Brig Newspaper: Volume 54 Issue 4

EDITORIAL

By Charlotte Sutcliffe EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

All of a sudden it is the final Brig print. We have managed to bring back four papers a year in one of Brig’s most disrupted years, creating four papers in three different offices (four if you count Freya’s living room post evacuation). Our team has had to deal with shifting plans across rooms, keys, lockers and different procedures for accessing editing week, and have done so seamlessly and without complaint.

Bringing back an end of year paper has resulted in a different energy across the pages, with our team of editors conscious that many of the papers in this edition will be picked up throughout summer. There is a focus on content that can be enjoyed for the next few months including tips for a capsule wardrobe, a Summer Sessions round up and what’s on at MacRoberts.

Brig has had a fantastic year, something our front page designed by Andrew celebrates, reminiscing some of our biggest stories of the year. Aside from our success at the SPA awards, our wins at the Societies Awards Ball were arguably the most special, especially winning Committee of the Year. The team has worked so hard this year and it was brilliant to see that recognised.

It has been a pleasure to be Editor-in-Chief this year. I think I will miss all of it. Maybe not the sheer amount of emailing required. I know I am leaving the paper in the capable hands of Niamh and cannot wait to get my hands on the September edition.

In an interview with former union president Tash Miller she said “Maybe there were points where I was swimming and not just treading water”. I referenced this in my first editorial and it feels relevant in my last as that is how this year has been. Now I get to look back at four beautiful print editions, two digital magazines, £3500 raised, expanding our multimedia, not to mention the evolution of Brig’s Pub Golf.

I don’t know if you can dedicate an editorial but I am. This is to my lovely friends I met through Brig; and also to the netball girls who definitely weren’t forced to do so. Thank you to every writer, committee member and especially Freya and Alex for being pivotal in both Brig’s and my own survival. Finally thank you to everyone who has read Brig this year - without you none of it would be possible.

WARIS' FAMILY POSSESSIONS SOLD AMID UNIVERSITY STRUGGLES

By AJ Whyte

Unis Resist Borders Control revealed that the mother of a student at the centre of social media campaign, #WeAreAllMuhammad, has sold off her remaining possessions in order to help her son remain at university.

Muhammad Rauf Waris was subjected to alleged mistreatment after being taken into custody for allegedly violating the terms of his student visa, something that he still vehemently denies.

He was arrested at his workplace last year for allegedly working more than 20 hours per week, as is permitted by his student visa.

His experience sparked national outrage and garnered large amounts of media coverage across the country.

The masters student, who came to Stirling to study Business Management and is from Pakistan, cannot work while his case is still under investigation by the Home Office and so is unable to sufficiently support himself.

His mother, who is widowed and survives off of a farm she has, has sold off her remaining possessions to contribute to a payment plan. The University of Stirling has asked for £1,800 to paid off each month until September 2024.

Brig has followed the story and shared updates throughout the campaign, writing on March 5, 2024 that Muhammad had been withdrawn from his studies, despite pleas to the University of Stirling for a ‘tuition fee amnesty.’ Muhammad commented in an article from the National on

February 25, 2024 saying: “The University of Stirling prides itself as a place of community. I am part of this community.

“Withdrawing me while I am so close to graduating would make me very depressed. I have endured through so many barriers.

“However, it has been thanks to my friends and supporters in Stirling and the Glasgow area who have helped me persevere during all these difficulties.

“All I ask is for the University of Stirling not to withdraw me and to please provide a tuition fee amnesty.“

The request for a tuition fee amnesty follows the controversial pay rise given to the Vice Chancellor of the University of Stirling of £68,000 per year.

Gerry McCormac was previously earning £295,000. This 1.5 per cent pay increase was awarded to all University of Stirling staff.

URBC shared the update on X on April 10, 2024 as well as a further plea for donations towards his fundraiser, which will be closed down on April 30.

In previous statements regarding Muhammad's case, the University has said: “The University cannot comment on the personal circumstances of individuals. However, we have been, and continue to be in, regular contact with Muhammad to offer support.”

In relation to McCormac's pay rise, the University has said: “The Principal’s salary is set by the University’s Remuneration Committee, at a level that is

appropriate to the size and scale of the job.

“For the previous eight years, beyond the national pay award, the Principal declined any increase

determined by the Remuneration Committee.”

AIR3 BAGS GOLD FROM STUDENT RADIO AWARDS

By Freya Deyell DEPUTY EDITOR

Stirling’s student radio station, Air3, won the gold Amplify Award at this year’s Student Radio Association (SRA) awards in Leeds.

The station, which was established in 1972, was nominated for a new category, the student radio resilience award, as well as best station culture and most improved station. The SRA announced this was their biggest year yet with the most entries they had ever received.

The Amplify Award itself cannot be entered – judges for the other categories nominate the winners themselves. The SRA says it is for an “exemplary” station that should “embrace the core values of student radio to an outstanding level”. Air3 beat bronze and silver winners Nerve Radio and Leeds Student Radio for the top spot of the night.

Station manager Maisie Smith and secretary Isabella Farris travelled down to the conference and awards earlier this month.

“Honestly, the conference itself was a massive turning point for recognising how we can grow student radio further,” Smith told Brig . “We had absolutely no idea we would win the award of the night and have national recognition for passion and effort like that.

“It made us feel like all the ups and downs and straight up hassle was well worth working through in the way that we did. It will only benefit us in the future.”

Farris added: "It was so exciting meeting so many amazing people at the conference who have gone through different routes do get to where they are and hearing their experiences was inspiring.

"Winning the Amplify award was one of the most shocking and rewarding moments and I was honored and overjoyed."

Image Credits: University of Stirling, Muhammad Rauf Waris (above)

THE PERFECT SHOT FOR STIRLING: NEW FILM STUDIO PROJECT UNVEILED BY STIRLING COUNCIL

By Emanuela Scalia

A new film studio has been announced to open in Forthside, Stirling. Stirling Council is thrilled to declare the creation of ‘Stirling Studios,’ set to be amongst the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.

The studios will be located on the former Ministry of Defence (MoD) land at Forthside which has been transferred to the Council through the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.

£24 million of UK Government funding is helping Stirling Council to purchase and redevelop the former MoD Forthside site into the studios.

As an opportunity for major economic growth, it is estimated the project will create over 4,000 jobs in the following 25 years in a range of occupations, marking an opening for thousands of high-skilled jobs and opportunities.

This wide range extends farther than just actors or directors, creating work opportunities for other needed industry experts, such as skilled workforce of joiners, scaffolders, lighting and electrical engineers, costume designers, hairdressers, and more.

Their work is critical in this sector, and Stirling’s historical strengths in these areas provide a unique opportunity for growth in the industry.

Chief Executive Carol Beattie is confident about the future success of the studios.

She said: “In a previous role as Director of Creative Industries for Scottish Development International, I knew there was still an opening for more production space in Scotland.

“At that point, I spent time in London speaking to the British Film Commission and studio operators such as Pinewood, Three Mills and Warner Brothers to understand the specifications of a good site.

“When I saw the unique buildings and location at Forthside, I considered it to be a fantastic fit, which has since been confirmed through our close consultation with the industry, including Screen Scotland.”

With over 100,000sq ft of studio space, the significant capacity and flexibility of the location will enable Stirling Studios to fill current gaps in the market for TV and film production and support the rapid growth of the sector in Scotland and the UK.

Market trends, alongside the UK tax credits system, have driven a large expansion in TV and film productions throughout the UK, with a mirroring in Scotland showing a doubling of film and high-end TV production between 2019 and 2021, according to a recent Screen Scotland report.

Stirling’s geographical location in the Central Belt provides the perfect ‘triangle of success’ for the sector, with easy access for talent from Glasgow, where the crew base is well established, and Edinburgh, where growth has been significant in the last couple of years.

Isabel Davis, Executive Director of Screen Scotland said: “The Stirling site’s location and ready potential for conversion into a studio are both exceptionally promising.

“Scotland has recently seen significant growth in productions looking to access its internationally recognised cast and crew, as well as its versatile natural and built environments.

“This new site will only add to Scotland’s considerable offering as a filming destination. Working with Stirling Council on this over the last few months, we have been very encouraged by the visionary approach that the team there have taken to get to this stage, including the opportunity to grow the local crew base.

“We look forward to continuing to work with them towards the realisation of the project.”

Some existing buildings on the MoD land will be retained and refurbished for the film and high-end TV campus, accelerating the start of economic activity and job creation on the site as early as this year. The remainder of the land will be redeveloped and cleared in line within existing plans.

Additional projects such as new roads will be delivered by early 2026 as a new sustainable and economically vibrant community takes shape in the Forthside area.

The site has already been used as a filming location which will provide valuable experiences and lessons to serve future high-end productions.

Feedback on Stirling Studios from operators, producers and directors has been overwhelmingly positive, not only about the facilities, but the other advantages such as increasing Scotland’s talent pool through potential partnerships with the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College.

Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Chris Kane said: “Stirling Studios brings one of those rare moments in Stirling’s history which offers the potential to be truly transformational.

“We have an opportunity to

embed an industry in our city which will bring thousands of highskilled jobs, put us on a global creative map and deliver a significant economic boost to the region over many decades.

“By making innovative use of the existing buildings on a former military site, we are creating a studio campus that will provide everything film producers need to meet demand in a thriving sector.

“Students in our schools, our college and our University will be able to pursue creative careers right here in Stirling that in the past would have meant having to consider leaving to chase opportunities elsewhere.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work in getting us to this point. We are determined to seize the moment for the people of Stirling and realise the rewards of this ambitious project.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland, John Lamont, said: “Scotland and the UK are a true film and TV production success story and the creation of Stirling Studios to add to the high quality portfolio of content being produced on these shores is brilliant news.

"The jobs and economy-boosting

regeneration that will follow will provide fabulous opportunities for the region.

"The UK Government is committed to making sure that Scotland and the wider UK remains an attractive location for film and high-end TV productions. That is why we have supported our world-leading creative industries with £1 billion in tax reliefs. In total we are investing £72 million in levelling up Stirling and Clackmannanshire and more than £3 billion across Scotland."

Stirling MP Alyn Smith said: “This is great news for Stirling and will boost our local economy, bringing exciting projects and jobs to both our city and surrounding communities.

“I’m pleased to see this project finally announced, after many painstaking months of negotiation.

“I’ll continue to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure this project delivers for the people I serve, that taxpayers' money is put to good use in promoting Stirling as a place of business– and we see much needed local investment as a result of this fantastic news.”

Image Credit: Stirling Council

CUPCAKE ALLEY RELOCATES TO STIRLING

By Deanna Dawn

Cupcake Alley, an artisanal bakery and coffee shop has opened its doors to Stirling after a recent relocation.

Their team celebrated the store’s opening on the April 13, following the business’ move from Bo’ness to 37 Allan Park, Stirling.

The owner of Cupcake Alley, Alison McCalley, said: “Cupcake Alley is a small family run business.

"We are really delighted to relocate from our wee place in Bo’ness to our new shop in Stirling.

"We see this as an opportunity to expand our product range and grow our business.

“In our first week, we have already met many lovely customers and we are really looking forward to building up relations with a wide and varied customer base.

"We really hope that people will pop into our friendly wee shopthey will always get a friendly welcome and we are sure they will enjoy our lovely coffee, freshly made sandwiches/toasties and our delicious home baking.

“This is an exciting time for us, and we look forward to working with the people of Stirling and surrounding area.”

McCalley's son also works at the store, and she explained that both of her children studied at University of Stirling, which influenced their decision to move to the town.

The bakery sells custom designed cakes, a variety of baked goods and reasonably priced coffee. The team have designed cakes for a variety of events, including weddings and birthdays.

One happy customer said: “I’ve had a few custom cakes made from Cupcake Alley and everyone always comments on how delicious they are.

"I’ve never known cakes that are that tasty and look as good as they do.”

The store is part of Go Forth Stirling’s ‘I’M IN' initiative, a scheme designed to encourage locals to support independent businesses in the area.

All businesses that are part of the 'I'M IN' initiative have a sticker on their storefront.

Orders for their products can be made in-person at their new location or via social media.

Cupcake Alley can be found on Facebook and on Instagram under @CupcakeAlley1.

STIRLING RESIDENTS ENCOURAGED TO JOIN 900TH ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

By Carly McKim

Stirling residents are being asked to join in with the city's special celebrations.

Stirling Walking of the Marches will take place on Saturday, May 25, marking the 900th anniversary of the Burgh of Stirling.

The Marches is a tradition that dates back to the 17th century, as the oldest reference of the March can be found in Burgh records dating back to 1611.

The Walking of the Marches in Scotland is an annual exercise that involves the council, The Incorporated trades and the Guildry coming together to go around the city's Marches. They inspected them to see if they were all intact.

In Stirling the main inspectors were called Birlawmen. They followed “The Captain of the Birdmen" and used picks and shovels to turn over grass in order to mark points in the city’s boundaries. As time

went on, this was replaced by March stones.

The march is steeped in history and is open to all members of the public and anyone who may wish to take part in celebrating the rich heritage of the city.

Stirling Walking of the Marches will leave from the rotunda at the foot of King Street at 10.45am.

The procession will make its way through the city centre, towards the Smith Art Gallery and Museum and then onto Cowane’s Hospital where there will be entertainment at the bowling green.

The march will be accompanied by a pipe band throughout the journey.

Lunch is also available at the 17th- century Cowane’s Hospital for £25pp, alongside speakers Bill Hanson and Professor Richard Oram.

Stirling archaeologist Dr Murray Cook said: “The Walking of the Marches was started in the 12th century (we think) to mark the

boundaries of the Royal Burgh and to make sure they were intact, it became a celebration of civic pride which slowly fizzled out in the 1970s.

“This new version of the Marches Court has been slowly but surely expanding over the years and it’s really easy to get involved, as a steward or a Birlawman (or Birlawwoman) or simply to join in the march - and most of it is free.

“We are swearing in the Birlaw Officers on May 18 in the Chapel Royal in the castle (open to all but places must be booked).

“The march itself from 10.45am at the Rotunda on King Street is open to all to watch or join in and we have six pipe bands and re-enactors.

“Finally the lunch in Cowane’s Hospital costs £25 per head and places are running out.

“This is a chance to take part in a unique occasion and to help make it bigger and better.”

MCGILL'S INCREASE BUS FARES

By Ross Collie NEWS EDITOR

McGill's have increased the price of their fares across all of their services. The prices went up on April 15.

This includes student discounted fares on services such as the UniLink (UL) and the 54 service, which serve many students.

Across all student discounted tickets available, the average increase in fares is 5 per cent.

Students will now pay £1.75 for a single ticket, up from £1.65. A day ticket (a return ticket) will now cost £3.35, up from £3.20.

In a statement on their website, McGill's said: “The whole transport sector, like in many other walks of life, continues to experience cost inflation that we need to manage, which is why we’re making some changes to Midland Bluebird bus tickets from Monday 15th April 2024.

“Following a review of our prices,

we will be increasing our single and return fares as well as zone weekly, monthly and bundle tickets.

“We have worked hard to minimise the impact this will have on you whilst continuing to invest in our business and our colleaguesgiving you better buses, improved punctuality and new services

“We’ll still offer great value, especially for those travelling regularly.“

Travelers will be beginning to feel the pinch, as the bus fare increases comes shortly after train fares in Scotlnd saw a 8.7 per cent increase earlier this month.

McGill's have announced that starting April 22, new timetable changes will be introduced for several routes across the Stirling area.

The changes are aimed to help make bus services more reliable.

However, changes are not set to come to either the UL or the 54 services.

It is unknown whether changes will come by the time the next academic year begins in September.

Image Credit: Go Forth Stirling on Instagram

Walking the Marches is Stirling's 900 year old tradition. Image Credit: Walking the Marches.

Image Credit: McGill's

STIRLING’S HOUSEHOLD WASTE ONLINE BOOKING SYSTEM GOES LIVE

By Julia Benko NEWS EDITOR

Residents will be required to book an appointment to dispose of their waste at Household Waste Recycling Centres in the Stirling area from Wednesday, May 15.

The booking system, available on the Stirling Council website, will enable Stirling residents to reserve a slot for their preferred time and date up to 14 days in advance of their planned visit to Lower Polmaise, Callander or Balfron.

Residents will be able to log on and book slots from Wednesday, May 1. Any residents wishing to visit the Household Waste Recycling Centre sites up to and on May 14 will not be required to book a slot.

Residents will be required to provide their name, address and vehicle registration number when booking and will need to show their booking reference number and proof of address when they arrive at their chosen Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Those without internet access can arrange a booking by calling 01786 404040.

The introduction of the booking system at Lower Polmaise and Callander brings those sites into line with the centre at Balfron, where a booking system has been operating successfully since June 2020.

The move to an online booking system, increasingly common across Scottish local authorities, will ensure the Household Waste Recycling Centres are accessed only by Stirling Council residents. It will also reduce indiscriminate use by commercial operators, improve efficiency and provide better site control. Staff will be available on-site to assist residents with their visits and provide recycling advice.

Entry to Household Waste Recycling Centres remains free of charge for residents and there is no limit to the number of visits that residents can make by car. However, vans and trailers will be limited to 12 visits per year, with bookings also required through the booking system.

Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “Residents can book their slots from 1st May for visits to their chosen recycling centre from 15th May.

“The new booking system will ensure there are no long queues of traffic at peak times, which can cause frustration. Our site operatives will also be able to provide clearer guidance as demand is better managed when our recycling centres are busiest.

“Appropriate use of the Household Waste Recycling Centres will increase recycling rates and contribute to our net zero ambitions in line with our Climate and Nature Emergency Plan.

“It will also lead to a reduction in the cost of disposing of indiscriminate waste from commercial vehicles. We thank residents for working with us to implement these important changes to improve how we recycle your household waste.

“We understand there will be a period required to allow people to get used to the new system and staff will discuss requirements with anyone who visits after 15th May but hasn’t booked.”

However, more than 2,700 people have already signed an online petition demanding the decision be reversed.

Alastair Majury, previously a Conservative, then independent, councillor, set up the Change.org petition.

Speaking to the Daily Record, he said: “By making it more difficult

for householders to responsibly recycle and dispose of non-recyclable waste, this will likely cause an increase in direct and indirect fly tipping.

“This petition calls on Stirling Council to scrap the booking system for the Lower Polmaise waste management/recycling centre in its entirety or at a minimum to exempt non-commercial vehicle types from having to book.”

Environment, transport and net zero convener Cllr Jen Preston, said: “The new booking system will ensure there are no long queues of traffic at peak times, which can cause frustration.

