The Courier 1223

The net closes in on Aaron Porter as Manchester protests turn sour

C OURIER THE

Issue 1223 Monday 7 February 2011 www.thecourieronline.co.uk

Students seek quick fix to beat workload

THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS A.SMITH

A leading pharmacologist has questioned the effectiveness of illegal ‘smart drugs’, as The Courier learns their use is widespread on campus.

Professor David Nutt – who heads an independent drugs body – suggests cognitive-enhancing drugs such as Ritalin, which are said to improve concentration levels, could blunt creativity and cause panic attacks.

An increasing number of Newcastle students are turning to the Class B drugs, which can be bought online and shipped from Asia for as little as £1 per pill.

Ritalin, originally designed to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, increases levels of dopamine in the brain which can lead to addiction.

Third-year engineering student Marcus Thomas first started taking Ritalin at the end of first year. He said the drug often makes him irritable and impatient but allows him to keep up with work pressures. “If I’ve not done 50 hours or more work a week I’m falling behind, so I take Rit[alin] to make better use of the time that I have,” he said.

“Where you might normally sit

down and attempt a tutorial sheet for an hour before getting bored or stuck, on Rit[alin] you simply find yourself looking at a clock when you’ve finished and realising that anything from three to six hours has gone by.”

Professor Nutt, who was controversially sacked as a chief government drugs advisor in 2009, visited Newcastle last Thursday to give a public lecture about drug use.

“If I’m falling behind, I take Rit[alin] to make better use of the time I have.”

He said that so-called ‘smart drugs’ were unproven and potentially detrimental in terms of performance rather than helpful – as is widely assumed.

He told The Courier: “They don’t Continued on page 4

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Miliband warns of dark times ahead for graduates Simon Murphy News Editor

numbers turn to •Increasing performance enhancing drugs questions effectiveness •Expert of so-called ‘smart drugs’ Simon Murphy News Editor

EST 1948

Bleak future: in an exclusive interview with The Courier Ed Miliband said he feared that young people would suffer as a result of the government’s programme of cuts

Young people face stark prospects in the job market as a result of government cuts, Labour leader Ed Miliband warned on a visit to Newcastle last Friday.

In an exclusive interview with The Courier, Mr Miliband spoke of his fear that graduates may struggle to find jobs as public money is sucked from the region.

Speaking on a visit to Newcastle College campus he said: “I really worry about the effect of it because one in five young people are now unemployed – I think one in five graduates are looking for a job as well.

“Our argument is, if you want to cut the deficit the best way is to get growth and jobs in our economy and that’s not what the government is doing.

“I want them [graduates] to do as well as they can in the job market.

“What I would do if I were Prime Minister is make sure that we had the jobs available for graduates and the jobs available for young people because we learnt, from the 1980s and the 1990s, the danger of leaving people, frankly, to fend for themselves and not giving them the support they need to get into work and that would be a big priority if Labour was in government.”

Earlier in the day Mr Miliband gave a speech at the Sage concert hall in Gateshead in which he argued that the “British promise” – that each generation does better than the last – was under threat.

He told The Courier: “I’m very worried about what it means for the promise of Britain that the next generation does better than the last and I think that’s more in question as a result of what the government is doing.”

Mr Miliband also spoke of his concern that underprivileged young people were finding it harder than ever to tap into the elite jobs market.

“I think a huge issue, irrespective of which government is in power, is how you make sure that everyone Continued on page 3

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

News Editors: Simon Murphy and Charlie Oven

Have you got a news story for The Courier? Email us at: courier.news@ncl.ac.uk

Decline in democracy: less than 1% of students bother to vote in NUS ballot Simon Childs Just less than one per cent of students voted as Newcastle Students’ Union Society decided who would represent it at the NUS National Conference this year.

As voting began on January 24, only three out of a possible five delegate positions were being contested, ensuring the election of Peter Campbell with 62 first preference votes, Charley Wright with 57 and Sarah Fearns with 52. There were two first preference votes for ‘ReOpen Nominations’.

Overall, 173 students voted out of a possible 19,000.

The NUS national conference, which this year takes place at the Sage in Gateshead, is the sovereign body of the NUS and is used to decide NUS policy. Universities are entitled to a number of delegates depending on the size of their student body, although this number has been reduced in recent years.

Delegates have the right to vote on

policies and speak in debates.

This year’s conference looks set to be particularly heated, as the NUS has come under fire recently for its response to the increasingly radical anti-cuts movement.

NUS President Aaron Porter has been the subject of particular criticism for his self-confessed “spineless dithering” over protests at the end of last year. Protesters heckled him at an anti-cuts demonstration in Manchester on January 29, causing him to leave the march, and last Thursday, students from Newcastle Free Education Network (NFEN) presented the student council with a motion of no confidence in Aaron Porter, but it was rejected by the council with 79 per cent votes against.

Peter Campbell, who was elected after standing for NFEN, commented: “Consistently poor turnouts for delegates to the NUS conference cast serious doubts on the democratic legitimacy of the NUS. This is particularly worrying at a time when the

NUS has defended its poor record of supporting the anti-cuts movement by claiming that it stands for the ‘majority’ of students.”

Sarah Fearns, Welfare and Equality Officer, who was also elected to the conference, admitted that the turnout was “not brilliant”, but blamed it on the fact that two of the candidates (Fearns and Wright) were sabbatical officers, giving them little time to campaign.

Fearns defended the process, claiming that it is “very representative on paper, even if practically this is not the case.”

Different unions hold their elections at different times, making it difficult to compare results across the country. However, student apathy would seem to be a widespread phenomenon.

Over the road at Northumbria University, all eight delegates were returned before Christmas, with 410 voters out of a possible 28,000; the 1.46 per cent turnout being described as “fantastic” by Northum-

bria Student Union’s website.

At London’s School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), a university with a rich tradition of political activism, 71 votes were enough for Elly Badcock to secure the only delegate position. Overall, there were 188 votes cast in a university of around 4500 students, meaning the turnout was just over 4 per cent.

In a by-election last December, 149 out of a possible 22,469 students at the University of Hertfordshire elected Josh Watson as their only NUS Conference Delegate out of a possible six, meaning that he has the dubious honour of attending the conference with the support of just under 0.7 per cent of his fellow students.

Newcastle University’s two remaining delegate positions will be filled in a by-election in the near future. For more information or if you want to stand for the position, contact Students’ Union Society President Tom Delamere at president. union@ncl.ac.uk.

Wave of burglaries hit student community Rosie Libell A spate of burglaries has hit heavily populated student areas over the winter period. Students living in Jesmond, Heaton and Sandyford are being urged not to advertise their houses to thieves, especially following the Christmas break.

Opportunist thieves have used open doors and windows to gain entry, and items taken from student houses include laptops, games consoles, digital cameras and televisions. There have also been cases of car keys being stolen and subsequently student’s cars have been taken.

Third-year Sociology student, Lara Stanley, had her house in Sandyford

burgled when it was empty during the Christmas break. She told The Courier that the burglars used a spade to prise open a window at the back of the house before taking a 32” flat screen television, a camera and a computer program.

When asked if she was worried it could happen again, Lara said “kind of but the police said they usually just watch the house, so we’re not worried 24/7 but it’s a bit dodgy that it could happen again.

“We have a new window with a lock but the house itself is quite secure and the burglars had to jump over the gate to get in so the landlord wasn’t eager on making it more secure. We did want a burglar alarm but it’s not really worth it because we won’t be there much longer.”

The recent surge of burglaries has prompted the Jesmond and Heaton Neighbourhood Policing Team to launch an operation to crack down on burglars through undercover and high profile patrols at key times, property marking events and the use of posters, leaflets and Bluetooth to give safety advice and to deter thieves.

Safety advice includes not leaving valuables near windows where they can be seen, and urging students not to leave empty boxes like computer packaging on display or in the backyard.

Northumbria Police are also urging students to contact landlords to replace locks on doors and windows if they are not secure. They also encourage students not to leave a bike

unlocked, even if it’s just for a few minutes.

Student Liaison Officer at Northumbria Police, Fay Paterson, said: “Many offences take place after homes have been left insecure.

“While the neighbourhood team is now working hard to trace these burglars and continue to reduce crime in the area, it’s important those living in the Jesmond and Heaton areas take some crime prevention steps.

“Burglars know student homes are full of equipment and, with everyone returning to university following the winter break, they’ll have new items they were given for Christmas with them as well.”

Charity book project needs fundraising support Gemma Turner The READ International Book Project at Newcastle is calling on students to help. The book project works by collecting unused and out of date text books from local secondary school and sending them out to schools and libraries in Tanzania.

In Tanzania they follow a very similar curriculum to that used in the UK, but teachers often lack the resources needed to teach the children. The books that are carefully

collected and sent to Tanzania help to improve access to education for thousands of children in East Africa.

The cost of moving one book from a UK classroom into the hands of a Tanzanian school child or teacher is never more than 50p. But in total to cover the shipping and library refurbishment costs of the project £7500 is needed. The project is looking for enthusiastic, committed students brimming with ideas to raise the money.

A spokesperson for the project said: “We need volunteers to help sort out and box the thousands of books that are collected from schools in the local area, and also volunteers to drive the vans during the book collecting period.

“There is also the opportunity to go out to Tanzania in the summer to refurbish the libraries and distribute books around the country. Volunteering with READ is a very rewarding experience, with the opportunity of hands on experience and enhanc-

ing your skills, whether it may be organising, event planning or team work, to improve your CV. “As a volunteer for READ you can give as much or as little time as you wish, and we assure you that you’ll have a lot of enjoyment and fun being part of the team.”

To find out more information about READ please visit READ’s website: www.readinternational.org.uk, or email to newcastle@readbookproject.org.uk or phone 07505079917.

The Union Society, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940

Comment Are Google-style police maps of your neighbourhood a helpful tool or a gadget without a purpose? Join our debate Page 10

Lifestyle Ready to cook: Georgie Davies guides you through some top recipes to make use of orange season Page 17

Culture Film of the week: Kathy Jackson reviews the latest disney release to hit our screens: Tangled 3D Page 26

Sport NURL crowned double league champions. Read the full reports of both the 1sts and 2nds victories Pages 42 + 44

Meetings Timetable: Monday Sport- 11am, Hancock News & Comment - 1pm, Rm 6 Park Terrace Photos - 2pm, Rm 6 Park Terrace Fashion - 4pm, Rm 5 Park Terrace Tuesday Life & Style - 12pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Fashion - 12pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Wednesday Arts - 12.30pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Film & Music- 1pm, Rm 6 Park Terrace TV & Radio - 1.30pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Editorial Team: • Editor - Fran Infante • Deputy Editor - Joshua Shrimpton Dean • News Editors - Charlie Oven & Simon Murphy • Comment Editors - Danny Kielty & Laura Heads • Life & Style Editors - Mary Mullarkey & Kat Bishop •Fashion Editor - Lauren Girling • Arts Editor - Stephanie Ferrao • Film Editor - Adam Williams • Music Editors - Polly Randall & Joe Skrebels • TV & Radio Editor - Ellie Wilson & Lynsey Fawcett • Puzzles Editor - Andy Pitkeathley •Listings Editor - Ciara Littler • Sports Editors - Kat Bannon, Jono Taylor & Wills Robinson •Photo Editor - Briony Carlin • Design Editor - Helen Mamalaki •Head of Digital Media - Aimee Philipson •Online Editors - Bethany Sissons, Katie Hicks, Elliot Bentley and Colin Henrys •Proof Editors - Charlotte Loftus, Katy Lawson, Hannah Davey, Gemma Farina, Jessica Cree, Amy Jordan, Rebecca Gee, GemmaJayne Turner, Marianne Spence, Georgia Morgan, & Tatiana Horniakova The Courier is printed by: Harmsworth Printing Limited, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2DW. Tel: 01332 253013.

Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Union Society at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge.

The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Union Society or Newcastle University.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

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News

Miliband fears coalition cuts willl increase graduate unemployment

A.SMITH

Fighting talk: Labour leader Ed Miliband told The Courier that he was concerned about cuts having a detrimental effect on young people’s life chances which, he admitted, are still unequal after Labour’s time in office

Continued from the front page has a fair chance of getting on, and the problem about some of the decisions this government has made on educational maintenance allowance,

tuition fees, apprenticeships, is that they’re sort of setting that back,” he said.

“There weren’t equal chances before, even under our government

and they’ve now taken that back further. I think that the main issue is about fair chances for people to get on and I think that the gap between rich and poor in our society also has

an impact on whether people have fair chances.

“What you find is that it’s often the better off people who can make sure they pass on all the good chances to

their kids so, if you like, how unequal we are now has an impact on whether people are going to get fair chances in the future.”

Research shows green tea can help stave off diseases Louise Naylor In the morning, people everywhere like to kick start the day with a regular brew of English tea, but research

by Newcastle University has shown that by making a small change to green tea could have incredible benefits for your health.

A team lead by Dr Okello from the School of Agriculture, Food and Ru-

ral Development, have found that the protective properties in green tea could help combat cancer and Alzheimer’s.

This is because green tea contains polyphenol compounds which bind with toxic substances, such as betaamyloid and hydrogen peroxide, used in hair bleaching, that cause the disease. The wonder tea was also found to include anti cancer properties that were able to slow down the

growth of tumours in a lab environment.

The study tested whether these beneficial compounds were still active after digestion and amazingly found that they were actually more effective, than the undigested form of the tea.

This could have a massive impact on Alzheimer’s, which is reported to effect 5.3 million Americans and produces the frightening symptom

of memory loss, which contrary to popular belief is not a natural part of the ageing process. The disease also produces erratic behaviour and loss of bodily functions in its sufferers.

The next step is to discover whether these positive effects are produced in healthy human volunteers that consume tea polyphenols. The team has already received funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BB-

SRC) to take this forward.

If their results are successful this could mean that green tea, while once contained to the alternative therapy aisle could move into mainstream medicine.

So, how about making one small change to your routine and swapping a tea with milk and two sugars, for a taste of the good stuff. Surely, the benefits will sweeten the bitter aftertaste.

Milking it? New research proves the value of going organic Harriet King Research by Newcastle University has proved that organic milk is better for you than conventional milk.

By drinking organic milk, you can cut the intake of saturated fats by up to half, and still consume the same quantity of the beneficial fatty acids, and Omega 3 present in all milk.

The study, led by Gillian Butler, also observed that after cooler, wet-

ter summers, conventional milk is of poorer quality, with higher saturated fat levels and lower levels of beneficial fatty acids. Organic milk contains a higher percentage of fatty acids, and lower levers of saturated fats.

Very wet conditions can alter cows’ behaviour, reducing grazing and decreasing milk output on conventional farms. Likewise, after a very wet summer, the quality of

silage available to farmers also decreases, impacting upon the quality of milk. A diet low in fresh grass has a negative impact upon the amount of fatty acid present in milk. Conventional farms also showed great inconsistency in the quality of the milk being produced, with some far superior to others.

On organic farms, not only is there more consistency between different farms, resulting in the buyer be-

ing assured of quality, but organic milk shows significantly higher fatty acid content, and lower saturated fat content regardless of time of year or weather conditions. Mrs Butler stated that this demonstrated greater uniformity of feeding practices across organic farms. On conventional farms, there is a higher reliance upon grazing and of clover suppressing fertilisers.

Organic farms have a far greater

reliance upon foraging, and as nitrogen fertiliser is not used, red and white clover, which both assist with fatty acid production in milk are consumed. Mrs Butler also pointed out that if the current weather patterns continue this research demonstrates that both forage and dairy management will need to adapt in order to maintain quality, and there will need to be a rethink of current diary practices.

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

News

Laura sat at the computer for 26 hours working without moving she’d taken Ritalin Increasing numbers of students are turning to so-called ‘smart drugs’ to beat the competition. But how ‘smart’ are they? News Editor Simon Murphy investigates.

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aura’s heart is beating incessantly, her palms are sweating and her hands are shaking. She feels focused yet far-away, as if something else is forcing her will – it is, it’s called Ritalin and she’s just taken two pills.

It wasn’t always like this, Laura used to be able to study hard and do well. But when she came to university in Newcastle the pressures of work intensified and by the end of first year the engineering student had fallen behind.

When Laura found out from a group of friends that there was a drug which could help her study better, she jumped at the chance to try some.

“It doesn’t make you cleverer as such but it does stop you giving up,” she explained.

“One time I took two Ritalin pills and was able to concentrate on a computer for 26 hours in a single sitting. I wouldn’t say it’s addictive other than the thought of ‘oh I could stick at this longer with Ritalin’ or ‘I’d get this done on Ritalin’.”

But Laura – who estimates at least 10 per cent of Newcastle students have tried the drug – knows some people who have become so reliant on Ritalin that they cannot work without it.

But does it work? Are students harbouring a false belief when they swallow these pills hoping that their IQ will miraculously multiply?

“There’s a potential for a huge placebo effect,” says Dr Jackie Leach Scully, who specialises in Bioethics and is a senior lecturer in sociology at Newcastle.

“Psychologically, you think you’re getting something that’s turning you into a super brain. I don’t think it makes such a difference physiologically but the psychological effect of believing you have something which makes you that much better is enormous.

“The internal belief that I’ve tak-

en something, it’s cost quite a lot of money, it must be potent and it must be working, I think can be quite major.”

Although the science behind ‘smart drugs’ is currently inconclusive, it seems there is still serious advantage in a drug that fosters the belief that an individual experienced enhanced performance. Studies have shown that simply by telling one class they are more intelligent than another will produce higher levels of performance.

But what if it does work? Is it fair that one student should gain an advantage over another because they’ve swallowed a pill?

“You could argue that you might not be able to do very much about people’s choices in having particular types of tuition and going to particular types of school, take up particular opportunities of work

Concerned: Dr Jackie Leach Scully fears that if smart drugs were to become the norm, students who chose not to take them would suffer disadvantage.

experience but you can ban use of drugs,” Dr Leach Scully says.

“As an academic, I don’t want to

think that any of my students are actually using some kind of drug that will improve their cognitive performance. Probably because I think not every student would do it and I think it would be slightly unfair.

“As an ethicist I’m concerned about the level of expectation this then produces that if we gradually move towards a general belief that you do best when you are cognitively enhanced, then it becomes harder for an individual, perhaps even a family, to refuse that and say I’m not going to do it.”

Some people might defend the use of smart drugs by citing their freedom to act in whatever way they like – after all, they’re not harming anyone else. However, if as Dr Leach Scully says, smart drugs become the norm and everyone in your class, bar you, takes them, how free is your choice if you subsequently decide to then take them?

At present in the UK – unlike America – the use of smart drugs is still small scale but if this were to change then student leaders would face challenging questions on how to deal with a phenomena that seems create an uneven playing field in favour of the drug users.

“Most of these drugs cost money and not every student will be able to afford them and not every student would want to go down that road irrespective of whether it’s a real effect or a placebo effect,” says Dr Leach Scully.

You might argue that people can already buy success, but should society accept this? Is it right for one person to buy a drug that can give them an edge over their peers?

My mind says there’s nothing wrong with someone trying to make the most of their ability; my heart says there’s something fundamentally immoral about someone trying to enhance their performance with an artificial drug.

It might be fair to say that the jury is still out.

Drugged up: the Royal Pharmaceutical Society says that there is no evidence that drugs like Ritalin improves study performance, despite claims from some people

Continued from front page make you cleverer. I think a lot of people have false hope in them. You take them and you are more awake and alert and that’s like what you should be in an exam – they do what anxiety does and there is a danger they can tip you over the top.

“If you’re so aroused that you have a panic attack then your performance will really deteriorate. So actually using these drugs in exams is a really high risk strategy.

“I suspect overall most of these drugs will improve stamina, intellectual duration but not creativity – there’s a danger that they can actually decrease creativity.

“You have to think broadly, stimulants make you focused but if you’ve got to think and find a new strategic approach to something stimulants can lock you into a mindset which is hard to break out of.”

Fourth-year student Harriet May started taking Ritalin to help her pass exams last year but has since stopped taking the drug.

“I got it from a friend who had also been taking it, he had ordered it from a website – I think they came from Pakistan,” she said.

“It made me work a lot faster, I was able to get through a 100 page textbook in a few hours. My hand really hurt when it had worn off because I had been writing so fast. I was running round the library picking up books and was very focused on my work. Nothing could distract me. I worked for about three hours solidly.

But Harriet said she stopped taking the drug because she was wor-

ried about the side effects. “It made me suffer psychological effects afterwards, much like the feeling of taking an amphetamine. I became very agitated and my heart was beating uncontrollably,” she explained.

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society warns that drugs like Ritalin pose serious health risks when taken recreationally. A spokeswoman for the society said: “There is no evidence that it improves study performance, despite media reports of students using it this way.

“People who take Ritalin for study expose themselves to side effects such as anxiety, insomnia and headache, and will not experience any benefits. Buying it illegally exposes the user to extra risks such as buying counterfeit medicine – medicine which is fake, or had dangerous additives.”

Random drug testing has been suggested as a possible measure to police the prevailing use of ‘smart drugs’ on campus. A University spokesman said that drug testing had not been considered to date but that the situation would be reassessed if concerns grew.

A University spokesman said: “The use of any drug which has not been prescribed by a doctor is potentially dangerous and in the interests of student safety, the University would strongly advise against such use.

“If any student feels unable to cope with the pressure of exams, we would urge them to seek help from Student Wellbeing.” *Students’ names have been changed for confidentiality.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

News

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For those who need the drugs (prescription only) it levels the playing field. For the rest of us, it gives an unfair advantage Tarren Smarr Commentary

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ooking for an extra kick to help with exams?

Why not try the Ritalin express! Just kidding, don’t really try the Ritalin express. Whilst people often hear stories of athletes attempting to highlight their performance with enhancing drugs, it is only recently that stories have broken the news of enhancing the world of academia with drugs.

Students have been known for drinking gallons of coffee and even more red bull during examinations, but some have decided to take it up a notch, introducing Ritalin and similar drugs to their exam prep timetable.

The looming question is: should students be able to get an academic edge by taking these drugs?

The answer is a simple no. We don’t allow athletes to take any type of performance enhancer drugs. When they do and are caught, words like cheater are often associated with them and ruin

their career. It is only fair that we treat academia the same.

Athletes (collegiate and other) consider their sport of choice to be their profession. Whilst you are in university, learning is your profession. One should not be able to “cheat” one’s way through it – end of.

Unfortunately, drugs such as Ritalin and Adderall (used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) are easily available. You know people that take these pills, and during exam time, they are more than happy to make a pretty

penny selling off their medication to desperate students. If you really wanted to, and trust me you shouldn’t, these drugs are available online and cost as little as 40p per tablet.

But just an FYI, without a prescription, Ritalin is a class B drug in the UK and possession can lead for a five year sentence. Intent to distribute? Try fourteen years. Is it really worth the risk?

You may be asking yourself ‘what’s the harm?’ Is that because you are only using it once or twice? When doctors prescribe

these meds, they do health checks.

Those who buy pills for exams don’t.

Side effects could range from anxiety and insomnia to even death if there are underlying conditions that users don’t know they have.

For those who need the drugs (prescription only) it levels the playing field.

For the rest of us, it gives an unfair advantage and just like in sports, is cheating. Best option, work during the semester so you don’t cram before exams.

Those who rely on brainpower alone risk being left behind Elliot Bentley Commentary

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orking through the night in a 24-hour computer cluster – merely hours before the big exam – loaded up with six coffees, two cans of red bull and a whole pack of pro plus: who hasn’t found themselves in this kind of situation? Caffeine is undoubtedly the most widelyused performance enhancing drug

among students, but why is it merely an exception?

As far as I can see, the only difference between caffeine and “smart drugs” such as Ritalin is an arbitrary line drawn in the sand by the government, seemingly due to their novelty. As far as giving students a “competitive advantage”, copious amounts of sugar and caffeine give a substantial boost anyway (I remember during my GCSEs I would sneak softmints into the exam hall for a mid-essay sugar rush), and these smart drugs are, at a fundamental level, no

different.

Whether we like it or not, these performance-boosting drugs are becoming more and more prevalent among academics, who feel the need to enhance their work rate in order to carry out their jobs.

An informal survey in scientific journal Nature (70% of whose readers work in science) revealed that one in five had used one of these types of drugs in order to aid their work. If scientists – who should know more about these drugs than the average man on the street – feel safe experimenting

with them, why shouldn’t the rest of the public?

One of the best arguments for decriminalising drugs is that the substances dealt by dealers are notoriously unsafe, and that government regulation of sources would make it less dangerous.

After all, some people will want to get their hands on them regardless of their source, and so it would ensure they aren’t taken advantage of.

Similarly, smart drugs are usually sold through dodgy websites and are entirely unregulated,

potentially exposing buyers to exploitation.

Government regulation would also allow users to be monitored for possible overuse of the drugs as well as run comprehensive surveys of the long-term effects on health.

At the end of the day, without carrying out blood tests on every student sitting an exam there is no way that universities can prevent what looks to be a growing trend.

Those who choose to sit out and rely on their brainpower alone may find themselves left behind.

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

News

Seeking success: former student helps graduates stand out of the crowd Jui Sadekar With half the academic year behind us, postgraduate and third year undergraduate students are just a few steps away from entering the ‘real world’.

Entering the job market can be a very exhilarating but daunting time. You are moved from the protective environment of university into the very competitive den of work.

Writing CVs and cover letters, in addition to preparing for interviews is by no means an easy process. Competition remains fierce among the swarm of graduates and it is therefore not uncommon for scrutinising employers to ask what your selling point is, or why they should hire you.

It can be argued that it really doesn’t matter how many jobs you apply to; it is the quality of the application that invariably counts and will lead you on a career path. Sadly many of us are struggling to find that necessary breakthrough.

So, for people who are about to

make that leap into the unknown, a Newcastle graduate has arrived to lend a helping hand.

Lisa Bean, a 2007 English Language graduate has founded a graduate career development company called Gradvert, formed after an idea based on graduates advertising themselves for successes.

Having received many accolades, the company was awarded with a Shell Live Wire award in August 2010.

Following a summer of doorto-door book selling in Chicago, America and three years with the global insurance company AXA, Lisa knows what it takes to stand out from the crowd and how hard and tricky it is to get noticed.

Now she is keen to share the secrets of her success and help other students, graduates and young professionals define their goals and achieve victory at an accelerated rate.

This starts with helping clients to figure out what they want from their life and covers all aspects of the application process, including

the interview and assessment centres’.

Bean was keen to share her knowledge of job applications: “The secret is to know what is expected of you as a candidate and to launch a ‘Gradvertising Strategy’ to sell your knowledge, skills and experience to the recruiter.

“This is what we specialise in at Gradvert.”

Bean stresses the importance of CVs as a reflection of your qualities, which an employer may find valuable in the work place.

“CVs are your sales brochures and should sell the best of your qualities, in order to encourage a recruiter to find out more at interview.”

She added: “For this reason, it is vitally important that time is spent over getting them right.”

The new venture is to focus on the North East and Newcastle University students, so if you see anyone wearing a Gradvert hoodie, feel free to ask for information.

To find out more visit the website at www.gradvert.com

Bright idea: former student Lisa Bean has founded a career development company

Twenty four hour library trial success Laura Mowat The 24-hour opening of the Robinson Library has been a success. On average, there have been 200 people in at midnight, 100 people at 2am and 50 at 4am.

The petition, led by Stuart Bradley, the Library’s Marketing Officer, believed that it was unfair that many other universities offer constant 24-hour library services while Newcastle failed to.

January saw the University officials listen to feedback forms and act upon the student voice.

Stuart Bradley is happy with how the 24-hour library exam period went; he said: “Users seemed to appreciate the sense of freedom, as they could come and gather a few extra references at the last minute if they needed to.

“They also seemed to enjoy the sense of solidarity - knowing they weren’t alone, and being able to work alongside their friends without having to take over one per-

son’s flat really seemed to boost morale.”

Stuart has a blog about spending 24 hours in the library (http:// nulstaff.wordpress.com). He asks people why they are there at 4am and answers range from the fast internet available, to the avoidance of accidentally falling asleep while checking an essay at home.

The library security guards ensured it would be safe by requiring all people entering the library after midnight to have their smart cards with them.

Sarah Macshane, a Student Aid worker at the library, revealed that library workers have found sleeping bags at the library and even a student study room turned into a bedroom equipped with family photos and food.

The library are planning to open 24 hours for a longer period over the summer exams and are hoping that a lot of students will be interested in this development.

Desperate measures: a desk is stocked with food supplies during the exam period

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2010

7

News

Porter losing grip on NUS leadership as crowds show their anger in Manchester Jonathan Offredo If it wasn’t the egg-throwing, the orange hurled through the air or the hundreds leaving mid-speech to start their own march, surely it was the hordes of students trailing Aaron Porter through the streets of Manchester screaming for his resignation that signalled the rift between students and NUS leadership.

The fractured relationship between an embattled Porter and the students he represents has been eroded since the scenes at Millbank three months ago, and has called into question who actually represents the so-called silent majority of students placed between the two most vocal contingents of the student movement.

In an email sent to NUS members following his withdrawal from a scheduled speech at the conclusion of the march in Manchester, Porter said: “Today I came to Manchester to talk about cuts to the Educational Maintenance Allowance... But instead of being able to speak out on behalf of students on the issues, I was silenced by those keen to disunite our movement.

“I wanted to represent the voices of those students today, they have used their voice and spoken out, and it was my job to stand up and speak out for them, the silent majority of students; I was thus incredibly disappointed that instead of being able to talk about the challenges and the issues we face, I had to focus on the safety of the thousands assembled.”

Protesters had had enough and marched themselves, after growing disillusionment with both the absence of Porter and a march route that led to a largely desolate field to hear speeches about issues they had been fighting against for months.

Simon Childs, a third-year History and Politics student, was part of a 60-strong contingent from Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, as well as local colleges and Sixth-Form schools that travelled to Manchester.

“We were listening to these speeches in this suburban park in the middle of nowhere and what seemed like about half the protesters got bored, not so much bored, but rejected the idea of listening to Union bureaucrats so we decided to walk off to the city centre,” he said.

He added that one of the ways the relationship could be fixed would be the resignation of Aaron Porter. Porter has previously said he would be standing for re-election at the NUS conference in Gateshead this year.

And it’s not just students from the far left who feel that may be the only way. Sarah Fearns, Welfare and Equality Officer at Newcastle University’s Students’ Union acknowledged the divisions within the movement and recognized what it would take to make amends.

“I’d like to be optimistic and say that it is possible to rectify the division. But for that to happen it would almost require Aaron to not be re-elected, but personally that’s not the outcome I would like because I think he is a very practical thinker within the movement.”

There were scuffles with police along the way and those kettled faced the process of being searched and cited, but Fearns, who was in attendance on Saturday and was saddened by the treatment of both

Above: NUS President Aaron Porter is under increasing pressure to stand down. Below: a small child starts collecting early for university as fees are set to treble in 2012

Porter and VP Shane Chowen, who were the recipient of eggs and oranges thrown from the crowd, said there are a lot of voices drowned out by the voices of both NUS and the far left.

