Concrete 387

The official student newspaper of the University of East Anglia | Established 1992 | Issue 387 | 3rd May 2022

Our final issue of the year A guide to the changes in student loan interest rates

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Read the UK's best student Science section

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43% of UEA sports clubs and societies at risk of being disbanded Dolly Carter Editor-in-Chief

As a result of investigations into the results of Students’ Union sports clubs and society committee elections, Concrete have found that 113 (43%) are at risk of being disbanded.

These elections determine the committees for societies during the 2022-23 academic year.

Of the 265 sports clubs and societies who take part in the election process, 44 (17%) have had no candidates running for any of the positions available and a further 69 (26%) haven’t filled the required President, Treasurer, and Secretary roles.

On a society level, of the 207 societies 94 (45%) are in danger of being disbanded.

40 societies (19%) have had no candidates running for any of the positions available.

This includes Amnesty International, Nursing, Womanist, and Palestine Solidarity societies. A further 54 (26%) haven’t filled the three obligatory roles, including Engineering, Labour, International Students, and Feminist societies.

In terms of sports, of the 58 clubs

19 (33%) are in danger of being President, Treasurer, and Secretary disbanded. roles. This includes Men’s Basketball, Men’s Football, Netball, and 4 societies (7%) have had no Rowing. candidates running for any of the positions available, Before the election results were including American Football, announced, the SU Opportunities Mixed Hockey, and Windsurf. A Team have sent an email to current further 15 (26%) haven’t filled the committees with low candidate take-

up saying: “To ensure your society can continue next year, you should be aiming to elect the President, Treasurer, and Secretary in this round of elections. If you are unable to find any committee members from this election your society may be at risk of disbandment, which is not something we want to happen.”

Voting opened on 31st March at 10am and was meant to close on 6th April at 10pm. The SU Opportunities Team extended the voting period by four days citing technical issues with the uea.su website, meaning it closed on 11th April. Results were released to current committees at 15:36 on Tuesday 12th April.

Editorial

3rd May 2022

Too many goodbyes, too many thank yous Freyja Elwood Deputy Editor

It’s very weird to know that this is my last immortalised editorial. I always get stuck on writing these and they always seem to get very floaty and philosophical. Sorry.

Thank you, Concrete Dolly Carter Editor-in-Chief

Welcome to Concrete’s eighth and final issue of the year. This publication prompts mixed feelings of both intense pride for our accomplishments and sadness that our time together as the 2021-22 Concrete team has now come to an end.

I’d like to take a moment to celebrate Concrete’s success at the 2022 Student Publication Association Awards. As a publication, we were shortlisted for seven categories, including being recognised as one of the top ten student publications in the entirety of the UK. I also take great pleasure in being able to say that Concrete won ‘Best Science Section’! Huge congratulations to our Science Editor Mariam Jallow who has worked unbelievably hard to deliver engaging, informative, and fun science content this year. A great deal of thanks also needs to go to our Science Senior Writer George Barsted who has worked with Mariam to produce an incredible number of high-quality pieces. And

finally, thank you to everyone who has either written for or somehow taken part in this section this year – all of you, in some way or another, have helped to make it the best science section in the UK. Attending the conference and awards night on behalf of Concrete was a truly wonderful experience.

On a personal level, I was honoured to be highly commended for the Billy Dowling-Reid Award for Outstanding Commitment. In my acceptance speech, I thanked the Student Publication Association, my friends and family (particularly my partner Will and my lovely mum), and, last but not least, the Concrete team. In my first editorial of the year, I wrote that I was looking forward to seeing how the Concrete team continued to flourish over the coming year, and flourish they most certainly have.

The Venue Senior Editors, Fizz, Hamilton, and Molly have made their mark on our arts supplement and I’m sure their work will be studied by generations of Venue Editors to come. I am endlessly proud of our Section Editors who

Make it count Sam Gordon Webb Deputy Editor

I love apricots. Juicy, tangy, subtle enough to feel fresh, small enough to carry in a lunchbox.

A few days ago, I ate an apricot on the bus to campus. It filled my body with a sense of joy, watching

have committed themselves to their sections with admirable passion, ensuring our pages have always been full of brilliant content. Our Senior Writers’ dedication is also much appreciated and this year I have been particularly pleased with the reliable relationships they have struck with our Section Editors. It’s been a pleasure to witness the success of Concrete’s first ever Breaking News team, ensuring consistent coverage of the globe’s most urgent topics. I’d also like to thank our support teams, the Copy Editors, Online Editors, Lead Photographer, and Social Media Manager, for their behind-the-scenes work on the paper, our website, and social media channels.

What’s next for me? I’m delighted to announce that I have accepted a position as a Trainee Reporter at Archant, who will kindly be putting me through my NCTJ and NQJ qualifications. Even though my time at Concrete has come to an end, I shall never forget all the wonderful experiences, invaluable opportunities, and inspirational people. It has been an absolute privilege to lead the Concrete team as your 2021-22 Editor-in-Chief. offering donations as well as vital necessities to those directly impacted by the ongoing crisis.

the sun peak between the trees on the Avenues, a soft breeze clipping my hair as the bus made its timely commute.

As the academic year reaches its final lap, let’s remember to enjoy the small things in life. Coffee with friends. A walk in the fresh air. Discounted t-shirts. Personal bests. Fresh fruit.

And how lucky we all are to be able to enjoy small moments of happiness.

Supporting Ukrainians from the comforts of a war-free Norwich has been greatly supported by the group, ‘Norfolk Supporting Ukraine’,

Never take such things for granted. Enjoy them, fight for the ability of others to enjoy them too. From Freyja and I, thank you.

The Concrete office has been the site of many giggles and laughs and many life lessons. It is the place where I was first given authority and duress and where I first worked directly with and under leadership - so thank you Dolly and Sam, I know whatever you put your minds to you will achieve and shine.

Another enormous thank you must go to each of our team.

Rome was not built in a day.

Reviving Concrete and its readership around campus has not been an easy task. But it has been made easy by our entire Venue team, our fantastic section editors and their senior writers, and our online, social and copy teams.

I’d also like to immortalise a thank you to my friends, my team at UEABC and my housemates - Anna, Harriet, Meg, Rachel, Aimee, Sophie (honourary), and Oscar (honourary). Getting emotional now. Sorry. I’m not sure how I’m going to be not living with you all come September. You are all pillars of joy, silliness, and happiness in my life and I could not have wished for better friends to go through these years with.

The end sentence of my first editorial was: “I hope this year you find your place, your people and your peace.” I found all of that and more at UEA this year. I hope you did too. Go well.

concrete-online.co.uk

ConcreteUEA

The University of East Anglia’s Official Student Newspaper since 1992 Tuesday 3rd May 2022 Issue 387 Union House University of East Anglia Norwich NR4 7TJ 01603 593466 www.concrete-online.co.uk

Editor-in-Chief Dolly Carter concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk

Deputy Editors Sam Gordon Webb & Freyja Elwood

News Una Jones Senior Writer: Rachel Keane Global Aislinn Wright Senior Writer: Hamish Davis Features Maja Anushka Senior Writer: Lily Boag Home of the Wonderful Libby Hargreaves Comment Lauren Bramwell Science Mariam Jallow Senior Writer: George Barsted Travel & Lifestyle Tristan Pollitt Sport Oscar Ress Senior Writer: Metin Yilmaz

Breaking News Emily Kelly UK Correspondent: Addie Cannell International Correspondent: Melody Chan

Online Editors Matthew Stothard, Ray Khawaja & Rianna Jones Copy Editors Sophie Colley, Phoebe Lucas & Julia Reynolds Social Media Manager Badriya Abdullah Lead Photographer Samuel Baxter

ConcreteUEA Front page photo: Concrete/Harry Chapman Cut outs: Concrete/Samuel Baxter (left), Pixabay (centre)

Editorial Enquiries, Complaints & Corrections concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk

No part of this newspaper may be reproduced by any means without the permission of the Editor-in-Chief, Dolly Carter. Published by the Union of UEA Students on behalf of Concrete.

Concrete is a UUEAS society, but retains editorial independence as regards to any content. Opinions expressed herein are those of individual writers, not of Concrete or its editorial team.

NEWS

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

"Huge breakthrough" made in battle against Prostate Cancer Sam Gordon Webb Deputy Editor

Researchers at the University of East Anglia have made a breakthrough that could slow down and prevent the development of aggressive forms of Cancer.

UEA Law expert supports Ed Sheeran court case outcome Una Jones News Editor

Following his vindication, Sheeran has called for an end to “baseless claims” of plagiarism through his Instagram Ed Sheeran has won his High Court platform with a 37.7million following. copyright case over the 2017 song Shape of You. The hit song has been “Claims like this are way too common announced as the most streamed song now and have become a culture where in Spotify’s history. a claim is made with the idea that a settlement will be cheaper than taking The 11-day trial saw Ed Sheeran take it to court, even if there is no basis for to the stand to defend himself against the claim, and it’s really damaging to copyright allegations. Sami Chokri and the song-writing industry,” he said.

Ross O’Donoghue alleged there were similarities between Ed Sheeran’s song, Associate professor in IP/IT/Media Law and their 2015 song Oh Why. Dr Sabine Jacques has commented: “With a finite number of notes and the Mr Justice Zacaroli concluded that global dissemination of works, the rise Sheeran “neither deliberately nor of such cases is not surprising.” subconsciously” copied a phrase from Oh Why. Dr Jacques’ research areas are in

intellectual property law (copyright, trademarks, designs and patents) and in the intersection of intellectual property law and other areas of law such as contract law and human rights.

Previous work has focused on the music industry.

In support of the verdict they went on to say the decision “should bring some comfort to creators” and “foster musical creativity.”

It seems musical creativity is still thriving, as Sheeran himself noted on Instagram that 60,000 songs are still being released a day on Spotify, resulting in 22 million songs per year overall.

UEA Post Room moves to The Street underneath the Arts Building until 4.15pm on Thursday 28 April. It will then News Editor be closed on Friday 29 April and over the May bank holiday weekend before The latest updates to the new Post Room reopening in the new space on Tuesday on UEA campus have been revealed.

3 May.

Una Jones

The former Waterstones building closed its doors permanently in 2020. Over the last few months, signs have gone up next to the Student Information Zone (SIZ) detailing a revamp for the new UEA Post Room.

indoor queuing and waiting spaces.

For those looking to collect post or make enquiries at quieter times, the Post Room have revealed that Monday is their busiest day for parcel and post collection, with approximately 800 student visitors.

While UEA boasts many key amenities, Overall, Post Room staff handle over some students have found accessibility 3,500 items of mail weekly. issues with their locations. The Post Room move now means all key amenities are This is not the only change to campus, as based on a central campus location, with the Campus Development Programme the Laundrette, SIZ, Shop @ UEA and now means almost 1,000 members of staff the Post Room all based on The Street. have been moved to new office spaces.

The Post Room, currently located in the Arts building, will make the official move The new Post Room will offer an If you have any queries about mail over the May bank holiday. Remaining accessible space for students including a collection, please contact the Post Room open for business in its current location, wheelchair accessible counter and more directly via postroom@uea.ac.uk.

“We also identified potential biological mechanisms of how these bacteria may be linked to cancer.”

However, the team were also keen to stress the benefits of certain forms of bacteria, making it a difficult task to remove harmful bacteria without removing the protection provided by Funded by The Bob Champion Cancer other forms of bacteria.

Trust and Prostate Cancer UK, UEA’s Norwich Medical School worked with She continued: “Among other things colleagues from Norfolk and Norwich we don’t yet know is how people pick University Hospital, the Quadrum up these bacteria, whether they are Institute and other collaborators, causing the cancer, or whether a poor identifying five types of bacteria which immune response permits the growth were common in urine and tissue of the bacteria.” samples from men with aggressive prostate cancer.

In June, Norwich Medical School announced the development of a nonThe types of bacteria found – thought invasive urine test for prostate cancer to be anaerobic, which means they that can test the aggressiveness of the likely grow without the presence disease whilst reducing the number of of oxygen - include Anaerococcus, unnecessary prostate cancer biopsies Peptoniphilus, Porphyromonas, by 32%.

Fenollaria and Fusobacterium.

According to Dr Hayley Luxton, Dr Rachel Hurst, senior research Research Impact Manager at Prostate associate and first author of the report, Cancer UK, the link between bacteria said: “to detect bacteria, we used many living in the prostate and severe different approaches including whole forms of prostate cancer is “an exciting genome sequencing of the tissue discovery that has the potential to truly samples, a method which is being used revolutionise treatment for men.” increasingly as we transition into an era of genome medicine.”

Photo: Freyja Elwood

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Student loan interest rate to increase Senior News Writer

Student loan interest rates are set to increase from 4.5% to 12% for many this September.

For those currently at university in England, the interest rate on student loans is calculated by adding 3% to the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation which is based on the changes in a range of costs over time, including housing.

Martin Lewis has warned students not to panic too much by the latest

announcements, as unless you are a high earner straight out of university, the amount of interest added will not make a difference to the amount you repay.

deterred many students from going to university, Hillary Gyebi-Ababio, from the National Union of Students has said, as well as causing “unparalleled uncertainty for the millions of graduates already repaying their loans, Student loans are repaid as a percentage with thousands of pounds added to of your gross salary above a threshold. their debt sheet.”

Currently, students must repay loans at a rate of 9% on everything they earn The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) above £27,295 a year. has said current estimates suggest interest is likely to fall back to about 7% This means even if interest dramatically in March 2023, with some fluctuation in increases the overall amount owed, it the following couple of will not change the amount to be paid years. back each year.

They have said it will not However, there has been confusion make a big overall difference regarding the changes which has to how much people pay.

Photo: Pixabay

Rachel Keane

Children face 5-year waiting list for autism consultations Jamie Bryson

Nationally, across the 20 NHS trusts that have published figures, children have waited an average of nearly six months to be seen by a specialist An Observer investigation last consultant. month discovered some children are waiting up to five years for Labour’s shadow cabinet minister an initial NHS autism for mental health, Dr Rosena consultation.

Allin-Khan MP commented: “The NHS does an incredible job with the Figures obtained through the Freedom resources that it has. of Information Act uncovered a significant case of 2,835 autistic However, long waits for treatment children who were referred to have a considerable impact on patients Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership and families. It’s unacceptable that NHS Trust, waiting an average of 88 a six-month wait has become the weeks. standard for autism referrals, with many others waiting years to be seen, on the The longest case was 251 weeks Conservatives’ watch.

