Concrete issue 146 15 01 2003

.. .

Issue 146 路 Wednesday , Jan uary 15 ,2003

UEA's independent student newspaper

FREE

I

cl tvely for J Find out on page 6

Concrete

www.concrete-online.co.uk

\\'ellerm lor. Jamw,._,. 15. 2003

Work to begin on new club THOM SMITH Chief News Reporter

Union to hold ballot over Nestle ban on election day A REFERENDUM to decide whether the controverisa l ban on Nestle products is set to take place next month.

Thl' ' o tc will Lake pl<u.:e on 20 al o ngside the Union Executive Comm itt e

F ebrua ry

election~ . lvlc m lx!r~ of Union Council arc in charge Cif financ·ing the ye, and no campaign>. ' ' hid1 11 ill al l011 >Illdent; to ;ee both >ide> of the is ue.

Labuur 1 ciety Union Coundl r •prcsentati1e Ehpcth .I ones is camp:tigning to continue with the ban as ;he feels Nestle has comistentl y a kd UllClhh:ally. '" [L ha; promoted the use of arti fit'l:tl milk in 'iolat ion 11f the World Hea lth Organi sation's lntemati onal Code of 1v1 urketing of Brl.!:t>t-milk Suhst itu ll)>."' .. esthf s recent demands for 0 .7 million frotn Ethiopia which is 'Ln1ggling to simpl y fc~d its p pulation Jcmon,tratc -, the lad. of regarJ the company has

REBECCA LAWRENCE News Editor for human life:· Her campaign LO boycott Nc>tle bcJ,rin~ thi s tem1 . ··J ho pe to get together a group of stnd.:nts imere>tcd in campaigning fM the hnn and tak.: it from there ."

She feel> the ban is the place to >tart to makt· a difTcrence to the company's procedure . '"The mor.: uni1ersitic> and otiJ.:r organi Mllion> that take part in this

Union Com mun ications Ort'icc·r Ncd Glasi.·r thinks there will b..: a large turno ut. ''It's a fairly big issue and also because it 's taki ng place alongside th..: c~ccu t ive elect i,)n'>, whid1 normally get around 1500 pl)ople vot ing."'

Ned feels 5\udents wi 11 make the >ame decision that they made in the

bm·c: 1 pmrn l t.H l'rincn s Allll<' arr righr: Dipr sh P,lftm,r

Ex-UEA wa, rw, hed to hm p ita l o n

,ur-

rer in g fro m an im e rn a l hae m o rrhage .

She wa;, 29 1\ CCJ...s pregna nt and

MEDICAL school students have ca lled for a better post-collecting service, complain ing that they cannot collect their mail while on placement.

had an cmcrgc nc) cacsarcan at thl!

At a

Norfolk and Nom ich h o~ pit a l , bu t the bah) dicJ of complication'>. 'leacher Sarah·, cond it ion wa;

sc h oo l

not n.:: latcU to her prcg rM ilC).

She wa., placed on a lifc-;,upport mac hine. hu t <.lieu on Th ur,da) Januar) 2.

I k r husha nJ . Stcven Mead. pai d tnbu tc to h" \1 11<.: calling her a ··,hi ning star""

" Over 70o/r of students suppor1ed the ban th..:n . l think that r,·cent publicity o,·er Nestle's dl)ci,ion H' bill the Ethiopian Gt)\'ernmenl millit>n\ of pound~ won' t have helped tbeir ~ :l.U'tC .' ,

OOM ROW Chill

ni o n Cou nci l M ee tin g

he ld befo re C hris tm a s. m edi ca l re presenta ti1·e

Bi s>ett no tifi ed the

L e ig h

n ion o r a

se r io us p ro b le m th a t s tud e nts we re hm in g 11 it h co ll ec tin g th e ir m ail. ltT iles Ada111 U JII ·thet: '·A num be r of hea lth proks'>ional '>! u<.lcnl\ arc un able to ge t to the postroom du nng ope ni ng hour; becau'>e

they're on work placement s. Many med ica l '> tuJcnt s wor\.. a 9-5 day Monda) to Friday anJ some c1 e n work Sa turda) mornin g., ...

Acade mic Oflice r A lex Daw>on lir>t beca me aware of thi ; situ ation at t h~

nio n Counci l meeting_

"The issue shou ld he rai'>ed at the nc\t StuJcnt·., Affat r Group meeting so that the Uni versity it;elf is made aware of the proble m. In the mea ntime. C\ eryone shou ld re mem ber that they can lu\\·c their p o~ t >Cnt to their schoob and th at mos t \luden ts ;,hou ld be able to ge t to the po,tmom on Saturday mormn gs".

Po;,t room manager Tony Jackson exp lained that new ; tudcnts arc sent a lea !let at the begmni ng of term o ut-

Inside this fortnight:

l'agc 3: S tud ents protest over tuition fees Page -t: Bad.chat - Poet L aureate ends his contrO\·ers ial m a Hiage Page 5: Bus d rivers p repare for more s trikes Page 6: Don't miss Education linistcr. C harles Clarke's n ew column

LO CAL businessm an who pl a ns to turn the old AB C cinem a into a 1500 capacity nightclub has re' ealed that work will sta rt on th e ite soon.

Steve Peri !ina lly receh ed a licence to ser\'e alcoholic liquo r on the premises in Novemb er, after a judge o'erturn ed m agistra t es' pre' ious decision .

He made known tha t he was co nsidering a coupl e of names as cont rac tors to 110rk on th e site. but he did not say who the) wer e.

He sugges ted that the work will start in the next few week , and tho ugh it "as planned to keep mu ch of the ex terior of th e building as it is. the ins id e would be completel y unrecognisable. ·'T he building look. beautiful ,'' he sa id. " it j ust needs cleaning up.''

Po lice previously objected to opening another cluh on Prince of Wales Hoad , ca llin g th e area th e mos t d angerous in Norfolk .

,\ bo re: The locarion .fiJr rhe cluh

girl dies A FORMER UEA stud ent d ied sudd enly after f~11ling ill 9n New Year's E ve.

Preg nant S a ra h Mea d . ::!9.

boycott. lhe more likdy it is to have intlu encc• over the rest of the world .'"

Campaigning to ha"~ Nc~tlc back on campus is Uni<>n Council La1 rcprcscntatilc Dipc' 'h PaJana. He said he is campaigning again~! the Ne>tle boycotl bc.:ause he i> opposed LO others making moral dc<:is ions on hi s behalf. '"One might argue that a boycon i~ a maner ol the demiJ.:ratic wi lluf the students. but l reject thi> argum.:nt. If. having con<,ider<'d the issue:.. a ;,tudent ma\..es t.he deci ·ion not to purchase <'Stlc pnxJuch. there i nothing that gives them the right to pn:vcnt other;, frr>m making their own individual decision:· Dipcsh hopes that UEA student < will recognize the need to let indi' •idu:tl stuck nts make their 11wn decis io n w.hcn it come~ to this issue, and vote against the nestle boycott.

"Since I am not the onl y indi1 1dual who oppme' the boycon. 1 will be di scussing how and when lo campaign with the others on cmed.''

T ill~

Page 8: \Ve kick start our campaign to get rid of tho~e campus nuisances Page 10: TV licence inspectors caugh t out Page J l: Read om· in, cstigation into the effects of top up fees Page 12: 'ew Year traditions explainL>d

Page l4: Detox wi th the one and onl) , C arol Vordcrman Page 15: Ethnic fashion PLUS the chance to win £25 of Topman vouchers P age 16: How to spend an Xma~ Down Under· Page 17 : Letters Page 18: Your new look fun pages

lining the po;t-roo m ho urs. ··s tuJ cnh ;,ho uiJ be aware that <.luring term ti me we arc now also

ope n up on Saturday morn ings fro m lOa m un trl 12 o"cloc \.. . lf the) '> til l can "t ma ke it they can appoint a lnend to collec t their marl. so long as they ar c gi,·en a wrnten not.: o r authority to ac t as a rcprcsent atile ··.

But ~ig h Bi'>>CII 'ti ll hc lic\ CS Lherc could be a bcucr '>)'>tcm in place.

"Pm t boxes in halb wi th loc ks >cc m to he a popul ar chotcc with other uni vcrsitie; and coul d ;,o lve th" situ ati on. If not. it wouiJ be good to sec the post-roo m o pen at more co m cni c nt ho ur> suc h as I Oa m-1300pm and l600aml!lOOpm ".

out chance

A SLX-\\' E EK course on meditation begins this We dnesda y~ ~ the Norwich Buddhist Centre.

The sess ions arc run h) a n expe rienced medita ti on tutor fr-om th e Weste rn Buddhis t Or·der.

The C\enings start at 7.30 and end at IOpm and cost £30, a nd £l!l for concessions.

To book, or for more informa tion. co nt act th e orwich Buddhist Centre at 41 A All Sa in ts G r ee n, o r te leph nne 01 603 ti27034.

Page 2 1: We n•vcal Lee Bowyer s racist cxpcr·icnccs followin g his transfer to West Ham nited Page 22: Our fortnightly 'isit to Carrow Road l'agt• 23: Korlballer 's s uccess and your ultimate guid e to UEA's spor tsm en and womeus seasons so far Page 24: T he Kayak team 's .B USA "icto ry and the football team 's hopes of cup success thi year

PL S don't miss your new ook EVENT

Page 3

New year tragedy for language student REBECCA LAWRENCE News Editor

A FA.Mll..Y described their grief over the tragic death of their.son, an ex student ofUEA. Songwriter, poet and foreign language expert Mark Andrews was hit by a Mercedes on a pedestrian crossing in Boundary Road, Norwich, on New Year's Eve. The police released a computer-generated image of the 34 year old as he was carrying no identification.

His sister-in-Jaw recognised the picture, and alerted the family.

They went round to his Oat and realised he wasn't there.

Mr Andrews recentiy had one of his poems, published in a book called Passion for Poetry.

Publishers had been so impressed that be had been asked to write more.

He was gifted on the guitar and often performed in pubs and clubs in the city.

Fluent in German, he learned French, and was studying Dutch and Swedish. He attended univeristies in Germany and Portsmouth as well as UEA. An inquest into the death was opened and closed on January 9.

His neck was broken in the acci- · dent.

UEA STUDENTS proved they would be no push over - even for Tony Blair's Government when they held a loud protest in the Square.

The protest - which aimed to attract attention from local MPs and the media • was also popular amongst the University's population.

And it wasn't just our own Union officers who showed their

Chief News Reporter faces at the massive event • NUS President Mandy Telford turned up to show her support, along with her number two, Chris Weavers.

She told Concrete: ''Students are currently facing record levels of debt. The introduction of top up fees will allow universities to charge £10 to £15 thousand per year.

"It will bankrupt some stu-

dents, and many of them wont be able to go to university."

And it seems UEA students agree.

Rachel Speirs, of ENV claims people will not be able to go into Higher Education if top-up fees are introduced. ''It is really terrible that we have to pay this much money, and no-one can afford it".

•Read what Education Secretary, Charles Clarke has to say on the subject on Page 6.

NO NEED FOR BOOKS

OFFICIAL library results have revealed that students do not think the library is necessary for completing a degree.

ICH

And 16% of students don't think books are essential for their work.

The shocking figure was revealed in the annual library user survey.

But Library Director of Resources Kitty lnglis is not concerned about the figure.

'There are other resources that students can use, but it may be an issue we will probe in the future ."·

Above: Not needed, the library 's books, and left: A/ex Dawson "However, the response is better A worrying 12% of students don' t than last year, which we are pleased visit the library once a week or more. about."

Kitty mglis said that lab based Union Academic Officer Alex students should be taken into Dawson said there are problems with account concerning this figure .

"People doing practical experithe survey. ''The survey is only given to peoments use other resources. It is ple in the library. It would be better surpnsmg though that in a to ask people elsewhere on campus."

University there are still people who He also said that the library does never step foot in the library, or borhave its failings and could do with row anything .

There must be more money. reasons."

"But there will be an extension of 40%. of students don't think the library' s resource provision is very the library starting soon and the external store room will be back in good. the main library."

Ms lnglis said this figure was concerning.

PEOPLE CARRIER £6

Page 4

,

Liven up IT'S nice to know that the Union bar bosses are supporting their student radio station we don't think.

During week 12 of last term, the juke box in the Hive was out of order. So instead of giving Livewire DJs the chance to be heard, the bar decided to tune into Radio One and subject the UEA student population to fat DJ Chris Moyles.

What makes it worse is that Livewire- a station run wholey by students for students - has campaigned tirelessly to the Union over the years to be aUowed air-time in the popular Hive area.

How very considerate.

WH IC H member of the Stude nt Uni on management team got a little. ove r-exc it ed at the bi g noise demo last term ?

The naughty chappie got into the swing of things so much that he found a novel way to be noisy - by kicking a bin so hard that he nearly destroyed it.

Whil e we think he's top of the bill for getting in on the cause. a colleag ue of his stood beside him looked profoundly embar-

C..Crete Wedensday, January 15. 2003

www.concrete-online.co.uk

CONCRETE'S GUIDE TO WHAT YOU SHOULDN'T KNOW .....

's Doctor

THE wai t to see a doctor in the Health Centre is traditionally a damn long one.

That is. unless you arc the Vice-Chancellor.

Our spies sponed UEA's top man, Dr. David Eastwood jumping a que ue of sneezing students.

A perk of the job, maybe?

0 rd ers?

Oh, what a Knight Controversial Poet's marriage ends CONGRATULATIONS to Professor Andrew Moti on for providing us with the least surpri sing news of the fortni ght.

EAS 's Poet ' Lothario ' Laureate. (right), has finally left his wife after hitting the headlines last year following an allegation of sexual harassment by a UEA student.

Pro f Motion. who heads the presti g ious Crea tive Writin g MA . walked out on Jan Dalley and their three children after 17 years of marriage and is now living alone in London.

"All I want to say is that my wife and I remain the very best of fri ends and there is no one else involved in our separati on.''

In April 2001 , one of Moti on's students - single mum . Laura Fi sh. claimed that he had sent her a num-

return. ing rumours about him to her class mates and tabloid newspapers. After being hauled up in front of a University Disc iplinary Committee, no acti on was taken aga inst e ither party.

But despite being a naught y boy. hi s loyal wife Jan. who is al so a bit of a hotshot in the literary world, has always sided with her hubbie.

"It's no one's business but ours

how we choose to live our lives.