“More than ever this movement has pointed out that there is no single homogeneous opinion and I think it’s time for everyone to stop saying they represent this majority or this majority and respect that there are different points of view that all need to be taken into consideration and I think the hard left could do with remembering that as

well; they are not necessarily the majority.”

The Greater Manchester Police said that 20 people were arrested after a chaotic day of protest that began with a peaceful march organised by NUS, UCU and TUC, but ended with several kettles in the city centre of Manchester following a largely peaceful breakaway march.

Of the more than 500 students that broke away from the field, several hundred made it to the city centre in what can best described as a cat and mouse game between stu-

dents and police, who frequently attempted to kettle students as they moved downtown.

One student, a 17-year-old from Newcastle College said he was arrested after trying to break through a kettle with other protesters.

The student was arrested for obstructing an officer, but after hours in a holding cell described as below the “reasonable standards of physical comfort”, the student was given a section 5 Public Order Penalty.

The student said the initial charge was dropped after police were unable to find evidence of obstruction.

The student said: “Aside from how inhumane it is to be left to sit in a concrete box by yourself for nine hours – I was let out just after midnight – I read the ‘general entitlements’ leaflet they gave me, and they didn’t fulfil several of these.”

Last week a motion was brought to the Students’ Union Council to declare a vote of no confidence in Aaron Porter and to join the small number of other Students’ Unions who have already agreed to call for an EGM to appoint his replacement. The motion was defeated by 79 per cent.

8

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

News

£20,000 at stake in scientific competion The Careers Service provides information and advice on developing your skills, finding a part-time job, work experience, supporting business start-up and (when the time comes) exploring graduate opportunities.

For more details about these and other vacancies, including details of how to apply, visit their website at www.ncl.ac.uk/careers.

Salary: National Minimum Wage Basic job description: A Part time Sales Assistant is required for a jewellery store in the Metrocentre, Gateshead. 10–20 hours per week. Duties will include operating the tills, serving customers, housekeeping, merchandising and stock checks (as and when required).

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Location: Newcastle University campus Job Title: Casual Food and Bar Service Staff Employer: Newcastle City Council Closing date: Ongoing (Casual) Salary: £6.84ph Basic job description: To work at Newcastle Civic Centre on an as and when required basis, serving food and drinks to customers.

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Come along to the Jobs Open day on Tuesday 8th February between 10.00am and 2.00pm. For more information call into Sport Direct, Eldon Square, or call 0844 332 5106.

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How to Apply: Please email your CV to heather.j.stanley@gmail. com Job Title: Promotions Work Employer: Anne Savva Promotions Closing date: 01/07/2011 Salary: £8-12 per hour Basic job description: Ann Savva Promotions Ltd is a National Promotional Agency currently recruiting in this area. This is a

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Bethany Sissons Newcastle Science City is hosting a scientific competition and offering £20,000 to the winning individuals or businesses who can present an original idea with economic potential.

The scientific competition calls on all students with a high growth business initiative to find the economic and scientific venture of tomorrow.

Newcastle Science City can support up to six winning businesses and intends to find an idea which can be launched within the next year.

The reward will provide specialist support to take the scientific innovation to market and with £20,000, the difficulties of funding the launch

pad for a scientific proposal will be solved.

Newcastle Science City is a partnership which consists of Newcastle University, Newcastle City Council and One North East.

Simon Green, project manager at Newcastle Science City, said: “The competition presents an opportunity to businesses and individuals to develop their ideas and realise their potential.”

This scientific competition is only open to businesses or individuals based in, or planning to be based in, the North East of England.

Applications can be made online at www.newcastlesciencecity.com until Friday 11th February at 5pm.

Durham announces ‘earn while you learn’ scheme

education were announced, along with the votes and protests against the rise in tuition fees.

Concerns continue to grow over the decrease in student applicants from less advantaged backgrounds, with worries that the higher fees will deter potential university students from entering higher education.

Susie May Beever

Cambridge Investment Staff escape cuts with £450,000 bonuses

Durham University this week announced an ‘earn while you learn’ scheme where, as of September, they will be offering particular degrees sponsored by KPMG, an accountancy firm.

The six-year degrees will involve a program of studying combined with students simultaneously working for the firm, resulting in a BSc honours qualification in finance and chartered accountancy.

There will be 75 students on the course, the fees for which are all paid for by the firm, as well as a £20,000 salary for each year during the program. However, more companies such as Harrods and Tesco are now also offering places on business and marketing courses where Durham students are fully sponsored and paid whilst they learn.

Oxford College accused of breach in moral ethics The committee for the student ball in St Peter’s College has this week been the subject of controversy, after talk of hiring a real-life freak show as part of the guests’ entertainment.

The plans for the proposed ‘Circus of Horrors’ raised great debate throughout the University over whether the freak show acts, amongst which featured a dwarf who stapled playing cards to his face, and a ‘Mongolian Laughing Boy’ who gave himself electric shocks in a chair, were morally viable.

UCAS claims fall in applications due to tuition fee rises UCAS have reported a slight decline in applicants which has reached an especially low slump after cuts to higher

A leaked government document this month reported that four members of the Investment Staff for Cambridge University have each received huge bonus payouts for their work last year.

Altogether payouts have totalled a grand £450,000, working out as 10 times the amount of student debt expected after the potential tripling of university fees in two years.

Top external fund managers for the University, some of which are former bankers, have each received six figure bonuses, with the total amount of their wages put together enough to pay for 21 students to do a three-year course while tuition fees are at their new maximum cap.

Findings show UK universities accepting fewer British students UCAS has reported a drop in the figures of UK students applying to higher education courses over the past year, with a 0.8% decrease in the record numbers of applications.

Figures for international students applying to universities within the UK have boomed, boasting a significant 12.4 per cent increase amongst young people from outside the EU, with China currently taking the lead. Sally Hunt, the secretary of the University and College Union suggested UK students were missing out on places on higher education courses.

9

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

How will privatisation affect our public forests? > Page 11 Comment Editors: Laura Heads and Danny Kielty - courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk

Hacking away at personal privacy Bethany Sissons

The lengths a journalist will go to for a shocking story can no longer be believed. The fact that Andy Coulson is now David Cameron’s ex-Head of Communications, due to the hype surrounding the phone hacking scandal, has left the media world and the public questioning his tactics for sourcing stories during his editorship at News of the World.

A New York Times article suggested that hacking was widespread at News of the World. Sean Hoare, former reporter, said he had been encouraged to do it by Andy Coulson, and that it was crucial to the journalism there. Now the newspaper says it is totally against it, but many reporters claim that phone hacking is rife and they all know how to do it.

Coulson said: “When the spokesman needs a spokesman it’s time to move on”. This is certainly an apt comment; his attempt at Conservative positive PR seemed to be crashing around him. Politics is a competition of story spinning, revealing the power that the media has over the public. It’s about putting on a front, presenting a positive image and attempting to appeal to all.

The link between politics and the press is indistinguishable in situations like this. The notable and

You, The Courier Jui Sadekar, Multimedia Journalism student reviews the last edition

T

he last edition portrayed good coverage of big issues like the London protests and University Occupation with exclusive and striking photos. Full page blown pictures and strong articles strengthened the news section.

The Comment section seems to be really going good with a wide range of opinioned stories. All in all the content of the newspaper is of good quality, however minor changes in the design can bring about a drastic difference.

Almost every section has the same conventional style of designing.

Possibly Lifestyle, Fashion and Arts and Cultures can have more creativity in terms of page layout, arrangements

By any means: are editors’ claims about ‘rogue reporters’ really an acceptable excuse?

reoccurring expenses scandal and Gordon Brown’s ‘bigoted’ woman comment wraps politics up with bad press. Moreover, the recent sexist comments from Sky Sports journalists Andy Burton and Andy Gray shows that one PR disaster to another appears in the media.

In January, Assistant News Editor

of stories, and more bright pictures so that these pages stand out from the rest.

All said and done, my favourite story of the week was ‘Feel Your Best During the Festive Season’. Cheery and Girly!

of News of the World, Ian Edmondson, was sacked. Four emails showing he had knowledge of phone hacking provided evidence. Are the lengths a journalist will go to for a story getting ridiculous? Losing your job, facing two years in prison and a fine is the punishment for phone hacking, but it doesn’t seem

Tarren Smarr

C O U RI ER NEWCASTLE STUDENTS THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF

EST 1948

FREE

University chiefs force end to campus sit-in protest lecturers sign petition backing sit-in •Occupiers warned with court injunction •400

J.BUSH

Simon Murphy News Editor Jonathan Offredo Student occupiers of the Fine Arts building agreed to leave peacefully after University leaders indicated the they would no longer tolerate protest, as demonstrators barricaded themselves in and security last personnel manned exit points

Friday. a The University’s solicitors issued letter to occupiers stating that unless they left by Friday noon, they would start proceedings against the protesto tors, including a court injunction restrain similar behaviour on campus in future.

Late Friday afternoon Jeannette AcaUniversity’s Strachan, the demic Registrar, met with occupiers no and negotiated a deal whereby disciplinary action would be taken as against student protestors so long they vacated the premises by 2pm on Sunday.

Up until the agreement was brothe kered, security staff blocked building’s doors preventing food and water reaching the protestors inside.

In an exclusive interview with Viceday, the in The Courier earlier the Chancellor Chris Brink indicated aloccupiers’ time was up. “I cannot low an occupation of the University to continue,” he said.

“Sooner or later on, I must recom-a mend they find an exit strategy be way out of this where they can confronted the Vice-Chancellor satisfied that they’ve made their on Thursday as protestors inside amassed outside King’s Road Centre point. I think they have to rethink watched on as hundreds of students L.MACKENZIE their tactics so they can leave with Standing up for education: police the trust we can have in MPs? ”By good grace.” of the afternoon, he and other NUS University protesting in the streets During the morning, a group members were pouring through and NUS members like Newcastle lecturers presented a petition signed to Parliament, doing their best University president Tom Delamere by 400 members of staff to the Vicelobby, while thousands of students lobbying in the Houses of ParliaChancellor backing the sit-in protesto were kettled by police right outside ment. tors’ efforts and calling on him in Parliament Square.

“I’m massively disappointed and express his support for the occupaIt’s Among those kettled were 10 studevastated for higher education.like tion. dents from Newcastle, who arrived a shame it had to go through Shortly after lunchtime, a small exit in London early Thursday morning this,” he said. group of students charged a fire cer. via an overnight Megabus.

The Activities officer Mike Wilkinguarded by a female security offi One of the students who travelled son and Athletic officer Charley After a scuffle involving other secufrom Newcastle, Barney Nash, a stuWright lobbied 10 MPs Thursday, rity personnel, 11 protestors forced on was College, lobthe Jonathan Offredo dent at Newcastle some with success. Wilkinson their way into the sit-in, joining Delamere with Beith the front line of several clashes with bied about six MPs, all who ended Cutting to the chase: 14 students already inside. and sabbatical officers up voting against the fee rise. a police and was batoned by them.

Although around 60 students had Students Tweed, Sir Alan Beith, who is from Newcastle University joined “I had my hands up in the air and Wright met with his Conservative former Newcastle University probeen involved with the occupation thousands of students in London revealed she wasn’t trying to push towards them, for the rise. since it started, numbers dwindled on Thursday, as last-ditch attempts MP from London, who her fessor and was voting everyone behind me was and was “never going to move from on Friday due to the University’s “I went in with an open mind but of the cops hit me. Although ac- to prevent the rise of tuition fees position. some threats of legal and disciplinary thinking I could make a difference,” proved fruitless with Parliament what they were propos- Delamere said. “The question I pose it wasn’t that hard, it bloody hurt,” said “She tion. fees see the bill that would ing wasn’t perfect but it was better now is why would young people he said.

A University spokesman said that passingtreble. nearly “I think this has shattered the than what we have at the moment,” ever vote again? the head of security and police had On Thursday, the coalition govidea that British students are reviewed the CCTV recording and ernment’s bill passed through Par- Wright explained.

“Personal pledges, they just go whole Delamere had similar luck with back, where is the transparency and Continued on page 5 were satisfied that the protesters liament 323 to 302, a majority of Berwick upon were restrained with a reasonable 21, despite the efforts of Newcastle the Lib Dem MP from Continued on page 6

Sabbaticals lobby MPs in London

What do you think of The Courier this week? Send your 180-word review to courier. comment@ncl.ac.uk

privacy.

I do not condone listening in to people’s private phone conversations or voicemails, but journalists are on the look out to expose. If you decide to make your million by being a ‘celebrity’ then perhaps you have to accept that your private life will no longer be private. Living with the media is a part of the job description.

Celebrities love newspaper coverage when they’re printing the headlines their PR team wants to see; the positive promotion and the praise.

PR representatives need to take the good with the bad. The aim is to limit the damage and manage the bad press. Then you can ask whether there is such a thing as bad publicity? You’re getting people talking and this is, in one sense, the key to PR. The media is powerful because of these revelations of information.

Newspapers can ruin reputations with their damaging headlines and exposés. How comforting is the idea that these words wrap fish and chips the day after such revelations have a lasting effect on the parties involved?

Reputation, and particularly public branding within the media, have become imperative and important to success. The media needs to be on your side for the public to support you, and the fact that journalists unethically hack phones does not prevent people from reading newspapers. It’s only the injured party who suffers from the revelations, not Rupert Murdoch’s wallet.

Too tall for time inside

THE

2010 www.thecourieronline.co.uk Issue 1222 Monday 13 December

to prevent journalists from listening in and then printing those private telephone conversations.

There is a difference between revealing newsworthy stories and trying to embarrass people who make stupid comments. Making someone’s private life public is risky considering libel and the ethical values which go against a breach of such privacy.

The editors accused of phone hacking continue to stress the notion of ‘rogue reporters’ and the idea that they can’t control what their writers produce. However, do journalists really have such power to abuse their editors? It is out of the question that no one else knew that phone hacking was going on. One of the first questions an editor should ask is where the information has come from.

Rupert Murdoch, who owns News of the World, has stated that phone hacking must be entirely stopped.

This attempt to save his own reputation has taken too long considering that the Royal phone hacking row with News of the World began in 2006.

Every phone call can be accessed by phone companies, but we are unaware of what the general public are talking about because it goes unreported. There does, however, appear to be a need for greater protection and privacy over the telephone.

The public can easily be hacked in the same way as celebrities. Just because it doesn’t appear on the front page of News of the World doesn’t necessarily mean it is less damaging or invasive. It is still a breach of

This is the case that new or beginning human rights lawyers would want; defending a man in prison.

Wait, did I just say “in prison?”

Yep. A prisoner, coined Angelo MacD by this lawyer, is too big for his cell. While you may chuckle at the thought, his proportions speak for themselves. MacD is 2.07 metres tall for a start. That is 6ft 9in! A person that tall would have problems in a regular sized room, let alone a small jail cell. Not only is he tall, he is also one metre wide and one metre deep, weighing 230 kilograms.

Unfortunately for MacD, with his proportions, spending time in a jail cell meant for someone several inches shorter and slimmer than himself, makes it very difficult.

Yes, I totally understand that prison is not meant to be easy. Inmates

are serving time for a wrong that they committed. However, there is a point in time when a line should be drawn.

With his proportions, MacD is technically a giant. As such, a normal bed is not quite suitable. Whilst prison officials have tried to make adjustments, such as an extra mattress for MacD’s bed, it hasn’t been enough. The bed, fixed to the wall, is only 77 centimetres wide and 1.96 metres long. Not only does MacD need to sleep on his side to even fit in the bed, it is still not nearly long enough.

“Yes, I totally understand that prison is not meant to be easy... However, there is a point in time when a line should be drawn.”

Bed and sleeping aside, the shower cubicle is small and forces the prisoner to wedge himself in a tight space in order to get a shower.

However, once inside the cubicle, MacD must then crouch in order for the water to hit his head.

MacD, serving a two year sentence for fraud, is meant to participate in prison work as a punishment for his crime. Once again, a similar problem ensues as the space provided is not adequate for MacD to carry out the work that is required of him.

I for one am not all ‘oh let’s feel bad for the law breaker.’ However, I am in support of amending Human Rights violations, which this arguably could be. MacD, prisoner or not, is entitled to the same treatment as other humans, thus entitled to the same treatment as the other prisoners.

One could almost argue that MacD is being subjected to degrading treatment as his bed, cell, toilet, shower, and other areas are not suitable for someone of his stature.

Let’s face it, MacD won’t be the only prisoner in the future that has these problems with space and that whilst prison is meant to be hard, all prisoners should be subjected to the same conditions.

10

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Comment

Will police maps really lead to a reduction in crime?

Yes

J. WHITTAKER

Susie May Beever

Typing the postcode of your home address into the search engine on www.police.uk can prove more than a little surprising. The website which has begun to release all figures and details of reported crimes in residential areas all over the country is like looking at your own reflection in a magnifying mirror: no information is spared. And quite rightly, too.

After typing in my home postcode onto the website, I was intrigued to find that the sleepy little Yorkshire village, which has a population ratio of about 11 OAPs to one student, and includes the all-exciting amenities of a phone box and a bus stop, had a notable amount of violent crime reports over the past month.

Of course, my initial response to this was excitement; for a short moment it felt like Emmerdale was a lot closer to home than I ever thought.

Never before did I realise that the drama on my street stretched further than my neighbour planting some new hanging baskets. However, the underlying issue is that of the right to such information, because it is a right, and not an advantage.

It’s quite incredible to think how far we have advanced over the past decade in released information over crime levels in local areas.

We can now type in any UK postcode and access uninhibited statistics and reports on types of crimes reported, whether there was a prosecution, and even the mobile number used to call the police.

Of course, as with any open access to such explicit amounts of information, controversy surrounds it.

Many agree that it presents a breach of a ‘criminal’s right to anonymity’, if you believe there is such a thing.

However, surely the efficacy of information is more reassuring than staying in the dark when it comes to local levels of crime.

I’d feel a lot safer and reassured knowing there had been a couple of robberies reported on my street than

being completely disenfranchised in being told anything. The fact that they are now willing to publish their ‘inside information’ even suggests that the efficiency of the police force has improved over the years.

The recent phenomena is also a sign of the post-bureaucratic age, where the general public are given more control over the prevention of social problems, like crime.

The general idea is that society has more power and interaction with the public services through new developments, such as crime maps, and local residents’ access to such information can be used as a method which allows them to interact with the police about any concerns, helping you to feel safer.

So, in general all good intentions.

Crime maps should not be seen as a breach of confidentiality: there is nothing confidential about local crime reports as it is a social problem which affects everyone.

The general sentiment that we are entitled to any piece of information about the area in which we live brings the community together, which is in itself the first step to preventing crime.

No Harriet King

I am not sure that I actually get the point of the new crime map, released by the police, now shut down. It does not work like Megan’s Law does in America; you cannot see where sex offenders live and so, theoretically protect your children.

It demonstrates the volume of crime in your area, but lumps together crimes such as sexual offences and shop lifting, a rather diverse group to say the least.

Estate agents are beginning to say that they can use it to help value a property according to the likelihood of, for example, household burglaries in a certain location. Yet certain areas are always going to be more at risk of burglary than others.

A more desirable neighbourhood may have, in fact, a higher number

of burglaries than a less desirable one, due to the potential for more valuable goods to be stolen. Similarly, a more desirable neighbourhood again may have less crime because of schemes such as Neighbourhood Watches in place. Value to the customer is therefore not huge; there is a chance that everyone is going to be burgled at some stage in their lives.

Value to the seller is highly negative. A property in a crime hot spot will lose its worth quickly.

Besides estate agents, I struggle to see the point of this website apart from the idle curiosity of the public.

Theoretically it means that the police can be held to account by people living in the local area. Higher police patrols may need to be put in place in certain areas.

Yet can the police not find this out for themselves? And how exactly will the general public be able to hold them accountable?

Local police already tend to be well aware of areas where trouble is common. These maps cost over £300,000 to develop. Not a huge amount considering other government expenditure, but they do have the general feel of a gimmick.

There are already reports of a street in Portsmouth that has only a pub, a car park and a block of flats and which is only 100m long as having 136 crimes committed on it in December, which throws up serious doubts over the accuracy of these maps.

The map has now sadly been shut down due to the high number of hits taken, but it would be interesting to find out how many city centres had high levels of anti-social behaviour occurring during December and the Christmas party season.

The map also contains other flaws that I personally would far rather know. How were these crimes followed up?

How many arrests were made where crimes took place? How many of these crimes involved victims who had suffered, and how many constituted annoyances, such as disturbances at night?

Interesting though these maps no doubt are to those of us who have been busy typing in our postcodes, I fail to see exactly how crime maps are actually of benefit to the community.

Does private schooling always mean birth over worth?

Laura Mowat

Last week saw the broadcast of Andrew Neil’s BBC documentary, Posh and Posher – Why Public School Boys Run Britain?

Neil argues that since the collapse of the grammar school, it is all the harder for people from ‘normal’ backgrounds to succeed in Politics.

For 33 years, from 1964, Prime Ministers came from State Schools and now it appears to be changing again to favour fee paying schools.

The figures are quite staggering. 19 Prime Ministers went to Eton and a

third of current MPs went to a fee paying school even though only seven per cent of the population attend one.

Our current Prime Minister and his Deputy went to schools which as Andrew Neil put it: ‘charge fees higher than the average income’. Is this fair? Is the country being run by these so called ‘professional politicians’ who really do not understand how the majority of the British public go about their daily lives? Or should we see it as people who have benefited from going to our top institutions?

I think it is quite a naïve view to take that public schools alone mould Prime Ministers, or indeed politicians. As us soon to be graduates have realised, contacts appear to be key in today’s society - contacts which can be made and developed

at public schools.

However, Cameron did also get a First at Oxford and clearly has had to prove his intelligence and competences to reach his current position.

As an ex-public school pupil, I do think that public schools give pupils a sense of ‘can do’, which I believe is clearly vital on any career ladder.

They increase your aspirations and inspire you to believe you can do anything you set your eyes upon. Feepaying schools may be more likely to get their pupils interested, rather than simply encouraging pupils to pass exams.

If schools such as Eton seemingly have the knack to educate their pupils in such a way that makes them good leaders, is that such an atrocity?

It isn’t just politics either. Lawyers are more than seven times more

likely than the general population to have been educated at a fee paying school. The same can be said about the top end of many businesses and journalism.

However, one could argue that in a democratic society, MPs should represent the normal man and if we were to take a look at the House of Commons, there is not a true representation of all strands of society.

As the MP Sarah Teather, the Lib Dem Minister of Education, says during the programme ’things must change’. However, we are a democratic society and so the electorate have voted in these MPs. My own father is now an MP after going to his local Grammar School, but as Andrew Neil points out it may be much harder for young people nowadays as free grammar schools have been replaced with fee

paying independent schools.

It is clearly a complicated argument which should change to make it easier for people from all walks of life to achieve their ambitions.

The hot word of the documentary, ‘meritocracy’ is obviously what we should be aiming for. However, I do think that regardless of the school you attend, the drive, intelligence and ambition must come from the individual themselves.

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THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

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Cutting costs may fell forest-goers Tarren Smarr

Everybody loves Winnie-the-Pooh and his magical friends of the Hundred Acre Woods. As a child, we all read the books and my fellow Americans watched the cartoon.

Winnie-the-Pooh is almost a staple in the life of every child. However, the English can one-up the lovers of this classic tale as the Hundred Acre Woods actually does exist. Or at least it does for now.

Rumour has it that Ashdown Forest, inspiration for the Hundred Acre Wood, is one of several forests that the government could sell to private owners if leaders have their way. For those of you not quite up to date on the situation, ministers want to transfer power from the Forestry Commission to the private sector.

In average terms, the government is done maintaining the forest and is trying to sell it off.

The plan, as usual with ‘big’ plans introduced by the leaders representing your interests, has met a great deal of back-lash and open protest from members of the public. Once again, the government and its leaders are asking the wrong question.

They are asking “how do we sell off the forest?” not “should we sell off the forest?”

If you were to ask a member of the public, both questions are completely out of line. The BBC has noted that more than 160,000 people have signed an online petition in opposition of the government’s big plan to sell off the forest, also mentioning that more people visit the woodlands than the English seaside each year.

So again, for those of you not hip to the new, you may be asking what this actually means. Long story super short, if the government is successful in selling off the forest, they are essentially off the hook for its maintenance. Though it may not seem like a big deal, the government is currently in charge of lum-

Katy Covell Columnist

Selling off the forests: whilst a positive move for the government what will this mean for the public experience of the great outdoors?

ber production as well as restoration and preservation, all of which cost a pretty penny. With the recession and cuts to government spending, privatization of the forest appears to be a viable option.

Unfortunately, I doubt much consideration will go into who the land is sold to. Whilst leaders have made claims that the land will not be sold to developers, there is nothing stopping the average Joe from buying the land and re-selling (for a profit, no doubt) to those developers who want to profit themselves from housing developments, commercial industry and who knows what else.

As such, forest and non-forest lovers all over England have been making sure their views are known.

From protests to open letters to the BBC, many are not planning to idly stand by and let the government wash their hands of the forests.

Some of these letters published on the BBC website have made claims that it is immoral to sell off the

woodlands; after all should anyone really ‘own’ the forest that humans don’t actually live in?

I am all for peaceful protests and such. I even support the creative methods people in Gloucestershire have been using to create awareness of the issue. Placing yellow ribbons around trees will get people to wonder why they are there, but is it enough?

Essentially what the public wants is the continuation of government ownership over the forest. If the government does decide to sell off the land, it will weaken public ownership and some further claim that this will damage nature (as no one is really there to care for it), as well as restrict access.

In reality, the woodland doesn’t ‘belong’ to people. Instead individuals and groups have taken the role of stewards who safeguard and maintain the woodlands to benefit all: animals, plants, and humans alike. These groups, along with gov-

ernment funding and donations, strive to maintain the forest. This includes protection of animals and species that live in the forest, as well as people who use it for sport and recreation.

With biodiversity and global warming being such hot topics at the moment, the government would be making a bad decision in the eyes of their public if they indeed sold off the forest. If the government cannot ensure the future protection of species and maintenance of biodiversity, the idea should not even be considered.

For those in protests, keep on (peacefully) protesting. For those writing letters, keep on writing.

And for those speaking out, keep on speaking. After all, once the forest is sold, there is no going back, even if the government then realizes that they have once again, made a mistake.

Coexistence coalition act on discrimination Harriet King

The news that Jewish and Muslim students have formed an alliance to tackle religious hatred, especially upon university campuses is at once both pleasing and concerning.

It is pleasing because, potentially as a result of the problems in the Middle East, there has been some tension between these two religious groups. A group such as the Coexistence Trust is, in this sense, a highly positive action. The use of education in its programme is also a proactive move, working to prevent any future abuse.

The very fact that Jewish and Muslim students have felt the need to join a group such as this is concerning to say the least.

Mind your manners

Reports of a Jewish student attacked in Leeds on his way to a synagogue, as well as the Muslim student attacked in London for wearing a Jilbab reflect badly upon their universities in particular and students in general.

In 2009 there were 97 anti-Semitic attacks, 79 of which took place upon campuses. A university is supposedly a place for open debate, for an education available to anyone regardless of background, purely on

“At our age, we really should know the realities about the Muslim communities living in Britain, but many people do not.” the grounds of intellectual ability, where individuals can make mistakes and grow up in the safety of

the university ‘bubble’.

Healthy debate, in an inoffensive way is crucial for this learning curve, but the point of the Coexistence Trust is not to attempt to stifle this debate.

None of its members are radical.

They are working for collaboration to stamp out bigotry and to produce greater understanding between two potentially conflicting groups.

They are essential, especially young Muslim men and women who are members, in fighting against any potential radicalisation, creating understanding about the realities of their faith.

Individuals should be made to feel welcome, included and valued at university regardless of their faith.

Members of the Coexistence Trust should especially be welcomed due to the nature of the work that they do.

In light of Baroness Warsi’s recent remarks upon Islamaphobia, how it has become the ‘middle class’ ‘din-

ner party’ prejudice, would seem to me to be more important than ever to stamp out anti-Semitism and Islamaphobia.

Only a tiny minority of individuals are prejudiced, but if the work of the Coexistence Trust teaches any of those who may be more inclined to Islamaphobia the realities of Islam, their work will be well done. University is about learning for later life.

At our age, we really should know the realities about the Muslim communities living in Britain, but many people do not.

If everyone leaves university having been taught this, maybe it will not be too late to prevent Islamaphobia from becoming a ‘middle class disease.’

It may also encourage valuable integration between all classes and cultures of our society, and hopefully will cause a drastic decline in all forms of prejudice-related attacks.

Although a tad unoriginal, it seems only appropriate to dedicate my first article of 2011 to the topic of ‘New Year’s Resolutions’. Or, to be more precise: my New Year’s Resolution.

Now I know this may sound a little self-indulgent, but before you lick your finger and reach to turn over the page (whilst quite possibly also murmuring something along the lines of “One term as a columnist and she thinks she’s all that”), allow me to explain myself.

As I sat down to plan this week’s article (my festively induced spare tyres forcing me to unbutton my jeans before the blood supply to my feet got cut off), I suddenly came to the unsettling realisation that as the author of a ‘manners’ preoccupied column, I have been an awful hypocrite.

You see, throughout the entire time that I have been writing this column, publicly lambasting those persons who stare at strangers, snog in public and selfishly break the silence in libraries - I have myself been committing major manner-misconduct.

Yes readers, I am sorry to have to admit that I am not the faultlessly well-mannered individual that my previous articles may have led you to believe me to be. My crime: I am always late.

I could argue that my conscious efforts to always hold doors open for other people and help weary-looking mothers to heave their cumbersome buggies, complete with -often deceptively heavy- little ones riding down flights of stairs cancels out the small matter of my poor timekeeping. But I feel that would be dishonest.

The fact that I might be polite and helpful in other areas of life doesn’t negate my consistent tardiness.

Recently, I found myself intensely irritated by my parents repeatedly telling me that I mustn’t let my sister down by arriving late for a work project that she had very kindly got me work experience on. I felt that their concern was unjustified and unfair and impatiently snapped back with: “I’m always on time for important things!”

Even if it were an ‘either/or’ situation, it would probably be better not to hold the door for strangers and choose instead to arrive on time for meetings with friends and familythose people that do the most for you, and care the most about you.

Surely a rendezvous with them is just as important as a job interview?

I was horrified to hear that one of my best friends recently worked out that, on average, she loses about an hour a week waiting for me to turn up. It’s not an endearing quality being late - as I used to convince myself - it’s just rude.

As my mum once told me, it implies that you think that your time is more important than that of others.

Never mind worrying about prioritising a gym membership and tackling the doughnut of fat currently residing around my midriff, I’m going to put my efforts into time-management…starting tomorrow. I’m about ten minutes late for a lecture right at this moment.

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Comment

Tony Blair faces more questions in Chilcott Inquiry Laura Heads Comment Editor

As could probably have been expected, the Iraq Inquiry has become a vast arena for various hard hitting truths emerging from our so-called elected politicians that we had absolutely no idea about. The latest ‘scandal’, the fact that Tony Blair did not consult his Cabinet over the potential of invading Iraq, instead choosing to go it alone.

