cleansed taking love to the limit page 3
informer the
February 2012 informer.cumbria.ac.uk The UoC’s Essential Student Newspaper
editorial
From S&M to controversy at one of Lancaster’s student bars, The Informer this month provides you with the essential student news. The UoC will be the host of the first all-female cast production of Cleansed, written by the late eccentric playwright Sarah Kane. The use of extreme sex and hard drugs are shown to portray the emotions and different feelings of love. The sado masochistic nature of the play will shock and challenge its audience and tickets are sure to sell quick. Speaking of love, as most of you will be aware, we are on the verge of entering Valentine’s season. The Informer looks into the occasion and wonders whether it is worth the money. We also offer advice on how to look sizzling hot in the bedroom with our lingerie special. We also investigate the happenings at a popular bar in Lancaster, where many UoC students attend. We spoke to a former worker who lifts the lid on all the goings on. With this and so much more, we hope you enjoy reading the UoC's essential student newspaper. Thanks Steven Ramshay
Contributors Editor Steven Ramshay Photographers Will Coombs Laura Ramsey Eleanor Simpson Picture Editors Matt Gibbs Paul Warner
Reporters Erika Akman Jonny Irving Harry Barker Tom Little Tom Dorsett Steven Ramshay Graeme Finch Samantha Sadler Leah Follett Jack Stride Chloe Fox Matt Gibbs Andy Hamilton Samantha Harker
Email The Informer at: ramshay@hotmail.co.uk Follow us on Twitter: @informeronline Website: informer.cumbria.ac.uk
pages 2,3,4
Time for a Re-Fresh This February sees the return of Fresher’s week with Re-Fresher’s. Our Students’ Union has organised events including the notorious Bar Tour. Now students have returned back to studies, both Carlisle and Lancaster campuses feel its time to blow away those post-Christmas blues with some heavy nights out. The events are open to all years and will be hosted by venues Concrete, Sugarhouse, Walkabout and others on the bar tour. The beach party at Walkabout (Carlisle) will encourage students to dress for the sun, sip cocktails and even have a go on the surfboard simulator. The official Re-Freshers events will coincide with Concretes themed nights, its UV party is sure to set the night alight with florescent dress code and face paints. After the success of Septembers Big Quiz, the SU is offering a prize of £50 and bar tour T-shirts to the winning team. The highlight of Re-Freshers, the Bar Tour will showcase the best drinking holes in town as you are guided by SU Reps for a drink in each bar. Back by popular demand is hypnotist Lo Reid who is no stranger to the student crowd: “I have been doing University
of Cumbria events for about 15 years, I’ve hypnotised Princes, millionaires and billionaires all across the world but students are always my favourite crowd.” This years Re-Freshers comes quite late into the year compared to previous events due to the organisers feeling they wanted more time to let everyone settle back into uni life and for more students to be informed of the party schedule. Bar Tour T-Shits, designed by competition winner Lee Freeman, will be on sale closer to the event from the SU office. Students enjoying a previous Re-freshers event
UCSU are hate crime heroes Victims or witnesses of hate crimes in Lancaster and Carlisle now have a new place to go for professional support and advice. University of Cumbria students, staff or members of the public, can be supported in the reporting of hate crime by the specially trained Students’ Union team. The Hate Crime project was launched by Wyre Council in August 2010 and employs a Hate Crime Officer covering the Wyre and Lancaster District. The project raises awareness to increase reporting of hate crime. Types of hate crime include prejudice or hostility towards a person or people based on their disability, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity (or nationality) or being transgender/transsexual.
NEWS
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FASHION &BEAUTY page 6
SPORT pages 7,8
FEATURES 2
informer | news
Jack Stride
Carlisle Events Monday 6th February £50 Big Quiz @ Calva Tuesday 7th February Pre-beach party @ Calva with beach themed games and giveaway Aussie Beach Party @ Walkabout starting at 10.00pm Wednesday 8th February Lo Reid – World Renowned Hypnotist Thursday 9th February Pounded @ Calva with Karaoke Faux Furs’day Full Moon UV Party @ Concrete doors open 10:00pm Thursday 16th February Bar Tour around Carlisle hotspots
The students and staff of the UCSU underwent training with Lewis Turner, Hate Crime Officer for Wyre Council and Lancashire Police to develop their support skills and to allow them to become a third party hate crime reporting centre. The SU officers and volunteers, led by Union Community Sabbatical Tom Underwood, will be promoting the new service over the next few months to try to raise awareness of the importance of reporting incidents. They will encourage fellow students to come forward and report hate crime if it has taken place. Tom said: “The Union becoming a reporting centre is great news for our students and others in our communities. I am really pleased that our staff and officers can potentially help students and other members of the community if they want to stand against discrimination and report a hate crime or an incident. Any action which can help put a stop to discrimination is positive action”. Students in Cumbria and London who cannot access an SU representative directly can use an online form, and they will be signposted to their local constabulary. A student advisor can be contacted on 01524 590810 if they wish to discuss the matter or seek support with reporting. The form can be accessed at: www.wldhatecrime.net. For more information contact Tom Underwood on 01524 590817 or Tom.Underwood@cumbria.ac.uk.
