Core magazine by CBJMagazine

Core at the centre of culture

Issue 1 | March 2015

CRAFTIVISM

Changing the world one stitch at a time

INTRODUCING Angel Chen and her bold new collection

NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS ‘Chasing Yesterday’ review

Wigan to Westminster

How Kay Burley became the queen of TV news

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CONTENTS

Editor Joe Christmas Features Editors Mike Pettifer Alyss Bowen Production Editor Sophie Turner Contributing Writers Georgie Kiely Shannon Skeels Hannah Rought Davina Merchant Charlotte Manning James Thompson Printed by CBJ Newsroom Cover photograph Kay Burley

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Feature photograph Kay Burley Published by Nottingham Trent University Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, Goldsmirth Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU

Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty

Kay Burley

Craftivism; activism through craft

What’s hot this March A round-up of events and shows happening in the East Midlands and beyond

Kay Burley On politics, flaws and feminism

The Knitty Gritty An in depth feature exploring the world of craftivism, yarn bombing and political cross stitch

Watch and Listen Reviews and previews of the latest films, theatre and albums

There’s something about Angel A sneak peak into the life of emerging designer Angel Chen

The Greatest Show off Earth A solar eclipse is coming this March, but should we throw a sickie to see it?

EDITOR’SLETTER

Broadcasters, ‘yarn-bombers’ and fashionistas - the movers and shakers this March Welcome to the very first edition of Core magazine, your new go-to guide for all that counts right now. This month, we’ve caught up with Kay Burley, the Queen of the newsdesk, for a quick look at her life, loves and career so far , as she prepares to chair the third and final party leaders TV debate just days before the nation heads to the polls for one of the most important General Elections in a lifetime. Elsewhere in the magazine, we investigate ‘Craftism, a new movement dedicated to all things crafty, which aims to change

the world “one stitch at a time.,” we go behind the scenes at Angel Chen’s London fashion show and we make the case for sacking off work in favour of watching the upcoming solar eclipse [on March 20]. On top of that we’ve got previews and reviews from the world of entertainment and if that’s still not enough, there are heaps more features, reviews and round-ups on our website, mamj. weebly.com. We hope you enjoy reading this week’s issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together. Enjoy!

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ROUNDUP

You’ll be barking mad to miss this

Two days of fashion in the city

Davina Merchant and Hannah Rought bring you the best of this month

IN BRIEF

Credit: The Kennel Club

AS A COUNTRY OF ANIMAL LOVERS, we absolutely need to mention that the world’s biggest celebration of dogs, Crufts is returning to Birmingham’s NEC on 5-8 March. The four-day event will see the nation’s most loved and heroic dogs rewarded in the prestigious Friends For Life competition. With around 22,000 dogs and hundreds of thousands of dog lovers, there are sure to be some famous faces, including Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Paul O’Grady. “Crufts is a British institution and celebrates everything we love the most about man’s best friend,” said Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club Secretary. Visitors to the show will be able to visit Discover Dogs where there will be more than 200 breeds of dogs and learn how to go about buying the right dog. For more information visit www.crufts.org.uk

TV personality and actress Claire Sweeney will star in the touring production of Sex in Suburbia, a new comedy that she cowrote about dating, men and finding Mr Right. It’s packed with popular songs you love such as I’m Every Woman. It will be at the Royal Concert Hall on Friday 6th March.

IN BRIEF John Boyne’s bestselling novel The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas receives its world premiere on the stage this month. The heartbreaking tale of an unlikely friendship between the son of concentration camp commander and a Jewish boy will be at Theatre Royal from 17th - 21st March.

