Issue 2

www.the-ripple.co.uk ripple@le.ac.uk @uolripple www.facebook.com/therippleleicester The University of Leicester’s free student newspaper

Issue Two

Semester One

13th October - 26th October

Do Students Care About the Union?

With the Union Council elections just around the corner, we look back on last year’s elections and ask whether there is a lack of engagement within the Students’ Union. than 400 people voted in the most popular of these elections, in one case, only 263 people voted in the election for Distance Learning and Part Time Officer. And the votes for Liberation Officers were even lower, with the vote for Women’s Officer achieving just 111 votes.

In a University of over 20,000 students where the female population is larger than the male, 111 votes for a Women’s Officer seem inadequate. This double standard for Union elections and referendums is undesirable.

Image from the University of Leicester Students’ Union Facebook page

by Lauren Swain Increasing student engagement has always been a difficult task, but when students do finally get excited, interested and inspired by political topics, they are often left unheard. Last May, the “Stop The Bans” referendum reached hundreds of students and inspired some intelligent, engaging debate, managing to accrue 1006 votes. Despite this being a higher number of votes than those that elected the part time Union officers, the vote failed to pass, due to not achieving enough votes in favour of the Referendum.

Many in the Yes Campaign blamed the timing of the referendum for the lower number of votes, with many students in the middle of exams at the time.

Alex Mitchell, a key campaigner for the Yes Campaign, said “The referendum was developed from the feedback after the removal of The Sun from Nourish was passed through the Union Council. It highlighted serious flaws in the engagement processes of our Students’ Union and the lack of representation the council actually gave to students. As one of the head campaigners I saw first-hand how students felt about being told that they could not see, hear,

buy and do certain things within their own space at University.

The campaign was incredibly successful, far more than the part time officer elections. The result, however, was not quorate due to a lack of advertising on behalf of the SU, poor timing with it being in the middle of the exam period, and the reluctance of members of the exec to get involved with what can only be described as the most engaging vote that had taken place in the 2013/14 academic year for students. Last year’s exec promised more referendums on key issues in light of this result; I hope they keep to those promises.”

The ‘Stop The Bans’ campaign is an example of how students who genuinely want to engage on their own terms, were failed by the Union. Despite the Yes Campaign winning, with an overwhelming landslide, the vote was just short of the 1128 needed to be passed. In referendums, a simple Yes or No vote isn’t sufficient anymore as 5% of the student population are required to vote otherwise the result is discounted.

This requirement isn’t necessary for the part time Union Officers - the people who represent you for the year. In the ‘Student Voice’ Elections, less

It could be mistaken that the only votes the Union cares about and attempts to promote, are the full-time Union Officer elections. The elections for Education, Engagement, and Experience Officers, plus the election for President seem to throw the Union into a frenzy. The lack of engagement led the Union to take action, in what I feel was an attempt to intimidate the student cohort into forcing them to vote.

In the days leading up to the election, students were promised cupcakes and ice cream if they voted, most were in it for the free ice-cream. However, the Union also threatened to close the Union if a certain threshold of votes weren’t reached.

This created many false votes, with some students openly admitting on social media that they were only voting so they could still get their customary Starbucks the next day. One student said “it was just such a massive inconvenience, like I get they wanted votes, by the

way they went about it and effectively forced it upon people was not right.” Obviously these elections are important, but do they constitute this behaviour?

So why is the Union failing to encourage engagement? Many students find politics boring in the first place, “I don’t like any of that [sabbatical elections].

It’s boring, they don’t do anything” but the union needs to do more than give out cake and Ice-cream. The referendum was an example of students voting without any incentives and yet it wasn’t listened to. At the end of last year, the Union Engagement Officer stated that he was “working on a big big push, to engage with much more of the membership” and the Union Exec team as a whole stated on the Union website that “we’re therefore promising that next year, the SU will hold a series of all student votes throughout the year on key issues. We’re going to include them in our annual plan, written this summer, to ensure proper time is given to them and that they don’t clash with events like exams.”

The Union Council elections are approaching and are the first indicator of engagement for this year’s students. Last year’s Union Council elections drew the biggest numbers of voters in years. But how will the Union attempt to engage students to vote? Will the Union attempt to actively engage voters in student issues long term?

Or are we looking at more free cupcakes and union officers elected with a handful of votes?

In this issue...

Opinion

Features

What’s On Culture

Lifestyle

Sport

NEWS

2

Edited by Ross Brown

Union Council Elections: What Are They?

by Ross Brown

The Union Council is the University’s equivalent to Parliament, and was previously named Union Parliament. Students are elected to make decisions and vote on policies that affect all at Leicester University.

Union Council consists of three zones: Education, Society, and Community and Student Life, each represented by 20 students.

All 60 of the Union Council Officers represent the interest and

opinions of students and help carry out campaigns on behalf of the student population.

‘Seats for Women’ was introduced to encourage women to get involved, with each zone guaranteeing 10 out 20 seats are allocated for people who identify as women. As a consequence, if fewer than 10 women run, all of them will be elected and the remaining seats filled by remaining candidates.

Your SABBS For The Year

Elections will be run this autumn for the Union Council with the positions spread across Education, Union and Community. Anyone studying at the University of Leicester can stand, a rewarding experience that will help bring students views across to the University and improve the wellbeing of all studying here.

Two executive team positions are also available in the upcoming autumn elections, nomi-

President, Michael Rubin: I first got involved in Leicester Union when campaigning for the Living Wage. I realised students can make change, and now all full-time staff with dependents in the SU are paid a fair Living Wage. I was also involved in a number of societies and on Union council, alongside studying for my degree in Politics and Economics.

Education, Yordan Nikilov:

Image from Students’ Union Facebook page Cartoon drawn by Ollie Petts

An international at heart, I was born and raised in Europe, moved to America for some time and now live in the UK. Coming to Leicester was a life-changing experience for me and because of the great time I had while studying here, I wanted to stay as Education Officer so I can make sure that you get the best experience you can from both your University and Students’ Union.

As Education Officer I run our network of course reps (watch out for the course rep elections in October) which gives stu-

Engagement, Sean Kelly-Walsh I graduated with a BA in History and Politics last year. I loved my course, but it was my experiences at the Students’ Union that I will remember the most. I spent much of my time campaigning on a range of important issues from pushing for a Living Wage to going to London with other Leicester students to protest

Experience, Jamie Appleyard: I come from a place called Grantham. Somebody had to.

In spite of this horrific start, I managed to get involved in some pretty diverse activities here at University, from SCUBA diving to being a professional voice actor.

I’m a big fan of Leicester Uni; I left another University to come here! I’m glad I did, as Leicester’s given me some awesome memories and once-in-a-life-

nations are now open. The two positions are Postgraduate Officer, a brand new position, and Health and Wellbeing Officer.

In one of these roles you will represent views to the University on behalf of students and also to external bodies to deal with matters that affect the University. Your main responsibility will be to effectively represent the group you are heading and make sure full support is received.

There are five Union Council

My role as President is to represent your views to the University in order to improve the student experience here at Leicester. I also lead the Students’ Union and ensure everything we do is in the best interests of students. My job is to make sure that both the University and the Union listen to your concerns, make things better and ensure your time at Leicester

meetings over the academic year, as well as zone meetings which take in between Council meetings. Representatives vote on policies but if you are a student at the University you have the right to attend Council meetings and join in, share views and even help write formal proposals.

Campaigning will commence on Thursday 16 October 8am to Tuesday 21 October 5pm, where candidates will put their

is the best it can possibly be.

This year I’m going to work to create a Students’ Union for you, with better value and an SU Loyalty Card. I will ensure you’re supported from day one and will be leading the Union’s General Election campaign to get students registered to vote and push candidates to support issues that matter.

manifestos forward and seek votes for the position. Voting will then open online on Monday 20 October at 5pm and will end Tuesday 21 October 5pm.

The count and announcement of results will be on Tuesday 21 October and Wednesday 22 October, with the venue and arrangements to be confirmed.​

Getting involved in the SU was the best thing I did at Uni and I can’t wait to play my part in improving your experience this year.

If you have any issues throughout the year, or have a great idea as to how to improve things don’t hesitate to get in touch with me – I’d love to hear from you.

dents a valuable input into their courses and facilitate the much needed student-staff partnerships. I also work alongside the University to make sure the educational environment is constantly being improved and your employability enhanced.

As well as this I oversee the educational services of the Students’ Union to ensure that your wellbeing is of the highest priority and campaign on educational issues so your voice is heard on all levels. As Education Officer I am your voice within the University and Union on matters of education, employability, student-staff partnerships. I represent your views and opinions.