Tom Little
Union to take on new image The University of Cumbria’s Student Union (UCSU) have revealed a re-brand ahead of the new semester. The UCSU looked to the University’s Graphic Design students as the source of invention and creativity and finally settled on Lee Freeman’s design. Lee, who is currently in his third year of study, said: “I wanted to create something that captured what the UCSU is all about. They do such a large variety of things and I felt this would be too hard to try and capture in a single fixed logo. “The Union also has a great in-house designer called Tom Sinclair, I wanted to create something that could work flexibly across all the activities the Union do whilst also giving Tom something to play with and take further.” Lee, who is currently working on poster designs for the D&AD student awards, said on his new design: “I’m really happy my design was chosen, I was inspired by Bruce Mau’s identity for OCAD University in Toronto. “I imagine it will be really weird when I see it around. Tom Sinclair deserves a large amount of the credit with how it all came out; he took my idea and really brought it to life.” Steven Ramshay
The new UCSU logo
Love bares all
Golden chance for Carlisle locals
Performing Arts stage Sarah Kane’s graphic interpretation of emotional extremes
Olympic Art sessions led by
A group of University of Cumbria performing arts students are preparing to bare all both physically and emotionally as they perform a controversial play at the university’s Brampton Road Campus in March. Cleansed, written by Sarah Kane, can be categorised as classic ‘in-yer-face’ theatre. The play is not for the faint-hearted or prudish, with nudity, sexual acts, sado-masochism and incestuous themes. Jessica Clulow, who is directing the play, told The Informer: “Its exciting to be part of this production, this will get people talking, there has been nudity in the university’s shows before but this is to the extreme. “It will shock people but hopefully the audience will be still thinking about it weeks after.” Kane’s plays raise eyebrows with her method of telling a story in the most extreme way. She attempts to challenge the audience as well as the actors who play her characters. In Cleansed she attempted to viciously test declarations of love after reading philosopher Roland Barthes’ assertion that ‘being in love is like being in Auschwitz.’ As well as the strong sexual scenes, there will also be scenes of drug use and violence.
“ ”
students
Tom Underwood: delighted to be able to offer the project
Top: Chloe Barrett and Rachael Garwood get into character at rehearsals. Right: Director Jessica Clulow reads the script
Heslop, who plays Grace in the show, came up with the idea to perform this show; she tried to acquire the rights but was turned down. I then tried and again we were knocked back. It wasn’t until our lecturer Gavin Baker got in contact with the owner of the play’s rights did they give us the go-ahead.” The rights come at a cost of £75 per performance and the students will dig into their own pockets to pay for further production costs such as costumes and props. Sarah Knowles, who plays a character called ‘The Woman,’ will be one of the girls who will portray masturbatation and also participate in a sex scene whilst on stage, she told of how this is a liberating experience: “Taking on a role like this isn’t exactly easy, there is so much to think about, but I believe that as a person, me and the rest of the cast will change. I had confidence issues with my body Jessica says of the play as: “The story centres around love and the different types of but already these are leaving me and I feel more love that there are. The character Robin is in confident then ever.” The play is set in a dingy shower block in an inlove with education and her feelings for her stitute which is controlled by the sado-masochistic teacher stem from there. Another form of love is grieving; a sister’s love for her dead sibling Tinker. Amazingly this is Jessica’s debut as a director, shows the pain of loss and her physical and she explained: “As a debut, you couldn’t have came mental torment.” up with a more challenging play, however its someThe play written in 1998 proved difficult to thing different and hopefully this will show when it acquire the rights for. Jessica said: “Becky comes to audience satisfaction and also my marks.” “There are about 20 scenes in the play but only six scenes will show nudity, but there are some extreme scenes which are a challenge to direct. “The most extreme scene would probably be Tinker forcing the character Robin to eat chocolates he has bought as a present, scares him so much that Robin wets herself and is then forced by Tinker to clean it up and his face is forced into the urine. Jessica, however, stressed that this is not crossing the boundaries into pornography: “If people come thinking that’s what it is going to be then they will be sadly mistaken. We have worked with Gavin Baker and also Jen Bibby, our Costume Lecturer, to make sure it doesn’t turn out to be distasteful.” Gavin Baker had no qualms in letting the cast go ahead with the controversial play: “When they came to me and told me that’s what they wanted to do my only concern was that it Drug use: heating herorin had to be done well, I think at certain universi-
We’ve been working with our lecturers to make sure its not distasteful...
ties or institutions this would not be allowed but here at the University of Cumbria we treat the students as adults and give them as much freedom as possible with their artistic choices.” The performances have been set for March 2-3. There will be approximately 60 tickets on sale per show and the prices are expected to be £4 for a student member, £6 for students and concessions and £8 for adults. For more information on the show, go to the Box Office Theatre at the Brampton Road Campus.
