The Courier 1195

Which student’s snap has won Photo of the Week?

Life & Style, page 15

Issue 1195 Monday 19 October 2009 www.thecourieronline.co.uk

FREE C. CHEN

Students out of pocket as loan crisis hits Newcastle Jessica Tully News Editor Hundreds of Newcastle University students could still be without their student loans, three weeks after term has started.

7KH 8QLYHUVLW\¡V )LQDQFH 2IÀ FH has been inundated with concerned students in recent weeks after the Student Loans Company failed to deliver some students’ loans on time.

Figures given to The Courier reveal that the University have already dealt with 40 applications regarding students’ loans and have spent £5,500 on emergency loans issued to students since the start of term to help students who were struggling À QDQFLDOO\ 7KLV LV QHDUO\ … more than at the same time last year.

The Student Advice Centre has also reported large numbers of students coming to them with issues concerning their student loans.

Since Freshers’ Week over a third of cases reported to the Student Advice Centre have been associated with the issue of late loan arrivals.

Students say that without their loans they are unable to keep up with rent payments.

As a result, Newcastle University is not seeking payment from students in Halls of Residence who have been affected by the late loan arrival until the end of October, and are willing to defer payments further in special circumstances.

A spokesperson for the Student Advice Centre told The Courier, “First years seem to have been the most affected as they have been the ones submitting new applications. “However, late applications and re-assessments have also been affected, which obviously could have been put forward by students of any stage, so this could spill over into affecting the private sector.�

A number of students who are living in privately rented accommodation have expressed their concerns

to The Courier and some are fearful of being evicted if they fail to produce their month’s rent.

John Henderson, Director of Acorn Properties in Jesmond said: “The student late payment loan issue is VDGO\ MXVW DQRWKHU ZHOO SXEOLFLVHG Ă€ nancial crisis that we are experiencing as tenants and landlords. “We would urge tenants to speak to their landlords as soon as soon as possible. Sadly too many people avoid the problem until they can no longer do so. “If it is a student loan issue, you will have paperwork to support your problem; let the landlord see this and they are much more likely to be understanding in rent arrears. “Most student tenancies are for D PRQWK SHULRG ZKHUHDV D WZR month delay in rent payment is far from ideal, by working with your landlord it is easy to overcome as the money is there just not straight away and can be paid in full once received.â€?

Last month the Student Loan Company pledged that all those who applied before mid-August would be given at least a basic level of funding a few days after starting their courses, with the remainder to follow by the end of October.

Details given under the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) revealed that out of 1,091,653 applications, only 84% have been processed, suggesting that there are 175,358 applications outstanding within the UK. The Student Loans Company blamed late applications and technical problems for the delay.

The information given under the FOI Act say problems with new scanning equipment led to a “slight delay in the processing of documents� in April and that the company then had to revert back to “manual processing of documents.�

However, the company insists the “vast majority of students who applied on time will have received their money after they registered at university.�

Continued on page 4-5

A 22 year-old clubber shocked onlookers after plummeting from an upper balcony in Tiger Tiger at the venue’s showcase Wednesday night

‘You don’t expect anyone to live after a fall like that’

News, page 5

Inside today >>>

Climbing the rankings

Obama the Nobel man?

From pasta to pancakes

Do you still use libraries?

Black Wednesday

Newcastle University has risen four places in the Times Higher - QS World University Rankings 2009 News, page 2

The Debate questions whether the US President was right to be awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize Comment, page 9

Newcastle graduate Tiffany Goodall talks about her new Student Cookbook that has had all the media talking Life & Style, page 13

The stunning Charles Avison Building is the latest cultural addition to the city, but are libraries still relevant today?

Culture, page 21

Team Newcastle suffered a woeful day at Cochrane Park with only women’s lacrosse securing a win Sport, page 44

2

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

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

University looking for brains

News

> News, page 6

Drink and STIs NUS are offering free alcohol as an incentive for students to take sexual health tests Page 7

Life & Style Restaurant reviews The Cherry Tree in Jesmond and Starters & Puds in the city centre come under the microscope Page 18

Culture Now you’re gone Swedish Europop star Basshunter tells Culture Chat about his new album Page 24

Sport Blackburn and Kennedy Director of Sport, Colin Blackburn, and Performance Sport Manager, Fraser Kennedy, speak about the new BUCS season Page 38-39

Meetings Timetable: Monday Sport - 11am, Function Suite News - 12pm, Function Suite Comment - 12pm, Function Suite Photos - 1pm, Function Suite Tuesday Life & Style - 12pm, Training Room Wednesday Film - 12.30pm, Committee Room B Music - 1pm, Committee Room B Thursday TV & Radio - 11.30am, Training Room Arts - 12pm, Training Room Editorial Team: ‡ (GLWRU 'DYLG &RYHUGDOH ‡ 'HSXW\ (GLWRU )UDQ ,QIDQWH ‡ 1HZV (GLWRUV -HVVLFD 7XOO\ DQG 6LPRQ Murphy ‡ &RPPHQW (GLWRUV &DUROLQH $UJ\URSXOR Palmer and Nicholas Fidler ‡ /LIH 6W\OH (GLWRUV /DULVD %URZQ $OH[ Felton and Ashley Fryer ‡ &XOWXUH (GLWRU $OLFH 9LQFHQW ‡ $UWV (GLWRU 6WHSKDQLH )HUUDR ‡ )LOP (GLWRU )UDQFHV .URRQ ‡ 0XVLF (GLWRUV 0DUN &RUFRUDQ /HWWLFH DQG Chris Mandle ‡ 79 5DGLR (GLWRU $LPHH 3KLOLSVRQ ‡ 3X]]OHV (GLWRUV 6X]L 0RRUH DQG 1HG Walker ‡ 6SRUWV (GLWRUV 3DXO &KULVWLDQ -DPLH *DYLQ and Tom James ‡ 'HVLJQ (GLWRU 9LFWRULD %HOO ‡ &XOWXUH 2QOLQH (GLWRUV *RUGRQ %UXFH DQG Jessica Monson ‡ 3URRI (GLWRUV 5XWK $OVDQDN &ODLUH &KLOGV Kath Harmer, Lucy Houlden, Anna Kenolty, Charlotte Loftus, Emma Peasgood and Claire Russell

The Courier is printed by: Harmsworth Printing Limited, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2DW. Tel: 01332 253013.

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

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

News Editors: Simon Murphy and Jessica Tully - courier.news@ncl.ac.uk

Newcastle University going up in the world Joshua Shrimpton Dean Newcastle University has climbed four places in a respected table of world-leading universities.

The table, published annually in conjunction with the Times and Quacquarelli Symonds, considers a range of performance indicators to give an overall score. Newcastle University achieved 59.6 out of 100 - a global ranking of 158 against last year’s 162.

The university scored particularly highly for the international students component, achieving an impressive 86 out of 100, higher than that of Harvard and Yale in the United States. Newcastle was ranked seventh for international student experience in a global 2008 survey.

Professor Ella Ritchie, Pro-ViceChancellor for Teaching and Learning said: “I am sure that the change LQ WKH ZRUOG UDQNLQJV UHĂ HFWV RXU increasing engagement in the global arena – for example, the Medical School campus we are building in Johor, Southern Malaysia, and the Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture in collaboration with Ngee Ann and Singapore pol-

ytechnics in Singapore – as well as the internationalisation of our home campus through opportunities of all

kinds to experience other cultures, including curricula informed by overseas experts.�

It is clear that employers also think highly of Newcastle. A score of 88 will offer some comfort to those graduating into an uncertain jobs market this year.

However, the table is not without its critics. It is suggested that too much emphasis is placed upon the peer review component, which is weighted to make up 40% of the overall score. In 2006, Peter Wills of the University of New Zealand claimed that university staff are likely to rank their own institution higher than others.

Professor Tony Stevenson, ProVice-Chancellor for Planning and Resources, commented on Newcastle’s position: “Our inclusion in the top 200 universities worldwide should be celebrated. A major aspect of the THES [Times Higher Education Supplement] methodology is a score assigned by academic peers and is an area where everyone could do more to promote global awareness of Newcastle’s academic excellence.�

Newcastle University continues to enjoy an excellent reputation nationally, with the Times Good University Guide 2010 ranking the uniYHUVLW\ WZHQW\ À UVW RI

University weathers climate change Samantha Hockney A three-year study by Newcastle University has drawn up ideas on how major cities must react if they wish to expand in the face of climate change.

Houses on stilts, small scale energy regeneration and recycling dishwater are just some of the suggestions from Professor Jim Hall, who carried out the research for Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

The study was completed using new UK climate predictions for weather patterns over the next 10 years, looking at the impact of predicted rises in temperature, inFUHDVHG ULVN RI Ă RRGLQJ LQ ZLQWHU and less availability of water in summer.

As well as protecting homes and EXLOGLQJV IURP WKH WKUHDW RI Ă RRGV as a result of rising sea levels, the report emphasises the need to reduce water usage and carbon emissions, and signals a further drive towards cleaner, greener transport.

Newcastle University’s Dr Richard Dawson, one of the report’s authors, told The Journal: “There is not one simple solution to the climate change problem. We have to cut our carbon dioxide emissions but at the same time we need to prepare for the extremes of weather – heat waves, GURXJKWV DQG Ă RRGLQJ ² ZKLFK ZH are already starting to experience. ´7KH GLIĂ€ FXOW\ LV EDODQFLQJ RQH risk against another while allowing for the expected population and employment growthâ€?.

The report, titled ‘How can cities grow whilst reducing emissions and vulnerability?’, also recommends homes should aim to use less carbon – the major cause of global warming – by becoming more energy efĂ€ FLHQW

S.OAKES

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

3

University

NEWS

Anti-council Facebook group gathers momentum Laura Armitage

Pricey Pret: students blow their loans on luxuries

H. HAYES

Students paying the price > London professor hits out at students’ spending habits Laura Heads A university professor has blamed students’ “luxurious lifestyle” for record levels of student debt.

Research suggests that the average student now leaves university with debts of up to £23,000.

Kevin Sharpe, professor at Queen Mary’s University of London, has

claimed in the Times Higher Education magazine that it’s not all budget living for students.

The outspoken professor instead believes that student loans are spent on a rather more luxurious style of living; making university life a far cry from the typical student house portrayed on the 1980’s sitcom The Young Ones and instead “more like an English version of Friends.”

Comparing today’s student houses to that of what he rented during his time at Oxford University, where the carpets were “held together by accumulated grime”, he states that “student homes are equipped with large LCD TVs, Sky boxes and, as

burglars have been quick to spot, several high-end laptops per dwelling”, which are frequently better than that of the lecturers who teach them.

“Students pour not from Aldi but from Waitrose, with bottles of wine and champagne as well as bottled water, expensive foods and snacks” he comments, “while for many that LV GRXEWOHVV À QDQFHG E\ WKH EDQN RI mum and dad, for those less well off but understandably anxious to keep up with their peers, the inevitable consequence is debt.”

Wes Streeting, NUS president, has defended the student population, À QGLQJ LW VXUSULVLQJ WKDW 6KDUSH EH

lieves students are spending their ORDQ RQ ´TXDIÀ QJ FKDPSDJQH DQG living luxurious lifestyles.”

He added: “The vast majority of students are having to work longer hours in low paid jobs or dip into alUHDG\ RYHUVWUHWFKHG IDPLO\ À QDQFHV just to get by.

“In the majority of cases the people who have these items and live like this are the people who are living off their mum and dad, and maxing out their overdrafts. I’d love to see him [Kevin Sharpe] live off a student loan paying rent and bills and then see how much smoked salmon and regular trips to Starbucks he can actually afford.”

Lectures on top in Student Survey results Samantha Hockney Lecturers at Newcastle University have gained excellent scores for their teaching and enthusiasm from students.

The University has further improved from last year’s results of The National Student Survey, with students showing particular appreciation for lecturers’ skill and the quality of courses on offer.

Ninety one per cent of Newcastle University respondents felt that staff were good at explaining things, beating the national average of 87 per cent.

In addition, 87 per cent felt that lecturers were enthusiastic and passionate about their subject, making the subject intellectually stimulating

– this is against national averages of 83 and 82 per cent respectively.

Newcastle University also went against the trend that student satisfaction is dropping, with an increased score of 87 per cent, while the national average dropped to just 81 per cent.

Professor Ella Ritchie, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Teaching and Learning at Newcastle said: “This is a sigQLÀ FDQW VWHS IRUZDUG DQG D SRVLWLYH endorsement of the hard work that has gone into improving the students’ learning experience.”

“There is still work to be done and we are constantly assessing how we can improve things for our students.”

Newcastle University also saw an improvement on response rates for the survey, with an increased participation score of 65 per cent, ex-

ceeding the sector average of 62 per FHQW IRU WKH À UVW WLPH 7KH UHVXOWV are seen as especially rewarding in a time of economic recession when graduates are usually expected to be disheartened by the employment market.

David Lammy, Minister for State of Higher Education, said: “High quality teaching is essential for a strong university sector, and it has never been more so than in the current climate where we want to ensure that students have the skills they need to progress and build up the UK’s economy.”

It is claimed there were concerns about the results of the survey as the generation of students questioned DUH WKH À UVW WR KDYH JUDGXDWHG KDY ing paid top-up university fees and it was feared this would impact negatively on some university’s per-

formance.

Professor Noel Burton-Roberts, lecturer of English Language and Linguistics at Newcastle, is pleased with the university’s results and agrees the teaching is at a high standard.

“The key to making a lecture interesting is student participation,” Burton-Roberts said.

“It is important to see where the students are coming from, and to foresee where their problems may lie.”

He also expressed his surprise at how the survey’s results do not seem to impact the University League Tables.

“It is surprising that Newcastle is not ranked higher, considering our high levels of student satisfaction,’” he added.

Objections against council proposals to create a ‘student ghetto’ have reached a peak this week.

Furious students have voiced their opinions over Facebook and the protest group has accumulated 1,121 members; and is still growing rapidly.

North Jesmond councillor, Ron Armstrong, has proposed the construction of a purpose built ghetto, for students to live instead of the suburbs of Newcastle; such as Jesmond and Heaton.

Jesmond is noted as a great place for students to live and has been for around 10 years now, so people are shocked and angered at the thought of being driven out.

It is the perfect area for students, with comfortable and affordable housing, and shops close by; who WKHPVHOYHV KDYH EHQHÀ WHG IURP the students living in the area.

The Facebook group has returned some interesting comments to add to the debate, both from students and residents of Jesmond.

Jamie McDonnell, the former Union President, said, “I think the Council need to think very carefully about this motion.

As a former Newcastle student and Student Union employee, I know too well the apathy and lethargic nature of the student body.

If the students leave – they’ll leave on mass and they won’t come back.”

Kirsty Law said, “We are meant to be the people who will run the country, we have gone on to study advanced subjects at university, we should be trusted with living in the real world and not a student village!”

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Amour Alaoui added a series of posts to the discussion group, and felt extremely upset about her poor experiences of student, drunken and unacceptable behaviour in the area.

“The problem is that some of you are scum...no respect for any of the residents,” Alaoui said.

“Have a bit more respect for other people who have been living in Jesmond for their whole bloody lives.”

If you want to join the debate, search for ‘Students against the Council’s Proposal to Remove Students from Jesmond’ on Facebook and have your say.

4

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

NEWS

University

Closing the door on education: late loans jeopardise students’ future Continued from front page Tom Nichols, third year Marketing student, told The Courier: “I applied for my loan back in April and still have not received any payments.

Luckily I worked through the summer and had a bit of money saved up. Without that there’s no way I would have been able to keep up with rent payments.�

Higher Education Minister David Lammy agreed that the situation was “unacceptable and falls short of what the public can expect.�

MPs heard students were told to send applications to Darlington, only for them to be transported by lorry to another site in Glasgow for processing. However, due to a problem with scanners the forms had to be returned to County Durham unprocessed.

Newcastle University’s Executive 'LUHFWRU RI )LQDQFH 5LFKDUG 'DOH explains, “We are doing all we can to advise and support students who have been affected by the delays in payment of student loans. “The University will not be chasing any tuition fee or student residence debts where students show us they are waiting for the Student Loans Company to process their ap-

Katy Covell Commentary It’s a fact of life that sometimes things go wrong; we humans are pretty forgiving creatures and in most situations an apology is enough to smooth things over. However, for the thousands of students still awaiting payment on their loans and grants, an apology is - to be put quite simply - utterly useless.

It is absurd that in a country where we are encouraged to embrace higher education, administrative problems with the governmentVXSSRUWHG ÀQDQFH VFKHPH FRXOG result in hundreds of students being forced to abandon their degree programmes.

This year the Student Loans Company took over from local councils the processing of maintenance grants, maintenance loans and tuition fees for new applicants to the scheme. This move was intended to save money, with only ‘returning’ applicants having their submissions dealt with by the local authorities.

However, a surge in applications – a likely result of the current economic turmoil – meant the scheme was inundated, receiving almost a million applications (up 17% from 2008), DQG LW DSSHDUV WKDW WKH ÀUP VLPSO\ couldn’t cope.

After a torrent of complaints when new students still hadn’t received FRQĂ€UPDWLRQ RI WKHLU ORDQV 6/& were forced to release a statement in which they apologised ‘for the delay’ and said that everyone who applied on time should be paid on

plications. “Our student support service has been working hard to help students who are suffering and this has included emergency loans. Their focus at the moment is dealing with student cases and we can’t provide detailed statistics until they have some time to catch up. “The stress and uncertainty from this year’s delays is wholly unacceptable and we all need to ensure that lessons are learned so this doesn’t happen again. “We’re doing all we can to advise and support students�

Richard Dale, University Executive Director of Finance

“However we need to be careful not to apportion blame until we fully understand what did go wrong.

The immediate priority is to clear the backlog, get the payments out to students and then we can work out how to get it right next year.�

Pete Mercer, Newcastle UniverVLW\¡V 6WXGHQW 6XSSRUW 2IĂ€FHU FRPmented: “I think that people often forget that the SLC is a commercial time; ‘should’ being the operative word. There are countless testimonials on the web from students who have just started at university and still have not received their loans.

One student writes that four weeks after applying back in June, he received a letter declaring that there were delays and that he should apply for an emergency loan.

But it would seem that in one respect this student was one of the lucky few, having at least received some form of communication from WKH ÀUP 2WKHUV KDYH UHSHDWHGO\ complained of being unable to get through to advisors either by phone or via the internet, and of not receiving any further written communication containing information about the status of their application. Those callers fortunate enough to speak to advisors have reported receiving FRQà LFWLQJ LQIRUPDWLRQ DERXW WKHLU applications and reasons for delays.

Yet despite all the furore surrounding SLC, the Deputy Chief Executive RI WKH Ă€UP 'HUHN 5RVV VWLOO WKRXJKW it wise to declare, “Our process is going well this yearâ€? and another spokesperson added, “Already we have approved over 830,000 applications, which is 40,000 more than this time last yearâ€?. One blogger on the BBC’s website revealed that 60% of those approved applications belonged to returning students and were therefore dealt with by their local council and not SLC. That’s not to say that the local authorities are blame-free; many second and third year students have also had their loans held back.

A friend of mine who submitted her application back in May still

organisation and that if this was any other company they would cease to exist; however, being an integral part of our student funding system they are deemed to be somehow exempt. “What we’re dealing with here is incompetence of epic proportions that has negatively and directly impacted on lot of people’s studies and personal welfare. “The University has been good enough to defer people’s rent payments if they’re staying in University Accommodation; however, if anyone has any problems with paying rent in the private rented sector then make sure you stand your ground. “Letting agents should be understanding of your situation so don’t just accept it if they demand immediate payments - try to negotiate, and if that fails then give us a call at WKH 6$& DQG ZH¡OO WU\ WR Ă€JKW \RXU corner.â€?

7KLV LV WKH ÀUVW \HDU WKDW ÀUVW WLPH applicants have had to apply directly to Student Finance England for loans and grants. In the past, students applied to the loans company through their local authority which would have sent the details on to the Student Loans Company.

hadn’t heard a dicky bird when she arrived in Newcastle for the beginning of term, so tried ringing the advice line. This was of course a premium rate 0845 number, and having been held on the line for too long, unsurprisingly she gave up; no better informed but with a whopping phone bill.

It is this lack of communication, and in some cases, miscommunication, that is in fact causing the most damage. The SLC are reported to have employed another 120 advisors (whoa go crazy!) to help clear the backlog of applications as soon as possible, but the damage to their reputation will surely cause the government to rethink the current structure - hopefully before any more students are forced to drop out.

Charlie Oven Commentary A loan is typically seen as a necessary means of support in a time of hardship. Higher education is often an expensive business in both the academic and social sense, and so for many students the need for a loan is imperative.

Nevertheless a great number of students have recently found themVHOYHV LQ D ÀQDQFLDOO\ XQVWDEOH SRVLtion due to administrative problems encountered by the Student Loans Company, the very system that many are so dependent on.

According to the Guardian, more than 100,000 students are still wait-

'DUN GD\V WKH )LQDQFH 2IÂżFH DW 3DUN 7HUUDFH KDV EHHQ D KXE RI DFWLYLW\ VLQFH WHUP VWDUWHG DV GLVJUXQ

ing for their loans and grants over a week after university courses have started. This has inevitably led to hard hitting repercussions for the unfortunate students in question.

First year undergraduates have been particularly affected by the delays, with the BBC reporting that 28% of applications for grants and loans had not been processed. The beginning of university for any new student can prove to be an unsettling encounter; the absence of one’s loan merely complicates what should otherwise be a highly rewarding new experience.

We should not forget that it is not VLPSO\ ÀUVW \HDU XQGHUJUDGXDWHV WKDW KDYH EHHQ DIIHFWHG 5HJDUGOHVV of year of study, all students have

bills to pay; some have families that can help, but what of those that don’t?

In many cases university was traditionally for the privileged few, but with a recent surge in university applications there has inevitably been a wider and more diverse social spectrum. For many students, loans are WKH RQO\ VRXUFH RI ÀQDQFLDO KHOS The delay in payments has meant some have lost their only viable support, leaving the fate of their future studies in a precarious position.

David Willets, shadow universities secretary, commented to the Telegraph that “it would be a tragedy if students were dropping out of university because they cannot afford to support themselves.� With this

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

5

University

NEWS

Drunken clubber plunges from balcony at popular student night Fran Infante Deputy Editor A young male, known only as Elliot, has been hospitalised after a fall IURP D ÀUVW à RRU EDOFRQ\ GXULQJ D night out in Tiger Tiger.

3DUDPHGLFV ZHUH FDOOHG WR WKH VFHQH at 2.45am on the morning of ThursGD\ 2FWREHU IROORZLQJ UHSRUWV that the 22-year-old had fallen from an internal landing in the venue.

7KH 1RUWK (DVW $PEXODQFH 6HUYLFH FRQÀUPHG WR The Courier that he was EUHDWKLQJ DQG FRQVFLRXV DW WKH VFHQH and despite having fallen around IW WR WKH JURXQG à RRU KH ZDV DEOH WR PRYH KLV OLPEV DQG ZDV ÀWWHG ZLWK D QHFN EUDFH DV D SUHFDXWLRQDU\ measure. (\HZLWQHVVHV FODLP WKDW KDYLQJ hit the ground, the man, who had FOHDUO\ EHHQ GULQNLQJ DSSHDUHG WR simply want to get up and go home; LW ZDV RQO\ RQ WKH LQVLVWHQFH RI PDQDJHPHQW WKDW KH ZDLWHG WR UHFHLYH PHGLFDO WUHDWPHQW Wednesday night was the third RIÀFLDO JDWKHULQJ RI WKH 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ $WKOHWLF 8QLRQ DW WKH FOXE DQG WKH YHQXH ZDV SDFNHG

WR FDSDFLW\ IRU WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH QLJKW ZLWK 1HZFDVWOH VWXGHQWV HQMR\LQJ GLVFRXQWHG GULQNV DQG OLYH DJs as part of what is, for many, a weekly ritual.

One student onlooker said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If you DVNHG PH , ZRXOG VD\ WKDW KH MXPSHG RII WKH EDOFRQ\ , MXVW UHPHPEHU VHHing him with his right hand on the banister as if he were hurdling over LW DQG ERWK KLV IHHW RII WKH Ă RRU â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was almost as if he didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t realLVH KRZ PXFK RI D GURS WKHUH ZDV , didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see a lot after that; to be honest I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really want to look. ´<RX GRQ¡W H[SHFW DQ\RQH WR OLYH after a fall like that and that freaked me out. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to look down WR ZKHUH KH ODQGHG LQ FDVH , VDZ something I would regret seeing. I MXVW WXUQHG WR P\ IULHQGV DQG VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s go home nowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.â&#x20AC;?

1RUWKXPEULD SROLFH ZHUH SUHVHQW DW WKH VFHQH EXW WROG The Courier that WKHUH ZDV QR VXVSLFLRQ RI IRXO SOD\ DQG WKH LQFLGHQW ZDV KDQGOHG H[FOXVLYHO\ E\ WKH SDUDPHGLF WHDP VXJJHVWLQJ WKDW WKH GDUHGHYLO FOXEEHU MXPSHG RYHU WKH VDIHW\ EDUULFDGH RI his own free will.

The following day, a spokesperson from Tiger Tiger said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A single

FXVWRPHU ZDV LQYROYHG LQ DQ DFFLGHQW DW 7LJHU 7LJHU 1HZFDVWOH RQ :HGQHVGD\ 2FWREHU â&#x20AC;&#x153;First aid-trained Tiger Tiger staff DWWHQGHG WR WKH FXVWRPHU XQWLO HPHUJHQF\ VHUYLFHV DUULYHG â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tiger Tiger takes the safety of its FXVWRPHUV YHU\ VHULRXVO\ DQG KDV VWULFW +HDOWK DQG 6DIHW\ SROLFLHV $OO VWDII XQGHUJR Ă&#x20AC;UVW DLG WUDLQLQJ Âľ $OWKRXJK KH LV QRW FRQĂ&#x20AC;UPHG WR EH D 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ VWXGHQW D fellow reveller who did not wish to EH QDPHG H[SUHVVHG KLV FRQFHUQV â&#x20AC;&#x153;Tiger Tiger is a popular student destination on Wednesday nights so itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a bit of worry that this kind of WKLQJ FDQ KDSSHQ ´$GPLWWHGO\ WKH LQĂ XHQFH RI DOFRKRO FDQ OHDG VWXGHQWV WR GR WKLQJV that are inappropriate or even GDQJHURXV EXW \RX ZRXOG H[SHFW D QLJKWFOXE RI WKLV VWDWXUH WR EH DEOH WR SUHYHQW VXFK DQ LQFLGHQW Âľ The young man, was taken to GenHUDO +RVSLWDO IRU WUHDWPHQW $ VRXUFH DW 7LJHU 7LJHU KDV LQformed The Courier WKDW VLQFH WKH event, Elliotâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends have been LQ WRXFK WR WKDQN WKH FOXE VWDII IRU their help and professionalism at WKH VFHQH

Tories would impose alco-tax Helen Hayes

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in mind one must ask who is reVSRQVLEOH IRU WKH ORDQ GHEDFOH Willet argues that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the GovernPHQW LV XOWLPDWHO\ LQ FKDUJH RI WKH student loans system and so minisWHUV FDQQRW GXFN WKHLU UHVSRQVLELOLW\ for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s problems.â&#x20AC;? This suggests that there should be a greater FDOO IRU PLQLVWHULDO DFFRXQWDELOLW\ DQG WKLV KDV EHHQ UHLQIRUFHG E\ WKH 7LPHV UHSRUW RQ VHYHUDO 03V FDOOLQJ IRU DQ LQTXHVW LQWR WKH FULVLV Although it is easy to sympathise with the position of the student, RWKHU IDFWRUV QHHG WR EH WDNHQ LQWR FRQVLGHUDWLRQ $V ZHOO DV EODPLQJ WHFKQLFDO SUREOHPV IRU WKH GHOD\ LQ VRPH ORDQV WKH 6WXGHQW /RDQV &RPSDQ\ DOVR RXWOLQHG D Ă XUU\ RI ODWH DSSOLFDWLRQV

A WILSON

+RZHYHU WKLV GRHV QRW RIIHU D valid explanation to students who applied well within the deadline and are still awaiting payment. As a government-managed organisation WKH 6WXGHQW /RDQV &RPSDQ\ ZLOO always have the unenviable task of delivering high standards. :LWK WKLV LQ PLQG LQ D WLPH RI HFRQRPLF LQVWDELOLW\ WKH PRPHQW WKDW many students needed their loan the most has been met with abandonment.

Inside today >>>

Passion Pit interview Culture, page 31

,W¡V WKH OLQH RQ FOXE Ă \HUV WKDW FDWFKes the bargain-loving studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eye: ÂśDOFRSRSV IURP Â&#x2026; ¡ +RZHYHU RIIHUV OLNH WKLV FRXOG EH D WKLQJ RI WKH past as the Conservative Party anQRXQFHG SODQV ODVW ZHHN IRU D QHZ WD[ RQ WKH VDOH RI ODWH QLJKW DOFRKRO This is part of the proposed Tory attempts to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;tear upâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Labourâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s laidEDFN OLFHQVLQJ ZKLFK KDV OHG WR FRQWURYHUVLDO URXQG WKH FORFN GULQNLQJ DQG WXUQHG FLW\ FHQWUHV LQWR ´EDWWOH ]RQHV IRU RXU SROLFHÂľ DFFRUGLQJ WR 6KDGRZ +RPH 6HFUHWDU\ &KULV Grayling.

As part of the growing binge drinkLQJ FXOWXUH LQ %ULWDLQ DQWL VRFLDO EHKDYLRXU KDV LQFUHDVHG DQG WKH WD[ FRXOG UDLVH XS WR Â&#x2026; PLOOLRQ ZKLFK ZRXOG EH LQYHVWHG LQWR WKH FRVW RI SROLFLQJ FLW\ FHQWUHV HVSHFLDOO\ RQ )ULGD\ DQG 6DWXUGD\ QLJKWV Certain drinks would be targeted E\ WKH QHZ WD[ LQFOXGLQJ DOFRSRSV and strong beer. Larger bottles of DOFRSRSV ZRXOG FRVW XS WR Â&#x2026; more, and super strength beer ZRXOG FRVW XS WR Â&#x2026; PRUH IRU D IRXU SDFN 7KH ÂśDOFR WD[¡ ZRXOG DSSO\ WR DQ\ZKHUH VHOOLQJ DOFRKRO DIWHU SP LQFOXGLQJ SXEV FOXEV DQG ODWH QLJKW RII OLFHQVHV $OVR LQFOXGHG LQ WKH DOFR WD[ ZRXOG EH VXSHUPDUNHWV ZKLFK ZRXOG QR ORQJHU EH DEOH WR VHOO GULQN DW D FRVW SULFH +RZHYHU there is a danger that venues will VLPSO\ SDVV RQ WKH SULFH LQFUHDVHV WR FRQVXPHUV SDUWLFXODUO\ VWXGHQWV Despite its potential for unpopuODULW\ WKH DOFR WD[ KDV EHHQ VXSSRUWHG E\ 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\¡V 3URIHVVRU RI /LYHU 0HGLFLQH &KULVtopher Day. Professor Day explained that the tax is preferentially targeting the two drinking groups ZKLFK FDXVH WKH ELJJHVW KHDGDFKHV for the government; young drinkers and heavy drinkers. +H VDLG ´7KH VWURQJHVW HYLGHQFH EDVHG DSSURDFK LV WR LQFUHDVH WKH SULFH RI SUREOHP GULQNV DQG UHGXFH their availability. This has worked LQ FRXQWULHV DFURVV WKH ZRUOG DQG Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in no doubt that it will work

here in the UK too. ´7KH FRPPLWPHQW WR EDQ VXSHUPDUNHWV IURP VHOOLQJ DOFRKRO EHORZ FRVW SULFH LV DOVR KLJKO\ ZHOFRPH DQG ZLOO KHOS WDFNOH ELQJH GULQNLQJ DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ ¾ &ULWLFV KDYH UDLVHG WKH FRQFHUQ WKDW WKH WD[ ZLOO QRW EH HQRXJK WR FKDQJH WKH FXOWXUH VXUURXQGLQJ GULQNLQJ in the UK, however Professor Day believes that despite its inherent unpopularity, preferential targeting is

â&#x20AC;&#x153;the only thing that worksâ&#x20AC;?. +H DOVR DUJXHG WKDW OHFWXULQJ SHRple about units and potential health SUREOHPV LV QRW HIIHFWLYH DQ\PRUH DQG IRFXVLQJ RQ DOFRKRO SULFH DQG availability â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the two key elements ZKLFK QHHG WR EH WDFNOHG WR FRXQWHU WKH %ULWLVK ELQJH GULQNLQJ PHQWDOLW\ ² ZRXOG EH IDU PRUH VXFFHVVIXO Could this be the beginning of the HQG RI %ULWDLQ¡V ELQJH GULQNLQJ FXOture? Only time will tell.

6

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

NEWS J. LEMON

Blunkett donates brain Harriet King The Brains for Dementia research bank at Newcastle University is calling upon people to donate their brains after death to help research into dementia.

The bank, launched on 13 October and coordinated by King’s College London with funding from the Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Research Trust, is part of a £2 million brain bank network.

Brain donation is vital for research into dementia, and to eventually ÀQGLQJ D WUHDWPHQW DQG FXUH Pledged brains are monitored prior to donation to look for changes in the brain in relation to the symptoms of dementia, and comparisons are made between healthy brain tissues and those with dementia.

Dr Chris Morris from Newcastle University’s brain tissue resource said ‘It is vitally important that we increase awareness of the continuing need for brain donation.

Brains from people without dementia are particularly important as they help us work out the differences between healthy older people and those with dementia.’

There is a lack of awareness about the ability to donate brains as well as a lack of knowledge about how to donate. According to a YouGov survey, only 30% of people know how to donate their brains, compared to 90% who knew how to donate their hearts.

Many did not realise that joining the donor registry does not allow scientists to take organs for medical research. Likewise a third of people

questioned said they would consider donating but did not know enough to make an informed decision.

This has led to a severe shortage of brains, threatening medical research. Dr Morris said ‘Much of what we know about the brain, how it works and treatment we currently have for dementia come from research on donated brain tissue.

Brains for Dementia Research aims to set a gold standard for dementia FDUH DQG XOWLPDWHO\ ÀQG D FXUH · The project is strongly supported by the former Home Secretary, the Rt Hon David Blunkett MP, Vice President of the Alzheimer’s Society who last week pledged his brain for dementia research.

Mr Blunkett’s work with the charity has shown him the devastating impact of dementia. On his donation he told Sky News, “I hope to be using my brain for a good while yet, but I’m pleased to know it will help people in the future.”

More information about Newcastle University’s brain tissue resource can be found at http://www.ncl. ac.uk/iah/campus/facilities/nbtr/

David Blunkett is to donate his brain to the 8QLYHUVLW\ IRU VFLHQWL¿F UHVHDUFK

Charity tunes: students raise money at OxJam Festival

Rocking out for a good cause: students help raise money for charity Joe Mellor For those of you who don’t know the Ouseburn, it is an area of Newcastle wedged between the scenic Quayside and Byker.