“Our site operatives will also be able to provide clearer guidance as demand is better managed when our recycling centres are busiest.

“Appropriate use of the household waste recycling centres will increase recycling rates and

DEMO FOR RUINED CHRISTIE CLOCK AS STILL NO SIGHT OF REPAIRS

By Charlotte Sutcliffe EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

The Stirling Council Wrecking Ball Facebook page has announced a demonstration at the remains of the Christie Clock on Saturday, May 11 after it was demolished in September due to structural concerns.

The page states that they hope to have a press photographer with the idea that it would be a brief meeting for support, and to ‘“show the powers that be that we are not satisfied with their performance so far and that the clock needs reinstated.”

An event has been created on Facebook for noon on May 11. It states that there are will be no speakers, but dogs and homemade banners are welcome. So far, 89 people are interested in attending,

with locals dismayed that not more has been done by the council.

One resident commented online, saying: “It is irritating that as residents of Stirling we need to turn up at the Christie Clock to show our frustration to Stirling Council.”

Another said that they wouldn’t be attending as the situation is still too raw and emotional for them.

This event comes eight months after the 117-year-old clock was demolished in Port Street after recommendations from engineers undertook emergency work removed the head and the pillar.

The decision caused local uproar with residents displeased with how the council handled the situation, specifically with the fact that there was no warning of the removal and also done late at night.

A month later, the council announced that there were, in fact,

plans to rebuilt the clock, stating: “Specialist consultants will now identify and decide the most appropriate conservation and rebuild process for the structure before a detailed cost plan and work programme is presented for Council for approval before the end of March 2024.”

However, in March 2024 it was reported at a council meeting that the bill for the repairs would cost £873,000 with a £100,000 contingency allowance.

That being said, there is no budget for the work and borrowing money for the project is being considered. The council did outline a timeline laid out across three phases with each one lasting between 24 to 29 weeks, but with no mention on when this may be.

The council has not commented on the demonstration plans.

contribute to our net zero ambitions in line with our Climate and Nature Emergency Plan. It will also lead to a reduction in the cost of disposing of indiscriminate waste from commercial vehicles.

“We thank residents for working with us to implement these important changes to improve how we recycle your household waste. We understand there will be a period required to allow people to get used to the new system and staff will discuss requirements with anyone who visits after May 15 but hasn’t booked.”

Earlier this year, Stirling Council’s waste officers said the measure was a “major control” that could save the council around £82,000 a year, and mitigate the risk of the authority incurring the cost of disposing of residual waste. They noted that, in theory, someone could even book minutes

before arrival.

At a meeting of the council’s Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, councillors agreed to introduce the system as part of a new waste management policy.

Conservative councillors had put forward an amendment which would have required the electronic booking system to only apply to commercial vehicles, but the Labour and SNP committee members voted for introduction across the board.

Waste service managers said there was “strong anecdotal evidence” suggesting commercial operators were acting as residents to access the recycling centres. Research from other parts of Scotland and the UK showed no correlation between the booking system and fly tipping.

A Household Recycling Centre in Scotland. Image Credt: Aberdeenshire Council

Alyn Smith MP at the destroyed Christie Clock. Image Credt: Stirling SNP

DO NOVELTY CANDIDATES DEVALUE BRITISH ELECTIONS?

By Ali Rees

This year is an election extravaganza. London, the whole UK, America, and multiple other countries are hurtling towards decisions that will decide their direction for the next few years. The situation in the UK is serious with the country weighed down with an air of doom and inevitability. On the one hand we have the Tories, the people who have let NHS waiting lists grow to literal years for some things, and on the other hand we have Labour, who don’t want to change anything. Election night is sure to be charged.

Some people face despair with stoicism. Some let it consume them.

Some dress up as Elmo and pretend to be politicians. Novelty political candidates are something of a UK election night staple. Everyone finds it terribly funny when serious politicians with manifestos and speeches have to stand next to someone with a bin on their head.

What’s the point of them, though? It costs £500 a pop to stand for election in the UK – a steep price for a joke during the cost-of-living crisis. Do people really find them funny or

just a bit sad?

“I hate how novelty candidates like Count Binface genuinely have better policies than mainstream politicians,” said Jess, Brig’s politics editor. “How is our best option a bin?”

She has a point. In his manifesto for London Mayor amongst pledges like “London Bridge to be named after Pheobe Waller” are nestled genuinely progressive ones like “All government ministers’ pay, including the mayor’s, to be tied to

that of nurses for 100 years,” and “Unnecessary Voter ID legislation to be scrapped”.

Brig’s food editor Elliot said, “I feel like the existence of Trump and Boris makes novelty candidates a lot less meaningful as our actual politicians get more and more ridiculous.”

Mike Prosser, an IT professional from Glasgow said he finds them “vaguely embarrassing.” He continued, “the ones who do it repeatedly just seem bafflingly committed to

SUNAK AND STARMER: WHERE DO THEY STAND?

By Paul Smith

With a UK general election coming near, and several pressing political issues, it's important to understand our party leaders. More importantly, we must understand the political positions of current PM Rishi Sunak, and leader of the opposition, Keir Starmer.

Whilst they may be leaders of opposing parties, they share a lot of similarities. Starmer thinks he's an ice-cold shot of vodka but he's like Sunak: a bland, weak, mug of lukewarm tea.

Environment/ Net zero

Climate change and net zero

goals are not just contemporary issues

The decisions made today are, no doubt, going to have a massive impact on the future of our planet and future generations.

Rishi Sunak's decision to reverse various environmental plans has shifted the focus of the upcoming general election, especially at a time when the UK is aiming to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions.

The Conservative government have delayed crucial environmental policies, such as the 2030 ban on selling new petrol and diesel vehicles for another 5 years.

Labour has no plans to reinstate the 2026 deadline for starting the phase-out of all gas

losing the deposit for 20 seconds on TV every few years which mostly just confuses me.” He went on to say, “Much less annoyed [about novelty candidates] than about the holocaust denier who keeps running in both our ward and constituency under Independent Green Voice and getting drastically over the normal indie rando vote out of (presumably) ballot confusion.” Is it too easy to stand for election? Tightening up the restrictions would almost certainly damage

democracy rather than help it. It would certainly eliminate the novelty candidates.

It turns out though that most people just don’t think about them much. “Typically inoffensive, at worst cringe,” said one person. “I don’t really have any thoughts on them,” said another. It doesn’t seem like people think they devalue the electoral process any more than the ‘real’ candidates do, especially when it’s Rishi versus Keir.

stance on trans rights, claiming the PM has taken a U-turn on the "definition of a woman". Meanwhile, Starmer's Labour has promised to take the lead in reforming transgender rights by simplifying the gender recognition law. This has caused a clear disagreement with the Conservatives, who have often tried to use this as a divisive topic.

Leadership

boilers. The shadow environment secretary, Steve Reed, said that Labour will not raise people's bills.

The Conservatives are expected to prioritise environmental policies in the election campaign following their success in the Uxbridge by-election, where opposition to London's ultra-low emissions zone car charge was effectively used as a divisive issue.

Trans rights

Sunak, during the 2023 Conservative Party conference, said it common sense that "a man is a man and a woman is a woman." The Prime Minister has also criticised Starmer's

When it comes to politics, the ability to lead through economic, social and international challenges, and opportunities, is paramount. A competent leader understands the multifaceted challenges and aims to lead with confidence, unity and stability.

Starmer's leadership image has consisted of him making several U-turns on issues, struggling to make a lasting impression, failing to unite the Labour Party, let alone the left, and being boring. A very weak, boring, but competent, leader. If Labour wants to be in government, they have to have a strong uniting and principled leader. Starmer has a long way to go to this point.

Sunak’s leadership image is not

any better. A March 2024 public opinion poll derided the Prime Minister as being a “weak, useless, rich idiot”. Not exactly the vote of confidence expected for a leader heading into a general election.

Closing thoughts

If there is one simple lesson to be learnt from the upcoming general election it is this: research your candidates. Research party leaders and hold them accountable. Don't let them get away with being hypocrites or liars.

Politicians are public servants, they should serve their country, and their people, not the other way round.

One last thing: go vote, Seriously, go vote in the next general election. Your vote matters. Go make a difference. Register online by May 2 on the government website.

Image credits: Sky News

Image Credit (above and far above): countbinface.com

POLITICS

By Jess Urquhart POLITICS EDITOR

In the past few months, everything kicked off. We’ve had walk outs in Westminster, an investigation into the Labour Party’s right-hand-woman, and a new controversial hate crime bill has been introduced to Scotland. The one thing that hasn’t changed is that our leaders are still letting us down. Also, if you want to check the rating system for our leaders, check our website, where we’ve published why I score everyone the way I do.

Rishi Sunak:

With the recent actions of Iran against Israel, the safety of those in Gaza still remains a pressing issue, as does Rishi Sunak’s stance on the matter. When questioned by George Galloway at PMQs, Sunak claimed that he asked Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to “show restraint”. Sunak has always expressed support for Israel in his time as PM, and stood by this belief as the UK joined an American and French alliance to intercept missiles during Iran’s offensive on Israel, which Sunak called “reckless and dangerous escalation”. Surprisingly, Sunak is now in favour of a long-term ceasefire, which he has been hesitant to pursue in the past, but following the killing of three British aid workers, he has become more open to the idea of something

DID THEY DO IT?: APRIL 2024 EDITION

more than a “humanitarian pause”. He stressed on April 15 however, following Iran’s strikes, that “nothing that has happened over the past 48 hours affects our position on Gaza”.

For other policies, Sunak has a huge focus on crime, in his opening speech as PM that his government would “crack down on crime”. Defending himself in Parliament on April 17, he claimed that the government had reduced crime by 50 per cent since taking office.

That’s since 2010, 14 years ago, and Sunak has only been PM since 2022 and an MP since 2015. Using a government legacy fourteen years in the making, five years of which he wasn’t even in Parliament for, is rather misleading. Sunak gets a 6/10.

Keir Starmer:

It’s fair to say that Keir Starmer loves a good distraction, as

POLITICO accused the Labour leader of arguing with Rishi Sunak over “who dislikes Liz Truss more”. I can’t say I blame him, if I were Keir Starmer, I’d want to distract people from my distinct lack of left-wing passion too.

A protest was held outside the leader’s home on April 9, calling for Starmer to call for the UK to stop selling arms to Israel. Starmer’s poor and insincere stance on Palestine qualifies for a tracker of its own at this point. In his ten pledges (which, as a reminder, were officially taken down, as other news publications also picked up on how poorly Starmer fulfilled them and criticised him for this), Starmer claimed that Labour would review all UK arm sales. In a speech in 2021, Starmer stood by the Corbyn-era policy of recognising Palestine as a state if elected, and called

himself a friend of Palestine. This speech was received as insincere, as it made no mention as to how Labour planned to achieve a two-state solution, and condemned the BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) Movement, which acts to financially protest the actions of the Israeli government and the Israeli Defence Force (IDF). More recently, Starmer has dropped the idea of recognising Palestinian statehood if he is elected as PM all together. Raise your hand if you’re surprised. Starmer gets his usual 2/10 (purely for his consistent commitment to trying to distract the public from his dishonest mediocrity).

Humza Yousaf:

The biggest news in Scottish politics recently has been the new Hate Crime Bill, and to be clear, this was introduced three years before Yousaf formally replaced Nicola Sturgeon as First Minister. He was however, the Justice Secretary who introduced the bill, which has been deemed controversial since the beginning.

Yousaf has stood firmly behind it despite the Scottish Tories calling for the bill to be repealed, and over 3000 complaints being made to Police Scotland in the first two days of the bill coming into law. Yousaf’s pledges when he became First Minister included tackling and

reducing child poverty, which has dropped from 23 per cent to 14 per cent in the last year. He also claimed that Scotland “is a wealthy country, but that wealth is not distributed evenly”, and promised to deliver the most progressive taxation system in the UK.

Prior to his premiership, the top income tax bracket started at £125,140 and taxed 47 per cent of an individual’s income. It has increased by 1 per cent under Yousaf. Not exactly the radical change he promised. Under the previous First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland already had the most progressive taxation system. Her government set the top income tax bracket, which in comparison to raising the top income taxes by 1 per cent per year in the past few years, is what really makes the radical change. Yousaf is tied with Sunak at a 6/10.

Image credits: UK & Scottish Governemts

MY EXPERIENCE OF FINDING A NEW LIFE IN A CITY

By Isla Barker

When I was 13, my family and I moved back to the village we lived in before Qatar. It was nestled in Aberdeenshire near the Cairngorms: Aboyne. Population: just barely 3,000 at the time.

I loved being home; I was closer to family, the climate was cooler, and we reconnected with old friends, but there was so much that Aboyne was missing.

There is only one pub, three cafés, and, like Stirling, maybe too many hairdressers - with even fewer things for young people. If you wanted to go to Aberdeen, the nearest city, you would have to take a bus, which came every hour. It would usually take an hour and a half to get to the city centre. Of course, you could drive, but not at 13, and your parents would be busy. There simply wasn't much to do.

But, when I moved into campus accommodation, I saw the city of Stirling again for the first time in years. After passing through the sandstone centre, memories came back to me. The cobbled treets, the cosy pubs the clock tower on Kings Street.

After settling in I would regularly go into town and look around. Just to see what I could find.

I was blown away by the abundance of the city. Its extensive selection of cafés, shops, restaurants, and picturesque buildings was exciting for a country bumpkin like me. I had forgotten that a place could have more than one Chinese takeaway. Even seeing something as simple as a chartered accountant surprised me. It felt like being a tourist in my own city. There's another tattoo

parlour! And a Polish bakery?! I had never seen one before! Each café had its own enticing aesthetic which drew my eyes as I explored the city. After living here for seven months I still haven't been to all of them. There was just so much choice.

It made me wonder what it would have been like to transfer from Aboyne to a bigger city like Glasgow or Edinburgh. The windy streets, crowds and skyscrapers would have been intimidating. Not to mention how easy it would have been to get lost. Stirling quickly felt like home for me. It was liberating to be so close to so much. To access so many new things and experiences. A

90-minute bus ride became 20, and I didn't care that the buses didn't always come every eight minutes. I was just happy with the freedom to take them more often.

Walking around Stirling and even Bridge of Allan made me realise further how alienated rural communities are. The nearest hospital with A&E for most people in Aberdeenshire is in Aberdeen. Which also has the nearest train station after Doctor Robert Beeching scrapped the railways extending inland during the 60s. Outside of the central belt, most of the investment, infrastructure and opportunities are in Aberdeen and Inverness. Which leaves villages like Aboyne and Braemar

lagging behind.

Moving back to a village from the suburbs of Doha was refreshing. The different architecture made me think of Scotland's history. The cradle of the mountains filled me with awe. And driving on the country roads and seeing fog over the forests made me glad I didn't live in a metal box in a concrete world.

But coming to Stirling has shown me what life is like for people living in cities. With so much at their disposal and being so well-connected. Things that Aboyne did not have are plentiful in Stirling and even Bridge of Allan – despite having a low population of around 5,000 people. And they

have a train station!

Here you don't need to drive nearly an hour to try Nepalese food or buy new curtains. If Aboyne was more like Bridge of Allan, maybe so many young people like me wouldn't have felt so bored all the time despite being surrounded by natural and historical beauty.

Even though it has less to do than Stirling, coming home to Aboyne would always feel joyful. Being able to see my family again and the familiar sights made me eager to visit home once again.

I love Aboyne, and now Stirling has become my home away from home.

YOUTUBE FAMILY CHANNELS’ EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN

By Emma Christie

Go on any parent’s or even grandparent’s social media, especially Facebook, and pictures of their kids (or grandkids) will more than likely be plastered over their feed.

Sure, it is good and harmless to brag about your cute baby and to show your family's key moments from the kid’s childhood which used to be stored away in a photo album.

But where do we draw the line

of what is shared and kept private about children online? Keep in mind that they can’t consent to being posted on social media.

This question has resurfaced as YouTube family channels have come under fire for exploiting, and even abusing, their children.

YouTube families seem to becoming more common as the generation that grew up with social media and YouTube are having children and settling down.

They basically consist of vlogging videos, a format popular on the site, with a focus on their family life which includes their children.

Many YouTube families have gained popularity and grown their own fanbases, and with popularity, scandals usually aren’t too far behind.

Such scandals include YouTube parents being caught coercing their children to act a certain way for the camera (Jordan Cheyenne), faking or exaggerating their child’s illness or sickness for views (the LaBrant Fam), scaring and humiliating their children for views (Toy Freaks), and downright child abuse have taken place (8 Passengers

case).

From the sickening acts of exploitation to the criminal ones of child abuse, it makes you stop and think if these YouTube families should be allowed on the site. Of course, not all of the family channels are bad, but those that are remind us that these are real children that will suffer long-lasting effects from this treatment, just so their parents can cash in on them.

After all, there is a reason why many social media sites, YouTube included, require users to be 13 years old and above to create an account.

Maisonic Hall, Aboyne. Image credit: Aberdeenshire Live

HOSTILE DESIGNS MAKE US ALL FEEL UNWELCOME

By Julie Brinking COMMENT EDITOR

Have you ever waited at a bus stop without anywhere to sit? They usually have these weird, small, sloped benches where you can neither sit nor lean. It all just feels very awkward.

Or have you noticed the long spikes on buildings to prevent birds from nesting? What about raised plant beds, that seemingly provide green foliage and somewhere to sit, but with their curved top discourage sleeping on them?

These are hostile designs and

they’re all around us. Once you understand this type of architecture and design, its predominant function, and how abundant it is you’ll never be able to un-see it.

The style of our urban jungles has synchronised, and the modern architecture is nearly identical across cities. The designs, whose inherent attribution is hostile, are not meant to be noticeable – not to everybody at least.

And these public spaces are temporal. They are not meant as places where you will spend a long amount

of time, so there is no reason to make it comfortable or accommodating because you will not occupy the space for long enough to either notice or for it to be a prominent issue.

Perhaps it is annoying and inconvenient in that moment, but then you are quickly encouraged to leave the space. These are places such as parks, public bathrooms, walkways, and other public spaces. You don’t really notice the hostile designs until you’ve experienced the opposite. It has become

so abundant and normalised that the assumption is that that must be how things are supposed to look.

On a recent trip, I had a seven-hour layover at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. Naturally, during such a long stay I frequented the women’s restroom quite a few times.

And let me say: these are the best women’s restrooms I have ever used. There was space and large enough hangers in the stalls to put my things on and attached to the mirror above each faucet, soap dispenser and dryer there was a little shelf where I could put my jewellery while I washed my hands.

