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Beauty Assessing the aftermath of the James Charles/Tati Westbrook beef Page 17
Lifestyle Campus best bits 2018-19: read our roundup of the year Pages 14-15
Monday 27 May 2019 Issue 1390 Free
Film Check out our writers’ top blockbuster films of the year so far Page 28
Union divests from fossil fuels The independent voice of Newcastle students
Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor
At the last Student Council of the year on Thursday 16 May, President of the Students’ Union Raff Marioni announced that NUSU had fully divested from fossil fuels.
Newcastle University and NUSU made commitments to divest in May 2016
Raff had been working I collaboration with NUSU’s Director of Finance to compile an 8-page report on NUSU’s investments. This was submitted to the Union’s Trustee Board, completing their divestment from fossil fuels. In his End of Year Report Raff describes this as his greatest achievement as President this year. Newcastle University and the Students’ Union both made commitments to divesting from fossil fuels in May 2016 following a student campaign and calls from NUSU Student Council. The University aimed to partially divest, whereas the Union’s aim was a full investment within the 3 years. The last update from Newcastle University on their ongoing divestment commitment was in November 2018 when a press release highlighted the progress they had made so far. This included the fact that the University’s investment in the oil and gas sector reduced from 8.8% in September 2017 to 4.4% in October 2018. While the University are still in the process of divesting from fossil fuels, the Union have
recently achieved their 3-year aim. When asked what the initiative to divest from fossil fuels means for NUSU, Raff Marioni said: ‘Essentially, we as an organisation have a certain amount of money held in investments, with a proportion of this historically being in companies that are unfortunately involved in fossil fuels. What we’re doing is moving our investments into companies that are having a positive impact on the environment and not contributing to the further destruction of the planet.’ The Union’s Annual Report, which can be accessed through the NUSU website, shows that as of July 2018 NUSU had £108,000 in investments. A proportion of these investments were with companies involved in fossil fuel industries. With the Union now committed to full divestment, they will be moving this money into investments that are not associated with fossil fuels. The Courier asked Raff what had been involved in the process of compiling the Report that completed NUSU’s divestment goal, and what obstacles he had encountered. He responded: ‘Paula Park, our Director of Finance, did a fantastic job of consulting with and searching for ethical investments. We worked closely together on creating an extensive report to our Board outlining what the impact of new investments would be. ‘Divesting from fossil fuels has been a goal of mine for a while, but it was not easy. You have to balance the ethical aspect with ensuring NUSU doesn’t lose money, which means a lot of careful research and calculations have to be completed – not something that comes naturally to me as a History grad!’ In terms of what further steps could be taken to reduce NUSU’s impact on the environment, the President said: ‘I think continuing to remove plastic use, limiting the amount
of paper used for elections, and encouraging students to be involved in environmentallyfriendly volunteering projects should all be on the agenda. ‘Yet, the most important next step for us is to continue to lobby the University to contribute positively to the environment. Campus can always be more environmentally friendly, and crucially they still have funds in fossil fuels and this needs to change. This is a big challenge for NUSU and students to come together on and pressure the University to change their ways.’ In the most recent press release from the University on the progress of their divestment commitment, Richard Dale, Executive Director of Finance for Newcastle University, said: ‘We stand by our commitment to furthering environmental sustainability and our pledge
‘The most important next step is to continue to lobby the university to contribute positively to the enviroment’
Raff Marioni, President of Newcastle University Students’ Union
to embed ESG considerations into our investment strategy. ‘The University cannot change its investment portfolio overnight and the investment sector itself is only now expanding its ESG alternatives. However, the University has made substantial progress during 2017/18 in improving the ESG qualities of its portfolio and will continue to do so’.
Students witness Farage hit with milkshake first-hand Sophie Wilson
Nigel Farage hit the headlines last week when he was hit by a Five Guys banana and salted caramel milkshake during his one hour visit to Newcastle campaigning for the Brexit party in the EU elections on the 21st of May. Farage, giving a talk near Newcastle Monument, had just finished his speech when he was hit with the shake when walking away with his security staff. Paul Crowther, who has been since charged with common assault and criminal damage, was identified as the individual responsible. This is not an isolated incident with a number of far right candidates in the European elections campaign having also being doused in milkshake. While walking away Farage blamed the incident on his security team, muttering that it
was an “utter failure” and that “you could see that coming from a mile away.” Two Newcastle University studentes were at the scene. Stephen Dawes explained how the incident happened: “As they crossed the road, a gap opened up and this guy just lunges on in and quickly splashed him.”’ Christopher Winter, Another Newcastle student who witnessed the incident commented: “There was a chorus of panic and some shouting afterwards. Some counter protestors there started laughing but the mood amongst the crowd was mainly that of confusion. The man who threw the drink was very quickly dragged away by a PCSO and a policeman. “I think it’s disgraceful that we have come to a point in British politics where Candidates cannot walk around the street without feeling fearful that they could be attacked in this manner. We pride ourselves on being a
fair democracy and using political violence like this will only vilify the remain argument more-so.” Crowther was then arrested by a community support officer. The response to this was noted by Dawes, who said that there was a ‘“cheer and a boo when it happened.” Crowther has since said that he does not regret his actions, taking to twitter to rejoice by writing: “I f***ing did it, it was Farage, I can’t believe I did it.” He has also said that his actions are nothing compared to the “bile and racism” that Nigel Farage “spouts out”. Farage has said that remainers have been “radicalised to the extent that normal campaigning has become impossible.” He has also blamed politicians and their refusal to accept the referendum result. Results from the European Election will be released on May 26 after the last polling station in the continent is closed.
NUSU have achieved their 3-year divestment aim Image: NUSU
NSR 24-hour broadcast
Fashion forecasting
‘Voluntourism’
Revision bangers
Find out about Newcastle Student Radio’s bid to raise money for homelessness News, page 5
Helpful tips on volunteering abroad in a caring and ethical way Travel, page 20
GoT blues?
Our Arts writers tell you what to read to get over your Game of Thrones withdrawal Arts, page 30
Read about the psychology behind predicting upcoming clothes trends Fashion, page 19
Our writers give you their best tunes for staying motivated this exam season Music, page 24
Heavyweight knockout Read about Deontay Wilder’s win in the world heavyweight fight and the surrounding controversy Sport, page 41
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thecourier The Courier is a weekly newspaper produced by students, for students. It’s never too late to get involved in the paper, whether you’re a writer, illustrator or photographer. Just visit thecourieronline.co.uk/about for more information. Editor Louise Hall Deputy Editor Isabel Sykes
Thank you from The Courier Beyond being ‘something good to put on your CV’, we have all got a whole lot out of editing The Courier this year. The Courier has given us more than excellent eyes for font sizes and bleed lines; it has been a massive learning curve and an experience we will not forget. But ultimately it’s not all about us. We would like to thank you all for reading the pa-
per week in, week out (ok, maybe not every week). For all the puzzles you have done, the bad photoshops you have shared with us and the genuine stories we have printed that people have engaged with and used as vehicles for actual action on campus. It may be the end of our year but it most certainly isn’t the end of The Courier. Here’s to next year, and another 70 after that.
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.
Whats on near you:
Monday
Tuesday
News: 10am-5pm: Dippy on Tour. Location: Great North Museum: Hancock. Lifestyle: 10am-6pm Little Green bank holiday new summer menu taster. Location: Little Green, Goldspink Lane, Sandyford.
Sport: 12:15pm-1:15pm: GIAG Thai-Chi taster. Location: Planning Room, NUSU. Volunteering: 1pm-3pm: Grow Volunteer Tuesday. Location: Joseph Cowen Halls gate, NUSU campus gardens. Fashion 7pm: Little Green clothes swap. Location: Little Green, Goldspink Lane, Sandyford. TV: 830pm-10pm: The Tyneside Game of Thrones Quiz. Location: Tyneside Cinema.
Wednesday
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
Monday 27 May 2019
Bye for now Image: Louise Hall
STU BREW Beers of the Year 2019 Round-up Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor Throughout the year the Courier’s everdedicated beer reviewers have had the good fortunate to sample a significant proportion of Stu Brew’s esteemed repertoire. For our final issue we humbly offer you our highlights: Lab Session: This is a staple pale ale from Stu Brew’s core range and its been a definite favourite this year. At 4.3% it’s low on bitterness, light, and perfect for summer. It’s also Stu Brew’s first ever vegan-friendly beer. Lab Session Halloween Edition: This wasn’t going down without a mention. This questionably green liquid was a bit of a shock to the bartender when it came out the tap. Intriguing and unconventional, definitely
Student Spotlight Newcastle Uni Fine Art Degree Show Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor Newcastle University’s Fine Art Degree Show begins on Friday 31 June and will continue until the 15th in Newcastle, before moving to London for July. The Degree Show is an annual exhibition displaying the work of Newcastle’s Fine Art students completed over the course of their 4
The exhibition will move down to London where students’ work will be displayed in Copeland Gallery
year bachelor’s degree here. The work of 58 artists will be displayed in various locations around campus such as the Fine Art Department, the Hatton Gallery, and the Boiler House from Saturday 1 June until Saturday 15 June. On Friday 31 June from 6pm-8pm a preview of the exhibition will take place in the Hatton Gallery to give people a taste of what is in store in the coming two weeks. Students have been working with a diverse set of media and the exhibition is set to demonstrate this, displaying painting, print, photography, textiles and scultpure as well as video, performance, sound art and new media. After the 15th, the exhibition will move down to London where Newcastle students’ artwork will be displayed in Copeland Gallery From Friday 5 to Friday 7 July, with a preview on the Friday evening. Anybody is welcome to attend the exhibition and the preview this coming week. Drinks will be available and work will be displayed in every studio in the Gallery.
memorable. Into The Black: This was another favourite of ours, a lot darker than Lab Sesson and at 5.6%, quite a bit stronger too. It’s got a slightl y roasted character and the addition of Black Malt gives it a super dark appearance. A great one for the cold winter months. Nonlinear Regression: Finally, possibly the most refresing beer we sampled was this 4.7% pale ale. Very light with a little lingering bitterness: perfect for a Friday nightat the Courier.
Sport: 10am-11am: GIAG beginners’ yoga with Sally. Location: Business School, Room 1.04. News: 10am-5pm: Dippy on Tour. Location: Great North Museum: Hancock. Volunteering: 12pm-2pm: Wiggly Bag making. Location: The Cube by NUSU reception. Volunteering: 1pm-3pm: Grow Volunteer Wednesday. Location: Joseph Cowen Halls gate, NUSU campus gardens. Film: 7:30pm-10:30pm: Speakeasy Cinema. Location: Tyneside Cinema. Arts: 7:30pm-10pm: Northern Rising Poetry Social with Tom Pickard and Alex Niven. Location: Cumberland Arms.
Friday News: 10am-5pm: Dippy on Tour. Location: Great North Museum: Hancock. Societies: 5pm-7:30pm: NUSU Mind the Gap - Mental Health Society: Positivitea. Location: The Coffee Trader. Comment: 6pm-7pm: What really is a ‘Sustainable City’? Location: Jesmond Library. Music: 6:30pm-10:30pm: Modulation Presents Matt Nash/Felix Leiter +Mod residents. Location: NUSU.
Thursday
News: 10am-4pm: Crisis in a Global Context. Location: Kings Gate. News: 10am-5pm: Dippy on Tour. Location: Great North Museum: Hancock. Sport: 3pm-4pm: GIAG beginners’ yoga with Sally. Location: Business School, Room 1.04. Sport: 6pm-7pm: GIAG Squash. Location: Meet at Eldon Leisure Centre reception. Music: 7pm-11pm: KSI & RANDOLPH New Age Tour. Location: Venue, NUSU.
Saturday Fashion 11am-5pm: Trendlister vintage kilo sale. Location: Floor 4, Commercial Union House. Sport: 5pm-7pm: Stressed Out Students Badminton. Location: Sports Hall, Sports Centre.
Sunday
Arts: 6pm-9pm: House of Ghetto: Black Pride exhibition by Curious Arts. Location: Northern Stage.
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Monday 27 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
Whistleblowers and the media: a discussion Joe Molander
On Wednesday 15th May, Newcastle University planned host to four experts on whistleblowing for a talk on how it intersects with the media and human rights. Since Edward Snowden blew the whistle on global surveillance in 2013, it’s a highly contentious issue. First to speak was John Kiriakou, who spent 15 years in the CIA before becoming a whistleblower over their use of torture. He first heard the term ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ in May 2002, and later, as executive assistant to the Deputy Director of the CIA, found that the rules around the techniques were being broken. To shove someone up against a wall, for example, a rolled up towel needs to be around the subject’s neck and the wall needs to be made of plywood. From classified documents, however, Kiriakou learnt that someone who he had helped
capture in a raid against Al Qaeda was being thrown against a concrete wall with no towel. The same technique was applied to someone else enough times that they received brain damage.
Mainstream media have proven less willing to aid whistleblowers now than in the past
The person Kiriakou had helped capture was used as “a guinea pig by the CIA”: besides being thrown against a wall, he was also locked in a coffin full of cockroaches for two weeks, and in a separate incident was put in
Newcastle hosted 4 experts on whistleblowing Image: Instagram @johnfmaybury
a ‘cold cell’. The cell was below freezing, and he was placed naked in chains attached to the ceiling, preventing him from sitting or lying down, while being kept company by a CIA officer who would enter the cell to throw a bucket of ice water over him. It’s a technique that “murdered two people”, Kiriakou claims, and wasn’t approved by the US Department of Justice. In 2004, he resigned from the CIA, and in 2007 went on national television to say the CIA was torturing prisoners as part of official US policy – not the schemes of some rogue officer, as then-President Bush had claimed – and that this had been personally approved by Bush. What followed was an FBI investigation and an arrest in 2012, which in turn resulted in a thirty month jail spell. He is unflinching in his description of the impact the ordeal had on him: “I lost my job, I lost my security clearance, I lost my pension: I had $770 000 saved in my pension, twenty years of proud service, they just took it. I lost my house, I lost my wife, literally everything”. The next speaker was Craig Murray, former British ambassador to Uzbekistan turned whistleblower, like Kiriakou over the use of torture. Murray explains that, amongst the people he knew from two decades at the Foreign Office, most were involved in torture, didn’t like it but weren’t “prepared to lose their career over it”, creating a distinct silence on the issue. As ambassador to Uzbekistan, he was told to “support the regime, and to support the Americans”. The ‘dictatorship’, to use his word, “used the very worst kind of torture”, including genital mutilation and rape. In one case, the British embassy received a photo of a corpse which Murray “had never seen anything like”; analysis later revealed the body had been boiled to death, by immersion in as opposed to being splashed with water, as shown by the ‘tideline’ around the body’s upper limbs and torso. Murray subsequently began collecting evidence on torture in the region, and sent a ‘formal diplomatic communication’ back to London arguing that what they were doing in receiving intelligence acquired through torture was illegal. The next year, he was encouraged to leave Uzbekistan and take more money working in Denmark. When he proved reluctant, he was told that eighteen allegations had emerged against him from his time in Uzbekistan, such as alcoholism and issuing Visas for sex. “Every single one of them was untrue”, he explains: he was also accused of driving an office vehicle
down a flight of stairs, despite being unable to drive. This was all before he had even turned to whistleblowing: all his communications about torture were classified top secret, and none had been leaked. When he finally did go public, he explains he could find no work in or outside of the foreign office, despite a long, successful career in diplomacy and international development, perhaps due to the fact that the 3rd sector charities where he was now seeking employment are largely state funded, which Murray suggests gave the government a voice in whether he’d be hired or not. He described being discredited by senior media figures, and how his marriage collapsed. Whistleblowing,
campaign for funds from universities to cover these unexpected costs. It is argued that universities and colleges should cover these costs and be clear with students about the extra fees for resources and activities to ensure wellbeing for working-class students. Miss Martin further stated that working-class students are having to take on multiple jobs to fund their education, and in some cases are forced to turn to sex work, payday loans and loan sharks. Pressure to cover these costs is having negative effects on students’ studies and mental health, reflected in the number of workingclass students who drop out of university. Official figures show that those from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to give up their university courses within 12 months than their more advantaged peers.
Data from The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) shows that at some universities, more than 20% of young students from disadvantaged social backgrounds drop out in their first year.
The person Kiriakou had helped capture was used as “a guinea pig by the CIA”. Besides being thrown against a wall, he was also locked in a coffin full of cockroaches for two weeks and in a seperate incident was put in a ‘cold cell’
he explains, is a “martyr’s crown”. Third to speak was Robert Tibbo, lawyer to Edward Snowden. After whistleblowing, Snowden moved to Hong Kong, where he was classified as a refugee and put “in plain sight”: he lived in old buildings – which have a helpful lack of CCTV cameras – taken in by three refugee families as “the entire world” began their search for him. Tibbo relates what he sees as an erosion in investigative journalism as advertisers flock to Facebook and Youtube, away from traditional newspapers, making accountability harder to conduct. It’s not surprising, then, that the young people Tibbo’s spoken to feel hopeless, and that they can’t do anything to stop abuses of state and corporate power. Tibbo notices the low attendance of the event (below a hundred) and
explains it’s a “betrayal to society” to not take an interest in or take a stand against illegality across the world. He points to torture sites in Thailand, the American practice of separating children from their asylum-seeking parents who illegally cross the US-Mexico border and the extrajudicial killings of Filipinos “under the guise of a drug war”. He’s clearly a man of conscience, and spent his time calmly recalling the multitude of reasons one has to act on that conscience, now more than ever. Finally, there was Andrew Fowler, a journalist who used to work as chief of staff at a prominent Australian publication “before I ran screaming from the building”. His main area of the concern is “criminalising journalism”, which he argues has been an aim of government since 9/11. He points to the Vault 7 documents, which WikiLeaks started publishing in 2017 and detailed how the CIA could turn a mobile phone into a transmitter and a TV into a listening device. Some documents hinted at the possibility of interfering with a car’s electrics and allowing it to crash: “the perfect near-untraceable assassination weapon”, Fowler argues. A more intrusive state must be held to a greater level of account, he goes on to explain, yet a state with both power and secrets has both ability and incentive to make this harder. Indeed, the mainstream media have proven less willing to aid whistleblowers now than in the past. Where the New York Times once published the Pentagon Papers – instrumental in exposing government lies about the Vietnam War – its reputation amongst whistleblowers is now such that Snowden didn’t trust them with the intelligence he planned to leak. Chelsea Manning – a US military whistleblower – was rebuffed by the New York Times and Washington Post, another respected US newspaper. Fowler claims that, not only does the expansion of state power in the name of national security endanger independent journalism, it is also extremely ineffective. In 29 of 37 cases of post-9/11 terrorist attacks, Fowler discovered that security services knew of at least some of the terrorists involved, but refused to act. Similar studies have found that, in the past, just 1.2% of the leads acquired by the NSA made significant contributions, and that they made a minimal contribution to the FBI’s counterterrorism efforts. Between them, the four speakers made a bleak but formidable argument for whistleblowing, and where it should stand in relation to both the media and public accountability.
Working-class students turning to loan sharks as universities charge hidden fees Emma McLaren “Hidden” university costs mean that workingclass students are having to resort to multiple jobs, loan sharks and pay day loans in order to get through university. In addition to tuition and rent, students are required to cover hundreds of pounds of unexpected costs, for compulsory course materials, resources and trips that had not previously been made clear. Shakira Martin, NUS president said: “It’s a scandal that students pay so much to get into education, only to arrive and find they have to fork out more and more cash in order to simply take part in core course activities.” Mandatory trips and travel costs are some of the unexpected costs faced by students. Nurs-
ing students are having to pay more than £100 a year on laundry costs for their uniforms on
Working class students are having to take on multiple jobs to fund their education and in some cases are forced to turn to sex work
placements. The new NUS briefing has been released to encourage student unions across the UK to
Statistics show more than 20% of young students from disadvantaged social backgrounds drop out in their first year
A larger number of disadvantaged students now attended university, and institutions must offer higher levels of support to make sure that such students thrive in their studies, experts have stated. NUS officer, Shakira Martin, claims that “Institutions should do everything they can to ensure that every working-class student that walks through the door has the support not only to get in but to get on in education.” A Universities UK spokesperson said: “Universities remain committed to ensuring all students succeed in every aspect of university life, regardless of their background.” “We’d encourage students under financial pressure to contact student support services if they need help – however, greater government support would help to alleviate student concerns with living costs.”
the courier
news Universities criticised for "unnecessary" counselling
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Monday 27 May 2019
Aimee Seddon A new report by The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has revealed that universities risk “damaging” students by giving them unnecessary counselling for mental health, when it is really a matter of wellbeing. The report urges institutions to distinguish between wellbeing issues and mental health conditions, to ensure that students receive the correct support for them. It argues that the conflation of the two is not helpful for tackling low levels of well-being or supporting those
There is a concern that sending people to councillors for wellbeing issues may risk students thinking they have a disorder when they do not
suffering mental ill-health. Students with mental health issues may need to see a counsellor, or be referred for treatment on the NHS. However, students with low wellbeing, or those stressed by exams, can help themselves in other ways. The report suggests joining a society, taking up a new hobby, or confiding in a friend about their problems. The report notes that whilst ‘mental health’ and ‘wellbeing’ are often used interchangeably, wellbeing is generally regarded as a broader term than mental health. The mental health charity Mind defines the relationship between mental health and wellbeing as follows: “If you experience low mental wellbeing over a long period of time, you are more likely to develop a mental health problem. If you already have a mental health problem, you’re more likely to experience periods of low mental wellbeing than someone who hasn’t.” David Mair, Head of Counselling at the University of Birmingham, stated that current
figures on mental health combine “feeling anxious about exams to depression, which makes it hard to get up in the morning.” There is a concern that sending people to councillors for wellbeing issues may risk students thinking they have a disorder when they do not. The author of the report, Rachel Hewitt, warns that failing to differentiate between mental health and wellbeing risks students “misdiagnosing” themselves. Last June, the president of the Royal Society of Medicine, Sir Simon Wessley, warned that universities may be fuelling the mental health crisis by over-medicalising the normal emotions of young adults. This includes mistaking loneliness for depression. He said there is an “overwhelming mountain of research” indicating that drawing on social networks is the most effective protection against mental health problems. He adds that unlike seeking professional help, friends “don’t involve the risk of maybe thinking you have a disorder when you don’t.” The report believes that current data on wellbeing within the university environment is limited in terms of coverage and consistency. Rachel Hewitt said: “If we are to get a grip on the mental health crisis in young people that is heavily impacting on universities, we need to be collecting the right information to understand it. At the moment statistics on wellbeing and mental health are often combined, despite these being two separate issues with different ways they can be tackled. For universities to take the necessary action to address this issue, they need to better understand what they’re dealing with.” The possibility of institutions collecting their own data on student mental illness and wellbeing is an idea welcomed by Universities UK. A spokesperson said, “Universities see mental health as a priority and there has been increasing investment across support services. “Across the UK, the number of young adults disclosing mental illness is increasing and this is reflected at universities, where there is rising demand for student support services, driven in part by the underprovision of NHS mental health care for young adults.”
Newcastle University offers free counselling services at the King's Gate Centre Image: John Lord on Flickr
However, he adds, “There is no evidence of disinvestment in support for students with mental health difficulties in favour of wider wellbeing initiatives at UK universities.” The current Welfare and Equality officer Jack Green commented, “Counselling is generally seen as the go-to for anyone experiencing ill mental health when that isn’t necessarily always the best option. Feedback from students has shown that some people don’t attend the counselling appointments as it’s not really what they needed, but felt pushed into it by a member of staff in their school. “I’ve been working with the University this year to broaden the scope of what is on offer. The Student Health & Wellbeing service now offers sport classes, Silvercloud (an online
programme for mental wellbeing), wellbeing workshops and so much more. I think the most notable change is that you can even borrow a dog to walk. It might sound ridiculous that you can borrow a dog from the service, but it means that you can take some time out to relax, meet other people and get in a bit of exercise.” Sara Elkhawad, the incoming Welfare and Equality Officer, also noted that counselling is not always the best solution. She says, “not everyone is comfortable with “talking therapy”, especially with someone they aren’t initially familiar with. It’s also extremely difficult to articulate an emotion as intense as something such as bereavement and abuse through conventional speech.
“Instead of pushing the narrative that counselling is the sole way of resolving these issues, the university should provide alternative emotional outlets. In an environment where many people have supressed their artistic side in pursuit of academic study, it is important to create spaces where people can explore this side. I want to run student led workshops that teach people basic skills in a particular artistic field, that they can implement in their lives as a form of “self-help” therapy. Working with societies, I hope to additionally set up safe-space workshops for social groups suffering from specific mental health problems, to enable these students to confront aspects of their identity which are difficult to express in traditional circumstances.”
Allotment opens doors to fine artists Sidney Pinsent News Editor
An allotment art space, run and established by Newcastle University student Maxi Ley, is celebrating a fortnight of successful events. Established in 2017, LOT is a multifaceted green art space in Ouseburn, run by volunteers from the inside and outside the University. LOT first hosted the unofficial second year fine art exhibition on the 10th of May. The event featured a selection of short films from Cameron Jarvie and a mysterious stool from Celia Bickersteth. Much of the artwork was hosted in shed that has gradually been built over the last two years. Until recently the space was a popular fly tipping site, torn up by years of dereliction. This summer, Maxi Ley now hopes to make the finishing touches to the shed with frequent architectural collaborator Tom Le Ruez. The second year fine artist also enjoyed an open fire and a bring-a-dish shared meal. The second year art shows follows a successful term of building and exhibiting. Most notably, LOT was proud to exhibit the work of internationally renowned artist Hannah Christy. Christy, currently residing in Norway, attracted much attention and controversy over her “throwaway gourmet” exhibition, where visitors were forced to eat food that had been thrown away by supermarkets. Most resently, however, LOT hosted a number of artists and musicians as part of the Late Shows. In a collaboration with Cumberland Arms, LOT presented work from every year
of the Newcastle University fine art department. The exhibition contained a riveting textile piece from third year fine artist Isabelle Kenningham, basing the piece on “ephemeral notions of narrative and storytelling that speak of conversations, the theatrical tragic, and lesbian desire and longing”. Alongside this was the work of Eleanor Mumford, who, following a recent trip to Rome, exhibited a collection of relic like sculptures and drawings. Unfortunately, as is the risk of exhibiting outdoors, rain forced much of the work to be
sent indoors. Next door to LOT, the Cumberland Arms held a gig with Moth Boy (Tom Lines), Jon Rolph and Calum Howard performing. Moth Boy, who is also an art Student at Newcastle University, beguiled the audience with his improvised synth set while Jon Rolph creatively mixed old tapes to form a disco space. Overall, it was a successful weekend for Newcastle’s premier student run allotment art space.