We 've never had the conventional bourgeois lifestyle."

Indeed.

Ms Dalley even went so fa r as to admit to the nati onal press that faithfulness was not top of the agenda in their relati onship .

"Yes. he did ki ss her. But get a life people. If anyone is shocked by that then they are crazy. It would be co mpletely unreali stic to think that two attrac ti ve people are never going to hold hands with anyone el se during 15 years of marriage that would be laughable.''

But it gets worse.

While studying Eng lish at Cambridge, the poet enjoyed intimate experiences with men and had a rather strange habit of wearing girls' puffy-s leeved T. shirts and generous amounts of makeup.

HER funky soul di va ways wooed the crowed at her sell-out gig before Christmas, so we were s hocked to hear Beverley Knight's little sec ret, when she a nnounced it at the end of the night.

Bev- dubbed Britain's answer to Mary J Blige, had fans gasping for more in the LCR, but little did anyone know that she

spent her whole performance worrying that she would fall off the stage.

She told the audience: " I was so scared tonight th at I was going to fall off of the stage beca use I dropped one of my contact lenses. My eyesight is really bad and I have only had one of them in tonight."

What a girl!

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT IN SALES AND MARKETING Are you a competitive and highly self motivated team player, looking to progress as quickly as your talents and personality will let you?

If you answered Yes to this question, then a graduate career with Enterprise Rent-A-Car could be just what you are looking for. We are looking to recruit highly energetic, sale orientated individuals who are willing to work hard, and have the same commitment to customer service that Enterprise has established over the years. We are looking for the Managers of our future . We offer a fast track into Management working for a privately held, multi-billion pound corporation; our need is to find individuals capable of continuing our phenomenal growth in the UK, repeating the success stories of North America and Canada. Your job will be to learn all aspects of our business from the ground floor up , dealing with all functions of running your own small business in the decentralised structure we operate. One of the great things about Enterprise is that its up to you how quickly you get to the top.

lf you are a graduate, who thinhs they can mahe the most of these opportunities, please send your CV with a covering letter to: Mi ss ]ass Rutlwford, Enterprise Rent-A-Cat; HR Dept U71 , Beechwood House , Depot Road, Newmarhet, Suffolh , CBB OAL. Email jrutlwford@erac.com

Rccruiti ng for location s across Lhe East England area. www. erac.com.

rent-a-car

We are an equal opportunity employer

c..cntt Wedensday, Janua ry 15, 2003

Page 5

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Driver in knife threat More industrial action ahead as drivers carry on their fight over working hours THOM SMITH

Chief News Reporter

FIRST bus company are set to strike again - causing havoc in Norwich for students returning after the Christmas break.

Last term saw students completely disrupted by the unreliable service, as they waited up to an hour for a bus to turn-up.

The dispute between the drivers and the bus company continues over the length of time the drivers have to spend in their buses at a stretch.

First company wants its workers to drive for five hours at a time, which the Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU) objects to, wanting at the very most four and a half hours. First has said that talks between them and the drivers will go ahead at very short notice. The bus company is prepared to accept four hours fifty minutes, and will negotiate if the union shows a wi llingness to accept four hours forty minutes.

The TGWU's branch chairman Ray Ford said that the union would be willing to accept a change to four

VIOLENCE was rife in the bus station on only the second day of the strikes, when a man allegedly held a knife to a bus driver's throat.

Two buses driven by agency drivers, with no passengers on board, tried to cross the picket line of about ten people, and go into the Surrey Street bus station.

The first bus passed the crowd, but one man blocked the route or the second.

Fellow strikers encouraged their colleague to let the bus through. It was at this point that the knife was allegedly produced and held to the throat.

Marvin Rothman , 39, from Braintree in Essex was later arrested, and charged with pos· session of an offensive weapon, and with affray. He has been granted bail, and will appear before Norwich magistrates later this month.

First's General Manager, Andrew Hunter said all the drivers brought in to help have come from their depots have a sound reputation. " We do not condone the action

hours twenty or thirty minutes.

"First company still insist on the proviso of having longer shifts if they wanted them , that is what we disagree with." He also said that the strike could have been avoided if First had agreed to a 12 month freeze at four hours thirty.

The bus drivers went on strike between Sunday January 5 and Saturday January 11 . First used agency drivers to keep some of the key bus routes running.

Services running from campus were reduced to the 25, on a fifteen minute schedule running up until 6pm only.

The strikers said that the use of agency drivers would not make them give up, and they were determined to see the strike through.

The agency drivers are new to the routes and there have been times when they have found it necessary for them to ask their pa sengers for directions. One driver responding to a query by a member of the public replied, "I only found Norwich yesterday, how do you expect me to know where the Fiveways is?"

The union has been considering the possibility of further industrial action, and bus driver leaders warned of an impending strike starting on January 26.

Kitten let down

Plant prof w1ns CBE UEA STUDENT Alison Forbes has been honoured with a community award, for looking after her ill mother, as well as studying to gain a place at the university and holding down a part-time job.

A CBE has been awarded to a professor at the John lnnes Centre in Norwich for his work in plant genetics.

Professor Encrico Coen and his team were the first in the world to discover what gives flowers their shape.

The revelation came through the snapdragon plant, which Professor Coen has been studying for 17 years.

Enrico arrived in Norwich in 1984, following his PhD and postdoctoral reseach in Cambridge.

In 1998, the professor was also elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is the highest British · academic honour bestowed on any British scientist.

The Great Yarmouth Soroptimist International in the Annual Woman Community award was presented to Ali on, who has taken care of her mother, a single parent and sufferer of multiple sclerosis, since she was 15 years old, writes Chris Browning.

Alison, a first year student studying Biological Sciences, was shocked on winning the award. " I don't really think I deserve it.

To me this is just normal and I think most people in thi situation would have coped just as well. It was still nice to win the award."

The 19 year-old also had to contend with glandular fever while studying at Great Yarmouth College, making her place at UEA an even

greater achievement.

Her former Sixth Form College recommended Alison for the award.

Proud mother Mary Anne Forbes said of her daughter that the award was well deserved, and that she was delighted. " I would have immense difficulty living in this house without someone like Alison to keep things interesting."

Alison continues to look after her mother, going home from UEA every weekend, and sometimes during the week.

She said her lecturers do not know about her personal situation. " I manage not to miss too many lectures and eminars though."'

Anne Davis, Immediate President of Soroptimist International, presented the award.

"Aiison seems just the right person we were looking for."

Alison received £50 prize money with the award and plans to put the money towards her car insurance.

"Everything goes towards that!

UEA has been really good though, and I've got a permit on the main carpark."

Disappoinmem: Atomic Kitten

RUMOURS that pop act Atomic Kitten were set to perform at UEA this term have been denied.

Union Entertainments Manager, Nick Rayns claims he tried to book the girlie trio • but was left disappointed, writes Tina Haggar.

"Sadly we failed due to the fact the band are not touring this year.

"We now have a pretty normal entertainments programme."

But pop fans will still have the chance to sing along to Daniel Beddlng6eld • known best for his debut hit, Gotta Get Through This and Erasure.

Atomic Kitten appeared at the LCR last March. Tickets sold out for the show. within weeks.

Concrete

Page 6

Wedemday. January 15. 2003

Student driver caught over limit

Charles Clarke Secretary of State for Education

A EA student caught in a Norwich uackdown on drink drivi ng over Christmas has had his licence taken away.

He was among 55 people fo und above t h e limit durin g the two-week police attack on dru nk drivers.

Time for review F ir tly, T want to thank Concrete for offering me thj s co lumn. A MP for EA. l always welcome tudents' views. Please drop me a note with your point of view or if yo u thi nk that I could help with any problem that you have.

The Governm ent's review of uni versity educati o n. wh ich it i my responsib ility to co nduct, is ve ry much in the news. We will be publi !ling our proposals at the end of Janu ary bul l can tell yo u now thai it will add.res~ a number o f pro blems, including:What can be do ne to improve teaching standard at uni ersitics'?

How can we improve the relationship between univcr it ies and the local eco no my?

How do we give beUer support to wo rld -c lass research?

What kinds of degree c ur es should we devel o p a · the proportio n of the age gro up go in g to university increa ·e. from the current 43% to 50%?

What sho uld univer itics he doin g to incrca e substantiall y the number or peo ple fro m poorer backgro und who go to univcr ity?

In mee ting the cos t of un iversity educati on. what sho uld be the right b:tlancc of payment a between the state, the individual student. former tudent s and e mployer ·J T hese que lio n. are di ffi cul t but they mu st be addressed .

A universities change, we must not fudge U1e hard choi ces which need to be made. lt ho uld be obvious th at e pandin g the propo rtio n of the populatio n going to univers ity from abo ut 12% 40 years ago to abou t 43?( now and to 50% in the future w ill mea n changes in the way that un ive rsities o rga ni se them se lves.

My three ma in pri01iti es in !lyin g to fin d the ri ght an swer arc to ens ure U1atuniversities genuinely serve eq ually ail parts o f our societ y, to improve the quality of teachi ng at universities, and to ensure that th is country's rea l world -cl ass research. including at UEA , is properl y fu nd ed.

Many UEA students have al ready written with their views o n ome of tJ1esc qu esti o ns. parti cularly on stud ent fi nance.

But even at thi s late stage 1 would welcome yo ur view at lhe House o f Co mm ons, Lo nd on W I A OAA , o r clarkcc@parliamcnt.u"- .

Have a good 2003 .

Charles Clarke MP

No parking permits from September ST UDENTS li ving in the NR2 a rea of Norwich will no longer be able to drive theit· cars o nto campus while staff wo rking at the Univet·sity wilL The news was confirmed at a Unive rsity. Cou nc il meetin g, w here the new Trave l Pl an. \\h ich is being co-ordinated by Daw n Dcwar, was p as~ed.

Pa n of the ne\\ ;c heme wi ll abo ban an) one - >tude ms and staff · from h'" ing a permit if the) li' e in the N R4 di stri c t, which ; urro und s UEA. M; Dcwar defended the dec ision - which was put fo rward h) a group of staff from aro und the Uni versityto j u>t al low <, taiT to ha,·e car park permit;. "'Mo>t of N R2 i'> made up of stude nt; and they ha,·e more flexibi lity than >taff and po'>t-grad <, tudc nt;, \\ ho lllU) ha'e children to take to schoo l in the mornings:·

KATIE HIND

But L.;nion Communication\ Ollicer. ed Glasicr 1s angr) at the plans · despi te ; tudc nt s not tak ing the opportunity to put their 'icw; acro;s.

"There were lots of ways organised for stude nts to comment on the tra,el plan. but nobody spoke up for the student s " ho ll\e in ' R2. ll owevc r. there is an i>sue for those studen t; wi th children "ho li\e in the area as they really need to use a car. .. Th e re shou ld n' t be a differe nce bet" ecn ; t udent; and staff. it i'> unfai r th at <,taff shou ld be able to dri'c o nto campu; and stu de nt s ca n·t... sa id ed.

But the tra,cl plan abo lcatun:s some good news for student; . T he Uni,ersity w.ill be provid ing a the ir ow n bus ;crvice whic h wi ll go from around the top or Un thanJ.. Road. through the Golden Triangle and ti n is h its jou rney a l the

.. We do recogni'c that if \\C expect ; tudents and· sta ll to use bu<,e\ the 25. 26 and 27 '>Cl'\ ICCS \\ill wiTer from llla\'> OYercrowding. '>0 they ha' e tn ha' c a wa) of getting to campu;. .. The sen ice will be an ex prc" o ne and will hopefull y be rel iable becau'e we "Ill contract it ou t to a company. ;o if they arc not providing a good ,en ice. we can get rid of them:· \ai d 1\ ls Dewar.

Overa ll , she led s that the pl an will be a po,iti' e 1110 \ c fo r the Unhcr<.i ty. "' I th1nk we need to ha'e a tra,ef plan because we ca n \tart to bu ild more building'> and expand UI::.A. We j ust hope that people ;tud) in g and \\ OrJ.. ing here will support the success o f the Unive r;i ty in the future . ..Eseryonc i\ fed up of the traffic ~ itua ti on. !)0

we arc trying

10

Uo our

bit.

The group arc mecttng thl \ term to decide how much student and staff parki ng pe rmi ts will cmt.

Ro be rt Ainsle), of h o r) Road .

Norwic h. was ove r twice the legal limit when h e dro\ e hom e from a pa rt ). l\ lagistt·a tcs lined th e t\\ ent)· y ca •·-o ld £50 and ba nn ed him fro m dri' ing fo r 1\>o years. "ith a s ix month ~ reduction if h e ~ u c­ cessfu ll) fini shes a drink-dri' ing re habilitation co urse. He admit ted dri ' in g \1 hi lst d runk ea rl) on the morni ng of Dece mber 9.

His b reath test s howed th a t he had 89 microg ra m s of a lcohol in I00 millitres of b reath, " hen the legal limit is 35. . In C o m·t, C h ris llrown. representing Ai nsle) sa id he "as d o ing a degree a t EA a nd had been to a party that e vening. He had intended to s leep on the tloot·, b ut then c hanged his mind.

Plans to cut crime POLICE a re promoting crime awareness on campus in a move to prevent more thefts from halls of residences. ln a two-week initiative, police will be going round a ll t he halls handing out ni me prevention guides, a nd free UV pen to mark property. lobile jJhone IMEl numbers should be recorded by keying in *#06#.

llhm ·e: No

1110re

car.\

VALLEY CUT THROUGH PLANS to build a road through the Yare Valley area, near the football fields, are causing concern

for environmentalists.

T he proposal will mean that w ill be able to reach the main t·oad instead o f turning round a t the t·o undabout a nd going buck through campus.

It shou ld knock eig h t minutes ofT tbe journey time of the 25 route.

E nvironmental Officer Roxunnc Matthcws s aid the plans sounded ·bad lot· the c n\'ironment. " Generally I ' m aga ins t bu ilding roads. I'd have to see t he plans, to sec if tfte envi ronment would be greatly effected.'' .Bu t s he did com·cdc that if t he b us service was imp r oved, it buse~

migh t he wot·thwhile. " I would need to look a t the pros a nd cons of the plan.''

Travel Coordinator Dawn Dewar said bus link would save time.

"This is an environmentally

sensitive a rea. but we wou ldn't do a nything to damage the en vironment. If we pro,ided a good clean bus service, more would use it a nd e\Cotually get out of their cars, thereby helping the environmen t in the long run.''

