Tside Autumn 2012 Issue by Bethany Usher

AUTUMN 2012

AL MURRAY

STUDENT FOOTBALLER

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MFC DEFENDER CHRIS BURGESS – BACK PAGE

REVIEW OF AL MURRAY’S MIDDLESBROUGH SHOW – PAGE 14

Teesside graduates ready to go! FORMER students from all over the country are returning to Teesside University for their graduation ceremony. From November 19, students will return and a sea of gowns and square caps will surround Middlesbrough Tower as each graduate is honoured by the ViceChancellor, Professor Henderson. Teesside is quickly becoming one of the most succesful universities in the country for graduate employment.

UNI NURSE IS ACTION HERO STUDENT Phil Bowman has traded life chasing pirates across the high seas for a degree in nursing at Teesside University. The 32-year-old former paratrooper spent the last 18 months protecting

EXCLUSIVE freighter ships across the

east coast of Africa. Now he has cast his anchor in Middlesbrough and dreams of swapping his machine gun for a nurse’s scrubs.

 See Page 10 & 11

Phil was a soldier in Iraq before moving into private security with the US Government, spending ﬁve years helping them rebuild the country. Full story: Page 3

ACTION MAN: Phil Bowman

2 NEWS

Warning over bicycle thefts By JUNIQUE AUJLA

Multimedia journalism student Adam Hudson, 21, from Manchester, had just fixed his £200 bike to help him get around Middlesbrough when it was stolen on August 1. Adam called the police after finding his bike lock snapped and left on the floor and his cycle missing. He said: “You assume that a bike is safe when you lock it up, wherever you are. But I’ve come to realise that it’s never safe.” Adam had been told that there was a lead on a well known criminal who had just been released from custody. “It’s definitely made me more wary about the crime in Middlesbrough,” he said. This isn’t the only recent news of bike theft around the North East. British Transport Police are looking for a man who has been dressing up as rail staff to help him steal bikes. He has been seen throughout the Teesside, Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear area, and has stolen £2,000 worth of cycles. Bike thefts at rail stations are increasing as passengers leave them for long periods of time. Cleveland Police Constable Stephen Cranstone said: “If you’re leaving your bike unattended it’s crucial that you lock your bike through the frame and property-mark it with your postcode and house

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number. “Always park your cycle in a secure area where it is well overlooked and use a good, heavy duty security product like a D lock. “It only takes a second for someone to steal your bike.” Students are urged to find out about the neighbourhood police ‘cycle stamp’ scheme, and to get their bikes tagged. Police report that crime is falling overall across the town. Official statistics show that vehicle crime has fallen by 14.3 per cent, house burglary is down by 10.5 per cent and crinimal damage and arson have fallen by more than 20 per cent. However, cycle theft has continued to be an issue in Middlesbrough and it has now become a police priority within Teesside University. The university provides covered cycle stores for students for an annual charge of £5, and have other safe places around campus to secure bikes free of charge.  Police advice for making your bike more secure: - Get your bike tagged and register it at www.bikeregister. com, - Ensure you have a solid bike lock, - Always lock your bike through its frame, not just through the wheel, - Fix your bike in a busy, well-lit and CCTV-covered area wherever possible.

It only takes a second for someone to steal your bike

The Tside team

Editor: Jamie Burton

Chief Reporter: Adam Hudson

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A TEESSIDE student has spoken of his anger after his bike was stolen, as police warn cyclists to be more wary.

SAYS

The new term brings in the new Tside editing team. We’ve been working hard to bring you the latest in our area

The Graduates As the graduates get their gowns and square caps ready, they’re making way for a fresh bunch of first years to reign at Teesside University. Despite the record unemployment rates, Teesside graduates continue to buck the trend and forge strong careers in their chosen fields. We celebrate the immediate success our most recent graduates in the centre spread.

tease-side BIKE STOLEN: Adam Hudson with his bike lock at the scene of the theft

Teesside is making a name for itself for producing top quality academics who are ready for the working world. But we’ve also hit the headlines for our romatic side. Because of our many lotharios and maneaters, we featured in the top 10 ‘naughtiest’ universities. Is it wrong to feel a little proud of this? You tell us on page 4.

Sporting scoops

ADVICE: Left to right, Junique Aujla holds a D bike lock, with PC Stephen Cranstone and Problem Solving Co-ordinator, Laura Kelly

News Editor: Rebecca Greener

Issues Editor: Jordan Brough

Entertainment Editors: Samuel Leader and Jake Gauntley

Tside has secured exclusive interviews with promising young sport stars. Double paralympic gold medalist and national sweetheart, Hannah Cockroft talks to us about life after her London triumph. Middlesbrough defender and Teesside student, Chris Burgess talks to us about his transfer from Birmingham University team to Championship hopefuls. Flip over to the sports section for the eaxclusives.

Staff Contact: Sports Editors: Lifestyle Editors: Bethany Usher Jessica Burt and Graeme Thornton and Tom Etherington b.usher@tees.ac.uk Olivia Thornton

NEWS 3

From ﬁghting pirates to ﬁghting diseases By JAMIE BURTON

MANY students spend time abroad before attending university.

ACTION MAN: Phil armed with an M4 while on duty in Iraq

ARMED AND DANGEROUS: Modern day pirates cast a different picture to the Disney image

But not many spend that time aboard freighter ships fighting pirates off the coast of East Africa. For the past 18 months Phil Bowman, 32, worked for a British maritime security company. Astonishingly he took the intense job in preparation for student life at Teesside University where he will be taking an Adult Nursing degree. Phil’s company, Maritime Asset Security and Training, or MAST, are hired by shipping companies who need protecting while they transfer their goods. “It was our task to prepare the defences,” he said. “We put razor wire around the outskirts of the ship and welded steel doors shut to the engine room to create a citadel for the crew. “We’d use sandbags from the look out points on the ship and create prepared firing positions for any potential threats.” AK47 and Dragunov guns in hand, his team of four security men patrol the ship keeping an eye out for pirate boats who pose a threat to their vessel. Phil said: “Pirates tend to use small, fast, fiberglass boats which don’t show up on the ship’s radar. We remain vigilant all day and night looking out for boats that the radar misses.” His team usually acted as a warning to potential pillagers as they made their way across the oceans. Many ships travel unprotected so they fire flares and warning shots to other boats so they know their ship is guarded. “We had one serious encounter off the coast of Yemen near a group of islands which is notorious with pirates. A boat was approaching us so we fired a flare as usual but they opened fire on us. “We called a ‘code red’, evacuated all of the crew to the safety of the engine room and we returned fire. There were three skiff boats, firing at us. We contacted a U.S. naval warship which was in the area but it was two hours away. “After 20 minutes of exchanging fire we forced them to abandon their attack. This came after a month of bad weather and rough seas so I think they must have been really desperate to attack us.” With a background in the Parachute Regiment, Phil moved into overseas

GOT A STORY? Contact

NURSING DEGREE: Phil wants to join the Red Cross after his degree

private security at 24, working in Iraq for four years as security for the U.S. Core of Engineers. After his stint in Iraq, he returned home to the North East to attend college before leaving for a life on the high seas. “I deﬁnitely enjoyed the job,” he said. “I managed to see countries that I wouldn’t usually see, like Egypt or Djibouti. Some were very hostile but seeing different hardships in these countries made me appreciate things back home even more. Things like education, for example, which is free in England. “Kids were ﬁghting to go to school there. They would beg on the streets because they want to go to school whereas it is taken for granted at home.” Phil, originally from South Shields, has now started a Nursing Studies degree at Teesside. His motivation for going into nursing stems from issues he faced in his home life. “My mam, at quite a young age, was diagnosed with dementia. She was having mental problems but suffered from ill health physically too. “I moved back home to help care for her with my dad but we also had a lot of the district nurses who would come and help. That made such an impact on our lives.”

“Nursing looks like such a rewarding career and I feel I’ve never really had a career where I help people. My work has always been kind of destructive.” “I may help people but I don’t get the immediate satisfaction of seeing the positive impact I made in someone’s life like you do with nursing.” The importance of medical training was stressed to Phil in the early stages of his career. “When I first started in the army, they would always hammer on about the medical side of it and that was something I really enjoyed - the hands on approach.” “I’d like to specialise as an accident and emergency nurse. After my degree I’d like to go travelling again and volunteer with the Red Cross.” Phil moved from the Army to private security after he was offered a contract at the age of 24. He said: “My parents thought I was crazy when I went and toured Iraq but they’ve always been supportive. “My main incentive to move into private security was the money. I went from not getting much in the Army to getting rock star wages so it was worth the risk to me back then.” African pirates did not pose as big a threat to Phil and his security team as that posed by terrorists in Iraq. Whilst there, it was his job to protect the American companies who were trying to rebuild parts of the country they had previously invaded. Phil said: “I was living on an army camp and getting mortared every night. We lost a lot of guys and contractors out there. I was very lucky in Iraq. The vehicle I was traveling in was hit five times with IEDs (improvised explosive devices) over five years. Sometimes we would leave in our armoured cars and get back and you’d see fresh bullet holes on the car and you didn’t notice. “A lot of guys didn’t make it but we all knew the risk. “I had a friend who was due to go to university but he didn’t make it. I’ve been lucky and I feel I’ve been given the chance to do this and I’ll make the most of it.”

by email: tsideuk@gmail.com or Twitter:@tsideuk

4 NEWS

TEESSIDE TOP 10 FOR SEX AT UNI TEESSIDE has emerged among the top 10 most sexually active universities in the UK.