The area houses a number of art galleries, creative industries and indie drinking dens. It’s a place for artists, musicians and comedians to unleash their creative spirit.

Last weekend, the Ouseburn hosted the OxJam Festival to raise money for global poverty charity, Oxfam.

The festival hosted 50 bands across 8 venues as well as an appearance from Newcastle University’s Com-

edy Society.

The day proved to be a resounding success. Newcastle University student Tara told The Courier, “It’s refreshing to see so much talent in a part of Newcastle you don’t necessarily experience as a student.”

Tom – the marketing and events manager and Newcastle University student – said “we saw some of the best bands the North East has to offer while helping to raise approximately £4000.” Funds are still trickling in.

Rob Waters, a performer at the Festival, said that “the student population is vital to the live music scene in Newcastle.” Matt, a drummer in

the band O’Messy Life, reasoned that “there could be more student bands involved in the scene.” This wasn’t a criticism though, it was an open invitation to students to get involved.

One of the highlights of the day was a set by the 27 Club; a local band with seven members – one of whom is a student at Newcastle University.

The outstanding achievement of the day award has to be given to the band the Paper Planes. They helped organise and performed at The Comedy Society show at the Cumberland Arms.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

7

National

What not to wear: Birmingham lecturers told Tarren Smarr Lecturers at Birmingham Metropolitan College have been hit with WKHLU RZQ VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F GUHVV FRGH The dress code includes a business suit, smart jacket and co-ordinating trousers or a skirt, essentially telling lecturers to dress as smartly as possible.

The dress code extends further to specifying what is acceptable for hair, stating that it must be neat, tidy, and well groomed. Limits on jewellery and placement of body piercings and tattoos are also part of the strict proposals.

Students and lecturers have argued that the dress code curtails individuality.

2IĂ&#x20AC;FLDOV DW %LUPLQJKDP VDLG â&#x20AC;&#x153;The College is a professional and businesslike organisation and staff have a responsibility to uphold and promote these values in their dress and appearance.â&#x20AC;?

So what does this mean for lecturers at Newcastle University?

Hopefully nothing if the University and College Union (UCU) have anything to say about the situation. The UCU is protesting the imposed dress code and is working on preventing similar practices being installed in other universities across the United Kingdom.

UCU representative Nick Varney said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The dress code undermines the professionalism of the staff. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lecturers, though in a position of authority, are capable of making their own decisions on what is appropriate dress. The actions taken to impose the dress code at Birmingham are potentially discriminatory and certainly subjective.â&#x20AC;?

Architecture student Laura Mammatt comments: â&#x20AC;&#x153;If the university is worried about professionalism, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more about how lecturers conduct themselves during teaching and seminars rather than what they are wearing. At this level, lecturers should be approachable and not dressed to intimidate students.â&#x20AC;?

NUS offers free alcohol for student sex tests > New NUS initiative slammed by Student 6XSSRUW 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU

After a debate and vote at last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM), the Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union chose to adopt NUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blueprint for graduate WD[ DV LWV RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDO VWDQFH LQ XSFRPLQJ debate - a vote that has since been RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDOO\ GHFLGHG XSRQ WKURXJK 8Qion Council.

An overwhelming majority voted in favour of NUSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proposed scheme at the EGM - a system that is not perfect, but as the government propose to remove the cap on tuition fees (currently ÂŁ3000 per year), the NUS blueprint presents a viable alternative for students and univerVLWLHV ZKR PXVW Ă&#x20AC;QG DQ DOWHUQDWLYH way of paying.

It also raises the question of whether university tuition should be free.

The EGM heard three speakers; James Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan in favour of removing the cap, Sarah Fearns in favour of free education and a guest VSHDNHU $DURQ 3RUWHU 9LFH 3UHVLdent of NUS, to propose and explain the graduate tax scheme.

James Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan was faced with WKH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW UROH RI FRQYLQFLQJ D

room full of students that removing the government cap (essentially allowing universities to charge up to ÂŁ7000) was a good thing.

His argument was based on the supposed increase in standards due to more money being made available. He also connected higher fees to a higher work ethic and the discouragement of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;time-wasters.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; His role as devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s-advocate did little to convince already broke students. He got one vote. Himself.

Sarah Fearns made a convincing argument for the abolishment of fees altogether, arguing that â&#x20AC;&#x153;education is a right.â&#x20AC;?

She also criticized the current system as failing â&#x20AC;&#x153;to maximize graduate potentialâ&#x20AC;?, which would only be exacerbated if the cap were lifted.

Sarah recognized the long-term nature of her proposal but explained it as a necessary investment in the future.

She closed by highlighting that only 3.7% of government spending goes to universities and by removing the cap we are engaging in ´Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO GLVFULPLQDWLRQ Âľ 6KH UHceived three votes. $DURQ 3RUWHU IURP 186 VWDUWHG E\

Caroline Argyropulo-Palmer Comment Editor

Freshers housed in Care home

Carnage comes in for criticism

Drinks at the ready: a student enjoys an alcopop in the Union Basement

Critics have labelled the scheme as a comical representation of the desperate measures health and social welfare organizations are taking to try and combat the increasing levels of sexually transmitted infections.

Chlamydia emerged as the most common sexually transmitted infection in the UK, accounting for 121,000 cases last year, with twothirds among 16-24 year-olds.

Union agree tuition fee stance Benjamin Brown

National

6WXGHQWV DUH VSHQGLQJ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW year of university living in an old peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home after demand for halls accommodation outstripped supply.

7KH Ă&#x20AC;IW\ QHZ :LQFKHVWHU 8QLversity students will live in Woolverston Care Home, where three pensioners are still in residence.

The University has leased the home for one year while a new accommodation block is built on campus, and says they had no other option after receiving an overwhelming number of applications.

Affected student Liam Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Donnell described the situation to The Telegraph as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a nightmare.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; A spokeswoman for the University accepted full responsibility and said it was a situation many universities were experiencing this year.

Rebecca Fardell Alcohol is usually considered to be part of the problem of spreading STIs, but it is now being given out for free to encourage students to take sexual health tests.

The National Union of Students proposed the scheme, which effectively bribes students to get tested.

Their aim is to attempt to cut the increasing levels of sexually transmitted infections, which remain abundant within student age-groups.

The NUS have been criticized for their naĂŻve approach to the scheme, failing to consider that students would abuse the incentive.

Student Unions in London, Manchester and Birmingham have already carried out the scheme and acts such as students pouring beer into sample vials and giving out false names and addresses are merely some of the ways in which the scheme has proved ineffective.

Newcastle Unionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student SupSRUW 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU 3HWH 0HUFHU GLVUHJDUGed the NUS scheme as â&#x20AC;&#x153;irresponsibleâ&#x20AC;? and went on to say that â&#x20AC;&#x153;young people need to be encouraged to get tested with the facts about sexual health.â&#x20AC;?

The NUS developed the scheme with the knowledge that many students are too embarrassed to get tested. Many students would jump at the chance of free alcohol, but not DW WKH WKRXJKW RI SRVVLEO\ Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJ out that they had an STI. When confronted with the idea, 18 year-old Bio-Med student, Sophie Wilson, told The Courier â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hey, why not, if thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s free booze going!â&#x20AC;?

The scheme has come under scrutiny from the Department of Health and they have criticised the NUS for encouraging binge drinking.

NEWS

agreeing with almost everything Sarah had said.

He did, however, point out the idealistic nature of free education and explained how the graduate tax scheme addressed this problem.

The system is fair, pragmatic and realistic. It also allows graduates to go into a profession of low income without fear of overwhelming debt. ,W UHPRYHV WKH ORRPLQJ Ă&#x20AC;JXUH RI tens of thousands of pounds which haunts graduates and repels potential students. He received the remaining 59 votes.

Inside today >>>

,QWHUYLHZ ZLWK %DVVKXQWHU Culture, page 24

%HDU *U\OOV DQG :LOO )HUUHOO UHYLHZHG Culture, page 34

3HWH 0HUFHU IHHOV VWURQJO\ WKDW LQ order to combat increasing levels of sexually transmitted infections â&#x20AC;&#x153;the NUS needs to tackle studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; attitudes towards sexual health.â&#x20AC;?

First year Business, Accounting and Finance student, Claire McGregor, suggested group bookings to encourage friends to go together and get tested.

Graduate Tax proposed by NUS Â&#x2021; 1R IHHV DUH SDLG DW DOO EHIRUH XQLYHUVLW\ E\ VWXGHQW RU government. Â&#x2021; 3D\PHQWV DUH PDGH DV VPDOO FRQWULEXWLRQV IRU \HDUV DIWHU FRPSOHWLQJ WKHLU FRXUVH Â&#x2021; &RQWULEXWLRQV DUH PDGH PRQWKO\ DV D SURJUHVVLYH SHUFHQWDJH RI LQFRPH Â&#x2021; 7KRVH ZKR KDYH EHQHÂżWHG PRVW HFRQRPLFDOO\ IURP XQLYHUVLW\ SD\ PRVW EDFN WR WKH V\VWHP Â&#x2021; &RQWULEXWLRQV DUH KDQGOHG E\ DQ LQGHSHQGHQW ERG\ ZLWK IXQGV JRLQJ GLUHFWO\ EDFN WR XQLYHUVLWLHV Â&#x2021; &RQWULEXWLRQV FDQ EH SDLG LQ OXPS VXPV LI ZLVKHG Â&#x2021; 5HPRYHV WKH ZRUU\LQJ ¾¿JXUHÂś RI GHEW

/DVW ZHHN D 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG +DOODP student who had been on the popular bar crawl Carnage was photographed urinating on a war PHPRULDO 1LQHWHHQ \HDU ROG 3KLO Laing has faced criticism from various servicemenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s groups, his family and university. He admitted to The Sun that he could not remember his actions, having drunk heavily and not eaten since lunchtime. Laing, who will be prosecuted for vandalism, urinating in public and indecent exposure, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am deeply ashamed of this photograph and I am sincerely sorry for my behaviour.â&#x20AC;?

Tory incentive for early loan payback 7KH &RQVHUYDWLYH 3DUW\ KDYH DQnounced plans to reward students who pay back their student loans early, if they come to power.

The shadow universities secretary David Willets announced that he would like to see ten percent discounts on early repayments, and then use the money to fund 10,000 extra university places next year.

This comes after many students found themselves without a university place this year following a huge rise in the number of applicants.

Demand for places is expected to rise again next year, and this measure was welcomed by the 186 3UHVLGHQW :HV 6WUHHWLQJ He did however warn that this must only be a short term solution, telling The Guardian that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We would be concerned if this approach set a precedent ZKHUHE\ WKRVH IURP PRUH DIĂ Xent backgrounds enjoyed preferential repayment conditions on loan debt. â&#x20AC;&#x153;However, given that those from the poorest backgrounds are most likely to lose out without an urgent expansion of places, this is DQ DFFHSWDEOH VKRUW WHUP Ă&#x20AC;[ Âľ

8

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

NEWS

Editorial

Editorial Editor: David Coverdale - editor.union@ncl.ac.uk

University â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;front doorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opens H. HAYES

Education Station Emma Budge (GXFDWLRQ 2IÂżFHU education.union@ncl.ac.uk

The University is set to enter an exciting new era in its development ZLWK WKH XQYHLOLQJ RI LWV Ă DJVKLS building, Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gate.

The ÂŁ35 million student and administrative services building ZLOO RIĂ&#x20AC;FLDOO\ RSHQ DOO VHUYLFHV RQ November 9, although the award winning Careers Service is already open for students on level one.

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects, work began on the glassIURQWHG Ă&#x20AC;YH VWRUH\ VWUXFWXUH HDUO\ last year and its completion marks D VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW ODQGPDUN IRU ERWK WKH University and the city of Newcatle.

The aim is to create a welcoming â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;front doorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to all visitors, staff and students, with the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s student and administrative services EHLQJ EURXJKW WRJHWKHU IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW time.

Vacancies www.careers.ncl.ac.uk/vacancies The Careers Service at Newcastle University provides information and DGYLFH RQ GHYHORSLQJ \RXU VNLOOV ÂżQGLQJ D part-time job, work experience, supporting business start-up and (when the time comes) exploring graduate opportunities.

Below is a selection of the part-time jobs currently being advertised through the Careers Service.

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

Job Title: Saturday Club Support Workers Employer: Edward Lloyd Trust Business: Charitable Organisation Closing date: 16/11/2009 Salary: ÂŁ7.14 per hour Basic job description: They are currently looking for Workers to support children with learning disabilities. The duties of this post include: encouraging and enabling children to take an active part in the activities the play scheme will offer; facilitating or taking a lead role in the undertaking of activities relevant to the workers individual skills/abilities; pro-

Over 400 members of staff will work in the impressive new build, including the Vice Chancellor Chris Brink and his Pro-Vice Chancellor WHDP ZKR ZLOO RFFXS\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;IWK DQG WRS Ă RRU There will be a visitor centre on level one to provide information DQG VHUYH DV D Ă&#x20AC;UVW SRLQW RI FDOO IRU visitors to the campus, while other features include two large interaction zones for student self-help or interactive support â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on level one for the Careers Service and level two for other Student Services.

There is also a suite of spacious interview rooms for drop-in or pre-arranged appointments, as well as three training rooms to hold seminars and workshops.

The Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Academic Registrar, Cathryn Harvey, told The viding personal toileting, feeding or cleaning support to children as is necessary; being able to provide this support with a group of children or working on a one to one basis; and working on your own within agreed Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Services procedures, as part of a team and as required, on your own initiative for the best interests of the children. This post is for 5 hours per week, on a Saturday.

Person requirements: It is essential that you are able to follow instructions and work as part of a team, however you must also be able to work on your own initiative to suit childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s individual needs. You must show keenness and be unfazed by the tasks at hand. It is desirable that you have experience with people who have a wide range of special needs, including assisting with intimate care needs; experience of successfully communicating with people who are disabled, using a variety of methods; and experience of supporting children in physical activities and play. An enhanced CRB check is required for this role, which will be arranged and paid for through the Edward Lloyd Trust.

Location: Gosforth, Newcastle

Job Title: Food and Beverage Assistants Employer: Metroradio Arena Business: Sporting and leisure events Closing date: None given Salary: ÂŁ5.80 per hour Basic job description: They are looking for staff to work at local concerts and sporting

Courier: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been planning for the opening of Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gate for a long time now. ´:H DUH UHDOO\ FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQW WKDW ZH will be able to provide students with more easily accessible and integrated services in this lovely space. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In short, we just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to move in and join the Careers Service team who are already working there. We hope that students will enjoy this new and convenient location and we look forward very much to seeing them there.â&#x20AC;?

Joining the Careers Service on November 9 will be the Student Wellbeing Service, the Student Progress Service, the Accommodation Service and the Tuition Fees team, all of which will be located on level two. events. There are a range of positions available, including: supervisors, bar staff, cashiers, fast food preparation, serving, hospitality attendants, warehouse/runners. This employer recruits all year round Person requirements: You will need to be friendly and customer service orientated.

Experience in the food service industry is not necessary, but a positive attitude and the ability to work in a fast paced environment is essential.

Location: Newcastle

Job Title: External Markers - Student tutoring, volunteering and learning from work Employer: Newcastle University Business: Higher Education Institution Closing date: 30/10/2009 Salary: ÂŁ12.20 per hour Basic job description: You will provide second marking of assessed interviews and contribute to formative and summative feedback for students. In semester one 2009/10, assessed interviews will be held between 4th-22nd January 2010. Second markers will need to be available for at least 8 hours during this period and will offer part or whole day sessions e.g.

9am-5pm, 9am â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 1pm or 1pm â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5pm. A similar timetable will apply in semester two with dates in May/June 2010. Successful applicants will also be required to provide cover on days when you are not engaged in marking for which they will receive a bounty of ÂŁ100 for providing cover. Training and support will

Last week the Union Society held an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to decide what our stance will be on the all-important Higher Education funding debate.

During the EGM, we heard from various people supporting different ways to resolve the issue of HE funding.

An enthusiastic debate followed, with the group voting to support the NUS Blueprint for graduate tax put forward by NUS Vice President Aaron Porter, and this was again agreed at Union Council last Thursday.

The Blueprint would remove any up-front payment of tuition fees, thus reducing student debt. It is based on the premise that those students who gain the PRVW Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W DV D UHVXOW of their studies should make a greater contribution, proportional to their earnings.

This would be paid into a Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trust for Higher Education, which would in turn be used to fund universities in the future.

For further details, search for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;blueprintâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at www.nus.org.uk.

UNION ELECTIONS If you fancy running for a Part-Time 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU SRVLWLRQ WKHQ SLFN XS D QRPLQDWLRQV IRUP IURP WKH *HQHUDO 2IĂ&#x20AC;FH RQ WKH WRS Ă RRU RI WKH 8QLRQ IURP WK October. Nominations close on ThursGD\ WK 2FWREHU DW SP The following positions are up for grabs: Â&#x2021; ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU Â&#x2021; )UHVKHUV¡ :HHN 2UJDQLVHUV Â&#x2021; 0DWXUH 6WXGHQWV 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU Â&#x2021; 3RVWJUDGXDWH 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU Â&#x2021; 6WXGHQWV ZLWK 'LVDELOLWLHV 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU Â&#x2021; 6WXGHQW 3DUHQW DQG &DUHUV 2IĂ&#x20AC;FHU For more info go to www.unionsociety.co.uk or email president.union@ncl. ac.uk. Election Week will be from MonGD\ WK 7KXUVGD\ WK 1RYHPEHU VR even if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not running donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to vote.

be provided. One session from the following dates MUST be attended 10th December 1pm-3pm and 11th December 12pm-2pm.

Person requirements: Applicants should have experience in assessing in a Higher Education or other relevant context and experience in interviewing others for employment.

Degree requirements: Applicants should have a degree from Newcastle University or another UK University.

Location: Newcastle

Job Title: Promotional Staff Employer: The Hyena Comedy Club Business: Bar/Cafe and Comedy Club Closing date: None given Salary: ÂŁNational Minimum Wage Basic job description: The Hyena Comedy Club, SOHO and Madisons Bar/Cafes are currently looking for part time Promotional 6WDII 7KH UROH LQYROYHV KDQGLQJ RXW Ă&#x20AC;\HUV during the week or on weekends, especially match days.

Person requirements: Previous experience is not essential.

Location: Newcastle City Centre

Positions on University committees Want to get more involved in the running of your University? The following positions are currently available, so if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested email me at education.union@ ncl.ac.uk: Â&#x2021; 8QLYHUVLW\ 7HDFKLQJ DQG /HDUQing Committee: There is space for a postgraduate student rep to sit with me on UTLC, where the majority of high level decisions on teaching and learning are taken. Â&#x2021; 6WXGHQW 2SLQLRQ :RUNLQJ Group: There is space for a postgraduate research student rep on this group, which looks at many of the national surveys our students participate in such as the National Student Survey and Postgraduate Taught/Research Experience Survey. Â&#x2021; 3HUVRQDO 7XWRULQJ :RUNLQJ Group: This will meet 4-6 times to review personal tutoring across the University as there is currently ambiguity about the role and a lack of consistency. Â&#x2021; 6RFLDO 6SDFHV *URXS :H QHHG an undergraduate and a postgraduate rep for this group, which will look to improve and create social areas for students. Â&#x2021; %ODFNERDUG 6WHHULQJ *URXS There is space for three undergrads and one postgrad on this group, which aims to make sure Virtual Learning Environments such as Blackboard are being used as effectively as possible by VWDII IRU WKH EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W RI VWXGHQWV

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

9

Powerhouse sponsorship debate continues Comment Editors: Caroline Argyropulo-Palmer and Nicholas Fidler - courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk

> Letters to the Editor, page 12

Morals, anyone?

James Stubbs Columnist

Barack Obama: Nobel Laureate?

YES James Brown The Nobel Peace Prize has always been awarded, according to the will of Alfred Nobel, the creator of the prize, to individuals that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;during the preceding yearâ&#x20AC;Śshall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congressesâ&#x20AC;?. Obama, as the most powerful leader on Earth, has the most capacity for peace. And on each of the peace prize criteria he has used his capacity to the fullest.

Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historic election itself has been the driving force for more â&#x20AC;&#x153;fraternity between nationsâ&#x20AC;?. The rest of the world cried out for his election, sick of eight years of being ignored by Bush.

He is himself a powerful image of hope to the non-white majority in the world. Other nations now recognize the White House is ready IRU GLSORPDF\ Ă&#x20AC; UVW

On the peace prize criteria he has used his capacity to the fullest Obama opposed the Iraq war, and VDZ WKH $IJKDQ FRQĂ LFW DV D QHFHV sary evil. He inherited two costly wars and has sought to end them as quickly as possible, drawing down the number of troops in Iraq and diverting them to Afghanistan in the KRSH RI DYRLGLQJ D ORQJHU FRQĂ LFW there. In the US Congress he has, DJDLQVW PXFK 5HSXEOLFDQ RSSRVL tion, bravely fought for decreases in military spending (as close to â&#x20AC;&#x153;abolition of standing armiesâ&#x20AC;? as a US president can get).

Obama has shown a real commitment to the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s premier peacebuilding institution, the UN (Bush was at best ambivalent towards it).

It was there that Obama chaired a Security Council meeting which unanimously resolved to rid the world of nuclear weapons (â&#x20AC;&#x153;promotion of peace congresses,â&#x20AC;? anyone?).

Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to a nuclear-free world has brought real results already: bilateral negotiation ZLWK 5XVVLD on reducing weapons stockpiles, a rethink in Britain on our own nuclear submarines. Not even Iran can argue with the cold hard logic of Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s peaceful dialogue: it has decided to negotiate with the West. His speech to the Muslim world in Cairo healed old ZRXQGV LQĂ LFWHG E\ HLJKW \HDUV RI Bushâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrogance. He has also made KXJH LQURDGV LQWR WKH PLQHĂ&#x20AC; HOG WKDW LV WKH ,VUDHOL 3DOHVWLQH FRQĂ LFW by categorically renouncing new Israeli settlements.

The committee praised his â&#x20AC;&#x153;extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoplesâ&#x20AC;?, and his commitment to a non-nuclear world, multilateralism, climate change and diplomacy. Maybe this is a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;thank-youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to America for electing someone wholeheartedly non-Bush, but if so, why not? The Bush doctrine left the West poorer, less safe and regarded as arrogant by the rest of the world. This prize acknowledges the welcome change America has made, and calls for more.

Obama does have a lot more to prove, and even critics who say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;too soonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wish him success in building peace, but it is the hope of peace that the committee sought to acknowledge. In the words of the man himself, this award (all $1.4m of which will go to charity) is a â&#x20AC;&#x153;call to actionâ&#x20AC;?. More of the same please, Mr Obama.

NO Jack Torrance There have been more controversial recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize than Barack Obama. Henry Kissinger received the prize for WKH QHJRWLDWLRQ RI D FHDVHĂ&#x20AC; UH LQ WKH 9LHWQDP :DU D FRQĂ LFW LQ ZKLFK he had been accused of committing war crimes. Former Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin was awarded the prize for negotiating peace with Egypt despite his past involvement with Zionist terrorism. Obama may not have these skeletons in his closet but has he really done anything to deserve the award at all?

The Nobel committee announced that the award was for â&#x20AC;&#x153;his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.â&#x20AC;? Yet his nomination for the award was submitted less than 12 days after his inauguration. This would suggest that the award was based on his campaign rhetoric, rather than any real concrete achievements.

In the American press the award has been satirically compared to UHFHLYLQJ DQ 2VFDU IRU D Ă&#x20AC; OP VWLOO LQ production. This is a fair comparison as, whilst I would struggle to fault his ideals and vision for the future, he is yet to achieve anything RI PDMRU VLJQLĂ&#x20AC; FDQFH DIWHU KLV Ă&#x20AC; UVW GD\V LQ RIĂ&#x20AC; FH Despite promising to repair relations between the Middle East and the US, Obama is Commander-InChief of armed forces waging war in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and has doubled the level of US troops in Afghanistan since May. He continues to permit US military operations in Pakistani territory, and has not ruled out an attack on Iran.

Air strikes in Pakistan which have occurred since Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inauguration have killed more civilians than GLHG LQ 86 ERPELQJV LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC; QDO year of the Bush administration.

In addition, Obama has endorsed LQGHĂ&#x20AC; QLWH GHWHQWLRQ ZLWKRXW FKDUJH or trial of some prisoners still remaining in Guantanamo Bay. -XVWLĂ&#x20AC; DEOH RU QRW WKHVH DUH KDUGO\ the appropriate circumstances for the award of a prize for peace.

His nomination was submitted 12 days after his inauguration We should also consider the other potential winners of the award.

Morgan Tsvangirai, the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, has had to overcome major obstacles in his Ă&#x20AC; JKW DJDLQVW WKH W\UDQQ\ RI 5REHUW Mugabeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Zanu PF. The Columbian politician Piedad Cordoba has undergone kidnappings and assassination attempts in order to try and broker peace in the Colombian civil war.

Wei Jingsheng is a Chinese dissident, considered by many to be the most outspoken member of the Chinese Democratic Movement, who spent a total of 18 years in prison before being exiled. All of these people in my view are more worthy of the award, having risked life and limb in order to try and establish peace in their region.

Obama may have inspired hope in many people across the world, but as yet he appears to be lacking in substance. He is yet to implement the massive change of policy which PDQ\ DUH H[SHFWLQJ IURP KLV Ă&#x20AC; UVW term. This, coupled with his overseeing of two brutal wars and the clear suitability of alternative candidates, suggests to me that Barack Obama is not a worthy recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize...yet.

This morning, while trying to sort out my gas and electricity bills over the phone, I felt a slow and silent rage building as I was bounced around different departments for twenty or so minutes, only to be cut off unexpectedly, resulting in an explosion of four letter expletives.

Start again and I eventually get it all done. No doubt everything will be sent to an address I occupied two years ago, as has been done to so many people so many times before, including myself.

Am I just one of the unlucky ones?

The thing is, although during the crackled Duran Duran song you have to listen to while they put you on hold (and I do like Duran Duran) I bounced around my room red in the face at the idiocy of the operator at the end of the phone, I sank back into a calm and collected manner as soon as the music stopped, grinning pathetically and apologising for some reason to the idiot that had kept me waiting for however long. And on a mobile thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4p a minute, even on an 0800 number â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 80p! Outrageous! But really, I am British and very well adjusted to long waits and subsequent politeness, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll put up with it.

So whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s my point? Imagine for a second that I actually had balls and really went for it when Madonna stopped singing, raining foul language at the man/ woman at the other end.

I would tell them that they had a rubbish job and that they were UXLQLQJ P\ OLIH DQG , ZRXOG GHĂ&#x20AC; nitely tell them where to go and what to do with their phone.

Would this be wrong?

Perhaps if they had rung me and not the other way around, no - it would be perfectly reasonable. Do the two individual facts that the person talking to me is in Delhi and that I dislike him, when placed together, make me a racist? Probably.

While doing my daily rounds of YouTube I came across a situation not unlike my own, where an unsuspecting tele-salesman rings up an angry man and gets nowhere because of a deluge of abuse aimed squarely at him. Hilarious results.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funny for us but the guy sounds pretty shaken up by the whole thing - sympathy all round for him but a massive pat on the back for the Christian Bale-esque rant from the grumpy old git.

The difference is that heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clearly well old, or sounds it at least, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re most of us young students with very little to do.

Some students might even be part time telephone people themselves to get some much-needed cash. So give these men and women pissing people off for a living a break; these are tough times.

If you have very few hours of study you can afford to breathe, count to ten, make a cup of tea and sit down and have a nice old chinwag with that man in Delhi about your phone insurance. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll make his day.

10

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

COMMENT

Should points mean places?

Caroline Argyropulo-Palmer Comment Editor Points traditionally win prizes, not university places. However, in the latest instalment of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;social engineering of universitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; debate, that is precisely the accusation.

The system under discussion is WKDW ZKLFK DSSOLHV D PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HU WR DSplicantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; GSCE grades, based on the average GCSE performance of their school. This can obviously raise the results of pupils from the worst perIRUPLQJ VFKRROV TXLWH VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQWO\ This system is used or under discussion to be used at Durham, Oxford, Bristol, Warwick and Manchester universities, amongst others.

The complaints against this system were raised by Andrew Grant, who is the Chairman of the Headmastersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and Headmistressesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; conference that brings together over 250 independent schools. His concern is that universities are becoming too concerned with political motivations and not with letting in the brightest children, who he thinks are therefore missing out on places.

There is a lot of fear that university standards will fall, or that there will be no more room in universities for pupils from a more wealthy background, who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be sold on their particular disadvantages.

However, alongside these concerns is the fact of the appalling under-representation of students from state school backgrounds at university. Despite the above mentioned fears, and the many fear inducing measures to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;socially engineerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; universities, a recent report in The Times revealed that the percentage of privately educated pupils at university is still on the up.

Only 7% of the school age population is educated privately, but out of the top 10 universities only UCL, Oxford and Exeter have decreased the number of pupils taken from the private schooling system since 2003, with increases seen at many of the others.

The Daily Mail article in which I read Grantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comments names and shames Durham for its use of the PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HU V\VWHP +RZHYHU 'XUKDP only started to use this system because they have experienced a rise in the number of privately educated students from 33.3 % in 2003 to 39.5 % in 2007, and felt they needed to compensate.

This clearly shows that the issue with state school pupils attending university is still that not enough are, not that universities are about to become over run by them at the expense of anyone who went to a school with a low added value score.

With regards to this new policy, the call that it will cause a rush of sub-standard university students LV ULGLFXORXV $Q\RQH ZKR Ă&#x20AC;OOHG LQ a UCAS form in the not too distant past will know that it is a fairly complicated procedure. It is not simply your vital information and a list of grades, and with the implication of WKLV QHZ PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HU V\VWHP LW ZRQ¡W MXVW EH D OLVW RI ÂśPRGLĂ&#x20AC;HG¡ JUDGHV There are references, the personal statement and lists of extra-curricular activities as well as detailed lists of your GCSE and AS/A level results, including module titles and precise results. They are looking at more than just your grades, and in particular they are looking at more than your GCSE grades, which is what this affects.

Therefore any sudden onslaught of newly acceptable applicants is

unlikely. A welcome, as far as I am concerned, outcome, perhaps more likely, is that it will get some extra DSSOLFDQWV RYHU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KXUGOH $ hurdle based on examinations taken at a formative time in a pupils development, and a highly pressurised time in a schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life, when there may not have been the parental or staff support to motivate and guide pupils, or the resources to do more than aim to get them above a C. If the pupils who are compensated for these shortfalls with a leg up at WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW MXPS PDQDJH WR FOHDU DOO WKH others it probably isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t because their under-performing, under-funded school had the time to bluff them through at the expense of brighter, privately educated rivals. Its probably because theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re good pupils who are up to university standard.

Despite this possible positive of the policy I am not convinced that DQ DFWXDO PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HU ZDV QHFHVVDU\ LQ order to achieve it.

Universities are higher education institutions, and with that in mind Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pretty sure that university admissions tutors were perfectly capable before of realising that there might have been an advantage in the education of a pupil from Eton over that from Agnes Stewart CoE High in Leeds, which is one of the ones listed as receiving the maxiPXP PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HU

There might have been an advantage in the education of a pupil from Eton over that from Agnes Steward CofE High in Leeds

No startling change in the way universities handle admissions or who gets in will come of this policy, ZKHWKHU WKDW Ă&#x20AC;OOV \RX ZLWK UHOLHI or annoyance. It is a small step in highlighting and trying to redress the huge imbalance in the number of privately and state educated students entering higher education, and one that probably could have been managed with a memo encouraging universities to look at an applicantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s school rather than another bureaucratic box to tick.

Interestingly with regards to this particular policy, the report in the Times also suggests that the increase in private school pupils in many of the best universities is because less established universities are accepting state school pupils with reduced entry requirements, so in fact this system might be helping pupils from underperforming schools into university but keeping them out of the top choices, again showing that there needs to be a rethink.

I would hope that this rethink gave some agency back to the universities, and encourages them to look for potential in pupils through interviews and possibly entrance exams rather than relying on a list of numbers. However. which ever system they use they will always need to be aware that with greater time and resources at their disposal, students from private schools will almost always be better prepared, whatever their comparative raw ability. Points do not get you a place at university, but it seems weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re still struggling WR Ă&#x20AC;QG D ZD\ ZKHUH HTXDOO\ MXGJHG academic merit and potential does either.

Eton College

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t upset the rhythm Sophie McCoid The exam watchdog Ofqual has given its support to new proposals for an overhaul of the university application system, as reported in The Times last week (7th Oct).

These proposals will allow â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;level students to sit their exams earlier, immediately after Easter during April, rather than during the summer months as they do currently. The idea behind it is that students will be able to apply to university knowing their actual grades, rather than relying on their predicted grades to gain a place.

In theory it sounds like a practical way to try and make the system fairer than it currently is. The system in my opinion does need to be PRGLĂ&#x20AC;HG DQG VRPH DVSHFWV GR QHHG to be changed, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sure that this is the way to go about it.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all heard in the news, from our friends or even through personal experience perhaps, of studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; grades suffering from a poor standard of marking and them being unable to take up their place at WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW FKRLFH XQLYHUVLW\ GXH WR the high demand for places. These new proposals aim to stop this from occurring by â&#x20AC;&#x153;shaving some time off the return of resultsâ&#x20AC;?.

This seems to beg the question, how can a better standard of marking be expected if less time is being devoted to it? Surely this would only increase pressure on markers and thus lead to an even poorer standard? The cost to train more markers to deal with the increased workload would also raise costs, making this proposal seem less and less appealing.

Universities are also questioning the practicality of putting these

proposals in place. Steve Smith, the president of Universities UK, which represents vice-chancellors, warned that the changes would give only a small window for admissions tutors to assess candidates. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It sounds a good idea until you look at how it would operate. Widening participaWLRQ ZRXOG EH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WR DFKLHYH Âľ This is also a worrying concept, the recent moves to make universities more diverse by including students from different ethnic backgrounds and from lower income families would be seemingly thwarted if these proposals were SXW LQ SODFH 7KH VPDOO Ă&#x20AC;YH WR VL[ week application window would lead to admissions tutors perhaps choosing a candidate based on grades alone because they simply havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t got the time to assess the candidate as a whole, potentially leading to worthwhile candidates being excluded unfairly.

The proposals aim to take pressure off students by giving them the chance to apply with their actual grades, so they have more certainty as to whether they will gain a place or not. In theory this sounds like a good enough assumption however, in practice I believe it would lead to more stress. Students who perhaps didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t quite achieve their predicted grades wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be able to apply to their desired university because they didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t meet the required standard.

In my opinion the current system of applying with predicted grades works; the admissions tutors have more time to assess the candidate and when the actual results are known if the student misses out by a grade or two the admissions tutors are more likely to let them onto the course due to their other desirable qualities, under the new

system this would be unlikely to occur and students that deserve to be on the course would suffer.

My â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; level year was probably the most stressful period of my life, the amount of coursework deadlines and revision for the most important exams Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d ever taken almost completely overwhelmed me.

If I hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had the period of study leave I know my grades would have suffered.

