The Courier 1209

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Radio 1 comes to Newcastle Culture, page 20-21

THE

C OU RI E R THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS

Issue 1209 Tuesday 15 March 2010 www.thecourieronline.co.uk

EST 1948

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J. WHITLAM

Top University doctor warns: ‘M-Cat will kill’ Legal drug is more addictive than ecstasy says pharmacologist

Many companies selling the drug warn that it is not for human consumption, but upon ordering, will have it delivered within 48 hours. The compound, also known as ‘miaw’, ‘bubble’ or ‘drone’, is reported to induce euphoric feelings in combination with mental and physical stimulation and users describe feelings of empathy and increased alertness. Dr Shoaib told The Courier: “The compound will keep you high and speed you up a bit, but its long term use will start to cause toxicity. The main concern is because it is so new,

we don’t know how much damage it’s going to cause. “We already know that when you start taking this type of compound it ruptures your brain and depletes certain parts involved in motor coordination. It would not surprise me if mephedrone had similar effects. “Another main concern with students experimenting with this drug is that they are most likely mixing with alcohol. This is only going to make the effects even more fatal. “Students are taking a massive risk by taking drugs no one is sure of yet. No one knows exactly what it is and it is only a matter of time before there is a fatality. “Some of these compounds are very dangerous and this substance should be made illegal. It may be legal, but it certainly does not make it any safer because it is just so new and unfortunately the government has not been fast enough to pass any legislation on it.â€? Authorities in Guernsey have already banned its importation and are currently taking steps to see if it FDQ EH FODVVLĂ€ HG DV D &ODVV $ GUXJ along with drugs such as cocaine and heroin. Critics claim that banning the drug will not solve the problem and that it should be more closely controlled. Continued on page 5

Block 26 blaze

Students up in arms

International institution

A traveller’s tale

BUCS agony for Royals

Investigation underway after students and staff were rushed to Newcastle General Hospital following 5LFKDUGVRQ 5RDG NLWFKHQ Âż UH News, page 7

After the recent campus protest by the Newcastle University Campaign Against the Arms Trade group, is investing in arms trade unethical or not? Comment, page 9

Kat Bishop looks into the growing number of overseas students at Newcastle University and how they manage to integrate with home students Life & Style, page 14-15

Author, journalist and television presenter Simon Reeve speaks about his new BBC series which sees him travel through 18 countries Culture, page 34-35

A last-gasp try from Hartpury sent 1HZFDVWOHÂśV KHURLF UXJE\ Âż UVW WHDP RXW DW WKH TXDUWHU Âż QDO VWDJH of the BUCS Championships 6SRUW SDJH

Jessica Tully News Editor A leading Newcastle University pharmacologist has urged students to stay away from ‘legal high’ drug mephedrone. Dr Mohameed Shoaib, a senior lecturer and researcher in drugs and abuse, has called for the drug to be banned immediately and said fatalities are inevitable. The drug, widely known as ‘MCat’, has been legally available for a year and is being sold on the internet and by dealers across the University campus. Dr Shoaib said: “At the moment it looks like it is on par with ecstasy; in actual fact it is two molecular tweaks away from pure ecstasy, but because it has a higher level of dopamine it is more likely individuals will become hooked on it. “Just because it is legal, does not mean it is safe. The dangerous thing here is when you look closely at the molecule it is highly, highly addictive. “It will only be six months on, when we start hearing of fatal cases of students’ experiences with the drug that its long term effects will become apparent.� Mephedrone is an amphetamine variant, commonly imported from China. Little is known about the long term effects on users, but that

is not stopping hoards of Newcastle students experimenting with the drug. It is usually snorted through powder form, but in some cases students are mixing it into their drinks. The drug is legally available to purchase over the internet as ‘plant food’ or ‘plant fertilizer’.

“Students are taking a massive risk by taking drugs no one is sure of yet�

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Delamere’s delight as new Union President crowned Election results, page 3

Inside today >>>

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Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

The Union Society, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940

Richardson Road fire fright

Comment Rule Britannia? Danny Kielty discusses how nationalists are missing the mongrel nature of Britain Page 10

Life & Style A world apart Uncovering the lives of international students Page 14-15

Culture In Newcastle We Trust As Radio 1 roll into town, Culture’s writers review all the live shows including Zane Lowe and Annie Mac Page 20-21

Sport Derby day delight Royals revel in victory as football seconds beat Durham at Cochrane Park Page 42-43

Meetings Timetable: Monday Sport - 11am, Committee Room A News - 12pm, Committee Room C Comment - 12pm, Committee Room C Photos - 2pm, Committee Room B Tuesday Life & Style - 12pm, Committee Room A Wednesday Film - 12pm, Committee Room A Music - 1pm, Committee Room B Thursday Arts - 12pm, Committee Room A Editorial Team: ‡ (GLWRU 'DYLG &RYHUGDOH ‡ 'HSXW\ (GLWRU )UDQ ,QIDQWH ‡ 1HZV (GLWRUV -HVVLFD 7XOO\ DQG 6LPRQ Murphy ‡ &RPPHQW (GLWRUV &DUROLQH $UJ\URSXOR Palmer and Nicholas Fidler ‡ /LIH 6W\OH (GLWRUV /DULVD %URZQ $OH[ Felton and Ashley Fryer ‡ &XOWXUH (GLWRU $OLFH 9LQFHQW ‡ $UWV (GLWRU 6WHSKDQLH )HUUDR ‡ )LOP (GLWRU )UDQFHV .URRQ ‡ 0XVLF (GLWRUV 0DUN &RUFRUDQ /HWWLFH DQG Chris Mandle ‡ 79 5DGLR (GLWRU $LPHH 3KLOLSVRQ ‡ 3X]]OHV (GLWRUV 6X]L 0RRUH DQG 1HG Walker ‡ 6SRUWV (GLWRUV 3DXO &KULVWLDQ -DPLH *DYLQ and Tom James ‡ 'HVLJQ (GLWRU 9LFWRULD %HOO ‡ 2QOLQH (GLWRUV *RUGRQ %UXFH -HVVLFD Monson and Laura Walker ‡ 3URRI (GLWRUV 5XWK $OVDQFDN &ODLUH Childs, Kath Harmer, Lucy Houlden, Anna Kenolty, Charlotte Loftus, Emma Peasgood and Claire Russell

News Editors: Simon Murphy and Jessica Tully - courier.news@ncl.ac.uk

Going green: University launches ‘Switch Off’ campaign to encourage less waste Wills Robinson Newcastle is looking to go even greener after a year-long, campus wide campaign - called Switch Off - was launched at the beginning of February to make students more environmentally friendly. The campaign is part of the nation’s universities’ wider 10:10 ambitions, to cut CO2 emissions by 10% come the end of 2010, with aims to cut carbon emissions by half in ten years, as the battle against climate change wages on. The idea is to, as the name suggests, switch off all lights and electrical equipment whenever students aren’t using them to reduce energy consumption, and generally be aware of how leaving your laptop RU 79 RQ VWDQGE\ RU OHDYLQJ WKH bathroom light on, can still leave a carbon footprint. Launched in the Agricultural building, with support from the 9LFH &KDQFHOORU 3URIHVVRU &KULV %ULQN DQG 3UR 9LFH &KDQFHOORU DQG Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development, Professor Tony Stevenson, the campaign will focus on a different building every week, with the Robinson Library up next week. Each venue will be bombarded with banners – which can already be seen outside the Sports Centre – and emails, as well as drop in sessions and roadshows to encourage staff and students to discuss energy use in their building and around the campus. Newcastle is famous the world over as the birthplace of what the university’s Sir Joseph Swann Institute calls ‘Carboniferous Capitalism’. In the late sixteenth century, it was KRPH WR WKH Ă€ UVW LQGXVWULDO VFDOH coal mining in the world. Four hundred years on, the ‘Toon’ is a science

Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent Student Newspaper of the Union Society at the University of Newcastle-UponTyne. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Union Society or the University of Newcastleupon-Tyne.

Waste not want not: Vice-Chancellor Chris Brink has thrown his support behind the University’s ‘Switch Off’ campaign for 2010

city, and rapidly becoming a global leader in the shift to a low-carbon energy economy, with Newcastle University having very much a key role in that leadership. Newcastle University claims to be at the ‘forefront of climate change’, and has also laid down plans to invest in more energy saving lighting and automatic controls to reduce waste, more recycling bins around campus and the replacement of the old boilers that have kept us warm during the snow of January and February. There is also the proposed development of the ‘EcoCampus’ scheme. The new Environmental Management System (EMS), also known as EcoCampus, is an award scheme

that reviews universities’ environmental standards and sustainability, ZLWK WKH FKDQFHV RI ZLQQLQJ %URQ]H Silver, Gold or Platinum awards, depending on how far along the implementation of certain environmental improvements are going. At the moment, Newcastle is at the %URQ]H DZDUG OHYHO The University has a student population just shy of 20,000 and over 5,500 staff, so it takes a massive amount of energy for everyone to be kept warm – a necessity up here – and illuminated. In 2008/09 the University spent £5.6 million on electricity and another £3 million on gas bills. Around half of the University’s enHUJ\ FRQVXPSWLRQ LV RXWVLGH RIÀ FH

and lecture hours. Also, 19% of the carbon footprint left by the University is from student accommodation, which has already been combated by the light sensors in the corridors of halls such as Richardson Road. To many it seems simple, and some may just not care, but it is the little things that will lead to the reduction in the University’s carbon footprint. 6R WHOO \RXU Ă DW PDWH WR VZLWFK off the lights and watch out for the big white ‘Switch Off 2010’ banners because they will be everywhere around campus, cracking down on energy wasters over the comLQJ \HDU ,I \RX ZDQW WR Ă€ QG RXW more, visit: www.ncl.ac.uk/switchoff2010.

Heroin addict jailed for 26 years after fatal stabbing of Geordie student in Leeds Charlie Oven

The Courier is printed by: Harmsworth Printing Limited, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2DW. Tel: 01332 253013.

> Page 7

A heroin addict has been jailed for a minimum of 26 years after stabbing a student from Newcastle to death during a burglary. The Telegraph reported that frequent burglar Gareth Brear, 31, pleaded guilty to the murder of 20 year-old Joe Cook in his student accommodation in Leeds in August last year. Mr Cook was due to begin his secRQG \HDU RI D À QH DUW GHJUHH DW /HHGV Metropolitan University when Brear broke into the property in the Hyde Park area of the city, and stabbed Mr Cook 15 times with a kitchen knife before ransacking the house and stealing a BMX bike.

The universally liked and loved student from Newcastle upon Tyne was found by police the following GD\ O\LQJ RQ KLV EHG LQ KLV À UVW à RRU bedroom. The Telegraph reported that as details of the murder were outlined in court, friends and family of Mr Cook sobbed in the public gallery. Brear was arrested after police were contacted by concerned staff at a homeless project, where the defendant repeatedly mentioned the murder to a support worker. Graham Hyland QC, prosecuting, detailed that Mr Cook was alone in the six-bedroom house on the night of August 30 when Brear, who was high on drink and drugs, entered through a basement kitchen win-

dow. During the course of the break in, Mr Hyland said the student sent a text message to a friend saying “there’s someone in the houseâ€?. 0U +\ODQG FRQĂ€ UPHG WKDW D FRQ frontation took place between the two, where the defendant confronted the defenceless Cook. An emotionally moving statement from Mr Cook’s parents was read to the court, reported by The Telegraph, UHĂ HFWLQJ WKH IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV¡ devastation in response to the talented young man’s death. The statement read: “Joe never knew violence; he had never been in D Ă€ JKW -RH FRXOG RIIHU QR SURYRFD tion, and he had no defence.â€? Speaking to the Telegraph after the

sentencing, Detective Superintendent Bill Shackleton of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Inquiry Team said: “Joe was physically small and is unlikely to have offered much resistance. The violence used by Brear was completely unnecessary and unwarranted.� Over the course of the family statement being read in court, Brear is said to have hung his head. The court heard that Brear had a history of offending to feed his drink and drug addictions, with numerous convictions for burglary, theft and drug offences. The Yorkshire Post reported how the grief stricken parents of Mr Cook described their son as “an open, honest and kind young man�.

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

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News

6DEEDWLFDO RIĂ€FHUV QDPHG LQ HPRWLRQDO HOHFWLRQ QLJKW J. WHITLAM

Bethany Sissons Last Thursday evening, the winners of the Union elections were announced in the Basement of the Students’ Union with Tom Delamere declared as Union President for 2010-2011. With the crowd cheering and the song ‘Vindaloo’ as his victory tune, Tom Delamere bounded onto the stage in shock, having beaten off Andy Kempster in one of the closest contests in election history. With Rachael White and Dave Hickling also in the ballot for President, it went down to Delamere and Kempster in the last round of votLQJ ZLWK 'HODPHUH Ă€QDOO\ HGJLQJ LW by 837 votes to Kempster’s 814. Speaking to The Courier immediately after his win was revealed, Delamere said: “I’m so excited for the year ahead. It will be a year of massive change in the Union and I can’t wait to get involved.â€? In his manifesto, Delamere said that he wanted to ‘maximise every student’s experience’. Revealing his plans for his year as President, the Liverpudlian added: “I want to communicate with students so that I know what they want from the Union next year.â€? The results night brought an end to a long four days of campaigning around campus which began with candidates speaking at Hustings on Monday afternoon. Delamere said: “It’s been a really good week and the other candidates have been fantastic.â€? His strategy for winning the presidency was to speak to students on a one-to-one basis and spent his campaign week meeting as many students as possible. “I’ve been targeting students individually so that they can tell me what they want from their university experience,â€? he said. The redevelopment of the Union next year means that students won’t have the usual focal point within the University, but Delamere promises, as President, to ensure that changes made to the Union are in line with the needs of students. He also described in his manifesto how the Union has ‘greatly increased’ his enjoyment of university and as President, Delamere hopes to offer other students the same positive experience. In the elections for the other sabEDWLFDO RIĂ€FHU SRVLWLRQV (GLWRU RI The Courier went to current Deputy Editor, Francesca Infante, amid controversy, with the result being delayed on the night following an apSHDO LQWR WKH GLVTXDOLĂ€FDWLRQ RI RQH RI WKH Ă€YH (GLWRU FDQGLGDWHV Infante eventually heard her fate

Clockwise from top left: Tom Delamere, Francesca Infante, Charley Wright, Sarah Fearns, Mike Wilkinson and Lil Collingham

on Friday afternoon, and beat off strong competition from Alex Felton to land her dream role. Elsewhere, Michael Wilkinson, known throughout the week as ‘Irish Mike’, won the role of ActiviWLHV 2IĂ€FHU After being announced as the winner, Wilkinson told The Courier: “I’m ecstatic; I just can’t believe it. I am delighted and gutted at the same time because a friend of mine lost out.â€? When asked if he was celebrating after the results, Wilkinson said “I am getting slaughtered tonight.â€? Danielle Cancelliere, Wilkinson’s girlfriend and one of his most dedicated campaigners, told The Courier how proud she was of Wilkinson. She said: “I burst into tears in happiness because it’s been a massively emotional week. “It has been such hard work but we’ve all loved every minute of it; campaigning has been an amazing

experience.â€? Cancelliere had been campaigning outside the Robinson Library all week on Wilkinson’s behalf, handing out sweets and pegs telling students to vote for Irish Mike. She said: “I was with Mike when he won and it was indescribable. We’ve tried to make the campaign really fun as it can be competitive and stressful. “As a team, we realised that the most important thing was to have a good time and meet as many new people as possible.â€? 7KH UROH RI $WKOHWLF 8QLRQ 2IĂ€FHU went to Charley Wright. His promises to develop the Team Newcastle brand and make Wednesday nights the best ever encouraged Newcastle students to vote for him. He told The Courier; “I’m ecstatic and I just can’t wait to start. I know I was unopposed but I didn’t want to count my chickens.â€? At Hustings on Monday, when

questioned by the audience about the safety of Wednesday nights, Wright addressed the issue of making Wednesday sports socials safe but equally brilliant. He told the audience that he was already planning Wednesday nights for the next academic year but that celebrations after sports matches will need to be responsible. 6WXGHQW 6XSSRUW 2IĂ€FHU ZDV YRWHG as Sarah Fearns. When the result was announced, Fearns came onto the stage cheering and told the supportive crowd that she wanted to thank everyone who had voted for her. She said: “I’ve never been this happy about anything before. I can’t speak. “I’ve had a brilliant campaign team; I’ve been texting everyone that I’ve ever met at university to tell them to vote for me as well as spending time meeting students around their halls.

“We have just gone mental all week to get as many votes as possiEOH DQG , ZLOO GHĂ€QLWHO\ EH FHOHEUDWing the result tonight.â€? Fearns’s role next year means that she will tackle the proposed increase on top-up fees as well as dealing with campaigns to raise awareness of drugs and student mental health. Furthermore, Fearns also wants WR KHOS VWXGHQWV EH PRUH FRQĂ€GHQW ZKHQ Ă€QGLQJ SULYDWH DFFRPPRGDtion and has therefore pledged to propose a university based housing agency. 7KH VDEEDWLFDO RIĂ€FHU WHDP ZDV completed by History student, Lil Collingham, who won the title of (GXFDWLRQ 2IĂ€FHU 6XUURXQGHG E\ her campaign team and friends, she told The Courier: “I’m really proud of my campaign team. I couldn’t have done it without them. I’m just so surprised.â€? Collingham’s experience ensured that she received the largest number of votes from Newcastle students to VHFXUH WKH (GXFDWLRQ 2IĂ€FHU MRE From launching the School of Historical Studies’s new mentoring scheme, representing 18,000 students at Senate and as a 2010 RAG supervisor, Collingham has had diverse experience in representing students in university education. She aims to focus on ensuring better written exam feedback for students, as well as trying to prevent lectures taking place on sports afternoons. David Gray remains as Students ZLWK 'LVDELOLWLHV 2IĂ€FHU DIWHU FKDUPing the audience at Hustings with his idea of a new lift for the new Union building, making access easier for students with disabilities. David Craig was announced as Chair of Union Council whilst Ayse Djahit and Rosie Finnigan will share the role of Ethics and Environment 2IĂ€FHUV James O’Sullivan won Convenor RI 'HEDWHV DQG ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 2IĂ€FHU went to Boriss Kaigorodovs and Simon Pieris. Votes went to Ross Dent IRU / * % 7 2IĂ€FHU DQG /RUL 0F'LQH DV 6WXGHQW 3DUHQW &DUHUV 2IĂ€FHU Edward Marston and Olivia MackLH ZLOO EH 5$* 2IĂ€FHUV IRU promising to reinvent RAG Week to make it the best week yet. Jeremy Mason and Elizabeth Clegg will be 5DFLDO (TXDOLW\ 2IĂ€FHUV DQG $GHwole Kayode won the Postgraduate 2IĂ€FHU SRVW After a week of intense campaigning, the winning students will now look forward to their new positions. Without a Union building, student life may be very different next year but with a strong team in place to support students, the academic year 2010-2011 looks set to be positive.

New report calls for university tuition fees to be scrapped Rosie Libell A recent report has suggested that the government should scrap the cap on tuition fees in order to make universities more independent. The report, by the Adam Smith Institute which encourages freemarket policies, states universities should be able to decide how much they charge and recommended increasing the fees to over ÂŁ5,000. -DPHV 6WDQĂ€HOG ZULWHU RI 7KH Broken University and a fellow of Newcastle University’s E.G. West Centre, which researches the role of private education, told the BBC: “tu-

ition fees ought to send out important signals about the relative value of different university courses, and help to co-ordinate the interests of students, universities and future employers.â€? The report states that by keeping the tuition fees low, students have devalued degrees and are more inclined to “choose inappropriate courses or not work as hard.â€? 6WDQĂ€HOG DUJXHG WKH VFUDS LV QHFHVsary if the UK is to remain a world leader in higher education. It is claimed that institutions are struggling to compete with the United States. The free market on fees that

the report calls for would mean a similar system to the U.S. where some institutions charge over ÂŁ20, 000 a year. The report suggests that Government subsidy of universities should be phased out. Executive director of the Adam Smith institute, Tom Clougherty, told the BBC: “Ending the direct subsidy would empower students, because universities would be forced to treat them as paying customers.â€? He then went on to say that this would also benHĂ€W WD[SD\HUV The vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham, Terence Kealey,

said the report demonstrates that Britain would be healthier if universities were privatised. The university is the only private university in the UK. The proposals have been condemned by students and lecturers, saying they would be a “disaster� for higher education. The President of NUS, Wes Steering, told the BBC: “At a time where students are leaving university with record levels of debt, and graduate job prospects are at an all time low, it is offensive to argue that the cap on fees should be raised at all, let alone lifted entirely.�

Andriana Georgiou, President of Union Society at Newcastle University, told The Courier: “If the cap is lifted and universities could charge what they like, then it is possible that Newcastle University, being part of the Russell Group (which represents the top twenty research universities), would become one of the most expensive universities to attend. “This could in turn have implications on who could afford to study here, and could mean that Newcastle’s diverse range of students from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds may decrease.�

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Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

News S. MURPHY

Jessica Tully News Editor One Newcastle University student has told The Courier how he relied on selling mephedrone to students to help him keep up with his university payments. The third year student, who wishes to remain anonymous, has sold around ÂŁ1,500 of the drug in the last few months and said without it, he would have been seriously strugJOLQJ Ă€QDQFLDOO\ The student, who began experimenting with the drug himself over the summer, realised there was a high demand for the drug among students in Newcastle. He told The Courier ´, Ă€UVW WRRN mephedrone at home in Bristol with friends. When I came back to Newcastle in September I realised a lot of students were experimenting with it. “By Christmas, people were relying on me to have it and there were loads of students willing to pay for it. I started bulk buying it on the internet and then selling it to students. “I used to get phone calls at three in the morning from people who were on it and craving more. I had one lad ring me at 8am asking for more. He’d been on it for 12 hours at that point. “People used to ring me before a night out asking for one or two grams and would then ring me from between 3am and 8am asking for Ă€YH PRUH JUDPV 2QH )ULGD\ QLJKW I had 23 missed calls from students asking me to provide them with MCat. “I think I have probably sold about ÂŁ1,500 worth of it in the last few months and on one particular night I sold ÂŁ300 worth of it.â€? The third year sciences student has now stopped selling the drug. He said: “I got really annoyed with people ringing me all the time. It was a really good way for me to make PRQH\ DQG LI LW ZDVQ¡W IRU WKH SURĂ€W I’d made I would have been really struggling cash wise. “I’ve stopped taking it myself now as well but I can completely see how mephedrone appeals to students. I’ve tried MDMA and pills as well and this is just as good, just far cheaper and far easier to get hold of. It’s just much more convenient.â€?

Dark dealings: the legal drug that can kill

A university professor in Pennsylvania has been suspended over a OLJKW KHDUWHG )DFHERRN SRVW WKUHDWening to kill students. Gloria Gadsden, a Sociology professor, posted the message: “Does DQ\RQH NQRZ ZKHUH , FDQ Ă€QG D very discrete hitman? Yes, it’s been that kind of day.â€? (GXFDWLRQ RIĂ€FLDOV GLG QRW VHH WKH

I would predict that six months from me writing this, the government will have reacted to media DQG VFLHQWLÀF K\SHUEROH DQG DV is tradition in Britain, banned mephedrone outright before it has learnt everything about the drug. :H RSHUDWH RQ D EDQ ÀUVW TXHVtion later system in this country when it comes to drugs, which is why mephedrone will become another chapter in the tussle between clubbers and the law. There are three big reasons why mephedrone is popular, and more reasons why simply outlawing it before all is fully known about it will simply be a massive sideways step. Firstly, the feeling mephedrone gives you is quite plainly a

Laura Heads Commentary A legal drug that’s as deadly as ecstasy; is it just me or does something about that sentence not sound right? It begs the question as to why this drug isn’t illegal; why, when Newcastle University’s Dr Mohameed Shoaib has noted that it is only a matter of time before it FODLPV LWV ÀUVW 8. YLFWLP WKH JRYernment aren’t pulling out all the stops to get it illegalised. Despite being only one molecule different from ecstasy, mephedrone is being legally sold on the internet as plant fertiliser and is available to anyone who wants to buy it.

joke, however, and have suspended WKH SURIHVVRU LQGHĂ€QLWHO\ When justifying the suspension, the University Dean referred to a shooting at the University of Alabama-Huntsville that took place earlier this month. Students at the university have posted messages defending the proIHVVRU¡V ZRUGV RQ D )DFHERRN JURXS called “Support Gloria Gadsdenâ€?.

New student visa requirements call for language standards A number of changes have been made to the student visa requirements when studying in the UK, the PRVW VLJQLĂ€FDQW RI ZKLFK EHLQJ WKH raising of the minimum English language requirements. Applicants must now be a least &()5 OHYHO % ZKLFK LV GHĂ€QHG DV being able to “interact with a deJUHH RI Ă XHQF\ DQG VSRQWDQHLW\ WKDW

Nile Amos Commentary

As deadly something

American university Professor sacked over Facebook ‘threat’ Elliot Bentley

A ban on the purity

makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party�. Exceptions can though be made for applicants studying English language or those sponsored by the government. This comes as part of a recent initiative by the government to curb abuse of the visa system.

Blind student’s laptop stolen A blind student has lost her independence after her laptop was stolen. Maria Marchaqa, 28, was on an overnight coach to London, and had been told by staff to store the laptop in the hold as it was too bulky. When she reached the capital the computer had disappeared. Marchaqa, a business administraWLRQ VWXGHQW DW WKH 5R\DO 1DWLRQDO College for the Blind, relies on the laptop which is specially adapted for her needs, and has lost much of her independence. She can no longer send or receive emails by herself, and speaking to UK Student News said: “My partner is being supportive but we are struggling. ´,W LV YHU\ GLIĂ€FXOW DV , DP QRUPDOly very independent. My life has just stopped.â€? The total cost of the laptop including its speech recognition and Easy Braille software was over ÂŁ1000; it was not insured. As well as this cost, the reduction

in her independence might affect Marchaqa’s earning ability. She told UK Student News: “It is bad enough, but I am not going to be able to pay my rent for much longer. “My equipment was my lifeline. The amount of time it takes me to write an essay means I have no time to go and play music, which is how I earn my rent and my living.� National Express have offered to provide some compensation.

Southampton Carnage proves trouble-free Carnage, the infamous student bar crawl, took place in Southampton this week - with absolutely no trouble. Despite the discovery of an unexploded WWII bomb, which led to the late openings of many bars, the students were praised for their conduct by local police. Chief Inspector Alison Scott told local newspaper The Daily Echo: “There were no arrests, no com-

plaints, nothing negative to take away from the evening at all. It was a very well run event.� Carnage, which takes place in many cities around the UK including Newcastle, was the subject of controversy last November after D VWXGHQW LQ 6KHIÀHOG ZDV SKRWRgraphed urinating onto a war memorial.

Public help in student search Members of the public joined friends and family of a missing De Montfort student to search for him, two weeks after he was last seen. Phil Dillon, 24, was last seen in the HDUO\ KRXUV RI 6DWXUGD\ )HEUXary. He grew up near Leicester and had intended to walk home after a night out from the city to his home LQ 'XQWRQ 6WUHHW QHDU )URJ ,VODQG CCTV footage shows him at 3am close to the canal towpath near Bede Park. The search took place in parts of the Grand Union Canal, and more than 100 people were expected to turn out.

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

5

News

M-Cat will see needless convictions, of the drug fall and the price go up very, very good one. Music, conversation and company, is just unfoundedly and limitlessly good. I defy anybody to say that this factor isn’t the primary reason for its popularity, although there are people who this argument can never be properly communicated to. That’s fair enough. People like it only because it’s legal you say? Legality is clearly a big factor in the drug’s popularity, but the simple truth is, criminalization has never stopped people anywhere from actually taking drugs. There are already ex-students with chemistry degrees working on a replacement for mephedrone when a ban comes in. Admittedly, the availability of M-Cat is something that has a WUXO\ WZHQW\ ÀUVW FHQWXU\ VKDGRZ

over it. An as yet un-criminalized drug targeted at those with small budgets was always going to appear over the internet somehow, but there are drawbacks to banning M-Cat over availability too. One of the reasons why scientists turned to developing M-Cat, and why clubbers started taking it, was the drop in availability and quality of street drugs through crackdowns in the 2000s. A quick ban on M-Cat will see the purity of the drug go down, whilst the price will go up. Young people will go to greater OHQJWKV WR ÀQG WKH GUXJ DQG QHHGless criminal records will begin to mount. Once more, something new will come along, and the process will start all over again. People are not doing mephe-

drone every night of the week. Not in the way that you can go drinking anytime, anywhere, for the small price you pay in Newcastle and the big price your liver pays. I can see the sense in banning supply, but police forces take a certain pride in catching those who take drugs recreationally rather than those who aim to make money. There is something pulsating about being at university at a time when something such as mepehdrone is being talked about and taken, with little being known or said about what you should and shouldn’t do. That will sound ridiculous to VRPH EXW WKH VFLHQWLÀF VWRUP clouds are already gathering, and anybody who has given it a go will soon be made to feel terrible for doing so.

as ecstasy but legal, is it just me or is about that sentence not quite right? It’s becoming increasingly popular amongst students and clubbers because it’s cheap, readily available and doesn’t come with the danger of imprisonment for its possession; why isn’t this sending warning bells off within government? It appears I’m not the only one that’s slightly worried about this drug either; numerous countries across Europe (Sweden, Norway and Finland to mention a few) have already banned the drug and many more countries around the world are beginning to take note DQG OREE\ IRU LWV FODVVLÀFDWLRQ WRR Even Guernsey are so worried about the effects of the drug, they’ve banned it without waiting for the UK to implement its own ban or cover it under the Misuse

of Drugs Act; this alone has to tell you something. Even national drugs groups are taking note of the real effect of so called ‘meow-meow’. Martin Barnes, Chief Executive of Drugscope noted that “mephedrone has been linked to a number of hospital admissions in recent monthsâ€?, the government’s advisers on illicit substances have written to Home Secretary Alan Johnson to warn of the ever increasing dangers, and even the Talk to Frank drugs awareness scheme have dedicated an online page to it. All of these highlight the dangers this drug has and the very immeGLDWH QHHG IRU LWV FODVVLĂ€FDWLRQ DV a class A, i.e. a highly dangerous and illegal drug.

It’s plain to see, and indeed I’m surprised it hasn’t happened already, someone will die. It is astounding that the government are taking things so slowly; countries have been classifying M-Cat since 2008, so why steps are not being taken to classify this GUXJ ZLWKLQ 8. VKRUHV LV EDIĂ LQJ despite the constant stream of new research into its effects being published. It can hardly be argued with all this evidence that the government does not know how dangerous M-Cat is; the apparent lax view WRZDUGV LWV FODVVLĂ€FDWLRQ DQG WKH general attitude of ‘no one has died so we’re alright’ has taken over.

Oxford society suspended over sexist allegations Fifteen members of an Oxford University drinking society have been suspended over allegations of sexist emails listing female students to be invited to a drunken party. 7KH ´OLVW RI Ă€WWLHVÂľ LW LV DOOHJHG contained comments such as “only

if we’re desperate� and “buy condoms�, and was posted by an anonymous whistleblower around the college. The so-called “Penguin Club�, whose members wear maroon ties with gold penguin logos, have also

been accused of approaching A-level students with invitations to their parties. The club’s “Emperor Penguin�, known as Ollie, told The Daily Mail: “I think an awful lot has been fabricated and misconstrued.�

Oxford University: members of an Oxford University drinking society have been suspended over allegations of sending sexist emails

Continued from front page Patrick Hargreaves, drugs and alcohol advisor to the government, told The Courier: “It’s worth bearing in mind when considering this issue, that prohibition is not the same thing as control and that the inevitable policy on mephedrone, a move to illegal status, will throw up a new set of problems. “Manufacture and supply moves into the hands of criminals, the price increases, the purity decreases and large numbers of young people pick up a criminal record which will impact seriously on their future wellbeing. “It will also be replaced by a similar substance, inside the law, which underground scientists are already developing. I am not a ‘legaliser’ but merely want to point out that simply banning something doesn’t make it disappear. “The bottom line here is that no substance is ‘safe’. Everything from Calpol to heroin is potentially hazardous and those dangers do not simply refer to the acute or chronic effects of the substance itself, but also to who is using it, where, when, how and why.â€? One Newcastle student, who wishes to remain anonymous, told The Courier ´, Ă€UVW WRRN PHSKHGURQH during the Christmas holidays. “I heard about it from my friend who is at the University of Leeds. Apparently it is quite a prominent drug in Leeds and most students there have either used it or at least go out with people who are on it. “I buy it off the internet; it is very easy to buy. The price on the street is about ÂŁ15 for 1 gram, but the internet will sell 1 gram for ÂŁ10 with a small postage fee. “You can buy up to 250 grams off the internet, but I have only ever bought about ÂŁ30 worth and that

would last a good two to three months. She continued: “The only way you can describe the feeling is happiness. It makes you very energetic, awake, ‘happy’ drunk, and you just want to dance, a lot. Yes you may gurn as a side effect but that can be controlled, unless you take a lot. “People may judge but it is not every time you go out you take it. People may do it every time but I only used really for big nights out like Turbulence or Cosmic Ballroom nights, as they tend to go on until late and using it gives you the energy to stay there and dance the night away.â€? Inspector Dave Nicholson, Northumbria Police drug’s co-ordinator VDLG ´:KLOH WKHUH LV QR VSHFLĂ€F LVsue with ‘legal high’ substances in Northumbria, we are aware of the growing trend in their use in other parts of the country. “I would like to stress that the use of so called legal high drugs is not safe and can kill or have a devastating impact upon your health. These substances often contain potentially dangerous chemicals and can cause death. “Other symptoms range from reduced inhibitions, drowsiness, excited or paranoid states, unconsciousness and seizures. These risks are increased if mixed with alcohol or other stimulants. “We are keen to raise awareness of the dangers of consuming these substances which often contain solvents XVHG LQ SDLQW VWULSSHU FOHDQLQJ Ă XLG or anti worming agents for farm animals. “There are a large number of ‘legal high’ substances, some under the brand names of GBL, BZP, Mephedrone and ‘Spice’. It is illegal to sell, supply, or advertise these substances for human consumption.â€?

