very similar. (Lucy: To be fair, my dad loves Pale Waves) Aw, thats so sweet! We do have a lot of dads come to our shows, it’s quite cute really.
Have you had any ideas about your plans for album number 4? What can we expect more or less of? H: I had a call with our label a few days ago and they want us to start writing and recording as early as next year. So there’s definitely going to be a new album next year at some point, which is quite daunting because I’ll need to crack on with that as soon as possible. But I’m just figuring out what kind of sound and what kind of world I want that album to be. It’s in the works, but we’re still early days. Is there anything else you’d like to add? H: Not really, just our UK show dates! There are a few sold out already. (Rowan: Of course, I am really looking forward to the Newcastle show.) Oh, are you coming to Newcastle? Cute, I’ll try and come say hello! Pale Waves are playing Newcastle's Central Park on the 24th November.
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Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Olivia Crowley & Imogen Smillie
TV
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Doctor who: The Power of the Doctor got to love a surprise regeneration! Jess Bradbury
Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor has finally hung up her coat and regenerated into…David Tennant?! Again?!
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ld friends and foes collide together in this BBC centenary special of Doctor Who and after taking over the role in 2018, it’s no secret that Jodie Whittaker’s run as the Doctor has been marred by some interesting writing choices, but Chris Chibnall manages to satisfy with the conclusion to 13’s story. 'The Power of the Doctor' doesn’t hold back, pulling out old Doctors and companions alike as Whittaker’s incarnation tries to stop Sacha Dhawan’s Master from completely wiping her out and destroying the Earth. In short, the story goes big before it goes home. The episode does well to build anticipation, thrusting the audience straight into the action as the Doctor, Yaz and Dan try to stop the Cybermen on a train in space. But when they manage to get away with a cargo containing a child, who else would turn up but the Daleks and the Master! Sounds a bit convoluted, right? And to some extent it is. The episode would have benefitted from taking out either the Daleks or the Cybermen,
leaving just one of the iconic monsters to team up with Dhawan’s Master. But the episode clearly plays with nostalgia and wants to please the fans by throwing everything at it. The episode feels like a fitting swansong for Whittaker and her shock regeneration into none other than the tenth Doctor himself, David Tennant, was poignant and surprising. It was no secret that Tennant had been seen filming with Catherine Tate so to some extent, I think we could have seen this coming. But that’s by no means a criticism and the hype is certainly building for the 60th anniversary next year. Yet, I cannot help but feel that it somewhat takes away from Whittaker’s ending in some ways. The show has suffered from a lack of character development in the series, and 13 never felt like she got to experience an evolution - we saw the likes of Matt Smith’s 11 being stuck on Trenzalore and Peter Capaldi’s 12 being forced into exile in his confession dial. Whittaker’s 13 never really felt like she had a chance to go through a major trial of her character, something which is even echoed in the episode as she states she isn’t ready to go. It is also disappointing that they never explored the 13-Yaz romance more, especially since it was explicitly referred to in the 2022 Easter special. There were so many aspects to 13's era that could have been explored more and I think 'The Power of the Doctor' alludes to what could have been. But now 13's era is finished, it’s time to look forward to a new showrunner and Doctor taking the mantle. Ncuti Gatwa is already providing
Gilmore Girls: time for its iconic autumnal revival
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Lyndsey Sleator
utumn means one thing and one thing only- it’s Stars Hollow season baby! Grab some coffee and a (Luke’s diner) doughnut, cause we’re going on a rewatch. Gilmore Girls is one of those shows which feels like a warm hug- and undoubtedly for this reason it makes its revival every autumn. Transported to the world of the close-knit town of Stars Hollow, it always seems to be Autumn here. Warm scenes of pumpkins, orange trees, and haystacks seem to dominate the show's settings, while Loreali and Rory's iconic fall fashion is also a key part of viewer's love for this show in Autumnit is basically an ideal Autumn look book! Iconic "Y2k" clothing such as Rory's knit sweater and Lorelai's fluffy suede jacket have made a comeback this Autumn. However, it is not only the cosy autumn aura and fashion which makes this show such a comfort watch, but the laid-back plot too.
Gilmore Girls exudes the warmth needed in the colder months Focussing its plot on the relationship between Lorelai Gilmore and her 16-year-old daughter, Rory, what makes this show such an escapism for me is that you don't have to concentrate while watching it. It is simply a carefree, simple but hilarious portrayal of small-town life. Here it is the small pleasures in life that are given centre stage - grabbing a morning coffee and having a laugh with (arguably one of the show’s best characters) diner-owner Luke Danes. Warm coffee Image credit: IMDB, Pixabay
seems to dominate the life of Lorelai Gilmore, relatable to me and many other Newcastle students flocking to get their 5-a-day, Pret subscription, pick me up on a cold, North East morning. The show's eccentric town events such as the Autumn and Firelight Festival, paired with its crazy townspeople like Miss Patty and Taylor Doose, provide viewers with a feeling of community and warm family connections, which I sometimes crave now living in a big city away from home. Gilmore Girls is also the perfect programme to have on in the background while trying to get inspired to tackle university assignments. The study-holic character of Rory provides all the Autumn academia vibes needed to make you actually romanticise doing work in semester one. Whether in Yale or the Robbo, autumn uni work can feel a lot more fun if we do it the Gilmore Girls way- a cute fit, coffee in hand, and (a recent addition to my GG obsession) the “Strolling through Stars Hollow” playlist on Spotify. Watching shows seasonally is an important way to feel in the spirit of the season, and much like how many people rewatch Christmas films in December to get all the festive feels, this show is an autumn staple. Although amazing all year round, the show exudes the warmth needed in the arrival of the colder months- the Autumn binge starts here!
intrigue into how he will make the character his own, and I for one am very excited to see him with Russell T. Davies back at the helm of the show. It’ll be a year until we next see the Doctor on our screen again and I am sure that the 60th special will shoot us headfirst into another adventure.
Image credit: Twitter @DiscussingFilm, @bbcdoctorwho, Pixabay
The Crown Series 5:
Blurring fact and fiction Sam Norman
Is embelishing the truth for entertainment morally acceptable?