THE V&A will exhibit the work of the late, great Alexander McQueen in the only major European rerospective of the visionary fashion designer’s work. Martin Roth, director of the V&A, said: “I am thrilled that this magnificent show is coming to London and feel passionately that the V&A is its natural home.” It will feature some rare early pieces and will focus on McQueen’s fledgling development as a designer

in London, capturing the essence of the provocative, and extravagant catwalk presentations that McQueen became renowned for. Sarah Burton, creative director Alexander McQueen, said: “Savage Beauty is a celebration of the most imaginative and talented designer of our time.” The exhibition opens on 14 March and closes on 2 August 2015. For more information visit www.vam. ac.yk/savagebeauty

and Martin Lewis (founder and editor of moneysavingsupermarket.com), will host talks and provide demonstrations. Alongside the show, Gregg Walace from Masterchef will be there providing seasonal dishes during the day. With over 600 top brands and exhibitors it will be the ultimate place to pick up top tips for your home. Live cooking demonstrations complete with samples make it that little bit better! To book tickets log on to www. idealhomeshow.co.uk

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Credit: Ideal Home Show

Credit: Gemini PR

48-HOURS OF FASHION returns to Old Market Square showcasing the s/s collections of Nottingham retailers through a mix choreographed performances and master classes. A revolving catwalk, which gives the audience a 360-degree view of the action, is an exciting addition. Nicola Tidy, a director of Nottingham Business Improvement District, said: “Fashion is deeply embedded in Nottingham’s history and is part of the very ‘fabric’ of the city. The shows are free to attend.” For more information visit www.itsinnottingham.com

Saint Raymond at Dot to Dot NOW IN ITS TENTH YEAR, the Dot to Dot Festival will return to Nottingham on Sunday 24 May 2015 with the city’s latest success story, Saint Raymond, leading the way. Having just returned from supporting Ed Sheeran’s arena tour and selling out his own headline tour too, the singer-songwriter will top the bill at the eclectic one-day festival in May. Dot To Dot organiser Anton Lockwood said: “We’re proud of the reputation we’ve developed over the last 10 years for

promoting new, up-andcoming talent by giving artists their first chance in front of a festival crowd. So many previous Dot To Dot artists have become huge successes in recent years.” In the past the festival lineup has included Jake Bugg, London Grammar and The 1975. In the first wave of the festival’s announcements, other acts confirmed to play include: Rae Morris, Laura Dogget, April Towers and Hudson Taylor. Tickets are £25 and available from www.alt-tickets.co.uk

Credit Rachael Connerton Photography

Nottingham’s Creative Quarter will be home to the world’s first cultural centre for gaming. Game City have announced they will open the National Videogame Arcade, a five-story building that will exhibit the pioneering form of creative expression. The centre will open for play on 28 March.

IN BRIEF

One for the geeks

IN BRIEF

Savage Beauty of McQueen

Save the date wedding planners

A WEDDING EVENT WITH A DIFFERENCE is taking place this month so, all you blushing brides in waiting, take a step away from the magazines and listen up. On Sunday 8 March at the Nottingham Conference Centre, this wedding event will feature over 80 amazing exhibitors. Marking their ninth year, founders Lydia and Abbi created the bridal show to really offer something unique and create an inspirational experience for brides who are excitedly planning their big day. There will be lively entertainment throughout the entire event from string quartets, live band and a catwalk show which will be fierce and fabulous. Visit www.savethedateevent.co.uk for tickets

Credit: Model: Alana Zimmer, © Anthea Simms

Make your home ideal THE IDEAL HOME SHOW, Britain’s biggest consumer home event, is returning this month to its roots at Olympia London where it was first launched in 1980. This year’s show is set to be bigger and better than ever before. Lee Newton, CEO, said: “The event is at the forefront of British home trends and inspiration.” The show, which starts on 20 March and will run until the 6 April, will feature an array of great attractions and household names and celebrities including Katie Piper, Alan Titchmarsh

IN BRIEF The first Nottingham Indie Fashion Week will run from 10- 15 March 2015. Featuring four events staged at venues around the Creative Quarter, the week will showcase the rich and diverse fashion culture of the city and highlight independent designers who are leading the way.

Usher, the man who told us to ‘put our hands up and bend our knees’ is back in the UK this month for his UR Experience Tour at Capital FM Arena on 14th March. Four-time Grammy Award winner Lionel Richie is also in the UK this month. He will have you ‘dancing on the ceiling’ at the arena on 17th March.

