Courier 1388

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Lifestyle Read our hints and tips for less stressful study this exam season Pages 14-15

Travel In light of Notre Dame do we value culture over crisis?

Page 20

Monday 13 May 2019 Issue 1388 Free

Film Find out what our writers thought about the final Avengers film Page 28

Revealed uni makes 30k from replacing student smart cards The independent voice of Newcastle

Inside today >>>

Protesting climate change Read our interview with a member of Extinction Rebellion North East.

News, pages 4-5

Notre Dame

Our writers give their views on the millions being donated to the rebuild.

Comment, page 10

Top travel snaps

Take a look some our favourite travel photography from all over the world Travel, page 21

Game of Thrones

Find out what our writers have to say about the final season of the show so far TV, page 27

Stacks of sudoku The university charges students £10 to replace their smart card Image: Louise Hall

Louise Hall Editor Last year Newcastle University made over £30,000 in income from issuing replacement university smart cards to its students.

The university stated that the cost of print a new card is £1.41 but students are expected to pay 5 times this fee for a new card

The university charges a ten pound fee for a replacement card, which is essential for dayto-day life at unviersity. It is used to record attendance at lectures and provide access to university facilities. Students who lose their card have little to no choice of paying the ten pound fee and replacing it.

The university stated that the cost of printing each new card is £1.41, yet students are still expected to pay over 5 times this fee for its replacement. A Freedom of Information Act submitted by the Courier revealed that

last year the university made £32,170 from university smart card replacements as a result of the ten pound fee.

When asked how much a university smart card costs to produce, a Newcastle University spokesperson said: “The cost of printing each new card is £1.41. This is the cost of the materials only and excludes all related service costs, such as those incurred by the hardware required to produce the smartcards, and staff costs incurred running the smartcard systems and issuing the cards.”

The first smartcard is issued free and the replacement charge of £10 – which is broadly in line with many other universities - is intended to not only cover the costs of printing a new card but is also designed to encourage people to take care of their smartcard.”

When asked by the Courier where the money from replacement smart cards is being spent a Newcastle University spokesperson commented: “The money generated from the replacement of student and staff smartcards contributes to the overall funding and operation of library services in order to support the student experience.

From 2019/2020 a percentage of the money will go into ResLife, a new programme set up to support students living in University accommodation by providing a residential curriculum, events and educational campaigns.”

Raff Marioni, President of Newcastle Uni-

versity Students’ Union, told the Courier: “I’ve always disagreed with the university charging £10 for smartcard replacements. I think it’s far too expensive and only contributes further to the everyday financial difficulties students face on campus.

“Yet it’s even more disappointing that it’s now been revealed how much they make each year off of these replacements.

“Each year the University receives an income of over £200 million from student fees, why isn’t this £10 replacement fee included in this? It would have little impact on the University or the library, but make a big difference to students and creating a more affordable campus.

Students contribute enough to the University’s income, and I believe they shouldn’t be burdened by unnecessary additional costs.”

In researching the cost of replacement smart cards at other universities the Courier discovered that the fee of replacement varied between £5-£12 at different instiutions.

Carys Rose Thomas, A Third Year English Literature Student at Newcastle University spoke to the Courier about her experience replacing her smart card: “I understand that a fee may be in place as a deterrent to prevent students from losing their cards, but the price of said replacement being a whole £10 seemed quite extreme.

When a card is your access to something as vital as your university library you can’t just

sit around and wait for it to turn up and not go to the library or not scan in to lectures. I explained this to the university but they were unsympathetic and I had to buy a new one before I was even sure my old one was definitely lost.”

Check out the puzzles page for a sudoku special featuring your favourite puzzles matriarch Puzzles, page 38

Fight Night 2019

Get an overview of the knockout night that returned to the SU for round 2 this year Sport, pages 42-43

“Each year the University receives an income of over £200 million from student fees, why isn’t this £10 replacement fee included in this?”

Raff Marioni, NUSU President

A Newcastle University Spokesperson stated: “We do not charge for cards that need to be replaced due to a change in university status of the card owner, if the card stops working, or where a police crime number is provided to show the card was stolen.”

Students continue to be critical of extra course costs at university on top of their £9,000 fees, and question whether expenses such as these should be covered by university expenditure.

Exctinction Rebellion The Courier News interviews Meryl Batchelder about the climate change crisis News, Page 4

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thecourier The Courier is a weekly newspaper produced by students, for students. It’s never too late to get involved in the paper, whether you’re a writer, illustrator or photographer. Just visit thecourieronline.co.uk/about for more information.

Editor Louise Hall Deputy Editor Isabel Sykes News Editors Grace Dean, Molly Greeves, Sidney Pinsett and Steven Ross Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Caitlin Disken and Alexandra Sadler Life & Style Editor Sophie Henderson Lifestyle Editors Phoebe Fielder, Holly Margerrison, and Ella Williams Fashion Editors Poppy Couling Joe Hood and Miranda Stoner Beauty Editors Laura Buckle, Susanne Norris and Nimra Rafique Travel Editors Jenny Franken, Bianca Ionci and Amy Harris Culture Editors Alex Moore and Carys Rose Thomas Feature Editor Ally Wilson Arts Editors Rosie Mccrum, Julia McGhee Russell and Scarlett Rowland Music Editors Charlotte Boulton, Rory Ellis and Max Hobbs TV Editors Jacob Clarke, Tom Cooney and Chloe Mullins Film Editors JImmy Athey, Joe Holloran and Jack Gill Gaming Editors George Boatfield, Kelly South, James Troughton, Shawn Khoo Science Editors Eleanor Gratton and Cecilia Adamou Sports Editors Sydney Isaacs, Rebecca Johnson, Harry Parsons, Jack Smilie, Rory Ewart Puzzles Editor Helena Buchanan Online Editors Rory Cameron, Jodie Duddy, Amanda Goh, Thomas Hardwick, Orestis Katsoulis, Sophia Kypriotis, Dominic Lee, Lucy Lillystone, Alex Darbyshire The Courier NUSU King’s Walk Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QB Tel: 0191 239 3940 The Courier is printed by: Trinity Mirror Printing, Barton Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1UT Established in 1948, the Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University.

The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge.

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

Monday 13 May 2019

NSR show of the week Plebcast Sundays at 9pm Jimmy Athey Film Editor Have you ever thought “What did the Romans ever do for us”? Have you heard the names Achilles and Odysseus but not sure why? Are you unsure whether or not Julius Caesar was actually an emperor? (spoilers he wasn’t) Well Plebcast is the podcast for you!

Plebcast is the podcast in which brings the myths and the true tales of the Classics to the mainstream; discussing intellectual stuff with a sprinkle of humour,

Monday we discuss all things Ancient History, Greek and Roman myths and the impact of Classics in the modern world.

Hosted by Jimmy and Louis with three extra guests, we aim to make the Classics as accessible as possible while making you laugh, engaged and fully immersed with guests including lecturers, alumni and current students.

To listen to Plebcast, tune into NSR every Sunday at 9pm by visiting nsrlive.co.uk, or have a listen through the NUSU app.

STU BREW Beer of the Week Vanilla Milk Stout 3.8% Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor At 3.8% this sweet, silky stout is a bit more mellow than some of the stronger beers Stu Brew have on offer and it certainly goes down easily.

The beer is unusual in that it has lactose sugar added to give the drinnk a thicker and quite sweet taste. The sweetness is also given another depth by the addition of Madagascan Vanilla Pods - Stu Brew have really pushed the boat out on flavour here.

It’s mild to drink, a change from some of

Student Spotlight Final NUSU Student Council of the Year Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor The final Student Council of the year will be hosted in the History Room of the Students’ Union on Thursday 16 May. Student Council is NUSU’s highest student representative body and gives students a chance to have a say on what campaigns and events the Union runs determined by

As always, free pizza and refreshments will be provided on the evening

what is important to you. The deadline has already passed for submitting motions to be discussed at this Council but students interested in attending can still sign up for one of the 20 casual voting places available. Students can do this up to 48 hours before the Council begins on Thursday.

At this Council the Union will be welcoming its new Sabbatical and Part-Time Officers who were voted in during the NUSU elections before Easter. This will give students a chance to familiarise themselves with the new names and faces and hear what they have in store for next year.

As always, free pizza and refreshments will also be provided on the evening.

Students wishing to keep up to date with upcoming Council meetings, motions, and deadlines should sign up to the mailing list through the NUSU website.

Council provides a great opportunity for Newcastle students to have their say on the decisions made at our University and make their voices heard, so sign up for a Casual voting place and come along on Thursday 16 May.

Whats on near you:

their more bitter stouts so maybe give this one a go if those harsher textures aren’t your thing. The flavour also has a chocolatey undertone which gives a really lovely aftertaste.

If you’re still not sold, the Vanilla Milk Stout has already proved immensely popular among Stu Brew connoisseurs, giving it one of the highest ratings of all Stu Brew products on Untappd. So if you’re in the mood to mellow out with a smooth and silky stout, give Vanilla Milk Stout a go.

Sport: 12:15pm-1:15pm: GIAG Tai Chi Taster. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. News: 2:30pm-3:30pm: Newcastle Between the Wars, talk by Neil Storey. Location: Newcastle City Library.

Film: 3pm-5pm: Kore-eda Season. Location: Tyneside Cinema.

Wednesday

Sport: 10am-11am: GIAG Beginners Yoga with Sally. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. Volunteering: 12pm-2pm: Wiggly Bag Making. Location: The Cube, NUSU. Beauty: 1:15pm-2:30pm: GIAG Lush face mask making. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance.

Travel: 1:30pm-3:30pm: GIAG Top of Grey’s Monument Tour. Location: Meet at Grey’s Monument.

Arts: 5pm-8pm: Women of Tyneside: Worth It. Location: Vane Art Gallery.

Lifestyle: 5pm-9pm: GIAG Fat Buddha Meal. Location; Meet outside NUSU front entrance.

Friday Beauty: 12:15pm-3pm: GIAG Makeup Masterclass with NARS. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance.

Sport: 12:30pm-1:30pm: Les Mills BodyCombat Fitness Class. Location: Multipurpose Room B, Sports Centre.

Lifestyle: 3:30pm-7:30pm: GIAG Cocktail making masterclass at Revolution. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance.

Tuesday

Arts: 10am-1pm: A Mountain of Turkish Delight - Jim Moir art exhibition. Location: |The Biscuit Factory.

Sport: 12:15pm-1:15pm: GIAG Tai Chi Taster. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. Comment: 5:30pm-6:45pm: The Blair Government Reconsidered, public talk. Location: Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building.

Arts: 7:30pm-9:30pm: Floorboards, by Steve Byron. Location: Alphabetti Theatre.

Thursday

Sport: 3pm-4pm: GIAG Beginners Yoga with Sally. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. Film: 3:05pm-5:05pm: Women in Genre: Sci-Fi Season. Location: Tyneside Cinema.

News: 5:15pm-7:15pm: NUSU May Council. Location: History Room, NUSU. Societies: 5:15pm-8pm: Sober Socials Society SobrieTEA. Location: The Coffee Trader.

Sport: 6pm-8pm: GIAG Squash. Location: Meet at Eldon Leisure Centre.

Saturday

Arts: 10am-5pm: Newcastle Writing Conference 2019. Location: Live Theatre.

Sport: 5pm-7pm: GIAG Social Badminton.

Location: Sports Hall, Sports Centre.

Music: 8pm-2am: SKRT presents Devlin.

Location: Venue, NUSU.

Sunday Volunteering: 10:30am-1pm: Jesmond Street Tidy. Location: Jesmond.

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Monday 13 May 2019

@TheCourier_News courier.news@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/news News Editors Grace Dean, Molly Greeves, Sidney Pinsent, Steven Ross Online Editor Jodie Duddy

Sight at the museum: Dippy comes to Hancock Rebecca Johnson Sports Editor A year into his UK tour, May 18 sees Dippy the Dinosaur visit the Great North Museum in Newcastle.

In 1905, Dippy became the first full skeleton of a sauropod dinosaur to be displayed anywhere in the world.

‘I’m just big boned’ Dippy the Dinosaur at Natural History Museum Image: Wiikimedia Commons

The Diplodocus, nicknamed “Dippy”, has been a regular feature at Natural History Museum in London since 1905, becoming the first full skeleton of a sauropod dinosaur to be displayed anywhere in the world. Dippy stood in Hintze Hall in the Museum until January 2017 when it was announced that the dinosaur would be touring various museums across the UK. All 292 bones of the dinosaur are currently travelling across the UK, the first time the model has been outside of London. Having started his journey since early last year, Dippy is halfway through his tour- having visited Dorset, Birmingham and Ulster, and is currently residing in Glasgow.

According to the Natural History Museum’s website, the aim of the tour is to “inspire a new generation of scientists” and to “connect the nation with nature”. Director of the Natural History Museum, Sir Michael Dixon

also commented on why the venues that are hosting Dippy were chosen. He said, “We wanted Dippy to visit unusual locations so he can draw in people who may not usually visit a museum.”

“Making iconic items accessible to as many people as possible is at the heart of what museums give to the nation, so we have ensured that Dippy will still be free to view at all tour venues.”

There are fewer and less well funded museums in the North East than there are in other parts of the UK, such as London. Taking the initiative to display iconic museum pieces that can not often be seen outside of London enables learning to be fun and accessible for all.

Dippy is a huge skeleton, even by dinosaur standards, measuring 21.3m in length and 4m in height. The skeleton is estimated to be 150 million years old. Whilst Dippy is now

‘We wanted Dippy to visit unusual locations so he can draw in people who may not usually visit a museum’

Natural History Museum, London

dead, he may have lived a long and happy life as this species of Dinosaur had a life expectancy of 70-80 years.

You can catch Dippy at the Great North museum from May 18 until October 6. Entry is free, but tickets must be booked in advance.

Take a hike: there’s no mo’ MoBikes Jodie Duddy News Editor

This month Mobike have announced that they will pull all of their bikes out of Newcastle and Tyneside, less than 18 months after they brought them to the region.

Mobike aims to “provide an affordable means of shared transportation for convenient short urban trips, while reducing con-

‘The price jumps make it too expensive to use in Newcastle’

Curtis Hill, Newcastle Student

gestion and our city’s carbon footprint that improves the quality of city life.” In Newcastle these aims were not fully met as bikes were found dumped in the Tyne, vandalised and parked in the middle of pathways, much to the annoyance of the general public.

The decision comes after Mobike discontinued its services in Manchester, the city in which it made its UK debut, after the company estimated 10% of bikes were stolen, missing or vandalised every month.

Jan Van der Ven, general manager of Mobike Western Europe said: “We have enjoyed serving Newcastle and have received great support from the people of the city, the city councils and Northumbria Police. However, in order to increase the sustainability of our UK business we will focus on developing

our operations in London during the rest of the year, and therefore - regrettably - we will be suspending services in Newcastle for now.

This is hopefully not a final farewell. We plan to remain engaged with the city councils of Newcastle and Gateshead, as well as the local business community, and we will remain open to revisit our decision in future.”

Curtis Hill, Newcastle student commented, “I thought it was very good when it first came out, but the price jumps make it too expensive to use in Newcastle. It’s also good that you can use the same account anywhere in the world as we used them when we went to Berlin.”

Indeed, not everywhere in the world has had issues with MoBike vandalism. When Mobike was introduced to Singapore just two of the 5000 bikes had been broken in the first few months. In Britain, it seems youths have found that smashing off the lock destroyed the MoBike tracking system meaning they could be used without a code. It looks as if bike sharing is only likely to be available in more affluent areas such as Oxford, Cambridge and London, where vandalism is low and the cities are flat. Or, as with YoBike in Bristol, future bike sharing operation will only allow riders to park in nicer bits of the city.

However, Steve Pyer, who launched Mobike in the UK said MoBikes were not just meant for the wealthier parts of the country. “Even Oxford and Cambridge, these lovely university towns, have areas with lower income families. The really good example in the UK is Glasgow, where there are lots of lower income communities, and Next Bike do a fantastic job there.” At this moment, the future of bike sharing companies in Newcastle remains unclear.

Mobikes scrapped from Newcastle Image: Geograph

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Monday 13 May 2019

In conversation with the Extinction Rebellion Molly Greeves News Editor

So Meryl, tell us about you and Extinction Rebellion North East (XRNE).

I am Meryl Batchelder, I am forty-nine years old and I am a teacher with a PhD in environmental science. I have been concerned about the environment for over thirty years.

I always thought that the government would act before the situation got too serious, but the release of the IPCC report last autumn made me realise we have reached a serious tipping point and we are looking into an abyss. I have two children they are 13 and 15 and I am exceptionally concerned for their future after reading articles about climate change.

“Vote with your feet.

The party that's in power have had ten years to mitigate the effects that we're going to see"

Meryl Batchelder Extinction Rebellion North East

There was some action by Extinction Rebellion last November in London, then we’ve had the International Rebellion over the last fortnight. Most of the events were down in London as this is the capital city and will cause the most disruption. The rebels not all hippies; there are doctors, academics, students and teachers ... they are from all walks of life, old, young, children, pensioners. Every social, economic, and ethnic group is represented by Extinction Rebellion. The police just did not know what to do with the rebels. We’re nonaggressive and very passive. We want everyone to be talking about climate breakdown.

Our demands are that government should declare a ‘Climate Emergency’, they should tell the truth and act on climate change and finally, they should set up a citizens’ assembly.

In the second week of the International Rebellion we had some regional events which is where the die-in at Grey’s Monument came in, It demonstrated the ways people might die; droughts, famine, water wars, cholera, there

are so many ways in which climate change will affect people around the world.

There was a lot of criticism of the protests in Newcastle, particularly on Twitter. How do you feel about the things that were said?

The Chronicle covered the slow bike ride that caused all sorts of issues for traffic. There were thousands of comments complaining about it on social media.

Unfortunately for anyone living in a city, air pollution is criminally high; we need to get cars off of the road. Extinction Rebellion are rocking the boat and by rocking the boat we will make some ripples. Some people still don’t believe in climate change but there are hundreds of scientific papers that say it’s real and that it’s man-made.

The reality is we can’t afford to keep driving as many cars as we drive. Do I feel sorry for people stuck in a traffic jam because there’s a slow bike ride? Absolutely, because I wouldn’t want to be stuck in a traffic jam breathing polluted air either. But I want the government to act. One way they could act is to make public transport free which would start reducing both air pollution and the amount of fossil fuels we are burning.

You said in a tweet that XRNE was initially “twelve people at the back of a pub”. Does it give you hope to see how the movement has grown?

It gives me hope that people are starting to talk. Do I hold out much hope for the future?

I really struggle with that. Who is going to stop the oil companies pumping oil? Who’s got the power to do that? It’s all about money.

I had cancer about three years ago and faced with my own mortality. I know that when we leave we go out with nothing, so what’s the point in ruining lives for billions of people to gain more money than can possibly be spent in a lifetime? Do I feel hope? No not really, I feel optimistic that things might change but I think it’s too little too late. But does that mean we shouldn’t try and change the status quo – absolutely not.

How do you think young people should be fighting climate change?

It’s about education. Students can set up Climate Action groups in university. Speak to anyone who know about climate breakdown and ecological collapse. People will be more

Newcastle cit

than willing to pour their hearts out about the actions that can help mitigate the problems. If I was at Newcastle University I would try to get the word out that things need to change and once you’ve got a group together you can start putting pressure on corporations and the government.

Young people can also makes changes to the way they live. From eating less meat to buying less clothing – individuals can make a big difference.

Finally, vote with your feet. I don’t want to tell you which way to vote, but if you look at the manifesto for the Green Party or Labour, they are far more green and aware about what needs to be done than the government, who have been in power for ten years and could have done anything to reduce and mitigate

"Newcastle University has declared a climate emergency. So if they are going to say that, what is the action plan?"

Meryl Batchelder

some of the effects that we’re going to see in your lifetimes.

At Newcastle University some students have been trying to convince the university to divest in fossil fuels. How should students go about getting the university to listen?

I believe NU is one of the first universities in the world to declare a climate emergency. So if they are going to say that, you need get your group together and send a delegation to them and ask: When are you going to divest in fossil fuels? What are you doing to make the buildings more sustainable in terms of energy, water and waste? Students have got the cards in their hands because the university has declared the emergency and should be working on a plan of action that results in the University being carbon neutral by 2030 if possible.

Discuss the plan with University staff and offer to work together to achieve the goals.

Masters degrees required for higher paying jobs Abjol Miah

According to recently published government statistics, postgraduate students are achieving higher paid jobs.

A postgraduate could expect to earn an average £2000 more than the previous year

The die-in used theatrical methods to get the dangers of climate change across to the public Image: Meryl Batchelder

Once it was a case that the undergraduate degree was a coveted symbol of academic flare that only the brightest could achieve. But in recent statistics published by the Department for Education (DfE) we’ve seen a decline in the salaries of graduates ages 21-29, while postgraduate majors thrive with a growth in average incomes in the recent academic year.

While a graduate could expect to earn an average £500 more than the previous year, those possessing postgraduate qualifications were dissimilarly greeted with a salary £2000 more than the previous year. But what does this mean for students?

More than ever before, students are choosing to invest in their future by expending vast sums on their first degrees. The published data in fact claims that non-graduates aged 21-29 are now seeing both a faster growth in average salary plus a small growth in those now attaining high-skilled employment.

The problem comes down to a greater

supply of skilled labour from all directions.

In 2008 UCAS welcomed 533,000 accepted applicants compared with just 457,000 ten years earlier and with the rise of alternative means of higher education within the workplace such as degree-apprenticeships young people are more educated than ever before.

It will now fall many students whether or not to cough up and fund another year of education, with average masters tuition fees sitting around £7,000.

The statistics further outlined a negligible change in the gender pay gap for graduates although both genders measured saw a noticeable incline in post graduation pay. These data revealed that a male with a simple bachelors degree on average earns £38,500 compared with a postgraduate female earning an average of just £37,000.

Postgraduate majors are thriving with a growth in average incomes

Universities Minister Chris Skidmore said: "There is clearly much further to go to improve the race and gender pay gap.

"We have introduced a range of reforms in higher education which have a relentless focus on levelling the playing field, so that everyone with the talent and potential can not only go to university, but flourishes there and has the best possible chance of a successful career."

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itizens protest climate change Molly Greeves News Editor After weeks of protests in London, the Extinction Rebellion North East (XRNE) held regional protests in Newcastle.

The Extinction Rebellion, abbreviated to XR, are a non-violent protest group with three main demands: they want the government to tell the truth about the severity of climate

An estimated seventy cyclists rode slowly across Tyne Bridge to slow traffic and attract public and media attention

People lying on the ground around Grey's Monument to protest climate change Image: Stephen Dawes

change, they want to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by 2025 and to have a citizens assembly to oversee the changes “as part of creating a democracy fit for purpose”.

An estimated seventy cyclists rode slowly across Tyne Bridge at 7:30 AM on the 26th of April. According to the group, the aim of the cycle was “to slow traffic, attract public and media attention [and] distribute leaflets”. The cycle ended outside of Gateshead Council Hall with hopes that this would provoke the council to declare a climate emergency.

Earlier in the week the group held a “diein” at Grey’s Monument where protestors lay down on the ground to represent the deaths that would be caused by climate change.

Many held up signs saying things like “killed by wildfire”, “died of hunger” and “death by drowning”. Meryl Batchelder, a member of XRNE, said that using theatre was the best way to promote the cause to the public.

The protests were polarising, with public

opinions divided between admiration and annoyance. Many people understood why the protests were taking place, claiming that the disruptions were a small annoyance compared to climate change’s effect on the planet.

Others were angered by the slow bike ride in particular with one Twitter user even arguing that the event “targeted the working-class" by making people late for work. Many people also pointed out that creating traffic on the Tyne Bridge would only increase carbon emissions.

Among XRNE’s supporters is Chems Deaibes, a Newcastle University student.

“Protesting for climate justice is important because this is the only tool we have right now to put pressure on the government. The government which has done nothing so far to prevent species, including humans, from going extinct. The more we are at the protests, the bigger the chance we have to make a change. Students are the first ones who have to ask for change, because they're also the first generation who will experience lack of drink-

One Twitter user argued that the event "targeted the working-class" and others pointed out that creating traffic would increase carbon emissions

stand that I was not alone fighting for the planet and trying to make a change. XR activists are really creative, which makes their protests different from the ones I've seen in the past (the funeral march, the die-in, and the slow-cycle are not just simple protests).

"It felt refreshing and reassuring to understand that I was not alone fighting for the planet and trying to make a change... it's a lot of fun and participating something

Chems Deaibes Newcastle University Student

ing water, food, safe air, etc, due to climate change.”

When asked about the protests, Deaibes said that they felt like they were “part of a community”.

“It felt refreshing and reassuring to under-

Overall, it's a lot of fun and participating in that kind of activity makes you feel like you've achieved something.”

Dawn Furness, a member of the group, urges students to get involved.

“There are many ways to help! Even if you decide Non-Violent Direct Action is not for you, each public action has a large support team from fundraisers, welfare officers to legal observers, to Police station support, who meet those of us who have been arrested. We have regular monthly/weekly planning meetings (depending upon necessity) and other training and workshops with guest speakers.

“The best way forward for any potential new members is to contact us via the website www.rebellion.earth/ and join the mailing list to see what is already going on in your local area.”

creating a lasting improvement on a student’s mental health. She also believes that many students “slip through the cracks” due to university’s refusing to treat students with certain disorders.

The Guardian award was presented on 10th

April by Bex Whitehead, the director of group communications. She congratulated the university on “making a meaningful and impactful change on supporting student mental health”, and the statistics seem to be proving this.

NU wins Guardian award for best student experience Sophie Wilson Newcastle University won the award for best student experience at the Guardian University Awards, gaining recognition for the work that it has done in providing students with better mental health support.

The scheme that has been set up enables students with anxiety and depression access to a quicker alternative to treatment than the

be built.

This improvement in students’ mental health services is in response to the growing rate of mental health issues in universities. At Newcastle alone, in 2017 there were 3,500 students who sought help from the university, which

was an increase of 24.5% from 2016.

However, many students believe that the university’s mental health services have room to improve. Panel leader for the Mind the Gap Conference Charlotte Boulton argues that six therapy sessions a year is insufficient for

Some students have criticised the mental health services on the basis that CBT does not work for everyone

NHS. With the average waiting time on the NHS from referral to starting treatment of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) being 10 months, Newcastle University’s time is only two months.

The programme offers CBT to all undergraduates as well as postgraduates. It involves qualified staff and trainees from both the doctorate in clinical psychology and the postgraduate diploma in CBT, seeing students who have been assessed as suitable for the treatment. This has led to some students critcising the programme on the basis that CBT does not work for everyone.

Newcastle University have opened a therapy room once a week for the clinic, and within its first year of opening, 38 clients were assessed, with 26 being accepted for the treatment. But this is only the start of their journey, as there are plans for the clinic to be opened 4 days a week and 5 new clinic rooms are planned to

Student wellbeing is located in King's Gate Image: Flickr

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Monday 13 May 2019

Mind the Gap fights mental health stigma Stephen Dawes & Jamie Hampton

Students of Newcastle University gathered at the Students’ Union on Saturday 4th May to hold a conference on mental health, the stigma around it and how to address it.

Workshops focused on the importance of social networks in helping to manage mental health

The conference kicked off with an address from Haaris Aytishaam Mahmood Qureshi, the Conference Leader. Haaris called for greater government funding and training to help raise awareness of mental health. In the opening address he shared his own experiences with the mental health services and the problems he has had with them, detailing how education for children and young adults concerning mental health is almost nonexistent. He also acknowledged that support networks are vital to improving and coping with mental health issues. Haaris continued by informing attendees about the activity of Mind the Gap over the last year, especially the

role the society played in opposing the ‘fit to sit’ policy proposed by Newcastle University.

This was the policy that dictated that if a student sat an exam, they waived their rights to claim any kind of extenuating circumstances.

The President of Mind the Gap, Michael Halliday, then took to the stage to reiterate Mind the Gap’s mission statement, which is to lead and facilitate discussion of mental health on campus.

The keynote speaker of the conference, Paul Britton, then delivered a speech on the mental health challenges that post-graduate research students face. In particular he focused on the equality, diversity and inclusion issues that can be observed in the student population. The conference was told that the mental health of international, parental, parttime and post-graduate students faces unique challenges and requires greater research and resources to address.