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eason 5 of the hit Netflix series The Crown has dropped and once again viewers are expecting a season filled with drama. Devastating deaths, outrageous affairs and a very messy divorce are all on the cards, but critics are now questioning the validity behind the drama, and ultimately how fictional is The Crown? Dame Judi Dench has recently taken jabs at the series dubbing it “crude and cruel” whilst also dismissing the storylines as “inaccurate and hurtful.” The bond actress wrote these words in her open letter in newspaper ‘The Times’ where she put The Crown on blast. However, stars of The Crown have fought back with Jonathan Pryce – who plays Prince Phillip – expressing his “huge disappointment in fellow artists.” Such high-profile discussion has only re-emerged and amplified the ongoing conversation into how appropriate the series truly is, and whether it is time for a content warning. For me, it isn’t. I personally find The Crown’s current clarification of fictional content to be more than sufficient, their Instagram biography summarises it
perfectly stating to be “inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization tells the story of Queen Elizabeth II.” To completely wipe out the entire series with a fiction disclaimer would discredit the excessive amount of time and resources funded into research for the series. Looking through the Instagram page’s highlights, they inform viewers of how they obtain their information and show their extensive research. Now, it must be noted that this is not to say that The Crown is a documentary – and nor should it be cited as evidence in a discussion about real affairs. However, it is an outstandingly presented piece of television, that has encouraged thousands more Brits to delve further into their country's history and opened viewers' minds to events they may have felt disconnected from. Fact and fiction is blurred in The Crown, they do not claim to be wholeheartedly accurate, and neither a piece of complete fiction – it is this blurred line that makes it such compelling television. Image credit: Twitter @DiscussingFilm, @PopBase
Sub-editors: Rachel Carron, Mitchell Hall & Jessica McKeown
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Monday 7th November 2022
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Review: The Banshees of Inisherin Esther Arnold
A powerful tale of miniature ponies, pints at the pub and flying fingers
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hether you love it or hate it, it is clear to say this relentless tale of Irish isolation is destined to stay on your mind a day or two…. Martin McDonagh reunites Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson 14 years since In Bruges, with their on-screen talent outshining all aspects of this peculiar picture. As well as this fantastic pairing tempting everyone into the theatres this week, the mysterious and bleak fictional island of Inisherin attracted many simply through the obscure trailer (me included). The movie follows Pádraic (Colin Farrell) and Colm (Brendan Gleeson) on a secluded Irish isle in the 1920s, as their friendship puzzlingly hits the rocks. With sounds of gun fights from the civil war across the water, a sense of dark foreboding hints towards the serious bustup between the now frenemies. After realising he wants to spend his days away from the tedious opinions of his lifelong drinking buddy, Colm gives an unsettling ultimatum to Pádraic, threatening to chop a finger off every time he tries to talk to him. Throughout the town Pádraic is known to be a
bit…well…dull. The poor guy just doesn’t seem to have the most interesting topics of conversation but we can’t help feeling sorry for him in this unfortunate situation. Throughout the movie, Pádraic, his sister Siobhán (Kerry Condon) and eccentric youth Dominic (Barry Keoghan) search for a solution to heal the rift. With lost friendship, solitude and loneliness as key themes throughout the near two-hour running time, the repetition
of life on the island clearly takes its toll on all, as the dull colour palette of the Irish scenery cleverly reiterates the tedium of the everyday. The sound of the clock chiming throughout the movie signals Colm and Pádraic’s daily visit to the only pub for miles and the prying eyes of the town seem to give a more claustrophobic feel despite the miles of open field and sea surrounding them. Although some scenes produced a chuckle here and there due to moments of dark comedy, The Banshees of Inisherin isn’t a movie I’m crazy about. Maybe I went in with my expectations unattainably high after hearing from some that it was one of the best films this year. Unfortunately, I am struggling to agree. Now let’s get this straight, it was nowhere near terrible. Stunning cinematography beautifully illustrated the remote island and the performance between Farrell and Gleeson was incredible. However, I felt it just began to pick up towards the end of the film. Some points were a tad too monotonous and slow. The movie portrays tragic alienation magnificently, to a point where some find it too much to bear, with bleak situations ending
on a sombre note. I really wanted to enjoy it to the level others in the screening clearly did, with murmurs of praise filling the room once the credits emerged. Yet, it simply left me feeling empty inside, constantly questioning whether I loved it or hated it. Who knows maybe this was McDonagh's intention. It’s safe to say I am still undecided; however, this film definitely makes you think of your own isolation and appreciate the things you have- a full set of fingers, whole and intact, as one of them...
Image credit: Twitter- @paulsng, @ME_Says
Emily - A worthy biopic for a literary legend? George Lowes
Emily Bronte's life gets a fictionalised adaptation through Sex Education's Emma Mackey, but does the film do its revered source justice?
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mily tells the story of Wuthering Heights author, Emily Brontë, as played by Emma Mackey (Sex Education). The film explores her relationships with those around her and how they influenced her life and writing. Fionn Whitehead (Dunkirk), Alexandra Dowling (Game of Thrones), and Amelia Gething portray her siblings: Branwell, Charlotte, and Anne. And Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man) plays William Weightman, Emily’s romantic interest. The director, Frances O’Connor, has been upfront in saying that the film is a
fictionalised account of Emily's life rather than a factual retelling. This is most evident with the character of Weightman, who was created entirely for the film, yet is crucial to its plot. I can see some diehard Emily Brontë fans being troubled by the inaccuracies, but as someone unfamiliar with her story, they didn’t bother me. In that approach, Emily is similar to last year’s Spencer, which told an imagined version of Princess Diana’s experience at a Royal Christmas event. Emma Mackey is great in the titular role, bringing a lot of depth to the character. In particular, she excels at communicating subtle emotions through her face. Other performances were solid too, with the standouts being Fionn Whitehead and Oliver JacksonCohen. Besides Whitehead, who starred in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk (2017), I hadn’t encountered any of these actors before. Consequently, I could fully immerse myself in the film without the distraction of familiar faces – which sometimes impedes my ability to get into a movie. My biggest issue with Emily was its pace. Despite being only 130 minutes, this film felt long. Most of that runtime focused on Emily and Weightman’s relationship, which I was never entirely invested in. However, the scenes featuring Emily and Branwell together were my favourite parts of the film. These actors had great chemistry, and their interactions were a joy to
watch. Unusually, Emily’s opening scene takes place during the story’s ending. We then flash back an unspecified amount of time – a few years, if I had to guess – with the rest of the movie leading back to that scene. This odd structural decision felt unnecessary, and, if anything, made the film’s first 15 minutes somewhat confusing. Another jarring moment early on featured a mask that seemingly possessed Emily, veering the film into supernatural territory. Nothing similar happens again, making the scene completely out of place. Emily is primarily set in a small village on the Yorkshire moors, giving a backdrop of some stunning scenery, with the rain adding a nice, moody atmosphere to many scenes. The film is a strong directorial debut for Frances O’Connor, who, previously, was mainly an actor. She has shown a great talent for extracting strong performances from her stars, and I’m interested to see what she does next. Overall, Emily is a fairly by-thenumbers historical drama – I hesitate to call it a biopic due to the inaccuracies mentioned. The acting is great, and the film features some wonderful visuals. However, its pacing and structure may leave you unengaged and confused.