The course rep elections is one of the projects which I’ve been working on during the summer but other plans include introducing an online book shop so you can get your books for cheaper. I’ve also been partnering with other officers to organise trips for all students on the weekends, as well as improving the equal opportunities reps and the personal tutor systems. I’m also working to introduce an accredited online sustainability module for all students later during the year and have been pushing for departments to go paperless.

against the rise of tuition fees.

everything, here are a few projects that I am currently working on. I am running a campaign to stop the government cutting the Disabled Students Allowance.

I am leading the fight against Arriva, your local bus company, as the prices you currently have to pay are extortionate and are not fair, especially when you pay £9000 a year tuition. I oversee the Students’ Union’s various green projects and I am currently working on several

community relation’s projects.

I am organising specific postgraduate events, as we must never forget that half our students at Leicester are postgrads.

If you have any campaign ideas or green initiatives, if you want to find out how you can change something in the SU, if you want to find out about how to become a student leader, or if you would just like a chat, get in touch today!

discrimination. We don’t just have physical health; we also have mental health. One in four are affected by mental illness in any year and it’s important we provide assistance to all who need it. I’m working to persuade the University to sign the “Time to Change Pledge” and I’m renewing the Union’s current pledge to fight stigma and commit to positive action, meaning a happier, safer environment for everyone during their time here.

My second priority is making

sure student housing is the best it can be. Searching for and moving into a new home is both an exciting and scary process, and I want to make sure the Union is there for you throughout every step by providing advice, checking contracts, or helping you find a new home through our very own estate agency SULets.

Here’s to a fantastic year, and I can’t wait to see you around!

Getting you involved in your SU is my number one priority. When I first came to Uni I wasn’t someone that wanted to put my name forward and stand for election. However, I was so pleased when I finally did so. A key job of mine is to help you get involved in your Union.

I have so much that I want to do this year. While I cannot list time opportunities. I netted myself a degree in Criminology in July 2014, and was involved in the SU from day one from Course Rep to Union Council.

I’m delighted to have been elected Experience Officer.

So if you’ve got issues, I’ve got the tissues.

I deal with matters like student welfare, sports clubs and societies, and maintaining equality on campus. I have two big priorities this year: firstly, I want to combat mental health

My long-term projects which I’ve been putting efforts into in-

clude partnering with the University to include majors and minors in the courses offered so there is more degree flexibility, increasing social spaces on and off campus and pushing for an improved online library service.

These are just some of the exciting projects I’ve been working on. Contact me if you’d like to get involved or simply follow their progress.

Whether you’re a fresher or you’re continuing your studies I hope you have a great time at Leicester and look forward to meeting you!

OPINION

3

Edited by Alex Mitchell

Outrage at New Online System

New payment rules mean Leicester faces a “forgotten year” of students

by Chris Hiam and Will Towler This year’s Freshers’ Fair brought the introduction of the online only membership payment.

Seen as a rite of passage at University, traversing Freshers’ Fair, signing up to several societies you never dreamed existed and finding you parted with a little more cash than you thought you would is all part of the initiation into student life at Leicester.

That was, until the NUS (National Union of Students) deemed Leicester a suitable candidate to trial the online-only payment scheme for all members of non-sports societies.

Leicester is one of nine universities trialing this new system.

This year, Freshers’ Fair was a completely different affair. Student groups were left struggling to convince new students to spend the five-plus minutes it would take to sign up at their stall, all the while battling the patchy internet connection and slow to standstill server issues that the Students’ Union web-

site was experiencing. Unsurprisingly, many students did not wish to input their bank details into a complete stranger’s laptop in full view of any passing person. “I’ll do it at home” was the cry of the masses, with email addresses being left in place of the cash taken in previous years.

Societies were left with a large deficit of members, my own in excess of 100 members down compared with the previous year. This in turn has left a large hole in each society’s fund raising account. These are vital funds that go towards helping every member get the most out of their University experience, made even more vital by the constant depletion of grant funding that societies have faced in previous years, with no signs of improvement.

Luckily, as the president of an academic society, I do not have to worry about the arbitrary minimum number of members needed in order for each society to be recognized by the Union, as we can comfortably meet this number with returning members. This isn’t the case for

every society though, and many of the smaller, niche societies that thrived on the enthusiasm generated by Freshers’ Fair are falling by the wayside. If the system continues, we are faced with the very real possibility of losing many of these. This is not only bad for the societies, but also bad for the new students themselves.

Experience Officer, Jamie Appleyard, when asked for comments stated; ‘Throughout the time we’ve used paper signups, there have been numerous cases where membership funds weren’t getting to student groups, groups under the 25 member limit (and in danger of folding) weren’t obvious, and the sheer difficulty of trying to trace every penny caused no end of potential legal issues for the Union as a charitable organisation’ (full article can be found online).

In May 2014 the NUS published a report on student finance and wellbeing entitled “Pound in Your Pocket,” based on a study in Northern Ireland. This report showed a clear link between wellbeing of students and soci-

ety membership at University.

Those students who participated in society activities were less likely to worry about their finances (despite spending more money as part of their society) and were 10% less likely to report that they had seriously considered leaving University.

At the end of the society section of the report it states: ‘Across most wellbeing indicators, students who take part in SU activities are in better shape: overall they feel better about the future, about finding information about their support, about concentrating on their studies without worrying about finance, and about paying bills and cash- flow.’

The NUS, by trialing the online-only payment scheme at Leicester, has created an entire “forgotten year” of students who are disengaged and discouraged to join societies. If a change doesn’t happen soon, then not only will we have a “forgotten year” of students, but a Union that forgets about societies altogether.

Will’s version: The outrage of not being able to take any hard cash at the Freshers Fair.How does this make any sense? The Fair is where you come to explore, to engage and, most importantly, to expend one’s well-earned student loan on signing up to an integral part of the University life: societies.

Instead of establishing a more fluid and concise system of taking payments, the new system has fractured a previously self-explanatory procedure of looking round the Fair to then immediately sign up. Simple and efficient have made way for the unnecessary and superfluous.

With the repercussions being felt across campus, surely this system cannot be justified to continue as the norm? This new-fangled arrangement, instead of proliferating society’s ranks, has done precisely the opposite. In reality, it is posing as a direct obstruction to the future success and existence of the Union’s many societies. It is not often that we in this day and

stu

age would call for a retraction of technology as it is so often the answer in speeding up formalities. However, in this case, it needs to go.

Beforehand, students would enjoy wandering around the Fair, musing over various clubs and societies before signing up, handing over the fee and walking away content that everything had been sorted out.

It was simple for the students, it was essential for the societies and it just made sense. Now the students are forced to endure a partition of this process, driving a rift between the time they decide and the time they join, thereby encouraging multiple external factors to contaminate the decision. This, as we have seen, has led to a fall in numbers this year.

So what does the future hold for socieites? This attempted coordination has, quite literally, not paid off. A detriment to the societies and alienating the possible members, the online payment scheme is a waste of time and certainly serves no one that it intends to.

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FEATURES

4

Edited by Fjollë Bunjaku

​We Heart Consent and Here is Why You Should Too

by Olivia Martin and Fjollë Bunjaku The news that The University of Cambridge as well as University of Oxford would be holding compulsory consent workshops over freshers week has ignited debate in institutions around the country. The aim of the 30 minute workshops is to educate incoming students, both male and female, about the problematic issue of ‘consent’. This is a word that has often been grossly misinterpreted but only recently has there been some progress made on the definition.

Across the pond in California, in a piece of legislation, the state senate recently defined consent as being “affirmative consent” or rather “yes means yes.” The bill stipulates that for sexual activity to be lawful, both partners must obtain, “affirmative, conscious, and voluntary agreement”.

That all seems a bit obvious, however where this bill differs from the rest is where it explicitly outlines that a “lack of protest or resistance does not mean consent, nor does silence mean consent. Affirmative consent must be ongoing throughout a sexual activity and can be re-

voked at anytime.”

Essentially, two myths about consent have finally been addressed. The first is that once you obtain consent at the start, you then have it throughout sexual activity. The second is the myth that because you haven’t unequivocally heard the word “no” that this, in turn, must mean “yes.”

This particular legislation is a triumph for victims that have been assaulted whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What does this mean for us here in the UK? In 2002, discussions surrounding the definition of rape and consent in the United Kingdom had gathered momentum. Rape law was changed so that women that were under the influence of drugs or alcohol were automatically seen as unable to give consent. In 2014, with the NUS’ “I Heart Consent” workshops piloting at our University, both men and women will be taking responsibility for understanding what consent actually means.

This is more than “no means no”, it is now about obtaining an affirmative “yes” from your

partner. The workshops are also about respecting the personal space of our fellow students.

With increasing media coverage on an issue everyone is very familiar with, we have gradually seen a campaign against sexual assault gather momentum. Actress Emma Watson’s speech at the UN for the HeForShe campaign made it clear that this is not just a woman’s issue, it is everybody’s issue, and one that must be tackled now.

Why target universities?