There was also a teaching session by St. John Ambulance who covered emotional, social and physical wellbeing. They gave a talk about Mental Health First Aid which quickly become an enthusiastic group discussion upon how to best deal with delicate situations such as self-harm and eating disorders, and how to be more aware of subtle, or overt symptoms.

During this discussion, we heard from students who have had personal experiences either dealing with, or living with mental health conditions. The primary rule taken away

from this workshop was to prevent putting yourself, or indeed others, in harm’s way, and to approach a delicate situation with compassion and a willingness to listen with consent.

This was brought to us courtesy of Newcastle LINKS First Aid Society.

At the conference there was also a panel discussion regarding student mental health on campus. On the panel there were students from Newcastle University, including Harriot Sloane, Rabeeyah Cheema, Charlotte Paige Boulton, Emma Dawson and Aleisha Stansfield. Topics discussed at the panel primarily focused upon the importance of social networks in helping to manage mental health among students. They criticised the cost of freshers’ week wristbands, and the structure of freshers’ week as a whole, especially for those who do not drink alcohol, or may feel isolated as a result of the activities chosen. The panel made it clear that the costs of daytime activities were too high and excluded students from low-income backgrounds; it was furthermore addressed that most evening activities revolve around a drinking culture. Sports were also discussed as a good route to help in the improvement of student mental wellbeing but were also criticised as being costly to get involved in. The Students’ Union is aiming to make participation in sports cheaper next year, along with the opening of the new student sport centre, as well as incorporating mental health into student health and wellbe-

ing.

When asked for comment, Conference Lead Haaris said “I am very pleased with attendance, especially the panels and the workshops”. The conference was clearly a success

and indicates that we shall see an innovative approach in order to mitigate the problems of a mental health crisis at Newcastle University, due to brave and committed students, such as those in attendance.

The panel discussion focused on freshers' week and the role of sport in mental health Image: NUTV/Mind the Gap

Proposed tuition fee cuts could Luxury cinema opens threaten academic research Toby Bryant

As the prime minister commissions a review into the funding of post-18 education, the highly anticipated outcome is a cut in tuition fees.

Tuition fee cuts would decrease the amount of funding provided by research councils

While being a potential change that would be welcomed by the 2.3 million students at UK higher education institutions, there are

Cambridge University is one of many to attract overseas companies Image: David Iliff Wikimedia Commons

worries of the repercussions the slashing of fees could cause.

Primarily, that worry centres on scientific research. More than 80% of the research coming out of the 24 ‘research-intensive’ Russell Group universities is classed as worldleading or internationally excellent. This is the research that has led to treatments for diabetes and Parkinson’s, police methods to cut violent crime, the sugar tax and even digital progress to help tackle online trolling.

It is this research that Britain is proud of, and that the government aims to prioritise amongst Brexit-gate to ensure that the the country remains at the forefront of future industries. However, with a drop in tuition fees on the horizon, inconsistencies in the government’s approach have been raised.

The Guardian reports that today the cost of UK teaching breaks roughly even because

of tuition fees and government top-up. Despite this, research is still underfunded, with research councils covering just 72% of real costs and the remaining 28% comimn donations and international student fees.

Therefore, there are worries that cuts to student fees would decrease that 72% even further. What’s more, the trend of overseas companies coming to the UK to work with the countries’ world-class universities (AstraZeneca is currently moving its headquarters to Cambridge University) risks being reversed.

Some point to welcoming more international students to bridge the funding gap, although others warn against seeing these students as cash cows. What remains clear is that for the government to please students by cutting fees, there needs to be a back-up plan for a potential research catastrophe.

Steven Ross News Editor

The Everyman Cinema opened on Grey Street on 2nd May in the building that Legends nightclub used to occupy.

It has been marketed as a boutique cinema, with food and drink served in the screen rooms before the film starts. Soft chair and sofa seating dominates this new venue, which is part of a cinema chain, with 26 others in operation around the UK. This is the first Everyman in the North East, with plans to open another in Durham as the business continues to expand. This will likely create competition with Tyneside Cinema, an established independent in the city centre, although the two cater to different audiences.

Everyman will be showing all of the major releases including Avengers: Endgame whilst Tyneside usually shows more independent films. Everyman is also more expensive than most cinemas in the area, charging £12.50 for

a standard adult ticket and it looks like there are no student deals available either.

However, the extra cost may be worth the grander experience, with better seating and food and drink service making this cinema unique. The intention is to make a trip to the cinema into an experience that goes beyond just the film you watch.

The spot opposite Theatre Royal was the perfect place to set up, according to Everyman CEO, Crispin Lilly, who had an eye on Newcastle for a while. Crispin also stated that Everyman will not always be competing with other cinemas in the area but rather will compliment them. It remains to be seen whether cheaper competition from Tyneside and the newly refurbished Cineworld will cost Everyman, or whether the focus on experience will be a redeeming feature that will see customers coming in droves.

To find out more about the new opening and see what films will be shown on their four screens, visit the website: https://www.everymancinema.com/newcastle.

The Everyman Cinema will have sofa's for viewers to relax in Image: Wikimedia Commons

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news

the courier

Monday 13 May 2019

Esteemed brain surgeon discusses his success Patrick Harland

On 30th April, Newcastle University welcomed Doctor Henry Marsh, a leading English neurosurgeon and pioneer of advances in neurosurgical advances in the Ukraine.

Balancing the empathy and detachment to a patient, and coping with unsuccessful surgeries, are difficulties that brain surgeons face daily

The lecture was titled ‘Brain surgery and other stories’ and was part of the University’s Insight Lecture series of free public lectures.

Dr. March started by discussing brain surgeries and the importance and delicate nature in which they are performed, explaining how that every brain surgery ultimately causes damage to the brain and that being a neurosurgeon centres around deciding if the good that could come from the surgery outweighs the risk and damage entailed in the surgery.

He followed that by discussing how patients must in fact be awake in order to assess damage whilst conducting the surgery, and that during these surgeries he will ask the patient if they would like to see their own brain, to which the answer is rarely yes.

Dr. Marsh actually began as a student of Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University and only later studied Medicine at the Royal Free Medical School. He explained his drive to not only study Medi-

cine but also to specialise as a neurosurgeon stemmed from a want for excitement and drama, a love of patient care, a fascination with the brain, power and money, and an inspiring teacher. He did, however, draw attention to other things that have come of his experience in the field: fear, guilt, shame and anxiety. He described the main difficulties of brain surgery, which most people would assume to be conducting the actual surgery itself, yet he argued that the decision-making in surgery is only one of the many difficult things. Dr. Marsh explained that balancing the empathy and detachment to a patient on the operating table, getting on with colleagues, and dealing with patients and their families when a surgery is not successful are also major contributors to the difficulty of the job. Sir William Osler, a Canadian physician known to some as “The Father of Modern Medicine”, once said “Medicine is a science of uncertainty and an art of probability,” an idea that Dr Marsh finds a lot of truth in.

Dr. Marsh categorises medical writing into two main genres: that of the “satirical kiss and tell, shock and horror” often told by junior doctors, and those of triumph and success found in those written by more senior doctors. Dr. Marsh, however, describes that he has been credited with “starting a whole new medical genre” in that it talks of success, but also of failure and the price that comes along with it for patient and physician.

Dr. Marsh is currently writing an educational book aimed at children which focuses on the brain and aims to capture children’s desire to learn more about the world around them and themselves in it. He doesn’t plan to do anymore medical memoirs, but if that sort of reading is of interest they are titled: Do No Harm: Stories of Life, Death and Brain Surgery, and Admissions: A Life in Brain Surgery.

Brain surgery involves more than just medical expertise Image: Scotth23, Pixabay

Newcastle in top 10 for graduate prospects Susanne Norris Beauty Editor Newcastle University is amongst the country’s top 10 universities for graduate prospects, according to The Complete University Guide 2020.

Of the 131 institutions offering degree courses in the UK, Newcastle ranked 22nd overall, showing no change from the previous year’s league table. However, it was rated particularly highly for graduate prospects, gaining a score of 88.5 points and placing it within the top 10 universities for careers after

The Complete University Guide 2020 ranked Newcastle University in the top 10 of 131 institutions for graduate prospects

graduating.

Vice-Chancellor Chris Day was one of the first to comment on the results, expressing how, “the outstanding graduate prospects score highlights the brilliant work done by everyone at the University in helping our students develop relevant employability skills”.

The University also commented that “the latest employment figures show that 95% of Newcastle University’s UK/EU graduates entered employment or further study within six months of graduating”.

With increasing recognition of how hard the job market can be to break into for stu-

dents, these statistics and rankings came as welcome news to those studying. It also came as no shock to those who have graduated. Laura Greatrex, Newcastle alumni and Beauty Sub-Editor for The Courier during 2017/18, described that “searching for your first job can be really daunting, but the Careers Service at Newcastle gave me so much advice. They told me where and how to start looking, breaking it down so I didn’t feel overwhelmed. I landed my first job just three months after I graduated, working for a major beauty PR company.”

Jodie Duddy, final year English Literature

student, echoed this viewpoint. "I feel confident that the Careers Service will support me when I graduate to find a job, because you can use them for up to three years after graduation."

With the help of industry-led teaching and the Careers Service, many students are unsurprised that Newcastle managed is in the top 10 for graduate prospects. Getting involved and exploring and enhancing your employability is easy; students can visit the Careers Service online or in the Students’ Union, or equally look out for one of the regular careers fairs.

Students praise the Careers Service Image: Newcastle University

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student voice

Monday 13 May 2019

Sabb Chat: A shift in the culture of socials?

Editor Louise Hall quizzes Activities Officer Sophie Mc Dermott on her time at NUSU and what next year’s role might entail

You’re coming to the end of your tenure as Activities Officer. How has the year been?

I have absolutely loved it. It’s been so much fun and I’ve got to do so many amazing things that I didn’t think I’d be able to do. I’ve managed to meet loads of really awesome students which has been a massive positive and I’ve also managed to meet loads of really interesting people at the University and meet with them. Overall I think it’s been an extremely positive experience.

Great. So you mentioned working a lot with the University. Have you found that relationship between the Students’ Union and the University beneficial?

Looking back over the year I think we’ve been quite lucky in that there has been a lot of really engaged members of staff at the University who can really appreciate what the Union has to offer and appreciate that the Sabbs are the

In terms of accessibility, I’m really proud of the Accessibility Award scheme that I set up this year

voice of the students, which has been really refreshing. I have never sat on a committee and felt that my voice wasn’t listened to or heard which I think not a lot of Unions can say. I think some of the issues we have dealt with including with initiations and Raff’s work on the tampon delivery at the University just go to show what a positive relationship can do.

Three of the main points on your manifesto at the start of the year were to be accessible, connected, and efficient. How do you think you have been working towards achieving these? Are there still things left to do?

In terms of efficiency one thing I’m really proud of is that we’ve managed to get online claim forms which have officially come into full whack this term. This saves people having to come in, and it means people can put in their own claims which is a massive help on administrative timings. I have also worked really hard on the room booking system and while this year not much seems to have changed I have been working behind the scenes so hopefully there will be changes next year that make it far more efficient to book rooms at the University.

In terms of connectivity, I definitely think societies have been more engaged in working together this year. I would have liked to have done more in terms of setting up that notice board that I was talking about, so while I have tried to connect societies on an individual basis I think that this is something next year’s Activities Officer, should they want to, could do really well.

In terms of accessibility I’m really proud of the Accessibility Award scheme that I set up this year and again there’s been a lot of background work with students with disabilities in societies on a case by case basis. Moving forward I believe there will be some structural changes that will really enhance the work that we do in this area and really offer more support for societies.

So you mentioned a little bit about the room booking system. This has been quite a point of contention for societies over the last couple of years and you have laid a framework for next year. What do you think is necessary to make this easier for societies?

I think having all rooms available through a centralised system that can be booked online is really vital here. One thing that I think has been a frustration is that where you book rooms in the Union is different to where you book them in the University. The processes are different and who’s allowed to book is different. What we’ve tried to do is bring some University rooms onto our system, like the Barbara Strang Teaching Centre, and that helped to alleviate the pressures on rooms here. However, not enough was done.

Moving forward to next year we’re hoping to bring more of those rooms online into our system so it’s all in one place and amend the way that we do special bookings for larger events so there is less faff with going between different people. It would be just emailing one person to get that sorted.

What kind of advice do you think you would offer to the person coming into the role next? What do you think is going to be important for societies in the upcoming year?

I think one thing I started work on but that will definitely will be coming up is inclusivity and training. Welfare Officers will become mandatory in 2020 which gives them one year to get to grips with what that means, so I would really recommend that next year’s Activities Officer looks

Accessibility was a major point on Sophie’s manifesto Image: NUSU

into that a lot more.

I also think that with the amount of administration that goes on behind the scenes, I would suggest trying to streamline that because it can often be a lot of time taken up. If they can get that nailed through summer then that frees them up a lot to do the really enjoyable things during the term.

You mentioned a little bit about Welfare Officers there.

There’s been a shift in societies in the last couple of years with seeing more and more people interested in nondrinking socials and non-drinking events at freshers’.

How do you think societies are going to change in the next

We’ve definitely seen that change away from the alcohol-driven events and a push towads the social events that aren’t alcoholbased

couple of years?

I think you’re absolutely right, we’ve definitely seen that change away from the alcohol-driven events and a push towards the social events that aren’t alcohol-based. You’ll always have those people that want to go on nights out and that’s absolutely fine but we definitely should be encouraging and giving the option to do non-drinking socials and events.

I’d like to see a lot more societies engaging with our volunteering programme and our Give it a Go programme.

That’s definitely the way I see them going. We need to support them by offering the training at the beginning of the year that will allow them to make the most of these opportunities.

What will you be focusing on in the last month-or-so of your time at NUSU? My last month will be focusing a lot on the celebratory success events we have going on. I sit on Pride committee, we’ve got Graduation Ball, Celebrating Success Awards, and the Summer Jam. In terms of tidying things up, I just want to make sure I give the best handover possible to the

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Monday 13 May 2019 @CourierComment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Caitlin Disken, Alexandra Sadler & Jamie Cameron Online Editor Rory Cameron

Billions for Our Lady, none for others Our writers discuss why, despite the prevalence of poverty, billionaires have pledged millions to restore Notre Dame in Paris Molly Greeves

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s the world watched Notre Dame burn on April 15th, we were reminded of how even an eight-hundred-year-old building won’t be around forever. As sad as it was to see such a beautiful and historic monument face destruction, the event serves and a disappointing yet unsurprising reminder of the things that rich people will fight to preserve, and more importantly, the things that are left to fade away.

It should be said that of all the things billionaires could invest their money in, the rebuilding of Notre Dame is far from the most frivolous. The Gothic building has been a huge part of France’s history, surviving both the French Revolution and the Second World War, and is Paris’s most visited tourist attraction with nearly 13 thousand people visiting it every year. It isn’t surprising that the three wealthiest families in France were moved enough to write cheques.

of rich people who pick and choose what’s important enough to save.

Caitlin Disken

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n 15th April, the whole world watched Notre Dame burn. Considering the fact that the cathedral is one of Paris’s most famous landmarks, steeped in cultural and historical significance, it is no wonder the reaction was one of public grief.

Construction of the cathedral began in 1160 and was completed in 1260, meaning that, in just hours, a building hundreds of years old had been modified forever.

It is no surprise, then, that people rushed to pledge money for Notre Dame. Donations have now reached over a billion euros – a staggering amount of money. Yet, this money is not wholly composed of donations from ordinary people. Over €500 million of the overall total comes from three of France’s richest families: the Pinaults, the Arnaults, and the Bettencourts.

Undeniably, the restoration of such an important landmark is essential. The money from these families will enable the cathedral to be restored to its former glory. Yet, it does bring to light an uncomfortable question regarding the global hoarding of wealth by a select few. These people clearly have money to spare if they are able to produce millions suddenly to pledge to Notre Dame. So, why are they choosing only to share this wealth to benefit what,

The majority of France’s wealth is being hoarded by the top 10%

The question on many people’s lips is: why this tragedy? No one was hurt- even the 180,000 bees living on the roof of the building were left unscathed. Meanwhile, more than eight million people live below the poverty line, with women, children and the elderly making up most of this group. Like many countries, the majority of France’s wealth is being hoarded by the top 10%, and while Notre Dame is deemed a worthy enough cause to donate to, eleven poor people dying on the streets of Paris within the first seven weeks of 2018 didn’t quite move them enough to reach for their wallets.

I’m not going to suggest that Paris’ most visited monument should be left half-burnt down. But it shouldn’t be in the hands of ten freakishly lucky families to decide what causes deserve the gift of their wealth. In twenty or so years, everyone wants to be able to point to Notre Dame and claim that they were integral in its existence, to have their name on a plaque on the most famous landmark in France. What does it mean, though, to have beautiful landmarks when the country that they represent lets people die on the streets?

This event emphasises the entitlement of rich people

The burning of Notre Dame was an accident, but the poverty in France isn’t, and billionaires are the ones lighting the match. While I’m glad that Notre Dame will be restored, this event still emphasises the entitlement

despite its religious, historical and cultural significance, is a building? Why are they deliberately not donating these large sums to help alleviate poverty and inequality, both in France and worldwide?

Indeed, reports have showcased the extent of poverty in France. In 2017, around 8.8 million people were liv-

These people clearly have money to spare if they’re able to produce millions

ing below the poverty line. As well as this, the number of elderly people living in poverty is on the rise: the proportion of over-60s living in poverty now exceeds 10%. For a supposedly developed country, the publication of these figures should spark a national outcry.

Surely alleviating poverty for these people is far more important than restoring Notre Dame.

In an ideal world, both would happen, and, if billionaires have the money lying around, why not pledge money to the poor whilst simultaneously giving to Notre Dame?

This is not a problem which is unique to France, however.

A 2012 OECD report revealed that the top 0.6% of the world’s population held 39.3% of the world’s wealth. It is this stark inequality which undeniably contributes to widespread and systemic poverty globally. If all of these people were to donate more of their money more regularly to charities and NGOs, then maybe we’d have made more progress on achieving the Millennium Development Goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

We can, and must, do better.

The notion that vast individual wealth should be celebrated needs to be overturned. Most of the money billionaires hold is simply reinvested elsewhere so that their assets are increased.

This cycle needs to be broken: instead, their money should be invested in helping people who, through no fault of their own, are stuck in poverty.

Image: Inside Edition on YouTube

Special relationship under scrutiny (again) Jamie Hampton argues that the UK should be welcoming and tolerant to President Trump at his scheduled visit in June

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t has been 160 years, since John Stuart Mill had published his famous work On Liberty. Mill was one of the purest classical Liberal philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. This was an age which saw the foundations of modern Western liberal democracies begin to flourish, from the works of Locke to the teachings of Rousseau and Hobbes. Each of the great Liberal theorists of the Enlightenment Era stood in unity on the importance of civil liberties, a focus primarily fixated upon the concept of freedom of speech and thought.

It is imperative for Britain to maintain our special relationship with the US

160 years on, we find ourselves in the position, as a liber-

al democracy, denying the democratically elected President of the freest sovereign nation-state in the history of mankind a platform to our Parliament.

How, I ask, can we abide such arrogance from the speaker of the House? A man, appointed to be politically neutral and to remain loyal only to Parliamentary procedure, should have no weight on the affairs of our international diplomacy.

I, of course refer to John Bercow, the current speaker of the House of Commons. Yes, whilst we must accept that Trump is indeed visiting the UK this June, we must also recognise that Bercow’s arrogant perception of his own infallibility should be of great concern to us all.

We pride ourselves on being a tolerant nation. We hold trust in those proud Western values that

Image: Wikipedia

allow us to challenge, ignore or amend our way of thinking.

We may indeed disagree with what Trump has to offer, but it is an imperative step for post-Brexit Britain to maintain our special relationship with the United States of America, and whomever they trust to lead their country. We may very well note how vulgar Trump has allegedly acted in a personal light, but liberal politics is far above that.

We do ourselves a great disservice to state otherwise: picture how we might’ve felt had Bercow prevented

President Obama from addressing our Parliament due to a stark clash in their personal views.

Either we are to uphold our liberal democracy, or we are to slowly erode its foundations piece by piece. In the words of Mill: “if any opinion is compelled to silence we simply assume our own infallibility.”

To surrender our tolerance is to surrender our liberty

Bercow sets a dangerous precedent for supposedly neutral officials to weigh in on what’s an exception to liberal values, starkly in contrast to the very core of classical Liberalism.

To surrender our tolerance is to surrender our liberty. I ask you, is it worth it?

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comment

Monday 13 May 2019

Civil disobedience vs. extinction

As climate movements gain momentum, Joe Holloran emphasises the necessity of direct action

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n August 28th last year one young, precocious fifteen-year old Swedish schoolgirl named Greta Thunberg decided that now was the time for the world to take notice of the imminent threat posed by climate change. For Greta (and her ‘Aspie’ mind) the choice facing humanity was clear: adapt to the reality of the situation or prepare for disasters to become the climate norm. As news of Thunberg’s protest spread, so did her message.

Hope remains in the form of wonderful youngsters such as Greta Thunberg

Since August, school children across Europe have staged sporadic protests for their future, despite protestations from education authorities. Considering school is supposed to prepare students for the future, it seems strange that when students unite in an attempt to save that future they are met not with praise but rather patronising scorn.

Then came Extinction Rebellion. Beginning in early April, the movement has seen millions take to the streets of London, as tents are erected, roads blocked, and poetry read. By April 22nd, over 1,000 people had been arrested by the Met, most for public order offenses. The aim of the movement is quite simple: the creation of a carbon neutral state in line with the aims of the Scandinavian nations.

The response to the group by politicians is indicative to the wider issue of political engagement with popular protest. At first, politicians, both Labour and Tory, praised the movements’ aims and proclaimed themselves environmentalists. However, once businesses is affected and GDP is threatened, they want the protests ended and the people’s democratic right to peaceful protest revoked.

This is the main issue with protest movements such as this one. They make the 24-hour news cycle for a day or two and politicians, understanding optics, come out and back them. Then once the eye of the media moves on, they renege on their promises and nothing changes. The public, particularly the young, are becoming more and more frustrated with this tactic. This could perhaps be part of the reason for the rise in support for the Green Party, a group whose message and policy on climate change has not changed, unlike that of Labour.

scious ones) at play. If you’re a white middle-class male news reporter you will seek the opinions of those who you identify with more easily and therefore are more likely to value the views of.

The class argument is one that appears time and time again whenever there is a popular movement calling for change in Britain. They are homogenised by the conservative press as a mob, as rabble-rousing, PC liberal-elites who are all professional protestors and opportunists. I don’t know about you, but Greta Thunberg doesn’t strike me as some bored PC elitist. The idea that she and others like her are agitating for a change they sincerely believe in is alien to some sectors of society. Further proof of this can be found when reading the press reporting of those rare few ecological campaigning right-wingers, such as Zac Goldsmith or members of the ‘Bright Blue’ Tory thinktank. The conservative papers view these convictions as clever ploys to win over the various urban middle-classes they regularly denigrate.

Maybe they are right, maybe these MPs are playing a game with voters. What is undoubtedly clear though is this; climate policy should not be subjected to petty political squabbling. It will affect everyone in some way, regardless of status or ideology. Conservatives may be all about business, but it will be quite tricky to have open markets on lands under 10ft of water.

What these right-wingers must come to realise is that the future of business and industry will be one where ecological considerations come first, but where capitalism will adapt and survive as it always has. Once this message finally sinks in, then we might see some substantive changes from a Conservative government. For that

to happen, only a handful of Tory frontbenchers would have to defy the party line and put the future of the planet before the profit margins of industry. Stranger things have happened, but I wouldn’t hold your breath.

Whilst it is true that public and political views are changing, we cynics know that the nature of global economics means that the necessary changes needed to prevent global catastrophe will not happen quickly, if at all.

For this protest to be considered a success, all the parties of the centre and the left (Labour, Green, Lib Dem & SNP) must be true to their ideology and come together. They must put policy differences aside to declare a ‘Climate Emergency Forum’, which will ensure that basic policy principles for the protection of our country, environment and species are guaranteed to be put into effect once one of the groups takes power.

The parties of the centre and the left must come together

Yet hope remains in the form of wonderful youngsters such as Greta Thunberg, and those others who understand that the time to act is now. These youngsters will grow into politicians for whom environmental considerations are at the forefront of their thinking. So, while we may write-off the effectiveness of protest movements like Extinction Rebellion in achieving quick change, we should remember that all over the world the kids are watching and gaining the inspiration necessary to lead the world into a better tomorrow.

ROAST OF THE WEEK

Steven Ross

TOAST OF THE WEEK Image: Flickr, Wikipedia, Alexandra Sadler

Sesha Subramanian asks if the UK’s participation in the European elections is at all necessary

That automatically begs the question: is there even a necessity for holding the elections in the UK when the nation might leave the Union within a matter of months? If we are to strictly follow the rule of law, as the EU is doing in this case, there is supposed to be an election. But the circumstances surrounding Brexit have been so extraordinary and so unorthodox that going by the rulebook

ndifference, a certain frustration and impatience is becoming more and more common in people’s attitudes to Brexit. This is the much-discussed Brexit fatigue. However, if we want to successfully disentangle ourselves from a relationship sixty years in the making, we need nothing less than the closest attention of the electorate.

Political representatives only have an incentive to listen to us if they fear we’ll vote them out if they don’t. Once we turn our backs on them, Westminster can finally live up to its title: a palace where MPs are made monarchs. They become people who yield power without all that pesky scrutiny.

When society stops using the power it has over its MPs, what incentive do those MPs have to look out for society? What follows from Brexit fatigue, then, is the relentless pursuit of self-interest at the highest levels of power, whose denizens will deliver a Brexit that works for no-one except themselves.

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Elections for an expiring member The elected MEPs won’t be able to implement anything of meaning

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Joe Molander

3 years ago, David Walliams swam the English Channel for charity. 8 years ago, he swam the River Thames. Walliams is fast becoming seen as a national treasure, in the same league as other more deserving David’s like Attenborough and Bowie. But unlike our television grandad and the late lyricist, Walliams is totally undeserving of such unbounded love.

I’m sorry to say that Little Britain was never actually funny and Come Fly With Me hardly deserves mentioning. Unfortunately, those shows may have marked the pinnacle of Walliams’ career. Now, he appears every Saturday night on BGT, pretending to be gay for laughs, which is more than a little weird and very uncomfortable. Not only that, but through his caricatured portrayal of a gay man, Walliams gives the show faux diversity whilst essentially mocking the group he pretends to be a part of.

Some commentators, of different political persuasions, had issues with Extinction Rebellion unrelated to their message. They noted the class and race of the majority of the protestors, arguing that it is a movement created by and catered to the urban white middle-classes. While it does seem true that most of those featured in vox-pops and in the daily newspapers fitted this description, to call it an ‘elitist’ movement is deeply unfair. People of all classes and ethnicities took part in the protests. Why they were not featured more prominently is unclear, but it may just be good old-fashioned racial hierarchies (albeit subcon-

B

BREXIT BOREDOM

DAVID WALLY-AMS

Climate policy should not be subjected to petty political squabbling

etween May 23rd and May 26th 2019, the member nations of the European Union will take part in the five-yearly routine that is the election of the members of European Parliament (MEPs). While this in itself may sound like a mundane affair, this year’s election comes with a lot of intrigue attached to it – not least the idea that the United Kingdom may elect members and then walk right out the door a few months later.

SOAPBOX

simply does not make sense. Amidst the general political chaos the one thing that is certain is that the United Kingdom is leaving the EU – there is not going to be a change in that regard. So why hold elections for an entity in a country that has decided that it does not want to be a part of that entity anymore?

The MEPs are going to be elected for what is likely to be a very brief time during which they will barely be able to implement anything of meaning. In fact, the House of Commons library says that extra MEPs could be elected “on stand-by” in some member states but will not take up their positions in the European parliament until the UK quits the EU. Why wait? The UK is not going to suddenly reverse its decision to leave and decide to remain.

So why is there a necessity to hold elections in the UK at all? The argument against holding a redundant election is only strengthened when you look at the monetary cost involved. The last time European elections were held in 2014, the UK spent £109m on them. It would not be farfetched to imagine a similar amount this time. Is it really worth spending that much when the outcome of the election is going to have negligible effect, if any? I don’t think so. Moreover, previous history of turnout numbers also

don’t indicate a strong interest from the general British population in deciding who runs European affairs. I can only imagine the interest is now far less than before.

Previous turnout numbers don’t indicate strong interest

The logical fallacy of having European elections in a country about to leave the EU aside, the EU itself is not the most politically strong character in global politics.