Ca mpus police o fficer PC Richard llell said that now was a n important t ime fo r students to be awa re of thefts . ' 'People have brand new stuff after C h ristmas. s uch as lap tops a nd mo bil e p hones, a nd these need to be ma rked. lt is too mu c h o f an a ttraction for theives. O nce the) a rc marked , t h ey arc do ne done for life."

Waveney boys deny thefts THREE UEA students pleaded not guilty for theft after a llegedly stealing from university property.

T he boys. living in Waveney Te rrace, have been accused of helping themselves to a laptop co mputer, mo ney and a mobile phone fro m back stage changing rooms in Union House.

T h e) pleaded not g uilt) at No rwich Mag is trates wurt on December 11 a nd ha' e been committed to trial a t the C rown Court next mo n th

----

-

.. :· ......

-b·:t

.

.-

~

('

·;~

.'

'WW ·W T .. ' ~. - • '

-..

-.-

~

..

Page 8

www.concrete-onli ne.co.uk

Concrete w~d~n"tar.

Jantwrr t 5. 200.1

JOIN OUR FIGHT FOR TO BAN THESE WEST EARLHAM THUGS FROM OUR CAMPUS

At the end of last term, the local teenagers went on a rampage around up at least eight students. In this special report, we look at the impact

NON C Ai\ IPUS poli ce ofli cer PC Bell has ad vised students not to worry about the recent attacks, stating tha t the University is still a sa fe place, with a lower crime ra te than the city. l ie <:\ plai ned that th.: a ~~ ault ;.. \\ hic h occ urred in .:a rl y D.:c.:mh.:r alo ng Uni\ <:r;.it} Drive \\Cr<: i;olatcd incide nt,.

"The al! ac·b ' hnulu nnt m a~c ' tu den t' c·oncerned f,,r thei r 'akt) on

~..: ~nJ!d

he tmprtl\Cd 111 1hc lnn g along L 111\ Cf \ Jl~ LJrl\ L' h~ add111g_ 1..'\lr~t l i~hting and C'TV c~tlll -

1y

lcnn

" In the 'hnn tcnn . there \\Ill be ll HH\~

patro ll ing from

l i i~ A

'ecurity.

n:rnctl

h~

l hl'

po li ce J nd

If 'tudcnt '

g r~ntp-.,

ar~ e<lll·

hangmg arnunU.

the) 'hnulu report it. e\cll if nnthtng ha ' h.tppe ncd. it cou ld pre\C llt a later allad."

PC Bell could tlllt ' ·') "het her the .:ttlad. . cr" \\CI"C h)cal" nr 'lll l klll "-.

.. T hc grn up

j..,

made up u l Jnu ng

T he nrticer e'plat ned hm' 'ecuri-

the) .trc not ph'"L' <~i l ~ al1II\l'd . '" '" "c can tal~ tu the gwup ...

PC' Bell '"~' 'tudcn" ha\c' '"~l'd abou t their per"'""' ,afc t ~ a t ht>

\\'cd nc"Jay

-..urgcr~ .

"Pantc alarm' arc ,t\atlabk. hut pcn p k 'houldn't get h~ 'tcrical.

T he'" \\l' rl' iw lated inc id c nh. a nd the campu' i, ,afc ... \Vcllarc Orticcr !:hi luah<"'" ahn

('nnfinn-.. Ihi-.. -..ay ing ~..·ampu' ... ccuri 1 ~ I\ nlll-.. tantl ) 1\.'\ IL'WL'd .

mak and fcmak penpk nr a 'imi lar

" W hile \\e can't he cntnplacent

h~..·

ahnut 'c...:urit! it-.. \\nrlh remember-

.tgc In :-.tuJcnh . Then: 'ccm-.. to

L' .llllPLI"- .

"11 a 'tuu~nt j, \c' th,tll) aii<~C~l'U. ,Jwuld call the pnlic~ . e'en if

the~

\Crhal abu'c before an place .

attac~ t<t~e'

ing that

\ \ l'

cam pu..,.._., in

ha\~

nne the· "'k't

l hl' n'un t r~:·

Resident Tutorships

2003/04 Applications for Resident Tutorsh ips for the academic year 2003/04 are now invited from suitably experienced stu dents and members of staff. Students who will be abroad during 2003/04 should also apply now for appointment in September 2004.

Resid ent Tutors are cruc ial to the welfare and good order of stud ents in University res id ences. Livin g in res idences demand s that students take responsi bi I ity for thei r I ives on a day-to-day basis , bu t res ident tutors help maintain a balance between the rights and interests of individuals and the commu nity of whic h t hey are a part.

.

Further p'articulars are available from the Dean of Students' Office , Reception or from www.uea.ac. uk!doslin tranet (click on to Information for Students living in residences.) date for applications: Monday 10 February 2003

STUDENTS are calling for cards to enter campus following the rece nt spout of vicious a ttacks at UEA. One of the vit'tims of the assaults, which took place on December 7, said he thought more securit)' at EA was desperately needed, writes Rebecca Lawrence. " \V" definitely nl•ed some sort of arrangement, where people show ca rds to. get on to campus, sn that the right sort of people arc on the grou nds, not the sort who beat people up ," said PC Hell, pictured right. '·We shnuld certa inly have l'ampus ca1·ds for the bar."

Other students agree with the tragic victi m.

EAS student KeiU1 Hatton felt we should be checked for cards. but only to a certa in ex tent. " We can ' t stop people comi ng in through the woods. Maybe we shou ld have a checkin g system at the ma in entranl'C, where the attacks h an~ taken place."

Campus police ofli cu P C Richard Bell said it would be un realistic as there a rc so many ways on to campus.

"The public have a right to use it. However, it is worth considering campus ca rd entr y obligatory to using the bar a nd LC R." Unjon Welfa re Officer Ehi

ldahossa fee ls that an open ca mpus benefits the uninrsity and the communHy by encouraging good relations.

"A lso people ca nn ut be excluded from th e bar or the LCR because they are public venues:' She doeen ' t think the local kjds on campus are causin g much of a problem.

"While local kids a re on campus l'ausing no harm or offence there is not a lot anyone can do about it."

She adds that sometimes stu-

den ts and staff cause more ha rm rid ing their bikes on pedestrian walks than j ust k ids showing their presence on campus.

In response to calls that people coming on to campus shou ld be ch ecked. Security Manager Mike McCom1ack was also not ,·cry optimistic .

"T he campus is a public r ight of way and we cannot stop people J'I'Om wa Jkjng through it. lf we checked eve ryone comjng onto campus it would turn int o a prison, wit h electric wire fe nces.'

c.cr.t. Wedensday, JanUilry 15, 2003

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Page9

WHO ARE MAKING THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AMISERY

Gangs of UEA he campus on a dark Saturday night and beat hat these people have on ·the University ADAM LOWTHER

THE END of last term saw the health centre waiting room crammed full of people violently assaulted by a gang of local youths.

On Saturday December 7 the night of the "School Daze" LCR, three students were attacked near the path up to Earlham Hall on University Drive.

One of the victims suffered a bruised cheekbone and eye, a swollen lip and a lump on the back of the head. Another student was called verbally abused- in a racially motivated outburst.

The students, who wish to remain anonymous, described how two local youths walked past them without looking at them.

But seconds later, five or six of their friends went up behind them and started hurling abuse and punching them.

The students claim it was a the first two they say then came back to join in the fight. lt only stopped when security drove up and the attackers ran off.

But these students were not the only victims of the night.

After being driven to the medical centre by security, the students met another man who had been set upon by the same group.

"It turned out that the people who beat us up had been walking up and down University Drive all night, beating up most of the people they passed."

A jogger was also punched in the

face by an unseen attacker.

Someone else walked up to him, pretending to see if he was alright before continuing the attack and then swiftly running off.

Campus Police Officer, PC Richard Bell is aware that beating like this happen on the campus- and branded them mindless.

"There seems to be no motive for this violence. We are still uncertain whether it was students or outsiders but these attacks always seem to occur down University Drive."

He advises students to key the campus security phone number (0 1603 592352) and police number (01953 424242) into their mobile phones.

Despite the scale of the attack, the students are not worried about going out. " It was a shock as we usually feel so safe on campus with its friendly atmo phere. But this was a freak occurrence, you can't stay in all your life," said the anonymous male.

UEA security manager Mike McCormack backed up this view.

"The UEA campus is a very safe place to be and at least in this case there seems little evidence that the attack was racially motivated."

He advises people to be careful when walking out at night.

"Don't be goaded into a conversation with them where an innocent remark might be all that's needed to provoke an incident."

•Have you been a victim to these thugs? Let us know by at emailing us su.concrete@uea.ac.uk.

Left: University Drive, below: the path where most a/lacks are happen-

Another issue of Concrete, another incident involving the local youngsters. But the last attacks before Christmas are something else. While nowhere in the country is particularly safe anymore, and bearing in mind that the campus is a public right of way, we should all still be aware that we could get into trouble at UEA, if these kids are proving to be so much of a nuisance, which they are, then something should be done about it. lt's all well and good these security bosses and policemen saying that the University is a public place, but it's not them who are being threatened, beaten up or mugged, is it? There are such things as court orders, which exist to protect the innocent. But, unfortunately, it seems that it comes back to the same old argument which this newspaper has been highlighting for the last five years the lack of campus security guards. lt is obvious there are not enough staff, and there may be reasons for this, but how many more students need to be injured before they will finally listen to us and increase our safety at our University.

Lets just hope that something so bad has to happen first.

Kit Kat, anyone?

We maybe all old enough to vote in a general election and go to prison, so it seems completely ridiculous that we don't have a right to-choose the brand of chocolate we eat. Currently, we are not even able to buy a Kit Kat on campus - we have to go all of the way to the Sportspark - where bosses have flouted Union policy to carry on selling the products.

While it would be wrong for this newspaper to form an opinion and inflict it upon UEA stud~nts­ that would be far too much like the Union for our liking, it is fair to point out that we should have a choice. We shouldn't be boycotting Nestle just because that's what students decided over four years ago.

So come out and vote next month. lt is down to us to decide. Tell the Union what you REALLY think.

Licence cheek The news that Television licence inspectors seem to have found a way of letting themselves in to halls should be a disturbing thought to all campus residents. After all, how many of you really have a TV licence. While it is wrong and indeed, against the law not to have a licence, it is also wrong and against the law to force your way into someone else's bedroom. We wonder if they did manage to actually make their way into a room?

But if the TV Licence Agency were not so unfair on students - by making us pay the full amount on money - which is over £1 00 at the moment - just to have a telly·in our bedroom, then maybe there wouldn't be such a problem and students would pay.

Just think how much money they must be losing -at UEA alone.

- -

Page I0

--- -- --- ---------------------------------------------------~

Concrete

www.concrete-onli ne.co.uk

IVedemdtn·. Ja mu10 · 15. 2003

TV inspectors have keys to campus residences to try to force way into rooms CONTROVERSY surrounds a group of TV licence inspectors who visited the Universit j ust before Christmas.

A number of students reported that the men, who were on campus to check that students living in residences, had keys to get into the communal areas of the halls across UEA. One international student who

lives in orfolk Terrace even cl ai m that the inspectors tri ed to force hi s door open as he sat quietl y in hi s room.

"I heard the TV licence people were around and l don' t have a licence. so I turned my television off and sat in my room doing my work.

They knocked, but I didn' t answer." said the student. who didn' t want to be named.

"The next thing l heard was them trying to turn the doorknob and when they found it was locked, they

to he putadded. their key in. but it didfl~;;======================;;======;;;::::;;::::======"tried n't fit."

inning Systems Th e pr1ce y ou

see

CYBYTE 0950C Duron 950Mhz, 20GB HDD, 128MB R.L\fvl . 56K Modern, CD ROfvl, \1\lin 98, 14" Recon Moni t or

ONLY

ONLY

pay

£399

are in. Other ways they might to gai n entrance to a flat or corridor or by ri nging the bell and then being let in by a student, or entering an open door to knock on an internal door to see if anyone i in a particular room,'' said mr Daly.

UEA Security Spokesman. Mike McCormack was shocked to hear the news. ·'If this is the situation, then I will look into it. But normally they will come and see us firs t," he said.

Did you see a T V Licence Lnspector letting themselves into campus residences? If so, email us at su.concrete@uea.ac.uk

CYB YTE XP 2 00 ORDG ,i!, thlon XP2000, 60GB HDD, DVD CD-R\t,;, 256MB DDR,. GeFor-ce fv1X440, \1\/indovvs XP . 1 7" Monitor, and rT1ore

£599

ONLY

CYBYTE XP2000ROG + P..th lon XP2000, 80GB HDD, DVD CD-R\1\1, 5 12MB DDR, GeForce T i4400, V\lin d ov~J s XP, 19" Monitor, and mor-e

ONLY

pr1c e you

CYBYTE 01300C Duron 1300Mhz, 40GB HDD, 128MB RAf'v1, 561< Modem, CD ROM. VVindovvs XP, 15" Recon Monitor

£349

CYBYTE XP 2 100RD Athlon XP2 100 + , 256MB, 40 GB HDD, CD~R'v\l, DVD, 56K Modem,.

V\lin XP Home, 1 7" Recon Monitor-

ONLY

1s the

But a spokesperson for the TV Agency denies that their had keys.

"We ca n confum that two

knocked at the doors of individual floors. They did not enter fl oors flat s where they recei,ed no because they did not have keys.

These visi ts were performed entirely in accordance with normal procedure ."

And University Acco modation Manager. Laurence Daly also refuses to bel ieve that the officers keys. " Lnspectors have ID and go the campus as any member of public can, knocking on doors to

£799

CYB YTE XP 2 400RD + ,i!,thlon XP2400+, 120GB HDD . CD-R\IV DVD, 512MB DDR, GeForce Ti4600, Windows XP, 19" Monitor. and more

£1199

ONLY

£1499

Cybyte Laptops Now Available: Celeron 1 7Ghz, 20GB HD. 256 DDR 15" TFT \Nin XP Home Modern . Netwo rk_F1rewire USB 2

£850

Unl1ke some of our compe titors, at Cybyte Computers we don' t bel1eve in h1clden costs The pri ce you see is trte pnce you pay . All our sys tems mclucle VVinclows.

Mon1 tor . VAT. Ke yboard ancl Mo use V\/hate ver your computer needs. we' ll t)e glad to he lp . VVe hope to see you soon

!)~ ~ He.r~k.n- - ~

..

