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Martin beats the odds with wonder drug By George Sandeman News Editor Biomedical Sciences student Martin Solomon could be back on campus as early as next September. Over the last few months the Manchester-native has wowed doctors with his remarkable recovery thanks to a wonder drug. He is now back in remission and doctors have told him he could be well enough to resume his studies at the start of the next academic year. This is the second time the third year student has beaten back his blood cancer, after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Hogkin’s Lymphoma back in 2007. He relapsed in December 2012 and since then his family, working with the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, have been working tirelessly to find him a bone marrow match. Whilst a match still hasn’t been found, the wonder drug gives Martin stability for the foreseeable future. The work to find him a match will still continue as a bone marrow transplant provides a proven solution in the long term.
Martin was being treated with Brentuximab Vedotin at The Christie in Withington. The drug works by targeting only the cancer-affected white blood cells, meaning it has fewer and milder side effects compared to other treatments like chemotherapy. It is administered by an intravenous drip every three weeks after Martin’s white blood cells have been extracted and the drug has been added. Once the blood is returned to the body, the drug is carried to the canceraffected white blood cells by antibodies. The drug is currently not available on the NHS but trial results to date have show a positive reaction from patients in 74 percent of cases. Martin is turning 21 in July and plans on celebrating. He said: “I am hoping to go to Croatia for a holiday with all my friends this summer and I’d like to go back to university as well.” He added: “I can’t wait to get back to normal – I’m just so relieved.” All students interested in registering for Anthony Nolan can contact the university’s Marrow Society. Image credit: Instagram [@zeebee131]
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NEWS
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MINISCULE PROFITS
Are North East pasty giants Greggs on the way down?
BLYTON MEMORABILIA Why book lovers might be interested in a visit to Seven Stories
COMMENT
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CRIMINAL RIGHTS In favour of anonymity for rape suspects
A YEAR IN COMMENT Students discuss the academic year’s biggest stories
SPORT
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News Editors: George Sandeman, Susie Beever and Anna Templeton Online News Editor: Aine Stott courier.news@ncl.ac.uk | @TheCourier_News
Near-miss for UKIP at South Shields by-election By Peter Wood Labour’s Emma Lewell-Buck has won the South Shields parliamentary byelection, holding a seat which the party has controlled since 1935. Labour held the seat with a 50.51% share of the vote, a reduced majority of 26.3% and was followed in second place by UKIP, who took a 24% share of the vote. The Conservative candidate finished in third place in the by-election, securing just 11.5% of the vote, while the Liberal democrats finished in sevplace with Richard Elvin the enth only 352 votes UKIP candidate, (1.42%), losing a party which did their deposit. Turnout for not even stand for South Shields the by-election was 39.3%, in the 2010 down from election, secured 57.7% in the 5,988 votes. He 2010 general election, with described the than half result as “abso- more those who lutely stunning.” of voted choosing to do so via postal vote. In a speech following the announcement of the results, Ms Lewell-Buck said: “This by-election was a choice between a one nation Labour party that will work with communities to turn this country around and David Cameron’s Tory led government which has taken the country in the wrong direction. “Mr Cameron, when working families needed a government on their side, you made them pay for a tax cut for millionaires. When our young people needed jobs, you gave them a shrinking economy. And when the most vulnerable in our society were really struggling, you
OFFICAL OPPOSITION? Richard Elvin, the UKIP candidate for South Shields, said that the results showed the real threat Image: Wikimedia
gave them the bedroom tax.” She added that the people of South Shields have sent a clear message to David Cameron: “It is time to change course.” Richard Elvin, the candidate for UKIP, a party which did not even stand in the South Shields constituency in the 2010 general election, secured 5,988 votes, a result described by Mr Elvin as absolutely stunning. He went on to say that the result was
a “message to all three mainstream parties that UKIP is the official opposition.” However, they did fall short of early rumours that they could have secured more than 30% of the vote share. Paul Nuttall, deputy leader of UKIP called it a “brilliant result”, adding that “UKIP is here to stay” and that they would be standing elections in the area from here on in. The surge in the UKIP vote was also mirrored in local county
council elections around the country, at which they gained 139 councillors and taking 23% of the national share of the vote. The contest for the South Shields seat was triggered by the resignation of David Miliband in late March as he announced that he was leaving to take up a position as president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, based in New York.
zines and DVDs were sold in plastic wallets with prices as high as £29.99. Councilor Linda Hobson, deputy cabinet member for community safety and regulation Newcastle Council officers for City Council, staged a raid in said: “The city April last year, council clearly finding a cata- has serious concerns around logue of DVDs classified but inclugin ‘Teen p or nog raphic Idol’ and ‘La Cos- material being try La Femme’ sold through unlicensed shops such as
this newsagent in Heaton. “Laws around the classification of such material are there to protect the public and will continue to be enforced by the city Council. “I applaud the efforts of our officers in ensuring that goods of this nature are only made available through establishments licensed by the city council and we will continue to work with all our partners and legitimate businesses to ensure that the law is followed.” Eight sample DVDs were sent to the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) who confirmed they were XRated films which required a licence to sell.
Joanne Bagshaw, prosecuting at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court, read a statement from council inspector David O’Brien who carried out a raid at the premises on Heaton Road, Heaton, Newcastle. His statement said: “On one of the shelves were a number of plastic slips which contained magazines and DVDs. “The DVDs were R-rated and were the sort that would be on sale in a licensed sex shop.” The case was proven in Nasir’s absence. Magistrates fined him £800 and ordered him to pay £295 in court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.
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YEAR IN INTRAMURAL
A roundup of the year’s rugby and football
NUBC SUCCESS Triumph for rowers at the nationals
Monday 13 May 2013
By Anna Templeton News Editor
The owner of a newsagent in Heaton has been fined for selling porn DVDs without a licence. More than a dozen magazines complete with films were discovered at Mohammed Nasir’s shop ‘Hamza News’. Council officers staged a raid in April last year, finding a catalogue of DVDs including ‘Teen Idol’ and ‘La Cosetry La Femme’. Nasir has been prosecuted for trying to sell DVDs and magazines without a sex licence. More than a dozen maga-
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The Courier is printed by: Print and Digital Associates, Fernleigh House, 10 Uttoxeter Road, Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, DE3 0DA. Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union 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 Students’ Union or Newcastle University.
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Monday 13 May 2013
‘Big Bang Theory meets Barbie’ in acclaimed student business Emily Keen catches up with two student entrepreneurs whose online business idea for a beauty blog with a scientific twist has won funding from the university business school Newcastle science students and entrepreneurs, Brigitte West and Rose Brown, have received £2250 in funding to develop their hugely popular blog, Beauty by the Geeks. The funds were awarded as part of a Newcastle scheme to encourage new student businesses. Beauty By The Geeks was launched on the 2nd March and aims to demystify the science behind beauty products. Within a week the page had over 7,000 views and now has 430 email subscribers. The blog also now features as a guest page on major online fashion directory fuuchi.com. Rose spoke to The Courier about how the blog got started: “we’ve been interested in the science behind our beauty prod“We’ve been for years, interested in the ucts so we decided science behind to put pen to our beauty prod- paper and try to this ucts for years, so demystify science for othwe decided to ers too!” Briput pen to paper gitte adds that make the and try to demys- they science accessitify this science ble by “putting for others too!” it into laymen’s terms, not scientific jargon” The blog has different sections to bust the myths beneath the bottle. ‘Beauty Bothers’ offers product advice on combatting problems like stretch marks, cellulite and damaged hair. ‘Meet the experts’, which includes interviews with scientists, dermatologists and beauticians, deconstructs the science behind popular products. It includes a recent interview with Professor Tom Kirkwood CBE, the Associate Dean for the Institute of Ageing and Health at Newcastle University, explaining the science behind ageing. Brigitte says “It’s really interesting to look at the science behind beauty products. A lot of the time it’s there, but just not very accessible”. The blog also contains a DIY section, so followers can recreate their favourite products. ‘We take natural ingredients and mess about in the kitchen with them’ Brigitte says that ‘once we know the science behind them, we make our own recipes’. Following the popularity of their DIY kitchen cosmetics, the girls will be running workshops over
the summer in association with Scientista a STEM foundation. Rose explains; “We’re really interested in educating young girls in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) related subjects”. ‘The geeks’ intend to use beauty as a vehicle to draw in potential sci“We’re reBrigitte ally interested in entists. says: “we want educating young to prove that girls in science- science can be related subjects. cool and chalthe stigWe want to prove lenge ma that science that science can isn’t for girls”. be cool and chal- Rose adds that lenge the stigma they want to that science isn’t “revamp the s te re ot y pi c a l for girls.” anorak female scientist”. With the funding, the girls will be refurbishing the website to make it “less clinical and ‘more colourful and interactive”. They hope that this will increase the appeal to a younger audience. As Brigitte says: “It’s about getting everyone into science!”
BEAUTY BOFFINS
The TCTV interview with Rose and Brigitte can be viewed at:
The two business students aim to use their blog to educate girls on beauty products Image: Emily Keen
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Toon tops Times list for social life By Susie Beever News Editor
Newcastle has topped this year’s Times Higher Education list for the best student social life in the country. The university’s latest triumph was revealed alongside the publishing of other results from the national student experience survey. Newcastle share first place alongside Sheffield University.
The place is awarded on merit of reactions to the Students’ Union as well as overall city life. The Toon joined universities from across the country taking to the net to celebrate results from the survey, tweeting within hours that: “We are thrilled to have been voted number one for Good Social Life.” Newcastle University came joint 14th in the survey for general student satisfaction, drawing alongside Cardiff Uni-
versity. The University of East Anglia meanwhile stole the top spot, narrowly beating ancient rivals Oxford and Cambridge universities who came second and fourth. Rivals Northumbria meanwhile weren’t far behind, coming 31st place in the survey. The ranking shows Newcastle moving up one place from last year’s survey where the university came joint 15th
alongside Teeside and University of Surrey. One second year student commented on the result, saying: “I’m not surprised. Newcastle is an amazing city to study in, there is such a variety of things to do. There truly is something for everyone. “The Union is the heartbeat of the university. I always feel at home on campus.” Mia Lorenz, associate director in charge of running the survey, said: “This
year has seen more movement in the top 10 than usual.” Laura Perry, president of the Students’ Union, told The Courier: “It’s fantastic to hear people are having a great time while they study at Newcastle University, it’s a great city to live and work in.” The latest statistic bodes alongside the university’s status as number 180 in the Times Higher Education World Rankings.
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Student entrepreneurs take on the region By Zhenhua Jin Newcastle students took on the region’s best business minds this week in the form of a fast-paced pitch in front of a live audience of industry experts. Teams of Newcastle students were given the task of finding original solutions to connect the University with the communities of the North East. They were expected to develop, plan and present a business plan that would work in terms of cash flow, equity and finance model. Named “Rise Up Flux”, the event is hosted by the University’s Career Service. It challenges young entrepreneurs at Newcastle University to tackle social problems but remain commercially viable at the same time. Participating teams were given time to consult business experts, refining their plans and assessing what improvements needed to be made before the final moment of truth in front of a panel of business “dragons”. Some of the solutions included getting students to act as tutors in secondary schools to help pupils who may need some extra support in certain subjects and another where students would act as consultants for businesses. Among the judges were Newcastle graduate Daisy Ford, who is now senior associate at Deloitte Newcastle and Sophie Adams. “I wanted to help out with this event because it seemed like a really interesting idea to test the skills of the students.”
She added: “trying to solve problems from the real world means that this was an authentic experience for those who took part and they will have learned some valuable lessons which they can take forward when they start their careers.” Another member of the judging panel, Sophie, is responsible for all graduate and placement recruitment across John Lewis. She said: “I have been very impressed with the quality of many of the students today. There “Trying to solve have been some problems really good ideas from the real coming out of discussions. I world means our think it’s been rethat this was ally successful in an authentic bringing out the experience for key issues that those who took new businesses have to face, such part.” as where they are going to get investment from and how they are going to bring in revenue.” Marc Lintern, Director of the Careers Service of the University, developed the Rise Up Flux idea. He said: “It was a great chance for our students to impress recruiters from some of the top companies in the North East and the UK, to really put themselves forward to get a great start in their careers. And it was a lot of fun!”
DRAGONS’ DEN
The competition is run by the University’s career service. Photo: Rise Up
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Monday 13 May 2013
Greggs profits on the decline By Shivangi Kumra Tyneside-based popular student bakery chain Greggs has warned that its profits would be “slightly below the lower end of the range of market expectations” of £47.5m this year, after reporting falling sales. Greggs saw like-for-like sales (which exclude newly-opened outlets) in the 17 weeks to the end of April fall 4.4%, which it attributed to the snow in Janu-
that weather can no longer be a factor.” He now believes part of the fall could be due to casual customers opting for rivals. “Customers have become more promiscuous, looking for the best deal. The economy has been bumping along the bottom and there has been a compounding effect which means people have to be very careful about the pound in their pocket.” Although Greggs have hinted at a rise in prices, students have vowed they would continue to visit the fast food chain.
Although Greggs have hinted at a rise in prices, students vowed they would still visit the chain. ary and the coldest March weather in 50 years, as well as tough competition and “under pressure” consumers. A spokesperson for Greggs said in a statement: “Despite good cost control, overall profits have been affected in the first quarter of the year and are behind our plan.” Sales have failed to bounce back in recent weeks, falling 1.5% in the compared with a weak April last year. CEO Roger Whiteside said: “We are not putting this all down to the weather. The trend of the last few weeks shows there are fewer customers shopping.” “This is drawing us to the conclusion
One student told The Courier: “We love the food at Greggs - it is convenient and fast. We’d definitely still come.” Although most customers agreed that service station stores would be a good idea, nearly all of them favoured highstreet stores as they were used to picking up food on the go. When asked if they think pasties and pick-up snacks from supermarkets (which Greggs classifies as its competitors) were good substitutes for the bakery, one customer did not shy away from expressing her love for the brand, exclaiming: “No, Greggs is Greggs!”
LOWER THE STEAKS
Beloved bakery Greggs, renowned for its Steak Bakes, have seen a slump in profits Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Lecturers recognised for quali-TEA By Sally Priddle Last Tuesday 7 May saw the TEA awards, or Teaching Excellent Awards, give students a chance to celebrate the work of their lecturers and support staff. The ceremony at the Students’ Union saw students nominate lecturers that they feel have gone beyond standard teaching into the realm of excellence. This year saw a wealth of nominations in each category, with 545 overall. Frank Michel, School of Modern Languages, received the award for Contribution to Outstanding Feedback. Chris Pektov was recognised for Innovative Teaching Methods of the Year,
TRIUMPHANT TEAs Students gave back to the staff who provide them with support at the Teaching Excellence Awards Photo: Vincent Leonardo
with reference to his use of music and iPads to impart his expertise in the Institute of Neuroscience. Gareth Longstaff – School of Arts and Cultures – received recognition for his Contribution to Pastoral Support, having been nominated by one of his mature students, amongst others. The award for Taught Supervisor of the Year went to Janet Wilson from the Institute of Health and Society. Anders Holmberg, who teaches in the School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics was awarded Research Supervisor of the Year. The final award of the night saw two staff members receive recognition. Support Staff of the Year was awarded
not only to Joanna Goatman from the School of Arts and Cultures, but also to the ever-modest Bernard Bowler from Civil Engineering & Geosciences, who politely declined his speech. The night proved a great success, providing a wonderful opportunity for staff who go above and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis to be thanked by the students. Rachael Thornton, Education Officer, who organised the ceremony said: “The night was a great success. It was touching and humbling to hear from those who won, and really opened my eyes to the exceptional work that is taking place and how much students appreciate it.”
Two wheels to take on tumours By Jacob Jones and Fergus Wilson Be it indoors cycling around in circles, or outdoors up and down mountains in France somewhere, massive Olympic success (with 15 Gold medals) and a first ever Tour de France win in the last five years have helped make cycling big news in the UK. Which is why, when planning what was (at first) a cycling jolly around France in the summer, a group of friends from Cambridge, three studying at Newcastle, decided to go for something more ambitious. They dedicated their trip to a good The ride cause in the hope itself starts in of hijacking some of the new-found Cambridge cycling is and ends 1200 fame enjoying and raismiles later on ing awareness in the Mediter- for two fantastic charities. ranean at Two of the Montpellier party of 11 lost their mothers to brain conditions when they were young. Those who have suffered an illness or injury of the brain will be aware of the devastating consequences, not only for the sufferer, but for the family and friends of the affected as well. Any such injury or illness often prompts fears of the worst and of losing what it is you know and love most about the person. For this reason, the group of ten boys and one girl aged 21-23, will be supporting two charities whose compli-
mentary work in this field is invaluable. The Brain Research Trust supports world-class research into an array of brain conditions at UCL’s Institute of Neurology, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s, and the Brain Tumour Charity which provides funding for research into brain tumours and support for people with brain tumours. The ride itself starts in Cambridge and ends 1200 miles later on the Mediterranean at Montpellier. En-route, the rather significant obstacle of the Alps lies in their way, which is sure to put the side burns on their cheeks. The group are currently trying to build up support and awareness for the cycle in August.
To show your support, make a donation and find out more, follow the team at: www.cambridgetomontpellier.com www.facebook.com/CambridgeToMontpellierBikeTour @CambsToMontTour http://instagram.com/CambridgetoMontpellier
To donate go to:
justgiving.com/CambridgeToMontpellier justgiving.com/CambridgeTo-
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Monday 13 May 2013
University of London abolishes Union By Sabine Kucher
Last week, the University of London decided to abolish its Students Union, ULU. This is a result of an internal review, which did not include any student. The Union represents students from all University of London institutions, regardless of size and whether or not they have their own union. In this way, ULU brings together students that might never meet otherwise and represents more than 120,000 students. It is well-respected for leading the student
GONE FOREVER
UCL (pictured) is one of the universities part of the University of London Photo: Flickr (ofey)
movement in its campaign against cuts and for the living wage. Almost every demonstration of students in the capital therefore starts at the London Union. Recently, ULU has also tried to create a London-wide tenants union to fight the housing crisis and help students challenge extortionate rents and sometimes horrible housing conditions. All the campaigning happens on a voluntary basis since only two officers are employed and paid full-time, after cuts in 2007 forced ULU to operate a skeleton staff. The abolition of ULU will see the
University of London take over ULU’s headquarters from next summer. What use the building will have in the future is not clear yet. The Collegiate Council of the University of London will replace the Union with a student centre providing similar services, including a sports centre, a swimming pool, shops and cafes. The Union’s role in representing all London-based students, however, will be abolished and smaller, universityspecific bodies will have to step in. On top of that, officers of the new student service will no longer be elected.
This follows wide-spread criticism by students of how the Union is run and how elections work, with the recent controversy over the Editor of the London Student being only the tip of the iceberg. Fewer than 3,000 of 120,000 eligible students decided to use their vote in the last elections. But student activists have vowed to fight the plans. Michael Chessum, current president of ULU, said there were plans to stage a big demonstration on 22 May, when the Board of Trustees meets to discuss and possibly approve the plans.
“There is every likelihood that students just won’t leave the building,” he said. “I can’t imagine they will give it up. This decision is totally illegitimate and will have a negative impact on student life and representation in London: no student sat on the review panel, no student got a vote on the decision, and student responses have been ignored or brushed aside throughout. It’s not that we won’t go down without a fight – we simply won’t go down.” Professor Paul Webley, director at School of Oriental and African Studies, said the Union “provided few benefits”.
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Monday 13 May 2013
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Blyton’s last legacy open in Toon By Holly Callis The Toon’s established UK centre for children’s books, Seven Stories, opened its brand new exhibition this month. The exhibition, titled Mystery, Magic and Midnight Feasts: The Many Adventures of Enid Blyton, features original work by the prolific fantasy author and will stay open until February 2014. Visitors will be introduced to Blyton’s original typescripts and typewriter, original illustrations and previously unseen pages from the author’s diaries which were bought from her daughter’s
author in the world. Her popularity has not faded as, although she is a controversial figure, sales of her books saw a 13% increase between 2011 and 2013. Despite Enid Blyton’s incredible popularity and output, the exhibition is the first of its kind because so little remains of her early typescripts and drafts. The exhibition is not aimed just at children, but is aimed equally at parents who often grew up with the author’s stories. Although the collection examines Blyton’s popularity and success as a children’s writer, it doesn’t shy away from exploring Blyton’s more controversial views. There is a wall in the exhibition
“It was a big challenge putting the exhibition together-her books fall into so many themes.” private collection at auction in 2010. The biggest attraction, however, is a newly discovered, 180-page typescript of an unpublished novel Mr Tumpy’s Caravan. The typescript was assumed to be an early draft of published picture strip book Mr Tumpty and His Caravan, but in fact has been identified as an entirely new novel. Curator Gillian Rennie said of the variety in the collection: “It was a big challenge putting the exhibition together because her books fall into so many themes. We had to work out how to arrange the material so it would feel like a natural journey through her work.” Blyton was the best-selling English author of the 20th century and in the 1970s was the fourth most translated
dedicated to newspaper cuttings which discuss Blyton’s often derogatory attitude towards black characters in her novels, for example explaining why the word ‘golly’ has been removed from present day editions of Noddy. The aim is to challenge children to criticise Blyton’s views and develop a more active engagement with literature by forming their own opinions. Beyond Enid Blyton’s manuscripts, the centre’s collection not only includes 30,000 finished pieces of work, but also manuscripts and original illustrations from other famous children’s writers such as Phillip Pullman. The overall collection contains literature from the 1930s to contemporary writers and has the work of over 100 authors.
SECRET SEVEN STORIES
The exhibition features original Blyton typescripts. Photo: Seven Stories
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Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Great success for graduate publishing company By Elizabeth Archer
PRESS SUCCESS
The two graduates understood the need for more opportunities for writers being authors themselves. Image: Flickr (no_typographic_man)
Last month, Newcastle University graduates Nina Limbardo and Rebecca Prescott saw their dream realised with the launch of their own publishing company. Here in the North East, Potis Press was born. The company is a small firm which publishes mostly new writers and specialises in science fiction and fantasy novels. The founders say that they aim to “explore pertinent contemporary questions surrounding digital media, philosophies on life and death, and politics” through their fiction. Both authors themselves, Nina and Rebecca, were increasingly frustrated by their experiences of the publishing industry. In the process of sending their own books for publication, the founders discovered the difficulties facing new authors, in what they describe as: “a publishing world gone mad”. Nina told The Courier: “After being daunted by the long and complicated process of traditionally publishing my own novels I wanted to help other authors do what they love and earn enough to live from it. “Our company is designed to be by authors for authors, and our whole mission is to provide an antidote to traditional publishing routes. I’m passionate about writing and, like most authors, want to earn a living doing what I love.” Shortly after the friends became busi-
ness partners, they set up to revolutionise the publishing industry, by handing back control to the writers themselves. Potis Press deals directly with submissions from authors, instead of working with literary agents. What’s more, the authors can keep the copyright of their work and are offered 50% of the profits from the sale of their books. “Potis Press will provide the opportunity for emerging authors to publish their work with no upfront costs, and to make more money from the work they sell. Having secured deals with “I wanted to retailers help other au- major such as Amazon thors do what and INGRAM, they love-and their work can be earn enough to promoted across the globe.” live from it.” Newcastle University’s budding novelists will be interested to hear that the company are on the look-out for authors who would like to publish their finished work, either digitally or in print. The emerging company is also keen to collaborate with other creatively-minded people, from illustrators to dancers, to be involved with publishing and marketing. Co-founder Rebecca Prescott said: “There is such a quality and diversity to the authors emerging today. We’re both excited to work with such impressive, talented people.”
Rowers set to bare all (again) on national TV By Sally Hickey Last week the Boat Club were visited by the Embarrassing Bodies team, who were interested in getting to know the gory details of the effects of 12 sessions a week on the body. Eight boys were selected to appear, and they arrived at the club with mixed emotions of trepidation and curiosity. They began with work on the rowing machine, where a pressure-sensitive seat pad was used to test the outcome of putting a lot of pressure on the bottom, and this led to some interesting discoveries. Dr. Pixie was in great form, telling the boys all about the various different bottom-related problems they were at risk of developing. A brief stop for lunch (where the production team realised they had massively underestimated the amount of food that was needed), and the eight then went on the
water, and our cox Emma had a great time attempting to pass on eight-years of steering knowledge to Dr. Pixie in about four minutes, before she hopped in the coxes seat. Overall, it was a great experience for the lads, and they learnt a lot the level “Although none about of hygiene they of the rowers should be achievchose to share ing. Sadly, none any particularly of them had particularly embarrassing any embarrassing problems, we problems (or just chose not to were shown plenty of grisly share), but were shown plenty of photos.” grisly photos detailing what happens when elite athletes don’t look after their bodies properly.
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Monday 13 May 2013
York SU bans feminist society By Faye Chivers The University of York Students’ Union (YUSU) disappointed a number of its students last week by refusing to ratify a proposed feminist society. Despite the fact that FemSoc claims to have over 100 members, YUSU argued that the society was not unique, and that it would duplicate the Women’s Committee, a subsidiary of the Union itself and a “Liberation and Welfare committee”. This is the second time that the society has been refused by the Union, leading members to accuse YUSU of having “ulterior motives”. A spokesperson for YUSU stated that the society was refused because it was not exclusive enough to other areas of the Union, and
Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience (Summer) - Digital Marketing & Business Development Officer Employer: Engineered Solutions Closing date: 12.05.2013 Salary: £2400 bursary Basic job description: Engineered Solutions is a small family owned business providing products, consultancy and project management services in the field of movement, storage and materials handling. The company has invested time and effort in “moving online” during the last few years, this has included greater involvement with social media, newsletters, promotion and website improvements. The forthcoming project will continue this work, with a focus on updating product profiles, linking between products for cross-selling and using the extensive customer and contacts database for both online and conventional marketing approaches. Person requirements: The placement is suited to an individual with experience and a keen interest in e-marketing and sales development. You must have the ability to work independently when required. The successful student must be self-motivated and professional, preparing reports, recommendations and performance trends that show the impact of their work. They must be forthcoming with ideas and improvements, and be able to communicate confidently with a range of potential stakeholders, including web administrators, business owners, business advisers and clients. Location: Northumberland. Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience (Summer) - Marketing and Engagement Officer Employer: Success4All Closing date: 12.05.2013 Salary: £1200 bursary Basic job description: Success4all run learning hubs and summer schools in areas of Tyneside with low academic achievement levels. Success4all is seeking an individual to support them in marketing their services through various sources. Duties will include: Use of social media including Twitter and Facebook highlighting success stories of learners, volunteers and the organisation; Writing press releases; Developing fund raising ideas and events with the team; Creating consultation groups with children, young people and parents for qualitative research in cooperative membership including desk research in building a learning community; Business strategy development to encourage funding and involvement. Person requirements: The successful candidate must have excellent interpersonal and face-to-face skills. You must be a confident communicator particularly when speaking with learners, young people, children and their families. You must be able to use your own initiative and be confident in the use of social media and blogging tools. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Newcastle Work Experience (Summer) - Web Development Assistant Employer: Dipsticks Research Limited Closing date: 12.05.2013 Salary: £2400 bursary Basic job description: Dipstick Research Limited is a market research agency that specialises in media and marketing communications. We provide bespoke solutions to the
that the aims and objectives were too similar to that of the Women’s Committee. He also argued that the Union’s limited resources mean they are unwilling to “replicate effort when it comes to student activities”. Helena Horton, a member of FemSoc, criticised YUSU, saying: “We have two
it different to the Women’s Committee. Moreover, students have pointed to the fact that York University already duplicates its efforts in other areas, such as its two separate campus newspapers which cover largely the same stories. This news comes with the growing debate on ‘lad’ culture at University, and
YUSU argued that the society was not unique and would duplicate the Women’s Committee ratified campus newspapers, who cover the same stories and the same sports. Why is this not counted as a ‘duplication of interests’ and our society is?” FemSoc have hit back hard, however, claiming that the society would be defined as a political group, thus making
biggest media brands in the UK, using cutting edge technology and advanced research techniques. We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to assist with a range of web development tasks. The company has a broad portfolio of web sites, many of which require ongoing maintenance, re-designing and new content to maintain a fresh look and aligned with our ambitious business development and marketing strategies. Person requirements: You must hold a solid foundation in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ASP.Net and/or related scripting technologies. Experience using image manipulation packages such as Fireworks and Photoshop would also be desirable. Location: Northumberland. Job Title: Customer Service Advisor Employer: Home Group Limited Closing Date: 08.05.2013 Salary: £15,000 - £18,000 pro rata Basic job description: Home Group have a number of fantastic opportunities within their Customer Service Centre at Quorum Business Park and are looking for people to join their team in handling rent arrears calls and associated processes. You will be responsible for supporting our customers with either accurate diagnosis of repairs within their homes or supporting them in arranging arrears payment plans. To do this effectively you should be able to analyse available information and make decisions taking into account relevant details. You’ll also be responsible for arranging appointments, keeping our customers informed and supporting back office functions as required. Person requirements: You will have significant experience in working with customers or clients, preferably with a background in collections within a commercial organisation with a focus on reaching positive outcomes. You will be adept in managing difficult conversations and will possess excellent communication and negotiation skills. You will be IT savvy, outcome focused and able to work well under pressure and to targets. You should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Street Fundraising Employer: Evolution Recruitment Closing date: End of September Salary: £8.00 - £10.00 per hour Basic job description: Shelter are the UK’s largest housing advice and homelessness charity. They campaign for affordable and decent homes for anybody living in the UK and they will exist until this mission is achieved. In 2004, Shelter established their own London based street fundraising teams who inspired the British public with stories of how they changed lives. The teams achieved outstanding results and Shelter made a decision to roll the teams out nationwide. They now operate in London, Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Sheffield, Liverpool and Glasgow and have plans to expand further. If you are looking for part time work during term time with the opportunity to work full time once you finish your exams, then we’d love to hear from you. Hours of work are 0930 – 1800 and you need to be able to work at least 3 full days per week between Monday and Saturday. Person requirements: Street fundraisers are
the uproar in March this year surrounding the sexist heckling at the Glasgow University Union’s annual debate. “I am here for at least two more years, and by the time I leave, our University will have a ratified FemSoc,” said Horton.
an interesting group of people. They share certain characteristics: they’re clever, articulate, passionate and confident and they definitely have a social conscience. A huge number of our most successful fundraisers are students or recent graduates and many of these people develop fantastic careers within Shelter in the longer term. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Waiting Staff Employer: Frankie and Benny’s Closing date: 09.05.2013 Salary: Competitive + Benefits Basic job description: Frankie and Bennies are looking to recruit part time Front of House Team Members and Bar Staff as well as Kitchen Team Members/Chefs to work at the new Frankie & Benny’s restaurant opening in Cramlington, Northumberland. Two Recruitment Open Days will be held on Tuesday and Thursday 7th and 9th May 2013 from 10am to 5pm at The Keel Row, Foremans Row, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear NE25. No appointment is needed, simply come along and bring your CV. Person requirements: If you have relevant experience and a genuine passion for hospitality and providing excellent service we would love to have a chat with you! Location: Cramlington. Job Title: Jewellery Sales Assistant Employer: Jon Richard Closing Date: 15.05.2013 Salary: National Minimum Wage Basic job description: Leading jewellery brand, Jon Richard, is looking for a confident, self-motivated, and passionate 20 hours per week Sales Assistant for its concession within Debenhams, Gateshead. Duties will include stock replenishment, merchandising, liaising/ advising customers to create sales and meet targets, cash handling and other general store duties. Person requirements: Applicants will have excellent communication and numeracy skills, the ability to work within a team, and be able to work alone when required. Previous retail experience and an interest in/knowledge of jewellery is preferred. Self motivation and the ability to promote sales will be rewarded with an attractive salary and benefits including generous staff discounts. Location: Gateshead. Job Title: Sales Consultant Employer: Calvin Klein Underwear Closing Date: 22.05.2013 Salary: Exceeds National Minimum Wage Basic job description: A Sales Consultant is required to work 12 hours per week at the Calvin Klein Underwear concession within the House of Fraser, Gateshead. Duties include stock replenishment, liaising with customers, cash handling and general store duties. Applicants must be flexible with working pattern as days/ shifts will vary. Person requirements: The successful candidate must have excellent customer service and communication skills and able to work as part of a team. Previous retail experience preferred. Location: Gateshead.
Jelly wrestling banned
Uni accused of ‘racial inequality’
University of Cambridge
University of Leeds
An all-male Cambridge University society has cancelled its annual female-only jelly wrestling competition after it was deemed sexist. Student Nina de Paula Hinka started the petition which was signed by over a thousand people and handed to the allmale Wyverns drinking society. Hanika, 19, an art history student at Magdalene College, said the all-male drinking society event was “clearly sexist, misogynistic and completely inappropriate as entertainment for 2013”. S u s y Langsdale, women’s officer for the Cambridge Students’ Union, said: “It’s well known that a few drinking societies within the university have sexist elements within their initiation ceremonies. “However, this blatant objectification of female bodies by a men’s drinking society stands out as particularly extreme.”
Sanaz Raji, a student at Leeds, has publically accused the University of racial discrimination whilst she was studying. Raji, who was studying for a PhD at the Institute of Communications (ICS), was forced to leave the University after her scholarship was withdrawn. Raji has launched a petition demanding that the University stops treating international students “like second class citizens” and also accuses Leeds of withdrawing her research scholarship without following the correct processes. Ms. Raji claims she was racially discriminated against at a supervision meeting, and that she has been “bullied” by her postgraduate research tutor. One signatory wrote: “I am working for the Equality Service at the University of Leeds and have seen a lot of indirect discrimination against international students, mainly from their British counterparts”.
University of Oxford
Cardiff University
Oxford University students spend hundreds of pounds ever year on the morning after pill taken after unprotected sex. Pembroke College currently reimburses the full £26 to any student who needs to buy the morning after pill over the counter. Last year, promiscuous students cost the college more than £350. The college JCR debated the motion to cut the reimbursed cost by half. Yet the motion failed and the college will continue to reimburse the whole cost of the morning after pill. Student Rebecca Henshaw said: “Whilst it is a vital service, as accidents do happen, I think the decision was less intended to start charging for the morning after pill and more to encourage students to perhaps think twice about prevention.”
Students in South Wales are being urged to get MMR vaccinations after a confirmed case of the virus was found at Cardiff University. In an email sent out to all students today, the university said people should contact their GP to get the vaccination “as soon as possible” following a diagnosis of the potentially fatal virus. A Cardiff Un i v e r s i t y spokesperson confirmed the email had been sent as a pre c au tionar y measure after a first-year student was confirmed to have the disease. This news comes at a time when the Swansea region has faced a measles outbreak, with 1039 people confirmed and 85 people hospitalised since November.