Universities have long been regarded as educational institutions ‘“for life.” In an ideal world, this also includes social matters of equality and ultimately sexual harassment and assault. Many student bodies around the country, including Leicester have therefore responded to a growing student desire to actively tackle these issues. Joining the ‘I Heart Consent’ programme is one way to do this.

NUS Connect reports that the aim of this scheme is “to facilitate positive, informed and inclusive conversations and campaigns about consent in

universities and colleges across the UK.” In an article in June, The Guardian reported that the introduction of compulsory consent workshops promises to not be a “preachy campaign.” This is something the SU are currently working hard towards. Together with the University, they are hoping to eventually introduce compulsory consent classes and open discussions for all students.

What will the workshops entail?

Our Women’s Officer, Rachel Holland, believes, “These workshops will be in place to target all students - while it does tend to be a gendered issue, this does not mean it is not experienced by students of all genders, sexualities, races and abilities so we should not be excluding them from the training.”

The programme simply intends to educate without discrimination of gender, aiming to dispel rape culture and current social attitude towards sexual harassment.

The classes themselves will

cover all levels of harassment because “no act is too small to be dealt with seriously.” Despite these efforts, there are still concerns over whether this education is being supplied too late; ideally, men and women should receive compulsory consent classes in schools alongside sex education.

How well received will these workshops be?

It is important to note that the workshops piloting at our University might not be compulsory. However, the general and growing consensus is that this action to educate on consent is certainly a step in the right direction if sexual assault is to become an issue of the past and not continue to plague the present.

A male Leicester graduate and GDL student at Leicester Institute of Legal Practice believes that a lack of education for students prior to University leaves first years, in particular, less able to identify sexual harassment or to tackle sexual assault appropriately. It is clear that both men and women sense a growing need for change in how we approach sexual assault and

Image from NUS website

harassment.

Will this really change anything?

It’s impossible to say at this stage, but with wider student participation, the workshops aim to facilitate a better overall understanding of these issues.

Our Students’ Union already operates a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment, which is now running as the ‘Have a Word’ policy. On top of this, all University staff members have been made aware of how to deal with sexual harassment upon reporting so students should feel comfortable reporting any harassment.

The ongoing workshops at Cambridge and Oxford will be coming to an end this month, however workshops at University of Leicester will be piloting soon. If you would like to know more, make sure you attend.

Both men and women have a lot to learn about perceptions of consent. It really is a discussion that has been long overdue.

Noise Noise Noise! Champions Needed!

by PC Emma Jayne

It is the start of the academic year, and most of you are returning to Leicester after months of being at home. Whether you’re reconnecting with friends, or just embarking on the start of student life at University, this inevitably means a lot of parties.

Leicestershire Police are urging students to be considerate of their neighbours, especially in terms of noise. Every year we get a high number of complaints from residents who have been woken up late at night by students getting home after a night out, particularly in the Clarendon Park and New Walk areas. Noise is also an issue for residents when students have house parties or ‘pre drinks’ at home before a night out.

We understand that students are likely to celebrate significant birthdays, exam success, end of term, and any number of events in between, and this is all part of

student life in Leicester. All we ask is that students are considerate of their neighbours, and moderate their behaviour in residential areas.

council, or even your University. The House Champion will become the single point of contact if a complaint about the house is received.

In order to promote better relationships between students and permanent residents we are trailing a new initiative called ‘House Champions’.

What does a House Champion have to do?

What this means is that a volunteer from each student occupied house in the area comes forward to become a House Champion.

We believe that identifying a key individual in each student house will help us to convey useful and relevant information to not only minimise complaints, but also maximise your experience of living in a vibrant, friendly community.

So what is a House Champion?

House Champions are people living in shared accommodation who are willing to speak to agencies such as the police,

Not much! Ideally the House Champion takes responsibility for educating housemates in areas such as anti-social behaviour, recycling, waste disposal and noise pollution. This will also include trying to minimise the impact of parties on neighbours.

Does a House Champion have to take the blame if other housemates cause a problem?

No! We do not expect House Champions to take responsibility for everyone in the house, but just to act as the lead communicator, someone that we can speak with to pass on the message to everyone else.

What do you need from me?

Your name, phone number, and email. That’s it. These will be securely stored by the police and not shared or given out to anyone else.

What’s in it for a student to become a House Champion?

It’s handy to put on your CV. It shows a commitment to the community and a willingness to take added responsibility.

These are useful qualities in the job market.

Anyone interested in becoming a house champion can contact PC 4350 Emma JAYNE using the contact details below.

10.30am. Bring your bike along for a free bike health check, and receive a free D-lock from the security team. You can also pick up free phone bungees and information on immobilise.com, a free online property register.

Please also take note of some simple crime prevention measures you can take to keep yourself and your property safe whilst at University.

• •

•

What else is happening?

Leicestershire Police and members of the University of Leicester Security Team are running a “Cycle Hub” outside Queens Hall Foyer, Percy Gee Building on Tuesday October 14 from

• •

Drink sensibly and never leave your drink unattended.

At night walk in groups or if you are walking alone stick to well-lit and busy areas.

Be vigilant when using your mobile phone or MP3 player in public and try to keep them out of sight.

Secure all doors and windows every time you leave your room or house.

Register serial and IMEI numbers of electronic items for FREE at www.

• •

immobilise.com. This will assist the police in returning your property to you in the event it is stolen and later recovered.

Use a ‘D’ lock to secure your bike.

In halls of residence, be careful who you let in or who follows you into the building.

Look out for me patrolling in and around the campus, I’m happy to help you with any queries you may have, so please come and speak to me, even if it is just to say hello!

WHAT’S ON

5

Edited by Jessica Ramsdale

Social Shenanigans Concerts on Campus

by Jessica Ramsdale

by Rebecca Alcock

MASS (Muscle and Athletic Sport Society) muscle their way onto the agenda this week, and their calendar is heavy with fitness events. From the 13th October, every Monday there will be an opportunity to develop your weightlifting techniques in a constructive environment.

If you want to learn how to squat, press and clean and jerk, improving your flexibility and strength, go along to the weightlifting sessions in the studio on the first floor of the Percy Gee building.

If weightlifting is too much of a strain then join the festivities at Zumba and Latin fitness on the 13th October. Dance yourself into shape and get fit before you know it by throwing yourself into these Latin-inspired dance moves. Whether you’re a fun-loving beginner or advanced in the art of ‘meringue’, this class promises to be an exhilarating and effective workout.

On the 14th of October Nightline are calling new volunteers to demonstrate their dedication to helping fellow students.

Nightline’s listening volunteers give their time to lend an ear to students who are in need of someone to talk to for a wide variety of reasons. Find out more about the society and then go along to room 202 in the Attenborough Tower for a short

There are two exciting events this fortnight if your preferred musical genre is rock. Taking place on Saturday 25th is the Quadrophenia Night, this should be an interesting and varied night as there will be a screening of the iconic 1979 film, followed by live music from The Atlantics singing hits from the movie’s soundtrack, and finally a DJ session from Drew Stansall.

Image by Flikr User wEnDy

informal interview about why you would like to give your time to this worthy cause. During the day the society will be present at the Festival of Careers and at the Highcross Student Takeover. They will talk to potential volunteers and provide information about the cause, and the skills that you could learn as a volunteer.

The SLUGS society (Society for Leicester Universities Guides and Scouts) are taking advantage of the plethora of curry houses in Leicester. On the 15th of October the society will be meeting at the bottom of Charles Wilson and sampling some of the finest curries that Leicester has to offer. If

you’re in more of a mischievous mood on the 22nd of October, then the society are hosting ‘spy games’ where you will engage in a number of challenges that will test your spying skills.

Another event with a more alternative rock focus will be taking place on the same night.

Tribute bands This is Nirvana and Food Fighterz will come together to play at the O2 academy in celebration of the career of Dave Grohl.

For more of an indie focus why

not try Eliza and the Bear on the 15th October? This group are the ones to watch in 2014 and have already supported Paramore and Imagine Dragons as well as playing with Luke Sital – Singh. They have had lots of support from Radio 1 with Zane Lowe choosing their track “It gets cold” as his hottest record in the world.

If you’re looking for something a little different, the O2 has lots of new talent on offer. Winners of the Leicester “Original Band Competition 2014”, Tapestry are an experimental electronic duo who are headlining the O2 on the 18th alongside Surf and Ash Mammal. These three bands, all Leicester locals, should be a fantastic opportunity to see some up and coming talent from Leicester itself.

October is a fantastic month to explore your personal tastes in the vibrant and diverse city that is Leicester.

There is no better way than to discover a city’s culture than by visiting its music scene. Eagulls, a popular indie rock band, continue their autumn tour at The Cookie on the 14th October.

Oxjam Music Festival kicks off and will take place during this month with local acts performing live music in aid of Oxfam, in which Positively Fourth Street: Songs from the Village will unfold at The Musician on the 15th October.