CASANOVA: Nick is a hit with the girls

A survey was conducted by studentbeans.com and became headline news in the national media. They asked 4,656 students across 100 universities about their sex lives and Teesside University came 10th, pipping fellow northerners Newcastle University by three places. Tside prowled the campus to find out why we are so successful in bed. In our search we found Nick Holmes, 20, who studies Performance for Live and Recorded Media. Nick, originally from Kent, feels that alcohol is one of the big factors in the statistics being so high. “Students up here really enjoy drinking, the amount people get smashed is definitely a reason why we’re in the top 10.” However, Nick did not think the figures told the whole story. “It all depends on who they surveyed. If you’re talking to students who go out three times a week then the figures will be different to people who don’t go out that much.” But he feels that our top 10 finish is good news. “It’s one of those things that gets Teesside on the map. “I can see guys reading the figures and wanting to come here straight away.” According to studentbeans.com, Teesside students average 4.86 sexual partners while at university. But we are a far cry from the leaders of libido Bangor University (no pun intended) with a bed-

Writing graduate publishes first book

A TEESSIDE graduate has had her book published just weeks after finishing her Creative Writing MA degree. Patience Ezinwoke, 41, arrived from hoppingly high 8.31 average Nigeria a year ago to study at Teesside sexual partners. University. Her book, Flowers in the Nick says his secret is merely Ghetto, centres around class divide in confidence. her home country. “If you don’t shoot, you don’t This is Patience’s first published book score,” he said. “Confidence is the biggest thing. and she said her instant success took her by surprise. I believe that anyone can get She said: “Before I came here, I never with anyone if they are confident dreamed I would have a book published. enough. It’s all about knowing “I only came to improve my skills as when to approach and not to be a writer. I could not foresee that I would affected by rejection. have lecturers who would support me so “You have to understand that much. getting rejected seven times out “Without them, this would not be of ten means you’re still going to possible.” get three. The book is also illustrated by a “I just don’t want to look back Teesside graduate. and regret my time at university.” Patience said: “This book is nothing Teesside University has drop-in without the illustrations. They were done by another Teesside Graduate, Louise Sterling.”

By Adam Hudson

‘If you don’t shoot, you don’t score’

sessions where students can get advice on sexual health. The programme was piloted at the end of last year and has continued due to its success. Hazel Wright, Health and Wellbeing coordinator at Teesside University, highlighted the dangers in having multiple sexual partners. “We urge students to get tested regularly if they’re having sex with different people,” she said. “We realise it’s part of being a student, but they need to understand about safe sex. “We advise them to carry protection at all times.” The drop-in sessions are held every fortnight on Thursdays from 5pm-7pm at the Well-being Centre, in the Brittan Building.

FLOWERS IN THE GHETTO: Written and illustrated by Teesside graduates

The book depicts a young boy’s confusion about the massive class divide in Nigeria, an issue which is close to Patience’s heart. “The places in the book are based on real ghettos in Nigeria. “I visited Ajegunle, the area which OUT WITH THE LADS: Nick parties with friends I based the ghetto on and I was so shocked. “There is a lot I am not happy about in my country. The book raises my voice regarding the huge disparities in class in Nigeria.” Flowers in the Ghetto will be released across the North East and in Nigeria. However, Patience dismisses any suggestion of similarities between the two areas. She said: “Someone who lives in the Katie Jeffery, Oli Hudson, 22, Chelsea Allen, 17, Josh Bamforth, Megan Lowes, Josh Kubik, North East can never understand or 21, studying studying Multimedia 18, prospective prospective student, 21, studying Video 21, studying appreciate the difference between here Journalism, said: said: “It’s all a part Games Design, said: Photography, said: student, said: Animation, said: “It and Nigeria. They will never know how “It’s quite high to be “People are living of university. It’s “I’m not surprised. “It’s not really a depends whether lucky they are. just something that University is all about in the top 10. When more open lifestyles. good thing or a they asked people “It is not because my country does not on nights out you’re Sex isn’t seen as students are going to getting hammered bad thing. To be in relationships or have money, it has money. It is because always going to meet the intimate thing it honest I expected one night stands.” of the lack of will to do the right thing.” do.” and having sex.” someone.” used to be.” it to be higher.”

Students have their say on sex survey

NEWS 5

Students urged to take part

STUDENTS are being urged to take part in events and seminars being held on campus this autumn by the English Research Group. The events are open to all undergraduate, postgraduate and research students who hold an interest in literature. Lectures covered are set to include topics such as ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Unfaithful Adaptation’ and ‘Remembering Chang and Eng: Neo-Victorian Fantasies of Conjoined Twins’ Sexuality’. For more information on the events and specific dates contact the Principle Lecturer in English and Research, Dr Rachel Carroll on r.carroll@tees.ac.uk or 01642 384029

A warm welcome at Hub

VICE-CHANCELLOR, Professor Graham Henderson, welcomed Teesside’s latest international students at a reception earlier this month. The annual reception, aimed at making foreign students feel more comfortable, took place in the Hub on October 10. The event was billed as a huge success and featured a live band, quiz and raffle. The University would like to thank Emirates, Psyche and Middlesbrough FC who all donated raffle prizes to the event.

FoodBank helps to keep Boro fed By ROSS PETERS

VOLUNTEERS at the new Middlesbrough FoodBank have spoken about how they feel they are making a difference in people’s lives.

Middlesbrough FoodBank has already fed 52 people – including 22 children –in its first month. The scheme relies on the generosity of the public and the devoted service of volunteers. Many are part of the church or charity the FoodBank hands out from. Val Smith, 52, a volunteer for the FoodBank said: “It’s something I really wanted to do. “I feel it is important you are friendly face and relate ot the people we help.” Across the country there are currently 131,000 centres and the numbers are rising, mainly due to benefit cuts and delays. Figures show that 33 per cent of those who use the services of the FoodBank suffer from addiction that has led them into financial difficulty. Fellow volunteer, Ann Keenan, 56, said: “We love people. There was the same sort of thing when I was a kid and it was a great help near Christmas. “It’s nice to think you are making a difference to people who need it most.” The centres across Middlesbrough aim to feed 1,000 people in their first

year with packs containing a minumum of three days worth of long life goods. According to Nigel Perrot, Project Manager, they can often prove to be live saving. Nigel, 46, said: “We are here to help the community and listen to what they need. We are much more than just a hand out service, we are here to listen

and offer support for those who need it.” The FoodBank collect from schools and other organisations like the probation service; they also encourage anyone who wishes to help to collect a pick list or donate food where you can. If you wish to help or find out more please email: info@middlesbrough.foodbank.org

How to make sure the heat is on By Alice Hawley

Degrees are just the job

UNIVERSITY graduates who have obtained a first class degree are more likely to get a job a recent study has shown. Figures show that 71% of graduates who gained a first are now in full time employment. The statistics were published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Maybe it is worth getting out of bed and trudging in for that early morning lecture after all.

MIDDLESBROUGH FOODBANK: Nigel Perrot, Ann Keenan and Val Smith are volunteers at the bank

TEESSIDE students living in private accommodation could be entitled to free housing insulation from Middlesbrough Council under a new scheme.

IS IT COLD IN HERE?: Some students have to choose whether to turn up the heating

Introduced earlier this year, the scheme allows participants to receive free loft and cavity wall insulation. This will help students who already have to balance university studies with having a job in order to make ends meet. One student who is already doing this is Katarina Henrysson, who is in her first year of her doctorate in counselling psychology at Teesside University, whilst also working 20 hours a week. She worries about energy bills. Katarina, 26, said: “I am finding it difficult to stay on top of my university work so I am considering cutting back my work. "But I do worry about doing this, as it

will cut down on my income and things are expensive enough as it is. “The chance of getting a letter saying it is going to be even more expensive makes you not want to put the heating on.” This scheme comes as gas companies such as British Gas announce rises in gas and electric prices by 6%. Middlesbrough Council's Executive Member for Social Care, Councillor Barry Coppinger, said: "Improved cavity wall and loft insulation can help keep homes warm over the cold winter months, as well as helping to reduce energy bills when household budgets are under unprecedented pressure.” When asked whether the scheme would be of any interest to her, Katarina said: "My house mates and I have looked into it and we are interested.” For more information call 01642 243183.