Most of the work on the allotment has been done by Newcastle students Images: Maxi Ley
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news
Monday 27 May 2019
NSR 24-hour broadcast raises over £700 for charity Molly Greeves News Editor
On the 11th of May, Newcastle Student Radio broadcasted for 24 hours in order to raise money and awareness for homelessness in the North East. The stream was hosted by Bridie Lonsdale, Joe Smith, Louis Grantham and Vicky Mepstead. Last December, the Office for National Statistics revealed that around 120 homeless people had died in the North East between 2013 and 2017, with 32 of those people dying in 2017 alone. NSR’s broadcast aimed to challenge misconceptions surrounding homelessness, give information to students and listeners as to how they can provide effective and meaningful aid, as well as raising awareness of the state of homelessness in the North East and across the country.
“What kept us going was that we knew how many supported us and the important cause we were rasing for"
“As students living and working in Newcastle, homelessness is something we all encounter day in day out." Bridie Lonsdale reflects. "Often, we don’t know how we can help make a positive longterm impact, so it was really important that this broadcast sought to inform students and listeners about NGO’s and charities who work to end homelessness, as well as the ways that can help if they are concern about someone sleeping rough in the city and across the country.” Their goal was to raise £500 for Emmaus North East, Street Link and Youth Homelessness North East. Representatives from all three charities made appearances throughout the broadcast to discuss the homelessness problem in Newcastle and surrounding areas. However, the stream also involved light-
hearted segments such as quizzes and “trebles bar tunes”. Social media was a huch part of the event's
“This took months of planning and it showed. They profiled what NSR do best and raised an incredible amount of money"
Harry Parsons, Station Manager of NSR
success. NSR's Twitter account (@ThisIsNSR) live-tweeted the stream using #ThisIsNSR24Hours, engaging followers with polls and controversial maps of the North-South divide. The Go Fund Me page was shared around 268 times over Facebook and Twitter. The group reached their goal an hour before the stream ended. As it stands, the Go Fund Me page has received over £715 from 72 donators. They also took donations at this year's Media Awards. Joe Smith, a member of the team, is pleased with how the show went. “I think it went really well. We raised way over our target goal which is absolutely incredible! It shows that all the work that went into it was worth it and just how generous people are.” Harry Parsons, NSR’s station manager, said: “We were so proud of all the work the guys put in. This was months in the planning and it showed. They not only went out to challenge themselves and profile what NSR do best but also raised an incredible amount of money for a charity they all cared about so much. They absolutely aced it.” Louis Grantham commented that they didn't think they would make it to the end. “What kept us going was that we knew how many supported us and the important cause we were raising for. “I would never do it again but I’m so glad I did."
Vicky Mepstead, Louise Grantham, Joe Smith and Bridie Lonsdale (left to right) before and after the 24 hour stream. Image: Vicky Mepstead
Newcastle student joins Mongol Rally Dementia reseachers get £260K boost from charity Léo de Riedmatten
The Mongol Rally is one of the biggest motorsport events in the world, organised by The Adventurists who wanted to break free of modern society’s shackles and experience real unsanitised adventure. This adventure emerges under the form of an 11,000 mile ‘parcours’ starting in Prague, Czech Republic
and ending in Ulan-de in Russia, with 1.2L being the maximum engine size allowed. Each team participating in the Rally must raise £1,000 for charity. Jack Parton, a student from the University of Newcastle, fronts the Off The Beaten Yak team, a group of young adventurers, who will be undertaking the challenge in a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo. “I’ve always envied the adventures of Top Gear, and having the opportunity to go on a similar adventure with my mates all the
while raising money for charity is great.” Scope, a charity that brings help to disabled people, is the charity the team chose to fundraise for. On top of that, Cool Earth, a charity that helps plant trees, is the official charity chosen by the rally. Please visit their Facebook page (Off The Beaten Yak) and Instagram (@ offthebeatenyak) for more information and to follow them along what promises to be an unforgettable and epic voyage.
Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor
On Tuesday 21 May Newcastle University published a press release annoying that the University’s researchers into Dementia with Lewy bodies had been gifted £260,000 from a leading dementia research charity to further their work.
“The research we are doing in Newcastle is helping to make breakthroughs possible for people with dementia with Lewy bodies"
Dr Daniel Erskine, Alzheimer's Research UK Fellow
The team are fundraising for Scope Image: Off the Beaten Track team
Alzheimer’s Research UK made the announcement to gift funding during Dementia Action Week: a national initiative to raise awareness of dementia and encourage further action. Newcastle University is at the centre of research into Dementia with Lewy bodies, which is a condition displaying similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s disease. It currently
affects 100,000 people in the UK. Awareness of this condition was raised to the wider public in 2016 when actor and comedian Robin Williams revealed he had been living with the condition. Newcastle is also home to the coordinating centre for the Brains for Dementia Research programme: a programme co-funded by Alzheimer’s Research UK. The charity are also committing over £70,000 for a PhD Studentship at Newcastle University to better understand the causes of dementia. Dr Daniel Erskine, Alzheimer’s Research UK Fellow at Newcastle, will use the £260K funding to explore how key changes to interneurons in DLB come about and how they contribute to symptoms of the condition. He said: “Understanding how dementia with Lewy bodies develops is vital as we try to come up with new ways to help people living with the disease. “We haven’t yet been able to develop a treatment that can slow the development of DLB in the brain. This suggests that we still do not know enough about how the disease causes damage to the brain and produces such complex symptoms. “There are several drugs that can target interneurons, and this study will help to determine if these could help tackle DLB. “I’m grateful to Alzheimer’s Research UK for this new funding. The research we are doing in Newcastle is helping to make breakthroughs possible for people with dementia with Lewy bodies.”
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Monday 27 May 2019
Cambridge Uni to reach divestment goals Em Richardson
In a move praised by many commentators, Cambridge University has announced it is exploring options for divesting its multibillion pound endowments from fossil-fuel corporations.
The university managment will be weighing up the pros and cons of divestment from coal oil and gas companies
Cambridge University as been exploring options for divestment Image: Flickr
Students design Northumberland Coast Shelter Sophie Wilson
Newcastle University’s own School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape has planned and built “The Nick”, a public piece of architecture situated in Northumberland National Park.
The structure is built from larch, a type of wood coming from just over the border at Scotland. It is the perfect choice for a structure that needs to withstand the exposure and climate
Starting work in 2018, seven Newcastle students began embarking on the plans to build this piece. They worked with the Park’s Department Trust to build a structure that provides shelter within the park for visitors, creating a seating area to encourage people to sit and take in the beautiful views of the park. One of its aims was for the product to be “tactile”, “bringing out the child in everyone and inspiring joy.” The structure gives various views on the landscape, being situated at the highest point of Forest Drive. It consists of pentagons that are aimed to capture varying parts of the landscape. It was intended to connect the two val-
leys of Byrness and Kielder, illustrating how their communities are linked. In the past, pastoral farmers and hardy foresters from both communities have worked up here, and so it is testament to their connection. The structure is built from larch, with this type of wood coming from just over the border at Scotland. It is a very distinctive tree, and is the perfect choice for a structure that needs to withstand the exposure and climate at the highest point on the Forest Drive, especially with the blustery Newcastle winters that we experience here! The head of architecture at Newcastle University, Graham Farmer, says that it is “both engaging and practical”, not only providing views but also providing comfort. The architectural team from Newcastle began to build much of the structure in the university in the autumn months, and then their products were moved to the park. The project was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, with support from James Christopher Consulting and D.G. Walton and Son. It is particularly interesting that the project has just been finished, as it fits in with the centenary of ‘Forestry England’, who also helped to fund the project alongside the Heritage Fund. Alex MacLennan, the Recreation and Public Affairs Manager for Forestry England in the North East comments that works to “enhance the wonderful surroundings of the Park through art and architecture.” It combines architecture with nature, representing the collaboration of students with representatives of the park, and its beauty is proof of the hard work and dedication of the students involved.
The university’s management is said to be weighing up the pros and cons of divestment from coal, oil, and gas companies. In a move welcomed by the archbishop of Canterbury, 324 of the university’s academics signed the motion, known as a ‘grace’, on the subject of divestment from fossil fuel industries. Some of the university’s individual colleges had previously announced their intention to divest funds from fossil fuels. Clare College even threatened to withdraw money it had invested in the university’s central fund if it did not commit to divestment from fossil fuel industries within the next five years. Cambridge University has long been accused of being too closely entwined with the fossil fuels industry, having previously been offered two multi-million pound donations from the industry. The move towards potential divestment
from the fossil fuels industry has been widely praised, with many pointing out that it seems hypocritical for universities to teach students about the dangers of climate change, whilst benefiting financially from connections to coal, oil and gas companies. In 2016, Newcastle University committed to achieving partial divestment in fossil fuels industries, after the student body requested that the university begin the process of severing its financial ties to the coal, oil and gas industries. As of November 2018, the university claimed to be making progress with this goal, stating that its investment in the oil and gas sector had reduced from 8.8% in September 2017 to 4.4% in October 2018.
They aim to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040
In April, after a meeting of Newcastle’s Environment and Sustainability Committee, the university also announced its intention to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2040. When announcing this new goal, Professor Julie Sanders (Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University) referenced the 2016 plan to divest the university from fossil fuels, stating that: ’We are increasing the proportion of funds we hold with managers who do not invest in fossil fuel companies and we have transferred investments to three ethically screened alternative asset funds which exclude fossil fuel companies’.
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the courier
Monday 27 May 2019
Hundreds given in compensation over strikes Sidney Pinsent News Editor
The higher education ombudsman or England and Wales has told a group of British universities to pay compensation for the loss of teaching hours after lasts years UCU strikes. The ombudsman ordered the payouts worth hundreds of pounds each over after students complained of missed seminars,
ings, podcasts, and additional online materials available to students, or allowed them to sit in on other classes. Others have done nothing, and we don’t think that’s fair. “We have made recommendations in a
number of cases for partial refunds of tuition fees and payments for distress and inconvenience where we have decided the student has not been treated fairly.” Sarah Liddell, head of the leadership office
at the OIA continued, “We have used a notional value of 50 per cent of the value of the teaching hours as a starting point for working out how much refund to recommend." This may constitute a larger pay-out to the 1 mil-
lion students who were affected by the strikes. In total, an estimated 575,000 teaching hours were lost. Students may bring a complaint to the OIA after filling a complaint to the University.
“Some providers have been better than others at finding ways to make up for the learning students have missed out on. Others have done nothing, and we don’t think that’s fair."
Felecity Mitchel, independent adjudicator
lectures and stress caused by missing teachers during a crucial time of the year. After 14 days of strikes over 65 universities, more than 80 complaints have been received by The Office of the Independent Adjudicator. The report on the complaints revealed 19 cases that have been concluded and 9 upheld decisions. Felecity Mitchel, the independent adjudicator said, “Some providers have been better than others at finding ways to make up for the learning students have missed out on. Some providers have made lecture record-
Over 1 Million students were affected by the strikes Image: Matt Dinnery on Flickr
NU Public lecture: Blair reconsidered Joe Molander
On Tuesday 24th May, Newcastle University welcomed Jon Davis to give an address on the Tony Blair government. Blair served as Prime Minister from 1997-2007, an impressive stretch that became home to no small amount of controversy. While his achievements at home are numerous, and include Freedom of Information, the creation of a UK Supreme Court and the Good Friday Agreement (which put an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland), when one looks overseas, his record becomes more mixed. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – started under Blair and concluded long after his departure – have served to tarnish his legacy.
He starts by relating Blair's long road to power, finding insight even in seemingly trivial details like his cockney accent
Students began designing the piece in 2018 Image: Newcastle University
That, combined with Blair’s charisma and willingness to shake things up, generate immense interest in his tenure as PM, as seen in the packed lecture theatre in which Davis spoke. Young and old alike – though mostly old, which makes sense as they lived through the Blair years as adults, came to hear Davis reconsider those ten years of government. He starts by relating Blair’s long road to power, finding insight even in seemingly trivial details like his cockney accent. He explains that, despite having moved to London, Blair still “doesn’t sound like me”, and uses this to suggest that “Blair is a Briton” before having any strong regional connection. When Blair becomes leader of the Labour Party in 1994, Davis explains “there’s lots that he needs to
do but there’s lots going for him”. Two years earlier, the Exchange Rate Mechanism crisis erupted with the Conservative party still in government, shredding confidence in them as the party that could be trusted with the economy, strengthening Labour’s position. In 1992, the “long boom” began, wherein the economy grew consistently for sixteen years until 2008. “This is unprecedented stuff”, Davis explains, and helped ensure the Blair years were ones where people felt safe and like they had money in their pockets, reinforcing Blair’s position by making the electorate less likely to vote him out, the person at the helm of it all, even if he had very little to do with it. Davis comes to Blair’s first election win in 1997, which he describes with a certain awe as handing Blair the biggest majority in Parliament since the Second World War. Blair felt that this first term was wasted, which Davis counters by reeling off a long list of accomplishments, including Scottish and Welsh devolution, the creation of the Greater London Authority and Blair’s role in ending the Kosovo War, which proved so popular that parents in the region started giving boys names like ‘Tonibler’ and ‘Toni’. Of course, Blair’s success wasn’t entirely his own. Davis goes onto relate what he saw as the three crucial partnerships in the Blair government: the first was that of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown (Chancellor of the Exchequer from 1997-2007, and PM after Blair), who had the “closest male platonic friendship” a Blair advisor said she had ever witnessed. Next was the relationship between Blair and Alastair Campbell, Blair’s advisor and ‘spin doctor’, instrumental in New Labour’s wooing of the national press. Davis relates an anecdote of Campbell rewriting a News of the World frontpage he found unfavourable, and explains how he revolutionised communication by bringing phones into Downing Street before they were popular, part of what Davis calls the “Campbell phenomenon”. Finally, Davis touches on the partnership between Gordon Brown and Ed Balls, someone who could command the
respect of the Treasury, which is vital for the success of any government.
Throughout the talk the audience were gripped and engaged
Throughout the talk, the audience were gripped and engaged, and not without their own insight. In a Q&A section, an old Chair of the Newcastle North Labour Party discusses Blair’s difficulty in reshuffling his
Cabinet. Not everyone was satisfied though: lacking from the talk was proper discussion of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the first proper mention of which came from another audience member, long after Davis’s planned talk had concluded. In speaking to your correspondent afterwards, Davis explains it’s neither his area of expertise or interest, but to many members of the audience, to brush over the two parts of Blair’s years in power that cast the longest, perhaps darkest shadows was odd. An audience member said that it “was a very interesting talk, I did however find it peculiar that the Iraq War wasn’t really touched upon when it is such a defining characteristic of the Blair government”.
Blair's controversial premiership is reviewed Image: Wikimedia Commons
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feature lifestyle
Monday 27 May 2019
Weird, wonderful, and surprisingly affordable: Louise Hall reviews The Alchemist Newcastle Editor Louise Hall had the chance to try some of the popular cocktail spots cuisine and whether you should try it for yourself
Food: Service: Atmosphere: Value: Overall:
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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.
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Monday 27 May 2019 @CourierComment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Caitlin Disken, Alexandra Sadler & Jamie Cameron Online Editor Rory Cameron
Alabama autonomy out the window
Following Alabama’s abortion ban, our writers discuss the effects decreasing bodily autonomy has on women across the US Sesha Subramanian
A
labama’s Republican majority Senate passed a rather landmark (one of the few times I use this word in a negative sense) ruling on abortion – making it against the law to perform abortion procedures no matter the cause or stage of pregnancy. The law makes no exception for rape or incest and the only time an abortion may be performed is if there is serious risk to the mother’s health. Civil rights groups and Democrats have vowed to challenge the bill in court and fight against it, meaning it is still legal as of this moment. The ruling would go directly against the ruling on the Roe v Wade case, which legalised abortion nationwide in 1973. The legislation made it a class A felony to perform abortion meaning doctors who now engage in this procedure could face between 10 and 99 years of prison time. Driven by the emboldening feeling that comes with the Trump administration
and the rise of women’s reproductive rights groups in America over the last few years, states around the country have gone about instituting laws against abortion. Alabama has gone the furthest among all of them but others such as Georgia have instituted a ban on abortion post-six weeks (when the foetal heart rate can be detected). Most women do not even realise that they are pregnant at this point in time.
The psychological effects of this ban cannot be underestimated
Abortion is something that has divided societies for centuries. In many countries, abortion has been legislated in some way with the aim being to balance the interests of the pro-life and pro-choice groups. What Alabama has done is a clear example of legislative overreach to the point where the personal rights of a woman are being in-
fringed upon. To punish doctors for performing an abortion when the woman has been a victim of rape or incest is disgraceful to say the least. The Senate has, for all intents and purposes, disregarded the autonomy that women have over their bodies. The Senate has effectively made the decision for women. Even if she does not want the child, she is now legally bound to have it, and that there is nothing anyone can do about it. That argument does not sit right with me. I can understand pro-life activists saying that the foetus is a living being but considering that the living being depends on the woman for sustenance, separating the two is not right. The rights of the woman as the provider need to be taken into account. To totally neglect the rights of one for the other is a crime in itself. In legal terms, we understand that a child cannot speak for themselves with regard to medical procedures up to a certain age after birth – hence parental consent is important and essential. And yet, the Alabama senate has decided that they know better than the woman carrying the child when it comes to prenatal decisions regarding the unborn foetus. The psychological effects of this ban cannot be underestimated either. It is not unreasonable for us to think that the women affected by it now feel alone and left out by the very institutions that are supposed to protect them. Doctors will also now likely leave Alabama and move elsewhere in view of the stringent nature of punishments. After all, if the state is interfering in essential medical practices such as abortion, what’s to say they will not interfere in others in the future?
pro-life movement. This is especially troubling in a country like the USA, which clearly does not have an acceptable system of sex education. This law is likely to face numerous legal challenges, primarily based on the case of Roe v Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion. Of course, with now a majority of conservative judges in the Supreme Court the foundations for these challenges are not as secure: although unlikely, the Supreme Court could overturn the precedent, and make anti-abortion laws constitutional. This highlights a clear problem in the American judiciary: its heavy overlap with the government, and therefore the politicization of its judges, who are appointed by the president. The passing of this law is indicative of a much bigger problem: the lack of representation of women in the government. In fact, even though women make up 51% of Alabama’s population, its lawmakers are 85% male. Many sought to address this issue by arguing that men should not be allowed to vote on these issues. Given that it is unthinkable to exclude half of the population from a human rights debate, even if it is not directly about them, we should always strive for inclusion and dialogue. However, in order to have a constructive debate, more women need to be part of government, to discuss these issues from perspectives to which men are often oblivious.
Elisabetta Pulcini
Similar to a number of laws passed under the Trump presidency, this will most likely not affect rich people as much as it does people living in poverty. Rich women will still be able to get safe abortions, as they have always done. However, those who cannot afford such luxury will have two options: either to resort to illegal abortion; or to continue the pregnancy and give birth. Obviously there are several issues with both of these, but even less surprising is that this decision is coming from a country that does not care for the ‘babies’ it seeks to save. In fact, the US is one of two countries in the world to not have a single law on maternity leave. This signals that this ban is not about saving the ‘babies’, but rather it is about controlling women, by rendering them economically dependent. With limited access to birth control, poor sexual education and non-existent maternity laws, the US is oppressing women by limiting their sexual freedom and actively obstructing empowerment. Although this should not be allowed to take place, because of the heavy overlap between an over-politicized judiciary and a conservative government, this ban, like many others, could be enforced.
T
he recent anti-abortion law in Alabama is appalling in its extremism. It bans abortion at any point during the pregnancy, even in cases of rape and incest. What has stood out the most is the penalty given associated with the crime: doctors who perform the procedure could be given a 99-year sentence. At this point, everybody is asking the same question: how could this happen, and can it be enforced? There are several aspects that led to the approval of this law, and they mostly concern the Trump presidency. Firstly, Trump as a politician has consistently exploited his supporters’ opposition to abortion, fuelling it by misinforming the public at every chance possible. During his third presidential debate, he claimed that during the ninth month of pregnancy “you can take the baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother just prior to the birth of the baby”. These toxic and untrue claims are a hallmark of his presidency, and have now served to embolden the
The US doesn’t care for the ‘babies’ it seeks to save
Separation anxiety: Europe and Brexit Image: @thestudio.g on Instagram
Max Hobbs discusses Britain’s participation in the European elections, asking if it is time we moved on from Brexit
I
started university in 2016, only months after Britain voted to leave the European Union. Three years later and the issue has managed to successfully overshadow my entire university experience: if there was something big on the news, it was probably Brexit. Brexit became a way to judge whether or not you liked someone. It came up in every other lecture. I’m bored of it. The best part is that Parliament is just as torn. We’ve opened Pandora’s Box and unleashed something that looks like it might just consume the country for years to come, with Britain’s participation in the EU elections only being the latest in a long string of nightmares. All polling already indicates that Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party will be the biggest winner by a substantial margin, particularly in the working class Labour heartlands and the midlands, with some polls indicating they could take as many as 36 seats. Meanwhile, the Conservatives and Labour are forecast to haemorrhage votes like they’re going out of fashion. This is hardly surprising, as neither party has been able to
produce a coherent stance on the issue. It turns out plunging the country into a constitutional and democratic crisis in order to score political points isn’t a good look after all.
Then, on the side of the road somewhere, handing out flyers that nobody wants is UKIP
Whilst pontificating on who will win big in the EU elections, there remains the sobering and obvious fact that nothing will be solved by them. The results will come and go, people will try to make loose inferences on what it all means and then the stalemate will continue. The Brexit Party will be a thorn in the EU’s side perhaps, but given that the European Parliament cannot approve legislation, it will likely have hardly any impact on Europe’s long-term
direction either. The Liberal Democrats have decided to basically ignore the referendum result, which will probably serve them well, especially if the Local Elections were anything to go by. This first came in the form of a ‘People’s Vote’. Then, realising that the first referendum was in fact conducted by people, this was renamed as a ‘Second Referendum’. This
How will another referendum unite the country? Nobody knows
was also bad PR for a party with ‘democrat’ in the title, so in the end they settled for ‘Confirmatory Referendum’. What will be on the ballot, and how will another referendum fix anything or unite the country? Nobody knows. Then, on the side of the road somewhere, handing out flyers in the rain that nobody wants as a slow violin plays, is UKIP. It is hard to believe that this was the party that
started it all; whose sheer scale forced D a v i d Cameron to hold a tactical vote in the first place. Now, Farage-less and abandoned by their membership, they cling onto an anti-Islam platform and try to scrape by. If you are worried that you are forgetting about the more important things in life, then these elections might not be for you. However, if you are enjoying the purgatory of it all, voting opens on May 23rd.
Image: Flickr
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Monday 27 May 2019
Tyne to move on: the year in review
As the academic year draws to a close, our writers look at the highs and lows of their time at Newcastle
Sophie Wilson
“Y
our first year at university will be the best year of your life.” “Freshers is such fun, you’ll just be permanently drunk for a week.” “The independence you get at university is AMAZING.” These all sound familiar for a Fresher embarking on their journey of coming to university, right? But, what happens if your first term is even just a little less than perfect? What happens if you do not feel immediately comfortable living on your own? You start questioning whether university is for you or not. This is exactly what happened to me in my first term. I was slightly homesick, and so immediately my first thought was doubt about university. Consequently, I did not take full advantage of everything happening at Newcastle University, and this is something which I have grown to regret.
My cultural experience of the world has changed this year
year as part of the band, I can say that they are testament to how great a year this has been at Newcastle University. With everyone dancing with their friends, whether in first year and celebrating their new-found friendships, or in final year, celebrating the end of their university journey, it is safe to say that Newcastle University has provided us with great entertainment and happiness this year, and the smiles on the faces of those at these balls has shown this.
Catherine Entwistle
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nother year almost over and it seems like only yesterday that we were all getting ready to move into halls. I’m sure I speak for most people when I say my time at university has flown by so far, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking, as the adult-world of employment and real life responsibilities loiters in the not-so-distant future. So far I’ve generally loved my time at Newcastle University. The city, the people, the opportunities to get involved in things, the friends I’ve made, are all reasons why I desperately don’t want it to end. That being said, I think it’s important to remember that university is not great all
Coming back from the Christmas holidays, well slept and refreshed, proved to be a turning point for me. I decided that I would take up every opportunity that I could get at university, and I have not regretted my decision. I have genuinely enjoyed my second term at university so much, and this is down to the sheer amount of activities that are put on by the amazing Students’ Union and societies. My cultural experience of the world has dramatically changed this year: I have been to a talk from Kate Davies talking about her new book, In the Deep End, where I realised that literature is in our world here and now, it is not all from authors that we are unable to communicate with anymore! I have been involved in jazz jams with the university jazz band, playing at venues for the public and for private events. And I have also greatly expanded my political knowledge by writing for The Courier, something that I never thought I would have been interested in being this involved in. Yet, here I am, one term in to taking up opportunities, and I am loving this new world that I have been introduced to. But there has also been a lot of fun through social activities, thanks again to the amazing societies that are at Newcastle University. The Raising and Giving Society is renowned for its social life, whilst also raising money for the community and charities. The talent show was one of the highlights of my year! I also think that the inclusivity of the societies this year has been a real advantage, for example I have received a free cheese toastie from the Christian Union, and they answered my flatmates’ questions on their faith. This made us all feel we would be welcome in this society if we decided we wanted to be. And finally, balls! Being lucky enough to have played at many balls this
of the time and that for many, the university experience doesn’t live up to what was sold to them as impressionable 18 year olds. The work pressures, the stress of finding a house, the battle with budgeting can all make university quite a miserable experience at times. But, overall I’d say the good outweighs the bad, and inevitably we will look back and think it was all worth it. Next year will be my final year and although apprehensive about what it will entail in terms of growing stress
I am really excited to get my teeth stuck into my final year at Newcastle
levels and more all-nighters in the library, I am really excited to get my teeth stuck into my final year at Newcastle and enjoy every aspect of it (even the not so nice bits!), as I know I will miss those gloomy days as much as the fun ones. Although the prospect of finding a job and entering the real world seems scary, I am eager to move onto the next stage. The option of a masters is always there, however, in case I’m not quite ready to let go of Newcastle just yet!