Image by Flikr User Rob Watling

If attending one amazing gig in aid of charity isn’t enough, why not also visit Streetlife on the 17th October to see The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Club bring their set to Leicester for one night of fantastic entertainment.

As a final treat for the ears,

on Saturday 18th of October Leicester Jazz House present Six Hands at the RA Centre with Embrace Arts, introducing 3 of the finest jazz pianists that the East Midlands have to offer all in one fantastic venue.

If you’d like to see all of these new hits for a cheaper price, make sure to make your cinema trip on a Tuesday and visit Odeon for student deals on all 2D films as well as meal deals and other fantastic offers.

Not only is the music scene hotting up but this month is set to be a scorcher for film fanatics too. The long-awaited Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is released in 3D on the 17th of October in which you can see your favorite shelled heroes fight to save New York in an action and star packed movie.

At the theatre this month a brilliant literature piece in the form of Christopher Sergel’s adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird arrives at The Curve from October the 13th until the 18th, before The Curve then host a rendition of Dracula on the 21st and 22nd of October that is sure to excite all viewers ready for the Halloween season.

If that isn’t to your liking, why not see Jorge Gutierrez’s The Book of Life, an animated fantasy-adventure that features aspects of the Halloween holidays and multiple worlds of excitement.

To fulfill any need for a new romantic comedy, make sure to check out Love, Rosie– the new hit romcom that is set to get hearts melting and mouths laughing on the 22nd October.

All tickets can be purchased from the 02 website where you can also find further details of the events and the artists.

On the 19th of October the Cycling Society are offering the chance to discover Leicester at high speed. The route will be chaperoned by the experienced committee members and the moderate terrain will allow you to go at your own pace. You will cover 15-20 miles in around 2 hours, making friends along the way, as you urge each other towards the finish line.

What’s Around Town

by Emma Smith

Skinny Lister is a six piece folk band playing at the O2 on the 24th October. This night will give you a chance to listen to their forthcoming album, Forge – Flagon in its entirety.

Like Tapestry, this band also has their own roots in Leicester.

Two of the band members often frequented the folk clubs in the city in their youth and state that their origins in folk started here. The band have been getting gradually more successful and even played on the Alvalon stage at Glastonbury this summer.

from Moscow on Sunday 26th October.

Other amazing events throughout October include none other than German comedian Henning Wehn performing his

TV personality Russell Brand will be holding a live screening via satellite with The Guardian’s Owen Jones on Thursday the 23rd October at The Phoenix where he discusses why he thinks that a revolution is inevitable amongst other topics.

Also at The Phoenix this month, The Bollshoi Ballet return after 10 years to perform a tale of forbidden love and sacrifice live

Image by Flikr User Matt Horne

‘pun-derful’ stand up show at The Phoenix on the 23rd October.

Don’t forget to check out the Diwali light switch-on on the 23rd as well as a full day of celebra-

tions. If you’re looking for fitness classes, why not check out Danceworks Fitness on High Street where several classes run nightly between 5pm and 8pm during the week and between 9am and 12pm on Sundays.

CULTURE

6

Edited by Dan Jordan

Gone Girl: An Excellent, Power On: Arcade Fire’s Funeral Turns 10 Human Terror

by Robert Jones

With his wife kidnapped and media hounds at his throat, one man must stand against the whole world in order to see justice done. To say anything else would be to spoil it.

Many of you have probably heard the hype surrounding Gone Girl, the screen adaptation of the novel by the same name by American novelist Gillian Flynn, but I’m sure that others of you are thinking “Ben Affleck” and are ready to dismiss it just like his next venture in the Superman/Batman film. Mr. Affleck has come a long way since Good Will Hunting and the nightmare that was Daredevil.

Perhaps it’s just me, but Affleck’s typical stoicism is played to its strength, giving his character a sort of everyman charisma with just the right amount of candid under-reaction to elicit the moral suspicion that the film exceeds in delivering. Rosamund Pike deserves the exact

same praise, but I’m a man that doesn’t dabble in spoilers so I won’t tell you why her acting is so effective

. Needless to say, it’s chilling how just a few scenes can change your whole perspective on a character. Among the stellar supporting cast is Neil Patrick Harris, who is as charismatic as ever, even when trying to play a rich, obsessive, slightly unhinged ex of Pike’s character.

All in all, everyone gives great performances, only reinforced by a superb script.

The most terrifying and wonderful aspect of Gone Girl is how hauntingly realistic the terror truly is. It relies not on a physical force but on the strength of words to poignantly showcase how the greatest and deadliest weapon available to mankind is its ability to transfer and interpret information, and that anyone who can manipulate it in just a tiny way can change the course of a person’s

destiny, twisting the truth such that we are led to vilify those we love and sanctify the wicked. In layman’s terms, “the media is too spooky.”

Having taken this route, the film deconstructs the crime investigation genre by seeing just how far someone can go to cover up the truth and how willingly our heroes take evidence and “clues” as hard fact. It almost makes me question the morality of simply telling you whether the film is good or not.

If I had to label a weakness, it’s that the plot doesn’t quite know when to stop throwing curve balls at your face from about a third of the way into the film, at which point it goes completely off the rails and doesn’t stop even when you’re dreading every other sentence said by pretty much anyone, including the cat. However, it’s rather telling of a film if it’s one flaw is that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Upcoming: TALA and Marika Hackman

ka Hackman. The 22 year-old singer/songwriter has already toured with the likes of Laura Marling, Johnny Flynn and most recently Sivu as well as lent her vocals to alt-J’s sophomore album This Is All Yours on stand-out track Warm Foothills.

She also has two fabulous EPs (Sugar Blind and Deaf Heat) and a mini-album (That Iron Taste) under her belt. All of which, have certified her as an exciting prospect.

Image by Flickr User La-underground

by Deep Shah For our latest Ones to Watch feature, we have not one, but two incredible artists for you to tuck into.

If you’re into sweeping electronic music infused with elements of R&B with a twist, you’ll absolutely adore South Londoner TÁLÁ. For those of you with a soft spot for music that tugs at your heartstrings, we’ve got the wonderful Marika Hackman.

We’ll begin with TÁLÁ, who’s been making quite the buzz over the past few months with her introspective slant on electronic music. Pushing the boundaries from the get go, her debut EP The Duchess entrances as she exemplifies her undeniable talent as both a producer and vocalist. Songs like Serbia

and the title-track, are a celebration of Middle Eastern sounds (courtesy of her Iranian background) as sweltering glitches and pitched vocals invigorate a super vibrant aesthetic.

Admittedly, her music can be difficult to handle at times as her songs really do pack a punch, but in her latest single Alchemy, TÁLÁ finds the perfect balance; it’s not too out there, yet still captures a certain excitement with each listen. As a result, it’s by far her most accessible and best track to date.

Skittering synths are boosted by woozy electronic soundscapes filled with all kinds of eccentric sounds to serve as the perfect backdrop to her hazy, haunting musings.

Now, to counter TÁLÁ’s powerful vibes, we thought we’d share the beautiful music of London-based, part Finnish Mari-

Amongst twinkling piano melodies and elegant guitar lines (all played and recorded by Marika herself), it’s that warm and earthy voice which really strikes a chord upon first listen. In tracks like Itchy Teeth and Cinnamon taken from her Sugar Blind EP, Marika’s voice exudes emotion as it gently floats over the sombre instrumentation with effortless poise. The lyrics too draw you in and more importantly,give you something to think about, a trait that’s often missed or overlooked nowadays.

So, whether you’re up for something upbeat, or just want to ponder over life, we’ve got you covered. TÁLÁ will be releasing her forthcoming Alchemy EP on November 17th and don’t miss out when Marika embarks on her UK tour later this year to perform at Leicester’s The Musician on Monday, November 10th.

by Conor Heslin

Ten years since Arcade Fire’s sprawling masterpiece, it’s still the standard for alternative musicians.

In 2010, in a cold wet field in England I first heard Arcade Fire’s unforgettable sound. I say heard, because I was in my tent at the Reading festival when I heard the thundering ‘Woah-oh’ of Wake Up and wondered what sort of band could be generating a sound like that.

In the following months I found out and, after seeing them live, discovered the best alternative band to emerge since Nirvana.

ambition and emotional resonance than their contemporaries; sounding booming and powerful on Neighbourhood #3 (Power out) and Rebellion (Lies), both frantic and manic whilst painfully vulnerable and pensive on Neighbourhood #4 (Kettles) and Crown of Love, Arcade Fire’s debut says everything you’d expect an album called Funeral to say about the human condition.

What’s more, Funeral is a shining example of alternative music in the post-millennial world, and an example that bands can still become truly massive, even in today’s seemingly barren mu-

sical landscape.

Funeral rose Arcade Fire into the mainstream without them ever compromising their dignity; four more inventive, stunning records have followed, as well as almost universal critical acclaim, Glastonbury and Coachella headline slots, and a collaboration with David Bowie in 2013. So ten years on, Funeral remains one of the best alternative records of all time, and a giant reminder to the alternative community that the man doesn’t always win.