6 CAMPUS

Clegg visits Teesside DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg paid Teesside University a visit last week to visit a successful campus based business. Stopping by the Victoria Building, he praised the graduate business, Shutter Media, owned by former student Steve Hale. Steve said: “The business has really taken off, keeping high streets with vacant premises looking attractive. “The support from Teesside University has been fantastic.” His business – which offers colourful vinyl coatings for shop shutters – has gained nationwide interest, converting empty premises into advertising sites. Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson, said: “It is excellent for the Deputy Prime Minister to be able to witness first hand the entrepreneurial spirit we are fostering here at the university.”

Students break the silence

By JAMIE BURTON

CONFLICT and mass genocide in the Democratic Republic of Congo has been described as the greatest human tragedy since World War II.

Yet it is a tragedy which is rarely reported in the media. A worldwide event aims to change that. Leading the campaign at Teesside University is Tresor Bukasa, who fled from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2004 for his safety. Tresor spoke to the public about the issues facing the Congolese people at the event Breaking the Silence: Congo Week. Tresor, 34, is now the chair of NECFARR, the main organisers of Teesside’s involvement in the event. He spoke about the issues that face the Congolese people today. “As far as the rest of the world is concerned, the events in the Congo is the biggest tragedy that never happened,” he said. “Western businesses sponsor neighboring warlords from Uganda and

PRAISING SUCCESS: Nick Clegg pays Shutter Media a visit on the Teesside Campus

Congo Week makes an impression

Rwanda and they come in and invade towns and villages and explore for natural resources.” According to the creators of Breaking the Silence, this has resulted in 5.6 million deaths in Congo between 1996 and 2007. Tresor believes that the latest figures are likely to be around 8 million. This equates to more than 1500 people dying every day. “I consider the event a success. We had many people attending from all across the region and many said how they never knew about the greatest humanitarian crisis in the world today. “Hundreds of thousands of women have been raped as a result of the scramble for Congo’s wealth. “Can you imagine 45,000 dying each month without the rest of the world knowing in this internet age? There is a media blackout over Congo.”

The Democratic Republic of Congo is one of the most valuable countries in the world because of its large amount of natural resources. Congo is one of the worlds largest exporters of coltan and cobalt. Resources used to create the screens on our mobile phones, laptops and televisions. The country also has a lucrative source of natural materials which are very desirable for western governments. Tresor said: ““Congo has over 23 trillion mineral resources. Things like Gold, diamonds, silver, copper, zinc. “It is so valuable, corporations hire people to come in and move locals out to cave and explore areas.” Tresor believes that the event was a success in raising awareness and creating a potential for action. He said: “We achieved our two goals. Educate the local community about the challenge of Congo and the UK’s involvement in the travesty. “We wanted to mobilise the awareness too. To have ordinary people join in the global movement in support of the people of Congo.” The next planned event to raise awareness for the Democratic Republic of Congo is set for March 2013.

Putting their brains to the test TEESSIDE students had a crack at the ‘World’s Largest Memory Game’ for Biology Week. A group of 30 students from different years and courses volunteered to take part in a national scientific experiment conducted on Friday, October 19. The event was organised by senior lecturer in Forensic Biology Helen Page, and willing students Ryan Wetherell, 20 and Rav Rathnasinghe, 22. Helen said: “Biology Week advertised for schools and colleges to volunteer, so we thought why not.” Over 60 educational establishments have taken part in the test nationwide in a big push to set the Guinness record. Forensic Science volunteer, Barry Armstrong, 32, said: “I was the first one to put my name on the list. “I am quite good at remembering things and I wanted to put it to the test to see how well I could do. “I hope as a group we will do well as we have some really intelligent people here.” The volunteers are now waiting for the results, which are due to be released next week.

ISSUES 7

Single mum hits out over benefit cut A SINGLE mother who studies at Teesside University has described her distress after finding out that she will lose her housing benefit as part of the government’s £10bn assault on the welfare budget. Physiotherapy student Susanne Boucher, 24, received a letter last week saying that as of next month she will no longer be entitled to the government benefit that enables her to provide a home for herself and her daughter Leah, eight. “I heard about the plans back in June but I never thought they’d become reality,” Susanne said. “When I received the letter I was stunned. I’m studying to provide a better life for my child and the government are making it so hard for me to do that. “My rent costs £550 per month and housing benefit covers £485 of that. If I were to get a fulltime minimum wage job instead of studying then I would spend the next ten years struggling to provide for Leah. “I need my degree at Teesside University so that I don’t have to rely on the state in future.” First proposed back in June by Chancellor George Osborne and Work and Pensions secretary Iain Duncan Smith, the latest benefit cut means that those under 25 who were previously entitled to housing benefit will soon have to find another way to pay for accommodation. This is a daunting prospect for the 205,000 single parents like Susanne who are forced to rely on housing benefit. In a speech made in June, David Cameron suggested that many under-25s claiming the benefit do so because “they just want more independence,” and suggested that they move back in with their parents to avoid the annual £2bn cost to the state. For Susanne and Leah this is not a viable option.

By JORDAN BROUGH & ALICE HAWLEY

Susanne said: “I couldn’t move back in with my parents. They live too far from the university and don’t have the space for us. It’s unfair to tar everyone with the same brush.” Nick Clegg opposed the Conservatives’ “blanket ban” approach, and said that the UK as a “passionate society” has a duty to support under-25s on housing benefit. Speaking on the BBC’s Question Time earlier this month, the Liberal Democrat leader said: “Are you really saying we should be depriving a 23-year-old mum of the money she needs to keep the roof over the head of her two-yearolds? “Let’s collect money from people who can afford to pay, not take money from struggling youngsters.” He did, however, admit that savings should still be made in the welfare system: “Do I think we need to look for further savings in welfare?” he said. “Unambiguously yes.” A report last week from the National Housing Federation, ‘Home Truths,’ reveals that the number of people reliant on housing benefit has skyrocketed at a rate of 10,000 per month in the past three years. This has been blamed on increasing rent costs - set to increase by 35 per cent by 2018 and substandard wages. When challenged by Radio 4 presenter James Naughtie on this latest cutback, David Cameron made his position clear. He said: “If you choose not to work, you can get housing benefit, you can get a flat. Having got that, you’re unlikely then to want a job because you’re in danger of losing your housing benefit and your flat. “We have to look at the signals we send.”

CASH CRISIS: Susanne holds the letter that leaves her family £121 a week worse off

Inspiring success

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Postgraduate Bursary We offer generous non-means-tested bursaries worth £2,400 to most full-time UK and EU students.* *See www.tees.ac.uk for more details.

This degree is accredited by the NCTJ.

For more information, call 01642 384019 or email arts@tees.ac.uk.

8 ISSUES FACEBOOK SCAM REVEALED

ARE TUITION FEES A PARTY POOPER? LOOMING DEBTS: Are students still living the party lifestyle or has the mood changed?

AFTER TUITION fees more than doubled in 2012, which do students value more - education or parties?

Teesside University opted to charge between £7,450 to £8,450 for undergraduate courses after the Government lifted the cap on what universities can charge. Did the rise cause students to be more serious about their academic studies? Or do they still value the social side that is a key part of uni life? Steve Henderson, License Trade Manager at Teesside University’s Students’ Union, said that students are now more price conscious. He said: “Students are now realising the ﬁnancial pressures they have from tuition fees. “Students are taking prices more seriously now, there’s nothing like debt to focus your mind. “They are choosing drinks that are on offer and are more happy to switch to whatever is cheapest.” But he was surprised about how well the SU performed over Freshers Week: “The Freshers Week period was very

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By ADAM HUDSON

good for us. “However, it seems as though the bubble has burst and we feel it’s going to be a very hard year.” Figures show that sales at the Students’ Union were up 10% in 2012 compared to Freshers Week last year. This shows that Teesside students still value their social life and enjoy spending money on nights out. Dave Thirkell, Nightclub Manager at the Keys, disagrees. He said: “Students have stopped coming out and the numbers have decreased. “This has been evident in ticket sales. “We’re also seeing students running out of money as the night goes on and they start to drink water or only have enough money to get home.” The number of undergraduate applications in 2012 fell by only 1% as well as 294 extra places being awarded to Teesside University due to positive student satisfaction. First year students paying the higher fees had mixed opinions on the

academic side over the social side of university. Adam Charles, 21, studying Computer Games Art, said: “I’d say it was a half and half decision - the academic side was probably more a factor. “I looked at the facilities at Teesside and they were just better than other universities.” Thomas Storey, 19, studying Creative Digital Media, echoed Adam’s points. He said: “It was an even match when I made the decision. “There is nothing we can do about the increased fees now.” However, Chemical Engineering student Credia Ineza, 19, said that the tuition fees paid a massive part in her university choice: “I looked for universities with the least difference in tuition fees compared to 2011. “It almost made me not want to go to university, but my career requires qualiﬁcations at degree level. “It really affected my decision but I have to make the most of it. “I had to look at where was cheap to live and chose that over academia.”

