Issuu

University of Stirling’s student newspaper | July Edition | Vol. 51 No. 1

What I wish first year me knew: A comprehensive guide to life in Stirling for Fresher’s Page 8 brignewspaper ●

Meet the union president and vice-president! Page 4

@brignewspaper ● brignews.com

Uni chasing up lockdown leaving fee Image credit: University of Stirling

Iona Brownlie News Editor Accommodation Services have begun chasing students who have not paid the release fee for leaving student accommodation during the Coronavirus Pandemic. The accommodation team sent emails to students who hadn’t paid on Wednesday 26th August. In the email sent to individual students, accommodation services said: “through all the change and restrictions you may not be aware that you have missed your release fee payment and you are currently due an outstanding amount of £(individual outstanding amount).” A University Spokesperson provided background information, saying: “... a number of students living within University accommodation requested to exit their tenancy contracts prior to the original agreed end date. “These students were asked to pay any remaining rent due, before begin-

ning a 28-day notice period. “The amount due for that notice period was capped at a maximum of £400, with students whose monthly rent was less than that, paying the lower amount. “Students were not charged extracontractual fees.” In light of the Coronavirus pandemic many students were left in financially difficult situations with many being furloughed or laid off from their jobs. The email also gave students information to help and find financial support: “If you have forgotten to make this payment, please arrange to do so as soon as possible using one of the following methods: Online via your student portal; alternatively you can arrange to make a payment by bank transfer “I do appreciate that this crisis has impacted our students and their families and you may find yourself in financial hardship. “The University has several hard-

ship funds that you can apply to for financial assistance in light of the current situation.” The University’s Accommodation team has already received backlash for charging a leaving fee in the first instance. Further criticism has mounted after tenants were notified their belongings would be disposed of if they were not collected by a specific date. This request was issued despite Coronavirus travel restrictions still being in place. Many of the rooms still containing belongings were left by international students who had fled the UK because of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Accommodation team have urged people to complete any hardship application forms and return it along with the evidence listed on pages eight and ten: “The Money Advice Team will assess you for every fund you are eligible to apply to under the one application.” Continued on page two

Image credit: University of Stirling

Uni bosses pledge to Covid safety Iona Brownlie News Editor

The Principals of Scotland’s 19 higher education institutions, including the University of Stirling, have issued a joint statement confirming that public health remains their top priority as students return to campuses across the country. With many universities starting in the next few weeks- Stirling started back on the 14th- the statement welcomes students and provides reassurance about the safe restart of teaching. Importantly, the message also highlights the shared responsibility of university communities in suppressing COVID-19 and praises students for their “incredible solidarity” in helping fight the virus. It also reflects upon the hard work of staff over the summer break in helping to put in place plans that will deliver teaching this semester while keeping people safe. Professor Gerry McCormac, Principal and ViceChancellor of the University of Stirling, is the Convener of Universities Scotland. He said: “It is vital to our university communities that we can safely welcome new and returning students to the start of the new academic year. “Students have experienced so much disruption and uncertainty over the last six months and have shared the hardship felt by all of society because of the pandemic. “Students need to get on with their lives and their education in a safe, positive and constructive way, but the pandemic is still very much a reality. “Universities have worked tirelessly to ensure everyone’s safety as we plan for the new academic year. “We have taken all possible steps to create a safe and supportive environment in which students can make a phased return. “It has been a huge undertaking, with substantial adaptions to courses, timetables, and to the physical and online spaces needed to support them and ensure public health guidance is implemented. “The entire university community has been part of this planning process in every institution, up and down the country.” Professor McCormac also said: “Universities were immensely proud to support the NHS, community health and the testing and research programmes from the beginning of the pandemic. Continued on page five

News

Stirling welcomes this year’s freshers Ben Waddell News Editor

Editorial Iona Young Editor-in-Chief Welcome to our Freshers 2020 issue. Usually during the academic year Brig would produce four print copies. Sadly, as you may have seen in our statement this week, we will not be printing any physical papers at all for the first time in 51 years. With remote learning and no access to our office on campus it just isn’t feasible. We will however still be producing these issues that will be available to read online. This issue is packed full of loads of brilliant content including everything you need to know going into the new semester. Remote working is hard, navigating doing everything online and the lack of socialising takes a lot of adjustment. I could pretend we know exactly what we are doing but it’s simply not true. Every week we are faced with a new challenge we have to find a solution to.

As Fresher’s week kicks off, many different Stirling business are set to welcome the new students to the area. Go Forth Stirling, who run the city’s Business Improvement District (BID), have been working along with local shops, pubs, cafes, and hotels to give new students a warm welcome to the city. Throughout Freshers week, many local businesses will have special offers going on for students and their families. Go Forth Stirling Project Director Danielle McRorie-Smith said: “Go Forth and its businesses are extending a warm Stirling welcome to the city for all students and especially those who are just starting their university life. “September typically arrives with a flurry of Freshers’ activity and students descending on the City and, while 2020 will be unlike previous years, we are welcoming all new and returning arrivals to our great city with a schedule of events and promotions.

“Students and their families have a great opportunity to enjoy our wonderful city and absorb all it has to offer. “And there are some great hotels to choose from if families decide to stay on for a few days and really get to know Stirling.” One local business which students may be interested in, is The Book Nook. Which is an independent second-hand bookshop café on Upper Craigs, which will be open from Monday 14 September. The book shop is owned by to Stirling University graduates and it sells second-hands books and also serves homemade baked goods, toasted bagels, and hot drinks. Also, Vera Artisan Bakery is offering ten per cent off to students. While any students who spends ten pound or more in the bakery will receive a University of Stirling personalised cupcake. The Highland Hotel is another business offering a discount off twenty-five per cent off on food and drinks for students

Credit: Book Nook Twitter

and their families between 12 and 21 September, while Hemp Room Café will be offering ten per cent off. Other local restaurants and pubs around Stirling are also continuing the Help Out to Eat Out scheme until the end on September. Additionally, Europa Music on Friars Street will be running a Record Store Day on Saturday 26 September, while at Stirling Gin Distillery the team are hosting a freshers Cocktail Masterclass on Tuesday 22 September. The Cocktail Masterclass will

involve of having the chance to create two cocktails of your own, and the Distillery is also offering a two-for-one deal on their classic Gin Tour between September 11 and 26 for freshers. Brew Dog Stirling based in Baker Street will also be having a pub quiz every Tuesday evening, and it will give students a chance to win £50 in BrewBucks. While local saloon Jeff Buchan Hair and Beauty will be offering money off cuts, colours, and extensions from 11 to 26 September.

Students chased up for Covid leaving fees

Image credit: University of Stirling

Whether it’s lost connections or lost files buried in your inbox, with everything online the magnitude of emails, canvas notifications and alerts can be overwhelming in itself and tricky to organise and keep up with. Diaries and calendars are your friend. I prefer to write stuff down with good old pen and paper, but many email providers such as Google and Microsoft offer great online calendars that sync directly with your phone, so you never miss a thing. Throughout lockdown, Brig and starting back at university I would say routine and organisation are key. They bring a sense of normality into the shambolic chaos of the world today. It is a comfort to know everyone is in the same situation, look out for each other, reach out and be kind. A friendly message or just taking the time to check on someone could make the world of difference to somebody struggling with the lack of social interaction.

Continued from front page The team are also advising they are willing to discuss varying payments to help tenants out once they have been assessed to determine what they are eligible for from the hardship fund. The Stirling Students Tenants Union are offering their

support to tenants who may

commodation early during a

ceived details of the support

need it.

pandemic.”

available,

should

they

find

Housing Officer Cian Ireland

A University Spokesperson

themselves in a challenging fi-

said: “I’m once again disap-

said: “As a matter of proce-

pointed to have heard that they

dure, the University’s accom-

This includes payment plan

are pursuing this, I’ve been

modation team has contacted a

options, details of the financial

talking to those affected and

number of former tenants who

support available through the

been working with the SSTU on

have an outstanding rental bal-

University, and an opportunity

how we can challenge this.

ance on their tenancy accounts.

to discuss their individual cir-

“Students shouldn’t be pe-

“Those students who have

cumstances with a member of

nalised for leaving their ac-

been contacted have also re-

nancial position.

the team.”

News News

Business praised after ‘Treats Students urged for Heroes’ donations to download NHS tracking app Credit: NHS Forth Valley

Iona Brownlie News Editor

Ben Waddell News Editor Throughout lockdown Monterey Jack’s, a restaurant and bar in Stirling, have been serving the local community and local services with food and drink donations. Monterey Jack’s Stirling, which was one of the businesses affected by the coronavirus lockdown, looked at ways they could put their business to use by helping others. They have done this by supplying food and drink packages to local residents in need, those shielding, and also local key workers including NHS staff, the fire service, and the police. Monterey Jack’s said: “Starting out with our ‘Soup Program’, we delivered homemade soups and breads to the vulnerable and those that were shielding.” It then led to the start of a few different programs in order to help local workers. Monterey Jack’s said: “This was closely followed by our “NHS meals and treats” programme - offering sustenance and respite to hard-pressed NHS staff. This was quickly rolled out to become our ‘Frontline services meals and treats’ programme in recognition of all the people on the frontline contributing to the safety and well-being of our society. “We then also initiated ‘coffee for heroes’ where we deliver barista coffee and sweet treats to frontline workers to say thank you for all their hard work and keeping our country going through these difficult times.”

As well as continuing our ‘Community Assistance Initiative’ with the help of St Pierre Bakery, we have been able to bring thousands of baked goods to local food banks, care homes and shelters that can distribute them to those that need them most.” The restaurant worked alongside several local Stirling business to expand their charitable efforts. They said: “Examples of the lovely teams we have worked with in Stirling; are The Ladies of the rock, Polmaise Community Council, Cowie Rural Action Group and the Kitchen at 44 King street in Made in Stirling - who our staff volunteers also prepared MJ’s Mac ‘n’ Cheese twice a week for their daily food larder.” A big thank you came in response from local services due to the help they received from Monterey Jack’s. The Community hospital is one such place donations were sent to. In a statement from the NHS, they said: “We have been really touched by the kindness of Monterey Jacks. “Their tokens of appreciation have been truly amazing. We have shared the goodies with staff and patients who have been delighted with the sweets and treats.” “We also want to say a huge thank you for their continued support which has meant so much to our staff and helped us keep cheerful and smiling in such challenging times.” Also, another thank you came from Stirling Fire Station. Station Commander Alistair Jupp represents the SFRS in Stirling, Clackmannanshire

and Fife said: “During these challenging times it has been heart-warming to see people across Scotland come together to support others. “Our firefighters across the country have taken on a variety of roles to help during COVID-19, including here in Stirling, where crews delivered hand sanitiser to care homes throughout the region. “Monterey Jacks is another example of a group of people who have gone above and beyond during this pandemic. “My thanks to them for their very kind donation of food. “I’m sure I speak for the whole station when I say it was very much appreciated.” While lockdown has now began easing across the country Monterey Jack’s has reopened most of their pubs, however they are still continuing their charity work and donating to help those in need. Additionally, due to Monterey Jack’s charitable work they received a Point of Light award from the UK’s Prime Minister. Monterey Jack’s said: “We were proud to have received an award for our charitable work during Covid-19 from our prime minister recently, details of which have been posted on our social media platforms.”

Stirling MSP Bruce Crawford has urged people in Stirling to download the new ‘Protect Scotland’ app- to help slow the spread of Coronavirus and support the easing of lockdown restrictions. The free, anonymous app can be downloaded onto phones and will let users know if they have come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. It will automatically alert users if someone reports that they’ve tested positive for Covid-19 and that they have been in close contact with them recently. No personal identifiable information will be entered on the app and the Scottish Government has assured that it will not monitor the location of individuals as the app uses Bluetooth technology, and not HPS, to identify contacts. Since launching last night

the app has already been downloaded more than 50,000 times. Crawford said: “The Scottish Government has no launched the ‘Protect Scotland’ proximity tracing app, to help stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus and complement the person-to-person approach of Test and Protect. “The app- which takes less than a minute to downloadwill allow us to alert people at risk far more quickly, so that we can all take steps to reduce the risk of infecting others. “Scotland’s official contact tracing app will help us all to protect ourselves, our family, our friends and our community by enabling faster contact tracing. “The more people who have the app, the more it can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus. “That’s why I’m urging people in Stirling to download the app, and let’s all protect Scotland.”

News

Being a Sabb during a Pandemic Union President Amy Smith and VP Communities Josh Muirhead discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the union and how it will impact the year ahead.

Ben Waddell News Editor Starting the new academic year as President and Vice President Communities can be a challenging time. Adjusting to the role and getting to grips with everything, can seem pretty daunting, especially within current times. But the year ahead for the President Amy Smith and the Vice President Communities Josh Muirhead, could be a difficult and challenging year. Cropping up in both SAAB’s manifesto was the issue of climate change, and the need to make the environment more sustainable in and around the university. When speaking to the new Student Union President about plans for this academic year, Amy Smith said: “My biggest passion is for the environment, I hope this year to work with the University to set an ambitious target for net zero emissions and improve their annual reporting.” Not only is the environment an issue that the new President wants to address, Amy said: “ I also want to continue to advocate for GRA reform at a national level, and be the best ally that I can.” The new President also aims to address issues such as racism in the university. Amy continued to say: “While covid has impacted some of my other plans, the murder of George Floyd in my first

week in office hugely impacted the whole sabbatical team, and motivated us to continue trying to build an explicitly anti-racist culture in our University. That week made us all realise just how far we have to go, and I know that we won’t necessarily get there in one year but I’m sure we can make some hugely positive steps in the right direction.” However, the new President believes it will need to be a team effort by working with students to achieve all her goals. Amy said: “Broadly speaking, for all of my goals I will be consulting and engaging with students and feeding that back in various University meetings. For example, for the new Gender Based Violence Strategy and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy (which includes mental health of course) I will be consulting with the 4 Equalities Officers and the communities they represent to discuss how any changes of new ideas will effect them.” Starting out the new year as President of the Student Union is a challenging job and having to adjust to it, especially in current times, but looking at the year ahead Amy says: “I am very much looking forward to the start of semester and having students back at the University (virtually and phys-

ically)!” However I am, as I’m sure everyone is at the moment, a little apprehensive the ‘new normal’ and what the year ahead will be like for students through it all.” Amy also added: “I want students to have the same opportunities as I have had here in Stirling and while I know that covid presents some significant challenges to that, I am determined to stay engaged with students throughout the year in whatever way I can so that I can advocate for our interests as the world continues to adapt to life during a pandemic!” While Amy has many ambitions for this year, implementing them all might be pretty tough, but Amy said: “There is always more that we can achieve, and while I’m sure I will not have gotten absolutely everything I wanted, as there’s always compromise involved (and occasionally a pandemic), I am confident that I will achieve most of what was set out in my manifesto.” Amy added: “I believe that although my goals are ambitious they are realistic to achieve and based on decisions that I know are in our power to influence.” While the year could be quite a difficult year, it is looking like a good year ahead for the new Student Union President Amy Smith.