Printe r cartridges. save pounds on brandedproducts+ Photo paper &Kits Quality Refurbished Laptops from £295 Low Cost 1'1onitors from- 14" £29 115" £49 117" £69 119" £129 I 21" £159 All new systems come complete with 2 YEAR warranty *

-

- - ------'

c.a.t. Wedensday, January 15, 2003

www.concrete-online.co.uk

-

-

Page 11

1n un1on No one wants to pay for their education - but what are Student Unions d()ing to reverse current political .thinking? Jim Whalley rang a few to find out what's going on.

W

ith the Government white paper on university funding finally expected to appear later this month, the question of how higher education should be financed is once again making front-page news. Here at UEA, with education minister Charles Clark as our local MP, the issue has long been at the forefront of student politics. As decided at a meeting of the student council, the Students' Union's position on top-up fees specifically, but also paying for university education in general is one of staunch opposition. In Communications Officer Ned Glasier's words, the Union's policy is that "in principle, society in general should pay through taxation". · Though such a stance remains Jargely ideological, the Union has been significantly more practical in its campaign against the alternatives.

Through a stall in the LCR and a series of posters, Ned has been raising stud_ent awareness of the problems - a strategy that appears to be working. Last semester's Big Noise rally was supported by over 1,000 UEA students; 1,500 signed a petition against tuition fees; when the NUS organized an anti-fees march in London, UEA was represented by over 250 demonstrators.

On the 20th of January there will be a no-fees fast to publicize students' financial plight, followed on January 31st by Mr Charles Clark himself (whose speech, while President of the NUS, the fast is mocking) making an appearance in the LCR to answer all of your questions.

The introduction of fees would leave Durham to chose "between extreme self-mutilation and starving itself_to death" Frustratingly, to date the Union's campaigning fervor has been matched stride for stride by the university's impressive reticence to make any official policy whatsoever. As Ned tells it, the ViceChancellor has made it clear that he, personally, favours a graduate tax, while the university has said that if top-up fees were introduced, they would set them high.

But if this is the current situation at UEA, what are the experiences of other student unions around the country? In terms of ideology, the nation's students clearly have a common goal, a fact summed up by York University's Student Union President Tom Connor who states, "like most unions we're against the notion of any kind of fees, not just top-up fees. Students shouldn't have to pay for higher education.• Regardless of geographical position or academic standing, no one, it seems, wants a continuation -or development of the current situation of payment.

Where the unions begin to differ is in the details of their atta·cks against the apparent direction of government thinking. Perhaps predictably, it is the Oxbridge unions who are leading the way. In Cambridge, stu-

dents would ideally like higher education to be paid by general taxation though a union paper proposes that, if such a system were rejected, a graduate tax would be the lesser of available evils. Union President Paul Lewis' feels that the · university is "mildly againsf' the raising of fees and "wants the ·government to rigorously investigate other options.• lt was the Cambridge Union who initiated the Big Noise demonstrations to highlight the issue; their event was attended by 2,000 supporters. They have also begun the more directly persuasive task of asking alumni not to pledge funds to the university should top-up fees be introduced. So far more than 800 graduates have signed up for the scheme including novelist Zadie Smith.

Over in Oxford, where the union is lead by the dashing figure of Above: UEA students at the Big President Will Straw, the anti-fees war is being fought using what Will describes as "a four-tier approach".

For the last five years, the union has been involved in poster campaigns, petitions, letter writing and weekly meetings in an effort to make the university clarify their position on fees. In November they succeeded ("although the result wasn't what we were hoping for") with Vice-Chancellor Colin Lucas issuing a lengthy statement that eventually backed a responsible system of fees after discounting all the other options. Recently this initiative has been followed by an attempt to recruit the support of tutors and lecturers, the drafting of letters to. local MPs and an Alumni drive similar to Cambridge's (perhaps such a commitment from UEA's long list of prestigious graduates might prove effective here).

noise demonstration Durham's Student Union, Ben Wood, despite having the support of the university (Durham m·ade a statement in conjunction with other NorthEast universities stating "a deregulation of fees would be extremely detrimental"). Ben said "top-up fees would be terrible" and that a member of staff at the university had told him informally that the introduction of fees would leave Durham to chose "between extreme self-mutilation and starving itself to death". Apparenfly the "small but sadly impoverished" union would have liked to have sent. members to the London march but couldn't afford the 700 pound coach hire.

Outside of England the story is much the same. At Cardiff University the Vice-Chancellor has written to the government denouncing top-up fees. Sadly, due to a reluctance to commit that appears fairly consistent for the job across the British Isles, it took a petition from the university's union for him to do so. Communication Officer Elly King sounded proud of their achievement, as well as of the backing of the Welsh Assembly. She reserved her greatest praise for the coach-load of students who attended the march in London, however: "Our banner was on the main evening news, which we were quite chuffed about."

Yet all these universities are, according to The Times, among the top 40 in Britain (including UEA- just). In 89th place, were top-up fees to be introduced, Huddersfield University would not be able to charge Up North - but down the university league tables - the unions are enough to provide a competitive education for its students. The Viceequally enthusiastic, though there seems less hope of success. At Chancellor has issued a statement condemning any move in that Manchester University, Academic Affairs Officer Alex Atkinson, when direction, asking, 'Why should poor students have a less satisfactory asked about the university's stance on top-up fees replied: "I think student experience?" Though he doesn't like using the war in Iraq as they're for it, although they wouldn't say so. T~e Vice-Chancellor is an example, Huddersfield's Union President Mark Smith suggests the very Labour. He'd probably do whatever Labour say." government should look at where it is spending its current budget. He Perhaps the bleakest picture was painted by the President of conc·ludes, "I do believe the money is there." ·

Perhaps predictably, it is the Oxbridge unions who are leading the way.

Above: Oxford President Will

~traw

In London

Page 12

c:.a.t. Wedensday, January 15, 2()()3

www.concrete·online.co.uk

New Year's is traditionally a time of drunken celebration, followed rapidly by resolutions that are never kept. Joe Wildman asks, why do we bother?

W

hen the ball dropped on the stroke of midnight where were you? At a sold-out pub drinking enough to make up for the ridiculous amount you paid on the door? Did you decide to spend it with your friends at a house party with everyone you know and love? Maybe you found your way to some sort of street party or even went somewhere exciting like Sydney.

But no doubt wherever you were at midnight you, along with everyone else in the world • were holding hands and kissing and feeling quite drunk. But did you ever stop and wonder why?

Why do you kiss at midnight? Or why do you clink your glasses?

Did you ever wonder while you were linking arms and singing Auld Lang Syne what they were doing thirteen hours earlier in New Zealand? Or more importantly, do you even care?

The first New Year's was observed in Spring, on the 23rd of March. lt was celebrated over 4000 years ago in Ancient Babylon. The Romans similarly used to celebrate their New Year's Day in March but after much tampering from various Roman Emperors the Roman cal· endar soon became out of synchronisation wi1h the sun. To get back into synch, the Roman Senate had to move New Year's Day to the first of January.

So how did a wonderful celebration involving nude royals and unlawful acts of Uberation get reduced to what it is today'?

However, tampering continued until in 46 BC Julius Caesar established the Julian Calendar. The calendar still recognised January 1 as the beginning of the New Year, yet in order to get the calendar back in synchronisation wi1h the sun, Caesar needed to draw the previous year out for 445 days.

The first New Year's tradition also hailed from the Ancient Babylonians, they would strip their king and make him leave town. And for eleven days the townsfolk were free to act as they wished - a perfect way to start the New Year with unmonitored adultery and mass orgiastic pillaging, the King would then return to a mass procession in which he would retake his robes and everyone would act like nothing had happened, until the next year.

So how did a wonderful celebration involving nude royals and unlawful acts of liberation get ·educed to what it is today? lt is pretty fair to say that o~r traditions pale in comparison with those of the Babylonians. We do have some traditions though. Singing 'Auld Lang Syne' for instance, the song that has been aptly named 'the song that nobody knows'. it's always been more of a humming tune.

Despite the futility of resolutions, we still seem intent on making them. So what are the students of UEA doing to better themselves this year'?

One of the oldest New Year's traditions we have is the clinking of glasses, this dates back to Medieval times when a sign of trust between a guest and his host was for the host to pour some of the guest's drink into his own and drink it to prove i1 was not poisoned.

If, however, the guest trustej his host he would not require him to test his drink he would clink hi3 glass with him instead. In Medieval times not only were they paranoid that everyone was trying to poison them but also that they were being haunted by the devil. The sound of bells ringing was believed to keep him at bay as he was said to "frequent festive occasions". The clinking of glasses apparently would make such a convincing bell noise as to keep the devil well away from your party.

A

recog~ised

s well as clinking glasses possibly the most tradition we have is the midnight kiss. In my experience that involves pre-arrangement and not letting the person you have agreed to kiss out of your sight for a good hour, through sheer fear of her finding someone better.

The tradition itself comes from English and German folk belief, where special significance is paced on the sex, stature, appearance and even occupation of the first person you encounter in the New Year.

I remember Ne~ Year 1603, ki>sed a blacksmith, shit year.

But beyond a shadow of a doubt our greatest arid yet most failed tradition would undoubtedly have to be the making of and breaking of New Year's resolutions. lt was lhose crazy Babylonians again who were responsible for this one, they were the first people to make New

Year's resolutions and they usually involved the returning of their neighbour's farming tools.

We however, choose to make crazy suggestions to either get fit.

Most people who join the gym in January have given up within two months. Or get happy, but most people who aim to lighten up are scowling and stressing again, faster than you can say 'now where did I leave my Prozac?' .

Personally, New Year's resolutions are something I have never been able to get into. Why say you are going to give up smoking or never drink another pint again, when you know the next time you are in the pub you are going to be performing the last one I ever smoke/drink charade in front of your unconvinced friends?

Despite the futility of resolutions, we still seem intent on making them. So what are the students of UEA doing to better themselves thi!) year?

Julia, OPT2 says: "I seriously overdid the retail therapy last year, so my resolution is to keep myself, and my wallet, away from town this. year." Aside from hazardous over-spending, students are also deeply concerned wi1h attaining physical perfection. Hannah, OPT2 promis· es:"l am definitely going to go to the gym more and cycle into uni. I've been for my gym induction so I have no excuses.•

Colcntl Wedensda)l January 15, 2()()3

www.concrete·online.co.uk

Page 13

In Ireland, it is believed to be good luck to enter through the front door and leave I stumble through the back at midnight.

Alternatively, in Puerto Rico children will throw water out of their windows to rid them of evil spirits. You have to pity the innocent revele~s below.

My personal favourite tradition, however, is found in Switzerland where it is believed to be good luck to let a drop of cream fall to the floor on New Year's day. How can you top that? I can only imagine it is somehow related to their booming cheese industry or maybe the porn one.

But if you are an old traditionalist through-and-through and can't bear the thought of leaving the country take my advice pop twelve grapes into your mouth, drop a dollop of cream and listen out for those 108 sins, you evil, evil people.

Happy New Year!

O

thers are less health-conscious. Alex, SOC2: "I've decided to go out more, party harder and generally have a good time." Mark, EAS2 wants a new identity: 'With the advent of various superhero films coming out, like 'The Incredible Hulk' and 'DareDevil', I believe I've found my calling .. ! hope to become the greatest comic book superhero ever." The best of luck to him, if you see any random students scaling Waveney, you know who it is.

In a more traditional vein, Janine DEV2 resolves "not to drink any· more free Coke or Sprite or sweet things when I'm working behind the bar:· On a similarly sugar-related theme, Robin EAS 3 vows: "I want to live more like a cake, to be good not only on the outside but on the inside as well."

So far, so weird, but one UEA student is thinking on a larger scale.

Milly, EAS3: "I have decided to boycott the whole process of making a New Year's Resolution. Instead, I have committed myself to making personal goals throughout the year and to drink more water."

More fascinating still are the New Year"s resolutions of the stars. US magazine ran an enquiry into what our favourite celebrities are wishing for and the results were intriguing, to say the least. Last year, Britney Spears resolved to "spend more time with Justin". Possibly not something she'll be hoping for this year, although if rumours that they are back together are true, then who knows?

In my experience that involves prearrangement and not letting the person you have agreed to kiss out for your sight for a good hour, through sheer fear of her finding someone better.

President Bush has promised to "eat less cheeseburgers." it's prob· ably a good idea if he steers away from the pretzels as well, as they too have proved hazardous in the past. Michael Jackson's resolution was to "help the children." Seemingly, "helping• now roughly translates as "cover their faces and dangling them over a balcony, 10 storeys up.• Great, Michael. Very altruistic. .

Maybe your New Year's Eve was a disaster and you have almost entirely given up on the holiday entirely. If you have spent one too many New Year's Eve parties with your family and have vowed never to spend another one in this country, why not try somewhere else?

The fireworks over Sydney Harbour looked quite impressive • in com· parison to the ball they must have been having in Trafalgar Square with the pigeons.

If you went to Germany, you could have a traditional "sit-in" where you would literally sit in and drink with friends and family.

In Argentina, in grave contrast, people are actually allowed out of their house and they celebrate in the streets and children set off fireworks • that's probably quite dangerous though.

In Spain, people will pop a grape into their mouth at midnight every time the clock strikes. You could take a shortcut and neck a bottle of Chardonnay instead.

How was it fOr you?

Concrete finds out how you spent New Year'sEve. "I was really ill so decided to go to my gran's.

She's rather spritely for an 84 year old and I think I went to bed before she did.

Quite depressing, really."

Ruth, Features Editor.

"I went to Brannigan's with all my mates. Although we went there last year as well it was still really good."

Katie, Editor.. · "I went to Center Pares with my folks, We had fireworks on the beach and then got absolutely hammer.ed. In the morning I had to play tennis with the parentals and their friends, when ali i wanted to do was curl up and die.. " Helen, EAS 2.

"The previous weekend, I got absolutely bladdered and had to be escorted home by my father. I live in a very small town and to save myself from further embarrassment I decided to lay low for NYE. Nancy, HIS 2.

" I went to a house party with all my friends lt was fantastic right up until the point that I passed out. After that, it was all a bit of a blur until the day after New Year's Day." Ben, HIS 3..

•1 was meant to be going to Tall Trees, but the bus broke down on the way. Instead of dancing in one of Britain's finest clubs, I ended up elbow-deep in oil, trying to help the driver fix the bus.