New cafe replaces Belle & Herbs in Heaton Caroline Argyropulo-Palmer The sudden closure of a popular student cafe over Christmas caused shock among much of its clientele. Belle & Herbs, on Heaton Road in Heaton, has been a favourite dining destination for locals and students alike since its opening in 2003, particularly renowned for its breakfasts, but closed late last year. After a month and a half closure D QHZ FDIH 7KH %XWWHUĂ \ &DELQHW opened on February 12 in the same venue. Although the location hasn’t changed, and many of the staff are the same, it was stressed by the General Manager Simon Robson that this is a new venture. There have been changes to the interior, and the menu, but Robson feels these are only positives. He told The Courier: “It has also taken great effort to raise the quality and range of the meals but, with the right team and the right training, I can speak on behalf of us all when I say that we are proud of the food we serve. ´7KH LQWHULRU Ă€UVW DQG IRUHPRVW is much brighter now that we have VDQGHG GRZQ WKH Ă RRUV WDEOHV DQG re-decorated the backroom. “The effort itself, to re-build the kitchen and front-of-house, was of epic proportions and I am indebted to the staff who, following a rather unpleasant period of unemployment - during which we found

ourselves “out-of-pocketâ€? in tips, wages, holiday and redundancy pay - volunteered their time to help re-build the cafe. “As a consequence, this is very much a team effort - everyone has a say in what we do from the decor, to the menu, to what we spend our money on.“ Additions have also been made to the dinner menu, including moules frites, pot-roast belly pork and the chef’s family recipe moussaka. Robson said: “Keeping in line with a popular New York Diner style for our breakfast menu, we have added PRUH (XURSHDQ Ă DYRXUV WR RXU GLQners - and let us sink our teeth back into some real classical cooking.â€? The reason for the closure of Belle&Herbs was not stated by Robson, saying he wished “to draw a line under an unfortunate pastâ€?. Rumours have abounded amongst the student body as to what caused the closure, notably on the cafe’s appreciation group on Facebook - once the ‘Belle & Herbs Appreciation SoFLHW\¡ QRZ Âś7KH %XWWHUĂ \ &DELQHW Appreciation Society’. Responding to customer feedback the cafe has added some dishes to the menu that were offered at Belle & Herbs, and have also introduced an all day breakfast. Robson says that customer reVSRQVH WR 7KH %XWWHUĂ \ &DELQHW KDV been “excellentâ€?, remarking: “I am very pleased with the start we have got off to with the cafĂŠ.â€?

6

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

News

Check this out: University’s break dancing VRFLHW\ WDNH WR WKH à RRU LQ DQQXDO FRPSHWLWLRQ Tarren Smarr Popping, locking, jamming, and breaking. The Newcastle University break dancing society literally took it to WKH à RRU RQ 0DUFK The society, in collaboration with Northumbria University hosted its tenth annual Break Dancing Competition. The competition included teams IURP GLIIHUHQW XQLYHUVLWLHV DFURVV the UK with participants battling in two different types of dance. 7KH ÀUVW W\SH LV D EDWWOH RI WKH EHVW crews. Each participating university was able to put together the best of their best to battle it out against other crews. During the crew challenge, there ZHUH WZR GLIIHUHQW VHW XSV 7KH ÀUVW involved each member of the crew who had one chance to leave it all RQ WKH à RRU SXOOLQJ FRPELQDWLRQV RI tricks to complete the best set. Dancers showed skills from the basic six step all the way through back spins, head spins, halo’s and freezes. The second set up allowed for each dancer to perform tricks twice

before the end of the battle. This year, Newcastle advanced WKURXJK WR WKH TXDUWHU Ă€QDOV LQ WKH crew battle competition. “There was a big collaborative effort from all of the society members,â€? commented social secretary and second year student Gregory Mususa. He continued: “Some competed while others worked and helped to run the event.â€? First place went home with Edinburgh and second to Manchester. The second style of dance was solo – which Newcastle also entered dancers in. Newcastle break dancer Justice advanced through to the semi Ă€QDOV DQG SODFHG LQ WKH WRS IRXU Mususa said: “Overall, the day was very successful. There was good competition, great dancers, and it was fun. We would love for more people to come out and give break dancing a try next year.â€? Currently, the club consists of 30 members ranging from all levels and abilities. Interested in putting your dancing skills to the test? Contact the society for more information which can be found on the Union website.

Taking a spin: Newcastle’s break dancing society competed in its annual competition held in collaboration with Northumbria

Students asked to do Newcastle students quizzed as their bit for war effort BBC Mastermind comes to town Nile Amos In the First World War soldiers on the front line would receive a copper tin from the King at Christmas time containing, amongst other things, a picture of the Princess. Now, soldiers serving on the front line in Afghanistan are being sent gifts from students as part of a scheme being set up by Student Community Action Newcastle (SCAN). ‘Operation Dolly Mixture’ is a project which asks students to prepare a small set of goodies to be sent to British soldiers in the aim of aiding morale and providing them with useful and entertaining items for the duration of their time on service. There are currently more than 10,000 UK troops serving in Afghanistan, facing the risks of being close to and involved on the front line, whilst operating in a particularly harsh environment. Students are encouraged to spare what they can in the form of toiletULHV SHQV GHQWDO Ă RVV EDE\ ZLSHV PDJD]LQHV 6XGRNXV Ă LS Ă RSV chewing gum, books, batteries,

sweets, crisps, cereal bars, dried fruit, drinks sachets, razors, shaving gel and tissues. Items such as these should be placed in a suitable container – such as a cardboard or shoe box weighing no more than 2kg – and dropped LQWR WKH 6&$1 RIĂ€FH LQ WKH 8QLRQ Society building. For more obvious reasons alcoKRO DQ\WKLQJ YDJXHO\ Ă DPPDEOH and unsuitable reading material has been disallowed from the list of items to send. Whilst students are perhaps not the most likely of gift senders to soldiers, SCAN believe that students are very likely to be able to provide items that may actually be of some use and entertainment to British troops, particularly those of a similar age. Ali Curry from SCAN told The Courier: “It’s a really easy thing to do and doesn’t need to be expensive. We have already heard back from currently serving troops that it is a tremendous morale boost and really, really appreciated by the members of the armed forces who receive their packages.â€?

Joshua Shrimpton Dean Newcastle University students have been asked to audition for the BBC’s Ă DJVKLS TXL] SURJUDPPH 0DVWHUmind. The auditions, which took place at the Quayside’s prestigious Malmaison hotel last week, come after a team of Newcastle University students braved Jeremy Paxman’s unIRUJLYLQJ TXHVWLRQLQJ IRU WKH Ă€OPLQJ of University Challenge last month. Laura Bailey, who led the University Challenge team, told The Courier of her enthusiasm for sharp-minded Newcastle students to continue with intellectual challenges under the glare of a national audience: “Newcastle students can show the country that they are the brightest sparks by being Masterminds. It’s a FKDQFH WR Ă€QDOO\ XVH DOO WKRVH IDFWV DERXW WKH OLIH F\FOH RI D EXWWHUĂ \ RU the culture of Mesoptamia that you thought were utterly useless.â€? The show, led by TV veteran John Humphreys, sees contestants take a seat in the famous black chair under a solitary spotlight to show-off their knowledge of a chosen subject

before being faced with a barrage of general knowledge questions. Dr Liviu Popoviciu, Head of Media and Cultural Studies at the School of Arts and Cultures, told The Courier that appearances on such programmes show that there is more

In the spotlight: students asked to audition

to Newcastle students than a recent Sunday Times article may suggest: “It’s a great idea for our students

to participate in such shows in order to demonstrate that general knowledge is still something that carries weight and that there is no dumbing-down of university education. “Newcastle students are not only interested in partying. This is a place full of really clever people, disproving the more recent media stereotyping of Newcastle students. Appearing on these programmes shows that being brainy can be cool. Respectable media exposure can pay off and lead to other things later on.â€? However, those eager to follow Newcastle’s progress will have to wait. Whilst the University Challenge team were sworn to secrecy regarding their success until the show is aired, the BBC were unable to comment on when Mastermind may be shown. Prospective Newcastle students will no doubt hope to better the score of software analyst Kajen Thuraaisingham. Earlier this year, the 28-year-old recorded the show’s ORZHVW HYHU VFRUH RI MXVW Ă€YH SRLQWV an accolade John Humphreys put down to ‘the black chair syndrome’.

Medical Society committee elections hotting up as polls open Samuel Green The Newcastle Medical Society is one of the longest running traditions within the University and the race for committee is always eagerly anticipated. This time around is no different. Team Shameless and team Pulse are going head-to-head this year and they have already showed the public a brief glimpse of their personnel

and events management through their introductory videos and their hour long “takeover� of the Friday night Medsoc. Of the two teams running this year, one team expressed traits not too dissimilar from the legendary American strippers, the Chippendales. The introductory video – which has received almost 1000 views on YouTube – and the “topless takeo-

verâ€? presented by team Pulse conYH\HG DUURJDQFH DQG VXSHUĂ€FLDOLW\ Team Pulse’s candidate for president, Liam McEntee, said: “We really want to diversify and evolve the Medical Society. “We understand the importance of maintaining the great tradition of free Friday night alcohol but also believe that it is important to develop other social aspects of the society to help widen its appeal.â€?

Team Pulse’s candidate for vicepresident, Matthew Alley, said: “One thing I’ve always wanted was lectures from professionals in niche PHGLFDO Ă€HOGV DQG WKDW¡V VRPHWKLQJ we want to introduce.â€? Team Pulse plan to exploit their links with other medical societies within the region by organising ‘invasions’. They also plan to arrange socials with other medical societies as well

as bringing back legendary events, such as the Medsoc Olympics and the medic vs. dentists challenge. “Eight men, one committee, one dreamâ€? is team Pulse’s slogan but only time will tell whether they can realise their vision and become the Medical Society’s 2010/2011 committee. Students can vote at the Medical 6FKRRO RIĂ€FH IURP WRGD\ XQWLO )ULday.

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

7

News

Halls blaze hospitalises students and staff J. SHRIMPTON DEAN

Joshua Shrimpton Dean Five people were taken to hospital DIWHU D ÀUH JXWWHG D NLWFKHQ DW 5LFKDUGVRQ 5RDG KDOOV &DPSXV VWDII UDLVHG WKH DODUP DW DP RQ 6DWXUGD\ 0DUFK DIWHU QRWLFLQJ VPRNH SRXULQJ IURP WKH VHFRQG ÁRRU DW WKH UHDU RI EORFN RI WKH SRSXODU 8QLYHUVLW\ PDQDJHG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ 8SRQ KHDULQJ WKH HPHUJHQF\ VHUYLFHV ZHUH VWLOO PLQXWHV DZD\ WZR 8QLYHUVLW\ VHFXULW\ RIÀFHUV EUDYHG ´DFULGµ VPRNH WR VHDUFK IRU WZR PLVVLQJ VWXGHQWV VDLG WR EH RQ WKH WRS ÁRRU $IWHU ÀQGLQJ WKH ÁDW WR EH FOHDU WKH RIÀFHUV UH HPHUJHG RQO\ WR EH WROG WKDW WKH WZR VWXGHQWV KDG LQ IDFW PRYHG RXW GD\V EHIRUHKDQG $ VRXUFH LQGLFDWHG WKDW WKH WZR RIÀFHUV ZHUH WDNHQ WR 1HZFDVWOH *HQHUDO +RVSLWDO ZKHUH RQH XQGHUZHQW D FKHVW ; UD\ %RWK UHFHLYHG R[\JHQ DQG PHGLFDWLRQ IRU VPRNH LQKDODWLRQ 8QDZDUH WKDW D UDJLQJ ÀUH KDG EURNHQ RXW LQ KHU NLWFKHQ ÀUVW \HDU PHGLFDO VWXGHQW ,VKDDQD 0XQMDO WROG The Courier KRZ VKH LQLWLDOO\ EHOLHYHG WKH DODUP WR EH D GULOO 6KH VDLG ´, MXVW WKRXJKW ZH ZHUH JRLQJ RXW IRU D GULOO , GLGQ·W UHDOO\ UHJLVWHU WKDW LW ZDV D 6DWXUGD\ , ZDV MXVW SXWWLQJ P\ VKRHV RQ ZKHQ P\ ÁDWPDWH EDQJHG RQ P\ GRRU DQG WROG PH LW ZDV D UHDO ÀUH µ 0XQMDO VDLG WKDW KHU ÁDWPDWH KDG

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Trail of destruction:Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service called to Richardson Road

0RQGD\ 0DUFK THE COURIER

8

News

Union student survey winners revealed David Coverdale Editor Joseph Froggatt was the lucky winner of a £250 cash prize from the Union Society’s 2010 student survey. Frogatt was drawn out ahead of 1,548 students who took part in this year’s survey. Nearly 1,000 completed the questionnaire. Other lucky winners included Laura Green who won herself a snowboard and Graham Matthews who received an iPod nano. Julian Butler, Thomas McDade, Alice Lau, Iain Moss, Sarah Dunnill and Rebecca Lee all won a pair of gig tickets. The annual Union Society student VXUYH\ ZDV FDUULHG RXW WR À QG RXW students’ opinion of their Students’ Union and to determine how the Union can be improved in the future. Students were asked various questions on topics such as representation, volunteering and the media. The results will contribute towards the strategic decisions made by Newcastle University Students’ Union has it moves forward to the £8m capital development project which is set to begin in November this year.

ZZZ QFO DF XN FDUHHUV YDFVRQOLQH The Careers Service provides information and advice on developing your VNLOOV Âż QGLQJ D SDUW WLPH MRE ZRUN H[SHULHQFH VXSSRUWLQJ EXVLQHVV VWDUW XS DQG ZKHQ WKH WLPH FRPHV H[SORULQJ graduate opportunities. )RU PRUH GHWDLOV DERXW WKHVH DQG RWKHU YDFDQFLHV LQFOXGLQJ GHWDLOV RI KRZ WR DSSO\ YLVLW WKHLU ZHEVLWH DW ZZZ QFO ac.uk/careers. 9DFDQFLHV EURXJKW WR \RX E\ WKH Careers Service...

Some of the winners of the Union Society survey with their prizes. From left to right: Julian Butler, Joseph Froggatt, Laura Green and Graham Matthews

ID fraud a threat to students, warns ICO Caroline Argyropulo-Palmer Festival-goers’ experiences could be ruined this summer if ticket buyers aren’t more careful, a leading authority on identity rights has warned. The Information Commissioner’s 2IÀ FH ,&2 KDV ZDUQHG VWXGHQWV to take care when registering for or buying tickets online and using social networking sites as the information forms an electronic footprint usable by identity fraudsters. The ICO, which promotes public DFFHVV WR RIÀ FLDO LQIRUPDWLRQ DQG protects personal information, has urged students to check websites are genuine, read and understand the policies as well as being cautious about placing certain information on sites like Facebook.

Vacancies

David Smith, Deputy Commissioner at the ICO, said: “Many students are posting information online without thinking about the electronic footprint they leave behind. “When registering for tickets make sure you read the small print, it is important to understand how organisations intend to use your personal information. “For example, are you happy for them to share your details with third parties so you can be contacted for marketing purposes? It’s also important to think about the type of information you upload to social networking sites. “Remember, adjusting privacy settings so that your email address or phone number stays private can help you to avoid falling victim to identity fraudsters.

“We are encouraging students to follow our top tips on how to reduce their electronic footprint and stay safe online.� A student ambassador has been appointed at Newcastle by the ICO to raise awareness of these issues on campus, as part of the ‘Protect and Respect’ campaign already underway. They will offer practical advice such as using different password and pins for different sites, being careful when using public computers and not clicking on links in scam emails. Further information and a downloadable guide to staying in control of your personal information, ‘Your personal little book about protecting your personal information’, can be found at www.ico.gov.uk.

Job Title: URGENT Female Personal Assistant Employer: 'LVDELOLW\ 1RUWK Business: &KDULWDEOH WUDLQLQJ LQIRUPD WLRQ DQG DGYLFH RQ DOO GLVDELOLW\ LVVXHV Closing date: ASAP Salary: ÂŁ8.50 per hour Basic job description: A mother in her WKLUWLHV ZLWK D YLVXDO LPSDLUPHQW UHTXLUHV D 3HUVRQDO $VVLVWDQW WR HQDEOH KHU WR VSHQG WLPH ZLWK KHU \RXQJ GDXJKWHU E\ ZD\ RI VRFLDO DFWLYLWLHV 7KH KRXUV DUH VSOLW RYHU 6DWXUGD\ DQG 6XQGD\ ZLWK hours on each day. There is an option IRU WKH SRVLWLRQ WR EH VSOLW EHWZHHQ people doing 1 day each. Person requirements: You should have H[SHULHQFH RI ZRUNLQJ ZLWK FKLOGUHQ DQG EH UHOLDEOH DQG WUXVWZRUWK\ <RX PXVW EH DEOH WR GULYH DQG ZLOOLQJ WR XVH \RXU FDU IRU ZRUN SXUSRVHV Location: 1HZFDVWOH XSRQ 7\QH Job Title: General Assistant Employer: The Ship Inn Closing date: Salary: Â… SHU KRXU Basic job description: The Ship Inn is a “free houseâ€? situated in the area of +RO\ ,VODQG NQRZQ DV 0DU\JDWH ZKLFK is perfectly located for those seeking RXW /LQGLVIDUQH &DVWOH RU WKH KDUERXU :H DUH FXUUHQWO\ ORRNLQJ IRU VWDII WR ZRUN LQ WKH EDU WR ZDLW RQ FXVWRPHUV DQG WR DVVLVW LQ WKH NLWFKHQ ZLWK WKH FKHI 7KHUH DUH WZR SRVLWLRQV DYDLODEOH RQH LV RYHU WKH (DVWHU YDFDWLRQ SHULRG ZLWK WKH SRWHQWLDO RI ZRUNLQJ WKURXJK WKH VHDVRQ XQWLO 2FWREHU WKH VHFRQG LV WR ZRUN RYHU the Easter vacation period and return for WKH VXPPHU IURP -XO\ XQWLO 6HSWHPEHU 7KH KRXUV RI ZRUN RYHU WKH YDFDWLRQ SHULRGV ZLOO EH XS WR KRXUV SHU ZHHN GXULQJ WHUP WLPH WKH KRXUV ZLOO EH XS WR KRXUV SHU ZHHN GHSHQGLQJ RQ GHPDQG :RUNLQJ KRXUV DUH RQ D URWD the earliest start is from 8.00 am and WKH ODWHVW Âż QLVK LV SP WR VXLW LQQ hotel opening hours. The post includes OLYH LQ DFFRPPRGDWLRQ IRU ZKLFK \RX ZLOO pay ÂŁ5 per day. This price covers not

Gain academic credit through student volunteering Aimee Philipson With module sign-ups about to take place for next academic year, there is one module you may not have thought of that is available to all, offering something completely different from anything else on your course. The Career Development Module gives you the opportunity to take a break from academic reading and writing and an opportunity to focus on developing practical skills and, what all students like to hear – employability. It gives you the chance to gain academic credit for something you may already be doing and enjoying, or some aspect of volunteering you have always wanted to try out but never had the time or opportunity to. There are no weekly lectures or seminars, just one or two workshops in the semester to help you pass the assessments and maximise

your skills and a tutorial with your Personal Tutor to see how you are getting on in the middle of the semester. It’s all about independence, developing skills other than referencing and reading and becoming a more ‘rounded’ person. And as we are constantly told by careers services and fairs, this is what employers are looking for. People think CDM is a tutoring module where you help teachers in local schools but, although this is one quarter of the options available to you, if you’re not a fan of whining children or grumpy teenagers, there is plenty more to get stuck into. If you’ve always fancied volunteering but didn’t know where to start then here’s your chance. You can Ă€ QG \RXU RZQ SODFHPHQW RU 6&$1 (Student Community Action NewFDVWOH ZLOO KHOS WR Ă€ QG \RX D VXLW able placement and you spend 35-70 hours there (depending on which module you take) giving something

back to the local community. Volunteer placements with SCAN can include working with the elderly, befriending refugees, decorating or garden design, fundraising or working with animals so there is something for everyone. Or you can choose to volunteer through the Union Society, for example as a SDUW WLPH RIĂ€ FHU RU ZRUNLQJ IRU 7KH Courier. Another option is to ‘Learn from Work’ which basically means you can get academic credit for doing your existing part-time job, so you can earn while you learn. CDM helps you to use your job to build up a bank of skills to impress future employers and it means you won’t have to do 120 credits of modules at uni then go to your part-time job on top of all that – it will be one of your modules and can count for up to 20 credits in one year. <RXU Ă€ QDO RSWLRQ LV WR JHW D SODFH ment in the community. Slightly different from the volunteering option,

VWXGHQWV DUHQ¡W DOORZHG WR Ă€ QG WKHLU own placements, they are allocated to a place according to their preferences. Placement opportunities are available in a wide-range of settings such as prisons, hospital schools, local media, after-school IT clubs and museum education. This can be a good way to gain experience in a Ă€ HOG \RX PLJKW IDQF\ IRU D FDUHHU RU as something completely different to your other modules. It is a fantastic way to add a bit of variety to your timetable and it really does improve your employability, not to mention your self esteem DQG FRQĂ€ GHQFH 7R Ă€ QG RXW PRUH \RX FDQ DWWHQG one of two workshops this week on Tuesday or Thursday. Here, you can get your questions about the module answered, meet placement providers and ask questions of current students on the module. To sign up now to the workshop please visit www.unionsociety.co.uk/cdm or email adc.union@ncl.ac.uk

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Job Title: :LPEOHGRQ 5HFUXLWPHQW Employer: Group 4 Securicor Business: Security services Closing date: Salary: Â… Â… SHU KRXU GHSHQG LQJ RQ H[SHULHQFH Basic job description: G4S Secure 6ROXWLRQV LV QRZ UHFUXLWLQJ 6HFXULW\ DQG 6WHZDUGLQJ VWDII WR ZRUN DW WKH :LPEOHGRQ &KDPSLRQVKLSV ,I \RX ZDQW WR EH SDUW RI D JUHDW WHDP DUH GLVFL SOLQHG HQWKXVLDVWLF DQG HQMR\ SURYLGLQJ JUHDW FXVWRPHU VHUYLFH WKLV FRXOG EH WKH VXPPHU MRE IRU \RX 7KHVH SRVLWLRQV ZLOO RIIHU \RX DQ LQYDOXDEOH H[SHULHQFH DQG the opportunity to earn up to ÂŁ900 over the fortnight. Person requirements: The ChampionVKLSV UXQ IURP VW -XQH WR WK -XO\ <RX ZLOO QHHG WR EH DYDLODEOH WR ZRUN HDFK DQG HYHU\ GD\ RI WKH FKDP pionships and undertake one full day WUDLQLQJ WKH ZHHN SULRU &XUUHQW OHJLVOD WLRQ UHTXLUHV DQ\ SHUVRQ HPSOR\HG DV D 6HFXULW\ 2IÂż FHU WR KROG D YDOLG 6,$ Licence. If you don’t already hold a valid 6,$ OLFHQFH GRQÂśW ZRUU\ * 6 ZLOO DVVLVW you through this process as part of your application if you are offered a “Securityâ€? role. Location: :LPEOHGRQ Job Title: 1HZFDVWOH :RUN ([SHUL HQFH 6XPPHU 3ODFHPHQW $SSOLFDWLRQ Developer Employer: Prismtech Business: IT Company Salary: Â… ZHHN Basic job description: Development of applications to support the company’s EXVLQHVV DFWLYLWLHV VSHFLÂż FDOO\ WKH GH YHORSPHQW RI D ZHE SRUWDO WR SURYLGH DQ enhanced experience for the company’s VXSSRUW FXVWRPHUV 'HYHORS ZHE VLWH EDVHG RQ 6DOHIRUFH FRPÂśV )RUFH FORXG FRPSXWLQJ SODWIRUP 7KH VLWH ZLOO EH D development of PrismTech’s existing VXSSRUW SRUWDO WR LQFOXGH WKH IROORZ LQJ DGGLWLRQDO IHDWXUHV 6HOI VHUYLFH VXSSRUW FRQWUDFW PDQDJHPHQW 6HOI VHUYLFH OLFHQVH NH\ PDQDJHPHQW 6HOI VHUYLFH SURGXFW GRZQORDGV Person requirements: Applicants must EH FXUUHQWO\ VWXG\LQJ DW 1HZFDVWOH University. Location: Team Valley, Gateshead

Student Employee of the Year awards launched for 2010 This month saw the launch of the 2010 Student Employee of the Year awards, which aim to recognise and promote the outstanding contributions and achievements of students who combine part-time work with their study commitments. The annual awards, run by the National Association of Student Employment Services, give students the chance to win a cheque of up to ÂŁ200 as well as an award for their CV. Students who have found working using the Newcastle University Careers Service can ask their employer to nominate them for an award at www.naes.org.uk/seoty before 5pm on March 26. Newcastle University will decide its institutional winner to represent the University or College at the NASES Regional Finals. Six regional winners will then be put forward to the National Finals, with the award presented on 7 July.

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

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Freshers’ Week or Freshers’ Crew Week? Comment Editors: Caroline Argyropulo-Palmer and Nicholas Fidler - courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk

> Page 11

Is investing in the arms trade unethical? J. WHITLAM

NUCAAT members held a protest outside the Union in opposition to the arms trade earlier this month, covering themselves with fake blood and using chalk to outline their bodies

Yes Tarren Smarr

Last week students were up in arms (excuse the pun) raising awareness against the University not having policy prohibiting investing with companies who are involved with the arms trade industry. The event sponsored by Newcastle University Campaign Against the Arms Trade (NUCAAT) raised a good question: should the University revamp their policy to ensure that their investments do not contribute in any way to the arms trade industry? When thinking about it, yeah, the university should develop a policy that includes prohibiting such investments. NUCAAT claims that over ÂŁ421,653 went to the arms trading industry from Newcastle University last year alone. Though that is small in comparison to the trillion dollars that circulate through the industry as a whole, the ÂŁ421,653 in question is nonetheless substantial. The same University, that is home to one of the top medical schools in Great Britain, has anti-tobacco policies in place as selling tobacco goes against the research and medical milestones that are being reached by the medical school. Well, what about the other departments at the University? There are hundreds of students in the law and politics departments who are learning all about similar issues right now. For example, the post-graduate law students have recently been studying the movement of people nd hot topics

such as genocide and its effects in international law. Wouldn’t the University’s investments in companies that have involvement with the arms trade go against what these students are learning and researching? The arms industry fuels civil wars, leads to higher crime rates and governmental coups, enables genocide and contributes to terrorism worldwide. As a student at this University, I have to say that I am slightly uncomfortable with the potential for Newcastle to be even remotely associated with these horrible acts. Imagine if next year London was once again subject to a terrorist attack. This time, it involved weapons that were purchased through the arms industry. What if Newcastle University had invested in a company or corporation that helped put those guns in the hands of the terrorists that carried out that attack? Yeah, it may seem pretty far fetched, but on the other hand, maybe not. Even if it is only a very small percentage of the investment that is kicked back to these companies that are involved in the arms trade, that small percentage could mean hundreds of pounds, essentially putting several weapons in the hands of people who cause mass chaos worldwide. By creating new policies, we can ensure that Newcastle University will always be known for stellar academics and winning the Stan Calvert cup more times than Northumbria can count. Let’s take a stand now and work towards adding a policy prohibiting the University from investing in these types of corporations. Let’s remember Newcastle for all the good things, as opposed to ZDNLQJ XS DQG À QGLQJ WKDW HYHQ one penny of this University’s investments went towards the arms trade in any way. It’s about evaluating human life, and it’s worth evaluating.

No Nicholas Fidler Comment Editor

The claim that Newcastle University’s investment policy is “unethiFDOÂľ LV LQ P\ RSLQLRQ VXIĂ€ FLHQW reason to roll one’s eyes with frustration. So long as humanity has a propensity to engage one another with weapons, there will always and should always be an arms trade. Let’s be clear; Newcastle University is not handing out AKs and landmines to every bandit and his insurgency. Instead it follows a rational policy of investment in several select, established (and often British) contractors. Indeed, NUCAAT’s Facebook page cites BAe Systems and RollsRoyce as the chief recipients of University funding. Of course, this can only mean that Newcastle is paying them to cause untold carnage and misery in foreign lands. Or perhaps it could be part of what NUCAAT has completely ignored; a mutually EHQHĂ€ FLDO HFRQRPLF DQG NQRZOHGJH exchange. Rolls-Royce has an enormous plant in Gateshead and actually collaborates with the University in providing a Marine Technology MSc. I know, pure evil! Likewise, BAe contributes to several research programmes undertaken by the School of Computing Science which offer otherwise unavailable opportunities for staff and students alike. It is hopelessly narrow-minded to say that because we invest in BAe and Rolls-Royce, we therefore directly invest in war. This is exactly the same as saying we intentionally

fund sclerosis of the liver because the Union has a bar; it is an external consequence and not the main UHDVRQ EHKLQG Ă€ QDQFH Then there’s the plethora of other EHQHĂ€ WV 5ROOV 5R\FH DQG %$H SUR vide; the latter alone employs over 100,000 people (many in the UK) whilst contributing majorly to our country’s ability to safeguard its sovereign territory. The Falklands War was won largely due to the role BAe’s Harrier jump jet played in outfoxing Argentine defences. Crucially, in that case we were aggressed upon, rather than the aggressors. More importantly, BAe do not go to war themselves, but enable Britain and other sovereign nations to do so whilst greatly enhancing the protection offered to troops on the ground, in the air and at sea; try telling our soldiers in Afghanistan you think BAe’s R+D budget should be cut because you think it “unethicalâ€? and see what they think of it. Moreover, the ethics argument lacks any serious philosophical thought. The term “ethicsâ€? is bandied around so much these days it has lost almost all of its meaning. The moment you start talking about ethics, you are describing your particular conception of ethics, which cannot possibly be applied universally. There is nothing to suggest that their ethics are any more righteous than mine or yours. We can therefore ignore appeals to ethics because we have such things as a FRGLĂ€ HG OHJDO V\VWHP L H QDWXUDO law has an ethical component) to uphold standards of behaviour. Their Facebook group claims that “a college or university that has no ethical investment policy does not hold a neutral positionâ€?. This is quite obviously counterfactual. The use of any “ethicalâ€? policy immediately removes neutrality and pushes their beliefs to one side or another. Only institutions who hold no ethical policy whatsoever can be said to be truly neutral.

Strength in numbers James Stubbs Columnist

For a long time alcohol has been prevalent in the life of many an undergraduate. This may have to do with being away from home, but more likely comes as a result of having comparatively very little to do. Whatever the reason, students are synonymous with the activity, probably because we do a lot of it. Like it or not it’s an integral part of many of our lives. Even in the lift in one of the University buildings today I noticed a poster advertising an event promising to give its attendees a good soaking. Last week The Courier reported on a sports celebration at Bar 42 that turned into a sort of depraved simLDQ IUHQ]\ ZLWK JODVV DQG À [WXUHV being tossed about in the drunken revelry, defecating in drinks and, reportedly, someone eating someone else’s sick. Recently I was sent an (understandably) angry email from an agitated member of staff who had found the School of Modern Languages postgraduate common room in a similar state; rubbish and debris everywhere, and someone KDG GHÀ OHG WKH ELQ What is it with getting hammered and shitting in things? A psychology student may know better than I do. But I’m not going to go into how we shouldn’t drink, in spite of these incidents. What we ought to do is look out for one another while we’re at it, so that any rogue bad eggs don’t get the chance to start throwing faeces and vomit for someone else to clean up. Or, more importantly kids, so that nobody gets hurt. A friend of mine when we were about 17 got hideously drunk and left a party without anyone knowing, and on the way home wrapped his car around a telephone pole. Luckily he didn’t run anyone down and the only thing that got damaged was the car. Another friend decided with a bit of Dutch courage to pit his wits against Newcastle’s frosty conditions in the dead of winter, and went about performing handbrake turns in his car. Both lost their licences, and both felt pretty foolish about it. Had a friend or two taken the role of angel on the shoulder they may not have done it. As for me: one night last year I found myself alone when the club was closing. Unable to pay for a taxi, I started the half hour walk home through the bleak midwinter cold. Halfway, power-walking across a footbridge I slipped in a pool of someone else’s yet unfrozen vomit and landed squarely in its centre. I fairly ran home, cursing my abandoning friends and the supplier of the sick. A very bad night in all. You see what happens when we abandon one another? There’s a lesson to be learned here.

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Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Comment

There’s no such thing as a pedigree Brit - even nationalists are mongrels Danny Kielty

As someone who professes an outward love of history, I’ve often run the gauntlet of the dreaded social faux pas. Coming from a German family, my friends over the years have endlessly subjected me to a relentless wave of inappropriate VDOXWHV WDVWHOHVV ZRUN ERRN JUDIÀ WL as well as all kinds of jokes based DURXQG HIÀ FLHQF\ WLPH NHHSLQJ and the reliability of Audis. Whilst many people in Britain à LQJ DURXQG KDUPOHVV FOLFKpV EDVHG on a bygone Empire, long dead heroes, or a solitary World Cup, many people use such things for a much more sinister purpose: Nationalism. $V WKH (DVWHUQ EORF À QDOO\ RSHQHG up to the EU, a large number of Poles, Lithuanians, Romanians and

many other nationalities came to Britain to escape the Communist hangover. Suddenly, parties such as the BNP, but also many ordinary people, have expressed desires for ‘British jobs for British workers’, and the Government has looked to impose lessons teaching ‘Britishness’ in our classrooms. Scratch the surface only a little, and you will see how utterly ridiculous so much of Nationalist reasoning is. First, think about the term ‘Indigenous British’. For many, this phrase seems to conjure up the conviction that for the last 1000 years these islands have been inhabited by a white-van driver called Dave, who supports West Ham United, worships at the shrine of the Ginster’s pasty and thinks that anyone who doesn’t is a ‘slaaaaaag’. These idiots fail to realise that the population of these islands over this period have basically been a melting pot of people we now call ‘Celts’, ‘Jutes’, ‘Angles’, ‘Saxons’, ‘Scandinavians’, and of course the

‘French.’ Britain as a nation, or people, just didn’t exist. Besides, the closest thing to a Ginster’s pasty back then had four legs, KDLU DQG JHQHUDOO\ FRXOGQ¡W Ă€ W LQWR D Tesco Local refrigerator. Then you look at many of the great ‘British’ heroes of our history. Take Richard III (the Lionheart), for example. For those who claim him as a great English crusader king, rather than gutting half of the Holy Land with a ‘Blitz spirit’ or a stiff upper lip, he was far more likely to be adopting an arrogant, nonchalant approach to the whole affair;probably spending more time discussing how old the wine he was drinking was and how best to prepare and eat amphibians. If good old Richard III being French wasn’t bad enough, I’m afraid to say Churchill was halfAmerican, and the Queen’s timekeeping is absolutely impeccable. Thenceforth, I venture into religion. Some Nationalists hark back to the old Protestant values that made ‘Great Britain’ great. Again

they overlook the fact that Henry VIII’s conversion from Catholicism to Protestantism and the creation of the Church of England resulted more from the fact that he had a faulty pecker, a wife who couldn’t really do much about it, and a Pope who didn’t blame her, as much as any great religious conviction did. I’d like to suggest: ‘I’ve got a faulty pecker and now the Pope won’t give me a divorce’ would be one possible title for an appearance on the Jeremy Kyle show; however, P\ SHUVRQDO IDYRXULWH ZRXOG GHĂ€ nitely be: ‘I’ve had six wives and beheaded two of them.’ After all of this rather cathartic ranting I should at least attempt to get serious. Scottish kilts are one way of doing this (stay with me). People instantly associate the kilt with everything Scottish; be it whisky, Loch Ness or an uncanny ability to avoid fruit and vegetables. Few people know or care that they were largely an invention of the 19th century to promote national pride. This, there is nothing wrong with.