Vice President Communities Josh Muirhead has described his time in the role over the last year as being “one of the single most rewarding and enjoyable experiences of my life.” With a year which will see some changes to the way university works due to coronavirus, when asked about the year ahead Josh said: “I’m actually quite anxious about the year ahead if I’m being honest.” Many people argue there is never a normal year for a Sabbatical Officer, but I think in particular this upcoming year is filled with many unique issues that we’ll all a community have to overcome together.” But, Josh might feel slightly anxious about the year ahead, but it won’t put him off trying to achieve his aims. When asked to sum up his aims, again creating an ecofriendlier university cropped up. Josh said: “I’m hoping to continue in pushing for a more much more environmentally sustainable university and union, building on the work of students and sabb teams over the last few years.” I believe one of the very few positive outcomes of COVID has been people re-evaluating their general energy and environmental footprint.” The Vice President Communities also aims help “disadvantage groups” to gain a voice around the university. He said: “I want to amplify marginalized voices and support disadvantaged groups in the student community as well as increasing overall engagement within both the Union and Societies.” We are seeing an increase of bigotry and hateful division within society over the last few

years but in particular the last several months.” If anything, our goal should be to create an inclusive and welcoming community not just in Stirling but Scotland and the UK as a whole and combat the voices and actions of those that would seek to install hatred within our communities.” However, some of the aims in Josh manifesto might be harder to achieve this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, he said: “I have had to adapt and edit my manifesto aims for the upcoming year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. So, if anything, several of my manifesto points are still achievable however they will need to be slightly scaled down in size and some dropped all together.” When asked if he believed he would achieve everything he wanted by the end of the academic year Josh said: “Far from it.” Josh added: “I think the curse of being a Sabb is that you’ll never get everything you wanted done.” Part of the downside is that you may have graduated and moved on from Stirling before the projects that you’ve worked on start to truly flourish.” You are only giving a max of two years and even then, as last year showed you’re not even guaranteed to have a full year as a Sabb, so you just have to do what you can and hope that you’ve developed it enough for the next generation of students/officers to pick up where you left off.” While the year is looking to be a good one for both the President and Vice President Communities, it sure will be a challenging and difficult year.

News News

Extinction Rebellion Plant Trees in Protest of Council Climate Plans

Iona Brownlie News Editor Extinction Rebellion Stirling planted trees outside the Stirling Council grounds to protest against the Council’s lack of action since declaring a climate emergency in October last year. The climate activists planted 23 trees at the Old Viewforth grounds. By doing this, the group were asking the Council to take the climate and ecological crisis seriously, and to accept responsibility for its contribution by taking bold steps to make the Stirling Council area carbon neutral by 2025. A Stirling Council spokesperson said: “The Council

Credit: Extinction Rebellion

remains committed to reducing carbon emissions and dealing with the impact of climate change across the Stirling area. “The Global Pandemic has impacted the lives of every citizen, organisation and business and responding to this has obviously been the priority of the Council in recent months as our focus has been on protecting public health and supporting our businesses and communities through the recovery stages. “This has impacted many aspects of planned Council work this year, including the development of the Climate Emergency Plan.” A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said: “Stirling Council’s woeful inaction in producing a strategy and ac-

tion plan is worrying. Whilst we understand and appreciate that COVID-19 has presented some unexpected challenges for the Council we know the climate emergency has the potential to present similar, if not bigger impacts to the residents of Stirlingshire.” The group planted the trees on the morning of fifth September, along the location of the proposed Viewforth Link Road project. Maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks, members then stood with signs asking what the council’s plan is and demanded a Citizens Jury to decide Stirling;s future together during the Covid-19 recovery. Stirling Council launched a

Climate Conversations survey in March, however, days later the country went into lockdown and community meetings and forums had to be cancelled: “We extended the period of the online survey in recognition of the pandemic and we have received more than 1,000 completed responses, and over 2,200 individual comments.” “These responses will be analysed and used to inform work on the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan, which is led by our Climate Emergency Member Officer Working Group, ensuring representation from all political parties, and reports will be taken to the Environment and Housing Committee later this year.”

However, Extinction Rebellion have said the survey “is not enough and cannot supply a real participatory process. “We need a real consultation with Stirling communities and local residents and the need for a Citizen’s Jury is growing more every day.” A spokesperson for the council further said: “Stirling Council has taken the lead on tackling the Climate Emergency locally and has implemented a string of transformational sustainability projects to improve and protect the environment. “The Council remains committed to this agenda and will continue to deliver for the people of Stirling.”

Covid safety measures introduced to campus Social distancing, face masks and temperature checks are the new normal uni life Continued from front page “Our staff and students were an integral part of that national effort. As a university community, we all feel a responsibility to follow the public health guidance and continue to protect and support each other and the wider communities of which we are part.” The return of universities follows months of careful planning, close work with the Scottish Government, NHS and other relevant agencies to ensure compliance with the latest public health advice and guidelines. Staff unions and student associations continue to be an integral part of the planning process. During Stirling’s autumn semester, in line with the rest of the sector, there will be no large group teaching sessions on campus. Instead, students will be taught online with some small group teaching on campus, for example

for lab or practical skills work, where it is safe to do so. In line with Scottish Government guidance, robust new and enhanced measures have been introduced across campus which will allow students to safely enjoy the Stirling experience, albeit in new and innovative ways. Measures include the mandatory wearing of face coverings in enclosed spaces, social distancing, the installation of hand sanitising stations, enhanced cleaning regimes and temperature checks. In addition, all students, staff and visitors will be asked to scan into buildings each day, to support the NHS Scotland Test and Protect process, should contact tracing be required at any time. The staff and student community is also asked to commit to the Stirling Campus Pledge, confirming that they will follow all appropriate measures and guidance to help minimise the risks posed by COVID-19 to themselves and others.

The Statement by the Principles and Vice Chancellors of Scotland’s universities and higher education institutions reads: “We are so pleased to be able to welcome every student, new or returning, to our universities. It is so important that you have the chance to continue your education and to take the next positive step into your future. We want you to receive the best possible education and to offer you a supportive and engaging student experience this year but our top priority as universities, in the midst of a pandemic, is to keep you and our staff safe and to contribute to keeping everyone else in our towns and cities, across Scotland as safe as possible. “This is a shared responsibility. We’re still battling a pandemic. We all have an important part to play in supressing transmission of the virus. Students have shown incredible solidarity in fight against the pandemic and support for the most vulnerable. Students in health disciplines were

amongst the first to offer to work on the NHS frontline, students made PPE when stocks were in short supply and volunteered in many community settings. “We need the whole university community to continue to look out for each other, and for the wider community, in the everyday actions we take as we start a new academic year. “Staff in universities have worked incredibly hard from the early summer to plan for the new semester and adapt our approaches to teaching and our campuses to keep you safe. We will offer you the expertise of our teachers, researchers and student services through a mix of flexible and accessible routes. Student Associations and the sabbatical teams have been a valued partner in putting these plans in place and we’re very grateful for their energy and commitment. “Campuses will look and feel different this term. With a blended approach to teaching in the first semester there will be fewer

people on campus than usual and our spaces will be reconfigured to support physical distancing, enhanced hygiene protocols and the use of tech to support NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect contact tracing system. Students can support this further by downloading the NHS Scotland Protect Scotland contact tracing app. “As universities, we will continue to work tirelessly to deliver on our responsibilities to you, as our students, and to the wider communities we are proud to be a part of. We will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government and public health bodies to ensure we adhere to the latest guidance as needed. “As students, we ask you to recognise the important role and responsibility that you have, on and off campus, to keep yourself, and the wider communities around you, safe from coronavirus. Please prioritise public health so we can ensure that the new academic year is a safe and satisfying experience for every-

Politics News

Johnson under fire for internal market bill Rachel Swan Politics Editor The Prime Minister is facing heated backlash from a myriad of sources over potential new controversial bill set to undermine Brexit deal, and threaten to compromise the Irish Border agreement On Wednesday 9th of September, Johnston received growing backlash and condemnation regarding the pressing ahead of a controversial bill that would unglue and undermine aspects of the UK’s Brexit treaty, resulting in legal action from Brussels expected to be laid out in the coming days. On Wednesday the European Commission confirmed that Johnston’s plans violated the treaty between the UK and the EU, stating in an internal analysis paper that the plans amounted to ‘a clear breach of the substantive provisions’ agreed upon concerning Northern Ireland as part of 2019’s deal between the EU and Boris Johnston. The controversy centralises on agreed protocols concerning Northern Ireland’s borders with the UK- the aim was to avoid a “hard” border between Northern Ireland in the UK, and the Republic of Ireland, which remains within the EU as a member. Representatives from the EU, the UK, Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland all agreed that they did not wish to return to physical border checks or other infrastructure that could hinder the free trade and movement between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The writing in of this protocol for Ireland binds it legally to the treaty signed between the EU and the UK- if not honoured, and contested like Johnston is doing, the UK will be breaking international law, and violating a treaty it willingly agreed upon. Perhaps willingly is too bold; the Irish problem continued and indeed continues throughout Brexit negotiations, with accusations levelled at the UK multiple times regarding their desire to maintain access to the single market and renegotiations of trade deals despite voting by a marginal majority to leave the EU.

In trade talks, Northern Ireland to keep access to the single market given their unique crisis of the dichotomy between the Northern Ireland/Republic of Ireland split, and their trade with both the UK, the EU, and between themselves. The Internal Market Bill would give ministers the right to overrule or ignore EU customs law and give them power to interpret the meaning of protocols given by the EU in exchange for Northern Ireland’s access to the single market. For example, the EU has stipulated that the UK has to follow EU rules on state aid- the financial support governments give to businesses- for goods related to Northern Ireland. The Internal Market Bill would allow ministers to overrule and interpret this protocol. This firmly puts the UK in stark breach of the international treaty signed in in 2019. Responses from the UK Government suggest that they are seeking to clarify the terms of the Northern Ireland protocol to avoid further disruption. However, the EU disagrees, articulating that the UK Internal Market Bill is a tool to change parts of a recently agreed international treaty. The Internal Market Bill has not come into law, merely in the proposition stages. The very fact that the UK does not have a solid Brexit strategy is politically unsound to say the least. Arguments continue to rage over customs and tariffs on goods, imports, exports, and access to markets, and when progress is potentially made, the current Westminster Conservative majority seeks to undermine what it has legally signed and agreed with. Point scoring is undeniable on both sides. However, according to Lorand Bartels, an expert on International Law at Cambridge University, this is a unique breach of international law. He stated that, “I cannot think of any other legislation

that expressly states that it permits violating a treaty.” Brexit continues to be a minefield of negotiation- in light of these recent violations concerning the Irish economy, a distinctly disconcerting feeling of dread continues to mount as the deadline looms, and our leaders are seemingly no closer to solid agreements. It is not apparent what repercussions will be taken against Johnston’s government for the proposal of a bill which violates International law, yet is important to stress that the bill has not become law- yet.

Credit: The Telegraph

Why the decision of the BBC to axe Scottish Government Covid briefings should “ring alarm bells” Rachel Swan Politics Editor BBC Scotland has taken the unprecedented decision to cut public health press conferences delivered by Sturgeon at critical stage in COVID-19 fight In a shock move speculated to be spurred on by Conservative Director General Tim Davie visiting BBC Scotland last week, the national broadcasting station has taken the ludicrous decision to suspend coverage of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s coronavirus press conferences. The channel yesterday announced it will no longer broadcast Nicola Sturgeon’s press updates and will instead decide whether to allow the airing of them based on “editorial merit”. Laura McNeill has organised a petition overnight in light of the news, with more than 8,600 people having signed just 15 hours after launch. She claims rightly that BBC Scotland’s decision would put the country at “serious risk”. COVID-19 has not disappeared, and continues to devastate hundreds of thousands globally in a shocking display of how our world is not ready for a pandemic; both economic responses and health care responses have shown us this is not a partisan issue, it is an issue for global governments with cooperation internationally essential to tackle this health crisis. BBC Scotland’s decision is thought to be a political move, apparent to most political commentators including myself that the independence mandate under which the SNP run, alongside other partisan issues, is resulting in this punitive action taken against the First Minister, which could result in potentially devastating consequences for Scottish health, and respect for chain of command established via devolution. No matter how one personally votes, the decision taken to censor the Scottish Government’s daily briefings should raise alarm bells to any politically minded individual. Whether in support of inde-

pendence, or a unionist voter, this is unparalleled decision regarding vital information being transmitted to the population of Scotlandmany of whom do not access their information in any other capacity aside from television. The updates are vital to transmit cohesive guidance from the Scottish Government to the people, in a time when advice and guidelines are drastically different depending on which country in the UK you reside in. Listening to Westminster broadcasts does little to ensure you of the laws pertaining to gatherings and other health information in Scotland specifically. It is a political attack in a battlefield that should be firmly nonpartisan: the health of our nation is not a tool to be weaponised against political movements. The BBC has claimed that the decision to scale back on the briefings is based on the fact that business has returned to a more normal basis in the Scottish Parliament. However, with cases increasing again due to lockdown restrictions being rescinded, it is vital for the public to be kept abreast of all restriction and policy changes. The narrative that ‘business is returning to normal’ seems facetious given the new increase in cases. Perhaps too much wishful thinking on the part of those prioritising the economy over the health of citizens.