Image credits: Twitter- @WarnerBrosUK
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Rachel Carron, Mitchell Hall & Jessica McKeown
Film
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A first look at: The Menu Harry Potter and the Castor Chan - Campus Sports Liason 've been a fan of Anya Taylor-Joy for a little bit now, with some of her projects (Split, Queen's Gambit, Last Night in Soho) cropping up in my watch lists. So ever since it was announced that she was appearing in comedic horror film The Menu as leading lady and complete mood Margot, I've been wanting to see it. The story of this film is quite intriguing, with twelve elites travelling to an island under the premise of an exclusive, eye (and mouth) -wateringly expensive gastronomic experience. But things quickly take a turn when the chefs are secretly evil, each guest's secrets get spilled, and the night gets increasingly violent. Tyler, played by Nicholas Hoult (Warm Bodies, Skins, X-Men: First Class), remarks that there is "an overarching theme" to Chef Slowik's (Ralph Fiennes) menu and that the dinner is actually a guessing game. The rest of the trailer consists of snapshots of
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running, stabbing, and chair-throwing, interspersed with clips of comedy. Speaking of comedy, as soon as 'you have to try the mouthfeel of the mignonette' came out of Hoult's mouth(feel), my anticipation of this movie shot up. Despite dating a horror fan, I have never really been one myself. I do decently at psychological thrillers, but straight-up slashy terror just simply isn't for me. But the brand of comedy the trailer promotes is exactly right up my alley, and if the film follows how the trailer has been edited, I have high hopes. With a cast involving Ralph Fiennes, Janet McTeer, and Hong Chau, and a production team including Mark Mylod and Adam McKay, The Menu already promises to be an interesting watch. With how Chef Slowik's character appears to be the orchestrator of the entire event and the warning for the guests to run, it's giving a blend of Ready or Not and Escape Room, both of which I enjoyed. Even though 'a group of strangers in a scary situation' is not a new trope, the draw of a head chef that would leave Gordon Ramsay quaking and the threat of the line 'we gel' is enough to mark The Menu as an upcoming film worthy of my time.
Image credit: Twitter - @TheLexiCinema
Prey For The Devil or pray for the end? Jessica McKeown - Film sub-editor
The latest addition to the horror genre is an enjoyable watch, but is it a memorable one?
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alloween season has brought an array of new scary movies this year. Facing competition from Halloween Ends, Smile and Barbarian, Prey For the Devil surprisingly tugs on the heartstrings and makes for a relatively enjoyable watch. The film follows Sister Ann, a nun haunted by her mother's possession when she was a child. Now working at a Boston school for exorcisms run by the Catholic Church, Sister Ann finds herself targeted by the malicious demon that claimed her
mother and is in a race against time to free young Natalie from her possession. The film is rated 15 by the BBFC for "strong supernatural horror, domestic abuse" so one should be mindful of the sensitive issues depicted in the film. Sister Ann is played by Jacqueline Byers (Salvation), who does a wonderful job at portraying a traumatised individual. Her bond with 10-yearold Natalie (Posy Taylor) is at the heart of the film, along with her desperation to save the young girl. In general, the film's themes of motherhood, sacrifice and trauma are very clear, mirrored in the flashbacks to Ann's horrific childhood. The film also tackles the issue of how religious guilt plays into adoption and abortion. Despite it being a film with the heroes being Catholic, it doesn't demonise those that have abortions or give their children up for adoption, but instead shows the guilt those individuals are wracked with and how their relationship with God may suffer. Clocking in at just over 90 minutes, this film wasn't particularly fast-paced. Many of notable moments from the trailer, occurred quite early in the film. An eerie atmosphere remained throughout, steering away from the darknessequals-creepy idea that most horrors follow (I'm looking at you The Nun (2017)). The camera movement isn't smooth, evoking the sense that Sister Ann is being watched. The sound design was also well executed from the truly terrifying screams of the possessed to the whispering Sister Ann hears throughout. Following my watch of the film, I learnt that the new title of the film is The Devil's Light. I think the initial title fit the film quite well, even if it's never fully explained the true role of the devil. The base storyline of the film is that our hero, usually the embodiment of innocence and purity, is the target of a demon. In that way, the film is a pretty generic horror dealing with possessions, exorcisms, and demons. At the end of the day, it is just that: an enjoyable watch but not particularly memorable. Prey For The Devil (or listed as The Devil's Light) is currently showing in cinemas.
Image credit: IMDb
Chamber of Secrets: A Look back 20 Years On
Amelia Thompson
It has been 20 years since the release of the beloved family films. Have they stood the test of time?