We ended 11p waiting for the RAC.· Tom, DEV 4.

"I don't really go in for New Year's Eve that much, but my boyfriend dragged me out with all his rugby mates and I had to clean up after him when he was sick. lt made me remember why I hated New Year's."

Sarah, SOC 1.

•t'm German and we really go-in for New Year in our family. There was a lot of beer and a lot of food. I have a vague recollection of dancing with my grandad, but who kr.ows 7• Jan, ENV 3.

Page 14

Cttcrttt Wedensday, January 15, 2003

www.concrete-online.co.uk

•

1n

•

ou

I

Detoxing seems to be all the rage, with even Carol Vorderman jumping on the bandwagon.

But, as Ruth Charnock discovers, being healthy is not a piece of cake.

I

never thought that I would see the day when Carol Vorderman would become my guru, but life can surprise even the most hardened of souls sometimes. And after another debauched festive season of excess, gluttony and Bailey's for breakfast, I decided it was time for a little detox.

Enter Carol, and her optimistically titled Detox For Life. In my case, it'd be rucky if I lasted past lunchtime before reaching for the Ferrero Rocher, but in the spirit of investigative journalism and a flatter tum, I decided to test my will.

In the blurb at the front of the book, Carol beams winningly from the pages and promises "im•proved appearance, inner calm and better

My family uttered a collective gasp when I rejected the vodka part of the vodka cranberry. sleep". Sleep had never been a problem but one too many Starbucks had left me ricocheting off the walls and the liver was about three·drinks away from Keith Richards. In a bid to regain inner poise, which, incidentally is never found in the bottom of a wine glass, and stop the caffeine jitters, I vowed to give up the espressos and the vodka. Seeing as these had been my main sources of nutrition during the festive season, it was never going to be easy. How would I function? In a regression to playgroup days, I developed an unhealthy attachment to Ribena and even started to drink peppermint tea.

Surpris,ingly refreshing, but dear God - I am a student, not some joss-stick burning vegan.

New Year's Day seemed an apt time to start.

Filled with the fervour of inner cleansing and with a beatific air of abstention, I eschewed the cocktail sausages (detox rule no 1 -no meat) in favour of a nice crunchy apple. My family uttered a collective gasp when I rejected the vodka part of the vodka cranberry. Sobriety felt surprisingly good, especially when drunken conversation turned to

embarrassing childhood stories and I was able t<1 hotfoot it to the car and make a hasty exit. And I can understand Carol's motivation on this one, she probably needs to stay sober so that she can fend off the lecherous advances of old Richard 'twice nightly' Whitely.

The next few days passed relatively uneventfully, other than an intermittent banging headache. I didn't feel any urges to binge on fishfinger sandwiches or neck the Smirnoff. Until Saturday came. The day of temptation brought with i t an orgiastic shopping trip with a wine-q1,1affing friend/temptress. it was all too much for my weakwilled self. I succumbed to the grape. And the grain. And the grape again. Interestingly, the headache disappeared after the first sip. My body, in its own perverse way, obviously functions better on alcohol than it does on water. However, I still hadn't succumbed to the coffee, so I figured I was doing quite well.

Even Carol - aka detox Goddess, admits, "I did wander occasionally." At least I'm in good company.

T

he next week provided many potential retox pitfalls. There seems to be a direct correlation between how knackered I am and how many Aeros I consume. Chomping down on a cereal bar that wouldn't look out of

Besides, there are only so many things you can do with a lentil.

And when you 'v~ seen one soya substitute, you've seen them alf place in a rabbit's hutch does not provide the same sugar satisfaction and instant fatigue litter.

How they manage to pass things off in health-food

shops, where 1 have become a

. .- - - - - - - - - - - - - • regular visitor, frantically combing the shelves for something vaguely palatable, that are blatantly composed entirely of sawdust is beyond me. 'Wheatfree, dairy-free, food-free cake?' Oh, go on then - you've tempted me. Maybe Carol's on some kind of herbal 'mood enhancer' and that's what makes her so irascibly chirpy all the time, if you know what I'm saying. You don't get that kind of twinkle in your eye simply from ingesting Milk Thistle (Detox Rule 2: take Milk Thistle supplement to detoxify your liver).

Besides, there are only so many things you can do with a h~ntil. And when you've seen one soya substitute, you've seen them all. Carol suggests "Be adventurous and try new ingredients, like millet and quinoa. I asked my health food store assistants for some tips on what to do with different grains and pulses." Millet? Isn't that what you feed your budgie? Detoxing, although in Vogue, is also hugely unsociable. Eating out becomes a nightmare, unless your venue of choice is a salad bar, and Pizza Hut does not qualify. it also becomes a bit of a dirty secret as people con-

stantly ask why you're not having a coffee or why you're sipping delicately on a grapefruit juice instead of chugging down an alcopop. Are the health benefits really worth it, I wonder, if it means turning down chocolate-infused bonding nights in favour of a solitary nibble on a pumpkin seed?

Does Carol have any friends left other than her detox guru? I bet even Richard's turned away from her because she gets more pleasure from finding a new chickpea recipe than she does from his dirty jokes. As for my own foray into the detox experience, it's all been a bit traumatic. I think I might have to have a drink to recover from it all. · Water, of course.

c:..cnt. Wedensday. January 15, 2003

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Page 15

as Want to keep up with the Oriental celeb look? Well, Chloe Fisher has got news for you - you can, and even in sleepy little Norwich

T

he diverse range of clothes on the catwalks changes from season to season, but one style that has been reliably popular is the oriental eastern ethnic look. Perhaps it is the allure of the exotic that draws us to the Asian prints, delicate silks and satins, western versions of kimonos, and the intricate patterns incorporating images such as dragons, lotus flowers and the like. This season is no exception.

Donna Karen's spring collection closed with a sweeping black-and-white satin kimono while amongst others, Miu Miu, Gucci and Robert Cavalli all showed elements of an eastern influence in their collections. However not everyone was impressed.

Hilary Alexander, fashion stylist writing in The Telegraph, claims: "Cavalli's show was a cavalcade of camp Chinoiserie, the models entering through

Above: Is this really today's fashion fad? and right: Norwich's trendy Lower Goat Lane

a 20ft high Manchu temple door to stalk down a 50-yard catwalk covered in plexiglass tortoiseshell. " Despite Cavalli's disaster, the eastern theme continues to prevail with Style.com, (Vogue's cyber sister) touting "Asian accents" as "one of the new looks that define the mood of spring" encouraging us all to: "Re-orient your wardrobe with a touch of eastern elegance."

This advice can be reflected in the fashion wear of our favourite celebrities such as Kylie Minogue who has been seen out and about wearing phoenix- and dragon-embroidered Maharishi combats with little tops.

But how are these styles reflected in the wardrobes of Norwich shoppers?

The Asian influence on women's fashion is far greater than on men's. The men's' Maharishi combats sold well in Philip Browne but the accompanying eastern-style tops were largely unsuccessful.

For an urban interpretation of the catwalk trends try Dogfish or Catfish, or for those of you more mature ones with accessory children, you could even try Monkeyfish, where you can find lines such · as Maharishi and the Japanese label Evisu which has long specialised in denims patchworked with kimono prints.

But if you're looking for a more bohemian style and you're on more of a High Street budget, you may want to have a quick peep in Monsoon or East. These two shops have long stocked ethnic centred fashions and continue to do so with great success.

"The intrinsic beauty of fabric, colour and technique so evident in the early sourcing of Monsoon's products from the Far East continues to exercise a strong influence. Today Monsoon's team of talented designers gather inspiration and ideas from around the world to create the individual Monsoon look, says fashion expert, Hilary Alexander.

And you can get your geisha-esque garments guilt free, as it is part of the Ethical Trading Initiative.

Andy from Cult says that Asian inspired attire is "not just a passing fad" noting instead "it is an example of the fusion between east and west. ."

The store on Bedford Street has a more kitsch theme to its garments, kimono-style shirts, bold candy pop animation T-shirts, all mainstream interpretations of the demand for a touch of the east.

Though relatively new to Norwich, Andy commented that within Cult the styles had been "incredibly popular". An example would be the 'Pucca' , which is supposedly refers to a Korean cartoon, merchandise, which has grown over the past years from little wallets and keyrings to !shirts and bags.

W

Cool Japanese teenagers crave Dunlop Green Flash and our teenagers have... glittery nails and pink Hello Kitty everything Mary, a fashion Student working in Frank says their Kimono style tops have been selling well but thinks in Norwich the fashion is still largely "focussed military and urban wear".

The lovely duo Lean and Lee Dog from Philip Browne were also doubtful of the catwalk's influence in Norwich, Lee saying he thought that "people buy stuff seen on TV and magazines" placing a bigger fashion influence on the imitation

Win win win W

ith the onset of winter, we need inspiration through the gloomy months, and the latest collection from Topman will be hitting the stores injecting style onto the high street with their Winter collection.

The collection confirms Topman's foothold on focused trends and dedication to design.

Sleek tailoring and directional separates allows freedom of interpretation, whether worn mixed or individually. "Relaxed" is the vibe throughout, thanks to chunky knitwear, formal shirts with a twist, and key denim coordinates.

The new range displays core themes of The Tux and Navy that produce the ultimate look for the coming Season.

This winter sh.es tjle bou(l -

.... . ."

•.

e've all seen the barrages of teenagers with their !-shirts, bags, purses and stickers galore in the lurid saccharine pastels flocking to the shops on a Saturday to buy more. Cool Japanese teenagers crave Dunlop Green Flash and our teenagers have ... glittery nails and pink Hello Kitty everything.

But don't forget your faithful friend , High Street store Topshop. it has had an oriental collection since the autumn and still has items such as Wrap Kimono tops from about £20 so even after your extravagant sale shopping you can afford a little hint of the Orient.

arias of tailoring pushed further.

Tuxedo jackets with retro slim cuts give a classic feel to a modern frame. Incorporated with retro shirts and distressed denim, the collection will stand you apart from the crowd .

Navy draws influences from all that's nautical. The individual casual look comprises chunkyknit jumpers teamed with naval stripes whilst distressed denim is ever present. For something more formal, the range offers single and double-breasted overcoats that complete the look.

This, sleek collection is available in stores now.

All you have to do to win £50 of vouchers simply tell us what the name of the new Topman collection is called?

Send your answers to su.cont(l'ete f@uea.ac.uk •

••

of celebrities such as David Beckham and Craig David.

Perhaps this is a gender divide, then. The Asian influence on women 's fashion is far greater than on men's. The men's' Maharishi combats sold well in Philip Browne but the accompanying eastern- style tops were largely unsuccessful.. . is it that you men out there are too un-adventurous perhaps?

Or are you waiting for Posh to dress Becks in a silky Kimono?

Mary from Frank concludes that: "People in Norwich are not swayed by catwalk styles; they are more influenced by personal choice and what's available. " Lets just hope, then, that we won't be seeing any Cavalli-esque "skimpy, Suzie Wong-style cheongsams in lime and black lace or lacquer-red leather stamped with gold dragons" at the LCR this season.

Page 16

TRAVEL

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Coltcntt Weden sday. January 15, 2003

Valetta

eac While most of us were keeping warm by the fire this Christmas, Kate Herrington was sunning herself on an Aussie beach. Here is her diary of how she spent her festive season down under...

A

fter hearing that our parents were jetting off to Australia for Christmas and after a swift glance at the dismal TV line up, there was no way we were going to be freezi ng in England, knowing that they were soaking up the sun on the beach. So, my sister and I stole their idea and followed hot on their heels to Oz .. .

Saturday Dec 14

I may be on holiday but I fancy maki ng a few purchases ...

As capital and centre of vibrancy, in this generally sleepy country, Valetta is able to rightfully claim to cater to all shopping tastes. Boasting three Arcade style shopping centres and further comp lexes you will not be short of browsing material. However, keep in mind the low exchange rate , which will bump up the price. For more traditional, and often cheaper purchases head down the side lanes.

Arrive in sunny Queensland!

Monday December 16 Made silly mistake of going to Great White Shark show whe re gene ral idea was to show how good they are at eating people.

Exhibition pieces included rather distasteful shredded remains of diver suit in glass case and frozen 40001b Great White Shark in a tank. Bad fears made worse by big display dedicated to pointing out flaws in shark nets.

Am now having second thoughts about sailing trip.

Where do I go to get the modern atmosphere?

The shopping complex Embassy is bright and airy, perfect for escaping that searing summer heat, and with its chic, minimalist design on seven levels, you ca n fi nd anything and everything . Take a trip to the Bingo if you feel your luck is in , or visit the fully air-conditioned cinema .

Aside from the usual array of jewellers, travel companies and boutiques are the brand shops Mango, Diesel , Levis and Morgan. The Maltese, like the Italians are highly fashion conscious.

Thursday December 19 Set off on three-day cruise around the Whitsunday Islands. Could on ly mean th ree wonderful things: Sailing, sunbathing and snorkelling. Was expecting nothing but laid back luxury. However, happy visioFls were quickly thwarted when crew told u路s about two-minute shower we were allowed each day. Had more or less vanished by demonstration on how to use manual pump toilet.

Spent most of time cruising past uninhabited tree covered islands and small stretches of sand in middle of sea. Also visited Whitehaven Beach and dedicated significant portion of time to schloffing on deck. Did spot of snorkelling and tropical fish feeding which entailed extensive amounts of piss taking at everyone's rented stinger suits.

Point of these was one : To escape wrath of ferocious peanut-sized jellyfish that could hospitalise victim 20 minutes after being stung , and two: Make wearer look stupid .

Fact that only spotted jellyfish that looked like small plastic bags confirmed suspicions that we'd been stung before leaving sailing shop.

Rest of time we were 'going sailing', wh ich did not turn out to be serene activity, as was initially suggested . Was grabbing onto railings and other fellow passengers who were about to plop to a watery death as yacht tipped vertically on side and whipped through sea at breathtakingly high speeds.

Was also imagining yourself on TV programme When Good Times Turn Bad. Nevertheless, there was something elevating about whizzing along on open sea on a king-ding-a-ling racing yacht. Besides, even

Above: Kate with her parents on Bondi Beach, below left: Whitehaven Beach, below right: Kale and her sister by the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Caught ferry to Hamilton Island , solely to drive golf buggy at break neck speed about hills. In just over an hour we had been everywhere and had even had a one -fingered salute show down in the Marina with buggy of pretty boys wearing bright yellow visors, but so far, had only spotted two Christmas decorations.

headband and bikini in tow, along with other countless throngs of partygoers. Passed away time by more schloffing , this time in Santa hat and wh ilst weighing up probability of coming back from prospective dip in sea.