Under these new proposals the study leave period would be UHGXFHG WR D PLQLPDO DPRXQW WR Ă&#x20AC;W in all the required teaching time.

This would lead to students being extremely stressed. The pace of teaching in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; level year would have to be increased and the content almost completely devoted to what would be on the exam paper, giving weight to the old argument that students are taught to pass exams and nothing more.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a positive thing that some steps are being made towards reform however, I disagree that this is the way to go. Students would be more stressed, receive a poorer quality of teaching and potentially miss out on a university place that they deserve. Change needs to start with increasing the standard of marking before any further reform can even be suggested.

Â&#x2021; H[WUD XQLYHUVLW\ DSSOLFDQWV FRPSHWHG IRU RQO\ H[WUD SODFHV DW LQVWLWXWLRQV DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ WKLV \HDU Â&#x2021; Â&#x2026; PLOOLRQ JRYHUQPHQW IXQGLQJ JDS VWDOOV JURZWK DFURVV DOO GLVFLSOLQHV

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

11

COMMENT A. WILSON

The real joke about rape Nick Kershaw I must assert my position right from the start; rape is the most heinous and hideously damaging crime that can be committed â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and it is never the victims fault. So why is it that, according to Her Majestyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate, only a pathetic 5.7% of reported rapes in the UK end in a conviction? :H FDQQRW H[FXVH WKLV Ă&#x20AC;JXUH E\ arguing that the nature of the crime PDNHV LW GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WR FRQYLFW WKH DFcused; every other country in Europe has a better conviction rate than the UK. Clearly our laws and procedures are woefully inadequate at protecting women from what must be the most terrifying moment in their lives; an event which will leave all manner of scars that will remain with them forever.

The tragic story of Lindsay Armstrong, who committed suicide two weeks after her attacker had been found guilty because of the damage caused by the questioning process, demonstrates that not only are the perpetrators escaping punishment, the victims are put through a cruel and brutal series of interrogations and cross-examinations.

Turn on your television and you ZLOO EH ERPEDUGHG ZLWK ODZ Ă&#x20AC;UPV RIIHULQJ WR Ă&#x20AC;QG VRPHRQH WR EODPH for our misfortunes at work, yet we seem incapable of locking up the evil men that derive pleasure from subjecting women to the most degrading of actions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; what a joke!

The response from politicians is the predictably mixed message of hard hitting words combined with laughably little actionâ&#x20AC;Śonly, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not funny.

However, I do not believe this is entirely their fault; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a social problem. Rape is seen as something that one can laugh at; it has been normalised by comedy. It has been normalised by the word â&#x20AC;&#x153;rapeâ&#x20AC;? being used in comical social situations; how many of us have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;facebook rapedâ&#x20AC;??

Overusing a word can undermine the actions associated with it. It is all well and good to claim that it is only a joke, that you have to laugh at these things or that it is some peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of dealing with it â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but it goes beyond a joke when a woman

is unable to report the crime because they feel too humiliated. We should be ashamed that we have created an environment where a victim of rape feels shame â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whilst the perpetrator could well be laughing with his mates about last nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conquest.

One of the most astonishingly narrow minded statements when it comes to sexual abuse comes from the lad who reaches to pick up his pint and smugly remarks â&#x20AC;&#x153;The way she dresses is just asking to be raped.â&#x20AC;?

Obviously he is unaware of the clear contradiction within this sentence not to mention the fact that the way a girl chooses to dress does not at any point invite a man to carry RXW KLV VHOĂ&#x20AC;VK GHVLUHV XSRQ KHU The ignorant chap who made the previous comment is quite likely to add that an ugly or older woman would be lucky to be on the receiving end of rape; yet women of all ages, ethnicity and weight wearing all manner of clothing are victims of rape - attractiveness really has little to do with this issue.

Our laws are woefully inadaquete at protecting women from what must be the most terrifying moment in their lives

We are living in a culture where we can excuse rape as a misunderstanding or a case of too much drugs or alcohol. At what point did â&#x20AC;&#x153;noâ&#x20AC;? change from meaning exactly that? I understand there can be grey areas and there can certainly be false accusations, but for too long the courts have favoured the man: an elderly, patriarchal system has allowed this to happen.

It is only in 1992 that it became illegal to rape your own wife. That is centuries of terrible abuse of women that must be redressed. I actually do not mind if a few innocent men go to jail as a result of a tougher legal system that is convicting more guilty men.

Many will say that this is a very harsh and unreasonable comment but just think of the huge amount of

women who have never seen justice doled out to the man who put them through such a hellish experience.

Women have been forced to live their life dealing with the eternal pain of rape whilst men can continue their lives as normal and accepted members of society â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perhaps pressing their wills upon even more women.

There is also a school of thought that suggests that men who rape may well have suffered abuse in their past, or perhaps have insecurities about themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that they need psychiatric help.

I fully support any help that can be offered to any young man who is struggling with his life but every person in this world has their issues; we have all been through trauma of some description and yet most of us are able to refrain from destroying another personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life.

Yet again we are looking to excuse the criminal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; every individual must take responsibililty for their actions and if they cannot do this then they must be held to account by the law.

The devastation of a humanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life is not something to be laughed at; it is not a joke. Rape must be taken seriously, it is a grave crime and it has severe repercussions on the victim.

By making it a joke we trivialise and undermine the tremendous evil that has transpired.

We need a society with a more understanding heart; beating in time to the needs of the abused. This is

an impossible target if we continue to make light of rape as a crime and look to excuse the actions of the violent men perpetrating it.

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No student choice means no vote > In response to last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Conservative Future article Will Richens Being a student carries a number of stereotypes that I am happy to conform to; LGOH SURYLGHV MXVWLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQ IRU VWD\LQJ LQ bed until 11am); drunken (allows me to enjoy a drink without being labelled as an alcoholic) and left wing (means people could explain my support for the Labour Party through youthful naivety).

The problem is â&#x20AC;&#x201C; whilst Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m happy to continue being lazy and hungover, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be a Labour Party supporter any more. Whereas it was once â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;coolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to support Tony Blair and the utopian schisms promised back in 1997, it is now considered a faux pas to even hint at support for the current Government.

Students donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be associated with war, economic failure and political corruption, and quite rightly so.

Trouble being - who to now select as an alternative. David Cameron may be young, he may be charismatic, and he may understand Twitter, but he still represents the ultimate adversary to the typical university apprentice.

As Henry said to Anne of Cleaves - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just not going to happen. If being a Tory and an Etonian wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stigma enough, &DPHURQ¡V FRPPLWPHQW WR VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQWO\ cutting public spending will only alienate Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scholars even further.

So, whose box do I cross instead? The Liberal Democrats should seem the obvious choice. They campaigned against both the war in Iraq and the introduction of top-up fees, two ticks there I suppose.

Nick Clegg even took me on a tour of the European Parliament once, which was nice of him.

Shame his local councillors are taking

every possible measure to ensure students are turfed out of residential areas and into ghettoised tower blocks in order to establish â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;more stable communitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. That, coupled with an increasing sense of ineptitude for government since Charles Kennedy last had a swig from his whisky bottle, means I am just as unlikely to vote Yellow as I am Blue or Red. Perhaps the Green Party would provide the right hue to appease my growing apathy then? Their â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Green New 'HDO¡ UHĂ HFWV WKH SDUW\¡V PDQ\ DSSHDOing policies, but rather like Sven Goran Eriksson taking over at Notts County, they may be engaging, and they may say the right things, but you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feasibly see them working out in the long run. Whilst one would love to invest in the principles of Caroline Lucasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; crusade, they are but idealistic goals of a party that can only afford such stand points as a result of their minority position.

And that, it would seem, that all that is left are the minority cases. Parties who are too extreme (in both directions) to merit any credible attention, or parties ZKR DUH WRR SROLF\ VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F WR ZDUUDQW enough support to ever make them nationally viable.

It is now considered a faux pas to even hint at support for the current Government...I am just as unlikely to vote Yellow as I am Blue or Red Last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s The Courier carried an article trying to stir up political courage within students, asking us to shake off our apathy and make the impact that democracy affords us. Unfortunately

though, politics just isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t that simple.

Voting is an act that we should be proud WR H[HUFLVH EXW LWV UHDO EHQHĂ&#x20AC;WV DULVH RXW of picking a candidate or party that you can truly believe in, not from picking the lesser of a multitude of evils.

My challenge to the disengaged, politically confused students of today then is WR Ă&#x20AC;QG D VROXWLRQ WR WKLV PHVV )LQG DQ alternative, with realistic yet idealistic policies. )LQG D OHDGHU ZKR ZLOO VWDQG XS IRU KXman rights, a modern day Robin Hood, who will listen and be listened to all at the same time.

Perhaps the government could spend some of its newly acquired ÂŁ16bn transferring Barack Obama to the premiership - that might just provide us Brits with the change that we can, and need to, believe in.

12

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

COMMENT

No salmon thanks, my loanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not in Katherine Bannon The word student used to conjure up images of vermin-infested digs, baked bean suppers and a lack of acquaintance with central heating.

To have enough spare change for a pint of bitter at the weekend meant VDFULĂ&#x20AC;FLQJ D EXV ULGH LQWR WRZQ DQG D PRQWKO\ WUHDW ZDV Ă&#x20AC;YH 7HVFR doughnuts for 50p.

Not anymore, according to Kevin Sharpe, a professor at Queen Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University of London, in The Times Higher Education magazine. Now we are the paragon of easy living.

Lounging upon toasty leather sofas to enjoy the delights of Marks and Spencerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ready made cuisine ZKLOH ZH FDVXDOO\ Ă LFN WKURXJK WKH Sky channels blaring from our wall mounted LCD TVs. Between lectures, we sip lattes and nibble on smoked salmon sandwiches. Every single one of us not only owns a car but a satellite navigation system, and the only way to distinguish between state and public school attendees is their possession of a personalized number plate.

If only. Fair enough, to have one pint on a night out would defeat the object of leaving the house altogether, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always worth that few extra pence for McVities Jaffa Cakes, but the only time Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve bought food from M&S is because I was given vouchers for Christmas.

So no, not exactly the 70s student lifestyle of squalor and hardship eagerly discussed by Daily Mail website readers. But neither do my SDUHQWV VWLOO ZHDU Ă DUHV DQG KDYH their kitchen kitted out with avocado green appliances.

The way I see it, your â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;realâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home

and your university home are assigned different steps on the quality of living staircase.

Your â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;realâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home is undoubtedly at the top, where the waft of Sunday roasts and the allure of Lenor scented clothing is a constant temptation.

At university you sit halfway down, where the kitchen surfaces are a constant health risk and if you need a plate youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to have to ZDVK LW Ă&#x20AC;UVW

Between lectures we sip lattes and nibble on smoked salmon sandwiches

below par as tucking football socks into tracksuit bottoms.

Yet still this is only a handful, and to tarnish the entire student population with the same MAC makeup brush is absurd - the gulf between the rich and the not-so-rich is large enough to contain all this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s X Factor hopefuls and Jo Brand. :KLOH RWKHUV IHDVWHG RQ &DPHPEHUW P\ Ă DWPDWHV DQG , ZRXOG dedicate valuable minutes debating whether to purchase Morrisonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;valueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tuna or save that critical seven pence more by succumbing to the less garishly coloured but more potentially life-threatening

to tell resulting from a job doing product research for a deodorant company.

Put yourself in our shoes. If you were promised to have the best three years of your life, offered the money to do it and had the accumulated debt painted as a distant PLUDJH LQ WKH RDVLV RI D WKUHH Ă&#x20AC;JXUH salary, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be where we are too.

Otherwise what is the alternative?

A lifetime dedicated to arranging underwear in Primark, or as a six digit number in a faceless call centre selling insurance. :H GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ ZRXOGQ¡W EH EX\LQJ smoked salmon sandwiches then.

No matter whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the 60s or in thirty yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time, the number of steps in between will still remain the same. At home we have a 40â&#x20AC;? Ă DW VFUHHQ 6DPVXQJ /&' DQG D :LL Here our no-name silver television is taller than a small child if you lay it face down, and is precariously balanced on an overturned chair.

In the 70s, student televisions were probably black and white, donated by parents whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d just embraced the colour TV changeover.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s called evolution.

Nonetheless, claims made by the study into student spending arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t entirely false. Students can be found supping frappachinos in Pret a Manger while comparing French Connection purchases and twiddling with their Blackberrys.

However, their funds are not obtained from the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pocket but withdrawn from the Bank of Mummy and Daddy; limitless, unquestioning and non-repayable. To them, a student loan is as socially H. HAYES

Letters to the Editor > In response to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Debate - Powerhouse and Freshersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Culture, issue 1194

> In response â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Time for Voting - Not Apathyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in Comment, issue 1194

Dear Editor, It was with increasing dismay that I read this article, taking issue largely on two fronts. Firstly, I think it extremely unfair to portray the Fresherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s week organisers as participating in a â&#x20AC;&#x153;heinous campaignâ&#x20AC;? and more widely to accuse the Union Society of having some sort of hidden agenda.

This is simply hubris, as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure that the organisersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; thoughts were undoubtedly well intentioned.

It made sense logistically to utilise such a large venue, commercially to accept the sponsorship, and, actually I think it was very commendable of them to bring the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest gay venue to the attention of Freshers. ,W UHĂ HFWV WKH JHQHUDOO\ RSHQ minded and accepting view of LGB people, to be found on campus and Newcastle as a city.

The second dismaying thing is that the author represents the view of only one camp of LGB opinion.

This camp holds often contradictory views; of greater inclusion in society while frequently highlighting their differences from everyone else with, for example pride events

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Bettabuyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; range.

Maybe we could have opted IRU -RKQ :HVW EXW LI VWRFNLQJ RXU cupboards with variations of supermarketsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; recession-busting ranges meant another night out that week then â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Smartpriceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; was always going to be the answer.

Because no matter what, pennies will always be found for a hazy night of even hazier memories.

Otherwise what is the point? Three years of wearing four layers in bed and eating plain pasta for tea to still result in minus twenty thousand pounds in tuition and accommodation costs and the only life stories

SUDOKU 7KH REMHFWLYH LV WR Ă&#x20AC;OO WKH JULG VR WKDW HDFK FROXPQ HDFK row and each of the nine 3Ă&#x2014;3 boxes contains the digits from 1 to 9 only one time each. For the completed puzzle check next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of The Courier.

Dear Editor,

DQG VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F DUHDV IRU VRFLDOLVLQJ The other camp, which includes myself, hold the opposite view of the author, in that we wish to see deeper integration of LGB people LQWR VRFLHW\ DQG Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH FRQFHSW of segregated gay and straight bars an anachronistic irregularity not suited to our inclusive age. :H ZRXOG PXFK UDWKHU RXU homosexuality be seen as a small FKDUDFWHU WUDLW DV VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW LQ WKH grand scheme of things as say, hair colour. :KLOH OLYLQJ LQ D JHQHUDOO\ DFFHSWing society, we are still a long way off that (admittedly idealistic) situation, but keeping bars and clubs described as straight and gay does not help matters.

RD

Sarah Farnham of Conservative Future questions the widespread political apathy of her fellow students (Time for voting - not apathy, 12/10/09) and I share her concern.

Perhaps it has something to do with the First Past the Post voting system which means that, no matter how much Farnham denies it, most votes at general elections in this country are entirely wasted and change nothing.

If she is really passionate about getting people voting, her time might be best spent convincing her fellow Conservatives to stop defending this antiquated system.

Yours sincerely, Simon Childs

Send all comments and responses about any story you have read in The Courier to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk

Inside today >>>

Full page of Puzzles

Netball Round-up

Puzzles, page 37

Sport, page 41

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

13

Introducing Señor José > Sex & Relationships, page 17 Life & Style Editors: Larisa Brown, Alex Felton and Ashley Fryer - courier.life@ncl.ac.uk

7LII·V 7XHVGD\V KHUH DOO ZHHN :KDW DGYLFH ZRXOG \RX JLYH WR QHZ VWXGHQWV ZKR KDYH PD\EH QRW KDG PXFK FRRNLQJ H[SHULHQFH EHIRUH"

> Newcastle graduate cooking her way to the top

Buy the book! Just have a little conÀGHQFH *R WR WKH *UDLQJHU 0DUNHW and buy the vegetables, fruit and meat there because you come away with bags of food and you’ve spent next to nothing. Try and utilise your local amenities.

And just have fun with it – get everyone round, get someone to bring a pudding, get someone to bring a salad. Make it easy but make it fun – it’s such a social thing.

David Coverdale Editor Tiffany Goodall has come a long way since graduating from Newcastle in the summer of 2008.

Well known at university for her weekly dinner parties ‘Tiff’s Tuesdays’, the Business student has gone on to make appearances on BBC Market Kitchen and done demonstrations for Marks & Spencers, the Home & Garden Show and Channel 4’s Taste Festival in London and Bath.

Her debut book ‘From Pasta to Pancakes: The Ultimate Student Cookbook’ was released in August to critical acclaim and has been reviewed in The Sun, The Times and The Telegraph, as well as featuring as the ‘Book of the Week’ in the Daily Mail.

Speaking at the University’s Alumni Association’s Gold Network event, the 22-year-old describes her passion for food and her plans for the future.

&203(7,721 Win a signed copy of Tiffany Goodall’s ‘The Ultimate Student Cookbook’ The Courier is giving away three copies of Tiffany Goodall’s new book. To be in with a chance of winning, all you have to do is answer the following question: Which celebrity chef made his name as ‘The Naked Chef’?

:KHQ GLG \RX ÀUVW JHW LQWR FRRNLQJ"

Email your answers to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk before 5pm on Friday 23rd October.

I’ve always been really passionate about it and then I trained when I was 17 in Ireland at Ballymaloe.

I came top of the class in a really intensive course.

I then set up my own private catering company in London and became really ambitious about writing a student cookbook. :KLFK KDOOV ZHUH \RX LQ DW WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ DQG ZKDW GLG \RX PDNH RI WKH IRRG WKHUH" I was in Castle Leazes and thought the food was dreadful! I ended up cooking for myself quite a lot in our little kitchen even though there were no saucepans or anything.

You’d think that if you’re in catered halls you wouldn’t need a kitchen, but if you want to cook at the weekends then you do need it. :KDW GLG \RX GR FRRNLQJ ZLVH ZKHQ \RX ZHUH DW 1HZFDVWOH" I did a thing called ‘Tiff’s Tuesdays’. Basically in second year when you move into your own house I did a dinner party and friends came over and they wanted to make it a regular thing.

So we agreed that if everyone FKLSSHG LQ D ÀYHU DQG EURXJKW some booze then we would do it every Tuesday.

I used to go to Grainger Market DQG 6RXWK 6KLHOGV ÀVK PDUNHW DQG then just used all the local ingredients. I also tried making meals and selling them, but it didn’t really work!

'LG \RX HQMR\ \RXU WLPH DW XQLYHUVLW\ WKHQ"

Tiffany Goodall showing off her Student Cookbook at the Gold Network Alumni event

I loved it. Having done the cooking course at Ballymaloe, I didn’t think I wanted to go to uni, I just wanted to go straight into food. But as well as the academic side of things, coming to uni here was so much more.

I call it a village because everyone is so friendly. It’s so nice and beautiful – there’s something for everyone. :KHQ \RX ÀUVW FDPH WR 1HZFDVWOH GLG \RX DOZD\V KDYH LW LQ PLQG WKDW \RX ZDQWHG WR ZULWH D FRRNERRN" Yeah I really wanted to, but I didn’t know any contacts or have any route to go down – it was just a dream. My dad and I thought about the self publishing route but you would have to pay for the publishing yourself and if you do that, there’s no guarantee that it would get into book shops.

So I just took every opportunity I could, talked to everyone that I could about it and then suddenly I got given an opportunity to assist a chef in Derby for Marks and Spencers.

I went down there at the beginning of third year. My parents were like, “no, quit the dream”

but I went and the chef was ill and I was given the chance to be on stage demonstrating infront of 200 people.

I then met another chef who I spoke to about my idea and he said “great idea, I’ll introduce you to my agent”. So she now represents me and she spoke to a literary agent who set up the book and met publishers and that’s sort of how it worked. :KDW GLG \RX GR DV VRRQ DV \RX JUDGXDWHG" Well a couple of months before my graduation there was a proposal for my book. So I wrote three chapters, a synopsis and a biography and sent it out to publishers.

I sent it out to about twenty publishers overall and I got about seven people interested. Then as I left uni after my exams on the Friday, I went back to London, and for the two weeks straight after I had interviews and meetings with lots of different publishers.

A few of them pitched an offer and then there was a bit of a bidding war but eventually I went with Quadrille, who published it ÀQDOO\

A. WILSON

It was all go - I had to get a team together quickly and re-write bits of the book because I’d written nearly all of it in my spare time at uni when I should have been writing my essays! +RZ·V WKH ERRN EHHQ UHFHLYHG" It’s been brilliant. It’s featured in The Telegraph, The Times and The Sun and it’s been ‘Book of the Week’ in the Daily Mail. It’s been really good. I’ve also been on the One Show and I’ve done things like the Breakfast Show on BBC Radio Newcastle.

The best experience of everything so far though has to be when I was VHQW P\ ÀUVW FRS\ RI WKH ZRUN 7KDW was amazing. :KDW·V \RXU RYHUDOO DPELWLRQ" To keep writing books. I’ve started writing my second one now which is going to be a young professionals one, so the next stage when you start to appreciate ingredients a bit more.

I’d like to do a bit more TV as well and then eventually I’d like to have a deli and then a restaurant.

The GOLD Network (Graduates of the Last Decade) was launched in both Newcastle and London back in 2006. The primary aim was to engage a greater number of recent graduates with the University as traditionally alumni events had been populated by a much older crowd. Since then a need for WKLV ZDV DOVR LGHQWL¿HG LQ FHUWDLQ RYHUVHDV markets (Greece, China, Norway) where obtaining employment and furthering skills had been a problem among our graduates and GOLD has since spread its wings. The Alumni Association trys to provide a variety of themes to ensure they keep GOLD members interested.

The Careers Service collaborates with the GOLD network and Alumni to ensure graduates have access to business networking opportunities, social networking and new skill acquisition.

They offer a wide range of activities and opportunities for Graduates including Graduate Apprentice, Enterprisers and Careers Advice and Guidance at Newcastle University.

As a really good example of how this collaboration helps Newcastle University Graduates; after the last GOLD event at Florita’s, several graduates signed up to “Enterprisers” a bespoke residential course on offer to GOLD alumni http://www.ncl. ac.uk/careers/makeitfly/enterprisers.php.

Enterprisers has helped these graduates develop the skills and the mindset necessary to compete for jobs or start their own businesses in the current economic climate.

Several more of these amazing courses are also on offer in semester two.

14

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

LIFE & STYLE

Food & Drink

The Penny Pincher

Food & Drink

Rowan Taylor Columnist H. HAYES

Restaurant Reviews The Cherry Tree, Jesmond Alex Felton Life & Style Editor Swanky Jesmond eatery The Cherry Tree sits overlooking Osborne Road with a certain grandeur and status that makes the other establishments up and down the streets look slightly pedestrian.

The restaurant has always been the bĂŞte noir for students, taunting us with its promises and alluring facade; however a new initiative has been introduced by the management to encourage a more student friendly trade, thestudentsupperclub.

With three courses and a glass of the house wine for ÂŁ15.00 every Tuesday, the restaurant has opened itself up to the booming student trade.

7KH LQWHULRU UHVWDXUDQW Ă RRU LV OLW perfectly for a lady and the tramp

Starters & Puds, Shakespeare St Harri Borg-Bartolo Tucked away behind the Theatre Royal lies the welcoming safe haven that is Starters and Puds.

The understated yet classy decor and layout provides diners with a pleasant retreat; a welcome bit of downtime that you wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect to get just secondsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; walk from the anarchy of Legends.

The idea of this place is that you choose several smaller starters of all varieties, allowing you to taste a

Queue Blues Eleanor Wilson A great night can be ruined very effectively by something that is tricky to spell when drunkenly texting your friends to tell them: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m still in the queueâ&#x20AC;?.

Worse than your regular queue, however, are the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;queue-jumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; queues. You think, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sick of queuing to get into placesâ&#x20AC;? so get yourself a pass that promises that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll jump straight to the front.

You have images of sailing past the unfortunate souls who donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a

Lucy Hadley The White Lady 2 parts Gin 1 part Cointreau 1 part lemon juice Shake the ingredients well with ice, strain and serve.

style date with a slightly raised stage and piano situated amongst the tables. However, on this evening the resident ivory key player was absent and we had to settle for a rendition of Fleetwood Mac: The Greatest Hits.

I tucked into a well sized portion of Salt & Pepper Squid, which had been exceptionally cooked in a very light batter. Well cooked squid (which is a rarity as it is either butchered by chefs who are batter happy or over cook it so it is tougher than old boots) and Fleetwood Mac are two of my favourite things and The Cherry Tree hit it on the head. The Salt Beef Hash was similarly well prepared.

Keeping with the seafood theme I ordered a generous portion of Moules Frites (Mussels and Chips) which was an absolute delight.

My other dining partner enjoyed a main course of Breast Corn Fed Chicken with Szechuan Vegetables, which was decent but by no means exceptional unfortunately. Indeed, my other dining partner ordered Baked Goats Cheese Polenta with

Lesson Two: Internet Cashback If you are willing to drop your routine attachment to the high street, you can be heavily rewarded. It is possible to earn cashback on almost everything you do online: applying for a bank account, buying a DVD, booking a holiday, even playing some bingo.

Websites exist which value your custom so much they are willing to pay you cash just for clicking through their special links.

By some margin the largest such site is Quidco.com, which throws money at you for all manner of online activity such as sign ups, purchases and even free trials.

The value of cashback varies from retailer to retailer, from 2-20%, or LV VRPHWLPHV D Ă&#x20AC;[HG VXP +HUH DUH 7 out of 1600 retailers: Sauteed Wild Mushroom, which was a tad dry.

I capped a good meal off with a Lemon Posset with Fresh Raspberries, which was superb.

All the desserts were similarly exE. WILSON

cellent, and we exited very happy with the experience, although the girls were maybe a bit wary of having Eltonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Are You Ready For Love?â&#x20AC;? booming out behind us.

range of things.

If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not a fan of sharing, this may not be the place for you; however, some of the food was just too good to keep to yourself and I actually wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t rest until the others had experienced the genius of some of the dishes. The breast of pigeon was perfection but the general consensus from the table was that the &RQĂ&#x20AC;W RI EHHI ZDV D FOHDU ZLQQHU Apologies to any vegetarians but I cannot recommend this enough.

Even with several starters and VLGHV DV RXU Ă&#x20AC;UVW FRXUVH ZHOO DQG truly demolished, there was surprisingly ample space for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pudsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The choice was too much to bear and so our waiter came to the rescue and created a selection of his recommendations, including sticky toffee

pudding and chocolate brownies with ice cream.

pass, standing out in the cold, perhaps looking on enviously. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re very lucky (or arrive too early for the place to be good), this miracle might actually happen; but, for the most part, you then have to stand in a second queue full of other queuejumpers.

Guest list queues tend to have similar problems, except that usually these are longer and move at the same rate as the regular queue.

Another tactic for avoiding the queue also has an unfortunate histoU\ RI EDFNĂ&#x20AC;ULQJ *RLQJ WR WKH YHQXH early so that you can get stamped and get in quickly later.

Legends is notorious for this problem on a Wednesday night! After

queuing for ages to get stamped (most likely with people who have the same plan as you), you go off to a bar or two before coming back thinking that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just breeze in.

No chance.

The crowd of people with stamps on their hands trying to force their way in before each other tells you that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not getting in for a while!

Boredom isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the only risk in a long queue outside a club. If itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s raining, all evidence of hair styling and lovely make-up can be lost, not to mention then being soaking wet in the club.

Snow can be entertaining until you lose sensation in your hands, feet

The White Lady is essentially the girly version of a Sidecar (Brandy, Cointreau and Lemon Juice) - and also goes by the name of a Chelsea Sidecar, Delilah or Lilian Forever.

It was claimed to have been invented by the creator of Harryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bar in New York in the 1920â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - its a clean and fresh cocktail that should be drunk very cold.

The Union is looking for a new cocktail for its â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Haunted Houseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; night on Friday 30th October.

It is best served as a appertif - as a cool and refreshing tasting drink, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need any accompliments.

Send in your Halloween themed cocktail ideas to courier.life@ncl.ac.uk and you could see your own drink being served in Mens Bar and Basement, as well as gaining free entry to this special night.

Thanks to the feminine names and taste, it is probably a favourite with the girls - but it is certainly still strong and alcholic!

It is a relatively cheap and easy cocktail to make, as it only consists of three ingredients - and Cointreau LV GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ DQ LQYHVWPHQW DV LW LV essential to many cocktails.

Our waiter, Jonathan, along with all the other staff was incredibly friendly and pleasant, making what could have been a pretentious and exclusive meal out, into a pretty easy going and entertaining experience.

Prices were a little out of the student price range for just a standard meal with friends but this should not put you off making a visit.

An ideal place to take a date or even better, somewhere to direct the parents when itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s their turn to foot the bill.

Starters and Puds donates 50p from selected dishes to the charity Fight Hunger, Eat Out.

Â&#x2021; 9RGDIRQH Â&#x2026; IRU D SD\ PRQWKO\ contract Â&#x2021; +DOLID[ FUHGLW FDUG Â&#x2026; Â&#x2021; /29()L/0 Â&#x2026; IRU D WZR ZHHN DVD rental free trial Â&#x2021; 7HVFR Â&#x2026; IRU QHZ UHJLVWUDWLRQ IRU Tesco Groceries Â&#x2021; 7RSPDQ FDVKEDFN Â&#x2021; L7XQHV FDVKEDFN Â&#x2021; $QQ 6XPPHUV FDVKEDFN Study these steps and you could be on your way to an easy ÂŁ50, ÂŁ100, even ÂŁ500.

1. Register for a free account at www.Quidco.com 2. Browse the categories and complete a transaction through the special Quidco link 3. The promised amount will appear in your Quidco account within a week 4. Expect cash to be transferred direct into your bank account a month or two later How it works:

and nose (snow down your back isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t amazingly welcome either!).

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also the high risk of sobering up if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re queuing for a long, long time, which is a serious waste of money and effort in the bars you went to before.

Making your way to the front of a queue sober when you started off drunk is extremely irritating, and makes you notice how annoying the drunk people around you really are, and efforts to catch up and drink more tend to either fail or end up working a little too well!

Basically, queuing is crap, and queuing when you shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be because of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;queue-jumpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hopes is even more crap!

Design your own Halloween cocktail

If all this sounds a little too getrich-quick, let me explain where the money comes from.

When you click the Quidco link, the merchant tracks it. Quidco earns a commission when you make a purchase, and kindly passes this on to you.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a similar process to how web adverts work, except this time we are the ones who get paid.

Quidco gives users 100% of its FRPPLVVLRQ EXW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW Â&#x2026; RI your earnings goes to Quidco as an administration charge.

A word of warning â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the cashback is never guaranteed, and just because a company offers cashback doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t automatically make it the cheapest.

Deals of the Week 1. Free Starbucks with the Guardian on Friday: 40p/ÂŁ1 Coffee makes the world go round, so allow yourself a free Fairtrade Tall espresso, latte, cappuccino, mocha or Americano.

2. Large pumpkin ÂŁ2 and medium pumpkin ÂŁ1 @ Morrisons Pumpkins seem the only true representation of Halloween left. The large ones look huge and would please any prospective carver.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

15

Travel

LIFE & STYLE

JAPAN

I left my heart in Tokyo...

Kay McArdle Rising at 5:30am on the last day of a fortnightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tour of Japan wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t easy. But it had to be done, as today was our last chance to visit Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tsukiji market.

Tsukiji sells a vast variety of foodstuffs, but is principally famous for Ă&#x20AC; VK WKLV LV ZKDW GUDZV WKH FURZGV in by the thousands.

Bleary-eyed, my two friends and I took the Hibiya line on the underground to Tsukiji. On arrival at the station, the sun was already shining brightly and the streets bustling.

No need to check the map: everyone was heading one way.

We plunged straight in and found ourselves leaping and scuttling on D VRUW RI Ă&#x20AC; VK\ DVVDXOW FRXUVH WU\ ing to dodge the speeding forklift trucks appearing from every direction. This seemed like madness at

Ă&#x20AC; UVW DQG ZH FOXQJ WR WKH IULQJHV of the market, but after a few minutes we found our rhythm amongst the swerving, veering vehicles and handcarts.

We overcame our fear of sudden death once we realised that the drivers were experts and well used to gawping, nervous tourists such as us. They seemed to be enjoying the challenge of transporting their wares through the surging sea of people, abruptly stopping and starting, shouting greetings and warnings as they passed.

Having come to terms with the trucks, we now had a chance to look about us. I was stunned. Tsukiji is like no other market I have ever seen.

The noise and frenetic pace are overwhelming: haggling, buying, selling, chopping going on everywhere. We navigated round piles of tuna frozen whole, past crate upon crate of seafood (some of it still

Photo of the Week Nick Farkas - 3rd year Medicine â&#x20AC;&#x153;I took this photo when travelling in the summer of 2008. I came across this furry chap in the Galapagos Islands.â&#x20AC;?

Send your travel pictures to courier.life@ncl.ac.uk and you could win ÂŁ10 worth of photo prints as well as your photo printed and framed.

moving), and stall after stall of the IUHVKHVW SRVVLEOH Ă&#x20AC; VK RI HYHU\ VKDSH and colour.

Despite the apparent chaos, business was proceeding briskly and efĂ&#x20AC; FLHQWO\ DORQJ WKH ZDWHU\ GLPO\ OLW aisles. Chefs and wholesalers headed purposefully to their favourite suppliers and left laden with glorious produce. But wait a minute, something was missing: a smell RI Ă&#x20AC; VK 7KLV VWXII LV VR IUHVK WKDW LW hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t time to develop a pong.

We made our way across the length and breadth of the market, and were back where we began half an hour earlier, exhilarated and exhausted.

We were also starving. A breakfast of sushi is essential to the Tsukiji experience, and indeed there are sushi bars at every turn.

However, the queues can be daunting so we decided to stick to a recommendation weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d received a few days earlier. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Building Number Fourâ&#x20AC;? sounded vague but

ZDV HDV\ WR Ă&#x20AC; QG in the row of white, numbered blocks directly oppoVLWH WKH Ă&#x20AC; VK market.

Inside, the cafĂŠ was buzzing with families, couples and workers tucking into platefuls of H[TXLVLWHO\ SUHVHQWHG Ă&#x20AC; VK 6LWWLQJ at the counter, we watched as our choices were prepared from scratch by the deft, industrious chef.

7XQD VDOPRQ FXWWOHĂ&#x20AC; VK URH SUDZQV WKLV ZDV WKH Ă&#x20AC; QHVW EUHDN fast I had ever seen. And the taste: quite simply divine. Tsukiji was the highlight of our visit to Japan, and I would get up at dawn every day for a reward like that.

Top 5...

European Cities Rachel Walsham Paris It is hard not to fall in love with Paris when every part radiates romance and charm. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re on a budget buying a crepe and hot chocolate from one the many cafes and people watching is a brilliant way to pass the time.

