Issuu

thecourier thecourieronline.co.uk Fashion How denim is hurting the enviroment and what to do to help Page 17

Feature Find out why these little guys are the bees knees in our themed feature Pages 22-23

Music Guess who’s back with a brand new track, see what we thought of it on Pages 24-25

The independent voice of Newcastle

Est 1948

University spent £1.8 million on ‘gagging orders’ in last five years Sidney Pinsent News Editor It has been revealed by the Courier that Newcastle University has spent £1.8 million on Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) over the past 5 years, obligating staff members to uphold confidentiality on a variety of university information.

In 2018 Newcastle University spent £445,928 on NDAs, marking the biggest payout since 2014

The agreements prevent staff from sharing confidential information and trade secrets. While NDAs are often widely used for legitimate commercial reasons, they have been alleged to be used to hide details of sexual harassment or bullying in recent months and are often referred to as ‘gagging orders’. In 2018, £445,928 was spent on NDAs by Newcastle University, marking the largest pay-out since 2014. In total, UK universities spent £87 million on payoffs to staff with NDAs over the past two years. The figures uncovered by the BBC were followed by testimonies from dozens of academics that they were being made to sign NDAs after raising

complaints. It is often difficult to determine how or why a NDA was used because of the secrecy involved in the signing of NDAs. In a recent speech, Universities minister Chris Skidmore said, “non-disclosure agreements exist for many purposes – such as protecting valuable research findings should a staff member change jobs. But in no circumstances should they be used by universities to ‘gag’ staff after experiencing poor behaviour in the workplace, including bullying, discrimination or sexual misconduct.” A Newcastle University spokesperson commented: “A university can use non-disclosure agreements for a number of purposes including the protection of commercially sensitive information related to university research. We have not used or would ever use confidentiality clauses to silence victims from speaking out about misconduct. All colleagues and students are entitled to a safe experience at university and we have a duty of care in this regard too.” Speaking to the Courier the Chair of Newcastle University’s UCU branch, Bruce Baker said: “We recognise that there could be certain situations where the use of NDAs is appropriate, but problems arise when their use is shrouded in secrecy. There should be mechanisms for the review of the use of NDAs, and those mechanisms should involve the staff unions since it is the employees we represent who are most affected.” He continued: “The danger of having a system that relies on NDAs that no one ever

hears about is that it can encourage a cavalier attitude where it becomes easier to pay someone off than for the University to confront and deal with the bad behaviour by its own managers that created the problem.”

were not true. Secondly, for recording their meeting with Christopher Winter without his consent and publishing audio extracts of this meeting online in the R.O.N. Campaign Facebook Group. Jonny Hall, Education Officer at Newcastle University Students’ Union, stood to read the verdict of the investigation. He stated that an operations group had come to the conclusion that the Part Time Officer had been found to have breached a number of the general requirements as a member of NUSU including: respecting the privacy of others and not engaging in activity or behaviour likely to bring the University or SU into disrepute among others. A disciplinary censure to Council is issued when it is found that the Officer has commit-

ted serious or sustained misconduct. The investigation resolved that a motion of disciplinary censure should remain on file for the Officer for the duration of their studies at Newcastle University and 18 months thereafter. However, the motion needed to pass through Student Council for the disciplinary to be authorised and taken into effect. The motion proposed to Council reads: “The behaviour carried out was done so without respect for the right of privacy of the candidate. It was agreed that the decision to overrule the candidate’s preferred privacy was unacceptable officer conduct.” “The operations group agreed that whilst due diligence should have been carried out before providing a quote to The Courier, the

Monday 20 May 2019 Issue 1389 Free

“There should be mechanisms for the review of the use of NDAs, and those mechanisms should involve the staff unions”

Bruce Baker, Chair of Newcastle University’s UCU Branch

Newcastle University have made it clear that the use of NDAs “does not prevent colleagues or students from reporting criminal acts to the police”. NDAs do not stop people reporting alleged illegal acts but allegations of staff making sexual comments or bullying staff may still be protected with the use of NDAs. Bruce Baker concluded he hoped the Newcastle University governing Council “would take up the question of whether this is the best use for limited funds and whether the way NDAs are used at Newcastle University are appropriate to a university, which must always be an institution based on collegiality and openness.”

Clasp sculpture vandalised: Find out what happened and what students think about it on p3

Part-time Officer disciplinary motion fails Louise Hall Editor A formal motion to issue a disciplinary censure to the Students with Faith or Belief Officer was rejected at Student Council at last week’s meeting on Thursday 16 March. The motion comes after an investigation into the Part Time Officer Grace Algar following their actions taken in a R.O.N. campaign against the incoming Faith or Belief Officer Christopher Winter during this year’s elections. It was understood at Council that a complaint had been made against the officer for two reasons: Firstly, for having comments published in the Courier which they then said

Inside today >>>

Stress Culture

Our writers discuss the impact of uni work on student mental health Comment, page 10

Blind Date

Find out if the Courier managed to make sparks fly with our latest blind date match Blind Date, page 13

Netflix Pick ‘n’ Mix

What does our writer make of watching Russian Doll for the first time? TV, page 27

significant area of misconduct and grounds for disciplinary censure was in relation to the recording of the candidate without consent.” A heated debate was undertaken in the Council chamber with statements from both parties involved and for and against arguments heard four times by those attending Council. Both parties spoke of the effect of the situation on their mental and emotional wellbeing, and many in the chamber were visibly upset and uncomfortable by the tense atmosphere. The motion required a 2/3 majority to pass and after a vote was taken it was revealed there and then that the motion did not pass, failing to reach a 2/3 majority with 61 votes for the issue of disciplinary ensure and 39 votes against. This means that Algar will not receive

a disciplinary censure to be held on file. Speaking to the Courier about the outcome of the motion, Christopher Winter stated: “‘I am deeply saddened by the events in council on Thursday. This will set a dangerous precedent for the Students Union in the next year. Those who break the rules should be held accountable and, quite frankly, it is a disgrace that a small clique within the union was able to block a genuine attempt to correct a grievous and shameful act committed by the PTO for faith and belief. If we cannot condemn this, we can condemn nothing. The council has sown the wind, and soon they may reap the whirlwind.” Grace Algar declined to comment.

Censorship Controversy

Boat Race of the North

Read how our writers responded to Instagram’s new guidelines on boredline content Arts, page 30

Hear about Newcastle University Boat Clubs’ latest win against Durham Sport, page 42

the courier

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 Colourise Fridays 12pm-1pm Julia McGhee Russell Arts Editor Colourise is a show where I add colour to absolutely everything. Each week my show is themed around a different colour, and every song I play and topic I talk about will be linked to the colour of that week. For example, for episode White I talked about the concepts of virginity, purity, and sex positivity, while playing some songs by The White Stripes. Every week is something completely different because each week’s colour has a different sound to the music and a dif-

Monday ferent topic. I carefully curate each playlist and the music generally stays within the realm of Indie Pop, and Alternative and Indie Rock, with some occasional R&B and jazzy upbeat tunes thrown in there as well. You never know what you’re going to get but I like to get people thinking about #deep things and questioning, and usually throw in some unsolicited life advice and tips. If you like shows with boppy tunes and agony auntie advice where I’m both the agony and the auntie this is the show for you!

STU BREW Beer of the Week Maillot Blanc 5.6% Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor Stu Brew have released their May stock update to tell us all what cans, bottles, and draught beers they have on offer to see us through the last semester and into summer. Maillot Blanc is one of their staple cans and one of our favourites at the Courier. It comes in quite strong at 5.6%, hitting you straight away with a refreshing, sharp bite at the very first sip. This beer is very dry and has quite spicy undertones. Stu Brew describe it as having ‘clove like characteristics’ on their website and

Student Spotlight ‘Big CHallenge Event’ for homelessness Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor On Friday 17 May from 9pm, CHallenge fundraising committee did a sleep out outside the Students Union in aid of homelessness. CHallenge fundraising committee are comprised of volunteers from the Combined Honours Society. Throughout the year they conduct fundraising events for charities and

Throughout the year CHallenge conduct fundraising events for charities chosen by students

organisations chosen by students in the committee, which this year are MIND, Dementia UK, and the RVI children’s ward. Each they they do a ‘big CHallenge event’ and this year they have chosen a sleep out to raise money for the homelessness charity Centre Point. Centre Point are a UK charity who raise money to provide young homeless people (ages 16-25) with accommodation, health support and life skills for education and employment. On Friday the students involved in the sleep out set up camp outside the SU for the night. We spoke to Combined Honours student and member of the CHallenge committee Helen Stevens before the event, and she said that ‘11 Combined Honours students are involved in the sleepout and we have currently raised £440. We are hoping to achieve our target of £500.’ Students wishing to support CHallenge’s sleep out by donating to Centre Point can do so via the JustGiving link on the Combined Honours Society Facebook page .

Whats on near you:

this is pretty accurate as it tastes almost spicy to drink, especially on the aftertaste. Apparently this is down to their use of saison yeast. Despite the spicy hit this beer is very refreshing to drink and is even quite fruity, a characteristic that lends itself nicely to drinking in the summer weather. Now we’ve had some sun in Newcastle it’s the perfect opportunity to sit out on the grass with a beer, and we couldn’t think of a better choice than a can of Stu Brew’s Maillot Blanc.

Sport: 12:15pm-1:15pm: GIAG Tai Chi Taster. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. Music: 8pm-11pm: Namaste A While Open Mic. Location: Station East, Gateshead.

Wednesday

Arts: 10:15am-12:15pm: Get Started with Art workshop. Location: The Laing Art Gallery. Volunteering: 1pm-3pm: Grow Volunteer Wednesday. Location: Joseph Cowen Halls gate, NUSU campus gardens. Beauty: 3:15pm-4pm: GIAG gel nail manicure appointment. Location: The Cube by NUSU reception. Arts: 5pm-8pm: Women of Tyneside: Worth It. Location: Vane Art Gallery. Lifestyle: 7pm-11pm: The Duke of Wellington Grand Re-opening. Location: The Duke of Wellington. Lifestyle: 6pm-9pm: Wednesday Cookery Club - Italian. Location: Blackfriars Restaurant.

Friday News: 10am-2pm: Newcastle Careers Fair. Location: The Beacon. Music: 4pm-10pm: Foals at This Is Tomorrow Festival. Location: Exhibition Park. News: 6pm-8pm: The Youth Stop AIDS Speaker Tour. Location: Lecture Theatre 1, Herschel building. Arts: 7:30pm-10:30pm: Minge Unhinged. Location: Alphabetti Theatre. Music: 9pm-3am: NUSU presents Deaf Rave Collective. Location: Venue, NUSU.

Tuesday

Volunteering: 12pm-2pm: Writing letters to sick children. Location: The Cube by NUSU reception. Sport: 12:15pm-1:15pm: GIAG Tai Chi Taster. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. Volunteering: 1pm-3pm: Grow Volunteer Tuesday. Location: Joseph Cowen Halls gate, NUSU campus gardens. Arts: 7:45pm-8:45pm: Deeds Not Words by Abbott Dance Theatre. Location: Northern Stage.

Thursday Arts: 5pm-8pm: Women of Tyneside: Worth It. Location: Vane Art Gallery. Sport: 6pm-8pm: GIAG Squash. Location: Meet at Eldon Leisure Centre reception. Arts: 6:30pm-8:30pm: BALTIC Preview: Ifeoma U. Anyaeji. Location: BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art. Societies: 5:15pm-8pm: SobrieTEA. Location: The Coffee Trader.

Saturday Music: 1pm-10:30pm: Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at This Is Tomorrow Festival. Location: Exhibition Park. Sport: 5pm-7pm: GIAG Social Badminton. Location: Sports Hall, Sports Centre.

Sunday Music: 2pm-10:30pm: Stereophonics at This Is Tomorrow Festival. Location: Exhibition Park.

news

the courier

Monday 20 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

Clasp sculpture vandalised

Last week, Antony Gormley’s Clasp was vandalised outside the Union. We provide an overview of what happened and why

What happened? Editor Louise Hall summarises the Clasp controvesy on campus this week after the statue was graffitied At approximately 2.28pm on 13th of May 2019 ‘Clasp’, a sculpture by Antony Gormley currently being displayed outside Newcastle University Students’ Union, was graffitied. According to witnesses outside the union a young man ran up to the statue and swiftly sprayed it with yellow, blue and white spraypaint. A video recording provided by an anonymous

It was confirmed by the Antony Gormley Foundation through university services that the person who graphittied the Clasp did not have permission to do so

source to the Courier revealed that a young man dressed in black shorts and a black hooded jacket runs up to the statue with an orange carrier bag in hand and sprays it with paint. In the video passers-by gather in confusion but the man continues to spray the statue and then runs away before shouting ‘Jaime Evans’. Julia McGee-Russell a Second Year Student at Newcastle University and witness to the graf-

fiti told the Courier: “I was coming around the corner from the heads on campus, and I saw a small group of people around the statue. Then I noticed someone was spray painting it. I saw him finish two parting sprays of his spray paint, turn around and shout the name ‘Jamie Evans’, and sprint in the other direction down the steps past Kings Gate. He was carrying a shopping bag full of other spray paint cans. When I stopped to take a picture of the graffiti, I noticed he had come back and stopped at the top of the Kings Gate steps to do the same.” The statue by Sir Anthony Gormley has in the past received criticism from students and is on loan to the University as part of Sir Antony’s Blockwork series. As a result the sculpture has been the focus of other art demonstrations in the past, with Fine Art students attempting to place a white gnome on top of the statue intended to be a “symbolic gesture of reclaiming of campus spaces”. It was confirmed by the Anthony Gormley Foundation that the person who graffitied the Clasp did not have permission. Christine Cairns of Newcastle University Estates Services spoke to NUTV at the scene outside the Students’ Union and confirmed that the Anthony Gormley Foundation did not give any artist permission to graffiti the sculpture.

Who did it and why?

Theo Turvill speaks to the individual who claims to have painted the graffiti on the statue On Instagram an individual by the name of Jamie Evans, posted on his instagram page about an hour after the statue was graffited with in image of the graffitied statue with and accompanying text: “Painting meets sculpture.. A collaborative piece I did today alongside no other than Antony Gormley RA OBE. Incredibly happy to be able to work at such a level.. as someone who hails from the North East it was a real honour to work with the artist responsible for the iconic angel of the north.” However, it was confirmed by University Estates Servives that the individual who graffitied the statue did not have permission. Courier writer Theo Turvill spoke to Jamie Evans, and when asked if and how the graffiti collaboration Evans commented: “I simply applied a thin layer of paint to a large sculpture, in my collaboration with the artist Sir Antony Gormley to make it look more aesthetically pleasing. Art is a matter of taste; some people will like what I have done, and some will not. My actions represent an initiation into a global con-

versation, which I and all others like me deserve to have a place in. I demand to be included. I demand my voice be heard and will do what it takes to make sure of it. If the university wants to see one of its graduates thrown in jail for such a thing, then so be it.” When asked what he wanted to say with this ‘stunt’ Evans continued: What did you want to say with this stunt? First of all, I don’t agree with the term, ‘stunt’. My actions were not a stunt. I simply wanted to make it clear to the world that such things are possible. And also reinforce my ethos of taking control of your own world. I am a contemporary British artist, Antony Gormley is an esteemed contemporary British artist. As someone who comes from the North East, his work holds a special place in my heart, just like many others’. I simply wanted to collaborate with him and knew there would be no other way to go about doing so other than taking the initiative and just going for it. Read the rest of Theo Turvill’s interview with Jamie Evans online at thecourieronline.co.uk

The aftermath

Despite attempts by the university to remove the paint, it still remains on the sculpture

After the statue was graffited there was an atmosphere of confusion by those surrounding the statue on campus. University Estates gathered to see what had been done to the sculpture and confirmed that the person who graffitied the statue did not have permission through contact with the Antony Gormley Foundation. Not long after the statue had been graphittied an artist by the name of Jamie Evans, posted on his instagram page an image of the graffitied statue with the accompanying text: “Painting meets sculpture.. A collaborative piece I did today alongside no other than Antony Gormley RA OBE. Incredibly happy to be able to work at such a level.. as someone who hails from the North East it was a real honour to work with the artist responsible for the iconic angel of the north.” Despite the claim in the instagram post, Newcastle University Estates Services officially confirmed that no-one had been given permission to paint the statue. On Wednesday the 14th of May University Estates Services returned to campus to attempt to remove the paint from the statue. Approximatley eight members of staff surrounded the statue to attempt to remove the

graphitti, trying a variety of techniques to remove the paint but not damange the sculpture underneath. The attempts made by this team were unsuc-

On Wednesday the 14th of May University Estates Services attempted to remove the paint from the sculpture without success

essful, and as of Friday the 17th of May the graffiti still remains on the sculpture. Julia McGee-Russell a Second Year Student and witness of the graffiti also commented: “Graffiti a piece of art by an internationally acclaimed artist which has been loaned to the University, is going to cost the University and students money from the inevitable cleaning they will have to do. To shout your own name before running away from the scene shows the act not as a ‘collaboration’, but as a shameless act of self promotion.”

What do students think? Cameron Jarvie Fine Art student

“We now know that someone outside the university has vandalised a central piece of campus sculpture, which is effectively an attack on the university, but moreover it really is an attack on the students. I wonder however how many students feel attacked by this, because if they don’t, it must be due to a lack of connection with the artwork. “I personally believe that the only way to have a piece of campus art that connects with the students is by having one that involves us in some way, whether this is in the process of making, our being allowed to more directly engage with and affect/alter it, or even simply just making the work more thematically resonant with us. “One of the main criticisms of the Clasp when it was installed was that it was incongruous with the campus architecture, but I would go one further and say that it is incongruous the campus emotion. The towering obelisk described by Gormley as ‘brooding’ during a talk he gave at the uni for me does not reflect how I feel about the university above all because I am loving my time here, and I can’t help but think that if the piece were reminiscent of that feeling we have being here it would be much more of a figurehead for the students and the uni, and there would be a much more pronounced and united outcry at outsiders defacing it, and maybe a more immediate attempt to stop it from happening in the first place.

Ella Bending Media, Communications and Cultural Studies student

It is not the graffiti on the sculpture which has surprised me most, but the classist attitudes which have been revealed from the student body. The assumption Jamie Lawson Evans was from ‘outside the University’, for example, was very interesting to me. From my perspective, this remark had a level of subconscious bias regarding perceptions about both Lawson Evans and his work which was alarming. Elitism such as remarks like this, in my opinion, are a major contributor to why white, working class men are the lowest demographic to access Higher Education in Britain. Lawson Evans is a Fine Art graduate and certainly one of the most successful contemporary artists to have hailed from Newcastle University in the last decade, and rather than being celebrated, he has been marginalised and disparaged against because his artistic style is evocative of his working-class roots. All I can ask now is how we would have all reacted if it were Banksy and not Lawson Evans who had painted on ‘Clasp’? Because I’m pretty sure class wouldn’t have come into it then.

the courier

news

Monday 20 May 2019

Imbalance in admissions of disadvantaged students continues as universities fail to act Aimee Seddon

A new report from The Office for Students (OfS) has revealed that attempts to redress a stubbornly high equality gap in university admissions, by lowering the bar for disadvantaged students, have failed.

Top universities remain "too conservative" when making contextual offers, currently only dropping half an A level grade for disadvantaged students

The higher education regulator found that top universities remain “too conservative” when making contextual offers, currently only dropping half an A level grade for disadvantaged students. Most universities then risk putting “extra strain” on these students, by requiring them to fill in extra forms, undertake a preliminary course or sit an exam. Many also require students to make the university their firm choice The OfS urges universities to go further in their attempts to achieve fair access to higher education for disadvantaged student, by adopting “more radical” approaches to contextual admissions. The report states that currently, the “most educationally advantaged students” are still nearly six times more likely to secure places

at the most selective universities in England, than the most disadvantaged. It suggests that dropping A-level entry requirements to BCC would “broaden the pool of available applicants without lowering standards.” Research found that students admitted to Bristol University with one grade lower than the entry requirements, did just as well, if not better, than those admitted on the standard offer. Chair of the OfS acknowledged that “A young person from a council estate who gets decent A levels has often had to work a lot harder than the young person from a better off neighbourhood who gets a few grades more. That’s why it is right as this Insight brief highlights- that contextual admissions are now an increasing part of the picture.’ York University announced that as of next year, it will be reducing the contextual offer to disadvantaged students by up to 40 Ucas tariff points, the equivalent of 5 a level grades. A move praised by the OfS Education Secretary, Damian Hinds said, “A university education should be available to everyone who has the talent to benefit from it and we have made great progress in ensuring universities are open to all, with record rates of disadvantaged 18-year-olds in higher education. But there is more to do and we know that contextual offers can play an important part in levelling the playing field so those from disadvantaged backgrounds can flourish in higher education.” Newcastle University currently offers reduced offers through the PARTNERS Programme. Amongst others, this is open for those from disadvantaged areas, and those entitled to Free School Meals. The typical offer of AAB at A level is reduced to BBB, but participants must successfully complete the PARTNERS Summer School, and make Newcastle their firm choice on Ucas.

Students from disadvantaged backgrounds work harder for the same grades as wealthier students Image: Pexels: energepic.com

Concerns raised over graduation costs Toby Bryant

Newcastle University stopped offering graduation caps after too many were thown in the Tyne Image: Flickr : School of English and Drama, QMUL

The University of the West of Scotland (UWS) are facing calls from the National Union of Students to scrap graduation fees, as students across the country face the tough extra costs. On top of the £9,250 a year that British students fork out to achieve a higher education many Universities include extra costs that bite students throughout their degree. Whether it be sports memberships, society subscriptions, fines or even just wanting a £22 University hoodie – it’s something students in all years deal with. For those in final year, it is the price of graduating that tops the list, and students are speaking out. The Paisley based UWS is facing the calls from its students to reduce or get rid of the additional costs. As an institution, UWS has relatively large proportion of students from disadvantaged areas, 2,500 of whom have signed a petition. Reports of the ceremony costing up to £225 has left a large number of students struggling to find the funds. Closer to home, gown rental at Newcastle University, which is compulsory in order to graduate, starts at £43 for the day. To buy the gown directly, students would have to pay at least £212. Although Newcastle University grants two free tickets for family to attend, any extras come at the cost of the student, with a seat in an auditorium to watch it being streamed will set guests back £10. Extra tickets for the actual ceremony in the Kings Hall are even more at £15 each. Ally Wilson, final year English Literature

student at Newcastle University, spoke to The Courier: “Our whole education has now become quantified by how much we spend on it. Including our graduation.” Although UWS’ students are writing the headlines with their petition today, it looks to be an issue facing undergraduates across the country. The Students’ Association at UWS has reported having to give out more than £11,000 in emergency hardship payments this year, yet the University continues to extract money from its worst-off students. Whilst UWS has said it is “fully committee” to meaningful engagement on concerns brought up by students. A spokesman from the students’ association says: “At the positive and productive meeting, it was agreed that the university would endeavour to identify strategies that would ultimately allow access to graduation for all students regardless of income.” “In the meantime, a special graduation hardship fund is being created to support eligible students, effective for this summer’s graduation ceremonies.” Indeed, it’s an issue that more and more students are having to deal with. Liam McCabe, President of NUS Scotland, added to the issue: “Not only do many institutions – particular universities – demand payment to graduate in the first place, they also require their students to hire and wear expensive academic robes from third party providers. Stunningly, some institutions even get a kick back on these transactions, receiving commission from the involved companies.”

the courier

news

Monday 20 May 2019

How is the university tackling sexual assault? Em Richardson In the wake of the #MeToo movement, universities are amongst the many organisations being asked if they are doing enough to prevent sexual assault, and to support victims of sexual misconduct. Here at Newcastle, the It Happens Here Society aims to educate students on issues of

consent, give sexual assault survivors a safe place to discuss their experiences, and advise victims of how they can report sexual violence. Universities are encouraged to publish statistics on sexual assault on and around campus, including information on how alleged victims were supported, and how allegations were handled. With regards to Newcastle University, it is difficult to find university approved figures on reported cases of sexual misconduct, despite

a Courier article, published in October 2017, alleging that a report by Universities UK Taskforce found that 17% of Newcastle students had been victims of sexual misconduct during Fresher’s week. A further 29% claimed to have witnessed another student being sexually harassed during Fresher’s. When one does an online search for statistics on sexual misconduct at Newcastle University, one of the top hits is Newcastle University Student Union’s ‘Report and Support’ page, which aims to encourage students

to report any bullying or abuse experienced on campus. Part of the page is dedicated to reporting sexual harassment. The page includes information on how to report sexual misconduct to both the police and university authorities, as well as information about local counselling services that support victims. Unlike other UK universities, there is little evidence of Newcastle helping fund charities and support services for victims of rape and sexual assault. However, it should be remembered that the university offers numerous

Many students are passionate about fighting sexual assault Image: Wikimedia Commons

counselling services for victims, and does encourage students to contact external sources of help, such as Rape Crisis. In terms of preventing sexual assault, universities have recently been encouraged to make educational talks on consent mandatory for incoming Fresher’s. The movement was led by Durham, Oxford and Cambridge, with Durham making workshops on consent compulsory back in 2015. Newcastle followed suite as of 2017, after 82% of the Student Council voted in favour of making the talks compulsory. These talks are said to educate students on what exactly constitutes sexual consent, and outline the consequences of sexual assault in a way that aims to deter them from becoming perpetrators. Georgia Corbett, the president of It Happens Here, still thinks that there is progress to be made. "I think the most important thing I want to say is that no one is doing enough. The idea of enough means we are reaching goals and people are getting the support they need. That is still not the reality. Only 1.7% of reported tapes get prosecuted and a vast majority don't report anyway. The university is doing things slowly and I am hopeful that the passion I've seen among staff will translate into positive change but this is a cultural issue and a big one, and Newcastle university is still not supporting the vast numbers of survivors, but with the new year comes new developments and I do believe attempts are being made." If you have been affected by sexual assault or misconduct, remember that help is always available. You can contact Rape Crisis’ national helpline on 0808 802 9999, any day of the year, between 12.00 and 14.30 and 19.00 – 21.30.

UK unis investigate slave trade links "YOU ARE NEWCASTLE" HSBC tells Nottingham Molly Greeves News Editor

When it comes to diversifying curriculums and eliminating the attainment gap, many institutions have proved that old habits die hard and students have continued to rally for a more equal university experience. However, more and more universities are coming to

More and more universities are coming to acknowledge their racially problematic pasts

acknowledge their racially problematic pasts, most notably, their historical links to the slave trade. Over the past couple of weeks, Cambridge University has been making headlines after

Cambridge University have recently made the headlines Image: Pixabay

announcing plans to “conduct an in-depth academic study into ways in which it contributed to, benefited from or challenges the Atlantic slave trade and other forms of coerced labour during the colonial era”. This is after years of encouragement from academics, students and activists. While the world-famous university is frequently criticised for lack of diversity, it is far from being the only institution to admit guilt in this area. Last September, Glasgow University announced a “reparative justice” scheme after discovering that the institution had “received significant financial support from people whose wealth at least in part derived from slavery”, despite playing a “leading role” in the abolishment movement. This month, the University of Bristol also promised to confront its links with the slave trade, despite the fact that the university was founded after slavery was abolished. Dr Hannah Durkin, a lecturer here at Newcastle, recently made news for her discovery of the last survivor of a U.S. slave ship. When asked whether NU should be investigating its links to the trade, she argued that while “there

were certainly wealthy families in the city that profited from slavery”, Newcastle was unlikely to have a strong connection with the trade. “Newcastle University began life as two

“Newcastle is very proud of its role in the abolitionist movement and association with Frederick Douglass"

Dr Hannah Durkin, Newcastle Uni lecturer

small medical and engineering colleges that were founded after the abolition of the trade, and I think the money that was used to set up the University of Durham (with which Newcastle shares a historical connection) came from the church. Newcastle's industry was centred on coal, it was on the wrong side of the country to be directly implicated in the trade, and it's very proud of its role in the abolitionist movement and association with Frederick Douglass.”

Em Richardson

If you’ve been out and about in any British cities recently, you may have noticed posters promoting HSBC’s ‘we are not an island’ campaign. The campaign is intended to celebrate multi-culturalism in modern Britain. As part of the campaign, posters have been erected in many UK cities. They are tailored to the city they are placed in, and celebrate each city’s individual culture. The poster for Newcastle, for instance, features references to ‘stottie bread’ and ‘magpies’. The poster for Nottingham refers to the city as ‘more than an outlaw’s city’, and features

many references to the famous ‘Robin Hood’ legend. Yet, someone at HSBC seems to have mixed the two posters up. Twitter user James Hewitt recently posted photos of a ‘You are Newcastle’ sign, which had inexplicably been erected in Nottingham. HSBC apologised via Twitter, writing: ‘Correction. You are NOT Newcastle (apologies Nottingham). More seriously, thanks for pointing this out’. The mistake has, presumably, since been rectified, but that didn’t stop Twitter users from poking fun at HSBC’s error. User Philip West wrote: ‘Look forward to seeing the Mags putting pictures of Robin Hood, Brian Clough, and Trent Bridge cricket ground on their next flag! #SAFC #NUFC’.