Put simply, race and religion are not synonyms
The group leading the charge against this misguided act is the National Secular Society. In an open letter signed
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Gerry Hart
ith all the adulation heaped upon climate change activist Greta Thunberg, it was only a matter of time before she started to attract some critics. And sure enough, just last week a Greenpeace investigation alleged that right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in Germany was intending to take aim at the 16 year old, branding her “mentally challenged” and a “fraud”, referring to the fact that Greta is autistic. This isn’t the first-time right-wing people have gone after Thunberg. Earlier this month Brendan O’Neill laid into her in Spiked, describing her as creepy and speaking in a monotone voice, both stereotypes of autism. Expect to see more of this. As autistic people become increasingly prominent in public life, expect to see more attacks levied against them for the audacity of having an opinion in public. That they are “not autistic enough to warrant the label”, or that they “are being manipulated” or that they are “too mentally challenged to know that they are doing”. This thinly veiled ableism that casts doubt on autistic peoples’ autonomy should have no place in civilised discourse.
MARVELLOUS MEGHAN Em Richardson
I Image: Pixabay
Joe Holloran assesses the decision not to change the definition of Islamophobia and its effects
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ABLEISM ATTACKS
TOAST OF THE WEEK
Islamophobia: what’s in a name?
n the 15th May, the British government controversially rejected a proposal from The All-Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims to change the definition of islamophobia in order to tackle to growing number of attacks on our nations’ Muslim community. This has reignited the debate about freedom of speech and the difference between attacks on someone’s race vs. attacks on their religious choices. There is an undeniable double-standard on the part of the left when it comes to what is acceptable to criticise. Many of the same advocates for the implementation of this definition of islamophobia were also those who fought tooth-and-nail against the blanket definition of anti-Semitism during the crisis last year. The left was able to establish a clear differentiation between criticism of Jews as an ethnic people (anti-Semitism) and criticism of the policy of the Jewish state of Israel, or the dogma of their holy books. Yet when the same standard is applied to the Islamic world and criticism of Muslim states then suddenly this is unacceptable. Why?
SOAPBOX
by 44 academics, campaigners and journalists including Maajid Nawaz and Prenga Patel, the group states that “ [They] are concerned that allegations of Islamophobia will be, indeed already are being, used to effectively shield Islamic beliefs and even extremists from criticism, and that formalising this definition will result in it being employed effectively as something of a backdoor blasphemy law.” In the past, definitions of this kind regarding other religious groups, not just Muslims, have been used by religious campaigners and lawyers to block journalists and academics from publishing that which those zelots find offensive to their dogma. An often overlooked factor in this is the growing number of so-called apostate’s living in Britain. These brave men and women have abandoned the religion of their parents and often face threats on their lives in doing so. My fear with this law is that is will enshrine the falsehood that all Arabs are Muslim and that there is no difference between the race of an individual and their religion. To criticize someone for the former is rightly of course illegal in any moral society, but criticism of the latter is a vital aspect of true liberalism, something the modern political left seems eager to change. Put simply, race and religion are not synonyms. Despite my disagreeing with the wording in this particular case, the call for action comes from an deeply good place. In the wake of terrorist attacks and the cultural divides of Brexit, the number of cases of abuse and assaults
on members of Britain’s Muslim community has reached a shocking level. In a nation that should pride ourselves on our diversity even one case of assault on an individual because of their religion should bring shame to us all. Alongside that precious right to freedom of religion is the equally vital freedom from religion, and with this the universal understanding that in any free society there must be the right to debate, criticize and even insult any institution of power regardless of who it may offend and why.
The rise of nationalism and populism should worry us
The rise of nationalism, populism and the far-right in this country should worry anyone who values the basic rights of our democracy. However, we must be careful that in trying to solve this problem we do not sacrifice those values we hold dear. Regardless of how uncomfortable it makes people feel the reality is that too many of those who support the bill, issues like freedom of expression, journalistic integrity and progressive values (such as LGBT+ advocacy) are a hindrance to their world view, and they will use emotive issues like the barbarity of the Christchurch attack to push through legislation to protect not the ordinary Muslims they claim to represent, but their own regressive dogmas free from analytic eyes.
’m no royalist, but I can’t help but sympathise with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex. From the moment her relationship with Prince Harry became public knowledge, Markle has suffered endless online abuse, often focused on her biracial heritage. Some online trolls even suggested her recent pregnancy was faked, and she has been repeatedly been accused of ‘acting’ whenever she has the audacity to show affection for her husband. Even now, when Markle is celebrating the birth of her first child, the abuse does not stop. Credit where credit is due, Markle holds her head up high. She smiles and waves for the cameras, publicises various important charities, and addresses causes that are close to her heart. It would be easy to say she is simply fulfilling her duty as a Duchess, but let’s remember that no other royal woman has had to do so in the midst of such horrendous abuse.
THANK U, NEXT
A
s this is the last issue of The Courier for 2018/19, we’d like to say a huge thank you to all of our fabulous writers for contributing this year. Special thanks also to our fellow editors and incredible Editor and Deputy Editor, Louise and Isabel. It’s been an amazing (and never boring) year full of political rants, heartfelt commentaries, and hilarious opinion pieces. Thanks for the enthusiasm and amazing articles, and best of luck to the new editors next year! Your fave Comment editors, Caitlin, Alexandra, Rory and Jamie
the courier
Monday 27 May 2019
life&style
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@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
Blind Dateisited Max rev Hobbs
Okay so let’s start with dating life at Uni? How would you describe it? I might not be the best person to ask actually because I was in a relationship until like Xmas. The blind date was really fun though and we still catch up now and then. What would you say really recommended the idea of a blind date set up by the Courier instead of say meeting someone through an app or mutual friends? I think the Courier is the best way, becasue it’s way less serious and you’re both on an equal footing. What do you think would have made it a less scary experience? I think that is inevitable unfortunately, but I think it’s important to remember that the other person is in the exact same position as you are.
Katie Sawyer Would you say the blind date is a more exciting than a regular date, or was it terrifying? It was a mixture of both, I’d say. It was weird not knowing who I was going on the date with. As soon as I actually met them though then it was just fun and was cool to try it! Do you think in a university community it helps to having something like Blind Date around? It was a good opportunity for me to try something that I wouldn’t normally, and it was super easy for me since you did all the hard work hahaha.
Rory Ewart Would you recommend Blind Date as opposed to other dating methods? Ehh no probably not, most people I think realise that when they sign up to it they are signing up more for a bit of fun than anything else. I’d recommend it if you say had never been on one before to see what it is like, which then could place you in good stead for any future blind dates. So in your opinion its not to be taken as a super serious thing but just something fun and new? I think it’s one of these things that at the end of the day we are all students and are just looking for a bit of a laugh sometimes. I think the vast majority just go along with it for a bit of fun and something to have a laugh about with friends later.
Emma Chell
First off, would you say dating at Uni is difficult in terms of meeting new people? I think it depends how sociable you are, but I think it’s fairly easy. And would you say Blind date is a good option for dating, or more of a fun try out kind of thing? Maybe more of a fun thing! And if it works out even better.
Are you unlucky in love? Email us at c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
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life & style lifestyle
‘The best burger in Newcastle’: A Graduation menu preview
Lifestyle Editor Holly Margerrison has one last hurrah at Lola Jeans and tells you why its a great place to celebrate
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nown as ‘Lola’s little sister’ to the original Lola Jeans in Tynemouth, this restaurant transports you to a transient space of the prohibition past and colourful modern art. All open space, the restaurant fluctuates between three different areas: comfy, vintage armchairs perfect for a cocktail, catch up – and perhaps even a cigar; cosy booths for smaller groups next to the bar; larger tables situated underneath glass ceiling panels creating an airy, modern feel – perfect for family gatherings such as Graduation celebrations.
It was an intimate space where we didn’t have to fight for our voices to be heard In previous years Lola Jeans has offered a special Graduation menu although, realising that most people were opting for the normal menu, they’re sticking to what they do best this year. That’s not to say they won’t be offering special drinks on the day – I tried their ‘No Hope in Hell’ cocktail. This refreshing spritz was surely a celebratory drink with its violet gin, strawberry liquor and lemony bitters – although looks wise, it has strong competition with their copious cocktail menu! the ‘Salt and Pepper Calamari’ and the ‘Buffalo chicken spring rolls’. As we shared, I was glad to have started with the spicy spring rolls before I ended with crispy lemon calamari to cool my taste buds. Albeit not our healthiest start, both packed a crunch with their crispy, fried exteriors. Our meal was heightened by the staff’s attentiveness throughout the dinner. Nothing bypassed their attention. Candle out? Relit within minutes. Glass nearing empty? Another could be whipped up no hassle. The staff were at
Image, Instagram@Lolajeansbar
Although this was not a graduation meal for myself, we were still celebrating as I’d just finished my third year at Newcastle University and it was our last meal before I fly to Camp America. We were pleasantly surprised by the dark interior: fearing it may be a little gloomy, it instead provided an intimate space where we didn’t have to fight for our voices to be heard over the music, yet its floor to ceiling murals retained the edgy student vibe. Cautious not to clash our starters and mains, we ordered
Images: Holly Margerrison
We didn’t know how to go about combining all these flavours in one mouthful ease, non-intrusive and showed a hospitable professionalism which few restaurants manage to achieve. Like giddy school-children, we couldn’t help but gawk at one another when the Surf and Turf sharing platter was brought to our table. The medium-rare rump steak slices alongside the garlic butter prawns were tender and melted in our mouths, as we wedged it into warm pitta with salad and steak sauce. We didn’t know how to start or even how to go about combining all these flavours into one mouthful – but that didn’t stop us going back for more until the platter was wiped clean (in true student style). Later, feeling inspired by the sunny weather and enticed by the white rum, my boyfriend opted for the ‘Guava Colada’ with his main course. Arriving just as we tucked into our sharing platter, it was a cocktail of elegance with its purple petals floating atop a creamy looking liquid. After insisting I try some, I too ordered and devoured the same cocktail – our only complaint being that it was a little heavy to wash down the surplus of food. Next time we’d order this alone for dessert! As full as we were by this point, that didn’t put us off ordering a pudding. The choices aren’t extensive and, unfortunately, they had run out of Churros, but we were not disappointed with our choices. Whilst the Oreo cheesecake was aesthetically pleasing with its scoop of choc ice cream balancing perfectly on top, the slab of chocolate brownie was a real winner for me. Looking deceptively cake-like, I was apprehensive it wouldn’t do the gooey brownie texture justice – but it oozed into a chocolate and clotted ice cream delight. One could be fooled in thinking the prohibition years were the best – there’s something seductively alluring to its dark ambience. With its attention to the smallest of details – teacup cocktails to parquet flooring – it emanates originality despite its sister restaurant. There’s even a (not-sosecret) basement called ‘Speak’ offering specialised drinks and private party functions for those wanting to continue the celebrations below the heart of the toon.
the courier
Monday 27 May 2019
A Year on Campus
It’s been a long and hard year at Newcastle, but as 2019 - 2019 draws
Yummiest Food Stall: Shijo Noodle Bar
If you’ve ever got the metro into uni, having skipped lunch, you will know the torture that comes with the whiff of Shijo as you leave the escalator at Haymarket. You rush off to your seminar, but the whole time, there’s still one thing on your mind- a katsu curry. Well finally, Shijo has opened a new branch right here on campus! So you can fix that craving as soon as your seminar’s over! Northumbria campus has had a Shijo since September 2018, so it’s about time we did too! In 2018 it was voted the best lunch spot in Newcastle according to the Newcastle Tab, and there’s no surprise why. The prices are very student friendly; most meals are around £5, and even their most expensive items are only £6.00. (Little tip- pay with cash and save 50p!) Plus you definitely get more than your money’s worth. Obvious recommendation is the katsu curry; in my personal opinion the katsu sauce here is better than Wagamama’s! Vegetarian options include tofu, pumpkin and vegetable (the tofu is particularly crispy and delicious!) They also do a fab range of noodle dishes, and MOBO buns. Don’t fancy a whole lunch? They do the most amazing gyozas and spring rolls, with portions costing only £2. Its situated in the SU, opposite subway, so a very central location. All meals also come in recyclable cardboard bowls now, so they get even more points for becoming more environmentally conscious. It’s high end fast food; service is so quick its ideal for a quick lunch break in between lectures. There isn’t a seating area, but you’re welcome to sit in Luthers or take it anywhere you like. When I handed in my final essay deadlines last week, the first thing we did was grab a Shijo each and sit in the sun. If I haven’t convinced you that it’s the best food place on campus, then go try it and let the food do the talking for me! - Aimee Seddon
Best Lecture Building:
Herschel
The best building for lectures on campus is undoubtedly the Herschel building. Whilst it may be tempting to pick an obscure name from campus, Herschel is a big name for a reason; it is understated, accessible and convenient. The obvious perk of being in Herschel is its location, just a two-minute walk from Haymarket metro station for those of us who are too lazy to walk to university. The chilled walk to Herschel is a welcome break from a hectic rush to Armstrong, or worse, the Med School. The lecture halls are practical, a sea of understated green seats with the perfect splash of yellowed wood. The seats are comfy and if you are lucky enough to be in the Curtis Auditorium there are an abundance of seats to choose from, depending on your mood that day. Another perk of a Herschel lecture, the water fountains. They are easily accessible right opposite the lecture theatres, leaving no need for any pesky stairs. Hershel is nothing extravagant, but its understated charm and convenience make it the obvious choice for best building for lectures. - Emma McLaren
Nicest Campus Coffee: SELLL Cafe
The SELLL Café is the best place on campus to grab your caffeine kick this exam season. This funky little spot is situated at the heart of campus on the ground floor of the Percy building. It is great if you need to swoop in to buy a brew before your lunchtime lecture. This is the most affordable place to support your caffeine habit. A hot chocolate or coffee is priced at only £1! Whilst a tea or quick snack is just 50p. This is a café which is kind to your wallet and does not allow your love for coffee to consume your student loan. This is primarily a voluntary run café which ensures that our tea is brewed by some friendly and familiar faces. These passionate people love providing a great service and they do it all for free. The opening hours range from 10 am till 2 pm on weekdays to provide us with the necessary tea and biscuit breaks to get us through our revision. This groovy spot is rebranding too! Next term the name and design of the SELLL Café is being revamped and restyled to make it even more snazzy (if that is possible). So, rather than blowing nearly £5 on a venti caramel macchiato down Northumberland street wander on down to the Percy building to save some of those pennies. - Caitlyn Rawlings
Best Society Event: NUJO Jazz Jam
Being a sabbatical officer at the Union this year I’ve been more involved with society events than ever. However, there is one society event that I’ve attended multiple times this year that is by far head and shoulders above the rest of them: NUJO’s Jazz Jam social events. Having just won society of the year at the Celebrating Success Awards it’s no secret that this year NUJO have been above and beyond top form, but having never really experienced jazz before these events are something I’ve grown to absolutely love throughout the year. All bets are off when these events really kick into full swing. Never in my life have I stood shaking an egg shaped maraca with such passion and enthusiasm and felt as though I was contributing to the most amazing musical amalgamation of all time. Don’t even get me
started on the cow bells. These events are such a fun and unique way to bring students together, despite being absolutely crammed into the overheated space above Bar Loco the atmosphere is always one of acceptance and shared joy – something which can often be disregarded when you get lots of students in a small room with alcohol involved. Jazz society events not only make you feel like you’re part of something super fun and great, but that anyone can come along and grab a pint and get involved. I’ve often said a couple of times that these events are the kinds of nights I’ll tell me hypothetical children about when I’m trying to convince them I was cool and edgy in my twenties. So a massive props to jazz society this year, I think they deserve the title of best society event all round and hope they keep making music a magical and accessible experience for all. - Louise Hall
Images, Newcastle University, Unsplash, Pixabay, Wikimedia Commons, Jonny Hall, Instagram @pxhts
the courier
15
life & style
Monday 27 May 2019
us: the best of 2018 - 2019
s to a close, our loyal Lifestyle writers round up the bests and weirdest happenings around campus
Weirdest Art Installation: Clasp
We’ve all seen it, we’ve all walked by it on our way to lectures, we’ve probably all squinted to try and work out what it actually is. Of course, I’m talking about The Clasp. That weird tall blocky structure that popped up on campus one day and has slowly rusted as the months have gone by. At first, I was sceptical, joining in the grumblings that it blocked the pathway, especially in Freshers when the path turns into a bloodbath. But it’s grown on me, and I’m not really sure why. The art installation, created by sculptor Anthony Gormley, is apparently a “translation of two bodies holding each other” (yeah, I’m not sure I see it either) and is on loan to the university for an undoubtedly ridiculous sum. Of course, I’d rather the university spent money on something that actually…helped students, but it’s here to stay. And it’s got tons of attention since its installation last summer, with students adding a small soap gnome to the top of the statue as a statement about having student voices involved in student art. I completely agree with this – after all, it is students who see the Clasp every day, we should feel some sense of ownership or connection to it. I’m sure you’ve all seen the new and possibly improved Clasp at the hands of local artist, Jamie Evans, with its blue and yellow abstract lines. Weirdly enough, I’d walked by the Clasp only an hour or so before the graffiti and remember thinking “wow, it looks pretty nice in the sun”, and after my lecture was surprised to see it had been transformed. Regardless of your thoughts on how the university has handled this compared to the student statement last year, you can’t deny it adds a new dimension to the statue. So sue me, I like The Clasp – and I like its new summer makeover. It’s well deserving of the title of the Best Campus Art Installation. Charlotte Paige Boulton
Funnest Society Trip: Surfing society
University trips unleash you from the grasp of your parents; there is no curfew, no limit on drinks and no being forced to play with your younger siblings. Newcastle surf club’s trip epitomises that very freedom. This year the club took on Imsouane, Morocco. The hotel was a maze of coral stone, with every floor tiled a different colour and pattern. Each section had a roof terrace that in the day engulfed you with sun, but at night engulfed you with stars. Our days revolved around the waves. Breakfast was at 8am so we either surfed before or after. Imsouane is home to Morocco’s longest wave; so with a warm sea, putting Tynemouth’s icy waters to shame, and endless waves, we were immersed into a surfer’s oasis. After a long lunch of vegetables, tagine and bread and recuperating our bodies round the pool, we had an afternoon surf. The evening consisted of drinking, living up to the student reputation. Our hotel had the only bar in the whole of the town, so the entirety of Morocco’s youth flooded there every night. Tourists were rare, but despite our incongruous British accents, we partied alongside them. There was live music from a local duo each evening, a guitarist and a drummer, amalgamating African and English music to please the drunken crowd. The night came to a close with an intimate roof top party, much to the dismay of the other guests there. There was no Wi-Fi or service, so we were thrust into Moroccan culture, unable to interact with our normal lives. However, surfing all day and partying with your friends all night, I doubt anybody wanted to. - Holly Mawdsley
Best Campus pop-up stall Plants The plant stall outside the SU has been by far the best on-campus popup stall this year. If you’ve seen the snazzy little signs around campus advertising the plant sale I hope you made the time to go, because they have been truly great. They tend to be fairly often, every month or so, and give students the chance to get a range of lovely house plants for an absolute bargain without even having to leave campus. For me the plant stall has been a little pocket of joy for many a dull revision afternoon. The actual stalls add a lovely bit of greenery to campus, just taking up the square outside the main entrance to the Students’ Union, and it’s hard to resist having a nosy around if you’re walking past. It’s nice to have a wander past in between lectures but you might want to have a visit just before leaving Uni if you’re planning on bringing home a whole forest, which is hard to resist. For as little as £2 you can get a lovely leafy friend to brighten up your dingy student house and it really is worth the small investment, even just to cheer you up for the rest of the day. The small ones are perfect for perching on a bedroom or bathroom windowsill and they are very low-maintenance, just requiring a little water and sunlight to thrive and bring a little joy to your revision-filled days. The stall also sells little different coloured plant pots to jazz them up a bit. They’re shaped like tiny buckets and they’re absolutely adorable. In your last few weeks of term look out for any upcoming plant stalls and, if you’re returning next year, keep your eyes peeled for its return in September. The plant stall has been such as wholesome addition to campus and I hope it continues in future years. - Isabel Sykes
Cooking with Hope Coke
Almond & Buckwheat Banana Bread
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love playing around with different flours, and buckwheat flour has a sweetness and nuttiness that works deliciously with the banana and almonds in this recipe. Buckwheat flour is also gluten free so you can feed this recipe to any gf pals too, but plain flour should also work fine in its place if you’d rather not bother with the buckwheat. It’s a very versatile recipe so I’ve left the add ins open to interpretation; feel free to use your favourite nuts, seeds, dried fruit or chocolate chunks for something a little more indulgent. It’s moist and luscious but not overly sweet so it works for any time of day, be it breakfast, tea time or with a dollop of yoghurt or vanilla ice cream for pudding. Makes one loaf
Ingredients:
Images: Holly Mawdsley
3 medium bananas, the riper the better 3 eggs 3 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil (I’ve tried with both and they lend slightly different flavours, so use whichever you prefer.) 4 tbsp maple syrup/ honey 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 3 tbsp greek yoghurt 100g buckwheat flour 100g ground almonds 1 tsp baking powder a good pinch salt Up to 150g add ins of choice (I like cocoa nibs, chopped dates and figs but feel free to play around with chopped nuts, chocolate, seeds dried fruit etc.) Optional, to decorate: A handful of flaked almonds and mixed seeds
Best Common Room: Modern Languages
Campus is home to many treasured common rooms, but bitter comments from jealous students of other disciplines have proved to me that the Modern Languages common room is the crown jewel. Located on the fourth floor of the Old Library Building, the common room is an exclusive lair only for final year and postgraduate languages students. You even need a pin code to get in the door. The common room boasts everything you need to take a break between seminars or to have a little pause in the middle of a long stint at the library. The includes a boiler producing instant hot water – perfect for a tea or coffee, as complemented by the range of mugs, spoons and occasional jars of instant coffee and boxes of teabags available in the kitchenette. The common room furthermore boasts not just one but two fridges so that caffeinecraving students can bring their own milk with them (I use old water bottles) to store for the day and use for hot drinks rather than having to pop downstairs to buy a cuppa from the Courtyard Café. You can also use these fridges to store your packed lunch – and the two microwaves available mean that the days of cheese and pickle sandwiches are a distant memory. I have seen students push the boat out and bring soup, curry and risotto for a lunchtime treat. The kitchenette enables students to save so much money on Tesco meal deals, Shijo lunches and Starbucks caffeine kicks – maybe not quite to the tune of our nine grand a year tuition fees, but every little helps. The common room is more than just the kitchenette. There are no fewer than eight sofas in there, and I have seen students using these to have powernaps surprisingly often. There are also two computers should you fancy doing work in a more relaxed atmosphere – and you’re much less likely to get the evils for checking Facebook on a computer there than you are in the Robbo. Ultimately, the Modern Languages common room is one of my favourite places in the university, and undeniably where I spend most of my free time on campus. Its exclusivity as being home to only final year and postgraduate students means that you rarely have to queue for the microwave and you can always find a seat. With the School of Modern Languages being such a tight-knit community, you are always greeted with smiles and someone to enjoy a cuppa with. I have no doubt that the School of Modern Languages boasts the best common room on campus. - Grace Dean
Directions: Preheat the oven to 180 degrees C. Grease a loaf tin
with a little coconut or olive oil and line with baking paper. Mash the bananas in a bowl with a fork; it doesn’t matter too much if they’re still a little lumpy. Crack the eggs into a large bowl and beat with a fork or whisk until evenly mixed. Next put the oil in a saucepan with the honey or syrup over a low heat until it’s all melted together, then take the pan off the heat and add the vanilla and spices, stirring to combine. Add this, the yoghurt and the mashed banana to the bowl of eggs and stir together until well combined. Next, tip in your remaining dry ingredients (buckwheat flour, ground almonds, baking powder, salt) and stir until just combined. Finally fold in any extras that you like and pour the batter into a loaf tin, before sprinkling the top with the flaked almonds and seeds, if using. Move to the oven and bake for about 45 minutes, until the top is a deep golden brown and the banana bread is firm. Allow to cool completely in the tin before turning out and serving or it won’t set properly. It should keep well at room temperature wrapped in cling film or tin foil for about five days. Image: Hope Coke
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the courier
life & style beauty Afro hair: the tips and techniques you need KylieSkin Rashida Campbell-Allen talks us through some brilliant styling and product tips for afro hair Wondering what to expect from Kylie Jenner's latest S beauty venture? Kajal Patel courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Susanne Norris, Nimra Rafique Laura Buckle Online Editor Molly Taylor
has researched everything you need to know
K
ylie Jenner’s new skincare line, KylieSkin, is dropping very soon. With May 22nd being the set launch date for her new line, we’re here to give you all the need-to-know info about where you can find it and what products will be available! Jenner first announced the news of her new venture into the beauty world on both Instagram and Twitter, before going on to write the following in her first teaser video: “Skincare and makeup go hand in hand and Kylie Skin was something I dreamt up soon after Kylie Cosmetics. I’ve been working on this for what feels like a lifetime so I can't believe I'm finally announcing!” The first product launch will include these six products: Foaming face wash $24, Vanilla milk toner $22, Walnut face scrub $22, Moisturiser $24, Eye cream $20, Vitamin C serum $28 Whilst there is no word on whether the GBP price for these products will be the exact prices or whether they will be sold at the conversion rate price, all six of Jenner’s launch products will be under $30, with the chance to get your hands on a bundle for $125! Personally I don’t think these prices are too bad considering that Jenner’s products are cruelty free, vegan, gluten free, paraben and sulphate free – making them suitable for pretty much anyone with any skin type! Now, let’s take a little look into some of the active ingredients and claims for her new skincare line, because that’s the most important thing right? Vanilla milk toner: The toner is said to be alcoholfree despite the fact that this is one of the ingredients contained within most toners. This will allow for more hydration within the skin, accompanied by the product claims that the toner is also designed to reduce the appearance of pores! Vitamin C serum: Vitamin C is known for its numerous benefits when it comes to rejuvenating the skin, and Kylie’s particular Vitamin C serum claims to “stimulate collagen, reduce redness, and improve overall skin health”. Eye cream: Whilst most people tend to skip out on eye cream, Kylie made sure to include it as part of her first launch to show its importance and benefits for healthy looking under eyes. It includes an incredible concoction of ingredients such as pomegranate extract, caffeine, green tea and vitamin E. If you want more information on other products within her launch or just want to keep updated on all things KylieSkin related, you can follow their Instagram or Twitter page @KylieSkin and their upcoming website www.kylieskin.com (where you can sign up for any more news!)
ummer is fast approaching along with the annual heatwave that sweeps the nation, rendering us unable to resist the BBQs, pub gardens and a cheeky glass of PIMM’S. However, amidst the glowing skin and relaxation, we seem to rarely talk about the woes and troubles that come with having afro hair; the co-washing, the treatments, the twist-outs, the oils, the length retention etc... So how do we go about keeping these luscious curls from looking dry, frizzy and one hot mess. Here are some ways to keep your afro hair surviving and thriving this summer. This is probably a good time to note that when referring to afro hair here, we are speaking on all texture types. It is a common misconception that there is one type of “afrohair” - the perfect round, voluminous, ‘soul-trainesque’ look, but in fact there are at least 6 different types of curl patterns each appearing and feeling different, hence why these are general tips that all afro-hair types can benefit from. Though the sun brings that Vitamin D we so yearn to soak up, it drains our hair of moisture whilst tricking us with humidity which is the bane of afro hair. It causes SHRINKAGE, the dreaded ‘f’ word, FRIZZ, and, take it from someone who has 4c afro hair themselves, once you are out and about and your hair is shrinking by the hour,
scalps sweat and as afro-hair does not need daily washes as much as other hair types, refreshing and cleaning our scalp and roots is essential. Cover Up: Satin or Silk Cap or Durag. Protect your hair overnight in summer to get the best results the next day. They also look pretty cute.