I had to look at where was cheap to live and chose that over academia

GOT A STORY? Contact

’

STUDENTS who have clicked on viral Facebook links such as ‘click like if you hate cancer’ could ﬁnd their good will exploited by cyber scammers. The pages - and others such as ‘click like to show your support for our soldiers, keep scrolling if you don’t care’ do nothing except allow sly scammers to make money. When the pages have collected thousands of ‘likes’, they can then be sold on to small businesses for cash. The business can then change the page name to that of their brand and instantly give their brand thousands of fans and worldwide exposure. Australia-based ‘social marketing’ company Getwithsocial is one of a growing number of platforms that sell Facebook ‘likes’ to companies looking to boost their popularity. A page with 50,000 likes can sell for over £2,000. Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, site creator Mathew Carpenter defended his online enterprise. “There are a lot of stigmas attached to buying Facebook ‘likes’ and Twitter followers and many are simply not true. It is not unlawful,” he said. If a page has collected enough ‘likes’ and comments, it will appear more prominently in people’s news feeds. Some pages contain images with captions such as ‘comment jump to see what happens,’ promising momentary entertainment in return for that all-important comment. More sinister scammers claim that a knife-wielding maniac will ﬁnd users unless they share a link. Teesside Nursing Studies student Karyn Watson, 22, said: “I’ve liked these types of pages to show my support for good causes. It’s sad to see that they’re preying upon people to make money.”

by email: tsideUK@gmail.com or Twitter:@tsideuk

9 ISSUES

Want healthy hair? Shampoo just won’t wash! STOPTOBER – AN ADDICT’S CHALLENGE By JORDAN BROUGH

HAIR-RAISING CHALLENGE: Oliver Hudson ditched the shampoo for baking soda TEESSIDE University student Oliver Hudson, 22, has a confession: he hasn’t used shampoo in nearly a month.

Yes, you read that right - but please don’t stop reading this newspaper. Oliver has joined the ‘No Poo’ movement – a craze that has taken fans of frugal living by storm. “For the ﬁrst week my hair felt greasy and lank but once it had begun to adjust it had never felt healthier,” he said. The logic behind it is quite simple. Shampoo is a detergent containing chemicals such as sulphates and dimethicone (a derivative of plastic) to create a rich lather and produce artiﬁcially glossy locks. Like dish soap, shampoo is designed to remove dirt and oil. The downside is that hair is also stripped of the natural oils needed to keep it healthy.

By JORDAN BROUGH When you use shampoo, your scalp starts producing more of these ‘healthy’ oils to compensate as unnecessary and overlyfrequent shampooing causes them to be removed. This is why hair often becomes oily only a day after shampooing. Regular shampooing keeps users dependent on shampoo and - as Oliver says - under the control of the big shampoo manufacturers. However if you replace the shampoo with baking soda and apple cider vinegar, you have a chemical-free hair treatment with the perfect PH balance for healthy hair. Oliver said: “At ﬁrst I was pretty apprehensive because shampoo has always been ingrained in our western culture.

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“I read some posts from bloggers in the U.S. who had shared their shampoo-free experiences and sounded pretty enthusiastic. I’m all for simple living so I decided to give it a go.” A-list stars including Jessica Simpson and Robert Pattinson are known to have tried ‘No Poo’ for themselves. Want to try this at home? Mix two tablespoons of baking powder with 250ml of water and use the same ratio for the apple cider vinegar, which can be bought online or at any health food store. Store in old shampoo bottles and use the baking soda and vinegar as shampoo and conditioner respectively. “Home-made shampoo isn’t as luxurious as regular shampoo. It’s watery and doesn’t create a lather, but it’s the best thing you can put on your hair,” Oliver said. “There’s no vinegary smell after you rinse and your hair will thank you for it!”

DURING October, thousands of people took part in Stoptober - an NHS drive to encourage the 10 million UK smokers to kick the habit for 28 days. Research has shown that those who can manage 28 days are five times more likely to quit for good. I've smoked since I was 14. It started as experimentation in high school. Years later at college teachers would schedule smoke breaks. Living alone at university seemed almost an invitation to smoke. I've tried and failed so many times in the past. I cope fine for a few days - a week at most - and then my health-kick train grinds to a halt at Marlboro station. Cigarettes are like a sordid affair - you promise yourself that every shady hook-up is the very last time. But that smouldering ember always seems to say: "It's okay, I'll always be here to make things better." Except I know it won't make things better. I tell myself that diseases like cancer and emphysema only happen to heavy smokers but I know that I'm kidding myself. So when I saw an advert for Stoptober this summer, I decided to give it a go. I thought that I'd feel less alone as part of a mass effort. I won't lie, the first few days were pants. I'd buy a pack of the usual and push Stoptober to the back of my mind whilst I focused on contraband nicotine delivery. It took two weeks for the cravings to subside. After that it was simply a case of removing cigarettes from my social rituals. Without the support of my family and my partner, I don't think I would’ve been able to quit. Knowing I'd raised the hopes of my loved ones and let them down with every failed attempt served as a big incentive. I know I still have a long way to go yet. The next few years won't be easy and once in a blue moon I'll likely surrender to that nicotine fix. So long as I see the weak moment as a bump and not a fork in the road, I should be able to stay on the right track.

by email: tsideuk@gmail.com or Twitter:@tsideuk

10 NEWS

The Sky is the limit

By REBECCA GREENER & JAMIE BURTON

TEESSIDE University grads of 2012 have broken national statistics and entered into some amazing employment opportunities.

Awarded permanent jobs within months – even days – of leaving their courses, grads make their university proud. Companies that have taken on the dedicated graduates include, Sky Sports, The James Cook University Hospital, DigitalCity and regional newspapers. MA Journalism graduate, Leanne Johnson, 22, was lucky enough to secure a job as Junior Producer with Sky Sports show, Soccer Saturday after taking part in a week’s work experience earlier this year. She said: “I love the job so far. The work is so varied, from collecting and looking after studio guests to controlling the autocue in live shows. “The MA Journalism course at Teesside University really helped me stand out from the crowd at interviews as it is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.” Multimedia Journalism students have also broken the national average by a whopping 55 per cent of graduates securing professional jobs in the media. Other courses at Teesside have also done a spectacular job of making their students employable. Bridie Reeves, who graduated with a first class degree in BSc Diagnostic Radiography, received the Jack Kirby Memorial Award for the best overall student on her course. Now working in her dream job as Diagnostic Radiographer at The James Cook University Hospital, she explained how the university helped greatly towards securing her job early. “The course tutors from the Radiography Team were absolutely brilliant. “Tutors were all realistic about job prospects, encouraged us to start job hunting as early as January in the third year of our course. “Within a couple of weeks of finishing university I began my new job at The James Cook University Hospital – which I love.”

GRAD SUCCESS: Bridie Reeves

Computer Games Programming graduate, Ben Morris, now owns his own computer game design company with DigitalCity, his first creation is called ‘Fuzz’. He said: “I chose Teesside Uni as it has a good reputation for computer courses. I have managed to build up various contacts during my time there which has helped me start up my own company.” Mature student, Tony Reeves, 52, who graduated with BSc Sports and Exercise, now works part time as a lecturer at Teesside. He said: “I am still coming to terms with the fact that I am now a lecturer at the university in a subject area that I am passionate about. “For the first time in 40 years I am doing something I love - that is the real success to me.” The list of success stories is endless. With ex-students venturing out across the country securing jobs and even starting up their own businesses. University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL, said: “I am delighted, once again, to be able to join graduates in their welldeserved celebration of everything they have achieved during their time with us. May I wish them every success”.

BEN MORRIS: Holding the game he HANNAH BRYAN: Interviewing for a LEOTA MENEZES: Producing video PATIENCE EZINWOKE: With her new designed through DigitalCity scheme for her own Events Management comstory for The book ‘Flowers in the Ghetto’ - Fuzz. pany - Leo Events & Promotions. Northern Echo. MA Creative Writing BSc Computer Games Programming MA Mass Communication BA Multimedia Journalism

NEWS 11

for Teesside grads TEESSIDE SUCCESS: Leanne Johnson at her new job at Soccer Saturday and (inset) with Jeff Stelling

Words from your ViceChancellor

University Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Henderson CBE DL, said: “There will be over 6,000 students graduating this November, including many students from the Teesside area. “I am delighted, once again, to be able to join them in their well-deserved celebration of everything they achieved during their time with us. “This year we are celebrating 20 years since we gained university status, and throughout those 20 years we have continued to grow as an institution both in size and in the reputation we enjoy locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. “As Vice-Chancellor, I am delighted to say that this year we have, once again, seen our rankings in the national league tables and student satisfaction surveys improve. With student feedback surveys continuing to demonstrate that, here at Teesside, students are truly at the heart of everything that

we do. “May I wish our graduates every success as they leave the university to pursue their future careers. “I really do hope that they will all stay in contact with us through our alumni association, and that many of them will return at some stage in the future to renew their involvement with us through work or further study. “Many congratulations to them all.”