Image by Flickr User Charlie and Kasie Bennet

Funeral was the jewel in Arcade Fire’s crown; already 7 years old when I first heard it, the debut album, recorded in a hotel in the bands native Montreal, was startlingly powerful. Managing to sound urgently raw and beautifully melodic, Funeral immediately signalled Arcade Fire out as a band with more

Stones in His Pockets

by Nick Palmer A new production of Marie Jones’ Stones in His Pockets was at The Curve from the 22nd to 23rd September. With an excellent cast and the original director, Ian McElhinney, at the helm, it was a great show.

The basic premise of the play is that a Hollywood movie comes to a small town in Ireland to film. The tension and comedy arise from the interactions between the film crew and the local townspeople, many of whom are employed as extras on the movie. Two such extras, Charlie and Jake, are the main characters. The optimistic cinephile Charlie hopes that this is his chance to break into the industry, thrusting his terrible script at anyone involved with the movie. The more cynical Jake, recently returned from New York, is disenchanted with the film industry, resigned to his role as a background digger.

The interesting thing about Stones is that there are only two actors playing all roughly 15 characters. This was a little disconcerting at first, attempting to keep track of which character they were playing, but I soon got used to the subtle (and not so subtle) differences between each character. Both actors were excellent at using voice, facial expressions and body language to effectively differentiate their characters. For example, when playing the role of the big film

star Caroline Giovanni, the actor sexily sauntered around and, when he was required, absolutely butchered an Irish accent to hilarious effect in Caroline’s struggle to master her character. In contrast, the same actor also played Caroline’s cockney lump of a bodyguard, it was so clear when he changed between the characters, with simply his stance signalling the switch.

Generally, the play was great at making me laugh. From the awkward encounter between Jake and Caroline, to the wildly inappropriate, but hilarious and technically impressive dance number the extras had to do immediately following a local tragedy. The play also excelled in conveying sadder events. The second half of the play is set in motion after local boy, Sean Harkin, commits suicide by walking into a lake with stones in his pockets after he is thrown out of the local pub for trying to fraternise with Caroline. All

of the townspeople, the Hollywood types and the production of the movie itself, are affected by this tragedy and the play reflects this sudden and sad shock brilliantly.

Outside of the plot and the acting, the props are limited to a box and a couple of chairs, which are more than enough to meet the needs of the story.

Also, the lighting is utilised effectively to deal with changes in moods and situations. During Sean’s suicide, the stage takes on a sombre blue glow, and the flashback scene of Sean’s childhood is lit with a warm yellow to further convey that feeling of innocence and nostalgia.

Overall, Stones in His Pockets was a great way to spend an evening. Hilarious in parts, heart-breaking others, and unmistakably Irish.

Image by Flickr User Kimberly Wadycki

7

Study Abroad: Not in Kansas Anymore Ever wondered if studying abroad is for you? Andrew Huckle shares his experience.

by Andrew Huckle Studying abroad in America had always been an aspiration of mine. As an International Relations student I am fascinated by American politics and history and so the chance to spend five months there as part of my course was simply irresistible. But yet, when the day finally arrived and I walked through the security gates at Heathrow, it suddenly hit me.

I was completely alone with no one to rely on. What was more I was about to travel across the Atlantic to live in the depths of Kansas for a semester. A cold sensation of calamity began to creep through me. What on earth am I doing? I was having a great time at Leicester, why

was I throwing this all away for a jaunt in the Mid-West?

But once I arrived in the sweltering Kansas heat and glimpsed for the first time the majestic landscape of the Great Plains, I knew why.

I wanted to throw myself out of my comfort zone. I called myself a student of International Relations, yet I had little experience of the wider world. I had a great passion for American politics, yet my total experience there amounted to a fleeting week in Disneyland in my childhood. No, to truly fulfil my years at University I would need to take that leap of faith and study abroad.

The result was without doubt the best five months I’ve ever had.

Firstly, the academic side of studying abroad is nothing but enriching. I got to study American politics from the source, with the unparalleled resources that came with it. I read my free daily copy of the New York Times religiously, knowing that to do so back home would be much harder. Furthermore, the flexibility of the American education system allowed me to enrol in a philosophy course, something that I could not do back in Leicester in all its splendid rigidity. Nonetheless, studying is but one thread in

the tapestry of the study abroad experience.

The social advantages of time spent abroad were unforgettable.

I made so many lifelong friends, from my Brazilian roommate to my Australian course mate who travelled through Miami, Washington DC and New York with

me for two weeks. The sheer diversity of students astounded me. As a fellow international student, I seemed to particularly make friends with other foreign students. For instance, I began to play football regularly with a five-a-side team. One player was from Holland, another Co-

lumbia, another America and finally even a fellow Brit for extra measure. That cosmopolitan football team demonstrates how culturally enriching studying abroad is. You get to immerse yourself in your host culture and learn new traditions and interests that are different from your own.

Finally, the experiences from travelling have got to stir anyone sceptical of studying abroad. Who wants to turn down what is effectively a holiday? Although I studied hard, I also travelled across the East coast of America over several

weeks, from the glitz and glamour of Miami South Beach to the inspiring gaze of the Lincoln Monument in Washington. And to be honest, I spent a fair bit of time visiting the bars and clubs in-between. The 02 Academy may be good but I have to admit it seems rather average compared to a Miami super club!

So, in sum, what I would most recommend from studying abroad is experiencing that empowering sense of throwing yourself out of your comfort zone. Embrace new experiences, travel the world, immerse yourself in a foreign culture and enrich yourself in a new area of study. It is all too easy to remain in a tried and tested pattern of familiarity whilst at University.

After week after week at the David Wilson library I bet some of you are looking for that little bit more. An escape from the daily grind. You are rightly seeking to grasp the University experience for all its worth, both academically and socially. If this sounds familiar then go ahead and take that leap of faith and embrace that loss of comfort that comes with it. I will never forget those sweltering months in the Kansas countryside and whichever far-flung place you chose, I know you will feel the same.

Want to write for The Ripple?

Email ripple@ le.ac.uk

International Office

Study Abroad & Erasmus Fair Tuesday 18 November 2014 O2 Academy, Percy Gee Building 10.00am - 3.00pm Your passport to a trip of a lifetime!

Study abroad as part of your Leicester degree

www.le.ac.uk/overseas-exchanges

LIFESTYLE

8

Edited by Emily Bird

University Time Management 2.0 Autumnal Blends

by Daniella Marsh When you first move away to University, the experience can be extremely daunting. As well as trying to settle in and getting used to living away from home, you’ve also got to think about your workload, housework, making friends, managing your finances and any societies or sports that you may be involved in. It can all get a bit much!

So how can you balance your University life? How can you stay on top of everything without tearing your hair out? The best way to do this is to get organised as soon as possible!

Ensure you plan your days as thoroughly and as far in advance as you can! That way, you are prepared for everything and anything.

committed to the partying and drinking lifestyle that comes with University, your course should be the most important thing! After all, you’re not paying £9000 a year for nothing!

A good education is what you came to university for, so if it comes to Monday morning and you’ve got a 101 things to do, get cracking on your seminar reading and essays first.

Secondly, don’t take on more responsibilities than you can handle. The saying “don’t bite off more than you can chew” is so, so applicable at university! Of course it’s great to get involved in lots of activities so you can enrich and get the most out of your University experience. However, when your work starts building up, you will need to choose what is most impor-

tant to you. Pick the extra-curricular activities that you most enjoy and feel you could get the most out of.

If you work-part time, the university recommends doing no more than 20 hours a week, and as you go on to third year that amount of time should decrease. If your job won’t let you have the time off that you need, ultimately it’s best to find alternative work! There’s plenty more out there that the University can help you find – companies who will understand your need to balance work with your degree.

Thirdly, decide when to draw the line when it comes to partying! Freshers is undoubtedly one of the most exciting, exhilarating times of your life... LivImage credited to Flickr User Charles Clegg

To start off, buy yourself a calendar and a diary. Freebies from Fresher’s Fair often include a calendar that you can stick to the wall of your room, with boxes large enough for your daily events. Additionally, you can buy a cheap, basic diary from the Library bookshop which is compact enough to keep in your bag on campus. As well as being super organised, here are several rules to live by which will get you through university life.

Number one; your degree is your priority. Whether you are strongly involved in a society or sports team or just totally

ing away from home, making new friends and going out all the time is complete freedom that you have never experienced before! However, this care-free approach can take its toll on your learning, not to mention burn a huge hole in your wallet. If you have a 9am lecture it’s probably not a good idea to go out the night before - you may miss something crucial that morning. Though it’s all good fun, missing out on lectures can seriously affect your grades and low attendance is looked down upon by the University.