Many Twitter users found the mistake funny Image: @eenalol on Twitter

d e -

t c

the courier

news

Monday 20 May 2019

Pub to come to Monument Metro station Toby Bryant

Newcastle’s Monument metro station is set to welcome a pub to its underground offerings. Earlier this month, plans to open a pub inside the popular metro station were approved by Newcastle City Council. The Waypoint, as the watering house will become known to metro-users, will fill the space formerly used

Monument Metro sees more than 10 million passengers each year

by a travel agent until 2015. The busiest station on the Metro network, seeing more than 10 million passengers through its gates each year, is under Nexus management, who labelled the project “an exciting new business venture”. Huw Lewis, from the company, added: “This development is something different from Metro’s busiest station, right in the heart of Newcastle city centre, and we think that our passengers will really like it”. Set to showcase local beers and house a grand piano, The Waypoint will be managed by Sam Beldon, who looks to make the establishment a “warm welcome for commuters heading home after a hard day’s work”. The bar joins works such as Bob Olley’s ‘Famous Faces’ mural and David Hamilton’s ‘Parsons Polygon’ as novel features on the sta-

tion. Not all students, however, are overly convinced by the arrival of ‘The Waypoint’. Josh Graham, third year Business student, reacted: “That sounds like a recipe for disaster. That’s usually the metro people get off at when going on a night out, or meeting at, so it would be packed with even more drunk people… or maybe it would be the greatest idea.” Fourth year German and French student Lucy Joyce echoed these views: “I'm not sure it's entirely necessary, as the area around Haymarket already has quite a few pubs. As I don't use the metro that often, having a place to drink inside the station wouldn't appeal to me that much, and I would never think of going into the metro station just for a drink. It might be popular amongst commuters wanting to grab a quick drink before heading home, but I don't think there'll be too much appeal for students (especially with a Wetherspoons a two minute walk away).” Third year Maths and Economics student Matthew McTeer was however much more

“I'd never go into the Metro just for a drink."

Lucy Joyce, languages student

positive, remarking: "Great idea! Although not sure how much I’d want to go to a pub in one of the grottiest Metro stations in the city. Who knows though - could be a catalyst for necessary investment at Monument Metro station." Only time will tell, but be sure to look out for The Waypoint at Monument station soon.

The Waypoint will quench the thirst of tired commuters Image: Chris McKenna, Wikimedia Commons

Dr Tyrrell discusses the future of Brexit Britain Elisabetta Pulcini Led by Dr Hélène Tyrrell and Dr Jack Simson Caird, this lecture teased out a lot of lessons and potential scenarios on how Brexit might turn out. Focusing on its impact on human rights, the constitution and the rule of law, the lecture offered a glimpse of the future, and how politicians and judges are affecting it. According to Dr Hélène Tyrrell, one of the few certainties is that the role of human rights

s t

will change, and probably for the worse. In fact, although the Human Rights Act 1998 will still be part of domestic law after Brexit, the Charter of Fundamental Rights no longer will. This essentially translate into judges having less power to enforce human rights, and make it way easier for Parliament to potentially ignore them. In fact, when legislation was found to be incompatible with human rights, judges could disapply it through EU law. However, all that will be possible will be to declare incompatibility of the law to Parlia-

ment. This could result problematic, in a system with an already overpowered and chaotic Parliament. Another risk highlighted in the lecture is the politicization of judges. While before Brexit judges had to ‘take into account’ the decisions of EU courts when deciding a human rights case, after Brexit they won’t be bound by those anymore. This might not be as likely as it seems. Although the role of EU law will become less clearly defined, it will certainly not be entirely irrelevant. In one third of hu-

man rights cases, the courts still refer to international jurisdictions, even though they don’t have any legal power over UK courts. This is because, as Supreme Court Judge Lord Reed stated, ‘comparative law will remain relevant, and the influence of the EU law will not end with our withdrawal’. The chance is that one of the only positives to come out of Brexit will be the increased collaboration between British and other common law judges. However, this will come at a price of the UK losing all influence over other

EU jurisdictions, given that they will not be governed by similar laws anymore. This feature of unity between judges from different jurisdictions is in stark contrast from the attitude of politicians: a comparison was drawn between how looking for outside help is generally avoided by politicians, who are capitalizing on grand ideas to sever all links with ‘Europe’, while it is constantly used by judges to shape the laws that govern this country. Dr Tyrrell concluded that, while the influence of British judges in other commonwealth jurisdiction will increase, do to it not being bundled with other EU judgments, it will result harder to enforce human rights. When looking at the constitution and the rule of law through the prospect of a neverending Brexit, Dr Jack Simson Caird presented several lessons which should been learnt from this process.

The role of the human rights will change and probably for the worse

Brexit protestors with signs declaring 'No Deal? No Problem!' Image: Wikimedia Commons

Although Brexit is hard to deliver, government is still performing under already low expectations. This is mainly due to a lack of direction, caused by a number of factors: mainly division of the party system and the lack of a plan before actually proposing a referendum. It is no secret that logic was not exactly the selling point for Brexit, but the extent to which is becoming painfully evident. This absence of direction is made worst by two other considerations. Firstly, even though Parliament has strong legal power, it does not have sufficient political influence: this is evidenced by the lack of input by MPs in the negotiation process. Secondly, the UK is missing powerful and unifying political figures. This can be attributed either to the toxic rhetoric of politics, which is often preferred over reasonable discourse, or to Brexit having deeply divided the country.

news Should Wealth = Health? Youth Stop AIDS investigates

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

Joe Molander

On-campus and indeed in the wider world, there are very few events that start with guessing how many condoms are in a jar. Outside the lecture theatre where this one was taking place, though, there was exactly that. While this would be out of place for most talks, in seeing attendants hold the jar up to the light, or shaking it, or just pointing it out to their friend and laughing, one sees that here, it is perfectly fitting, typifying a willingness to tackle taboo subjects with no small measure of humour. The talk, entitled ‘Should Wealth = Health?’, was organised by the Newcastle branch of Youth Stop AIDS, a UK-based youth-led campaign movement which aims to spark conversation, take creative action and encourage positive action from governments, global institutions and corporations, with the ultimate aim of eliminating aids. The talk brought together three people of completely different backgrounds to discuss their areas of expertise, all relating to AIDS, wealth and – somewhat unsurprisingly – health to

create awareness around broken research and development system in the pharmaceutical industry which disenfranchises certain groups from accessing the medicines they need.

AIDS has become the second highest killer of people aged 10-24

First to speak was Carla Home, a member of Youth Stop AIDS’s steering committee and their Glasgow Campaign Group. She explains that by 2030 the group wants to eliminate the disease – whose acronym stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which is the name given to the late symptoms that are caused by being infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). A bold aim, it is also one she is confident in, explaining that it is “such a realistic goal” in a later Q&A. She does note, though, that AIDS has become the second highest killer of people aged 10-24, and that, to her mind, is “the worrying factor”, with some people “taking

Pharmaceutical companies try to maximise profit Image: Flickr

their eye off the ball”. It is possible that this ignorance starts in our institutions, with Home relating how her school discussed HIV either in history as a problem of the past – and one just for gay men at that – or as a problem that exists now, but only in Africa. “Really, at the end of the day, it’s everyone’s responsibility”, she explains, mentioning that 25% of HIV-positive people are not aware of their condition, barely half (52%) of HIV-positive children have access to treatment, and half of them die before their second birthday. Clearly, this is still an issue that still requires attention and, as with any area of public concern, nuance of thought. Next to speak was Channan Warmington, a HIV-positive nineteen year old. Warmington was only diagnosed after being taken into care, away from a drug-addicted mother who refused all pre-natal treatment, such that the doctors assisting in the birth had no idea she was HIV-positive (a lesser known way of catching the virus is for a mother to pass it onto her child either during pregnancy or childbirth). She then explains the long history of her treatment: she began with liquid drugs before being moved onto tablets. Currently, there are no optimal HIV drug formulations

for children because pharmaceutical companies have no incentive to do the required research and development, as most children born with HIV are in the global south which is not a viable market. This meant that Warmington only had a limited range of treatments available to her. To make matters more complicated, Warmington is allergic to a certain class of drugs: at ten years’ old, her body became resistant to her existing treatment, and at thirteen, her medication stopped working and she contracted AIDS, resulting in a four month hospital spell. Afterwards, doctors tried to put her on medication to which she was previously allergic to see if the allergy had disappeared. “That failed”, she says, laughing. Finally, two years after being given medication usually only given to adult patients, she became ‘undetectable’, meaning so few ‘copies’ of the HIV virus exist in her blood that she cannot pass it on to others. Hers is a story ultimately of triumph, but she has also refused to let it define her. She enthuses about her YouTube channel and the lifestyle publication – Kychan Teen Magazine – which she presides over as CEO. HIV and AIDS is often an issue both politically charged and shrouded in misconception, but Warmington’s talk helped show the more human aspect of living with both. The difficulty she experienced in accessing treatments is something that Youth Stop Aids is currently addressing in their People’s Prescription Campaign. Finally, there was Dan Howden – an academic from the University of Leeds – who bounces from one side of the lecture theatre to the other and, in his enthusiasm, seems to miss nothing. In noticing the 90s-style fadeins on the PowerPoint text, he jokes they “make me feel young at least”. In introducing his area of expertise, he’s similarly self-deprecatory, describing it as “miserable economics”, a summation that eventually proved accurate. Howden explains that, while pharmaceutical companies want to make and sell drugs, they also want to maximise profit, in whatever way they can, a motive reinforced by company directors’ legal obligation to advance the interests of their shareholders. This provides incentive to bid up how much healthcare providers are willing to pay for the drugs pharmaceutical firms have developed, which is easy to do when patents help to create a monopoly, giving these firms the “ability to set prices unilaterally” in the market for each drug. Perhaps keen to demonstrate the lack of moral fibre found in the industry, Howden also cites two instances of criminality by pharmaceutical firms. In 2007, Merck paid

$4.85bn to settle lawsuits over suppressed evidence that showed that their branded painkiller Vioxx led to heart attacks and strokes. Merck were also said to be intimidating researchers who were critical of the drug, with one employee going as far as to encourage “destroy[ing] them where they live” in an email. A few years later, in 2012, GlaxoSmithKline were fined $3bn. At the time, this represented the largest settlement between the US Department of Justice and a drug firm in history, and covered a range of transgressions relating to no less than ten drugs. Howden focusses on their attempts to bribe and intimidate physicians, but also relevant to the fine was encouraging those under eighteen use two anti-depressants meant only for adults, an example of ‘off-label marketing’, which is illegal. Howden goes onto explain that the reason pharmaceutical companies try to set prices so high is to cover costs of Research & Development (R&D), both for the drugs that make it to market and the many more that do not – with only a third of drugs passing Phase II of clinical trials – which dwarf the reproduction costs of drugs. Without patents, Howden argues, companies would be able to reproduce the drug without first having to sink millions into R&D, allowing for lower prices. Pharmaceutical companies furthermore base their prices on how much health systems in the global north like the NHS are willing to pay, and often do not take the fact that public funding goes into R&D into account. This ultimately contributes to global inequality in treatment access - leading to what is known as neglected diseases because big pharmaceutrical companies only produces medicines for diseases of the 'rich'. Howden's talk culminated in him commenting on the need for a reform of the current system with inconclusive remarks on what can be done. He seemed to suggest that rich countries could contribute through their threshold setting practices. The talk was interesting and varied, reflected by the large crowd, on which more than one speaker commented, and the enthusiasm of the people who made it up. In chatting with the organisers, your correspondent left the lecture theatre some time after the talk had finished, but even when he did, stood outside were most of the attendants, excitably awaiting the results of the condom jar. Youth Stop AIDS was only formed last February – following a similar group closing down over a year ago – and despite its relatively short history, the eagerness and enthusiasm seen in its members inspire a certain hope for its future.

Backlash against attempts to clamp down on unconditional offers Abjol Miah In recent years the number of unconditional offers issued by mainstream universities has surged, with the number of such offers given increasing by 3900% over the last five years. More than ever students are getting into universities without the added pressure of A-Level success. Recent action has, however, sought to clamp down on this.

Unconditional offers are shown to have a direct impact on A-Level grades

Damien Hinds, Secretary of State for Education, has described this phenomenon as ‘pressure selling’, yet as a reactionary government review commences, universities have raised concerns over the legality of government intervention with regards to autonomy within the admissions process. It is alleged that this will set in motion a malicious oversight by ministers within a no longer independent education system. Here in Newcastle merely 0.4% of offers were without conditions attached – consider

too those who applied after having received their A-Level results. However this figure is vastly trumped by the likes of Birmingham’s 18.9%. More locally Northumbria University has seen a rise in unconditional entries. What concerns many education experts is that these figures follow a small slump in students scoring top grades at A-Level the previous year, indicating that more students are being offered university places despite average grades declining. In terms of academic performance, this new fad of issuing unconditional offers has had a wider impact, with UCAS-led research concluding that unconditional offers were having a direct downturn on student’s grades. Where around 56% of 18 year olds miss out on their teacher’s predicted grades, this percentage rises by 11 percentage points for those striving towards the empty goal of the unconditional offer. Most teachers will concur – unconditional offers fragment the focus of the student. With the cap on university admissions removed as of 2012, many are questioning whether the trend of unconditional offers is a positive change for our academic institutions. Some argue that more students means a greater popular intelligentsia, and that a rise in unconditional offers reduces the educational exclusivity universities used to operate. But one thing is clear in the years of future admissions – big brother is watching.

18.9% of offers from Birmingham University are unconditional Image: George Elliott on Flickr

the courier

feature lifestyle

Monday 27 May 2019

Weird, wonderful, and suprisingly affordable: Louise Hall reviews The Alchemist Newcastle Editor Louise Hall had the chance to try some of the popular coctail spots cusine and whether you should try it for yourself

Food: Service: Atmosphere: Value: Overall:

hile you may know the Alchemist as a that place you buy strange medical looking cocktails from when you’re feeling fancy on a Friday night, it may surprise you to know that they also have a restaurant where they offer a wide arrange of food to go along with said cocktails. Having never tried the food before I jumped at the chance to go visit the Alchemist branch in Eldon Square last week and tell you what I thought of it.

While The Alchemist is known for its coctails, its food should definitley not be disregarded Entering the restaurant I was greeted with a familiar pulled back industrial décor. Having arrived quite early in the evening at 6 o’clock I was surprised to see the restaurant was already quite busy: but we were taken to our table straight away and our servers were very accommodating. First things first was to get the drinks in, our waitress helpfully explained their extensive menu of cocktails and made a few recommendations. We decided to go with a classic cocktail ‘The Lightbulb’ and a more intriguing one from their new ‘theatre served’ menu: The Conjurer. I’ve explained a bit more about this menu in a feature box next to the review, so go check it out if you’re fascinated. The lightbulb arrived on a stand that reminded me of high school science class, in a quirky and interesting kind of way. Having had cocktails from The Alchemist a few

Images: Louise Hall

times I knew they normally arrived with a side of drama, and my preconceptions were not misplaced. More importantly, the cocktail tasted great, a mixture of interesting fresh and bitter tones. I was relieved that despite their extravagant appearance the drinks had substance as well as style. However, something that is completely unknown to me about The Alchemist is its food and I didn’t quite know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the menu, the food options were a good mix of down to earth without being bog-standard. Interesting twists on fan favourites.I was also surprised by the prices as they were particularly affordable. Knowing that the cocktails are often pretty spenny I was expecting something extravagant and a little out of the student price range. But I feel confident that this kind of dining would fall perfectly into the price bracket of those looking to celebrate the end of exams or uni without completely breaking the bank. For starters, my guest had the pork bon bons and I had halloumi fries. The bon bons were soft and tender, a really unique and classy way to enjoy pulled pork. The halloumi fries were neatly stacked like jenga blocks, and weren’t at all greasy as fried foods can tend to be. For mains my guest had the crispy pork belly and I had the lamb rump and kofta. I really enjoyed the lamb, cooked perfectly pink as recommended. Served as both a rump and kofta allowed for a mixture of texture throughout the meal and kept my taste buds alive. It was a little strange to have the pitta underneath the kofta as I wasn’t completely sure how to tackle pitta bread with a knife and fork, but this didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment of the dish. The real shining star element of the dish was the pomegranate seeds garnishing the plate. The soft lamb and crunchy sweet pomegranate together was a great juxtaposition of flavour and texture. Having stolen a little taste of the pork, I can confirm it was beautifully crunchy. With a crispy rind and light sweetcorn puree to accompany the rich meat. Overall, the atmosphere was relaxed and modern, the food sophisticatedly presented and the cocktails as eccentric as they’ve always been. I think this would be a great location to for a birthday or special celebration this summer: if for the Instagram opportunities alone. While The Alchemist is known for its cocktails its food definitely shouldn’t be disregarded and I for one would definitely go back.

The Conjurer: An interactive cocktail menu experience

The Conjurer is an app created for The Alcemist by Vapour which provides their most immersive drinking experience yet! By downloading the app, you are able to interact with the coaster that accompanies your drink. Choose any one from their menu of six, and experience each cocktail’s own story. If you go through the six on the menu, you are able to unlock an exclusive cocktail - only available to those who have ventured through the stories on offer. The new augemented reality cocktail list includes whiskey-based Seaside Sour, based on family trips to the seaside, and the one I tried High Tea, a gin cocktail with chamagne foam, earl grey tea, and lemon.

comment

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019 @CourierComment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Caitlin Disken, Alexandra Sadler & Jamie Cameron Online Editor Rory Cameron

#BoycottBrunei: What should we do? Our writers respond to the news that Brunei have made the decision to reverse their law on the death penalty for gay sex Carys Rose Thomas

y one qualm with Brunei was the sheer number of people reposting the ‘Boycott Brunei’ post on their Instagram, knowing full well they and probably everyone else they know has and will never stay at any of the Sultan’s ridiculously priced hotels. I absolutely do not agree that digital ‘slacktivism’ is a thing, and think the result of this online campaign is a prime example of that, but I did think it was strange that what went viral was the idea of boycotting, the idea of not doing something you probably weren’t going to do anyway. It was good to see Big Banks like Deutsche Bank, J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs boycott the hotels following calls to action from Ellen DeGeneres and George Clooney, but it did not seem quite as conducive to propose the same boycott to a bunch of broke lowly students. I think the amount of response from regular folks and

The idea of not doing something you probably won’t do anyway

outrage against the Sultan was a brilliant example of digital and physical allyship with the LGBT+ community, but I would have liked to have feel there was more I could actually do than not do something I already wasn’t going to. In the wake of discussions over the accessibility of Extinction Rebellion’s protests, perhaps both these instances show examples of times when protest has been somewhat less-than-accessible, something which I hope will change.

Jamie Hampton

t almost seemed like that was that, the Sultan of Brunei got put in his place, the world moves forward, and the gay people of Brunei could live merrily and free after he stopped murdering them. However, I suppose that in the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t considered just how shallow a victory it was. After all, the word moratorium is often understood to mean a temporary prohibition, not a permanent abolition. The Sultan of Brunei is incidentally one of the wealthiest men upon the planet and one of the longest serving monarchs of the world, behind Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. But of course, what could we expect from

a man who, in 2006, amended the constitution of Brunei to make himself totally infallible? Brunei’s regime did not just impose the death penalty on homosexuality on a whim, it came following years of serious oppression. Whilst we see that they have pledged to officially drop

To see real change, Brunei will have to formulate its own movement

the death sentence (for now), it still remains a fact that the people of the LGBT community face arrest, caning, brutal beatings and often up to 40 years in prison for their violation of the Sultan’s ‘Sharia Penal Code’. This also extends to adultery and other practices that the Sultan has declared are to be detrimental to the morality of society. In the short term, this is possibly a step forward, Brunei’s homosexuality laws are barbaric and out-dated. We can see that the Sultan is not a man who wishes to compromise on his convictions, after-all, theft can cause you to lose a hand in Brunei. Homosexuality and those deemed to be sexually immoral are punished brutally, because it remains illegal within their abominable justice system. Imagine being subject to living under such a regime, whereby you still fear for your life if you were to ever let it slip that you were a homosexual, or indeed knowing that in any other terms, that if you so much as put a foot out of line, you would be whipped, beaten, perhaps even mutilated. Within the next few years, I’d wager that Brunei will reinstate the death penalty for homosexuality if it cares to. LGBT in Brunei will only live in constant fear of being exposed for their sexuality. To see real change, Brunei will have to formulate its own movement. But unfortunately as recent history has taught us, the

international stage can only support that, not fight for it.

Jamie Cameron

he success of the #BoycottBrunei campaign shows how effectively hitting oppressors in the wallet can make change. Boycotting the hotel chains cut into the funds of the regime and its wealthy elite. This has cut deep in the image of the fascist government and, hopefully, should help create revolutionary energy in the country to remove the Sultan and his cronies from power. Big banks like Goldman Sachs joined the boycott and this was a big turning point. These banks are not remotely progressive but it

was good to see them use immense power over a good cause for once. People who are interested in liberation and antifascism should take note of the involvement of these banks. It shows that economic power can be a key component of shutting down fascism. Progressive people should be pooling their economic wealth and resources, forming our own democratic, worker-owned businesses, and using this power to push important causes. In essence, Brunei shows we should be using every available advantage to fight hatred and oppressio. The ends may just require the means.

Image: GuardianNews on YouTube, Misawa Air Base, Max Pixel

Stressed out students don’t equal success

Elisabetta Pulcini discusses the stress culture prevalent in student mental health , and asks what can be done to alleviate it

uring my first day at university studying law, lecturers warned us that our fellow students would lie to us about how much they have been working, purely to fuel the competition. Of course, not everybody subscribes to this awful practice, yet the few

Image: laurajaneillustrations on Instagram

that do are able to create an atmosphere in which stress equals success. Spending a whole night in the library is not only common, but praised. Praised as a sign of dedication to the part of our life society values most: career. However, students that do so cannot be blamed, given the atmosphere that universities create on campus. ‘It’s good for your CV’ is a phrase that any student will instantly recognize and loathe. The value of activities we take part in is purely measured on whether it will increase our chances of employability. The focus is never on how we wish to pursue our passions and develop our skills, but rather on how the experiences we take part in will one day aid us in finding a job. We are asked to fill our life, purely with the aim to fill in a cover letter. The practice of dedicating every minute of

every day to a career has led many to deal with the pressure by boasting about how much stress they have in their life. Anyone, student or not, will be familiar with the person proudly complaining about how sleep deprived they are. Yet universities cannot be blamed for putting so much emphasis on careers, given the increasingly demanding market. This has led to an unhealthy work culture. With British maternity laws being one of the worst in Europe, it is clear that careers are at the forefront of what is defined as success. The question is: are we happy to live in a society that defines self-worth based on career?

We are asked to fill our lives with the aim of filling a cover letter

There are a few things universities could do to teach students to revaluate how much stress they put into achieving a successful career. Firstly, they could focus less on output and more on the overall experience: this means

emphasising that students should not feel obligated to participate in everything the university offers, and that it is ok to prioritize leisure time over yet another internship. In addition, universities should dispel the myth that we need to find a ‘work and personal life balance’.

We do not have to ignore other areas of our life to be successful

In fact, there are so many aspects to ‘personal life’ that it is unfair to put it on the same level as a career: for example, hobbies, family life, friends, physical activity and leisure time cannot all be crammed under the generic ‘personal life’. Universities can aid society by teaching students that a career is merely a part of our life: while working hard is admirable, we do not have to ignore other areas of our life in order to be successful. Hopefully, this will translate into better employment laws, which value the health of workers over their economic worth.

the courier

comment

Monday 20 May 2019

Iran Nuclear Treaty: Dealbreaker

Our writers assess the impact of Iran’s withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action

Sophie Wilson

fter Iran announced that it was reducing its commitments to a landmark nuclear deal, it marks a rising animosity between the US and Tehran. But what does this mean for the remaining countries? The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which is what Iran have partially withdrawn from, was established in 2015. It was a 159 page agreement between Iran, China, France, Germany, Russia, the UK and the US. It was made to make Iran eliminate its stockpile of medium enriched uranium, which can be used to make nuclear weapons. It came after tension over Iran’s alleged efforts to produce a weapon. Iran did defend itself, saying that any effort to do so was based on an entirely peaceful principle. The agreement consisted of 3 main points: Iran had to reduce the number of its centrifuges by two thirds; it had to slash its stockpile of enriched uranium by 98%, and their uranium enrichment has to be capped at 3.67%. With this being a plan to stop Iran from being a potential threat, does this mean that their partial withdrawal is a potential danger?

The remaining countries in the JCPOA should work with Iran

With the JCPOA already being put under threat when the US decided to leave the agreement in 2018, then surely Iran only partially pulling out is not too much of a threat? But the US is saying that there is no middle point for Iran between fully complying with the regulations and fully withdrawing. If this is the case, then is the US is not the country posing the most problems here, having already withdrawn and yet still preventing Iran from being controlled, at least to an extent, by the agreement? The UK have said that they will do everything they can to uphold it while Iran still promises to comply to the regulations that they have not withdrawn from. Therefore, the Iran will still have to abide in part to the agreement, prevent-

ing them from acting too radically in relation to nuclear power. Surely a partial agreement is better than none? Obviously, the belief still remains that the JCPOA was set up because of Iran, and, if Iran was the biggest threat in 2015, then surely they cannot withdraw when the whole of the agreement was created for them. But their withdrawal has meant that it is still required to sell its surplus enriched uranium abroad, rather than keep it. This means that they cannot build nuclear weapons, but what they can do is generate nuclear power. In my opinion, the US should allow the remaining countries in the JCPOA to work with Iran, so that their partial withdrawal does not give them any chance at all to start posing the threat of building nuclear weapons again.

Sesha Subramanian

year after the United States abandoned the international nuclear deal brokered in 2015, Iran has suspended commitments to the deal. Instead of selling the stocks of enriched uranium abroad, President Hassan Rouhani said Iran now plans to keep them. Furthermore, he also presented the threat of resuming production of highly enriched uranium within 60 days if the other signatories to the deal did not honour it.

It is vital that the European powers continue to support Iran

The 2015 accord provided relief from sanctions in exchange for curbing nuclear ambitions from Iran’s side. However, the Trump administration decided to call it a day on the deal and re-imposed sanctions which have hit the Middle Eastern nation hard. Iran has said that it was acting within the provisions of the deal and the ball was now in the court of the other parties involved in the deal – Russia, the United Kingdom, China, France, and

Germany. The reaction from these countries has been mostly to try and reiterate the importance of continuing to honour the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The European powers implied that while any breach of the agreement from Iran’s side will be taken seriously, they would be doing everything they can to keep it going. The USA under the Trump administration has increasingly adopted a policy driven by self-interest and selfpreservation first as opposed to previous administrations, when less hard-line stances were taken. The United States is still arguably the most powerful nation in the world. The only issue now is that they seem to working less with a view towards general benefit by weighing pros and cons. Instead, the US is now trying to brazenly look out for selfinterest sans compromise – something that might work in the short term but would be untenable in the long run. The sanctions on Iran have come as part of a more widespread change in foreign policy in the Middle East. The attitude towards Iran allows for the US to side itself with what is an emerging coalition, according to many, with Israel, Saudi Arabia and the smaller Gulf nations. Yet, to have mutual disdain for Iran is one thing; achieving lasting peace in the region – something the current US government believes is possible – is completely another. As for the other nations’ role in all of this, the UK, France and Germany set up an alternate payments system in January to allow businesses to trade with Iran without being subject to sanctions. However, one criticism is that the system, called Instex, does not cover oil, which is Iran’s main source of foreign exchange, although it does cover a lot of essentials like food and medicine. It is vital that the other nations help out Iran because, ever since the US withdrew on its role in JPOAC, the Iranian economy has taken a massive hit with its currency also pushed to new low, its foreign investment at an all-time low and inflation having quadrupled. That Iran has to resort to threats is an indication in itself that the country is not doing particularly well despite having held up its end of the bargain according to the International Atomic Energy Agency. It is indeed vital that the European powers continue to support them and try to either get the US back on board or negotiate a new settlement with Iran to keep things in the region under control.

Image: Pixabay,. Silk road orient mountains, Iran.

Elections? Oh, not another one!

SOAPBOX

EVIL EDUCATION

n January 1st, Brazilians elected as president former army captain and far-right political agitator Jair Bolsonaro. Since taking office, Bolsonaro has implemented many policies aimed at rolling back the liberal progresses in politics and society seen since the end of the US-backed military dictatorship in 1984. His latest move is even more troubling. In April this year, Bolsonaro appointed the conspiracy-theorist and far-right activist Abraham Weintraub as education minister. Weintraub has already begun the process of indoctrinating Brazils youth into a generation of xenophobic, ultranationalist citizen-soldiers by completely re-writing the nations’ history and creating a cult of personality around the president. If you control the minds of the young, then you curtail the democrats of tomorrow, making any challenge to the regime much more difficult. The first steps toward fascism have already been walked by the new Brazilian ‘hard man’. Why should we care? Because we are now seeing the nationalism of Europe spreading abroad and if we care about the basic liberties of democracy then this should concern all.

ROAST OF THE WEEK

ROBBO RAGE

Large bodies of students simply aren’t engaged enough

Furthermore, this timing simply isn’t coherent with the demanding deadline dates and exam prep ongoing during election season. Students fail to value the services of their local council, but they are also ignorant of what their council does.