Credit: The Times

Politics News

Biden’s Battle at the US election Sonny Bailey

November 3rd is expected to be a significant date in American politics, as incumbent Republican president Donald Trump seeks a second term in office. His Democratic opponent Joe Biden was Vice President during Barrack Obama’s presidency, and so he is well known in the American political atmosphere. So far, Trump’s first four years have laid out a foundation for American nationalism to become the centre of attention. His supporters, mostly identifying as conservatives have mostly supported his work so far, even though the Trump administration is not in and of itself conservative, according to American conservative Charles Sykes. In fact, it may be more suitable to call Trump’s politics nationalist. Many supporters have expressed their love for the American flag and nation and have called for

Americans to be put first. This is no subtle act. Kneeling during the national anthem has been seen as a cardinal sin and the nationalist slogan Make America Great Again brought a huge base of American right wingers together. In 2020, Americans face a choice. Four more years of a Republican presidency under Trump, or a different, but familiar path of a Democrat presidency. This has divided opinion between American left-wingers and those supporting centrist politics. For those supporting centre to centre left liberal politics, a Biden presidency may come as a huge break in the clouds of what to them has felt like a tough and challenging four years. Whilst the same sentiment can be echoed further left on the spectrum, it is for different reasons. Biden’s popularity among left wingers in America is much

less. After Bernie Sanders exit from the presidency, having tried for a second opportunity, feelings of alienation and hopelessness were common. To them, Biden has a history having served in Obama’s presidency, so they are well aware of both his and Obama’s alignments. It is not just the left-wing Americans who may feel hopeless about this election. It is also libertarian supporters on the right, many of which are prepared to vote for a third party. And third party voting is being viewed as the best tactic to prevent a second term Trump presidency. Whilst third party voting might be a popular method to keep Trump from victory, this is not shared by every American voter. Those who vote third party may do so simply because they don’t have confidence in either the Republican or the Democrat nominee. And states which may be the difference

between a Trump or a Biden presidency this year are hot on the list for both nominees as they seek to secure swing votes. The question is if Biden can do enough to win support from swing states, or if a surge of third party votes will reduce his chances. The race is on, but states like Michigan are key for Biden if he is to increase his odds. Other elements that may be critical for Biden will be related to the reignited Black Lives Matter movement, after George Floyd was murdered by Derek Chauvin in Minneapolis. It is apparent that Trump is focused on law and order in states which have Democrat governors and cities which have Democrat mayors. As always, the media will be an influence towards both nominees. Right. Fox News has not been consistent with its support towards Trump, and Trump himself has

This amounted to a longitudinal study on a total of 1,836 children, the first phase in the research process. The study was published last year to wide praise in the academic community, and by like minded politicians and allied organisations concerned with reforming the care system. The initial study found that a third of all children in the study were without permanent residence or placement after four years had passed. They also found that the process of adoption in Scotland for these children took more than 2 years to operationalise fully. The educational prognosis and achievement expectations of looked after children are appallingly low, with latest figures in 2019 from the Scottish Government illustrating that Care Experienced school leaver continue to have much lower attainment levels than other school leavers not in care. Just 12% of school leavers who were in care for the full year, and 11% of those in care for part of the year attained an SCQF level 6 qualification (a Scottish Higher) or better.

Conversely, 62% of student school leavers that are not Care Experienced left with one or more qualification at SCQF level 6 or higher. Children in care also leave high school earlier than their non Care Experienced peers: in 2017/18, 44% of children whom had been receiving institutional care for a full year, and 40% of those whom were in care for part of the year left school in S4, or earlier. These statistics produce a stark reality- children from care experienced backgrounds consistently perform drastically lesser than even children from unfortunate financially deprived areas and have fewer positive outcomes. The Scottish Government in 2019, released experimental statistics showing that achievement for the Curriculum of Excellence (CfE) levels for reading, writing, listening and talking, alongside a litany of numerical skills is much lower amongst Care Experienced children. Across the board they achieved the CfE level relevant to their stage compared with ALL pupils.

The team at Stirling University (led by social work expert Dr Helen Whincup), with their funding in tow, can now proceed to revisit these 1,836 initial children studied in their first phase. The second phase of the longitudinal study is expected to run into 2024. The phase consists of the research team, comprising researchers from the University of Stirling as stated, but also researchers from Lancaster University, and Adoption and Fostering Alliance (AFA) Scotland, will use a variety of quantitative and qualitative data collection methods such as in depth questionnaires and interviews to observe how their initial child subjects are faring, at present and over the next 4 years. Dr Whincup, of Stirling University said: “Phase 2 of this longitudinal study… will provide important information for children, families, social work practitioners and policy makers in Scotland, and internationally, which in turn will result in more effective services and better outcomes…” Given the stark reality of Care

made his feelings on the matter evident. American polls currently show that Biden has the edge over Trump. What is not surprising is that in Republican states like Montana and Ohio, polls show Trump leading. Whereas in states like Arizona and Texas the polls are incredibly close. This may play a key role in securing swing state votes. The Republicans have employed recent tactics such as the removal of USPS post boxes, and have expressed concern over mail-invoting, whereas the Democrats have strengthened their support for mail-in-voting as a result of the coronavirus pandemic in America. All eyes remain on the polls as they continue to be updated every day to reflect upon current support.

University awared half a million pounds to continue research into looked after children

Rachel Swan Political editor

The research team, led by the University of Stirling, has been awarded £500,000 to continue potentially policy changing investigations into looked after children The Stirling University led team has been awarded £500,000 from the Nuffield Foundation, and an anonymous philanthropic donor, to continue their pivotal research into improving the lives and outcomes for looked after children within the care system. The financial donation will allow the research team to advance to their critical secondary stage. The objective of research is to improve both the care system, and the prospective outcomes for these individuals who are Care Experienced. Between 2014 and 2018, in the largest UK study attempted of its nature, the research team observed the progress of all children aged five and under that became “looked-after” in Scotland between 2012 and 2013.

Experienced youth outcomes, the study is a welcome and potentially ground-breaking well of knowledge to inform and steer politicians in the right direction when considering future policymaking. The gap in attainment and positive outcomes for children in care are an institutional failure, which studies like this hope to address and level at the Scottish Government and potentially international governments to hopefully observe progress for children with Care Experience.

Comment

What I wish first year me knew

Iman Mackenzie Comment editor

You’re going to love all the things you’re afraid of later. I know, this is such a common saying. But in first year, everything is new and strange. From the people you’re around to the places you’ll go. I wish I’d known not to be so afraid of opportunities. That although change is entirely intimidating, that it opens so many doors to so much emotion. Whether it good or bad, I wish these were some of the things first year me knew. It only dawned on me later that I wasn’t alone in my feelings. You won’t be either; in first year, we’re all in the same boat. No one really knows anyone, or maybe you were lucky enough to start uni with some friends. Either way, the main point is you’re not in that clueless cloud of isolation alone. Some people do adapt quicker than others but that’s okay. You have to take your time to adapt to your new home. Don’t be afraid of your city, after all, you’re going to be there for a while. Fall in love

with Stirling’s night life, don’t shy away from it based on other people’s experiences. Best advice is to kill your comfort zone before it kills you. Go out and make your own mistakes. I always strived for perfection in first year, it was only in second year I realised it was overrated. You’re not going to have a picture perfect uni experience. Why should you want that? Carve your own way through university, do what you want. I thought I’d credit: Pinterest.co.uk be living it up like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde. Little did I know our toilet would flood in our flat. Most nights I was traipsing back from the Atrium because I needed to use the bath-

room. Not because of a wild one in the Union. Sure, not a sexy story but it’s funny to look back on.

Not everything has to be so serious. Trust me when I say, deadlines are not the final destination. Now I’m not saying skip all your lectures and forget about assignments here.

I’m just saying take it easy, stress less because in first year there are endless opportunities. Even in seminars, you can find some. There’s where I met almost all my friends through ridiculous small talk and sudden announcements of readings. No bond is stronger than one born from dread of a nine am. Especially when no one else has done the reading for that class.

I wish I had done more now that I’m looking back. Most of my stories come from second year, which was probably my favourite. However, as I hurdle into third year towards my final destination, I like to reflect. Don’t be held back by your own fears. Go on that night out the girl from your seminar invites you on. Take a break from your studies to go see a film or a cheeky karaoke night in Kilted. But one final thing I wish I knew in first year is; there is no such thing as too many coat hangers.

Personally, I regret not making more mistakes. The ones I have made would make a saint curse, but they all taught me something. To make the most of first year, you really have to make your guardian angels scream in frustration.

Freshers for the autistic person; what to expect Sonny Bailey For many of us on the spectrum, university can be a challenging step. Leaving the comfort of your home and stepping into an unfamiliar place independently can cause us anxiety. The new environment, the new social situations you will find yourselves in and the prospect of meeting new people are just some of the reasons why autistic people may find the freshers experience difficult. For me, it was the loud noises of the freshers fair, the alcohol socials, and being super shy to join any of the sports clubs. I believe that inclusion is in everyone’s ability. That includes accessibility, as we are sharing the spaces for which freshers events take place. A lot of autistic

students benefit from the Quiet Hours in shopping centres and gyms, and after tabling a motion for Union Quiet Hours last year, this was passed. This will hopefully provide some respite for new autistic students, who may have hypersensitivities to noisy environments. The second important part of freshers is settling into university and making new friends. For an autistic person, forming and maintaining friendships is one of the hardest things to do. Indeed, just the thought of social networking or going up to someone can be exhausting. As an autistic person, let me tell you how important it is to recognise that you are not alone in this. What is amazing is that you are here in

the first place, and we should be celebrating that diversity, or in our case, neurodiversity. Every one of us will have a special interest or take a liking to a particular topic or a sport. How amazing is it that freshers serves as the perfect opportunity for you to connect your interest/hobby with a corresponding club/society! This is how I found myself integrating into university life and culture. The second benefit about our hobbies and interests is that, because we have such a massive dedication towards them, this will increase the engagement in clubs and societies, and from then onwards you are bound to make new friends. The friends you make at university will shape your social life.

Let freshers be the foundation of your university life. Remember it’s okay if you need quiet time, too. The important thing to recog-

Credit: collegeatlas.org

nise is that you will not be the only one. You will be given a warm welcome.

Comment

How to make your halls feel homey

Imogen Robinson Things can’t stay the same forever; we’d all get pretty bored if that was the case. I know that sounds like something corny an elderly relative would tell you, but it’s true. Starting university can be scary. You’re full of excitement, but at the same time, you can find yourself wrecked with nerves and worrying over what’s to come. But believe me when I say that every single fresher has mixed emotions when setting out on this journey – even if they look calm and cool as cucumbers.

Credit: Entrepenuer.com

One way of ridding some of the anxiety you may be feeling is to think ahead about the room you’re moving into. So, here are some tips on how to make your halls feel homey. Set the mood Music is a great motivational tool. Blasting your favourite playlist can make you feel on top of the world when getting ready for a night out and can also help you muster up the emotional strength it takes to make it to a morning lecture.

Since you’ll be living in halls, you no longer have to fret about family members telling you to turn your music down – though you must remember to consider the other people living in your accommodation. For the most part, however, you can play your music loud and proud when in your room. I would recommend placing your speaker on a high shelf, as this can really enhance the sound. If you don’t have a speaker, the old phone-in-theglass trick works just as well to crank up the volume. Get comfy

You might want to invest in a cosy blanket or some cushions when you arrive. Degree-level assignments can take their toll and you might experience an urge to turn yourself into a blanket burrito or encase yourself in a cushion cocoon at times. Putting a fluffy rug you particularly like on the floor or over your desk chair can also add that relaxing feel to your space and reduce stress. I strongly encourage you to pin

some posters, cards or photographs up on your wall. Or, alternatively, on the inside of your wardrobe door. Being surrounded by prints of your choosing can really bring it home, so to speak, that your halls are your home for the year. Make the most of the storage space

One of the best things about University accommodation is the storage space. You’ll be faced with so much that you don’t know what to do with it! Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is a fantastic show that teaches you how to keep on top of clutter. Organising your storage space can be very satisfying and prevent you from getting overwhelmed during your first semester. Since watching this show, I’ve learned that there are many benefits to tidying.

can see everything inside; dabbing a little nail polish on the base of your kitchen utensils so they are easily distinguishable from those of your flatmates; and keeping a special biscuit tin in your room. This can be dangerous, but also a good way to reward yourself while studying. To quote directly from the biscuit tin I kept in my room at halls: ‘if you feel something is missing in life, it is almost always a biscuit.’ For knowing the basic essentials to take, check out this site: https://www.stir.ac.uk/studentlife/welcome/before-you-arrive/ what-to-bring-with-you/

Hacks I’ve found to be really useful include storing your shoes on shelves rather than the floor; owning a wash-bin that is easy to transport to the laundry; storing things in drawers in a way so you

Mental health and happiness: a student’s guide Emma Halliday Trigger warning: suicide At the time of writing, it is my deceased friend’s 22nd birthday. She took her life in the bedroom of her accommodation, at the end of her first year at university. People always wondered why university could induce breakdowns in me; earlier that year I lived in Vietnam for three months in a feeling of absolute, undisturbed peace. At the time I blamed my friend in the sky, mistakenly claiming that she had ruined my mind and my future. But the truth was that I feared carrying on with a non-escapist life. Quite contrarily, I was also scared of dying. Things don’t ever turn out the way you would expect. Two years

later and I am unrecognisable. University has done me the world of good: maybe because it gives me purpose, despite my lack of motivation; maybe because it has gifted me with the most loving and supportive friends I could have wished for. New students; don’t despair. Happiness takes time, but it will find you. Until then, continue to reassure yourself that you are astonishing, brave, and so, so loved. Reassurance one: You will be safe. You will be happy. You will learn that living by yourself is enlightening,

not daunting. You will understand that the people who are supposed to be a part of your life will be. There will be bad days, and there

want is to drop out. That’s OK, too. These feelings will pass. Reassurance two: Failure should be embraced. If you’re not well, ‘failure’ (note: what a subjective notion) is found in abundance. Let’s continue to remember that beginning a new, independent life is hard. Failure gives you the chance to analyse yourself and understand why life Credit: Digitalmarketinginstitute.com is so tough. will be relapses. That’s OK. Use this. Build yourself back up There will be times when all you into the life you chose for yourself.