(5 years). An additional 1,250 children with attention deficit Waiting so long for treatment will hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were have a detrimental impact on a child’s referred but have yet to receive an development.” initial appointment, with an average wait time of 46 weeks.

In response, a government health spokesperson said: “We know how vital it is for children to have timely diagnosis for autism and ADHD and we’re working to improve assessment waiting times…supporting neurodivergent children is part of our Long Term NHS Plan – developing packages with charity experts and children’s services to support them throughout the diagnostic process.”

News Writer

"The longest case was 251 weeks (5 years)"

Photo: Wikimedia Commons Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Another record case was revealed at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust, where 2,801 paediatric autism referrals have still not been seen after an average of 60 weeks; the longest ADHD referral stands at 193 weeks (nearly four years).

The news comes as it has been revealed the NHS currently pays £2bn a year to private hospitals to care for mental health patients because it does not have enough of its own beds, alongside an overall mental health waiting list of 2 million, according to mental health charity, Mind.

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Free tuition for Ukrainian refugees at Scottish universities Rachel Keane

early May. Ukrainian students already studying at a Scottish university are able to apply for assistance from a £1 Ukrainian refugees will be able to study million fund for those facing hardship. at Scottish universities free of charge this autumn.

This new emergency fund will also be open to applications from any Under proposals from the Holyrood international student who is struggling government, Ukrainians will qualify for as a result of conflict or persecution in home fee status, meaning the £1,820 their own country. fees for undergraduate courses will be covered by the university.

Matt Crilly, Scotland president of the National Union of Students (NUS) said: Additional living cost support will also “Our places of education should always be available to Ukrainians who are be safe havens for all those affected by eligible to apply to one of the Homes war and persecution - this is a practical for Ukraine, Ukraine Family, or Ukraine step towards this vision.”

Extension schemes.

This comes as Universities UK This will entitle applicants to up to announced a similar initiative whereby £8,100 a year in bursaries and loans to UK universities will be matched with make beginning a university course counterparts in Ukraine. possible. Jamie Hepburn, Scotland’s higher education minister, said: “by Under this scheme, Ukrainian extending home fee status and living academics will be able to continue to cost support to students arriving from teach their students online whilst also Ukraine we hope to provide some having access to academic resources. stability and assurance at this deeply troubling time.”

So far, around thirty UK institutions have signed up, including three based These changes will come into force in Scotland. in August, if approved by MSPs in Senior News Writer

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Funds for Ukraine raised by Norfolk home auctions Rachel Keane Senior News Writer

Norfolk holiday homeowners are auctioning stays at their homes to raise money to support Ukraine, facilitated by a local letting firm and charity Street Child.

"Norfolk holiday homeowners are auctioning stays at their homes" Established in 2008 by Norwich local Tom Dannatt, Street Child is a charity focused on the safety and educational empowerment of children.

It has recently partnered with Norfolk

Cottage Agency to raise funds for its Kelling Heath. Beyond Norfolk, there are Ukraine Crisis appeal to help children also many other exciting locations on and families suffering in the war-torn offer, such as Corfu, Paris and Cornwall. country.

Norfolk Cottage Agency is run by Alex and Tom Atkinson, who set up the letting firm recently after moving from York.

Commenting on her contributions to Street Child’s work to help Ukrainian people, Alex said: “We are very lucky to work with such generous holiday home owners in Norfolk who have offered their homes for the auction.”

She has high hopes for the auction, stating: “With the support of the public, we would be ecstatic if we could raise close to £10,000 as it would be a huge support to the charity’s efforts on the Ukraine and Poland border.”

"Corfu, Paris, and Cornwall"

Proceeds from the auction will go to Street Child’s charity appeal.

Some of the money raised will go to Posmishka, a women-led charity supporting people fleeing the Donbas region, and Bright Kids, a Kiev-based People can bid to stay at a huge range charity which supports families with of properties in Norfolk, from traditional children with disabilities during this cottages to glamping experiences difficult time. across multiple locations, such as Sheringham, Brancaster, Cromer, Holt, The auction ran until Sunday 24 April.

Blickling, Snettishman, Stiffkey, and

Improved walking and cycling routes across Norwich Melody Chan

paths, old pathways such as the red pedalway between the city centre and Thorpe Marriott will be reconstructed A new blueprint of Norwich suggests for better access. the city has the potential to extend and create new routes in its periphery.

Long-term goals are expected to improve walking paths covering the The Norfolk County Council is pushing city. the public to delimit their car usage and encourages healthier ways of travel Including areas between the city such as cycling and walking. centre and the historic walls, as well as paths that connect the campus of The Council collaborated with Norwich, the University of East Anglia with the Broadland and South Norfolk councils Norwich Research Park and the Norfolk to propose local infrastructure plans and Norwich University Hospital. aiming to increase the public’s participation in regional cycling and This improvement project is mostly walking paths. funded by the Transforming Cities and Towns Fund. Matt Hayward from the There are currently eight cycle routes in Council hopes the public would help Norwich spanning 60 miles. “shape this important project” by taking part in the survey www.norfolk.gov.uk/ New improvements will be made in activetravel until May 30. places such as Horsford and Harford, where travel to the city centre will be The public is encouraged to suggest more convenient with an extended locations for cycle and walk path yellow pedalway. improvements.”

News Writer

Another improvement being the construction of the blue pedalway to connect Wymondham and Sprowston with the city centre.

Other than creating and extending new

According to Hayward, it is important to “help cut congestion, improve air quality and help combat climate change. [...] Which are all in addition to the health and wellbeing benefits.”

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GLOBAL

Finland debates joining NATO 30 magical years with Aislinn Wright

Global Editor

Finland’s parliament has begun discussing potential NATO membership in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The parliament debate held on 20th April begins Finland’s process of discussing potential membership of the military alliance alongside neighbouring Sweden, despite warnings from Russia.

The 200 members of Finland’s parliament have received a governmentcommissioned white paper detailing the risks of NATO membership and an analysis of other potential security measures, including an increase in bilateral defence agreements.

The paper, which does not make any specific recommendations, notes that without NATO membership Finland has no security guarantees despite being a partner of the alliance and a member of the European Union. The Nordic country shares a 1,300km border with Russia which Russia has threatened to arm with nuclear weapons should Finland and Sweden join NATO. Finland’s interest in joining the NATO

alliance has significantly increased since Russia invaded Ukraine. For the past two decades, public support for joining the alliance has remained at 20-30 per cent. In recent opinion polls, more than 60 per cent of the population now supports joining the military bloc. It has been reported that as many as half of the 200 MPs presented with the white paper now support membership, only 12 in opposition, and those remaining have said they will announce their position following the upcoming discussions.

“I think it will happen quite fast” The government hopes to reach a decision in the coming weeks.

Finland’s Prime Minister, Sanna Marin commented “I think it will happen quite fast. Within weeks, not months.” Many analysts predict the country could submit an application before the June NATO summit. To join, an application must be accepted by all 30 of the current

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Disneyland Paris

Melody Chan Global Writer

Disneyland Paris marks anniversary this year.

members, a process which typically takes four months to a year to complete.

NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has stated the alliance is open to membership from Finland and Sweden.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia’s Security Council, has said that Sweden and Finland joining NATO could end the “nuclear-free” state of the Baltic and Russia will be forced to strengthen its military presence in the Baltic Sea. Finnish proponents of NATO believe the country is well equipped to withstand potential Russian aggression.

its

30th

In 2019, when “Disneyland Paris was named the World’s Leading Theme Park Resort by World Travel Awards for the second year in a row.”

Multiple awards such as European Star Awards, Travellers’ Choice Awards, and The park opened on the 12th of April Family Traveller Excellence Awards 1992 and decided to celebrate its 30th recognised the park’s numerous birthday with special events starting attractions. from the 6th of March.

The global pandemic was also a major There are anniversary-themed setback to its popularity, causing Paris parades and shows such as “Disney Disney to have an attendance of only D-Light”, where the “Un monde qui 1.92 million in 2020. The park has new s’illumine” song created by a symphony expansion projects to compensate for orchestra from London’s Abbey Road this economic loss.

Studio will be played.

Starting Summer 2022, the highly The park is also displaying 30 anticipated opening of the new sculptures of Disney princesses theme-based area ‘Avengers Campus’ and villains at a newly constructed will invite guests to embark on a promenade for sightseeing. brand-new, epic journey as part of the transformation of Walt Disney Studios In the past 30 years, Paris Park.

Disneyland has grown in popularity with various achievements.

The 30th Anniversary marks the continued expansion into this The park had 10 million visitors in its immersive experience, beginning with first year of opening, in comparison to the opening of Disney’s Hotel New York 12 million in 2018.

– The Art of Marvel in 2021.”

Rockets, rubble, and a refusal to surrender: the battle for Mariupol nears a conclusion Hamish Davis Global Senior Writer

Nearing 60 days into the invasion of Ukraine, Russian victory in Mariupol was all but declared during a rather orchestrated meeting between President Putin and his minister of defence Sergei Shoigu on April 21st.

Though, at the time of this article’s writing, resistance continues.

The coastal city in the Southeast of Ukraine has been the scene of a desperate struggle against Russian forces.

Amidst the rubble of a brutal Russian bombing campaign, estimated by the city’s mayor to have killed over 10,000 civilians, continuing stubborn resistance from Ukraine’s military has proven a thorn in the invaders side.

The stakes of controlling the city are all too apparent to both sides.

Russian control means the invader connecting Crimea, annexed in 2014, to the eastern breakaway regions of the Donbas and Luhansk.

For months the Russian offensive had faltered in the city, a defence including the controversial Azov battalion

standing in their way.

Now, the remaining resistance have been pushed back to Mariupol’s Azovstal steelworks complex.

Covering 4.25 square miles, it is believed that 2,000 Ukrainian troops and 1,000 civilians are holed up at the industrial site.

Capable of carrying over 10 nuclear warheads and of striking as far as the US, the test served as a reminder of what escalation could bring.

On Russian state TV, head of the Roscomos space agency, Dmitry

Rogozin claimed the “super-weapon” would guarantee the security of Russia’s children and grandchildren for the next 30-40 years. For Ukraine’s children and grandchildren, western intervention is kept cautiously at bay.

The ICBM system, Putin has warned, would “make those who in the heat of frantic aggressive rhetoric try to threaten our country, think twice”.

Surrounded from all sides, they have faced heavy shelling. Though a Russian window for surrender on April 20th was still refused.

Presented with a difficult assault of the site’s intricate network of tunnels by his defence minister, Putin promptly discarded this option as ‘impractical’.

Instead, he has called for a blockade, “so that a fly can’t get through”.

Despite refusing to surrender, a commander in the complex, Serhiy Volyna of the 36th Separate Marine Brigade, had requested the extraction of soldiers and civilians to a ‘third party state’. Yet, the implications of a thirdparty involvement are too high for many.

Two weeks ago Russia conducted the first test launch of its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Macron wins another term in French Election Aislinn Wright Global Editor

Emmanuel Macron will serve another five years as France’s president after victory over far-right Marine Le Pen. The centrist Macron won by 58.55% to Le Pen’s 41.45%, a larger margin than expected but Le Pen nevertheless secured the far right’s highest share of the vote.

Ms Le Pen has described the significant voting gain as a victory, despite the electoral defeat. Macron is the first sitting French president to be re-elected in 20 years.

Le Pen’s policies of tax cuts to tackle high costs of living, a ban on wearing headscarves in public, and stricter immigration controls won the party 13 million votes.

held across the country, including in Paris, Rennes, Toulouse and Nantes in an objection to the results.

struggled throughout the election campaign with accusations of Kremlin ties.

Far-left leader Jean-luc Melenchon, who narrowly beat Le Pen in the first round of voting, said it was good news that the electorate rejected the far right but said the re-elected President “floats in an ocean of abstentions, and blank, and spoiled ballots.”

Serving Prime Minister Jean Castex is now likely to be replaced, with many analysts expecting Macron to ask Labour Minister Elisabeth Borne to take over the position. Borne has so far refused to say if she was expecting the appointment, saying the focus should be on addressing living standards.

Macron’s victory was met with relief by the EU who feared the anti-EU policies of Le Pen. The German Chancellor, Olaf Schulz was the first to congratulate Macron on the victory, joined by American President Joe Biden.

Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky congratulated a “true friend” and said he looked forward to a united Europe. Le Pen had

France’s attention has now turned to the parliamentary election in June, with one poll suggesting 63% of voters want Macron to lose his majority. In a speech, Le Pen said the “match is not completely over.”

Solomon Islands-China security agreement continues to aggravate Hamish Davis Global Senior Writer

Two weeks after the signing of a pact beyond Australia’s Coral-sea, the waves continue to lap at the feet of Australian prime minister Scott Morrison and his colleagues.

The finalisation of a security agreement between China and the Solomon Islands on April 19th has not only drawn concern from Australia, New Zealand, and the US, but home-grown condemnation for Australia’s coalition, accused by their political opponents of not doing enough to stop it.

A week prior to the agreement, the government’s minister for the Pacific, Zed Seselja had travelled to the island chain’s capital attempting to change the mind of Maneesh Sogavare, the Solomon Island’s PM.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Signed on the back of demonstrations and violent riots on the island chain, One trip in vain later, Australian Labor the security pact is largely believed to party foreign affairs spokesperson, be centred on crowd management.

Penny Wong was far from sympathetic. Sogavare has said that the deal is necessary to address the nation’s “On Scott Morrison’s watch, our region “internal security situation”. has become less secure, and the risks Australia faces have become much Meanwhile, the Chinese foreign ministry greater,” were her exact words on ABC’s has confirmed to the BBC that the final AM radio. Wong’s concern is shared by agreement includes provisions on many across Oceania and beyond. “maintaining social order”.

The cost of living crisis became a leading debate point in the election, with Macron being accused of acting as a president for the rich. In response, Macron said in his victory speech “an answer must be found to the anger and disagreements that led many of our compatriots to vote for the extreme right.” Voting turnout was at the lowest since 1969 with just under 72% of the population voting.

Over three million people spoilt their ballots

Days after the agreement, a senior-level U.S delegation travelled to the Solomon Islands, warning that Washington would ‘act accordingly’ to any permanent Chinese military presence in the region.

Clearly some feathers have been ruffled.

Multiple anti-Macron rallies were Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Yet, beyond hints at new controversial sunbathers in the south-pacific, the deal itself has been largely in the shade. Signed in secret, with little being disclosed of the exact contents, what it fully entails are yet to be realised.

Violence between Israel and Palestine continues Allison Ko Global Writer

Israel and Palestine see violence re-erupting, as a rocket launched from Gaza prompted Israel to carry out its first airstrike on the region in months.