The reaction to this kind of excitement over a restroom might be to laugh in disbelief. But when you are used to not being accommodated; used to having to put your things on the ground, phones, jackets, everything; and used to spaces that are wholly uninviting, suddenly seeing a space catered to your needs is wonderful.

At its core hostile designs are implemented to restrict certain behaviours and people from accessing those certain spaces. To give some concrete examples:

surfaces with bolts or ridges to discourage skaters (often young people), benches with slopes or armrests in the middle to discourage homeless people from sleeping on them, or no flat surfaces in public bathrooms to discourage drug use.

Fear and the feeling of being unsafe are big players in the design of community spaces. Councils and politicians often justify these design choices by reasoning that they reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. But in reality, it only makes things more difficult for people who already have it difficult.

Not to mention that it ignores the underlying problems.

Excluding certain groups of people from public spaces is discrimination, and hostile architecture has its roots in race segregation in the US.

The inequity of hostile spaces not only affects the non-preferred users but extends to all users. A space that excludes one group becomes a little less inviting to the public and ultimately unwelcome to everyone else too.

BYE-BYE BRIG: A FOURTH-YEAR REFLECTS

By Freya Deyell

It wouldn’t be the final print edition of the academic year without a sappy graduation piece, eh?

Far too quickly, this Brig staple has fallen to me. It’s hard to put into words how much this paper and the community around it mean to me but I’ll try.

When I first came to Stirling in 2020, it was the dreaded COVID year. 18-year-old me rocked up to my little flat in Muirhead only to realise that there were no freshers’ events, and all my classes were on Teams. I struggled to make friends and my anxiety of living away from home for the first time grew.

I went home for the Christmas holidays, overjoyed to see my family and partner again. Then we were plunged into yet another lockdown – my flight back to the Scottish mainland for the second semester was cancelled too. I made the tough decision to stay at home for the rest of the year.

So, first year was a write-off for me. I moved back to Stirling for my second, but it was a slow start with pretty much everything still online to begin with. But I soon

made one of the best decisions

during my whole

Earlier that year I had been diagnosed with coeliac disease and my experience had been a huge learning curve. I wanted to write about it and maybe help some other people going through the same thing. Brig provided the perfect platform for me – Isla, the food editor at the time, was so kind and welcoming. I’ll always be grateful for her help on that article and I’m still pretty proud of it two and a half years later.

I’d already switched to a joint degree in journalism by then but being a part of Brig truly solidified by love for writing. My passion for food was my drive for joining but I soon found myself writing TV reviews, personal pieces, and newsy articles too. I went from being one of the shy people that hid in the back of meetings to running for food editor myself in a matter of a few months.

I felt like part of a community for the first time since leaving home. I’ve met so many great people by being a part of it and I’m really scared

to leave it behind, to be honest. My dissertation is done and dusted but the job hunt is going unsuccessfully so far. I have no idea what the future holds – that’s terrifying! I’m sure pretty much every graduate

ever has felt this way, which makes me feel less alone at least. Without a doubt, I have Brig to thank for the person I am today. I would not be half as confident or as decent a writer if I hadn’t sent

Isla that message all those moons ago. So, if you’re a wee first year (or at any stage of your university journey) reading this and wondering ‘should I do it?’ my answer is a resounding yes.

Image credit: Digitalschool.ca

Image credit: Nashwa Bawab

time at university: I joined Brig

Image credit: Ciara Tait

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH ISRAEL’S EUROVISION ENTRY?

By Alex Paterson

Camp, colourful, and often quite crap, Eurovision is, to some people, a show that unites everyone through a shared love of music and fun. For others, it’s a geopolitical showcase where alliances are upheld, and messages can be delivered via voting and performance.

Both statements can be true, and often are true. However, this year's show is proving more controversial than ever before due to the continued participation of Israel.

In case you aren’t aware, Israel has broken international law, committing war crimes, crimes against humanity and crimes of genocide against Palestine as it attempts to take more Palestinian land.

“Eurovision comes into this, how?” you may ask.

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has historically supported Israel and the country has done well in the song contest. Since they joined in 1973, they’ve won four times. One win was as recent as 2018, and the prior win was when Birmingham hosted Eurovision in 1998. The country and the show have been on historically good terms. The two have been so friendly that when Icelandic act Hitari held up Palestinian flags in 2019, a year the show was held in Israel, the Icelandic broadcaster received a fine. Why? Because Eurovision describes itself as apolitical and the flag was seen as a statement of political controversy.

However, when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the EBU banned Russia from participating in the competition. That year also saw

Ukraine win the competition. No controversy was outlined and instead it was seen as a moment of beautiful and tender human support.

As the conflict in Palestine has taken an aggressive and extreme turn, Eurovision audiences and fans, whilst perhaps previously supporting Israel as a competitor, have decidedly changed their minds and want Israel out of the show due to the genocide they are conducting in Palestine.

Knowing Russia was banned by the EBU for their conduct, one would come to the conclusion that Israel will be banned for theirs. However, this is not the case and Israel are still on track to compete in the second semi-finale; whether they make it to the finale or not is another matter, as voting is both

jury and public based.

Although, whether they qualify is not the point. Israel has been allowed to compete despite the crimes they are committing against the Palestinian people.

Their entry, initially titled October Rain, was at first rejected as it directly referenced the October attack by Hamas and was deemed too political. However, a title change to Hurricane and some lyric amendments later, the song has been permitted. Now, it fits the apolitical quota set by the EBU. The issue of Eurovision lies in the insistence on apolitical culture. It is a culture they cannot and have not upheld, seen by them banning some countries and not others. A contest including any willing European nation and any nation with European

broadcasting- such as Israel and Australia- and calling it apolitical is paradoxical. Geopolitics will shine through in voting, and it has shone through in the EBU’s governance.

The EBU issued a statement on April 9 that said they were “firmly against any form of abuse or harassment” towards competitors, highlighting their commitment to “a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment”.

Banning Russia, not banning Israel. Supporting Ukraine, not supporting Palestine. It’s interesting who the EBU deems worthy of deserving a safe space, and it’ll be interesting to see what political stunts will be pulled during the finale as fans, other competitors, and pro-Palestine campaigners are all- rightfully- very, very angry.

A CONVERSATION WITH JAMES’ JIM GLENNIE

By Carly McKim MUSIC EDITOR

James has released their new album this month. Yummy, which is the band's 18th studio album, consists of 12 tracks.

In true James nature, the records include joyful and addictive tracks alongside hard hitting lyrics which showcase what the band do best.

Guitarist Jim Glennie spoke to Brig about these records and said that “they're not stopping anytime soon”.

The album is a comment on the world right now. Glennie commented on fellow bandmates writing

saying: “Tim reflects whatever's going on in his life. Some of that will be positive like love, amazing relationships and other things that are negative.

“The songs have a lot of humour in the lyrics, and I think he has done this quite a lot on this record. Sometimes writing about things that are important to them but with humour in it.

“There is no greater pleasure than being a musician and a singer who's singing about something that's important.”

In the track Our World, it holds onto the human hope that the human family may reunite to “share to spoil” the planet.

Glennie describes the music as dark, however the lyricism is uplifting throughout.

In comparison to Our World, Life’s a fucking miracle is considered to be one of the more uplifting tracks on Yummy.

Glennie says: “It's about inclusivity and we need that. It celebrates

inclusivity and the music is joyous, probably the most joyous song we have ever written.”

However, one of Glennie’s favourites on the album is Folk. He says: “Tim imagines singing this as the last song of the night with the lyrics ‘Folks, it's time to go’.

“It's about accepting coming to terms with death but again in a light-hearted jokey way.”

When writing Folk, Glennie looked for the help of his brother Peter. After sending him bits and pieces of the unfinished track his brother got back in touch about an unusual idea:

“He said, ‘I want it to sound like a 1950 song broadcast from outer space.’ I had no idea what that meant but it sounded brilliant.

“That’s the song concept. It is trying to tune the song on the radio. It's quite a traditional 50s tune to a large degree. That's where we found all the mad noises and interruptions that sounded like a different song.

“I love it. I really enjoyed working on this piece.”

Yummy is quintessentially James. In this record Tim pores over the pain, heat, battle, distance, fear, release and endurance of love.

But where did the name Yummy come from?

Glennie explained that Tim is singing the word Yummy repeatedly at the end of the track Butterfly. “The easy place to go when you're looking for an album title is bits of lyric,” he said. “We liked the fact that it was a bit silly and light-hearted and it wasn't serious. “We liked the garishness of it. It was something a bit different

for James and stood out amongst everything else we have done. “We didn't want this album to appear earnest. We want to uplift people, we want people to feel like there is hope.”

James’s 18th studio album is out now. The band will be on tour across the UK, spreading their joy and uplifting us all during summer.

Image credit: @Eurovision via X

Image credit: James

Image credit: Alchetron

BRIG'S BIG SOUNDS OF THE SUMMER

By Becs Gruber

Summer is fast approaching and we know everyone is looking for the perfect music to play while they lounge on a beach. With lots of new releases coming up, it's a super exciting time for the music industry. Here's what Brig thinks will be the sound of the summer.

It's pretty unanimous that the most anticipated album release of the summer is Brat by Charli XCX. Given that she's known for her upbeat club pop anthems, her upcoming album will, no doubt, be the sound of the summer. Von Dutch is already being played in clubs everywhere and we’re excited to see what else this album has to offer.

Country music has been on the rise recently and it's easy to see

why. It's so quintessentially summer, with Beyonce's new album Cowboy Carter taking the charts by storm and with an upcoming release from Lana Del Ray’s next album being teased as a country album it's easy to foresee a massive boost in country over the next year. Alongside country, the pop genre will undoubtedly soar in the summer, alongside dance and electronic. The longer nights, brighter days, and trips away will leave people wanting a taste of childhood with pop blasts from the past. Girl in Red has released her new album I’m Doing It Again Baby! which also falls into the same indie-pop genre as many other recent releases. Most of Brig's team agree that throwback music will be their most-played this summer.

People mentioned Solar Power by Lorde, saying that the whole album

is a massive summer album and I have to agree with them. Others said Bruno Mars, specifically Locked out of Heaven and Gorilla. Hot Fuss by The Killers is turning 20 this year, meaning it's likely to return to the charts soon. Like That by Future and Metro Boomin also got a mention.

I think music this summer will be very throwback centred, with a rise in dance and electronic music alongside the classic pop and indie trends that typically arise in the summer. Once Lana Del Ray’s new album, which is still yet to be named, releases, the charts will tip toward country. This summer is sure to be one for the books, we already have so many new album releases on the horizon and I’m sure more hits are yet to be announced.

ALBUM REVIEW: LIZZIE MCALPINE'S OLDER BRINGS BACK SAD GIRL SUMMER

By Charlotte Sutcliffe

Move over Charlie XCX and Dua Lipa, hot girl summer is cancelled, Lizzy McAlpine says so. Her third studio album released earlier this month gives the woeful lovers plenty of time to sink into the album ready for long evenings, bottles of rosé and lots of yearning. Her last album five seconds flat popularised the ‘sad girl summer’ with hits such as doomsday and ceilings inspiring a feeling of running through fields.

Whilst still utilising her haunting melodic vocals throughout and beautiful bridges, the album is incredibly different to five seconds flat.

The Elevator opens with just Lizzy and a piano, using reverb and backing vocals to create the suspenseful and cathartic builds she is so known for. Come Down Soon, Movie Star and I Guess all feature McAlpine dancing on the line between spoken word and singing in her storytelling.

From here the album flows in an almost storylike way, showing different stages of a relationship in all of its devastating glory whilst also questioning growing up and adulthood.

Broken Glass is stand-out track with swelling drums and beautiful use of strings to create an emotional bridge, a darker older sister to Doomsday tackling the topic of abuse through the rise and fall of instruments and volume.

With the titular track, Older, encompassing the overall topic of the album of the fear of growing older is explored and McAlpine begins to reflect more. She had said that this is the first ‘non-breakup’ song on the album with the three songs following it discussing very different topics with Better Than This asking “What if I'm not a good person? You always say that I am.”

The album finishes with the six-minute piano ballad (McAlpine’s speciality) Vortex which assimilates the questioning, fear and desperation through the gradual build from just the piano

SUMMER SESSIONS 2024 ROUND-UP

By Becs Gruber

With the summer season fast approaching, people are looking for ways to fill their time. With amazing weather forecasted, naturally, people want to get out of the house and soak up the sun, and what better way to do that than with live music? Brig brings you all the music happening in Stirling and beyond at the Summer Sessions this year.

Stirling Summer Sessions

give a phenomenal performance.

Edinburgh and Glasgow Summer Sessions

(similar to the opening track) with a hard-hitting bridge utilising the depth of McAlpine’s vocals as she builds the tension with just her voice: “And you're screaming at me, and I'm watching it fall. And I'm slamming the door and you make yourself tall. But it's always an act and it never lasts long.” The final two minutes bring in the strings that McAlpine has perfectly utilised throughout and her angelic harmonies to bring the final moments of the album together.

The beauty of the album for moving into summer is the use of piano and guitar creates a coming-ofage sound to be in the background of summer evenings or enjoyed on evening drives with the use of strings feeling like a comingof-age film. The double and even triple-layered vocal harmonies that she creates truly make such a beautiful sound that the album can simply flow over you on repeat as you stop your friend from texting her ex in your back garden, a few glasses of sangria in.

Hosted at Stirling City Park, Summer Sessions is bringing Stirling a wealth of live music with four headline acts and a number of support acts playing over five days. Kicking things off on June 27 is James Arthur with support from Loreen, Fatherson, and Cammy Burns. Following this on June 28 is Busted, playing with the support of The Darkness, Dadi Freyr, Soap, and Muddy Elephant. Next is Tom Jones taking the stage on June 30, performing some of his most well-known songs including It’s Not Unusual, Sexbomb, and She's a Lady. His support act is still to be announced. Finally, Shania Twain will take over Stirling on July 2, with support from Rag n Bone Man. Stirling is sure to see an influx of excitement surrounding these artists who are bound to

At the Royal Highland Showground, two acts are preparing to headline this summer. Opening on August 17 is Ocean Colour Scheme. They will be supported by The View, Embrace, Alabama 3, Reverend and the Makers, and Republica. A jampacked list but one that's sure to be hours of entertainment as this event starts at 2pm, making it an all-day event. The other headline act is Catfish and the Bottlemen. Coming fresh off their break and the high of Reading and Leeds, Catfish has already been a high-demand event and is sure to be a phenomenal gig. At Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, Green Day is taking the stage on June 25 joined by Nothing But Thieves and Maid of Ice. If you're in the area, these artists are a must-see!

On top of those, there are Summer Sessions taking place in Bedford with Avril Lavigne and Jess Glynn, Chepstow with Hozier, Shania Twain, and Tom Jones, and multiple other locations all over the UK. It's an amazing experience that is worth a visit. All acts, dates, times, and locations can be found on the Summer Sessions website.

I’M BOYCOTTING LATE NIGHT WITH THE DEVIL. YOU SHOULD TOO

By Ben Macswan

The emergence of AI in the film industry has become a widely discussed topic in film circles over the last few months and it’s become both more interesting and increasingly worrying.

Throwback horror, Late Night with The Devil, has become the target of massive online criticism. The film came under controversy for the use of AI in transitional stills for the film’s in-world TV show. The directors even confessed to its use in interviews, saying: “We experimented with AI for three still images which we edited further and ultimately [appeared] as very brief interstitials in the film.”

The film has garnered much critical acclaim and has been highlighted as one of the best horror films of the year so far. Yet many have decided to forgo viewing it either altogether or are waiting until it is eventually picked up by a streaming service so as not to individually pay to watch.

If an independent film such as Late Night with The Devil finds it acceptable to experiment with and use AI, the impact on the industry could be catastrophic. Already, OpenAI has stated it wants to break into the filmmaking world, scheduling meetings with Hollywood studios and executives to encourage filmmakers to use the new AI video generator, Sora. If people are happy to pay to watch an independent film with AI usage, then why wouldn’t Hollywood try to cut corners and attempt to integrate it too?

"If people are happy to pay to watch an independent film with AI usage, then why wouldn’t Hollywood try to cut corners and attempt to integrate it too?"

IS RACHEL SENNOTT’S NEW HBO PROJECT THE NEXT SEX AND THE CITY?

By Rebecca Crockett FILM AND TV EDITOR

her penchat for absurdist violence in Bottoms , Sennott’s comedy tends to highlight her characters' flaws, giving them the freedom to be terrible people.

When it was announced in March that she had been commissioned by HBO to write a new comedy pilot, fans were quick to make comparisons. The show reportedly follows a group of co-dependent friends navigating their lives and relationships. It’s a premise that has found success before, and fans hope that Sennott may follow in some pretty big footsteps.

Sex and the City ends its pilot episode with Samantha, the central group’s sexual sage, delivering what becomes the show's ethos.

She says: “If you’re a successful single woman in this city you have two choices. You can bang your head against the wall and try to find a relationship, or you can say

screw it and just go out and have sex like a man.”

With that, a new kind of TV show was born. It followed a group of New York women in their 30s trying to match the success in their jobs with success in their personal lives. It was the first of its kind that believed a woman's career aspirations to be just as important, if not more, as her relationship status.

Since Sex and the City others have followed in its path. Girls , a show about a writer trying to find her place in the world alongside her friends in New York, premiered in 2012. Creator Lena Dunham very quickly sought to be Sex and the City’s spiritual successor.

In one scene the naïve Shoshanna attempts to relate to the effortlessly cool Jessa, by saying: “You’re like a Carrie with some Samantha aspects and Charlotte's hair.”

At the heart of both shows sits the question, can women have as much fun as men? As much sex? As much freedom? But as time has gone on these questions have become even more complicated.

Girls premiered 13 years after the Sex and the City pilot , and with

the 13th anniversary of Girls looming next year, Sennott could be in prime position to take on the legacy. However, do we really want to see a rehash of the past?

None have these shows have been able to avoid criticism since their finales. Plenty of people have already pointed out the blatant whitewashing of New York’s famously diverse streets, or the repeated homophobia.

But most of all, these shows encapsulated a particular moment in time and, therefore a particular brand of feminism. The female characters of the late 90s and early 2010s were positioning themselves in relation to men, rather than outside of the male gaze.

Discussions around gender expression and non-binary identities were hard to come by when Girls first aired, never mind Sex and the City.

We barely know what Sennott’s untitled HBO series will be but there’s no point limiting her potential to shows that have come before. If Sennott is going to make any impact, she has to find her voice outside of the patriarchy.

