Spark* Friday 28 September 2012
editor.spark@reading.ac.uk
LETTERS 35
Letters & Events
A note from the Development and Alumni Relations Office
From the editor
Hi everyone On behalf of the Development and Alumni Relations team, I’d like to say welcome to the autumn term! And if you’re a fresher, welcome to your first year at the University of Reading. 2012 has been an incredible year for the University, and whether you’re new to Reading or have been here a little longer, we hope you feel as proud as we do to be connected with such a great institution. The Times Good University Guide, published in June, placed the University of Reading amongst the top 25 UK universities. Not only is this testament to the amazing teaching, learning and research that takes place at
Welcome to this year’s first issue of Spark*! This year, we would all like to get as many of you involved with the paper as possible. Spark* is written by students, for students and so we want to make it your voice on campus. Whether you want to let everyone know about your Knights team’s sporting success, want to debate the NUS’ latest move or have a gig you want to let people know about then get in touch. We have a new website www. sparknewspaper.co.uk thanks to our web editor David Thai and
Reading, but it also means that the University has risen in all of this year’s league tables to date, having been ranked 25th by The Guardian, 32nd in the Complete University Guide and 12th in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey. Not bad eh? We also played a leading role in the spectacular London 2012 Games, which you can read about in this edition of Spark*. We welcomed Her Majesty The Queen to the Henley Business School for a Diamond Jubilee celebration and, not least, our world-class research has been hitting the headlines time and again, for all the right reasons. All of this exciting news, and more, is featured in the latest edi-
tion of Connected Magazine – the magazine which we circulate to all of our alumni (aka graduates) every September. If you’d like to read a copy, simply drop the Development and Alumni Relations team an email: alumni@reading. ac.uk or view it online: www.reading.ac.uk/alu-alumnimag.aspx. In the meantime, check out what our graduates are saying on Facebook (search ‘University of Reading Alumni’) and Twitter (@UniRdg_ Alumni) Enjoy Freshers Week! Laura Garman
a great new Facbebook page at www.facebook.com/SparkNewspaper. Plus, you can get in touch on Twitter @SparkNewspaper. Even if writing’s not your thing, proofreading, photography and design editing are vital to producing the paper. We also have a beautiful new office in the Lounge so feel free to visit if you wat to talk about becoming part of the Spark* team. There’s really no excuse not to get involved! Sophie Elliott Spark* Editor
Development and Alumni Communications Officer
Does Spark* talk to you? If not, talk to us! Email:
P.O. Box 230, Whiteknights, Reading, RG6 6AZ
editor.spark@reading.ac.uk
Plus, if you want to be involved in Spark*, then why not ‘like’ the new Facbook page at www.facebook.com/SparkNewspaper Follow us @SparkNewspaper Or look at our new website www.sparknewspaper.co.uk From writing, to design editing to proofreading, there are so many ways to be involved!
NSPCC and RAG invite you to the Great Big Swim! The end to the summer may be fast approaching, but that doesn’t have to mean putting your lovely swimsuits and trunks away just yet! The NSPCC, with support from Reading University’s Raising and Giving Society, would like to invite you to dive in and help raise essential funds for the NSPCC at our Great Big Swim, to be hosted at Leighton Park School on Sunday November 4. The NSPCC plays a crucial role in our Berkshire community and its vision is to end cruelty to chil-
dren in the UK. We as a community can come together and do something positive to support our vulnerable and abused children and have fun while we’re at it! The goal is for 200 people to swim 200 miles and raise £20,000 to support the work of the NSPCC, all from 7am-7pm on Sunday November 4. Reading University can be a huge part of this-if you are a member of a society, why not offer this as an option for your first social? Or
gather with friends and hold on to the last few strokes of summer (or recapture the memories of a great one!) and swim for a wonderful cause? You can turn up any time between 7am and 7pm and stay as long as you like. Any participant who raises £100 or more will receive an NSPCC t-shirt, and all who enter will get the swim of a lifetime. To register, simply e-mail greatbigswimreading@nspcc.org.uk for your sponsorship information or phone 01908 328 060.
Fancy a bit of Freeze? RELENTLESS FREEZE FESTIVAL 2012 26th & 27th October For all you fresh powder, snow loving festival goers! Relentless Energy Drink Freeze Festival is a fresh, urban & winter festival. Bringing you the worlds top ski and snowboard professionals, with live music across five stages jam-packed into two days! You can also expect alpine style bars, a huge shopping village and gourmet food and drink, all vital for the ‘Ultimate Après Ski Party!’ On the mainstage you’ll see DJ Shadow and A-YO (Mark Ronson vs Zane Lowe) on Friday, with Public Enemy and Grandmaster Flash taking care of Saturday. You can also expect Future Disco and Vagabondz hosted nights in the Apres Ski Bar. For ticket prices without booking fees see @freezeteam / @roxysunny and www2.seetickets.com/freezefestival/?filler2=ffs-SahraLewis Twitter @londonfreeze Facebook – Freeze Website – www.freezefestival.com
Vol 61. Issue 1
Editorial Staff
Editor:
Sophie Elliott editor.spark@reading.ac.uk
Deputy Editor:
Calum Rogers deped.spark@reading.ac.uk
News Editor:
Chayya Syal news.spark@reading.ac.uk
News Sub-Editor:
Zoe Crook news.spark@reading.ac.uk
Comment Editors:
Jess Croppper and Sophie Harrison
comment.spark@reading.ac.uk
Political Comment
Adam Roberts
Editor:
politics.spark@reading.ac.uk
Interview Editor:
Ellis Wheatley interview.spark@reading.ac.uk
Film, DVD & TV
Ellie Holland and Jack Marshall
Editors:
film.spark@reading.ac.uk
Music Editor:
Jamie Milton music.spark@reading.ac.uk
Music Sub-Editor:
Nia Thomas music.spark@reading.ac.uk
Science & Tech
David Thai and Vinay Chauhan
Editors:
scitech.spark@reading.ac.uk
Gaming Editor:
Tom Wood gaming.spark@reading.ac.uk
Arts&Books Editor: Lucy Snow arts.spark@reading.ac.uk Fashion Editors:
Katey Watkins and Poppy Nowicka
fashion.spark@reading.ac.uk
Beauty Editor:
Elle Turner fashion.spark@reading.ac.uk
Travel Editor:
Simon Truscott travel.spark@reading.ac.uk
Health Editor:
Sarah Lienard health.spark@reading.ac.uk
Fun&Games Editors: Paroma Guha
fun.spark@reading.ac.uk
Sport Editor:
Cameron Humphries
sports.spark@reading.ac.uk
Head of PR:
Charlie Allenby pr.spark@reading.ac.uk
Proofreaders:
Sophie Elliott and Calum Rogers
Art Director:
Piers Rudgard-Redsell
Spark* is written, designed & typeset by students at the University of Reading. Printed by Newbury News Limited, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire. RG14 2DW. Published and funded by Reading University Students’ Union vp.studentactivites@rusu.co.uk. Spark* is completely editorially independent. Complaints should be made to the Editor, in the first instance, and thereafter to RUSU. All complaints should be made in writing. All articles, letters etc. must include a name, address, and contact number/e-mail address. These may be withheld from publication at specific request. Spark* or RUSU can take no responsibility for products or services advertised herein. Spark* reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Editor. The views expressed in Spark* do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, particularly those expressed in the comments pages, which are often the opinions of the specific authors. Photographs in Spark* are copyright to the photographer concerned.