Europe, unlike each of its member nations and unlike the USA and China, lacks sovereignty – according to Shahin Vallee, a researcher at the European Institute of LSE. This hinders the EU’s ability to make strategic decisions that could play a part in influencing the world’s course. In his opinion, it also “lacks democratic legitimacy because the EP (European Parliament) is too weak”. So while there is a nominal parliament and a nominal democratic system that is meant to serve the population of Europe – whether it actually does is still a matter of debate.

PRIME TIME

I

Jodie Duddy

am forever toasting the existence of Amazon Prime. It has been established that it is the root of every societal problem and yet I remain a slave to its convenience.

Amazon Prime is one of the few subscriptions I feel is worth the money, especially with a student account. The choice of films included with Prime tend to be the same as the ones premiering on Sky, and there are plenty of absolute classics - hello Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants!

I feel like it’s not a subscription I grumble at when the money leaves my account. Next day delivery makes my life so much easier, especially when buying presents. It gives me the illusion that I have my life together because I can get them so easily and quickly. When I am busy it is such a relief to guarantee that things will arrive at a certain time. In the past when I’ve forgotten to pick up my English Lit book for the week, and Blackwells are having a faff, Prime has had my back meaning that I can crack on reading it. I feel like Prime is such a utopian piece of technology that we don’t stop to appreciate enough.

the courier Monday 13 May

@CourierLifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle Life & Style Editor Sophie Henderson Lifestyle Editors Phoebe Fielder, Holly Margerrison, Ella Williams Online Editor Amanda Goh

life&style

13

Spotted on Campus: Library Looks As deadlines and exams loom ever closer, it can be hard to motivate yourself to get out of bed - never mind looking presentable for those long slogs in the library.

Whilst the leggins and sweatshirt vibe is always a go to, sometimes how you look can impact how you feel. Who knows - adding a pop of Spring colour might just give you that positivity lift, increase productivity - and might even give you a compliment or two along the way (we could all do with those kind words around exams, right?)

We caught up with some hardworking individuals to ask what their style inspiration was to master that library look...

Name: Caitlin Disken Course: English Literature, Stage 3 Clothes: Urban Outfitters top, Lucy & Yak Dungarees

Name: Alicia Brittle Course: English Literature, Stage 3 Clothes: H&M trousers, Zara jumper, Pretty Little Thing Jacket

Dungarees for Days

Sophisticated in Spring

Head-to-toe Denim

To master this sassy yet cute outfit, pair a bold print pair of dungarees with a plain top and a fresh set of sneakers. Workman chic with a modern-day twist! No fuss, easy to throw on - yet the bold print spruces up the everyday denim dungaree look.

Do you regularly dress smartly or is this an effort to feel good about yourself during exam season?

This is an easy way to leave the cotton comfies behind and eminate a ‘put-together’ look - stylish, yet simple.

What’s more important for you when dressing for the Robbo? Style or comfort?

A bit of both. I think that too much comfort makes you feel too grotty when you’re doing day-long stints in here.

What’s your favourite study snack?

McCoys King Prawn crisps every time!

‘Eye Party’ Char Gale x Lucy & Yak Collaboration Limited Edition dungarees, £54

I tend to dress more casually during exam time because I feel I don’t have time in a morning, today I’m meeting up with some friends for lunch which is why I’ve put a little more effort in that usual.

Name: Mollie Briggs Course: Law, Stage 3 Clothes: Topshop top, Topshop jeans, Urban Outfitters Jacket

What inspired the outfit?

Purely comfort!

What’s your biggest distraction when working?

Do you find it easy to throw an outfit together or do you plan ahead?

Talking to my friends in the library.

I find it fairly easy to throw one together!

What’s your favourite way to destress after a long haul in the library?

How do you plan to celebrate after exams?

A good netflix night with snacks or a catch up with friends and good food.

Paper bag trousers, H&M £24

Just by going out with friends!

BDG Black Utility Jacket, £56

the courier

14

life & style lifestyle

Monday 13 May 2018

Our guide to a less stres ‘

Make the most of Find the Robbo’s your revision breaks Procrastination Em Richardson tells you how to make the most of your study breaks, from snacking to walking and everything inbetween

W

ith exam season just around the corner, it seems like everyone could use a little advice about what to do about the best part of revision: the breaks. Read on for some tips on how to use your revision breaks wisely.

Have your cake and eat it

Why not use your time-off to cook or bake something yummy? Creating a tasty treat is a great way to distract yourself, and it means you can enjoy some tasty treats

Why not use your time to bake something yummmy? during revision, or look forward to your favourite meal after a long day of studying. On the subject of food and drink, remember to drink lots of water during exam period, too- it’s known for boosting the effectiveness of the brain. If plain old tap water doesn’t appeal to you, another creative idea for a revision break could be to chop up some fruit to soak in your water, adding some flavour.

This is probably the last thing you want to hear, but

See the sights

keeping active during exam season is always a good idea.

Exercise releases chemicals into the brain that can increase cognitive performance and improve memory, and even a shorter work-out can be beneficial. With so many ideas for easy work-outs available online, there really is no excuse to spend your next break scrolling through Facebook.

Newcastle is a famously pretty city, from Jesmond Dene to the Quayside, and a revision break can provide the perfect excuse to explore. Heading out for a walk is a great

Pamper yourself

way to destress during exam period- a bit of sunshine and fresh air is great for clearing your head, and we’ve already established that exercise can boost brain power. Plus, we all know that cake is good for the soul, and likely to cheer you up during exam season, and a walk through Newcastle is bound to take you past some of the city’s many great

Netflix and actually chill

coffee shops.

It’s always important to stay as relaxed as possible in the midst of exam season, and a great way to do this is to engage in a little self-care. Whether it’s a manicure, a pedicure, a long bath or a face mask, paying some attention to your beauty routine can be a great way to feel better about life during the exam period.

Sometimes, after a long day of studying, all we want to do is curl up under a fluffy blanket Many students seem to avoid Netflix during exam season, but I would argue that it can actually be beneficial (in small doses, of course- deciding to start season one of Breaking Bad three days before an exam probably isn’t the best idea!). Sometimes, after a long day of studying, all we want to do is curl up under a fluffy blanket, and do something mindless. So, with this in mind, what could possibly be more mindless than re-watching a favourite film?

Whether it’s Pulp Fiction or Tangled, we all have those movies we can watch time and time again, and I would argue that exam season can be a great time to revisit them.

You know you’ll enjoy the film, you know the plot so well that you don’t even have to concentrate, and you already know how the movie ends, so it doesn’t matter of you fall asleep before the credits.

stations

Need somewhere to relax in during a study session? Kate Baguley has you covered

A

fter the lovely month-long Easter break that made you almost forget that you even go to uni, third term has hit us all hard with exam season.

Assignments, projects, exams – whatever it is you must do, you will be residing in the Robbo for most of this term, so you need to know the best study spots to get on top of your game. Here’s my top 5 locations in the Robbo for getting in the zone and not losing your sanity…

The cafe is the Robbo’s finest procrastination station As close to the windows as possible, any floor The only thing that will maintain your sanity in that deafening silence will be those windows; A good(ish) view, a sense of space, and a long enough walk to the toilets to feel like a break. Although, having the ability to watch the people outside walking away from the library may be slightly soul-destroying…

A Booth, collaborative area, second floor If you have managed to bag a booth in exam season (congratulations, by the way), you are destined to have a good day. With the booths, you get all the benefits of a study room without the sweaty, isolated feel. Bring your best pals and lots of snacks, because you are trapped in a zen zone of studying, or chatting, - whichever floats your boat. Plus, not having to fight for the last plug socket in the collaborative area to charge your laptop is always a bonus.

The desks near the book shelves, third or fourth floor This is a personal favourite of mine. This is the small clusters of desks that seem to be hidden next to the bookshelves just before the main silent area. This place is often overlooked, most people walking past them towards the main event. However, this is a top-tier place. This space allows you to watch pretty much the entire floor without the panic of everyone else around you being super productive. Plus, you’re much closer to any of the books you

may need. Bingo.

The Booth chairs, third or fourth floor These are the large capsule-looking chairs that you can see by the windows when stood outside of the library but can never seem to locate from the inside. Just keep Image: Unsplash walking around the edges of the floor and you’ll find one. These are a very cute spot for some personal space and as a little reading nook, if you’re feeling boujee.

However, not the best for the person with the huge laptop and fifteen textbooks. Still cute, though.

The café Despite being one of the Robbo’s more depressing-looking areas, this is the library’s finest procrastination station, where no work shall cross the threshold. This is a space of freedom, relaxation, and total work avoidance. A space for sharing your myriad of woes, finally being able to talk louder than a whisper, and having those crisps you’ve been craving. Let’s stay for five more minutes, yeah?

Brain pain: how to maintain a revision brain Lifestyle Editor Holly Margerrison explains how to keep up revision momentum throughout exam season

H

aving just handed in my dissertation last week, I’m still buzzing from dropping 10,000 words into the submission box. You can really lose confidence in your capabilities when channelling all your energy into one piece of work, but I’ve now proven to myself that I can see something through – from beginning to end.

Getting in the right mind-set for the day will make a difference Thursday was the first time in a while my course mates and I saw one another composed – we could finally wave adios to greasy hair, greasy skin and greasy food – and toast our glasses to a job well done (we hope).

But as the celebrations came to a close, the reality of still having to write 6,000 words worth of essays dawned on me. How on earth was I going to get myself back to the library for those 9-5 days? How does one begin a new es-

say from scratch having spent countless hours hunched over the same piece of work for weeks? How the hell do I even write when my brain has turned to mush? Already returning to those long slogs in the library, I’ve distilled my top tips on how to survive the 9-5 day in the Marj or Robbo into a handy list – for my own sake, too!

The Early Rise: Alert, alive, awake, enthusiastic. Getting in the right mind-set for the day ahead will make all the difference.

Those first few early rises are a struggle, but by setting your alarm for the same time each day you soon adjust and you slip into a routine. Ensure you leave time to shower (a cold shower always wakes the system up), eat a hearty breakfast (eggs keep you full for ages) and leave in good time to get a good seat in the library.

I always remember advice my driving instructor gave me years ago for the morning of my test. She told me to look at yourself in the mirror as I was getting ready (as cringe as it may sound) and repeat to yourself: ‘I will pass this driving test, I will’. Albeit feeling a little silly, I passed my driving test that day and I still credit the positive mental attitude for my confidence in doing something I was nervous about.

Elevenses:

Breaking your day up into manageable chunks makes the day seem a little less daunting. If you set goals of something you want to achieve between 9-11am, then you can reward yourself with a coffee and some fresh air with friends for a mid-morning refuel.

Midday haul: It can be hard to ignore the mumblings and rustlings of crisp packets as people begin to munch their lunch down or make their way to the lift, but try to preserve past this if you’ve just taken a break. Once people go downstairs for food, the space becomes quiet again and this, for me, has been prime time to smash through a couple of hundred words.

Refuel, refresh, restart: During your early afternoon lunch break, ensure you get a change of scene away from your desk – whether it be just outside on the grass, in the café or even somewhere in town. Your eyes will thank you for the break – no-one can look at a screen or book all day!

The final push: Those last couple of hours are a killer, but they’re often productive if you keep your phone in your bag and tell yourself it has to be done by the time you leave. Being strict with yourself and knowing your weaknesses helps

to avoid slacking.

I never used to go to the library, but this often lead to an unstructured day of working at home – consisting of too many breaks and continuing late into the evening. Now I much prefer working hard during the day and reaping the rewards in the evening – face masks, tea out with friends or a good film after achieving goals feels more well deserved and creates a distinct work to life balance.

Nathan D

the courier

15

lifestyle life & style

Monday 13 May 2018

ssful exam season Fuel for revision

Lifestyle Editor Ella Williams has solved your snack woes

With books piled high and morales low, days spent slogging away in the library can feel pretty bleak. After setting up camp in a Robbo booth for the fourth day in a row, the eyes drop down to the same unmoving word count and dread drops for the day ahead.

This does not spark joy. That’s why it’s important to stud

This sweet and nutty mixture is marketed as student mix because of how perfectly it can fuel a hard revision day

Dumlao

Image: @mis_s_sophie

the monotony with glimmers of sanity: namely, snacks.

When your exam-season life has devolved into a cycle of work, sleep, eat, repeat, snacks can be some of the brightest moments in an otherwise soul-draining day. Here are a few of my most delectable options for study fuel: Berries: Sweet and hydrating, popping some bulbous bloobs or embarking upon a fresh, in-season punnet of strawbs can be perfect pick-me-up on a grimy day. Some sad students say it reminds them of the outdoors world they haven’t seen for weeks, or of next week’s post-exams Pimms celebrations.

They can be a little expensive, but big love to the Northumberland fruit man for his “strawberries here two punnets for a pound!!!”: an offer that’s difficult to refuse.

Trail Mix: In a lot of European countries, this sweet and nutty mixture is marketed as “student mix” because of how perfectly it can fuel a hard revision day. It ticks all the boxes: filling, nutritious and easily transportable.

Plus, you get a decent back for your buck nutrition-wise, with nuts and seeds providing a healthy dose of omegas for you brain juices. I would recommend the fruit and nut pick-n-mix in Holland and Barrett for a plastic-free option.

Then, you can mix up your nutties with some cheeky dark chocolate interjections or some exotic papaya. Don’t get me started on the chewy coconut.

The Robbo cafe has a few flavours of popcorn to jazz up your crisp choices Popcorn: If you’ve entered in your library flow and you don’t want to leave, the Robbo cafe has a few flavours of popcorn to jazz up your crisp choices. This is definitely the more responsible option for crunch-avoidance in the silent study areas. Sweet and salty is an iconic classic, but if you can get your hands on the peanut and almond butter packs then your snack game will be strong. Go nuts- it’s wonderful.

Carrots and Hummous: Need I say more? Avoid antisocial crunch with pepper or cucumber instead, or make a full lunch out of it with some falafels and pitta. Other fantastic dipping options include ridge-cut crisps and sad Robbo sandwiches. Calling it now: your day will be better with a tub of hummus in your bag.

Image: @littlebylupin

@TheCourierLifestyle @thecourierlifestyle Image: Unsplash

Cooking with Hope Coke

Ratatouille Gratin

The French get a bit of a bad rap when it comes to vegetarian food (steak tartare, anyone?), but ratatouille is one dish they really got right. A staple of humble home cooking, the mellow flavours of the aubergine, courgette and peppers come together to make something that’s much more than the sum of its parts. While I make no claims to French authenticity in this version, I’ve put my own spin on the classic with the addition of a golden, crunchy oat and almond topping, which contrasts beautifully with the soft roasted vegetable filling. It’s a simple recipe but yields an impressive result, with the addition of smoked paprika, nutmeg and wholegrain mustard bringing warmth and depth while the basil adds freshness. It’s great as a side dish but can also hold it’s own as a main, alongside a green salad and some crusty bread. I love it with a crumble of feta cheese on top, but I’ve left that out of the recipe to keep it vegan.

Ingredients:

For the filling: 1 large aubergine 1 large courgette 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp smoked paprika 1 red onion 200g cherry tomatoes 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar a handful fresh basil salt and pepper, to taste

For the topping: 50g oats 50g flaked almonds 3 tbsp flour (I use gram or spelt flour but plain should work fine too) 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 heaped tbsp wholegrain mustard 3 tbsp olive oil 1/2 tsp chilli flakes

Directions: Preheat the oven to 200 degrees C and start by preparing the vegetables for roasting. Halve the courgette and aubergine lengthways and cut into chunks roughly 2-3cm big, then halve, core and deseed the peppers and cut to a similar size. Toss the aubergine, courgette and peppers together with a tablespoon of olive oil, then tip into a roasting tray and transfer to the oven. Cook for 20 minutes, or until all the veg is tender and just starting to brown and crisp in places.

Meanwhile, prepare the topping. Combine the oats, flaked almonds, flour, nutmeg, salt and pepper in a large bowl and set aside. In a smaller bowl, stir together the olive oil and mustard seeds into a paste, then stir into the dry ingredients until the mixture is clumpy and moist, a bit like

Image: Hope Coke

damp sand.

Heat a large saucepan over a medium heat and add a tablespoon of olive oil. Halve, peel and finely slice the red onion and transfer to the pan with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5-8 minutes, or until the onion is soft and just starting to brown in places.

Once the roasted veg is done, remove from the oven and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roughly chop the basil, setting a little aside to sprinkle over at the end, and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Remove the pan from the heat, and add in the roasted vegetables, cherry tomatoes, basil, smoked paprika and balsamic vinegar, and stir until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Tip the vegetables into a medium baking dish (mine is about 15x20cm) then sprinkle over the crumble mixture, spreading it in an even layer. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the topping is golden and crisp. Once it’s ready, remove from the oven and let stand for a couple of minutes, then sprinkle over the remaining basil and the chilli flakes. And you’re ready to serve! Spoon into bowls or plates and eat while it’s hot.

16

the courier

life & style beauty Library Here's our Summer Beauty Essentials courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Susanne Norris, Nimra Rafique Laura Buckle Online Editor Molly Taylor

Beauty Essenitals

Looking for a glowy tan? Or perhaps that beautiful, beach-waved hair? Our writers are here to offer their verdicts on the best beauty products for the summer season: all tried and tested Fenty Beauty Body Lava Glossier Play Glitter Gelée Vintage Illuminating Tan Liquid Glow Eyeshadow Drops

Deputy Editor Isabel Sykes gives you the key to a beauty regime with mininal effort perfect for long library days

I

t’s hard not to look half-dead at Uni during this time of year. Everyone has exams, everyone is dragging themselves out of bed and to the Robbo, and nobody has an hour in the mornings to spend making their faces look acceptable for public viewing. My solution during this harrowing time has been to give myself 20 minutes or so in the morning to whack on a few life-giving library essentials to get me through the day.

Brave that disgusting yellow lighting Robbo with pride, knowing that at least you are giving the illusion of having it together My number one has to be concealer to cover up those bags. I use the super cheap Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in Fair. I used to use NARS but honestly this lasts way longer, works nearly as well, and at £4.19 you can’t argue. With a bit of this on I can just about tolerate how my face looks in the terrible lighting of the Robbo toilets.

Next, brows. If I only have time to do the bare minimum on my face before leaving for Uni in the morning my eyebrows have got to be on there.

At the moment I’m using Soap and Glory’s 2-in-1 Brow Sculpting Crayon and Setting gel and it really does the trick. I’ve used a few of Soap and Glory’s brow products but this is my favourite. I like quite a thick brow usually and this gives you the shape without having that painted-on look. Plus, it’s only £10.

Finally, mascara. If I want to look remotely alive in the Robbo at 9am it’s got to make the cut. I’ve been loyal to Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara for absolutely years and it’s never done me wrong.

It’s £8.99 from any Superdrug or Boots so it’s another bargain, and it will never give you the dreaded spider legs.

If, like me, you’re dragging yourself to the Robbo everyday but you’re not fortunate enough to look fresh-faced and awake without any makeup on, I would highly recommend these three easy steps to making your day that little bit easier. Give yourself a few minutes of self-care in a morning and brave that disgusting yellow lighting with pride, knowing that at least you are giving the illusion of having it together.

Image: @Collectionlove

@TheCourierBeauty The Courier Beauty

Monday 13 May 2019

Image: @hannahheartss

Image: @fentybeauty

Image: @glossierplay

Summer is the perfect time to catch an au natural tan. But, as a tan addict and someone who can’t bear the thought of being a little paler than usual, I find it quite tricky to wait to tan naturally.

So, whilst you’re waiting for said tan to do its magic, it can be a bit daunting getting your legs out and looking as pale as a ghost. In order to keep myself feeling confident enough to bear my legs, I opt for Vitage’s Illuminating Tanning Drops whilst I wait for the sun to do its thing.

These drops offer a subtle and healthy glow and are easier to use/less orange looking than fake tan. Simply mix a few drops of the stuff into a moisturiser (I opt for Vaseline’s Aloe Vera Moisturiser) and apply all over your body. Use it liberally, the little bottle can last you a long time and you’ll be able to tell if you overdo it! The best thing about this is you can build it up daily/ gradually by incorporating it into your everyday moisturising routine. The result is a radiant glow whilst you wait to gain results the natural way. (£39 from vitage.co.uk) Susanne Norris

For me, summer is all about glow. We all want that glowy skin and shining hair. That’s why my favourite summer product is Fenty Beauty’s Body Lava in shade Who Needs Clothes?

It is a radiant rose gold shade that maximises your body’s glow. It’s perfect for days in the sun, or even in the Winter when you feel you need that extra get up and glow.

The Body Shop Skin Defence Moisturiser

3 Concept Eyes Blusher Ranges

Toni&Guy 3D Volumiser Spray

Image: @3ce_official

Image: @25o2official

Image: @thebodyshop

My summer must have and all year round must have is the body shop’s ‘skin defence’. This can be applied in the morning just before doing your make up or throughout the day to protect your skin. Providing UVA and UVB protection, it is the perfect moisturiser for your summer skincare routine.

It soaks into the skin very quickly, allowing you to protect your skin and apply your make up even while in a rush on a morning. Not to be used as a replacement for sun cream, the moisturiser provides a protective base for your make up and rejuvenates tired and dull skin.

A product that is definitely worthwhile as part of your summer skincare routine, and during winter to protect you from UVA rays which penetrate the skin deeper and damage skin cells, all year round.

Heidi Wilkinson

While it's pricey it will last you the whole summer Though perhaps on the pricey side for students, it will last you the whole summer, if not longer. It’s definitely an investment for those summer days in the park or at the beach and it will give you a stunning glow all summer long! (£46 from fentybeauty.com and Harvey Nichols) Emily Cartwright

Summer is all about bringing out a vibrant colour palette, and your makeup is no acceptation. A brand I have recently been loving is a Korean beauty brand called 3 Concept Eyes (more commonly known as 3CE). 3CE’s makeup is all about the pinks, peaches and beautiful bold colours.

One product that 3CE is popular for is their wide range of blushes, a makeup product essential for the spring/summer seasons, to help bring colour and fun into your look.

Sometimes, summer is a time where you typically opt to wear less makeup, so blush is the perfect product to create a natural flush of colour, and still have fun with your look.

Nimra Rafique

I’d never ordered from Glossier - that is until this past week, and the product that convinced me to take the plunge wasn’t the famous Boy Brow, or the beloved Cloud Paint, but their new Glitter Gelée’s, which are part of the Glossier Play collection. They are exactly what they sound like - fancy glitter jelly. They’re easy to apply (I use my finger) and they look dazzling.

They’re made up of different sized chunky bits of glitter, meaning that the effect they create is somewhat multidimensional. Your lids are literally walking discoballs. And again, they are So. Easy. They dry down quickly, and you really can’t go wrong when you’re smudging them across your lid. They’re meant to look messy, effortless and cool - and they succeed. So far I’ve bought Phantasm (described as an opalescent sheen/ holographic specks) and Glass Bonsai (a gold glimmer/ glints of chartreuse) and you can bet I’m buying the two remaining shades.

They're a must have for festival season, and for nights out where you fancy something different from the same old cut-crease. I’ll be wearing mine all summer long! (£12 from glossier.com) Sophie Hindhaugh

The last thing I want to do on a Summer's day is straighten my hair, or curl my hair, or dry my hair (...or use any form of heat on my hair). If I open the curtains and the sun is shining, I want those effortless, beachy waves - even if I am a few miles from the coast. Give them to me!

I recently picked up Toni & Guy's textursing spray whilst on a 'big food shop', pondering the aises and wasting my precious library hours away. I'd normally go for a salt spray, but after a few uses I've loved this stuff.

I wash my hair as usual, and run it through the roots after towel-drying. It gives me the little boost I need to get through the day, and the volume is definitely long-lasting.

Sophie Henderson

the courier

17

beauty life & style

Monday 13 May 2019

Hit the nail on the head with your spring manicure Want to revamp your nails for the summer season? Editor Louise Hall has you covered with all the latest trends on a budget

W

ith spring finally in full swing, it’s finally time to dust off your nail varnish collection and whip out some exciting summer shades.

Whether you’re looking to update your collection or simply don’t know which colours are going to be on trend this season, we’ve got an updated nail edit coming right your way.

OPI’s Nail Lacquer in the shade Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet is the perfect accompaniment to any floaty spring sundress Front and centre of the nail chart for May and June are the bright yellows and soothing blues. Mustard tones seem to have held onto the spotlight for another year running, and OPI’s Nail Lacquer in the shade Exotic Birds Do Not Tweet is the perfect accompaniment to any floaty spring sundress.

With lots of society balls coming up and exciting events like graduation, there’s lots of room for sparkle with light rose gold and shimmery tones. Thinking outside the box with metallic manicure in graphic lined nail art is also a hot trend this season, adding classy edginess to any look.

For the brave, loud and fun rainbow nails are a great look for the summer months, a hot hit at festivals both in the UK and abroad. If you want to dial the rainbow down but still get involved a pastel rainbow makes for a more subdued yet still interesting accompaniment to summer outfits.

In terms of brands on a student budget I find that a classic £2.99 Barry M nail varnish never lets me down.

Since it’s the only thing anyone ever buys from Barry M anymore (gone are the days of cheap sparkly potted powder in favour of a NYX alternative) they make sure to mix up their shades quite often and their Molten Metals range packs a colourful punch with a sharp finish.

Rimmel’s 60 Second Super Shine nail varnish is also a great go to if you want to update your collection without breaking the bank. Their collection has tonnes of vibrant shades that are a great pick me up for your nails after the darker hues of winter.

If you’re looking to spend a little more for a special occasion Essie offers a great range of pastel shades without a ridiculously extortionate price tag, great to accompany a sophisticated look during the upcoming Grad Ball, Graduation and Summer party season.

Renewing your nail varnish is a fab selfcare routine and offers a variety of options for selfexpression so whatever colour may take your fancy I’d recommend getting down to your local Superdrug and giving your nails some love.

Image: @Essie

Image: @ Pngimg.com

Product Alert: Two new Hoolas on the block

Benefit Cosmetics have released two new shades of their iconic Hoola bronzer. Beauty editor, Laura Buckle, shares the launch.

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t seems like Benefit’s Hoola bronzer has been a cult classic, beauty staple since the dawn of time.

Whether you are an amateur beauty lover or an MUA, Hoola has always seemed to have a place in anybody’s makeup kit; no wonder it’s the UK’s prestige, best-selling bronzer. For me, it has always been a daily essential. So, when Benefit announced a line extension of ‘light Hoola’ back in 2017, the fair skinned people of the world were over the moon to finally have a cult bronzer suitable for their skin tone. It still had it’s iconic box, blue bristle brush and it’s warm goddess-esque glow, but it was lighter in colour; both product and packaging.

Hoola Caramel is described as medium-deep matte bronzer bronzer However, this left those lucky enough to have an all-year-round tan hinting to Benefit to cater for darker skin-tones. We’ve had Hoola Zero Tanlines, Hoola Quickie Contour Stick, Hoola Mini, Hoola Jumbo and even personalised Hoolas but never a shade darker than the OG original.

And, with brands like Fenty, Morphe and Jeffree Star now with hugely diverse shade ranges catering for all, it’s never been a more perfect time for Benefit to announce a shade extension.

So, this spring, Benefit announced the release of not one, but two brand-new Hoola shades; Hoola Caramel and Hoola Toasted.

Different to the warm, matte original, Hoola Caramel is described as medium-deep matte bronzer and Hoola Toasted as a deep, almost reddish-toned bronzer. But, indifferent from the original, the two Benefit newbies will retail the same as the original, for £26 on Benefit Cosmetic UK’s website, and will still have that iconic scent of beachy citrus and sandalwood.

The launch was originally leaked by Instagram account, @trendmood1, back in December 2018 but the official in-store release date was not until March 1st, meaning we can now get our hands on the new additions. If you haven’t seen the new bronzers in-store yet, you will have probably spotted bloggers of all kinds parading the new products across the internet. Instagram influencers like Sarah Ashcroft, Jamie Genevieve and Laila Loves have recently visited Holbox in Mexico with Benefit to celebrate and promote the highly anticipated launch.

However, Benefit faced huge critique for their lack of shades in their latest Hello Happy liquid foundation which included just 12 shades; hardly comparable to some brands on the current market. Will this new shade launch be enough to

There is currently a lack of shade diversity in beauty redeem themselves?