Reassurance three: Never struggle in silence. There is plenty of support out there for you when times are hard. The student support services at the University of Stirling have multiple wellbeing and counselling services. Alternatively, see the numbers below, and don’t be afraid to use them. Mind: 0300 123 3393 SANE: 0300 304 7000 Samaritans: 116 123 Good luck. You got this.

Meet the Committee

Meet your Brig Committee for 2020/2021 Editorial

Section Editors

Editor-In-Chief - Iona Young editor@brignews.com

Deputy Editor - Harry Williamson deputyeditor@brignews.com

Secretary - Ryan Barclay secretary@brignews.com

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Interim Head of Design - Liam Smillie Head of Distribution - Kailen Budge Head of Advertising and Communications Roslyn Scott advertising@brignews.com

News Editors - Ben Waddell and Iona Brownlie news@brignews.com

Sports Editors - Petra Kotkova and Charlie Harris sport@brignews.com

Politics Editor - Rachel Swan politics@brignews.com

Comment Editor - Iman Mackenzie comment@brignews.com

Features Editor - Imogen Robinson features@brignews.com

Music Editor - Elizabeth Hunter music@brignews.com

Film/TV Editor - Morven Mackay filmandtv@brignews.com

Want to join our committee? We still need to fill the position of

Head of Design Email editor@brignews.com if you are interested in the position.

Gaming Editor - Calum Sutherland gaming@brignews.com

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Music

Enter Shikari: Covid-19 and their latest album Credit: Get Some Magazine

Elizabeth Hunter Music Editor After weeks of event cancellations, as the country began its plunge into lockdown, a surprisingly cheery Rou Reynolds picked up the phone to Brig to discuss Enter Shikari’s newest release, Nothing is True & Everything is Possible. Prior to our conversation, Enter Shikari had joined the legions of artists forced to cancel their scheduled tours in the face of COVID-19. “It sucks!” exclaimed Rou. “It sucks, but I guess we’re all in the same boat at the moment, every tour’s been cancelled. Not being able to play these songs live… we’re absolutely gutted. “There was a real vibe just from the four of us in our practice room, so it would have been so good to play these songs live – we’re just going to have to wait a bit longer.” Nothing is True & Everything is Possible has been dubbed by Rou as ‘the definitive Shikari album’ and has been widely praised by critics since its release in April 2020. With this album, I wanted to have a little nod to every era of the band and to be inspired by the breadth that we’ve achieved. There’s tracks on this album that wouldn’t sound out place on our last album and everything in between,” said Rou. “That was a real conscious decision, to try

and make a ‘best of Shikari’, but with all new songs.” Throughout their career, Enter Shikari have never shied away from making political and philosophical statements in their music, and this album is no different. “Our last album, The Spark, was an exploration of human vulnerability in terms of how it’s an innate feature of our species – we are a vulnerable species,” he said. “It talked about the unifying effects of that, but also the dangers of ignoring that. “This album is more of an exploration of human possibility, which enabled us to produce a really varied album. It’s a very freeing subject, because possibility is such a two-way thing. It’s something to look forward to, but possibility is very much a two-sided coin. “We experience so many shocks, so many weird things that we never thought would happen, we’ve lost touch of normality now. We’re just expecting things to be wild, and I suppose the pandemic is just the latest aspect of that course that we’re on.” Perhaps the song most reflective of this is Waltzing off the Face of the Earth, an unsettling waltz with gritty lyrics covering controversial topics. When asked for his experience writing and recording the song, Rou said, “Musically, it’s odd.” “The fact that it’s in the time signal of three, four, whereas

within pop music, everything is in four, four. So immediately, you’re jarred a bit. We’re trying to immerse people in a soundscape that feels a bit off and not modern, and not real. The lyrics reflect that, the lyrics are just a load of statements and you don’t know which ones are true and which ones are false. “It just shows the first half of the album title, ‘Nothing Is True’. It’s about how slippery truth is, how hard it is to ascertain what’s true and what’s false, and then what that does to social trust. It’s one of the most pessimistic, bleak outlooks on the album, for sure. I think it needed to be on there. “Being realistic and being a realistic reflection of society is our artistic job. I don’t want to offer hope just for hope’s sake.” March saw the thirteenth anniversary of the release of Enter Shikari’s first album, Take to the Skies. In those thirteen years, the band have released seven albums, played the biggest festivals in the country, and headlined hundreds of shows throughout the UK. “It’s the classic weird thing of everything’s changed, but nothing’s changed,” said Rou. “I think we’re quite lucky in the fact that our character and our mindset hasn’t change. We’re very lucky to have a central crew around us. “I know a lot of bands who lose touch of what their essence is and why they’re doing it. I think we’ve been very lucky to have

that bubble so we can remain true to ourselves, without sounding too cringey.” Rou has been very open about his mental health issues in the past and the influence that his struggles had on the creation of the band’s last album, The Spark. “The thing we found out from the last album was just how pivotal and connected mental health and politics are I think every album has included both, whether I’ve realised it or not, because they’re so interlinked. “The main difference was that I was writing this album from a much more secure place. With the last album, I felt coerced into writing, like I had to write about my experiences. It was only halfway through the process that I started realising I can open this up and make wider points by using my experiences. “This time, from the start, I was just writing about broader themes and then noticing that there may have been aspects of my thinking that have influenced that. “It’s still there throughout the album. I’ll always offer music that is honest and hopefully not be afraid to open up, but I would say that this album is much more outwardly looking.” Despite the chaos in the world right now, Nothing is True & Everything is Possible carries throughout it a message of unending positivity, despite its examination of some dark themes.

When asked how the band managed to find this balance, Rou said that “that is a question I’ve asked myself our whole career.” “Especially with the last album, The Spark, I wrote that during my worst year of existence. There was so much hardship in that year and it still came out with a lot of upbeat, positive vibes to it. I’m not really sure why. Maybe it’s just inbuilt. “My dad was a DJ. From a young age, I was just inundated with the stuff that he played, and he was mainly a DJ within the northern soul and Motown world. They’re some od the most upbeat, melodic positive songs that have ever been made. Maybe that’s embedded in me, that could be it.” He took a moment to think before continuing. “Or maybe I subconsciously know how important it is to offer hope within art, and not just be pointing out society’s flaws, but offering some degree of opportunity and some way of thinking that gives people a bit of relief from the hardships of everyday life.” “I’m not sure, is the short answer,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t know where it comes from, but it’s always been there and I’m sure it will continue to be.

Arts

Macrobert Arts Centre up- Book review: The hold redundancies despite Inheritance Games public uproar Emma Halliday Arts Editor Despite the strong public support staff have received, Macrobert Arts Centre has currently not budged on its decision to lose four highly skilled technician roles within their team. Three employees have been made redundant and one has been kept on with reduced hours in a different role. The last is currently on maternity leave. The Macrobert Arts Centre posted a statement on their website on August 18, reading: “Since the COVID-19 crisis forced the closure of Macrobert on March 16 2020 the most pressing need has been to survive. The immediate threat resulting from the sudden loss of earnings which make up 60% of our total income is very real. “The impact of our lost income, brought about by closure, is that we have had to go through a consultation process with staff. At the end of this process, some staff will work reduced hours and 5 posts have been made redundant. These 5 posts are made up of 1 Marketing post, 1 Venue and Projects (Hires) post, 2 Technical posts, and 1 Technical fixed-term post (Maternity Leave Cover)”. A statement written by a representative of the technical team de-

Stephanie Hanlon

Credit : groupon.co.uk

clared: “On August 5, 2020, Macrobert were awarded £485,213 by the government from the PAVR scheme. “On August 5, 2020, Macrobert informed the technical team that one new ‘less specialised’ post for a maintenance technician would be created along with retaining the part time technician post currently on statutory maternity leave. No guarantee has been given that the new role will continue beyond April next year, or that the part time role currently on maternity leave will be retained once maternity leave ends. “The equivalent of four specialised technician roles have therefore been lost”. The team’s change.org petition, ‘Save the technical team of Macrobert Art Centre’, gained over

2,500 signatures and received a range of disconcerted comments. One person wrote: “Even without this funding the team at Macrobert appear to have made a viable proposal to save their jobs and secure the future of the venue, which has been largely ignored. “Last year, the total cost of staffing was £863K ¬– it seems unfathomable. Therefore, that £480K can save just one post. Theatre is nothing without the people behind it. Protect them or there will be no theatre to return to.” Despite the traction gained by the petition, Macrobert Arts Centre have not commented further on these issues publicly, and no changes have been implemented since their statement was released in August.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynne Barnes (released September 3 2020) is a suspense filled thriller which follows a down-inher-luck teen who inherits a mysterious dead man’s fortune. The trouble is, she has no idea who the dead man is and his abundance of heirs are less than pleased to see their fortune handed to a stranger. Overall, the mystery of the story is well laid out with many red herrings and plot devices which allow the reader to continually guess at not only why Avery has been left the inheritance, but also the mystery surrounding a character who died a year previously. The plot twists and final reveals are handled well, and the novel is filled with suspense that enhances the reader’s experience. The characterisation is impeccable, and each character comes with their own voice, each distinct and unique in a way which is incredibly executed by Barnes. Nash, for example, though a minor character, has an incredibly strong voice which can be identified with barely any words. One character who seems to let down this novel is Max, who’s childlike substitutions for curse words is unrealistic and grating for a character of her age.

She seems to add little to the novel, save for a few sentences towards the end, and any subsequent titles will have to work hard to make her a likeable character. The potential romance which stems within the novel seems forced at times and uncomfortable at others, though whether this is done to create distrust towards the brothers cannot be said.

Credit: femalefirst.co.uk

The pacing is slightly skewed, with much of the plot coming in the last quarter of the novel, though this serves the mystery genre well. This novel is a wonderful example of mystery for the YA readership and the sequel will hopefully tie up any of the seemingly loose ends which come at the end of the novel. Overall, The Inheritance Games is a fun and easy read, filled with twists and turns to keep any reader playing the game, as it were. A solid four out of five stars.

Penny Dreadful: The Shade of Skins Iman Mackenzie Nobody appreciates the skin on their body. They all take it for granted. No one understands what it means. How it can determine your place in society, how it can bless you with history and culture. No. Society is ungrateful of such a beautiful gift, but not Marcus Wright. He was a young man born to see the all the shades in the world. No one really thought much of his quiet demeanour, always shrinking into the background. As all stories do, Marcus found his passion by watching others.

People always commented on how focused the quiet young man was. Always paying attention to details, the spray of freckles on your face or the small scar on your chin. Once upon a time, he was an artist. He always called the basement to his weathered little home his studio. Hours and hours he would spend down there, sculpting his latest creation. No one knew of the array of knives adorning his walls, polished to shine with wicked gleams. Neither did they know of the neatly folded sheets of plastic, stained with the odd splatter of red. Marcus only ever brought those he admired

Credit: Emma Halliday

(This is a work of fiction)

the most into his studio, and if they were so lucky, they would never leave. So many shades he’d collected over the years: ivory, ebony and brown alike, all hanging from their hooks in a menagerie of privilege and respect. It takes a very steady hand to carve - his father had taught him that. A man who had been on his knees his entire life, with no way of finding his feet. But Marcus had solved the puzzle. Society loves colour just as much as he. All he needed to do was take it. When the clock struck its latest hours, Marcus would trans-

form into whomever he liked. Replacing his skin with another, wearing it with more pride than the nameless nobody who didn’t appreciate it in the first place. Marcus believed this was the only way the world would see him; after all, your skin says a lot about you, and Marcus wanted to be everything the world adored and feared all at once. All he needed was a sharp knife and a good classical record to drown out those awful screams. He never did understand how none of his victims could see the beauty in his art. Perhaps you’ll be the one who does.

Film & TV

TV Review: The Boys Season 2

Credit: Roger Terbert

Morven Mackay Film and TV Editor Instead of showing us a typical world where superheroes have good intentions and are made to be idolised, The Boys gives us a look at something closer to reality. A world where they are celebrated by the media but riddled with corruption and abuse. Fronted by Homelander (who’s basically psycho superman) the Seven are the leading group of hero’s, they hide behind their smiles and the idea of protecting America while personal and corporate agendas are playing out behind closed doors. Season 1 recap. At the start of season one, we meet Hughie, a regular guy whose girlfriend is killed by A-Train, one of the Seven. Much to his anger, her death is considered collateral damage and he is encouraged to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement and given a lacklustre apology. That’s where Billy Butcher (played by the one and only Karl Urban) comes in, he has a personal vendetta against Homelander, the man who he (rightfully) blames for his wife’s disappearance. They, alongside two others, form the team The Boys and are set on taking down the superheroes and

Vought, the company that manages them. The key information from season one is that supers are actually made in a lab not born that way. Their powers come from Compound V, a chemical that can give any human being superpowers and is being manufactured by Vought. Furthermore, the Seven are trying to gain access to the military so that they can have greater power. To help with this Homelander injects an unidentified number of terrorists around the world with Compound V, explaining that only they can fight these superterrorists rendering the Seven indispensable assets to the government. Crazy diabolical right? In the last episode Homelander and Butcher come face-to-face, their confrontation ending with the former revealing his super son, the product of his rape of Butchers wife (who is apparently alive). All the while Hughie saves the life of A-Train after he has a heart attack during their confrontation. Season two kicks off just about where we left off. Butcher has gone missing, Hughie and his team are wanted fugitives and the Seven remain as powerful as ever, or so it

seems. This season starts strong, immediately jumping into a scene that highlights the shows biggest strengths – sharp writing and snappy humour, fun yet gory fight scenes and a great soundtrack. It is smart to lead with this as it reminds viewers of what made them fall in love with the show in the first place. What’s clear is that we are going to to get a deeper look into the characters’ emotions. Especially within the Seven. Their internal battles are bubbling to the surface and causing cracks in the team. This fits in well with the shows ‘grey area’ storytelling. We never see anything as a definitively black or white situation. Not all the good guys will do the right thing and not all the bad guys are devoid of kind or heartfelt moments - any them could switch in a blink of an eye and it keeps us on our toes. The introduction of a new super, Stormfront, serves as a spanner in the works. Her presence is starting to cause tension and division and, most importantly, is getting under Homelander’s skin. Homelander’s character needed someone to pull

up down from the platform he stands above everyone on, someone who will make him work and threaten his power. Stormfront is unpredictable, we don’t know anything about her, what her motivations are or who she aligns herself with. This unknown is intriguing and should hopefully make for some exciting twists. After last season events the relationship between Annie/Starlight and Hughie is tentative but with both of them on the same side it is unclear how it will develop. Hopefully it will progress romantically because a little happiness in the darkness would be nice, but it feels unlikely that it will turn out well. Its only downfall is that it can sometimes feel like they are trying a little too hard with the comedy, possibly stemming from the pressure to live up to their already established comedy style that defines the show. For the most part, they manage to find a good balance of intense storylines and dry, dark humour and they give us moments to breathe between the heads exploding and arms being chopped off. The worst thing that could happen is that the writers become too cocky after the success of the first

season and get overambitious. Many a show has fallen just after the first hurdle so it really could be make or break. Right now, it looks promising but only time will tell if they can give us what we want, what we really really want. The season will only be 8 episodes long, just like the last. The first 4 episodes are already available with a new one coming out every Friday.