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wenty years ago, November 3rd, 2002; the highly anticipated second film in J.K. Rowling’s 'Harry Potter' franchise was released. Following the success of ‘The Philosopher’s Stone,’ cinemas were filled with soon-to-be labelled ‘Potterheads’ awaiting their magical return to Hogwarts. This week, I too, had the pleasure of experiencing this film on the big screen (in 4D nonetheless), but does Harry Potter and The Chamber Of Secrets still live up to it’s reputation, twenty years after its release? Despite Harry Potter being a staple in millions of British households over the country in the 2000s, it has recently gained an expansion in it’s fanbase through social media. TikTok, in particular, has both helped to engage a new audience and revive the love for the franchise, with fanfiction, cosplay and even ‘shifting’ becoming more and more frequently discussed on the app following the 2020 lockdown. Harry Potter is possibly the best escapist franchise; from the beautifully written books and their warm transition into real life film characters, to the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London with its stunning gift shop and immersive rooms filled with set designs and props, the Fantastic Beasts spin off, and of course the ongoing Harry Potter and The Cursed Child play. Whether you are lucky enough to experience the play or the studio tour, or are simply curled up in a blanket on an autumnal day reading the books or watching the films, the lovable characters and homely environment is sure to transport you to a more relaxed state. However, Harry Potter doesn’t come without its controversies. J.K. Rowling has come under attack for her transphobic comments along with some cast members who are still publicly supporting her, and many fans are feeling less obliged to support the franchise financially as they do not want Rowling to gain from it. Fantastic Beasts has also made headlines, especially with their decision to replace Johnny Depp with Mads Mikkelson - a decision which was met with much hostility at the time. The problems behind the scenes of Harry Potter do not extend to the magic on the screen. The Chamber of Secrets holds some of the most iconic moments in Harry Potter; our first introduction to the loveable Dobby, Moaning Myrtle, an iconic quidditch match, Harry’s realisation he can speak ‘Parseltongue,’ Polyjuice potion, the ‘charming’ Lockhart and the
flying car (which made me wish I had taken motion sickness tablets prior to my first 4D experience). However, the defining element of the film is the growing darkness following the return of Voldemort. Despite him infiltrating the schools faculty in The Philosopher’s Stone, Voldemort, as his younger self, Tom Riddle, actually poses a real threat to the students, forcing the possibility of even closing Hogwarts at one juncture in the film. Causing physical harm in the form of petrifying students using his ‘pet’ Basilisk snake, even going as far as to do this to our beloved Hermione and taking her out of action for the latter half of the film only emphasises the increase in the danger, and establishes the gradual path towards the darkest elements of the franchise.
It brings the magic back to Hogwarts without overusing too many aspects of the first film As far as sequels go; The Chamber of Secrets remains up there as one of the best. It brings the magic back to Hogwarts without overusing too many aspects of the first film whilst simultaneously introducing new and iconic features, managing to perfect the balance between an escapist comfort film and one which has us sat on the edge of our seats throughout. I think the most delightful part about the franchise is that we can never grow out of it; we grew up with it instead. With every rewatch comes a newfound sense of nostalgia, along with the renewed wish that our invitations to Hogwarts are still yet to arrive.
Image Credit: Twitter - @robinstillrocks, @WizardingWorld
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Louise Cusine & Sarah Tunstall
Heartstopper placed at the centre of anti-LBTQ+ controversy in Michigan Leah Knights
Alice Oseman's Heartstopper is among other LGBTQ+ books to be restricted in America
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ince the publication of its first volume in 2019, Heartstopper has gathered widespread praise, something which has only been boosted by the recent TV adaptation on Netflix. The graphic novel series, written by Alice Oseman, delves into modern high school culture and the navigation of identity and relationships. LGBTQ+ books, such as Heartstopper, have had a positive impact on young people who are exploring their identities and situating themselves within the world. Attempts have been made to defund Patmos Library in Jamestown, Michigan, over claims that some of its books are too explicit. Two of the novels from the Heartstopper series have been used in this argument, initiated by a group of right-wing conservatives. According to LGBTQ Nation, one Jamestown resident argued in a board meeting for the library in September that some of the books – including Heartstopper – promote “lifestyle choices” which are “destructive and wrong”. Ultimately, the Jamestown Conservatives, as the group is called, may have been successful in their crusade to
defund Patmos Library. The board president has admitted that the library is likely to run out of money within the next year, after voters rejected a property tax renewal which is the library’s primary source of funding. This drive towards censoring LBGTQ+ books is a terrifying prospect. But is this case in Michigan an isolated, yet tragic, event? Unfortunately, a recent study would suggest not. Earlier this year, PEN America released a report which highlights the growing movement of book banning and censorship in America. It highlighted how, between July 2021 and June 2022, 1648 individual book titles have been banned in American schools and libraries, with 41% of these books dealing with LBGTQ+ themes. It
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n interview with James Baldwin, director of The Naughty Fox, a PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities) children's theatre show which is coming to Northern Stage on November 10th. Anthony: I’ve read your bio and you seem to have worn a lot of hats in your career so far, can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to children’s theatre? James: I went to drama school and trained to be an actor, then went to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, but I didn’t feel fulfilled. I suppose that it kind of sounds a bit indulgent but I think as an artist, there’s a lot of hard slog that goes into it. Coming from a humble background I had to do all the jobs under the sun between acting jobs, everything from cleaning to leafletting, to even working on a boat. Then I would get an acting job and disappear for a bit. I got to a stage where I thought all this hard work and making ends meet wasn’t fulfilling me enough. Then a couple of things happened in my personal life where I stumbled upon writing just to express myself and at the same time I started doing some facilitation work with people that never really had the chance to do any arts. They might be people in prison, or they might be people with disabilities, and they were often young people with those additional needs. I was writing and doing workshops where I was encouraging people from different backgrounds to express themselves. Then I realised – ah! I really, really enjoy this process. Anthony: What is Toucan Theatre and who/what is the Naughty Fox? James: I was working with my co-founder Hannah Farley-Hills at the Marlowe in Canterbury. We were making work for adults
This drive towards censoring LGBTQ+ books is a terrifying prospect
Anyone who has read Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, and similar 20th century dystopias, will know the implications of book banning and that to restrict access to certain literature is to restrict understanding of the world around us. Throughout history, the censorship of art has been used as a way to facilitate control over populations, which makes the current situation in America all the more terrifying. Especially within the contexts of the recent dismantling of Roe vs. Wade, and the lines between politics and religion becoming increasingly blurred, the influence of far-right religious groups on public institutions such as schools and libraries is another step towards a dystopian-esque America. Image credit: Alice Oseman
The Naughty Fox teaches little ones that sharing is caring Anthony Welsh - Science sub-editor
also highlighted how 40% of the reported banned books had protagonists or prominent secondary characters of colour. We can see then, a clear attempt to suppress the voices of historically under-represented groups and restrict access to texts which deal explicitly with fundamental societal issues.