Promiscuous Students students paid warned of for by Uni MMR virus
Images: Wikimedia Commons
Anna Templeton
10.comment 3 reasons why... ...The Robinson library isn’t the most depressing place on earth... 1) Spotted
You would be lying if you said your days in the Robbo weren’t significantly improved by Facebook’s ‘Mrs. Robinson’. The daily fear of recognising yourself as the subject of a distinctly unflattering post, yet the strong impulse to see any unfolding action turned even the darkest of library days into an exhilarating experience (kind of). As the library gets busier and its inhabitants get more restless, it is only a matter of time until we are constantly refreshing our newsfeeds waiting for the next Spotted drama to unfold. A guilty pleasure.
2) Free entertainment It’s true that the Robbo isn’t exactly the number one venue for entertainment, but the mixture of extreme procrastination and libraryinduced insanity makes for some amusing situations. No-one will forget the lone third floor ‘clapper’, Dave Malortie, who sacrificed his dignity to bring some laughter to the semi-depressed masses. And only this weekend we had a streaker running totally naked through the usually quiet corridors, a picture of which has gone viral on a Chinese blog. You wouldn’t appreciate bizarre incidents like this anywhere else. And all for free too!
3) It’s a morale boost just getting there When the sun is out, Northumbria have somehow already finished and you spend more time thinking of how to convincingly fill out a PEC form than working, the library is a reassuring beacon of hope. Nothing is better for making you feel unnecessarily pleased with yourself than an eight hour library session with nothing to show for it but a lengthy Facebook stalk. Your essay word count remains on 0 but at least you tried. If that doesn’t justify a few drinks and moan to everyone you know about how hard your life is then I don’t know what does.
Izzy Stewart-Roberts
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
To beer or not to beer?
A study claims that under-18s who drink alcohol are more likely to become alcoholics later in life. Adam Lambert questions British attitudes to drinking in comparison to our European counterparts ADAM LAMBERT
W
orldwide, we Brits are known for our love of alcohol. It’s rare that a month goes by in which it doesn’t hit the headlines for one reason or another. This month, The Daily Mail published a report that stated that “Under-18s should be banned from having any alcohol”. A recent study led by psychologist and fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, Dr Aric Sigman, concluded that any alcohol for youngsters under the age of 18 was very harmful for their health. While parents often give their children a glass of wine or a beer at meal times with the aim of instilling a sensible attitude towards drinking, apparently they’re doing the opposite and the study found children can be seen to enjoy alcohol more. Alarmingly, “the earlier a child was introduced to drink, the greater their odds of becoming an alcoholic”. Currently in the UK it is illegal for under-18s to purchase alcohol, or to have it purchased for them. However, over-16s can enjoy a glass of wine or beer while eating out with parents and/or guardians. My parents always let me have a small glass of wine with a meal, even before I was 16 and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Have I grown up to be-
come a raging alcoholic? No. Perhaps I’m the minority where the seemingly metropolitan approach actually did teach me to be sensible with alcohol. Binge drinking clearly is a big problem in the UK and it’s possible this is where we’ve been going wrong for so long. According to Dr Sigman: “in an ideal world, no one would touch alcohol before the age of 25”. He did however admit that 16 was “a more realistic age for parents to first allow their children to drink at home”. Interestingly he also asks for a synchronisation of the law, and that the legal drinking age be standardised to 18 across Europe.
STOP WINE-ING?
A study has shown that drinking young can lead to alcoholism Image: Or17 (Wikimedia)
“Like it goes for anything else, alcohol is fine, just in moderation. ” Surprisingly the age for many of our European neighbours is already 18; only Germany, Luxembourg, Liechtenstein, Malta and the Netherlands allow 16 year-olds to purchase alcohol. However, restrictions are in place such as in Germany, where it is illegal for those under 18 to buy alcohol other than wine or beer, or in the Netherlands where 1618 year-olds can only purchase alcohol that is less than 15% vol. The fear here is that stopping children
drinking at home in a safe and supervised environment will only serve to displace the problem and increase the ‘forbidden fruit’ affect. Dr Sigman’s findings come at a time when “an extra 1,000 people with alcohol-related liver damage are being admitted to hospitals in England each year”. Dr Sigman also found that amongst girls, drinking could increase
their chances of infertility and breast cancer. While admittedly we Brits haven’t the healthiest relationship with alcohol, I think it’s an education issue. That’s the key, I feel. Instead of calling for laws to be changed, it’s people’s attitude that needs to be changed. Like anything else, alcohol is fine - just in moderation.
Innocent until proven guilty?
In light of a string of high profile sexual abuse cases, Aaron Hedjazi discusses why suspects of sexual offences should be granted anonymity until proven guilty AARON HEDJAZI
A
widespread feature in society originating from the US is a “perp walk”; when police walk an arrested suspect through a public place, allowing the media to capitalise on the event and publicise it. While police claim that it can deter criminal behaviour and encouraged victims and witnesses to come forward at the sight of a suspect’s face, we must think of this; if you had been accused (wrongly that is), you would want measures in place to assure that if you are innocent, your reputation and record will remain intact. A recent poll in The Independent found that three in four support the idea of anonymity with regards to sexual assault cases. This should preferably apply to those accused of every crime, but particularly to those accused of a sexual offence. We have recently been barraged with high profile sexual offence cases by the media, especially after the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal. The two most recent and prominent cases have included Coronation Street legend Bill Roach,
and Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans MP. Both of these individuals have denied the allegations made against them, and the fact that they are in the media on a daily basis, facing scrutiny of every single detail surrounding the case will obviously sway people’s opinion before the trial has begun. The US has experienced its own fair share of the phenomenon, as military sex assault cases have risen in tens of thousands. Let’s face it - whether or not these two suspects are convicted, they will be subjected to a campaign of internet harassment, memes and humour. Take Michael Jackson who, after the onslaught of sexual allegations made against him, was being poked fun at in comedies such as South Park and Scary Movie. Jackson was the epitome of a “perp walk” - despite him never being convicted of the indictments made against him, the reputation of a “paedophile” encircled his reputation and legacy. I remember as far as a decade ago, where people openly spoke of the story, and were ambivalent as to whether Jackson was innocent or not: all down to media distortion. What ever happened to “innocent until proven guilty”? The argument of perp walks being a deterrent is invalid, since the many victims of miscarriages of justice such as Barry George had the mere misfortune
to be blamed for a crime they did not commit. Some critics even argue that victims and witnesses will be more urged to come forward if a suspect’s identity is released; this is also an unsound theory as the Crown Prosecution Service recently found that, on average, two people a month are prosecuted for making false allegations of rape and wasting police time. The police and public alike must al-
ways keep the assumption on board that the suspect may be innocent. It is an extremely thorny subject given the sensitivity of it, but every individual must ask himself or herself: “What if it happened to me?” Suspects should be granted anonymity of the crimes they have been accused of, for two chief principals; the maxim of “innocent until proven guilty” and so that a person’s reputation can be left to the law, not to tabloid sensationalism.
Comment The Courier
.11
Monday 13 May 2013
Comment Editors: Georgina Moule and Laura Wotton Online Comment Editor: Jennifer Evans thecourieronline.co.uk/comment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Comment
A year in comment: 2012-2013 ADAM LAMBERT
Gay marriage bill
Gay marriage - here it is, surfacing its controversial head yet again. Last month however, our Irish neighbours seemed decidedly in favour of the bill. The vote by an Irish constitutional convention was “79% in favour” of the Irish constitution being changed to allow for gay civil marriage according to a BBC News Europe article. The situation now is that Irish Parliament must decide whether or not to accept the recommendation. If so, before any changes can be made to the constitution, a referendum must take place. It’s no doubt a big step in the right direction but obviously the bill still divides religious opinion. According to the same BBC article, a spokesperson from the Catholic Communications said: “The Catholic Church will continue to promote and see protection for the uniqueness of marriage between a woman and a man, the nature of which best serves children and our society.” However it’s the people of Ireland as a whole who hold the power to change the constitution, and with 79% in favour, the outlook is promising. Should the change happen, the question therefore is, how can we Brits not follow suit?
Image: Joelk75 (Flickr)
GEORGIE MOULE COMMENT EDITOR
Image: Mikey (Wikimedia)
JAMES SIMPSON
Image: Unknown (Wikimedia)
FAYE CHIVERS
Image: @everydaysexism (Twitter)
Operation Yew Tree
Operation Yew Tree, the police enquiry launched in the wake of the Jimmy Savile relevations, has dominated the news this year. Just when you thought it was over, they go and arrest Rolf Harris and veteran soap star William Roach, who plays Ken Barlow in Coronation Street. It’s been tense, it’s been shocking and it’s revealed a dark side to some of our muchloved national icons – just look at original obituaries of Jimmy Savile and you’ll see how rapidly his reputation has changed, as well as that of the BBC. As accusations keep coming, it remains to be seen who will be next: it’s certainly a story that’s been a constant this year and which undoubtedly has changed British society forever.
As I tucked into Friday night’s Tesco burger with relish, my enjoyment was somewhat marred by the sense I was consuming the wrong hoofed animal. The horsemeat scandal undoubtedly coloured consumer’s perception of meat, yet also exposed rather more pressing concerns in the industrialised European food system. The pressures exerted by the matted web of supply chains to shave yet more pennies off translucent lumps of meat is effectively squeezing any remaining quality out of the British supermarkets, not to mention the effect this ‘cheap eating’ is having on Britain’s expanding waistline. What can we expect from this downward pressure on the price of food other than gritty substitution and flavour-enhanced fraud?
I was recently told by a male counterpart that as women, we should look how far our position has advanced and just be happy with that. Well I’m sorry, but no. Gender inequality and sexism pervades throughout society, from parliament down to a quick grope on a night out. Feminism has a stigma attached, a view that we are bra-burning, militaristic and anti-men. I can assure you that this is not true. I find it difficult to understand how women, and men for that matter, don’t believe they are feminists. Feminism isn’t antimen, or pro-women, but anti-inequality. Do you believe that women and men should be as equal and free as each other? For women, as Caitlin Moran beautifully puts it: “Put your hand in your pants. Do you have a vagina? Do you want to be in charge of it? If ‘yes’ to both then congratulations! You’re a feminist!”
Image: kelseye (Flickr)
SARAH PRATLEY
Image: Nick Warner (Wikimedia)
JENNIFER EVANS ONLINE COMMENT EDITOR
Image: Nick Warner (Wikimedia)
Horsemeat scandal
Feminism
North Korea spewed out a lot of threatening behaviour shifting towards nuclear war this year. Nuclear war is undoubtedly a horrendous atrocity, but what about biological warfare? Definition; using infectious biological toxins with the intention of killing. Agent Orange was used in the Vietnam War, the effects of which are still being seen today. Children are still being born with deformities; all results of this biological weapon. Biological warfare might not turn out exactly like Shaun of the Dead, but it might not be far off. With infection spreading and turning the whole world into quarantine zone set up, would we not be better off with a nuclear bomb, ending it all without the fuss? Pathogens would infect and thrive in a world without humans, plants would be destroyed. Nuclear war would destroy the earth but bacteria would be able to recolonize the earth and eventually kick start evolution all over again. It might even mean one day humans would roam the earth again. Biological warfare would most likely leave a polluted mess of a planet unable to support most types of life.
Launched in 2012 with no funding and no publicity, the Everyday Sexism Project has taken Twitter and the internet by storm this year. Over 25,000 entries from across the world not only demonstrated that misogyny isn’t dead, but (perhaps more importantly) that neither is the need for women to shout back. The stories are sometimes tragic, sometimes funny, but always scarily accurate representations of most women’s daily lives. From getting groped in a club to being catcalled on the street, students in particular related to the project, using it to recount being told that girls shouldn’t take ‘male’ subjects at University and other examples of sexism on campus. The Everyday Sexism Project has made this year the year that young people in particular realised that maybe sexism isn’t normal, and that maybe we can do something about it.
Image: Jon Sullivan (Wikimedia)
KATE PIELOW
North Korea
Everyday Sexism
LAURA WOTTON COMMENT EDITOR
Image: Alejandro Chicheri (Wikimedia)
Royal pregnancy
If you haven’t managed to be caught up in the Kate-hype over the past two years then, frankly, where on earth have you been? The world has gone absolutely crazy for her. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to admit that I’ve been sucked into all of this – have you seen how perfect her hair is? This year her pregnancy has reawakened the terrifying media frenzy. Is it a boy? A girl? What will it be called? Where will it be born? The questions we’re asking are endless. This news is wonderful, but let us consider the Daily Mail’s somewhat unfortunate nickname for her: Pregnant Kate. The Duchess is more than a machine built to pop out future monarchs. She’s a woman (yes, she is human) about to embark on a new, exciting chapter of her life. So maybe we should consider chilling out a little bit and give her some peace and quiet.
Death of Malala Yousafzai
The shooting of Malala Yousafzai in October 2012 marked a change in the way the world perceives Pakistan. Although the shooting itself was a terrifying demonstration of the power the Taliban still has, Malala’s survival and continuing fight for equal education rights in Pakistan have been an inspiration to many. Her bravery has set an example to those fighting to get the government to enact article 25a of the Pakistani constitution. However, with the next Pakistani elections taking place over this weekend and with mounting electoral violence, it remains to be seen whether the new government will prioritise what has become one of Pakistan’s biggest development problems. Malala’s signing of a £2 million pound book deal with the Guardian and her listing among Time magazine’s 100 most influential people demonstrates that hers is not a story which the world is willing to forget. The eyes of the developed world are now firmly fixed on Pakistan.
12.comment Mexico city fuel tanker explodes A fuel tanker has exploded just outside Mexico City. The rear trailer came loose after the vehicle hit the central division of the commuting route, before crossing to the other side of the road, crashing and exploding. At least 22 people have been killed and dozens more injured. It has been stated that most of the deaths occurred in the houses at the side of the road and several children were among the victims. The accident emphasises the increasing concerns about the safety of lorries on Mexican roads.
Delaware becomes 11th state to approve same-sex marriage Following a close Senate vote of 12-9, Delaware has voted to allow same-sex marriage, becoming the 11th state in the US to do so. The bill is due to go into effect on 1 July. Democratic governor Jack Markell has stated, “I think this is the right thing for Delaware”. The bill was introduced less than a year after the state voted to recognise same-sex civil unions. The bill states that no more civil unions will be performed, and all existing civil unions will be turned into marriages over the next year.
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Jolly Nero hits control tower It has been reported that a cargo ship has hit the port in Genoa, Italy, leaving the control tower tilted on its side. At least three people have been killed. Half a dozen more are missing, with some suspecting that they are trapped in the elevator of the control tower. The ship has been identified as the Jolly Nero which belongs to the Italian shipping line Ignazio Messina & C.
WORLD AT A GLANCE
Climate change to limit safe drinking water in Bangladesh A study has revealed that access to safe drinking water in Bangladesh is expected to worsen as the country sees the effects of climate change. The report by the World Bank’s water and sanitation programme has revealed that climate change is causing salinity in Bangladesh’s coastal waters to greatly increase, leaving a lack of sweet water. Women have to now go for miles to get safe drinking water. As Shafiqul Islam, a farmer in Barisal, southern Bangladesh, stated: “Our lives are under severe threat. Getting safe drinking water has become a big challenge”. Sarah Pratley
Image: NASA (Wikimedia)
York Union refuses Femsoc
After York Students Union refused to ratify a Feminist Society, Faye Chivers discusses the wider implications this decision has FAYE CHIVERS
S
tudents at York University faced disappointment last week, as the proposal to establish a Feminist Society (FemSoc) was rejected for a second time by York University Student Union (YUSU). This genuinely bizarre move by YUSU to refuse to ratify a society which already has 100 supporters begs the question: what planet are they on? Have they not seen the news? Feminism is back with a bang, with feminist societies springing up at UK universities like never before, and male and female students across the country weighing in on what our generation has to say about feminism. It’s important to be clear about this before people start rolling their eyes and complaining about ‘bloody wimmin’ asking for ‘respect’ and so on: this is not just about female students. Male students at York have complained too, largely because the Women’s Committee (the existing branch of YUSU which the Union claims FemSoc would be duplicating) is exclusively women-only. So, should any forward-thinking male students actually want to discuss men and women’s position at University, who are they supposed to talk to? Being excluded from Women’s Committee and having no feminist society to approach, good luck to any men wanting to get involved. The panel’s reason for bucking the trend and rejecting the proposal are shaky to say the least. Firstly, the idea that FemSoc would not meet “a unique need” from the student body makes little sense faced with the 100 students already supporting the proposal, who obviously don’t feel that the need to discuss feminist issues is being represented by current societies. It’s safe to assume the people propos-
ing the society haven’t put this much effort in twice to getting it ratified just for the fun of it; they really care about the issues and want the Union to recognise it. Secondly, YUSU has absolutely outdone itself in the hypocrisy stakes with its claims that FemSoc is a duplication of efforts, citing lack of resources as another reason. After all, York University notoriously has two separate student papers sanctioned by the Union, reporting largely on the same stories. So why pick on the feminists? The aims of each group are explicitly different, with the Women’s Committee being a branch of the union itself (much like our Welfare and Equality Officer role) which provides support and promotes equality, and FemSoc being a political group looking to discuss feminism and promote feminist causes on campus.
“York University make themselves look out of touch and behind the times’” The refusal to ratify the society is even more baffling given what is going on in most other universities in the UK. With the ‘No More Page 3’ campaign and Everyday Sexism demonstrating more than ever that students like to get involved, and more and more feminist societies popping up across the country, York University might find itself soon in the awkward position of being one of the only universities without a feminist society. If YUSU were looking for a quick and easy way to make themselves look out of touch and behind the times, this was a fairly concise way of doing it.
The Courier
comment.13
Monday 13 May 2013
A step too Farage?
As UKIP become more and more prominent in British politics, Online Comment Editor Jen Evans considers whether there is cause for concern over the party’s policies on topics other than Europe
NOT NOW NIGEL?
More and more voters are turning away from the main parties in favour of UKIP. Image: EU Realist Newsletter (Wikimedia).
JEN EVANS ONLINE COMMENT EDITOR
F
ollowing an extended period of low economic growth, increased anxiety over the European Union and the current coalition’s failure to meet many of its election promises, it is little wonder that some voters in the recent local elections decided to opt for what leader Nigel Farage has deemed the fourth party of UK politics: UKIP. The party, which first rose to prominence European elections 2009, where it achieved second place, has been taking voters not just from the Conservative right but from right across the political spectrum. Their main electoral base is no longer solely upper middle class voters dissatisfied with the centre-right policies of the Conservative party, but also now includes many blue collar workers, as reflected by their second place in the South Shields by-election, where they gained 24% of the vote. UKIP’s policies however, do paint a worrying picture about what voters want. When UKIP first emerged in 2009, its appeal was largely due to the party’s strong anti-EU platform, a platform that is still the major draw for its voters, who see the European Union as responsible for fewer jobs for British people and strict regulations on work-
ing conditions. On closer examination however, UKIP’s policies are not just anti-EU, but anti-immigration, with a pledge to freeze immigration for the next five years if they get into power and harsher rules for immigrants, both of which contravene the European Convention on human rights. In terms of education, UKIP supports the creation of new grammar schools, which are allowed to select students based on ability, and advocates the return of the student grant system instead of the current student loan system.
“UKIP’S policies do paint a worrying picture about what voters want” Their policies also include a tax reduction for those in the higher income bracket with the rate of taxation being distributed more evenly across all earners, with people on lower incomes facing a tax rise. One of UKIP’s most worrying policies is based on its scepticism surrounding man-made climate change. According to this thinking, it would abandon all subsidies for renewable energy and
instead invest in fracking. This would be a complete U-turn in British energy policy and would flout the terms established by the Kyoto protocol. In terms of social issues, UKIP is opposed to the concept of political correctness and multiculturalism. It would overturn the ban on smoking in pubs and hold local referendums on the reintroduction of hunting. David Cameron’s attempt, then, to bring back right wing Conservative vot-
“UKIP voters are no longer voting just because they oppose the EU” ers by re-assessing his pledge to have a referendum on EU membership after the general election will therefore have very little impact. UKIP voters are no longer voting just because they oppose the EU, they are voting because they no longer associate themselves with the three main parties. By placing themselves so far to the right, UKIP risk alienating the centre ground, where British general elections are won. In order for them to really be the “fourth party of British politics”, urgent reassessment of their more right wing policies is needed.
UKIP FACTS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW UKIP stands for United Kingdom Independence Party UKIP was founded in 1993, with the main objective of removing Britain from the EU. Despite holding 11 seats in the European Parliament, and gaining 3.1% of the vote in the 2010 General elections, the party has no seats in the House of Commons. In the 2013 County council elections, UKIP won an average of 23% of the vote in the wards in which it stood. As a result of this, 147 UKIP County councillors were elected in Britain.
LYDIA CARROLL ON THE BLOG
#9 - Feminism: Child’s play I am out of time. This is the final column and I still have a lot to say. As one teacher preached during my short-lived history career, if you run out of time in the exam, then you should scrawl out all your ideas in one go in a revolutionary bullet points format. So here are my top (bullet pointed) tips for you to follow in order to become a better feminist than all your friends. Of course, if you’re going to be a PARTY POOPER, you could point out that one of the central and defining elements of feminism is the championing of the autonomy of the individual, and that this list would contravene that. But, as I am the proprietor of the objective truth, and also drunk on my own importance, and because you don’t want to be a PARTY POOPER, this is not a problem. So, here we go: 1) Don’t think of feminism as a ‘women’s problem’. Ain’t no such thing as ‘women’s issues’. You heard me. The name ‘women’s issues’ is balls, and don’t let it take you in. ‘Women’s issues’ are so-called because they focus on women as the victims, but such a focus writes men out of the process completely. Most ‘women’s issues’ – say for instance, sexual violence – are problems created largely by men; if anything, these really should be considered ‘men’s issues’. Ever heard a man – or perhaps as a man you’ve done this yourself – claim that he just doesn’t feel that “women’s problem’s really concern” him because they aren’t problems that he must face, and are not problems he considers himself to cause? To argue that something does not concern you because you do not see yourself as either a perpetrator or a victim is flippant, self-interested, and dismissive of the problem. And in many cases, your silence can become your complicity. To denote issues as exclusively for ‘women’ excludes men from a conversation that is often primarily about men. 2) Leave Kim Kardashian alone please. She’s not fat; she’s like, eleven months pregnant or something. 3) Leave Gwyneth Paltrow alone. 4) Leave Zooey Deschanel’s eyelid alone (Google it). 5) And for God’s sake, leave Jennifer Aniston alone. The other day a popular online news website (which was not the Daily Mail because I never go on that website) used the peculiarly nineteenth century phrase, “she [Jennifer] worries that she’ll soon be barren”. Barren. This made me picture Jennifer Aniston’s womb as a desolate and empty wasteland, replete with tumbleweeds and howling coyotes. I laughed for some minutes. Then cried a bit. But seriously. We need to stop this ridiculous woman baiting, and just let them all get on with eating seaweed, or whatever they do. It’s bad for all of us. And finally, feminism is perhaps misnamed. Egalitarianism, perhaps, or humanism, are terms I think most people in the twenty first century would see as more fitting to the essential principles of the majority of feminist thought. But the rules of all these movements are, at their most basic, the same. And at their simplest, they could essentially be a poster depicting the ‘house rules’ on the wall of a nursery-school classroom. They are: don’t always try to be first. Share. Listen to others. Be kind. Respect the unique needs and wants of others. Don’t hurt people because they are different; don’t hurt people just because you’re bigger than them. Perhaps a simpler term is not feminism, or humanism, or egalitarianism. Perhaps it is ‘child’s play’.
14.lifestyle
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Lifestyle Editors: Catherine Davison, Ellie Cropper and Ellyn Bramley Online Editors: Rosie Devonshire and Colette Hunter
Unay Bucket List: the Lifestyle writers give you a list of things to do before you leave the Toon...
Illustrations by Ellie Hegarty
Travel in style on the Nightbus
Tynemouth
For those of us who have frequented the Robinson Library after dark we’ve all heard the gentle Geordie lady who informs us over the tannoy that the “Nightbus will be leaving from outside the library in 5 minutes”. I don’t know about you, but has anyone else ever wondered where this mysterious bus goes to in Newcastle’s dark hours? I’ve heard rumours that it takes you right to your door for just 70p…it almost sounds too good to be true. Despite being warned that heading to the exit immediately after the announcement is social suicide, I think the Nightbus will have to be something we all experience before we sadly depart from our much loved Newcastle University.
The amazing thing about going to university in Newcastle is how easy it is to get out of the city and explore the great north and your Newcastle experience definitely wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Tynemouth! It’s less than half an hour on the metro, costs under a fiver return and is worth every penny. The famous Tynemouth markets can be found in the beautiful metro station and are all weekend, every weekend. Go on the third Saturday of the month and you will find the local farmers market. Regardless of when you go, there is a tonne to do in Tynemouth. The beach for starters and even the sea if you are feeling brave, surf boards are rentable! There’s even a castle! And you can’t beat the fantastic fish and chips or tapas at the great selection of independent cafes and bars, all rich in coastal character. If you are the adventurous type or looking to make a day of it, take the approximately 2 hour trip along the Tyne from Newcastle.
Hazel Parnell
Katie Smith
Metro Centre
Toon match
Obviously not quite in Newcastle, but Gateshead is only a short bus, train or car-ride away. As your time as a Newcastle student comes to an end, you need to make the most of that student discount whilst you still have one! If you’re going to go on a major shopping-spree, you may as well do it in Europe’s largest shopping and leisure centre. Quite frankly Newcastle city centre and Eldon Square pales in comparison. With every shop you could ever possibly want, it also makes it the perfect place to go hunting your graduation outfit. Also boasting a great variety of cafes, restaurants, bars and an IMAX cinema, the Metro Centre really does make for a great day out. Rebecca Gregory
Jezzy Dene Before you leave Newcastle you should take a visit to Jesmond Dene. Grab yourself an icecream and walk the length of the park. Take in the quaint bridges over the Ouseburn, the waterfall, the wildlife, and the park’s greenery; it really is a gorgeous place especially considering it’s so close to a city centre. The petting-zoo, Pets Corner, will also provide you with some adorable and fluffy entertainment, with animals including goats, birds and rabbits. So, if it’s a glorious summer day, gather all your friends together, pack yourself a picnic and go and spend the day lazing around in one of Newcastle’s most charming beauty spots while you still can.
Before leaving Newcastle for good, it is more or less essential to make the pilgrimage to St. James’ Park to watch the magpies on their home turf. Not only do the die-hard drunken Geordie supporters hurling abuse at the opposition (and each other, for that matter) make for fantastic people watching, you can also experience the famous ‘St James’ steak pie’ (trust me, it’s good) and if you’re really lucky you might even see the Toon actually win for a change. The stadium does seem to have it’s own permanently sub-zero micro climate, so make sure you wear your thermals, gloves, hat and scarf, and it is advisable to get your beer jacket on before hand. So get your ticket, learn the chants, take your binoculars to look out for another fantastic goalie distraction technique from Steven Taylor, and most importantly of all: don’t punch a police horse. Jenny Cook
Rebecca Gregory
Do something memorable When I was about 11, I heard a radio interview in which several people regaled their stories of University. One man related how after a night out, he and his friends had decided to ‘redirect’ the bus route in his small University town by moving hundreds of bus stops to new locations. Another told of the time when York University lake froze over and everyone brought down their mattresses from their rooms and went ‘mattress skating’ on the ice. Despite the inadvisability of both of these stories, they became the basis of my imaginings of the University experience, and upon arriving at Newcastle almost 10 years later I was still determined to create the same amazing stories out of my time here as they had. My housemates and I have agreed that as soon as a day arrives when sun and a lack of revision actually coincide, we will all swim across Leazes lake to the island in the middle. In my opinion, these are the memories that will really count – in 10 years time, you’re not going to be telling stories about all of the amazing things you saw in Newcastle, but the amazing things you did. Catherine Davison
Tyneside Cinema all-nighter
Every year Tyneside cinema, Newcastle’s premier picturehouse, lays on an all-night movie marathon. The word ‘smorgasbord’ barely does it justice – there are three films to choose from at any one time between 10pm and about 11pm the following day, including Withnail and I, The Artist, Vertigo and Terminator 2. Twenty-five hours of films sounds daunting, I know, but it can be done. Just make sure you take in some snacks and maybe a pillow (Tyneside are fairly cool with nibbling and napping, as long as you do both away from areas where people are likely to fall over you). At any rate, there are few more enticing settings than Tyneside cinema in which to spend a day solid, with a café downstairs and a rather swish bar upstairs to recuperate and share your pain with fellow film nuts. A word of advice: try to put the heavier films first and gorge on fluff in the second half. Well worth a punt at £1 a ticket for each film. Tom Nicholson
The Courier
Monday 13 May 2013
sex&relationshipslifestyle.15 thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Life
Blind Date: Dan Shortman, 1st Year Business, Finance and Economics meets Ellyn Bramley, 3rd Year English Literature and Language
Dan on Ellyn
Ellyn on Dan
What’s your usual type? Someone sporty and with good banter. Also small blondes. First impressions? She was quite smiley and chatty so seemed like quite a pleasant person. Any interesting conversation topics? We both have plans to go travelling after uni so conversations about where we’d previously been and planned to go were interesting. Any awkward moments? When we got to the restaurant there was an hour wait for a table but luckily we diffused the situation with a trip to the bar. What was her best trait? She had a good sense of humour which help keep the conversation light and flowing. What was her worst trait? There wasn’t much drastically wrong with her, she just wasn’t my type. At any point did you understand why she was single? No not really. She had a good personality and was easy to talk to. Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss? We did the standard kiss on the cheek business at the start and end of the date but I think both of us knew that nothing was going to happen. Would your parents approve? I think my parents would be quite happy if I brought her home, she was a Northern girl so she’d fit in quite well in my house. They aren’t the biggest fans of “unannounced guests” though so it’d have to be a more formal introduction. What would your ideal date be? Wet and Wild would be class because I’m a big kid at heart, but a nice meal and some drinks is good to get to know someone. How did the date end? The bars in Jesmond were shut by the time we got out of the restaurant so we called it a night and went home. We didn’t exchange numbers and I can’t see a second date on the horizon. Marks out of 10? 7
Unlucky in love? The Courier is here to help! Send your details to c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
What’s your usual type? Tall, cute, blue eyes, nice teeth and shoes. They have to be a top joker and make me cackle/guffaw. Think Jack Whitehall. First impressions? He looked to be a bit on the short side but was wearing nice shoes. He’d made an effort with a white button down and was there first, so it was a promising start. Any interesting conversation topics? A glass of wine on an empty stomach and an hour wait for a table means it is slightly hazy, but I can remember discussing food and fancy dress quite a lot, my two favourite things. Any awkward moments? No, he was a nice enough guy and we had mutual interests so conv was flowing. Having said that, he said he didn’t like peanut butter and asked for a calzone without mushrooms, which was slightly awkward. I have no time for fussy eaters. What was his best trait? He was a top gent and seemed pretty laid back. What was his worst trait? He was a bit short for me. Don’t get me wrong he wasn’t a dwarf but could have done with an extra few inches. At any point did you understand why he was single? No, he seemed like a genuinely nice guy and didn’t take himself too seriously. Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss? No. No spark. Would your parents approve? Yeah I think he’d go down quite well as a fellow Northerner. Plus he was very gentlemanly and polite etc and my Dad likes rugby. What would your ideal date be? Gourmet meal, few drinks and then end up in Cosy Joe’s on Bigg Market for a duet on karaoke. It’d have to be a Thursday, £1.50 drinks and maybe even hit up the all day carvery before. How did the date end? He offered to walk me home which was nice. Standard hug/cheek kiss combo. We didn’t exchange numbers and I doubt I’ll be seeing him again. There was nothing there and I need someone to rival my banter which just didn’t happen. Marks out of 10? 7
Rebecca Gregory
Survival of the Fallible
#3 - Student life
So the light-bulb in the toilet in my house blew this week. Obviously, my housemates and I are refusing to buy a new one, as with a mere two months left of the lease, we don’t fancy financing the lighting of the future tenants. As I soldiered on, and washed my face and brushed my teeth in the dark, I had an epiphany. I’m about ready to leave student life behind. Like many other soon to be graduates, I’m terrified of what the real-world has to offer – probably a period of unemployment and jobseekers allowance. Admittedly, the prospect of this makes me want a deal with Lucifer, trading my soul for a couple of grand to help fund a Masters, to avoid facing reality for another year. Nonetheless, as a 50 yearold trapped in a 21 year-olds’ body, I’m getting to the end of my tether when it comes to student life. Student life definitely comes with both highs and lows. Being able to live in a house with so many of your best friends is brilliant. There’s always someone around to chat to, or somebody to get drunk and order takeaway with. If you fancy a spontaneous night out, there’s always someone who is easily convinced that it’s a brilliant idea too. Student life is fun. Switching your flatmates’ bedroom furniture with that of the living room when they forget to lock their door is entertaining, and will provide you with a hilarious memory that you will treasure always. So, without a doubt, some of our best memories and friendships that will last a life-time are made at university. But, sadly it seems I have not been blessed with the stamina to be an eternal student. Over the past three years, I’ve found myself reluctantly turning nocturnal, which rendered me incapable of making it to some of my earlier starts. I’m not sure why my body insisted on becoming a night-owl, but it did, and frankly it was not a good idea. There’s also the problem of constantly trying to fit six people’s weekly food shops into one fridge-freezer. As interesting as grocery-tetris can be, when you open the fridge and your Tupperware of baked beans tumbles out and smashes open on the floor, student life seems laborious. Something else I won’t miss is being awoken by a group of Jesmond ‘lads’ drunkenly singing power ballads into the early hours of the morning. Not that I’ve ever been merry on wine and done anything of the sort myself… And this is the angle from which I’m currently viewing student life. My inner-grandma is looking forward to parting ways with the student lifestyle, and settling down every evening in pyjamas at 7:30am with a mug of earl grey. But for now, I think me and anyone else who’s feeling similar needs to concentrate on the good aspects student life has to offer, to help us get through the occasional low it also insists on providing.
16.lifestyle
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_life
The Intern
What really goes on in the world of summer internships...