The truth emerged after the top civil servant at the Treasury in the run-up to the invasion, Sir Gus O’Donnell, was interviewed by the selected panel to get to the bottom of the invasion.

Sir Gus stated that concerningly the Blair government had fewer Cabinet meetings than Thatcher and Major. Tony Blair taking a rather peculiar view of what could be achieved through collective decisions, apparently not a lot.

Never mind that this was a monumental decision that has affected thousands of people within the UK, and never mind that we elected our government with the trust that they would scrutinise all big decisions affecting our country.

Blair decided that he could take the decision alone; with the gentle

help and persuasion of a certain American President too, of course.

His apparent reasoning behind the smoke and mirrors approach towards his closest advisors was the fear over how watertight the discussions in Cabinet would be. The possibility that they would become “very public, very quickly” caused him to lean towards total secrecy.

It is fair to say that there have been a number of documents leaked from within the close confines of government boundaries; however the Cabinet should always be the ultimate deciding factor when it comes to making resolutions, especially those affecting the decision of whether we go to war.

It’s not just Sir Gus that has raised concerns over the poor information the Cabinet were given. Lord Turnball, Sir Gus’ predecessor, has said that crucial papers setting out the different options for action against Iraq were kept from Cabinet.

Cabinet meetings were promised but those promises were never kept to, Tony Blair dragged out the process by over a year and a half before discussing anything with his Cabinet.

Tony Blair has, of course, responded adamantly that the Cabinet was kept thoroughly up to date on the situation, with robust discussion taking place frequently.

I cannot imagine that I am the only one who finds the decision made by Tony Blair somewhat concerning and a little scary. The idea that elected representatives were

deliberately manipulated so as to be kept out of such a crucial decision undermines the entire point of the Cabinet, and for that matter, the electoral system itself.

The thought that President George W. Bush was capable of dictating our foreign policy moves when he was in another country, was head of another government and was not elected by the British public, quite frankly petrifies me. If something on this scale has emerged, it makes me concerned as to what else is still being kept under wraps.

Centralisation of power is not a function that is part of our democratic system.

The entire point of electing a number of people to stand and represent our ideas is so our ideas actually get represented. Not so they can be ignored by a Prime Minister who feels it in his duty to ignore his country and follow his closest ally, BFF and goodness knows who else.

There is, of course, a certain amount of sympathy to be given to Tony Blair.

I do understand that it can be difficult having the world’s most powerful man, who is entirely used to taking decisions on his own, breathing down your neck. It has to be daunting.

That being said, we may be a small nation but it has shown that we can make a big difference in the world.

We need to really think these decisions through before going all out for them.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

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18-30 holidays; rite of passage or booze-fuelled sex fest? > page 14 and 15

Health

2011: Time for a fit body and fit a mind? Doctor, Doctor: Harriet Wood takes on her toughest test yet- kickstarting her new years resolution Get fit. Improve my degree. Get a job. Beef up the CV. Stop drinking, give up smoking, lose weight. Everybody has big ideas for their new year’s resolutions and I’m sure it’s safe to say that, with January behind us, most people have already forgotten all about them. Bloated and slightly queasy from that seventh mince pie, it seems easy to promise that the fitness spree begins in January.

This year is different though, because I made the ultimate commitment of joining a gym and, spurred on by the thought that I had spent valuable sale-shopping funds, actually started exercising. 2011 is going to be different I thought, I am finally stepping up to the plate - or rather away from it and towards the dreaded exercise machines.

As I donned my borrowed trainers and shorts, I have to admit I had first-day-of-school type butterflies in my stomach: what if I don’t fit in, can’t use the equipment or realise my ultimate fear and fly off the back of the treadmill? I haven’t set foot in a gym since school and even then it was more of an excuse to socialise than anything else. To my shame, I found myself assessing the competition at my gym induction making sure nobody was wearing too much Lycra or looking in any way professional. Ideally, The Biggest Loser would have popped in at that moment to film a session and alleviate some of the pressure.

I needed to accept that this whole fitness thing is a single player game - it’s no good peeking over the shoulder of the person next to me to compare the resistance on their cross trainer or to admire the 45 minutes which have elapsed on their timer. I know that the transition from slob to gym bunny can’t be immediate, and yet my heart does sink a little when I see my housemate’s tanned little face bobbing up and down energetically on the next machine as I manage, panting, sweating and singing

The Gym: A daunting but worthwhile experience for anyone wanting to get back into shape after over-indulging at Christmas.

under my breath, to complete my half hour ‘warm up’ stint.

Swaggering home from the pool after swimming twenty lengths, I was informed to my dismay that it takes sixty lengths to burn nine hundred calories. So for all my efforts I shifted one of those mince pies.

Just the fact of getting away from revision and doing that little bit of exercise does make you feel so much better though. Revitalised and brimming with endorphins I’m ready for another stint of work. I’ve also discovered that it’s quite the hangover cure if you can make it down there and sweat out some of that alcohol.

Though I hate to admit (after so many years of shunning exercise), it is just a little bit addictive. And eventually, when I’ve mastered the treadmill a little better, I do hope to venture into the wider world and attempt a jog. I’m not promising that I will be able to run a marathon anytime soon but I am definitely progressing. The idea of having a distinctive goal to work towards, a ten-kilometre run or something, would really shape the routine.

To anyone hoping to get fit this year, then I would say get involved.

Jump in at the deep end even if you only manage twenty lengths at first.

Before you know if you may be the envy of the pasty slob next to you, having sculpted your perfect bikini body at last. The main thing to bear in mind is that you need to set realistic goals. Initially for me, this was just getting over the threshold and into a pair of trainers.

Whatever your standard, there is always someone better and worse.

If you do feel a little bit lost about the whole thing though why not just dip your toe in the water by doing a beginner’s class in something like aerobics or spinning at Jesmond Pool? You might just find that you get the fitness bug too.

Take a two wheeled challenge across the toon Dan Robinson cycles his way through Newcastle on his latest fitness journey

For some, a morning jog is the exercise of choice to get rid of the weekend’s excesses or a midweek snackathon after a lecture-filled day. For many, this holds no appeal at all.

After all, where is the fun in running ‘til your lungs feel on the verge of explosion or leant over on the side of Osborne Road throwing up after pushing yourself a little too far? Some people find walking an enriching experience, which provides us with a little bit of a workout without the price of sweat and

blood. But then again, does it really do that much?

Well, what about something in between. After a couple of years of being stuffed in the corner of my garage to rust its life away, my bicycle was turned to in order to prepare myself for a new fitness regime.

Cycling is a good balance between the pleasures of a relaxing stroll in the park and the deathlike sensation which follows a run down the same path. Apparently, cycling works the body about one-third of running.

This may seem pointless in that case, but if you’re doing 12 miles on a bike, then that’s the equivalent of a respectable four in your favourite jogging gear. And the best thing

about it? It doesn’t drain you half as much!

There are some great places in Newcastle and the surrounding areas to visit on a bike outing. The town moor offers some tranquil scenery and a few loose cows to take in while you pedal away, while if you’re a Jesmond resident then there’s a cycle route marked out just for you.

A long stretch of path lies above the Tyne begging to be ridden on and you can hop across the Millennium Bridge to breathe some of Gateshead’s finest fresh air while you’re at it.

And remember, always wear a helmet!

“I need to shed my Christmas weight- help!”

Firstly, put down that tub of Celebrations, get out into the world and start doing. Exercise is the most common way to lose weight and is always effective. You don’t even need to waste your student loan on joining a gym; you can always just go out for a jog. You may get embarrassed going out for a run, but look around you, there are loads of people doing it and I’m sure that some will look a lot worse than you do.

Or you could do what some Freshers do and jog up and down your corridor...

If you don’t feel like getting sweaty to lose weight, you can always start a diet; lots of fresh fruit and vegetables will do you good. You just have to ensure that you keep it up and don’t think ‘Oh, I’ve been good today, I’ll treat myself with this chocolate bar’ because then you are surely just going to keep on the pounds by treating yourself every day!

A surprising method is to eat the same thing for breakfast and dinner.

Your body gets used to breaking down the same foods and can use the nutrients from the food perfectly and cuts down on the fat intake significantly. There’s just a chance that at first you will gain weight before you start to lose it, so stick with it!

If you asked for a games console like Nintendo Wii or Xbox Kinect then jump right in and get using them. Games for both are guaranteed to help you lose weight. Just Dance for the Nintendo Wii has had me sweating my backside off, it’s like I could literally feel myself losing weight.

So whatever method you use, be sure to stay off the pies! Little ironic that I’m currently eating a pork pie...but I’ve been good today so I can treat myself.

Ben Parkin

Eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables to stop unhealthy snack cravings

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Lifestyle

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Life

life

Modern British imperialism: The 18-30 Holiday After BBC Three recently aired Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents, Wills Robinson asks: do these programmes act as a deterrent for students desperate to get away? Or do they make boozy holidays seem more appealing?

It’s a rite of passage. When the majority of British teens finish their A-levels, they can sense freedom, mainly from their parents, who have had them under the thumb for the past 18 years. How do the majority of those celebrate it? Well, the annual tradition of recent years has been to find an island or resort somewhere in the vicinity of the Mediterranean, book some cheap flights and accommodation then, come the end of June, do what this fine country has done frequently and mostly successfully throughout its history…invade and conquer.

For many it will be the first time that they go on holiday without their parents. The recent BBC Three series Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents, has tried to show that when parents send their children off on their first holidays on their own, they really have no idea what they will get up to once they are given that extra bit of freedom. Do those programmes actually stop parents letting their young ones go on holiday, or are parents just trying to clamp down too much on teenagers who just want to enjoy themselves.

These ’18-30’ resorts have become quasi-colonies during the summer months for the past few years, as British teenagers and twentysomethings seek out cheap, sunny, alcohol-filled holidays. These places are considered to be the ‘armpits’ of Europe, with a lack of any pleasing aesthetic, but they really do provide a fair amount of entertainment, mainly for those who are staying there, and even those back home.

Historically, the media has tried its best to lambast these destinations, with images of hoards of Britain’s finest tourists behaving rather badly, continually trying to paint a negative picture of youth culture in this country. Every summer, television stations and the tabloids pick up on stories that leave people both disgusted and embarrassed, but also leave others with a smile Summer fun: The media has tried to lambast these destinations. Every summer, TV and tabloids report on stories that leave people disgusted, but also leave others with a smile.

The Sun covered a story where an amateur football team from Bristol spent a night in a Malia prison cell, because of their attire...they were all dressed as nuns.

For example, last summer, The Sun covered a story where an amateur football team from Bristol were arrested and, as a result, spent a night in a Malia prison cell because of their fancy-dress attire. They were all dressed as nuns. Whilst the other side of the coin sees assault, rape and in the worst cases, murder, with what seems like countless stories of teenagers falling off their hotel balconies.

These combined with documentaries on the infamous resorts of Fa-

liraki, Malia and the pinnacle of all clubbing destinations, Ibiza, have left portions of the population horrified. Meanwhile, the younger population have been left excited by the prospects of one of these holidays, mainly because of the behaviour they can get away with.

It seems like these programmes aren’t just creating a negative image of a generation of young British holiday-makers, they are creating a negative image of the youth population in general. This has been evident in the media even in recent months, with the anti-student coverage of the tuition fee demonstrations around the country.

The question is though, do these programmes actually act as deterrents, so the younger British population won’t go on these holidays.

Somehow it doesn’t seem like it.

For those who haven’t watched the new BBC series, a camera crew film a group of teenagers on holiday

in a clubbing resort somewhere in Europe, thinking they are just being documented whilst involving themselves in some routine drinking and enjoying the sun.

However, their parents fly to the same destination a day later, and spy on them, watching footage of them from nights out, spying on them in night-clubs and inspecting their rooms. Then, at the end of the holiday, they surprise their children and proceed in having a heart-toheart conversation with them. Some say how disappointed they are at some of the acts they have witness, however most parents end of saying how proud they are that they are finally showing the attributes of an adult.

It seems to be a very contradictory process. The parents are giving them a week of freedom away from home.

For some it is their first holiday they can enjoy away from their parents, when really they are scrutinising

their every move. Then they tell them how mature they think they are, after watching them get drunk, parade around in fancy dress, throw up and be hungover for a week.

It’s hard to really understand what the programme is trying to point out.

It just seems like another attempt at showing that young people, in these now infamous holiday destinations, drink too much when they are given breathing space, and is generally trying to degrade this British culture, when there is realistically little chance of actually changing it.

Normally, when teenagers finish their A-levels, they don’t think about responsibilities they are going to have in the near future, they want to have a holiday-to-remember in what will probably be the last time they are together with all their friends. This is the same when they leave for university. Even though responsibilities will start to increase, and the academic side will start to

creep in to the reckoning, they still want to enjoy the university experience.

Should parents be clamping down on their children? The majority of 18-year-olds are preparing to go to university, or move away, but parents still worry about what they do on a night out.

The parents on the programme comment on everything from what they wear, to their relations with the opposite sex, and seemed taken aback when certain things occur. A father was horrified when his son dressed up as a fairy on a night out whilst wearing nail varnish, and

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

15

Life

Lifestyle

life another father was ‘disappointed’ when her daughter exposed herself, in his opinion, a bit too much when she dressed as a devil on a fancy dress night out.

They see their sons and daughters, dressed up, throwing up and stumbling around the street, but still they tell them how responsible they think they are, how adult they are, and how they are ready to go out into the big wide world.

The question is, should these parents still be clamping down on their children that much? The majority of these children are preparing to go to university, or move away, and their parents are still worrying about what they are doing on a night out.

This is the same when parents finally let their children go off to university. When they drop off their bags in their rooms and finally say their goodbyes, the same old lines of ‘be careful’ and ‘don’t drink too much’ are repeated over and over again and echoed throughout all the halls.

However, now they can’t set any curfews or tell them what not to

wear, the only extent of contact they can have is over the phone, on Skype, or for those who are willing to accept them, on Facebook.

Parents can ask their children what they get up to, and even browse the photos they have taken on a night out. However, the parents who are really intrigued about their children’s goings-on at university don’t normally get the full extent of the truth.

As shown on the recent BBC programme, when one set of parents asked their daughter if they had kissed any member of the opposite sex. She said “no”, and that she had “stayed away from all boys”, even though her parents had seen footage of her ‘being friendly’ with at least one boy dressed as an angel.

This does beg the question as to whether parents should just leave their children alone, and maybe just give them a bit of guidance every now and again.

Do these programmes really work?

The answer is a categorical ‘no’.

While the majority of parents would have sat and looked on in amaze-

ment at what goes on during these holidays, most 18-year-olds would have watched those programmes and immediately began to plan when they were going to head to the travel agents.

This has been the case ever since the famous series of Club Reps, set in the Greek fishing village of Faliraki on the island of Rhodes, which is also commonly known as ‘Blackpool in the Sun’. It has been turned into a British drinking haven. A place literally sprawling with nothing but bars, clubs, fast-food restaurants and souvenir shops.

If you went to the island, you’d think it was ridiculous that one of the seven ancient wonders of the world, the ‘Colossus’ had once dominated the coastline, In fact, you wouldn’t believe that you were in another country altogether, with the mass of British tourists dominating the streets, making it look like an English seaside town which is just going through an unprecedented and ridiculous heatwave.

Now are banana boats, bars and sunbathing Brits dominate the

coastline. The programme, trying to exemplify a negative British culture of ‘binge drinking’, actually shows that ‘anything goes’ on these holidays, and that 17 and 18-year-olds can go to these places and pretty much do what they want.

Therefore, the resort, plus others who provide the same sort of ‘services’, has actually seen an increase in the number of young holidaymakers.

This culture of ‘drinking holidays’, has become such a prominent part of the British youth summer, that the E4 series, The Inbetweeners, which has just begun the production of its feature length film, has chosen Malia as its destination, as Will, Simon, Neil and Jay continue in their attempts to be socially accepted by both males and females.

Somehow, it could be hard to argue that a film starring a group of the most infamous, comedic social rejects will have a negative impact on the numbers of teenagers choosing to frequent these holiday destinations.

Lifestyle on campus: Your views

Are student summer holidays a rite of passage, or a recipe for disaster?

Sarah B

Sarah W

Andrew

Pete

4th Year Combined

4th Year Medicine

3rd Year English Lit

3rd Year Combined

“I’ve never really been on a teen holiday, but that’s not really my scene. When I go away, I like to look at the culture; visit museums, heritage sites... that sort of thing!

I can see why people go on them though. Who doesn’t like hot weather, sandy beaches and cheap drinks deals!? ’”

“I’m sort of on the fence. I don’t think there’s any harm in the ‘18-30’ holiday, but I personally wouldn’t go on one. I have friends who thought it was the best holiday of their lives, and I’m sure for some students, it is.

I’d prefer to go to a quieter resort with a calmer atmosphere. ”

“I love lads’ hols. There’s nothing better than a mash up with friends in a hot country. I think it’s one of those things you have to do as a teenager. It’s nice to get away from your parents and to experience life independently. If you go to have fun, there’s no harm in them.”

“I’m definitely anti-Zante. (or any similar holiday!)

I can’t think of anything worse than getting drunk beyond the point of return, then wasting the next day in bed. If you go to a place with beautiful weather and scenery, make the most of it!

Don’t spent your time in a grotty hotel!’”

The Penny Pincher #10 Loyalty Cards

Sarah Bennett Columnist

My brain is pretty much fried after exams, so this week it’s something simple - loyalty cards. For the uninitiated, these are the source of many free cups of coffee, meal deals or even cheap drinks on a night out!

We all know that they’re just an incentive to get you to spend more in a certain shop, but I do like the fact that you can get something back from frequenting somewhere often!

A quick raid of my purse and I find my four favourite loyalty cards: The Boots Advantage Card – this card gives you a great four points per £1 spent, plus if you put the card in the special machines in store, you can find extra points when you buy certain products.

They also have fairly regular deals when you buy a certain amount of products from a range. For example, I love Benefit make-up and now and then Boots run a promotion of buy three products and get 1000 points free – that’s £10 worth of points. My only gripe about this card is that you can’t pay half with points and half with cash.

The Costa Card – now personally, this is my favourite coffee chain, but each to their own. The Costa card replaces the old top-up card they used to have, so instead of loading a card with money, you spend the money and earn points. This time it’s five points per £1 spent and again, one point is equal to 1p. Also, if you register your card online, you get 100 extra points free, which is £1 towards that free cup of coffee and it keeps your points safe if you lose your card.

The Tesco Clubcard – essential for all those trips to the Jesmond Tesco Metro. A little rant here, but it really annoys me when people don’t have a Clubcard when they’re asked for one at the till! It’s two points every £1 spent, plus you get extra points if you take your own bag and don’t use carrier bags.

The points are then turned into vouchers, for example, 550 points turns into a £5.50 voucher off money spent in Tesco. You can even use it online if you do online shopping.

Just register your Clubcard on your grocery account and it adds all your points from your online shopping.

The Vodka Revolution Privilege Card – I know I’ve mentioned this before, but it is one of the best. This is a loyalty card you have to pay for, but if you use it twice, you’ve already got your money back. It’s £4 for the card and then you get excellent deals on pitchers, cocktails and food, plus a booklet full of vouchers. Usually here, I would tell you the exact deals, but I always forget them after a night in Revs, no idea why that is...

Remember, check the Penny Pincher Facebook page for great penny pinching updates: www.facebook. com/pennypincher

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Life & Style Sex & Relationships

sex & relationships blind date

Dangerous Liaisons

George Koudis & Victoria Mole

#10 Walk of Shame

He said: After sending a few texts back and forth, Victoria and I decided to meet on the Saturday night. She mentioned only being in first year and wanted to see a few new places so I suggested a little Spanish tapas restaurant called El Coto followed by a few drinks in the area around our Uni. As with most nights in Newcastle it felt absolutely freezing, so after a quick greeting we moved inside to the warmth to eat. Despite Victoria claiming to be extremely nervous, and neither of us having ever done anything like this before, conversation flowed and I quickly realised being voted by my football team into doing a blind date was a good decision!

The food was delicious and Victoria was great fun throughout the couple of hours that raced by while we were there. We discussed every aspect of university life in the restaurant, sharing our hobbies, favourite music and all the drunken stories we could remember.

Victoria explained how clumsy she is to me with a story about getting her finger stuck in a Ribena bottle, which I thought was quite impressive. After talking about a few of our past relationships, we then decided to move on into what became a short tour of the bars and pubs of Percy Street. This began with a few drinks, cocktails, in Madisons, and a quick walk to (and from) the Gate which was surprising packed with drunken locals for a Saturday night...

Then Victoria mentioned that she’d never been in the Goose before, which I felt was unacceptable and we decided to go for a last drink.

Victoria was open to trying new places, food and drink all night, and it made for a very enjoyable evening

Pamela Mardle Columnist

that seemed to fly by. She was fantastic company and a great laugh, I think we are going to be great friends and I really look forward to seeing her again sometime in the near future - possibly for a trip to Riverside with our housemates, an idea that was mentioned more than once throughout the night.

She said: As a shy person who has never been on a proper dinner date let alone one with someone I’d never met before, to say I was nervous would have been an understatement. With only a half-hearted attempt at most of my 2011 resolutions, when asked if I would do the blind date for the Courier I thought it might be fun to start the year by doing something I’d never done before.

From our texts to arrange it beforehand I already had a good impression of George; he came across as polite, my friends were jealous of the plan to go to a Spanish tapas restaurant followed by cocktails and the edge was instantly taken off the situation by joking that we’d end up in Sinners. As soon as I met up with him I realised I shouldn’t have been worried, he was friendly and the conversation flowed.

The restaurant that he had suggested was lovely, the food was delicious and there was a relaxed atmosphere. I would have expected there to be awkward silences but there never really were and during my clumsier moments (a chip falling on my lap, splashing drink on myself and laughing too much to be able to explain some of my quirkier stories) he never made me

madame vs monsieur

feel uncomfortable, we were able to laugh a lot and I could just be myself. George was funny, tall and attractive not to mention being halfGreek, I can’t think of a single girl who doesn’t have a soft spot for olive skin so I felt pretty lucky, especially when he was a gentleman and even picked up the bill.

Following the meal we wandered to Madisons and the Gate to have a look around a few bars. As George is a third year and I’m a fresher, it was nice to have a tour of Newcastle from someone who knew it better and not to be asked for ID anywhere that we went. After finishing off the night witnessing some interesting dancing, exchanging drunken stories and my discovery of strawberry cider I can say I had a really good time.

K.VONG

Our agony duo Madame & Monsieur tackle the dreaded... man boobs Dear madame and monsieur...

I’ve got an embarrassing problem that’s really getting me down – my man boobs. Since being at Uni, I’ve been drinking and eating far more, and this has caused me to gain weight. At first I didn’t think it would be a big problem, as I can lose weight quite easily. However, no matter how much I diet, my moobs will not shift. My friends think it’s funny, but I’m getting really down and frustrated – I’ve even resorted to skipping meals.

Do you have any suggestions?

Monsieur Moobs are not that big a deal my friend and there are many ways they can be tackled. I’d start by look-

have no choice but to learn to love your man-breasts.

Madame

ing at your lifestyle: is your intake of food a lot higher than the energy you are releasing? If so, this needs to be re- adjusted. Obesity is a serious condition, and no one, not even your mates, will be making jokes if you end up with any of the conditions associated with it, such as heart disease or worse. Any changes made to your lifestyle must be longterm if you are to avoid these. Your Moobs don’t sound that bad to me, so hope-

fully it will be easy to reverse their development. Get yourself to the gym, doing weights and cardiovascular exercises for an all round work out, or maybe join a uni sports club to help lose the pounds whilst enjoying your social life. Moobs aren’t the end of the world; act fast and they’ll soon disappear. Drinking a lot can be a huge source of calories, so look at changing those habits. If you can’t cut back or do exercise then you’ll

You should have thought about the effects of supping on all those Desperados and cans of Strongbow before you filled your little pie hole, oui? Skipping meals you say? This is a stupid thing to do! To rectify the problem, perhaps you should simply stitch your mouth closed and be done with it. That way those around you will no longer have to listen to your incessant whining about how God should choose to exhibit your greed in such a humiliating way.

I can imagine your pre-manbreasts-chest was nothing to boast about anyway. Even so, what makes you think they actually can be rectified? Just remember that you only have yourself to blame, self-control is not an art form my child. In the meantime, have you even taken a second to consider those of the opposite sex who don’t have the opportunity to display a sizeable set of titty-bo-jangles to the world?

The Walk of Shame... the hangover from hell. I’m sure many a welcome has been outstayed in avoidance of this student ritual. Most normal people would hail a taxi, but us students trail the humiliating walk home, still drunk and swaying from the previous night.

It is a testament to students’ selfless nature that we carry out the WoS for it has provided many a hilarious trek into Uni, catching a glimpse of a girl in the shortest skirt and tallest heels attempting to be invisible (or at least wishing she was).

I don’t think there is a more entertaining phenomenon than seeing a guy stumbling along Osborne Avenue, avoiding all eye contact and holding onto the railings of Bar Blanc in an attempt to feign sobriety.

The recent flurries of snow created a comic setting for the classic WoS – I’m all for girl power ladies but sexual liberation is surely not worth skating home in anklebreaking heels. My flatmates and I nearly dropped the shopping in our effort to stifle our sniggering (and horrified gasps) at the sight of a poor girl sliding her way back to the nest.

Her caring host had generously offered his coat, drowning her and ultimately leading her to closely resemble a lady of the night. I’m sure the gent felt he was kind in his gesture, but maybe escorting her home in a sledge or providing snow chains would have been more appropriate.

Feeling in a festive mood, a friend from home decided to take on some ‘overtime’ with the boss following a boozy staff Christmas party. Claire hoped to sneak around his building to the safety of the taxi waiting – any sight of her and the game was up, the outfit screamed ‘dirty stop out’.

Little did she know, the local radio was staging a charity Santa fest in the exact stretch she intended to discreetly navigate. Squeezing through the sea of white beards, hoping to avoid the naughty list, a particularly merry Saint Nicka-like could not resist a festive “ho-ho-ho”, drawing the attention of the crowd to an unkempt and Rudolph-red Claire. “There were children watching!” she screeched upon recounting the story to our screams of not at all sympathetic laughter.

I guess even if you do opt for the “discreet” taxi ride home, you can’t avoid the proverbial (or literal in Claire’s case) baiting crow on your way down. Taking heed of these disaster stories, I’ll be sticking to my own bed with the promise of a hot water bottle and a trek only as far as the kitchen come the morning. I don’t fancy Wossing it all the way home.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

17

Food Lifestyle

food & drink

compare the market

reviews LuigiKhan

Katy Lawson and Lucy Kirk test a favourite student staple - apple juice!

358 Westgate Road Newcastle Upon Tyne 0191 2724937 Following a week of horrendous exams, I welcomed the chance to try out the new Punjabi/Italian LuigiKahn’s as a library emancipation celebration. With a mysterious blonde in tow (my similarly relieved flatmate) we headed down in a taxi to the unknown destination of the Ryokan hotel. Travelling from Jesmond, the journey was a bit of a trek and the taxi ride was fairy expensive.

However, walking in, we knew the journey was worth it. We were immediately hit by the enticing Middle Eastern aroma and tasteful decor. I felt like I had walked into a chic Bedouin tent with a hint of laidback Morrocan charm. The rustic leather booths provide a perfect setting for an intimate meal for two or a cosy catch-up with a group.

An over-extensive menu left us with rumbling stomachs, and the fact that our king prawn appetiser had not been delivered only added to this. However, our hunger didn’t last for long as our starters arrived promptly, reassuring us that there was no way we were leaving hungry this evening. My chicken livers cooked in Asian spices and yoghurt with sautéed vegetables was the perfect balance of heat and taste, a perfect Punjabi take on the classic appetiser. My companion’s Chicken Nabali in mozzarella and béchamel

6/10 Marks & Spencer Apple Juice - 0.002p/ml

A unique dining experience: Using a combination of Punjabi and Italian food, LuigiKhan offers a dining experience with a differ-

sauce lent itself to the Italian influence of the menu, with a rich creamy consistency.

Finishing my last mouthful, I felt a pang of sadness that the dish had ended but was excited about the chicken Karahi to follow. A mild curry of chicken, ginger, lemon and yoghurt with a shared side of mushroom pilau rice and an accompanying Peshwari naan seemed a daunting challenge. I found myself attempting to fill my stomach to its full capacity, the flavours were so fantastic I did not want to miss out on a scrap. The chicken was tender to perfection, and the fruity flavours of the naan were the perfect complement to the Karahi’s spice and full-

flavouredness.

My date’s lamb Jalfrezi was similarly delicious, with its palpable kick complementing the supple texture of the meat. We mulled over the main course for a good hour, not wanting to admit defeat. I considered asking to take the remainder home with me but decided against it; judging by the reasonably priced menu, I realised that the experience could be enjoyed again in the near future without breaking the bank.

Onto desserts (with stomachs full of food but eyes full of excitement) I opted for the lemon and raspberry cheesecake to refresh my palate; the whole raspberries provided a fresh and perfectly sweet flavour. My flat-

mates’ sticky toffee pudding was perfectly spongy and gooey, but I couldn’t have faced the entire bowl following the banquet we’d just devoured!

I finished the meal with a pink Kashmiri chai tea, like a velvety latte with a hint of syrupiness – a definite recommendation should you venture out to LuigiKahn’s.

LuigiKhan offers a unique eating experience which will leave you wanting to come back to sample the rest of the exciting and culturally diverse menu.

Pamela Mardle

Viva Espana! It’s Seville orange season; Georgie Davies shares some of her favourite recipes As its smack bang in the middle of the short Seville Orange (and therefore marmalade-making) season, what better time than now to turn our attention to that citrus companion for more than just a morning glass of OJ. I’m not suggesting everyone rush to the supermarkets for crates of Sevilles and stand over a vat of bubbling marmalade whilst frantically sterilising jars. However, the addition of an orange can add great depth to many a dish.

They are also packed full of Vitamin C, a perfect immune booster especially in these chilly months where a cold seems almost inevitable. Here’s five ways to make the most out of this versatile fruit.

For a cheap student supper try a Spanish chicken oven bake with zesty orange and chorizo. For a delicious and simple pudding to follow, mix orange zest and juice into cream cheese for a fabulous citrus cheesecake. Instead of just boiling or steaming carrots, try cooking them in orange juice and a sprinkling of brown sugar, especially delicious with Chantenay carrots.

For the perfect start to a student night out how about a cocktail or punch with a blend of rum, orange juice, a squeeze of lemon topped up

with soda water and fresh mint. For a warming winter lunch why not add a squeeze of orange juice to a carrot or butternut squash soup.

Here are two of my favourite orange inspired recipes, perfect dinner parties. Let’s start with the baked chicken. This uses chicken thighs, often more tender and succulent than chicken breasts plus they are far kinder to a student’s bank balance!

Heat the oven to 2000C. Pop eight chicken thighs into a roasting tin, a long with two onions chopped into rough chunks. Squash four whole garlic cloves with the flat of the knife, and add a handful of olives and 500g of chorizo cut into chunks.