Thought of home and tried to get to grips with idea that was possible to lie partially naked in blistering heat on Christmas Day. Also smirked at thought of having escaped usual festive delights like brussel sprouts.

Christmas lunch was native cuisine of barramundi and chips, followed by evening meal and knees up in Darling Harbour.

Christmas Eve

Sunday December 29

got to help out with smutty sounding jobs like 'grinding', and learnt how to 'steal somebody else's wind '.

Monday December 23

Down to Sydney to meet up with Parents.

Christmas Day Quick exchange of presents, then off to Bondi Beach with family, reindeer antler

As they say, all good things must come to an end, and so all jammy people who have spent Christmas in the sun must go back to the freezin g cold weather at home. Looking forward to New Year though .

~----------------------------~

.,~ >< 路"'

Is there a MacDonalds nearby?

Fast food , cafes, restaurants ; you name it, Valetta has it, so worry not about sampling different cuisine. If you wish to try the local dishes, go to the smaller eateries of the side streets, follow the local preferences and yo u will be guaranteed value and quality. For some posh chow, head down to The Carriage, perfect food is complimented by perfect views, overlooking the harbour as a beautiful, tranquil setting for your evening .

Beer, I want some beer...

The Waterfront area of Vittoriosa is a throbbing magnet for tourists. Perfect in the warm evenings for milling around you can look on enviously at all the moored yachts in this relatively newly developed marina. Simply watching the world go by in one of the many cafes is entertainment enough with often live music playing .

Where can you experience traditional Malta?

Although this city is geared more and more toward the growing generations like us, the re remains a taste of the old ways and amidst the din of tourist buzz, the calm, slow-paced life lives on.

This city oozes historical background ; first planned in medieval Europe the spectacular architecture still remains, surrounded by watch towers, redoubts, entrenchments, fougasses and submarine harbour walls. If history is what you like then take a visit to Grandmaster's Palace, the official residence of the Grandmaster of the Order, the British Governor and now housing the Maltese 路 Parliament. Some of its rooms are open to the general public and the tour takes you right into the roots of this amazing historical city.

If you're not a history buff but fancy a bit of culture, take the bus or boat to the old HQ of Knight's Birgu, one of the oldest villages, complete with medieval castle and fort , perfect for those with over-active imaginations!

I'm sold, when shall I go?

If you visit in the summer season there is a market every Sunday in the City square. Freshly caught fish stalls nestle among tables of carved souvenirs, and you will hear the shouts of the native Maltese, so energetic and enthusiastic in its pronunciation . Also running from June to September are numerous feasts , varying in different areas of Valetta, in celebration of Saints. If you can, time your visit with one, you won't experience the outdoor festivities of music, fireworks quite like this anywhere in the world.

Danielle Agius

Take a look at Page 18 and found out what you'll be up to on the love front this week, courtesy of our love-o-m路eter.. .

CoiCfttl

Wedensdav. Januarv 15. 2003

Page 17

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Ill Issue 146 Editor Kat1e Hind Deputy Editor Jim Whalley

Send your letters for the att ention of t he Edit or to Concrete, PO Box 410, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TB or email them to su.concrete@uea.ac.uk

News Editor Rebecca Lawrence Chief News Reporter Thom Smith

Bar gripes I am a beer conniseur and I know watered down beer when I taste it. Thats precisely whats being served up in the Union Bar, weak, tasteless, less alcholic watery crap . Why are we served such abismal quality booze? £2 a pint may sound cheap to any student (including myself) but it really isnt worth it.

Andrew Mower HIS 1

to attend to, to waste my time filing Library rece ipts and putting the due dates on my calender.

And surely such a waste of paper is against the UEA environment policy? What happened to good old fashioned stamping the date into the front , that always looked rather fun to me and spurned more th an a few childhood ambitions to become a librarian.

I'm going to start writing the date on the remaining library sheets in the front of the book to avoid the catastrophic fines I paid out last term .

Features Editor Ruth Charnock Sports Editor Marc Dudley Picture Editor Ed Webb-lngall Picture Assistant Claire Burwell

A poor student (thanks to the library)

Veggie horror

Whilst not wishi ng to sound ungrateful or wishing to take anything away from what is probably a good thing for the university in the long run, we wish to openly mourn for the old bar.

Oh how we miss the pinky colour of the itchy seats, picking away at a started hole, exposing the foam seats in all their loveliness. And the tables near the bar, slightly too tall, but once up on the green throne, able to stare down at all the minions milling near the bar.

But what we miss most of all is heading to the bar after a hard days work and sitting there 'till closing. Now, the leather seats and the plush surroundings makes us reconsider our day wear of scruffy jeans and dirty addidas and we leave- feeling not smart enough for the student bar- surely that's not right?

And moaning about the crappiness of the bar was all part of the fun . Marvelling at the automatic door only lasted one night, so now we actually have to talk to each other when out for a drink.

How about launching a Concrete campaign 'We want an old bar.'? lt will fit pertectly with the UEA motto 'Do different' .

Ex-Union Bar regulars

Library loser I wish to complain about getting a receipt for my library books. This is not a supermar-ket. lt is not even as if I can exchange the books for some cash, these receipts often than not result in me paying the library.

Who the hell keeps little scraps of paper like that? I've got more pressing matters (like studying)

I have been a vegetarian all my life and this week, I had the most shocking experience courtesy of the Diner. I was standing in the queue, and had my eye on the vegetable lasagne. As I watched, a piece of meat was dropped into it, and was immediately removed . The man who removed it was carving pork right next to the lasagne, and his face showed that he knew that he had done something wrong.

I brought my lunch , feeling fairly sure that it was from a different bit of the dish than I had seen contaminated. When I sat down I checked the lasagne for meat and , to my disgust, found a piece of meat in it. This experience seems to me not only a bad experience in terms of a lack of respect/understanding of vegetarian customers, but also a demonstration of unhygienic general practice in a cafeteria, which affects all customers.

Of course, I took my food back and the manager granted me a refund . Both he and the gentleman serving me {the man who'd dropped the pork) were very pleasant and helpful when I wen t back for an alternative meal, but neither of them gave me any reassurance that it wouldn 't happen again. They assured me that the meat was not cooked in the dish but this was not much consolation. Mixing up cooked foods isn't acceptable. Some days later, I see the same practices still in operation . lt was only because I was watching that I suspected that my food may have meat in it, and I think it is unfair that a vegetarian cannot take it for granted that a dish is meat free. There are a number of solutions to the problem - however, it is the caterer's responsibility, and not mine, to resolve this. I am writing this letter because I would be interested to hear the response from the caterers, and to ask what action will be taken . I would also be interested to hear other people's views on the matter. I will certainly not be taking my meals in the Diner until this is resolved , and would encourage other vegetarians and sympathisers to stay away, until they are confident that their food is treated in such a way that there are no surprise added ingredients .

Daniel Bartlett

Cl)

(]) (.)

·-

2: (])

Cl) C)

c ·-

~

0 ()

~ ~

..c ·.....J

Prices and Services A4 A4 A3 A4 A3 A4 A4 A4 A3

single sided copies . . .. .... ..... .. ..... . double sided copies ..... .. . .... . ....... . single sided copies .......... .. ...... . full colour copies .. .. ..... .... .. ... . ... 50p full colour copies ... . . .... . . . .... ... .. £1.00 black and white transparencies ........... 45p full colour transparencies ...... .. ... . .. . . . £1 full colour from slides .. .. .......... .. ... 75p full colour from slides . ......... . . . ... £1.20

Comb-binding ......... ..... . ...... from £1 .50 Fast-back binding .................... from 70p A4 laminating .. .... . . ... .. . . .. .... . . .... 80p A3 laminating ........... . .............. £1 .50

Gifts and Novelties from

your own photos or artwork Badges . . . . . . . . . . ............. . . . . from 35p Key rings .. . .. .... . . .................. £1 .25 Coasters ...... . .... .... . ... ..... . .... £1.50 Mouse Mats ..... ... . . . . .. ... .......... £8 .00 Baseball Caps ........ . ........ . ..... . . £8.00 Jigsaw Puzzles .................. . . .... £12.00 T-shirts . .. .. . . ...... ..... .. .... .. from £9.95

You will need to allow 2-3 days for collection of the above items.

Located in the Library Reception area.

Ring for fu r ther details on extn 2415 external 01603 592415 Prices are inclusive of VATcredit cards are not accepted

-

Page 18

Fun

Oh dear, that big spot just won't budge will it? All I can advise is tea tree, and plenty of it. In the meantime, all your efforts to get a life will be in vain, no matter how hard you try. Sorry about that. You might get a cash wi ndfall ! though so all is not lost.

....,:o-:.._"""'..,. You've had on e too many mince pies and stuffin g sandwiches and the reappearance of Creme Eggs in tim e for Easter is still wh etting the appetite? The stars are advising Arians this we ek to ditc h th at chocolate orange and reach for an apple in order to achieve • • • • • health and happiness (and perhaps a bed partner) 111 this year.

You've started the new year with a positive outlook, keep it up and don't let the many UEAssholes get yo u down. Career wise, the latter half of this yea r promises exciting opportunities and you could even bag yourself a ce lebrity other half like your predecessor did.

Oh Gemini, 2003 looks like being a good year for you I'm pleased to report. More loved up than ever, and with a nicey located abode too, th ings are looking pretty good methinks. Now its to start visiting some of your nearby friends and remembering those gloves when cycling .

Glad to have you back, oh crab of mine. This term promises to be more fu n than eve r- make the most of it! I also forecast th at you r academic life looks decidedly happie r with th e absence of an arg umentative silver-haired narcissist-good riddance!

You won't be popular back in digs this week when a certain housemate becomes decidedly jealous at your Christmas sale purchases. Time to get a lock on that wardrobe, and fast. Luckily, some respite arrives in the form of a romantic enco unter at Po Na Na's, in the alcove section .

This week Virgo's will be going backwards rath er than fo rwards, but that's not always a bad thi ng, especially in term s of revisiting an old flame. Ouch! You also may want to revisit an old haunt on the Prince of Wales Road. Beware of freaky, stalkers with the initial j however, you have been warned.

Thin gs are looking rosy fo r yo u th is week Librans!

Social activities abound this week, as invitations come flooding in requesting the pleasure of your company- aren't yo u popular! lt is also time to establish 0 -day- talk to one of you housemates to arrange a suitable day.

You might start to see an old housemate in a new light thi s week, Scorpio, and an outing to the LCR might see you locking lips with your old roomie by the end of the night, hurrah! Oops, I forgot to say th at you should really think about dumping your present beau before then .

This week, the completion of a rather large essay styl e th ing gives you ca use to ce lebrate. Flattery works wonders with a certain somebody this week, whom yo u might happen to meet wh ilst blowing your own tru mpet rather loudly , but don't reveal your in depth knowledge of astrology, whatever you do.

I like th e new hai r Capricorn. And a redesign in another area of you life looks pretty darn good too.

Nice work! In the words of a famous songster, 'Celebrate good times, come on!' on Tuesday as yo u get a well-earned opportun ity to let down that new barnet and consume some liquor. Have fun!

..:

..., Ql Ql

E I

Ql

>

0

.....

Aquarius Pi sces A ri es Taurus Gemini C a ncer Leo V irgo Libra Scorpio Sagitarius Capricorn

- - -- - - -- - - - - - -- - -- -----,

Cotcrete

I

s. •• •

Avoid ing a trip to HMV this week will save you a bit of dosh for th at all important first LCR and copious amounts of the purple stuff. A particular romantic situation possibly involving someone of authority will be driving you stir crazy this week Aq uarius, you naughty minx .

Jan 15- 21

- -- --~ ~- -

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Horoscopes

• ••

-

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat Sun Mon Tue

·'

·'

·'

·'

Here is a new opportunity to share an embarrassing moment or even expose your friends and watch them turn crimson as they start to recognise the dirty details ...

his summer I decided to get myself fi~ in order to present a beautiful beach bod for my up-commg holiday to Ayra Napa. After sweating profusely in the gym, I decided a more sedate form of exercise would be aqua aerobics: no sweating , the relaxation of the rippling water and a perfect opportunity to show off my brand new bikini. And I was right, until new instructor Atilla the Hun walked in one afternoon. She worked us hard and harder and the climax of the routine came in the form of strenuous star jumps, This action rem inded me, that in my haste I had forgotten to empty my bladder and lo and behold , legs astride a jet of purple dye spurted from my nether regions. Horrified at my apparent incontinence, I wafted my hands in a breast stroke motion to disperse the offending liquid . Needless to say, a rather large lilac pool circulated around me whilst the rest of the class, midleg jump, did their darn hardest to get to the other side of the pool, mouths firmly shut. My bikini incriminatingly saggy in the bottom region, I sloped out of the pool and prayed to God that the streams of water running down my legs at this point, was just pool water.

The Tens Lady, 810 2

T

After an all day post-exam bender in the bar, I decided in my drunken state that I couldn't possibly venture up to the LCR without sprucing myself up a bit. So off I toddled back to halls put a bit of slap on and got changed. I slumped back to the bar and had a fantastic (and very drunken) evening at the LCR, in the days when the floor was sticky and the drinks twenty pence cheaper. lt was only whilst sitting on the steps with a rather handsome male who was almost propping me up that I noticed one of my boots was almost flat wh ilst the other was a six inch stiletto heel. Further examination also revealed one to be of the knee length variety whilst the other was a modest ankle boot.

Needless to say, my intended pull walked off in disgust at my horrifically matched footwear whilst I enjoyed a very unlevelled walk home. Alone.

Reformed Trainer Girl, ART 3

This Christmas, I decided to visit a uni friend. After a very drunken night out, we stumbled tiack to his house, grabbed some cheese on toast and crashed out. I was sleeping in his guest room, a very floral number with lacy pink sheets and cross stitch tapestries on the wall. I obviously didn't notice this on my way to bed. lt was only in the morning when I woke up covered in poo that the pink of the sheets became glaringly apparent, I'd only gone and shit the bed. I looked around the room , desperately looking for places to hide my mucky deed .