#3 Oddities
Gluten free Grace Bacon and Spinach pasta The year has come to an end, and this is the last Gluten Free column. Hopefully the recipes here have inspired you to go off and try new ways of making your own gluten-free alternatives. A gluten-free lifestyle no longer means that you have to miss out on dishes like pasta. Most of the supermarkets have their own ranges of gluten-free products that are fairly tasty, and not terribly expensive. Be careful to read the instructions though, as some of the cornmeal based pastas can end up in a sticky mess if you leave them to boil for too long. I chose fusilli pasta for this recipe, but you can use any shape that you like. I’m sure penis pasta would work fine… Bacon and Spinach pasta is perfect for everybody during the exam period. It’s super quick and easy to make when you’re just popping back home for dinner before heading back to the library. Or it still tastes great cold if you want to pack it up for lunch. Oh, and for those of you Freshers who probably still haven’t ventured into the library… pasta must be your staple diet anyway, right? This recipe is also great if you are cooking for friends who eat ‘normally’ as you can cook both the gluten-free pasta and normal pasta at the same time. Ingredients (serves 4) 375g gluten-free pasta 1 tbsp olive oil 200g streaky bacon (sliced) 1 onion (sliced) 2 tbsps of pine nuts 175g baby leaf spinach 300g cherry tomatoes, halved 6 tbsps single cream 2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
The average workplace is inexplicably packed, from top to bottom, wonderfully full of oddities and eccentricities. The Chairman and founder of the company, in the first instance, was unquestionably a man of magnificent intellect, but he was also an extremely disconcerting fellow whose interpersonal skills bordered on autism. He had a tendency to come across as uncomfortably aggressive, not helped by his propensity to converse with but a few centimetres’ berth between faces. I was unreasonably accused of having forgotten his name, despite having nailed a “lovely to meet you, Graham” (it was Graham, for the record) during our first introduction. Such unusual characters cropped up all over the workplace. The champion of the stereotype at the office was a portly, untidy Italian salesman, named Augusto. Every day he would stride past the marketing department en route to the kitchen, treating all those he passed to a rousing rendition of some Italian operatic verse, bouncing lightly upon his toes as he went. He may as well have been delivering a pizza via gondola. It was like working with the “Go Compare” man. He was entirely eccentric, but supposedly an extremely competent
Restaurant Review El Coto
salesman (if a fairly average singer). His more peculiar habits, I had been assured, made him a client-favourite amongst the sales team. He was also deeply spiritual. In one of our few and brief conversations he found time to impart upon me his three-point plan for success in life. Not having really paid full attention, I can only tell you that the gist of the advice was to “do something you love doing”. It was fortunate, then, that I was such a passionate fan of appraising fact-sheets and sorting old files. I will admit though, for all the cliché swirling around Augusto, the man made you smile, and his musical forays into the marketing department were a highlight of the day. Upon initially entering into the working environment, it is very easy to continue to feel like a teenager amidst a group of adults. It is largely for that reason that it is a little bewildering when a fellow employee attempts to strike up a conversation about matters of romance (to put it mildly). Luis, a Spaniard in the legal department, could rarely prevent himself from making a verbal judgement on the quality of the various women in the office. At one point, however, one of his comments very dangerously miscarried. I knew Luis rather well, but he was not so very well acquainted with my younger sister, who had also elected to spend a month or two of stress-free employment on the reception of our fa-
Less than a week until the first deadline. 7,000 words down and still 9,000 to go. Time for a tapas break, and a visit to El Coto. After managing to locate the tiny fronted restaurant just down from St. James’ Park and up from Percy Street, we entered to find a cute but tiny bar area, completely deserted. After a couple of seconds spent believing someone had played a very cruel trick on me, we noticed that the passageway actually led to the main restaurant. After a brief discussion with the helpful and authentically Spanish waitresses, we found our way to a table in the corner of the beautifully atmospheric restaurant. Forget the ‘big chains’, if you want authenticity, the wood-panelled sides, white-washed walls and con-
Ryan Weeks
Opening times: All day every day 7 days a week from 12 noon. 21 Leazes Park Road Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4PF
Method 1. Cook the pasta in a saucepan of salted boiling water, using the instructions on the packet. These can sometimes vary depending on what type of pasta you are using, so be careful. Drain well. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan then add the bacon and onion. Fry for 3-4 minutes until the bacon is crisp and the onion has softened. Add the pine nuts and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the spinach and tomatoes, and cook until the spinach is just wilted. Stir the spinach and bacon mixture into the pasta. Add the cream and Parmesan. Mix well, and serve immediately. For those of you trying to cut costs, the pine nuts and Parmesan cheese are the pricier ingredients. The pine nuts add a lot of flavour to the dish, but you can leave them out if you want. A trick with pine nuts is to freeze them in small quantities. That way, you don’t let any go to waste, and can just defrost them when you need them. You can then use them in salads to add an extra crunch. As for the grated Parmesan, this can easily be substituted for a cheaper imitation grated cheese. Though it’s weird that final year is almost over, I can’t say I’ll be sad to see the back of our student oven. It will be nice to cook recipes without having to estimate the oven temperature, or discovering halfway through cooking time that you’ve grilled a brownie mixture… Grace Stephenson
thers’ firm. As Luis and Dad moseyed through reception, Luis whispered to my father, “I like her, you kno”,’ referring to my sister. He received the unexpected response of, “that’s my d a u g h t e r ”. The whole affair was f o r t u n at e l y laughed off, but not forgotten, eventually composing a hefty segment of the Christmas dinner speeches. May it serve as a warning to any Luis-like characters out there; you never know how far nepotism’s web has spread.
stant Spanish guitar of El Coto are as close as you can get to Andalucía without EasyJet or Ryanair. We began with a large jug of sangria; predictable: perhaps, delicious: extremely. Considering the potency of the concoction (white wine, red wine, martini, brandy, rum and a touch of lemonade) it was unbelievable how refreshing it was on a warm afternoon. We decided, as the menu was close to a hundred items long and my girlfriend is notoriously indecisive, to have the two person set menu, although I was a little worried that there might not be enough food. When ‘round one’ came, consisting of bread with aioli (garlic mayonnaise), queen green olives, manchego cheese, Iberian ham and toma-
“my fears of going hungry were quickly forgotten” toes, I was impressed with both the presentation and quality of the food. I even enjoyed the olives, which I normally hate, a testament to the quality and something which my girlfriend is not about to let me live down. When round two arrived, the table was not actually big enough to fit the seven extra plates of steaming hot food on it. We managed to squeeze them on eventually, but only after removing the other crockery and moving the bread basket to the window sill. The ‘second course’ consisted of: king prawns cooked with chilli, garlic and olive oil, albondigas (lamb meatballs in a delicious sauce), pork tenderloin in a blue cheese and mushroom sauce, chorizo fried in garlic and white wine, croquettes of white fish, almond-centred dates wrapped in bacon, chicken in a creamy tomato sauce and papas bravas (potato slice served with a spicy tomato sauce). Again, the quality of the food shone through with the strong flavours of the aioli, chorizo and creamy sauces being perfectly complimented by the half-finished jug of sangria. Although some of the dishes were half the size of the normal menu options to allow for this huge selection, my fears of going hungry were quickly forgotten as we began to realise we weren’t even going to finish the meal, let alone any dessert. By the end of the meal we were both completely stuffed and a little tipsy; no room for dessert, but if the quality and authenticity is even half as high as the mains, I am sure they would be delicious. My normal issues with tapas (not enough food for too high a price) seem not to apply to this beautifully genuine restaurant, with the set meal costing £15 per person; an easily affordable price. Tapas is not just about the food though; it’s the experience which makes it so popular and this place has the ambience down to a tee, a hidden gem which I will certainly be returning to. Jonathan Lipfriend
The Courier
lifestyle.17
Monday 13 May 2013
Lifestyle Editors: Catherine Davison, Ellie Cropper and Ellyn Bramley Online Editors: Rosie Devonshire and Colette Hunter
Travelling the Unknown: ideas for summer holidays Photo: Flickr (mroach)
Five countries to visit in Asia which everyone forgets about...
With Jack FaulknerFaulkner
‘You’re travelling round Asia this summer? Ahhh, I spent my gap-yah backpacking round Asia – 4 months in Thailand and a cheeky bit of tubing in Laos. Asia is such an amazing place if you spend a bit of time there, ya know?’ I’m sure I’m not unusual in receiving this response upon telling people that my vague graduation plan is to earn some money and spend a year or so avoiding reality for as long as possible in a foreign country. When I say I want to backpack in Asia however, I mean Asia as a continent, not the Asia we have all come to know through the notoriety of Thailand’s full moon parties, Bali’s beach resorts and national monuments such as Angkor Wat. That’s not to say that I intend to avoid the beach, the drinking and the full moon parties altogether, or that I don’t think that the Taj Mahal was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen; just that I wish to correct the implication that the main heavily-touristed experiences are all that Asia has to offer. Here are my top five recommendations for beautiful, forgotten about places in Asia: Nepal Nepal is the mountainous, lesser visited little sister of India. Arguably one of the most diverse countries in the world, Nepal has everything to offer, its landscapes varying from the top of Everest to dense jungle. Many people come here just to trek,
but the country is fascinating in its own right; start off in the winding backstreets of Kathmandu, or wander into the mountain villages and encounter Buddhist prayer flags entangled in beautiful scenery and the startling friendliness of the Nepalese people. Indonesian islands Heard of Bali, Lombok, Borneo? Sure. How about Peleng, Buru or Ternate? Maybe not. Indonesia has over 6000 inhabited islands, and yet the vast majority of tourists head for the same few places. Away from the hordes of people trying to sell you things, the natural beauty of Indonesia takes over, with its abundance of pristine beaches, coral reefs, volcanoes and sleepy fishing villages. The Indonesian archipelago as a whole also consists of hundreds of different ethnic groups and cultures, so each island is unique - if you get bored, you can just hop on a boat to the next island. Uzbekistan Its troubled history means that Central Asia has been neglected by tourists, but Uzbekistan has a rich cultural heritage and tourist numbers have gradually begun to increase since its liberation from the Soviet Union. It was once an important stopover on the Silk Road, an ancient trading route out of China, and remains of this can still be seen
today. Start by exploring the holy city of Bukhara, or head to Samarkand and visit the medieval Registan, with its green and blue minarets and domes. Vietnam Often overshadowed by its frequently visited neighbours, in my opinion Vietnam is by far the most interesting country in the south-eastern peninsula. Beautiful beaches and coastlines in the east are contrasted with the busy capital of Ho Chi Minh in the south, and tribal mountain villages in the north. Kayak through the spectacular Halong Bay, trek through rice paddies in the mountain region of Sapa and hitchhike on the back of a motorbike in the busy northern city of Hanoi. Mongolia One of the last remaining countries in the world which still has a largely nomadic culture, Mongolia is a refreshing change from the fast-paced cities which Asia is normally associated with. A country of horses and vast desert landscapes, it offers the chance to explore the outdoors and a simpler way of living in a way that few other places can do. Mongolia is not all wild though; as the land of Genghis Khan and the Mongol Empire, it has hundreds of ruins and a fascinating history, as well as a thriving capital city Ulaanbaatar. Catherine Davison
Mum’s the word
Sometimes, things go wrong. Here’s advice from Mum for some of life’s little trials...
11am I think it was Chekhov that said that people don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy; I read that while I was researching my history dissertation. Well, I’m not sure if I agree because I’m pretty happy and I’m definitely noticing a summer vibe this morning. Admittedly I’ve been in shorts and flip-flops since February; I think it’s important to wear my Havaianas as much as possible so people know I’ve been to Brazil. I actually got them in Camden Market, but that’s not really the point. 1.00pm George and I go for a drive down Queens Road; I like to think of it as the King’s Road of the North, not just because of the regal connection but also due to the fashionable nature of its residents. Felt pretty on-trend cruising in George’s white Range Rover Evoque; I think the red alacantra interior lends it a certain level of masculinity. Wind down the windows and throw in Henry’s new dubstep electro punk mix and we’re attracting a fair amount of undoubtedly positive attention. 3pm After burning through George’s supply of petrol, we decide it’s probably time to hit Bar Blanc. Weather had deteriorated somewhat but luckily they’ve got the outdoor heaters working overtime so there’s no need to layer up, I chose to go with the matching t-shirt and snapback combination that both say “submit” in block capitals on the front. 5pm As a way of getting into the summer spirit we opted against the usual fair of pints followed by more pints and instead went for jugs of Pimm’s. Great drink but they won’t do them on happy hour; I tried to explain to the b a r m a i d that I would have chosen two-forone rather than half price so they wouldn’t lose any money but she didn’t seem to understand.
You felt you had no choice but to sit on the floor of the smoking area. I mean, your legs were tired, what were you supposed to do? The next morning as you pick your clothes off the floor (where you drunkenly threw them), you find that you have a tasty morsel of someone else’s night stuck to your backside. And not only that, these are your new Levi’s shorts that you snatched out of a girl’s hand at a vintage fair. Don’t panic! Put the item in the freezer for a couple of hours, until the gum is hard. Then take the item out, and use a blunt knife or similar object to scrape the gum off. If gum remains, make a mixture of equal parts of washing up liquid and salt, and rub this against the thread of the fabric. If it’s a tough material like denim, run it under water as you rub it. Throw it in the wash, and voila! Good as new. Next time, find yourself a chair… Alison Stainsby
Illustration: Daisy Billowes
10aam So I got this rug when I was travelling in Central America last year, it’s got this great pre-Hispanic Zapotec pattern and smells like the Mexican lady that sold it to me although it has absorbed a bit of ‘Fierce’ by Abercrombie due to my regular use of that excellent product. Anyway it’s so thick that I use it as curtains and when I pulled it back it revealed bright sunshine, happy days!
If you’ve never looked closely at your mirror, you may be surprised, and moreover disgusted, at the amount of grime you never noticed before. Whether sneezing, squeezing spots or having accidents with your makeup, it’s highly probable that on close inspection, you’ll want to give it a clean. But what’s the point in buying a new bottle of cleaning product for every little job in the house, when you can make a brilliant cleaner from stuff in the cupboard? Mix 1 part vinegar (I got mine from a jar of pickles) with 8 parts warm water, and put in a spray bottle (empty cleaning or beauty product bottles will do). Spray the mix on the mirror in question, and use some lightly crumpled newspaper to wipe for a streak-free finish – what better use for your old copies of The Courier?
8pm We thought we’d get a few friends round for a barbecue in the front garden. We brought the Italian leather sofas out from the drawing room and made a short trip in the Rangy to the big Waitrose in Ponteland because the Jesmond one doesn’t stock disposable barbecues. It began to rain as we got back which changed the texture of the sofas somewhat and made lighting the thing a bit problematic. Still, we c ar r i e d on using Will’s giant PWC umbrella that he got from his summer internship as shelter; we’re hardcore like that. Freddie Caldwell Illustrations: Daisy Billowes
18.fashion
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Fashion Editors: Elissa Hudson and Lizzie Hampson Online Fashion Editor: Sally Greenwood
Get the Gatsby look
Amy O’Rourke shows you how to recreate the outfits from our Great Gatsby-inspired photo shoot Dress: Dorothy Perkins, £45 Necklace: Shoes: Zara, £29.99
Dress: H&M, £29.99 Blazer: H&M, £29.99 Jewellery: L.K. Bennett, £100 Shoes: Zara, £39.99
Beading is synonymous with the roaring ‘20s, and incorporating a bit of Gatsby sparkle into your look is easy. Embellished dresses are storming the high street, meaning no matter how demure you want your look, anyone can embrace the trend. Art deco inspired accessories are a must as the style first made an appearance in the ‘20s, and adding a piece of statement jewellery is the perfect place to start working charm into your outfit. To keep the look on the right side of the 21st century, finish with soft tousled curls, glowing skin and a simple smokey eye.
Fringing is essential if you want to add a touch of Gatsby glamour to your look, but this doesn’t mean you have to over-indulge. Modernising the trend can be achieved with a dress like this one, keeping the fringing to a minimum yet still channelling the ‘20s feel. Adding a sleek white blazer also helps to combat fringing overload, and makes sure the look is in-keeping with the trends of this spring/summer. No Gatsby inspired outfit would be complete without jewels, and popping on a statement necklace creates a focal point for the look whilst adding glamour and a pop of colour. Finish the look with clean, simple make-up and a slick of red lipstick.
Ways to wear white
Aditya Sharanya gives some tips on incorporating white into your summer wardrobe
Crop top: River Island, £25 Wearing a white crop top is a great way to show off that washboard stomach that you worked so hard for all spring. Ok, maybe not, but pairing it with something high-waisted on your bottom half ensures just a teeny bit of skin is on show and really plays into the ‘90s vibe that’s everywhere at the moment. Try wearing this cropped t-shirt with a white high-waisted skater skirt for a girly, matchymatchy feel. If you don’t want to bare too much flesh, then it would look amazing with a pair of high-waisted black cigarette trousers; monochrome is a huge trend for this summer.
Bag: Accessorize, £35
Shoes: Dune, £55
Shorts: Dorothy Perkins, £35
Whilst not strictly white, this monochrome bag will make any lazy, summer outfit look a little more classy. Wardrobe nightmares can be a frequent occurrence when the weather warms up. You spend an hour rummaging around your floordrobe for white underwear because you absolutely have to wear that slightly-too-sheer white dress and before you know it you’re late, you feel like a mess and you’re in a bad mood. Grabbing a structured, classic handbag before leaving the house will make that last-minute outfit feel and look a little more put together.
Spending money on a pair of white shoes is always a risk; there’s no hiding those scuffs and scratches. If you’re brave enough to part with your cash in the first place, these beautiful pointed flats are probably best kept for sober occasions, and yes, that means leaving them at home when you head to Osborne Road for ‘just a few’ drinks. These will look amazing with a tan, so they’re perfect for holiday (unless you’re jetting off to Malia/Zante/ Magaluf etc, that is). At £55 they’re pricey, but paired with black ankle grazers and a white blazer they’ll look so perfect you won’t regret splurging.
A pair of tailored, white shorts can look amazing with a matching blazer and luckily cute, summery suits are all over the high-street at the minute. A matching shorts/blazer combo looks chic and put together, as well as being incredibly versatile; wear it with sandals and an over the shoulder bag during the day for shopping or with heels and a clutch for evening drinks. If simple outfits requiring minimum effort are more your thing, then team some white shorts with a well cut, lightweight tshirt (Zara do some great ones) and you’re set for a lazy day in the sun.
The Courier
fashion.19
Monday 13 May 2013
thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Fashion
Graduate in style
Finding the perfect dress for graduation can prove difficult but fear not Fashion Editor Elissa Hudson headed down to Fenwick to choose the dresses that definitely get a first Pansy Print Dress by Paul Smith: £199 Available from The French Salon in Fenwick
Accessorize , £25
Best for curvy girls
Cobalt Blue CutOut Dress by Louche: £50
2
Choose a chunky, block heel as opposed to stiletto heels. You will no doubt want to take some pictures on the grass in the quad, and you don’t want to end up sinking into the mud and getting your shoes dirty. Also, make sure the shoes you chose are comfortable since you’ll be in them for most of the day. It’s important that you can walk in them too, as you have to walk across the stage in front of an audience; you don’t want to be shuffling along, scared of falling over!
Accessorize , £25
3
Best for tall girls Dune, £80
Accessorize , £5
Best for petite
Dune, £85
Best for creating curves
Primark £12
Lemon Skater Dress by French Connection: £130
Leanna Polk-a-dot Dress by Louche: £65
Available from Boutique in Fenwick
Available from Boutique in Fenwick.
1
Avoid wearing head-to-toe black as your outfit will blend in with your robes which won’t make for a good photograph. Some black is obviously fine, but make sure there is enough colour to ensure your outfit underneath still stands out from the robe.
Available from Boutique in Fenwick
Dune, £80
5 Tips for Graduation
Try to wear a well-cut, flattering item such as a pencil skirt. Robes are not the most flattering of garments so you don’t want to add any extra bulkiness. So, try to avoid very full skirts, but if tight clothes aren’t your style, just try to find something with a slimmer skirt to help achieve a sleeker look.
4
Accessorize , £19
Something with buttons such as a blouse is advisable, as it will help to keep your hood in place. However, if the dress you’ve been eyeing up doesn’t have buttons, then just have some safety pins handy instead to help secure your hood, to prevent it riding up and strangling you all day. Although if you’re going to use safety pins make sure the material of your top or dress is not something delicate and easily torn like satin or silk.
5
Keep it classy. Graduation is a formal occasion, not a night out, so don’t show too much skin. The photographs of your graduation will be forever on your parents’ and grandparents’ mantelpieces and you don’t want to look back in 10 years time at your cringe-worthy display of cleavage. Rebecca Gregory
The Courier
beauty.21
Monday 13 May 2013
thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Beauty
Beauty Editor: Annie Morgan Online Beauty Editor: Amy Macauley
How to: Product dupes Holy grail Tropical Tropical summer make up is all about bold and bright colours. The key to this look is bright statement colours such as greens, purples and blues on the eyes teamed with pink and corals on the lips. Safiya Ahmed shows us how it’s done
Drugstore foundations have got a lot better over the last few years so you no longer need to splash out on £40 foundations. If you have normal/dry skin and have always wanted to try the YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat, Bourjois’ Healthy Mix Serum will give you a similar effect and won’t leave you broke
Step 1: Base & Eyes
YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat VS Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Start off with your base. A dewy foundation is best for this look because you want your skin to look as natural as possible to let your eyes and lips do the talking. Next begin on the eyes. Take a yellow/gold shade in the corners of the eye socket and then apply a strong blue colour all across the lid.
Step 2: Eyes
Next take a green eyeshadow and apply on the outer crease. Then take a pinky red coloured eyeshadow and sweep over the top of the eyelid. For added definition add a small amount of brown to the outer corners for a slight smokey effect. Take a fluffy blending brush and blend.
Step 3: Eyes
Then take a purple eyeliner, or alternatively a purple eyeshadow and with a thin brush apply along the lower lash line. This will really make the eyes pop. Also purple is a colour that brings out all different eye colours. Apply a thick line of eyeliner across the top of the eyelid and lashings of mascara. If you want you can take a white eyeliner and apply on the waterline to really open up the eyes.
Step 4: Cheeks & Lips
As someone with rather dry, dehydrated skin, I tend to look for dewy, lightweight foundations that won’t cling to any dry patches or accentuate them. The foundations you can get from Boots or Superdrug have gotten significantly better over the last few years. This is especially the case for us pale skinned girls. Foundations used to be very orange or very pink and just far too dark, but thanks to brands such as L’Oréal, Bourjois and Revlon, you can get really good quality, light foundations that aren’t too pink. After trying pretty much all the foundations suitable for dry skin that you can find in Boots, Bourjois’ Healthy Mix Serum is the one that really stands out to me. Don’t get it confused with Healthy Mix Foundation, which is also great but it’s not as lightweight and dewy as the serum. The Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum is often compared to YSL’s Le Teint Touche Eclat which gives a similar effect. The YSL foundation comes in a lot more shades and so you are more likely to find the
perfect shade for you. They come in three different types of shades: pink, neutral and yellow. I tend to find yellow foundations to be more flattering on my skin tone and so Bourjois’ lightest shade ‘Vanilla’ suits my skin pretty well. However, if you have dark skin or extremely pale skin you might struggle to find a perfect match. In terms of the coverage, they are both pretty lightweight but fairly buildable if you want more coverage in certain areas. They are both fairly gellike textures, which is perfect for dry skin but if you have more normal skin both of these would be great for you. They would both work for combination skin but I wouldn’t recommend either of these if you have more oily skin because they can be quite shiny. However, if you do have more oily skin it might be worth checking out the Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation which is slightly less dewy. Again, because these foundations are quite shiny, I would stay away for these if you’re having a bad breakout. Stating the obvious, the heavy glass packaging of the YSL foundation is much more simple yet luxurious with its gold lid. The Bourjois packaging is also glass but it’s a lot lighter which makes it better for travelling. The price difference between these two is fairly big so I keep the YSL foundation (£29 from Boots) for special occasions and wear the Bourjois foundation (£10.99 from Superdrug) on a more regular basis. There are slight differences between the two foundations, for example the YSL foundation (like all YSL makeup) smells amazing. They are both amazing brightening foundations which are amazing for dry/normal skin so I highly recommend both of them. I can’t choose one over the other because I love them both. Annie Morgan
MAC are known for their lipsticks especially because of the great price point and quality. But which one is a great, versatile shade for everyone?
As someone that has a certain weakness for MAC’s black bullet lipsticks, I knew my holy grail product had to be a lipstick. I’ve never repurchased the same colour lipstick before until I came across ‘Brave’. This has to be my favourite shade ever. MAC describe it as ‘pink-beige with white pearl’ but I would have to say it is more of a nude with pink and brown undertones. It is a kind of ‘my lips but better’ shade. It has a subtle matte finish but I was surprised to find it is in fact a satin finish according to MAC. What I love about this colour is that it is so versatile, it can easily take you from morning to night. For me it is a perfect everyday colour to wear at university with minimal makeup but also looks great with a smokey eye for a night out. It is highly pigmented and has great staying power. It makes my lips look fuller and smoother and because of its neutral colour I reckon it would suit most skin tones. Like all MAC lipsticks it has the delicious vanilla scent and moisturising qualities. For £14 it is a bit pricey but it is definitely worth it, I’d be lost without it! Safiya Ahmed
Five summer trends Summer is certainly not here yet, but that does not mean you can’t get ahead of the trends and move away from the vampy winter tones and spring’s pastel pinks and purples. Bold lips are going to be big this summer, so be bold and ditch the nudes. Grace Beddow and Charlotte Dickson give us the low-down on what to choose Bright Matte Lips With spring and summer in full swing now is the time to ditch the berry and vampy lipsticks in favour of more fun and playful fuchsia and coral shades. However, this season, the typical juicy, fruity lipstick tones are being contrasted with a flat matt texture, giving a cool edgy twist to this annual trend. If really bright lipsticks scares you a little, opt for a lip stain which will have the same matte effect without being quite as bold, or lightly apply a small amount of a matte lipstick and blend it in until it is less vibrant. The kind of shades you should look out for are bright corals, neon pinks and opaque orangey reds. Messy Bun
In the summer months sometimes its best to keep to a no fuss, simple hairstyle, especially during the day, and the messy bun is a perfect go-to. Seen all over the catwalks this season, it will keep your hair off your face, keep you cool and looking chic all in one, just twist, pin and loosen a few strands to recreate the look.
Natural, glowing skin What often springs to mind when thinking of ‘summer skin’ is an arguably over-the-top shimmery bronze goddess look. However, Spring/Summer ’13 has seen the emergence of a different approach: a natural and ‘bare faced’ look. This look can easily be recreated with just a tinted moisturiser and minimal bronzer and a little bit of blush. blush Metallic Eyes Metallic eye shadow also reigned the catwalks this season, with silky silver and bronzy
brown hues being the main two shades. Black winged eyeliner, nude lips and simple hair balanced out the strong silver, and the brown was blended into gold for a fresh take on the smoky eye. A really easy, quick way to achieve this kind of look is if you use a metallic jumbo sized eye pencil and just blend it out on the edges to create a really, smudgy, smokey effect. You can buy this kind of pencils from Clinique with their Chubby Sticks for eyes or from Rimmel.
Next take a shimmery bronzer and sweep across cheekbones and temples for a beautiful sun-kissed look. Finally, apply a bright pink or coral lipstick, tousle your hair and you’re ready to hit the beach.
Sixties Style A key trend for the summer evenings is a flashback to the swinging sixties. So think big, filled-in brows, nude lips and black eyeliner flicks for the face, and for hair retro beehives or try a low side parting and tease at the crown for a softer, alternative take on this hairstyle. If you don’t fancy going all out with a ‘60s look, you can always go for the classic cat-eye gel eyeliner look which suits all eye shapes and extremely flattering as it helps make your eyes appear larger. It is best to line your eyes with a black pencil first, and then trace over the line using a gel eyeliner. The reason why gel liners are preferable is because they are really opaque and you can be really precise if you use a small eyeliner brush, such as the MAC 208 or 209 brush.
22.listings13-19May
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Listings Editor: Sally Priddle
Monday & Tuesday The Suggestibles 13th May, 7pm The Stand Comedy Club
You supply the suggestions. They supply the laughs. The hot-fast team of improvisers reacts to audience suggestions at lightening speed, to create surreal sketches, glorious games and manic musicals. If you like Whose Line Is It Anyway… you’ll LOVE this. The show’s different every time! Catch their unique brand of irreverent off-thecuff, off-the-wall comedy. Tickets £3 available from The Stand’s box office and website.
The Seagull
14th- 18th May, 7.30pm Northern Stage
A play about unrequited love - a story about how we create stories - and one of the greatest plays of the modern era. In The Seagull, Chekhov explores emotion, creativity and romantic conflict with the clarity of a doctor and the heart of a poet. The Seagull is directed by Blanche McIntyre, recently described by London’s Evening Standard as “a rising star.” Student Tickets available for £10 from the Northern Stage’s box office and website.
Wednesday & Thursday GIAG: Costume Showcase 15th May, 12.15pm Woodhorn Museum
See key costume pieces from Oscar winning films including The King’s Speech as well as well-known favourites like Pirates of the Caribbean. Learn about the costumes, the designers and the process involved in making award winning film couture. Tickets available from the Activities Centre
4’33” Silent Film Festival 16th May, 7pm Star and Shadow Cinema
The festival opens at the Star and Shadow Cinema and will continue in venues accross the city over the following three days. Inspired by John Cage’s 4’33”; the festival features a diverse selection of new silent shorts created for the event alongside scenes from iconic silent movies. The festival highlights the importance of silent film and its enduring legacy in modern filmmaking. For the latest updates on the festival, including venues, times and more, please visit: 433silentfilmfestival.blog.com
Friday Period Costume Making 17th May, 10am-4pm Northern Stage
Have you ever wondered how to make a Georgian frock coat? How would you construct an Elizabethan ruff ? Or even a Victorian bustle? We’ll teach you all the basics of making period costumes for stage, screen or just for your own entertainment. Including an understanding of the fabrics, the structures and the fashions of bygone eras. Led by professional costumier Gayle Marie Playford - who is currently making costumes on BBC1’s The Paradise - this hands-on workshop is taught in our wardrobe department by specialist and skilled staff, providing all your materials. It will include an introductory talk, a practical demonstration and your chance to try out the techniques. Student tickets available for £35 from Northern Stage’s box office and website.
GIAG: Massage Sessions 11am-2pm Venue, Students’ Union
Forget your troubles and indulge yourself in a relaxing free massage as part of Mental Health Awareness Day, it’s sure to leave you calm and collective. Booking recommended, email giag@ncl.ac.uk
The Weekend Late Night Cabaret 18th May, 10-11pm Northern Stage
Grab a drink and enjoy a cabaret of late night performances by recent graduates and Performing Arts students from Northumbria University. Preceding this evening Northern Stage are collaborating with Northumbria University and showcasing their work all week. Northumbria students are engaged in a variety of writing, performance and community projects, and this showcase celebrates some of this year’s most exciting, rigorous and thought-provoking work. Free event
Cirque du Hilarious 19th May, 2pm & 6pm Theatre Royal
We present daredevil acts and daring feats from across the world and hilarious comedy routines from Clive and Danny, joined by Dangerous Alan - guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat and howling with laughter. Complete with magic, madness & mayhem, comedy, dancing girls, slapstick and the now Legendary Rock Band “Clownforce” - all with a touch of danger. Tickets from £8 available from Theatre Royal’s box office and website.
GUiDe TO THE
E T A m i uLT
sUmMER Illustration: Fran Ede
2.summerspecial
Welcome from the Editor A
nd like that, another year at Newcastle University has passed by – for some your first, and for others your last. Whether, like me, you’re leaving the University environment for good or you’re simply taking some well-earned time away before September once again rolls round, one thing is for certain: we all need a break. And some sun. While chances of sunshine are seeming increasingly slim, the British resolve means we’re not going to give up having a proper summer holiday without a fight. There are only so many years where you get three whole months to do whatever you want, right slap bang in the middle of the calendar – you should choose wisely what you do with yours. Luckily, there are tonnes of opportunities out there, no matter what you’re into. You might be planning on going travelling to fulfil the mini Kerouac within you – if so, take a look at pages 4 and 5 for Lifestyle’s satirical travelling tips and how exactly you’re supposed to pack one bag to last you more than a week. If you plan on heading abroad, have a brilliant time. Maybe you’re not such an outdoorsy type and your kick comes from celluloid and shady rooms – lucky for you there are a bunch of film festivals taking place soon, and one of Tyneside Cinema’s all-night Cult Classic marathons. Speaking from experience, it’s not to be missed. Get inspired by what a cinema can offer you on page 3. Or maybe you’re into the other type of festival – yes, it’s music festival season once again. Glasto is back and they’ve got the Rolling Stones and, erm, Mumford & Sons with them! Shame about the lack of Bowie and Fleetwood Mac, but there are always those secret slots on the Park stage to keep an eye on. Head over to pages 8 and 9 to check out some lesser-know UK and European music fests. Then there’s Edinburgh. How to encapsulate in one sentence what the Scottish capital can offer in the next few months? Simply put, you can’t – there’s a multitude of comedians, theatrical performances, art galleries and more to look at. A bunch of it is at a student’s favourite price – FREE! – and when you can get return trains for £20, it’s an easy way to do something memorable without having to sell a kidney to make it happen. Perhaps you’re more of a sporting type – sure, there’s no Olympics this year and anything after 2012 might seem like a step down, but there’s still that old British favourite Wimbledon to look out for. See page 12 for some alternative suggestions of exciting sports to look out for including an amazing-looking sumo wrestling tournament if you’re lucky enough to be heading to, um, Japan. Sorry to all you Masters students – a whole summer lies ahead of dissertation, heavy books and library sessions. But that’s no reason to shrivel up into a ball and play dead over the coming months. If you learned one thing during your undergrad, it’s that essay writing means extended essay breaks. And if you’re heading to see The Great Gatsby that’s almost educational, right? If Gatsbyfever has struck you hard, head over the pages 6 and 7 for a ’20s-inspired photo shoot at the beautiful Jesmond Dene House. It doesn’t finish at the end of August either – in September, the British Science Festival is making its way over to The Toon from the 7th, and there are loads of opportunities to get involved. Have a look just to the right of this column for more information, it should be huge. Thank you for reading The Courier this year – it’s been brilliant producing a paper for you every week. I hope this summer guide sends us out with a bang. Good luck with your degrees and I’ll see you on the other side of life – the scary side with adults and jobs and things. Most of all though – make sure 2013 is your best summer ever. Yours, Ben Travis Editor
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
What’s it all about? The British Science Festival is a national event which celebrates the brilliance of science. Taking place every year, this September Newcastle plays host. It combines hands on exhibits with talks from guest speakers, and popular media from the world of science. From Biology, to Chemistry, to Agriculture, and back again there truly will be something for everyone. Festival officer Coralie Young says that with the festival “We want to bring a diverse, and exciting range of events to the city, that celebrate all the sciences; engineering, technology and maths. Central to it all, is our aim to bring science to everyone, so we try to cater for different audiences, with different interests, and provide something that absolutely everyone can enjoy and get involved in” Being one of the biggest celebrations of science, engineering and technology in Europe it really is something not to missed.
What we can expect?