Drizzle a generous glug of olive oil and the juice and zest of an orange over the top. Finally sprinkle with 2tsp of paprika.

Put in the oven for about an hour or until the chicken is cooked through.

Serve with a fresh green salad and some crusty bread to soak up all those yummy juices. For a Spanish Sunday roast, try this dish but use a whole chicken instead.

Finally, a marriage of orange and chocolate in an easy-peasy cheesecake that will wow your friends.

Stir 70g of melted butter into 300g of finely crushed chocolate digestives

Undoubtedly from the finest supermarket there is, the taste of these lunchboxsized cartons is definitely not worth the price.

More like apple sourz than sweet apple pie.

5/10 Morrisons Value Apple Juice – 0.0001p/ml Cheap and cheerful, this petrol can-sized bottle of apple juice is fairly tasty, but unfortunately smells slightly like a stale urinal.

8/10 Morrisons Apple Juice - 0.0007p/ml Nice and juicy, this refreshing apple juice is a clear favourite, winning in terms of both price and taste-factor. Well worth paying a little bit more than morrisons value for.

7/10 Copella - 0.0023p/ml

Versatile: Oranges are great for your immune system, and taste great in many recipes.

and press into a fluted pie dish with the back of a spoon and place in the fridge. In a bowl mix together 400g cream cheese, the juice of one orange juice and the zest of two, the juice of a lemon, three heaped tablespoons of marmalade and one heaped tablespoon of icing sugar. Pile this

mixture on top of the set biscuit base. Put in the fridge for a couple of hours until set. Before serving, decorate as you like with grated dark chocolate and clementine segments or for a non-chocolate alternative try tumbling ruby-coloured pomegranate seeds over the top.

Obvious winner in taste and smell, this cream-ofthe-applecrop lets itself down through its nonstudentfriendly price tag.

Nice for the occasional treat.

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Lifestyle

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Travel

travel

Hitch: the ride of your lifetime Thomas Castling shares his unique experience of hitchhiking across Europe to raise money for charity T.MASON

Hitchhike: Exploring off-the-beaten-track towns with the help of local people are other visitors to the area. Transport can come in many forms, from a cosy car to a dairy truck

‘Life is for travel, not work’: the words uttered to us in broken English by Allâ, a Portuguese jewellery merchant (complete with dreadlocks) as he whisked us through Andalusian countryside under glorious, unbroken, blue skies, with Brazilian reggae blasting out of his brand new Beamer. 15 minutes earlier we were lounging about by a petrol station forecourt outside Malaga, sunbathing with our badly written signs by our feet when Allâ sauntered over and offered us the lift. It was a fitting way to end the journey: it encapsulates the spirit of Hitch: an unexpected lift from a genuinely nice, happy-go-lucky fella through one of the most beautiful parts of Spain.

For my friend Tom and I, taking part in the Hitch was one of highlights of our first year at Newcastle.

We got to hitchhike across Europe, a way of travelling like nothing else either of us had experienced before.

It’s a remarkable adventure in order to raise money for a great cause -Link Community Development by raising £375 (minimum) sponsorship per Hitcher.

It really evokes a sense of pioneering spirit, exploring off-the-beatentrack towns, amazing locations you would never “plan” to visit and the charming, little destinations you’d

usually only ever stumble across on the dusty pages of holiday guidebooks. Admittedly, whilst you may not want to spend weeks there, it’s easy to appreciate each town/hostel/petrol station before another lift comes along and you find yourself in a completely new part of the world.

The Hitch lifestyle is great, the pace changes so much and you’ll spend your time camping, topping up your tan and never knowing how each day will end Hitchhiking is a relatively easy practice to pick up, we struggled to get into it for an hour or so, five miles down the road, at Washington, but four hours later in Leeds we were turning down lifts from celebrities and sports stars left-right-andcentre (well once) former Man City and Hull City “legend” Geovanni, in hindsight it might have been a great experience, or at least a tale to tell to hitch with him, but in our eager ambition we laughed him off, merely

on the premise that he wasn’t going “the right way”. But we were soon speeding towards the capital and a welcoming bed via the M1 courtesy of a third year student on her way home for the holidays.

The escapade gives you a plethora of anecdotes about eccentrics that you’ve hitched with and mental photographs of beautiful panoramas you’ve come across. Be it driving through the snow-peaked Sierra Nevada sunset, with the ethereal glow of twilight embellishing the majestic summits. Or getting hopelessly lost in the labyrinth that is the D-road system of Normandy in the back of a dairy truck with Colin, a WesternSuper-Mare tanker driver and a character, to put it mildly, with his trucker banter. Or Amy, our very first lift, ever so slightly insane but lovely with it, talking of conspiracy theories and localised places in deepest, darkest, rural Yorkshire where the laws of gravity don’t apply. Or with a genuine Spanish icecream man, Javier, who tested his impressive English expertise out on us, whilst we subjected him to our not-so-skilful Spanish.

The Hitch lifestyle is great too. The pace changes so much and you’ll spend your time camping behind remote service stations, meeting other Hitchers, topping up your tan, en-

joying your driver’s music choices (Beatles, Reggae or Arabic Hip Hop: all popular) and not knowing where each day will end is a great, and completely unique experience.

And when you get to Morocco, it’s equally amazing. Even though it’s only nine miles south of Europe the difference in culture is incredible. It has so much to offer, whether it’s the brisk and bustling bazaars of Fez and Marrakech, or the laidback surfing resort of Esouria, the Atlas Mountains, the easygoing shisha dens, the wondrous Cascades d’Ouzoud, the camel expeditions of the Sahara Desert or the myriad of other experiences that are available.

There’s so much more I’d like to say about the Hitch, both the hitchhiking itself and Morocco, but unfortunately I’ve run out of space.

Hitch is just one of the most incredible experiences you can have, we travelled the length of the entire continent with some of the nicest and interesting people you could wish to meet.

Registration for the LCDHitch ends 14th February.

For more information on the Hitch contact us at hitch@ncl.ac.uk or through our facebook page : Newcastle Hitch Society

Best of Britain Olivia Mason on her favourite hotspot in the UK: Cairngorms The weather will not be cold forever, honest, so the best thing to do while it is - embrace it! Right now is possibly one of the best times to visit the Cairngorms, in the highlands of Scotland, which right now provide a hive of winter entertainment.

Easily reachable on a weekend from Newcastle, the Cairngorms are one of the most beautiful parts of Britain and have something for just about everyone. One of the most obvious things to do is ski; this winter all the runs are open on Cairngorm Mountain and it is a perfect way to get in a bit of extra skiing or try it out without the expense of travelling abroad. Not quite the Alps you may argue but last year Scotland received some of the highest snowfall in the world.

For the more adventurous the Cairngorms provide the perfect playground for winter mountaineering, if you are one of the lucky few who know that routes are a plenty. Or if you have never tried it, there are a whole host of places offering winter skills courses. There is always the option for walks as well, with lots of low level routes all over the area for people who just want to see some spectacular scenery and take some lovely photos.

This is all great if you love being outdoors but what if sitting down is more your thing? Why not take the funicular railway up Cairngorm mountain; you still get the scenery but can wear your jeans and even get the bonus of the café at the top.

Then there are always the local towns; Aviemore is a lovely little place to explore with lots of quaint cafes and shops and you can even head to the Vault, Aviemore’s only nightclub!

Accommodation is no problem either with plenty of B & Bs and youth hostels supplying cheap accommodation for everyone. Perfect for groups of people or a more romantic weekend for two. The Cairngorms are the perfect place to get away from the city; explore somewhere new, try something different, and have a relaxing weekend away.

Cairngorms: Home to some of the UK’s most stunning mountain range, perfect to ski on without travelling abroad

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

19

Hot trends for Spring/ Summer > Pages 20 and 21

All the fun of the vintage fair

Katie Lauren Henry hits the stalls to investigate this unique form of shopping experience Like a travelling circus packed with colour and charm, Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair has been touring the UK for the past five years and visits 22 cities including Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and London to name but a few. It is the largest vintage fair of its kind attracting men and women with a shared love for affordable vintage and unique clothing. The fair takes the pick of the best shops, online retailers and wholesalers, gathering them together in

one venue.

Sunday 30th January was the turn of Newcastle to host this meeting of the country’s top vintage businesses at Northumbria Student’s Union, the sellers came from near and far to display their cherished garments, from 1940s tea dresses to beaded jumpers from the 1980s.

I have to admit I was slightly dubious about visiting this fair. Vintage shops and markets that I have visited in the K HENRY

Affordable bargains: Judy Berger’s vintage fairs travel the length and breadth of the UK

past have tended to be rather pretentious, with clothes and accessories being overpriced and rarely displaying value for money. A far cry from what vintage fashion should represent. However I could not have been more wrong in this case, with Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair offering high quality pieces at very reasonable prices The founder of the fair is Judy Berger and for as long as Judy can remember she has always wanted to work in the fashion industry. She said “I can’t ever remember a time when I didn’t want to work with clothes!” She has always displayed a passion for fashion, and learning to sew at the tender age of six, Judy loved to make her own clothes and accessories growing up. She worked in a number of fashion jobs prior to running her vintage fairs, from a personal shopper at Selfridges to a wardrobe mistress for theatre productions.

Judy explains how she used to love shopping for vintage pieces in London, and loved rummaging in charity shops and car boot sales for unique and affordable pieces. However she describes how fairs can be pretty stuffy and the prices of items are often stupidly high.

She said “I decided to create an event where everyone could afford to buy what they wanted and saw a niche in the market to take my concept around the UK.” Judy encourages people to buy both vintage and high street pieces, with the belief that vintage items have stood the test of time, and that there is space for the old in even the most modern of

wardrobes.

For those who love to shop for retro pieces, this fair had everything. One stall in particular could have convincingly been the wardrobe for the cast of Dynasty, with row after row of bright sequin dresses and cardigans. Almost every stall had fur coats on offer, which were very reasonably priced compared to those available on the high street. One of my favourite finds of the day had to be a long fur coat from Ragpuss Vintage Textiles at the laughable price of just £28.

Denim appeared to be a big hit with shoppers, including 80s style waistcoats, jackets and designer jeans that had been reworked into cheeky hot pants. You could literally smell the 1970s on the worn leather boots, bags and belts, with the Draper Vintage stall even offering an array of leather shorts at a fraction of Topshop’s prices. There were plenty of bargain accessories to be had, with the Gold Rush stall offering cut price jewellery and silk scarves that were two for a fiver (a deal that I apparently could not refuse!)

The Glamour Bunny stall showed off romantic dresses and fitted suits which screamed 1940s wartime glamour, and I managed to bag myself an adorable cable-knit jumper for the bargain price of £5 from The Naughty Knitwear Company – an enterprise run by an ex-Business Management student who graduated from Northumbria University last year. Farmer chic is ever increasing in popularity, and with genuine wax jackets on sale at a mere £25, this fair seemed almost too good to be true. There really

was something for everyone, with vintage pieces for all sizes and shapes from every decade.

Judy’s Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair is everything that vintage should represent - classic clothes and accessories that are reasonably priced. Everyone should be allowed to own pieces that have a story and have been treasured by generations gone by. This is why Judy’s fair is so fantastic, as it allows anyone the opportunity to own a piece of history without having to pay the earth for it.

K HENRY

A girl’s guide to gifts: how to buy for that special someone

Tired of flowers or chocolates? Victoria Mole has the perfect solution for the discerning shopper Gift-givingseasonsarestressfuloccasions for even the most experienced shoppers among us. Everything from budgeting, to selection, to wrapping has potentially dangerous consequences; all the more so when the receiver happens to be female and the occasion is Valentine’s Day. Theoretically, girls are easier to shop for.

There is a broader range of present ideas available and although this may seem daunting, it is definitely an advantage.

The first step to choosing the perfect gift for the object of your affection is establishing a budget. It’s a risky business and you don’t want to find yourself in the position of the party that spends more money and may appear overly-keen, or the party that spends less and possibly creates the impression that they are not as bothered. With most students being financially-challenged and at an (arguably) mature age, there is no shame in agreeing on a suitable budget with your partner. If you do decide on a budget together, it’s essential that you don’t cheat and surpass the agreed amount, lest the recipient of your gift feels embarrassed for not doing so herself.

Once you have set a budget, you are ready to begin browsing. The high street can feel like female territory and if you’re

reluctant to make that venture, there’s always the luxury of online shopping, or seek the assistance of a female companion. If there’s something a girl can never have enough of, it’s beautiful clothes to wear. When it comes to choosing a present for your girlfriend, her best friend is now your best friend. She will know her wardrobe inside-out (she’s probably borrowed half of it at some point) and besides your girlfriend herself, she is the best person to judge whether your choice will impress or distress. Another way to gauge what kind of clothes she will like is to go shopping with her yourself. You could take her to specifically choose her own present or accompany her with the hidden agenda to take a mental note of every time she uses the phrases ‘I love this!’ or ‘that’s hideous’. This should give you some ideas, however be careful not to buy something that she already has and always keep receipts as a precaution.

If you know a girl well enough to present her to people as your girlfriend, you probably know what she has a particular penchant for. Whether it be earrings, handbags or the classic favourite: shoes. Every woman has a weakness for an accessory, which means that they

will own so many that you will suspect they’re actively collecting them (bear in mind that any addition to this collection will be welcome). The issue with accessories is that they need to compliment her existing wardrobe but the advantage is there is not the problem of sizing. It can’t be stressed enough that a woman’s clothes size should never be guessed!

This is another job for her friends who will be able to advise you on dress and lingerie sizes; failing that you can always check her clothes labels. Be prepared that if you are caught in her wardrobe doing this, you will need an explanation if you still wish to spend Valentine’s Day with said wardrobe owner. Especially with lingerie it is important to choose something that she would feel comfortable in, not just what you would like her to wear. Moreover try to think what her best features are and buy something to accentuate them, if she’s blessed with long legs then choose a dress that would flatter them. Consider whether she is the type to like wearing similar things to her friends or whether she would want something more original, if the latter is the case then vintage shops are starting points.

When choosing a present for a girl-

Valentine’s day: disillusioned with more chocolates? the High Street can offer more

friend, the most important thing to remember is that she will probably most appreciate your effort. You could do something as personal as customise your gift or play it safe with vouchers for her favourite shop; you may want to test

your wrapping skills, or have it done by a shop assistant. If you are lucky enough to spend Valentine’s this year with a girl that is worth being with, the thoughtfulness of your gift is more important than its value.

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Fashion Spring/Summer 2011

Spring/Summer 2011 uncovered:

Olivia Mason explores the power of Spring prints

While last year kept animal prints on the radar this Spring’s print lives on but gets bigger and better. Animal prints are still huge next season but stripes, zig zags and floral are also appearing. With colour anything goes this time, bright colours are here to stay with nothing too garish or lively. However black is also back with lots of monotone on the catwalk providing a more classic and sophisticated look. If a more grungy look is what you’re looking for keep an eye out for tie-dye, frayed edges or faded prints.

Do not be afraid to clash, cast caution to the colour chart and go by the rule that more is best.

Keep your eyes peeled for anything from dresses, shirts, leggings and camisoles, allowing unlimited choice and a chance to experiment. Floral prints are perfect for a daytime look with white a key contributor to a more casual look. If a whole print outfit sounds a bit much there are plenty of options to carry out a more low key look. The high street is full of accessories that add a small touch of style; a pair of shoes can finish off a plainer outfit, while a scarf makes a bright addition round your neck or to tie up your hair, making a statement without looking too outlandish. Also making a come back is the print two piece, many high street shops are selling various garments with the same print allowing the opportunity to make many matching outfits that can give off the effect of one flowing outfit. The main message is to use prints to make you stand out as much or as little as you want with endless styles and colours to choose from.

Ruth Scrase uncovers this season’s comeback kid - 1970s Just as the 1950s had Marilyn Monroe and the 1960s had Jackie Kennedy, the 1970s had Jerry Hall. She showed the world that it was not just men that could don the white suit for a bit of Saturday night fever. Perhaps it was the recent resurrection of Halston that brought a yearning for 70s discotheque but this nostalgia doesn’t have to be so literally translated. There are many significant features that identify this decade; permitting it to be adaptable for the individual. Fendi and Dior opted to reintroduce the era’s vibrancy and colour, chiefly tangerine. Meanwhile the likes of Paul and Joe chose to reintroduce white crochet and floaty floral maxi dresses. For a more subtle and modern take, follow Topshop Unique’s example. Other noteworthy features of the 1970s include low slung leather, or for the more adventurous faux snake or crocodile skin, shoulder bags. In addition, halternecks are key; whether they be on maxi dresses or bikinis. The 70s vibe conjoins with other contemporary trends including camel colours (Chloé and Salvatore Ferrangamo) jumpsuits, and sculpted or wedge shoes. Hair and make-up are a crucial part of this look.

The 1970s sees a controversial return to crimping. Though some may see this as

more of a by-word for cringing, volume created by loose brushed out curls may be more permissible. Alternatively, in an attempt to tame the bouffant, hair can be adorned in long silk head scarves that are tied at the nape of the neck, have an oriental flower pinning hair to one side or have a large wide-brimmed floppy hat perched on top. Brows are defined, lips are red and glossy and eye shadow is lilac or green. Versatility makes this a trend that can be sculpted to fit any personality as there are so many possible aspects to interpret and it is up to the individual which trends to embrace.

Charlotte Scott discovers the powers of Minimalism Following such an extreme Winter in 2010, you would be forgiven for thinking that the last thing anyone wants to see right now is any more white, but it seems that designers have been inspired rather than tired by the unreal amount of snow which caused so much disruption across the nation. A quick glance at the catwalk and it’s obvious that Spring/ Summer 2011 is going to be dominated by a minimalist look with designers electing simplistic lines with as little colour as possible.

Stella McCartney was one such designer who has opted for bright white, choosing to combine it with classic tailoring. This season McCartney teamed this basic shade with formal trouser suits, echoing the ever-popular androgynous

look. In stark contrast, Ralph Lauren and Dolce & Gabanna have used the colour to embrace all that is feminine. For these designers full-length, floaty dresses are a must, with the only sign of detail stemming from the same-shade patterning embroidered onto the fabric. However, if the prospect of wearing an all-white ensemble is a little daunting, a splash of colour can be introduced. Valentino and Pringle of Scotland managed to do this tastefully without sacrificing the sobriety of their garments, complimenting their designs with brown or beige accessories and footwear. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous however, take inspiration from Topshop Unique and use dramatic make-up such as bright red lipstick to brighten up your look.

So, just as we expel a sigh of relief safe in the knowledge that the treacherous weather is behind us, designers have produced an array of collections which leave us wanting more of the whiteness that we were once so desperate to be rid of, only this time it is a lot less hazardous and ironically, significantly cooler.

Seemingly, it’s a nice day for a white… outfit.

All images courtesy of catwalking.com Shows featured (top left to right): Dolce and Gabbana S/S 11, Fendi S/S11, Isabel Marant S/S 11 and Sonia Rykiel S/S 11 Shows featured (bottom left to right): Stella McCartney S/S 11 and Valentino S/S 11

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

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Spring/ Summer 2011 Fashion

the guide to this season’s trends

sense of fun exaggeration and ultimate maximisation of dressing up box style pieces seems takes us through to summer. For example the surprising return of costume hats – think cowgirl, sailor, troubadour fronts the 70s trend that appears to be gathering momentum, while oversized sunglasses are making a bold statement while deviating from the classic, safe aviator and pioneering a much more exciting direction – bright, Perspex frames and exaggerated shapes bring out the quirky retro side of spring/summer dressing. Silk headscarves complete the glamorous disguise and epitomise the spirit of lighthearted and functional dressing. Belts have also adopted a more statement approach this season, emerging as multibuckled, bow-tied or waist cinching, working best when set against the powerful bases forming the colour blocking trend this season – namely orange red, dark cherry, purple and neutrals.

Sportswear loses its luxe edge and mixes style with the overriding element of practibility, with the classic gym pants going old school and bigger than ever before. In terms of bags, the hobo sack endures in popularity due to its ultimate comfort and easy-to wear qualities while the emergence of the structured envelope clutch represents the polar opposite of the spectrum, bringing a new elegance to progressively casual eveningwear.

Fairytale fabrics are why Rosanna Sopp is in love with Romance Sports luxe A difficult look?

Poppy Gardner investigates Oh, Sports Couture. From whence did you come, and how did you evolve into your latest, and quite possibly greatest incarnation ever? I have to confess, this is a trend close to my heart. I am someone for whom leggings are vital, converse are non-negotiable, and breathable fabrics preferable. So it is with great delight that I herald the return of Sports Couture for Spring/Summer 2011.

Except, hang on a minute. It’s not actually a return, is it? Sports Luxe is always there, lurking in the wings of the mainstream, or clinging guiltily to Gisele’s lithe physique during pilates when according to trend she ought really to be wearing a Maxi dress. The flaw in Sports Couture is that up until now, it’s tended not to be hugely wearable. Take the body con cheerleadery trends of yesteryear (aka.

2007). Those neon bandage dresses may have been sexy as hell but you couldn’t exactly pop out to Sainsbury’s in one.

But by the same token, they weren’t really right for a cocktail party, or work, or a date. Basically, you couldn’t wear them unless you were in possession of thighs like breadsticks and a cracking tan.

Thankfully, a whole host of designers have reinvented sports luxe once more.

And what a wonderful, wearable selection of collections they are. Jonathan Saunders has gone all pared-down sexy, with classic neutral colours and mesh panels contradicting his cute tennis dresses. Armani are also giving their

own interpretation with swingy, boxy jackets like mini karate gis which have been dipped in mercury. Marni have taken a typically bohemian stance with leather obis and structured obsidian cycling shorts, while other designers courting smart sportswear include Jaeger, Sportmax, Isabel Marant and DVF. The key garments of the new wave include sleek, hooded jumpsuits and tops in luxurious fabrics such as ultra sheer jersey or cashmere. Also, school style gym skirts paired with mesh leotards and the structural shoes that have been omnipresent on catwalks and the high street for the past few seasons.

The good news is that you don’t have to blow your student loan at Richard Nicoll to achieve the sports luxe look. Mix and match leggings in thick, wet look fabrics such as those you can purchase from sport shops with sheer shirts or mesh bodies, and scour M&S for tan separates (surprisingly sexy when done right). As an array of catwalk inspired clothes are currentlytricklingdowntothehighstreet, great copycat versions of catwalk outfits can be readily found in H&M, Topshop, and Warehouse to mention just a few.

Amy Stewart looks into why accessories are an unsung hero After the stark minimalism of Autumn/ Winter 2010 accessories, it’s refreshing to see that we can all now revel in an altogether more fun way of topping off our silk blouses and palazzo pants as a

Romance is back, and this time it means business. With its origins in 1920s Hollywood, where men saved the day and women looked longingly out of rain drenched windows, this Spring/Summer 2011 trend is all about texture, detailing and sheer fabric in a way you’ve never seen before. Gone are the days where romance meant nothing but pastel coloured baby doll dresses- now it’s all about sheer blouses, embellishment and ruffled necklines. Givenchy manages to make romance look edgy and gothic by teaming black ruffles with floor length sheer skirts; Donna Karan brings some sophisticated femininity to the proceedings with champagne coloured dresses with enough texture to knock your socks off; and Valentino’s collection embodies an ethereal wonderland in dusty pink- more fluid chiffon and intricate detail than any girl could wish for. Some things about the romance trend, happily, never change. Valentino manages to do all of the above and more - his collection has opulent pink dresses, gothic black blouses and crisp white peplum jackets, while still, bewilderingly, managing to keep continuity in his collection.

One of the key garments in this trend is the ultimate romantic dress - it should have ruffles, sheerness and detailing galore. If it makes you feel like a princess, it’s probably right for this trend. When accessorizing it’s best to keep things simple or nonexistent- the dress does all the talking. For those not wanting to go the whole hog, or who find the whole package a little too overwhelming, a simple sheer blouse or high waisted skirt with a ruffled hem will fit the style criteria perfectly- Miss Selfridge is the place to be for romance, with sparkly beaded crop tops and sheer pussybow blouses.

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THE COURIER Monday February 7 2010

Listings

Listings

what’s happening on your campus? monday Coup d’Etat

The Riverside, Quayside, 19:30-00:00, £4 Student bands from around Newcastle University will be playing at The Riverside. Bands include Shift Static, RPG, TeaStreet, The Basingstoke encounter and Greg Genre with DJ support from Jamie Johnston. Music is an eclectic mix of Indie, Electro, rock, funk and alternative hip hop. For further details visit http:// www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event. php?eid=176554725718299

Punk Gig

The Central, Half Moon Lane, Gateshead, 19:30-23:00, £3 Punky Sounds from some of the countrys finest. The Arteries, Pure Graft and Teen Rebel Dopefeinds will be playing. Check out the Facebook event for more information.

Do you want your event advertised in The Courier?

This listings spread is for you. A place for students and societies to advertise any events that they are organising. From team trials, to fundraising and charity nights, to live music and art shows - we want you to know what is going on around your university campus - and more importantly we want you to be able to let others know about it too!

To get details of your event published in these pages, all you have to do is email the date, time and location of your event with a short description to: courier.listings@ ncl.ac.uk.

tuesday Give it a Go!

Leadership workshop 13:00, FREE

This FREE skills session aims to prepare the graduates of today to be the leaders of tomorrow. Asking you to “think outside the box” this course tests your current skills as a leader and how you can turn vision to reality. For more information about Give it a Go, or to sign up, e-mail giag.union@ncl.ac.uk or visit www.facebook.com/giag.newcastle

Public Lectures

A contrarian view of sustainability

Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, 17:30-18:30, FREE Matt Ridley will argue that, surprisingly, the best way of shrinking the ‘human footprint’ on the planet’s resources is to maximise the use of synthetic fertiliser, synthetic materials and non-renewable energy.

Over the past two centuries, spectacular economic and demographic growth have coincided with an increasing abundance of resources – land, food, energy, metals, forest products etc. Only renewable resources – whales, rivers to dam – show any signs of `running out’. This lecture will pose the question why should this trend reverse at all, let alone imminently, and is it possible that the most sustainable thing human society can do is to continue to grow, to innovate and to trade.

thursday

wednesday monday TCTV Auditions Fancy starring in Newcastle’s newest, and only, soap opera? Then head down to auditions to be a part of this great new opportunity to get yourself on the small screen. Written and created by students, this is perfect for any budding actors out there.

Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building, 17:30-18:30, FREE Why, in such financially challenging times, is a city library important? Why do we still need (large) libraries in this digital/Google age and why, as in Newcastle’s case, should a city library be such a quality building and space? Tony Durcan answers these questions and more about our libraries

This event is an opportunity for students to discover more about their Students’ Union. Do you want to take up a new hobby, but not sure what? Do you want to gain work experience to enhance your CV? Come along to meet Union staff and officers and chat to them about what you could get involved in and what opportunities are available to you. There will be free refreshments on offer for you to enjoy. To find out more, please visit www. unionsociety.co.uk or email president. union@ncl.ac.uk Your North East: Hadrian’s Wall, one of the country’s most prominent historical landmarks, captured by The Courier’s Photo Editor, Briony Carlin. To enter your yourself for Your North East, send your picture to courier.listings@ncl.ac.uk

Newcastle University International Development Conference Newcastle IDC 2011 : ‘Inequality: Challenging an Assumed Reality’ Armstrong Building, February 26, 09:00-18:00, Tickets on sale at www.idcnewcastle.com Following the huge success of Newcastle IDC 2010, this year’s theme ‘Inequality: challenging an assumed reality’ will explore the lived experiences of ‘inequality’ across the world. Using issues of gender, global justice, health and youth, IDC 2011 attempts to expose the ways in which inequalities effect practices of development all around the world. How can we give women a voice that’s listened to? What effect is fast fashion having on poorer countries? Should developing country debt be cancelled? Who makes the rules? What is ‘development’ and who is it for?

The IDC is a conference run by students

WHQ, 22:00-03:30, £5/7

Get your dancing shoes on, Itchy Feet is back once more to help lift your spirits after the exam season. Due to popular demand Will and the People will be performing live. If you haven’t felt the tickle in your toes, check out http://www.itchyfeetonline.co.uk/. The famous homeless party promises music from Rock ‘n’ Roll to Swing and Ska - it is most definitely in with the old.

Your City: 1. Opera

Our top events happening in Newcastle this week 4. Performance 3. Theatre 2. Film/ Show

Met Opera: Nixon In China

An Evening With Crispin Hellion Glover

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella

First in Three

Composer John Adams conducts the Met premiere of his most famous opera, an exploration of the human truths beyond the headlines surrounding President Nixon’s 1972 encounter with Communist China.

Acclaimed director and longtime Adams collaborator Peter Sellars makes his Met debut with this groundbreaking 1987 work, featuring baritone James Maddalena in the title role.

Crispin Hellion Glover will perform his Big Slide Show (a one hour dramatic narration of eight different profusely illustrated books he has made over the years).

This is followed by a screening of the film It is fine! EVERYTHING IS FINE (or What is it?) followed by a question and answer session and a book signing.

Tickets are selling fast so book soon to avoid disappointment, visit www. starandshadow.org.uk for more info

Matthew Bourne’s interpretation depicts a chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

Bourne’s vivid storytelling has never been more heart-stopping and touching, creating a unique and unforgettable depiction of a familiar and beloved fable.

Visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk to book tickets now.

Showcasing the best in new writing, comedy, theatre, dance and music and everything in between, First in Three is like a late night cabaret show that you can have your say on.

They are always looking for new ideas, so if you’ve got something you want to try out in front of an audience, visit www. northernstage.co.uk for more information. There will be another show in May that you can get practicing for if you want to be involved.

Tyneside Cinema, February 12, 18:00, Stalls £22.50/£20.50 Circle £28/£26

Theatre Royal, February 8-12, 19:30, £12-£37

The Telegraph, Orchard Street, Behind Saturday 12, 17:00, FREE Central Station, 20:00 - 23:00, £3 Join the Newcastle University

Newcastle’s libraries

First Floor Students Union, Park Terrace, 12:00-15:00

Northern Stage, February 10, 19:30 Doors, 20:00 Start , £4

who have come together to question what is being done about inequality in the world today. Unfortunately Inequalities are often left assumed, and unquestioned.

This conference will engage with these assumptions, providing delegates with a chance to challenge the assumed realities of inequality, and to develop mechanisms with which to deal with them.

The IDC will provide a platform for stimulating debate and discussion amongst students, academics and members of the public. It will bring together experienced speakers in the form of global charity organisations, academics, and journal-

ists. Speakers will include; Bill Kerry, co founder of The Equality Trust and John Hilary, the Executive Director of the charity War on Want, Dr Paul Roux, a senior paediatrician in Cape Town and Kathrin Hartmann, a German Journalist (as well as many more).

The conference will challenge guests to analyse inequalities in the world, looking at race, gender, health, youth and debt amongst other themes. The opinions and actions of the speakers will hopefully inspire guests to think about the issues raised, and demonstrate things that can and should be done.