Visual effects artists and designers who already face terrible working conditions will have to fight for the few jobs remaining once AI has become a very real threat to their use. If AI can generate high-quality footage and art at a cheap price, then Hollywood producers will favour it over human artists.

Just recently, an AI-generated video won an online Pink Floyd Dark Side of The Moon animation contest. Judges included Nick Mason, director Terry Gilliam, and former BBC creative director Alan Yentob and the prize was £10,000. The winner, Any Colour You Like, immediately came under fire for being generated using AI, with fans deeming it “soulless” and exclaiming “are you f*cking serious!?”. Clearly, people aren’t very excited about AI.

While it may eventually be used as a lousy corner-cutting tool, AI work, as it currently stands, cannot replicate that of real human artists. Fans were able to discern Late Night with The Devil’ s AI use very quickly and it didn’t take long for discussion to start up. AI art often lacks details – missing fingers, too many fingers, and in one recent AI photo, a horse with no legs.

We need to warn Hollywood studios that we won’t accept AI before it continues to escalate and before we can’t tell the difference. Just a year or two ago, nobody would’ve believed how far AI can go.

That’s why I’m boycotting Late Night with The Devil and the reason you should too.

Rachel Sennott has become a microcosm of Gen Z culture. From the quiet quarter-life crisis she portrays in Shiva Baby , to

(L-R) Ayo Edebri, Rachel Sennott, Zamani Wilder in Bottoms. Image credit: Warner Bros.

HEY, STUDIOS! LEAVE THOSE KIDS STORIES ALONE

By Alex Paterson

As our classic children's novels grow older and older, the fondness and sense of prestige we feel for them only strengthens. The remakes are never as good as the originals and the new tales are never as sincere as the old ones. Now, those points are a matter of opinion, but there is another modern interpretation of children’s stories that is harder to defend.

The reinvention of children’s classics into horror movies has been splitting hairs ever since the first characters were approaching the release into the public domain. The beloved Winnie the Pooh was one of the first to jump off the cliff, leaving the protection of A.A. Milne and falling into the hands of any Tom, Dick, or Harry that can be bothered to whittle up an idea. The result of Pooh’s release into the public domain was Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, which my Brig review gave a very generous two stars.

The thing is a children’s tale-inspired horror could make for a good movie. The Boogeyman- albeit less of a story and more of a myth- was a genuinely scary horror film that made many in my theatre unable to keep their popcorn in their buckets, constantly startled by the jumps. The fault with Blood and Honey

is that both the Pooh depiction and the horror itself were half-arsed. It couldn’t decide whether it wanted to be a genuine horror or a spoof, so the film fell flat. The Boogeyman was able to use the familiarity of a childhood fictional figure and make something terrifying out of it- and the film had children in it, making innocence and fear an electrifying mix.

Blood and Honey was adults in the woods being chased by humanoid animals, who’d reverted to their animalistic ways. It did not play into the fears of children, or the love children feel for the characters.

In its defense, the gore was fantastic and seeing Pooh graphically slaughter people was a little freaky. However, any film can be gory and just using the image of Pooh to create fear rather than what Pooh stands for is a cop out.

There is a sequel coming to Blood and Honey, and a trailer has also been dropped for the latest character to enter the free-for-all of the public domain: Bambi. My hopes aren’t high for either of them, but I’ll be sure to watch and see if my campaign against the horrification of children’s tales is still grounded in validity (it probably will be).

MONKEY MAN REVIEW: REVENGE HAS NEVER LOOKED SO SEXY

By Connor Peebles

Dev Patel and Jordan Peele’s Monkey Man is a refreshing take on the action revenge genre. They have spiced it up with social commentary and a heap of sexiness that will blow your head off.

Inspired by both Hindu mythology and several revenge films, Monkey Man is about Kid (Dev Patel), a man traumatised by his past, as he decides to exact his bloody revenge on those who ruined his life.

When discussing the film with the BBC, Dev Patel described the film as, “an anthem for the underdogs…”.

He said: “My initial pitch to the financiers was that I want to create a revenge film about faith and how powerful faith is, how it can be manipulated, weaponised, how it can be a beautiful teacher.”

The film is built on comparisons. Rich vs poor, good vs evil, and most importantly, faith vs corruption. All of these aspects elevate the film above others in the same genre. Discussing this point, Dev Patel had this to say: “What I wanted to do was to give it some real grounding, some real context.”

As Dev Patel’s directorial debut, he knocks it out of the park. Mixing

in traditional filmmaking and guerilla techniques, using both professional cameras and phone cameras depending on the scene. These techniques help to add to the film's hands-on feel. During the action we never leave Kid’s perspective for too long and in one very notable scene we see the action from his own eyes.

Sticking to the realistic setting of the film, the action is notably brutal. Most fights don’t drag on and no one gets out injured. Taking influences from films such as The Raid and Oldboy, some fights are entirely done uncut, sticking to Kid and his violent rampages.

Speaking of violence, this has to be one of the bloodiest films to come out in the last few years. Noses fly off, necks are torn open, and bodies are eviscerated.

However, none of it is done senselessly. Every fight and every death serve to further the themes of the film, rather than just for shock value.

Acting-wise, everybody is great. Obviously, Dev Patel puts out a powerhouse performance as Kid. He’s able to find a balance between rage and serenity which is incredibly impressive. Another

great performance comes from Sharito Copley as Tiger.

Another aspect that elevates Monkey Man is its deconstruction of India's wealth disparity. The film flips between the neon-soaked city, the dingey slum, and finally the rainy beauty of the forest. Each location represents different social classes, those at the top harm everyone else, and those at the bottom must retreat further into the forest.

Monkey Man is an unforgettable thrill ride that pulls you in with its well-choreographed action and keeps you hooked with its political subtext and informed take on the dangers of religion.

I cannot recommend this film enough. It’s not one for those with a weak stomach but if you have a love for revenge films or well-made action, this will be right up your alley.

Monkey Man is out in cinemas everywhere now.

Winne the Pooh: Blood and Honey.

Image credit: Fathom Events/ Altitude Film Distribution

Evil Bambi. Image credit: Disney/Canva

How closely did you pay attention to this paper? All the answers relate to articles within it!

WORD WHEEL

Make as many words as possible with the wheel - the centre letter must be included and at least one word can be made using every letter.

To solve the puzzle you must find a chain of words to link the two by changing one letter each time.

WORDS PARTS

SUMMER WORDSEARCH SUDOKU CROSSWORD WORD LADDER

8. Lizzie McAlpine is getting... 11. Disney character turned horror movie WORD BANK 1. cocktails 2. Ryanair 3. picnic

ACROSS

3. What is Stirling's newest cafe selling?

5. Popular New York Times game

7. Many are happening this year (US, UK, London etc)

9. ... of Mine (BofA foodie heaven)

10. Three-times BUCS winners

12. Cheap clothing company

DOWN

1. Minimalist wardrobe

2. What happens after fourth year

4. Welsh singer coming to Stirling this summer

6. Where the Stirling swimmers are heading to

BRIG 2023/24 EDITORIAL TEAM

Niamh Brook

Jodie

Charlotte Sutcliffe

Freya

Alex

Emanuela Scalia

Jonathan

Amie

Chloe

THE UPS-AND-DOWNS OF READING AS A HOBBY

By Chloe Liddell

Reading is a fun and engaging hobby that gives so much power to the reader. There is a book out there for everyone. With hundreds of genres, styles, and tropes. It has the power to make you laugh, make you cry, or make you throw your book against the wall (we have all been there).

It was years before I rediscovered my passion for reading. I read maybe a couple of books a year, each one taking me longer than the last. Burying me in a deeper and deeper reading slump until I couldn’t bear to even open a book - despite the piles that sat collecting dust on my bookshelf. But in my third year of university, something changed. I picked up a book and finished it

As a child and pre-teen, I was an avid reader. I would read and reread every Jaqueline Wilson and Roald Dahl book I owned. Angstfilled teenage romances filled my bookshelves. However, once high school drama and exams consumed my thoughts, I had no time for books.

that same day. I don’t remember what the book was or why I was so engrossed in it. However, it happened again the next day. And the next day. Then I would read multiple a day. Blowing through a full series in less than a week.

The experience of finishing a book filled me with an addicting sense of accomplishment and an eagerness to dive immediately into the next. Without sparing a second for reflection or thought. I wanted to remain within those fantastical worlds of fantasy and mystery. To

THE HARMFUL MISCONCEPTIONS SURROUNDING ADHD

By Emma Christie

On the BBC Radio 5 Live Headliners podcast, he blamed the amount of ADHD diagnoses on children and young people eating Ultra Processed Foods (UPF).

Wicks said: “Looking back now, there’s no doubt the food I was eating was directly linked to my behaviour. I was never diagnosed with ADHD but I think nowadays it’s this common thing that every child seems to be being diagnosed.”

Co-founder of ADHD UK, Dr Max Davie, said on an Instagram post: “There is absolutely no evidence that any particular diet, including ultra-processed food, has any causative role in the development of ADHD symptoms and to suggest otherwise is a gross distortion of the facts.”

ADHD UK weren’t the only ones disappointed in Wicks, and rightly so. There are so many misconceptions about ADHD – people

stay in that exhilarating feeling of achievement.

Now I realise my previous reading habits were a symptom of my desire to avoid all of the problems going on in my life. I would rather read about the adventurous lives of fictional characters than face the consequences of living my own life. My innocent reading hobby had become a way to distract my anxious brain rather than a way to wind down or relax.

I love reading. I always have and I likely always will. However, I

needed to strike a balance between months-long reading slumps and spending all of my time reading to escape my worries. A balance that allowed me to enjoy my books without sacrificing everything else in my life. I believe I have reached this balance.

Now I can notice a want for a good escapism fix versus a desire to forget. I allow myself to enjoy my books rather than immediately jumping to the next one, I savour the characters and the twists and turns.

believing that it is just a title for badly behaved children, something only boys can get, something that can be “fixed” with diet. Wicks’ words have only added fuel to the misconceptions, further damaging the community that is trying to spread awareness of what ADHD actually is.

Whilst Wicks has done a lot of good in his career, and this comment probably wasn’t meant as malicious, it has caused damaged and could spur on hateful

stereotypes about the condition.

ADHD isn’t just children hypedup on sugar, and it isn’t only hyper behaviour. Like many conditions (such as OCD and autism), different people will show different symptoms. ADHD can have the opposite effect in some people, usually women, where they will daydream and seem in a daze rather than appear hyper-active, leading to a lower diagnosis rate. This is why stereotyping can be harmful. It can lead to those who

Image credit: Pexels

show some symptoms of ADHD, but not all, not being diagnosed, having to live with feeling ‘different’ than others around them and not knowing why, all because a stereotype decided that they ‘didn’t seem ADHD’.

At the time of writing, no apology has been issued by Wicks. Hopefully he will realise his mistake and take back his harmful assumption before it causes any further upset.

British fitness coach, Joe Wicks, has caused a stir in the ADHD community for comments made on a BBC podcast.

Joe Wicks. Image credit: The Telegraph

BRAW

AGONY AUNCLE: I’M TERRIFIED TO GRADUATE

By Freya Deyell

Question: I am terrified to graduate as it feels like I'm leaving my life behind to enter an unstable job market. I'm scared I will have to live far away from my partner if I can't get a job in the same place. I'm scared that I will have to move home. I'm scared I will lose all of my friends. I'm scared I won't get

a job and I will have to do something I hate for the rest of my life.

Answer: Long time no write friends! (Fourth year has been rough, okay?) Honestly, when I opened up the old Google Form to decide what I was going to write for my last ever Braw column, these could have been my own words staring back at me. I am scared

sh*tless to graduate too, so you are far from alone in feeling like this. I won’t lie to you; the job market is hellish right now. I’ve been refreshing LinkedIn constantly since I handed in my final project to no avail. I was rejected after reaching the interview stage for one position recently and it knocked my confidence. I was filled with the usual self-hatred and left questioning “what the hell have I actually achieved at uni?”

If all you did at uni was scrape by and survive, that’s enough. Getting through these weird four years is an achievement in itself, especially with the dark days of covid and Teams classes tainting the ‘best time of our lives’. The added tensions graduation puts on our relationships (both platonic and romantic) is something I’ve been feeling too. Some of my friends already have jobs and flats lined up – the rest of us are

stuck in limbo and that’s scary. I have absolutely no idea what our lives will look like in six months, never mind a year. You just have to trust that both parties will make the effort to stay in touch.

My partner and I have also had countless discussions about where we want to live and what we want to do, and sometimes I feel like we’re going in circles. As terrifying as it is, the best option is to just go with the flow for now. Endless talking with no aim in sight will lead to resentment.

And remember you aren’t chained to one job forever. No one should be holding you hostage there and you will always have the right to leave. There is no shame in working somewhere temporarily while you wait to break into your dream industry – money is money and (unfortunately) we all need it to survive. Neither should there be a stigma about moving back in with your parents.

You are not alone - while I can’t promise you everything will be okay, I can promise you that.

Enjoy the last of your student days while you can – I’m clinging on to them for all I’m worth.

-Agony Auncle

Disclaimer: I am not a professional, just a student giving out advice for fun. I don’t claim any responsibility for the outcomes of the situations submitted to me.

FASHION CORPORATIONS ARE THE ENEMIES OF INDIVIDUALITY AND AUTHENTIC SELF-EXPRESSION

By Jess Urqhuart

Growing up, I was taught to express myself through fashion and be bold in my opinions. And so, I mimicked 1980s goths, screamed at sexist and racist teachers, and blasted Bikini Kill, and my obsession with political writing began as I amplified my leftist beliefs to the world. I presented as a punk, and I believed what punks should believe, in equality and justice by any means. But capitalism is killing the punk. And the goth. And the casual.

Shein Isn’t a Punk Rocker

In 2020, when punk was the thing to be, it became diluted. YouTube and TikTok were flooded with “2020 Shein Alt Hauls”, videos of people buying “edgy” clothing in bulk to conform to a non-conformist movement. This is contradictory. Shein violates the morals of any true punk, such as workers’ rights and equality for all. Bulk buying fake punk clothes to be “trendy” is the ultimate form of fashion hijacking. Shein has been accused of workers’ rights abuses on multiple occasions, with workers labouring on for 75-hour shifts, and next to

no time off, for an unliveable wage. This makes its garments incredibly cheap, and hardly worn, with American consumers wearing a garment less than ten times before throwing it away, and Chinese consumers after only three. Consumerism has hijacked punk, stripped it of its morals, and is selling it with worldwide shipping for less than the price of a coffee.

(What’s The Stoney) Morning Glory?

Mike Ashley’s Flannels can be accused of a similar crime against fashion. The casual fashion scene surrounded the value of individuality and expressed that through its members all actively searching for unique pieces. My younger brother shares my dad’s love for casual fashion, which is impossible to replicate nowadays. Near every independent that sells a Stone Island has been bought out by Flannels, including our beloved Xile on George Street, where I got my first pair of ROMs at 14.

Flannel’s ability to - like a Shein consumer - buy in bulk allows them to discount their prices which

makes it impossible for small independents to keep up. Independents are being undercut and bought out by Flannels, with some independent owners claiming Ashely wants to be the sole provider of Stone Island. Flannels taking over the casual fashion scene with no competitors restricts the stock available to customers, whilst an independent can buy unique and limited stock from manufacturers, making every independent unique. Thanks to Flannels, the casual value of individual style has been booted by consumerism.

Don’t Try Sambaside (Nobody Cares)

The solution to this is relatively simple. Care about your fashion. If you see a company changing its style and the kind of clothes it popularises every six months or so, then that brand does not care about authenticity, it cares about your wallet. Learn what you are going to still like when the hype is over, otherwise people like Mike Ashley are going to be robbing you and dirtying authentic fashion for the rest of your life.

Image credit: Pexels

Image credit: Pexels

Image credit: Pexels

POLE FITNESS CLUB TAKES THE STAGE

By Alex Paterson

Sexy, inspiring and surprisingly comedic, Stirling Uni Pole Fitness held their second ever Showcase on April 9 at the Macrobert, fundraising for Scottish Women’s Aid, a domestic abuse charity. There were nine dances overall, with a few talks and stand-up bits peppered in-between, and the audience adored every minute of it.

Starting the night on a high was Hagi’s routine, where the headto-toe teal body paint was merely the first surprise they had in store for us. What followed was a Phineas and Ferb themed routine, with Hagi starring as Perry the Platypus and Martin, a host of the show and fellow performer, playing the nemesis, Dr Doofenshmirtz. What followed was a comedic yet undeniably fantastic routine, portraying a sub-dom relationship

with the platypus as the dom. All was excellent: the narrative, the pole skills, and dance skills.

From here, the night just kept getting better.

Teigan, the president of Pole, and Britney then teamed up for a High School Musical inspired routine.

Dancing to Breaking Free , the audience sang along and clapped at all the twists and tricks, fully on-board with the queer interpretation of the Disney classic told through pole.

The Fairy Godmother took to the stage next, and the crowd somehow got even wilder. I Need a Hero was not only a brilliant song choice, but the dance itself, performed by Laura, was technically brilliant, captivating, and an all-round pleasure to watch.

President Teigan then returned for their second of four dances, this time performing a power-house

routine to Tia Tamera by Doja

Cat. Sexy and enchanting, Teigan’s performance was wonderfully executed and worthy of the roaring applause it received.

My Body is a Cage introduced a more serious tone to the evening. Already, the hosts had highlighted the complex and important history of pole, but this dance highlighted the emotional and personal aspect of the sport. It was beautiful to watch, and Ruby did the story justice with her skills.

Heating things up again, co-host Duncan came on stage to strut his stuff to Hit Me Baby One More

Time - The Jack Black cover. His confidence and enjoyment shone through during the performance, and he was undoubtedly a highlight of the night. The sheer enjoyment he has for pole and the enjoyment felt by the audience watching made for a great dance.

Sparkling just as much as Duncan was Ghostface - also known as Laura - wearing a fantastically and intensely bedazzled mask. Teigan, back for her third dance, was the murder victim. The competition-winning dance was a treat for the audience to behold. The narrative was enthralling, the dance beautifully complex and the special effects phenomenal.

All American Bitch , performed by Tesla, was another dance that proved how talented the gang at Pole are. Confident, charismatic, and captivating, Tesla’s dance was the cherry on top of the evening’s performances.

To round things off, the ensemble did a dance to karaoke classic Tequila . It was a lovely send-off to the night, showing some of the skill of the club and all of the heart.