The problem with Nationalism comes when people start to think race and religion should differentiate between what freedoms they should possess and what position they should occupy. Many Nationalist movements have tended to form or gain strength from a new LQĂ X[ RI VR FDOOHG ÂśIRUHLJQHUV¡ :LWK WKH LQĂ X[ RI &DULEEHDQ DQG West Indian workers in the Empire Windrush of the ‘50s, there was a steady surge in organisations like the National Front. More recently, the BNP have gained marginal support as people become concerned with the arrival of new workers from Eastern Europe. Each time, out come the cries for keeping things ‘British’. But what many racial-Nationalist elements today fail to realise is that perhaps the only thing that people in these islands can really rely on as being ‘British’ is the profound multi-cultural community that now makes Britain ‘Great’. I’m still gutted that Richard III was a Frenchy though‌

High society: your university experience is made outside of the lecture theatre Jack Stevenson

Every week hundreds of students get involved in various societies across the University. There is a huge range of different things that can be done, ranging from gymnastics and swing dancing, to badminton and netball. For many students at uni getting involved with these groups is the

highlight of their week and what they look forward to most. Some of the best friendships can be formed in these groups, with competition often bringing teams together like nothing else can. Studying for a degree is obviously the main reason that people come to university, but once we’re here it can turn into a completely different ball game. After the initial realisation that the subject that you will be studying for at least three years is probably QRW QHDUO\ DV H[FLWLQJ DV \RX À UVW thought, students quickly start to look for other things to do to pass the time.

After the Freshers’ Week alcohol is out of the system and the hangovers reduce to just a day in length, VRFLHWLHV DUH GHĂ€ QLWHO\ WKH SODFH WR KHDG ZKHQ Ă€ UVW DUULYLQJ DW XQL And there aren’t just sports societies to get involved in; there are a huge range of non-sports societies to take part in, and it is almost certain that anything can be catered for. One of the great things is that if \RX FDQ¡W Ă€ QG WKH RQH \RX DUH ORRN ing for and you have enough enthusiasm you can set it up yourself (as long as enough people are into the same things that you are). It may seem like an odd time of year to be writing this article but

the truth is that it is never too late in the academic year to join a club or society; obviously there are exceptions to this if you are wanting to join a sports team, but many sports hold training sessions which also double up as just for fun, to which you can go along even if you self-confess to being completely awful at said sport. On top of this there are, of course, Wednesday nights. Most sports teams head off to Tiger Tiger on a Wednesday evening for a good rave up; one second year marketing and management student, Sam Clegg, has said: “Wednesdays out with the boys from the team are the

highlight of my week, without a doubt. On a Wednesday I’m bursting out like an alien with excitement; even if the hangovers are pretty extreme, it’s still worth it!� So if you haven’t joined a sports club, a society or got involved with some kind of activity at University that doesn’t involve your course yet, remember – it’s not too late to do so. $V ZHOO DV À QGLQJ VRPH JRRG mates and having an awesome time, you’ll be able to put all of this on your CV and it could end up making the difference between you or someone else getting that dream job. So go on, give it a go.

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

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Comment

Freshers’ Crew beer goggles have skewed the week’s focus Everybody hurts A, WILSON

so help at home

Bethany Sissons Tarren Smarr

With Freshers’ Crew interviews happening this week, Freshers’ Week organisers, ‘The F Word’, will be looking for members to make Freshers’ Week 2010 the best yet. Whether the crew provide an initial positive vibe to freshers is an issue that students are always discussing. Freshers’ Week seems to be centred around alcohol, crazy antics and general debauchery. I’m not saying that university life isn’t about these things; however, are options other than to get drunk given to freshers? James Brown, who was on Freshers’ Crew in 2007 and 2008, told The Courier: “There are events for freshers who don’t drink but these aren’t that well advertised and don’t have much money spent on them - nor do crew members want to help out on them. Taking people on bar crawls is what most crew want to do.â€? Many freshers say that the crew appear to be having more fun than they are. Brown went on to say that: “The atmosphere and ethos of the whole Freshers’ Week experience is geared towards the crew having a great time just as much, if not more so than the freshers. ´, VXSSRVH LW LV D VHOI IXOĂ€ OOLQJ prophecy that if your staff are happy, your customers will be too, but I know many people who just did crew for the laughs and drunken times.â€? It’s not uncommon to see members of the Freshers’ Crew stumbling around the city due to excessive drinking - can a nervous fresher really approach someone in this state? The F Word’s manifesto promises that their crew will be approachable DV ZHOO DV FRQĂ€ GHQW DQG SDVVLRQ ate. However, they also propose to centre their events around a Unionbased beer garden - will the crew be making as much use of this beer

As crew is picked for Freshers’ Week 2010, is the focus on the week too much about the crew and not enough about the freshers?

garden as the freshers? Freshers’ Week 2010 organiser, Bobby Richardson, defends Freshers’ Week. He told The Courier: “Obviously the week does involve drinking; however we are looking for people on crew who don’t go overboard on the alcohol and can control themselves when representing the Union and the University throughout the city. “They must understand that the welfare and experience of freshers must be the priority. The duties of members of Freshers’ Crew include, but extend far beyond, the nights out and drinking. ´7KH Ă€ UVW WKUHH GD\V IRU H[DPSOH almost exclusively consist of packing bags to give to freshers, moving them into halls, and sorting out their wristbands.â€? Helping me move into Ricky Road, I remember the crew to be friendly and welcoming but by early evening all I can recall is large drunken groups of crew members who seemed to be more focused on having a social of their own instead of trying to make my week amazing. After hearing the lengths that students will go to in order to get a place on the Freshers’ Crew, it

seems unsurprising that crew members think that getting drunk is the way to gain recognition for a great Freshers’ Week. The focus during interviews in the past has been on drink, sex, and overcoming embarrassment. Being able to perform in front of the panel seems to be the focus for the Freshers’ Week organisers; making a show of yourself is what you have to do to impress. Andy Johnson, a second year student, told The Courier: “At my Freshers’ Crew interview, I had to receive a lap dance from a girl who was also trying to get a place on the crew. “It must have been degrading for her. I felt that as a member of the crew, if I wasn’t drinking then I wasn’t entering into the spirit of things.â€? Surely this is not what Freshers’ Crew should be about and I think the organisers might have got their priorities wrong when it comes to Ă€ QGLQJ WKH SHUIHFW WHDP Freshers’ Crew should be about people who are fun, outgoing, reliable and approachable. This doesn’t exclude people who refuse to act promiscuously for the interview panel.

When asked about this week’s interviews, Richardson told The Courier: “We would strive not to make students do anything that was considered inappropriate or overly embarrassing in the interviews, and I agree that some tasks in the past may have been a step too far. “It is not the case that people must carry out these tasks in order to get on crew; the selection process is based on a number of things and this is by no means the deciding factor.â€? Despite the questionable values and priorities of Freshers’ Crew, I cannot deny that I personally had a brilliant Freshers’ Week. Even though the idea of what makes a good crew member has perhaps become warped, Freshers’ Week is usually a huge success. The week should be about having IXQ DQG PDNLQJ Ă€ UVW \HDU VWXGHQWV feel welcome; if it takes a treble and fancy dress to do that, then that’s what the crew should do. However, freshers also need an alternative to alcohol and the priorities of the crew should be to make sure that every fresher is feeling comfortable and having a fantastic time.

No crime removes the right to a fair trial and personal safety Laura Heads

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week and a bit you must have heard that Jon Venables, one of the convicted murderers of James Bulger, has been returned to jail. I would also hazard a guess at the fact that opinions on this man have not changed; most are still disgusted and appalled at what he did, many of my friends uttering the words “he deserves everything he getsâ€?. Although this may be true, the reasons as to why he has been re-incarcerated have not been released, and in my opinion (and I’m SUHSDUHG WR WDNH TXLWH D ELW RI Ă DFN for this), quite rightly so.

By releasing what he did it stands to reason that any 27-year-old male admitted into prison on any offence would be savagely beaten by prisoners, and I would reckon a fair few policemen out there would be slow on the uptake to stop it. There is a hierarchy in prison; there are crimes that even prisoners look on distastefully, that even they would not contemplate. As a result, the prisoners get beaten, and badly. Despite many feeling that he GHVHUYHV WKLV LW LV QRW MXVWLĂ€ HG WKDW a person who served his time for the crime committed and has been living amongst us in society for the past nine or so years is allowed to be savagely beaten because he has been readmitted back to prison, on an offence not yet proven. The point which is often forgotten is that this alleged offence is not yet proven; he has only been charged innocent until proven guilty. He needs to stand before a parole board who decide whether whatever it is he has done is worthy of

a trial and another stint in prison, and then has to stand trial; he could still be found innocent. By releasing the charge, members of the public who suddenly found themselves sitting on a jury hearing a trial with a similar charge would DXWRPDWLFDOO\ Ă€ QG WKHPVHOYHV prejudiced. It’s human nature, we can’t help it. In order to maintain the balanced and fair justice system we have at the moment, this simply cannot happen; releasing it would, as Jack Straw put it, “undermine the integrity of the criminal justice system process.â€? Releasing his photo would be even worse; all pandemonium would break loose. As Baroness Butler-Sloss, the judge who granted Venables and Thompson anonymity in 2001, stated last week, those who wanted to kill him back then ZRXOG DOPRVW GHĂ€ QLWHO\ ZDQW WR NLOO him now; you would theoretically have lynch mobs lining the streets. You only have to look at the case

of David Calvert, an apparent lookalike of an aged Venables who has been forced to move twice in the ODVW À YH \HDUV GXH WR SHRSOH EHOLHY ing he was an older Venables under a new identity, and who now lives in constant fear someone will kill him and his family. Add that to the fact that Venables may not even be found guilty of his charge and be released, then his life would become unliveable and highly problematic. I can see the other side of this story and I can sympathise with the pain and the anguish Denise Fergus is feeling. As the mother of James Bulger, she, and we as the public, have a right to know what Venables has done if it comes to pass that he is charged and sent back to prison, but only then do we have that right, not before. Yes, it may be annoying, but it’s for his and the public safety, equal justice for all and a little thing called morality.

In January, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit and devastated Haiti. Soon after, the country was hit with over 50 aftershock quakes. With the death toll in the thousands and people affected in the millions, many people of the world came together to help this stricken country. By the end of January, over 305 million dollars had been raised in aid for Haiti. Not only were there enormous fundraising campaigns worldwide, but people also collected medical supplies and even travelled to Haiti to personally help with the relief efforts. I say high À YH WR \RX However, just over one month later, an earthquake of a higher magnitude, 8.8, rocked through Chile. The earthquake left 52 countries in a state of warning for a potential tsunami. That tsunami ended up hitting the city of Valparaiso in Chile, leaving almost 800 people dead in its wake. Other countries such as Australia, North America, and Mexico felt the effects of the earthquake with dangerous waves and currents that sunk ships and killed even more people. Even more shockingly, scientists have discovered that the earthquake has shortened the length of the day by 1.26 microseconds. Yeah, I know a microsecond here and there is not a big deal. But that is one powerful earthquake! Unlike the earthquake in Haiti, people across the world are not pulling together to help out Chile as had been done with Haiti. There are no songs on I-tunes to raise money for Chile. People are not jumping on planes to become directly involved with the reconstruction. Unfortunately, instances like this are not going to be a thing of the past. With the continuation of JOREDO ZDUPLQJ DQG WKH VLJQLÀ FDQW amount of change that the earth is experiencing as a result, it is very likely that we will be seeing more natural disasters in the future. And we can’t be there to aid every single one of them. I’m here to say that is okay. But I have a reason for my statement as well. I think it is great that people are working hard to help out other countries, but I also think that we are forgetting the people in our own back gardens, the people in our own cities and towns that need our help just as much as people on the international level. Did you know that the homeless population in Great Britain is currently over 90,000 people? I know it doesn’t seem like a lot when you consider how many millions of people live in the UK. But, to me, 90,000 is a staggering number. Too many to be homeless in this small country. So just something to think about while you are out fundraising for a cause. Think about the people in your own area that you can help. It doesn’t have to mean giving money; go volunteer for a few hours at a shelter. Essentially, any small step we take leads to a greater difference in the life of someone else.

12

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Comment

General election: students just don’t know and don’t care Wills Robinson

A recent poll carried out by the student accommodation provider UNITE found that 26% of students thought the star of BBC series ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ would do a better job than Gordon Brown. Alan Sugar followed closely behind with 22% of the votes which comes alongside an ever-popular Facebook campaign to give Jeremy Clarkson the reins to the country. This could suggest one of three WKLQJV WKH Ă€ UVW EHLQJ D KLJK OHYHO of apathy towards politics among students; secondly that Gordon Brown is making that much of a mess as PM; or that students don’t see politics as serious but as a bit of a joke. The poll also found that out of the 1,566 student respondents, 33% couldn’t place Brown as the leader of the Labour party, with 34% not knowing that Conservative party leader and strong favourite to walk into Number 10 during the summer was David Cameron. 3UREDEO\ WKH PRVW VKRFNLQJ Ă€ QG ing of the poll was that 47% said that they wouldn’t or were very unlikely to vote in the up and coming general election, despite talks of huge cuts in university budgets to meet the consensus on spending cuts between the parties, as well as potential increases in tuition fees.

Is this a cause for concern about the levels of student apathy in this country? Especially as politics should arguably be high in the minds of students with the current economic conditions meaning JUDGXDWHV DUH À QGLQJ LW HYHU KDUGHU WR À QG D MRE DIWHU WKHLU VWXGLHV DQG with students potentially being hit the hardest after this summer’s election. Just one example is a report published by the think tank Policy Exchange calling for £5,000 tuition fees and the end to all students be-

Dear Editor In response to ‘World of Warcraft: just a videogame or a ay of life?’ from The Courier Issue 1206. The title of the article suggested it would be a look at the rise of online games and their effect on modern culture, but instead I was fairly shocked to see an excuse for lazy stereotyping of video gamers. In the article they are portrayed as self-centred obsessives, perpetually single, overweight slackers and, that most lazy of all stereotypes, 40-year-olds still living with their parents. I think it’s amazing that in the second paragraph it can be admitted that there are well over 11 milOLRQ SOD\HUV PDNLQJ DQ\ SURĂ€ OLQJ futile, and for the rest of the article they are treated with the same old disdain which has stopped the effect of video games on society from being taken seriously for years. Are all gamers overweight? Of course not! Take for example famous WOW players Vin Diesel, Brandon Routh (the most recent Superman) and Mila Kunis (the voice of Meg GrifĂ€ Q LQ IDPLO\ JX\ DQG UHFHQW VWDU RI Forgetting Sarah Marshall). Are all gamers slackers? Of course not! Above the article was a header about the Vancouver Olympics and if you were following them you

lowest cuts in their manifestos. In reaction to these results NUS president Wes Streeting has said that: “In many seats up and down the country, the student vote has made a decisive difference in previous general elections and will do so again.� This suggests that there is no need to be worried about the level of political involvement and interest on behalf of students. The main question is: are students fully aware of what is at stake for them in politics and how

well they are being represented in Westminster? It also begs the question whether students feel they can make much of a difference with their vote, with many from the UNITE poll suggesting that they would be better off in a political organisation when looking for change. We shall just have to wait until -XQH WR VHH LI VWXGHQWV Ă RFN WR WKH ballot boxes and whether the blow of university budget cuts can be softened. C.PIERCE

Letters to the Editor ‘Lazy stereotyping’ of video gamers

ing entitled to interest-free Government loans, alongside the potential cuts of around £450 million in university budgets (despite the fact that the UK is one of the lowest spenders in terms of higher education in Europe). Even though we won’t know who students vote for until after this summer’s election, a poll last year by Opinionpanel, which discovered that stances on tuition fees was a vital factor for 79% of students, suggests that students may tick the box of the party who is proposing the

may have seen Kjetil Jansrud, silver medallist in the giant slalom and avid player of EVE online, a similar kind of game to WOW. Are all WOW players geeks? No way! Comedians Jimmy Fallon, Dave Chapelle and actor Elijah Wood are active WOW players. These games and the game industry in general are a huge part of our society and now earn more than the À OP LQGXVWULHV GR HYHU\ \HDU 7KH\ LQà XHQFH RXU FXOWXUH ZLWK more and more gaming slang slipping into our everyday vocabulary and with Sam Raimi attached to the World of Warcraft movie you are certainly likely to hear even more about it in the future. So if there are so many obvious contradictions to these old ideas that people who play online are some kind of loners and losers, why do we still cling to them? Why are video games still marginalised in our culture? Why are they only mentioned on TV for their supposed detrimental effects on society? I think these are far more interesting questions than lazily painting gamers with outdated prejudices. Yours sincerely, GERALD CLARKE Emails in response to articles should be sent to the Editor at editor.union@ncl.ac.uk. Letters will be published in Issue 1210, out Monday 26 April

‘Overheard’ not to Inaccurate statistics blame for Rah-bashing Dear Editor, Dear Editor, $V DQ RIĂ€ FHU RQ WKH ‘Overheard at Newcastle Uni’ group I thought I had to defend it given the central position we’ve been given in this whole Rah-bashing debate. Katie Bayles (and The Times’ article) painted the group as some hotbed for bullying or “new sportâ€?, without even the courtesy to ask us for an opinion. The fact is that the vast majority of the posts on the site are harmless fun, and the vitriolic comments are being dealt with as fast as possible. In fact as a result of Bayles’ article there has been a rise in “poor-bashingâ€? over the last couple of days. The group was set up as, and remains largely, a bit of fun for people to post the ridiculous snippets of conversation they overhear in our University, yet articles like Bayles’ and in The Times give it a bad reputation, push more snide comments and ruin it for those who just want a laugh. There may be a problem of class divide in Newcastle, but ‘Overheard’ is not a cause of it, nor is it a hotbed of bullying. At the end of the day the simplest way of stopping people laughing at the stupid things you say is to stop saying stupid things! Yours sincerely, OLIVER SAVORY

I would like to comment on Bethany Sissons’ article “Thou shalt not teach prejudicial sex educationâ€?. 0D\ , Ă€ UVW FRQJUDWXODWH \RX RQ your generally informative article, and say that I agree that young SHRSOH GHVHUYH Ă€ UVW FODVV FRPSUH hensive sex education. I just wanted to point out to you, and anyone else interested, that some of your statistics were wrong, and perhaps misleading. You mention Labour’s teen pregnancy strategy. While this has not been entirely successful in halving teenage pregnancies, it is not failing hopelessly. A claim to 37% rise in teenage pregnancies since 1997 is incorrect. In fact, there has been an overall decline of 10.7% since 1998 (Source: 2IĂ€ FH IRU 1DWLRQDO 6WDWLVWLFV DQG Teenage Pregnancy Unit, 2009). You perhaps read data recently published by the Conservative party- who embarrassingly misinterpreted data, suggesting that 54% of young women in deprived areas were falling pregnant. They have withdrawn their report - the true number was 54 in 1,000! Please do not interpret this letter as discrediting your article, I thought it was great. I just thought readers should know that we are tackling teenage pregnancy, and that the sex education we are starting to provide is taking effect - all the more reason to ensure that all young people receive it! Thanks, JOSIE VALLELY

Retractions Issue 1207: The Courier would like to apologise for and retract comments deemed offensive in the ‘No’ half of the article ‘Order, order: should we still have trial by jury?’, Issue 1207. The comment was apologised for by the writer Nicholas Fidler in ‘Letters to the Editor’, Issue 1208, and the editing team would also like to express that WKH\ IHHO RQ UHĂ HFWLRQ WKDW WKH remark was inappropriate for publication. Issue 1208: The Courier would like to apologise for and retract comments made in the article ‘Fencers take control of relegation play-off’, Issue 1208. The Courier would like to state that the views expressed by the author in this article do not UHĂ HFW WKH QHZVSDSHU¡V RZQ YLHZV DQG RQ UHĂ HFWLRQ WKH UHPDUNV should have been edited from the article. The Fencing Club also wish it to be known that the club does not endorse the author’s views of a lack of support or any negative views of members of the committee expressed in last week’s article. The Fencing Club is united as one and is a club made up of many members. The club is a friendly, welcoming club which has grown tremendously this year. Christie Waddington would also like to apologise to Ed Bailey and to the fencing club for her comment in last week’s article.

14

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Not just for girls: the rise of fashion metrosexuality Life & Style Editors: Larisa Brown, Alex Felton and Ashley Fryer - courier.life@ncl.ac.uk

> Fashion, page 15

life

An international institution

Students from all over the globe come to Newcastle and live with us but where are they from? Kat Bishop takes an in-depth look at the vast array of overseas students who walk through our campus each year and their efforts at integrating with UK students

N

ewcastle University: a Red Brick institution, situated in the dynamic heart of Northern England. Competitive to gain entry, course places are coveted by both national and international students alike. Boasting a student body of approximately 20,000, the University is home to a diverse and cosmopolitan community, including over 3,000 overseas students from over 110 countries worldwide. With a strong international reputation and a dynamic environment, Newcastle has a long tradition of welcoming students from all over the world. The University successfully mixes high-quality academia, lively social scenes and attractive city life to cre-

ate the perfect university atmosphere. And with a combination of outstanding academic reputation, acclaimed teaching excellence and exceptional sports facilities, stuGHQWV IURP DURXQG WKH JOREH Ă RFN towards the University. A large part of this is down to the University’s committed and expeULHQFHG ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 2IĂ€ FH ZKR pride themselves on helping international students get the most from their studies. 7KH ODWHVW RIĂ€ FLDO Ă€ JXUHV UHOHDVHG E\ 1HZFDVWOH¡V ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 2IĂ€ FH LQ 'HFHPEHU UHĂ HFW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\¡V popularity with 3,293 actively registered overseas fee paying students at Newcastle; representing a sizeable 16.7% of the student body. On the same date, it was recorded

that there were 2,073 actively registered overseas new entrants, this representing an even heftier 25.8% of all new entrants at the University. 7KHVH Ă€ JXUHV KLJKOLJKW WKH VL]H RI Newcastle’s relatively large overseas student body, numbers that most students are unaware of. Clearly, Newcastle’s overseas student population is a bit of an enigma to their home-student counterparts. When ten students were asked ‘how many overseas students are there across the whole of Newcastle’s student body?’ the responses were accompanied by blank faces and shrugs. The answers ranged from as little as 1,000, to as big as 10,000, with one lucky guess hitting the 3,000 mark. When students were told the of-

À FLDO À JXUHV WKH\ DGPLWWHG WKH\ didn’t know them because they had no need to. They never really talked to overseas students, so these numbers didn’t really affect them.

Overseas students relish the chance of studying at such a welcoming and stimulating university One student made a very interesting point in that she had no idea ZKDW ÂśFODVVLĂ€ HG¡ VRPHRQH DV EHLQJ from ‘overseas’, and assumed it was all students living outside the UK. Although Newcastle has a large number of students from outside

the UK, the ‘overseas student’ bracket is a narrow one. It includes Channel Island students, yet excludes all EU students, and every other student who pays home fees, regardless of their country of origin. When asked, the interviewees were a little more aware of which country most overseas students come from. The country most guessed was China. On December 1 2009, the country with the highest number of overseas students (across the entire student body) was in fact China, followed by Malaysia, Singapore, India and Nigeria. For new entrants, the three most popular countries were China, India and Nigeria. Shocked by Newcastle’s popular-

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

15

Life Life & Style

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The Penny Pincher Lesson 16: Leisure Rowan Taylor Columnist

2UDQJH :HGQHVGD\V LV QR VHFUHW $Q\ À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·V PRVW DXWKHQWLF FLQHPD H[SHULHQFH 7\QHVLGH GRHVQ·W SDUWLFLSDWH LQ 2UDQJH :HGQHVGD\V *R RQ D 0RQGD\ WKRXJK ZLWK \RXU 186 FDUG LQ KDQG DQG SD\ MXVW 7KH *DWH·V (PSLUH &LQHPD KDV DOO ÀOPV RQ D 7XHVGD\ DW ,W LV SRVVLEOH WR SUHYLHZ ÀOPV EHIRUH WKH\ DUH UHOHDVHG IRU IUHH 3UHYLHZ ÀOP WLFNHWV DUH GLVKHG RXW E\ 6HHÀOPÀUVW FRP DQG 0RPHQWXPVFUHHQLQJV FRP 1LJKWV LQ QHHG OHVV HIIRUW DQG DUH FKHDSHU 7KH SDVW IHZ \HDUV KDYH VHHQ DQ H[SORVLRQ LQ WKH RQOLQH '9' UHQWDO PDUNHW :LWK WKHVH VHUYLFHV \RX GRQ·W HYHQ QHHG WR OHDYH WKH KRXVH WR JHW \RXU ÀOPV WKH\ JHW SRVWHG WR \RX DQG HDFK FRPSDQ\ QRUPDOO\ SURYLGHV D IUHH WULDO RI WZR WR IRXU ZHHNV <RX FRXOG KRS DURXQG RQ IUHH WULDOV IRU PRQWKV 1HZVSDSHUV DUH SHUKDSV XQXVXDO LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI RXU JHQHUDWLRQ EXW WKH NLQJSLQ RI WKH PHGLD LQGXVWU\ VWLOO KDV D SODFH LQ VWXGHQW OLIH 7KH 8QLRQ 6KRS DQG WKH 5RELQVRQ /LEUDU\ &DIp VHOO WKH TXDOLW\ EURDGVKHHWV IRU S S LQVWHDG RI IURP S $OWHUQDWLYHO\ \RX FDQ DFFHVV FRQWHQW IURP DOO WKH PDMRU QHZVSDSHUV RQOLQH ,W LV XQFHUWDLQ KRZ ORQJ WKH\ ZLOO UHPDLQ IUHH DV 5XSHUW 0XUGRFK ORRNV UHDG\ WR GHFODUH DQ HQG WR WKH IUHH IRU DOO 1HZFDVWOH KDV D YHU\ JRRG VHOHFWLRQ RI IUHH JDOOHULHV DQG PXVHXPV ,W IHHOV VR PXFK EHWWHU ZKHQ LW·V IUHH 5LJKW QRZ WU\ ¶%HDWOHV WR %RZLH· DW WKH /DLQJ *DOOHU\ DQG WKH RQJRLQJ H[KLELWLRQV DW WKH IDQWDVWLF QHZ *UHDW 1RUWK 0XVHXP Deals of the Week: )UHH %HOO·V :KLVN\ VLQJOH VKRW DW www.bells.co.uk )UHH DOFRKRO KDV JRW WR EH WKH KRO\ JUDLO RI VWXGHQW 3HQQ\ 3LQFKHU\ $ SULQWHG YRXFKHU IURP ZZZ EHOOV FR XN ZLOO JHW \RX D IUHH PO GUDP RI %HOO·V IURP ORFDO SXEV LQFOXGLQJ *RRVH :LVSD *ROG FOHDUDQFH GHDOV :KHUHYHU \RX DUH ORRN RXW IRU UHGXFWLRQV RQ WKLV UHFHQWO\ UHODXQFKHG FKRFRODWH EDU 6DLQVEXU\·V WZR IRU S 7HVFR S $VGD S 3RXQGODQG IRXU IRU *UDLQJHU 0DUNHW QHZVDJHQW ÀYH IRU

16

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Life & Style Fashion

fashion

Metrosexuality: the best of both worlds Jessica Gibson talks about the rise of metrosexual fashion awareness in men

G

ay men and straight men: we can all immediately conjure the stereotypical images in our heads. It is also very likely that we associate a stereotypical fashion with both sexualities. Girls, we all know to be wary of the well dressed man. To be clichĂŠd, chances are they are going to be gay. Everyone knows the average gay man knows how to dress. Alternatively, if you’re into a guy with baggy jeans and last nights tshirt, you know you could be onto a winner. It is assumed that straight men take much less care in choosing what to wear, and even fewer follow current IDVKLRQV ´6R ZK\ FDQ¡W XV JLUOV Ă€ QG a happy medium?â€? I hear you sigh. Well the good news is, you can. In recent years, they reside under the term: metrosexual. A modern amalgamation of the words metropolitan and heterosexual, to describe a man with a strong concern for his appearance and lifestyle that displays attributes stereotypically associated with homosexual men. Now don’t start whipping up disturbing combinations such as Gok Wan and Vinnie Jones. The metrosexual man is more like Will and Grace meets Friends - the perfect melding of the stereotypical gay and the stereotypical straight man’s fashion. And the result is somewhere between David Beckham and Russell Brand. Earrings, alice bands, man-jewellery - all can be pulled off if worn

what’s hot Parisian chic

Valentine’s Day PLJKW KDYH à RZQ by unnoticed but you can still get that touch of romance from your wardrobe. Oh la la!

Katherine Bannon

appropriately by the 21st century metrosexual male. Men can even get MAN-icures and pedicures, and spray tans with ‘ab-shading’ to create the look of a six pack. But do not be alarmed by these extremes - metrosexual men can often be very attractive, fashionable and masculine. The problem is they push the boundaries of the sexuality stereotypes. They’re not afraid to use supposedly ‘gay fashion staples’, as long as it’s in the name of fashion. Let’s begin with potentially the biggest sexual taboo in male clothing: the pink shirt. We are all well aware of the feminine connotations this colour carries, and the old phrase ‘pink, pink to make the boys wink’. The pink shirt has long been feared by heterosexual men, until recent years, and has made a come back in male fashion. Many collections in Paris Fashion Week: Spring-Summer 2010 Menswear, featured a lot of pinks DQG HYHQ Ă RUDO SULQWV (PDQXHO Ungaro featured pinks, polka-dots and fuschia (the label’s signature colour). The Telegraph reported: “Some of WKH PRGHOV WRR VSRUWHG D Ă DPLQJR look, wearing raspberry-coloured WURXVHUV VSRUWVFRDWV Ă RZLQJ VSRW ted scarves and hot pink driving gloves. “Not a look for every man; but a good one, it appeared, for those — like the designer — who dare do pink.â€? When telling a friend of mine about discussing pink in this article, he simply said: ‘Real men wear pink.â€? I thought this statement was JHQLXV DV LW UHĂ HFWV D YHU\ PRGHUQ understanding of the pink shirt. Nowadays, people believe that only the men that are ‘comfortable with their sexuality’ can pull of the pink shirt.

Newcastle University Intra Mural rugby team Cheeky Ladies certainly believe this statement is true. Their kit colours are baby pink and baby blue, on everything from their hats to their socks. These boys certainly defy the pink taboo, by wearing it with pride on a muddy rugby pitch. Another form of clothing which carries much stigma in male fashion are the ‘skinnies’. Skinny jeans, skinny ties, skinny scarves, skinny belts. It seems more and more of men’s clothing is shedding pounds. In my opinion, when it comes to the skinnies, everything in moderation. You don’t want to look as if everything has shrunk in the wash. A lot of straight men can rock the skinnies, who have been led the way by pioneering celebrities. Razorlight’s front man Johnny Borrell and Russell Brand are the two that Ă€ UVW VSULQJ WR PLQG It was probably unwise to leave the ‘man uggs’ until my third point in this article, as I could rant about them all day. I’m not too sure which kinds of men are buying this footwear, but it’s certainly not a gay staple. If anything, the fashionable men are much too on trend to even consider them. Hapsical London Fashion blogger stated: “I already have visions of male Ugg-esque hell when less tall, less slender fashion queens inevitably start rocking them with nonskinny blue jeans tucked in.â€? It seems in any realm of fashion, the man uggs are a no-go. So there you have it: here’s hoping the metrosexual fashion debate is a little clearer. Whatever your style or sexuality, the latest fashions only stick around for a season, but it seems the most common trend is that more and more straight men are acquiring a more metrosexual look.