The election results produced an anticipated yet extraordinary downfall of the major political forces; with Conservatives and Labour crashing to 29% neck-and-neck. The issue is Brexit. Ever since the 2016 referendum the idea of Brexit has been used as a punishing tool by voters. The coalition years saw a resurgence of neoliberal politics which served the country magnificently for the economic victors, yet failed those left behind. Whilst the 2017 election showed no real impact on the balance of support from the status quo, these council elections were glossed with campaigns revolving around Brexit and the government was engulfed by the maelstrom of public opinion. With the Liberal Democrats, Green and other independents collectively receiving 1,119 more councillors, the clear message should not be taken as support for those parties. Rather, it is a collective revolutionary blade in the side of the incumbent government - much like that of the original 2016 referendum result. The government is consistently failing the people and, until change is made, local issues will take a step down as our council elections become nothing more than a new revolutionary apparatus.

Image: corgi.dujour on Instagram

Caitlin Disken

s a third year student who is, undoubtedly, incredibly dedicated to her studies, I have probably spent more time in the library than in my own house this year. It’s got to the point where I have a kind of Stockholm Syndrome with the Robbo - I hate that place so much, but I also don’t know where I’d be without it. As exam season kicks in, the Robbo has become increasingly busy. Want a seat in silent study? You’d better be prepared to get up early, and get there before 9am. Fancy working in collab for a change of scenery? Good luck finding a table that can fit you and all your mates on it. And if you want somewhere to eat your lunch, enjoy the experience of sitting on an uncomfortable floor alongside masses of other people. There’s a reason the Robbo is a favourite study spot for many: it has big desks, a well-stocked café, and all the books you could ever need. Yet, with thousands of students enrolled at Newcastle, more study space needs to be made available. And, if you’re a first year, just stay in your halls - your year doesn’t count.

TOAST OF THE WEEK

Following the elections, Abjol Miah asks if students need to be more engaged in local politics tudents do not care about mainstream politics. Last week the nation took to the polls to participate in local elections including that of the north east’s new North of Tyne mayor. What has become evident is that large bodies of students, such as ours, simply aren’t engaged enough to enact their electoral rights to improve their communities. The problem? As most suspect and the cabinet office confirmed students just don’t realise they can register to vote in here in Newcastle.

Joe Holloran

PIKACHU PARTY

Mohi Choudhury

onsidering that Detective Pikachu hit UK cinemas recently, it seems apt to celebrate its icon: Pikachu, that short, chubby rodent Pokémon who is undoubtedly cuter than any humanoid. This symbolic figure has provided humanity with inordinate amounts of joy during both perilous and blissful times. Even neutrals (normies) are aware of his cultural significance among the masses. Pikachu is far from being the best Pokemon. That title belongs to the twirling maestro known as Gengar, but the diminutive rodent remains incredibly popular despite being introduced in 1996. So, celebrate this hero by watching his movie. Pee-ka-chuuuuuuuu!

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

@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

Blind Date

Are you unlucky in love? Email us at c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk

Dan Froughi meets Amelia Webb

So, firstly how was it and where did you go? Did you make the most of the nice weather? So it was totally amicable and pleasant. She was on a time constraint because of some SU awards, so couldn’t go far, so went to Five Swans but couldn’t get a seat outside which was a bit peak. Had a couple of bevs and lots of chats.

“She’s pretty mad keen on Soho so no doubt loves blue trebs” Great, thanks. Did you have much in common/what did you guys talk about? Not a great deal in common. She’s on a placement year and I did one last year so talked about that quite a bit. Plus all her involvement in RAG and being president next year. Plus like plans after uni etc.. Ahh fair enough. Can you see this going anywhere? Or was it end of term fun? Nah won’t be going anywhere. Was very pleasant but can’t see it becoming anything more/romantic. Did your first impressions meet your end impressions? Yeah, I thought the same at the beginning as I did by the end, if that’s what you mean.

What did you expect from a blind date and were you nervous? I’d been on one of the RAG blind dates before so felt fairly prepared in terms of what to expect. What were your first impressions of him? He seemed quite nervous when we first met so I hope that I did an ok job of easing his nerves a bit! He managed to insult my course within 10 minutes of us meeting which wasn’t the best initial impression ( I think he called it a waffly subject or something) but I reckon that was probably just his nerves coming out. Was it what you expected? It’s a difficult question to answer because you always have to prepare for the unexpected on blind dates! Where did you go? Oh god, I think he hated me for this but I asked if we could meet at Luther’s because I finished work at 5.30 and had the community awards at 7... He wasn’t very impressed so we went to Five Swans for a couple of pints! What did you talk about? Were there any funny moments? We didn’t have loads in common so mostly we chatted about our placement years. We also chatted a bit about driving and joked about how embarrassingly long it’s taking me to learn, and things like where we want to move after we graduate. There was one moment which I found funny but I’m not sure if he picked up on - basically, I was explaining to him why I favour tactical voting, and he started explaining the UK electoral system to me. Like, I think if I’m doing a degree in Politics and i’m explaining to you why I choose to tactical vote, it’s safe to assume that I know how the electoral system works haha! Did you learn any fun facts about him?

Was there a particularly memorable part of the night? One of her mates managed to bump into us and sat down for like 2 minutes before working out what he’s barged in on.

He used to play rugby. Does that count as fun?

Last one - if she was a spoons pitcher which would she be?

If he were an alcoholic beverage what would he be and why?

Blue Lagoon pitcher, because she’s pretty mad keen on Soho so no doubt loves blue trebs.

A dark fruits. Sweet, but pretty basic. Do you think you will meet again? I doubt it - looks wise, he was 100% my type but I didn’t feel any particular spark when we were chatting

life & style lifestyle

To Bee or not to Bee-keep? Sophie Wilson on the ethics of keeping bees for the climate

ees, they can’t feel pain, right? Incorrect! With many people believing the myth that bees are incapable of feeling pain, it is time to set the record straight, and decide on whether beekeeping is ethical or not, based on facts. Bees are a lot more intelligent than we are giving them credit for. The way they communicate is fascinating, as they use different body movements, known as dances, to let other bees know about the position of flowers and where to pick pollen. They also have a

great memory, which allows them to remember where the flowers and the hive are. This intelligence would suggest that hurting this insect for human benefit is just the same as hurting any other mammal. Added to this is that they can feel pain, having a centralised nervous system which means that they have the capacity to feel both pain and pleasure, and so any viscous and cruel behaviour on behalf of the beekeeper will genuinely have an effect on the bees involved.

If bees are so clever, then is it ethical to exploit them? And so if bees are so clever, then is it ethical to exploit them and force them into creating honey? The answer is the same to most questions concerning the ethical nature of animals being used for the consumption of humans. If the animal or insect is handled in the correct,

If the beekeepter only harvests excess honey, and so leaves enough for the bees over winter, there is no harm to these insects

Image: pexels

ethical, way then surely it is acceptable? If the beekeepers take an organic approach to their work, instead of using plastic foundations and chemicals, then surely this provides the bees with a comfortable way of life. They have a home that they belong to, and in return for that they produce honey, without being hurt. Similarly, if the beekeeper only harvests excess honey, and so leaves enough for the bees to live on over winter, then no harm is cause to these insects. If bees are treated with the respect that they deserve, and are well looked after, then beekeeping does not seem to be an unethical act.

the courier

Monday 20 May 2018 Image: unsplash

A bittersweet love letter to Newcastle Lifestyle Editor Holly Margerrison reflects on her three years in Newcastle and her ups and downs in the toon...

About to plunge into my last week at Newcastle University, it’s safe to say the nostalgia has hit me all at once and I’m once again overcome with the all-consuming dread – what the hell am I going to do with my life? Where the hell has three years gone? Is this really goodbye?

I raise a toast for every Bridget Jones conundrum we’ve shared Unlike your classic love affair, I was not infatuated from the off. This has been a slow burner, a gradual culmination of appreciation for everything this city offers: its transitional campus; its green spots amongst the grey; its surplus of culture wherever you look. Boy does this city have a lot to offer, and often it’s just a case of looking up. Studying English Literature and Creative Writing has been the tipping point from a flirty affair into a full-blown romance. Not only has the Literature side exposed me to a whole host of writers I would never have come across myself, the theory has also enhanced my capabilities as a critical thinker. I find myself unable to watch a film, read a book or even leisurely peruse the pages of Vogue without my mind screaming ‘Hey, there’s something deeper going on in this discourse!’ now. My degree has made me more aware of social groups, history, politics – as well as enhancing my passion for writing. Some of my finest accomplishments have come in third year and, in a way, I’m sad I didn’t act on my initiatives sooner. Joining the Courier as Lifestyle Editor has been so rewarding – our section can even boast winning section of the year – but more importantly, it’s developed my passion for editing (as well as writing), motivated me to pursue my career goals (regardless of the long hours) and has introduced me to a whole host of young, in-

spiring journalists that I can’t wait to work alongside in the future. That’s not to say University hasn’t had its tough points. Grieving a friend in Fresher’s week, struggling to settle in and forcing myself to leave the confines of my room when socialising was the last thing I wanted to do were difficult moments to contend with. But these were the moments that taught me to find comfort in what makes me happy, as well as turning to others when all I needed was that reassuring hug that told me everything will be okay. Of course, these are the friends that will lift you up when you’re having an off-day; they’re the friends who

I’m lucky to say these are the people that made me fall in love with Newcastle will remind you of your self-worth when an irrelevant boy makes a snide remark; they’re the friends who will become more than friends, they’ll become your family away from home. I’m lucky to say these are the people that have made me fall in love with Newcastle. So, to you my friends, I raise a toast for every Bridget Jones conundrum we’ve shared, every drunken takeaway we’ve devoured together and every tear we’ve shed together (through stress or laughter). Newcastle, we’ve had a blast, and it seems as though I’m soft for you. It seems as though you’ve worked your magic on me and that I might just remain up here for a Journalism Masters. That’s the problem, I’m just not ready to close the book on our love affair yet. Masters or no masters, then, I hope you’ll always welcome me home with your arms flung open, blueberry treble in hand, in an attempt to say: ‘Welcome home. It’s been too long.’

How to enjoy your final term at uni

Beauty Editor Susanne Norris advises us how to neglect the stress of final term and make the most of the last few weeks

inal term will always be a tough one. You want to be on Osbourne Road, sipping cocktails, pretending you’re on holiday somewhere exotic. There you are, people-watching yet more groups of girls in flared trousers, living your best life. The reality is, you’re stuck in the library. There’s no aircon, the guy next to you is breathing annoyingly loudly and your coffee tastes like dishwater. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Balance is possible and – through perfecting the art of time management – you too can make the most of final term.

relaxing music; making for a very holistic down time. I enjoy sticking on an episode of Fleabag with a packet of kettle chips. Equally relaxing and equally important. Find what works for you and always ensure to give yourself the odd half-hour to relax. You’ll be thanking yourself when it prevents breaking into tears in the middle of the Robbo.

Once uni work has come to an end, why not make the most of final term (and the good weather) by planning a day trip? Tynemouth or Whitley Bay are always a great shout to enjoy the beach and fish and chips. If you’re feel-

Step Three – Enjoy cheap thrills:

In order to keep you struggling through the final slog, plan little things to keep you motivated. Live music can be a great way to let your hair down for a few hours, with everywhere from the SU to The O2 Academy offering this. Those of us who are a bit more reserved/ less good at dancing can opt for a cinema trip, with Tyneside Cinema’s ‘Young Tyneside’ card meaning you get a film for a fiver. Little evening excursions can make a great difference.

Step One – Do a time plan:

It sounds cliché and straightforward, but your best friend in final term is a time plan. Whether you have a fancy app to do it for you or, like me, prefer a good oldfashioned pen and paper plan, knowing what you’re doing by the hour is a godsend. By planning out your work or revision hour by hour, you have a much better idea of what you’re working towards and helps you make compromises. Working until 7pm today? Take 2 hours out tomorrow for some retail therapy or a morning off for a lie in.

I’m lucky to say these are the people that made me fall in love with Newcastle

Step Four – Plan a night out:

Step Two – Have down time:

Down time is essential in allowing your stress levels to recover. My housemate likes to light candles and play

Step Five – Day Trip Exploring:

Image: Instagram @newcastleuni

Final term is always stressful. And there’s nothing quite like that night out to celebrate the end of essays and exams. The thought of a messy night at Swingers has often been the only thing pulling me through to my big hand in day (which, conveniently for English, always falls on a Thursday). Get the group chat hyped up by planning a big night out. It will motivate you through that final push plus ensure you make the most of your social life in the last term.

ing fancy, look at Durham, where anything goes from cultured exploring to plenty of pubs for day drinking. If you book in advance for cheap tickets, Edinburgh is the ultimate day trip from Newcastle for shopping, sightseeing, eating and drinking. Excursions like these really allow you to make quality memories in the final term and make the most of it.

the courier

lifestyle life & style

Monday 20 May 2018

Deadlines: the final stretch News Editor Grace Dean details the best ways to push through the final hurdle of this term

f you’re reading this, chances are that you’re looking for a way to procrastinate from the impeding deadlines and exams of the summer semester. For some of us, this is multiplied by the fact that we’re in final year. With the final semester of final year comes the knowledge that everything you’ve worked so hard on since starting your GCSEs ultimately builds up to this. The awareness that those hours studying Hamlet for GCSE English and those stressful A-level Maths lessons attempting binomial

You were able to bring some glitter to your maths equations expansions have all led up to this moment at the culmination of our degree is incredibly daunting, and many of us are now beginning to regret all those nights spent in Sinners rather than writing up our lecture notes or finalising our coursework. There is still time, however, to prepare your mind, your body and your seminar notes for the incoming flood of exams. Organisation is key to success. Don’t feel guilty about splashing out on pretty stationery – if it gets you in the mood to study then it’s a worthy investment (what’s a fiver on a beautiful notebook when you’re spending nine grand a year on tuition fees?). Ensure all your notes are written or typed up neatly so that you have all the information to hand when you need it. I find that colour-coded mind-maps really help as I can sometimes visualise these in exams. Ensure you have a comfortable space to study too. This may be at home, glammed up in your dressing gown with a pile of snacks and the kettle to hand. This may be in the library, when the glares of other students when you’re checking Facebook rather than writing your essay puts you under social pressure to stop pro-

Image: Getty images

crastinating. This may be in your garden, Leazes Park or Jesmond Dene, where the peace of being among nature, the birdsong and the neighbour’s cat can help you find your happy zone. Try out different study spots throughout the city ‘til you find your happies and most productive spot. What I cannot recommend enough is to stay healthy. Both physical and mental health are essential for nurturing your brainpower. A healthy mind brings a healthy body – which arguably is perfect for last-minute Robbo cramming. Crucial to this is sleep. While all-nighters in the library can be tempting, they ultimately ruin your sleeping habits. While caffeine may seem like the perfect solution to those sleepless nights, caffeine, be careful with the stuff. It may power you through long sessions in the library, but try limit your consumption to no more than three coffees a day. Overconsumption can not

You were able to bring some glitter to your maths equations only lead to sleepless nights, but also irritability and low moods. No one wants to become the house grouch, If you have a coffee craving, try fool your body with the decaffeinated stuff, or otherwise experiment with other low-caffeine or caffeine-free hot beverages, such as the great selection of decaffeinated teas offered by Quilliam’s. Above all, be careful with energy drinks. No one wants a caffeine crash in the exam hall, and we all remember what happened to Will in that episode of the Inbetweeners. Alongside looking after your physical health, please

Cooking with Hope Coke

Orange and Almond Cake

This cake is easy to make but a little bit sophisticated, with subtle brightness from the orange and spices and depth and richness from the almonds, along with a light, tender but moist crumb from the yoghurt and olive oil. It’s plain enough for tea time (or even breakfast? No judgement) or amp it up for a fancy pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I love the nuttiness of spelt flour with the almonds, but if you don’t have spelt plain would work fine too. I’ve tried baking this in a loaf pan as one large cake and as muffins and both turned out great, so pick whichever you prefer and adjust the baking time accordingly. Makes one loaf cake or 12 muffins

Ingredients: 100ml olive oil 3 eggs finely grated zest and juice of one large orange 150g golden caster sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/4 tsp nutmeg 250g thick greek yoghurt 100g ground almonds 100g spelt flour 2 tsps baking powder a big pinch salt optional, to decorate: 50g flaked almonds

Image: Instagram @beesillustrate

ensure you don’t neglect your mental health. While you may currently live in the Robbo, socialising outside of the library is key to staying happy, healthy and positive. This doesn’t have to be for long – a tea break with friends, a pub quiz or a film night can all offer some much needed relaxation. Depending on whether you’re a Nigella in the making, a baking session with pals can offer not only friendship but also some very wholesome and delicious relaxation therapy. Personally I would recommend apple crumble. Ultimately, remember that your friends are in the same boat as you too, and don’t feel afraid to reach out to them for support should the stress of exam season get too much for you. What I find really keeps me sane through exams is having something to look forward to. Whether it’s a concert, restaurant trip or even a weekend away, having something to motivate me through just makes exams that little bit more bearable. Fill a diary with your summer plans, no matter how small, and flick through this when you’re feeling stressed, down or lonely. The days in the library might seem long at the moment, but it won’t be long until you can hand in your coursework, return all your books, and feel the warmth of the summer sun beating against your back.

Directions: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C and either grease and line a loaf tin or place muffin cases in a 12 hole muffin pan. Then start by combining the olive oil, eggs, orange zest and juice, sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg and cinnamon in a large bowl and whisking it all together for about three minutes, until it’s well combined and an even yellow in colour. Next tip in the yoghurt and whisk again until your batter is smooth. In another bowl, combine your remaining dry ingredients (ground almonds, spelt flour, baking powder, salt) and stir to combine, then tip into the wet ingredients and mix through until the batter is smooth again. Then either carefully pour into your lined loaf tin or use an ice cream scoop or tablespoon to fill your muffin cases about 3/4 full (so that they don’t overflow as they rise in the oven) and finally sprinkle over the flaked almonds, if using. Then transfer your loaf tin/ muffin pan to the oven and bake for around 35-45 minutes for the loaf cake and 20-25 for muffins. When the cake is ready it should be a light golden brown on top and firm all the way through, but it’s a good idea to start checking after about 30 minutes for the loaf cake and 15 for the muffins. That way, if it looks like the top is browning too quickly before the cake has had long enough to cook inside, you can cover the top with foil for the remainder of the cooking time. Image: Hope Coke

life & style beauty Beauty Men at the Met Gala Ball

courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Susanne Norris, Nimra Rafique Laura Buckle Online Editor Molly Taylor

Brand Lovin'

Nimra Rafique convinces us that Maybelline is this week's best beauty brand avaliable

hen it comes to choosing one favourite beauty brand, it’s proven to be quite difficult. With so many different brands on the market these days, it’s difficult to narrow it down to just one. I don’t know about you, but when it comes to beauty I’m always on the hunt for the latest and greatest. I’m always looking for new base products in particular, I’m definitely a skin focus person when it comes to makeup, so with the array of options on the beauty market right now, you could say I’ve tried my fair share. However, there are just some beauty brands that I always find myself going back to, one of those being, Maybelline New York. I think the first ever makeup product I bought, back when I was new to the world of makeup, was Maybelline’s Dream Matte Mousse Foundation. When I look back at it I cringe, I can still feel the heavy, cakey feeling of it on my skin. I must say, that may be partially due to my lack of skills at the time. Anyway, after so much time has passed, I can confidently say that Maybelline has evolved into one of the most successful beauty brands on the market, and I must commend them for their work.

Crazy hair colours are a definite yes. People love to try pastel blues, pinks To this day I still use multiple Maybelline products in my daily makeup routine. Like I said, doing the base makeup is the best part of the makeup routine for me. There’s just something about watching my terrible acne scars disappear in a matter of minutes. Magic. So, of course I’m always on the hunt for face makeup products. I’ve recently just fell in love with the Maybelline Fit Me Matte and Poreless Powder. As someone who suffers from really oily skin, a face powder is essential in my makeup bag. For the longest time I was using the famous Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, but when I ran out of it I contemplated repurchasing, for the high price tag was it really worth it? Not for my current budget, unfortunately. Thus began my quest to find a new affordable holy grail face powder. Previously, I’d used the Rimmle Stay Matte Translucent Powder, but it just wasn’t cutting it for me. After extensive research, watching YouTube review after YouTube review (as you can see I take this very seriously), I finally decided to try out the Maybelline Matte and Poreless Powder. And the rest is history. No, but seriously, this powder is everything I was looking for in a powder, or what I look for in a makeup product in general. One, it’s affordable at only £5.99. Two, it does exactly what it says on the tin, it keeps me oil free all day and blurs my imperfections, plus it doesn’t get cakey. And three, its reliable, it looks great no matter how I wear it, whether I’m only wearing a little bit of concealer or opt for full glam, the powder works flawlessly. So you’re probably thinking, why did I spend so much time going on about a powder. It’s not that deep, I know. My point is, Maybelline has evolved and adapted so much over the years and has continued to strive and remained relevant and consistent. As one of the first beauty brands I heard of, to the success it still has today, Maybelline truly is timeless when it comes to beauty, and has rightfully earned its place at the top.

Image: @maybelline

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

Tom Cooney takes a look at men who wear makeup, questioning why our society is embedded in gender-norms

he relationship between men and makeup has had an interesting progression over the last few thousand years. Cosmetics were once a notable part of the beauty standards imposed on members of the male gender. Makeup played a role in characterising masculinity in Ancient Egypt, was continually used by the Romans, and extremely popular amongst the upper echelons of society in Elizabethan England. It’s interesting, then, that from the Victorian era up until our present day the concept of men wearing makeup has become taboo. ‘Taboo’ may seem like a strong word for something that isn’t wildly uncommon, but when the theme of this year’s Met Gala is ‘Camp’ and a vast number of male celebrities show up looking barefaced and in black suits, there is clearly an issue here that remains unsolved.

This begs the question, why isnt the concept of men wearing makeup normalised? ‘Camp’ is a theme that begs for the application of dynamic, unique and flamboyant makeup. Lady Gaga’s long gold-foil lashes, Ezra Miller’s mind-bending eyes-on-eyes look and Gigi Hadid’s channelling of the Ice Queen are but three examples of this, causing cameras to flash for exactly the right reasons. It was disappointing then to see stars such as Shawn Mendes, Joe Jonas and Rami Malek turn up with little to no effort made in the cosmetics department. Why was that? Despite telling ourselves that we are a more accepting society than ever before, these examples made it clear that those gender norms typical of the Victorian era have yet to be fully quashed. This is not to say that every man at the Gala let us down though; Billy Porter, Darren Criss and Michael Urie join Gaga, Miller and Hadid in having

some of the most exciting looks of the night. Not long after pondering this disappointing turnout, I happened to stumble upon a new makeup company being advertised on Twitter: War Paint. That’s right, the first ‘male-only’ makeup brand I have personally ever encountered is named ‘War Paint’. Alongside its all-black basic packaging and

'Camp' is the theme that begs for the application of dynamic, unique and flamboyant makeup muscular, tattooed models – skull rings and leather jackets in tow – its entire marketing strategy is imbued with toxic masculinity. Again, this begs the question, why isn’t the concept of men wearing makeup normalised? Why does such a brand have to be drowned in a cornucopia of symbols characteristic of what hypermasculinity has stereotypically been constructed to be? This needs to stop. It is counterproductive for social progression and downright embarrassing for a company to endorse such values. In fact, I have yet to be convinced of the need for a ‘male-only’ makeup company at all. While it is true that the concept of men wearing makeup is much less controversial in queer culture, this sense of normalisation should be universal. I’m not suggesting that every man out there should go out and stock up on every foundation, lipstick and eyeliner they can find, but I am suggesting that the gender disparity in makeup standards is not natural. We shouldn’t live in a world where a man wearing makeup in public is a head-turning moment, but while we do live in that world, why not make that statement? Only then will our society’s Victorian standards on gender begin to shift.

Image: @theebillyporter

The Met Gala: a full beauty round-up

Catherine Entwistle shares the best and the worst from this year's prestigous fashion event

eathers, flowers, glitz and a little bit of kitsch; Met Gala 2019’s Camp theme did not disappoint when it came to the daringly spectacular beauty and fashion looks that have become unanimous with the annual event. Stars unleashed their best flamboyant, feathery and fantastical guises in fashion with an equal level of commitment seen in the show stopping beauty statements. On a night where anything and everything went, including black Swarovski crystal eyes, candyfloss pink hair and bejewelled nails, more was definitely more! The pink carpet acted as the perfect backdrop for photographs of Sabrina Dhowre, as she sported an understated makeup look with a curly candyfloss hairdo. Her makeup look was kept delicate and radiant with glossy pink lips and metallic eye shadow, eliminating distraction from the beautiful bonce. It was Elle Fanning’s all-out manicure that charmed onlookers, matched up

Instagram: @ladygaga

with coloured jewels on each finger. Just as fabulous was her blonde mane, styled up to channel a 70s super-Barbie. Lady Gaga, never one to be outdone, managed to pull off four different red carpet looks in a choreographed performance that saw her followed by hair and makeup artists alike. It was her gold leaf lashes that though that had heads turning. Oversized would be an understatement for these luscious details, but she wasn’t the only one channelling this look. Gigi Hadid, in-keeping with the linear design of her Michael Kors full body suit, fashioned some extravagant white tinsel-inspired lashes, reminiscent of an ice queen. She paired the extravagant makeup with a neutral nude lip. I know all the stars this year looked great. But if you asked me for a personal favourite look of mine, it would have to be Lupita Nyong’o’s showstopping makeup. The actor looked wildly wonderful in a theatrical and pantomimeesque Versace number. The look was both playful and

fierce, and was inspired by the drag queen, Divine. This fashion number was paired with sparkly, metallic eyes and a dark plum lip but it was arguably her hair that stole the show, with an enormous high top ‘fro, decorated with five spray-painted gold Afro combs. Is there anything more camp than hair of impractical proportions? We would argue not! And, I hate to say it, but there’s always that look that could have done with a (tiny!) bit more effort, especially given the Camp theme of this year’ gala. Expectations for makeup were set even higher this year because of the extravagant theme. With this in mind, Kris Jenner’s hair and makeup were a little off the mark. She sported a bleached-blonde wig and some heavy, teal eye shadow. The whole look appeared mismatched and a little more effort in her makeup, to bring out a wonderful and camp look, would have been appreciated by fans and beauty commentators alike.

the courier

beauty life & style

Monday 20 May 2019

Festival favourites: this year's must-haves

Festival season is almost upon us. Emily Cartwright talks us through this season's festival beauty favourites for summer 2019

I N A L L Y, it’s that beautiful time of year again where festival beauty is taking the main stage. But, instead of you having to do the hard work, I’ve done it all for you: I’ve scoured through the depths of Instagram and Pinterest to find what 2019 wants from festival beauty trends. So, with that, here we go…

1.Electric Eyeshadows:

Electric eyeshadows are so on trend for festival season this year. Whether its colour-blocking blue or mixing yellow, pink and orange, your neon shades will guarantee an eye-catching look with using crazy shades. They may even match your on-trend neon clothes! With these it’s about being bold and straying from that ‘brown smokey eye’ comfort zone that we’re all guilty of. I recommend NYX Ultimate Petite Eyeshadow Palette in ‘Brights.’ It won’t break the bank, priced at just £7, and will fit in a small makeup bag, perfect for festival looks and touchups on the go.

I recommend NYX Ultimate Petite Eyeshadow Palette in 'Brights'. It won't break the bank at just £7 2. Bubblegum Hair:

Kylie Jenner has always been an advocate for crazy hair colours and no doubt this explains this trend! Having baby pink or baby blue hair is such a bold statement, you wouldn’t need to do much else with your outfit and makeup. It’s definitely a go-to if you’re feeling lazy but still want to look good. If you don’t want to commit completely however, maybe pack a wig or two!

3. Wet EVERYTHING:

This one is another Kardashian trend for this year, but this time it’s Kim Kardashian-West. Her ‘wet’ looks are becoming a key part of her style and it’s safe to say she always looks amazing for it. So, for our humble adaptations, we look to the likes of MAC strobe cream (£26, but you can get a perfect festival-friendly mini for £12), Fenty Beauty Body Lava (£46) and a beaming highlighter of your choice. Unfortunately, wet hair may be slightly difficult to achieve at a festival unless you’re

in a fancy VIP area with showers but if it rains – sorted! Put these products EVERYWHERE and you should look pretty…’wet.’

4. Rhinestones:

Essential for every festival season, these are perfect to throw on your face or in your hair, even on your body if you fancy that extra bit of glitz. Getting fishnets with little diamantes on is also super on trend to achieve more sparkle! Order a big pack on Ebay and stick them on with lip gloss or face glue – you’ll be good to go!

5. Bright Lips:

Like the neon eyes, bright lips really have made a comeback. I think the Met Gala theme has much to do with this – BE EXPRESSIVE! Take a look at Jeffree Star’s liquid lips to get some inspo, such as the shade “You’re Still on the Property” (£16) or his Mini Rainbow Bundle (£52). Liquid lips will last all day so you’ll look daring for hours! Just make sure you take something to get them off with – micellar water and a good scrub usually does the trick.

6. Hair Glitter:

One that comes back every year without fail is hair glitter. Though a fairly new trend compared to the ‘glitter everywhere’ festival look, it’s one of my favourites. I’d recommend grabbing a NYX Glitter Brilliance Face and Body Glitter (£6) as these also include a sieve in the packaging so it doesn’t all come out at once. Perfect for a lazy, but still fabulous, final day look! With that – happy festival shopping, everyone!