Pole Fitness embraces all genders, abilities, and experience levels. Everyone who spoke during the show said how Pole had welcomed them and made them feel at home,

and that was the sensation felt by the audience too. The performers were confident in their bodies and on stage. After the night I had, the next showcase will be put in my diary the moment it is announced.

ART AS ACTIVISM: CREATE CHANGE SHOW NIGHT

By Demilee Shand

On April 10, Venue was abuzz with excitement as audience members awaited the start of the Create Change Show Night, the final installment of several recent art events spearheaded by a diverse array of university societies including Global Justice Stirling and Student Action for Refugees (STAR).

All performances highlighted social and environmental change and the showcase aimed to raise both

funds and awareness for two vital causes: enhancing scholarships for refugees and asylum seekers and promoting a petition to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. There were many fabulous music, dance, and spoken-word acts throughout the evening. Dan played some very impressive folk songs on his 12-string guitar which was mesmerizing to watch and Emile, Isabelle, Corin, and Beth all gave beautiful vocal performances.

Jani also demonstrated the impact that spoken poetry can have.

Agnese and Jubilea commanded the audience’s attention with their interpretive dance routine featuring plastic bag costumes to highlight climate issues and a group called The Greeks performed a powerful dance piece about the tragic self-sacrifice of Greek women during the invasion of Ottoman troops in 1803.

The night was also sprinkled with informative videos about climate

change, as well as thought-provoking presentations, and Jamie used his speech to make the audience question: “What does global justice mean to displaced people?”

Rhianna Knisely from Global Justice spoke to Brig about multiple societies banding together to

come up with the Create Change event initiative and said: “Everyone kept pitching in ideas and it blew up into a whole event.”

Knisely also emphasised their determination to highlight the interlinked nature of refugee issues and climate issues.

“As the climate gets warmer, weather patterns become unpredictable, and areas become less liveable, the number of refugees around the world who don’t have anywhere to go will increase and lots of countries don’t have plans for how to move them in an effective way,” Knisely said. “They are just displaced out in the wind and our event hopes to bring awareness to this.”

Laila Hisham Anter Faried from the STAR society explained to Brig the need to raise money for refugee scholarships: “Currently refugees and asylum seekers only get a maintenance loan of up to £3,000, which is around £250 a month, and this is not enough.”

Everyone involved did an amazing job mixing art with activism and using their skills as a form of protest. Donations to Create Change can be made through JustGiving.

Image Credit: Nathan RuoYu Hua

Image Credit: Nathan RuoYu Hua

Image Credit: Tighe Wylie-Freegard (Instagram @wylie.kyoti)

Image Credit: Tighe Wylie-Freegard (Instagram @wylie.kyoti)

WHAT’S ON?: SHOWS TO CATCH THIS SPRING AND SUMMER

By Ben Macswan

With summer just around the corner, there are plenty of returning and exciting new shows making their way across the UK.

On our very doorstep at the University of Stirling is the Macrobert Arts Centre. Their new ticketing scheme means students can purchase tickets for select shows for just £2.50.

Jack Docherty will hit the Macrobert stage on May 21 at 8pm for David Bowie & Me - Parallel Lives . The critically acclaimed show by the BAFTA award-winning star of Scot Squad and Absolutely takes audiences on a journey through topics of first love, hedonism, mortality, and why you shouldn’t always meet your heroes. For classic rock fans, this is a mustsee event.

The world-famous A Play A Pie and A Pint returns with Bridezilla and the Orchard of Sin on April 30 – May 3 with Dungeons, Dragons, and the Quest for D*** on May 28 –May 31. Attendees will receive a pie and a drink included in their ticket price.

Image Credit: Macrobert Arts Centre

Throughout Scotland, theatergoers can expect plenty of big tours and shows this summer.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang will return to the Edinburgh Playhouse from May 28 – June 1 and King’s Theatre, Glasgow from August 27 – September 8 in an all-new production. The show, starring Adam Garcia, Elaine C. Smith, and Liam Fox, promises to be a fun-filled hit for all the family with unforgettable songs by the Sherman Brothers, including Hushabye Mountain , Truly Scrumptious , and Toot Sweets

Grease also kickstarts its UK tour hot off the West End with an electrifying new production, roaring into Kings Theatre Glasgow on June 17 – June 22, before hitting the Playhouse stage the following

A CHANGING BODY

By Paula León

I miss my old body, I wasn’t healthy, I wasn’t happy. But at least I was a size 4, right?

It all started when I was in primary, just before hitting puberty I gained some weight, as a very skinny child growing up this became very noticeable, not only to myself, but also to others.

I still have nightmares about when that one in my class poked fun at me, for my weight. I must have been ten at the time when a boy I went to school with made a very mean comment in front of all my classmates.

His words, forever stuck in my head, would echo as I pulled on my skin and pointed out all the things wrong with my body.

At 17, I would skip breakfast, give away my school lunch and struggle as I sat down for dinner while my parents asked why I wasn’t eating.

I wanted to punish myself, I felt unworthy of food and out of control, so out of control, the only control I could have was over my food intake.

week. The production has been called “grittier and more glamorous than ever before” and will be brought to life by a fresh young cast.

Image Credit: London Theatre Direct

2 – August 26 with a selection of shows, plays, and experiences for all ages.

On London’s West End, Mean Girls premieres on June 6 at the Savoy Theatre. The production stars Georgina Castle as Regina George.

Image Credit: Sonia Friedman Productions

Hadestown , which premiered earlier this year, has extended its

run until December 2024. Starring Donal Finn and Grace Hodgett Young, this exceptional folksy musical intertwining two mythic love stories of Orpheus and Eurydice and that of King Hades and Persephone will have audiences captivated.

Next to Normal transfers to the West End for a limited season from June 18 – September 21. Described as an intimate exploration of family and loss, Michael Longhurst directs this powerful rock musical.

For an alternative theatrical experience, the Agatha Christie play Witness for the Prosecution is running until March 2025. The play is held within an actual courtroom setting in London County Hall. The story was written in 1925 and continues to immerse British audiences nearly 100 years later.

West End mainstays to catch include the enchanting Wicked (Apollo Victoria) currently booking until June 1 2025, Disney’s The Lion King (Lyceum Theatre) is showing until October 19 2024 and Roald Dahl’s Matilda is available until May 2025.

Image Credit: Apollo Victoria Theatre

GROWING UP

By Julia Benko

Once I got uni things just got worse. And, of course, whenever I went back home, I would get sat down by everyone that cared about me asking if I was okay and giving me a pep talk about how I needed to love myself and all that “your body is a temple” bullshit. I insisted I was fine, and for a bit, even convinced myself that it wasn’t that bad, that not eating was okay.

Nowadays I can’t even look at the pictures of myself at that time.

But, somehow, I still get upset when I don’t fit into my old jeans or when a top looks different from what it used to. Somehow my brain still goes back to that moment when a ten-year-old boy poked fun at me.

And I shed tears over my old body, the body that wasn’t healthy, the body that had people who love me worried sick.

But that’s when I remember, I may not love my new breasts, I may have cellulite or stretch marks. But all of this means I am a healthy, happy version of myself. And it is all worth it just because of that.

Macrobert Arts Centre. Image Credit: Jodie Hagan The Edinburgh Fringe Festival returns August

Player Profiles: Millie Lavelle

By Ali Rees GAMING EDITOR

Welcome back to Player Profiles. This time Brig chatted to Millie Lavelle, the creator of H.E.I.S.T RPG, about their experiences in the world of tabletop games.

When asked for a one-line description, Millie responded with typical wit: “Secret hippy disguised as an angry goth who pretends to be an adult.”

When pressed, they balk. “When folks ask me this question, I always have some sort of existential moment of dread, actually who am I? I'm still working this out, to be honest. Right now, I'm a soon-to-be 43-year-old with a muddled background of retail, broadcasting, art and reading stories.”

Millie spent several years running a board game café and is now the community manager for the UK Games Expo (UKGE).

When we talked about Millie’s childhood, board games factored heavily for a few reasons. The childhood joy of spending a summer playing Cluedo and the fallout of discovering a group cheat, and the gimmicks that were able to delight the fickle taste of 12-yearolds, including a board game called Nightmare with a VHS component, the earliest of the app-supported games.

Millie also highlighted the way

games were a uniting force and a leveling of the playing field. There was no need to know what was happening in the soaps or to keep up with boyband drama – with a board game, “everyone at the table had something in common to start talking about. Board games, analogue gaming, tabletop gaming whatever you choose to call it, it still has that appeal for me”.

Note: the next two paragraphs mention domestic abuse.

Board games were a way Millie kept their head above water during a difficult and violent childhood.

Sleepovers were prohibited and it was hard to talk about TV shows when the TV was a frequent target of a physically aggressive stepdad. “Stuff with ‘value’ would be the main target for my stepdad, a way to punish and control us, either by being destroyed or sold. Board games, however, were just plastic and card, cheap things, they had no value to him. Board gaming was a complete escape from home and a safe activity, and stuff I got to keep.”

After the domestic violence Millie experienced escalated and ended in tragedy, they moved “up North” to be with their remaining family. They tried getting involved with the RPGs happening in college but found the community to be very “90s teenage boy” "-centric. They did eventually find a new RPG group to play with that made things fun again.

We talked about how the thread of gaming has stayed with Millie over the years and how as someone who came out as non-binary in their thirties after having children, gaming was a part of their journey.

“I certainly think TTRPGs certainly help you form, or discover, who you are. There's a bit of sneaky joy in testing new pronouns via the character you're playing or being a different type of person, and that gives confidence.”

They said that it was “too big” to say the gaming community at large supported them, but “they didn't limit who I could be, and the folks I game with are always excited to play games with me, even when I'm at my most Eeyore. Also just playing for fun is important, even as an adult, when all the things you're supposed to be doing have to be ‘adult-y’ is almost punk as... it's just punk to play for the joy of it”.

Millie started volunteering for the UK Games Expo ten years ago as

"There's a bit of sneaky joy in testing new pronouns via the character you're playing."

part of the 200-strong team needed to make the UK’s biggest board game convention happen annually. “Going as a volunteer meant I would have something to do if no one wanted to play games with me. I know, it sounds a little odd to think a then 33-year-old was still worried about people picking them last, or not being cool enough to join in, but I was.”

Despite some cliques among the volunteer team, Millie found them to be mostly lovely, helpful, and welcoming.

“I ended up running the seminars for UKGE, and this year I was employed full-time as Community Manager. I'm one of the six staff who keep the UKGE engine running outside of the show weekend. It's a real shift in culture from my other jobs, it's the first company that I've worked for that I actually feel supported at, that folks I'm working with, and the community around me want me to do well. There's a little part of me that keeps thinking it's a trick, but honestly, I'm living the dream,” they said.

When asked about their experience of the community as someone outside the norm, I might have put my foot in my mouth a little.

“Ooft, right in the feels with the ‘bit older’ part there! There are absolutely parts of the community that aren't as welcoming as others, and it's in a variety of ways too. I remember that most folks assumed that I just worked at Dice & Donuts and that one of the guys I employed

was the real owner.

“[I was] told to ‘just make the coffee’ by a guy when talking to an actual customer about RPGs. I've live-streamed TTRPGs and had comments on how my voice is too high, or annoying, but when I hosted a radio show for years, I never had those comments. It's frustrating, but getting less, and I'm less bothered about it. There certainly is a point where I've started to give less of a hoot about what people think and put more energy into my own joy.”

This led the conversation into the industry at large and representation within it. Millie’s take is that part of the joy of RPGs is how you can create whatever character you like. “It's accurate and enough for me, and I think that is all it has to be,” they say wisely.

As for representation and inclusivity more broadly, Millie isn’t sure they have all the answers, but their take is uplifting.

“Is there room for improvement? Yes. Do I want more? Yes. I don't have all the answers, but as I've become one of these ‘older than the average’ gamers (again, ooft) taking up space is part of the process.

“I've found that the folks who don't want representation, or inclusivity are typically bad at what they're doing, and they don't want to let more people in because then everyone will see them for what they are.

“So, you be you, and don't feel bad for being excited about things you love, take up some space and fill it with joy.”

Part of Millie’s approach is to create the content that represents them. They have written several short RPGs as well as supplemental content for others. I asked Millie how they got into it – by accident, they said. Starting a with small one-page competition and building from there, Millie now has several

games for sale.

Millie ended our interview with an uplifting anecdote. They talk about a show they saw at the Edinburgh Fringe called A Shark Ate My Penis by Lazer Webber, and how the performer details the invisible rules that stopped him from realising who he was.

“All of the saddest moments in my life have been when I've let these invisible rules stop me. The invisible rule says I can't tell anyone about what's happening at home, the invisible rules say I can't wear a skirt because skirts are for girls and I'm not sure that I am, and so on and so on. And all my greatest moments of joy have come when I've ignored these invisible rules. The invisible rules say only guys can be the Dungeon Master, but I did it anyway. That it's not safe for you to go to events by myself, but I did it anyway. That I shouldn't start a business doing a weird thing like a board games cafe, but I did it anyway.

“Don't let the invisible rules spoil your joy, and by choosing joy, you are changing the way the world sees you and that is enough.”

Millie Lavelle, Community Manager for UK Games Expo. Image credit: Millie Lavelle

Millie posing next to Lavelle Street at the UK Games Expo. Image credit: Millie Lavelle

Millie's RPG, H.E.I.S.T, is available now. Image credit: Millie Lavelle

ARE SEQUELS KILLING BELOVED FRANCHISES?

By Connor Peebles

The current gaming industry is dominated by long running franchises such as Call of Duty and Halo, but are the constant sequels a good thing? Or are they slowly digging a grave for these once-beloved franchises?

In the 2000s there was a boom in first-person shooters, spearheaded by Call of Duty. Since 2006, there has been a new Call of Duty every single year, but since the mid-2010s fan reception and quality have dipped severely.

From a lackluster story to buggy gameplay, modern Call of Duty has lost much of its core audience.

Adjusting their focus to the successes of free-to-play games such as Fortnite.

All of these issues have led to many abandoning the game. But many still come back every year to try the new COD. This is what has kept the franchise alive.

Sadly, another franchise that has fallen from grace is Halo. A game that pioneered first-person shooters and created one of the most recognizable characters in gaming history, the Master Chief. The golden years of Halo ran from 2001 with the release of Halo: Combat Evolved, to 2010 with the release

of Halo: Reach, when Bungie was making the games.

Since Reach, 343 Industries has overseen making games for the Halo series, starting with 2012's Halo 4 and continuing to this day with 2021's Halo Infinite. The reception of 343's games has not been great from fans. Implementing questionable story changes, gameplay that doesn't fit with the previous games, and almost unplayable launches for many people.

Halo 4 was in a tough position; it followed the series' highest-rated games in Halo 3 and Reach. The cards were stacked against 343

before they even began. However, every game released by 343 has sold incredibly well, a combination of fans hoping for a better game and trust in the brand.

Sequels to both beloved franchises continue to sell, sometimes better than ever when it comes to COD. Fans will always buy into a franchise they enjoy. The games may change and get slightly worse in certain areas, but they continue to bring in new fans and generate bigger sales. Franchises need sequels to stay alive but sometimes they should remain on ice, allowing a path for other ideas.

Every free New York Times game, ranked

By Freya Deyell

If you’re anything like me and my friend group, your mornings are dominated by one particular app: New York Times Games.

The newspaper is famous for its crossword, which first appeared in 1942. The app and website now boast various daily games, including Wordle, which NYT reportedly bought for a seven-figure sum. But not all games are created equal – here’s my ranking, from least to most favourite (note the big crossword is absent as it’s pay-toplay and I’m unemployed).

Nine: Sudoku

This is very predictable for a humanities student, but I’ve just never been a sudoku person. It’s too repetitive. This classic newspaper game isn’t my cup of tea, sorry maths nerds.

Eight: Vertex

I’m not that familiar with Vertex as it is only available on the website, and I mainly use the app. It’s a fun little connect-the-dots game and while it’s very cute (I made a strawberry today!) it’s not quite at the level of most of the other puzzles. It also loses points for not being on the app.

Seven: Tiles

This matching game falls foul of similar issues to Vertex. While it is

on the app, it just isn’t comparable to the word-based puzzles. It is very satisfying when you clear the board in one big combo, but ultimately it just reminds me of a sh*tty game you’d play on your phone when you have no WiFi.

Six: Wordle

Now, this one might come as a shock as I know there are still lots of die-hard Wordle fans out there. But personally, I got bored with it ages ago. I frequently lose interest and sometimes give up mid-puzzle or won’t play for days at a time.

Five: Spelling Bee

I must make it clear that I love Spelling Bee, however, the free-toplay version annoys me. It locks you out as soon as you get to the Solid ranking and you can’t view your stats which frustrates me to no end. If I had the subscription version it would be much higher on this list.

Four: Strands

You may not be familiar with Strands yet as it’s still in beta mode and not on the app. I have to thank our editor Charlotte for

The sickening reality of being a girl gamer

By Emma Christie

Gaming can be a competitive hobby, but one that is done with banter and friendly jabs between teammates. Or that is the reality for male gamers anyway.

Female gamers face sexist remarks, hateful comments, and violent threats regularly when playing online multiplayer games.

Of course, not every guy is hateful towards women, but it is difficult to find a woman who hasn’t had at least one bad experience when playing multiplayer games.

introducing me to this one. You connect letters on a grid around a common theme and I really like the hint function. I hope it appears on the app soon.

Three: Letterboxed

Letterboxed is underrated! As the name suggests, you need to connect all the letters in a box in as few words as possible. Go play it right now if you haven’t already.

Two: Connections

Ah, my love-hate relationship with Connections. Matching groups of four can make or break my day. When it’s good, it’s so good. The satisfaction of getting a perfect run is unmatched, but sometimes the categories send me into a blind rage.

One: The Mini

This classic is just unbeatable for me. Much smaller than a traditional crossword, the 5x5 grid can be completed in minutes (or seconds, if you’re a certain Brig secretary). The simple puzzle is one of my favourite ways to start the day and wake my brain up. Also, there is a leaderboard on the app you can add your friends to for an extra level of competitiveness.

The Mini wins the rankings. Image credit: Pexels

Women are targeted in lobbies by their own teammates often as soon as they speak, the other players clocking the feminine voice and queuing the stream of hate. Sometimes, even the use of pink gun skins on games such as Valorant or feminine-looking gamer tags will provoke sexist abuse.

Brig spoke to competitive Valorant player, Ellie Graham, to gain an insight into what gaming culture looks like for female players.