With the Victorian wardrobe definitely out of the question, and the window helpfu lly offering an ornate sculpture rather than waste land onto wh ich to drop the offending sheets. I had no option but to own up. Needless to say, I won't be visiting that particular friend again.

Tetotaller (for now) EAS 2

Whilst returning to do some work after a cup of coffee in The Bowl, my friend and I engaged in an 'ironic' conversation in which we were both bigging up our sexual prowess and how all the ladies loved us. This was strictly a sarcastic exercise, but I sadly became a little emphatic as it we re. This didn't seem to be a problem as I assumed that we were the only two people in the vicinity. Sadly I was wrong . As I turned to make my final, somewhat rude comment, a particularly attractive woman looked at me like I had the plague and went into the toilet in utter disgust.

Needless to say· my sarcastic comments were obviously not taken in that manner and I was left rather red faced .

Won 't do that again, HIS 3

I decided to treat myself to a new boob tube for my birthday and came across a lovely diamante number- a corset style top which looked set to give me a clevage to die for- result! An added bonus was the rather foxy shop assistant at the changing

Key to this weeks love-o-meter...

rooms, I had plans to come out looking fabulous in my new top and asking for his opinion whilst pouting profusely. Having just lost a bit of weight, I was quite optimistic about fitting into a rather slender size 10. I was wrong. Oh yes, I was wrong. I gaped at myself in the mirror in horror as the corset became stuck and refused to go over my boobs, which, by the way, were tree and easy (I had taken my bra to get the full effect.) The creaks of the seams, which were threatening to give up at any minute, were upping my temperature, with sweat and deodorant intertwining to create a clammy paste under my creases of my arms. I stumbled out of the changing room and fell onto the floor, desperately trying to wriggle my way out of this one.

Literally. Unable to pull myself up, and catching my watch in the process, 1 lay like a beached whale in a straight-jacket whilst the assistant tried to 'assist' me by hauling me up. A watching mother shielded her daughters eyes from my flailing breasts whilst the row of other halves enjoyed a good eyeful.

Definitely a size 12, ENV 2

Do you have an embarrassing moment that you want to share with the UEA population?

If so, come to the Concrete office and drop them in or email us at su.concrete@ uea.ac.uk.

The most embarrassing entry will win a free ticket to the Thursday LCR!

If toilets could

Look out Cupid!Things are looking decidedly rosy fo r you today.

talk ...

That matress will be getting so me hot , hot acti on

A conversation between a UEA sportsman and a prominent Union Counci l member...

You are repul s ive to th e oppos ite sex today...

•

Wedensday. Jan11ary 15. 2003

Concentrate on studying , if you can't pull at least you 'll have a good degree.

Boy A: Alright mate .. are you an Afghan ?

Boy B: I'm not from Afghanistan, I'm a Tory.

Boy A: God, yo u're loopy!

A new section covering juicy conversations overheard in that most glamorous of meeting places-the toilets ...

Colaltl Wedensday. January 15. 2003 t a New Year's Eve party my drink was spiked and I had a complete blackout. After, someone told ·me told I pulled my best friend's man . There 's no way she'd find out, but should I tell her anyway?

Fun

www.concrete-online.co.uk

A •

••

E Gl .a

...a.

0

ears

We trawl through Concrete's archives reveals the UEA's history

vent

Don't tell her, honesty isn't always the best policy.

Sometimes tact is more important. Tell someone about the spiking though!

Nicky Metcalfe SOC 3 If she's meant to be your best friend I think you owe it to her to let her know her boyfriend's a cheat, and her friends the same. At least then she can't call you a liar, as welL Genevieve Kerr EAS 2 What's more important: friendship or trust? You could blame it on your drink being spiked but if she doesn't forgive yo u, can yo u risk losing her as your mate?

Joseph Espiner DEV 1

I don't know what to suggest. Either way you're in the ........... wrong so you have to decide whether you can carry ......,. on lying and being her friend cos it's going to eat away

~ ~r;~uMorris EAS 2 ~ Explain about the spiking and I reckon she'll understand - isn't it a criminal offence? She can 't blame you when yo u have absolutely no recollection, the only person she can be angry at is her boyfriend.

Laura Me// LAW 2 Answers collected by Danielle Agius.

And the alternative advice ...

Well , all I can say is that you're a bit of a stupid bint aren't you? You really should have taken more care of what you were drinking . This isn't a kids party with party rings and iced gems you know.

Elizabeth Cole ART 3 Don't tell your best mate, shouldn't she have been with her boyfriend at the dawn of the new year anyway? If she is going to give her man such a loose reign what can she expect.

Frances Marshal! HIS 2

Page 19

f•.

(_·

Ten years ago: Published on February 2 1993, issue 29 of Concrete marked the paper's second birthday with its first ever colour front page. The first story to benefit from realistic flesh-tones was the plight of students in 0 and P blocks of the now defunct residence halls at Fifers Lane.

Though the entire complex was due to close at the end of the year, 0 and P residents were kicked out early in order to save money. "it's typical of the University's attitude towards students - putting money before individuals that have come to study here", said then Union Communications Officer, Jacqui Mackey.

But as one building closed , another opened . UEA's Drama Studio was opened on January 26 by Harold Pinter. Prunella Scales also turned up, apparently to provide an amusing headline : "UEA Studio is 'fawltessly' opened".

Over in The Event (which then cost SOp) , readers were offered a brace of interviews with Bjorn Again and Lionel Blair. Christmas always was a slow period .. . There were previews of Addams Family Values and Mel Brooks' next comic smash Robin Hood Men in Tights. Also, as Kurt Cobain was still alive, people felt able to say bad things about Nirvana. The Event felt their Rape Me single was "like a poor imitation of themselves".

Five years ago: By issue 81 , appearing January 21 1998, Concrete had switched from caring where students lived to simply keeping them alive.

Under the headline "Don't Binge", the paper reported on the NUS's campaign to warn against excess drinking . Backed by the makers of Bacardi, Fosters and Guinness among others, the NUS advised that students wishing to avoid health problems should stick to around two pints a day. Five years later, the success of the campaign is looking questionable.

Equally short-lived was a plan to serve hot meals on LCR club nights. Though Pizza, curry and pasta we re offered, only a single

slice of pizza was sold on the scheme's debut.

The Events main interview was with Stuart Townsend , who most recently replaced Tom Cruise in Interview with the Vampire sequel Queen of the Damned. At the time, Townsend was following up comedy Shooting Fish with violent gang thriller Resurrection Man. Most of the magazine was taken up with a celebration of recent disasterturned-triumph Titanic. Readers were offered a step-by-step guide to making disaster film of their own . In the review section , Bruce Willis' The Jackal and Jennifer Aniston 's Picture Perfect were poorly received while Guy Chadwick's album Lazy, Soft and Slow was rated the best of the fortn ight.

Last Year: As one or two readers may remember, the main news last January, reported in issue 133 on January 16, involved UEA's Student Union considering leaving the NUS. "it was discussed at an exec meeting as we have become unsure about what sort of benefits our students are getting from the NUS", said Communications Officer Emma Reynolds. Inside the paper, Concrete was able to report on two triumphs for the university. UEA's School of History managed to score a higher rating than Oxford, while Atomic Kitten and Sophie Ellis-Bextor were booked to play the LCR. Whether any of the History teaching staff celebrated their victory by buying tickets for the gigs wasn 't mentioned.

By far the biggest interview was an in-depth discussion with Sir Paul McCartney, after the husband of the vegetarian food mogul visited UEA to read from his poetry. The Event also scored some big names, talking to Clive James, The Beta Band, Wheatus and the makers of Monsters Inc. Slightly less prestigious were articles on Pat Sharp and Timmy Mallet!, although they we re we lcome none the less. it was a quiet time for reviews as Cooper Temple Clause, Electric Soft Parade, Domestic Disturbance and Evil Women all failed to impress.

~

~ </'

.,n~.­

<"

~

c:

g ~ ~

~

~ $

~

~~!!!!!!~~~~~~~~!1~~~~~0~ t

...

c

low

ry

,..

Open 8.00am - late Monday to Saturday 1 O.OOam - 4.00pm on Sunday

Terms and Conditions £1 0 cut & blow dry is for walk-in clients only and the appointment clients are £15.00.

Tel. Cropshop

orwich Ltd. 622062

CHcrtte Wedensday, January 15, 2003

Page 21

www.concrete-onlioe.co.uk

'

Lee Bowyer's transfer to West Ham has caused the Asian community in the ~ondoi1 area to revolt. Marc Dudley looks at the transfer that has been about more than just football

U

bee~

nless you have asleep or still suffering from the hangover from New Year's Day, then you would have heard about the transfer that has been hitting all the back pages in the news.

Lee Bowyer's £500.000 transfer from Leeds United to West Ham is in football matters, an amazing deal for the Londoners.

However, nowadays it is not only the skills of the footballer that are in question, but their private life as well. Many will remember the ongoing court case with Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate after they had been accused of attacking an Asian student in the streets of Leeds. Bowyer was found not guilty, but the verdict had already been made by many in the country that Lee Bowyer was a disgrace to English football.

Even though the player is performing on the pitch and is probably one of the best English midfielders around. He may have had a few · hiccups on the pitch, but some people feel he can't control his temper.

When Glen Roeder signed him last week, he said he had to put all morals aside. If you look at Bowyer's talents on the pitch, he is the bargain of the century at only half-a-million pounds. But, while his new team mates

and Roeder may be able to accept that he has had a violent past, some of the fans will not forget what he did in a Leeds bar two years ago.

Some fans were even spitting at the former Leeds United footballer and the police had to step in to stop any confrontations between the fans and Bowyer The Asian community is strong in East London, and many now refuse to go to West Ham games due to the signing of Lee Bowyer. "An insult to the fans" is what the slogan was on Saturday when Bowyer had his debut for the Hammers, and many fans were holding up yellow cards to show their thoughts on the latest transfer.

Some fans were even spitting at the former Leeds United footballer and the police had to step in to stop any confrontations between the fans and Bowyer. Many Asian fans still feel Bowyer is guilty for attacking the Asian student in Leeds and will not forget until he is punished. Most fans are absolutely delighted with the signing, but he does have a temper and can get carried away if things start to go wrong for him. He recently received a 6 match European ban after stamping on the head of Malaga's Gerardo, so he will always be known as a hothead.

W C(i;he

est Ham's attitude to racism has always been well known. They were one of the first clubs that started the campaign against racism, and have always encouraged people

of different ethnic origins to come and support the hammers. This is one of the reasons that this transfer has been such a problem, due to the huge amount of Asian supporters in the area. Lee Bowyer may have been looking for a happy return to his boyhood club, but he will have to work hard to gain the respect of many of the fans . After his performance on Saturday, there is no doubt West Ham need him if they are to have any chance of surviving.

Roeder has suggested the player makes an appeal to the Asian fans, and that he makes a stand against racism . However, this is not going to make things better I feel, as the Asian fans will only feel he has been forced into doing it and that he is not being honest. With around 60% of the people in the area around Upton Park Ethnic, the situation is a lot worse than first thought.

Last Saturday, West Ham fans were even shouting abusive language at other hammer supporters who supported the move of Lee

After last Saturday West Ham need him if they are to have any chance of surviving Bowyer. While this could be as bad as it gets, when fans of the same club start arguing, you know there must be a problem.

While Bowyer does have a chequered past, he is also one of the most talented midfielders in the country. The·problem nowadays is that the private life of a footballer always comes into question before his performance football on the pitch - just look at the numerous kiss and tells in the tabloids.

Indeed, he maybe a role model, and thus has a responsibility to behave himself, but footballers are human and do make mistakes. And lets face it, he was never found guilty.

assa9e to c;:Jn()ia East Anglia's largest Indian restaurant

• 10% discount with tudent ID • Parties for every occasion with up to 50 seated m one room ( 150 seats total)

• No smoking area available

Call NOW for Reservations or Takeaways

Open: noon - 2:30pm • Fully air conditioned • Fully Iicen ed bar 6pm -late

• Hallal food available

45 Magdalen Street, Norwich

• Vegetarian food • Facilities for the disabled

Tel 762836 I

ew Year to all of our customers

•

•

• Page 22

www.concrete-online.co.uk

Concrete

Wedensday, January 15, 2003

Soapbox What's best and worst in Sport today...

Super sub scores after • • Should they stay JUSt two m1nutes to or should they go7 draw level Marc Dudley looks at the burn ing issues

Nationwide Division 1: Norwich City 1 Rotherham United 1 MARC DUDLEY Sports Editor

A Superb second-half strike from substitute Pau l McVeigh earned City a poin t in this hard-fought encounter at Carrow Road .

,...

Darren Gamer had stunned the home faithful by firing the M illers ahead in the first hal f with a sweet free-kick, but McYcigh replied from al most the same position in the 58th mi nute with a shot whic h was too hot to handle for Uni ted keeper Polli tt.

City bo s Nigel Worthington opted for the ;ame line- up that would ha\C started in last Saturday's ill-fated rA Cup 3rd Round clash against Brighton. That meant a first home start 'for rising star lan Henderson, with Abbey abo starting up front and places in the line-up for Dare! Russell and Chris Llewellyn.

Malky Mackay wa-, acting skipper for the day with Iwan Robcrts joining one of the strongest City benches seen for >omc time. also

featuring top scorer Paul McVeigh.

Danish forward David ielsen and defensive hot property Darren Kent on. orwich started the brightest with Henderson and Mulryne testing the Rotherham Goalkeeper M ike Po lin with both shots sailing just past the post. But the 'isitors were soon celebrating as following a foul on Byfield in the 33rd minute, Darren Gamer's superbly-struck free-kick curled inside Robert Green's righthand pos t to give United the lead.

Norwich were struggling to find their rhythm. the neare t they came to a reply in the nex t five minutes being an IS-yard header from Holt which new well O\ er.

City looked a bit more combative as the second half began and Rivers had a half chance after Adam Drury picked him out in the box. but his shot on the turn was a yard off target in the 48th minute. In the 54th minute Mulryne latched on to a loose ball in the box alter some good grafting by Llcwcllyn but his low drive was saved well down low by the diving Pollitl.

It was to prove Llewellyn's last contribution to proceedings as a minute later he and Hcnderson made

The York Tavern Norwich's finest traditional drinking pub Come and drink, eat, and play pool Full range of bar snacks available

• Monday night drink speciality • Wed night- curry and pint or soft drink for £5 • Thur night- Fjiata and pint or soft drink £5 • Sunday lunch only £5.50

on't miss our pop and tri uiz nigh'ton li es Janu

•

way for McVeigh and Nielsen. And with his first two touches McVeigh changed the whole nature of the game, controlling a neat header to the right of the box from Mulryne before curling in a lovely 20-yarder. which Pollitt could only palm into the corner of the net.