as well as younger audiences and we formed a creative partnership. The Naughty Fox had its origins there. When we left the Marlowe, they gifted us the show and we toured it. Then the lockdown happened, but luckily, we had most of the props and toys through our partnership with Jelly Cat. No one knew what was going to happen with the theatre industry, so we decided to use it as an opportunity to set up Toucan Theatre. The Naughty Fox is a PMLD show performed by Bri Malaika and Eleanor Wright and it’s a story about creatures Honk, Splash and TaWit Tawoo. They teach the Naughty Fox the very important lesson that sharing is caring. Anthony: Can you tell us about some of the considerations that have gone into creating an inclusive and accessible touring children’s theatre production? James: I might have to think a bit about that one! You start with the audience experience. Our public venue shows seats about 75-80 people. They all sit in a den, and the little ones sit at a low level, so there are health and safety considerations be made. The language of it is physical and oral rather than text-based as very young children have limited vocabulary and reading abilities. Young people with additional needs may be completely nonverbal, so we have had to make creative choices to accommodate those needs. We make sure it's accessible, say if a wheelchair user sees the show or needs a break, and the whole team have strived to make it as inclusive as possible. Toucan Theatre is a technically autonomous company. All the seating, lights and equipment create a bespoke setting for audiences to enjoy the show and can be scaled up or down depending on the performance space. The Naughty Fox will be showing on the 10th of November at Northern Stage
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Disposable Camera by Cc Lee And like a disposable camera, I gambled with you; With the memories; the Takes; the arguments and Places we went. Buying into the idea, I believed the Photos would come out gleaming and sparkling. The batch, at first, was clear and colourful, But the ends proved a disappointment. With saturated glances and obscured lines. Now all that remains in the gallery are the Beginning moments captured in a Memory glass container. Ready to fall and shatter, to join The ashes of the burnt ones That showed you in an unflattering light, Still falling to the floor.
Is TikTok the reason why the publishing world is changing? Jade Woods
With the emergence of #BookTok, what has the impact been on the publishing industry?
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ho would have thought TikTok, an app that exploded during lockdown with dance routines and funny videos, would give the publishing industry a new
boost? Following the trend of Bookstagram, thousands of young people across the globe are posting about their favourite books on TikTok using the hashtag #BookTok. The videos with the hashtag have obtained more than 86 billion views. The trend has taken the world by a storm, bookshops like Waterstones have sections dedicated to the books popular on the app, with signs saying “TikTok made me buy it”, many of these books end up as store bestsellers. YA fantasy, thrillers and romance books are particularly successful under this trend. I’m sure most people who know of the Booktok trend has heard of Colleen Hoover. Her novels are infamous on the app with young readers for their suspense and drama (despite their increasingly similar plots). However, books that have been around for years are also suddenly climbing to best seller lists, for example, Madeline Miller’s The Song of Achilles became a bestseller years after its publication due to its popularity on TikTok, the hashtag #thesongofachilles has more than 255 million views. The emergence of tropes in mainstream literature can also be attributed to TikTok. Whilst tropes have been around much longer than TikTok, they were usually confined to fanfiction platform such as Wattpad or Archive of our Own. However, in recent years, the volume has increased dramatically. Tropes like “enemies-
to-lovers”, which previously would have been included under a huge list of romance novels, have become the sole focus of recommendation lists. Queer trope-based recommendation lists have also become extremely popular with genres such as “queer friends-to-lovers” and “WLW enemies to lovers”. BookTok also seems to love specificity. There are hundreds of videos dedicated to insanely specific book recommendations which can be something as simple as books about books, or a popular one which I am a fan of, books featuring feminine rage. Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is guaranteed to be on pretty much every list. Others include Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder, My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh (alongside anything by Ottessa Moshfegh), A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers, Boy Parts by Eliza Clark, Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan. The list is almost endless. It is refreshing to see honestly angry novels by and about women. For centuries, women’s rage has been dismissed and trivialized, however this new genre which is popular on TikTok explores the cultural, gender triggers of untapped, unexpressed female in anger in eyeopening ways. So how exactly has BookTok changed literature? Well, it has opened avenues within publishing never before seen, the trend being a huge opportunity for publishers to see their sales figures soar. Moreover, it is launching older books to best sellers lists years after publication as ECO Publishing saw with The Song of Achilles. Writers themselves are joining TikTok to promote their work and simply, it is making reading more popular in a younger generation. Image credits: Goodreads, trustedreviews.com
Apprentice Puzzles Master: Katie Siddall
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Monday 7th November 2022
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Puzzles
Crossword
COURIER
Down
1. The ___, released Every Breath You Take. (6) 2. Marsupial native to Australia. (8) 3. Being unfaithful in a relationship. (8) 4. America. (1,1) 5. Site of the 1066 battle. (8) 6. A dream where you’re aware that you’re dreaming. (5) 8. Norse God and king of Asgard. (4) 14. Odysseus, Legendary hero and king of Ithica. (8) 17. Bat-and-ball game with wickets. (7) 18. ___ Lee, wrote To Kill a Mockingbird. (6) 19. Villain of The Little Mermaid. (6) 20. Sound that geese make. (4)
Across
1. Mascot of Pokémon. (7) 5. Frozen rain. (4) 7. Americanism for fizzy drink. (4) 9. Pole weapons often used on horseback. (6) 10. In unison. (4) 11. Slang meaning cool. (4) 12. Talkative. (6) 13. Used for dates after the supposed year Jesus was born. (1,1) 15. A traditional pub that has accommodation as well. (3) 16. Powerful, funnel-shaped wind storm. (7) 19. DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love singer. (5) 21. State code for Arizona. (1,1) 22. Emperor of Russia before 1917. (4) 25. Blue hedgehog famous for running fast. (5) 26. Spray that emits a fragrant odour. (7) 27. Unpleasant or repulsive, especially in appearance. (4)
Word Ladder Start at the top of the ladder, and change one letter each time to form a new word. By doing this, you will be able to get to the word at the end of the ladder.