Ellie has both witnessed and been subject to abuse online, yet she continues to play daily. When asked why, she said: “Because I like playing it, the honest answer is that it’s an addiction.”

She feels as though she must prove her capability to play before interacting with her teammates for fear of sexist comments. “I always wait until I have a lot of kills, or I have the highest kills in the lobby before I speak,” she said, “or else you get comments like ‘boosted’, ‘you’ve bought your account’, ‘you should be in the kitchen’.

“Sometimes even if you are playing well and you speak, [teammates] will just disconnect. Seriously.”

Despite the common abuse that female gamers receive, both annoying abuse such as people leaving matches or more serious verbal threats, women often look past this or find ways around it such as not speaking in-game just to enjoy their hobby – something they shouldn’t have to do just to stay safe.

Master Chief says maybe. Image credit: Bungie

An agent. Image credit: Riot Games

TRAVEL TRICKS FOR STUDENTS THIS SUMMER

By Rio Kerr Lifestyle Editor

Summer break is the perfect time for students to unwind as well as explore the world with no assignments or exams to worry about.

However, tight budgets might seem like international travel may be out of the cards but you will be glad to find out it is not.

There are so many tricks to getting a great deal on a summer trip so here are a few you should consider before booking to make the most of your money.

Travel light

Despite what you may believe, you do not, and should not, take a check-in case to every destination you go to.

You can get great deals with many low-cost, budget airlines to destinations all over Europe and adding a check-in or carry-on case can even cost the same or even more than the flight itself.

Ditching the case and taking a correct-sized carry-on (size depending on the airline you are flying with) will save you money as well as time because there will be no need to wait to collect it on the other side.

Carry-on bags alone are usually enough for short trips but can also be used for longer trips depending on how good your packing skills are.

Track flight prices

Keep an eye on flight prices. You can use Google Flights to keep an eye on routes and dates you like so you can buy it when it is at its best price.

While prices can go down, they can also go up. So tracking flights can help you buy them when they are at their best price or before the price starts to skyrocket.

Pick somewhere with reliable public transport

Public transport is the key to cheap travel in Europe.

Taxis can be costly, and in some destinations, it may be your only option so, avoiding destinations that don't have reliable public transport links is a must when you are on a budget.

Reliable and affordable public transport also allows you to explore further out of the town or city you are staying and even another country if you have the time.

Take a trip to a destination dupes

Want to go to a dream location but your budget doesn’t allow it? Many travellers are choosing destination ‘dupes’ to have a similar experience but at a more affordable price.

Destination dupes are lower-budget, and sometimes less crowded locations as they are not as popular to tourists.

For example, if you want to visit the Cinque Terre, Italy but it’s out of your budget, Split, Croatia may be a more affordable option or Palermo, Sicily instead of Lisbon, Portugal as the popularity of the city has risen significantly as well as the prices to visit it.

Utilise your student discount!

Yes, you can get student discounts on many travel websites. This includes train travel, flights and even package holidays.

It may not always be a lot but it is still something! Always check if there are any student offers for the websites you are on because you might just save yourself some money.

And if there aren’t any student discounts for a website, keep an eye out for sales and deals, especially last-minute ones as you will be sure to find something in your budget.

HOW TO CREATE A CAPSULE WARDROBE FIT FOR SPRING/ SUMMER

By Julie Brinking

There is nothing like a seasonal change to add a little excitement to your life.

Finally packing away the heavy winter clothes and embracing the fresh re-birth of a spring/summer wardrobe.

With all the fun trends popping up, it can be daunting to figure out what to buy or, more importantly, what to wear.

And when the weather changes in an instant from hail and harrowing winds to the always-appreciated Scottish sunshine, it seems nec -

essary to dress for all seasons,too. A good wardrobe will have many different elements that can be combined in a number of ways with a handful of unique pieces that go on their own.

The same goes for accessories. A way to achieve this is through a capsule wardrobe.

Capsule means ‘small and compact’. It’s a collection of clothes that is timeless, basic and minimal. It is a good way to lay the foundation of a wardrobe where you can be sure to always find something to wear without getting styling fatigue.

Depending on where you live, of

course, the ultimate capsule wardrobe should consist of garments, shoes and accessories that are fit for all weather. If you are a pro, it should also transcend seasons. But how is this achieved? With so many trends and new styles, it is easy to get lost in what is stylish and timeless and what isn’t. So, let’s get into it.

Establish what you already have and what you need

As mentioned, a capsule wardrobe will consist of clothes that can be used and styled season after season, year after year. This often includes blue or black jeans, white T-shirts, a coat, basic shoes for specific occasions, a bag, knits/sweaters, etc.

First, find out if these are things you already have in your wardrobe. Do you have a dress for formal events? What about one for going out? Casualwear? Do you have a coat for winter that works with most or all of your outfits? At this point, don’t worry about what the clothes look like, just think about for what occasion you’d wear them, see if anything is missing and what you tend to wear the most.

One-in-one-out method

Now comes the daunting part: filling in the gaps. If you realise that there are a few holes in your capsule wardrobe, fret not! When you’ve figured out what is missing it is worth investing in new pieces that are good quality.

This can be an expensive endeavour, so I urge you to shop second-hand and/or save up for the pieces that are on the pricier side. Remember, these are investmentsso it’s okay if it takes a bit of time.

If your wardrobe is already in the larger size, but you want some more basic capsule-inspired garments, a good method to keep things in check is the one-in-one-out method.

When you introduce something new to the wardrobe something else must go.

The rotation is not a merry-goround, that defeats the purpose of a capsule wardrobe, but it can be a good way of slowly building a wardrobe that will last a lifetime.

What to wear for spring/ summer

Although a capsule wardrobe is known to be ‘basic’, a colourful wardrobe can also stand the test of time – especially for spring/ summer.

In this weather, you’ll probably still need the occasional jumper and long trousers.

The stand-out pieces for these seasons are dresses, shoes and tops.

Slip and wrap dresses/skirts are timeless and they almost often go with white or black t-shirts for layering (always in season and very handy).

Keep the shoes light and airy, maybe colourful – chunky shoes will look heavy and out-of-season (unless you’re looking for that contrast).

Graphic tees are always a nice way of adding a pop of colour or fun to an outfit while still being a basic wardrobe piece.

A capsule wardrobe should be made up of all your favourite clothes. Don’t worry about them being French chic or minimalist. As long as you enjoy them, they are trendy and timeless.

What to wear this summer. Image credit: Pexels

Add some colour to your wardrobe. Image credit: Pexels

HOW TO LIVE SLOWLY AS A STIRLING STUDENT

By Julia Benko

In a world as busy and fast-paced as ours, it’s hard to find a minute to take a deep breath and slow down.

There’s always something that needs doing – an assignment, going to work, catching up with friends or going grocery shopping. You name it.

Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to leave their demanding job and pursue their passion or uproot their whole life and move to a remote farm.

In this article, Brig will offer four tips on making steady changes to becoming more mindful and relaxed. Slow living isn’t just an aesthetic, it’s a lifestyle.

Take a walk through nature

Walking through a busy town like Stirling, with loud cars and construction everywhere, isn’tvery soothing.

Being surrounded by beautiful trees, plants and animals is a balm to the senses – listen to the birds, smell the flowers and the fresh earth, and smile at the dogs thatcross your path.

I would suggest going to Kings Park, but rather than taking the usual route by the playground and the picnic square, do the bigger lap around the park. It’s stunningly green and serene.

There’s a lovely view of Stirling and the Castle, and it’s far quieter. If you are going to live slowly, try going on this walk without your headphones; instead, pay attention

to nature’s music and feel it’s positive impacts on your well-being.

A walk, especially in nature, can really do wonders for mental health.

Cook your own meals and eat without distractions

Because we live in such a hasty society, finding the time to cook a meal can be difficult.

Especially a meal that isn’t easy like pasta or noodles – aka, student staple food.

Cooking can feel like just another chore, but if you let it, it can actually be quite a calming and therapeu-

tic activity. It teaches you to live in the moment and concentrate on what you’re doing. It’s also incredibly satisfying to create something from scratch.

Most of us also have the nasty habit of watching movies or series, or scrolling through social media, while we eat, instead of just eating. Put that phone down! To practice slow living, try to eat slowly, too. Pay attention to every bite and truly embrace the meal’s flavours; it’ll make the food all the tastier. Why rush?

Going offline every once in a while

This tip might be an impractical one for students, but because we’re online 24/7, it might also be the most helpful. We stare at our laptop screens when we’re doing research for an assignment and when we take a break, we go on our phones as ‘a little treat.’

Whenever possible, try disconnecting from technology and the endless notification pings. Try taking a day a month when you turn your phone off, don’t go on your laptop, and do something you’re passionate about! You’ll be surprised how much time you suddenly have.

Meditate

Of course, the most obvious piece of advice for slow living: meditating.

Meditating is a way to counteract our accelerated lives and it helps us focus on our emotions and thoughts.

Sometimes these thoughts can be a bit boring, or we can find ourselves thinking too much about certain things if we’re stressed, but meditation takes practice.

Make some time to meditate. Image credit: Rio Kerr

It’s not something thatcan be mastered in one sitting.

It’s awfully refreshing to just sit with your thoughts and experience a somewhat ‘stream of consciousness.’ It slows time down, but I guarantee it will slow you down too.

Girls Who Walk Stirling. Image credit: Girls Who Walk Stirling via Instagram.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT STARTS UP GIRLS WHO WALK STIRLING

By Carly McKim

Girls Who Walk Stirling is the walking group set up by Stirling University student Cara.

Cara started Girls Who Walk Stirling. Image credit: Girls Who Walk Stirling via Instagram.

The 26-year-old second year marketing student said she was inspired by similar groups in Glasgow, Edinburgh and her hometown Dundee, and wanted to start her own.

When asked why she created this walking group, Cara said: “I have always struggled to make new friends, as most of my childhood was spent moving around as my dad was in the RAF.

"I have also struggled a lot with my mental health, self-image and trying to lead a healthier lifestyle.

“I wanted to create a safe social environment for girls and our LGBTQ+ friends. Somewhere where they don’t feel alone, have the opportunity to meet new people, and also enjoy the great outdoors.

“Promoting good mental health is so beneficial, especially in this day and age. I’ve always wanted to create something like this in Stirling, and glad I’ve finally been able to do it!

“It’s open to everyone including students, non-students, our LGBTQ+ friends, Mums, and people of all ages.”

Cara is a mature student. She said being surrounded by people significantly younger than her can be isolating at times. Through the

Girls Who Walk Stirling group she is trying to help herself out as well as others.

She said: “I was super nervous to start a group like this, as I didn’t know if anyone would join.

"I'm glad I took the plunge and got it started!”

The group is completely free to join for anyone in the local area. Information aboutupcoming walks, information on how to join and what to expect is posted on the Instagram page @ girlswhowalk_stirling.

Once the group has grown Cara hopes to involve some local businesses to host events such as book clubs, craft classes and some fitness classes.

The group communicates about walks via a WhatsApp group the student has created.

However, a more significant way of meeting will soon be created by Carat to keep track of all who may want to attend.

The walking group is something that is set out to make an uplifting and positive impact on the local community, helping to make Stirling feel like a safer, more inclusive city.

Follow the Girls Who Walk Stirling Instagram page for upcoming walk details. Image credit: Girls Who Walk Stirling via Instagram.

The university's campus is also a great spot for a nature walk. Image credit: Rio Kerr.

Make a delicious homemade meal. Image credit: Pexels.

Image credit: Pexels

AN INSIGHT INTO DEPRIVATION RATES IN STIRLING

While Scotland continues to struggle with widespread deprivation, Stirling has performed surprisingly well at improving life for its citizens, according to Stirling Provost Elaine Watterson.

Stirling still has major pockets of deprivation. However, compared to neighbouring regions like Falkirk, Stirling has a significantly lower rate.

Speaking about deprivation levels in nearby regions, the provost claimed, “We punch above our weight”.

According to statistics from the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation 2020 (SIMD), Stirling does have pockets of severe deprivation, with Raploch and parts of Cornton appearing in the bottom ten percentile.

This trend of concentrated areas of severe deprivation repeats in nearby Falkirk and Cumbernauld while deprivation is significantly worse in areas like Glasgow and Ayrshire.

The provost credited this success to the people and their diverse range of talent as well as the low cost of living and presence of the University of Stirling.

She also highlighted Stirling’s location as a massive asset to the economy as Stirling is “an hour’s drive for nearly half the population” and allows easy commuting to both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Compared to its neighbours, Stirling performs significantly better outside of the most deprived areas.

The data collected by SIMD places

Stirling areas Causewayhead, King’s Park, Torbrex, the University & Bridge of Allan amongst the least deprived areas in Scotland.

Looking outside of the city provides an even brighter picture with both Dunblane and Callander scoring very highly while rural areas all scored decently well. The Complete University Guide 2023 also ranked Stirling as the safest student city in Scotland.

One of the most surprising statistics surrounding Stirling is its surprisingly low cost of living. Compared to similar sized cities as well as Glasgow and Edinburgh, Stirling has a slightly lower cost of living as well as noticeably lower rents and property prices.

This is unusual as an area with this level of affluence and employability would usually be accompanied by high costs due to desirability.

Yet Stirling does not share this inflated cost, instead having low costs with only the rate of council tax being noticeably higher than average.

When asked about the cheap cost of living, Provost Elaine Watterson struggled to pin down the reasoning behind it.

She highlighted the high level of council tax that, alongside a high compliance rate in paying tax, means the council can spend a lot on infrastructure and other assets that improve the cities desirability without directly increasing cost of living.

The provost believes the affluence

of the constituency and the high levels of employment are why tax compliance is so high.

Lastly the provost claimed that “We are quite law abiding” which would suggest that Stirling does not need to spend as much on tackling anti-social behaviour as most of its neighbouring regions.

This claim is backed up by the SIMD stats which also claim

Stirling has a very low crime rate. Due to the money saved on managing crime and anti-social behaviour, Stirling can reallocate that money towards social programs and employability projects.

The provost claims to want to reinvest in young people from families with a history of long-term unemployment.

Deprivation has been a major problem in Scotland for many years now and is a large contributor to falling life expectancy. Statistics from National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that life expectance in general is dropping however people living in the most deprived areas have a staggering difference in life expectancy.

Men living in ultra-deprived areas are expected to live on average 13.7 years less than men in the least deprived areas. For woman in these areas average lifespan is shorter by 10.5 years.

These statistics are then reflected geographically with the heavily deprived west coast having noticeably shorter lives than affluent areas of the east coast and the Highlands.

The most recent data set from 2019-2021 shows the sharpest decline yet.

The pandemic lockdowns likely contribute to this decline and further amplified the gap between the most and least deprived.

Deprivation levels show no real

signs of improving in Scotland, but Stirling seems uniquely resilient to this problem.

While there are many factors that influence this, it cannot be understated how much of an impact the culture of the city and its people have according to the provost.

Even though Stirling is significantly less deprived, it is still a massive issue that defines the lives of those affected.

The Stirling City Council has struggled to deal with these concentrated areas of depravity and due to the councils £16 million deficit, this is unlikely to change anytime soon.

By Elliot Johnston

If you need financial support, emergency accomodation or help with the cost of living, you can contact your local food bank, homeless shelter or alternatively, you can visit your local council website or www.moneyadvicescotland.org.uk for professional advice on your finances.

Cornton/Raploch in 1997. Image Credits: Mediastorehouse

Stirling food bank. image Credit: The Stirling Observer

WORKING IN THE WILD: RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS IN REMOTE SCOTLAND

Scotland is a country of remote wilderness, mountains, lochs, and areas with few people. Isolated communities are scattered miles from towns, allowing new ways of life to emerge.

Running a remote business out in the countryside where people are few and far between poses an incredible adventure and a challenging livelihood. How do the small business owners of Scotland’s remote villages balance adventure, community, family, and a successful business?

Dalavich Shop and Wild Rowan Cafe sits peacefully on the banks of Loch Awe. Set against

a backdrop of forestry, water, mountains, and treacherous roads, the Cafe is at least an hour from any major town or shop. However, they always succeed in providing a welcome haven for many cyclists, lost tourists, and adventurous holiday-makers throughout the summer. But what challenges does being so remote present and why is it worth it?

Brig had a chat with Martin and Caroline, who have tirelessly run the community shop, cafe, and now pizzeria for the last two yearsalongside raising their young son.

“The location of the shop is central to what was once a forestry

village and is now an absolutely thriving multi-cultural village with residents very involved in keeping the village healthy, happy and maintained and tourists keeping it busy and vibrant,” Caroline told us, setting the scene of the family’s remote business.

She moved on to describe some of the key challenges they face.

“It's pretty hard when you run out of things. Our customers expect us to be stocked as we are the only shopping option for a long way,”

Caroline explained.

“We are situated 28 miles outside our nearest small town [...] this is generally a three or four-hour

round trip before unloading at the shop.”

Caroline mentioned that they have to take their young son with them, as childcare in such a remote location is also severely limited. Once entertainment, food, unloading, pricing, and restocking have been completed, a whole day has passed.

Weather poses a significant issue to the family and the business. Being set on the west coast of Scotland does not guarantee much sunshine at all.

“We've had to close due to flooding making the shop inaccessible, power cuts caused by storm damage and this year we lost 30 per cent of our footfall due to a landslide which left our main through road closed on one side for five months.”

“Staffing is also hard out here. We are beyond lucky to have made some amazing connections within Dalavich and surrounding villages and have a small team of local staff.”

Martin and Caroline have explored unique options to staff their cafe and shop, such as using the popular travel site Worldpackers. In exchange for food and accommodation, couples from all around the world come and work five days a week for around two months. This creative solution came with equal pros and cons.

“We have met incredible people whose friendship we will treasure forever but training new staff every eight weeks and constantly

responding to different people and personalities within our café and our home has been tiring.”

What makes these struggles worth the effort?

“We love our customers, and we love hosting!

“Seeing happy smiling faces at our café is 100% the best bit. A spectacular-looking hot chocolate that gets an 'Oooooh', serving a warm wholesome meal, providing entertainment, connecting with people from all over the world in a way you can only connect in a tiny village in the middle of the woods.

"This is all part of the magic that happens at the Wild Rowan Café.” Caroline moved on to tell us about the strength and support in such a small community. “We are very about community spirit and bringing people together to have fun.

“We will be forever grateful to our lovely neighbours who would pick us up 20 litres of milk on their way home from work because we had a rush on hot chocolates, or who'd grab us a cabbage for coleslaw the next day and saved us three hours out our evening!”