This happened just as tensions and continued Israeli presence around the Palestinian Al-Aqsa mosque complex in Jerusalem exploded.

The arrival of the riot police during Ramadan during the last two weeks of worship resulted in over 150 Palestinian injuries. Israel police say the Palestinian worshippers had gathered stones within the mosque with the readiness of violence, which the police said “forced [them] to enter the

grounds.”

Videos show Palestinians hurling stones and fireworks while Israeli police opened fire with rubber bullets and stun grenades, as well as tear gassing worshipers into the mosque.

This had come at a significant and sensitive time, in which the coinciding of Ramadan, Passover, and Christian Easter Sunday brought worshippers from all three religions to their shared holy site.

Intimidation and police encroachment happening regardless, this mirrors the 100year conflict between Israel and Palestine on the premise of worship but in practice a sustained, systematic disregard for religion: is

very much displacement.

a

conflict

of

“Coinciding of Ramadan, Passover, and Christian Easter Sunday” Al Nabka (‘The Catastrophe’), the post-WWII 1948 Palestinian exodus, had been the beginning of their removal and estrangement from their land.

An ongoing displacement, today, nearly of externally displaced Palestinians live in refugee camps

scattered around Jordan, the West Bank, Gaza, Syria and Lebanon.

prospect of peace talks between the two groups far out of sight.

The Israeli green-lighting what has been called “settlements” in occupied East Jerusalem last year were an example of their active encroachment.

A number of Palestinian attacks on Israelis within Israel and Israel’s retaliating mass operation of military mobilization along occupied West bank has put this year’s tensions to a dangerous high, as people from both sides fears a tumble back into last May’s crisis.

Building police-and-military-protected housing complexes for Israelis while the remaining Palestinians live under what has been described as “apartheid conditions” which are seen as illegal under UN law, in which an occupying country is prevented from transferring its population into occupied space--occupation is meant to be temporary, but the century-long slow invasion proves otherwise.

The recent deadly--climate

violent--if seems puts

not the

“Both sides fear a tumble back into last May’s crisis”

8

3rd May 2022

GLOBAL INVESTIGATES

Global Editor Aislinn Wright investigates Photo: Wikimedia Commons

attempt to hold together what remains of Britain’s overseas territories.Of the 54 nations that make up the Commonwealth of Nations, 15 (including the United Kingdom) still officially count the Queen as the head of state.

“15 nations still officially count the Queen as the head of state” Whilst the formal removal of the Queen as the head of state does not equate to leaving the Commonwealth, it is a powerful symbolic rejection of British rule and its legacy of colonialism.

Discussions of republicanism are nothing new, but following Barbados’s removal of the Queen last year, the discussion has once again been brought to the forefront.

Following the royal visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Caribbean, the British monarchy has faced increasing doubts over its future.

mark the year of Queen Elizabeth II platinum jubilee and raise support for the royal family in a region where republicanism is on a swift rise.

The tour, which took place between and, was intended to

It was, however, met with antiroyal protests, marked by a failure

to address the legacies of slavery, and the announcement that Jamaica is planning to remove the Queen as head of state.

What was intended to be a glittering royal tour appeared instead to be an out of date

The COVID-19 pandemic also raised doubts about the longevity of Commonwealth membership, as many of the Caribbean members received little support throughout the pandemic, devastating local economies. With a population of 3 million, 120,000 Jamaican children were out of

school and nearly 3,000 died of COVID-19 on the island.

The Caribbean is not the only region debating the role of the royal family, 54% of Australians would support becoming a republic. Whilst the legacy of colonialism and slavery has always been at the forefront of discussions of republicanism in the Caribbean, the global Black Lives Matter movement brought new waves of recognizing for remnants of colonialism and the devastating legacy of empires.

For many, the arrival of the royal tour looked like nothing more than the reaching aged hand of a disintegrated colonial empire desperate to hold onto its remaining overseas territory. The photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge dressed in white in an open top land-rover during a military parade echoed the images of colonialism, critiqued many local campaigners.

“The reaching aged hand of a disintegrated colonial empire”

Flags: Wikimedia Commons

British Virgin Islands The British Virgin Islands is made up of the main Isands of Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, and Jon Van Dyke.

Before annexation, the region was known as the Dutch West Indies. It was first captured by the British in 1672 but did not become a British colony until 1960. The country gained autonomy in 1967.

The islanders are British Overseas citizens and have held British citizenship since 2002.

Dominica Officially the Commonwealth of Dominica, the country has a long histroy of colonisation. From the 1690s to 1763 the country was predominently occupied by the French, who brought enslaved people from West Africa to work on coffee plantations.

Great Britian took control of the country in 1763 following the Seven Years’ War. The Islands gained independance in 1978

St Lucia Previously named later Hewanorra.

Iyonola

and

The French were the first Euopeans to colonise the isalnd, signing a treaty with the native island Caribs in 1660.

England assumed control of the island 1663 to 1667, from which point control of the island changed frequently.

In 1814 the British took control of the island.

On the 22nd of February 1979 the island became an independent state and a member of the Commonwealth

Trinidad and Antigua and Tobago Barbuda Officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, the islands are the southernmost island country in the Caribbean.

Colonised by the Spanish in 1498, the British took control after the Spanish surrendered the isalnd in 1797.

Consisting of two major islands and several smaller islands, the country lies between the Caribbean sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

Christopher Columbus on the island in 1493.

landed

The Island was controlled by Spain.

Britian, France, the Netherlands, and Courlander, changign hands more times than any other Caribbean island.

The country was colonsed by the British in 1632.

Trinidad and Tobago gained independance in 1962 from the British, becoming a republic in 1976.

The coutnry independance from in 1981

In 1958 the island joined the West Indies Federation. the

gained British

9

3rd May 2022

concrete-online.co.uk/category/global/ | @ ConcreteUEA

colonialism, the Crown, and the Caribbean The tour got off to a rocky start, the first official engagement scheduled in Belize was cancelled following protests from the Q’eqehi Maya people over disputed territory with a charity patronised by the Prince.

“The tour got off to a rocky start, the first official engagement was cancelled” Similarly, many also participated in protests in Jamaica, calling upon the visiting royals to address calls for reparations for the several hundred years the royal family and the British Empire profited from the slave trade.

Government officials echoed the demands of protestors, with Jamaica’s prime minister Andrew Holness stating the country was “moving on’’ and wanted to be independent.

short of a full apology and failing to address the monarchy’s direct profit from slavery.

The reparations movement has been growing steadily throughout the Caribbean in recent years.

The movement is led by Caricom Reparations Commission, which comprises of 15 countries.

Rosalea Hamilton, a campaigner for Advocates Network who took part in the organisation of a reparation protests in Jamaica described a “heightened consciousness of… history” which has emphasised “understanding… the legacies of colonialism today, economic, sociological, psychological.”

Hamilton said the movement has led to an increased awareness of the traumatic legacy of the slave trade and its effects on the current Caribbean population who often live in “unhealthy, unsanitary, unsafe” conditions.

The connection of the monarchy to the transatlantic slave trade is a clear one.

Prince William expressed “profound sorrow” over the “abhorrent” transatlantic slave trade.

Enslaved Africans transported to the Caribbean by the Royal African Company were branded with the letters

However, many were quick to criticise the Prince for falling

“DY” as a symbol of ownership to the then Duke of York.

Grenada

St Vincent and the Grenadines

Grenada consists of the island of Grenada, the island of Carriacou, and Petitie Martinique.

The French colonised the country in 1649 before being ceded to the British in 1763.

British rule continued until 1974.

The island was granted full autonomy in internal affairs from 1958 to 1962.

Full independance was granted in 1974.

Consisting of the main islands of Saint Vincent and a chain of 32 smaller islands.

The islands were colonised by the British during the Seven Years’ war, solidified by the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

St Vincent was granted “associate statehood” in 1969.

On the 27th October 1979 the islands gained full independance.

The future William IV personally argued in 1799 in the House of Lords for the continuation of the slave trade.

For Jamaica, republicanism has been a part of political discussion since the 70s and has drawn in significant cross-party support.

In 2022, the debate was finally settled as Jamaica decided in favour to break free of the remnants of colonial rule.

After years of debate, it is no coincidence that Jamaica and its neighbouring Caribbean nations are finding a renewed confidence now.

The mishandling of the Windrush scandal by the British government and accusations of racism within the royal family have floated on a tide of historical reckoning, smashed against the rocks by the Black Lives Matter movement which highlighted the historical impact of the transatlantic slave trade.

Declarations of independence are sweeping through the region.

As Barbados’s declaration last year inspired Jamaica, so too is it predicted that Jamaica will inspire the rest of the English-speaking Caribbean.

Barbados The island first appeared on a Spanish map in 1511.

The island was a part of the Portuguesse Empire between 1532 and 1536.

The Bahamas was the final stop of the royal tour, arriving once again to protests and opposition from the groups such as the Bahamas National Reparations Committee.

Belize is planning a constitutional review which could very well lead the country down the same path as Barbados and Jamaica, whilst leaders across the region, including the leadership of St Vincent, called on their fellow Commonwealth nations to achieve republican status.

Now, Prince William and his wife Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, are currently in the Caribbean on yet another royal tour.

“The Wessex’s tour is expected to be met with the same demands for reparations” The Wessex’s tour is expected to be met with the same demands for reparations as the royal family is warned to avoid “phoney sanctimony” over the transatlantic slave trade.

Before

the

couple

embarked,

The Wessex’s will visit Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Antigua and Barbuda. The Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission is due to present an open letter on reparation payment and restorative justice.

Dorbrene O’Marde, a member of the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Support Commission said there has been an “absence of an apology from the Crown” for their involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

The letter said “it has become common for members of the Royal Family and representatives of the government of Britain to come to this region and lament that slavery was an ‘appalling atrocity,’ that it was ‘abhorrent,’ that ‘it should not have happened.’”

It is becoming increasingly clear that for the Caribbean, the continuation of ties to the British royal family represents the legacy of slavery and colonialism, for which the nations of the Caribbean are still awaiting reparations and sincere apology.

As the independence movement sweeps the region, the sun is finally truly setting on the remnant of the British Empire.

Jamaica

The Bahamas

The island was under Spanish following Christopher Columbus’s arrival in 1497.

The Spanish named the Island Santiago.

The archipelago consits of more than 3000 islands, cays, and islets.

Britian took possession of the island in 1625.

England took control of the Island in 1655, renaimign it Jamaica.

On 30 November 1966 the island became an independant state and a member of the Commonwealth.

The Island was independence in 1962.

In 2021, Queen Elizabeth II was removed as head of state.

the royal visit to Grenada was cancelled.

granted

Christopher Colombus on the isalnd in 1492.

arrived

In 1648 the English colonists from Bermuda colonised the island of Eleuthera.

The Bahamas became a British colony in 1718.

The islands achieved independance in 1973.

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3rd May 2022

FEATURES

Ending up here again Danny Hayes

barely speak.

example.

I’ve never been a fan of conclusions, curtain calls, or moving on.

I just couldn’t get over the fact that this chapter was ending, and as much as I didn’t like being there, I had grown comfortable in the familiarity of my surroundings.

Even when I’m moving away from something I don’t like, I’m filled with an enormous anxiety that gnaws away in the pit of my stomach.

For some reason letting go seemed like the last thing I wanted to do at that moment, even when I knew it was the best thing for me.

However, this fear has been scariest when applied to the looming completion of my undergraduate degree.

At present I am repeating my final year and the fact I’ll be finished in under two months is not a comforting one.

Take my last day of GCSEs for example, I had spent eleven years of my life hating most of the people I went to school with and literally counting down the days until I moved to my A-Level college, but spent most of that last day in tears so heavy I could

This reluctance is something that has continued into other areas of my life.

Features Writer

I hate things ending.

I’ve put up with one-sided friendships because I hated the idea of stepping away from these people as an

I’ve spent most of my adult life being a student, and losing this status feels like I’m about to be pushed off a cliff.

I feel like I should have the rest of my life planned out, and yet do not know what I’ll be doing after May. This ending feels so final and fixed, pushing me into the real world before

Iíve had a chance to get my bearings.

So, if you think this sounds like a very quick root to a total breakdown, you’d be correct.

“If you think this sounds like a very quick root to a total breakdown, you’d be correct” However, at present I’m focusing on trying to find the positives in an ending.

I may not be able to continue as an undergraduate, but I have an idea for what I want to do next and I’m putting the necessary steps in to achieve these goals.

While

my

undergraduate

journey

has been longer than most, the time has come for me to say goodbye and look towards the next big adventure.

Instead of wearing myself down with constant anxiety and imposter syndrome I am looking for the good in goodbye.

To quote Winnie the Pooh, “how lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.”

At present I donít know how I’ll feel after my last hand-in or at my graduation ceremony when I move into post-university life.

I just hope that whatever new beginning I find myself in will feel like the best thing to do next.

So here’s to accepting the endings for what they are, and looking forward to exploring thebig bad world out there.

Alongside the migrant camps of Calais Allison Ko Features Writer

This past April I spent a few weeks volunteering with the Refugee Community Kitchen (RCK) in Calais, France to serve hot foods to the displaced migrants arriving in Northern France.

On the other side of the Channel in wake of the recent increasing UK hostilities towards refugees, it definitely was a raw revelation of the UK’s gaping hole in humanitarianism.

My arrival to Calais consisted of a groggy succession of trains and buses (and then trains and buses), in which I stepped off into the warehouse district of the port city.

On the second leg of my journey I noticed a distinct temperature change among our hosts. From English countryside to strict security and border checks as we entered Dover, the number of police officers persisted into Calais, especially around that industrial district where both migrants and we volunteers inhabited.

Groups of police sat in their vans alongside the road and followed migrants around in intimidation. It was immediately unnerving. I understood I had entered a poignant site of crisis and hostility in modern history like no other.

I walked into the warehouse, in which organizations of all types supporting the refugees in Calais base themselves, to a charming amalgamation of mismatched chairs in the outdoor common area. Colorful clothes, wacky hair, unshaven arms, food being constantly passed around with big smiles, it felt like I had walked into a wonderful hippie-socialist commune.

People came in from all walks of life: those who had just quit jobs happy to stay- for the time being- indefinitely, the ‘serial offenders’ who continue to return to help, and people who have come from their 9-5s to work at the end of the week.

