SPORT
Defensive double-act
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FEATURES Helping Africa’s kids
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OPINION Surveillance state UK
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Forest fashionista Photographer Natalie Jade showcases her latest work in The Rock.
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Shock Boscombe adoption figures
Hailey Hammer
DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
ONE third of all children adopted through Bournemouth Borough
Council last year were from Boscombe. And that figure increases to two thirds when Southbourne, Springbourne and Pokesdown are taken into account. The statistics were obtained from a report published by the Council Adoption Team.
The Team’s manager said the aim is to keep families together, but the figures reflect the social difficulties in the area, despite the work being done to improve the children’s welfare. Current initiatives include teams of social workers, agencies and
charities working with struggling families and intervening when problems arise. But one children’s centre manager says it is a struggle to oversee and safeguard all the children and families in their area due to lack of funds and resources. She would
like to offer more parenting skills courses. And others have called for more affordable places where parents can meet.
Full story: page 6
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Thursday 5 December 2013| The Rock
Winter death fears for elderly THURSDAY, 5 December 2013
News
Philippine fundraising
5
Opinion
Sex: a very British debate
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Bleak winter: Deaths among the elederly went up by a quarter in 2012 due to the cold DAVID ALLIET
Joe Nerssessian Fern Balch
Features
Landlord lottery exposed
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Sport
Elphick wants first-team spot
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THE chairman of Age Concern Poole has called the rise in elderly people dying due to winter conditions “disgusting”. Dennis Blackler hit out at statistics released last week estimating 31,000 elderly people died in England and Wales last year because of plummeting temperatures. The figures released by the Office for National Statistics also show 480 pensioners died across Dorset in 2011/2012. Blackler said that: “We are getting to the stage of eat or heat. I think it is disgusting that the price of energy has gone up. I think it is
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based charity, Dorset Community Foundation, launching their Surviving Winter Appeal, which aims to help those struggling to pay their heating bills. Daisy Ilchovska, Campaign Manager at the Dorset Community Foundation said: “Unfortunately more and more elderly people are struggling with fuel poverty. The cost of heating a home has risen much faster than rises in the state pension and related benefits, which puts a lot of vulnerable people at risk as many elderly people choose to save money by turning down their heating”. In five of the eight Dorset regions where statistics were collected there was a sharp rise since 2001 in winter related deaths amongst elderly people, although overall the county figure dropped.
FUNDING of £1m will be given to Bournemouth and Poole, along with six other UK cities to kickstart a sustainable food drive. The Sustainable Food Cities Network aims to make healthy and sustainable food a defining characteristic of a city and use good food to address some of today’s most pressing social, economic and environmental problems including obesity, food poverty and climate change. After a six-month preparation phase, Bournemouth and Poole have been selected to receive the funds. They will allow a dedicated Sustainable Food City Manager to work with local partners such as councils, schools, charities and businesses to transform access to local, affordable and sustainable food for people across the city region. Tom Andrews, National Programme Manager for Sustainable Food Cities said: “We had amazing applications from cities across the UK and the panel felt that Bournemouth and Poole had a particularly inspiring vision.” Sarah Watson, the interim Sustainable Food City Manager for Bournemouth and Poole said she was delighted and honoured. “We understand how food impacts upon everyone’s lives and by enabling people to make small changes in their relationship with what they grow, buy, cook and eat; we know significant benefits can be achieved throughout our city region. “We want to encourage anyone who is interested in food to join us. Working together we can achieve amazing things across Bournemouth and Poole, revolutionising food to benefit our businesses, communities and environment.” The other cities that will receive the funding along with Bournemouth and Poole include Belfast, Cardiff and Liverpool.
Early closure reprieve for nightclubs Rosie Ngure
Contact
all profit, profit, profit. “We know that things are expensive but they are putting prices up far too much - 10%, 8%, that’s well above inflation. Perhaps we will learn the lesson when we see the figures at the end of this winter, which I think will be quite horrifying. “It’s frightening, I know a lot of elderly people. I see about 200 elderly people a week. Most of them are okay but there’s a few we really worry about.” The majority of the deaths came from cold-related illnesses such as heart attacks and strokes. In recent months five of the six biggest gas and electric companies have increased their prices, sparking outrage from consumer watchdogs and charities. This has led to the Bournemouth
Sustainable food funds to benefit area
NIGHTCLUBS in Bournemouth will not be forced to close early - at least for now. Councillor David Smith said: “My colleagues are of the view that nightclubs closing earlier will not do the club owners any good.” Cllr Smith added that it is important for the nightclubs to open late because they attract
young people in the area. It is believed that the council has shelved the idea for the sake of Bournemouth’s economy. Young people going to nightclubs in Bournemouth make a significant contribution to the local coffers, particulay due to the town’s university. A nightclub manager who wished to remain anonymous has thanked the council for the decision calling it welcome news. He said: “It is very expensive to run a nightclub especially with the high cost of bills. So many clubs rely
on those longer hours to maximize on the income.” BU student, Priscilla Ng’ethe, 18, said the early closure proposal was a bad idea: “Clubs would miss out on money earned from a higher concentration of students who go to clubs and bars later in the night after pre-drinking at home.” It is believed that problem drinking in the Bournemouth area had forced local councils to consider closing clubs and bars earlier or even impose late-night levies to combat disorderly behavior. Levies have already been proposed
in Southampton, which city chiefs believe could bring in £200,000 a year although bar owners say the charge would cause financial difficulty. Bournemouth Council does not plan to do the same, saying crime is decreasing in the town and levies would affect the hotel sector as well. Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner, Martyn Underhill, want to introduce late night levies. Mr Underhill has already spoken of his frustration that no council in the county has introduced them on pubs and clubs, a move that would raise an extra £140,000 for the police.
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
BOYZONE
Counselling service work to help more students
The Rock speaks to the Irish pop legends
Rosie Ngure
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Union rent warning
PHIL GRIFFIN
Hollie Wong
THE Student Union at BU has initiated a new poster campaign urging students not to start renting yet. Year upon year the Student Union hear horror stories of first year students who are jumping head first into housing contracts but lack understanding of the complicated process when renting a house. The Union’s new campaign ‘Don’t Rent Yet’ aims to stamp out the misleading assumptions students make when attempting to find housing in their second year and make available suitable help for students who are struggling with any housing issues. Annie Hall, Vice President of Communications for SUBU, instigated this campaign and aims to stop the annual stream of first year students who are potentially jeopardising their money and
ignoring the dangers of entering into problematic contracts. Annie said: “SUBU Advice experience students coming in with problems with housing contracts every year which they largely believe could have been avoided had students taken the time to think a little bit more carefully about the contracts that they sign.” Annie acknowledges that the renting business is completely market driven and ‘scaremongering’ among first year students is forcing them to seek housing much earlier than recommended. She said: “If students were to wait till the other side of the exam period in January, they’re less likely to find themselves in these situations.” For part of the campaign (above), SUBU has warned students about believing some myths surrounding renting. Students are being told
to understand that not all the best housing will be gone after Christmas. They should also be aware of the dangers of entering into a contract too early and the risk of renting a house before really knowing their housemates. Annie agrees with the campaign’s message. When asked about the problems students could potentially face if a roommate were to drop out, she said: “A lot of students are under a false idea that they’re only responsible for the rent of their room and in some cases, that is true. But more often than not, you’re actually responsible for the rent as a whole or as a group, so if a student drops out you’re actually responsible for covering that rent between the rest of you and that can be extremely expensive.” Annie stressed in particular that rushing into renting has ‘financial
consequences’ and will cause ‘general stress’ for first year students who should be concentrating on their course. First year journalism student, Amy Poduval, 19, has already put down a deposit for a house in Charminster. She said: “My reasoning is that because so many first year students have all rushed into renting and finding houses, you are almost forced to rush with them.” Asked whether the ‘Don’t Rent Yet’ campaign had an impact on her decision to rent so early, Amy said: “The campaign did bring to my attention the financial risks but we were more focused on getting a house that we really wanted.” Though Amy does not regret acting so early, she acknowledges the pressure put on students looking for houses by estate agents. She said: “I think the estate agent did pressure us. He really emphasised how fast the houses were selling and we felt the pressure to pay a deposit at once.” The student who exposed bad housing - see page 13
BOURNEMOUTH University is seeking NHS Services to cope with the rising number of students seeking counselling help. The counselling service offers free sessions for students who struggle with problems ranging from exam anxiety and vague unhappiness, to serious eating disorders and drug abuse. Brian Morrow, Head of Student Counselling Service, has said the number of students seeking counselling services rises with every passing year. He added that this problem is not unique to BU, and is the same with many other universities across the country. “We do not know why this is so, but perhaps more people believe that counselling is the solution to their difficulties,” he said. Mandi Barron, the service owner for Student Health and Wellbeing is developing more forms of support for students in addition to counselling. Working in collaboration with Dorset University Healthcare Foundation Trust they have started a triage service at the university so that students can get early advice for their problems. Mandi said: “Many students are not aware of the whole range of services the NHS can offer them. “Some seem to think that counselling is all they need for their problems but sometimes the problem can be medical, and we want to put them in the right direction.” The Student Health and Wellbeing service is also working with the Student Union and other organisations at the university to help students recognise the need to visit all the services available to them, even at the NHS. Mandi added: “Intensive support is available and we have introduced some low level support and high level support to help students access the right help more quickly.” A student who uses the counselling service, but wishes to remain anonymous expressed stress at the system. “It is frustrating to feel that I don’t get the help that I need. Counselling sessions are restricted to eight per year, which really isn’t much for someone who’s constantly struggling. I am glad they are trying to solve this problem and letting us know where to get help”.
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Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Tom Beasley Deputy Editor Michael Seymour News Editor Nikita Lewis Deputy NE Hailey Hammer Deputy NE Hollie Wong Assistant NE Joe Nerssesian Opinion Editor Chris Fay Features Ed Emma Baker Assistant FE Anna Hayward Sports Editor Ben Fisher Deputy SE Jack Cozens Chief Sub Marcin Bryszak Assistant Chief Subs Anna Pujol- Mazzini & Ross Took Online Editor Robyn Montague Assistant OE Poppy Jeffery The Rock needs you. We still have many jobs available on the editorial and business staff, as well as online. To find out more and register your interest, visit: www.bournemouthrock.co.uk/getinvolved/
Letters to the editor must be signed (including the course of Bournemouth University students, the working title and school for staff members, company name, or home address for individuals outside BU). Prior to the publication, letters will be verified for authencity by the editor. Anonymous letters will not be published. The editor reserves the right to edit all letters in regard to libel law, length, taste, grammar and punctuation.