Image: @thegypsyshrine

Summer beauty trends we're loving Image: @nyxcosmetics

Spend your time looking through Instagram planning summer beauty looks? Beauty editor, Susanne Norris, has you covered

o be honest with you all, I’m still lusting over Kylie Jenner’s hair at this year’s Met Gala. Yes, I know they’re wigs, so for us (poor) mortals they’d be hard to pull off, but the colours gave me life. The lilac for the gala itself looked absolutely gorgeous, and the blue-green mermaid-esque wig she chose for Kim Kardashian’s after party was to die for.

Crazy hair colours are a definite yes. People love to try pastel blues, pinks and purples when the

Image: @ctilburymakeup

It did get me thinking about dying my hair a crazy colour for summer, and I’m not the only one. My housemate – who’s opted for blonde hair ever since we met three years ago – is debating taking the plunge and dying her locks baby pink. I told her to go for it, of course. And that’s what got me thinking about the colours we’re likely to see this summer in the beauty world. Crazy hair colours are a definite yes. People love to try pastel blues, pinks and purples when the weather gets warmer. These colours lift the face and are a perfect alternative to going blonde for summer. You can play around and have a lot of fun with them, as they’re semipermanent so can be changed or topped up as and when desired. If you get bored after a while (although, who would?!) it’s easy to return to a blonde shade, or equally dye your hair a darker colour for autumn. As for makeup, I’m thinking coral, copper and champagne hues. My Instagram is awash with Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘Dreamgasm’ palette, and boy can I see why. This little eyeshadow palette contains four shades of coral/ copper-based shades. The swatches look complimentary on all skin tones, which is also a major plus. If I was a summer baby, I’d be popping it on my birthday wish-list. But since I was born in September, and I’m also broke (sorry Charlotte Tilbury), I’ll be imitating the look with some coppery shadows from NYX’s single shadow range and a tiny dab of my coral Laura Geller highlighter.

In addition to coral/copper makeup, spring fashion shows proved virgin brows are back. Time to reject Kylie, Kim, et al. on this one and instead opt for bushy, untamed brows. Just running a brow brush through your eyebrows can do the trick. But, if you have naturally lighter brows or the thought of going natural leaves you in fear, tinted brow mascara can help. The cult product is of course Glossier’s ‘Boy Brow’ and it never disappoints. But for those on a budget, NYX offer a nearly-as-good alternative for half the price in their ‘Tinted Brow Mascara’ range. There are several shades to choose from and whilst the formula can seem heavy at first, you quickly get used to using it. Virgin brows can be set for the day with a clear brow gel, with pretty much every beauty brand stocking one of these.

As for makeup, I’m thinking coral, copper and champagne hues. My Instagram is awash with Charlotte Tilbury’s ‘Dreamgasm’ palette and I can see why Once you’ve given these new trends a try (or at least one or two of them) you’ll need to set your face. Matte setting sprays are normally a god-send, but probably not your best option for summer. The formula can make your face look unnatural or overdone in summer light and hot temperatures. The good news is that dewy skin is in. I’ve been opting for a dewy rather than matte finish for over a year now, and I couldn’t be happier. Your face will look like it’s adapting to the summer heat accordingly, yet still magically looks glowy rather than shiny and radiant rather than sweaty. I opt for a cheap and cheerful yet effective and long-lasting formula, Barry M’s ‘Dewy Setting Spray’. It’s my go-to staple for summer, along with sun-cream and – admittedly – a roll-on deodorant.

the courier

life & style fashion

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

Summer Lovin'

Badges all Etsy.com

If it ain't brooch-en don't fix it

arina Hardy made waves this week with her nipple brooch, about the mixed reactions she’s received to the metal mammary, she says “It definitely opens up conversations, and that’s the point. Some people feel naked when they take off their favourite earrings; I feel naked without my nipple brooch.” Whilst, this unique piece may not be for everyone, brooches or badges are a great way to spice up old favourite t-shirts and blouses without having to buy new. Try etsy for cute pins that literally make a statement or Bloody Mary Metal for beautiful and sustainable pieces for every budget.

Fashion Editor Miranda Stoner shares the trends which have stolen her hearth this season

Instagram: @kooks_naive

Monday 20 May 2019

Instagram: @vogue

The devastation of denim

Fashion Editor Miranda Stoner gives us the harsh truth as to why we should think twice about where our jeans come from

enim has been used for decades as the cotton corduroy is a strong, flexible, highly durable material. The most common garment made of denim is jeans. These are named after Genea, the city in Italy where they were first manufactured. They were originally invented to withstand hard work by tailor Jacob Davis who made a pair of trousers from the material of Levi Strauss, reinforcing them with copper rivets at the weakest points of the material. Jeans have not always been bought to the same extent or worn in the same contexts as today. They began as working clothes, which then turned into a casual clothing revolution and have now become fashion items. Jean production has entered into the cycle of fast fashion, which has detrimental effects on the environment. Studies have shown that consumption is increasing and the average number of pairs of jeans that women own is seven. Of these seven only four pairs are actually worn. The frequency of buying new jeans has also increased. Whilst originally the durable denim meant a pair of jeans had to be worn in and would subsequently last years, changes to the composition of denim used for jeans and the addition of elastane to increase comfort has meant that jeans now wear out a lot quicker. So that’s one reason why jeans are bad for the environment, simply because consumption in general has increased.

It takes 10, 000 Litres of water to make one pair of jeans which means that all the water in the Thames would only be enough to provide one pair to 3.8% of the London population

Jeans bring their own specific environmental damages to the table though. Their production requires massive amounts of energy and water. It takes 10, 000 Litres of water to make one pair of jeans which means that all the water in the River Thames would only be enough to make 350,000 pairs of jeans and provide one pair to 3.8% of the London population. Considering the average woman owns 7 pairs and this is only one city not worldwide, this figure is astonishing. In terms of energy, jeans require fossil fuels and electricity in the raw materials, their production,

manufacture, distribution and disposal, which adds up to a huge sum, although we can only estimate how much. In addition to this the manufacture of jeans can contaminate nearby water bodies with chemicals that get into the ecosystem damaging food chains and reducing biodiversity. The ethical issues of jean manufacture can’t be swept under the carpet either. The likes of Primark, h&m, ZARA and Topshop all sell huge quantities of jeans for low prices, which is not normally achieved without subjecting workers to low wages and dangerous factory conditions. Not to mention how these brands promote the consumerist lifestyle of buying and throwing away each season.

The good news is that there are brands who tackle these environmental challenges and attempt to educate and empower the consumer. LA based brand Ética are a new denim label who have joined forces with Hera Apparel, a sustainable denim factory based in Mexico to create ecofriendly designs. The brand does more than create jeans though, it maintains the style appeal of their less conscious competitors, selling not only jeans but also dungarees, dresses and outerwear. The brand works in opposition to the current narrative in society which reinforces a fastpaced cycle of consumption. The company is mindful from production, to dyeing, to transportation to take steps to reduce their impact. Most importantly, however, is the mindful message they spread CEO Chelsey Santry says "We wanted to launch a brand with a message and meaning behind everything that we did. Helping to further educate our consumers on how to choose to buy a better product for all of us, and our planet. The choices we make affect all of us, so everyone making a better decision benefits us all." Adding that "It's one small ripple made by many people that creates a tidal

wave." So hopefully next time you’re thinking about buying a new pair of jeans, you will take a moment to consider firstly, whether you already have enough jeans and whether you could donate the 3 pairs you don’t wear and secondly, whether there’s a more ethical option out there for you to choose.

All images, Instagram: @eticadenim

Instagram: @madewell

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

Style crush

Model student

eanne Maskell released her book The Model Manifesto: An A-Z anti-exploitation manual for the fashion industry on the 29th April. Maskell began her modelling career at the age of 13, when she was featured in Vogue and has since worked for ASOS, Urban Outfitters and i-D magazine. Uncomfortable with the exploitation she saw around her, she quit modelling and started has since helped to empower freelance models. Her latest success has been writing this book in which she shares the some of the ugly truths behind the beautiful industry and the images they create. Whether you aspire to a career in modelling or not, this is an enlightening read to add to your book list.

fashion life & style

S Instagram: @ganitgoldstein

ince watching Captain Marvel it is no secret that I have been low key girl crushing on Brie Larson and her Instagram does not disappoint. Her feed provides a mixture of dressed up decadence and off-duty beauty. There’s inspiration for every mood, complete with uplifting quotes and a good dose of humour. Her style is refreshingly diverse; you never know whether to expect, it could be anything from a neon yellow off_white knitted dress, to her climbing wall casuals. Whilst her travel photos might make you envious, and her climbing talent is otherworldly, her looks are totally down to Earth.

New Dimensions

Instagram: @shesacrowd

o you probably saw the Zac Posen dress Nina Dobrev wore to the MET gala last week. What you may not have realised though was that the transparent bustier was 3D printed; the result of a collaboration with Protolabs and GE Addictive. A process of stereolithography (using a laser and a vat of liquid plastic to draw the model layer by layer) was used in order to encapsulate the illusion of natural motion, which is not possible using fabric. This was then showcased at fashion’s biggest event of the year creating the perfect combination of science, engineering and art. The red carpet isn’t the only place that 3D printing has been making a splash though. Ganit Goldenstein has recently come out with a jewellery line which incorporates modern techniques of 3D printing with Japanese history and her 3D printed shoes are an incredible feet.

Instagram: @piperrockelle

Scrunch bunch

I Instagram: @brielarson

f you’re heading to the library for a solid sesh, then don’t forget your scrunchie. They are much kinder on hair than normal bobbles, as you aren’t as likely to get strands stranded in a knot and the diverse range of colours and textures means you can combine practicality and style. If you’re looking for a cheap and unique option then look on Youtube for a video on how to make your own, it’s surprisingly simple and it means you can have a new colour for every outfit.

Coachella Queens The satin trend: Kajal Patel celebrates her festival favourites of Coachella 2019

kay so, festival season is finally here and of course Coachella 2019 kicked it off by bringing some of the best (and admittedly) craziest outfits to the festival-fashion scene. As we go through a few of the many looks that celebrities brought to us this year, you’ll be able to see that once again – they did not disappoint

Hailey Bieber

Now let’s be real for a second, not everyone can pull of the double denim look, but Hailey Bieber is here to put us all to shame with her Weekend one look at Coachella. By pairing Levi ‘mom’ jeans and an oversized Levi denim jacket with a black lace corset, Mrs. Bieber managed to combine casual, with sexy. The thick gold earrings and necklace act as statement pieces, bringing more of a ‘glam’ vibe to the outfit.

a collage affect across his whole outfit. It’s bold, stylish and something that we’ve barley seen in any other 2019 Coachella look. Coachella is full of creatives and artists that express themselves in a number of ways, so picking some of the best looks is extremely difficult to do. Whether you’re a celebrity, blogger or just go to Coachella for the festival itself and it’s ‘free’ atmosphere, you can undoubtedly be yourself there. It’s safe to say that these looks have already got me excitedly waiting to see what everyone brings out next year!

Shay Mitchell

The absolute queen that is Shay Mitchell gave a bohemian vibe to the Coachella scene. Mitchell overlayed a black bodysuit with a black crotchet cut-out dress and paired it with an array of gold statement jewelry, taking this look from (what could have been) basic, to a Coachella masterpiece. Blacked out from top to bottom and we’re all here for it!

Winnie Harlow

Isabel Sykes gives her thoughts on the summer satin craze

atin seems to have made a huge comeback this summer. Highstreet fashion is dominated by long satin gowns with cowl necks in summery copper tones, and online dress shops like Missguided and PLT are the same. What is our current obsession with satin, and is it really practical for the hotter months? We are well-used to seeing the Kardashians and Jenners showing off their figures in fitted satin gowns, and this year's Met Gala saw Lady Gaga Camp it up in a bright pink satin number as one of her four (!) outfit changes of the night. Celebs' love of satin has definitely filtered down into the highstreet shops as they bring out their summer collections and any search for a graduation or society ball gown in recent weeks will bring up pages of satin dresses in various shapes and styles. The problem is, it has to be one of the most highly impractical materials to make a dress out of, and its far from comfortable to wear. Satin dresses are notoriously difficult to wear a bra with if you need to and the material has absolutely zero stretch, which makes them pretty hard to move in too. Though the slip and wrap dress styles make life a bit easier than the completely unforgiving construction of your classic Kim-K bodycon, they are still quite a high-maintenance outfit, which can sometimes be enough to put a downer on the whole night.

As soon as one clumsy fool with a precarious drink spills one drop on that dress, it is ruined for the rest of the night

Now, I don’t know about you guys, but this look is something I am completely living for. The 24-year old model sports a neon cropped top with a black waistband and pairs it with high waisted colour-blocked nylon trousers. Racer looks have come and gone but with this bombshell of a look, Harlow is sure to bring it back.

Gigi Hadid

It wouldn’t be right to miss out Gigi Hadid. Every year her looks inspire me, and that’s exactly what fashion is about – expressing yourself and inspiring others to do the same. Her upbeat personality came through as she paired an all-white outfit with every colour you could possibly imagine in jacket and jewelry form. This endless amount of beaded necklaces, bracelets and rings made her look one for the books!

Jaden Smith

Okay granted he was a performer rather than a festivalgoer, but Jaden Smith’s outfit during performance couldn’t go amiss as one of the best Coachella looks. As if being head-to-toe in a denim dungaree look wasn’t stylish enough, Smith incorporated an insane amount of different fabrics, labels, colours and patchwork, to create

sweet or sweaty?

Instagram: @winnieharlow

Furthermore, if you are brave enough to wear a satin dress to a less-than-classy end of year ball, you may as well kiss it goodbye at the start: as soon as one clumsy fool with an precarious drink spills one drop on that dress, it is ruined for the rest of the night. Heaven forbid that drink is red wine. Even if you've managed to escape the dreaded spillage, satin is a material so easily caught, ripped, and pulled that you're doing well if you managed to leave the ball with your outfit intact. What's more, and lets not beat around the bush, satin is notoriously sweaty. If you're putting on a lovely satin number for a summer event, especially if it has sleeves, then be prepared to feel the heat, and also be prepared for

everyone else to see that you are feeling the heat. Wearing black is obviously a good way around this but it's a shame to pass up on the summery yellow and oranges that are popular at the moment. Spaghetti straps are by far the safest way to go if you're determined not to leave satin

Pairing it with some barely-there stilettos is a really elegant look, but if you're channelling Met Gala Gaga just whack out your rhinestone sunglasses and giant plastic phone

in your winter wardrobe and plan on jumping on the bandwagon when the weather gets (hopefully) warmer. For all its cons, the satin gown is a very classy look. The simple cowl neck slip seems to be the most popular style at the moment, and people really are serving it. Pairing it with some barely-there stilettos is a really elegant look, but if you're channelling Met Gala Gaga just whack out your rhinestone sunglasses and giant plastic phone. Satin is also a farely versatile material. As well as dresses in the shops there are also satin skirts and blazers making an appearance, which can offer an alternative look at a formal event if you're not a dress person. Another positive is, because it's so popular at the moment, you can get a look that appears really expensive from a lot of cheaper highstreet stores. All your classic mainstream stores like TopShop, Zara, and Urban Outfitters are jumping on the bandwagon. The satin craze has taken over online as well, with Boohoo, Missguided, and PLT all offering a decent range of satin dresses that won't break the bank, though some of these might be a one-time-wear situation as the quality can be hit and miss. Even more positively, it's definitely worth checking out your local charity and vintage shops for some satin numbers. The satin trend is a bit of a 90s throwback so you might get lucky there. For better or for worse, satin has made a vicious comeback this summer and everyone is loving it. It's sweaty, unyielding, often uncomfortable and risky on a messy night out, but for those of you out there braving it, it really is working.

life & style travel

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

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

Hosting in heels: Airline sexism Em Richardson gives her opinions on the ins and outs of sexist and draconian high heel policies of major airlines

ince the first ever commercial flight attendants were employed in the 1930s, they have been known for looking ‘glamorous’. There has been a continual expectation for them to wear stylish outfits, often including high heels for women.

For as long as air hostesses have existed, there's been an insistence that they should be 'beautiful'... They are expcted to maintain a glamorous apperance

The extent of this expectation was thrown into stark light recently, when Norwegian Airlines was forced to clarify its policy on female attendants’ shoes, after being branded outdated and ‘embarrassing’ by Norwegian politicians. The airline confirmed that, whilst flat shoes are worn whilst onboard aircrafts for safety reasons, female flight attendants are expected to wear heels whenever they are wearing their uniform in an airport. Attendants are only allowed to wear flat shoes if they have a doctor’s note that specifies wearing heels could endanger their health. In the wake of Norwegian Airlines’ announcement, several other airlines have confirmed that their uniform code includes the same rule, including Qantas, El Al, Virgin Australia and many American airlines. In recent years, policies forcing women to wear heels have been widely condemned as sexist. Workplaces ranging

from accounting firms to casinos have been involved in It may be that the trend for ‘attractive’ air hosthigh-profile legal cases, resulting in some countries makesses can simply be justified by the fact that flying it illegal for companies to make heels a mandatory ing is intended to be a special occasion, since dress code requirement. it is often the start of an exciting trip. And yet, many airlines are still allowed Being greeted by a young, atto insist their female employees tractive attendant could be wear these uncomfortable, imconsidered a pleasant practical shoes. start to one’s holiday. For as long as air hostessBut, at what es have existed, there’s cost? Not only been an insistence does forcing that they should be flight at‘beautiful’. No one tendants to seems quite sure wear heels why or how this objectify tradition started, them, and but they are exm a k e pected to maint h e m tain a glamorfeel as ous appearance though at all times, even their role when dealing revolves with screaming solely babies on transaround atlantic flights, or looking directing confused aesthetically passengers to seats. pleasing, it acWhen one tries to do an tively endangers internet search asking why their health. air hostesses are expected to Wearing heels for be so attractive, the most comprolonged periods of mon answer seems to be that ‘they time is extremely unPixabay @ariesa66, @GDJ are representing a company’, so should comfortable, and has been linked aim to look stylish and create a positive impresto medical conditions including muscle sion. Yet, the same can be said of receptionists, waitresses cramps, damaged knee joints, and an increased risk of and bellhops, and the pressure placed on them to look developing osteoarthritis. The shoes force wearers to place smart seems far less intense. more pressure on the knee joints which, over-time, ages and damages the joint. The idea of wearing them whilst

power walking across an airport seems, at best, absurd and, at worst, actively dangerous. At the end of the day, as long as airline passengers arrive at their destination safely, and receive a snack o r two during t h e flight, it seems unlikely that they’ll notice their cabin crews’ footwear. Air travel might be a miracle, but forcing stewardesses to wear heels is a policy that belongs in the 1950s. Let’s hope for a future where, as seen in many other industries, the quality of the service they provide is perceived to be more important than adhering to a draconian dress code.

@pngimg

Best destinations for a guilt free post exam getaway

1. Iceland Lori Harper tells us about all the places you can go to leave turnitin behind and enjoy the magic of summer post deadline day

uring May it’s very easy to forget that a world exists outside of the Robinson Library. Bogged down in reading, swamped with essays and tied down by deadlines - summer couldn’t seem further away.

It's important to have things to look forward to after exams

But as much as it might seem like the end of the world right now, within a few weeks you’ll soon be free of the stresses of uni work. A long summer awaits you, yet sometimes summer can be a bit of a disappointment after we’ve spent so long working ourselves up to it. That’s why it’s important to have places and things to look forward to after the exam season, to avoid the feeling of summer anti-climax.

Hit the beach

Here are some places to motivate you through that last revision push, and get you thinking about summer… A trip to Tynemouth with some friends is the perfect way to enjoy the sun and chill out after exam season. Nothing is better than a BBQ or fish and chips on the beach with your pals. We are so lucky that Newcastle is only 20 minutes from the coast - definitely a place to take advantage of after exams!

Go to the bar next door

Once exams are done, it’s always good to let off steam with a good bev or two at your favourite bar or pub. When the sun is shining and exams are far behind you, there is no better place to sit in the sunshine than with a cold beer in hand.

Home sweet home

Although there’s lots to look forward to in Newcastle post exams, many of us are looking forward to returning to the comfort of the motherland. Seeing old school friends and spending precious family time make home a

good place to motivate you throughout exams.

Cheap holidays

A good summer vacation is always the best way to motivate you through exam season. Whether you’re planning an exotic trip abroad or just a little adventure somewhere in the UK, it’s definitely worth getting some time away from things before September. Perhaps you’ve not booked it yet, or are worried it will be too expensive? Don’t worry, you can still get some really inexpensive last minute deals on flights across Europe.

Find your best festival Nothing screams summer like your favourite pair of shorts, some funky sunglasses and music out in the open air. Festivals are the perfect way to enjoy that summer feeling. From Reading and Leeds to Isle of Wight, there are plenty of festivals up and down the country to choose from. Many festivals still have lots of tickets available, so it’s not too late to book one while you’re taking a quick revision break in the library! No matter if you’re planning to go somewhere abroad, or planning a small trip in the UK, it’s always important to have places to look forward to throughout the long exam season. Summer is just around the corner.

Chill out at the dene But if you're staying in Newcastle, don't fret: the gems of student areas such as Jesmond and Heaton are overlooked. Whilst you've been lunching with Philip and Marjorie Robinson, you've been missing out on everything else Newcastle has to offer. I can promise you, the city is more than its library walls. Go all-out with your picnic, bring a BBQ or a football. The grassy areas in Jesmond Dene are the perfect chillout spot, and they really aren't that far at all. You could even get a takeaway pizza and a few drinks to make it really feel like a summer hol. But if you're willing to spend the last of your student loan, you could also try out jesmond's boujee brunch spots. I'm personally a fan of cafe 1901 and Arlos. A lovely meal with your house would be a great way to send off the year and look forward to the free summer ahead.

Image@unsplash

the courier

travel life & style

Monday 20 May 2019

How to: self-care and stay healthy while travelling

Charlotte Booy Howlett gives her tips on looking after yourself while abroad from vaccinations to condoms, fitness and more

ost avid travellers have either heard the horror stories or experienced them themselves… bouts of Delhi belly, thousands of mosquito bites, the scare of dengue fever and zika virus or the uprise of super gonorrhoea! Long-term travel inevitably has an effect on our bodies. Our daily routines and environments are thrown out the window and therefore it’s down to us to consciously regulate ourselves in order to maintain our health and safety whilst travelling. However, that is easier said than done when Chang beer and Ritz crackers become your staple diet and somehow you’ve managed to convince yourself you have a stomach made of steel. Here are my top tips to preventing illness and maintaining health and safety whilst abroad:

1. Schedule a vaccination appointment

When travelling internationally, you may be exposed to unsanitary environments or animals that carry harmful diseases such as malaria, cholera etc. As a prevention method, additional vaccinations are required. However, vaccinations are dependent on where you are travelling to, the type of activities you will be involved in, and your vaccination history. As a result, consult with your local GP or health centre for up to date information about vaccine

Instagram@ blacknessis

requirements or prevention methods.

doubt, always buy bottled water at your destination for the use of drinking and brushing your teeth.

3. Use hand sanitiser

Hand sanitiser is a godsend! Use it before you eat or after leaving public transport to prevent catching and passing on infections

2. Research water advisories

If you are exploring a different country, specifically a developing country, you may not be able to drink the water. Water in some destinations is unsanitary and you will be at risk of contracting waterborne illnesses. Before jetting off on your adventures, carry out some research to see what is recommended for your destination. If you are in

Instagram@

When you’re on the road, pack a hand sanitiser in your beloved bum bag! When travelling, your immune system is swamped with all new types of bacterias, so you may be more susceptible to illnesses. Hand sanitiser is a godsend! Use it before you eat or after leaving public transport and sights to prevent catching and passing on bacteria and infections.

4. Wrap it up!

With super gonorrhoea splashed across the headlines, stock up on condoms. You may not be able to obtain them abroad either, due to language barriers or differing sexual education and customs, therefore remember to take a supply with you on your travels.

5. Healthy, balanced lifestyle

The best part about travelling, in my opinion, is indulging in new cuisines. However, many people seem to forget that exotic foods can increase your chances of illness. Supporting your immune system is a powerful way to help prevent travel related sickness and disease. Try to maintain a balanced diet, alongside trying all the new exciting dishes that are on offer to you.Try not to forget about

Instagram@la_catrina_instablog's

fruit and vegetables when tucking into your second helping of deep fried jalebi. Providing your body with healthy food can help ward off illnesses, as well as fuel you with energy for more sightseeing. Meanwhile, when choosing a street vendor, choose a stall where you can see the food preparation, whether food categories are both separated and stored hygienically, and most importantly…pick one that locals are navigating towards. Often locals know best, so take note!

4. Go teatotal for a while

When on vacation, alcohol consumption tends to skyrocket…well for me anyway! Consider either indulging in less alcohol daily, take periodic breaks from alcohol consumption, or scrap it entirely in order to give your body the rest it deserves. Alcohol not only makes you feel sluggish, hungover and dehydrated, but can impact your immune system if you abuse it. Work out! It may be the last thing on your agenda when there are a million exciting activities and beautiful sites to explore, but maintaining your fitness levels whilst backpacking is one of the best ways to fight off unwanted infections. Exercise will also boost your energy and mood while travelling. Take advantage of the hotel gym or your scenic surroundings!

Image:Pixabay

Step into the real world of Game of Thrones As we say the final goodbye to HBO's Game of Thrones, travel editor Amy Harris takes us on a fascinating tour of its realms

fter the final episode aired at 2am this morning the Game of Thrones (GoT) era has come to its conclusion. As our watch has ended (little Jon Snow reference there!) what do we do next? As you recover from all the action of the final season and are looking for the next thing to feed your GoT addiction, we are here to guide you on what to do next. So for all you GoT fans here is a travel guide to your GoT vacation: GoT has taken viewers to some incredible places, from Highgarden with its tall white stone walls, Braavos and its Titan, Winterfell and its harsh Northern winters to King’s Landing, where the Iron Throne stands. But what about actually visiting the locations they were filmed? Even though all these realms were fictional, the locations are real. With dozens of scenes filmed in Iceland, Europe and the UK, tourists are able to visit the filming locations and get the opportunity to see the actual medieval castles, fighting pits, forests and harbours that are featured in the show. Start your Game of Thrones tour close to home and head up to Scotland. Visit the Stark’s Ancestral Home in Winterfell - Doune Castle, Scotland Filmed at one of Scotland’s medieval castles visit the Stark’s home from the pilot episode. Dounce Castle is a real fortress sat atop a hill near the Stirling District. After a trip up North, the next stop is Northern Ireland. The Towers of Winterfell - Castle Ward, County Down, Northern Ireland Find the Whispering Wood and explore the historic farmyward by going on a Winterfell Tour, where you can see a replica of the Winterfell Archery Range and dress up in Game of Thrones costumes, experiencing the set where the Stark family once stood. Theon returns home - Ballintoy Harbour, Ballintoy, Northern Island Even though in the show The Iron Islands, home to the Ironborn, looks cold, windswept and stormy a lot of the time, Ballintoy in real life offers beautiful cliffside walks and stunning ocean views. House of Greyjoy - Dunluce Castle, Northern Ireland

Visit the turreted ruins of Dunluce Castle and stand on the cliffs, high above the waves. Close to the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle gives Game of Thrones fans, the opportunity to see the filming location where Theon Greyjoy returned home. Patrol the Haunted Forest - Tollymore Forest Park, Bryansford, Northern Ireland Lying North of the Wall, visit the haunted forest where the Game of Thrones woodland filming took place. Why not take the Game of Thrones Walking Tour, where visitors have the opportunity to where a wool cloak, one a Stark would wear, and immerse yourself into the world of GoT. After finishing your tour around Northern Island next on the travel guide is Croatia. Like in Northern Ireland, a lot of scenes and backdrops were filmed here. The Seven Kingdom’s Capital - King’s Landing Dubrovnik, Croatia The medieval city of Dubrovnik and its ancient city walls is the location of the Red Keep and where the Iron Throne stands. Take a walk around the beautiful city and see what locations you recognise from the show. City of Qarth - Island of Lokrum, Croatia While also being used for the backdrop for the city of Qarth. The garden scenes in Qarth, were actually finished in Lokrum’s botanical

gardens and its former Benedictine Monastary. Collect some coins at The Iron Bank of Braavos - St. Jacob Cathedral in Sibenik, Croatia The exterior of the Cathedral was used to film the scenes where characters were seen visiting The Iron Bank. Visit the beautiful Riverlands of Westeros - Croatia’s Krka National Park Visit the beautiful lakes and rivers seen in the Riverlands,while experiencing the seven wonderful waterfalls, traditional water mills and nature trials of Croatia’s popular National Park. Follow the ‘Walk of Shame’ - St. Dominic Street, Dubrovnik Croatia Follow in the steps of Cersei and her ‘walk of shame’ by strolling down St. Dominic Street. Great Pit of Daznak - Bullring (Plaza de Toros de Osuna), in southern Spain Visit the arena where Daenerys Targaryen’s dragon Drogon rescues her after the Sons of the Harpy tried to assassinate her. Take a tour of Osuna and see where the battle of Danzak’s Pit was filmed. The Citadel’s grand library - Monastery of Sant Pere de Galligants, in Girona, Spain The sacred place Samwell Tarly trained to be a

Maester, and where he “borrowed” books to prove Jon Snow’s ancestry. The city of Meereen - Peñíscola, a coastal town with a medieval castle in Castellón, Spain Scenes of Daenerys Targaryen and Sir Jorah Mormont walking through the city of Meereen on her mission to stop the slave trade were filmed here in Peñíscola. Travel beyond the wall to Frostfangs Mountains Höfðabrekka, Iceland. Home to the “free folk”, and beyond the wall, this is where Jon Snow first meets the wildlings. The location, where Jon Snow trekked beyond the wall, offers tourists a chance to see Iceland’s most popular travel destinations, the foot of Katla volcano and Vík. Your Night’s Watch begins in...Svínafellsjökull Glacier, Skaftafell, Iceland Where the winter scenes and ‘Nights Watch’ were filmed, visit the Skaftafell National Park and take a hiking tour to experience the glacier for yourself.