A day in the life in the kitchen with RCK consisted of a 9am start. We usually began with a small mountain of washing up in the very fashionable full body waterproof apron, rubber glove, and plastic sleeve getup. As the funky disco music is queued and the mains chefs, also all volunteers, begin blooming the spices for the day’s stew or curry in the gigantic pots along the sides, they waft the kitchen with noise and fragrant smells.

As we set up our dates, rice, and curry, people began to trickle in from their tents just about out of sight. It was a sunny and calm distribution, to our relief, and just steady spooning and sometimes short lighthearted conversations with the migrants before they set out to have their meals in clumps.

As we distributed, we saw streams and streams of families with bags

heading

north:

towards

the

sea.

make it over to the UK and seek asylum.

They would be getting ready to cross the English Channel that evening.

I couldn’t help worrying for them as I wished them luck, though. The journey would be cold, long, and extremely dangerous. Itís horrible to think that this is how things have to be done, the hostility shown by the United Kingdom pushing people to risk their lives is racist and atrocious.

Every now and then, a man we would be serving would tell us that he was going to cross the Channel that evening- and wished them good luck.

At the end of the day, that was very much what the migrants were in Calais for: to

From then till the afternoon, we prepped and participated in whatever tasks were on the menu: from tens of kilos of onion chopping (lots of tears shed) to date cake making, and just very sweet exchanges of conversation with neighbouring choppers who have come from all walks of life.

The RCK kitchen was run with amazing openness and care: ‘serving with dignity’ was our way of providing for the people in camps. There was absolutely no space for any sort of white saviorism or patronization and dehumanisation.

In the afternoons, groups of us would go on distributions and bring the cooked foods to the migrant camps.

I remember very clearly the first day I had gone on distribution, in GrandSynthe, because there had been an unusually large surge of people arriving the previous day that we had run out of food to give, and it had been distressing, having to turn away over 100 people.

We went in with perhaps a bit of concern, and vats and vats of extra food.

Photo: Unsplash

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3rd May 2022

concrete-online.co.uk/category/features/ | @ConcreteUEA

My premature quarter life crisis

Photo: Pixabay

Sienna Norris Features Writer

Just over a year ago, in April of 2021, I’m pretty sure I had a mental breakdown.

Nope, not being ironic.

I’ve suffered with Generalised Anxiety Disorder, sometimes accompanied by depression, for around three years now, and I thought I was through the worst of it. Boy, was I wrong.

We started to come out of lockdown, and I managed to give myself a ‘minor kidney infection’, as the A&E doctor put it.

But I had also turned 20 that January,and now looking back at the wise old age of 21, I’m pretty sure it was a mental breakdown/life crisis.

I hadn’t really suffered that badly with my anxiety for a while, and out of nowhere, I had two gigantic anxiety attacks back-to-back (a personal record).

I drove back to my dad’s for Easter for around a month, this turned into many months spent re-evaluating my life.

I had probably the worst bout of depression I’ve ever experienced. I felt like a burden to my friends and family and was very unhappy. It sounds

dramatic, but that’s mental illness for you.

I also felt very stuck in my life. All those days spent in bed taking Amoxicillin to heal my kidneys, the same question kept circling around in my head, ‘what do I want to do with my life?’

After a few weeks, I began to feel better.

My dad told me to take small steps each day, even if it was something like washing my hair. I’ve always loved reading, and so I began just sitting in the garden with a book.

More specifically, books that revolve around unhinged women in their twenties.

I spoke to my therapist the most I had since before COVID-19, and she made me realise that there is so much pressure for people in their twenties, especially women.

We are taught to enjoy the first half of this decade, then meet someone, settle downand pop out a few kids, and subconsciously I had put so much pressure on myself to have everything together.

In June, I went to my mum’s in Devon, I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed.

As the date to go back to uni edged closer and closer, I could feel my anxieties coming back. Then my therapist told me that literally billions of people are feeling the same about life going back to normal, so I got in touch with the university and became a ‘late returner’.

Eventually I got it together enough to come back, I left Norwich right at the start of April and came back in November. It took a while, but I did it.

Unfortunately, this story ends in a horrendously cliched manner, I started putting myself first and acknowledging my feelings, I became even more familyorientated than I was before, and now I’ve realised I want to be a writer.

All of this is so sickeningly stereotypical, I cringe everytime I relay this story, but just know that talking, writing, or having any other outlet makes you feel like less of a freak.

feel amazing, and there are days when I don’t. Nobody is ever 100% okay, that’s a myth.

Have a premature quarter life crisis if you need one. There are no rules that state we need to know what we’re doing by a certain age.

Right now, I’m truly so happy, and I don’t think I would be if it wasnít for this experience. Remember that it’s ok not to be ok.

I know my anxiety hasnít stopped forever, especially considering the state the world is in. There are days when I

Concrete Confessions: what I’ve really learned from student journalism Emily Kelly Features Writer

After three years, 37 articles and a whole lot of deadline-induced panic, this is the final article I will ever write for Concrete.

“After three years, 37 articles, this is the final article I will ever write for Concrete” Just typing these words makes the prospect of moving on from UEA that much more real.

As I stare down the barrel of a summer of dissertation writing, job seeking, house hunting and graduation, this seems like as good a time as any to think about what I have learned from my time at Concrete - if nothing else, I can copy bits of it onto a CV. Let’s start with the practical skills: media law, Wordpress editing, copy editing, political coverage and obituary writing, just to name a few.

It has also cemented my ability to write under extreme time pressure (as I write this article 20 minutes before the deadline- sorry Maja!) and to adapt my tone to appeal to an audience.

But this isn’t what you’re reading this article for, is it?

Keeping the Editor in Chief happy is the golden rule of Concrete, but how to achieve this very much depends on who you’re dealing with.

For Chris and Dolly, bosses number one and three in my Concrete career, it was focused on writing good content, engaging with other members of the team and sharing your ideas.

With Sam, boss number two, on the other hand, the way to his heart was through a sharebox of McNuggets and responding to the hasty Breaking News content calls he would think up from the other side of our shared bedroom wall.

(Rule number two: think very carefully before moving in with journalists- their brains never switch off.)

Writing Breaking News for Concrete has absolutely taught me to think like a journalist- at least I think so.

Sometimes, something will happen in the world and everyone takes a simultaneous pause.

These are the moments when you pick up a pen, or a laptop, and record everything. Whether you’re documenting facts or feelings, having these records is both useful for whatever publication is sharing it, and invaluable for your future.

“Having these records is... invaluable for your future” So many of my memories of the first lockdown have been repressed, but the accounts I wrote as I was working through the period have helped me to process what I was feeling at the time, and will no doubt do the same in the

future.

Similarly, covering world changing events such as deaths and criminal trials allows me to forever have a story to tell when someone asks “Where were you when…?”

As parting words, let me say, without hope or agenda, just because it’s exam season, and in exam season, you tell the truth, that writing for Concrete has been a privilege.

I would encourage anyone to grab all the opportunities provided with both hands, take anything you’re passionate about and find the story in it. Your excitement shines through if you care about something enough, and you’ll find people who share it.

Oh, and go to Post-Pub-Pub: they’re some of the most fun nights I’ve ever had!

12

3rd May 2022

INTERVIEW

Deputy Editor Sam Gordon Webb in “The government certainly hasn’t made it

Image: Wikimedia Commons

In the light of the ongoing crisis in Eastern Europe, what can we do to help? This is the question of the contemporary moment, as thousands of Ukrainians seek refuge from Russia’s aggressive assault on the nation.

According to the Government, there are multiple ways local people can help, including making financial donations, donating essential supplies – such as clothes, first aid and sanitary products – as well as taking an active role in preventing the spread of misinformation online.

Of the 489 Ukrainians arriving in the county of Norfolk, 191 are under 18 years old - and all those eligible who are arriving through the Homes for Ukraine scheme will be offered places in local education.

For those arriving through the family visa scheme, Norfolk County Council have already overseen 29 school place applications, with many more expected in the coming days and weeks.

American involvement in the Ukrainian crisis increased last week after US secretary of state, Anthony Blinken and Secretary of defence Lloyd Austin met with Ukrainian President, Volodymyre Zelenskiy to discuss the gradual return of diplomats to the region.

Lloyd Austin suggested that long-range weapons and tanks were needed after five railways stations in central and Western Ukraine came under attack, causing several casualties.

Austin stated: The first step to winning is believing that you can win…We believe that they can win, they can win if they have the right equipment, the right support.”

In the last few days, Germany promised to send tanks to Ukraine after Sergei Lavrov, Russia’s Foreign Minister, warned any weapons sent to the region would make them a “legitimate target” whilst also risking escalating the conflict into World War III.

“risking escalating the conflict into World War III” But closer to home, the organization Norfolk Supporting Ukraine, a subsidiary of Norfolk Polonia CIC, have been supporting the population of Ukraine with donations, sponsorships for families as well as providing vital necessities for those fleeing the conflict.

The group’s pre-arrival support team work with both Norwich and Norfolk councils to collate offers of accommodation from sponsors and support them through the arduous process of finding a home.

The group also contain a strong group of backroom staff – including publicity, leafleteers, website developers, administators – helping to ease the pressure faced by refugees entering the UK. Earlier this month, leaders of all three political groups at City Hall - Labour’s Alan Waters, Green Lucy Galvin and Liberal Democrat James Wright wrote a letter to Secretaries of State Priti Patel and Michael Gove, calling for visa-free access for refugees as well as greater funding for local authorities to deliver the

Homes for Ukraine programme, including supporting mental health needs.

I sat down with Aleksandra Hardbattle, a member of the Norfolk Supporting Ukraine team.

Why did you join the group?

I was absolutely shocked and devastated about the Russian attack on Ukraine. I couldn’t stop crying for the first couple of days and felt ever so helpless.

I had a very strong urge to do something to help and searched for some ideas online. It was then, when I noticed Norfolk Polonia CIC had organised a collection of items for Ukraine.

I went to donate food and essentials and I offered my time to sort donations. Things quickly accelerated since.

How do the group measure its success? If possible, give me some tangible examples.

Initially Norfolk Supporting Ukraine campaign started off as a single collection initiative, organised just by a handful of individuals from Norfolk Polonia CIC. Our volunteer group grew each day and we received a tremendous amount of support from local businesses, organisations and people from all across Norfolk.

Within a week, we planned our three-truck convoy and the following weekend we held our first meeting to discuss rolling out the Norfolk Supporting Ukraine campaign, to acknowledge the large scale of the local support and to talk through lots of ambitious plans for expanding our operations and reach.

Central Photos: Dolly Carter

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3rd May 2022

concrete-online.co.uk/category/features/ | @ConcreteUEA

conversation with Norfolk Supporting Ukraine: easy for refugees to enter the UK” We have been sending regular convoys and specialist medical despatches ever since, along with establishing a solid support network for Ukrainian refugees and sponsors, and continuing to grow our volunteer base, which is essential in order to meet the demands of the challenge.

Our name is out there and we are getting regularly approached

by Ukrainian organisations and charities. We have received many letters of gratitude and thank you video messages and these moments are always very special for our volunteers. We all work hard and it is very touching to read and hear that our efforts make a genuine difference and also provide a degree of moral support for people living in a war-zone.

“We recieved a tremendous amount of support from...people across Norwich.”

“We have been... continuing to expand our volunteer base.”

Have you been able to meet any individuals with first hand experience of escaping the critical situation in Ukraine? If so, please be as specific as possible.

How do you feel the individual/s have been treated by the UK government? How ‘seamless’ has their transition to the UK been?

We have met refugees in varying circumstances. The first family that arrived had no problems getting here. We were also able to help them find temporary accommodation and arrange a job interview within a few days of arrival. However the second family, who we expected just days after, have not managed to arrive yet, due to Visa issues since the beginning of March. Their

house, which was kindly donated and completely redecorated by one of our volunteers, remains empty.

Once here, refugees and sponsors have to navigate benefit and biometric permit systems plus open bank accounts and find education and employment. These systems can be tricky to navigate for a UK resident, let alone a refugee, and many face doing this without support. At NSU, we are offering this support through our website and our Friday meetings at West Earlham Community Centre, held between 10am and 2pm.

“Friday meetings at West Earlham Community Centre... between 10am and 2pm” People’s circumstances differ but the government certainly hasn’t made it easy for refugees to enter the UK. British government has also failed to establish any decent level of advisory support over in Poland, at dedicated centres, where representatives from different countries are present to encourage and guide people in finding a refuge in their country.

Many students will be wondering what they can do to support the thousands fleeing war and

Photo: Campbell

persecution; what would your advice be to the UEA community?

Please join our forces! There are just so many ways you can help.

Some of our volunteers are able to dedicate a huge amount of time to keep our organisation going but many have just a handful of hours to spare here and it is all great and invaluable help.

We always need sorters and packers, IT support, writers, social media enthusiasts, administrators, event coordinators or people who are happy to distribute posters or hand out flyers in town.

Another way of helping out people of Ukraine could be by organising own fundraising events, like auctions, raffles, quizzes, competitions, discos, art projects and exhibitions. All of these initiatives help to raise funds as well as much needed awareness. People must not get used to this war; we have to keep a high level of support. It is also always a good idea to talk to others to spread the word. Even if you are unable to get directly engaged yourself now, one of your friends may be!

I would encourage everybody to visit our website https://norfolksupportingukraine. wordpress.com and learn more about what we do. And if you have any ideas and comments or if there is anything you would like to discuss with us, please get in touch.

Aaron

Image: Wikimedia Commons

14

3rd May 2022

HOME OF THE WONDERFUL

Graduation: Navigating nostalgia and the future Libby Hargreaves Home of the Wonderful Editor

The end of an era or a door to new beginnings? Graduation in recent years has been a little different than usual so, as the first post-pandemic UEA cohort face graduation, and the campus buzz returns for the end of the semester, how are students feeling?

at having both “started [university] alone” and “ending [it] alone”, having poured energy into “three years of endless hours of academics and 12.5 hour hospital shifts” and still “leaving without a single friend”. Simultaneously, others are simply living in the moment, obsessing over logistics and outfits before facing the big wide world.

difficulty finding work.

However, those with post-graduate positions already lined up enjoy a level of comfort, and everyone on campus is promised a summer of sunshine to enjoy alongside those they have shed blood, sweat and tears with over the past few years.

This year in particular will no doubt be a UEA graduates should find some hope By the looks of Concrete Confessions, a challenging time to leave the comfort of in remembering they will become a bittersweet atmosphere is building. One education and enter the world of work. part of the large alumni network, and user described their longing to visit old, that the time and money spent here has empty university accommodation “for Students and graduates alike face the been reinvested into their character. I sentimental reasons”: “I would love to rising cost of living, whilst many still encourage all those anxious about their walk into my old room, that I was last harbour some post-covid anxiety, which next steps to focus on how far they have in four years ago, and cry my eyes out.” ultimately invites questions surrounding come.