Currently, the lack of shade diversity in beauty is a huge matter with brands like Tarte, Beauty Blender and YSL recently facing the fire. But, if brands can create a range with a widely diverse ‘fair’ range, why can’t this be the same for darker skin tones? In 2019 there is just no excuse and only time will tell whether consumers can forgive Benefit. All we can do for now is cross our fingers and hope that Benefit will continue to extent their still fairly limited Hoola range.

You can find both Hoola Caramel and Hoola Toasted in Debenhams and exclusive Boots stores and online via Cult Beauty.com, Feel Unique.com and Benefit Cosmetics’ official site

Image: @benefitcosmeticsuk

Image: @benefitcosmeticsuk

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life & style fashion

c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Miranda Stoner, Joe Hood & Poppy Couling Online Editor Molly Taylor

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Monday 13 May 2019

Born into the cruel world of fashion

Fashion Editor Joe Hood exposes the children's fashion industry and answers the question - is there such thing as 'too young?'

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here is no simple answer to this question but plastering a toddler in make-up and dressing them up in luxury clothing that could probably pay my rent for 2 months seems a little excessive.

It surprises me how eager parents are to show off how cute and attractive their children are, but you have to look no further than Instagram to see just how far they will go. Some parents will see the slightest look of Kendal Jenner or David Beckham in their child and it’s enough for them to enrol their child at a modelling agency. Even if it does eventually turn them into materialistic and insecure teenagers. It is undeniable that when you see children modelling clothes in a magazine, or displayed from wall-to-wall in shops, there’s a part of you that can’t help but go ‘aww’. However, when you really think about what you’re looking at, it’s a child, generally no older than six, who companies are using to model the clothes attractively so @thegoldenfly customers will purchase them.

Having images of young children on display in stores still opens up to potential dangers, but we are living in a dominantly online generation, where once images are uploaded to the cybersphere, they are forever there for the world to see.

Take Instagram for instance, an extremely popular social media site that involves posting a picture along

with an appropriate caption. More and more fashion millennials are popping up on my ‘Discover’ feed, and I hate to say it but I wish I looked as stylish as them, not just when I was their age but now as well. The most popular child models on Instagram include; Coco (@ coco_pinkprincess) and Ivan (@thegoldenfly), both of which are constantly photographed in high-fashion brands such as; Gucci and Burberry.

There is no issue in sharing cute pictures of your children online, you only need to scroll down your Facebook newsfeed to see how ‘normal’ it is, but Instagram is in a different league. Instagram is arguably driving the fashion industry nowadays, and pictures that seem as innocent as these are really free or paid PR for brands.

According to the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (CFDA) guidelines, a child must be over the age of sixteen to become a model, however Marc Jacobs broke this guideline in 2012. He did not apologise for what he did but did tell The Guardian’s Sara Ziff: “I guess if a parent thinks it’s okay and a kid wants to do it, it’s fine.”

Is it really fine though? Absolutely not, the guidelines are put there in order to protect younger children from the pressures and dangers in the fashion industry. It may look like the job of a lifetime but taking away their childhood shouldn’t be the sacrifice the parent makes for them. Kim

Kardashian-West’s daughter North West was on Forbes list of ‘Most Influential Toddlers’ at age 3. She acquired this covetous title for her fashionable style, which was mostly thanks to Kim and her husband Kanye West. Kim has constantly been bashed in the news for dressing her daughter too ‘adult’, as she has some of her own outfits specially made in a one-of-akind infant size for North.

This does pose the question of whether or not this is acceptable, as ss Kim is known to have prince _pink o c some very provocative o c @ outfits, involving merely a pair of tights and an oversized shirt. An outfit of which North has been wearing on a number of occasions.

Wearing such expensive clothes and being assisted by trained professionals for all your needs is bound to make a growing child too comfortable, growing up to expect these things to be done by everyone. If your child isn’t at the age where they can make decision for themselves and decide on their own whether or not sacrificing their childhood is worth it for modelling, then don’t even consider it.

Instagram: @__north.west__

Are Newcastle students sustainable?

Geography and Politics student Olivia Kelly shares her findings on how Earth conscious Newcastle students really are rticles on the damaging effects of fast fashion which young people are aware and concerned with the To get you started, some and the promotion of sustainable consumption sustainable consumption of fashion, it was evident that an are becoming ever more present within the overwhelming 78% of survey respondents had heard of convenient and more fashion world. Stacey Dooley’s documentary ‘Fashion’s the term ‘sustainable consumption’. This is, undoubtedly, Dirty Secrets’, aired in October 2018, unveiled shocking a positive outcome. However, consumers simply being sustainable options that facts about the clothing industry and reached a wide aware does not necessarily equate to people taking aren’t going to break the audience. effective action. It is important to mention that there are many reasons contributing to this, yet one that was bank: repeatedly stated was the issue surrounding convenience.

Consumers simply

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being aware does not necessarily equate to people taking effective action

Its aim was to raise awareness of the damaging impacts that the way we consume fashion has on people and the environment. Its prevalence in the media has clearly shown success in educating consumers.

After conducting research assessing the extent to

We are living in a digital age, constantly being able to connect with people across the globe on a range of platforms leading to the blurring of work and home.

Everything is fast paced resulting in people not switching off. This connects to the way in which we consume as one interviewee stated “it’s easy to click on your phone and pick something you like, press a button and it will be there the next day.” Students with lots of deadlines, particularly those in the third year writing their dissertations, don’t necessarily want to take the time to sift through charity shops or as another interviewee said, “you don’t want to have to do your own research, especially if you are pressed for time.” It’s much more convenient to stay in the library, type in what are looking for and have it arrive the next day.

This shows that brands need to make sustainable options more convenient before there is a shift in consumer habits.

You don’t want to have to do your own research, especially if you are pressed for time.” It’s much more convenient to type in what are looking for and have it arrive the next day

Instagram: @veja

One optimistic trend is that the younger generation are clearly interested and show signs of wanting to do more to consume sustainably. However, they have found it hard to find sustainable options on the high-street at an affordable price point so say it is something they will consider changing their habits after university. To combat this we have presented some tips to make it easy for you to choose a sustainable option.

1.Asos Marketplace, Depop, Thrift+ Store and Ebay – Second hand clothes are a far more sustainable option lengthening the lifetime of the clothes and reducing the amount going to waste/landfill. Asos Marketplace have their own sustainable edit making it very convenient for you to browse.

Instagram: @AbellaLondon

2.Swap your next pair of Nike Air Force 1’s or air maxes for a pair of Veja trainers.

Cannot deny that these are slightly more expensive but in comparison to a lot of other options out there, they are much more attainable.

3.Pouches and backpacks for all your library essentials made with surplus materials go to Abella London.

4.Summer is soon approaching, get this summer’s swimwear at WEEKDAY. Their bikinis swimming costumes and trunks are made with between 69% and 100% recycled polyester depending on the item. Not all completely sustainable but a great way to start.

5.If you do have a spare moment and want to head into town, visit the charity shops on Clayton street, Salvation Army and PDSA are hotspots for hidden gems.

Instagram: @ChillysBottles

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Instagram: @madewell

19

fashion life & style

Monday 13 May 2019

MET ready with me A Camp disaster Fashion Editor Miranda Stoner shares her favourite looks from this years notorious 'Notes on Camp' themed MET gala

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he MET gala was held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in New York City on Monday 6th May. This year the theme was: CAMP. This year's theme was chosen to coincide with an upcoming exhibition at the Met, inspired by US writer and political activist Susan Sontag's 1964 essay, Notes on Camp. Prior to the ball the theme of camp was much discussed. "Camp is often used as a pejorative," Billy Porter states and "What I love about having it at the Met Gala, and contextualising camp, is it brings honour to a word and genre that can be discounted very often, or thought of as cheesy." Whilst model Cara Delevigne would "define camp as expression of your most outrageous.” On this count many stars rose to the challenge with 10ft wings, 3,000 strands of floor-length fringe, made from micro-cut glass bugle beads and 24 carat headdresses.

Whilst many were surprised by the subtlety of H a r r y Styles’ jumpsuit, his stylist Harry Lambert and the creative director of Gucci Alessandro Michele.

"This look is about taking traditionally feminine elements like the frills,

heeled boots, sheer fabric and the pearl earring, but then rephrasing them as masculine pieces set against the high-waisted tailored trousers and his tattoos.”

One of the best looks of the night was Serena Williams, who underneath her bright yellow floor swooping dress, wore a pair of neon OFF WHITE for Nike trainers. With these Williams followed in the footsteps of previous co-chairs who include celebrities from Taylor Swift to Rihanna. The other co-chairs this year were Anna Wintour, Lady Gaga, Harry Styles, and Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele. The trainers subverted traditional ultra-feminine looks as well as expressing an important part of her identity as a tennis star.

Whilst Céline Dion confessed to initially not understanding the meaning of the theme and the danger of her turning up in a tent carrying a gas stove seemed all to real, the gown she chose was stunning. She wore a dress from Oscar de la Renta which took 52 master embroiders over 3,000 hours to create. The result was a metallic, long-sleeve fringe dress which weighed a total of 22 pounds.

Arts Editor Julia McGee-Russell tells us her thoughts on what Camp is and why so many celebrities missed the mark

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n this era of aesthetics, fashion is a cultural currency more than ever. This currency has been used to fundraise for the New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute since 1948, with celebrities competing in extravagance to themes based on the art exhibition opened on the night of the gala. This year’s theme? ‘Camp’, based on Susan Sontag’s 1964 essay ‘Notes on ‘Camp’, but half the attendees didn’t seem to have got the memo.

Harry Styles wearing a translucent chiffon blouse has not brought about the end to toxic masculinity

The theme led to the tassels and feathers which are undoubtedly part of Camp, yes, but also to widespread outfits which seemed more deflated and confused than to do with the theme at all. An earlier draft of Sontag’s essay was called ‘Notes on Homosexuality’, and the essay is entirely queer taste codified. To remove the queerness out of Camp is to remove the heart and soul of its flamboyance, the pride in being visible to the point of contemptable, of battling invisibility with hyper-visibility.

This theme was an opportunity for queer designers to shine, but a lack of emphasis on their presence was sorely felt. Camp should have been a glorious explosion of theatrical artifice and colour, instead some designers seemed to have designed gowns for a bedraggled circus.

There was also much disappointment in regards to the androgynous side of Camp fashion. Contrary to the belief of many, Harry Styles wearing a translucent chiffon blouse

has not brought about the end to toxic masculinity, and is hardly the epitome of androgyny. Lacklustre attempts of androgyny were made by several designers, but resulted

Cara Delevigne would "define camp as expression of your most outrageous.”.

in atrociously phantom of the opera style suits To quote the Sontag’s inspirational essay: ‘When something is just bad (rather than Camp), it's often because it is too mediocre in its ambition. The artist hasn't attempted to do anything really outlandish. What is extravagant in an inconsistent or an unpassionate way is not Camp… Without passion, one gets pseudo-Camp -- what is merely decorative, safe’ This sums up the feeling I get from the uninspired sea of feathers and bejewelled dresses at this year’s gala, an utter lack of ambition, pseudo-Camp. Yet what is worse than the mostly tedious costumes of various celebrities, is the lack of impactful queer presence at the gala despite the absolute ties Camp has to the LGBT+ c o m m u n i t y.

Although according to Sontag, Camp is ‘good because it’s awful’, this year’s Met Gala was simply not very good at all.

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life & style travel

courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors Jenny Franken, Bianca Ionici, Amy Harris Online Editor Amanda Goh

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Monday 13 May 2019

Why do we value culture over crisis?

Catherine Entwistle discusses what the quick collection of money to rebuild the world-famous cathedral in Paris means

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atching Notre Dame being mauled by the unrelenting flames that engulfed the cathedral on 15thApril via live news was a sight to behold for all the wrong reasons. Like a stab to the heart of France, onlookers watched in disbelief, as one of the greatest examples of Gothic architecture was disturbingly annihilated. The agonising sadness that reverberated around not just Europe, but the rest of the world, was likened to that of the pain felt when someone dies.

The gathering crowd in Paris was aghast, speechless and

ing climate problem or the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017, in which seventy-two people died.

The generosity has caused widespread controversy, and the backlash comes at a time when the country has seen Yellow Vest protests for income inequality for 22 consecutive Saturdays.

Many feel that it’s wrong to prioritise saving buildings over saving lives. Equally at a time when we are experiencing a worldwide climate crisis, it is also eye opening to discover that the donations of $1 billion raised in two days could have cleared up the ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’.

The positive response has been equally met with questions as to why this reaction wasn’t echoed for other disasters

Hearing about the spontaneous benevolence coming in from figures such as François-Henri Pinault (C.E.O. of Paris-based luxury company Kering)

The skeleton of Notre Dame standing silently still embodies the very soul of Paris

and Bernard Arnault (owner of luxury corporation LVMH), it was difficult to imagine it had become a bit of a competition, with one out doing the other within hours. That being said, this level of generosity from figures who have the means to help, demonstrates how important the restoration of this beautiful building is to the people of France and the rest of Europe.

After all, it survived the French Revolution and two world wars, so to do anything other than reach out and help would be doing the famous cathedral a disservice. Even now, the vulnerable skeleton of Notre Dame standing silently still embodies the very soul of Paris and goes deeper than being in our history.

World famous, not only for its religious significance, its historical impact and its place in literature, this building is in the hearts of people.

There is huge discussion over the nature of the restoration, as to whether Notre Dame will be rebuilt exactly how she has been standing on the Île de la Cité since 1345.

Or, whether modern techniques, styles and technology will be incorporated into the remodelling. Either way, Notre Dame will rise again and the love felt for this historic treasure will be echoed throughout.

tearful, and I feel pangs of guilt in admitting that I too was upset at the sight of the burning architectural jewel. It was difficult to comprehend that this supremely important piece of medieval architecture, that had battled so much throughout history, had been left disturbed; a victim of such a cruel event. To many, this was perhaps an overreaction considering the death toll amounted to zero. But why did the destruction of Notre Dame touch so many people and gain such a quick reaction?

The instantaneous donations made by some of France’s wealthiest individuals towards the cause of rebuilding the cathedral are admirable and heart warming to say the least. However, the positive response has been equally met with questions as to why this reaction wasn’t echoed for other disasters such as the Unsplash @cassie-galegos ever-worsen-

Do we still need Travel Agencies?

Charlotte Booy Howlett explains the importance of still using travel agencies in an age when everything is now done online

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ike many fellow backpackers on a budget, I plan a lot of my travelling first hand. With the increasing popularity of online booking websites, travel blogs and social media influencers, it's no wonder that the need for travel agencies is now questioned. Sure, travel agents are not as common as they once were, but the insightful expertise they provide is still highly demanded by millenials. Here is why you should still opt for a travel expert:

They provide expertise highly demanded by millenials

Knowledge - If you have never been to the region you are traveling to, a travel agent can recommend the best flights, hotels and attractions throughout your journey.

More often than not, the agent has already "been there, done that, got the postcard to prove it". With the use of their personal experiences, your travel professional can highlight the most reliable plane companies, the safest regions/hotels/hostels to stay in, what attractions are going to fulfil your adventurous needs, which activities are suitable to do alone, and which would be safer to do with a group.

Accountability - Imagine…you’re backpacking aroundSouth East Asia, your transfer has been cancelled, but you have a 3 week tour around Vietnam starting in 12 hours

Unsplash @element5digital

which you are likely to miss. Panic and stress start to kick in! However, your travel agent is there for you to turn to in these times of chaos. They are accountable not only to their employer, but to their clients. Your travel agent is someone who personally knows your travel plans and can therefore tackle the dilemma immediately. Not only will this relieve you of stress, but also they can help you reach your final destination - safe, sound and in one piece.

Itinerary - It’s a rarity to find people who want to wing everything whilst travelling. If you’re that laid back, then I’ll admit you might be better off organising your travel plans yourself! A travel agent can set out a concise schedule showing what is included in your trip and trust me, this will make you feel at ease in an unfamiliar environment.

Insurance - Whilst travelling, it's almost guaranteed something is going to go pear shaped, whether that’s illness, cancellations or items getting lost/stolen. An agent can insure you have the correct insurance policy to cover the duration of your journey, plus the activities and adventures you’re participating in. Additionally, travel agencies have the contacts and resources to get their clients the urgent attention needed when problematic situations arise. When you are stranded, the online booking system won’t call you back with a plan!

Sustainable tourism - Travel agencies delineate which tours or voluntary programmes are the most sustainable and are causing the least harm to the host country/community. Not only that, but travel agencies have to guarantee all organisations they use are reliable, well known and highly praised by your fellow travellers.

Unsplash @stilclassics

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travel life & style

Monday 13 May 2019

Travel Editors around the world

Your Travel Editors give you a glimpse across the globe with some of their favourite snaps from their travels this year...

Instagram @ Cameraleks

Edinburgh, Amy Harris

Oxford, Bianca Ionici

Lanzarote, Amy Harris

Switzerland, Jenny Franken

Lanzarote, Amy Harris

Spain, Bianca Ionici

Spain, Bianca Ionici

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feature

Monday 13 May 2019

Feature Editor Ally Wilson

Erasmus blockbusters How to plan the best Currently on his year abroad, Toby Bryant describes is fabulous film about a trip to Barcelona

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s a student currently on a Year Abroad, it’s fair to say that travelling doesn’t always live up to Hollywood’s portrayal.

Paris wasn’t full of Bond girl-like women catching your eye on the metro, in fact I more often came across angry old French women who couldn’t find a seat. In Barcelona currently, there is plenty of light night sangria drinking, but on every night there’s normally at least one casualty to the city’s pickpocketing.

However, whilst on my travels, I have come across one film that seemed to capture the Erasmus travelling experience pretty perfectly.

I more often came across angry old French women who couldn’t find a seat on the metro

L’Auberge espagnole, or Pot Luck in English, is a 2002 film set in Barcelona which centres around a French student’s Erasmus stay in the Catalan city. As he mixes with students from all over the world, there isn’t really one language the film stays in, cutting from French to Spanish to English to Catalan to even Danish.

Really, that’s what makes it so spot on. One minute main

character, Xavier, understands what’s going on and then the next he’s clueless. There’s nothing glamorised about his travels as the most comical moments come at the character’s expense.

A Parisian student who seeks to perfect his Spanish, Xavier arrives in Barcelona to find his planned housing has fallen through and must shack up with a French doctor and his wife who he met on the flight over (he later goes on to have a fling with the older man’s wife). Meanwhile, he battles with his host University’s administrative system in a comic welcome-office sketch that will resonate with Erasmus students across the world.

Eventually, he lands himself in a flat share with a group of other Erasmus students from England, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany and Denmark.

As Xavier starts going out and partying with his new unconventional group the miscommunications and drunken antics commence.

Playing on hilarious stereotypes, that probably wouldn’t have gone down all too well in 2019, L’Auberge espagnole is good-hearted fun that stays far away from Hollywood cliché.

British housemate, Wendy (probably best known for her role as Mary Watson in the 2009 & 2011 Sherlock Homes films), is particular gold as she welcomes her brash British ‘lad’ of a brother over to visit, whose comprehension of other cultures in non-existent.

L’Auberge espagnole may hardly be a travel blockbuster that everyone has heard of, but for University students on their travels, it’s a bit of a cult classic.

A game of travel: Morrowind

Gaming editor James Troughton reveals the best video game for travel junkies and exploration lovers alike from

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here are a vast number of games that are set in the open world varying from the Grand Theft Auto series to the Elder Scrolls games all the way to the seemingly unlimited landscapes of Minecraft.

Of all these gems, the world that truly sticks with me all these years later is 2002’s Morrowind.

You begin in a fairly cramped boat transporting you and fellow prisoner J’iub which makes the open world’s reveal all the more grandiose as you crawl from a damp

Morrowind shoves normality aside for culture

and small hole into the sprawling land of Vvardenfell.

You arrive at a port town with a rich landscape of overgrown Mushroom towers, gigantic forests, numerous swamps as far as the eye can see and mountains that tower above all else. There has been no world since Vvardenfell that has crafted an alien feeling as Morrowind’s Vvardenfell did, which makes the journey into its depths all the more intriguing and unique.

Where other games blast you with familiarity to make you feel safe or perhaps nostalgic, Morrowind shoves all that normality to the wayside to make room for architecture and culture that more resembles of the middle-east. There are homes that appear to have spiked tails that are circular in shape like large shells; there’s a gigantic forcefield that surrounds the heart of the province which is an active volcano; there are town guards who wear armour made from the chitin of overgrown insects.

It is not just the design of the architecture and culture of this world that is so fantastically crafted but also the intricate detail put into it with character’s stories crafted by their belongings and surroundings. When you first meet Caius, the spymaster of Vvardenfell, you find his home to be covered in empty bottles of skooma, an illegal drug, and erotic literature. Nothing in Morrowind is random - everything is meticulously placed.

Exploration is also key as the game has no means of

fast travel unless you delve into magic which allows for home and recall spells. This means that the developers had to make the world fun to explore which shows in the amount of quests you may stumble onto when traveling the road or the number of obstacles you may face, be it environmental or enemies. The world feels alive, breathing and living, despite being from nearly twenty years ago.

If there is a game that I would recommend for people who love an open world experience, who love traveling to see new things, who love when a developer is infectiously passionate, it would be Morrowind.

Image: Flickr

summer holiday ever Travel Editor, Bianca Ionici reveals the perfect recipe for stress-free travel

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or the lucky ones who have time this summer to spare travelling, planning your holidays can be daunting. Especially considering it’s high season, so your favourite destinations may already be very expensive to get to and very crowded, too. Add on to that the stresses of exam season, coordinating with friends, and you will soon give up out of frustration. Don’t despair! Follow this handy guide and you will be sure to have a well-deserved holiday.

First off, decide on the best time for you to travel. It may be tempting to fly out the minute you’ve finished your last exam, but if you can just have a little more patience, you may be able to avail some more student budget-friendly travel deals. Oftentimes, travelling in late August and early September will prove to be even cheaper than June and July, and you will probably encounter less crowds. Take Norwegian Air, for example. A return trip from London Gatwick to Los Angeles will s et you back around £360 in September, but will cost you almost twice as much for

the same period in August! So if you can afford to be flexible with your travel plans, it’s worth exploring your options.

After you’ve decided on your ideal dates, picking out your destination is naturally, of utmost importance. Personally, I’ve noticed that students often tend to play it safe.

So, the same roster of destinations, including Bali, Ibiza, Magaluf, Amsterdam, Budapest, among others, crops up.

But I believe that chasing adventure should be an integral part of our youth. Instead of going somewhere that’s already oversaturated with tourists just like you, why not give regions like the Balkans or the Baltics a try? You can find the same high quality party atmosphere and cultural pursuits at the other end of Europe for a fraction of the price you would spend in more popular destinations.

And what if you find your friends objecting to your eccentric travel wishes? Give solo travel a shot!

Many are so concerned with who they should travel with that they forget how rewarding traveling alone can be. No arguing over where to eat lunch, which museum to visit (and how long to spend staring at a particularly artistically confusing piece of contemporary art), and which accommodation to

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feature

Monday 13 May 2019 book. Sure, it can be scary at first if you’ve never done it before. But what’s a new experience without a little uncertainty? If you find yourself daunted at the prospect of traveling alone, it’s the perfect challenge for this summer.

Even if it’s not a faraway country, but only a short day trip from home, it may just convince you that there is a certain kind of introspective pleasure in going at it alone.

Why not give somewhere like the Balkans a try?

Once you’ve planned your dates, destination, and decided on whether you’ll be accompanied or you’ll brave it alone, the fun part finally begins (that is, before the actual adventure itself). It’s time to draw up a rough itinerary of what you want to do, see, eat, drink, buy...the list is endless! It’s best to keep your plan loose enough that you have spare time for relaxation and other unplanned activities, but organised enough that you have at least a vague idea of preferred activities. Otherwise, you may come to the end of your holiday and think you’ve wasted it or missed out on a must-do, and what a disappointment that would be. It’s good to start out by exploring the area around your accommodation - one of the best rooftop bars in the city may be just around the corner from your hostel!

You know your travel style and preferences best, but it’s always worth asking for recommendations - travel groups on social media are an excellent start, as these travellers from all corners of the globe may be familiar with hidden gems you wouldn’t otherwise be able to find. Beyond online research, however, don’t be shy to ask around for opinions at your destination - and who knows, you may even make a new friend or two out of it!

Travel Playlist The dark side of eco-tourism A Features Editor, Ally Wilson

Culture Editor Alex Moore talks consequences of travelling around the world and guides us to more sustainable trips

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ur planet is beautiful. Our planet is threatened; threatened by the very people who seek to admire it. The rise in the somewhat oxymoronically named ‘eco-tourism’ often leads to new challenges to conservation.

For instance, the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is a sight to behold. Teeming with multitudes of aquatic creatures, this is a tourist hotspot, earning Australia around five and half billion dollars a year. Yet in recent years mass coral bleaching has threatened much of the reef, with one 2016 study finding that only 7% of the 2,900 reefs were entirely unaffected by bleaching.

Caused by pollution, overfishing and warming sea temperatures, bleaching leaves corals vulnerable and susceptible to disease and decay. A sadly ironic 2015 survey found that around two-thirds of tourists visiting the Great Barrier Reef wished to see it before it disappeared for good. Yet in doing so these tourists are only hastening the reef’s demise.

On top of the pollution caused by traffic in the area, swimmers and divers are constantly leeching toxic chemicals into the waters of the reefs. Many brands of sun cream are made with oxybenzone, a chemical which has been found to have toxic affects on corals and hasten bleaching.

Sun cream is certainly needed under the searing Australian sun, but every year around 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sun cream enters coral reef areas around the world. Considering that toxicity is reached at 62 parts per trillion, the equivalent of one drop in an Olympic pool, that’s a lot of coral poison.

If you want to see the Great Barrier Reef for yourself, ensure you are selecting the most environmentally friendly tours a n d

sun cream – or better yet, don’t go. Google created an underwater street view of the reef in 2014. It’s not quite the same effect, but you certainly can’t do any damage looking through your laptop screen.

The islands of the Galapagos are a similar haven for wildlife, and with around 200,000 visitors a year, a similar haven for eco-tourists. With many restrictions and regulations, the Galapagos have been a great example of how tourism can be managed sustainably. However, nearly half of tourists are now land-based. The resultant urban expansion and conflicts of interest are threating not only the wildlife of the areas, but the scientific research stations which have long worked to protect them.

A further threat has come from imported invasive species which threaten the fragile ecosystems of the islands (including one horrific maggot, the philornis downsy fly, which eats the brains of baby birds). This is a real risk across the globe, one that is rarely treated with enough severity.

Until our species matures to a point where we can treat each other and the Earth with respect, and the population decreases, possibly the best thing you could do to maintain the survival of these natural wonders is to leave them be.

Without human interference, nature often thrives – as it has in the Galapagos for centuries. It should be enough for humanity to take pleasure in the knowledge that these places exist, without ruining them for generations to come.

compiles a list of travel songs ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’

Status Quo This song will always be dear to me as being the final song on my favourite compilation casette when I was little and we were driving somewhere. And I la-la-la-like it!

‘Holiday’

Dizzee Rascal This was the first ever rap I ever learnt. Not the coolest, I know, but boy was I proud at my first ever mistake-free rendition.

‘Barcelona’

Ed Sheeran Not actually sure how much of this is actually about Barcelona or whether Ed just thought: “Where’s trendy and has four syllables to fit the chorus melody?” Ah well, it’s a good tune nonetheless.

‘The Travelling Song’

will.i.am I mean, this one goes without saying. You’ll probably remember it as part of the soundtrack to possibly one of the best animated movies of all time, Madagascar 2.

‘Leaving on a Jet Plane’

John Denver I didn’t choose this, Deputy Editor Isabel Sykes did. It fits the theme, but good Lord it is a shite song.Thirty seconds into listening in The Courier office, we were met with two reactions: Isabel Sykes (suggestor of the song) said: ‘Can we turn it off now?’, whereas esteemed music specialist, Sports Editor Rory Ewart wistfully responded with: ‘I like it, leave it on.’ This is for you, Rory.

‘Airplanes’

B.o.B & Hayley Williams If this wasn’t played at your Year 7 school disco, your DJ was just wrong. Also, does anyone actually know what happened to either of these artists? Would love to know.

‘Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)’

Shakira Written for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, this isn’t Shakira’s finest moment, and was suggested by our lovely Editor, Louise Hall. “Waka Waka” sounds fantastic in a Halifax accent.