Caroline concluded the interview with a statement that will strike true with many small business owners.

“To keep small rural businesses alive in 2024? It takes a village.”

By Alice Pollard

Forestry around Loch Awe. Image Credits: Loch Awe National Park

Image Credit: Dalavich Shop and Rowan Cafe

WHAT

MAKES FOR A GREAT CELEBRATORY

DINNER? THE TOP FIVE RESTAURANTS TO TRY ON YOUR GRADUATION NIGHT!

By Emanuela Scalia

Birthdays, holidays, get-togethers- what do they all have in common?

Yes, the celebration aspect of course, but also, food! For birthdays it’s cake, for holidays it’s heaps of meals with family and friends, and for get-togethers it’s the array of cheese boards and bowls of crisps to share amongst your guests. With graduation just around the corner for our fellow University of Stirling graduates, Brig’s writers

university, the Meadowpark is the perfect restaurant for a Stirling grad dinner. Easily accessible from campus, it offers a wide selection of delicious and hearty meals for everyone, along with other pub classic drinks and beers.

2. Riverhouse - Just a short drive from the university, the Riverhouse is a fresh alternative to usual dinners. Dining in a room surrounded by tall windows and flowing water, you get to experience a range of delicate and tasty have wondered, what makes for a great celebratory dinner, and where would that be?

The company of the people surrounding you is certainly a guarantee for a successful celebration, but whether you choose to dine at home or in a restaurant, food is the key.

According to previous graduates, the top five spots for graduation dinner are as follows:

1. The Meadowpark - Located just outside of the

foods with a view. Their dessert menu is definitely one to try.

3. Mint Leaf - Offering a large selection of traditional Nepalese and Indian dishes, the restaurant is in the heart of Stirling City Centre. With a great atmosphere, music, and best of all, amazing food, Mint Leaf is a Stirling favourite and the perfect place to take your family for a grad dinner.

4. Fletcher’s - With its

THE AVIARY: AN EXCITING TAKE ON PUB GRUB CLASSICS

By Connor Peebles

A couple of months ago The Aviary opened in Dollar, taking the place of Bridge Street Kitchen. Since its opening, it has gained a sizable love from the community. Located at the top of Bridge Street, its warm orange glow practically pulls you in.

The Aviary is open from 11am to 11pm, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The restaurant is covered with soft orange lights, candles, and a stunning painted art piece on the right wall.

The entire restaurant gives off a very cosy vibe, that immediately

puts you at ease and makes you feel at home. If the name wasn’t obvious enough, The Aviary is decorated with bird cages and branches hanging from the ceiling, making it unique from other restaurants in the area.

Speaking of the menu, there is a fantastic mix of pub food such as fish and chips, cheeseburgers and mac n’ cheese to restaurant staples such as thai green curry and asian pork belly. And that's just the a la carte menu!

The breakfast/lunch menu also has a great spread, multiple types

of toasted sourdough, toasties, and full breakfasts, also featuring a veggie option.

The menu at first seems daunting,

time it gets better. The menu has shifted once since opening, each season adding and subtracting certain dishes. The change of the menu helps to keep the experience fresh and fun every few months.

The last time I went in, I ordered a Philly cheese steak and some of their hand-cut chips. The wait wasn’t long at all as it wasn’t very busy.

The Philly cheese steak was presented really well, bell peppers and caramelised onions added colour to the dish, and the hand-cut chips were served in a bowl.

Both dishes were fantastic, the steak was cooked to perfection and the veg added both colour and

" The entire restaurant gives off a very cosy vibe, that immediately puts you at ease and makes you feel at home. "

but in reality, compared to many other restaurants, it’s fairly small.

The smaller menu allows all of the dishes to truly shine.

I’ve been to The Aviary multiple times since its opening and every

flavour to the dish. The chips were incredibly crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

Another highlight of The Aviary is its extensive cocktail menu. I’m a man who loves a good, well mixed

grand exterior and bright lights shining for a fantastic celebration, the restaurant specialises in traditional Scottish food, perfect for those wishing to taste a part of Scotland’s culture. Fletcher’s also offers a great selection of cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic beverages meaning everyone will find something they’ll enjoy.

5. La Cucina - If you want to have Italian food as part of your celebration, La Cucina, found in Bridge of Allan, is an exemplary restaurant to do so. Easily reachable from campus, it’s the perfect location to head to after receiving your well-earned degree.

So, whilst these are the graduate’s top choices from last year, Stirling, Bridge of Allan, and the surrounding areas have plenty of other amazing food options for you to try for any and all celebration occasions!

cocktail and The Avery doesn’t disappoint.

I typically go for a Dark and Stormy and The Aviary always delivers. From bitter to sweet, the al cohol used is great.

The staff also make the experience even better, they are all friendly and approachable. Any questions or issues you may have they immediately come to help with a smile on their faces.

If you want a restaurant that's full of friendly people, great drinks and incredible food that will have you wanting more. There is no better place than The Aviary.

Iconic pub classsics are icons for a reason. Image Credit: Pexels

Image Credit: The Riverhouse Restaurant

Image credit: Fletchers Restaurant

By Ali Rees

THE PERILS OF BEING A FOODIE IN A SMALL TOWN Caleb's Egg Free Sponge Cake

wheat-using counterparts.

A genuine pause point when it came to my central belt relocation was the idea that I would no longer be able to get a chicken burger with black garlic mayonnaise and perfectly crispy skin-on fries whenever I wanted it; or any of the other delectable delights that were easily accessible to me in the country’s capital.

Going out to eat has also always been a hugely social thing for me. One of my favourite things to do with my partner is to go out for dinner. It is a fantastic way to connect and do something nice together and for one another. An evening walk to a favourite dining spot, a couple of hours focused on a shared experience of enjoyable food, curated atmosphere, and each other, would ensure we stayed connected.

On top of that, when my friends visit from around the country, it’s a true pleasure to take them out for a meal and introduce them to something that gives me joy and pleasure and share that with them. Likewise, when I visit them – it becomes a way to connect over the miles, to stay part of each other’s lives.

I was afraid to lose all that when I moved. But Bridge of Allan hosts a beacon of joy in Friend of Mine. The atmosphere is upmarket and metropolitan – going in there feels like stepping into a similar venue in the city. And the food, of course, is excellent. The menu changes regularly, with some staples that you can rely on, and always features multiple options that cater to a range of dietary needs.

By Anya Diggines

Before moving to the area to embark upon my studies at Stirling, I lived in Edinburgh for six years. I got used to the idea that I could get anything at any time. The best Pad Thai I’ve ever had was just a 15-minute walk or a few taps on Deliveroo away. I had multiple options for dedicated vegetarian or even vegan dining. There’s a whole gluten-free bakery that makes cakes that rival any of its

My gluten-free vegetarian partner has choices which is honestly astonishing – we’re lucky if a restaurant has one thing he can eat let alone enough to have different things each time we go. It’s also a fantastic place for brunch and lunch not just dinner. There’s never a bad time to eat at Friend of Mine.

Every small town needs a restaurant for the displaced foodies, for the vegans and then celiacs, the people who want to look into their partner’s eyes over a couple of cocktails. Friend of Mine is that lifeline for me, you should check it out.

BRIG’S GUIDE TO THE PERFECT POTLUCK

By Elliot Johnston FOOD EDITOR

Eating out is f*cking expensive and the cost-of-living crisis shows no sign of slowing. However, that needn’t stop students from having a good time with good food and the key is potlucks! Potlucks have been around for centuries as a way for people to share food, drink, and merriment. University potlucks however are a cut above the rest.

Uni brings together students from all over the world and in doing so brings together so many different cuisines and old family recipes that are just begging to be shared.

Another brilliant thing about potlucks is that they are a massive money saver as everyone can put in between £10-20 of either food or drink and be set for an amazing night with leftovers for days. Compared to a night out on the town that’s a massive saving! But, as with all things, things can quickly go from vibey chaos to chaos-chaos if you’re not careful, so here are a few pitfalls to avoid:

Communicate!

Please, please, please tell people what you are bringing! Everyone loves curries and cookies but if that’s what everyone is bringing then you're going to have a problem. Variety is the spice of life people so for the love of all things holy

communicate. Plus, you don’t want to run into a situation where everyone brings either food OR alcohol as you want a nice balance for the ultimate vibey night.

Be a good host and a good guest.

For the person hosting your potluck, (first thank you, you beautiful and wonderful person) make sure to clear it with your flatmates as you don’t want to be the a**hole throwing a party when people have

Hopefully your results are a little bit less messy than ours were...

an early shift in the morning. On the side of the guests just show so basic decency and treat the place with respect. Oh, and maybe bring a cup, a plate, and some cutlery as not everyone has half a dozen spare plates.

Take it slow…

I know it’s difficult to do but you should try not to get too drunk too quickly. I know the appeal of getting blackout as fast as possible is very real but you should take your time and try everything that’s on offer before you get paralytic. Plus, lots of people like to bring games to potlucks and trust me it’s not as easy to play drunk as you’d like to think.

So, if you want to taste the flavours of the world and get hammered on a budget then have as many potlucks as you can and let the shenanigans begin!!

Just remember to keep your head on, nothing ruins a great night like a terrrible morning after.

You can even make

Growing up with allergies, my brother, Caleb, and I would often feel left out as we sat at a birthday party whilst all the other children stuffed their faces with cake and we were left with a measly mini bag of Haribos.

My gran took it upon herself to create a delicious cake so that we could experience the tastes of childhood and make sure that we weren't without a cake on our own birthdays.

Her invention has stayed with us into adulthood and not only was the cake amazing but the memories we have of baking this recipe with her are some of the best in my whole life.

You can read the recipe below, and of course, I'm not jealous at all that it wasn't named after me!

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

225g self-raising flour

115g caster sugar

55g margarine

115g golden syrup

200ml milk

Method:

Grease 2 x 7" cake tins.

Warm the syrup and milk together slowly in a saucepan, just a little for the syrup to melt. Allow to cool.

Sieve flour and sugar into a bowl and rub in margarine to form breadcrumbs.

Stir in the syrup and milk mixture and beat together.

Pour into greased tins and bake for about 25 minutes.

Once cool, remove from tins and sandwich together with your chosen filling, either butter icing or jam, or both.

Top with either butter icing or

Fredrick the food goose’s quick

Do not boil the milk and syrup mixture, it will just curdle.

Grease the tins very well to make removing the cakes super

Don't worry too much about the presentation of the cake, the taste is all that matters!

Image Credit: Anya DIggines

Image Credit: Spencer Haynes

a potluck healthy and nutritious if you really want to.

Image Credit: Spencer Haynes

Friend of Mine is a restaurant in Bridge of Allan which doesn’t feel like it belongs in Bridge of Allan, and I mean that in the best possible way.

Image Credit: Friend Of Mine

Image Credit: Friend Of Mine

Image Credit: Friend Of Mine

SUCCESSFUL GOFUNDME TAKES LADIES GAA TO BIRMINGHAM

By AJ Whyte and Freya Deyell

University of Stirling Ladies Gaelic Football was able to attend the British Championships in Birmingham last month after a successful fundraiser.

The club raised more than £1,800 by running, cycling, swimming and walking 1,200km – the distance of a return trip to Birmingham from Stirling.

quite rare to see within a sports team… it’s just so nice to see.”

Scotland, it’s not as popular as what it would be back home.

“We’re really, really increasing. Now we’re probably one of the biggest Gaelic football clubs within Scottish universities.”

Due to the club’s recent growth and success in division two, attending the Championships was “the big goal” for them – but cost was a barrier.

“Because we're staying in Birmingham this year, you're talking thousands of pounds just to get down and stay over for two nights,” she said.

“With that as well, you need to think about how girls are getting there. If it’s flying to the airport, travel expenses for that, food and drinks are going to be covered for maybe the night before games and stuff. At the minute it’s looking quite expensive so we need to get something that’s going to raise the most funds.

from uni, walking to and from work.”

She said it’s “100 per cent” had an improvement on training as well as the fundraiser. It also encouraged more socialisation within the team.

“It’s so much more than [the money] already,” McMenamin said.

“All the girls have really taken well to it, we do fundraisers throughout the year like pub quizzes, bingos and stuff, and that does get a good response from the team but this has probably been the most popular one that we’ve done so far.”

More than 30 girls signed up on the Strava tracking app, with one even participating from America during her semester abroad. Thanks to the fundraiser, 26 players and one coach were able to travel down to Birmingham for the Championship.

Family and friends of the team were the biggest supporters, which she says was “quite motivating” for the girls.

GAA has always been a huge part of her life: she’s been playing since she was 11 and she only applied to universities with their own team.

“We class ourselves more of as a family and it’s so cringe to actually say out loud!” she said of Stirling’s club.

“Everyone in the team gets on really well with each other and that’s

Abby McMenamin is the president of the club which she joined in 2021.

The club may be tight knit but it is expanding, according to McMenamin:

“We are growing. When I started in my first year, there were definitely less than 20 members. We ended up joining the men’s team just to train.

“So the last two years, we’ve really rapidly increased. With the sport being an Irish sport and we’re in

“On our GoFundMe we had a £1,000 minimum target with the aim that if we had at least ten girls taking part out of the 24 that are going down, everyone’s commitments can differ, if every girl could raise £100 each, we would raise at least a grand.”

Since speaking to McMenamin, the club smashed that target and raised more than £1,800 – almost double the original goal.

“The girls have been working really hard, there’s a few girls that are out twice a day walking to and

“Because of the response we’re getting from the girls, it’s been so positive and everyone’s taken part, we may as well say it’s never stopping!” McMenamin concluded.

“This would probably be an ideal fundraiser for us every year with the impact it’s had on everyone.”

The team went on to play Liverpool John Moores and Liverpool Hope in the group stages in Birmingham.

EUROS HOPES FOR HOCKEY'S LEXIE MACMILLAN

By Charlotte Sutcliffe

First-year Stirling student Lexie Macmillan is in the last few months of selection for the Scotland team for the under-21s European Championships in Turkey this summer after an impressive few months playing under-18s.

Macmillan first scored a brace against Canada’s under-18s, helping Scotland win 3-1 on 24 March and less than a week later flew out to Germany to play in the Easter Four nations with the Scotland Aspiring Girls. Here she competed against England, Germany and the Netherlands, which saw Macmillan score a penalty flick against England and gave an assist in the Germany game.

“They were tough matches, but it was good experience. We even managed to beat England,” she told Brig.

Now, Macmillan looks to this July, when the under-21 Euros will be held in Turkey. Being only 19, this is her first call up to the under-21s selection squad, with the final team selection taking place in June. Whilst consistently playing for Scotland for the last few years, this has still been a big jump for Macmillan.

“The girls are a lot stronger and

more experienced, so it will be definitely harder, but I’m looking forward to it,” she said. “We’re training almost every weekend at the moment. It’s a lot, but I enjoy it. I’m one of the youngest in the squad, but hopefully, I’ll have three more years in the under-21s.

“For selection [for the European team], I don’t really know because everyone is older, but it’s still a really good experience to train with them.”

This wouldn’t be Lexie’s first trip to a European Championships for Scotland as she went to Germany last year with the under-18s where she was third highest goal scorer in Europe, and also to Spain in 2022 for an eight nations tournament.

“These tours are so good. You play in all sorts of conditions. For example, in Spain, it was something like 36 degrees. We literally had buckets of water on the side of the pitch. You learn a lot from playing matches outside Scotland and travelling with the team.”

Alongside her national commitments, Macmillan has played for the hockey first team at University in their BUCS league.

“They’ve all been brilliant, so welcoming. I’ve really enjoyed that, socially as well,” she said. “My club training and Scotland training is really serious; whilst the ones take

it seriously,, they can also laugh.”

Macmillan’s commitments in hockey have begun to stack up this year, between starting university and playing for the first hockey team, as well as club and country:

“It’s been such a change. This year has been about settling in, and balancing my time with three hockey teams is hard. I got in last night at half 11, and I’m off to Glasgow tonight, so it is tough but good; I love being busy.”

The intense training for Scotland begins in just a few weeks, lining up with when club hockey finishes. The sessions that Macmillan has already had have been starstudded as she trained with Scotland Commonwealth team members. She said: “I’ve had quite a few sessions with the senior women’s team, and they’re just amazing. They’re unreal. Playing with older and really experienced players, some with 100 caps for Scotland, is just so cool.”

Macmillan’s ambitions after this summer are firmly focused on staying within the Scotland under-21s with a hope to move to the senior squad as she praises their set up as developing players and environment.

“There are lots of different ways to develop your skills and the

coaching is brilliant,” she said. “I feel like I’ve improved so much even with the few sessions in this new squad. It’s a good training environment, all the girls are lovely and they all want the same thing so everyone is really focused.”

With Macmillan’s eyes firmly set

to Turkey, she is waiting to see if her goalscoring performances over the past few months have been enough for the youngster to be selected for the team. In the meantime the squad will take on Ireland in a test series in coming weeks.

The ladies GAA team. Image credit: Stirling Ladies GAA

Lexie Macmillan playing for the Stirling University hockey club. Image credit: Stirling University Women's Hockey Club

SPORTS BALL 2024: A RECAP

By Emanuela Scalia SPORTS EDITOR

The largest event of the year, with over 750 students attending, the University of Stirling's annual Sports Ball has finally come and gone. With over 50 awards awarded throughout the entire night, hours of good food, dancing, and sportsmanship were shared between our beloved sports clubs.

For some, this was their first time at Sports Ball, and for others, their last. It is therefore a pleasure for us to provide you with a recap of 'the hottest night of the year.'

The Students Union said: "The Sports Union Awards Ball is the glamorous finale to a thrilling season of sport. Members from all clubs come together to celebrate the successes from the year. The 2024 event was a great success and we can't wait to see what the year ahead brings!"

The winners of the 2024 Sports Ball Awards are as follows:

Colours: Alice Coget (Handball), Aidan Fairbairn (Judo), Zoe Moor (Women's Lacrosse), Rachel Loudon (Women's Lacrosse), Shanae Stannard (Netball), Holly Brown (Netball), Julianne Deguara (Volleyball), Lee Bowie (Cricket), Nikki McRae (Equestrian), Neve Burrows (Women's Football), Molly Williams (Women's Football), Connor Screen (Men's Hockey), Alex Fawcitt (Men's Hockey), Mhari Campbell (Polo), Ryan Morrow (American Football), Cameron Gass (American Football), Cameron Purdy (Shinty), Calum MacDonald (Shinty), Emily Lawless (Dance), Lewis McCracken (Men's Rugby), John Arbuckle (Badminton), Reagan Smith (Cheerleading), Sophie Michie (Athletics), Sara Gouillart (Swimming), Erin Carson (Women's Hockey), Anna Archibald (Women's Hockey), and Jack Hamilton (Basketball).