Instagram@pixabay

feature

Feature Editor Ally Wilson

A vegan’s dilemma

Arts editor Scarlett Rowland discusses the ethical issues of honey. Is it anti-vegan, or a sustainable way to support colo-

ised that honey wasn’t widely considered to be vegan. Large scale bee apiaries have been known to kill bees over winter since it is cheaper than feeding them over winter when they’re not producing honey, or money for the cooperation. Those who don’t perform a cull, will feed them very little which is incredibly damaging to their

the courier

World B Monday 20 May 2019

If you think that eating honey is immoral, you can still help out

or people who follow a vegan lifestyle, there seem to be [honey] traps everywhere. Until I had done more research, I hadn’t real-

health. Not only has this but reported state that bees also have their wings clipped so they don’t fly too far away. All of this seems pretty mean, and definitely not very vegan. But in an era of declining bees how are we meant to support the growth of the bee population? For me personally, eating honey is actually a way that I can support responsible and local bee keepers who look after their bees in a kind and respectful way. An old neighbour of mine started keeping a couple of hives, and gifting their honey to relatives and friends. For the most part, she leaves the bees alone and only bothers them to check the hives. However, if you still think that eating honey is immoral, that’s okay – you can still help out. Plant some bee friendly flowers in your garden, look out for exhausted bees on the path, and just use a different kind of sweetener. Image: Marco Verch Professional Photographer and Speaker (flickr)

Image - Small bees: Karunakar Rayker (flickr)

The amazing healing powers of honey Image - Big bee: Duncan.Hull (Wikimedia Commons)

Bee-auty Editor, Susanne Norris sings the praises of the goodness of bee goo

Image: Flickr

rom as young as I can remember, I was always told to admire and respect the healing powers of honey. This probably had a lot to do with the fact I come from a very superstitious family, but this one – unlike the no umbrellas inside rule – was no old wives’ tale. Be it a sore throat or pretty much anything else, we always used honey to help solve or alleviate ailments. So, given its healing power, it comes as no surprise that honey an also be amazing for skin. It was my nan who first taught me about its benefits for our bodies. Due to it being a natural antibacterial, she’d actually applied it to wounds during the second world war. I must admit, my tale with honey is a bit less dramatic than this, as I use it for facemasks. Around a spoonful is all you need, and you can apply it directly to the face and wash it off after around twenty minutes. Just applying raw

honey directly to skin is especially good for those who suffer from the occasional breakout, as the antibacterial qualities can be beneficial in soothing inflamed skin.

If you have super sensitive skin avoid adding sugar, as this can be harsh on the skin

If you’re looking for a moisturising fix, simply add in

some coconut oil. A spoonful of honey added to around half a spoonful of coconut oil can do wonders with helping hydrate skin. If buying coconut oil seems a bit excessive, remember any excess can be used as a hair mask, body moisturiser or for cooking. However, my personal favourite is the good, oldfashioned honey and sugar scrub. Adding sugar to your honey face mask can be brilliant for deep exfoliating. However, this one isn’t for everyone. If you have super sensitive skin avoid adding sugar, as this can be harsh on the skin and make it more inflamed. But, if you’re goal is to get rid of excess oil and dead skin, then this is the mask for you.

Newcastle University leads the way in

As it turns out, our wonderful city has the highest number of colonies of our furry friends in the North-East. Unbee-lieva-

e’re constantly told how important bees are to the environment, they pollinate our plants, allowing us to have food to eat, fields to drink in, trees to sit under, and generally keep the world turning. At least 90% of all crops in the world requite pollination in order to survive, and there’s only one creature for that job: the humble bee.

Increasing temperature means that bees are coming out of hibernation at the wrong time of year

Pollination requires the transfer of pollen from the male part of the plant called the anther, to the female part, which is called the stigma, and this happens when bees move from flower to flower. Once this process happens,

the plants are ready to reproduce and thus the world is kept full of the plant-life which is so vital to it. And this doesn’t just apply to plants that we eat. We may not need wild flowers and grasses but they are vital to the animals we do eat: cows; sheep; pigs etc. Bees themselves are on the food chain, as hundreds of birds and other insects love a bee feast (R.I.P.). Obviously bees create something the world loves: honey. It’s gooey, delicate and goes particularly well with porridge. And toast. And in cider. In fact, honey is one of the most malleable and widely used condiments in the world, used in almost every cuisine. Depending on its nectar source, honey can be floral, fruity, smoky, woody, spicy, nutty or earthy. Interestingly, microorganisms cannot grow in honey, so sealed honey does not spoil, even after thousands of years. Honey also has a variety of health benefits and has been used in medicine since ancient times, for treating anything from small wounds to even acting as a mild antibiotic. Bees are a beautiful and vital part of our global ecosystem and without them, there would be drastic environmental consequences. Industrial agriculture has led to the widespread use of bee-killing pesticides. These contain insecticides which affect bees both on an individual level

and on a colonial level, eradicating their ability to pollinate and thus killing them. Not only does this limit the biodiversity of ecosystems and stop their contribution to the food chain, but it also means that the very plant growth needed for the agricultural industry is hindering itself by negatively affecting their main pollinators. Climate change also plays a role. Increasing temperatures, a change in rainfall patterns and extreme weather means that bees are coming out of hibernation at the wrong time of year when they don’t have enough food to sustain them. In response to this need, Newcastle University has its own BeeSoc, of which Suzanne Foster is a member. “It started in September 2016,” she tells us. “But we’ve had bees on campus since 2017. We learnt all about beekeeping through Go Volunteer. We just all have a love of nature and understand the need of pollinators for our own food security.” There are over 150 bee colonies kept in the centre of Newcastle and 1 hive is 1 colony of between 10,000 and 50,000 bees. So in the North East, we’re heading up the fight to save the bees!

Image: Max Pixel

the courier

Bee Day Monday 20 May 2019

Let’s get down to Bees-iness Feature Editor Ally Wilson speaks to expert bee-keeper Steph Green about why she decided to start her own bee-keeping project and why it is important to help our little flying friends lating honey bees. That is a topical subject at the moment. I personally didn’t get into it to “save the bees” as it were, I just thought it would be an interesting thing to do! Is imbalance among bee species an issue too? All flying insects are endangered. But the thing about most flying insects is that you can’t look after them. The difference with honey bees is that they colonise over winter. In the wild, they would live for six months in a hollow of a tree as a colony, whereas bumble bees often die off. They’re solitary bees. Honey bees have evolved with certain flowers so they’re easier to look after, whereas other flying insects are not so easy to get involved with, but they’ll decline in the same way as honey bees do if our natural resources aren’t there. Image: Steph Green

Why did you decide to start beekeeping? My dad used to keep bees so it’s something I’ve always been interested in. Once I had the chance to have some land and my children were a bit older it seemed like a good thing to do. The thing about keeping bees is that there’s an academic side to it as well as a practical side. So there’s a lot to learn about the physiology about a bee and how they live. It’s a fascinating subject but it’s practical too. It gets you out and about and doing stuff in the countryside. There’s also the conservation angle too. You have to make sure you have wild flowers and grow bee-friendly plants. Is the environmental side important to you? That is what most people go into it for. It’s a tricky area because all flying insects are at risk and there’s the danger of creating imbalance through beekeeping by over popu-

An unbeelieveable movie Film editor Jack Gill reviews the buzz around the blockbuster

hen reciting the major pop culture releases of 2007, many may look to the numerous sequels and trilogies that populated the film world. Spider-Man 3. Shrek the Third. Think the second Fantastic Four came out too. Regardless, the point remains that less filmgoers may focus on the animated cult classic that is The Bee Movie. A film driven by peculiar plot points, an interspecies relationship and an altogether zanny script. Plainly put, The Bee Movie centres around Barry B. Benson (played by sitcom legend, Jerry Seinfeld) a recent college graduate who begins to question his traditional role as a worker bee making honey. One day, on a trip away from the hive, Barry is taken in by Vanessa Bloome (Renée Zellweger), a florist living in

Image: Phim Ảnh (flickr)

New York City. As a side note, whoever coined the names of the film’s characters deserves a medal. Anywho, Vanessa sees through Barry’s fluffy buzzy exterior and finds love in his quick wit and charming conversation...And proceeds to leave her husband, Ken, for Barry? Ye s , that happens. As Barry discovers more about his new partner’s race, he makes the shocking revelation that h u m a n s actually eat the honey that Barry and his ancestors have slaved over creating throughout history. Disgusted and disgruntled by this news, Barry decides to take action against humans and sue them, all with the aid of Vanessa. Despite Barry and Vanessa miraculously managing to win the trial, proving that bees are subjected to continuously cruel treatment, they realise that their actions has but an ecological shift into action. The results are dev-

astating for the bees as the copious amounts of leftover honey means that they are now out of a job which, in turn, means flowers are dying. In response, ever-the-hero, Barry and Vanessa manage to set their plan into action, steal a parade plot and pull off some mega-pollinating mission. A Bee-rilliant effort (sorry).

The main reason that The Bee Movie achieved such a great fan base was that Seinfeld himself was at its heart

Over ten years on, one oscar nomination in the bag for Best Animated Picture, and numerous amounts of inappropriate memes later and The Bee Movie has ever so organically blossomed into a fully-fledged cult classic among cinephiles and Seinfeld fans, alike. Indeed, perhaps the main reason that The Bee Movie achieved such a great fan base was that Seinfeld himself was at the heart of the film, playing both Benson and co-writing the script alongside longside collaborator Spike Feresten among others.

It’s a tongue-incheek comedy that, through all its cheese and ridiculousness, offers a worthwhile message

It’s a tongue-in-cheek comedy that, through all its cheese and ridiculousness, offers a worthwhile message on the ethics of the ecosystem and the indiscriminately loving characteristics of humans. With such universal messages, it’s no wonder that the film has continued to gain attention nearly 12 years later.

What’s your top tip for a beginner beekeeper? Make sure you’ve read around and you know what you’re getting into. Have an interest too. Understand what the commitment is over the course of the year. The very top tip would be to join a local association, go to meetings and go on site visits to see what it will be like to be a beekeeper. That would be my absolute top tip. It can be quite a commitment at certain times of year so you need to know what you’re letting yourself in for! How essential is the academic side to beekeeping? You need to understand how honey bees live. You need to know the life cycle of the different casts, the queen, the workers etc. you need to understand how they reproduce which is through swarming. You need to know when they will build up, what diseases they get. If you don’t understand enough about bees and what they need in order to survive, then you’re likely to just not be a very good beekeeper!

You have to scratch it out and take an antihistamine but I have had a horror story!

You can get away with not having done exams, for example, because you can learn in a practical way as you go. But you need to have a basic understanding of them. You’ve just taken a bee exam, how did that go? Well very well, but I failed it the first time! I got a distinction this time though. I do it because I really like being good at stuff. I don’t like doing things that I’m not good at. And it brings more to the experience- the more you understand it the more you’ll enjoy it!

I’m not allergic to bee stings but I think I had about 20-30 stings on my head so I did feel unwell for a while

Have you had any beekeeping horror stories? Yes! You have to be prepared to be stung. They will only sting you when they feel threatened and it’s not a big deal if you have one little sting. You have to scratch it out and take an anti-histamine but I have had a horror story! I was about to go to my daughter’s concert at school and before we left I went to check the bees for whatever reason and they turned a bit nasty. I didn’t have my veil on properly and they went up inside my hood, so in a panic I took it off without realising that there were more bees outside my hood than inside my hood. They got me big time! I’m not allergic to bee stings but I think I had about 2030 stings on my head so I did feel unwell for a while. But that was a stupid mistake on my part. When you do get stung they release a pheromone which they can smell on you, so the other bees now know that you’re a threat. It’s a defence mechanism. I’ve learnt from that mistake but it’s testament to how much I love it that I’ve carried it on!

culture music Spotlight Corner

Gerry Hart shares his new release recommendation with us and Rohan Katargamwala introduces an international act in this week’s spotlight corner.

Our Voices Will Soar Forever

ntil recently, I hadn’t heard of five-piece hardcore act Amygdala but judging by their most recent release Our Voices Will Soar Forever, it seems I’ve been missing out. Since they formed in 2014, the San Antonio based group has established something of a reputation for their politically charged songwriting and their championing of women, LGBTQ people and people of colour within the hardcore scene, a space still largely dominated by white men. And whilst I recognise a niche release from a hardcore act might not be the easiest sell, I feel their latest output warrants attention. Our Voices Will Soar Forever represents Amygdala’s second full length release and is in large part an emotional and deeply personal exploration of abuse. There’s little in the way of metaphor or symbolism here. The lyrics are raw and visceral, born from the personal experience of vocalist Bianca Quiñones Cruz Benitez and written in a manner that tackles painful subjects such as rape and mental illness directly. Amidst these traumatic topics however are themes of healing, defiance and solidarity, as seen in most notably in the songs ‘Semillas’ and ‘Our Bodies, Our Choice’. These tracks are written just as powerfully as their darker counterparts and delivered with the same vocal ferocity by Benitez. Speaking of delivery, that same anger that typifies the lyrics also finds itself manifest in the instrumentation. Amygdala draw on a wide number of musical influences, from old school metalcore in the vein of Converge or Integrity to black metal, particularly in the aforementioned ‘Our Bodies, Our Choice’, all used to tremendous effect. I honestly feel Amygdala have crafted something truly special here. Through Our Voices Will Soar Forever, one sees hardcore at its best, as catharsis and liberation. Like I said at the start, I know this won’t be an easy sell but if anything I’ve written here has piqued your interest, please check this incredible record out. Gerry Hart

American Boyfriend

n light of Kevin Abstract of Brockhampton’s 3rd solo project ARIZONA BABY I thought I’d look back on one of the work’s that put his name on the map as a solo artist before Brockhampton’s meteoric rise, in his album American Boyfriend. An introspective yet outwardly emotional project that sees Abstract explore his sexuality and racial treatment whilst growing up. Specifically I’ll be looking at the opening track ‘Empty’, which encapsulates the sentiment and story of the album. The production through the track is simplistic to its benefit putting emphasis on Abstract’s lyrics and vocals, with a simple piano and snare drum progression. ‘Sweaty palms as I walk down this empty road’ the song opens and it conjures up this image of Abstract walking down the street at night with a dilemma about his mum and his boyfriend: a struggle between being accepted for being black and being accepted for being gay. With so much raw emotion in the track its impressive how Abstract keeps the track grounded, ‘I love my mum, but I hate my boyfriend’ as a lyric hits hard; he doesn’t literally hate his boyfriend but instead that he has one and is gay, as he chases his mother’s affection that he can’t get by being who he really his. By the end of the track he comes to terms with himself ‘I’ve waited for you all my life, I need you by my side’ in reference to his boyfriend, followed by the outdo ‘empty home’ then ‘My family’s gone, but I don’t care because I love ‘em.’ This struggle as he comes to terms with his sexuality and that he does want his boyfriend yet his family won’t accept him even though he loves them. It’s a track about coming to terms with who you are and the consequences of it, its such a personal story but told in a way that resonates with so many, myself included, despite being neither black nor gay. This is true for a lot of Kevin Abstract’s music and is a factor in why Brockhampton rose so quickly, telling personal stories that expose people’s flaws and makes people feel like they’re not alone in the world. Especially in the band’s track ‘MILK’ from the first SATURATION album, where several group members, including Abstract, tell their stories of being outsiders. Rohan Katargamwala

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

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

ME!: Is Swift Tayloring to her audience? Editor, Louise Hall argues that the colourful music video for taylor swift’s new release is a step too far

ast week Taylor Swift slammed back onto the music scene after a whole year hiatus, bringing with her a brand new music video for ME!, her recent single in collaboration with Panic at the Disco’s Brendan Urie, and seemingly discarding the dark and mysterious aesthetic she spent the entirety of the last two years and her whole Reputation album trying to reinforce.

Gone are the dark tone, strange hoods and deep broody stares of the Reputation era

In the new release, long gone are the dark tones, strange hoods and deep broody stares of the music videos of the Reputation era as we are disjointedly thrown back into a world of pastel colours, slightly off fake tan and camera angles that desperately try not to make it obvious that Urie is half the size of Swift. Walking into a pseudo partisan wonderland that is infiltrated with dreamlike CGI effects after storming out on an argument with her boyfriend (Urie) the video manifests as a green screen technician’s wet dream and falls fowl of Marvel syndrome, so much of the video appearing doctored and false that it’s impossible for the watcher to feel on any level truly immersed or engaged in the ‘action’ on screen. Despite her attempts to over-exaggerate the gleefulness of the track, her exclamation that “spelling is fun kids!” only reinforces an atmosphere of immaturity that does

Swift an injustice. While it’s nice to see her go back to the kind of music she does best: upbeat and light-hearted after her systemic assassination of ‘the old Taylor’ just over a year ago, this track and its video can’t help but feel like an overcorrection and ultimately lacks substance. While the video doesn’t deter any excitement for what Swift has up her sleeve in her next album, it surely doesn’t add to it, and I for one are hoping that this bubble-gum primary school explosion is merely one pastel shade of Swifts self-proclaimed ‘rainbow with all of the colours’.

Rammstein cause controversy

Following their latest music video, Em Richardson questions the band’s use of fascist imagery

erman rock band Rammstein recently caused controversy with the release of the video for their new single ‘Deutschland’. Directed by Jorn Heitmann, the video has been accused of using imagery that is reminiscent of the Holocaust. Although Nazism is never overtly mentioned, the track’s nine-minute video features characters who dress and act in a manner similar to German SS soldiers. These characters are seen hanging members of the band, whose striped pyjamas and star badges seem strongly reminiscent of the attire worn by Jewish concentration camp prisoners during World War Two. The band, who have not commented on the controversy, has been accused of trivialising the Holocaust, and of using tragedy for artistic gain. Some have defended the use of the imagery, pointing

Image: YouTube (Rammstein Official)

out that the video is intended to tell viewers the history of Germany.

50 million

The number of YouTube views for ‘Deutschland’, less than two months after its release.

It references many famous and infamous moments of German history, from battles between the Ancient Romans and early Germanic settlers, to the unrest between East and West Germany in the 1970s. It has been argued that it would be wrong to omit mention of the Holocaust from the video, given it is an infamous period of German

history. However, it’s important to remember that any mention of the Holocaust is likely to offend a German audience. Displaying any form of Nazi propaganda in Germany is illegal, as is engaging in any form of Holocaust denial. ‘Deutschland’s lyrics depict Germany as a proud nation with a chequered history, and allude to its flawed past. It is true that the Holocaust is a part of said flawed past and perhaps warrants some kind of reference in a video focusing on German history. Yet, as Germans, Rammstein were fully aware of the controversy releasing such a video would cause, and one can’t help but think they have made the Holocaust references so prominent in hope of generating publicity as a by-product of said controversy.

the courier

music culture

Monday 20 May 2019

@CourierMusic thecourieronline.co.uk/music

Marina’s Love and Fear: Not much love, lots of fear

Music editor, Charlotte Boulton, talks Marina’s rebrand and album after long-awaited return

fter a four-year long hiatus, MARINA has followed up her 2015 Froot with double-LP LOVE + FEAR and…it’s not what I’d hoped for. She’s dropped the Diamonds from her name, and a lot of the fun I felt in past songs like ‘How to Be a Heartbreaker’ and ‘Oh No!’.

The main issue I had with the album is its monotony

LOVE was released first in early April, to give fans time to listen to the opening 8 tracks first. The two-piece album has an interesting conceptual idea behind it; that humans are capable of only experiencing either love or fear, with all positive and negative emotions stemming from this. In that case, I almost expected LOVE to be a mixture of upbeat, ‘in love’ tracks with some slower ‘pining for love’ tunes mixed in, as many love songs seem to fit into. The lead single ‘Handmade Heaven’ starts off softly, somewhat reminiscent of the old Marina in Electra Heart’s ‘Fear and Loathing’. I like the chorus, but there’s a lack of tempo or music change between verses and chorus that felt quite monotonous. It’s pleasant enough, but not the kind of lead single that would draw me in if I hadn’t already known about Marina and liked her past work. Another single, ‘Superstar’, follows this and I found the structure a little weird with a lot of filler ‘ooh’ ing that just didn’t do it for me. It felt halfway between a ballad and a bop, settling in an odd middle ground that left me wishing she’d made up her mind about the sound. I liked ‘Orange Trees’, the imagery helped me forget I was writing this in the library on a Sunday afternoon, with its mentions of orange trees (of course), flowers in your hair and bodies in the heat. ‘Baby’ was a stand-out as I’d loved this single released last year with Clean Bandit. It’s fast-paced and fun, with a catchy chorus. Although I do appreciate the more emotional side to Marina’s music, this was honestly a nice breather from the slower tracks on LOVE. The remaining four songs on LOVE had some interesting moments, but honestly mostly blurred into one for me. There’s some

Charli XCX ft. Lizzo Images: Youtube

Blame It On Your Love

good lyrics, and I liked the theme of unity in ‘To Be Human’ but they’re all just so slow. The main issue I found throughout the entire album was this monotony, not helped by the slow speed and mournful vocals that made 3 minute 30 seconds feel far longer. ‘Believe In Love’ was a promising start to FEAR, with a more interesting style. I really liked the quick staccato style, almost speaking, vocals in the verses, which made a nice contrast to the more trademark Marina soulful sounding chorus. I was more optimistic, but again found the song dragged on a bit too much. ‘You’ is pretty good, with an interesting use of echoing backup vocals. ‘Karma’ got me missing the fun, almost tongue-in-cheek songs from Marina’s earlier work, with the line “oh my god I think it’s karma” delivery reminding me of ‘Oh, No!’. I can’t lie, I got distracted by Twitter during ‘Emotional Machine’ so I can’t say it’s particularly memorable, but probably pretty good if you’re feeling angsty. The production on ‘Too Afraid’ was more interesting, but the lyrics lacked inspiration and felt basic. The final songs of FEAR raised my hopes again, particularly with ‘No More Suckers’, as I loved the higher breathy vocals in the bridge which made a nice welcome change to the usual deeper tones. ‘Soft To Be Strong’ has a nice message which I read as realising that being vulnerable is a strength and is a good ballad to end the album. However, there’s so many ballad style slow songs on this album it starts to feel extraneous. There’s not that much distinction between the themes of LOVE + FEAR, leaving a feeling that 16 songs is just a bit too long when most of them sound the same. I wish I liked this more, but I was just bored throughout, and honestly a little bored writing this up. There’s a couple of songs I like and would listen to again, but this album just really misses the mark for me. Sorry Marina, maybe the next one will have more spark? Image: Wikimedia Commons

f an entire album of Lizzo isn’t enough, you’re in luck! Charli XCX and Lizzo have teamed up to save pop music with new single ‘Blame It On Your Love’. Released on the 15th May after some teasing from the pair, with Charli tweeting “IMAGINE IF I MADE A SONG LIZZO AKA QUEEN OF EVERYTHING”. Naturally, fans rejoiced, and the song doesn’t disappoint. Charli takes the lead, which is fair since it’s been a hot minute since her huge collaboration with Troye Sivan on ‘1999’. The song is fun, with a great beat perfect for parties warming up before heading to Powerhouse. Even though the chorus is pretty much just repeating the song title, it’s so catchy it doesn’t even matter.

“I’m trying to catch millions, I ain’t trying to catch feelings, BITCH” needs to be engraved on my soul

With the addition of Lizzos’s verse and a bit of music tech magic, this reworking of Charli’s ‘Track 10’ is exactly how this song should have been released - which always seemed like a weird final track of Pop 2. Lizzo appears in the second half of the song, injecting a whole new level of upbeat enjoyment with her short rap feature. Her lyrics “I’m trying to catch millions, I ain’t trying to catch feelings, BITCH”needs to be engraved on my soul as a reminder to be as bad a bitch as Lizzo. Not only this, but nothing beings me more joy than that classic Lizzo giggle features right at the end of the track. After gracing your ears with what may be one of the greatest, nothing is better than knowing they had a great time making it. And can we just appreciate the single cover artwork? Two unbelievably powerful influences on modern music, with their faces seemingly millimeters away, the power is astrounding. It’s a fun pop song by two impressive women - what more could you ask for?

/The CourierMusic Image: Youtube

@Courier_Music

Lizzo Cuz I Love You

Image: Youtube

izzo’s new album Cuz I Love You has reminded us why she’s 100% that bitch. While this is technically Lizzo’s third studio album, Cuz I Love You feels in many ways like a debut. Starting her career as a rapper, Lizzo has been slowly sneaking her way into the mainstream; even if you don’t think you know her, you may have heard her songs on Broad City or seen her as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Now, she’s twerking while playing the flute on The Ellen Show and showing her bare ass in The Rolling Stone and in the words of Kim Kardashian, it’s what she deserves. If you’re late to the party, Cuz I Love You presents all of the reasons to love Lizzo in a neat little package. Like much of her previous work, positivity-fueled pop is at the centre of this album, with ‘Soulmate’ and the lead-single ‘Juice’ providing perfect songs to blast at the gym or before a night-out. She doesn’t confine herself to one genre, though. The album’s title track and ‘Crybaby’ explore a heavier new, heavier sound while still incorporating the personality and flair that fans have come to expect. Although this album stands alone as a great work of music, it seems wrong not to acknowledge Lizzo’s role in diversifying pop. Let’s face it, it’s rare to see plus-sized black women in the mainstream, but Lizzo represents every one of those groups proudly. You get the sense that Lizzo is on a mission to make people feel good with this album and, for me, it works. Charlotte Boulton

the courier

culture TV Netflix cannibalises another fan-favourite James Troughton reports on Netflix's latest axing: the Drew Barrymore-led Santa Clarita Diet N c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors: Jacob Clarke, Tom Cooney, Chloe Mullins Online Editor: Dominic Lee

etflix refuses to satiate the appetite of Santa Clarita Diet fans as they cancel the show following its third season. The latest series of Drew Barrymore eating people – much to her husband’s distaste – will be its last, despite the numerous plot-threads in motion seeming to be heading for a very interesting place. Respectably, the executive producers, Victor Fresco and Tracy Katsky, praised Netflix in a statement they issued following the cancellation: Netflix took a chance on this odd show and for that we will always be grateful. They were supportive, ever positive, and appreciative of our work. Until about noon today. Still, they were just one phone call away from being a perfect studio. Not bad. This is not the first show that Netflix have cancelled this year, as Santa Clarita Diet is joining the constantly expanding list including shows such as One Day

at a Time, Daredevil and Travelers. When talking to TVLine earlier this month, Timothy Olyphant (playing the husband to Drew Barrymore’s character) said: “Every time I turn around, they’re cancelling a show over there.” The show sported a diverse cast, did not shy away from politics, engaged in hilarious gore-filled comedy and never felt stagnant. Much like The Good Place, it was a comedy that revelled in moving forward rather than standing still. Characters developed and had their own arcs, and, because of the fantastic writing, they had an impact on the world around them. It never felt like the average sitcom; it was far more than that. Drew Barrymore claimed, “Of all of the characters I’ve ever been, Sheila Hammond is one of my fa-

vourites. She and Joel were an amazing couple, who had shared goals. And I am lucky to have worked alongside Tim Olyphant. It was an honour to get to do something so delightful. Sheila lives forever in me. And I am grateful to Victor Fresco, who created a world so unique.” Unfortunately, it is likely that the show was cut because of Netflix’s recent turn to a three-season model due to the prices of shows growing with each series. And, unfortunately, unlike other shows, Santa Clarita Diet is owned outright by Netflix so the possibility of it being renewed by another company such as Amazon is very unlikely. Whether or not it’s time to move on from the show is up for debate with many fans campaigning on social media to get Netflix to bring it back. Hopefully, in the near future, we’ll see more from Sheila and her husband. It would be such a shame to never return to this wonderfully wacky world.

Image: Instagram, @rctvinfo

Reviews

Dead To Me

Taskmaster

Available on Netflix

Wednesday 9pm Dave

askmaster season eight has started with fresh new competitors and the same old mad taskmaster Greg Davies is ready to put these comedians and celebrities through new ridiculous and embarrassing challenges with his assistant ‘little Alex Horne’. Though this series could be considered to have some lesser known contestants compared to previous series which boasted the likes of Frank Skinner and Noel Fielding, the line-up has a surprising connection and seem to work really well.