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Thursday 5 December 2013| The Rock
Festival award for Israeli film Tom Beasley
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MACABRE racism allegory Strange Fruit enchanted the audience with its sucker punch of an ending when it was screened at the BUtiful Film Festival. The animation was presented with both the BUtiful Award and the Butterfly Award by festival organiser Giulia Rodilossi at the end of the glittering awards evening a few nights later, attended by film fans and industry professionals. As well as the main organising team of the festival, the awards night was attended by Vendetta director Stephen Reynolds, and Dan Pringle, from Bournemouthbased production company White Lantern Films. Reynolds gave a short speech about the road that led him to making his revenge thriller and answered audience questions about working with Danny Dyer and his genre influences. Festival organiser Giulia Rodilossi was very pleased to get a notable professional on board with the event. “Having the possibility to have
someone as talented as Stephen Reynolds to come, attend and answer the audience’s questions, was particularly important for us. “The ability to create a dialogue between all of these players involved inside and outside the festival is the first step to creating a connection which we hope will grow and last for the upcoming years.” Reynolds also presented the award for Best Director and Best Cinematography to Spanish drama Mi Ojo Derecho, which deals elegantly with themes of love and loss. The film, which is titled The Apple of My Eye in English, uses a number of dramatic and visually striking motifs to illuminate the heartbreaking tale of an elderly woman slipping away from her beloved grandson. Other awards went to shorts from the UK, Ukraine and even as far afield as Argentina. Giulia was keen to praise the variety of films on offer at the festival in its second year. “One of our biggest wishes for this festival is to be able to sustain artistic multiculturalism worldwide. “Diversity is at the core of this project, starting from the organisers themselves that bring out different outlooks and perspectives.
Aaron Newbury aids SUBU with Typhoon appeal
Giulia Rodilossi and film director Stephen Reynolds This is especially impressive considering their different cultural backgrounds.” She adds that the festival must continue to grow if it is to become a staple part of the Bournemouth University calendar. “The festival was founded and developed with the idea that it would last a long time and that it would be carried out in the
KATIE PATHIAKI
JENNAH GLEED
upcoming years. “We hope that the BUtiful Film Festival will become a point of reference for filmmakers and students alike, and that BU, with their history of support for the arts and for youth creativity, will appreciate its continuous growth.” The BUtival Festival also featured short film screenings and a live peformance.
Student fee increase defended by BU Will Kent
BOURNEMOUTH University has defended the increase in fees for all of its courses. From 2014 onwards, every subject taught at the university will charge the maximum fee of £9,000. Previously, only flagship courses were able to charge the maximum fee, however Bournemouth University has raised prices of all courses “due to a number of reasons”. PR and Press Manager James Donald said that: “There are many factors that go into setting our level of fees at BU. “From the point of view of the reputation of BU, if we were to charge less than competing institutions, this could be perceived that we don’t offer the same level of quality of education so we stay in line with the sector.” He added that having different levels of fees in one institution can cause resentment amongst
Bournemouth University defends decision to charge maximum fee for all courses HAILEY HAMMER students paying the higher level over their fellow students paying less. “All our courses at BU have key information published online for potential students, so they can see in advance what they will be getting for their fees”, he said. The changes to tuition fees will not affect current students. Meanwhile, Oxford Vice-
Chancellor Professor Andrew Hamilton has suggested that leading universities should be able to charge substanitally more than £9,000. But Ellen McCausland, course representative for International Hospitality Management at BU said: “The rise in tuition fees did make me think twice about coming to university.
“You’re paying £9,000 a year for the course, but you don’t even have to attend five days a week. “The time that you actually spend in uni isn’t long enough to feel like it’s worth the price.” She does believe that student loans are “easy to pay back” and is glad she has decided to come to university in Bournemouth.
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
Saving the typhoon survivors Katie Pathiaki
BU fundraisers have raised hundreds of pounds for the typhoon survivors in the Philippines in just a few days. Aaron Newbury, a 19-year-old Bournemouth University student, set up a fundraising campaign in addition to SUBU’s own extensive efforts, in an attempt to raise interest. He was stunned by the response. Almost £700 has already been collected and more fundraising has been arranged for this week. Aaron (right) said: “I set up a team of my own to collect donations, which will go straight to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) after every working day.” After contacting every society within the university, 23 different clubs and 16 individual students helped him promote the cause. “I’m so impressed with the feedback we have received from a wide variety of societies. “Members from the Islamic Society, the Feminist Society, the Conservative Society and the Atheist Society, just to name few are prepared to donate and do anything they can to contribute, which is great. “The Performing Arts Society is hosting a showcase where all the proceeds are going to the appeal. They’ve all started to come out of
the woodwork and begun to help.” Alongside fundraising through bucket collections, Aaron has also approached SUBU, and the Student Shop to hand out flyers. Staff canteen ‘The Retreat’ has agreed to place donation envelopes on tables and student nightclub The Old Fire Station may be increasing it’s entrance fee by £1 to help. “Lollipop is a very popular student night, and I’ve asked them to raise the ticket price from £3 to £4 the extra £1 per person is donated to the Philippines,” said Aaron. The suggestion is currently passing through the university and students will vote whether they are prepared for the one-off ticket price increase to go ahead. Alice Ryland, 21, a third year, Communications and Media student is helping with the fundraising. “I wanted to get involved because I don’t have a lot of money to give but by helping I could get other people to give money which will still make a difference,” she explained. Aaron has pledged to continue to raise money for the cause until the Filipinos recover from the disaster. Typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on November 8, destroying everything in its path. Recorded as one of the most intense tropical storms to hit anywhere in the world. The destruction left nearly a million people homeless, and thousands dead. The survivors of this devastation are now in desperate need of help. Why is Ikea donating more than China? See page 9
Survivors of deadly Typhoon Haiyan are desperately in need of help and aid from around the world
Christmas festivities bigger and better than ever Nikita Lewis NEWS EDITOR
Coloured lights decorate Bournemouth Lower Gardens H HAMMER
LOWER Gardens in Bournemouth town centre have been transformed into a dazzling festive experience known as the Garden of Lights, in a bid to boost tourism and growth in sales in and around the town centre. This is the first year of the Garden of Lights, which features Bournemouth’s biggest outdoor ice rink yet, interactive lights pods and a glitzy grotto. Gregg Dunnett, a Town Centre Bid Manager, anticipates the Garden of Lights will boost Bournemouth’s tourism at Christmas for years to come. “We
want to try and make something of the town that shows a bit more than the same old events such as the ice rink,” he said. The Improvement District wants to make the town a brighter and more attractive place to visit. A Bournemouth tourism representative said: “We hope to attract more people to Bournemouth at Christmas.” Bid Manager Gregg said London, Bath and Winchester are currently the ‘go to’ destination for the ultimate Christmas experience but Bournemouth plans to change this. “We are trying to make Bournemouth the place to be this Christmas. Hopefully it will become well known for its Garden of Lights and joyous celebrations, and help businesses develop” said Gregg. In addition to the Garden of
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Lights, this year will see the return of the Christmas Market. Gregg is supportive of the Garden’s potential to encourage more vendors to sell their products. Gregg said: “In order to have the best Christmas market you have to have the best attractions to draw people into the town to sell their products. Currently people take their business to the more renowned Christmas markets such as Bath and Winchester. “We want people to think of Bournemouth as the best place to experience Christmas, meet Santa, and just have a merry time,” Gregg added. The Garden of Lights has garnered a lot of attention and the town centre is already very busy. The festivities will run until January 6 2014.
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Thursday 5 December 2013|The Rock
Caring for children in Boscombe
LEFT: Children play in the Salvation Army’s Parents of Toddlers group. RIGHT: The Army’s Carelle Begley and Justine Greenfield at Boscombe Children Centre H HAMMER
Hailey Hammer DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR FIGURES obtained by The Rock show that 21 of the 34 children who were adopted through the Council last year were from Boscombe and surrounding wards, even though agencies and charities constantly attempt to improve the living standard in the area. Heather Freeman, Team Manager at the Adoption Services Team, believes these numbers reflect the fact that Boscombe has significant social problems, despite the effort from the council and other agencies to make improvements. She said: “Social workers and the courts start from the perspective of keeping children with their birth families wherever possible, by providing support for them to do so. It’s only in situations where that is not possible that the courts will make
placement orders which are the legal orders which give us authority to place children for adoption. “The significant harm threshold has to be met for courts to grant placement orders so the usual reasons will reflect family backgrounds where drug and alcohol misuse, mental health problems, or domestic violence feature - or a combination of all of those factors, and where support has been offered and hasn’t led to the necessary changes for the child to be safe.” Heather also added it should be taken into consideration that these numbers vary from year to year. One of the agencies doing their best to improve living standards for children in the area is Boscombe Children’s Centre. Manager Justine Greenfield said they work with children up to the age of five, offering midwife services targeted to parents struggling with drug and alcohol abuse, and various parenting skills programmes and support groups. She said they would be able to help more children if they had the resources: “Everything is being
stripped bare. Money and staff is cut down, and with that somebody is going to fall off the edge. It is a lot of emotional investment in this work, especially where a concern is raised and families need your support. There is only so much work one person can do. “We see investigations of where a child is injured or died, as the local safeguarding authority issues reports which aim to show where lessons can be learned in future cases. I just think it is things that are being missed or not picked up on because people are overstretched and I think it is a real shame.” Ms Greenfield added she would have liked to give more parenting skills courses, and make parents understand that asking them for help does not mean they are going to lose their children. She said: “We have had parents calling us saying ‘I can’t do it, I’m right on the edge and I don’t know what I’ll do if someone doesn’t help me’, so people feel that they are safe and they can tell us they are really struggling. And that’s a positive step, when parents are checking
themselves and know that they have reached their limit.” The independently funded Salvation Army also works to improve living standards within Boscombe families. Major Carelle Begley said their Parents of Toddlers programme is full every Wednesday morning, with as many as 25 parents attending each week. Leading up to Christmas the charity will also provide food hampers and toy parcels for the less fortunate children. Mrs Begley said: “We have lovely parents who seem to cope well with their children, but we are aware that in Boscombe there is a lot of need. “Coming up to Christmas we will make hampers and toy parcels, and a lot of them. Social services will tell us where they see a need and they will come and collect them. We also pick up people that we know as well and deliver toy parcels and food hampers. So there is a great deal of need. A lot of people come here and don’t have family backgrounds, and that is where they need the support really, of the Salvation Army.” The Salvation Army’s Parents
of Toddlers group is largely selfsufficient, relying on the membership fee and a small contribution from parents. But Carelle still calls for more affordable centres like the one they provide to help the large number of children in need. She said: “We need more affordable places for parents, particularly mums who are a bit more isolated so they can get out of the home to meet others and to have support. From time to time we will have people come in and talk to them about where there is help they can get. And we always display leaflets from different centres as well. I think it is just being available really, and letting more people know that they can get support.” Mother-of-three Joanna goes to the Parents of Toddlers group every Wednesday, and said she does not know what she would do without it. “I have two boys and a girl and they love it here. It’s brilliant to have this opportunity and I don’t know what we would do without them [Salvation Army] helping us. It’s a place where kids can play, and meet up with other kids. It’s amazing.”
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
Stamping out teen domestic abuse Nikita Lewis NEWS EDITOR
New waste recycling scheme
TEENAGE domestic abuse is at the centre of a campaign currently underway in Dorset. The campaign wants teenagers to come forward to put a stop to violence. Local agencies – including Dorset Police and all of Dorset’s local authorities and community safety partnerships – are using bus advertising, a poster campaign and awareness events to reach teenagers at risk of becoming victims or perpetrators of domestic abuse. Youth workers in Poole have also taken part in training to help them spot the signs. Research carried out by the NSPCC in 2009 showed that 25 per cent of girls and 18 per cent of boys aged between 13-17 in the UK had experienced physical domestic violence, with even greater numbers reporting sexual or emotional abuse. The official definition of domestic abuse was extended earlier this year to include 16and 17-year olds, although many services for victims in Dorset were already open to this age group. Councillor Judy Butt, Borough of Poole’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Public Engagement and Participation and Chair of the Safer Poole Partnership Board, said: “There is no shame in reporting domestic abuse. It is not your fault and you should
FROM early next year Bournemouth residents will be given new recycling bins for their food waste. In January and February 2014 Bournemouth Borough Council will be distributing the containers along with compostable bin liners and information packs to households with the first collections scheduled for March. Residents across the borough will be asked to separate their food waste from general rubbish using the new bins which will then be collected on a weekly basis. The food waste will be taken to a local facility where it will be turned into compost, whilst also being used to generate sustainable energy. Waste and Resources Manager, Georgina Fry said: “The new food waste collections offer Bournemouth Borough Council a great opportunity to improve on an already strong record for recycling. “It provides two key benefits; a reduction in waste disposal costs which will deliver better value for money for taxpayers and substantial carbon savings. The service has been designed with the resident in mind with compostable liners supplied free of charge, insert containers with lockable lids that can be kept in your little bin and a weekly collection service that will enhance the existing waste collections rather than change it.”