5. Art

6. Music

Chris Moore: Catwalking

University Composition Concert

Chris Moore’s photographs appear in every major newspaper and magazine – from The Times to Vogue with The Guardian, Observer, Independent and Harpers Bazaar in between. During his career he has captured images of every conceivable catwalk happening. From the rarified ateliers of Paris Couture in the sixties with Yves Saint Laurent, Pierre Cardin and Courreges to the mind-blowing spectacles staged by Hussein Chalayan and Alexander McQueen.

Northern Sinfonia presents a concert of works created by advance composition students from Newcastle University. After two days of workshops this concert is the culmination performance of selected works.

The theme for this year’s works is ‘old meets new’ and the concert promises to show off some of the best musical talent in the University. Check out http:// www.thesagegateshead.org/ for more information and to buy tickets.

University Gallery and Baring Wing, Northumbria University, Running to February 18, FREE

The Sage, Gateshead, February 10, 21:00, £7.50

Give it a Go!

12:00, £3

Public Lectures

Discover more about your Students’ Union

weekend

Comedy

This activity gives you an opportunity to ease away all those exam stresses with a Thai Massage session. For just £3 you can book a 20-minute massage with a trained professional. To sign up, e-mail giag.union@ncl.ac.uk or visit www.facebook. com/giag.newcastle

Union Open Day

friday

Give it a Go! Thai massage

13:00, Union, Park Terrace

Itchy Feet Newcastle

Star and Shadow Cinema, February 8 & 9, 19:30

Listings Editor : Ciara Littler - courier.listings@ncl.ac.uk

Laughing Lasses

Join the Laughing Lasses for a New Material & New Act Night. This all female line up comedy night is the only regular one between Manchester and Edinburgh and it is not to be missed. Laughing Lasses are all for supporting and nurturing new comedic talent as well as thinking of the audience’s, purse strings, so this evening is perfect for those on a budget and in need of a laugh..

The New Act & New Material Night will be showcasing emerging comediennes, including: Sarah May-Philo, Comedy Central’s ‘Clean Up Your Act’ Finalist Sarah Cassidy, Finalist ‘Old Speckled Hen’ Comedian of the Year 2010 Anna Devitt, Semi-Finalist Scottish Comedian of the Year. For more information, see www. laughinglasses.co.uk or email info@laughinglasses.co.uk

Fencing

Fencing Club for a FREE taster in this exhilarating and exciting sport! This session will last around an hour, and we will provide all relevant equipment and safety training.

To sign up, e-mail giag.union@ncl.ac.uk

Valentine Ball

Saturday 12, 17:00, From 19:00 The Newcastle Falcons are hosting a black tie Valentine ball and fashion show to raise needed funds for teenage cancer units. As well as a hog roast and dancing, there will be a fashion show featuring some of the High Street’s biggest brands and special appearances from Newcastle Falcon players. For more information, please go to www.robbieandersonfashionshow.co.uk or contact Georgie Fowle at georgie@addoastra.com

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Life & Style

Back to the future, the re-emergence of yesterday’s stars > Music, page 29

stage

Bourne to dance Laura Ellen Holmes on Matthew Bourne’s latest stage sensation

After last year’s sell out run of Swan Lake at the Theatre Royal, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures dance company returns to Newcastle once again.

This time, the company will perform Bourne’s re-interpretation of Cinderella, billed as a thrilling and evocative journey through London during the Second World War. In Bourne’s re-working of Sergei Prokofiev’s unforgettable score, Cinderella is granted the power of grace for one enchanted evening and meets a handsome young RAF pilot.

While the two are together long enough to fall deeply in love, they are later separated by the onslaught of the Blitz. The two leads are played

by New Adventures regulars Kerry Biggins (who has starred in The Nutcracker) and Sam Archer (who played the Prince in Swan Lake).

Famous for subverting what we consider to be traditional dance, Bourne once again offers a variety of dance styles throughout the production, fusing ballet with more modern forms such as jitterbug, jive, and lindy-hopalong.

Bourne claims to have drawn on inspiration from normal life in the 1940s: “People went to dance halls to escape the gloom of the blackout — to jitterbug and quickstep in glittering ballrooms.”

All of these are thrown into a melt-

ing pot to create an exciting and vibrant production. Alongside this, Bourne has once again joined forces with collaborator Lez Brotherstone, who has created a set able to transport us back into the Forties, where Cinderella is taken to the ball by motorbike in a blackout.

The storyline parodies the chasteness of Cinderella as a fairytale, as the stereotypically sweet and innocent heroine has a one night stand with her Prince Charming. On this Bourne says: “It’s discreet and very romantic. It captures the spirit of the time. Emotions were heightened.

There was a feeling that life was precarious and fear made people impulsive.”

Matthew Bourne started his first dance company, Adventures In Motion Pictures, in 1987. It was met with great success, in particular its dazzling productions of Swan Lake, The Car Man and The Nutcracker. After 15 years in 2002, the company disbanded with Bourne going on to set up New Adventures, which has seen equal success with shows such as A Play Without Words, for which Bourne won a prestigious Olivier Award.

Cinderella, which first opened in the West End in 1997, has been revisited to create a brand new production, in honour of the 70th anniversary of the Blitz. Bourne has also stated that the production is a tribute to these family roots he has in the East End of London.

The production started its tour with a run at the acclaimed Sadler’s Wells theatre and will now embark

Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella sees the classic fairytale transform into a story of love and life in London during the Blitz

on its run which sees it playing in theatres all around the country.

Grab a ticket while you can as it’s selling out fast. Bourne himself will

books

also be giving a post-show talk after the opening night. This is one production that you don’t want to miss.

Cinderella is on at the Theatre Royal from 8-12 February. For tickets and information visit: www.theatreroyal. co.uk

dance

Award-winning author’s wise words Ballet with male talent Jeanette Winterson, one of the best known and original novelists in the UK, will be bringing her unique approach to writing and story telling to Newcastle’s Culture Lab as she performs literary readings of her recent work.

She is most famous for her first novel Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit (1985), written at the age of 24.

The book was later adapted for the BBC by Winterson, which went on to win ‘Best Drama’ at the 1990 Bafta awards. Winterson’s other novels include Boating for Beginners (1985), The Passion (1987), Sexing the Cherry (1989), Art and Lies (1994) and, more recently, Lighthouse Keeping (2004).

She also discussed and explored the realms of art and culture in a book of published essays Art Objects. Having successfully smashed the adult market, Winterson has now turned her talented and creative hand to children’s writing.

Her latest book is the second of her children’s novels, Battle of the Sun

(2009) which combines humour and mystery in a fantastically inventive way.

Winterson won an OBE for her contribution to writing in 2006, and has won various awards around the world for her fiction and adaptations, including the Whitbread Prize, and the Prix d’Argent at the Cannes Film Festival.

In recent years she has dabbled in journalism and regularly writes for various national newspapers, particularly The Times and the Guardian.

Winterson left home at 16 after coming out as a lesbian; having worked in a variety of jobs she went on to study English at St.Catherine’s College, Oxford.

She believes that these aspects of her personal life have greatly contributed to her distinctive approach to writing.

Jeanette Winterson’s writing has risen to such critical acclaim due to her individual take on the explora-

tion of the boundaries of physicality and the imagination and at many times controversial discussion of gender polarities and sexual identities.

Winterson is also openly political: she is strongly left-wing but supported the Liberal Democrats in the 2010 elections.

Organised by the Newcastle Centre for the Literary Arts, Winterson is one of a series of creative figures involved in the semester’s programme, which focuses on examining societal challenges in the 21st century.

This talk will give people the opportunity to have a fascinating insight into the notorious world of Winterson, which has influenced and challenged many.

Jeanette Winterson appears at the Culture Lab on 10 February. For tickets and information visit: www.ncl.ac.uk/ncla Sally Priddle

If you’ve had the pleasure of seeing any of Matthew Bourne’s controversial ballet productions, you’ll know that there’s nothing quite like male ballet dancers. Whether it’s the muscular male swans in Swan Lake or the limitless energy of the mechanics in The Car Man, male ballet dancing has evolved from a supporting role to an exciting, energetic art form inspiring thousands of young boys all over the world.

BalletBoyz are one such example and they’re bringing their own brand of ballet to Newcastle this month. Created in 2009 from an open audition, protégées of former Royal Ballet principals Michael Nunn and William Trevitt were originally nicknamed the “BalletBoyz” in 1999

by Channel 4 in their TV diary about life in the Royal Ballet.

Now turning their hands to directing, Nunn and Trevitt have created a ballet company made up of nine hand-picked young male ballet dancers, some of whom have not finished college, and one who was

about to join the Marines before being offered a place with BalletBoyz, which has helped to redefine the image of male dancers.

Together they practice a new style of modern dance production which received rave reviews on their first tour in 2010. BalletBoyz’ latest show, The Talent presents three works including a brand new commission and two reworkings of classic ballet dances.

‘Torsion’ is a reworking of Russell Maliphant’s original duet for Nunn and Trevitt and will be performed with six dancers to create an exciting display of dance and special effects, Paul Roberts’ ‘Alpha’ contains the full ensemble dancing to the music of up and coming singer-songwriter Keaton Henson and ‘Void’ is a specially commissioned, lively piece by freelance dancer and Czech choreographer Jarek Cemerek which is sure to grab your attention.

Aimee Philipson

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

25

Arts Culture Arts Editor: Stephanie Ferrao - courier.culture-arts@ncl.ac.uk

debate

Can Glee make the leap from TV to stage?

Lucinda Borrell and Rosie Tallant come to blows over whether the hit-series’ UK concert tour will live up to its expectations YES For those of you who have been living under a rock for the past 18 months, Glee tells the story of a group of teens at the bottom of the high school pecking order who desperately want to win various singing competitions in order to gain the respect of their peers.

It sounds like High School Musical re-hashed, but factor in the teenage pregnancies, the return of long-lost parents, sexual frustration, sexual confusion and the fact that the Glee Club remains on the whole relatively unsuccessful, what you actually have is a programme with more maturity and substance than its musical-comedy peers.

But with a brand new concert tour recently announced with dates in three major UK cities, is it possible for Glee to be as successful on-stage as it is on screen?

It is important to know that the Glee tour is not a musical in the traditional sense, nor is it an extension of the show itself; instead it is more like a concert where the original cast, including Lea-Michelle and Cory Monteith, sing the most popular songs from series one and two.

It is the songs and the songs alone that make Glee so popular – the rest is merely decoration.

Covering a multitude of eras and genres from Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ to Les Miserables’ ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ and everything in-between, including songs by Kelly Clarkson, Paramore, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Cyndi Lauper and Lady GaGa, there is something in the Glee repertoire to suit everyone. Each song well harmonised, updated and re-choreographed will have audiences standing up, dancing and joining in!

Throughout the series there seems to be a certain something both magi-

Glee has found fame as a musical-style TV show, but does this mean that it’ll be as successful as a concert-show tour?

cal and miraculous in the music, giving the show something of a gravity-defying quality to it.

Sure, the songs are cheesy - I’m the first to admit it - but they are cheesy and cheerful in the best way possi-

ble way and, unlike High School Musical, don’t make you want to vomit up rainbows.

With a dreary state of public affairs where there is little to smile about, Glee is a bit of Prozac for the soul.

NO

As the concert tour version of Glee is set to hit Europe this year, ‘Gleeks’ everywhere are no doubt dancing with anticipation.

But, though much anticipated, I suspect that this stage adaptation will be just as predictable and downright dull as the original TV programme is.

For a start, the television series is such an overly-dramatised ball of cheese that it is easy to forget that you are watching television at all.

Thanks to the genius ‘motif’ of a stage, any stage, appearing in 99 per cent of all scenes, it is no surprise that I occasionally forget firstly that this is an American import TV show rather than a concert-style series of performances and secondly, the stage is not, in fact, one of the principle characters, even though its musical abilities are noticeably more superior.

All of this leads me to some troubling questions: if this TV series is practically a production anyway, how can its translation into a concert show be successful?

Will the audience forget that they are not at home staring blankly at their television sets and consequently rush out to make themselves a cup of tea in the talking bits, or remove their trousers? Will anyone even notice?

Unfortunately, it is likely that ‘Gleeks’ would rather spend a horrendous amount of cash on the complete Glee box set than on a ticket that will only permit them two or three hours of mindless, autotuned fun.

After all, these are the fans who have no qualms about sitting on their sofas every night watching something vaguely similar yet boundlessly inferior to what is no doubt being performed on a real stage, in a real theatre, in the very city that they are living in.

There’s no doubt that this production will be lacking the same charisma and style that is devoid in its television counterpart.

news

Tragedy as RSC cuts mean no show for Newcastle The end of January brought unwelcome news for arts lovers across the North East as the Royal Shakespeare Company announced that they will not be bringing a new season to the Theatre Royal in 2011.

The RSC’s artistic director Michael Boyd explained that due to recent budget cuts, the company has been forced to reduce their number of productions and so the Newcastle season has been given the axe.

The RSC has maintained strong connections with the Theatre Royal since 1977 and the annual series of productions have become a cultural pilgrimage for theatre goers across the North East.

These cuts are sure to cast a shadow over the largely London-centric

nature of top-flight theatre.

Although Boyd stated that the company plans to return to Newcastle in 2012 with a new repertoire, this seems a long way off.

Financial pressures on the company have inevitably been the crucial factor behind this decision, but surely it will have nothing but a detrimental impact for nationwide interest in the company’s adventures.

Despite the RSC’s intentions to make their work accessible across the country, their aim will not be achieved this year unless audiences from the North are willing to travel to Stratford-upon-Avon – a somewhat unrealistic option for cashstrapped students.

The University’s School of English

normally compliments their teaching with visits to the Theatre Royal at the beginning of each academic year, allowing students to experience Shakespeare’s plays performed in traditional and re-invented styles, and featuring some of the most talented Shakespearean actors in the world.

Performances from Kathryn Hunter as Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra and Greg Hicks’ exhilarating depiction of the title role King Lear are just some examples of the delights that local audiences had on their doorstep last year.

It was a highly successful season in Newcastle in 2010 and therefore it is particularly frustrating that Northern audiences are denied the oppor-

tunity to experience more performances by the RSC. It is understandable that the company has had to accommodate budget cuts amounting to 6.9 per cent and therefore tough decisions were needed.

Boyd and his team certainly would have had heavy hearts when the decision was announced, but we can only hope that it will only affect the RSC plans for this year.

The RSC’s return is already highly anticipated in the North East, and no doubt they will be gladly welcomed back with more sold-out shows and a newly restored theatre.

The region will definitely lose out due to the harsh cuts, with people unable to enjoy the new RSC sea-

son, which includes some of Shakespeare’s best plays such as Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was inevitable that the arts would face difficult cuts and financial worries this year, but to lose an appearance from one of the most prestigious theatre companies is damaging.

Following the RSC’s appeal to the Arts Council for funding, it is hoped that the company will be able to leave the economic difficulties behind them and triumphantly return to the Theatre Royal. We can be sure that this autumn’s audiences will sorely miss the 2011 RSC repertoire.

Juliet Armstrong

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Culture Film

film film of the week

Tangled 3D Director: Nathan Greno and Byron Howard Cast: Zachary Levi, Mandy Moore, Donna Murphy Runtime: 100 mins

Disney’s 50th animated film comes in the form of Tangled; a new, innovative version of the Rapunzel fairytale that detours from the traditional ‘princess movie’ in favour of a good-hearted adventure story.

This adaptation sees Princess Rapunzel, born with magic hair that restores youth and heals the sick, stolen as a baby by the selfish Gothel, a witch who seeks to use Rapunzel’s enchanted locks in order to retain her youth. Hidden away in a secluded tower for 18 years and unaware of her true identity, Rapunzel longs to see the outside world. She is finally given the chance when the mischievous thief Flynn Rider stumbles upon her prison and aids in her escape. But Gothel isn’t about to let her get away so easily.

Straight away, one thing becomes clear: the animation is stunning.

The CGI, which could have been a make or break for the film, manages to maintain that classic Disney style whilst introducing a new, stylised aesthetic. The gorgeously rendered

pastel colours are directly modelled on the look of oil paintings on canvas, with a distinct Romantic glean.

It happily prevents the CGI from being too garish, favouring a warmer, dream-like tone. It is deeply beautiful, displaying as much artistic flair as Sleeping Beauty or Fantasia. A shame, then, that the 3D is so lifeless and flat. It could have enhanced an already beautiful film, but fails to deliver. Stick to two-dimensions in future, Disney.

The songs, written by Disney stalwart Alan Menken, are very welcoming, if not particularly memorable. They’re kept short and simple, sometimes very funny, and they allow the story to move along nicely without breaking up the pace as a good musical should. At its heart, Tangled is a simple story about two unfulfilled lives becoming entangled with each other. Rapunzel (Mandy Moore), a sweet, naïve and emotionally insecure waif, and Flynn (Zachary Levi), an arrogant, womanising yet loveable rogue, make for the perfect odd couple. The script handles the development of their growing love for each other with sensitivity and believability; there’s no love at first sight to be found here.

The supporting characters are great, with Mother Gothel (Donna Murphy) a memorable comedy villain.

She’s not evil for the sake of being evil, but is instead possessed by a

selfish and manipulative obsession with youth and good looks. The vocals are done with style and capability, but it’s Maximus the horse that proves to be an absolute scenestealer. His every facial expression is comedy gold, and he’ll surely go down in history as one of the great Disney characters.

The film, while restrictively linear in plot, also contains some astonishing set pieces: a stand-out scene in a tavern inhabited by cut-throats and bandits deserving an honourable mention, enhanced by the spitfire dialogue and fun visual gags. Other scenes, too, are capable of real emo-

film five

Famous movie myths 5) The Blair Witch Project is based on a real story Back in 1999, The Blair Witch Project had one of the largest and most effective publicity campaigns in Hollywood history. It was the first film to use the internet to great effect, having exploited it to create an entirely new Blair Witch legend. Through this elaborate back-story and word of mouth, this low-budget film was a massive hit, and completely made up.

4) Walt Disney was cryogenically frozen This enduring rumour says that upon his death Walt Disney was frozen, ready to be resurrected in the future. In reality, he was cremated on 17 December 1966 having died of a heart attack. Perhaps fuelling this myth was the fact that a year later, the first ever person was cryogenically frozen, and that Disney himself had a keen interest in science.

3) A ghost can be seen in Three Men and a Baby The famous scene with the ghost of a boy standing in the window spawned many extraordinary back stories. The truth however is slightly more mundane. It is actually a cardboard cut-out of Ted Danson, left over from an earlier scene. The motionless figure is relatively eerie

in this otherwise unremarkable 80s film.

2) A stuntman was killed during the chariot race in Ben Hur This story recounts that an actor in the famous chariot race scene can be seen being crushed to death as his chariot crashes. Although quite a believable story, having happened at a time when ‘health and safety’ was less important, it isn’t true. No recorded deaths occurred on set, and a cynic might say that such stories are no doubt encouraged by the studio to attract publicity.

1) The Wizard of Oz synchronises with the album Dark Side of the Moon There are many websites dedicated to listing moments in the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz that match key points in Pink Floyd’s album Dark Side of The Moon, released in 1973.

Although an entertaining story, disappointingly any similarities are merely coincidental. The band members themselves have expressed bemusement at this story, which has persisted for many decades.

Jeremy Trotter

tional wallop. However, where the film excels is in its utilisation of Rapunzel’s magical mane. What could have been cumbersome instead becomes a tool; she uses her hair to swing across caverns, to light up the darkness, and restrain her attackers.

It’s a stroke of genius on the part of the film-makers, allowing Rapunzel to transform from a shrinking violet to a self-actualised heroine by her own means. It all makes for a very happy ending.

of Disney’s unique humour and heart. It successfully combines the traditional fairytale with modern animation, and is pleasingly devoid of those grating pop culture references that plague animated films these days. The characters are charming, the songs are sweet, and the romance is believable; all in all, a joy to behold. A true Disney classic indeed.

Kathy Jackman

Verdict: While the 3D falls flat, Tangled is nonetheless pithily written, visually stunning, and full

preview The Green Lantern

Director: Martin Campbell Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Peter Sarsgaard ETA: June 2011 Not to be confused with the similarly titled Michel Gondry film The Green Hornet, it is possible to say that The Green Lantern is set to be the big blockbuster of the summer, with a rumoured $150 million budget.

Starring Hollywood hunk Ryan Reynolds and ‘It girl’ Blake Lively, the star power in this alone is sure to make it a success.

Based on the comic series of the same name, test pilot Hal Jordan (Reynolds) becomes the first hu-

man member of the Green Lantern Corps: a brotherhood sworn to keep intergalactic order. Each has a ring which gives him superpowers by creating whatever his mind does.

When a new enemy called Parallax threatens the universe, Jordan is pressured into honing his powers in order to save the Earth. Lively will play his love interest, Carol Ferris, while Sarsgaard will take on the role of Hector Hammond, Hal’s human enemy.

The movie looks likely to be similar to many comic book superhero films we have seen in the past with Warner Bros. hoping it follows in the footsteps of their smash hit The Dark Knight. The film will also be following trend by having the 3D treatment and therefore only time will tell if this DC comic classic will be as successful as the Seth Rogen movie currently on release.

Kathy Jackman

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

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Film Culture Film Editor: Adam Williams - courier.culture-film@ncl.ac.uk

awards season

British class or Hollywood glamour?

Chris Binding looks at the differences between the Bafta awards and the Oscars With the Golden Globes already over and the Bafta and Oscar ceremonies on the horizon, it is clear that awards season is underway.

Despite the lavish grandeur and celebrity infatuation associated with these ceremonies, they showcase a culmination of the year’s best cinema, paying recognition to the individuals and talent involved. Although the ceremonies share similar traits of copious production design and melodramatic speeches, there are still important differences between the American and English counterparts. While the prestigious Academy Awards from 1929 have developed alongside Hollywood, the Baftas’ recent rise to acclaim as an ‘alternative Oscars’ have modernised into a platform for international talent and potential stepping stone to Oscar success. In an industry dominated by the powerful Hollywood conglomerate, the Baftas evoke a sense of national identity, reflecting the British film industry with quirky, eclectic and independently influenced nominations.

Although this year’s nominations share select films and the voting process of the Oscars, the ceremonies differ in certain ways. While Oscar statuettes can determine box office figures significantly, Bafta nominations can launch relatively unknown actors to international stardom. In 2009, the nomination for Dev Patel’s debut in Slumdog Millionaire placed him in direct competition with heavyweight opposition in the form of previous Oscar nominees Mickey Rourke and Brad Pitt.

Similarly, the Oscars’ main focus

upon English speaking film is embodied in their limited ‘Best Foreign Film’ category, while the Baftas have a more liberal attitude with foreign films and actors being nominated across several different categories.

This autonomous selection process is also reflected in the slightly informal workings of the ceremony. As their chief executive stated, there is ‘an assumption of attendance at the Oscars’ and if nominated, performers are contractually bound to leave shooting so they can attend as opposed to the Baftas which provide a more relaxed amiable atmosphere.

The assumption that the Baftas are an inferior imitation to the Oscars is unfairly commonplace and as Bafta Chairman David Parfitt passionately responded, ‘we always have enough quirky results and a rather different mix’; which is fittingly demonstrated by the equal focus on awards ranging from ‘Best Short Film’, ‘Orange Rising Star Award’ and ‘Make-Up and Hair’ in contrast to the generic ‘Best Picture’ awards.

As the surprise triumph of independent British film The Full Monty over James Cameron’s monolithic Titanic in 1998 demonstrated, the prestige of the Baftas is often vulnerable to accusations of national bias. As the awards were conceived by industry legends including British actor Laurence Olivier and have specific awards categories including ‘Outstanding British Film’, it is understandable why claims of bias threaten the awards’ critical standing.

These accusations also reflect the 2011 nominations, prioritising Brit-

Royally received: Colin Firth’s portrayal of King George VI has won plaudits on both sides of the Atlantic

ish film including Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours, historical drama Made in Dagenham and The King’s Speech, solely boasting a record breaking twelve nominations in various categories. Although this bias is evident, it is beneficial for the British film industry, producing publicity toward potential talent and paying respect towards industry veterans posthumously, such as Pete Pothlewaite’s recent nomination for The Town.

Although the Baftas may be biased, informal and have smaller influence over the Box Office than Oscars, they are still a reputable marker of cinematic talent. Since 1947, under a variety of different organisations, Baftas have nurtured and supported the British film industry, mirroring their charitable manifesto to ‘sup-

port, develop and promote the art forms of the moving image’ and should be recognised as such. In a period of uncertainty when the dissolution of the UK film council and Warner Bros’ purchase of Leavesden studios leaves the British film industry vulnerable to American influence, the Baftas promote positive financial and artistic growth, while placing independent British films in global competition with some of Hollywood’s most expensive exports.

127 Hours

The King’s Speech

Following on from the success of Slumdog Millionaire, director Danny Boyle took on the well documented, real life story of mountain climber Aron Ralston. A risky decision from the renowned filmmaker, but the unflinching Boyle does the story true justice delivering drama, tension and even frequent moments of comedy. When Ralston goes mountaineering alone in Utah, he falls and becomes trapped beneath a boulder resulting in 127 hours of solitude and providing space for Franco to earn that well-deserved best actor Bafta nomination.

With only a video camera for company, we are provided with a narration as Ralston keeps a diary of his feelings and thoughts, but Franco’s best moments are almost entirely silent. However, what will live long in the memory of 127 Hours is the squirmy, avert-youreyes moment when Aron uses a dull knife on his arm rather than resign himself to a tragic fate.

Directed by Tom Hooper, this film is based on the true story of the wartime monarch King George VI. Colin Firth portrays the troubled prince who struggles to overcome his speech impediment. He shies away from the spotlight, but is forced to confront his fears upon the abdication of his brother, King Edward VIII. He is aided by speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who slowly allows the prince to find his voice. Firth is supported by onscreen wife Helena Bonham Carter, and along with Rush they provide a plethora of genuinely witty and humorous moments. Hooper’s picture is a humorous, moving and thoughtful retelling of an inspiring true story. Firth, Rush and Bonham Carter all deliver memorable performances, making this a must see. Perhaps the only drawback is the knowledge that the UK Film Council will no longer be able to fund projects similar to this.

Phil Moody

Joe Palmer

The Bafta Awards 2011 take place this Sunday at London’s Royal Opera House and will be screened live on BBC One.

awards season

The main contenders With a small number of films taking up a vast proportion of the nominations, The Courier film team take a closer look at some of the nominated films that have been released since our last issue.

Black Swan

We all know that we shouldn‘t judge a book by its cover. But in terms of a film, a lot of people seem to base their decision whether to watch it or not on its title or a rumour about its theme. Much of the buzz about Black Swan claims that it‘s just another ‘ballet film‘ with lots of pirouettes and tutus, ‘something for the girls‘. Anyway, two things can‘t be denied: this movie shouldn‘t be missed by neither girls nor guys. And it‘s not Billy Elliot.

The ambitious young dancer Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) is chosen to audition for the Swan Queen, the leading role in a new production of the ballet classic Swan Lake

and a highly ambiguous character.

As it turns out, the reserved Nina is perfect for the role of the innocent White Swan while her more sensual and carefree fellow dancer Lily (Mila Kunis) is suited to embody the evil Black Swan. Fearing that she might lose the part to Lily, Nina starts to explore her dark side which has dramatic consequences for her already unstable mind.

John Neumeier, the choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet, criticised the film for lacking to show the positive, enjoyable side of being a ballet dancer. The director Darren Aronofsky, however, attempted to use the duality of the Swan Queen to illustrate a torn soul and created a both extremely disturbing and beautiful nightmare with Natalie Portman putting on a magnificient performance which has resulted in a number of well-deserved award nominations.

Lisa Bernhardt

Bafta nominees Best Film Black Swan Inception The King’s Speech The Social Network True Grit Best Actor Javier Bardem - Biutiful Jeff Bridges - True Grit Jesse Eisenberg - The Social Network Colin Firth - The King’s Speech James Franco - 127 Hours Best Actress Annette Bening - The Kids Are All Right Julianne Moore - The Kids Are All Right Natalie Portman - Black Swan Noomi Rapace - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Hailee Steinfeld - True Grit Best Director Danny Boyle - 127 Hours Darren Aronofsky - Black Swan Christopher Nolan - Inception Tom Hooper - The King’s Speech David Fincher - The Social Network Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale - The Fighter Andrew Garfield - The Social Network Pete Postlethwaite - The Town Mark Ruffalo - The Kids Are All Right Geoffrey Rush - The King’s Speech Best Supporting Actress Amy Adams - The Fighter Helena Bonham Carter - The King’s Speech Barbara Hershey - Black Swan Lesley Manville - Another Year Miranda Richardson - Made in Dagenham Outstanding British Film 127 Hours Another Year

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Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Culture Film

film in cinemas Biutiful

it can be easy to forget where in the world the film is meant to be.

Using this fascinating locale and the tragic life of Uxbal, Iñárritu weaves a complex and touching story which, however bleak, makes a genuinely impressive film wholly deserving of its large share of award nominations.

Director: Alejandro González Iñárritu Cast: Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez Runtime: 147 mins Biutiful’s director, Alejandro González Iñárritu, has an impressive list of films to his name. Babel, 21 Grams, and especially Amores Perros, deal with death, drudgery and emotion, with skill and a keen eye to detail. But this film easily lives up to its pedigree.

In contrast with Iñárritu’s earlier films, Biutiful focuses its time on a single figure rather than an ensemble cast. This character is the solemn Uxbal, played by an exceptional Javier Bardem, who works in the gritty criminal underworld of Barcelona as a middle-man between

How Do You Know Director: James L. Brooks Cast: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson Runtime: 116 mins

Understanding this film can be a daunting process. So much so that attempts to summarise may seem weak and misguided; bear with me on this one though. Reese Witherspoon’s character Sally has a life that revolves around softball. However, much to her dismay, after creeping the wrong side of thirty she is swiftly dropped from the national team. She is put in touch with George Madison, the wellmeaning and humble businessman,

Blue Valentine Director: Derek Cianfrance Cast: Ryan Gosling, Michelle Williams, Faith Wladyka Runtime: 112 mins

The 12 years it took to create Blue Valentine are visible in every single perfectly crafted shot, and though this is not an easy film, it is a fantastic dissection of a modern day relationship. It follows the story of Cindy and Dean and the changing nature of their relationship over time, cutting between the past and the present and juxtaposing the good and the bad as they slowly fall out of love with each other.

Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling play the lead rolls to perfection, giving a depth and intelligence of performance seldom seen,

illegal immigrants, exploitative employers, and the police. At home he struggles to deal with his two children and their manic depressive mother. Uxbal also has the ability to communicate with the recently dead, a talent he uses to earn extra cash at funerals.

As if all this glumness was not enough in itself, the dreary nature of the film is further underlined played by Paul Rudd, who sees his life come crashing down around him after he is singled out as the subject of a federal fraud investigation. Around the same time, Sally meets Matty (Owen Wilson), a professional baseball player preoccupied with his own self-importance, and despite their differences and Matty’s arrogance, they endeavour to make a relationship work.

