Raleigh Addington on the The Apprentice experience, personal crisis and how to get a graduate job &XOWXUHSDJH
THE
C OU RI E R THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF NEWCASTLE STUDENTS
EST 1948
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Joy to despair: graduates face unemployment Exclusive statistics reveal the chequered fate of University’s leavers
Leader for Subway. In contrast, however, other respondents listed their professions as Teacher, Trainee Accountant and Professional Rugby Player. At 12.5 per cent, the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology has the second highest number of graduates joining the dole queue. Although the School was unavailable for comment, its alumni now include a Quantitative Trader for Goldman Sachs, A 999 Call Handler
at Cheshire Police and a Sales Advisor for Primark. The School for Architecture, Planning & Landscape has the University’s third highest unemployment rate at 11.2 per cent. Head of School John Pendlebury told The Courier how the weak construction sector is causing problems. He said: “Graduates in architecture and planning are generally highly motivated and determined to work in their chosen profession and will often hold out for that opportunity. The built environment professions are always at the sharp end of recessions, or booms, so regrettably it has been a particular struggle for graduates from these disciplines to enter their chosen profession in the last couple of years.â€? But a low unemployment rate for your degree does not guarantee strong earning potential. Despite only a comparatively favourable 5.9 per cent being out of work, students of the School of Arts & Cultures are expected to earn an average of just ÂŁ15,869, the lowest of the University’s 27 schools, and ÂŁ6,853 below the typical Newcastle graduate. Ellie Wells, who graduated this year with a MA in Museum Studies from the School and now works full-time in a call centre, told The Continued page 4 and 5
Shattered dreams: Newcastle’s graduates will have to deal with spiralling unemployment
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Popular chef Jamie Oliver arrives in the North East to promote his new healthy eating campaign in the region, Vicky Napier reports News, page 7
With a move from Income Support to Job Seeker’s Allowance to be brought in for single parents, how will it affect mothers? Comment, page 11
In a one off special, blind date takes a break as Lauren Girling and Matthew Wild prove that it’s not RQO\WKH¿UVWGDWHWKDWPDWWHUV Life & Style, page 14-15
Film guru Mar Kemode talks to Film EditorAdam Williams about his perspective of Newcastle and IDYRXULWHÂżOPVIURPWKLV\HDU Film, page27
Sport Editor Wills Robinson bids a heart felt farewell to the original footballing oracle, Paul the Octopus who passed away last week Sport, page 42-43
Joshua Shrimpton Dean Deputy Editor The University’s leavers face damning rates of unemployment, with less than half securing graduatelevel work. DLHE (Destination of Leavers after +LJKHU(GXFDWLRQ ÀJXUHVVKRZWKDW 7.4 per cent of students who graduated from the University in 2009 are assumed to be unemployed, with WKHÀJXUHDOPRVWGRXEOLQJIRUVRPH departments. Six months after graduation, in a punishing economic climate, those ZKRZHUHIRUWXQDWHHQRXJKWRÀQG employment recorded job titles including Bingo Caller, Waitress and Postman. Although data is not yet available, it is thought that 2010 graduates are being confronted with a far bleaker outlook as the squeeze on jobs continues. The UK’s national unemployment rate, as of August 2010, stands at 7.7 per cent. The news will come as a shock to students who believed they could HVFDSH WKH IRUWKFRPLQJ ÀQDQFLDO blows of the Browne Review. Instead, many are dwelling on the prospect of leaving Newcastle University with an uncertain future. Students’ choice of degree plays a huge role in determining their likely
employment and salary prospects. Current students of the School of Historical Studies, for example, are set to graduate into an unemployment rate of 13.2 per cent, the highest at the University. Occupations divulged by those who were able to ÀQGHPSOR\PHQWZLWKD%$ +RQV History degree include Labourer, Betting Shop Manager and Team
“My expectations of Ă€QGLQJDMREDQG the reality were very different thingsâ€?
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Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Have you got a news story for The Courier? Email us at: courier.news@ncl.ac.uk News Editors: Simon Murphy and Charlie Oven
Newcastle to be hit with a freeze DQGFDSLQVFLHQWLĂ€FUHVHDUFK Tarren Smarr Last week Chancellor George 2VERUQHDIĂ€UPHGWKDWWKHVFLHQWLĂ€F budget would be frozen as well as capped at ÂŁ4.5 billion for the next four years. So what does this mean for universities engaged in cutting edge sciHQWLĂ€F UHVHDUFK VXFK DV 1HZFDVWOH who have been paving the way in research? It is feared there could be a loss of jobs for some or a loss in research that keeps the North East as leading proprietors of expertise. Whilst 4.5 billion pounds seems OLNHDVLJQLĂ€FDQWDPRXQWRIPRQH\ ZLWK LQĂ DWLRQ UDWHV FRQWLQXLQJ WR climb, it means that there is a realtime reduction of about 10%. Peter Arnold, chief executive of Newcastle Science City sees the funding freeze as a double edge sword, commenting: “ On the one hand it is encouraging that the science budget will be maintained given the critical role that research and innovation will play in the UK’s economic recovery over the next decade. “However, on the other hand, this is still a cut in real terms, and whilst other countries, notably Germany, are increasing their budgets, it will become harder for the UK to grow and compete at an international level.â€? Cuts in the budget and spending in the UK will affect the public service sector with predictions that the North East will be one of the hardest hit areas. Key researchers are keen to do what they can to make sure that the North East can remain one of the leaders in world-wide research, taking somewhat drastic measures to protect their projects. Director of Newcastle University’s world-leading Institute for Ageing
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Comment Do you have the right to retire? Danny Kielty watches the French unrest at proposal to raise the age to 62 Page 9
Life & Style Turkish Delight in the toon, Natalie Moor discovers the oasis of relaxation right at the heart of the city Page 13
Culture Music reviews ÂżYHRIWKHODWHVW album releases, how will the debut of previous X Factor winner Joe McElderry fare? Page 32
Sport A successful week for Mens Hockey as Newcastle1sts smash eight past York in a clinical performance Page 42
0HHWLQJV7LPHWDEOH Monday News & Comment - 12pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Sport- 1pm, MLK, Room 6 Park Terrace Photos - 12pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Tuesday Life & Style - 12pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Fashion - 12pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Film - 1pm, Room 6 Park Terrace
Frozen out: the Scientific budget is set to be frozen and capped at £4.5 billion pounds with Newcastle’s research likely to be affected
and Health, Professor Tom Kirkwood, said he was prepared to lose key staff as a result of the planned freeze, according to The Journal. As a result of the fees announcement, key leaders in the UK sciHQWLĂ€F FRPPXQLW\ DUH ZRUNLQJ WR
maintain an open dialogue with the government as future budgetary commitments are reviewed. This includes working with partnerships to ensure that funding is not only protected at the local level, but also national and international levels, to
ensure economic growth for the region. $OWKRXJK WKH VFLHQWLĂ€F EXGJHW according to Osbourne, will be protected until 2014/2015, the jobs of WKRVH ZLWKLQ WKH VFLHQWLĂ€F FRPPX nity are not protected.
A sorry state of affairs: cuts will cost jobs, money, SHUVRQDOVDFUL¿FHEXWPRVWLPSRUWDQWO\SURJUHVV Jonathan Offredo Commentary ewcastle University Professor Tom Kirkwood’s comments to the media after the comprehensive spending review are a UHPLQGHUWKDWWKHÀUVWFXWPD\EH WKHGHHSHVWEXWVRWRRLVWKHRQH after that, and the one after that, and so on and so forth. 0XFKKDVEHHQVDLGDQGZULWWHQ DERXWWKH%URZQH5HYLHZDQGLWV LPSOLFDWLRQVWRERWKVWXGHQWVDQG WKHHQWLUHXQLYHUVLW\VWUXFWXUHEXW RWKHUFXWVKDYHLPSOLFDWLRQVWKDW DUHMXVWDVELJLIQRWELJJHU
The Union Society, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940
Mr. Kirkwood, who is internationally respected and has no GRXEWEURXJKWSUHVWLJHWRWKLV 8QLYHUVLW\SRLQWHGRXWWKHUDWKHU bleak reality that is a damning LQGLFWPHQWRIWKHIXOOLPSOLFDWLRQV RIWKHVHFXWV Kirkwood, also the director RIWKH,QVWLWXWHIRU$JHLQJDQG Health, told The Journal on October 21 that he was prepared to see VWDIIOHDYHDIWHULWZDVDQQRXQFHG WKDWWKHVFLHQFHEXGJHWZRXOGEH IUR]HQDW…EQRYHUWKHQH[WIRXU years. 7KHFXWVZHUHQRWDVGHHSDV LQLWLDOO\IHDUHGEXWWKH\SUHVHQW ZKDWLVQRZDIDPLOLDUFRQXQ GUXP KRZFDQZHPDLQWDLQDQG improve the level of research we’re
doing as everyone moves forward ZKLOHÀJKWLQJIRUWKHLUOLYHOLKRRG and jobs? 2QHKDVWRSDXVHFRFNWKHLUKHDG to the side and wonder how the 8.KDVIRXQGLWVHOIÀJKWLQJWR stave off stagnation. It’s a sorry state of affairs and it will cost jobs, PRQH\DQGSHUVRQDOVDFULÀFHEXW most importantly progress. 7KHUH¡VDFXULRXVFRPSDULVRQ between Newcastle and West Virginia, in the United States. ,QDYDFXXPLWVHHPVWKDW1HZ FDVWOHFRXOGUHSUHVHQWZKDW:HVW 9LUJLQLDFRXOGEH%RWKUHJLRQV ZHUHEXLOWRQWKHH[SRUWRIFRDO EXWWKLVFLW\KDVPRYHGRQIURPLWV export heavy past to a technologiFDOIXWXUH:HVW9LUJLQLDKDV\HWWR
do that, and debate over mining, PRXQWDLQWRSUHPRYDODQGYDULRXV legislation mars the possibility of progress. The difference is that while West 9LUJLQLDPD\KDYHDIXWXUHLILW ever chooses to acknowledge the DPD]LQJUHVRXUFHVLWKDVDQGWKH brilliant minds within the state to harness that potential, Newcastle has already moved ahead and had WUHPHQGRXVVXFFHVV %XWWKHIXWXUHRIWKLVFLW\DQG FRXQWU\¡VSURJUHVVLQWKHVFLHQFHV cannot be a case of one giant leap LQWRWKHIXWXUHRQO\WRVLWWKHUH ZLWKLWVWKXPERXWORRNLQJWR KLWFKDULGHEHFDXVHWKHFDUEURNH down.
Wednesday Arts - 12.30pm, Room 6 Park Terrace Music - 1pm, Room 6 Park Terrace TV & Radio - 1.30pm, Room 6 Park Terrace (GLWRULDO7HDP ‡(GLWRU)UDQ,QIDQWH ‡'HSXW\(GLWRU-RVKXD6KULPSWRQ'HDQ ‡1HZV(GLWRUV&KDUOLH2YHQ 6LPRQ Murphy ‡&RPPHQW(GLWRUV'DQQ\.LHOW\ /DXUD Heads ‡/LIH 6W\OH(GLWRUV0DU\0XOODUNH\DQG Kat Bishop ‡)DVKLRQ(GLWRU/DXUHQ*LUOLQJ ‡$UWV(GLWRU6WHSKDQLH)HUUDR ‡)LOP(GLWRU$GDP:LOOLDPV ‡0XVLF(GLWRUV3ROO\5DQGDOO -RH6NUHEHOV ‡79 5DGLR(GLWRU(OOLH:LOVRQDQG Lynsey Fawcett ‡3X]]OHV(GLWRU$QG\3LWNHDWKOH\ ‡/LVWLQJV(GLWRU&LDUD/LWWOHU ‡6SRUWV(GLWRUV.DW%DQQRQ-RQR7D\ORU Wills Robinson ‡3KRWR(GLWRUV%ULRQ\&DUOLQ ‡'HVLJQ(GLWRU9LFWRULD%HOO ‡2QOLQH(GLWRUV%HWKDQ\6LVVRQV.DWLH Hicks, Elliot Bentley and Colin Henrys ‡3URRI(GLWRUV&KDUORWWH/RIWXV.DW\ Lawson, Hannah Davey, Verity Cunningham, Freya Marks & Gemma Farina The Courier is printed by: Harmsworth Printing Limited, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2DW. Tel: 01332 253013. Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Union Society at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Union Society or Newcastle University.
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
3
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Newcastle University Boat Club sets sail on to the big screen as nine of its members feature in the successful film The Social Network, directed by David Fincher and starring Jesse Eisenberg , Andrew Garfield and Justin Timberlake
Adam Williams It may contain international superstars such as Jesse Eisenberg, AnGUHZ*DUÀHOGDQG-XVWLQ7LPEHUODNH EXWUHFHQW+ROO\ZRRGÀOPThe Social Network also stars a group of people from much closer to home. Director David Fincher’s hugely VXFFHVVIXO ÀOP UHFRXQWV WKH FKHT XHUHG KLVWRU\ RI )DFHERRN IRXQGHU 0DUN=XFNHUEHUJDQGKRZKHDOOHJ
edly stole the idea for the social netZRUNLQJ VLWH IURP WZLQV 7\OHU DQG &DPHURQ :LQNOHYRVV ZKR ZHUH in the process of creating a similar website while at Harvard University. 7KH :LQNOHYRVV WZLQV ZHUH UH nowned rowers and, as the full H[WHQW RI =XFNHUEHUJ¡V GHFHSWLRQ became apparent, the pair were in %ULWDLQ WDNLQJ SDUW LQ WKH SUHVWLJ ious Henley Royal Regatta as part of Harvard’s rowing team.
With this event set to be re-enacted IRUWKHÀOPSURGXFHUVHPEDUNHGRQ D VHDUFK IRU D URZLQJ WHDP WR WDNH the place of the Dutch national team, ZKR ZHQW RQ EHDW WKH :LQNOHYRVV¡ team by two thirds of a length in the PHPRUDEOHÀQDODWWKHHYHQW 7KHÀOP¡VSURGXFHUVFRQWDFWHGWKH Newcastle University Boat Club, who were appearing at this sumPHU¡VHYHQWDQGDVNHGWKHPWRWDNH the place of the Dutch team. )LOPLQJ WRRN SODFH LQ -XO\ RI WKLV
year and sees nine members of the 18%& IHDWXUH LQ WKH Ă€OP 1HZFDV tle University Boat Club president 0XUUD\:LONRMFWROGThe Courier that the decision to feature the team in WKHĂ€OPZDVGRZQWRWKH1HZFDVWOH team’s high standing in the boating world. “Newcastle University has built up a reputation as one of the leading University Boat Clubs in Britain over the last few years. We have VWURQJOLQNVZLWKWKH/HDQGHU&OXE
LQ +HQOH\RQ7KDPHV ZKLFK ZDV one of the other clubs racing in the ÀOP:HZHUHLQYROYHGLQWKLV\HDU¡V student competition at the Henley Royal Regatta and were pleased to EHLQYROYHGLQWKHÀOP¾ After pursuing a lawsuit against =XFNHUEHUJ WKH :LQNOHYRVV WZLQV ZHUH DZDUGHG DURXQG PLOOLRQ in damages and went on to repreVHQW WKH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV DW WKH Summer Olympics.
No beans on toast as pukka grub to serve healthy change Vicky Napier &HOHEULW\FKHI-DPLH2OLYHULVPDN LQJKLVZD\WR7\QHVLGHWRVHUYHXS FKDQJH DQG JHW NLGV WR VWDUW HDWLQJ KHDOWK\ IRRG 7KH SURMHFW 0LQLVWU\ RI)RRGKDVEHHQEURXJKWWR7\QH side by East End Health who aim to WDFNOH KHDOWK LQHTXDOLWLHV E\ ZRUN ing with vulnerable and disadvanWDJHGJURXSV7KHJURXSKDVDOUHDG\ set up a Food Growing Academy in partnership with Newcastle University, which provides every child in WKH(DVW(QGZLWKIUHHPLONDQGIUXLW everyday. 7KH GLUHFWRU RI WKH SURJUDPPH -DPLH 6DGOHU VDLG ´7KH SDUWQHU ship between East End Health and the Jamie Oliver Foundation is an amazing opportunity for us to inVSLUH FRPPXQLWLHV WR FRRN DQG HDW ZHOO¾ 2OLYHUSLFNHG1HZFDVWOHDVWKHÀUVW SODFH WR H[SDQG WKH SURMHFW RXWVLGH <RUNVKLUH 7KH VFKHPH ZKLFK GH FODUHG ZDU RQ WKH 7XUNH\ 7ZL]]OHU proved to be hugely successful and transformed the diets and lifestyle of thousands of people by educating them on healthy food and good local produce. ,Q PRWKHUV LQ 5RWKHUDP
Cooking up a storm: Union President Tom Delamere rolls up his sleeves during a healthy eating campaign with Jamie’s Ministry of Food
FDXVHGQDWLRQDORXWUDJHZKHQÀOPHG passing burgers and chips through school gates during the programme Jamie’s School Dinners&RQVHTXHQWO\ hundreds of schools opted to create healthier meals. 5Hà HFWLQJ RQ WKH KHDOWK\ HDW ing campaign Oliver commented: ´:H¡YHDOUHDG\VKRZQLQ<RUNVKLUH that this is hugely successful, cost effective and a practical way to change SHRSOH¡VOLYHVIRUWKHEHWWHU¾ 2OLYHU ODXQFKHG WKH 7\QHVLGH LQL tiative at the St Martin’s Centre in %\NHU ZKHUH KH ZDV MRLQHG E\ OR FDOV ZKR WULHG WKHLU ÀUVW FRRNHU\ class. At the launch event Oliver GHVFULEHGWKHRQJRLQJEHQHÀWVVHHQ IURP WKH PLQLVWU\ SURMHFWV LQ <RUN VKLUHVWDWLQJ ´7KHSHUVRQDOVWRULHV HYHU\ZHHNDUHWUXO\LQVSLULQJZLWK people losing weight, saving money DQG JHWWLQJ UHQHZHG FRQÀGHQFH VLPSO\ E\ NQRZLQJ D IHZ FRRNLQJ VNLOOV¾ &ODVVHV LQ 7\QHVLGH ZLOO EH KHOG RYHU ZHHNV JLYLQJ ORFDOV D chance to learn recipes and try their KDQGDWFRRNLQJIURPIRRGDGYLVRUV One special group will even have the pleasure to be taught by the man KLPVHOI 7KH 0LQLVWU\ RI IRRG VHV sions cost £5 per session; this cost covers ingredients which will pro-
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Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
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Rocky future: bleak job market on the horizon for graduates With many Newcastle University leavers failing to achieve graduate-level employment, Deputy Editor Joshua Shrimpton Dean reports on the growing crisis Continued from front page Courier how her outlook has been forced to change. 6KHVDLG ´0\H[SHFWDWLRQVRIĂ€QGing a job and the reality were very different things. “My degree should have made me more employable within my chosen sector and created a better range of opportunities. However, despite the supposed advantages of this type of course, I still found it challenging to get work. “I am still attempting to secure a full time and permanent position with a museum. “Finding a job in today’s economy VHHPV WR JHW PRUH GLIĂ€FXOW DV WLPH goes on. Many of the positions in the heritage sector are lost to government cutbacks. “I feel universities should make it clearer to anyone entering a degree programme just how low employment rates are.â€? In response, Professor Andrew Burton, Deputy Head of the School of Arts and Cultures told The Courier that, despite a lower than average income, graduates of the School still have a vital role to play. He said: “In an area where career paths are very varied and can be less FOHDUO\GHĂ€QHGWKDQLQVRPHVXEMHFW areas, we take graduate employability very seriously. A high percentage of our graduates work in the creative industries; an area where salaries tend to be lower than average. “Many of our graduates are making an important contribution through their work as musicians, visual artists and in museums and galleries and we are very proud of WKH KLJK LQWHUQDWLRQDO SURĂ€OHV RXU students achieve.â€? Far from achieving an internationDO SURĂ€OH UHFHQW &LYLO (QJLQHHULQJ graduate Peter Dixon returned to his home town of Skipton to take
Unemployment rates: how does your School compare? 1st: Historical Studies 13.2% 2nd: Geography, Politics and Sociology 12.5%
up full-time employment in a Morrison’s supermarket after leaving Newcastle with a 2:1 earlier this year. He told The Courier: “I’ve applied for about 35 jobs and had 7 interviews. “I saw myself in graduate employment by now. Successful, happy and with the world at my feet. But now, I’m more realistic. I’m possibly DELWPRUHELWWHU LW¡VGLIĂ€FXOWZKHQ you’ve got ÂŁ26,000 of debt, and that’s just to the government.â€?
In stark contrast, those entering the world of work after completing a course at the School of Medical 6FLHQFHV (GXFDWLRQ 'HYHORSPHQW DUH XQOLNHO\ WR VXIIHU VXFK Ă€QDQcial worries; alumni pocket a hefty ÂŁ60,565 on average, with an unemployment rate of 0 per cent. But students who have not taken the vocational path of almost guaranteed employment will be more familiar with going the extra mile to sell themselves. Jennifer Simpson of Newcastle recruitment consultancy Concept Personnel told The Courier that many graduates of the University need to do more than ever to secure a place with one of the agency’s clients. She said: “We regularly take en-
quiries from graduates, and their SDUHQWVZKRPDUHDJKDVWWKDWDĂ€UVW class degree doesn’t automatically guarantee interviews. Any graduate who thinks that having completed a relevant degree is the only requirement to securing their dream job on a dream salary, is likely to be very disappointed. “Candidates who come to us with an established understanding of the industry in which they hope to work, and some experience in that industry, are always more likely to convince a client of ours that they are a viable option.â€? However, satisfying demanding recruitment consultants is not the only concern students have. Many are not content with the information that was available to them at the start of their studies, leading to the previous government proposing a ‘food-labelling’ system. The intention was to increase transparency by including performance indicators for each degree programme in publications such as university prospectuses. In defending the University’s distribution of the employment data, Nick Keeley, Director of the Careers Service, told The Courier that the '/+(VXUYH\LVFRQVLGHUHGWRSDLQW D UHĂ HFWLYH SLFWXUH RI JUDGXDWHV¡ prospects, albeit with some limitations. He said: “Most universities do make such information freely accessible on their websites – we certainly do – based on the only really valid information available to universities, which shows what their students are doing six months after graduating. “Unfortunately, for some degrees, particularly, some arts and humanities courses, a six month statistic is not the best indicator of what graduates are likely to be doing, say, three years down the line.â€?
3rd: Architecture Planning & Landscape 11.2% =4th: Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials 10.9% =4th: Mathematics & Statistics
10.9% 6th: Agriculture, Food & Rural Development 10.8% 7th: Civil Engineering & Geosciences 9.8% 8th: Natural Sciences
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9.6% 9th: Linguistics 9.5% 10th: Psychology 9.4% 11th: Marine Science & Technology 8.8%
12th: Biology 8.0% 13th: Business 7.7% 14th: Joint Honours (SAgE) 6.4% 15th: Arts & Cultures 5.9%
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
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News
Ministers suggest tuition fees may be capped Rose Akehurst
Armed with high quality degrees, it’s still tough Bethan Brown Commentary
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16th: Education, Communication & Language Sciences 5.2% 17th: Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering 4.5%
18th: Cell & Molecular Biosciences 4.4% 19th: Computing Science 4.3% 20th: Mechanical & Systems Engineering 3.3%
efore I even came to university, I had a basic idea of what I hope ZRXOGEHWKHEHQHÀWV and outcomes of having gone through higher education. Studying English Literature, I either want to go into journalism or teaching. Few people would spend such a lot of time and money on a degree that is purely for the sake of a degree, and that is why the statistics for unemployment rates have been so alarming. Of course employment statistics are going to be an issue in the current economic climate, but it seems that even when armed with high quality degrees, it is still difÀFXOWWREHFRPHHPSOR\HG I spoke to Tarren Smarr, who is currently studying at Newcastle for a PhD. Initially, Tarren studied for a combined degree in Criminology and Psychology in America and then studied a masters in Law. It seems that such an array of
21st: Dental Sciences 3.0% 22nd: Modern Languages 2.5% 23rd: Medical Sciences Faculty 2IÂżFH 1.4% 24th: Law School
TXDOLÀFDWLRQVMXVWGLGQRWFXWLW Tarren told me how she tried to get a job in government, but was deemed under-experienced, even LIVXLWDEO\TXDOLÀHG$IWHUDSSO\ing for a job in the police, she was told that in fact, she was overTXDOLÀHGDQGZRXOGQRWEHWDNHQ on because of the cost of employLQJVRPHRQHZLWKVXFKTXDOLÀFDWLRQV7DUUHQÀQGVKHUVHOILQWKH predicament of being over and XQGHUTXDOLÀHGDOPRVWVLPXOWDQHously. So with the aim of boosting her job prospects she is now studying for a PhD. Tarren isn’t alone; others on her PhD course at Newcastle have experienced similar problems, which is why further study seems like one of the only viable options. If it is any consolation, Nick Keeley, Director of the Careers Service at Newcastle has revealed the university is ranked twelve in the Sunday Times University Guide 2010 in terms of employability rates. However, local optimism should not detract attention from wide scale national pessimism expressed by graduates.
0.9% 25th: Medical Sciences Education Development 0.0%
Debate has gone back and forth in recent weeks regarding the impending budget cuts facing higher education. Nick Clegg has expressed his unease over the idea of unlimited university tuition fees following the suggestion made in Lord Browne’s review. Mr Clegg told BBC One’s Andrew Marr he regretted ditching his preelection commitment to scrapping tuition fees, but it had to be done GXH WR WKH Ă€QDQFLDO VLWXDWLRQ WKH country is in. Students would effectively be making up for the loss of state funding in universities. Although it is now suggested that fees will be capped, the rise will inevitably have a substantial impact on prospective students’ decision on whether higher HGXFDWLRQLVĂ€QDQFLDOO\YLDEOH Speculation around Newcastle is focused on this issue. Second year Combined Honours student Lucy Hallam told The Courier: “Such high fees are only going to encourage elitism; most of the current students I know might not be here were they having to pay ÂŁ12,000 a year.â€? 7KH 8QLYHUVLW\ SUHVV RIĂ€FH SXElished a statement on October 21 stressing the University’s current Ă€QDQFLDOSRVLWLRQLVVXFKWKDWLWFDQ buffer any short-term consequences and plan properly for the long term. The statement argues: “The new landscape will be different, and may EH GLIĂ€FXOW EXW LW ZLOO DOVR SUHVHQW many opportunities. We will continue to provide an outstanding education and student experience, with a dedicated cadre of talented educators and researchers, in a great city, WRWKHEHQHĂ€WRIFLYLOVRFLHW\Âľ However, regardless of the present FRQĂ€GHQFH LQ 1HZFDVWOH¡V FRQVLVWency over fees and education standards, the head of the University’s Labour society, Craig Johnson, is still concerned not only about the future of Newcastle but the entire nation’s higher education system. He told The Courier: “Lord Browne has insisted that lesser privileged students will not be priced out of university. “I’m afraid I must disagree with him. Whilst this money is still available in a loan, the way in which loans are paid back will also change under the proposals, meaning that students pay a greater degree of interest than before. Students will not be immediately priced out, but will be sure to think twice before going to university. “No matter what safeguards are put in place, students from lesser backgrounds will be saddled with debt. I will be, and a lot of other students will be too.â€? Johnson added: “As a Labour member and a proud social democrat, I can’t be anything but pessimistic about this government. The cuts to public spending are the largest in living memory and represent a huge risk to the economy.â€?
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Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
News
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Paul Bandeen has said carpets will be replaced with carpet tiles to reduce costs. Students have paid as much as £530 to replace a carpet at Richardson Road
7KXUVGD\ 2FWREHU VDZ D KHDWHG GHEDWH RQ WKH IXWXUH IXQGLQJ RI KLJKHU HGXFDWLRQ LQ WKH 8QLRQ EXLOGLQJ7KHHYHQWWLWOHG¶7XLWLRQ )HHVDQGWKH%URZQH5HYLHZ²KDYH \RXUVD\·VDZVWURQJO\KHOGRSLQLRQV H[SUHVVHG E\ VSHDNHUV IURP GLIIHUHQWSROLWLFDOEDFNJURXQGV 7KH%URZQH5HYLHZZRXOGVHHWXLWLRQIHHVULVHWRDWOHDVW SHU \HDU DV ZHOO DV FXWV WR HGXFDWLRQ IXQGLQJXSDURXQGSHUFHQWULVLQJWRSHUFHQWIRUVXEMHFWVZKLFK GRQRWIDOOXQGHUWKH¶SULRULW\VXEMHFW· FDWHJRU\ VXFK DV DUWV DQG KXPDQLWLHV 6SHDNLQJ DJDLQVW WKH SURSRVDOV ZHUH 6LPRQ &KLOGV RI 1HZFDVWOH )UHH (GXFDWLRQ 1HWZRUN 1)(1 6WXGHQW :HOIDUH 2IÀ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ÀJXUHV IURP The Economist PDJD]LQH &KDUOHV %DUU\ VDLG WKDW EHFDXVH VWXGHQWV JDLQ WKH PRVW IURP WKHLU HGXFDWLRQ WKH\ VKRXOG EHZLOOLQJWRSD\GHFODULQJ ´7KHUH LVQRVXFKWKLQJDVDIUHHOXQFKµ 'HVFULELQJ KLPVHOI DV D ´FRPSDVVLRQDWH &RQVHUYDWLYHµ +XJR :LVHPDQ LQVLVWHG WKDW KLJKHU IHHV ZRXOG QRW SXW SRRUHU VWXGHQWV RII XQLYHUVLW\EODPLQJLQVWHDGD´ODFN RI DPELWLRQµ DPRQJVW ZRUNLQJ FODVV\RXWKV &RPPHQWV IURP WKH ÁRRU UDLVHG WRXJK TXHVWLRQV IRU ERWK VLGHV VKRZLQJWKDWWKLVUHPDLQVDFRQWURYHUVLDOLVVXHDPRQJVWVWXGHQWV $SXEOLFPHHWLQJDJDLQVWWKHFXWV ZLOO EH KHOG RQ :HGQHVGD\ 1RYHPEHU DW SP LQ /HFWXUH 7KHDWUHRIWKH+HUVKHO%XLOGLQJZLWK VSHDNHUV IURP 1)(1 /DERXU 6WXGHQWV 8&8 DQG 8QLWH 7KHUH LV D 186 QDWLRQDO GHPRQVWUDWLRQ LQ /RQGRQ RQ 1RYHPEHU )RU travel there and back: contact welIDUHXQLRQ#QHZFDVWOHDFXN
8
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
News
&HOOVHFUHWVUHYHDONH\WRZK\ Litigious graduate wins ZRPHQOLYHORQJHUWKDQPHQ GHJUHHUHYLHZ Oliver Savory
Elliot Bentley A leading researcher in Newcastle University’s Institute for Ageing DQG+HDOWKKDVIRXQGVFLHQWLĂ€FHYL dence for why women tend to live longer on average than men. While it is widely known that women live longer than men, the research of leading gerontologist Professor Kirkwood has proven that the female body is far better at keeping the body’s cells alive than the male. Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Professor Kirkwood said the main intention of his research was to answer “why ageing occurs at all, and why we live as long as we doâ€?. His “disposable soma theoryâ€? states that the body is a disposable vehicle for genes that slowly falls apart - and that faults and errors can only be patched up so much before the body metaphorically breaks down and dies. This theory is supported by evidence that longer-lived organisms tend to have better repair mechanisms, maintaining the body for a greater length of time. Recent studies in Japan with “super fe-
Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) NWE offers project based work placements in local companies. Placements are for 100 hours to be ZRUNHGĂ H[LEO\RYHUDPRQWK period, and students are paid a Â…EXUVDU\9LVLW9DFDQFLHV2Q line and select Work Experience, and check the ‘Newcastle Work Experience’ option for details of all opportunites. -RE7LWOH 1HZFDVWOH:RUN([SHUL HQFH:HE'HYHORSHU (PSOR\HU ,6,6$UWV &ORVLQJGDWH 6DODU\ Â…EXUVDU\ %DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ ,PSOHPHQW ing the redesign of our website LQFOXGLQJDGGLQJPRUHPXOWLPH GLDFRQWHQWLQFOXGLQJEORJVYORJV and a discussion forum. Person requirements: Knowledge RIZHEGHVLJQGHYHORSPHQW /RFDWLRQ 1HZFDVWOH&LW\&HQWUH -RE7LWOH 1HZFDVWOH:RUN([SHUL ence – Mapping and Research Placement (PSOR\HU 7LQ$UWV &ORVLQJGDWH 6DODU\ Â…EXUVDU\ %DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ 7RXQGHU take research and prepare a report DERXWWKHFXUUHQWOHYHOVRIDUWVDQG FXOWXUHDFWLYLW\IRUSHRSOHZLWK DOHDUQLQJGLVDELOLW\DFURVVWKH North East Person requirements: You should be familiar with research tools that enable mapping work to be undertaken /RFDWLRQ 1HZFDVWOHXSRQ7\QH 'XUKDP
maleâ€? mice, whose parents are both female, lived a third longer than regular females. Neutered cats and dogs often live longer than normal males. Writing in 6FLHQWLĂ€F $PHULFDQ recently, Professor Kirkwood explained this phenomenon as a result of natural selection. “In humans, as in most animal species, the state of the female body is very important for the success of reproduction. The foetus needs to grow inside the mother’s womb, and the infant needs to suckle at her breast. “So if the female animal’s body is too much weakened by damage, there is a real threat to her chances of making healthy offspring. The man’s reproductive role, on the other hand, is less directly dependent on his continued good health.â€? Speaking exclusively to The Courier, Professor Kirkwood stated that the implications of such knowledge was “very important in societyâ€?, giving an example of the “paradoxicalâ€? fact that women retire earlier than men, yet live longer. However, he also suggested that it was impor-
-RE7LWOH 1HZFDVWOH:RUN([SHUL HQFH²(3RUWIROLR&RRUGLQDWRU (PSOR\HU 1HZFDVWOH8QLYHUVLW\ &ORVLQJGDWH 6DODU\ …EXUVDU\ Basic job description: To promote, GHYHORSDQGHYDOXDWHWKHXVHRI HSRUWIROLRZLWKVWDIIDQGVWXGHQWV LQWKH8QLYHUVLW\ Person requirements: Excellent ZULWWHQDQGYHUEDOFRPPXQLFDWLRQ VNLOOVWKHDELOLW\WRDVVLPLODWHDQG HYDOXDWHDODUJHDPRXQWRILQIRU PDWLRQTXLFNO\ /RFDWLRQ 1HZFDVWOH8QLYHUVLW\ Campus -RE7LWOH 1HZFDVWOH:RUN([SHUL HQFH0DUNHWLQJ,QLWLDWLYH (PSOR\HU *HGDQNHQ &ORVLQJGDWH 6DODU\ …EXUVDU\ %DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ 7RLPSOH PHQWDPDUNHWLQJSODQFXUUHQWO\ XQGHUGHYHORSPHQW Person requirements: Marketing DQGLQWHUQHWPDUNHWLQJNQRZO edge. /RFDWLRQ 6XQGHUODQG -RE7LWOH 1HZFDVWOH:RUN([SHUL HQFH²0DUNHWLQJ'HYHORSPHQW (PSOR\HU 'DWDWURQ &ORVLQJGDWH 6DODU\ …EXUVDU\ %DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ 5HYLHZRI FXUUHQWPDUNHWLQJDFWLYLW\DQG GHYHORSLQJDPDUNHWLQJVWUDWHJ\ IRUWKHFRPLQJ\HDU 3HUVRQUHTXLUHPHQWV $QDFDGHPLF EDFNJURXQGLQEXVLQHVVRUPDU keting would be ideal. /RFDWLRQ 1RUWK6KLHOGV 3$577,0(9$&$1&,(6 -RE7LWOH &KULVWPDV6DOHV$VVRFL
tant not to let the research tell us how to run a society. Professor Kirkwood went on to praise Newcastle University for being “one of the leading efforts in the world�. Regarding his future research, he said: “I’m working on understanding the very complicated process of ageing, as well as how people age.� His current work involves the Newcastle 85+ study, of which he said: “We began this in 2006 by approaching everyone born in 1921 in Newcastle and Tyneside, and we’re learning some really remarkable things.� As for the possibility of humans being genetically programmed to live longer lives, Professor Kirkwood made clear that though theoretically possible, such developments were unlikely to appear within our lifetimes – though he mentioned a short story within one of his own books that explored such issues. “It’s set very far into the future,� he asserted.
ates (PSOR\HU 7KRPDV3LQN )HQ wicks) &ORVLQJGDWH 2QJRLQJ 6DODU\ 0HHWV10: &RPSHWLWLYH
%DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ &RPSDQ\ DUHORRNLQJIRUFRQĂ€GHQWZHOOSUH VHQWHGLQGLYLGXDOVZKRKDYHUHWDLO experience from within high end, OX[XU\UHWDLOEUDQGVDVZHOODV H[FHOOHQWFXVWRPHUVHUYLFHVNLOOV Location: Newcastle -RE7LWOH &KULVWPDV6DOHV$VVLVW ants (PSOR\HU *6WDU5DZ &ORVLQJGDWH 6DODU\ 0HHWV10: %DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ 7HPSRUDU\ 6DOHV$VVLVWDQWVWRDVVLVWZLWK VDOHVDQGVWRUHPDLQWHQDQFHRYHU the Christmas period /RFDWLRQ 1HZFDVWOH&LW\&HQWUH -RE7LWOH &KULVWPDV6DOHV$VVLVW ants (PSOR\HU 7KH%RG\6KRS &ORVLQJGDWH 2QJRLQJ 6DODU\ 0HHWV10: %DVLFMREGHVFULSWLRQ 'XWLHVZLOO include using the cash register, VHUYLQJFXVWRPHUVUHVWRFNLQJ PHUFKDQGLVHDQGGHOLYHULQJH[FHO OHQWFXVWRPHUVHUYLFH /RFDWLRQ 1HZFDVWOH&LW\&HQWUH Job Title: Bilingual Advertising and Communications Assistant (PSOR\HU Kelly Services Closing date: 30/11/2010 6DODU\ ÂŁ12,500 pro rata Basic job description: Translation UROHVIRUSHRSOHZKRDUHĂ XHQWLQ Swedish, Norwegian and Danish respectively. Location: Newcastle City Centre
A Belfast graduate who took his university to court to have his 2:2 raised WRD LVWRKDYHKLVGHJUHHFODVVLĂ€ cation reviewed. Andrew Croskery, Queens University Belfast, argued that he would have obtained the 0.5% he needed to get a 2:1 had he received better tuition. The University had refused his right to appeal on the basis that Mr Croskery had already graduated, prompting him to challenge the decision in court. The judge has adjourned the case for three weeks to allow Queens to review the case. A further challenge may also be brought to a Central Students Appeal committee.