Joke of the Week: George Bell - NSR Production Manager and Courier Jester
How do snails fight? They slug it out.
Issue 1433 Answers
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COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Apprentice Puzzles Master: Katie Siddall
Puzzles
Nonogram
1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
6 2 8 10 2 8 12 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 3 7 3 1 1 1 1 1 2 6 6 4 2 17 17 2 1 2
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Instructions 1 1 1 4
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1 7 1 4 1 3 3 6 1 8 2
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Colour in the cells in the grid according to the numbers on the sides of the grid to reveal a picture. The individual numbers in each row/ column are separated by spaces of 1 or more squares.
Notes
Created by Rhys Mason 1 2 5 1 7 4 4 1 5 2 5 1 2 2 3 9 1 3 1 3 1 3 1 1 3 17 1 16 2 17 1 1 1 1 4 6 6
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 2 2 2 1 2 3 2 5 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
2 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 1
3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 5 4 4 2 3 4 4 3 1
Sub-editors: Tom Barlow, Arthur Ferridge & Paige Rutter
30
Monday 7th November 2022
Sport
THE
COURIER
FIFA under pressure to ban Iran from Qatar World Cup James Kellett
Leading Iranian athletes have called for their own team to be dropped from the tournament...
F
ootball’s International governing body, FIFA, has been requested to ban the Iranian national team from the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar. A group of Iranian athletes have submitted the request to ban the national team, alongside the guidance of Spanish law firm, Ruiz-Huerta & Crespo.
The dire situation for women in Iran is a fundamental concern
The brutality the Iranian regime has shown towards its own people has been the primary motivator of this formal request. The dire situation for women in Iran is a fundamental concern for the group of athletes. In addition to the crisis women face in Iran over their political and socioeconomic freedoms, women are denied access to Football grounds across the country and have simply been prohibited from partaking in Iranian Football culture. The group has argued that if FIFA do not respond with any action, they are in violation of their own statutes, which form part of their governing constitution. It has been claimed that the Iranian Football Association is in violation of Article 3, respecting internationally recognised human rights, Article 4, discrimination of any kind, and Article 19, each member association shall manage its affairs independently and without third party influence. Moreover, it has been made aware FIFA have the statutory right through Article 16, to immediately suspend a
member association without a vote of the FIFA Congress. As well as the oppression Iranian women have faced, the group has stated that both former and current Football players, including national legends Ali Daei and Ali Karimi, have been targeted by the government due to their opposition to the regime.
FIFA have the right to immediately suspend a member without a vote Paired with the issues the group has presented over the actions of the Iranian government in the treatment of women, they have also raised concerns over the government supplying Russia with drones for their effort in the RussoUkrainian War. The potential to suspend Iran is not beyond the realms of possibilities as such action has been taken in the past, mostly recently against Russia who were suspended from the Qualifying Stages
of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Should Iran be banned, the question remains as to who takes their place with tournament being less than a month away? It has been suggested that Ukraine should take their place, particularly by Shaktar Donetsk CEO, Sergei Palkin. Other proposals include Italy to fill the void Iran would leave as Italy are ranked as the highest to have not qualified for the finals. Another course of action would be to replace Iran with the UAE as they are the highest ranked team from the Asian Football Confederation to have not qualified.
Image credit: Twitter (@arminia_int)
Steven Gerrard sacked by Aston Villa after 3-0 defeat to Fulham
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Dan Balliston teven Gerrard was sacked by Aston Villa just forty minutes after their dismal 3-0 defeat at the hands of Fulham after exactly eleven months in charge; thus becoming the forty-third manager to leave Aston Villa after being founded in 1874. Moments after the former Liverpool midfielder had declared that he was a ‘fighter’, vowing to persevere as manager of the Midlands club, the Villa board made the decision to sack Gerrard, a call that seemed inevitable after just two wins in eleven matches, and no away win all season.
A call that seemed inevitable after just two wins in elevent matches Gerrard’s managerial career had started superbly after his illustrious playing career, with a successful introduction to management in the Liverpool academy before leading Scottish club, Rangers, to their first Scottish Premiership title win in ten years during the 2020-2021 season. Gerrard’s passion on the touchline and footballing reputation immediately endeared him to the Rangers fans and the two parties developed a connection that was
abruptly ended in November 2021, when Aston Villa came calling, having sacked their long-term manager, Dean Smith.
14th place seemed an underachievement
Gerrard’s reign began with a 2-0 victory at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, the beginning of a run that saw Villa only taste defeat against Liverpool and Manchester City; picking up four victories in between those games before the turn of the year. Gerrard’s reputation seemed to play a major role in recruitment, too, with former Liverpool teammate and world star, Phillipe Coutinho joining Aston Villa from Barcelona and Lucas Digne significantly upgrading the left-back position in the January window. However, the new manager bounce that is so often seen at the top level faded into sentimental memory for Villa fans as their team’s season fizzled out into a mediocre mid-table finish, in which 14th place seemed an underachievement given the quality of the squad. What followed was a seemingly successful transfer window, in which sixty million
pounds was spent on players in the summer. This, though, turned out to be the killer blow for Gerrard as he was
unable to repay the owner’s financial backing with results, whilst also taking the decision to drop his captain, Tyrone Mings, due to a poor Image credit: Twitter (@CBSSportGolazo) patch of form, before eventually stripping the England defender completely of the captaincy role. The impatience of a fan base, that expected a potential European challenge at the start of the season, q u i c k l y a c c e l e r at e d into serious pressure as Villa recorded just two wins and three away goals in their first eleven matches. Then came the killer blow for Gerrard. A dismal showing away at newly promoted club, Fulham, saw the travelling fans turn against their manager with ‘sacked in the morning’ chants being performed from all corners of
Image credit: Twitter (@AVFCOfficial)
Craven Cottage. The morning, as the chant suggested, never arrived for Gerrard though, as the Aston Villa chairman, Nassef Sawiris, sacked Gerrard that very evening. Whilst the specific timing of the decision somewhat surprised journalists and fans, the overall decision did not come as a shock as the former Liverpool legend simply did not create an identity nor get the best out of what was an extremely capable squad throughout his time in charge. Since the sacking, Aston Villa have appointed former Arsenal manager, Unai Emery as their new head coach, poaching him from Spanish club, Villarreal. Emery’s pedigree as a manager is undoubtedly excellent and the Spaniard will feel he has unfinished business in the Premier League after his positive start at Arsenal diminished into a sour ending. As for Gerrard, the predicted pathway of taking Aston Villa to the top half of the Premier League, before taking over from Jurgen Klopp as manager of Liverpool now looks increasingly unlikely and more a romantic return that would surely be out of sentiment rather than sense. The former midfielder will need to go again and regain his confidence at the lower levels before returning to the top-flight it seems; but football is a turbulent game and Steven Gerrard’s next destination in his managerial career can certainly not be foreseen.