‘Go Your Own Way’ Fleetwood Mac Chris Wilkinson is bloody back again, but to be fair he did nail it with suggesting this banger. An important message for anyone worried about starting to travel, you’ve gotta go your own way peeps.

‘On The Road Again’

Willie Nelson Most of us will know this song from when Donkey sings it in Shrek as they embark on their journey to rescue Fiona, but it is a modern classic from the legendary Willie Nelson.

Image: Instagram

‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’

The Proclaimers The Scottish classic encompasses the willingness to travel to meet your loved ones, something I’m sure all of us have done whenever you’ve visited family or friends . CUTE. Also the version of this song on the film Sunshine On Leith is 100% better than the original.

‘One For The Road’

Arctic Monkeys I’ll admit, this is probably the worst song on what is otherwise a very good album. But hey, it fits the bill and I’m running out of room here.

‘Lost In Paris’

Tom Misch Now this is a tune. A millenial’s dream, being lost in Paris isn’t it?

Would make for a good Instagram story at least.

Image: Wikimedia Commons

‘Where Are We Going?’

Marvin Gaye Not only is this soulful classic from the Lord of Soul, but it is also what we ask our ill-fated selves every time we travel.

24

culture music Money-makers or fun for fans?

Em Richardson discusses the value of live albums and concert films in the music and streaming world

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rom Beyoncé’s Homecoming to MTV Unplugged, it seems that the trend for artists releasing live albums and concert films is unlikely to die down any time soon. Some argue that such media offers a unique, immersive experience for music fans, allowing them to experience a ‘live’ performance, without the inconvenience and expense of having to attend in person.

However, others claim that live albums and concert films are little more than a cynical excuse to make even more money out of music fans, on top of the high prices already charged for concert tickets and merchandise.

It’s easy to see why such allegations are aimed at concert films. At the end of the day, they are little more than scenes of concert footage, mixed with occasional backstage interviews. Ultimately, viewers gain little that they couldn’t have gained from watching YouTube videos of their favourite acts performing, or seeing them interviewed on TV. Plus, if someone is so dedicated a fan of an act that they want to sit through a two-hour long film on them, it seems likely that they may have shelled out to see them in concert anyway, meaning the film doesn’t actually offer them a new experience.

Then there’s the issue of financial gain- concert films are relatively inexpensive to produce, since producers simply film an event that is occurring anyway, yet tickets to see them and DVDs are sold at high prices.

Beyoncé was recently praised for her decision to release her Homecoming film on Netflix, meaning it is available for free for all Netflix subscribers. Yet, let’s not forget that Netflix will still profit from this venture, since some of Beyoncé’s army of fans are likely to have signed up for new subscriptions to the streaming service just so they can watch the film.

Live albums, however, are a different experience altogether. They don’t pretend to let audiences experience a concert from the ‘point of view’ of an artist, or pretend to be a substitute for attending an actual concert- they simply offer an alternative way of listening to some of your favourite tracks. Anyone who’s listened to a live album will know that they contain little quirks and ‘imperfections’ that make them different to any other recording, from Bruce Springsteen laughing mid-song to Elvis chatting to his audience.

Live albums don’t pretend to be a substitute for a concert, and are aware that they are simply a slightly ‘different’ way of enjoying our favourite tracks. For this reason, they will always be a better experience than an underwhelming concert film.

the courier

c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Charlotte Boulton, Rory Ellis, Max Hobbs Online Editor Dominic Lee

Easy Life

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resh off the back of releasing their latest offering- a six song mixtape titled Spaceships, Easy Life performed to a jubilant Riverside crowd on Sunday evening.

Their late arrival on stage, a result of some technical difficulties, something that started to plague Hit the North as a whole as the day wore on, did little to hamper the excitement amongst the crowd for the five piece’s biggest Newcastle show yet. As the evening set in and the acts got bigger, it was Easy Life who stole the spotlight amongst the headliners of the day.

Professing that they were late on as a result

Monday 13 May 2019

instalment of FIFA, was greeted with perhaps the biggest reception of the evening before ‘Nightmares’ closed out the set on a major high.

The multi-talented instrumentalists produced a performance reflective of their outstanding studio offerings thus far, utilising everything from drums to the saxophone. It always becomes easier for the crowd to enjoy themselves when the band onstage look like they’re having just as much fun playing. It was this that made their too short a set such a memorable occasion, they had fun on stage together whilst interacting with the crowd br i l liant ly,

Murray making one fans day by grabbing his phone mid video and singing directly into his camera.

They return to play their own headline show at Riverside in the autumn and their deserved growing popularity will likely see an even more euphoric crowd (and probably a sold-out one at that) greet them on their return. For the half an hour they played, life did seem that bit easier.

Photos: Callum O’Callaghan

Callum O’Callaghan

Fever Days

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it The North featured bands from all corners of the world this year but there’s nothing better than seeing local talent Fever Days hit the stage at A performance the New Bridge Street Hotel. Formed in Newcastle, the group, drew a Photo: Charlotte Boulton decent crowd for the small function room - one could argue that the band deserved a reflective of their bigger arena for next year’s festival. However, location aside, there was a sense of anticipation for the four piece who have been building a steady fanoutstanding studio base in the North East. offerings Overall the band was very energetic and had a wavy, indie pop sound. For a band who sings about social media fakery it was very ironic to see the aesthetics of their ‘brand’ take precof wanting to edence over their performance. However, the band was make sure every aspect of their perforspirited in their approach, playing one song immedimance could be played live for the ately after the other which created a blended, partywaiting crowd, front man Murray like vibe. Compared to other bands who played Matravers endears himself and Hit The North, Fever Days seemed to put the the band to the crowd further. most effort in creating an entertaining set.

Striking a perfect balance They played their most popular and recent between communicating hits such as ‘I See Through It’ and ‘What’s with the crowd and getting Your Problem’. ‘What’s Your Problem’, the through as many tracks as song that everyone in the room seemed possible, it’s the humblemost familiar with, was upbeat in tone ness of Murray that really and showed the bands ‘indie’ credentials. shines through between However, the backing vocals at the end songs. The band seem were rather high-pitched and disconcertgenuinely surprised and ing, removing the promising vibe created delighted at the extent to earlier on in the track. While Fever Days which the crowd already are fun to see live it does seem like the sing back their songs, both band relies a lot on artificial, computerised new track ‘Afters’ and ‘Wet sounds in order to produce a hit. Despite Weekend’ being met with this, their song ‘Drugs’ was a welcomed edigreat enthusiasm. tion to the set, as it seemed more authentic in Penultimate track ‘Pockets’, composition. It could be argued that the prea fan favourite, partially a retentiousness of their aesthetics gets in the way sult of its selection on the latest The Northern music scene is booming and bringof the highly talented band.

Blaenavon

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ing talent from near and far: we review some of this years best acts.

he main reason I wanted to go to Hit The North Festival this year was for Blaenavon.

And, as usual, they did not disappoint. Heads up, they’re my favourite band so there’s no such thing as an objective review for me. Think indie rock with huge choruses and intricate lyrics, and you’ve got a good picture already. Blaenavon are back and ready to take things up a level.

After a delayed start due to soundchecking (which was a common feature across everyone I saw that day), the band started with ‘Catatonic Skinbag’. They played this at last year’s festival too as a brand new song, and it felt like the experience had come full circle as everyone now knew the words and it gathered as much excitement as some of their big singles from That’s Your Lot. I’d snagged myself a front row spot, in pretty much the same place as last year, so the de ja vu was real. Basically, I love this song and it was a perfect opener. The boys slipped into ‘Destiny’s Mild’, throwing it back to their Miss World EP; at times it felt like I was the only one really going for it but a glance back saw the middle of the crowd getting into it too. By the time ‘My Bark is Your Bite’ got to the chorus, there was an impressive pit forming out of the keen fans, and the atmosphere was building. ‘Lonely Side’ is quite possibly my favourite Blaenavon song, so I really can’t comment much on it as I was dancing and singing along too hard to even think about review notes. [NOTE: My literal only note after the show was ‘They were good AS ALWAYS’.]

Ben Gregory (vocals) introduced a new song called ‘Fucking Up My Friends’, which I am already in love with.

Hugeshoutouttotheguyinthemiddleofthefrontrowwho somehow knew ALL the words already. The song sounded huge, characteristically Blaenavon but with a hint of

Photo: Twitter @hitthenorthfest

what’s to come with their upcoming album. Ben joked about the album coming “sometime” as they’d recently rescheduled the release and its accompanying tour; for me, if they’re working on songs as good as this one, they can take all the time they need. After the new one, they brought it right back to ‘Wunderkind’ from their 2013 Koso EP, dedicating it to a fan – even with this older track, there were still plenty of dedicated fans singing along. Since I’d last seen them at Hit The North and their headline tour supporting That’s Your Lot, there hadn’t been much opportunity to hear these older songs live, the ones that had made me a fan before their debut. It was a great addition to the set and reminded me that I need to go back and listen to all the EPs Right Now. Photo: Charlotte Boulton

Sian Dickie

As expected, ‘I Will Be The World’ went OFF and the crowd became a sea of dancing, jumping and screaming along. This song always feels like the very core of what Blaenavon is: complex lyrics sang softly before exploding into a chorus of noise, sound and energy. ‘Orthodox Man’ and ‘Prague ‘99’ followed this feeling, creating a set climax that got everyone moving. Again, I was in my own world dancing and having the time of my life, and it felt like the rest of the crowd felt the same way. ‘Prague ‘99’ always ends Blaenavon’s shows on a high, and this time was just the same. Ben, Harris (drums), Frank (bass) and newest member Scott (guitar) all appeared to be having the best time onstage, which was especially good to see as it’s been a hot minute since they performed. The band had taken some time off for personal reasons, and Ben thanked the crowd for being there to see them after what felt like two lifetimes since they performed. I was so happy to see them back on stage having a blast; it’s where they belong. After their set finished, I spoke to Ben who promised that the next album would be even better. I believe it, and I’m sure I’ll be back on that barrier next time they’re in Newcastle.

Charlotte Boulton

the courier

25

Monday 13 May 2019

@CourierMusic thecourieronline.co.uk/music

music culture

Roll up, Roll up! Get your reviews here!

With enough new album releases over Easter to satisfy all our eardrums, a ‘Review Special’ was in order. Read on for the review round-up from our writers

Mac DeMarco Here Comes the Cowboy

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n his brand new album Here Comes the Cowboy Mac DeMarco displays a new attitude towards his own music where he can’t seem to justify his fun indie boy persona anymore. It seems on this record, he is making the music for himself, not for his fans, resulting in a record that lacks the traditional charm of Mac DeMarco but still contains some roses among the thorns.

The albums opener and title track ‘Here Comes the Cowboy’ gives us just a taster of how country music has inspired this album, with DeMarco repeating the songs title over an old western style guitar riff.

Not many songs sample the whistle of a train nearly as well as track number six ‘Choo Choo’. Despite the only lyrics being the repetition of the line ‘Choo Choo, come and ride with me’ it is the funnest track on the album. A fantastic guitar riff plays that can be only be described as DeMarco jamming in the studio adding and adding to the riff as the track goes on.

On ‘Hey Cowgirl’ DeMarco tries to incorporate almost stereotypical aspects of country life with the line “Will you stay on the farm?” displaying this fully. Whether or not this is a case of him mocking country life or a serious question is never quite clear.

The records final track ‘Baby Bye Bye’ is perhaps its best. It starts off as a sweet acoustic track where DeMarco bids goodbye to his ‘Baby’ and seems to finally let her go.

It then slowly transitions into a funk track with DeMarco screaming ‘Yeehaw’ and maniacally laughing in perhaps the coolest ways possible.

Here Comes the Cowboy has a lot of heart behind it and is clearly a passion project for DeMarco that sadly lacks the aspects that made his other albums so fun. Joe Smith

Cage the Elephant Social Cues

Father of the Bride Vampire Weekend

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e have all been waiting, sometimes impatiently, six long years for Father of the Bride. The double singles fed us through the early months of 2019 but now, on May the 3rd, as summertime takes hold, the eighteen tracked masterpiece is released. And I feel so better for it.

I listen to it as I walk to my 9 am class. The sky clouded but promising and I don’t realise that the bird chatter in ‘Hold You Now’ is on the track and think that nature is just joining in on the celebrations of the new release.

our years after their last album ‘Tell Me I’m Pretty’, Kentucky rockers Cage the Elephant are back with their fifth studio album Social Cues.

CTE have always been hard to nail down, having previously experimented with blues and garage rock. Social Cues follows this eclectic formula with an array of synth pop and post-punk sounds that have a refreshing 80s’ inspired groove.

These often upbeat and danceable instrumentals juxtapose what is lyrically quite a dark album. Lead single ‘Ready to Let Go’ epitomises this sombre theme as singer Matt Schultz mourns his recent divorce. The line “sun goes down over Pompeii, on holy ground our vows were broken” refers to the moment Schultz and his wife agreed to separate.

‘Night Running’ is perhaps the most surprising cut on the album, featuring 90’s alternative rock icon Beck. The song has a reggae beat that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Police album. Nonetheless, ‘Night Running’ seamlessly blends this Rastafarian sound with Beck’s heavier vocals, showing a real finesse from Grammy award winning producer John Hill. Hill’s other works include working closely with Eminem and Rihanna.

Social Cues is a fascinating and reflective album which flows seamlessly from one track to the next, each song representing a story or emotion in a tale of a broken marriage. CTE have delivered a contemporary masterpiece on love and loss in the modern age. The personal touch of Matt Schultz has reinvigorated the band through his heartfelt lyricism which has arguably produced the band’s best album to date.

Dominic Lee

WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? Billie Eilish

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illie Eilish is arguably the most talked about teen at the moment. After the success of her first single ‘Ocean Eyes’ in 2016, Eilish released her first EP in 2017 Don’t Smile at Me. The release of her first album WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? has absolutely flourished.

In fact, she has become the youngest ever female solo act to top UK charts at the age of 17 years, three months and eighteen days. A remarkable achievement considering what the vast majority of 17 years olds get up to.

I first came across Eilish when my younger sister played her CD to me and in all honesty, I wasn’t entirely convinced. Her whispery singing voice sounded like a weird ASMR video, leaving me feeling quite uncomfortable. Admittedly, after listening to the album once, I wasn’t sure why this girl was so popular.

However, after persevering a bit further, I’ll hold my hands up and admit that she isn’t half bad.

Eilish is ca-

pable of catching a range of emotions and styles in one album. Whilst the majority of the album is slower, songs such as ‘bad guy’ capture her more upbeat and playful style. In addition to this, arguably Eilish sticks with her trademark slow and whispery voice throughout the album. However, whilst doing this she experiments with different voice effects, as evident on the track ‘xanny’.

On a fun trivial note, there are familiar voices on the track ‘my strange addiction’. Eilish got permission from the cast of the US Office to use pieces of dialogue from the episode ‘Threat Level Midnight’, where the protagonist Michael Scott stars in his selfmade film as a secret agent. A self-professed Office fan, this just illustrates the playful side to Eilish whilst also creating more emotional tracks.

Although upon first listen Eilish may not be to everyone’s taste, further listening to the album is a must to discover the range of the 17 year old’s talents.

This is definitely an album worth having a look at.

Rebecca Johnson

Photo:YouTube

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Bride a distinctive piece, more than just an indie record.

Fr ag -

ments and snapshots of this time, of America, of culture.

‘This Life’ and ‘How Long’ are lyrically powerful bops. Vampire Weekend have always had intellectual prowess, albeit sometimes pretentiously, but these songs give them a new level of poeticism.

They are thoughtful, reflective, matched in effectiveness in the perfection of sounds that the album contains.

Musically, the album is a buffet, from the gentle guitar riffs in ‘Flower Moon’, to the old school piano rattles of ‘My Mistake’ and the dance beat of ‘Sympathy’.

Father of the Bride is an instant work of art that overshadows the previous Vampire Weekend albums.

It is stylish, iconic, with every song single worthy. All killer, no filler. All eighteen tracks.

Lou Siday

the number of years since the release of Modern Vampires of the City, their last album

The duets with Koenig and Danielle Haim are unexpected and perfect, reminiscent of June and Johnny Cash. Her country harmonies add a new level to the indie pop tunes.

And so does the beautifully crafted guitar riffs from Steve Lacy.

These contributors make Father of the

Photo: chriszak at Flickr

BTS Map of the Soul: Persona

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TS have soared to ever greater heights for this mini album Map of the Soul: Persona, reaching number 1 on the UK album charts in the first week after release. ‘Intro: Persona’ is a great beginning, a bouncy old-school rap solo by RM that’s filled with confidently delivered introspective lyrics over raw guitar riffs. ‘Boy With Luv’ is a funk-pop song, full of light vocals and fun rapping that make it a perfect title track, with a catchy chorus and extra ad libs throughout to sing along to.

the lyrics are sincere and often include double meanings

‘Mikrokosmos’ is an airy nostalgic track, with uplifting chorus chants and lyrics that combine to create a feeling of connection and togetherness. It has an almost cosmic essence to it. ‘Make It Right’, co-produced by Ed Sheeran, is a synthy song with a strong beat and a fun evolving call and response between the vocalists and the horn-like synth.

‘HOME’ is a hip-hop R&B track that’s dedicated to their fans, aka ARMY. The trap beat and groovy baseline couple extremely well with the rap and vocals. ‘Jamais Vu’ is soulful, both in its reverberating piano and its heartfelt rap/vocals by J-hope, Jin and Jungkook. The song progression is surprising yet effective, and their distraught attempts to find their ‘remedy’ are palpable. ‘Dionysus’ is an extremely interesting track, very unexpected and a great rock rap song, extremely intense and punchy.

Overall the vocals and rapping adapt well to the different genres showcased in this album, highlighting the groups flexibility. The lyrics are sincere, and often include double meanings and imagery that invoke a lot of thought- check out lyric translations to fully experience this album and others by BTS, otherwise you lose much of the substance that BTS is famed for.

Jay Chilton

Catfish and the Bottlemen The Balance

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s the saying goes, ‘If it ain’t broke ,don’t fix it’ and Catfish and the Bottlemen have definitely kept that in mind with their new release , The Balance. In their own words’ nothing’s really changed’ and you can expect the same good old-fashioned alternative rock Catfish and the Bottlemen are known for. Fans were unsure what the band was going to do with their third release with some thinking a drastically different sound was on the horizon but Catfish and the Bottlemen have firmly stuck to what they know this time, attracting criticism from some reviewers. It could be said that the band played it safe but regardless, The Balance delivers some great tracks.

The album opens with a trio of what are perhaps the best three songs on the album. Beginning with ‘Longshot’ a song that builds well towards its catchy chorus that is sure to go down well at the band’s upcoming arena tour.

‘Fluctuate’ is an upbeat,rocky number that oozes with guitar solos and leads into what could easily be the stand out track of the album. ‘2all’ is a melodic and memorable track with the snappy refrain “I give my love to all, all the ones that stuck around” which gives the track a kind of pleasing sweetness to it.

The middle section provides some good upbeat tracks including ‘Encore’ but they are not quite as sharp as the album’s opening songs and sadly do get a little repetitive.

Into the final stretch and the remaining songs ‘Mission’, ‘Coincide’ and ‘Overlap’ maintain The Balance’s well, balance and ‘Overlap’ provides a reasonable finnish to the album. The band were right in their assessment that nothing much has changed and their sound does feel somewhat unevolved since The Ride but it seems undeniable that some great songs have been delivered with this album.

Emma Dawson

/The CourierMusic @Courier_Music

26

culture TV

c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors: Jacob Clarke, Tom Cooney, Chloe Mullins Online Editor: Dominic Lee

TV Time Travel

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Image: monkeywing (Flickr)

ne show that I have recently been watching is Gossip Girl and I have to admit, I love it just as much now as I did when it was first released.

When I decided to re-watch it, I have to admit that I was expecting its charm to have worn off. I thought that the show was probably going to be a product of its time and that in retrospect it would either have problematic moments or appeal to a young-teen mindset. However, so far I have to admit that the themes it deals with are dealt with an incredibly mature manner (despite the not-so mature actions of the gang) with issues of consent and revenge dealt with appropriately. Although I am not very far in and so my opinion of this may change as the show continues, I have to confess that I just cannot help finding myself just as engrossed in the exploits of the Upper East Side as I was the first time around.

Although you can never re-experience the mystery surrounding the identity of Gossip Girl as it is hard to forget once you have the information (that’s one secret I’ll never tell), it is quite satisfying looking for the clues scattered throughout the series that pointed to this particular person all along but were overlooked or ignored. The most obvious of these clues being in the Season Two Finale ‘The Goodbye Gossip Girl’.

You cannot help but be swept up by the glamour and the lifestyle, a world with Gossip Girl certainly has its perks but you must constantly question whether the fortune is worth the cost? We witness scandal after scandal as well as disapproving fathers and overbearing mothers. You cannot help but sympathise with the show’s characters as you can see that their lives are not all brunch at The Palace followed by shopping at Bergdorf’s, but at times you still want to scream at them to wake up and witness their privilege.

Image: YouTube Take for example Chuck Bass. He has not had it easy when it comes to family so you can kind of understand his trouble committing to Blair in favour of a life of debauchery but it also is so frustrating to watch because you want him to be better.

Let’s be honest, we all have the one character we can relate to even if it is not in whole. We all know a Blair who will do whatever it takes to rise to the top. How about that one friend who, like Serena cannot help but get herself into trouble? The one who somehow knows everything that is going on despite appearing as an outsider like Dan? Do we even need to describe Chuck? It may sound odd that I am saying that a show in which the majority of characters are rich beyond belief is relatable but it definitely is. Afterall, they are people to even though Gossip Girl doesn’t seem to treat them like it.

Although the show’s concept is no doubt terrifying because of its notion that nothing we do is really private, especially as we live in a world that is more technologically advanced than ever, it does demonstrate the real damage that gossip and media can do. Who knew ‘XOXO, Gossip Girl’ could cause so much damage? But it allows us to recognise that we too are flawed as we sit there eagerly waiting the next blast she sends, no matter the damage that we see it constantly creating.

In a world filled with paparazzi, fake news and Gossip Girl wannabees, the show gives us the push needed to recognise that the celebrities we treat in the same manner as the characters in the show are human and deserve to be treated as such. It demonstrates to the fullest extent the invasive quality of media when you are constantly being watched and tips can come from anywhere, even in some cases from within your own home.

Now more than ever, a lot can be learned from this show if we strip away the fictitious elements of the characters and the scandals they endure and apply the consequences to the modern, real world.

Chloe Mullins

the courier

Monday 13th May 2019

Charlize Theron calls out interviewer Em Richardson reports on TV host's misconduct and how the actress exposed this behaviour

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harlize Theron recently made an appearance on controversial French television show Touche Pas A Mon Poste (It’s Only TV), in which she criticised Cyril Hanouna, the show’s host, for kissing her interpreter without consent.

In video footage of the incident, Hanouna walks up to Theron’s interpreter, and appears to kiss her on the cheek, without asking for the woman’s permission first. The woman looks surprised by the interaction, prompting Theron to advise the host to ‘ask next time’.

The footage has caused much debate over how TV interviews ought to be conducted, with many online commentators praising Theron’s decision to call out the ‘inappropriate’ behaviour.

Many who have viewed the footage have expressed discomfort at the fact the male presenter regarded this as an appropriate way to interact with female guests. It is clear that Hanouna didn’t expect a negative reaction from Theron and interactions between the two remained awkward for the remainder of the interview. The fact that Hanouna saw no fault with his actions has been deemed worrying, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

As well as focussing on the prevention of sexual assault, and bringing perpetrators to justice, the #MeToo movement has led to much debate over whether males and females in the entertainment industry are always treated equally.

In this case, it Image: YouTube seems unlikely that

Hanouna would have behaved in the same manner toward a male guest. It’s also significant that he chose to greet Theron’s interpreter, rather than Theron herself, in such a manner. There is a sense that Hanouna thought no one would object to his treatment of this woman, since she was not a celebrity guest.

The only statement that can be made in Hanouna’s defence is that kissing someone on the cheek is

sometimes regarded as a greeting in France but, even so, it’s important to remember that this is a practise usually performed between close friends.

Many have expressed discomfort that the male presenter regarded this as an appropriate way to interact with female guests

So, with attention currently focussed on the way women are treated in the media, what can chat show hosts do to prevent criticism?

The solution is simple: treat female guests in the same way they would treat males; shake their hand, greet them politely, and only ask appropriate questions.

Don’t greet them with an unwarranted hug or kiss.

Don’t repeatedly touch their knee during the interview. Don’t ask them whether they’ve been on a ‘girl’s night out’ with teammates, rather than about their sporting achievements. Don’t make suggestive comments about their appearance.

Don’t ask them invasive questions about their underwear. These incidents may sound far-fetched, but a quick internet search for ‘sexist chat show incidents’ reveals that they have all happened within the past five years.

In a post #MeToo world, it seems astonishing that many television hosts seem unable to perform their role: to ask guests questions, politely, without infringing on their personal space.

Fleabag: Britain's best TV?

Joe Holloran looks back on two seasons of one of TV's comedic highlights from the past decade

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hoebe Waller-Bridge is, for my money, the greatest TV writer currently working in Britain today.

The thirty-three year-old Londoner is perhaps best known internationally for her part as the creator and lead writer on the acclaimed BBC America drama/comedy/thriller series Killing Eve. However, what I would like to talk about is another little show created by Waller-Bridge called Fleabag. Over the course of twelve episodes, Fleabag re-wrote the rule book on how to successfully create a comedy with real emotional moments. With the show now finished, it is time to look back on one of the television highlights of the decade so far.

Set in contemporary London, Fleabag follows the life of a thirty-something middle-class cafe owner referred to only as 'Fleabag'. Following the tragic death of her best (and possibly only) friend prior to the show’s beginning, the series follows the titular character as she attempts to find a purpose to life again by filling the empty-void left by grief with sex, self-deprecation and joyful nihilism.

Alongside Waller-Bridge the show is spoilt with brilliant performances from actors such as Oscar-winner Olivia Coleman, US stand up Brett Gelman and the wonderful Sian Clifford.

The first season mostly deals with the immediate aftermath of a tragic event like the loss of a best friend and Fleabag's struggle to connect with anyone on a level other than physical. The show is known for its frequent breaking of the 'fourth wall'. By talking directly to us, the audience is able to both emphathise more with Fleabag as a person, while simultaneously becoming frustrated with some of her decisions, creating an emotional attachment rare in television comedy. Another key aspect to the show is the dynamic between Fleabag and her family, namely her loving but distant father and her sister Claire, a women seemingly always on the edge of a nervous breakdown.

The second season, broadcast this year, saw the show take an unexpected turn, when Fleabag meets the priest due to perform her father and step-mothers wedding.

Portrayed magnificently by Sherlock star Andrew Scott, the unnamed priest proves to be Fleabag’s kryptonite.

He is unaffected by her sardonic, cynical nature and sees

through the facade into her very soul. Season two is effectively a two-person character piece about love, faith and responsibility.

One reason the show is so loved is that the characters feel authentic as do the situations they are in. Attempts at emotional sincerity in comedy shows often come across as awkward and forced.

In Fleabag however these moments are what give the comedy its power.

The show proves that with the right motivations and a level of understanding situation can be improved by laughing. In the show these range from your sister getting a bad haircut to the aftermath of having a miscarriage.

How these issues are portrayed and the sincerity of the performances/ conversations are other reasons why the show is so well respected.

Fleabag may be over but we have not seen the last of WallerBridge. Not only is the brilliant Killing Eve back for a second season but it was announced in April that she was asked to co-write the script for the twenty-fifth instalment in the Bond series. As a proven writer of both action-packed dramas and comedies, no one is better suited to reinvent 007 for the twenty-first century than Waller-Bridge.

Image: YouTube

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Monday 13th May 2019

@CourierTV thecourieronline.co.uk/TV

TV culture

Was the Battle of Winterfell a Winterfail?

Lucy Lillystone and Jacob Clarke debate the successes and failings of the longest ever battle scene in film and television history

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Against the Battle

fter waiting seven seasons for the epic battle between our favourite characters and the deadly Night King, Game of Thrones finally pulled through with the Battle of Winterfell, a fight fans have been hyping up for months.

Don’t get me wrong, it had brilliant visuals; Lyanna Mormont and her outstanding strength and power against a giant can only be described as badass and of course, the redemption of Theon Greyjoy which I can’t deny was his perfect ending. But despite all of these elements that made me not HATE the Battle of Winterfell, it had a whole load of problems, leaving me disappointed.