Dorset launches campaign to combat domestic abuse amongst young people not have to put up with it. There are many organisations that are there to help you but you need to take the first step and contact them.” Dorset Police are supportive of the campaign. Detective Superintendent Andy Clowser, Head of Public Protection at Dorset Police, said: “Domestic violence can affect people of all ages and the recent change in the definition has been changed to better reflect the fact that there are increasing numbers of young people affected by abuse who need help and
protection from those who commit these offences.” He also said the police work extremely hard with their partners to support victims of domestic abuse and to bring those responsible to justice. He said: “It is really important that victims know there is a wide range of support available to them, not just through the police but through organisations that include the local authorities and a number of charities. DS Clowser has warned offenders:
JOSEPH ROSELL
“We will seek you out and you will be held accountable for your actions.” Councillor Nicola Greene, Deputy Leader of Bournemouth Council, said: “It’s important that young people are made aware of the risks of becoming a victim of domestic abuse or even becoming a perpetrator and where they can seek help if they need it.” DS Clowser said: “I would strongly encourage anyone suffering from domestic abuse to report it”.
Unemployment decrease in South West Casey Farr
Job seekers allowance claimants have dropped
TAX CREDITS
SOUTHERN England has shown the most dramatic improvement in unemployment rates throughout the country, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS). The number of Job Seekers Allowance claimants in Bournemouth has dropped by 4.1% since August. And while national unemployment rates from October show an encouraging decline from 7.8% to 7.7%, the trend is reflected locally in Bournemouth and Poole, where rates have been dropping steadily since April. Conservative Councillor Robert Chapman attributes this trend to Bournemouth’s booming tourism industry, which was boosted by this year’s fabulous summer. Cllr Chapman said: “What we are seeing in Bournemouth and Poole is a reflection of the gradual improvement to the national economic climate.” He also suggested that many
opportunities have now opened up in the construction sector, due to new local projects including the construction of a Hilton Hotel on Terrace Mount, student accommodation on Madeira Road, and a University building on Holdenhurst Road, amongst many others. He told The Rock: “This year we will be seeing a lot more cranes in Bournemouth, which is always a good sign. With cranes, come jobs.” While this economic progression is a step in the right direction, statistics from the ONS also reveal the number of people working part-time has surged to an all-time high of 1.45 million due to lack of full-time opportunities. But Cllr Chapman is confident that employment opportunities will continue to grow in Bournemouth. “The main thing is Bournemouth has not lost any of its main employers, the big companies. Businesses are keeping existing staff and taking additional staff on. New businesses are arriving and creating further opportunities. We are on the right track,” said Cllr Chapman.
Three injured in house fire THREE casualties were taken to hospital after a fire swept through a derelict house in Bournemouth. The blaze broke out in Wellington Road in Charminster. Peter Briant, who was working in the retail park next to the burning house said: “There was lots of black smoke in the air.” Although Mr Briant did not see any of the casualties, he said that there were “screams for help”. The detached house had burnt out windows on the first floor but it is not yet known what caused the fire. A crew of 19 fire fighters attended the scene. Fire crews from Springbourne, Redhill Park, Westbourne and Christchurch arrived within minutes of the fire breaking out at 1.45 pm on Sunday, December 1. Two air ambulance helicopters were also in action circling the area. Nine police cars, four fire engines and an armed response unit were present at the time. Local residents claim that the house had recently been occupied by homeless people.
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Thursday 5 December 2013 |The Rock
Ex-BU student prepares for globe-trotting film shoot Tom Beasley EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Storyboard for director Suryanshu Rai’s film C. I. MOUSSOULOS
A FORMER Bournemouth University student is jetting off to Hungary in December for the first phase of principal photography on his short sci-fi film Exitium. First-time director Suryanshu Rai studied at Bournemouth University’s National Centre for Computer Animation (NCCA). He has been raising money from private investors for the ambitious and exciting £20,000 film that he aims to release during the summer of 2014. The rest of the film’s budget is to come from crowd-funding campaigns that will be launched in the coming months to raise money from members of the public who are interested in helping with the film’s progress. He has divided filming into three distinct stages, with the first taking him to abandoned, decrepit buildings on the outskirts of
Hungarian capital Budapest from December 4. The team then move on to Slovakia and Slovenia to complete the first part of the filming schedule. Later stages take in everywhere from London to the more far-flung Warsaw, Berlin and New York. “We are all very excited about the project and cannot wait till the shooting starts,” said Rai. “We have been working really hard for the past few months and soon we can start seeing the output.” The film’s title, Exitium, is derived from the Latin word for destruction. The story will follow the life of a psychopath in a post-apocalyptic world where the normal rules of a civilised society no longer apply. Rai compares the society in which his film is set to the dystopia featured in the 2007 Will Smith movie I Am Legend. It aims to deal with the duality of human nature, blurred lines between right and wrong and the frailty of the imposed infrastructures and moral codes that humanity lives by on a daily basis. Without all of those structures in place, society as we
Concerns over lack of HIV awareness Hollie Wong DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
A QUARTER of people living with HIV are unaware they have the condition and could be missing out on life-improving treatment. Public Health Dorset and NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are now urging people across the Bournemouth and Dorset area to get tested if they have had unprotected sex. World Aids Day took place on Sunday December 1. Dr David Phillips, Director of Public Health Dorset, said: “HIV is no longer an untreatable disease. The health and quality of life of people living with HIV has improved greatly in recent years due to better treatment. This is why it’s important for anyone who feels they may be at risk to get tested.” Early testing and treatment means that people can better manage their condition and reduce the chances of more people becoming infected. Local GP and Chair of the Maternity, Reproductive and Family Health Clinical Commissioning Programme within Dorset CCG, Dr Karen Kirkham, said World Aids Day was an opportunity for people to find out more about HIV and how to reduce the risk of becoming infected. Treatment for HIV has improved massively within the last 20 years, with most people
The World Aids Day symbol hangs outside the White House to mark the yearly event living up to 60 or 70 years old. Dr Kirkham also said: “In the UK in 2013, due to effective treatment, very few people are dying of HIV other than those that do not know that they are infected, and this is why testing is so important”. A Bournemouth resident, who wishes to remain anonymous, was recently tested for HIV after seeing adverts for World Aids Day on Facebook. He said: “It has been in
the back of my mind for some time now.” He said he did not fear the idea of HIV but was more aggrieved by the thought of “not doing more to protect” himself. Gay club DMYK in the Soho Quarter marked World Aids Day with various entertainment events. Bournemouth has celebrated World Aids Day for the past few years. In 2010, a memorial wall was
TIM EVANSON
put up in honour of Dorset residents who were victims of the disease. Doctors in Dorset want people to feel confident enough to come forward and be tested. The test itself is free and confidential. It is available from the GUM services in Bournemouth and Weymouth hospitals and by appointment at Boots in the Dolphin Centre, Poole every Saturday.
know it cannot continue, and Exitium depicts that. The former student has assembled a team of specialists to work on Exitium, including visual effects consultant Ankit Vajpayee. Vajpayee has worked on huge television programmes like Misfits for E4 and produced a series of television adverts for this summer’s animated smash hit movie sequel Despicable Me 2. He feels that this strong support group of professionals can help him to produce something ambitious and amazing. “I am very lucky to have the investors to have shown faith in me and I feel privileged to have the chance to work with such a team of talented individuals. “Directing for the first time can be really intimidating task but with the support of the team and advice from a panel of industry experts, I am sure I will be able to deliver.” Exitium’s estimated release date is August 1, 2014 and you can keep up to date with the progress of the movie by following @ExitiumFilm on Twitter.
Media School at BU offers prize internship
STUDENTS who enter a New Media Writing Prize could win a three-month paid internship at a top e-company, worth £3,000. The international competition showcases story-telling specifically created to be accessed through new media devices, such as computers, hand-held tablets and mobile phones. Entries could be anything from a short story, novel, or poem to documentaries, using words, images, film or animation with audience interaction. The competition is being run by BU’s Media School. Competition organiser James Pope said: “This competition attracts the best innovative writing from around the world, and is truly breaking new ground.” Winning entries will be published on new media webhub, The Literary Platform, the Bournemouth University website and will be showcased at the Awards Ceremony, which takes place on January 22. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Joanna Ellis, Associate Director at The Literary Platform, Chris Meade, writer and founder of if:book UK and Dan Franklin, Digital Publisher at the Random House Group in the UK. The awards ceremony, free to attend and open to all, takes place at BU’s Talbot Campus from 6.30pm on January 22. The closing date for student entries is Friday, December 13, at 12 noon.