London The host of the forthcoming 2012 Olympics and famous for its arts, diversity, history and poliWLFV /RQGRQ LV RQH RI WKH JUHDWHVW cities in the world.

Berlin Berlin is a rising cosmopolitan hub of creativity. Grimy but cool, Berlin attracts a young and fashionable crowd creating a hedonLVWLF OLIHVW\OH 6WHHSHG LQ KLVWRU\ there are plenty of sights to keep you occupied.

Budapest Its eclectic architecture, extensive parks and romantic riverside attractions have resulted in Budapest being hailed as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

Prague Prague has recently become one of the top destinations in Europe, boasting beautiful sights such as the gothic Prague Castle and Cathedral of the Old Town.

16

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

LIFE & STYLE

Sex & Relationships

Sex & Relationships

Keeping the children entertained

Confessions of....

a relationship cynic Danya Bazaraa

Katherine Bannon The catalogue of excuses for cheating is of similar length to that of attractive male red-heads.

Short, not entirely convincing, and exhaustively quoted. You were too intoxicated. Too seduced. Too much of a deceiving, lying, heart-breaking, good for nothing idiot who should have his balls swung around his ears and his penis trapped in a car door.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the womanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fault. She obviously hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shown him enough appreciaWLRQ YDOXHG KLP VXIĂ&#x20AC;FLHQWO\ RU VWURNHG his ego into such a state of ecstasy as to prevent him allowing the girl he vaguely knows from his course to straddle him in the corner of Sinners.

To test your girlfriendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heart by assessing its ability to be wrenched from her chest might not conclude in her warming your sheets before bed and making you sandwiches to take the library. No. Instead youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll gain hatred. A screaming, Ă DLOLQJ EDOO RI PXOWLSOH OLPEV XQLWHG E\ blind rage and fuelled by the need to H[HUW SDLQ 2U WHDUV )UHH Ă RZLQJ XQlimited, and partnered with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Why?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;How could you?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Apparently, babe, because you failed to increase his self esteem.

It appears we are yet to learn our place within the dating food chain. Having found ourselves a mate it then becomes our duty to keep his coat glossy, his FODZV VKDUS DQG KLV WHHWK Ă RVVHG Otherwise we only have ourselves to blame when heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s humping the antelope with thicker black stripes than you from

across the watering hole. In their essential essence, men still retain the programPLQJ RI D Ă&#x20AC;YH \HDU ROG *LYH WKHP D WR\ and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll play with it. Wave a slightly shinier toy in their face once their original has started to scuff around the edges and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be tossed to one side before youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve even managed to remove the new toyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s packaging.

It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be more advanced, prettier or contain more knobs than the Ă&#x20AC;UVW LW MXVW QHHGV WR SURYLGH D FHUWDLQ spark of interest that had begun to fade in the initial toyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s overuse. As women, DUH ZH PHDQW WR DFFHSW WKLV DV *RG¡V IDXOW on mankind and hence accept cheating as inevitability?

Admittedly, women do hold a seat of equal position in the house of betrayal.

Yet, if a man cheats due to the woman EHLQJ D ELW RI D WUROORS GRHV WKDW MXVWLI\

women cheating in revenge for â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;men being menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? Can you imagine? Left the toilet seat up â&#x20AC;&#x201C; kiss with a course mate.

Leaving hairs in the bath â&#x20AC;&#x201C; fumbling with a mutual friend. Refusing to go the cinema in order to watch a football match â&#x20AC;&#x201C; overnight stay at a friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;AcFLGHQWO\¡ SXWWLQJ \RXU .XUW *HLJHUV LQ the washing machine and claiming they thought the snakeskin effect leather was dirt â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hot, sweaty, sex session. With his best mate. In his bed. Then not cleaning the sheets.

Alternatively, save yourself a lot of time, heartache, and potentially a washing machine. Eliminate the need to cheat by going out with someone you actually like, and you think might possibly like you.

Our urban myth: harmful masturbation Mary Mullarkey As you hold your copy of Nuts in one hand, and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;yourselfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the other, have you ever worried about the consequencHV RI UHJXODUO\ EXIĂ&#x20AC;QJ \RXU EDQDQD" Blindness, hairy palms and infertility are often used as scare tactics to prevent teenagers from touching their most intimate areas.

Masturbation is yet another area of adolescence where we are told opposing stories by our friends, parents and teachers. Mums are afraid of their children growing up, and claim our hands will fall off if we put them down our own, or other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trousers.

Teachers stick to the facts of sexual intercourse, providing limited detail into the pleasurable side of sex, whilst our fellow peers are hormonal wrecks who

are never too sure if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going or coming.

However, what they forgot to tell us is that masturbation is a healthy and natural way of exploring your body. Your penis will not fall off if you spend too much time hand-pumping it, although it will probably begin to ache.

Solitary climaxing does not lead to impotence; therefore your non-existent erection is most likely down to nerves or alcohol. And you cannot run out of semen, or become infertile because of it, as your testicles are constantly producing sperm.

What our elders forget to tell us is there is a possibility of sexual explosion if we are not given the chance to release our frustration. Okay, so our genitals will not physically erupt, but without the right care and attention we may never know what real pleasure is.

Finding out what erotically pleases us

all as individuals is sure to enhance our VH[ OLYHV DQG WKHUH¡V GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ QR KDUP in that.

In fact, there are no known physical

problems associated with masturbation, MXVW WKH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW\ RI FKRRVLQJ ZKR \RX¡OO store in your own personal dirty collection.

Just to set the scene, this summer I was at my friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s house having one of those girly days where all you talk about is relationship tales, troubles and triumphs.

My friend was telling us about how one of her friends has been with her boyfriend for six years - which everyone naturally thought was cute - but to which I piped up with â&#x20AC;&#x153;Six years! How would you ever get out of that????â&#x20AC;?

Let me outline everything that is wrong with being in a relationship.

Firstly, how can people stand not having ultimate independence? The thought of having to answer to someone all the time, having to tell someone what youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing, how youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling, where youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going and who with, is reminiscent of having your parents on your back in the younger years.

Once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve bound yourself into a relationship, the next step is to activate your stalker alert. In particular, whilst you are a student at university, is freedom not the ideal situation? Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so young; why attach yourself to anybody?

The thought of being somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ÂśRWKHU KDOI¡ LV MXVW QR WKDQN \RX 6HFondly, do you not miss out on loads of fun by being in a relationship? Maximum time with the boy/girlfriend surely means minimum time with the friends. You have to compromise so PXFK JLUOV \RX Ă&#x20AC;QG \RXUVHOI ERUHG out of your brains watching the football, and guys, you have to put up with Saturday nights that revolve around X Factor. Correct me if Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m wrong.

7KHQ WKHUH¡V WKH MHDORXV\ LVVXH LW¡V KXPDQ QDWXUH WR EH MHDORXV DQG QR PDWWHU KRZ PXFK \RX WU\ WR Ă&#x20AC;JKW WKLV feeling off, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re always going to be anxious when you see the text message WKDW LV MXVW IURP D ÂśIULHQG¡ 1RW RQO\ LV it annoying having to deal with your own feelings of envy, but trying to reDVVXUH \RXU SDUWQHU LV MXVW DV WLULQJ Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this feeling called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the butterĂ \ IHHOLQJ¡ ,¡P VXUH DOO JLUOV DUH IDPLOiar with this but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll break it down for the guys. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s basically when you meet someone new that you really like and are excited about, and when you look at them, or even simply get a text from them, your stomach churns because WKRVH ÂśEXWWHUĂ LHV¡ DUH GDQFLQJ DURXQG inside you.

Anyway, where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going with this is - imagine being in a long term relationship and never being able to have the EXWWHUĂ LHV DQ\PRUH" 2ND\ VR \RX GHvote yourself to someone you love and LW¡V DOO JUHDW DQG Ă RZHU\ , JHW WKDW EXW come on, everyone knows how fun it is WR Ă LUW ,PDJLQH QRW EHLQJ DEOH WR KDYH friendly banter with all those interesting people you meet. Or, worse still, imagine having that banter but having a pair of eyes glaring at you from the other side of the room. Nightmare. We have all the time later on in life to settle down, get married and all the rest, but for now I am recommending the single life.

So here is my confession, I am a total cynic. I believe that all relationships end messily, with either cheating, Ă&#x20AC;JKWLQJ RU WHDUV , GRQ¡W NQRZ PD\EH , MXVW KDYHQ¡W PHW WKH ULJKW SHUVRQ \HW Although my pessimistic feelings towards relationships are pretty strong, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m open and willing to change them.

In fact, I would rather like to be proven wrong.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

17

Sex & Relationships

$VN 6HxRU -RVp

L. BROWN

7ZR *LUOV LQ D &RIIHH 6KRS

SeĂąor DQVZHUV \RXU TXHVWLRQV RQ HYHU\WKLQJ IURP UHODWLRQVKLS DGYLFH WR VH[ WLSV ,I \RX KDYH TXHVWLRQV WKDW QHHG WR EH DQVZHUHG RU DQ\ SUREOHPV WKHQ HPDLO KLP DW courier.life@ncl.ac.uk

SeĂąor, ,¡P Ă&#x20AC;QGLQJ LW UHDOO\ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW DW WKH PRPHQW EHFDXVH , UHDOO\ IDQF\ P\ KRXVHPDWH DQG , GRQ¡W NQRZ ZKDW WR GR ,¡P ZRUULHG DERXW WHOOLQJ KLP EHFDXVH LW PLJKW PDNH OLYLQJ ZLWK KLP UHDOO\ DZNZDUG LI VRPHWKLQJ JRHV ZURQJ , Ă&#x20AC;QG LW UHDOO\ KDUG ZKHQ KH EULQJV JLUOV KRPH ZLWK KLP EHFDXVH , JHW UHDOO\ MHDORXV 7R PDNH PDWWHUV ZRUVH KH KDV VWDUWHG VHHLQJ D JLUO DQG , WKLQN KH UHDOO\ OLNHV KHU 'R \RX WKLQN , VKRXOG WHOO KLP RU LV LW MXVW WRR ODWH" This probably isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the answer you want to read, but I think the time to have opened up to him has passed.

If you tell him now, not only will it make living with him awkward, it will also put him in the very tight spot of choosing between this new girl and you.

While I never think it best to bite your tongue when love is on the line, you must remember that there is always one other person involved. In this case, there are two others.

Move on for now. Meet other guys.

Who knows? Mr Right could very well be sitting right behind you in lectures.

And if you still feel the same about your housemate, then wait until heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s available to tell him how you feel.

SeĂąor, ,¡YH QRW KDG VH[ IRU RYHU WZR \HDUV QRZ DQG LW¡V VWDUWLQJ WR UHDOO\ GHSUHVV PH , IHHO WKDW DW XQLYHUVLW\ , VKRXOG EH H[SHULHQFLQJ ORWV RI GLIIHUHQW SHRSOH EXW LW LVQ¡W OLNH WKDW IRU PH , GRQ¡W IHHO OLNH ,¡P SDUWLFXODUO\ XQDWWUDFWLYH RU DQ\WKLQJ OLNH WKDW EXW , DOVR GRQ¡W ZDQW WR KDYH VH[ ZLWK HYHU\RQH WKDW FRPHV RQ WR PH , GRQ¡W KDYH PXFK FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH DQG , Ă&#x20AC;QG WKH ZKROH ÂśRQH QLJKW VWDQG¡ FXOWXUH DW XQLYHUVLW\ UHDOO\ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WR FRSH ZLWK 3OHDVH KHOS PH As hard as it might be to believe, sex isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t everything. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great (hell, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bloody amazing), but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not the end of the world if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not getting any.

Stick to your guns. One night stands can be very dangerous situations if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not careful.

Get out, and do more. Join as many societies and sports clubs as you can stomach. Go to poetry readings, or art galleries, or music gigs, or whatever else you fancy where you know there will be a lot of people.

People you can meet and strike up conversation with. You might even score a date. And remind yourself that youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re the kind of person someone else wants to be with.

Hold your head high, and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget to smile; youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be surprised with how many looks youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll get.

Seùor, 7KHUH¡V EHLQJ D ODG DQG WKHQ WKHUH LV EHLQJ D VODJ $QG ,¡P MXVW QRW VXUH ZKLFK FDWHJRU\ , IDOO LQ WR :KHQ , JR RXW , WHQG WR KDYH JLUOV IDOOLQJ RYHU PH IDLUO\ DWWUDFWLYH JLUOV DV ZHOO EXW WR EH KRQHVW ,¡P JHWWLQJ D ELW ERUHG RI LW <HV , WDNH WKHP KRPH EXW DQ\ QRUPDO ODG ZRXOG $QG \HV LW¡V IXQ IRU D ZKLOH D ORQJ ZKLOH

7KH WKLQJ LV RQFH WKH\¡YH OHW \RX KDYH \RXU ZD\ ZLWK WKHP \RX GRQ¡W UHDOO\ ZDQW WR NQRZ WKHP ,W¡V KDUG WR UHVSHFW VRPHRQH WKDW JLYHV \RX LW DOO VWUDLJKW DZD\ DQG WKH\ MXVW DUHQ¡W UHDOO\ UHODWLRQVKLS PDWHULDO 7KH SUREOHP LV , NHHS RQ ORRNLQJ IRU D JLUO WKDW LV PRUH RI D FKDVH VRPHRQH WKDW ZRQ¡W MXVW JR KRPH ZLWK PH EXW , FDQ¡W Ă&#x20AC;QG RQH :KDW GR \RX UHFNRQ , VKRXOG GR" Look in the mirror and sincerely ask yourself: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Am I relationship material?â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Because by the sounds of it, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not.

Respect goes both ways.

Women want a guy they know will be true to them, and who is honest with himself. By constantly giving in to the mixed cocktail of peer pressure and raging hormones, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re only feeding in to the lifestyle you claim to want to avoid.

No one is pointing a gun to your head and forcing you to take home these girls, so why continue doing it? Step up your game, and start taking responsibility for yourself.

This means getting out of the clubs and into the real world. After all, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being a lad, and then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being a man.

Seùor, ,¡YH EHHQ JRLQJ RXW ZLWK P\ JLUOIULHQG IRU WKUHH \HDUV QRZ DQG UHFHQWO\ , KDYH EHHQ JHWWLQJ IHHOLQJV IRU VRPHRQH HOVH 6KH¡V UHDOO\ JRUJHRXV DQG FOHYHU EXW QRWKLQJ FRPSDUHG WR P\ JLUOIULHQG

Fran Swann & Kath Little Columnists

7KH RQO\ SUREOHP LV , FKHDWHG RQ P\ JLUOIULHQG ZLWK WKLV JLUO , NLVVHG KHU LQ D FOXE ZLWK WRQJXHV DQG QRZ , MXVW FDQ¡W ORRN DW KHU WKH VDPH ZD\ , VWLOO ZDQW WR EH ZLWK P\ JLUOIULHQG , WKLQN EXW ,¡P ZRUULHG LI , WHOO KHU ZKDW , KDYH GRQH VKH ZRQ¡W ZDQW WR JR RXW ZLWK PH :KDW GR \RX WKLQN" You seem to have a lot of doubts. This is normal; doubts arise in any given relationship, especially one that is three yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; running.

But the only way to combat the many doubts and fears in a relationship is through communication. Verbal communication.

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t write a letter, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t send a text, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t leave a message on her voicemail.

You need to talk to her face-to-face about everything, from the relationship at hand to the kiss in the club.

Of course, at this stage it may be too little too late to start being open with your partner.

She very well may feed you to the dogs.

But if she takes you back, then you need to make it a point to talk to her more, and listen to her better.

Inside today >>>

Photos from Wired Culture, page 22

LIFE & STYLE

+RWWLH RI WKH :HHN /XNH .HOO\ VW \HDU $UFKLWHFWXUH Email courier.life@ncl.ac.uk to nominate your friend

7DERR RU QRW WDERR" Gina Mossey Is it wrong to share a bed with the opposite sex whilst you are in a relationship with someone else?

Having conducted a quick survey with my housemates, I am assured that everyone has done it. We have all shared a EHG RU Ă RRU RU HYHQ SRRO WDEOH GHSHQGing on where you fall after a particularly heavy night) with someone of the opposite sex when either we, or they, are already in a relationship.

With so many different cases to consider, each using the excuse of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Yeah, but nothing happened â&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, it appears to me that there are many factors to be taken into account when deciding on a reasonable answer to one of lifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rarely answered questions.

First to be analysed are your drink levels (and theirs). Is the ridiculous amount of trebles youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had likely to cloud your judgement on acceptable bed behaviour, or are you feeling level-headed and in control?

Secondly, we must think about arm position. Are you wrapped around each other in a way which would be compromising to an onlooker, or are you each strictly bound to your side of the sleeping area, wherever it may be? Is there any hair stroking or, more importantly, any other stroking?

Another big one on the list involves your relationship with your chosen bed buddy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if they are your childhood friend who you have never, and never would, fancy, then you appear to be on safe ground. If they are a â&#x20AC;&#x153;friendâ&#x20AC;? with

whom you have engaged in any sexual activity in the past, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m afraid youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re back to square one.

Finally, put yourself in the position of said other half, be it yours or theirs. How would they react if they knew? From a personal perspective, I am certain that my best friend would spit blood if she knew her boyfriend was sharing a bed with another girl, and he would remain in the doghouse for a substantial amount of time.

Having said all this, I feel the only question which truly matters is this: do you feel guilty? This then leads us to question whether you secretly wanted more from your temporary sleeping partner. If the honest answer is yes to either of the above, we have our conclusion, and it is GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ QRW RN %XW LW¡V WRR ODWH QRZ VR why worry?

It all started so well. He was tall, dark and handsome and I wanted him.

His texts were full of wit, the coffee date was infused with charm and the GLQQHU PDGH P\ VWRPDFK Ă LS 0D\EH this could go further than the quick grope of a Wednesday evening.

I couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to tell my friends, to over-analyse his every message, to check his Facebook page forty-seven times a day. Just a preview of the psychopath I would have become, had he only played it cool. +RZHYHU WKH EXWWHUĂ LHV , ZDV JHWting from his occasional messages were being transformed into mild nausea at his twice daily check-ups.

Was it his unabashed enthusiasm or was I getting a stomach ulcer?

Floritaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s was beckoning the next Monday and I was excited to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;accidentallyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bump into him. Nothing OLNH VFDQQLQJ D GDUN URRP HYHU\ Ă&#x20AC;YH minutes to really make a night. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a crying shame I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to. Every time I turned around he was there.

Always good to have company, but I could have handled the toilet on my own. Even my mojito-goggles could not make this guy look cool.

From a very early age, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re taught that everything worth having requires hard work. Why was this guy so easy? Maybe he wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worth having at all. When I came to think of it, he was only 5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11, his hair was a mousy brown and did I really think he was that attractive? What was missing here?

A few days later, my ulcer seemingly recovered, I found myself thinking about him and I realised that he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t texted me in days. I was LPPHGLDWHO\ LQWHUHVWHG :LWK FRQĂ&#x20AC;dence instilled from his previous behaviour, I felt assured that I could text KLP Ă&#x20AC;UVW :LWKLQ PLQXWHV , KDG WZR replies. Was it the curdled yoghurt Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d just eaten or was that damn ulcer coming back?

Surely, this was what I wanted. This guy was kind, considerate, hilarious and liked me. Why was I so put off?

Does it honestly come down to the time lapse between interactions and the fact that there was no chase? If he hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t texted back, would my interest remain?

The satisfaction of Christmas Day would not be as great without the build up from a good old fashioned advent calendar. Similarly, the chase for a man is exciting, necessary and sexy (less like an advent calendar).

Without this, is the guy worth having? Nobody wants presents every day of the year, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d rather not be stalked by a turkey.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an age-old story - you always want what you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have. I had this guy in the palm of my hand. No chase.

I had him so easily, which made it so simple to throw him away.

18

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

LIFE & STYLE

Health & Beauty

Health & Beauty Weight of the world on your shoulders?

Kat Bishop Anxiety, depression and sleep deprivation are prevalent among the student population.

They are as much a feature of university as booze-fuelled nights, the stresses of coursework, and grotty accommodation.

For most, studying at university is the best time of your life, but being in a new environment with rules, regulations and tough workloads can trigger anxiety in the hardiest of us.

Unfortunately, anxiety will affect everyone at some stage. Feelings of angst and irritation are a normal part of the highs and lows of everyday student life. Most of us have felt vulnerable and apprehensive at times... When I say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;at timesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, for the majority, I mean the horrors of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;examâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; time. %XW DQ[LHW\ LV QRW D Ă HHWLQJ HPRtion for everyone. When worry persists, those dreaded feelings of

emptiness and fear never seem to JR DZD\ DQG WKH EXWWHUĂ LHV LQ \RXU stomach are a constant bother.

Fortunately, there are many steps you can take to relieve feelings of unquiet and prevent the possibility of sliding into depression. These are often obviously simple, but highly effective.

Angst can manifest itself after any unsettling event, no matter how big or small. It can be hard to identify which aspects of life anxiety stems from, and the warning signs can creep in, unnoticed.

Student life is an exhilarating step towards adulthood, yet it is this new-found independence that is a common cause of student problems.

A YouGov survey found 66% of 18-24 year olds feel stressed or anxious at least once a week due to job and money worries. Although university is exciting, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unfortunately expensive. Accommodation and tuition fees take a huge bite out of your loan, and all the extras add up.

Fitting a job in around a tight academic agenda is not convenient, but often necessary.

An overloaded schedule is a prime cause for increased stress. High stress levels can lead to depression, as well as causing irrational beliefs and the constant fear of failure.

Cutting down your working hours and increasing your leisure time will combat apprehension. Having that extra hour in the day to put your feet up is vital.

Watch a comedy, go to yoga, do an aerobic activity of your choice... the break from working will help bust anxiety blues. Simply laughing and having sex release the ultimate feelgood hormone, serotonin, causing rocketing stress levels to plummet.

Students who suffer from disturbed or limited sleep experience higher levels of anxiety, stress and irritability. 75% of the adult population say they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get enough sleep.

Running on almost zero sleep blurs the mindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perceptions and can turn the toughest characters into emo-

Are you reading this feeling the pinch on your waistline? This quick guide to the perfect stomach can whip your abs back into shape.

By repeating these simple exercises, you too could end up with abs to rival Peter Andre.

The main thing to remember to achieve D Ă DW VWRPDFK LV WKDW LW LV HVVHQWLDO WR work all three different muscle groups within the abdominals: the Rectus Abdomis (the middle section of muscles), abdominal obliques (the muscles on the VLGH RI \RXU VWRPDFK DQG Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ WKH core (the surrounding muscle that keeps your frame locked).

Try to do this regime three times a week. Once your stomach tones up you should be able to repeat the routine two or three times as you watch your belly melt away!

Pulse

Close to a regular crunch, but once you are in the sit up position, lock your core and pulse your muscles ten times.

The pulses should bring you slightly higher than the locked sit up position.

Put your hands by your head or clasp them in front of you.

Reverse Crunch

Lie on your back, knees slightly bent.

Sophie Anthony

,I RQ D QLJKW RXW \RX Ă&#x20AC;QG \RXUself staring drunkenly into the mirror in the loos, stressing about your smudged eye shadow, fear not. Simply apply concealer before you apply your eye shadow when getting ready to go out.

This way it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t budge all night long and you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end up looking like Alice Cooper.

2) Dry, cracked lips? Vaseline is all very well, but once applied it GRHVQ¡W JHW ULG RI WKH Ă DNLQHVV Next time you slap some on, use an old toothbrush and gently rub for about 20 seconds. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt, I promise!

3) Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t over pluck those beautiful brows. NEVER. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even think about it. Pluck away strays and anything that even resembles a mono-brow and then STOP! Seriously, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing worse than skinny eyebrows. The â&#x20AC;&#x153;permanently in shockâ&#x20AC;? look is so scary!

4) Always take your makeup off!

Always. Even if it means getting home at three in the morning and grabbing a few baby wipes before collapsing into bed, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s better than nothing and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll feel amazing (well... a bit better) in the morning.

5) Heels, heels, heels! Not only are they the best things ever invented, they also elongate and slim the legs, boost your height and tone up the thighs and bum.

The higher and more uncomfortable, the better. Pain equals beauty, ladies!

6) I have a friend who moisturises her WHOLE body after EVERY shower she has. To me this is ever so slightly over the top and rather impractical especially if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in a rush, but moisturising every now and again, especially after hot showers or before a night out will improve the appearance of your skin and stop it from drying out.

7) Wash your hair! Greasy hair is a personal pet hate and just generally quite disgusting. Clean hair looks healthier and less lank, and generally improves your overall appearance.

How to... get a six pack Jessica Gibson

tional wrecks.

Combating exhaustion and distress after nights of repetitive sleeplessness is a frustrating task. The inability to react energetically becomes disheartening, and positive feelings are replaced by negative thoughts.

The problem? High levels of irritation prevent good sleep. The solution? Do not become frustrated.

Tears and tantrums are not productive; if you want to reduce anxiety, Ă&#x20AC;JKW \RXU LQVRPQLD KHDG RQ With so many easy, natural ways to induce sleep, pills and sedatives should be a last resort. Removing distractions is the best way to combat poor sleep.

Hypnotherapist Paul McKennaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s failsafe motto: bedrooms are for sleeping and sex. Stimulating your brain before bedtime is a no-go, and counting the minutes as you lie awake sends your blood pressure sky high.

Try putting your clock out of reach and facing away from you. Removing your TV and switching off your mobile also helps. Although we probably donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to hear this, alcohol, caffeine and sugar cause high levels of restlessness.

Drinking too much alcohol and getting too little sleep is lethal. This suppresses your immunity, and also the ability to function properly. Simple changes in your routine and diet can reduce self-induced stress.

Anxiety is neither abnormal nor uncommon. Understanding your problems and identifying the warnLQJ VLJQV DUH WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW VWHSV WR FRPbating anxiety and depression. This is easier said than done. Admitting you have a problem is extremely GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW Often, students who suffer from ORZ PRRGV FDQQRW LGHQWLI\ D VSHFLĂ&#x20AC;F cause. Once you pinpoint the issue, coping with everyday situations becomes easier. If you suffer from high levels of anxiety, managing your stress levels can be achieved through means of self-help.

Better time management, drinking less and increasing your hours of sleep will help you see things in a more positive light. Unfortunately, this doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t work for everyone.

If feelings of angst and depression persist, seeking professional advice is a sensible option.

Admitting you may have a problem is never a sign of weakness. It is a sign of real strength.

Raise your knees to your chest by lifting your hips up and in. Lower your legs and repeat for 15 reps.

Leg Raises

/LH RQ \RXU EDFN ZLWK OHJV Ă DW RQ WKH Ă RRU .HHS \RXU OHJV VWUDLJKW DQG XVH your abs to raise your legs until they are at a right angle with your body.

6ORZO\ ORZHU WKHP EDFN WR WKH Ă RRU and repeat 15 times.

Plank

Assume a press-up position, but place \RXU IRUHDUPV RQ WKH Ă RRU %UDFH \RXU abs as if you were about to be punched in the gut, and hold for 30 seconds.

8) Wearing slightly see through leggings as trousers? Big no-no, even for skinny minis!

9) Unclog those troublesome pores by boiling some water in a kettle and pouring it into a large bowl. Place a tea towel over your head and the bowl. The rising steam draws out any impurities, leaving your skin clean and fresh.

10) Toothpaste on the spots is a classic but always works a treat.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

19

Fashion

LIFE & STYLE

Fashion Millicent Simon

What’s Hot... > Olly Murs from X Factor

View Askew

Campus Style

Kathy Jackman Columnist

Addy Pope

> Orange Wednesdays - half price Pizza Express and cinema > September Issue (very juicy documentary on Anna Wintour)

Kath Little

Francis Young

UG \HDU +LVWRU\

1st year Mechanical Engineering

> Roast dinners > Snakeskin accessories

What’s Not... > Freshers’ Flu when you’re not a fresher. > Cheryl Cole’s new single ‘Fight for this Love’ – shocking, even to an avid Girls Aloud fan > The phrase ‘Scene’ > Shops ALREADY selling Christmas decorations

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Brogues, £10, Primark

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> People wearing sunglasses inside clubs – ultimately cringeworthy

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THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

21

RSC comes to Newcastle > Arts, page 26-27

Culture Editor: Alice Vincent - courier.culture@ncl.ac.uk

The books are back in town Joe Barton With our own beloved university libraries being some of the best in the UK, it seems that Newcastle students are already spoilt when it comes to places to borrow books.

However, the Toon also boasts its own, recently renovated public library, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one that deserves the attention of students just as much as the Robinson or the Walton.

Newcastle City Library underwent a dramatic transformation earlier this year, and the new Charles Avison Building demonstrates just how much the city has to offer to its bookworms.

Located on New Bridge Street (thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just across the road from Liquid) the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stunning glass façade hints at the ultra-modern facilities available inside.

In fact, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re someone for whom libraries conjure up images of dusty books and moody librarians, then the state-of-the-art Charles Avison Building is sure to shatter your preconceptions.

7KH VL[ Ă RRU EXLOGLQJ RIIHUV DOO WKH facilities of a modern public library, including self-service machines and meeting rooms, but boasts so many unexpected extras that it really has to be seen to believed. ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR D PDUEOH Ă RRUHG atrium and a viewing platform, the library also features a 185-seat exhibition space, placing itself amongst the already impressive list of performing arts venues in Newcastle, such as the Theatre Royal and the

Lit and Phil Society.

Other surprising features include a crèche, cafÊ, and the climatecontrolled Newcastle Collection room; which currently contains the tools and work of artist Thomas Bewick, as well as artifacts from other North-East artists including Richard Collinson and the Crawhall family.

If that isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t impressive enough, then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one other feature of the Charles Avison building thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bound to appeal to the lazy student: a 24 hour library vending machine.

Containing over 400 books, CDs and DVDs, the machine opens out onto the street, and allows customers to return books after closing time.

Music lovers arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forgotten eiWKHU DV WKH OLEUDU\ DOORZV ZL Ă&#x20AC; DF cess to nine different download stations.

Understandably, the Charles Avison has already enjoyed considerable success; it was opened by former poet laureate Andrew Motion, and was visited by 4000 people within four hours of opening.

The Charles Avison is a must for all book loving students, and considering that admission is free, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no excuse for not getting down to the corner of New Bridge Street and checking out the latest addition to Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s literary heritage.

Take part in the free Learning Revolution Event at the City Libraryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bewick Hall between 10.00 and 16.00 on Monday 19th October

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oh so quiet: Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new City Library, the Charles Avison Building

S. OAKES

Are libraries still relevant today?

NO Mark Corcoran-Lettice Music Editor Listen: I have no interest in playing devilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advocate here.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to say that I hate libraries, or that I have no use for them: Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a third year English Literature student, and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s few things more genuinely joyous in life than having a vast depository of knowledge and culture at your immediate disposal.

That said, I do have a problem with libraries, and in particular how we see them.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not so much that we take them for granted (although that itself is an issue for a whole other article) but that we fail to recognise their true value.

Take the recent refurbishment of the City Library, a ÂŁ40.2 million development. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an attractive piece of architecture, sure, but with so many people still ignorant of its existance and not using it, what use is a shiny new cafĂŠ?

Rather than trying to address any root cause for a general lack of participation, the whole affair smells

a bit off, with no serious attempts to try and appeal to new readers, or to highlight the real functionality and purpose of a library (you know, that boring bit about having stacks of LQIRUPDWLRQ DW \RXU Ă&#x20AC; QJHUWLSV ² DQG how no, the internet really isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the same).

The City Library seems less a serious plan to improve a service than an act of elitist fetishism Indeed, there seems to be a curious desire for libraries to remain slightly hidden from the general public they ought to be serving. Refurbishments like that at the City Library seem less a serious plan to improve a service than an act of elitist fetishism; the dressing up of a doll for purely personal amusement.

I believe in the potential libraries have as a force for good in society, but if we keep spending money to make them look pretty instead of adding anything of real appeal or YDOXH WKHQ LW¡V KDUG WR Ă&#x20AC; QG DOO WKDW much to defend.

YES Alice Vincent Culture Editor Two years of silent zone angst in the Robinson during the months of January and June is enough to render this question utterly answered.

However, the development of the new City Library is for more than last-minute cramming.

Aside from the shiny exterior, the VL[WK Ă RRU YLHZV RYHU WKH FLW\ DQG the hours of free internet access, this building says a hell of a lot more about the ever-developing culture of Newcastle.

Yes, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a long time coming - previously the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only had private or university libraries to contend with - but its incredible reception is a clear sign of the relevance RI ERRN Ă&#x20AC; OOHG EXLOGLQJV LQ WRGD\¡V society.

Because even when you can buy a book off amazon.com for a penny, have it arrive in a couple of days without ever having to leave the room and marvel at the powers of the internet, it all just feels a little, well, soulless.

Much like the joys of browsing in

record shops before the days of buying online, the library offers the best kind of studious fun-time. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing nicer than stumbling across a graphic novel when you were meant to be looking for that rare edition of Keats.

OK, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m probably alone in that opinion. But there are far weightier reasons for the relevance of libraries

in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society.

Get past the organic cupcakes, the fancy lift and the plastic swipe cards. Essentially, libraries are for learning, conversation, invaluable resources and some much needed down-time.

Surely in 2009, when everything is about the now, now, now, nothing could be more appealing?

Do you love libraries?

Rachel Aint, Jounalism MA â&#x20AC;&#x153; Yes, I bascially live there!

I especially like the Learning Lounge so we can talk and study. â&#x20AC;?

Katy Lawson, English Literature â&#x20AC;&#x153;As an English student I have to use the library a lot for books and journals. Plus itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot warmer than my student house!â&#x20AC;?

Sarah Skinner, English Literature â&#x20AC;&#x153;Libraries are the way forward, there are too many temptaions at home - like my bed!â&#x20AC;?

Katie Hicks, English Language

â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be honest, everything is on the internet now and I should stay at home, but thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s something about the library that keeps me going!â&#x20AC;?

CULTURE

22

Photos

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

23

CULTURE

Wired - Every Friday at the Union Photos by Eleanor Wilson

Photos

COMING SOON...WIRED PRESENTS ‘THE HAUNTED HOUSE’ - FRIDAY 30TH OCTOBER 2009

Photos

24

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

CULTURE

3am Girls

with Basshunter > Music Editor Chris Mandle JHWV LQYROYHG ZLWK 6ZHGHQ·V ELJJHVW (XURSRS H[SRUW 9DULHG WKRXJK P\ WDVWH PD\ EH ,·YH QHYHU EHHQ D IDQ RI %DVVKXQW HU·V (XURSRS , ZDV D IHZ \HDUV EDFN ZKHQ P\ DVSLUDWLRQV LQFOXG HG EX\LQJ D 6XEDUX DQG GULYLQJ DURXQG %XUJHU .LQJ ZLWK RWKHU FDU HQWKXVLDVWV QXWWHUV 6SHDNLQJ WR -RQDV RQ WKH SKRQH ZH GLVFXVVHG KLV FDUHHU KLV WRXUHWWHV DQG WKH QXPHURXV VHFUHW LGHQWLWLHV RI 0U %DVVKXQWHU KLP VHOI

the older style of music on your upcoming record? :KHQ , VD\ LW LV ROG VFKRRO , PHDQ LW H[SORUHV VRPH ROGHU WKLQJV EXW LW VWLOO PRYHV LQ D QHZ GLUHFWLRQ , KDYH IRXUWHHQ WUDFNV RQ P\ QHZ DOEXP WKHUH DUH VRQJV ZKLFK HYH U\RQH FDQ HQMR\ :KR DUH \RXU LQÁ XHQFHV"

Where are you calling from?