Give your skin some love Image: @vitacoco
Image: @ogx_beauty
Catherine Entwistle shares her holy grail skincare products that helped get gain glowy skin slightly higher prices.
Whatever your skincare routine is, or products you use, consistency is the key thing
I understand everyone’s skin is different and that the products that work really well for me may not have the same effect on someone else. However, one thing that everyone can take from this article is that, whatever your skincare routine and whatever beauty products you use, consistency is always the key thing! Image: @dermalogicauk
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s a 22 year old, I have spent many years perfecting my skincare routine and working out which brand my skin loves the most. Having trialled pretty much every brand available, from Boots own budget range to Clarins high-end skin care range, it was in the last 2 years that I finally settled for Dermalogica. I was aware of the brand from a young age, as my mum, being in the holistic therapy industry, regularly used their products on clients and on herself. However, in my teens I had always ruled Dermalogica out due to its relatively luxurious and expensive reputation. I have always been quite lucky with my skin, only
The difference in my skin within two weeks was amazing - I finally had a clear, bright and glowing face
Image:@kylieskin
there is no going back. So, how can we protect hair from humidity whilst simultaneously locking in moisture? Protective styles: Afro hair is synonymous with versatility, allowing us to rock so many looks. Protective styling means protecting the ends of your hair, often involving extensions e.g. box braids, weaves or the growing current trend of wigs. Protection from direct exposure to weather changes gives hair underneath a chance to grow. Twist outs: A great all-year round styling method to protect and maintain your curl pattern and length. It can be worn overnight or for a few days under headwraps, simply working to stretch your hair without any heat and retrieves the look you had the previous day by reversing frizz and shrinkage. Headwraps: Exactly what it says on the tin. Grab a bright scarf or an old t-shirt to cover up your hair on those lazy days. You can experiment with many wrapping methods - my favorite is the front top knot. It’s easy to get carried away, putting in a bit of everything in hope for maximum results. However, less is more when it comes to dry or frizz-prone hair, sulphate-free and antihumectant ingredients are a must. Loco for Coco: Vita Coco Coconut Oil 500ml: A superfood for hair as an overnight treatment or for anti-dandruff or even use as a conditioner by rubbing it through your hair, leave for a short while then rinse well. If you only try one new thing this summer, it has to be coconut oil. All-in-One: OGX, Hydrate and Defrizz Kukui AntiFrizz Hydrating Oil: A great all-rounder, a little goes a long way as a finishing product. DIY Hair Mask: Get creative and treat yourself to a deep conditioner made up of olive oil, coconut oil, egg whites, honey, lemon juice...and some avocado (because why not?). Keep your scalp clean: Cantu Shea Butter Tea Tree & Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil 180ml: It is obvious that our
Monday 27 May 2018
experiencing the odd spot or blemish here and there from time to time. But after suffering with endless bumpy skin on my forehead and a generally dull complexion, I decided to get some advice from Dermalogica. The lady at the Dermalogica counter put on a pair of high-tech-looking magnified goggles with a light attached and looked closely
at my skin. At the time I remember being rather sceptical and thinking it was all a gimmick, and that she’d just try to sell me loads of expensive but useless creams. I am very glad to say, however, that I was very wrong about this. She advised me towards the Clear Start range; a range designed for teenage skin and teenage pockets. Dermalogica have really got this range right I think. The products are easy to use and are of the same high quality as their other products but come in at a cheaper price (that being said, each product will still set you back not far off £20). For me, this is totally worth it though. The difference in my skin within two weeks was amazing – I finally had a clear, bright, glowing face. My go-to products from this range and the ones that I have continued to use since that first consultation are: breakout clearing foaming wash, oil clearing matte moisturizer spf15 (day time use), skin soothing hydrating lotion (night time use), and breakout clearing all over toner. Since then, Dermalogica have introduced two new items into the mix, both of which I love using! They are the breakout clearing booster (day and night time use) and the blackhead clearing fizz mask (which does exactly what it says on the tin). I am also a big fan of the daily microfoliant from their regular collection – a rice based powder that activates upon contact with water, leaving the skin perfectly polished. I feel quite loyal to the brand now because it has served me so well and I’m excited to explore their other products when my budget will allow for the
Image: @dermalogicauk
the courier
17
beauty life & style
Monday 27 May 2018
James vs Tati: a problem with YouTube culture? Em Richardson evaluates the aftermath of the James Charles Tati Westbrook explosion and what this means for YouTube
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t just 19 years old, James Charles had become a YouTube phenomenon, and one of the most successful beauty vloggers on the planet. He’s promoted everything from eye shadow palettes to contour sponges, with some of the biggest beauty brands out there craving his approval. At one point, 16.6 million people followed his YouTube channel. However, it seems all this success may have been ended by Charles’s latest controversy. The drama, which resulted in Charles losing an astonishing one million YouTube subscribers within a 24hour period, started on 22nd April. Charles chose to post an advertisement for vitamin and supplement company SugarBearHair on his Instagram page, even though this company is a rival of Halo Beauty, owned by fellow YouTube beauty guru Tati Westbrook. Westbrook has acted as Charles’s mentor for the past few years, continually promoting his work on her own YouTube channel, and did not take the news well. On the 10th of May, after posting some cryptic messages about feeling ‘betrayed’ on social media, Westbrook finally addressed the controversy publicly. She uploaded ‘BYE SISTER’, a 43-minute-long video criticising Charles’s behaviour, to her YouTube channel. In the video, Westbrook doesn’t only criticise Charles’s decision to promote SugarBearHair- she also makes some troubling allegations about Charles’s personal life, accusing him of inappropriately pursuing straight men. Charles is openly gay. In response to Westbrook’s video, Charles posted a short video on his own channel, in which he apologises for his behaviour. The most troubling part of the saga is that Westbrook’s allegations about Charles’s pursuit of straight men has led to numerous allegations of sexual misconduct. Images: YouTube Charles
has been accused of attempting to pressure straight men into sex, sending straight men inappropriate messages, sending inappropriate messages to men in relationships, ‘catfishing’ straight men by pretending to be a woman. Fellow beauty guru Jeffree Star even alleges that Charles’s inappropriate behaviour led his partner to ban him from their shared home and, in a Tweet that has since been deleted, described Charles as ‘a danger to society’. (It must be noted, these are currently all only allegations). Yet, Charles’s numerous fans seem more concerned by the criticism from Westbrook, than by the allegations of serious sexual misconduct. As early as April, Charles was accused of pressuring fellow social media influencer Gage Gomez, who identifies as straight, for sex, when the two attended Coachella together. Former classmates of Charles also claim that his sexual misconduct was an open-secret at his High School. Despite this, Charles’s YouTube subscriber count only started to decline in the wake of Westbrook posting ‘BYE SISTER’ on May 10th, suggesting a quarrel with another vlogger angers his army of impressionable, teenage fans more than his alleged sexual misconduct. However, anyone who knows anything about YouTube culture should know that this shocking statement isn’t entirely unexpected. From Jenna Marbles flogging soft toy versions of her dogs to Zoella encouraging young fans to buy her extortionate advent calendar, YouTubers’ success has always depended on their ability to sell ‘merch’. For many young YouTube fans, undermining another YouTuber’s ability to sell said merch seems like a serious offence. The reaction to the James Charles scandal highlights everything wrong with YouTube culture. It has created a shallow, insular world, where fans spend hours watching vlogs, in which their favourite YouTubers promote various products, until they are so absorbed in the world of YouTube that an argument between two vloggers seems more concerning than allegations of real-life, hurtful misconduct.
More than just a pretty face: Biggest beauty role models
After all the recent shade Nimra Rafique praises some beauty role models
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hen
thinking about who my modern day beauty role model is, I must admit it took me a while to decide. Although there are so many beauty bosses in the industry nowadays, no one really came to mind immediately. I think beauty goes beyond eye shadow and lipstick. It’s much deeper than that. As cliché as it sounds, beauty is also about what’s on the inside. This is something that Huda Kattan, founder of Huda Beauty, addressed recently in a
Image: @hudabeauty
candid video on her YouTube channel, following her very honest ET interview. In this video, Kattan allows herself to become vulnerable and talk about issues she has faced and believes are important to talk about. Despite, her successful career in the beauty world, and millions she has made from her beauty brand, she discusses her struggles with self-love and criticism from others. Kattan talks about her experience as a POC, and how that has impacted her life, about expectations she’s been burdened with, from her parents for example who had quite specific beliefs when it came to a career. According
A beauty role model is someone who challenges the norm. Not someone who uses beauty to paint a specific image. to BBC, Kattan explained her worries about quitting her comfortable job in the world of finance and taking the risk of entering the beauty industry, “I felt like they were disappointed at first, so I knew that I had to prove something to be taken seriously.” There is this pressure to get jobs that fit specific criteria, which are secure, respected and guaranteed success. But this is something Kattan questions in her video, what is success? She says success for her is freedom, not necessarily financial freedom, not about how much money she makes, but rather freedom from criticism, freedom to be a mother, freedom to love herself and
freedom to just do things that truly make her happy without having to worry about what others may say. On a YouTube video in collaboration with beauty influencer Nabela Noor, Kattan, again, encourages the discussion of such issues, of self-love, of body positivity and talking about struggles she sometimes faces. Noor is another beauty influencer who advocates for these issues, who saw that there was a gap in the beauty industry and felt that she wasn’t getting represented. So she decided to take it upon herself to fill this void, being Muslim, a POC, a first-generation American and plus-size, to spread her voice through her content and build a platform to help others who related to her. She talks about how people are being sold a specific image of beauty, a one that is restrictive and doesn’t represent the average woman. So Noor, along with Kattan, seeks to use her platform, her influence, to challenge these standards and help others with their insecurities and confidence, and create a movement towards self-love. Something Noor said in one of her YouTube videos really struck me, “hating yourself doesn’t make the world better”. It really got me thinking, and I think that’s exactly what an influencer should do. They should make people think, to use their minds, to have freedom of thought and of speech and to be relatable and real. So for me, a beauty role model is someone who goes beyond the boundaries and challenges the norm. Not someone who uses beauty to paint a very specific image, but who uses beauty to show the raw, realness of it, that beauty isn’t just one size fits all, but something that is personal. They are not afraid to try something daring, dynamic and (above all else) they try new things. Huda Kattan and Nabela Noor are two examples of role models in the present day beauty world, who advocate for selflove, as well as challenge and modify the meaning of beauty today.
the courier
18
life & style fashion
c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Miranda Stoner & Joe Hood Online Editor Molly Taylor
Monday 27 May 2019
Lindex is here to make a change
Charlotte Boulton takes a look at the Lindex - particularly their ethical mission to change fashion's approach to sustainability
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n a world full of fears about climate change, fashion brands are beginning to realise the importance of sustainable fashion. Swedish clothing brand Lindex has recently announced its sustainability promise to improve the environmental impact their clothing has. The brand, which has been creating womenswear for over 60 years, has set out three key areas of their vision; ‘empower women’, ‘respect the planet’ and ‘ensure humans rights’. Their climate action goals include reducing CO2 emissions, recycling resources and being water responsible, to achieve their wider vision “to empower and inspire women everywhere”. Lindex say they “will not be a bystander in the biggest environmental crisis of our time”. Their sustainability promises plan to tackle this by aiming for climate neutrality (no air pollution through CO2 emissions) by 2023, which would help limit the rising world temperature. Alongside this, they want to maintain a circular business approach, with an aim of 100% of Lindex materials being recycled or sustainably sourced by 2025. Lindex are also setting goals
Instagram: @lindexofficial
Thank you from your fashion eds Molly Taylor
Joe Hood Poppy Couling
Miranda Stoner A big thank you to all of our writers this year for contributing to the success of our pages. We wish next year's editors the best of luck, and we've had so much fun 2018-2019.
Instagram: @bellysbakeshop
to reduce waste sent to landfill, with plans to set this up for the future. They also recognise the importance of being water efficient with plans to measure their water use throughout their business partners and set reduction goals by 2025; they also want to have any release of toxic and hazardous substances removed from the supply chain.
The brand [...] has set out three key areas of their vision; ‘empower women’, ‘respect the planet’ and ‘ensure humans rights’
These sustainability goals are crucial for the future of this planet, and it’s vital that fashion brands get on board with making positive changes. The environmental impact of fast fashion can’t be ignored, with the governmental Environmental Audit Committee finding that 1.2 billion tonnes of carbon emissions were produced by the global fashion industry in 2015. Synthetic fibres released in clothes washing are polluting the oceans with fish eating these, showing how our fashion habits are affecting the world around us without us even realising it. Anna-Karin Dahlberg, Lindex’s Corporate Sustainability Manager, said: “Our industry, as many others, is often criticised and from the outside it may sometimes seem hopeless, but I can assure you that it is not…We have a responsibility as a company to not only drive change, but also to work together with
our customers for more sustainable habits.” They have involved customers in their sustainability plans through their One Bag Habit campaign, which has seen only 30% of customers buying a bag for their purchases in 2018. Consumers should be more aware of what they’re buying and the steps they can take to reduce the environmental impact that their new clothing purchases have, and Lindex’s outspoken promises help bring this idea to the forefront of consumer’s minds. Personally, I think Lindex’s environmental goals are impressive and will make a difference – hopefully other clothing brands follow suit, particularly global retailers. One company won’t save the planet alone, but the good publicity that’s come from this announcement could encourage other brands to create their own sustainability promises and change the face of the fashion industry for the better.
Instagram: @lindexofficial
Does fashion always go back to black?
Shamara Mohsin gives her opinion on the trend that never seems to go out of fashion - or does it?
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s summer begins you're probably sifting through your wardrobe trying to find ANYTHING that screams sunny days and no worries- lest you remember all your May deadlines! There’s also a good chance as you do so your wondering how on earth you managed to accumulate so much black clothing. Whether you like to admit it or not, you probably own more than you ever intended too. Which begs the question, does the infamous colour ever go out of style? Arguably, it may just be the one you can never wear too much of, and there’s literally receipts to prove it. Scrolling through insta, try getting through a single swipe without seeing it on your screens. And from a stylist perspective, it’s as functional as it is practical. Those nights out in the club pass rarely without getting a drink splashed on you; feel for those poor people in their white tees as they take yet another hit. Black has always been considered the ‘slimming colour’, and despite how times have changed, and its not nearly as important to be thin as it is confident, black gives that refinement that just makes you feel like your life is so
Instagram: @thegirlinibiza_
much more together than it actually is. When thinking
about the vibes it gives it's also not as stereotyped as it once was; wearing all black means nothing nowadays, pink however, may suggest otherwise. It’s also the best mixer to break up any pattern, whether it's cheetah prints or tie-dye, so maybe we gravitate to it so much is because it's so easy to incorporate? The little
Those nights out in the club pass rarely without getting a drink splashed on you; feel for those poor people in their white tees as they take yet another hit
black dress is a staple of any girl’s wardrobe, and talking basics, it’s almost expected that you own the trusty black skinny jean, a wonderful match with a colourful top. So as you strap on that black belt to synch the waist of your summer attire, or pop on those faithful trainers for your next festival, you can rest assured knowing they look great no matter the date (unlike your white Fila’s). What we're saying is, black clothing is as easy to wear as it is attractive, and that may be what makes it stay in style. But as we see an influx of bright blues, greens and yellows as neon takes hold of every influencer’s pictures, you may be wondering, will black stop gracing the walls of every high-street store? Likely no, what may be the best part of the basic black is that it never really dies; even as the bright trend takes over. Compared to every other colour, black has not budged in forever, a well-made black t-shirt will last you a lifetime,
and their ability to look just a little bit fresher than any other colour gives it even more of an edge. Their will always be a moment you will need a last minute outfit, and theirs a good chance it’ll be black, and thankfully its hard to do it wrong.
Instagram: @kinuszz
the courier
19
fashion life & style
Monday 27 May 2019
Fashion forecasting: It's the Trend & Snap
Fashion Editor Miranda Stoner shares an insight into the actual psychology behind trend forecasting in the fashion industry
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eer pressure, masking insecurities, wanting to fit in; these are all things which are often attributed to why many people succumb to fashion trends. Whilst they do inform our decisions, the truth is more complex. The real reason people follow trends is a mixture of contradicting impulses and emotions.
same shape clothing, we can’t all pull off the wide legged trouser for example.
Much of our culture and our economy are based on exploiting people’s sense of emptiness and inadequacy, of not being enough as we are”
Trends move quickly though, and they only create short-lived moments of novelty
According to psychologist Jennifer Baumgartner (Psy.D.) the brain is susceptible to new trends as the reward circuit is stimulated when it encounters something new. This can uplift your mood, creating a sense of joy or euphoria. Interaction with new things can also enhance the cognitive processes such as memory, visual processing and problem solving, which are involved in learning.
Following trends religiously also denies the expression of your personal style. A great shame as style is a great way to subliminally communicate your identity and express your creativity, interests and inspirations. Instagram: @forecastofficial
Instagram: @runway_forecast
Trends move quickly though, and they create only short-lived moments of novelty. It is therefore easy to get stuck in a yo-yo effect or to develop addictive behaviours where you buy a product to make yourself feel happy, but then become dependent on new trends and new products to activate your reward system. This is similar to the behaviour patterns of addicts as trends may provide temporary relief from a problem or feeling of inadequacy which stems much deeper. Addiction specialist Gabor Maté (MD) affirms that “much of our culture and our economy are based on exploiting people’s sense of emptiness and inadequacy, of not being enough as we are.” This is reflected in the problem that clothes can become emblematic for lifestyles and character traits that we wish to possess. Normally the result of clever campaigns and celebrity endorsement. Unfortunately, buying a Hollister t-shirt may deliver some short-term happiness, but this wears off, when you realise it can’t transform you into a ripped Californian surfer. In addition to this, trends can become a way to mask insecurities and fit in with your peers. This means that you can end up wearing something unflattering. Not everybody is the same shape, neither should they fit the
Instagram: @runway_forecast
Instagram: @forecastofficial
That doesn’t mean that you should shy away from novelty though, buying a Blazer dress because you fell in love with Rihanna’s first Fenty collection doesn’t make you a sheep or a fashion addict. If it spoke to you and represents the person you want to be and the person that you want to be seen as, then incorporating the novelty of the runway into your wardrobe can enhance the image you want to project. Changing up your style can also have a positive effect on your psychology, as just like changing your pillow case, new styles and outfits can make us feel like a new person. Clothes are a concrete way of breaking out of old patterns of behaviour and can become a representation of who a person wants to be. The aim of this article isn’t to demonise trends or to encourage you to follow them, rather to remind you to take each new trend with a pinch of salt and analyse whether it reflects who you are or who you want to be. As well as to question whether there might be a better way to combat any feelings of insecurity than an expensive shopping spree.
The OFF-WHITE diversity scandal
Life and Style Editor Sophie Henderson discusses the recent controvey surrounding Virgil Abloh's lack of employee diversity
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hen various images of OFF-WHITE’s Italian employees first emerged, they were met with jarring backlash from much of the industry - particularly those with forward-thinking, progressive views.
Ahead of all the contrversy one Instagram user called for black people to boycott OFF-WHITE under his most recent post
Instagram: Off White
Instagram users immediately perceived a lack of diversity among the employees shown at the brand’s Christmas party. As a result, Fashion’s man-of-themoment - CEO Virgil Abloh - was accused of racial prejudice. However, OFF-WHITE should be diverse. It is a black founded and black owned business after all. Among over 130 party-attendees, only one black person was seen to be on OFF-WHITE’s Milan-based design team. Leanna Commins described ‘the uniformity of whiteness’ as ‘particularly striking…’ and that it was. Abloh usually pioneers his culture. Dressing the likes of Jay-Z and Beyonce, he recently shared an image of himself and Kanye at fashion week ten years ago declaring 'What May Seemingly Be Impossible Is Possible.’ Yet, ahead of this recent controversy, one Instagram
user called for black people to boycott OFF-WHITE under his most recent post, saying, ‘Black people please learn not [to] support labels and businesses [that] don't support us. 136 members [at the Christmas party] and not one person of color, he clearly sees no value in the creatives that look like him.’ In response, Abloh posted Instagram stories celebrating his diverse collaborations. He also released this personal statement: “When questioned about diversity, Virgil Abloh takes pride in being African and American. His design team is diverse, and his practice has been built on making the art and design industry an inclusive community. Fellow designers like Samuel Ross, Heron
You should have diverse roots at the heart of your design
Preston, No Vacancy Inn – by Tremaine Emory and Acyde Odunlami, Everard Best, Photographer Fabien Montique, amongst many others have been given a platform via OFF-WHITE. These are just a few of the many global voices and people sitting at the table and helping evolve the brand.” So Virgil Abloh: why the lack of diversity? Whilst your brand establishes ‘cool’ culture, you both adopt and appropriate aspects of your minority culture. Though this is highly important, you should have diverse roots at the heart of your design. The fashion industry is well on its way to becoming a thriving realm of inclusivity, but we need heavyweights to respect the urgency of this movement.
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life & style travel
the courier
courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk Travel Editors Jenny Franken, Bianca Ionici, Amy Harris Online Editor Amanda Goh
Monday 27 May 2019
Must-attend festivals: UK edition From Leeds to Beyond the Woods, Sophie Wilson dishes the details on summer festivals right here on home turf in the UK
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estivals, festivals, festivals….they can be a minefield. Which have the best acts? When are they? Do they fit in with my summer plans to tour the world? Well, here is a whistle stop tour of four English festivals that will definitely be worth your time. 1. Leeds/Reading On 23rd to 25th August, Leeds and Reading have an epic line up for you. Blossoms, Foo Fighters and The 1975 are some of the biggest names here. Mix these with Bastille, Sundara Karma and The Wombats, the weekend should already have you sold. With the dirt and the grime of a festival, the camping in a field, and the ideal of roughing it, you should be itching to buy a ticket. If this doesn’t grab your attention, then maybe a little more luxury will, with the blue camp section offering a DJ and festival rides right through the night until 6 am. And of course, the food is amazing: festivals are not all about pot noodles…. 2. Kendal Calling Tired of the big name festivals that every university student has been to? Well, Kendal Calling has your back. If you can stomach the fact that Kendal Calling is not actually in Kendal, shock horror, then the festival is full of good times. Slightly smaller than the wellknown festivals, there are still some big names appearing here. The Courteeners, Years and Years, Gerry Cinammon, Nina Nesbitt and Doves are featuring, to name a few. Plus, there will be an extra
Unsplash Eric Ward
special appearance from Tom Jones! The festival is full of fairground rides, amazing food wagons, and some groovy secondhand Oxfam shops where you can buy a bucket hat for those full on festival vibes. Go along on the 25th to 28th June for some fun in the beautiful Lake District. 3. Glastonbury Well, do I need to say much about Glastonbury? Possibly the most well known English festival. Headliners this year will be performing 26th to 30th June, and include The Killers, the Cure, Stormzy, Miley Cyrus, Liam Gallagher, Vampire Weekend, Two Door Cinema Club and more. 4. Beyond the Woods This festival initially began as a back-garden birthday party in 2015, when a birthday party was planned for Joe. Who’s Joe? Only a former Newcastle University student! Graduating last year from the university with a degree in history and politics, Joe was the lucky receiver of this party. Playing in the Newcastle University Jazz Orchestra (NUJO), his love for music gained him a party that became a whole festival. The headliners are playing on 9th and 10th August, and include Ten Tonnes, Easy Life, Hey Dude, The Pylons and Alex Cavan. If this has not convinced you then the 80s disco may persuade you... Why not try a new festival this year? Somewhere with new music to broaden your horizons, and widen your cultural experience? With a great group of friends, festivals can be the highlight of your 2019 summer.