Film & TV

Our picks for your next flat film night

Morven Mackay Film and TV Editor

With the start of the semester finally here many of us will once again have to navigate the treacherous task of picking a film the whole flat will enjoy. No one wants to be the one that suggests something people don’t like so Brig is here to save the day. Here are our picks for your next flat film night.

films that are good but this one ticks almost all the boxes.

the backdrop of an average highschool. Need I say more?

The fight scenes are completely unrealistic but extremely well done and it is a welcome break from the high intensity, gun heavy action sequences we normally see.

With its fast-paced plot, original story and tasteful sprinkle of clichés, Easy A is quite possibly one of the best teen rom-coms of the early 2000s. It is a really easy watch and is guaranteed to be something that you watch over and over again.

Although some see it as an oversexualised male fantasy film, I, like many others, see it as women embracing their sexuality and kicking ass (plus it is just ridiculously enjoyable).

Plus you get the added bonus of Stanley Tucci, and who doesn’t want him!

This documentary tells the exceptional and perpetually mindblowing story of triplets separated at birth. Starting as a joyful story of brothers reuniting it quickly turns into a bizarre and dark investigation of why and how it all happened. There is not a moment where you will be able to pick your jaw up off the floor. Every emotion will course through you at one point or another and for days after you’ll be wondering what on earth went down.

Credit: Consequences of Sound

Hamilton (Disney+) Musicals aren’t for everyone, but Hamilton is special. The way it uses hip-hop to tell a historical story makes it not only fun but incredibly interesting. Nothing about it feels like a normal musical meaning even those who hate Mamma Mia (if there is any of you out there) will like it. It is also one of the most diverse musicals ever despite being about a group of majority white men and women. Creator, and member of the original cast, Lin Manuel Miranda’s deep knowledge and understanding of music is felt in every single second of the almost threehour-long performance.

Credit:The Atlantic

Knives Out (Prime) Full to the brim of fantastic actors, drama and comedy Knives Out is most definitely something that everyone can enjoy. Following the format of Murder Mystery, this film perfectly balances wit and drama to form an undeniably good film. Unlike a lot of films that have attempted the same thing it doesn’t overdo the cheese and manages to genuinely surprise you.

credit: sugar.com

Credit: Los Angeles Times

Us (Now TV) On its most basic level, Us can be watched as just a great film with good acting and a suitably scary plot but, when you dig deeper you can find a maze of symbolism and subtext. It is multi-layered unlike any other horror out there and deserves all the praise it has gotten, and more (we’re looking at you Academy Awards). Director Jordan Peele has only directed 2 films (Get Out was his first) and yet he has already solidified a reputation for quality and complex filmmaking all wrapped up in endlessly watchable content. Credit: The Guardian

Charlie’s Angels (Prime) There are two main types of action films – really good ones and stupidly fun ones. Charlie’s Angels falls closer to stupidly fun. In this genre, it is hard to find female-led

Credit: Variety.com

The Truman Show (Netflix) The Truman Show is great in many ways but what makes it a must-watch is the perfect execution of it all. From the acting to the writing to the small little details that cover every inch of the film there is no doubt that this could be considered a masterpiece in its own right. Jim Carey plays Tuman Burbank, an insurance salesman who slowly begins to realise his whole life isn’t real. At the time of the release, reality TV wasn’t a big thing but now, over 20 years later, it serves as a different kind of commentary on the obsession society has with watching other people’s lives. It is a film that everyone should watch at least once in their life.

Easy A (Netflix) A girl faking sex work (Emma Watson), a hot love interest (Penn Badgley) and an uber-religious nemesis (Amanda Bynes) all set to

Credit: Arch Daily

Three Identical Strangers (Netflix)

New Releases this month Broken Hearts Gallery Dacre Montgomery (Stranger things) and Geraldine Viswanathan (Blockers) star in the new Rom-Com The Broken Hearts Gallery. After Lucy (Viswanathan) is dumped when is inspired to start The Broken Hearts Gallery - a place for items left from past relationships.

The New Mutants Two years after it was initially meant to be released The New Mutants is finally in cinemas. Described by the director as “a haunted-house movie with a bunch of hormonal teenagers” the film follows 5 new mutants as they discover their powers and escape captivity.

Tenet Christopher Nolan’s newest film is a time-bending action film starring John David Washington, son of Denzel Washington, and Robert Pattinson. Full of sleek action and complex plot points it is not for everyone but is definitely worth a watch. You can read Brigs full review on our website

Gaming

Fall Guys and why it’s good clean fun Imogen Robinson

Did you ever watch Total Wipeout when you were younger and wish you could have a go scrambling through that squishy obstacle course yourself? Well, now you can – in the virtual world of Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. This highly addictive, full-ofbeans video game, which burst onto the scene last month on Steam and PlayStation 4, has taken the gaming community by storm and managed to bring in a whole new audience, thanks to its smooth, easy-to-grasp mechanics. The player’s objective is to make their way through a series of obstacle courses (with some team-based rounds), using the commands ‘run’, ‘jump’, ‘dive’ and ‘grab’. What makes Fall Guys stand out for me is the hours of childish, wholesome fun it can provide. It is strikingly different from other popular titles – such as Fortnite and Warzone – which share the same simplistic survival concept of staying alive and being the last one standing. Fall Guys has the ability to make you feel as though you’re a care-free toddler again, determinedly dashing about a soft-play centre with little to no spatial awareness - which is a pleasant escape from the adult hardships we’re all presently facing in our lives. For example, one obstacle round consists of charging through doors in the hope that they will open – as not all of them do. This can result in a massive pile-up of avatar bodies beneath the doors which remain stubbornly closed, which is a welcome change from all the queuing-up we’re having to do at the moment in the real world due to coronavirus restrictions in shops. Fall Guys delivers the same level of entertainment as other games in the battle royale genre and succeeds in delivering this without all the gore and violence. Personally, I’ve never been the

biggest fan of games which require gunning people down in war-torn settings as the speakers deafen you with nearby grenade explosions and the panicked huffing and puffing of your character as they take cover from flying bullets. Therefore, whenever someone suggests I check out the latest release on whatever-the-currentcoolest-console-is, I usually don’t end up all that invested. So it was refreshing when I was encouraged to give Fall Guys a whirl and found myself completely transfixed with the bright, candy-coloured screen. My literary lockdown pursuits flew straight out the window and I was hooked, stabbing away at the keys of my keyboard and enjoying every minute of it.

Credit: Mediatonic

Now, it’s an indisputable fact that witnessing someone have a clumsy trip or stumble can be the source of much hilarity. The entire TV show You’ve Been Framed, centred around home videos of ‘epic fails’, is testament to this. Whilst playing Fall Guys, you’ll find yourself giggling helplessly at the amusing sight of your avatar’s flops and downfalls. You can choose to spectate the remaining players’ struggles after you’ve lost a round – I’ve discovered watching your fellow competitors being catapulted across the screen by the gigantic spinning propellors can really soften the blow of being eliminated.

It’s not only the comedic value and the vibrant design which sets this game apart. The soundtrack, too, is incredibly upbeat, energising and distinctive. Lots of players have even taken to making slap bass covers and remixes of the main theme, ‘Everybody Falls’ on YouTube. The game also has some really nice extra touches. For instance, before each round begins, the jelly-bean avatars can be seen getting ready by touching their toes with their short, stubby arms as if they believe they’re professional Olympian athletes. It’s so darn cute, particularly when they’re in costumes, which you can buy with ‘Kudos’, the ingame currency. It almost makes me tear up when they’re dressed as pigeons or pineapples and start their cute little warm-ups. In my experience, Fall Guys has been the best game I’ve played in a long while and has proved to be jolly good fun. Although some players have argued on Twitter that the compulsory team rounds are frustrating and buggy, it has become one of the most streamed games on the Twitch platform and has been a huge trend online. The developer, Mediatonic, have turned their success towards charity with a ‘Battle of the Brands’ contest where big names in the industry would have a costume of their design included in the game should they promise the largest donation. In the end $1 million was raised after the four highest bidders combined their donation into one. The money will be donated to SpecialEffect, a charity dedicated to helping those with disabilities enjoy gaming using bespoke equipment. The game has received such a great response, players can expect the game to be made available on other devices in the future and look forward to additional content. Fall Guys is available now for £15.99 on the PlayStation Store and Steam.

Xbox Series X (left) and newly announced Series S (right). Credit: Microsoft

Next-gen prices

Microsoft blink first with Sony announcement imminent Calum Sutherland Gaming Editor In the information standoff between the two gaming giants, Microsoft were the first to reveal the price of their next-gen offering as well as officially confirming the existence of a cheaper alternative and the release date for both models. The Xbox Series X will retail for £449 and the Xbox Series S will retail for £249. Both will be released this year on November 10 worldwide with pre-orders available from September 22. Microsoft also revealed some of

“next-gen” as, theoretically, things that are possible on the flagship console will not be possible on its underpowered sibling. Microsoft have, however, promised a next-gen experience on the Series S with support for cutting edge features like ray tracing. Sony wasted no time following Microsoft’s relatively understated announcement, hosting a digital games showcase during which it was revealed that the PlayStation 5 would cost £449 for the standard version and £359 for the digital-only edition. Aside from the disc drive, both

Sony’s PlayStation 5. Credit: playstation.com

the key technical specifications for their newly announced Series S console: it is 60% smaller than the Series X, making it the smallest Xbox ever produced; it is all-digital with no disc drive; supports a native resolution of up to 1440p with 4k upscaling; and has a blazing fast custom 512GB solid-state drive. Microsoft confirmed that the Series S will only be about one third as powerful as the Series X in terms of graphical power, which would explain why the cheaper model cannot output native 4k resolution. This does beg the question of whether the Series S is truly

versions of Sony’s new console have exactly the same specifications and fans can be assured that their experience will be the same regardless of the version they choose. It was also revealed during the event that the PlayStation 5 would be available on November 19 here in the UK, a full week after it will be available in certain other areas such as the US and Japan. Following the showcase, preorders were made available earlier than expected causing a scramble among fans. The new console sold out within mere minutes of becoming available, with only a handful of shops yet to go live.

Lifestyle Lifestyle

When everything is falling apart you can always put it back together: get organised Clara Fors Wisbyse Before the pandemic hit at the beginning of the year, an old friend and colleague of mine called me up to chat about life. Somewhere between break-ups and life choices, he told me about his own company and how planning his days had become much harder. Even though he had all the time in the world to do things, his work hours and free time fused and made it impossible for him to sort his days out. As a student entering my fourth year at university this seemed fairly similar to managing your time between friends, studying and parttime work. So, when he asked for my help to try organizing his life better, I agreed without hesitation. However, this was before the pandemic hit and everything took a steep turn. My otherwise very colourfulplanning-in-beautiful-notebooks became impractical and simply not possible through phone calls and WhatsApp-conversations. When travel restrictions were advised, I realized that going online was our only choice and that we both

had to improvise. As it turns out, this initially negative challenge brought with it some positives too What I learnt while trying to sort out someone else’s life online through several different resources, taught me a great deal about how one as a student can stay organised and frankly “keep shit together” by making good use of technology. The way towards a balanced and structured life started with one thing: a list. Together, my friend and I listed every task that he had to do, and categorised it into three categories: paid work, unpaid work and private.

ours and time slots for each class. Quickly the idea of making an hour-based schedule that would sort out business from pleasure easily and pedagogically was born. To do this we used Google calendar. Through this resource, we could both create different calendars that were synchronised or unsynchronised with each other. I changed colours to them, added places to be and notes of what to do, links and other important information. Life got structured in a way that surprised us both.

To be able to share these lists and reach them wherever, whenever we used one drive, which links directly to an outlook account. The lists became the foundation in a system that I wanted to build around the simplest idea from school: time slots.

The best part was the easiness of changing the schedule, disregarding of wherever anyone of us where. I like doing it on my computer, while my friend mostly uses the app on his phone. The most valuable settings that I would recommend from Google calendar are the use of “reoccurring event” and an established colour scheme.

To help my friend make sense of the 8 hours of work he had every day, I began imagining the type of schedules with different col-

After trying this for a few months we now make lists every week with all of my friend’s tasks. Part of the established system is that

there are a few tasks that reoccur weekly and simply shows up on the schedule without any effort. They can be removable, but with that setting, I made sure those necessary tasks would never be forgotten ever again. Needless to say, my friend appreciated that action and some of his worries about forgetting important tasks eased. The colour scheme in the calendar was also a simple way to make things very easy. This is, of course, personal, but when my friend looks at his schedule now he sees light blue slots that are the same tasks that reoccur every week and

can easily be moved to any day. The orange slots on his schedule are different weekly tasks that can be moved, and red slots that are hard deadlines or meetings have a set time and can not be moved. This took a while to get into but now both of us just have to take a glance at the schedule to know the nature of that week’s task. It is funny how a simple move of organising can be so reassuring, but now every time my friend feels like life is falling back into an unstructured mess I tend to always tell him the same thing: “Don’t worry, just look at the colours on the schedule and everything will be alright.”