opinion 9
Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
OPINION
The great firewall of Cameron approaches Some level of freedom must be sacrificed for security. I get that. What we are heading towards with the latest announcements from Premier David Cameron is comparable only to some of the world’s most oppressive regimes. In the House of Commons on Wednesday, October 23, we saw what I can only describe as the complete submission of democratic ideals to the ambiguous spectre of ‘terrorism’, sprinkled with a dash of the old adage “won’t somebody please think of the children”. Cameron exposed the cross party complicity at work in the erosion of our civil liberties and the regression to the police state that we supposedly avoided in winning the Cold War. Mr Cameron contributed what was quite frankly a chilling announcement. “We have put in place some of the toughest controls that one can possibly have within a democratic government... setting out a whole series of steps that we will take to counter the extremist narrative, including by blocking online sites,” he said with a worrying degree of pride. This man who was put in place to lead our nation as a free and democratic society seems to think that the further towards totalitarianism he pushes us, the better it is for our country. If
I remember correctly, the online blocks he suggested were to protect children from pornography. Or was it to curb the destructive criminality of online piracy? I guess we’ve always been at war with Eastasia... In the following ‘question’, a prayer of reverence to the gods of surveillance is offered by Conservative Julian Smith, who has deemed the Guardian’s exposure of the NSA and GCHQ dragnet surveillance as “reckless”. He asks that the Prime Minister join him “in paying tribute to the women and men of our intelligence services, who have no voice but who do so much to keep this country safe”. They have a voice Mr Smith. It’s the Guardian. It’s the internet. It’s the press. It’s freedom of speech. But it seems that the voice of a whistleblower like Edward Snowden is only a legitimate voice if it is in support of the erosion of freedom and liberty. It has become painfully obvious that the blocks, censorship and surveillance are really only there for one reason: the elimination of dissent. Who is an extremist? Is it the Left winger? The anti-war protester? The animal rights activist? Or anyone who would dare to question the status quo as decided
Editorial
Let’s talk about sex, Britain
Chris Fay
OPINIONS EDITOR
X Factor
It’s time to vote off tired talent show formats
10
Voting
Apathy has no place in politics
10
opinonseditor @bournemouthrock.co.uk
Tom Beasley
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
There is a bit of a debate raging amongst the main political parties about lowering the age of consent from 16 to 15. The main obstacle to this being a real debate is all of the parties broadly agree that it is a bad idea. And, for once, they are completely right. The discussion was sparked when a senior health official suggested that a decrease in the age would help to solve the problem of teenage pregnancy and allow easier access to contraception. This shows a remarkable naivety on the behalf of people who are supposed to be experts. It is already blindingly easy to access free contraception at the age of 15, because the NHS does not want the entire teenage population of Britain to get pregnant and so is more
than willing to shell out a handful of condoms to avoid it. This health official’s advice conjures up images of libidinous youngsters being turned away from sexual health clinics as if that will incite abstinence in them. It actually just facilitates recklessness. In fact, the only thing that will help to minimise teen pregnancy is free and open dialogue. The verbal frigidity of the British people as far as sex is concerned is remarkable and ensures that virtually every child receives their first sex education via whispered rumours in the playground. Before they are told anything factual, their minds are filled with misinformation, bravado and ludicrously hardcore pornography which they have downloaded on to their smartphones. The solution is simply to start talking about this kind of stuff so teenagers can get the information they need. British people need to take the plunge and realise that teenagers
by the ruling class of entrenched political caste? Let’s not fool ourselves into thinking that this is anything but censorship. If our betters decide that a website like 4chan.org is a terrorist training ground (it being the cesspool that spawned Anonymous and LulzSec), will it be banned? How is that freedom? We need to remember that, while the work of intelligence operatives and our soldiers keeps us safe, they are still answerable to us: the people. Our armed forces and the men and women who serve in them, with all of their dedication, are answerable to a civilian government. If they cross the line, then they are to be held to account and not given a blank cheque to act with impunity. Some of us seem to have forgotten this. If you haven’t, then write to your MP. If they won’t listen, then vote them out. Vote Socialist. Vote Independent. Vote Pirate Party. Hell, if you have the time, the money and the will, run for office yourself. Do not just stand by and let this happen. Do something about it.
do want to know about sex and that they should not be pushed away from it. It is difficult to wrap teens in cotton wool when they are already magnetically attached at the genitals. Until we break our very British stigma and can say the words penis and vagina without an uncontrollable laughing fit, we are sending kids out – at risk of being vulgar here – with the correct tools for the job, but without the knowledge of how to use them safely and appropriately. Sex education in schools and homes has to get better and start younger. I am not suggesting that we teach small children about the mechanics of sex, but there is no reason that they cannot be taught about the nature of adult relationships from a very early age as part of the Personal, Social, Health & Citizenship Education (PSHCE) curriculum. It seems like just about the only thing Michael Gove will not reform.
When you’re in need, don’t count on China Aaron Newbury The Philippines, home to over 98 million people, is one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and a close neighbour of the powerhouse that is China. However, when disaster strikes, and the country cries out for help, the Eastern Dragon lets politics get in the way of compassion. Typhoon Haiyan has claimed over 5,000 lives so far. It annihilated homes, left millions without the basics of life, and yet the eastern giant found itself unable to do anything more than send £62,000. It took almost a week of international outrage for China to finally send anything more. When disaster strikes, no matter where, and it affects such a large number of innocent civilians, every effort should be made to help the aid effort. In the case of Typhoon Haiyan, it is fair to say that support from the British public has reflected this idea, with millions being sent in aid. Around campus at BU, hundreds of pounds have been raised in under a week; an impressive effort for apparently cash-strapped students. It is a shame that the international support for the people of the Philippines has had a shadow cast over it by the stingy efforts of China, but it is not surprising. China has its disputes with the island nation, and given its past record, it is not surprising that they stoop this low. Now is probably a poignant time to point out that IKEA has actually sent more. I wonder how the Communist party, with their rather loose definition of the Marxist ideology they represent, reacted when they found out a Swedish furniture firm had done more to help than they had? This pathetic effort has put a huge smear on their international reputation. As if poor workers rights, child labour and aggression towards the Japanese was not enough, China has shown the world that its government cares more about the profit margin than it does about its neighbours.
10 opinion TV talent shows losing their X Factor Aliyah Allen
Talent shows have seemingly lost their touch nowadays. They don’t seem to be having the same enormous effect on their viewers as they did before. They now appear to be more intrusive and concentrate on the personal lives of the contestants rather than their actual ‘supposed’ talent. The X Factor is a prime example, as the majority of the typical hour-long audition shows are full of backstage gossip with only a maximum of five auditions actually broadcast. The X Factor was once a programme that everyone loved to watch. Now it is something that many people love to hate. With viewers decreasing, desperate attempts to come up with new ideas and formats for the show are a lost cause. It is as if the more ITV tinker with the format to make it more appealing and entertaining, the more viewers start to realise that these programmes are heavily exploitative and turn off. Viewers seem to get more pleasure out of mocking contestants who can’t sing than appreciating the ones who can. The X Factor seems to be doing outrageous yet desperate things in an attempt to keep their viewers. Complaints in previous years included microphones having pitching technology to make people sound better and the voting system being accused of fixing. These are just some of the things that make us question the actuality of these shows. Big X Factor rival The Voice is constantly rejigging its schedule in order to be in direct competition with ITV in terms of viewer ratings. However, as of its new series in 2014, it will have gained two new presenters in the shape of Big Brother’s Emma Willis and JLS member, Marvin Humes. It is unclear whether getting rid of former presenters Holly Willoughby and Reggie Yates is an attempt to get the show back on track, as the last series did not do so well. Can anyone really name either of the winners of The Voice? I certainly know that I can’t. The Christmas final is on its way for The X Factor, with the winner having to battle with other artists in the charts to get that coveted Christmas number one single. There are many artists out there who despise The X Factor. The meaning of talent has become such a played out term that no-one actually knows what it is to be talented anymore.
The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
Apathy wastes a crucial right Michael Seymour DEPUTY EDITOR
In issue 16, The Rock covered the build up to the November 14 Winton East by-election, won by Conservative candidate Pat Oakley, who gained more than double the votes of second place candidate Mike Goff (Labour). The election had a voter turnout of just 15.44%. This is 10% lower than it has been for at least a decade. A large part of this distressing statistic was down to the fact that 40% of possible voters in the Winton East ward are aged between 18 and 25. The majority of those are most likely university students from other parts of the country who did not register to vote. This, though, does not explain it all. Britain is choosing not to vote. Russell Brand is one of the biggest names to denounce the democratic act of voting - also highlighted in issue 16 with ‘Armchair anarchist’ - and even the political powerhouse that is Jeremy Paxman has admitted to not voting. But these two have simply become a face for a national mood, which has been years in the making. Prior to the May 2013 local elections, as well as this byelection, whenever I would ask someone if they were going to
vote, a significant majority would say no because no matter who they voted for, nothing would change for the average man and woman on the street. This view is shared not just by young voters like me. Even older family members would recite the same comment. The most irritating part of hearing this absurd excuse is that it implies that either you are willing to accept the status quo, or you think, as Brand did, that change can come from doing nothing. It will not. The crux of the issue is if you vote for certain parties, then yes, the situation for the average Joe will never change, though there are alternatives. If you vote for someone other than the Tories, Labour or the Lib Dems, despite popular opinion, you are not wasting your vote. It would be easy to say that choosing Ukip, Green or Independent - to name a few - is the equivalent of putting your ballot in the bin. But if these people stopped complaining about the pointlessness of voting, and did something about it, we would see fewer shades of red, yellow and blue in Parliament, and maybe some genuine changes. Of course this doesn’t count for the possibility of these parties doing a ‘Lib Dem’ Lib Dem 1. n. A political party 2. v. To sell out one’s values at the slightest sniff of power In which case, you would be back to the root of the problem.
Newsnight’s Jeremy Paxman has advocated apathy
ENGLISHPEN
Ignorant motorists are a blinding menace Oliver Hill COLUMNIST
People are just like sheep, they are trend followers. As the son of a sheep farmer, I’m fully qualified to make this perfectly rational, if a little unusual statement. Countless times I’ve watched as a sheep attempts to jump a
raging river or squeeze through a hole in a hedge that is only just big enough for an amoeba. This then sets a precedent and the rest of the flock swiftly follow suit. We are much the same in this respect - one day there’s an oddball roaming around wearing shoes but no socks and his jeans rolled up slightly above his bare ankles, and the next day everyone’s flashing their ankle bones at me. Bizarre fashion fads that give
Incorrect use of fog lights is dangerous and illegal
OREGON DOT
everyone chilly feet are not the worst of recent trends to rise up from the depths of insanity. As darkness falls, drivers all across the country reach for the button in their car which activates the fog lights. This has to stop. The Highway Code states that front and rear fog lights must not be used unless visibility is seriously reduced - which generally means when you cannot see further than 100 metres and that they must be switched off once the visibility improves. However, a hefty proportion of people, many of whom are over 70 years old and usually drive a Honda, use them from about 2 o’clock onwards because it’ll be dark in a few hours. It’s easy to see how this trend has started. We have an ageing population in the UK and elderly people typically cannot see very well. While driving at night they fumble around the dashboard of their cars, desperately trying to improve their view of the road as it stretches off into infinity. Then suddenly they flick a switch and the tarmac is lit up like a battlefield. Recently, I was driving at night and came up behind a Land Rover
that had its front and rear fog lights blazing away even though it was a clear, dry night. For a good half an hour I was forced to follow as the two rear-facing bulbs seared my eyeballs, leaving me dazzled, angry and wondering whether anyone is actually going to do anything about this before serious accidents start to happen as a result of irresponsible drivers misusing their vehicles. I think police should actually start enforcing the law on fog lights, as they have with middle lane hoggers, and dish out some fixed penalties to idiotic drivers following this dangerous trend. Alternatively, traffic cops should simply be granted the power to pull alongside the offending vehicle and take out the beaming fog lights with a couple of rounds from a semiautomatic firearm. Or perhaps it’s the duty of car manufacturers to save road users from this blinding menace. We have rain sensing wipers, tyre pressure monitors and automatic headlights, so why has nobody thought to fit sensors to fog lights to ensure that they only come on when they are truly needed? Perhaps the EU could do something meaningful for once and implement this instead of endlessly reviewing carbon emissions.
features 11
The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
FEATURES
School pupils transform lives of African children The CRED Foundation provides support for Ugandan and Ethiopian children living on the streets. Schools across the south coast have sent pupils to Africa to help troubled communities Emma Willcox
Move’m
Bournemouth’s solution to
student housing
13
Festivities Festival: it is helping our economy?