Fourth and finally, if you are finding things difficult to cope with, make sure you talk to someone. Whether it’s your friends, family or someone within the university, you need to let someone know how you are feeling. Despite all the positive aspects of university, the adjustment can be more difficult for some. Whether you’re struggling with the workload, missing home or not getting on with people, there’s always someone you can talk to and get advice from.

Contact the University of Leicester Welfare service on 0116 223 1185, at welfare@le.ac. uk or in the Percy Gee building.

by Lottie Watson As the leaves begin to fall and the nights become shorter, we say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn. The change in season brings about changes in fashions; woolly jumpers, stylish winter boots, and darker nail polishes.

The woe of all on-trend students is the budgeting that university life involves, and thus, the latest ‘must-have’ clothing becomes something of a distant dream.

Thankfully, nail polish is a simple (and cheap) way to update your look, and remain stylish, chic, and polished. Here is a collection of nail polishes inspired by this season’s colours to ensure that you stay sophisticated for autumn.

Topshop, Matte Nails in ‘La Cucaracha’- £6.00 Halloween is approaching and this Topshop nail polish provides a fun and festive addition to your appearance. The matte finish adds a touch of elegance to an otherwise bright nail colour. Topshop have 10% student discount all year round too, so take advantage and grab yourself a Halloween treat!

that prevents those ghastly lumps and streaks. If you’re looking for a colour to see you through autumn and winter ‘Riding Hood’ is perfect for you.

It easily takes an outfit from day to night, as it is subtle enough to be casual, but rich enough to vamp up a look. Now all you need is Red Riding Hood’s Red Cloak!

L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Nail Polish in ‘104’ £4.99 If you’re looking to channel your inner ‘Kim Kardashian’ then this is the nail colour for you. Subtle yet sophisticated, L’Oreal’s polish is the perfect colour for creating that minimalistic-chic look. With an extremely affordable price tag, this nail colour is fabulous for outfits on campus.

Make Up Revolution at Superdrug, in ‘Emerald Eyes’ £1.00 BARGAIN PRICE ALERT! This nail polish couldn’t be better suited to those student fashionista’s on a budget. A gorgeous emerald hue is more than appropriate for this AW season and also anyone planning on dressing up as Poison Ivy for Halloween! It may need a few coats to ensure that the coverage

Universally Accepted Vegetable Soup: A Staple Food For Busy Periods

by Jaipreet Deo

for days or indeed months.

It can be hard to find the time to actually eat properly at University.

Soups are a great way to fill up with as little effort as possible.

And, even more brilliantly, you can freeze them for up to three months, so they’ll continue to make your life easier weeks after you’ve cooked one pot. This recipe makes about 5 big bowls of soup that I love especially when it starts getting colder. Feel free to add or remove any veg you want – it’s very simple to personalise.

Whether you’re a fresher constantly partying or you’re further on in your degree and getting used to the workload, easy recipes are a lifesaver.

Even better are recipes full of nutrients and goodness because reaching for that Domino’s menu is all too tempting. This issue we bring you a flavoursome soup that only needs a bit of prep time, and will feed you

Ingredients: Oil for frying 2 whole white onions, diced

2 red peppers, diced 2 large potatoes, peeled and sliced 2 carrots, peeled and sliced 2 vegetable stock cubes 2 chopped garlic cloves 2 pints (1.2L) of water 2 ½ teaspoons of thyme A sprinkling of parsley 2 bay leaves Salt & pepper Method: 1) Warm the oil in a large saucepan.

2) Once the oil is warm, cook the onions on a low heat until clear and soft.

3) Add all of the other ingredi-

Mixed Media Bar Crawl 20th October - 8:00pm Selling tickets this week!

ents (salt and pepper to taste).

4) Bring to the boil and cook for one minute.

5) Reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

6) Blend, blitz or mash to your preferred consistency.

You can either eat your soup all in one go (good luck) or freeze it until you need another comforting and convenient meal.

But please remember to pick a container which leaves room for it to expand when putting it into the freezer!​

Fuse Gelnamel in ‘Such A Lazer’- £15.00 With gold tones and lots of sparkle this nail varnish certainly adds a glamorous touch. The expensive price tag is justified as the nail polish is gel based and so comes with an LED lamp to solidify the gel. Gel polish is a fantastic creation as it lasts for a significantly longer time than normal nail polish. This means less money spent, and more money for Jägerbombs in the O2!

Tanya Burr at Superdrug in ‘Riding Hood’- £5.99 This nail polish is a beautiful deep red: glossy, vibrant and bang on trend. The larger brush provides a perfect application

is perfect, but at £1.00 we don’t care! We want the entire nail varnish collection!

2TRUE Fast Dry Nail Polish, Shade 19- £1.99 This nail colour is very ‘Legally Blonde’, very fun, and very flirty.

Oh, and it is also very affordable! The darker tone makes the colour still appropriate for those autumnal evenings but also those wild nights at LETS DISKO. If the dark nights are affecting your wardrobe choices by encouraging a sombre colour palette, use this polish to add a cheeky pop of colour! Apply a couple of coats to ensure that the colour really stands out.

Snaps for this pretty pink polish!

9

A Home Away From Home Eleanor Old and Hanna Burgess share their tips on how to transform your uni room!

super cheap way to personalise a room. They’re also fab for preventing home sickness and a definite must in exam periods to remind you that once upon a time you were actually a fun person that did sometimes leave the house...

by Eleanor Old and Hannah Burgess No matter how clean, modern or new university accommodation may be (which it rarely is!) a bedroom will always be bare on the move in date. Luckily this can be easily rectified – and the best news is many ways to personalise are cheap and cheerful too!

First of all, put the bed sheets on. A tip I’ve learnt from my wise, wise mother; as soon as there is some sort of personalised touch to the room, it will start to look like your own.

Then it’s time to sort out the rest of the room. The most imposing feature of a room tends to be the walls, so by filling them it immediately looks as though someone actually lives there! Personally, I am a big fan of bunting. This can be made very easily yourself (or bought online) and will immediately

Image credited to Hannah Burgess

brighten up any room. They can be strung around all walls if long enough or simply frame your bed - I could sing their praises for an age. If these seem too feminine, a great alternative would be posters of your favourite bands or films which will fill the walls very quickly.

Another top tip would be the use of pinboards. They only cost about £5 from any big stationary store and can transform those bare patches of wall. Using these to post keepsakes of your year means adding new memories to your walls is simple, creating a growing feeling

of being at home. To overcome the problem of landlords not allowing marks on walls use Command Hooks or Patches which can be found in places such as Asda and Wilkinsons.

Designed to hold heavy things on walls , they won’t leave a mark when removed at the end of the year – genius! Pinboards can also be taken down with all their adornments left on and moved to your house for next year. By doing this you’ll have a fantastic wall feature by your final year, full of memories and little keepsakes!

It may seem obvious but pictures are another essential and

Other adornments could include pinning up bar crawl t-shirts or getting a rug for your floor. Charity shops are also your friend. I’ve acquired a vintage trunk which I use to hide all of the junk I have that I don’t want to properly tidy away! But things like that can look pretty cool in a room, and make it a little different.

In addition to Eleanor’s tips, we’d also suggest plants as a no fuss way to literally bring life to your room! This issue, Hannah gives us the lowdown on the leaves.

Student rooms are often a bit lack lustre and lifeless and, although an indoor plant can’t make those garishly grotesque curtains in halls look any less

‘in your face’, they can help the room to look that little bit more homely and welcoming.

Caring for most indoor plants is pretty low maintenance and when it comes to cacti you’d have to be pretty unique to kill one - no offence if you have yourself killed a cactus. All they ask for is sunlight, so pop them near a window with a tiny amount of water a fortnight. It’s actually easier to kill a cactus by over-watering rather than under-watering so keep it to a minimum.

The magnificent cheese plant or Monstera deliciosa is the ultimate student plant and with just a little water each week and lots

Image credited to Hannah Burgess

of light they can flourish. The name is derived from the holes that appear on the leaves likening them to Emmental cheese in its holy state.

Another magnificent houseplant would be Mother-in-law’s tongue or ‘snake plant’. Its long pointed leaves are bordered in a yellowy colour making them look really unique. Again, to care for them just keep them near a window for sunlight and just water when the soil goes dry.

I’m not lying when I say you can buy these plants for as little as £1, so really there’s no excuse. Get down to stores like Homebase or Ikea to pick up an indoor plant and spruce up those bland uni rooms by bringing the outdoors in. If nothing else a plant could prove to your parents that you are not only capable of looking after yourself at university but on top of that, you are capable of looking after another living organism – now that’s something to write home about!

The Student Who Travels

by Megan Cook After two hectic weeks of settling into university with lots of partying and very little sleep, you may be missing your home comforts. A good meal, clean clothes, familiar faces? Depending on the distance, visiting home may not always be realistic on a student budget, but there are many ways and means to seek out the best prices.