Autumn/ Winter 2010 collection highlights

Chanel A/W 2010

Trench coats

Don’t be fooled by a few early summer rays. A chill is still in the air -so there’s still an excuse to grab yourself one of these timeless pieces

Alice in Wonderland

Embrace a touch of weird as Tim Burton’s uncanny take of the classic fantasy hits the screens and through the looking glass inspired pieces hit the shelves

Missoni A/W 2010

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

17

Fashion Life & Style

CATWALKING.COM

View Askew Cinema stupidity Kathy Jackman Columnist

Topman Design A/W 2010

Mark Fast A/W 2010

what’s not

Double denim

Dressing like a 60’s FRZER\ LV QHYHU JRLQJ to lasso you some ORYLQ·

Crochet knit boots

If they look like slippers you should probably keep them indoors

Vampires

Now that Pattinson and 6WHZHUW DUH DQ RIÀFLDO LWHP there’s no point hoping he might mistake you as one of his own

What’s happened to the world of cinema? Gone are the days when a ÀOP ZDV MXGJHG RQ WKH VWUHQJWK RI its script and the competency of its DFWRUV QRZ LW·V DOO SRXWLQJ KRWWLHV with zilch talent, excessive exploVLRQV DQG &*, EOXH FDW SHRSOH /HW PH VWDUW RII E\ VD\LQJ WKDW , ORYH PRYLHV , UHDOO\ GR WKH\·UH RQH RI P\ JUHDWHVW SDVVLRQV LQ OLIH DQG , JODGO\ DFNQRZOHGJH WKDW WKHUH DUH VWLOO D IHZ GLDPRQGV LQ WKH URXJK WR EH IRXQG RQ 3ODQHW +ROO\ZRRG DQG EH\RQG +RZHYHU LW VRPHWLPHV VHHPV WKDW HYHQ WKH ÀOPPDNHUV ZLWK D GHFHQW DPRXQW RI WDOHQW RQO\ HYHU EULQJ RXW WKH JRRGV ZKHQ 2VFDU VHDVRQ UROOV DURXQG %HIRUH WKHQ ZH KDYH WR HQGXUH a constant stream of admittedly SROLVKHG EXW HPRWLRQDOO\ KROORZ UHPDNHV DQG ¶JRUQRJUDSKLF· IUDQFKLVHV WKDW GHOLJKW LQ DVVDXOWLQJ RXU VHQVHV RI GHFHQF\ ,W KXUWV P\ VRXO 6KRXOGQ·W ÀOPV EH DERXW DQ H[pression of ideas, an exploration of KXPDQ FRPSOH[LWLHV" :KHQ , WKLQN RI WKH VPXJ SURGXFHUV DQG GLUHFWRUV ZKR JOHHIXOO\ VROG WKHLU VRXOV DQG DUWLVWLF LQWHQWLRQV IRU PRXQWDLQV RI FDVK , IHHO SK\VLFDOO\ VLFN &DOO PH FUD]\ EXW ,·P WKH VRUW RI SHUVRQ ZKR ZDQWV WR EH FKDOOHQJHG E\ ÀOPV , GRQ·W QHHG WR KDYH P\ LQWHOOLJHQFH LQVXOWHG E\ VRPH KRSSHG XS GURVV ZLWK PRUH VW\OH WKDQ VXEVWDQFH I don’t want to hand over my preFLRXV PRQH\ WR ZDWFK D GHUDQJHG EXQFK RI PXWDQW UHGQHFNV JUDSKLFDOO\ UDSH DQG WRUWXUH D JURXS RI KDSOHVV KLWFKKLNHUV $QG GRQ·W HYHQ JHW PH VWDUWHG RQ WKH ZD\ WKH ÀOP LQGXVWU\ UHJDUGV IRUHLJQ H[SRUWV , XQGHUVWDQG WKDW SHRSOH GRQ·W ZDQW WR KDYH WR UHDG VXEWLWOHV DQG DOO EXW WKDW GRHVQ·W H[FXVH WKH IDFW WKDW PRVW RI WKH IRUHLJQ ÀOPV WKDW FRPH WR (QJOLVK FLQHPDV DUH VR JRRG WKDW WKH\·UH DOPRVW SLHFHV RI DUW EXW SHRSOH GRQ·W JR WR VHH WKHP +HOO HYHQ WKH SHRSOH ZKR ZDQW WR VHH WKHP RIWHQ VWUXJJOH EHFDXVH YLHZLQJV DUH VR OLPLWHG 7KH ZKROH WKLQJ UHPLQGV PH RI ZKHQ , ZHQW WR VHH 3DQ·V /DE\ULQWK D IHZ \HDUV DJR D \RXQJ ZRPDQ QH[W WR PH DQG P\ IULHQG VKULHNHG ORXGO\ XSRQ VHHLQJ WKH WLWOH VFUHHQ ´2K ZK\ WKH I LV WKLV I VXEWLWOHG"µ 0\ DGYLFH WR DOO VXEWLWOH KDWHUV GR \RXU UHVHDUFK EHIRUH JRLQJ WR VHH D ÀOP ,W·OO VDYH \RX D ORW RI KHDUWDFKH (LWKHU ZD\ WKH ÀOP ZRUOG LV EHFRPLQJ JUDGXDOO\ PRUH DQG PRUH VWXSLG DQG LI ZH·UH QRW FDUHIXO WKHQ LW·OO WDNH XV ZLWK LW $V WKH ROG DQG VRPHZKDW FUXGH VD\LQJ JRHV \RX FDQ SROLVK D WXUG EXW LW·V VWLOO D WXUG 7KHUH·V QR LQWHJULW\ LQ VSHQGLQJ ELOOLRQV RI GROODUV RQ UHQGHULQJ UHDOLVWLF H\HODVKHV ZKHQ \RXU VWRU\ DQG VFULSW DUH SXOOLQJ LQVLVWHQWO\ RQ \RXU VOHHYH DQG VFUHHFKLQJ IRU DWWHQWLRQ 3OHDVH +ROO\ZRRG JHW LW VRUWHG

18

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Life & Style Sex & Relationships

sex & relationships Sex and the Univer-sity Vanessa Costello Columnist

Email courier. life@ncl.ac.uk if you would like to go on your very own Blind Date

blind date +ROO\ 0RIIDW James Howie She said:

It may be a tricky and controversial one, but I’ve decided it is time to Ă€ QDOO\ IDFH ÂśWKH TXHVWLRQ¡ FDQ \RX be friends with an ex? This was going to take some research, as I knew that my opinion alone would not do the topic justice. I studiously noted down all four characters’ opinions and I hounded my housemates for thoughts and yet still remained undecided. My initial conclusion was ‘no way, no, it’s completely impossible’ but then you have to admit that somewhere out there, there probably are some exceptions to the rule. That got me thinking, maybe it all depends on the break up itself. If one partner breaks up with the other then things are bound to be more awkward, and strong feelings of bitterness and/or resentment are likely to get in the way of possible future friendship. But if the break-up is mutual, a joint decision that ‘there’s no longer any spark’ or ‘it’s just not working out’ then I think we could be on to a winner. One of my housemates stated that the only way you could be friends with someone after a break up is if there was never any roaring passion or true love whilst you were together. If you had the great friendship but not the passion, why can’t you be friends afterwards? 7KH RQO\ Ă DZ LQ WKH WKHRU\ LV WKDW not many relationships are actually exempt from passion and lacking in love, so what happens to those poor souls? Well this is where the cynicism rears its ugly head I suppose. This time I am glad to say that it is a collected view that I am presenting and not just my own, unromantic one. People can be acquaintances with their ex partner but never ‘friends’ as it is near impossible for you to be close again. Unless you are able (and willing) to make a conscious effort to keep in touch, then just like any other friendship, you will eventually lose contact and lose the will to contact. Carrie says, ‘if you love someone and you break up, where does the love go?’ and it’s a good point. Even if it was a mutual break up, surely it’s going to be hard listening to someone you love talking about the new love of their life and why it’s so perfect. So what do we do when we split up with someone? Do we run off when we see them in the street, pretending they don’t exist, or do we attempt to be friends? I guess it’s all down to personal choice. However, I prefer Samantha’s inspired solution to the problem: ‘black widow spiders bite the heads off their partners when they’re done with them.’ If only things were that easy...

I have to admit I was a bit apprehensive about this date seeing as I had agreed to it while slightly intoxicated. ,W GHĂ€ QLWHO\ GLGQ¡W VHHP OLNH such a good idea the next morning whilst battling through a pretty KRUULĂ€ F %DE\ORQ 6LQQHUV UHODWHG hangover. However, at this point it was already too late to back out as he now had my phone number‌ fantastic. We arranged to go for drinks at As You Like It, it was no Fernando’s from ITV’s Take Me Out but I guess it would have to do. Before leaving the house I organised an escape route in the form of an emergency phone call from my housemate that would obviously require me to abandon the date and hurry home. I arrived at the bar and was greeted with a kiss on the cheek by James; who, I was pleasantly VXUSULVHG WR Ă€ QG ZDV QRW Âś6KUHN¡ DV a friend had so kindly nicknamed him. To be perfectly honest I was expecting many an awkward silence and vast amounts of small talk but we got on well, despite my Middlesbrough accent posing a bit of a ODQJXDJH EDUULHU DW Ă€ UVW , GLVFRY ered he was a dedicated hockey player; sporty, has two ducks; friend to the animals. Could this be my Mr Darcy? And then just as Colin Firth turned round to reveal that classic reindeer jumper; his phone rang and Marvin Gaye ‘Lets get it on’ blared out across the table. And that was it.

Moment ruined. All in all we ended up having a pretty good evening and as far as my dating record goes it was by no means the worst. He said: Having been put up to a blind date by my housemates, my emotion going to rendezvous was one of apprehension. Memories of Cilla Black’s couplings haunted me during my lift to the venue. I naturally assumed and anticipated being greeted by a 6XVDQ %R\OH HVTXH À JXUH EXW ZDV pleasantly surprised when this wasn’t the case.

Conscious of being too early or on time, my deliberate plan to be slightly late and look nonchalant about the affair was crushed by Holly’s ‘fashionably late’ appearance. Ten minutes into waiting for my blind date a taxi pulled up. A rather elderly lady emerged from the taxi. Being an extremely politically correct person and with As You Like Its lack of busyness in the back of my mind I made the assumption she may be a mature student. Rather aroused by the prospect of courting a woman in her middle DJHV , FRQĂ€ GHQWO\ DSSURDFKHG ZLWK “Holly, Hi...â€? only to be blanked by a very confused and relatively

angry-looking Geordie. The anti-climactic start to the evening was remedied by the relief of Holly eventually turning up. Worried about the potential awkwardness, I hastily ordered a bottle of house white ‘to kick things off’. &RQYHUVDWLRQ ZDV Ă RZLQJ surprisingly well as we indulged further into another bottle of wine. Tempted to go out, I proposed the idea to Holly but she had prior engagements so I did the honourable deed and returned her to her abode in Jesmond Vale. Unfortunately there is no dirt to GLVK LQ WKLV Ă€ QDO FKDSWHU RQ URXWH to Holly’s house, however the date was enjoyable nonetheless.

problems as I am never able to settle for someone of the same social VWDQGLQJ ,W JHWV PH LQWR UHDOO\ complicated and awkward situaWLRQV DQG LW¡V MXVW QRW LGHDO UHDOO\ :KDW VKDOO , GR"

RQ )DFHERRN WKH RWKHU GD\ ZKDW GRHV WKLV PHDQ" 'RHV LW PHDQ KH ZDQWV WR SRNH PH LQ UHDO OLIH"

ask seĂąora rosa :KDW VKDOO , GR"

Seùora Rosa is here WR DQVZHU DOO RI \RXU SUREOHPV (PDLO KHU DW courier.life@ncl.ac.uk Seùora, I’ve been dating this bloke for a while now and we have decided WR PDNH WKLQJV RIÀ FLDO :D\ Problem is, he won’t change his relationship status on Facebook ELW RI DQ LVVXH UHDOO\ , IHHO KXUW that he wouldn’t want people to NQRZ WKDW KH LV JRLQJ RXW ZLWK PH

Way indeed. Congratulations, I am really pleased for you. However, we all know if it’s not on Facebook then it doesn’t count. My suggestions: (1) Put yourself in a relationship with him and see if he accepts. You might be getting worked up over nothing! (2) Get his chicos to go on his account and Frape his relationship status. Get them to put him in a relationship (or maybe even engaged... cheeky!) with you and closely observe his reaction, you never know he might just not have got around to changing his. Things to do in reality and all that silly stuff... (3) He might not use Facebook that often, if at all. Therefore, get mutual tattoos so everybody knows how serious you are about each other. Seùora, Something that has been particuODUO\ WURXEOLQJ PH UHFHQWO\ LV P\ desire to attain men of higher DXWKRULW\ ,W LV FDXVLQJ D IDLU IHZ

I assume that by trying to attain a man of a higher authority you’re not talking about the big JC, the man upstairs, one part of that holy threesome? So... how to solve your little pickle then. Well it seems that there may well be a few self-esteem issues creeping around the corner. Get over it, don’t go chasing after tail that you think that you can’t catch. If you aren’t sure you’re up to the challenge then how are you going to convince other people? It’s the age old dilemma where if you think that someone else is way out of your league then undoubtedly you are going to be putting that “pussy on a pedestalâ€? Don’t put these kids up there and play your own game. It’s important that you are on your terms. SeĂąora, 7KLV ER\ , UHDOO\ IDQF\ SRNHG PH

No, no it doesn’t. Let me divulge. Right, so... in the same way that if I tag you on Facebook then we haven’t regressed ten years and we’re playing around in the school gym, poking is a purely conceptual and viral idea dreamt up by that really rich Zuckerberg bloke - incidentally, if there was an award for one man changing the face of the ZRUOG LQ WKH SDVW À YH \HDUV , ZRXOG give it to him. Anyway, I digress. As the age-old VD\LQJ JRHV œLGOH À QJHUV DUH WKH work of the devil’. It is obvious that poking someone on Facebook doesn’t necessarily translate to them giving you a cheeky nudge and a wink in reality. This obsession of Facebook translating into the real world has really got to stop because it is just a website after all, no matter how hard it tries to impact on our lives otherwise. Before you jump on this unsuspecting person, just remember that Facebook isn’t real - quite yet anyways.

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

19

Food & Drink Life & Style

food & drink

6WDU EXFNV WKH WUHQG Katherine Bannon samples the newest line of coffee from Starbucks HQ

6

tarbucks is the McDonalds of coffee shops. Another multi-milliondollar spinning franchise to have been thrown across the pond and then multiplied at a faster rate than the Von Trapps, causing every tenth unit along the high street to display the same now iconic green and white image of twin tailed siren enclosed in ship porthole. Even without being Carrie’s interYLHZ RIÀ FH LQ WKH 6H[ DQG WKH &LW\ movie, it still boasts that postmodern blend of Italian beverage consumption and New York sophistication that caused it to feature rather embarrassingly in a number of my 0\6SDFH DQG HDUO\ )DFHERRN SURÀ OH photos. There was a time when supping on a strawberry cheesecake frapSXFFLQR ZKLOVW FDVXDOO\ VXUÀ QJ RQ

an apple mac was the height of cool, jading us against the fact that we were actually participating in the pinnacle of consumerism. However, little did we know that for the past 20 years the coffee conQRLVVHXUV DW 6WDUEXFNV KHDGTXDUWHUV have been working tirelessly on the latest development of caffeine innovation, launched last week and offering the taste challenge to change a lifetime of presenting visitors with Asda’s own in a Carte d’Or jar. ,W LV WKH Ă€ UVW LQVWDQW FRIIHH WR OD\ FODLP WR EHLQJ RI WKH VDPH ERG\ Ă D YRXU DQG DURPD RI D Ă€ OWHU WKH ZRUOG ZHOFRPHG 6WDUEXFNV 9,$ 3URPLVLQJ WR EH MXVW OLNH WKH 6WDU bucks coffee you ‘know and love’ LW XVHV H[DFWO\ WKH VDPH KLJK TXDO LW\ DUDELFD EHDQV IURP DOO 6WDUEXFNV FRIIHH ZKLFK DUH JURXQG VR Ă€ QH they dissolve immediately, literally brewing in your cup. The sachets feel like you’ve been fobbed off with a capsule of air and draw attention to how akin to gravel what you normally spoon into that chipped Yorkie mug pre-lecture and post-lash is. Hailed ‘better than your average cup of instant’ in an independent

review by Which? in 2009, I’m sure WKDW WKLV H[FHSWLRQDO SUDLVH PDGH those 240 months of research feel well spent. Admittedly, it does taste GLIIHUHQW )UHVKHU 6PHOOLQJ VOLJKWO\ nutty and toasty. However, the fact remains that at ÂŁ1.50 for three sachets, or even the generously discounted ÂŁ1.20 introductory price which knocks it down a whole ten pence per cup, you’d have to set aside a serious chunk of your student loan if decide to opt for FRPSOHWH 9LD Ă€ GHOLW\ A twelve pack is ÂŁ4.45, but those who took the in-store Taste Challenge at the weekend would have received a one pound off voucher. Although, to be honest, I’m sure it wasn’t top of your list of things to do. Everyone enjoys a good coffee, EXW ,¡G DUJXH WKDW LW¡V WKH VTXLVK\ sofas and Dark Cherry Mochas that provide the real pull rather than a perfect espresso. Nevertheless, aimed at a market of coffee drinkers who can now enjoy a cup of coffee ‘anywhere, anytime ² DW KRPH DW WKH RIĂ€ FH RQ WKH JR¡ LW was Don Valencia who walked into WKH 6WDUEXFNV RIĂ€ FH LQ 6HDWWOH ZLWK this ground breaking gem.

New Starbucks VIA claims to be unique to all other instant coffees on the market

He was appointed head of research and development, and although he is no longer around today, he still lives on in the ‘VIA’ label, taken from the beginning and end of his name. 6XFK D FRLQFLGHQFH WKDW LW LV DOVR Italian for road, and this coffee is designed for, like, when on the road. It is not an entirely lost cause though – it has gained me a free VIA endorsed thermos. ,W¡V VSHFLDOO\ GHVLJQHG WR KROG VL[ RI

the sachets around its edge through a nifty removable bottom, so I can PDNH VXUH WR KDYH WKH œÀ OWHU LQ DQ LQVWDQW¡ H[SHULHQFH FORVH DW KDQG QR matter how late I am for a lecture. However, I’ve already used up P\ IUHH VDPSOHV QRW EHFDXVH , Ă€ QG them that amazing a taste sensation but because, well, it makes me feel cool) and my inventive removable bottom refuses to be removed. I think that’s the way it’s going to stay.

20

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Totally tropical with Simon Reeve Culture Editor: Alice Vincent - courier.culture@ncl.ac.uk

> TV & Radio, page 34-35

Radio 1 take over the Toon BBC

As the cream of BBC Radio 1’s specialist DJ family comes to the city, Culture’s writers review all of the In New Music We Trust Live shows

Zane Lowe O2 Academy 4 March

Kicking off Radio 1’s weekend in Newcastle for In New Music We Trust was the rock indie night at the 02 Academy. Zane Lowe broadcast live in his usual slot for an extended three hours from 7-10pm bringing a few bands with him along the way. Plan B kicked off proceedings in black tie, very apt for the radio audience. Belting out some very catchy indie pop, got the night going nicely; followed by The Courteeners, back with their new album to give some new music and a few older ones including indie GDQFHà RRU IDYRXULWH Not Nineteen Forever. What, however, made tonight particularly special was Zane Lowe’s DJing, which was a real treat. Being an avid listener of his show, it is all too easy to believe he just touches a screen for songs to appear and that’s all there is to him, yet his mixing was smooth and fast paced,

Nick Grimshaw O2 Academy 4 March

After the excitement and frenzy of Zane Lowe’s set in the main academy, the remaining punters headed upstairs to enjoy the melodic sounds of Chapel Club and )UDQNLH DQG 7KH +HDUWVWULQJV LQ WKH Academy 2. Nick Grimshaw was also there, broadcasting his show as Zane Lowe had done earlier, and keeping the audience amused between sets. &KDSHO &OXE ZHUH À UVW XS WKHLU tone was a welcome change from the hysterics of downstairs and their previously unheard material was well received. Current single O Maybe I was the biggest hit with the audience; all able to sing along the lyrics thanks to Chapel Club’s recent radio play. )UDQNLH DQG 7KH +HDUWVWULQJV completed the line up – a remarkable change from the night’s openers ZLWK OHDG VLQJHU )UDQNLH )UDQFLV strutting his way around the stage and draping his microphone cord across his shoulders during the

except for one minor slip which comes from using your own CDs, as Lowe explained. 7KLV GHĂ€ QLWHO\ JDYH WKH QLJKW D ELW more buzz rather than a gig with three bands performing on their own. The crowd was the most essential part in pulling off the whole evening however; we were forced to cheer, whoop, scream, shout, or make any noise possible to ensure we were heard over the air waves and add spark to the night. The very excitable underage majority must have worn Zane out as he chose to sit underneath a table while the bands performed - the life of a Radio 1 DJ is clearly a hard one. The radio aspect was clear again LQ WKH Ă€ QDO EDQG )XWXUHKHDGV choice of penultimate track; a sing along to Hounds of Love. With one side of the 02 ‘uh oh oh oh-ing’ and the other side ‘uh uh oh-ing’ to provide the backing vocals, it was certainly good fun and sounded great listening back on iPlayer. Having my screams heard by the nation, topped off a very memorable night. Olivia Mason

more emotional numbers. He also staged an impromptu crowd surf during audience favourite Fragile, still managing to faultlessly sing the lyrics whilst being held aloft by a mischievous duo of audience members. Admittedly, I imagined the radio team would be far more frantic than they actually were, but eveU\WKLQJ ZDV UXQQLQJ à DZOHVVO\ and there isn’t a major slip up I can recall from the evening. Even Nick Grimshaw effortlessly PDQDJHG WR GRGJH D à \LQJ SLQW WKDW FDPH DW KLP DIWHU WKH )UDQNLH DQG the Heartstrings set. The crowd was far more subdued than downstairs, and even those who had a few pints too many were merrily dancing about to the songs EHLQJ SOD\HG E\ 1LFN DQG )UDQNLH at the end of the night. All the producers and presenters were happy to make conversation DQG RQFH KLV VHW KDG À QLVKHG 1LFN was happy to take photos with fans. Some of the bands from downstairs had also migrated into the Academy 2; we later heard that The )XWXUHKHDGV KDG EHHQ OXUNLQJ DW the back of the venue during the )UDQNLH DQG 7KH +HDUWVWULQJV VHW Lucy Johnson

Dance act Delphic were part of Digital’s live line-up on Pete Tong’s Friday night show, performing a special laptop and keyboard set

Annie Mac & Pete Tong

The Other Rooms & Digital, 5 March

It was only 7pm and an already rowdy Geordie crowd had swarmed around Digital nightclub. Cables, microphones and cameras were quickly adjusted, tested, and retested. %%& 5DGLR ¡V Ă€ QHVW '-V DORQJ side some of the world’s biggest up-and-coming dance and electro acts, nervously prepared themselves for what was to be a long yet unforgettable night. Held in a secret location, later revealed to be The Other Rooms, the Annie Mac show provided the perfect start to the weekend, and Radio 1’s eight-hour dance marathon in Digital. Special guests such as Toddla T and Jaymo and Andy George, all part of Radio 1’s In New DJs We Trust line-up, added their musical selections to the proceedings, which were ecstatically met by an intimate, but as always, boisterous, Geordie crowd. A switch to Digital saw the smooth exchange to the world famous Pete Tong show. The show is renowned for showcasing some of

the newest dance and electro talent, DQG )ULGD\ ZDV WR EH QR H[FHSWLRQ Exclusive sets from Delphic, Crookers and Japanese Popstars were marked as the ideal acts to SURYLGH MXVWLĂ€ FDWLRQ WR %%&¡V VWDWH ment ‘In New Music We Trust’. $ VWULSSHG GRZQ RXWĂ€ W REVFXUHG by laptops, Kraftwerk-esqe style; Delphic began proceedings with their alternative-dance-electro. Often compared to New Order, their progressive electronic sound has caused quite a stir, with the EDQG Ă€ UPO\ LQ FRQWHQWLRQ IRU %%&¡V ‘Sound of 2010’. Playing hits from their recent debut ‘Acolyte’, an admiring crowd bore witness to a unique and promising act. Crookers were the next live act to the follow as they let loose their futuristic and progressive-dance laden hits to the ever-knowledgeable Digital clubbers, who were perhaps left bemused as to why the Italians felt the need to recruit the angelic guest vocals of Moloko’s Roisin Murphy to accompany their set. 7KH Ă€ QDO DFW -DSDQHVH 3RSVWDUV on the other hand got it spot on, bringing a set focused on intensifying dirty synths and potent beats, culminating in colossal send offs. 7KH WULR IURP 'HUU\ WRRN Ă€ UP control of the uproarious Digital crowd, sending arms into the air and feet crashing down, shaking the very foundations of Digital. They concluded Pete Tong’s two-hour live show with the epic B.C.T.T., as every single body in

the venue moved in mass, carefree unison. As Judge Jules took to the main room, many clubbers packed themselves into the intimate and rather sweaty surroundings of Digital’s second room, as Kissy Sellout hit the decks like a man possessed for the recording of Radio 1’s legendary Essential Mix. A barrage of drum n bass, screeching decks and a snippet of Michael Jackson’s Beat It, combined with Kissy’s unquestionable passion behind the decks, proved him to be a formidable act and provided one of the sets of the night . More of the same was to immediately follow from In New DJs We Trust member Alex Metric to leave an overall Essential Mix well worth multiple plays on BBC iPlayer throughout the week. After an exhaustive and sweatridden marathon of a night, the Geordie ravers made their way home, having witnessed the cream of the crop of emerging dance and electro artists. Thanks to the BBC, they left with an undeniable trust and passion for new music, with Digital once again proving it has no rival when it comes to dance music in the North East. In the words of Pete Tong: “This club was voted the 15th best club in the world – tonight, I think it might be the best God damn club in the world�. Daniel Bos

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

21

Culture

BBC

Frankie and The Heartstrings lead singer Frankie Francis crowd surfs during a performance of their popular hit Fragile. The band were playing at the O2 Academy as part of Nick Grimshaw’s live show from the venue

Trevor Nelson The Other Rooms 6 March

Trevor Nelson’s show for the In New Music We Trust Live weekend in Newcastle was broadcast from The Other Rooms, and for all those who haven’t been, it is a fairly small and relaxed venue, which made it a brilliant setting for the show. There were only about 40 people at the event which meant that it was a friendly crowd and Trevor

could really interact with the audience. By making comments about shameful dancing and interesting RXWĂ€ WV KH PDGH WKH VKRZ IHHO D ORW more personal. Trevor seemed very easy going and part of the crowd, especially as he was on the same level as the audience and not on a stage. The jokes and conversation between the crowd and Trevor made us all feel welcome and like we were part of show and not just observing it. The show featured three acts: Ms Dynamite, McLean and Rox. Ms Dynamite was probably the most well-known and she opened the live acts, singing BBC

Wile Out, her new single that she features in with DJ Zinc. Ms Dynamite’s performance was enthusiastic and interactive which had the audience dancing along in no time; the song had everyone singing along and was a brilliant À UVW DFW DV LW JRW HYHU\RQH XS RII WKH sofas and closer together. McLean, the second act, performed two songs with a live band. Although the songs weren’t as well known by the whole of the audience, they were still very well received and his slower song Broken led to some very emotive arm swaying that is necessary at some point in every gig. He also performed another song

My Name alongside Scorcher, which showed a very different and equally likeable side to McLean’s VW\OH 7KH Ă€ QDO DFW 5R[ KDG GRQH very few live shows and her performance was long awaited due to her enthusiastic introduction from Trevor Nelson. This was a very deserved introduction as Rox and her band came on and blew the whole crowd away; she was a beautiful soulful singer that although could have been categorised as old fashioned, made it modern with an upbeat rhythm and interesting lyrics. Rox, for me, truly demonstrated what the ‘In New Music We Trust Live’ weekend was all about, as

everyone there, and the nation, got to hear a fabulous new singer who is undoubtedly going to go onto big things. Although the audience was a mix of ages and occupations, there was a lot of interaction amongst everyone, which was one of the positives of having such an intimate crowd. Despite the show only being two hours, it introduced the nation to new music and people; the show was a fantastic demonstration of how there was still a place for new and inspirational music in an industry where there is already so much.

Tim Westwood

sidering the 9 o’clock start time. The crowd had around 400 people and Westwood got lots of them involved getting random shout outs that resulted in enthusiastic cheers and boos, so by the time the live acts were ready to start, the crowd was buzzing. Westwood’s show featured Trilla, Skepta, Boy Better Know and Giggs, all of whom came on to a receptive and partying audience, who were ready to go mental at whatever the artists had to throw at them. The mix between slow and fast hip hop gave a good atmosphere as each of the artists came out and gave the crowd a glimpse of their own style, whilst the variety of music allowed the audience to experience the true nature of the weekend and live hip hop in all its glory, both powerful and exciting. MistaJam’s later show started at 11 by which time everyone was sweaty and loving it; Donae’o started off the live acts and kept the audience really involved by getting them to sing back to him. Later, Ms Dynamite truly showed

the crowd why she had made such an impact on the industry by coming on and getting them all to hang on her every word and bouncing instantly at her upbeat mixture of songs. Despite not all the songs being known by the whole audience, Ms Dynamite’s presence and the crowd’s enthusiasm meant that they were well received. However, Tinie Tempah, who had undoubtedly been the most anticipated act of the night, came RQ DQG Ă€ QLVKHG WKH HQWLUH ZHHNHQG in style, as the crowd let out all their remaining energy by dancing manically to the massive amount of dubstep he played. However, the highlight was yet to come, as Jay Z’s version of Empire State of Mind was blasted out but ‘New York’ was substituted for ‘Newcastle’, to which the response was an overwhelming sense of pride throughout the crowd. This meant when the lights came on at 1am, no one cared about the time.

Newcastle University Students’ Union 6 March

Radio 1 legend Tim Westwood poses with Tinie Tempah backstage at the Union

Westwood’s and MistaJam’s Saturday night closing party to Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust weekend was a dynamic balance between new underground music and well known acts. One of the acts, Tinie Tempah, went on to grab the number one spot just a day after performing at our very own Students’ Union. Although I was dubious about going to see Tim Westwood, he completely won me over by the end of his show and I have to admit he has become my new guilty pleasure. Westwood introduced the show playing numerous songs that were perfect to start a good night out and so the crowd were up and dancing a lot quicker than I expected con-

Sally Priddle

Sally Priddle

Joe Skrebels

The new album has a more optimistic take on life than his often bleak debut. Expect guitar-led stompers and 50s-inIHFWHG KDUPRQ\ ÀOOHG EDOODGV DV \RXU evening’s entertainment. The support acts are set to provide a nice variation throughout the night. The Components draw on their love of 70s classic rock and 90s guitar pop to create bluesy pop-rock tunes, chorusheavy and reminiscent of The Coral or The Zutons. Kate Agerskow on the other hand uses piano or guitar and her sweeping vocals to write plaintive, minimal folkpop songs, saturated with emotion. The gig takes place on Tuesday 16th March at The Cluny, one of Newcastle’s best bars and the most intimate, enjoyable venue around these parts. It costs £5 in advance (tickets can be bought from ticketweb.co.uk, RPM Records or The Cluny itself) or £6 on the door and with these three acts set to make the gig a brilliantly enjoyable one, what better way to end the term than to have a sing and a dance and celHEUDWH D YHU\ JRRG FDXVH"

Manchester’s Liam Frost will be one of the artists in action at Tuesday’s charity event

With increased votes for the BNP, economic collapse and social problems seemingly sweeping the nation, it’s comforting to know that organisations like Love Music Hate Racism are as popular as they are. With numerous concerts and a major festival since they were set up, LMHR has been a hugely successful campaign, bringing awareness and possible solutions to social problems as well as putting on some great bands over the years. This gig, organised by NSR’s co-head of music Louise Morris and in association with NSR itself, is no exception. The BNP receives a huge vote from in and around Newcastle and anything that can be done to undermine and disrupt that movement in the city we all share is a good thing. With two local acts, Kate Agerskow and The Components as well as headline act Liam Frost, it looks to be a great night of music, and a good cause for the money to go to. Liam Frost is a Manchester-based alternative-folk singer-songwriter described by Elbow’s Guy Garvey as ‘the UK’s answer to Bright Eyes’. After a debut album with his backing band, The Slowdown Family, Frost UHOHDVHG KLV Ă€UVW VROR DOEXP Âś:H $LQ¡W Got No Money Honey, But We Got Rain’ last year, dueted with Martha Wainwright and made numerous festival appearances.

The Cluny, Tuesday, 19.00, ÂŁ5-6

Love Music, Hate Racism Gig

Made up of three Northern Irishman and a laptop, Two Door Cinema &OXE HPEDUN RQ WKHLU ÀUVW KHDGOLQH tour to celebrate the release of their debut album. Expect an evening chock-full of short sharp electroSRS VSHFLÀFDOO\ GHVLJQHG WR JHW \RX dancing.

The Other Rooms, 20.00, ÂŁ7

Two Door Cinema Club

O2 Academy, 19.00, sold out.

Editors

music

NSR Studio, 15.30, free

NSR Presents: Kuran and The Wolfnotes Acoustic Set

radio

A documentary exploring the battle between industry, government, local communities and environmentalists in the Canadian province of Northern Alberta, a region notoriously strip mined. Followed by a discussion with director Leslie Iwerks and representatives from the Co-operative and World Wildlife Fund UK live via satellite.

Tyneside Cinema, 18.30, ÂŁ6-7

Dirty Oil

film

7KH Ă€UVW RI WKUHH SHUIRUPDQFHV of this term’s eagerly-anticipated anti-musical. Set in downtown New York, Rent follows the lives of a group of artists attempting to live an idyllic bohemian lifestyle whilst struggling with relationships, poverty, addiction and the AIDS epidemic. Based on Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème, Rent addresses issues which are still present in the lives of people – including students - nearly twenty years after it was written.

Union Basement, 19.30, ÂŁ6

NUTS Present: Rent

An elite team of winning North East Slam Poets christen this new evening in the Tyneside bar. This is a fast and furious competition with poets getting only three minutes to make their mark. Performance poetry like you’ve never seen it before.

Tyneside Cinema Bar, 19.30, ÂŁ4

Slam Poetry: Cinema Slam

arts

monday

With last year’s successes at Latitude festival and the Theatre Royal, this IRON GXR KDV GHÀQLWHO\ VHW WKH EDU IRU this year. With their acoustic set being in the Sage, the venue will lend itself well to create an atmosphere perfect for the band’s melodies.

The Sage, 20.00, ÂŁ17.50

Turin Brakes

The Cluny, 19.00, ÂŁ5-6 See highlighted

Love Music Hate Racism Gig (Liam Frost, Kate Agerskow, The Components)

O2 Academy, 20.00, ÂŁ10

HIM

music

Side Cinema: Hunger

Steve McQueen made his directorial GHEXW LQ ZLWK WKLV ÀOP ZKLFK dramatises events in Maze prison leading up to the Irish hunger strike of 1981 conducted by IRA prisoners which culminated in the death of Bobby Sands, played by Michael Fassbender.

Side Cinema, 19.00, ÂŁtbc

Hunger

film

The Cluny, 20.00, ÂŁ4

Haiti Charity Gig: Birds vs. Planes, Polarsets

charity

The Centre for Behaviour and Evolution at the University meet fortnightly to discuss the science of man.

Lit & Phil Society, 19.30, free

Darwin Reading Group: The Descent of Man

arts

tuesday

the guide: 15 March to 21 March

highlighted

Culture

22

film

The Happiness of the Katakuris

Offshore 44, 20.00, ÂŁ5

Wild Palms

They’ve not been as successful since that irritating screamy one left the band, but The Automatic return to Newcastle to convince you that their new, heavier direction is better than Monster.

O2 Academy, 19.00, ÂŁ9

The Automatic

music

Empire Cinema, ÂŁ5-7

I Love You Philip Morris (Release)

7KH .DWDNXULV DUH ÀQDOO\ DEOH WR open their dream guest house in -DSDQ XQIRUWXQDWHO\ HYHU\ JXHVW seems to die - suicide, murder or pure chance. Cue a horror-comedymusical that includes at some point: animation, karaoke, romance, zombies and volcanoes.

Tyneside Cinema, 21.00, free

Over the last four years Inertia’s End of Term Blow Outs have become the stuff of legend. This year’s looks to be no different with ‘house music elite’ Sonny Wharton headlining the night and a 4am curfew. Really, there is no possible better way to see out the Spring term.

Outside the Union, 12.00, free

Protest against Education Cuts

union

The Cluny 2, 19.00, ÂŁ6

Justin Grounds

O2 Academy, 19.00, ÂŁ13.50

Steel Panther

music

Roman Polanski’s debut full length feature features only three characters and takes place on a boat. A wealthy couple take onboard a young hitchhiker, initiating a rivalry between the two men for the woman’s affections. Hostile action, unforgettable moods and bucket loads of tension.

Tyneside Cinema, 21.00, ÂŁ6-7

Knife in the Water

World Headquarters, 23.00, ÂŁ4

A North Korean Godzilla-esque PRQVWHU à LFN IURP WKH VHYHQWLHV directed by kidnapped South Korean director Shin Sang-Ok and produced E\ WKH OHJHQGDU\ ÀOP EXII .LP -RQJ Il himself. Allegoric representation of the power of the collective in the ÀJKW DJDLQVW HYLO &DSLWDOLVP DQ\RQH"

Inertia End of Term Blow Out

clubbing

Five divers from Newcastle University’s sub aqua club will be surviving underwater for a whole day and night in the name of Sport Relief.