THE FORTHCOMING EM-CON EVENT 2015, which will take place at The Capital FM Arena, Nottingham on 15 March 2015 and will feature stars of television shows and films such as Star Trek, Doctor Who and Games of Thrones. This year, Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura, will be coming all the way from L.A. With no shortage of things to enjoy there will be over thirty actors and artists including Doctor Who stars Peter Davison, Colin Baker and Sylvester McCoy, who will be signing autographs and sharing memories of their time as the Doctor. This convention is a great opportunity to meet and greet your favourite Sci-Fi and Fantasy stars and ask them questions. CEO Lee Wallis says, “Using the Capital FM Arena means we have the capacity to fit everyone in comfortably. We’re confident they will love it as much as we do.”

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FEATUREHEAD

“I’m in the perfect job!” FEATUREHEAD

FEATUREHEAD

One line heading here

Kay Burley on preparing to cover the general election, supporting women in the media and ‘shaking her funky stuff’ in front of Oliver Reed By Joe Christmas, James Thompson & Charlotte Manning

and engaging way. exec [Bruce Gyngell]. He asked me You’ve come a long way in your why I was visiting. I was applying for career to reach this point. 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presenting. Not bad for a girl who grew up on a council estate in Wigan. In her long career she’s had several high- profile moments, vit volecta including temperum making Peter Andre cry, reporting derati ommos for eium 36 hours im solid outside London’s vit et St latibus Mary’s modipsam hospital while awaiting there arrival pe ped of eicimporro Prince George and calling a ‘Yes’ campaigner minctas aut etforadScottish que independence naturiassi a ‘knob’ toremod live on ut expliquate air. Yet despite molorem all quatem of this, etshe optius remains aribusant as fresh, cheerful es explique and irrepressible iminum faccae as ever. seceatia This year dolorep marks ernatur her 27th amusyear reritat as emquae a Sky News anchor doluptur, andcore on vitaestes April 30,esecus she’s set to chair unt –alongside dellacc ullore that titan enis del of inihil political journalism, molorepe Jeremyvit Paxmanmoluptat. the third and final party leaders’ TV debate between David Cameron At harcimi andnulparum Ed Miliband. senihillant We caught alicimodit up with arum heretfor hit,a veris quickadit look at her lifemoluptur and career rem soquibus? far as she prepares for a vital Sequi fewconserrovid months inquis broadcasting consequi journalism. volupta soluptat est, sed maxim dolo endis et, to esto magnam, So Kay, are net venis you looking et dolorereicia forward voluptae to the election?velitaero How are dolupta are the dolores preparations ellab in going atpos at Sky prestotature News? eat. This will be Otas thepafirst nissum election rernam where repelig the importance enissiofipis television eate doluptas and estiore digitalreis going to be equal, certainly in our [Sky News’] coverage. There’s a huge amount of Heading here xxxxxxxxx xxxxxxx preparation going on and there has been for the lastUmpteen year or so. quite In September speedy televisions we kisses launched Stand orifices, Upbecause Be Counted, five Jabberwockies which is aucan online and tioned mobile offplatform the obese designed aardvark, to however allow youngbotulisms, people to speak because out and twoshare very irascible ideas by posting then Mark videos, laughed, blogs, although images onfive slightly social media. sillySo tickets. those contributors will play a big part Umpteen in our election bourgeois coverage. mats drunkenly What do youtastes consider two your partlyrole quixotic to be chrysanthein the party mums, leaders’even debate? though To what umpteen bourextent can the geois debates subways be described ran away.as Five speedy ‘entertainment’? Klingons laughed, then two JabberI don’t know wockies about ‘entertainment. abused five aardvarks. ’ Our Umpmain job is just to relate decisions that affect the future of our country in a clear

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“A pull “There’s to aquote special goplace here and to in hell be about reserved sixfor lines long” women who don’t support other women”