Now, by my own admission, I am not a seasoned rom-commer, however, once I got my head around the seemingly random series of events that forms the plot, it became clear that set-up is of a fairly stock theme; two guys going for one girl, who finds herself caught in the middle, wondering whether to go for the genuine, but close to financial ruin George, or the lavish, ‘party hard’ lifestyle offered by Matty, whose drawbacks are a lack of both emotional depth and any hint of sensitivity. The stand-out performance of the film is delivered by

and newcomer Faith Wladyka, who plays their daughter, Frankie, shows us that talented child actors do still exist. The damaged vulnerability of Cindy is captured perfectly by Williams, and she is truly deserving of her Oscar nomination; it’s just a shame Gosling wasn’t recognised, as he is equally brilliant in portraying Dean as both a loving father and a frustrated husband.

There are few films quite as emotionally draining as this, but its realistic script and cinematic beauty make it well worth the heartbreak.

Every character is thought through and has all the aspects of their personality laid bare, and since both Cindy and Dean are equally at fault, the audience has no one to blame, making this film brilliantly true to life.

The attention to detail is apparent throughout, most notably in the unbearably tense motel scene where they spend an ill-timed night in the blue-washed ‘future room’, and despite their best efforts their relationship finally falls apart.

when Uxbal is diagnosed with terminal cancer and given only months to live. This sets the scene for the rest of the film, where Uxbal must deal with his descent into ill-health whilst battling all sorts of other problems presented by his ex-wife, his criminal colleagues and his overbearing brother Tito. Biutiful’s setting is a particularly strong feature, worthy of much praise. Iñárritu’s

direction and the cinematography of the critically acclaimed Rodrigo Prieto is used to create a diverse environment centered around the rundown streets and housing blocks primarily inhabited by immigrant communities from China and Africa. This setting, far away from Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and Barcelona’s grand boulevards, has the effect that when watching the film

Verdict: With its lively and interesting setting, compelling themes and the stunning performance of Javier Bardem, it’s not difficult to see why Biutiful is highly tipped to secure Best Foreign Language Film at this year’s Oscars ceremony. Despite having made masterpieces like Babel and Amores Perros, Biutiful is Iñárritu’s best film to date.

Jack Torrance

impressive display, dancing on the border between sanity and insanity, but is, as ever, a joy to watch.

The two combine perfectly and compliment each other well. Whilst beyond this the film offers little in the way of fulfilment, How Do You Know is easy viewing and the jokes are worth a chuckle; decent firstdate fodder.

Verdict: How Do You Know plays out like the mutant hybrid child of Wall Street, Along Came Polly and Jerry Maguire, not the worst film you will see this year but by far not the best. Enjoyable, if a little empty viewing. Paul Rudd, however, is a testament to comic acting.

Rudd, who is laugh out loud funny almost every time he is on screen, overshadowing Wilson’s efforts whilst simultaneously lowering the Sally-Matty sub-plot to the level of pointless and awkward addition.

Highlights are Rudd singing Barry White-esque songs into a lamp and the interplay between Rudd and his on-screen dad, played by an ageing Jack Nicholson. Defying his 73 years, Nicholson produces an

Matthew Blackwell

and Ryan Gosling play their lead roles to perfection and newcomer Faith Wladyka, who plays their daughter, Frankie, shows us that talented child actors do still exist.

The direction by Derek Cianfrance truly shows him to be one of the most visually aware, thorough and dedicated film-makers around at the moment.

Beth Kirk

Director Derek Cianfrance’s meticulous devotion is obvious in his clever use of camera work, which allows the audience to feel the distance growing between Dean and Cindy even when implicit, as the further they drift emotionally the less they feature in the same shot.

There is a huge sense of a remarkable dedication to this film the whole

way through and Cianfrance has truly shown himself to be one of the most visually aware and thorough film-makers around at the moment.

This film is a fantastic start to 2011.

Verdict: While not an easy film, Blue Valentine is a perfectly crafted dissection of a modern relationship. Michelle Williams

The Courier Online For reviews of DVD releases, exclusive online competitions and the latest movie trailers, visit the film section of The Courier website: thecourieronline.co.uk/film

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

music

29

Music Culture

Music Editors: Polly Randall & Joe Skrebels - courier.culture-music@ncl.ac.uk

feature

I’m talking ‘bout reformation Elliot Bentley looks at how 2011 might not just be a year for new music, but a blast from the past

Within the last few years we’ve seen some pretty high-profile (and highprofit) reunions of bands once considerd long dead, and 2011 is looking to be no exception. Who would have thought we’d ever get to see The Police, The Who, Pavement, Pixies or Rage Against The Machine live again, let alone hear new material? With record sales diminishing, touring has become increasingly lucrative - though a less cynical observer might claim these revivals to be motivated by loyalty to fans or even creative urges.

The most high-profile reunion of recent years has of course been that of Take That, whose phenomenal success has even seen Robbie Williams come crawling back, and fans of boybands will be delighted to hear that Blue have reformed to nobly take on the challenge of representing the UK in the prestigious Eurovision Song Contest. After last year’s UK entry Josh Dubovie came a pathetic last, here’s hoping.

Fans of britpop will be pleased to hear that Pulp, Jarvis Cocker’s much-loved band of common people, are gearing up to play a series of festival sets after an eight-year hiatus including Hyde Park’s Wireless Festival and the Isle of Wight Festival. There are no signs of a new album yet, but if this year’s tour proves successful we may be rewarded. Fingers crossed!

After 23 years, American new wave band The Cars have announced their very first LP, with the working title Sharp Subtle Flavor. This is a genuine reunion: nothing to do with

book review

Stuart Murdoch may be considered one of the hardest working men in music at the moment. He’s written a screenplay and a soundtrack, finished and released Belle & Sebastian’s latest album, Write About Love, supported it with a full UK tour and written a book about his time in Belle & Sebastian. The Celestial Café is that book and is comprised mainly of online blog entries from 2002 to 2006, encompassing the creation and release of Dear Catastrophe Waitress and The Life Pursuit as well as their subsequent tours.

You would expect, from a man that works so hard, that these blog entries would be full of tales of unwinding with tales of debauchery.

But for anyone who knows of the

Under the Influence Chris Scott Columnist

Help the aged: Jarvis Cocker has reformed Pulp to join the many other acts that have chosen to make reappearances this year

2005’s New Cars which consisted of only two of the original members.

Despite missing bassist Benjamin Orr, who passed away in 2000, the band have already released clips of two new songs, ‘Sad Song’ and ‘Free’.

Another high-profile reunion is that of noise-dance-rock-thingy pair Death From Above 1979, who originally split back in 2005 over differences in, well, pretty much everything.

However, Jesse F. Keller (having messed around in MSTRKRFT a bit) and Sebastien Grainger appear to have got over their issues and are set to play Coachella later this year.

If we’re extra good, maybe they’ll

treat us with a follow up to their first and only album You’re a Woman, I’m a Machine.

Finally, this writer’s most anticipated return is that of superstar rapper and producer Dr Dre, who is said to be close to releasing his first album in twelve years: the longawaited Detox. After focusing on production since previous album 2001 (which, confusingly, was released in 1999) Dre has confirmed that Detox is finally complete, having been in production for almost a decade. As you might expect, Dre is to be joined by a star-studded lineup of rappers including Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Akon, Jay-Z and (er)

La Roux. But after disappointing first single ‘Kush’ was released back in November to little fanfare, Dre still has yet to prove that the world shouldn’t forget about him.

What of these dinosaurs returning from their extinction, then? It seems inevitable that some bands will want to continue making music - and if it’s still good, why not?

On the other hand, it’s easy to be cynical about overpriced reunion gigs, but the appeal of reliving one’s youth (or, for younger and newer fans, seeing a long-dead band for the first time) should never be overlooked.

Tea and Sympathy - The Celestial Café

Chris Taylor reviews the new book by rock’s most un-rock frontman, Stuart Murdoch

Column

Belle & Sebastian frontman, the exact opposite is the case. Murdoch describes himself as “26% a rock star”. The book is filled more with tales of runs in the park while thinking about the existence of God than it is with wild parties. And it’s this that makes The Celestial Café so engaging. With the release of books by notorious bad boys such as Keith Richards discussing their relationship with sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, it’s refreshing to see someone break that mould. Murdoch is much more willing to discuss what makes a good cup of tea. His style is very much conversationalist. Written before the times of Facebook and Twitter, it feels a lot like he is writing a letter to each of his fans just to tell them how his day went. It’s easy to imagine him sitting in a quaint little café, scribbling whatever comes into his head onto a piece of paper.

His neurotic style, which is well known amongst Belle & Sebastian fans, translates onto the page. One

entry will contain at least three different topics and, at most, about 20. There seems to be little editing and feels like the uncensored Stuart Murdoch. Once his train of thought leaves the platform, it’s not going to stop until it runs out of steam. But this may not be to everyone’s taste.

At times, this disjointed structure can get a bit heavy handed when he switches from discussing his latest youth group meeting to how he would quite like to sleep with someone. However, it can also feel dreamy and whimsical, much like Belle & Sebastian’s music, as he floats from talking about his bike ride around Glasgow to his religious beliefs.

For a Belle & Sebastian fan, it’s an interesting look into the mind of a man that is mostly quite reserved.

The whimsical but minute details Murdoch goes into may not be to everyone’s taste but to anyone that has ever connected with Belle & Sebastian, it’s worth a read.

Musicians are constantly asked, ‘what are your influences?’ In this column Chris Scott looks at what shaped today’s artists by looking to the past. This week: ‘The (Stage) Show Must Go On’ Whether it’s because we prefer the sound of music live, indoors or out, or whether it’s because we just want to actually see our favourite performers in the flesh, live gigs have always been a huge part of the music industry. Many people won’t even buy £7 albums these days, but will fork out half their student loan to go to a festival over summer.

Whether they go solely for the ‘festival experience’ or whether it’s to see their favourite bands, we’re all drawn to seeing live performances.

But there is an element that lately has been overlooked by many bands and artists. Lots of gigs consist of the band or singer performing on stage with little else to interest the giggoer. It doesn’t matter how good the live music being produced may be, bands may have to start looking back to how it used to be done.

Think about these bands, Pink Floyd, Prince, KISS, Black Sabbath and Queen. All of these bands were hugely successful from different genres and eras, but they all knew how to put on a great stage show, with some of these bands having become notorious for them (think bats without heads perhaps). Talking Heads Stop Making Sense is a great example of turning a music concert into a living work of art and is definitely worth a watch, as they don’t just play the songs, they bring in many other elements such as dance, lighting and entire sets onto stage, a concept still being used by lead singer David Byrne today. Putting on a good stage show and having a strong stage presence may have helped boost the popularity of these bands into the mainstream, and reached people who would have never even considered listening to them at all. With the availability of music being at everyone’s fingertips now, bands cannot rely on bringing out an amazing album to turn over a huge amount of money. Instead, live performances are a way of increasing popularity and making a huge profit, and with elaborate stage shows and memorable sets, these are more likely to draw bigger crowds and sell more tickets, which ultimately means more money! Look at the Flaming Lips, who put on shows similar to an LSD trip and Muse with their hidden messages and use of symbolism. These are modern examples of bands that don’t just play music; they create something special that stays with the audience for a long time. Maybe, if bands are to become more successful, incorporating stage shows into their live acts may be the way forward for the other bands of today that are yet to catch on.

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Monday uary 7 2011 THE COURIER

Culture Music

music listings

Monday 7th Shockwaves NME Awards Tour 2011. O2 Academy, £16.94. Doors tbc.

This is an essential date in any music fan’s diary, showcasing the winning bands and artists from the recent NME awards. Bands performing include Crystal Castles, Magnetic Man, Everything Everything and The Vaccines. With the evening having such a varied line up, there is definitely something for everyone.

Tuesday 8th Conquering Animal Sound. Head of Steam. £4. 8pm.

Their debut album Kammerspiel will have only been out less than 24 hours, but the Glasgow based duo will be attempting to spread their music to a wider range of fans using this tour. Expect light vocals drifting over a slightly bizarre arrangement of harps and toy keyboards. They capture and embody what experimental music sounds like and are definitely worth a listen.

Wednesday 9th Ocean Colour Scene. O2 Academy, £15. 7pm.

Celebrating the band’s 21st anniversary and the recent regroup late last year, one of the early pioneers of Britpop are to play their album Moseley Shoals in its entirety, an album which includes the famous ‘The Riverboat Song’ on its track list.

This is a night full of the music your dad used to listen to when you were younger.

Thursday 10th The Lovely Eggs. Head of Steam. £5. 8pm.

Another rising band destined for great things from the Head of Steam this week, this duo from Lancaster have already been played on BBC Radio 1 and Radio 6 and one of their singles from their EP made XFM’s single of the week. Their debut received a very positive reception and they are currently recording their second album, so expect some new material at the gig too.

Friday 11th Flawless. The Journal Tyne Theatre. £20. 7.30pm Having wowed the judges (and us) on Britain’s Got Talent and starred in the movie Streetdance 3D, the dance group bring their 2011 tour ‘Chase the Dream’ to Newcastle. The tour fuses street dancing with jazz and even ballet. Having already accumulated an impressive collection of positive reviews, it should be a night you won’t forget any time soon.

Saturday 12th Kerrang! Relentless Tour 2011. O2 Academy. £16.34. 5.45pm Once again, the Kerrang tour comes knocking at Newcastle’s door, this year bringing acts such as Framing Hanley, Four Year Strong and the headliners Good Charlotte.

The night’s line up suggests a very heavy night, and with such early doors, you’ll probably need some energy drink if you want to make it to 10pm!

Sunday 13th Nothing.

Seriously, there’s nothing good happening in Newcastle. Check.

Chris Scott

feature

Hot for 2011: The acts to watch this year The Tallest Man on Earth

Nope, he’s definitely not the tallest man I’ve ever seen. But do we finally have a Bob Dylan that can really sing? This shy little Swedish guy has been hugely underestimated for too long, even by his booking agents.

Already selling out almost every gig on his recent UK headline tour, the number of venues capable of holding (never mind controlling) his fans are rapidly diminishing.

His recent support for Bon Iver in the States seems to have set his name for the big lights but I think there’s a part of every admirer that wants to keep this artist as something special and undiscovered. He is the sort that will write metaphorical mazes of lyrics just to confuse you, so he can pour his heart out for the exact purpose of not being understood.

Speaking of which, don’t expect to like his vocals straight away unless you liked Kate Bush instantly.

Learning to appreciate the charm of his dense, rough voice takes some

time but once you get there it’s completely addictive. Combining this with an intense finger-picking guitar style on most of his tracks, it’s almost suspicious how he always stays so perfectly coordinated.

Despite refusing to be labelled as a ‘folk’ musician, if acts like Johnny Flynn and Mumford & Sons stay in fashion this year I wouldn’t be surprised if the Tallest Man on Earth made it just as big. Top of the list of tracks to listen to would undeniably be ‘The Gardener’.

Luisa Brown

Warpaint

lends them, however pretentious it sounds, a ‘sonic honesty’.

Now I’m going to use this analogy and run with it, because it’s this very same ‘sonic honesty’ that flourishes throughout their debut LP, Fool. The entire album avoids the expected claustrophobia of its many influences, instead evoking a sense of freedom. Anything but constrained, it’s marked by shifting rhythms, which gradually uncoil with slight time changes and spiralling melodies that abruptly freefall.

Unhurried in its unravelling, and lo-fi in its production, it sprawls between hazy psychedelia and a raw

‘Good’ doesn’t describe Warpaint; it doesn’t really do this female foursome any justice. But I guess neither does the opinion that their sound is merely a rehash of the past. Although they may channel everything from the Velvet Underground’s narcotic haze, the early, eerie spirit of Cat Power, the freewheeling melodies of Jeff Buckley, and even the Slits’ raw urgency, seeing them live is to see them do something that appears naturally theirs. Heads back, eyes closed, there’s an unforced, drifting limitlessness to them on stage that

Anna Calvi London’s Anna Calvi is going to be massive this year - she has already been shortlisted on the BBC’s Big for 2011 category, and on a few listens it’s understandable as to why.

Her sound is, quite simply, unlike anything you will have heard before. The first thing that stuns you is her astonishing voice: Calvi is the owner of a ferocious vibrato, which thunders operatically over the rest of her artistic subtleties in a way that I thought previously

Yuck In an age where uninspired columnists have decided that popular guitar music in the U.K. is a thing of the past, it has been decided in advance that The Vaccines will be the saviour. The critics are wrong. Tucked away covertly at the bottom of the BBC’s Sound of Music 2011 list, Yuck lay waiting to pounce. Where-

impossible to pop music. Imagine Shirley Bassey singing over the Misalou, whilst the opening credits of a Tarantino movie roll in a darkly lit theatre, and you come close to imagining the complete sensory overload that is ‘Jezebel’, Calvi’s lead single. She conjures the sound of decades gone by which fuel her musical swirl of desire and devilry, not to mention her nod to the 1930s and ‘40s which lend Calvi her sharp, manful look. She is also a dab hand on the Telecaster, something which her predecessors in the current crop of female artists haven’t been too

eager to include in their on-stage look. In fact it is her and her alone that drives these intensely charged melodramas, her band comprising of just a harmonium player and a drummer to see Calvi’s momentum to the end. The simple, meandering beauty of ‘Moulinette’ was enough to get me hooked.

For those that liked Florence, Anna Calvi is a female artist who runs deeper than last year’s ladies. Expect to hear her soaring over the airwaves and through the charts soon.

as The Vaccines attempt to imitate The Strokes and Franz Ferdinand effect, Yuck are the Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine of the decade – curious, for a remnant of flopping dance act Cajun Dance Party. Common labels which fly at their sound will consist of shoegaze, low-fi and the abstract umbrella of ‘alternative rock’. In truth, Yuck’s sound isn’t the most original, but it’s a sound that has been lost since Britpop.

Their self-titled debut album is released later this month, but in true Vaccines style, it’s been the success of the demo releases that has given Yuck not just a niche market, but a huge amount of support from the blogging and critics’ communities.

Highlights of the releases (and to be included on the debut) are the riff-driven ‘Get Away’, the subdued and sincere ‘Suicide Policeman’ and acoustic alter-ego ‘Yu(c)k’s Auto-

emotional power, no clearer than in the band’s ethereal vocal harmonies.

In the end, it’s this distinct chemistry to Warpaint, one that fuses the band’s adverse sensibilities into one driving, rhythmic maelstrom, which cannot be so easily found in today’s other emerging acts.

The problem is, 2010 was meant to be Warpaint’s ‘time’; why should 2011 be any different? Well, I suppose the only justice for such an unrefined, distinctive talent would be for them to eventually find the success they deserve, right?

Christopher Haywood

Nile Amos matic’. What’s also striking about Yuck is how composed such a young band (formed in Q4 2009) play in the live environment; their October gig at the Head of Steam being one of the stand-outs of the year. Their success will determine whether Britain is ready to become a ‘Daydream Nation’ once more.

Stuart Edwards

debate Is hype a help or a hindrance for new bands? no yes

It is a well acknowledged fact that new boybands in particular will do almost anything for publicity. A Heat magazine editor tells the tale of a new boyband called Inju5tice (if only they knew) who got a train all the way from Northampton to London just to have their photo taken with the Heat office cat, Beefy. Publicity, however, should not be stereotyped around shameful boybands, surely every new band needs to get themselves a bit of hype? How many new bands would slip under the radar completely if their record companies didn’t shout about them? There are countless blogs on

the internet centered around getting your band publicity, with mediums like Radio 1’s In New Music We Trust and Orange’s Unsigned Act doing wonders for getting bands known.

It would be naïve to believe we still live in a world where new bands down your local pub can reach the charts without a little publicity.

Mass marketing is essential to keeping up with the times and at the end of the day we are all still capable of making our own decisions. Finally let’s not forget the music industry is first and foremost a business and every band needs to make money somehow.

Olivia Mason

Newly-formed bands have a lot to think about when they’re first setting out to make it big in the music industry.

Whether it’s writing their first album or even tweaking the band line- up here and there, these things take time. So the last thing a new band wants is to be pushed into the limelight before they’re ready and have every music magazine and website jump on the bandwagon and tell the world how amazing they are, when in that time, the band themselves don’t even know what direction they’re heading in. We’ve seen it happen time and time again; ‘the band we have to listen to before we

die’ only release a single album then are never heard of again. Does media hype actually play a detrimental role to new bands, making them release all their material at once just to doom them from then on? We have seen hype be beneficial to some bands - would the Arctic Monkeys have ever been as big as they are without the NME and Zane Lowe singing their praises? But on the flipside, how many bands just add to the deteriorating compost heap of music we forget about as quickly as we heard of them in the first place?

Hype hasn’t helped these fledgling bands, it’s destroyed them.

Chris Scott

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

31

Music Culture

albums

the top 5

The Go! Team

1. Adele – Rolling in the Deep (Jamie xx Shuffle) New Remix Not new this week as such but it is gaining more and more hype every day. Jamie from The xx uses Adele’s very well-received soulful number and gives it much more depth. A brilliant remix that improves a good song tenfold and provides an alternative upbeat tune.

Rolling Blackouts

At this time of year, it is likely you may be in need of some cheering up, what with the gloomy weather, dark nights and recent commencement of term. If this is the case, then a blast of the new Go! Team album may be the remedy that you need.

Remember them? Six years ago they came out with their debut Thunder Lighting Stike, and seemed to be the breath of fresh air that the stagnant pool of indie bands, which dominated the British scene at the time needed. Brighter than a blast of sunshine, this album like the first reeks of their trademark blend of hip hop beats, catchy chants, and 60s guitar pop. Starting on a high with ‘T.O.R.N.A.D.O’, the recognisable frantic pace and beat heavy chorus make it the sort of song you would want to begin your day to. Following on from it, ‘Secretary Song’ has an irresistible hook and a beautiful little melody, meaning it straddles that tricky line between amazingly addictive and irritatingly annoying when it has been in your head all

day. And this would seem to be a problem with some of Thunder Rolls; what was endearing and unique when the first album was released has not developed since then.

Throughout the course of Thunder Rolls the tracks begin to merge into one mass of sounds and samples, undistinguishable from each other, making those tracks which should be stand-out hits unnoticeable.

That isn’t to say this is a bad album; it is fun - instrumentals such as ‘Yosemite Theme’ has a lovely string section to open, but it is songs like ‘Rolling Blackouts’ that sound almost dull and lack lustre. The guest slots make some of the songs; vocals supplied by Bethany Cosentino on ‘Boy Nothing Day’ give the track a slick pop sound. The 60s sound continues on ‘Ready to Go Steady’ - the lyrics having a naivety reminiscent of a more simple time. Overall, this record has a very listenable quality, but don’t expect anything new.

Esben and the Witch

Chapel Club

Violet Cries

2. Skream & Example – Shot Yourself in the Foot Again Music Video Meeting the dubstep demand, this combines Skream’s amazing producing skills with Example’s lyrics to produce a heavy dubstep beat with softer vocals. The accompanying video to the brilliant new song plays as a story. Directed by Example himself (who used to be a film student) and the Chambers Brothers, this is a more grounded music video and captures the essence of the song perfectly.

Polly Randall

Palace

British Sea Power Valhalla Dancehall

Funeral Party

Golden Age of Knowhere

3. Hercules and Love Affair – My House Music Video An amazing alternative to the recent bombardment of dubstep, providing an 80s/90s disco-house song that makes you want to embrace your inner child. This vintage disco revival is incredibly catchy and definitely worth a listen, complete with a video mimicking the retro feel with a recreation of a disco TV show that works perfectly.

4. Chapel Club – Surfacing New Single The London indie band release their fourth single from their debut album, Palace, and boy is it a good one.

Adapting lyrics from the Mamas and Papas hit ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’, the song echoes post-punk and is eerily haunting. Also worth watching the video which features some creepy hypnotic snake action.

Esben and the Witch would like you to believe in the alternative great white hope tag they’ve been bequeathed of late. They’d like you to believe that their brand of slowburning goth-gaze is what the British public deserves, nay, needs to shake the cobwebs out of the bloated, homogenous indie scene. It’s this sense of artistic self-importance that powers Violet Cries along; a great wave of holier-than-thou bluster.

And that would be fine if it wasn’t all so dull. Opener ‘Argyria’ goes some way towards tricking you that this isn’t the case, starting proceedings with a stately, mostly instrumental swell of powerful noise. But it’s all downhill from there once the realisation kicks in of quite how one-track this album is. Florence Welch impression? Check. Deep, prominent drumming? Check. Far too much reverb? Check. From the ponderous over-indulgence of ‘Light Streams’ to the ponderous over-indulgence of ‘Eumenides’ (hey, if they can do it so can I), the album never quite breaks out of its own carefully-constructed rut. Sure, this might be more ‘interesting’ than most indie music out there right now, but when it’s just no fun, that’s when you’ve hit a whole new set of problems.

Comparisons are not always a good thing. Certainly if you’re in the position that Chapel Club find themselves; about to release their first album, but to a barrage of media coverage comparing their sound to the likes of My Bloody Valentine, Joy Division, and The Smiths.

Although illustrious figures to be compared with, it leaves the reader with the feeling that there is nothing new here. However, by removing these from the listener’s mind, and letting the dark, sweeping sound of the five-pieces work to truly take you under, Chapel Club’s identity becomes more apparent.

‘O Maybe I’ shows frontman Lewis Bowman in some sort of moral limbo, “O maybe I should settle down to a quiet life… or maybe I should fuck around with someone’s wife”.

Whilst ‘All the Eastern Girls’ and ‘Blind’ are pop gems utilising the band’s talent for generating euphoric walls of sound, as triumphant as Bowman’s lyrics are beautifully tragic.

In a musical period where landfill indie has supposedly clogged up the nation’s airwaves and the quality of bands has been watered down, Palace offers a glimmer of hope. Chapel Club may just be a new band to worship in 2011.

British Sea Power understand the importance of scale. For all their lofty ambitions and ambitious songwriting – lyrics full of historical and literary allusions, an album which asked Do You Like Rock Music? they’ve always avoided pomposity.

On Valhalla Dancehall, they’ve made their biggest statement to date, but also their most downright fun one.

Expanded to a six-piece, there are plenty of big sounds on this album, from rabble-rousing opener ‘Who’s In Control’ (whose chorus of “Over here! Over there! Over here! Every fucking where!” is going to take some beating) to the epic post-rock wash of the eleven-minute ‘Once More Now’. It’s the intimacy and glorious daftness that BSP have always had that makes this their masterpiece to date; it’s a synth-pop number about “the Dame Vera Lynn clay pigeon shoot”, the domestic ballad ‘Luna’s call to put the kettle on’, or the blink-and-you’ll-missit blitzkrieg of ‘Thin Black Sail’ are the sound of a band that’s distinctly British yet totally unique, and one of our greatest hidden treasures.

Make no mistake; Valhalla Dancehall is the sound of a band at the top of its game. It’s a dizzying kaleidoscope of sounds and sensations, and it’s one hell of a party.

After setting the blogosphere alight last summer with the frenetic, punchy and raucous single ‘New York City Moves to the Sound of L.A.’, Funeral Party have returned with an undeniably fun debut album packed with catchy, funky guitar-pop. The aforementioned track opens the album and is without a doubt the cream of Funeral Party’s crop, sounding like a drunken punch-up between We Are Scientists and The Hives, with James Murphy egging them on from the sidelines with his cowbell.

Throughout the album’s eleven tracks, the pace rarely lets up – from ‘Car Wars’ slick, funky bassline to the pounding drums of recent single ‘Finale’. The guitars remain choppy, the vocals constantly at a strained yell, and if anything this proves to be the album’s main weakness.

There are bags of energy within the forty minutes, but it’s sometimes one-note to the point of repetition.

Luckily ‘Relics to Ruin’ refreshingly changes things, becoming another high point.

That said, it’s obvious that Funeral Party won’t change the world, but they clearly never aimed to. It’s hard to fault …Knowhere’s sense of fun, and there are enough great tracks here to warrant a few listens.

Joe Skrebels

Tom Richards

Mark Corcoran-Lettice

Ben Travis

5. Beady Eye – The Roller Debut Single Liam Gallagher’s new band release their first official single. Very, very reminiscent of Oasis, with the same vocal style, just a little more poppy.

Gallagher showcases his good songwriting skills but if you are expecting something new and exciting this is not it. Worth a listen though for the more curious amongst you.

Olivia Mason

The Courier Online!

For exclusive reviews of album releases and live gigs from around the city, as well as specialist blogs, the Top 5 and the full hot for 2011 list, head to the music section of The Courier website: thecourieronline.co.uk/music

32

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

Culture TV & Radio

tv & radio tv highlight

TV & Radio Editors: Lynsey Fawcett & Ellie Wilson - courier.culture-tv@ncl.ac.uk

Konnie Huq: Under Pressure

soaps Coronation Street:

What Life Long Ambition Would You Fulfil If You Were Given The Chance?

Thursday 9pm, ITV2 As I’m a Celebrity came to an end last year, I am sure you were all starting to feel slightly depressed at the thought of having to wait a whole year to see celebrities being put through difficult challenges for our own entertainment.

Thankfully this new programme will fill the void. Under Pressure is described as an extreme wish fulfilment show, which sounds like a combination of Jim Will Fix it and I’m a Celeb.

The premise for the show is to offer celebrities the chance to take on a personal mission and realise an ambition they have long dreamed of.

This first series features Vernon Kay and Konnie Huq. They both face personal and physical challenges as they attempt to make their goal a reality.

First up is Konnie who is best known for her long running stint on Blue Peter and most recently, presenting The Xtra Factor. Her challenge is to pursue a secret desire to learn the art of spitting lyrics and become a real life MC, which, considering her Cambridge-educated background, is a rather comical concept.

Konnie has three weeks to unleash the rapper inside and embrace the

tv previews

Come Fly On The Wall Tuesday 10.35pm, BBC1

Mon, Thurs, Fri on ITV1 Leanne is horrified when Tracey discovers her secret. Nick makes a decision about his future, shocking Leanne with his bombshell.

Sally has a love interest with a new arrival and romance blossoms throughout the week. Sophie begins to feel ignored, but her troubles go unnoticed. Sally confronts Rosie’s agent, but gets more then she bargained for.

Eastenders

Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri on BBC1 Whitney declines Janine’s offer of a night out, so Janine kicks her out.

Afia plans to tell her dad about her relationship with Tamwar but thinks twice when she comes face to face with him.

Kat struggles to cope without baby Tommy, putting a strain on her and Alfie’s relationship and Jack and Michael go into business together.

Ambition: Konnie Huq follows her dream of becoming an MC rapper, facing various challenges and a crowd of 3000 rap fans

urban music scene. Her confidence and nerves will be tested as she attempts to master the art of writing lyrics, rhyming and delivering her rap. At the end of the three weeks she will have to prove her new skills by performing her own rap in front of 3000 rap fans at Indigo2. Konnie also faces smaller challenges includ-

ing taking part in a rap karaoke, participating in MC battles and performing live on Radio 1Xtra.

To guide Konnie through her journey is MOBO award winning rapper Akala (Ms Dynamite’s brother).

Whilst we all like to think of ourselves as the next Tinie Tempah, this isn’t an easy challenge and the show

exposes the dramatic ups and downs faced by those trying to break into the industry.