´2IIHQVLYHÂľ86 Ă DJFRQĂ€VFDWHGE\ police University of East Anglia’s newly created American Studies SociHW\ ZHUH HQMR\LQJ WKHLU Ă€UVW VRFLDO when the 60-strong group were apSURDFKHGE\DSROLFHRIĂ€FHU'DQLHO *OD]HEURRN WKH Ă DJ EHDUHU ZDV DVNHG´:KDW¡VZLWKWKHĂ DJWKHQ"Âľ He explained that it was to prevent people from getting lost, but the RIĂ€FHU FRQĂ€VFDWHG WKH Ă DJ RQ WKH grounds that “it could cause offence to peopleâ€?. 7KHRIĂ€FHULQTXHVWLRQWKHQIDLOHG WRĂ€OOLQWKHUHOHYDQWIRUPVPHDQLQJ that the Society had to wait a whole week before they could claim the Ă DJEDFN
6SHFXODWLRQ &DPEULGJHPD\JR SULYDWH Speaking to The Sunday Times, Barry
Sheerman, Labour MP and former chairman of the Commons Education Select Committee said: “I was told by Cambridge that they may privatise themselves because they are so aggrieved by the cuts and Lord Browne’s proposals.â€? Privatisation would mean the University would lose all government funding and that students would no longer be able to claim student loans. +RZHYHU DQ RIĂ€FLDO VWDWHPHQW from Cambridge said: “The University has no position on these matters [until] it has seen the Government’s formal response to the Browne Review.â€?
5DSHÀOPVWXGHQW jailed A former student of Coventry UniYHUVLW\ KDV EHHQ MDLOHG DIWHU ÀOP ing himself raping an unconscious woman and sexually molesting two others. Timothy Faulkner, 25, plied his victims - all students at Coventry University - with alcohol before inviting them to stay overnight in two DGGUHVVHVWKDWKHKDGÀWWHGRXWZLWK cameras. Two of the victims appeared to be in a deep sleep and one woke up to ÀQG)DXONQHUUDSLQJKHU7KHMXGJH found him guilty of one count of rape and four counts of sexual assault. He will only be released if deemed no longer a threat to women.
8QIDLU SHQDOW\ IRU HDUO\ VWXGHQW ORDQ UHSD\PHQW Graduates who wish to avoid decades of debt could be hit with mortgage-style redemption penalties, The Telegraph reports. These fees, likely to run into the thousands of pounds, will also apply to parents who decide to pay fees upfront. Vince Cable, business secretary, said: “There is an issue with graduates who go on to very high-earning jobs and who therefore pay off [student loans] very quickly.� These fees come under plans to make the new
PrRIHVVRUEODVWVFRVWO\ SDWLHQWVZLWKGLUW\WHHWK Olivia Marie Viveiros The Head of the Dentistry School at Newcastle University, Professor Jimmy Steele, protested against expensive dental treatments being provided to patients with poor oral hygiene. Steele argues that root and canal procedures should not be offered to patients who have previously been warned about their deteriorating dental health. Steele, who is also the Professor of Oral Health Services Research at Newcastle University, is currently working on a review of the dentistry contract. Speaking to The Courier, he said: “It is important that the National Health Service is about health, so making sure that the mouth is healthy before making decisions about complicated and expensive treatments is just good common sense. In most cases it does not take much to reduce the risk of damage to your teeth so I think it is reason-
able to expect this of patients. It is in the patient’s interest as well as the taxpayer.� A spokeswoman for the Department of Health argued it was at the discretion of individual practices to decide what treatments will be used and how effective they will be. She said: “As set out in the White Paper, we intend to bring in a new dental contract based on registration, capitation and quantity. Our aim is to improve oral health for adults and children as well as increase access to NHS dental services. A national steering group has been set up to drive this work forward, with the aim of publishing the pilot proposals by the end of the year. “We are not committed to all of the recommendations in Professor Jimmy Steele’s 2009 report, but we are delighted that Professor Steele has agreed to assist us in developing the pilot proposals.�
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THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
What will the Tea Party movement mean for the USA? Comment Editors: Laura Heads and Danny Kielty- courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk
> Page 11
French strikers begin the battle for the right to retire Danny Kielty Comment Editor
Whether it be over wages, hours or simply the thickness of brioche, it is pretty much a cast iron certainty that the French have had a strike over it. Great Britain has gestured at mass unrest over the years with the General Strike in 1926 and the Thatcher bashing of the 1980s, but in France outpourings of mass social upheaval are about as numerous as arrogant waiters in Paris. The latest grievance to sweep the people stems from the French government’s plans to raise the retirement age to 62, the pension age to 67 and at least 40.5 years of social security contributions in order to qualify to receive it. On the one hand lie the Unions, who say that retiring at 60 – the current retirement age - is a “social right�; and on the other, is the government who say that it simply cannot afford to continue paying an ageing population on the current scale. Whilst our friends across the channel battle and barter over the future of the older generation, what will the future hold for our own mothers and fathers as their retirement nears? George Osborne’s plans to bring forward the raising of the pension age from 65 to 66 in 2018 mean this dilemma may soon come closer than Calais. Among the strikers in France is an incredibly wide social milieu: train drivers, postal workers, teachers and rubbish collectors; which, aside
You, The Courier Bethany Sissons, third year English Lit student reviews the last edition
L
ast week’s issue of The Courier was entertaining, informative and the front page story caught my eye. Simon Hales’ mother communicated an important and moving message to students about the dangers of binge drinking. The rest of the News section announced all the campus news and kept us up to date with Osborne’s announcement. Comment was great with a mix of light and more serious issues. I particularly like Yes/No; last week’s topic of tuition fees got everyone talking. Life and Style’s feature on social networking was relevant and interesting. Blind Date is my guilty pleasure and the fact that Sophie and Jack got on made me smile! Culture brought us numerous star interviews, including Fearne Cotton and Zane Lowe, and after reading
Strikers in France say that government plans to increase the retirement age is destroying the “social right� of stopping work at 60
face the increasingly prevalent spectre of unemployment, as well as ageism, in the workplace. For those no longer wanting to work, there is the rather humiliating experience of having their entire working lives reduced to a statistic on a spreadsheet in a battered red briefcase. Nobody can deny that as people live for longer they will inevitably have to work longer. But I think that JRYHUQPHQWV EH WKH\ LQ )UDQFH Britain or the rest of Europe) need WR VWDUW WKLQNLQJ IDU PRUH à H[ ibly about retirement than simple age boundaries. Ask yourself who would be the more inclined to retire earlier between a manual labourer and a middle-class banker? Then consider whether it is right to dictate to someone when they should stop working? A phrase constantly darted at older job applicants is: ´6RUU\\RX¡UHRYHUTXDOLÀHG¾:KDW LVQHHGHGLVDà H[LEOHV\VWHPZKLFK involves a certain amount of choice for those who do or do not want to carry on working. It remains to be seen what the social effects of working for longer will be on Europe. When all is said and done I think that people will need to come to terms with the fact that our working lives are going to get longer. I think that the more important issue, that in many ways transcends the feelings of many of the strikers in France, is that at the moment, older employees and employer’s respect for them, just does not tally. Society will need to quickly shake off the stereotype that being above the age of 60 is synonymous with incapability. The French meanwhile may just have to re-storm the Bastille to get their way this time.
IURP DQ\WKLQJ HOVH UHĂ HFW WKH IDFW that this issue really does affect everyone in society. Ageing is inevitable for us all. Aside from the endlessly UHJXUJLWDWHGFOLFKpVRQWKHĂ€QDQFLDO crisis, there is certainly a strand of rationality behind the proposals. We in the Western world are living for longer and longer, with ever improving medical care ensuring we remain functional right into our twiOLJKW\HDUV8QLRQRIĂ€FLDOVLQ)UDQFH have estimated that the numbers
of strikers has reached 3.5 million, which clearly is evidence that a lot of people don’t necessarily agree that being able to work for longer means that you should. However, it concerns me that the term “social rightâ€? that these strikers stand behind is at best empty rhetoric, and at worst, a failure to understand the complicated nature of the issue. Whilst I agree that people should not be forced to work longer on purely economic MXVWLĂ€FDWLRQV WKRXJK WKH\ VKRXOG
Film I’m certain that I should go to see The Social Network. Tweets of the week are what I always turn to in TV and Radio! The features in Sport were brilliant to read alongside the match reports. The banter between the Sunderland and Newcastle fans was great to read over a cuppa! However, my best bit has to be Arts; as a theatre lover last week’s section told me everything I needed to know about the shows and exhibitions in Newcastle.
Skirt-ing the edge of reason
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THE
C OU RI ER ‘Don’t think that you’re invincible’ NEWCASTLE STUDENTS THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF
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uk 25 2010 www.thecourieronline.co. Issue 1215 Monday October
ordinary Simon Hales was just like any other one booze student enjoying university, until . fuelled night changed his life forever News, pages 4 and 5
Finola Gibson
A large majority of British tourists would openly admit that holidaying on the beach is about sunbathing scantily clad and watching others do the same. Both sexes are accountable, with men checking out the talent on show; which, for once, isn’t hidden under woollen jumpers. Women meanwhile, mentally sort the Daniel Craigs from the Jeremy Clarksons. However, in the Italian town of Castellammare di Stabia they are enforcing a ‘nothing too revealing’ policy, including the banning of miniskirts to eliminate the rise in sexual harassment and public indecency in the area. The offenders of these crimes face Ă€QHV RI EHWZHHQ DQG HXURV leaving me wondering what you actually must be doing that is so LQGHFHQW WR EH Ă€QHG KDOI D JUDQG
be given the choice), I also think that an inevitably increasing number of older people in the population will make government spending on pensions more and more unworkable. What we are left with then is a government struggling to pay for a person’s right to retire earlier, and the belief that the time for retirement is not something dictated by how prosperous the economy is. The problem is, that those actively seeking work after breaching the retirement age
Is this scheme really protecting the tourist industry of the area so that it doesn’t become a typical trashy ‘Brits abroad’ holiday, or is the local council taking advantage of tourists? In my opinion, it is the local council that is showing more cheek by inWURGXFLQJ WKHVH QHZ Ă€QHV WKDQ WKH actual tourists. This policy wastes time and money, which as well as banning revealing clothing is getting rid of sunbathing and playing football on the beach. There are already laws that deal with overexposure and unruly behaviour, meaning this scheme is only different because it charges money per-inch of thigh you show. This seaside town appears to have EHHQLQĂ XHQFHGE\&DWKROLFGRJPD from the Vatican, where it is understandable that mini skirts and swearing are banned due to centuries of strict Catholic tradition. ,WKLQNLIWKHVHĂ€QHVFRPHLQWRSODFH it would be somewhat hypocritical of the Italians, since their Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi, is hardly a prude. Admissions of calling late night sex lines and his appointment
of the former topless model Maria Cafagne as his minister for Equal Opportunities, provide ample testament to that. The majority of tourists are not
“The majority of tourists are not looking to be loutish or exhibitionistsâ€? looking to be loutish or exhibitionists, but enjoy wearing fewer clothes than they can get away with at home. If they do impose the policy, it will be counterproductive to the town as tourists will stop going since it is fundamental for many people’s beach holidays to be able to actually sunbathe. 0D\EH WKH\ VKRXOG ORRN WR Ă€QH SHRSOHWKDWĂ€QG\HDUROGVZHDU ing miniskirts too sexually appealing, than the pasty female tourist who is just trying to tan her pale white legs.
10
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Comment
Are George Osborne’s budget cuts good for the country? Yes Pamela Mardle
The outcry caused by George Osborne’s “reckless gambleâ€? concerning the Spending Review has been hysterical. Nearly half a million jobs cut, longer to wait until our penVLRQVOHVVEHQHĂ€WVDQG´PDNLQJWKH poor poorerâ€? have caused public uproar from both sides of the camp. So many of the hardworking public will be negatively affected - not least us, the future generation of business and innovation (which, it seems, will no longer exist if this is to carry on). It needs to be addressed that the cuts are – although extremely harsh - a completely necessary move if we are to welcome in an economic uplift. If it weren’t compulsory, then why would our government go so far by threatening our wellbeing and shattering the peace? The consequences of the cuts may be catastrophic for some, but this cruel truth is a stark indicator that the move is absolutely essential. As hard as it is to believe in this fog of uncertainty and panic, politics is for the people, not against us. It is a sour dose of reality that life sometimes is truly unjust. Those with lower incomes are raging at their relative deprivation in comparison to the upper classes, and the wealthier brackets are quick WRMXGJHWKRVHRQEHQHĂ€WVIRUÂśVSRQJ ing off the state’.
7KHÀQJHURIEODPHFDQEHSRLQWHG aggressively at the previous generation with their apparently excessive lifestyles, but none of this futile name calling will solve any of the GHÀFLW It is easy to turn to each other and pull out our pitchforks looking for someone to scapegoat in this situation, but what good will it do? Everyone can relate to a time where they felt hard done by equally as much as they can remember a time of living to relative excess. We are all guilty of spending and taking DGYDQWDJHRIVHUYLFHVDQGEHQHÀWV This debt is just like any other; used for times of need and also pleasure, sadly it one day needs to be repaid. Our families, colleagues, friends and acquaintances have all drained the budget at some point or another, DQGWKHGD\KDVFRPHIRUXVWRÀOOLW back up to retain the nobility that is our Britain. It probably is easier to say this before graduation and entering the real world, where jobs are barren and no loan companies can guarantee to help out; however, this is a time for support and solidarity, not criminalising each other for our respective successes or failures. I cannot accurately predict the outcome of these controversial decisions, as much as George Osborne himself cannot, which is why I agree with IFS’ Carl Emmerson that the cuts should be reviewed with respect to their success in two years’ time. :HPD\ÀQDOO\VHHDFKDQJHLQWKH economic trends and can loosen the reins accordingly. Until then, our nation faces an extremely bumpy ride ahead. We should take a hint from the people of the Blitz and pull through this united: a talent that Britons should be proud to exhibit.
No Simon Murphy
Harold Macmillan once famously said that the British public had “never had it so goodâ€?. It might be fair to now say the electorate has never had it so bad. The coalition is about to embark on a parade of public sector cuts, the like of which have never been seen in living memory – some ÂŁ81 billion is to be slashed. The coalition argues the current economic situation in purely pragmatic, administrative terms. The country is in debt; to clear the debt
cuts must be made. The Tories are driven by a libertarian ideology that presupposes everyone in society has an equal chance to rise to the top. It’s a philosophy that says if you’re at the bottom of the pile, it’s your fault. That ideology seems to be implicit in what the coalition is doing – rolling back the redistributive role of the state. If there really were no impediments on opportunity – like race, gender and class – then maybe, just maybe it might be fair to let everyone go it alone. The truth is that society is ripe with advantage for some, disadvantage for others. That’s why there needs to be provisions in place to help iron out inequalities. Provisions like incapacity EHQHÀW KRXVLQJ EHQHÀW DQG FKLOG EHQHÀW ² DOO RI ZKLFK KDYH EHHQ hacked away at in the Comprehensive Spending Review.
Feeling the cut: George Osborne’s radical cuts have stirred up the nation’s opinions
Cuts to the welfare state are regressive in the sense that the poorest members of society will pay for the ills of the richest. If the books need to be balanced, then the prosperous should foot the ELOO7D[ULVHVIRUWKHULFKQRWEHQHÀW cuts for the poor. Society needs to be a place where people feel their views are valued and heard. Each person is worth the same as the next – the coalition has forgotten that. The Tories judge worth in terms of success; for them, success is the golden ticket. If you’re successful – if you’ve got money – then you can join the club. Just look at the cabinet, full to the brim with millionaires. How well placed are they to accurately represent the interests of the average man or woman? Individuals are the best guardians of their own interests, not politicians. The Tories have no mandate to make these cuts – they are being propped up by the Liberal Democrats, who appear to be no more than bag carriers in the relationship. People feel alienated by the coalition. This is how Jimmy Reid once GHÀQHG DOLHQDWLRQ ´,W LV WKH FU\ RI men who feel themselves the victims of blind economic forces beyond their control. It is the feeling of despair and hopelessness that pervades people who feel with jusWLÀFDWLRQWKDWWKH\KDYHQRUHDOVD\ in shaping or determining their own destinies.� More than half a million public sector workers will lose their jobs during the swathe of cuts, families will be left to scrape the barrel and the coalition are actually cheering this news from the government benches. They are gambling with people’s livelihoods and the odds are it won’t work – another recession looms.
The burning issue: will cannabis be made legal in California? Helen Culley
If the phrase “Proposition 19â€? doesn’t mean anything to you at the moment, by the end of the week it almost certainly will. This ominous sounding proposal refers to a revolutionary act in the US: the legalisation of recreational cannabis use. A ballot, due to take place on November 2 2010 in California, will decide whether citizens of the state will be able to legally use and grow cannabis. Although several other states in the US - including Hawaii and Washington - allow cannabis to be used medicinally, California would EHWKHĂ€UVWVWDWHZKHUHWKHSRSXODFH will need no prescription and therefore no excuse to smoke the drug. The famously liberal state could prospectively allow its inhabitants to smoke the substance in their homes or licensed venues, consequence-free. But what of speculation that cannabis is a gateway drug? That casual weed smoking can easily lead on to “harderâ€? drugs as users crave a more intense hit? Worrying in theory, but if we are to look at Amsterdam, a city that pioneers the recreational use of the substance, it’s clear that this isn’t the case. Although the city embraces canna-
bis use, age restrictions are imposed as well as keeping the use of the drug in designated areas. This culture of acceptance and responsibility ensures that cannabis XVH LV YLHZHG DV D IDLUO\ LQVLJQLÀ cant part of Dutch life. There is also a zero-tolerance policy on all hard drugs. So, what of the physical and mental implications of using the drug? Although the anti-weed brigade would have us believe that one puff of cannabis will turn any respectable citizen into a shaking mass of gluttonous paranoia (think of the recent Talk To Frank adverts) this is fairly improbable. Although the government seems keen to emphasise the evils of canQDELV H[LVWLQJ VFLHQWLÀF SURRI GRHV seem to refute this. The active compound in the drug, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has no effect on the brain stem, the area of the brain that regulates cardiac and respiratory functions. Therefore, the drug can’t be lifethreatening, even if a large amount is consumed at one time. Comparatively, alcohol - which is more readily available than ever - is a depressant of the central nervous system, causing loss of consciousness and even death if acute alcohol intoxication occurs. Contrary to the image portrayed in the media, the drug has many provHQEHQHÀFLDOHIIHFWVZKHQXVHGPH dicinally. As well as pain relief and
appetite stimulation in cancer/AIDs patients, THC has also been used to treat glaucoma and multiple sclerosis. Research even suggests that it may have a role in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. However, for reasons unknown, governments across the world, including the UK’s, seem reluctant to acknowledge the relative harmlessness of cannabis. P. HUGHES
A point of view that was conÀUPHG ZKHQ HVWHHPHG %ULWLVK QHX ropsychopharmacologist Professor David Nutt was dismissed from his position as a government advisor in July 2009, after downplaying the illeffects of cannabis use. In a lecture given by Professor Nutt at King’s College London last year, he outlined his view that current government guidelines regarding GUXJ FODVVLÀFDWLRQ ZHUH LQFRUUHFW and that physiologically speaking, cannabis was less harmful than alcohol and tobacco.
“Although the government seems keen to emphasise the evils of cannabis, H[LVWLQJVFLHQWLĂ€F proof does seem to refute thisâ€? The uproar that followed this disclosure, (which led to the resignation of several of Nutt’s colleagues) seems to suggest that the motivation for the criminalisation of the drug is solely politically motivated. But why is this the case? Apart from the apparent lack of individual physical harm that legalisation would cause, there is also evidence to suggest that if the drug was to be
regulated and taxed, it could have a positive effect on society. Millions of dollars each year are spent trying and failing to prevent the use of cannabis in the US, in addition to attempting to stem the inà RZ RI WKH GUXJ IURP 0H[LFR WKH amount of revenue that could be generated from taxing the drug remains a massive untapped source. Findings listed in Proposition 19 suggest that approximately one third of the US population have at some point in their lives tried cannabis, with a staggering 15 million believed to have used the drug in the past month. If taxes similar to those imposed on alcohol were to be used in relation to cannabis, the state of California, for example, would be able to vastly reduce its billion dollar EXGJHWGHÀFLW Regardless of the outcome of the ballot, this proposition irrefutably suggests one thing – attitudes are changing. And it won’t hurt cannabis advocates to remember that, like it or not, where America leads, Britain follows.
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THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
11
Comment
Dumbo, the donkey and the guests at the American Tea Party
Mind your manners Katy Covell Columnist
J. WHITTAKER
Laura Heads Comment Editor
Not many people expected the American Tea Party to take the reigns of American politics in quite the way they have, indeed I don’t even think the Democrat or Republican Party’s themselves even expected it. As a grass roots party, the Tea Party has successfully managed to attract Republican Party members and even the now infamous ‘barUDFXGD¡6DUDK3DOLQDVLWVXQRIĂ€FLDO Presidential candidate for the 2012 election. Its sponsored candidates did an undoubtedly phenomenal job at knocking the all too comfortable
Democratic and Republican senators RIIWKHLUSHUFKHVDQGRQWRWKHĂ RRU leaving them wondering exactly what it was that they did wrong. They have, however, recently opened up a debate they will potentially regret in a little saloon bar in Las Vegas. It does go a long way to show the extent of the issues that the Tea Party are willing to address, and the extremist views they will use to attract their ever increasing numbers of supporters. Joe Arpaio, ‘America’s Toughest Sherrif’ from Maricopa County, Arizona, started off his ominous speech with the words, “I have the solution, but nobody wants to listen to me.â€? That in itself is worrying; surely there has to be a reason nobody is listening to you Joe? Indeed, his ‘solution’ that nobody was listening to, involves rounding up largely Hispanic workers in fac-
WRULHVDQGIDUPVĂ€OWHULQJWKRVHZKR lack the all important documents from those who don’t, and then placing the offenders into makeshift tent prisons, before deporting them back to where they came from. I’m not going to lie, but it is no wonder a culturally diverse country such as America isn’t listening to \RX -RH \RX GHĂ€QLWHO\ NQRZ KRZ to alienate a lot of the American public. Arpaio is, naturally, being investigated by the Federal government over his extreme views; but despite this he takes it all in his stride, claiming that “Every time they come after me my polls go higherâ€?. The somewhat strange and slightly concerning thing about this is that it is probably very, very true. You only need to look at the dramatic rise in the unseating of the major candidates in the so called duopoly
American political system, and the growing support across the States for the emerging party. Not only has the immigration scandal surrounding Hispanics materialized recently, but it has also emerged that the founder of the Tea Party, Judson Phillips, has called for a Muslim Free Congress. Can this party really get any more extreme? It does beg the question as to whether things really are that bad in the United States that the American citizens feel they need to support these types of parties. What’s even more worrying is the fact that British parties are now getting advice from the Tea Party, hoping that by using their tactics, the British public will rise up as much as the Americans. Somehow I feel this may be doubtful; we are, no offence to the Americans, a totally different breed of people.
:LOOFKLOGEHQHĂ€WFKDQJHVOHDYHPRWKHUVEHWWHURII" Katie Hicks
A move from Income Support to Job Seeker’s Allowance is to be brought in for single parents, the government have said. Any single parent in England, Scotland or Wales with their youngest child over seven will have to prove they are looking for a job to receive EHQHÀWSD\PHQWV 7KLV PD\ DW ÀUVW JODQFH VHHP shocking; a single parent doesn’t have time for a job, surely? But I do have to ask myself what else they are doing all day if their youngest child is now at junior school.
The jobs are only required to be 16 hours a week, which works out at three hours a day; hardly taxing. This required time is also only during school hours, therefore extra childcare, in theory, isn’t an issue. Surely it’s much better to set an example for our future generations as well? Parents who work hard and want a career, are showing their offspring how real society works; jobs pay bills and make the world go round. It is worth a mention that this new guideline will not affect disabled families. With one parent in part time employment or two in full time, I fail to see the difference. With two working parents, as I and many of my friends have, the strain put on chores, meals and the like is surely the same? It is not the number of parents that a child has, but their availability.
With after school clubs and grandparents or friends helping out, surely it makes no difference whether there is one parent or two. Although in principle I agree with this incentive to get a job, putting it LQWR SUDFWLFH PD\ SURYH WR EH GLIÀ cult. The government say they will proYLGH ÀQDQFLDO JUDQWV WUDLQLQJ DQG job application advice for single parents. This may seem like great practical advice from the government; but where are the jobs? In order to get the money, parents must be seen to be applying for jobs. If there are no suitable part time options, does it not seem like parents will be forced to apply for anything, such as evening bar shifts or midnight supermarket work? It’s hard enough for adults to struggle with money - as students we see it every day - eating beans out of
the tin and living off mouldy bread; but for children and those parents trying to pacify them? Rather them than me. Childcare, as I stated previously, ‘in theory’ isn’t an issue, but what about those without a spare few hundred quid or other family to help? If you’re unlucky enough to not have after-school care provided, your allowance is gone before it’s touched your bank account. It seems once again the government have overlooked the practicalities of their ideas. For this scheme to work, jobs need to be more readily available with appropriate hours. This will take years. So although the intentions are good, and future parents may benHĂ€W LW VHHPV WKRVH DIIHFWHG VRRQHU will be suffocated by this new system, increasing the number of children in poverty.
Board the windows and barricade the doors: the BlackBerrys are coming! A little dramatic considering I’m referring to a mobile phone? Perhaps, but I can’t be the only one to think that we’re in the midst of a technological pandemic, unable to move without catching a glimpse of the bizarrely fruit-named handset. I feel that I should issue a disclaimer: this week’s discussion falls into the Marmite vein, so you’re either going to love it or hate it, probably depending on the nature of your phone and whether it is currently quietly residing in your pocket or glued to your hand, ‘pinging’ away. I have previously considered the possibility that my issue with the BlackBerry stems not from a concern for the way in which they seem to be altering our social interactions, but rather from envy; instead of a owning one of these sleek, application packed bad-boys, I’m currently sporting a friend’s old Nokia, which can really only be described as ‘functional’. However, I know this idea to be completely untrue. To be honest, ,¡PUDWKHUDGLIĂ€FXOWSHUVRQDOLW\ , like things until everyone else gets them (Rayban Wayfarers, iPods, plaid shirts). I get frustrated by the fact that though I might have been one of the originals to have worn or supported something, as soon as it becomes popular I just look like another casualty of the everevolving, popular-fashion industry and in-differential from every other girl on the high street. But that’s the funny thing. BlackBerrys were originally the business man’s tool; something that looked ridiculously pretentious in the hands of any young person, with board meeting times about as far from their consciousness as pension planning. Of course it would be wrong to imply that they are anything but invaluable to the banker who needs FRQVWDQWVWRFNXSGDWHVDVWKH\Ă€JKW for a deal, or the A&E doctor who can pop out for lunch reassured by the fact that they can easily be alerted, and for this the communications manufacturers behind these mighty mini-machines deserve a good pat on the back. Most annoyingly, it would seem that real social interaction is taking the back seat to cyber-interaction, which is rather ironic really, as gossip traded or conversations had, are a product of the real world. Of course I am not innocent in being completely incommunicable whilst writing a text, but I do try not to do it whilst interacting face to face with people; I’d never want anyone to think that my phone was more important than them. I reckon you all know someone who’s rubber-cased, trinket adorned telecoms baby gets more attention than you do; third wheeling is never fun, but having to take a back seat to a mobile is just plain rude.
12
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Comment
Letters to the Editor “Out of hand dismissal�
der if you really knew who or what you were talking about.
Dear Editor,
&/<1&+
In response to Kat Bishop’s VoxPop on “The gloves are off: fees review sparks debate across campusâ€? from The Courier Issue 1214. I’m curious why you blame the /LE'HPV VSHFLĂ€FDOO\ &DEOH ZKHQ you know all this has been driven by the Tories, and he’d been trying his damnedest to persuade them to adopt a Graduate Tax. Would you KDYHEODPHG&DEOHLIWKH7RULHVKDG done this as majority government too - no. Put the blame where it lies (Osborne and the Tories) not with those who tried but failed to come up with the alternative both you and he favoured in the circumstances. You also presumably know full well that if the Lib-Dems were in a majority government they would have kept their manifesto promises - as would they I feel sure have done if they were the dominant party in the coalition - especially with dominant numbers like the Tories have QRZ7KH\KDYHWRSLFNWKHLUĂ€JKWV very, very carefully, and be brutal with themselves about which policies they should prioritise. It ain’t called politics for nothing. I felt I had to respond to your comPHQWDV9LQFH&DEOHLVRQHRIWKRVH rare politicians - members of all parties acknowledge - is an extremely principled and capable individual. Your out of hand dismissal of him in particular - given the countless number of other potential targets, far more deserving - makes me won-
'HDU& Whilst we always welcome constructive criticism on any of the issues and content in The Courier, we think that you perhaps focused too heavily on what was just one of many VoxPop comments. Though you are entitled to your opinion on such a divisive issue, the whole point of the VoxPop is to gather as many differing student opinions as possible on a given issue. We would encourage you to use the “Letters to the Editor� space provided in future, instead of contacting anyone who expresses an opinion individually. It would be regrettable if in future students felt unable to speak frankly to The Courier for fear of receiving critical responses to their personal e-mail accounts.
“Endorsing the wearing of real furâ€? Dear Editor, In response to ‘what’s hot/what’s not’ in Life and Style from The Courier Issue 1214. ,¡PQRWVXUHLIWKHDUWLFOHLQWKHĂ€UVW edition of The Courier of the year, which was concerning the ‘what’s hot/what’s not’ was supposed to be
endorsing the wearing of real fur. +RZHYHU,MXVWZDQWHGWRVD\WKDWLW did come across as approving of this horrendously cruel industry (i.e. the mention of “mink�). I really don’t think University articles, or any for that matter should be endorsing real fur wearing of any kind, and it’s a real concern that this is how the article was perceived by me and probably many other readers. It certainly seemed that way to the people I asked about it. Thanks, /67$1/(< Dear L, With hindsight The Courier would like to apologise if the article gave the impression that we endorsed the use of real fur. The feature on fur coats that followed did make plain that it was “faux fur coats� being referred to, but it should have been made clearer in the “what’s hot/what’s not� piece that the term “Fur� was not meant to be taken in the literal sense. We will ensure that the term “faux fur� is applied to every subsequent article or feature in the future.
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Is our fancy dress not so fancy now? Emily Sargent
The news this week featured a tale LQYROYLQJD0D\RUIURP+DUURJDWH DEDGDVVDWWLWXGHDQGD+LWOHUFRV WXPH&RXQFLOORU0LNH*DUGQHUZLOO QRWEHDEOHWRVWDQGDVD&RQVHUYD tive in the next election as a consequence of his ill-advised choices. +HDWKHU $GGHUOH\ FKDLUPDQ RI WKH ORFDO&RQVHUYDWLYH$VVRFLDWLRQVWDW ed: “To dress up as he did is totally unacceptable and we condemn itâ€?. Gardner claimed that the leaking of the photo must have been a smear campaign orchestrated by an opponent. A debatable theory to say the least. I do feel a little bad for him however, and I am a bit sick of increasingly getting the impression that we are losing our sense of both rationality and humour. The main point here I think is that he was off duty, and at a fancy dress party. The theme of the party, Gardner stated, was: “To depict the year in which you were bornâ€?. If the theme had been ‘People whose moral principles I rigidly adhere to and whose unrealised ambitions I would like personally to complete in their KRQRXU¡WKHQWKHRXWĂ€WPLJKWKDYH suggested more cause for concern; but as far as I know, it was not. In the same fortnight, a TV preVHQWHU IURP 1HZ =HDODQG KDV UH signed after complaints of racist remarks generated by his making fun
of a woman’s name (Sheila Dikshit), WKHFKLHIPLQLVWHURI1HZ'HOKL I was actually surprised to read two such pieces in close succession to one another, simply because those in the spotlight have had to be incredibly careful in light of the Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross saga. Don’t get me wrong, I would not encourage anything but respect towards other individuals, I simply get frustrated at those who jump on bandwagon without all of the relevant information. If you want to protest, don’t be so OD]\ DERXW LW ÀQG VRPHWKLQJ WKDW actually interests you. Only two complaints were made by the public after Brand and Ross’ original broadcast – the rest followed press coverage the next day. It was a stupid thing to do, yes, but I can’t stand this bandwagon culture. ,QOLJKWRI+DOORZHHQDQGLQHYLWD ble dressing up, I wonder whether anyone will have taken a controversial spin on the night. Thing is, I’ve fancied a ginger mohawk for a while, which would be a temptingly inexpensive costume. I don’t think hypersensitivity towards already delicate subjects such as racism is actually doing us any favours in terms of positive progression – we need to strike a balance. ,W EDIà HV PH WKDW ZH¡YH WDNHQ VR long to get to where are now in terms of equality. We need to stop taking ourselves too seriously. So, if you catch a glimpse around campus of the autumn sun bouncing off a freshly shaven ginger mohawk - shocking yet glorious - give me a wave.
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
13
Katie Henry takes a trip to Bulgaria > Travel , page 18 Life & Style Editors: Kat Bishop and Mary Mullarkey - courier.life@ncl.ac.uk
health City Pool: a Turkish delight...
Doctor, Doctor:
After a hectic start to the academic year, Natalie Moore and Natalie Taylor How do I get rid take an afternoon off, and head down to the Turkish Baths at City Pool. of smelly feet?
Newcastle’s own Turkey: The baths stay true to Turkish culture and are a perfect place to relax. The mixture of hot rooms and jacuzzis provides a place to let off steam On a freezing cold Tuesday afternoon, we ventured out to the City Pool, just off Northumberland Street to indulge in a Turkish Bath. With one of our birthdays this week we thought it would be a nice treat, especially with dissertation stress looming. After a quick picnic lunch we arrived in the afternoon eager to try this new experience. On Tuesdays it is ladies day and turning up before 3pm means us students can get in for only £4.60. This includes a free swim followed by a luxury session in the steam room, hot area and jacuzzi. Considering that a swim on its own is £3.05, it’s a pretty good deal! We restrained from running straight to the jacuzzi and did some lengths in the pool to begin with. It was hard not to notice the interesting and prestigious dÊcor that &LW\3RROERDVWVDVFRXQWU\à DJV highlighting various Olympic and commonwealth swimming champions are presented around the room. Now for the exciting part! Before this though, a slightly awkward walk/skip/run through the main reception is needed to get from the pool to the Turkish Bath area, which left us giggling...a towel is
GHÀQLWHO\QHHGHGIRUWKLVELW The lovely staff were very welcoming and showed us around the different areas of the Turkish Bath. A delightful smell wafts in even just walking down the stairs. A menu of hot drinks for £1 and even pot noodles are available if you’re feeling peckish or parched after swimming. We were also shown the icy cold water dispenser, which was free and perfect after sweating it out in the steam room. Trying the steam room had to be done, but whether it’s for you or not, only you can judge! We barely sat down before running out (slightly dramatically!) - it is a weird feeling as you’re almost gasping for breath! Our favourite would have to be the hot area, where there are three different rooms with soaring temperatures between 45 and 70 degrees. We found ourselves some cosy seats as the heat brushed over us. All your worries of work, money and any other stresses drift away as the calmness envelops you. There are also magazines lying around to browse. After being baked in the smoking
hot area, we moved our tranquil minds to the one we had been readily waiting for – yes, the jacuzzi. Both expecting a further experience of intense heat, it came as a surprise that the water was oddly very cool.
“Our favourite bit would have to be the hot area, where there are three different rooms with soaring temperatures between 45 and 70 degrees.â€? After expressing our concerns to the staff, we were soon reassured that moving from hot temperatures to cold actually stimulates the body, which is great for cooling down. $IWHUWKHĂ€UVWÂśEUUU¡UHDFWLRQZH soon settled quite nicely and got chatting to a lovely Geordie lady who couldn’t speak more highly of the place after being a member for forty years. Feeling fatigued but fresh, we moved onto the next step - the relaxation room.
As we entered the grand and exquisite interior, brown leather sofas and modern glass coffee tables reminded us of some sort of posh hotel reception. Wrapped in our towels, we perched ourselves down on the comfy settee with a glass of ice-cold water taking in the surroundings. For those who want to go one step further, a massage is available for an extra £14.40. After pampering ourselves for three wonderful hours, it was time to shower and get back to reality– a far cry from the heaven we’d just been in! The oriental-style changing rooms couldn’t have been more tempting to take a nap in as the large leather sofa looked more like a bed. There is also a separate room to glam up and blow-dry your hair which avoids wasting those 20ps! 5Hà HFWLQJSXUHPRPHQWVRIVHUHQ ity, the Turkish Bath is the place for seriously winding down and granting yourself some TLC that we all crave from time to time – all at a bargain price. Being third year students, I’m sure we will both be taking a trip there again in the very near future.