Another student described their sadness levels of unemployment and an increased

May 12th marks the UEA GradFairwhich will host workshops including ‘how to upskill’ and ‘overcoming imposter syndrome’ as well as a variety of employers, from the Army to the Inspiration Trust, Norfolk County Council and Mount Street Group. Career Central, as always, are also on hand to give advice, information about vacancies and access to UEA initiatives.

On campus, wellbeing workshops, including help on managing stress, are still available for those struggling, whilst wellbeing dog walks are a must for students to engage in before they graduate. Remember, it’s never too late to get involved with life on campus.

Sustainable growing, sustainable health Erin Roberts Home of the Wonderful Writer

This year for sustainability society has been really exciting.

We have four allotment plots on campus and have been working hard to prepare them for spring!

The allotment has created a community of people who love to be outdoors, no matter their physical ability or gardening knowledge.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

It has been amazing to see this community grow and to see how welcoming and accepting everyone is!

A lot of university students are so disconnected from where their food comes from, and due to our busy lifestyles will eat whatever is easiest.

Increasing food prices have put a strain on many UEA students and hopefully our future harvests will help alleviate this whilst fostering a thriving community spirit.

As a student, it can be hard to spend time outside, especially when you might not have a garden or it’s really tiny.

We have found the allotment to be the perfect opportunity to spend quality time outdoors.

This always puts me in a good mood for the rest of the day: you can’t underestimate the power of being in nature on your mental health.

Kpop?Kpop!

Melody Chan Home of the Wonderful Writer

From a Squid Game Welcome Party to Korean language and dance classes, Ksoc have hosted many popular events this year.

To wrap it up, I have interviewed Will, the president of the Korean Society, about his thoughts on this year’s club successes. He described Ksoc events as “exceptional and not over the top,” explaining “a lot of people enjoyed these events.” We are “one of the societies which has successfully sprung

back up after Covid.”

Will’s favourite event of the year was Kpop club night. It was a successful, “record-breaking” and “sold out” club night held in the Blue Bar on March 24th.

Taking the lead in organising the event, he remains “really proud of that…The venue capacity was 450 and over a period of three weeks [they were] sold out.”

NUA and Norwich.”

Curious about what inspired him to introduce this event, I asked how he came about this idea and planned it out. “When did it spring up in my mind?”

He pondered. “I was at a London Kpop club night in November, I think that was an inspiration.”

Through many hurdles and challenges in organising an on-campus Kpop club night, he “ultimately decided to organise [their] own and give the student community what it wants.”

As the president of Ksoc, he is also a dance coverist and a radio host for KBBQ radio from Livewire1350. “I got into Kpop through Coachella when Blackpink performed.” It was at that moment when Kpop was introduced to the West that he thought

Surprisingly, only 50 of 450 tickets were purchased by society members!

“That just shows there’s a lot more to Kpop that we weren’t aware of. [A] large “Kpop can potentially grow in the UEA. proportion of these people come from I wanted to introduce Korean culture and a new side to music [for the student

body].” If you decide to branch out from saturated music, and decide to “[look] for something new and experimental in its nature, you’ll dive into it [Kpop].”

On March 19th, Korean society ventured out of Norwich and competed at the Hallyu Kpop Competition in London. “I remixed all the tracks. Our performance director Lydia and I decided to do something original, nostalgic and refreshing.”

The Girl Group team ranked halfway up the results chart, meanwhile the Boy Group team ranked fifth place. To celebrate this year’s successes, another Kpop Night is going to be held in May. “We decided to organise another one because there’s still a lot of demand for this event.”

He is very proud of how much Ksoc has accomplished this year: he hopes Ksoc will “be awarded as one of the most active cultural societies.”

We have just started germinating our seeds to prepare for planting in the plots.

We are also on track for a big harvest this summer with crops such as: beetroot, cucumber, potatoes, radishes, squash, broad beans, and more.

Furthermore, we’re planning to soon have a wormery and cold frame (a small greenhouse for plants that prefer a hotter climate).

If you would like to get involved, we meet on Wednesdays at 1pm every week outside Campus Kitchen in the square.

For more information check out @uea_allotment and @ ueasustainabilitysoc on Instagram.

Anyone is welcome!

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Sober students, stigma, and societies I certainly can’t speak for all non-drinkers on campus: while some abstain for health, religious, or financial purposes, my own excuse is far more banal- I don’t I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to like the taste. say that in the traditional British lexicon, the words ‘student’ and ‘drinking’ are all Plus, there’s the fact I’ve never properly but synonymous. given alcohol a good go, aside from a handful of taste tests. As a result, I’ve Getting wasted on a variety of alcoholic never once been drunk in my 21 years beverages, in conjunction with stress- on this planet. inducing all-nighters, and ceaseless financial worries are surely quintessential I still feel like I can contribute from features of typical student life. my own experience of the sober student lifestyle.

There is an image of young people metaphorically drunk on their newfound Most of the time, it’s not really freedom and independence, choosing a major difference (picture to celebrate by getting drunk regularly substituting alcohol with soft drinks at the SU bar.

99% of the time and that’s pretty spot on), though that doesn’t seem to represent the full picture.

Leo Henry

Home of the Wonderful Writer

“metaphorically drunk on their newfound freedom and independence”

When it comes to typically boozeheavy activities- like clubbing and nights out, including pub crawl and other social events- the truth is, if the music is good and I like the people I’m with, I’m still able to enjoy myself quite a lot (sometimes I tell my friends that I can “get drunk off the

atmosphere”).

Fencing, who are simply phenomenal at making people feel included, no matter I don’t tend to have the same level what. of stamina as my drinking friends, unsurprisingly, but aside from leaving Moreover, there are some obvious a bit early on occasion some of my best benefits from sobriety. memories and experiences at university have been whilst on nights out.

Drinking tends to be expensive, so it sounds like I am saving a fair bit of If anyone reading enjoys clubbing cash, whilst also getting to avoid all but wants to cut back on drinking the wonderful effects of drinking, like then let me assure you, it can still be crippling hangovers or vomiting in a bin a good old time. in the early hours.

Though speaking from my own experience, I’ve never felt pressured to partake in drinking, I would like to see more non-drinking events at societies in the future, especially with societies that do more sporadic events throughout the year.

There have been non-drinking events throughout the year in the groups I’m part of that I have greatly appreciated: trips off campus, coffee mornings, speakers, and other activities that just don’t make me feel excluded because I choose not to drink, which is fantasticalthough obviously I can only speak for the societies I am part of, and I feel a particular mention is in order for UEA

Although I am obviously talking from a limited perspective, I don’t see a reason for me to start drinking at any point in the near future - I just don’t feel like I’m missing out on much (no disrespect to you drinkers out there).

I don’t think there’s ever going to be a single ‘sober student experience’. It is far too broad a trait to be able to distinguish, aside from a shared handful of experiences.

Though, if you like what you’ve read, the sober student community is welcomingso why not give it a try?

Photo: Pixabay

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

UEbaes: Campus Love Stories Alexandra Ashby

Home of the Wonderful Writer

Before going to uni, I was fiercely determined to be single, I’d sworn off men completely. I was so excited to enjoy the university experience.

So, there’s the ironic back story.

It was the second week of uni, and I’d already fallen victim to fresher’s flu.

I was in my kitchen wearing my pjs, no make-up, hair unbrushed, and honestly looking like a snotty mess.

Then, this gorgeous man walks into the kitchen with my flatmate to get the

tuna my flatmate had bought for him Sometimes life can take you through (romantic, I know). the opposite of what you thought you wanted: I wanted to be single, instead I I immediately fancied him but was fell in love for the first time on the second painfully aware that I looked quite week of being at uni. possibly the worst I could which did absolutely no favours to my confidence, From experience, if you are looking for yet I persevered and initiated a love, you should not be in a relationship. conversation with him.

In fact, you are ready to be in a relationship when you are ready to be single.

That very evening, I invited him over.

He stayed around and never stopped Wanting a relationship risks only being staying. Ten days later, we said “I love you” in one for the ‘validation’ and ‘safety’ a and became official. relationship supposedly brings, instead of falling in love with the person.

Currently, I’m typing this at his home, almost eight months into our Finally, when you know, you know. relationship, so I’d like to think we did something right.

Clem Hailes

Home of the Wonderful Writer

We met through a Norfolk Terrace confessions page.

You read about “blue haired clown girl,” an unhinged individual who walked around campus in colourful costumes and, naturally, you thought “I want to be friends with this weirdo.” So you dropped me a DM. Now, we trade insults over who is the biggest loser (it’s clearly you) and we are moving in together next year. I often think of the time you put on a dinner party to celebrate me being two weeks sober, and I had to admit I’d binged the night before. You held my hand whilst feeding me teriyaki tofu, and things felt a little

less painful. The other day I received a letter in the post congratulating me on being two months sober. It was from you, my best UEA pal. I cried. I would not have been able to do this without you and your continued support, even when I slip up. Also, please stop trying to romance my mother. I know you think she’s “well fit”, but you are not taking her to Pizza Express. She is a refined lady who deserves a fancy Pizzeria, not some chain restaurant. I still love you man, even though you unironically listen to Radiohead, play RuneScape and are obsessed with BoJack Horseman (massive red flag).

Love you for a long time, you strange, strange person, I can’t wait to live with you next year.

16

COMMENT

How Ellie Scott

can

Comment Writer

After confirmation that he broke his own laws, Boris Johnson continues to cling to power. But how can he challenge Vladimir Putin when he’s repeatedly lied to his own people?

To say this has been a bad few weeks for Boris Johnson would be the understatement of the year.

This April saw police investigations confirm what we basically knew, The Prime Minister had broken the very lockdown rules he implemented.

But so had his Chancellor: Rishi Sunak (so much for Dishy Rishi now). So now we know Boris Johnson broke the rules he and his government set in place. He broke the rules while people across the country compromised

Boris

their lives to help fight a deadly, respiratory disease.

Grieving citizens were forced to say goodbye to loved ones from behind phone and iPad screens.

NHS staff worked themselves to the point of burnout. Many suffered desperate loneliness, as their only form of contact with other people was digital.

For months, Boris Johnson changed his story to clear himself of responsibility. He claimed all guidance was followed. Then he confessed he attended a gathering but didn’t know it was a work event. Now, only after getting caught, does he confess he broke the rules. He broke laws he, himself, oversaw and set in place. Surely, now his position is untenable? How can he stay on? Yet allies of Boris continue to defend him. Some defend him to

3rd May 2022

challenge the point of saying they don’t care.

Wow.

Putin

Ukrainian government border on ridiculous. From accusations of being run by neo-Nazis to causing genocide. It’s clear he’s clutching at straws to justify the invasion.

But why? Some argue he has to stay in power because of the conflict in Ukraine. They argue this is not the time for a change of leader and Boris Johnson needs to stay in power to keep things stable in a time of uncertainty. But this argument just seems weak and desperate. Boris’ allies paint the conflict as if it’s happening in Britain. It’s not – it’s happening in Ukraine.

“Boris Johnson’s lies are still damaging.”

Not only that but how Boris can challenge Russian President Vladimir Putin? Our own Prime Minister lied to us. How can we expect him to be able to challenge Putin over his lies in Ukraine? I know Putin’s lies are far more dangerous. The Russian President’s accusations against the

But the problem Britain is facing is Boris Johnson’s lies are still damaging.

He’s essentially broken the Ministerial Code and refuses to resign. So how can he represent Britain as a strong, healthy democracy against Putin?

Putin has a terrible habit of citing W e s t e r n hypocrisy to excuse

now?

from his own actions. When Trump supporters stormed Capitol Hill on the 6th of January, it was ideal for Putin and other authoritarian leaders to use it as a symbol of failing liberal democracy.

But this method works, and it works because it diverts attention to very relevant problems in our own countries.

If we are to stand against Russia’s actions, Britain needs an honest, competent leader whose image has not been tainted with scandal.

The longer Boris Johnson clings to the position of Prime Minister, the worse British democracy looks.

This Partygate scandal is not a sign of a healthy democracy.

It’s a symptom of a political landscape where truth is more a matter of opinion.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

What

‘Putinism’

Jamie Bryson

has sought to drip-feed Russian society a manipulative social, cultural, and economic order aimed at subverting the conscience of what may have otherwise become a free and democratic nation. This hasn’t been attempted without resistance. In 2012, for example, as part of the ‘Snow Revolutions’, the ‘March of the Millions’ saw hundreds of thousands take to the streets of central Moscow and elsewhere, and was even authorised to take place by the City Administration.

Comment Writer

We hear more and more every day about the callous attacks by the Russian military on innocent Ukrainian civilians.

It is these people who are without doubt the greatest victims of ‘Putinism’ - a vicious, autocratic political ideology that seeks both complete physical and intellectual domination over those who threaten to disrupt it. While our thoughts and prayers must of course be centred upon them, their country, and petitioning for an outright end to the conflict, I believe it’s vitally important we also consider and pray for the millions of ordinary Russian civilians who continue to be internally suppressed.

Since Putin maneuvered into power in 2000, his

But a turning point came in January 2021, when mass protests took place across the country in support of the opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, after he was immediately detained by state authorities upon his return from Germany where he had been receiving treatment himself following his poisoning the previous regime year. Protestors were met with

means significant police crackdowns, thousands were detained and interrogated - eventually leading to all organisations linked to Navalny being deemed “extremist” and thus, liquidated, by Moscow’s central courts.

for

Center for the Study of Public Opinion’ (VTsIOM) which claims 74% of its population fully support the “special military operation in Ukraine”; the organisation is stateowned and operated.

Many historic examples of such regimes will tell us even the tiniest amount of remaining hope is vital to those who may otherwise give up completely. So, it is encouraging to hear some campaigns and organisations do remain in Russia, fighting against all odds to resist Putinism.

The #YouAreNotAlone campaign, for example, distributes small green ribbons tied to public infrastructures such as street lamps and telegraph poles, communicating the most simple yet potentially soul-saving message that there are still people like them in We must therefore be wary of Russia who do not consent to what is reports we receive from Russia such happening in their name. as the recent poll by ‘The All-Russian Tragically, the parallels between Putin’s Russia and 1930s Nazi Germany, as just one example, are becoming more apparent every day.

Hitler, as Putin is now, fuelled his power and domination through fear; fear if they spoke out against him, his regime, and its objectives, their lives and livelihoods could be under serious threat. And it is through fear that many German people then and many Russian people now - are forced to face the most excruciating moral dilemmas.