It sounds ridiculous but as usual Taskmaster makes it hilarious This time we are joined by Ian Stirling (A Dog Ate My Homework) delivering entertaining rants about minute rules that the other contestants break with little to no avail. We are also joined by Greg Davies’ former inbetweeners co-star Joe Thomas and Chaser Paul Sinha. The real stand out stars of this series so far are Sian Gibson and Lou Sanders as both women add real fun and charming humour to the series. One example is Sian Gibson wanting to carry on the challenge even when it was over because it was fun, and she wanted to ‘keep playing’. The tasks themselves also continue to be as random and ridiculous as ever. For the prize task, contestants each have to bring in an item meeting a particular brief and the winner of the overall episode takes each item home as a prize. For this episode, the brief was to bring in an item with the best smell, which one celebrity interpreted loosely bringing in a literally toxic object. Another task if the episode saw contestants having to sneak up to Alex on a bridge in a large train yard without being seen. It sounds ridiculous but as usual Taskmaster makes it hilarious. Jacob Clarke

Image: YouTube

hen it comes to a show surrounding two complex female characters, there seems to be no escaping labels like ‘feminist’, ‘girl power’ and ‘sisterhood’, but Dead to Me, created by Liz Feldman (Two Broke Girls) really does exude the power of femininity and female friendships. This isn’t because its characters are anything especially positive, in fact, it’s the complexity and the negative traits of Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Linda Cardellini) that make them so watchable. Maybe our lives aren’t messy on the same level as the two unlikely friends, but that doesn’t make them any less relatable. They let it be known that it’s normal to be a little “nuts” or “hysterical”, particularly after the end of a relationship, and especially that end came about after the death of your husband. And that’s not the only thing gone wrong in Jen’s life: trouble at work, difficulty as a newly single mother, and her determination to find the person responsible for her husband’s death start to become overwhelming. When the cynical Jen meets free spirit Judy at a Friends of Heaven grief meeting, things start to look up, but is Judy all she seems?

100+

Image: YouTube

The number of Netflix original shows that Dead to Me joins in its catalogue

Dead to Me’s dark humour captures grief and the way people cope in an honest, refreshing way. Its twists and turns can seem excessive, but they mirror the domino effect that always seems to come with a piece of bad news. However, it attempts to cover an overwhelming number of contemporary topics, as if in fear of leaving a minority out. Its token gay friend and black love interest’s problems are barely covered, despite a focus on the struggles of other white straight minor characters. The intensity of the programme, with the comic relief of cynicism, makes the show enjoyable overall. Ruby Osborne

Monday 20th May 2019

TV Time Travel Image: monkeywing (Flickr)

he show I want to talk about this week is one that is close to my heart, and the hearts of many other DC nerds my age. In 1991 Warner Bros. decided to follow up on the success of the 1989 Tim Burton directed Batman movie by commissioning a sequel; the even better Batman Returns (1992) and a dark TV counterpart aimed at the tween and teenage audiences to keep the momentum rolling. The result was the series that would shape all future Batman media to come, the brilliant Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) created by the dynamic-duo Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski. There are many things that make Batman: The Animated Series great, far too many to list here. A key factor was that, for the first time, the studio took the risk of making a super-hero show that was dark in both aesthetic quality and story tone. Burton had achieved this on the big screen, but those films received adult only certification. On the show Timm and Radomski found the perfect balance between content that was challenging while still feeling safe enough to pass the censors for kids TV. Rather than going for the ‘monster of the week’ format seen in most superhero shows of the time, this series had story arcs that lasted multiple episodes and featured call-backs, references and recurring theme that required the audience to stick with the show week-after-week. The shows villains were loyal to the comics and, as a kid, felt genuinely threatening. They looked and sounded menacing and evil and their plots for Gotham often resulted in loss of life (something not often seen on kids shows). While Penguin, Riddler and Scarecrow were all given ample episodes to terrify children and fight the caped-crusader, one pair of miscreants stole the show. A certain Joker and his brand-new partner Harley Quinn. Voiced brilliantly by Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker) and Arleen Sorkin, these two characters were completely reinvented for the series and these versions of the characters have gone on to be the template for all future portrayals. Although only heard and not seen the chemistry between the pair and their relationship to Batman (voiced by Kevin Conroy) is the palpable and by far the best in any form of Batman media. Batman: The Animated Series trusted the audience’s maturity and their willingness to engage with a superhero show which was dark, moody, narratively complex and, importantly, one where the ‘good guys’ don’t always win. Fans and critics responded with overwhelming approval. Sadly Warner Bros. cancelled the show in the run-up to the release of the third Batman movie; Joel Schumacher’s Batman: Forever (1995) and its sequel Batman & Robin (1997). Both of those movies completely ignored the show, reverting Batman back into a one-dimensional character, where conversations were exchanged for poorly shot fight scenes and threatening villains replaced with a pun-spewing Arnold Schwarzenegger. Needless to say, both films bombed. Hard. With both fans and critics feeling cheated by the reduction of comic’s darkest hero into a laughable yet unfunny cliché. Thankfully Warner Bros. acknowledged their mistake and by the end of ’97 a sequel to the animated series titled The New Adventures of Batman which continued the story of the original show. This was followed in ’99 by the more mainstream Batman: Beyond. Since the show ended in 1995 an incredible 26 directto-DVD animated films have been released, a testimony to the enduring popularity of that great series. Even if you haven’t seen an episode you will know its influence. Neither Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy (2005-2012) or the excellent recently concluded series Gotham (20142019) could have happened without the animated series and for that we should all be thankful. Joe Holloran

Image: YouTube

the courier

Monday 20th May 2019

@CourierTV thecourieronline.co.uk/TV

From the Endgame comes new beginnings

Lucy Lillystone discusses the future of TV for Marvel as the latest Avengers film paves the way

Spoiler warning: This article has Endgame spoilers.

arvel has had a rocky road when it comes to TV shows as despite the excellence that was Jessica Jones and The Punisher, they’ve had their fair share of cancellations. The only still successful show is Marvel’s Agents of Shield. But that’s all soon to change with Marvel announcing news of future spin-offs featuring characters we never thought we’d see again. This time, we can expect to see shows featuring fan favourites Wanda Maximoff and Vision, Loki, Falcon & Winter Soldier and many more streaming on new Disney+, a subscription which at this present moment is looking like a must. In the midst of the big announcement, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige told Variety that “these episodes will intersect with the movies in a very big way. It’s a totally new form of storytelling that we get to play with and explore.” This leads me to think that maybe this means the return of old man Cap and our other very alive favourite avengers. One can hope. Either way, the consequences of Endgame will be very prominent in upcoming shows, continuing the interlinking nature of the MCU. So, what can we look forward to? Falcon & Winter Soldier will place Captain America’s two sidekicks at centre stage (about time, I need more Bucky in my life). As we all saw at the end of Endgame, Steve left his shield and the legacy of the name

of Captain America to Sam. This leads me to think that the focus of this show will be Falcon establishing himself as the new Captain America, hopefully leading as an inspiration for future kids. And we all know the comedic dynamic these two make as a pair so I for one am excited to see this focused on more on TV. This is not the only show that Marvel fanatics can expect in the near future. All you Wanda Maximoff fans out there can expect more from Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch as she and Vision are returning to the screen to revisit a romance, we only saw quick glimpses of in Avengers: Infinity War. The show will be set in the 1950s and has been described as “something unexpected and surprising, as well as something we can only do in a long-form series”. Whether this actually works out or not, who knows but I for one am looking forward to seeing Scarlet Witch kick ass again. Finally, as I’m sure many oth-

ers, I felt the loss of Loki big time in Avengers: Endgame. However, Marvel has me sorted and the charming Tom Hiddleston will also be joining others over on Disney+ as Marvel is wishing to create a prequel series exploring the god of mischief’s history. As we know, the Russo brothers don’t include scenes in movies for nothing and clearly, L o k i’s stealing of the Tesseract in the final instalment of The Avengers was leading up to the potentiality of a show based entirely around his evil adventures. These are not the only shows that have been rumoured as Hawkeye, Ghost-Rider and probably many, many more also have potential to be a part of Disney’s new streaming service. Either way, this is a dangerous rode for Marvel with their history and I will be looking forward to seeing how successful they actually are.

Image: YouTube

Emma Dawson weighs in on the final episode of BBC crime favourite Line of Duty's fifth season

Image: YouTube

Credit: CMetalCore (Wikimedia)

Netflix: Pick ‘n’ Mix Susanne Norris watches Russian Doll for the first time.

ebirth has always captured public imagination and artistic license. Be it the Buddhist belief in reincarnation or the Victorian’s fixation with seances, we’ve always been transfixed with what happens to the dead after they die. Where does the energy go? Can a person come back to life? Imagine if you died. Imagine if you died, and then miraculously came back to life, to the very moment you’d die at. Then imagine dying again. Once this process has happened a minimum of 100 times, you’d be experiencing the complex situation the protagonist in Netflix’s Russian Doll finds herself in. After dying at a party (no spoilers, happens in the first 15 mins of episode one) Nadia Vulvokov finds herself magically alive again, back to square one sniffing cocaine in the bathroom. After an uncomfortable confrontation with déjà vu, she tries to avoid her death of being hit by a car only to find that she falls off a bridge instead.

Image: YouTube

Line of Duty: A satisfying ending? illions of us tuned into the feature-length finale of tense police drama Line of Duty. As series five of the hit show came to a close, we hoped to unmask the identity of H, the corrupt officer evading AC-12’s grasp all season. We finally thought we knew who was behind the initial, but we’ve been left with more questions than answers. The episode opens with a tense interrogation scene that the series is infamous for, as AnnaMaxwell Martin’s formidable, yet extremely watchable, DCS Carmichael picks Superintendent Ted Hastings apart in an emotionally fraught and heated scene, as past secrets are brought to light, trying to finally prove that Ted is H. The scene packs in a lot as Ted is put on trial and we do get some answers here or so we think. It does get confusing so bear with me. We learn about Hasting’s past as a policeman during The Troubles as Carmichael pushes Ted to breaking

TV culture

point, suggesting he was involved in the death of police informant AnneMarie McGillis. Things look bleak and the thought of him being responsible is upsetting for us Ted fans. Adrian Dunbar’s acting peaks, as Ted bursts into tears after finding out Anne’s son is the slain undercover officer, John Corbett. The raw emotion is convincing and beautifully acted, and we see that Ted clearly loved Anne-Marie and was maybe more than just a friend, which Carmichael alludes to. The scene is the highlight of the episode, which showcases Dunbar and MaxwellMartin’s excellent acting chops. The rest didn’t really pack as a much of a punch. Meanwhile our favourite corruption fighting duo Steve Arnott and Kate Fleming

are trying to exonerate their gaffer and burst into the interrogation room in the nick of time. They establish that Ted has been framed and all eyes are now on the slimy Gill Biggeloe. The case seems closed when the number of a burner phone, thought to be Ted’s, calls Gill’s phone and fans gave a collective sigh of relief. She is prepared to go in police custody but is almost killed in the toilets by corrupt officer Tina Trantor. Things become weirdly like a horror film as Gill is stabbed through the hand and Tina is shot by Steve. The episode closes with the most infuriating scene in the whole episode. Steve and Kate review old evidence that suggests that the theory that H is the initial of a corrupt officer was misinterpreted and is in fact Morse code, with the four dots for H meaning there are actually four corrupt officers.

The bizarre twist may have been intended to be dramatic but felt contrived and left us muttering 'Mother of God' This bizarre twist may have been intended to be dramatic but felt contrived and left us muttering ‘Mother of God’ as we are led into the now guaranteed sixth series in a too convenient way. The episode may not have delivered the closure we wanted, having us on a wild goose chase rather than giving us our desperately sought-after answers but at least we got a good interrogation scene and some top acting from our favourite TV cops.

This process repeats for the next four or so episodes. Nadia finds herself negotiating friends, therapists and her Jewish faith to try and figure out why she keeps dying and why, instead of finding peace, she paradoxically keeps coming back to life. The confusion continues until about half-way through the eight-episode series, when she meets Alan, who’s seemingly dealing with the same twisted fate. Together, they try to decipher why this is happening to them. And unsurprisingly, it all comes down to the usual variety: childhood trauma, struggles with faith, an incapability to love or be loved.

The number of seasons Natasha Lyonne and her co-creators originally pitched the show to have

I must admit, the first few episodes had me extremely unsure of whether I enjoyed the series or not. This probably has a lot to do with the fact that I work on the beauty section rather than the TV section of The Courier and probably missed the subtleties and intricacies of those initial moments. But after I’d wrapped my head around what might be going on, I thoroughly enjoyed the series. Whilst it is intricate and subtle, it can be enjoyed as surface level sci-fi at the very least. But for those with a broader TV palate than myself, it’s remarkable in its commentary on several issues. It handles depression and mental health issues sensitively, thoughtfully and intelligently, offering a subtle commentary on the way we treat those suffering. It also tackles addiction, looking unapologetically but also poignantly at the issues that arise from it, and how this shapes addicts and those around them. Less obviously, it offers a considered but provoking commentary on the Jewish faith, its teaching and scriptures and the mental trauma of the Holocaust which is still pertinent to even third-generation descendants of the survivors. Despite this, it’s rather shockingly not a total downer. Moments of humour are constantly intertwined with the more serious stuff, with a stellar performance from Natasha Lyonne as Nadia. It also presents optimism – despite the nihilism of never-ending death – and is almost prophetic in nature, offering interpretations that range from great sci-fi thrill to mimicking religious scripture. Russian Doll is a thought-provoking, funny and well-executed watch.

the courier

culture film

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

Monday 20 May 2019

One Batman down, who will next don the cape? Joe Holloran examines the potential replacements for the next Batman as Ben Affleck takes off the Dark Knight mask forever B ack in January Warner Bros. provided some rare good news about the future of the DC Extended Universe when it was finally confirmed that Ben Affleck would not be returning as the capedcrusader for any future projects. With the first in a new series of Batman films directed by Matt Reeves due out on June 25th 2012, fans are eagerly awaiting news of who will be the next to embody the role of Gotham's Dark Knight. With rumours abound and opinions divided between a few leading contenders it is time to take a look at the merits of the likely front runners and who the fans (including myself) want to see in the role. Things have not been great on the Batman front of late. Fans and critics alike lambasted Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017) for their countless failings. Ben Affleck himself bore the brunt of the criticism from fans for his performance as Batman in both films. While it is clear that he was the wrong choice from the beginning to us fans it is amazing that the executives at Warner Bros. watched Affleck as Matt Murdock in Daredevil (2003) and thought "Yes, that's our guy". In fairness to them I think the idea of an older ,more jaded Dark Knight is a good one and something we haven't seen on the big screen before. That brings us to the contenders for Affleck's replacement. There are dozens of names being thrown around the internet, so I have chosen the three who I think would each bring something different to the role and then the one outsider who I think deserves the part. The nominees are Armie Hammer, Jon Hamm & Oscar Isaac. Let's start off with the bookies favourite Armie Hammer. The star of The Social Network (2010), the brilliantly underrated Nocturnal Animals (2016) and On The Basis of Sex (2018) certainly has the physic needed to play the role, and he has shown his ability to portray both troubled and tough characters. What is most in Hammers favour is that he has already prepared for the role and even worn the costume, when, back in 2011 he was all set to play Batman in George Millers Justice League: Mortal. That project was scrapped in favour of Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises (2012). Hammer is favourite for a good reason. Next up is John Hamm. While the Images: YouTube

Mad Men star is the fans choice for the role his background as a primarily comedic actor may hold him back. He has the look, is the right age for the role and has shown in Mad Men he has the ability to play a character who is quick witted yet dark and brooding. Still, I doubt he will get the role as I think they will go with someone who is seen as a more 'serious' actor. Sorry Kevin Smith. Last up is Oscar Isaac. The Star Wars & X-Men: Apocalypse star certainly has pedigree when it comes to playing ba-

dass characters in high octane blockbusters. While he doesn't have the immediate appearance of Batman that the others have, I think his emotional range is greater than the other two and he has proven he can act affectively while hidden behind a mask and is convincing as both a hero and a villain. Something needed for the Batman role. Isaac is even less likely to get the part than Hamm though due to his lack of resemblance to Mr. Wayne. So, who is my choice? My wildcard is David Mazouz who has just finished playing the teenage Bruce Wayne on the TV series Gotham (2014-2019). At 18 he would be the youngest Batman ever and I fear this alone will exclude him from the

role on the big screen. Still I think he has proven since the age of 13 that he has what it takes to embody the role of Bruce Wayne, which is much more difficult than that of Batman. I also feel that he deserves a chance having given so much to the role over the years. Sentimental, I know. Unfortunately, something Hollywood doesn't do. Personally I think his young and clean-cut Batman facing off against the older more deranged Joker we are about to get in that titular film would be epic. Two comic book greats facing off for the first time in their stories. It won't happen, but hey, that is my choice. Whoever is next to wear the cowl will do so knowing that their every scene will be scrutinized by fans the world over. Which is to be expected, but I just hope that these fans reserve judgement until the film itself comes out in a few short years. That seems only fair.

That doesn't look realistic? CGI vs practical effects

Benja Townsend and Jimmy Athey discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using CGI ahead of practical effects in films Against CGI In defense of CGI

’m not going to argue that CGI is the best thing that happen to cinema ever, because its not, but the rep that it gets is unfounded. Cinema would not be where it is today without the use of CGI. Consider this, Avatar is the top grossing film of all time with over $500 million more dollars than the second place latest Avengers film, which is also extremely CGI heavy. On top of this numbers 4, 5 and 6 in the top grossing films are CGI heavy films. This clearly indicates that viewers want CGI and enjoy the sci fi fantasy elements that it gives films. In modern cinema there is one major battle between rival franchises, DC and Marvel. DC is often criticised for its overzealous use of CGI, but to use this in an argument against CGI is wrong, Marvel also relies heavily upon it. There would be no Iron Man and the whole film Thor: Ragnarok, personally my favourite in the marvel universe, would be a whole other story. This applies across the board to not just fantasy films, many use CGI even if in a minimal amount. When done well it is incredible. CGI mishaps are picked up quite easily but there is subtly in its use as well. Buildings are manipulated, tattoos are removed, and actors’ injuries or physical attributes are manipulated. These may not appear much, but the effect upon an overall picture is untold, many go unnoticed. Therefore, surely the question is not whether CGI is good or bad, rather whether the use of CGI is sensible and the writing behind it is good. Good CGI films exist and so do bad ones. But the better CGI films aren’t known about because that’s the point of them. Benja Townsen

Image: Marvel Studios (Instagram)

GI has no doubt sent the film industry and Hollywood in to the place it is today. With films such as the Fast and Furious and the Marvel Universe relying heavily on CGI, they have helped studios spend millions and millions more on CGI heavy films rather than practical. A common theme of Hollywood now is using CGI because it’s supposedly cheaper, therefore they can create bigger spectacles. However swapping practical effects for CGI can ruin the immersion of the scene, or even the film, because it is very noticeable. Films such as The Thing remake in 2011 has been hounded for using a CGI monster instead of a practical one, and is evidence of how CGI can ruin a film. Another use of CGI which ruined an entire trilogy is The Hobbit. The Hobbit swapped make-up and set pieces for massive amounts of CGI, and in turn created a mess of unrealistic scenes which spoilt the essence that was created from Lord of the Rings. Take Christopher Nolan as an example. In massive films such as the Dark Knight, pretty much everything was practical. A lorry flipping over, a hospital exploding all happened for real, and he has continued to limit his use of CGI in all of his films. Dunkirk for example, uses practical effects to create a film set in the Second World War. It is an impressive film, and has 92% on Rotten Tomatoes, being heavily praised for its use of practical effects. Not using CGI and instead having the world and the creatures there in front of the actors not only helps them but also helps the audience immerse themselves more into a believable experience. Image: Dunkrik Movie

Jimmy Athey

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019

@Courier_Film thecourieronline.co.uk/film

Woman at War (15)

High Life (15)

Wine Country (15)

film culture Documentary Corner

Image: YouTube

ow far are you willing to go for what you believe is right? That's the question posed in Woman at War, a film that asks the audience to consider the ethics of activism and familial responsibility. Obligation is central to Woman at War, with director Benedikt Erlingsson masterfully combining the moral dilemma of our civil obligations to help 'the greater good', and the impact that such action can have upon our personal lives. In this case, the moral issue involves Halla (Halldóra Geirharðsdóttir) wrestling with the idea of continuing with her eco-activism and law-breaking, whilst an orphaned child awaits her adoption in Ukraine. Erlingsson allows the audience to form their own conclusions, and even the naming of the farmer's dog, 'Woman', and the portraits of Gandhi and Mandela in Halla's house serve to provoke the audience to reflect upon the nature of individuality. Moments of levity in the film serve to remind us not to take life too seriously, even when the subject at hand is not necessarily a laughing matter. The physical inclusion of musicians is fairly incongruous with the action occurring in the foreground, yet provides a mild comedic effect as much as it is somewhat jarring. After all, who doesn't want a jazz band and trio of singers to accompany them as they fight the powers that be? As the film opens with a wild-eyed and determined individual seemingly waging a one-woman campaign, it closes with a bus load of people wading through a flood. The end is bittersweet, suggesting that things tend to work out for the best, yet the final shot appears as an omen of things to come if we do not clean up our act. Woman at War is as much a comedic drama as it is a philosophical film about the role of the individual in combatting a global crisis, and the wide shots of breathtaking Icelandic scenery reinforce the idea of something worth protecting.

igh Life feels more like a gimmick than an actual movie. It is slow, pretentious and dull in its execution. Although the performances are good, they are not able to overcome the clumsy dialogue and overplayed themes. In fact, maybe the worst thing about this movie is that it is presented like a deep study of human sexuality, yet its unoriginal message does not deserve attention in the conversation it attempts to guide. The main problem with the movie was that it struggles to engage with the audience, and transport them in the world it tried to create. Mostly, because not one character sparked any sort of emotion. I was left apathetic, observing these criminals without any traits that might resemble an actual human being. In this regard, the dialogue stood out as exceptionally bad. In fact, while viewers will be bored to tears by the unnatural lack of dialogue in the first part of the movie, they will be yearning for those silent scenes, as they cringe at the interactions between the characters. A movie should not only present a theme, but use the story to create a compelling message. However, High Life seems to prioritize the ‘shock’ factor, rather than actually telling a story. In addition, the movie underestimates the viewer by presenting drawn out graphic scenes, and expecting the viewer to be affected by them. Yet it fails to even do that, mostly because of the lack of empathy felt for the protagonists. This movie throws a number of supposedly thought provoking themes at the screen, such as the relationship between power and sexuality. However, it never really delivers a message that is either groundbreaking or even sensible. Even more tragically, this incredibly dull experience will bore the audience, who will wish to be left out of the ‘conversation’ at all costs.

ine is better in small doses. By the second glass, the delicate tastes get muddled: by the fourth, you’re probably too smashed to care. Moderation is the word for both actual wine and Wine Country. Directed, written by and starring Parks and Recreation’s Amy Poehler and featuring a smattering of her old Saturday Night Live co-stars, in Wine Country a group of middle-aged friends try to reconnect by spending a long weekend together in a gorgeous country villa. It’s their performances that are the heart and soul of the movie. Aside from a few overly theatrical moments near the start and climax, their interaction is believable, enjoyable and charming, each character evidently written to play to their actor’s comedic and dramatic strengths. But the problem is there’s just too much of it for a movie. Poehler’s commitment to character equality means each one of the main six and the side characters are all given their own subplots. Val’s burgeoning attraction for a waitress, Abby’s addiction to planning and Jenny’s complete apathy battle for space as Wine Country keeps introducing comedy setpieces and moments of drama. By the time we’re all up to speed on everyone’s damage, there’s barely twenty minutes of runtime left. Consequently, the finale is sloppy, hastily clawing together a bunch of disparate plot threads that it’s forced to resolve in a couple lines of dialogue. It’s a disappointing conclusion for what is ultimately a promising, likeable cast. Wine Country wants to be a series rather than a Netflix one-off. It’s got charm to spare and oodles of character, but it has so much more ambition than it can realistically bring to bear. I came in wanting to love it, and left feeling a little disappointed: a waste of a good cast and a better dynamic.

Alexandra Sadler

Elisabetta Pulcini

Al Ridley

Detective Pikachu

Sophie Hicks reviews the new film based on the very popular game series starring Ryan Reynolds

Image: YouTube

s a fan of Pokémon and I’ve played the Detective Pikachu game, I was pretty excited for the film. I wasn’t expecting much, just a fun film. Sometimes you don’t need an Oscar-nominated masterpiece, sometimes you just need Ryan Reynolds voicing a particularly adorable Pikachu. Whilst Detective Pikachu may not be everybody’s cup of tea, I enjoyed it. If you aren’t aware of the plot, the story follows Tim Goodman, the son of a detective who goes missing, and he and Pikachu must solve the case. I know it sounds a pretty weird plot, but honestly it just gets weirder as the film continues so you might aswell embrace it. You’re going to see a film called Detective Pikachu so what do you expect? Honestly, I feel like they could have gone further into the weirdness. At the beginning, Pikachu was making lots of jokes, but this declined the further into the film we got. There could be a slight tonal problem because the last section of the film is more serious and feels a bit rushed, but I also had the same issue with the game. They spend too much time at the beginning establishing the plot and not enough time wrapping it up with adequate pacing. It wasn’t a huge issue as it was still enjoyable, but events seemed to happen pretty quickly towards the end, and I feel that it could have been more evenly paced. That didn’t make the film any less fun or enjoyable, but the last sec-

tion of the film could have been improved on. When the film was announced I had my doubts. But honestly, I didn’t have a huge issue with the Pokémon designs in the film. Sure, they look a little odd, but they managed to maintain the overall look of each Pokémon, and after the Sonic trailer I won’t complain. Whilst some did still look odd (Mr Mime will give me nightmares), the look of Detective Pikachu himself was excellent. Like, so cute that there was an audible “Aww!” from the audience.

t seems like conspiracy theories are everywhere these days. From 9/11 (“jet fuel can’t melt steel beams” – it’s official, look it up) to the moon landing, these theories seem to be gaining ever more ground. Despite the spherical structure of our planet being common knowledge to the Anglo-Saxons, and even the ancient Greeks, one of the latest crazes is the resurgence in belief that we live on a Flat Earth. Beyond the Curve is the latest insight into this controversial collective. Directed by Daniel J. Clark, the 2018 U.S. documentary hit Netflix in February earlier this year. Following the lives of prominent modern Flat Earthers Mark Sargent and Patricia Steere, a pair distinguished for their prolific YouTube channels, the documentary presents a surprisingly empathetic view of believers in the Flat Earth.

100%

Beyond the Curve's certified fresh score on reveiw aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.

Beyond the Curve is unusual in that it sees these believers as “scientists gone wrong” rather than laughable shills. This isn’t to say that the film isn’t funny; for us rational science lovers here on our big round, there is a certain delight in watching these pseudoscientist’s experiments yield unexpected results (unexpected for Flat Earthers, at least). However, the documentary has a point; the dedication and innovation shown by these Flat Earthers in their pursuit to prove us roundies wrong is truly commendable. Their only downfall is the refusal to accept the evidence before them.

Beyond the Curve is unusual in that it sees these believers as "scientists gone wrong" rather than laughable shills.

However, the documentary reaches it most poignant at an annual Flat Earth conference. Due to stigma surrounding this misguided belief, many of the attendees interviewed have lost family, friends and livelihoods in pursuit of their unconventional convictions. In Flat Earth they have found a community, a body in which they are not ostracised by society. Ultimately, Beyond the Curve shows that as a society, and scientists, we need to embrace and help all understand the facts of the situation, rather than degrading any who belief otherwise. Alex Moore

Sometimes you just need Ryan Reynolds voicing a particularly adorable Pikachu

I don’t want to spoil the plot too much, but I will say that it only has a vague bone structure to the game. So, if you’ve played the game then you might know the basic plot and recognise some events, but the villain’s motives and even the ending are different. Whilst you may recognise the main protagonist’s name and backstory, maybe a couple events like the Aipom and the carnival, overall the plot is quite different. I don’t mind that the plot is a different because it makes it slightly less predictable for those who have played the game, it isn’t just a straight-up re-telling of a game which already had a LOT of dialogue and not tons of gameplay. I can see this film having mixed responses, but if you’re a fan of Pokémon then I can’t see you not having fun whilst watching it.

Image: Trekky0623 (Wikimedia Commons)

/NewcastleCourierFilm @Courier_Film

culture arts

the courier

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

Monday 20 May 2019

Censorship controversy

Arts editor Julia McGee-Russell discusses Instagram’s new censorship guidlines on borderline content and how this has badly affected diversity and representation in the artistic community

very time the disaster of this period in history seems to quiet down, something happens which reminds us that the world is, in fact, on fire. The issue with Instagram’s new regulations, is that the majority of people walk around completely unscathed, while others watch their livelihoods burn down. On the surface, the new guidelines demoting ‘inappropriate’ or ‘borderline’ content from Instagram’s explore pages and hashtag searches seems to be a good thing. Who wouldn’t want to prevent the circulation of violent videos and hate speech? Yet this ‘non-recommendable’ content does not only include explicit content containing violence, but also ‘graphic/shocking’ and ‘sexually suggestive’ content. The impact on activists sharing violent videos and images of atrocities to raise awareness aside, this

@exotic.cancer

will have a devastating impact on any artist or individual who posts any ‘sexually suggestive’ or ‘graphic’ content. Selfies of women in their underwear talking about the impact their stoma has on them? Borderline content regulated to the depths of the Explore page. Artwork made by sex workers, or artwork containing nude women? Borderline content. Dark horror artwork which leans towards the graphic? You get the idea. Despite every famous gallery in existence having nude female bodies galore in their paintings, sculptures and history, this kind of content will find itself relegated to the bottom of the pile on Instagram’s explore page.