Smelly feet: a problem associated with either the athletic or fat, uncleanly, balding men. You wouldn’t expect everyday students to suffer with this complaint. However it is a problem not to be sneered at and for many people, it can be extremely embarrassing. Here are a few tips to help relieve DQ\ IXUWKHU PRUWLÀFDWLRQÀUVWO\ denial; if you know you have smelly feet, please avoid taking your shoes off in public places or when you are around lots of people. When your feet sweat, it is your shoes and socks that absorb all that smell, so keep them on until only you are around to stomach the stench. Taking smelly shoes off in a crowded lecture theatre will do you no favours at all! Secondly change your socks and shoes regularly; if you have run out of socks do a wash, the sniff test is not always fool proof. You are much more accustomed to and accepting of your own smell than others! Allow shoes to dry out between washes, and do not keep wearing that same pair of bashed out, festering trainers. You are a student not a tramp. Bathe and clean your feet as much as possible and avoid wearing nylon socks. I’d recommend bamboo cotton or merino wool – these allow your feet to breathe, and actively combat bad smells. Foot deodorants are available to provide a bit of protection. But if you have tried all this and your feet still really reek and/or there has been a persistently bad smell, you could have a fungal infection that will not go away on its own. In this case, swallow your pride and get yourself to the doctor. There really is no excuse for smelly feet, so if this applies to you – sort it out! Olivia Mason
“I’d recommend socks made from merino wool - these allow smelly feet to breathe. “
K. VONG
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Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Life & Style
Life
life Burma: Reporting from a closed country $V%XUPDIDFHVLWVÀUVWGHPRFUDWLFHOHFWLRQLQ\HDUV )UDQ,QIDQWHVSHDNVWRMRXUQDOLVWVDQGDFWLYLVWVZKR GHVSLWHLPSULVRQPHQWDQGWRUWXUHE\WKHLURZQJRYHUQPHQWVWLOOGDUHWRVSHDNRXWIRUIUHHGRPDQGGHPRFUDF\ )RU GHFDGHV WKH FLWL]HQV RI %XUPD KDYHEHHQXQGHUWKHFRQWURORIRQH RI WKH ZRUOG·V PRVW EUXWDO PLOLWDU\ UHJLPHV7KHSHRSOHWKHUHKDYHEHHQ RSSUHVVHGE\LWVUXOHVRWKRURXJKO\ DQG IRU VR ORQJ WKDW PDQ\ VLPSO\ FDQQRW FRPSUHKHQG ZKDW LW FRXOG PHDQ WR EH IUHH $PQHVW\ ,QWHUQDWLRQDO KDV GHVFULEHG WKH KXPDQ ULJKWV YLRODWLRQV E\ WKH %XUPHVH PLOLWDU\ MXQWD DJDLQVW WKHLU RZQ SHRSOHDV´ZLGHVSUHDGDQGV\VWHPDWLFµ 8QGHU WKH UHJLPH WKHUH DUH ODZV DJDLQVW SHDFHIXO GHPRQVWUDWLRQ DQG LQGLYLGXDOV DUH IUHTXHQWO\ DUUHVWHGZLWKRXWZDUUDQWDQGKHOGRQ WUXPSHG XS FKDUJHV -XGLFLDO WULDOV IDOOIDUVKRUWRIWKHPLQLPXPLQWHUQDWLRQDO VWDQGDUGV DQG DV D UHVXOW DUH RIWHQ JURVVO\ XQIDLU 7RUWXUH LV FRPPRQ $JDLQVW WKHVH WHUULI\LQJ SHQDOWLHV LW LV QRW GLIÀ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·WEHKHOSHGPXVWLQVWHDGEH IDFHGZLWKVRPHGHJUHHRIKXPRXU ,QVWDQWO\ , DP LPSUHVVHG E\ KHU FRXUDJH
“Under the regime there are laws against peaceful demonstration and people are frequently arrested without warrant...torture is common” %ULHÁ\VKHRXWOLQHVWKHVWDWXVTXR IRU WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH SRSXODWLRQ RI%XUPDDODQGLQZKLFKVKHVD\V ´WKH SHRSOH DUH VR VFDUHG WKH JRYHUQPHQW PDNHV WKHLU OLYHV VR GLIÀFXOW RQ HYHU\ FRUQHU WKHUH FRXOG EHVRPHRQHZDWFKLQJ\RXDQG\RX IHDUWKHPHYHU\GD\ ´7KHUH LV DOPRVW QR UHFRJQLWLRQ WKDW WKHUH LV DQRWKHU RSWLRQµ VKH
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“Newspapers and journals mostly cover business news, or football and sports news. People cannot write about the current situation in the country, the government censor everything. They even censor the advertising content” 1LWDZDVZKHQVKHZDVDUUHVWHG DIWHUEHLQJDFFXVHGRIDLGLQJIRUHLJQ MRXUQDOLVWV6KHJDYHELUWKWRKHUVRQ ZKLOH VKH ZDV LQ SULVRQ DQG ZDV VHSDUDWHGIURPKLPIRUQLQHPRQWKV DIWHUVKHVHQWKLPDZD\WREHFDUHG IRUE\UHODWLYHVEHFDXVHVKHZDVVR WHUULÀHGRIWKHHIIHFWVSULVRQFRQGLWLRQVZRXOGKDYHRQKLP ´, VDZ VR PDQ\ FKLOGUHQ GLH LQ SULVRQ ,W ZDV KDUG EXW , ZDQWHG GLIIHUHQWIRUP\VRQµVKHVDLGGHÀDQWO\'HÀDQWLVDJRRGZRUGIRUKHU WRR $IWHU EHLQJ UHOHDVHG IURP MDLO XQSHUWXUEHGVKHZHQWVWUDLJKWEDFN WR KHU ROG MRE , ZDV VWDJJHUHG DW KHUEUDYHU\DQGDVNHGKHUZKHWKHU PDQ\RWKHU%XUPHVHVKDUHGKHUDWWLWXGHRULIVKHZDVDVH[FHSWLRQDODV VKHVHHPHG6KHODXJKHGPRGHVWO\ ´1RSHUKDSVLWLVQRWWKDWQRUPDO, ZDV VWXEERUQ , ZDQWHG WR VKRZ WKHPWKDW,ZDVQRWDIUDLGµ 1LWD QRZ OLYHV LQ /RQGRQ DQG ZRUNV IRU WKH %%& KHOSLQJ WR VHQG EURDGFDVWV EDFN LQWR %XUPD $OWKRXJKLQVRPHVSKHUHVWKHQHZVRI QH[W ZHHN·V HOHFWLRQ KDV EHHQ VHHQ DV D VWHS WRZDUGV GHPRFUDF\ VKH GLVDJUHHV ´7KLV LV MXVW WKH PLOLWDU\ UHDOLVLQJWKDWWKH\QHHGWROHJLWLPLVH WKHLUFRQWUROLQWKHH\HVRIWKHUHVWRI WKHZRUOG7KH\ZRXOGQRWFDOOLWLI WKH\WKRXJKWWKH\FRXOGORVHµ ,W LV XQGHQLDEOH WKDW WKH RGGV DSSHDU ÀUPO\ VWDFNHG LQ WKH UHJLPH·V IDYRXU XQGHUQHZODZVSHUFHQW RI SDUOLDPHQW VHDWV DUH DXWRPDWLFDOO\ JLYHQ RYHU WR WKH PLOLWDU\ UHJDUGOHVVRIWKHHOHFWLRQUHVXOW$GGHGWRWKLVLVWKHIDFWWKDWLQ$XJXVW IROORZLQJDQLQFLGHQWZLWKDQ XQLQYLWHG $PHULFDQ YLVLWRU $XQJ 6DQ6XX.\L·VKRXVHDUUHVWZDVH[-
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WKHPVHOYHV DQG WKHUHIRUH FRQWLQXH WRSXVKIRUWKHXQFRQGLWLRQDOUHOHDVH RI DOO SROLWLFDO SULVRQHUV 7KH SDOP RI WKH KDQG LV WKH %XGGKLVW V\PEROIRUIHDUOHVVQHVVDQGE\ZULWLQJ RQWKHPWKHQDPHVRIWKHLUIULHQGV IDPLO\ DQG FROOHDJXHV ZKR UHPDLQ LQ SULVRQ WKHLU SKRWRV EHFRPH DQ DFWRIGHÀDQFHDJDLQVWWKHUHJLPH 7KHSHWLWLRQKDVVSUHDGWRLQFOXGH SHRSOH OLNH PH ZKR WKRXJK WKH\ KDYHQRGLUHFWOLQNEHOLHYHWKDWWKH SHRSOHRI%XUPDGHVHUYHWKHULJKWWR OLYH ZLWKRXW IHDU ,W ZDV SUHVHQWHG WR WKH VXPPLW PHHWLQJ RI SROLWLFDO OHDGHUVRI6RXWK(DVW$VLDODVWZHHN E\ZKLFKSRLQWLWKDGPRUHLPDJHV $V,OHIW,DVNHG6DQWKXUZKDWNHSW KLP JRLQJ ZKDW NHSW KLP LQ H[LOH ZLWKKLVOLIHJLYHQRYHUWRWKHÀJKW IRUIUHHGRP"´6RPHWLPHV,ZRQGHU WKDWP\VHOIµKHVDLG´EXWWKHWUXWK LV , UHDOO\ EHOLHYH LW , DP WU\LQJ WR SHUIRUP D GXW\ JLYHQ WR PH E\ P\ WLPH P\ JHQHUDWLRQ , EHOLHYH LQ IUHHGRPµ If you would like more information about how you can help the campaign for Burmese freedom, visit Amnesty International’s website at www.amnesty. org.uk
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
15
Life
Life & Style
The Penny Pincher #3 Out in Newcastle Sarah Bennett Columnist
The voice of a lost generation: Waihnin is now a student in London but her father is serving a 65 year senWHQFHIRUKLVSDUWLQWKHSURWHVWV6KHVD\VVKHZLOOÀJKWIRUKHUIDWKHU·VIUHHGRPXQWLOKHUODVWEUHDWK
of the 2,200 political prisoners being held in Burma, many without any contact from the outside world
An icon for an icon : Desmond Tutu joins the petition by writing on his hand the name of former General Secretary of the NLD Aung San Suu Kyi who has been under house in Burma for 14 of the last 20 years
“The Happiness of Pursuit”: NSR collaborate with the BBC This weekend, Newcastle Student Radio will be participating in BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking Festival. Louise Morris and Charles Barry talk about what’s in store. This coming week Newcastle Student Radio has an exciting focus in the form of BBC Radio 3’s Free Thinking Festival, which will be arriving at The Sage in Gateshead on November 5. The BBC contacted the station requesting their involvement to diversify the age range of those participating at the festival, and to provide a unique student perspective on the festival’s theme, “The Pursuit of Happiness”. NSR will have its own stall on November 6 and 7, based in the central concourse of The Sage. We will be looking to generate a large amount of exclusive content for the upcoming week, even recording two speech shows live from the festival. The Free Thinking Festival is billed as “a weekend of talks, debate, conversation, music and performance.” It will feature some household
names such as the children’s author Jacqueline Wilson and the TV Presenter Kevin McCloud. Although the central theme is “The Pursuit of Happiness”, there are many other topics on offer, including religion in a globalised world, democratic reform and the role of marriage in modern society. All the scheduled programmes are free to attend. Some programmes – notably the debate on what Britain does best: Art or Sport? – will be broadcast live, while many programmes will be taped and broadcast throughout the coming year as part of the Night Waves series on BBC Radio 3. Outside of the lecture theatres, there are events that require, even demand, audience participation. Cafe Culture North East will be running their ‘Theory Slam’ event: an open-mic session where anyone
can come along and put across their views on how to save the world. An event that surely no-one will want to miss is the ‘Speed Dating with a Thinker’ – a chance to ‘date’ ten different intellectuals, each having a dazzling new idea for the future with which to charm you. Newcastle Student Radio will be a vibrant presence at the festival, as we will have exclusive interviews with some of the celebrity and intellectual participants. We plan to have roving reporters directing questions at passers-by during the festival, and play a range of our best shows from our stall on the concourse. We may even go undercover on the ‘speed date an intellectual’ event! The pinnacle of NSR’s contribution to the festival will be the two one-hour discussion lead speech shows between members of NSR,
which will be recorded live from the festival. The topics we will cover include “The Happiness of Pursuit” where we subvert the festival’s theme to explore whether we actually appreciate the challenges we face in attempting to secure a goal, and whether happiness can be pursued without risk. Our second show is more student centric as we look at the pertinent problem of whether it has become LQFUHDVLQJO\ GLIÀFXOW IRU RXU JHQHUDWLRQ WR ÀQG KDSSLQHVV GXH WR the bewildering multitude of options available to us, and if choice enhances our happiness. Stay tuned next week to hear all that NSR produces from the festival. Check out the podcasts on nsrlive. co.uk.
So it’s Saturday and instead of sitting down to seminar work, you fancy nipping into Newcastle. I don’t know about you, but this is GHÀQLWHO\PXFKPRUHDSSHDOLQJWR me! Here are some great cultural things to do on a weekend, that don’t cost the earth and are suitable to show parents when they come and visit. The Castle Keep: Why not actually go to the ‘Newcastle?’ Down near Central Station and the Quayside, it’s a great example of a Norman keep built in the 1100s and gives this great city its name. It’s only £2.50 for students, so well worth checking out, even if it’s just to reassure your parents you’re not always drinking. Tynemouth: Only 20 minutes away by Metro, Tynemouth is famous for its beaches and Blue Reef aquarium. You may have heard about the Priory (free to English Heritage members, £3.60 for students), but the best thing about Tynemouth is the weekend market, 9am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. This fantastic market has stalls ranging from bric-a-brac, to postcards, to books and jewellery. The sellers are friendly, chatty and usually willing to barter. There’s even a farmers’ market on the third Saturday of every month, perfect for locally sourced produce. Great North Museum: Reopened in May 2009, this fantastically modern museum incorporates collections from four other museums. The University was a major partner in this project, with displays about Ancient Egypt, and an interactive Hadrian’s Wall. I gush about this, because I love museums, and it also costs a student friendly nothing to take a look around. Quayside: Now it seems a bit obvious, but you can’t live in Newcastle-Gateshead and not head down to the Quayside to admire the bridges and fantastic architecture. The Quayside is one of the most iconic views in Newcastle and the best place to view it is from the viewing platform of the BALTIC. This is the free contemporary art gallery on the Gateshead side of the Millennium Bridge, with regularly changing exhibitions. The Sage is another building worth checking out. The concourses inside this modern music venue are free to wander through, offering more great views of the river. ,I\RX·YHÀQLVKHGUHDGLQJWKHFROumn today, why don’t you check out The Penny Pincher on Facebook? There will be regular updates of local and national penny pinching opportunities, so ‘like’ the page and get in the loop! Next week: Lunch savers...
16
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Life & Style Sex & Relationships
sex & relationships date night
Dangerous Liaisons Broken hearted hell
Lauren Girling & Matthew Wild prove that it’s not only the ÀUVWGDWHWKDWPDWWHUV
Pamela Mardle Columnist
He said: (YHU\RQHNQRZVWKHVWHUHRW\SLFDOÀUVWGDWHVWKDWSHRSOHJRRQ whether it’s to the cinema, out for a meal and more often than not, attempting to ease the awkwardness with a miniature bar crawl GRZQ2VERUQH5RDG%XWRQFHWKLV honeymoon period of getting to NQRZWKHRWKHULVRYHUKRZFDQ\RX EHVWNHHSWKHHDUO\SDVVLRQDOLYH can you still go to the same places and enjoy yourself? After 6 months, my darling /DXUHQDQG,LQYHVWLJDWHGWKLVZLWK GLQQHUDQGGULQNVRQWKH4XD\VLGH She looked her best and made the HIIRUWDVLILWZDVDÀUVWGDWH,WUHPLQGHGPHRIWKRVHHDUO\QHUYRXV WLPHVZKHQ,ZDVZRUULHGZKHWKHU RUQRW,¡GEHWRKHUOLNLQJEXW, JXHVV,PXVWEHGRLQJVRPHWKLQJ right! Without going into a restaurant UHYLHZWKHIRRGZDVGHOLFLRXVDQG a busy atmosphere in the restaurant with background chat always helps the mood between us as we could talk without the feeling that others ZHUHOLVWHQLQJLQ2IFRXUVHRQHRI the main stresses as to whether or not a relationship can last the distance is that you can both retain an LQWHUHVWLQHDFKRWKHU/XFNLO\/DXren can chatter for 3 hours without taking a breath so there were rarely DQ\VLOHQFHVGXULQJRXUPHDO A change of scenery does go a long way and doing something a bit more romantic keeps the girlfriend happy and that was an RXWFRPHRIWKHQLJKW,WKRURXJKO\ HQMR\HG
,UHPHPEHURXUĂ€UVWGDWHJRLQJ for a few drinks and without the stoppages a meal brings, you get WRLQWHUDFWDORWPRUH$OVRWKHUH¡V always the fact that no-one looks DWWUDFWLYHZLWKVSDJKHWWLGULEEOLQJ from their bottom lip and weird eating habits are probably more acFHSWHGDIWHUWKHPRQWKPDUN%XW as a way to keep the ‘passion’ going, go out and re-kindle that early relationship spark and hopefully lads, this spark will continue as the night progresses! She said: ,¡YHJRWWRKDQGLWWRKLPP\ORQJ suffering boyfriend Matthew puts XSZLWKDORW:KHWKHULW¡VP\LQFHVsant chatter, constant drama or genHUDOO\ FUD]\ EHKDYLRXU KH MXVW DPEOHV DORQJ WRWDOO\ SKDVHG E\ HYHU\
HSLVRGH7KLVZHHNZDVFHUWDLQO\QR exception as we embarked on the experiment of a date night, after realising we needed a touch of excitement EDFNLQWRRXUVHWWOHGUHODWLRQVKLS 2Q )ULGD\ DIWHUQRRQ XQVXUH ZKHUH , ZDV JRLQJ WR JR RU ZKDW , ZDVJRLQJWRGRQDWXUDOO\,KDGWR purchase some of the chicest garments that the establishments of Northumberland Street had to ofIHU LQSUHSDUDWLRQIRUWKHHYHQLQJ¡V HYHQWV :KR ZRXOG KDYH WKRXJKW WKDW,¡GEHPDNLQJWKLVPXFKHIIRUW WR VHH P\ ER\IULHQG ZKRP , VHH HYHU\GD\" $VSPGUHZQHDU,ZDVÀOOHG ZLWK WKH VDPH EXWWHUà LHV DV RQH XVXDOO\ KDV RQ D ÀUVW GDWH DQG LW was refreshing to feel this still after VL[PRQWKV8SRQ0DWW¡VDUULYDOKH ÀQDOO\ JDYH LQ WR P\ QDJJLQJ DQG GLG ZKDW HYHU\ JLUO GUHDPV D QLFH
guy would do – out from behind his back, he produced a bunch of red roses! After scoring some serious points in my eyes, the complete gentleman that Matt is, he took me to one of the Quayside’s swankiest restaurants where the food was perfect, the chat was interesting and the atPRVSKHUHZDVZDUPDQGLQYLWLQJ Continuing his gentlemanly credentials, Matt took care of the bill and also helped me in and out of my FKDLU )RU WKRVH LQ UHODWLRQVKLSV DQG HYHQ VLQJOHWRQV ZLWK \RXU IULHQGV , VWURQJO\ UHFRPPHQG KDYLQJ D date – a special night when you get dressed up and go out with someRQH\RXORYHEHFDXVHQRWRQO\GRHV it break the monotony of essays and epic nights out, it cements your reODWLRQVKLSZLWKZKRHYHU\RXVSHQG WKHWLPHZLWK
madame vs monsieur K.VONG
2XUĂ€HU\DJRQ\GXR Madame and Monsieur give their take on what to do if you contract an STI after cheating on your partner “Although I’ve had a long term girlfriend for over 2 years now, I recently found out that I contracted Chlamydia after a few cheeky one night stands. I’m not sure how long I’ve had it, or where I exactly got it from. I’ve had about 6 sexual relationships, but have been pretty safe with them all (I ALWAYS use condoms). I regret cheating on my girlfriend, and really can’t bear to hurt her. How do I break the news to her?â€?
madame No, no, no! Break the news to
go after being harassed by some 5$*FUHZ7KHIDFW\RXUWH[WDOHUW DOHUWHG\RXSRVLWLYHFRXOGRQO\ PHDQVKH¡VEHHQXQIDLWKIXOLQVWHDG 6RPHRQH¡VEHHQDYHU\QDXJKW\
monsieur
her? You like this Mademoiselle, oui? Although in this case what she doesn’t know may in fact be causing her harm (indeed her chances of producing un bebe) if you want to keep this relationship Dà RDW\RX¡UHJRLQJWRKDYHWRWU\DQ DOWHUQDWLYHDSSURDFK2SWLRQRQHLV assuming your naughty night time OLDLVRQVKDYHLQGHHGFDXVHGKHUWR
contract it, slip the antibiotics in KHUPRUQLQJFRUQà DNHV+RZHYHU being caught in the act could cause DUDWKHUDZNZDUGVLWXDWLRQ-XVW UHPHPEHUWRFODLPWKH\¡UHYLWDPLQV UDWKHUWKDQGLHWSLOOV2SWLRQWZRLV DUDWKHUPRUHVQHDN\$OOHJHWKDW enticed by the free pair of boxer shorts and pink biro you decided \RX¡GJLYHWKHSHHLQDSRWWHVWD
boy - or as some would say - LAD! No, our cheeky Mademoiselle is right, the Chlamydia needs to be dealt with or it may lead to long term health problems such as inferWLOLW\ZKLFKLVQRWJRRG,¡PFRQfused when you say a few cheeky RQHQLJKWVWDQGVKRZPDQ\KDYH \RXKDG",I\RXZDQWWRNHHSWKLV UHODWLRQVKLSDQGJHWWKH67,VRUWHG RQWKHGRZQORZ,¡GUHFRPPHQG 0DGHPRLVHOOH¡VDGYLFH,QWKH longer term, it sounds to me like you need to spice things up in the bedroom with your womanfriend, VKHLVREYLRXVO\QRWVDWLVI\LQJ your manly urges to a high enough standard, hence your need to seek excitement about town with ladies RIWKHQLJKW*LYHKHUDIHZKLQWV when you’re/she’s getting down to it, and hopefully she’ll respond SRVLWLYHO\ XV)UHQFKORYHWKHGLUW\ WDON ,IQRWJLYHKHUWKHFKXFNDQG OHWKHUPRYHRQWKHUH¡VQRZWZRUVH WKDQDFKHDWHUPDWH9RLOjVRUWHG
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THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
17
Food & Drink Life & Style
food & drink L.MACKENZIE
review YO! Sushi, City Centre
In need of a desperate caffeine buzz, Sylvie Hall drinks her way through a range of coffee house’s specialities
Fenwicks, Northumberland Street 7HO I was lead through Fenwicks perfume department by the faint smell of soy sauce and quickly found myself sitting at a table adjacent to the LQIDPRXV <26XVKL FRQYH\RU EHOW To my right were about half a dozen chefs preparing fresh Sushi, Nigiri and Sashimi, somewhat unfazed by the distracting environment of <26XVKL 7KH IRRG LV UHDG\ IURP the moment you take your seat; even the most impatient of customHUV ZRXOG EH VDWLVĂ€HG 7KH KHOS ful maĂŽtre guided me through the menu, answering all my queries and politely explained the reasoning behind a big red button in the middle of my table – simply press and moments later, as if by magic, a waiter will appear. The seating arrangements are smart DQGHIĂ€FLHQW \RXFDQHLWKHUVLWLQD pod-like booth with your companions or on high stools around the conveyor belt. The dishes are priced by colour, ranging from as little as ÂŁ1.70 to the maximum price of ÂŁ5. Jars of wasabi, pickled ginger, napkins, chopsticks and water taps are part of every table. I couldn’t help but wonder whether the ever-faithful customers visit this restaurant because of its unique atmosphere, or because of the food. In conversation with Simon Woodroffe, founder of <26XVKL KH H[SODLQHG ´:KHQ , VWDUWHG<26XVKL,NQHZWKDWWRJHW people in there had to be the ‘Ziz’ that you get in Show ‘Biz’, but I also knew that no one would come back unless the food was great and that applies in it’s own way to just about HYHU\EXVLQHVVÂľ$IWHUP\Ă€UVWKHOS
5/10 Campus Coffee Regular Cappuccino, ÂŁ1.80
YO!Sushi: One of Newcastle’s hidden hotspots tucked neatly in Northumberland Street’s biggest department store ing of Maki it became clear that the dishes were just as impressive as the surroundings. There is a wide range of sushi, hot noodle and rice dishes, Gyoza and .DWVX , ZDV VXUSULVHG WR ÀQG WKDW roughly 40% of the menu is cooked, so there is an alternative option for those who can’t stomach the thought RIHDWLQJUDZÀVK$GHÀQLWHUHFRP mendation is the crispy Prawn Katsu (prawns in Japanese bread crumbs) you will have to order, but it’s worth the wait. The Salmon Nigiri is tender and a portion of Edamame, or the unlimited Miso soup, serves as a great accompaniment. Simon H[SODLQHG WKDW ´7KH IRRG VHUYHG DW <26XVKLLVDFWXDOO\RIKLJKHUTXDO ity than typical Kaiten sushi bars in Japan and authentic too, you can do anything you imagine with sushi toppings as long as the basic tastes of sticky rice, wasabi and soy stay true and they do in Japan. The problem arises with desserts; the western and eastern tastes clash. Here in the west we don’t go for many of the traditional Japanese tastes, in fact in Japan toothpaste is sometimes
salty! So in the west there have been a lot of new inventions in this area many of which have crept back to -DSDQ¾&RXOGKHEHUHIHUULQJWRWKH 6WUDZEHUU\ &KDPSDJQH FDNH" $V delicious as it was, I found it hard to picture this dish on the streets of Tokyo. If you want to be slightly more daring, go for the Mochi, a selection of multi-coloured glutinous rice cakes. In all honesty I was doubtful as WR ZKHWKHU <26XVKL ZRXOG KDYH much business in Newcastle, but positioning the eatery in Fenwicks was a wise move. Simon told me WKDW´/LNH5RFNQ¡5ROOVXVKLLVKHUH to stay. . . I never did any market research, after all if I’d asked the focus group if they wanted to eat raw ÀVK RII FRQYH\RU EHOWV ZLWK URERWV serving the drinks I don’t think I’d RIJRWPXFKRIDUHVSRQVH<RXFDQ¡W research a market that doesn’t exist, but when I opened the doors we had a queue down the block - truth was I’d done something well and different that got attention and everyone wanted to be part of the action. Like a well hummed tune it stuck and
grainger market Harriet Wood pick and mixes her favourite dried fruit and nuts at the market’s famed stall, Quality Loose Foods One of the more distinctive stalls at Grainger Market has got to be the popularly named ‘one with all the bins’, more formally known as ‘Quality Loose Foods’. This is make-your-own-muesli heaven: the entire back wall is a pick ‘n’ mix station for dried fruit and nuts, with big succulent strips of mango and chocolate covered brazil nuts amongst the usual assortment of raisins and apricots. 7KH UHVW RI WKH VKRS LV Ă€OOHG ZLWK bins full of everything from Crunchy 1XW &RUQĂ DNHV WR <RUNVKLUH SXG ding mix. Their slogan boasts that this is a
compare the market
the sex appeal lasted long enough to build a taste that comes from a long Japanese history - I call Japan the last great mystery of the East and ZH DOO ORYH D P\VWHU\¡ $IWHU ÀUVW RSHQLQJLQ WKHUHDUHQRZRYHU 50 branches nationwide, with more due to open this November. Simon has managed to create the archetypal hybrid of restaurants, a place that offers the perfect mix between East and West. Sounds like a recipe for success. <26XVKLFDQEHGRQHRQDEXGJHW all dishes are reasonably priced and the portion size is perfect for sharing. Furthermore, if you join the <2/RYH&OXEVWXGHQWV\RXUHFHLYH a 25% discount all year round. This particular branch offers bento boxes (a take-away selection of sushi); each individual box comes with chopsticks and its own helping of pickOHGJLQJHUDQGZDVDEL<26XVKLDW )HQZLFNV LV HIÀFLHQW KHDOWK\ DQG quirky; this restaurant embodies -DSDQHVH OLYLQJ DW LWV ÀQHVW ,Q WKH JUHDWZRUGVRI0U:RRGURIIH´/LNH 5RFNQ¡5ROOVXVKLLVKHUHWRVWD\¾ Araminta Nicholson
L.MACKENZIE
place ‘where the best costs less’ and although it is generally pretty cheap, they are undercut by the supermarket on a few basic products. 3ODLQĂ RXUIRULQVWDQFHFRVWV SD kilo costs whilst the Tesco value version comes in at practically a third of the price at 11p per kilo. 7KH EHQHĂ€W RI JRLQJ KHUH LV WKDW you can buy exactly the amount you need and if your student house isn’t equipped with scales you can even weigh out your cake ingredients there and then. If you are there for the famously friendly and personal Geordie experience however, think again: the women running the stall looked aghast at the prospect of making a comment for The Courier and anVZHUHGZLWKDYHU\GHĂ€QLWH´QRRRÂľ and an averted gaze. Still, the experience of scooping your own grub will always seem more fun and personal than picking it off the shelf of a nationwide supermarket, even if the stall is more JUXIĂ \ FKDUPLQJ WKDQ IULHQGO\ DQG quaint. If nothing else, it’s a perfect mid-
Choosing the eat-in option, my coffee was served in a mug the size of my face. The actual taste wasn’t too bad, though a little on the strong side. Unfortunately the coffee lady was having far too much fun steaming the milk and horrendously over-cooked it.
4/10 Starbucks Tall Cappuccino, ÂŁ2.10 Served at the perfect temperature I was disgruntled when after half the mug it never actually came. Probably one for coffee virgins, this weak cappuccino tasted more like milk hugging a coffee bean.
7/10 Rijo Regular Cappuccino, £1.50 The Rijo coffee came in a decent sized cup which was ÀOOHGWR the brim. Indeed, every last drop was appreciated and it was a decent coffee, especially for the price. However it was severely lacking in foam and chocolate sprinkles.
9/10 Cafe 1901 Regular Cappuccino, ÂŁ1.30
Grainger stop off when you need a bag of Bombay Mix or chocolate rai-
sins to keep you going.
This quaint cafe in Jesmond claims to serve the best coffee ‘in the toon’. The beverage equivalent of the perfect man; rich, smooth and extremely satisfying!
18
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
travel Bag a bargain break in Bulgaria Katie Lauren HenrySODQVDQDIIRUGDEOHWULSWR6XQQ\%HDFK %XOJDULD¡VOLYHOLHVWVHDVLGHUHVRUW
Ten Minute Travel Harriet Webb plans a seasonal WULSWR+H[KDP Just 20 miles outside Newcastle in the county of Northumberland sits +H[KDPœ(QJODQG¡V)DYRXULWH0DUNHW 7RZQ¡ DV YRWHG IRU E\ &RXQWU\ Life. (DV\ WR JHW WR E\ UDLO WKH WUDLQ passes through some of the oldest UDLOZD\VWDWLRQVLQWKHZRUOGZKLFK KDYHZHOFRPHGYLVLWRUVVLQFH $ YLVLW WR WKLV VPDOO PDUNHW WRZQ full of historic traditions will cost MXVWDPHUH… UHWXUQ ZLWKDVWXGHQWUDLOFDUGRIFRXUVH 'LVFRYHU WKH KXVWOH DQG EXVWOH RI WKH 6DWXUGD\ PDUNHW VWDOOV WRXU WKH WK FHQWXU\ $EEH\ RU ÀQG RXW DERXW+H[KDP¡VSDVWZLWKDYLVLWWR WKH2OG*DROPXVHXP
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After the stressful completion of our UG\HDUÀQDOVP\ÀYHIULHQGVDQG I decided we were in need of a girl’s holiday. As I scanned the list of destinations that Newcastle airport has to RIIHU , ZLWQHVVHG D YDVW FKRLFH RI KROLGD\KRWVSRWVVRPHPRUHH[RWLF than others. :HHYHQWXDOO\DJUHHGRQWKH6XQny Beach region of Bourgas in BulJDULDDIWHUKHDULQJEULOOLDQWUHYLHZV about it. %XOJDULDLVLQWKH(DVWHUQ%DONDQV and is one of Europe’s few remaining hidden gems. Being fairly undisFRYHUHGà LJKWVGLUHFWO\IURP1HZcastle airport to Bourgas are around WKUHHDQGDKDOIKRXUVLQOHQJWKDQG can be picked up reasonably cheapO\ 7KRPDV&RRNGRà LJKWVWUDQVIHUV and self-catered accommodation for a measly £234. ([SHFWLQJ D KROLGD\ RR]LQJ ZLWK FKHDS EHHU DQG FKHDS WKULOOV , ZDV VXUSULVHGWRÀQG%RXUJDVKDVPXFK PRUHWRRIIHUWKDQVXQVHDDQGVH[ on the beach. Bourgas is a seaside resort on the %XOJDULDQ %ODFN 6HD &RDVW DQG WKH FLW\ERDVWVVRPHWKLQJIRUHYHU\RQH ,I \RX¡UH D ELW RI D FXOWXUH YXOWXUH Bourgas plays host to a number of LQWHUHVWLQJ DQG FKHDS SODFHV WR YLVLW These include The District MuVHXPRI+LVWRU\7KH(WKQRJUDSKLF
0XVHXP 7KH 0XVHXP RI 1DWXUH DQG6FLHQFHDQGWKH$UW*DOOHU\ The Museum of History is one of WKH PRVW LPSUHVVLYH WRXULVW VLWHV LQ WKHFLW\DQGLWKRXVHVDULFKFROOHFtion of items dating back to the old FRORQLHVDORQJWKH%ODFN6HDFRDVW 7KH $UW *DOOHU\ HVWDEOLVKHG LQ H[KLELWVIRUHLJQDQG%XOJDULDQ DUWLVWV¡ ZRUN DQG LFRQV SDLQWHG E\ renowned Renaissance artists. Away from the busy centre of the FLW\WKHVKDG\6HD*DUGHQLVDORYHO\ place to stroll on hot summer days. 7KHSDUNLVVLWXDWHGRQDKLOOQH[WWR WKH FRDVW ZKLFK LV ULFK LQ à RZHUV trees and sculptures. It’s great for VWUDSSHGIRUFDVK VWXGHQWV DV LW¡V free to enter. ,IDUHOD[LQJKROLGD\LQFRUSRUDWLQJ some great nights out is more your VW\OH WKH 6XQQ\ %HDFK UHJLRQ RI Bourgas is an ideal destination. 6XQQ\%HDFKLVWKHODUJHVWUHVRUWLQ %RXUJDV ZLWK XQVSRLOHG JRUJHRXV white beaches. All budgets are catered for in this DUHD ZLWK SOHQW\ RI KRWHOV UDQJLQJ from affordable hostels to 5* beauties. A week stay at the 3* Royal Central hotel is a measly £38 per person. (YHQVWD\LQJDWWKHPRUHXSPDUNHW 3DOD]]R GRHVQ¡W EUHDN WKH EDQN with a week costing as little as £50 per person. If you’re holding back on splash-
LQJ WKH FDVK %RXUJDV LV LGHDO ZLWK DSLQWRIEHHUDYHUDJLQJWKHHTXLYDlent of 50p. With happy hour deals stretching WKHHQWLUHHYHQLQJWKH6XQQ\%HDFK strip puts our own Osborne Road to shame. The infamous ‘Party Crew’ bar FUDZO LV DOVR D PXVW 7KH WZHOYH hour stint takes you on a mad tour RI WKH UHVRUW¡V EDUV DQG FOXEV LQcluding plenty of free drinks and party games. <RXUKRVWVIRUWKHHYHQLQJ"$FUHZ RIVKLUWOHVVPDOHVWKDWHYHQ+ROOLVWHU ZRXOG EH SURXG RI QRW IRUJHWWLQJ WKHLU YHU\ ÂśIULHQGO\¡ IHPDOH FROleagues.
If you’re holding back on VSODVKLQJWKHFDVK%RXUJDVLVLGHDOZLWKDSLQWRI EHHUDYHUDJLQJWKHHTXLYDlent of 50p...these happy hour deals put Osborne Road to shame. 2Q D PRUH SLFWXUHVTXH QRWH WKH town of Nessebar is a stone’s throw DZD\ IURP WKH EXVWOH RI 6XQQ\ Beach.
7KLV :RUOG +HULWDJH 6LWH KDV H[LVWHGIRUPRUHWKDQ \HDUVDQG is home to many historical monuments. There are some beautiful FKXUFKHVZKLFKGDWHIURPWKHWK to 14th century. 7KHVH KDYH VWXQQLQJO\ EHDXWLIXO IDFDGHV DQG LQWHULRUV DQG DUH DPRQJ WKH EHVW SUHVHUYHG RQHV LQ WKH %DONDQ 3HQLQVXOD %HVW RI DOO they’re free to enter! *HWWLQJ DURXQG %RXUJDV LV HDV\ ZLWK FKHDS DQG HIĂ€FLHQW SXEOLF transport to different cities and also WR WKH UHPRWH UXUDO UHJLRQV ZKHUH a more traditional slow pace of life H[LVWV Buses within the resort cost 1 BulJDULDQ OHY SHQFH SHU MRXUQH\ and the railway station of Bourgas has connections to all parts of the FRXQWU\ DQG WKH FLW\¡V FHQWUDO EXV VWDWLRQLVORFDWHGQH[WWRWKHUDLOZD\ station. For a great holiday that doesn’t EUHDNWKHEDQN%RXUJDVLVWKHGHVtination for you. /HWPHOHDYH\RXZLWKDĂ€QDOKHOSful tip - be warned that Bulgarians shake their heads for ‘yes’ and nod for ‘no’. Unfortunately my friends DQG,GLVFRYHUHGWKLVWKHKDUGZD\ whilst trying to decline an inapproSULDWH LQYLWDWLRQ IURP VRPH RYHU friendly locals.
Apart from the infamous Donny’s QLJKWO\ KRWVSRW WKH WRZQ LV QRW NQRZQIRULWVEDUVRUFOXEVKRZHYHU WKHFHQWUHKDVDYDULHW\RIH[FHOOHQW VKRSV QXPHURXV FDIHV DQG UHVWDXUDQWVPDQ\QHVWOLQJLQWKHPHGLHYDO streets surrounding the abbey. (YHU ZDWFKHG The F Word" ,I \RX IDQF\LQGXOJLQJLQVRPHÀQH)UHQFK GHOLFDFLHV +H[KDP¡V %RXFKRQ ZDV YRWHG œ%HVW ORFDO )UHQFK 5HVWDXrant’: take it as a recommendation IURP*RUGRQ5DPVH\KLPVHOI )RUSXGGLQJZK\QRWWDNHDUHOD[LQJVWUROODORQJWKH7\QH¡VULYHUVLGH SDWKV DQG HQ URXWH SLFN XS VRPH locally produced ice cream topped ZLWK PRQNH\ MXLFH DQG D FRXSOH RI à DNHV" 'XULQJ WKH $XWXPQ WKHUH DUH D QXPEHU RI VHDVRQDO FHOHEUDWLRQV VXFK DV WKH 6HOH %RQÀUH DQG ÀUHwork display. 7KLVLVDOZD\VDWUHDWDQGDVPDQ\ DV SHRSOH VKRZ XS LQ KDWV DQGJORYHVHTXLSSHGZLWKVSDUNOHUV and toffee apples. A gateway to wonderful NorthXPEHUODQGDGD\RXWLQ+H[KDPLV thoroughly recommended.