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Tom Barlow, Arthur Ferridge & Paige Rutter
Sport
31
LGBT protester detained in Qatar as human rights controversies continue Paige Rutter Sport sub-editor
With the World Cup only weeks away Qatar's human rights policies remain under heavy scrutiny
T
he World Cup is less than a month away and there are increasing waves of criticism over the host nation of the tournament. There is no escaping human rights concerns when it comes to talking about the 2022 World Cup, with the host nation Qatar coming under firefor their specific regulations. One reoccurring theme is their treatment of LGBTQ+ people, in a country where homosexuality is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
There is no escaping human rights concerns in Qatar LGBTQ+ protester Peter Tatchell
attempted to challenge these laws by staging a protest outside the national museum of Qatar. The campaigner gripped a sign reading “Qatar arrests, jails & subjects LGBTs to ‘conversion’”, followed by ‘#QatarAntiGay’.
Their sign was confiscated by two police officers and both men's passports were photographed
This was then followed by reports that Tatchell and the other man alongside him were arrested due to these actions. The sign being held was confiscated by two police officers and the passports of both men were photographed. Conflicting reports regarding whether an arrest had taken place were quickly suppressed by the Qatari government, however, Tatchell claimed that he was arrested and was held by authorities for over 40 minutes. Speaking in a video via his Twitter account after the protest he declared “This protest was to shine a light on the abusive human rights in Qatar.
This is the first ever LGBT+ protest in Qatar”. Also adding that he hopes to draw attention to the treatment of women and migrant workers within the country. Tatchell has since not stopped his campaign in raising awareness of the human rights issues, praising the Australian football team who have become the first team to criticise Qatar. The team released a statement covering the treatment of migrant workers and LGBT people, including stating that “As players we fully support the rights of LGBTI+ people, but in Qatar people are not free to love the person that they choose”. There was also controversy over the comments from the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Cleverly, who stated that LGBT fans travelling to the World Cup should be “respectful of the host nation”. This comment once again received an influx of clashing opinions, one being from former striker Gary Lineker who stated on Twitter “Whatever you do, don’t do
Newcastle University Surf: riding waves in Newquay Jarryd Meyer
NCL's annual BUCS competition for the Surf Club
O
n the 13th of October, Newcastle University Surf Club descended to the depths of England for the annual BUCS competition in Newquay, Cornwall. Being a good surfer is not all about having long, luscious hair and an extremely short board. At surf competitions such as BUCS, judges are looking for style, speed, flow, difficulty, innovation and epic manoeuvres. 360s and hanging 10s are very much encouraged. Unfortunately, as competitor Leo
Tyler found out, doing a backflip whilst bailing a wave doesn’t gain you extra points. After a ten-hour mini-bus journey full of anticipation the previous day, the Surf Club was ready to conquer some Cornish waves. On a fine Friday morning with the sun and wind kissing our faces, wetsuits were zipped and boards waxed, as the Surf Club sent it into the sea. No boots were required in Newquay, a rare luxury for North-East surfers used to brain freeze and numb toes. The first heats for our 7 competitors began on Fistral Beach. The conditions were not ideal – strong offshore winds and minimal swell. Despite the efforts of our best male surfers, who ripped, dipped, and flipped on their waves, they failed to make it through to the next round. The boys were beaten by the smallest of decimal points against
Image credit: Jarryd Meyer
The conditions were not ideal strong offshore winds and minimal swell talents from universities such as Exeter, Falmouth and Plymouth. But not to despair, our sole female competitor Tabby Vause won her heat, advancing to the next round behind the roar of NUSC on the beach! But as our luck went that weekend, the waves at Fistral were blown out by even stronger winds on the Saturday, making it incredibly hard to surf, leading to Tabby's exit in the competition. These results did not take anything away from the weekend, as Newquay was blessed by wicked waves at various beaches, glorious sunshine, and the sweet nectar of Rattler ciders. Cornish Pasties were scoffed in abundance, an army of Toon Surf Pirates raided the nightlife of Newquay, and we made allies and foes with other University Surf Clubs such as Leeds, Liverpool, Southampton and Aberystwyth. But most importantly, probably the greatest party wave in our Surf Club’s history was caught on the Friday. It was a truly incredible sight. It was a wonderful weekend spent with fellow University Surf Clubs across the country, a weekend anyone took part in will never forget. We will definitely be back stronger than ever next year.
anything gay. Is that the message?”.
The Wale Captain will be taking part in the 'One Love' campaign
Image credit: Twitter (@PeterTatchell)
It was also recently announced that Labour leader Kier Starmer would not be attending the tournament, likewise the new Prince of Wales also confirmed he has ‘no plans’ to attend. In contrast, multiple Welsh ministers have been confirmed to attend the event. This comes as the Economy Minister declared “We will use our platform as an opportunity to express our values and to demonstrate that Wales is a nation of values on the world stage.” Wales head coach Rob Page also recently confirmed that the captain of the team will be taking part in the ‘One Love’ campaign by donning the rainbow armband in Qatar, joining the likes of England and Germany. It is common to hear that politics should not be involved in football, but in a sport which promotes equality and diversity the backlash of this tournament is not surprising.
Hoops hurrah:
Win for NCL
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Leo David Prajogo
or our team's first ever match, we played against Durham uni's team. With some of their members having played in BUCS last year, we knew we were in for a tough one, but our team rose up to the challenge!