Coralie said we can expect “diverse range of events, from workshops and lectures, to exhibitions, shows and debates. Similarly we cover a broad range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, from astrophysics and anatomy to the science of food, drink and laughter” Last year at Aberdeen guest speakers included Brian Cox, Richard Wiseman, and Bill Bryson. Talks and lectures take interesting topics and give them a unique and refreshing look delivered by charismatic experts in the fields. Some titles last year included; sperm warfare, Food addiction: Fact or fiction and Titanic engineering. Aside from the lectures there are hands on events and workshops for all ages for example The science behind food labels, and Can we grow missing body parts. With something for everyone ranging from events for professionals to young children the festival aims to make science fun and accessible for people of all ages.
Newcastle University’s own Student Science team from the SAgE outreach programme will be on hand throughout the whole event providing fun and accessible science activities for people of all ages. Jenny Rigby (pictured) is a street scientist and says “it’s great to be able to be part of getting Newcastle hyped up for the festival” She says she hopes “our science busking is sparking or re-kindling love for science in the public” Look out for them on Thursday 12th September around 5pm when they’ll be launching a Flash mob orchestra at Monument to celebrate the end of the festival. Comprising of the street science team, buskers from Framwellgate School, and encouraging participation from members of the public. Instruments will be made up of a glove-a-phone and a drinking straw kazoo teaching the science of sound. Anytime you think it’s getting quiet the street science team are going to hit you with science that you didn’t even know existed using household objects to educate the public and get people excited about science. Keep up with what the street science team are doing on twitter: @nustreetscience
How can I get involved? If you want to get involved with the festival, The British Science Association are recruiting Festival Assistants, so anybody keen to get involved should check out http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/aboutfestival/apply-be-festival-assistant - to find out how to apply. Assistants can apply to one of three strands: helping at events, the Young People’s Programme, or the Press Centre. Events assistants take on a variety of roles, including jobs such as AV assistant, box office attendant, and audience assistant. Young People’s Programme assistants will help to run the activities catering for thousands of school children that will be attending workshops and activities. Finally, Press Centre assistants will be involved in the day-to-day running of the Festival Press Centre. The festival runs from 7-12 September inclusively so get yourselves down to the events. Most of them are free and are going to be on your doorstep. You’d be mad to miss it!
James Simpson
The Courier
summerspecial.3
Monday 13 March 2013
Sun Screen: how to ‘do’ film festivals The Great Tyneside Cinema Anniversary Celebration 25-26 May With 29 cult classic movies, £1 entry, a 10pm start and an 11pm finish the next day, the Tyneside Anniversary Overnighter is an event not to be missed! Last year, pyjamas, blankets, sleeping bags, coffee, alcohol and Red Bull littered the screens as the people of Newcastle dug deep to see their favourite films at 3am. This is an event that everyone should do at least once in their lives. The combination of great films at absurd hours is enough to drag people in, but when adding alcohol and energy drink consumption, this overnighter takes on a life of its own. No one has to have a massive appreciation of cinema, you don’t have to be a cult classic fan or a connoisseur of film to come along and enjoy; this is pure unadulterated fun surrounded by good people. There are ups and downs with people falling asleep in the cinema, getting drunk and walking into the wrong toilet, but it’s just as fun as a night out. The Tyneside experienced its 75th Anniversary last year and as the Cult Classic Overnighter did so well, they brought it back. From Pulp Fiction to My Neighbour Totoro and The Rocky Horror Picture Show to The Shawshank Redemption, there’s something to satisfy everyone - if you can stay awake. Advice from previous years has been to have a coffee every other movie and maybe go for a little stroll around the Monument to get some fresh air. But ultimately it’s how you play it, like any festival you’re in it till the end and going fast and burning out isn’t wise, so take it slow, take a nap in the Tyneside Bar before grabbing another beer and soldiering on. This is one of the most interesting nights you’ll have. The historic building, matched with friendly staff and good movies is an irresistible mix. You’ll have lots of nights out, but the capacity to keep going through all these films will separate the men from the boys and the geeks from everyone else! So go on down for a night you’ll never forget. Aisha Dinn
Sheffield Docfest 12-16 June
Sheffield Docfest descends upon the city with the same cultural stranglehold as Edinburgh’s Fringe but in many ways is much more than a festival - it’s a perfect platform for anyone wanting to work in digital film or broadcasting. Uniting the movers and shakers of the industry through a incredible programme of premieres, workshops and after parties, you have the chance to meet everyone from the makers of Blue Planet to Louis Theroux, with last year’s opening film Searching for Sugarman trailblazing to a subsequent 2013 Oscar success. With the festival sinking its talons into Sheffield’s cultural venues, including the local Picturehouse Cinema and the historic Crucible theatre, the variety allows punters to pick and choose select screenings via the purchase of single tickets. However if you are after a more immersive VIP experience, there is also a Festival Pass option for £299 allowing access to every event, talk and after party in the programme, which considering the calibre and standard of guests, could be a good investment towards a host of networking opportunities. An alternative is also the Doc lovers pass, offering entry into every film on the programme for a mere £60. As an irresistible week of storytelling, industry information and arts events, Docfest is a must on the summer festival calendar. Tickets go on sale from the 13th of May.
Edinburgh International 19th - 30th June
Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in global cinema and is consistently at the cusp of innovation in global filmmaking trends. If that sounds a little bit too industrial festivals are basically film marketplaces anyway - the result for film fans is that Edinburgh’s cinemas and cultural sites are transformed into centres for incredible cinema, discussion and debate. For almost two weeks the city is flooded with industry bigwigs from around the world. While the programme in the past has included everything from Patrick Stewart Q&A’s to special nationally specific world premieres - including Pixar’s Scottish set Brave – Edinburgh has been pivotal in showcasing and setting trends for world cinema, with notable past premieres including Amores Perros, Little Miss Sunshine and even The Hurt Locker as Edinburgh specific premieres. Although the line-up announcement is often posted very close to the date (29 May), leading to a massive spike in hotel prices around the city, the festival itself is a lot like Fringe allowing a huge selection of activities, workshops and films everyday that can be bought on a single ticket basis. While there are festival passes available, many of the special events sell out incredibly quickly so if you are adamant to meet Patrick Stewart, doing your research Is a safe bet. Whether you have access to a friend’s couch or are just in Edinburgh for a couple of days, don’t let Edinburgh International Film Festival pass you by; you won’t regret it!
Frightfest
22-26 August Growing from a small journalist led event in Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester, Frightfest festival has gone from strength to the strength over its 13 year legacy, emerging as the UK’s most authoritative horror genre festival. Now situated at the heart of Leicester square’s Empire Cinema and sponsored by Film 4, Frightfest showcases the cream of both home-grown and international horror while providing the guests that fans want to meet. With previous icons including Dario Argento (Suspiria), and George.A.Romero (Night of the Living Dead) alongside memorabilia, incredible Q and A’s and an entire screen dedicated to classic horror, Frightfest is the perfect place to be consumed by the shambling hordes of UK horror culture. With a wealth of UK premieres and a roster of 30 plus special guests, Frightfest also puts you at the immediate heart of horror with Empire, Total Film and every major website/magazine represented. Don’t miss the chance to meet journalists such as Kim Newman (Empire) and even Simon Pegg , often hiding away from fans in the darkened auditorium. One the best things about Frightfest is the festival pass itself, providing a guaranteed seat in the main screen for the duration of the festival taking away the worry of missing a film due to a sell- out. However being one of the highlights of the UK festival calendar does make Frightfest passes a hot commodity, with tickets on sale online from the 29th of June: although the annual tradition of dedicated fans queuing overnight outside Empire in the ‘sleepy queue’ is an hilarious experience in itself.
Chris Binding
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Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
School’s out: What to do in summer 2013 Uni is nearly out for the summer, so how are you going to spend your time when all you have to worry about is applying your factor 30, or finding things to occupy yourself with in the not so predictably scorching Blighty ? Whether it’s a holiday with your mates, girlfriend or you’re off to find yourself in Africa, we have the tips for a jolly good time.
The Volunteering Project For something completely different and unique one option is to head to one of the more under-developed countries the world has to offer, and spend some time volunteering. These include Africa, Cambodia, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. I didn’t go on a gap yah, so Mummy and Daddy have promised me that they will give me my trust fund account that they’ve been saving since like forever so I have loads of money to go away with. I’ve found a few really interesting projects which I’m so totally all about.
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The first is in Africa working to build a well or something, but I don’t want to be working on a holiday so that one is definitely not for me. Also isn’t Africa full of flies and stuff, and it’s just complete extreme poverty. There’s also no beach for me to get out my cracking six pack. Also this one time, Tarquin told me that a friend of a friend went to Africa, and managed to catch some disease from an elephant or something!
The second one is in Cambodia working at a really poor children’s orphanage. Jamie did this last year and he said it was so totes worth it. There’s like all these kids that have no parents (how do they pay for anything?) and they can’t even speak English. So you go out there and teach them, it’s really rewarding and people think you’re a really nice person yah. Plus in Cambodia I’ve heard there’s some really good hostels for a bit of travelling banter, and it’s next to Thailand so I could go and party with all my friends which would be really rad.
Another idea I had was to go to this Buddhist monastery in the Blue Mountains. I just really feel that with all the stresses of Unay life I would just love to escape to a tranquil place where I can really just find myself and who I really am without material pleasures or money. And then I could totally blog about it on my iPad mini which Daddy got for me.
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The other one is this dissertation project that I’m so totally interested in. Basically I would get to go away to the Indonesia for a whole month to study tigers and the conservation surrounding them with one of Daddy’s friends. My friend Henry did it last year and he said at one point the tigers were so amazing he cried.
Don’t forget if you’re going to go and do one of these projects you have to get the really cool and unique picture of yourself surrounded by all the children who you’re helping. It is also a really good idea to have one of your Daddy’s producer friends make a Comic Relief type montage and post it on Facebook so all your friends know just how selfless you are. Just remember, that when you’re out there, it might be hard to hold back the raw emotion, but have a totes amazeballs time. James Simpson
The Holiday That Never Was So whilst your friends are heading off to Malia, Magaluf or somewhere else beginning with M, you are stuck at home for summer with soggy English weather and an overdraft you’d rather not show your parents. Fear not! OK so you probably won’t be experiencing Happy Hour at a poolside bar or catching the eyes of the locals, but you can still experience the English equivalent. I appreciate that a drink at your overpriced local trying to avoid the town lecher is not quite the same but we English are known for making the best of a bad time. Here’s a list of fun ways of making the most of your stay-at-home holiday.
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Have a BBQ – There is nothing better than sitting in your back garden, fishing supermarket value sausages from the charcoals of your BBQ. Yes, it’s only meant to be sunny for about two hours, yes everything you’ve cooked has been cremated, yes you’ll probably get food poisoning but at least you can spend the next day moping in the house rather than have to brave a banana boat in the Caribbean Sea.
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Garden parties – We all love an excuse to get drunk and we all love a can of warm Pimms (since being at university, cans of already mixed alcohol have revolutionised our pre drinks). Garden parties are therefore a win. Except a family garden party… there’s a reason you haven’t seen your uncle since you were eight.
Go to the beach – Who needs the white sands of Zante when we have perfectly good, faecal buried beaches here in the UK? Buy a bucket and spade from Poundland and build an epic sandcastle on Whitley Bay seafront. Who knows, you may even be able to bare up to your calf if the weather permits. NB: Majorca may have authentic paella but it does not sell lemon top ice creams.
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Get a job – Because even though your friend is chocolate brown and struggling to scrimp together some money for an ice cream come August, you will be pale and rolling in it! Haterz gon hate!
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Catch up on a new TV series - So your friends have been catching up with the locals while you’ve been catching up on Breaking Bad. They may have experienced authentic Dubai but you are able to see the final series in the comfort of your own bed, with Ben & Jerrys and not have to watch it online. Not your problem when their internet connection has gone down accidentally on purpose.
Take up a hobby - Whilst your ‘friends’ have been scuba diving in Kos, you have been learning the Cello in Carlisle. Friend 0, Cultural new you 1.
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Moan – Do what the English do best and just sit at home moaning and crying. Moan because life’s unfair, moan because you are cold and pale and moan because The Hobbit did not live up to your expectations.
And worse comes to worst, you could always go next year (and not invite them!) Kate Stokes
The Courier
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Monday 13 May 2013
Illustrations by Daisy Billowes and Ellie Hegarty
Lads Abroad
The Romantic Minibreak Finally, you have reached that stage of your relationship: the holiday. This is a big operation but the first rule is, it must look effortless. It doesn’t matter if your luggage ends up in some unheard of country or you get a million mosquito bites. This is the happiest experience of your life. Firstly, make sure you sunbathe on your front to show off your Greek-Goddess-like body. Keep your man near you to demonstrate what a beautiful couple you are (ensure that he is permanently tensing to really enhance the look). An ideal couple sunbathing position is to lie side by side holding hands. This suggests that you are too cool to be all over each other in the blazing sunshine (because, of course, the sun will be blazing all throughout this perfect experience) but too in love to possibly bear letting go of each other. When the sun finally sets (but the temperature keeps at that perfect, warm but comfortable level), the only place to be is at an expensive restaurant. Try to be placed in the window – not for what there is to see, but to be seen. Ensure you pick somewhere with lots of candles for the ultimate romantic feel, and hold hands across the table, even whilst eating. This setting is particularly good for finding out how he will propose, planning the wedding and debating baby names. Make sure you talk loudly so everyone can hear. Whenever there is a silent moment declare your undying love for him. It is only kind to let your neighbouring diners share in your intimate moment. Remember that as the perfect couple on the perfect holiday, it is your responsibility to spread the love. This means you can indulge in your passion for one another 24/7. Never, ever let go of his hand, although ideally he should have his arm around you at all times. The arm-around stance is very convenient for whispering loving secrets into one another’s ears. Remember to giggle when he does this to you. Kissing at every opportunity is another must. This tells those around you that you only have eyes for one another and to be separated would lead to the crumbling of your entire world. Most importantly, you must consider the best way to share all of this perfection with the world of social media. Tweet constantly in the days/weeks/months leading to departure. Upload a few photos a day onto Facebook with lots of hearts as the caption. Remember that the selfie is a wonderful invention; it allows both of you to be in the picture at once, so for Gods sake use it. Kissing selfies are a must; otherwise you risk people thinking your holiday was a passionless one. Save the best photos for the three part holiday album on your return. Ideally hire yourself a professional photographer to get romantic portraits under palm trees and in the sea at sunset. Where this isn’t available (and even when it is) absolutely use Instagram to the best of your ability. Remember to follow each photo with a never-ending reel of hashtags denoting your undying love. Lastly, when you return, talk constantly about the holiday. Everyone will want to hear every single detail. Only stop talking about it when you can start talking about your next one. Sarah Pratley
Sun, sex, and a load of top shelf banter is what you can expect from a lads holiday. Top choices of destination include Ibiza, Malia, Magaluf, Zante and Kavos; all dirt cheap to get to, and come with a no banterback guarantee. Get yourself onto icelolly.com to book a nice little getaway in a beautiful 1 star hotel with a flushing toilet. With tiled floors for easy chunder removal and the best in uncomfortable mattresses, you’ll have everything you need in your typical Copa del lads lads lads. In the weeks before it’s important to remember that you must be looking your best for all the birds that are sure to be looking your way. Hit your local fitness establishment and remember that it’s really important to lift as much weight as you possibly can to ensure you’re accepted as a true lad. You really don’t have that perfect beach body until your pecs look like they need a bra, and your arms are almost as wide as your head. And don’t forget those legs; don’t want to be looking top heavy now boys. Before you go don’t forget to get yourself down to Topman to get some vests that are 3 sizes too small for you but make you look like The Incredible Hulk but less green. Oh and make sure you get white, and then you look ten times more tanned than your pasty ginger complication shows. Pop into Kwiktan at the bottom of Northumberland Street for that classic Geordie glow and you’re almost set to go. You’ll need to bag yourself a pair of the best Rayberries to protect those blossoming blue eyes you have. And don’t forget to pack sun cream, mainly just to draw knobs on your mate’s back when he passes out from one too many fishbowls. Don’t forget your official Borat mankini for complete originality and a lads holiday just wouldn’t be complete without your souvenir T-shirt with a massive pair of tits and your laddish nickname on. It’s probably something to do with that filthy thing you did in Sinners that one time isn’t it? But it’s all in the name of banter. Getting around the resort is as easy as flicking your wrist and you’re all good at that aren’t you? Hire yourself some quadbikes so you can fly round the resort at top speed. Don’t forget to sound your horn every time you see an attractive young female as they absolutely love it. A lads holiday wouldn’t be complete without a booze cruise. Book yourself on one of these bad boys and you’ll be talking about it with the lads for years to come. Pay one price and drink all you want on a massive boat with loads of classy birds. What better way to remember your holiday than a tattoo saying ‘Maga 2013’ on your arse cheeks, or you could go with something really deep and meaningful like ‘YOLO’ on your wrist and every time you have a really important decision to make, you can look at that and remember your true laddish colours. So if you’re heading away this summer, make sure you do it properly, maybe even make yourself a bucket list. But remember, when you’re going at it in the sun, always use protection. Bucket list: • Motorboat a MILF • Skinny dipping • Top banter on a booze cruise
James Simpson
The art of packing your bags
Sophie Main gives us her top tips for travelling light and avoiding those dreaded excess baggage charges this summer. For someone who has been through the shame and expense of paying over £100 for excess luggage, I have learnt my lesson the hard way. Packing light is not easy for the fashion conscious, but if you are planning on swapping your handbag for a backpack this summer, condensing your wardrobe is a must. Luckily, my housemate is the traveller type and has mastered the art of the backpacker look. Here are a few of her essential tips for those of you who are new to backpacking:
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Denim is to be avoided. As tiny as your shorts are, they will still be a nightmare to get dry. Damp denim will be heavy and uncomfortable, so as excited as you were to find those Levi shorts in the sale, leave them at home.
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Whilst backpacking through a particularly religious or conservative area, a pair of trusty leggings will make even the shortest of outfits more respectable, so make sure you pack a pair to avoid offending the locals.
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If you’re a talented enough packer to have space left in your backpack – don’t fill it! You never know what fabulous fashion finds you might come across on your travels, so save that space for bargains that you’re bound to come
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Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
The age of opulence With the long awaited ďŹ lm adaptation of The Great Gatsby just around the corner, the 1920s are roaring back into style. The Fashion and Beauty Team headed down to Jesmond Dene house to recreate the glitz and glamour of the decade
The Courier
summerspecial.7
Monday 13 May 2013
Win tickets!
Tyneside Cinema have given us two tickets to give away to one lucky winner. Which rapper was chosen by director Baz Luhrmann to curate a soundtrack for Gatsby? The Great Gatsby opens on 17 May
Email your answer to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk before midnight on Thursday 16 May to be in with a chance of winning.
Location: Jesmond Dene House Hotel Photography: Amy O’Rourke Models: Hannah Goldstein, Georgia Morgan, Aditya Sharanya, Hannah Louise Walsh, Ashley Waterhouse and Charlie Scott Hair and Make-up: Emma Graveling, Sally Greenwood, Elizabeth Hampson, Elissa Hudson, Amy Macauley and Alison Stainsby Directed and Styled by: Sally Greenwood, Elizabeth Hampson and Elissa Hudson For outfit details and prices visit www.thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion
8.summerspecial
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Wild wild fests
The Courier Music Team bring you their picks from the upcoming festival season, both home and away... Evolution Where?
Newcastle Quayside
When?
May 26-27
How much?
£29.50 for a day £39.50 for the weekend
Last year’s Evolution Festival brought such huge names as Dizzee Rascal, Deadmau5 and Noah & The Whale to our very own Tyneside. This year it’s back, and the line-up is no less impressive: The Vaccines, Paloma Faith, Rudimental, Bastille and Ellie Goulding are all set to play the Spillers Wharf stage this May. Few other festivals of this size manage to cater to everyone’s tastes as well as Evolution. Fans of indie music have The Vaccines and Jake Bugg to look forward to, as well as Bastille, who are likely to be the band to catch this summer. Rap fans also need look no further, and UK MC P Money will be performing on Monday, and Lethal Bizzle will be around on Sunday to ensure that festival goers remain ‘dench’ for the whole weekend. Fans of dance music will be overjoyed at this year’s Ballast Hills line-up which boasts Sub Focus, MistaJam, Bondax and Modestep to name but a few. What is so unique about Evolution Festival is the way in which it draws in huge artists from around the UK, and still manages to shine the
spotlight on local acts. Flying the flag for the Toon this year are The Lake Poets – lyrical indie for fans of The Futureheads – and Lulu James, the most soulful performer you will see this summer. For those that haven’t been before the two stages – Spillers Wharf and Ballast Hills – are situated either side of the river, which along with the Tyne Bridge and Baltic Centre, makes for the perfect festival backdrop. All stages are on concrete, so for the love of god please leave the wellies at home. The festival also has a more relaxed, family-oriented vibe than your average, but that doesn’t mean you won’t also see plenty of vomit-covered fourteen-year-olds passed out, bottle of Frosty Jack’s in hand. At only £39.50, tickets are cheap compared to any other festivals boasting a similar line-up. Be sure to get yours from their website, The O2 Academy, Beatdown Records, or our very own NUSU Reception. Lewis Lister
Creamfields Where?
Halton, Cheshire
When?
How much?
£75 for a day £160 for the weekend
August 23-25 A quintessential Cheshire farm becomes the hub of dance music for one weekend a year. Creamfields always boasts the greatest dance, house and trance DJs in the world, with the likes of The Prodigy and Knife Party set to bring Cheshire to a standstill. The Jack Wills brigade won’t know what’s hit them when ‘The Harlem Shake’ drops on Saturday. With back up from Eric Prydz, Sub Focus, Annie Mac and Groove Armada to name but a few, it looks set to be one of the most intense Creamfields in a long time.
Beacons Festival Where? Skipton
When?
Now in its second year, the gang at Beacons HQ have brought some great names with them including Bonobo, Gold Panda, John Talabot, Wolf Alice, Local Natives and Solange. Providing a nice smorgasbord of music tastes, it also throws on a load of film screenings and excellent food, provided by a range of vendors including the excellent Fish&, and Portland Truckers. At a pretty decent price and in the delightful surroundings of Yorkshire, Beacons is the ideal budget festival that still manages to pack tonnes of character in. Chris Taylor
Beach Break Where? When?
How much?
£40 for Silver access £84 for Gold access
June 20-24 This year, Beach Break are going bigger and better than ever before, boasting over thirty venues. They’re set to hold secret gigs, surf lessons, rooftop raves, art installations, pool parties and, best of all, a 24 hour music policy. It seems that ‘mischief ’ is high on the Beach Break agenda, so expect flash mobs and boat parties galore. With this much fun to be had, the line-up almost becomes irrelevant. Fortunately, the organisers have enlisted the help of Jake Bugg, AlunaGeorge, Skream, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Foreign Beggars and Shy FX to name but a few. Lewis Lister
End of the Road Where?
North Dorset
When?
August 30 - September 1
How much?
£175 for the weekend
£35-40 for a day £99.50 for the weekend
August 16-18
Josh Nicholson
Newquay, Cornwall
How much?
End of the Road is a proper ‘boutique’ music festival. It isn’t really about the partying and it’s not going to be mental, but it’s a few good bands playing with less of the hysteria that you often find at the bigger music festivals. The ethos of the organisers was to create an intimate festival with a friendly and relaxed feel. They pride themselves on the ‘little touches’ that will really augment your festival experience, including live comedy and cinema. Belle & Sebastian, David Byrne and St Vincent, Sigur Ros, Warpaint and Dinosaur Jr headline. Mike Slaski
The Courier
Exit Where?
Novi Sad, Serbia
When?
July 10-14
How much?
£95 at face value, but this might be an ebay job
Tomorrowland Where?
Boom, Belgium
When?
July 26-28
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Monday 13 May 2013
How much?
€47.50 at face value, but this might be an eBay job
Exit is held in an 18th century fortress by the river Danube. The surrounding area is lush, with a sandy beach by the river’s edge This, coupled with the extreme likelihood of excellent weather, should make it a very attractive festival destination. It’s not the most bold of line-ups, but that won’t necessarily put you off. The organizers have opted for many well established acts of the ‘safe bet’ variety. Snoop Lion, née Dogg, is a superstar but there must be some doubt about how well his new reggae persona will be received, and his headline set could go either way. Bloc Party, The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim are sure to provide an energetic live experience, and many people will look forward to Diplo. Elsewhere Eric Prydz and Dubfire headline a dance arena that will also see DJ sets from Chase & Status and SBTRKT. Thom Yorke’s new group Atoms for Peace will headline, and are arguably the most intriguing spectacle of the weekend. All in all it’s a decent line-up but it doesn’t feature many fresh artists at all. Mike Slaski Tomorrowland is widely regarded as one of the world’s biggest EDM festivals, taking place in Boom, Belgium every year since 2005 and attracting crowds of around 180,000 electro-heads to see legendary acts such as Faithless and Moby, along with more recent bigwigs like Skrillex and Deadmau5, grace the decks. This year promises to be just as big, with headline slots from DJ Tiësto, Avicii and Fedde le Grande, and even more acts still to be confirmed. Not only is this a big festival in itself, it also provides what UK festivals such as Creamfields cannot: guaranteed sunshine for the whole three days. It’s like a holiday and a festival in one, no wellies necessary. Need any more convincing? Watch last year’s Official Aftermovie on YouTube, and you’ll get an idea of just how big Tomorrowland – a kind of worldwide summit of electronic aficionados - is going to be. With initial tickets having sold out in just 35 minutes, and another release imminent, fans should prepare for disappointment – but hey, there’s always eBay. Al Bell
Festival fashion
Melt! Where?
Saxony-Anhalt, Germany
When?
How much? €135.90 for the weekend
May 26-27
Roskilde Where?
Roskilde, Denmark
When?
June 29 - July 27
How much?
£216.47 for the full festival, £109.93 for a day
Whilst the likes of Django Django, Everything Everything and Woodkid may salivate many a student tongue, the main attraction for newcomers to the area of Ferropolis is the showcase of gigantic machines and other man-made structures which create the ‘look’ of the festival. It’s a very industrial angle to take, and one that sets Melt! apart as something more than ‘just another music festival’. Whilst the wealth of bands announced so far will surely bring in punters far and wide, it’s worth noting that there’s an entire sub-demographic who will be drawn in by the faux-museum atmosphere brought about by having some of the world’s biggest coal excavators and cranes towering above them across the weekend of the 19th of July. Whilst the headliners are yet to be announced, the bill is already stacked pretty high with the likes of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, producer whizkid Mark Ronson’s DJ set and indie wavemakers Alt-J, not to mention dubstep powerhouse Fantastic Mr. Fox and alt-rockers The 1975. Scott Tailford The most noticeable thing about Roskilde is just how similar it is to Glastonbury, often hailed as its Scandinavian equivalent. The two often share similar line-ups, as well as focusing on more than just the music; Roskilde Festival boasts a full arts schedule. It’s truly the best thing to come out of Denmark since Alphabeat. The line-up this year boasts a whole range of music acts. Headliners range from massive names in pop like Rihanna to thrash metal favourites Slipknot, and German electro legends Kraftwerk, as well as Queens of the Stone Age, Sigur Ros, and The National. Other acts featuring across the weekend include Kendrick Lamar, Azealia Banks, The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Crystal Castles, Disclosure, James Blake, and The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. If you missed out on a Glasto ticket this year, weep no more, as Roskilde will provide you with a similar experience but with loads of really nice Scandinavian people instead of irritating 16 year old posh kids. Tim Sewell
The Courier Fashion Editors pick out some of this year’s most stylish-yet-sensible festival gear...
Jacket: Urban Outfitters, £65 Shirt: Burton, £25 Shorts: ASOS.com, £25 Sunglasses: Primark, £2 Wellies: Hunter at getthelabel.com, £74.99
Top: Primark, £8 Shorts: missguided. co.uk, £22.99 Sunglasses: Primark, £2.50 Boots: Office, £90 Bag: River Island, £60
10.summerspecial Top 10 things to do in between shows 1. Eat some Haggis
So whilst the idea of eating a stomach with your eggs and bacon, may make you feel a little queasy. Get over it. You’re in Scotland. Eat that haggis up, lass.
2. Drink a wee dram o’ Scotch The Scotch Whisky Experience offers an excellent liquid tour of the country’s finest and rarest, as well as a fun-filled barrel ride for £11. Or you could just skip the barrel, go to the pub and order a scotch.
3. Climb a Volcano
If you’re still feeling sprightly after haggis and scotch, clamber up the tallest of Edinburgh’s seven hills and dormant volcano, Arthur’s seat. It’s well worth the view and the sense of achievement when you get to the top.
4. See some art If you’re still feeling starved of culture despite the Fringe’s thousands of acts, check out one of the city’s free art galleries. With the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice.
5. Freeze ya willies off Hire a wet suit and board and head down to one of the many beaches for a wee spot of surfing. It will be cold, you will feel slightly insane, but it’s all part of the Scottish experience.
6. Dance like a mad man Whilst the city offers numerous Scottish dancing classes that requires time, money and organisation – find a bagpiper on a street corner and get jigging.
7. Pretend you’re the last King of Scotland No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a quick spin of the castle. Located high above the city, it’s a dream of period features. Open every day 930am - 6pm for peasants and royals alike.
8. Go on a ghost hunt Apparently the Scots are pretty keen on their ghosts as Edinburgh offers a range of nighttime tours to call up the dead. The City of Dead tours promise to be especially paranormally hysterical with their underground tour taking you to ‘the closest place to hell on earth’.
9. Spy on the festival goers See the city through the Camera Obscura in the ‘World of Illusion’. Camera Obscura is a system of mirrors that projects a periscope image of the city on to a white disc in the centre of a small-darkened room, giving you the chance to unashamedly gawk at passers-by.
10. Go to the zoo Edinburgh Zoo is the city’s second most popular attraction after the castle and the only zoo in Britain that’s home to giant pandas and house koalas, and who doesn’t love pandas? Millie Walton
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s Big Guns With thousands of shows to choose from and a brochure that’s over 300 pages long, Edinburgh Fringe Festival can be an incredibly overwhelming experience. To help narrow things down, Arts Editor Millie Walton chooses her top 5 favourite acts from this year’s line-up
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience
Words In his sell-out show, Words, Scroobius Pip demonstrates that spoken word isn’t just theatre for grannies. The show explores the human condition using a unique combination of the comical and the heart wrenching. Words made a huge impression at Latitude Festival in 2012, drawing in a crowd of 4,000 and is a must see at this year’s Fringe.
This hilarious comedy act is an old Fringe favourite and since only a third of the show is scripted you are promised a different experience every time. In a two -hour sketch of highly charged comedy theatre, Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up a three-course meal with the audience as diners in their hotel.
Diva Gigs Winner of Buxton Festival Fringe Spirit of the Fringe Award 2012 and Nominated for Best Solo Vocal, the UK’s first operatic cabaret Diva Gigs: A week in the life of a diva promises a night of beautiful vocals, humorous stories and impressive characterisations. Sarah-Ann Cromwell proves that opera isn’t just for the cultural elite.
Daniel Sloss: Stand Up Interviewed for The Courier last year, Daniel Sloss takes his new stand-up show to Edinburgh. Following a busy year of live touring, television and a debut DVD release, Sloss is fast becoming a big name in comedy and promises to have you rolling in the aisles with his sharp wit and immense stage presence.
Harder Please Suggestively titled, Harder Please is a racy piece of theatre documenting the life of Lottie Cocks as she struggles to make ends meet, but still wants it to be harder. Given the promise of a super-dupertriple recession, Lottie’s ready and willing to let us in let us in on her deepest, darkest p‘leisures’...
This year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs from 2-26 August throughout the city centre.
How to pull in the crowds
Marketing at the Fringe can be tough even for the stars. For the month of August the city is awash with flyers, posters and dedicated marketing teams working on behalf of the thousands of shows that compete for your box office capital. The sheer over-saturation of advertising makes one wonder how any show manages to stand out - let alone the small shows which the lack the big-budget marketing clout of some of their more affluent competitors. But where there is a will, there is a way. Dale Pearson remembers last year’s most creative marketing attempts
An Evening with Dementia Trevor T. Smith’s poignant one-man show powerfully portrays the effects of dementia and examines the way in which society views those who suffer from it. Smith dresses in slippers, a dressing gown and slowly shuffles up and down The Royal Mile with a poster for the show on his back. The vision of the intentionally grotesque old man is disconcerting, but compelling enough to make you take note. Last year, the show sold well and he certainly showed that marketing teams do not have to be ‘all up in your face about it’.
Sex Ed The Musical This hilarious musical by Out Write Productions may not have had the biggest of budgets, but what budget they did have, they spent on a 6 ft papiermâché model of a sperm. The giant sperm costume paraded around The Mile, giving away free condoms as it went, and in doing so, certainly caught the attention of the theatre-going public.
Macbeth: Who Is That Bloody Man? Naturally, the Scottish Play gets done a lot at the Fringe (I counted at least 5 productions last year) so how does one stand out? Well, one could mount the Weird Sisters on stilts, give them a rattle and get them to stalk the people of Edinburgh.
Standing faceless and aloft at 12 ft high, Macbeth: Who is that Bloody Man? stood out both figuratively and physically at the Fringe last year.
Hi-de-Homo
Not all productions are so dark and unnerving in their marketing tactics, sometimes just a good song and dance will do. The all-gay man’s musical, Hi-de-Homo entertained Fringe goers with their daily rendition of ‘Mr Sandman’ containing
camped-up lyrics. After all, nothing sells like barbershop. With extravagant tactics like these, The Royal Mile itself can often be just as entertaining and thought provoking as the shows themselves. Let’s hope that Edinburgh Fringe 2013 is no different. Dale Pearson is a writer studying at Newcastle University. His play ‘Splatter’ will be performed by NUTS at the Edinburgh Fringe from 2nd to 18th August.
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Get clued-up for Fringe
If you’re panicking about organising a trip to Fringe, fear not Beatrice Walker puts an end to all your anxieties with her handy tips to surviving the festival
How do I get tickets? You can buy tickets on the day for most shows at discounted price, but if there’s something you’re desperate to see you can book online via the Fringe’s official website: https://www.edfringe. com. If you’re running low on cash, there’s also a wide selection of free shows to choose from.
What’s the best form of transport? If you live down South, flying is probably the quickest option and the airport is only eight miles away from the city centre. Alternatively, you can get a train right into the heart of the city, but ticket prices tend to sore during festival time so it’s advisable to book well in advance. Driving to Edinburgh is also relatively straightforward, but having a car in the city during August tends to be more of a hassle than a benefit especially as the streets are packed with pedestrians.