Students at the University of Cumbria are set to lead on an Olympic themed community art project in Carlisle after securing funding from the National Union of Students (NUS) ‘Be a Champion’ scheme. The art sessions are aimed at local adults living close to the Brampton Road campus and will utilise the facilities and the skills of current art students on the campus. Sessions will involve a variety of drawing, painting, embroidery and photography. The eight week project was supported by the NUS Olympics Fund to facilitate the Olympic values of respect, friendship and excellence between students and local residents. The judging panel saw such great promise in the project that they increased the amount awarded to allow the project to be offered to more students and locals. Cumbrian sports coaching student Robbie George, a Students’ Union officer, helped to secure £1000 worth of funding to run the project, starting on Wednesday February 8. Cockermouth born Robbie, 28, said: “It’s amazing that the potential of this project has been recognised enough for the NUS to grant us this huge sum. We’re now looking for the people of Carlisle to also recognise the positive impact it can have and come down to the art-sessions each week!” Tom Underwood, Community Sabbatical said: “We are delighted to be able to offer this project to the community and to our students too. This project has great potential to bring students and the local residents of north Carlisle together to work on something that they enjoy doing.” Anyone currently out of education or work and looking to learn new skills is particularly welcome. If you are available on Wednesday afternoons and are interested in joining in, contact Tom Underwood on 01524 590817 or e-mail tom.underwood@cumbria.ac.uk
Tom Little
Steven Ramshay
news | informer
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News in Brief Students save shop
Helen is the Ice Queen Former student battles conditions for Sport Relief
The university’s arts shop situated at the Brampton Road campus has been saved after immense student pressure. The shop had been threatened with closure after continuously losing money, and staff members Diane Comrie and Susan Waugh were made redundant. It was announced on December 7 that the shop will now run with just one staff member, former manager Ann Nugent, with reduced opening hours. Ann said: “It’s a relief that the shop is still able to provide a service. Students are extremely happy and it is being used.” Opening hours will now be from 9:30 – 4:30 Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, then just 9:30 – 12:30 Wednesday and Friday. The shop is currently under the control of the Facilities Management team, but will be soon run by the Faculty of the Arts. The switch is seen as making the shop more feasible as it can offer more course specific products. The Students’ Union ran consultation meetings and information sessions with students and the university board in attempts to save what was seen as a vital service. They also organised a student survey on the potential closing of the shop.
Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton has conquered her biggest challenge yet after completing a 500 mile trek across Antarctica in aid of Sports Relief 2012. Speaking before the ‘Polar Challenge’ Helen said: “This is the most daunting thing I have ever agreed to do. People keep reminding me that it’s the most brutal place on earth but I am determined to survive in Antarctica and make it to the South Pole in one piece.” She flew to Antarctica from Cape Town on December 23, with the intention of beginning her journey on New Year’s Day, but due to bad weather they had to delay the start date until January 5. The original aim was for Helen to complete the challenge in 20 days; however, she actually managed to finish in only 18 days alongside her team mate Niklas Norman, a Winter sports expert from Norway. To travel across the snow and ice, Helen used three methods of transport; skiing, kite skiing and ice biking. During her journey Helen encountered hazardous conditions, such as snow storms and temperatures as low as minus 48 degrees Celsius. Her days begun at 7am where she endured 14 hours of pulling a sledge that weighed around 82kg. After 18 gruelling days in extreme conditions it is hardly surprising that Helen’s feet are full of blisters and she has wind burn on her face, but she says: “I’ve seen how Sport Relief money makes a big difference and that’s why I can’t complain about any part of this because it’s nothing compared to what some people go through every day of their lives.” As if this achievement is not big enough for Helen, she has also set a new Guinness World record for the fastest kite ski over 100km. She covered the distance in just seven hours and twenty eight minutes. Before she embarked on her journey Helen spoke to Britain’s most famous explorer, Sir Ranulph
Jonny Irving
Dynamic Radio A new radio station aimed at students has been launched in Carlisle by a former UoC graduate. Peter Thompson, 22, graduated in 2011 in Film and TV and has now launched ‘Dynamic Radio’. The new online radio station has been over 12 months in planning and finally launched on January 16. To fund the project he has received a grant from O2’s Think Big scheme and has been putting in his own funds. Dynamic Radio is designed to be an ‘unofficial’ student radio with a mixture of music, chat and competitions. Both current and ex-students are helping Peter run the station by presenting different shows. The opening of the new station was preceded by a launch party at the Source Café on January 14, which featured local bands The Alleys and Blunt Truth. Peter was pleased to finally see the station launch: “I’m glad its going well, we’ve got new people enquiring about slots daily and we have a recording studio next to us interested in doing a radio live lounge type of show with local bands.”