How to volunteer in a world of "voluntourism" Charlotte Booy Howlett thinks back to her experiences in Sri Lanka caring for the natural world; and offers us helpful advice on how to make sure volunteering abroad is ethical
Research
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ast July I carried out voluntary work in Sri Lanka, caring for baby turtles and rehabilitated elephants…I know…the typical ‘Gap Yah’! However, it is one of the most insightful, hands-on experiences I’ve had whilst travelling. Not only does voluntary work give you a chance to give something back to the community and environment, but it provides many opportunities to develop new skills and build on existing knowledge. It also looks cracking on your CV! However, before partaking in any voluntary programme and parting with my money, I carried out extensive research into volunteerism to not only ensure I had the most fulfilling experiences, but to guarantee my safety and awareness.
Respecting the local culture Vaccination requirements Travel insurance Visas
I carried out extensive research into volunteerism to not only ensure I had the most fulfilling experiences, but to guarentee my safety and awareness
@Charlotte Booy Howlett
Research When looking to get involved in voluntary work, please carry out some research on the organisations before spending your hard-earned money. Guarantee that the organisation of your choice is reliable and well known, with good reviews. The enthusiasm of naive travellers wanting to get stuck into some fun but difficult voluntary work, has resulted in corrupt organisations and so called ‘travel companies’ exploiting this for profit, and ultimately scamming young backpackers. Meanwhile, you could also be contributing to a project that is negatively effecting and exploiting the host community. Therefore delineate which programs are doing wwmore harm than good and which are the most sustainable before participating. Respecting the local culture Good voluntary programmes should provide you with advice on the local culture. Make yourself familiar with
this advice, as well as carrying out additional research on the country you are visiting. For example, when I travelled to Sri Lanka, women were required to cover themselves and dress modestly. If this is the case, please abide by their cultural norms. Not only will you be showing a sign of respect, but it will also contribute towards your safety.
Corrupt organisations and so called 'travel companies' are exploiting enthusiasm for profit
Vaccination requirements As voluntary work often requires working with animals or children etc. or in unsanitary environments, additional vaccinations are required. However, vaccinations are dependent on where you are travelling to, the type of voluntary work 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 requirements. Travel insurance Some voluntary work may not be covered in standard insurance policies, so read the fine print, and purchase a policy guaranteed to cover the type of work you are partaking in. For example, as I was working with elephants, I was required to purchase a higher coverage due to the potential risks involved with working with large animals. For a comprehensive guide to travel head to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) site. Visas More often than not volunteers will only require tourist visas. However, since visa requirements are susceptible to change, I strongly recommend checking the appropriate governments visa requirements, as well as with the volunteering organisation of your choice, to determine what applies to you. It will be your responsibility to arrange a visa. Also, the FCO lists 225 countries and territories on its site, where you can find out about everything from visa requirements to local laws and customs in your chosen destination.
the courier
21
travel life & style
Monday 27 May 2019
From Beamish to Blackpool: stay at home getaways
Editor of the Courier Louise Hall tells us her five best travel options if your budget isn't allowing you to venture too far in 2019
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inishing a university degree can often leave you in a less than ideal financial situation. After spending a couple of years deep in your overdraft the prospect of booking an expensive holiday aboard with all the trimmings can seem like an impossible concept. But fear not, there are lots of great ways to leave the stressful world of university behind without breaking the bank by staying in the lovely country many of us call home. And let's face it, with Brexit on the horizon we all might have to start enjoying home comforts a lot more in the months to come. So whether you’re looking to cut down your air miles to help save the environment, or simply can’t afford to go on a gap yah backpacking with elephants in Thailand; here are some of the best ways to enjoy your summer right here on our rainy English soil: The Lake District The Lake District is the perfect place to get away from the stress of university during the summer. A group of four upwards can book a cottage in the Lake District for three nights anywhere from £50 to £100 per person. There’s honestly nothing more fun than getting a group of your mates together and pissing off somewhere for a few nights to drink cheap alcohol and chat rubbish in a cottage of your own making. It’s a great way to see off those who you might be saying
goodbye to for a while post Uni and there’s actually loads of other fun stuff to do in the Lake District besides drink: go for a dip in the ocean, book a kayaking trip, each fish and chips - the list is endless.
The only place you can buy a piece of rock with the word pervert running through it
BBQs on the beach For the even thriftier among us there’s always the classic trip to Tynemouth with a day saver and a crate of Carlsberg in hand. On the sunniest of days it can honestly feel as though you are abroad, and for those with flaky and unreliable friends a trip to Tynemouth takes minimal planning. The Forbidden Corner One of the weirder options for a stay at home getaway, The Forbidden Corner is an attraction in North Yorkshire that is in some ways quite difficult to describe. The park is a labyrinth of hidden tunnels, cool statues, puzzles and chambers: allowing you to escape reality for a world of
make-believe for the afternoon. I reckon this would be a great alcohol-free afternoon and something different to a normal day out in the countryside. Beamish Bitches Instead of travelling abroad you can travel back through time at Beamish, only a half an hour away from Newcastle city centre, this is another fun day out option that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. Even if you’re not a big lover of history it’s always fun to act childish in museums no matter what anyone says. Walking round pointing at plagueridden mannequins telling your friend ‘that’s you’ brings a certain sense of childish joy. Blackpool Honestly one of the cheapest, tackiest and most fun options on this list. There’s no cheap getaway like a Blackpool getaway, and no other place that you can buy a piece of rock with the word pervert running through it. If you book a cheap hotel and go with the attitude of embracing the shittiness of it all Blackpool can seriously be one of the funniest budget destinations. While it is no destination for the fainthearted or the snobbiest among us it’s the perfect place for those who love a good old fashioned cheap pint and the thrill of spending five pounds on two pences to win a ten pence keyring. Take it with a pinch of salt and you’ll actually have a fab weekend.
Images: Louise Hall
Final farewell: your editors' ultimate list of travel tips
After extensive travel experiences, Amanda, Amy, Jenny & Bianca reveal their best advice for epic and worry-free adventures
North Pier, Blackpool
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o celebrate the final issue of the 2018-2019 academic year, as well as the start of the summer holidays, we have decided to write up a collection of our quintessential travel tips. We hope you have enjoyed reading the travel section just as much as we have enjoyed producing it!
Amy Harris
When travelling somewhere new an obvious thing to do is to explore the area and note what is around you and your accommodation such as the supermarkets, restaurants and tourist information. But make sure to note where the local pharmacy is, so if a minor emergency occurs or you suddenly fall ill you’ll know where to go for plasters, prescriptions and a pharmacists advice. There have been numerous times when I’ve been on holiday and I’ve had an allergic reaction to something and needed to go to the pharmacy to speak to the pharmacist. If you can’t find the pharmacy, then ask your accomodation where the closest one is as they’ll be more than helpful. Secondly, also make note of where the local doctors’ surgery is. In some countries they will have English-speaking doctors at the local medical practices. By knowing where the doctors surgery is it will be a lot easier if suddenly someone falls ill or you have a minor injury that needs checking over by a doctor then you can easily make your way to the doctors. Additionally, always carry a first-aid kit in your luggage or bag. You may never need it, but the time you get a nasty blister on your feet from walking or you trip and cut your knee you’ll be thankful you packed your first-aid kit with you. A lot of drugstores like Boots, Superdrug and Lloyds Pharmacy sell first-aid kits that have all the essentials in for
travelling. But, if you want to make your own then I suggest you put in a lot of different sized plasters in, packets of paracetamol or ibuprofen, antiseptic wipes and eye drops (just in case sand gets in your eyes). There have been so many times I’ve had a nasty blister on the back of my foot or I’ve tripped and cut my knee and haven’t had a first-aid kit with me. It isn’t fun trying to carry on walking with a sore and painful blister on the back of your foot, so you’ll be thanking yourself for putting in a few plasters just incase. Finally, make sure to carry your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you if you are travelling in Europe. By taking an EHIC card with you you’ll be able to get access to state healthcare and medical treatments at a reduced cost or even for free. Hence, if you need any emergency medical treatment such as stitches or anything like a vaccination you’ll be covered. My final tip as an accident prone traveller is to be careful. Don’t be doing things that are likely to get you hurt and make sure to check the ingredients of products you are using, because allergic reactions mixed with humidity and the sun is not ideal.
Amanda Goh
I have done my fair share of travelling with many different people and let me tell you, it takes travelling to a whole new level. Some people may think that travelling as friends may lead to a lot of problems: fighting about where to go, finding places for accommodation, and so on. Trust me, I’ve seen it all. But here is how to make travelling with friends the best trip you could ever have. First and foremost, you need a plan. No matter what your friends tell you about how they are going to “wing
it” when they get there, it never works. Before your trip, plan to meet and list a few places where you want to go. After consolidating the various ideas, it will help you plan somewhat of an itinerary. An itinerary doesn’t need to be fixed; it could just be a brief list of things to do on the trip. And if there is ever a case of a split in the group (half wanting to only go to one place and the other half another) don’t be afraid to split up – trust me it is more fun when we do what we want to instead of being dragged.
We hope you have enjoyed reading the travel section just as much as we have enjoyed producing it!
Accommodation is a hassle, especially when you are travelling in a big group. AirBnbs are great and cheap, and do accommodate many people. Just make sure that the number of beds and toilets are satisfying! (ten people sharing two toilets = not fun) Don’t be afraid to speak up! If you don’t like where you are going or what you are eating, tell someone. You wouldn’t want your trip to be filled doing things that you don’t want to do. Lastly, just have fun! The point of the trip is to travel and have fun with your friends. You will be able to make so many great memories throughout your trip. If you have never travelled with your friends before I would recommend giving it a shot! It doesn’t need to be
far or expensive and I promise you that it will be an experience you will never forget.
Bianca Ionici
This serves as a reminder to myself just as much as to anyone reading this - a portable charger is a definite lifesaver, no matter where you are in your travels. I can't count the amount of times I've desperately searched for a power socket in a foreign train station or aiport to no avail. It's even more frustrating when you can't remember the name of the hostel or museum you were meant to go to, or tour you were supposed to be on, and you have zero idea about how to make your way there. Of course, part of the adventure is having your phone die on you and then mustering up the courage to ask the friendliest-seeming local to help you out. But in this day and age, a fully-charged phone will put your mind at ease - especially if you're feeling more vulnerable as a female and/or solo traveller. And besides the safety aspect, documenting your travel antics is a must-do! Haters will say that you will never look back on the blurry pictures and videos you took, but I vehemently disagree. I often find myself looking through my digitalised memories from months or even years past.
Jenny Franken
Travelling has taught me that there is always a solution to a problem. When I went to Vietnam in my Gap-Year, our hostel was flooded without having any stored water or food, I had food poisoning and showed an allergic reaction to a drug against nausea. I thought I wouldn't make it back home- but I did and the hospital was a lot better than expected. So, don't forget- it is a challenge! But once you have mastered it, it makes your best story, trust me!
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feature
Who’s who? We’ve mashed up some celebrity bodies - can you tell us who makes up each person?
1. Head: Torso: Legs:
Monday 27 May 2019
Interim Features Dictator Rhianna Feature Underlord Ally Wilson
2. Head: Torso: Legs:
FinishtheSummery song lyric....
4. Head: Torso: Legs:
“In the summertime, when the weather is ____?” Song: Artist:
3. Head: Torso: Legs:
“I got my first real ___ ______?” Song: Artist: “Everytime I go for the _______, gotta hold myself down” Song: Artist: “Take me away, a secret place, a _____ ______, take me away.” Song: Artist: “If we took a holiday, took some time to _________?” Song: Artist:
Images: Wikimedia Commons, Flickr
Sudoku Yo
Logo Quiz
1.
4.
Images: Wikimedia Commons, Flickr & Instagram
“Woah! We’re gonna have a party, Woah! In the ____________ sea.” Song: Artist: Which famous brands do these logos come from?
3.
5.
2.
6.
the courier
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feature
Monday 27 May 2019
The ultimate Newcastle University General Knowledge Crossword
Think you know your stuff about all things northern and Newcastle Uni? In this final feature of the year Ally Wilson puts your trivia to the test with this bumper crossword about the year’s Courier news and facts about Newcastle
3. What famous drink can you get three of for around £5 in Soho, Bijoux and Mono? (6) 5. Which famous Bigg Market curry house stays open until the early hours? (3-1-4) 8. Newcastle University’s Rowing Club’s oars are decorated with what? (5) 10. Which marine animal are there two of on Newcastle United’s crest? (8) 15. Which ‘Roxanne’ singer hails from the North East? (5) 16. Who is the next Editor of the Courier? (5, 4) 18. What is Newcastle’s favourite place to play pool and snooker? (8) 19. Whose monument is in the centre of the city? (4) 21. Which Japanese fast-food outlet opened in the SU this year? (5)
23. Who is the president of NUSU? (4, 7) 25. ____ Calvert, what used to be Newcastle and Northumbria’s varsity equivalent? (4) 26. Which expert tea-makers can be found just off campus? (9) 28. Where does sports’ night end in Newcastle? (5, 5) 29. the Millenium Bridge is otherwise known as ‘The Blinking ___’? (3) 32. The BALTIC is a centre for what kind of art? (12) 33. Who visited the Urban Sciences Building in November? (4.1.2) 36. Which European capital does Newcastle share its latitude with? (10) 38. What Game of Thrones characters is played by Maisie Williams, who visited Newcastle University in February? (4, 5) 39. What colour is Newcastle’s ale? (5) 41. What is the name of Newcastle University’s on-campus art gallery? (6) 43. What is the main governmental and ceremonial centre for Newcastle? (5, 6) 44. Anthony _______, designed both The Angel of the North and the infamous ‘Clasp’ on campus? (7)
45. True or False: The windscreen-wiper was invented by a Newcastle fan on his drive back from a match. (4)(Only realised after making this that this clue is pointless. Only one of these words is four letters long. Ah well) 46. Which saint’s church is opposite King’s Gate? (6) 47. Which bird dwelling is the acronym for North East Solidarity Teaching? (4) DOWN
1. Tyne & ____: the county Newcastle is in? (4) 2. Newcastle’s rugby team are called the Newcastle _______? (7) 4. Whose wall lies to the north of Newcastle? (7) 6. In which building on the campus would you find Maths and Physics? (8) 7. GIAG stands for what? (4, 2, 1, 2) 9. What is the newest student accommodation at Newcastle University? (4, 4) 11. Which square is the main shopping centre in Newcastle? (5) 12. What is NUSU’s student bar called? (7) 13. Newcastle University’s American Football team are called the Newcastle _______? (7) 14. Which famous yule-tide cartoon was the theme of Fenwicks Christmas window in 2018? (3, 7) 17. Which room in NUSU have The Courier writers’ meetings been held every Wednesday this year? (8) 19. What does the G stand for in RAG? (6) 20. Which accommodation did Princess Eugenie live in when she attended Newcastle University? (6, 6) 21. It was reported in The Courier that Newcastle University makes £30k each year from students replacing what? (5, 5) 22. Nigel Farage had what thrown at him in Newcastle city centre last Monday? (9) 24. How many pages in total was The Courier Christmas edition? (5-3) 25. Which bar in Jesmond has the famous ‘button’ on special days, offering discounted and even free drinks? (3, 3) 27. What kind of products were made freely available in all University buildings as of this month? (8) 30. What stage is Newcastle University’s on-campus theatre? (8) 31. Which queen opened Central Station? (8) 34. How many metro stations are there? (5) 35. What is the name of the dog you can borrow from the SU? (6) 37. What percentage of students voted in the NUS referendum in December? (4) 40. How many part-time officers have there been in 2018/19 academic year? (4) 42. Which river runs through Newcastle? (4)
Word ladders
Changing only one letter each step, can you complete the ladder? BEAN
MOAT
RATE
CODE
Who’s Who? Answers: Person 1: Head - Demi Lovato, Torso - Donald Trump, Legs - Tinky Winky Person 2: Head - Camilla ParkerBowles, Torso - Dwayne Johnson, Legs - Taylor Swift Person 3: Head - Rupert Grint, Torso - Theresa May, Legs - Mo Farah Person 4: Head - Rowan Atkinson, Torso Katie Price, Legs - Roger Federer Word Ladder Answers: Bean - Beat - Seat - Meat- Moat, Rate - Rave - Cave - Cove - Code Logo Quiz: Mini, Twirl, Jack Wills, Irn Bru, Innocent Smoothies, Taco Bell Summer Lyrics: “Fine”- ‘In The Summertime’ Mungo Jerry, “Six-string”, ‘Summer of ‘69’ - Bryan Adams, “mailbox” ‘Walking on Sunshine’ - Katrina & The Waves, “Sweet Escape”, ‘Pocket Full of Sunshine’ - Natasha Bedingfield, “Celebrate”, ‘Holiday’ - Madonna, “Mediterranean”, ‘We’re Going to Ibiza’ - Vengaboys Crossword answers on Puzzles page
ACROSS
24
culture music Editors’ Thoughts
Image: Pixabay
Rounding-up this year’s highs and lows of the music section
I
wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I signed up to be a Music Editor, all I knew was that I loved the paper and wanted to get more involved. This year has been a steep learning curve, from learning how to cut out watermelons on Photoshop to tearing my hair out at the ugly creation I’d spent an hour labouriously editing. I’ve learned a lot this year, and had great times in the office piecing together our page, attending festivals on a press pass that made me feel far too important, and drinking far too much wine at the Media Awards. There’s been moments of great pride when I was praised for my Hit The North layup and our section being shortlisted for Section of the Year (yes, I nominated us but it still counts). For anyone hoping to become a Music Editor next year, here’s my top tips: organise the gig reviews EARLY and fairly share the responsibility of checking the email and contacting press contacts, it will drive you mad otherwise. You may find people are far more interested in free gigs than writing a column for you, but you will find gems of writers who will save you more than once. Most of all, have fun and good luck mastering Photoshop! Charlotte Boulton
E
diting the music section has been a rollercoaster of stress and panic, but has also given me some of my fondest uni memories. The music section is unequivocally, without question, hands down the best section on the newspaper, so the pressure was really on from the start. When I look back at my time at The Courier, I am reminded of the countless times we managed to start with a layup that looked terrible and then miraculously, and with the very kind help of the Senior Eds, produce something we were proud of by the end. The following is a list of advice for anyone who thinks they want to apply for the role: 1. Make sure you can tolerate excessive amounts of alcohol. You might think you can, but free wine by the bottle at the Media Awards will leave you reeling if you aren’t prepared. 2. Work as a team. The people on your section become your life-blood and without them the whole thing will fail. For me, working with Rory, Charlotte and Dom has been an honour and I will always stay in touch with them. 3. If you really want to apply for next year, my only real advice would be to just do it. It will be a challenging job at times, but I guarantee that you will fall in love with it. Max Hobbs
B
eing a music editor this year has allowed me to gain a knowledge of Ariana Grande that I had not quite anticipated and yet somehow there is still so much improvement to be made on my photoshoppings of her ponytail. While I can’t say every article we run has emblazoned my interest, I have enjoyed reading everyone’s reviews through the year immensely. Not all of them I have agreed with, but there is always something to be gained in someone’s opposing and equal interpretation of an artist’s work. Those who have visited venues with a disinterested plus one, or by themselves, have done a great job and it’s been really interesting reading to get a sense of the bands I haven’t seen and the venues I wanted to visit but didn’t quite manage to. Thanks to those who written a banging feature and approached music news with originality, humour and a thoughtful critical edge, they have been a pleasure to read. A huge thank you to Charlotte for holding the organisation of the music section together. I have had a great time editing with Max, Dominic and Taylor (if only briefly), you’ve done a smashing job. Rory Ellis
I
’ve only been a music editor for about half the year, but it’s been an amazing experience. One of the most exciting things about becoming an editor is you get to help decide what goes in the Courier. Whether there’s a band you love that no one else knows about or some shocking news in the music industry, you can make sure that people are reading about it. As online editor I make sure our pages are updated on the website regularly and that our writers get articles online. There’s also an amazing social aspect to getting involved as an editor. You get to be a part of an amazing student media team and make some great friends along the way. I hope everyone reading this has a great summer and sees some great music ready to tell us about in September. One band I’m keeping my eye on over the summer is Cassia, who recently released their debut album Replica which is one of the best records I’ve heard all year. Thanks to everyone who picks up the Courier and reads our page each week! Dominic Lee
the courier
c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Charlotte Boulton, Rory Ellis, Max Hobbs Online Editor Dominic Lee
Monday 27 May 2019
Bangers for bangin’ out assessments
The Courier Music writers share the songs that help them get through the stress of exam season Toby Bryant
‘Hotel Sayre’ - Craig Armstrong
A
s a big music fan, I’m guilty of just listening to my favourite tracks while working and getting incredibly distracted while doing so. A lot of people buy into the idea that music without lyrics is the best for revising and, whilst I do usually ignore that idea, it is a rule I obey when particularly under the cosh. Movie soundtracks are usually gold for chilled, lyric-less revision ‘bangers’. I usually turn to Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 The Great Gatsby for that and, pressed to pick one track, it would be ‘Hotel Sayre’ - although you’re onto a winner by shuffling the whole score (which is available on Spotify). Featuring in the film as the camera pans over the bay between West and East Egg, showing the Gatsby and Buchannan mansions in all their grandeur, it’s a soaring orchestral offering that will carry you to a 1st in your dissertation. Featuring brief clips of Lana Del Rey’s vocals from ‘Young and Beautiful’ to ensure you don’t drift off, it’s the perfect blend for revision bop gold.
‘Rosie’ - Passenger
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hen sitting in the top floor of the Students’ Union, wondering why I am putting myself through this pain of essay writing and deadlines, a relaxing song is exactly what I need to motivate myself to carry on with my work. For me, the song that I turn to is ‘Rosie’ by Passenger. It is a very soothing piece, and the lyrics are very appropriate to stressed out students. The song is about a guardian or parent telling their daughter, Rosie, that they will keep her safe. From this, the main message is that she has to go out into the world and change it for the better, by searching for its beauty. If there is any song appropriate enough for a university student, who has come to university to try and change their futures, then surely this is it? For some of us, this better future may be the upcoming summer that is going to be full of drinking and parties, holidays and time with family and friends from home, but whatever it is, the hope that this song gives me is why I love it so much.
Jess Taylor Weisser
‘Aquarius’- Boards of America
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Isabel Sykes
Sophie Wilson
Carys Thomas
‘Juice’ - Lizzo
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oards of Canada has been a calming presence in my uni life since hearing them on a YouTube study mix in second year, after a half-decade of friends, ex-friends and music recommendation algorithms imploring that I give them a shot. I have to thank the duo not only for making some damn good music, but for helping me to quell the barrage of anxiety that is assessment season. ‘Aquarius’, like much of Music Has the Right to Children (1998), is a track made warm by nostalgia, though it doesn’t require you to have been there to get the full effect. Samples from old children’s TV shows meet analogue synth pads that make you feel like you’re in space – yet the intricate layering of beats and slap bass (taken from the track of the same name, from the musical Hair) keeps you grounded on Earth. It’s complex enough to keep you from falling asleep, with some gorgeous chord changes, while also being ambient enough to prevent distractions. My only regret is having to associate ‘Aquarius’ – and, by extension, Boards of Canada’s full discography – with long trawls through the MLA Bibliography and not just a nice chilled time.
omehow the gods colluded to have Lizzo release her latest album Cuz I Love You at the perfect moment to coincide with the final few weeks of me helplessly crawling my way over the horrifying finish line of this god forsaken degree. Do I work better when listening to music? Absolutely not. The words on the screen and words in my ears get confused and I find myself writing something stupid about how Žižek thinks that capitalism is ‘Good As Hell’. Cuz I Love You makes me feel like I can change the fucking world. Will I get a 1st? Absolutely not? But will that prevent me from becoming queen of the world? Absolutely not. In this trying time of essay hell I may find it hard to love and appreciate myself properly, but as long as Lizzo is blasting out ‘Truth Hurts’ in my ears I am reminded that I am a bad bitch and academia doesn’t matter as long as I have ‘Juice’.
ustin Bieber recently faced criticism for referring to Chris Brown’s assault conviction as ‘a mistake’, and claiming it has led people to ‘overlook’ his talents. For context, it seems that Bieber is referring to the infamous incident in 2009, when Brown was convicted of assaulting his then-girlfriend Rihanna. Rihanna’s injuries were so severe that they required hospital treatment, and she was forced to cancel her performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards. Since the incident, numer-
ous artists have refused to work with Brown. However, Bieber appears to have few reservations about working with Brown, having done so since 2009.
‘The Less I Know the Better’ - Tame Impala
I
don’t know why it works; it just does. The past few weeks I have been confined to the Robbo and this piece of certified genius is the only thing that can wake me up at 9am when I settle into collab for the day. It has everything you need from a revision song: it’s got a strong start to set you off writing, a good beat so you don’t get bored, and a chorus that is catchy enough to keep you in the zone but not so catchy that you lose your mind before the end. I have ruined many a song by listening to it on repeat until my ears bleed and nothing, but nothing, can ruin this song for me. I have listened to it happy: at pres, walking to uni, relaxing on a sunny day, and I have listened to it sad: crying over an unwritten essay, dragging myself home after a soul-shattering day in silent study, and it absolutely bangs every time no matter the mood I’m in. In the depths of diss writing over Easter I was utterly convinced that this song was the only thing preventing my descent into spiralling insanity. Long live this eternal banger, and may it save your revision too.