Where do I stay? Edinburgh offers a variety of accommodation for all budgets from luxury hotels to B&Bs, including youth hostels, university rooms and self-catering private apartments. Scotland’s tourism agency provides an easy online booking service and can be very helpful in terms of general advice. Visit their website: http://www.visitscotland.com/accommodation/ or call 0845 22 55 11.
What do I do first? The best place is to start is The Royal Mile where there will be hundreds of energetic, costumed performers competing for your attention and willing you to choose their play or act to see later that day. Watch as many taster acts as you can and collect all flyers so you can then make an educated decision. INSIDER TIP: don’t be swayed by bright
lights, songs and dance; sometimes the least suspecting, most seemingly unappealing plays can turn out to be your Festival highlight.
Where’s the best place to eat and relax at lunchtime? If you’re on a budget then head to The Brass Monkey for a delicious Panini and soup for just a fiver! You can then retire on their inflatable bed the size of a room to watch a screening of an old school movie; a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the hectic festival. Alternatively, discover the Grassmarket vintage shops and grab a pulled pork sandwich at one of the many food stalls lining the middle. If the weather is good, it’s also a great place to relax on the grass and work out your day’s timetable.
Where to go? The best Fringe venues During the Fringe, Edinburgh’s streets are heaving with different acts using telephone boxes, restaurants and the backs of camper vans as their stages - quite literally anything goes. Here are five venues you can’t miss out on.
1. Pleasance Courtyard
During the festival, The Pleasance Courtyard is transformed into the biggest beer garden in the city showcasing live music, comedy acts and cabaret. Provided it’s not pouring with rain, the Pleasance Courtyard is the best place to spend a boozy afternoon.
What will get me in the party mood? If you still have some energy after a full day of wandering and laughing, then head to Cabaret Voltaire for some nighttime fun. It’s a buzzing bar where lots of different casts mingle and exchange inside fringe knowledge. Ultimate Insider’s Tip: don’t be afraid to walk out. It’s better to feel like a bitch than have to endure two hours of embarrassing comedy or a play that really doesn’t do it for you. There’s so much to see you can’t be wasting time being nice and its probably best the performers know they’re doing something wrong!
2. Hill Street Theatre Exclusively for Fringe, the historic Masonic Lodge is transformed into a theatre every August. A two minute walk from the Assembly Rooms and tucked cosily away down a quiet side street, Hill Street Theatre is a real hidden gem.
3. Mound Precint Located on Princes Street, Mound Precinct is a public space constructed by the National Galleries where you can spot some of the world’s best street performers, comedy and acrobatic acts all for free. INSIDER TIP: this is also where you’ll find the Virgin Half-Price Hut selling tickets for the day’s shows at a discounted 50% off the regular price.
4. Underbelly With seven unique performance spaces, four bars, an outside courtyard, free wi-fi connection and some of the best acts Fringe has to offer, Underbelly is one of the festival’s liveliest venues located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. If you’re looking some originality this is the place to go.
5. Summerhall Formally the Royal Dick Veterinary Hall, Summerhall is an artistic hub comprised of 10 performance spaces, various displays and a Dissection Room Bar (who knows what goes on there…). Millie Walton
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Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
An alternative sporting summer With the Ashes and the Lions dominating the headlines, it is easy to miss out on some of the obscure sporting events of the Summer. From Sumo to Sweden The Courier covers them all
Summer Basho - Sumo Wrestling The annual Summer Basho is one of sumo wrestling’s largest tournaments and whilst it may not get much recognition in the UK, there is little doubt that the people of its host city of Tokyo and Japan as a whole take considerable notice of this unusual event. The Summer Basho is one of six annual ‘honbasho’ events which are the tournaments that determine the ranking of sumo wrestlers. The participants battle it out over the course of 15 days in an effort to establish a winning record and thus get promoted to a higher division; the most successful make it into the top two categories which are known as ‘makuuchi’ and ‘jūryō’. In addition to fighting for promotion, there is also a championship prize which is awarded to the wrestler with the most wins at the end of the tournament. This year’s tournament has just begun and will culminate on 26 May; it is being held in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, an indoor venue that has a
capacity of 13,000. Much of the talk in the build-up to the event has been about the MongolWian wrestler Hakuho who is already ranked joint 4th in the list of alltime championship winners with 24 to his name.
injury in a very physical sport. Sumo wrestling has also been plagued by match fixing in recent years with one notable instance occurring in the summer tournament in 2010; the organisers will be hoping this year’s event is not
“Much of the talk in the build-up to the event has been about the Mongolian wrestler Hakuho who is already ranked joint 4th in the list of all time winners” This is a very impressive achievement in what is regarded by many as a strong era for sumo, and at only 28 he still has several years in which to surpass the all-time record of 32 championships held by the legendary wrestler Taiho. Much will depend on how his rival Harumafuji performs and whether Hakuho can stay free from
tarred my more incidents of this nature. If you can’t make it to Japan in the next couple of weeks (admittedly, not the easiest to get to) then perhaps you might consider attending the next honbasho which will be the Nagoya Basho in July. Freddie Caldwell
SUMMER SPORT MAY 25th Champions League Final 25th - 7th June Isle of Man TT 26th - 9th June French Open Tennis
JUNE 1st Epsom Derby
Women’s European Championships - Football After a long qualifying campaign, the European Championships take place in Sweden at the end of July. Filling the all-too-short gap between Premier League seasons, Hope Powell’s team will be confident of a strong performance after an excellent qualification saw them finish unbeaten in their group. Their reward for their determination – which saw them move up to 7th in the FIFA rankings – is a winnable group featuring teams ranked 2nd, 10th and 13th in Europe in the guises of France, Spain and Russia respectively. England are 4th in the UEFA rankings, with only Germany, France
and the tournament hosts above them. Having not lost a match since March 2012, England have powered to results against highly rated teams; including a battling 2-2 draw with France last October. The rise of England as a power in international women’s football is no-doubt down to the establishment of the Super League, now in its third full season, which has seen teams like Arsenal, Birmingham and Everton rapidly developing strong talent from their feeder clubs, and Chelsea bringing in talented players from countries already at the forefront of the sport such as Brazil and Sweden, where this kind of league structure
has been present for several years. With the BBC committing to showing all England matches, along with the semis and final, the successes of the Great Britain team in making the quarter finals at the London Olympics started a sea change in the perception of the Women’s Game, which is now beginning to bare fruit. The semi-finals will be the minimum captain Casey Stoney and her team will be aiming for, but there is a very real possibility of a first major international trophy for England. James Docherty
IPC World Championships - Athletics After what can only be described as an excellent Paralympic Games last year, Lyon hosts the first major sporting event for Paralympic Athletics since many were introduced to “the Superhumans” by Channel 4’s coverage from London. While most of the headlines will certainly be filled by Oscar Pistorius, whether or not he travels to the event, this tournament – held almost simultaneously with the London Anniversary Games – will give all of Team GB a chance to once again show they can shine on the world stage. Preparations are already beginning to show results, with Aled Davis breaking the world record for the shot while representing Cardiff Met at the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships last weekend and strong finishes for both Shelly Woods and David Weir at the London Marathon. Paralympic Gold Medallist Jonnie Peacock will
be eager to replicate his memorable run in the T44 100 metres, where he famously outsprinted Pistorius and 200 metres champion Alan Oliveira on “Thriller Thursday”, that saw the host nation
Head Coach will have had a positive or negative effect. Though third place overall last summer was an excellent result, all the athletes and support staff
“most of the headlines will certainly be filled by Oscar Pistorius, whether or not he travels to the event, this tournament will give all of Team GB a chance once again to show they can shine on the world stage”
take six golds and obliterate their medal target. With these championships, the British Athletics Team will be eager to see whether the movement of Peter Eriksson to UK Athletics and his subsequent replacement by Paula Dunn as Paralympic
will be striving for further success at these competitions and, with the continued support from UKA, this could lead to further Team GB successes over the summer. James Docherty
1st - 6th July Lions Rugby Tour 6th - 23rd ICC Champions Trophy 13th - 16th US Open Golf 24th - 7th July Wimbledon 29th - 21st July Tour De France 30th British Grand Prix
JULY 10th - 25th Aug The Ashes
AUGUST 26th - 8th Sept US Open Tennis
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Newcastle summer bucket list 1. Vamos festival 14th June-14th July The Sage, Gateshead
¡VAMOS! is a festival that celebrates Spanish and Portuguese speaking cultures in NewcastleGateshead, UK. Additionally there are events throughout the year alongside the festival programme. ¡VAMOS! combines cuisine, art, film, theatre, dance, music, literature, fashion, sport and education. It offers an international festival appealing to artists, partners and mainstream audiences that is unconstrained by art form, age-group or regional location. For more information go to www.vamosfestival.com
5. North East Live
22nd June Sunderland Stadium of light
Sunderland’s Stadium of Light is set to host the North East’s biggest ever pop show, as AEG Live brings a phenomenal summer music event to the region. Some of the UK’s biggest and best loved pop acts will join forces in a celebration of UK music, taking to the stage in the ‘North East Live’ event headlined by top boy band, JLS. The Wanted, Rita Ora, Little Mix, Lawson, Conor Maynard, Stooshe, Union J, Amelia Lily and more complete the one-off line-up, in what is set to be the hottest music ticket of the summer. Tickets £25 available from North East Live website.
9. The Pitman Painters
1st-8th July Theatre Royal
Originally produced by Newcastle’s acclaimed Live Theatre, and following sell-out seasons at the National Theatre and on Broadway, Bill Kenwright presents the award winning play The Pitmen Painters. In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections; but every day they worked, as before, down the mine. Tickets from £9 available from Theatre Royal’s box office and website.
2. Ashes test
9th-13th August Durham County Cricket Club
In 2013 Emirates Durham ICG will host its first Ashes Test Match as England take on Australia. This promises to be five of the most exciting days of cricket ever played at Emirates Durham and you can be there! The Investec Ashes Test series will begin at Trent Bridge in July with Lord’s, Old Trafford, The Kia Oval also hosting matches. Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground will host its inaugural Ashes Test Match, the fourth in the series, from Friday 9 to Tuesday 13 August. Tickets £80 available online.
6. Age of the dinosaurs
25th May-3rd November Life Museum
Be transported back to the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. Age of the Dinosaur, a Natural History Museum exhibition, gives you a glimpse of life as it was 65 million years ago. Featuring around 50 real specimens, realistic models, CGI, full-scale animatronics and stunning film footage, Age of the Dinosaur paints an evocative picture and tells a compelling scientific story of a vital period in Earth’s history. The exhibition is grounded firmly in the latest scientific theories about how dinosaurs would have looked and sounded - from the feathered coating of the Velociraptor, to the bellow of a Camarasaurus calling its mate.
3. Festival of the North East
May-August The North East
Throughout June the region becomes a celebration of all that’s great about our unique corner of England. Events include: -Cleveland Bridge Photographic exhibition -Coalfields and Quaysides -Matt Stokes: Give to me the life I love -Robert Westall Exhibition -Amble Puffin Festival -A history of the North East in 100 places For more information on the festival visit the Festival of the North East’s website.
7. Summertyne Americana Festival
19th July-21st July The Sage, Gateshead
SummerTyne Americana Festival offers a sizzling gumbo of American roots music – from fiery tex-mex to classic country and blues, the newest southern soul and Americana, then some downhome cajun and bluegrass. Taking place on the south side of the River Tyne, in and around the iconic music venue The Sage Gateshead, it promises a selection of the best Americana music in one of the most stunning city locations in the world. Tickets available from The Sage’s box office and website.
4. EAT!
24th August-8th September Restaurants all over the North East
NewcastleGateshead Initiative’s acclaimed Festival of Adventures in Food returns in 2013 for its 7th year. Championing local producers, restaurants and culinary talent, its eclectic events help people see (and taste!) food in a new way. Now celebrating its seventh year, EAT! champions local food producers, restaurants and culinary talent in North East England through a programme of events that includes street food markets, masterclasses, community collaborations and much more to be announced later in the year. Sign up to find out the best offers. Sign up on the Eat! website.
8. Secret
Newcastle guided walk 10th July Grey’s Monument
Discover the hidden city looking at less familiar sights and features which thousands of people pass every day and just don’t notice. After all, which other city has a vampire rabbit? Newcastle City Guides are a group of trained and qualified volunteers who work in association with NewcastleGateshead Visitor Information Centre. Tickets £4
10. Bright Club 11. The Night Ball 12. Nari & Milani 22nd July The Stand Comedy Club
After two sell-out years on the Newcastle comedy scene, Bright Club Newcastle is coming to The Stand. Blending comedy, music, art, new writing, science, performance and anything else that can happen on a stage, Bright Club is the thinking person’s variety night. Organised by The Centre for Life in collaboration with Newcastle and Northumbria Universities, we’ll be welcoming to the stage some of the North East’s finest academics and students, along with comics and performers for a variety night like no other. Tickets £4 available from The Stand’s box office and website.
and Tom Staar
11th-12th July Northern Stage
Passionate couple dances, wallflower solos and exuberant ensemble dancing influenced by countless movement styles feature in this 70 minute show which is set in the round with cabaret seating. The evening continues as the dance floor and bar remain open and the DJ plays on, giving you the chance to throw your own moves as well as the rare opportunity to be partnered by one of balletLORENT’s ten professional dancers. The Night Ball is a truly unforgettable experience which celebrates the beauty and intimacy of social dancing and is accompanied by another of balletLORENT’s famously eclectic and inspired soundtracks. Tickets from £16 available from Northern Stage’s box office and website.
26th May Students’ Union
SPEKTRUM is a brand new clubbing experience for Newcastle & Middlesbrough, featuring the current EDM stars from around the world. Be it Tyneside or Teesside, you can guarantee to see international talent right on your doorstep. This event will play host to the fantastic DJ’s Nari & Milani and Tom Staar. There are no other nights like this in Newcastle, so turn and enjoy. Tickets available from Students’ Union reception and on the door.
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The Courier
Arts Editors: Lisa Bernhardt and Millie Walton Online Arts Editors: Grace Harvey
Summer, sun and schmaltzy stories
Going backpacking this summer, but can’t be bothered with carrying weighty tomes (content- and size-wise) around with you? Or simply looking for something to read by the pool that is as fluffy as your whipped ice cream? Our team of literature aficionadas knows some exquisitely light, sometimes even trashy books you can indulge in over the holidays without feeling guilty or too studious
N
ymphomaniac – the latest film from Danish director and screenwriter Lars von Trier – is no less avant-garde than his previous works. According to Trier, ‘everything that is illegal has been shot in blurred images’ and in one of the (many) sex scenes there is actual intercourse –involving Shia LeBoeuf, ladies. Being described as ‘artistic porn’, this film is set divide opinions of critics this summer. It’s not being released in the UK, so those intrigued will have to wait for the DVD with subtitles.
O P
Q
uentin Blake has been my favourite illustrator ever since I saw his work on the covers of my Roald Dahl books. At 82 years old, he is still drawing every day and received a knighthood for ‘services to illustration’ in the New Year’s Honours for 2013. His art is no longer just found as illustrations in books, but is showcased in several galleries, including the National Gallery and the Musée du Petit Palais in Paris. Take a trip down to London and relive your childhood through his signature style and quirky pieces.
R
ating poetry- how does one go about it? Even though I am an English Literature student, I still don’t understand how something as subjective as poetry can be rated as good or bad simply due to the personal taste of those ‘in charge’. However, annually, literature critics compile a list of the fifty best new poets whose work is deemed ‘good’: for the 2013 selection, go to http://bestnewpoets.org/ at the beginning of June. Any budding poets can enter their work online before 20 May if they fancy a chance at making the top 50.
The Hunger Games
No human being packing a rucksack to go inter-railing should ever leave this book at home. Bill Bryson’s account of the highs and lows of travelling around Europe is the funniest and most shrewd observation of the continent you can buy. What’s better is it’s as easy to read as it’s hard to put down, and like most of his works you can pretty much open it at any random page and read from any given word. Although the book plays up to European stereotypes, Bryson manages to do so with wit and vigour, recounting near death experiences with French drivers and asking why the Germans weren’t able to surrender their accordions along with their arms.
You’ll probably know the story by now, but in case you’ve lived under a rock the past year or so, here’s what the first part of the hugely successful trilogy is all about: Set in a dystopian future in which the world of Panem is split into the ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’, our heroine Katniss Everdeen puts Bella Swan to shame with her bravery, skills and general sass. The Games are simple, kill or be killed in a twisted televised Big Brother-esque game show, watched by the entire population. 12 boys and 12 girls, known as ‘Tributes’ will battle in a deadly Battle Royale-style showdown, a certain death sentence for Katniss when she is selected to represent District 12. The Hunger Games will keep you on the edge of your seat - or sun lounger - from the word go, with genuinely terrifying scenes you’re in no doubt that Katniss could get the chop at any moment. There’s even a love triangle thrown in for good measure as if there wasn’t enough action for you. Not to get all Twilight on you, but you do need to be either Team Peeta or Team Gale.
by Bill Bryson
pera- what better to do to fill the long summer holidays than go?! Okay, so it’s not exactly the ‘go-to’ boredom solution for most people – in fact, the majority wouldn’t touch it with a bargepole. Defined in the minds of most people as merely hours of one woman screaming, it has never been a popular genre of entertainment but, take it from me, it’s worth a go this summer. Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance is light-hearted and humorous, an easy way to break into opera and conveniently arrives at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal on 25 June. laces to go and things to do are always needed in the summer to get us out in the ‘sun’ (fingers crossed) and abate the long hours of boredom, the favourite choice being, of course, a good festival. As well as the big music festivals that we all flock to, there are also loads of smaller ones littered across the country which feature quirkier music, off-thewall films and display great local art. Look out for those near you; a lot cheaper than your standard festival, the experience can be just as good.
Neither here nor there
Susie May Beever
High Society by Ben Elton
High Society is a darkly comedic novel, following Labour Party MP Peter Paget’s fierce campaign for the legalization of all recreational drugs in the UK. Whilst the main plot is predictable and the characters roughly drawn stereotypes (think daddy’s rich girls, drug addicted pop stars and crack whores), it’s an easy and highly enjoyable read. Elton knows his audience and knows what they want: sex, corruption and basic sentence structures. I’m not saying Elton’s readers are idiots - after all, I’m one of them - but you don’t pick up Elton if you want deep, meaningful life lessons. That said, the hilarity of the interweaving story lines is underlined by a sense of tragedy and painful truths. There really are people like Jessie, the Scottish prostitute, reliant on heroine with no hope of coming clean. It makes you think maybe the legalization of drugs isn’t so crazy after all without bumming you out too much about the state of society. The only problem is it won’t last you longer than a day or two, but then there’s always the rest of Elton’s novels to keep you going. Millie Walton
Where Rainbows End by Cecilia Ahern
by Suzanne Collins
Frances Stephenson
Fourplay
by Jane Moore First of all, let me clarify one thing: I absolutely despise chick lit. I think the term itself, describing a distinctive literature genre aimed at women that (almost) exclusively revolves around romance, is a huge insult to women’s intellect and achievements. But at 12 years old, I was well excited to find this book in my mum’s bookshelf (ironically, it was a gift and she never read because she equally dislikes the genre). As it turned out, it was a bad decision to read it. The story of a successful interior designer/mum of two who finds out her husband cheated on her (with his 20-year old blonde secretary… not kidding) and tries to start a new life with four potential new suitors couldn’t have been further from my experiences as a pre-teen and understanding of the world. Furthermore, the very explicit sex scene traumatised my 12-year old self beyond imagination. At this time, I also didn’t know that Jane Moore is a columnist for The Sun and GQ, but if I had been aware of this (and what kind of content both publications often contain), I’d have tossed it straight into the bin. But if you don’t mind cringe-worthy stories about middle-aged divorcées and weird references to male genitalia, this is your book for the summer.
hadow play (or shadow puppetry) is an ancient form of theatrical entertainment originally found in South-East Asia, where puppets are used to create the impression of moving humans and other three-dimensional objects. It has recently been developed into ‘shadow theatre’, where people contort their bodies to become these objects instead of using puppets. If you have not seen one of these shows yet, these shows are flawlessly choreographed and immaculately executed; you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
Now holiday books are not restricted by baggage limits due to the technological wonder that is the Kindle (I own one but can’t use it properly), you can have endless literary joys on your trip. However, sometimes you don’t want to be intellectually stimulated or taken on the emotional rollercoaster of some brave child who has been diagnosed with a terminal disease or a The Pursuit of Happynessesque tale of hardship; you may just need to get away from these harsh realities and be completely submerged in an effortless and inevitable love story that you can predict from the beginning but still cry at when it is over. My suggestion for such a read is Cecelia Ahern’s Where Rainbows End which takes you through the beautiful, timeless friendship and unconditional love of two friends Alex and Rosie. They know each other from infants and form a firm, genderless friendship, but of course the reader has undying faith that their love could transform into something far more romantically enchanting. Their friendship lasts over the years, over countries, through rocky relationships and an unexpected pregnancy; sometimes when you read a trashy book you are unconvinced by the love and whether it is worth fighting for, but this is not one of those relationships. The reader is as confused as the protagonists as to whether they are merely friends or whether a ‘perfect silence’ could mean that there was always meant to be something more. Grab a bunch of tissues and find out for yourself.
Alice Roberts has just been dumped unceremoniously by text message and her life seems to have taken a turn for the worst. She hates her boss and is generally feeling miserable until the chance of a lifetime comes about. Her boss is taken ill and it is up to Alice to fly to Italy and live in a gorgeous villa with a gorgeous Hollywood actor and edit his autobiography. Although the trip has a rocky start, she manages to find love and happiness whilst out of the office. The Out of Office Girl is one of those terribly clichéd chick-lit books that you just won’t want to put down. It has heartbreak, romance, love, and sex (and is even really funny). Although the story line is utterly predictable, I was hooked. It is very typical of its genre but it definitely makes for a fantastically easy poolside summer read.
Jennifer Hopps
Sally Priddle
Milli Atkinson
S
Lisa Bernhardt
The Out Of Office Girl by Nicola Doherty
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Spotlight on...
NUTS Drama Festival Northern Stage, 7 - 8 May
The time has come for this year’s Drama Festival by Newcastle University Theatre Society aka NUTS. For two days they will take over Northern Stage to showcase short plays written, directed, crewed and performed by students. This year, NUTS have six enticing plays to share with us, with diverse genres and subject matters promising to leave the audience laughing, crying and a little more thoughtful. Tuesday It’s That One You Read About by James Hepworth is a comedy set in a courtroom, detailing two individual’s sides of a murder case. Hilarity inevitably ensues. Anto Fray’s Duality concerns how two men’s chance meeting causes the tides change, with what goes right for one man going terribly wrong for the other. The Moreish Nature of Cytotoxic Antineoplastics is a black comedy by Gavin (Nige) Whitaker concerning a group of cancer patients coming to terms with their illnesses and an eccentric nurse helping them along the way. Wednesday Rosie Whisenant’s A Test For Teachers follows the story of a teacher forced to take a pregnancy test at work following a regrettable onenight-stand. Tensions arise and secrets are revealed until the staff room begins to look more like the playground. Annelies de Jong’s Afterwards focuses on the sessions between a girl who has experienced major trauma and her therapist. Through their meetings, their relationship is explored, as well as how their time together affects each other. The final play, chosen to represent NUTS at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer, is Dale Pearson’s Splatter, a dark comedy in which an aspiring director and his two less than experienced actors attempt to make a horror film that doesn’t quite go according to plan. This is NUTS’ last performance of the year, and promises to be a fantastic display of original student written and performed theatre – certainly not to be missed! Sophia Leggett
previews
Book: ‘Rutshire Chronicles’ by Jilly Cooper For those of you who’ve already read Riders or the entire Rutshire Chronicles twice over back to back, Rupert Edward Algernon Campbell-Black needs no introduction. He’s the very heart and soul of Jilly Cooper’s racy novels, which follow the lives of a group of horse riders and the country elite as they throw outrageous parties, swill champagne and sleep with everyone’s wife but their own. This is a world of womanizing, arrogant cads and Rupert is the worst of them all. First introduced in Riders, Rupert is “the handsomest man in England” with thick blond hair, a sharply chiseled jaw-line and piercing blue eyes. The BNOC of the fictional county of Rutshire, he owns a pet lurcher called Blue, acts like he’s Leonardo Di Caprio and shags every woman worth shagging. After all, this is a society where everyone is judged on how good they are in bed, so it’s all part of his training programme. Openly based on Camilla Parker Bowles’s ex-husband, Andrew Parker Bowles (don’t type his name into Google images, it completely ruins Rupert’s allure, trust me), Rupert has been described as
the ‘Mecca for all women’. Whilst first portrayed as the ultimate patriarch, flicking women onto the ground like cigarette butts and tormenting his stable staff, his gentle kindness and fidelity to his second wife Taggie O’Hara just goes to show that redemption is possible even for upper-class twatism, and of course, we all knew (well, hoped at least) he’d turn out to be, in Cooper’s idiom, simply heavenly. Not only is he outrageously wealthy with a Badmintonesque country estate, but he also oozes success, winning an Olympic Gold for England in show-jumping, working as a Tory minister for sport and winning a television franchise, all before reaching the age of 30. As if that isn’t enough to handle, he has five children to care for as well. So whilst he may not be the first point of call for tips on lip-nibbling like Dave the Laugh, as gentlemanly as Mr. Darcy, as good a Quidditch player as Viktor Krum or as vulnerable as Mr. Rochester, Rupert Campbell-Black is undoubtedly fiction’s biggest heartthrob.
Mess
The 39 Steps
Millie Walton
reviews
Midnight Tango
I
#1: Rupert Campbell-Black
Theatre Royal 13 - 18 May
t takes two to tango, and nowhere does this becomes more obvious than in the Olivier award-winning show Midnight Tango, featuring two of Britain’s finest ballroom dancers and Strictly Come Dancing regulars, Flavia Cacace (who won the latest season with gymnast Louis Smith) and Vincent Simone. After two very successful years, the show will come back one to Newcastle last time, touring the UK since late spring to bring a hint of South American spirit to heat up those tepid British nights. With the tango originating from Argentina in the late 19th century, the show is set in a late-night bar in downtown Buenos Aires. There is no consecutive plot line, but Midnight Tango is all about capturing the soul and sensuality of the tango in dramatic dance sequences, including group numbers and classic pas de deuxs, to explore human emotions like joy and jealousy in a unique artistic way. The tango itself is said to be the dance of love and hate, creating an equally ambiguous and exciting relationship between two dancers that is guaranteed to electrify the audience. And although the element of hate is probably less prominent between Flavia and Vincent, who have been dance partners since the mid-’90s, they promise to dazzle the Theatre Royal with their elegance, passion and talent. Lisa Bernhardt
A Thousand Words
A
Live Theatre 30 April - 1 May
Hatton Gallery 25 April - 18 May
picture tells a thousand words. If this is truly the case then why do artists feel the need to incorporate text into their work? The new exhibition A Thousand Words, curated by the MA Art Museum & Gallery Studies students, provides varying examples of how text can be used to predefine an artistic narrative, decode or confuse the intended message, or convey political perspectives. The exhibition offers examples of text in artwork from divergent times and cultures. There is a manuscript from the late 15th century citing the opening to a monk’s chant, embellished with hand drawn lettering and illustration, whilst comparatively there is an artwork from 2012 by the artist Alaric Hammond. His work ‘Superglutt’ was arguably one of the most remarkable works in the exhibition. It featured a grid of metal plates, on which were rusted images of a consumerist society, symbolising the degenerative nature of our culture. Amusingly there were little to no words used in this piece, and instead, the obvious association of consumerist images drove the narrative. A Thousand Words successfully questions the validity of text within artwork, despite being incongruously confusing at times as it encapsulates such a breadth of work. Ultimately, is text it needed in art, or is artwork itself a form of literature subject to eternal interpretation? Charlie Dearnley
Theatre Royal 7 -11 May
M
ess portrays the complex tale of an anorexia sufferer to the hop-skip-jump of a jolly children’s TV show. You are taken on a journey through the difficulties of balancing normality with an overpowering and complex diet regime. Caroline Horton, winner of The Stage Award for ‘Best Solo Show’ 2010 and often described as a genius, takes us by and hand and leads us through her world with the help of everadoring Boris and the musical hysteric Sistahl. The one-sided friendships seem figments of her imagination alongside the all-consuming ‘A’ word. This sweet play is deliberately crammed with awkward silences to counteract the nervous coughing that they expect from an audience when watching the story of an anorexic. The silences have perfect comic timing and poke fun at the seriousness of a British audience. Horton’s natural wit makes the traumatic tale of hospitalisation, disappointing doctors and the terrifying experience of eating ice cream on the beach a humorous and often identifiable experience. With a dreamlike set that resembles a Yayoi Kusama installation and human sound effects to replace props, it is a serious story disguised as a carefree dance. Mess truly highlights the control that anorexics crave to the surprising beat of a light-hearted ditty. Maria Abbott
W
artime jazz classics play host as one enters the Theatre Royal, immediately immersing the audience in the adventures of Richard Hannay, as he hurries around the UK encountering love, espionage and murder. He is “irredeemable, irreclaimable, unreformable,” but utterly charming, and dashingly handsome with a fabulous pencil moustache. This adaptation of John Buhan’s original crime novel and Hitchcock’s film is excitingly engrossing, considering the minimal set and the cast of just four actors. The set was one of the most amusing features of the play, constantly changing scenes with simple props, and actors occasionally standing in as a thorn bush. The acting convinced with fast paced humour and a superb sense of comedic timing. Richard Ede played the charismatic lead role, whilst Charlotte Peters starred as the three women that changed his life throughout his journey. Tony Bell and Gary Mackay arguably stole the show with their portrayal of every other character. Theatre is often taken far too seriously, and the actors successfully undermined this through their self-awareness of their own artificiality. The 39 Steps was unrelentingly hilarious and charming, right up to the last glimpse of that fabulous pencil moustache as the final curtain fell. Charlie Dearnley
26.musicreviews
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Music Editors: Chris Haywood and Sam Summers Online Music Editor: Sophie Coletta
How to Buy...
Silence Yourself Savages
The Beatles
L Love them or hate them, nobody can deny the Fab Four’s mighty influence on, well, everything in the last fifty years. Al Bell guides you through the massive 27 albums they released
For Beginners:
A Hard Day’s Night (1964) 1964, Beatlemania was in full swing. Having conquered most of the world in 1963, the band were growing in confidence and entering the period of their creative zenith. From the title track’s distinctive opening chord inward, this is an album of pure sixties songwriting at its very finest; highlighting the extraordinary partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney on tracks such as ‘If I Fell’, but also the ability of the members (well, except Ringo) as individuals: Lennon’s acid-tongued wit on ‘You Can’t Do That’, McCartney’s penchant for arrangement on ‘And I Love Her’, and even shy young George Harrison gets a look-in on ‘I’m Happy Just To Dance With You’. Short and sweet at just over 30 minutes, but it’s a great ride. Early Beatles at their very best.
ondon post-punks Savages have had more buzz about them over the past year than a turbocharged chainsaw, fuelled by intense live performances, a drip-feed of unsmiling band photos, and the occasional sublimely abrasive single just to remind everyone that they’re not here to look good in aforementioned unsmiling band photos. In the band’s ‘manifesto’ they state that their “music and words are aiming to strike like lightning, like a punch in the face”. Silence Yourself, then, has a fair amount to live up to. A lot of people have Savages in a box marked ‘Female Joy Division’. Fair enough, they have the stark black and white iconography, the general air of depressive angst, and an Ian Curtis figure in crop-haired French frontwoman Jehnny Beth – who, like Curtis, is more bothered about conveying emotion than singing in tune all the time, and even has her own flailing-arm dance when performing live. So it’s an obvious comparison to make, but it doesn’t quite ring true; there’s a brutal, appropriately savage aspect to their music that’s nothing like Joy Division’s sparse beauty. Beth shrieks and howls her way through lyrics like “Hit me, will you hit me now” in her thick French accent, while Gemma Thompson coaxes and thrashes walls of unholy, distorted noise from her guitar, reminiscent of Pink Flag-era Wire or the more eardrumdestroying element of The Jesus and Mary Chain. Opening track and recent single ‘Shut Up’ sets the tone for Silence Yourself straight away with fifty unsettling seconds of distant wailing noises and disembodied voices, before one of the rawest, catchiest basslines you’ll hear in a long time kicks in. Together with ‘City’s Full’, ‘No Face’ and early single ‘Husbands’ (re-recorded for the album
Nocturnes
At this point, readers will be undoubtedly be tearing their hair out over the exclusion of the obvious choices: Sgt. Pepper’s, White Album and Abbey Road. But Revolver is, in this writer’s humble opinion, much more important than any of the above. This is an era-defining album of intense experimentation, psychedelia, and The Beatles at their most reflectively self-aware. There’s also contrast by the bucketload, from the silly (‘Yellow Submarine’), to the mournful (‘Eleanor Rigby’), to the downright mad (‘Tomorrow Never Knows’). Revolver signalled a turning point for the band – after its release they went from the Fab Four to the biggest-thing-ever, quit touring, produced Sgt. Pepper’s, went to India, and got a bit weird.