Future students at the University of Cumbria have been handed a £550 bonus after next year’s tuition fees were slashed. The university had originally planned to charge £8400, but the move to reduce the fee to £7850 was agreed by the Office for Fair Access. The revised agreement was submitted to ensure student recruitment does not suffer from the inflated tuition fees. Vice Chancellor Peter Strike said: “The drive to offer high quality resources to match the already high level of teaching and our dedication to widening participation are fundamental to the decision that will be taken.’ It remains to be seen whether the reduction in prices will make the University of Cumbria more attractive than rival universities. Prospective student Hannah Venables from Birmingham said: “Although the university isn’t charging the full £9000 a year the fees are still off putting for prospective students. “Already the prospects of getting employed are very low, and the only way to improve this chance is to take on a degree.” More information on next year’s undergraduate tuition fees can be found on the university website under student finance. Matt Gibbs
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Fiennes and to begin with he was sceptical about her decision to cycle across the South Pole, but he now says: “I take my hat off to Helen. I have to admit when she first told me that she was going to cycle part of the way to the South Pole, I laughed. “But through pure grit and determination she has got there and shown that yes you can use a bike to reach the Pole. Her incredible efforts are a great example of willpower.” During her trek Helen covered 329 miles by kite ski, 103 miles by bike and 68 miles by cross country ski. A nine week series of extracts about Helen’s Polar Challenge for Sports Relief are being shown on weekdays on Blue Peter at 4:30pm. Sam Harker
Swank Bar back in business ‘We’ll be good,’ vows boss of re-opened Lancaster bar
Jonny Irving
Student fee boost
Cool Runnings: Former UoC student Helen Skelton
Swank: re-opened
A controversial Lancaster bar has re-opened after vowing to correct the error of its ways following an enforced four-week closure. The night spot reopened on February 4, after a City Council ordered it to shut for 28 days due to several police visits for disturbances involving violence, underage drinking and noise. Days before the bar was set to reopen, ‘The Informer’ obtained an exclusive interview from an ex-employee who described seeing, among other things, drugs being handled by a former staff member. The source said Swank was “the dodgiest place I’ve ever worked. “Inside, the club could only be described as a bombardment of sweat, there were far too many bodies – no wonder fights occured - and underage drinkers.” The former employee spoke of frequent violence in the bar, including one occasion when four fights took place on the same night. The severity of the fights was apparently underestimated by the staff: “They found a comical side to them. I felt rather nauseous after seeing so many fights; they were not tame ones either.
“The police came on one occasion, the other occasions, bouncers attempted to break them up. “Sometimes some staff appeared inebriated ... people were observed handing little bags to each other looking shifty, it was rather clear that drugs were being dealt.” In preparation for the re-opening of the bar several changes have been implemented, including refurbishment. The closure for 28 days was implemented following a r equest from Lancaster council, after Lancaster police had been called out to 30 incidents in the past 12 months. One instance saw a customer have his jaw broken in the toilets and in another a man was kicked unconscious outside. The Council Licensing Act Subcommittee said in their decision: “The premises ... failed to heed numerous warnings from the responsible authorities and there appears to be poor management at the premises. “The Sub-Committee also is of the opinion that Mr Binnie [former manager] was not a suitable person to be in day to day control of the premises.” Speaking at the committee, Sgt James Martin, licensing officer, said: “These are very serious violent incidents and go beyond what we would usually see when it comes to policing licensed premises.” Other imposed conditions include the installation of a noise limiter to music systems, the use of door staff after 11pm from Thursday to Saturday and continuous CCTV coverage. A statement on Swank’s Facebook page said: “Swank has had its license
suspended for 28 days by Lancaster council. This is due to bad Management which no longer work for Swank. “Swank has taken it very seriously and we will correct the error of our ways and continue to be Lancaster’s house venue with a difference.” Speaking to “The Informer” Daniel Binnie, who said he was not present at Swank at the time of the incidents, admitted that mistakes were made, but denied that Swank had ever had four fights in one night, any serious drug problems or regular underage drinkers. “The police want a strict drugs policy which is now in place. However, we have made some mistakes with management. The ones we employed did make some mistakes and we have to put our hands up and take responsibility for them, which we have done, at the end of the day I did employ them.” Swank has also employed a new manager: “He is very experienced and very well respected in the area, which is very good for Swank. There’s also a new team going in.” Asked about accusation of drugs being dealt, Daniel said: “There never really has been a drugs issue, it’s just the fact we are a house venue, there are people within the town centre that take drugs, its 2012 and we are aimed at the 18-30 market, if they are in town they’ll come to our venue.” Andy Hamilton
Little Black Dress exhibition “A girl should be two things; classy and fabulous”- Coco Chanel The Little Black dress has been a fashion favourite amongst women since Coco Chanel launched ‘The Ford Dress,’ the first definitive Little Black Dress in 1926. To mark the 85th anniversary of the LBD, Tullie House is currently showing an exhibition about the transformation of the dress from the 1860s right up to the 2000s. The exhibition is divided into different eras, with the dresses, shoes and accessories on show from each period. It provides an insight into how the style of the dress has developed over the years and how it has been adapted to meet the fashion demands of today. Melanie Gardner, keeper of Fine and Decorative Arts at Tullie House said: “The Little Black Dress is a blank canvas, you can dress it up or down and that’s why it has been so enduring.” She added: “Designers come to museums and look at collections to see to see how they can remake them.” The fact that the Little Black Dress has continued to be a fashion favourite into the 21st century highlights its longevity and its continuing place in fashion. The dress remains a fashion favourite amongst celebrities as well. Cheryl Cole wore a Versace LBD at the National Television Awards in 2011 and since her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City; Sarah Jessica Parker has become a style icon. She wore a 50s inspired Little Black Dress to the screening of her film ‘Family Stone’ in 2005. Most of the dresses at the exhibition have been donated, but there are some on loan from various collections including Jean Paul Gaultier, Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood. Dr. Maggi Toner-Edgar, fashion designer and director of a ‘Creative Style’ consultancy in Cumbria is holding a special evening at Tullie House on February 16. ‘Femme Fatale: What makes the little black dress so ironic?’ will take place at 7pm. Maggi will explore the LBD as a style statement in the 20th century and there will also be an opportunity to learn about the museums collection as you are taken on an exclusive tour around the exhibition. Tickets are priced at £12.50 (£10.50 for concessions) and they are available from the ticket office on 01228 618700