Situated almost in the centre of the UK, Leicester is accessible from all over; train, bus and coach links are numerous and frequent. Visiting friends at different universities is also a great way to stay in touch with those from home and also experience other cities! If you’re an inter-

national student or would like to venture a little further afield, there are still bargains to be found so take your pick!

16-25 Railcard This is a must for students, even if you’re only travelling a short distance. Also available for mature students (26+) in full time education, this card gains you a third off rail fares, and at £30 for one year or £70 for three it pays for itself after only a few journeys. It doesn’t just save you money on trains though – they also give you offers for day trips, restaurants and theatres.

Visit http://www.16-25railcard. co.uk/ to buy yours now!

Book in advance If you can, it’s always best to

book in advance to get the best prices. Generally speaking, booking at least a week beforehand will ensure you get a decent price, as from then sites will definitely raise their prices. Whilst websites like http:// www.nationalrail.co.uk/ and http://www.thetrainline.com/ do often have offers, these need booking quite far in advance.

A great site is http://www.redspottedhanky.com/ as they will always find the cheapest way for you to reach your destination.

National Express coaches Trains aren’t the only way to travel though. National Express coaches are the cheapest means of transport and, depending on where you’re headed; travel time is similar to that in a car or

train. You can also buy a Young Persons Coachcard (16-26), £10 for one year or £25 for three, which like the Railcard saves you a third off tickets. They currently have an “Awesome Autumn” offer with fares from £5, so if you’re planning a visit check out http://www.nationalexpress.com/home.aspx.

City links The capital: London is always a popular city to visit for everyone and anyone! There are numerous ways to get there, again the cheapest being with National Express. A return ticket from Leicester to London is £15 - and that’s without a Coachcard and booked only two days before travelling! If you’d prefer to travel by train it is more pricy

Reckon you could stomach it?

by Jemma Smith Eating out for the typical student is often pricey and unpopular as we’re crippled by a lack of spendable funds. However it definitely doesn’t need to be because there are deals that can save you money everywhere - so far I’ve picked up some pretty sweet ones! At the Fresher’s Fair my housemates and I managed to pick up a ‘free burger’ coupon for the Loaded Dog, a local bar mainly aimed at students, on the condition that you buy a drink.

But what happens when you take it to the other extreme?

Binging instead of bargaining?

I recently got told about a pop-

ular café down Queens Road, Jones’, which is in spitting distance of the university. What is more popular however is their Kieran Brooks 666 Challenge, named after the Leicester Tiger prop. We thought why not give it a go…

On a bright Sunday morning we headed down, and business was booming! Quickly seated, we ordered our food, which meant that that it was time for Ron Sangal to tackle his 666 Challenge; a tough and gruelling attempt to humiliate anyone that dares to attempt it.

To be victorious over this challenge, one must eat 6 sausages, 6 rashers of bacon, 6 fried eggs,

6 hash browns, 6 slices of toast and 6 American style pancakes; all of this in just 30 minutes.

According to one of the waiters, only 7 people have been able to complete the challenge – and if you do so you get your meal for free and win a t-shirt! This shocking statistic really isn’t that hard to believe when you see the excessive amount of food that is brought to the table.

Things started out hopeful, Ron clearing half a sausage at a time, and quickly demolishing the bacon, eggs and hash browns.

But alas, it was not meant to be. Ron’s attempt to make the carbs slide down more easily by dipping his toast in water didn’t work out and in the end, with

around 5 minutes left, Ron was sent running all the way to the bathroom.

Challenge aside, the food itself looked great, and according to Ron, tasted awesome as well!

Especially the pancakes that he couldn’t finish! With their all day breakfasts, great atmosphere and reasonable prices I definitely think I’ll go back for breakfast sometime soon… although perhaps not to conquer the 666 Challenge. However, when I’m starving after a few weeks as a fresher I might go down in the hopes of winning a £15 breakfast for free, and a 666 challenge t-shirt!

but takes only an hour and a half with no changes. By car, it’s less than two hours on the motorway, so whichever way you travel it’s relatively hassle free.

Stick within an hour’s travel time of Leicester, however, and you’ll still get to some of the UK’s best cities: you can reach both Birmingham and Nottingham for an £8 return with National Express. Liverpool, Manchester and York are further away, yet you can still get there for £20 return with a Coachcard, £25 without.

Further afield?

Travelling abroad is often associated with expense, but with budget airlines such as http:// www.ryanair.com/ and http://

www.easyjet.com this can change! From now until Christmas EasyJet have flights to popular cities including Berlin and Amsterdam for under £30, so if you fancy a short break why not visit a Christmas market abroad? Flying isn’t the only option. Taking the Eurostar is another fast and reasonably priced way to travel as long as you book in advance. If you’re more spontaneous, however, http:// www.lastminute.com/ is the site to go to for travel deals. Selling tickets for a fraction of the original price, they currently have city breaks to Brussels, Paris and Barcelona for around £100.

Whether it’s at home, visiting friends or on a weekend away, enjoy your travels!

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SPORT

11

Edited by Matthew Allen

Lacrosse the Pond

By Frederic Larsson My obsession with lacrosse only began at University, when many people in the UK pick up the game, and I’ve been playing for two years now. I’m a starting face-off midfielder for Leicester University Men’s Team and last year I was Treasurer for the club too. Lacrosse, as with the majority of UK University sport, is as much about the social side of a team as well as the sport itself. As such, the competitiveness of lacrosse lacks the intensity of American teams; especially since we could easily qualify as a drinking team too!

However, for my third year of University I’ve hopped across the pond and will be attending California State University, Long Beach, where the lacrosse scene is completely different. I had many worries about coming to play in the US. Will I be good enough to play? Will I just sit on the bench? Am I going to get wrecked by kids half my age?

Whilst this could all still be a possibility, the three weeks that I’ve spent out here so far have reassured me somewhat! Experiencing a few pickup games as well as attending my first

training session with CSULB has shown me how friendly and willing to help everyone is. More than keen to give me tips on how to improve and better my game, I’ve no doubt this team will have a huge impact upon my lacrosse experience. For me, the main deficit in my game is my lacrosse IQ and general stick skills; especially when it comes to my left hand and shooting ability.

I thought that my biggest challenge would be stepping up to the level of American lacrosse compared to that of England.

Yet the first thing I noticed when I padded up and went to warm up was the heat. My first pickup game was in Seal Beach, CA, and despite the light sea breeze it was ridiculously hot to say the least. Used to playing in the grey and drizzle with temperatures from 30-50 degrees F, the mid 80’s did not bode well with me.

But it’s mind over matter and I’m sure in time I’ll barely notice it!

The overall level of lacrosse that is being played here in the US is unparalleled to anything I’ve witnessed before. Even the high school players, as juniors, were playing with skill better than anything I’d played, having even

competed against England national players. Interestingly this made it both easier and more difficult to play. Obviously more difficult because of how good everyone was but every pass thrown to me would be perfectly accurate - something which is not common on many UK teams. The game out here has provided some of the most fun lacrosse, especially at this higher level. I’ll be playing as much lacrosse as I can, whether that is pick-up games, in the ULAX Los Angeles League with the Long Beach Men’s team or in the MCLA with the CSULB team.

Essentially what my blog posts will do is track my lacrosse journey and experiences whilst here in the states playing with different teams, players and coaches.

I hope to give readers both a chance to gain insight into English lacrosse and to compare it with the game out here; even if it is only done at the lower league level of the MCLA. It should be something that both UK and US players can enjoy and I’d love for you all to follow my American lacrosse adventure! I can’t wait to see what fall ball has in store!

Leicester’s Fresh Funding

by Karina Maduro

Sports England have recently awarded the University of Leicester and Students’ Union with a grant of £226, 032.

Due to begin on the 1st November, the funding will go towards a project which encourages students to get involved in sports and exercise. The project, named “Activate Leicester”, will take sports into student areas.

In a statement to the Students’ Union, the Director of Sport, Colin Hide, said “This is a fantastic vote of confidence in sport at the University and a huge opportunity to engage with our students through sport and further improve the student experience. We look forward to working with our project partners to roll out the project across the University.”

The Students’ Union Sports President, Kyfer Stewart, commented “Activate Leicester is for people who wouldn’t usually participate or want to try something different, getting involved by taking the activities to them.

It’s an amazing investment in our University from Sport England and recognises the Universities and Unions commitment to improving sport at Leicester.”

New Blood

by Matthew Allen

Coming off the back of a disappointing season, the Leicester Longhorns are looking for a reversal in fortunes, and Ron Mason, the new head coach, believes that he’s found a way to turn things around. A New Orleans Saints fan, Ron has an expansive history in the sport, winning the 2009 Division 2 Bowl with the Leicester Falcons, and playing with the Cambridgeshire Cats from 2011 to 2013, displaying his leadership by captaining them for his final 2 years, as well as setting a record for most passes defended in a single season, with 16.