Russians Photo: Pixabay

I write all this, of course, as a third party. We can never really know the true reality of what is happening in a country so far away and increasingly disconnected from the global media. But what I can be fully confident in, is the fact no matter where we are born, where we live, work, or study - no matter how influenced or controlled through political and social suppression the Russian people may currently feel - we, as privileged members of a liberal democracy, must never disregard their ultimate human value. Putin has lost this right, the military personnel who carry out the horrific human atrocities in cities such as Mariupol have lost this right. The vast majority of ordinary Russian citizens, however, have not, and we must utilise our grace, compassion, and understanding of such matters as a moral weapon against their oppressors.

3rd May 2022

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concrete-online.co.uk/category/comment/ | @ConcreteUEA Photo: Pixabay

Who is to blame for our current energy crisis?

Sienna Norris Comment Writer

Recently, you’d have noticed there has been a very large price inflation since Russia began attacking Ukraine. The price of living has vastly increased, and while we’re not the only place to be affected, the current inflation is rising at 7%, with the worst yet to come.

Amidst Russia’s war crimes, many countries have cut ties with their resources, meaning we must look elsewhere for energy, but the UK government’s response isn’t helping this financial crisis. Rishi Sunak, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, came up with a scheme to give low-income households a £200 energy loan as well as a tax rebate of £150.

At first, this may look like a

Britain’s Mariam Jallow Comment Writer

The landlocked East African country of Rwanda is due to become the potential home of asylum seekers and illegal immigrants in the UK as part of a controversial scheme negotiated by Home Secretary Priti Patel. In a speech discussing the government’s new migration and economic development partnership, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced, “anyone entering the UK illegally as well as those who have arrived illegally since January 1st may now be relocated to Rwanda”.

In justifying the move, the Prime Minister went on to elaborate

decent idea, especially coming from the Conservative party, but with the energy cap prices being driven up by 54%, the money underprivileged households are receiving is just not good enough.

“The money underprivileged households are receiving is just not good enough.”

Once you factor in the average annual salary for a member of parliament is over £80,000 a year, and Sunak’s personal fortune of a reported £100 million, the scheme is absolutely ludicrous.

I tend not to get too caught up

migrant the policies would break the business models of people smugglers and discourage those who would take advantage of the system existing to help refugees.

Will the threat of relocation from the UK be enough to deter those seeking refuge from considerably more drastic situations such as war, poverty, and persecution? I also wonder as to whether the scheme realistically poses an obstruction to the business of human traffickers when their victims remain largely incognisant to UK law, and in this case face unknown repercussions.

The criticism of this plan has been far and wide, with concerns raised about the ethics, cost, and feasibility by Tory MPs,

with the government, but I saw a video the other day of Labour MP, Barry Sheerman, who is 81 years of age, absolutely shredding Sunak to pieces in Parliament, and it was fairly entertaining to watch.

He said Sunak was “the most incompetent chancellor I have ever seen”. This all comes a few months after it was revealed the Tory government broke the lockdown rules they set, so it’s safe to say they aren’t in people’s good books at the moment.

It was also revealed Sunak’s millionaire wife was dodging an estimated £4.4 million worth of taxes, this makes it seem as if the Chancellor’s idea of a “loan” was used to draw attention away from his controversy.

The reason I bring up the tax-dodging is

deal opposing parties, human organisations and even Office staff.

rights Home

Personally, I find the government’s immigration plan confusing in its methods and contradictory in its justifications. In response to Labour MP Yvette Cooper’s comments on the cost of the scheme, the Home Secretary stated, “you can’t put a price on human lives,” which I am inclined to agree with. Within the context of this plan, however, there is a lot to be said about the irony (or hypocrisy) of paying another country £120 million or more to receive Britain’s asylum seekers–as a solution to ending the trafficking of humans across the Channel no less.

“Eye-wateringly expensive,

because if his wife can afford to dodge that much tax, are they not able to afford to check their privilege and realise this scheme is quite useless?

“Are they not able to afford to check their privilege and realise this scheme is quite useless?”

I am a student from a workingclass background, personally, I haven’t been too affected by this crisis, yes my petrol has gone up by around £8, and my food shop costs a little bit more and my rent is increasing, but I’m

with often violate international law” and “lead to more smuggling, not less” were just a few words used to describe schemes such as the UK-Rwanda initiative by the United Nations Human High Commissioner for Refugees UK (UNHCRUK).

Boris Johnson’s claim of the relocation being a humane solution to Britain’s influx of Channel migrants is cast in shadows of doubt alongside his government’s labelling of Rwanda as a “safe” nation for migrants. As recent as 2020, a Human Rights Watch report noted occurrences of political repression, illegal detention, killing of refugees and ill-treatment of detainees within the country.

In enacting this immigration

privileged enough to be able to afford these necessities, yet 22% of Brits cannot because they’re living in poverty. Perhaps if we were to make the Prime Minister and his government live a day in the shoes of this percentage, they would feel differently about these “loans”.

There are many factors to blame for the energy crisis, but the lack of compassion the government is showing towards low-income households, who are currently deciding if heating or eating is more of a priority, fills me with shame, the shame of being in one of the most powerful countries in the world that’s run by a government who cannot even comprehend basic human empathy. Dare I ask what’s next?

Rwanda plan, the UK would be sending those who enter by desperate means to a nation whose current government enables the same circumstances from which many refugees are fleeing.

Frankly, the government risks subjecting people to the same unfortunate circumstances they claim to be saving them from.

The scheme is an overall reflection of the Home Office’s proclivity toward preventing unauthorised migration rather than addressing the reasons behind it. Should Britain’s plans for illegal migration come to fruition, I fear this cyclical, dehumanising treatment of refugees may only further the very issues we are attempting to resolve.

3rd May 2022

SCIENCE

18

Will the Government’s new calorie law stop the health crisis or is it just virtue-signalling?

George Barsted Senior Science Writer

With the announcement last month that restaurants with more than 250 staff must print the calories of each dish on their menus, campaigners from both sides of the debate have spoken out about the measures. The government believes these measures will help people tackle the problem of obesity.

Obesity-related issues currently cost the NHS £6.1 billion a year and minister Jo Churchill says calorie information on labels makes it “easier to make healthier choices.” Eating disorder charities have disparaged the move, arguing it could worsen the recovery of those suffering from these conditions.

The government enacted the changes in order to decrease rates of obesity, especially in groups such as young people where a third of children are leaving primary school classified as obese or overweight. The expectation is that these measures lead to a healthier population less susceptible to disease.

Critics of the changes point to the harmful effects calorie labels can have on those recovering from or suffering from eating disorders. The government has expressed they consulted with experts on eating disorders “extensively” regarding the changes Beat, the leading charity in the UK regarding eating disorders, disagrees with these changes. There is evidence, they say, to suggest calorie information

Climate Change Corner: Turning Green survey seeks Gen-Z perspectives on climate anxiety

on labels can increase distress and anxiety in people suffering from eating disorders. Even hospitality figures have weighed in, citing the measures as likely to increase costs and lead to “boring, box-ticking cooking”.

If the government’s aim s are to ensure people are consuming a more balanced diet the measures could be construed as virtue-signalling.

Experts also point out that for those who are already obese calorie labels make little difference. Food is often bought out from restaurants, cafés and takeaways due to its ease of access.

While this food is rarely as nutritious as home-cooked meals, the government fails to account for the lack of time many in modern society have to cook.

With people working longer hours and wages shrinking, cooking healthy meals is becoming harder for the employed.

Lack of time coupled with the increased cost of living means people are less likely to spend on more expensive, nourishing food. With most households stretched, calorie labels may not make any difference.

Mariam Jallow Science Editor

Environmental nonprofit Turning Green has launched a global survey on climate change action, seeking input from tens of thousands of college and university students.

The survey will assess student knowledge of climate change and ideas for solutions-based climate action.

Titled “Anxiety to Action,” the survey in part stems from the ideas of Stephen Kirk, a 21-yearold student at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom, who participated in Turning Green’s Project Green Course. For his final course project, Kirk developed a campus workshop and survey focused on transforming climate anxiety into action.

It remains to be seen whether the measures will result in any concrete improvements in the nation’s health.

For opposers to the changes, it is clear they believe the impact on those with eating disorders will be painful and the measures unlikely to improve things for them. Some in hospitality are taking measures into their own hands, with some restaurants providing menus without calorie information present.

“I have a lot of anxiety about climate change, but connecting with like-minded students helps me feel not alone,” says Kirk.

Photo: Pixabay

NASA confirms existence of 5,000 Exoplanets Melody Chan Science Writer

On the 25th of March 2022, NASA Exoplanet Archive confirmed the existence of the 5,000th exoplanet.

Although none of these exoplanets are qualified to be Earth 2.0, they are more or less “small, rocky worlds like Earth,” and “gas giants many times larger than Jupiter” claimed the officials from Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

NASA’s $10 billion investment in the James Webb Space Telescope has enabled more exoplanets to be discovered across the universe.

Additionally, China has announced plans for their Earth 2.0 mission to find a habitable exoplanet in the Milky Way. Jessie Christiansen, the archive’s lead, said 5,000 is “not just a number. Every

one of them is a new world.”

The first discovery of a new star named QB1 was dated back in 1992 and was discovered by astronomers David Jewitt and Janet Luu. They used a 2.2-metre telescope to detect the existence of another solar system.

“They used a 2.2-metre telescope to detect the existence of another solar system” As technology advances, scientists use other measures such as the transit method to confirm the passing of a planet over a star.

This method was first introduced by astronomer William Borucki, who decided to attach sensitive light detectors onto a telescope and launch it into space.

According to JPL, “the telescope would stare for years at a field of more than 170,000 stars, searching for tiny dips in starlight when a planet crossed a star’s face.”

Other than indicating the dimming of stars, gravitational lensing is also adopted to find exoplanets.

This alternative method allows scientists to track “slight back-andforth motions of a star, caused by gravitational tugs from orbiting planets.”

China’s Earth 2.0 mission hopes to incorporate satellite analysing methods.

A satellite is expected to be built

by 2026 and will be funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

This satellite will carry seven telescopes and six of them will observe the dimming of stars in the Cygnus-Lyra constellations.

This mission is “an opportunity for better international collaboration,” said Jian Ge, the leading astronomer of the mission.

NASA believes the best-known world is the TRAPPIST-1 system.

First discovered by astronomer John Gizis, the system was noted as having an “ultra-cool dwarf star” accompanied by three planets.

However, in 2017 astronomers corrected this information to seven planets and proposed TRAPPIST-1 being an older system than ours, ageing 5.4 to 9.8 billion years old.

“connecting with like-minded students helps me feel not alone” “I began working with Turning Green and students across the world to use our shared passion for the planet and collective voice to make bold, impactful change. The survey is the entry point.”

Turning Green is a global student-led movement devoted to cultivating a healthy, just, thriving planet through education and advocacy around climate justice, environmental sustainability, and public health.

Participants will have the option to join student-led climate action groups once the survey is complete.

The survey ends May 15th, 2022, and can be found at turninggreen.org/climate-survey.

3rd May 2022

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concrete-online.co.uk/category/science/ | @ConcreteUEA

UEA and Norwich researchers make groundbreaking discovery in prostate cancer George Barsted Senior Science Writer

Researchers from the University of East Anglia, Earlham Institute and Quadram Institute have helped identify a link between five types of bacteria and aggressive prostate cancer.

Urine and tissue samples were collected from 600 men both with and without prostate cancer, and five bacteria were identified including three that were previously undiscovered.

Analysis showed men who had two or more of the strains in their urine, prostate or tissue samples were 2.6

times more likely to progress to an aggressive form of cancer than those who didn’t.

Professor Colin Cooper of Norwich Medical School spoke of the ideas for the study, stating “the presence of Helicobacter pylori bacteria in the digestive tract can lead to stomach ulcers and is associated with stomach cancer”.

Taking this information forwards they investigated the link between bacteria and prostate cancer.

It’s not clear yet whether the bacteria are the cause of the aggressive forms of prostate cancer, but it’s hoped treatment to remove them could help to slow the rate of progression in the

illness.

The bacteria were detected through a process of whole-genome sampling on tissues.

When this is done, tumour samples are sequenced along with any pathogens present in the aggressive cancer samples.

Identification of the bacteria can lead to understanding how it develops in the prostate and whether any other factors are at play in the tumour’s development.

These could include weaker immune system responses and data gathered from which type of bacteria is present could inform treatment plans.

If bacteria were shown to cause a development in the cancer preventative measures could help stop prostate cancer from developing further.

This is according to Dr Helen Luxton of Prostate Cancer UK, who stated a breakthrough of this kind could “save hundreds of lives each year”.

While the effect is not clear, it’s important to note healthy bacteria also coexist with those linked to the aggressive forms.

This means it is not a simple answer of just removing all the bacteria and hoping to see results.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer found in men and the aggressive forms take almost 12,000 lives each year, so tackling the problem would undoubtedly save lives.

Whether the results of the study lead to treatment plans remains to be seen but the discovery of two new bacteria has been found in samples.

Porphyromonas bobii and Varibaculum prostatecancerukia are two new strains of bacteria found in the study and named after those funding it, with money coming from Prostate Cancer UK and the Bob Champion Cancer Trust respectively.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Apple’s new safety feature to protect Bizarre Science: Umami children from explicit imagery Utensils – chopsticks that make your food saltier George Barsted Senior Science Writer

Apple has announced plans to roll out a safety feature to protect children from explicit, lewd, or offensive images.

Whilst some welcome the change, privacy rights groups state the software may be an invasion of privacy and could lead to mass surveillance if misused.

“the software... could lead to mass surveillance if misused” The plans drawn up by Apple use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to compare images sent and received on children’s phones and then compare them to known imagery that is explicit.

If the images sent and received are deemed to be similar, the image will be blurred and an option to notify an adult will appear.

Apple hopes this technology will keep children safer on the internet, a growing concern for parents and technology companies.

All scanning will be taking place “in-device” and Apple claims that they will not be able to access the images.

This type of data scanning is known as client-side scanning (CSS) and privacy groups say it could lead to “surveillance at a new level”.

Experts are worried CSS could be misused, granting access to almost billions of devices and ripping people’s data away from them without their knowledge.

Activists are worried that although well-meaning, this could be the start of a slippery slope leading to further

invasion of privacy for the individual in society.

If governments were in control of data from citizens’ devices it would be a clear breach of privacy laws. Apple has caved to pressure from states before, whether removing Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalnys’ tactical voting app or moving servers to state-owned Chinese data centres.