For The Bin:
Yellow Submarine (1969) No matter how successful, any great band has made a few cock-ups. And of course, The Beatles are by no means immune to this rule. To be brutally honest, 1969’s Yellow Submarine is a drug-addled, shitty, plasticine failure of an album for young children. Sorry guys, I do love you! The accompanying film is equally dreadful, almost entirely void of a plot and featuring vocal impersonators as John, Paul, George and Ringo. Despite happy-clappy jaunts such as ‘All Together Now’ and ‘All You Need Is Love’, don’t be fooled. By this point the band had essentially dissolved, and they bitterly split up the next year. Avoid this album at all costs. Al Bell
Frontwoman Jehnny Beth is more bothered about conveying emotion than singing in tune ‘I Am Here’, the bluesy ‘Strife’ and despairing ‘Waiting For A Sign’ are more subdued but just as burningly intense, serving up slabs of sludgy guitar noise saturated in reverb. ‘Hit Me’ is an almost atonal rant on domestic violence; ‘She Will’ starts off as a moment of calm with it’s bittersweet hook but gradually builds to a scorching pinnacle. It’s challenging stuff, but there’s something weirdly beautiful in it. The only real misstep is the choice of ‘Marshal Dear’, with its meandering piano and inexplicable saxophone outro, as an ending song. After the frenzy of ‘Husbands’ it comes as a major anticlimax; perhaps it would have worked earlier in the tracklist, a rest among all the noise, but here it only serves to make a brilliant album end with a whimper rather than a bang. Recommended download: ‘Husbands’ Kate Bennett
She & Him
V
ictoria ‘Little Boots’ Hesketh’s debut Hands was an album which most people desperately wanted to be better than it actually was, so the strength of Nocturnes is a great relief. The title is apt; her newly moody, disco-diva-with-a-heart-of-ice sound is built for gloomy 3am dancefloors. The apotheosis of this is ‘Motorway’ (FAO freebie fans: it’s available to download for free from Little Boots’ website). Numbed synths and weeping strings slide over one another as Hesketh sighs wistfully about doing a moonlight flit, “passing towns we don’t know” and “heading for the unknown”. Most tracks are over five minutes long, which while irritating for those of us who believe in the sanctity of the radio edit, does give the songs here a little room to breathe. ‘Crescendo’, for example, gets the chance to spin off in a few interesting and equally danceable directions, foregrounding its groove’s affinity with Kraftwerk’s ‘Autobahn’. Elsewhere, ‘Beat Beat’ sounds like it’s already been remixed by Breakbot or Dimitri From Paris, with its tooting keyboard stabs and lithe funk bassline. Nocturnes basically involves a lot of crashing piano chords over bubbling basslines and stuttering vocal samples, which we can all agree is a very good thing indeed. It’s a bit glib to say Hesketh’s ‘found herself ’ with this record, but it’s certainly the work of an artist confident in what she’s doing, and carving herself a niche as a pop-cum-house purveyor par excellence. One could forgive her for getting too big for her Little Boots, ho ho. Recommended download: ‘Motorway’ Tom Nicholson
W
hether you love or loathe the Queen of the Hipsters, better known as Zooey Deschanel, it’s hard to deny Volume 3 is one of the essential purchases this summer. Accompanied by the glorious guitarist M.Ward, their latest record is packed full of twee pop and indie harmonies. From its opener ‘I’ve Got Your Number Son’ to its somewhat sombre finale ‘Reprise (I Could Have Been Your Girl)’, this duo have truly mastered the art of the summer soundtrack. Although it does at times feel like the record sounds like one really long song, broken up by a subtle change in tempo here and there, it’s crammed with catchy harmonies and it’s impossible to not find yourself singing along. Tracks like ‘Together’ and ‘Snow Queen’ perfectly capture Deschanel’s happy-go-lucky pop sound, and the duo have once again indulged in a few covers. Their rendition of Blondie’s ‘Sunday Girl’ is fairly bland whilst their attempt at Noble’s ‘Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me’ fails to impress like it probably should and crosses sacrilegious territory. In all honestly, Volume 3 is likely to be resigned to background radio pop, but if it did you probably wouldn’t turn it off. There isn’t a great deal of depth to any of their songs, but there’s still something upbeat and charming about this record. Deschanel’s warm and melodic vocals never cross the line of overstated, and her partner is able to consistently throw in a cheeky solo here and there. There’s nothing particularly innovative or profound here, and it generally conforms to the sound of their other records, but it’s still full of the same ol’ She & Him charm, and quirky pop melodies. Recommended download: ‘Together’
If you like this, try ...
Siouxsie And The Banshees The Scream Incorporating punk and post-punk as well as inventing Gothic rock, The Scream is full of dark, sparse productions, minimal basslines and Siouxsie’s mindblowing, guttural scream. For many Banshees fans, Savages are the second coming.
The Great Gatsby Various Artists
Volume 3
Little Boots
For Experts:
Revolver (1966)
to sound more echoing and expansive), ‘Shut Up’ shows the band at their most accessible, though this being Savages the word ‘accessible’ is relative: it’s still all screeching guitar riffs that’d flay the skin off you and vocals that get ever more hysterical, anchored by Ayse Hassan and Fay Milton’s boneshaking rhythm section.
Grace Harvey
I
n what is likely to be the film of this summer, Baz Luhrmann gives F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic 1925 novel The Great Gatsby a 21st century makeover. An integral part of this is the Jay-Z curated OST. With the emphasis of the storyline being on the wealth and extravagance of the Roaring Twenties, Luhrmann’s decision to hand the musical reigns over to Jay-Z, the king of braggadocios opulence, was surely a stroke of genius. The whole album screams decadence in a big way; jazz and big band samples abound, and the focus on money and partying is in keeping with the themes of the novel. As soon as ‘$100 Bill’ lurches into existence, sampling lines from Leonardo Di Caprio, it is clear that this is an exceptional soundtrack. The jazz reworking of Roxy Music’s classic ‘Love Is The Drug’ is fantastic, as are the epic-sounding contributions from Lana Del Rey and Florence & The Machine. Nero’s ‘Into The Past’ is gloriously lavish, while Jack White’s ‘Love is Blindness’ conveys absolute desperation in his own inimitable style. It isn’t all good news for Jay and Baz. Not even Q-Tip can stop ‘A Little Party Never Hurt Nobody’ from being an absolute monstrosity. It sounds like an Ibiza club banger; the illegitimate musical lovechild of Psy and LMFAO. Also, there’s absolutely no excuse for will.i.am’s wretched ‘Bang Bang’. Credit must go to Jay-Z and Luhrmann for such a bold display of ingenuity and creative direction where a novel of such prestige is concerned. In the main part they’ve pulled it off in spectacular style; yet it isn’t flawless, and often borders on tacky. Recommended download: ‘$100 Bill’ Lewis Lister
The Courier
localmusic.27
Monday 13 May 2013
thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_music
sceNE: The Best of the Best
Music Editor Chris Haywood says a fond farewell to the local artists he’s been writing about for three years, looking back at three local artists who have made a lasting impression on him Final Words on sceNE Chris Haywood
Ajimal
Mausi
Cattle & Cane
Minimal Folk
Summer Pop
Country / Acoustic Pop
I
can honestly say that it’s been an absolute pleasure to talk to and watch Ajimal live on several occasions while I’ve been here in Newcastle. Ajimal is, after all, an artist that, in my opinion at least, has crafted the most emotive, sincere and original sound, and produced the most infectious offerings to come out of the region since this feature began. An artist who is truly breathtaking. What is most striking with Ajimal is that an overriding sense of confident adventure marks every ounce of their output. Seemingly effortlessly, Fran O’Hanlon – the man under Ajimal’s guise – manages to maximise the use of light and shade, texture and mood to exert a potent pull on the listener. Sonically, tracks often open with a hushed acoustic strum or chord on the piano which gives way to a spark of heightened drama from the expansion of its accompanying, elegant instrumentation. Nevertheless, in the occasional caterwauling, emotional intensity at the heart of each, no one track ever loses any of the music’s intimacy. In fact, it is all consummately held together by O’Hanlon’s crystalline, almost heavenly vocals - seemingly hewn from the very depths of his stomach - which are as fragile as they are charged with passion at times of his histrionic delivery. His throat then is an irrefutable and truly magnificent instrument, and certainly the epicentre of Ajimal’s sonic imprint. The magnificence of Ajimal’s sound derives largely from Fran’s conscious effort to boil his songwriting down to its essence. ‘Footnote to Love (Part One)’ for instance, a song sparely and elegantly arranged around skeletal guitars, is a potent study in the less-is-more maxim; it’s clear that Fran has an uncanny ear for what to leave out and how absence can play on the imagination. The result is that the track - as with his entire catalogue - is afforded the room to breathe and ache gracefully, whilst its sincerity is able to shine through emphatically in the gloriously pitched cinematic landscape Fran crafts. Ultimately, Ajimal have achieved a brooding intensity all of its own. It’s really no mean feat to simultaneously sound this heavenly and down to earth; hence I doubt people who fall under its spell, will want to listen to anything else. In the end, I cannot say this with any more sincerity: Ajimal deserve all the success I hope they’ll get.
Take a listen...
‘Footnote to Love’ (Single) Arguably the most refined and exquisite track I’ve heard during my time here in Newcastle, ‘Footnote to Love (Part One)’ is frightfully beautiful and a trademark of Fran’s well-crafted sonic style.
W
ith time, change is inevitable and necessary. Mausi have always been a perfect case in point of that. Not long after I first met them, they began to see that where they had become “just didn’t match what [they] wanted”. So they reassessed who they were, corrected their faults, all the while retaining those potentially outstanding qualities everybody could see only needed a little bit of refining. With ‘Sol.’ there was no doubt that they become a bolder, shinier beast. From that moment on an overriding sense of confident adventure marked their non-noodly synth pop. Showing more polish and a firmer grasp of rhythm, their new material began to carry the same urgency and telling signs of them as musical maximalists, but never to the extreme of sounding as though they’re on the verge of collapsing over each other, as they often were before. With ‘Sol.’, however, Mausi not only outlined what would become a new sonic direction, but also a new identity that was later cemented in ‘Move’. Through the song, within the video and even into the artwork, a “European, Mediterranean aesthetic” permeated their image, an image that draws on the heritage of the two Milan-born siblings who lie at the centre of the band. Mausi’s potent chemistry has always remained though. Unsurprisingly, their collective, relaxed presence on tape, in person, and on stage reflects an atmosphere they admit ‘was right, just right’ at the very beginning of the band. It’s an atmosphere that clearly owes itself to that brother-sister relationship at its very heart, and the otherwise tightknit friendships interwoven between them, Benji and Ben. What’s most staggering about Mausi - more so I would argue in their case than with any other band in the North East, or Britain even - is that they’ve single-handedly crafted their own success up to this point: “we edit, shoot, storyboard our music videos, we remix our own songs, we release them; we have complete creative control”. It’s this commitment that underlines their acceptance that “there’s so much more to do”. And there is. Because ‘Sol.’ and ‘Move’ is the sound of a band setting their sights on the summit of the singles charts. I think everyone who knows them will not doubt that they’ll reach that summit soon.
L
ike Mausi, Cattle & Cane have not been a stranger to a bit of change since I got to know them. From their conception, they were tarred by the ‘Nu-Folk’ label, which owed itself to their tendency to underpin their pop disposition with something more traditional, honest, earthy and an acoustic guitar. In response, they fostered a fresh resolve and purpose over the summer of 2011 and “began to think about it all a bit more”. The ultimate result of it all, ‘Waiting’, was a horizon-widening track; a track that showed their abilities expanding, individually and collectively. With the aid of a new member, they effectively managed to develop their sound three-fold; a sound that was now more inclined to make waves rather than just mere ripples. After all, ‘Waiting’ dipped and surged with an intimacy that was on a much more expansive scale than that that could be heard on any of their previous efforts. This was due in part to Joe’s acoustic presence no longer being at the forefront of their sound; it was now stripped back to allow the band’s many textures to have equal prominence. It was testimony of an immensely talented band that they managed to do this and merge all their many parts with such irrefutable beauty, without burdening the melodic line with any expected clutter. More so than any other band in the North East, it all seems natural with Cattle & Cane as they manage to wrap themselves around each other with the instinctive subtlety born of being musical soul mates. It’s no surprise then to discover the songwriting partnership is between brother and sisters Joe and Helen Hammill, whilst elder brother Frank “organises it all”. Suffice to say, Cattle & Cane are actually a tight, family unit; four members by blood, the rest, as drummer Paul admits, by “spending more time in the Hammill household [their practice room of preference] than in my own”. Even the introduction of yet another sibling to the mixture over that summer did nothing but build on the glaring dynamic that exists between them. I’ll remember Cattle & Cane fondly, not just for the fact they were the first local band that I actually ‘got into’ properly, but because there’s a great warmth at the heart of their sound that still demands, and rewards, repeated listens from me. Take a listen yourself.
Take a listen...
Take a listen...
Cracking wide open as it hits the chorus with a splurge of percussion, there’s so much more selfwarmth and audible self-belief to be found in ‘Sol.’ than in any of Mausi’s past efforts.
This song soundtracked my first year in Newcastle, showing natural emotion, fiercely intelligent musical craftwork, tender depth and the ability to sound unhurried yet super tight simultaneously.
‘Sol.’ (Single)
‘Sold My Soul’ (Single)
T
his feature has gone through a number of changes since its conception three years ago. It has only been this year, however, that sceNE finally took the prominent position here in the music section that it has always deserved; we’ve consistently given it a space to develop in the paper when many others in our position would not have done so. But that’s because we’ve always had faith in what we’re writing about. Newcastle is home to what is undoubtedly one of the most wealthy and diverse music scenes in Britain. Why shouldn’t we promote it, try and garner interest in it, and enable it to gather more and more momentum? I’ve always believed that one of the prime responsibilities of The Courier should be to foster close ties with local artists. Before this feature began, there was no relationship between the two. And this meant that the student population of Newcastle – which is without doubt at the very heart of this city – weren’t being given the opportunity to find out about, and dip their toes into, the great pool of talent being offered to them. Supporting emerging artists who are young and raw isn’t, and never will be, everyone’s cup of tea; yet what we do with sceNE is tell you what’s out there and let you be the judge of it. It’s been the same with our writers. For the first two years of this feature, I was the only contributor to it. This year, though, writers have taken the lead with it; they’re going out of their way to find local artists, listen to them, meet them, see them live and then discuss them with you, the reader. I’m going to leave the final words to one such writer, Charlie Dearnley, who sums up the integrity of sceNE better than I ever could. I hope Charlie is the sign of things to come at The Courier, and a sign of the future longevity of this feature.
Charlie Dearnley
T
he word “responsibility” holds negative connotations of work, but contrarily, supporting the North East’s local music scene is an absolute pleasure. The North East is bursting with talent and is constantly growing and expanding with Newcastle as the cultural hub. The sceNE feature provides local artists with a means of reaching the student body of Newcastle University. It has become the lone watering hole for local rising bands to gather at within the University, and it does a fantastic job of providing coverage for acts that would often be glanced over. As a university, Newcastle should actively support innovation and creativity; something that young, up and coming bands in the North East exude in excess as they enthusiastically seek to spread their love of music.
The Courier
featuresmusic.29
Monday 13 May 2013
Soundtrack your summer
It can be hard to find the right balance between summer jams and chill vibes. We’ve ranked our favourite summer tracks from hype to chill, to help you make the perfect mix words by Matty Aston, Josh Nicholson, Max Palmer-Geaves, Tim Sewell and Scott Tailford
Sean Paul -
‘We Be Burnin’’
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Simply put, every playlist needs a bit of the Jamaican superstar. His infectious beats and ridiculous lyrics are a favourite with everyone looking for a good time. In this song he comes out with Jamaicanisms such as “flow king here them shouting, first class invitation girls”. Who can fail to love lyrics like these? Immense fun. Sean Paul from the Isle of Sun gives us a little bit of Caribbean culture to feast upon and enjoy here.
HYPE Daft Punk
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Alice Deejay -
‘Better Off Alone’
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‘Get Lucky’
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Already a massive hit in the charts, this collaboration has ‘summer’ written all over it. From the single cover to the bouncy tune and lyrics, the sun oozes out of this song. We will all most definitely be up all night to have fun with songs like this about this summer. With the trademark Daft Punk robotics at the end nobody can deny this is the undisputed champion of the summer song this year so far.
Tom Petty
With a recognisable hook and synth riff it is definitely one for a sunny day. To my mind this is essential for any summer’s evening sat around chatting with friends comparing stories, maybe about past holidays, maybe about years at uni. It has quite a reminiscent feel about it, which makes you philosophical about how life has changed. As well as being good for a sit around, if at a party this is bound to be a floorfiller.
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‘Heart of Nowhere’
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Noah and the Whale are the definition of a perfect summertime band. I don’t care what anyone says; they can’t fail to put a smile on your face. Their new album Heart of Nowhere drops this week and its title track certainly shows no signs of disappointment. The driving rhythm of the string section together with Anna Calvi’s guest vocals makes it guaranteed to be one of the songs of the summer.
Don Henley -
Bonobo -
‘We Could Forever’
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Another slightly older song, this time from Bonobo’s classic trip-hop album Black Sands, ‘We Could Forever’ is the ultimate summer chill tune. Complete with gentle atmospherics and steel drums the song comprises four and a half minutes of easy listening. There’s something about the lack of vocals and Green’s use of saxophone; the layering of the track can instantly relax the listener as they sit and enjoy a bit of English sun.
‘The Boys of Summer’
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The clue’s in the title; this is for many one of the ultimate summer driving songs, whether it be the original version from ex-Eagles frontman Don Henley or the 2003 pop-punk reimagining from The Ataris. This track speaks of fleeting summer romance in lyrics such as “my love for you will still be strong after the boys of summer have gone”, and is incredible to drive to as it’s ridiculously catchy. Steer well clear of the DJ Sammy dance version though. Shudder…
Major Lazer -
‘Good Riddance’
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Everybody of a certain generation has a very mushy soft spot for Green Day’s lighters-inthe-air magnum opus ‘Good Riddance’. For some this will conjure the most intimate house parties gathered around that one friend who plays guitar in the corner, and for others it’s tens of thousands singing along at one of the many festivals up and down the country when Green Day were in their prime. For everyone else though, this is ‘that song’ they already know and love.
CHILL
‘Get Free’
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You’ve all heard the now infamous Andy C drum and bass remix of this tune, which has propelled Major Lazer towards even more success. The original does, however, have a really chilled vibe, good for laying in the sun with a cold Red Stripe and anything else you may choose to enjoy in the sunshine. Major Lazer (Diplo and friends’ alter ego) has an incredible knack for mixing cultures in tunes, and ‘Get Free’ is no different.
Green Day -
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Unfortunately Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers don’t seem to have gained the recognition they so rightfully deserve in the UK even after all these years, and with classic hits like ‘American Girl’ it’s hard to understand why. Petty’s 1977 tale of saluting highway traffic outside his apartment window (unusual, I know) is the ultimate feel good summer track. The veteran’s distinctive vocals and fast-paced guitar-driven approach encapsulates classic American rock at its very best.
Noah & The Whale -
‘American Girl’
Otis Redding -
‘Sitting on the Dock of the Bay’
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One of many people’s favourite blues songs, this has a beautifully soft melody that makes you long to be at the titular bay. It sends you to a place far away from Newcastle, a place where there is a hot summer’s day and you can wear your wayfarers, shorts and t-shirts and lie on the beach without a care in the world. So, slam this on and imagine you are sittin’ in the evening sun watching the tide.
30.tvlistings
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
TV Editor: Chris Taylor Online TV Editor: Ben Parkin
Troopers of Telly As Matt Tate’s regiment of TV heroes prepares to lay down their arms at the end of the year, eccentric pudding lover Gregg Wallace joins our merry Band of TV Brothers.
Y
et another series of the BBC’s X Factor for frying pan wielders, Masterchef, culminates on the eve of writing this column. I don’t know who is going to win it. I’ll confess, I don’t particularly care either. Because for me the appeal of Masterchef lies not in the increasingly exuberant culinary creations the contestants create as the show progresses. They are no doubt impressive, often to the point of disbelief (from burning a pastry crust one minute, to confidently churning out Michelin star starters to the best chefs in the country the next, with time spare for a quick chinwag with the camera man). But for me, Masterchef is epitomized by one man, the irrepressibly lovable, sugar-worshipping judge, Greg Wallace.
I am well aware that judges on food programmes are sexy right now. Mary Berry’s resurgence under the already legendary Great British Bake Off is not something sniff at. And the other guy on that, Paul Hollywood, has recently had his very own programme about bread. It was really boring, obviously, being a programme about bread, but still worth acknowledging. Despite this though, nobody is close to Greg Wallace’s crown as the David Beckham of eating food people make for him. His co-presenter John Torode may have the experience, expertise and know-how, but Wallace, who started life as a greengrocer, is so much better at eating. And that, surely, is the most important thing. The way his face lights up when the contestants reveal their menus to him. The way he joyfully bellows his approval at them. The way his heart so clearly sings when somebody hands him a dessert. It’s just great entertainment, and peaks the interest of our own taste buds. And it is the perfect antitheses to the otherwise quite sterile, snooty production of it all.
For all the exotic ingredients, prestigious guest critics, and chopping board master classes, without Greg Wallace the programme, to me, is a bit boring. I’m sure many would disagree. Perhaps it is not intended for people like me, in that case. And that’s fine. But like all good specialist shows, the inclusion of Greg Wallace means that it can speak to everybody. We all like great food, it makes us excited and ready to yell about it to everybody who will listen. Strip back all classiness and high culture, and food is just fun. Greg Wallace, the selfconfessed ‘fat, bald bloke on Masterchef who likes pudding’, hits that home better than anyone else. And for that reason, in my last column for The Courier, I pronounce him a Trooper of Telly. Here’s to Greg, and that buttery biscuit base.
The Apprentice
BBC1, Wednesday 9pm
G
et ready to hum along with the violins, Lord Sugar is back looking for a new investment in The Apprentice. In the ninth series of the show, sixteen contestants will battle amongst themselves for Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment in their business idea. With the poor economy in the background, you can be sure that this year’s contestants will be more ruthless than ever. In a new twist, the candidates’ business ideas will be shown at the beginning of the series, which will no doubt play a role in how the rest of the series pans out; will Lord Sugar keep candidates purely based on their business ideas or their work ethic? Either way, it shows that produc-
ers have really thought about how to reinvent the veteran show. Of course fan-favourites Nick Hewer and Karen Brady are back to help Lord Sugar find the right investment, and more importantly, pass judgement on the candidates as they argue, struggle or generally fail in the tasks. The Apprentice finds strength in its candidates. Each from a range of different backgrounds and careers, the applicants get through to the shows based not only on their lives, but their personalities; and there looks to be some characters this year! Firstly, there’s the candidates with fighting talk such as Rebecca Slater who says if someone ‘crosses’ her, ‘it’s game over’. Pretty much the tough one then and maybe she’ll get on with self-described ‘alpha male’, Kurt Wilson. Then there’s the very self-assured of the group such as Myles Mordaunt who claims to be ‘business perfection personified’, who isn’t really
shying away from the task at hand with that statement. So that’s all well and good then, Lord Sugar has got his usual band of clichés and the power mad, but then he’s also got himself Zeeshaan Shar, my personal favourite of the bunch. Zeeshaan describes himself as a ‘Great’ of his generation. Sounds fine, but he claims to ‘take inspiration from Napoleon’ because he’s ‘here to conquer’. Right then, pretty big words to live up to, and I’m sure he’ll do his best impress Lord Sugar and I for one can’t wait to see him try. There’s sure to be moments of genius, moments of backstabbing, and of course, those moments where you just have to cover your face and cringe. However, there’s only one moment we’re all really waiting for; to see who’s ‘fired’ and who’s ‘hired’.
The Fall
United States of Television
Arne Dahl
BBC4, Saturday 9pm
BBC1, Monday 9pm
F
ollowing the success of The Killing and Borgen, in BBC Four’s Saturday night European crime drama slot comes Swedish thriller Arne Dahl. The series consists of five two-part adaptations of Jan Arnald’s novels, beginning with ‘The Blinded Man’ which sees the CID investigating a series of brutal murders on financiers. Tense music and edgy camerawork set the tone for the first of ten feature-length episodes which begin by slowly building tension but become fastpaced and thrilling as the audience are left eagerly following the CID’s pursuit of a serial killer. As the dangers of a professional psychopath are laid bare through a series of graphic and gory murders, the CID are committed to working 24/7 to track down the person responsible. The powerful woman at the helm, Jenny Hultin, has a fiery personality which inspires her team to work exceptionally hard for the safety of its citizens. As the pace slows again, the tension becomes powerful as the audience await further action - will the killer strike again or can the CID put a stop to them? Running parallel to this story arc are plots of personal relationships and the impact of police investigation work on family life, providing much needed emotional depth to the protagonists. As tensions begin to arise within the CID team, further revelations of sex attacks and gang warfare add more layers to a complex and thrilling plot which continues to rattle along with stunning pace. Slick shots of cityscapes and epic warehouse scenes that would not look out of place in a Hollywood blockbuster mean that this sophisticated Swedish thriller will keep you enthralled from beginning to end. Alex Gray
Helen Daly
BBC iPlayer
J
ust like how every day of the week ends with ‘y’, the BBC are airing yet another crime drama. Surprise, surprise! I’m starting to expect nothing more in the way of original productions from our good old faithful channel. But don’t be put off by my cynicism quite yet. With the casting of Gillian Anderson, most commonly known from The X Files as the red-headed perfection that is Dana Scully, new series The Fall looks like it could deliver us some polished fauxAmerican style dramatics with a bit of a British twist. Look at Broadchurch over on ITV. Add an ex-Doctor (Who?) and some tense music and you’ve got yourself a simple winner, and with such similarly accredited actors in their ranks it’s hard to see where The Fall could go wrong. Yes, the BBC air an abundance of these shows, but they do them well and they do them in style. Set in Northern Ireland just to mix it up a bit, it follows the investigation of a string of homicides. After 28 days of an inept police department (starring Jamie Dornan of Once Upon a Time) failing to catch the killer, Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson (Anderson) is called in to review the case as the serial killer runs riot in the city of Belfast. Even though it feels like a case of deja vu when you read the premise, with a great supporting cast from various other TV shows the 5-part series looks promising enough to add something extra to the saturated genre. The addition of an American cast also bodes well for overseas syndication, and Netflix US have already promised an early streaming of the series shortly after the original air date. I can only hope the general public isn’t as disillusioned as I’m making them out to be! Beth Durant
I
f you’re reading this section of the paper, you probably enjoy TV to some degree. Whether that’s simply in a ‘sit on the sofa with your flatmates and a cuppa’ capacity or in ‘feverishly marathon the entire Sopranos boxset in a weekend’ capacity, you’re all still fans of TV. We’re definitely at another high point in TV right now. The likes of Breaking Bad are captivating audiences, New Girl and Happy Endings are finally breaking the curse of Friends, and properly original shows, although getting cancelled due to low viewers, at least shows writers are thinking about doing something different. It’s arguable that perhaps we are living in a Second Golden Age of TV. The United States of Television is here to show you why TV is so bloody good. Originally airing on PBS in 2011, this re-edited version also features contributions from Alan Yentob. It is perhaps one of the cleverest shows about television to have ever aired, capturing why exactly we love TV while gauging how a square box has managed to change society in America and the world. Split into four parts, each focusing on a different types of TV characters (The Misfit, The Crusader, Independent Woman, and Man of the House), the series looks at the history of these characters throughout history. Accompanied by talking heads from many of the people involved, both in front of the camera and behind, it not only gives us a great look as to how these shows came to be, but also how certain shows have influenced society, with I Love Lucy redefining the way women are portrayed on screen. If you love TV in any way, I highly implore you to watch this show if not simply to add more shows to the list of things you need to watch. Chris Taylor
The Courier
featurestv.31
Monday 13 May 2013
thecourieronline.co.uk/tv c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_tv
The Whedonistic lifestyle Top
Joss Whedon has his fingers in so many cult TV pies; Buffy, Firefly, and Dollhouse have all been his working. With strong women, frantically funny dialogue among mysticism and intrigue, Whedon is unique. Self confessed super fan Beth Durant explains why everything Whedon touches turns to gold
I
t was 1999 and I was a 7 year old anxiously sat in front of the TV with my VHS recorder ready as the opening titles of Buffy the Vampire Slayer rolled across the screen. Flash forward 13 years later and I was an excitable 20 year old sat in the movie theatre watching Avengers Assemble and catching the ever-familiar name of the director and writer scroll through the credits. Joss Whedon. The name itself is enough to give my heart cause to flutter. Much to the dismay of all my friends, I could wax lyrical about this guy all day and it’s not a good pop culture conversation if I’m not slipping in a reference. Obsessed, you might call me. With good reason, I might say. An LA native, Whedon has shown a flair throughout his illustrious career of being able to
satisfy the coveted 15-25 target audience without ever being condescending in his approach. Much like his recent embark into the world of superheroes, if anyone can make space-western cowboys production that embodies the appeal and quirks of such a genre, it’s likely to be Whedon. Challenging the anachronistic television trope of the damsel in distress rescued by a strapping young hero, a young Whedon penned Buffy the Vampire Slayer in 1996 in an attempt to turn the spotlight on a young heroic woman who wasn’t swayed by such a fate-driven, feverish life. The entire premise marked late 90’s and early 2000’s television with iconic dark and sultry cinematography that mirrored the reality of a growing young alternative scene. Yet for all of the bells and whistles and girl-
on-vampire action, at the core it was a programme about growing up, and its no surprise that Whedon’s adolescent fan-base responded so vigorously. In the same relatable vein, later television productions such as Angel, Firefly, and Dollhouse, showed the promise of a long and esteemed career, and as shown by early tip-toeing into the world of cinema, his writing and directing doesn’t sit firmly entrenched in the TV setting. With writing and directing credits in a large number of Hollywood success stories in Toy Story, X-Men, Alien, Thor, Avengers Assemble, and Cabin in the Woods, it seems like he’s had a lot of fingers in a lot of different flavoured pies. The ever-present strong female characters in all of his productions have earned him the respect of post-feminism scholars (yes, there are scholarly essays and books written about him), and his sophisticated, witty scripts have been an enviable benchmark for writers everywhere. And regardless of the Hollywood platform, the nature of his productions paved the way for early internet ‘fandoms’, and it is only with the generated fan buzz that so much of his work has reached the heights we know them to stand at today. The continued interaction and pressure from such fans saw his follow-up film Serenity produced after the cancellation of the short-lived cult hit Firefly. Perhaps it is this intense commitment that has seen his career rise to new, glamorous, Hollywood heights. With such a strong presence in so many aspects of pop culture, from TV to film, it’s hard to imagine my childhood and teenage years up until now being bereft of such an influence. His dedicated online following guarantees continued interest in his ridiculously large range of material, from writing to directing, from TV to film, and from graphic novels to his internet musicals (Dr Horrible’s SingAlong Blog) Hell, he even directed an episode of Glee once. You would be forgiven for thinking that this is Joss Whedon’s world and we just live in it.
A trip back to Mars
The show that shot Kristen Bell to stardom, cult classic Veronica Mars, finally has a fan-funded film in the works after outcry since its cancellation in 2007. Tria Lawrence explores its miraculous return
5
Breakout stars
Will Smith - The Fresh Prince of Bel Air “I think I’ve seen your picture somewhere before... Oh yeah, that’s right. It was in the dictionary next to KABLAM”. Hilarious and absurd pick-up lines, yet played with a lot of heart are among the many reasons why the definitive Will Smith will always be “The Fresh Prince”.
Seth Rogan - Freaks & Geeks Rogan’s first acting role was a sarcastic teenage “freak” in Judd Apatow and Paul Feig’s TV series alongside a young James Franco. It was the beginning of an enduring working relationship that has seen Rogan star in a number of Apatow’s productions, notably: Pineapple Express (again alongside James Franco).
Martin Freeman - The Office Martin Freeman’s been in so many big things of late (The Hobbit, Sherlock, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and more) that it is easy to forget where we saw him first; that is in cult British sit-com The Office as ironic, self-deprecating and extremely likeable Tim Canterbury.
S
ix years after its cancellation, Veronica Mars is returning in film form thanks to a Kickstarter campaign pushed by its star Kristen Bell and show runner Rob Thomas. Veronica Mars ran for three seasons and followed Veronica, a private eye high schooler, living in the Californian town of Neptune. Just before the beginning of the series Veronica’s life is turned upside down when her best friend Lilly is murdered, her dad loses his job as town sheriff, her mum abandons them and she loses all of her friends. These events made her a social pariah and set the stage for the whole series. For years Thomas and Bell have had no success in convincing the studios to fund a movie or a new series but now they have finally had their breakthrough. Kickstarter is what made this all possible. Started in 2008, it’s a website that allows for people to invest as much or as little as they want in a project, allowing it to get off the ground. The campaign for Veronica Mars started on March 13th with a 5 minutes YouTube video, showing the cast still struggling to move on and their realisation of how they could use Kickstarter. Fans had to make $2 million in 30 days with the motivation of copies of the script and parts as extras as motivation for donating. They ended up raising $5.7 million. The extra $3.7 million was likely a positive fan response to the promises of Jason Dohring (Logan Echolls) and Ryan Hansen (Dick Casablancas), who in the video encourage people to keep donating after they hit $2 million with the promise of it leading to ‘brooding in more expensive and exotic locations’ and it being part of a ‘car chase and nudity fund’. But what is it about Veronica Mars that made people willing to put their own money into the production of a movie? Veronica Mars would have you laughing at one moment and then crying your
Jennifer Aniston - Friends Friends is perhaps the most popular sitcom of all time and it’s cast, consequentially, are monumentally famous. However, Jennifer Aniston seems to be the only one who might be remembered for anything other than just “being on Friends”, managing to carve out a film career where the she essentially plays the same character in a number of romantic comedies. Swings and roundabouts really.
Kylie Minogue - Neighbours heart out the next, all thanks to the brilliant cast and writers. You were also encouraged to look at everything closely, allowing you to solve the mysteries alongside Veronica. Over its three seasons there was also a lot that people could connect to with storylines of bad family relationships, death and dealing with loss, and simply not fitting in. This also went further with storylines of rape, child abuse and suicide - more extreme, but the viewer always felt connected as they were all written in such a personal way.
The final episode, criticised by some for failing to tie up all the loose ends, left Veronica in a love square thing with Logan and Piz and Keith unlikely to win the sheriff election after erasing evidence of Veronica stealing. The movie will supposedly move on from this point, with Veronica being forced to return to Neptune and her investigations, having left soon after ruining her father’s career and transferring to Stanford. With the movie on its way, it looks like it’s strictly non-canon, making way for something that could be really great.
A breakthrough of another kind. Australia’s Minogue first found fame as the stunning Charlene. This recognition then facilitated her transition to fully fledged “pop star” status. To date she has released 11 albums, and is apparently planning a comeback for the near future. Keep your eyes peeled (or don’t).
Mike Slaski
32.filmfeatures
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
Film Editors: Hayley Hamilton and Sam Hopkins Online Film Editor: Chris Binding
Top
5
Summer blockbuster must-watchers
Worst Hollywood Blockbusters
5
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Harrison Ford smelt the coffee, and bought the Tassimo. It’s a reprisal purely based on nostalgia, engineered to get the baby boomers back into the cinema. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Indiana Jones franchise, but this just takes the preverbal biscuit.
4
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Was Michael Bay on LSD for the production of this? Seriously, it’s two and a half hours of metallic madness and loud explosions. Not even Megan Fox could brighten up the proceedings. It’s truly a poor man’s Terminator! At the same time, there was so much hype around this film that the disappointing result was even harder to bear.
3 Spiderman 3 Spiderman was given three enemies to battle and a storyline that went in five directions. What were you thinking Raimi? Even Maguire looks hacked off with the Spidey gig through the film! The scene where Maguire dances around a jazz café like Gene Kelly made me shed a tear, and forced me to leave the cinema. What a train wreck.
2 Twilight Saga: New Moon Spend an hour and a half watching Bella (Stewart) moping silently in a forest and staring at the topless and glittering Taylor Lautner. Just like vampire Robert Pattinson, the movie has no pulse whatsoever. Bella constructs the mother of all love triangles just to justify a plot worth selling to young bloodthirsty juveniles.