History of the Little Black Dress 1860s – The black dress was used to symbolise mourning. Queen Victoria wore the dress after the death of Prince Albert. 1920s – This saw women of the time wearing the dresses. Coco Chanel launched the ‘Ford dress’ in 1926. 1930s – Fashion was influenced by movies and the LBD took on more of a sexual connotation. 1940s – The introduction of fashion shows at this time saw the little, black dress being introduced on to the catwalk. 1950s – Dior introduced a ‘new look’ during this post war era. Sexual conservatism returned and so the dress took on a more uniformed style. 1960s – Audrey Hepburn was a massive star who promoted the LBD in her Givenchy cocktail dress in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. 1970s – This decade was all about long dresses which created an ethnic, hippy look. 1980s – Big shoulder pads were a must have on any little, black dress during the 80’s. 1990s – During the 90s the dress was simply cut and dressed down with sandals and military style boots. 2000s – The LBD continues to be a much loved garment by everyday women and celebrities.
Sophie Cass modelling the famous little black dress
Sam Harker
Can a tablet really give you a tan? Professor denounces tanning claims Fake tan and sunbeds are common favourites amongst those seeking the mahogany look, but tanning injections and tanning tablets are popular new methods which people are using in order to achieve their tan. Nicola Roberts of Girls Aloud is known for her red hair and pale skin and she said: “I was once in a place where I did feel a pressure to have a tan. Having a tan made me feel more attractive, it made me feel more accepted. Without having a tan, I did not feel attractive; I just did not feel very good at all.” The tablets are engineered to enhance, improve, darken and prolong your tan as well as giving you fast results. Exposure to the sun whilst taking the tablets will increase their performance although that is not a necessity. On average it takes approximately two weeks for the chemical from the tablets to build up on your skin and for you to see any results, but everyone’s skin is different and this may take longer on pale skin.
Sophie Cass, 20, a computing student at the university says: “I’m fair skinned and so I don’t really tan so I think these tablets are a great way of increasing my chance of getting a tan. I haven’t really thought about the side effects of them but some people I know have taken them and they’ve been fine.” Most of the tanning tablets contain Tyrosine; an amino acid which helps the body to produce melanin which makes us looked tanned. However, Professor John Hawk, consultant dermatologist at St Thomas’ Hospital in London and a specialist in damage to the skin by the sun, said: “I don’t think this would have any effect on a tan at all. The tanning system is turned on by other stimuli, not by providing
more of what makes us tan.” Dr Richard Staughtons, Head of Dermatology at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London, said: “There is no shortage of tyrosine in the body anyway. If you add more tyrosine to the body, your body will simply get rid of it.” There is no real evidence at this time illustrating whether these tablets are safe, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved Conthaxanthin as a tanning agent as large quantities of it are required which could have result in harmful side effects. Despite not knowing the long term side effects, research shows that high levels of the chemical can damage the eyes as it not only settles on the skin but also in the retinas. Other known effects include stomach cramps and nausea. Sam Harker
Breast implant controversy Martin Dodd, Student Recent health newsExecutive that someOfficer, had the brainwave of the world breast implants could rupture and record Thewomen’s Student bodies Union sugreleaseattempt. toxins into has gested the themeconsidering of saints and sinners given students, having fancy dress, so Martin outlined the idea the procedure, plenty to think about. to the Record’s Office They Whilst spreading fearin toLondon. those who then researched already have thesimilar implants. The owner of French company Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) Jean Claude-Mas has been charged with unintentional harm and could face manslaughter charges after being arrested by French police. The implants that he used were made with a mixture of agricultural and industrial grade silicone, making them unfit for medical purposes. There have also been reports of the implants rupturing and causing inflammation. It is believed that around 40,000 women in the UK have the implants and since 2009 the number of procedures has risen by 10.3%. Carlisle Hairdresser, Sophie Roberts, 20, is one of the many women who have had breast implants fitted with the potentially harmful PIP silicone. She said; “It’s an outrage that so many women put their trust in these implants, and at the time, like me they were happy with the results and now look. People are scared in case it happens to them” She added; “There are queues out side a lot of clinics. I’m very worried in case my implants rupture. I’ve managed to get an appointment to see a consultant so I know what my options are. I actually regret getting them done now, I was young and naive and it’s causing more trouble than they’re worth, I know that many people are demanding the removal of them to be paid for, but I won’t be doing that because I don’t see how it would help the situation, it will just prolong the process for them.” According to the Department of Health, if you are worried you should seek advice from a specialist or your GP and discuss whether your implants are affected. If so, then you can discuss your options, which may include going for a scan. However they do say, the NHS will remove implants with consent from your own doctor but they will not replace them unless it is absolutely necessary. Above all they advise you not to worry too much but if or when you feel like something is wrong it is important that you seek medical attention. So far Mas who has distributed over 300,000 implants all over the world has admitted using unapproved sillicone but dismissed fears of a health risk from them.