14
featureseditor @bournemouthrock.co.uk
Bournemouth school children recently travelled with the CRED Foundation to Africa in two groups to help young Ugandan and Ethiopian children who are less fortunate than themselves. The CRED Foundation is a UK charity set up in 1997 which aims to make a difference to the lives of hundreds of children around the globe through their ethos: ‘‘participation for transformation’’. They organise trips which offer people from the UK the chance to go to countries in both Africa and Asia to work with a range of people in need. The Uganda team consisted of school children and teachers from both Oak Academy, which is a Bournemouth school, and The Littlehampton Academy, which is based in Portsmouth. A select few from the CRED Foundation also volunteered for the trip. The team met at London Heathrow airport where their long journey began. The trip, spread over 10 days, had the volunteers working with street children as part of the project already set up by UK-based charity, Retrak. Working with the children mostly boys - involved facilitating
is a place “thatEthiopia will stay in my heart forever. I look up to the children
”
fun and educational activities to provide them with a well-rounded level of education. This programme of learning, although basic, is crucial for their personal development and growth throughout their lives. This gave the children a safe place to go where they would be able to utilise safe and clean food, clothing and washing facilities. All volunteers on the Uganda team had to raise at least £1,300 to go on the visit to the country and help the young people there. Hannah Willcox, a student at
Oak Academy, who was part of the Uganda team said, “It was a fantastic trip that I will never forget. “The things that my team witnessed and experienced changed our outlook on the world. “It is a very rewarding trip that creates amazing memories and I would completely recommend anyone to get involved.” The team who journeyed to Ethiopia was made up of school
The things that my “team witnessed and
experienced changed our outlook on the world
”
children, teachers and volunteers. They gathered at the Oak Academy in Bournemouth to start their journey to the African country. This trip, which took place over nine days, gave volunteers the chance to interact with young children in both a kindergarten and within a local youth club, whilst providing them with fun and creative activities along with educational lessons. All volunteers on the Ethiopia team also had to raise at least £1,350 to go on the trip which demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the project. William Hurst, a student at Oak Academy, who was part of the Ethiopia team said, “Ethiopia is a place that will stay in my heart forever. “I look up to the children there; they’re so inspirational.” Both trips left behind useful resources for the children such as educational books, toys, clothing and basic hygiene products; luxuries that many of us take for granted here in the UK. These vital resources provide the street kids in these poverty-hit places with the essential tools that they need in order to substantially improve their quality of life. The trip gave the young volunteers a real insight into the lives of the Ugandan and Ethiopian children that they would not normally be able to have. For more detailed information about the CRED Foundation’s charity work in Africa and the various trips that they have to offer visit: www.cred.org
Memories: William Hurst (Top), Hannah Willcox & Lucy Hurst WILLCOX
12 features
Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
Hilary Clinton voted as Bournemouth’s most influential woman in 2013 politics
As part of Parliament Week, The Rock gave Bournemouth the chance to vote on who they think is the most influential woman in politics. The online poll ran for three days and finally the results have been counted and the winner can be revealed Anna Hayward
DEPUTY FEATURES EDITOR
In late November, The Rock ran an online poll for readers to choose their top female politician of the year from our candidates of Clinton, German chancellor Angela Merkel, Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi, former Australian PM Julia Gillard and head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde. The poll highlighted the women in politics from around the world who have had, or are still having a significant influence in their country and the wider world. Now the votes are in and former US Secretary of State Clinton has won the title. Clinton received 40% of the votes
after being one of the world’s most well-known women for speaking out on female empowerment. “I voted for Hilary because she is courageous for standing alongside Obama in the US elections. “It would have been great if she could have become the first female president of the USA,” said Business student Katariina Hakkarainen. Psychology student Kiah Bouillaut said she struggled to choose between the women, but eventually chose Clinton as “she encourages women to become involved in politics because of her success. “I feel both her and Angela Merkel have raised the profile of women in politics massively. “I voted for her because she has had a major influence on politics in America and has set a great example for women,” added Software Development for
Animation, Games and Effects student Edina Morris. At Bournemouth University, Parliament Week included several talks by various female politics lecturers and experts, such as Dr Heather Savigny, a lecturer in politics at Bournemouth University, and Rachel Rogers, a Labour councillor. Women face daily struggles to get their voices heard in politics. Britain is currently ranked 58th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union statistics which compares the number of women sitting in parliaments in 188 different countries. Women are not well represented in British politics as they make up only 22% of the seats in the House of Commons, taking up only 146 of the 750 positions. The UK is lower on these representation statistics than many developing nations.
Angela Merkel - 2nd
Aung San Suu Kyi - 3rd
The German chancellor and former research scientist has been chosen as one of the most influential women in politics as head of government of one of the leading EU nations, with 29% of the vote.
The opposition leader in Burma – who got 22% of the vote – has campaigned for democracy and freedom from military control since the 1990s, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her inspiring work in campaigning for democracy in Burma.
Merkel became Chancellor of Germany in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009. While in power, she has strengthened transatlantic economic relations with America and has been praised for her handling of the recent economic Euro crisis. Merkel has cemented herself as the most powerful woman in Europe, receiving countless honours for her work as chancellor.
She was placed under house arrest for 15 years because she campaigned for democracy in a country overrun by military control and corruption. Finally, after international pressure she was released in 2010 and has since become General Secretary in the Democracy party.
Julia Gillard = 4th
Christine Largarde = 4th
With 4%, Julia Gillard rose to fame when she became Australia’s first female Deputy Prime Minister.
Also with 4% of the online vote, Christine Lagarde is a French lawyer and is most famous for being managing director of the International Monetary Fund since 2011.
In 2010, she became Prime Minister after former PM Kevin Rudd lost popularity. As leader of the Australian Government, Gillard has to overcome Australian sexism in politics, and has given several speeches centering on the theme of sexism.
Although not as well-known as the other candidates, she has held many ministerial posts in the French government.
In 2013 she lost the leadership vote and has retired from politics. Major international coverage was shown of her resignation from office.
She was the first female chairman of the international law firm Baker and McKenzie. Currently she is ranked the seventh most powerful woman in the world by Forbes magazine.
Her backing down from the political spotlight may be one the reasons why she did not win Bournemouth’s vote as the most influential women in politics this year.
Her tireless work as a minister and finance expert proves that women are capable of being powerful businesswomen.
Clinton: The Rock’s most influential political woman of 2013
Hilary Clinton - 1st (40%) Being stuck with the female stigma would turn most women away from a life in the political spotlight. Despite the odds, Hilary Clinton has overcome many challenges to become one of the world’s biggest voices on women’s rights in politics. She has involved herself in almost every political position possible in the US. She started out as First Lady when Bill Clinton was in elected into office from 1993 to 2001. During this time, she overcame the infamous Lewinsky sex scandal involving her husband and a White house intern. She represented New York in the Senate from 2001 to 2009, then
PA
became the US Secretary of State under Barack Obama in 2009. Her biggest political campaign was when she was running against Obama in the 2008 presidential elections, where, if she had won, she would have become the first female U.S. president. Clinton has recently retired from a life in the political spotlight. It is no small feat for a woman who represents a country that is currently 79th in the Inter-Parliamentary Union statistics. The U.S. is below developing countries such as Iraq and Indonesia. Clinton’s tireless political campaigning and charity work through the Clinton Foundation to tackle a number of issues, including women’s rights, has cemented her as one of the most influential and hardworking women in the political world.
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
How one student exposed the landlord lottery in Bournemouth Every year, students in Bournemouth plunge into housing contracts where they are exploited by their landlords. The Rock thinks we have found the solution to this issue Emma Baker FEATURES EDITOR
Move’m’s Pete Ramsey at work
In numbers
20,000
hits on Move’m’s webpage every day
32%
of all student housing inquiries take place over the new year period
60%
Every year, thousands of university students dive into the excitement of student housing head first without any thought about what they are actually putting their money into. We can all be naïve, deceived, and end up with a bad deal – no matter how street-smart we initially think we are. Landlords of student housing know students are less experienced when choosing houses. There have been horror stories in the past from around the whole country where landlords have manipulated students by unfairly taking deposits and hiding problems
answered “calls,Theyor never returned messages. It was a horrible experience that angered me enough to try and come up with a solution
”
with the house, or adding in hidden costs that the students weren’t made aware of. Previous student Pete Ramsey came up with the idea for Move’m in June 2013. It came about when he received a letter from his estate agents
informing him that he and his group of housemates were losing their £750 deposit due to “worn grass”. He said: “They never answered calls, or returned messages. It was a horrible experience that angered me enough to try and come up with a solution.” After learning that the landlords had pulled a similar stunt on the previous tenants, Pete attempted to post a review of the house somewhere on the internet to warn future occupants. There was no such website where he was able to post so he decided to build one himself. Move’m is a platform through which students can share their experiences of particular student houses, and warn others about houses, landlords, and estate agents, or even recommend landlords who have provided a high quality level of service. The website enables users to submit reviews of their experiences in student housing in three quick stages: a bit of information about the user, basic details of the house, and then the review. Move’m also provides a “relocate” platform. “Relocate” is a way for users to directly contact other students if they want to move out of their current house, or if they have a spare room that needs letting out. Because of its easy accessibility and comprehensively designed website, Move’m has had 1.4 million page hits since its launch this summer and is now getting around 20,000 hits per day. Students approach Move’m
daily with feedback on the website, sharing their experiences, with one student stating that the site
We’ve been in a lot of “contact with the estate agents, who have put more of an emphasis on support. We think this is because they know there is now a consequence.
”
has changed the way she looks for houses. Ramsey said: “We’ve been in a lot of contact with the estate agents, who have put more of an emphasis on support.
“We think this is because they know there is now a consequence. “Whether they live up to their promise this year, we will have to see.” The website started with houses and estate agents in Bournemouth, and the Brighton branch of the website was launched on November 18, 2013. Move’m plan to open the Southampton site in February, so who knows where they will go from there? Hundreds of thousands of students in the UK suffer from the horrors of student housing throughout the academic year. With Move’m’s popularity already sky-rocketing in less than a year, it’s likely that the site will be in demand in many more regions of the UK sooner than we think.
of housing stock is filled for the following year by January in areas across the country
2/3
of students have experienced landlords and estate agents trying to take advantage of them, becuase their students.
1.4m
hits since Move’m’s launch in the summer Move’m contains ratings and reviews of student houses around Bournemouth and Brighton, highlighting bad practice
MOVE’M/C. FAY
14 features
Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
Christmas is here: but is it boosting our economy?
Bournemouth’s Christmas Festival returns to the town for its sixth year and will have something for everyone regardless of age
The market is awash with unique and festive gifts from several European countries
Emma Baker FEATURES EDITOR Bournemouth’s Christmas Festival returns to the heart of town for it’s sixth year - but is it actually helping our economy? The festival has something for everyone in the family, including a traditional Victorian style carousel for the kids and an alpine chalet style bar serving wine and traditional lagers or a warming cup of mulled wine in a fun, boot shaped mug. These attractions are drawing in visitors from all over the country, and even some tourists from nearby European countries. This is surely encouraging the number of people that use local shops in the town, so the Christmas Festival is definitely benefiting our economy somehow. Visitors will see live music acts, a traditional German BBQ Bratwurst House and other alpine chalets adorned with Christmas lights. The chalets offer a range of seasonal gifts and foods from British, German, and other European merchants. Products include fur rugs and coats, small trinkets such as snow globes and stockings, and seasonal ingredients such as flavoured cheeses and curds. Robin Davies, a merchant representing Cherry Tree (who
are at the market for a time in Bournemouth) said: “Considering it’s so early before Christmas, I think they’ve made a real effort to bring people to the market. I thought it would take a few weeks to really build up.” Cherry Tree is one of the many stalls offering seasonal foods at the market, with award winning pickles, jams and cheeses being sold for affordable family prices. The products encourage an interactive ‘try before you buy’ system at the front of the stall, offering free samples of the cheese and pickles. Robin can also advise customers as to which products will work best with their festive meals. A local visitor to the festival and student at Bournemouth University, Beth Thompson, said: “Despite the freezing weather, the atmosphere is incredibly warming and I will definitely go again.” Visitors to the market will also see a large stage filled with live family entertainment. A range of live music will be played for the duration of the market. Carol singing and similar festive attractions have been planned for the festival to provide Christmas entertainment alongside the retail aspect. The festival hopes to bring a mixture of performances from church bands, traditional brass bands, and a variety of musical productions. Members of the community are given the opportunity to put themselves forward to perform by contacting
EMMA BAKER
the market via the website. The stage at the Christmas festival is free for entertainers to use, allowing them to collect and raise money for their charities, or just to get their name heard and make themselves known. This is a great opportunity for local entertainers, as the turnout for the market this year is sure to be huge. Bournemouth has gone all out with the decorations again this year which includes a tightrope cycling santa and another santa who climbs the pole in the middle of the town. The Christmas Festival is expected to run for a total of 40 days until January 7 2014.