The future of partying: Distant yet near or

monumental

knots

being

tied.

What unites all of these happening, is the coming together of people. Mingling, merging, melding, moulding. However, pick’n’mixing with strangers is, as we all know, not an option at the moment due to COVID-19.

Aine Donnellan Lifestyle Editor

Throughout history, partying has been central to building community within human societies. It comes in many shapes and sizes: boogying to music; feasting on foods; promoting colleagues celebrating birthdays

More than half a year has passed by, with no live concerts, clubbing, grand weddings and food festivals. Seven months without the thrill of the unknown, the unexpected presented by such events. And the effects of this gap are starting to show – in a plenitude of ways. In many ways, the world of culture, events and recreation has been left in ruins, following their complete shut-down. It seems, however, that the limitations caused by various restrictions are also giving room for creativity to flourish. A sector that has been run without much

change over the past few decades, is facing huge reforms – and not all for the worse.

genuity – so if you’re craving culture in any of its forms, hop on the train.

With Billy Ocean’s “When the going gets tough, the tough gets going” playing in the background, party-managers across the globe are finding innovative and safe ways to work around the current circumstances. If there’s a way to put up a party, these dudes will be on it already. Here’s a fabulous few findings to get excited about:

EatFilm (Socially Distanced Style) The old-time favourite is back – but even better, baby! In the Grand Ballroom at Sloans in Glasgow, you’ll be able to devour a big meal, dessert and a drink, whilst indulging in feel good films from all eras. With social distancing rules in place, you’ll have all the space in the world to stretch out and fully enjoy the evening.

Social Distancing Festival Canadian creator Nick Green had his newest musical cancelled in March this year. In lack of another place to continue engaging with the artistic community, he created this online platform. It allows artists from all around the world to showcase their work, through live-streams, features, videos and more. Open for anyone to access, it is a bubbling haven full of creative in-

Make sure to book ahead of time though, with a limited amount of tickets they might sell out early. There are several dates running September out. The Parking Lot Social Grab a vehicle, some friends and head down to one of the many UK-tour locations this fun-loving festival is crossing off the list. From the comfort and safety of your own car, you can enjoy everything

from live DJs, Bingo and silent discos. A concept that couldn’t be more timely, there are a few reimaginations within its setup due to COVID-19 – but the basic motto stays the same: “engines off, party on!” The Party Bus Social Distancing Described on their website as “a new, safe and exclusive party venue for 2020”, the two hours onboard this bus, will be like none you’ve ever experienced before. Renting the whole bus, between 15 to 30 of yous, won’t be too pricey – and you’ll finally be able to have that night out you’ve been craving since February. With a B.Y.O.B-rule, free hand sanitizers and face masks available and a staffhost joining for the night, the party will be jumping in a safe and sound way. The bus is stationed by Grassmarket in Edinburgh and is available to book across several dates during the fall.

Lifestyle Lifestyle

Re-discovering Etsy: the new Amazon Prime Annemarijn Huizinga

Never has it been more important to support small entrepreneurs, and I discovered this summer that whatever product you’re looking for, Etsy has it. The last time I used Etsy was when I was about 13. I only remember it as a site where I would buy Harry Potter merch, some abstract jewelry that reminded me of a tv show I was watching, or a handmade card as I never had the arts & crafts skills to impress family members. I recently went back on it to buy face masks. I was having no luck finding reusable ones online that didn’t seem like an absolute rip off, or that wouldn’t take ages to ship. I initially ended up on Amazon because of their one-day delivery. However, the image of Jeff Bezos and his infinite wealth underpaying his employees kept popping up, and so I found myself on Etsy. I paid only 5 quid for a handmade mask, free shipping, and I actually know where the money is going.

After that I started browsing a lot of other stuff that I would usually buy elsewhere. Every day stuff such as candles, mugs, socks, and even cleaning supplies are all widely available, and it’s nice to know you’re helping someone out buying it. I’ve even gone back to my 13-yr-old self’s jewelry obsession. If I see an ad of something I like online, but it’s either mass-produced or overpriced, I do a quick-search on Etsy and find a sustainable, small-business made alternative. Navigating Etsy can be a bit overwhelming. As I’m writing this I’ve already been distracted about 3 times looking up random stuff and browsing through its 30 pages of search results. As a student, this is the process I use to make it easier: I enter in the search bar what I’m looking for, then I enter a budget on the left side, and click ‘free shipping’ so I’m not left with any surprises on shipping costs. I then sort the results from lowest price

onward and open up the first few appealing tabs in a new window. From there I just see which one suits me best. Small tip, if you can’t find what you’re looking for disable the ‘free shipping’ option and manually decide which item is worth its shipping cost. While you won’t be able to do a big grocery shop (that being said, I just found out Etsy does sell food ‘accessories’ such as homemade jam and spices), it is a very useful site for your material needs. Shipping is usually very reasonable and you get to have a chat with the seller on updates when needed. While it doesn’t always satisfy the ‘shop locally’ mantra, it is a very good online shopping alternative, as most items you’ll be looking for will be made and shipped in the UK. Whether you’re trying to be more environmentally aware by choosing to shop sustainable, or you’re just looking for some one-of-a-kind useful or pretty pieces, I encourage you to give Etsy a try. Happy hunting!

Credit: Pixabay

7 Fall Activities for when there’s nothing left to do Annemarijn Huizinga 1. Learn to cut hair. You might have to be your own trial and error mannequin but your family will thank you once you have it down. 2. Learn to knit. I thought it was a cliché as well but I’m looking at this weather outside and suddenly I’m very grateful for my thick handmade scarf, and unlike store bought scarfs you can brag about this one. 3. Become a pro at painting nails. I have learnt that you look way more put-together with a nice set of nails, even when you’ve been wearing your PJs for a week straight. I am currently wearing the Scottish flag for my return to the country. 4. Paint, realize you have no creative talent, and use it to decorate your furniture instead pulling something off Pinterest. This one is pretty self-explanatory, just make sure you put down some newspapers… (hard lesson learnt). 5. Take up Yoga because you can’t be bothered going outside but you do need that exercise. Or in my case, do physio exercises every day because you have a knee injury from two years ago that just won’t heal. 6. Call your friend and stare at each other because you have nothing to talk about. But look at these nails I just painted! 7. Spend some time with your sibling and realize you actually have a lot more in common than you thought. If you don’t have a sibling there’s always the option to ask your parents about their childhood, that should fill about two hours.

Fun(gi) facts In the UK there are over 14, 000 species of wild mushroom. The main mushroompicking season in the UK is autumn: Sept-Nov. One edible fungi commonly found in the UK forests is the Oyster mushroom.

Credit: People.com

A poisonous species to be found in the brittish woods, include the Deadly Webcap. Now with all this newfound knowledge, put on your wellies, grab a basket and head into the wilderness in search for your dinner! It’s rewarding, fun and free to pick mushrooms – and can be done keeping a safe social distance from one another.

Food

How to make: TikTok’s frog bread rolls Isla Glen Food Editor

The 2020 Coronavirus lockdown confined people to their homes and swept food off supermarket shelves. It was no wonder when people tried their hand at bread-making and excelled beyond traditional loaves and rolls. During May, bread shaped like frogs became a viral trend on the social media platform TikTok.

Following frog bread was turtle bread, dyed bread and, most recently, frog bread rolls. Whilst most frog breads are sculpted with legs and resemble real frogs, this cartoon version is cute, fluffy and simple. It makes eight rolls and is delicious when served with jam or chocolate spread.

Method

Ingredients:

Bread: • One cup of warm milk • Two teaspoons of instant yeast • One teaspoon of sugar • Three cups of plain flour • One and ½ teaspoons of salt • One egg • ¼ cup of softened butter • Green food colouring (optional) Glaze with: • One egg • Two tablespoons of water Decorate with: • Chocolate bar

1. Place your milk, sugar and yeast into a bowl and whisk well. Leave to rest for ten minutes, until foamy and contains bubbles. 2. Sift two cups of flour and salt together in a separate bowl. Add it to your foamy mixture. 3. Mix with a spoon, until your dough begins to form and thicken. 4. Beat your egg and add it to the mixture with your softened butter. Knead it. This is done by pressing the heel of your hand into the dough then folding it back on itself. Rotate it and repeat until the dough becomes thick. 5. Gradually add in the remaining cup of flour and knead for ten minutes until smooth. Add more flour if it becomes overly sticky. 6. Add the green food colouring (if you desire) at this stage. It may take a further ten minutes to knead the colouring all the way through the dough. 7. Cover your bowl with cling film or a damp tea towel and leave it to proof for one hour. 8. Line two baking trays with baking paper. 9. Once risen, divide your dough into eight pieces. Take one piece and make two small balls for eyes and one large ball for the body. Use water to stick the small balls (eyes) to the body and place on your tray. 10. Repeat for the rest of the dough. Make sure your frogs are spaced out as they will expand. 11. Cover the trays and leave the bread frogs to rise for 30 minutes. 12. Preheat your oven to 180°c, 160°c fan or gas mark 4. 13. Beat your egg with the water. Brush over the frogs to glaze. 14. Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. They will rise and turn golden on top. Leave to cool. 15. Once cool, fill a pan half full of water and heat it on a low temperature. Place your chocolate bar in, half-submerged. Once it has melted, remove and ensure the packet is cool. 16. Snip the corner so it can function as a piping bag. Squeeze the bag lightly to draw circles for the eyes and a smile on the body. Leave to set and enjoy.

Freshers Food: Pasta Isla Glen Food Editor Pasta is the food of students because it’s easy, cheap and delicious. With this guide, you’ll learn the dos and don’ts of making pasta and how to start off.

Credit: Food Network

Firstly, make sure you use a large pan so that the pasta has plenty of room to be stirred and thus will not stick together. Add your water first and let it boil be-

fore adding your pasta. The pasta starch will absorb water quickly, so it needs to be boiling to ensure it cooks properly and is not mushy. The proportions of water to pasta tend to be one litre of water per 100 grams of pasta. You should also make sure to salt your water, around two teaspoons per 100 grams of pasta. Once boiling, add your pasta. The cooking time of pasta will vary, so check the packet for instructions. Make sure you taste test your pasta before removing it from the heat. It should not be hard or mushy, a firmness inbetween called al-dente. Once ready, drain your pasta but retain some pasta water to add to your sauce for flavour. It is important not to rinse your pasta with water as it will wash away

the starch needed for the sauce to cling to it. Leave it to steam dry for a few minutes before adding it to your sauce so that the sauce sticks. Always have your sauce ready to add your pasta into as it will be more evenly coated. When you first start cooking pasta it is easy to use jars of sauces before advancing to preparing your own. Heat this up on a low heat in a separate saucepan whilst your pasta cooks, then add your pasta with a little pasta water. Serve in a bowl or on a plate, and voila! You’re ready to eat. Alternatively, you can make your own sauce. The easiest sauce is as simple as melting butter in a pan, letting it cook until it smells nutty and turns golden. Add seasonings, if you wish, such as gar-

lic salt or mixed herbs. Add your pasta to it, mix and serve. Cheese sauce is also straightforward. Put 100 grams of grated cheese (strong cheddar is best) and four tablespoons of plain flour into a saucepan. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, along with 500ml of milk and 50 grams of butter. Put on a low heat, stirring constantly. Everything will melt together and once thick, add your pasta and serve.

Credit: CookInDineOut

The other essential sauce to know is tomato. Fry onion in a splash of oil until it softens. Stir in a 400-gram tin of chopped tomatoes, a pinch of salt and pepper, one teaspoon of sugar and one tablespoon of tomato puree. Bring to the boil and simmer for two to three minutes before adding in your pasta. You can also add mixed herbs or basil for some extra flavour. It is also possible to use tins of soup, such as mushroom or tomato, for sauces in pasta dishes and pasta bakes. The key thing is to experiment. Fry up some chicken or vegetables to add. Use new seasonings. In no time at all you can be a pasta expert, impressing your new flatmates, but remember it is alright to make mistakes.

Food

Top food tips for freshers Make a meal plan

Student budgets are tight, so plan your meals in advance. Plan around existing ingredients by checking what is already in your cupboards, fridge and freezer. Write down what you are planning to eat each day, ensure all the required ingredients are on a shopping list and you’ll save plenty. At Stirling, most students shop weekly, especially when living on campus, so planning is essential.

Basic is fine

Not everything you cook must be complicated and fancy. There is nothing wrong with beans on toast or a pizza from the freezer. Whilst you can’t live on these all year round, they save time when you’re busy and can be very tasty.

Group cooking

Many flatmates will cook for each other and take it in turns to prepare meals. This will bring you closer together as a flat because it’s nice to get to know the people you are living with. You can cook larger meals and buy in bulk, so it’s cheaper. If everyone takes their turn, it works.

The freezer is your friend

Credit: University of Utah

Freezing leftovers can give you meals for the next week and cuts down on wastage. Frozen vegetables are also a great idea. You can buy a lot for little and they won’t go off like fresh ones will. If you can, coordinate with your flatmates and share regularly used frozen foods as there will be little freezer room. Make sure to pack things in tightly and not to leave things in there for the entire year.