This looks set to be highly entertaining, with the promise of celebrities facing challenges making it a sure success.

Hands On History Wednesday 9pm, BBC2

Celebrity Juice Thursday 10pm, ITV2

Father Ray Comes Out Friday 7.30pm, Channel 4

Rosie Daly

Emmerdale

Weekdays 7pm on ITV Hazel struggles as Jackson tries to hide his hurt about Aaron’s relationship with Flynn. Amy’s antics wear thin for Val and Eric and they wonder if they can cope with her behaviour.

Cain makes an unwelcome discovery and seeks revenge on Charity, with explosive results. Sparks fly when Andy and Henshall front up to each other, while Diane attempts to confess her feelings to Doug.

Hollyoaks

Weekdays 6.30pm on C4 Warren is onto Brendan when he sees him in the village with Kyle, while a tearful Theresa says goodbye to her family before leaving to escape Kyle. Love is in the air for Lynsey and Gilly, but Tom is shocked when Esther admits she’ll stick up for him in court.

Later in the week an ambulance is called and paramedics battle to save lives in the aftermath of Kyle’s attack. Who will survive?

Neighbours Ever since the success of Little Britain, TV viewers have eagerly anticipated the next collaboration of Walliams and Lucas.

Come Fly with Me was launched on Christmas Day and the series, an airport-based mockumentary, followed the colourful characters and day-to-day goings on at a London airport.

Over six episodes we followed airline owner Omar Baba as he battled one controversy after another, scouse check-in girls Melody and Keeley as they both fought for the coveted check-in manager role and Moses “If you’ll pardon the pun” Beacon as he worked to get his charity, Wish Wings, off the ground.

This one-off special shows behind the-scenes footage of the successful series and follows the creators from pre-production to rehearsal, with interviews with Matt and David as they transform into their characters.

So if you’re a Walliams and Lucas fan or simply enjoyed the series, this is definitely not to be missed.

Calling all budding historians! This new series promises to take you on a journey through Britain’s past, revealing how its landscapes and its people came to be.

In its opening episode presenter Neil Oliver embarks on a mission to unearth the story of the very first people to occupy this country and their struggle to survive its hostile environment, in the midst of the Ice Age. Throughout the series his search across the country leads him to make fascinating discoveries alongside a team of archaeologists, which even include 8000 year-old footprints.

Research reveals how Britain’s fate was sealed, with one of the largest tsunamis ever seen on Earth striking the north-east of Britain.

So don’t miss out; tune in or even visit bbc.co.uk/history for details on how to further your experience of our ancient history, with various activities and suggestions of places to visit for interesting days out.

Keith Lemon returns with a brand new series, accompanied by usual sidekicks TV presenter Holly Willoughby and Radio One DJ Fearne Cotton, who go up against each other every week. This comedy panel show tests celebrities to see who knows the most about this week’s celebrity news.

Joining them each week is comedian Rufus Hound and lovable (well I’ll let you decide) Irish twins Jedward.

The series kicks off in its own inimitable style with bigger games and even bigger laughs. Joining the team this week is David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff, who will compete against Keith in a challenge. But the studio audience are in for a shock; will they guess who wins or even believe their eyes when they see what Keith Lemon has persuaded ‘The Hoff’ to do?

Start the new term with this new series, providing definite laughs and a range of guests you will not want to miss.

This documentary follows Father Ray, an Anglican vicar working in a London parish who has decided that the time has come to share a secret with his parishioners: he is gay.

Father Ray is a warm-hearted vicar who has helped build a community in central London and has formed a loving church. After three years as a vicar at this parish, he has chosen to be open about his homosexuality, a revelation that could potentially destroy his relationship with some of the more conventional among his parishioners.

Ray is aware that by admitting this, he is unlikely to receive a warm greeting from the Anglican Church, as it currently holds an ambiguous view of homosexuality. He is prepared to risk his relationship with both the church and his parishioners in exchange for the truth.

The film observes Ray as he deals with the consequences of his revelation and whether he has instilled in the parishioners the understanding that he craves.

Ayse Djahit

Catherine McCallum

Lynsey Fawcett TV & Radio Editor

Maria Moffatt

Weekdays 1.45pm & 5.30pm on Five Four residents find themselves at the centre of the Ramsay Street inferno which leads to a roof collapse, trapping two people inside.

As residents gather at the hospital, Lyn discovers how the fire started and her role in it.

Andrew and Summer are reunited while Donna returns to the hospital where Ringo died.

Home and Away

Weekdays at 2.15pm & 6pm on Five Residents gather for Ross’s funeral and each family member struggles to cope with their grief. Alf is still upset at being charged with the murder of Penn and Morag successfully argues for Alf to be released into her custody.

Will is struggling since handing Alf to the police and Irene tries to be supportive. Ruby and Charlie discuss the failure of her relationship with Angelo.

Lynsey Fawcett TV & Radio Editor

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

33

TV & Radio Culture

tv & radio

radio highlights

comment

Just A Minute Monday 6.30pm, Radio 4

Radio 2 Folk Awards Monday 7.45pm, Radio 2

Caribou Island Mon - Fri 10.45pm, Radio 4

The BBC Radio 4 game show Just a Minute is back for a new series.

The first time I heard this show I was trapped in the car with my parents and after several attempts to get them to put on anything else, I was forced to listen to it. While at the time I thought it was some form of punishment I quickly realised that it is actually pretty funny.

Panellists on the game show are challenged to talk about a topic for one minute without hesitation, repetition or deviation. The other panellists will then question whether they broke the rules. With points given for interesting interruptions and the inconsistent application of the rules lots of hilarity has ensued over the show’s 30 year history.

The show began in 1967 and the panellists were the late Sir Clement Freud, Derek Nimmo, Peter Jones and Kenneth Williams. There have been numerous celebrity panellists including Jack Dee, Lee Mack and Bob Monkhouse. This series launches with Paul Merton, Glyes Brandreth, Shapppi Khorsandi and Rick Wakeman on the panel for the first episode.

I now try and recreate the game show in long car journeys. While I can talk about anything for ages, I do have the attention span of a small child and like to deviate from my topic, so it is a challenge.

Just a Minute is great entertainment and long may it continue. Give it a listen or, like me, try to recreate the show yourself.

The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards are back for their 12th year, and are a chance to celebrate the UK’s vibrant folk scene and the past year’s achievements.

As with many awards ceremonies, outstanding lifetime contributions will also be honoured. The annual search for the most promising young folk artist in the UK will be concluded with the presentation of the Radio 2 Young Folk Award.

Head of Music for Radio 2 and Radio 6 Music, Jeff Smith, comments: “Radio 2 supports an eclectic mix of over 20 music genres, and folk is integral to this offering. And in 2011 for the first time the Folk Awards ceremony is combined with the Young Folk Award. By doing this, the network aims to celebrate and capture the very essence of folk music – the bringing together of generations to share and celebrate this hugely important music scene.”

At the front of the field, in terms of nominations, are the folk big band Bellowhead. Following the release of their album, Hedonism, they have scooped four nominations and their front man, Jon Boden, is also nominated for Folk Singer of the Year.

Guest presenters will be joining the main presenters, Mike Harding and Barbara Dickson. These guests include actress Tamsin Greig, Radio 2 presenter Mark Radcliffe and novelist Joanna Trollope.

The ceremony will be streamed live at bbc.co.uk/radio2 and on the BBC Red Button.

Every so often I find a BBC Radio 4 broadcast series that draws me in, and Caribou Island is one of those.

The ten part series is based on the critically acclaimed novel by David Vann. The Independent described the novel as ‘one of the best pieces of fiction to be published in recent years.’

It is a compelling story of a marriage unravelling under the stormy skies of Alaska. The extreme, harsh landscape was intentionally chosen to reflect the experiences of the characters in the story.

The focus is on the relationship between husband and wife Gary and Irene, a couple in their mid 50s who live in a remote Alaskan town. The story centres on Gary’s determination to move further from society.

Yet this decision to follow his dream may cost him his marriage.

The series also follows the lives of seven other characters, including the couple’s daughter Rhoda and her boyfriend Jim, a dentist about to commence his own mid life crisis, who Rhoda dreams of marrying.

In the first episode, read by William Hope, Gary and Irene take their first steps to creating their log cabin, loading logs onto an unsuitable boat whilst battling the elements; a forecast for what is to come.

Fluid, often funny and sometimes raw, Caribou Island explores the struggles and hopes of relationships.

Basically, it is a radio version of Hollyoaks, so to listen to these Alaskan perils tune in.

Rosie Daly

Ellie Wilson TV & Radio Editor

Rosie Daly

catch up Glee, E4 Glee returned to our screens in its typical all singing, all dancing fashion.

With Britney Spears already making a cameo appearance and other stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow set to appear, it looks like the series is shaping up to be just as much of a hit as the last. So what’s changed? Finn and Rachel are now a bona fide couple. As are Mike and Tina, after she ditched Artie. Emma’s still dating her dentist, much to Will’s dismay.

There’s a new blonde kid called Sam and a rival for Rachel in the form of transfer student Sunshine.

Dancing on Ice, ITV1 Now that Strictly Come Dancing is over it’s time to head to ITV for Dancing On Ice. While some of the contestants might not be so obvious at first glance, names such as Kerry Katona, Newcastle’s own Denise Welch and Hollyoaks’ Jennifer Metcalfe are more familiar. Current favourites to clinch the title are Sam Attwater and Laura Hamilton, though it could be anyone’s game after Elen Rivas’ shock exit. Off the

Blackadder is one of my favourite all time comedies, and it is not hard to see why, with excellent wit, sarcasm and satirical violence running throughout every series.

Follow Blackadder and his servant Baldrick through the reign of Queen Elizabeth, where they obey the Queen and hang on her every word out of fear of execution. Through the Prince George years, Blackadder uses his position as Butler and supposed ‘friend’ to deceive the Prince.

In WW1 they encounter the hardships of the trenches, where Capt.

Blackadder explores every possible avenue to escape certain death, while taking pleasure in ridiculing a mindlessly optimistic Lt. George and a dim but loyal Pvt. Baldrick.

Famous lines like “I have a cunning plan” work their way into every episode as Baldrick attempts to come up with some hare-brained scheme to get himself and Blackadder out of a sticky situation. But as we soon discover, his plans are neither cunning nor in fact feasible.

Blackadder’s wit counterposes Baldrick’s idiocy. Known for his fierce intelligence and sarcasm, he constantly mocks Baldrick’s as-

tounding stupidity. As well as his violence, he possesses a talent for lying, cheating and killing anyone else who gets in his way. All done with a touch of humour, which results in a love for the character.

Not forgetting the specials like Blackadder’s Christmas Carol; an ironic perspective on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, where a kind-hearted Blackadder is visited by a ghost who enlightens him of his ancestors’ misdemeanours. Instead of continuing to do good, he recognises the rewards of being bad and turns into the evil and unscrupulous Blackadder that we all know and love.

Old this comedy may be, but the legend and the hilarity live on as Blackadder has produced enduring classic comedy with some truly unforgettable moments that are really worth watching! A humourous array of insults from Blackadder and ridiculously dim-witted remarks from Baldrick ensure that you’ll be crying with laughter.

Put simply: Blackadder is timeless comedy genius.

Maria Moffatt

tweets of the week Julian Clary Thank you Birmingham. You’ve been...You’ve been...Well, you’ve been. Thats the main thing.

Chris Addison Mispelled ‘Vajazzle’. Can’t work out whether that’s a sign of class or not.

Andrew Hayden-Smith Paul O Grady just told me I’d gone downhill. He was joking. I think. :-/

James Cordon The Brits competition is the chance to win 1 of 2 pairs of tix to the Brits on 15th Feb.All u hav to do is be following me by Feb 10th Jonathan Ross If you live to 100 the Queen now follows you on Twitter.

Sarah Millican If I am the only person in the quiet carriage, am I still not allowed to blow my nose?

Laura Ellen Holmes catches up on the not-to-be-missed shows that started over the holiday period rink there has already been the usual media circus following the axing of judge Nicky Barber, alongside tales of backstage fighting, breakdowns and burgeoning romances between the couples.

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, C4 Following the success of the documentary, My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, Channel 4 has now brought out a series, giving an insight into the lives of the travelling community as they fight to keep their traditions and history alive. While we may laugh at the humungous Jordan-style dresses the girls wear to their first Holy Communion and weddings, the programme has caused some controversy over showing a six year old getting a spray tan and the ritual of ‘grabbing’, where a male ‘grabs’ or hurts a female until they give them a kiss.

One Born Every Minute, C4 One Born Every Minute returned for a second series over Christmas, after its Christmas day special. Filming throughout the Princess Anne

maternity hospital in Southampton from the neo-natal ward to the operating theatre, the series shows the rollercoaster of emotions and feelings, as well as the realities of child birth. The documentary-style filming allows the audience to get to know both expectant parents and hospital staff alike. Reviews so far have been extremely positive, with many tears being shed by viewers over the sixty minutes of the episode.

10 ‘o’ Clock Live, C4 10 ‘o’ Clock Live, a topical news show, started on Channel 4. Fronted by David Mitchell, Jimmy Carr, Lauren Laverne and Charlie Brooker, it takes the time slot rivalling the BBC’s Newsnight. Taking a satirical look on the week’s news and featuring a host of comedy talent, it was expected to live up to much of the hype surrounding it. However, responses so far to the series have been luke warm, with commentators noting that it just isn’t that funny. Though after only a couple of episodes there is definitely room for the show to grow into itself.

Wedding belles: Big Fat Gypsy Weddings follows the lives of the travelling community

36

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Culture Puzzles

puzzles Across 3. Not urban (5) 9. Non-verbal communication/ expression (7) 10. Synthetic fabric (7) 11. The Earth’s atmosphere and surrounding area (9) 12. A deep cut or wound (4) 13. Predecessor of the CD (abbrev.) (2) 15. Robert Louis Stephenson novel (9) 20. Cane sugar syrup (7) 22. Little known Australian marsupial (6) 23. Brother of Romulus (5) 25. Recover from danger (6) 26. Representation or typical item (7) 29. 2000 Ridley Scott epic (9) 35. Telecommunication medium (abbrev.) (2) 36. Civil order against unruly youths (abbrev.) (4) 37. Second largest city in the Netherlands (9)

39. Alternative name for the Devil (7) 40. Persistent disease or disorder (7) 41. Heathen (5)

Down 1. Former Russian rulers (5) 2. Breakfast food of cereals and nuts (6) 3. That which is left (9) 4. Acknowledgement that payment has been made (7) 5. Unit of solar radiation (7) 6. Port in Northwest France (5) 7. Wily or crafty (3) 8. Range (5) 9. Pacific island, formerly Spanish, now administrated by US (4) 14. Upper arm muscles (7) 16. Blunt or austere (5) 17. Temperature scale (7) 18. Caribbean Island (4) 19. South Eastern County (5)

word link GOOD

OFF

DRESS

STAGE

SCHOOL

INN

TAX

BRAKE

HORSE

HORN

Use the clues and the keypad to find the answers to the grid using the week’s theme to help you. For example the number 3 in a clue could be D, E or F. This week’s theme is Chinese New year animals.

21. Spanish word meaning cross (4) 24. Lord __ Coe, Head of Olympic bid team (9) 27. Fruity or soft drink with an adult kick (7) 28. Loving intensely (7) 30. Martin __, former Aston Villa Manager (6) 31. Room used for reading and writing (5) 32. Famous race meeting (5) 33. Farewell remark (5) 34. Leave out (4) 38. Space between things (3)

sudoku

wordsearch

Find the word that can be placed between these words to make two new words or phrases

phone in

Puzzles Editor: Andy Pitkeathley - courier.puzzles@ncl.ac.uk

Across

Down

1. 722248 4. 372466 5. 46773

1. 7667837 2. 84437 3. 666539

Find all of the words in the grid below the words are all linked. This week the link is Asian capital cities.

The aim of this puzzle is to fill each box so that each column, each row and each 3×3 grid contains the numbers 1-9 just once.

EASY

MEDIUM

Baghdad Hanoi Kabul Jakarta Phnom Penh

Seoul Dhaka Dili Manila Male

Beirut Tokyo Tehran Taipei Islamabad

andy’s number cruncher logical

logic problem

What does this say?

A man ate one hundred grapes in five days, each day eating six more than on the previous day.

How many grapes did he eat on the first day?

HARD

Keep your brain in shape by trying to complete these sums as fast as you can without using a calculator

EASY

39

-3

Divide by 3

+28

MEDIUM

39 HARD

39

Multiply Divide 50% of by 12 this by 3

Divide Multiply by 13 by 1/3

+27

25% of this

Divide Square by 3 this

+16

Double 10% of this this

+2

-2

=

Square root

Half this

=

-10

Cube root

= Square root

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

Sports Editors: Jono Taylor, Wills Robinson and Kat Bannon - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

51

37

Days till Stan Calvert

2011: Another year, another year of sport

Sports Editor Wills Robinson looks at some of the sporting events to look forward to in 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, February 19 to April 2 India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh

After a record breaking victory last year, Newcastle will be looking to keep the city’s bragging rights firmly within the red-bricks for another year.

Eyes will be firmly set on Andy Flower’s England who are on the back of an Ashes series victory and a World Twenty20 Championship a year ago; it is arguably one of England’s best chances to take home the trophy.

Historically, however, it has been commonplace for England to fail to step up to the mark in the ICC World Cup, and their recent one-day losses against Australia seem to suggest it will just be business as usual this year, as they fail to make it past the Super Eight stages.

The Aussies will be looking for their fourth straight tournament victory, and their fifth overall, however, it is the first time in the last 15 years that they haven’t gone in as outright favourites. The home side India are shaping up to be the favourites in what promises to be a very competitive World Cup.

The Masters, April 7 to April 10 Augusta National Georgia, USA

IRB Rugby World Cup September 9 to October 23 New Zealand Surely this will be the All Blacks year. Whilst they have continually dominated international rugby for the large part of the last decade, World Cups have provided some massive hiccups for New Zealand, who have gone into nearly all the recent tournaments as outright favourites. In front of their home fans and in their own back yard, surely Richie McKaw will be very disappointed if he doesn’t lift the Web Ellis Trophy in Auckland come the end of October.

On the other hand, England have always done surprisingly well in World Cups, with their emphatic win in 2003 and unexpectedly reaching the final in 2007. Martin Johnson’s side could again do well, after looking promising in the Autumn Internationals, with their victory against Australia being one of the side’s best performances since 2003.

There is still a long way to go, but the Six Nations will be a major telling point as to how much England need to improve before September comes around.

Stan Calvert Memorial Cup March 30 Newcastle Upon Tyne Labelled by AU Officer, Charley Wright as the biggest varsity event in England, it is the day that all of Newcastle’s sports men and women look forward to the most and, after the event was snowed off at the end of last year, the Royals sporting contingent will be ever the more eager to get into the Poly.

It has been a very scandalous year for golf. Surprising since its considered a tranquil, gentleman’s game.

Tiger Woods has been dethroned and is now, officially the third best in the world, below Martin Kaymer, and Britain’s very own Lee Westwood.

Every year Westwood comes so close, finishing in joint second last year, and having never won a major, surely he will be confident that he can take home his first green jacket, as he looks to lengthen his tenure as world number one.

Something a little different World Transplant Games July 17, Sweden This is a traditional athletics event with one difference, all of the participants have undergone a successful organ transplant. The World Transplant Games Federation (WTGF) has said that the aim of the tournament is to highlight the success that organ transplants can bring. Since the first games, officials have said that transplant operations have increased by 30 per cent as a result.

Ricky Pointing, Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath holding the World Cup after their victory in 2007, but will they be sucessful in their attempt to win their fourth in a row?

Wimbledon June 20 to July 3 England

Introduced in Finland, the ‘sport’ involves men carrying their other halves through an obstacle course. The traditional prize is that the husband wins the wife’s weight in beer. The sport has become increasingly popular, so much so that different ‘carrying’ techniques have evolved, including the conventional piggyback and the so called ‘Estonian Curry’.

Every year, the British public preys that a Brit will lift the trophy on centre court, in the quintessential, bourgeois sporting event of the summer.

Strawberries, cream and champagne will be dished out in copious numbers, while Andy Murray, on the back of yet another runners-up spot in a Grand Slam will be hoping that he will be the first British winner of the tournament since Fred Perry in 1936.

Nude Olympics August, Arizona, USA

365 days until the London Olympics July 27 The wait is almost over, and the absence of any Olympics-related story in the sports headlines these days is a bit of an anomaly. With the fight over the stadium rights continuing, and the interviews for volunteers starting, the build-up is certainly on its way, and the big clichéd question in mind is, “Will it all be ready?” It’s looking promising but we should keep our fingers crossed for now.

All eyes will be on the development of the Olympic site in London’s East End, as the hype begins to build for the world’s greatest sporting event coming to Britain in 2012

Athletics World Championships August 27 to September 4 South Korea It’s not usual for Athletics events to be hyped up so much as major sporting events, but in the year before the Olympics comes to London, it will be a great chance for the Great British athletes to show themselves before the tournament.

The likes of Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah will be looking to continually impress on the World Stage, as they try to generate some form for next year’s London games.

World Wife Carrying Championships July, Finland

This isn’t as unconventional as you may think. Ancient Greeks actually banned the use of clothes in the Classical Olympics to avoid runners tripping on them.

Therefore, the third annual Nude Olympics is merely carrying on a historical tradition. Events vary from simple running tasks to the sun lounger race, which the organisers have likened to the Chariots of Fire... The Canyon State Naturists who sponsor the event say that its aims are to spread the benefits of nudist recreation.The event attracts hundreds of competitors from around the world every year, however it is quite clear that any spectators won’t be coming for the sporting prowess.

Rock Paper Scissors World Championships November, Tornonto

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw and coach Graham Henry arrive home dejected after another disappointing tournament. In their own back yard, is this finally their year?

Yes, thats right, there is actually a tournament where this is played and a world champion is decided.

It gives many the opportunity to be a world champion in a ‘sport’ that requires absolutely no skill.

Maybe its all in the eyes?

38

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Sport Gray & Keys scandal

Take a blouse son, take a blouse After the sacking of Andy Gray and Richard Keys, Harry Slavin and Jimmy Booker have their say on the scandal that has rocked football Jimmy Booker

Sian Massey has found herself at the centre of a media-frenzy over the last two weeks. Is ‘the beautiful game’ intolerant of women?

Harry Slavin On Saturday January 22, two footballing pundits shared a private joke between themselves, referring to the widely-used joke that women know nothing about football. Three days later both had left their jobs at Sky Sports in an unnecessary and over-dramatic media frenzy.

The main component of the whole saga which makes the treatment of Richard Keys and Andy Gray so grossly unfair is the fact that their comments were made off-air and were never meant for anyone else’s ears, not least the general public. To be sacked over these very selective off-air moments is ridiculous, especially when you consider Richard Keys’ undoubtedly valid point that if the off-air comments of all TV and radio presenters up and down the country were publicised, there would be none left in a job.

The pair have been made out to look like monsters by these ‘highly selective’ videos and recordings, which just isn’t right. Sian Massey was called up and apologised to before the whole incident blew up. Not only that but she accepted that apology, and in good spirit, if Richard Keys is to be believed. The banter was there to break the monotony of

work; throw-away comments which weren’t meant in any derogatory sense at all, but it would appear that figures such as Karen Brady, who childishly refused to accept an apology for a whimsical comment, have jumped at the chance to attack the pair, making it impossible for them to continue.

In all the media hype about the situation, a lot of public opinion has been lost and overshadowed by big names in football, such as Kenny Dalglish and Rio Ferdinand pulling out what are quite frankly nonsensical digs at both Gray and Keys.

For footballers to come out and lambaste the pair is just hypocrisy to the extreme. I would not believe for one minute that Rio Ferdinand, in the Manchester United changing room, has never dabbled in a bit of the ‘prehistoric banter’ he was so readily willing to condemn the duo for, and for him, and even Kenny Dalglish, to come out with the comments he has, is simply absurd.

In the storm that followed the recordings there has been substantial support for Keys and Gray, led by none other than top female athlete Charlotte Edwards - the England women’s cricket captain. Edwards dismissed that there was any venom in the comments made, a view shared amongst the majority of the

public, it would seem.

What Andy Gray and Richard Keys said was not right, and the fact that it was not meant for the public to hear still does not excuse their unprofessionalism. But for the pair to be relieved of their positions over it is probably one of the most hypocritical decisions ever made.

The entire episode was never a question of the ability of Sian Massey, although having been taken that way within some quarters. Instead, this has been turned around and placed as an attack on a largely-used, not-so-private joke shared amongst men up and down the country that women do not know that much about football. For insinuating this to play a part in someone’s sacking and someone’s resignation is ludicrous.

If this whole episode stops women taking up roles within the game, I for one can only see that as a good thing. As non PC as it may sound, look at it this way: Men use three o’clock on a Saturday afternoon as an escape from the other half, a way of getting a bit of peace and quiet for a couple of hours before going home to some ear-bending. The last thing any man wants is another woman ruining this quality time by making awful decisions and costing his team three

What a few days it has been for Sian Massey. She will have probably expected to run the line in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Wolves with perhaps a couple of wolf-whistles from the Molineux main stand, but she certainly didn’t expect to be at the centre of a sexism scandal that has rocked the world of football, and resulted in two of its most loved figures in broadcasting leaving their posts at Sky Sports.

Richard Keys and Andy Gray have fronted Sky Sports’ excellent coverage of a huge variety of high profile football matches since 1991. Twenty years and counting was brought to a sudden halt in a matter of seconds by a careless slip of a microphone switch.

Gray had jokingly suggested that women didn’t know the offside rule, which was even more embarrassing given that Massey got a very tough decision absolutely spot-on, whilst Keys was heard speaking ferociously patronisingly about not only Massey, but also ‘charming’ West Ham chief executive and Apprentice assistant Karren Brady, who had made claims about the sexism that was still rife in football. Her claims were underlined in such a cruelly ironic way.

Everybody speaks differently when they believe they are not being watched, bugged or lip-read, and the nature of Keys and Gray suggest that their remarks were far from serious. However, their tongue-incheek exchanges have perhaps enraged people even more.

Their words imply that the very idea of women playing a large and pivotal role in sport is laughable, and their admittedly private, but no less derogatory comments towards Massey and, indeed, women in general, reflects a wider problem than women supposedly not knowing the offside rule.

points.

For this reason I would like to thank Karen Brady, because at this moment her scaremongering is do-

Whilst women have just as much a chance as men of making it to a top level of officiating in sport, (and the authorities have been extremely quick to make us aware that people are chosen on merit alone), the remarks of Keys and Gray have underlined the issue that the problem is more de facto than de jure. It is the more institutionalised attitudes towards female officials that have riled those who are concerned with sexism in sport, as opposed to the lack of opportunities available to them.

Sky clearly valued Keys and Gray, and rightly so. Their past professionalism, knowledge and old fashioned lads’ banter was a delight to behold. Indeed, they were largely responsible for putting the Super in some eye-wateringly tedious matches that have been featured on Super Sunday.

However, behind the banter, as was recently revealed, were the dated attitudes towards women that are being increasingly forced out of the modern sporting world, as Sky Sports’ golden boys so abruptly and callously realised.

Whatever people’s opinions may be on the subject, Sky, although they could have handled the situation better than they did, were right to sack Gray, and effectively force out Keys.

Whilst some have seen the incident as being blown out of all proportions (indeed, Keys’ wife has spoken in his defence on such grounds), or even an invasion of their privacy, the fact of the matter is that in a world that is edging closer and closer towards gender and social equality even as we speak.

Such attitudes, even expressed in jest, are not to be tolerated, and Sky could not afford to risk their reputation by backing such comments.

Keys and Gray brought about their own downfall, and now they have paid the price.

ing much more to put off women from undertaking roles in football than Andy Gray and Richard Keys could ever have done.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

39

Sport

Everybody was Kung-Fu fighting Rory Brigstock-Barron Martial arts differs to most other sports in the sense that they are often considered a way of life, many being based on the value of honour and respect that is encouraged through the teaching and practice of that specific discipline.

For this reason, involvement in martial arts is now very common at a young age for both boys and girls, taking up the likes of Judo and Karate, which help to build their confidence and self discipline, as well as being a great way to keep active.

The nature – perhaps crucially at this non-competitive level of martial arts – seems to bridge the gender divide far more successfully than other main stream sports.

It can be tempting to associate combat sports with men, due to the assumed intent of violence that

many believe is a part of the philosophy of martial arts; however most people do not enter in to martial arts to compete in competition or even to practice full contact activity.

Both the President and Treasurer of the Thai boxing club at Newcastle are female, and many of the girls who attend the club have gone on to compete in national competitions.

According to Sam Bhatt, Newcastle University’s Thai and Kickboxing captain, around half of those who attend kickboxing are female, with a substantial female attendance also in Thai boxing.

“When they first started Thai, they did find it a little daunting but soon grew to love the sport. We’re always trying to encourage more girls to join Thai and kickboxing, not just for the competing aspect, but many enjoy it because it’s one of the best sports for keeping fit.”

Another important aspect of such

clubs is the relationship between the male and female members and how they see each other as ‘equals’. Anna Gamburg, a Thai Boxer at Newcastle, dismissed the idea of gender inequality within the sport: “I don’t get the feeling that the guys look and laugh at the girls. If anything we encourage each other. I would even say that some guys like seeing girls who can fight - it is an advantage to have a mixed club because the socials are more fun this way!”

The significance of such collaboration between males and females in university sport cannot be underestimated when we look at the way women are often perceived by fans and even competitors in other sports. The fact that more girls are competing in combat sports and getting involved with them at university is undoubtedly a step in the right direction with regard to challenging

stereotypes.

Despite this unisex appeal seen in the amateur and recreational spheres of the sport, the same can not be said about the professional realm. The dominant main stream form that represents most combat disciplines Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has only recently begun to showcase female fights to large audiences.

Although popular organisations such as Strikeforce and Bellator now show women’s fights amongst those of the men, the frequency, popularity and the revenue raised barely compares.

This is further illustrated in the fact that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by far the largest promoter of MMA refuses to sign female fighters, with the head of the company Dana White stating that there simply “aren’t enough good women fighters to create an entire weight division”.

Though the number of professional female fighters is concerning, there are clearly other issues at play which have prevented the female fighters from becoming as successful and as popular as the men.

Perhaps spectators aren’t as comfortable watching women hit each other as they are when its two men in the cage? Perhaps to some extent the traditional view of women as dignified figures of beauty clouds the ability of male spectators to see them as martial artists and respect their skills rather than their physiques.

Whatever the reason, it is clear that despite the healthy female participation in martial arts at an amateur level, the professional sphere still has plenty of work to do in order to bridge the gender divide, and to achieve true equality for female elite athletes.

NUCC reach regional finals Richard Stanyon Finalists in 2009 and quarter-finalists in 2010, Newcastle were favourites to progress in Sunday’s Indoor Cricket Round One. Captain Tom Ullyott won the toss and elected to bowl first hoping to restrict Edinburgh’s score and knock the runs off.

In reality, despite a hostile opening spell from Stanyon and Barrowman, and good support from the everimpressive Chris Childs, some basic fielding errors from their captain allowed Edinburgh to slip away.