Escape to the country: A gateway to NorthumberODQG+H[KDPLVDQLG\OOLFUHWUHDWIRUVWXGHQWV
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
Fashion
19
Vintage Revealed > Where to buy vintage bargains, page 20
Fashion Editor: Lauren Girling - courier.fashion@ncl.ac.uk
The big debate Should we show throwaway fashion the bin? Or is the temptation of bargain buys too great? Katy Lawson discusses ethics, cheap shoes and our shopping values... Being a student, I have to be one of WKHÀUVWWRDGPLWWKDWLWLVXQGRXEW HGO\HDV\WREHRYHUFRPHE\WKHOXUH RI WKH GLVFRXQW RXWOHWV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQSRFNHWVDUHEHJLQQLQJWRIHHOD OLWWOHELWWLJKWEXWVKRXOGQ·WZHVWRS WR WKLQN IRU D PRPHQW KRZ HWKLFDO LW LV WR DFWXDOO\ EX\ WKHVH LWHPV" $GGHGWRWKDWKRZORQJLVDQLWHP WKDWFRVWV UHDOO\JRLQJWRODVW" , IRU RQH KDYH EHHQ WKH YLFWLP RI WRR PDQ\ SDLUV RI OHDNLQJ IXQQ\ VPHOOLQJ RU GLVLQWHJUDWLQJ VKRHV ZKLFKPLJKWKDYHEHHQ EXWKDYH RQO\ KDG D OLIH VSDQ RI DERXW WKUHH PRQWKV6XUHO\LW·VEHWWHUWREX\RQH SDLU RI JRRG TXDOLW\ QRUPDOVPHOO LQJDQGFRPIRUWDEOHVKRHVWKDWZLOO VWDQGWKHWHVWRIWLPHWKDQVL[SDLUV WKDWDUHJRLQJWRHQGXSVWUDLJKWLQ WKHELQ" 7KH IDFW WKDW VRPH FKDULW\ VKRSV UHIXVH WR HYHQ WDNH FORWKLQJ IURP VKRSV WKDW ERDVW VRFDOOHG ¶WKURZ DZD\ IDVKLRQ· PRVW FOHDUO\ VKRZV WKDWWKHLWHPVDUHQRWJRLQJWRKDYH D YHU\ ORQJ OLIHWLPH 6R LQVWHDG RI WKHLU FORWKHV EHLQJ UHF\FOHG WKH\ ZLOO SUREDEO\ HQG XS WKURZQ RQWR ODQGÀOOV DIWHU WKHLU DOUHDG\ YHU\ VKRUWOLIHVSDQ 7KH RWKHU PRUH FRQWURYHUVLDO SUREOHP ZLWK ¶WKURZDZD\ IDVK LRQ· LV WKH VXVSHFW HWKLFDO QDWXUH RI WKHZD\LQZKLFKWKHLWHPVDUHSUR GXFHG 0DQXIDFWXUHG RXWVLGH WKH (8WKHODZVRQHWKLFDOWUDGLQJWKDW H[LVW KHUH DUH QRW QHFHVVDULO\ HP
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20
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Fashion Vintage shopping A Minute With... Stephen Pierce, Manager of Attica Vintage
A vintage adventure at Attica Lucy Borrell explores Attica Vintage in search of an exciting shopping opportunity 2QHWKLQJ,DPQRWLVDQLQHIĂ€FLHQW shopper. I love fashion, but I truly KDWH XQVXFFHVVIXO VKRSSLQJ WULSV Whereas most girls enjoy spendLQJ KRXUV VFRXULQJ WKH VDOHV UDFNV DQG WU\LQJ RQ GUHVVHV LQ WKH Ă€WWLQJ rooms, I go into a shop with an image in my mind of what I’m after. 6R JLYHQ WKH WDVN RI UHYLHZLQJ D YLQWDJH FORWKLQJ VKRS \RX FDQ XQderstand my apprehension as it is a WRWDOFKDQJHLQVFHQHEXWRIWHQDV LQ WKLV FDVH FKDQJH GHĂ€QLWHO\ VXUprises you. 6WHSSLQJLQWRDVKRSOLNH$WWLFD D VKRS ZKLFK DFFRUGLQJ WR LWV ZHEsite has ‘its own resident ghost’) is OHVV OLNH D VKRSSLQJ WULS DQG PRUH OLNH DQ DGYHQWXUH LQWR WKH JUHDW XQNQRZQ (YHU\ LWHP RQ WKH UDLOV whether from the 1930’s or the ¡VLVDQLQGLYLGXDOSLHFHZLWKD VWRU\OLNHDKLGGHQDQWLTXHLQ$ODGGLQ¡V FDYH ,W LV WKLV WKDW PDNHV WKH VKRSVRVSHFLDO 7KHUDQJHRIFORWKLQJLVKLJKO\HFOHFWLF DQG WKH PDMRULW\ RI WKH LWHPV I would never endeavour to pull RII 6RPH FRQMXUH XS FKLOGKRRG PHPRULHV DQG WKLV LV H[DFWO\ ZKDW LVVRJUHDWDERXWDVKRSVXFKDVWKLV ² LW FDWHUV WR HYHU\ERG\¡V IDVKLRQ QHHGV:KHUHHOVHFDQ\RXSXUFKDVH DJHQXLQH ¡VSODLQFUHDPMDFNHW Â… DORQJVLGH DQ RULHQWDO LQVSLUHG ¡VFDPLWRS Â… :KDWever your style, there always seems to be something hidden away. There LV VRPHWKLQJ FKLOGLVKO\ VDWLVI\LQJ DERXWURRWLQJDPRQJWKHFORWKHVIRU your own ultimate hidden treasure: \RXMXVWQHHGWREHSDWLHQWDQGFXQ-
QLQJHQRXJKWRÀQGLW This sense of adventure is reinIRUFHGE\WKHYHU\ODLVVH]IDLUHUHODWLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ VWDII DQGFXVWRPHU$V,HQWHUHGWKHUHZDVDJUHHWLQJ smile off the shop’s owner, but none RI WKH XVXDO VNLQQ\ VDOHV DVVLVWDQWV DVNLQJ ´ZRXOG , OLNH DQ\ KHOS"¾ RU ´ZRXOG,OLNHDOR\DOW\FDUG"¾ZKLFK PDGHDUHIUHVKLQJFKDQJH7KDWGRHV not mean to say that I was ignored – IDUIURPLWHYHU\TXHVWLRQ,DVNHG ZDV DQVZHUHG , DVNHG LI WKH VKRS JRW EXV\" <HV LQ WKH DIWHUQRRQV ZKHUHWKHFORWKHVFRPHIURP" 7KH\ DUH DOO LQGLYLGXDOO\ VRXUFHG IURP DXFWLRQVKRXVHVDOHVHWF DQGKRZ IDVW LV WKHLU WXUQRYHU" 3UHWW\ IDVW DV DOO WKH FORWKHV DUH XQLTXH WKH\ JHW VROG RQ UDWKHU TXLFNO\ :KDW ZDV NH\ ZDV WKDW DQ\ LQWHUDFWLRQ , had with the shop owner was initiated by me, meaning that I, as the FXVWRPHUZDVIXOO\LQFRQWURORIP\ RZQ$WWLFDDGYHQWXUH 2I FRXUVH WKHUH DUH VRPH SLWIDOOV WR VKRSSLQJ YLQWDJH RQH RI ZKLFK LV UHODWHG WR WKH TXLFNQHVV RI WKH WXUQRYHU7KHœPDNHXS\RXUPLQG¡ time frame is a pretty small window of opportunity and if you return home to mull over whether you reDOO\ QHHG WKDW ¡V SODLQ FUHDP MDFNHW ,GLG WKHSUREDELOLW\LVWKDW when you return a few days later it will have already been sold. Vintage shopping is also not ideal when \RX¡UHLQDUXVKRUKDYHDYHU\FOHDU LGHDRIZKDW\RXZDQWIRUDVSHFLÀF RFFDVLRQDVÀQGLQJWKHEHVWEX\VRIten involves a lot of time. 6WLOO GHVSLWH WKLV \RX MXVW FDQ¡W
STEPHEN PIERCE
:KHQGLG\RXÀUVWVHW$WWLFDXS" ,Q ZKLFKPDNHVLWRQHRIWKH longest-standing vintage shops, KDYLQJEHHQLQEXVLQHVVIRU \HDUV Where did you get the idea from IRUVXFKDXQLTXHVKRS" ,WFDPHIURPZKHQ,KDGDà HD PDUNHWVWDOODQGHVWDEOLVKLQJORWV RIFRQWDFWV,VRRQIRXQG,KDGWRR PXFKVWRFNWRMXVWVHOORQDVWDOO RQFHDZHHNVRWKDW¡VZKHQ,GHFLGHG,QHHGHGDVKRS Do you think the trend of vintage clothing will stand the test of WLPH" <HVLWZLOO²LWVHHPVWRUXQSDUDOlel to mainstream fashion. What seems slightly weird now is that the FRQWHPSRUDU\FORWKLQJRIWKH ¡V ZKHQ,ÀUVWVHWWKHVKRSXSQRZ IRUPVSDUWRIWKHYLQWDJHFORWKLQJ, VHOOLQ$WWLFDQRZ STEPHEN PIERCE
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help falling a little bit in love with $WWLFD6KRSSLQJKHUHPD\EHDOLWWOH PRUH WLPH FRQVXPLQJ EXW KRQestly, I didn’t mind that. In a shop VXFKDVWKLVHYHU\PLQXWH\RXVSHQG WKHUHLVPRUHH[FLWLQJWKDQWKHODVW
(YHQLI\RXFRPHRXWZLWKQRWKLQJ ZKLFKLVXQOLNHO\ \RXVWLOOIHHOOLNH \RXUH[SHULHQFHKDVEHHQDVXFFHVVful one. Ultimately, that’s all I want IURPP\UHWDLOWKHUDS\
Unsure where to get this season’s hot vintage ORRNV":HH[SORUHWKHWRSRIWKHVKRSV Vintage shopper, Milly Simon delves deep into Newcastle’s second-hand fashion world to bring you the 10 ultimate vintage and charity shop purchases for the winter season ahead 1.Thick-knit jumpers, various prices, Yellow Jelly Vintage, 19A Ridley Place, Newcastle NE1 8JN Knitwear is a huge trend this seaVRQVROD\HUXSWRZRUNWKHFDWZDON ORRN :HDU ZLWK ELJ ZDUP ZLQWHU boots and your favourite blue jeans.
Care 7KH XOWLPDWH SUDFWLFDO \HW VW\OLVK EDJ ZLWK D FRPSDUWPHQW IRU HYHU\WKLQJ :RUN WKH SUHSS\ ORRN DQG JHW D 6DWFKHO \RX¡OO QHYHU KDYH WR VSHQGKRXUVORRNLQJIRU\RXUOLSS\ DJDLQ
Black leather satchel with gold buckles ÂŁ10, Marie Curie Cancer
3. Embellished sequin and beaded black short sleeved top £20, Best Vintage Keeping with the glam theme embellishments were also huge in HYHQLQJZHDUWKLVVHDVRQWDNHLQVSLUDWLRQIURPWKH%DOPDLQ$:VKRZ DQGVSDUNOHRQDQLJKWRXWZLWKWKLV VHTXLQWRSGUHVVGRZQZLWKULSSHG GHQLP VKRUWV DQG ÀVKQHWV RU GUHVV XSZLWKDSURPVNLUWDQGKHHOV
YELLOW JELLY VINTAGE
Faux-fur lined camel coat, £14, Cancer Research UK ,I\RX¡YHUHDGDQ\IDVKLRQPDJD]LQH this season you will have seen someWKLQJDERXWWKHFDPHOFRDWLW¡VWKLV season’s must have, so get one for OHVVWKLVRQHHYHQFRPLQJZLWKDIXU lining and hood for extra warmth, ZHDUZLWKDQ\WKLQJ Puffa jackets, £20, Yellow Jelly Vintage
&KDQQHO VSRUWV OX[H DQG SLFN XS D SXIIDMDFNHWWRNHHS\RXZDUPIURP WKH1HZFDVWOHZLQG.HHSLWUHOD[HG ZLWKWKLFNNQLWOHJJLQJVDQGKLWRSV or use your puffa to dress down a jumper dress, tights and boots. 6. Tan leather rucksack, £15, Yellow Jelly Vintage 7KHUH¡V QR UHDVRQ ZK\ UXFNVDFNV YELLOW JELLY VINTAGE
FDQQRW EH FKLF ,URQLF JHHN\ VW\OH LV GHÀQLWHO\ EDFN VR VWD\ RQ WUHQG and free up your hands by wearing WKLVVW\OLVKWDQUXFNVDFNSHUIHFWIRU SDFNLQJDOO\RXUERRNVLQWR 7. Cable knit black short skirt, £10, Cancer Research UK 7KHUH¡V QR UHDVRQ WR FRQÀQH JUHDW NQLWZHDUWRMXPSHUVDORQHSLFNXS DZRROOHQVNLUWDQGZHDULQVWHDGRI GHQLP VKRUWV RU VNLUW LQ WKH GD\ WR stay extra toasty. 8. Fitted red long sleeved dress, £6.99 Oxfam With the festive party season apSURDFKLQJDORWRIUHGGUHVVHVKLWWKH FDWZDONVRNHHSXSWRGDWHDQGSLFN XSWKLVÀWWHGUHGMHUVH\GUHVVWREH worn either in the day with worn OHDWKHUDQNOHERRWVRUDWQLJKWZLWK VXEWOH DFFHVVRULHV WR OHW WKH FRORXU PDNHWKHVWDWHPHQW 9. Faux fur cream and brown hat, £3 Marie Curie Cancer Care 7DNH D EUHDN IURP \RXU NQLWWHG EHDQLH DQG LQYHVW LQ IDX[ IXU IRU D PRUH VRSKLVWLFDWHG ZD\ WR NHHS \RXU HDUV ZDUP IRU RQO\ … :HDU ZLWK D FKLF ZRRO FRDW WR NHHS WKH
ORRNVOHHN 10. Boots, ÂŁ5, Best Vintage &KXQN\ ZDONLQJ VW\OH ERRWV DUH D big trend for us girls this season, and I spotted a pair similar to this IRURQO\Â…:HDU\RXUVZLWKDJLUO\ dress to give it an edge and layer ZLWKRYHUVL]HGNQLWV
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
21
Male Style Fashion
6XLWV<RX6LU IDVKLRQ¡VWRSÀYHPHQZLWKVW\OH Rosanna Sopp H[DPLQHVWKHPDOHVWDUVWKDWERWKVH[HVVHFUHWO\OXVWDIWHULQWKHVW\OHVWDNHV Fashion has been known to give the impression of a female dominated industry. However, when you look closer, it’s clear that’s not the case. Some of the best designers are male: Dolce&Gabbana, John Galliano, Zac Posen, to name a few. Furthermore, it’s not just the ladies on the red carpet who are the centre of attention, as men are fast becoming dominant style icons. In a world where it’s hard for men to dress with as much versatility as ZRPHQ WKHVH ÀYH KDYH SURYHG WR my panel (the friends who were too lazy to run away when I cornered them) that it is possible, and you can look amazing while doing it. First on the list is Cary Grant, a Hollywood star in the 1940s who was famous for his debonair looks and suave fashion sense. He paved the way for the new-age gentleman, and provides a foundation for the fashion conscious male in the 21st century. He is an obvious choice to name as a style icon - he was considered the most fashionable man of his generation. My judging panel agree that he was the epitome of old-school style; tailored and classic. Grant’s style has proved timeless - it didn’t hurt that he was blessed with good looks either. 0\VHFRQGPDOHLQà XHQFHLQIDVK ion couldn’t be more different. The men in my judging panel disagreed with this choice, but to the girls Henry Holland is the perfect example of
modern fashion. A designer himself, Holland is notorious for clashing prints and bright colours. He brings humour into fashion, wearing purple tartan trousers and heart print blazers. He shows us it’s alright to play with our style, and part of the fun of it is making mistakes.
“In a world where it’s hard for men to dress with as much versatility DVZRPHQWKHVHĂ€YHKDYH proved that it is possible, and you can look amazing while doing it. â€? Third on our list is a man who combines classic and cutting-edge fashion to create something completely unique. Furthermore, he was unanimously agreed upon by DOOWKHPHQLQWKHSDQHODVDĂ€JXUH who takes the notion of being a gentleman and giving it a contemporary twist. Mark Ronson’s style has changed and developed as his career sky-rocketed. He is recognised for wearing suits, but brings an edge to his choices by covering them in gold, tartan, check or even satin. He wears whatever he wants,
Steal His Style The Courier presents the ÂśVW\OLVKJX\RIWKHZHHN¡ QG\HDUPDUNHWLQJVWXGHQW Joe Donnelly Our fashionable male enjoys dressing in unique vintage pieces, which is what makes his style particularly relevant for what we are discussing this week. Joe regards himself as a practical dresser, saying he dressed for a cold autumn day, with his coat being stylish yet functional. He has no style icon as he tries not to dress like other people. Joe’s coat is from a vintage store whilst his bag was acquired from a “dodgyâ€? store in Amsterdam; and I am told it is an original production for soldiers during the Second :RUOG:DU)LQDOO\WRĂ€QLVKRIIWKH look in a homage to hand-me-down chic, his Nan knitted his jumper. This is the epitome of fashion reinvention, and chunky-knit jumpers are all over the shops and catwalks for guys and girls alike. I picked Joe because I liked his hair, and his clothes stood out form everyone around him. He dresses smartly yet with a campus style WZLVWZLWKDSDLURI&RQYHUVHWRĂ€Q LVKRIIKLVRXWĂ€W Joe looked like he hadn’t made a VSHFLĂ€FHIIRUWDQGZDVQRWWU\LQJWR emulate anyone, which is so important for campus style; it’s not what \RXZHDUEXWUDWKHUDOODERXWFRQĂ€ dence in your choices.
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O. MASON
and what would look interesting on most people looks stylish on Ronson because of his attitude - showing a crucial element about fashion - it’s all about how you wear it! Now for a man my panel of “expertsâ€? called “a gothic Jesus.â€? Russell Brand, in all his back-combed, skinny-jeaned glory, spearheaded one of the hugest trends of the 21st century. Brand made androgyny the sexiest it has ever been; women, and probably a lot of men too, can’t explain why they fancy him, but most Ă€QGKLVVPXGJHGH\HOLQHUFRQVWULFW ing black skinnies and chest baring shirts unbelievably sexy. Androgyny has been all over the catwalks for years, and now Brand has shown the public how it’s done. Last, but by no means least, is the rather dashing Ed Westwick, who united everyone in my judging panel in agreement - the girls appreciated his looks and the guys appreciated his lifestyle. Particularly in his role as Chuck Bass in Gossip Girl, Westwick brings preppy back into the spotlight - and teenage girl’s fantasies. He rocks the cardigan, long shorts, slicked back hair and pout like no other. Again, Westwick would struggle to rock this look without the level of cockiness his character has. The ‘preppy’ look graces catwalks regularly, but struggles to translate to the high street except in highly diluted form. Westwick’s character is helping bridge
Stylish as always : Mark Ronson appearing at Radio One’s Live Lounge at Northumbria a few of weeks ago
the gap and show that preppy is a look for hot, fashionable men, and not just nerds in movies from the 80s. It’s clear that what makes these men style icons isn’t just the way they dress, but their attitude to fashion and their individuality. However, it
is also clear that when you push ten students into a room and try to get them to agree on male fashion icons it’ll be a lot harder than anticipated. Plus it’ll cost you a fortune in custard creams.
Email Sarah Fearns, Welfare and Equality Officer at welfare.union@ncl.ac.uk for more information. You can pick up tickets at our new location in Park Terrace.
What do you have to do?
Cuts to funding could mean: ‡ Fewer resources in labs and libraries ‡ Less funding for sports teams ‡ Course cuts and fewer lecturers ‡ No refurbishment of student accommodation
Coaches have been booked by the Students’ Union to take students to London and protest against devestating cuts to higher education.
National Demo November 10th 2010 For just ÂŁ5 you can join us in London and make your voice heard! RAG Crew
tuesday 0HHWWKHJX\VIURP6WXGHQW$GYHQWXUHV VR\RXFDQĂ€QGRXWPRUHDQGVLJQXSWR some great events that are coming up! This is your chance to get involved with some amazing events including: 3HDNV&KDOOHQJH.LOLPDQMDUR6XPPLW 7UHN/RQGRQWR3DULV%LNH5LGH(YHUHVW %DVH&DPS7UHNDQG%UDWLVODYDRU%XVW
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wednesday
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
Students’ Union is where all the important decisions that affect you are made. Whether this be students boycotting a company or simply making sure that your clubs and societies run smoothly, this is where it all happens. 7KHUHDUHRYHUYRWLQJSODFHVRQ&RXQFLO to have your say in how the Union is run, FRPHGRZQWRWKHQHZ8QLRQSUHPLVHV3DUN Terrace, and make sure one of them is yours. For more information about how the StuGHQWV¡8QLRQ&RXQFLOLVRUJDQLVHGFRQWDFWWKH (GXFDWLRQ2IÀFHU/LO&ROOLQJKDPRQ HGXFD tion.union@ncl.ac.uk
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English Society Social
This Listings spread is for you. A place for students and societies to advertise any events that Pyjama Party they are organising. From team 6WDUWVDW-LPP\]%DU trials, recruitment drives, fund- 7KLVLV5$*¡VÀUVWRSSRUWXQLW\WRERQG raising and charity nights, to as crew and they plan to do it in style! Generation Game live music and art shows - we 7KHWKHPHLV3\MDPD3DUW\VRZKHWKHU \RXVOHHSLQDRQHVLHDQLJKWLHRUER[HUV want you to know what is going you can come along in whatever you like. 6WDUWVDW3DFLÀF on around your university cam- 7KHURXWHEHJLQVDW-LPP\]%DUZKLFK 3DFLÀFDWJRLQJRQWR0DGLVRQV%DE\ lon, Sinners and Tiger Tiger. First years pus - and more importantly we KDVRSHQHGLWVGRRUVH[FOXVLYHO\IRU5$* and is giving the special offer of three dressed as babies and kids, second years want you to be able to let others trebles for £5! as parents (housewives and carers), third 1H[WLVRQWR7XS7XSZKHUHPRUHIDE know about it too! years as grandparents. To get details of your event drinks deals are being put on! published in these pages, all The night will end at The Den - where you have to do is email the date, LI\RXVD\œ5$*¡RQWKHGRRU\RXZLOO in for £3 instead of £5, and £1 will go time and location of your event get VWUDLJKWWR5$*%RQXV with a short description of what it is and who it is for to: courier. The Naughty Knitwear listings@ncl.ac.uk, or stop into The Courier RIÀFH DW 3DUN 7HU Company Jumper Party race. 0U/\QFKHV-HVPRQG
Do you want your event advertised in The Courier?
monday
what’s happening on your campus?
Listings
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&DWFKVRPHLQWHOOHFWXDOGLVFXVVLRQIURP Naomi Alderman , short story writer, online gamer and writer of a weekly gaming column in 7KH*XDUGLDQ. She won the Orange Award for New Writers in 2006, and was named the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year in ZKLOHKHUVKRUWĂ€FWLRQZDVVKRUWOLVWHGLQ IRUWKH%%&1DWLRQDO6KRUW6WRU\$ZDUG Emily Woof is well known as an actor, ZULWHUDQGGLUHFWRUIRUVWDJHĂ€OPWHOHYLVLRQ and radio. 7KH:KROH:LGH%HDXW\ (2010) is her GHEXWQRYHOGHDOLQJZLWKWKHFRPSOH[LWLHV of human relationships and the choices and FRPSURPLVHVWKDWWKH\UHTXLUH
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7KH13(*LVDIUHHFRQIHUHQFHUXQE\SRVW graduate students, for postgraduate students studying medical, biological or health sciences DWDQ\RIWKHUHJLRQ¡VÀYHXQLYHUVLWLHV,QYLWHG VSHDNHUVLQFOXGH8&/SKDUPDFRORJLVW3URI 'DYLG&ROTXKRXQ'U6LPRQ&XWOHUIURP WKH%%65&DQG1HZFDVWOH¡VRZQ3URI-HII Errington. 5HJLVWHUIRUIUHHDWQHSJRUJXN
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5DGLR¡V)UHH7KLQNLQJ)HVWLYDO UHWXUQVWR7KH6DJH*DWHVKHDGIRUD weekend of public debate, interviews and performance from November 5-7 2010. Free Thinking is about getting LQYROYHGH[SORULQJVKDULQJDQG debating ideas. 165DUHKDYLQJDVWDOORQWKHFRQ course at The Sage throughout the festival. They will be recording two speech shows linked to the theme of WKHIHVWLYDOÂś7KH3XUVXLWRI+DSSL ness’, live at the venue. All the scheduled programmes are free to attend, from talks and openmic sessions to ‘intellectual speed dating’. Don’t miss this chance to support your student radio station. Open your mind, head down to visit their stall, and participate in some great one off events.
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NSR at the Sage: BBC3 Free Thinking Festival
Listings Editor : Ciara Littler - courier.listings@ncl.ac.uk
Culture Challenge Treasure Hunt North East Postgraduate research conference: medi- :HGQHVGD\IURP:)5(( 7RJHWLQYROYHG\RXQHHGDWHDPRIVL[ cal, biomedical & health people, with at least three nationalitiesemail adc.union@ncl.ac.uk for your apsciences plication form. You can win ÂŁ300!
NPEG Conference 2010
friday
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Listings
24
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Life & Style
The X Factor interview is back, The Courier catches up with heartrobs FYD> Tv & Radio, page 35
photography
Snapshots of underground sound Elliot Bentley UHYLHZVWKHJULWW\H[KLELWLRQE\SKRWRJUDSKHU6LPRQ:KHDWOH\WKDWH[SRVHVWKHĂ LSVLGHRIWKHJULPHVFHQH In 2002, the photographer Simon Wheatley was saved from a mugging by two young emcees while photographing urban architecture in Lambeth Walk, South London. This somewhat unglamorous event nonetheless brought about his interest in the darkest corners of the grime scene - a distinctive breed of hip-hop originating in London. This, however, is an interest that extends beyond the parameters of music, as he uses photography to explore social deprivation and its effects on people in his latest exhibition Don’t Call Me Urban! Wheatley has developed into a skilled and versatile photographer – he cut his teeth in the Nineties by living and shooting in Budapest, and has since gone on to create staged portraits, action shots and architectural photography. In 2005 he joined the prestigious international photography co-operative Magnum, joining fellow British photographers including Chris Steele-Perkins, Martin Parr and Marilyn Silverstone. In recent years, Wheatley has been heavily involved with the London’s underground “urbanâ€? music scene. In Don’t Call Me Urban! Wheatley grants us access into an often misrepresented subculture. Around half of the exhibition's photos are of emcees and crews, captured to look as tough and menacing as possible. In one, the Murderous Crew appear to gang-up on the viewer, their eyes barely visible beneath hoods, sunglasses and baseball caps. In another, two emcees point pistols at the camera threateningly. Whilst big-name stars such as Dizzee Rascal, Wiley and Kano are heavily featured in promotional maWHULDOWKH\DSSHDURQO\EULHĂ \LQWKH
exhibition itself. Contrasting with the self-conscious intimidating youths, the rappers are photographed whilst recording in a studio, giving interviews or, in the case of Kano, ostentatiously smoking a cigar in a suit. It's hardly ‘intimate and tender’ and thankfully the bulk of the show is focused away from celebrity culture. Wheatley succeeds in capturing the day-to-day life of emcee crews in and around the estates: writing RXWO\ULFVFKLOGLVKVFXIĂ HVRQEXVHV and family dinners. Most of these images are evocative RI WKH Ă LSVLGH RI WKH JULPH VFHQH – the unapologetic clarity of life on the breadline mixed with a drop of playfulness. An image that encapsulated this was one of a girl rolling a joint accompanied by the caption: "An expectant teenage mother". The walls of the gallery are inscribed with prose that tell a different story from that of the photographs, comprising of a series of anecdotes ranging from bleak to downright tragic: tales of underage murders, pointless rivalries and wasted potential. Despite achieving some success within the music world, the rap group Street Life Kings (SLK) was drawn back to the estates due to the prevailing culture of gang violence. When SLK's debut single “Hype Hypeâ€? reached number twentyone in the UK charts, a Ministry of Sound record contract offer fell apart after the single's launch party escalated into a violent brawl with a rival crew. With this in mind, if succeeding in the grime scene isn’t a reliable route of escape from the harsh realities of life on the streets, then what is?
Life of Grime: Tinchy Stryder and his crew feature in Simon Wheatley’s Don’t Call Me Urban! photography exhibition at the Side Gallery
Wheatley has no answers, and none of his interviewees point towards suggestions for how to solve the social problems of gang culture. He criticises promised regeneration schemes that have failed to deliver any improvement, but the truth is that the community is fail-
ing to help itself, with many young people slipping into drug dealing or being sent to prison. There's no way a single exhibition can explore the true scope of urban deprivation, let alone solve it. But Don't Call Me Urban! is a pretty damn good way to start thinking
about it. Don’t Call Me Urban! runs until November 20 at the Side Gallery, admission free. Don’t Call Me Urban! The Time of Grime has been published by Northumbria University Press, £30.00.
art
Northern Print make their mark with stamp exhibition Stamps may to the undiscerning eye appear dull and unimpressive. Since the introduction of the postal service in Victorian times, stamps KDYHEHHQFRQÀQHGWRWKHVWDQGDUG pattern of a rectangle framing the monarch’s head; festive-themed and commemorative ones aside. Stamp collecting is most often associated with elderly men - hardly a fashionable recreation. However, local gallery Northern Print wants to dispel these myths with an exciting exhibition, Cinderella Stamps, which puts a modern twist on a British hallmark.
The artists have designed stamps for imaginary places that allow visitors to consider the ways in which a country should be represented. On the Stepney Bank, Northern Print is the most important centre for printing in this part of the North East, providing courses and classes as well as various exhibitions in its gallery space. On entering the building one is ÀUVWKLWE\DVWXQQLQJ&DWKHULQH%HU WRODà RUDOVW\OHSULQWBlue Babylonica that covers a large wall space, givLQJDà DYRXURIZKDWWKHLQVWLWXWLRQ has to offer as a whole.
Along the corridor, the stamp exhibition comprises the works of artists Alan Brignull, Heather Wilson, Andy English and Ian Hamilton Finlay, each miniscule stamp framed with hawk-eye precision. The 14-stamp collection created by Alan Brignull represents the fantastical place of Adanaland, named after the Adana 8x5 press he used to print them. They are produced through a traditional process and the images used hark back to a bygone era, with depictions of 1920s style dancers, zeppelins and knowingly British games
of football and cricket. The work of Andy English, a full time engraver, runs in a similar vein. His particular interest in bookplates is showcased in his piece Vent du Sud, which consists of two woodcut prints portraying a ship and a lighthouse in an imaginary French island destination. The prints are monochrome, which enhances their impact and provides them with a graphic quality, through the many sharp, intricate lines in the designs. They have an effortless, yet undeniable beauty to them. 7KLV H[KLELWLRQ GHĂ€QLWHO\ GLVSHOV
the dreary attitudes people might have towards stamps, displaying the incredible level of skill and workmanship that goes into proGXFLQJ WKHP ,W DOVR FRQĂ€UPV WKDW design and printing on stamps are just as much an art form as more traditional media such as painting. Although printing is a less celebrated art form, it is encouraging that there is a platform like Northern Print to support and promote it, and long may it continue. Catherine Langley
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
25
Arts Culture Arts Editor: Stephanie Ferrao - courier.culture-arts@ncl.ac.uk
art
stage
Distorted sketches of society
Mark Kermode: Live and Critical
Found down near the Quayside, Vane Gallery is currently exhibiting the fresh and exhilarating art series Uncertainty Underneath Immense Skies. Created by Jorn Ebner, the artwork explores the boundaries between worlds, questioning the quality of life in our digital society, where reality can often be confused with the distorted, computer graphic world. The artist’s series of explorative work uses juxtaposition by taking the world we recognise and distorting this concept, thus highlighting a focus on the abstract and unfamiliar environment across the exhibition. Consequently, Ebner creates imaginative realms of existence that can appear hostile and distanced from the society we believe that we exist in. These visionary realms highlight the way in which Ebner’s artwork is caught between binary visions of utopian and dystopian representations of society. 7KLVFRQà LFWSURPLVHVWREHDSSDUent throughout the exhibition, as Ebner emphasises a distorted image of the world, as landscapes are contorted to be no longer distinguishable. The skyline is no longer dominated by a vision of reality and thus challenges the observer to think and place themselves outside of the box that is dominated by the great traditionalists of the art world. Uncertainty underneath the immense skies (of which the title was inspired by Jack Kerouac’s novel On the Road is an excellent choice from the wide selection of art on offer within the city. Ebner creates a varied show dedicated to his different inspirations and passions, as he adopts numerous techniques for the creation process of the art. For example, the Brautigan series – one that is dedicated to American
Parallel worlds: the artist Jorn Ebner has created a drawing exhibition based upon utopian and dystopian visions of society
OLWHUDU\Ă€JXUH5LFKDUG%UDXWLJDQLV drawn on a computer in digital format. The series has distinctive images of unearthly visions in an environment that is unknown and exotic to the real world. In contrast, there is the Jack Kerouac series. This part of the exhibition is drawn in the medium of pencil, marker and pastel. Ebner adopts a traditional method
of creating art with his use of pencil. However he simultaneously embraces the new and modernised ideas of computer-aided art. As a result the artist seems to suggest a tolerance can exist between both forms of art and should be embraced as a positive and stimulating enrichment of the art format. Ebner is an innovative artist who creates art for the internet and cre-
ates photographic, print and sculptured works. His work is currently in Newcastle until the end of November, a fantastic opportunity to indulge in an afternoon of artistic pleasure and simple delight. Uncertainty Underneath Immense Skies is on at Vane Gallery until November 27.