The Cherry Tree sells tasty pickles, jams and cheeses EMMA BAKER
The German Alpine Bar at the Christmas market provides a range of festive beverages EMMA BAKER
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
Garden of Lights dazzles Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens has been transformed into an amazing light show to start festive celebrations and enchant audiences of all ages Lois Shearing
Bournemouth’s beautiful Garden of Lights started on November 16, and will finish on January 6, next year. This new Christmas festival features nine interactive light pods for visitors to explore, touch and be dazzled by. Each unique pod offers a different experience to excite the senses. They range from the funky ‘HipPODrome’ which is filled with glittering disco balls, through to the modern ‘Light Lounge’, an archway of changing rainbow colours, which at night stands boldly against the clear winter sky. The ‘Optical World’ pod, packed with hanging optical lights, leaves those immersed inside feeling like they’re lost in another dimension. It is completely free to all visitors where it is open every day late into the evening. The Garden of Lights is a great family night out. Kids are encouraged to get as familiar as possible with the pods even to the extent of crawling inside hidden compartments. The closed-off feel of the Lower Gardens creates an open air space for children and adults alike to explore, making them feel as though they have left the real world and entered one of optical spectacles. It is also a romantic evening for
couples looking to add a little extra sparkle to a date. Not only can couples roam between the pods, but there is a real ice rink situated in the centre of the gardens, which provides an extra buzz for the more adventurous. From the rink, the Garden of Lights becomes a blur of colour. For a reasonable price you can rent some skates and enjoy an hour on the ice. It is recommended to book in advance though as it is expected to get very busy. The first night of festivities certainly left the people of Bournemouth in a brighter mood. “We think it’s lovely,” said Paul, 82, and Jenny Hewes, 65. “The ice skating is terrific,” they added. Visitors felt it was a new and fresh way to get into the Christmas spirit. “It’s a really different take on Christmas celebrations,” said Sarah Terry, 18. “It’s different. It’s something we’ve never seen before,” agrees Sally Crosthwaite, 18. The Garden of Lights is just one feature of this year’s festivities which have been organised as part of the Christmas Festival. The Christmas Market, live band and the popular German ‘Moose Bar’ are part of the festival, which has transformed Bournemouth town centre into a festive hive of light, sound, smell, and taste. An evening enjoying the lights is well rounded off by a bite to eat in the market “It’s really Christmassy,” says Amy Donelan, 20. “It’ll get everyone
Light Lounge, a pretty archway of various colours LOIS SHEARING
The Garden of Lights has an array of beautiful decorations adorning the sheds outside EMMA BAKER in the mood.” The Christmas festivities don’t end with just the Garden of Lights and Christmas market. Bournemouth Pavillion are holding a host of family friendly perfomances, with the highlight being Aladdin starring Scott Maslen, who plays Jack Branning in Eastenders as the evil Abanazar.
Russian dancers will wow and twirl on ice as they lead children and parents alike into the magical world of Peter Pan. That’ll Be The Day return for more singing and dancing fun that will get people into the festive mood in the lead up to Christmas. Children will be given the chance to visit Santa in the Christmas grotto
and a fun Christmas parade will take place through the streets of Bournemouth. For those who are more creative, families can create their own traditonal Victorian wreath to display in their homes. See page 18 for more details on events in Bournemouth this Christmas.
Jacqueline, Joshua and Jacob Trivet, Jasmine and Charlie Taylor and Malaria Bah
LOIS SHEARING
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Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
Photography Showcase Natalie Jade
Natalie Jade was interested in capturing images from a young age. She describes that her first experience of taking photos was when she stole the family Kodak on a holiday because she wanted to be the one capturing all the memories. Her passion grew when she received her first camera as a gift from her parents at the age of 15. Natalie then began to experiment with different types of photography including still-life, landscape, and eventually mini photoshoots with her friends. After taking A-Level photography, she began to broaden her knowledge of different photographers and designers, and then decided to pursue photography for a career. During her two years at college she also discovered her love for fashion. This encouraged her to include clothes and models into her photoshoots in order to expand her
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portfolio and acquire a wealth of experience. Natalie now studies fashion photography at Falmouth University.
Editor’s picks
1. This striking photograph was taken at London Fashion Week as part of a street-style project that Natalie was participating in. He stood out from the crowd, not only because of his stunning suit, but, as Natalie describes, “how effortlessly he looked posing in front of all those cameras.” 2. Natalie worked with clothing company Hyena. This gave her a chance to work with amazing, unique clothing garments, allowing Natalie to have fun with the shoot instead of just having to think about project briefs.
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
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18 features
Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
What’s On: Your entertainment guide Boyzone, JLS, and Diversity headline this month’s live entertainment across Dorset Theatre Jack and The Beanstalk 06.12.13- 05.01.14 Lighthouse Debra Stephenson stars as hero Jack, whose adventures lead him to defeating giants up a giant beanstalk. Game of Thrones star Patrick O’Kane stars as the villainous Fleshcreep and Tom Bright will play Jack’s mother, Dame Trott. Aladdin 07.12.13- 05.01.14 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre Aladdin has been confirmed as the Pavilion’s pantomime this year. It will feature EastEnders star Scott Maslen as the evil Abanazar, Opportunity Knocks star Bobby Crush as Widow Twankey and local CBeebies favourite Chris Jarvis as Wishee Washee. The pantomime has something for everyone and is bound to make children and adults shriek with laughter. Stephen K. Amos 08.12.13 Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre The English stand up comedian brings his internationally renowned comedy to Bournemouth for a show
that will have audiences laughing ‘til they cry. Stephen has appeared on Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News For You and has tours in Australia and New Zealand. His show, The Spokesperson, will be an evening of laughs and feel-good comedy. Great Expectations 17.12.13-18.12.13 Lighthouse The classic Dickens tale comes to Bournemouth. Centred on a sevenyear-old orphan boy, Pip, whose encounter with an escaped convict and a visit to the house of the mad Miss Havisham and her beautiful ward Estelle will change his life forever. However this performance is unique because it will be an adaptation of the novel that will tell the story of Pip’s life as he tried to win the heart of the women he thinks he loves. That’ll Be The Day Christmas show 21.12.13 BIC Windsor Hall That’ll Be The Day productions return with their rock ‘n’ roll Christmas show which will feature everyone’s favourite festive classics and hilarious comedy routines. The show started in the 1980s and is still going strong.
Diversity’s breakthrough came on Britain’s Got Talent and are now on their ‘Limitless’ tour
Music Boyzone 04.12.13- 05.12.13 BIC Windsor Hall It’s no understatement to say that Boyzone are iconic. The Irish fourpiece have made an indelible mark on UK music since they were formed by Louis Walsh in 1993. Since Boyzone appeared, the entire concept of a boyband has become huge with bands like One Direction and The Wanted storming the charts. Mikey Graham, oldest member, says Boyzone cannot claim much credit for this explosion of popularity. “I think it’s just fashion and trend as to how the band is projected to the public.” He is refreshingly candid about the way these groups are marketed. “There are certain formulas that work and, generally, it’s four or five guys or girls appealing to a teenage audience.” There’s no sign of Boyzone disappearing over the horizon as they drift towards middle age, with the band still just as much a part of the pop scene ever. They’ve just signed a new deal with Warner Music and they’re around for a long time yet. “As long as possible,” says Mikey. “As long as our fans still want us.”
Diversity 07.12.13 BIC Windsor Hall Since winning Britain’s Got Talent, Diversity have shocked and awed with their amazing dance routines and are bringing them to Bournemouth’s International Centre. The boys are touring the UK with their brand new arena show Limitless which will incorporate a mix of genres from classical to hip hop in their dance routines. So far they have performed in front of one million fans and plan to make that more by coming to Bournemouth. Winterfest - Wessex Youth Orchestra 08.12.13 Lighthouse This December, the Wessex Youth Orchestra return to the Lighthouse to perform their new Christmas show, Winterfest. The Orchestra have won several awards for their music which features young musicians who are a range of ages. The charity they have chosen to support this year is Cherry Tree Nursery, which works to rehabilitate people with mental illness. The Prodigy 16.12.13 BIC Windsor Hall English alternative punk band The Prodigy come to Bournemouth with their new tour Warriors Dance to perform classic hits from their previous albums. Expect to hear new material, in amongst crowd-pleasing hits such as ‘Fire Starter’. JLS 17.12.13 BIC Windsor Hall
Keith Flint, of The Prodigy, who are now on their national tour PA
As part of their third UK arena tour the boys are hitting Bournemouth and will be playing tracks off their new album including the single, ‘Give Me Life’. Since JLS came
PA
second on The X Factor in 2008 they have played various shows and have had five number one singles and have won countess awards for their hit singles, including two BRIT awards. The band will be playing at Bournemouth for the last time as they are set to split after fifth album and this tour. Union J 22.12.2013 BIC Windsor Hall Union J are hitting Bournemouth as part of their first UK headline tour named Magazines and TV screens tour. Fresh off last year’s X Factor show the boys will be performing new material including their debut single ‘Carry You’ which will have their fans going wild. They will be supported on this national tour show by English pop rock band Room 94. Winter Activities Cool Coast Ice Rink 14.12.13 - 23.02.14 BIC Windsor Hall The Bournemouth International Centre brings indoor ice skating back for another year which will provide fun for people of all ages. The Cool Coast Ice Rink is the south coast’s biggest indoor seasonal ice rink and will feature DJ nights where you can skate to music and have a great time with friends. Christmas Festival 16.11.13 - 06.01.14 Bournemouth’s Christmas spirit comes to life with a festival which features Christmas lights, a German Christmas market and bar, a garden of lights and an outdoor ice rink. The Christmas Festival has something for everyone. The market is there to rescue struggling shoppers, and both children and adults can enjoy the Garden of Lights, which is a brand new, spell-binding attraction for children in 2013.
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SPORT
The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
Match Fixing
Ben Fisher
SPORTS EDITOR
The man who beat Murray 20 Record setting cycle 22 Captain Tommy Elphick 23
sportseditor @bournemouthrock.co.uk.