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You’ve gained a lot of attention as a sufferer of Tourette Syndrome.

Is it nice to relax for a bit?

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Hi Jonas +HOOR

2K \HDK LW FDQ JHW D ELW VWUHVVIXO PDNLQJ DQ DOEXP VR , FDPH KHUH MXVW WR FKLOO What’s the new album like?

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Is there anyone you’d like to feature in your videos?

Your videos are known for having a lot of beautiful women in them. Do you have any hand in picking them?

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How did you choose your monicker, Basshunter?

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Do you think your big singles may have stereotyped you a bit? :HOO DIWHU VXFFHVV WKHUH LV DOZD\V VRPHWKLQJ WR OLYH XS WR 3HRSOH KDYH H[SHFWDWLRQV , ZULWH DOO P\ RZQ PXVLF , GRQ·W NQRZ PDQ\ DUWLVWV WKDW DUH GRLQJ WKDW MRE ,·P GRLQJ WKH EHVW , FDQ WKDW·V DOO , FDQ GR , ZRUN ZLWK WKH EHVW SHRSOH LQ WKH ZRUOG , GRQ·W KDYH DQ\ PRUH H[SHFWDWLRQV EHFDXVH , ZLOO QHYHU JHW GLVDSSRLQWHG

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Do you like playing in the UK? , ORYH LW %DVLFDOO\ \RX JX\V PDGH PH , KDYH WRXUHG LQ (XURSH IRU VR ORQJ EXW ZKHQ , VWDUWHG LQ WKH 8. LW·V OLNH HYHU\ WKLQJ HOVH ,·G GRQH ZDV MXVW D ZDUP XS , ORYH WKH UHDFWLRQ DQG , KDYH EHHQ RQ <RXWXEH IRU OLNH WZR KRXUV UHDGLQJ FRPPHQWV RQ P\ VWXII , OLNH WR VHH KRZ SHRSOH UHDFW ZKHQ WKHUH LV D

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THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

25

CULTURE

New look for charity at Amnesty clothes swap Katie Witcombe If you think Mr Lynchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is all about kitsch furnishing, retro beats and cocktails big enough to paddle in, then think again; this Thursday, October 22nd, the popular student watering-hole is hosting an almighty clothes swapping party to raise money for Amnesty International.

Thousands of people all over the country are raising awareness of human rights as part of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Protect the Humanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; week, and the Newcastle Amnesty International group have decided to involve the shopaholic students of Jesmond through a stellar combination of fashion and charity If you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t attended a clothes swapping event before, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great excuse to de-clutter; although itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that clothes are clean and in a good condition if you want to bring them along (itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not exactly a FKXUFK KDOO MXPEOH VDOH

Event organizer Sandra Tang dispensed a few pearls of wisdom to swap-virgins everywhere: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I manage to dig out loads of things that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve never worn, clothes that no ORQJHU Ă&#x20AC;W ¡ â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Try and bring something beautiful \RX NQRZ ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG D EHWWHU KRPH ¡ The ancient faux-fur gilet abandoned at the back of your wardrobe might look fabulous on a boho chic eco-warrior, and the shift dress that VKH WKLQNV LV DERXW DV Ă DWWHULQJ DV a potato sack might transform you into Tynesideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s very own Audrey Hepburn.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the beauty of the clothes swap; your cringe-inducing fashion disasters become other peoples FKHULVKHG ZDUGUREH UHMXYHQDWRUV :LWK JRRG\ EDJV IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW

guest, treats throughout the night and, of course, a mountain of undiscovered sartorial gems donated by the fashionistas attending, the aptly named â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fashion against Crimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; party is not to be missed.

Think of it as a vintage boutique without the smell of mothballs, frosty sales assistants and, crucially, extortionate prices.

All the money raised will be going to Amnesty International, which in Newcastle will help us fund awareness raising activities and events; such as the Human Rights lecture on the 27th October by Professor Rhona Smith, commemorating the death of Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow who was recently stoned to death in 6RPDOLD E\ D JURXS RI PRUH WKDQ

men.

You can either bring your clothes on the night or drop them in to the Amnesty International bookshop on Westgate Road (near the O2 AcadHP\ DQG DQ\ FORWKHV OHIW XQFODLPHG at the end of the night will be donated to the West End Refugee Service.

Fashion thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy on the purse strings, the chance to detox your

wardrobe and all for a truly worthwhile charity. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not to love?

out hip-hop/drum & bass fuelled pandemonium. Just come along, seULRXVO\ Â&#x2026; ZHOO ZHOO ZRUWK LW You might need to save up a bit of energy though, as Saturday night delivers a heavy dose of regenerative reggae for all you skanking fans out there.

Pots and Pangea, right here at our beloved Union Bassment, is bringing down Manasseh Hi-Fi to spin some quality dub and reggae tunes for us.

A legend in his own right, Nick Manasseh is considered to have revitalised the scene in Europe and WKH 8. DV IDU EDFN DV WKH ODWH V Ska purveying MC Ishu will also be about to lend some microphone skills, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s all capped off in the main room by a rare live performance by eclectic local band Emperorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dentist.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not all though, as if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re

really up for a dance you can mosey on into the second room where WKHUH LV D GHGLFDWHG MXQJOH ' % GDQFHĂ RRU ZLWK WRS SURGXFHU (TXLnox headlining the decks.

Tons of local support behind this one, with Spectra, Ruffneck, and Dark Skies all lending a hand on the ones and twos. And, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t this nice; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s even a random buskerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s room and a Jamaican curry stall in the works to keep you in sustenance!

Great stuff for the modest ÂŁ7 admission, on the basis of good vibes alone.

7KHUH¡V MXVW QR H[FXVH WKLV ZHHNHQG 6R Ă&#x20AC;QLVK UHDGLQJ WKLV SDSHU get all your uni work out of the way, cook a huge stew, do your washing up, and get ready to party your face off.

The â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fashion Against Crimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; party starts at 7pm, Mr Lynchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Archbold Terrace), Thursday 22nd October. It costs ÂŁ5 on the door or ÂŁ4 if you RVSP to tang.sandra@gmail.com or on the facebook event â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Fashion Against Crimeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

In your bass with Ben Holden Taz Burwaiss Ben Holden from Teesside University did what most aspiring arts students only dream of; he set up his own studio. He is a rebel with a cause, on a mission to transcend the barriers of normality. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;My company is called Polygon Fiction. I was nearing the end of my creative digital media degree at Teesside University and was wondering what the hell I should do next. Me and a few other students were making a game together, as SDUW RI RXU Ă&#x20AC;QDO \HDU SURMHFW DQG were toying with the idea of becoming an independent games studio. A OXGLFURXVO\ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WDVN WKDW HQGHG as a spectacular failure.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;After that experience, making Ă&#x20AC;OPV MXVW VHHPHG OLNH D PXFK PRUH realistic choice for an aspiring writer aiming to get his stories out into the world. So with two guys from that team, and two other enthusiastic graduates, we managed to land a grant from Digital City in Middlesbrough.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; As a result of his determination, %HQ KDV QRZ DFKLHYHG KLV GUHDP MRE â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m doing right now. The only thing missing is the bit where you earn a living from it.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; )RU PRVW SHRSOH WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDO ULVN RI

setting up your own business would EH WKH PRVW VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW UHDVRQ QRW WR attempt it. Likewise, for Ben the issue of money was something he was quite keen to keep hush hush during the course of the interview. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Things are going pretty well so far, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve not been going very long. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll probably have to take on some corporate commission at some SRLQW MXVW WR EH Ă&#x20AC;QDQFLDOO\ VXVWDLQable until our IPs can start turning D SURĂ&#x20AC;W ¡ Âś,¡P FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQW WKDW ZH¡OO EH D VXFFHVV EXW QRW TXLWH VR FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQW ZH¡OO be successful to the degree of my KLJKHVW DPELWLRQV %XW WKHQ FRQĂ&#x20AC;dence grows...â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s optimistic attitude clearly shines throughout our chat; not only is he passionate about environmental and ecological issues, but he is also developing ground breaking concepts within digital media. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m working on a trilogy of fantaV\ QRYHOV DQG D GLJLWDO PHGLD SURMHFW which attempts to seep through the FRQĂ&#x20AC;QHV RI WKH VFUHHQ DQG LQWR WKH real world, at which point people can then interact with the story, changing the direction of the plot DQG OLYHV RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;FWLRQDO FKDUDFWHUV ¡ It seems apparent that Benâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s positive and bold attitude in his art and ZRUN LV DOVR UHĂ HFWHG LQ KLV OLIH DQG career choices.

> Get ready to dance as dubstep, drum â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; bass and reggae hits the Toon in serious style this weekend. Romain Chenet reports People, get ready. This weekend sees not one, but two massive nights that are sure to put you in the mood for the biggest, greasiest, meatiest Sunday roast ever.

It all kicks off on Friday night with a massive dubstep blow-out at Digital, which will quite simply leave you feeling like a chewed out pen cap. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how good the lineup is.

Skream is headlining. Enough said.

And then you still have support from Benga and Rusko (Caspaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mate, inQLW +HDY\ KHDY\ QLJKW DQG GRQ¡W you dare wear earplugs!

But this is where things get really quite strange. Normally, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have these peeps on, everyone turns up for them, and you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need anyone else of note DJing, right?

So why the heck have they gone so all out, and then managed to book the incredible Scratch Perverts on as the special guests as well?

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know, but Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure as hell not complaining. The Scratch Perverts have carved out a name for WKHPVHOYHV E\ MXVW EHLQJ D WRWDOO\ awesome institution when it comes to phat scratching, remixing, and all

26

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

CULTURE

Arts

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

$V <RX /LNH ,W >This autumnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RSC production kicks off with one of Shakespeareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest comedies as /XF\ +DGOH\ discovers Those expecting a standard production of As You Like It will be surprised at the RSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s radical new version of the play, coming to the Theatre Royal on the 20th October.

It contains all the features of a classic Shakespeare comedy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; mistaken identity, confused genders and a rustic setting - but Michael Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new version has a darker new twist.

The play comes as part of the new RSC Newcastle Season for 2009, of which Boyd states that â&#x20AC;&#x153;performing in the North East is very important to the RSC, and we enjoy being a regular part of the vibrant cultural life of this country.â&#x20AC;? As a director known better for his grand projects such as the Complete Works Festival and the Histories Cycle, there has been critical expectation on his direction of a comedy.

Those looking for a refreshing take on a Shakespeare play will enjoy the mix of dark humour, bare staging and critically acclaimed performances in this new production. The play centres on exiles from the evil Duke Frederickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s court: Duke Senior, OrODQGR 5RVDOLQG DQG &HOLD ZKR Ă HH to the Forest of Arden. Love, lust, girls dressed as boys, nature and song ensue, making As You Like It a wonderful piece of escapism and humour.

Aside from the comedy, the play relies on a balance of love, politics and power â&#x20AC;&#x201C; challenging conventions of romance, with Shakespearean insights into love and life. Orlando and Rosalindâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love story crosses the gender divide - it is a romance that subverts the norm, which is intriguing to watch develop. The political side of the play derives from Duke Frederickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s control of the court, and the fear that he inspires in his subjects. The antidote to this is the

Forest of Arden â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a place of escape, freedom and love.

It will be interesting to see how Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s darker take on this play develops, and how the balance of comedy and potential tragedy is met.

The play races along with mistaken identity, romantic persuasion, repenting Dukes and forgiving brothers - one actor describes the play as having a â&#x20AC;&#x153;brilliantly silly happy endingâ&#x20AC;? - perfect for the cold and dark Newcastle nights ahead!

The performances have already been praised by critics, in particular Katy Stephenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rosalind and Richard Katz as a â&#x20AC;&#x153;genuinely funny Touchstoneâ&#x20AC;? (Charles Spencer). Two North Eastern actors, Peter Peverley and Paul Hamilton are also making their RSC debuts in this company.

Individual performances aside however, Michael Boydâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus for the RSC since his appointment as Artistic Director in 2003 has always been to create an ensemble company.

The RSCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home in Stratford is currently undergoing a major transformation, due to be completed in 2010, and so it has been really important for Boyd to keep the company as a unit. Indeed, the present company of 44 have been performing together for an impressive two and a half \HDUV ² D VLJQLĂ&#x20AC; FDQW OHQJWK RI WLPH that Boyd states makes it possible for them â&#x20AC;&#x153;to achieve more ambitious work than would â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;normallyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; be possible.â&#x20AC;?

This production of As You Like It is certainly pushing boundaries for what is considered â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;normalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in a Shakespearean comedy (the de-skinning of a dead rabbit on stage has already had audiences gasping), and promises to be a really exiting take on a piece of classic Shakespeare.

C. EVES

3URĂ&#x20AC; OH 1RUWKHUQ 6WDJH Jamie Jackson The Northern Stage is the most convenient theatrical hotspot for students at Newcastle University, though it seems as though many people pass it at least once a day without ever having been inside.

Not only does it feature a stylish and surprisingly inexpensive bar, with a ÂŁ9.5 million face-lift in 2006, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most accessible and modern theatres.

The building holds three separate spaces, with most productions taking place in Stage One. Though itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s said that the theatre is inaccessible because of pricey tickets, pricesavvy students can get tickets at ÂŁ5 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no dearer than a cinema trip, and youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re likely to get more for your money.

As is important at a successful theatre, the Northern Stage shows a wide and varied programme,

boasting some of the best theatrical performances in England. This year alone it has featured little known plays by Northern writers, puppet shows, dance performances of all disciplines, and will feature an alternative Christmas pantomime to the self-consciously tacky Theatre Royal production.

Stage One features stadium style raked seating, which is not only perfect for those shows with a long running time, but it also means you can see all areas of the stage regardless of where you are sitting.

In addition, the actual theatre isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t so big that if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at the back you feel completely removed from the action - actors donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t look like little stick people.

As well as putting on great theatre, the Northern Stage is heavily involved in working with up-andcoming actors, directors, writers and other people interested in performing arts.

The theatreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First in Three initiative allows locals and Newcastle University students to test out their own dramatic material in front of an audience, and gain constructive feedback - not only a great opportunity for budding writers, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the only theatres in the country to offer something like this.

For those who are interested in the performing arts, regardless of what guise this might be in, the opportunities for experimentation are endless!

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an amazing opportunity for anyone whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to see something of their own performed to a creative crowd. So next time you stroll past the Union, drop by the Northern Stage and see if something takes your fancy...it could be you performing next time!

3XWWLQJ GDQFH RQ WKH PDS > Have programmes like Strictly Come Dancing cheapened dance as an art form? Or is it all in the name of good publicity?

Tara Korth

A scene from â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;As You Like Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at the Northern Stage

Dance: a glorious and diverse art form. Ever changing and never failing to enliven those that gaze upon such feats of creativity. 2009 marks a milestone for dance with regards to media exposure and popular culture.

While TV shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and Britainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got 7DOHQW KDYH UDLVHG WKH SURĂ&#x20AC; OH RI FHU tain genres, a distinction must be made between differentiating dance forms.

While all styles are to be enjoyed, the reality is that some areas of GDQFH DUH YHU\ LQWHUHVW VSHFLĂ&#x20AC; F DQG will only ever appeal to the minority, regardless of media coverage.

Therefore it is impossible to state that popular culture has undermined dance as an art form, as those styles that have â&#x20AC;&#x153;high cultureâ&#x20AC;? connotations remain uncovered, often underfunded and mostly unnoticed by the majority, shamefully so.

Yet the reality is; does any of this really matter? Of course the issue UHJDUGLQJ XQGHUIXQGLQJ GHĂ&#x20AC; QLWHO\

does but as with music and visual art it is easy to overlook the facts that dance as an art form should be entertaining.

Therefore, if popular culture â&#x20AC;&#x153;undermines dance as an art formâ&#x20AC;? who actually cares? It seems to me those that care are the pretentious sorts, which only seem to strip dance of its VRFLDO DVSHFWV GHĂ&#x20AC; QLQJ LW DV VRPH thing it was never intended to be.

Popular culture is good for dance in that not only does it generate an ever increasing audience but perhaps more importantly, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s given rise to well paid jobs throughout the sector.

For a workforce wherein the necessary training is plentiful but the jobs are not, the commercial sector provides some of the most highly paid employment for dancers both nationally and internationally.

While it is possible to argue that the demand for such â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;televisionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; jobs has restricted the creativity of dancers, it is essential to remember that such jobs include the titles of Choreographer and Assistant Choreographer, with most choreographed

routines being a concoction of various artistic styles.

Such jobs in fact initiate creative and networking opportunities for dancers from all backgrounds to collaborate fuelling artistic progress.

However, to state that it is only in recent years and as a result of media coverage that dance has expanded as a public art form, is incorrect.

Dance was not born in the theatre or the television studio for the selected talented few.

It was born in the streets; in the homes of families; in pubs and clubs, and it has always been an unrestricted expression of joy for many people.

The dance mapping research, A Window On Dance, carried out by The Arts Council, highlights the growth of a highly receptive audience, but overlooks the fact that for centuries, dance has been a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; art form for centuries.

It is in this sense that the undermining of dance as an art form by popular culture is most ludicrous.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

27

Arts

CULTURE

The Parrfect exhibition > Celebrated photographer Martin Parr treats the BALTIC to a one-off UK exhibition of his latest collection: Parrworld Eleanor Wilson The only UK showing of Parrworld, the latest exhibition by renowned British photographer Martin Parr, is at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art this winter.

Surrey-born Martin Parr is one of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading photographers, and uses his work to comically depict his interpretation of British contemporary life. Parr puts a culturally relevant spin on the unmasking of the everyday by examining the themes of class and wealth within his work.

By using exaggeration and satire, he documented society and everyday culture in Britain and Ireland, but then looked at more global phenomenon such as mass tourism and consumerism.

Parrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest exhibition is spread RYHU WZR Ă RRUV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW FRQWDLQLQJ Luxury, consisting of over forty recent works by Parr, while the second houses more than 150 prints from some of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most famous DQG VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW SKRWRJUDSKHUV DV well as a range of objects from Parrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal collection.

His new series Luxury shows the different ways in which people display their wealth. He selected a variety of locations and venues for his work, such as art fairs and race courses, including Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pre-

mier horse racing event, The Northumbrian Plate.

Parr explains: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Major sports events are a perfect time to catch people aspirationally showing off their new found wealth, whether theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got it or not.â&#x20AC;? Designer clothes, champagne and parties are naturally all part of this repertoire.

The rest of the exhibition highlights the notion of photography as a form of collection, with displays that combine some of Parrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own photographs with an extraordinary collection of work from highly respected international and UK photographers, ranging from the South African David Goldblatt, to German Frank Breuer, to the North Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Chris Killip whose 1980s images of Teeside have endured the decades.

Alongside these feature books taken from Parrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s several-thousand strong library and personal items collected from his travels.

With a penchant for the peculiar and curious, Parrâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of paraphernalia is peppered with historical documents (such as original posters from the 1984 Minersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Strike and Margaret Thatcher china sets), making for a thought-provoking and yet somewhat kooky examination.

Whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re interested in modern photography or not, Parrworld offers a truly unique and comical take on todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society.

Hit the Recession Runway! ! $UWV VWXGHQW LQWHUHVWHG LQ IDVKLRQ" &DPGHQ¡V hottest new showroom could do with another pair of hands Sarah Skinner From pricey vintage boutiques to Topshop and Asos, sometimes the fashion world seems unconquerable. With big designer brands like Gucci and Jimmy Choo commanding the front pages of Vogue, and the high street shops pumping out mass-manufactured clobber, is it possible for a young Arts graduate to hit the ground running in the Ă&#x20AC;FNOH ZRUOG RI IDVKLRQ" This was the question Jade Moss asked when she set out into the fashion industry on a journey that had begun aged just seventeen. Her passion for fashion took her on a whirlwind across thirteen countries, gaining creative inspiration from the places she visited.

It was in Mexico that the idea for The Runway Showroom began to form. The ambitious Moss went from buying and selling vintage pieces in Yorkshire, to owning her own business showcasing independent designers, gaining serious LQWHUHVW IURP QXPHURXV KLJK SURĂ&#x20AC;OH London boutiques and companies.

After seeing how much money and work being an independent designer takes, and seeing how much people want to rip you off, she decided she wanted to pass on all she had learnt from her experiences to new designers; allowing them to set up their business with minimum risk.

The Recession Runway organisation helps designers with every

single aspect â&#x20AC;&#x201C; manufacturing, production, buyers, swing tags, events, launches, press, logos, photography. Jadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contacts and knowledge RI WKH EXVLQHVV DV ZHOO DV KHU FRQĂ&#x20AC;dence and experiences in the industry, make her perfectly placed to do this.

Located in Camdenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newly restored train arches, the Runway Showroom has become Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only permanent catwalk and cafe, offering the opportunity for other like-minded graduate fashionistas to showcase their work.

Jadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Runway Showroom became much more than just a moneyspinner â&#x20AC;&#x201C; upon taking the project to Mexico to cut overheads, she helped small families to support themselves; with Mexican immigrants returning home redundant from to the recession-hit American economy, the Runway Showroom project gave three families jobs as seamstresses and factory workers on fair trade terms.

6R ZKDW¡V QH[W" $ORQJ ZLWK SODQV for joint exhibitions, music events and charity evenings, Jade has set up a new factory in Belsize Park and a company website enabling designersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clothes to be sold online. And with more and more independent designers joining the project, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the perfect time for graduates to think about cashing in on the opportunity! ) Email info@recessionrunway.org for more information.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; - a photograph from the Parrworld exhibition at the BALTIC

$ FRPLF ZD\ WR Ă&#x20AC;JKW FRUUXSWLRQ Mark Corcoran-Lettice Personally, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a little uneasy when the worlds of activism and art collide. Not to say that art doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t change the world, or that activists shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t try to engage with as wide an audience as possible, you understand: I simply prefer to try and avoid patronising rhetoric and sub-standard work where possible.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift, mercifully, cannot be dismissed so easily. An experimental UK based youth initiative focused on challenging issues of social injustice around the world.

As well as publishing a quarterly magazine, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also been responsible for several unique cultural interventions, including their UHFHQW VKRUW Ă&#x20AC;OP SURMHFW ZKLFK VDZ several talented young British directors work with more established GLUHFWRUV WR SURGXFH Ă&#x20AC;YH VKRUW Ă&#x20AC;OPV centred around issues such as HIV, child soldiers and asylum seekers.

Ctrl.Alt.Shift also mounted an exhibition in the BALTIC gallery

earlier this year in February called â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;War & Peaceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which focused on FRQĂ LFWV LQ /DWLQ $PHULFD DQG IHDtured contributions from twelve current students and recent graduates of the universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LifeWorkArt programme.

For their latest project though, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve launched themselves into a new creative medium for them: the comic book. Featuring pieces from a wide variety of comic artists, satirists, musicians and creaWLYH Ă&#x20AC;JXUHV IURP DFURVV WKH JOREH (with contributors including Dan Goldman, Asia Alfasi, VV Brown, Aleksandar Zograf, Pat Mills and Dylan Horrocks), â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Unmasking Corruptionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a 96 page-long book of over twenty individual strips inspired by corruption that engages the reader in a complex issue that is both a cause of and a barrier to the prevention of poverty.

To coincide with the bookâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s launch, Ctrl.Alt.Shift are also running an exhibition of the same name in the Lazarides Gallery in Soho from 6th-30th November, looking at the history of political

engagement in comic books.

They are also offering aspiring comic book artists the chance to create a visual adaptation of a script written by Dev Hynes (better known as Lightspeed Champion), with the winner to be judged by a panel that includes Marjane Satrapi (best known for the Persepolis ERRNV DQG Ă&#x20AC;OP &RPLFD IRXQGHU Paul Gravett, VV Brown, David Allain and Dev Hynes himself.

Sadly for any budding artists reading this, the competitionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s already closed, but you can see the winning commission as one of the featured strips in the Unmasking Corruption book.

To grab hold of a copy of this exciting, incisive work, visit www. ctrlaltshift.co.uk or go to your local comic book store where the book will be available for ÂŁ4.99 from November, with all proceeds from the book going towards further projects of artistic intervention by Ctrl.Alt. Shift. Intelligent, current and very far from patronising â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ctrl.Alt.Shift might just be the exception that proves the rule.

28

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

CULTURE

Film

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THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

29

Film

CULTURE

Reviews Love Happens Dir: Brandon Camp Stars: Aaron Eckhart, Jennifer Aniston, Martin Sheen, John Carroll Lynch, Judy Greer Runtime: 109 minutes Sometimes when you least expect it...Love Happens. This unimaginative title seems to be a play on the common phrase â&#x20AC;&#x153;shit happensâ&#x20AC;?, and yes, it blatantly does.

Dr Burke Ryan (Eckhart) lost his wife three years ago, an event that led him to write a bestselling self help book A-Okay about dealing with grief.

The story takes place in Seattle, where Burke is giving a motivational workshop to aid the loss of loved ones: the irony being that although Burke appears righteous

and put together on the outside, he has never learned to follow his own award winning steps, and inside he remains grief stricken and wrought with emotional turmoil.

Florist Eloise Chandler (Aniston) SURYLGHV WKH Ă RZHUV IRU WKH KRWHO Burke is staying in, and a chance meeting leads to a less than perfect dinner date, and a journey of Eloise helping Burke to confront his grief and move on.

Though currently being marketed as a Romantic Comedy, Love Happens is more of a Drama with a shadow of Romance and moments of humour.

7KH VHULRXV XQGHUWRQHV RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP actually have the backbone of an epic tearjerker. However mixing this with the unlikely yet predictable events, the viewer is left slightly XQFRPIRUWDEOH DQG GLVVDWLVĂ&#x20AC;HG That said, John Carroll Lynch de-

serves a mention for his heartfelt performance as Walter, a man havLQJ GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW\ GHDOLQJ ZLWK WKH DFceptance of the death of his son.

The event has torn his life apart, and his story managed to move even a cynic like myself to tears.

Though elements of the plot are quirky and endearing, the overall story is wholly unbelievable and left me somewhat frustrated.

I realised I had been more inspired by the new Kate Moss YSL Parisienne perfume advert in the precedLQJ WUDLOHUV WKDQ E\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP LWVHOI Though the actors seemed to do the best they could, considering the rag of a script they were given, it was essentially the plot that sucked.

As a drama about grief, it has the potential to be interesting, gritty and GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW EXW WKH IRUFHG MX[WDSRVHG comedy doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sit well with this.

The Sheen (as Burkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father in

law) and Greer (as Anistonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend Marty) appear to be underused with all the focus on the Friends star and Burkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story.

7KHUH LV OLWWOH SDVVLRQ LQ WKLV Ă&#x20AC;OP There are elements which are upliftLQJ EXW WKLV LV QRW D IHHO JRRG Ă&#x20AC;OP and those expecting a Romantic Comedy will be disappointed. If you miss it on the big screen, I wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be rushing out to buy the DVD.

Zombieland

Never mind all that Twilight nonsense; vampires are out and zombies are back in style with the release of horror/comedy Zombieland.

Set in post-zombie apocalypse America, Zombieland is the story of loner Columbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (Eisenberg) quest WR FURVV $PHULFD WR Ă&#x20AC;QG RXW LI KLV family are still alive.

Set three weeks after infection, Columbus has so far been surviving off his wits and his strict list of rules.

However, it isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long before he meets gunslinger Tallahassee (Harrelson) and con artist sisters Wichita (Stone) and Little Rock (Breslin).

After a rocky start, the group set off on a cross country trip to an L.A theme park which provides the loFDWLRQ IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP¡V Ă&#x20AC;QDOH 7KLV +RUURU &RPHG\ GHĂ&#x20AC;DQWO\ leans towards the comedy end of the spectrum â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but this is no bad thing.

Laugh-out-loud moments have not been this frequent since Superbad, the highlight for me being a hysterical cameo by Bill Murray, who allows the living to take refuge in his L.A mansion.

For those mainly interested in the JUDWXLWRXV JRUH WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP KDV WR RIIHU \RX PD\ Ă&#x20AC;QG WKDW WKH PLGGOH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP ODJV VRPHZKDW Here the focus changes from a zombie romp and general gore fest to focus on the characters themselves and their coming of age and overcoming of issues.

6SHFLĂ&#x20AC;FDOO\ WKHVH LQFOXGH &ROXPbusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s need for rules, regulations and structure and Tallahasseeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fear of

showing emotion.

Whether this sentimental smaltch is your thing or not, the consequent lack of horror in the middle section, though annoying, does not greatly HIIHFW WKH RYHUDOO WRQH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP The jokes still come thick and fast DQG WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP GRHVQ¡W VXIIHU DV D UHVXOW 7KH IXQQLHVW SDUWV RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP are undoubtedly the zombie deaths.

The slow motion opening sequence in particular proves that not only LV WKLV Ă&#x20AC;OP VFDU\ DQG IXQQ\ LW DOVR manages to be stylish at the same time.

This surprisingly is down to the frequent use of slow-motion, which, far from annoying, is a stroke of genius.

Character-wise, this is nothing we havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seen before. Harrelsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s character is reminiscent of his Natural Born Killers persona, whilst Eisenberg plays Columbus as a Michael Cera-esq bag of nerves and

yet again establishes the studio as the number one dream factory of modern cinema.

Up does follow the basic template of a Pixar narrative; two main protagonists (one an experienced man and one an innocent boy) are both forced to undertake a journey together in which they help each other to achieve their individual goals.

However, the material still feels refreshingly original.

7KLV LV SDUWO\ GRZQ WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP¡V central character, Carl Fredricksen. He may be reclusive, rude and violent to the outside world, but by the time the end credits roll he had proved to be one of Pixarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most lovable characters yet. And his tender back story underpinned by loss, also makes him the most complex.

After literally breaking free from society in his house using thousands

of balloons to carry it, Fredrickson accidentally acquires the company of 8 year old wilderness explorer Russell.

The two form an unlikely partnership for the second and third act in which they attempt to reach Paradise Falls and meet a bunch of weird and wonderful characters along the way.

The humour is primarily aimed at FKLOGUHQ DV LW VKRXOG EH \HW WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP is ridden with an adult cheekiness and enough blink-and-youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll-missit gags for everyone to enjoy. %XW OLNH 3L[DU¡V SUHYLRXV Ă&#x20AC;OP Wall-E, the best moments of Up are unspoken subtleties where the studioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s animators are free to use all their technical wizardry to bring an unseen yet evident layer to their characters.

As charming as Up is however, the

story never quite reaches the same heights as itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s incredible opening, and many aspects of the story are hilarious but very bizarre at the same time - e.g. talking dogs.

But if this is anything to go by, Pixar show no signs of slowing down and continue to lift the bar in animation as well as storytelling, making the wait for Toy Story 3 all the more harder to bear.

Army of Crime is a historical thriller about a resistance group working in Nazi occupied France.

It strives to inform the audience about the group, labelled the Army of Crime by Nazi police forces, who were responsible for many acts of sabotage and murder during the Second World War. :KLOVW WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP IHHOV ZHOO UHsearched, it never really grabs the attention of the audience in the way a brilliant historical thriller should, as does The Lives of Others for example. $V PHQWLRQHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP KDV FOHDUly been thouroughly thought out.

Great attention has been paid to historical detail giving Army of Crime the accuracy and authenticity a JRRG ZDU Ă&#x20AC;OP VKRXOG KDYH In addition, it is pleasing to see a Ă&#x20AC;OP ZKLFK LV SXUHO\ FLQHPDWLF DQG

does not employ the documentary style so unnecessarily overused by ZDU Ă&#x20AC;OPV DW SUHVHQW The Hurt Locker springs to mind.

Instead it is stylised in a way that suits it, and includes compositions

by Alexandre Desplat, who does an excellent job of ensuring the score feels contemporary, whilst not losing any of the atmosphere of the period.

8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP IDOOV GRZQ when it tries to move into thriller territory.

7KH Ă&#x20AC;OP LV WRR ORQJ WR NHHS WKH taught atmosphere we expect from a thriller and becomes baggy in places.

It seems the attention to factual detail has resulted in the neglecting of cinematic techniques to build tension into the story as it progresses.

There are individual moments in

ZKLFK WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP LV VXVSHQVHIXO DQG when I say suspenseful I mean unbearably nail biting.

However these moments are not frequent enough to hold the attention of someone who is expecting to be kept on the edge of their seat WKURXJKRXW WKH ZKROH Ă&#x20AC;OP Unfortunately, instead it is quite possible to drift off for portions of WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP DV WKH VWRU\ MXVW FDQQRW VXVtain the running time.

There are good performances WKURXJKRXW WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP \HW WKHUH DUH simply too many of them; the ensemble features twenty one actors almost all with equal parts.

This means that no character really gets the screen time they deserve, making it hard to identify with them.

And when plot developments occur, you struggle to remember who

Dir: Ruben Fleischer Stars: Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, Abigail Breslin Runtime: 87mins

Up (3D) Directors: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson Voices: Edward Asner, Christopher Plummer, Jordan Nagai Runtime: 96 mins The story of a grumpy old man so GLVVDWLVĂ&#x20AC;HG ZLWK VRFLHW\ WKDW KH plans to move to South America, where he can live out the rest of his days in total isolation, may seem fairly disheartening coming from the studio that brought us some of WKH PRVW KHDUW ZDUPLQJ Ă&#x20AC;OPV RI WKH last decade. +RZHYHU ZLWKLQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW JROGHQ Ă&#x20AC;IWHHQ PLQXWHV WKDW DUH OLNHO\ WR make you cry just as much as laugh, it becomes clear that Pixarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tenth IHDWXUH Ă&#x20AC;OP LV D UHWXUQ WR IRUP DQG

Army of Crime Director: Robert Guediguian Cast: Virginie Ledoyen, Simon Abkarian, Robinson Stevenin Runtime:139 mins

Michelle C. Alister

awkwardness.

Whilst it may be touching to see a loner overcome their fears, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen it a hundred times before.

This is not to say the acting is poor to the contrary. All four main actors play their roles superbly, in what is a highly recomended zombie romp.

So if you are looking for a genuineO\ IXQQ\ Ă&#x20AC;OP WR JHW \RXU WHHWK LQWR there is no better suggestion than the constantly hilarious and often terrifying Zombieland.

Thomas Ward

-DPHV )DLUĂ&#x20AC;HOG

the person they are referring to is. In DOO KRQHVW\ WKH Ă&#x20AC;OP EHFRPHV LQFUHGibly hard work, further hampering its attempt at a thriller. :KLOVW WKLV Ă&#x20AC;OP LV XQGHQLDEO\ LQformative, it feels over-long and unnecessarily complex, there are far too many different story strands, making it dull in places and never truly gripping.

As a consequence, it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t appeal to those who love a good thriller but will probably entertain those with a strong passion for French history...