When artists have to censor their work to be able to continue supporting themselves, we have a big problem Instagram has a terrible reputation for censoring the work of minority activists and artists. Hilarious and graphic art made by stripper @exotic.cancer has been deleted entirely, reinstated, shadowbanned, and hidden from followers. Even when she began to censor the most ‘explicit’ parts of her art (read: stylised digital art of female genitals), leaving the uncensored version for Patreon, only a tiny percentage of her followers could see her work. Even accounts such as @the.vulva.gallery, a portrait gallery of vulvas to show their diversity and to educate about vulva health, have been previously deleted and will now suffer from this ‘borderline’ content policy. These regulations impact female, femme, and gender-

nonconforming bodies the most, and it is these people who will suffer the financial loss of having less traffic to their pages. Even in an image seeming to be from a PowerPoint presentation by Instagram on their new policy, an example image for ‘sexually suggestive’ content is a woman sitting in her underwear. The censoring of women’s bodies as inherently sexual is incredibly problematic, and what is even worse is that the male counterpart was a shot from the waist down where he was grabbing his genitals through his jeans. Men have to be actively touching their genitals to be counted as ‘sexually suggestive’ whereas women and femmes who are only sitting down in their underwear are considered too sexual for Instagram’s explore page. The irony of this is that Instagram encourages these kinds of pictures and selfies, the algorithm having promoted them higher on user’s timelines in the past through the engagement they receive. Yet the minute people begin to profit off of explicit content on their own terms, it becomes ‘borderline’ and ‘inappropriate’. Surely using this ‘borderline content’ policy for accounts with users who are underage would suffice, a similar system to that of YouTube. There is no need to regulate the ‘sexually suggestive’ content which adults decide to consume and create consensually. When artists have to censor their work to be able to continue supporting themselves, we have a big problem. The question of who decides what is ‘appropriate content’ and how we regulate it, is an issue which we will see recurring as the amount of content created on Instagram and other social media platforms continues growing. However, punishing people for having bodies and revealing them how they see fit is unjust, and I hope Instagram pays heed to the outcry of online communities affected, before another social media rises in popularity to fill this desirable gap in the market.

A crisis of originality

Julia McGee-Russell comments on the easy profits corporations make from stealing artwork

t seems every other day an artist on Instagram wakes up to find their work stolen. These artists post their work on platforms such as Instagram either for the joy of sharing their talent or to promote their businesses, and they are having their intellectual property stolen for the profit of larger companies.

To not pay a commission to Attzs for the right to use their artwork is entirely immoral

Image:@attzs

And let’s not forget that the majority of these artists rely on artwork sales to survive, and that most of the artists impacted are those most marginalised: Black, POC, queer and sex worker individuals. The latest in this endless string of thieving companies is New York based fashion label Thom Browne, whose ‘Swimmer-print cotton t shirt’ has an undeniable resemblance to the award-winning paintings Don’t Stay in Ya Lane by 20-year-old Black queer artist Ashton Attzs. Intentional or not, these shirts are far too similar to Attzs’ paintings to avoid infringing on her intellectual property, and the idea that millionaire company Thom Browne could be unaware of this is ludicrous. No, this is simply another moment of rich corporations not paying due dividends to the small artist, and expecting to get away with it. To not pay a commission to Attzs for the right to use their artwork on a £510 shirt sported by celebrities such as Gary Barlow, is entirely immoral. We are in the midst of an online

artwork crisis; if the amount of art being stolen from marginalised artists online was being robbed from a gallery or museum, it would be the biggest heist of the century. Just because this art has been put online for public appreciation, does not mean it can be stolen without credit and payment. Platforms such as Instagram are a great way for small artists to build a fan base and a following, and have allowed artists to support themselves with their art alone. However, the increasing rate of erasing the art from the artist for the profit or clout of businesses or individuals, makes this writer wonder how sustainable such a platform is. Content creators are the backbone of platforms like this, and if you cannot support the creatives who keep you running, then the future for them will soon be found elsewhere.

Image:@attzs

For the love of : Rothko Rooms SIDNEY PINSENT

s there a more empty task than A-Level Art? A nauseous mix of copying, writing and blagging about art you’ve never seen and most probably hate. When I was coming to the end of sixth form, my teacher suggested an artist called Mark Rothko and I prepared myself for the usual routine of looking up his work and copying it. For a moment, it looked like any other abstract expressionist; bold, colourful, flat. But the longer I looked at it the more mystical it became. The colours began to fight and clash, like they were coming off the canvas and battling in my mind. One look and the red was engulfing the yellow another and the next it was cowering behind. I had never seen colours hold so much, yet tell so little. I was amazed, I was hooked.

I had never seen colours hold so much, yet tell so little Yet this whole time I’d only seen them through the school computer screens or in a tatty school book titled something like ‘100 artists to see before you die’. How was I supposed to copy his work without actually seeing it? Most of them were taller than me and I had to recreate that feeling in a sketchbook. Still, I gave it ago. I filled a whole book in a day full of watercolour shapes that I blasted with a hairdryer so I could get started on the next as soon as possible. Predictably, it was crap and I was left with a book whose only redeeming feature was the crackle of the paper as you turned the page. If nothing else, I had proved you could cook a painting with a hairdryer. I figured the only way was to see Rothko’s paintings. I’d heard that people had collapsed in from of them because of their emotional energy. So I went to London and at first sight found the room rather dim. The lights were on low and everyone was very carefully observing painting to painting, looking at them softly. But I wanted to experience them, so I stood 2 feet away and let the painting engulf me, to let this 20ft wide monster hit me with all its vitality. The paintings were more than I could ever imagine and I’ve gone back to see them several times. And Rothko did all this without a qualification in art.

the courier

arts culture

Monday 20 May 2019

Cardboard culture Sophia Kypriotis reviews charity exhibition raising money for homelessness in Newcastle in collaboration with Depaul

he product of Vane gallery and Depaul, a charity aiming to help get young people off the streets,, ‘More than Homelessness’ which displays the art of these people, reminding the viewer that they possess an identity beyond being homeless. The cardboard box is an image often associated with homelessness, but as the exhibition states: ‘a cardboard box can be used for many things but sleeping should not be one of them’. One of these many things is to produce art and articulate the artists experience. The exhibition displays cardboard boxes transformed into pieces of art by young people who have experienced life on the streets and are now being helped by Depaul to stay off the streets.

Each side of the box explored a different relationship between money, family, and drugs

@exotic.cancer

Comic comeback

James Troughton reviews comic reboot of Marvel anti-hero

ast year, Donny Cates, one of the best modern writers of Marvel Comics, began a fantastic series that delves into Venom and his host, Eddie Brock. For the uninitiated, Venom is an intelligent, sentient alien organism that survives by binding itself to a host. In the main Marvel comics, the symbiote bonds with SpiderMan initially but, after rejection, finds itself emulating the wallcrawler through Eddie Brock, a reporter who shares a hatred of Spider-Man, albeit more towards his alter ego, Peter Parker. The two form a formidable bond and gradually grow from two-dimensional villain to complex anti-hero. Cates takes full advantage of this transition as he gradually introduces the biggest villain that Venom has ever faced– the God of the Symbiotes, Knull.

@ryansteadman

The comic thankfully avoids filling the pages with mindless exposition and instead revels in the amazing artwork of Ryan Stegman who, for the most part, manages to convey the events of each page without a necessity for text. The design of Venom and, by extension, the other symbiotes, feels stripped from the original 90s comics as he is gigantic, muscular, fluid and covered to the brim with veins. He is a truly horrific monster but, through Eddie, he is more heroic than primal beast.

The comic moves swiftly into Cate’s ambitious perspective with some of the coolest visuals

As for Eddie Brock, his life of poverty adds to the struggle of keeping Venom’s personality at bay, in which he often resorts to the use of drugs. This makes him an incredibly captivating protagonist. However, the comic swiftly moves on from where the previous run concluded and into Cate’s ambitious perspective of the rich history of the symbiotes and their God who brings the panels to life with some of the coolest, most fan-service feeling visuals that have graced comics in the past decade. Knull as a villain is intimidating, gruesomely gothic in design and dominates every single panel that he appears in. Before we are introduced to Knull himself, his influence ripples through each issue as Venom is plagued by nightmares. His symbiote army is an unbeatable infection that slithers its way into everything that it touches, be it dragons, American soldiers or even Venom himself. Where the comic thrives though is in its portrayal of Eddie and Venom’s relationship, fully embracing their dependence for each other. Eddie may deny his dependency on the power that Venom brings and Venom may find his host to be weak-willed but the two have an unbeatable bond that Cates excels at bringing to life through the dialogue. For those who want to get into Marvel comics, who desire a more mature read or who are thirsting for more Venom content after the terrible excuse of a movie, this is the comic to jump into. The story is still unfolding, building up to a huge Marvel event and helmed by some of the best creative minds in all of modern comics.

pain of being homeless and the hope that a charity like Depaul offers. It was very moving to see these once homeless people’s faces revealed from beneath the masks, smiling and in a profession, reminding the viewer that each one of these people deserves a future; any one of us could fall into circumstances that cause us to end up homeless and therefore more needs to be done to help those that are. If you’re interested in helping to raise money for homelessness, Newcastle University is doing its own fundraising. Two weeks ago NSR did a 24 hour broadcast in order to raise money for three homelessness charities that do work throughout the North East - head over to their Facebook page /nsrlive for the link to donate.

One of the artists, Rhys, comments that he was ‘happy to have the opportunity to be able to express myself in an artistic way, other than just being interviewed’. It is so easy to forget, that for homeless people, their self-expression is extremely limited and therefore inviting them to explore their identity in this way demonstrates the power of art in conveying a deeply personal and vulnerable experience. In Rhys’s piece, each side of the box explored a different relationship between money, family and drugs, resulting in overpowering love due to the stability and love that Depaul has helped him to achieve. A film played in the exhibition depicted masked faces of homeless people, commenting on our refusal to acknowledge those who need our help the most. Poems were created by people in the film from songs, further demonstrating how therapeutic art can be when processing the

1.INNERMOST

Poem Box

A framework of limb and bone; skin stretched over valleys of organs, hugging my innermost parts. I, tall like a tree rooted in the richest soil, beechwood: my hair grows up and out, and you pull its coils in awe, but I am more to be admired than adored. Between thighs, thighs which have no gap except when they are wide open, you find refuge – a room you rent for the night, leave in the morning. Yet here I am, endlessly growing, vast curves and crevices in spaces nature made just for me.

2. RIPENING

@vickymepx

on a Thursday, she tells me: find self-esteem in groundnuts, seeds that ripen underground. let it bloom in winter; slow and silent yet felt. let your legs strengthen under the slope of hill and glade, she says, showing me how hers are brown and shapely. I look at her when mornings are buttery with sunlight and think of how her hooded eyes gave me my features; the slope of my nose ridged and tricky, the path her marriage seemed to take. her hands are soft, though lined with the grooves of piano keys, handles of wooden spoons, dyed with turmeric and fragranced by cardamom. she smells of chamomile and home and I stem from all the greatness of her.

3. WHAT REMAINS

Here is where our hearts learned to grieve in the dark. Where spines collapsed from standing too straight in the photographs you developed. In this gallery of frameless women, you cracked our skulls open, filled them with ideals that poured out of our mouths like bile and soul in one. We poured, overflowing, into dry and unforgiving hands, thirsting for room to breathe. It is here, on grounds we helped build, that we became factories of children, manufacturing bodies, lactating blood. We were leftover dreams discarded: coat hangers in alleyways. It is here we questioned our existence. It is here we became frameless.

4. INTERLUDE

I find that revolution can be planted anywhere. Even in the hair of young black girls. Leanne Francis

@TheCourierArts @thecourierarts

@frances.cannon

culture gaming

the courier

courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Gaming Editors George Boatfield, Shawn Khoo, Kelly South & James Troughton Online Editor Alex Darbyshire

Monday 20th May 2019

Courier Gaming's top scores Video games are inherently visual, but often the sountrack makes a moment resonate. Our writers reflect on their favourites

Lisa: The Joyful Al Ridley

he small soundtrack of LISA: The Joyful was made in a trial version of Fruity Loops by one guy with the auspicious name of Widdly2Diddly. It’s also bloody fantastic. With only a tiny library of MIDIs and the inability to edit a song after closing it, the soundtrack’s feel is simultaneously irreverent and diverse. It’s full of baffling, alien-feeling tracks that squirm in your ear and over simple but effective rhythms. Focusing more on emotion than complexity, it flows from the climactic – Broken Tooth March, All American Badass – to the downright depressing – Land of Hints, He’s My Dad. And then there’s the tracks that are just plain weird, with fan favourite 666 Kill Chop Deluxe being played on synthesised air horns. It’s a perfect mirror of the game it accompanies. The LISA series is equal parts goofy, spooky and heartbreaking, and you’ve never played (or listened) to anything quite like it.

The Witcher 3 Alex Darbyshire

game’s soundtrack is meant to match its mood in every way and add another layer of atmosphere to the playing experience. Action becomes heightened, quiet moments become emotional or brooding. With a good enough soundtrack, even the more mundane parts of the gameplay are made more bearable. There are few other games that embody the abstract ‘mood’ of a game more than that of The Witcher 3’s soundtrack. Composed by Marcin Przybyłowicz and Mikolai Stroinski in collaboration with Polish folk band Percival, The Witcher 3’s soundtrack fuses Percival’s distinct sound with the grandeur of a fantasy soundtrack to create something that feels exotic upon first playing through the game. Some standout tracks include ‘...Steel for Humans’, which adapts Percival’s ‘Lazare’ into an intense battle theme, as well as ‘Aen Seidhe’ and ‘Hunt or Be Hunted’. Even as a standalone album, The Witcher 3’s soundtrack never fails to get me excited about the game all over again.

World of Warcraft Gerry Hart

icking a favourite video game soundtrack is honestly one of the trickiest choices this medium presents for me. There are so many stellar examples, from the haunting beauty of Silent Hill 2 to the cheery playfulness of Super Mario Bros to the heavy metal ferocity of Doom. But speaking personally, few compare to World of Warcraft. Music in video games can serve several purposes. Sometimes, it might form an integral part of the brand (as in Super Mario or Final Fantasy) or help dictate the pace of gameplay, as in the aforementioned Doom. But what WoW’s soundtrack does expertly is tone setting. One of the game’s strengths is its distinctive environmental design, and whilst any mood setting is primarily visual, it is further augmented through music. Depending on which zone the player is in, the music can affect a sense of peace and tranquillity (i.e. Elwynn Forest), or mystery and wonder (i.e. Storm Peaks) or foreboding and danger (i.e. Icecrown Glacier or Tirisfal Glades). This serves to give a sense of character to even the dullest of zones. I’ll admit, WoW is one of those games I typically use as podcast listening material, so I often don’t listen to the original soundtrack as much as I used to. Nonetheless after almost a decade of playing, a good chunk of the soundtrack has been burned into my long term memory. WoW’s score serves as a really interesting example of interplay between sound and environment that honestly deserve far more praise than it gets.

The Last of Us George Boatfield

fter the acclaim of the pulp-action Uncharted games, it was important that developer Naughty Dog ensured that their next project, The Last of Us, maintained its own tonal consistency. Reaching for the grand soundscapes that accompanied Nathan Drake’s adventures just wouldn’t be appropriate this time. Something else was needed, something more delicate and minimalist. Cue composer Gustavo Santaolalla. His work on Brokeback Mountain and Babel had been resonating with the team at the studio as they conceptualised the auditory identity of The Last of Us. They eventually realised the influence Santaolalla was having and brought him in for the soundtrack. With detuned guitars, PVC pipes and everyday recording spaces, he gave them that distinctive sound they were looking for. Santaolalla employed a “more textural and not necessarily melodic” approach that fed back into the overall writing process of The Last of Us. Neil Druckmann, creative director, explained that “As the story was still being written, you could listen to a piece of music and just get a sense of where it was supposed to go tonally - the music was inspiring the story.” Alongside the incredible art direction and performances from the actors, it is the music that gives the experience so much heart. In an industry where the soundtrack is usually one of the final parts of production, the seamlessness of its implementation for The Last of Us is as collaborative as it is groundbreaking.

Image: YouTube (PlayStation Official)

Sonic redesigned amidst criticism

Through careful examination, Jack Coles shares why Sonic's humanoid design straight from the uncanny valley has gotta go fast

ega announced that they’re “redesigning” the live-action take on Sonic. First of all, ha-hahahaha. Secondly, if you have a tin foil hat, I’d keep that handy for the closing paragraphs; and three, the Science section is going to feel so undercut by this next segment. Let me tell you about the “uncanny valley”. It’s a psychological concept that states that things that approximate human appearance but aren’t indistinguishable from us come across as unsettling. Like that android from Saudi Arabia, or clowns, or me when I’m trying to emulate human emotion.

Sonic got hit with a double whammy of both the human uncanny valley and the Sonic uncanny valley, the latter of which I invented about a week ago. Very similar concept; things that are supposed to look like classic Sonic – but are just a little bit off – look wrong. And as the humanoid Sonic protagonist looks just off for Sonic, and just off for humans too, it looks very off overall. Why does he have human teeth? It looks like they were a false set found lying around in a retirement home and Sega was like “hey, what if we put this in Sonic’s mouth?” Since this version Sonic is as unsettling as all hell, he (they? it?) provides an interesting counterpoint to that

Detective Pikachu movie that’s just come out; a movie where the protagonist is also well-recognised, fluffy, and animal-like (and I’m not talking about Justice Smith). Pikachu in that movie is by and large described as cute as all hell. After all, he (they? it?) is modelled after the pika, a small mouse/rabbit-like creature that resembles the small fluffy animals we all love and/or eat, and most importantly, does not have any human features that would put us off. Pikachu does not have human teeth or too much whites around the eyes; Sonic, unfortunately, does. Now let me hit you with the tin foil hat theorising I said there would be. (If you don’t have any tin foil, clingfilm will

do.) What if Sega and Paramount intended for Sonic to look awful to get the media press, and were actually going to make Sonic to look different from the start? As much as I’d like the opposite to be true, media shitstorms help sell things. It has worked for American fast food outlets, it has worked for razor manufacturers, and it might well work for Sonic: The Game: The Movie: Only In Cinemas Now: Reloaded. I mean, let’s face it, there’s no way that the original design of Sonic went past hundreds of trained animators with every single one of them going “ayup, that looks great”… is there?

Image: YouTube (Paramount Pictures)

the courier

Monday 20th May 2019

@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming

gaming culture

Gearbox CEO in hot water Notch gets blocked Al Ridley covers this next example of employee mistreatment James Troughton looks at how Mojang are moving on T M hat pillar of corporate cockup culture that is Gearbox have done it again. Mere days after the much-maligned CEO Randy Pitchford was embroiled in a Twitter feud about a contradictory company line on microtransactions, he’s found himself back in boiling water after alleged misconduct with the company’s most famous vocal talent. David Eddings, once the instantly hateable voice of Borderlands’ Claptrap, is no longer working on Borderlands 3. In a thread on Twitter, Eddings claims that when Gearbox approached him to renew his role as the series mascot, he had serious misgivings but was willing to do the job on two conditions; the assurance of royalties Eddings was owed but had never been paid, and an apology from Pitchford for allegedly assaulting him at the 2017 Game Developers Conference. Neither were provided. The royalties are their own can of worms; Eddings claims that Gearbox employees are encouraged to take

Riot Staff Walk

lower base salaries with royalty shares. Those shares, however, never paid out. The fund was mostly drained to form the cool $12 million bonus Pitchford gave himself at the end of the fiscal year, while Gearbox employees who opted for royalties laboured under a severe, undisclosed pay cut. But the assault allegations are something else. If they’re true – and Pitchford, strangely, hasn’t even denied it – then there’s the possibility of some dangerous legal trouble for the Gearbox CEO. At this stage, it’s too early to determine the veracity or import of the assault, but if charges are pressed, who knows? Neither Gearbox or 2K have made any statement about these allegations at time of writing, but Pitchford has sprung to his own defence on Twitter. One wonders how far this walking PR nightmare will push the buck this time, and whether this time the company will be forced to take action.

Image: YouTube (Noclip)

any fans think of Notch as the loveable Swedish creator of the wonderful and immensely popular sandbox game Minecraft, but unfortunately this is not the reality of the situation. A simple search of Notch’s Twitter reveals an entire library of offensive comments, derogatory language and evidence of his truly toxic nature. He has dismissed the transgender community as mentally ill, denied the existence of white privilege and engaged in multiple far-right rants. All this has seen Mojang and Microsoft deny him entry to the Minecraft 10th anniversary event, located in his home country of Sweden.

actions. It seems as though, much like Mojang, fans of the game are moving on without its creator. To end on a high note, Minecraft is thriving more than ever with its most recent update Village and Pillage. For the most part, it seems as though his social media presence has not harmed the game’s success. It sports an active player base that is mostly free of Notch’s toxic attitude, volatile personality.

It seems as though, much like Mojang, fans of the game are moving on without its creator.

Microsoft’s previous attempts to disassociate themselves from Notch can be seen from when his name was removed from the game’s splash screen, which was the initial news that many outlets broke. When asked, Microsoft confirmed that the reason is due to the tweets, saying that the views expressed “do not reflect those of Microsoft or Mojang and are not representative of Minecraft.” When browsing social media activity regarding Notch, there appears to be very little opposition to Microsoft’s

Image: losttvfans

What I'm Playing: Downwell

Gerry Hart looks at why 150 employees of the League of Legends dev are protesting After delving into the depths of this bargain indie, George Boatfield doubts he'll ever resurface

n Monday 6th May, approximately 150 employees of Riot Games walked out of the studio’s Los Angeles office in protest at the company’s use of forced arbitration. The walkout follows reports of a culture of casual sexual harassment and sexism, as well as a gender discrimination lawsuit that ended in private arbitration. Speaking to Kotaku, social listening strategies Jocelyn Monahan stated “We’re asking that forced arbitration be ended for all past, current, and future Riot employees”.

The walkout is one of a number of high profile scandals regarding working conditions in the video game industry.

The walkout is one of a number of high profile scandals regarding working conditions in the video game industry. Last year, Rockstar's announcement that its staff were working 100 hour weeks in the production of Red Dead Redemption 2 was met with fierce criticism. Prior to this, the developers of Heavy Rain and Detroit: Become Human, Quantic Dream, were dogged by accusations of overworking staff and fostering a workplace culture rife with racism and sexism. According to the Independent Game Developer Association developer satisfaction survey for 2017, 53% of respondents said that "crunch" (i.e. the practice of overworking developers in order to complete a given project) was a routine aspect of their work, whilst only 26% said their company had any procedures designed to deal with sexual harassment. Following these allegations, efforts have been made to unionise the industry, chiefly through the founding of Game Workers Unite. In a statement addressing the Riot employees, Game Workers Unite said "The several thousand members of Game Workers Unite International are proud to stand in solidarity with you as you speak out against injustice in your workplace". In response to the walkout, Riot games promised to address concerns about its workplace culture, stating that it would, once litigation was over, give its employees the chance to opt out of forced arbitration for individual sexual harassment and assault claims.

went into Downwell aware of its limited colour palette, chiptune soundtrack a control scheme utilising nothing more than directional controls and a single button. And knowing that it’s usually older games that seem the most gruelling, I expected the retro-themed creative choices at the core of Downwell’s design to signpost an unforgiving but rewarding experience, optimised by the limited systems at its disposal. And while much of that is just what I found, I remain surprised by the accessibility of the core experience, and moreover the ways in which the game can be adapted to both keep things fresh and be tailored to more specific preferences of a player.

falling speed of the playable character. Not only does this make it easier to dodge hazards, but it also lends itself to building combos by bouncing between enemies, further legitimising a strategy that many players may have trouble utilising on the default style. Devolver Digital often publish games at very

competitive prices, but the five different styles on offer in Downwell means that the sub-£3 entry fee of the game almost feels irrelevant. Add the variation that comes from ability-altering shop items and mid-level power-ups, and this makes for one compelling overall package.

Most enemies can be destroyed with either a shoot of the gunboots that outfit your player sprite or a bop on the head before quickly bouncing off

But let’s rewind first. Yes, Downwell is retro in its styling and simplistic in its control setup, but its core is a roguelike platformer. You are tasked with navigating down a monochromatic well, popping into shops and secret rooms along the way, with the overall aim of getting as far down as the enemies along your route will allow. Most of these enemies can be destroyed with either a shoot of the gunboots that outfit your player sprite or a bop on the head before quickly bouncing off, continuing on downwards. It’s fitting that these two actions share the same single button, as using the gunboots doubles as a jetpack of sorts, just like a simple jump can be used to eliminate enemies. Now, back to the adaptability of Downwell. Say what you will about difficulty options, but I reckon Downwell employs them in one of the more inventive and efficient ways I’ve seen in recent titles. At the core of what gives Downwell both increased replay value and accessibility is the ‘style’ system. This incorporates both the notion of a difficulty setting with alternative, more accessible game design, and the chance to warp the classic gameplay into something more distinctive. And many of these options tend to achieve both of these effects in some way. For example, I often use the levitate style to decrease

Image: IGDB

the courier

Monday 20 May 2019 Science Editors Eleanor Gratton, Cecilia Adamou Online Editor Orestis Katsoulis

@Courier_Science thecourieronline.co.uk/science

science culture

Could the contraceptive pill protect your knees?

Sesha Subramanian tells us the latest news of how taking the combined contraceptive pill could reduce risk of a sporting injury

he Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key ligament involved in the movement of the knee joint, particularly flexion. It is one of a pair of cruciate ligaments in the knee (the other being the posterior cruciate ligament) and is so named because the two of them are arranged in a crossed formation.

[Oral contraceptive] use could be a potential way to modify the increased risk that changes in oestrogen can have on ACL tears

It does not take a doctor to know what an ACL tear is, with damage to the ligament having featured prominently in sports as one of the key causes of shortened athletic careers. Those days have long gone. However, one of the key features of the injury is its higher prevalence among women as compared to men. Previous studies have shown that hormonal fluctuation during the menstrual cycle, particularly oestrogen,

can play a part in injury to the ligament by affecting its tautness. It has been proposed in research hormonal contraceptives might help reduce any such effect. A following a study led by Dr. Steven DeFroda of Brown University, proposed there might be proof for such an effect. “[Oral contraceptive] use could be a potential way to modify the increased risk that changes in oestrogen can have on ACL tears” he said. Looking at insurance data over a ten year period between 2007 and 2017 for women between 15 and 49, DeFroda and colleagues were able to contrast the incidence of ACL tears in women who took the combined pill (containing both oestrogen and progesterone), versus the incidence in those who did not. They also matched the women on other confounding factors such as age, weight, body mass index and general health. Among the 82,874 women who were not on the pill versus the same

Image: Wikimedia Commons

number who were taking the contraceptives, there was a higher rate of ACL reconstructions performed (569 in the former versus 465 in the latter). Further investigation into these subsets showed that the most common age group affected were women between the ages of 15 and 19. This could be explained by the fact that younger women tend to do more intense physical activity, such as playing sports, as opposed to women of older age groups. Subsequently, it can be argued that in this increased-risk population, the differences between the two cohorts are more likely to manifest

569

rates, including an irregular menstrual cycle in women who exercise a lot, which in itself can increase the likelihood of injury. As of now, whilst the results look promising, it is too early to advise women - especially those who exercise - to use contraceptives in order to prevent ACL injuries.

Women in the study not taking the contraceptive pill that needed ACL reconstrcution

themselves. However, the study has to be taken into consideration with some reservations. For starters, the study did not look at ACL injuries that did not require surgery. Moreover, whether the level of physical activity that the women on the pill and those without the pill was matched was ambiguous. There were other factors that might explain why those not on the pill had higher ACL injury

Image: Pexels

Multisensory eating: a new way of experiencing food? Tasha Russell gives her opinion on a new method of thinking, which links science to the way we taste the flavours in our meals A s an enthusiastic foodie, the pairing of the topics ‘science’ and ‘food’ rather seemed to eliminate all the theoretical pleasure that comes with eating. I am not scientific, other than the basic grounding in science GCSE. However, one topic that recently came to my consciousness and aroused a particular interest was the science behind ‘multisensory eating’. This is something that applies to each one of us every day, without our instinctive awareness. Have you everconsidered why street food taste so much better and more exciting than your bog standard food at home? Or why we use different cups for different drinks? Maybe it is all to do with engaging with the senses in different ways, so as to make our experience with food as sensual as possible, which consequently intensifies the tastes and flavours. Let us take street food as a study. There are many aspects of street food that work in enhancing our

Image: Flickr (StateofIsreal)

experience of consumption. The first is the design of the open-kitchen. In a street food market, the first thing that attracts us to the food are the smells that waft through the air much more freely than in a restaurant with a kitchen that is closed off.