First of all, I couldn’t see anything. Whoever decided that having the biggest battle of all time in Winterfell, a place that is only ever lit by one or two candles, was dumb.

I never thought I would hear myself say I was thankful for Melisandre’s entrance, but up until then, I had no clue what I was watching. My favourite character could have died, and I wouldn’t have known.

Secondly, placing the battle in episode three was a huge mistake. Usually I am complaining about the slow pace of Game of Thrones but by placing this battle, the battle that basically determined the fate of the characters in episode three leaves me worried. What have they possibly got to show us now? If the episode had been placed in the finale, perhaps I would have felt differently as we know this is all that’s left.

As for the characters performance in this battle, I have nothing but complaints. Bran Stark; I am sure by now everyone has seen the memes on the

internet, but what did he even contribute to this battle?

Half way through he decided "fuck it, I’m going to go for a little journey" and then returned for the end. Useless.

Then there was Jon Snow. This battle removed all his potential. We’ve seen how brilliant a fighter he is. We’ve seen his power and authority in the Battle of the Bastards and yet, all he was doing was riding around on a dragon and running away from another.

Don’t even get me started on Daenerys. From the beginning of season eight I have lost all love for the dragon queen and this episode made me hate her even more.

Without her dragons, she truly is as useless as Bran in this episode and it showed. I am a huge fan of Emilia Clarke but her acting was terrible. Watching her attempt to stab the undead was cringe and this battle only confirmed she will not be sitting on the throne in the finale.

Finally, the Night King’s death. This is the death we have all been waiting for as the Night King is supposedly this all evil, unbeatable threat. And yet, he died by a single knife wound? Don’t get me wrong, Arya’s move was epic but I just expected more.

Overall though, the main tenant that let this battle down was its lack of personalisation. I felt detached. The writers missed an opportunity in having Jon Snow fight Ghost or one of his close friends as the undead. We didn’t even get enough time to watch the characters thrive in what they do best, as before we knew it the next scene was on. As a battle that had been hyped, it simply did not live up to its expectations and I wanted more.

Lucy Lillystone

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For the Battle

recognise that Game of Thrones season eight episode three, ‘The Battle of Winterfell’, had its issues, especially that damn lighting. However, I believe that the pros far outweigh the cons.

It features heart-breaking character deaths, arcs coming to an end in brilliant ways, has huge consequences for the rest of the season and provides on-edge tension throughout.

The character deaths in this episode were incredibly emotional, especially those of Theon Greyjoy and Jorah Mormont. Theon’s redemption ark has finally come to an end and he definitely deserves his place as an honorary Stark. He successfully transitions from a conniving and snivelling bastard to an emotional and traumatised wreck, then finally to a hero who laid down his life to protect his own brother, a brother he once would have killed to take Winterfell from the Starks. Theon Greyjoy has been one of the most intriguing and well-developed characters in the show and it feels right that he will be remembered as a hero that died defending the North from the dead.

Jorah Mormont was also a long-lasting bastion of morality and respect within the show, often balancing out and grounding Daenerys’ madder moments. He also gave his life to protect his love, the dragon queen, from certain death. It’s an ending for him we all were expecting, dying in the

service of his queen, but due to his fierce loyalty his death makes sense and is equally satisfying and devastating despite being predictable.

The intense lack of any light in this episode needs to be addressed. I do believe that the darkness very much added to that ominous feeling of the literal death coming for Winterfell and really added to the visuals of the dragon fire and Melisandre’s light. However, while I will admit it was difficult to see, I do think it very much added to that cold and unsettling atmosphere.

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The length of the Battle of Winterfell in minutes, beating The Lord of the Rings' Battle of Helm's Deep for the top spot.

To me no character acted unlike themselves or out of character and it made perfect sense that it would be Arya Stark that finally ended the Night King. A trained killer, for years this is the moment her training has built up for and has delivered us a great and unexpected Game of Thrones twist.

The thing I don’t think people understand about this episode is that it is game changing and really does affect the state of Westeros. The white walkers destroyed Daenerys’ army, the Dothraki, and the North. Most of the North is destroyed and its people dead. If not for this battle Daenerys and Jon would have had no problem taking the iron throne from Cersei.

Ultimately I really enjoyed ‘The Battle of Winterfell’, it isn’t without it issues but the tension and suspense of the dead, the character moments and the epic fight scenes (Lyanna Mormont taking on that giant was an incredible moment) all culminate in an episode that has dire effects for what’s to come.

Jacob Clarke

Image: YouTube

Arya's controversial sex scene: a fuss over nothing?

Sophie Hicks explains why the backlash surrounding Maisie Williams' sex scene ignores the character's futher empowerment

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any Game of Thrones fans have found Arya Stark’s sex scene to be quite controversial, either thinking it was awkward to watch or laughed at it online.

Personally, I don’t see any reason for the controversy that it’s had, especially considering the entire show as a whole and how it isn’t afraid of sex scenes. I guess it’s because Arya is one of the

Image: YouTube

younger main characters of the show and we have seen her grow from a child to an adult, which may make the scene appear more shocking or awkward to watch because of her age. However, I think it was a good decision, because Arya has always seemed closed-off from her feelings and I felt it was nice for her character development.

I literally don’t understand why there’s such a huge fuss

Normally girls are seen as submissive or forced into sex, but Arya made this decision herself over the scene when in the show there have been many, many incest scenes, yet when a young woman consents to sex to someone she is attracted to before she could die, the fans are conflicted. Maybe it’s the fact that she was so upfront about her desires? But then I still don’t see an issue; Arya is a strong character and has never been one to be secretive in her intentions or waver over decisions. She was direct, as she has been throughout the entire series.

Or maybe it’s the timing of the scene rather than the scene itself. Perhaps it isn’t that Arya wants to have sex, but the

fact that it’s seen as her ‘in the face of death’ dying wish, wanting to know what it’s like in case she does die during the Battle of Winterfell and could appear random or humorous. However, I think Arya’s thought process is completely rational.

In a show that has many references to sex and relationships which become a focal point of the narrative, I can imagine that Arya feels isolated from these conversations or is curious, as many girls are within our own society. Is it so weird that in the face of death she wants to have sex with Gendry, a character that she is attracted to?

And not only that, but literally speaking Arya is on top and has the power. She is a young woman in control of her decisions and her sexuality, something that isn’t represented enough within the media. Normally girls are seen as submissive or forced into sex,

people off guard. If so, then the decision to have this scene is even better in my opinion as more representation is needed, and it also embodies Arya’s selfcertainty and power as a character. I think it was a good scene to include, not only for young females watching, but for Arya Stark’s development.

She is empowered by her sexuality rather than ashamed of it but Arya made this decision herself and feels empowered by her sexuality rather than being ashamed of it. Is this what makes people feel uncomfortable? Since young female sexuality is such a taboo subject, perhaps the power that Arya has and certainty in her decision can throw

Image: YouTube

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culture film Indie Spotlight

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Image: YouTube

hristopher Nolan is often recognised as one of the most exciting British filmmakers of the last twenty years. His Dark Khight trilogy redefined the superhero genre, whilst his bigbudget thrillers Inception and Dunkirk showed that blockbusters can be intelligent and still make a killing at the box office.

Along the way the director has proven that he has a knack for embedding tiny details in his narratives. His 2006 drama The Prestige, which tells of two feuding magicians (Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale), is one example of Nolan’s non-linear storytelling. Contrary to audiences preconceptions of what they ‘think’ they saw, the film’s ending proves that Nolan is always one step ahead. Rewind a further six years and you find the film that transitioned the UCL-educated filmmaker from the country’s capital to Hollywood.

c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors: Jimmy Athey, Joe Holloran and Jack Gill Online Editor: Lucy Lillystone

Introducing The Five-Star Superhero!

Elisabetta Pulcini asks whether critics have come around to comic-book film adaptations T he popularity of comic book movies has attract- style, it is much closer to what critics feel comfortable with ed a lot of attention from elitists in the industry, labelling ‘prestige’. who accuse these movies of being shallow, silly We have seen this type of trend in recent years, with and shameless cash grabs. Even the critan increasing need for super hero movies to distinguish ics that did praise these movies, felt themselves, and redefine the genre. From an empowerthe need to emphasize the fact that ing social commentary like Black Panther, to they are good despite being about an irreverent comedy like Deadsuper heroes. After all, it is no sepool, these movies succeed cret that Hollywood rarely awards by embracing the super the ‘prestige’ label to movies that hero are not dramas.

Good super hero movies have never been outright rejected by critics: for example, Superman (1978) was widely regarded story, as one of the best movies of the year. However, the genre has been condescendingly viewed as something that needs to be transcended. while masterThis is evident in how fully combining it the films that were with already existing tropes to being recognized: create a new invigorated type of Heath Ledger won experience. As the attitude of an Oscar for his filmmakers breaking boundaperformance as the ries and creating new Joker in The Dark innovative styles has Knight not only grown, critics have because it was begun to respond an enchanting to that. Loperformance, but gan, Wonder also because, due Woman and to its grounded Iron Man Image: PNGimg.com

Tolkein (15)

Audiences are similarly perplexed by the breadcrumbs that Nolan leaves for us

Memento follows ‘Leonard’ (Guy Pearce) a man with short-term memory loss set on finding his wife’s killer.

Assisted along the way by his companion, Teddy (Joe Pantoliano) and inked to the neck in tattoos, Leonard must navigate through the sun-drenched LA landscape to find the man behind the murder. Interesting parallels form between Leonard’s body art, which functions like notes to remind him of the developments in the case, and the stripped back California landscape; both offer a hollow aesthetic that masks the darker secrets of the narrative. Nolan refuses to elaborate on these codes, often contrasting Leonard’s monochromatic flashback sequences with the natural light of the present day, to reflect the confusion of the film’s protagonist.

Audiences are similarly perplexed by the breadcrumbs that Nolan leaves for us along the way until in true Hitchcockian fashion, he delivers the fatal twist. This dramatic conclusion propels the earlier action to the forefront and, as such, calls for audiences to revaluate their sympathies. Today, Memento exists as more than just a ‘whodunit’ crime drama, nor even a gruesome revenge thriller.

Its storytelling and originality instead earned it strong critical acclaim and snagged the film two Oscar nominations for best editing and original screenplay. For the next time sudoku or crosswords just don’t cut it, look to Memento for your new favourite puzzle.

Jack Gill

Image: YouTube

Monday 13 May 2019

Extremely Wicked, Incredibly Evil & Vile (15)

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Lucy Lillystone

Avengers: Endgame (12)

Image: YouTube

Image: YouTube

Image: YouTube

elheim! Films regarding author’s lives or musicians’ lives are always a difficult task, even more so for someone with a legacy like J.R.R. Tolkien. Going into this film I had high expectations as a massive fan of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. I was pleasantly surprised.

After the death of his mother, Tolkien and his brother are left in the new city of Birmingham where Tolkien meets friends he will hold close to him forever through the society they call the T.C.B.S, Tea Club and Barrovian Society. This is a story about family, changing the world through art, loyalty and the unmistakably difficult choice between love and education.

Though the film was basically Dead Poets Society 2.0, this film had its own little quirks. Viewers see Tolkien’s time at war and how it inspired the creation of Mordor and his relationship with his future wife Edith Bratt played by the outstanding Lily Collins and her influence on the elvish folk we all love. The visuals were a whole other story. The contrast between the beauty of the trees, the bright, open nature of Oxford with the dark, ominous and nothing but brutal horrors of war was done perfectly.

As for the cast, Nicholas Holt was the perfect actor for this role, portraying the author with depth and passion.

And the chemistry between him and Lily Collins brought their romance alive. One scene where they are sat in the fancy restaurant talking about the power of words, Edith coaxing Tolkien to tell her a story, was entertaining and definitely brought out the inner English nerd within.

Yet, this film also has its faults. For one, if you’re not a fan of Tolkien’s trilogy, I would highly recommend avoiding seeing this film as you will easily get bored. This film could have been shorter and I have to say I was disappointed with the ending but if you’re looking for a movie that brings to life in a poetic and charming light the life of Tolkien and how exactly The Lord of the Rings came to be, it ticks all the boxes.

are all examples of movies that have been embraced by critics.

As a genre, comic book movies were still being looked down on. With people in the industry talking about ‘Avengers fatigue’ and saturation, it is undeniable that we have seen an almost overwhelming surge of superhero stories being adapted to the screen. However, with the recent release of Avengers: Endgame, a lot of critics have started to recognize the intrinsic value of super hero movies, without having to justify their liking the movie by explaining that the film ‘transcends’ the genre. For example, successful universe building is unique to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The idea of different stories being juggled within the same universe is resembling of comic books, and had never been successfully translated to the screen before. With a run of 22 movies, some better than the others, president of the Marvel Studios Kevin Feige has changed how super hero movies are perceived by critics. They are not only good movies because they rely on other more ‘serious’ genres, but they are a contribution to cinema in their own right.

Not for once does Endgame pander to their audience, or fall within easy tropes: it does right by the characters and complete arcs that have matured over the course of years of movie making. In a way, the appeal of these characters might be compared to Greek mythology: larger than life characters embodying very humane flaws and afflictions in other worldly settings. With incredible performances, thrilling directing, and visionary planning, the MCU has single handedly changed the landscape of blockbuster cinema, in a way that will make it much harder for anyone to utter the phrase “It is good..for a super hero movie”.

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xtremely wicked, incredibly evil and vile; the words used by the judge to describe serial murderer Ted Bundy during his 1989 trial. It does attempt to refresh this notorious true story by putting the focus not on Bundy’s heinous crimes but on the effect his dark charm had on others particularly his long-suffering girlfriend Elizabeth Kendall (Lily Collins). The script was developed first hand from Kendall’s book accounting her and Bundy’s relationship, leaving for an authentic feel to the story.

The film doesn’t however quite hit the perspective mark as by showing Kendall’s journey you lose a lot of the main attraction which is Bundy’s story and motivations.

Throughout the film I felt frustrated by the clunky and incomplete feel to the scenes, the chronological jumps added to this making it impossible for the audience to piece together a complete timeline.

What it lacked in the story department was made up for in performances, specifically Zac Efron’s performance as Bundy. It was as if someone had ripped up my High School Musical posters, spat on them, burnt them and from the ashes rose this unsettlingly portrayal of one of the most feared serial killers of all time. Efron had come under some fire for this controversial role, however he held the responsibility well, by not only brilliantly executing Bundy’s mannerisms but manipulating his boyish charms to create not an imitation but an accomplished performance. Lily Collins beside him was also strong however unfortunately restricted by the story she was telling. She spent most the film sobbing at Bundy’s televised trial while Efron got to flex his muscles parading dramatically in front of the judge and jury. If you know little about Bundy’s story this is not the place to start, however is an entertaining look at the man from fresh eyes.

Eve Ducker

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ven as a Marvel fan, I wasn’t convinced to go see Avengers: Endgame in the theatre. Despite that, the hype around Marvel has never been greater than it is now. Deservedly, as this movie is not only the second chapter of the apocalypse so do speak, but truly the end of an era. The fans didn’t know much before the premiere, therefore the bar was pretty high.

However, the one clip from the film they let us see was quite disappointing for me and quickly cooled down my enthusiasm. I can confirm now, that it contained the worse line of the film. Unfortunately, there is more dialogue that completely missed the mark. With the amount of fanservice, the Russo brothers managed to cram into this nearly 3-hour movie, it was inevitable that some of the interactions came out cheesy, rather than funny or touching. Thankfully, most of them came out satisfying, rather than awkward.

The strength of Endgame lies in those successful interactions. even if the plot itself isn’t surprising. Truly shocking is how the original Avengers team evolved in comparison to their first appearance together 7 years ago.

Some of them change beyond recognition and some say goodbye forever. Overall, most of the characters got a deserving send off and the future of the Marvel universe is teased ever so slightly. There were some that felt a bit forgotten at the end. However, viewers forget all those mishaps where it comes to the finale, which is absolutely worth the wait.

In fact, the last act of Avengers: Endgame contains some of the best moments in the whole MCU – extremely satisfying scenes that call-back motifs from all the films before. This is the way it should be, considering this was the series finale to the saga started way back in 2008 by Iron Man. There are some gaps in logic, cheesy moments and storylines treated badly, however overall it created the exact feeling you want.

Jagoda Waszkowiak

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Monday 13 May 2019

@Courier_Film thecourieronline.co.uk/film

We Need To Talk About Language

William Nsieyanji evaluates the world of obscure languages and how we can translate them

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eing a linguistics student, I was extremely fascinated by the fact that there is a film out there in a language only spoken by 20 people and could not resist further investigating it.

SGaawaay K’uuna, translated as Edge of the Knife is a drama about a man (Adiits'ii) who causes the death of his best friend’s son and it drives him to insanity, the film is set in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada and in that region there are 20 people who fluently speak the indigenous language Haida.

What that statistic demonstrates is that Haida is endangered and could easily become non-existent within the next few decades unless drastic measures are taken, and what is more drastic than a tale of a man losing his own mind? Essentially one of the big impacts of this film is that it will contribute to the preservation of the language, but I reckon it will only prolong its extinction. Mainly because being a language with only 20 native speakers and no other languages etymologically related to it, Haida will need a miracle just short of re-colonizing their territory from the Canadians to maintain its relevance.

Nonetheless, it is still refreshing to see films actively trying to respect the language and culture of its settings which is something that can easily be taken for granted as

there are not many (UK/ US) films which do this. It is appreciated when a film puts in the effort to have the actors speak the language which makes sense in the context. For instance, in Inglorious Bastards – a movie set in Europe during WWII, there are scenes where the characters are speaking French and German as well as English and that is less convenient than having the film fully in English due to actors having to learn lines in languages they may not be familiar with. Additionally, some spectators prefer for the language to be in the one language they speak and not have to read subtitles.

However, Tarantino still opts for incorporating all the languages in the film and I would argue this stylistic choice makes the film better; because the confrontation of languages adheres to the tone of war and opposition he may have wanted to evoke. Also linguistically speaking, it makes sense that German Nazis speak German and not English with a German accent and that a French dairy farmer speaks French.

To loop back to my earlier point of respect, I profoundly believe filmmakers are showing their respects to natives of the land they choose to shoot on by using the native language as they are acknowledging the presence and significance of the natives by going that extra length.

(2016)

Image: YouTube

Joe Holloran talks the potential sequel to Stanley Kubrick's 1971 cult-classic: A Clockwork Orange

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A new chapter is about to be written in the history of cinema..

The 200-page document continues the story of delinquent psychopathic teenager killer Alex and his life in a dystopian Britain of the near future. The question now is what is to become of the script? Will it be adapted into a novel, a TV series or, mostly promisingly, a feature film, and if the latter is to become reality, who should be brought in to bring the script to life?

To understand why any future media adaptions of the text are so important, we must first understand the context in which the film adaptation of A Clockwork Orange was created and the impact this had on cinema. By 1971 the Cold War was still an existential threat to all life on Earth, on the streets of Britain un-employment and violent crime were at their highest levels in decades and the spread of poststructuralism throughout Europe saw people questioning that which they had previously held sacred; religion, the state and most importantly, the promises of modernity. Into this atmosphere in 1971 Britain’s most successful and respected film maker since Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick released A Clockwork Orange.

The film featured a young Malcolm Mc-

Dowell (Caligula, Franklin & Bash, Slipknot’s Snuff) as 15-year-old Alex DeLarge, the leader of a nihilistic gang of thugs and rapists called the ‘Droogs’ who spend their days committing acts of ‘ultra-violence’ against citizens of near-future Britain. The themes of juvenile psychology, gang culture and hopelessness resonated with audiences at the time. Unfortunately (but sadly predictably) the films message was ignored by established voices in government and the press who blamed the film for acts of reallife violence on Britain’s streets. In this atmosphere and wary of his reputation, Kubrick pulled the film from cinemas and stipulated that it must not be re-released until after his death. Thus, the legacy of one of cinemas most controversial films was sealed. Because of these themes and the threat to his reputation by comparisons to real-life crimes in the conservative press, Kubrick pulled the film

International Film Image: Wikicommons

A Clockwork Continuum n 1962 English author Anthony Burgess (19171993) published his ninth and most controversial novel. Nine years later, Britain’s greatest living director risked everything to bring that story to the big screen. The book was A Clockwork Orange and the director was the incomparable Stanley Kubrick (1928-1999). Now, forty-eight years later a new chapter is about to be written in the history of cinemas most debated masterpieces.

In early April this year the estate of the late author began an examination of his archives located at his former home in the small village of Bracciano, near the Italian capital. There they unearthed something that until that moment no living person knew existed; a manuscript for the planned sequel to A Clockwork Orange entitled A Clockwork Condition.

film culture

from cinemas. Now however, these themes are more commonly featured in media and if anything, have only become more relevant as time has passed. Now feels like the right time for Alex to make a comeback.

With an adaptation almost certain to be coming soon the big question is – who is to be trusted to bring the film to the big screen? Several names have already been thrown around by fans; David Lynch, Martin Scorsese and Darren Aronofsky among many others. For me though there are two who I would love to see get the job. My first choice would be Alfonso Cuaron of Children of Men & Gravity renown. His dystopian credentials are secured, and few are as visually assured as a director than the Spaniard.

If not him then my second choice would be Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood).

While there is nothing in his back catalogue that shares themes with A Clockwork Orange Andersons ability to create complex, emotionally driven characters is second to none. Whoever is chosen has the unenviable task of following in Kubrick’s footsteps. We can only hope they approach the project with the knowledge of the enormity of the task ahead and the confidence to make something that is worthy of the legacy of both Burgess and Kubrick.

Image: YouTube

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hat do you do when your loved ones are taken from you in an instant? When protagonist Katja´s (Diane Kruger) husband Nuri (Numan Acar) and son Rocco (Rafael Santana) are killed in a bombing by neo-nazis, the audience follows her through the aftermath.

This was the German language debut for Kruger, whose impressive performance won her the Best Actress award at Cannes in 2017. The film zooms in on the aftershock, especially on the psychological effects it has on Katja.

The film is divided into three parts, in which the first one focuses on the character´s grief, portrayed with gripping intensity – cigarettes and rain her constant companions.

The second and third part shift their focus towards her seeking justice and vengeance.

The film wants to be too many things and gets lost

However, the film ends up wanting to be too many things and gets lost in its exploration of different styles from courtroom drama to vengeance thriller. This division can also be found in rapid changes of the soundscape or the camera work. The clean cinematography is intercut with shaky camera footage in a different format that reminds Katja of happier times. This certainly juxtaposes her different emotional states, but also makes it harder to achieve one big picture and a sense of union. Surely, the cinematography is high quality and cinephiles will appreciate dolly zooms or semi slow-motion shots. One aesthetic highlight is certainly the scene that links the first and second part and marks the character´s change from almost drowning in her sorrow into resurfacing with fierce determination.

With Aus dem Nichts, director Fatih Akin made a politically relevant film that reminds on the ´NSU` murders in Germany. Kruger convinces in her performance and takes the audience on an emotional journey, however, still the film does not live up to the expectations built up throughout. The film is available on Netflix and can be watched in German with English subtitles.

Julia Hoepfner

Image: YouTube

/NewcastleCourierFilm @Courier_Film

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culture arts

c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Arts Editors Scarlett Rowland, Julia McGee-Russell, Rosie McCrum Online Editor Sophia Kypriotis

the courier

Monday 13 May 2019

Painting by numbers Arts Editor Scarlett Rowland discusses the use of new digital technologies and data collection in recent works by Jörn Röder

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or years art museums and exhibitions were filled with oil, canvas and marble sculpture. The art presented to us in gallery spaces was repetitive, based on what we know see as archaic ideals of art.

Fortunately over the last century there has been an enormous overhaul in the work displayed. Not only is there a huge increase in the diversification in the medium of art, there has also been a mass diversification of the artists displayed. As part of this, alongside technological revolution, digital art has come to the forefront of many modern art galleries.

We should be excited about these new means for creating and consider how this might change the definition of what we consider to be art

But what if this art was made with your data? Now I’m not talking about infographics or jazzy looking data sets.

I’m talking about using data as a medium, much like a pot of paint, to create art. Alongside other digital artists, Jörn

Röder is doing just that. In his work ‘homeSweetHome’, Röder gave voice to smartphones which voiced theWiFi spots it had connected to.

Interestingly this piece was described as a performance, purposefully humanising the technology. The intent of this piece was to make the view consider new ideas around being grounded and tethered to place - perhaps a nod to the notion of home is where the WiFi is.

In a piece from 2011 called ‘Sounds of Yahoo’, Röder, in a similar way to ‘homeSweetHome’, also utilises audio to display his art. Allowing for participation, galleries attended were invited to search terms into the search engine Yahoo and the first 10 results (including their descriptions and other meta data) were broadcasted creating a loop.

But what I really think this collection of work highlights is that alongside the development of technology, new ways of creating art are also being developed. We should be excited about these new means for creating and consider how this might change the definition of what we consider to be art.

While all this may be true, one big question lingers. In the era of GDPR, is my data protected within artwork?

Could artworks become a new way of illegally sharing personal data? Could we begin to actively share our own data through art? These questions are of course all speculative, but are important for us to consider in the changing landscape of data law within the context of galleries.

Artists’ self-published success Image: Flickr/bookcatalog

Arts editor Rosie McCrum interviews two Newcastle-based artists about their experiences self-publishing their own artwork

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JENNIFER BANFIELD osie: What is it like being an artist in Newcastle?

Jennifer: I think it’s really fun, there’s lots of opportunities. In first year they show you all the different art groups in Newcastle so you’re not distant from them.

R: What is your experience of being a selfpublishing artist?

J: I think I do want to do Image: Rosie McCrum more. It’s difficult being motivated because there’s so much going on. I like the Baltic fair because it gives you motivation to do it. There’s a deadline and that motivates me.

R: What is an average day in the life like?

J: I think it’s normally in the print making room but it changes quite a lot depending on whether I’m doing photo editing, or sometimes I’m working on a plate for a week or two. Other days I’m just printing lots. It’s such a process. My stuff takes me like two weeks. I really love it.

R: What drew you to printmaking and why did you decide to self-publish?

J: I think I liked the physicality of the process. I mainly do copper etchings and there’s lots of different techniques of learning how the chemistry works with the acid and working out why you do certain processes to get it work out the way you want it to.

R: Where do you find insipiration?

J: I struggle with this quite a lot. I find lots of artists inspiring but often they don’t inspire my practice. Photography is my main thing. I take lots of photographs and reflect on them. I make cyanotypes as well. It’s nice with print because even though you have a plan, it has lots of lovely imperfections from the process. It’s always fun having an idea and then watching the actual technique of printmaking develop it further.

R: Why have you included bookmaking in your recent work?

J: I think I’ve always liked bookmaking but in first year there was an etching workshop where we created an

etching inspired by the Hancock Gallery and then we created a book. It was so fun and from then on I loved books. It’s been kind of separate from the rest of my practice.

R: How do people respond to you work?

J: Good and bad. I think they like it but they don’t like the content of my work quite often. I think I just have a darker sense of humour. I’ve been playing with the narrative of it more.

R: Do you want the work you create to be funny?

J: I want them to be ambiguous. I want them to be open to whatever people want to bring when they look at it.

I want people to enjoy it how they want to. Or hate it.

That’s fine too.

R: Do you have any tips for staying motivated and inspired?

J: Just keep making, because I think the worst thing when you’re feeling down about your work or what you’re making is to stop because then you’re justifying it, saying I am crap and this isn’t good. You might end up making something good.

CARYS TRAVIS R: Take me through your process, how do you get inspiration, what’s your art making process like?

Carys: I’m very scattered. I suppose for this year I started with a piece of writImage: Rosie McCrum ing and have been making things from it. There’s three different strands to my work: looking, eating and talking. The text is very much about eating and talking and then I’ve noticed from the work I’ve made that those are the themes. The ‘COLLECTED IMAGES’ books at the fair are about looking. I made them in several different colours.

R: Why did you decide to self-publish?

C: I had all of the books and wanted to get rid of them and sell them. It was a good opportunity to sell and talk to people about them.

R: What is it like being an artist in Newcastle?

C: It’s a good community, a there are a lot of opportunities that there wouldn’t be in other cities. I’m going to continue staying up here I think.

R: What’s it like as a self-publishing artist?

C: I like making books, it’s a big part of my practice, I have loads of them that are more like sketchbooks - these are quite finished. They appear like zines but they’re finished, complete. My other books are very handmade, the first ones I’ve printed. I want to make them all again with the pictures I find on a different day.