art
Student art squares up to new city venue Newcastle has an abundance of great places to view art, from the renowned BALTIC Centre for the Contemporary Arts to small, intimate galleries in the back-ends of pubs. But what is often overlooked is the art produced by the new, emerging and talented artists of tomorrow. Both Newcastle University and Northumbria University have great art departments, but the work they produce can often be outshone by the better known art that is displayed throughout the city. However, for those interested in art, the time has come to see some of the wonderful work that students produce themselves. Northumbria University is hosting a temporary exhibition of recent graduate work, the perfect place to catch some of the new talent coming
out of the city. Fresh Art LV WKH ÀUVW RI D VHULHV RI temporary exhibitions at Central Square North which is organised by University Gallery in association with Galleries Inc.UK. Northumbria have acquired this great space to give their graduates a chance to display work publicly in an industry where getting recognition is one of the hardest hurdles to jump. In a unique step towards helping new graduates the space allows for emerging artists to develop their practice whilst activating professional contacts within the industry. 13 talented artists display their work which ranges from sculptures to line drawings, paintings to photography. The work displays a vast scope of ideas, abilities and conceptions and
gives us a window of insight into the work being produced by the next generation of artists. Graduate Studio Northumbria is one of a kind - no other institution goes so far in helping develop the practices essential in making it in the competitive art world, and they are keen to get as many of you seeing the great things that our contemporaries are producing. This is a space that acts to supSRUWQHZJUDGXDWHVLQWKHĂ€HOGWKH\ are interested in, and is quite an achievement considering the huge pressure on those leaving university to break into the path towards the career they are interested in. If you are interested in art this is GHĂ€QLWHO\ WKH SODFH WR KHDG WR EXW even those of you who are a bit more sceptical this is a great place to visit to see an initiative that is work-
ing so well to improve the graduate prospects of the North East’s emerging talent. This exhibition is not to be missed and if you are really taken aback then the following shows are also a must. After this temporary exhibition Galleries Inc will showcase the work of staff and student printmakers, with the third featuring alumni and GSN members. Take this chance to see what amazing stuff is coming out of your city. Fresh Art runs until November 4 and is open to the public from Tuesdays to Thursdays between 12 noon and 5pm. Admission is free. Third Floor Central Square North, Forth Street, Newcastle. Ciara Littler
If Mark Kermode’s on-air ranting reputation is anything to go by, it’s likely that you can expect something more exciting than a standard, word-for-word book reading when he steps into the limelight at Northern Stage this month. His latest book Scenes From A Life Lived Through A Lens draws on Kermode’s autobiography It’s Only a Movie, to express the comedy, tragedy and mortal danger that lies beKLQG KLV FDUHHU DV D UHQRZQHG ÀOP critic. From being shot during an interview in Hollywood to being thrown out of the Cannes Film Festival, Kermode has no shortage of unique experiences to tell of. Kermode’s autobiography is shaped around his experience of ÀOPHYHQWRWKHH[WHQWWKDWKLVRZQ life comes across as a cinematic event. Fundamentally, the book is about WKH ÀOPV KH KDV ORYHG DQG ORDWKHG WKURXJKRXWKLVOLIHÀOPVWKDWVHHP to be inextricably intertwined with KLVPRVWVLJQLÀFDQWPHPRULHV Even though Kermode, perhaps optimistically, casts Jason Isaacs in the lead role and jokes about the terrors of his early journalistic career, for all intents and purposes It’s Only a Movie makes it clear that KerPRGH¡VOLIHLVÀOP 7KURXJK KLV %%& ÀOP EORJ Kermode Uncut, and infamous Radio 5 Live show with Simon Mayo, Mark VHHPV WR KDYH QR GLIÀFXOW\ LQ H[pressing his razor-sharp remarks about the latest releases. The award-winning show has been the birth place of some of Kermode’s most candid comments. His OHVVà DWWHULQJVLGHHPHUJHGLQ when he referred to Elizabethtown DV´VREDG,KDOIH[SHFWHGR[ygen masks to drop down from the ceiling while red and white lights guided us all to the nearest exits�. It’s not all as scathing as these opinions would have you think though, and Kermode even lets the occasional compliment slip in from time to time. Perhaps unsurprisingly, cult classics like The Exorcist DQGThe Shawshank Redemption DUH DW the top of his adoration list, and It’s Only a Movie is as much a must-read encyclopaedia as it is an autobiography. When Kermode appears at Northern Stage, both laughs and witticisms are guaranteed. Fans of his book, blog or radio show should be sure to be there, but newcomers to WKHFULWLFZLOODOVRXQGRXEWHGO\ÀQG their eyes glued to the stage. Mark Kermode appears at the Northern Stage on Thursday November 4. For tickets and information visit: www. northernstage.co.uk Rosie Tallant
THE COURIER Monday Novermber 1 2010
27
Film Culture
film
Film Editor: Adam Williams - courier.culture-film@ncl.ac.uk
interview
Mark Kermode Film Editor Adam Williams talks to the FRXQWU\·VPRVWIDPRXVÀOPFULWLFDKHDGRIKLV visit to Newcastle this week. Mark Kermode is a very busy man. He prides himself on seeing every ÀOPUHOHDVHGHDFKZHHNSUHVHQWVD hugely popular radio programme RQ%%&5DGLR/LYHZULWHVDZHHNO\ FROXPQ IRU The Observer and is D FRQWULEXWLQJ HGLWRU WR Sight and Sound magazine. (DUOLHU WKLV \HDU KH UHOHDVHG KLV ÀUVW DXWRELRJUDSK\ It’s Only A Movie WR KXJH DFFODLP DQG DKHDG RILWVSDSHUEDFNUHOHDVHThe Courier FDXJKW XS ZLWK SUREDEO\ WKH FRXQWU\·VPRVWIDPRXVÀOPFULWLF .HUPRGHLVDVHOIFRQIHVVHGWHFKQRSKREH DWWKHVWDUWRIRXULQWHUYLHZ KHVWUXJJOHVWRWXUQRIIDQHDUE\UDGLR ZKLFK WKUHDWHQV WR GURZQ RXW RXU FRQYHUVDWLRQ DQG KH ZDV RQO\ UHFHQWO\ VKRZQ KRZ WR XVH VRFLDO QHWZRUNLQJVLWH7ZLWWHU +RZHYHU WKH SRGFDVW YHUVLRQ RI KLVVKRZZLWK6LPRQ0D\RRQ/LYH LV RQH RI WKH %%&·V PRVW SRSXODU GRZQORDGVDQGKLVERRNLVDFFRPSDQLHGE\DQDUUD\RIWHFKQRORJLFDO IULOOV LQFOXGLQJ DQ L3KRQH DSS DQG HQKDQFHGH%RRN 1HZPHGLDZDVVXSSRVHGWRKHUDOGWKHGHDWKRIWKHWUDGLWLRQDOFULWLF EXW.HUPRGHLVDGDPDQWWKDWWKHLQWHUQHWLVMXVWDQRWKHUZD\RIUHFHLYLQJÀOPFULWLFLVPDQGFDQVLWDORQJVLGHPRUHFRQYHQWLRQDOZD\V ´0\RZQIHHOLQJLVWKDWLWGRHVQ·W PDNHDQ\GLIIHUHQFHZKHUH\RXJHW \RXUÀOPUHYLHZVIURPZKHWKHULW·V LQ SULQW RQ WKH UDGLR RQ WHOHYLVLRQ RU RQ WKH LQWHUQHW ,Q WKH HQG ÀOP FULWLFLVPLVJRRGDQGEDGUHJDUGOHVV RIKRZ\RXJHWLW ´7KHEHVWWKLQJDERXWWKHLQWHUQHW LVWKDWHYHU\RQHKDVDFFHVVWRLWEXW WKH ZRUVW WKLQJ DERXW WKH LQWHUQHW LVWKDWHYHU\RQHKDVDFFHVVWRLW,W·V JUHDW WKH LQWHUQHW KDV EURXJKW RQ ORDGVRIQHZÀOPFULWLFVEXWLQWKH HQG WKH\·OO EH MXGJHG RQ ZKHWKHU WKH\·UHDQ\JRRGRUQRWDQGZKHWKHUWKH\·UHHQWHUWDLQLQJµ $Q DXWRELRJUDSK\ RI D ÀOP FULWLF PD\ QRW VHHP OLNH WKH PRVW IHUWLOH JURXQG IRU D EHVWVHOOLQJ ERRN EXW LWV UHOHDVH ZDV PHW ZLWK DQ RYHUZKHOPLQJO\ SRVLWLYH UHVSRQVH VRPHWKLQJ .HUPRGH XQGHUVWDQGDEO\ZDVSOHDVHGZLWK ´,W·V EHHQ UHDOO\ QLFH WKH VXUSULVH KDV EHHQ SDUWO\ EHFDXVH WKH VWXII , GRRQWKHUDGLRWHQGVWRGLYLGHSHRSOHDQGDORWRIWKHWLPHSHRSOHZULWH LQ DQG WRWDOO\ GLVDJUHH ZLWK HYHU\WKLQJ,VD\ ´7KH UHVSRQVH ZLWK WKH ERRN KDV EHHQ TXLWH VLPLODU SHRSOH KDYH EHHQUHDGLQJWKHERRNQRWDJUHHLQJ ZLWK DQ\WKLQJ , VD\ EXW VWLOO EHLQJ HQWHUWDLQHG ZKLFK LV H[DFWO\ KRZ , ZDQWHGLWWREH ´:LWKWKHERRN,WKRXJKWÀUVWDQG IRUHPRVWWKLVQHHGVWREHIXQDQG, GRQ·WWKLQNDQ\ERG\QHHGVWRDJUHH ZLWKP\RSLQLRQV,KDSSHQWRDJUHH ZLWK P\ RSLQLRQV DQG , KDSSHQ WR WKLQN,·PULJKWEXWQRERG\HOVHKDV WRIDOOLQOLQHZLWKWKDWµ .HUPRGHZLOOYLVLW1HZFDVWOHODWHU WKLV ZHHN WR SOD\ DW WKH 1RUWKHUQ 6WDJH DQG WKH FULWLF LV QR VWUDQJHU
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“I’ve been to Newcastle many times. It’s a city that holds many good memories for me” ´7REHKRQHVW,UHDOO\GRQ·WNQRZ DQ\ VWDUV RU GLUHFWRUV , OLYH RQ WKH VRXWK FRDVW DZD\ IURP /RQGRQ , GRQ·W JR WR ÀOP SDUWLHV RU IDOO RXW RI QLJKWFOXEV VR WKHUH·V QRW PXFK FKDQFH RI FDVXDOO\ EXPSLQJ LQWR *X\ 5LWFKLH LQ WKH VWUHHW ,·P QRW D IULHQG RI WKH VWDUV DQG QHYHU KDYH EHHQµ :KHQDVNHGZKDWÀOPVKH·VORRNLQJIRUZDUGWR.HUPRGHLVXQXVXDOO\FR\+HVD\VKHSUHIHUVWRJRLQWR ÀOPV ZLWK DQ RSHQ PLQG DQG WKDW WKHÀOPVKHPRVWHQMR\VDUHWKRVHKH NQRZVQRWKLQJDERXWFLWLQJWKHUHFHQWUHOHDVHThe ArborDVDÀOPWKDW KDGFRPHIURPQRZKHUH ´,JHWH[FLWHGHYHU\WLPH,JRWRVHH D ÀOP , WU\ YHU\ KDUG QRW WR NQRZ WKLQJVDERXWÀOPVEHIRUH,VHHWKHP DQG DOWKRXJK SHRSOH GRQ·W EHOLHYH WKLV , WU\ WR JR LQ ZLWK DQ RSHQ PLQG(YHQZLWKD0LFKDHO%D\ÀOP ,KRSHIRUWKHEHVW ,VRRIWHQHQGXS ZLWKWKHZRUVWEXWWKHUH\RXJR ´6R,ÀQGLWKDUGWRVD\ZKDWÀOP ,·P ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR PRVW ,·P ORRNLQJIRUZDUGWRVHHLQJDUDQGRP ÀOP WKDW , VHH RQ D 7XHVGD\ DIWHUQRRQDQGFRPSOHWHO\FDWFKHVPHRII JXDUGµ 6RPH KDYH FULWLFLVHG .HUPRGH·V WDVWHLQÀOPVVD\LQJKHKDVDQDYHUVLRQWR+ROO\ZRRGEORFNEXVWHUVFLWing his dislike of Transformers and WKHPirates of the CaribbeanIUDQFKLVH DV H[DPSOHV +RZHYHU KH VWURQJO\ UHIXWHVWKRVHFODLPV ´,W·V QRW DERXW KDWLQJ EORFNEXVWHUV ,JHWDFFXVHGDOOWKHWLPHRIWKLV EXW P\ IDYRXULWH ÀOP RI DOO WLPH LV The Exorcist ZKLFKLVFOHDUO\DEORFN-
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“I get excited every time I JRWRVHHDÀOP,WU\YHU\ hard not to know things DERXWÀOPVEHIRUH,VHH them and, although people don’t believe this, I try to go in with an open mind” ´,KDYHQ·WVHHQWKHQHZFilm 2010 \HW,WKLQNZKDWPHDQG6LPRQGR RQ WKH UDGLR FRXOG WUDQVIHU RYHU WR WKH WHOHYLVLRQ TXLWH HDVLO\ ,Q IDFW \RX FDQ DOUHDG\ ZDWFK XV RQOLQH RQ WKH ZHEVLWH $SSDUHQWO\ WKH UHFHQW VKRZ ZH GLG LQ (DVW )LQFKOH\ ZH KDG SHRSOH ZDWFKLQJ LW RQOLQHZKLFK,ÀQGSHFXOLDUDVDOOLW ZDVLVWZREORNHVVDWRQDVWDJHWDONLQJDERXWÀOPVµKHODXJKV ´,WKLQNDQ\RQHFRXOGOLVWHQWRRXU SURJUDPPHZKHWKHUWKH\·UHDKDUGFRUH FLQHPD IDQ RU VRPHRQH ZKR·V QRWEHHQLQ\HDUVDQGVWLOOEHHQWHUWDLQHG E\ WKH SURJUDPPH , WKLQN
RXUFKHPLVWU\LVXQLTXHZH·YHEHHQ WRJHWKHURQ/LYHIRUWHQ\HDUVDQG VL[\HDUVEHIRUHWKDWRQ5DGLR+H FDQ WDON WR WKH DXGLHQFH DQG , FDQ WDONDERXWÀOPVµ ´:H·UH D EL]DUUH FRPELQDWLRQ EXW LW PHDQV ZH FDQ WDON DERXW $QGU]HM =XODZVNL·V Possesion in one EUHDWKDQGWKHQHZ=DF(IURQPRYLH VWUDLJKW DIWHUZDUGV EXW WUHDW ERWK RI WKHP LQ WKH VDPH ZD\ PHDQLQJ DQ\RQHFDQOLVWHQDQGDQ\RQHFDQEH HQWHUWDLQHG$V,ZDVVD\LQJEHIRUH ZKHWKHU\RXJHWWKDWDVDUDGLRSURJUDPPH D SRGFDVW RU D WHOHYLVLRQ SURJUDPPH LW PDNHV QR GLIIHUHQFH ,WZRXOGZRUNLQDQ\DUHQDµ :KHQ DVNHG DERXW KLV IDYRXULWH ÀOPV RI WKH \HDU .HUPRGH DJDLQ SURYHV ERWK KLV EORFNEXVWHU DQG %ULWLVKÀOPFUHGHQWLDOV´$WWKHPRPHQW Inception is probably my faYRXULWHÀOPRIWKH\HDU,ORYHGMade In DagenhamDQGZLVKWKDWKDGGRQH EHWWHU WKDQ LW GLG DW WKH ER[ RIÀFH ,WKLQNLWZDVDKDUGVHOOEXWLWZDV RQHRIWKHEHVWÀOPVRIWKH\HDU,I WKRVHWZRÀOPVDUHQ·WLQP\WRSÀYH ÀOPVRIWKH\HDU,·OOEHVXUSULVHGµ Mark Kermode’s It’s Only A Movie tour comes to the Northern Stage on Thursday November 4. His book of the same name is out now.
28
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Culture Film
film film of the week
Paranormal Activity 2 Director: Tod Williams Cast: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Brian Boland 5XQWLPH PLQV
The sequel to the hugely successful Paranormal Activity sees a family terrorised by unseen forces, a premise ZKLFKLVQRWQHZIRUIDQVRIWKHÀUVW ÀOP 6FHQHV ÀOPHG E\ D KDQGKHOG FDPHUD PDGH IDPRXV E\ WKH ÀUVW ÀOPDUHIDUDQGIHZLQWKLVIROORZ XSÀOPZLWKWKHIDPLO\LQVWHDGLQ stalling a series of security cameras around their home following an unH[SODLQHGEUHDNLQ The choice to opt for more professional looking scenes gave the impression of always being observed, but took away some of the panic that was instilled by shaky camera work. The scenes which did feature the handheld camera were welcome and provided some of the more WHQVHPRPHQWVRIWKHÀOP
'LUHFWRU7RG:LOOLDPVGLGDQH[FHO OHQWMRERIEXLOGLQJXSWHQVLRQLQWKH ÀOPLQDZD\WKDWZDVUHPLQLVFHQWRI some of the older thrillers of the 20th &HQWXU\6ORZSDFHGVFHQHVà LFNLQJ between the security cameras in the darkness really got the audience on the edge of their seats, so much so that a resounding groan was heard when the tension was dropped and the scene switched to morning. At times this became a little frustrating when watching the family SRXURUDQJHMXLFHIRUEUHDNIDVWZDV favoured over the conclusions of that night’s paranormal activity. What you must remember when watching Paranormal Activity 2 LVWKDWWKHÀOP is a psychological thriller by genre. 'RQ¡W H[SHFW VFHQHV WKDW JHW \RXU pulse racing every few minutes, but instead welcome the build-up of terror as watching the family’s everyday life is interchanged with some truly chilling scenes. Paranormal Activity 2’s cast perIRUP H[WUHPHO\ ZHOO WRJHWKHU DQG at times much of the dialogue feels improvised, which only helps in
visualising them as a real family. While at some points you may feel like you accidentally tuned into Big Brother, the night-time paranormal occurrences do make up for it. 7KH ÀOP¡V GRZQIDOO LV WKDW LW LV much the same as Paranormal Activity, and by this point the audience NQRZZKHQWRH[SHFWPRPHQWVWKDW make you throw your popcorn up into the air. This is remedied only E\ D GHHSHU H[SORUDWLRQ LQWR WKH P\WKRORJ\WRXFKHGXSRQLQWKHÀUVW ÀOP7KHWUXWKLVParanormal Activity 2 would feel like a copy of its predecessor, were it not for the story linkLQJ WR WKDW RI WKH ÀUVW ÀOP DQG DQ H[SDQVLRQ RQ WKH LGHDV UDLVHG EDFN in 2009. Paranormal Activity LV D ÀOP IUDQ FKLVH EHVW H[SHULHQFHG LQ D SDFNHG cinema with like-minded people calling out in terror at some of the VFDULHU PRPHQWV LQ WKH ÀOP :LWK the Saw franchise about to take a bow this Halloween, we will soon be in need of a new set of horror ÀOPV -XGJLQJ E\ WKH SRSXODULW\ RI Paranormal Activity and the (at times
cheap) thrills to be had from it – this could be the new horror franchise we’re looking for. It certainly has my vote.
idea and executed it well, Paranormal Activity 2 does not cover any QHZ JURXQG )DQV RI WKH ÀUVW ÀOP won’t be disappointed but those hoping for improvements may be.
Verdict: A slow-paced psychological thriller held together by a rather predictable storyline. While Paranormal Activity took a unique
Clare Tweedy
feature film five Video rentals are living on borrowed time Sequels There was a time when the end of the week signalled a trip to the local video rental store. Arguing would HQVXHDVWRZKDWÀOPWRSLFNIRUWKDW week. Popcorn and drinks would be bought on the way home and then everyone would settle in the living room to watch whatever had eventually been decided on. Usually a FKLFNà LFN QHYHUDie Hard. But with rental stores slowly dying away, these memories seem more distant than ever. ChoicesUK ZDV WKH ÀUVW PDMRU UHQWDO VWRUH WR go. As the second largest, behind %ORFNEXVWHULWZDVWKHÀUVWQDLOLQWR WKHFRIÀQRISK\VLFDOYLGHRUHQWDOV They made a bad decision. With the rise of the internet and on demand video services around 2003, it would seem an obvious FKRLFHWRMXPSRQWKHEDQGZDJRQ But by the time they realised digital distribution and on demand services were the way forward, it was too late. With £13 million in debts, the company went into administration in 2007. Since the start of 2010, the
American arm of Blockbuster has been teetering on the edge of bankUXSWF\ XQWLO ÀQDOO\ LQ 6HSWHPEHU they declared themselves bankrupt with debts of $900 million. They say they will keep 3,000 stores open but will be closing around 900 by the end of 2010. Questions have been asked about why rentals have declined so rapidly. This year alone has seen an increase in sales of DVDs and cinHPDWLFNHWVDQGWKHLQGXVWU\LVÀQG ing its feet again after the economic crisis. In-store rentals have faltered due to the rise of technology. People don’t want to take a trip into town to pick up a rental copy only to have to go back a few days later to drop it off. It’s so much easier if it’s sent by post and they can send it back by post. It saves effort. LoveFilm have become a booming business, especially after the acquisition of Amazon’s DVD rental service. As of January 2009, they claimed to have over a million members with 4 million rentals a month. They also
preview 127 Hours Director: Danny Boyle Cast: James Franco, Amber Tamblyn, Kate Mara, Lizzy Caplan, Sean Bott ETA: January 2011
provide a streaming service as part of the rental package which is also making a move to the PS3, making LWHYHQHDVLHUWRVWUHDPÀOPV 1HWà L[ LQ WKH 86 LV WKH PRVW successful streaming service by a mile. Not only can you watch it on your computer, you can watch LWRQL3KRQHVVSHFLDOVHWWRSER[HV ;ER[ V PDQ\ VWDQGDUG FDEOH ER[HVDQGFHUWDLQ%OX5D\SOD\HUV 7KH\DOVRKDYHDLPVWRH[SDQGRXW side of US territory, which was announced shortly after Blockbuster’s bankruptcy which is probably more than a coincidence. The death of in-store rentals is simply down to technology. It’s so much easier, in this digital age, to get it immediately or with minimum fuss that Blockbuster stores ZRXOGQDWXUDOO\ÀQGLWKDUGWRNHHS up. Adapt to survive or get left in the dirt. Chris Taylor
Following the immense success of Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, it comes as no surprise that Danny Boyle’s subsequent work has been greeted ZLWK ERWK H[SHFWDWLRQ DQG K\SH The question now is whether his follow up, 127 Hours, will be able to deliver. Based on the true story of AmeriFDQ PRXQWDLQ FOLPEHU $URQ 5DO VWRQ WKH ÀOP IROORZV KLV FDUHIUHH life until he is trapped in a canyon for 5 days whilst hiking in Utah. With no way of contacting the outside world, the trekker (Franco)
5. The Godfather: Part II 7KHJUHDWHVWÀOPLQWKHPRVWFULWL FDOO\DFFODLPHGÀOPVHULHVThe Godfather II LV D ÀOP \RX PXVW VHH 'H Niro as a young Vito, Pacino as an aging Michael, Duvall, Keaton, the list is endless. While Part I may have had more iconic scenes, the sequel’s two tier storyline acts perfectly as the peak of the series. 4. Terminator 2: Judgement Day :DWFKLWQRZDQGLW¡VDJUHDWÀOP tarnished by dire sequels. Watch it when it came out in 1991, and you’d be blown away. Then, the CGI was groundbreaking, Arnold’s turn from villain to hero stunned the audience, and some of the best one-liners in history were born. 3. Return of the King Jackson’s famous trilogy is awe-inspiring throughout, but Return of the King is the best of the two sequels. Both have epic battles but the vast cavalry charge, the Mumakil and WKHJUHDWWDEOHDXMXVWHGJHVLW is pushed to his limits, eventually he must make a gruesome decision in order to escape. During this time 5DOVWRQ UHHYDOXDWHV KLV OLIH DQG LV ÀQDOO\ UHVFXHG DIWHU KLNLQJ IRU miles after freeing himself. Medical assistance was required for audience members when the ÀOP GHEXWHG DW WKH 7RURQWR ÀOP IHVWLYDO SURYLQJ %R\OH¡V ÀOP LV D powerful movie not for the faint hearted. Franco’s performance has gained critical acclaim, already surroundLQJ WKH ÀOPZLWK2VFDUEX]] ZLWK
2. Casino Royale 2IDOOWKH%RQGÀOPVWKLVLVSURED bly one of the best. The plot’s gritty, gripping and realistic, the characters actually have multiple dimensions, 'DQLHO &UDLJ LV WKH SHUIHFW PL[ RI ZLWDQGWRXJKQHVVDQGWKHÀQDOOLQH lifted us up off our seats. This is posVLEO\WKHEHVW%RQGÀOPHYHU 1. The Dark Knight (YHQ WKRXJK LW ZDV à DZHG E\ LWV length, Ledger’s swansong as the Joker captivated the world. Eckhart, Bale, Caine, Oldman and Gyllenhaal all give superb performances, but are overshadowed by that one great questiom: Why so serious? Rollo Kirkman 5DOVWRQ KLPVHOI DGPLWWLQJ WKDW KH IRXQG SDUWV RI WKH ÀOP KDUG WR watch. It seems that Boyle’s Midas touch may have struck again cementing himself as one of the most powerful British directors in Hollywood, and ZLWKWKHUHOHDVHLQFORVHSUR[LPLW\ to award season, the Northerner may be sweeping them up once again. Liz Tucker
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
29
Film Culture Film Editor: Adam Williams - courier.culture-film@ncl.ac.uk
in cinemas Red Director: Robert Schwentke Cast: Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, Mary-Louise Parker, Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman Runtime: 111 mins
This summer saw the release of The Expendables, which with its all star cast of ageing tough guys was billed as the “ultimate action movieâ€?. DeVSLWH LWV VWURQJ ER[ RIĂ€FH SHUIRUP ance, it was generally panned by
Ramona and Beezus Director: Elizabeth Allen Cast: Selena Gomez, Sandra Oh, Joey King, John Corbett Runtime: 104 mins
‘Mrs Meacham says I’m a nui-
critics for its mindless violence and lack of substance. In Red, Bruce Willis (who had a small role in The Expendables) returns with a similar concept but much more substance. Willis stars as Frank Moses, a retired CIA agent who is getting restless and bored of his dull life in suburban Cleveland, Ohio. However this peace is soon shattered when a team of assassins sent by his former employers attack his home. We learn that Moses has been clasVLÀHGDV5('²´5HWLUHG([WUHPHO\ 'DQJHURXV¾ïDQGKHLVIRUFHGLQWR an adventure which criss-crosses the USA, enlisting the help of his former colleagues (Freeman, Malko-
YLFKDQG0LUUHQ WRÀQGRXWZKRLV behind the plot to kill them. It’s tempting to suggest that such a stellar cast has been wasted on this ÀOP ZKLFK GRHVQ¡W WDNH LWVHOI WRR seriously. However we get the impression that the actors are having DJHQXLQHO\JRRGWLPHDQGWKH\ÀW their characters well. Morgan Freeman plays the role he does best as a wise old man, while -RKQ 0DONRYLFK DOVR ÀOOV KLV XVXDO slot as an unhinged lunatic, providing many of the laughs. Helen Mirren makes a surprisingly good action heroine whilst the lesser known Mary-Louise Parker is impressive as a pensions administrator unwittingly caught up in the plot.
7KHĂ€OPGRHVDIDLUO\JRRGMRERI combining action and comedy, with the one-liners coming thick and fast, DQGVRPHSUHWW\KXPRURXVĂ€JKWVH quences.
and style. The plot doesn’t make too much sense but if you can suspend your disbelief for a couple of hours Red is humorous and actionpacked good fun.
Verdict: Comparisons with The Expendables are to be expected, but Red’s take on old-timer action heroes is done with much more wit
Jack Torrance
sance, and she’s a professional.’ Spirited third-grader Ramona Quimby always seems to be messing things up for everyone, and to great comic end if you’re a certain age. Based on the popular childrens’ series by Beverly Cleary, the ÀOPFRPELQHVHQGHDULQJSHUIRUP ances, wonderfully tame humor and a summer soundtrack, complete with old friend the full orchestral backing. *RPH]ÀOOVWKHVWDSOHROGHUVLVWHU UROHDVW\SLÀHGE\WKHPRGHUQ IDPLO\ÀOPSURYLGLQJWKHH[SHFW
able moment of anger and, ‘everything you touch you mess up,’ line roughly two thirds of the way through, paving the way for what can only be a sound resolution as soft and cuddly as the family cat. 7KHĂ€OPLVQRWDOOEDGWKRXJK with some moments of genuinely cute entertainment, sugar-dusted with the morals and values consistent with the genre, from, ‘being different is not a bad thing,’ to, ‘turn this thing around, just keep trying kiddo.’ Young actress Joey King, (Quarantine) is particularly charis-
matic and enjoyable to watch. After the father’s sudden redundancy threatens the comfort of family life, Ramona’s ill-fated efforts to save the house become the main source for momentum, whereas stronger side stories and funnier turns would have been necessary WRVDYHDÀOPZKLFKRIWHQODFNHG energy. Despite some variance in VW\OHWKHÀOPODFNHGWKHIDQWDVWL cal sense of adventure otherwise H[SHFWHGIRUDÀOPRIWKLVW\SH%XW WKHHQGLQJLVXSOLIWLQJDQGWKHÀOP itself distinctly inoffensive, see-
ing the appearance of other stars such as Josh Duhamel and Bridget Moynahan.
The Arbor
on the Arbor estate itself and are watched by its current day residents. This provides an almost eerie backdrop to the events unfolding RQœVWDJH¡7KHÀOPVLWVHOIPDQDJHV to capture the many obstacles Dunbar faced, and the interview with Lorraine is both poignant and at times controversial. Her comments since the death of her mother have caused huge amounts of friction DQGWKLVLVUHà HFWHGLQWKHLQWHU views with the rest of the family. Lorraine’s suppressed anger towards the premature death of her mother is the real tragedy of the ÀOP,WUDYDJHVKHUOLIHDQGFXO minates with the story behind her
conviction for manslaughter following the death of her two-year-old son in 2007.
The Arbor is a compelling portrayal of Bradford playwright, Andrea Dunbar. Named after the council estate on which she spent the majority of her life. Dunbar’s life was tragically short, dying at the age of 7KLVÀOPH[SORUHVQRWRQO\WKH
events that shaped her life, but also her legacy and her troubled relationship with her eldest daughter Lorraine. 7KHIRUPDWRIWKHÀOPLVSDU ticularly interesting and certainly gives it a unique style. Director Clio Barnard interviewed the people most integral to Dunbar’s life and then used actors to lip synch the audio recorded. The actors are then placed in the setting that corresponds to the point in their life that they are discussing. This is interspersed with archive footage of Dunbar from the late 80s DQGH[FHUSWVIURPWKHRULJLQDOSOD\ These are performed alfresco
director Zack Snyder join forces IRUWKLVIDQWDV\IDPLO\ÀOP%DVHG RQWKHÀUVWWKUHHQRYHOVRI.DWK ryn Lasky’s series, the animation revolves around Soren (Sturgess), a young naive owl enchanted by the mythical stories his father tells him. After he and his brother Kludd are kidnapped by a band of villains (the Pure Ones) the owlet escapes in search of the mythical, winged protectors known as the Guardians of Ga’Hoole. Whilst Soren dreams of uniting
with his heroes to protect the innocent and vanquish evil, his jealous sibling ventures to the dark side to prove his power. Ultimately both brothers must defend their own throne and put an end to the other. 7KHÀOPODFNVLQRULJLQDOLW\DQG can be too dark for the youngsters watching. At times you’re left wondering as to who the target audience actually is; the humour seems to only appeal to the juveniles amongst us, whilst the violence seems a bit too much. The story is
dry and predictable, but seriously, ZKDWIDPLO\ÀOPLVQ¡W" However, all the negatives are quite literally blown away by the quality of the 3D animation and voice acting. The relatively unknown cast beautifully portray their emotions while Snyder uses his signature sequences of slow motion action to emphasise his visual masterpiece, leaving the audience in awe. The whole production is a feast for the eyes which makes this fantasy well worth a watch.
Verdict: The storyline is dull and dry but the rich colour and picWXUHVTXHYLHZLQJPDNHVWKHĂ€OP extraordinarily unique. The voice DFWLQJZDVĂ DZOHVVUHJDUGOHVVRI the fact that the cast was relatively inexperienced.
WKDWWKLVĂ€OPEHORQJVWRWKHFDWHJR ry ‘easy viewing‘ as it contains all the ingredients a standard romantic comedy needs nowadays. But there is a slight difference between Easy ADQGRWKHUĂ€OPVRIWKDWNLQGDVLW indeed has some sort of substance. Olive (Stone) is just a small town girl, but after lying to her best about losing her virginity and pretendLQJWRKDYHVH[ZLWKKHUJD\IULHQG Brandon (Byrd) at a party to make him look straight, she is suddenly thrust into the spotlight. Suddenly, the underdogs of her school start paying her for pretending that she has slept with them. She agrees to their offers - not
because of compassion, but rather to provoke those who turn up their noses on her; one of them is Marianne (Bynes), the head of the Christian society. Inspired by the novel The Scarlet Letter that deals with a nun who has to wear a red A for ‘adultery‘, she attaches the letter to her clothes and keeps up her new bad reputation. But eventually, things get out of control and Olive UHDOLVHVWKHXQH[SHFWHGO\VHULRXV consequences of her behaviour. $OWKRXJKWKHĂ€OPERUURZVDIHZ hackneyed clichĂŠs (not all Christian students meet in their breaks to sing ‘Go down, Moses‘), Easy A actually carries a legitimate message;
that the consequences of a lie might be worse than you think.
Director: Clio Barnard Cast: Christine Bottomley, Manjinder Virk, Monica Dolan Runtime: 94 mins
Legend of the Guardians Director: Zack Snyder Cast: Jim Sturgess, Helen Mirren, Geoffrey Rush Runtime: 97 mins The creators of Happy Feet and
Easy A Directors: Will Gluck Cast: Emma Stone, Amanda Bynes, Dan Byrd Runtime: 92 mins
$WĂ€UVWVLJKWEasy A seems to be MXVWDQRWKHUODPHFKLFNĂ LFNIRUD night at the cinema with the ladies or for an evening in front of the TV in your most worn out tracksuit. It‘s not only the name that suggests
9HUGLFW 7KLVĂ€OPIHDWXUHVD marvellously sarcastic protagonist in Emma Stone and some really funny scenes and characters too, proving that the fabulous Stanley Tucci can basically play every role from a loving father to an extravagant, gay fashion expert. Lisa Bernhardt
9HUGLFW $PLOGO\HQMR\DEOHĂ€OP which is average at best. Some humorous moments and a general warm feeling but not without periods which may fail to maintain the full interest of some viewers. Hayley Hamilton
Verdict: A fascinating insight LQWRDà DZHGJHQLXV,WLVSUHVHQW ed thoughtfully and backed up by a string of excellent performances from a largely unknown cast allows Barnard’s ambitious vision to à RXULVKDQGPDNHVIRULQWULJXLQJ viewing. Joe Palmer
Burhana Islam
30
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Culture Music
music feature
Column
The decline of a cultural institution?
PopScene
Iain Riddell investigates whether record shops are still relevant in the modern world ,Q 6HSWHPEHU 1DWDOLH DQG , GLG D VSRW RI ψ DWVLWWLQJ¡ LQ /HHGV ,Q a weekend that mainly consisted RI 1DWDOLH SXUFKDVLQJ HYHU\ FDU GLJDQ LQ WRZQ , GHFLGHG WR FKHFN RXW ZKDW /HHGV KDG WR RIIHU LQ WKH way of independent record shops GUDJJLQJ 1DW DORQJ WR &UDVK DQG Jumbo Records. We were able to QDYLJDWH SDVW +09 D KLJK VWUHHW store which looks the same up and GRZQWKHFRXQWU\DQGIRXQGUHIXJH DPRQJVWVKRSVZLWKPRUHFKDUDFWHU than your local butcher (if they still exist either). :KLOVW EURZVLQJ IRU UHFRUGV ZH ZHUHDEOHWRODXJKDWDOEXPFRYHUV such as Push Push E\ +HUELH 0DQQ *RRJOH LW , GDUH \RX EHIRUH VHW WOLQJ RQ WKH UHFHQW %HVW &RDVW UH lease. The purchase was followed E\WKHH[SHFWDWLRQRIWDNLQJLWKRPH DQG KDYLQJ QHYHU KHDUG WKH DOEXP EHIRUH SOD\LQJ LW IRU WKH Ă€UVW WLPH You see, record shops are not just DERXWFRQVXPLQJPXVLFEXWWKH\¡UH WKHUH WR KHOS \RX Ă€QG PXVLF WDON about music, and listen to music. 3XUFKDVLQJDUHFRUGLVDQHQMR\DEOH HYHQW DQG ZKHQHYHU , ORRN DW %HVW &RDVW , UHPHPEHU VLWWLQJ LQ $O DQG -XOH¡VNLWFKHQZLWK1DWKDYLQJDSLF nic tea. Why is this relevant? Well as a student at Newcastle University, you live in a city with a vibrant PXVLF VFHQH DQG VRPH DPD]LQJ LQ GHSHQGHQW UHFRUG VKRSV 6R JR RXW there, explore, and have some fun DORQJWKHZD\WRR 2YHU WKH SDVW Ă€YH \HDUV RYHU independent record shops have FORVHGLQWKH8. (5$ OHDY LQJ DURXQG VKRSV UHPDLQLQJ This means certain students will QHYHUJHWWKHFKDQFHWRYLVLWDUHFRUG shop as they disappear by the day. We are lucky that Newcastle has a vibrant independent music scene, but we’ve also had casualties $OW 9LQ\O 2OG +LW] 5HFRUGV 3HW 6RXQGV 5RRWV DQG 6SLQ DORQJVLGH chains such as Zaavi, Music Zone and Woolworths. To explain the UHDVRQZK\VKRSVDUHFORVLQJZRXOG take a novel, but mainly it’s because RI GRZQORDGV XQGHUFRVW VHOOLQJ E\ WKH VXSHUPDUNHWV DQG 9$7 ORRS holes employed by online retailers. Where companies distribute WKURXJKWKH&KDQQHO,VODQGVSURG XFWVXQGHUÂ…DUHH[HPSWIURPWD[ 7KHUHIRUHPXVLFERXJKWIURPDVKRS LVPRUHH[SHQVLYH VRRQWREH WKDQ LI ERXJKW RQOLQH 7KLV LV D PDVVLYH ORRSKROH WKDW LV ORVLQJ the economy millions. With student fees expected to increase, you have to ask yourself - would you rather KDYHDFKHDS&'DQGSD\Â…D year in uni fees, or would you rather the loophole was stopped and more money was pumped back into the economy? 1LFN +RUQE\ DXWKRU RI High Fidelity says, “Yes, I know. It’s easier to download music, and probDEO\ FKHDSHU %XW ZKDW¡V SOD\LQJ on your favourite download store
ZKHQ \RX ZDON LQWR LW" 1RWKLQJ WKDW¡V ZKDW :KR DUH \RX JRLQJ WR meet in there? Nobody. Where are WKHQRWLFHERDUGVRIIHULQJĂ DWVKDUHV and vacant slots in bands destined IRU VXSHUVWDUGRP" :KR¡V JRLQJ WR WHOO\RXWRVWRSOLVWHQLQJWRWKDWDQG VWDUWOLVWHQLQJWRWKLV"*RDKHDGDQG save yourself a couple of quid. The VDYLQJ ZLOO FRVW \RX D FDUHHU D VHW of cool friends, musical taste and, eventually, your soul. Record stores FDQ¡W VDYH \RXU OLIH %XW WKH\ FDQ JLYH\RXDEHWWHURQHÂľ <RX VHH WKH NH\ DGYDQWDJH WR record shops is that you can touch them; they’re a physical entity and are full of real people. Every week ,JRWR5300XVLFWRFKHFNRXWWKH ODWHVWUHOHDVHVDQG,DPJUHHWHGZLWK DFXSRIWHDDQGPXVLFDONQRZOHGJH that far surpasses Pitchfork and other online sources. The reason for this is that Ritch at RPM knows me, he knows what music I like and dislike. I’ve also met bands and many of Newcastle’s club promoters from QLJKWV VXFK DV 6WRQH /RYH %XOOHW proof and Jukebox just from chatWLQJWR5LWFKDWWKHFRXQWHUZKLFK DUH NH\ QHWZRUNLQJ RSSRUWXQLWLHV IRU DQ\ \RXQJ EDQG RU '- 0DLQO\ this social interaction is fun. It is fun to talk about music and see what’s out there. Jukebox promoter and music enthusiast Kristian Atkinson commented that: “Record shops are relevant to the people that care about music and have a hobby of collectLQJPXVLFÂľ7KLVLVDOPRVWFHUWDLQO\ true, and record shops certainly WDUJHWDQLFKHPDUNHWRIVRFLHW\EXW LI \RX¡UH LQWR PXVLF HQMR\ JRLQJ WR JLJV RU OLNH WDONLQJ DERXW PXVLF WKHQ \RX¡UH SUREDEO\ JRLQJ WR ORYH UHFRUGVKRSV6RZK\QRWFKHFNWKH
Christopher Scott discusses why he thinks record shops are a thing of the past Record stores have had their day. They were once places to be seen LQDIWHUWKHÀUVW9LUJLQUHFRUGVWRUH DOORZHG \RX WR MXVW KDQJ RXW WKHUH with friends and openly smoke now they feel more like museums; relics of a time when you couldn’t just sit at home and browse endless lists of new bands, albums and sinJOHV7KH\MXVWDUHQ¡WFRQYHQLHQWDQ\ more, which overrides their initial SXUSRVH:LWKWKHYDVWFDWDORJXHRI available material instore, this only scratches the surface of all the muVLFRXWWKHUHUDNLQJWKURXJKLQÀQLWH lines of vinyl’s and CDs isn’t conYHQLHQWDQGLW¡VMXVWDQQR\LQJ7KHQ
“In reality, most people haven’t got time to hack their way through the wilderness of new releases, mixed in with albums that should never have seen WKHOLJKWRIGD\LQWKHĂ€UVW placeâ€? you eventually see the artist’s name \RX¡UH ORRNLQJ IRU DQG MXVW Ă€QG D SODVWLFVKHHWVD\LQJœ¡6ROGRXW¡¡7KH employees insist they can either reserve you a copy or order one in, but
that means another trip to the store at a later date. Wouldn’t it be far easier to browse WKURXJK DOO WKH DYDLODEOH PXVLF where you can actively search for VSHFLÀF DOEXPV DUWLVWV HYHQ NH\ words in case you don’t know the exact name of the newest album from your favourite band? Not only that, EXW \RX FDQ DUUDQJH \RXU VHDUFKHV by alphabetical order, price, release date and many more options. All WKDW ZKLOVW EHLQJ DEOH WR SUHYLHZ DOEXP WUDFNV D WKLQJ UHFRUG VWRUHV SULGHGWKHPVHOYHVRQEHLQJDEOHWR do, whereas now it is almost imposVLEOHWRÀQGVWRUHVZKRZLOOOHW\RX open a new CD, never mind have a quick listen) and purchase as many DOEXPV DV \RX ZDQW JHWWLQJ WKHP delivered to your door. The internet DOVRRIIHUV\RXWKHRSSRUWXQLW\WRJR ORRNLQJ WKURXJK QHZ EDQG¡V PDWH ULDORQ0\6SDFH:LWKWKLV\RXFDQ ÀQG QHZ PXVLF YHU\ HDVLO\ either for free, or at a ludicrously low cost. 7KHLQWHUQHWKDVUDLVHGWKHœFRQYHQ ience’ bar far above the capabilities RIUHFRUGVWRUHV7KLVLVUHà HFWHGLQ the number of independent record VWRUHV FORVLQJ WKHLU GRRUV IRU JRRG It is unfortunate; they should be treasured and reminisced about WKURXJK URVH WLQWHG JODVVHV DWWLUH most record store customers would have worn when they were popular LQWKH6HYHQWLHV %XWLQUHDOLW\PRVW SHRSOHKDYHQ¡WJRWWLPHWRKDFNWKHLU ZD\WKURXJKWKHZLOGHUQHVVRIQHZ releases, mixed in with albums that VKRXOGQHYHUKDYHVHHQWKHOLJKWRI GD\LQWKHÀUVWSODFHV7KDW¡VZK\LQ this new world of access-all convenience, the internet can be your local shop and your worldwide super store.