Jamie Jackson

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

31

Music

CULTURE

Music Music Editors: Mark Corcoran-Lettice and Chris Mandle - courier.culture-music@ncl.ac.uk

with Passion Pit ZULWHV EDVLFDOO\ DOO WKH PXVLF %XW OLYH ZH¡OO FRPH LQ DQG DGG WR LW

Alice Vincent Culture Editor

AV: And that dynamic works?

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no tension with just one main creative input?

Courier Culture UHFHQWO\ VSRNH WR ,DQ +XOWTXLVW IURP V\QWK SRS¡V ULVLQJ stars Passion Pit about their debut DOEXP 0DQQHUV DQG WKH LQà XHQFHV behind their sound.

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AV: Hey! Howâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s it going? Your touring schedule looks pretty insaneâ&#x20AC;Ś ,DQ :H VWDUWHG WKH WRXU ODVW QLJKW we played a small show in Seattle.

AV: The media have dubbed you all sorts of journalistic clichĂŠs.

For people who havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t heard of you, how would you describe your sound?

AV: Is it too soon to tell how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going? ,DQ ,W¡V D ELW VRRQ %XW HYHU\RQH¡V LQ a good mood. Sometimes when tour VWDUWV WKH EDQG FDQ JHW D ELW VRXU EXW LW VHHPV OLNH HYHU\RQH¡V KDYLQJ D QLFH WLPH VR IDU

,DQ :H¡UH MXVW VWUDLJKW SRS <HV ZH KDYH HOHFWUR LQGLH DQG URFN LQà X HQFHV EXW LQ WKH HQG ZH DUH D SRS band.

AV: Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting, because â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Popâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; can be a very dirty wordâ&#x20AC;Ś

AV: According to MySpace, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve sold out a fair few shows. That must be encouragingâ&#x20AC;Ś? ,DQ <HDK LW¡V DOZD\V FRRO WR VHH (V SHFLDOO\ LQ WKH 8. , PHDQ WR VHOO RXW WKH ODVW WZR QLJKWV DW .R.R &DP GHQ LV LQFUHGLEOH $9 6R \RX Ă&#x20AC; QG WKH %ULWLVK UH ception nice and friendly, then â&#x20AC;&#x201C; would you say it was better than in America? ,DQ ,W¡V D ELW RI D PL[ , PHDQ ZH¡OO have weird shows in the US and then weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll have weird shows in the UK. +RZHYHU DOO URXQG LW¡V DOZD\V EHHQ UHDOO\ SRVLWLYH OLNH WKHUH¡V DW OHDVW one person always singing along at HYHU\ VKRZ ZH SOD\ ZKHUHYHU LW LV LQ WKH ZRUOG ZKLFK LV D SUHWW\ FRRO feeling.

AV: Whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve you got as your supports over here? ,DQ :H¡UH JRLQJ WR EH RQ WRXU ZLWK Max Tundra and the Joy FormidaEOH :H ORYH -R\ )RUPLGDEOH DQG VR ZH MXVW DVNHG WKHP 0D[ 7XQGUD¡V been loved by the boys in the band.

AV: Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve just brought your album out. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been pretty highly anticipated.

E. WEINBERG

,DQ 5HDOO\" AV: Yeah, like, fans have only had your EP to play with so far. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the reception been like? ,DQ 7KHUH¡V QHYHU UHDOO\ EHHQ DQ\ thing negative said about itâ&#x20AC;Śat least RI ZKDW ,¡YH KHDUG DQ\ZD\ 2QH RI WKH WKLQJV ,¡YH UHDOO\ ORYHG LV WKDW PXVLFLDQV WKDW ZH¡UH IDQV RI KDYH EHHQ UHDOO\ ELJ IDQV RI WKDW UHFRUG /LNH WKH\ OLVWHQ WR LW DOO WKH WLPH VLQJ DORQJ WR DOO WKH VRQJV , WKLQN WKDW¡V VRPHWKLQJ WKDW¡V UHDOO\ FRRO Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s this all-round thing where everyone gives a thumbs-up for HDFK RWKHU¡V ZRUN AV: Fancy a bit of name-dropping? ,DQ :HOO ZH MXVW SOD\HG D IHZ VKRZV ZLWK 3KRHQL[ ZKLFK ZDV UH DOO\ IXQQ\ EHFDXVH ZH¡UH ERWK UHDOO\

ELJ IDQV RI HDFK RWKHU 6R WKH\¡G EH RIIVWDJH ZDWFKLQJ XV DQG WKHQ ZH¡G SOD\ DQG UXQ RIIVWDJH WR ZDWFK WKHP ,W ZDV UHDOO\ FRRO AV: Sounds it! Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get onto Sleepyhead â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that was a huge track over here earlier this year. Did you really get a lot of tiny children involved in the recording?

FKRLU RQ <RX7XEH FDOOHG 36 ZKR ZHUH GRLQJ FRYHUV RI 7RUL $PRV DQG ZH FDOOHG WKHP XS :KHQ ZH FDOOHG WKHP WKH\ VDLG WKH\¡G EH WKHUH ZKHQHYHU WR GR LW 6R WKH\ FDPH LQ RQH GD\ KDG D JLDQW SL]]D SDUW\ AV: God, I wish I was there. Now youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a few people cover your tracks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that must be pretty boss.

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COMPETITON Win a signed copy of Passion Pitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut album, Manners!

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What was the title of Passion Pitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut EP?

Should bands be able to choose their own fans?

Alice Vincent Culture Editor A funny thing happened to me a IHZ \HDUV DJR $JHG Ă&#x20AC; IWHHQ , SDLG good money to attend a Busted stadium â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;gigâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. No lies.

Pausing for breath halfway WKURXJK , ORRNHG DURXQG WR QRWLFH VHYHUDO WKRXVDQG SULPDU\ VFKRRO FKLOGUHQ WKHLU SDUHQWV LQ YDU\LQJ IRUPV RI ERUHGRP DQG D FRXSOH RI spotty teenage boys that even my hormone-riddled brain wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t WDNH QRWLFH RI :KHQ %XVWHG ZHUH Ă&#x20AC; UVW VLJQHG XS LV WKLV KRZ WKH\ HQYLVDJHG WKHLU IDQ EDVH" -XGJLQJ E\ WKH VFDQWLO\ FODG ´URFN FKLFNVÂľ LQ WKHLU YLGHRV ,

doubt it. ,I EDQGV ZHUH DOORZHG WR SLFN WKHLU IDQ EDVHV WKH ZKROH SRLQW RI PXVLF ZRXOG EH HQWLUHO\ HUDGLFDWHG , WKLQN LW¡V EULOOLDQW WKDW SHRSOH FDQ OLNH %XVWHG DQG VKRFN KRUURU (YH U\WKLQJ (YHU\WKLQJ DQG /DG\ *DJD besides. ,I EDQGV MXVW SLFNHG WKHLU IDYRXU LWH W\SH RI IDQ DQG , SUHGLFW WKLV ZRXOG EH HLWKHU WKH œFRRO¡ PXVLF snob or the groupie-esque indie girl LQ PRVW FDVHV WKHQ WKH SRLQW RI PX VLF ZRXOG HYHQWXDOO\ GLVDSSHDU 6RXQGV H[WUHPH , NQRZ EXW ZKDW ZRXOG =DQH /RZH RU +XZ 6WHSKHQV GR IRU D OLYLQJ LI WKH\ ZHUHQ¡W FRQ stantly telling us how brilliant sevHUDO GLIIHUHQW JHQUHV RI PXVLF ZHUH"

+RZ FDQ ZH EH LQIRUPHG PXVLF IDQV LI ZH GRQ¡W OLNH KHDYHQ IRUELG â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;a bit of everythingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;? ,I , ZDV LQ D EDQG ² WKDQNIXOO\ WKRVH DVSLUDWLRQDO GD\V KDYH GLHG ² P\ SHUIHFW IDQ ZRXOG EH WKH URXQG HG RSHQ PLQGHG RQH +RZ HOVH ZRXOG WKH\ MXGJH P\ PXVLF"

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If bands were allowed to pick their fan bases, the whole point of music would be entirely eradicatedâ&#x20AC;?

Elliot Bentley :KHQ LW FRPHV WR EXLOGLQJ DQG PDLQWDLQLQJ D IDQEDVH PRVW EDQGV ZLOO WDNH ZKDWHYHU WKH\ FDQ JHW VR EHLQJ SLFN\ DERXW \RXU DXGLHQFH LV a luxury not even the largest bands FDQ JHW DZD\ ZLWK 7KH SHRSOH \RX DWWUDFW LV FRQWURO OHG E\ WKH W\SH RI PXVLF \RX ZULWH .LQJV RI /HRQ¡V GLVDVWURXV 5HDGLQJ IHVWLYDO VHW ZDV WKH UHVXOW RI D FURZG who had turned up to hear â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sex On )LUH¡ DQG PD\EH Âś8VH 6RPHERG\¡ but none of their old material.

Another good example is how 3DQLF $W 7KH 'LVFR EDFNHG WKHP VHOYHV LQWR D FRUQHU ZLWK WKHLU Ă&#x20AC; UVW DOEXP $ )HYHU <RX &DQ¡W 6ZHDW

2XW 7KH\ WKHQ GLWFKHG WKH H[ FODPDWLRQ PDUN DQG ORVW WKH HPR VW\OLQJV RQ WKHLU IROORZ XS UHFRUG 3UHWW\ )DQV H[SHFWLQJ PRUH ZLWW\ SRS SXQN DQWKHPV ZHUH SXW RII E\ WKH QHZ IRON WLQJHG VW\OH ZKLOH WKRVH ZKR PLJKW KDYH DSSUHFLDWHG VXFK D PXVLFDO VKLIW KDG DOUHDG\ EHHQ VFDUHG RII E\ WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW DOEXP %DQGV VHOHFW WKHLU DXGLHQFH VLPSO\ E\ ZULWLQJ DQG SOD\LQJ PXVLF DQG LI WKH\¡UH H[FHSWLRQDOO\ WDOHQWHG they may be able to shift towards GLIIHUHQW JHQUHV ZLWKRXW VDFULĂ&#x20AC; FLQJ their existing fanbase.

32

CULTURE

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

Music

Seen and Scene with Brilliant Mind Linsey Teggert A gem in the Newcastle music scene, Brilliant Mind began their life as New Vinyls, playing gigs all over the North East and bagging a VXSSRUW VORW RQ WKH 0DFFDEHHV¡ Ă&#x20AC; UVW major tour â&#x20AC;&#x201C; an impressive feat for a band with an average age of 17.

After dissolving last year, they returned as Brilliant Mind, with a new stripped down sound that WDNHV LWV LQĂ XHQFHV IURP MDQJO\ %ULW ish guitar pop such as Pulp, Belle and Sebastian and The Smiths.

Musically, they are charming and upbeat, but the lyrics hint at a darker side to the band. Check RXW Âś9LFWLP RI $VVRFLDWLRQ ¡ DYDLO able to listen to on their MySpace DW ZZZ P\VSDFH FRP EULOOLDQW PLQGPXVLF LQ ZKLFK &DOXP ELW terly laments, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;18 months on from the things that she said, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m chained to the foot of her hospital bed.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; To fully appreciate Brilliant Mind, \RX PXVW ZLWQHVV RQH RI WKHLU HQ ergetic live performances, where the songs fully come to life with stunning force and intelligence.

Calum appears on the edge of a EUHDNGRZQ Ă DLOLQJ DURXQG WKH stage like a young Jarvis Cocker.

With plenty of gigs coming up around Newcastle, I urge you to go see this band in an intimate venue while you still have the chance.

The Head of Steam Mark Corcoran-Lettice Music Editor The Head of Steam may seem like an unlikely epicentre for the North East musical world. But inside its XQDVVXPLQJ LQWHULRU OLHV WKH EHDW ing heart of Newcastle music.

In the basement, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gigs almost every night, whether from XS DQG FRPLQJ ORFDO DFWV WR JOREDO talent (with the likes of High Places and Pocahaunted having graced its EDUHO\ D VWDJH LQ WKH ODVW \HDU

$QG XSVWDLUV" :K\ ODGLHV DQG JHQWOHPHQ \RX¡OO Ă&#x20AC; QG RQH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC; QHVW EDUV LQ WKH FLW\ WKH VSLULWXDO VSLULW VHUYLQJ KRPH IURP KRPH IRU many a hipster.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a place where friendships are made, bands get formed, local legends cut loose (leading to one memorable occasion last year when RQH ORFDO VLQJHU VRQJZULWHU OHIW 0HUFXU\ 5HY Ă HHLQJ WKH YHQXH FRO OHFWLYH WDLO EHWZHHQ OHJV DIWHU RIIHU ing some choice options concerning WKHLU ODWHVW DOEXP DQG RQ RQH memorable night, a close friend of mine almost pulling someone old enough to his mother.

Fine music, a superb bar and possibly the coolest bar staff in the ZRUOG , ZRXOGQ¡W FKDQJH D WKLQJ

Gordon Bruce Culture Online Editor Every week here at Culture Music, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to be putting lots of incredible, exclusive content online for all you lovely readers to check out at www.thecourieronline.co.uk.

This week, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got exclusive reviews of the Sic Alps and Wave 0DFKLQHV JLJV WKDW KDSSHQHG UH FHQWO\ E\ RXU ZULWHUV 2OLYLD 0D son and Mark Campbell, along with exclusive pictures of the concerts.

For any of you intrigued by his review, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also an interview

by Tom Richards with Baddies, WDNHQ MXVW EHIRUH WKHLU SHUIRUP ance at The Cluny on October 5th.

As ever, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve also got some exciting, exclusive blogging from our music writers that ranges the genres and the globe, as well DV SKRWRV IURP DOO WKH ORFDO ELJ name gigs. <RX¡OO DOVR Ă&#x20AC; QG WKH ZKROH RI the paper online in PDF form, so even if you lose your treasured copy of The Courier, you can still look the whole thing up on the ZHE FRQVLGHUDWH RU ZKDW"

Live Reviews Deadmau5 Pixies 02 Academy Newcastle, Brixton Academy October 12th London, October 6th

Noisettes, Newcastle University Basement, October 12th

Baddies, The Cluny, October 5th

If anyone thought that the O2 Academy might be able to stage a big name DJ to the ability of Digital, those thoughts were left right behind RQ WKH $FDGHP\¡V VWLFN\ GDQFHĂ RRU Poor soundsytem, poor lighting DQG D SRRU \HW VROG RXW FURZG meant the Mau5â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s latest venture to the North East left trailing in the wake of his debut appearance across the road, 18 months previous.

Then a rising star, the Canadian is seemingly now a chart act which is why he can sell out the Academy, EXW WKH FKRLFH RI YHQXH ZDV WKH ID WDO Ă DZ LQ DQ RWKHUZLVH Ă DZOHVV VHW The man with the mouse head thrilled the crowd as he opened ZLWK Âś$UJXUX¡ RQH RI WKH PRQ sters from his debut album. $QG ZKDW IROORZHG ZDV D SOHDV ant surprise, as instead of the H[SHFWHG SURVVHVVLRQ RI QHZ DO bum tracks, the Mau5 mixed ROG QHZ DQG UDQGRP LQFOXG ing his epic remix of Daft Punkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Harder, Better, Faster, Strongerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

The biggest noise from the crowd FDPH DW WKH GURSSLQJ RI Âś, 5H PHPEHU¡ WKH WXQH ZKHQ WKH \HDU ROG¡V FDUHHU WRRN RII RU ZHQW downhill in many of his fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; eyes.

But all was redeemed with â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Strobeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the stand out track from his new EP. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Ghosts and Stuffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; rounded off a superb overall set, but please Joel, get yourself back to Digital.

Monday 12th saw the Noisettes play DW 1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ 8QLRQ EDVH ment, and if you werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t there, you really missed out.

The night was kicked off by the support act MphO, whose songs were well received; it looks good for WKHLU XSFRPLQJ DOEXP RXW WK 2F tober. Their style was close to that of the Noisettes which made them a good choice for support.

Noisettes came on after, and really kicked the night off. With most of WKH VRQJV EHLQJ IURP WKH QHZHVW DO bum, the entire crowd were singing along from the moment lead singer Shoniwa crept on stage.

The night wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have been FRPSOHWH ZLWKRXW 6KRQLZD¡V VLJQD ture shrieks, and there were plenty of them, with the crowd enjoying every one of them.

The extra songs that were included LQ WKH VHW OLVW LQFOXGLQJ WKHLU YHU sion of The Killers song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When You :HUH <RXQJ¡ DQG D FRYHU RI WKH 7 5H[ VRQJ Âś&KLOGUHQ RI WKH 5HYROX tionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, were curious choices, but The 1RLVHWWHV GHĂ&#x20AC; QLWHO\ PDQDJHG WR SXOO them off, getting everyone to sing along.

Add to this mix the moment Shoniwa appeared at the back of the crowd singing, and the night was a very special one indeed.

Inconspicuously strolling on stage, FODG LQ PDWFKLQJ .UDIWZHUN VW\OH formal attire, Baddies immediately unleash â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tiffany Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Sorry,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; the storming opener from their recently released debut Do The Job. Whilst the band deliver singles â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Battleshipsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Open One Eyeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with energy and vigour, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the songs that at times seem to fade into the background of the album that are really brought to life tonight by a captivating display in front of a small, but evidently appreciative, Cluny crowd.

Lead singer Michael Webster jolts in time as though possessed by the VSLN\ JXLWDU ULIIV RI VWDQG RXW WUDFNV â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;At the Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; and â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We Beat our Chestsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, earning the comparisons WKH EDQG¡V SHUIRUPDQFHV KDYH JDU QHUHG WR OLYH ZLUH DFWV VXFK DV 7KH Futureheads.

Baddies are not a band that will instantly change your life; however WKHLU LQIHFWLRXV HQHUJ\ GHWHUPLQD tion and obvious passion for what they are doing is something that should be commended.

7KH\¡UH D KDUG ZRUNLQJ EDQG WKDW are moving in the right direction, DQG WLJKW NQLW OLYH SHUIRUPDQFHV OLNH this will certainly do them no harm.

David Coverdale Editor

2009 marks the 20th anniversary of WKH 3L[LHV¡ VHFRQG IXOO OHQJWK DOEXP 'RROLWWOH 7R FHOHEUDWH WKH DQQLYHU sary, Black Francis et al. are treating those fans speedy enough to grab a WLFNHW EHIRUH WKH LQHYLWDEOH VHOO RXW to a series of celebratory UK dates.

2Q WKHLU Ă&#x20AC; UVW QLJKW DW /RQ donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brixton Academy, the band whipped through Doolittle in its entirety with ironically youthful energy, bookending it with classics VXFK DV Âś%RQH 0DFKLQH¡ DQG Âś*LJDQ WLF¡ DQG DOEXP HUD E VLGHV VRPH RI which, as bassist Kim Deal excitably told the packed venue, had not been SHUIRUPHG PRUH WKDQ ´Ă&#x20AC; YH WLPHV Âľ The music was complimented E\ RQVWDJH Ă&#x20AC; OP FOLSV KLJKOLJKWV RI ZKLFK ZHUH WKH SUH UHFRUGHG IRRW DJH RI WKH EDQG PHPEHUV HQHUJHWL cally singing, twitching and joking in various ways to their own â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Here Comes Your Manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, and a showing of BuĂąuelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Un Chien Andalouâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, famously the gruesome inspiration for the â&#x20AC;&#x153;slicing up eyeballsâ&#x20AC;? lyric of album opener, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Debaserâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. :LWK IHUYHQW FURZG VXUĂ&#x20AC; QJ VLQJ D ORQJV DQG JHQHUDO XQDGXOWHUDWHG hysteria, the enduring brilliance of the album was never clearer. If man LV Ă&#x20AC; YH 3L[LHV DUH HLJKW Heather Whitmore

Tom Richards

Christopher Scott

To see what gigs are coming up at the Union, visit www.unionsociety.co.uk/events

Linsey Teggert Stone Roses haters look away, now.

For those of you out there wanting WR UH OLYH WKH PDUDFD VKDNLQJ 0DG FKHVWHU PXVLF GD\V PLQXV WKH HP barrassment of those baggy pants and awful hair cuts, look no further.

8S DQG FRPLQJ EDQG 7KH 5XOLQJ &ODVV RIIHU D PL[ RI MDQJO\ JXLWDUV and shifty drum beats that King Brown and Co. would be proud RI EXW GHOLYHU LW DOO ZLWK D Ă XLG atmospheric groove reminiscent of 70/80s Manchester music pioneers like Joy Division and The Smiths. , VSRNH EULHĂ \ WR OHDG JXLWDULVW 7R mas Kubowicz after a recent gig in Leeds, who said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d simply say our music is a mix of all the good bits from that golden period.â&#x20AC;? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not wrong.

This is clearly still a band in its infancy, but an appearance at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Reading/Leeds Festival DQG DQ HYHU JURZLQJ IROORZLQJ RQ WKH JLJ FLUFXLW PHDQV WKDW VXUHO\ it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be long before The Ruling &ODVV SXW WKH VSLULW RI 0DGFKHV ter music back in its rightful place on the throne of British music.

Take note, humble peasants.

Stephen Gately a tribute (1976-2009) We received the sad news that Stephen Gately, one of the members of Boyzone, passed away last week.

No matter how much we may or may not like boy bands, or even Boyzone, we should pay at least VRPH GXH UHVSHFW WR KLV DFKLHYH ments.

He wrote and sang in the band and EHFDPH D NH\ PHPEHU RI WKH RXWĂ&#x20AC; W VKDULQJ OHDG YRFDO GXWLHV ZLWK 5R QDQ .HDWLQJ HYHU VLQFH WKHLU LQFHS tion in 1993, through to their split in 2000, and their reformation.

With all three of Boyzoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s studio albums climbing to the number one spot in the UK charts and the act managing six number one singles, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quite an achievement to be proud of. +H ZDV DOVR WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW PHPEHU RI D ER\ EDQG WR FRPH RXW DV JD\ D ELJ move to make, but one that he did regardless, and he certainly held his head proud. :KHQ WKHUH LV VR PXFK KRPRSKR ELD LQ DOO ZDONV RI OLIH WR VHH VRPH one in the public eye like Stephen *DWHO\ GR VXFK D WKLQJ LV DQ LQVSLU ing, courageous act.

He deserves our recognition for WKLV IHDW DV ZHOO DV KLV PXVLFDO WDO ent and his outstanding career.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

33

Music

Record Reviews

CULTURE

Singles & Downloads Benjamin Jackson

Various Artists Warp20 Boxset

The latest offering from American pop-punk quartet AFI, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Medicateâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, starts with distorted guitar and drums that prepare you for a song similar to their older material, but the song gives way to a newer more radio-friendly sound.

Good lyrics, fast punchy drums and guitars â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really go wrong with that. â&#x20AC;&#x2122;15 to 20â&#x20AC;&#x2122;

by The Phenomenal Handclap Band I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be as positive about though.

Musically, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a lot going on in this song apart from a bass line that sounds like it has been dug out of a 70â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disco and some occasionally catchy vocals.

6SHDNLQJ RI YRFDOV RQ Ă&#x20AC;UVW OLVWHQ to Wild Beastsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; new single â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;All The Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the occasional falsetto vocals take you by surprise but once you get past this they offset the background vocals beautifully.

Until I was handed this record Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d never heard of this band before but I now wish I had, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only song Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever heard that makes references to Shipley RU :KLWE\ GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ ZRUWK D listen. Mobyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new single â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Mistakeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is recommended too - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moodier and darker than a lot of his work, both musically and lyrically. Perfect music for sitWLQJ DQG ZDWFKLQJ Ă&#x20AC;HOGV Ă \ E\ through the window of a train.

So, most of you reading this sentence have probably skipped straight to the score at the bottom. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t worry if you have â&#x20AC;&#x201C; no-oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mad at you.

You may be, however, slightly dubious about the mark down there.

A perfect score isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t something to be given out lightly, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s certainly not something you should get used to seeing here. But in this case, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deserved.

Warp Records are currently celebrating their twentieth anniversary, during which time theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been at the forefront of several dance scenes, most notably the IDM movement of the late â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve expanded their roster to incorporate hip-hop, rock and all other kinds of sounds.

This is, especially at a time when even established independents like Touch & Go are throwing in the towel, A Very Good Thing Indeed.

But onto the boxset. Aside from the luxurious packaging of the thing, the contents inside are a true embarrassment of riches. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a two-disc compilation of the laEHO¡V Ă&#x20AC;QHVW PRPHQWV RQH VHOHFWHG by fans online (which, unsurpris-

ingly, focuses more on Aphex Twin, Squarepusher, Battles and other crowd-pleasers) and one compiled by label co-founder Steve Beckett, which while not entirely obscurest, does throw in a few more unusual cuts, such as cult psychedelic experimenters Broadcast and instrumental hip-hop kingpin Flying Lotus.

Then thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the two Recreated discs, which show not just the diversity but also the surprising coherHQFH RI WKHLU URVWHU %RUQ 5XIĂ&#x20AC;DQV turn Aphex Twinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Milkman/To Cure A Weakling Childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; into a gloriously ramshackle indie-rock comeon, Bibio unleashes the inner folk monster inside Boards of Canadaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kaini Industriesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, while Seefeel reimagines Maximo Parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Acrobatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as an electronic, nocturnal hymnal.

While admittedly not every cover is a complete success, it still adds up to a superb act of self-tribute, not to mention a remarkable act of unity on the part of such a sometimes disperate roster.

Oh, but the fun doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end there.

Did I neglect to mention the three 10â&#x20AC;? vinyls of exclusive unreleased

material from the likes of Autechre and Plaid, an excusive hour-long mix by Osymyso comprised of samples from Warpâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back-catalogue, two 10â&#x20AC;? vinyls of locked-grooves from Warp tracks old for mixing purposes, and a 192-page book de-

10/10

Teitur All My Mistakes

Lark Shop

Lightning Bolt Earthly Pleasures

Anti-Pop Consortium Fluorescent Black

Editors

First and foremost, I must confess to having a slight man crush on Teitur Lassen; having had this album on repeat for the past few days, I now want him to sing me to sleep every night.

Echoing the likes of Guillemots and Rufus Wainwright, All My Mistakes is a compilation of Teiturâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous three albums, most of which have slipped under the radar somewhat.

It takes advantage of Teiturâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s observational commentaries and creativity in developing characters into his work, compromising of tales of the lonely and heart wrenching such as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Girl I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Knowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which is like taking a mallet to further mash a broken heart, through to the jauntier trumpet laden â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Catherine the Waitressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

As the disc unravels in its glorious gentleness, you begin to wonder why Teiturâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s previous three releases werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough to grant him the recognition he deserves. The swooping ode to Louis Armstrong, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Louis Louisâ&#x20AC;?, compounds this idea of a lost soul, unaligned with the modern day music scene, striving for something more, something genuine, something that Teitur has to offer by the bucket load.

Larkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut LP, Shop, is compiled of a selection of tracks from the past three years of the band, from when artist Karl Bielik began recording alone, up to the Erol Alkan supported six-piece that they are today.

It serves as an excellent introduction to a very intriguing, if sometimes chaotic, band.

Much like Bielikâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s paintings, the music here is nothing especially new (certainly, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re familiar with the likes of The Fall or The &UDPSV LW¡V XQOLNHO\ \RX¡OO Ă&#x20AC;QG DQything too original here), but what Lark do, they do well, leaving you with a rather enjoyable slice of modern post-punk.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, the album is packed full of variety, from the scuzzy, Stoogesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;-like bass line that kickstarts opener â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Little Shopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, through to the surreal, toe tapping, keyboard and percussion-led â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Animalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Clawâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The album takes many an exciting twist and turn, all rounded off with curious lyrics that couldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve come straight out of Nick Caveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own notebook. /DUN DUH \HW WR Ă&#x20AC;QG WKHLU RZQ YRLFH but have laid a solid and promising foundation to build on.

Lightning Bolt are odd.

They are a bassist and a drummer who make the noise of ten men, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve played almost every gig in WKHLU FDUHHU RQ WKH Ă RRU UDWKHU WKDQ the stage, and drummer Brian Chippendale has suffered major hearing loss because of his playing. The Killers they are not.

(DUWKO\ 'HOLJKWV WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;IWK DOEXP canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be described as a departure from their usual style. The duo revel in their limitations, and bring their usual mix of guttural bass, unpredictable, skittering drums and unintelligible vocals to the table with full, bestial energy.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to see that this wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be for everyone; seeing as the band is essentially a rhythm section, the songs revolve less around melodies as sheer force.

At their best (â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Funny Farmâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;), the EDQG ZLOO Ă&#x20AC;QG D KRRN DQG ZRUN around it for the whole song, but at other times, as in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Flooded Chamberâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, the complete lack of structure just leaves a sloppy-sounding tune.

However, if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for a squall of sweat, feedback, terror and sheer insanity, this is the album for you.

Seven years is a long time in the hiphop world. In that time, an act can start up, gain acclaim, produce great work, fall into decline, retire and do the whole cycle multiple times RYHU 7KH Ă&#x20AC;UVW DOEXP LQ VHYHQ \HDUV from experimental provocateurs Anti-Pop Consortium has a colossal weight of expectation behind it, and that it almost meets them is an impressive feat.

The long-awaited follow-up to 2002â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s masterful Arrhythmia (with 2003â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s album length collaboration with pianist Matthew Shipp generally seen as a side-project, not an APC album proper), Fluorescent Black sees the quartet as fearsome and as bold as ever; starting the album off with the unexpected guitar squall of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lay Me Downâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Earl Blaizeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production still sounds both ahead of the game and entirely separate from it.

The lyricism remains as daring and inquisitive as before; the title-trackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ruminations on Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s America sees them as thoughtful as ever, while the Roots Manuva collaboration â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;NY To Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is a true joy.

At 55 minutes, the album can be a slog at times, but on the whole itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sublime return from one of hiphopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most unique and singular forces.

If misery loves company, then EdiWRUV QHHG WR Ă&#x20AC;QG VRPH IULHQGV A gloomy rain cloud has often pursued the band, drowning them in sombre at every opportunity.

Ditching the guitars for that classic â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re reinventing ourselvesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; electro phase, on this album, Editors manage to lift away from the surly garage-band practises.

It must be said that on the titular track, the jazzy keyboard and autotune donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t save the song from Tom Smithâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deep, deep (incredibly deep) growls; his crooked, jarring vocals seem pedestrian and miserable. Lead single â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Papillonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, however, injects a much-needed energy.

Instead of mumbling and groaning like a bothersome poltergeist, Smith wields his vocals like a weapon; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;you will choke/choke on the air you try to breathe,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; he bellows powerfully, over a frenzied synth-fest. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Big Exitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; takes the curious, furious retro that characterised much of 2009 in its haunting church organs, but a slur of cheesy lyrics (â&#x20AC;&#x2122;you must leave/like a thief on Christmas Eveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do the music justice.

An album characterised by its little gems as much as its dull coals, Editors are surely moving in the right direction - eventually.

9/10

7/10

7/10

8/10

7/10

Tom Richards

David McDonald

Joe Skrebels

Mark Corcoran-Lettice Music Editor

Chris Mandle Music Editor

tailing the labelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history? And the fact that it all comes in a lush box?

Mark Corcoran-Lettice Music Editor

In This Light And On This Evening

34

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

CULTURE

TV & Radio

TV & Radio TV & Radio Editor: Aimee Philipson - courier.culture-tv@ncl.ac.uk

Soapland

TV Highlights Bear Grylls and Will Electric Proms Defying Gravity BBC2, 9pm Wednesday Ferrell: Born Survivors BBC2 20th-24th Oct C4, Sunday 18th Oct COURTESY OF BBC

COURTESY OF BBC

COURTESY OF CHANNEL 4

Unreported World Series C4, 7.30pm Fri 23rd COURTESY OF CHANNEL4

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s happening this week in the land where anything is possible...

Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor

Coronation Street

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s baby Liamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s christening and the Connors, Maria and Tony manage to behave themselves.

However, Tony gets a shock as Carla shows her face once again LQ :HDWKHUĂ&#x20AC; HOG 0HDQZKLOH across the street Luke plans his escape, as an unsupecting Rosie heads off to Underworld with him full of enthusiasm about the changes she will make now that she is the majority shareholder.

Eastenders

If you thought Big Brother had run its course and TV couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t possibly take its innovative â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;omniscient viewerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; idea any further â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the new BBC adventure drama series â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Defying Gravityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; takes it to the next level - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gone galactic.

Defying Gravity follows the antics of eight astronauts from around the ZRUOG ZKR DUH VHQW WR IXOĂ&#x20AC; O D VHFUHW six year mission in space.

Their every move is watched by the world and every emotion and action carefully analysed. If this wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t enough pressure, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not long EHIRUH WKH\ Ă&#x20AC; QG RXW WKDW WKH VHFUHW mission is not at all what it seems and the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nauts begin to wonder if there is something somebodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not telling them.

Only a few hours after the spaceship, Antares, leaves Earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s orbit, two of the eight astronauts suffer heart problems and must be returned to Earth â&#x20AC;&#x201C; cue Maddux Donnerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s arrival onboard.

The dashing replacement soon sets PRUH KHDUWV D Ă XWWHULQJ RQ WKH VKLS and causes a few strange dreams.

Showcasing the talents of Ron Livingston (you may have seen him in â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Band of Brothersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; or â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sex and the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; depending on your TV prefHUHQFHV DV Ă LJKW HQJLQHHU 0DGGX[ Donner, hottie Paula GarcĂŠs as pilot and scientist and on-board documentary producer Paula Morales, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s so unbelieveable itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s believable.

Sending Hollywood actor and comedian Will Ferrell (Anchorman, Talladega Nights) out into the mountains of northern Sweden with Bear Grylls sounds like an unusual idea and could easily be a recipe for disaster, but the preview videos look absolutely brilliant!

Grylls has challenged Ferrell to a two-day survival mission in the Arctic Circle, so expect the usual urine-drinking, eating strange food, building make-shift shelters and tough physical challenges, all in sub-zero temperatures, with some abseiling down frozen waterfalls thrown in for good measure.

Ferrell doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t seem to lose his comic spirit though, while battling WKH FROG DQG GLIĂ&#x20AC; FXOW FRQGLWLRQV as he continues to crack jokes here, there and everywhere - no mean feat with what Grylls has him doing.

Ferrell, more used to red carpets than treacherous gauges, isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t spared a minute of the authentic survival experience as Grylls leads him on their heart-stopping mission, but he does discover a very tasty recipe for deer eyeballs.

This special edition of Gryllsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; show looks like itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be very entertaining - itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be interesting to see how on earth Ferrell PDNHV LW WKURXJK WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW QLJKW Catch Sundayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show on 4OD at www.channel4.com/ programmes/4od

Although only in its fourth year, the BBC Electric Proms has established itself as a festival to be reckoned with, bringing genres together in order to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;create new musical experiencesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

Last year, the Proms took place in both London and Liverpool, culminating at the world famous Camden Roundhouse with a stunning headline set from Oasis and the Crouch End Festival Chorus.

But things are a bit different this year, as all the action is taking place in London. Radio 1, 1xtra, Radio 2 and 6 Music are taking it in turns to host the festival, with headline acts based around each stationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s musical playlist.