Arguably the saddest thing about the recent scandal, where a Singaporean was arrested after admitting he could pay referees £20,000 to fix matches, is that former so-called professionals of the game were involved. West Ham manager Sam Allardyce expressed his shock at his former striker Delroy Facey’s involvement while Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino, was left disgusted by the revelations. Pochettino told me: “I love football, I am very passionate about football so it is sickening to hear. “I completely disapprove and reject what has happened. I do not think it is right. It is disgusting,” Before the scandal involving English football, was exposed in The Telegraph, it was somebody else’s problem but now it could overshadow the biggest league in the world, depending on what investigations flag up. Earlier this month the Minister for Sport and Tourism, Helen Grant, said ‘existing laws and sports rules are sufficient
Mauricio Pochettino is one of many managers to turn his back on the match-fixing scandal to tackle the problem. That response is sure to be tested in coming months, but we have already seen the game thrown into disregard by match-fixing abroad. Estonia are the latest country to be embroiled in a match-fixing hoodoo where eleven matches, three from the Europa League have seen men charged over irregular betting patterns. In Serie A, the Italian match-fixing scandal of 2006 led to points deductions and subsequent relegations. Sadly, these actions have not been ridden from the game and appear if anything on the horizon in our own country. One thing is for sure, we do not want to tarnish the reputation of what is our game.
KERR
Jack Cozens
Will Burton
While these recent revelations seem to have affected the lower leagues, the sport is not alone in facing issues over match fixing. The extent of snooker’s Stephen Lee’s involvement in match fixing show that money will always be a temptation for competitors, regardless of their standing in the sport - Lee was ranked in the top ten at the time his fixing occured. Measures now need to be taken to ensure that we are rid of this problem in sport.
In 2005, referees Edilson Pereira de Carvalho and Paulo Jose Danelon both accepted bribes to fix matches in Brazil. Eleven games were forced to be replayed and both referees were banned for life. Given that, referees and umpires could well be easier to approach than players and have a significant influence on their games, could we see referees or umpires exposed for match fixing at sports events in the UK?
DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
CHIEF SPORTS WRITER
The Di Canio influence Webster takes his position in the County Ground dug-out behind current Swindon boss Mark Cooper last season (centre-right)
Will Burton
Poole Town have hired their maiden sports scientist, Tom Webster, a Sport Psychology and Coaching Sciences student at the University. Webster will be present at trainings and on all match days, both at Tatnam and away from home during term-time. “Completing my degree as well as gaining experience is really important in order to break into the competitive sports industry,” he said.
Poole will not be Webster’s first taste of professional sport, though. Webster witnessed Paolo Di Canio’s reign at Swindon Town and the 22-year old has a healthy chunk of experience from a short space of time. “West Ham invited me to a one-off trial which went well and they asked me to come back once a fortnight for the rest of the season. “It was brilliant to be able to get experience of a Premier League club with a first class set up and to work alongside players that you see on Match of the Day was a great honour.” Webster secured a position at Warwickshire County Cricket Club,
as well as at Swindon, during his mandatory placement year. Here, he was involved in a number of tasks from delivering conditioning programmes for players to performance analysis. Webster insisted that working under the then Robins manager - the notoriously hot-headed Paolo Di Canio – was not the most challenging part of his placement year. “The biggest challenge was getting used to the culture surrounding a professional club. At first I found it a little daunting because University does not teach you how to act around professional athletes.” As for the temperamental Italian, Tom tactfully describes him as a
WEBSTER
“very unique, passionate character who cares a lot about football and has a win at all costs attitude.” Di Canio resigned as manager of Swindon Town taking his coaching team with him and putting Webster’s internship in jeopardy. “Two first-team players became player managers for the week and I was asked by the new management team to act as interim head fitness coach while they found a full-time replacement. “I was in charge of match-day warm-ups, hydration, nutrition and rehabilitation so I was really in at the deep end. “Stepping out in front of a crowd is an experience I will never forget.”
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Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
VARSITY
BU coach: I conquered Andy in straight sets Rich Irwin, the coach of the both the men and women’s Varsity tennis teams, spoke to The Rock about the teams’ progress, the professional game and one special match 10 years ago. “I beat Andy Murray back in 2003,” he said. “I was 17 and I believe he was 16. It was at a junior international event in Edinburgh and I beat him in straight sets.” When asked if he saw the amazing potential from the Scot, Irwin has an interesting insight. “To be honest I do not think anyone could have said he would be as good as he has become. “He was always a very talented player with masses of ability and was also fortunate in the sense that his mum was in charge of Tennis Scotland he was always going to get the opportunities to potentially make it. “He wasn’t the hardest worker back in the day and I’m sure he’d even admit he was quite lazy as a junior. “Today he is a ridiculously hard working professional – a truly world-class tennis player who will go down in history.” Irwin is pleased with the start the University sides have made to their respective seasons. The men’s second team currently sit top of the
Wimbledon Champion Andy Murray was defeated by the University’s in-house tennis men and women’s coach table and Irwin reflected on their success. “So far they’ve been brilliant but there’s still some crunch matches ahead that we need to win. “So far it’s been a great season and
the atmosphere among the teams is exactly what we were seeking at the start. “Women’s 1sts have fought so hard in all their matches in what is probably the toughest league in the
CARINE
country but have enough to stay up. “They find themselves in a fight against four other teams and will need to keep going right to the end to avoid relegation,” Irwin added.
SUBU Sport
Bournemouth University’s Bobcats take aim during a training session last year and have now developed into a Varsity side, largely thanks to Sport BU
Written by Will Burton
Sport BU has launched a brand new sports programme for 2013/14 SUBU Sport. The programme, a joint partnership between SUBU and Sport BU, has allowed five sports who were previously part of SUBU’s Clubs and Societies to achieve Varsity status. Representatives from three of the sports involved spoke to The Rock about the impact the new programme has already had on their club: Charlie Anderson, coach of the Bournemouth Bobcats American Football team said, “Being part of Sport BU has forced us to be more
professional. Last year it was more of a social sport, we had good athletes on the team but we didn’t push ourselves as hard as we could. “So just the status of being an affiliate team of Sport BU has given us the ethos that we have to be professional because we want to improve the team, we want to get better and we want to beat every opponent that we face.” Mark Shepherd, captain of the Bournemouth Heat Ultimate Frisbee team said, “As a club we are very proud to be affiliated with Sport BU via the new SUBU Sport programme. The partnership acts as a stamp of credibility for the club. People who
join know they are becoming part of a Varsity level sports team and can therefore expect a successful experience both on and off the field.” It is not just Varsity accreditation that the clubs receive however as Mark explained. “Being part of Sport BU has also allowed us access to the BU sports hall on a weekly basis which helped us take three teams to the BUCS Indoor University Open Regionals in Bristol last month.” President of the Bournemouth University Boat Club, Clive Green, explains how Sport BU tailored sessions to suit his club’s needs. “A key thing with the SUBU Sport
FISHER
partnership is that clubs are able to take advantage of free strength and conditioning sessions. All three of the sports teams we spoke to agreed that being part of SUBU Sport had a significant positive impact on this year’s recruitment. Clive said: “Because our annual membership fee is higher than that of other clubs, our members are constantly looking for value for money and being part of the partnership gives us exactly that.” “We hope that with the facilities and support provided by Sport BU we can compete at higher level at the main BUCS tournament this year.”
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
A world of Christmas sport Adam Connellan examines what’s happening across the globe over the festive period
BDO Lakeside World Darts Championship 2014 (January 5-12) The British Darts Organisation World Championships gets underway in the new year with Englishman Scott Waites attempting to retain the title he won last year. Meanwhile, Russia’s Anastasia Dobromyslova is looking to win the Woman’s trophy for the third time in succession.
European Men’s Handball Championship 2014 (January 12-26) The 11th edition of this continental tournament will be contested in Denmark, who, after being crowned champions in 2012 when they beat the hosts Serbia 21-19, will be hoping to secure back-to-back triumphs in next year’s competition.
Peter Rawlins takes a look at the latest sporting champ and chump Formula 1’s golden boy takes the crown this week after another dominant performance in motorsport’s premier attraction. Sebastian Vettel’s victory in Brazil meant he equalled Alberto Ascari’s 60-year-old record in winning nine consecutive Formula 1 races. In doing so, Vettel gained 397 points out of a possible 485, in what was a phenomenal season for the German. He became the youngest fourtime world champion, only the fourth man in history to win four titles and one of only three to win them consecutively. He also equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of 13 wins in a single season. The German’s win in the Brazilian Grand Prix was the 39th of his career and he is now only two behind Ayrton Senna, who is third in the all-time winner’ list behind Schumacher and Alain Prost. It was a good weekend allround for Vettel’s Red Bull Racing team, as they secured a 1-2 after Mark Webber ended his Formula 1 career with a podium finish.
WINNER
Fifa World Cup Draw (December 6) The highly anticipated World Cup will become even more mouth-watering after the group stages are drawn in the Brazilian state of Bahia. England missed out on a place amongst the top seeds for next summer’s event, meaning that Roy Hodgson’s men could face one of Brazil, Spain or Germany in their group stage.
The Ashes (December 5 - January 7) England’s attempt to retain the prestigious Urn recommences today after Australia’s comfortable victory in the first test. The contest has been full of spice thus far, and is perfectly poised to become yet another mouthwatering series of Cricket over the holidays.
Australian Open (January 13-26) Novak Djokovic looks in top form to retain the Grand Slam he won last year, after winning the ATP world tour finals in London, making it 22 matches unbeaten for the Serb. World number one Rafael Nadal however, who beat Djokovic in the US open final to cap off a sensational 2013 season, will provide stiff competition. Andy Murray’s participation is in doubt as he continues to recover from a back injury. Serena Williams is, as ever, the favourite for the Women’s trophy.
Dorset FA launch new abuse campaign Will Kent
The Dorset Football Association have revealed a new grassroots video which highlights how the poor behaviour of parents can the influence their children into being abusive by setting a bad example on the touch line. The video, called ‘Set An Example’ and featured on the
Dorset County FA YouTube channel, includes adults playing football whilst kids scream abuse at the side of the pitch - a switch of roles for both the kids and parents. Not only is the behaviour discouraged, but the advert also helps to reinforce the current ‘Respect’ campaign, aiding the attempt of setting a better example to the next generation. Extra efforts like this could prove vital in reducing touch line abuse, with a recent English FA report stating that there were nearly 3,731 nationwide cases of misconduct
involving adults over the past 15 months at under-18 level - a statistic which needs rapid reduction. These findings have brought the FA to develop awareness courses, which will be offered to club officials who have been found guilty of misconduct in the past, aimed at showing the effects of offensive touch line behaviour which is illustrated within the video. It can be as small as an offensive remark between parents or as large as physical fights between coaches; nothing is being tolerated anymore.
Some counties are even starting to publish names of clubs for failing to control spectators, which could be introduced in Dorset if the problem becomes large enough in the area. The challenge of improving grassroots football is without doubt a large one with the quality of the football itself as well as the other aspects of the game such as showing respect to fellow competitors needing to be redressed, but taking this first step will be beneficial in tackling the task of creating a brighter future for English football.
LOSER Martin Jol was sacked by Fulham following his side’s 3-0 loss at West Ham on Saturday, the side’s fifth straight defeat in the Premier League. The decision from Fulham chairman Shahid Khan comes after the defeat at Upton Park, and the Cottagers’ dismal start to the season has seen them drop into the relegation zone. Rene Meulensteen will now take charge of the team, having only recently been appointed as their head coach to work alongside Jol. In a tumultuous week or so for managers with no less than eight sackings taking place, including the dismissals of Sean O’Driscoll by Bristol City and Dave Jones by Sheffield Wednesday, who are the only club in the football league who are yet to keep a clean sheet. With less than half the season gone, Khan and the Fulham fans will hope the decision will transform their season.