An outdated atmosphere? The hallowed, cluttered halls of the traditional record shop are slowly but surely disappearing from the UK
Mark CorcoranLettice Columnist
Welcome, dear readers, to Pop6FHQH,QHDFKLQVWDOPHQWRIWKLVRF FDVLRQDO FROXPQ ,¡OO EH JLYLQJ \RX WKH VFRRS RQ ZKDW¡V KDSSHQLQJ LQ the Newcastle scene every month: the local bands to look out for, the JLJVWRJHWWRWKHQLJKWVWREHVHHQ DWDQGDQ\WKLQJHOVHWKDWÀQGVLWVHOI à RDWLQJXSIURPWKHJURWHVTXHÀQL tudes of my mind. First up, a massive heads-up to local promoter Portions For Foxes: damn, this dude has one busy schedule this month. You’d think WKDW EDJJLQJ WKH H[2UDQJH -XLFH OHJHQG (GZ\Q &ROOLQV IRU D VROG out show at The Cluny (November ZRXOGEHHQRXJKIRURQHPRQWK EXWVHHPLQJO\QRW $PRQJVW WKH GLYHUVH DVVRUWPHQW RI GHOLJKWV WKH\¡UH SXWWLQJ RQ IRU WKHÀQHIRONVRIWKLVFLW\SDUWLFXODU PHQWLRQKDVWRJRWR&DVLRWRQH)RU 7KH 3DLQIXOO\ $ORQH DW 7KH +HDG RI 6WHDP RQ 1RYHPEHU ² D ORÀ auteur like no other, it’s Casiotone’s farewell tour, and your last chance WR FDWFK WKLV XQGHUJURXQG LFRQ LQ action (and with reed-voiced EdinEXUJK VLQJHUVRQJZULWHU :LWKHUHG +DQGVXSSRUWLQJWRRLW¡VDIRUPLGD ble bill). With epic, Civil War-inspired rockers Titus Andronicus on the 23rd and black-metal overlords Wolves in the Throne Room on the 29th as well (both at the Cluny 2), there’s a month of incredible (and incredibly ORXG $PHULFDQVRXQGVFRPLQJXS %XW LW¡V QRW MXVW WKHVH WR ORRN RXW IRU /RÀ HOHFWURQLF SURGXFHU *ROG 3DQGD IHDWXUHG LQ WKH %%& 6RXQG RIOLVWSOD\V7KH&XWQLJKWFOXE ZLWKVXSSRUWIURPWKHVXSHUE%DQMR RU )UHDNRXW RQ WKH WK ZLWK IUHH HQWU\ WR UHJXODU QLJKW 'UDJQHW IRU early arrivals as well, while Pulled $SDUW%\+RUVHVDUHJHWWLQJWKHSDU W\VWDUWHGDW7KH&OXQ\RQWKHWK 2U IRU VRPHWKLQJ D OLWWOH GLIIHUHQW JHW\RXUVHOIGRZQWR7KH&OXQ\RQ WKH WK DQG VHH 0U % WKH *HQWOH PDQ 5K\PHU WKH (QJOLVK FRXQWU\ JHQWDUPHGZLWKDWLQ\EDQMRDQGD ZKROHKHDSRIUHWRROHGJDQJVWDUDS WXQHV ² WKLQN œ6WUDLJKW RXW RI 6XU rey’. A quick word for a few local acts to check out: as ever, Richard DawVRQ UHPDLQV D VRQJZULWHU RI UDUH beauty and power, and he’s playLQJ 7KH &XPEHUODQG $UPV RQ WKH WKDORQJVLGHDQRWKHUVXSHUEORFDO folk act, Cath & Phil Tyler, while indie/dubstep/alternative/jazz/ QRLVHZKDWHYHU FRPER 6KLIW6WDWLF WDNHSDUWLQ1RUWK(DVW8QVLJQHGDW WKH /<+ MXVW RII 1RUWKXPEHUODQG 6WUHHW RQWKHWK 6R WKHUH DUH WKH ELJ GDWHV DQG bands to look out for this month – PD\EH VHH \RX ZLWK \RXU GDQFLQJ shoes on for some Fakeindiedisco fun at Newcastle Arts Centre on the WK"
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
31
Music Culture Music Editors: Polly Randall & Joe Skrebels - courier.culture-music@ncl.ac.uk
interview Christopher Scott meets rap’s rising star, Chiddy Bang -XVWEHIRUH7LQLH7HPSDK·VSHUIRUP DQFH DW WKH 2 $FDGHP\ ZH ZHUH DEOH WR KDYH D TXLFN FKDW ZLWK WKH VXSSRUW DFW RI WKH HYHQLQJ WKH ULV LQJKLSKRSVWDU&KLGG\%DQJ+H·V FRPH D ORQJ ZD\ LQ RQO\ D FRXSOH RI \HDUV DQG KDV GRQH ZKDW PDQ\ DVSLULQJ UDSSHUV FDQ RQO\ GUHDP DERXWGRLQJ +HVWDUWHGUDSSLQJDWWKHDJHRIWHQ DQGKHNHSWDWLWHYHU\GD\+HVD\V WKDWJURZLQJXSLQ1HZ-HUVH\ZDV ZKDW ÀUVW JRW KLP LQVSLUHG WR EH D UDSDUWLVW ´7KHUH·VDYHU\GHHSDQG WKULYLQJ KLS KRS FXOWXUH DQG LW·V D SODFHZKHUHLW·VYHU\HDV\WRJHWLQ YROYHGZLWKUDSµ%XWKHGLGQ·WJHW KLVEUHDNXQWLOKHPHWKLVFRSURGXF HU ´,ZHQWWRFROOHJHDERXWD\HDU \HDUDQGDKDOIDJRDQGWKDW·VZKHUH ,PHW1RDK-RQHVDQGIURPWKHUHZH MXVW VWDUWHG FROODERUDWLQJ ZRUNLQJ RQ NLQGV RI FUD]\ VWXII ZLWKLQ WKDW VKRUW\HDUDQGDKDOIµ 7KH UDS VFHQH KDV EHHQ DOZD\V EHHQDYHU\KDUGJHQUHWREUHDNLQWR DQG PDNH LW ELJ LW KDV VRPH RI WKH most successful artists, but also has OLWHUDOO\ RI WKRXVDQGV RI DVSLULQJ SHUIRUPHUVWU\LQJWRUHDFKWKHWRS, DVNHG&KLGG\%DQJKRZKHPDQDJHG WREUHDNLQWRWKHUDSVFHQH ´,WKLQN there was something new about the
listings ZD\ ZH SDFNDJHG WKH ZKROH WKLQJ DQGZUDSSHGXSWKHPXVLF1RDKLV WDNLQJ LQGLH VDPSOHV ORRSLQJ WKHP DQGFKRSSLQJWKHPXSDQG,·PVSLW WLQ·EDUVRYHUWKHP$QG,WKLQNWKDW ZDVGLIIHUHQWIURPZKDWZDVJRLQJ RQDVDZKROHµ%XWWKDWGRHVQ·WH[ SODLQ KRZ RWKHU UDS DUWLVWV WHQG WR PDNHLWELJ+LVDQVZHUWRWKDWZDV ´,QWKH6WDWHVPRVWSHRSOHPDNHLW EHFDXVH WKH\ KDYH D FRVLJQ DQG WKH\·OOEHWKHRQHVJRLQJ¶/RRNRYHU KHUHWKLVSHUVRQLVKRW·EXWQRRQH UHDOO\GLGWKDWIRUPH·· )RU &KLGG\ %DQJ KHUH LQ WKH 8. KLV PRVW VXFFHVVIXO WUDFN WR GDWH LV WKH0*07FROODERUDWLRQPL[FDOOHG ¶7KH 2SSRVLWH RI $GXOWV· ZKLFK XVHV WKH 0*07 WUDFN ¶.LGV· 7KLV VSDUNHGWKHLQWHUHVWLQUHFRUGODEHOV KHUH DQG LW GLGQ·W WDNH ORQJ EHIRUH WKH\ZHUHÀJKWLQJWRVLJQKLP´:H GLG UHDOO\ ZHOO ZLWK (0, DQG WKDW ZDV RXU EUHDNLQJ SRLQW LQ WKH 8. RQFHZH·GVLJQHGWKHGHDO7KH8. ODEHO LQLWLDOO\ KHDUG WKDW WUDFN RI WKH PL[ WDSH , UHOHDVHG FDOOHG ¶7KH 6ZHOO\([SUHVV·DQGRQFHWKH\KHDUG LWWKH\ZHUHJRLQJFUD]\ZDQWLQJWR VLJQXVµ :LWK KLV H[SHULHQFH LQFUHDVLQJ ZLWK HYHU\ FROODERUDWLRQ LW ORRNV OLNHKH·VRQWUDFNWRVFRUHVRPHKXJH QDPHVLQWKHQHDUIXWXUH,QSDUWLFX ODUKHKDVKLVH\HVRQ8.VLQJHUV(O OLH*RXOGLQJDQG(OL]D'RROLWWOHDV ZHOO DV SHUIRUPHUV OLNH 7LQLH 7HP SDKDVDFWVKHZRXOGOLNHWRFROODER UDWHZLWK7RGDWHKHVD\VWKHPRVW LQWHUHVWLQJ SHRSOH KH KDV ZRUNHG
ZLWK DUH 47LS DQG 3KDUUHOO ZKHQ WKH\ GLG ZRUN LQ /$ RQ &KLGG\ %DQJ·VPLQLDOEXPThe Preview , DVNHG KLP ZKR KLV LQVSLUDWLRQV ZHUH ´, DGPLUH -D\ = DQG ZKDW KH GRHV .DQ\H :HVW DQG &ROOHJH 'URSRXW WKH\·UH WKH FDWV , ORRN XS WR , JUHZ XS LQ $PHULFD DQG LW·V MXVW SHRSOH , JUHZ XS OLVWHQ LQJ WR DQG WKH\ ZHUH WKH RQHV WKDW ODLGGRZQWKHEOXHSULQWIRUPHDQG PDGH PH ZDQW WR GR ZKDW WKH\ GR ZLWKWUDQVIRUPDWLYHPXVLFµ+HDOVR PHQWLRQHG .DQ\H·V UROH DV D SUR GXFHU DV EHLQJ DQRWKHU DVSHFW KH DGPLUHV HVSHFLDOO\ ZKHQ LW FRPHV
WR VDPSOLQJ DQG GRLQJ WUDFN ORRSV :LWKDOOKLVUHFHQWZRUNJRLQJLQWR KLVGHEXWVWXGLRDOEXPLW·VXQIRUWX QDWHO\ EHHQ SXVKHG EDFN XQWLO QH[W HDUO\ QH[W \HDU , DVNHG KLP DERXW ZKDW WKH ZH FDQ H[SHFW IURP WKH QHZDOEXP ´7KHDOEXPLVJRLQJWR EHFDOOHGThe Swelly LifeDQGLW·VRXU ÀUVW VWXGLR DOEXP 7KH DOEXP ZLOO FRQVLVW RI PLQH DQG 1RDK·V HIIRUWV RYHUWKHODVW\HDUDQGWU\WRVKRZRII WKH H[SHULHQFH ZH·YH JDLQHG ZRUN ing with some of the biggest names LQ PXVLF 6R LW VKRXOG EH WLJKWµ ([SHFW WR VHH PXFK PXFK PRUH RI &KLGG\%DQJ
O2 Academy, October 23 2010 3HUIRUPLQJLQ1HZFDVWOHIRUWKHÀUVW WLPH %URRNO\Q ÀYHSLHFH <HDVD\HU OLWXSWKH2$FDGHP\DQGJRWWKH VOLJKWO\VSDUVHFURZGPRYLQJXSRQ WKH VWLFN\ $FDGHP\ ÁRRU 2SHQLQJ
Carl Barat The Other Rooms, October 20 2010 2QWKHEDFNRIWKHPXFKDQWLFLSDWHG /LEHUWLQHV FRPHEDFN SHUIRUPDQFH DWWKH&DUOLQJ:HHNHQGMXVWPRQWKV DJR &DUO·V ZKLVWOHVWRS VROR WRXU RI VRPH RI WKH LQWLPDWH YHQXHV LQ WKH country was always going to be SROHVDSDUWIURPSHUIRUPLQJWRVHY HQW\ WKRXVDQG VFUHDPLQJFU\LQJ
moodtape 10 songs to listen to on your way back to uni after a weekend away. Pete and the Pirates - Knots /HW·V IDFH LW \RX PLVV \RXU IDPLO\ DQG IULHQGV OLYLQJ LQ WKH PRWKHU ODQG EXW \RX PLVV D FKHHN\ GDQFH GRZQWKH7RRQRQD7KXUVGD\QLJKW PRUH Interpol – The Heinrich Manoeuvre Drowns out that irritating man be KLQG \RX VXUSULVLQJO\ ZHOO (VSH FLDOO\ ZKHQ SOD\HG DW WKH KLJKHVW SRVVLEOHYROXPH
John Barrowman at Newcastle City Hall. 7pm, £29.50 ,W·V WKH GD\ DIWHU +DOORZHHQ DQG DSSDUHQWO\ DOO RI WKH FLW\·V YHQXHV ZLOOEHUHFRYHULQJIURPDKHIW\RQH /XFNLO\&DSWDLQ-DFN QRQRW-RKQ Q\ 'HSS WKH RWKHU &DSWDLQ -DFN ZLOO EH DW WKH &LW\ +DOO IRU DQ\RQH QRWH[SHULHQFLQJDKXJHKDQJRYHU VXJDUFUDVKGRLQJKLVPXPIULHQGO\ MD]]\$PHULFDQWKLQJ
Tuesday
North East Unsigned at The Head of Steam. 8pm, free entry 1RWXSWRPXFKRQ7XHVGD\"7KHQ PRVH\ RQ GRZQ WR 7KH +HDG RI 6WHDP WR VXSSRUW 1HZFDVWOH·V OR FDO XQGHUJURXQG VFHQH (QGRUVHG E\ WKH FLW\·V (YROXWLRQ IHVWLYDO LW VKRXOG EH DQ HQMR\DEO\ HDV\ JR LQJQLJKWRIJUHDWPXVLFDQGFDVXDO GULQNV LQ D EULOOLDQW YHQXH %HVW RI DOOLW·VIUHH
Wednesday
Safety in numbers: Chiddy Bang puts his growing success down to his colloborations
live Yeasayer
Monday
Irish Folk Night at The Cumberland Arms. 8pm, free entry 2QH RI 2XVHEXUQ YDOOH\·V QLFHVW SXEV"&KHFN$ZKROHUDQJHRIGH OLFLRXV UHDO DOHV DQG FLGHUV" &KHFN &RV\ DWPRVSKHUH" &KHFN 3HRSOH ZLWKÀGGOHVDFFRUGLRQVJXLWDUVDQG VXFKOLNH" &KHFN 7KH &XPEHUODQG $UPV· IRON QLJKW KDV EHHQ UXQQLQJ IRU WZHQW\ \HDUV KDSSHQV HYHU\ :HGQHVGD\DQGHYHQJLYHV\RXWKH FKDQFH WR MRLQ LQ 0DNH VXUH \RX FKHFNLWRXW
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Marina and the Diamonds at Northumbria Union. 7.30pm, £15 2+ 0< *2' WKH 6KDNLUD&DWK HULQH=HWDDFWXDOO\KHUQDPH·V0D ULQD GHOHWH DV DSSURSULDWH ORRND OLNH PDNHV KHU ZD\ EDFN XS 1RUWK IROORZLQJ WKH VXFFHVV RI KHU GHEXW album The Family Jewels earlier this \HDU([SHFWWHHQDJHJLUOVDQGSHUY\ GDGVLQPDVVHVEXWWKHWXQHVDUHDF WXDOO\SUHWW\JRRG
Friday
Two Door Cinema Club – Undercover Martyn %RXQF\ DQG XSEHDW :RUNV ZHOO ZLWK D 0DUV EDU DQG D FXS RI 1D WLRQDO5DLOWHD
Bon Iver - Flume 0LJKW DV ZHOO KDYH DQRWKHU QDS WKLVVRQJPDNHVSHUIHFWEDFNJURXQG music with characteristically soft YRFDOV
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Bombay Bicycle Club – The Hill )URP WKLV \HDU·V ¶,W· EDQG ¶7KH +LOO·ZLOOJHW\RXVWUHWFKLQJRIIWKH WUDLQ DQG EDFN LQWR XQL OLIH EHIRUH \RX NQRZ LW 6XPPHU\ DQG VXJDU\ VZHHW /LVWHQ WR WKH ZKROH RI WKLV ZHHN·V 0RRGWDSH DW www.thecourieronline.co.uk Amelia Wareing
Linkin Park at Metro Radio Arena. 7.30pm, £40.50 +DYH\RXWULHGVRKDUG"$QGJRWVR IDU" %XW LQ WKH HQG LW GRHVQ·W HYHQ PDWWHU"1HYHUPLQGDWOHDVW/LQNLQ 3DUNZLOOEHKHUHRQ)ULGD\LI\RX·YH JRW D VSDUH IRUW\ TXLG 'HVSLWH D VWHHSFRVWLI\RXVWLOOUHPHPEHUDOO WKHO\ULFVWR¶,Q7KH(QG·WKLVFRXOG EH D IXQ HYHQLQJ IURP WKH 86 QX PHWDOOHUV
Saturday
Brighton Beach at Northumbria Union. 11pm, £5 7KH ÀUVW 6DWXUGD\ RI WKH PRQWK PHDQV RQH WKLQJ ² VXLW XS JUDE D VFRRWHU DQG KHDG RQ GRZQ WR %ULJKWRQ %HDFK 2U MXVW WR 1RUWK XPEULD8QLRQZKLFKLVPXFKFORVHU DQGVWLOOSURYLGHVDOOWKHWXQHV\RX·G HYHU QHHG RQ D QLJKW RXW IURP V VRXODQG0RWRZQWRLQGLHDQG%ULW SRS
Sunday
Cancer Bats at O2 Academy 2. 7pm, £8 &DQDGLDQ KDUGFRUH SXQN JURXS &DQFHU %DWV SOD\ DW WKH $FDGHP\ WKLV 6XQGD\ $Q LQWLPDWH YHQXH ZLWKDORXGDQJU\EDQGFRXOGPDNH IRUDPXFKPRUHLQWHUHVWLQJ6XQGD\ QLJKWWKDQXVXDO Ben Travis
32
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Culture Music
music the top 5
albums Bob Dylan
1. Gorillaz – Doncamatic (All Played Out) New Single
The Witmark Demos - 1962-1964 Bob Dylan is a name that has always divided opinion. To many he is the legendary emblem of Sixties music, whose topical lyrical poetry summed up the generation of love; while to others he will always be the nasal singer that drives you mad. Love him or loathe him, you cannot GHQ\ KLV LQFUHGLEOH LQĂ XHQFH RQ the music industry. He established the importance of the singer songwriter, and set the scene for today’s stars of the new folk scene such as Laura Marling, Mumford and Sons and Johnny Flynn. I thoroughly enjoyed this album, which draws from his early back catalogue of thoughtful topical folk songs .The Witwark Demos capture Dylan at what many would argue was the height of his creativity, consisting of lesser known numbers and demo versions of some of his more famous songs such as ‘Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright’ and ‘Mr Tambourine Man’. Fifteen of the songs have previously never been released and it’s hard to see why the rhythmic, jiggy ‘Hard Times in New York Town’ and the beautiful ‘Tomorrow is a Long Time’ were never included
on his earlier albums. What’s more impressive is the consistent quality of the songs and Dylan’s ability at summing up the political and civil unrest in American society at the time. ‘Masters of War’ is a scathing attack on warmongering politicians that many would consider relevant today, whilst ‘Blowing in the Wind’ is the archetypal protest song, with its reserved music forming the EDFNGURSIRUO\ULFVWKDWLQĂ XHQFHG other singers to use music to challenge prejudices in society. However, if you are new to the music of Bob Dylan or would not consider yourself a big fan, then I wouldn’t say this is the album for you; his greatest hits collection or albums from the early Sixties such as Blonde on Blonde are more accessible and polished. For the big fans out there, this album not only contains some very good songs you are unlikely to have heard, but also offers a fascinating insight into how some of his more famous songs developed from simple demos to songs that changed the world.
Annie Mac
Broken Records
Joe McElderry
Good Charlotte
Annie Mac Presents 2010
Let Me Come Home
Wide Awake
Cardiology
The newest single from Damon Albarn’s cartoon collective plays out like ‘Stylo’s blissed-out cousin, with melodic Eighties synth sounds welded to a beautiful slice of funk, and vocalist Daley providing a smooth, diva turn. A fantastic new track from one of Britpop’s most distinct and open-minded creative forces. 2. Gruff Rhys – Shark Ridden Waters New Single The Super Furry Animals’ frontman returns with a new solo single which Ă€QGVWKH:HOVKVRQLFH[SORUHUWUDYHUV ing jazzy rhythms, multitracked backing vocals and murky pop melodies with producer Andy Votel in tow. It’s a striking contrast to his previous solo record, the folk-orientated Candylion, but on this basis, Gruff’s chameleonic skills are alive and well.
Jack Kidder
3. Darkstar – Aidy’s Girl’s a Computer Available on the album North $QQLH 0DF LV WKH WUXH Ă€UVW ODG\ RI dance music for ‘world famous’ Radio 1. Inheriting the hallowed privilege of announcing the beginning of the weekend from Pete Tong earlier this year, she has made her mark already as the prime taste-maker for our clubs. This compilation brings together some of the biggest club tracks with tracks from Tensnake, Sub Focus, Magnetic Man, Swedish House MaĂ€D'DQQ\%\UGDQG5XVNRDPRQJ others...and that is only disc one, getting faster, harder and heavier as it goes on. The second disc turns to more mellow affairs but still remaining within the dance realm with Joy Orbison, Moby, Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem and Skream. Mixed together by Annie herself, and even containing jingles, it feels like you are listening to her show with the chat removed. So does it stack up against the other plethora of generic compilation albums that will plague us before Christmas? Well, maybe. It is a dance compilation just like all the others; the only difference being this is done by the person all the others emulate. This is a deft catalogue of 2010 dance music that forms an excellent party mix-tape. Raving or Behaving? Definitely raving.
So: a seven-piece band who make frequent use of string sections and with a taste for the grand and the dramatic – this may sound a bit familiar to you. But it’s not who you think, or what you think either. Edinburgh’s gloomiest sons Broken Records got tagged with a lot of unfair Arcade Fire comparisons around the time of their debut, Until The Earth Begins To Part - but that’s completely missing the point - and follow up Let Me Come Home only reinforces what a unique proposition they really are. More direct and hard-hitting than their more meandering debut, Let Me Come Home offers few respites but it’s an album whose highs make it a compelling listen. The martial drumming that opens ‘A Leaving Song’ makes for a suitably arresting start, and the theatrical, seasick arrangement of ‘Modern Worksong’ succinctly showcases the stirring, emotional punch their music delivers. Indeed, the only real failing is that the barrage rarely pauses: it’s not until the relative peace of closing track ‘Home’ that there’s a moment of grace on the record. Despite this though, Let Me Come Home is a superb follow-up from a band that, whatever you might have heard, has no real contemporaries.
Middle-aged women and pre-pubescent girls rejoice: Joe McElderU\¡V GHEXW DOEXP KDV Ă€QDOO\ DU rived. Nine months on from his chart battle with Rage Against The Machine, last year’s X Factor winner has learned from his humiliating defeat and adopted a similar nu-metal sound. No, not really. However, it’s D UHOLHI WR Ă€QG 0U 0F(OGHUU\ KDV eschewed boring ballads for fun and light-hearted pop songs. Lead single ‘Ambitions’ sounds like a watered-down version of 7KH.LOOHUV¡œ+XPDQ¡DQGZLOOĂ€QG a very comfortable home on light entertainment TV. The best track of the album, ‘Real Late Starter’ - an unexpected Nerina Pallot cover - is sadly drained of life by the ridiculous Gaga levels of overproduction. Why does the winner of a goddamn singing competition require auto-tuning anyway? It may be in fashion, but the results are as bland, predictable and over-familiar as you’d expect. That said, this could have gone far worse. Bonus track ‘The Climb’ - last year’s Christmas No.2 - is by far the slowest, cheesiest and most yawn-inducing of the entire album. The rest is, in comparison, genius.
Good Charlotte! Are they still together and making music? Well, the answer is yes, and the results are surprisingly good. After recording their new album, they decided to scrap it, criticising the producer for being too obsessed with commercial success. So, here is the revised version. Named Cardiology since all the songs are “connected to the heartâ€?, it sees a return to a more straight forward pop-punk sound for the EDQG 7KLV LV GHĂ€QLWHO\ D SRVLWLYH Lead single, ‘Like It’s Her Birthday’ and songs like ‘Sex On The Radio’ display the band’s retained ability to write catchy hooks. Alas, lyrically it doesn’t produce anything breathtaking; opening song, ‘Let The Music Play’, offering the immortal line “I just gotta keep on keeping onâ€?. Inspirational! There is an upbeat feel to most of the songs which is quite refreshing. Benji Madden, his brother Joel, and co. seem to have lightened up of late and songs such as ‘1979’ and ‘Last Night’ show some of the energy reminiscent of old-school Good Charlotte. It’s not going to solve world poverty, but if you’re looking for something fun to keep you entertained for three-quarters of an hour, voila.