Chloe Fox
news | informer 5
‘Magnificent’
Practice makes perfect for the Saints
first team Manager Main hails his team’s performances Manager of the University of Cumbria’s Football first team Adam Main, has hailed his team’s performance this season as ‘magnificent’. The team currently sits in second position, five points behind the leaders, University of Bolton 1st. But with just three games remaining it will be a tough ask for them to catch Bolton and secure back to back promotions, after winning the Northern 7C division last season. Adam however, is pleased with what he has seen: “The first team have been magnificent, however we have slipped up once in the league which will most likely cost us the title. They went all the way through to the last 32 of the national cup, exceeding everyone’s expectations as well as mine. No one [from UoC] has ever won a round in the
cup until then. In the last few games I want us to maintain the same standard which has been set and keep the enjoyment there.” One of the biggest tasks for Main is his ability to balance his running and playing with the uni team alongside playing semi-pro for Workington Reds. He added: “It’s been easy as I enjoy every moment working with the team. But when my Workington schedule became busy this has affected the uni team. Sometimes I have been unorganized but the team mix in together to make my role easier. I am still enjoying my football at Workington but will limit my game time at uni to give others a chance and help me concentrate at Workington.”
Jonny Irving
Saints keep marching on Cheerleaders fight for recognition is on target
Manager Adam Main is pleased with his team
Students to deliver Olympic projects Community sports to prosper thanks to PE students London 2012 inspired projects are to be delivered by UoC students alongside Carlisle Leisure Ltd. The scheme will see second and third year PE students deliver a number of community development projects throughout the district. Second year students will be devising a lottery funded project aimed at 14-25 year olds. The Sport England ‘Sportivate’ project will be delivered during March, with four teams of students taking turns to deliver two hours of activities at local venues in and around Carlisle. In the coming weeks, the students will be submitting a funding proposal, consulting young people, devising activities, marketing, delivering and evaluating the project. Students have been advised from Andy King, the Managing Director of Carlisle Leisure Ltd, and marketing manager Kelly Donnelly. Mark Christie, senior lecturer in Sport and Physical Activity Development at the university commented: “Participation
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informer | sport
levels in sport for 14-25 year olds are falling sharply, particularly after the age of 16, causing concern to government and sport agencies. Our students are ideally placed, given their age, to seek out the views of young people and identify specific sport activities, venues and times to facilitate their participation in sport and to maintain the interest in sport beyond the project’s conclusion.” Garry Schubert, Carlisle Leisure Ltd Sport and Physical Activity Liaison Officer highlighted the importance of student involvment with such projects: “With the inspiration of London 2012, against a backdrop of government spending cuts affecting sport development across the country, the students must appreciate the policy context and key drivers currently affecting the delivery of community sport. “This is a great opportunity for students to develop and deliver sport festivals for the local community, with a view to encouraging sustainable, longer term participation with a legacy effect of their own making.”
Steven Ramshay
A campaign led by the University of Cumbria’s Saints Cheerleaders to get their sport recognised is going well, according to their Vice President Sian Lucas. The Saints are looking to convince BUCS, the national student sports body to recognise cheerleading as a bona fide sport, allowing different universities to compete against one another. They started the campaign last semester and have since set about gaining the support of other universities and governing bodies. Sian, 20 has secured the backing of eight other Students’ Unions including; Glasgow University, University of Westminster and St.Andrews, plus SportsCheerGB the national cheerleading body. She said: “I made contact with SportCheerGB, who are fighting to get recognition for cheerleading nationwide, and who produced a document for me to send to the recent North West BUCS meeting in December. The idea of cheerleading becoming a recognized sport was raised, and we are now applying for cheerleading to become a new
sport for 2012/13, so I am hoping that the application will be successful. I do hope that the application to BUCS will be successful so that university cheerleaders nationwide will have both their efforts and their achievements fully recognised. I also hope that this will assist the work that SportCheerGB are doing to gain sport recognition for cheerleading across Britain.” Rachael Garlick, the UCSU Student Life Sabbatical, who is helping Saints with their campaign said: “Since the activities assembly, where the motion was passed, everything has run pretty smoothly. We contacted over 50 student unions to gain some support, we worked with the cheerleaders on the criteria and the bid was put in before Christmas. Now it’s just a case of waiting for the governing bodies to make their decision. We are unsure how long this process will take but have our fingers crossed that it will be a positive outcome.”