In terms of coaching, he’s more than qualified. “I was positional coach at Cats and Defensive Co-ordinator in 2013, as well as head coach at Anglia Ruskin University for the past two years”. It’s a CV that speaks for itself, and certainly lends an experienced

hand to a Longhorns team desperate for new direction.

take what worked to the next level and to change what didn’t”.

Tactically, he has a very specific play-style that he swears by. “I’m a fan of aggressive, smash mouth football. He who hits hardest wins”. Despite his clear concepts though, there’s a pragmatist within. “The scheme must fit the players, not players fit the scheme”.

Aside from the coaching, Ron knows that there’s a responsibility amongst the players to turn things around. “The final part is down to the players.

We will be more intense, better coached by dedicated staff, more aggressive and ready for the season”. He hasn’t lost touch of what Team Leicester sport is all about though. What’re the benefits of having a better coaching staff and more dedicated players at the Longhorns?

“We’ll have far more fun!”

He’s confident that his methods will turn the team from a 1-7 minnow into the behemoth we know it can be. “We have young coaches who are learning and becoming better with every season that passes, as well as a dedicated core, and these are the building blocks we need”.

It all very much sounds like the Longhorns are a team for the future, but Ron is confident that success can be found in the short term as well as preparing for the long-term. “I plan to introduce more positional coaches and to learn from last year to

Hopefully Ron’s methods will breathe new life into the Longhorns, culminating in a victory against the DMU Falcons come March. A winning regular season wouldn’t go amiss as well, we suppose.

For all the latest match reports, fixtures and results, and for more expert analysis from our seasoned Sports team, visit www.the-ripple.co.uk/sports

Less Drinking, More Running The New Era of Travis Taylor

by Callum Jamieson With the 1st XV having been promoted into Division 1A, the top tier of Midland’s Rugby, pre-season had extra importance this year. Coming back two weeks early before term started, the boys took part in a tough regime with a heavy focus on fitness levels. Most days involved double sessions with outside help from British Military Fitness, The Warehouse Gym and the new coaching setup comprising of former club member Dan Hughes, Leicester Tigers players Anthony Allen and Gonzalo Camacho and of course, club veteran, Richard ‘The Neck’ Mee. The Oadby Run marked the beginning of pre-season and would be re-ran on the last day to measure how everyone’s fitness levels had improved. Dur-

ing the first week, a rugby ball was a rare sight as fitness and conditioning was the emphasis, coupled with a strict(ish) drinking ban. The boys made good use of the University facilities including the Manor Road Gym for recovery based sessions in the pool after a hard day.

During the second week of training the focus slowly switched to more rugby specific drills and sessions. On the Wednesday of Week Two we faced off against a strong Sheffield Hallam side and narrowly lost 7-5 in a hard fought encounter, which in fairness could have been won by either side. The game was very much used as a training exercise and the result ultimately did not matter. Leicester used over thirty players and this allowed the new coaching team to have a good look at the squad as we edged nearer the first competi-

tive matches. Pre-season ended with a repeat of the Oadby Run and enabled everyone to gage how their fitness levels had improved, some seeing this effect more than others…

The next stage of preparation came in the form of recruitment.

The entire club put in a lot of effort over the two days of Freshers Fair and large numbers of freshmen signed up to the taster trial session on the Wednesday overseen by the clubs senior players and coaches. The club are now introducing the first years into the way we play, with a freshers fixture against Warwick on Saturday 11th October. The First XV begin their season with an tough fixture away to Loughborough 2nd XV on the 8th of October with the 2nd and 3rd XV’s starting their campaigns the week after.

Image from Rugby Facebook Page

Foxes Throw It Away

By Alex Copson Burnley managed to come to Leicester and get away with a point. Probably more importantly, with two goals. A seven minute goal blitz in the first half saw the game go from a cagey 0-0 to an exciting and nervy 2-1. Having been lacklustre upfront so far this season, Burnley created enough chances to cause Leicester problems, especially during the second period, and managed to snatch a point late on with a superb free kick from Ross Wallace.

Leicester fans will feel aggrieved with the result as they ran the show in the first half with Riyad Mahrez putting in a top-drawer performance and getting himself a goal to show for his exploits. Cutting inside from the right flank on a consistent basis, Leicester created problems for the Burnley defence, especially Ben Mee. Playing out of position at leftback was evidently a struggle during the first half for the Eng-

lishman who was caught out marauding forward too much.

Having started this season far better than they could have dreamed with incredible results against strong teams such as Manchester United, Arsenal and Everton, Leicester will feel that they should have put the game to bed by half time. Burnley will have felt lucky to still be in the game at the same point.

The second half was a different tale entirely with Leicester offering next-to-nothing and Burnley coming out looking to claw their way back into the game. Ashley Barnes and Marvin Sordell who came on for George Boyd in the 67th minute held the ball up well but struggled with an end product to get Burnley’s second goal.

With Leicester offering little in front of goal and Burnley struggling to get a move going the game looked destined to remain 2-1 but for a free kick conceded halfway into the seven minutes of injury time. Ross Wallace stepped up

and despite the six-man-wall Kasper Schmeichel put in front of him, the ball was struck well and sailed into the net.

Despite the draw Burnley fans will be worried about the injury picked up by Keiran Trippier after a small clash with Jeff Schlupp as he tried to whip in a cross.

The right-back was probably Burnley’s top player on the day.

The silence of Leicester fans after the game walking out of the ground was telling, they will see this as two points dropped after the start they have had.

On the other hand it was a deserved point for a Burnley team who persisted throughout the 90 minutes, helped out by the backing of their travelling fans who were in exceptional voice during the game.

The result leaves Leicester in 12th place and Burnley in the relegation zone, in 19th, above Queens Park Rangers on goal difference.

by Rasteen Boni How did your lacrosse journey begin?

I started lacrosse in a suburb of Vancouver, Canada when I was 5 years old. In Canada we play an indoor version of the sport which I continue to play when I return home. When I was 13 I started playing ‘field’ lacrosse in the hopes of getting a scholarship to an American university.

I eventually attended Limestone College in Gaffney, South Carolina and upon my return to Vancouver, I started coaching youth players. I left Vancouver in 2006 to travel and ended up coaching at the University of Bristol where I stayed for the following 5 years before taking a position at Loughborough University.

What is your biggest achievement as a coach?

The achievement I am most proud about as a coach was during the three years I spend with the Dutch National Men’s team. From 2008 - 2010 I was able to increase the ranking of the Dutch team from 9th to 2nd place in Europe and 12th to 8th place in the world.

You’ve coached Wales and the Netherlands. Why Leicester?

They were willing to pay! Well, that isn’t only part of it. I enjoy coaching and I enjoy coaching different players who come from different backgrounds.

I have coached all over Europe and enjoy each unique coaching environment, and Leicester has its own set of positives and negatives which I will enjoy working with.

Does the new era of Travis Tay-

lor bring with it a new era of fitness requirements?

The approach to this team varies from any other situation because the team and its players are different. There is no doubt that the style of lacrosse has changed from previous years and now requires a lot more athleticism to compete at a high level. However, the requirements have already been agreed to between myself and Emily so the first two training sessions are a good indication on what future sessions will look like.

What are your plans for the future development of the women’s team as a whole?

The idea is to create a welcoming lacrosse environment for new players while still developing the first team to a level where they can be promoted.

There will be many challenges for the club in that regard however I believe they are off to a good start by providing equipment and coaching to the new players while still keeping the training expectations high for the returning players.

What do you think will be our biggest hurdles?

The biggest hurdle on any university team is the amount of time that any player can give to their development. The pressures of university life can be enormous however dedicating extra time toward lacrosse can make-or-break the season and be the difference between being promoted or not.

As you may have deduced by now our club has a strong … social aspect to it, with our high calibre socials being just

as religiously attended as our training sessions and obligatory post match boat races. Do you believe this is responsible for the strong dynamics of the team or rather that it prevents us from reaching our potential?

A strong social connection between teammates is an important aspect to the development and performance of any team.

Lacrosse especially has enjoyed a good reputation for providing a socially cohesive atmosphere amongst its players and it is the reason why lacrosse enrolment has increased around the country. Like any aspect of life the key is moderation. If the social activities are so intense that they keep you from training and studying then your performance (both in the classroom and on the pitch) will suffer.

It is about finding a balance.

Is the concept of Salou 2K15 one that appeals to you?

No Comment!

We are all itching to know, will there be a drinking ban enforced in the lead up to Women’s varsity?

Hahahaha...let’s just wait and see. I’m not sure it would be respected if it was implemented.

Finally, Leicester or Loughborough?

I would have to say Loughborough because of one important point. I believe a Loughborough student would usually be able to spell Leicester correctly and I am not sure a Leicester student (even with the spell-check option available) would be able to spell Loughborough correctly.