LUKE STATTER AND SAM DRIVER: HELEN WATTS: At work at The James TONY REEVES: Conducting a lecture ASHLEY BILSON: Presenting at Created film company, Thousand Yard Cook Hospital as Diagnostic Radiogas part of his part time job as Occupational Therapy conference in Films, on DigitalCity scheme. rapher. Sports Studies lecturer at Teesside Glasgow. BSc Film and TV Production BSc Diagnostic Radiography BSc University. BSc Occupational Therapy BSc Sports & Excersises

12 ENTERTAINMENT

Which 007 is number one? IT’S BEEN 50 years since the first ever James Bond film. Since then, we’ve seen six incarnations of 007, more than 50 Bond girls and 22 films, making it cinema’s longest film franchise ever. In the build-up to the celebration and release of the latest installment, Skyfall, we asked Teesside students which Bond was hot and which was not.

HOT STARMAN: Stephanie Piotrowski and Bethany Usher’s research examines Bowie’s different artistic personas

The plan that fell to earth

Daniel Craig Bond from 2006-present Highlight - The iconic image of Craig emerging from the sea in Casino Royale. Pierce Brosnan Bond from 19952002 Highlight - In Die Another Day, Brosnan had a memorable car chase on the ice in his Aston Martin.

Teesside lecturers’ plans to present Bowie paper grounded by flight problems TWO Teesside University lecturers have collaborated on a research paper on David Bowie as part of an academic conference examining the iconic star.

But the pair’s plan to present their paper in front of the Strange Fascination? A Symposium conference – which analyses the career and cultural impact of the singer – was been stumped as both found themselves unable to fly to Ireland for the event. Stephanie Piotrowski and Bethany Usher were devasted when they realised they would not be able to attend and would have to present their research on David Bowie to the conference via video call. The setback came when Stephanie’s passport was lost when she sent it away to be changed by the government in her native America, while Bethany was unable to fly due to pregnancy. Bethany, a journalism lecturer at Teesside and self-confessed Bowie fanatic, said: “If somebody had told me when I was a teenager that I would be writing papers about David Bowie and researching him for a living then I would have said that would be my dream job. “I was disappointed not to be going, it looked as if it was going to be a really exciting weekend. “You can’t walk into a lot of the clothing stores without seeing a Bowie T-shirt or Bowie mugs in supermarkets. It’s an exciting

By Jake Gauntley

time to be a Bowie fan.” The duo’s research examines Bowie’s different personas and was put together using Bowie memorabilia collected by Bethany as a teenager. Stephanie, who lectures in media at Teesside said: This is our first collaboration together and I think what made it exciting was Beth’s keen interest in Bowie and I thought this is a great way to get colleagues into research. “Beth has a skill set that complements my own so we thought we would make a really good team on this.” “This kind of study brings a legitimacy to these events in popular culture that we are so fascinated by that we can actually do some sort of intellectual scholarly work around it. Strange Fascination? A Symposium at the University of Limerick spanned three days and marked the 40th anniversary of Bowie’s Changes being released. It included a panel discussion, a Bowie tribute act, a Bowie quiz, and the presentation of a number of academic papers looking at his alustrious career. There are no plans for the duo to work on another research project, however the opening of a David Bowie exhibition at London’s Victoria and Albert Museum later this year could be the ideal place for them to finally present their findings in person.

Sean Connery Bond from 19621967 and 1971 Highlight Connery’s infamous fight with ‘the guy in the hat’, Oddjob in Fort Knox.

Roger Moore Bond from 19731985 Highlight - Chasing May Day off the Eiffel Tower in A View To a Kill.

Timothy Dalton Bond from 19871989 Highlight - Dalton parachutes onto a yacht and seduces the beautiful Lupe Lamora.

NOT

George Lazenby Bond from 1969 Highlight - Although he only appeared in one film George Lazenby is the only Bond to be married. Unfortunately, she dies at the end of the film.

ENTERTAINMENT 13

Void will help fill the gap

By SAMUEL LEADER

WORK is under way to create a new venue dedicated to the arts and alternative nightlife in Middlesbrough.

Void Collective will hold events including art exhibitions, live bands and famous DJs. Peter Craig, 22, the owner of Void Collective, said: “I wanted to create a place unique to Teesside. This venue is designed for the people of this region. “Culture is an important part of Middlesbrough that is often ignored and I want to create a platform for artists to showcase their talents. “We will also have alternative nightlife events which will host many famous DJs of varying genres - something that Teesside has never seen before.” The venue will hold a monthly art exhibition and weekly live band nights where everyone in the region is invited to showcase their work.

Renovation of the building is expected to take three months with the help of volunteers and recycled materials. Peter said: “It has always been a dream of mine to open a venue for the community. “I believe that Teesside really needs a place like Void Collective. “I am already working closely with various local organisations to enable us to offer the best service we can provide.” When renovation is complete, the venue is expected to hold up to 2,000 people. Tside’s ‘Cultured’, an arts festival created by students at Teesside University, is expected to have their event at the new venue. Peter said: “I’m really excited to be working with journalism students from Teesside University. “The university is an integral part of the town and I am very happy to welcome Cultured to Void Collective.”

Dragonforce’s Herman Li speaks exclusively to Tside By DAVID SMITH

Guitar legend: Herman Li (left) and Tside’s David Smith

HIGH HOPES: Owner Peter Craig. Below, the pre-renovation Void

FOLLOWING the roaring success brought from the inclusion of “Through the Fire and the Flames” in the third installment of the Guitar Hero franchise, the door to the Newcastle O2 Academy was packed with people waiting to meet their guitar shredding heroes. Along with the rest of the band Marc Hudson, the latest addition to the fold, looked calm and collected, a stark contrast to just over 18 months ago when, now singer of power metal outfit I am I, ZP Theart quit the band due to “insurmountable differences of musical opinion”. Herman Li, lead guitarist, was pumped and enthusiastic as he got ready for the show. The dynamic of Dragonforce seems settled, not that of a band who are still getting used to a new line up, and Herman explains that they’re calm for a reason. “Marc’s been kicking ass on stage,” he said. “The tour’s been really good and his voice has been holding up, so we’re really happy about it. “It’s been really good and the response from the fans has been amazing with the old songs and the new songs as well.” Marc’s first few months in the band were a slight baptism of fire, opening for Iron Maiden at the O2 Arena in London for his third show as the new lead singer before they embarked on a headlining tour of America. He added: “He’s a lucky chap, I wish I could’ve done my third gig with Iron Maiden. When they asked us to

do the show we weren’t gonna say no. “Ready or not we were going to play.” Even the tour of the United States wasn’t without incident, with Marc contracting a virus before his US debut, a sold out show at the prestigious Troubadour in West Hollywood. As far as Li is concerned, Marc has filled the hole left by ZP’s departure brilliantly. “They’re very different personalities and very different singers but we’re really happy with the way Marc has been doing. “His voice holds up really well so he can do many shows in a row. “He can do five in a row and his voice doesn’t really deteriorate.” The new album, “The Power Within” has been received with rapturous applause from the majority of fans and critics alike after the slightly disappointing reaction to the previous album “Ultra Beatdown” but Li can’t choose between them. Album art for the less successful Ultra Beatdown “They’re like my babies, I can’t say that I favour one or the other but I think that this album really captures the energy of this line up.” “With previous albums we’ve spent more time in the studio but this time we spent more time in the rehearsal room. “It’s had the best reviews we’ve ever had on any Dragonforce album.

14 ENTERTAINMENT

Reviews

Got an event you would like us to review? Email tsideuk@gmail.com or Tweet us @tsideuk

Murray in Middlesbrough By SAMUEL LEADER

PUB LANDLORD: Boozey Murray made his mark on Boro

IT’S EVERY comedy fan’s worst nightmare - that moment when an A-list comedian decides to make you the focus of his act in front of hundreds of people. Serves me right for sitting in the front row - and admitting I’m a journalist - but despite being the butt of his jokes for a good hour and a half, it was still a great night. Al Murray ranted about all things wrong with Britain. We have the worst government ever, children who mistakenly think they can make a career singing, and a new trend called vajazzling (Google it). Turning up in his notable burgundy blazer, a diamante belt with the word ‘Epic’ on, and a very English pint of lager, Murray spent the first ten minutes of the show mocking (and applauding) the jobs of the Teesside crowd. One lesson learned - never say you ‘manage waste’ if you only drive a dustbin cart for a living. During the next ten minutes of the show Murray managed to nick a pint of lager from an unsuspecting lady in the crowd - “Lager is a man’s drink” - and cunningly demonstrated how the EU works by stealing around £10 worth of shrapnel from the audience.