Robbie Williams opens the festival on the 20th, Dizzee Rascal will be going bonkers with the Heritage Orchestra on the 21st and Florence and the Machine are performing on the 22nd.

5DGLR DUH KRVWLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC; QDO WZR days of the festival with two living legends - Dame Shirley Bassey and Smokey Robinson.

BBC is covering all the events on BBC2, online, on the red button and on various BBC radio stations.

If you fancy watching some videos from last year, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a huge archive of clips on www.bbc.co.uk/ electricproms, where you will also Ă&#x20AC; QG WKLV \HDU¡V IXOO OLQH XS ,I ODVW year was anything to go by, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re in for a treat.

Back for a new series this autumn, the critically-acclaimed Unreported World programme delves into contemporary foreign affairs, uncovering issues such as black magic practices in Papa New Guinea, the plight of women in North Korea and brutal rebel groups in the Congo.

If you want to watch something real, something meaningful and something which might just make you think a little, then itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time you discovered this Channel 4 gem.

Going where few journalists have gone before, the programme dares WR H[SRVH KRUULĂ&#x20AC; F FULPHV DQG PDO practices around the globe and highlights major social problems which are extremely under-reported in the developed world.

By interviewing people who are directly affected by such distressing issues, viewers can get a sense of their daily reality, which can be very humbling for hung-over, grumbling students and sometimes itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just what we need.

This weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s episode focuses on Guatemala in Central America, where a campaign of extortion is threatening Guatemala City. As two highly organised rival gangs are systematically killing bus drivers at a rate of one every other day, the BBC investigates why.

Catch Unreported World this Friday (23rd) and watch previous episodes as far back as 2007 on 4OD.

Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor

Eleanor Wilson

Helen Atkinson

Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor

The birthplace of the bungy jump, the jet boat and the zorb (the human hamster balls!) and nearly as far away you can possibly get from England, where better to spend your gap year than in New Zealand.

And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just what Endemol Digital thought when they concocted their new breed of reality TV show - â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Gap Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

ler left.

The auditions are over but you can still vote for your favourite hopefuls on The Gap Year homepage.

All Bebo users will aslo have the chance to win Kiwi goodies including a trip to New Zealand to meet 7KH *DS <HDU Ă&#x20AC; QDOLVWV Watch out for the show beginning online from 8th November at www. bebo.com/thegapyear.

Check out our gap year debate online and have your say at www. thecourieronline.co.uk/tvandradio

Emmerdale

After seeing Faye in the Woolpack with Jai, Mark realises he is jealous and asks to meet up with Faye secretly to tell her how he feels. But when Mark kisses her, Faye gives him an ultimatum - her or his family. Elsewhere, Aaronâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hopes are raised when Paddy agrees to make himself scarce as Holly might be coming round for the evening.

Neighbours

> The Gap Year returns with online series in adventure capital New Zealand In conjunction with the online networking site Bebo, the show ZLOO IROORZ Ă&#x20AC; YH WUDYHOOHUV DV WKH\ journey through New Zealand, attempting exciting challenges and trying to beat the other contestants WR WKH Ă&#x20AC; QDO Every weekday the contestants will post video blogs on The Gap Year homepage recording their highs and lows on the trip.

Then each week the Bebo community will have the opportunity to vote for a contestant to be sent home until there is just one travel-

Hollyoaks

Kris and Nancy visit Zoe in jail and are shocked at the way she looks, while Archie is struggling to deal with her imprisonment. As Sarahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral approaches, he is determined to get to the bottom of how she died and clear Zoeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name.

Elle makes her presence known at the garage, making Steph manager, forbidding cursing and forcing the staff to wear tacky Tshirts. Lucas falls out with Steph when she accepts the promotion.

When Toadie turns Paul down to be his best man, Elle steps up and gets to work on planning a Buckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Party to remember â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but will it be for good or bad reasons?

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m on a gap year, get me outta here!

Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor

Heatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s waters break but luckily Patrick is there to hold her hand. Janine attempts to sabotage Samâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new life and Libby discovers that Darren is up to something. Billy and Jay receive their marching orders from the Vic.

Home and Away

6KH¡V D XQLIRUPHG RIĂ&#x20AC; FHU EXW Charlie turns detective as she continues to hunt for evidence that Grant is a serious sexual predator. Elsewhere, an excited Hugo shows Martha his new attraction and Nicole continues to pursue Sid. G. CHARLES

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

35

TV & Radio

CULTURE

with Jonathan Bailey Aimee Philipson TV & Radio Editor What was the last TV programme you watched? ,·P QHFN GHHS LQ Entourage season IRXU DW WKH PRPHQW 7KH JX\ ZKR SOD\V $UL *ROG LV D OHJHQG If you could guest star in any TV programme, what would it be?

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THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

37

Puzzles Editors: Suzi Moore and Ned Walker - courier.puzzles@ncl.ac.uk

CROSSWORD

Fill in the blank squares with help from the clues provided. The answers will be given in next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition.

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ACROSS

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1. Type of cereal grain (4) 3. Harry ........ and Chums (7) 6FRWWLVK WHQQLV SOD\HU¡V Ă&#x20AC; UVW QDPH

9. Come back (8) 11. A person hired to represent a country abroad (8) 13. Reward; chocolate bar (6) 16. Northern continent (6) 20. Mouth sore (5) 23. Make (something happen) (5) 25. Fashion brand with crocodile as its logo.

Complete the end of its name: La-----(5) 27. Electronic chip for a mobile phone (3) 28. Mrs Moneypennyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job (9) 29. Supernatural being that is worshipped by many (3) 30. Famous horse race course (5) 32. Run away and secretly get married (5) 33. All (Italian) (5) 37. Iconic tower in Paris (6) 39. Grand ------, Arizona (6) 42. Alton Tower ride (8) 45. What pirates look for (8) 47. E.g. Oak, Elm, Birch, Conifer (4) 48. Ill person; not easily annoyed (7) 49. Store (4)

1.String made out of several twisted strands (4) 2. Eighth planet (7) 3. First female (3) 4. Animal coat (3) 5. The ---, Recent Black Eyed Peas album (3) 6. E.g. Thousand Island Dressing, Onion and Garlic, Cheese and Chive etc. (3) 7. Musical term meaning in a loving or tender manner (7) 8. Abominable snowman (4) 10. --- Winehouse, singer (3) 12. Frozen water (3) 14. Tuberculosis (2) 15. Vessel that allows people to live on water (9) 17. Opposite to down (2) 18. Nationality of people who invented vodka (7) 19. Jimi -------, Legendary American guitarist born in the 1940s (7) 21. Funny (5) 22. Start again (5) 23. Repeated sequence of events; ride a bike (5) 24. Rub out (5) 25. Room built beneath a church (5) 2QH RI WKH Ă&#x20AC; YH VHQVHV

31. Confusing football rule (7) 34. Epic novel by James Joyce (7) 35. --, myself and I (popular phrase) (2) 36. Hollywood (2) 38. Star sign represented by a lion (3) 39. Motor vehicle (3) 40. Castleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defence (4) 41. ---- Show, popular Channel 4 series (4) 43. A small, mischievous child, sometimes associated with the devil (3) 44. Fruit and ---; --- and Bolt (3) 45. Part of a foot (3) 46. Consume food; Name of Restaurant chain (3)

ODD ONE OUT Which bunny looks slightly funny?

Solution to last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crossword

TREASURE MAZE Add up the number of steps on each path to Ă&#x20AC; QG WKH WUHDVXUH 7KH SDWK ZLWK WKH IHZHVW steps holds the key to the chest. Will it be the Red, Yellow or Blue path?

SUDOKU Solution to last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Su Doku

ANAGRAMS Can you unscramble these anagrams to reveal some of Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clubs and bars?

If you have any ideas about puzzles that you want to send in to us then feel free to email them to courier.puzzles@ncl.ac.uk

ANSWERS Odd one out: The second one from the left in the bottom row has no front foot.

Treasure Maze: Yellow Anagrams: 1. Vodka Revolution, 2. Tiger Tiger, 3. Cosmic Ballroom, 4. Pop World, 5.

Floritas, 6. Digital7. , Powerhouse, 8. Legends

7KH REMHFWLYH LV WR Ă&#x20AC; OO WKH JULG VR WKDW HDFK FROXPQ HDFK URZ DQG each of the nine 3Ă&#x2014;3 boxes contains the digits from 1 to 9 only one time each. For the completed puzzle check next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of The Courier.

1. Diva Love Nook Rut 2. Egret Rig It 3. Lamb Colic Rooms 4. Pod Prowl 5. Trails Of 6. La Dig It 7. Heros Owe Up 8. Send Gel

38

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

SPORT

BUCS

Hurricanes feel the Loko-motion > Intra Mural Football, page 40-41 Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin and Tom James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;We can be united as Team Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; > Sports Editor Jamie Gavin talks to Performance Sport Director Fraser Kennedy about Team Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prospects this season Roll the clock back four years to September 2005 and Newcastle University sat at 19th position in the then BUSA rankings.

Enter Fraser Kennedy. In his new role as Performance Sport Director, he has overseen a period of unprecedented success, which over the past three years has yielded three successive years in the top ten of the university rankings, as well as two straight Stan Calvert Cup victories.

The University now regularly comSHWHV ZLWK WKH Ă&#x20AC; QHVW VSRUWLQJ LQVWL tutions in the country and the set up in the sports centre continues to take shape with Kennedy very much at the helm. +LV Ă&#x20AC; UP KDQGVKDNH DQG FRP manding persona are immediately apparent, but as our conversation continued, it unearthed an underlying desire and a quiet but obvious determination. These characteristics have clearly manifested themselves through the sports teams over the past few years, and the results are there for all to see.

And as Kennedy looked forward WR WKH QHZ %8&6 VHDVRQ KH UHĂ HFW ed on the success of the last one. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an unbelievable success to make the top ten,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three years in a row now, and for an institution that doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have sports courses, that is phenomenal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After a relatively slow start, to turn it round after Christmas last season was a really good achievement. A lot of clubs achieved some very high scores after Christmas to get us the points that we needed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Getting into the Sunday Times Educational supplement is important because itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only the top ten that are shown in there- and this now helps with recruitment, mar-

keting and the alumni links for the University.â&#x20AC;?

So with a ninth and two tenth place Ă&#x20AC; QLVKHV LQ WKH SDVW WKUHH FDPSDLJQV the question is how long can this sort of success continue? And what can we hope for from this seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s campaign? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We always say we want to be top twelve - but we really know we want to be in that top 10â&#x20AC;?, explained Kennedy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievable to be eighth or QLQWK EXW LW¡V YHU\ YHU\ GLIĂ&#x20AC; FXOW WR be top seven. Providing every single club - and every single team within that club - is organised, committed and focussed we can maintain our top ten place.â&#x20AC;?

Amongst the stand out performers last time round was the rowing club. The club has returned from the European Championships last month with yet more medals, and Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rowers continue to mix it with the very best student rowers from across the continent.

The University now sits in second place in the country for rowing, and enjoys a reputation that sees talentHG URZHUV IURP DFURVV WKH 8. Ă RFN ing to the University. This year the FOXE KDV DGGHG DQRWKHU Ă&#x20AC; YH URZHUV on the scholarship programme and this sort of recruitment is sure to yield yet more good results. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Provided we keep our head coach we can expect more success,â&#x20AC;? said Kennedy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of the success is down to Angelo [Savarino] and the training programme heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s put in place, as well as the coaches that he has working underneath him. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But also ultimately itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s down to the athletes, down to the rowers.

The success of the rowing also has a positive effect on other clubs because they see what the rowing club is doing and they want to be better themselves. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Three years ago it was only the rowing club that would do the early morning sessions, now thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eight or nine clubs doing early morning sessions - going that extra mile to be the best they can be.â&#x20AC;?

So what of the other clubs? Can we expect anyone else to emulate the rowersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; success? Which clubs might be our top performers in BUCS this time around? And where can we ex-

.HQQHG\ OHIW DQG ODVW \HDUÂśV $8 2IÂż FHU ZLWK WKH 6WDQ &DOYHUW &XS

pect the all important BUCS points to come from? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got high hopes for several clubs. Lacrosse will hopefully begin to build in the next couple of years.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re working on their recruitment and may have a couple of internationals lined up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Netball will be decent again this year but again theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re up against a lot of the super league teams. To maintain their premier league status is a good achievement.â&#x20AC;?

And Kennedy has high hopes for the rugby union squad despite a difĂ&#x20AC; FXOW VWDUW IRU WKH VW WHDP â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Rugby Union team has a stronger squad this year with a much better team spirit. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had one or two excellent players come in. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fencing should also be quite strong; again we have two Great Britain womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fencers in that squad.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;As well as this golf have recruited really well, and although menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football have had it hard over the past couple of years, they are turning it round with regards to their organisation, commitment and effort and hopefully they can push on back into the top tiers.â&#x20AC;?

And what of Stan Calvert, that magical day in February which we all look forward to. Just how important is the coveted trophy? And can Newcastle make it an exceptional three wins on the bounce? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one of the biggest and most successful Varsities in the country VR LW¡V KLJKO\ VLJQLĂ&#x20AC; FDQW , KDG D FRQ gratulatory phone call from the Vice Chancellor last year so that shows just how highly the University values it. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Realistically - on paper - we should never win Stan Calvert, but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve won it the last two years in

a row and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve won it more than Northumbria, so thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t repeat that this season. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a testament to our studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determination to beat Northumbria, which is, in essence, a sporting institution.â&#x20AC;?

This season Team Newcastle has been bolstered by the arrival of a new strength and conditioning coach, Julie Twaddle. She is the latest addition to the Sports Centre team and has a wealth of experience, having worked with some of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top athletes at the English Institute of Sport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;To have someone of that calibre come to work here is absolutely tremendous,â&#x20AC;? remarked Kennedy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think it will have a really positive effect on the individuals and clubs sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s working with. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been something Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been working on for the last two years really, because as an institution weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been behind a couple of years in terms of performance sport. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Hopefully we can use Julieâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expertise over the next two years and beyond, in order to improve our athletes and make them stronger, more powerful and quicker; because they are the main three elements in any sport.â&#x20AC;?

And the Performance Sport Director remains keen to push the Team Newcastle brand and ethos. After unveiling the new Team Newcastle logo towards the end of last season, and with the introduction this term of standardised kit for all the AU clubs - Kennedy is intent that all clubs embrace the brand. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All the clubs need to buy into the Team Newcastle ethic. There is no reason why they shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I understand every club wants to be the best within the University, but the whole part is Team Newcastle - which goes towards the national rankings for sport in higher education. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This is a brand that will hopefully aid our recruitment, a brand we can get round the country. We just need every club to be on board. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Its important we get generic kit which we all travel away in. We all need to be united as Team Newcastle and thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no reason why not to be.â&#x20AC;?

The joy of six as Larrikins crush Engines Intra Mural Rugby Union

Larrikins Engines

37 0

Colin Henrys at Close House An overcast day at Close House saw a dominant Larrikins side run in six tries as Engines suffered their second heavy defeat in as many weeks.

Both sides were out to avenge opening-day losses and the intensity of their warm-ups showed how valued a victory would be.

Larrikins chose to play down the VORSH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW KDOI KRSLQJ WR JDLQ early momentum. However Engines began the match the stronger of the sides. A long clearance found touch

on the edge of the Larrikinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 22, and the subsequent line-out went against the throw as Engines looked to build early pressure. /DUULNLQV KHOG Ă&#x20AC; UP KRZHYHU DQG D couple of huge hits from their backs averted danger. Soon they were mounting an attack of their own and a promising individual run from Ben Johnson nearly brought a try, but he just couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reach his own kick over the defence.

The Enginesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hard work came undone as they conceded a silly penalty in front of the posts. Left-footed Tim Ward made no mistake from 22 \DUGV WR UHJLVWHU WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW SRLQWV RI the match.

The Enginesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; players appeared to ORVH FRQĂ&#x20AC; GHQFH EXW D FRPELQDWLRQ of poor line-outs and strong defence meant that Larrikins were unable to FDSLWDOLVH 'HVHUYHGO\ WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW WU\

soon arrived though with the advantage of the slope playing its part as an Enginesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; scrum went against the head, allowing the impressive James Hamilton to score in the corner.

Despite Ward missing the conversion it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long before Larrikins were on the attack again. A good run from Johnson only ended with a poorly executed pass as the try-line beckoned.

Engines were regularly missing touch from their penalties, and when they foolishly failed to retreat ten yards from a line-out, their opponents capitalised. A quick penalty and some fast recycling in the rucks DOORZHG :DUG WR UHFRUG KLV Ă&#x20AC; UVW WU\ He converted it himself with an impressive kick to make it 15-0.

Engines, clearly riled and with WKHLU FRQĂ&#x20AC; GHQFH GLPLQLVKLQJ WKHQ

sent a poor kick-off straight into touch and, on the stroke of halftime, Larrikins cut deeper into their wounded opponents. A good run from Ward found Hamilton who, despite slipping, found Scott Eggerston for their third try. Wardâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conversion gave Larrikins a 22-0 half-time lead.

The second half began much as WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW KDG Ă&#x20AC; QLVKHG GHVSLWH (Q gines now having the slope to their advantage. Sam Love grabbed Larrikinsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; fourth try after the opposing scrum-half was caught failing to release a pass quickly enough.

The conversion was missed by Johnson however, after his side lost their kicking cone. Having to dropkick instead, his effort was sliced so badly the ball nearly ended up behind him.

Larrikins continued to force mis-

WDNHV DV (QJLQHV IDLOHG WR Ă&#x20AC; QG D way through the brick-wall resistance of their back-line and further GDPDJH ZDV VRRQ LQĂ LFWHG IURP D quick counter-attack.

Johnson passed cleverly inside and Chris Stanczech ran over.

Larrikins didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to wait long to add to their score either. Another big hit resulted in a poor clearance within the Enginesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 22 leaving HamLOWRQ WR Ă&#x20AC; QG 1LJHO (DVWKDP ZKR made it 37-0.

A late, desperate effort by Engines WR JDLQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC; UVW SRLQWV RI WKH VHD son proved in vain and as the referee ended the game it was left for Larrikins to celebrate their outstanding performance.

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

39

For all Intra Mural results and tables www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/campus/intra-mural/

Interview

SPORT T. JAMES

Blackburn: â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Sport can support the University in achieving its missionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; > Sports Editor Jamie Gavin talks to Director of Sport Colin Blackburn about sport at Newcastle University Whether itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Intra Mural third division football at Close House, or the boat club at the European Universities Rowing Championships in Poland, sport plays a part in thousands of studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; lives during their time at Newcastle University.

Have a wander down to Cochrane Park, Longbenton, Newburn or any of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sports venues on a Wednesday afternoon and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to see why Newcastle are the envy of many when it comes to sport.

Even as I enter the University Sports Centre early on a cold Wednesday PRUQLQJ D JURXS RI VWXGHQWV Ă&#x20AC;OH out the other way after a hard early morning session in the gym. And as I sit down with Director of Sport CoOLQ %ODFNEXUQ KH UHĂ HFWV SURXGO\ RQ his role in Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ever increasing sporting prowess. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My biggest aim is to get as many people at Newcastle University taking part in sport as possible â&#x20AC;&#x201C; at all levels. If people get involved and enjoy it, you never know where they might end up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take the rowers for example.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had people join the rowing FOXE LQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW \HDU KDYLQJ QHYHU rowed before, going out as graduates having represented Great Britain at Under 23 level. Granted this is the exception but it highlights just what is possible. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My role is to create sporting environments that allow students to Ă RXULVK ZKHWKHU WKLV EH WKURXJK performance, participation or volunteering.â&#x20AC;?

And its not just the rowers who are enjoying unprecedented success.

The University is enjoying success across the board at performance level and there are more people partak-

ing in sport at Newcastle than ever before.

But what does all this mean for the University? And what does a red brick, research intensive University stand to gain from increased success and participation in sport? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sport can support the University in achieving its mission,â&#x20AC;? explained Blackburn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It acts as an aid to recruitment and provides opportunities for students to get involved at all levels from performance to participation, and the sports volunteer programme enables students to get involved with the local community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Student learning and development also takes place through sport in many forms from club administration and event management, WR JDLQLQJ FRDFKLQJ TXDOLĂ&#x20AC;FDWLRQV Sport enhances the student experience at Newcastle. â&#x20AC;&#x153;More people than ever before are going through higher education and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important for students to realise that it is about more than just a degree, hence Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s emphasis on student learning and development through the ncl+ programmes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Sport is one such medium which allows students to develop and differentiate themselves in a very competitive job market. ´6SRUW LVQ¡W MXVW DERXW SK\VLFDO Ă&#x20AC;Wness and athletic prowess; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about personal development, team work and social interaction - as well as offering welcome release from their degree programmes and academic study.â&#x20AC;?

The University has secured a top ten BUCS ranking for the third year in a row, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not just the performance aspect of sport in which it is a leading competitor. Newcastle

offers one of the best Intra Mural programmes in the country with hundreds of students taking part in the programme every week.

Its something the Director of Sport is especially proud of, and he speaks with a particular fondness for a proJUDPPH ZKLFK FRQWLQXHV WR Ă RXUish. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Intra Mural is the cornerstone of the Campus Sports Programme. it provides those students who do not represent the University with the opportunity to continue sports participation in a structured environment. We have programmes in 5, 7 and 11 a-side football, rugby, netball, and mixed hockey. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Take Intra Mural rugby for example. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve now got 11 Intra Mural rugby teams playing regularly on a Wednesday when most universities take the view that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s too dangerous to run. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We only have four menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s BUCS rugby union teams, which means a limited number of students are going to represent Newcastle University at rugby union. The Intra Mural rugby programme ensures that a further 250 students can play rugby on a regular basis that wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t normally have the opportunity. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, we want these Intra Mural programmes to be a feeder for our representative teams HVSHFLDOO\ LI RXU WULDOV DQG LGHQWLĂ&#x20AC;FDtion system fail to identify talented students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a student goes through university life he or she may mature as a player, so they might not have EHHQ UHDG\ WR MRLQ LQ Ă&#x20AC;UVW \HDU EXW by year two or three they may want to try out for a University sports club.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like to have that progression and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d like clubs to go along to watch Intra Mural to check that they have not missed any students who would be capable of strengthening our teams.â&#x20AC;?

Added to the Intra Mural system is a developing volunteer programme that continues to grow. And an enthusiastic Blackburn explains how the programme - under the guidance of Marc de Lucia - continues to EHQHĂ&#x20AC;W VWXGHQWV DQG WKH PDQ\ GLIferent community groups it works with. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Students get the opportunity to add to their skill set, help others less fortunate than themselves and give something back to the local community of which they are a part during their time at University. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The clients get to use University facilities, become part of a new social group, develop their sports skills, but most importantly the pro-

Royals thrashed by rampant Poly Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rugby Union

Newcastle 3rds Northumbria 4ths

8 41

Jonathan Taylor at Cochrane Park Last Wednesday was certainly a day to forget for Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third XV, after a clinical Northumbria side condemned the Royals to a second successive league defeat. After last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18-8 defeat to the Leeds Met second-string, all at Cochrane Park were hoping for a morale-boosting home win, and a performance to match.

However the wet conditions certainly mirrored the tone of the afternoon for the Royals, as a humiliating 41-8 defeat was made even more disappointing by a desperately poor performance.

Northumbria started the match

dominantly, and the home side often found themselves deep inside their own 22 during the early periods. It was therefore little surprise when, after 10 minutes, the visiting scrum half burst through two missed tackles, and placed the ball under the posts with ease.

The home side were further shellshocked three minutes later, as Northumbria moved into a commanding 14-0 lead, taking advantage of the Royalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; inability to slow down second-phase ball. Despite good tackling by Charlie Balfour, the Poly full-back dissected the home defence with an impressive side-step, and sent the visiting spectators into raptures.

Things got no better for a downhearted Newcastle side, with a third TXLFN Ă&#x20AC;UH 1RUWKXPEULD WU\ DIWHU minutes threatening to embarrass an already one-sided scoreboard.

After the Poly inside centre danced through four missed tackles, he genHURXVO\ RIĂ RDGHG WR WKH IXOO EDFN

Second best: Newcastle were easily beaten

who made no mistake in scoring his second try of the match.

After a further three points for the away side, Newcastle full-back Richard Irving successfully kicked a penalty to score the hostsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opening points of the match. The refereeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s whistle for half-time was music to the ears of the Royals, who found themselves facing a big test in the

J.WEEDEN

second half to overturn a disappointing 24-3 scoreline.

Newcastle began the second period with renewed vigour, with the forwards recycling and distributing quick ball to the backs. After good ZRUN IURP WKH WLJKW Ă&#x20AC;YH ZLQJHU :LOO Cochrane scored the hostsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; opening and only try of the game with a neat FORVH UDQJH Ă&#x20AC;QLVK

gramme aims to raise their aspirations and personal self esteem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The overriding feedback that I get from students is that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fun and WKH\ HQMR\ WKH VHVVLRQV ,W LV GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW to know who gets more out of the programme: the students or the clients.â&#x20AC;?

Blackburnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passion and enthusiasm for sport extend well beyond WKH RIĂ&#x20AC;FH <RX PLJKW QRWLFH KLP supporting one of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sides on a Wednesday afternoon, and he comes in at the unearthly hour of 7am every Monday to take the menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s football teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s early PRUQLQJ Ă&#x20AC;WQHVV VHVVLRQV With this sort of approach, the future of sport at Newcastle University looks bright on all levels, and as long as Blackburn and his team are at the helm, there can be no reason why every student canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t sample what sport has to offer at some point during their time here.

However, unsurprisingly in such D Ă&#x20AC;HU\ GHUE\ PDWFK WKH VHFRQG KDOI was marred by mutual indiscipline.

Despite an impressive opening 10 minutes to the second period by the Royals, the visitors effectively ended the game as a contest with a TXLFN Ă XUU\ RI SRLQWV On the hour mark, the ever-industrious visiting inside centre broke through numerous missed tackles, and scored Northumbriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth try of the game, giving them a healthy 29-8 lead. This was immediately followed by an impressive display of rucking by the away side, with the 3RO\ Ă DQNHU JXDUDQWHHLQJ KLV QDPH on the scoreboard, and with it, a convincing victory on the road.

7KH FRQWLQXRXV Ă XUU\ RI SHQDOWLHV against each side eventually took its WROO LQ WKH ODVW Ă&#x20AC;YH PLQXWHV DQG ZLWK the refereeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s patience for a clean game at its limit, Northumbria were forced to play the remainder of the game with 14 men, with the visiting lock shown a yellow for stamping.

Despite this, there was still enough time for the Poly to add another converted try to their tally, and by doing so, win a one-sided game by six tries to one.

After this morale-crushing defeat, Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s third string team will be eager to get â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;back to basicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in training this week, and hopefully avoid a third successive defeat on Wednesday.

40

Monday 19th October 2009 THE COURIER

SPORT

BUCS

Colvin shines in season opener Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lacrosse 1sts

Newcastle 1sts Manchester 1sts

13 8

Lucy Handley at Cochrane Park Newcastle 1sts Lacrosse Team overcame newly promoted ManFKHVWHU LQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW %8&6 PDWFK RI WKH VHDVRQ DW &RFKUDQH 3DUN ODVW Wednesday.

7KH JDPH JRW RII WR D TXLFN VWDUW with the Royals winning the draw and immediately entering the goal scoring zone with a near shot from &DSWDLQ /XFLH 5\GHU RQO\ WR KDYH it snatched away from them by a solid defence followed by an early goal from the Mancs.

After conceding a second goal PLQXWHV ODWHU 1HZFDVWOH XSSHG their intensity and began to play to the standard we have come to expect. Newcomer to the team and IUHVKHU 6DUDK /OR\G ZKR KDG D FRPPHQGDEOH VHFRQG JDPH ZHQW on to score a brilliant goal from a

IUHH WKURZ $QQLH &ROYLQ ZKR ZDV the strength of the team followed with a second goal to equalize; this star player went on to score a KDW WULFN 7KH EDOO ZDV \R \RLQJ XS and down the pitch with both sides NHHQ WR MXPS DKHDG RQ WKH VFRUHERDUG *RDOV IURP +RGJNLQ 5\GHU and Lloyd followed in this surge of energy.

1HZFDVWOH¡V ORQJ WHUP JRDONHHSHU &HOLQH +LJWRQ PDGH VRPH JRRG VDYHV XVLQJ KHU ERG\ DV D KXPDQ shield to the dismay of the visiting WHDP HVSHFLDOO\ LQ FRQWUDVW WR WKH Manchester goalie who was a little less prepared for the brutal shots EHLQJ Ă&#x20AC;UHG DW KHU VKH ZRUH QR SDGGLQJ DQG KDG D KDUG WLPH NHHSLQJ WKH EDOO RXW RI WKH QHW %\ WKH HQG RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI 1HZFDVWOH ZHUH LQ the lead 7-5.

The third quarter began in our IDYRXU ZLWK &ROYLQ RQFH DJDLQ penetrating the Manchester defence and heading up the score within WKH RSHQLQJ PLQXWH IROORZHG E\ Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 25 adding to her ever growing goal tally. %RWK WHDPV SOD\HG ZHOO KRZHYHU it was clear from the beginning

J. WEEDEN

that the home team were superior both at goal scoring and in defence. +RGJH ZKR KDV UHWXUQHG IURP KHU \HDU DEURDG SOD\HG KHU Ă&#x20AC;UVW returning match for the university

and was well received with two penultimate goals as the game came to a close. %RWK RI 1HZFDVWOH¡V /DFURVVH VW DQG QG WHDPV ZRQ WKLV ZHHN WKHLU

LQWHQVH Ă&#x20AC;WQHVV DQG WUDLQLQJ UHJLPH KDV FOHDUO\ SDLG RII ZLWK WKH RYHUDOO score for the 1sts being 13-8 and the 2nds 16-5.

Medics run riot over Agrics second string Intra Mural Rugby Union

Agric 2nds Medics

12 64

Nathan Cornwell at Close House The Medics ran out 64-12 victors over Agrics 2nds in an entertaining JDPH DW D FORXG\ &ORVH +RXVH As both teams huddled together EHIRUH NLFN RII LW ZDV HYLGHQW WKDW there was a high spirit in both camps but the question still remained on who would prevail and gain the early initiative. $V WKH ZKLVWOH ZHQW ERWK WHDPV VWHSSHG LQWR DFWLRQ DQG IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW few minutes it seemed as if the match was going to be a well conWHVWHG RQH KRZHYHU DIWHU MXVW Ă&#x20AC;YH

,175$ 085$/ 5281' 83 Intra Mural Football

Henderson Hall A Ecosoccer

1 1

Kez Karamdad at Close House The 1-1 result seemed fair for both WHDPV EXW (FRVRFFHU ZLOO GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ be the more disappointed of the two having thrown away the lead in the dying moments of the game.

The equaliser came after a poor (FRVRFFHU FOHDUDQFH JDYH +HQGR WKH EDOO LQ D GDQJHURXV DUHD DQG D JRRG Ă&#x20AC;QLVK OHIW ÂśNHHSHU +HJJDUW\ no chance of saving a point for Henderson Hall A. The match started as a scrappy afIDLU ZLWK QRW PDQ\ FKDQFHV FUHDWHG by either side.

A few tame efforts from outside the area from Henderson were the only highlights of the opening pe-

minutes a poor Agric clearance put WKHP RQWR WKH EDFN IRRW DQG 'DYH &XUU\ SXQLVKHG WKHP E\ UDFLQJ through the Agric defence and scorLQJ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW SRLQWV RI WKH PDWFK 7KH Ă&#x20AC;UVW VFRUH ZDV ZHOO FRQYHUWHG E\ FDSWDLQ -DFN 0HUFHU 7KLV LQLWLDO EUHDNWKURXJK VHW WKH WRQH IRU WKH rest of the match as the Medics showed more dominance and a ODUJH PDMRULW\ RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI ZDV played within the Agrics half. $OWKRXJK DQ LQMXU\ PLQXWHV into the match allowed Agrics a FKDQFH WR UH WKLQN DQ REYLRXV problem was their ability to clear the ball away from their own try line and halt the Medicsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pressure on.

It was no surprise that a quarter of the way into the match Medics ran through again under Rich North to H[WHQG WKH OHDG WR The situation for Agrics was

made worse despite an improvePHQW LQ WKHLU GHIHQFH DV DIWHU PLQXWHV 0DUN :LOFR[ DQG VKRUWO\ DIWHU -DPHV 5HJDQ ERWK WRXFKHG down to put the Medics into a clear lead.

6HFRQGV EHIRUH WKH KDOI WLPH ZKLVWOH D WUDLQ OLNH 0DUN :LOFR[ charged down the pitch before offORDGLQJ WR /HR 6PLWK WR HQG WKH KDOI DW 7KH VHFRQG KDOI VDZ D UHMXYHQDWHG Agric side who seemed to come out determined to at least get some SRLQWV RQ WKH ERDUG IRU WKHPVHOYHV and show some threatening advances towards the Medic try line.

At least they could pry on the vulnerability of the Medic winger (GGLH 5REE ZKR KDG EHHQ PDNLQJ a habit of dropping the ball during WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI And although the Agrics held up ZHOO IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW WHQ PLQXWHV WKH\

were undone by an uncollected line RXW DQG 'DQQ\ 2¡%ULHQ SRXQFHG on the ball to touch it down. $ SOHDVHG WHDP FR RUGLQDWRU $QJXV 6XWKHUODQG VDLG WKDW ´LW KDG EHHQ D JRRG SK\VLFDO PDWFK DQG LI things continued it would set up a reasonable foundation for the rest of the season.â&#x20AC;?

0DUN :LOFR[ GRXEOHG KLV WDOO\ and his try was followed by one IURP 3DXO +ROGVZRUWK E\ WKH WK minute. +RZHYHU ZLWK FUHGLW WR DQ HYHU EDWWOLQJ $JULF WHDP WKH\ PDQDJHG WR ZRUN D JRRG SDVVDJH RI SOD\ DOORZLQJ 0LNH 1HDO WR Ă&#x20AC;QG D JDS LQ the Medic defence and slide under the posts to give the Agrics their Ă&#x20AC;UVW SRLQWV DQG OHVVHQ DQ\ DQJXLVK The try was greatly applauded by the Agric team and well deserved.

Although their celebrations were KDOWHG DV WKH 0HGLFV KLW EDFN

straight away through Will Martina DQG 7RQ\ (JJOHVWRQH WULHV ZKLFK highlighted their dominance.

However Agrics still wanted to show that they were not going to go down dying and Hugh Adderson PDQDJHG WR Ă&#x20AC;QG KLV ZD\ DFURVV WKH 0HGLF WU\ OLQH IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO SRLQWV RI WKH PDWFK HQGLQJ WKH JDPH LQ 64-12 victory for the Medics.

7KH 0HGLF FDSWDLQ -DFN 0HUFHU was delighted with the win: And he has every right to be pleased with QRW RQO\ KLV RZQ NLFNLQJ SHUIRUPDQFH EXW ZLWK WKH WHDP DV D ZKROH who showed quality in all areas.