R: How did you come up with this concept?

C: I used to print things out four to a page in the library. I noticed there were themes to the pictures I was printing out, so they kind of came from that. They have a Tumblr vibe that is dying on the internet, especially with the rise of Instagram. I wanted to reflect all the images you see every day and used the tracing paper to recreate the cumulative effect they have. I made it weird through categorising them into colours - its’ a distraction but the idea is supposed to be there.

R: What is an average day in the life?

C: The days I like the most are when I come here and make loads of clay things. It feels productive and you see it build up. I have a lot of organising days and days in woodwork where you have to make things to help other projects.

do that, you can make them as quickly as you want, or as long as you want. I’m very happy with these I feel like they are very finished for my usual standards. The market encourages people to look through them, whereas in a gallery people feel more worried about touching them.

Books and writing are hard to effectively include in a gallery space sometimes. A market encourages interaction.

R: With your googly eye installation, you mentioned you were interested in ‘the materiality of craft objects and how craft – read as both arts and crafts and “women’s art” – had been excluded from the mainstream / MALEstream of fine art’. Is this something you have found to be true in the self-publishing artist space?

What makes you think this, and how have you dealt with that?

C: The art industry, like many industries was set up by men for men. When it came to publishing my own work, the reason why I didn’t write my name on them (I just hinted at my initials, CT, in the title instead) was to make me anonymous like women would have had to be in history. With the ceramics things that’s very crafty and often put down as women’s work, which is why I’ve started doing it since second year. A lot of my work started with gender and I am still concerned with that but at the moment it’s not massively about that. Even here, it’s over 80% female students but it’s the other way round for teaching.

Women dominate art schools as students and men dominate the art world in general, as well as art teaching.

R: How would you say your style has changed?

C: It got a bit more mature and I started taking it more seriously. The clay things are quite imperfect on purpose.

I’m experimenting with that and drawing that out in other aspects of my work. It’s quite minimal sometimes and I put a lot of importance on colours. I’ve got a lot of text pieces and poems to include in exhibitions.

R: Do you associate colour with things?

C: Blue is very much about being sad. And yellow is about happiness. I made something about how I hate the colour purple, I associate it with being shy. Red is powerful and passionate. I think I’m putting a lot of meaning into it that other people won’t get, but I’m happy with that.

R: Do you have any advice for future self-publishers?

Tips for staying motivated and inspired?

C: I made one hundred and I’d say don’t do that, it takes a lot of time. I considered it a lot and you don’t have to

Image: Work by Jennifer Banfield, @jen_print instagram

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Monday 13 May 2019

Your next favourite podcast

Music editor Charlotte Boulton suggests all the new podcasts you need to beat listening blues My Dad Wrote A Porno

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es, you’ve probably heard of this one.

Yes, it is absolutely deserving of all the hype.

For anyone who hasn’t heard of one of the most popular podcasts around, with over 150 MILLION downloads, I’ll break it down. In 2014, Jamie Image: @mydadwrotea instagram Morton, TV writer and producer, discovered that his dad had written an erotic literature book and shared some pages with his friends Alice Levine (Radio 1 DJ) and James Cooper (producer and writer). They knew it was too good to not share with the world, and thus Belinda Blinked found an unlikely home within the weekly podcast episodes where Jamie reads the chapters with commentary from Alice and James too. It just makes for comedy gold, and my favourite thing is to walk to and from campus listening because it makes me laugh out loud at some of the appallingly, hysterically vile sentences Morton’s father – known only as the mysterious pen-name Rocky Flinstone – creates in his world of Steels Pots and Pans, an industry unexpectedly filled to the brim with sexual encounters of all kinds. It’s my favourite podcast at the moment and I highly recommend for anyone looking for an easy-listening, funny podcast that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Just make sure your headphones stay firmly plugged in if you’re listening in public.

S-Town

Another popular one, because I am a sucker for a wellreviewed podcast. S-Town follows investigative journalist Brian Reed in his weird and wonderful encounters with John B. McLemore, a man from Woodstock, Alabama.

John contacted This AmeriImage: @stownpodcast instagram can Life, an American radio program, asking them to investigate an alleged murder and potential coverup in his hometown. Brian went along to investigate and the story takes many twists and turns from there. You’ll have to listen to get the full story, and it is worth it as the seven chapters weave together John’s theories, Brian’s interviews with townspeople and unexpected discoveries expertly. If you like true crime – and to be honest, even if you don’t – give this a go and see if it ends up where you first expect.

The Guilty Feminist

I’m a feminist, but if I didn’t mention The Guilty Feminist I’d question why I’m even writing this list in the first place. This podcast was the first to really get me into podcasts a couple of years ago; if you know me, you know that feminist comedy and panel discusImage: @theguiltyfeminist instagram sions are right up my alley.

Hosted by comedian Deborah Frances-White, the podcast features a huge variety of co-hosts and guests, ranging from fellow comedians like Felicity Ward and Jessica Fostekew, to Chewing Gum’s Susan Wakoma and Everyday Sexism author Laura Bates.

Deborah is warm, funny and fierce and always aims to bring diverse, often marginalised voices of women and non-binary people to each themed podcast. With everything from Suffragette musical performances to stand-up about mental health or important talks about Repeal the 8th, The Guilty Feminist is a great way to learn more about feminism through a fun, accessible format. And with new episodes released weekly, you’ll never be short of content to fill the time in between smashing the patriarchy.

Song Exploder

Don’t have the time to listen to an hour-long podcast episode? Feel like time spent listening to a podcast simply equals less time listening to music? Song Exploder is the answer! These 2030 minute-long episodes feature one song, with the artist/songwriter talking Image: @songexploder instagram through the creative process of the song’s creation. Sometimes sneak peak demo clips are included, and even if you’re someone who isn’t particularly interested in the ins and outs of music production, it’s pretty cool to learn more about what goes into the creation of a song. After discussion of inspiration, methods and instruments used, Song Exploder ends by playing the song in question; you’ll hear it with a whole new perspective, I promise. With huge artists like Janelle Monae, R.E.M and Lorde getting involved, you’d better get those headphones untangled right now.

Image: Pexels.com

Arts online editor Sophia Kypriotis reviews the feminist art of instagram star Florence Given

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GY” is written in Given’s signature groovy, 60’s style script alongside a freckle faced, red lipped woman. The other reminds me “WOMEN ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE F*****G WORLD”, next to a bare-chested woman in rose glasses with enviously long eyelashes holding a martini.

Given’s Instagram (@florencegiven) is filled with reaffirming messages of confidence and inspiration for

ELEANOR OLIPHANT IS COMPLETELY FINE

G

ail Honeyman’s first novel, Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine focuses on social pariah, Eleanor Oliphant. Honeyman leads the reader through the twisted life of Oliphant, delving deeper and deeper into her troubled past with each page.

The character of Eleanor Oliphant goes about her mundane day-to-day life, exposing Oliphant as a troubled character whose personal journey has led her to never quite ‘fit in’ among her peers. To an extent, the characteristics of Oliphant can be relatable to almost everyone; as everyone has experienced some sort of social anxiety or an uncomfortable situation.

While there are some themes within the novel which could categorise Oliphant as a stereotypical damsel in distress, I believe that the presentation of her life as mundane, and perhaps insignificant, comments on loneliness and the demise in mental health in the twenty-first century.

With each passing day, more and more technological advances are made, making a character such as Eleanor Oliphant become almost obsolete in modern literature.

This is used by Honeyman to remark on the impact that communication and social media can make on us, whatever the impact. The book unusually presents loneliness manifesting within a younger person, reminding the reader it isn’t just the elderly that are often isolated; it is very easy to be lonely.

For the reader, I think it offers a reminder to reach out and not judge people on first impressions. I think the title is very cleverly structured, as the words ‘completely fine’ highlight the utterly ordinary life that Eleanor is living, no positives and no negatives. With regards to mental health, the words ‘completely fine’ are almost seen to be hiding a bigger problem, and this is very relevant in Eleanor Oliphant’s story.

Instagram spotlight: Florence Given

or my 20th birthday I was gifted two prints from my friend by the artist Florence Given, an artist I hadn’t encountered before. I am so glad she came into my life.

The women Given illustrates are sassy and powerful. She commented in an interview with Mothership: “I never like to depict women looking vulnerable with bulging doll-eyes, I like to make them look like they’re in control. I am fed up with seeing women represented as passive/submissive objects in the media and in art.” These women stuck up on my bedroom wall remind me that I too am in control and powerful. One print I received is a memorising swirl of pink and red, reminding me of the strawberry and cream sweets my Grandma always had a tin of. “PROTECT YOUR ENER-

Book Review

‘Completely fine’ highlights the utterly ordinary life that Eleanor is living

A Very Fatal Murder

One rule for this, listen to it after S-Town, it’s funnier that way. A Very Fatal Murder satirises the true crime genre that is so popular in media today, drawing on the ridiculous tropes and characteristics of similar podcasts in ways you hadn’t Image: @iheardthat_podcast instagram even noticed before. Produced by the satirical news site, The Onion, it is just genuinely funny despite the dark content matter. The podcast follows fictional news reporter David Pascall who heads to a small town in Nebraska to investigate the murder of prom queen Hayley Price (you should be seeing some similarities with the narrative of STown here). Pascall is trying to find the ‘perfect murder’ to make the most successful podcast about and ends up trying to figure out this case of the stereotypical ‘hot dead girl’ in small town America. If you have a dark sense of humour, or recognise the weirdness of the true crime genre, you have to listen to these seven short episodes.

arts culture

women alongside her spellbinding illustrations, reminding you to love yourself first. Her Instagram stories of her dancing are also something everyone should be watching daily. Florence Given’s Instagram account is one of the few I come away from feeling better about myself rather than worse, and excited for all I can achieve. She is an artist you should support because not only will it be an act of selflove by bringing her magical work into your life, but you will be supporting a woman who supports women.

Eleanor Oliphant was crowned Book of the Year at the British Book Awards 2018.

Throughout the novel, Oliphant is seen to be ‘communicating’ with her mother. A further twist towards the end of the novel exposes the depth of her mental illness and creates an uneasy atmosphere for the remainder of the novel. Without giving too much away, the ending of the play seems to be a reflection of Eleanor's personal growth and leaves the reader with a glimmer of hope about the future for her.

Alice Petrie

Image: @plentyofshelflove

@TheCourierArts Images: @florencegiven instagram

@thecourierarts

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culture gaming

the courier

Gaming Editors George Boatfield, Shawn Khoo, Kelly South & James Troughton Online Editor Alex Darbyshire

Monday 13 May 2019

Review: Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice Alex Darbyshire delves into his adoration for From Software’s latest souls-like spiritual successor to the Tenchu games

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rom Software have done it again - it has been a couple of years since the final DLC released for Dark Souls III, the last fully fledged game released by From, and their efforts have most definitely paid off.

War has ravaged Japan for years. The player character, Wolf, is a shinobi which is a master of stealth, disguise and swordsmanship. Unfortunately, Wolf is stuck in prison until, in true From Software fashion, you are freed and given a small goal to work towards: free Lord Kuro, the woman who Wolf is sworn to protect.

This first gameplay segment introduces what’s new in Sekiro: the focus on stealth. Stealth allows for instant-kill attacks, which adds a whole other layer to the progression of the game as, for the first time in a souls-like game, you don’t have to fight at all. I really like this inclusion as it requires a different set of skills to the usual combat as it’s even possible to sneak up on bosses to get a headstart.

Before long, Lord Kuro hands you a sword and you begin your adventure.

The combat in this game initially reminded me of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai movies. Wolf’s abilities are initially quite limited. The game has a ‘posture’ meter, which is the new alternative to stamina. Performing blows raises both your own and your opponent’s posture meter, but so does timing parries perfectly. The goal in combat is to fill your opponents’ posture meter all the way and perform a stylish ‘deathblow’. While this is viscerally satisfying, it only really works well in one-on-one duels, so the difficulty feels cheapened in group fights. Thankfully, these aren’t too frequent and there’s often other ways around them.

Not far into the game, Wolf gains a prosthetic

Image: IGDB.com

arm, whose creator claims it can use all sorts of tools for shinobi. This is where combat becomes more complex and this is honestly my favourite part of the game. New

The combat in this game reminded me of Akira Kurosawa’s samurai movies

types of enemies come thick and fast and trying your same-old techniques will get you killed so you must learn new ways to deal with enemies such as by using your newfound prosthetic tools and special types of parries.

The countless tools you find have plenty of uses and experimenting is both key and the most enjoyable part of the game.

If you do die, the divine intervention of Lord Kuro allows Wolf to resurrect himself which gives you another chance to rise to the challenge of the gameplay. To compensate for this respawn feature, the bosses of seem to be powered up but, like with any form of necromancy, there comes a price. Death spreads ‘dragonrot’ which is a plague that affects your helpful NPCs, eventually killing them. I love

7.8

The average user score based on 948 ratings given on Metacritic

this tradeoff between success and failure, adding further tension to some already very tough fights.

All this gameplay combined with a winning aesthetic style and incredible sound design that is tense and mystical helps to showcase the love and passion that went into the atmosphere of this game.

I could go on, but writing any more about how I feel would spoil how truly enjoyable this title is; just know that it has the most satisfying combat of this gaming generation and that it definitely deserves your time and money.

Nostalgic adventures in Supraland

Jack Coles reviews Supraland, the metroidvania-style action adventure where players masquerade as bright red stick figures

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upraland is an action-adventure game for the PS1 and PS2 kids – i.e. me, other postgrads, and those of you whose parents used to comb charity shops.

It’s a Metroidvania-style action-adventure where you play as a gummy red person in a literal sandbox, trying to figure out how to bring water back to the village and maybe stop those blue people from being jerks to you.

Supraland deliberately tries to pull at your nostalgia for older games; I personally thought of the Harry Potter games and Jak and Daxter, but I’ve seen other people mention games like Zelda and The Talos Principle, so it could be just playing off a general feeling rather than any specific game. As well as Metroidvania level design, cues have been taken from Doom for the combat and Skyrim for the freedom. In most cases this would leave a game feeling unfocused, like a telescope full of water. Here, it doesn’t; the game is remarkably tightly-designed.

You might be thinking “are you sure it’s playing off nostalgia, and isn’t actually designed for children?” No. There are a lot of references to Minecraft, the Masters of the Universe cartoons, Donald Trump, Fallout, testicles, and actually playing outside; this is something very much for our age group.

Let’s go back to the gameplay, which is my most important criterion for a game. Is it fun? Yes. Yes it is. The puzzles are well-designed and interesting, the platforming is challenging without it getting stupid, and the abilities you gain are useful in both combat and exploration instead of feeling totally lopsided for one or the other. Combat starts simple and uninteresting, but evolves over time to be a lot more exciting (if you can forgive occasional interruptions to puzzle-solving).

The level design is particularly interesting; we’ve all tried to jump over a wall in an action-adventure game, but rather than glitching out or throwing up invisible walls, Supraland rewards you for it. “Oh, you managed to

clamber outside the puzzle section?” it seems to say. “The chest down there contains a weapon upgrade. Go nuts.”

I have bugbears; small ones, but they’re there.

Sometimes you’re called upon to use an item in a way that has never been properly explained. I also prefer my Metroidvania games to unlock all the movement abilities by halfway so I can explore everything properly (Rise of the Tomb Raider did this really well). In Supraland, however, I’ve managed to beat the main story and I know for a fact that I’m missing abilities because I still can’t melt steel beams (need more jet fuel). Sometimes the music stops playing, leaving an uneasy atmosphere that is completely at odds with the rest of the game.

Supraland also styles itself as a comedy game, but it’s very hit-and-miss. Although the jokes work in different languages

(which is impressive in itself), many of them don’t provoke much more of a reaction than a dry “h-hm”.

It’s not bad, and it’s nowhere near the level of “first-time stand-up delivers fifty abortion jokes”. It appears to try to make a serious point on politics and religion but with very little nuance to it.

So basically, Supraland is a really good puzzle game and a modern take on old mechanics. It is actually good, despite my

negative demeanour. After all, Steam doesn’t give “overwhelmingly positive” to just anyone. And there is a free demo, so you could always just give that a stab.

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Monday 13 May 2019

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@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming

gaming culture

What I’m playing: Night in the Woods Gerry Hart tells us why the highly acclaimed Night in the Woods has more significance than your average adventure game...

One of the rarest pleasures this medium has to offer is encountering a game that really sticks with you. A game you ruminate on, even weeks after finishing it, to the point that anything else seems almost trivial. There have been a few like that for me.

Undertale, Telltale’s The Walking Dead and Red Dead Redemption 2 all stuck in my mind long after I laid them to rest and now Night in the Woods can be added to that list too.

Released in February 2017, Night in the Woods quickly cemented itself as one of the more highly acclaimed games that year, a remarkable accomplishment given the calibre of games that came out in 2017. Much of the praise stems from the game’s plot, which on the surface seems remarkably mundane. You play as Mae, a 20 year old college dropout returning home to her hometown of Possum Springs, with most of the game consisting of wandering around the town, hanging out with childhood friends and generally wiling the day away.

That might sound tedious at a glance but there’s more to the game than simply killing time. Night in the Woods centres itself on a very tactile form of exploration, wherein

Mae will wander around the town and can interact with anything and anyone of interest. This can result in a number of understated yet surprisingly charming story arcs that unfold with the game, like stargazing with your old teacher, or starting a vermin infestation that spreads across the town. The cherry on top is Mae herself.

Whilst some might find her irritating, Mae has a real

Cutting the competition

James Troughton reports on Epic Games’ latest move to take less profit cuts from their games and why it’s a decisive move...

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s of late, Epic, the developers behind the goliath Battle Royale Fortnite, have been using their platform in an attempt to compete with Steam, the leading PC gaming store. In an attempt to win over consumers, they have been taking a smaller cut of the profits in exchange for exclusivity.

This move to win over players may be working but, nonetheless, it has been a divisive move that has caused debates and arguments in forums and on social media.

However, CEO Tim Sweeney claimed that Epic will stop store exclusives if Valve offer a better cut for developers, even going as far as to say that Epic may, as a result, place their own games onto Steam.

Currently, Steam take a 30% cut of the profits that developers make on their platform and, for Epic to stop with exclusivity, Valve would have to reduce this to a 12% cut.

“Such a move would be a glorious moment in the history of PC gaming, and would have a sweeping impact on other platforms for generations to come.

Then stores could go back to just being nice places to buy stuff, rather than the Game Developer IRS,” Sweeney said.

Steam have already reduced the cut they take somewhat as, for developers that earn more than $10 million through Steam now give 25 percent whilst games that make over $50 million give 20 percent. This is still a lot more than Epic’s current 12 percent cut.

Whilst this seems as though it is a good proposition for developers and consumers alike, some have compared Epic’s actions to hostagetaking and blackmailing. However, no matter the circumstances, Valve do, arguably, take too large a cut,

even if it can be argued that the service, they offer is superior in quality. Indie developers struggle to receive enough sales for the smaller cuts and games are getting more expensive to make.

But, for now, Valve have remained silent on Sweeney’s comments. Hopefully they will act and this war between stores can come to an end so that we, the consumer, can go back to enjoying games on the platforms we want to use.

sardonic sense of wit as well as a real knack for observational humour, which is interwoven perfectly with her tragic situation and troubled frame of mind.

But the thing that truly made Night in the Woods stand out was its politics.

Mae’s hometown of Possum Springs is, mirroring many such

communities like it irl, a former mining town with a strong unionised history that, through economic forces beyond its control, is now in steady decline. This undercurrent of economic angst and disempowerment informs many of the game’s plot points and conflicts, including the more supernatural elements towards the game’s conclusion which without spoiling anything are executed masterfully.

There’s this dispiriting tendency when it comes to small, post-industrial communities to characterise them as parochial and backwards, as happened when Labour leadership contender Owen Smith feigned surprise at being able to procure a cappuccino in Pontypridd. That, or they are invoked to political ends that won’t benefit them at all, like in Donald Trump’s chilling “American carnage” inauguration speech. That’s why I find Night in the Woods so refreshing. Night in the Woods tells a story of post-industrial hardship that I, as someone from a decaying town in County Durham, can actually recognise and relate to, and I’m not surprised that so many others from similar backgrounds have also fallen in love with the game.

Valve unveil VR technology ‘Index’

Image: Flickr

James Troughton covers the latest VR news and disappointment at Valve lack of game announcements

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t the end of April, Valve placed their new VR headset onto the steam store for pre-ordering. It is currently priced at £919 which includes the headset, controllers and the two base stations. However, the headset can be bought individually for £459 with the controllers priced at £259 and the base station at £139. These pieces are compatible with the Vive / Vive Pro. Many fans assumed that, to showcase the new hardware, Valve would unveil the long-awaited and regularly leaked ‘Half-Life VR’ but, instead, they unveiled that their new pair of sunglasses will only come with a tech demo in which you can play rock paper scissors in a Portal themed environment.

To use the new headset, you need at least 8GB of ram, a GTX 970 / RX480 or higher, a dual core CPU and 3 USB sockets. To test if your PC can handle the Index, they have an app available on the Steam page.

Whilst the headset is clearly aimed at enthusiasts with little to show off its new hardware, many are hoping that the flagship VR title coming in late 2019 will be worth the wait. Some speculate that it will be the leaked ‘HLVR’ whilst others believe that to be

misplaced optimism by fans setting themselves up for severe and painful disappointment.

At such a high price tag with no software of note to go with the new headset, is the Index truly worth buying into?

Nonetheless, Valve have again divided their audience.

Some claim that not having software to go with the hardware at launch is a terrible move whilst others are excited by the development in VR technology.

Unfortunately, though, the new headset is still restricted by wires which is something that many enthusiasts were hoping Valve would improve upon.

At such a high price tag with no software of note to go with the new headset, is the Index truly worth buying into? It seems like gear for enthusiasts with deep wallets but, hopefully, the VR title coming in late 2019 will be Valve’s saving grace if not the final nail in the coffin.

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Monday 13th May 2019 Science Editors Eleanor Gratton, Cecilia Adamou Online Editor Orestis Katsoulis

@Courier_Science thecourieronline.co.uk/science

science culture

No more happy feet on the Antarctic ice sheet

Louise Hall draws attention to the overnight disappearance of an entire generation of Emperor penguin chicks from Halley Bay

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n a tragedy reminiscent of Attenborough’s Dynasties penguin demise, thousands of emperor penguins have died due to destroyed sea ice in Antarctica.

A team from the British Antarctic Survey have reported that a whole colony’s worth of baby penguins has ‘essentially disappeared overnight’ due to the collapse of the ice shelf upon which they were being raised.

Antarctica’s Halley Bay usually attracts 14,000 – 25,000 breeding pairs, up to nine percent of the world's entire population of Emperor penguins, each year. However, all the chicks residing on this breeding ground from the last three years have been entirely wiped out plunging the population into substantial deficit.

Strong winds have been labelled as the cause of the disaster, hollowing out the sea ice and causing it to be more fragile than usual. It has been said that after the collapse the ice has not properly reformed in recent years.

doomed either way had the shelf not collapsed.

The effects of the ice’s collapse speaks to an ever-growing anxiety about the worlds endangered populations in Antarctica, with the UK parliament declaring a state of climate change emergency on the 1st of May. Dr Phil Trathan, part of the BAS team, said: “"What's interesting for me is not that colonies move or that we can have major breeding failures - we know that. It's that we are talking here about the deep embayment of the Weddell Sea, which is potentially one of the climate change refugia for those cold-adapted species like emperor penguins.

"And so if we see major disturbances in these

refugia - where we haven't previously seen changes in 60 years - that's an important signal."

The size of the failure in this case is “unprecedented” and “published models suggest that emperor penguins numbers are set to fall dramatically, losing 50-70 percent of their numbers before the end of this century as seaice conditions change as a result of climate change.”

Emperor Penguins are one of countless species being affected by climate

change as we ‘enter an era of rapidly accelerating species extinction’.

All chicks from the last three years have been wiped out

Experts have claimed that there is no obvious climate signal to point to as the reason for the collapse, but that this event does demonstrate the catastrophic effects that warming of Antarctic climates as a result of climate change can have on established colonies in the near future.

Unusually the adult penguins have made no attempt to re-establish the population in recent years. The BAS team think that older penguins have either avoided breeding in recent years or moved elsewhere to breed after the loss of their site.

However, even if they had made attempts to do so the entire Brunt Ice Shelf is being split apart by a developing crack, therefore the colony would most likely have been

Image: Christopher Michel (flickr)

A Lisence to Krill? Threat to amphibian world

Emma Dawson alerts us to Chytridiomycosis, the deadly disLily Hollbrook on the recent discovery of a mysterious whale ease terrorising frog populations, and what we can do about it

I

t’s something that you might read about in a sci-fi book. It’s safe to say a mysterious harnessed beluga whale isn’t something you’d expect to see every day.

But for the group of Norwegian fishermen who discovered the animal, this strange dystopian story became a reality.

With a harness reading ‘Equipment of St. Petersburg’, you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was some strange joke. But, to the astonishment of Norwegian fishermen off the coast of Inga, this is exactly what they found fastened around the neck of an overly-curious beluga whale.

There has been much speculation over the purpose of these straps. Some have suggested it may have been used to tether a camera, while others think it could house a weapon. In any case, the harness certainly isn’t there by chance.

Confirmation that the whale was familiar with human company occurred when the animal started to approach the fishermen’s boat. While Russian scientists have denied any association with the whale, suggestions that the Russian Navy may be the culprit could bring us one step closer to solving this marine mammal mystery.

While this may, at first glance, seem like a bizarre futuristic event, it is true that animals have long been used by humans for military purposes. According to 2017 reports, dolphins, whales and seals are routinely trained to assist divers detecting mines, retrieving objects and even guarding naval

Image: Steve Snodgraoo (flickr)

bases.

And not just in Russia. But why use a whale as a spy?

Russian scientists have denied any association with the whale

According to Pierre Béland, a marine biologist at the St Lawrence National Institute of Ecotoxicology in Montreal, Canada, beluga whales have some key traits that set them up perfectly for a life of espionage. With a calm temperament in stressful situations, exceptional intelligence and an ability to learn things quickly, these animals are the ideal 007 candidate. Apart from one thing. It’s a whale.

In the last few years, there’s been a lot of media attention surrounding the exploitation of captive whales for entertainment. SeaWorld may have stopped its breeding programme for captive orcas in 2017, but is taking advantage of these intelligent creatures in their natural environment not a step worse?

Why are we mistreating such intelligent aniamls?

We once ate whales, used their oily blubber as fuel for lamps, invaded their natural environment and now, we’re using them as slaves.

I think we need to turn around and take a long, hard look at ourselves if this is really what the treatment of the world’s animals has come to.

T

he world’s amphibians may be in crisis, according to leading experts who hope to establish an emergency plan to protect these species. Scientists say frogs,toads and salamanders are under threat from a killer fungal disease known as Chytridiomycosis.

Chytridiomycosis has been linked to significant declines and even the extinction of numerous amphibian species across the Americans, Australia and Africa. It is believed that the infectious disease has affected up to 30% of the planet’s amphibian species. Due to the disease over 100 species have been lost, including the eye-catching Costa Rican Golden toad and the quirky southern gastric-brooding frog of Australia, best known for giving birth to it’s young through its mouth.

The disease effects infected creatures in dramatic ways, commonly causing a thickening of the skin, a fatal consequence for these animals who rely on their skin to absorb minerals and nutrients vital to their survival. Chytridiomycosis has wreaked havoc with the world’s amphibian population. In the past 50 years the disease has been a key factor in the decline of over five hundred species.

It is easy to see why this phenomenon has been identified as the ‘greatest recorded loss of biodiversity attributable to a disease’.

The greatest recorded loss of biodiversity attributable to disease’

But it gets worse. Scientists believe there isn’t just one disease causing chaos for amphibians worldwide. Ranavirus, which exists in at least four different varieties, is also killing off our beloved frogs. Scientists suggest that it is the interaction between these various different pathogens which is creating such a huge problem for the world’s scientific community to tackle.

It is vital that experts can come up with a strategy to try and halt the destruction of the disease due to amphibian’s role in keeping ecosystems thriving. For example, frogs eat mosquitos which can help to prevent the spread of

malaria, one of the world’s biggest killers. Tadpoles also chew up algae which keeps levels ponds at bay.

Most of us may not be zoologists but there are some small things we can do help, for example reporting sightings of sick or dead amphibians to sites such as www. gardenwildlifehealth.org. The pubare also advised to not move eggs, tadpoles or frogs from pond pond, as this can reduce the spread

infection.