City Pool, 21.30, free

24 Hour Scuba Dive

charity

If you have ever wondered where writers get their ideas and inspiration from, come and hear extracts from Richard Bean’s favourite plays and learn how they have helped form his unique style as a playwright. Richard recently enjoyed success with England People Very Nice at The National Theatre. Writers out there shouldn’t miss this opportunity as he will be answering any questions as well.

Live Theatre, 19.30, ÂŁ4-6

Richard Bean’s Desert Island Plays

thursday arts

23

Culture

Dedicated to glam and punk heroes like Marc Bolan and MC5, Trash 6KDFN ZLOO EH DQ HYHQLQJ Ă€OOHG ZLWK music courtesy of psychedelic garage rockers The Bacchae, Russell and the Wolves and surf-punk band Senor Beatnik. Add to this a B-Movie VFUHHQLQJ DQG D '- VSLQQLQJ GLVFV IRU WKH UHVW RI WKH QLJKW DQG LW¡V GHĂ€QLWHly ÂŁ5 well-spent.

Star and Shadow, 19.30, ÂŁ5

The Trash Shack

O2 Academy, 18.30, ÂŁ10

The Smiths Indeed

music

World Headquarters, 22.30, ÂŁ12

Shindig: Marc Romboy

This is one for those looking for a night reminiscent of the free love 60s style of music and atmosphere. The Liverpool trio only formed a couple of years ago, but have a lot of experience working with big names in the music world such as Paul Weller and -RKQQ\ 0DUU &RXOG EH DQ H[FXVH WR GLJ RXW WKH Ă DUHG MHDQV

The Cluny, 20.00, ÂŁ8

Free Peace

clubbing

saturday

by Toby Newbatt

View from the BALTIC

The Cluny, 20.00, ÂŁ6

Surface Unsigned

Labelled a hot prospect by many, tonight will be full of last year’s catchy hits from her debut album including Stone Cold Sober and New York with more thrown in.

O2 Academy, 19.00, sold out

Paloma Faith

music

7KLV -DSDQHVH ÀOP PDGH ÀYH \HDUV ago but only released in England this month, is directed, written and edLWHG E\ 7DNHVKL .LWDQR ,W LV WKH ÀUVW ÀOP LQ KLV VXUUHDOLVW DXWRELRJUDSKLcal trilogy. A humorous, moving and sometimes violent piece of work IURP D PDVWHU RI ÀOP

Star and Shadow, 14.00, ÂŁ3-4

Takeshis

film

Star of the BAFTA winning TV show The Thick of It heads north to go back to his roots in stand-up. Expect daft, intelligent and whimsical jokes that prove why he is in one of the best sitcoms of the decade.

Theatre Royal, 19.30, ÂŁ16.75

Chris Addison

arts

sunday

+DYH \RX JRW D SLFWXUH WKDW HSLWRPLVHV 1HZFDVWOH IRU \RX" :KHWKHU LW EH \RXU IDYRXULWH ODQGPDUN DQ DUWLVWLF VKRW RI WKH FLW\ RU just you and your friends on a night out, The Courier wants to see it. Please send your photos through to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk. The best photo of the year will be chosen to be the front cover of the 2010/11 Alternative Prospectus

my newcastle

Kendal’s jangliest, campest, bestest band visit us to play the choice cuts from their two critically acclaimed albums, all while you’re in the best bar in the city

The Cluny, 20.00, ÂŁ8

Wild Beasts

Head of Steam, 19.00, ÂŁ3

Seven Year Kismet

music

Cosmic Ballroom, 22.30, ÂŁ10

JAUNT> presents Arnaud le Textier & Neville’s Disco

The man behind Man With The Red Face 0DLGVWRQH¡V Ă€QHVW 0DUN Knight, makes his long awaited return to Digital along with former Radio 1 resident Dave Spoon

Digital, 23.00, ÂŁ11

Toolroom Knights with Mark Knight, Dave Spoon and Michael Woods

clubbing

friday

Listings by Ciara Littler, Alice Vincent, Joe Skrebels and Matthew Blackwell - send your listings to courier.culture@ncl.ac.uk

Star and Shadow Cinema, 19.30, ÂŁtbc

Pulgasari

film

Newcastle College photography students offer up a range of landscape, portrait, documentary and still life works for auction in aid of the end of year show in London. A great opportunity to bag a bargain piece of art.

Tyneside Coffee Rooms, 18.30, ÂŁ4

Ć’thirtytwo Photography Print Auction

The construction of a ‘security fence’ separating the ‘State of Israel’ from the Palestinian Territories has been catastrophic for the many Olive farmers in the West Bank. Facts on the Ground, a new play based on interviews with those who live with the wall on their doorstep, will be presented as a work in progress. The event will also include a discussion on the limits and possibilities of documentary theatre with writer and director Steve Gilroy.

Live Theatre, 19.30, ÂŁ4-6

Facts On the Ground

arts

wednesday

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

24

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Culture Arts

arts dance

comedy B.COOPER

Swan to watch

Joe Skrebels on ZKHUH WR ÀQG VRPH guaranteed laughs this Easter

Juliet Armstrong on an iconic show that reinvented the age-old ballet This week the Theatre Royal plays host to Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, highly acclaimed as a groundbreaking dance production, inspirational for both dancers and audiences alike. Bourne’s renowned choreography combined with Tchaikovsky’s sensational musical score cannot fail but to create a modern masterpiece. Bourne transforms this classical ballet by playing on gender conventions, removing the beautiful femininity of the swans and stripping away the tutus in order to demonstrate the masculine form. It was a dramatic change that shocked audiences in 1995, and was made even more risquĂŠ as Bourne’s career was only in its early stage. More than a decade later, when his production is still touring, it is clear this was a successful decision. Bourne’s choreography and direction have cemented his place in the dance world and beyond. Notably, Swan Lake’s iconic ending ZDV XVHG LQ WKH Ă€QDO VFHQHV RI 1RUWK (DVW EDVHG Ă€OP Billy Elliot (2000) as Billy takes on the role of the lead swan. In a recent interview with Bourne, he expressed his excitement at the scope and originality that he could bring to the piece as he “could see an opportunity to create a human story, with the potential for great dramatic power and rangeâ€?. This human story is integral for the ballet as the audience is instantly

Lockipedia

Swantastic: Richard Windsor as the lead swan in Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal

confronted with, whilst simultaneously appreciating, the struggle of the male swans. Before the production even begins, the audience realises the struggle for gender equality in Swan Lake. Male dancers playing swans has not always been widely accepted amongst audiences and critics. This prejudice can only instigate a determination for the performers to prove to their doubters that they are distinctly wrong in their convictions.

Some of the more cynical audience members will only be going with the hope that the concept fails drastically. That hope that is fortunately short lived as the spectacular and startling performances prove there is room in the theatre industry for more than the traditional Swan Lake ballet on our stage. Swan Lake is a show not to be missed, if its accolades are anything to go by. The production has won over thir-

ty international awards, including several Tonys, the theatrical equivalent to the Oscars. Though awards are not always VLJQLÀFDQW DQG MXGJHPHQW DORQH shouldn’t remain with critics, it is undeniable that the string of awards attached to Swan Lake VLJQLÀHV WKDW Bourne has reincarnated this traditional ballet in a truly modern form. Swan Lake appears at the Theatre Royal from the 16-27 March.

You probably know Sean Lock by now. He’s that bespectacled, suited one that’s always on panel shows. He looks very normal. That is, until he starts to speak. When he starts to speak, you suddenly realise that this man is intelligent, strange and very, very funny. The reason you know him may well be because of how busy he is. He’s written sketches for Bill Bailey, a surreal TV sitcom and chairs his own comedy show on Radio 4. He regularly appears on QI, Argumental, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Have I Got News For You. But between all of this, he somehow manages to maintain a career as an award-winning stand-up comedian, who just so happens to be coming to the Journal Tyne Theatre with his new show Lockipedia. Describing the show as ‘a very unreliable, misleading but highly entertaining information resource’, the show doesn’t have any one theme; PRUH D EDIĂ LQJO\ GLYHUVH VHW RI VXEjects that Lock attempts to describe to the audience, but inevitably gets sidetracked or misled by his own weird brain. Add into this his game of ‘Audience Battleships’ where he picks a random seat number and asks that audience member to give him a subMHFW WR GHĂ€QH DQG \RX¡UH OHIW ZLWK a show that could quite easily turn into improvised comedic mayhem. From Skype to salad cream, golf to glasses, Lock has already covered the most abstract of comedy subjects; so if you go, prepare something special for him to ponder. Lockipedia is on at the Journal Tyne Theatre on 24 March.

stage

Modern language group show that no theatre is an island Rosie Tallant explains how multilingual theatre is adding another dimension to their performances The award winning theatre company ThÊâtre Sans Frontières returns to Northern Stage this May with another thought-provoking drama that takes theatre back to its linguistic roots. The Hexham based company has produced more than 35 productions since 1991, taking plays by authors with highly contrasting linguistic backgrounds and performing them

in their original language. Plays have been performed in English, French, German and Spanish and have toured extensively to theatres, arts centres, schools and colleges around the UK. Past productions include Les Trois Mousquetaires, Como Agua Para Chocolate, Around the World in 80 Minutes and Lipsynch, which all travelled to Newcastle’s Northern Stage as part of their highly acclaimed tours. In 2006, the company was awarded the prestigious CILT award for Innovation in Modern Foreign Language Teaching, and it is easy to see why. Their next production is an original drama performed in English, Spanish, German and Greek, a spec-

tacular linguistic display of the surprising similarities between cultures and the people inhabiting them. Monolingual audience members need not be put off though, as English subtitles are provided for those ZKR PD\ QRW EH HQWLUHO\ Ă XHQW LQ DOO four of these languages. Entitled Islands, this new drama explores borders, issues of marginality and the concept of an island as both a prison and a paradise. Consisting of a series of highly personal stories set in the UK, Cyprus, Canary Islands and Berlin, Islands is a wry, thought-provoking look at the contemporary cultures living in Europe and how they are entwined. Using an evocative and original musical score and stunning, state-

of-the-art visuals, this is a play to transform your theatre experience into an eccentric and thrilling adventure. Director Franzi SchĂźtz describes the project as “a great journey, unpredictable and surprising [...] but also enrichingâ€?. This truly embodies ThÊâtre Sans Frontières, a thrilling challenge that fully displays the beauty of plays performed as they were originally written. Islands sees the company working in collaboration with Teatro Tamaska (Canary Islands), Persona Theatre Company (Cyprus) and Theater Wahlverwandte (Germany), showing the authenticity and precision of the treatment of each language.

The world premiere of Islands takes place at the Queen's Hall, Hexham on 22 April. The show will then tour to venues in the north of England before appearing at Northern Stage on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 May at 8pm. Tickets are only ÂŁ8/ÂŁ6 concessions, so why not visit ThÊâtre Sans Frontières for a truly innovative and enriching theatrical and linguistic experience? Tickets are available from the Northern 6WDJH %R[ 2IĂ€FH RQ RU online at www.northernstage.co.uk. For more information, visit: http://jackinthetsfbox.blogspot.com

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

25

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

art L. HOLZER-GLIER

Installation innovation Gemma Farina takes a look at an LED exhibition that will leave you stunned

Blinded by the lights: the new LED installation by Jenny Holzer at the BALTIC is sure to wow vistors to the Quayside’s gallery

For 30 years and counting, Jenny Holzer has used a combination of various art forms and language to create a series of moving, haunting displays. Her latest presentation at Newcastle’s own BALTIC Centre for &RQWHPSRUDU\ $UW WKH Ă€UVW RI LWV scale in the UK, promises to equally intrigue and impress as a depiction of the way text can be used as art. Holzer has been a prominent Ă€JXUH RQ WKH 1HZ <RUN DUW VFHQH VLQFH WKH V DQG KDV WDNHQ KHU ZRUN WKURXJK WKH :HVW XVLQJ more and more complex materials and modes of distribution to present her ideas. Previously writing most of the text herself, Holzer has now turned to the words of literary greats such as Henri Cole to tighten the bond EHWZHHQ DUW DQG WH[W LQ KHU ZRUN 1HZFDVWOH JDLQHG LWV Ă€UVW JOLPSVH RI +RO]HU¡V SURYRFDWLYH ZRUN EDFN in 2002 when she projected texts onto facades, providing a brief glimpse into her constantly evolvLQJ ZRUN WKH Truisms. This is arguably her most famous ZRUN DQG FRQVLVWV RI D VHULHV RI statements and aphorisms, which have been revealed to the public in a variety of ways including on one of Times Square’s huge billboards.

From using street posters to the more visible medium of LED signs, Holzer has unfailingly maintained her use of the display of provocative words in public places. Her main concern is the concept RI HQOLJKWHQPHQW DQG KHU ZRUN focuses on bringing to light those issues that were meant to remain hidden. Holzer’s exhibition at the BALTIC ZLOO VSDQ WZR Ă RRUV RI WKH JDOOHU\ DQG WZR GHFDGHV RI KHU ZRUN DQG will be displayed until mid-May of this year. 7KH GLVSOD\ SURPLVHV WR VSHDN RI war, violence, death and oppression in ways which only text, as the most obvious and direct mode of communication, can achieve. One of the highlights of the exhibition is sure to be For Chicago, D Ă RRU EDVHG LQVWDOODWLRQ IXQFWLRQing as a self-contained retrospective piece depicting the artist’s musings throughout her lifetime. $QRWKHU UHFHQW ZRUN The Reaction Paintings, incorporates classiĂ€HG 86 *RYHUQPHQW WH[WV UHODWLQJ WR WKH 0LGGOH (DVW FRQĂ LFWV DQG LV guaranteed to be both enlightening and confrontational. This exhibition is the largest ever RI +RO]HU¡V ZRUN DQG ZLOO EH D WKRXJKW SURYRNLQJ LQVLJKW LQWR the artist’s mind, providing an extensive representation of Holzer’s preoccupation with transforming secrecy into something very public. Jenny Holzer on at the BALTIC until 16 May.

comment

art

State of the arts: what’s in it for students?

The cup is coming hyem

Alice Vincent reminds us why arts are so important for students

Polly Randall on the centenery celebrations RI WKH 0DJSLHV¡ Ă€UVW trophy win

It’s very easy to be despondent about the impact of the arts on your average student. It often feels that editing Culture is a rather self-indulgent hobby with a diminutive readership of those who write for it, and anyone else who happens to stumble upon these fourteen pages. That’s on a bad day. On a good day, however, I remember how crucial the arts remain, especially amongst a student demographic. <RX FDQ VHH ZK\ IHZ SHRSOH ZRXOG be interested – after all, the employability rate is near non-existent. For every piece of incredibly beautiful, moving or outstanding art you see, you see as many dubious efforts and it’s not always the most accessible thing in the world. However, we’re young, we have few responsibilities and - one would hope - we’re open-minded. If art isn’t for us, then who the hell is it for?

NUTS is one of the largest, most active and energetic societies at Newcastle. They also host some legendary parties. Tyneside Cinema’s recent free screenings as part of the Learning Revolution have been so busy my friend had to sit on a radiator throughout the entirety of a JapaQHVH KRUURU ÀOP $V ZHOO DV D SDJH ZHHNO\ QHZVpaper, our students have enough creativity left over to set up poetry slams, competitions and Alliterati, a free creative writing magazine associated with the English department. If, from a nominally non-arts based university, we want and do get involved with the arts in such a grass-roots way, I’d say the state of WKH DUWV LV ORRNLQJ SUHWW\ KHDOWK\ IRU students. Furthermore, get inside the arts scene in Newcastle and it’s something incredibly diverse and, importantly, young. Although it is ever saddening to see WKH OLNHV RI 6HDPXV +HDQH\ &DURO $QQ 'XII\ DQG 1LFN +RUQE\ VSHDNing to crowds of the middle aged within our own Herschel Building, the more avant garde events won’t VHH D EODFN SROR QHFN LQ VLJKW

7DNH IRU H[DPSOH WKH UHFHQW launch of the AV Festival. The Star and Shadow was transformed by local artists, tunes were being spun by local DJs, and ‘space DOH¡ ZDV EHLQJ GUXQN E\ \RXQJ ORcals and students. It was also entirely free and one of the best nights I’ve had this year. If only for reminding me that the arts aren’t about pretentious noWLRQV ZKDW SDSHUEDFN \RX¡YH JRW WXFNHG LQ \RXU EDJ DQG VWXSLG KDLUcuts, but free-for-all, inclusive banter with a bit of an elevation from the ordinary. :KDW ZLWK WKH +DWWRQ *DOOHU\ SURviding top-notch exhibitions daily, ULJKW RQ RXU GRRUVWHS IUHH WDONV DQG HYHQWV KDSSHQLQJ EL ZHHNO\ LQ WKH School of English, free screenings happening at well-loved independent cinemas and pubs and open mic nights in one of this country’s best cities for local music, you’ve really got no excuse. The state of the arts could have more student recruits, nobody’s denying that. However, in Newcastle, LW¡V ORRNLQJ SUHWW\ KHDOWK\ WR PH and there are generally more good days than bad.

1HZFDVWOH LV NQRZQ IRU PDQ\ things - its nightlife, its culture - but PRUH WKDQ DQ\WKLQJ IRRWEDOO WDNHV centre stage. This exhibition, held in the grandiose setting of the Theatre Royal, puts on display a collection of commemorative memorabilia from the Magpies classic FA Cup win in 1910 against Barnsley. The exhibition has been put toJHWKHU E\ WKH RIĂ€FLDO KLVWRULDQ RI WKH club Paul Joannou, who explained “This is a one-off and it is important WR PDUN WKH FOXE¡V FHQWHQDU\ RI RXU Ă€UVW WURSK\ YLFWRU\ Âľ For many fans in the current climate, with promotion tantilisingly close, an afternoon’s reminisce of the heady days of early success could provide a welcomed chance to dream about what future heights the club might be able to reach. Beautifully restored photographs depict a time when football had an

even greater stranglehold on local life. This was an era of football without any of the pretence of the present day, where the players truly were local heroes and matches were a spectacle that everyone could enjoy. 2OG SURJUDPPHV DQG PDWFK WLFNets, even a winner’s medal feature in the items on display; a football collectors dream, the everyday quality of these items have the appeal of symbolised relics of a forgotten time. As a feeling of affection towards the local team is something students DUH PRUH OLNHO\ WR SLFN XS WKDQ WKH accent, this insight into their colourful past should be of interest to even the least avid supporter. After seeing this exhibition, the hope is that in another hundred years, there will be a fair few more FA cup victories to commemorate in a similar fashion, and that the passion of the city’s population for their WHDP ZLOO GHÀQLWHO\ VWLOO EH DV SUROLÀF DV WRGD\ The exhibition is in The Olivier Suite of the Theatre Royal from 2-6 March. Admission is £1.50

26

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Culture Arts

arts art M. MULVIHILL

A Time After People

Northern Stage 26 February - 3 April

Michael Mulvihill’s great exhibition shows how he uses drawing to explore how global issues affect the individual. His darkly foreboding, slightly sinister and menacing images are obsessively worked over, the JUDSKLWH RQ SDSHU LPDJHV UHà HFW ing the threatening world Mulvihill perceives. The process of repeating images gives his work a ghostly undertone, the landscapes and portraits are excessively rubbed out, inscribed and reworked to give an intimate insight into the relationship between the artist and his work. Mulvihill’s images are based on photographs of places he has been, and things and people he has seen. His early images focus on his native Tyneside, the pictures UHà HFWLQJ WKH VHQVH RI IHDU WKDW ZDV present in the artist childhood with the threat of the Cold War and nuclear destruction.

The stark black and white contrast within the images highlights how abstract the work can be seen as, but with faint outlines concealed within, they begin to represent more than simply something on a page and invoke a sense of fear in the audience. With this the images still remain beautiful, they almost represent the state of the unconscious; not quite all there, showing just enough so that we know what we are seeing, but not so much that we can understand it completely. What they highlight is the unknown, the unknown within us, and the unknown of the world around us; Mulvihill’s anxiety is clearly presented to the audience. The exhibition focuses on the individual as well, the portraits just as sinister as the landscapes. The innocuous faces juxtapose the truth behind their subjects; in one Mulvihill depicts physicist John von Neumann, devisor of Game Theory and the implosion trigger for the bomb dropped on Nagasaki, his face slightly out of focus, his pose not indicative of his actions and consequences that are still affecting the world today. The images are not always what they seem. The audience is given the opportunity to make of the images what they desire, the sense of the unknown projected on the audi-

Black and White town: Michael Mulvihill’s graphite on paper drawings offer stark presentations of Tyneside

ence lets them, to an extent, decide what they want to see. This is a great exhibition for all art lovers out there, and for those that like an existential thought or two.

But they are beautiful images too, and they shouldn’t be missed by anyone who likes to have a think. To top it off they are being shown at the Northern Stage sponsors

room, so no excuse then to miss this thought-provoking and award winning artist at his best. Ciara Littler

books How to Rap: The Art and Science of the Hip Hop MC

Twitterature Penguin ÂŁ6.99

The book in question, aptly named Twitterature, a Penguin publication written and conceived by two students from Chicago, promises a great deal from the cover. Twitterature is the retelling of sixty of the greatest works of Western literature through the medium of Twitter - condensing the great works of literary gods such as Shakespeare into a series of tweets each consisting of 140 characters or less. I opened the book with high expectations. From what the cover promised I would soon enjoy all sixty of these texts through a series of tweets amounting to just twopages for each. The book’s attempt to remove “the high burdensome duty of readingâ€? totally fails on me. Even with a helpful tweeting terms glossary included at the back of the book for those less technologically minded, the modern language is still far beyond my comprehension. Indeed, I found it began to irritate and gradually infuriate me. The very idea of someone having the nerve to reduce the greatest literary phrases of all time down to a few, often crudely constructed words, leaves my head spinning at this modern drivel. , ZDV IDFHG ZLWK WKH KRUULĂ€ F VLJKW

Chicago University Press RRP. ÂŁ10.99

of the greatest works of all time boiled down to a series of incomprehensible tweets. The authors have taken the best of literature, removed all of the Ă RZHU\ DQG DXWKHQWLF ODQJXDJH and replaced it with nonsensical idiosyncrasies and idioms of the modern day. :LWKRXW WKH HQGOHVV Ă RZHU\ language, the authentic periodic writing style or the lengthy descriptions of society and scenery, these great literary works lose all their charm, class and appeal, becoming meaningless and often offensive random statements haphazardly constructed in the hope of a cheap laugh. Shakespeare will be turning in his grave. Rachel Flint

Paul Edwards has written extensively on rappers and their creative processes, so it’s perhaps XQVXUSULVLQJ WR Ă€ QG WKDW KH KDV interviewed more than a hundred rappers in order to produce How to Rap: the Art and Science of Hip Hop, a book whose primary purpose is to offer ‘advice and guidance’ to would-be Eminems. Ranging from the chart-topping (Nelly, Black Eyed Peas, Twista), to the critically acclaimed (Immortal Technique, Public Enemy, Jurassic 5), the scope of Edward’s interviewees represent an admirable attempt to gather sage lyrical advice from all corners of the hip-hop community, and this hard ZRUN LV UHĂ HFWHG LQ WKH PHWLFXORXV level of detail that his research allows the book to delve into. Organised into four main sections (Content, Flow, Writing, and Delivery), the book is a veritable encyclopaedia of all things rap, with its many sub-sections covering areas such as breathing technique and assonance in exhaustive detail, always supported with an array of quotes from the MCs themselves. Edwards is clearly a man

obsessed with the entire creative process of rapping, and this enthusiasm often rubs off on the reader. ,Q D VHFWLRQ RQ à RZ GLDJUDPV IRU example, we’re given a fascinating insight into Aesop Rock and Del the Funky Homosapien’s esoteric writing systems, and it’s both funny and‌well‌kinda cute, to imagine bling-bling, brap-brap hard men scribbling away in cryptic, fussy symbols before spittin’ a verse into a recording studio microphone booth. However, despite these interesting individual episodes, there seems to be something not quite right about the book when it’s taken as a whole. With its concise approach and faultless structure, How to Rap would undoubtedly work brilliantly as a reference guide for

MCs in time of need, but there’s an unavoidable discrepancy between the tone of its description and that of what it is actually describing. Now I’m not suggesting for a second that there’s anything inherently wrong with intellectualizing hip-hop, nor am I denying the intricacies of rap music that merit the ‘science and art’ tag in the How to Rap’s subtitle. Hip-hop, like any other music –any other art form- deserves critical and theoretical attention, and there have been numerous works published on exactly this subject; Nelson George’s Hip-Hop America, Sam Davies’ Not Bad Meaning Good‌, and Simon Reynolds’ Bring the Noise, to name but three. But these are all books that offer intellectual readings of hip-hop culture, rather than rendering rapping itself in a technical, instructional light. Put plainly, it’s hard to image Fiddy or Kanye whipping out a well-thumbed copy of How to Rap and skim reading the ‘Rocking the Crowd’ section. Kool G Rap seems to raise this very issue in his foreword to the book, when he reveals ‘I started to learn how to rap just watching the older dudes do it in the park’; yes, rapping is as deserving of analysis as any other art form, but it’s just as important to consider how talent is nurtured organically. As a reference book, then, How to Rap is unparalleled, but as a beginner’s guide, it overlooks the importance of taking your own approach. Joe Barton

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

27

Film Culture

film

Film Editor: Frances Kroon - courier.culture-film@ncl.ac.uk

feature

Oh God, why did I do this movie? Camila Tessler asks us should movie stars say what they really think? On the heels of a review of a movie that is about celebrity (allow me to plug here: go see The Last Station) the idea of what a celebrity is and their job stuck in my head. Movie stars are supposed to be entertainers, role models and every comment they make seems more and more open to public scrutiny. So imagine the curiosity that is stirred up when one of them behaves badly. I don’t mean the Britney Spears style ‘my public life is in your hands let me do something outrageous’ kind of behaving badly; that is generally anticipated, expected, and frankly, mildly desired by the general public (don’t deny you read those tabloids)! I mean when a celebrity says something that is generally considered in poor taste because it falls under the category of ‘not doing their jobs’. Last week Leap Year was released in the UK, starring Matthew Goode

and Isla Fisher. I have not seen this movie, but if Matthew Goode’s opinion means anything to me (and it does) I really shouldn’t. Goode, in a remarkable example of full disclosure, told the Telegraph that Leap Year was ’turgid’. Granted this is the man who also told fans of last year’s Watchmen that if they didn’t like him being cast as Ozymandias that they could suck KLV ZHOO ,¡P VXUH \RX FDQ Ă€ OO LQ WKH rest of that statement. So Matthew Goode’s sense of press has never been particularly diplomatic, but is it fair for the public to expect that of him? Or any actor, for that matter? Is it the actor’s job to like every movie that they’re in? Even the best actors have made some poor movie choices; for God’s sake, Jeremy Irons and John Malkovich were both in Eragon! I should hope that they didn’t WKLQN WKDW WKH Ă€ OP ZDV JRRG RWKHU wise I think that I’d have to deeply rethink my opinion on their sense. However, the question of actor opinion factors is unimportant when weighed against how the audiences perceive it. Does Matthew Goode’s

0DWWKHZ *RRGH RQ VHW LQ 'XEOLQ DW WKH Âż OPLQJ RI URPDQWLF FRPHG\ Leap Year, WKH Âż OP KH UHFHQWO\ GHVFULEHG LQ DQ LQWHUYLHZ DV ÂľWXUJLGÂś

candid reveal about how he feels about something he worked on for several months mean anything? He’s generally a well-received actor, having done good work previously. He’s getting paid a tremendous amount of money to act on screen, and in a sense he’s living a dream that most young actors aspire to. So does that, in a sense, bar him from the right of speaking up when he thinks something he’s done is garbage? Does his job description include smiling and lying for the press so that the production companies can rope in those few viewers who were on the fence about seeing it? Maybe people would say yes.

preview

They would say that he, and actors in general, are privileged beyond belief, having both celebrity and IRUWXQH DW WKHLU À QJHUWLSV DQG WKDW gives them a certain responsibility to fully endorse their work. Perhaps this need for a work ethic UHà HFWV KRZ PRVW SHRSOH ZRXOG OLNH to do their jobs; with full pride that they are doing something well and without regret. But that is an idealized world, and it’s something that few people can actually attest to doing. The everyday non-celebrity often feels uncomfortable or displeased about their job at least once in a while. The difference is the scale that they can do it on. Complaining to your friends over a pint is different from

complaining to the entire UK in the À OP VHFWLRQ RI The Sun. I am likely to be one of the few who appreciate Goode’s up-front honesty. It seems unfair to me that actors need to endorse a movie that they may genuinely dislike, particularly if they would like to think of themselves as honest. He shouldn’t be barred from disliking something simply because he was in it. Celebrities make terrible decisions too; they should have the right to speak up on them just like anybody else. I will not be seeing Leap Year. But if Goode comes out with a movie that he likes, I’m now sure that when he talks about it, I will be getting his honest opinion.

must see

1RUWK (DVW¡V ELJJHVW Ă€ OP IHVWLYDO UHWXUQV Full Metal Jacket (1987) See yourself as a mischief maker, rule breaker or general tinker? If any of the above seem applicable then get yourself down to the launch of Northern Lights Film Festival between the 20th and the 28th of March, showcasing a wide range RI Ă€ OP PXVLF DQG FUHDWLYH HYHQWV across Newcastle and Durham. The ever popular event, now in its seventh year, looks to attract both local and international talent, EULQJLQJ WKH Ă€ OP HOLWH JHQHUDO SXE lic and media industry together for an interactive and thought provoking experience. The theme of ‘Mischief Makers’ this year shifts the program in a exciting and experimental direcWLRQ VKRZLQJ Ă€ OPV DQG HYHQWV WKDW challenge stereotypes with leading H[SHUWV IURP WKH ZRUOG RI Ă€ OP PX sic, games and science discussing various topics. 7KH Ă€ OP VHOHFWLRQ SURFHVV Ă€ WV WKH theme with the politically radical Lebanon, satirical newspaper expose Star Suckers and independent zomELH Ă LFN Colin VKRZLQJ Ă€ OPV WKDW LQ various ways have broke boundaries or provoked controversy. 7KH Ă€ OPV IRUP RQO\ D EDVLV RI WKH experience, as audience members will have the chance to discuss the Ă€ OPV ZLWK LQGXVWU\ SURIHVVLRQDOV and directors, with those in attendance having opportunities to ques-

tion, challenge and take part. %H\RQG WKH Ă€ OP VFUHHQLQJV WKH festival will showcase other events across the North East. $ VFL Ă€ QLJKW ZLOO DOORZ YLVLWRUV via the latest science and media technology, to experience life as an astronaut, while another event will see Whitley Bay transformed by advertisers into a Hollywood paradise. Interactive workshops will allow discussion on censorship issues while members of the public will EH LQYLWHG WR EHFRPH Ă€ OP FULWLFV H[ ploring who has the right to judge Ă€ OPV On top of these exciting events, the festivals closing weekend ‘Music and Mischief’ features inYROYHPHQW IURP WKH UHJLRQ¡V Ă€ Q est Maximo Park along with Mick Jones, formerly of the Clash and

Glen Matlock from the Sex-Pistols, XQGRXEWHGO\ À QLVKLQJ WKH IHVWLYDO with a bang. Formerly a festival predominantly about the industry, Northern Lights has evolved into an event about À OP FKDOOHQJLQJ SHUVSHFWLYHV DQG RSHQLQJ À OP WR ZLGHU DXGLHQFHV The event will be an incredible experience that will be impossible to ignore, recognisable in everything from street buskers to the physical appearance of Newcastle. The festiYDO LV QRW MXVW IRU WKH À OP DÀ FLRQDGR EXW WKH FDVXDO YLHZHU \RXQJ À OP maker and everyone in between. With affordable tickets available via the festival website, there’s no excuse not to get involved, make your voice heard and most importantly‌make mischief. Chris Binding

Taking its title from the military name for the metal casing of a bullet, Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket remains one of the most brilliant and darkly comic Vietnam movies WR HYHU EH FRPPLWWHG WR Ă€ OP 7KH Ă€ OP LV EDVHG RQ WKH QRYHO The Short-Timers by Gustav Hasford which draws on Hasford’s own experience in the war, through basic training to frontline combat. 8QOLNH PDQ\ ZDU Ă€ OPV Full Metal Jacket is unique in that most of the Ă€ OP IRFXVHV RQ WKH VROGLHU¡V WUDLQLQJ as Joker (Modine), Pyle (D’Onofrio), Cowboy (Howard) and the other recruits feel the wrath of relentless drill instructor Sergeant Hartman (Ermey). The vigorous training and relentless insults can make for uncomfortable viewing and cumulates in the deranged Pyle’s suicide. Ermey was an actual veteran who ZDV LQLWLDOO\ EURXJKW RQWR WKH Ă€ OP DV WHFKQLFDO DGYLVRU DQG ZDV DW Ă€ UVW turned down by Kubrick for the role of Hartman. However, he was not deterred and made a tape of himself improvising insults to a group of Royal Marines whilst being pelted with tomatoes. $PD]LQJO\ (UPH\ GLG QRW Ă LQFK or duck once and did not repeat a single insult during the entire 15

minute video. Kubrick was so impressed he immediately gave him the role, and XQXVXDOO\ IRU D .XEULFN Ă€ OP OHW Ermey ad-lib much of his dialogue, leading to such gems as ‘I bet you could suck a golf ball through a garden hose’. Yet another classic in Kubrick’s body of work, Full Metal Jacket has been imitated and referenced from Jarhead to The Simpsons. And along with Apocalypse Now and Platoon, KDV EHFRPH RQH RI WKH GHĂ€ QLWLYH 9L HWQDP Ă€ OPV KLJKOLJKWLQJ WKH IROO\ of war. Thomas Ward

28

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Culture Film

film reviews MicMacs 'LUHFWRU -HDQ 3LHUUH -HXQHW Cast: Danny Boon, Julie Ferrier, Andre Dussollier, Nicolas Marie Runtime: 105 mins

7KH ODWHVW RIIHULQJ IURP DFFODLPHG GLUHFWRU -HDQ 3LHUUH -HXQHW Amelie LV \HW DQRWKHU VXUUHDO MDXQW LQWR D world that seems on the surface to be mundane, but is forced to be EHDXWLIXO E\ -HXQHW¡V LFRQLF FLQHPD WRJUDSK\ Our protagonist Brazil (Danny %RRQ GHYHORSV DQ LQWULFDWH SODQ WR GHVWUR\ WZR ZHDSRQV PDQXIDFWXU