-DPHV 6WDUN WKH $JULF FDSWDLQ UHĂ HFWHG RQ WKH PDWFK E\ VWDWLQJ ´,W ZDV D GLVDSSRLQWLQJ GHIHDW and there are areas of our game ZH QHHG WR ZRUN RQ +RZHYHU WKH commitment of the team canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be faulted.â&#x20AC;?

ULRG DV ERWK WHDPV ORRNHG VROLG DW WKH EDFN -DVVLP DQG +LJJLQV ZHUH SDUWLFXODUO\ LPSUHVVLYH ZLQQLQJ HYHU\WKLQJ LQ WKH DLU IRU (FRVRFFHU 7RZDUGV WKH HQG RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI (FRVRFFHU ORRNHG WKH EHWWHU RI WKH WZR WHDPV FUHDWLQJ D IHZ FKDQFHV but the through balls over the top ORRNHG LQHIIHFWLYH DQG GHVSLWH SOD\LQJ WKH EHWWHU IRRWEDOO (FRVRFFHU ZHQW LQWR WKH EUHDN DW In the second half Henderson ORRNHG WKUHDWHQLQJ DW WKH VWDUW EXW again failed to muster any clear cut FKDQFHV %RWK GHIHQFHV ORRN KDUG WR EUHDN GRZQ ZLWK ERWK WHDPV battling but the match seemingly at D GHDGORFN (FRVRFFHU FDSWDLQ 7KRPDV Ingle-Finch came on around the PLQXWH PDUN LQMHFWLQJ D ELW RI SDFH XSIURQW IRU (FRVRFFHU )LQDOO\ DURXQG WKH PLQXWH PDUN (FRVRFFHU VWULNHU 5LFKDUG 0RUJDQ VWUXFN a brilliant effort from 25 yards out on the volley to separate the two WHDPV VHQGLQJ WKH (FRVRFFHU IDLWKful into raptures. +HQGHUVRQ +DOO EDUUDJHG (FRVRFFHU IRU WKH UHPDLQLQJ PLQXWHV EXW ZLWK Ă \LQJ FKDOOHQJHV IURP FHQWUH

PLGV %UHHQ DQG .H] .DUDPGDG DQG WKH ZLQ ORRNHG VHFXUHG %XW WKH ODWH GUDPD OHIW +HQGHUVRQ MRLQW WRS DQG (FR VWLOO LQ VHDUFK RI WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW ZLQ RI WKH QHZ VHDVRQ

(UURUV ZHUH ULIH DPRQJ ERWK teams during the early period of WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI DQG DGGHG WR WKH TXHVWLRQDEOH UHIHUHHLQJ WKH JDPH had no rhythm. On 8 minutes the $JULFV FRQFHGHG WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW SHQDOW\ NLFN RQ WKH KDOI ZD\ OLQH RQO\ IRU +HQU\ &XQQLQJKDP WKH 7LWDQV VFUXP KDOI WR VTXDQGHU WKH GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW chance.

The fragmented nature of both WHDPV¡ SOD\ PHDQW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI contained very few chances. The EUHDNWKURXJK FDPH RQ WKH KDOI KRXU PDUN DV 7RP 6OLQJHU WKH $JULFV FHQWUH FRQYHUWHG D VLPSOH SHQDOW\ NLFN IURP XQGHUQHDWK WKH VWLFNV The Titans rallied up an early second-half surge against the Agrics defence only for it to be squandered on several occasions. Fans favourite *HRUJH Âś2YHUZHLJKW¡ *RRGZLQ DQG $JULFV QXPEHU KHOSHG WR SUHYHQW the Titans forward line from reaching the posts.

Throughout the game there had EHHQ D ODFN RI EDOO UHWHQWLRQ E\ HLWKHU VLGH IRU VLJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW SHULRGV ZKLFK PDGH LW GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW IRU WKH EDFN OLQHV WR LPSUHVV +RZHYHU ZKHQ 7RP :ULJKW DQG +HQU\ 6SXUULHU

FRPELQHG RQ PLQXWHV 7LWDQV DOPRVW KDG WKHLU EUHDNWKURXJK ,QVLGH KLV RZQ KDOI 6SXUULHU ZKR had previously showed glimpses RI SRWHQWLDO HQJLQHHUHG D FUHDWLYH SDVV XQGHU KLV OHJV WR XQORFN Wright on a meandering run. Only \DUGV IURP WKH WU\ OLQH KH ZDV GHQLHG E\ +XJK +DUYLVRQ $JULFV IXOO EDFN DQG SRWHQWLDO FDQGLGDWH IRU PDQ RI WKH PDWFK ZKR PHW KLP ZLWK D FUXQFKLQJ WDFNOH Five minutes later Harvison was involved in an incident at the other end of the pitch. From the scrum WKH $JULF EDFNV SOD\HG D IDVW EDOO RXW WR WKH ZLQJ ZLWK D VHQVDWLRQDO SDVV E\ &KULV 6DGOHU FDWFKLQJ WKH Titans off guard and meeting the well timed run of Harvison who FRQYHUWHG WKH WU\ 7RP 6OLQJHU followed it up with the conversion Ă&#x20AC;QLVKLQJ WKH ZLQ RII IRU WKH $JULFV $IWHU WKH JDPH $JULFV &DSWDLQ -DPHV &ODUN KDG D IHZ ZRUGV WR say: â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a dirty game but we are still unbeaten. You canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t win them all pretty. The referee found the game challenging but he did his bestâ&#x20AC;?.

Intra Mural Rugby Union

Agric 1sts Titans

10 0

Rob Logan at Close House The Agric 1sts maintained their unbeaten start to the season with victory over the Titans last Wednesday in a match that proved to be a scrappy affair. :LWK WKHLU VXSSRUWHUV ORRNLQJ RQ IURP WKH VLGHOLQHV QHLWKHU WHDP ZDV DEOH WR XQORFN WKHLU RSSRQHQW¡V defences. As a result much of the Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI ZDV FRQFHQWUDWHG LQ WKH FHQWUH RI WKH SDUN IDFLOLWDWLQJ WKH LQGXVWULDO ZRUN RI ERWK IRUZDUG SDFNV

THE COURIER Monday 19th October 2009

41

SPORT

Clean sweep for netball stars A. BARKER

Kathryn Jones Netball Correspondent

Newcastle 2nds +XGGHUVĂ&#x20AC;HOG VWV

37 31

1HZFDVWOH 8QLYHUVLW\ QHWEDOO FOXE HQMR\HG D IDQWDVWLF VWDUW WR %8&6 ZLWK ERWK WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW DQG VHFRQG teams securing vital wins on the opening day.

7KH VW WHDP KDG D PDJQLĂ&#x20AC;FHQW 43-28 victory over newly promoted Leeds in the BUCS Premier League, DQG WKH QGV VDZ RII +XGGHUVĂ&#x20AC;HOG 1sts with an impressive 37-31 win LQ %8&6 E 7KH JDPHV WRRN SODFH EDFN WR EDFN at the sports centre on Wednesday evening - with the 2nds starting proceedings against their opponents, who had made the trip North from Yorkshire. :LWK D Ă&#x20AC;UH LQ WKHLU H\HV QHZO\ SURPRWHG +XGGHUVĂ&#x20AC;HOG ZHUH NHHQ to prove themselves worthy of their place in this new division.

And the match got off to a good start with Newcastle winning WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW TXDUWHU DQG WKH QHZ GHIHQVLYH FRPELQDWLRQ RI 6DVVD Hamilton and Sally Burden (player of the match) communicating well and playing with the skill of girls who had played together for years.

7KH VHFRQG TXDUWHU VDZ WKH 1HZcastle attack and defence link up PXFK EHWWHU GRZQ WKH FRXUW KRZever, courtesy of a goal-attack who DOPRVW QHYHU PLVVHG +XGGHUVĂ&#x20AC;HOG SXOOHG LW EDFN WR $V VRRQ DV WKH ZKLVWOH ZDV EORZQ IRU WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU WKH JDPH EHFDPH PRUH SK\VLFDO $ URXJK introduction to the game saw new recruit Laura Wilson getting pushed around in the shooting FLUFOH EXW WKLV GLGQ¡W SKDVH KHU IRU long and she started holding her ground well.

Accurate shooting and some neat feeds into the circle meant that the third ended with the home side a tantalisingly close two goals ahead. $ FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH ERRVWLQJ WHDP WDON from newly appointed captain 5HEHFFD 0LOOV JRW WKH WHDP EDFN RQ

track, and ready and raring to go IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO SXVK :LWK D QHZ KXQJHU IRU WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW win of the season, the girls showed grit and determination. The circle GHIHQFH PDLQWDLQHG WKHLU EULOOLDQFH SXOOLQJ RXW RI WKH EDJ VRPH PDWFK winning interceptions - allowing WKH JLUOV WR WXUQ WKH QDLO ELWLQJO\ FORVH VFRUH OLQH LQWR D FRPIRUWDEOH 37-31 win. A fantastic start.

Newcastle 1sts Leeds 1sts

43 28

With one victory to Team NewcasWOH LW ZDV WKH MRE RI WKH VW WHDP to secure a win against Leeds, the 3UHPLHUVKLS QHZELHV The girls got off to a solid start, VFRULQJ Ă&#x20AC;UVW DQG EULQJLQJ WKH EDOO smoothly from defence to attack.

This steady approach to the game resulted in the home side securing WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW TXDUWHU

/LWWOH GLG .DWLH &RDWHV NQRZ EXW what was in store for her could RQO\ EH GHVFULEHG DV YLJRURXV manhandling from a wing-defence who didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know how else to deal with her.

Keeping her cool, the Newcastle wing-attack persisted to rile the violent wing-defence with her VXSHULRU QHWEDOOLQJ VNLOOV DQG VRRQ even the umpires could not ignore it. After a stern talking to, the Leeds wing-defence managed to UHVLVW WKH XUJH WR WRXFK .DWLH TXLWH so much.

Amidst this drama, fresher Corinne Kinvig was having a stormer at centre, picking up every ORRVH EDOO DQG IHHGLQJ VRPH SHUIHFW passes into the shooting circle.

Consistent shooting and good communication from the new defensive unit of former second team PHPEHU DQG SOD\HU RI WKH PDWFK .DWH %D]HOH\ DQG ¡NHHSHU 5RFKHOOH Quigley, meant that the girls had widened the goal difference to

7KH WKLUG TXDUWHU GLGQ¡W JHW RII WR WKH EHVW RI VWDUWV ZLWK WKH 5R\DOV conceding a goal, and their centre pass and shooting accuracy dipping.

But not for long. The girls soon picked themselves up, with the defence providing great support for the attackers, and some stunning feeds into the shooting circle from centre and goal attack Kathryn Hurrell. &RQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH JUHZ ZDV WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU VFRUH OLQH DQG /HHGV knew that it was now or never and VWDUWHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO TXDUWHU ZLWK D EDQJ ZLWK WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH JRDOV But some fantastic tips in the GHIHQVLYH FLUFOH DQG PXFK EHWWHU shooting saw Newcastle regain control.

5RDQQH 0LQVKXOO WKH QHZ Ă&#x20AC;UVW team captain - was holding her space in the circle with conviction and there wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t much the Leeds defenders could do.

After some leaping interceptions and lightening feeds the girls were all over the opposing team, widening the gap to a 43-28 the Ă&#x20AC;QDO VFRUHOLQH :KDW D VWDUW IRU WKH QHWEDOO JLUOV

Loko back on track with win Intra Mural Football Division One

Lokomotiv FC The Hurricanes

3 1

Charles Scott at Close House Lokomotiv recovered from their loss against Garnett last week to put in a convincing performance against Hurricanes on Wednesday. :KHQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO ZKLVWOH EOHZ WKH score was 3-1 to Loko, and Hurricanes can have no complaints with the scoreline as Loko dictated play for large periods of time and successfully managed to turn their domination into goals.

The start of the game was sluggish ZLWK ERWK WHDPV KDYLQJ WURXEOH PRYLQJ WKH EDOO DURXQG RQ ZKDW FDQ RQO\ EH GHVFULEHG DV DQ DZNward playing surface. As the half SURJUHVVHG ERWK VLGHV JUHZ LQ FRQĂ&#x20AC;GHQFH DQG LW ZDV SURYLQJ DQ HYHQ FRQWHVW EHWZHHQ WZR WHDPV LQWHQW RQ NHHSLQJ WKH EDOO RQ WKH Ă RRU +XUULFDQHV IDVKLRQHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW FOHDU FXW FKDQFH EXW $DURQ 5LFKLH could only shoot straight at the NHHSHU DIWHU EHLQJ SXW WKURXJK RQ goal. Stee McLovinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pace up front

IRU /RNR ZDV FDXVLQJ SUREOHPV IRU the Hurricaneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defence and it was 0F/RYLQ WKDW JRW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW JRDO RI the game, showing good persistHQFH DV KH EXQGOHG WKH EDOO RYHU WKH line after seeing his header saved E\ *RVQHOO ,W ZDV 5LFKLH WKDW JRW WKH HTXDOiser for Hurricanes, and what an HTXDOLVHU LW ZDV 7KH EDOO IHOO NLQGO\ to him 40 yards out and much to his and his team-mates delight KLV IDQWDVWLF Ă&#x20AC;UVW WLPH VWULNH Ă HZ over Tickle in goal and into the top corner.

As half-time approached Loko captain Daniel Parkinson was really VWDUWLQJ WR VWDPS KLV LQĂ XHQFH RQ the game. Controlling a cushioned Ă LFN E\ 6DP 7XUQFRFN KH VWURGH IRUZDUG WR WKH HGJH RI WKH ER[ DQG GLVSDWFKHG D ZHOO SODFHG Ă&#x20AC;QLVK LQWR WKH ERWWRP FRUQHU His performance was all the more impressive considering that he was VWLOO UHFRYHULQJ IURP DQ HPEDUUDVVLQJ )DFHERRN UDSH H[HFXWHG E\ KLV girlfriend earlier in the day. A true professional.

Loko started the second half as WKH\ Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW DQG +XUricanes were well and truly on WKH EDFN IRRW VWUXJJOLQJ WR FUHDWH FKDQFHV DQG KDYLQJ WR EULQJ SOD\-

HUV EDFN WR GHDO ZLWK WKH LQFUHDVLQJ threat of Lokoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attack.

The third Loko goal came after great work from Danny Thompson RQ WKH OHIW ZLQJ $IWHU EHDWLQJ KLV man he played an accurate pass to 0F/RYLQ LQ WKH ER[ DQG LW VHHPHG FHUWDLQ KH ZRXOG EDJ KLV VHFRQG RI the afternoon.

He, however, had other ideas.

Whilst many, in fact everyone else on the pitch, saw him go to kick WKH EDOO DQG JHW QRWKLQJ EXW DLU McLovin himself claims he heard a VKRXW IURP 7XUQFRFN EHKLQG KLP After the game there were rumours that he was daydreaming DERXW 7RP $JQHZ EXW KH DVVXUHV me that he decided to purposeIXOO\ SHUIRUP DQ HODERUDWH VWHSRYHU GXPP\ WR DOORZ WKH EDOO WR UXQ through to Turncock who had no TXDOPV LQ VPDVKLQJ WKH EDOO KRPH Hurricanes were restricted to attempting shots from distance DQG WZLFH FDPH FORVH WR JUDEELQJ D VHFRQG WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW HIIRUW D GLSSLQJ half-volley that Tickle did well to smother and the second a free-kick from 25 yards that was palmed clear of danger.

One man who was desperate to get on the scoresheet was Jules, one RI /RNR¡V VHFRQG KDOI VXEVWLWXWHV

&ODLPLQJ EHIRUH WKH JDPH WKDW WKH RQO\ ZD\ KH ZRXOG EH JUDFLQJ Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wild nightlife tonight ZRXOG EH LI KH PDQDJHG WR JUDE ZKDW ZRXOG KDYH EHHQ RQO\ KLV VHFRQG JRDO IRU KLV EHORYHG 5HGV Looking up from his position on the right wing he struck a wonderful shot that, much to his despair, FDQQRQHG EDFN RII WKH SRVW 7KLV SURYHG WR EH WKH ODVW UHDO chance of the game and after the game ended Loko manager Simmo

Sharp result for Fencers Fencing

Bangor Newcastle

102 128

James Kinnear 1HZFDVWOH ERXQFHG EDFN WR defeat Bangor following last weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s narrow loss to the formiGDEOH 3UHPLHUVKLS VLGH 'XUKDP Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1sts. $IWHU D Ă&#x20AC;YH KRXU FRDFK MRXUQH\ WR %DQJRU WKH VTXDG ZHUH XQGHUVWDQGDEO\ VWLII EXW VSLULWV were high and after arriving at the sports centre the team had a group warm up.

Newcastle won the coin toss to determine weapon order and FKRVH WKH RUGHU IRLO VDEUH HSHH H[SHFWLQJ WR JUDGXDOO\ LPSURYH performances throughout the day.

After a weaker than usual performance against Durham, the foil team set out to recover their gleaming reputation from last \HDU )URP WKH EHJLQQLQJ WKH IRLO VTXDG FRPPDQGHG WKH 3LVWH DQG VHW DQ H[FHOOHQW IRXQGDWLRQ IRU WKH UHVW RI WKH GD\ E\ ZLQQLQJ WKHLU ZHDSRQ E\ SXWWLQJ the team in good stead.

6DEUH ZDV WKH QH[W ZHDSRQ WR EH FRQWHVWHG DQG WKHUH ZDV D GHtermination amongst the players WR EXLOG XSRQ WKH OHDG VHW E\ WKH )RLO VTXDG 7KH VDEUH WHDP JRW RII WR D VKDN\ VWDUW EXW PDQDJHG to contest the game all the way WKURXJK DQG RQO\ ORVW E\ D QDUrow margin of 38-45.

(SHH ZDV WKH ODVW ZHDSRQ WR EH fought and the one in which the team as a whole felt strongest.

After the prior two performances WKH HSHH VTXDG RQO\ UHTXLUHG KLWV WR ZLQ EXW WKLV GLG QRW FDXVH WKH HSHHLVWV WR EHFRPH FRPSODFHQW DQG WKH\ SHUIRUPHG DERYH DQG EH\RQG WKHLU FDOOLQJ DJDLQVW D GLIĂ&#x20AC;FXOW WHDP HQGLQJ WKHLU match 36-45 to Newcastle.

All in all our foil and epee WHDPV SHUIRUPHG H[FHSWLRQDOO\ DQG DOWKRXJK 6DEUH ZDV D OLWWOH shaky, it showed promise for the season ahead. The overall score EHWZHHQ 1HZFDVWOH DQG %DQJRU was a 128-102 victory to NewcasWOH ZKLFK ZDV DQ H[FHOOHQW UHVXOW for Fencing Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1sts and Team Newcastle as a whole.

I would like to give special WKDQNV WR RXU WZR MRLQW PDQ RI the match, William Edmunds and (Smiley) David Morris. Further thanks goes to our two new epeeists Daniel Grant and Sozon Papadopolos.

VSRNH EULHĂ \ WR PH DERXW KLV SULGH DW KRZ WKH ER\V KDG SHUIRUPHG EXW KH ZDV TXLFN WR SRLQW RXW WKDW WKH team was still gelling and that there ZDV GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ PRUH WR FRPH

J. WEEDEN

42

SPORT

Monday 19 October 2009 THE COURIER

BUCS

Sloppy seconds rue ref Men’s Rugby Union

Newcastle 2nds Leeds 2nds

8 10

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Cochrane curse: four teams defeated on home soil

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Leeds 1sts Newcastle 1sts

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THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

43

Football

Thirty minutes of madness Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Football

2 5

Jamie Gavin Sports Editor at Cochrane Park 1HZFDVWOH VXFFXPEHG WR WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW BUCS home league defeat for over a year and a half after a disastrous Ă&#x20AC;QDO KDOI KRXU DW &RFKUDQH 3DUN A frantic 30 minutes produced QR IHZHU WKDQ VHYHQ JRDOV Ă&#x20AC;YH RI which went to the away side - and the Royals suddenly capitulated in what was a devastating start to the QHZ FDPSDLJQ They can take few positives from a game in which their shape, having looked resoundingly solid in the opening period, deteriorated rapLGO\ WRZDUGV WKH HQG 7DNH QRWKLQJ DZD\ IURP 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG They displayed a cutting edge that the home side lacked, and the visiWRUV ZHUH Ă&#x20AC;HU\ TXLFN DQG UXWKOHVV running out deserved winners in WKH HQG Newcastle were the antithesis of this, and completely lost their way after the away sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opener on the hour mark, in a game which for the Ă&#x20AC;UVW PLQXWHV ORRNHG WR EH D WLJKW DQG QHUY\ %8&6 RSHQHU The deadlock was broken after a 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG VWULNHU JDWKHUHG WKH EDOO on the right and found himself in VSDFH He cut inside and dispatched a low left-foot drive superbly into the bottom corner from 15 yards, giving Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;keeper Andy Kilshaw no chance as he dived low to his OHIW What followed was the starkest of contrasts to what the game had been thus far, and it wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t long after the DOO LPSRUWDQW Ă&#x20AC;UVW JRDO WKDW WKH DZD\ VLGH DGGHG D VHFRQG Newcastle failed to clear their lines inside their own six yard box after a cross from the left on 64 minutes,

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DQG D 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG PLGĂ&#x20AC;HOGHU ZDV RQ hand to dispatch a powerful effort through a crowd of players to make LW And it was the visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; third goal that took the game well away from WKH 5R\DOV RQ PLQXWHV The home side again failed to deal with a harmless ball down the chanQHO DQG D 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG FHQWUH IRUZDUG was on hand to poach the ball, before squaring to his strike partner ZKR Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG FOLQLFDOO\ The fatal ten minute period proved ultimately to be the difference between the two sides- but the Royals KDG D PDJQLĂ&#x20AC;FDQW RSSRUWXQLW\ WR WDNH WKH OHDG DW MXVW EHIRUH Winger Martin Hill controlled competently in the area after a Mark Levine Cross, and he was caught as he attempted to round the visitorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; JRDONHHSHU But he was honest- perhaps too much so, and stayed on his feet beIRUH IDLOLQJ WR JHW KLV VKRW DZD\ 7KH moment had passed and minutes ODWHU VR KDG WKH JDPH It was the tricky Hill whose run led WR WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW RI WKH 5R\DOV FRQVRODWLRQ goals on 76 minutes, courtesy of a

0LNH )RUUHVW SHQDOW\ +LOO Ă&#x20AC;QDOO\ JRW WKH EHWWHU RI KLV man down the right, before a neat drop of the shoulder deceived an away defender- who preceded to bring him down inside the box and JLYH DZD\ WKH VSRW NLFN Substitute Forrest stepped up, and sent the keeper the wrong way to reGXFH WKH GHĂ&#x20AC;FLW DQG JLYH WKH 5R\DOV a glimmer of hope with 14 minutes UHPDLQLQJ But as Newcastle pushed for the second goal that would have made IRU DQ H[FLWLQJ Ă&#x20AC;QLVK WR WKH JDPH they were caught short at the back, DQG D ORQJ EDOO IURP 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG ZDV HQRXJK WR VSOLW WKH GHIHQFH LQ WZR An away striker found himself in WKH FOHDU DQG KH Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG ZHOO WR PDNH LW Then came the best goal of the JDPH 0LGĂ&#x20AC;HOGHU *HRUJH &R\OH¡V WHnacity was one of the only beacons of hope on a dismal day, and he lit up Cochrane Park with an absolute EHDXW\ ZLWK Ă&#x20AC;YH PLQXWHV UHPDLQLQJ After cutting in from the right, he unleashed a curling left-foot strike from 25 yards which found the top

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ULJKW KDQG FRUQHU RI WKH QHW In a different context the goal would have been celebrated wildly, but the way in which Coyle ran back to the half way line summed up the home sideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s day- the wonder goal ZDV EDUHO\ FRQVRODWLRQ DW DOO There was still time for one more IURP WKH <RUNVKLUH VLGH $JDLQ XVing route-one, and with the Royals shape almost non-existent by this point, they were able to carve out \HW DQRWKHU RSHQLQJ This time it came from the right KDQG VLGH ZKHUH D SDF\ 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG substitute burst beyond Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s defence, before delivering a low FURVV WR KLV VWULNH SDUWQHU ZKR Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG FRROO\ WR PDNH LW 7KRVH ZKR ZLWQHVVHG WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO KDOI an hour would have barely believed it had took place by the time the referee ended the contest seconds ODWHU But it now has a sharp reality for the Royals, and they must pick themselves up for this weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trip to Teesside- which could already be FRQVLGHUHG D PXVW ZLQ JDPH

Seconds suffer early setback on home soil 1 3

In their efforts to double their lead, Newcastle were unlucky not be awarded a penalty when the referee waved away protests after cap-

An accomplished second half Newcastle 2nds began their new BUCS season with a disappointing defeat GHVSLWH WDNLQJ D Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI OHDG The Royals faced a tough early test against a strong Leeds University side after last yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; promotion to WKH % GLYLVLRQ On a damp Cochrane Park it was the visitors who started brightly, dominating the early exchanges and forcing Royalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;keeper Paul Macaulay into some good early VDYHV However, it was Newcastle who took the lead against the run of play mid-way through the half, when striker Chris Mosunda latched onto a cross from the right-wing before drilling the ball brilliantly into the IDU ERWWRP FRUQHU Things began to look up for the hosts as the team settled and began knocking the ball around in the opSRVLWLRQ¡V KDOI

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Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Football

Newcastle 2nds Leeds 2nds

Intra Mural Football Divison 1

Dyslexic Real Politique

2 1

James Burns at Longbenton

> Second half shocker as Royals suffer opening defeat Newcastle 1sts 6KHIĂ&#x20AC;HOG VWV

SPORT

Ed Langford at Cochrane Park

tain Tom Milnes was sent tumbling in the area following a rather late /HHGV FKDOOHQJH This proved to be a crucial turning point as Leeds came back to deservedly equalize soon after - and then take the lead shortly before the inWHUYDO MacAulay, for all his efforts, could QRWKLQJ DERXW WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW DV WKH EDOO sailed in from 20 yards, before a FKHHN\ FORVH UDQJH Ă&#x20AC;QLVK IURP RQH half of Leedsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; impressive front duo JDYH WKH YLVLWRUV D KDOI WLPH OHDG The second half started in the same PDQQHU DV WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDG Ă&#x20AC;QLVKHG with the visitors on top and plying frequent pressure on Macaulayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s JRDO %RWK /HHGV¡ VWULNHUV KDG chances to put the game to bed and would have done so but for sloppy Ă&#x20AC;QLVKLQJ DQG D Ă&#x20AC;QH JRDO OLQH FOHDUance from substitute Patrick Stockle 5R\DOV With 15 minutes to go, the game was effectively killed off as a Leeds striker took advantage of a lapse in WKH 1HZFDVWOH GHIHQVH WR FDOPO\ Ă&#x20AC;QLVK DQG HVWDEOLVK D OHDG The spindly striker was a constant thorn in the Royalsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side and proved to be the difference in class between the two teams throughout the afterQRRQ

Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best second half opportunities came after the third /HHGV JRDO 7KH Ă&#x20AC;UVW FDPH FRXUWHV\ RI D ORQJ range effort, and the second came about after Milnes failed to connect with the ball in time after putting KLPVHOI WKURXJK This was was the best that the home side could muster in a lackOXVWHU VHFRQG KDOI GLVSOD\ Newcastle were limited to half chances towards the end and looked PRUH SURGXFWLYH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;QDO WKLUG when a tactical change saw Milnes SXW KLPVHOI XSIURQW However, it was Leeds who could have extended their lead further albeit for another last ditch clearance after more good work from the visiWRUV¡ IURQW WZR Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skipper remained upbeat about the teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; prospects for the season despite describing this Ă&#x20AC;UVW SHUIRUPDQFH DV ÂśVKRFNLQJ¡ With a higher level of football to contend with and several freshers making their BUCS debuts, Milnes remained optimistic about the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chances and they will look to ERXQFH EDFN LQ WKHLU Ă&#x20AC;UVW DZD\ Ă&#x20AC;[WXUH DW 'XUKDP QH[W ZHHN

As the old saying in football goes, the only statistic that matters is the one on the scoreboard and this was certainly the case today as Dyslexic FC carved out a win reminiscent of %ROWRQ :DQGHUHUV Real Politique were left scratching their heads at where exactly it went wrong at Longbenton, as Dyslexic FC secured a second conVHFXWLYH ZLQ Second half goals from Eddy Green and winger Adrian Matthews were enough to see off Politique who were competing in their Ă&#x20AC;UVW JDPH RI WKH ,0 :HGQHVGD\ VHDVRQ It wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all plain sailing for DysOH[LF 3ROLWLTXH FUHDWHG WKH PRVW SUHVVXUH LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI ZLWK 0DWthew Marchington threading intelligent balls through to front man Jack Gravestock who kept Dyslexic .HHSHU -RVK &UDZIRUG EXV\ Real enjoyed a large percentDJH RI SRVVHVVLRQ LQ WKH Ă&#x20AC;UVW KDOI and had numerous chances to go DKHDG EXW IDLOHG WR FDSLWDOLVH 0DWthew Marchingtonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s header hit the crossbar from a corner in the opening ten minutes while Euan Brown EOD]HG RYHU IURP FORVH UDQJH Dyslexicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s route one attitude caused Politiqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s back four numerous problems and scrappy clearances by â&#x20AC;&#x153;Greenoâ&#x20AC;? led to a FKDQFH IRU '\VOH[LF 0DWWKHZV raced through and drove a low cross across goal which went unĂ&#x20AC;QLVKHG RQ PLQXWHV Politiqueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s long ball attempts were well cut out by Dyslexic skipper Adam Conchie who climbed ZHOO HYHU\ WLPH WR KHDG FOHDU 5HDO¡V EHVW HIIRUWV ZHUH GHĂ&#x20AC;QLWHO\ on the deck where, at times, they SDVVHG '\VOH[LF RII WKH SDUN Despite a large shout for handball against Dyslexic left back Lawrence Jackson on 38 minutes, no penalty was given and the teams ZHUH GHDGORFNHG DW KDOI WLPH Politique again started brightly in the second half and forced a world class save by man of the match -RVK &UDZIRUG -DFN *UDYHVWRFN picked out Matthew Marchington from the right hand side, who hit it on the half volley at close range and turned to celebrate, only to put his head in his hands as â&#x20AC;&#x153;the catâ&#x20AC;? Crawford sprawled across to WLS LW ZLGH RI KLV OHIW KDQG SRVW 3RRU Ă&#x20AC;QLVKLQJ DQG PLVVHG FKDQFes by the Politique forwards were punished on 62 minutes as Danny Shevrill played a delightful ball into Eddy Greens path who lifted his shot professionally over the FRPPLWWHG $VK .DSRRU Politique were furious that Green was not deemed offside and Jack Gravestock landed himself in the UHIHUHH¡V ERRN IRU EDFN FKDW :LWK their heads not in the game, Dyslexic took advantage again as LawUHQFH -DFNVRQ¡V FURVV ZDV Ă LFNHG on by Leon Francis and landed to Adrian Matthews who controlled neatly and hit a tidy half volley into the bottom right corner from WKH HGJH RI WKH VL[ \DUG ER[ Politique created late pressure, with a consolation goal by Matthew Marchington from a Dan MatNLQ FURVV EXW LW ZDVQ¡W HQRXJK ,Q the dying minutes, heavy pressure from Real created many chances with goal keeper (yes, goalkeeper) Ash Kapoor missing a free header IURP D FRUQHU This left Dyslexic savouring another victory, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sure to keep them near the top of the table and Real Politique mulling over missed chances that should have ZRQ WKHP WKH JDPH

THE COURIER Monday 19 October 2009

44

Interview with Director of Sport Colin Blackburn > Interview, page 39 Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin and Tom James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

Cochrane calamity: sorry home day for Team Newcastle

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Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rugby 2nds

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Newcastle still pointless after Lough loss Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rugby Union 1sts

Loughborough Newcastle

26 16

Tom Rainey Newcastle Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1st team lost their second BUCS game in succession at Loughborough last Wednesday as another strong performance was not enough to secure the points.

Arriving with only 15mins to kick off and despite Loughborough agreeing to delay, the team still had a less than satisfactory warm up leading to a pensive start to the match.

After the game, stand-in Captain Harrison Pickervance cited this as the main reason for the loss. Lough-

borough away is a daunting task and it took the team 10 minutes into the game to start believing a victory was possible.

7KH Ă&#x20AC; UVW PLQXWHV RI WKH JDPH were dominated by a host of penalties and shots at goal with wing Adam Armstrong slotting three IURP Ă&#x20AC; YH IRU 1HZFDVWOH DQG /RXJK borough responding with two of their own making the score to 9-6 in our favour.

After a number of chances at both ends, the deadlock was broken by Loughborough, as putting together a string of phases they stretched the Newcastle defence and scored in the corner. The conversion was missed leaving the score 9-11 at half time.

The second half proved far more eventful and saw Newcastle spend WKH Ă&#x20AC; UVW PLQXWHV FDPSHG LQ WKH

/RXJKERURXJK EXW WKH\ IDLOHG WR come away with points.

7KH Ă&#x20AC; QDO TXDUWHU RI WKH PDWFK saw the game really open up with /RXJKERURXJK Ă&#x20AC; UVW WR VWULNH $ ZD\ ZDUG RIĂ RDG LQ WKH 5R\DOV ZDV intercepted and the home teamsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; organisation in attack was too much, stretching the Newcastle defensive line again and scoring in the corner.

Newcastle responded almost imPHGLDWHO\ 7KH 5R\DOV NLFNLQJ game pinned Loughborough back towards their line and a great piece of turn over-ball from the Newcastle back row provided a crucial attacking position.

A brilliant individual effort from full-back Dave Smith, taking a short ball off Ed Yarnton at stand off, saw him break through the line before rounding the full-back to touch

down.

The momentum was now with Newcastle but a break out by the Loughborough scrum half resulted in a penalty which was swiftly converted. This left the score at 16-19 ZLWK Ă&#x20AC; YH PLQXWHV WR SOD\ $ ELJ Ă&#x20AC; QDO SXVK ZDV UHTXLUHG E\ WKH 5R\DOV DQG WKH WHDP UHVSRQGHG ZLWK D Ă&#x20AC; QDO GULYH XS WKH SLWFK %XW the tactical play was not clinical enough and a predictable kicking play was blitzed by Loughborough; the resulting kick was skewed into touch on the full.

From this position, LoughborRXJK¡V OLQHRXW GHOLYHUHG TXLFN EDOO to their backs and they began to exert pressure across the Newcastle defensive line over a number of phases.

This resulted in an unorganised

DQG SRURXV 5R\DOV GHIHQVLYH OLQH around the ruck and the game ended with a disappointing try as the Loughborough second row trundled all too easily through the defense untouched, before unleashing an unsuspected sidestep to beat the shocked Dave Smith at full-back before touching down under the posts.

Centre Gavin Hadley summed up the seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s start by saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;After two good performances we really need to start converting our attacking play into points and victories. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This needs to start next week against newly promoted Nottingham Trent, which is without doubt a must-win game as it is critical we JHW RXU Ă&#x20AC; UVW OHDJXH SRLQWV RI WKH \HDU and progress from there.â&#x20AC;?