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FEATUREHEAD

Absolutely and I think our audience Kay’s Faves would agree. When a huge story breaks, like, for instance, MH370, the Favourite contemporary journal2014 floods or the Charlie Hebdo ist? shootings, we want to know what’s Eamonn Holmes or Colin Brazier. happening. We want to empathise Both brilliant at delivering the news with those impacted and we want and interacting with the audience. to know how it might affect us. Also love Sophie Raworth and SuBefore the launch of 24-hour news, sanna Reid for the same reasons. information about these kinds of Proudest moment? stories, and even something as Birth of my son Alexander. He gradmomentous as the birth of Prince uated with a politics degree from George, would have only been LSE last summer but he’s still my available at certain times, depending baby! on the terrestrial TV news schedule Favourite book? -and even then, the public would Anna Karenina. Best love story ever only get their standard 30 minute told. I’m presently reading Alan portion of news. Kay at work outside Westminster. She has been reporting for Sky Johnson’s autobiography. What is your biggest flaw and how News since 1988. Favourite musician? have you tried to overcome it? Bruce Springsteen. Impatience. I like things to be done Favourite film? yesterday. I suppose that means I’m Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. in the perfect job. There’s not time Favourite comedian? for prevaricating on live telly. Peter Kay. He has the same sense of What has been your biggest asset? humour as my late dad. A determination to work hard and a Favourite interviewee? sense of humour. Hillary Clinton. Well-briefed and What advice would you give to highly intelligent. Bring on 2016! your younger self? Most embarrassing moment? Be respectful, be keen to listen Too many to list. Oliver Reed saying and above all be ready to laugh at ‘shake your funky stuff at me, red yourself. thing’ live on air when I was eight months pregnant would have to be Kay Burley will co-chair the final party up there. leaders TV debate on April 30. It will George Clooney or Brad Pitt? be broadcast simultaenously on Sky GC, every time. News and Channel 4. The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? The Beatles.

“I like things to be done yesterday - I suppose that means I’m in the perfect job”

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A bit about Burley

• She was born in Wigan in 1960 •She began her career reporting for the Evening Post and Chronicle in her home town at the age of 17. •Before joining Sky, Kay worked in local radio and TV, including Tyne Tees Television and TV-am, the predecessor to GMTV and Day Break. •Kay launched Sky One with her own documentary “The Satellite Revolution” in 1988, and then moved to Sky News.

•One of Kay’s first major stories was the fall of the Berlin Wall and she is wellknown for covering the 2004 Tsunami, Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwalls’ wedding and the birth of Prince George of Cambridge . •She was live on air when the second plane hit the World Trade Centre and famously claimed that ‘the entire Eastern seaboard has been decimated by a terrorist attack’ .

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•From 1991-3, Kay was voted What Satellite TV’s most desirable woman for three consecutive years. •Currently she presents Lunchtime Live every weekday on Sky News and traditionally reads the news on Christmas morning. •Kay appeared on Dancing on Ice in 2007, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Care and finished in seventh place. •Kay has published two novels, First Ladies in 2011 and Betrayal in 2012.

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FEATUREHEAD

COREFEATURE

thinking.”

and some of the angry activism. It didn’t enlist influential people, it just put them off.” Craftivism Collective founder Sarah Corbett

Sarah explains that Craftivism’s strength is its ability to engage people quietly without overwhelming them with their message. “For us, craftivism is a form of ‘slow activism’. It is passionate but polite, provocative but patient, drawing people to take part in discussion and debate rather than forcing it down people’s throat.”

The Knitty Gritty Whether it’s political cross stich, charity knitting or yarn bombing your local town centre, craftivism is bringing social change to the world of handicraft.

Sarah is careful to distinguish between the therapeutic mind clearing effect of ‘crafts’ and the social movement. “It’s ‘craftivism’ not craft. We take that time to concentrate our mind and use it to think about issues, so most of our workshops have a focus. It’s very much about craft for critical