When Gareth Purshouse pouched an edge off Stanyon things had looked bleak for the visitors, but a lack of discipline in the bowling department and two dropped catches from Ullyott saw Edinburgh beg, steal and borrow their way up to 91.

Newcastle were confident of knocking off the total. Davy and Childs got off to a strong start taking the score to 30 without loss off just three overs but when Childs was unfortunately run out backing up, things began to take a turn for the worst.

Captain Ullyott showed that he is clearly not a morning person when his wild stroke was caught off the ceiling and Davy tapped a simple catch to mid-on to leave Newcastle in disarray.

Purshouse and Barrowman recovered the score, but the lost wickets had dented the run chase and when Purhouse was run out and Barrowman was caught at point it was left to Stanyon.

Needing nine runs to secure victory from the remaining 10 balls, the Edinburgh side could smell victory.

Two nervous play and misses caused coach Keith Hewson to hide behind the nets; and if things were tense then, they were about to get even worse. A drive into the off-side

was perfectly placed for a three. The call was ‘yes’ but Barrowman stood like a rabbit in headlights as Stanyon charged towards him.

A throw to the correct end would have seen Barrowman run out and left but luckily, the ball was hurled towards the end where both batsmen stood, missed the stumps and crashed into the back netting for four crucial runs, keeping Newcastle in the game. The next ball was stroked into the leg-side for three leaving just two runs required from the final over. The first ball was manoeuvred into the gap for one run but the next three balls all beat the outside edge. With the penultimate ball of the game, Stanyon found the edge he was looking earning Newcastle victory.

Aberdeen were next up. Davy and Childs imposed themselves on the Aberdeen openers who had travelled six hours to play. When Davy retired on 30, Ullyott finally woke up and stroked the ball around with ease. Purshouse was also accumulating runs well as Newcastle targeted a huge score. When Ullyott also retired it was left to Barrowman to finish the job and leave Newcastle on 133-1.

Stanyon took the ball and caused problems with pace and bounce early on, and was backed up by Ullyott opening the bowling. It was clear from the initial burst that Aberdeen would need a miracle to chase down 133, but Newcastle did a professional job. Barrowman and Childs did their jobs well, and even Davy was given the chance to steal a wicket as Ullyott took a diving catch at mid-on.

When things were finally wrapped up Aberdeen were 61-4 and Newcastle were able to make the short trip home as winners of the group and earn a trip to Headingley for the next round.

40

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Sport Intra Mural

Lacklustre Leazes fail to find cutting edge

J. TAYLOR

After a three month delay due to the adverse weather conditions, Leazes suffered the post-Christmas blues at Longbenton last week after being outplayed and outfought by an incisive Medics outfit Intra Mural Division 1

Newcastle Medics Castle Leazes

3 0

Jimmy Taylor at Longbenton Newcastle Medics came out on top after a dominant performance against a poor Leazes outfit in windy conditions at Longbenton.

The opening five minutes were fairly even with Leazes looking to get the ball down, whilst the Medics were using the advantage of having the wind behind them to pump balls forward to the pacy strike-force of Kay and Campbell.

The first real opportunity arrived

on 15 minutes when a curling Medics corner was headed into the net

by Davison, but the referee rightly disallowed the goal for pushing.

The referee again took centre stage moments later leaving the Medics fuming. An in-swinging corner was met by the head of Davison, only for the ball to be cleared off the line by what appeared to be the hand of Sam McCormick. However, the referee waved away the Medic protests, instead awarding Leazes a free-kick.

It wasn’t until the 27th minute that the Medics broke through. An inswinging corner from Dhand was not dealt with properly, and for the second game running Leazes conceded a goal directly from a corner.

Medics pushed for a second but the Leazes back four was looking solid.

Nangle was dealing well with the trickery of Rishie Dhand and Taylor and Hill appeared comfortable enough with the Medics strikers.

Leazes went into the second half hoping to use the wind to their advantage and batter the Medics back four, just as the Medics had done to them. However, this was not to be as the Medics started by far the stronger of the two teams.

Good work from Aaron Hill stopped a promising opportunity for Campbell as the Medics continued to press and it took a fine save from the Leazes ‘keeper to deny Chris Kay. Pearson was forced into a change

on the hour mark as Pete Carmody replaced Jon Mulcahy for what appeared to be a hamstring injury. The presence of Carmody was evident and he nearly levelled after 63 minutes, as he was sent through one-onone by Barber’s through ball, only to lose his footing and the chance was squandered.

Leazes were made to pay for the missed opportunity, as the Medics doubled their lead five minutes later. An accurate cross from the impressive Davison was met by the head of Kay whose powerful header nestled in the top right corner.

Pearson responded by throwing on Mike Spence, but they appeared to have run out of ideas. An accurate corner from Ed Nangle nearly

curled into the top corner but that was as good as it got for Leazes and the Medics added a third with 15 minutes to play.

Nick Jones found himself with plenty of space on the edge of the Leazes area and unleashed a stunning strike to pile the misery on Leazes.

The final exchanges saw the Medics relax – content with their threegoal cushion, while Leazes continued in vain to break down a resolute Medics back four.

The loss condemned Leazes to yet another defeat and Pearson will hope to use the February transfer window to bring in some fresh faces to try and inspire his squad.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

41

BUCS Sport

Tyne-Wear jubilation for Royals S.TYSON

Men’s Football

Newcastle 1sts Sunderland 1sts

9 0

Charlie Scott at Cochrane Park Newcastle finished the game with the same number of goals as Sunderland had players left on the pitch last week, as they outclassed their opponents from start to finish. Mercurial winger Dan Clements was the pick of the performers as he helped himself to a hat-trick, as Newcastle ran riot at Cochrane Park.

The win was all the more impressive considering that six members of the squad were missing through injury, meaning only two substitutes took their place on the Royals bench. Remarkably the nine goal deficit flattered the visitors as they fell apart after going 6-0 down before half-time.

Feeling victimised by the referee following a number of decisions going Newcastle’s way, a number of Sunderland players surrounded the referee, making a complete mockery of the FA Respect campaign.

Sunderland’s vocal centre-half Niall McArdle went as far as blasting the ball at the man in black, prompting a flourish of red and a lonely walk off the field of play. The referee then attempted to calm things down by blowing for half-time, only to be again surrounded. Eventually tempers calmed and the second half got under way.

Sunderland’s Christof Ascherl followed McArdle into the dug-out shortly after the break with a second bookable offence that left his team in disarray. Against a dispirited nine men the Royals created chance after chance, and could easily have scored more as they exploited the gaps left all over the pitch by Sunderland’s numerical disadvantage.

The rout started after just 90 seconds when Dhugga performed a neat one-two with Swainston down the right-hand side before hooking a cross into the box that struck the arm of the Sunderland left-back, Brian Stevens. The referee rightly awarded a penalty, with George Coyle coolly striking high and central into the back of the net.

Newcastle soon added a second, again from the penalty spot, courtesy of another fine strike by Coyle.

On 34 minutes Clements grabbed his first of the afternoon to make it 3-0, coolly volleying home after great build-up play by John Addy.

Minutes later, it was Coyle who assisted Clements, feinting a pass before piercing the Sunderland defence and releasing Clements, who cut inside before unleashing an unstoppable drive into the roof of the net.

The goals were coming at an astonishing rate by this point and it was soon 5-0. This time Addy added his name to the scoresheet, picking up the ball just inside the Sunderland half, powering past his marker and then dispatching a confident finish past the hapless Clayton in the Sunderland goal.

Minutes before half-time Ed Savitt curled a vicious free-kick towards goal that Clayton did brilliantly to keep out, only for Clements to come storming in and blast home the rebound, completing his hat-trick.

The second half started in a similar vein to which the first ended and Coyle soon controversially sealed

Newcastle’s footballers were on cloud nine after a dramatic Derby Day encounter with rivals Sunderland, who ended the fiery affair with only nine men his hat-trick with the help of a huge looping deflection to his shot from outside the area.

Knowing that three points were guaranteed, the Royals manager had the luxury of removing Coyle and Clements- his two hat-trick heroes, allowing them the chance to receive a standing ovation from the loyal supporters that were in attendance.

Swainston then provided the game’s outstanding moment of quality, squaring up to a free-kick 40 yards out, like an English Cristiano Ronaldo, and preceding to launch an absolute thunderbolt that agonisingly came crashing back off the woodwork.

Sunderland’s central midfielder Ascherl saw red following another reckless challenge that epitomised Sunderland’s performance. It was not long before Newcastle made their increasing numerical advantage felt, Savitt finally finding the net after showing enough composure to steady himself in the area and steer his effort past Clayton to make it 8-0.

Substitute Alan Gamble snatched the final goal of the game, living up to his name, by sneaking in at the back post to nod home, after Sunderland failed to clear a corner.

Hat-trick hero Dan Clements spoke after the game of the “nice feeling to get his first hat-trick for the university”, adding that he hoped “it will be the first of many”. In true TyneWear derby style, the Royals manager Andy Woodhall modestly described with a wide grin on his face how “it’s always nice to get one over the Mackems”.

Few of the Royals games this season will be as easy, but the players should enjoy the moment- it’s not everyday you beat your local rivals 9-0. The team’s thoughts must now move to the next game, with everyone hoping last week’s victory will act as a springboard to propel the team up the league table.

42

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Sport Intra Mural

Netball Round-up Harriet Needham

Newcastle 1sts Leeds 1sts

26 36

Having started the season with a relatively new squad, the girls have endured a difficult season, but nevertheless have gone from strength to strength in recent weeks. Entering their last BUCS match of the season needing to beat Leeds by a near-impossible 101 goals to avoid relegation, the girls were instead playing for pride.

Corinne Kinvig at C played beautifully, bringing the ball all the way down the court. Sally Burden at GK and Mia Archer at GD again had a lofty GS to contend with but they managed outstandingly. However the GA was a tougher opponent and Leeds gradually pulled away.

Coach Gill urged the team to enjoy the final quarter, despite victory now being a distant target for Newcastle and the girls responded well; Rachel Saville in particular had a blinder applying pressure constantly to earn the Player of the Match title. The team will now be relegated without a win, but it was an encouraging end to the season.

Newcastle 2nds Teesside 1sts

34 35

Following last week’s close game with Huddersfield, the girls were hoping to respond with an overdue victory. However with some tricky umpires who appeared to favour the opposition, and with the girls missing a couple of players, it was going to be a tough match. It was goal for goal throughout, but in truth Teesside should have been left far behind. There was some lovely defending by GK Lucy Greenwood and GD Sassa Hamilton, but the umpires insisted on pulling them up constantly in the final quarter, allowing Teesside to win by just one goal. For Newcastle, Rebecca Mills at WA put some fantastic balls into Player of the Match, GA Fiona Moss, who shot consistently throughout, but after a draw last week, this was a frustrating result for the girls.

Newcastle 3rds Northumbria 3rds

50 26

In a tough match against rivals Northumbria, the girls took an early lead. Though playing the Poly, it would never be for long and the opposition remained in contention throughout. After quarter time, Northumbria had been given a serious talk and came back dictating the speed of the game, and causing the girls to make silly mistakes.

Newcastle responded well though to build on the ever increasing lead. Player of the match Charlotte Plumtree at GK had an outstanding game constantly making incredible interceptions. At the other end Laura Wilson benefitted from some good service from behind her to score the key goals and secure a well-deserved derby win.

Newcastle 4ths York 1sts

34 43

A strong performance by WA Charlotte Leeson was not enough to prevent defeat against York.

Newcastle had a height advantage in the circle and the shooters held their space perfectly so that balls could be fed efficiently. The defence played superbly, forcing York to make silly mistakes and causing a number of turnovers that the girls picked up on. It all fell apart in the final quarter, however as York overturned Newcastle’s lead and pulled away to snatch victory.

NURL crowned league champions Rugby League

Newcastle 2nds Hull 2nds

46 6

Robert Andrew at Close House Despite an awe inspiring season so far, NURL seconds were shipped out to Close House to host their final league game of the season against Hull. On a blustery afternoon it was never going to be a classy game of rugby, but NURLs’ dogged determination, which has seen them only lose one game this season, claimed their right as winners of the BUCS North League.

Gale force winds saw NURL penned in their half for the first 10 minutes. Seizing this advantage Hull secured an early lead after a vicious assault on Rob Andrew saw

the captain leave the field with a large gash on the head.

Their early lead was the only glimmer of hope NURL gave their grotesquely obese opposition as they turned to human wrecking ball Gaz ‘Strawberries and cream’ Herbert to punch some holes in the defence.

Not two minutes had passed before he crashed over the line, taking the entire Hull defence with him, to put NURL back in the game.

The brute strength of the home side’s pack soon began to show, with Russ West and Sean Rawling adding to the opposition’s embarrassment by running over several tackles to add to NURLs points tally. As the second half wore on Hull slipped into a series of handling errors, allowing NURL’s back line to capitalise. Swift handling from half backs Barry Yeend and Nathan Barry saw father of three and gen-

eral grumpus, Leigh Murkedmanymums, diving over in the corner.

Jonny Watts’ lines of running were also rewarded as he took a try in what was his best performance in a NURL shirt.

The whistle for the end of the first half rang out like the clanging chimes of doom for Hull, as NURL began to look like making it a rout with their 22-6 half time lead.

The second half saw more brutality from Gaz Herbert, who was prevented from scoring a full length try only by the full back, after a feigned attempt at a tackle from Hull’s matchstick-legged centre. Rewards for the forwards’ hard work came as the angriest man in NURL, Andi Lenskya, trundled over under the posts.

Usain Bolt lookalike Matty Jones then scored a superb brace, refusing to touch the ball down until he had

rounded every player on the opposition’s side. NURL refused to lie back and kept the pressure on the Hull line with Jack English running over the defence to score to avoid passing to serial drongo David Chattersworth. Had Chattersworth known where the touchline was he may have taken a hat-trick of tries, but his bulging love handles saw him carelessly slip into touch several times mere inches from the try line.

The game was capped off with a deserved try for Barry Yeend whose facial hair for the game resembled something from my ‘Big Fat Gypsy Wedding’.

After a superb season NURL deservedly clinched the league title and sent out a warning message to their dance choreography-studying counterparts at Northumbria before Stan Calvert in two months time.

Royals too tough for Lough Rugby Union

Newcastle 1sts Loughborough 1sts

34 22

Colin Henrys Web Editor at Cochrane Park On a blustery day at Cochrane Park, Newcastle’s Men’s First XV put a torrid first term behind them, deservedly beating a strong Loughborough outfit 34-22. A hat-trick of tries by full-back Dave Smith, supplemented with scores from Ben Morris, David Swetman and Newcastle Falcons’ scrum-half Harry Peck, ensured that the hosts ended a disastrous run of six straight defeats.

Newcastle held the lead from as early as the fourth minute and rarely looked like surrendering it, although the match could have taken a completely different course had it not been for a try-saving tackle by captain Sam Shires from the visitors’ first attack.

Loughborough’s two centres burst easily through several weak tackles, but a huge hit by Shires on the edge of his own 22 brought a halt to the attack, and just moments later a quick break on the left wing saw Smith run 40 yards to dive over under the posts.

Ed Yarnton added the extra points to give Newcastle an unexpected 7-0 lead, but Loughborough hit back almost immediately when their powerful pack drove the ball over the try-line from a scrum conceded deep inside the Royals’ 22.

The first signs of the impact that the conditions would have on the game appeared at this point, when the attempted conversion was held up by the wind and dropped short of the posts, before an attempted clearance from deep inside the visitors’ half shortly afterwards swirled viciously in to touch to provide Newcastle with an attacking line-out.

It was from this line-out that they scored their second try too; a good, quick passing move ended with Peck bursting through to touch down under the posts and Yarnton converting the extras.

Newcastle continued to play an efficient passing game, led by Peck, and only a fumble by the otherwise impressive Nick Pass prevented a

second try in as many minutes.

Loughborough continued to dominate in the scrum however, and when they won possession from a Newcastle put-in they powered through for their second try.

The initial break was held up, but illegally so, and it was no surprise when the visitors opted to scrum, driving under the posts for a try which this time was converted.

While the visitor’s forwards dominated the scrum, it was Newcastle on top of the line-out, and they were able to respond immediately to the visitors’ second try from exactly this source. Yarnton’s long restart was carried by the wind and when Loughborough fumbled the ball out of play, Newcastle took full advantage, with Morris scoring the hosts’ third try.

Yarnton surrendered his 100% kicking success rate as his conversion into the wind drifted wide of the posts, but Newcastle were soon on the score-sheet once more; another quick passing move dissected the Loughborough back-line and David Swetman made it 24-12.

By now, kicking to the posts had become near-impossible due to the swirling wind and, as a result, neither kicker managed to convert another for the rest of the game.

It looked as though Newcastle were strolling to victory, but their lead was cut to seven points on the stroke of half-time, when an infringement in the line-out gifted Loughborough a penalty only 10 yards out. It was taken quickly and Sheppey, an early replacement for the visitors, forced the ball over for the try.

With the scores so close at the break, the first 10 minutes of the second half were going to be crucial, and it was Dave Smith who came to the fore for the hosts. The visitors had no match to his pace, and two breaks from deep inside Newcastle’s own half ended with Smith running more than half of the length of the field for his second and third tries of the match.

Although Loughborough did add a fourth try of their own midway through the second half - once again driving the ball over when Newcastle conceded a scrum in their own 22 - the hosts remained largely in control of the match. Their impressive passing game was simply too good for Loughborough, with Peck

The first XV now hope to turn their backs on disappointing first half of campaign

in particular drawing the plaudits from a good-sized crowd.

Smith could have added two further tries to his tally too, as first his low kick caused problems for his opposite number but Smith was held up just short of the tryline when chasing his own kick through, and then another 60-yard try was chalked off by a very late, and some would say debatable, call for a forward pass.

The visitors also had a try disallowed for crossing, which, had it stood, would has made for a nervous last five minutes. However the final whistle sounded with no further score, sparking scenes of jubilation from the hosts. The resulting mass celebration proved what the win meant and all at NURFC hope that it is a sign of things to come for the remainder of the campaign.

THE COURIER Monday February 7 2011

BUCS

43

Sport

Helping hand serves Raiders feast on late Hallam success feeble Predators M. HIETALA

Men’s Basketball

American Football

Marika Hietala at the Sports Centre

Craig Miller in Edinburgh

The metamorphosis of Newcastle’s Men’s Firsts in last Sunday’s game against Sheffield Hallam was such as to make one rub their eyes in disbelief. The game, postponed earlier in the season due to inclement weather conditions, now offered the hosts the chance to secure league victory and promised to be a thrilling match.

The start of the game saw a nervous Newcastle side, and the hosts clearly struggled under the pressure of an important match, lacking the vital finishing precision. It was an end to end game of high intensity, with Sheffield Hallam waving the baton and appearing one step ahead of Newcastle. Only a few minutes into the game, head coach Ian Hewitt took Newcastle’s first timeout, although producing no marked influence on the home side’s performance.

Sheffield played smart basketball and Newcastle were forced to take their attempts on the basket from distance, with poor accuracy. At the other end the more physical visitors were able to make space under the basket and find gaps in the Newcastle defence. The first quarter ended with Sheffield ahead, but the hosts, spurred on by fierce support from the sideline, were beginning to look more composed.

The second quarter continued where the first one had ended though. Newcastle stepped on to the pitch with a new fighting spirit but Sheffield remained confident.

Newcastle topped up their defensive game, but offensively there still was much to improve. The home side seemed to lack imagination and were too slow to take their attempts on the basket.

During the second ten minute period, the game became increasingly physical and Newcastle players often found themselves flat on the floor. Emotion ran high and the period ended with a small commotion; a few shoves and pushes were given by both sides. This incident seemed to shake off whatever anxiety was still hovering in the Newcastle players’ minds though.

Newcastle’s Charlie Hand had been the home side’s ray of light, but in the third quarter the home team as a whole stepped up their game. Hallam remained consist-

After a three month long break the Newcastle Raiders American Football Team were raring to begin the second half of the season. Although the Raiders had already beaten Durham and Sunderland 2 – 0, with six games left to play, the race to the playoffs was just heating up. Full of confidence the Raiders prepared to head to Edinburgh for a tough start to the 2011 schedule. Having faced a 78-0 defeat in the first round of the playoffs last year, the Predators were out for revenge.

Despite an early start it was Newcastle’s GB Youth star John Barrowcliff who set the tone of the game after he delivered a huge hit onto an opposing blocker in the opening minutes. After a few early scares by the Predators offence, defensive captain Jim Harvey got the unit working, and the ball was turned over on downs.

It was Newcastle’s offence’s turn to take the field. As a unit, the Raiders offence scored the most points in the country during the regular season in 09/10. This was a big name to live up to, and while they may have lost some size, they more than made up for it with speed, precision and heart. Opening out in the double wing formation, Newcastle proceeded to march up the field.

Running back and team captain Craig Miller put the team on his back, racking up the yards with his hard-nosed, pinball style running.

The drive was finished with a four yard run for the touchdown.

Points were scarce in the first half, as both teams’ offences struggled to get drives going. Newcastle switched to its alternate, passing playbook, featuring a number of rookie wide receivers still learning their position. Penalties and dropped passes killed any drives Newcastle got started, but there were glimpses of what the offence was truly capable of through the running of Iain ‘Fish’ Heron-Stamp and the quarterback play of offensive captain Albert Parkhouse. On defence, Harvey kept things tight, and Barrowcliff lead by example through hard hitting and tackles.

The first half came to a close with the score 8-0.

The game still tight, the Predators tried to produce a game changing

moment by starting with an onside kick (à la New Orleans Saints in the last Superbowl). However, defensive captain Neil Smith diagnosed the play, and Newcastle recovered in good field position. The rookies on the Newcastle offence proceeded to step up their game, with fresher running back Tom Leaver following his blocks down field, and receiver Ali Fraser breaking a short pass for a larger gain. Getting all the way to the two yard line, Newcastle turned to team captain Miller to punch it in to the end zone. Another two point conversion made the score 16-0 to Newcastle.

Both teams’ offences then continued to struggle. The Predators passing game probed at Newcastle secondary, and after a couple of completions, they found themselves in scoring distance. Throwing to a deep route in the end zone, the receiver made a sprawling catch for the score against the Raiders.

However, this served only to anger the Newcastle team, and on the ensuing possession, Miller followed down field blocks by linemen Craig Summerfield and Matthew Carney to go around 70 yards in one play for another touchdown, knocking the steam out of the Predators. One more touchdown by Newcastle left the final score a deserving 6-32 to the away team..

John Barrowcliff received special teams MVP for setting the tone with his hard hits on kick off whilst Jim Harvey was awarded defensive MVP for his marshalling of the Newcastle Defence. Offensive MVP then went to Iain ‘Fish’ Heron-Stamp for his down field running and full back play on offence, whilst also helping out on defence.

The runaway game MVP went to the team captain, Craig Miller.

Playing both ways for most of the game, his defensive game knowledge helped him stop numerous plays for a loss, and his hard-nosed running on offence kept the team alive. Honourable mentions went to Ed Green, Craig Summerfield and Matthew Carney for playing both sides of the ball. Meanwhile, shot and quote of the day went to John Barrowcliff who claims he ‘hit someone so hard it took him a few seconds to say ouch’.

If you’re interested in playing American Football this year, we welcome players of any level.

Come down to training at Longbenton sports ground, Tuesday 7.15pm or Friday 6.15pm, or get in touch with Club President Matt Carney at m.carney@ ncl.ac.uk.

3rds 50-26 Northumbria 3rds 4ths 34-33 York 1sts

Mens 3rds 1-2 Sheffield 3rds Womens 3rds 1-3 York 1sts

Newcastle 1sts 92 Sheffield Hallam 1sts 83

Newcastle Raiders Edinburgh Predators

Newcastle overcame a tough Hallam outfit to edge an enthralling match last week

ent and strong under the basket, but Newcastle’s chase had begun.

While still struggling with their accuracy, the hosts were able to create more and more chances for themselves. The signs of the storm that was to knock Sheffield off their leading position were there, even if not yet immediately evident.

What was said on the bench during the last interval remains a secret, but the last quarter witnessed the emergence of a poised home side quite unrecognisable from that at the beginning of the game. Even in the last ten minutes, it seemed that Sheffield might be able to hold on to their lead. However, the pendulum had swung Newcastle’s way and the last quarter surprised everyone.

Sheffield began to slip and the vis-

itors’ confidence seemed to crumble under the constant blue waves probing deep into their end of the field. Led by Adam Wilson and Rafael Franca, Newcastle played in ecstasy. The shots that had bounced back from the backboard or from the edges of the basket now found their way through the hoop with an amazing accuracy. The home side dominated the areas under the basket at both ends, and won the rebounds.

In the end Newcastle managed deservedly to first bridge the gap, and then to pull ahead of the visitors.

Newcastle played with big heart and earned their 92-83 victory. The hosts did it the hard way, but they achieved what they had set out to do and bagged the title.

32 6

BUCS Results - February 2 Badminton

Mens 2nds 3-5 Durham 1sts

Basketball

Mens 2nds 55-42 Huddersfield 1sts Mens 3rds 64-81 Sunderland 2nds Womens 1sts 79-14 York St John 1sts

Fencing

Mens 2nds 134-86 Bradford 1sts

Football

Mens 1sts 9-0 Sunderland 1sts Mens 2nds 2-1 Northumbria 2nds Mens 3rds 0-3 Teeside 2nds Womens 1sts 0-1 York 1sts

Mens 2nds 3-0 Sheffield 3rds Mens 3rds 7-1 York St John 1sts Mens 4ths 0-3 Leeds 4ths Womens 2nds 1-0 Leeds 3rds Womens 3rds 2-4 Durham 3rds Womens 4ths 5-0 Northumbria 3rds

Golf

Lacrosse

Golf 1sts 3-3 Loughborough 1sts

Hockey

Mens 1sts 3-2 Durham 3rds

Rugby

Table Tennis Mens 2nds 1-3 York 1sts

Mens 1sts 4-3 Liverpool 1sts Womens 2nds 2-18 Leeds 1sts

Mens 1sts 34-22 Loughborough Mens 2nds 8-43 Liverpool 1sts Mens 3rds 23-7 York 2nds Mens 4ths 60-8 Northumbria 4ths Womens 1sts 17-0 MMU Chesire Womens 2nds 0-32 Sunderland 1sts

Netball

Squash

Mens 1-3 Leeds

2nds 34-35 Teeside 1sts

Mens 2nds 4-1 York 1sts

Tennis

Mens 1sts 6-6 Durham 3rds Mens 2nds 2-10 Sheffield 2nds Womens 2nds 4-8 York 1sts

Volleyball

44

Monday February 7 2011 THE COURIER

Rightfully sacked?

Join the debate > Sport, page 38 Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin and Tom James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Sports Editors: Jono Taylor, Wills Robinson and Kat Bannon - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Owls having a hoot in BUCS NURL 1sts and 2nds are both crowned league champions after two convincing home wins against Sheffield Hallam and Hull

S. TYSON

Newcastle Rugby League has continued to prove itself as one of the most successful sports clubs in the university, with both of their sides taking home their respective league titles at Wednesday’s BUCS fixtures.

Rugby League

50 Newcastle 1sts Sheffield Hallam 1sts 24 Ian McPherson at Cochrane Park The Owls saw off stern opposition on the final day of the league season last week to confirm their status as the AU’s most successful team.

The Death Machine went into the match knowing a win would see them lift the league trophy and avenge the pain of the previous two years’ second place finishes.

Their opponents at Cochrane Park were Sheffield Hallam - the only team to have beaten the Owls this season.

It was clear from the first whistle that the Owls were fired up, with a number of thundering shots being thrown by bash brothers Joe ‘DeadLift’ Dawson and DJ Dan Caparros.

This early dominance was rewarded with a try, thanks to the Owl’s mercurial full-back Sammy Boyd, after evading around twelve tackles, the magical nomad offloaded to loose-forward Mikey Ward, who scored under the posts.

The tyrannous wind that swept across Cochrane was no match for

the right foot of NURL’s hooker Rob Seagraves who slotted the kick with consummate ease, giving the hosts a 6-0 lead.

The Hallam drongos hit back strongly, however, penning the Owls in their own half for a number of repeated sets. Despite NURL’s tight defensive line, the visitors found a way through, touching down just to the left of the posts.

The match continued to be a hotly contested encounter, with second row pairing Jimmy Phillips and Dave Knox putting in typically industrious performances.

NURL eventually made a break through mid-way through the first half; quick hands from Wacky Jack Webb opened up space for winger Harry Baxter who cruised over in

Newcastle

Liverpool John M Leeds Met 2nds Sheffield Hallam Leeds Liverpool

P 9 7 8 9 9 8

W 7 5 5 3 3 1

the right hand corner, pushing the hosts into the lead.

The visitors were then reduced to twelve men after receiving a yellow card for a high tackle on prop Ian McPherson. Fortunately his good looks remain unspoiled.

The death machine was beginning to fire on all cylinders by the end of the first half, racking up three tries in quick succession. The first came through the Owls’ stand-off Chris Griffiths who sniffed out a gap in the Hallam defence and stumbled over the line for the most elementary of tries.

The second came from NURL’s jack-of-all-trades Jimmy Phillips, who scooted over from five yards.

The third came from ladies man Myles Hudson who received a

D 1 0 1 0 0 0

L 1 2 2 6 6 7

F 314 134 184 214 196 90

A 110 120 158 204 310 230

Pts 15 12 11 6 4 2

well-measured pass from standoff Griffiths to give the hosts some breathing space as the half time whistle blew.

The second half continued to be a tight affair, with both teams exchanging bone-crunching blows in an enthralling contest. However, the Death Machine’s attacking options proved too much for the dogfaced Hallam defenders, as pocketsized powerhouse Sam Flowers cut a clinical running line from half way to set Harry Baxter for his second try.

Despite a considerable points deficit, Hallam kept the Owls under intense pressure, scoring two further tries on the hour mark, vanquishing any complacency which might have set in from the hosts.

Luckily, the Death Machine were able to call upon their indefatigable loose-forward Mikey Ward who stopped any threat of a Hallam fight back; bursting through a succession of tackles before out-pacing Hallam’s full back to score in the corner.

It was clear by this point that NURL were in the ascendancy, with sub George Matthew causing damage all over the field, before skipper Liam McGeezer cut a Ste Moorecroft-esque line through the

defence to score under the posts.

Eager not to be outdone by his team mates, Will ‘the Warrington Walrus’ Winter started scrapping with Hallam’s hooker, resulting in a yellow card, which means that for the second time this season the Walrus has been sent off for getting punched by the smallest player on the pitch.

There was just enough time on the clock for Harry Baxter to complete his hat-trick, which was expertly finished in the corner.

The final whistle blew and was met by wild celebrations from NURL’s players and supporters alike, who knew this would cement NURL’s status as the AU’s most successful, and more importantly, most beloved club.

This historic day, with both NURL teams winning their respective leagues, establishes the team as genuine contenders for winning the coveted ‘Team of the Year’ gong, announced in a few months time.

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