HUV EXW %UD]LO LVQ¡W MXVW D SHDFH activist, he has a personal reason to want to destroy de Fenouillet and 0DUFRQL %UD]LO¡V IDWKHU FRPHV WR DQ XQ timely end after stepping on a land PLQH DQG ODWHU RQ D EXOOHW Ă€ QGV LWV way into his own head while he is miming along to old French black DQG ZKLWH Ă€ OPV LQ WKH YLGHR VWRUH ZKHUH KH ZRUNV 7KLV FDWDVWURSKLF HYHQW KRZHYHU doesn’t kill our hero, and on the Ă LS RI D FRLQ WKH VXUJHRQ RSHUDWLQJ on him leaves the bullet in his head WR ´'ULYH DLUSRUW VHFXULW\ PDG Âľ With the threat of death imminent at any moment, Brazil moves home WR Ă€ QG DOO KLV WKLQJV WDNHQ DV KLV neighbours thought him sure to be GHDG DQG KLV MRE DW WKH YLGHR VWRUH GHIXQFW

Homeless, Brazil is taken in by a UDJ WDJ EXQFK RI PLVĂ€ WV ZRUNLQJ LQ H[FKDQJH IRU IRRG LQ D VFUDS \DUG 7KLV VXUUHDO VXUURJDWH IDPLO\

encourage Brazil to take revenge on the weapons manufacturers and each one has a vital role to play in WKH RSHUDWLRQ 7KH &DOFXODWRU FDQ

Has RenĂŠe Zellweger been divorced recently? Or had an unexpectedly large gas bill? I ask because she must have been in desperate need for cash when she signed up to star

in Case 39. 1RZ LW¡V QRW WKDW WKLV LV D EDG Ă€ OP E\ DQ\ PHDQV LW¡V D UHODWLYHO\ Ă€ QH KRUURU Ă€ OP DERXW D FUHHS\ NLG IRO lowing on from a number of similar Ă€ OPV UHOHDVHG ODVW \HDU , MXVW FDQ¡W understand why the creators felt it needed a star like Zellweger in WKH Ă€ UVW SODFH DQG WKHQ ZK\ VKH DJUHHG WR EH LQ LW Zellweger plays a social worker, Emily, who is assigned to the case RI \HDU ROG /LOO\ ZKRVH SDU ents are suspected of neglecting WKHLU FKLOG (YHQWXDOO\ DIWHU D ORW of running around (and a brilliant scene where the parents try to put /LOO\ LQ WKHLU NLWFKHQ RYHQ (PLO\ gets given custody of the child and

WKDW¡V ZKHUH WKH SUREOHPV VWDUW A family she works with is killed by their child and her boyfriend follows suit in a scene which could have been taken straight out of a Final Destination Ă€ OP A lot of the ideas seem like WKH\¡YH EHHQ OLIWHG IURP RWKHU PRY ies, and some are shoehorned into WKH Ă€ OP ZLWKRXW PXFK WKRXJKW RU H[SODQDWLRQ (YHQ VR WKH Ă€ UVW KDOI ticks along quite nicely, building solid foundations, but loses it in the second half where everything EHFRPHV IDU WRR PHVV\ Case 39 ZDV DFWXDOO\ Ă€ OPHG LQ 2006 and has been sat on the shelf HYHU VLQFH $W WLPHV LW ORRNV DV WKRXJK VLJQLĂ€ FDQW SDUWV RI LW KDYH

SHUIRUPDQFH ZKDW ZLWK WKH *ROGHQ *OREH ZLQ DQG 2VFDU QRPLQDWLRQ DQG QRW D ORW DERXW WKH DFWXDO Ă€ OP ,W TXLFNO\ EHFDPH DSSDUHQW ZK\ Crazy Heart’s plot is centred around what is rapidly becoming a clichĂŠ: the question of what place the old and grey have in our young and IDVW SDFHG VRFLHW\ Âś%DG¡ %ODNH %ULGJHV LV D VWUXJ gling country musician, caught between his inability to write good new songs and his frustration at having younger ‘fake country’ PXVLFLDQV HYHQ WKRVH KH WDXJKW RYHUWDNH KLP Blake’s fortunes take a turn for the better when he meets and subsequently falls in love with Jean &UDGGRFN *\OOHQKDDO D VLQJOH PRWKHU DERXW WZHQW\ \HDUV KLV MXQ

LRU ,W LV D FUHGLW WR WKH DFWLQJ DELOLW\ of the two leads that their romance ZDV UHODWLYHO\ EHOLHYDEOH It was, however, spoilt by my realisation an hour in that Maggie *\OOHQKDDO ORRNV NLQG RI HOÀ VK DQG Jeff Bridges looks kind of like Santa Clause: the scene in which Bridges’ KDQG WDNHV D GLYH VRXWKZDUGV VXG GHQO\ EHFRPHV YHU\ GLVWXUELQJ 7KH RWKHU PDMRU VHOOLQJ SRLQW WR WKH À OP EHVLGHV %ULGJHV LV 7 %RQH Burnett, the writer of most of the PXVLF LQ WKH À OP +DYLQJ ZRUNHG on such exemplary soundtracks as O Brother, Where Art Thou? H[SHFWD WLRQV ZLOO XQGRXEWHGO\ EH KLJK 3HUKDSV QRW EHLQJ D SDUWLFXODU fan of country music, the work of the soundtrack was lost on me, but , PXVW DGPLW , IRXQG LW PRUH HQMR\

DEOH WKDQ , WKRXJKW , ZRXOG All in all, Crazy Heart is a decent package, held together by a witty VFULSW DQG D WDOHQWHG FDVW 7KH DS pearance of Colin Farrell on the screen in the middle of the deep south of America was, shall we say, surprising, but even that is made workable by the polish put on the À OP It is, in the end, a shame that we’ve seen this before – I am sorry WR FRQÀ UP WKDW WKLV LV LQGHHG The Wrestler, ZLWK FRXQWU\ PXVLF

From Paris with Love

KLJK SURÀ OH DVVLJQPHQW Before too long he is introduced to his new partner, the larger than OLIH &KDUOLH :D[ 7UDYROWD 5HHFH TXLFNO\ À QGV KLPVHOI WKURZQ LQ DW the deep end, struggling to keep up ZLWK WKH UHOHQWOHVV :D[ $IWHU QXPHURXV VHHPLQJO\ XQFRQ nected violent encounters, the pair À QG WKHPVHOYHV DWWHPSWLQJ WR IRLO D WHUURULVW SORW LQ WKH )UHQFK HPEDV sy, which brings with it one of the worst plot twists I have witnessed WR GDWH )UHQFK À OP PDNHU /XF %HVVRQ produced and wrote the story, but it fails to reach the heights of his SUHYLRXV À OPV VXFK DV Leon, The Fifth Element or The Transporter, all of which give more to proceedings WKDQ HQGOHVV YLROHQFH

, HQMR\ DFWLRQ Ă€ OPV EXW WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ PRUH WR WKLV Ă€ OP WKDQ DFWLRQ ZKLFK \RX FDQ Ă€ QG LQ abundance in countless other, more LQYROYLQJ SLFWXUHV At times I felt I was in the middle RI D -RKQ :RR VW\OH EDOOV WR WKH wall blockbuster, but the action was ULGLFXORXV DV RSSRVHG WR HQWHUWDLQ LQJ , VLQFHUHO\ KRSH 7UDYROWD¡V :D[ GRHVQ¡W KDYH WR Ă€ OO LQ SDSHUZRUN for the small nation’s worth of KHQFKPHQ KH GLVSDWFKHV Fans of the BBC’s Tudors will be disappointed by a boring and forgettable performance from Meyers who seems uncomfortable WKURXJKRXW 2Q WKH RWKHU KDQG 7UDYROWD PDQ ages to dominate the screen with relative ease and thankfully adds

Case 39 Director: Christian Alvart Cast: RenĂŠe Zellweger, Ian McShane, Bradley Cooper, $GULDQ /HVWHU Runtime: 99 mins

Crazy Heart Director: Scott Cooper Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie *\OOHQKDDO 5REHUW 'XYDOO Runtime: 112 mins

It’s about time Jeff Bridges started winning stuff for his acting – he’s been deserving recognition since The Big Lebowski It wouldn’t be fair to go as far as WR VD\ WKDW WKLV À OP LV D YHKLFOH IRU him, but personally, I can say that I had heard a lot about Jeff Bridges’

measure things accurately by sight, /LWWOH 3HWHU KDV WKH VWUHQJWK RI WHQ PHQ DQG 7KH .LG 5XEEHU -XOLH )HU ULHU LV D FRQWRUWLRQLVW VR QLPEOH VKH can slip into air conditioning units, IULGJHV DQG FXSERDUGV 7KLV MDXQW LV RQH ZKLFK OHIW PH with a smile on my face, and as ZLWK DOO -HXQHW Ă€ OPV LW KDV VR PDQ\ perfect small moments, from a beautiful shot of a building in a GHUHOLFW ZDVWHODQG WR /LWWOH 3HWHU¡V GDQFLQJ PDFKLQHV $ KLJKO\ UHFRPPHQGHG Ă€ OP ZLWK perhaps one of the best endings I KDYH VHHQ DOO \HDU

'LUHFWRU 3LHUUH 0RUHO &DVW -RKQ 7UDYROWD -RQDWKDQ Rhys Myers, Melissa Mars Runtime: 92 mins

7KH VWRU\ SURFHHGV E\ IROORZLQJ -DPHV 5HHFH 0H\HUV D \RXQJ DVVLVWDQW WR WKH 86 DPEDVVDGRU Seemingly limited to carrying out PHQLDO WDVNV IRU WKH &,$ KH MXPSV at the opportunity to take part in a

Rachael White

been reshot; even then there are sections which don’t make much VHQVH 7KH RULJLQDO WUDLOHU IRU WKH À OP IHDWXUHV D ZKROH EXQFK RI VWXII that isn’t even in the movie and GLUHFWO\ FRQà LFWV ZLWK WKH SORW RI WKH À QLVKHG SURGXFW In the end, the director does his EHVW ZLWK WKH VFULSW DQG WKH À OP GRHV RIIHU D IDLU IHZ VFDUHV KRZ HYHU WKRVH ZDQWLQJ WR VHH D KRUULÀ F 5HQpH =HOOZHJHU À OP VKRXOG SURE ably go and rent Bridget Jones’ Diary 2 LQVWHDG Adam Williams

Ben Schwarz

some much needed excitement to DQ RWKHUZLVH EODQG QLQHW\ WZR PLQ XWHV +RZHYHU KH LV WRR RQH GLPHQ sional to offer much more than a brief respite from the mediocrity of WKLV À OP A muddled screenplay with no plot, From Paris With Love relies on WKH HQGOHVV JXQÀ JKWV DQG H[SOR sions to maintain the audiences LQWHUHVW ZKLFK LW MXVW DERXW SXOOV RII *LYHQ WKH HQGLQJ LW VHHPV DV though a sequel is inevitable, in which case I hope they attempt to DGG VRPHWKLQJ UHVHPEOLQJ D SORW Peter Deeley

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

29

Music Culture

music

Music Editors: Mark Corcoran-Lettice and Chris Mandle - courier.culture-music@ncl.ac.uk

interview

Far from home with Local Natives Music Editor Chris Mandle hangs out with LA’s coolest mustachioed musicians to iron out a few issues “Dude, you guys are like, obsessed with ham,â€? says Taylor Rice. I don’t know if he has a point. “Everywhere we go it’s like ‘ham?’ ‘ham’?’ No way dude.â€? ´$QG VWLFN\ Ă RRUV Âľ PXPEOHV Andy, the bassist. Ironically, his surname is Hamm, but I keep that quintessentially British observation to myself. Tonight we sit on cheap chairs in a back room of the O2 Academy. Each wall is a different shade of blue, making the whole thing feel more claustrophobic than perhaps was intended. Due to a lack of seating, Andy sits on a table, while Taylor and I perch on the sort of chairs you sat on in school. Both are part of Local Natives, one of the bands who have the double-edged honour of being dubbed ‘the next big thing’. Strewn across blogs and magazines, the band have been hailed as a hairy mash-up of Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes and Arcade Fire, and tonight they perform in Newcastle as the end of their European tour.

“I don’t wanna lose my shoes to the Academy’s VWLFN\ Ă RRUÂľ But while hype and drive can accelerate the band beyond dark grimy bars and towards stardom, the forbidding sense of deliverance often follows. Those who are handpicked as stars in the making often face enormous pressure to succeed, with acid-tongued critics just waiting for artists to trip up. “There’s a huge pressure to make another record,â€? Taylor admits. â€?But these songs...this [album] has been the product of years of work. “We didn’t sit down and plan any of these songs; they emerged through a creative environment, and because we were just a bunch of guys, nobody was anticipating anything, or expecting anything. “Now people are already anticipating our next album, but we haven’t even thought about it.â€? Local Natives certainly take any pressure and swallow it whole; on stage they exude a warm charm and refreshing ease as they perform their songs. Debut album ‘Gorilla Manor’ certainly has hints of Fleet Foxes’ debut in its twelve-track package, but there’s something more uplifting, more powerful and seemingly more celebratory than the Seattle-based beardies. “The album...is kind of in two parts,â€? explains Taylor. “Some of

it came along at the beginning, but then some of it came along later.� He is careful not to divulge which parts of the band’s debut came where, but I mention Airplanes to him, wondering where that places in the album’s timeline. Airplanes is a very personal song to the band, written by vocalist Kelcey Ayer about his grandfather, who died before Ayer was able to meet him. “It’s all about the two connecting without having ever met,� Taylor says. The track is full of rustic sentiment, Ayer singing of souvenir chopsticks and sleek wooden photo frames with such an exposed honesty it’s a joy merely to hear it; the chorus ties together with a raw cry of, ‘I love it all/so much I call/I want you back, back, back’. Being on the road for so long, eating rubbish food and getting trapped in a tour bus that “literally froze over� has, though they never show it, taken its toll on the band. “We have a few days off after tonight,� Taylor says, barely able to conceal a grin. “So we’re gonna

have a lie in I think, because we’re getting wasted tonight.� “Can you suggest anywhere good to go?� he adds, giving me a surge of pressure in trying to think of somewhere suitable for the band to hang out in the Toon.

The band are a hairy mashup of Vampire Weekend, Fleet Foxes & Arcade Fire Maybe it’s because we’re getting on, or because I’m meeting a special someone after the gig, but I suggest Bulletproof, the Academy’s staple rock-night. “Hmm, I dunno man,â€? Andy quips, tugging his converse IUHH IURP WKH Ă RRU ´, GRQ¡W ZDQna lose my shoes to these sticky Ă RRUV Âľ 7UXH ,¡P Ă€QGLQJ LW KDUGHU DQG harder to tap my feet as they begin to fuse with the sticky glaze of EHHU DQG DOFRSRSV FRDWLQJ WKH Ă RRU 0D\EH WKH JX\V ZRXOG EH EHVW Ă€QGing their own feet tonight. They tell me that after the show,

they have a three day “vacationâ€?, and are going to sample the delights of Dublin, taking the ferry across from Newcastle. A brief mention of ‘Lost At Sea’, a game we played on a ferry to Amsterdam in which you take a shot whenever you see a buoy quickly turns into a discussion of the correct pronunciation. Taylor and Andy insist it’s ‘boooy’, while I suggest it’s ‘boy’. As we talk, there’s an enormous sense that the three of us could not be more different. Taylor is appalled at the “boringâ€? sandwiches in the UK, with “ham and cheeseâ€? being at the epicentre of the disgust. “That’s not a sandwich,â€? he quips. “You have like, salad sandwiches, what is the point of them? They ZRQ¡W Ă€OO \RX XS 6DQGZLFKHV QHHG like a main ingredient. And it’s nearly always meat.â€? “Like a hoagie,â€? sighs Taylor. “This is why America is fat,â€? I point out, fully aware of how ridiculously British I sound. As support band Peggy Sue begin to play their jangly Bristol summer

tunes, the three of us exchange a glance that suggests our time is up. I’m quite sad about it; speaking to Local Natives has been like hanging out with old school friends. Taylor grabs me a free t-shirt and hands me a CD. “We’ll drop you a text when we’re done meeting the fans,â€? he says. “You still good to show us round Newcastle?â€? “Bring an extra pair of shoes,â€? I VD\ PRWLRQLQJ WR WKH Ă RRU $QG\ smirks, although he barely manages to cross one leg over the other as his FRQYHUVH IXVHV ZLWK WKH Ă RRUERDUGV And the rest, as they say, is history. That is to say, the most historical hangover I have ever faced. I just hope the trip to Dublin is less turbulent for the band, and there isn’t a ham sandwich in sight. “The intricacy and craft of each note, each lyric, guides the audience through every tear-stained scar.â€? Read the full review of Local Natives live show on p30

30

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Culture Music

music gigs H. HAYES

Mumford & Sons Newcastle University Students’ Union 7 March

Mumford & Sons: waistcoats, WZHHG EHDUGV DQG EDQMRV $W Ă€ UVW you would think I was describing a set of Irish gypsy’s moonlighting as building contractors. But looks and sounds can be deceiving, none more true than on this occasion. Mumford & Sons are in fact a British Indie new wave folk band, if there is such a thing? Their genre in this case is irrelevant as one thing is for certain, this four-part harmony knows how to put on a show. Tonight’s venue is a strange choice perhaps, for a band more associated with gently swirling a whiskey rather than downing a skittles. Even so the shaggy quartet embraced the venue and crowd and even compared Newcastle to getting a “warm hugâ€?. They opened with the title track of their debut album, Sigh No More.

Local Natives

O2 Academy 2 Newcastle 6 March

Local Natives should look dishevelled, exhausted and perhaps even a bit ill. But they don’t. The Silver-city scruffs wield their tautological nonsense with aplomb tonight after an extensive European tour. World News is the opener of the

Stereophonics Noisettes

O2 Academy Newcastle 3 March

Following the commercial success of their second album ‘Wild Young Hearts’, the Noisettes return to Newcastle for the second time in six months, this time scaling up from the Students’ Union to the O2 Academy. Playing to a diverse crowd, with families and younger children mingling alongside 30-something work-colleagues on a night out, it’s testament to the wide appeal of their songs that they bring such a variety of people together. Support act Tiffany Page began her set promisingly, with a couple of catchy pop songs. However, despite a strong voice her music soon descended into middle of the road, mid-tempo banality that’s unlikely

to see her succeed alongside the likes of Florence & the Machine or Marina & the Diamonds. The Noisettes were greeted enthusiastically by the approachingcapacity crowd, opening with the lush, chilled-out Sometimes. Immediately the real star of the band became obvious, lead singer Shingai Shoniwa, whose incredible voice dominated the entire show. That the true highlights were either the singles, or covers (particularly Pure Imagination from the Willy Wonka soundtrack) sadly served to highlight the mediocrity of some of their other tracks. However Shoniwa’s energy, bounding from left to right of the stage regardless of some very high heels, meant that the audience’s attention was always held, and a costume change added a further sense of showbiz. All in all, the band played well, but it was Shoniwa who truly carried the show, particularly through some of its lower points. Ben Travis

Metro Radio Arena 1 March

Throughout the evening, I was pursued by the thought that there must be some musical God looking down on me. Only a few weeks ago did I utter the words “I would love to see these guys live� and voila, as if by

The Miserable Rich Cluny 2, 2 March

It was a bitterly cold night in the Ouseburn Valley but The Miserable Rich and supporting acts pulled out a superbly warming performance at the Cluny 2. First up was local act Simpleswan who gave a simple and refresh-

This track sums up the whole gig: choruses and long build-ups leading to massive blowouts, like a late-night barn burning as the wind ZKLSV WKH Ă DPHV LPSRVVLEO\ KLJK Instrumentally Mumford & Sons are unrivalled and it is this unique ability to turn the often contrasting sounds of a dorbo, banjo and double bass together that gains them respect among all audiences. 7KLV ZDV UHĂ HFWHG LQ WKH HFOHFWLF mix of people present at the Union. Little Lion Man the lead single off

their album gained the best reception as expected but it was a little surprising that the worldwide hit wasn’t saved for last. Instead they opted for, Dust Bowl Dance, full of highs and lows with a soft whispering ending that sent the crowd skipping up the Union steps. One thing is for sure; when Mumford & Sons come to town, expect the unexpected.

evening; a thundering sing-a-long with folk-tinges and a truly irrepressible chorus of ‘oh, oh, oh!’ that is soon sang by everyone present. Here is the strongest scent of fox; Fleet Foxes, that is, with bolstered barbershop vocals taking every breath away from the crowd – and we’ve only been here four-and-ahalf-minutes. Zesty string-tinged track Camera Talk conjures thoughts of summery frolics while Sun Hands displays the bands penchant for Vampire Weekend freshman-frenzy. The delicate and careful Shape Shifter comes to life on stage, with WKH Ă€ YH PHPEHUV RI WKH EDQG OHQG

ing soft vocals as a foundation for a beautiful, rousing chorus. Taylor Rice takes over vocals for Cubism Dream, pining in his smooth, syrupy vocals, ‘oh, what a fool I was to think/that I could get by on a smile and a wink’, with the intricacy and craft of each note and lyric guiding the audience through every tear-stained scar. Throughout the set, Taylor and Rice, like sagely, bearded sirens, coax audiences to prick their ears and open their hearts, projecting sadness tinged with streaks of celebration.

some divine force (with a little help along the way), they appear a few rows in front of me at the Arena. Currently touring their seventh studio album ‘Keep Calm And Carry On’, Stereophonics arrive in Newcastle to deliver an edgier sound than we have heard from them in a while. They managed to have the young and old alike rocking in their seats, whilst many a girl (including myself) hung on every treacle coated tone that fell from the lips of Mr Kelly Jones.

They gave a real crowd pleasing performance including many of the well loved past hits including Mr.Writer, Maybe Tomorrow and my personal favourite Just Looking. There was a clear message tonight, albeit only because it was plastered across all the merchandise. Take a moment out of your ‘busy’ student life and take heed of their advice; keep calm, carry on and worry about your dissertation tomorrow.

ing rendition of their light-hearted brand of folk music. The duet consists of musicians Isa and Chris, who works at our very own University. O’ Messy Life followed with music that they labelled as ‘Glam Rock.’ Their casual approach was QDWXUDO DQG ZHOO TXDOLĂ€ HG ZLWK good riffs and at times heavy guitar. They provided straight up good music to a welcome audience. So to The Miserable Rich, this was an outstanding set combining uplifting string music with the clear

voice of James de Malplaquet to SURGXFH D PDJQLĂ€ FHQW ULFK VRXQG Each song was executed in an assured, precise fashion, rhythmic choruses were sealed with dramatic SDXVHV 7KH %ULJKWRQ RXWĂ€ W SHU IRUPHG QDWXUDOO\ DQG PDJQLĂ€ FHQWO\ to warm the Cluny crowd. Highlight of the set was perhaps Monkey D VRQJ WKDW W\SLĂ€ HV WKH lyrically brilliant and musically stimulating sound of The Miserable Rich.

Stephen McIntyre

Chris Mandle Music Editor

Sophie Robinson

Henry Jones

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

31

Music Culture

singles

albums Daniel Bjarnason Processions

Spring Offensive Pull Us Apart

Fursaxa Mycorrhizae Realm

Being Icelandic, experimental musical innovation is pretty much a standard genetic feature - and considering Daniel Bjarnason has previous collaborations with the likes of Sigur Ros to his name, it SUREDEO\ ZRQ¡W VXUSULVH \RX WR Ă€ QG a debut album which attempts to blur the line between electronic and chamber music. It’s safe to say that most people turn their nose up at classical music unless it’s accompanying a horde of frothy-mouthed orcs chasing hobbits, or sweetening the whisky of a middle-class intellectual, but ‘Processions’ is an album that is meant to feel out of place. Bjarnason takes you into an uncompromisingly dark, atonal world reminiscent of the disturbing modernist musical pioneers Schoenberg and Stravinsky. Divided into three parts, the al-

bum made me feel like I was inside the head of a paranoid schizophrenic, moving abruptly from a relentless march of aggressive violins, to brief interludes of eerie calculated tension. It’s not often you can say that you were disturbed and enjoyed it, but ‘Processions’, whilst uncompromisingly niche, is both highly original and likely to be snapped up by the QH[W +ROO\ZRRG KRUURU Ă€ OP IHDWXU ing an evil video tape. ‘Processions’ is a work that cannot be judged with the same eye that GHHPV Ă RSS\ KDLUFXWV VNLQQ\ MHDQV and media hype an essential of ‘good’ music, but instead should be judged as one that has the desired effect of making you check under your bed for the bogeyman. Jazz fans will love this.

Motion City Soundtrack

Arabrot The Brother Seed

My Dinosaur Life

Daniel Kielty

Spring Offensive are a band you haven’t heard of, and why should you? A bunch of unsigned Oxfordbased ex-students trying to break into an already saturated scene is a standard tale; however this is by no means a standard album. Whilst new to most, Spring Offensive have been quietly revising their craft for years, with each and every note sounding meticulously SODQQHG \HW VWLOO PDQDJHV WR Ă RZ seamlessly. Opener I Found Myself Smiling sets the atmosphere, weaving together intricate guitar melodies not too dissimilar from Oxford peers Foals and Youthmovies, with vocal melodies and a rumbling bass that holds everything in place subtly, but beautifully. By contrast the lyrics reveal a darker, fragile and more tormented side - most evident in Every Coin, a vivid depiction of a kidnapping where the prisoner is forced to eat the contents of his own wallet. Unsurprisingly, the album is not WRWDOO\ ZLWKRXW Ă DZ EXW PXOWLSOH plays reveal some truly remarkable moments that certainly warrant further investigation. Little Evening closes the album with the refrain ‘I hope that isn’t all that is left’ – I couldn’t agree more.

Apparently a mycorrihiza is a symbiotic link between a fungus and the roots of a plant. If you are already puzzled by this then listening to this record will certainly do nothing to clear the confusion. Labelled as freak folk or psychedelic folk, ‘Mycorrhizae Realm’ is a bizarre mix of the ethereal and the medieval (strangely Tara Burke, the main force behind Fursaxa, states RQH RI KHU PDLQ LQĂ XHQFHV DV D WK century Benedictine mystical). Burke’s haunting looped vocals, which at times seem almost otherworldly, are swathed in tripped-out sounding harp plucks and funereal cellos. Songs such as Well of Tuhala sound incredibly sinister, evoking images of medieval rituals, while Celosia sounds like it is being played out in a forest under moonlight, with its multi-layered twinkling and whispering background noise. It’s a rather creepy affair, which at times can feel sparse and unsettling - ‘Mycorrhizae Realm’ is incredibly GLIĂ€ FXOW WR JUDVS SHUKDSV EHFDXVH it shuns the contemporary, harking back to an ancient world. It is perplexing to imagine who this would appeal to other than robed Druids dancing through a moonlit forest on acid.

Motion City Soundtrack are one of the most undervalued treasures of the pop-punk scene. Their slightly heavier sound and penchant for the odd profanity (one song is aptly named “@!#?@!â€?) are probably the reasons they haven’t enjoyed more mainstream success. The band’s latest (and fourth) album, ‘My Dinosaur Life’, exhibits some of the most catchy and relevant punk-rock tunes around. Produced by Mark Hoppus, of Blink IDPH 0&6¡V VW\OH GRHVQ¡W VHHP to have changed much compared with their last two efforts, not that the album suffers as a result. Lead singer Justin Pierre continues to write funny and often painfully honest lyrics, a refreshing change when so many bands prefer writing cryptic nonsense no one can relate to. ´/LNH D VODVKHU Ă€ OP ,¡P WRUQ LQ opposite directionsâ€? could be taken straight from the Emo Book of Similes and Metaphors but Pierre delivers the line with enough frivolity to prevent bringing the mood to a resounding low. The band’s ability to avoid sounding miserable, whatever the subject matter, is a triumph, especially in a musical genre saturated with depressed mediocrity.

I’m no fan of Norwegian Black Metal, so perhaps my ears aren’t attuned to the refreshing move away from the genre Ă…rabrot apparently represent. The album’s opener starts promisingly enough, with satisfyingly crunchy guitar. Front man Kjetil Nernes’ voice, however, is presumably as painful for him as it was for me. Snarling, strangled and sometimes just plain whiny, at particularly hysterical moments it sounds as if Justin Hawkins is being slowly fed through a mangle. Regrettably this doesn’t relent as WKH DOEXP SOD\V UHĂ HFWLQJ VRPH thing of a lack of variety throughout. The shorter songs – the intriguingly titled It’s Hot/Toss It, for example – are vaguely reminiscent of hardcore but lack the required energy, while the longer tracks can sound wearily like extended jams. Produced by Steve Albini (ex-Big Black), it’s tidy and solid without ever being heavy enough or really grabbing the listener’s attention; the band deemed themselves ‘sludgy’ and this isn’t an inaccurate assessment. However, this is their UK debut and there’s just enough on ‘The Brother Seed’ to hint at future potential.

David McDonald

Linsey Teggart

Tom Belcher

Martin Flynn

The Futureheads Heartbeat Song The Sunderland boys prove that sticking with what you know is never a bad thing – Heartbeat Song is packed with the mandatory four-part harmonies and North East accents, with the vigour and enthusiasm of the Ă€ UVW DOEXP 9HU\ H[FLWHG IRU WKH new material, more of the same please! Lucy Johnson Tiffany Page Walk Away Slow Tiffany Page proclaims to be different. With Walk Away Slow she does offer something more than the usual female acoustic artist with a catchy rock pop track complete with a chorus that will stick in your head. :LWK D Ă€ HU\ YRLFH 7LIIDQ\¡V VRQJ LV GHĂ€ QLWHO\ ZRUWK D OLVWHQ for chart lovers but lacks anything really special. Olivia Mason Goldhawks Where In The World The introduction to this song VHHPV WR KDYH D KHDY\ 8 LQĂ X ence which continues throughout. Whilst the verse builds up quickly to the chorus, you can imagine this song being played at festivals and arenas in the near future. This being their VHFRQG VLQJOH UHOHDVH GHĂ€ QLWHO\ makes them a one to watch. Christopher Scott Goldfrapp Rocket When the working day is done, Alison Goldfrapp just wants to have fun. The debut single from IRUWKFRPLQJ DOEXP Âś+HDGĂ€ UVW¡ this Blondie-inspired slice of retro pop is girly and summery in all the right places. In such sharp contrast to the heavy electro-funk that characterised Goldfrapp’s earlier work, however, it may not settle with true fans, particularly after the backlash of previous album ‘Seventh Tree’.Chris Mandle The Drums Best Friend Opening with a dark disco beat, your foot won’t be able to help itself from tapping along, despite the lack of originality due the sound seeping similarity to the likes of Joy Divison. The opening lyric “You’re my best friend, and then you dieâ€? only supports my comparison. Nevertheless it is a nice little tune, but I doubt it’ll stick in your mind for too long. Steven Greenan The Smashing Pumpkins A Stitch In Time In the same psychedelic vein that hummed ever-presently throughout the last release, Stitch throws you into a three minute trance that truly sets the foundations for this early part of ‘Teargarden’, comparable to what Daphne Descends was to Âś$GRUH¡ &RUJDQ Ă€ QDOO\ VHHPV at ease with his song writing again. Stuart Edwards

32

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Culture TV & Radio

tv & radio BBC

tv highlights

soaps

Sport Relief

Coronation Street

Mon, Thurs, Fri on ITV1 Gail is grief-stricken at Joe’s burial and things only get worse when the police turn up to arrest her on suspicion of murder after they are informed by Tina that Gail forced her to lie about her dad’s disappearance. Meanwhile, Kevin goes URXQG WR 0ROO\¡V Ă DW WR GHOLYHU some disturbing news.

Friday 7pm, BBC1 It’s all about charity on Friday as Sport Relief comes to our screens for an evening of sports themed entertainment. Gary Lineker, Christine Bleakley, James Cordon, Richard Hammond, Claudia Winkleman, Fearne Cotton, Davina McCall and Patrick Kielty will be sharing the hosting responsibility for the night. During the programme there will be special appearances from celebrity guests, exciting music performances and highlights from the various celebrity challenges that have been going on. The challenges include The One Show presenter Christine Bleakley waterskiing across the channel and Blue Peter’s Helen Skelton’s record breaking 2010 mile paddle along the Amazon river - the longest ever solo journey by kayak. Elsewhere, David Walliams, Miranda Hart, Jimmy Carr, Russell Howard and Sport Relief hosts Fearne and Davina are acompleting

the Sports Relief Million Pound Bike Ride by cycling from John O’Groats to Lands End in shifts for 24 hours a day. As ever, there are various special episodes of the nation’s favourite shows. There’s a one-off edition of Ashes to Ashes, featuring sporting and enter-

tainment legends from the eighties, and there’s an episode of Outnumbered where the family prepares for the Sport Relief Mile. Masterchef, A Question of Sport and Strictly Come Dancing (with dragons Peter Jones and Duncan Bannatyne fresh from the den) will also be getting the Sport Relief treatment.

Of course, there will be information about the many projects supported by Sport Relief to remind us where all our pennies are going! Overall it promises to be a very entertaining evening and it’s all for a good cause!

Richard Hammond’s Invisible Worlds

Dom Joly and the Black Island

Glenn Martin, DDS

Celebrity Juice

Pick of the week

Tuesday 9pm, BBC1

Eastenders

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri on BBC1 After selling the Arches, the Mitchells’ business endeavors were looking bleak but are they about to take over Walford once again? Danny encourages Roxy to buy the beauty salon as he thinks it will take her mind off the Vic but Roxy’s not sure it’s a good investment. Meanwhile, Phil and Minty describe their perfect women to each other; will they resemble any of the Walford girls?

Thursday 9.30pm, SKY1

Eleanor Wilson

Thursday 10pm, ITV2

Weekdays at 6.30pm on C4 Leo is irritated when he sees Lauren and Gaz kissing at school but he knows he can’t say much as Gaz might use the photographs of the bruises he gave him against him. But Calvin seizes the phone containing the photographs and smashes it, destroying all evidence whilst telling Leo it’s about time he takes his parental responsibilities seriously.

Emmerdale

Friday 7.30pm, C4 BBC

Hollyoaks

C4

SKY1

BBC

Weekdays at 7pm on ITV1 Laura and Ashley leave Doug babysitting as they head off for a happy evening together at the Woolpack as they decide to put the unhappy past behind them. But is sinister Sally still closer than they think? Meanwhile Cain is upset that Andy knew about Debbie’s leaving plans before he did.