Andy Hamilton
Third year PE students with Garry Schubert, Carlisle Leisure Limited’s Sport and Physical Activity Liaison Officer (back row, left) and module tutor, Mark Christie (back row, centre)
International students visit Liverpool
A little help from my friends Erika Akman tells us of her account of a trip to Liverpool for international students
Will Barclay reminisces about drunken times
Drunken confessions Barely clothed student falls into river after drinking one too many Our award for top drunken confession this edition goes to first year student Will Barclay, from Blackpool. Will is the kind of guy who acts like something straight out of the ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ highlight reels whilst utterly trolleyed, but this escapade surely takes the biscuit. Will’s story began after a hefty drinking session: “When I left the house, there were three front doors and the walls weren’t solid.” On arrival, he managed to slip past the bouncers with a wink and a nod, but unfortunately that was where his luck ended. “When I got in, the guy at the desk asked me for £3 to enter. I went into my pocket and pulled out the first thing I could put my hand on and then held it out. After a minute of people giving me funny looks I realised I was holding my phone.” Ever the optimist, Will hopped back in the queue for a second attempt. “When I got to the front, the bouncer asked for my ID as usual. I handed him what I thought was my ID. But apparently it was an AAA taxi card.” This is where things start to get interesting. Will recalled his journey home. “My housemate came outside and told me to go home, so I started walking and thinking about how mad it was that I’d been turned away. I don’t remember a lot after that, but I do remember suddenly being at the bottom of Sheep-
mount. It was really wet and muddy and I figured I needed to get out of there. I tried climbing the slope, but I slipped and fell into the river. I later found out that I’d lost my shoes and my phone was beyond repair, but a broken phone was the least of my worries at this point.” After a good half hour Will was finally out of his predicament and ready to head home. We can only imagine he had been watching a bit too much ‘Born Survivor’, as in true Bear Grylls fashion his adventure continued. “I was soaking from the river and it was f*****g cold, so I took off my wet clothes. I’d seen it somewhere on the Discovery Channel, seemed like a class idea at the time.” Yeah, but so did offering to use your taxi card as ID, Will. Upon waking up on his sofa back home, Will inspected the damage from the night before. “I was cold as ice and barely clothed and there was mud everywhere. I had a massive cut right up my side and there was some blood here and there. When my flatmate came downstairs, he questioned the fact he had seen his jeans hung on a fence outside the house when he got in earlier that morning. I never found my t-shirt.” When asked how he felt about his antics, Will replied: “I’ve had worse.” Top work Will, you’re nuts. Harry Barker & Graeme Finch
The sun hasn’t risen yet and I’m walking through Rickerby Park with two girls from Hong Kong. The ground is frosty and thick fog is floating over the river. My cheekbones tell me, it’s below zero and I feel like walking faster to keep myself warm, but the Chinese girls can’t keep up. An orange coach is standing in front of Fusehill Street Campus and a group of people from all around the world are entering the coach. Katie from America tries to get in from the wrong side. I don’t blame her, I’ve been there. It takes five minutes for me to see the first sheep. They stand on the field so still that it looks like they are frozen. The international students are just like the sheep. They follow each other and go everywhere as a group. Their biggest fear is to get lost from the others. I hope I will have the courage to be the black one. The scenery is breathtaking. I can’t take my eyes off of those snowy mountains. I guess it’s a Finnish thing. What a waste of mountains,
since no one is snowboarding there. “I’m looking forward to learn ing something about the history of Liverpool,” says Louis when I ask about his expectations. It is 11 o’clock when we arrive at Liverpool and the flock splits into a few smaller groups. I’m with the French boys, the four Spanish girls, another Finnish girl and some people from Taiwan and Estonia. Yu Hua Liang, 22, from Taiwan has travelled quite a lot in the UK, but this is her first time in Liverpool. She has been to Glasgow, Newcastle, London, Edinburgh, York and Beamish. “I feel privileged to do so much travelling,” she says. Yu Hua has been here since September, and she is studying business as well. The first thing we decide to do is go on a ferry to the river Mersey. I can smell the ocean and I can sure feel the wind. I go inside, while the others stay on the deck. After the ferry ride we go see the Cavern Club where The Beatles played, have some lunch and visit the Liverpool museum.
It’s almost four o’clock when John, one of the tour leaders phones me and says it’s time to go. I count the sheep behind me, and tell him that the nine of us will be there in a minute. “If we had stayed here longer, I would’ve spent more time in the museums. I found them really interesting,” says Louis. On the way back, the coach was silent. One of the Spanish girls is sleeping against Louis’ shoulder. It’s after seven when I’m walking back to Brampton Road with the Chinese girls, who are even slower than this morning. When I finally get to bed I am so tired that there is no need for me to start counting sheep. Erika is a 22-year-old Finnish journalism student currently studying a semester here at the University of Cumbria.
Erika Akman
Jane helps students reach full potential Help: Jane Heathcote explains what LISS do for students
The LISS services are not very well known at the University of Cumbria, with some students having no idea what the service is or what it provides. Jane Heathcote is one of the two Student Development advisors based at the Brampton Road campus; they are situated next door to the Student Union office. She gave the Informer a rundown of what LISS can do for students, and how to find them. Jane said: “We offer advisory interviews to students before coming to the university or we will meet with them at open days to discuss what’s available to them. Students can also book appointments when here to discuss disability or learning difficulty support, finance or personal issues.” LISS stands for Learning Information and Student Services. It’s the part of the university that deals with library services, tuition and general student support.