Max Beavis
Mark Corcoran-Lettice
Elliot Bentley
Tom Belcher
While this track may be the oldest from Darkstar’s just released debut album North, ‘Aidy’s Girl’s a Computer’ remains a remarkably fresh take on GXEVWHS DVPDUWUHĂ€QHGPL[RIJDUDJH beats and unquestionably the album’s high point. 4. Warpaint – Undertow New Single 7KH Ă€UVW VLQJOH IURP WKH PXFKK\SHG American psych-rock band’s record The Fool8QGHUWRZĂ€QGVDQLQIHFWLRXVVSRW between Sixouxie & The Banshees and latter-day Sonic Youth, and refuses to be released from your consciousness. 5. The Vaccines – Wrecking Ball/Blow It Up Streaming Singles &XUUHQW10(GDUOLQJV7KH9DFFLQHVĂ€ nally release their debut double A-side single ‘Wrecking Ball’/’Blow It Up’ on November 22. While it’s hard to see if LW¡VDOOMXVWLĂ€HG\HWÂś:UHFNLQJ%DOO¡LVD blink-and-you’ll-miss-it slice of Vaselines-indebted noise, while ‘Blow It Up’ goes for a slower, surf-rock feel. Expect them to be very big, very quickly. Watch and listen to the whole Top 5 at www.thecourieronline.co.uk Mark Corcoran-Lettice
33
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
Culture TV & Radio
tv & radio
79 5DGLR(GLWRUV /\QVH\)DZFHWWDQG(OOLH:LOVRQFRXULHUFXOWXUHWY#QFODFXN
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tv highlight The Event
Coronation Street:
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Ayse Djahit
7KH HYHU SRSXODU FRRNLQJ VKRZ UHWXUQV IRU D RQHRII HSLVRGH WKLV ZHHN6HWLQWKH9DOHRI*ODPRUJDQ four contestants come together who ZRXOG QHYHU VSHQG WLPH WRJHWKHU LQQRUPDOFLUFXPVWDQFHV7KH\ZLOO EH VSHQGLQJ IRXU LQWLPDWH QLJKWV WRJHWKHU VKRZQ LQ WKLV KRXU ORQJ VSHFLDO7KH\ZLOOQRGRXEWEHVODQGHULQJHDFKRWKHUV¡DWWHPSWVDWWKH SHUIHFW GLQQHU SDUW\ WR JUDE QRW RQO\ WKH FRYHWHG … SUL]H EXW DOVR WKH WULXPSK RI EHLQJ WKH EHVW host. 3HUU\ 7KRPDV D VHOI FRQIHVVHG 'U :KR IDQ DQG \HDUROG -XOHV %\ZDWHU ZKR KDV DQ H\H IRU WKH ODGLHV DUH ERXQG WR JHW RQ OLNH D KRXVH RQ ÀUH -XG\ 0DQFXVR LV LQWHUHVWHG LQ ZHOOEHLQJ ZKLOH RYHUZURXJKWVROLFLWRU/L]%HFNHUO\ZLOO EH LQ D VZHDW WU\LQJ WR PDNH VXUH her evening doesn’t end in disaster. :DWFKWRVHHLIEXUQWFDQEHSDVVHG RIIDV&DMXQDQGDVRQHFRQWHVWDQW H[SHULHQFHVYLFWRU\ZKRLVJRLQJWR HQGXSZLWKDFDVHRIVRXUJUDSHV"
6LOHQFH LQ WKH OLYLQJ URRP 7KH DLU is thick with tension. The meter on the TV begins to tick down. SevenW\ÀYHÀIW\WZHQW\ÀYH]HUR0\ KRXVHPDWHVVFUHDP ´*(7,1¾ )RUDJDPHVKRZLQZKLFKWKHDLP LVWRVFRUHDVIHZSRLQWVDVSRVVLEOH Pointless LVDQDSWQDPHEXWPLJKW VHUYHEHWWHUDVDGHVFULSWLRQRIWKH VKRZ LWVHOI +RZHYHU IRU IDQV RI GD\WLPH WHOHYLVLRQ VXFK DV P\ KRXVHPDWHV LWLVVLPSO\EULOOLDQW )RUDVWDUWLWKDVWZRLQRIIHQVLYHO\ IXQQ\KRVWV$OH[DQGHU$UPVWURQJ DQG KLV œ3RLQWOHVV IULHQG¡ 5LFKDUG 7KHUH¡V DOVR HQRXJK YDJXHO\ LQWHUHVWLQJ WULYLD WR IXOÀOO WKH œHGXFDWLRQDO¡DVSHFWRIWKH%%&¡VSXEOLF VHUYLFH FRPPLWPHQWV DV ZHOO DV WKH KHDUWVWRSSLQJ WHQVLRQ RI WKDW SRLQWVPHWHU )RU WKRVH FRQWHVWDQWV ZKR NQRZ WKH PRVW REVFXUH IDFWV WKHUH¡V D FDVK SUL]H RQ RIIHU %XW WKH WUXH UHZDUG IRU WKHLU NQRZOHGJH LV WKH EULOOLDQWO\QDPHG œ3RLQWOHVV WURSK\¡
Ashleen Morgan
Elliot Bentley
Weekdays 1.45pm & 5.30pm on Five 7RDGLH UDFHV WR PHHW 6WHSK WR VHH WKHEDE\KHKDVVSHQWWKHODVWQLQH PRQWKV RI KLV OLIH ZDLWLQJ IRU 6KH LVVWLOOSODQQLQJWRJLYHLWDZD\ EXW can Toadie convince her it’s the biggest mistake she’s going to make? 0HDQZKLOH 3DXO ÀQDOO\ RSHQHG KLV H\HV EXW $QGUHZ IHHOV JXLOW\ for missing it and refuses to go to VFKRROXQWLO3DXOZDNHVXS.DUOUHDVVXUHVKLVIDPLO\WKH\¡OOKDYHWREH SDWLHQWLQ3DXO¡VUHFRYHU\EXWZLOO WKHSUHVVXUHSURYHWRRPXFK"
Home and Away Weekdays at 2.15pm & 6pm on Five Liam returns to Summer Bay this week with another woman and Vittorio warns him to stay away from %LDQFD *LQD DQG -RKQ VKDUH D VHFUHWOHDGLQJ;DYLHUWRVXVSHFWVKHLV KDYLQJ DQ DIIDLU $OVR 5RR DUULYHV EDFN DQG VWULNHV XS D IULHQGVKLS ZLWK $QJHOD 5XE\¡V SDVW FRPHV EDFNWRKDXQWKHUDQG&KDUOLHKHOSV her get justice. Lynsey Fawcett TV & Radio Editor
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
34
Culture TV & Radio
tv & radio radio highlights
comment I’m going to miss the embarrassing antics of Will, Jay, Neil and Simon. My Monday nights just won’t be the same now the third series of The Inbetweeners has sadly come to an end. Although my housemates and I are laughing hysterically week after week at their cringey schooldays, there are some moments on the show that make me wonder whether I should be laughing that KDUG1RWRQO\GR,GHĂ€QLWHO\QRW want to see Simon’s balls hanging out of a pair of Speedos, but the boys continuously insult their parents and each other as well as deeming all girls ‘gagging for it’. I am chuckling when I watch the show, but I also think about how sexist and demeaning the script is. If these things were being said in a different context we’d be in uproar about it. I mean, if scenes with Jay’s ‘true’ stories and Neil’s comments such as: “They’ve put a curtain up so we can’t see the clunge. It’s totally sexistâ€? are supposed to be representative of young people, should we worry? Or should I ZRUU\WKDW,DFWXDOO\Ă€QGWKLVFRPmon room banter hilarious? It is a TV programme, so I don’t want to get on my feminist high horse; but the scenes are exaggerated versions of the conversations
that go on between teenage boys in the school common room. At least the girls in the programme are presented positively in their own right; it is only the boys who see themselves as being able to “hoover up the snatch,â€? so to speak. The Inbetweeners is hugely popular; you can’t help loving the characters because the situations they get themselves into are highly embarrassing. The awkward moments are priceless. You can see HYHU\WKLQJJRLQJZURQJDQG,Ă€QG myself hiding behind my hands, particularly every time Simon tries to make a move on Carly. Was this series as good as we expected it to be though? Many thought it was unrealistic this time DQGZHQWDELWWRRIDU7KHĂ€QDOWHQ minutes of each episode seemed to be manic, where everything that possibly could gets out of control. I enjoyed the madness; making the episodes farcical alongside the usual jokes and cringey behaviour just reiterates how mental growing up actually is. Bethany Sissons
tweets of the week Miranda Hart I dreamt I was going out with @ louiespence. The world doesn’t make sense this morning. Jason Manford D’oh! Was searching for my phone just now whilst talking to my dad, on the phone. Can anyone beat that for stupidity? Prof. Brian Cox ,Q7KH1LJKW*DUGHQLVGHÀQLWHO\ the best thing on TV on Sunday evening :-)
Simon Pegg 0\OLWWOHRQHZLJJOHVKHULQGH[Ă€Qger if we croak the word ‘redrum’ #innapropriatethingstoteachchildrenundertwo Bill Bailey I’m worried about the 20% cut in ‘having a bit of a laugh’ which will mean a rise in glumness in real terms. Jedward Jedward to go for Christmas Number 1
The New Arts Show Beat It – The World with Claudia Winkle- Of The Modern man, 10pm-12am BBC Drummer Tues 2nd Nov, Radio 2
BBC
Radio 2 recently launched a campaign ‘More 2 It’ to showcase the diversity that they have to offer. It aims to show new audiences that there is something ‘more 2’ the station than they might think. The New Radio 2 Arts Show is one programme that the BBC seems keen to promote. Although the programme isn’t actually that ‘new’, it was recently given a revamp. One element they haven’t changed is the presenter, but that’s hardly surprising. Claudia Winkleman’s popularity with the BBC is rocketing. She presents the Strictly Come Dancing results show, and she’s taken over Film 2010 from the exiled Jonathan Ross. Clearly, her bosses believe she has an eye for the arts – and after listening to the show I reckon they’ve got it right. Between playing a range of quality hits, old and new, Claudia talks to just about anybody in WKHDUWVVHFWRUIURPĂ€OPZULWHUVWR world-renowned photographers. This week, she chats to Rick Riordan, writer of The Lightning Thief, as well as Royal Ballet choreographer David Bintley, whose works are performed worldwide. If you’re into any aspect of the arts sector, or if you just like to wind down after a hard week of studyLQJWKLVVKRZ¡VGHĂ€QLWHO\IRU\RX
1.30 – 2pm BBC Radio 4
Phill Jupitus will be interviewing an array of some of the world’s best contemporary drummers. This programme gives a rare insight into the lives of musicians such as Phil Collins, Dames Evelyn Glennie and Radiohead’s Phil Selway. Despite the musical importance of WKHVH Ă€JXUHV WKH SURJUDPPH SURvides a light-hearted but informative look at the life of a drummer. In concert, Clem Burke, a drummer with Blondie, burns a similar amount of calories to a Premier League Footballer in a match. This show is not to be missed for anyone interested in becoming a professional drummer, as legends Phil Collins and Stewart Copeland - who was ranked Rolling Stone’s Ă€IWK EHVW GUXPPHU RI DOO WLPH invaluably discuss the physical demands of being a professional drummer, and their reactions to negative images of the drummer’s status in a band. Together with a few jokes, Collins then reveals what he really thought of the gorilla crashing its way through ‘The Air Tonight’ for that famous chocolate ad. This is a must listen for any music lover, and provides an insightful look into the thoughts of some of the world’s best drummers; enough to inspire any potential musician. Sophie Minchell
Adam Rummens
nsr This week I’ll delve into the NSR executive-managed informative shows of News, Entertainments and Sport. Looking at current affairs with a more unusual angle, Alex and Kat Bishop’s news show (Wednesday at 12:00-12:30pm) is packed full of debates, interviews and student focussed headlines. A listen to this show is crucial if you consider yourself well-informed and up to date in student and local DIIDLUV \RXFDQHYHQĂ€QGRXWZKDW the upcoming weather forecast is. Later on in the day Annie Harrison-Dunn and Jennie Mitchell will educate you in a more social slant, as they cover all the exciting events happening in Newcastle, from club nights to comedy, art exhibitions to cinema, theatre to lectures. They preview upcoming events and there is a diverse selection of reviews on their blog which is linked from www.nsrlive.co.uk. More unusual one-off events which they have previously featured include the ‘Spooky Starlight Stroll’ to raise money for St. Oswald’s Hospice, and recently they gave out multiple pairs of tickets to the Newcastle Falcons vs. Saracens game, so tune in at 4pm and give them a listen. Moving on in a similar vein, Friday’s 12pm Sports Show is the most cohesive account of local and university sports games that you can encounter. Si Howard and James Turnbull have crafted an invigorating show, replete with match reviews, interviews and live reporting from the games. They also endeavour to highlight some of the more unusual sports societies that you can join at University, so tune in to see if your team’s covered. All of the above programmes would not be able to function without their dedicated teams of reporters and reviewers, teams which every interested student can participate in if they contact me at nsr. stationmanager@ncl.ac.uk. Louise Morris
inter view TV & Radio EditorEllie Wilson chats to former Apprentice contestant Raleigh Addington about life after graduation...and Alan Sugar The dreaded G word, the big day WKDW IDFHV Ă€QDOLVWV HYHU\ \HDU DQG strikes terror into the hearts of many, may seem far away at this time of year but - if my own experience is anything to go by – is never YHU\ IDU IURP DQ\ Ă€QDO \HDU VWXdent’s thoughts. It is lovely, therefore, when a recent graduate is brought into the public eye because of success, and not for falling victim to ‘the current economic climate.’ Raleigh Addington is one such graduate. After studying Economics and Politics at Exeter University, he caught Lord Sugar’s attention and was selected from 30,000 applicants to be on the latest series of The Apprentice. I asked him how he came to apply for the show: “I didn’t have a job at the time, it was just another application, I never expected to get it. The application process was a series of interviews; it was rigorous but not dissimilar to a normal job interview.â€? To be selected along with people who have had years of business experience must have been tough, but Raleigh didn’t let it faze him. “An apprentice is someone who is not
YHU\ H[SHULHQFHG E\ GHĂ€QLWLRQ , think in some ways it’s an advantage because you don’t have the same things restricting you.â€? And how was it living with these fellow contestants? “It was really great fun, meeting lots of different people from different backgrounds, in the short time I was there I really enjoyed it. Everyone gets on generally, we all just got on with the task in hand.â€? Despite being on the losing team, Raleigh came across well on the show. His politeness and enthusiasm was noted by Dara O’Briain, presenter of the You’re Fired programme immediately after The Apprentice. His rousing speech denouncing the boys’ team leader Dan Harris, which caused the word ‘shameful’ to trend on Twitter afterwards, was a highlight of the programme. “A lot of people texted ‘It was shameful’ to me, especially just after the programme was shown, it really was a fair sacking that one.â€? Unfortunately, Raleigh did not have the opportunity to show his full potential. He had to leave the show after his brother, Capt. Ed Addington, was injured by an IED
in Afghanistan. “They were very good to me on The Apprentice. As you can imagine, the circumstances were out of anybody’s control when someone is badly injured.â€? His brother is making a good recovery, and Raleigh is now putting his energy into charity work. “Because of what happened to me and my brother, I slightly don’t have the same determination for business, and more determination for Tickets for Troops. I’d recommend charity work to anyone, it’s fantastic. As an experience it really is great.â€? The charity had not yet launched when Raleigh left, but he immediately applied for and got the position of Operations Director. The path that Raleigh is now taking is very different to the one he started on with The Apprentice, and he has a message for those graduating. “I think it’s a matter of persevering, and maybe not being too fussy about what you get offered, JHW RQ WKH Ă€UVW UXQJ RI WKH ODGGHU and work up from there, because if you’re good then you’ll do well, no matter where you start. Newcastle University is such a good university; people come out of there with
Having appeared The Apprentice Addington now works for the charitty, Tickets for Troops
such great degrees.� Tickets for Troops organises free tickets to sporting and music events for military personnel, servicemen and women (including veterans who have been medically
discharged since 2001) who qualify for tickets under the scheme. For more information visit their website www.ticketsfortroops.org.uk
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
35
Culture TV & Radio
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inter view TV & Radio Editor Ellie Wilson and Tom Delamere meet FYD at Powerhouse and get their take on The X Factor experience FYD became the second act to be HOLPLQDWHG LQ WKH ÀUVW ZHHN RI The X Factor DIWHU VLQJLQJ IRU VXUYLYDO DJDLQVW .DWLH :DLVVHO $IWHU WKHLU SHUIRUPDQFH RI 5LKDQQD·V ¶3OHDVH 'RQ·W6WRS7KH0XVLF·DOOWKHMXGJHV EXW 6LPRQ WKHLU PHQWRU YRWHG WRVHQGWKHPKRPH %XW ZKHQ )<' FRPH RQ VWDJH LQ 3RZHUKRXVHWKH\DUHJUHHWHGZLWK KXJHFKHHUVIURPWKHFURZGRQWKH GDQFH ÁRRU &RQVLGHULQJ WKH\ DUH WKH ÀUVW LQ WKH VHULHV RI HOLPLQDWHG X FactorFRQWHVWDQWVWKHUHLVDVXUSULVLQJO\ ODUJH WXUQRXW DQG HYHU\RQHLVGHÀQLWHO\HQMR\LQJWKHLUSHUIRUPDQFH %DFNVWDJH 7RP DQG , FKDWWHG WR -RUGDQ $OH[ DQG 0DWW DERXW WKHLU
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FYD: After elimination from The X Factor, the band are now recording their own music
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-RUGDQ ,·G EH D VKDUN EHFDXVH ,·G OLYHLQWKHZDWHUDQGEHFDXVHWKH\ UHSUHVHQW,GRQ·WUHDOO\NQRZ $OH[ , WKLQN D OLRQ MXVW EHFDXVH ZKHQ,ZDV\RXQJHU,XVHGWRORYH WKH /LRQ .LQJ DQG WKH\·UH VXFK SURXG DQLPDOV DUHQ·W WKH\" 2EYLRXVO\WKH\·UHNLQJRIWKHMXQJOHDV ZHOO Where would your ideal date be? -RUGDQ ,W ZRXOG EH DW 5RQQLH 6FRWW·V LQ /RQGRQ LW·V D MD]] FOXE 7KH\·YHJRWOLYHPXVLFDOOWKHWLPH LW·VJRWGLPPHGOLJKWVDQGDMD]]DWPRVSKHUH 0DWW $Q\ZKHUH WKDW·V JRW DOFRKRO UHDOO\,·PDFKHDSGDWH $OH[ 7KHUH·V WKLV UHDOO\ QLFH EDU LQ /RQGRQ FDOOHG /D 3HUOD LW·V DOO 0H[LFDQ WKHPHG , OLNH LW LQ WKHUH EHFDXVHLW·VJRWVXFKDJRRGDWPRVSKHUHDQGPRMLWRV Who was your favourite judge apart from Simon? 0DWW , OLNHG /RXLV ZKHQ KH·V QRW RQ FDPHUD 7KH SHUVRQD WKH\ KDYH RQFDPHUDLVYHU\GLIIHUHQWWRZKR WKH\DUHZKHQWKHFDPHUDVDUHRII $OH[ :HOO LW·V JRW WR EH &KHU\O
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
36
Culture Puzzles THE
C OURI ER
puzzles
Puzzles Editor: Andy Pitkeathley - courier.puzzles@ncl.ac.uk
crossword ACROSS 4. Writer of fables (5) 9. Left alone in an isolated place e.g. desert island (8) 10. Medieval English city housing famous university (6) 11. Unruly crowd (3) 12. Disorder, confusion (5) 13. Global energy company in trouble in Gulf of Mexico (2) 14. Doctor (abbrev.) (2) 17. Type of sword (6) 18. Wager (3) 20. A line connecting places of equal or constant pressure (6) 21. ATM (11) 23. Increased body temperature, often due to infection (5) -DSDQHVHUDZĂ€VKGHOLFDF\
27. _________ and Fitch clothing manufacturer (11) 30. Hit, slap, etc. (6) 31. Beverage (3) 33. African/Haitian religion (6) 34. Before noon (abbrev.) (2) 35. Fat Boy Slim, Judge Jules, etc. (abbrev.) (2) 36. South American country (5) 37. Hallucinogenic drug (3)
41. Firm and dependable, farm building (6) 42. The clothing industry (8) 43. Sharp (5)
DOWN 1. View, vista (8) 2. Wash, wipe, swab (3) 3. 2004 Will Ferrell movie (9) 4. Accumulate on the surface (6) 5. Star that provides heat and light to planets (3) 6. Ancient Italian city buried under lava (7) 7. Not operational or in use (3) 8. Someone who has received a degree from university or college (8) 15. Elevated seat for feeding babies (9) 16. Newlywed’s holiday (9) 19. Male singing voice (5) 22. Repeated behaviour, nun’s garb (5) 6SHFLDODGYDQWDJHRUEHQHÀW not enjoyed by everyone (9) 26. Utmost or extreme (8) 28. 1960s wheelchair-bound TV detective (8) 29. Saltwater lake bordering Israel
Last week’s crossword answers
word steps
word link Find the word that can be placed between these words to make two new words or phrases
COOK
SHELF
TOOL
OFFICE
THINK
TOP
HOME
UP
SCREEN
DUMMY
phone in
and Jordon (7) 6WLFNWRĂ€UPO\
38. Batsman’s dismissal (abbrev.) (3) 39. Viral illness associated with winter (3) 40. Limb (3)
sudoku 7KHDLPRIWKLVSX]]OHLVWRĂ€OOHDFKER[VRWKDW each column, each row and 3Ă—3 grid contains the numbers 1-9 just once.
Work your way down the steps from TOOL to PALE E\Ă€OOLQJLQHDFKVWHSZLWKDJHQXLQHIRXUOHWWHUZRUG As you take each step change one letter of the previous word keeping the rest of the letters in the same order.
TOOL
ACROSS
DOWN
2. 7663 4. 547266 6. 566366
1. 72747 3. 284367 5. 6756
Use the clues and the keypad to ÀQGWKHDQVZHUVWRWKHJULGXVLQJ the week’s theme to help you. For example the number 3 in a clue could be D, E or F. This week’s theme is European Capital cities.
PALE The clues below will help but they may not correspond to the order of the steps.
Clues ‡$SHUVRQRISROLVKGHFHQW ‡7KHFDVWLQJRUUHJLVWHULQJRIYRWHV ‡/DUJHDPRXQWRIZDWHURIWHQIRUVZLPPLQJ Last week’s Sudoku answers
Andy’s number cruncher Keep your brain in shape by trying to complete these sums as fast as you can without using a calculator
EASY
61
What does this say?
Square root
x6
-45
Square root
Cube this
+4
=
MEDIUM
61
Double this
+13
Divide 60% of Square Divide this by 3 by 9 this
+30 =
answers
HARD
61 +17
Divide Divide Square 40% of Multiply this by 0.4 by 26 by 0.6 root
x17 =
logic problem If you add the age of a man to the age of his wife, you get a combined age of 91 years. He is now twice as old as she was when he was as old as she is now. How old are they?
Word Steps: Tool, Pool, Poll, Pole, Pale Number Cruncher: Easy -31, Medium - 61, Hard - 340 Word Link: Book, Box, Tank, Grown, Test Logic Problems: Answers in next week’s Courier. Logical - Answers in next week’s Courier
Last week’s phone in answers
logical
+20
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
37
Money in
Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin James Sports Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin and Tomand James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk SportsEditors: Editors: Jono Taylor, Wills Robinson andTom Kat Bannon- courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk
Hurrifootball canes debate feel > Sport, page 38
The passing of a football legend The world of sport has been left in shock after the death of the football ‘oracle’ Paul the Octopus. Sports Editor Wills Robinson reports Last week the football world mourned the lost of arguably one of its greatest and most accurate pundits. The likes of Alan Shearer and Jamie Redknapp really could not compare themselves to someone (or something) who managed to correctly predict every result in the World Cup that was put in front of him. This is, of course, the late Paul the Octopus; the creature that had bookies reeling as he churned out predictions for six of Germany’s World Cup encounters, which all turned out to be correct. Staff at the Sea Life Centre in Oberhausen were devastated to learn that he had passed away peacefully in his sleep. Octopuses are only expected to live to two years old, so Paul - originally from the seaside town of Weymouth - at the grand age of two and a half, lived a long and full life. His experience as an admirably accurate pundit was a happy one, as he could place his favourite food - mussels - in the box of his choice. The world’s top mathematicians (and footballing statisticians) stated that the chance of him predicting all the results correctly was 128/1 LWLVVDIHWRVD\WKDW3DXOGHÀHGDOO
The world in mourning: the death of Paul the Octopus has been a shock to us all, as the original footballing oracle emotionally passed away last week of the odds. Chris Budd, Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Bath, said that even the most exSHULHQFHG IRRWEDOO IDQ ZRXOG ÀQG it nearly impossible to predict the outcome of a football game, and compares Paul’s feat of “prophecy” to the tossing of a coin. Despite the fact that he did predict England’s downfall to the Germans (regardless of the inevitability of that in itself), his skills were undeniable. During his time, his status of ‘an oracle’ was seemingly below him. When he was presented
with a golden trophy with three of his beloved mussels covering it, he seemed displeased and simply ignored it in his tank. In July this year, his owners stated that he was to retire from his job as a football psychic and would go back to ‘making children laugh’ at the aquarium. This proved another dark day for football. There had been a number of lucrative offers for him to be sold, but the aquarium refused. Besides, who would want to get rid of a psychic octopus? The ZRUOG ZRXOG PRVW GHÀQLWHO\ EH your oyster.
He wasn’t just a German national hero, but an international role model. He is considered a God amongst the Spanish whom he correctly chose as World Champions in 2010. Requests were made from the Spanish to have him kept in a zoo in Madrid, and he was even made an honorary citizen of a Spanish city. He went on to become an ambassador for the 2018 England World Cup bid. Ironically this may prove WREHKLVÀUVWUHVXOWWKDWFRXOGWDUnish his faultless record. A documentary has already been ÀOPHG DERXW WKH SV\FKLF FHSKDOR-
pod, and children and adults alike will no doubt be rushing to purchase the latest ‘Paul the Octopus’ toy, which is set to hit the shelves around Christmas. Paul, even though he lived his life alone, enjoyed a happy life. He will mostly be remembered for his psychic abilities and he will go down in history as the one and probably the only football ‘oracle’, despite what Mark Lawrenson might think of himself. Paul the Octopus- 2008-2010
Meet the elite of Newcastle University sport Sports Editor Kat Bannon presents the personalities of this year’s Elite Athlete Squad Newcastle’s level of sporting talent is continuing to climb to even dizzier heights. The Elite Athlete Squad is one in which places are beFRPLQJLQFUHDVLQJO\ GLIÀFXOWWR DWtain, this year further exceeding its designated quota. The programme is designed to allow exceptionally talented sportspersons representing the University to become the best athletes they can be, without undermining their academic studLHV $V ZHOO DV SURYLGLQJ ÀQDQFLDO assistance for these hand-selected students, it also offers lectures on sports and nutrition and continuous general support. Newcastle is not established as a teaching university for sport. However, the fact that it can still defeat a university such as Northumbria - which boasts over seven hundred
VSHFLÀFDOO\ VSRUWLQJ VWXGHQWV DQG three hundred million pound facilities - does attract top athletes. Professor Charles Harvey, ProVice Chancellor with responsibility for sport, is keen to dismiss the idea that “all [students] do is drink”. He wants to highlight the importance of sport and how this programme is about being given the chance to study, to learn how to live healthily and prepare for life. Newcastle offers nine recruitment scholarships which shed light on the diversity of talent the University boasts, with representatives of water polo, golf and target shooting amongst others. There are also 24 performance scholarships, eight of which are commercially funded from companies such as Orion and Just Sport.
Cyclist Thomas Last received the Stan Calvert Memorial Scholarship. He is part of the UCI continental (3rd Tier International Pro-Team: Professional Cyclists) team, which is effectively the top level to be reached within the UK, and has recently attended several World Championships The Just Sports Scholarship was given to kayaker Ralph Baker, who has individually accumulated 120 BUCS points in three years and is establishing a collection of gold, silver and bronze medals from the BUCS WWR and Slalom Events. No Elite Athlete squad is complete without a rower. Ed Ford and Amy Jessett respectively attained the Sir Robert Alpine Sports Scholarship and Reeves Independent Sports Scholarship. During the
Home International Ford bagged gold for England and gained three gold medals in the 2010 BUCS events. Multi-talented Jessett only recently converted to rowing from swimming just over a year ago and has excelled since, gaining silver in a BUCS regatta in the Novice CatHJRU\DQGTXDOLÀHGIRU*%WULDOVLQ March 2010; it is therefore no surprise she is tipped to become a top lightweight rower. NUSSUC Secretary Peter Bruton was presented with the SportsArt Fitness Sports Scholarship. He is a member of the England Ski Team and won the title of U18 Slalom Ski Champion back in 2008. His BUCS achievements include three gold medals at the Alpine Championships in 2010 and two in 2009. Nigel Callender, who received
the Orion Teamwear Sports Scholarship, recently represented Ireland in rock climbing in Munich. However this is only one part of a shining rock climbing résumé as he has also gained the title of British Universities Bouldering Champion 2010 and is current British Number 1. As the First XV NURFC Captain 6DP6KLUHVZDVWKHGHÀQLWLYHFKRLFH for the Stewart Evans Memorial Scholarship, having represented London Irish from 2006-2008 and is now part of the Newcastle Falcons Academy. This award has been dedicated to a man whose outstanding contribution to sport, regardless of illness, is unrivalled, and was presented by Pat Evans, Stewart’s widow.
38
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Sport Money in football debate
What a Wayne to make a living With the economy at the forefront of the news, Andrew Curry and Jimmy Booker investigate the economic climate of football Andrew Curry If the screaming mass of Scousers that assemble on Merseyside every week are to be believed, then you ‘can not buy the league’. Simply put, money can not guarantee success. In order to be the best, you need class, style, talent, teamwork, determination, a good attitude and a little bit of luck. Of course, more money usually means more success – and vice versa. However, this VXSHUĂ€FLDO UHODWLRQVKLS RIWHQ OHDGV to a dangerous inability to separate money from sport. The two are completely different, though inexorably linked. Let us simplify the argument. The fundamental rule of microeconomics is that of supply and demand , with price as the variable that keeps the two in balance. Control the supply and, for a given level of demand, you control the price. In most cases, the demand will Ă XFWXDWH ZLWK WKH WLPHV DQG WKH Ă€QDQFLDOFOLPDWHEXWLI\RXKDYHD secure product, then it will always be there. It does not matter if you GHDOLQFRDORUFU\VWDOVIUHVKĂ€VKRU Friday night football, it is the laws of economics that will govern your business, and any suggestion otherwise is misguided and naive. So, in football, the people who shout about playing for ‘loyalty’ or ‘love of the game’ simply ignore the realities of life - the basic British necessity to put a Pot Noodle near every kettle and a Fiesta in every garage. It seems that the ‘beautiful game’ polarises the nation. One half of XV VHHP WR Ă€QG LW XWWHUO\ SHUSOH[ing that a Hackney wide-boy gets SDLGDURXQGĂ€YHWLPHVWKHDPRXQW of your average FTSE 100 Chief Executive for playing a game for a few hours a week. The other half is too busy screaming their names on the terraces or pursuing their wives’ fashion blogs in the tabloids to care. The crux of the matter is that football clubs have to abide by the laws of economics. Short supply of world class players and a huge demand for their services means a very high price. Particularly if paying that high price makes excellent business sense. Even football clubs do not generally pay money that
Jimmy Booker Football is becoming more and more commercialised. Fact. Some may argue that a successful and well-run football club is a superb model for business. Football is a business, there’s no denying it. But people seem to forget the magical spectacle that allowed it to be so LQWKHÀUVWSODFH7KRXVDQGVRISHRple uniting on a captivating Saturday afternoon to give their hearts to eleven heroes for two hours, feeling the euphoria, the ecstasy, the uncertainty and the heartbreak as one. The dilemma that a lot of us face when it comes to an issue such as money in football, is that if the next Russian or Arabian businessman comes to take over our beloved club - in my case, Derby County - we would be delighted that we ZRXOGÀQDOO\KDYHDERWWRPOHVVSLW of wealth to splash out on the next European sensation. We would take great pleasure in watching them hammer in forty goals a season while making defenders look like John Sergeant on the Strictly
they do not have. Although there are cases of badly run clubs living beyond their means (Portsmouth, Liverpool, Leeds etc), the majority of the Premier League pay the players from their revenue. In other words, the demand from the masses to see their players in action and be associated with them, generates more than enough money to pay their astronomical wages. It is rumoured that the £80 million Real Madrid spent on Cristiano Ronaldo was recouped from shirt VDOHVZLWKLQWKHÀUVWZHHN7KLVDOVR answers the question of why a man with one GCSE in drama is paid six ÀJXUHVWRNLFNDEDOOEHWZHHQVRPH posts, while a paramedic is paid a pittance. There is consumer-driven demand and a mass market in sport, whereas paramedics operate in a more controlled environment where there is merely a sporadic, (although usually critical) need for their services.
“Short supply of world class players and a huge demand for their services means a very high priceâ€? On to the moral issues. It is worth remembering, before we burn Wayne Rooney’s house down, that it is within the rights of any person working in a free market to seek the EHVWĂ€QDQFLDOGHDOIRUWKHPVHOYHV,I you were working in the local Nag’s Head for ÂŁ5.50p/h and the Ritz Hotel came calling offering ÂŁ55.00p/h, then it is a fairly obvious choice. True the standards would probably be higher and the clients would have far greater expectations, but it is essentially the same job for ten times the amount. Would you really turn it down? Even if the Nag’s Head bar staff had taught you how to pour a pint? Do the same rules of loyalty apply in football, where you are one bad tackle away from an unexpected end to what will, at best, be DĂ€IWHHQ\HDUFDUHHU"7UXH5RRQH\ displayed an enormous lack of tact,
Come DancingEDOOURRPĂ RRU Despite the fact that the club maybe losing some of its identity and sense of traditional values, many RIXVZRXOGVDFULĂ€FHWKLVIRUDVKRW at glory, and hide behind clichĂŠd buzz phrases such as ‘a new era’ and ‘time of positive change for everybody’. The players themselves are the ones that are the targets for a lot of criticism, as they are the ones in the spotlight; the ones we loathe or idolise, and the ones that earn these vast sums. However, if we’re being honest, anybody would snap off the hands of a generous chairman who is willing to offer us a sevenfold increase of salary for what is, in essence, the same duties as before. It is when the players are shown to abuse the power and status they have that people start to raise eyebrows. An example is the Rio Ferdinand saga of a few years ago. After missing a drugs test and being banned for nine months, during which Manchester United stood by him when they could have easily shown him the door, he refused to put pen
respect and class in the way he appeared to behave, but the neutrals cannot deny he probably has a SRLQW,IKHZDVQ¡WVHOĂ€VKFRQVXPHU driven and money orientated, then he might still be playing for ÂŁ80 a week and living on the estate with his mum. The intriguing counter to this argument is that of the Olympics. With cuts to the budget and probOHPVZLWKĂ€QDQFHDVDZKROHWKHUH are some concerns that London 2012 will not measure up to Beijing. There is here another link between money and sport. People seem obsessed with the idea that the Olympics must be huge, expensive and, by proxy, memorable. They ignore the fact that it is a spectacle of sport, not money – and that the memories will come from the performances and not from the surrounding paraphernalia. When Usain Bolt or Sir Chris Hoy power to victory, the track behind them becomes a blur; the crowd seems a single pink mass. There is no relevance to where they are, what they are earning or how much it cost to get them there. It is simply a question of pure sporting brilliance. Athletes and spectators will agree that money can never buy you that. However, the Olympics only happen for a few sports once every four years. They are therefore the exception rather than the rule and, in this case (and for a short time only), it is possible to suspend the basic rules of economics. In other words, great athletes will be willing to perform at their best for little or no money; and it should be possible to stage a low cost, ‘back to basics’ memorable event that is affordable and accessible to the true sporting fan. However, like most of us, professional footballers don’t participate in the Olympics. Instead, like us, most of them are behaving rationally which, in this case, means selling their services to the highest bidder. Wayne Rooney may have disappointed his fans and betrayed the sporting purists, but his recent actions should secure his place as an unexpected role model for economics students and act as a reminder that football is more a business than a sport. Wayne Rooney’s latest saga epitomizes the economic problems in football
WR SDSHU RQ D QHZ Ă€YH \HDU GHDO worth a hundred thousand pounds a week, instead choosing to hold out for an extra twenty thousand. Another example was when the national treasure that is Ashley &ROHEUDQGHGĂ€IW\Ă€YHWKRXVDQGD week at Arsenal as ‘an insult’ and ‘scandalous’, opting to switch to the bright lights and bulging wallets at Chelsea. Footballers do live in a different world to the rest of us, a world ZKHUH WKHLU HYHU\ QHHG LV IXOĂ€OOHG at the drop of a hat, the snap of DQ DJHQW¡V Ă€QJHUV RU WKH Ă DVK RI D chequebook. They are thrust into this world at a young age, and know no different for the next twenty years. However, this is a feeble excuse when juxtaposed with the actual IDFWV DQG Ă€JXUHV RI WKHLU Ă€QDQFLDO VLWXDWLRQ DQG WKH Ă€QDQFLDO VLWXDtion of football despite the recent hard times. They don’t have to fund their own sporting careers, like British hurdler Andy Turner, who was cut from his National Lottery funding athletics programme two years ago
after a series of underachieving sprints, before coming back with a vengeance to claim both the European and Commonwealth titles.
“Footballers do live in a different world to the rest of us, a world where their every need is fulĂ€OOHGDWWKHGURSRI a hatâ€? Even if you can look beyond the DVWURQRPLFDO Ă€JXUHV RI WKH IRRWEDOOHU¡VĂ€QDQFHVWKHUHLVGHĂ€QLWHO\ scope for criticising its parasites. The agents especially, and those that exist in aide or spokesperson roles; who have little or no real sigQLĂ€FDQFH H[FHSW WR VSRQJH RII DV much money as they can from the ones with the talent. Player’s greed is born from syco-
phantic assurances that they deserve more, and these money-grabELQJ à DWWHUHUV H[LVW DV D UHVXOW RI 6N\¡V ÀQDQFLDO RYHUKDXOLQJ RI WKH beautiful game. There’s no denying the exceptional coverage that Sky offers – indeed, I could watch Jeff Stelling and the team on Soccer Saturday all day – but this blinds the indirect selling of the soul of footEDOOWRWKHÀQDQFLDOKLJKà \HUVZKR largely know as much about football as Darren Day knows about ÀGHOLW\ Other sports are left trailing in the wake of football’s economic heavyweight status, and only the 2012 Olympics has survived recent budget cuts to all British sport. However, WKLV ZLOO EH D PLQRU à HVK ZRXQG for football, and the beautiful game ZLOO à H[ LWV ÀQDQFLDO PXVFOHV IRU D long time yet.
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THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
39
Intra mural Sport
Real controversy for politicans J. TAYLOR
Intra Mural Football Division 1
Castle Leazes Real Politique
3 2
Jimmy Taylor at Heaton A strong second-half performance gave Castle Leazes the edge in a ÀYH JRDO WKULOOHU DJDLQVW 5HDO 3ROLtique. The match was not one for the purists as the strong wind at Heaton made for a scrappy encounter, but Leazes will be delighted to have recorded their second win in three matches. 5HDO 3ROLWLTXH VWDUWHG E\ IDU WKH brighter of the sides, and deservedO\WRRNWKHOHDGDIWHUMXVWÀYHPLQutes. The Leazes back four were caught napping and Ed Greensmith reacted well from a clever ball from Nat Browning as his thunderbolt shot went in off the bar. Browning caused more trouble DQG VKRXOG KDYH GRXEOHG 3ROLWLTXH¡V OHDG ÀYH PLQXWHV ODWHU DV he squandered an easy chance from six yards out straight into the hands of the grateful Leazes keeper. Leazes, on the back foot for much RI WKH ÀUVW KDOI VHHPHG XQDEOH WR FUHDWH WKHLU XVXDO à RZLQJ IRRWEDOO WKLVLVKDUGO\VXUSULVLQJDV3HDUVRQ was forced to change the line-up before kick off as their best player Ed Nangle had unfortunately injured his ankle in the warm-up. We wish him a speedy recovery. However, they improved as the half went on and after an ambitious HIIRUW IURP 3HWH &DUPRG\ WKH\ found themselves level just before half-time. $ FRUQHU IURP 7RP 3HDUVRQ ZDV not dealt with and as Carmody was just about to pull the trigger he was brought down, and the referee was
After their latest victory, Leazes are second in the league, and establishing themselves as genuine title contenders left with no choice but to point for a penalty. The spot kick was taken by Tom Barbour and though the 3ROLWLTXH NHHSHU ZDV DEOH WR JHW D hand on it, the power of the penalty ensured that Leazes were level.
There was time for one more FKDQFHEHIRUHKDOIWLPHDV3HDUVRQ¡V ORQJWKURXJKZDVà LFNHGRQE\0HOlor, and Taylor found himself with a free header from just a yard out, but headed the ball straight into the
KDQGVRIWKH3ROLWLTXHNHHSHU 3ROLWLTXH VWDUWHG WKH VHFRQGKDOI MXVWDVWKH\KDGEHJXQWKHĂ€UVWDQG threw men forward searching to regain the lead. Another mix-up at the back al-
ORZHG 0DWW 0DUFKLQJWRQ WKURXJK on goal, but his effort was thwartHG E\ D ÀQH ODVW GLWFK WDFNOH IURP Aeron Hill. <HW GHVSLWH DOO 3ROLWLTXH¡V SUHVsure it was Leazes who gained the lead after 54 minutes. A foul on -RQ 0XOFDK\ JDYH /HD]HV D IUHH NLFN IURP \DUGV DQG 3HDUVRQ¡V excellent delivery was met by Kyle Hyndman. The Irishman’s neat header found the back of the net DQGKHZDVDEOHWRFHOHEUDWHKLVÀUVW Leazes goal. It wasn’t long before Leazes exWHQGHG WKHLU OHDG DV DQRWKHU 3HDUson free kick was delivered into the 3ROLWLTXHDUHDDQGDV+\QGPDQZDV looking to score his second goal of the game, the ball ricocheted into WKH EDFN RI WKH QHW RII D 3ROLWLTXH defender. With ten minutes left on the clock, 5HDO 3ROLWLTXH ZHUH EDFN LQ WKH game after a lovely ball from Nat %URZQLQJ ZDV FRROO\ ÀQLVKHG E\ 0DWW0DUFKLQJWRQSDVWWKHRQUXVKing keeper, which sparked a frantic end to the game. 'HHS LQWR VWRSSDJH WLPH 5HDO 3ROLWLTXHZHUHDZDUGHGDIUHHNLFN 20 yards out, and the effort deà HFWHGRIIWKHEDFNRI+HQU\6LOYHU WKHQ RII WKH IDFH RI 6DP 0F&RUmick. This sparked furious appeals for corners and penalties from the 3ROLWLTXH SOD\HUV DQG WKH UHIHUHH responded by blowing his whistle WRVLJQDOWKHHQGRIDQ,QWUD0XUDO game thriller. 7KH3ROLWLTXHSOD\HUVFRQWLQXHGWR VXUURXQGWKHUHIHUHHDIWHUWKHÀQDO whistle, and were very disappointed to have let their 100 per cent start to the season slip, whilst Leazes, on the back of a cruel 1-0 loss to the 0HGLFVDUHVLWWLQJVWURQJO\VHFRQG in the league.
Law Blacks wound Medics Four-goal Jackson sinks sorry Forsythe Intra Mural Rugby Union
Medics Law Blacks
17 21
Fabien Laroche at Heaton It is well known that there is little love lost between lawyers and PHGLFV &RQVHTXHQWO\ WKLV À[WXUH is the closest thing that either of these two teams has to a derby. Following heavy defeats at the hands of the Larrikins, both the /DZ %ODFNV DQG WKH 0HGLFV KDG D point to prove. In their debut seaVRQ LQ WKH ,QWUD 0XUDO /HDJXH the Law Blacks wanted to dispel the notion that they would be this year’s whipping boys. On the wind-swept Heaton pitch, LW ZDV WKH 0HGLFV ZKR VWDUWHG WKH game more brightly. Following a FRXSOH RI UXFNV WKH 0HGLFV WRRN advantage of an overlap and were rewarded with an unconverted try. The Law Blacks had still not switched on and, due to a simple PLVVHGWDFNOHLQWKHEDFNVWKH0HGics scored a second unconverted try shortly afterwards. Immediately following the second try some strong words were exchanged in the Law Blacks’ huddle and captain, Fabien Laroche, tried KLV EHVW WR UDOO\ KLV WURRSV 6RPHthing seemed to have the desired effect and the away side came back DW WKH 0HGLFV ZLWK D ELW RI ÀUH LQ WKHLU EHOOLHV 7KH /DZ %ODFNV¡ ÀUVW try came in the form of Benjamin
5RVH¡VVXSHUELQGLYLGXDOHIIRUW$Iter picking up the ball just outside his own half he opted for the chip DQGFKDVHDQGRXWSDFHGIRXU0HGLF defenders to touch down over the line. Impressive Law Blacks outhalf, Neil Gordon, added the exWUDV+RZHYHUWKH0HGLFVZHUHQRW about to lie down, and responded through a converted break-away try. $W WKH HQG RI WKH ÀUVW KDOI ZLWK the score at 17-7, the Lawyers had it DOOWRGR6KRUWO\DIWHUWKHLQWHUYDO IROORZLQJWZRVFUXPVRQWKH0HGLFV¡ÀYHPHWUHOLQHWKH/DZ%ODFNV spread the ball to the right wing. 3DF\ IUHVKHU 7KRPDV 'XQFDQ VDZ his opportunity and sliced through the home defence for a converted try under the posts. 15 minutes later, Law Blacks centre Tom Baird made up for an earlier mistake by beating several players to score an extremely well taken try. Neil GorGRQ JRW WKH GLIÀFXOW FRQYHUVLRQ WR put a bit of distance between the two teams. ,Q WKH ÀQDO SHULRG DOO WKH /DZ Blacks forwards, including several new recruits, defended admirably. 7LPH DIWHU WLPH WKH 0HGLFV¡ SDFN assaulted the defensive line. The away team simply soaked up the pressure and waited for the mistakes to be made. After a few nervous moments for the Lawyers, the JDPH HYHQWXDOO\ ÀQLVKHG The Law Blacks will hope to build on this victory and cause a few more upsets throughout the course of the season.
Intra Mural Football Division 1
Dyslexic Untied Borussia Forsythe
5 2
Dan Robinson at Close House A four goal haul from Laurence Jackson paved the way to victory for Dyslexic, as they recovered their winning terms in an attempt to erase painful memories of last week’s defeat. Victory was essential if Untied were serious about their championship credentials, and they did not disappoint. However, it wasn’t all plain sailLQJIRUWKH5HGV)RUV\WKHFUHDWHGD QXPEHURIFKDQFHVLQWKHÀUVWKDOI with Dyslexic keeper Josh Crawford called upon on numerous occasions in the opening exchanges. It took just two minutes for the ÀUVW WKUHDW WR DUULYH ZLWK D ZHOO worked move down the right hand side culminating in a diving header by the winger. Fortunately for Dyslexic, their keeper was far more alert than the rest of his teammates, KH VKRZHG JUHDW UHà H[HV WR VDYH what looked a certain goal. Indeed, as often seems to be the case with Dyslexic sides along the years, they took their time to get settled into the match. The opposition came close on several occasions to taking advantage by adopting a œ6WRNH &LW\¡ VWUDWHJ\ RI ERPEDUGing the box with long throws and crosses.