Neighbours

You may not think that we miss anything in the blink of an eye, but you ZRXOG EH ZURQJ ,Q WKH ÀIW\ PLOOLseconds we take to blink and the 100 milliseconds we use to process what is being seen we miss a lot of what is happening in the world around us. During this three part series Richard Hammond uses state-of-the-art technology to explore what we are PLVVLQJ 7KH ÀUVW HSLVRGH XVHV KLJK speed cameras to explore the difference between our eyesight and that of other species such as birds, bees DQG EXWWHUà LHV The sights that are naturally seen by these species are not available in the spectral area of our human eyes. Now the technology is available to help us to see more than we have ever been able to before. This series is an essential watch to ÀQG RXW ZKDW \RX DUH PLVVLQJ RXW on every time you blink.

It’s funny that I should end today writing about Dom Joly & The Black Island, as I started my day watching Joly’s Trigger Happy TV. In this new show he has decided to dress up as Belgium’s most famous ÀFWLRQDO H[SORUHU 7LQWLQ FRPSOHWH with white dog), and recreate the adventure of the Black Island. His attention to detail gets him into trouble at Glasgow airport right from the outset. Not just content with recreating the adventure, Joly also goes on one of his own as he looks into the character of Tintin and visits the studios he was conceived in. This show brings together both the surreal side of Joly and his enthusiasm and takes us on an adventure worthy of the memory of Georges Remi (aka Herge). Whoever said that Belgian people were dull may have seen the EU, but certainly hasn’t seen this.

Glenn Martin, DDS comes from the former Disney chief Michael Eisner and provides a unique twist on the classic family sitcom. A stop-motion animated sitcom, Glenn Martin recounts the tales of the Martins as they leave traditional suburbia behind and set off across America in Glenn’s toothbrush topped mobile dental surgery. The family consists of father Glenn (the clueless dentist), his wife Jackie (cynical yet supportive), teenager Conor (hormonal and awkward), 11-year- old Courtney and her slavish personal assistant Wendy and Canine the dog. Full of witticisms, sarcasm and plenty of anus jokes, Glenn Martin, DDS follows the adventures and scrapes that the family get into. It may be a cartoon but the clever script makes it as watchable as Family Guy and The Simpsons.

Thirsty for celebrity gossip? Get yourself some juice! Keith Lemon is back and along with Fearne Cotton, Holly Willoughby and Rufus Hound he’ll be warming the seats at the ITV studios. Tackling topical tabloid-focused questions, Holly and Fearne will be ‘pitted against each other’ in order to win the rounds - and win the show. This show doesn’t just guarantee a weekly catch-up of all things celeb but also boasts comic potential – if the comedian guests don’t make you laugh, I’m sure the celebrity ones will, though perhaps not for their sharp witticisms. So if you’re looking to broaden your knowledge of celebrity goings on, feel like testing yourself, or simply want something to talk to the hairdresser about – tune in to ITV2 on Thursday night at 10.

Clementine Manning

Jamie Sherwood

Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor

Jessica Bean

Weekdays, 1.45pm & 5.30pm on Five $QGUHZ ÀQG D ZD\ WR GULYH D wedge between Donna and Ringo EXW ZLOO KH DQG 'RQQD ÀQDOO\ JHW it together? Meanwhile, although Steph contacts Lyn, she refuses to talk to Lucas, upsetting him further and making him lose patience with the woman he thought he loved. Zeke is so upset that Mia is leaving town that he goes to great lengths to convince her to stay, even putting himself in danger in order to get her attention.

Home and Away

Weekdays, 2.15pm & 6pm on Five You could cut the air with a knife at Mink’s goodbye dinner as Romeo is still refusing to go away with her, but when she asks why he never visited her at the detention centre, he admits to feeling guilty about her incarceration. Meanwhile, Nicole gets top marks in her design class and accepts an internship from Britt. Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

33

TV & Radio Culture TV & Radio Editor: Aimee Philipson - courier.culture-tv@ncl.ac.uk

Bianca, Queen of the gingers

catch-up Embarrassing Bodies

Catch-up on 4OD or watch Series 3 on Fridays at 9pm on C4 Whether we admit it or not we all have a morbid curiosity for gruesome bodily issues. The Embarrassing Bodies programme is a very easy way to see other people’s weird and wonderful abnormalities without having to experience them close up. It is also a great way to maybe sort out some of your own fears or queries regarding your own issues. In the latest episode there was a girl with infected toe-nails which after doing some tests on the fungus turned out to have been caused by bacteria in her bathroom. As students renting houses or in university accommodation I am sure that none of our bathrooms are in sparklingly clean condition. The girls lost her toenails in the end. So let that be a warning to us all, there is a lot to be said for spraying a bit of Mr Muscle in the shower every so often. Many of us have probably got

secret body fears and insecurities which we won’t even admit to our best friends, so a great way to overcome these is by watching a stranger get their bits and bobs out on national television. The programme doesn’t solely consist of strange body issues that only happen to 1 out of 100 people, there are also very important and relevant issues that come up. Such as how to do a breast or testicle check for lumps, how to recognise symptoms of depression in a friend and the signs of sexually transmitted infections, which for my part I feel I know shockingly little about. Most people laugh at this programme and don’t take it seriously but I think we should stop being such prudes and sit down and learn a bit more about the human body. Perhaps it could save your life in the future. The programme’s on a Friday

Joe Mellor Columnist

night, which is terribly inconvenient as it clashes with the pub or more exciting activities, so I suggest you

catch it at another time on 4OD. Cordelia Rosa

news Hollyoaks cast to release single nsr Polarsets and The Miserable Rich Carrying on the charity theme of the week (check out Sport Relief in TV Highlights), news has been released that some of the cast of Hollyoaks will be releasing an England 2010 World Cup charity single ‘Sing for England’. The single will be sold in digital download form, to make production cheaper, and 100% of the profits will be donated to the Alder Hey Imagine Appeal. The Appeal raises money for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool which looks after over 200,000 children and young people each year. Actor Nick Pickard (who plays Tony Hutchinson) who is a long standing player and captain of the Hollyoaks football team whose members are contributing to the single,

jealous. On our ‘live sessions’ page you’ll Ă€ QG YLGHRV WUDFNV DQG SKRWRV IURP recent guests Polarsets and the The Miserable Rich and there are plenty more sessions booked for after the Easter break. Finally if it’s full shows you’re looking for then make your way over to Mixcloud. A pretty recent website which is looking to become the Youtube of UDGLR LW¡V KHUH \RX¡OO Ă€ QG WKH PDMRU ity of our recorded shows from this year. Log on to www.mixcloud.com/ nsr and under the shows that we ÂśIROORZ¡ \RX¡OO Ă€ QG SOHQW\ RI 165 WR keep you entertained through your holidays.

Eleanor Wilson

It’s been a busy term here at NSR which means plenty to keep listeners occupied through the Easter break! Yes, we’re off-air until April 26, but don’t fret as we’ve got interviews and live sessions a plenty stored up on our website so you can listen whenever you want. And with 6music’s uncertain future you can divert some well deserved listener time to Lauren Laverne and co. Interview-wise, over the coming weeks make sure you check out our recent Q&As with Field Music, Liam Frost, Two Door Cinema Club and a whole host of ‘jocks’ from our extensive coverage of the Stan Calvert Cup. As for live sessions, recently we’ve played host to a selection of bands that would leave even Jo Whiley

Scott Mills’ Miles From Hell

Guided Tour of the Castle of Otranto

Showstopper! The Improvised Musical

Weekdays 4pm, BBC R1

Tuesday 11.30am, BBC R4

BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mills is set to undertake the challenge of a lifetime when he embarks on a week of ‘miles from hell’, all in aid of Sport Relief. Every day, Chris Moyles will give Scott his daily ‘miles from hell’ challenge and Scott heads into the unknown to take on his grim missions. Listeners can hear how Scott gets on in his afternoon show. BBC Radio 1 listeners can support Scott’s efforts by donating money to Sport Relief. He’s going to need all the help he can get. In his words he’s got “all the gear and no idea�.

Rory McGrath explores the origins of gothic horror, manifested in The Castle Of Otranto by Horace WalSROH JHQHUDOO\ UHJDUGHG DV À UVW HYHU novel about a haunted castle. The mysterious castle in Otranto, Italy, is haunted by an ancient prophecy, where supernatural events are as common as the sudden changes of mood. It is also a place where a young woman’s virtue is sorely challenged by a deranged and lustful baron, and where the sins of the fathers are visited on the sons until the third and fourth generation.

says, ‘All the lads in the team are passionate about football and we love playing regularly to raise money for charity, so it only seems natural to show our support for the England football team in South Africa by releasing “Sing for England�’. Charity singles have a great track record of success and the idea of it solely being a download to save money is brilliant as it means that as much money as possible is going to a very deserving cause. The girls from Hollyoaks have also contributed to a charity single in aid of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life. The football team’s single will be available to preorder in May across 240 countries, so perhaps it will be a rousing revision song!

Christian Allen Station Manager

radio highlights 5 live Sport Saturday 12pm BBC R5 live Mark Pougatch presents an actionpacked afternoon of live sport. In football, there’s live Premier League commentary from the early Premier League kick-off between Aston Villa v Wolves, before attention switches to the Britannia Stadium for Stoke and Tottenham Hotspur, and then the Emirates for Arsenal v West Ham. ,W LV DOVR WKH À QDO ZHHNHQG RI WKH 2010 Six Nations, as 5 live updates throughout the afternoon from Wales v Italy, Ireland v Scotland before live commentary from Paris as England take on France.

Wed 1.45pm, BBC 1XTRA Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is a brand new comedy in which the Showstopper! team of musicians, singers and comedians create an improvised musical on the spot and cram it in to half an hour. The songs, plot and characters are based entirely on suggestions from the live studio audience. There’s no script, no score and no planning – the team has to improvise the entire thing purely from audience suggestions, gathered by the show’s Master Of Ceremonies.

There was a sombre atmosphere in Walford this week. Max turned to drink, Lucy was sick and Dot drew on a fag so hard her cheeks split. You guessed it, Ian Beale was spared prison and was only handed a suspended sentence. If that wasn’t enough there was also the small matter of Bradley’s funeral. Eastenders (BBC) hasn’t been this harrowing since Pat and Frank had frantic sex in Spain. For those of you who don’t remember, I envy you. If a funeral and Ian Beale’s freedom wasn’t enough, Billy Jackson’s partner Whitney found out he had a handgun, they had an argument and Billy disappeared. So :KLWQH\ ZHQW WR Ă€ QG KLP RQ WKH estate where he grew up. As usual the show portrayed the deprived area as full of black kids wearing hoodies. Strangely they used Balham as the hell hole Billy had moved from. For anyone who doesn’t know Balham, there is more chance of being lanced with a feta and olive cocktail stick by Giles who works LQ Ă€ QDQFH WKDQ EHLQJ VKRW DW E\ a crack head. Personally I think Billy’s mates gave him the gun to protect himself from the crazy white people in Walford. Bradley’s funeral was a truly sad occasion. Bianca looked especially shaken. To be fair it was a day of mixed emotions for Bianca. On one hand Bradley had tragically died, on the other hand she has returned to her rightful place as the most ginger person in Walford. Postman Masood ‘the Alpha Mail’ Ahmed (not my joke - BBC website) also had a tough time+. He spent the week following postal deliveries that kept getting stolen. I can suspend disbelief to a certain extent but in real life an Asian man in London with a pair of binoculars following Royal Mail deliveries would be water boarded by MI5 before he could say ‘fat Pat ate my cat’. I know Eastenders isn’t real. The people who really test my patience are those who say the East End isn’t like that anymore. Now ‘it’s full of Asians and Black people’. The truth is that the East End is approximately 90% full of media bores. In real life the Queen Vic would be stripped bare and Peggy would be wearing a trilby hat. Pints of London Pride would be replaced with organic Belgian wheat beer and the jukebox would only play ironic 1950’s rock records. In fact there is a club night that plays 1950’s music every Saturday in East London. Every other night of the week it’s a strip club. I’ve been on various evenings and can categorically state that there’re more tits on a Saturday night than any other. I would rather French kiss big Mo and sleep top to tail with Christian than return to the real East End.

34

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Culture TV & Radio

tv & radio interview

Television, Tropics and terrorism TV & Radio Editor Aimee Philipson speaks to British best-selling author, TV presenter and journalist Simon Reeve ahead of his new six-part BBC2 travel series Tropic of Cancer Internationally renowned journalist, author and TV presenter Simon Reeve will do anything to get his latest story out into the world, even if it involves zip-lining into one of the most repressive states in the world, being tracked by terrorists, hunting in the Kalahari or surviving on just coca leaves for days on end. His documentaries investigate world issues such as poverty, the drugs trade and climate change but they’re also exciting and beautifully-shot travelogues of his journeys around the world. This passion and dedication has earned him a One World Broadcasting Trust award for ‘Outstanding contribution to greater world understanding’ and a place on millions of people’s bookshelves. Simon, 37, has been around the world three times by van, canoe, car, train, boat, horseback and helicopter and his new series Tropic of Cancer sees him and his crew visiting some of the most beautiful places in the world. He contemplates his favourite destination on the trip: “I think it was probably Bangladesh. I like it when a country or place surprises me. “I’d never been before and I think the images I had of Bangladesh were limited to suffering, disasters DQG Ă RRGLQJ “It’s actually a very, very beautiful country with really wonderful people but that’s not to deny that it’s a country beset by disaster because it is, you can’t deny that. ´ RI WKH FRXQWU\ Ă RRGV HYHU\ year and because so much of it is water, people are crammed onto the available patches of dry land. You get these intense burst of activity and colour on the dry bits and it’s a fantastic sight to see.â€? It’s his third around-the-world documentary for the BBC - you may have caught the others, Equator and Tropic of Capricorn - and it took over QLQH PRQWKV WR FRPSOHWH WKH Ă€OPing. Although away from his family and home for so long, Simon insists that it has to be the best job in the world. “I love the journeys, I love the job and I love the opportunity to go on

these extraordinary adventures and to do it as work,â€? he says. “I don’t have to pester people to sit down and watch my latest adventure in Bangladesh - people actually tune in on their televisions to watch it - it’s fantastic!â€? However, he remains aware that WKH Ă€QDO GRFXPHQWDULHV PXVW EH purposeful, reliable and valuable to audiences. He tells me genuinely: “Everyone who works on the documentaries feels quite honoured to be doing it because we know it’s a responsibility and a privilege because obviously we’re spending licence payers’ money.â€? His trips have taken him from his birthplace in West London to some of the most breathtaking countries in the world - over ninety to be exact - so I asked him if he has a particular favourite overall. “I like lots of different countries for different reasons. At the top end there’s Denmark, which I think is probably the most ideal country I’ve visited in the sense that it has the best social system.

“We were travelling behind enemy lines and we knew that if we were caught it would be disastrous� “It’s a nice country with friendly, happy people who live long lives. They’ve constructed such an equitable society there that nobody’s too rich and nobody’s too poor. “I haven’t visited there for the BBC but my in-laws live there so I’ve spent quite a bit of time there.� He adds: “In terms of the countries I’ve been to for the BBC, probably the most spectacular place, or my favourite place, is Madagascar. “It’s a little bit like the Galapagos Islands, in the sense that it’s been cut off from the rest of the world for millions of years. Plants and trees there have evolved in unique and spectacular ways but also the humans have as well. “The locals have developed their own eccentric traditions and culture

6LPRQ 5HHYH EDVNV LQ WKH VXQVKLQH LQ WKH UHPRWH ,QGLDQ VWDWH RI 7ULSXUD DV KH ÂżOPV KLV ODWHVW WHOHYLVLRQ VHULHV Tropic of Cancer, IRU

which is endlessly fascinating.â€? 5HHYH KDV VSHQW WKH ODVW Ă€YH \HDUV WUDYHOOLQJ DURXQG WKH 7URSLFV Ă€OPing incredible places and documenting some inspiring and devastating stories but he hasn’t always been so fortunate. “There’s worse ways to spend Ă€YH \HDUV IRU VXUH %HOLHYH PH ,¡YH worked in a jewellery store and stacking shelves in a supermarket so I’ve got something to judge it by!â€? he laughs. But it’s not all fun in the sun as Simon knows all too well. Over the years he’s been arrested for spying by the KGB, surrounded by a pack of starving cheetahs, walked through PLQHĂ€HOGV DQG EHHQ HOHFWURFXWHG LQ a war zone. It makes me wonder whether he’s risking just a little too much for the success of his documentaries. “There have been quite a few occasions where I’ve thought ‘I’m not as brave as this’ or ‘I’ve got myself into trouble here’.â€? “There were several moments on this last journey around the Tropic of Cancer when I thought we were

in quite serious danger. One of which was when we’d trekked from a remote part of India and illegally crossed the border into Burma, one of the most repressive states in the world. “We’d travelled to a village of the local Chin people because we wanted to illustrate the lives of the people who live on the Tropic of Cancer. “We were deep inside Burma and it was getting very late at night when we discovered that a Burmese military patrol had arrived in the next village and were likely to be visiting the village we were in. ´:H EDVLFDOO\ KDG WR Ă HH LQWR WKH night as quietly as possible so as not to attract attention.â€? He continues: “It was very scary because we were travelling behind enemy lines and we knew that if we were caught it would be disastrous for us. “But it would have been absolutely catastrophic - I mean life-endingly catastrophic - for our guide who was a local Chin woman. “She had managed to escape the area and was living in exile abroad

but had returned to guide us around this part of Burma. “She was on a Burmese ‘wanted’ OLVW VR ZH ZHUH WHUULĂ€HG WKDW ZH would be caught and that something catastrophic would happen to her. So yeah, that was a moment when we thought we’d gone too far.â€? This is just one of Simon’s eyebrow-raising tales - his travel books DUH Ă€OOHG ZLWK PDQ\ PRUH RI KLV career’s escapades and his other publications dig deep into some of the biggest issues facing the world today. He tells me there are advantages to both the writing and the TV work. “They’re different projects really. The advantage of doing the books is that you get to explore subjects in much deeper detail and you get to commit all your thoughts and all the different aspects and angles onto the page. “But in truth, not a lot of people read books - it’s a niche industry. The advantage of television is while it’s much more basic in terms of the information you can convey, you’ve got the constant picture telling a

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

35

TV & Radio Culture TV & Radio Editor: Aimee Philipson - courier.culture-tv@ncl.ac.uk

and forgotten and which I think could become bigger issues in the future.â€? ,W ZDV 6LPRQ ZKR Ă€UVW Ă DJJHG XS the internal unrest in South Ossetia, Georgia in his series Places That Don’t Exist about countries which ZHUHQ¡W RIĂ€FLDOO\ FRXQWULHV ´:H Ă€OPHG WKH WHQVLRQ EHWZHHQ South Ossettian and Georgian forces and pointed out that there were a lot of Russians there. “And of course since we were there, that’s all blown up, quite literally, with another nasty little war in the Caucuses. “There’s a lot of other simmering FRQĂ LFWV OLNH WKDW DURXQG WKH ZRUOG WKDW ZH¡YH YLVLWHG DQG Ă€OPHG DQG put onto the telly and I do wish people would focus on these forgotten places while they’re still simmering, before they boil over again and become major problems for us.â€? I feel it’s time to lighten the mood DQG Ă€QG RXW D ELW PRUH DERXW 6LPRQ himself. With his years of travelling, he must have packed and unpacked that suitcase hundreds of times but what can’t he live without? “I have to have something to read more than anything else. I’m a bit obsessive about it because there’s so many times I’ve been stuck or trapped or abandoned somewhere with nothing to do but daydream.

“Maybe there’s more I could have done because it was quite clear to me that the attacks of 9/11 were just the sort of strike that this group was going to attempt�

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thousand words. “Also, you reach a much wider audience. In terms of these journeys around the Tropics, they get shown on BBC World and they’re sold to broadcasters overseas in around 40 countries so you get to tell a lot of people about the lives of the Chin people or the Mexican drug war.� One of his largest writing projects began as an investigation into the 1993 terror attacks on the World Trade Centre and led to the publication of the New York Times’ bestseller, The New Jackals: Ramzi Yousef, Osama Bin Laden and the Future of Terrorism. Reeve’s book predicted the rise of Al-Qaeda and the age of apocalyptic terrorism before the events we have witnessed in recent years. It’s impossible to know whether things would have been different if the right people had taken more notice of Simon’s book before the fateful events of September 2001, but Simon struggles with the guilt of whether he did all he could to raise the alarm. “When the book came out, it had a

clear conclusion which was that this group was going to launch apocalyptic attacks. Nobody really took any notice of it but it was the only book out there at the time of the 9/11 attacks so all of a sudden it became a big seller. “I do wish that more people had taken notice of this problem and done more to address the issues that drove people into the arms of Al4DHGD LQ WKH Ă€UVW SODFH “But hindsight is an easy and powerful thing. I have felt moments of profound guilt about it because I’ve thought maybe I didn’t beat the drum loudly enough. “Maybe there’s more I could have said, maybe there’s more I could have done because it was quite clear to me that the attacks of 9/11 were just the sort of strike that this group was going to attempt. “It was shocking, but it didn’t come as a huge surprise to me.â€? Although not necessarily surprised, Simon was shaken by the attacks as his research into the 1993 WTC attacks meant that he knew the buildings well and knew many

people inside them. “I was physically sick. I was at home and my brother called me to say I needed to turn the TV on and I watched, like everybody else, as our entire world changed.â€? But it also hit Simon in a professional way as The New Jackals soared to the top of the New York Times’s bestseller list. ´3HRSOH VXGGHQO\ ZDQWHG WR Ă€QG out about this group and I had TV crews turning up at my home. “I was working as a TV pundit trying to explain the nature of this group which led on to talking with the BBC about other parts of the world they should be interested in and led to making TV documentaries. “I don’t think I’ll do any more work on terrorism as it’s gone from being an obscure area of research into the number one story on the planet and tens of thousands of journalists have turned their beady eye onto the issue. “I think what I switched into is focused much more on other issues which are currently fairly obscure

“I couldn’t go away without a torch or my Leatherman either - and ORWV RI Ă DSMDFNV DQG VKRUWEUHDG Âľ Now I know what he likes to eat while he’s away, I want to know if he’s ever had to try some crazy or horrible foods on his travels. ´:KHUH WR VWDUW" ,W¡V WHOHYLVLRQ VR obviously everybody wants me to munch on the latest or the most obscure exotic delicacy. “Sometimes I can avoid it by bribing, threatening or cajoling people not to mention that they eat grilled squirrel or sheep’s head but sometimes the crew catch on. I’ve eaten JULOOHG VTXLUUHO VKHHS¡V H\HV Ă€VK brain, lots of insects, caterpillars and grubs.â€? Laughing, he recalls the worst one of all. “The worst one, I have to say, was penis soup in Madagascar. It was gross but I wasn’t sick.â€? It’s refreshing to hear that he doesn’t begrudge having to eat these things unlike certain celebrities in a certain jungle. “It’s not abnormal to eat these things, it’s the most normal thing to utilise the whole animal. If you’re going to kill an animal it’s right to eat the whole thing; you shouldn’t let any of it go to waste. “In Britain we’ve become very detached from our food and we don’t know where it comes from or what it really is. It just appears in the supermarket wrapped in cellophane. “There’s an immorality to not consuming the entire creature and letting it just rot down. So I completely

approve of it - but I didn’t enjoy the SHQLV VRXS ¡ Tropic of Cancer began on Sunday 0DUFK DQG UXQV IRU WKH QH[W Ă€YH weeks, detailing the journey, stories and important issues from Simon’s trek across the Tropics. He spent most of last year travelOLQJ DQG Ă€OPLQJ WKH VHULHV VR , DVN what he’s got planned for the rest of this year. “Well, I need to paint the front door [laughing] - I’ve got lots of DIY jobs having been away for nine months RI ODVW \HDU “In terms of travel, I don’t really know to be honest. I mean it’s a big world and there are lots of amazing parts of the planet that I haven’t visited and that I’d like to go to. “As long as the viewers and the Beeb still want me to keep going then I’m very happy to. It’s a huge privilege as I keep saying and I love it but I just need to combine it with living some sort of normal life and having a family - and getting the front door painted.â€? Simon’s down-to-earth attitude and genuine passion for his work shine through in his documentaries and books and it’s obvious that he really loves his work. I used the last minutes of the interview to ask if he had any tips for those at Newcastle who would like to follow in his footsteps. “You really have to go for it. I mean it’s not something you can approach half-heartedly. “If you’re going to do it then you need to harangue and badger magazines, newspapers, radio stations and TV stations for a job. “I started out as a postboy on a newspaper and went from that to doing a bit of research then to doing D ELW RI LQYHVWLJDWLQJ DQG Ă€QDOO\ WR doing a bit of writing. “I was only 24 when I started writing books but I never went to university, you see, so I missed all the fun and frolicking. I do regret it because I would’ve loved it. “Also, ideally you need to have rich parents because there isn’t much money in it and you’re going to need to be subsidised for a ZKLOH ¡ And does he recommend it? “I think it’s a very interesting job, and I think the media is a good profession to be in and will be into the future but I’d say that the main thing is that you just can’t give up. “You’ve got to be prepared to send out one hundred letters but then you’ve got to ring up as well and you’ve got to turn up - you’ve got to go the whole hog. But honestly there’s not a lot of dosh in it. You have to be realistic about it.â€? From just this 30 minute interview, LW¡V SODLQ WKDW 6LPRQ FRXOG Ă€OO WKH whole paper with his anecdotes and research and it seems such a shame to have to hang up the phone. However, for those interested in Ă€QGLQJ RXW PRUH DERXW 6LPRQ¡V work, career or life you can check out his website at www.shootandscribble.com or buy any of his books at all good bookshops or online booksellers, and his documentaries are all available on DVD. Don’t miss the rest of Simon Reeve’s new series, Tropic of Cancer, on Sundays on BBC1 at 8pm. Catch last week’s episode on BBC iPlayer now.

36

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

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THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

37

Sport Relieffeel Hurricanes the hitsLoko-motion Newcastle Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Gavin Tom James courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Sports Paul Christian, JamieJamie Gavin Tomand James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk SportsEditors: Editors: Paul Christian, Jamieand Gavin and Tom James -- courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

> Intra Mural > Page 38 Football, page 40-41

Kauto Star set to light up Cheltenham Sports Editor Paul Christian previews this year’s Cheltenham Festival - with the help of some tips from Racing Post’s Will Pepper March means more than the start of spring for the sport of kings; it means the height of the hunt season. It means Cheltenham. Thousands of punters and purists from all corners of the surrounding Isles thicken the sparsely populated Spa Town for four days, draped in fancy clothes and fancy dress; in smart hats and Guinness hats. It’s the pinnacle of National Hunt Racing and showcases the best jump horses that Britain and Ireland have to offer. Bookmakers lift millions of pounds per day and pay out less. The atmosphere’s unrivalled as horses gallop GRZQ WKH À QDO VWUDLJKW WR WKH VRXQG of the Cheltenham roar. It’s racing for the masses at its exhilarating best. Grade one horses permeate the line-up from Tuesday’s Champion Hurdle to Friday’s Gold Cup – the showpiece event. Quality isn’t an issue, but upsets and disappointments come with the territory, so be prepared to text your frustration to the self-professed expert who sent you a tip. Ireland reign supreme where jockeys are concerned, with Ruby Walsh and Tony McCoy leading the way in recent years. However English trainer Paul Nicholls has made Cheltenham his stamping ground. And that looks set to continue this year as the Kauto Star - Denman saga completes its trilogy in the Gold Cup. Racing Post spokesman Will Pepper gave his opinion on what will turn out to be another fascinating encounter between two of National Hunt’s modern stars. Pepper said: “A lot of people think Kauto Star is the best chaser since Desert Orchid, that’s no secret. He ZDV WKH À UVW KRUVH WR UHJDLQ WKH Gold Cup. “If he gets a third there’s no argument, he’ll be one of the greats. But Denman might manage it. We could go from never having a horse regaining the Gold Cup to two in as many years.” Either way it’ll be a victory for Nicholls, who should emerge, once again, as top trainer. Pepper was also keen to talk about the chances of Dunguib – the heavily fancied seven-year-old running

He’s a star: Kauto Star will be aiming to win his third Gold Cup in Cheltenham Festival’s showpiece race and retain the title he won last year under Irish jockey Ruby Walsh

in the Supreme Novice Stakes on Tuesday. “Dunguib is one of the favourites of the festival but it’s a horse that splits opinion. Brough Scott (Racing Post analyst) said that if he jumps as badly as he’s been jumping in Ireland then he can’t win. “The other school of thought is that it doesn’t really matter because he’s that much better than anything else.” Racing is experiencing a transitional period. Proposals to modernise the sport from the established body Racing For Change include the introduction of decimal odds as one way of reaching out to a more youthful audience. But at what cost? Change is good and often necessary, yet tradition plays a vital role in the spirit of horse racing. As Cheltenham debates whether to move to a weekend slot, views are split over the future of the sport.

“Racing has to ask itself some tough questions about where it stands in British and Irish sport,” said Pepper. “There’s a reluctance to accept that it’s fairly minority. Racing for &KDQJH ZLOO HQFRXQWHU D IHZ GLIÀ culties. It alienates some of the older generation. “I’ve heard people say you have to change the narrative of racing. The season has to have a start and an end. “But for me there already is an historical set-up. I think there would be quite a lot of resistance to adding a Saturday. Racing likes its traditions. But you never say never.” Cheltenham’s always a huge success. The crowds prove that. The fact that it coincides with St Patrick’s Day brings out the quarter Irish in everyone and the Kauto-Denman rivalry does no harm. Yet there’s still an unappreciative

aspect in racing that may never hit the mainstream as Pepper explains. “Kauto Star and Denman are great from a marketing perspective but a lot goes unnoticed. Last year we KDG D ERQDÀ GH RQFH HYHU\ \HDUV VXSHUVWDU RQ WKH Á DWV LQ 6HD WKH 6WDUV DQG LW GLGQ·W UDLVH WKH SURÀ OH RI UDF ing. “I don’t know how you get over that. But let’s hope the Gold Cup’s a cracker, because that will help.” Aside from the Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle on the opening day is proving to be one to watch and even at this late stage a clear favourite eludes the voices within the walls of the betting world. Pepper added: “This year it’s absolutely wide open. I don’t know what to back. Go Native probably deserves favouritism. “There’s a million pound bonus for all involved if he does it. But there’s plenty of opposition. Any one of

seven or eight could win it.” Pepper was also keen to leave a IHZ HDFK ZD\ QDSV IRU WKH WLJKW À VW ed students of Newcastle. “There’s a horse running in the Ryanair who always runs well at the festival – Voy por Ustedes. He’s available at about 16/1 for the more careful punter. “Mourad’s a good shout in the World Hurdle or the Coral Cup. We’re unsure which one he’s running in at present. “There’s also one in the Foxhunters called Kilty Storm. About 16/1 and bit of a character.” Racing fan or not, embrace Cheltenham for what it is – a sporting spectacle of the highest quality. Weather permitting, there’s nowhere you’d rather be on a March afternoon. Unless you’re in Valencia at the Fallas festival; the most inspired thing in eastern Spain. Trust me, I’m cultured like that.

'HFHQW EHWV LI \RX IDQF\ D Á XWWHU DW WKLV \HDU·V IHVWLYDO David Leese Some of the most exciting racing at the festival often takes place before Friday’s Gold Cup and there are always some tempting outsiders throughout the week giving punters plenty to think about. This year promises to be no different in part due to the atrocious weather this winter. The rain has meant that for most of the jumping season, horses have been running

on ground which has been soft. In contrast, the ground at the festival promises to be “on the soft side of good”, according to the Clerk of the Course, which could throw the form book up in the air somewhat. With that in mind, one horse which ORRNV VHW WR SURÀ W LV Riverside Theatre (8/1), who runs in Tuesday’s Irish Independent Arkle Challenge Trophy. The six year old has won on his last two starts, both of which were

on good/soft ground. The horse is also well rested having last run on 27th December last year. There are still question marks surrounding the jumping of the favourite for the race, Captain Cee Bee (10/3), and at this price Riverside Theatre may well be worth a punt. Wednesday brings the Queen Mother Champion Chase, a race in which the betting had been dominated by Master Minded (8/11). However, the horse did not look

particularly impressive last time out and the better bet could be Kalahari King (5/1). The Ferdy Murphy trained horse ran an excellent race in last year’s arkle before a mistake IHQFHV IURP WKH À QLVK HQGHG KLV chances. If he takes to Cheltenham in a similar way this year, he has an excellent chance of usurping the favourite. The Jewson Novices Handicap Chase is one of the smaller races being run on the Thursday afternoon

but every trainer who sends a horse to Cheltenham, is sending it there to win. Jonjo O’Neill has had many brilliant winners in this kind of festival handicap before and Sunnyhillboy (8/1) looks like he will continue that tradition. This horse is still yet to convince over fences but if, as expected, he is ridden by the formidable A P McCoy he will have a great chance of getting round.