Your guide to the Scottish chippy

Isla Glen Food Editor

Fish and chips are a staple of British diet, with chip shops or “chippies” being found in every town across the UK. In most, you’ll find tender fish enveloped in crispy batter coupled with fluffy chips and an array of sauces, from salt and vinegar to curry sauce. Whilst fish and chips are popular, there is a diverse range of chip shop specialities which vary between regions and the countries of the United Kingdom. Scotland is renowned for deepfrying any type of food. However, Scottish chippies stretch far beyond battered Mars Bars. With treats from red pudding to patties, the Scottish chippy is far different to its neighbours’. Like other countries, Scotland has regional menu differences. Throughout the nation haddock is sold primarily - unless stated otherwise - whereas most other places in the UK opt for cod. Additionally, Scots call fish with chips a “fish supper” as both compartments function as a meal and fish without chips is classed as a “single”. This also applies to other menu items, namely a “haggis supper” or a “king rib supper”. It should also be noted that breaded haddock is called “special fish”. Haggis suppers are, perhaps, the most obviously Scottish menu item. These are made from

Fish supper. Credit: Daily Record

sheep’s pluck, onion, oatmeal, suet, stock and spices then coated in batter and deep fried. They are served alone as a “haggis fritter” or as a supper. In a close second, is the deepfried Mars Bar. First emerging in the nineties, the snack drew global attention and painted the Scots’ reputation for deep-frying anything. Nowadays, they can be found if you look hard enough but mostly cater to tourists. Supposedly, a lot of chippies will deep-fry anything you request, especially chocolate, and often have deep-fried Snickers on the menu. The King Rib supper is typically found throughout Scotland and Northern England. The sweet, rib-shaped pork patty - which is battered and deep-fried, of course - is served with chips and often comes with a barbeque fla-

vour. Across the Central Belt of Scotland, mince, steak and macaroni pie suppers are sometimes options. Whilst most places offer these without batter, it isn’t unheard of to see them deep-fried. Black pudding is frequently found in chip shops across Britain but is a standard menu item in Scotland along with the exclusive white pudding. Traditionally, both puddings contain suet, bread and oatmeal before being rolled up and fried in batter. They differ in one aspect: black pudding contains pig blood whereas white pudding swaps it for pig meat and fat. Furthermore, in Fife and Dundee, red pudding is an option. It is the Scottish equivalent to the English saveloy as both are red and made of beef, pork, seasonings, colouring, flour and more. It is shaped into a sausage and mostly

deep-fried, like black and white pudding. Salt ‘n’ sauce is a well-known condiment solely found in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas. The true recipe is a secret; however, it is guessed to be a mix of malt vinegar and brown sauce. In certain areas of Fife, a sauce called “pink” is available. It is thought to originate from Northern Ireland and be made of mayonnaise and ketchup. In Orkney, you can find a Pattie supper in every chippy. Described as “battered mince and tatties”, Patties are made up of mince, potato, onion and spices melded together, coated in batter and deep-fried. Each fish and chip shop have a unique recipe, and many have other versions such as cheese and onion. Down the West Coast of Scotland, a fritter roll or roll and fritter is common. A potato fritter - mashed potato, battered and deep-fried - is added to a bread roll and can be served with salt and vinegar, curry sauce or any other traditional chip shop sauces. In the same area and Glasgow, the pizza crunch is a popular supper. The battered pizza is served in slices, halves or wholes and has a range of toppings, including cheese, cheese and onion or mushroom. Some items, such as the chip steak supper and the mock chop, are joked about as currently being “mythical” in Scotland. How-

ever, these items can be found in Dundee. A chip steak is a type of chopped meat with seasoning and the type can vary, while it is claimed online that a mock chop is essentially a battered and fried lamb kebab. These menu items are so uncommon that there can be great differences between establishments. Some chip shops offer seasonal varieties. In the Coatbridge area, deep-fried Creme Eggs are offered at Easter while the Reivers Fish Bar in Duns have mincemeat pies, Christmas pudding and Yule Logs in batter, deepfried at Christmas. In 2018, you could even find a deep-fried Christmas dinner. The Dunkeld Fish Bar, Perthshire, served turkey goujons, battered Brussels sprouts, carrot and parsnip fritters, a massive battered pig-inblanket and a deep-fried mince pie for £10. Some other notable battered and deep-fried creations include: tattie scones (Glasgow), burgers (Dundee and Ayrshire), spam fritters (Ayrshire), mushrooms (Duns), steak pie (West Scotland), ice cream (Dumbartonshire) and Oreos (Duns). With plenty of distinctive menu items, the Scottish chippy is unique. Despite the volume of available deep-fried foods, it is important to remember this type of food is high in calories and should be consumed in moderation.

Features

Interview: The stimulating Economics Society events planned for this coming semester

Credit: Stirling university economics society Twitter

Julia Benko On a crisp September morning, I sat down and interviewed Gellert Turkevi-Nagy, the new President of the Economics Society at the University of Stirling. Our talk began with a theme that is rather common these days: the COVID-19 pandemic. Naturally, we started reflecting upon the sudden craziness which this world experienced earlier this year and how, just a few months ago, we didn’t think twice when we were invited to go out (mask-free!) or mingle with multiple individuals at someone’s flat. Gellert was elected as President in March, which was around the time that lockdown began, when nobody knew where the world would stand in a matter of months, weeks, or even days. I was therefore curious to learn of his plans for the Society, and how he was going to conquer all the uncertainty of the pandemic this upcoming academic year. Right from the start of the call, Gellert spoke confidently of what he has carefully organised. One of his ambitions is to “create an open and diverse forum for academic discourse, where students

can share their ideas and learn from one another”, and to establish and engaging, stimulating environment for all students across the University. This forum will be open for students to discuss the topics for the Economics Society’s two major events that are happening this semester on Climate Change and on the COVID-19 pandemic. “There are many subjects that young people – University students in particular – find interesting, and one of them is climate change,” Gellert explained, telling me about the conference he has planned called ‘Bleeding Green: The Economics of a Changing Climate’. He also informed me that at the end of this conference, there will be a panel discussion on The Great New Deal. “Climate Change is something of great interest when it comes to our generation, and it’s something that is on our minds a lot. It’s something we think of on a regular basis,” continued Gellert. It is an overwhelming topic which prompts anxiety due to the impact on our personal lives, but also the lives of future generations. Despite it being such a defining topic of our generation, Gel-

lert argues there is not enough discussion about it when it comes to academia and economics. This will be the forum’s purpose – to bring forth more discussion, but also to alleviate some of the anxiety individuals may feel. Though the speakers are to be confirmed, one should expect a variety of speakers at the conference, such as: a range of industry experts, political economists, environmental economists, and a number of lecturers/professors from the University. “Attendees will therefore be exposed to a much wider range of ideas – ideas that they otherwise may not have access to. In the conference I would like to encourage discourse among attendees, and University students in general. That’s the bottom line: to encourage young people to form their own opinions.” This function is taking place on the 17th of October mostly through Microsoft Teams and online streaming. It will be free of charge and will last the whole day. The other major event this semester will be a lecture series titled ‘The New Normal: The Economics of a Post-COVID World’. This aims to help students acquire a deeper understanding of

the pandemic which relates to us all and affects our lives in more ways than we can ever potentially imagine. Main themes of this lecture series will be: labour economy, how the current recession compares with that of 2008/2009, environmental economics, how the pandemic can transform Uni-

“That’s the bottom line: to encourage young people to form their own opinions.” versity education, what the pandemic can mean for young people entering the drop market, and opinions and views on how the pandemic has affected teamwork, leadership and company culture. “There is oftentimes an information overload when it comes to the pandemic,” mentions Gellert. “It’s very important for students to be informed and to see how the pandemic can tie into more comprehensive subjects.”

“The same logic as with Climate Change applies with the pandemic,” he continues. “It’s going to take some time before the pandemic is going to be covered in depth in academia.” Hence why they will bring together industry experts – like labour economists, businesspeople, and academics – to share their takes and expertise on the pandemic as it unfolds, and to provide help in terms of the exploration of the potential aftermaths of the virus. The lecture series (also free of charge) is planned to start mid-September and should span until December. Although the Spring semester is still far away, Gellert is thinking ahead and has teased societal inequality and systemic discrimination as potential themes of future conferences since “these are topics which are definitely defining themes of our era, too.” Be sure to keep up to date with the Stirling University Economics Society’s social media for upcoming events, communication regarding the exact dates and speakers for both events, and more: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stir.econsoc Twitter: @Stir_EconSoc Email: stir.econsoc@gmail.com

Features

Academic burnout and how best to avoid it

Credit: Getty Images

Blair McPake I think it was about three o’clock in the afternoon on a rainy day in November. My personal tutor – who was more of a surrogate mother to me at this point – had just slid another cup of tea across the desk. It was some sort of lavender infusion which I had absolutely no taste for, but my tutor clearly believed it had soothing, calmative qualities, and so I indulged her and drank it down. I had been in her office for hours, rambling about anything and everything. She was the first person to tell me I was overly ambitious. She was the first person to tell me warningly that I needed to take it easy. Third year, for me, was one of my best years of University, and was simultaneously one of the most draining. I was taking two practical modules for my course, worked twenty hours minimum at my part-time job, and on top of that, I held several committee positions for the Brig newspaper. Life was busy, but I thought I was totally fine. Spoiler alert: I was not. There is a very prevalent culture when it comes to academia; a culture in which it is almost ex-

pected to work into the wee hours of the morning, hunched over your laptop in the library with five crushed cans of energy drinks beside you. Some have romanticised this ideal, and if you’re a student with hopes of getting a 1st or entering academics professionally, this is most likely the picture that has been painted for you. It is the very nature of academia that has completely discouraged me from taking a master’s degree. But this sad tale of academic burnout does not have to be the norm. There are ways to spot the signs and preventative steps there to take. Firstly, one should understand what is meant by the term ‘burnout’. There are several definitions, but the general gist is that burnout refers to a prolonged length of time where one feels exhausted and disillusioned with one’s job or studies, leading to a significant decline in productivity and grades. Does that sound familiar? Academic burnouts have more than just a few causes. Usually it will be a mix of multiple things building up over time. For instance, several causes could be poor mental or physical health,

family issues, a straining parttime job, or even problems with fellow students and lecturers. But by far one of the biggest problems seems to be an overwhelming amount of coursework. University of Stirling student Iman Mackenzie has cited poor time-management as the cause for one of her own burnouts: “Timing has always impacted my experience. I set unrealistic deadlines or I don’t set any at all and wing it. I’ve learned now that you need to recognise all other aspects of life that need your time too and factor them in.” Iman’s experience is not uncommon. Thankfully, your body will give you a few red flags before you have a fully-fledged breakdown. These include feelings of constant and persistent exhaustion, a general feeling of frustration or unease, as well as a vague, detached feeling from yourself and others, and a lack of motivation and attention. Whilst it may seem like your options are limited when your body gives you these red flags, there are certain methods to tackle burnout head-on, or avoid it altogether: - You need to take time for

yourself; away from the books and away from any part-time commitments. Taking time away and doing nothing for a day can bring about feelings of guilt, but recovery and relaxation is necessary here. Take a step back and do what is best for you. - Spend some time outside. Numerous studies have shown that fresh air can effectively reduce stress levels. Luckily, Stirling has a beautiful campus to explore, so you’ll never have to venture far to reduce stress. - Time-management is key, especially when studying and working at the same time. Avoid procrastinating and stick to your schedule. Just make sure to add some personal time in there as well. Downloading a life-changing app like Microsoft To-Do List can be an extremely practical way to do this; as can treating yourself to a physical planner from a nice stationary site such as The Journal Shop. - Set yourself more reasonable goals. Breaking things down into more achievable chunks and setting smaller goals over a shorter time can make you feel much more accomplished. A sense of ac-

complishment can go a long way in terms of your motivation to get more things done, and therefore it is better for your mental state. - Make sure that your relationships with your peers, tutors and lecturers are solid and dependable. There should be mutual respect and trust there when possible, so that way if you do need a break or extra time, there are no questions asked. Talking to people about how you feel can also be a massive help if you’re feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. With these skills in your arsenal, you should be able to navigate the treacherous waters of University without the added strain and stressors most of us feel today. Your studies may come first, but never at a detriment to your own health and happiness. Do not let the culture of student burnout stop you from living a healthy and balanced life. It took reaching breaking-point and slurping down lavender tea that rainy day in November for me to realise that the burnt-out student is one stereotype you do not need to fulfil.

Sport

New co-host of Bleed Green TV announced

BUCS leagues set to include three new sports this season Charlie Harris Sports Editor

Continued from back page Joining Wheelchair Basketball in BUCS leagues for the first time is baseball and softball. Both sports are already well subscribed within University’s across the UK and are expected to be become even more popular with the addition of nation-wide competition. Stirling University Baseball Credit: Bleed Green TV

Jessie Hosking Bleed Green Ambassador Zino Arbane has been announced as the new co-host of Bleed Green TV. Originally from London, Zino will host alongside Harriet Tyler after Edd Keeler stepped down to assume the role of Sports President. Now going into his third year, Zino chose to study Sports Studies at the University of Stirling. His decision to study in Scotland was helped by the fact that he already had a number of connections. Zino knew Josh Freeman, a current member of the tennis club, and would be joining with another member he already knew, Alfie Heiberg. Coincidentally, one of his other friends studies at the University of Edinburgh. Indeed, if it weren’t for his friendship group, Zino wouldn’t even have ended up at Stirling. He explained how he had only submitted an application to Stirling towards the end of August, after his friends suggested he apply as a joke. Thinking that he wouldn’t get in, it came as a surprise when he was given an unconditional offer the day after being unsuccessful with his first choice uni-

versity. “It was a dream of all of ours to mess around and it became a reality.” ZIno said with a laugh. As with his decision to come to university, Josh and Alfie proved to be influential in getting Zino back onto a tennis court after he had fallen out of love with the sport prior to coming to university. Over the course of his time playing for Stirling, Zino has represented a number of the men’s teams. Playing for the third team in his first year, last year he played primarily for the 5th team, which eventually finished top of Scottish League 3A, ahead of St Andrews. When asked whether he would continue to play competitively this year, Zino explained that he would be ready to play and support the university teams if needed but was aware that there is a lot of competition for places. As well as playing tennis competitively, ZIno was elected as one of the club’s social secretaries for his second year, a role which he will continue this academic year. When talking about his responsibilities, he explained that the role was more stressful than he realised, but was fun once the build-up to the individual socials was over. In addition, the social sec-

retary role will be even more complicated this year due to coronavirus concerns, which will inevitably have a negative impact on any potential socials sports clubs might want to hold. However, Zino acknowledged how tennis was relatively lucky in comparison to other sports like netball, as it was already a socially distanced sport. Furthermore, it was one of the first to be allowed back by the government once lockdown restrictions started to ease. With coronavirus inevitably changing the way certain things are done for the foreseeable future, a new co-host won’t be the only thing that’s different about Bleed Green TV this year. In what seems to be a common theme, Zino was initially persuaded to comment on Harriet Tyler’s Facebook post about the search for a new co-host by some friends as they all sat in the library. This led to Harriet asking him if he would mind doing a screen test which took place a week before lockdown was announced, and Zino subsequently agreeing to be the new co-host of Bleed Green TV. Despite initially being more remote, this is a very exciting time for Bleed Green TV and we look forward to seeing what they produce as the year progresses.