The scores stayed quite close for the first half of the match
The scores stayed quite close for the first half of the match, but a
few good shots brought the match to our favour, and with some last minute points we won the game 2017. Durham played a strong offence, but our defence was tighter, and our players gave it our all. Our second match was against Hull, and their strong defence, along with some accurate shooters, kept us on our (metaphorical) toes. However, we got the upper hand in the last quarter, and kept it that way with a tough defence; a good combination of zone defences and presses made sure Hull didn't get any more shots in, and some excellent ball handling from our captain in the last twenty seconds kept the score in our favour, ending the match 32-30.
Image credit: NU Wheelchair Basketball Club
THE
COURIER
Monday 7th November 2022
Sub-editors: Tom Barlow,, Arthur Ferridge & Paige Rutter
Sport 32 NUWFC president Amelia Eastham BUCS talks BUCS and footballing heroes RESULTS Arthur Ferridge - Sport sub-editor
A sit down with NUWFC’s president to talk all things sport
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ewcastle University’s Women’s Football Club is one of Newcastle’s most exciting sports teams. A crop of new players and an exciting new partnership with Xenia Recruitment point to a promising campaign, and we sat down with club president Amelia Eastham to discuss her new role in the team, club aspirations, and the growth of women’s sport. What does your role as President involve? President basically organises everything that goes on in the club and checks things are running smoothly, and if there are any issues normally it comes through you first. At the start, I’d say it was more work because we had about 15 girls leave last year, so we had to organise trials for freshers that came. And yeah, we had over 90 girls trial, I think, for us this year. That was really good, the highest we’ve ever had, but organizing it, as you can imagine was quite intensive. What was the feeling in the team ahead of your first match? We were nervous to be honest. The ones got promoted last season and we did the double, winning the league and the cup. We did really well, but that also meant that we went into a higher league this season. I think it’s just the fear of the unknown, so we were nervous. In our first match against Leeds, we made a few errors, but we know where we went wrong, and we’ve worked on it in training. We ended up losing that match 4-2, but came back with two wins, so we’re on track. There are definitely still things to work on, but there always will be, so we’re happy so far.
got the afternoon off work specially to come. The second team got a bus down to come and watch, they all made banners and wore costumes, that was probably my highlight from last season. The league table is really tight right now, how does the team feel about that? We like that, you don’t know who’s going to beat who, anything can happen. I guess its like the Championship, its very tight on points, but I guess that’s good because we made mistakes in our first match but we’ve not been completely knocked out, we’re still in for the win. To be honest, I think to be mid-table and know we’ve grafted is really good. What are your personal goals for the season? I just want to set a good example to the new girls coming in and to make sure that there’s a positive friendly environment in the club. We are a pretty small group, so we’re all really close. I think if you have a group of friends as well as a group of teammates, you can’t ask for more. Would you say women’s sport has a good upward trajectory in terms of the push for equality? I’d say so, especially because of the Lionesses’ success in the Euros, I think that’s what brought so many people to trials this year. They saw the women play and thought, “You know what, I’ll
give that a go.” We’ve got intramural teams as well within the Uni, so people join those. They’re still having a good time playing the sport and if that works for them, then that’s all you can ask. Has growth in the professional women’s game had an effect on team morale? Definitely. I think the people that are in the team are pushing to play at a higher standard. We’ve got a few girls now that play for Durham, Everton and Sheffield, so they’ve played at high levels before. I think everyone’s thought “You know what, we’ve seen the Lionesses do it, why are we not pushing to be the best we can be?” It’s positive in all aspects, really.
BADMINTON
M2 V Newcastle 1 W1 V Birmingham (H)
BASKETBALL
M1 V Notts. Trent 1 (H) 90-83 W1 V Edinburgh 1 (H) 73-65
EQUESTRIAN
A Team Round Robin
The team are pushing to play at a higher standard Are there any particular female athletes you look up to? Quite a few of the girls from the Lionesses, so Jill Scott, Lucy Bronze, people like that. They started at the bottom when women’s football wasn’t really a big deal and no one watched it. They’ve played in games with barely any fans, and then this summer they turned up to stadiums and they are sold out. A few girls from the team and I went to
M1 V Durham 1 (H)
GOLF
2 V Leeds Beckett 2
go and watch some of the Euro matches and the atmosphere was unreal. They started from nothing and worked their way up, and we can all relate to that. If you’re looking to join NUWFC or support the team, follow the team’s Instagram page @_NUWFC.
3-1 4.5-1.5
HOCKEY
M2 V Northumbria 1 (H) 1-0 M3 V Sheff Hallam (H) 2-4 W1 V Oxford Brookes 1 (H) 3-2
LACROSSE
M2 V Durham 2 (H) W1 V Durham 2 (H) W2 V Durham 4 (H)
NETBALL
2 V Leeds 2 (H)
RUGBY UNION
M1 V Notts. Trent 1 (H) M2 V Durham 4 (H) M4 V Leeds 2 (H)
1-8 8-16 12-13 35-45 26-17 29-12 14-9
SQUASH
M2 V Sheffield 2 (H) M4 V Sheffield 3 (H)
5-0 3-0
TABLE TENNIS
M2 V Lancaster 1 (H)
TENNIS
17-0
M2 V Leeds Beckett 5 (H) W3 V Sheffield 1 (H)
ULTIMATE FRISBEE
M1 V Durham 1 (H)
What are your hopes for the rest of the year? Are there any particular games you’re looking forward to? As a club we particularly enjoy the cup. You end up playing teams that you don’t usually play in the league, so it’s fresh, it’s new. I feel like winning the cup is just such an experience, you play in the final and you get a proper trophy presentation. Loads of people came to watch the final last year, my Mum
VOLLEYBALL
M1 V Edinburgh 1 (H) W1 V Edinburgh 1 (H)
Image credit: All images by Amelia Eastham
INSIDE SPORT THIS WEEK Riding waves in the annual BUCS competition in Newquay
Won
FOOTBALL
We did the double, winning the league and the cup
NU Surf Club
1-7 4-4
LGBTQ+ Protestor Peter Tatchell arrested for Qatar protest
Steven Gerrard sacked
Aston Villa’s brutal sacking of manager Steven Gerrard
Image credit: Jarryd Meyer Image credit: Twitter (@PeterTatchell)
Image credit: Twitter (@CBSSportGolazo)
5-1 0-6
4-14 5-1 3-0