Jane says the University’s aim when it comes to learning support is a commitment to “equal opportunities” and a belief that “all students should be given the best chance to reach their full potential and enjoy the benefits of Higher Education and University life; regardless of age, gender or disability.” For example a process that many students struggle with, including myself was the Disabled
Students’ Allowance (DSA). “We can help students with the DSA process. Through the DSA, students may be eligible to receive one to one tuition, equipment and/or specialist software. We realise this process can be long-winded and confusing for students, particularly those with dyslexia, so we can help guide students through all stages of the process.” I went to Jane with a problem with the equipment that I had been supplied and with her help it was changed from a desktop computer to a laptop, which has been a massive improvement and has greatly helped me with my course. Appointments at the LISS office can be made by going into the library or phoning either 01228 400341 or 01228 616218. Tom Dorsett
features informer 7
Sometimes less is more
Above: Best bra none
Sexy in suspenders
Pictures courstesy of Laura Ramsey
If lingerie sales figures are to be believed, Valentine’s Day has to be the sexiest day of the year, and many high street retailers offer extensive ranges of Valentine’s themed underwear to suit the needs of couples who want to celebrate it appropriately. Eveline Jardine, who works as a bra fitter at Debenhams says: “We get lots of women looking for something to impress a loved one and an equal number of men buying for their partners. “Our most popular colours for Val-
Is Valentine’s Day too commercial? Traditionally Valentine’s Day is about expressing your love for someone who is close to your heart, or someone you have a major crush on. But has the whole thing become too commercial? The practice of sending Valentine’s cards began in the 1800s, when people would send hand written romantic notes to someone they had a crush on, keeping their identity secret. Since then, simple hand written notes have given way to mass-produced Valentine’s Day cards, and it is estimated that approximately one billion of these cards are sent every February 14th. Florists do their best business at this time of year as well. In 2010, 2.3 million bunches of flowers were bought for Valentine’s Day, and the gesture isn’t cheap. Twelve red roses, the traditional gift to send on Valentine’s Day, can cost as much as £40. Florists and card shops take full advantage of this holiday, knowing that there are plenty of people who are willing to buy their gifts, no matter how pricey they are, and nowadays many people perceive Valentine’s Day as nothing more than a money making opportunity for shops. Criminology and Law student, Jane Garstang, says: “Valentine’s Day is a waste of money. Especially being a student you don’t need another reason to be spending your money on such a pointless day.” Photography student Natalie Cheetham agrees: “Valentine’s Day makes a mockery of what real love is. It’s just an excuse for silly people to buy into it when they have no genuine meaning behind it.” Leah Follett
entine’s Day are red, black or pinks and deep purples. We sell a lot of lace and it appears that most customers go for sexiness rather than comfort.” Valentine’s Day provides a great opportunity to look amazing in the bedroom for that special someone. Not only will looking good impress your date, it gives you an extra confidence boost. Anna Pearson, 19, former student says; “It’s important to get a good lingerie set, especially if it’s for a special occasion. “Matching underwear can just make you
informer | features
Sam Sadler
Gift Guide
Valentine’s ideas on a budget
Shops have cashed in on Valentine’s Day
Pictures courstesy of Eleanor Simpson
Romance’s biggest day is just around the corner. February 14 is the perfect time to declare your love for your secret crush or to treat your sweetheart to a special something. To some people Valentine’s day may just be another way of getting into even more debt due to being a struggling student. However, this loved up day doesn’t have to burn a massive hole in your wallet. Try pleasing your Valentine’s with these cheap but cheerful gifts. Why not go down the traditional route and buy a bunch of red roses? Red is associated with love so these are the perfect flowers to make your partner swoon. They don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg, Tesco do a beautiful bunch for just £10.00. You can’t go wrong with something that is pleasing on the eye and a cheesy poem! ‘Roses are red, violets are blue’, does that ring a bell?! Every girl will have numerous bottles of perfume and wouldn’t say no to another bottle to add to their collection on Valentines
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feel better about yourself and gives you more confidence.” So keep the boring, old and slightly tattered underwear for a regular day and go out and buy something new, bold and sexy to make your Valentine’s evening one to remember!
Leah Follett
Health and Beauty Guru Sam Harker’s view “Valentine’s Day is a day focused around showing your partner how much you love and appreciate them. Roses in shop windows and heart shaped chocolates on the shelves, but why do we just need one day to express our true love to that special someone? We all enjoy getting presents but they are only really appreciated if some thought has been put into it. I would prefer a spontaneous present off my partner rather than expecting to be handed it on Valentine’s day. It is lovely to get presents, but I feel that Valentine’s Day has become too commercialised. Retailers put the price up on everything that can be associated with Valentine’s Day. It is just seen as an added way of making money and the real meaning being forgotten.”