By Georgina Kiely and Shannon Skeels

RAFT IS NO LONGER just something done in the halls of the WI; it’s made a serious comeback with younger generations and knitting your own Christmas presents has never been cooler. Homespun hobbies are taking the UK by storm too. Google’s top 10 “How-to” Searches of 2014 included crochet at number 3, and knitting at number 5. Taking this skill to the next level and aiming to spark social change is Craftivism. It’s a method of social activism using forms of craft such as cross stitch, knitting and crochet as its medium. These ‘craftivists’ are trying to change

the world one stitch at a time. The term was coined in 2003 by the writer Betsy Greer, who explains it as “a way of looking at life where voicing opinions through creativity makes your voice stronger.” According to the ‘Craftivist Collective’, the biggest community of craft activists in the UK, “unlike some of the more traditional, extrovert forms of activism, craftivism is quietly beautiful, it is individual and it is effective.” Sarah Corbett, the founder of the Craftivist Collective believes the distinct creativity and thought put into every crafty creation gives it its thought provoking power. “I

“Activism for me is the priority and craft is a tool”

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am more of an introvert and I like being on my own or in small quiet groups and I felt like that wasn’t really being offered.” Sarah started the movement in 2009 after becoming increasingly tired of traditional forms of activism. “ I grew up as an activist, joined lots of activist groups and I worked as a professional campaigner. I started to doubt the effectiveness of quick petitions

“It’s very much about craft for critical thinking”

“The way craft has been used in before is quite different to how we use it now. It was a very natural development and in the past few years people have taken notice and started doing things themselves. Activism for me is the priority and craft is a tool.” Craftivism gives its participants the opportunity to really reflect on what they’re engaging in. It’s all about small changes that lead to a big impact. “I get lots of letters and emails from people saying it made them think about how they need to change their habits rather than be a hero.” Knit Happens One of the Craftivist Collective’s most popular recent campaigns is the ‘Love Fashion, Hate Sweatshops’ project. “We love the fact that we can express ourselves through clothes and feel confident in what we wear. But we won’t stand for the ugly side of the fashion industry.” Hand-stitched mini protest banners made by fashion loving Craftivists were displayed in prominent positions across London in the lead up to London Fashion Week. “Sadly, often the clothes we buy come at a terrible human cost. Millions of workers around the world suffer poverty and exploitation, producing cheap fashion for our shops as they push for a profitdriven fast fashion industry.” The Collective hope to utilize their talents to bring people’s attention to human rights abuses in the fashion industry. Knittingham Nottingham has its own community of socially-minded knitters, working with local charities and awareness groups to get their messages across. A maverick group of craftivists have begun by ‘yarn-bombing’ areas of the city centre with colourful

knitted creations. Katie Waterfield, 19, is an avid knitter and part of Nottingham’s illumiknitty. “My textiles teacher got me involved in knitting. Princess Anne was making a visit to open a new building at our school and we were given permission to cover it in our own work. A group of us recently yarn-bombed Trinity Square; we created pom-pom bunting and hung them over the trees to inject colour into our local area. It’s always a challenge initially, because what looks like a huge piece of work at home always appears tiny when it’s hung up in public. It takes a huge group effort.” One of her partners in sewing seeds of social change is Kate Pearson, 20, “At first I was a bit worried about getting caught whilst yarn bombing, but I’ve never had any trouble so far.” On the whole these night-time knitters have had an overwhelmingly positive reception. “People always comment on how it brightens up the area, and it’s easily removed unlike traditional graffiti.” The world of Craftivism is constantly expanding and crafty creations are popping up thick and fast. In the life of a social activist, its survival of the knittist.

Quick tips Before you start your own Yarn-bombing adventures, here’s some things to think about: Unless you’re yarn bombing with permission from the property owner or host organization, it’s illegal! Some cities encourage this warm fuzzy form of protest, some frown upon it. Knit at your own risk.