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Thursday 5 December 2013| The Rock
University students hit all 92 football grounds Jack Cozens
DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR
David Clarke and Peter Cooper, both 20, cycled to all 92 of the Football League’s clubs in a bid to raise money and awareness for Edgar’s Gift, David’s family charity which supports young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 who are suffering from cancer. The pair completed the challenge in just five weeks, winning them a record for the fastest time to have visited all 92 grounds. David and Peter were well prepared for the task in hand, but they were still required to acclimatise to the tests that such a ride demands. “I had not been out on my bike as much as I maybe wanted to before the ride so the first issue for me was learning how to ride a road bike as I’d never had one before,” said David. “I didn’t have any punctures for 23 days and then just kept getting puncture after puncture which
was seriously frustrating. Having to put wet clothes on in the morning was a real struggle, such a horrible feeling, but we chucked a bit of talcum powder on and off we went. “The only time when I really questioned what we were doing was the Carlisle to Middlesbrough leg where along the busy hilly A69 I had two punctures in two miles,” said Peter. “I was tired and cold and then put my back wheel on wrong, after about 500 metres I fell off my bike and I heard a bang. My wheel had fallen off on the A69! “The day then got worst as when we arrived at Hartlepool we thought we had five miles to go, but we had missed the Hartlepool to Middlesbrough mileage out and had another 20 miles to go at 8pm.” Cycling for over month meant that there were undoubtedly days when the duo had to grin and bear, but their efforts were rewarded with a number of memorable moments. “I never really questioned what we were doing, we were just very depressed on our Dartmoor day,” said David. “It was a 95-mile day with hills galore, those annoying hills that are windy and so you can never see how
The boys enjoyed a bath at the Reebok courtesy of Bolton Wanderers.
long it goes on for, and believe me, it went on and on and on. “We woke up at Northampton Town answering the caravan door half naked to Sky Sports News,” added Peter. David said that although the ride was ultimately a fulfilling one, it was a strange moment when he reached the finish. “It was weird when we finished, as we had finished our cycle at the end of the day every day for the past 30 days and knew we had to get back on the bike again in the morning,” he said. “When we arrived at Old Trafford, that was it. The next morning I knew I was going to be at home packing to move down to Surrey to start a fulltime job the day after.” David and Peter’s efforts have already raised £10,000 – matching their target for the ride – but expect that to increase with a number of items being auctioned off to add to the total. “We have some excellent stuff for auction, including a signed Arsenal shirt, a signed Man United ball and a signed Chelsea ball,” said Peter. The route included some glamorous stop-offs, as seen below:
David, his dad and friend Peter with the Premier League trophy CLARKE
(Left) Article ahead of their journey from The Rock in February earlier this year.
David and Peter stopped off pitchside at Villa Park before heading up north.
Upon arriving at Sixfields, Northampton, the boys were the subject of Sky Sports coverage.
David and Peter in front of Watford’s Vicarage Road playing surface.
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The Rock | Thursday 5 December 2013
Elphick believes home wins can act as catalyst Sam Rourke
Cherries captain Tommy Elphick believes that the club need to get their home form back on track if they are to be successful this season. The Cherries surrendered their one-goal lead in the last match at home to Brighton to secure a first home draw of the season while their last home win came two months ago to this day, beating Millwall 5-2. The 26-year-old feels that an improvement in form at Dean Court will not only boost the morale of the squad, but give the fans a much-needed lift as well. “Home form is everything,” said Elphick. “If you want to be a successful side you have got to be good at home and obviously that’s something we need to put right as we have not won in a while, so it would give not only ourselves a boost, but the fans as well. “I think we have to put more pressure on ourselves if anything at the moment. We seem to be playing better away from home and I don’t know whether that’s a sort of ‘monkey off the back’ situation.” Elphick insists that the Cherries need to sort their form out as a matter of urgency and is hopeful the team can grind out a few wins over the coming matches. “One way or another we have
got to start winning whether that be at home or away and I think when that happens we can go on a little run again,” he added. Centre-back Elphick has found himself ousted from the starting line-up regularly this season, with Norwich loanee Elliott Ward taking his spot in the heart of defence. Elphick and his defensive partner Steve Cook played at Brighton together before both making the move to the Goldsands. Such a partnership has blossomed into the starting lineup again following a calf injury to Ward. “Its been a little bit frustrating but now I have got the opportunity to get some rhythm and get my fitness back,” said Elphick. “Every successful team has three centre-halves, if you look at Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham, you will always struggle to name their front two centre-halves. “You would have to think about it a little bit, so with the games that we have got this year we are all going to play a massive part.” Key injuries to the Cherries backline have forced manager Eddie Howe to call in goalkeeping reinforcements in the shape of Stephen Henderson and Lee Camp. Elphick believes the loanees have slotted in well but says it is naturally difficult to deal with. “It is always good to get to know who you are playing with,” he said. “You get to know their characteristics and sort of build a foundation. It has been unfortunate to lose Ryan Allsop when we have, and Daryll Flahavan as well so I think it’s something that
Round-up
Tommy Elphick is happy to be back involved in first-team action AFCB has been forced upon us.” The Cherries enter the busy Christmas period looking to resurrect their form, and iron out the inconsistencies that have plagued Eddie Howe’s men so far this season. Looking ahead to the remainder of the season, Elphick is adamant that the
Cherries have the ability to maintain their Championship status. “We are an improving squad, a young squad and we have proven we can do it at this level so far. “We have still got a big gap between us and the bottom and we’re not far off the play-offs,” he added.
Eddie Howe boosted his inexperienced squad with the signing of Arsenal youngster Nico Yennaris on-loan until January 2. Yennaris, 20, is unlikely to breakthrough in the Premier League this season with the Gunners racing away at the top of the Premier League. The Englishman made league debut in memorable fashion, against Manchester United. The midfielder can also operate at right-back and will provide competition for mainstay defender Simon Francis. The temporary signing of Yennaris will add options to Howe’s midfield, despite Eunan O’Kane and Harry Arter impressing. Yennaris made the bench against Brighton last weekend as his new club lost their one-goal lead after a superb solo effort from Brighton’s Ashley Barnes. Brett Pitman missed guilt edge chances as the returning Matt Ritchie fired the Cherries into the lead before Barnes’ equaliser. Howe’s men faced QPR on Tuesday while they travel to promotion-chasing Reading on Saturday before a busy Christmas period which includes three home games.
Francis lauds teammate Ritchie’s big impact Ben Fisher SPORTS EDITOR
Simon Francis reckons fit again Matt Ritchie can change the Cherries’ current fortunes. Ritchie missed the start of this term after picking up an injury during pre-season, leaving manager Eddie Howe without his star man. The midfielder was named League One Player of the Year last season and it is thought he could have an equally devastating effect on Championship defenders this time around. A run of one win in ten games prior to the away game at QPR on Tuesday has pushed Howe’s men towards the relegation places as
opposed to the play-off positions, but Francis believes Ritchie’s return can reverse the side’s recent results. “Having Ritchie back is like a new signing because he brings a real buzz to the team when he is on the pitch,” said the right-back. “He is looking sharp and was really good when he came on against Derby. If we can keep players like that fit, it will go a long way for us to win games. “He is an important player and I think we saw that last season. He had a key hand in getting a lot of goals and he gets assists with his deliveries so he will be vital.” Francis struck up a strong partnership with the former Swindon Town man on the rightflank after his arrival at the Cherries in January. Francis is adamant that a combination, which has allowed himself to get forward as well as
winger Ritchie, will cause havoc in the Championship this campaign. “We have been working in the last couple of weeks about getting balls in the box and we do not want to go away from that,” he said of training methods. “Playing with him as a wide player encourages me to overlap – it is a partnership I enjoy.” The Cherries recent slump shows no sign of easing anytime soon with a tough away trip at Reading next on the menu, although Francis is confident that they can still look towards making more of an impact in the division than just ensuring safety in the second-tier. “We want to look up rather than below us but when you lose games, you cannot help but look at those teams creeping up on you. “Eddie is a terrific manager and he knows how to bring confidence to this squad. He has done it before.”
Simon Francis (centre) has backed Matt Ritchie’s star credentials AFCB
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Thursday 5 December 2013 | The Rock
Ritchie grateful to be back causing havoc
I don’t believe it! Belgian toddler in professional deal Belgian club FC Racing Boxberg have made history by signing up the youngest professional footballer in the world. Bryce Brites, who has not even reached his second birthday has been snapped up by the Belgian club after showing Eden Hazardlike skill. The toddler cannot even say the words ‘football’ or ‘goal’ yet but he has been awarded a spot in the Boxberg Under-5’s and has penned a long-term contract. The coach lauded the 20-month-old’s ‘incredible control for somebody of his age.’ The Belgian national side are touted as a dark horse to win next year’s World Cup and it seems they have a bright future ahead too.
tweet -twoo Matt Ritchie is brought down by Jake Forster-Caskey for the free kick prior to his goal in the 1-1 draw versus Brighton on Saturday PA
Ben Fisher SPORTS EDITOR Cherries winger Matt Ritchie says he is thankful to Russian owner Maxim Demin for his scintillating start to life back in the Championship. Ritchie scored his first goal of the season while making his first start for the club against Brighton last week and made an impact off the bench against Derby the week before. The 24-year-old suffered the tear in his thigh after warming-up for Eddie Howe’s men against FC Zurich in the summer. Ritchie was sent over 1,200 miles away, to Rome, in order to solve an injury that he picked up during pre-season in Switzerland. AFC Bournemouth’s Russian owner Maxim Demin, similar to Chelsea’s tycoon Roman Abramovich, is an oil billionaire and his funds enabled key Cherries stars such as Ritchie and more recently defender Steve Cook to travel overseas for five-star treatment.
“It is a clinic that is UEFA regulated and it is meant to be one of the top clinics in the world,” said Ritchie. “The club have been great from the top, through to the manager, through to the physios - all of the staff have helped me to get me back as fit as possible and I appreciate that.” The winger, who controversially moved from Swindon Town in January prompting his ex-boss Paolo di Canio to resign at the County Ground has impressed since returning and is hopeful such form can continue. “I was little a bit rusty but hopefully I can build on my goal against Brighton and score a few more before the end of the season,” said Ritchie. “It has been tough being out because I want to prove myself in the Championship. “With the lads doing great, I just wanted to be a part of it so I am glad to be back fit now. “It was frustrating not to start the season and kick-off from the end of last season personally.” Ritchie has had to watch the Cherries falter in recent months with his side claiming just one win in ten prior to Bournemouth’s trip to QPR
Javier Zanetti. Also aged 40. Also still a top player. Definitely a hero of the game. #legend @Joey7Barton
Ledley King about to be shaved on the pitch. As far as we know it is just his Movember moustache. on Tuesday yet remains confident they have enough quality to impose themselves on the division. “Everyone is aware we are not
Turn to page 23 to hear from the Cherries’ key defenders
on a great run at the moment but you cannot always be on a good run - it is our first season in the Championship,” he said. “We have showed this season we can definitely compete this season but we are in an okay position in this league and one or two wins can change things very quickly.” “We want to be a top club so we need to compete with the Readings, Forests and QPRs in this division. We went to Burnley and got a good point and we have proved that we can compete so hopefully we will be okay,” he added.
@SamWallaceIndy
Delighted for @mahdibelounis and the family Zahir Belounis is on his way home. His nightmare in Qatar is over. @BenSmithBBC