A night at the orchestra

By JAKE GAUNTLEY

I WASN’T sure what to expect when arriving at Middlesbrough Town Hall to see St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra but the night proved to be a thrilling musical journey. Freddy Kempf was the soloist of the evening and had the job of playing what is said to be the most difficult piano concerto ever composed. No pressure on him then. To Freddy’s credit his playing seemed effortless, he was not shy of getting his body involved either, swinging his curtain style haircut around with every beat. The crowd enthusiastically rumbled their feet against the floor when the music came to a stop. Was this classical concert crowd getting rowdy? The second piece, Tchaikivsky’s Symphony No. 5, started off calm but built into a crescendo of excitement. Everything from trumpets to timpani drums were blaring. As time got on some members of the audience began to flake away but I was hooked as I watched St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra give a master class in music performance. As Symphony No. 5 came to an end it was again met with an overwhelming applause, the banging feet had become

Murray then explained how every single government to this day has been “the worst government ever”. He listed every cabinet for the last 80 years and slated every single one of them - bar the heroic efforts of Winston Churchill, of course. Economics was a focal point of the show and Murray cleverly compared it to the distasteful vajazzle, claiming that the decorative body art could lead to the destruction of mankind. “Supply and demand”, Murray said, after amusingly explaining that man and woman will never breed if a man ever experiences the bizarre beauty trend as the demand for them would increase. In the closing moments Murray made a routine of attempting to pack up one of those infamous pop-up tents - the ones that spring up in seconds but have festival-goers baffled when it comes to taking them down again. He managed to complete the task, with a few crude jokes, and left the crowd cheering on his efforts. Murray’s witty humour and patriotism made this gig unlike any other. Blending satire with intellectual lists of economic cons, the University of Oxford graduate’s set left the audience with a slight concern for the state of our country but confident that we will successfully pull through.

Laughter’s in season

By AMELIA GILLATT- WILLCOCK

ON YOUR FEET: St Petersburg Symphony Orchestra take a bow more erratic and I’m pretty sure I heard is the same regardless of genre and is someone wolf whistle. something I would highly recommend My night watching the orchestra other music lovers go to if they get the proved to me that the thrill of live music chance.

OVER the next month some of the best professional comedians will perform at Middlesbrough Town Hall’s Big Mouth Comedy Club. From Jimmy Carr to Jack Dee, autumn will be a season to remember. Acts that have already performed include Al Murray, The Boy with Tape on his Face and Kevin Bridges. In October, the Pub Landlord put on a side-splitting display at the town hall, and Frankie Boyle added a Boro date to his sell-out tour. After the success of previous acts, Middlesbrough Town Hall is fast making a name for itself as one of the region’s best comedy venues. Upcoming comedy dates at Middlesbrough Town Hall in November include: Nov 10th - Jimmy Carr Nov 17th - Chris Ramsey Nov26th - Jack Dee Nov 30th - Russel Kane Tickets can be bought online at middlesbroughtownhallonline. co.uk, by calling 01642 729729 or visitng the Middlesbrough Town Hall box office.

LIFESTYLE 15

HATE OR RATE KATE? By JESSICA BURT

Hannah has designs on TV success By JESSICA BURT

FASHION student Hannah Gray became a TV star after getting to the ﬁnal stages of a competition to design a dress for John Lewis.

FASHION WATCH: Kate wearing a burgundy coat and a beautiful smile KATE makes a special visit to Stockton, but is she a style icon or just a pretty face? Known for her eco-friendly attitude, the Duchess wowed crowds in Stockton wearing a long plum-coloured coat, which she had previously worn on Christmas Day. With winter on its way, Kate opted for a warmer option, with a long coat and burgundy dress. She cinched it in at the waist with a chunky black belt and paired it with kneehigh suede boots. TSIDE took to the streets of Boro to see whether locals hate or rate Kate’s style. Teesside graduate Chantel Lauper, 23, from Middlesbrough, said: “She’s a 30-yearold woman but dresses incredibly frumpy and despite how much the papers love the fact that she shops ‘on the high street’ she shops in the higher end of the high street. “Get her in Primark’s latest new winter jacket rather than a Whistles one then I might think differently. Plus, those nude shoes need to be burned. ASAP.” Hannah Barlaser, from Teesside, said: “I admire her simplistic style, which ﬁts her slim ﬁgure. I also love how she re-wears most of her clothes. “She wears high street also, which means I can go out and buy whatever she is wearing.”

Hannah, a 20-year-old from Stockton, came runner-up in the ITV This Morning search for ‘The Perfect Party Dress’ after her design wowed a panel of fashion judges. Judging the competition were fashionistas Amy Molyneaux and Percy Parker of fashion label PPQ, Jo Hooper from John Lewis and This Morning’s fashion expert and stylist Faye Sawyer. Judge Jo Hooper said: “We were looking for a party dress that ﬁts well, appeals to a variety of ages and sizes and is suitable for the current fashion market.” The entrants were put through a series of challenges, including pitching and showcasing their designs to the three judges, followed by a catwalk show broadcast on This Morning. Encouraged by her mum, Hannah entered the regional competition on a whim, just for a bit of fun. She said: “My mum told me about the competition. I was interested but felt as one of thousands I wouldn’t have much chance. “I’m so thankful she persudaed me to do it as it was such an amazing opportunity.” Hannah drew inspiration from the Gatsby glamour of the 1920s, while focusing on modern style icons such as Keira Knightley. “She always effortlessly looks a million dollars, this is how I wanted my dress to make people feel,” she added. “With winter coming up I had to tailor my dress, which would be ideal for Christmas parties.” Hannah has a real passion for fashion, so she saw this as the perfect opportunity to kick-start her career.

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CLOTHING: Hannah showcases her dress, designed for ‘real women’ “My dream is that people wear my designs and I want to ensure that what I make is wearable and affordable to all.” Although Hannah was not a ﬁnalist, she told TSIDE that through being involved in the competition, she made contacts with important ﬁgures in the fashion industry. The competition lasted a week and the winner was chosen based on an audience vote. Stephen Arthur won the competition and his dress will be on sale at selected stores and online at John Lewis.

‘She always effortlessly looks a million dollars, this is how I wanted my dress to make people feel’

by email: tsideUK@gmail.com or Twitter: @tsideuk

16 LIFESTYLE

A designer dream BY NATALIE FLEMING

How Jordan did it

A TEESSIDE University student has turned his basic student house into a cosy home – for just over £60!

Journalism student, Jordan Brough, scoured the shops for bargains to transform his humble terrace house from drab to fab. Now instead of a rubbish MDF TV unit, there sits a beautiful antique style cabinet bought for just £2.00 at an auction. Creative Jordan trawled through stores such as Ikea, Tesco, Buoys, Primark and Matalan as well as popular website ,Ebay, to find affordable items to make a nice home for himself. Tside asked the student how he managed to carry out such a transformation with such a small budget. He said: “Ebay is a good place to look for cheap accessories. Nobody thinks to search for stuff like coasters on ebay so they sell for pennies.” Jordan had advice for fellow students. He said: “Don’t be afraid to add clutter, it adds a lived-in feel. “That’s no excuse to be filthy though!” The interior design enthusiast replaced scruffy, stain covered cushions with a selection of attractive bargain ranged ones for just over £5.00 each from Matalan. To add a focus point to his living area, Jordan bought a coffee table for £1.50 in Ikea. Co-ordinate your bathroom to suit your individual style and go to Tescos where you can buy three items for £10.00. Jordan said: “It helps to add your own rugs and throws and things like that so it doesn’t look clinical and grubby. “Look for old-fashioned furniture as it’s cheaper. “ He said: “My sofa was £10.00 and I chose old-fashioned cushions that I knew would go with it”. Those who have experienced student accommodation will know how difficult it can

HOUSE PROUD: Student Jordan Brough. Below, the cosy living area

be to find a home with decent curtains. Jordan has a tip which might surprise you - use dental floss! Jordan was fed up of seeing his scruffy curtains just hanging there, so he used his initiative and used his dental floss as a tie-back. Dental floss can be bought cheaply from a number of stores in the Teesside area, so stop looking at those dreery curtains and fix them up to add a nice look to your student home.

Popular furniture store, Ikea, has great deals on every month, so make sure you keep up to date with the latest deals on offer and sign up to the monthly newsletter. Leeds-born Jordan advises students not to back down from their landlords. He said: “Don’t be afraid to be assertive with your landlord. “ If you’re clean, sensible and willing to pay, they need you more than you need them.”