Club President Damon Savenelli said: “We are really excited to be part of BUCS this year, it presents a great opportunity for the development of baseball within the UK and our club. We hope this is the first of many seasons within the league.” He added: “We have not been able to play any baseball since March due to the pandemic, but we are doing everything within out power to get back to training in September and maybe even play some friendlies”. Director of Delivery for BUCS, Jenny Morris said: “At this

time, it is important for us to continue to support students with staying active with a view to getting back to playing sport. “These new sports are valuable in creating more opportunities for students to get involved, moving and engaged with university sport when we return to play”. As Stirling University opens its doors to students for the first time since March, Sports President Edd Keeler is pleased to have three more BUCS sports on offer for students. He said: “I’m happy that different sports are being added to the BUCS group, particularly from the accessibility point, and I really hope that it is successful. “I think that the more sports we have, the more people we can get into sports because every person is suited to a different sport, so it’s always a good thing to have more sports on offer. “I am hopeful for all the teams and look forward to seeing their success”. Credit: Stirling University Baseball Facebook

Sport

Edd Keeler: Sports President without any sport Petra Kotkova Sports Editor For those of you who have just woken up from a coma, who lived under a rock or who simple don’t know, Edd Keeler is the current University of Stirling (UoS) Sports President. He’s been elected on the 10th of March, but officially started to ‘reign’ at the peak of Covid‑19 on the 1st of June 2020. Edd is hard to miss ‑ he’s tall, ginger and doesn’t wear anything that’s not at least two sizes too big for him. He is also a real sports enthusiast. During our short interview he mentioned sports 46 times. When I ask him how his role as the Sports President has been so far, he chuckles: “challenging. I haven’t even sat in my office yet.” Due to Covid‑19, Edd had to spend the first quarter of his ‘presidential’ year off campus in a lockdown, managing the flow of Stirling Sports from the comfort of his house. “It is unlike [any] of the Sports Presidents before me. There’s so many of these first things for me; getting in the grips of how union works, and then getting in grips how it works within Covid. It’s been a challenge, but I am feeling good. I feel like we’ve already done some really interesting bits of work already.” Excluding the Wednesday Tik Tok dance challenges with Gill

Thayne, our previous Sports President, Edd has been keeping busy. He’s been dealing with this year’s BUCS situation and has also been the main initiative for the BAME Student Experience Survey. “I feel like it’s our place to make sure that we are paying attention to things outside of sports. It is not just about what’s happening on the field; it’s the other things that make sport incredible as well.” On top of that, Keeler together with Alban Dickson, the UoS Sport Development Co‑Ordinator, have been guiding most of the sports clubs’ committees through Covid. With 51 sports clubs, Edd has to overlooking the satisfaction of approximately 2,000 sports club members. At times like these, is not necessarily the easiest of jobs. “One of the biggest concerns [this year] is recruitment, letting everybody know that clubs are still happening. I am hopeful that people will understand that it’s a different year but there’s still a lot you can gain from being a part of a sports club. It gives us a chance to socialise and a really good way to tackle social isolation, and I encourage everyone to get involved with them.” Edd, alongside with the sports union, is looking into how to make the sport club experience interesting and safe at the same time this year. As a part of his initiative, all sports club will require to have assigned COVID officer, which is, according to Edd, the “key to our safe

return to sport at Stirling.” Another major adjustment made this year are the Sports clubs’ ‘Give it a Go’, which are going to be held online for the first time ever. “I think it would be really exciting to see all the innovative things that the clubs do, given a new platform,” says Edd. “Give it a go is not just about giving the sport a go, it’s about seeing what the club’s like, seeing if you want to be part of it.” Coronavirus might have interrupted the world of sports but Edd seems to keep his positivity and smile on. “It’s going be different, it’s going be difficult and challenging at times but I think we are up to the challenge, and as the Sports University of the Year for 2019, it’s our job to lead the way and continue to have this leading from the front approach.” The Sport President says the pause from competitive play and hence “this disruption of our rhythm gives us a chance to develop clubs and refocus on what we have been doing [and what still can be done].” As he mentioned in his campaign Edd’s “big focus for the year, [is] trying to make sure that sports at Stirling are as excisable and inclusive as possible. There’s no point in having sports for some people, if you can’t have sports for everybody.” After all, “there is a sport for you in Stirling, you just have to find it.”

Three SPFL teams with contrasting starts to the new season Dylan Inglis Eight games into the new season and Steven Gerrard’s Rangers team have only conceded two goals. They sit top of the table and broke the record for consecutive clean sheets at the beginning of a campaign, a title which has stood since the 1906/07 season. Opponents of the Glasgow side are averaging just 3.3 shots per game so far, showing the ‘Gers defence are doing a grand job in preventing scoring chances, this is down over 40% from last season’s figure. Granted, averages can’t be taken too seriously just eight matches in, but this has been a downward trend since Gerrard took over in 2018. In

their first season back in the topflight teams were firing 11 shots per game at the Rangers goal. Leon Balogun and Jon McLaughlin are looking like handy additions to the backline and will no doubt help Rangers stop leaking as many goals as they have in seasons gone by. Jon McLaughlin has brought a calmness to Rangers’ backline St Mirren’s Top Six Push? It was Hearts who went down in the end, but St Mirren were by no means clear of last season’s relegation battle. That being said, since Jon Obika’s famous winner back in March the buddies haven’t looked back and

with some of the usual contenders getting off to poor starts (we’ll touch on that later), a top six finish isn’t entirely an unrealistic aim. The Paisley side are known for being hard to beat, in fact Jim Goodwin’s side haven’t lost a game to a non-old-firm team by more than one goal in 19 attempts. The club have no shortage of leadership in their side either with the entire first choice defence captaining a team at some point in their career, each matching the hard-working nature Goodwin’s teams are known for. Don’t be mistaken, defeat at McDiarmid Park against St Johnstone shows things aren’t perfect in Paisley, but fans of the club will be quietly pleased by their start to the

season. St Mirren have started this season well Motherwell’s Scoring Issues Having failed to find the net in all but one of their opening six matches Motherwell were the joint lowest scoring side this season, finding themselves bottom of the table despite what looked to be a fairly straightforward start. So far ‘Well are dominating possession in games but just can’t find a way to unlock defences when they sit deep. Both Hamilton and Dundee United have taken advantage of this, coming to Fir Park with the aim of sitting back and waiting on a chance, with the two leaving

Lanarkshire will all three points. Something has to change for Stephen Robinson’s side. The addition of Stephen O’Donnell as an attacking full-back has looked a real coup, with the Motherwell manager changing from last year’s successful 4-3-3 system to a 3-5-2 in order to let the former Kilmarnock player push higher up more often. However, much more contributions are required from attacking players such as Jordan White and Christopher Long if the steel men are to start climbing the table. Perhaps six matches in is too early to be concerned about the drop, but with a tough run of games coming up Motherwell may find themselves concerned about when that first win will come.

Sport

Stirling student seeks bright future for Scottish Quidditch credit: Stirling Quidditch

Charlie Harris The sporting world is a world of repetition. Cycles of the same competitions annually, biannually and every four years are what we come to expect. The World Cup, Commonwealth Games are Olympics come around before we know it with the same formats and little change. Even leagues seasons can become banal and mundane. But every now and again sport surprises us. It comes along and gives us something new and exciting. Enter Quidditch. Loosely based on the sport featured in the much-loved Harry Potter franchise, Quidditch is one of the UK’s fastest growing University sports, with almost 50 teams throughout the UK, including five in Scotland. Quidditch, which is still only 15 years old, breaks the barriers laid down by traditional sports, with a game which aims to promote inclusion for all regardless of individual backgrounds. It is the only full-contact mixed-gender sport in the world. With the aim of growing the game even further in Scotland, and pushing the boundaries out-

side of University sport, governing body Quidditch UK have created the role of Scottish Expansion Manager. We caught up with Stirling student Rebecca Norman, who has just been accepted into the role. One of Rebecca’s main aims, along with those of Quidditch UK, is to see more teams be created and thrive in Scotland. “I’m now part of the expansion department of Quidditch UK which means that I am here to help people who want to start new teams. “If we also want to do some outreach to start a new team then I’m the lead on that. For example, we would love a Dundee Quidditch team so if anyone knows anyone in Dundee then let me know! “But also, because Scottish teams tend to be smaller, I provide them with support if they need help fundraising or they want advice on how to advertise their give it a go (GIAG), and also this year with advice on how to be COVIDQuidditch has many selling points, from being a mixed gender sport with emphasis on inclusivity for all, to having an everchanging set of rules and regulations. “We get players of all genders

and shapes and sizes. You get your agile little people and also get your chunkier people who cwan throw their weight around “In the rule book profanity is banned on pitch. Swearing is not allowed to stay players being mean to one another. Because we’re also quite a new sport the rules change pretty often so the referees have a big role to play in the game.” The playing of the game is exciting, fast paced and constantly evolving, keeping players on their toes. It differs from the portrayal of Quidditch in the Harry Potter books and films, but still has plenty of intrigue. “The first big difference is that we don’t fly! For some reason people always ask that, but we do still have brooms made up of a roughly two-metre-long PVC pipe. It’s just a handicap really, in the same way that you can’t use your hands in football or throw the ball forward in rugby. “The snitch is another big difference as we obviously don’t have a magical flying ball, but it is represented in the game by a referee called a snitch runner, who has a tennis ball in a sock tucked into their shorts.

“They go on just less than 20 minutes into the game closely followed by the seekers. Catching the snitch can involve wrestling, it can involve chasing, it really just depends on who your snitch runner is.” As well as this new role in Quidditch UK, Rebecca is the President for Stirling University’s team, the Dumyat Dragons, who are looking to expand their membership despite the challenges of COVID. .“I’m optimistic that the returning of full training is not too far away, but as it stands it look like our GIAGs this year are going to be pretty casual and in small groups, just chucking a ball about… a disinfected ball! “Quidditch UK has a tournament planned for November but they haven’t announced a venue or anything so we are hoping to have that to look forward to, but it is looking like that might not happen. The way they have designed the season this year is so that they have a fun tournament before Christmas and all the qualifiers, regionals and nationals are after Christmas, so hopefully we will at least be able to play by then. “We will be online socials as well, we have been doing a lot of quizzes over lockdown, and had a

go at some riddles, so we will be doing that again so that people who aren’t comfortable coming to a GIAG or haven’t come back to Stirling yet can get involved. We are also open to members who maybe don’t want to play Quidditch and who just want to be social members.” So, as COVID restrictions on sport begin to be lifted, why not give Quidditch a go and catch the golden snitch yourself.

If you would like to get involved with Stirling University’s Quidditch team get in touch with Rebecca at stirlingquidditch@ gmail.com You can also follow ‘Dumyat Dragons’ on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram

Sports Pres Edd Keeler Covid-19 and university sport BUCS to include three new sports

Sport centre plans delayed

Charlie Harris Sports Editor

Graham Fleming Students will be unable to use Stirling University’s sports centre upon returning due to construction delays caused by COVID-19. The £20 million construction which started last year, was originally due for completion by summer 2020, but has been delayed by the implications of the pandemic. A new opening date for the exciting new construction has not been given. The new development, which will be situated across the face of the Pathfoot building is still are not welcoming visitors, but temporary fitness solutions have been set up by the university. In the meantime, all gym facilities have been moved into the temporary gym in the adjacent

credit: University of Stirling

sports court.

of opening the new facilities in a

Details about using the tem-

couple months’ time. Your help

porary gym can be found at the

and

Sport at Stirling section of the

short-term arrangements are very

Stirling University website.

much appreciated.

A university spokesperson said

understanding

with

any

students. All sessions must be booked in advance using the online portal or app. A form must be filled out upon

“We want you to enjoy your

entry to the facilities and access to

University of Stirling Sport expe-

temporary gym spaces is restrict-

“Whilst work nears completion

rience and feel comfortable com-

ed to students only.

on our stunning new sports com-

ing back to a health and fitness

plex, we are programming a range

environment. Therefore, all our

via the official website:

Time slots will be allocated for sessions.

of services and activities, both

facilities and activities will have

Undergraduate University of

on-site and digitally, to fulfil your

appropriate public health meas-

Stirling students are expected to

health and wellbeing needs over

ures in place to keep you and our

return back to classes the week

the coming months.

staff safe and happy.”

of September 14th, where use of

“As a result of the delayed com-

Several new changes have been

pletion of the new facilities, we

made to the process of using the

ask for your patience and co-op-

university’s gym which were out-

The university also requests

eration as we do our best to facili-

lined in a statement earlier this

that no-one who feels unwell in

tate your sport, health and fitness

week.

any way should attend.

experiences in the short term. “We are working to put in place optimal

access

and

The changes include a new price for using the facilities which

member-

means it is only £1 a session for

ship options for you in advance

students and £3 a session for non

temporary sports facilities will be required.

The university or use the sports facilities.

Baseball, Softball and Wheelchair Basketball have all been announced as new additions for the upcoming delayed BUCS season. The extraordinary season, which is set to kick-off in January, will now feature over 50 sports for the first time. The addition of Wheelchair Basketball in particular is a move made by BUCS to open up competitive University sports to everyone, no matter what background and challenges faced. The sport is BUCS’ first fully inclusive sport. Jo Richards, Participation Director at British Wheelchair Basketball said: “As a truly inclusive team sport we feel we can really bring something different to the BUCS portfolio with our ‘Reverse Inclusion’ approach which allows all ages, genders, abilities and disabilities to compete on a level playing field”.

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