1 2012 Profiteering off the back of an impending Mayan prophecy? Classic Hollywood. Add mesmerising special FX, a Kevin Spacey lookalike and an apocalyptic catastrophe, hey-presto, the perfect blockbuster? Absolutely not Emmerich, you have fleshed together Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow creating the Frankenstein of summer blockbusters, shame on you. Dylan Healey
As dissertation deadlines pass and exams draw to a close, Aisha Dinn looks at what the cinemas have to offer during the summer Well the Summer Blockbuster season has arrived and the first of the group, Iron Man 3, has set the bar for all coming Summer Blockbusters. These include, Star Trek: Into Darkness, Man of Steel, Kick Ass 2, The Wolverine, Fast and Furious 6, World War Z, The Great Gatsby, Monsters University, The Worlds End and many more. The sci-fi movies are probably the ones that have the most competition. The third installment of Iron Man has proved to be an amazing end to the trilogy, but the likes of Man of Steel and Star Trek Into Darkness are going to have to catch up. Man of Steel probably has the most to prove, as an attempt to widen DC’s universe after the success of Marvel’s Avengers phasing stretegy. The conglomerate war still surges! Kick Ass 2 also stands in line as one of many comic book adaptations waiting to be judged. This superheroes-in-the-real-world film will have to step things up a gear, as the first Kick Ass seemed so complete. The appeal of a little girl swearing has gone as Hit Girl is now 15, so what can this installment offer us? Come August; we shall find out. Star Trek Into Darkness has the bonus of being the second movie in a series and being part of the Star Trek franchise, but as it still reigns under the Sci-fi banner, the destruction, good guys and enemies will all be judged as much as they have in Iron Man. The World’s End sees the end of director Edgar Wright’s Cornetto trilogy, starring Simon Peg and Nick Frost. Expect references to fences, cocking it, Cornettos (of course) and an apocalyptic pub crawl - we’ve all been there, right? Cult fans look out this is going to be epic. In a similar vein (albeit an American
one), This Is The End also comes out this summer. With an all-star cast including comic geniuses Seth Rogan and Danny McBride, as well as James Franco and (snigger) Rihanna; This Is The End is a the apocalypse gone meta, as various film stars playing themselves attempt to survive the end of the world. A hilarious trailer has built high expectations - let’s hope it is better than Rihanna’s last screen effort, the leaden Battleship. For horror fans, James Wan’s Insidious) The Conjuring (Saw, Insidious hits screens in July. Based on a true haunting, this scored so high at test screenings that it
scored a top summer release. Prepare to hide behind your popcorn. However if sci-fi, horror and comics aren’t your thing, try The Great Gatsby on for size. Filmed by the legendary Baz Luhrmann (Moulin Rouge, Romeo + Juliet) starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Tobey Maguire and filmed in 3D, this insane rush of stylish story telling will get you in during the day to party all night. For the kids among us that want something a little lighter hearted, Monsters University is just the ticket. You can expect quality where you see the Pixar name, and the same will surely apply here. Exploring a time when Mike and Sully were mortal enemies, audiences will witness the crazy adventures they’ll have to go through to become friends. Hopefully it will be a perfect watch. And last but not least the Fast and Furious canon, now in its sixth installment, continues to throw curve balls at us with the return of old friend and alumni Michelle Rodriguez. 2013 certainly looks like set to be a summer to remember.
Almodóvar: Astounding auteur
Pedro Almodóvar: Oscar winner, ‘70s counterculture pin-up and downright genius. Muneeb Hafiz looks at the career of this outstanding figure To many, both inside and out of the critics’ circle, Pedro Almodóvar is an exceptional talent in cinema and today exists as one of the most celebrated figures in film. Yet, while his competences in filmmaking are perhaps unequivocal, little light is shed on how he became the creative force his is today. Like the premises of his work, Almodóvar’s life itself is full of intrigue. Born in the impoverished region of La Mancha, central Spain, Almodóvar came from humble beginnings, without the financial clout to pursue his love for film. However, moving to Madrid in the late 60s in search of opportunity and education, he encountered the opportunities, both financial and political, to pursuing his dreams. With the oppressive regime of General Franco in full force during the early 70s, Almodóvar found himself a key actor in Spanish counterculture and an icon of ‘La Movida’- a vibrant pop movement thriving all over Spain. This first-hand interaction with the grassroots, gritty exuberance of Spanish society has led to filmmaking that has not only gripped, entertained, moved and shaken audiences worldwide, but changed the very way people think about Spain and its people. Consider Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (1988) with its dark comedy and intense human drama Talk to Her (2002), a film drenched in subversion and mystery, for which he won a Best Writing Oscar. Volver (2006), delivers again with its melancholic tendencies and meaningful narrative. All feel very real and exhibit diverse aspects of Spanish life and culture. But then came The Skin I Live In (2011), arguably his most chilling film to date, cementing his label of auteurship. His diversity, his penchant for slick, innovative film-making and real drama, not to mention his critical acclaim merits the high praise and celebration to which
Almodóvar is attributed. With his latest project, I’m So Excited!, now in cinemas, talk of Almodóvar’s excellences are at a
peak. While there is no certainty that it will be the masterful effort of Talk to Her, one hopes it will be fresh and provocative as always.
The Courier
reviewsfilm.33
Monday 13 May 2013
thecourieronline.co.uk/film c2.film@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Film
Dead Man Down (15) Following the original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Niels Arden Oplev returns with his debut English film Dead Man Down. Attempting to be a unique mix of love and redemption, Dead Man Down is instead an uninspiring, clichéd attempt by Oplev to create another murder-based film from a terribly written screenplay. It follows Victor, played by Colin Farrell, who seeks revenge for the murder of his family by the gangster boss Alphonse. Victor has cunningly joined the ranks of Alphonse’s gang and is now slowly killing off his fellow members. In also swoops Beatrice, played by Noomi Rapace, a scarred victim from a car accident who knows too much about Victor’s murders and plans to blackmail him into killing the person responsible for driving into her. Amongst all the clichés and terribly written dialogue, Beatrice and Victor fall in love. Unfortunately, writer J.H. Wyman has woven too many subplots together, composing a mass of confusion which doesn’t resolve itself. The many meandering and sometimes pointless plot developments only truly warrant you to wish that the
film ended as soon as possible but unfortunately though, the torture ensues as Wyman has written the slowest-paced film ever. It feels lethargic and excessive in boredom, and that thrilling climax you’ll eagerly be waiting for only consistently disappoints like the rest of the film. The action itself also feels indecisive, going from full-blown explosions and gunshots to slow serious dialogue within seconds and so forth. It isn’t progressive and exhumes only confusion as you ponder as to where Wyman is taking you, nowhere it seems to be. Wyman’s cheekiness in ignoring some subtle but important details is also infuriating, such as the complete lack of police in New York and the overexcessive amount of guns Victor has only creates an implausible film. If, however, you grant the script’s implausibility, you still have to endure the painful dialogue and mediocre acting. From Oplev and Rapace teaming up together again, you might half expect some team effort between director and actor, but once again you’ll be wrong. Compared to her role as Lisbeth Salander, Rapace doesn’t deliver, Beatrice’s
character being so badly structured. It’s intensely hard to sympathise with someone who actively blackmails and encourages murder and, her clichéd actions of love only cause the audience to moan with annoyance. Thankfully Farrell acts an almost mute Victor impressively and the grief of his loss is evident behind that blank exterior he poses throughout. He however remains the same throughout, as Wyman has seemed to ignore the importance of character development.
VERDICT: The cinematography is the only element which makes Dead Man Down endurable, with New York looking particularly visually impressive. Unfortunately though it’s not enough to rescue this aimless film which runs around without a clear goal, with no character development and a poor sense of pacing.
Gimme The Loot (15)
The White Elephant (15)
I’m So Excited (15)
As yet another ‘teen’ flick enters the cinemas – ‘teen’ signifying a film driven by teenagers and for teenagers, or even young adults such as university students – one must wonder how many more can be churned out by Hollywood. The latest product comes from the writer’s of The Hangover, but unfortunately that is the only similarity between the two films. For one, 21 & Over is simply not funny and does not earn its stripes as a ‘comedy’. The story involves two friends, Miller (Miles Teller) and Casey (Skylar Astin), who visit their old buddy Jeff Chang (Justin Chon) on the night of his 21st birthday. Even though Jeff has an interview the next morning, he is pressured into going on a huge night out; bawdy behaviour and various hijinks ensue. Right from the get-go, 21 & Over disappoints. The characters are stereotypical, unlikeable, annoying and share other negative characteristics with the plot – both are dumb and utterly devoid of charm. The witless execution continues throughout, with the film quickly descending into puerile antics and vulgarity; gratuitous, slow-motion shots of Jeff Chang being sick whilst riding a Bucking Bronco being a real ‘lowlight’. The ill-judged mess that constitutes most of the film could have been partly forgotten, and even partially enjoyed, if there were at least a few funny gags buried within, but alas there are none to be found. A strong dose of humour was needed. Without any, the film struggles to get to its feet.
Graffiti art duo, Malcolm (Hickson) and Sofia (Washington), constantly find their work besmirched by rival crews. However, in the pursuit of acclaim in the street art circuit, they embark on an elaborate plan to ‘bomb’ the ultimate location: the New York Mets’ Home Run Apple. Like the creative forces this film depicts, be it in street art, skills on the basketball court, or delivering bars of lyrical mastery, it is drenched in innovation and meaning. There are few moments that will fail to make you feel something. It is not all about the desire to make some statement in return for street-cred, nor is it too heavily founded upon the obstacles of an impoverished background. Art takes the lead, it has meaning, it is the fuel that drives Malcolm and Sofia, like so many others, and it is appreciated and celebrated so stylishly here that you can’t help but enjoy the film. The rapport between the two protagonists is delightful, a perfect balance of that awkward young love feeling, and the crude wittiness of true friendship. Every fourth word is a profanity, and almost every line has a quip, but each is as funny as the last. The story doesn’t rewrite any rulebooks, but its charm transcends its simplicity, leaving something fresh. The actual story, that is ‘bombing’ the Mets’ Apple, takes a back seat to the human relationships and the vibrant street life of New York. It effortlessly captures locale and character alike, simultaneously exposing the fragility of youthful ego and the effervescence of ‘street’ competition.
Nothing spells out the arrival of the sunshine quite like an Argentina priests attempting to liberate the slums eh? Ok, so, whilst this probably won’t live up to be the jolly afternoon of procrastination so many of us desperately crave but it’s actually well worth a lot. Pablo Trapero seems fairly used to dealing with controversial and “taboo” dramas, and there is without doubt, a unique flair to this film. Ricardo Darin’s performance as Father Julian is compelling, and alongside Jeremie Renier’s performance of his younger successive Priest, Father Nicholas, unite to create a commanding dynamic of two men mediating rival drugs gangs whilst attempting to mediate their own conflict. It thrusts some bleak truths into the face of the audience, and although it’s handled with great sensitivity and tact, it seems both overstated and lacking. There has clearly been overwhelming consideration and research put into the film, and, sure, its depiction of the slums is horrifying enough to be believable but it’s never really clear what Trapero is really getting at. He doesn’t give any particular priority to either the spiritual dilemmas presented to the Priests, but his backdrop of heart-wrenching poverty is woven into the story without any particular development. Despite this, the film is remarkably topical, and overall Trapero deals with these two plights with bravery and sophistication creating a one of the finest examples of poignancy in recent cinema.
I’m So Excited, Pedro Almodóvar latest film is a very funny tale of a flight gone wrong. As the characters start to panic, they turn to alcohol and drugs, triggering various revelations about their lives. It’s impressive that characters who could easily be caricatures, particularly with the abundance of gay stereotypes, are brought so warmly to life in a truly ensemble cast, including Almodóvar favourites such as Cecilia Roth (All About My Mother) as Norma, a powerful businesswoman, and Lola Dueñas (Volver, Talk to Her) as the psychic virgin. The Spanish title Los Amantes Pasejeros (loosely translated as ‘The Passenger Lovers’) is more indicative of the film’s content, but the English title comes from a fantastic sequence in which, in an effort to distract the passengers from their predicament, the stewards dance to The Pointer Sisters’ song ‘I’m So Excited’. This is silly and fun, but some might be disappointed by it. There are hints of satire about Spain’s financial crisis, but nothing more serious, and a happy ending for nearly all concerned. The film manages to be pleasantly outrageous, and yet realistic at the same time, with the relationship between the married pilot and the chief steward being particularly believable. The sex is played for laughs, rather than titillation, but this results in one scene of non-consensual sex (because woman on man rape is of course hilarious). This is deeply unsettling given the buoyant and joyful atmosphere of the rest of the film.
VERDICT: Immature and gross in all the wrong places, 21 & Over suffers from woeful unoriginality and is painfully unfunny to boot. Dreadful.
VERDICT: Hipper than a Sugarhill Gang beat with enough profanity to warrant several swear jars, this is a film of ingenuity and charm. Lovingly crafted and effortlessly performed, Leon’s debut is a success exhibiting cinematic excellence.
VERDICT: Although it doesn’t quite live up to the expectation any Trapero fan might have, it’s pretty impressive. The latest papel-election has certainly given this film extra weighting and significance but it doesn’t always seem to impress like it probably should.
VERDICT: I’m So Excited is lighter fare than Almódavar’s previous work, but nevertheless retains the same humour for the brilliant and bizarrely human, and is entertaining throughout.
Jacob Crompton-Schreiber
Muneeb Hafiz
Grace Harvey
Alex Morgan
21 And Over (15)
Marcus Redgrave
The Courier
science.35
Monday 13 May 2013
thecourieronline.co.uk/science c2.science@ncl.ac.uk
Science Editor: James Simpson
The beauty of science
Inspired by petri dishes, atoms videos, and brilliant bacteria, Charlie Dearnley looks at how we can turn wonderful science into even more wonderful artwork The phrase “stop motion animation” doesn’t conjure up images of some new fangled, revolutionary technology. On the contrary, it results in one reminiscing about the Clangers and their adventures on the moon with the soup dragon, or that time that Wallace and Gromit were harassed by an impassive penguin, or the last five minutes of the original Evil Dead when all of the possessed humans decomposed, exploded, set alight, and then decomposed some more. Stop motion animation is commonly regarded as a retro, outdated but charming method of animating the inanimate. With the preconceived intrinsic link between stop motion animation and the perpetually whistling Clangers, when I was told that a stop motion film had been made that demonstrated a revolutionary step forward in data storage efficiency, I was sceptical to say the least. Before I had watched A Boy and His Atom, I was unsure as to what I should expect from the film. As my mind meandered around the possibilities, considering ways of amalgamating stop motion animation and data storage, I began to yearn after a little Clanger toy with a USB stick in its nose, and Bluetooth in its beady eyes. Sadly this was not to be so, although admittedly the reality was to be far more exciting. On the aesthetic surface the film isn’t incredibly impressive, it depicts a boy’s friendship with an atom, as they dance and play together. The film is two dimensional in appearance, monochromatic, and looks as if it has been taken straight out of an old school video game. Although, when one learns that the film is the smallest movie ever created, and was made by moving individual atoms minute distances to create a series of images; the brief stop motion film is completely transformed into something new, innovative and exciting. To put the miniscule scale of this movie into perspective, the image of the atoms seen through a microscope is magnified 100 million times, and if an atom was the size of an orange, the orange would be the size of planet earth. The idea surrounding the technology is to make the smallest magnet possible in order to transfer data. The magnets used in current technology consist of about 1 million atoms, though with the research involved in creating this short film, they have amazingly succeeded in creating magnets out of just 12 atoms. These minuscule magnets are used to move the individual carbon monoxide molecules. This is a process that has to be done at -260 degrees centigrade, limiting any kinetic energy obtained through heat so that the atoms stay as still as possible. Due to the inability to move more than one atom at any one time the work is painstaking and laborious, but has been a huge success. The most prominent aim of the video is to inspire children to consider careers in scientific research. Through artistic means, the scientists at IBM have created something far more appealing to young people, as they show clearly and manifestly the possibilities and advancements that scientific research can bring.
There are many cases of art and science being combined, but this short film is arguably an anomaly in that the scientists have exploited an artistic medium to present science. More commonly, artists exploit scientific methods to create a piece of artwork. One prime example of this is Simon Park’s microbial artwork in which he focuses on the cultivation of bacteria. Some of the most fascinating work in this area involves the use of bioluminescent bacteria. A series of photographic portraits were created using the light emitted by bioluminescent bacteria to illuminate the scene. This resulted in an ethereal, glowing ghostlike image, creating the illusion of some other worldly figure sulking in the darkness. The artist Klari Reiss has similarly been cultivating artwork in Petri dishes, and is releasing an image of one such artwork every day of 2013. Using agar jelly and varying forms of bacteria and fungi she is able to compose beautiful swirling environments, bursting with colour and vibrancy. These small artworks create something stunning, from what would inherently be preconceived as filthy. Perhaps the most entertaining element of her artwork is the titles she gives her paintings. One is labelled quite simple ‘Punk Kids These Days’. Unsurprisingly the artwork in question is explosive, loud and aggressively green, to the point at which the luminescence of the colour is almost visually offensive. Another cultivation consisting of swirling purple arches is brilliantly titled ‘Sassy Star Fish Playing Dress-up.’ The names are playful, innocent, and a comical play on the aesthetic, providing a suggested interpretation of the artwork, that is quite simply fun. There is a customary misconception that art and science are two wholly dissimilar and contradictory areas of study. One is factual, and the other is more commonly a means of expression. But as evidenced there has been success in the collision of the two worlds, in an impressive and aesthetically beautiful fashion. Science is often inherently beautiful. The vast cosmos that engulfs our planet is unfathomably deep and secretive, and it is beautifully complex, both aesthetically and scientifically. Similarly, when magnified hundreds of thousands of times, the atoms that constitute the world around us are astonishingly spectacular. Even something as destructive and aggressive as cancer cells can look remarkably striking, and the patterns subliminally formed by these cells and atoms are hypnotically encapsulating. IBM have succeeded in presenting their scientific discoveries through artistic methods, and in doing so have undeniably successfully raised the awareness of their monumental discoveries in data exchange. A more frequent marriage between art and science would do nothing but benefit our generation, as artistic expression is far more engrossing than raw data. Check out the blog here; http://thedailydish2013.blogspot.co.uk/
A Pain in the eyes The blossoming of spring means only one thing for allergy sufferers, the return of hayfever. Tom Lundy looks at the science behind what makes us sneeze
I
t’s been a long winter, but spring is finally here! But, with sunshine and blooming flowers comes one thing 15 million people in the UK can’t ignore; hay fever. If you’ve just recovered from that cold which has been plaguing you all winter, only to find yourself under attack from this year’s dose of pollen, it may or may not help you to find out just why this is happening. But we’ll explain anyway. What you’re suffering from is actually “allergenic rhinitis”, which is an allergic reaction causing inflammation of your nasal airways. This is caused by inhaling an allergen, such as dust, animal hair, or in this case pollen. If said pollen comes from a variety of plant, it is called “pollinosis”; hay fever, however, is caused specifically by the pollen of grass, and a freshly mown lawn is your worst enemy. Often, sufferers are allergic to several of these allergens, so what you may perceive as hayfever is actually an allergic reaction to a combination of these. Upon inhalation, the allergen – dust, pollen, whatever you’re body doesn’t like – causes cells containing histamine to release it. Histamine is the compound your immune system uses to create the inflammatory response associated with allergenic rhinitis. As many of you will know all too well, this consists of anything from sneezing, watery eyes and swollen nasal passages, to more severe responses such as hives and rashes. This, of course, depends on the severity of your allergy, which varies form individual to individual. What exactly is this horrible creation - pollen? Well, it’s a fine powder produced by plants – any which reproduce using seeds – and contains plant sperm cells. You can’t really blame your immune system for disliking it. It floats from its parent plant in search of another plant to fertilise, however often ends up being inhaled by unsuspecting hay-fever sufferers. Not long later, you’ve got what feels like a heavy cold. But why is it happening now of all times, right before exams? Well, spring has just begun. This means plants and grasses everywhere are ready to try their hand at reproduction, and are producing pollen left, right and centre. It may seem unfair, but they really can’t help themselves, so don’t hate them too much. They do after all, at least try and make up for it; flowering plants by giving us something nice to look at, and grass by giving us something soft to lie on. All is not lost either, as it can be treated! As mentioned before, the reason you’re sneezing and crying is histamine, which your body produces in response to an allergen. Histamine is the problem causer, but it can be mitigated by anti-histamines, available from any pharmacy. Take some of these, and you’ll be able to appreciate spring once more.
36.puzzles
Monday 13 May 2013
Puzzles
The Courier
Puzzles Editors: Tom Nicholson and Sally Priddle
Busy day? Have a sit down, grab a coffee and unwind with this week’s puzzles - and return them to the Courier office to have a chance of winning FREE TICKETS TO THE SUMMER CARNIVAL
Crossword 1
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Picture-makey-phrase
Be the first to work out which celebrities these pictures spell out to win a FREE TICKET TO THE SUMMER CARNIVAL +
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+ 15
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1 Skilled in two tongues (10) 6 Average; expected (on a golf course?) (3) 8 Hugely popular 1982 film about an adorable alien with wicked BMX skillz (1, 1) 9 Greek afterlife; state of perfect happiness (7) 12 With great attention to detail (8) 14 Glitzy; the music of Slade or Gary Glitter (4) 15 Kitchen utensil (7) 16 2002 Robbie Williams hit; to make use of the sense of touch (4) 17 Rudimentary drawing of a human male (5, 3) 19 Legendary golfer, ____ Ballesteros (4) 21Elizabeth ___, former star of the £5 note (3) 22 The action or reaction of an organism or machine to a certain set of circumstances; 1990 Pet Shop Boys album (10)
2 Inward-looking; given to examining one’s inner thoughts and feelings (13) 3 Zero (3) 4 Prefix attached to American Navy ships and Star Trek’s Enterprise (1,1,1) 5 Lucy ___, actress (3) 7 As a matter of fact (8) 9 Powered by lightning? (8) 10 Affirmative (3) 11 To pull strongly; to imbue metal with attractive force (9) 13 From Milan? (7) 18 Capital of Ukraine; breaded cutlet of meat (4) 20 Word used for emphasis (4)
5 8 7 1
3 2 7 3 8
8 9
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*The first person to bring the completed crossword or Picture-makey-phrase to The Courier office in the Students’ Union will be awarded the £4 prize and the respect of their peers, which let’s be honest is priceless
The Courier
intramuralsport.37
Monday 13 May 2013
Stalling Engines ploughed by Agrics
Intra Mural Rugby
The first of May saw the climactic ending to a turbulent Intra Mural Rugby season with a clash of the titans in the cup final: Agric 1st XV against The Engines. The Agric mob were out in full force in fancy dress, along with Engines support, to cheer on both sides. As expected it was a tough battering first five minutes with both teams testing the other. So much was this the case that after twenty minutes the scores were still level, as the sun began to take its toll on both sides. However a lucky break and a dodgy piece of officiating gave the Engines prime opportunity to take the lead with a penalty well inside the Agric half.
an Agric equalisation in the form of George Lee’s penalty. A successful Agric lineout saw a rolling maul commence gaining almost twenty yards up the pitch. Successive counter runs from the Engines forwards forced the Agrics to defend raggedly as the attack came from all angles. Coming to the end of the first half, the ball bounced into touch around the Engines ten-metre line off an Agric boot. After a shoddy line out, the ball was collected by the towering second row Zach Kent who proceeded to take the ball in hand through the line out with no one in his way. The winger made a heroic attempt near the line but it was not enough to stop the try, closely followed by another conversion. Agrics 10, Engines 3. As the half-time whistle was blown, the mood was tense and the result far from over. The game restarted with a feral intensity; regardless of the score both sides were playing with a renewed vigour. The Engines utilised their bench very early on, substituting players in their pack as both sides’ finely tuned athletes began to struggle in the heat. As the match went on it was seemingly
A great strike from the ten in a tough wind saw the Engines go 3-0 up with twenty-five minutes played. However Engines’ joy was short-lived, as they gave away a heinous penalty in their own half, leaving the door open for
only a matter of time before one side cracked. A sloppy ruck gave away another penalty for the Engines, enabling them to reduce the deficit to four points. The Engines began to draw on their newfound dominance, as their 15
Agrics 1st XV
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By Michael Kendall in Newcastle
scythed through the Agric back line only to be narrowly caught with some impressive cover tackling. However an opportunity arose as a neat move from the backs put Josh ‘Bastereaux’ Crick through a hole and steaming down the touch line. With only the 15 to beat, Crick took contact and offloaded a dodgy ball to Charles ‘Butter-fingers’ Garrard. With only metres to make and a stretch to catch the bobbling ball resulted in a flop over the line and a controversial disallowed try. The resulting five metre scrum played into the Agric hands, with the pack trundling forward leaving a platform
for No. 8 Stevo Stephenson to thunder over the line for the deserved try. Agrics 15, Engines 3. The rampaging runs did not stop there, with Big Dave Gibson and an eager to redeem himself Garrard carrying the ball with intent. Continuing the charge from the kick-off, some hellish hands and runs by scrum half Tom Cox proceeded to put replacement centre George Cope rampaging through the middle and over the line for a third Agric try with conversion in place leaving the score 22-6. An unfortunate circumstance then saw substitute flanker Ross Cutteridge sent to the sin bin for multiple infringe-
ments after only two minutes of play. As the spirits were lifted and the end seemed in sight for the Agrics, the Engines saw their opportunity and after a mass substitution for the Agrics, piled over for an Engine’s try in the last ten minutes, pushing the scores to 22-13. During this apparent resurgence, the Agrics wheeled out the former captain and old guard Grant Walker to rally the side at full-back. He was re-substituted three minutes later. This seemed to pull the attention back to the game, as a dogged defence from both sides prevented any further scoring, as the Agrics saw out the remaining minutes to be crowned champions.
The two packs fiercely contest a scrum Photography: Engines
“The resulting five metre scrum played into Agric hands, with the pack trundling forward leaving a platform for No. 8 Stevo Stevenson to thunder over the line for a deserved try.”
Rugby round-up: the captain’s view Cheeky ladies This season has been a mixed bag for the Cheeky Ladies RFC. After our first training session with a turnout of 70+ players and only 2 balls, our hopes were high for not only a large squad but also a Cup and League winning one. The season began with a bang against the Medics RFC, with the team scoring four tries after a tricky 1st half, prior to winning our next four games on the trot. We then hit a rough patch, losing three games in a row to Agrics 1st XI, Southern Fairies and Armstrong, smashing our hopes of a league victory. However, we still had the cup to play for. Our first cup tie was against Southern Fairies. This was undoubtedly billed
Southern Fairies This season has seen the Southern Fairies gradually climbing their way up the league table to eventually be crowned as champions. Our season included some fantastic wins, with memorable games including the Cheeky Ladies as both sides hammered each other for the full 80. Outstanding performances came from Jonathan Richardson and Jake Haddow to ensure a close but well deserved win. The end of the season left us with a tough challenge in the form of the
as a grudge match having lost to them by only 3 points in the league match. An impressive victory in this match enabled us to pass on into the quarters against the Titans. This was probably our best game of the season as, after a very challenging and physical first half, the team put in a stellar second half performance. Most noteworthy were the three tries scored by Jonathan Quicke thanks to some scintillating moves from the backs, producing shouts of ‘champagne rugby’ from the sideline. At this point we were confident of reaching the final, beaten Engines earlier on in the season without too much bother. However in one of the highest scoring games in living memory, The Engines Agrics 1s who were ahead of us in the league. Despite only having 17 players, the Fairies were able to put several tries on the Agrics and take their rightful place at the top. This victory could not have been achieved without heroic play from Richard Ayres and Harry Frankpitt whose flare in the backs helped to put points on the Fairies score-sheet. The front row trio of Phil Pettet, Shaan Mehra and Ferdinand Floto proved solid throughout the season. Overall, the Southern Fairies bonded well as a team on and off the field. George Bath
narrowly prevailed, narrowly scoring a try in the last 5 minutes to win by only a few points. This result saw the Cheeky Ladies knocked out in the Semis of the Cup for the second year running. However we are now proud holders of the “Best Celebration Away” from the 7’s tournament held a couple of weeks later. This is now standing alone and proud in our very spacious trophy cabinet. Player of the season was awarded to Toby Symington (scrum half) for controlling both forwards and backs with effortless precision. Highest try scorers were Jonathan Quicke/ Michael Walker and Will Pennie. Hamish Van Gruisen
Saturday League Team
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Engines Engines rugby had a very successful season this year. Despite losing a high proportion of the older members of the squad to graduation, we were able to add a large intake of committed freshers to the team back in October. Generally, around 10 of the starting 15 were freshers. Although it has been a very disjointed season, with some horrific weather, we have still managed to put in some strong performances throughout and were just on the losing end of some really close league games, particularly with Cheekies and Armstrong. Our best performance and result in the league was a 14-12 win over Titans. We also had a successful Gold Rush 7s with
Agric 2s
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The4Agric 2s have had what can only be described as their best, worst season in 10 3 recent years. The lack of games and re1 2 duced commitment to the league from 1other 4 teams resulted in wins of 30-0 by 1 8 on more than one occasion. Our Fdefault A 0 0 was a win against the Med9best10 3 game ics at 12 4 Cochrane Park, which saw us win by 23 points from a missed penalty in the 10 dying seconds of the game. Our tradi1 2 tion of jumping into the pond, although was not looked upon positively by the 12
some good wins over Agrics, Rhinos and Uni 3s. We also enjoyed a successful cup run, reaching the final after a stunning 39-36 win over Cheekies in the Semi-Final. Unfortunately we came up against a very strong Agrics 1 side. Despite a great deal of hard work during the game, it ended in a 22-10 win for Agrics. Notable standout performers for the season were three freshers - Jamie Manson, Roddy Charles and Ed Blackwell. However, everyone involved in Engines this year has shown some real quality and I am very confident that if the majority of the squad stay together next year, they will have an even better season, pushing for trophies. Peter Rankin University, was a memorable moment. From our perspective, the outstanding player, who has committed weekin week-out, and stepped up to fill a consistent spot at No 8 has been Fraser Johnson. Despite Fraser not playing much in first and second year, he has been a great addition to the pack. Finally, I would also like to thank Denis Murphy who in spite of all the referee and weather issues has impressively managed to complete the season and cup as of Wednesday 1st May. Ian Dagg
38.sportfeatures
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
A super sporting summer
Sure there’s no Olympics this time, but with the Lions tour to Australia, Chris Froome and Bradley Wiggins vying for the Yellow Jersey, and the Ashes to come, 2013 is set to have one of the most exciting sporting summers in recent memory CONFEDERATIONS CUP
Many of you be will be dreading the end of the football league season in a few weeks’ time. “Three months of no football, what will I do with myself?” Fear not, because we are only one year away from the World Cup in Brazil, and that of course means that the Confederations Cup takes place this summer, from 15-30 June. This little gem of a tournament is held every four years and pits the world champions against the holders of the six FIFA confederation championships and the host nation of the following year’s World Cup. It is unsurprising that this tournament goes under the radar in England,
seeing as we have never participated in it and never will, unless we host the World Cup which realistically is out of the question until 2030 at the earliest. Brazil and France are the most successful countries in this tournament, having won three and two titles respectively. This year’s tournament looks set to be the most fascinating yet. The participants are Brazil, Spain, Italy, Uruguay, Japan, Nigeria, Mexico and Tahiti. Brazil will be determined to win the trophy after disappointing performances at the 2011 Copa América and 2010 World Cup. They are no longer the force of old, but they have plenty of young talent to showcase in the likes of Ney-
mar and Oscar. Off the pitch, the tournament will be important for Brazil to prove they are able of hosting the World Cup without any hiccups. It has emerged that some of the stadia being used for both tournaments, including the Maracana, are not ready for usage yet. Spain will be among the favourites as always, although they have surprisingly never won this trophy. If you’re a betting man or woman, why not put a cheeky tenner on Tahiti to win the tournament, at 1000/1? You’d be able to pay off part, or all, of your tuition fees before you even leave university. Seb Murphy
THE BRITISH & IRISH LIONS It’s now been nearly two weeks since Warren Gatland’s announcement that his 2013 British & Irish Lions squad is to tour Australia. In all a very pleasing selection, with a mix of experience and youth, notably in captain Sam Warburton who evidently has a very strong understanding of how the Kiwi wants the game to be played. Additionally, with two former Lions captains in Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll alongside him, Warburton is no doubt going to find there’s plenty of support from others on the tour. There were some unexpected exclusions from the touring party such as Ulster’s in-form hooker Rory Best whose relationship with Paul O’Connell at lineout time is something which the Lions might miss. Chris Robshaw was also unlucky to miss out - he may be left wondering what might have been had England beaten Wales, but he can now go away and regroup over the summer. Scotland’s and Sarries’ tackling machine Kelly Brown is also unlucky to miss out in a squad that boasts only three players
from north of the border. Another big omission is James Hook; it is surely with great caution that Gatland leaves a utility player like Hook at home and takes only two Stand-Offs in Jonny Sexton and Owen Farrell. Jonny Wilkinson impressed during Toulon’s recent Heineken Cup campaign, notably in a 24-12 dispatching of the aforementioned Farrell and Saracens, but he declined Gatland’s offer citing the toll 15 years at the top has taken on his body. The Aussies, who we seem to be forgetting in all of this, are waiting. The likes of Will Genia, Kurtley Beale, David Pocock and Berrick Barnes are likely to cause problems for the Lions. Watch out for Israel Folau who is being tipped to play for the Wallabies this summer. The 6’ 4’’ Rugby League and AFL convert will cause defences no end of problems as he has been doing in Super Rugby for the Waratahs. I for one am looking forward to three wins against everybody’s favourite convict colony. Come on the Lions! George Clarke
All Photography: Getty Images
The Courier
featuressport.39
Monday 13 May 2013
THE TOUR DE FRANCE “The greatest show on earth” are words regularly used to describe the Tour De France. For three weeks, hundreds of the fittest men in the world cycle 3,360 kilometres across France. Starting in Corsica on 29 June, the peleton traverses the Pyranees and the Alps before finishing on the Champs Elysee on 21 July. Like the tiny Ashes urn, the World Cup trophy, the maillot jeune (or ‘yellow jersey’) is one of the most iconic sites in world sport. The centenary edition is one of the most eagerly anticipated, and tightly contested in recent memory. To the surprise of many of the British public, Sir Bradley Wiggins will not be seeking to retain the mailllot jeune, instead taking Chris Froome’s role of a super domestique. Froome has had his leadership of Team Sky for the Tour De France reaffirmed this week by Sir Dave Brailsford, after comments by Wiggins suggesting he could go for a Giro-Tour double have added some spice to the fraught relationship of Wiggins and Froome. One of many intriguing subplots, the Wiggins Froome rivalry could threaten to bubble up in the Tour, and if Wiggins
were to win the ongoing Giro D’Italia there would be huge pressure from the British public to allow Wiggins to attempt to retain the maillot jeune. In practice, the decision to name Froome as team leader is the right one, with the 2013 edition being significantly hillier than in 2012. With both the iconic Mont Ventoux and Alpe D’huez restored to the race, it is likely the winner will be decided on these hallowed roads, with William Fotheringham describing this summer’s race as the hardest in history. Froome’s climbing is superior to Wiggins’, who followed Miguel Indurain’s tactic of focusing on the time trials and holding in the climbs, and he has started the season well, winning the Criterium International and the Tour of Romandie. Froome’s closest rival, and for many the race favourite, is the mighty Spaniard Alberto Contador. Previous twice victor of the maillot jeune, big Bert returns to Le Tour after two years out with a doping ban. This will certainly make the race a far closer affair than 2012, and will hopefully see these two great riders duelling out the maillot jeune on the climbs.