Eating is already aligned with ultimate joy

Secondly, the act of watching the food being made before us engages the senses of sight and functions in building anticipation and intrigue. The next is the concept of eating the food with our hands, which encourages the body as much as possible to engage in the act of eating. Many North-African cultures celebrate the joys of food by assembling altogether for each

meal and eating with their hands. Part of the reason for my increased interest in this topic was listening to a podcast that featured Sir Charles Spence, a professor of experimental psychology who specializes in the research of multisensory perception. Some of his recent studies have explored how the features of tableware, the design of a spoon and the colour of the plate affect the way we taste food. Sir Spence states that a combination of psychological, perceptual, physiological-chemical and environmental factors have been shown to alter the overall taste and experience of food. Another thing I’m wanting to explore is the variety of the food itself, for example the many colours various foods can have. Many scientists claim that we should eat the rainbow to increase our nutritional intake. However, it is also the case that the more vibrant the colour of the

food, the more flavoursome it will taste, due to an intensified nutritional content. Also, scientists have proved that the food will taste better if it’s first ‘eaten by the eyes’. Turns out the aesthetics of your plate are not just for Instagram!

Science has proved that crunch food releases endorphins

The second feature I want to consider more is the texture. Science has proved that the crunchier the food, the more endorphins will be released, resulting in our increased happiness and joy. What a wonder! Eating is already aligned with ultimate joy, and so to be able to increase this joy just by eating certain foods would surely endorse an overwhelming sense of happiness! So really, who needs pickme-ups when you have simple, honest food?

the courier

your voice feature

Monday 20 May 2019

Celebrating Success Awards 2019 NUSU have been celebrating the success of its students’ extra curricular activities by throwing a total of 9 awards ceremonies across the last couple of weeks. All students had the chance to nominate themselves or their peers to be recognised for their hard work and achievements outside their course, and those shortlisted were invited to the relevant ceremony where their dedication was celebrated in style. This year saw the return of the AU Sport Awards, the Community Impact Awards, the Media Awards, the Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Awards, the Societies Awards, the Student Rep Awards, the Alumni Achievement Awards and the Contribution to the Workplace Awards. In addition, this year NUSU introduced for the first time ever the NUMed Awards, recognising the contributions of Newcastle students at the University’s Malaysia Campus. The awards nominations were open to all students at Newcastle and saw a range of winners from across the

Each of the Celebrating Success Awards ceremonies took place in Venue Image: Victoria Wai Photography

stages and courses. From writing for the Courier, to climbing the tables at BUCS, to going above and beyond as an Academic Rep for their peers, the achievements of students across the board of extra-curricular activity were recognised. Selected winners from all 9 categories will be invited to attend the Pride of Newcastle University Awards on the 6th of June where the ‘best of the best’ in extra-curricular activity at Newcastle will be celebrated at a formal ceremony in the Civic Centre. NUSU President Raff Marioni reflected on the awards he has attended over the last couple of weeks: ‘It was really incredible to attend all the different awards nights and hear about the inspiring and innovative achievements of so many students over the past year. Apart from demonstrating that this generation are out to change the world for the better, the multiple awards nights I attended really were the highlight of the social calendar.’ Isabel Sykes

the courier

sport

Monday 20 May 2019

Premier League title race reaches end

Adam Williams and Sesha Subramanian ponder over what has been one of the closest title races in Premier League history Sesha Subramanian

Thirty wins. Only one loss all season. A squad made up of a Golden Glove winner, the Premier League’s best player this season, two of this year’s three Golden Boot winners, and a 20-year old who broke the record for assists from a defender among others. Ninety-seven points. And yet no Premier League trophy to show for it. First off, congratulations to Manchester City on an absolutely incredible season in which they proved that they are the best team in the country despite being pushed till the very last day in their bid to defend the title. That they had to win around fifteen straight games to win the title by one point shows the resilience and ruthlessness they needed. And it is not like all those wins were straightforward either – the most telling example being the narrow 1-0 win over Leicester City. But coming back to Liverpool, this season, even though it has ended in disappointment, has been an amazing ride. Last year, we were twenty-five points behind City and had to wait till the last game against Brighton to qualify for the Champions League. This was, in my view, the first full season where we could be looked at as title contenders with a solid team from back to front. And we still have a chance to end it with a trophy come 1st of June by beating Tottenham

Liverpool came second in the Premier League Title race Image: liverpoolfc (Instagram)

in the Champions League final. Along the way, I’ve seen some amazing moments on the field – the 5-1 win over Arsenal, defeating Manchester United 3-1 at Anfield, Daniel Sturridge’s twenty five yard screamer against Chelsea, Alisson’s one on one save against Jesse Lingard at Old Trafford, Divock Origi coming up big against both Everton and Newcastle just to name a few. And off

Congratulations to Manchester City on an absolutely incredible season

the field, I have never seen a more united version of this club from the owners, the management, the directors, the coaching staff, the players all the way to the fans. In the past, whether it was in 2008-09 or 2013-14, Liverpool’s title challenges have felt like oneoffs and they have turned out to be one-offs. But this time, with this team, I believe that we can challenge Manchester City again. Obviously we will need to improve this team over the summer and add more depth to it (City calls on Riyad Mahrez from the bench and we call on Adam Lallana. Let’s face it - Lallana is good but not Mahrez good). But with most of the squad in their primes or entering their primes (the average age of this team is 26), it can only

get better from here. At the end of the day, City showed the cutting edge that maybe we lacked and in a year of fine margins, maybe that was the difference. Maybe them digging in to beat Leicester City while we played it cautious against a half-hospitalised Manchester United at Old Trafford was the difference – I don’t know. But what we can do is learn from this experience and Adam Williams

go again next year. After all, as basketball’s greatest player of all time Michael Jordan once said, “Before you succeed, you must learn to fail.” Maybe this was a rite of passage that was meant to happen. As the narrative of the 2018/19 title race unfolded, there was a strong argument to proffer Manchester City as the villain of the piece. Oil rich, playing in front of a ¾ capacity crowd and embroiled in allegations of financial doping, plucky and charming underdogs they certainly were not. But, in the midst of all the rhetoric and the blistering title challenge from their rivals on Merseyside, it’s easy to neglect giving Guardiola and Manchester City their dues. Yes, they spent on a scale hitherto unforeseen in football, but what City’s Catalan ringmaster has done on these shores goes beyond money, beyond narratives, beyond common sense,

even. Guardiola’s men played at the very frontier of football, constantly testing the limits of what the game can be – even if it wasn’t particularly endearing, no one can deny their fundamental brilliance Last season, City’s opponents seemed to be pissing in the wind, this season some seemed to give up pissing altogether. Such was the disparity in terms of quality between them and their opponents, teams in the bottom half seemed content to shut up the proverbial shop and keep the score line as un-embarrass-

Guardiola’s men played at the very frontier of football, constantly testing the limits of what the game can be - even if it wasn’t particularly endearing,

ing as possible. Conversely, almost anyone who had the temerity to turn up and try and out-play them seemed stuck in a mouse wheel, chasing sky-blue blurs about the pitch for 90 minutes and getting absolutely nowhere. They scored 4 or more goals on 13 separate occasions this season, 3 or more on 29. Twenty-nine. Neutral fans across the country seemed

split over the outcome of the rumbling, pulsating title race. On the one hand you had the disproportionately wealthy newcomers with relatively little history and

Neutral fans across the country seemed split over the outcome of the title race

relatively few real supporters; on the other, the revitalised former juggernaut of English football, without a league title in 30 years. It was tempting to see Liverpool lifting the trophy as the more emotionally evocative, and therefore more appealing, of the two potential outcomes. It was an understandable opinion, but by no means the only valid one… Vincent Kompany was signed by the club a mere 18 days after the club’s takeover by Sheikh Mansour: the day when Manchester City became the Manchester City we know today. He’s been there for the entirety of this project. His staggering bolt from the blue in the 1-0 victory against Leicester in their penultimate fixture was like the clever sign off the protagonist in the blockbuster does right before they finish off the bad guy it was City’s answer to their critics who said there would be no romance in their defence of the title.

the courier

sport

Monday 20 May 2019

England World Cup squad revealed Sesha Subramanian analyses England Women’s World Cup chances, following on from the squad announcements last week Sesha Subramanian

When the England women’s team travelling to the FIFA World Cup in France later this year was announced through a drip-feed of posts by celebrities on social media (including Prince William, David Beckham, James Corden and Raheem Sterling amongst others), a superficial glance at the squad told you that everything was pretty much as expected – with the operative phrase here being “pretty much”. By far the biggest absentee is Lyon midfielder Izzy Christiansen who had lost the race against time to recover from an ankle injury suffered during a successful SheBelievesCup campaign in the USA. The other one is Arsenal midfielder Jordan Nobbs who suffered an ACL tear. But other than those two (and the absence of Reading midfielder Fara Williams), it is a familiar, dependable squad –most of whom have worked with Phil Neville for extended periods of time. The nucleus of the team is, of course, the team that won bronze at the World Cup four years ago in Canada. Manchester City’s Jill Scott and Chelsea’s Karen Carney will both be playing in their fourth World Cups – making them the first English players since Sir Bobby Charlton to achieve that feat. However, there is enough youth in the squad to provide the right mix of players going into a tournament. This includes the likes of Georgia Stanway,

Beth Mead and Leah Williamson, with the latter two coming off the back of a title winning season in the Women’s Super League with Arsenal. It’s also a squad filled with talent, with right back Lucy Bronze and midfielder Fran Kirby easily among the contenders for player of the tournament. Steph Houghton, Demi Stokes and Bronze should make up three of the back four. The other centre-back position is a toss-up between Houghton’s City teammate Abbie McManus, Chelsea’s Millie Bright and Leah Williamson. Whilst McManus benefits from having played with Houghton at club level, Williamson brings poise and control on the ball that the other two lack. However, Bright is very likely to be the one lacing her boots up in the starting eleven because of her experience compared to the other two. Phil Neville then faces a dilemma with midfield and attack though depending on what formation he chooses to play with. While a 4-2-3-1 has maximised Kirby’s talents the most in past games, a 4-3-3 has proven most effective in exploiting the talents of the English wingers. Either way, Karen Carney and Fran Kirby are likely to be two people first on the team sheet. Manchester City’s Keira Walsh has shone in recent games, meaning that she is likely to start although Jade Moore has more experience and Lucy Bronze has also been tried in midfield with Rachel Daly slotting in at right back. Up top, Birmingham City’s Ellen

White will likely get the nod ahead of Jodie Taylor despite the latter having played a pivotal part in England’s semi-final finish at the Euros two years ago. Nikita Parris is a definite starter on one side of her given the season she has had for both club and country. On the other side, Toni Duggan looks favourite to start ahead of the others but there have been times (especially in the SheBelieves Cup) where Karen Carney has started ahead of her when they have

played with a 4-2-3-1. So that might be something to look out for, not to mention that the form that Beth Mead has shown in her appearances for England on the wing could also put her in contention for a starting spot. All in all, this is a balanced team completely different from the pragmatic team that Mark Sampson put out in Canada. Unlike the counterattacking style that England played at the last World Cup, this one is likely

to see this team get the better of their opponents in terms of possession and creating chances for each other with the slick passing style that Neville espouses. But the question that needs to be answered is whether there is too much style over substance? Recent results against Canada and Spain for example, may entail a return to a more pragmatic approach during the World Cup especially when facing stronger opposition like France, the USA or Japan.

England kick-off their campaign against Scotland Image: BBC Sport (Instagram)

World Cup winner Casillas in heart scare Catherine Entwhistle discusses the issue of health problems in the world of sport after goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ heart-attack Porto goalkeeper, 37-year-old Iker Casillas, was taken to hospital last week after suffering a mini heart attack during a training session, leaving the football world in a state of shock. Despite being a World Cupwinning goalie, recovering from this health scare is unmistakably Casillas’ greatest victory.

It is not unheard of that footballers return to play after having suffered similar complications

Extremely fortunate to have survived, he is recovering well but is unsure what the future holds for him at this stage. The Real Madrid legend suffered an acute myocardial infarction whilst training with his teammates last Wednesday. Luckily the Porto medical team were on hand and responded quickly, limiting the effect of the infarction. However he will be out of action for at least a couple of weeks, if not months, leaving his future footballing career unclear. An acute myocardial infarction is an obstruction of a coronary artery and can cause symptoms such as chest pain, nausea and difficulty breathing. It’s always rather shocking to hear of profes-

sional sportsmen and women suffering from heart attacks and major heart-related health problems. We assume that they are exempt from such casualties, as they are at the peak of physical fitness. To see their heart fail them in such an unforgiving way seems inexplicable. Similarly, almost every year at the London Marathon and other running events, we see at least one death due to cardiac related problems. Physical exercise is encouraged by experts to achieve and maintain a healthy heart and body. However, in some people with underlying heart conditions, it can precipitate acute fatalities. It seems unfair that someone who has been a life-long smoker may get away without ever suffering from a cardiac problem, when another person who has always seemingly looked after their heart and has exercised, does. It is important to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of cardiac problems so they can be spotted early and lives can be saved, like in the case of Casillas. Overwhelmingly, this points to the need for screening in young and old, to detect silent heart conditions and allow for the understanding of what may trigger a more serious problem. It can’t be said whether Casillas will return to football or not at this moment in time and the serious concerns for his health are reasonable. However, the situation must be looked at with optimism, as it is not unheard of that footballers return to play after having suffered similar complications or undergone major heart surgery.

Casillas led Spain to World Cup glory in 2010 Image: Wikimedia Commons

the courier

sport

Monday 20 May 2019

PFA Team of the Year 2018/19 announced

The PFA announced last month who had made their Team of the Year. We take a closer look into the nominations and the winners Rory Ewart Sport Editor

The PFA team of the year never fails to bring in contentious decisions and mass debate from Premier League fans across the globe, and this season hasn’t failed to disappoint. For many of these choices, there is simply no other option but for them to be included. van Dijk, Laporte, Bernardo Silva and Sterling are all nailed on certainties that, if they don’t appear in any persons team of the year they will receive an uphill struggle to justify it. Any pub-football fan can speak chapter and verse about the players listed above. They have been nothing short of exceptional, with the latter three fitting the Pep Guardiola mould perfectly, with Sterling in particular

reaping the rewards of receiving man-to-man coaching that Guardiola has been known to utilise to perfect upcoming players, with Lionel Messi being the closest relation to Sterling in this.

The number of assists Andy Robertson provided over the course of the 2018/19 Premier League season

Looking toward other, perhaps more rogue selections within my team of the year; I’d start with placing Portuguese international fullback Ricardo Pereira. At just under £22 million, he didn’t arrive cheap for a mid-table Leicester City outfit that can’t boast the vast

pit of funds they may have had in the immediate aftermath of their title winning success in 2016. Despite this, Pereira has settled into Premier League football like a duck to water. His ability to move forward into attacking advances is a sheer joy to watch from a natural perspective, notching up a couple of cracking goals in the process, with one in particular involving a fantastic individual run resulted in a fantastic first goal for the club against Everton. Joining Laporte, van Dijk and Pereira in defence would be Andy Robertson. ‘Robbo’ has turned it up another gear in his second season with Liverpool, providing 20 assists for his team mates, it wouldn’t take much for somebody to believe him to be a midfielder with stats like that. However the sturdy fullback is a key component to the stubborn Reds defence this season, thoroughly deserving of a place

in this team. Ederson between the sticks is a no brianer, the saves he made at vital times in games meant that City were able to win what was a title race which left City and Liverpool finishing on 98 and 97 points respectively. The midfield for me comes in the form of a three, featuring Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho, the former setting down as a key player in the City starting XI, and at just 24, could be a key component in the creativity side of City in years to come. Eden Hazard beats out Paul Pogba as I believe he has given an account of himself this season where he’d be missed far more if he weren’t at Chelsea, compared to Pogba at United. His continued double-digit contribution to goals and assists will be thoroughly missed for Chelsea if Madrid does come calling in the summer. Mane and Sterling are nail-ins for the front three, their goals have been vast and, at times, at crucial moments in games and the season as a whole. The man leading the line may raise a few eyebrows, but for me he’d be a sheer joy for any club to have. Raúl Jiménez has led the line for what has been a revolutionary first season back in the Premier League for Wolves. They’ve finished an extremely impressive seventh in the league and were extremely close to an FA Cup final. He may have only contributed to 13 goals throughout the season, but place him in any of the top six sides and that number would instantly have been in the twenties. Wolves have managed to snap him up permanently for next year, a player that many clubs may be looking to make their own if he continues to perform at the same level next season. Making up the bench (near misses) would be places for Ryan Fraser, a young playmaker with a big move ahead of him in the eyes of many, Allison - for his amazing clean sheet record this year and Trent Alexander Arnold, who is destined for, being aged at just 20.

Rebecca Johnson Sport Editor After moaning about the selection of some players for the PFA Team of the Year, I decided to take up the mantle and try to create a slightly amended version. Credit where credit’s due- the team this year is pretty spot on, there’s been some superb performances from those selected. However, there are a couple of glaring omissions and side notes

Virgil van Djik won the individual PFA player of the year Image: Instagram

to be made in regards to this team. Between the sticks we have Liverpool keeper Alisson. A surprising admission you may argue, but there’s good reason. Since his transfer from Roma last season, Alisson has impressed me. He’s made a couple of sloppy errors in comparison to his Brazilian counterpart and Premier League rival, Ederson, but the Premier League is an incredibly difficult league to settle into. Once Alisson got to grips with the tempo of the league, he’s been the consistent hands that Liverpool have craved in recent years.

After much musing I decided that Crystal Palace youngster Aaron Wan-Bissaka shouldn’t make the cut. Although he’s made such an impact this season he’s still got areas to develop in

On a disclaimer, I think the defence in the Team of the Year is correct. After much musing I decided that Crystal Palace youngster Aaron Wan-Bissaka shouldn’t make the cut. Although he’s made such an impact this season and shot onto the scene, he has still got areas to develop in. However, he is definitely a future contender in this competition. Another addition into this team is Chelsea’s Eden Hazard. He comes in to replace Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, who should not be within a country mile of that team. Hazard has stood out as an essential player amongst a Chelsea side who are going through a sticky patch at the moment. This season Hazard has provided 15 assists and scored 16 goals to provide some positivity in that uninspired Chelsea team. Becca’s overall PFA Team of the Year: Alisson Becker (goalkeeper), Trent AlexanderArnold (Liverpool), Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Andy Robertson (Liverpool), Eden Hazard (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Sergio Aguero (Manchester City) and Sadio Mane (Liverpool).

Virgil van Dijk walks home Player of the Year

Sesha Subramanian argues that this year’s PFA Player and Young Player of the Year award both went to well-deserved winners

This season has seen one of the most thrilling title races in Premier League history. Manchester City were declared champions of England with a breath-taking 98 points. However, incredibly close behind them came Liverpool- with 97 points. A number of points in which any other season would have been good enough to have won the prestigious title.

Virgil van Dijk’s composure and quiet confidence has been the main reason the Reds find themselves defensively solid Normally when two teams have had such brilliant campaigns, the offensive side of the game hogs the limelight. And yet, despite the

brilliance of the front three at Anfield, it is the defending that has been the mastermind of this title run with Dutch centre-back Virgil Van Dijk being at the helm of it. His composure and quiet confidence, together with that of goalkeeper Alisson, has been the main reason the Reds find themselves defensively solid nearly every game and being more confident even with narrow margins like 1-0. For far too long, Liverpool have relied to a fault on their attacking prowess with defensive stability taking a backseat (read as Suarez, Torres and Gerrard among others). They have scored more or less the same number of goals this year (89) as they did last year (84) but their stingy defence (46 goals conceded last year versus 22 this year) has been the reason they were able to eke out wins in tough situations, amass 97 points and push one of the best teams in Premier League history (Manchester City) to the last day in the title race not to mention a second straight Champions League semi-final. Speaking of the other main character in football’s version of the Long Night (which most certainly was not as long as this has been), Manchester City had been as relentless

in their pursuit of retaining the title as Liverpool had been in stealing it from them. This year again, they have been as close to perfection as we can expect. Whilst they didn’t hit the 100-point mark, 98 was still an impressive score. In a team of stars such as City’s it may hard to stand out and yet that is what England winger Raheem Sterling has managed to do. With 17 goals and 10 assists in 34 matches, Sterling has clearly established himself as one of the first names on the team sheet.

The amount of goals that Liverpool’s defence has conceded this season

This year, he has become an all-round threat for both club and country and has developed an all-round game that was missing in previous years. He has handled his business on the field with aplomb and has started to play a larger role off the field. If anyone is a role model for youngsters coming through the game in today’s Premier League, it has to be Raheem Sterling.

Raheem Sterling has scored 17 goals and provided 10 assists Image: Brad Tutterow (flickr)

the courier

sport

Monday 20 May 2019

Newcastle make a splash in boat race

Athletics Union Officer Maggie Elstob reports on a splashing victory for Newcastle University Boat Club against Durham

Saturday 11th May saw Newcastle University Boat Club wipe the floor with Durham University Boat Club in a 6/6 races victory, adding to what was a bumper weekend for sport in the city. The annual Boat Race of the North took place on Saturday afternoon on the River Tyne in Newcastle, and saw 6 crews compete in front of a busy Quayside crowd. The race

was held over just a short 1500m course, running from the Redheugh Bridge to the Millenium Bridge and the course this year was lined with the excitement of the Champions Rugby Village along the Newcastle Quayside in celebration of the Challenge and Champions Cup Finals. Katherine Bulmer, NUBC President 2018/19 said of the event: ‘The day was a huge

success and to be a part of the Challenge and Heineken Cup rugby celebrations meant that the Quayside was busier than it has ever been for the Boat Race of the North.  Racing Durham is always special because of the history between the two clubs, but to do it through the centre of town and in such an incredible atmosphere really brought the racing to life.  With the title successfully defended we look

forward to the challenge of doing the same next year.’

The amount of crews involved in the Boat Race of the North this year

The race day comes off the back of a hugely

successful weekend for the club at BUCS Regatta, where NUBC retained the Victor Ludorum as the most successful University overall. Of this Bulmer said: ‘To top it all off we were able to continue our momentum from BUCS Regatta and come up with a clean sheet of victories; the first time ever for NUBC, which was the icing on the cake of a pretty perfect day.’ The event started in 1997 but Newcastle didn’t start clinching victories until 2009, and have emerged victorious at the previous two events. Last year the event was called off due to bad weather so it was fitting that this year’s returned to sunshine and, almost, blue skies making for a great Boat Race atmosphere.

The race course this year was lined with the excitement of the Champions Rugby Village along the Newcastle Quayside in celebration of the Challenge and Champions Cup Finals

In support of the club, I was very proud to be asked to ride the zip wire across the Tyne, supporting an NUBC Blue Star flag, along with two representatives from sponsors Siemens, and one from Durham University, to begin the races. Preparations were well underway when I arrived at 11.30am on the day, with boats left right and centre and athletes preparing to race, as I got tacked up to step off the Tyne bridge and do my bit! An exhilarating experience and one not to be missed if you get the chance! Then it was time to relax and enjoy the races, and the success brought home by NUBC. It was brilliant to see two northern universities contesting a Boat Race and even more exciting to see Newcastle crowned Champions of the North.

Newcastle Boat Club won six races Image: Katherine Bulmer

Northern Angels see out most successful season

Isobel Brodie reflects on Newcastle Uni cheerleaders’ achievements which led them to finish as the National Champions Following the most successful season to date, on Tuesday 7th May at 20:30, The Newcastle Northern Angels will be performing in the Multipurpose Rooms in the Newcastle University Sports Centre. We are very proud to have finished the season as National Champions, and can not wait to show friends and family what all of our hard work and dedication has come too.

After hours of relentless training the NU cheerleaders have come 1st eight times

After four tough competitions and hours of relentless training, this season the NU cheerleaders have come 1st eight times, and placed in the top three a total of sixteen times. We compete in a variety of routines including; All Girl Level 2, All Girl Level 3, Group Stunt (from level 2 to 4, COED and All Girl), and we also have two beautiful dance routines: Pom and Lyrical. Notably, this season we are extremely proud of our COED Level 4 group stunt, which has been undefeated all season. In our most recent competition both dance routines placed 3rd, our Level 3 team scored an amazing 93.15 (the highest score the

Angels have ever achieved!) and our Level 2 team took home the national title after coming 1st. This really goes to show what hard work and dedication does, and that has been shown by not only our Captain and her vices, but every single Angel in the team. As a team we do not only spend hours preparing for competitions, we take pride in looking out for the greater community. This year we have tried our hardest to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We held a charity pub quiz for the charity Mind, and have participated in Good Gym runs. We want to continue to help others, and therefore we are asking for a £1 (minimum) donation

We held a charity pub quiz for the charity Mind, and have participated in Good Gym runs. We want to continue to help others

to come watch us perform. We will also be selling cakes. We are raising money for the charity Mermaids UK, in order to support transgender children in the UK.

Northern Angels have also been dedicated to supporting charities Image: Isobel Brodie

sport the courier

Monday 20 May 2019 Issue 1389 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

Durham blown out the water in boat race Report on page 42

Row, row, row your boat gently down the stream Image: Katherine Bulmer

Politics Thistle victory in Intramural football Tom Stone reports on a penalty-winning Cup victory for Politics Thistle, who were recently crowned Intramural Champions

INTRA MURAL FOOTBALL 11s

Politics Thistle 1(4) Tekkerslovakia 1(3)

Tom Stone at Longbenton

On a cold, rainy, and quite frankly miserable Wednesday afternoon for Intramural football, only one team could be crowned Cup Champions.

A very territorial game resulted for the next 40 minutes of halftime, neither side really creating chances, Thistle slights edging the posessions statistics

For just over two hours, the Longbenton 3g pitch had transformed into a colosseum of noise, an atmosphere that would put the

Bernabau to shame. Dozens of shivering fingers grasped their Carling cans more tightly with every Baltic second that passed, loyal supporters lining the outside of the pitch to create an auditory wall to the battleground in the centre. This was it- the final of the Intramural cup. Politics Thistle, placed third in Division 2, lined up in their navy blue and red kit. Division 3 runners-up Tekkerslovakia, the physically larger of the two teams, set up in their bright red shirts and black shorts. As the rain relentlessly barraged the bodies of fans, players and officials, the whistle was heard, and the game begun. A game that was clearly going to be cagey, mainly due to the poor conditions and cautiously reserved tactics by the two teams, started as it meant to go on, with little to nothing happening in the first 5 minutes. Alfie Hester had other ideas. The ball broke to Thistle’s not-so-pacey right winger, who clearly had his shooting boots on. About 25-yards out and to the far right of the pitch, the odd socks of the midfielder struck the ball with venom. With the help of the Tekkerslovakia goal-keeper’s poor positioning, the ball rippled the back of the top left corner of the

net and the crowd erupted in celebration. Did he mean it? Who cared? An unbelievable start to the game. Politics Thistle one, Tekkerslovakia nil. A very territorial game resulted for the next 40 minutes until half-time, neither side really creating chances, Thistle slightly edging the possession statistics. The start of the second half saw a reinvigorated Tekkerslovakia, who came out clearly the more motivated team by their half-time team talks. The reclusive style of football frustrated players, and the game began to take a more aggressive turn with both sides putting in dangerously late challenges, resulting in an inevitable yellow card for one Tekkerslovakia central midfielder around the hour mark. A corner was awarded to Tekkerslovakia with 15 minutes left on the clock. A left-footed in-swinger saw Thistle players leap to clear their lines of danger, as set pieces looked to be the only opportunity of any further goals being scored. The ball curled over everybody and headed towards the back post, where the rising ginger head of the Tekkerslovakia captain made a clean connection and he rocketed the ball into the top corner of the net, leav-

ing the Thistle goalkeeper with no chance. A fantastic goal, and a proper centre-back’s goal. Their physicality had finally paid off- Tekkerslovakia had equalised.

After some more reclusive football, the ref blew for full-time. “Penalties”, he shouted. Hearts were in mouths. After three missed penalties it became sudden death

After some more reclusive football, the ref blew for full-time. “Penalties”, he shouted. Hearts were in mouths. After three missed penalties from both sides, it became sudden death. Tekkerslovakia stepped up to equalise after a firm penalty from Thistle’s Charlie Shaw flew past the keeper, leaving him stuck

to the spot. Tekkerslovakia stepped up… and missed! A fantastic save from Lewis Maxwell, who will become a Thistle legend after his last game for the club. “Politics Thistle win 4-3 on penalties!”, screamed the ref as he rushes off to avoid the post-match comradery. Over 50 Thistle supporters ecstatically charged onto the pitch and piled onto their heroes. Tekkerslovakia were as shaken as the beer from the Thistle supporters. Their heads were in their hands and Thistle’s drinks were in the sky. A rendition of a chant named “Up the F***ing Thistle” rung around Longbenton as Politics Thistle were crowned 2019 Intramural Champions. Many fathers of the Thistle players who had travelled for the final were visibly reduced to tears, James Dady’s father stating that he couldn’t believe his son had gone to reach the heights of first-choice left-back for Politics Thistle. Tekkerslovakia, obviously feeling defeated, will compete in the Intramural Shield final, hoping to redeem themselves after a very convincing performance. It just wasn’t their day. A day to remember for Thistle, a day to put right in the next final for Tekkerslovakia.

Inside Sport today >>>

Find out who made the cut for the women’s football world cup Page 41

PREMIER LEAGUE

PFA PLAYER AND TEAM OF THE YEAR

ENGLAND WOMENS SQUAD REVEALED Image: Instagram

Our writers evaluate this years official top performances P40-41

Image: Instagram

Two opinion pieces about the title race P40