Image: instagram, @lizzobeeating
Bieber calls Brown’s past a ‘mistake’ Em Richardson discusses Bieber’s criticised comment about the violent nature of Chris Brown J
Image: Flickr
Brown is still releasing successful music
Bieber’s comments have been criticised for trivialising a serious act of domestic violence, and many have questioned whether he should ever have expressed his opinion on Brown’s past. Bieber’s opinion has been considered especially controversial because many of his fans are impressionable, young teens. It seems the comments were intended to defend Brown in the wake of his latest scandal, in which he faced criticism for directing an offensive rant at indie band CHVRCHES, after they criticised a former collaborator for their decision to work with the ‘abusive’ Brown. Given this scandal had nothing to do with Bieber, other than the fact he has also worked with Brown in the past, and perhaps felt the need to defend this decision, his decision to speak out in Brown’s favour seems illadvised. It seems to dismiss the ferocious assault on Rihanna as a minor incident, and trivialises domestic violence in front of Bieber’s army of teen fans. Bieber’s decision seems even more ill-advised when one consid-
ers Brown’s lack of remorse over the incident. Whilst he did once say that the incident made him feel like a ‘monster’, he has also gloated that winning a Grammy means he is now ‘untouchable’, and seemed to blame Rihanna for the assault, alleging that it was in response to her jealousy over another woman. Despite this, Brown is still releasing commercially successful music. In this climate of ‘cancel culture’, when celebrities can see their entire career ended by a single mistake, one has to wonder why Brown’s fans, including Bieber, continue to support his career.
the courier
25
Monday 27 May 2019
@CourierMusic thecourieronline.co.uk/music
Interpol A Fine Mess
F
resh off the release of last year’s Marauder, New York Post-Punk pioneers Interpol have returned with the 5 track EP A Fine Mess - and in places this is an apt description. Comprised of off-cuts from their recording sessions with producer David Fridmann, most of the tracks on the near 20-minute EP have the raw and distorted production that permeated the last album, an artistic change that I was never a fan of. It’s not to say that it’s all bad, as the title track is a perfect microcosm of the skittish and frantic rhythm section the band are renown for. Here the severely underrated Sam Fogarino delivers some blistering drum work, supported with the best bassline to grace an Interpol song since the departure of Carlos D in 2010.
The hill I will die on is proclaiming Interpol are a better band than The Strokes
Afterwards, A Fine Mess’ tracklist continues into a very standard Interpol affair. You’d hope that with the shorter format of an EP that the band would be more inclined to experiment with their sound, but there’s a disappointing lack of this on the record outside of the synthy breakdown
Tyler the Creator IGOR
“D
on’t go into this expecting a rap album” stated Tyler on his Instagram a few hours before his fifth record IGOR was released. IGOR feels like the perfect follow up to Tyler’s 2017 album Flower Boy. Although it feels like Tyler’s personality does not shine through as strongly on this album, the excellent features and absolutely outstanding production quality define IGOR as arguably his best work yet. Kali Uchis offers a vocal accompaniment on the records first track ‘IGOR’S THEME’. This song introduces the album perfectly. It shows how Tyler has evolved and adapted his production technique from Flower Boy and has developed a grittier yet still soothing sound. Track number two ‘EARFQUAKE’ is hardly recognisable as a Tyler track. His singing voice is barely distinguishable as his. This again shows Tyler’s growth as he can take a back seat of sorts and watch over his track. “I think I’ve fallen in love, this time I think it’s for real” is the incredibly catchy hook on ‘I THINK’. This song also features an incredible switch up in the beat before returning to the songs hook once again. On this track the main theme of the album makes itself known. Love. A key motive running through all of Tyler’s back catalogue, but on this album, he places it in the foreground. It can be argued that IGOR is an album focused around a breakup with the final, and really quite moving track ‘ARE WE STILL FRIENDS’ seemingly cementing this idea with lyrics like ‘I don’t want the season to end on a bad episode’ suggesting that Tyler wants to resolve whatever problem caused the breakup ‘RUNNING OUT OF TIME’, featuring Frank Ocean and ‘NEW MAGIC WAND’ featuring A$AP Rocky and Santigold come next on the record. Both tracks benefit heavily from their respective features, but Tyler still manages to remain centrepiece in each of these tracks. ‘WHAT’S GOOD’ seems like a homage to Tyler’s first album Goblin. ‘Turn my lights on. How the f**k you quiet with the mic on? Shouts Tyler at the beginning of the track. It’s something for his older fans who’ve been with him since day one. He perfectly combines his old style with his new and the end result is phenomenal and one of the best tracks on the album. Joe Smith
music culture
Photo: Flickr
of the title track. Songs like No Big Deal (bang on with the name once again) and Thrones easily fall into the mire of mediocre Interpol tracks, a category that is still very small for a band with 6 major releases under their belt. Real Life found itself on setlists during the Turn on the Bright Lights XV tour but was missing on Marauder, so it’s nice to see its studio version finally on A Fine Mess. The structure and jumpy guitar line on this track is very reminiscent of Anticsera Interpol making for a solid mix of the new and old. The production on certain parts of the EP isn’t as abrasive as Marauder was, making songs like The Weekend much less muddier than their album counterparts. Instances like this differentiate A Fine Mess from last years’ Marauder, as some of the tracks are genuinely well produced and sound like they were mixed in a studio - not ripped from a fans’ Instagram story.
Avicii TIM
Overwhelmed by the amount of music festivals coming up? It’s okay, we have you covered!
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At one time Interpol were pioneers of Indie-Rock, emerging from the same scene as The Strokes, The Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, and The White Stripes. I’ve always said that the hill I will die on is proclaiming Interpol to be a better band that all those, and I still stand by that. I just doubt I’d use A Fine Mess as evidence for my case. It’s just more of the same from the boys, and while that’s perfectly fine, something more interesting and fresh couldn’t have hurt.
The National I Am Easy To Find
T
he posthumous album by EDM heavyweight Avicii TIM is set to be released on June 6th. A press release has stated that the Swedish DJ was close to completing it before his passing and that he left a collection of “nearly finished songs along with notes, email conversations and text messages about his music”. The process has been continued by his collaborators in an attempt to match his vision as closely as possible. ‘SOS’
Its aim is to raise awareness of mental illness and suicide
the album’s lead single featuring Aloe Blacc’s vocals, was released on April 10th and has already been remixed by Laidback Luke. Its accompanying video features messages and personal stories that fans left on Avicii.com and has over 32 million views on Youtube at the time of writing. Blacc collaborated with Avicii in 2013 in co-writing ‘Wake Me Up’ a summer anthem that garnered monumental success. Nonprofit Tim Bergling Foundation launched by the DJ’s family in March of this year will receive the proceeds from Tim. Its aim is to raise awareness of mental illness and suicide; the world-renowned DJ died by suicide on April 20th 2018 due to enduring health struggles and the enormous pressures of touring. Bianca Ionici
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Summer Festival Spotlight
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Am Easy To Find in many ways is in step with what The National have done before; its sombre, melancholic and introspective, with a wide instrumental palate and plenty of catchy tunes thrown in. And yet, I Am Easy To Find also finds new ways to progress The National’s formula. Glitchy electronic arrangements scatter across the substantial 16-song tracklist, with songs like the opening ‘You Had Your Soul With You’ warping and splicing guitar lines that dart in back and forth in the mix. Meanwhile, a roster of female guest vocalists offer a pleasing counterpoint to Matt Berninger’s reserved tone as well as provide a refreshing change of pace between sections. These exciting additions however do not subtract from the overarching sadness of the album: “I’m leaving to lie here in the quiet light”, sings Berninger, “while I watch the sky go from black to grey”. However, the album seems to shine most when it steps away from sentimentality and embraces the mood that its added vocalists and ambitious instrumentation demands. Tracks like The Pull of You take the feeling of heartbreak and melancholy and elevate them with fast drum shuffles and distorted guitar, injecting them with energy and pace.
Sombre, melancholic and introspective
Albums that exceed 12-or-so tracks usually fall to the charge of being bloated or long-winded, yet I Am Easy To Find manages to stay relatively consistent throughout. Some tracks may seem like unnecessary padding, like the interlude Underwater, but the majority of what the National offers is strong, even managing to end on stand-out track ‘Light Years’. The National’s latest is an ambitious and, at times, strikingly powerful album. With engaging instrumentals and a new roster of vocalists, there is something here for seasoned and new listeners alike. Max Hobbs
ownload Festival looms: when are goths out in all their glory, soaking up their year’s supply vitamin D – as long as it isn’t bucketing down with torrential rain. There’s cracking acts at this year’s bust-up at Donington Park. Big names like Slayer, Slash, and Slipknot decorate the top of the line-up poster in a pleasing array of sibilance. But if I’m honest, it’s the weeniest of names down at the bottom that get me revved up the most. Starset or Man with a Mission might appeal to the most theatrical of us. One is an intergalactic electronic orchestra, the other are five Japanese wolves throwing out absolute pop-rock jams. Zebrahead bring rap-rock to the Avalanche Stage, Maybe you’d like to catch Hot Milk: they sprang up out of nowhere a few months ago, and have since caught the UK by storm supporting the likes of You Me At Six. The highlight of the weekend for me would be Queen Zee. The queerpunk band put on exceptionally energetic shows, and their debut album which dropped earlier in the year quickly launched itself to the top of my all-time favourite records. Of course, none of these names might spark joy for you, and that’s okay. There’s plenty else going on over this weekend to make sure any rock fan will have the absolute best time of their life. Loz Doyle
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s summer approaches and essay deadlines creep a little closer, many of you will be desperately clinging on to the hope of jumping around in a muddy field at a festival this summer. Festival goers this summer will be spoilt for choice this summer with so many great options to choose fromparticularly with the return of Glasto. But don’t worry! I’m here to help! Y Not festival in Derbyshire’s beautiful Peak District has one of the best line-ups in recent memory, with headliners including Elbow, Two Door Cinema Club and Foalswhose album Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1 already has “album of the year” written all over it in my opinion! That’s just the start of the showstopping acts taking their talents to the Peaks with other notable acts being Mercury Prize winners Wolf Alice, You Me At Six, golden oldies Echo and the Bunnymen and Britpop legends the Happy Mondays. If your tastes are more along the lines of new up-and-coming bands, Y Not has you covered there too with Sea Girls, Cassia, Sports Team and many others gracing the stage. All this plus DJ sets, Comedians and an outdoor cinema means a weekend of good times. So why not head to Y Not? Dominic Lee
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n recent years Reading and Leeds Festival has come under fire for predictable, boring headliners. This year, they bring Foo Fighters, The 1975 and Post Malone and twentyonepilots as dual headliners – a step in the right direction, I’d say. Leeds’ Friday night takes a slightly heavier rock turn with Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes and A Day To Remember taking the main stage before Foo Fighters headline. Saturday sees The Wombats and Hayley Kiyoko take the head on the indie-pop genre, followed by The 1975’s first Leeds headline set. Closing the weekend sees Blossoms, Anderson. Paak and AJ Tracey providing an interesting main stage line up. Obviously, there’s tons more acts so check out the website for more! Charlotte Boulton
/The CourierMusic @Courier_Music
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culture TV
the courier
c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors: Jacob Clarke, Tom Cooney, Chloe Mullins Online Editor: Dominic Lee
TV Time Travel Image: monkeywing (Flickr)
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henever you proclaim your love for Doctor Who, people will often conjure up images of a young, witty and romantic hero that travels across the skies saving lives and looking good doing it. However, my nostalgia for the show is rooted in the classics but, as much as I love Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee, I always find myself going back to the beginning. The show began with an old, grouchy man played by William Hartnell. This stubborn, almost childish character was found by his granddaughter Susan’s two schoolteachers in a Junkyard. The Doctor, in an act that defies the persona of hero that many love him for today, kidnapped her teachers, Ian and Barbara. Following this attempt at keeping his technology a secret, he embarked on a series of adventures in space and time.
Image: YouTube Whilst this sounds like an incredible clash against what many know the Doctor as today, it is what began his fiftyyear arc which I’m sure those who worked on it back in the 60s never could’ve predicted. It was Ian and Barbara that built the foundation for who he would become – a great person who would stop at nothing to save everybody they possibly could. Ian teaches science and Barbara history, which was not coincidental or random. This was carefully designed so that for stories that delve into more sci-fi territory, Ian could provide his knowledge whilst, when traversing the past, Barbara could provide her own. This means that the companions serve a core purpose whilst also being wonderfully written and impressively complex.
Seeing the Doctor interact with people at a base level with no alien threat meant that we got more character oriented stories The show’s beginnings had a healthy mix of sci-fi and history with stories that explored the Aztecs, the Daleks, Marco Polo and Marinus with his five keys located in five brilliant alien cultures. Doctor Who’s beginnings were, as Christopher Eccleston’s 9th incarnation would put it, fantastic. What I truly miss from Hartnell’s era is this balance that the show struck. Seeing the Doctor interact with people and culture at a base level with no alien threat meant that we got more character-orientated stories, such as Marco Polo’s, which was literally just about a man trying to sell a blue box to earn his freedom. With the Aztecs, Barbara was seen as a Goddess and tried to keep up the charade. Their travels weren’t always about saving the world and stopping ultimate doom which, in an age of superheroes, is getting tiring. For people who love the show now, the original series will be incredibly difficult to get into. It’s black and white, it’s unfamiliar, the titular character is wholly different. However, for those who love the show, this should be an incredibly intriguing watch as it shows what used to be, truly shining a light on how far he has come in a way the new show never could pull off. The first doctor is nothing like Moffat’s depiction in the Christmas special – he is complex, compassionate, clever and respectful. James Troughton
Monday 27th May 2019
Danny Baker fired over royal racism Charlotte Boulton reports on the 5 Live presenter's offensive tweet and subsequent sacking T he new royal baby had been born barely a day before experiencing racism broadcast to thousands on Twitter. Danny Baker, a British comedy writer and radio DJ, posted a tweet captioned “Royal Baby leaves hospital” which was referring to a photograph of a chimpanzee dressed in clothes holding hands between two people. The tweet was a response to the announcement of the birth of Prince Archie, the first son of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle (now Duchess of Sussex before any royal buffs correct me). Meghan is mixed race, with an AfricanAmerican mother and Caucasian father, and has been subject to awful instances of racism since the announcement of her relationship with Harry. Now her son has been the victim of racism already, with Baker’s comments being punished by the BBC firing him from his BBC 5 Live radio show. Danny Baker’s tweet was blatantly racist, inappropriate and absolutely deserving of being fired.
Baker's weak reasoning that it was "genuine, naive and catastophic mistake" seems hollow If anyone is not aware why this tweet was racist, and why Baker’s punishment was more than fair, let’s go through it. Monkeys and apes have been used as racist symbols of black people for centuries, dehumanising them based on the colour of their skin and associating them with violence and disease. This ideology has existed since the Middle Ages, making Baker’s weak reasoning that it was a “genuine, naïve and catastrophic mistake” seem hollow. These horrific and overtly racist ideologies and comparisons have not gone away, and it’s clear that anyone with any sense would recognise the message the shared photograph was saying. A mixed-race baby was represented as a chimpanzee in clothing, walking between two people who were then constructed as parent figures
through Baker’s written caption. Associating any person with Black heritage as a monkey is so, so clearly racist and wrong, it’s actually mind-boggling that Baker didn’t realise what he’d posted. What has been frustrating to watch is Baker’s response to people calling him out on the tweet. He claimed he had forgotten that Archie was mixed-race, which is astounding. I’m by no means a royalist, but there’s no way anyone living in Britain could not have any clue that a royal baby was coming, and that they were obviously going to be mixed race. Because that’s how genetics work. Baker did apologise for his “stupid unthinking gag pic” and acknowledged the racist connotations of his post – fair enough. However, I can’t help but feel he undermined the apology by repeatedly saying how it wasn’t his intention and that the BBC “took a tone that said I actually meant that ridiculous tweet”. When you get called out for racism, especially if it’s by BAME people who know first-hand exactly what constitutes racism, you apologise and learn from it. Intentions don’t really matter in this situation. Sure, the royal baby has no idea what’s happened, but undoubtedly Meghan, Harry and the millions of BAME people who have been subjected to similar racist commentary do. Dismissing your comments because they weren’t meant to sound racist doesn’t make them any less racist. Baker’s firing was fair and a very appropriate response to the outrage caused by his tweet; I hope he learns from this and educates himself…but judging by the fact he’s already making jokes about ‘breaking the internet’, I’m not too sure.
The Jeremy Kyle show cancelled... at last Sophie Hicks discuses the cancellation of ITV's divisive show
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he most controversial British daytime TV staple has been cancelled: The Jeremy Kyle Show. After the suspected suicide of a participant, ITV has cancelled the show. I admit, I have a mixed view of the show. As many other people, I watched The Jeremy Kyle Show when nothing else was on daytime TV. Although I can’t deny that it was entertaining, it was a terrible show. In terms of human rights, it was exploitive and mocked people because of their working-class backgrounds and circumstances that society disapproves of. Instead of giving worthwhile help such as job opportunities, the show mocked them and their situations to create entertainment for the public, to make people who watch it feel better about their own lives. Frankly, that is disgusting. The participants signed up to the show to better their lives, but in many ways, it probably made it worse for the people on the show because I doubt employers would want to hire them after seeing them argue on national TV. It became a beacon for elitists to use the working-class as scapegoats, using examples of people who exploited the benefits system for reason in favour to remove funding for everyone, even those who genuinely need it. ITV were probably looking for a way to cancel it for a while, but with ratings so high, there was little reason to do so. Until now, when a participant has suspected ended their own
life after the breakdown of his relationship following a liedetector test failure. I support the decision to cancel the show because it was exploitative, but at the same time, it isn’t the only show to do so. If we treat The Jeremy Kyle Show in this light, then many other shows need to be cancelled too; The Jeremy Kyle Show is only the tip of the iceberg. It took one suicide to cancel The Jeremy Kyle Show, but Love Island has had two tragic suicides, yet has been renewed for a fifth season. Surely shows like Love Island are just as damaging to people’s mental health and need to be cancelled too? But if it isn’t the mental health, and a larger focus on exploiting people, then why are shows like Benefit Street still running? I just find it hypocritical to cancel The Jeremy Kyle Show when there are so many other more popular socially acceptable shows that are equally mentally damaging to participants. So yes, cancelling The Jeremy Kyle Show is a good start to stop exploiting people on national TV. It took a suicide for ITV to pull the plug, after realising that the show’s outcome continues to haunt participants after filming. But if we treat Jeremy Kyle like this, then it’s only fair to treat other shows in the same manner, especially those with even bigger platforms. At the very least, there needs to be new regulations for after-support after being on these types of shows.
Image: YouTube
Black Mirror
Carys Rose Thomas explores the first glimpse of season five
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ell done. You finally put Andrew Scott in Black Mirror. Following his recent renown as ‘the sexy priest’ in Fleabag, the first headon shot of said sexy priest’s holy face left me incredibly excited as to what series five of Black Mirror has to offer. Apart from 'USS Callister', I have to admit that series four of Black Mirror let me down a bit, which admittedly wasn't surprising following series three: an equal disappointment. I don’t know if Charlie Brooker has just run out of good ideas, or if it has had something to do with the shift from cynical British gem Channel 4 to a more americanised Netflix version of the show, but Black Mirror has become a less and less captivating show as the seasons have gone on. And this series really does look like the icing on top of the shite suicide mission Black Mirror has sent itself on. Imagine my excitement seeing Andrew Scott, had finally made the cut, only to be overcome with the overwhelming disappointment that he appears to be playing some boring basic anti-mobile phone character. I mean honestly. Hasn’t that outdated trope been done to death a bit? It was also interesting that as far as the trailer seems to suggest, a show which was once the absolute gem of British drama has been overrun with americanisms and cinematic tropes. Not to say we need to ‘keep British shows British’ or anything like that, but part of what made Black Mirror so fantastic was its bleak, distinctly British cynicism. The intellectually pessimistic mind of Charlie Brooker was so tangible from episode to episode, something which the show appears to have drastically lost.
June 5
Image: YouTube
The premiere date for the show's fifth season on Netlfix
The deep ambient music, the sweeping cinematic shots, Miley fucking Cyrus - everything about the show feels horrifically cinematic. It’s like Marvel and Charlie Brooker bumped heads and produced this confused, underwhelming show that looks like it has lost its sense of its roots. Maybe the actual show will prove me wrong, maybe Andrew Scott will be an even better angry phone man than he is sexy priest, but as far as this trailer goes? I for one am not convinced.
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Monday 27th May 2019
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TV culture
No News For You: episode cut from air
Joe Holloran gives his opinion on the BBC's decision to cancel an episode of Have I Got News For You for its political impartiality
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n Friday 10 May, the BBC made the controversial decision to take that night’s episode of satirical panel show Have I Got News For You off the air, minutes before it was due to be broadcast on BBC One. Viewers hoping to hear regulars Ian Hislop of Private Eye and veteran comedian Paul Merton take the week’s current affairs to task were instead greeted with a repeat of an old Would I Lie to You? Why did the BBC pull one of its most prized comic programmes and audience grabbers on such short notice? The answer – political impartiality. That old crutch which has been used to bash the Beeb for decades.
The reason such as fuss has been kicked-up about this is because it affects the BBC, an institution always accused of political bias In this instance the controversy revolved around the appearance of Change UK leader Heidi Allen. As the UK will now take part in European Parliamentary elections on 23 May, all politicians featured or even mentioned on British television must be given ‘equal screen time’ with all the others. Because there were no other politicians on the show with Ms. Allen, the BBC decided to pull the show rather than face the wrath of the press and the culture
Reviews Years and Years Available on BBC One
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nother dystopian drama on the BBC… wow, original. Although we may now be getting tired of hearing some of the same, predictable plots of dramas that attempt to show us what our nightmarish future will look like, Years after Years has managed to show us this in an utterly chaotic and yet also thrilling episode. The wildly fast paced TV show is unlike others purely because of how many things it tries to warn us against. Nuclear disasters are in there, with the war between America and China catching Britain in the middle. Robots also make an appearance, with the horrifying revelation that men can pleasure themselves with a robot, and that they deem it normal when they are not having interaction with another living human. Politicians, you guessed it, also make an appearance with how dangerously they can change the world. Emma Thompson plays a newly rising politician, whose response to the ‘IsraelPalestine conflict’ presented in the show is that she does not “give a f***”. Does this incompetency of politicians remind us of anything? Perhaps it does resonate with our world today…. And there is a whole lot more where that came from!
Image: YouTube On the whole, the warning against the future being so bleak is executed to a good level. But there is one aspect of the show that has made me question its sincerity. When a young girl tells her parents that she wants to be “trans-human” has the show gone too far? Her parents mistake her for thinking that she wants to be transgender, but when she says she wants to effectively kill herself to be digital, is this taking the discussion about gender politics too far? Is it mocking discussions about gender politics by taking it to an extreme? Obviously, the show has to take risks when warning about our society today, but for me, this element has been taken out of control, and it made me feel uncomfortable to watch this element of the episode. But despite this, the show manages to mostly combine politics and drama very to present us with a very possible image of the future. Sophie Wilson
committee. This was the wrong decision. But as BBC presenter and producer Richard Osman explained this issue is not something new, “Comedy shows find impartiality and 'equal screentime' laws far trickier than news programmes in the lead-up to all elections.” You can see what he means. Whenever BBC News covers a controversial candidate up for election anywhere, they always follow the report with an obligatory reading of every other candidate standing, from Labour to the Monster Raving Looney Party. It’s not difficult to see why this rule was brought in. For many years, politicians were at the mercy of media owners who would provide positive coverage in exchange for political favours. While the Culture, Media and Sport committee can (or will) do little to challenge the
Shadowhunters
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Available on Netflix
he Shadowhunters' two-hour long finale gave fans everything they wanted with nostalgic references to earlier seasons, action-packed bad-ass fight sequences and the marriage and first kisses of long-awaited couples. The announcement of the show’s cancellation a while back was welcomed by some viewers as people went to Twitter to talk of the terrible acting and questionable changes made to the storyline when adapting the books. However, now that the show has landed its conclusion, I and no doubt many others feel a bittersweet sadness toward the cancellation of a series that will most definitely be missed. But the finale made sure that in every way, fans would be satisfied. Old enemies returned, wedding bells were ringing and characters we thought would end up with their happy ending went through hell and back, literally and figuratively, to save their loved ones. The finale managed to bring in some of the best moment from Cassandra Clare’s series that book fans were delighted about while also changing moments that surprisingly brought more heartbreak than expected. So, what were some of the best bits of the finale? Firstly, we finally have Sizzy. What an epic first kiss and most definitely worth the wait. Although I have to say I will be sad to not see this relationship develop, but I guess that’s what the books are for. Then there was the marriage of Malec, which after the first failed wedding of Alec had high expectations to live up to and it most definitely ticked all the boxes for me. Alec and Magnus deserved the happy ending they got and it was beautiful to watch them grow as people and in their careers at the end of the episode. As for the plot, the introduction of the binding rune between the Downworlders and Shadowhunters and the little trip to Edom was very exciting to watch. If anything, I wanted more but it played tribute to the books and watching Alec attempt to wield magic was extremely entertaining. Finally, I did not expect Clary to be the one to lose her memories and although I hate Katherine McNamara’s acting in the show, it was heart-breaking to watch her lose her runes and the new family she had made. The main criticism I have regarding the conclusion of the finale is that it almost felt like because the show wasn’t expecting the cancellation, they tried to ram too much into the two hours. As a result, it felt over-packed and messy in parts. Yet, still, I will miss watching Malec and Sizzy clichéd romance and maybe, even the plot although the bad acting will not be missed. Lucy Lillystone
reign of political printed press, they can, at least, ensure that coverage on TV is fair and balanced for all parties. In practice however, even this doesn’t work. As many have pointed out the night before the planned HIGNFY broadcast the BBC’s flagship political show Question Time featured Nigel Farage and his pro-Brexit agenda without an opposition voice from any Remainer. While the law could be amended and i m -
Image: YouTube
proved for factual television, its implementation on comedy shows just doesn’t work. Comedians don’t claim to be there to tell the truth, nor to be impartial. They are non-political individuals with as much a right as anyone to voice their opinions. It’s called satire and its something we used to pride ourselves on. As for comedy shows having to follow the ‘equal screen time’ rule, well how would that work? Most comedians are left-wing, so should every panel show be 50% right-wing comedians and 50% leftwing comedians? We would have to ship them in from France and America. Henning When, Simon Evans and Geoff Norcott can’t do everything at once. Another reason the rule doesn’t work is that it is based on the fallacy that these political guests don’t have their views challenged on air. Anyone who has ever seen an episode of HIGNFY will testify that politicians of all stripes and ideologies get taken down a peg or two on that show. The reason such a fuss has been kicked-up about this is because it affects the BBC, an institution that has always been accused of political bias, most often by right-wingers like Farage but sometimes by the farleft who see any jab at the Dear Leader Corbyn as a form of blasphemy perpetrated by the fascist BBC, whom they attack viscously online. The BBC will get criticised whatever it does so it may as well continue producing the type of programming it has done for decades and let poor Hislop and co. continue their noble and patriotic campaign to make our elected officials look like fools.