However, Dyslexic took an undeVHUYHG OHDG DIWHU MXVW ÀIWHHQ PLQutes, when Adrian Bell robbed the full back to drill in a low cross for -DFNVRQ )RUV\WKH NHHSHU 0RUJDQ Giles made a tremendous block from the initial effort but the ball fell kindly for the striker to poke it home. From this point on, Untied went from strength to strength and caused great problems down both à DQNVZLWKWKHSDF\$QG\1LFKROson showing defenders a clean pair of heels all too frequently for Forsythe’s liking. However, in the second half an upset appeared to be on the cards as Forsythe clawed themselves back into the game. Dyslexic failed to clear from a corner and paid the price dearly, as the opposition levelled. %XW LI WKH QHZO\ SURPRWHG RXWÀW were expected to go on and take the three points against their more established rivals, then they were to be proved overwhelmingly wrong. Whether it was born out of anger for letting the lead slip so easily, or because Forsythe suddenly switched off was unclear, but Dyslexic never looked back as Jackson KLW D TXLFNÀUH GRXEOH WR WDNH WKH game beyond the Blues. His second arrived after a GerrardOLNHEDOOIURPPDNHVKLIWPLGÀHOGHU Jonny Windle, which curled over the top of the defence to present his teammate with a one-on-one he was all too happy to convert. The hat trick was complete in more dubious circumstances, as an
Applegarth free kick bounced off the bar with Jackson heading in on the goal line. Things went from bad to worse for Forsythe when they found themselves down to ten men after a sending off, before Jackson took his tally to four for the day and seven for the season when he beat the offside trap. All that was left to GRZDVURXQG0RUJDQ*LOHVEHIRUH the simple task of slipping the ball into the empty net as a rout began to look increasingly likely. The last two goals of the game came from the penalty spot. After Nicholson was taken out on his way WR JRDO E\ 0RUJDQ*LOHV 6DO 0Rhammed abused his power to claim responsibility. What followed was probably the worst spot-kick seen since Beckham’s infamous slip. Fortunately for the co-manager, his pass-back was only parried and he was able to convert the rebound for KLVÀUVWDQGRQWKLVHYLGHQFHSUREably last, goal of the season. Forsythe did manage to score a consolation goal with only 15 minutes remaining, but there was to be no miracle comeback on the cards on this occasion, as Dyslexic secured a comprehensive victory.
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THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
41
BUCS
Sport
Mixed fortunes for Netball Club L. MACKENZIE
Netball Round-up
Newcastle 2nds Teeside 1sts
+DUULHW1HHGKDP Last week saw a set split result for the Netball club with two wins and two losses.
Newcastle 1sts Northumbria 1sts
17 52
The last time the Royals faced Northumbria was at Stan Calvert ZKHQ WKH\ EHDW WKHP IRU WKH ÀUVW time. The girls knew that Poly would come back at them hard but didn’t expect such a convincing result, the sides not matching goal for goal as in last year’s BUCS meetings. Proving strong the Poly ÀQLVKHGWKHÀUVWTXDUWHUZLWKDVL[ goal lead. However with a combination of strong defence and some stunning shooting by GA, Hannah Swainson, the girls pulled back one vital goal at half time to be in reach of gaining even more in the followLQJWZRTXDUWHUV7KHWKLUGTXDUWHU usually the most successful for the Royals, came out the most devastating. Swainson had to be substituted ÀYHPLQXWHVLQWRWKHTXDUWHUIRUDQ injury, forcing a few changes and putting player of the match Corinne Kinvig out of position at GA and bringing on Katie Rimmer at C. The momentum was disrupted and the keen opposition utilised this, increasing the lead further. Overall it was a disappointing result for the Royals who were hoping to have WKHLUÀUVWZLQDJDLQVW1RUWKXPEULD in the BUCS championships. Netball 2nds net a win against Teeside in a day of split success for NUNC
55 21
The Seconds started strongly and with lots of encouragement on the sideline they soon began to cruise away from their opposition. A few silly mistakes at the beginning were overthrown by the team clicking into a striking rhythm which saw spectacular movement down the whole of the court. Tight defensive work from GK and GD Sassa Hamilton meant Teeside’s best player was forced to shoot some tricky goals which were not converted. WD Issy Retberg picked off some fantastic interceptions which Teeside were unable to stop being converted into goals. The ball was taken down court to the shooting circle beautifully by player of the match and C, Rebecca Meldrum. An extremely positive game for the JLUOVZKLFKJLYHVWKHPPRUHFRQÀdence and the hope of a promising season ahead.
Newcastle 3rds Northumbria 3rds
34 28
The Thirds took the short journey across the city to Northumbria’s home ground. In their last encounter the team were unjustly put against some of the Poly’s First team players which cost them the game. This time it was a different story and the girls started strongly and maintained their lead throughout the entirety of the game. At times, Northumbria fought back and gained on the Thirds but couldn’t
TXLWHFDWFKXS3OD\HURIWKHPDWFK and GD Katie Marron again had a fantastic match and kept the oppositions shooters at bay. Interceptions in centre court allowed Anna Rosenberg at GA to consistently convert the goals and maintain their lead, even under Northumbria’s feisty defence unit. Another win for the Newcastle Third team puts them in a good position at the start of the season which they will need to maintain if they have aims of promotion.
Newcastle 4ths York 1sts
27 59
It was another tough match for the Fourth team who were away last week at York. The team played well together and showed some periods of truly excellent play. The defence was strong, with Andrea Sumner at GK picking up some vital interceptions to prevent the home side from increasing their lead further. The score difference was hard to pull back as York started strongly and maintained a good lead. However, GS Christie Burns put up some incredible shots under the oppositions effective defence. The movement into the attacking third was good with player of the match Sophie Kennedy playing particularly well picking up loose balls and giving strong balls throughout the FHQWUH FRXUW $ GLIÀFXOW JDPH IRU the Fourth team especially as they were missing some vital players, but not letting morale drop when York ran away from them. A positive game with some areas of good play and so much to build upon for next week’s game.
Final ten makeover ends 6KHIÀHOG.QLJKWHG seventy minute takeover in close court battle Women’s Basketball Women’s Rugby
Newcastle 1sts MMU Cheshire 1sts
14 20
Ellie Robinson at Cochrane Park After kicking off with an 81-0 win RYHU /LYHUSRRO LQ WKHLU ÀUVW %8&6 clash of the season, Newcastle were keen to maintain their winning momentum. Fielding two teams for WKH ÀUVW WLPH WKLV ZHHN DQG ZLWK key players still out due to injury, the girls were adapting to a conVWDQWO\FKDQJLQJVTXDGPDGHXSRI old and new faces. In bright and blustery conditions at Cochrane Park, NWR anticipated the arrival of a team who had always provided stern opposition. It did not appear that this would EH WKH FDVH DV ÀYH PLQXWHV EHIRUH kick-off only nine of them had arrived. A short delay allowed for the remaining contingent to arrive, and the game got underway. :LWKDVTXDGRIVWURQJJLUOVDQG a very large pack, MMU were solid in defence and forced Newcastle to work hard at the breakdown. However, great rucking from forward of the match Hannah Bassirat and second row Sarah Bannon kept the Royals in possession. A well-drilled Newcastle team made steady progress up the pitch and soon found themselves within sight of the try-line. Accepting that the
usual NWR tactic of “Boshâ€? was not going to succeed against such a sizeable team, Newcastle utilised great hands in the back line and sent centre Holly Malins crashing WKURXJKIRUWKHĂ€UVWWU\RIWKHJDPH The windy conditions did not prove WREHDSUREOHPIRUĂ \KDOI3KRHEH Lebrecht who made the conversion with ease. MMU had clearly not travelled six KRXUV WR JLYH XS ZLWKRXW D Ă€JKW and came back at the restart with renewed aggression and determination. Sending through their larger forwards on relentless crash phases, they tested the resilience of the NWR defence to its limits and ZHUHFDPSHGLQWKHLUIRUWKHĂ€nal 15 minutes of the half. Great scrummaging against a team who were twice their size saw Newcastle in control, keen to move the play back up the park. Even when Cheshire stole possession the home side upped their work rate, yet again forcing two knock-ons, and holding up the try that made it over the line. Unfortunately, in the dying seconds of the Ă€UVW KDOI WKH EDOO DFFRPSDQLHG E\ an MMU player and the cartilage of the Newcastle scrum half’s left knee were smashed over the line making the score at the break 7-5. Reminded of the disappointment that comes with conceding a try, NWR came back out eager to extend their lead. A well-matched half saw much of the play in midĂ€HOGZLWKERWKWHDPVWXUQLQJRYHU
then failing to break the opposition’s defence. Front row Charlotte Flint led some powerful runs, consistently driving over the game line despite a serious shoulder injury. With the forwards drawing in players to the breakdown, there was space for the back line to do what they do so well. Quick hands along WKHOLQHDQGDQXQVHOÀVKSDVVIURP full back Diane Purvis put fresher Elizabeth Severs in plenty of space to score on the wing, again converted by Lebrecht. With 10 minutes left on the clock in what had been a gruelling encounter, both teams were beginning to tire. Quick thinking from MMU allowed them to spot a gap in the NWR defence and dive across the line to put themselves a point in front. It was time to go big or go home, and so Newcastle threw everything they had at MMU durLQJ WKH ÀQDO PLQXWHV RI WKH JDPH A narrowly missed penalty almost settled the score, but the home side’s attacking mentality instead gave the visitors space to exploit for one more try. After leading the game for 70 minutes, it was a heart breaking loss, but the Newcastle girls did QRW JLYH XS XQWLO WKH ÀQDO ZKLVWOH blew. A very different game from last week, but some important lessons to take forward into the rest of the season - one in which it seems Newcastle are genuine contenders for the league.
Newcastle 1sts 6KHIĂ€HOGVWV
52 47
Jessica Amber at the Sports Centre 7KH .QLJKW¡V ZHQW LQWR WKHLU ÀUVW KRPH JDPH ZLWK DQ DLU RI FRQÀdence after last week’s punishing defeat of York St John. However 6KHIÀHOG KDGQ¡W WUDYHOOHG WKDW IDU to give them an easy ride and Newcastle found themselves in a tight ÀJKWIRUWKHOHDG It was the away team who were ÀUVWWRSXWWKHLUPDUNRQWKHERDUG with an easy two, but Newcastle TXLFNO\ UHVSRQGHG ZLWK FRQVHFXWLYHEDVNHWVIURPSRVW-DFTXL)LVKer. The Knights remained dominant WKURXJKRXWWKHÀUVWTXDUWHUDQGWKH starting point guard Egle Duleck\WH SXVKHG WKH EDOO TXLFNO\ GRZQ WKHà RRUWRDZDLWLQJ-HQQLIHU+LJK Pants to complete successive fast breaks. 7KH FRQÀGHQW SOD\V WKDW GLFWDWHG WKH ÀUVW TXDUWHU ZHUH FDUULHG LQWR the second and fresh legs from Inga Vareikaite made a huge impact on D TXLHW 6KHIÀHOG VLGH 1HZFDVWOH set the pace which the opposition struggled to match, going without a basket for several minutes and so allowing the Knights to pull away to a 16 point goal difference. However, the comfortable lead did not UHà HFWWKHJDPHRQFRXUWDQG1HZcastle soon found themselves in foul trouble giving away easy bas-
kets from the line. The man-to-man defence set by Coach Ballard from the beginning highlighted NewFDVWOH DV WKH ÀWWHU WHDP EXW ZKHQ WKH6KHIÀHOGSRLQWJXDUGVFRUHGDQ uncontested lay-up at time-out was TXLFNO\FDOOHG The Vaughan duo went back out on court with attitude to wrench WKH.QLJKWVRXWRIVORZWKLUGTXDUter rut. Fresher Jackson continued to earn her court time with strong drives through the key, but with GRPLQDQW 6KHIÀHOG ÀJXUH¡V IUXVtration set in with the home side. Sloppy defence remained present and the enthusiasm from the leading team seemed to decrease rapidO\ DV WKH IRXU IRRW 6KHIÀHOG SOD\HU scored a surprising three pointer. The Knights never stopped pushing the ball but with only three basNHWV GURSSLQJ LQ WKH WKLUG TXDUWHU the game was anyone’s to be had. The game ran too close for comfort LQ WKH ÀQDO VWDJHV EXW WKH .QLJKWV kept their heads and clung to the lead. With only a couple of baskets GLIIHUHQFH WKH ÀQDO ZKLVWOH ZDV welcomed by the home bench as DQLQFUHDVLQJO\IUXVWUDWHG6KHIÀHOG VLGHÀQLVKHGZLWKDQXQVSRUWVPDQlike foul on Duleckyte. In a game full of rough defence and incomplete offences, the Knights can still draw upon strong positives that will carry them through the season. The great chemistry shown by the team will be the difference against competing sides and an undefeated season is the main target of Newcastle Women’s First team.
42
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
Sport BUCS
Blades too sharp as York are put the sword L.MACKENZIE
Fencing
Newcastle 1sts Leeds 1sts
134 101
James Kinnear at Newcastle Sports Centre After subjecting premiership side Durham to a spanking in a pre-season friendly and then losing narrowly to Keele last week, the Men’s Firsts were feeling wary of a newly promoted York Firsts side. However these fears were to be proven unfounded as they cruised to a 134101 victory on home piste. 6DEUH ZDV WKH Ă€UVW ZHDSRQ WR EH contested with Captain Patrick 1DYHLQ ZLQQLQJ KLV Ă€UVW ERXW with all the grace and majesty of a mating gazelle. Rob Walker and Paul McGenity continued the onslaught with such precision and timing that one member of the audience had to leave for “emotional reasonsâ€?. Hit after hit landed in Newcastle’s favour and the opposition could only hang on and try and claim as many points as the Blades would allow to slip. York had no answer to the sabre team and the UHVXOW IRU WKH ZHDSRQ ZDV which put the home side in good stead for the next two weapons.
Up next was Epee in which Dan “Navyâ€? Grant sailed onto the piste to quickly dispatch the opposition -DPHV.LQQHDUDQG5RE:DONHU kept up the carnage with successive victories until York found a second wind (reminiscent of a trip to the Pizza Hut lunch buffet) and managed to push up their own VFRUH 7KH Ă€QDO VFRUH UHDG D FORVH yet convincing 44-39 in Newcastle’s favour. )RLOZDVWKHĂ€QDOZHDSRQWRPHHW on the piste, which due to many members of the squad graduating last year has been the Blades weakest weapon. However, with resilience and composure they hope to keep intact throughout the season, the squad marked three out RI WKUHH Ă€QLVKLQJ RII <RUN 5RE :DONHU -DPHV .LQQHDU &KULV McAleer and Pat Navein all pulled their own brand of magic out of the hat. Likewise it was victory for the Women’s Firsts with a secure WR ZLQ RYHU 1RUWKXPEULD Firsts whilst the Men’s Seconds had a walkover in their favour against Leeds Seconds, rounding off a great day for the Newcastle University Fencing Club Blades. The Blades visit Lancaster in their next encounter and will look to carry on in the same vein En guard: Newcastle fencers carried on from their opening season win against Durham with a strong win over York
Royals smash eight past York Men’s Hockey
York 1sts Newcastle 1sts
0 8
Callum MacKenzie in York Newcastle’s winning run looks set to continue a after a clinical performance on Wednesday saw them put a punishing eight past current relegation candidates York. Despite this cruising victory Newcastle started the match slowly, the opening minutes passing without any chances of note. It required Captain Hector Hall to kick start his team into action through a powerful run towards York’s defence. &ROOHFWLQJ WKH EDOO WKLUW\ÀYH PHtres from the opposition’s goal, Hall left their back four frozen, failing to engage with the onrushing forward EHIRUHWKHEDOOKDGEHHQà LFNHGLQWR the top corner, giving the Royals the lead. The early goal and Newcastle’s clear superiority over their opponents suggested that the game ZRXOGEHWKHÀUVWRIPDQ\+RZever instead followed a period of sustained pressure, during which they struck the Newcastle upright. This miss proved costly for York as it remained the only time they were able to truly threaten the Newcastle defence. York’s disappointment was compounded when veteran Matthew McErlane picked Ian Rossiter with a wonderful 60 yard pass, allowing Rossiter to move the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper and calmly ÀQLVKZLWKDUHYHUVHVWLFNVKRW Although half-time had not yet been reached it was clear that the game was beyond York. Newcastle took a 3-0 lead into the break and came out looking to fully capitalise on the slack York defending producing a half characterised by deadly
Ă€QLVKLQJ ZLWK 0D[ 8QGHUZRRG Ben Going and Ed Youngman all marking their names on the score sheet. The frustration amongst the York team was clear and most elegantly demonstrated by a few choice words from their ‘keeper to describe his defence’s effort and performance. The Royals last goal proved to be the most noteworthy. After picking up the ball on the right of York’s circle, Sam Mawer made a skillful cut inside a powerless right back. Both sides expected a pass across the face of the goal but Mawer had other plans, producing his own piece of magic. Taking, what to all appeared a speculative reverse stick shot, he Ă€UHGWKHEDOOLQWRWKHWRSOHIWKDQG corner of the goal. It was hard to say whether York or Mawer was more surprised. Newcastle season has begun strongly with two wins out of two, putting the Royals top of the table. Although the season has only just begun, Newcastle’s promotion credentials are clear to see and WKH\ZLOOFHUWDLQO\EHĂ€JKWLQJIRU one of the top spots come March. In other games, the Seconds beat <RUN6W-RKQ)LUVWVDW/RQJEHQWRQ yet the Thirds suffered a heavy 6-1 defeat at the hands of Northumbria while the Fourth team could RQO\PDQDJHDGUDZZLWKORFDO rivals Durham.
Obiturary
Wills Robinson pays tribute to one of sport’s greatest pundits p 37
Boat club sets sail on a new year as rowers aim high Andrew Curry October in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne means many things, including )UHVKHU¡V à X +DOORZHHQ DVVLJQments, derby days and the classic dilemma about whether to turn the central heating on. It is also the time of year when Angelo, our head coach, decides it is time to remind the rest of the country what Newcastle University Boat Club is all about. So, we are to be unleashed on two main events this $XWXPQ7KHÀUVWLV%8&6VPDOO boats head which also masquerDGHVDV*%HDUO\LGHQWLÀFDWLRQWULals. The format is simple; choose your biggest and baddest athletes, give them a boat (usually the single scull) and send them to a pre-determined location and race WKHPRYHUNDQGN7KRVHZKR win get fame, fortune and BUCS points, and even the tantalising prospect of wielding an oar for Queen and Country. Those who lose, as always, go home. It seems a simple prospect, but there is more to it than meets the eye. Nevertheless, a handpicked squad of super scullers jumped at the chance to be weighed and measured against Britain’s best, and sped off to that charming, idyllic and picturesque corner of England: Boston, Lincolnshire. Famous for having nothing in common with Boston Massachusetts and for having the strangest looking locals ever, Boston also boasts one of the longest, dreariest, most miserable stretches of river in the country. To war then. Our squad this year consisted of a healthy blend of old school legends and fresh face talent. Back in action were the championship duo of Murray Wilkojc and Mason Durant. New to the scene were the (seriously) heavyweight pair of Sam Arnot and Edward Ford. Ac-
companying them were the cream of Newcastle’s crop, all determined to be the best.
“Those who win get fame, fortune and BUCS points, and even the tantalising prospect of wielding an oar for Queen and Countryâ€? The weekend commenced with D WLPHFDSSHG . HUJR WHVW 7KH PHQ KDG WR Ă€QLVK LQ XQGHU WKHZRPHQ/LJKWZHLJKWVKDG 6.40/7.40 respectively. Failure to achieve this would result in disTXDOLĂ€FDWLRQIURPWKHULYHUUDFHWKH next day. This tough task proved Ă€HQGLVKO\KDUGIRUHYHQRXUĂ€WDWKletes. However, plucky determination saw the majority achieve this, with Ed Ford and Sam Arnot impressing and Rebecca Sparling and $P\ -HVVHW DOVR SDFNLQJ D SXQFK 6DGO\$EE\-RKQVWRQDQG(OHDQRU Earp failed to make the time, but were allowed to race as part of the %8&6Ă€[WXUHVWKHQH[WGD\ Once this horrendous ritual was over, it was time for the real racing to begin. The Sunday saw three main events spread across the genders, men and women’s single sculls, men and women’s heavyweight pairs and men and women’s heavyweight doubles. There were also two lightweight events, the double and pair for both genders. First up were the single sculls. Tough conditions and unfortunate execution saw Murray Wilkojc race LQWR 1HZFDVWOH¡V KLJKHVW Ă€QLVKLQJ SODFH LQ WK 7R EH WK LQ WKH country is a fantastic achievement,
but Murray cut a disconsolate and GLVDSSRLQWHG ÀJXUH IHHOLQJ KH could have done better. The rest of the men were spread across the ÀHOG QRQH RI WKHP ÀQGLQJ WKHLU racing potential. However, hope JOLPPHUHG ZLWK $EE\ -RKQVWRQ racing into heavyweight 4th and Rebecca Sparling also coming WK LQ WKH OLJKWZHLJKW HYHQW DQG snatching a BUCS bronze. The day continued to improve for Newcastle, with the giant pair of Sam and Ed destroying all and sundry and clinching gold with an impressive row. This means they are one of the fastest pairs in the country and the result will have been a cause for concern for other universities. Murray and NUBC legend Durant (isn’t he awesome?), who agonisingly lost out to his identical twin brother the day before, were squeezed into silver by Durham. The lightweight double of former novice Amy -HVVHWW DQG SRFNHW URFNHW 0LULDP -RQHV:DOWHUVVWRUPHGWKHFRXUVH and grabbed silver in what was, undeniably, one of the performances of the day. Heavyweights Ami Hodges and Eleanor Earp overcame late illness and day one disappointment to grab a bronze and Ed Stephenson and Ben Gourlay claimed a respectable 6th place in the lightweight mens doubles. Racing done, and with 44 BUCS points in the bag, the team packed up and headed north with Angelo’s team talk ringing in their ears. A job well done but it is only the start. It is end of the individual races for the time being; our next contests are for club and crew in the Fours Head of the river, Rutherford Head and match racing against our London, Irish and North eastern rivals, UL, Queens Belfast and Durham. Truly time to test our mettle. Watch this space.
THE COURIER Monday November 1 2010
43
BUCS Sport
Leeds too tough to tackle at Cochrane Newcastle 1sts Leeds 1sts
24 34
Wills Robinson at Cochrane Park Despite two tries from scrum half Harry Peck and a comeback after D OHVV WKDQ FRQYLQFLQJ ÀUVW ÀYH minutes, Newcastle paid dearly for their mistakes as they fell short against Leeds at Cochrane Park. After losing out to Loughborough the week before, the Royals were looking to bounce back on home soil, but a whole list of injuries in the regular back-line proved a hindrance from the start. This was evident as Leeds stormed into an early 10-0 lead in a dire opening period from the hosts. First through a rolling maul, as their cenWUH FUDVKHG RYHU IRU WKHLU ÀUVW WU\ and then, as Newcastle struggled to
slow down the Leeds ball early on, their other centre went under the posts after a couple of missed tackles from the Newcastle defence. From the start the forwards were under pressure from a heavier Leeds scrum, and as the home side ÀQDOO\GHOYHGLQWRWKHLURSSRQHQW¡V territory, frustrating handling errors meant that they could not convert. However, after this pressure continued to mount, as the Newcastle forwards packed into the corner, second-row Mark Wilcox went over to begin the Newcastle recovery. This continued when captain and number 8 Sam Shires popped the ball to Peck, who went on to weave his way through the Leeds back line and touch down in the corner. With centre Paddy Irwin converting both tries, Newcastle took the OHDG IRU WKH ÀUVW DQG ZKDW ZRXOG be the only, time in the game at 1412 after 25 minutes.
The hosts began to dominate the game, with a run from Irwin and Shires down the wing just heading LQWRWRXFKE\WKHFRUQHUà DJZKLFK lead to a Leeds kick being charged down on the try line. Then whenever the away team got the ball, the Newcastle pack pegged them back DQG WKH\ VWUXJJOHG WR ÀQG WKHLU early momentum. However the period of dominance was short-lived, as the travelling side drove over the line to end the half in perfect fashLRQ HGJLQJ D UHODWLYHO\ FORVH ÀUVW half 19-14. The Royals started the second half promisingly after Irwin nearly chipped their way to a try in the corner. Newcastle also boasted a tenacity in defence, as the visitors VWUXJJOHGWRÀQGDZD\WKURXJKWKH 5R\DOV¡GHIHQFH However as the second period went on, the momentum began to swing the other way with Newcastle under pressure to stay in the
game. Leeds scored again in the corner as Newcastle returned onto the back foot at 24-14, with a huge FRPHEDFNQHHGHGLQWKHĂ€QDOVWDJHV to salvage a win for the Royals. Handling errors continued to cost the home team as their attacking play looked more promising as they gained some forward momentum. Then captain Shires took the ball from behind the half-way line and split the Leeds defence with ease, charging beyond the 22 before being brought down by a last gasp defensive effort. The hosts were given some hope of a dramatic comeback when Peck passed the ball into the backline; a good set of hands putting David Sweatman into the corner, after stepping his way past the last two defenders, and bringing Newcastle to within a try of the visitors. However a host of sloppy penalties late on cost the Royals, and PDGH LW GLIĂ€FXOW IRU WKH KRVWV WR
build up a head of steam. In contrast, Leeds supplied consistent quick ball to their back-line, and after a number of disappointing PLVVHG WDFNOHV IURP WKH 5R\DOV¡ GHIHQFH /HHGV ÀQLVKHG FOLQLFDOO\ in the corner to extend their lead, and effectively end any hopes of a Royal comeback. Peck did score a late try after good work from Irwin, but it was too little too late for the hosts. Newcastle paid the price for a desperately slow start, while early-season mistakes were in abundance. Despite their poor start, the RoyDOV ZLOO WDNH FRQÀGHQFH IURP WKHLU recovery, but handling errors and missed tackles meant that they inHYLWDEO\ ÀQLVKHG VHFRQG EHVW 7KLV week Newcastle will be looking for revenge against Hartpury, the side who narrowly defeated them in the Cup last year. L.MACKENZIE
Newcastle’s handling errors and missed tackles proved costly, despite two tries from scrum-half and Falcons academy member Harry Peck, the Firsts have yet to record a win this season
BUCS Results - 27th October Badminton
Mens 1sts 5 - 3 Leeds 1sts Mens 2nds 5 - 3 Sunderland 1sts Womens 1sts 0 - 8 Loughborough 1sts
Basketball
0HQVVWV 6KHIĂ€HOG+DO lam 1sts Mens 2nds 58 - 71 Durham 2nds Mens 3rds 57 - 75 Northumbrioa 3rds :RPHQVVWV6KHIĂ€HOG 1sts Womens 2nds 40 - 34 Durham 2nds
Fencing
Mens 1sts 134 - 101 York 1sts Womens 1sts 129 - 113 Northumbria 1sts
Football
Mens 1sts 4 - 2 Hull 1sts Mens 2nds 2 - 2 Durham 1sts Womens 1sts 1 - 1 Leeds 1sts Womens 2nds 0 - 8 Bradford 1sts
Golf
1sts 0.5 - 5.5 Birmingham 2nds 4 - 2 Durham 2nds
Hockey
Mens 1sts 8 - 0 York 1sts Mens 2nds 6 - 0 York St John 1sts Mens 3rds 1 - 6 Northumbria 1sts Mens 4ths 2 - 2 Leeds Met 2nds Womens 1sts 10 - 1 Manchester 2nds :RPHQVQGV6KHIĂ€HOG 1sts
Womens 3rds 2 - 1 Northumbria 2nds Womens 4ths 1 - 5 Durham 4ths
Womens 1sts 14 - 20 MMU Cheshire 1sts Womens 2nds 10 - 15 York St John 1sts
Lacrosse
Rugby League
Womens 1sts 2 - 22 Durham 1sts Womens 2nds 2 - 14 Leeds 1sts
Netball
1sts 17 - 52 Northumbria 1sts 2nds 55 - 21 Teeside 1sts 3rds 34 - 28 Northumbria 3rds 4ths 27 - 59 York 1sts
Rugby
Mens 1sts 24 - 34 Leeds 1sts Mens 2nds 3 - 54 Leeds Met 2nds Mens 3rds 4-8 York 2nds Mens 4ths 86 - 7 Northumbria 4ths
0HQVVWV6KHIĂ€HOG+DO lam 1sts Mens 2nds 30 - 8 Northumbria 3rds
Squash
Mens 1sts 4 - 1 Manchester 2nds Mens 2nds 4 - 1 Durham 2nds Mens 3rds 3 - 0 Leeds Mets 3rds Womens 1sts 1 - 3 Durham 1sts Womens 2nds 0 - 3 Leeds Met 2
Table Tennis
Mens 1sts 5 - 12 Edinburgh 1sts
Tennis
Mens 1sts 10 - 0 Mens 2nds Womens 1sts 10 - 2 Leeds 2nds :RPHQVQGV6KHIĂ€HOG 1sts
Volleyball
Mens 3 - 0 Durham 1sts Womens 2 - 3 Leeds 1sts Web Exclusive
For reports on Women’s Hockey, Rugby League and more go to www.thecourieronline. co.uk
44
Monday November 1 2010 THE COURIER
This week’s netball round-up Sports Editors: Paul Christian, Jamie Gavin and Tom James - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk
> Sport, page 41
Sports Editors: Jono Taylor, Wills Robinson and Kat Bannon - courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk
Fantastic four for Royals
L.MACKENZIE
Football Firsts make a decisive comeback, following their goalless draw at Sunderland, to triumph over Hull at Cochrane Men’s Football
Newcastle 1sts Hull 1sts
4 2
Charlie Scott at Cochrane Park Newcastle battled to a 4-2 victory over Hull last Wednesday at CoFKUDQH 3DUN LQ D ÀHU\ JDPH WKDW VDZ WHPSHUV ÁDUH RQ ERWK VLGHV EXW UHPDUNDEO\ WKH JDPH HQGHG ZLWKRXWWKHUHIVKRZLQJDQ\FDUGV WRHLWKHUWHDP$ZRUNPDQOLNHSHU IRUPDQFH IURP 1HZFDVWOH KHOSHG WKHPRYHUFRPHDQDJJUHVVLYH+XOO WHDP DQG WKHLU ZLQ OHDYHV WKHP ZLWKDKHDOWK\UHWXUQRIIRXUSRLQWV IURPWKHLURSHQLQJWZRJDPHV 7KHJDPHEHJDQDWDIUDQWLFSDFH ZLWKERWKWHDPVVFRULQJLQVLGHWKH ÀUVWWHQPLQXWHV+XOOWRRNWKHOHDG WKURXJK WKHLU OHIWEDFN 0LFKDHO %RUURII DIWHU D ZHOOZRUNHG PRYH GRZQWKHULJKWKDQGVLGHEHWZHHQ &KDUOLH$QGHUVRQDQG0D[1LHOVHQ ended with a drilled cross to the EDFN SRVW ZKHUH %RUURII ZDV RQ KDQGWRWDSLQIURPFORVHUDQJH +RZHYHU1HZFDVWOHKLWEDFNLP PHGLDWHO\ WKURXJK (G 6DYLWW 7KH LPSUHVVLYH 1HZFDVWOH VWULNHU FRQ WUROOHGDKLJKFURVVLQVLGHWKH+XOO SHQDOW\DUHDWXUQHGKLVPDUNHULQ VLGH RXW WKHQ WXFNHG WKH EDOO SDVW WKH +XOO NHHSHU 'DYH .QR[ IURP VL[\DUGVRXW ,W ZDVQ·W ORQJ EHIRUH .QR[ ZDV SLFNLQJ WKH EDOO RXW RI KLV QHW IRU WKH VHFRQGWLPHWKH 5R\DOVWDNLQJ the lead courtesy of Ben Burt after
JRRG EXLOGXS SOD\ IURP *HRUJH &R\OH3LFNLQJWKHEDOOXS\DUGV RXW %XUW VWURGH IRUZDUG EHIRUH VWULNLQJ D ORZ VKRW IURP MXVW RXW side the area that nestled in the botWRP ULJKW KDQG FRUQHU RI WKH JRDO PXFKWR.QR[·VREYLRXVGHVSDLU +XOOEHJDQVHDUFKLQJIRUDQHTXDO LVHU LPPHGLDWHO\ DIWHU 1HZFDVWOH VFRUHG WKHLU VHFRQG DQG DIWHU DQ H[WHQVLYH VSHOO RI SUHVVXUH FDPH FORVHWRPDNLQJLW7KHLULPSRV LQJFHQWUHEDFN0LNH/LQGOH\ZHQW FORVH RQO\ WR VHH KLV ÀUP KHDGHU FRPHFUDVKLQJEDFNRIIWKHEDUIRO ORZLQJDFRUQHU 0XFK RI +XOO·V SOD\ VHHPHG WR UHYROYH DURXQG WKHLU LQÁXHQWLDO FDSWDLQ /DPE DQG WKHLU ODQN\ WDU JHWPDQ&KDUOLH$QGHUVRQWKHVRQ RI IRUPHU 0DQFKHVWHU 8QLWHG DQG (QJODQGVWDU9LY$QGHUVRQ,WZDV /DPE·VWXUQWRFRPHFORVHWRHTXDO LVLQJ IRU +XOO RQ WKLV RFFDVLRQ KLV GLSSLQJIUHHNLFNÁ\LQJDJRQLVLQJ O\RYHU0DWW7KRUSH·VEDU 6KRUWO\EHIRUHKDOIWLPH1HZFDV WOH ORVW WKHLU ZLQJHU -DPHV 6ZDLQ VWRQ WR DQ DQNOH LQMXU\ UHSODFLQJ KLP ZLWK WKH \RXQJ 'DQQ\ &OHP HQW WKH WULFN\ VSHHGVWHU ZKR KDG DOPRVW IRUFHG D EUHDNWKURXJK IRU WKH 5R\DOV DV D VXEVWLWXWH DJDLQVW 6XQGHUODQG ODVW ZHHN 1HZFDV WOH·VZLQJEDFNVKDGEHHQKDYLQJD WRUULG WLPH GHDOLQJ ZLWK WKH SDFH RI +XOO·V ZLQJHUV DQG WKH LQWUR GXFWLRQ RI &OHPHQW KHOSHG HDVH WKLV SUHVVXUH +LV GLUHFW UXQQLQJ on the ball caused Hull’s Connor +HQVKDZ DW ULJKWEDFN DOO VRUWV RI SUREOHPVDQGSXWWKH+XOOGHIHQFH
RQ WKH EDFN IRRW HYHU\ WLPH KH UH FHLYHGWKHEDOO ,Q WKH ÀUVWKDOI LQMXU\ WLPH WKH UHI ZDV DW WKH FHQWUH RI VRPH FRQ WURYHUV\ ZKHQ KH LQH[SOLFDEO\ DO ORZHG WKH +XOO JRDONHHSHU WR SLFN XS D QRQFKDODQW EDFN SDVV IURP one of his centre-backs when under SUHVVXUH IURP &OHPHQW :LWK WKH PDWFK HYHQO\ SRLVHG DQG D VWULQJ RITXHVWLRQDEOHGHFLVLRQVHPPLQDW
Nice touch: centre PLG¿HOGHU*HRUJH Coyle controls the EDOOLQKLVVLGH¶V¿UVW BUCS victory this season
LQJIURPWKHRIÀFLDOVLWVHHPHGIRU WKHVHFRQGZHHNUXQQLQJWKDW1HZ FDVWOH PD\ IDOO SUH\ WR \HW DQRWKHU SRRUUHIHUHHLQJSHUIRUPDQFH Newcastle started the second-half ORRNLQJZRUU\LQJO\KXUULHGLQSRV VHVVLRQDQGWKHLUPLVSODFHGSDVVHV VRRQ FRVW WKHP ZKHQ &KDUOLH $Q GHUVRQ OREEHG D GHOLJKWIXO EDOO WKURXJK WR KLV VWULNH SDUWQHU 3KLO :DUULQJWRQZKRPDGHQRPLVWDNH LQ SDVVLQJ WKH EDOO LQWR DQ HPSW\ QHW DIWHU GXPP\LQJ KLV ZD\ SDVW WKHRQUXVKLQJ7KRUSH 7KH+XOOHTXDOLVHUVHHPHGWRVWLU 1HZFDVWOH LQWR OLIH ZLWK &OHP HQW 6DYLWW DQG (OOLRWW &RQQHOO\ DOO
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)ROORZLQJ WKLV DOWHUFDWLRQ WKH JDPH WKUHDWHQHG WR WXUQ QDVW\ D QXPEHU RI WKH +XOO SOD\HUV EHJDQ WR XQDVKDPHGO\ WDUJHW &R\OH DQG WKH WRXJKWDFNOLQJ PLGÀHOGHU ZDV RQ WKH HQG RI VRPH EUXWDO FKDO OHQJHV +XOO·V ORVV RI GLVFLSOLQH OHG WR D FRUUHVSRQGLQJ ORVV RI FRPSRVXUH 7KH\IDLOHGWRFUHDWHDQ\PRUHRS SRUWXQLWLHVRIQRWHDQGWKHTXHVWLRQ EHFDPHQRWLI1HZFDVWOHZRXOGZLQ EXWE\KRZPDQ\$VLWKDSSHQHG WKH\ RQO\ VFRUHG WKH RQH PRUH DQ RSSRUWXQLVWLF TXLFNO\ WDNHQ IUHH NLFN IURP 6DYLWW WKDW OHIW .QR[ LQ WKH +XOO JRDO FRPSOHWHO\ ZURQJ IRRWHG+RZHYHUWKH\FRXOGHDVLO\ KDYHWDNHQPRUHDVWKHJDPHQHDUHG LWV FRQFOXVLRQ 1RQHWKHOHVV LW ZDV 6DYLWW·V JRDO WKDW ZDV WKH IRXUWK DQGÀQDOQDLOLQWKH+XOOFRIÀQDQG it sealed a well-deserved and hardIRXJKWYLFWRU\IRUWKH5R\DOV $IWHU WKH JDPH 5R\DOV PDQDJHU 0DUN:RRGKDOOVSRNHRIKLVSOHDV XUH DW ZLQQLQJ VD\LQJ ´7KH WKUHH SRLQWV ZRQ ZHUH PRUH LPSRUWDQW WKDQ WKH SHUIRUPDQFH LWVHOIµ DQG WKDW´GHVSLWHPDNLQJKDUGZRUNRI LWZHGHVHUYHGRXUYLFWRU\DQGDUH QRZ ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR RXU FXS JDPH QH[W ZHHNµ 7KH JDPH PD\ KDYH ODFNHG TXDOLW\ DW WLPHV EXW Newcastle showed their steely side WKLV DIWHUQRRQ DQG WKHLU JULWW\ \HW HIÀFLHQWSHUIRUPDQFHZLOOQRGRXEW DFWDVDZDUQLQJWRWKHLUIXWXUHRS SRVLWLRQ