His 58t h-minute strike was his 12th goal of the season and breathed new life in to his Canary team-mates as they surged forward looking for a winner. Though C ity ba ttl ed hard, credit was due to Rothcrham who fought hard to restrict the Canaries to a period of pressure but no clearcut chances in the closing stage .

Norwich were disappointed with the 1-1 draw. but the team are still in the playoffs which was the ai m at the start of the season. l lowever. orwich can not afford to drop more points if they are to trave l to Cardiff again at the end of the season.

t's been all over the back pages for the past few weeks. Should England boycott their game in Zimbabwe or not? lt seems to have been going on for ever, and now Australia are also making themselves heard on the Mugabe situation. The Cricket World Cup has turned into a propaganda war between the Zimbabwean President and the British government, and many feel it is not about Cricket anymore but politics. By the time you read this the decision would have been made, and whatever the ECB and the players decide to do they will be in a no win situation and must make a potential choice between morality and money. According to ECB chief executive, Tim Lamb, English Cricket will suffer financial ly and could lose millions due to the fines they will face for not playing the match. The government feel that if the game goes ahead they will be handing Mugabe a Propaganda victory, but they are not prepared to pay compensation to the cricketers if they decide not to play.

So what can the Cricketers do? it is sad to see Tony Blair and his loonies putting pressure on the ECB to pull out of the matches in Zimbabwe, when there are about 300 British firms established and making plenty of money that carry on operating without any pressure or limitations from the government. Of course, the situation in Zimbabwe is quite bad and I hope I make myself clear when I say that what Mugabe is doing is completely wrong and completely against human rights. With no petrol and food being sold to the people and white farmers being thrown of there farms and killed, I understand the government are worried about th e situation . Sending the cricketers to Zimbabwe may give Mugabe the chance to give us a false impression of the country, but he won't convince us as we all know what is really going on. The government also feel that the English cricketers will be in danger by travelling to Zimbabwe, but Mugabe is unlikely to do anything to the Cricket teams and risk being bombed back to the Stone Age by the rest of the world.

The players have agreed not to shake President Mugabe's hand and not talk to him, which I think is enough to show the world that we don't support the Mugabe regime. I am sure the cricketers will meet people in the country, who will tell them how they are being treated.

There is a problem in Zimbabwe but I think it is time the government stopped using sport as a weapon in their war against Mugabe and find different ways to stop the apartheid going on in the country. it's up to the International Cricket Council if games should go ahead, not the British government. They don't have a legitimate cricket reason not to play. Politics is being put before everything else again, and it's about time politics were put aside so we can enjoy one of the events of the year.

• Cot<rtle

Wedensday. Januarr 15. 2003

Page 23

www.concrete-online.co.uk

•

Jarrett's high hopes Contim1ed from the back page

With Saturday's opponents again coming from a lower level of the pyramid, UEA must now be hot favourites to lift the trophy at Carrow Road in April.

North Lynn are mid-table in the North West Norfolk league and claimed a Combination scalp of their own in the last round, but should pose no problem for UEA. "Combination teams tend to play a bit more footbalJ, while the teams outside it are a lot more physical;' said Jarrett. ''We probably would have preferred a Combination side so we could get the ball down a bit, but we'll just have to stand up to these guys a bit."

Of the four other sides still in the bat for the semi-final draw Gayton, fourth in Division Two of the Combination, are highest placed but must overcome Division Two strugglers Wortwell in the quarter finals first; Norwich St Johns, who beat Horsford, are Dieting with relegation to Division Three; while Dersingham are a -mid-table Fourth Division side.

"Even with Holt and Horsford in we would have been confident becanse we've not conceded many goals this season, but as the better teams go out it makes it easier;' said Jarrett. · The game against North Lynn is rescheduled for Colney Lane this Saturday at 1.30pm.

•

Korfball team win Southern BUSA 'tournament ON Saturday 30th November, UEA's Korfball team took part in the Southern BUSA Korfball • Tournament in Bristol.

T he fi ve matc hes played here wou ld decide the team seeding for the National tournament in Cardiff later on in the year. The tea m was feeling in hi g h spirit s after positive tournament result s in La ncaster and Nottingham desp ite fieldin g weaker sides.

T he tournament got o ff to a po>itive start with UEA winning their first match 4-0 again>! Birmingham wi th a spectacular performance from 4 th year ENV 'tudenl Jo n Haycux.

The second match again'! fa\(>urites Cardiff wa> le'' >.ucce"fu l. After some logistica l errors the

Quarter Final results: Dersinglunn 2, Holt I ; Horsford 0,

Norwich St Johns 3; Gayton v Wortwe/1 and UEA v North Lynn

PAUL BEALE

match and it looked like any team 's match . wi th bo th si des reg ularl y

matc h was on ly played for seve n minutes cutt ing what looked like a promi si ng and exciting game short: U EA lost 2-1.

In the thi rd matc h poi nts scored

by Sarah Papwo rth and Dan Brown got UEA back into the tourna ment. helpin g them no t o nl y bea t Cambridge :1 - 2. but also wi n their table.

The semi-fi nal was dominated by UEA with a 4 - 0 thrashing of Oxford . wi th player/coac h To rn Baker netting two . The tina l wa; a rem atc h with Cardiff. the o nl y team to beat UEA in the earlier >tages.

Cardiff again took a n earl y I - 0 lead. but UEA fo ug ht hack to lead the match 2 - I. Wi th ju>t under four minute> left on the clock Card iff levell ed· the

th reate ning to score.

Wit h under a min ute ldt. the deadlock

was

broken

as

Sam

Agye man -Mcn sah scored a fabul o us shot from far o ut at the >.ide nf the court giving UEA a 3 - 2 win .

The win had been a to tal tea m effo rt w ith no heavy re li ance o n one player: Jo n Haycox wa> top >co rer with four points but was closely followed by se,·cral players scoring th ree .

The to urna ment result was important for UEA. a> it no t only makes them officiall y the be st korfba lltcam in the >O uth of Britain but also helps them avoid the mo re profi cient northern team> in-the early stage' o f the Nationals.

postponed.

Frisbee team thrown away THE UEA "Aye-Aye" Frisbee team travelled to Southampton to compete in an Ultimate Frisbee tournament last weekend with only five players being able to make the trip down south.

With this handicap, there was little hope for the team to perform to their best and they could only hope the other teams bad similar problems.

Sadly, this was not the case and even though UEA battled bard, they could not compete with an under- strengthened side and ended up bottom of their group.

They did not Jose every game however, and managed two respectable draws in bard-fought games.

Hopefully, tlie "Aye-Aye" Ultimate Frisbee team will be able to attract new members to their team and lltart competing at the top again.

Sports call Feeling unfit after Christmas?

Then why not get down to the Union's Sportsmart on the LCR · stage this Thursday The event runs from llam unti13pm and all sports clubs will be there.

It is the ideal chance for anyone to sign up for a sport.

For more information contact the Union Finance Officer, Michelle Pratt at su.finance@uea.ac.uk.

WITH everyone back from their winter breaks, the BUSA competitions will be getting under way again.

Here is a quick summary of how each team has got on at the halfway point.

The Me n's Bad minto n team have a 100% wi nni ng streak with 3 wins and I walkover. UEA ~ till haw to do some work to take the top spot away fro m De Montfort (Leicester) . Both the Me n's and women's Ba>kt!lbal l teams have been unstoppable so far in their groups.

T he women have a th ree point lead. whilst the men have outp layed all their opponents and it will be a

MARC DUDLEY Sports Editor big surpri se if they don't qualify for the nex t ' tagc .

The Men' s Fencing team could have been in a better po>ition after losing thei r two games so fa r in the competiti o n.

Our footballers. o n the o ther hand. have enjoyed a good run o f form.

T he men ';, I st X I arc fl yi ng a t the to p o f their group. whilst the ;.econd team have won three o f their matche; but lo>.t their fo ur o thers.

T he women have a lot to do to get the top >pot in their gro up .

C urrently they arc second . nine

point s be hi nd the leaders. and ha\'e o nly ma naged two wim in their group.

UEA\ Golfers have no t had the best of starts . Wi th two wins. three ddcats a nd one draw. the golfer> will be ho ping they can turn their ;ea>on around.

The Lacro;,se team are leve l with Nouingham at the top o f the table with two games left to play. and hopefully they can manage to defeat their group rival s.

The Hockey tea ms have had mixed fo rtunes.

Both the men \ team ; arc midtable and have won as man y game' as they have lost.

Even tho ug h the women';, I st XI arc undefea ted they >t ill find thcm se lve; in second place. The second tea m arc ni ne rnint s behind the leaders of the ir group with :1 games left.

Four win;, o ut of live is what the Netball first team have achie,·ed so far in their BUSA gmur.

The second tea m have ye t to rl!c n rd a wi n. hut ha\'e managed two draw> and a w in o n wa lkover.

But it 's has not been a prcll y start for the men's Ru gby team . The lir>t team h;l\ e on ly managcu one win . whibt the second tea m have lo,t all six of their e ncou nt er; .

The women have two wim out of two and on ly losing po int:, for fai lin g to field a team against Oxford. they arc sti ll in with a c ha rJCe o f fini shing top in their gro up.

The Squa sh team s wi ll he hnping fo r improvement; in their game> after hoth the men and wo men only

reco rding o ne wi n eac h. Eve n tho ugh the Tab le Ten ni> women fin ished on minus three po int s they still managed to qualify for the BUSA C ha mpionsh ip. as two o f the tea ms in their group withdrew from the competiti o n.

T he men 's tea m have battled hard. but have lo>t all o r their games.

Our Tcnni >. teams arc also o n a hi gh. as the men have won all their games.

The women have won two o ut o f their three matches.

•

•

~

... ...

""._

..

. .. -

'

.

.._

Cup dream

looks likely for UEA UEA kayaker rows his way to a win in BUSA tournament LLANGOLLEN in North Wales was the venue for the Kayak BUSA tournament just befo re Christmas and the UEA White Warriors did themselves proud finishing in an overaJI fifth place. ll was an inexperienced side that Lravelled to Wales, and for many of the team it was the firs t time they had competed in a kayak, writes Rowan Martin.

Team Captain oel Webb was confident the team would give it their best shot, but things were not looking good after five of the team fell out of their kayak 's in the practice sessions.

However, when it came to the race all seven members had shaken off the early disappointment. and performed above expectations.

In the indi vi du al even t, Eddy Dean powered down the course fin-

,.._

Individual event placings

ishing with the fastest time of the day, wh ilst captain Noel Wcbb fin ished IIth. Rowan Martin fini hed down in 22nd place, whil st Ben Weatherill and Jim Swinson managed to finish in 28t h and 30th .

In the team events the next day, where the conditions had worsened, the men' s team of Eddy Dean, eil Webb and Rowan Martin battled into 8th position after Dean had fallen into the water costing them valuab le time . The team of Ji m Swin on, Ed Grindley and Tamlyn Appleton finished in a respectable 7th place in the mixed team event.

Captain oel Webb was very happy with the performance of the team .

"I was amazed ," said an overexcited skipper "everyone rose to the occasion and did UEA proud."

Hopefully this is the start of a new era for the White Warriors and they are determined to return next year and improve their placing.

Top Left: Ben Weatheri/1, and left: Noel Webb

Men's team event

1st Eddy Dean. 12 mins 13 secs 11th Noel Webb, I~ mins 46 secs 22nd Rowan .Martin, 16 mins 30

8th Dean/Martin!Webb 22 mins 32 secs

SCl'S

Mixed team event

28th Ben ' Pink gin' Wcathcrill. 18 mins 22secs 30th Jim Swinson. 19 mins 21 secs

7th Grindley/Appleton/Swinson 25 mins 49 secs

Above: Paul Jarrett

ALEX THORPE

WEATHER permitting, UEA Football Clu b wi ll have another shot at reaching the emi-finals of the Norfolk Junior Cup on Saturday after the first attempt to get the tie with North Lynn fell victim to the weather.

And with both competition favourites Holt and Horsford United crashing out lo surprise defeats the path is now open for UEA to go all the way.

Having played nglian ombination opponents in their first three ties beating Porin gland Wanderers (3-2), Zenith Windows (4-1 ) and Foster Ath letic (4-0) - UEA clicked up a gea r against orth East orfolk League ide Hoveton Wherrymen in the fourth round an d ra n out 70 wi nne rs (Reynolds 3, Ward 2, Broomfield, Fish).

Continued on Page 23

Got a sports story? Contact us at su.concrete@uea.ac.uk Concrete Prize Crossword #39

ACROSS 1 3 9 10 11 12 14 17 19 22 23 24 25

Fashion magazine (4) Ab use (8) Pulsates with life ( 7) Academy award (5) Fewest (5) Severity (6) Cop comedy (6,7) Girl's name (6) Bags (5) Wedding role (5) Requiring (7) Usually (8) Section (4)

DOWN 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 13 15 16 18 20 21

Letter carrier (8) Zodiac sign (5) Affecting the world (13) Skimpy underwear .(5) Shut out ( 7) Slag (4) _ _ acid (6) Ability to see (8) Petty thief ( 7) Dutch beer (6) Girl's name (5) Asian country (5) Rotate ( 4)

rrnere's a"'£1 0' ooOk-ifo-ucfier lrom-cam:-, pus bookshop Waterstones up for grabs for completion of the crossword, ideal for all those course book purchases. Fill in your name and a. contact number or e-mail address below and put it with th e completed grid in the competition box in the Hive

by Friday, 26 October.

Name ....... ... ........ ...... .. .... ..... ....... ..... .

Solution #38 L A D y ' E• B A N D

••

School .............. ....... .. ...... .. ...... ..... .... .

I

I

L--------------------------~

A

~~

• •• v E N U E

.

T . N A • 1(.; E. K L A ME A .

H E A .

A_ F 0 0 _ A_ UNINTENTIONAL .

S· W S. E V E.

1

••

B S E N T E E

;-'!!I fp:re

p

u

ND I NI N D 0 W T A A M t: . B .

T. I . H I T A. I SA A E L T .

A. N. T . N .

L S A T E S. B A N

A S H I N G