Apple declared the motions put forward are only for protecting children and experts agree that protections need to be in place.

“experts agree that protections need to be in place”

This however fails to convince some in the industry that Apple and other companies won’t try to overreach when it comes to personal data.

Becky Sainty Science Writer

Hoping to hit the market next year is a new device capable of making your diet healthier: chopsticks that make food taste salty. The electric chopsticks have been developed through a collaboration between Homei Miyashita, a professor at Meiji University in Tokyo, and Kirin, a food and drinks manufacturer.

“ increased salt intake is a widespread health problem” The device includes a wristband computer producing a weak electric current containing the designed electrical stimulation waveform. The current travels through the chopsticks to move sodium ions from the food into

the mouth, artificially creating the taste of salt.

The device was tested on people currently or previously following low sodium diets. Using the chopsticks, the perceived saltiness was enhanced about 1.5 times in food with 30% less salt, bringing it to the level of normal food.

Participants also reported the taste of food improved when eaten with the electric current.

Increased salt intake is a widespread health problem as it increases the risk of high blood pressure, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. It is a particular problem in Japan where the daily salt intake is around twice the World Health Organisation’s recommendations, partly due to the prevalence of miso and soy sauce. This intake needs to decrease but many resist the change as they believe it makes food bland. The team hope the chopsticks will help to overcome this and perhaps similar utensils could spread to a wider market.

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There and back again: the journey home after uni Tristan Pollitt

Travel & Lifestyle Editor

“He drew a deep breath. ‘Well, I’m back,’ he said.”

- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Home: a small rural village an hour or so outside of York, North Yorkshire.

Roughly 60 or so houses, what I guess is at least over 100 acres of pastoral green, wild horses, and the cul-de-sac bus stops near the center of an outdoor library. And we don’t even have a shop.

For myself, the journey home takes approximately five hours by car, four by train, give or take any difficulties met on the road. The superplanar landscape of the Norfolk countryside (taken from animation, the absolute crushing of any depth) flies by my window whilst

dad plays some track from an unknown 80s band, until the broads turn into the rugged heathland of the North country.

By the time I arrive, it's late into the evening. The lights from inside cast down the drive like lanterns wandering in the dark, and memory turns to revive the echoes of the years I spent here growing.

Like myself, I suspect that many of us would have felt almost compelled, by schooling, parents, or some other force, to attend university since a very young age.

We are propelled forward towards some sort of forcible end, so much so that when we finally arrive the spectrum of emotion which falls into focus becomes almost impossible to pin down – excitement, disillusionment, anger, joy.

Yet, more often than not, there also hangs over each of us the expectation (and memory) of the journey home.

Each day that comes carries with it the anticipation of home, either for the break or, as for myself, an indefinite period of time.

Such times are often closely associated with positive thoughts, the faces of old friends, and the feeling of being somewhere more permanent, more secure. I recognise, however, that for some the thought of travelling home can bring about a feeling of discomfort, of a period in their lives that brings with it a wave of anxiety (for lack of a better term).

On the one hand, these anxieties may be economically based: [a worry about the cost of travel (flights have risen on average 10 percent this month),

especially for short periods of time home. On the other hand, the negative associations can stem more from threats to one’s safety or even a more ambivalent general attitude to the whole idea.

Home is not something you are lumped with, however, at least necessarily.

Whilst I may have a special affection for the North and the United Kingdom as a whole, it was only through time away from either that this affection became more pronounced, that I became able to decide for myself what home was and meant for me.

What I found, as it turned out, is that I felt just as strong a connection to the flatness of the Norfolk landscape, the cobbled streets of our fine city, as I did with the place of my childhood and memories. That home was, truly, where

the heart is.

Perhaps like the small and unassuming heroes of Tolkien’s Middle Earth, it is at first the thought of home, and later the journey to, that allows us to find some respite amongst the difficulties that we face, whatever form that may take. It is the flame we light to guide us through the darkness.

“It is at first the thought of home, and later the journey...that allows us to find some respite”

Image: Unsplash

Study spaces and wellbeing in Norwich Lily Boag

Travel & Lifestyle Writer

It’s the time of year that all students dread. The final stretch before a summer of freedom, the spring exam season is rearing its head. And while I, like many students, prefer to push this information to the back of mind until the inevitable wave of stress eats me up on the inside and becomes all-consuming, one way we might try to tackle our anxiety towards the upcoming assessment period is by broadening our horizons in seek of new and exciting study spaces. Because sometimes, as UEA students, it can be difficult to remember that there’s a whole world beyond the concrete towers that sit at the heart of campus like the UEA Library.

So, to mix things up and unwind during this stressful season, we must spread our wings to the quaint cafes and pleasant gardens hidden in plain sight in the beautiful city of Norwich.

Below you can find my top five recommendations, nearly all of which are study spaces where you can comfortably whip out your laptop with access to plug sockets, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of caffeine.

1.

The Merchant’s House Offering excellent coffee, a selection of toasties and counter treats, and a secret terrace garden open all year round, what more could you possibly ask for from this popular café bar on Bridge Street? A warm and welcoming cafe with indoor and outdoor seating, The Merchant’s House even has some larger tables so you can invite all your study buddies.

Situated by the river and neighbouring Anteros Arts Foundation, it’s located in a beautiful spot within the city. Plus, being a dog friendly café, when taking a study break you can admire all the pooches.

2.

Mitre Follow the 26 bus route from UEA and

you’ll find one of the Golden Triangle’s finest coffee shops on Earlham Road.

Bright and spacious with lots of seating to choose from, the best perk about this public house turned café is that alongside being dog friendly and serving a selection of sweet and savoury treats, the walls are covered with artwork created by local Norfolk artists as Mitre works to highlight the creative talent in the community.

3.

Artel A quirky city centre coffee shop opposite Gonzo’s, with outside benches for sunny days and further upstairs seating where upside-down hanging plant pots are a feature piece, there’s plenty of room for a study session in Artel. Serving speciality coffee, local craft beer, house made sandwiches, and other light bites, it’s the perfect place to snack and study. Valuing creativity within the Norwich community, Artel also run their own arts and craft workshops in the evenings - a welcome

distraction after a busy day of studying.

4.

Bread Source A welcoming and friendly café, be prepared to be drawn directly to the counter in this artisan bakery as you come in to seek a table, for you are certain to dip into your wallet to try one of their delicious pastries. With different branches of Bread Source spread out across Norwich, you can find the original Bread Source on Upper St Giles Street and (what I like to call) Bread Source 2.0 down in the lanes.

5.

Eaton Park Taking you outside for a breath of fresh air, you’ll struggle to find a place better than Eaton Park to study and peoplewatch. Bring a blanket, pack some snacks, and you’ve got the perfect set up to finish off some assigned reading.

And when you decide to take a break, why not stroll around the beautiful green and explore the grounds?

Other Norwich study spots include Café Bar Marzano in The Forum, which when busy, is in the perfect location for you to shift on over to Norwich Millenium Library. Down in the lanes on St Gregorys Alley you can find Alchemista Coffee Potions (which makes the best Iced Mocha in Norwich), where you can sit in the sun in the triangular green. Further along is Frank’s Bar, a classic cosy cafe. Round the corner you can find the popular brunch-spot Café No.33. Tucked away behind Red Lion Street is The Yard Coffee. And of course, who can forget the stunning UEA Lake?

“And of course, who can forget the stunning UEA Lake?”

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Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Skylines and Soviets: The legacy of communism in Czechia Finlay Porter

Travel & Lifestyle Writer

Monuments to communism and the Red Army are the most blatant marks left by the Soviets in Czechia.

But the legacy of the USSR can be seen manifested in many different spheres of life, from social, to work, to housing and faith. The history of the 20th century can be witnessed in the streets of every city, but the effect of that history on the people, on society at large, is more elusive.

Three hours to the east of Prague lies a small sleepy town of around 100,000 people. I have come here as part of the last British Erasmus cohort, but have recently been more concerned with my cultural education than academic.

Olomouc has a long history, dating back to when it was the capital of the Kingdom of Moravia, yet much of that history still feels present in the centre of the city where cobbled streets and alleyways are lined by baroque

architecture. Statues and fountains honouring various religious and artistic movements are scattered randomly throughout the city. But the outskirts of the city tell a different story.

The concrete tower blocks which shot up from the sixties through the eighties are still housing large portions of the population, despite their various forms of decay. In recent years, the Czechs have taken to painting these concrete blocks in bright colours, which offers an interesting, dichotomous effect. I feel that this painted concrete is in some way representative of the relationship between the Czechs and their time under Soviet colonialism.

‘Why did you come here?’ This is the inevitable first question which follows the explanation of my British origins.

The question generally comes from a place of curiosity, but I can’t help but feel, after I’ve offered some garbled response about cultural immersion and Central European history, that there remains some disbelief at my presence.

In the last 30 years, Czechia has exploded into the free market with a burning passion for modernisation - and they aren’t slowing down.

New developments crop up all over Olomouc, and Prague is far ahead. Yet despite this rapid modernisation and development, the Soviet era has left a profound impact on the mentality of the Czech people. Hungarian literary scholar Csaba G. Kiss claims that “We— Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Poles— have an inferiority complex. This is a shared feature. Being aware of our shared inferiority complex can liberate us from it.”

Perhaps this is an extreme viewpoint, but I can see how this conclusion could be drawn from the humbleness of the Czechs, and the way they confront their history openly. The British and the Czechs have had completely different experiences with colonialism, and while we may feel guilt and lament the lack of education about our violent past, the Czechs approach their

experiences under Soviet occupation with sorrow, but without denial. Kiss continues: “We have been affected by a tragic history, and we should be aware of shared traumas.” The history of the Soviet era is unavoidable in the Czech Republic, and perhaps this constant reminder is partly responsible for the dedication and ambition of the students in Olomouc.

It would be wrong to say that the Czechs aren’t proud of their country: quite the opposite. The feeling when the old Czechia appears in daily life is nostalgic and patriotic. When traditional food is served (nice enough) or when beer is poured (excellent), when folk music rings out in the pubs and when national holidays roll around, when people talk of the Moravia/ Bohemia divide. And when they talk of the folk-tales and myths of ancient Czech cities, they do so with a beaming smile on their face and pride in their hearts. The same cannot be said for the 20th century.

The Czech’s don’t hide from their past. They appreciate its importance and how it has shaped their country into what it is today. But they also fail to recognise the value of this shared history, this knowledge of an experience fundamentally contrasted to that of Western Europe. The Czech students I have met at university frequently study in English, and their grasp of grammatical nuance is better than my own. They have an incredible understanding of 20th century history, because not only have they read about it, but they need but step outside and raise their heads to look around and see it written on the walls. But it seems that they take this knowledge, this academic prowess, somewhat for granted.

I view overcoming this “inferiority complex” as an inevitable part of the development of Czechia. And if there is anything I have learnt since I’ve been here, it is that it takes a lot less time to change a city’s skyline than it does to change its mindset.

Back on track: get to know interrailing Julia Reynolds

Travel and Lifestye Editor

A quintessential rite of passage at least to me is the first holiday you have without your parents, and for me this came in the form of a post A-level splurge on an interrailing trip with four other friends. We travelled across mainland Europe from Amsterdam down through Berlin, Paris, Venice and ended in Rome over the course of 14 days – needless to say, we could only spend a few days in each city.

One of the most important reasons we chose an interrailing holiday was the opportunity to see any many places as possible within our two weeks, and though we did do this, I would

say we were only able to scratch the surface. Interrailing gives you a taste, an impression of the atmosphere of a city and the people, but it can be challenging to be able to visit the vast number of attractions and historical sites.

However, something which is unique to the experience is the direct and immediate comparisons you can see between each place. Even between Venice and Rome, we felt a shift in the ways of life and environments within one country. A view I will never forget is the stunning Swiss mountains and lakes that we saw from Paris, and interrailing remains undefeated in how much you see even when you are travelling.

"Interrailing remains undefeated"

Alongside the amazing sights, it is easy for me to be nostalgic and forget the very early morning trains, the stress of catching a train in a language you don’t understand, and particularly travelling alone as a group of young women.

This of course is sadly not unique to interrailing, but because of the nature of hostels, train stations and being outside of tourist-centred locations there is more of a sense of danger that comes with this type of holiday.

Whether this trip was the best way for us to experience each respective culture, I’m still not sure. It is undeniable that it can be an expensive way to see the world, but past the ticket itself and a flight home, a lot of the cost can depend on which standard of accommodation you stay in and how you eat and drink.

Overall, interrailing is something I do think everyone should try once. If you’ve not been able to travel much,

like many of us due to the many restrictions of the past two years, it offers an unrivalled opportunity to find cities that you enjoy while also seeing rural areas that you wouldn’t stumble upon otherwise. It is a trip I will never regret, regardless of the hours I spent at work to pay for everything, and it was a privilege to be able to cram in so many experiences.

As an active person who hates staying in one place for too long, and dreads having seen all of trip advisor’s top attractions, interrailing provided a much-needed concoction of culture that could be tailored to exactly what we wanted to see, exactly what we wanted to spend, and exactly what we needed from our first adult holiday.

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UEA triumphant in 8th Activities and Opportunities Officer Lizzie me) for the 8th year in a row!

Payne wrote, after a two-year wait, we managed to bring back Derby Day, and We had some big wins throughout our UEA clubs did not disappoint. the day from our teams, and it was amazing tofeel the atmosphere We totalled up a mega 18.5 points to of Derby Day again, and support all our Essex’s 10.5 to take home the Champions clubs who were competing.

Trophy (which is nearly the same size as Volleyball: It was always going to be a very tough match for both of our men’s and women’s teams, facing up against two very strong BUCS Premier level sides.

A huge thank you goes to all the people who have worked so incredibly hard behind the scenes to make Derby Day happen again, it’s a mammoth task to organise and both Liv, the officer from Essex, and I are grateful for all the support across both unis.

Henderson and Armin Nikpour to hit well on the net. Much of Essex’s attack was stifled by great blocking from middles Adam Knight and Joe Isbill, as well as opposite hitter Kwame Aidoo. Libero Non Kandet had great command of the background and picked up many of the Essex hits. Unfortunately this was not quite enough and the second set went to the home side, 25-22.