Game of Thrones Season Eight Finale
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Available on Sky Atlantic
t is difficult to envisage any kind of ending to the Game of Thrones saga that would appease all sections of the GoT fan club, but with ‘The Iron Throne’ the show attempts to do exactly that. It begins where the previous episode trails off, amid the ruins of King’s Landing where Tyrion, the only surviving Lannister, digs up the bodies of his brother and sister and mourns their deaths. The finale ends with Bran sitting on whatever followed the former Iron Throne (and now just molten metal). Despite a season that has suffered from negative to mixed reviews, thanks to the fact that they rushed so much of the storyline into just six episodes, the final one does manage to redeem some of what was lost. Jon wants to believe that Daenaerys is not what everyone else says she has turned into; that she is not the evil Mad Queen and yet the evidence surmounts against that notion – eventually pushing him to do the very thing he had hoped to avoid. Sticking a dagger through her may not have been the way people saw the now evil Khaleesi going, but it did seem appropriate. However, what I don’t understand is how Jon was allowed to live after that by Grey Worm who was willing to kill Lannister soldiers just because they fought against Dany. He is supposed to be okay with exile for the man who murdered his Queen - really? For me, the most symbolic moment was the dragon spewing fire at the Iron Throne, eventually reducing it to nothing more than liquid metal. It felt like a pivotal incident in view of things that followed – that no monarch shall rule by bloodline anymore and that the one material obsession for person after person from Cersei to the Tyrells to Daenaerys no longer existed (even if it was only
symbolic, as they craved power more than the physical object that is the throne). Bran the Broken, as Tyrion refers to him , eventually ends up as the man in charge of the Six Kingdoms (Sansa has independent rule in the North) thanks to the logic that the man who remembers the past and the present, is a collection of all living memory, and has the best story to tell, should be the one to take the mantle. I have nothing against that logic per se, but Brandon Stark does not have the best story. Arya, Sansa, Jon, Daenaerys, Jaime and even Cersei for that matter had better stories to tell than Bran. To me, Bran is like that kid in a group project who doesn’t do any work but gets an A anyway. The succession line to the Throne was the hallmark and the pillar on which much of the show was based on from the very first season when the Lannisters visited Winterfell and it should have been dealt with a lot better than it ultimately was. The episode wasn’t all bad. I did like the comic relief that Edmure Tully provided before being put down by Sansa. And the idea of democracy being scoffed at seemed natural to me given the era that the story was set in. Plus, Bronn as the Master of Coin and Davos as Master of Ships is a spinoff that is sure to generate a lot of laughs – if it ever was to happen. There were things that could have gone better. Jon, in my view should have been executed summarily by Grey Worm, even making it a fairly romantic way to be reunited with Dany in death. Arya probably deserved a better ending than becoming Arya The Explorer – although this may not be too bad given how she has always been more wildling than noble. Seshadri Subramanian
Image: YouTube
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culture film International Film
c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors: Jimmy Athey, Joe Holloran and Jack Gill Online Editor: Lucy Lillystone
Long Shot (15)
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t’s difficult to imagine how Guillermo del Toro pitched the idea of Pan’s Labyrinth, a film about a group of determined republican rebels resisting Franco’s government after the Spanish civil war and also an Alice in wonderland type fantasy about a young girl who gets pulled into a delightful, yet dangerous and strange fairy-tale world of magic and wonder. I would be almost tempted to think that he rocked up to his producer’s office one day with two film ideas and when he was only allowed to make one film, he just mashed them together. However, Pan’s Labyrinth combines the two seemingly contradictory elements impeccably.
Image: YouTube
The story follows Ofelia, a young girl whose mother has just married a fascist commander tasked with hunting down a group of rebels in rural Spain. However, upon inadvertently stumbling across a fairy-tale realm, she is told that she is the reincarnation of a fairy princess and given three tasks to complete to return to the fairy-tale kingdom. Meanwhile, her new stepfather’s hunting of the rebels becomes ever more ruthless and the fairy-tale realm, while becoming more dangerous, increasingly a means of escape for Ofelia. Del Toro seamlessly merges the two worlds, using both contrast and similarities between the two to comment on a number of themes about both Spanish politics and the genre of fantasy. The film incorporates Del Toro’s unique visual style, which seems uniquely suited to the fantasy genre, with the costume department doing a fantastic job of bringing weird fantasy creatures to life. The visual style makes the film uniquely atmospheric bringing a gritty, depressing quality to the real world and an ethereal, slightly unsettling quality to the fairy-tale world and as such, it’s an easy film to become immersed in despite the subtitles. It seems fitting that it’s so easy to get lost in a film named after a labyrinth, I would highly recommend it. Billy Lamond
Images: YouTube
What does the future hold for c Elisabetta Pulcini speculates on the future of the Marvel universe fo I t is always hard to tell what will come next in the MCU, especially given Kevin Feige trademark ambiguous answers. Although a Young Avengers story seems likely, diversity, representation and innovative styles will continue to shape the future of the MCU. Diversity on screen has proven to be badly needed: Black Panther is the highest grossing solo superhero movie of all time. The aspirational quality of these otherworldly characters is supposed to inspire, empower and entertain: this can be done to the benefit of everyone, only if a variety of characters are presented.
Pan's Labyrinth
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y first thought upon seeing Long Shot’s casting was, “Charlize Theron in a romcom? - 2019 sure is odd”. On the other hand, Seth Rogen’s co-starring in this type of film came to the surprise of, well, no one. Rogen is no stranger to being typecast as the goofy yet somehow charming, dad bod-having leading man with the ability to woo all the ladies deemed to be miles out of his league. Long Shot is no different. Jonathan Levine’s newest production sees Rogen play the role of Fred Flarsky, a recently fired journalist who is far too outspoken for his own good. To cheer him up, his best friend takes him to a party where his first crush and current Secretary of State and presidential candidate Charlotte Field (played by Theron) is coincidentally in attendance. After a characteristic outburst sees Fred land at Boyz II Men’s feet ensuing his virality, Charlotte makes the controversial decision to hire him as her speechwriter for her upcoming world tour. The tour takes the pair along with Charlotte’s entourage to far-flung places and after a particularly terrifying incident, the relationship between the two predictably becomes more intimate. The rest of the film depicts the struggle of an influential woman to reconcile her career aspirations with her romantic feelings. Although as it progresses the film becomes more predictable and is overly saccharine in certain parts, it is not typical of most romcoms. Seeing a woman’s ambition to reach the highest echelon in the US’s political arena was heartening, especially considering the current political climate, with 2020’s elections happening in a little over 500 days. Long Shot is not a groundbreaking feat of scriptwriting but is, nonetheless, a welcome challenger to other romcoms and makes for perfect viewing to wind down during the exam period. Bianca-Laura Ionici
the courier
Monday 27 May 2019
Diversity will not only come under the form of representation but also in genres
Ryan Coogler, director of Black Panther, understands this especially well: regal themes and futuristic settings feel decades apart from the problematic representation of black people in cinema. Considering the wide appeal of superhero movies among young children, diversity on screen gains relevance. The MCU definitely seems to be moving in this direction, with the announcement of Shang-Chi, the first Chinese superhero, and of the long awaited Black Widow movie, the only original female Av e n g e r, and incidentally the only one to not Images: YouTube
have her own movie in the MCU. Diversity will not only come under the form of representation, but also in genres. The incredible success of movies like Thor: Ragnarok and Guardians of the Galaxy have shown that audiences crave instantly recognizable and distinct styles. The third installment of the Thor movies has earned critical and audience approval due to its wild settings and characters. This was all possible because the movie was directed by Taika Waititi, a creator with a recognizable humor and a clear vision. As the volume of the entries in the MCU increases, it is important for each movie to be distinguishable from the others. Diversity and innovation could work well smaller team-up movies, similar to Thor
The best films of the year so far
Amy Brown gives us the rundown on some of the best movies to hit the silver-screen in 2019
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t has been a strong start for film this year and as we almost hit the mid-way point of 2019, this is a good chance to reflect on what has hit our screens so far. There’s nothing like a big blockbuster or a creepy horror film to distract you from everyday life. So here’s a few of the best movies we’ve been watching these past six months. It’s been an exciting year for all Marvel Cinematic Universe fans, with the last installment of the Avengers finally in cinemas last month. After Infinity War last year, Marvel fans have been waiting impatiently since walking out of the cinema. No spoilers for anyone who still hasn’t got round to seeing it, but it was an incredible way to end this journey. It was an emotionfilled ride (3 hours!) and for sure a standout among Marvel movies. It even overtook Titanic in the Box Office in its opening week. Avengers: Endgame is not one to miss. Also from MCU, Captain Marvel was released shortly before Endgame, starring Brie Larson as the title character. It was a great introduction to an amazing character, hopefully one we’ll get to see in more upcoming MCU movies as Avengers is now finished for good. Seeing a woman starring in this was absolutely inspiring and Brie Larson was excellent. It is definitely a new favourite of mine. Moving on, the new Jordan Peele movie, Us, was one every horror fan was looking forward to after his first film Get Out. He did not disappoint. Us was a terrifying mash-up of genres and was scary without trying too hard. Lupita Nyong’o gave an incredible performance and it will haunt you for weeks. Jordan Peele is putting good horror movies back on the map. If it’s your Images: YouTube
kind of movie, don’t miss it. Another one that had film fans counting down the days was Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. Zac Efron turned some heads playing Ted Bundy in this chronicle of his crimes, acting alongside Lily Collins who played the role of Ted’s girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer. The film was based on a book, written by the real Elizabeth that documented her time with Ted. This movie could have been a hit or miss but it delivered with a creepy retelling of real events and how Bundy was able t o
manipulate anyone with his charm. There was concern that it would romanticise Bundy but instead it was all facts (with some exaggerations for effect) from the unique perspective of Elizabeth. It is truly a wild ride and perfect for any true crime fans out there. There are probably many more hits to discuss but there’s just a few of the movie highlights so far. If you have yet to see any of these then now is your chance because the rest of the year is looking just as promising; this year for film is just getting started.
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Monday 27 May 2019
@Courier_Film thecourieronline.co.uk/film
The Hustle (15)
cinema's marvellous universe? ollowing the phenomenal success of the recent Avengers: Engame and Hulk in Thor: Ragnarok. This will satisfy the fans by expanding the universe through character driven stories, while at the same time not weighting down the entire storyline with unnecessary complexity. In regards to the stories we might see in the future, the latest movies seems to be setting up the scene for a Young Avengers story. In the comics, the team is formed by adolescents who all are somehow connected to the original team. This could be a good way for Marvel to introduce new characters, without completely discarding the original Avengers. There are a number of characters that might become an integral part of this story, with Spiderman and Shuri being the more obvious picks. Among the less established characters, there are several that might become relevant to this potential franchise. Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott
Lang, who in the comics becomes Stinger, seems particularly fitting: she is not only the right age, given the 5-year time jump in Endgame, but she has also been set up throughout the Ant-Man movies, with her wanting to help being a consistent theme. Another addition could be Lila Barton, daughter of Clint Barton, who in the comics takes the mantel of Hawkeye as the new archer of the team: given that Endgame’s opening shot is of Clint teaching a talented Lila archery, this is more than likely. An even more speculative entry is Harley Keener, a mechanically inclined boy who helped Tony Stark rebuild his suit in Iron Man 3. His reappearance at Tony Stark’s funeral in Endgame might be significant, especially as a way to set him up for the new phase. Therefore, whatever the new centre of the MCU will be, diversity in characters and styles will need to be an integral part of the universe, for these stories to continue to be as beloved as they are today.
Image: YouTube
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Ruby Osborne
Film editor Joe Holloran reviews James Wan's latest instalment in the director's Conjuring Unvierse
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h Wan, oh Wan, oh Wan. What happened bro? You used to be the horror prodigy, the successor to the old masters. Now it seems your all out of ideas and have become something of a parody of yourself. With little expectations left after his most recent efforts, I sat down to watch (endure) the latest piece of paranormal emptiness by the once promising James Wan, a piece predictably titled The Cure of la Llorona. Before I get into just how much The Curse of la Llorona disappointed me I need to take you guys back to 2004. This young horror-fan had gobbled up every classic film he could find and now looked for fresh blood. Unfortunately, horror in the early 2000’s was a scary place. Not scary AHH!!, more scarily bad. Trash like the Hostel series dominated the scene. It was all about torture, blood and boobs. Then came Saw (2004). Now I know what you’re thinking. ‘What, Saw, you mean that crappy torture-porn shit with like ten sequels?’. Well, yes and no. You’re right, the sequels suck. Bigtime. But let’s not throw the key out with the bathwater (a little Saw joke there) and take a minute to remember just how clever and un-modern-horrory
Image: YouTube
the original Saw was. It featured little gore. Was smartly written. Had a moral message not often found in horrors anymore and was well acted. In short it was everything everything else wasn’t, and James Wan became a hero of modern horror. For a while things were going well. Insidious (2010) showed us that he wasn’t a one-hit wonder when I brought supernatural horror into the 21st century. Then something bad happened. A little film called Paranormal Activity (2009) hit the screen and people lost their shit. Sensing the change in mood Wan began to produce a cycle of movies from his ‘Atomic Monster’ production house that hasn’t stopped since. The latest ‘product’ and it is that, to emerge from that nightmare factory is the completely forgettable and frankly annoyingly predictable The Cure of La Llorona. Although it was written by the duo Daughtry & Iaconis and directed by Michael Bay favourite Michael Chaves, make no mistake this is a James Wan film through and through. Where to begin. First off let’s remember that this is the sixth instalment in the so-called ‘Conjuring Universe’ which began back in 2013 and has, over the course of five
Golden Oldies
(1964)
Image: YouTube
ven the incredible actresses that are Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson could not save this abomination of a film. This was mostly due to them were cast to play themselves. I long for the day when Wilson stops getting typecast as ‘fat funny friend’ and is able to shine in true comedic glory. The Hustle is an unfunny, lazy, and slightly misogynist retelling of Frank Oz’s Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988). In fact, it’s a word-for-word copy, and while the gender-bent characters where no doubt a scheme to appeal to feminist film-goers, it has had the opposite effect. Wilson plays Penny, based on Freddy Benson, a bumbling Australian who catfishes men in order to scam them out of their money. Hathaway’s character Josephine, based on Lawrence Jamieson, is cultured, rich and beautiful, and enjoys playing the ditzy damsel in distress to seduce men, dropping them once she has what she wants. Why men keep being given scripts for femme-centric films is baffling. What could have been an iconic film about female friendship and empowerment was turned into an utterly boring story about two women who compete for a man’s attention. Although, honestly, any film that Meghan Trainor records an original song for is no doubt misogynistic under the guise of feminist. Despite the film attempting to highlight how men never believe women are clever enough to outsmart them, it really just portrays these beliefs to be facts. The Hustle is barely funny enough to pass as a goofy summer comedy set in the Mediterranean, let alone a film trying to make any cultural difference. My advice? Don’t bother watching.
The Curse of La Llorona
film culture
previous movies, managed to show Not.A.Damn.Thing. I’m usually very cautious about not revealing too much of the plot when reviewing a film, but in this case it doesn’t matter. If you have seen one ‘Conjuring’ film, you have seen them all. Basically, the story fallows a young mother and social worker called Anna (Linda Cardellini) as she investigates the neglect and abuse of two young children, Carlos and Tomas at the hands of their mother (Patricia Velasquez). But something else is following the children and now Anna must face off against the yadda yadda yadda. You get the idea. In fairness to Cardellini her performance is perhaps the best thing about this train wreck of a film. Velasquez is also too good for a film like this and the score by Joseph Bishara is better than his previous efforts. But still, the plot is paper-thin and anyone who has seen any of the gluttony of other Paranormal horror film of late will know how it works by now. Dark room, building noise, jump scare. The Curse of la Llorona is a perfect example of just how lazy modern horror-cinema has gotten. If they’re not remaking the old classics, their repeating the same jumpscare formula over and over. The sad part is that this film, like its five brothers, will be a commercial success and they will make another one. And another. It’s not a technically badly made film, the acting is average and, if it existed in isolation it may have made for a more interesting watch. But it just feels like we have reached a tipping point now where the same is just not good enough anymore. Twice in the last fifteen-years with Saw and then with Insidious Wan revitalised the horror genre. Now that it seems he is content to sit back, not even try anymore and watch the money role in the onus falls to the audience. Expect more from horror-cinema, there are plenty of great recent indie horror flicks out there to enjoy, please don’t go and watch this dreck because if you do then you are contributing to the continual decline of one of cinemas most important genres.
S
tanley Kubrick was something of a Jack of all trades in the cinema world. Every one of his films now warrants the title ‘golden oldie’, but it is Dr. Strangelove that really stands out. This Cold War comedy manages to be both deeply disturbing and absolutely hilarious at once. The plot surrounds a manic American general who sets in motion a nuclear holocaust as mutually assured destruction appears to be realised. This is not the easiest concept to make a comedy out of, especially in 1964, the height of the Cold War and just two years after the Cuban Missile Crisis. Yet, Kubrick and the established cast manage to pull of this feat through overwhelming satirical performances. Peter Sellers multi-roles as the painfully
98%
Dr. Strangelove's certified fresh score on reveiw aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
British RAF captain who flounders his way through conversations with a deranged general, an effeminate and ineffectual President Merkin Muffley, and the eponymous Dr. Strangelove, a repressed wheelchair bound Nazi. George C. Scott perfectly portrays the overzealous commie-hating General Buck and James Earl Jones puts in an early performance as Lt. Lothar Zogg, a pilot on one of the planes sent to bomb Moscow. Dr. Strangelove features some of the most iconic scenes in cinema, as does almost any Kubrick film. Strangelove’s personal battle with his own fascist limb provides a lot of scope for interpretation. The shot of Slim Pickens riding a nuclear bomb like he’s at a small town rodeo is far less ambiguous and has become one of the most pervasive images of the futility of nuclear war.
Witty dialogue and brilliant set pieces
The film has become so iconic that changes were made in government policy after its release to ensure that in this case, life would not imitate art. We may in fact owe the lack of any nuclear holocaust over the last 55 years to the existence of this film. Through all of the drama of impending doom, witty dialogue and brilliant set pieces abound. Politicians and generals bicker ceaselessly in the war room as American bombers edge ever closer to the Russians, and Captain Mandrake negotiates with a telephone operator as he seeks an audience with the President. Finally, generals suggest retreating down deep mineshafts to survive the fallout but even at this late hour, they worry about another post-apocalyptic arms race. Despite being a work of satire, the film is a convincing cautionary tale. Stephen Ross
Image: YouTube
/NewcastleCourierFilm @Courier_Film
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culture arts
c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Arts Editors Scarlett Rowland, Julia McGee-Russell, Rosie McCrum Online Editor Sophia Kypriotis
the courier
Monday 27 May 2019
Get over Game of Thrones Online film editor Lucy Ann Lillystone gives you the best fantasy and magic-filled book recommendations you need to get over your Game of Thrones season finale episode hangover
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ith the polarising conclusion of Game of Thrones, there is now a gaping hole in our hearts that needs desperately to be filled with the chaotic power struggles, violence, and war that the show has kept us occupied with for 6 weeks. Here are some book series that provide all the political back-stabbing drama of Game of Thrones, to stop you from bingeing the show on repeat.
The Shadow and Bone Trilogy
Leigh Bardugo’s YA fantasy series is inspired by 1800s Tsarist Russia as it follows a young woman who discovers she has powers in a world that wants to abuse said powers. Like Game of Thrones, this series gives readers monsters (not quite the white walkers but nonetheless creepy), courtly politics, witty banter, intense battles and anti-heroes we can’t help but fall in love Image: flickr with. We watch Alina confront the secrets of the Grisha and of her heart with an amazing cast of characters and a well-built world you can only wish you were a part of. And better yet, this show is soon to becoming a series on Netflix, so much like GOT, this you’ll be able to watch these characters come alive on the screen. If you’re a fan of the more magical aspects of GOT, particularly character Melisandre, A Darker Shade
A Darker Shade of Magic
of Magic by VE Schwab is the series to read. Exploring evil-scheming magicians, dark magic that has the ability to corrupt almost anything, especially London and forbidden items, Schwab builds a compulsively addictive elaborate fantasy world. The plot involves four parallel worlds with four parallel Londons each with a different history, ruler and society, much like the different kingdoms of George R.R. Martin’s world. Only the Antari, those born with magic in their blood can move between these worlds of which our protagonist Kell is one. Readers get to see Kell’s morality place him in dangerous but exciting to read positions. Basically, if you’re a fan of magic, parallel universes, and deadly sins, this is the series for you. But let me warn you, do not read this while trying to study for exams. Your productivity level will be nonexistent.
An Ember in the Ashes
There’s clearly a thread in this article as yet again this is another YA series that’s worth a read if you’re looking to fill that gaping Game of Thrones hole in your heart. Sabaa Tahir’s world in An Ember in the Ashes is based on Ancient Rome as Elias, a soldier of the Martial Empire struggles with his destiny as the son of the evil and important Commandant and Laia, a slave only looking to survive. This is a series of defiance, betrayal, love, and of Image: @alcainoillustration (Instagram)
Image: @book_junkee (Instagram)
course, fast-paced chaos and war. And if you’re craving the cliff hangers and plot twists that make Game of Thrones, you’ve come to the right place. One more chapter doesn’t exist with this series. So, after we’ve finished mourning the loss of some of our favourite characters in the close of Game of Thrones and finally accepted it is not in fact coming back, get stuck into some of these series as they will provide everything you’ve just said goodbye to and more.
Street photography and capturing connection Julia McGee-Russell interviews local artists Maria Maza and Hazel Plater on their recent night street photography exhibition
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ocal artists Maria Maza and Hazel Plater exhibited a joint street photography exhibition at Star and Shadow Cinema during the Newcastle Late Shows two weeks ago. The exhibition was a collection of photographs taken over fifteen Saturday nights in Newcastle, over the course of eighteen months. Arts Editor Julia McGee-Russell interviews them about their work.
Where did the idea for the exhibition come from? Maria:We’ve been doing street photography for a while, and I remember taking a photo on a Saturday night, and somebody told me ‘oh, that looks really good, you should do a project’ and I thought ‘yeah, that might not be bad,’ and I asked Hazel to come with me on a Saturday night.
Image: Hazel Plater What draws you both to street photography? Hazel: Particularly Newcastle, but other cities too, it’s really exciting to be on the street when people are out having a good time, Newcastle is such a vibrant city. We really wanted to work in our hometown – Maria’s adopted hometown – and capture what it’s like at the weekend. M: We just do candid photography, we don’t pose anyone, and for me, capturing life as it is… I feel the need to show how I see the world. Do you think that comes from living in the digital age, when everyone is documenting everything? M: In my case, I think it’s personal to me. Yes, there’s a lot of social media, but most people usually document themselves. I’m actually quite shy about putting my own stuff out there, but when it’s stuff like this – me looking out and seeing the world as I see it – it comes from me outwards. H: I think for all that we’re living in a digital world now,
this goes back to the film photographers who were on the street with their cameras. We’ve got it easy now, because we can make lots of mistakes and delete them and pick the best ones. It comes from an earlier time. M: I’ve always looked up to the classic photographers – that might be why I do so much black and white. But yes, it’s completely different now with digital. Easier, more accessible, more immediate, but it really suits street photography which is really fast shooting. You don’t have a lot of time to frame, if you’re too slow you miss the shot.
Do you think this is a more genuine way to photograph, in comparison to staged shots? H: I think it is a really honest form of photography, people just being themselves. We don’t always get noticed, sometimes we do and they don’t care, but it’s capturing what’s really happening rather than people posing. M: It’s not that I don’t appreciate staged photography, posed portraits, or when you have more time to frame your shots like landscape, there’s room for everybody. But what really gets me going is going out and shooting on the streets to try to capture those fleeting moments that tell me something about the world, and about myself. Like the photograph of those guys hugging at Central Station, it’s such a sweet moment. For me that’s the best thing.
Would it be fair to say that you both focus on moments of connection between people? M: Definitely, interactions between people, tender gestures. I really try to focus on finding those gestures, how people support each other, how they love each other, the way that they’re holding hands.
What advice would you give to budding street photographers? H: Just go out and do it. Just get out on the street with a camera, any camera, and just do it. For night time, have a
bit of light coming from somewhere, and some interaction, more than one person. M: There’s many styles of street photography, I think lots of people do street photography now, and they tend to focus on characters as they walk towards them, I think if somebody grabs your interest that’s fine. I’d say focus on interactions, go to events and forget about the main event and just photograph around the event. You have to be very patient and very skilful, the more you do it the more natural it will become.