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COREREVIEWS

COREFASHION

Cinderella 13th March 2015

Noel Gallagher

E ALL KNOW the story of Cinderella, and this month, we can fall in love with the remake of the original Disney movie all over again. Starring Cate Blanchett, Lilly James, Richard Madden and Helena Bonham Carter, Cinderella’s story is the same. We follow a young Ella’s misfortunes as her father remarries following the death of her mother. Although we know the movie will end happily ever after, the remake will feature a brand new song. So if it is anywhere near as catchy as Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’, there will be no escape from Disney’s latest princess. Davina Merchant

How To Get Away With Murder

After a dramatic mid-season break, Annalise Keating is back (Academy award-winning Viola Davis) with her team of law students whose job it is to lend a hand to the most demanding criminal law cases. Following on from the dramatic last episode, we are reeling as to what Annalise should do in the case of her husband’s murder. We see her life turned upside down and her students now complicit in the murder of her husband. Who should she protect? Season 1 continues on March 22 9pm on Universal. DM

Credit: NBC Universal

Chasing Yesterday

T’S EASY TO FOCUS on Noel Gallagher’s flaws –the knuckle-dragging attitude, the awful, awful lyrics (‘slowly walking down the hall/faster than a cannonball’) and his complete lack of a musical imagination - but let’s just not. There’s a reason why, over two decades after Definitely Maybe, Gallagher’s still going and it’s got nothing to do with the above. What fans have always loved about his songs is the mood and feeling behind them. And on Chasing Yesterday, mood and feeling are two things you get in bucket loads. You get the bluesy, Verve-ish groove of ‘The Right Stuff’, the Bowie-esque ‘Masterplan’-

rewrite of ‘The Girl with X-Ray Eyes’, and the summery, streamlined radio-rock of ‘You Know We Can’t Go Back’. The latter, incidentally, is one of the most immediate and uplifting songs Gallagher has written for years. There’s also a fair amount of melancholy too. At times, you get the impression that Gallagher wrote these songs while staring out of a rainflecked window. ‘The Riverman’ and ‘The Dying of the Light’ both breeze in with the same minor-key lilt of ‘Wonderwall’, while ‘Ballad of the Mighty I’ comes replete with distant, echoing vocals, twinkling piano and the kind of magisterial

EARING AN UNCANNY resemblance to the infamous Bullingdon Club, Lyndsay Turner’s POSH follows a group of Oxford students with the sole aim of getting “totally chateaued”. The plot flows as quickly as the Merlot around the table and absorbs the audience throughout. In spite of the obviously satirical nature of the characters, the roles are not so overplayed that they become unbelievable. The men are comedic and almost likeable despite the disgustingly ostentatious attitudes that present themselves throughout the three course meal. That is, right up until a crucial moment during the second half where the plot rapidly takes on a serious tone. From this point onwards the group’s debauchery progresses from laddish humour into unquestionably criminal behaviour. The play is depicting more than just drunken University shenani-

ENTRAL SAINT MARTIN’S graduate Angel Chen launched her label, Angel Chen, in 2014. Her first ready-to-wear collection SS2014, The Rite Spring, was presented at Shanghai Fashion Week. Inspired by the energy of new life in spring, with blocks of intense colour and bold carefree prints, Chen’s collection – like her character – is loud and vivacious. Her distinctive collection of handmade, hand-drawn pieces are an ongoing study of colour.

strings you’d find at the end of a Sergio Leone Western. There are some duds - ‘In the Heat of the Moment’ and ‘Lock All the Doors’ both feel tired and boorish- but altogether, this is an honest multi-layered album with a lot of depth and no short supply of great moments. Joe Christmas

POSH: A tale of ten toffs B

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There’s something about Angel

gans, but rather casting a question on the formation of our political structure. At first glance the overview of the piece is simply put; men behaving badly, yet the final thought leaves an air of doubt as to what type of characters we have allowed control over Britain. POSH begins it’s 2015 tour at Nottingham Playhouse and continues around the UK. Shannon Skeels

Credit: Richard Lakos

Born in 1991 and originally from Shenzhen, China, Chen moved to London to pursue her fashion career at CSM, where she spent several years at university. Known for her romantic spirit, Chen reflects her personal experiences in her designs. By growing up with her customers she has a real understanding of what they want - and what they want to wear. Always one to bring quirky elements to her work, she has been noticed by the likes of Vogue, ID and DAZED.