38

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Sport

8QLYHUVLW\ JHDUV XS IRU 6SRUW 5HOLHI Tom James Sports Editor 7KLV ZHHN VHHV WKH UHWXUQ RI 6SRUW 5HOLHI DQG WKH 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUsity Sports Centre is holding two GD\V RI DFWLYLWLHV ZKLFK DOORZ \RX WKH FKDQFH WR SDUWLFLSDWH LQ WKH IXQG raising. 2Q 7KXUVGD\ WKH 6SRUWV &HQWUH LV KROGLQJ D QHWEDOO WRXUQDPHQW IROORZHG E\ D GRGJHEDOO WRXUQDPHQW DQG RQ )ULGD\ WKHUH DUH VHYHUDO RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR UXQ WKH 6SRUW 5HOLHI PLOH ZLWK HYHQWV WDNLQJ SODFH DW +HQGHUVRQ DQG &DVWOH /HD]HV +DOOV ([KLELWLRQ 3DUN DQG WKH J\P LQ WKH Sports Centre. 0DUF 'H /XFLD KDV RUJDQLVHG WKH HYHQWV DQG LV KRSLQJ DV PDQ\ VWXGHQWV DV SRVVLEOH JHW LQYROYHG LQ RUder to beat the £1,500 that was raised DW WKH ODVW HYHQW LQ +H VDLG ´, DP HQFRXUDJLQJ DOO VWDII DQG VWXGHQWV RI 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ WR FRPH WRJHWKHU WR JHW DFWLYH UDLVH FDVK DQG FKDQJH OLYHV ´7ZR \HDUV DJR 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ UDLVHG RYHU Â… IRU 6SRUW 5HOLHI IRU ZH ZDQW WR JR one better and break the £2,000 barULHU VR ZK\ QRW MRLQ XV LQ WKH IXQ and help raise money for Sport Relief 2010. ´$OO WKH PRQH\ UDLVHG LV VSHQW E\ Comic Relief to help transform the OLYHV RI SRRU DQG YXOQHUDEOH SHRSOH both at home and across the world’s SRRUHVW FRXQWULHV 6R EH D SDUW RI LW - rise to the challenge for Sport ReOLHI µ +HUH DUH WKH ZD\V \RX FDQ JHW LQYROYHG DQG KHOS UDLVH PRQH\ IRU Sport Relief: 6SRUW 5HOLHI +L )LYH 1HWEDOO 7RXUQDPHQW 7KXUVGD\ IURP SP LQ WKH 6SRUWV &HQWUH (DFK WHDP KDV VL[ SOD\HUV

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&KDOOHQJH SP )ULGD\ 0DUFK Henderson Hall Mile Challenge: SP )ULGD\ 0DUFK ([KLELWLRQ 3DUN 0LOH &KDOOHQJH SP )ULGD\ 0DUFK WKLV LV LQ SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK WKH $FWLYH 1HZFDVWOH 0LOH &KDOlenge, registration starts at 11.15am, ZDUP XS DW DP ([KLELWLRQ 3DUN 0LOH &KDOOHQJH SP )ULGD\ 0DUFK

Mile high club: the easiest way to get involved in Sport Relief is to run the Sport Relief mile. Several mile challenges are taking place across the University on Friday including Castle Leazes, Henderson Hall and Exhibition Park, with all students welcome to run

KRXVHPDWHV FRXUVHPDWHV WHDP PDWHV \RXU FKRLFH 7KHUH ZLOO EH WHDPV IRXU OHDJXHV SOD\LQJ URXQG URELQ TXDUWHU ÀQDOV VHPL ÀQDOV DQG ÀQDOO\ WKH *UDQG )LQDO 0DWFKHV ZLOO EH WHQ PLQXWHV ORQJ SOD\LQJ +L )LYH QHWEDOO ÀYH RQ FRXUW RQH UROO RQ VXE For more information join the Facebook group: Newcastle University Sport Relief Netball Tournament

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1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ VXE DTXD FOXE DUH DOVR RUJDQLVLQJ D KRXU GLYH IRU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ FRQWDFW 'DYLG 3\H <RX FDQ HQFRXUDJH \RXU IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV WR VXSSRUW \RX WKURXJK 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ DQG VSRQVRU \RXU 6SRUW 5HOLHI PLOH FKDOOHQJH E\ making a donation online at www. mysportrelief.com/newcastleunisport where a team sponsorship form KDV EHHQ VHW XS XQGHU WKH EDQQHU RI ¶1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ 63257· )RU WKRVH ZKR ZDQW WR UDLVH PRQH\ ZLWKRXW VHWWLQJ XS DQ LQGLYLGXDO form, this is the easiest way to do so. 6WXGHQWV ZKR DUH DOUHDG\ UDLVLQmoney for Sport Relief or wish to set XS WKHLU RZQ LQGLYLGXDO VSRQVRUVKLS IRUP FDQ DOVR RSW WR KDYH WKHLU VSRQVRUVKLS LQFOXGHG LQ 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ 63257·V WRWDO E\ VLPSO\ JRLQJ WR WKH DERYH OLQN DQG MRLQLQJ the team. For up to date information on the University’s involvement in Sport Relief 2010, and to enrol on one of the mile challenges, contact Marc De Lucia on 0191 222 7222 or e-mail m.de-lucia@ ncl.ac.uk

*DHOLF WHDP LPSUHVV LQ ÀUVW RXWLQJ Patrick Starkey & Cathal McElhinney It was an altogether exciting weekend for Newcastle at the Gaelic Championships in Birmingham last month. Not only had the team SDUWLFLSDWHG LQ WKHLU ÀUVW *$$ WRXUQDPHQW EXW KDG SURYHG WKH\ ZHUH more than capable of competing at WKLV OHYHO 7KH VLGH SOD\HG ÀYH PDWFKHV ZLQQLQJ IRXU DQG ORVLQJ RQO\ WR WKH HYHQWXDO ZLQQHUV RI WKH FRPSHWLWLRQ Whilst the lads were disappointed QRW WR UHWXUQ ZLWK VLOYHUZDUH WKHUH ZHUH HQFRXUDJLQJ VLJQV WKDW WKLV LV D WHDP ZLWK JUHDW SRWHQWLDO DQG KDYing learnt many lessons from the WRXUQDPHQW WKH\ ZLOO QR GRXEW ORRN WR EH YLFWRULRXV QH[W \HDU $IWHU PDNLQJ WKH WULS GRZQ WR Birmingham to compete in their ÀUVW FRPSHWLWLRQ VLQFH EHLQJ VHW XS earlier this year, the twenty-strong VTXDG KRSHG WR UHWXUQ YLFWRULRXV RQ 6XQGD\ HYHQLQJ DIWHU D ZHHNHQG RI action-packed football. 7KH\ ZHUH ZLWKRXW &KULVWRSKHU 2·.DQH ZKR ZDV GHFODUHG XQDYDLODEOH IRU WKH WRXUQDPHQW DIWHU GLVORcating a kneecap, and Paddy BrenQDQ ZDV DOVR DQ LQMXU\ GRXEW JRLQJ into the competition. 7KH WHDP·V ÀUVW JDPH ZDV DJDLQVW *ODVJRZ 8QLYHUVLW\ RQ 6DWXUGD\

morning, and this threatened to be a stern test for the Newcastle side as the Scots are a well established side LQ WKH OHDJXH 1HYHUWKHOHVV 1HZFDVWOH VRRQ UDFHG LQWR DQ LPSUHVVLYH SRLQW OHDG GXH ODUJHO\ WR )LQEDUU )HHQH\·V )ODWOH\ HVTXH IRRWZRUN +RZHYHU WKH\ FRQFHGHG D QHHGless penalty in the dying moments, allowing Glasgow to close the gap WR MXVW WZR SRLQWV ,Q VSLWH RI WKLV 1HZFDVWOH PDQDJHG WR KROG RXW WR win their opening match and enVXUHG D VROLG LI XQVSHFWDFXODU VWDUW WR WKH WRXUQDPHQW Their second game was against the VWURQJO\ IDYRXUHG 8QLYHUVLW\ RI (DVW London, a side boasting a plethora RI LQWHU FRXQW\ WDOHQW 3DGG\ %UHQQDQ VXFFXPEHG WR LQMXU\ EHIRUH WKH WLH DJDLQVW WKH SK\VLFDO /RQGRQ RXWÀW \HW KH PDQDJHG WR PDNH D UHFRYery to appear in the later games. Regardless of this, Newcastle raced RXW RI WKH EORFNV DQG ZHUH VRRQ JLYHQ DQ RSSRUWXQLW\ IRU D SHUIHFW VWDUW They were awarded a penalty in the ÀUVW ÀYH PLQXWHV ZLWK WKH VFRUHline still at 0-0, and Irish heartthrob .HYLQ .HOO\ VWHSSHG XS ORRNLQJ certain to score. +RZHYHU KH EOD]HG ZLGH DQG things rapidly went from bad to ZRUVH 8(/ EHJDQ WR VKRZ WKHLU class and started to take control of

the game. 7KH PLQXWH PDWFK ÀQLVKHG ZLWK Newcastle trailing by six points, KRZHYHU WKH\ IRXJKW WR WKH ÀQDO ZKLVWOH ZLWK %UHQGDQ 0F$WDUVQH\ DQG FR SXWWLQJ LQ D GRJJHG SHUformance in the second half. 7KLV OHIW 1HZFDVWOH IDFLQJ DQ XSKLOO WDVN LQ RUGHU WR TXDOLI\ DV RQO\ RQH WHDP IURP HDFK JURXS SURJUHVVHG They were therefore relying on othHU UHVXOWV LQ RUGHU WR PDNH WKH VHPL ÀQDOV 1HYHUWKHOHVV WKH WHDP NQHZ WKH\ PXVW ZLQ WKHLU UHPDLQLQJ WKUHH PDWFKHV WR KDYH DQ\ KRSH RI FRPpeting in the latter stages on the 6XQGD\ 7KH\ IDFHG D WHDP IURP WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI 5HQQHV LQ )UDQFH LQ WKHLU WKLUG JDPH DQG LPSUHVVLYH SHUIRUPDQFHV IURP 0DUN 0F&RQYLOOH DQG 3DXULF McCloskey meant Newcastle won their second game of the day. High points of the game were the goals of James Goodyear and MarWLQ 1XUQEHUJ ERWK SOD\LQJ LQ WKHLU ÀUVW HYHU *$$ PDWFK $QRWKHU YLFWRU\ DJDLQVW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI %LUPLQJKDP PHDQW WKDW WKH\ VWLOO KDG D FKDQFH RI TXDOLÀFDtion going into their last game. +RZHYHU WKH ZLQ FDPH DW D SULFH when experienced half forward &DWKDO 0F(OKLQQH\ ZDV IRUFHG RII LQMXUHG ODWH RQ DIWHU GLVORFDWLQJ D

ÀQJHU By the time they came to play their ÀQDO PDWFK 1HZFDVWOH NQHZ WKHLU IDWH DQG WKDW WKH\ FRXOG QR ORQJHU SURJUHVV 8(/ ZRQ DOO ÀYH JDPHV DQG DV D UHVXOW ZRQ WKH JURXS +RZHYHU ZLWK WKHLU SULGH VWLOO DW VWDNH 1HZFDVWOH FRQWLQXHG WR LPSUHVV LQ WKHLU ÀQDO JDPH DJDLQVW 6KHIÀHOG DQG HQVXUHG D IRXUWK YLFWRU\ RI WKH GD\ $IWHU EDUNLQJ LQVWUXFWLRQV IURP WKH WRXFKOLQH DOO GD\ PDQDJHU 2·.DQH ÀQDOO\ ´WRJJHG RXWµ in what was to be an inspirational 3HWHU &DQDYDQ OLNH FDPHR VFRULQJ two points. 1HZFDVWOH KDG JLYHQ D YHU\ JRRG DFFRXQW RI WKHPVHOYHV LQ WKHLU ÀUVW HYHU WRXUQDPHQW VLQFH WKHLU HVWDEOLVKPHQW DQG DUH VXUH WR UHWXUQ QH[W \HDU HYHQ VWURQJHU &KDLUPDQ %UHQGDQ 0F$WDUVQH\ KDV EHHQ LQWHJUDO LQ VHWWLQJ WKH FOXE XS DQG SURYHG KLV LPSRUWDQFH RQ the pitch with some excellent displays. )RUZDUGV 0DUN )ROH\ DQG .HYLQ .HOO\ HQGHG WKH WRXUQDPHQW DV WRS SRLQW VFRUHUV DQG 6HDQ ¶*XGlad’ Halpin impressed between the VWLFNV WKURXJKRXW WKH GD\ $QG WKH GD\ GLG QRW HQG WKHUH IRU the lads, as an early exit from the WRXUQDPHQW PHDQW WKDW D 6DWXUGD\ QLJKW RXW LQ %LUPLQJKDP EHFDPH LQHYLWDEOH

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

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Cricket fans dancing on the streets of Kabul Colin Henrys With the country stricken by war, and having to endure one of the largest military offensives against WKH 7DOLEDQ VLQFH FRQĂ LFWV EHJDQ singing and dancing in the Afghan streets is not particularly advised. Even less advised would be to do VR ZKLOVW ZDYLQJ WKH QDWLRQDO Ă DJ Astonishingly though, Kabul played host to these triumphant scenes in the last week of February, as the country’s cricketers returned home from Dubai. The reason? Afghanistan had MXVW TXDOLĂ€HG IRU 0D\¡V 7ZHQW\ World Cup, as champions of the ofĂ€FLDO TXDOLĂ€FDWLRQ WRXUQDPHQW It is an incredible feat, and one made even more so when AfJKDQLVWDQ¡V MRXUQH\ WR WKH Ă€QDOV LV considered. As they make their entrance on the world scene against FKDPSLRQV ,QGLD LW ZLOO PDUN the climax to date of a sensational last two years. The competition, to be held in the West Indies, takes place almost two years to the day since Afghanistan began their incredible journey up the cricketing ladder during a wet month in Jersey. That trip to the Channel Islands was in order to compete in the ICC World Cricket League Division 5. For those unfamiliar with the workings of international cricket below the test-playing countries, think English football’s Conference league, and then add a few more relegations. $ ZLQ LQ WKDW FRPSHWLWLRQ¡V Ă€QDO against the hosts, was to be just the beginning of a string of victories and promotions. Successive tournament wins in Tanzania and Argentina followed, and with them a place in the ICC World Cup QualiĂ€HU 7R PDQ\ WKLV ZDV ZKHUH WKH Afghan dream was meant to end. The team themselves thought differently.

Possessing an inspiring belief in their own ability, their fairytale journey wasn’t over. Although they narrowly missed out on a World Cup place, their performances – which included a triumph over eventual winners Ireland – was enough to earn One Day International status; in other words, the right to compete with the elite. Their success has had a profound impact on the country. Cricket academies have been set-up, and the Afghanistan Cricket Board has EHHQ IRUPHG 6WDU SOD\HUV 0RKDPmad Shahzad and Hamid Hassan are fast becoming household names and it can only be a matter of time before these names spread throughout the cricket world. 9LFWRU\ LQ WKH 7ZHQW\ :RUOG &XS TXDOLÀHU LQFOXGHG WZR PRUH successes over pre-tournament favourites Ireland, who also lost their unbeaten record in the Intercontinental Cup to the same opposition. (Afghanistan currently top the league table for that competition too). To put the icing on the cake for the Afghans, they also scored a huge diplomatic victory over USA RQ WKHLU ZD\ WR WKH ÀQDO Two years ago, the only recognised cricket in Afghanistan was that played by the troops inside their army bases. 2Q 0D\ WKH QDWLRQDO WHDP HQters the world stage. Their position as extreme outsiders will not faze them, and neither should it. Their mere appearance will make a huge statement, one which will be felt well beyond the cricketing world. In the grand scheme of the rebuilding of the country, sport will play just a minor role. The ability of cricket to unite the country however, is one that shouldn’t be under-estimated, and one which, like the players responsible for its success,, deserves great recognition.

Newcastle students ‘bring together Benwell’ Edward Baily & Rishi Sumra $ WHDP RI VL[ Ă€QDO \HDU VWXGHQWV from the Newcastle Business School have been working with local comPXQLW\ DV SDUW RI WKHLU Ă€QDO \HDU 0DUNHWLQJ &RQVXOWDQF\ 3URMHFW WR arrange a 5-a-side football tournament at Ryehill Sports Centre. The ‘Bring Together Benwell’ team held the event in association with the Kickz football foundation and the Hat-Trick football project. The plan of the event was to bring together a range of different ethnic groups from South Benwell and High Cross, located in Newcastle’s West End. This is one of the most deprived areas in the UK, however having spent some time there, the team have gained a real sense of community spirit. The aim of the project was to break down the barriers between Northumbria Police and the South Benwell and High Cross community. The team were able to offer free bottled water from Northumbria Water to the participants and medals for

1HZFDVWOH VWXGHQWV ZLWK VRPH PHPEHUV IURP WKH FRPPXQLWLHV RI 6RXWK %HQZHOO DQG +LJK &URVV

the winners and runners-up. The tournament was a great success with Northumbria Police getting involved with the event and presenting the awards such as the ‘Fair Play Police Award’. $ VSHFLDO WKDQNV KDV WR JR WR 0DUN Oliver of the Hat-Trick Project, Northumbria Police and the residents of South Benwell and High Cross for helping make this event such a success.

+RZÂśV WKDW" 'HVSLWH EHLQJ DW ZDU $IJKDQLVWDQ KDYH TXDOLÂżHG IRU WKLV \HDUÂśV 7ZHQW\ :RUOG &XS WKH WHDPÂśV ÂżUVW PDMRU WRXUQDPHQW

40

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Sport

Gashletico held by Henderson Intra Mural Football Division Two

Gashletico Henderson Hall A

3 3

Dominic Pollard at Longbenton 3G 7KLV Ă€[WXUH VDZ Ă€UVW SODFHG *DVKletico take on second place Henderson Hall A in an Intra Mural Division Two top of the table clash that resulted in an entertaining 3-3 draw. The start of the game was relatively subdued with neither side able to gain the upper hand and with few FKDQFHV FUHDWHG ,W ZDV *DVKOHWLFR striker Dan Bedford who had the Ă€UVW FOHDU FXW RSSRUWXQLW\ DV WKH EDOO was played over Henderson Hall’s high defence, only for Bedford to strike the ball harmlessly wide. (YHQWXDOO\ LW ZDV *DVKOHWLFR ZKR were able to break the deadlock from a corner. The ball sailed over the head of Henderson Hall’s keeper and a header from Daniel Blake at the back post took a couple of ricochets before crossing the line in what must go down as an unfortunate own goal. $V WKH HQG RI WKH Ă€UVW KDOI GUHZ near, Henderson Hall created their Ă€UVW UHDO FKDQFH 6WULNHU %HQ +RRSHU volleyed a lovely ball over the top RI *DVKOHWLFR¡V GHIHQFH IRU KLV VWULNH partner Mike Connelly, whose attempted lob went agonisingly over the bar. The start of the second half mirURUHG WKH Ă€UVW 1HLWKHU VLGH ORRNHG threatening until a goal arrived from a goalkeeping error. This time, Henderson Hall’s Barney Baxter was gifted a simple tap-in at the back post as the ball slipped through the KDQGV RI *DVKOHWLFR¡V NHHSHU *DVKOHWLFR ZHUH TXLFN WR UHVWRUH their lead, however, courtesy of a shocking back pass by Hendo centre-back Jordan Warburton. The defender sold his keeper short, allowing Rob MacDowell to intercept before rounding the stranded keepHU DQG Ă€QLVKLQJ ZHOO IURP D WLJKW angle. Their lead was soon extended, thanks to more sloppy defending. This time a misjudged header allowed the ball to run through for Austrian superstar Philipp Muhlbauer, who coolly lifted the bouncing ball over the advancing keeper JLYLQJ *DVKOHWLFR D OHDG The game looked out of reach for +HQGHUVRQ +DOO EXW *DVKOHWLFR¡V third goal allowed complacency to slip into the side. They made four substitutions and their casual play indicated that they clearly felt they had the win secured. Henderson Hall made them pay. )LUVW 0LFKDHO 6FRWW Ă€QLVKHG D QLFH move to hand the trailing side a lifeline with only 10 minutes remaining. The goal lifted the whole team and they pushed on for an equaliser. They were not to be disappointed. Only two minutes after scoring their second, they added a third. This time substitute Sean Watson controlled a cross on the penalty spot before calmly slotting home. The momentum was now with Henderson Hall but there was not WLPH IRU WKHP WR Ă€QG D ZLQQHU The full-time whistle went and the reactions to the 3-3 draw were inevitably very different, with Henderson delighted to have snatched a draw in the dying moments, and *DVKOHWLFR OHIW WR ZRQGHU KRZ WKH\ threw the three points away.

2Q ÀUH )DJDQ LQVSLUHV 7LWDQV WR JORU\ LQ FXS ÀQDO VKRFN Men’s Intra Mural Rugby Cup

Cheeky Ladies Titans

15 28

Jonathon Taylor at Heaton 7KH 7LWDQV SURYLGHG D KXJH FXS Ànal shock last Wednesday, comfortably beating the undefeated league champions Cheeky Ladies 28-15. On a day that saw spectators fashioning fairly suspect sandals and sunglasses, it was the Titans that revelled in the rare Newcastle heat, deservedly lifting the cup, and conGHPQLQJ WKH /DGLHV WR D ÀUVW GHIHDW of the season. After suffering a heavy 41-3 deIHDW DW WKH KDQGV RI WKHLU FXS ÀQDO opponents earlier in the season, the Titans wreaked sweet revenge at a sun-baked Heaton, dominating a game that saw huge hits, impressive tries, yellow cards and penalties in abundance. A frantic start to the game saw WKH 7LWDQV ÀUPO\ RQ WKH IURQW IRRW forcing the Cheeky Ladies deep into their own 22. After indiscipline in the contact area which proved persistent throughout, Titans centre 'DYLG )DJDQ ÀUHG WKH XQGHU GRJV into an early lead, courtesy of a routine penalty kick. The league champions responded well, and after a good break from skipper Munchie Turner, the referee’s outstretched arm allowed winger Harry Turner to cancel out

Fagan’s earlier effort. The game was a great advert for Intra Mural rugby; quickly-recycled ball by the respective forward packs allowed a host of expansive backline moves, with ferocious tackling LQ WKH PLGÀHOG PDNLQJ WKH VSHFWDtors shudder. After 15 minutes, the Cheeky Ladies gave away a cheap penalty on half-way. To their surprise however, Fagan opted to go for goal, and a penalty kick that a certain Mr Wilkinson would have been proud of ensued. The three point advantage was then doubled immediately after, with Fagan successfully slotting a IXUWKHU SHQDOW\ WR ÀUH WKH 7LWDQV LQWR a 9-3 lead. Despite being only 20 minutes into the match, it was already apparent that the Cheeky Ladies faced a massive up-hill task to achieve victory, with Titans half-backs Henry Cunningham and David Fagan completely dictating the tempo of the game. Fagan’s monstrous boot came to the forefront on the half hour mark, after the Ladies were once again penalised for indiscipline at the breakdown. From fully 55 metres, the 7LWDQV FHQWUH ÀUHG WKH EDOO VWUDLJKW through the posts, and subsequently his team into a commanding lead. With the management and substitutes visibly agitated on the sidelines, a clinical Titans move just before half-time did much to allay the nerves, with lock Roger Cornish

sending the fans into raptures. After a number of quickly-recycled phases, Titans scrum-half Cunningham RIà RDGHG WR &RUQLVK ZKR VKRZHG great pace to touch down in the corner. As a result, the Titans went into half-time with a comfortable 19-3 lead, and more importantly, the ÀUP EHOLHI WKDW WKH\ ZHUH WR EH WKH ÀUVW WHDP RI WKH VHDVRQ WR EHDW WKH league champions. Immediately from the restart, the Cheeky Ladies were given an opSRUWXQLW\ WR QDUURZ WKH GHÀFLW $Iter the Titans were adjudged to have killed the ball, Ladies winger Harry Turner somehow missed a penalty straight in front of the posts, which further catalysed the under-dogs’ belief in a potential cup upset. On 55 minutes, after his team conceded yet another penalty, Ladies captain Munchie Turner was warned by the referee regarding his team’s poor discipline. Fagan predictably followed by adding a further three points to his team’s tally courtesy of a penalty in front of the posts. As the second half developed, the league champions began to grow into the game, and soon tested the Titan’s defensive capabilities for the ÀUVW WLPH $IWHU JRRG ZRUN E\ WKH IURQW ÀYH WKH /DGLHV ÀQDOO\ FURVVHG their opponents’ try-line, only for the referee to controversially adjudge a knock-on, and a consequent scrum for the Titans. Aggrieved by the decision, Ladies conceded another penalty immediT. NEWBATT

7KH 7LWDQV WHDP SRVH ZLWK WKHLU WURSK\ DIWHU SURGXFLQJ WKH VKRFN RI WKH VHDVRQ WR EHDW &KHHN\ /DGLHV LQ WKH ,QWUD 0XUDO &XS ÂżQDO

ately after, with Fagan rubbing salt into the Ladies’ wounds with another reliable penalty conversion. +ROGLQJ D OHDG LQWR WKH Ă€QDO 15 minutes, the Titans had a very realistic chance of pulling off a big cup Ă€QDO XSVHW :LWK D FRQVLVWHQW VXSSO\ of quick ball to the back-line, whilst remaining committed in defence, only a major Titans collapse could see them throw away the game. The nail-biting continued for the Titans soon after however, with the referee showing the replacement prop a yellow card for killing the ball. From the resulting penalty, a powerful Cheeky Ladies maul was pushed over the try-line, with the out-numbered Titans pack helpless to avoid conceding the try. Only minutes after conceding the try, things got worse for the fatigued Titans when the referee awarded the league champions a penalty try. After a number of gruelling forward drives, the under-dogs were penalised for illegally collapsing a rolling maul, and Harry Turner’s resulting conversion for the Cheeky Ladies reduced the score to 25-15. However a late penalty by the imPDFXODWH )DJDQ SURYHG WKH Ă€QDO DFWLRQ RI DQ H[FLWLQJ FXS Ă€QDO ZLWK the Titans showing great character to hold on to a 28-15 victory. After a pitch invasion from all of the Titans squad at full-time, the Cheeky Ladies showed commendable sportsmanship in defeat, sincerely applauding their victors as captain Paddy Lewis lifted the trophy. After the game, Titans manager Oscar Todd highlighted the victory as proof that the Ladies were beatable, and praised his team’s commitment and discipline. He said: “The Cheeky Ladies are a great side, as they have shown in the league this year. However our win today is evidence that they are beatable, and a great team performance by the boys showed that today. “I want to give a mention to captain Paddy Lewis who is the organiser of the forwards, as well as to Duncan Napier, Josh Cunningham and Jamie Payne for their outstanding contributions. “Also a special mention goes out to scrum-half Henry Cunningham, who played the game nursing an injuryâ€?. 7KH FXS Ă€QDO SURYHG D Ă€WWLQJ HQG to an exciting Intra Mural season, and despite losing out to the Cheeky Ladies in the league, it was the Titans who ended the campaign with WKH FXS Ă€QDO EUDJJLQJ ULJKWV

Year of surprises in Intra Mural rugby as Cheeky Colin Henrys What an Intra Mural rugby union season it has been: Agrics 2s won a match, last season’s champions Engines didn’t, and amidst all the chaos, Cheeky Ladies stormed to the league title without losing a single match before succumbing to Titans LQ WKH FXS ÀQDO In the league the Ladies were simply unstoppable, scoring 263 points

on their way to being crowned champions. The story of the season though was perhaps the game that Cheeky Ladies didn’t win. Titans stunned the league champions, winQLQJ LQ WKH FXS ÀQDO WR DGPLQLVWHU WKHLU ÀUVW GHIHDW LQ RYHU D \HDU and rightly earn the plaudits as the nearest challengers to the Cheeky Ladies. Previously, only Southern Fairies had come close to matching the

A.WILSON

Ladies won the league but not the cup

champions, as they earned a 14-14 draw in January. The Fairies season was to end disappointingly however, as they were dumped out of the FXS DW WKH ÀUVW KXUGOH WKH IROORZLQJ week. ,Q WKH OHDJXH WKH\ ÀQLVKHG IRXUWK Just two points separated them from Medics and Titans who were placed third and second respectively. Titans’ position is credit to their astonishing run of form in 2010,

THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

41

Sport T. NEWBATT

Women’s badminton club overcome injuries to end season with promotion to add to Stan Calvert success Stephanie Ferrao 7KLV \HDU KDV EHHQ D GLIÀFXOW RQH IRU WKH EDGPLQWRQ FOXE DV WKH PHQ·V WHDP VWUXJJOHG WR FRSH ZLWK WKH PDVV JUDGXDWLRQ RI PDQ\ NH\ SOD\HUV )RUWXQDWHO\ LW FRXOGQ·W EH PRUH GLIIHUHQW IRU WKH FOXE·V VWUHQJWKHQHG ZRPHQ·V WHDP ZKR IRU WKH ÀUVW WLPH LQ FOXE KLVWRU\ KDYH EHHQ SURPRWHG WR WKH 3UH PLHU /HDJXH 7KH JLUOV ZHUH XQIRUWXQDWH LQ GUDZLQJ WKH KDUGHVW PDWFK RI WKH VHDVRQ ÀUVW DV WKH\ ORVW DZD\ WR /HHGV 0HW QGV 'HVSLWH WKH EXPS\ VWDUW WKH WHDP FDSWDLQHG E\ .DWKOHHQ 7XUQHU ZHQW RQ WR FODLP D VXFFHVVLRQ RI FRQYLQFLQJ ZLQV LQFOXGLQJ ZKLWHZDVKHV DJDLQVW ERWK 6KHIÀHOG DQG /LYHUSRRO DW KRPH 1HZFDVWOH·V VWURQJHVW WHDP LQ \HDUV ZHQW RQ WR GUDZ DW KRPH ZLWK WDEOH OHDGHUV /HHGV 0HW QGV GHVSLWH EHLQJ EORFNHG RXW RI WKH 3UHPLHU /HDJXH E\ WKH SUHVHQFH RI WKHLU ÀUVW WHDP (DVLO\ WKH PRVW IRUPLGDEOH VLGH LQ WKH OHDJXH /HHGV 0HW &DUQHJLH KDG D FOHDQ VZHHS DW WKH %8&6 %DGPLQWRQ ,QGLYLGXDOV LQ 1RYHP EHU WDNLQJ JROG LQ DOO GLVFLSOLQHV 3OD\LQJ DJDLQVW WKH PHWLFXORXVO\ FRDFKHG VTXDG 1HZFDVWOH SOD\HG IDQWDVWLFDOO\ SXWWLQJ WKH DZD\ VLGH XQGHU SUHVVXUH 7KH KRPH VLGH VKRZHG WKHLU VWUHQJWK LQ ERWK VLQ JOHV DQG GRXEOHV DQG DIWHU FORVHO\ FRQWHVWHG JDPHV WKH\ ZHUH XQ IRUWXQDWH QRW WR ZDON DZD\ ZLWK D ZLQ :LWK D WHDP PRVWO\ PDGH XS RI PHGLFDO DQG GHQWDO VWXGHQWV DZD\ PDWFKHV TXLFNO\ EHFDPH WKH SURE OHP SRLQW RI WKH WHDP DV FOLQLFDO FRPPLWPHQWV FRPSURPLVHG WKH SDUWLFLSDWLRQ RI UHJXODU SOD\HUV 7XUQHU VWUXJJOHG WR UHVKXIÁH WKH WHDP DV SURPRWLRQ RSSRUWXQLWLHV KXQJ LQ WKH EDODQFH E\ &KULVWPDV DV D VHULHV RI DZD\ ORVVHV FXOPLQDW HG LQ D WKUDVKLQJ E\ 6KHIÀHOG ,QMXULHV DOVR EOLJKWHG WKH WHDP·V OLQH XS DV 6WHSKDQLH )HUUDR ZDV IRUFHG RXW RI SOD\ HDUO\ RQ ZLWK

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42

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Sport

Last-gasp try breaks Royal hearts Men’s Rugby Union

Newcastle 1sts Hartpury 1sts

23 27

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Hands off: Paddy Irwin skips past a Hartpury challenge during his side’s last minute defeat at Cochrane Park in the BUCS Championship. Having led for much of the game, they

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Resurgent Newcastle leave it late to see off Durham and set up Men’s Football

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Joe Baker at Cochrane Park Newcastle secured a vital win in WKHLU ÀJKW DJDLQVW UHOHJDWLRQ DV WZR JRDOV LQ WKH ÀQDO PLQXWHV SUR-

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THE COURIER Monday 15 March 2010

43

Sport

in Cochrane classic A.WILSON

A.WILSON

6KHIÀHOG HGJH QDUURZ victory to claim league title as inconsistent Newcastle fall short Men’s Football

6KHIÀHOG VWV 1HZFDVWOH VWV

2

Jamie Gavin Sports Editor

Fly-half Ed Yarnton is held up by the Hartpury defence during the 23-27 loss

were denied victory by a try at the death

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Thack attack: Rob Thackwray in action for the seconds in their vital win last week

44

Monday 15 March 2010 THE COURIER

Titanic upset in Intra Mural Cup final Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Jamie Gavin and Tomand James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Gavin Tom James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Hartpury heartbreak as Royals bow out

> Page 40 A. WILSON

Brave Newcastle suffer devastating defeat Tom James Sports Editor $ GLVWUDXJKW 1HZFDVWOH À UVW WHDP ZHUH VHFRQGV IURP D VHPL À QDO VSRW LQ WKH %8&6 &KDPSLRQVKLS last Wednesday at Cochrane Park, EXW ZHUH OHIW WR ZRQGHU ZKDW PLJKW have been as a late Hartpury try broke Royal hearts. *RLQJ LQWR WKH JDPH DV VHFRQG ID vourites and having been written RII EHIRUH WKH JDPH EHJDQ E\ VRPH 1HZFDVWOH JDYH +DUWSXU\ D PDVVLYH scare. 7KH WHDP IURP *ORXFHVWHU ZHUH perhaps guilty of feeling that all they needed to do was turn up and victory would follow, but what JUHHWHG WKHP ZDV D 5R\DOV VLGH ZKR KDG WXUQHG D FRUQHU WKLV WHUP DQG IHOW WKDW WKH\ KDG LW ZLWKLQ WKHP WR cause an upset. Newcastle held the lead for the PDMRULW\ RI WKH JDPH /HDGLQJ DW KDOI WLPH WKH\ ZHUH WKHQ XS ZLWK PLQXWHV WR SOD\ EHIRUH WZR +DUWSXU\ WULHV GHQLHG WKHP D IDPRXV ZLQ Consequently the blue and whites were left to wonder ‘what if’ rather than look forward to what would KDYH EHHQ D ULFKO\ GHVHUYHG VHPL À QDO PDWFK The Royals will no doubt dwell on WKH WZR PRPHQWV ZKLFK DUJXDEO\ resulted in the loss. 7KH À UVW RI WKHVH FDPH LQ WKH À UVW half as a loose pass in their own half

fell to the Hartpury winger who could have walked the ball over the line if he wanted and won’t score PDQ\ HDVHU WULHV +DYLQJ OHG DQG ORRNLQJ VROLG up until that point Newcastle now IRXQG WKHPVHOYHV RQO\ D SRLQW ahead. Despite this, the Royals continued WR PDWFK WKHLU RSSRQHQWV IRU WKH IXOO PLQXWHV 8QGRXEWHGO\ WKRXJK WKH WHDP ZLOO ORRN EDFN DW WKH ODVW PLQXWHV RI WKH PDWFK ZLWK UHJUHWV /HDGLQJ E\ D VROLWDU\ SRLQW 1HZ castle won a penalty near their own try line and cleared towards half way. Needing only to win their own ball and retain possession for two PLQXWHV WKH OLQH RXW EDOO ZDV VWROHQ and Hartpury punished Newcastle E\ PDNLQJ D FUXFLDO VFRUH WR ZLQ WKH JDPH A devastated Royals captain Keith /DXJKOLQ ZKR KDG OHG E\ H[DPSOH WKURXJKRXW WKH JDPH ZDV OHIW WR ZRQGHU ZKDW PLJKW KDYH EHHQ +H VDLG ´$ FRXSOH RI PLVWDNHV KDYH FRVW XV OLNH WKHLU WU\ LQ WKH À UVW KDOI DQG WKHQ ZLWK WKH OLQH RXW DW WKH HQG RQ DQ\ RWKHU GD\ ZH ZRXOG have won. ´, FDQ·W IDXOW WKH HIIRUW DQG FRP PLWPHQW RI WKH ODGV HYHU\RQH JDYH , FDQ·W IDXOW WKH SHUIRUPDQFH ,·P MXVW DEVROXWHO\ JXWWHG µ Continued on page 38 Match report page 42-43

Against the odds: Royals winger Paddy Irwin attempts to evade Hartpury’s impressive back row in Newcastle’s agonising defeat

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