Wooden cabinet - £2.00, auction Cushions - £6.00 each, Matalan Curtains - £7.00 a pair, Primark Lamp - £5.00, Wilkinson Coasters - 75p, eBay Kitchen knives £5.00, Amazon Kettle - £4.00, Tesco Coffee table £1.50, Ikea Sofa - £10.00, eBay Bathroom rug, towel and toothbrush cup £10.00, Tesco Total - £63.80

PERFECT: Jordan’s spotless bathroom

Restaurant review of the month

CHEAP AND CHEERFUL: The Swatters Carr

AS THE term goes on and loans are running low, cheap drinks and cheap food are high on the criteria for students on a budget for a night out. We have found the perfect spot for those of you with empty wallets to have a decent night out. The Swatters Carr is the perfect place to line your stomach before a wild night out. Just two minutes from the Students Union, The Swatters Carr sits opposite Linthorpe Halls and is just a few doors down from popular club, The Keys, making it an ideal hang-out for students just before they hit the town. Their amazing selection of

By OLIVIA THORNTON

beverages and competitive prices really gets the students going. You can get three bottles of Sol (lager) or alcopops for just £5, a cocktail pitcher for a steal at just £7.95 or a huge variety of ales and ciders from around the world. Some of the best deals of the week include burger and a beer night on Wednesdays which includes their Mexican burger. This burger is a stack of deliciousness, with chicken or beef, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños and onion rings all inside a toasted bun with a side of chips or salad.

The jalapeños add a kick to this burger making a change to their more traditional burgers. It’s a huge portion which even the hungriest of students will struggle to devour. If you’re a bit rough the morning after, you’d probably want to get something hearty in your stomach. The Wetherspoon pub opens early to serve breakfast, and just in time for 9am lectures to help ease you into your day. If you’re missing some home comforts, then you’ll know there’s nothing better than a Sunday dinner. ‘Spoons offers a range of roasts for a bargain at just £7.95 including a drink, whether it’s the hair of the dog or something softer.

LIFESTYLE 17

Students fundraise for design exhibition By Sarah Wood

PRODUCT Design students are fundraising to attend a national graduate show in London. Students need to raise £4,000 to ensure they can go to the event event- which potential employers are invited to - next May. Design student Emma Braham, 20, who is secretary for the fundraising committee said: “We will be hosting a bake sale towards the end of October and using our talents to create Christmas decorations to sell towards the end of the year. “We are also currently organising band nights to be held in the Student Union Terrace bar. “We’re confident we can get there and are going flat out to reach the target.” Last year, students from the course raised money by organising a Christmas party for the School of Arts and Media. And attending the event proved to be worth it’s weight in gold for some students whose products were bought by design companies. Mark Freary, course leader for Product Design, said: “The new designers’ exhibition gives students a chance to show and talk about their creations. “We can’t wait to get started with the fundraising as we know this can lead to real student success.”

If you would like to donate contact Abi Holden on k0051416@live.tees.ac.uk

Style on campus

By OLIVIA THORNTON & JESSICA BURT IT’S THE start of the new term and our lifestyle editors have been out and about around campus looking for the top trends as worn by our fellow Teesside students. Let’s take a look at what you have been wearing this month.

Birthday party for Corner Emporium By Sarah Burns

AN INNOVATIVE retail scheme which offers free space to budding businesses has celebrated its first birthday.

The Corner Emporium is an everchanging retail hub for entrepreneurs looking for a chance to gain experience of running their own business. The Cleveland Centre store held a special event to mark its birthday. For students, it has everything from trinkets to fashion, to decor and furniture, with reasonable prices and originality that doesn’t come from major retailers. Middlesbrough Council’s Business Development Officer, Julie Marsden, said: “People who wouldn’t normally be able to realise their dreams have come forward to start up a business.” With special discounts, gifts and new branding, the Corner Emporium looks set to really take off after it introduced its new look and latest retailers on Friday, October 26. To mark the celebrations you can update your wardrobe with pre-loved, designer and top High Street fashions in Sophie Rose Dress Agency, vintage outfits in Holly’s Rack and even find a cute hand-knitted jumper or gift from Thefineyarnshop. The Corner Emporium is now home to Shelly’s Reborn Dolls - perfect for those who love the authenticity of reallife dolls. The shop also features old favourite Zaney, a treasure trove of bargain-

Jessica Burt, 20-years-old, Multimedia Journalism student and Lifestyle Editor for Tside is wearing a leather skirt by H&M, graphic tee from River Island, and leather boots from Topshop.

BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS: The Corner Emporium turns one priced fashion accessories and gifts, and Diamond Heaven, a haven of luxury gifts and affordable accessories. As the birthday celebrations got under way, the Corner Emporium welcomed new additions Zap Bikes, a bike maintenance and repair shop, and Voovoorage, a premium vintage clothes shop. For those who want to improve their student digs, retailer Pork Pie Retro stocks retro furniture in a 1960s-80s style as well as giving customers the option to have their furniture customised. Julie said: “One year on and the project is going from strength, as we welcome five new retailers, we wish good luck and success to everyone moving in.” The anniversary celebrations took place throughout the week beginning October 26, and included some exclusive shop discounts and offers, along with Corner Emporium balloons VINTAGE STORE KEEPER: Rachel Pybus and bags.

Dan Hart, a 20-yearold Graphic Design student, is wearing a Pinfields coat, Adidas sportswear jumper, skinny jeans from Asos and Adidas skater shoes.

Charlotte Whitfield, a 20-year-old Psychology student is wearing a military style camo jacket from Topshop, a faux fur black bag from Primark, leggings and a cut-out top.

18 SPORT

Tees Valley Titans champion wheelchair basketball By CHRIS DONALD & MEGAN FALLOWS

TEES Valley Wheelchair Sports Club has taken advantage of the Paralympic legacy by setting up a new basketball team.

GETTING INVOLVED: Local youngsters try out wheelchair basketball

The recently formed Tees Valley Titans hosted their first fundraising event on October 21 at Middlesbrough’s Stewart Park. The club, which was originally set up in 1996 and was called the Teesside Lions, wants to make local residents more aware of wheelchair sports in the area. At the turn of the millennium Teesside’s local wheelchair sports club, which produced Paralympians Lee Fawcett and Terry Bywater, merged with a Newcastle club and wheelchair basketball was lost to the area. Lee Fawcett, 36, chairman and coach of the Titans, said: “We want to bring wheelchair sports back to this area because it’s been lost over the last 10 years. “We just want to show the public a great Paralympic sport.” The fundraising event aimed to raise as much money as possible for new wheelchairs and equipment, coaching costs and travelling. The event was hailed as a great success after many local residents attended and took part in a sport that many had never seen or tried before. A mini tournament was set up for able-bodied participants to team up with the Titans, which produced a few hours of friendly competition. All age groups were involved and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Stephen Johnston, coach of Cleveland Juniors Football Club, said: “My son had a go on Monday and it’s just a good way of making them aware that not everybody can walk or run – I think it’s

brilliant for them.” The local community currently has fewer than one in five disabled people regularly participating in activities, and Tees Valley want to give people a set of real options to get active and competitive. The club attempted to start a similar team a year ago but they unfortunately failed due to a lack of interest. Titans coach Phil Bramley, 30, said: “Since the Paralympics everyone has wanted to get involved. “Members of the public and local businesses have all shown their support. “It has had a massive effect.” The overall goal of the club is to raise £35,000 over the course of three years, in a bid to promote disabled sport across the North East. Lee Fawcett, who represented Team GB in fencing at the Beijing Paralympic Games, has revealed how he would love to get involved with Teesside University in an attempt to reach this goal. “That is in the plans, to try and get the students to run events and it might be good for them to create their own too,” he said. The Titans run community sessions, for ages 10 and up, on Mondays at Holmwood School, Middlesbrough 6-7pm and at Durham University’s Queens Campus, Stockton-On-Tees on Saturdays 12-2pm. Anyone interested in making a donation to the Titans’ cause should visit their website at www.teesvalleywsc. co.uk.

Teesside sports stars get the Varsity blues

TEESSIDE University’s sportsmen and women have lost the annual North Yorkshire Varsity 21-8 to York St John. The two universities have been competing in the competition for over five years, but this was the first time it had been staged in York, after the opening of new facilities which enable multiple matches to take place at the same time. The event saw more than 700 students compete in 28 matches, spread across 14 different sports ranging from football to volleyball. The home team dominated the day overall with crushing wins in rugby league, with York’s men winning 52-20

and their women dominating 53-0. Other victories for York included a 3-0 win in mixed volleyball, a 6-0 win for the men’s hockey team and victory in both the men and women’s rowing events. However, one of the highlights for Teesside was in Men’s Basketball, where the visitors won an exciting game 71-54. Teesside led right from the outset and despite a late response from York, who were unbeaten in the league last season, the visitors battled on bravely to claim a win in the last game of the day. Chris Rice, the secretary of Teesside’s victorious men’s

basketball team, admitted: “Overall it was a bad day for Teesside. “However, I think the basketball team really stepped up and gave a good performance. “This year we want to try and make basketball bigger and pull larger crowds to our home games.” Teesside’s next competition is against local rivals Sunderland in the highly anticipated Tees-Wear Varsity. Chris added: “Sunderland always have a good team but I think we should beat them.” Keep up to date with all of Teesside University’s campus sport news by visiting www.tside.co.uk.