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This week @alyssbowen went behind the scenes with Angel Chen at The Ones to Watch, Fashion Scout show

The Rite of Spring SS2015 lookbook

Eight things you need to know about Angel Chen:

1. After living in London for five years, Chen moved back to Shanghai, China. 2. She is sponsored by Sony, and even created a Chen-inspired accessories collection for them. 3. She interned at Vera Wang and Marchesa. 4. All the prints used in The Rite of Spring are hand-drawn by her. 5. She collaborated with skincare experts, Kiehls for a campaign, and redesigned their famous lab coat. 6. Her graduate collection, Les Noches, is inspired by a gay wedding. 7. Black and white just aren’t her thing – she never wants to work in monotone. 8. One coat in her latest collection is made entirely out of recycled gunny coffee bags.

1. The models wore barely-there make up with hints of colour under the eye - subtle but oh so effective. 2.The models took to the catwalk with mystical woodland props and detailed lace headpieces. . 3. Getting the outfits ready for the show, we adore the clashing yellow and reds. 4. Bold prints, bright colours and mesh fabric - we’re in love.

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Michael Pettifer The greatest show off earth With another solar eclipse just around the corner, should we be worried about the economic cost of taking an hour off work?

or a few moments on August 11 1999, I was sure the world was going to end. The sun – which I knew was pretty damn important, even as a gormless 12-year-old – went and hid behind the moon and refused to come out the other side. I’m sure that those stood around me at the time felt the same impending sense of catastrophe – the silence it created was cacophonous. All sorts of people, it seemed, had taken the morning off work to stare skywards through their flimsy cardboard glasses – those £2 glasses that everyone happily relied upon to prevent blindness. The London Chamber of Commerce later calculated that the 1999 eclipse cost British businesses up to £500 million in lost sales and production (although the cardboard glasses industry experienced a much needed boost). They announced this figure like it was somehow the result of bad planning – as if they were bemoaning the fact that the eclipse was held on a weekday, when people were supposed to be dutifully doing their bit for the economy. On March 20 2015, another of

“This is a

chance to prove to ourselves that there is more to life than making a few quid”

What happened in...March 1995

these cosmic coincidences will occur. The moon will be up to its old tricks again, blotting out the sun – 80% to 90% of it, depending on where you are in the UK – at around 09:45. Clearly, this is one of those rare spectacles that nature occasionally stages – an open invitation to gawp into space. It is an event that demands attention and one that should receive it. After all, this will be the last eclipse visible from anywhere in Europe until 2026. But, as our sun and moon align, should we spare a thought for the economy? Perhaps the number bods at the Chamber of Commerce will shake

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20YEARSAGO

• March 4th - George Foreman loses the WBA boxing title, after refusing to fight Tony Tucker.

• March 24th – For the first time in 26 years, no British soldiers patrol the streets of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

• March 7th - New York becomes the 38th state to legalise the death penalty.

• March 25th - Boxer Mike Tyson released from jail after serving 3 years for the rape of 18-year-old Desiree Washington.

• March 20th - the Beatles song, “Baby It’s You”, with the late John Lennon as the lead singer, hits the charts. It’s the first single released by the Fab Four in over 30 years.

with uncontrollable rage as they tally up the cost, but this should not be of concern to the rest of us. This is a chance to prove to ourselves that there is more to life than making a few quid. UK businesses should follow the example set by Safeway in 1999. The company, using a perfect combination of humanistic management and financial abandon, took the decision to close 12 stores for an hour so that employees could go outside and see the eclipse. Witnessing a solar eclipse is an assault on the senses (ask any dog or small child); it’s the eerie, spinetingling feeling of standing in midmorning darkness that imprints itself on the memory. Astronomer Patrick Moore, described it as a “strange, weird experience”, and he was right. Nothing else can be compared to such an event, which is why it’s so important that people grab their chance to see it this time around. The sun did eventually reappear in 1999, for all those who were wondering how that story ended. Overall, I was quite happy that the world was going to carry on – I had big plans to become a train conductor. I don’t remember being overly fussed about the £500 million.

• March 27th - At the 67th Academy Awards, Forest Gump takes four Oscars, including Tom Hanks for Best Actor. Gerry Adams; president of Sinn Fein stands by a mural in Belfast

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