Pressure is mounting on the worldwide scientific community to find a solution to halt the spread of these deaddevastating pathogens. A conference in London held last month aimed to connect the world’s best conservationists and zoologists to figure out the best strategy to tackle this increasingly destructive problem. Without a timely solution, things will only get worse.

in to lic to of

ly,

Image: Max Pixel

NUSU MID-TERM ELECTIONS 2019 COMMUTING STUDENTS OFFICER NUSU’s brand new Commuting Students Officer role will work alongside the Students’ Union to help improve the experience of students facing commuting issues. These include finance, care, public transport and assessment hand-in requirements as well as the feeling of inclusion within the University.

The candidates running for this role are listed below. Any student can vote in the cross-campus ballot at nusu.co.uk/vote

Sian Dickie

Kieran Peel

My manifesto points are based on the testimonials I collected to create this role and my own experiences as a commuting student: - A Bigger Discount on Public Transport - Working alongside the University and other educational institutions in the area, I would like to get a higher discount for students on public transport.

- Make Newcastle Paper Free - I would like to stop the University from having physical hand-in requirements. This wastes a lot of paper and having physical hand-ins means that those who live further out can sometimes miss the deadline due to unreliable transport. This is also difficult for students with accessibility issues and caring

Metro Kieran here with an important announcement. A PTO position is available to represent Commuting Students, I understand the plight of those who have to endure the Metro System at rush hour.

As Commuting Students Officer, I pledge to: Like that friendly Italian man said, I will make the trains run on time! Will also invade France, budget allowing.

Build a metro station in the Medical School so commuting medical students needn’t mix with non-medical students. Naturally named after Martin Luther King Jr. who (HAVEN’T YOU HEARD) was awarded a degree from Newcastle.

Campaign for fully-electronic submissions.

Discounted Metro tickets for those with

responsibilities.

- A More Inclusive Freshers’ Week I would like to create a network for those who live at home, so they can meet and talk with each other prior to the weeks events. This will avoid those students attending activities alone or not at all, making events safer.

- Better Storage Facilities On Campus - I would like to implement a 24 hour storage facility for those who commute to campus. As it is difficult to get involved with society events when you have to return home and drop off your things.

Vote Sian Dickie #1

John Carroll

No manifesto was provided to the Courier for this candidate.

club stamps, encouraging early morning attendance.

Does anyone read these?

Ensure students won’t be punished for missed deadlines due to commuting for physical hand-ins.

Later metros from Jesmond. Known as The Party Trains, the flooring will be replaced with the Flares’ dancefloor.

Legal aid to help students fight unjust metro fines.Free taxis for walk of shames. When elected, I shan’t be taking my seat at Council as I don’t recognise the legitimacy of SU Directors. I’ll require that Council notes me as delayed, apologising for any inconvenience caused. Without commuting, I believe Newcastle would only be Southerners.

Sam Blackburn

No manifesto was provided to the Courier for this candidate.

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Monday 13 May 2019

Sudoku Sponser People tired of their dissertations Puzzle Matriarch Rihanna Puzzles Emotional Support Rep Alice Wilson Thoughts and Feelings the.courier.puzzluzz@gmail.com

Sudoku (Textured)

Sudoku (Salt)

puzzles

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Wordy question things

3. There are only four countries in the world which, when written in capital letters would not have any holes which could be filled. i.e. ENGLAND, the holes in A and D could be filled in.

1. There are only three words in the English language (not contractions of another) which start Dw-

4. There is only one championship football team whose name applies to the question three thing (No holes to be coloured in when written in capitals)

2. There are only four countries in the world which only have one vowel which is only used once (as in Greece does not count as it is one vowel but the vowel is repeathed) (y is not a vowel, just by the way)

Sudoku (Chonky)

Sudoku (Soft)

Image: YouTube

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Monday 13 May 2019

Leeds lose their Leed against Aston Villa

Dominic Lee and Adam Williams debate whether Leeds should have let Aston Villa walk in a goal after a misunderstanding

After Jonathan Kodijia went down injured Leeds went on to score a goal Image: YouTube

Dominic Lee Some nicknames in sport are undeserved.

However, in a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa, Leeds United definitely lived up to their “Dirty Leeds” nickname.

Villa player Jonathan Kodjia was injured in a tackle and usually in situations such as these the ball is booted out of play. However, Leeds took advantage of Villa’s hesitancy and played the ball forward for Mateusz Klich who put them 1-0 up. Despite arguments that Kodjia’s injury wasn’t serious, the Villa players were understandably furious with Ahamed El Ghazi being given his marching orders for an altercation with Patrick Bamford. As a result, a disgruntled Marcelo Bielsa ordered his players to allow Villa to level the scoring.

In my opinion this was morally the right thing to do, the Villa players had all stopped and were expecting Leeds to play the ball outparticularly the back 4 who stopped marking the Leeds strikers. It was also a meaningless game, Leeds had already lost hope of auto-

matic promotion and probably didn’t need all the controversy as this will most likely make an already bad run of form worse in the playoffs- proved by a 3-2 loss to Ipswich on the last day of the season. This didn’t stop Leeds centre back Pontus Jansson from trying Albert Adomah from trying to score which ignited conflict on the sidelines between Bielsa and John Terry.

1

Red card was shown in this entire game. A controversial card given to Ahamed El Ghazi

Speaking to the media after the game Bielsa said “we gave them the goal back”, which won him a number of admirers for his sportsmanship. Bielsa’s praise is well deserved, as he was under no obligation to allow Villa to score but in the spirit of fair play he decided it was the right thing to do. This was a real show of sportsmanship in a game marred by controversy.

Adam Williams Every so often, a usually fragmented hodgepodge of football fans from across the country stop their quarrelling, put aside their differences, and unite for a spectacularly random display of moral exhibitionism. Like night following day, it’s the natural order of things – the furore which ensued following the events at Elland Road couple of Saturdays ago was therefore both thoroughly predictable and completely unjustified.

One could give any number of reasons for this being the case, the most obvious being that anyone who plays football to even the most basic standard is constantly told “play to the whistle”. Rightfully, no such whistle came following the most minor of comings-together between Liam Cooper and Jonathon Kodjia and consequently Leeds were in no way unwarranted in playing on.

I’ve heard some say the mere fact that the game slowed down was reason enough for

United to put the ball out of play, but this too is nonsense. It was the Villa players that slowed down; Elmohamady had come miles out of his right full back position to demand of Tyler Roberts that he put the ball out of play. Roberts did not oblige, such was his right, and played the ball into the space vacated by Elmohamady, allowing Klich to cut inside and score what was a perfectly fair goal.

But perhaps the most convincing argument

Perhaps the most convincing argument that Leeds were wrong to allow Villa to score is the worrying precedent that it sets

ing world: if a player is on the ground, even if it’s not a head injury, the opposition is duty-bound to put the ball into touch. If this becomes the norm, players will feign injury following any mildly contentious 50/50 in order to break up opposition attacks or scupper their momentum. Ultimately, if a team or player thinks an injury is serious enough to cease play then they should put the ball out, if they don’t then they shouldn’t – but if it becomes gospel that the ball must go out in any potential injury situation then this is clearly problematic.

Had Marcelo Bielsa not already enraged this very same band of virtue-signalling football fans after the ‘Spygate’ scandal, and had Leeds not already missed out on an automatic promotion spot, I very much doubt whether we would have witnessed this same display of grudging sportsmanship. Alas, Bielsa emerges from this a more diplomatic, but slightly less principled manager.

that Leeds were wrong to allow Villa to score from the restart is the worrying precedent it sets. The message it sends to the football-

No lacrosse words: Experiences of Sport at Uni

Women’s seconds lacrosse goalkeeper Catherine Entwhistle talks about how playing sport at uni has helped her confidence The familial camaraderie of a seven-yearlong stint on the school hockey team was over. No sooner had I been picked for the team aged twelve, I was waving goodbye to those golden years and moving up to the next rung on the education ladder.

Come University, with its innumerable anxieties, joining a sports team was the last thing on my mind. In fact, I was actively avoiding even considering joining one let alone going to any trials, due to the fear of not being good enough. I had set myself up to fail before I had even tried. My confidence playing hockey at school and my love for the sport had vanished and I was awash with intimidation at the prospect of cliquey groups and elite teams. I know I’m not alone in thinking this, but this assumption could not have been more inaccurate!

First year went by and I had dabbled in a bit of intra-mural netball, the occasional spin class and the rare light jog whilst running late

I was actively avoiding even considering joining a club let alone going to any trials due to fear of not being good enough

for a lecture. But the niggle of not being on a competitive team was always at the back of my mind, and I found myself watching

friends’ sports matches with great envy. This, however, still did not push me to joining a team and at this point I really thought that the withdrawal symptoms were kicking in.

Fast-forward to the first week of second year and my housemate- who was the women’s lacrosse second team captain- was feeling stressed about not having secured a goalie for her team. Turning to me at the dinner table, light bulb almost visible above her head, she asks if I’ll do it. With my only exposure to lacrosse being the match in Wild Child (which, I have since learned, is a fairly poor display of the sport), the conversation went back and forth for a while with quite a bit of “umming” and “ahhing” from me. I eventually said yes to her offer of a no-pressure training session to see if I fancied it – after all, time and time again I had been reminded that university

was the place to try new things and if nothing else, the lure of university sports kit was enough. In a mad turn of events, I agreed to

After a few weeks of getting to know the rest of the team and becoming more familiar with the rules of lacrosse I began to really enjoy it

be the goalie and as they say- the rest is history!

Flooded with nerves on the day of my first match, I was regretting my decision. But after a few weeks of getting to know the rest of the team and becoming more familiar with the rules of lacrosse (and how to catch the ball which is a fairly vital aspect to being a goalie), I began to really enjoy it. The rest of the team were so supportive to the fact that I was new to the sport and I felt included straight away – no cliques in sight. The lacrosse season now over, I look back at the year of training sessions, matches and socials and I am forever grateful that I said yes to this opportunity to try something new. It has genuinely transformed my university experience in more ways I could have imagined when I first signed up, and I would implore anyone and everyone to get involved in sport in some capacity.

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Arsenal Women win WSL

Becca Johnson takes a look at Arsenal Women’s brilliant season as they were crowned WSL Champions at the end of April

Rebecca Johnson Sports Editor

Arsenal Women secured the Women’s Super League in style with a 4-0 win over Brighton at the end of April. Goals from Vivianne Miedema, Katie McCabe, Beth Mead and Danielle van de Donk ensured that Arsenal would be lifting the trophy at the end of the season.

56

The goal difference that Arsenal have achieved this season so far

This has been a fantastic season for Arsenal Women, winning seventeen games and losing two so far- with an incredible goal difference of +56. They face second-placed Manchester City next in the league where they’ll be hoping to be able to finish off their season on a high with another win. However, City will be looking to dampen their spirits following on from their FA Cup win against West Ham. In addition to this, City were the team who ended Arsenal’s nine-game winning streak in December, so the stakes are high for both teams in terms of bragging rights.

Focusing back on Arsenal, it’s been an extraordinary season for them. The Gunners

have produced some amazing results along the way. This includes a walloping 7-0 win against Yeovil and a 6-0 victory against Reading. The big score-lines don’t end there for the team either, in fact Arsenal have roughly averaged 3.7 goals in every game this season, scoring 72 goals in total.

Gunners’ gaffer Joe Montemurro has done

This season has seen Montemurro do what Arsenal Men’s team needs- gradually build a team with subtle signings to produce a side capable of winning a league

a sterling job in just under two years at the club. This comes following the sacking of former boss Pedro Martinez, who spent three years there. Despite always being a top three club in the Women’s Super League, this season has seen Montemurro do what Arsenal Men’s team needs- gradually build a team with subtle signings to produce a side capable

of winning a league.

Arsenal’s impressive form has seen three of their players feature in the prestigious PFA Team of the Year Award. Vivianne Miedema, Lia Walti and Kim Little have quite rightly been recognised for their quality and hard work this season. Only Manchester City feature as many players in the Team of the Year as Arsenal.

Essential to Arsenal’s season has been their forwards. Quite possibly the most important player for Arsenal has been Vivianne Miedema. The Dutch forward has scored an impressive 22 goals and provided 10 assists for the club this season. Her remarkable achievements have been recognised by the PFA as she scooped the “Best Player of the Year” alongside Liverpool centre-half Virgil van Dijk last month.

In addition to this, former Sunderland for-

22

The number of goals Miedema has scored for Arsenal this season

ward Beth Mead has certainly made a mark on the league too, scoring seven goals and hitting 12 assists. This performance means that Mead has definitely earned her place in the England squad for the upcoming World

Cup, which was announced last Thursday.

Not to be forgotten is the work of Arsenal’s

Quite possibly the most important player for Arsenal has been Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema

defence this season. The Gunner’s defence have provided twelve clean sheets out of nineteen games in the Women’s Super League this season. First choice goalkeeper, Pauline Peyraud Magnin kept an impressive seven clean sheets in thirteen matches before being forced to stay on the sidelines through injury on international duty for France.

Overall it’s been a brilliant season for Arsenal. After being kept to the confines of third place for the last couple of seasons, Montemurro has led them to title victory in just under two years at the helm of the ship.

Although Manchester City are their bogey team, it would be perfect for the squad to finish their season on a win.

Although Arsenal Women have fifteen league wins in their history, their last came in 2012. Beating Brighton to claim the WSL title sends a firm message out to their rivals- em-

phasising how they are trying to re-establish themselves as serious contenders for the top spot. Since the Women’s Super League was founded in 2010, Arsenal have claimed three title wins; Chelsea and Liverpool have two each and Manchester City have the one title win to their name. Clearly, Arsenal are gradually starting to get themselves back on track as a dominating force in the league.

Arguably, one of the most important things to come out of the Gunners’ title victory is how it shows the growth of the women’s game in England. This game against Brighton brought in a WSL record attendance of 5,265 people. The growth in numbers is extraordinary given that Arsenal’s average home attendance when the league first began was 1,000. One of the things outlined in the FA’s “Gameplan for Growth” was to not only increase the number of women and girls participating in football from grassroots to professional level, but to also boost attendance numbers at WSL games.

When the report was written, the average WSL attendance was 1,128 people, two years later the FA have reported a 13% increase in WSL attendances. Considering the number at Arsenal’s title winning game, clearly the Gunners are one of the teams at the forefront of developing and raising the profile of the women’s game further in order to fit in with the FA’s plans.

Arsenal Women have won 17 games so far this season Image: Wikimedia Commons

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Monday 13 May 2019

Fight Night 2019: Let’s

The start of May saw the return of the second round of Fight Night at Newcastle University’s Students Union. Here your Sports Editors gu

Rory Ewart Sport Editor

Thursday night saw the second edition of Fight Night for the 2018/19 academic year.

In all there was 16 fights spanning across the whole evening.

The night itself was spread across three thirds, the first of which saw five very evenly matched fights. Liam Leahy took home the spoils against a spirited Sean Dwyer in the

Sahil Ilyas brought fire and fury in the third fight of the night against a composed and compact opponent - Billy Hayden

curtain raiser to the night. This was the first in the ‘battle of the bedrooms’ double bill, with the final fight of the night containing Liam and Sean’s housemates, the winners of both fights being given the luxury of first pick of rooms in their house next year.

The second fight of the night brought the first of a trio of female fights. Xanthe Polaine and Bella Harris shared a competitive bout which, by the third and final round, Xan ‘the man’ took to another level, proving to the judges that she had supplied the lethal blows to end Bella’s chances of victory.

Sahil Ilyas brought fire and fury in the third fight of the night against a composed and compact Billy Hayden. A fight, which rather like its predecessor, perhaps took shape in the balance somewhat, finished up with Ilyas clearly looking the fitter of the two fighters, with Hayden seemingly on his final fumes in the last minute of the final round. A deserved victory for Ilyas, but Billy Haydem should go home with sincere pride.

Will ‘MC’ Schofield and Ahmed Ghafouri were next up. A nice combination of Ghafouri jabs saw him dominate the open-

ing round with Schofield definitely coming more into his zone in the latter stages of the second round and finished with a flourish in the third. The tight nature of this affair led the judges to award this fight as a draw. Many a shout was given at the time for a deciding round, however, much to the evident relief of both fighters, the decision before the night began was not to allow any of the fighters to continue into a deciding round after any of the fights.

The final round of the opening third was contested by a very confident looking Tom Black against a returning Rahul Binov, aiming to turn around a point’s loss last time out. Despite carrying 11kg less weight, Tom looked composed throughout, winning, in the eyes of many of the night’s pundits, to win of each of the three rounds. Binov shouldn’t be a name to forget however, with a post-fight interview suggesting that he bid to make it third time lucky in a future Fight Night.

After an extremely brisk break, Ewan ‘the scotsman’ Scott and John Whitfield entered the ring for fight six of the evening. A fairly cagey first round finished with a nice combination from Whitfield, leading to Scott being taking to the corner for a check by referee for the night Andy. John picked up from where he left off to control the second round well.

Tiredness kicked in somewhat into the final two minutes of the fight, Scott was able to finish the fight with a few more connecting hits, but Whitfield’s earlier dominance brought home the victory on this occasion for him.

A cracking match up between Blake Forrester and Joe ‘King’ Kormoh then ensued.

This was a first (to my knowledge) at Fight

4

This was the fourth student boxing event to take place in Newcastle this academic year

Night in the sense that both of these fighters not only were the exact same height, but they also weighed the same at 65kg too. Blake certainlty came out the blocks the stronger,

however, Joe’s strong ducking and blocking techniques proved for the round to look level pegging. That early domination carried on into rounds two as Joe’s early cracks became more and more obvious as the fight entered into a dramatic climax as the ref was forced to stop the fight as Kormoh looked clearly out of it, Forrester’s win on the night and an impressive one at that.

Lucy Napier and Emma Martin appeared next in what can only be described as a blockbuster fight. Napier begun with what was a kamikaze of punches as ref Andy was forced to get involved with 18-seconds left of the first round. A long pause ensued in which Martin’s corner was made to throw in the towel.

A Napier win on the night, with a clearly over the moon entourage leading celebrations across the ring.

The colossus Alex Bilton, standing at six feet six inches, he’d somehow managed to grow half a foot in the space of an afternoon as experienced Fight Night commentator Harry Parsons managed to swiftly correct a stat error on the part of the organisers. Henry Cavan came out into the blue corner with equal amounts of confidence. The fight went in favour of Bilton who looked the greater fighter throughout, with a huge right hook causing Cavan to collapse to the canvas for the third time in the second round. Game over for a spirited Cavan who fought against one of the more powerful fighters in the evenings proceedings.

Jack Jones and Morgan Savill contested the tenth fight. Jones entered the fight well, likely scoring the better ibn the score cards of the judges in the starting two rounds. Morgan, though, did begin to secure a few complete combos at the beginning of the third round.

This spirited response was short lived however as Jack Jones ended the final round well and to take the win overall.

Henry Corner and Joe Roberts came into the ring after an extremely dramatic eleventh fight, more of which can be found in Rebecca Johnson’s roundup. Roberts dominated the first two rounds just enough to edge those, however, an amazing last ditch combination of timely lands from Corner forced Roberts

to slump back into his corner. Despite this, referee Andy concluded the fight as a draw, a result which was seemingly unpopular with the crowds in attendance.

Arman Jallian and Owen Mccorry brought together a somewhat David against Goliath spectacle to the evening, with the former four inches shorter than his opponent and carrying 10kg’s less than Mccorry. Despite this Jallian fought out of his skin, his feet work throughout was technically on point, yet made to look so simple throughout the three rounds. Jallian took home the victory in a clear point’s decision in what must be seen as one of the fights of the night.

Jallian took home the victory in a clear point’s decision in what must be seen as one of the fights of the night

Soraya Taleb put in an inspired performance against Ella Hindley to take home the win in the final women’s fight, who was bouncing in celebration after her fight it looked as if she could re-do the whole thing all over again. The big occasion ended in disappointment in the penultimate fight for Rooney Veli, with his corner being forced to hand in the towel at the end of the second after the punches of Billy Scott Price sent him crashing back into his own corner.

The final fight saw failed romancer Danny Tapper take on Greg Williams in the second fight of the battle of the rooms fights. Tapper’s fighting sadly was not much better than his dating skills, as Williams controlled the fight with evident ease, winning the final fight at a canter This was the fourth occasion of student boxing in the 2018/19 academic year at Newcastle Universtiy. With one more night scheduled for May 9th, Newcastle can boast more student boxing events than any of student city in the UK.

The Smil

Jack Smillie gives readers the

Having never been interested in Boxing, I had absolutely no idea what to expect from Newcastle’s May Fight Night.

To be asked to be a pundit came as a great surprise, even though my response made it clear that “I know very little”.

The night saw two draws and a knockout inside 14 seconds Image: NUTV

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The amount of weeks spent training in preparation for the latest edition of Fight Night

However, Fight Night surpassed even my greatest expectations.

I had no idea that Fight Night was such

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Monday 13 May 2019

s Get Ready to Rumble

guide you through all 16 fights from a night of action which was one of the biggest and best Fight Nights to be staged at NUSU’s Venue Rebecca Johnson Sport Editor

May 2 saw the return of Fight Night to Venue in the Student’s Union for its second run-out of the 2018/19 academic year. The Courier Sport, NSR and NUTV brought live action of all 16 fights on the night, proving to be one of the biggest Fight Nights that Venue has seen.

Whilst Fight Night is a thoroughly professional affair, with Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Andy McLean taking up the mantle as referee and medical teams on stand-by, one of the things that struck me about this year’s fights was the mismatch in heights and weights between fighters.

Fight Nine between Alex Bilton and Hen-

Alex stood at 6”6 whilst Henry stood at 5”9that’s a gigantic nine inch differnce between the pair

16 fights took place over the course of the evening Image: Fight Night Newcastle & Robert Anderson

llie guide to a knockout evening

he low-down on the events of Thursday evening from the perspective of a first-time attendee at the ringside a large operation -- was having an excessively large bouncer standing in every doorway from Luther’s to Venue an hour before broadcasting commenced really necessary? Nonetheless, it became apparent rather quickly that there were many people involved behind the scenes. From fighters, judges, coaches and commentators to camera crew, technicians, promoters and the intoxicated pundits, I knew I’d be in for a cracking night.

16 fights lay ahead of us. That’s the most fights to happen at a Newcastle Fight Night so far. 32 fighters had trained for 12 weeks with an Olympic silver medallist, and I’m not surprised to learn from Fight Night veterans that this was the highest quality of boxing

we’ve seen.

Some fights were full-on: punch, jab, uppercut. The commentary epitomised this in fight 10 when they said Jack ‘the ripper’ Jones looked like he wanted to kill ‘Captain’ Morgan Savill. All I’m saying is, I’m glad Morgan was in the ring and not me. By this point, the atmosphere had totally subsumed me and I was really getting into it. When the roaring audience, almost baying for blood like lions, chanted boxers names, it felt like I’d been catapulted into a bizarre Handmaid’s Tale particicution.

Other fights were disappointing. Fight 11 ended after 14 seconds and cued the audience to ramp up their excitement levels. Pints of water (I hope) went flying and showered

the boxing ring. Too many fights were rather standoffish with ducks, dodges and wild swings for my liking.

To his credit, the referee was superb; he recognised quickly when a boxer couldn’t defend himself

In the pre-match build-up, Rory Ewart, who was anchoring NUSU TV’s live broadcast, asked me what I thought of the lack of

head guards. It’s so much harder to put together a coherent response when you know cameras are pointing at you, but I was slightly worried about the safety of the boxers. To his credit, the referee was superb; he recognised quickly when a boxer couldn’t defend himself anymore and prematurely brought the bout to an end.

Fight Night was a great spectacle, and our punditry seats were essentially ringside VIP, which is about as close to a boxing ring as I’d ever like to get.

Despite being slightly sceptical to begin, the atmosphere was electric and the boxing proved top-notch entertainment. I’m already looking forward to attending the next Fight Night in November.

ry Cavan was clear evidence of height and weight mismatch. Alex stood at a huge 6”6 whilst Henry stood at a respectable 5”9. That’s a gigantic nine inch difference between the pair. Of course in boxing height and weight have a considerable effect on the fight, and this sort of difference could have potentially been dangerous.

Throughout this fight we saw what was essentially like a Year Seven versus a Year Eleven, Henry was rapidly aiming for lower body shots, whilst Alex was kept flicking him off. A big left hook from Alex flattened Henry in the first round, illustrating the mismatch. Height also proved to be the deciding factor in round two, when a startled Henry hit the floor from what looked like a cross between an uppercut and a shove from Alex. Alex then delivered what was the final blow to Henry with a big left hook, knocking Henry down and letting Andy stop the fight for good.

The fight between Alex and Henry was incredibly mismatched. Height and weight are decisive factors in a fight, and it’s lucky that Andy’s experience prevented something which could have been more dangerous from happening.

However, this wasn’t the only mismatched fight that took place that evening. Chris May, standing at 6”6 and weighting 117kg took on Liam Tasker, standing at 6”3 and weighing

14 seconds after receiving a series of punches Chris was knocked down and advised not to continue

92kg. Although upon reading these stats that doesn’t sound like a huge difference in comparison to the previous fight- looking at these fighters upon first glance, you would expect Liam to have been destroyed by Chris.

This wasn’t the case in an almost David versus Goliath story between Chris and Liam.

Within 14 seconds after being on the receiving end of a series of uppercuts and hooks, Chris was knocked down and the medical team advised that he shouldn’t continue.

Fight Night is an incredibly professional set-up which gives the ordinary student a chance to experience boxing training delivered by a Commonwealth bronze-medallist

sport the courier

Monday 13 May 2019 Issue 1388 Free

@Courier_Sport courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/sport Sport Editors Rebecca Johnson, Harry Parsons, Sydney Isaacs, Jack Smillie, Rory Ewart Online Editor Tom Hardwick

The full Fight Night 2019 Rundown Pages 42 & 43

Fight Night 2019 saw 16 fights at Venue Image: Rebecca Johnson

Pool go potty in Home Nations event

Matthew Green reports on his trip to Ireland representing England Pool Universities in a Home Nations tournament Matthew Green

Sitting at home watching the highlights of The Masters, the last thing I was expecting was a phone call to say that I would be representing the England Pool Universities in a Home Nations Tournament, competing against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

21

the amount of frames played in a “best of” format

Despite being given various information

about accommodation fees and dates, I was still slightly subdued and felt an immense sense of pride – even if people keep telling me pool isn’t a real sport.

After driving back up to Newcastle, I quickly got some much needed practice in and then got on a plane to Dublin the following evening, where the Home Nations competition would be taking place. After a long journey and minimal sleep, the following morning all 40 men and 20 women took to the tables to play their individual matches.

Although I was unsuccessful in my individuals match, losing to an Ireland player 3-1 in a race to 3, the team event was much more successful and on the first day, the England team beat Wales 15-6 in a best of 21 frames.

Our remaining team games were to played on the final Sunday, where England went on

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Despite losing to Ireland in the group matches, the results of the other fixtures pulled England into the final against the Irish

pulled us into the final with the Irish in a firstto-11 final showdown, who were undefeated 3 years in a row, dominating the previous 2

LEEDS LOSE THE LEED

FIGHT NIGHT 2019

Our sports editors guide you through the events of Fight Night 2019 Pages 42-43

to win against Scotland and Northern Ireland as well.

Despite losing to Ireland in the group matches, the results of the other fixtures

Image: Stephen Armstrong

Our writers debate whether the events in Leeds v Aston Villa were correct

finals 11-0.

Although England got off to a great start, leading 5-2, the Irish team pulled it back to then lead 10-8 going into the remaining matches. The England side managed to level the score at 10-10, forcing the match to a final-frame decider. A tense frame, in which both players had chances to win, ended in Ireland potting the final black and the Irish team shouted in celebration. That was until the white ball rolled in at the same time. The England had won the Home Nations tournament. Bedlam ensued from the travelling English players as we had just managed to defeat the three-year reigning champions in thier own back yard.

On a personal note, it was such a privilege to be part of this England team to win the Home Nations trophy and one of the best

weekends of my university life.

Being able to represent England on behalf of the universities for pool was never what I

In the team event England managed to level the score at 10-10 forcing the match into a final frame decider

expected from my university career, but I’m so glad that I got involved with the society in the first place.

ARSENAL VICTORY Taking a closer look at Arsenal winning the Women’s Super League Page 41