University Blues: Maisey Maclennan (Netball), Tom Tyler (Triathlon), Callum Macdonald and Herbie Patterson (Shinty), Adam Donnachie (Athletics), Lexie Macmillan (Women's Hockey), Jack Hencher and William Kemp (Basketball), Sophia Riemer (Waterpolo), Struan Bennet (Triathlon).

International Blues: Tristen Bell (Pentathlon), Maisie Aubrey, Macey Wyse, Dorian Horsten, and Jack Kennedy (Triathlon), Victoria Russell (Swimming), Swaleh Abubakar Talib (Swimming), Cameron Purdy (Shinty), Nic Hadland (Men's Hockey), Liam Carroll (Men's Rugby), Alastair Marshall (Athletics), Ben Macmillan (Athletics), Ethan Pottie (Athletics), Liam McLaughlin, Tom Williamson, and Joel Lange (Triathlon), Ollie Carter (Swimming), Paige Van Der Westhiuzen (Swimming)m Ryan Mallon (Kayak), and Holly Stodgell (Orienteering).

AWARDS:

Airthrey Trophy: Outstanding sportsperson: Keir Sportsperson (Cycling)

Catriona Lambert Medal: Outstanding Scholar: Tristan Bell (Penthathlon).

Eilidh Mcnabb and Siobhan

Cattigan Trophy: Volunteer of the year: Rachel Loudon and Alex Douglas. Women's lacrosse member Loudon told Brig: “Myself and Alex are so grateful to have been awarded volunteers of the year. "We loved seeing everyone get involved in Movember and put in such a fantastic effort, and we can’t wait to see how it grows next year!”

Michael Stewart Memorial Trophy: Volunteer Coach of the year: Greg Hughes (Handball).

Peter Bilsborough Trophy: Professional Coach of the year: Dean Robertson (Golf).

Red Runner Award: Biggest 'c*ck-up' of the year: Lauren Bullock (Women's Futsal).

The Dumyat Plate: Best nonBUCS Achievement: Men's Basketball 1s.

Gannochy Jubilee Trophy: Oneoff club achievement: Women's Hockey 2s.

Defensive player Emma Scott said: “This season we performed exceptionally: unbeaten in both leagues and winning our BUCS cup and also being entered into the cup final for our Saturday league.

"This means we have been promoted into the national league for our Saturday games. This will be a tough challenge to compete in next year, but with seasoned players Maisie Megson and Isla Reid as captain and vice captain respectively, we have such potential to keep ourselves up in our leagues.

"With two games remaining we

still have such a positive outlook for this season. We still have our BUCS playoff match to come which will mean we get moved up in our bucs league.

"Being awarded this award at sports ball really solidified the achievements we’ve made and will encourage us till the end of the season.”

The President's Award: Abby Mcmenamin (Ladies GAA).

GAA President

Sports Personality of the year:

Laura Shaw (Swimming).

"I feel honoured to have won and

Newly elected Sports President Laura Shaw will begin her term in June. Image credit: Students Union for my club to have nominated me," said Shaw. "This year feels like it’s gone by in the blink of an eye, we’ve had such a great year as a club and I’m so happy to have been able to contribute to it. It was definitely a night to remember for my last sports ball."

H.H. Donnelly Trophy: Club of the year: Men's Rugby.

Hockey 2s

Outgoing Sports President Murray Bushell. Image credit: Students Union

Women's

with their Gannochy Jubilee Trophy award. Image Credit Stirling University Women's Hockey Club

Ladies

Abby Mcmenamin with the prestigious President's Award. Image credit: Students Union

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH FALKIRK FOUNDATION

By Emanuela Scalia SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Stirling has officially formed a partnership with the Falkirk Foundation.

This new formal affiliation with Falkirk Football Club’s charity partner builds on previous collaborations between the two organisations.

In the past, these have included sports students from the university supporting children’s football coaching sessions, Foundation staff delivering guest lectures in turn for students, and other additional research partnerships.

Head of Sport at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport at University, Dr. Paul Dimeo, said: “This partnership will provide further opportunities for our students, both in terms of football coaching and involvement in wider social and health related projects,

as well as enhance new research exploring how communities can better engage with sport.

“We recognise the wider social benefits provided by the Falkirk Foundation and look forward to working more closely with them.”

As part of his Masters dissertation, University of Stirling MSc Sport Management student, Anthony Nwoke, is currently evaluating the Falkirk Foundation’s ‘Centre Forward’ programme: a 12-month course designed for people aged 16-24 who have additional support needs and wish to become more active whilst learning and developing their confidence.

Anthony says the programme is “a really good example of the important community work the Falkirk Foundation leads.

“This new official partnership is really beneficial to students, providing them with work placements and experience, as well as the

opportunity to support something positive in the local community.”

Derek Allison, Chief Executive of The Falkirk Foundation, said: “This strategic partnership is designed to leverage the power of football to effect positive change in society.

“The Memorandum of Understanding will enable the Falkirk Foundation to tap into the academic resources of the University, thereby enriching its own initiatives.

“Conversely, the University of Stirling and its students will benefit from the charity's extensive experience in utilising the power of football and the positive impact that it has on the community.

“It's testament to the transformative potential of football in shaping society for the better and we look forward to developing the opportunities this provides us.”

SEVEN MEDALS FOR TAEKWONDO STAR

By Charlotte Sutcliffe

Stirling University’s Lorna Ferguson has had a stellar 2024, competing around Europe in taekwondo, most recently picking up two medals at the Roma Open. The second-year Sports Business Management student won gold in sparring at the BUCS Winter Championship in February, the first competition of the season. This was a monumental win for the athlete, as it was her first competition back after injury.

“It was a challenging fight against a differently styled opponent with an Olympic taekwondo background, which posed some unique challenges for me as it required me to adapt my strategy and fighting style,” she said. The following month she travelled to Nottingham, adding two silver medals in sparring and patterns to her collection at the BUCS Spring Championships, setting her up for the Roma Open a few weeks later.

“My wins at the BUCS Spring Championships proved to be instrumental in my preparation for the Roma Open especially due to the different style of sparring I encountered,” she said. “This adaptability became valuable at the Roma Open, where I encountered a variety of techniques and opponents.”

Ferguson came away from the Roma Open with two bronze medals in patterns and sparring: “The Roma Open was an exciting competition to be part of in the run-up to the Euros and winning two bronzes was a proud achievement especially in the sparring as I was competing against much more experienced competitors which made standing on the podium a proud moment.”

Ferguson is currently competing in the European Championship in Lubin, Poland where she hopes to retain her title in the Senior Women’s 75KG Sparring category as well as looking towards the Holland Cup.

PIONEERING SEASON AHEAD FOR SHINTY WOMEN AFTER PROMISING FRIENDLIES

By Nathan Hassett SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Stirling’s women’s shinty team are set for a breakthrough inaugural season in the sport, after a string of successful friendly results this year.

The club itself has only been at the University since 2021, but an influx of women’s players has led to the formation of a separate women’s team.

Led by captain Emma Scott, the team had the opportunity to show their talents in the McHue Porter Cup. Opening with a 1-1 draw with Edinburgh, Stirling went on to beat Aberdeen 3-0 in their maiden victory. This was followed up by a 1-0 victory against Strathclyde and a goalless draw with Glasgow.

Two defeats against St Andrews and UHI gave Stirling a fifth-placed finish in the day-long cup. Whilst they didn’t leave with the trophy, but to compete with established shinty sides was an achievement

in itself. Perhaps most impressively though, the team went on to host and defeat the English Shinty Association women’s side in April. Goals from Chloe Mutch and Kirsten Finnie along with an own goal saw Stirling overcome their visitors in only their third outing as a team.

Speaking with Brig , Scott was full of pride at the progress shown in these friendlies. She said: "Having never having women's matches before, I organised quite a few friendlies to help us get into the swing of things.

"We entered the McHue Porter Cup with very low expectations but left very proud having only missed out on the finals by one point. The friendly against the English Shinty Association was also well fought so it was nice to come away with a win in that."

Scott herself will not be around to play in next years league season, but will be cheering on from the sidelines nonetheless.

She said: "With future women's captain Callie Rodgers, the team is in safe hands and I can't wait to see the progress of our women's team!"

President of the University Shinty Club Cameron Purdy also expressed his excitement for the future of the women’s team.

He said: “The women’s team has been a massive success so far. We had a massive recruitment intake this year which put us in a great position.

“With the success in recruitment, it was a no-brainer to set up the team. A lot of our girls are beginner shinty players coming from different sports clubs at the University, using their transferrable skills to accelerate the growth and success of the team early on.”

The team will look to build on this positive start when they enter the SSS Women's Student Shinty league for the upcoming season.

Falkirk Foundation’s Chief Executive, Derek Allison, Sport Management lecturer Caitlin Rattray, Head of Sport at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, Dr Paul Dimeo, student, Anthony Nwoke, and Falkirk Foundation Trustee, Craig Sinclair. Image credits: Stirling Uni

The University of Stirling's women's shinty team poses after beating the English Shinty Association. Credit: Jonathan Boomer

Lorna Ferguson with her bronze medals at the Roma Open. Image Credit: Lorna Ferguson

SPORT

STIRLING UNI FOOTBALLERS SECURE MOVES TO THE SPFL

By Edwin Finsterbusch

Stirling University scholars Ben MacIver-Redwood and Cameron McKinley have landed moves to SPFL teams after impressing throughout their journey with the Uni’s football team.

Maciver-Redwood was snapped up by Montrose FC, while McKinley secured a move to Stirling Albion. Both teams play in League One and will be welcoming their new signings in the summer.

These moves are testament to the hard work they and their team have put in during their time at the University.

This season the team became BUCS North Premier champions for the 4th consecutive year, as well as winning the East of Scotland Cup last month against League One side Edinburgh City.

Ben and Cammy were also involved in the historic cup tie at Dundee United last season, which drew many eyes towards the football programme at the Uni.

Maciver-Redwood becomes the third player from Stirling University to move to Montrose FC following Craig Brown and Blair Lyons. Coming from Torquay United’s youth team he joined the University in 2020 to begin his studies. He played for the U20s in his first two years before making the move up to the 1st team last season.

Montrose’s assistant manager Ross Campbell said: “We are delighted Ben has agreed to join us. We believe he is good enough to make the step up to League One and are very excited about what he can potentially bring to our group.”

Cammy McKinley achieved the unique feat of playing for every Uni team from the 5s all to way to the 1st team in his five seasons at the University. This season, he was the top goal scorer in all competitions including 14 goals in the Lowland League.

Albion manager Darren Young said: “We’re delighted to get Cammy on board. We have been watching him develop for the past few seasons now and he’s always impressed us.

“He’s strong, tall, quick and knows where the goal is. He will complement the squad we already have and will be great around the changing room. We look forward to working with him.”

Reacting to the news, Stirling University Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “It's a great opportunity for them stepping up into the league. They both deserve an opportunity and thankfully two teams have signed them. It'll be a massive step up but they are looking forward to it. They have both done great for the University and have represented themselves very well.”

Head of Performance Sport at the University, David Bond, also heaped praise on MacIverRedwood and McKinley. He said: "I am absolutely delighted, but not surprised that Ben and Cammy have been signed up by SPFL sides. Both players have given everything during their time on the scholarship

programme - and have played a key role in the University's success.

"They leave here with a host of honours - including multiple BUCS Premier North titles and trophies in the East of Scotland Cup and Queens Park Shield. Of course, both players also featuredin the historic Scottish Cup match against Dundee United last year - a game that will live long in their memory, and ours.

"Ben and Cammy have earned these moves and we wish them all the very best in their future careers - and hope to see them back on campus again soon."

The two strikers may be lining up against eachother next season, providing both Montrose and Stirling Albion remain in League One.

MacIver-Redwood's Montrose currently occupy fourth place in the league, meaning they would qualify for the promotion playoffs. Stirling sit in ninth however and remain in danger of relegation to league two.

The two players will got their final send off on Saturday, as the Uni played their final Lowland League of the season away to Bo’ness United.

STIRLING UNIVERSITY BASEBALL: THREE TIME SCOTTISH BUCS CHAMPIONS

By Emanuela Scalia SPORTS EDITOR

Stirling University Baseball brings home yet another Scottish Championship title after winning against Edinburgh University.

This is the team’s third Scottish BUCS title since winning the league the last two years in a row.

The team pulled through with a 15-0 final score in their home field, never conceding points to the opposing Edinburgh team.

The ‘Stirling Storm’ definitely lived up to their name, staying undefeated year-round too.

Social Secretary and second basemen Filip Makarowski recalls the final game.

He said: “The game escalated very quickly as we jumped out to an early lead and never slipped up. We ended up winning 15-0 all while our pitcher Freddie Cho did not allow a single hit all game!

“That was also our final game and the game that clinched the Scottish division for the third year in a row.

“Only one game was close against Aberdeen 1s which extends our winning streak to two years running now.

“Ultimately a lot of credit for the success this year comes down to

our coach/captain Cole Fair and our pitcher Freddie Cho who both contributed greatly in training and during games.

“Sadly though, the season ended sourly as the BUCS nationals tournament was cancelled 20 minutes before we were due to take the train.

“It did get rescheduled but ultimately we couldn’t make it down for a variety of reasons. It stings even more as we believe we genuinely could have made a push for the grand prize.”

Despite this unfortunate setback, the team has had nothing but positive affirmations about this past season, and they look forward to what their next season will bring.

Makarowski says joining baseball is a great sporting opportunity for all, as they are happy for all students from various levels, backgrounds, and genders to play.

He continued: “We’re a very social team who has a good balance between being competitive and a good social environment. We take our games very seriously but also know when to relax and the environment isn’t strict or overly competitive. We also win a lot so that helps!”

You can learn more about the team on Instagram and Facebook at @stiruni_baseball.

TENNIS SCOTLAND NAMES STIRLING ‘UNIVERSITY OF THE YEAR’ WITH PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

By Emanuela Scalia SPORTS EDITOR

The University of Stirling won ‘University of the Year Award’ at the Tennis Scotland Awards 2024.

With outstanding performances, Stirling men's first team won the BUCS National Championship in Loughborough for the second year in a row with an undefeated final score of 4-0. The women’s first team concluded their BUCS season as runners-up.

Whilst Stirling athletes provided great results in representing the

university, the award is not only simply based on results, but also the development of tennis within universities.

Stirling hosts the National Tennis Centre, which has helped facilitate players in both the GB National Tennis Academy and the National Player Programme in the UK. The university also offers a variety of recreational tennis activities for players of all levels and backgrounds, including workforce opportunities for students who wish to be involved. Thanks to these added opportunities paired with great

results year-round for both men’s and women’s teams, the title of ‘University of the year’ is fitting.

Blane Dodds, Tennis Scotland Chief Executive, said: “Congratulations to the winners at this year’s Tennis Scotland Awards, all of whom do so much for the sport and were deservedly honoured during our ceremony at Stirling Court Hotel.

“We had a tremendous field of nominations and we want to offer our thanks to all the individuals and organisations who work tirelessly to further the growth and development of tennis in Scotland.”

MacIver-Redwood and McKinley celebrate together. Credit: George Vekic

University of Stirling accepting University of the Year at the Tennis Scotland awards. Image Credit: Tennis Scotland

SUPER SEVEN SWIM FOR OLYMPIC GOLD IN PARIS

By Nathan Hassett SPORTS EDITOR

Seven swimmers from the University of Stirling will compete at this summer’s Paris Olympics, forming the largest contingent ever to be selected for a single Games.

Olympic champions Duncan Scott and Kathleen Dawson will be joined by Lucy Hope, Jack McMillan, Keanna Macinnes, Katie Shanahan and Angharad Evans to represent Team GB in Paris.

Scott, who became the first British athlete to win four medals at a single Olympics, said: “All eyes now towards Paris.

“Every Olympic Games is vastly different, but I think you can draw on past experiences and that,

hopefully, should benefit me.”

For fellow champion Dawson, this achievement is extra special as she has had to fight to recover from a career-threatening injury. She said: “It’s very emotional for me. I’ve come through a back injury in the last three years, so this is one of the highest points in my life.”

Hope and McMillan will head into Paris with Olympic experience, following their debuts at the 2020 Tokyo Games. For Shanahan, Evans and Macinnes though, Paris will represent their first taste of Olympic competition.

The group will be joined by a familiar face as Steve Tigg, Head Performance Swim Coach at the University, has also been selected as part of the Team GB coaching team.

Reacting to the announcement of both his and the team’s achievements, Tigg said: “I am incredibly proud of all our athletes who have qualified for the Olympics.

“For the University to have seven swimmers selected for the Team GB Olympics squad is a phenomenal achievement – and it reflects our athletes’ unwavering determination to succeed, their meticulous preparation, and the high-quality sporting environment in which they train every day.

“I am fortunate to be travelling to Paris with the team and I’m excited to witness first hand what this group can achieve, together with their teammates, on the world stage.”

Head of Performance Sport at the University, David Bond, was quick

SPORTS BALL 2024 ROUND UP

By Emanuela Scalia SPORTS EDITOR

The largest event of the year, with over 750 students attending, the University of Stirling's annual Sports Ball has finally come and gone. With over 50 awards awarded throughout the entire night, hours of good food, dancing, and sportsmanship were shared between our beloved sports clubs.

STIRLING UNI FOOTBALLERS SECURE MOVES TO THE SPFL

to heap praise on the swimmers, saying: “A huge congratulations to the seven University of Stirling swimmers selected to compete for Team GB at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This landmark achievement is yet another example of how our athletes continue to compete at the highest levels in sport – underlining our reputation as Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. “On behalf of everyone at the University, I wish our swimmers and the wider Team GB squad the best of luck when they travel to Paris later this year.”

Fans will be able to support Team GB when the Paris Olympics get underway on Friday July 26, with the swimming set to begin the following day.

By Edwin Finsterbusch

Stirling University scholars Ben MacIver-Redwood and Cameron McKinley have landed moves to SPFL teams after impressing throughout their journey with the Uni’s football team. Maciver-Redwood was snapped up by Montrose FC, while McKinley secured a move to Stirling Albion. Both teams play in League One and will be welcoming their new signings in the summer.

Glasgow Hilton decorated for Stirling University's 2024 Sports Ball Night. Image credit: Student Union

MacIver-Redwood and McKinley celebrate together. Image redit: George Vekic