FRIENDLY RIVALRY (Photo: Daniel Roche - www.danieljroche.co.uk)

19 SPORT

Golden girl strikes twice EXCLUSIVE

By BECKIE CAMPLIN

PIN-UP Paralympian Hannah Cockroft has spoken of her gold medal glory in an exclusive interview with Tside. The world record-breaking athlete, who won two golds at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, has revealed her determination made her strive to be the best, in spite of the challenges life threw at her. Despite suffering from cerebral palsy, the 20-year-old has managed to break a staggering 15 world records and win another six medals – including two golds for the 100m and 200m sprints at the 2011 IPC World Athletics Championships in New Zealand. Hannah, who is now enjoying a wellearned break, said: “It’s all still too much to take in. I can’t really believe it’s happened and I can’t believe it’s already nearly over! “When I spoke to Tside earlier this

GOLDEN GIRL: Hannah tastes victory at the Paralympic Games

year I wasn’t even sure I would be competing in this year’s games, and now I’m sat here with two gold medals in my hands.” Hannah had been training to be a Paralympian wheelchair racer ever since her father – a welder - built a training “roller” for her racing chair in the basement of her family home in Halifax. Leaving school gave Hannah the extra time she needed to train in the bid of achieving her life-long dream, and she has since been hailed as Britain’s new Tanni-Grey Thompson. She said: “I’ve been training for years now, every single day for hours at a time. I’m ﬁnally able to rest for a little bit. “I know I’ve won awards and broken world records but for me it’s not about that. “It’s about showing what I can achieve, despite my disability, and showing what others can achieve if they follow their dreams.”

Hannah is one of the only young athletes of our generation to have left school and immediately start training for the 2012 Paralympics. “I knew what I wanted to do from a young age,” she added. “Some people thought I was aiming too high too soon. But I told them that the sky is the limit and that you should follow your heart, not your mind. Having a disability shouldn’t make you play it safe with what you want to do in life. “I don’t see my disability as a disability, I see it as freedom and a way of showing others that they really can achieve their goals even when they think their body restricts them.” Although she makes it sound easy, her trainer, Peter Eriksson, head of performance for Paralympic athletes at UK Athletics, is not soft when it comes to pushing Hannah to succeed. Peter oversaw the career of the Canadian Chantal Petitcle who won

14 Paralympic track gold medals in a glittering 16-year Games career, including ﬁve at Athens. Hannah said: “I get to work with the best in the industry and they really push you to your limits, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. “If I didn’t have Peter, I probably wouldn’t be where I am now. ”I train every single day without fail, and for hours at a time. It’s part of the job and it gets hard, but you have to stick at it. “I want to be the best at what I am because I want to be a role model for other disabled people out there who think that having a disability might stop them from snatching that gold medal.” Working closely with Channel 4 throughout the games, Hannah is set to become one of the most iconic athletic stars of our generation. You can follow Hannah on Twitter at @HCDream2012.

league for university sport. Pippa Bell, the Teesside University Sports Development Ofﬁcer for Participation, said: “Almost every day of the week, more students are asking us about what we have to offer them and say that they’ve been encouraged by the Olympics. “I’m sure that as the academic year goes on, we can attract even more students to join up with us.” Many of the clubs are also taking on student volunteers to help to run and promote sporting events throughout the year. The likes of athletics are in high

demand, with Teesside hoping to ﬁnd their very own Usain Bolt or Jessica Ennis within the club. Other standout choices include rowing, which is currently recruiting new students, as well as cycling which is scheduled to launch by next April. The most popular clubs that Teesside runs, such as football and tennis, have also had greater success, after what was considered a watershed year for sport. Students have contacted the societies through social media websites like Facebook and Twitter about their interest in joining. Advertisements that

include posters and programmes have also been published on Teesside’s Blackboard and Facebook pages. This also comes following Britain’s triumph outside of Olympic sport. Our golfers were part of the winning Ryder Cup team, Bradley Wiggins won the Tour de France and Scotsman Andy Murray became the ﬁrst British tennis player to win a Grand Slam title since 1936. Bell said: “I think it is going well, things did start slowly but now I think the Olympics are building something here at Teesside and I hope it carries on and everyone enjoys it.”

Teesside Uni feels Olympic effect

By DANIEL BENNETT

MORE Teesside University students have signed up to sports societies this year thanks to the inﬂuence of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer. The university clubs have had large increases in demand for membership, including the sports in which Team GB achieved the most success. Nearly 200 students are getting active on campus and over 600 are representing Teesside in the British University College Sport - the national

FOR LATEST ON TEESSIDE UNI SPORTS VISIT TSIDE.CO.UK

SPORT 20

Boro have a star student EXCLUSIVE

BORO BOY: Teesside’s Burgess in action for Boro Reserves (below )

By TOM ETHERINGTON

MIDDLESBROUGH FC defender Christian Burgess has signed a new deal - to start a degree at Teesside University.

The Boro centre-back spoke exclusively to Tside upon signing his ﬁrst professional football contract and subsequent summer transfer from the University of Birmingham. Burgess, originally from Essex, penned a two-year deal at the Riverside after impressing whilst part of the club’s development squad at the back end of last season. The 6ft 4ins defender, who was scouted by former Boro player Mark Burke whilst playing university football, has been able to continue his History degree on a part-time basis thanks to Teesside University. The 20-year-old said: “Teesside have been excellent, especially when helping me to join. The History department in particular have been very helpful. I didn’t give them much notice but they managed to get me on the course, which is great. I have to really thank them for giving me the opportunity to complete my degree.” The former Arsenal academy player, who had trials for Tottenham Hotspur and boyhood idols West Ham, revealed that he always wanted to become a professional footballer but chose to attend university as a back-up. Burgess added: “I gave up hope after

playing academy football and decided to just play for fun with my friends. “I decided to try and get a university degree and then pursue my dream after that. I chose History as it’s something I have always enjoyed and am fairly good at. “Also it’s a good academic degree to get because it has many potential avenues and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do, other than play football.” Middlesbrough boss, Tony Mowbray, spoke highly of Burgess when he ofﬁcially signed the promising defender for the club in early July. Mowbray said: “You have got to put it into context that he is just a young boy out of university. “There’s talent there, there’s game understanding there, there’s physicality there, he’s a very intelligent boy. “Supporters shouldn’t expect to see him in the ﬁrst team for a while. He’s chosen a path of education and yet he has talent.” Burgess is currently enjoying life in the newly-formed Barclays Under-21 Premier League divisions, following the academy’s recent Category One status grading. Christian said: “The new league is a great opportunity and it has worked out well for the club. It’s a high standard and we are doing well. “It’s also a great opportunity for me to develop as a player, to be seen and to progress at the club.”

Competition amongst the U-21 side is lively, according to Christian, with a number of players on the fringes of Mowbray’s first eleven. “We all get on very well. The opportunities are there for everyone so you just have to train really hard and take your chances when they crop up,” Burgess said. “It’s really promising that the manager will play younger players in the first team. For me it might be a bit harder being a centre-back because you can’t make many mistakes and there are some great defenders at the club.” Burgess dreams of making a first

team appearance for Boro but for now he is just focusing on doing his best for the U21 team and studying for his degree. “I would love to make a senior appearance this season, but we will have to see how it goes. I would never have thought I would be playing professional football this time last year so who knows what the future holds. “I am just really concentrating on university and the under-21 side, trying to retain my starting place as players come back from injury and loan.” The defender, who also played for semi-pro side Bishops Stortford, has a contract in the North East until 2014. His deal expires around the same time he is due to graduate from Teesside University, having spread his ﬁnal year over the space of two. Burgess concluded: “I deﬁnitely want to stay in football and I would love to remain at Middlesbrough. “After all, Tony Mowbray has given me this opportunity to play as a professional, so for me it is all about trying to show him that I’m worth it and that I can make a player of myself.”

Tside now the place for MFC coverage

HERE at Tside, we aim to bring you the latest news from your area. This now includes the latest from Middlesbrough Football Club. Log onto Tside.co.uk for exclusive match reports, reactions and opinions from every MFC home game. Keeping track of Tony Mowbray’s bid to get his team back to the Premier League.

The Boro boss said: “The most consistent team wins this league and at this stage it is just about accumulating points. “We’ve got to be in a position to compete once it gets to Christmas and New Year.” Boro’s good run of recent form left them as high as third in the table and Mowbray wants to make the

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Riverside a fortress once again. He said: “We have to try and make this place difficult for every team to come and play.” Students can take advantage of the discount for 18-21 Boro Pride Card tickets. Pay £10 to become a member and get up to £8 off tickets in the North West and South West stand tickets.

MOWBRAY: Speaking after the Hull victory

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