Our men’s team took some time to get into the game, quickly going down a set 25-10. The Essex service was particularly strong throughout the game, and initially the UEA serve receive struggled to provide setter Alex Lam with many good options to set up an attack on the The last set was a repeat of the first, net. and UEA were unable to overturn the 2-0 deficit, the set ended 25-12, The second set was another story Essex winning 3-0 overall. Despite entirely. The UEA team began to being huge underdogs, UEA made pull together and put up a valiant a great stand and did themselves effort against the home side. The proud. It was a great day to be a serve receive was excellent and part of and thanks to everyone allowed the outside hitters Adam involved to make it run smoothly.

Photo: UEA Sport

Athletics at Derby Day was won by Essex University by a margin of 113 points to 93 points.

Despite this all the distance events won by UEA as well as the relays.

Essex University cleaned up in the field events as UEA had no field athletes on the day. UEA was able to win most of the sprints but this wasn’t enough to take the victory.

UEA Athletics President Alfie Long said: “looking forward to smashing them next year instead.”

UEA Pole Fitness’s competition squad named the ‘Scorpios’ entered 3 beginner, 3 intermediate and 2 advanced level competitors. The level of each category is determined by the difficulty of the moves the competitor can demonstrate in their routines.

Photo: UEA Sport

succeeded in the past.

The results for the UEA Scorpios are as follows: Georgia Maginn placed 3rd in beginners; Lottie Dyce placed 1st and Ana Solano Heranz placed 3rd in the intermediate category; Rhiannalily Smith placed 2nd and Rosa For example, if a beginner were Hopper placed 3rd in advanced. to do an invert, it would be With 5 points in it, the UEA considered ‘illegal’ as it is outside Scorpios won! of their ‘level’, causing a deduction in marks. The competitors are The atmosphere was incredibly marked on the execution of their supportive, as both universities moves, performance, musicality cheered each other’s competitors; and fluidity of their personally especially for Rhianna-Lily Smith choreographed routines. as she competed with a cracked rib! Overall, the results convey Essex Pole are fierce competitors, how close the competition was, no one can predict who will win on which made it a tense and exciting the day as both universities have watch.

Basketball: University

UEA

1s

vs

64-97 An exciting unfortunately led given to UEA. off to a poorer for UEA, Essex ead and through the game.

American 22-0 Essex

Essex A strong bench squad saw every member of the squad get a healthy number of minutes.

matchup that to the loss being The game got start than usual got the early l carried it

Football:

Although it was a loss on the day, it was a bright spot for newly brought up Ryan Shoniwa from the second team, he showed great defensive prowess and passion.

UEA

Pirates Crisp to get interceptions. To add to this, GB athlete Oli Howes also got an interception from defensive The UEA Pirates went away to tackle, an impressive feat. Tackles Essex with one thing in mind: for loss from Aaron White and bringing home the win. the defensive line also added to the pressure to Essex, helping And that they did, with rushing secure the win 22-0. All could be touchdowns from Tom Kinna and topped off by a 70 yard field Aaron White. To add to that, they goal by Luke Bird. also secured their first passing touchdown of the year, being This game brought an end introduced by physio student to many all time Pirate greats Tom Hoy. Brilliant coverage careers, such as David Ware, from Jamie Coggins and Tom Aaron White and today’s Poole allowed other defensive starting quarterback Tom Kinna. backs Devan Flint and Bradley

UEA Sport Award nominations announced ahead of an exciting night Dan Laughlan Sports Writer

UEA Sport has enjoyed a successful season. UEA placed 35th out of the 142 Universities participating in BUCS. Softball finished as the highestscoring club for UEA scoring 130 BUCS points.

Futsal and Football both achieved success this year with the former being

the second-highest scoring club and the There are four main categories for the latter, the third. awards to fall under, the first being team awards. This category includes Dodgeball ended up with 62 points, just Local League Team of the Year, Team of edging out Hockey and Lacrosse who the Year (University Competitions), and both scored 61 points, completing the BUCS League Team of the Year. top five BUCS point scorers at UEA. The second category is for individual With another year of sport at UEA awards. This includes Sportsman and coming to a close, this can only mean Sportswoman of the Year. Nominated one thing, the UEA Sports Awards. for the Men are Kiron Austin (Fencing), Joey Awala (Powerlifting), Pablo Bertran

(Sailing), Timon Chapman (Swimming), and Oli Howes (American Football).

Nominated for the Women are Hannah Bealey (Korfball), Rosa Chrystie-Lowe (Pentathlon), Phoebe Parker (Netball), Amelia Preece (Women’s Hockey), and Charlotte Slater (Fencing).

Club of the Year as well as the Take a Stand award.

There are also awards for clubs. The awards are for Sustainability, Progress, Outreach, Fundraiser of the Year, Event of the Year, Committee of the Year, and

With 24 awards up for grabs, it’s sure to be a wonderful evening to celebrate the sporting achievements of this past year at UEA.

The final category is social media. With awards for best use of Twitter and Instagram as well as best photo and video.

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consecutive Derby Day Photo: UEA Rugby

Water Polo: An incredible day for UEA Water Polo with both the mens and womens teams bringing home medals for the first time in a few years.

won comfortably 10-2, a huge shoutout to our goalie LeRoya who saved some incredible shots. Every single player, both men and women, were focused on their game and listening to their team A slightly easier win for the boys finishing mates.

18-1 with our top scorer being Ed Li shooting 7 of those. The women also Taking on feedback in between game quarters and improving for the next made us even better and resulted in a Lacrosse: Another win for Women’s double win for water polo.

Lacrosse meant the end to a very successful season. With it being the last With the women’s team not playing for match a lot of us would ever play for the past few years at Derby Day and the UEA we were eager to go out on a high. men losing their previous game, this It also felt that little bit more import proved how much we’ve grown as a since Derby day hadn’t been able to team and a club. happen for the last two years, and we were hoping to replicate the double The support from swimming as well as win for the men’s and women’s teams Essex being great sports really made the day wonderful. I’m beyond proud of in 2019. everyone, it was incredible.

The women’s match was off to a great start, having only conceded 2 goals and being firmly in the lead by half time.

Sadly the final quarter of the match was cut short when an attempt at goal left an Essex player injured and meant that the game had to have an early finish.

Thankfully she is okay. Despite this the women finished with an impressive 11-3 win, meaning victories all round for UEA Lacrosse as the men’s team also took home a big win.

Women’s Rugby: What a day!

This year has been such a tough season for the Wolfpack. We have experienced many losses (every BUCS game and all bar two NC2 games) which have been really hard to bounce back from. The girls have continued to train hard and keep each other’s morals boosted, despite many spells of frustration and upset. It all paid off yesterday and we came back with a 17-10 win. For many girls this was their last and first Derby Day and it definitely lived up to its expectations. It was really important for us to continue the Wolfpack’s winning streak at Derby Day and to prove to the club that we can do it. Everyone put 100% into the game and we couldn’t have asked for a better end to the season.

Men’s Rugby: 0-11 UEA

Essex

Photo: UEA Swimming

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

University

UEA Men’s Rugby ran out 11-0 victors at Derby Day this year.

Finlay Chesson scored the only try of the game while UEA’s Lucas Atherton slotted home two penalties. This was the first time that UEA have recorded a shutout on Essex territory, which marked a dominant performance for the team.

Photo: UEA Lacrosse

A strong squad of 20 swimmers headed In the 100m freestyle Oliver Kimber over to Garrison VC pool to face Essex. stepped up to take the win and Summer Kennedy followed up with a win for the The events started with the 50m ladies. butterfly as Simon Newton and Ruby Coyle took the wins for both the mens Next, the 100m IM, Simon and and ladies, respectively.

Summer blast through the water to complete a clean sweep of golds in The 50m backstroke was another clean the individual events. sweep with Timon Chapman and Sofia Breeze taking the Ws. Onto the relays, the men’s freestyle of Lewis, Ewan, Oliver and Simon Time for the 50m breaststroke and took the win followed by the another double win thanks to Lewis ladies of Celeste, Kioni, Ruby and Chapman and Maia Shouksmith. 50m Summer took the win also beating freestyle and you guessed it clean sweep the Essex men’s team! for UEA with Simon and Summer taking the wins.

Medley relay time, and a few changes in personnel but the same After a short break we were ready to dive result with both teams winning straight into the 100m events. 100m thanks to Timon, Lewis, Charlie butterfly Charlie Barrett and Summer and Simon for the men and Sofia, Kennedy taking the wins for UEA. Chelsea, Ruby and Summer for the women.

In the 100m backstroke Timon and Chelsea secured the wins. 100m Final score, with UEA winning breaststroke Lewis and Chelsea both every single event, 131-53 for Essex won golds.

The NBA season heats up as the playoffs begin George Barsted Sports writer

The NBA playoffs are rolling into action with 16 teams vying to lift the trophy.

The playoffs have no clear favourite with some of the most wide-open draws seen in a long time.

In the Eastern Conference, No. 1 seeds the Miami Heat are hoping to capitalise on their form and the abilities of Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro to take them one step further than their run to the finals in 2020.

shooting guards in the NBA, James The biggest challenge for the No 1 seed Harden. in the East is likely to be Champions, the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 76ers and Harden will look to overcome their poor records in the They are trying to build a dynasty around postseason. the generational talent of Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Phoenix Suns, in the Western Conference, are chasing their first title, The Bucks are hoping the two-time MVP led by Monty Williams, who was named will continue averaging 29.9 points per coach of the year for the second time game in the postseason. running.

The other team tipped to do well in the Eastern Conference is the Philadelphia 76ers, led by the domineering centre, Joel Embiid and backed up by one of the best

Golden State Warriors fans will be hoping Steph Curry is up to full fitness as he seeks to add to his collection of championships but will be mindful of the threat posed in the first round by the Denver Nuggets.

The Nuggets will be relying on Nikola Jokić to power them to a series win over the Warriors.

Finally, the Dallas Mavericks face the Utah Jazz, who are off the back of a fiveThe Suns’ lethal offence of Devin game losing streak hoping to turn their Booker and Chris Paul and backed fortunes around. up in defence by forward Mikal Bridges making them formidable If the Mavericks’ star player Luka Doncic opponents. is back to full fitness, it’s likely that the

Jazz will struggle in this series.

Whatever happens on the court it is likely to be a thrilling battle between teams right up until the final buzzer.

“A thrilling battle between teams right up until the final buzzer”

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Welcome to the Concrete Jungle:

Sports Senior Writer Metin Yilmaz interviews UEA MMA

A week on from Derby Day and rivalries are set to resume.

This time between several of UEA’s own students.

For just the second time ever, UEA MMA are hosting the Rumble in the Concrete Jungle charity event, where members from ten different UEA sports clubs will face off in the octagon to raise money for Help for Heroes, a charity that provides support to wounded British Armed Forces personnel and their families.

I spoke with UEA MMA President, Mark Thompson, and Vice-President, Hannah Edwards, ahead of fight night.

For those who might not be aware, can you tell us a little bit about Rumble in the Concrete Jungle?

Mark Thompson: Absolutely!

So Rumble in the Concrete Jungle is an event that happened a few years ago, and obviously, Covid has put it off twice since, but we’re bringing it back this year. It’s a massive charity event.

It’s a fight night, so members of different clubs will be pitted against each other, they’ve all been training really hard, and the goal of the night is to put on a show and raise a few thousand for charity.

Can you tell us a bit more about Help for Heroes and why it’s an important cause to UEA MMA?

MT: Help for Heroes is our charity of choice and they help ex-soldiers who are facing troubled times so it’s a very worthy cause. I think it’s one that’s close to our coach’s heart, he’s always petitioned for it in the past, and again it’s a good cause that we’re happy to donate towards.

So far from fighter donations alone, we’ve raised just under £2000, and as soon as we’ve paid off the cage hire and the medics which are our two big costs, every single penny after that goes straight to the charity, we don’t see any of it. Hopefully, after ticket sales, we’ll be looking at probably another £2000 or £3000.

solid kicks which is a surprise to nobody. We’ve got a rugby lad who’s just a brilliant grappler, his takedowns are next level. So it’s sort of using their strengths and adapting it to an MMA style.

We do have a lot of people stick around afterwards, and I think there’s a stigma that it’s a really rough sport and club but it’s nothing like that, we’ve got so many friendly faces! I’d say anyone who’s even remotely curious, come down and give it a try we’re open to every level and we’ve probably got just as many beginners as people with previous experience.

Photo: Metin Yilmaz

Having seen everyone train so far are there any fights that you’re most looking forward to, and any predictions you can make ahead of So you’ve been training people fight night? from other sports who’re completely new to MMA. What challenges, if HE: Yes very much! We’ve got a any, does that bring and do you find big heavyweight with Peter Head that they tend to stick around after and Nassim Yedroudj which I think giving MMA a go? is going to be really interesting.

Jackson Ayers is looking pretty good Hannah Edwards: When people are as well so that’ll be interesting to at different levels then you’re kind watch. of wanting to learn more intricate stuff and some people might have no MT: There’s two that come to idea what guard is or sight-control, mind. One is between two of our and we’re doing really complex MMA fighters, Khalil Jah and submissions and so it’s quite difficult Hassan Khan, and the accounting for different levels of skill other one which I think but it’s still fun and people are really everyone should be looking willing to learn! forward to is the culmination of the big clubs, it’s Rugby vs.

MT: It’s less challenges and more Football. But I really couldn’t put interesting opportunities.

You’ll a bet on the winner, I think that’s find that a footballer has really anyone’s game.

Photo: UEA MMA I then spoke with two members of UEA Football, Jackson Ayers and Peter Head, who are both participating in the event.

So how are you boys feeling ahead of the fight? Feeling prepared?

Jackson Ayers: Yeah good, I've been training and doing fitness home so it’s been alright.

mate here back

Are there any strengths or advantages you think you have going into your fights, and can you give any predictions?

Photo: Metin Yilmaz

JA: I can’t say, it’s a secret!

But we’ll definitely win, easy.

We’re just better than the people we’re fighting I suppose. And to be fair I did fight in my first year but I lost to some geezer from MMA so I’ve got to redeem myself.

Peter Head: He’s getting jabbed up. He’s a midget so I’ve got the reach on him. I’m heavier than him too so I should win. To be honest I’m very confident.

My guy’s a ghost, we don’t know where he is, we don’t know who he is. And I’m not saying the opponent’s bad, it’s just that I want to be confident in myself that I’m going to get the job done.

Whether or not UEA Football’s fighters will come out victorious on May 4th remains to be seen, but it’s clear they aren’t short of confidence.

At the time of writing VIP tickets are sold out but general sale tickets are available through the Students’ Union for £17.50, with all proceeds going to a great cause.

The LCR’s doors will open at 17:10 on May 4th, with the first event of the evening scheduled to start at 18:10.