Whilst Contador hasn’t appeared to be in great form at the start of the year, he always manages to find some form going into Le Tour. Other contenders include Alejandro Valverde and Joachim Rodriguez, however they would have to ride an incredible race to challenge Froome and Contador. For the Green Jersey, the enigmatic Peter Sagan will duel against the fastest man on two wheels, Britain’s Mark Cavendish. Cavendish’s move to Omega Pharma Quick Step sees him as a team leader as opposed to a domestique, a position in Team Sky last year which did not suit him particularly well. Cavendish should win several sprints with an excellent lead out train, however Sagan’s all-round ability could seem take a variety of stages, with both doubtless to suffer in the mountains. It could however see a historic year for Britain with Cavendish and Froome taking the Green and Yellow Jersey respectively. The centenary edition of the Tour De France is sure to be the greatest show on earth once again. Ralph Blackburn
WIMBLEDON
There’s no clearer indication that summer – at least British Summer – has arrived than the start of Wimbledon, the annual British grand slam tennis tournament. Despite being infamous for delivering weather that shouldn’t be seen in the summer months, Wimbledon always delivers on the quality of tennis, and has seen some fantastic match-ups in recent years, including several combinations of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Britain’s own Andy Murray. One of the most famous was Nadal’s 5-set victory over Federer in 2008, taking the fifth set 9-7 and ensuring Federer didn’t pull off one of the most incredible comebacks of modern times, after he found himself two sets down early on. Another famous match was in the first round of the 2010 competition, which saw France’s Nicolas Mahut defeated by America’s John Isner over 5 sets, with the final set ending at 70-68 after a record-breaking 11 hours and 5 minutes of play, and a mammoth 183 games. Isner then went out in the second round,
THE ASHES Botham’s miracle at Headingley … Warne’s ball of the century … Flintoff and Lee at Edgbaston … The Sprinkler... Every Ashes series has its iconic moment and this summer once again sees England and Australia do battle for the 130 year-old urn. After thumping the Aussies in their own backyard in 201011, England will be feeling bullish about the chances to win their fourth series out of the last five. Born in 1882, following the ‘death’ of the England cricket team, the Ashes have played host to some truly titanic struggles over the years and the upcoming contest promises to follow in that vein. This series will see the first battle between captains Alistair Cook and Michael Clarke, a rivalry that looks set to frame Ashes series for many years to come. Both captains have been in scintillating form with the bat but their tactical nous will come under severe scrutiny in
the cauldron of Ashes’ cricket. Recent experiences with Michael Vaughan in 2005 and Andrew Flintoff in 2006-7, have shown the huge difference the performance of captains can make in deciding the destination of the urn. Since reaching the top of the rankings with a 4-0 win over India, England’s form has tailed off slightly, and having to fight tooth and nail for a 0-0 draw in New Zealand would normally have the men from Down Under smelling blood. However, the Baggy Greens are in disarray - a 0-4 whitewash in India saw four members of the team dropped for missing a team meeting, only to have one of those dropped, Shane Watson, captain the side in the next test. Australia’s 16-man squad was announced last month, and the Barmy Army would have been hugely disappointed to see Mitchell Johnson omitted, having mercilessly tortured him with the infamous “he bowls to the
left… he bowls to the right” chant last time out. A relatively inexperienced team will rely heavily on Ashes veterans Clarke, Watson, Brad Haddin and Peter Siddle to lead the side to victory. England meanwhile have a few injury worries as Kevin Pietersen is struggling to be fit, while Graeme Swann is returning after elbow surgery. Ultimately, the series may come down to which bowling attack can take 20 wickets, and a betting man would surely back Anderson, Swann, Finn and Broad against Siddle, Lyon, Pattinson and Starc - those Aussie names hardly striking the fear that an attack containing McGrath, Warne, Gillespie and Lee once did. England against Australia has always produced classic contests and with ten Tests in less than 12 months, the rivalry looks set to intensify. Surely this is the must-see event of the summer. Jack MacKenzie
where he lost in just 74 minutes. Despite being on home soil, no British male has won the SW19 tournament since Fred Perry in 1936, and we have only since been represented twice in the final, by Bunny Austin in 1938 and Andy Murray in 2012, where he was beaten in a thrilling 5-set match by Switzerland’s Roger Federer, who claimed his seventh Wimbledon title. The British public haven’t been waiting as long for a Women’s title win, but it has still been 36 years since Virginia Wade lifted the plate, although there have been two Girls’ Championship winners - Annabel Croft in 1984 and Laura Robson in 2008. Even so, each year there is a fresh wave of optimism at Wimbledon: both for the weather, and for there to be a British winner. This year will be no exception, with Andy Murray bidding to reach the final for the second consecutive year – but there’s no doubt that he will have to beat at least one of Federer, Nadal or Djokovic if he wants to be the first Gentlemen’s Singles Winner at Wimbledon in 77 years. Jack Legind
40.sportintramural
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
The Courier’s Intra Mural season review
Division One 1. Medics 2nds
Even though the Medics 2nds were newly promoted, there was always a good chance of winning the title with their strong squad. Over the past few seasons they’ve been building towards a Division One title bid, so whilst the success was not unsurprising, it certainly wasn’t expected. A few big names will be leaving at the end of the year, so they’ll be looking to build on the squad for next season. Neil Dalton
Player of the Season Dave Gardiner
2. Barca-Law-Na
Barca’s season started slowly but has picked up pace towards the end with a run of impressive results. With a strong finish in the Wednesday league Barca pulled themselves up to the runnerup spot which many would not have predicted before Christmas. They also found themselves in the semis of the Wednesday cup and going into the Saturday cup final with optimism. Hoctor and Hurwoth’s goals were invaluable. Olly Ingram
Player of the Season Jamie Hurworth 3. Medics 1sts The early stages of the season saw Medics 1st net 17 goals in 4 games and take a comfortable 3-0 win over the ‘noisy neighbours’. However, things capitulated for the league favourites as a string of poor results ended in defeat at the hands of the 2nds to lose both the title and any remnants of pride. After strong protests from fans outside the Medical School, the Medics 1st have undergone a management reshuffle. Ben Emmerson
Player of the Season Joel English
4. Henderson Hall This season has already provided the team with its first bit of silverware in the form of the Wednesday cup, as well as the final of the Saturday cup vs Barca-Law-Na still to play the season could yet turn out to be sensational! We finished runners-up to the Medics 2s in the Saturday league, although Wednesday league form took a dip towards the end of the season as other competitions became the focus. A fair few of our lads are in their final year at Newcastle, so the team will need to bring in some fresh faces next year to build on this years success. Adam Kaznowski
Player of the Season Jimmy Taylor
5. Dyslexic Untied A season of two halves; Dyslexic were as poor before Christmas as they were outstanding after it. A talented young squad should provide a platform on which to build next year, although cup success is still the most likely source by which the team can end their barren six-year spell without a trophy. Chris Smith
Player of the Season Dom Robson 6. Crayola
Despite Crayola being relegated from the top tier of Intra Mural football, it has been a campaign of great success. Completing the double over Henderson Hall has to be the highlight of the season, traditionally a strong team Crayola put in sterling performances to ensure they don’t end the season without reason to be proud. Sam Turner
Player of the Season Theo Strong
7. Borussia Forsyth We didn’t expect anything at all from the season so to come away with probably the worst record in history means we’ve achieved something. So good season then. Hugo Tapp
Player of the Season Alex Blofield
Division Two 1. Ecosoccer Last year we had a decent, yet undeniably disappointing season. With this year being the last for half the squad, we set about instilling the structural discipline, composure, playing style and dynamism necessary for the ever evolving challenges faced by a Wednesday Div 2 Intramural team. With some fantastic new additions brought in as a result of pre-season trials, and a reformed weekly training schedule on the 3G, our efforts soon reaped rewards. We have ended the season as champions, despite teams pushing us all the way. Tom Warren
Player of the Season James Homer
2. The Hurricanes This year has been the Hurricanes most successful season coming a close runners up in the Wednesday cup seeing off opponents such as barca law na along the way, and gaining promotion from the Division 2 to the Intra Mural top tier. Adam Duckworth
Player of the Season James Ripley
3. Boca Seniors Season’s gone well although I genuinely feel we were the best team in the two cup matches we lost this season and
could have gone on to win them so that was a little disappointing but that’s just sport for you. Sadly I am leaving this year but if I had to stake my money on who was going to be winning it all next year I would say Boca as the youth we had this year are insane. Charlie Rowley
Player of the Season Ben Hunter 4. Aftermath We started off very strongly winning all of our games, but inconsistency later on in the season cost us possible promotion, ending up mid table. Adam Shelton
Player of the Season Adam Jones
5. Roman Villa Newly promoted Villa have had a respectable first season in Division 2. After picking up good results early in the season with wins over Boca Seniors and Castle Leazes, they secured their status with one game spare. Ralph Blackburn
Player of the Season Nathaniel Wilcock
6. Castle Leazes We had a disappointing season on Wednesday but a largely promising season on Saturday just missing out on promotion. Unfortunately Leazes were relegated in the Wednesday due to sheer inconsistency. Leazes had a great start to 2013 winning five games on the bounce in the Saturday and Wednesday leagues combined. Sad to see Matthew Ellams Oliver Cook and Kyle Hyndman leave after three or more years of playing for Leazes comes to an end. Alexander Jones
Player of the Season Alexander Jones
7. Lokomotiv Despite being tipped as one of the favourites for promotion, with a much touted midfield, points deductions late in the season saw the team relegated to the third tier. A good season apart from this, a fine victory against promotion chasing the Hurricanes was a highlight. Sadly the team is now folding after terrific four years, with some players leaving to join Division One newcomers the Hurricanes. Sam Turnock
Player of the Season Tom Clark
The Courier
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Monday 13 May 2013
Division Three 1. Jesmondino Jesmondino football club, captained by James Rumball, lived up to their huge potential by remaining unbeaten throughout the season, storming to the Division 3 championship. Alex Smith’s contribution of 16 goals led the vicious attack while the presence of Jonathan Webb at the back held the team together. James Rumball
Player of the Season Alex Smith
2. Brown Magic Brown Magic successfully achieved a surprise promotion from division 3 on the final day of the season, keeping their nerve on the last day of the season to beat Newist 3-1 and finish runners up in the league. This will be the first time in Brown Magic’s history that they are playing in Division 2. The season started brightly for Brown Magic, yet a mid season slump losing to Politic Thistle and Jesmondino put promotion in doubt. However the key turning point came when playing in the snow Brown Magic beat Politic Thistle 3-2 with a late winner from top scorer Phil Leddington-Hill. Promotion was achieved on an emotional final day of the season with Phil Leddington-Hill grabbing another goal. Matthew Brown
Player of the Season Phil Leddington-Hill 3. Dynamos
The politicians underachieved after an excellent start saw them challenging for the top 2 at the beginning of the season.. Good individuals but never gelled as a team all year. Missed their key player, defender Nick Ramsey for most of the season, which was disappointing. Owen Elias
Player of the Season Tris Benson
5. Scorgasms Despite eyeing promotion at the start of the season, a poor start left the Scorgasms floundering in the relegation zone. Veteran captain Declan Ferry pulled his troops together, and a late season surge saw the Scorgasms hit that much vaunted 12 point total. Ralph Blackburn
Player of the Season Max Shirley 6. Newhist
It was a season of two halves for Newhist. Some good performances at the beginning of the season had them in contention for promotion but a disappointing series of results after Christmas saw Newhist slide town the table. Still plenty of positives to take and the experience from this season will undoubtedly help a young squad in the future. James Thornton
Player of the Season Michael Minto 7. Bio Neverlosen
The season went very well for the Newcastle Dynamos, who missed out on promotion on the final day.. The squad really pulled themselves together after a tough first season and the Dynamos have been unlucky not to be in the top two. Consistency has lacked a bit but hopefully next season’s gaffer Liam Kirrane can build on a solid season and challenge for a league title. Joe Osman in particular has had a flawless season in the centre of midfield after signing last summer. Neal Lees
Player of the Season Joe Osman
4. Politic Thistle
Bio Neverlosen got off to a pretty slow start and continued to bring irony to the name until a 2-0 victory over Newhist. Neverlosen have a woeful defensive record and an even worse goal scoring record, however having they managed a 1-0 victory against Politic Thistle for our final game after all celebrating handing in our dissertations the night before. This was a proud moment and made up for poor season. John Nash has frequently solid performances in defence. Luke Smith
Player of the Season John Nash
Division Four 1. Bayern Toonich It has been a remarkable season for FC Bayern Toonich, one that only went from strength to strength in the wednesday league. After ironing out tensions between certain bench and starting players, we were all singing of the same hymn sheet. The final two games of the season were by far the most nail biting and hard fought by Toonich, drawing twice against a very impressive runners up team Thundercats. Every Single player deserves a mention for loyalties on and off the pitch, particularly Henry Page having broken his jaw and missed two months of the season he retuned to play crucial part in our closing games of the season. Will Whiteaway and Sam Heward were unsung heroes in the centre of midfield constantly stopping opponent fluency. A season never to be forgotten in Toonich history, the players of 2012/2013 can certainly be labelled the invincibles or the next golden generation, similar to La Masia in Barcelona. Bring on the bigger challenges of 2013-2014. Johnny Armour
Player of the Season Jack Mesquita
2. Thundercats We had a decent season which ended in promotion (2nd) and a cup quarterfinal which we tragically lost on penalties. Next season we are 100% aiming for back to back promotions but this time finishing top. Our top goal scorer was Tom Prichard with 23. Stevie Gould
Player of the Season Edwin Eshun
3. S-S Liege Sub Standard Liege had a great start to the season but as injuries and availability issues arised in the latter part of the season our campaign tailed off and we were disappointed to miss out on the top two. Jordan Mundy Gill
Player of the Season Jake Wimshurst
4. Establishment The Estabishment led by Xander Fraser established themselves with a solid mid table finish in their debut season. After chasing promotion for much of the season, a loss to the Thundercats on the last day of the season saw the Establishment miss out on the play off places narrowly. Ralph Blackburn
Player of the Season Xander Fraser 5. Trigger Happy
It’s been a mixed bag season, some big wins, some big losses. At the start the team didn’t gel, but as the season progress a good understanding of one another came about. Player of the season has to be undoubtedly Joe Hammil, a number of hatricks and a four goals in one match. James Wright
Player of the Season Joe Hammil
6. Geomatics Christopher Holland’s men had a disappointing opening season in Intra Mural football. Holland led from the front, scoring regularly, however it was not enough to stop Geomatics losing ten of their twelve games and finishing in the bottom two. Captain and striker Holland picked up a respectable eight goals over the course of the season, however an early charge petered out and Geomatics slumped to find themselves in the bottom two. Ralph Blackburn
Player of the Season George Corcoran 7. Crystal Phallus
The ‘Phallus’ had a disastrous season, winning a solitary game and conceding 75 goals. Anchored at the bottom of the Intra Mural football league, diamonds amongst the rough were Ste Benwell and John Picke. The goals were shared around the team, however this was not enough to keep Phallus from avoiding the ultimate wooden spoon. Ryan Sewell
Player of the Season John Picke
THE COURIER’S INTRA MURAL DREAM TEAM ST - Nathan Campbell (Medics 1sts)
Campbell’s early season goals helped propel the 1sts to the top of the league, whilst their form dropped off, his never did, with excellent movement troubling defences.
LM - Guy Hindley (Medics 2nds)
Hindley was consistent in both attack and defence. His whipped balls set up countless goals for Josh Batham, and set piece delivery again provided a lot of assists.
ST - Adam Duckworth (Hurricanes)
This season Ducky notched his 100th IM career goal. With 24 league goals, and more in the cup, saw his team, the Hurricanes, get promotion and to the final of the cup.
CM - Tom Needham (Medics 2nds)
Needham’s link up play, connected defence and attack for the 2nds. He saw passes that few else saw, always comfortable on the ball and chipped in with a few goals.
CB - Dave Gardiner (Medics 2nds)
Gardiner, nominated as the Medics’ 2nds player of the year, was a rock at the back of the title winning side. His passing out of the back was excellent, with regular goals from set pieces.
CM - Robbie Sweet (Hendo)
Webb was the rock at the centre of the title winning Jesmondino defence. Sadly he broke his leg on the pitch near the end of the season, however when playing he was unflappable
Pudner’s cat like reflexes denied Adam Duckworth and the Hurricanes repeatedly in the cup final to secure Hendo there first trophy for several years.
RM - Chris McCrory (Hurricanes)
Sweet was the star of the cup winning Hendo side. His devilish set pieces set up all of the goals in the semi and several in the final, an undisputed match winner.
Jonathan Webb (Jesmondino)
GK - Chris Pudner (Hendo)
ST - Johnny Armour (Toonich)
Johnny Armour’s 21 goals saw his team, Bayern Toonich run away with the Division Four, scoring a record 70 goals.
McCrory, who played on both left and right wing, was a mainstay of the successful Hurricanes team. Himself, Duckworth and Tom Holroyde were the spine of the side.
CB - James Homer (Eco)
Homer’s story is a true rags to riches tale. After continually asking Eco captain Tom Warren to be able to train with the team, after getting a run out in a cup game, Homer made the centre back position his own. His partnership with Bart Smith was the tightest in Intra Mural football, and Homer is the new Eco captain.
42.sportBUCS
Monday 13 May 2013
The Courier
University VIIIs among the medals Rowing By Sally Hickey Last bank-holiday weekend, NUBC had their best BUCS yet, and over three days proved that the club is one of the highest-performing university boat clubs in the country. The biggest events of the weekend were the Men and Women’s Championship VIIIs, and the squad went through weeks of testing in order to determine the combination of athletes most likely to win the coveted gold medal. The biggest competition for the men were Oxford Brookes and Imperial, who were posting similar times throughout the year. For the women, an added element was the entry of Oxford and Cambridge’s Boat Race crews, with defeated Cambridge hungry for revenge. The squad travelled down to the National Watersports Centre in Nottingham on Friday morning, and had an afternoon paddle before the racing. The men’s VIII race was on Saturday, and the 1st VIII included five of the victorious 2012 crew, along with James Rudkin, a Junior Worlds competitor, Jasper Holst, a Dutch international triallist, and Pete Muhley, a 2012 Henley Royal Regatta Champion. The 2nd VIII was without the famous stroke Nick Buckle (who led Harvard off the start at Henley last year), however the boat contained many of the previous year’s victorious second VIII, as well as Ed Munno, a Junior Worlds medallist. The women’s VIII contained six of the silver-winning 2012 crew, which included Nicole Lamb, a Youth Olym-
pian, and Gemma Hall, who posted the fastest U23 lightweight woman’s 5k time at GB trials earlier in the year. The boats had to complete a 1500m time trial, and a 2k semi in order to win a place in the final. The boys VIII were racing on Saturday and the girls on Sunday, so the support contingent from NUBC was huge. Come Saturday morning, the boys were feeling dominant and this was reflected in the time trial, which both the 1st and 2nd VIIIs won comfortably. This was repeated in the semis in which the 1st VIII won by 14 seconds, beating an Imperial crew who had won BUCS Head
in this category. As they sat on the start line, the competition seemed to be from Oxford Brookes and Imperial, however as NUBC burst out of the starting blocks, it was clear that this was the day of the Blue Star. As they came through the halfway mark, coxes called for pushes that were just absorbed by Newcastle, who flew through the finish five seconds ahead of Brookes, winning the gold medal for the third year in a row. After the mandatory throwing the cox into the lake, all crews headed home to rest in preparation for the next day of racing, which included the women’s 1st VIII. After coming fifth overall at the
“As NUBC burst out of the starting blocks it was clear that this was the day of the Blue Star” earlier in the year. The finals were in the early evening so there was time for the crews to go back to the hotel to recuperate. Lining up at the end of the lake, the 2nd VIII basked in the sunshine as they counted down the minutes to the race. Sprinting out of the starting blocks, they posted a thighburning first 500m in pursuit of glory. However, a strong crew from Oxford Brookes stayed with the boys throughout their pushes, and as the crews came into the last 500m, a huge burst by the Blue Star just wasn’t enough and Brookes won, with NUBC coming in second place by a mere 4 seconds. Next up was the 1st VIII, who were eager to repeat their two previous wins
Women’s Head of The River race, and beating a GB composite crew at Caversham (home of GB rowing) in the same weekend, there was a lot of pressure on the girls to win, however their preparation had been hampered by illness and injury in the preceding few weeks. Their main opposition were the Boat Race crews from Oxford and Cambridge, and NUBC put on a strong show to win the time trial by a few seconds. They cruised through the semi-final winning by five seconds, and a few hours later took their place at the start line for the final. The lights went to green and the crews were off, and it was all to play for. However, Cambridge were out for revenge and Oxford went with them,
with NUBC putting in a monumental push at the halfway mark in an attempt to break these two crews. This put them in contention for a medal, and as the three crews crossed the line nobody could tell who had won and there were a few moments of suspense as the tim-
ings were posted. Oxford had won by .5 of a second, and NUBC were in bronze medal position, with Cambridge in second, with just two seconds between all three crews. Overall, the men performed fantastically to achieve a gold and silver medal,
Canoe-do attitude works a charm Canoeing By Freddie Caldwell Sports Editor Newcastle’s canoe club capped a successful year with the announcement that they have secured nearly £20,000 worth of funding over the last 12 months. In the 2011-12 season the club enjoyed enormous success in BUCS coming top in the standings for canoe. This performance was enough to lift Newcastle from 15th to 10th in the overall BUCS standings, which led the club to seek increased investment this season. Canoe Polo secretary Gavin Thompson has lead the initiative to increase the clubs coffers by joining forces with other local canoe clubs and gaining a position on the British Canoe Union regional development team for the Northeast. This gave the club some influence on British Canoe Union decision-making and led to around £6000 worth of funding which were spent on boats and canoe polo goalposts. The club has also enjoyed a separate partnership with the Go Play initiative, which has allowed it to provide cheap classes in paddle sport as well as funding for several coaches to take a top-level white water safety and rescue course.
A lot of cost is incurred due to the attritional nature of the sport with boats being used for canoe polo as well as white water rafting and canoe slalom. There is even the potential for creek boat racing to become a university sport next year. The main funding success for this year has come through the Sport England Small Grants that are funded by the National Lottery. Thanks to many hours of paperwork, £10,000 of funding has been secured for new open water canoes and extreme white water boats that should help broaden the appeal of the club. Canoeing is an increasingly popular pursuit in Britain after the success that the nation enjoyed in the Olympics taking both gold and silver medals in the men’s double canoe slalom and a gold and bronze in the sprint races. This is perhaps the reason why the canoe club has seen roughly a 150% increase in membership over the last two years. Additionally, Thompson describes Newcastle as “the UK Mecca for white water rafting”, with several powerful rivers in the area and an Olympic slalom facility in Teesside. With several weekly sessions for paddlers of all abilities and a membership fee of only £40, the club’s popularity is hardly surprising; it appears to be striking a good balance between success on the national stage and recreational
activities for its members. This success has been recognised by the city council, which has approved proposals for Exhibition Park to be used as a training facility for canoe polo. The sports centre has also supported the club by giving money for a storage container at the Exhibition Park facility. Thompson was quick to praise the work of Colin Blackburn, Fraser Kennedy and Nick Beall for their help with this funding and with their applications for funds from various other bodies. Another possible source of funds that other Newcastle University sports clubs may find beneficial is Tyne and Wear Sport, which is looking to make funds available to help with coaching for the canoe club. Over the summer, the club will embark on a three-week tour in the Alps where they will look to use the skills that they have honed in Newcastle in somewhat different surroundings. The canoe club is a success story that many other sports clubs should look towards, particularly with regards to what is achievable in terms of gaining funding. Any student who enjoys the potent mix of cold water and adrenaline should consider giving it a try. To find out how you can become a part of NUCC, contact society president James at j.t.hinwood@ncl.ac.uk
A Newcastle canoer battles the raging currents Photography: NUCC
The Courier
BUCSsport.43
Monday 13 May 2013
Both the Men’s VIIIs teams celebrate their success Photography: Tony Clarke
Success for NUBC Rowing
By Sally Hickey
by far the best club performance on the day. The girls were disappointed with their bronze, which goes to show the extreme competitiveness of the whole team. The season is not over, however, as the club have already started testing for
Henley, in which the women’s 1st and 2nd VIIIs are both aiming for a win. Well done to all crews, and a special mention to our head coach Angelo Savarino, the first coach to train his 1st VIII to victory three years in a row.
NUBC have had their most successful BUCS to date, putting them in 2nd position overall in the BUCS rowing points table. Racing was split over three days, with almost 30 Blue Star crews entered. Saturday morning saw the worst conditions some had ever encountered, and our seven crews battled through the wind and rain to get through the time trials, hoping for better weather in the afternoon, which they were granted. The first medal went to the Women’s Intermediate Pair of Emily Howard and Sally Hickey, who won a silver medal in a close final where they beat off rivals Reading by less than four seconds. The Women’s Championship Pair of Izzy Vyvyan and Harriet Broad came 5th overall in a very tough event that featured London Olympians. Ali Brown came 4th in the B final of the Men’s Lightweight Single and the novices put in a strong row to come 3rd in the C final of the Men’s Beginner Coxed Fours. Sunday was a big day for our lightweights, as the first ever NUBC Lightweight Men’s VIII were entered. Cruising through the semi-finals, they fought a difficult battle to win a bronze medal in a tightly contested final. The rest of the senior men had a plentiful day, as gold medals were won by the Men’s Intermediate Double of Nick Bartlett and Liam Rose, and the Men’s Championship Coxless Four of Tom Ford, Tim Clarke, George Rossiter and Jasper Holst, fresh from their win in the Champ VIIIs the day before. The Men’s Intermediate Coxed Four won a silver medal, and the Championship Coxed Four won a bronze medal, whilst the 2nd Men’s Championship Coxless Four came 5th in the B Final. The novices had a tough day of, racing, with the Women’s Beginner Coxed
Four coming 4th in the C Final, and the Men’s Beginner VIII coming 6th in the E Final, having been plagued by illness and equipment failure. Sarah Fabes came 5th in the B Final of the Women’s Lightweight Single, hopping in at the last minute due to illness. Monday was the last day of racing and the weather was finally on our side, the sun was shining and the wind had died down. The Women’s Championship Coxed Four of Nicole Lamb, Gemma Hall, Danielle Hardy and Harriet Broad with cox Lexy Dobson rowed a stunning race to win gold by a country mile, and the Men’s Intermediate Quad took inspiration from this, winning gold easily. The Men’s Champ Pair put in a cracking effort only to be beaten by Durham by less than two seconds. The Men’s Championship Pair and the Intermediate Pair both won a bronze medal, the latter coming in second position but being controversially swapped into third
due to a steering fault. The Women’s Intermediate Double picked up a bronze medal, putting in a superb effort with 750m to go, where they were lying in 5th place. The Women’s Championship Coxless Four and Lightweight Double won the B Final, the former having a tough day as their original line-up was compromised after an injury sustained in racing the day before. Overall it was a very successful weekend for NUBC, as we came fourth in the Victor Ludorum, and second overall in rowing BUCS points, putting the University in 10th place overall in all sports. Well done to all competitors for getting through a challenging weekend with smiles on their faces, and a thank-you to Jesse Burgoine, Angelo Savarino, Hugh Cooper, Andy Hatzis, Ed Stephenson and Tom Jordan for their coaching and support throughout the year that has made all this possible.
Emily Howard and Sally Hickey in action for NUBC Photography: Tony Clarke
Fencers on target over season Fencing
By James Docherty What are the top sports at Newcastle? Rowing, Rugby and Netball are all sitting high in the BUCS rankings with large numbers of teams taking part every Wednesday. However, in second place just behind the rowing club and sixth within their sport nationally, lies the Fencing Club. With over 60 members and five teams, the sport is firmly in the ascendency for the University. The two first teams and the Men’s seconds have had excellent results since October, with all three completing their league campaigns unbeaten and taking all Stan Calvert points for the second consecutive year. Away from the leagues, BUCS Points for the team also came at the hugely competitive Individuals tournament in February. Sam Ridley took Bronze in the Men’s épée, delivering an individual medal to Newcastle for the first time in three years. Outside of BUCS, Sam was also selected by Great Britain for the Under-20’s European and World Championships, the 100th fencer selected for Great Britain coached by Newcastle’s Director of Fencing, where he finished 30th and
88th respectively; ending the season as the Number One Junior épéeist in the country. Sam is not the only member of Team Newcastle fencing internationally this season however, with Molly Jowsey 11th in the GBR Rankings, Daniel Remedios fencing for Macau and Madi and Ellie Ivanova also travelling to Croatia for the Junior World Championships to represent Bulgaria. Fencing is also a sport where development of top officials is key, with Newcastle now a vital organ in providing these at all levels of competition and using this knowledge in discussions with the Fencing Sports Advisory Group at BUCS to improve the sport at University Level, removing ambiguity from the rules. This year has seen members of the coaching staff travel with both English and British Fencing to events in Bratislava and Paris as national coaches to Cadet Fencers. Iain Aberdeen, the director of Fencing, was also selected as head épée coach for the successful England Fencing trip to Wroclaw in Poland. Also travelling on the trips to Paris and Poland were referees from Newcastle, selected by England Fencing for their skills honed officiating many BUCS Matches. While at Wroclaw, Danny Ming was selected to referee the Girls Under-15 final due to his excellent composure and management of match-
es throughout the day. The club also continues to develop officials in both Team Management and Armoury, with a member of Team Newcastle present at most large domestic competitions and world cup events taking place in the UK. Members have also volunteered their time often for little more than lunch to volunteer at youth fencing events in the region. It must be love of the sport that drives these people to give up swathes of their weekend to allow all levels of competition to take place. With a match against Loughbrough looming, the Men are hopeful of bringing Premier League fencing back to Newcastle and establishing themselves as the top fencing university in the north. While this kind of thought would have been considered madness five years ago, it is now a sign of the times that the performance sport system at Newcastle is paying dividends and pushing Newcastle well inside the top ten of BUCS Sport and towards the top of the Russell Group Universities. While Durham sit atop these and catching them may seem like tomorrow’s dream, with clubs delivering results like Fencing, the dream may soon be a reality and fencing universities such as Edinburgh and Manchester may be left looking like yesterday’s men.
Sam Ridley (right) goes toe-totoe with a Leicester fencer Photography: Kris Moodley
Sport
www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 13 May 2013 Issue 1272 Free
thecourieronline.co.uk/sport
Sports Editors: Ralph Blackburn, Nick Gabriel and Lucy Williams Online Sports Editors: Freddie Caldwell and Jack Gelsthorpe courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Sport
ROWERS IMPRESS: NUBC’s most successful BUCS to date p46-7
INTRA MURAL REVIEW:
Newcastle’s Sam Ridley (left) takes avoiding action to a new level Photography: Kris Moodley
Uni fencers ease to win
Men’s Fencing Newcastle
135
Leicester
67
By James Docherty in Newcastle This week, the Fencing Premier League playoffs came to Newcastle on a grey day with the Men’s Firsts confident of reaching the final as they took on Leicester, a team they outscored two-to-one earlier in the season. After dispatching Scottish Champions Strathclyde convincingly last week, Newcastle were confident of sweeping aside the Midlands winners to successfully make the final. Though a close loss would also see Newcastle qualify, the word lose isn’t one in the Royals’ vocabulary and Leicester’s prospects looked bleak. Though the Trophy was one step beyond the team over the Easter break, this match was a chance to set up a fantastic finish to the season.
Newcastle began proceedings at the house of fun with épée, their strongest weapon with three Great Britain Internationals in the squad, instantly stamping their authority on Leicester and, racing 15-7 up after the first three bouts. During the middle order, the visitors found their rhythm and matched Newcastle point-for-point with some unorthodox but effective hits. Sensing an embarrassment, the Newcastle team of Danny Ming, Sam Ridley and Andrew Dixon rallied with moves so sublime even Leicester were dumbstruck by the smooth foot and bladework combinations of the Royals.
choosing to stay in the east midlands to dodge the sun and the rain up in the north-east, an act of madness when the premier league was within sight, they had brought some strong athletes in the next weapon, the foil. Sadly for them, the Newcastle squad loves fighting foil as much as MC Hammer loved baggy trousers and some sublime speed saw Newcastle quickly move 15-6 up. Again, around the middle of the match Leicester pulled themselves out the doldrums and looked like mounting a fight back, but Ming was utterly merciless and slapped them back to earth with a
“Sadly for the opposition, Newcastle squad loves to fight foil as much as MC Hammer loved baggy trousers” The attack by Leicester rattled Newcastle, who suddenly realized that they were at a fencing match and found their skills again closing the weapon out comfortably 45-27. Despite some of the Leicester squad valuing education over fencing and
5-0 drubbing in his second bout. This put the whole match almost beyond the reach of Leicester and Newcastle took their eye off the ball; mistakes began creeping into the attack and the visitors could have been forgiven for thinking the match could be rescued.
Like cats teasing cornered mice, Ridley and Ming quickly shut up these hopes and bettered their épée result, winning 45-23. This disproportionate scoreline meant Newcastle started sabre only needing five points to take the match. These were duly delivered in the first bout, as Leicester seemed unable to cope with the home team’s blistering pace and hands quicker than a cheetah on rollerskates. All three of the Newcastle team savaged Leicester’s ill-ease with sabre’s complex rules and their fantastic blade control could have taken slices so thin that Walkers Crisps would express an interest. In fact, at points it is likely a bag of Salt and Vinegar could have done more damage to the Newcastle team, with a fabulous jumping stop-cut from Dixon the prince amongst hits in a very one-sided encounter. The final score was 135-67; an improvement by Leicester on their last visit, but still meaning their combined score over two trips to the Northeast was less than one Newcastle result. A comprehensive roundup of how Newcastle’s fencers have got on this year can be found on page 47
This season’s successes p44-5
A SUMMER OF SPORT
Sports to stir up your summer