You mentioned how a lot of the time you go unnoticed, which raises a question which I think it quite debated in street photography. Do you ask the permission of people you’re going to photograph? Where is the line there of the consent you need to get when you’re doing street photography? H: If I was going to do a portrait, I would ask permission, but just being out in public, there’s no need to ask for permission. M: It’s perfectly legal to do if you’re out in a public space, you can’t expect the same amount of privacy you would have somewhere like your home or somewhere in private. I think we monitor ourselves, if there’s something really horrible going on, we don’t photograph it. I think there are people who do that very well, but there’s so many bad things in the world, so many negative things happening. Inequality, climate change, horrible things. I want to contribute to the other side, showing people who are happy and having a good time. Image: Maria Maza
the courier
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arts culture
Monday 27 May 2019
Going potty for pottery at Canny Crafty Vivienne Brownell reviews a student budget friendly pottery class run by Andra at Canny Crafty by making a clay beetle pot
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n Monday I visited Canny Crafty for their onehour ‘Just Add Creativy Pottery Workshops’. Admittedly I was nervous to begin with, as going to a pottery class is quite outside my comfort zone, especially as I was going alone and didn’t have the comfort blanket of a friend to rely on. However, any nervousness was immediately relieved as soon as I stepped through the door, as upon arrival I was warmly greeted by the owner Andra and handed my own ball of clay. The whole shop’s atmosphere was warm and welcoming with people painting their creations from the week before, while having a friendly chat and a giggle. The walls are adorned with numbered painted mugs for colour reference (for post-kiln painting purposes) and a nearby table proudly displays last week’s works – a variety of pots, dishes and jugs in an array of different colours. I found it very easy to have a chat with the people sat around me – everyone was
lovely and friendly which certainly put me at ease. It came as no surprise to me that most of the people there are regulars who have made friends at Canny Crafty along the way. As a former-GCSE Art student, seeing the clay tools and fresh-out-of-the-kiln work from previous classes took me straight back to the days of tile making (or in the case of my misguided emo years – a satanic pigeon candle holder). That being said the class is very beginner-friendly – having had no real previous pottery experience (aside from the previously mentioned pigeon), it was easy to dive in and get busy moulding my own little ball of clay into a plant pot (if that’s what it could be called at first at least). Andra was always on hand to give advice when I needed it and happily recommended different additions that I could make to my little clay creation. If any of you know me at all, you’ll know
that I absolutely love beetles, so when the opportunity presented itself for me to draw a little beetle on my plant pot I jumped at the chance. Andra also showed me a ton of different stamp options that could be pressed into my pot to give it its own “je ne sais quoi”. I ended up stamping some floral patterns next to my little beetle friend to give it a ‘nature’ aesthetic.
can paint it yourself the following week just like I did) and you get to take it home when it’s finished (and nobody ever said no to an extra cereal bowl, now did they?). I’ll definitely be going back when I have the chance. Canny Crafty gets 10 beetle pots out of 10 from me!
The class is very beginner friendly
I went back a week later to paint my beetle pot. Andra provided me with every colour imaginable and I got stuck in straight away. It was easy to figure out which colours to paint my pot based on the colourful mugs hanging on the wall and time seemed to fly by. Before I knew it, it was 19:10 and I’d finished my pot (and got my hands covered in glaze in the process). My pot now sports an avant-garde mix of yellows, turquoises, teals and pinks - I wouldn’t exactly call it my life’s work, but I’m still immensely proud of it (plus it will definitely come in handy for when I adopt more plant children). Overall, I would highly recommend Canny Crafty for their Monday pottery classes! At just £16.31 it’s studentbudget friendly while giving you the chance to take a break from revision and put your creative skills to the test. Not only do you get to make your clay piece, but Andra will glaze it for you in the colour of your choice (or you
Images: Vivienne Brownell
Raving about Rothko Collaborative graffiti? Does Rothko live up to the hype? Sidney Pinsent comments
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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. My first reaction was of shock. 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, the next and it was cowering behind. I had never seen colours hold so much, yet tell so little. I was amazed, I was hooked. 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
Image: flickr, G. Starke
that feeling in a sketchbook. Still, I gave it ago and tried to go for quantity. 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 single qualification in art.
Catherine Entwhistle comments on the Clasp statue’s graffiti
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ntony Gormley’s sculpture, Clasp, from his Blockwork series, is currently on loan to Newcastle University. It received mixed reviews upon arrival last summer and many feel that it has no place on King’s Walk, in front of the Student’s Union, blocking the view of the famous arches. The somewhat unsightly block of rusting iron was vandalised last Monday and an investigation is now underway. The culprit was caught on camera spraying blue and yellow paint all over the artwork, before running off shouting “Jamie Evans”. The artistic nature of the graffiti has caused speculation as to whether it can now be considered a collaborative piece. After all, Gormley’s intention for Clasp is for it to change and react to the natural environment, hence the nowweathered sculpture no longer resembles the shiny grey metal block that was initially installed. An artist named Jamie Evans posted a photograph of the graffiti on his Instagram page with the caption: “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.” It’s not yet clear whether the vandal is in fact Jamie Evans himself. Passers by at the time of the incident were not hesitant to in-
terject the trespasser but he continued to make his mark regardless. The graffiti was not approved by Antony Gormley, so many feel that it’s more of a publicity stunt for the young artist and are reluctant to view it as a collaborate effort. Despite the shock response towards the defacement, it is possible that it may be seen as a protest against the sculpture’s placement within University grounds. The students of Newcastle may have had time to get used to the sculpture by now, but that doesn’t mean people have grown to like it. Many view it as a blemish on such a beautiful part of the campus and so the stu-
The graffiti was not approved by Antony Gormley, so many feel that it’s more of a publicity stunt for the young artist dent community perhaps welcomes the sabotage as a representation of a wider opinion. That being said, the now brightly decorated sculpture is more eye-catching than ever before. Who knows what will come of such a scandal. One thing is for certain though – the cost of the inevitable cleaning job that will ensue this event will certainly put a large hole in the University’s and its students’ pockets.
Image: Carys Rose Thomas Clasp has now been wrapped in cling film. Nobody is quite sure why.
@TheCourierArts @thecourierarts
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culture gaming
courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Gaming Editors George Boatfield, Shawn Khoo, Kelly South & James Troughton Online Editor Alex Darbyshire
the courier
Monday 27th May 2019
Top Five Can E3 2019 adapt to ind Video game movies
A good video game movie isn't With his wishlist prepared for this year's E3, Alex Darbyshire questions whether the event can put c his summer is shaping up to have the most But again, I’m not sure how much of it will actually be gameplay of Final Fantasy VII: HD, I especially common, so James unique E3 in a long time, but perhaps not valuable to a hardcore audience. As always, they’ll pad hope we get a better look as to what for the reasons that the showrunners, the out their event with their undeniably lucrative lineup Crystal Dynamics, who previously Troughton hasn't got much Entertainment Software Association, would prefer. of sports titles. I can never get behind these as it always developed Tomb Raider, have patience left after this top five Major publishers seem to be pulling their toes out of seems to me that FIFA and Madden and the like never in store for Marvel’s high-value
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ideo game movies get a bad rap, and seeing as most of them are absolute crap, maybe that is deserved. Nevertheless, there are a few gems in the sea of mud that are worth giving a watch. Whilst there are better made movies out there than some of these, this list of my top five favourite video game movies contain endlessly enjoyable entries ripe for a rewatch.
5. Doom Doom is a corny, cheesy and downright dumb movie that leaves many asking ‘why was this even made?’ Yet, whilst it’s not even a remotely good movie, at its core, it is a terrifyingly fun blend of Alien, classic Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson persona, and Jason X. The poor acting, laughable visual effects, mediocre designs and overly simplistic story make Doom a hilarious and infectiously fun movie. It may not be nearly as enjoyable as the mindless shoot-emup FPS classic that inspired it but, ultimately, it is a movie that finds itself in the category of "so-bad-it’s-good".
4. Mortal Kombat Ahh, the 90s. Video game movies are on the rise, and parents worry about what the gory brawler Mortal Kombat could do to their kids. What an ideal opportunity to release a campy adaptation rich with martial arts action and fuelled by techno music. It’s not nearly as bad as Doom but I’m still not comfortable calling it legitimately "good". It’s fun, has decent visuals and well-choreographed fights, but the characters are robotic and poorly written. Still, nothing beats seeing Scorpion yell 'get over here!' as he shoots a weird snake looking hook from the palm of his hand.
3. Resident Evil Resident Evil is a joyride of relentless violence, intense action sequences and goofy horror tropes. It may not be inherently scary but, unlike a lot of other video game movies, it does not hinge on fan service and the brand name to tell a captivating and enjoyable story. It’s got great world-building, a likeable and strong protagonist and plenty of wonderfully fun moments that will keep you coming back to this first entry in the long running series of spin-offs.
2. Papers, Please Although Papers, Please is a short movie based on an indie game, spanning only ten minutes, it is somehow one of the best video game adaptations of all time. Comprising a wonderful story, fantastic cinematography and incredible acting, it remains true to the source material. I never thought that a film about a man stamping passports at border control could be made as interesting and exciting as the original game managed
1. Detective Pikachu to be. Pokémon is one of the most beloved franchises ever created, and while it has an anime adaptation with several animated movies under its belt, it had never delved into the realm of live action. That changed this year. Detective Pikachu captures the charm, infectious fun and energy of both the original games and the anime spin-off. The main characters are wonderful, likeable and have fantastic chemistry with one another. The CGI Pokémon are visually stunning and never feel out of place. However, the thing that really impressed me is how this movie succeeds at being something for an audience of all ages. It has innocent and light-hearted fun for children, unrelenting Image: YouTube (Warner Bros. Official)
the E3 bath at the moment. Sony have announced they will not be showing anything this year and, additionally, Activision have announced that they will have no booth on the show floor this year, perhaps indicating they’re focusing on their own live experiences. Whatever their reasoning, it now marks two of the largest companies in the business taking steps of various sizes away from the convention landscape. Nevertheless, there’s still plenty to look forward to this year. Here’s what I’ll be putting on my bingo card for when 11 June comes around.
My hope is that EA have something special up their sleeve with Respawn Entertainment
Some of the biggest players, I’m sad to say, are the ones I’m not very excited for. Even as a huge Halo fan, I find it really hard to get excited for Halo: Infinite after 343 Industries’ track record with the series. Microsoft, however, has been killing it with firmware updates in previous months, such as when the Xbox One received keyboard and mouse support last November. It may be a little boring, but the these quality of life updates really make the recently lackluster consoles a lot more appealing.
69,200
The number of attendees at E3 2018, the largest number since 2005.
On the brighter side, I’m dying to get a look at Nintendo. It’s inevitable that we’re in for a look at both the upcoming Animal Crossing on the Switch, as well as their latest entry to the Fire Emblem series, Three Houses. They’ve shown bits and pieces from both of these games and I’m very excited to see what they have to show us when their event comes up. It’s likely we’re going to see some new DLC for Smash Bros. Ultimate as well, so fighting fans should buckle up for some new faces coming to the Switch. EA will likely have plenty to show at their EA Play event.
seem to actually make any changes. Another game on the ‘don’t care’ pile is Anthem, which is likely to get some sort of showing at the event this year. Anthem was a watered down albeit visually pretty RPG from a BioWare team that is thoroughly gutted of good writers. What I am more excited for is a closer look at Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. After the shaky launches of two Battlefront titles from DICE, my hope is that EA have something special up their sleeve with Respawn Entertainment, who are confirmed to be showing off their new title in June’s expo. Speaking of Respawn, earlier in 2019, their CEO Vince Zampella said that while Titanfall 3 was not in development, we could expect something new from the Titanfall franchise by the end of 2019. As someone who never got tired of Titanfall, I’m excited by an outside hope they’ll reveal details of this at E3. I always have mixed feelings coming away from Ubisoft’s conferences. On one hand, the entire experience feels about as ‘real’ as Donald Trump’s integrity. However, one of their titles has me more optimistic than usual. I can’t say I’m not excited for Beyond Good and Evil 2, which is bound to be shown off more this year. Something about the visual style and the care taken when revealing this tells me on of two things. Either, the project is having rough development and nothing worthy of showcasing is ready yet, or Ubisoft really think Beyond 2 will be a hit and they want to keep it under tight wraps to maintain the surprise factor of an E3 conference. Finally, I’m holding out hope to get news from Square Enix. They signed a deal back in 2017 with Marvel to create an Avengers game, and since we’ve had tidbits of news and a painfully short teaser. Along with more
property. With less than a month now until E3, we can only hold our breath until these big pieces of news drop.
A Plague Tale: Innocence
Gerry Hart explains just why this small indie title is the best game that 2019 has offered so far
I
f there’s one type of game I’ve been feeling starved for, it’s a simple, relatively linear, story driven experience. Whilst these used to be standard fair for the industry around a decade ago, they’ve since fallen
Image: YouTube (Focus Home Interactive)
by the wayside in favour of more lucrative “live service” games or the grand, open world epics. Thankfully as Asobo Studio’s A Plague Tale: Innocence demonstrates, the art of creating a contained and expertly crafted experience hasn’t been entirely lost on the industry. Unwieldy as the name might be, A Plague Tale: Innocence does summarise the game’s core themes pretty neatly. The game is set in 14th century France at the height of the Black Death and the Hundred Year War with England and is in no small measure about innocence, or rather innocence lost. The story follows fifteen-year-old protagonist Amicia and her younger brother Hugo, two former noble children on the run from various forces that are hunting them, such as the Inquisition and English soldiers. One of the highlights of the game is the relationship between these two characters. Where The Walking Dead’s Lee and Clementine are cited as one of the best depictions of parenthood in gaming, I’d argue Amicia and Hugo are one of the medium’s finest examples of a sibling relationship. For all their frequent squabbling, it is made very apparent that both characters care deeply for one another. Indeed both are fantastically characterised in their own right. Amicia is particularly interesting. Essentially Hugo’s guardian, one can’t help but feel she puts on a brave face for her younger sibling (and perhaps herself), trying to hide the fact that just like her brother, she is a scared kid in way over her head. Hugo conversely is more than just dead weight, and often proves
useful in helping Amicia solving certain puzzles. Mechanically speaking, A Plague Tale hinges largely on stealth. Levels are designed in a pretty linear fashion, directing you through a gauntlet of puzzles you have to overcome through manipulating the environment. Crafting plays a pretty big part of the game, as only certain items can be used on certain puzzles but the inventory system isn’t too complicated and the game is fairly liberal with the resources it provides you. There is some combat wherein Amicia can use her sling to neutralise unarmoured enemies but this is mostly used as a last resort. The overall result is a remarkably tense experience that forces the player to pay close attention to their surroundings and any potential hazards therein. Speaking of hazards, the game’s most unsettling feature by far are its swarms of carnivorous rats. These things are relentless and are only hindered by their aversion to light, which is used to brilliant effect in a number of particularly intense fire-based puzzles. They’re animated beautifully too, forming this hideous, writhing mass that carpet the ground and devour anything they can get their paws on. Plot-wise, these swarms also add tension, acting as an unstoppable force of nature that everyone from the protagonists to their pursuers are terrified of. Despite its lack of fanfare, I count A Plague Tale: Innocence among the best games of the year thus far. Like Hellblade before it, it demonstrates the value of mid-tier developers in picking up ideas that the Triple-AAA side of the industry would be reluctant to touch. Add to that its unique premise, compelling characters and riveting gameplay and I genuinely think we have something of a masterpiece on our hands.
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Monday 27th May 2019
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@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming
gaming culture
Gaming's patch job ndustry changes?
concerns to bed regarding its relevancy in this ever-evolving industry
Devs are feeling the strain, and Al Ridley reckons it can't go on
W
hen is a game finished? In days gone by, this was hardly a question at all. A game was finished when you got it out of the box, and it wouldn’t be updated at all save for very occasional second-wave updates to hard copies. It’s hard to believe that only a decade ago we were expected to buy Pokémon Emerald for what amounted to a glorified balance patch.
We live in the age of DLC. We live with: extra story content; shiny guns; and overpriced digital fashion
But now we live in the age of DLC. We live with: extra story content; downloadable characters; new and shiny guns; and extremely overpriced digital fashion. Even single-player games, like 2016’s Enter the Gungeon,
John Wick’s got game
are expected to have a significant level of post-launch developer involvement, especially on digital distribution platforms like Steam and the Epic Store. The problem with this model of ‘roadmaps’ is pretty obvious: because the games aren’t finished, developers aren’t finished with them either. Development of new titles becomes increasingly difficult because resources are being pulled to keep developing and innovating on older content. This is equally problematic for indie developers and triple-A publishers alike. Gungeon’s development was marred by the fundamental engine errors that forced massive code overhauls every time a patch was released. Fortnite’s developers are being pressed into a constant state of dangerous crunch just to keep producing skins, weapons and animatics to keep their playerbase from losing interest. The result of content roadmaps without regard for their implementation just results in exhausted developers. As any student can attest - a stacking workload tends to overflow into later and later submissions, and that’s not a model any studio, let alone small independent developers, can keep going for long.
Image: IGDB
Gaming editor James Troughton fills us in on this recently announced John Wick adaptation
T
o the surprise of many, John Wick is getting a video game adaptation. No, it is not a bogstandard FPS. Instead, we can look forward to a fast-paced, action-oriented strategy title that is being developed by indie team Bithell Games. John Wick has been on a murderous rampage since his puppy died in 2014. Soon, we’ll be able to take control of the titular character and continue his ongoing slaughter with returning characters Winston and Charon, voiced by
the very actors that played them. The story, however, will not be based on the movies and is instead its own standalone experience. s you progress through this narrative, you will find yourself unlocking new weapons, suits and locations. After all, is it really John Wick without dapper attire and an incredible arsenal? The studio is known for the hits Thomas Was Alone, Subsurface Circular and Volume, and thankfully they are bringing that indie charm to this title through stylised
noir themed graphics, unexpected gameplay designs and a rich palette of vibrant colours. The Epic Store, where it will be exclusively sold, describes the experience as “fightchoreographed chess brought to life.” For £15.99, John Wick Hex seems like it may well be worth giving a try, but a release date has yet to be announced, with no confirmed console versions either. However, it’s nice to see indie developers getting larger toolboxes to utilise in this industry of triple-A cash cows.
Image: IGDB
Mortal Kombat movie in works
James Troughton remains optimistic for this risky reboot
D
espite the terrible critical reception and lacklustre performance of the first two Mortal Kombat movies, Warner Bros. have decided that it is time to take another crack at turning the franchise into a live-action ride. The new Mortal Kombat will reportedly debut in March 2021. To kick start this somewhat ambitious project, Warner Bros. have hired first-timer Simon McQuoid to direct, Aquaman’s James Wan to produce and the new Resident Evil movie’s Greg Russo to write.
1997
Image: YouTube (IGN)
The year that the last Mortal Kombat movie was released.
According to reports, the new Mortal Kombat movie will follow a male protagonist that is drawn into the infamous tournament. Greg Russo has also confirmed that Jax and KABAL are will be making an appearance in the movie. Hopefully, we’ll see a fantastic line-up of actors, heroes and villains all taking part in a gory spectacle of a tournament, fully embracing the brutality of the fatalities in the game with some classic metal and techno music raging in the background. Their last two attempts at making Mortal Kombat movies were met with mostly negative reviews and a combined total of around $200 million but, after Detective Pikachu’s fairly positive response from audiences and critics alike, could Warner Bros.’ Mortal Kombat join a slowly expanding roster of decent video-game movies?
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Monday 27 May 2019 Science Editors Eleanor Gratton, Cecilia Adamou Online Editor Orestis Katsoulis
@Courier_Science thecourieronline.co.uk/science
science culture
Battle of the bluebells
Eleanor Norton on the ongoing fued between the Spanish and British flowers, and how our bluebell might still come out on top
T
he native British bluebell, Hyacinthoides non-scripta, is also known as the common bluebell, wood bell, and fairy flower. The Spanish bluebell, Hyacinthoides hispanica, was introduced to the UK by the Victorians as a garden flower, but caused fear when it escaped over garden fences and into the wild. There were worries that the plants could crossbreed, causing the downfall of our native flower. Over 50% of the worldwide population of this bloom of bluebell is located in the UK, but they extend into
Northern Europe, in France, the Netherlands and Belgium. There are many differences between British and Span-
Experts now believe that our bluebell is hardier than initially believed to be
ish bluebells. Spanish bluebells have broad leaves, pale blue flowers, with spreading and open tips, and flowers are found all around the stem – which is upright. They have no scent and coloured pollen inside. Native bluebells have narrow leaves, a deep violet-blue colour, narrow flowers that hang on only one side of a drooping stem, a sweet scent and cream-coloured pollen.
Previous journals implied that the British bluebell would become extinct due to the Spanish variant escaping into the woodland. Researchers from the UK, Canada and New Zealand found there was a threat that they could crowd British bluebells as both species flower within a few days of each other in April and May. However, when they planted 103 bluebells of both varieties, allowing bees and hoverflies to pollinate them and discovered, surprisingly, that the native bluebell was far more fertile. Now experts believe that our bluebell is hardier than ini-
50%
Percentage of the worldwide population of British bluebells which are found in the UK.
tially believed to be. Unlike our native red squirrels that have been outcompeted by invasive American grey squirrels, our native bluebells have a reproductive advantage over the Spanish
Image: Jonathan Billinger (geograhph) Image: Flickr: Dominic Alves
bluebells and will not to succumb to hybridition. British bluebells are more fertile and set more seeds. When examined, the pollen of the Spanish bluebells in the UK is often misshapen, which indicates lower pollen fertility, which, in turn, reduces its fertility and suggests that the bluebell is a hybrid. Fortunately, for now, our classic British bluebells are not under risk of extinction of hybridisation by foreign species , so expect to see them around as usual this summer!
sa-
How to protect our universe Image: Michael Maggs, Wikiedia Commons
Emma Dawson discusses how the nearby planets in our solar system could be at risk from space mining for natural resources
W
hilst we struggle and debate over how best to protect our own planet’s natural resources, a new scientific study published in mid-April calls for up to 85% of the solar system to also be protected from invasive human development.
85%
The amount of the solar system which needs to be protected from invasive human development
The study, published in the journal, Acta Astronautica, presents the argument for designating all but an eighth of our solar system a ‘protected wilderness’, creating an almost national parklike area in space that is
Image: Flickr (U.S. Geological Survey)
safe from space mining companies who hope to make billions of dollars from mining asteroids. This all comes at a key moment as various start-ups are looking into the idea of building human civilizations in space as Earth’s population grows and we dig further and further into our limited reserves of natural resources. To stand a chance at long-term survival, it is suggested that humankind must become a ‘multi-planet’ species. Trans-
If mining in space is allowed to occur, our solar system would become desolate in just 500 years
portation of minerals from Earth would be too expensive if humankind moves into space, so, we would be required to obtain our resources from nearby asteroids. Described as “low hanging fruit” by Grant Bonin, Chief technology officer of Deep Space Industries, he wants to mine asteroids for the water held within their clay deposits, to act as a propellant for spacecraft so that they can refuel. It is unknown what resource will come onto the market first with platinum, iron and nickel also being abundant in asteroids, with trillions of dollars worth floating around in space. In fact, there is so much platinum available that there are some fears the market would crash and prices would plummet, but not before someone made a significant profit. With all this potential to make a pretty penny, researchers are understandably
worried about the implications this could have on our solar system. We only have to look at our planet to see the consequences of mining, which has caused soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, pollution and land subsidence as well as used up huge quantities of natural resources. Scientists believe that if mining in space is allowed to occur, our solar system would become desolate in just 500 years. As many look to capitalise on space’s minerals in a new kind of space race, we must ensure provisions are put in place to prevent was has been called a ‘super-exploitation of the entire solar system’. As the United Nations warn the world that we may only have twelve years left to limit the climate change catastrophe, uninhibited extraction of the solar system’s precious resources has the potential to recreate our planet’s problems in space. As phrased by Monash University’s Robert Sparrow, ‘”We have done so badly at looking after our home that the desire to mine asteroids can’t help but appear arrogant”. We cannot help but agree.
Image: Pngimg
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36
student voice
Monday 27 May 2019
Sabb Chat: holding the uni to account Deputy Editor Isabel Sykes talks to outgoing Editor of The Courier Louise Hall about her year in charge of the newspaper
So, on Monday we’ll see the last issue of The Courier under your editorship. Have you enjoyed yourself this year? Yeah, it’s been probably one of the best experiences ever and also one of the most exhausting and tiring experiences ever. I don’t think I’ll have the chance to have a job like this, at least not in the next decade or so, if ever. It’s been amazing to make the most of having such autonomy and responsibility for a big newspaper that so many people care about and work with all the amazing people at The Courier who make things happen day in and day out. I’ve had loads of fun and I’m sad to leave but I’m looking forward to moving on to something else.
Don’t be scared to change the entire thing and make it your own because you have one year and it’s your newspaper to make what you want You just then mentioned about autonomy. Obviously The Courier is independent from the University and affiliated with the Students’ Union. How have you found that relationship? Do you think it’s been a positive one? Yeah I think it’s an interesting one, often one I think people are sceptical of, but I think it’s mutually beneficial and it works both ways. I don’t think I’m in a place where I can’t publish anything I don’t want to, it just means we have a better point of contact with the University to make sure what we’re publishing is factual and true and have a right of response. It means we get to hold them to account and also celebrate the good things that they do for students. I don’t feel like I’ve been under any pressure at any point from the University not to run something so it’s been really positive in that way. I feel like I’ve fostered positive relationships to actually benefit the newspaper rather than hinder our independence as a publication. Great. So Newcastle Uni has been in the news a bit this year, and not always for positive reasons. How have you found negotiating events such as the Ed Farmer inquest which have had national significance? I think it’s been a really difficult challenge to walk the line between having sensitivity towards something that has so much emotion and importance surrounding it and doing that justice, but also recognising that as a publication we have a duty to our students and to our community to publish the truth about the things that are happening around them. This was something that really hit students hard I think, I was in my first year when it happened but it had a lasting legacy that really affected the entire student community. It was good to be able to actually bring a student perspective
to that. I feel like a lot of mainstream media outlets didn’t understand the nuances of the Union and the University’s different organisations and the way societies work and training works. To be able to have that knowledge and publish something that I knew was completely accurate and that I felt did justice to a story that students really cared about was an important thing to do.
And in terms of what else you’ve done this year. Do you think you’ve been true to your manifesto and achieved everything you wanted to? I think I have at some point touched on everything in my manifesto. It’s not always completely possible to solidify an idea that you’ve had within one year of seeing through the paper, but I feel like I have touched on everything. A good example of that would be the writers’ workshops. They did happen at the start of the year so I did technically fill my manifesto point to make that happen but they weren’t as well attended as we would have liked them to be. But, I feel like getting that foundation and putting something into place so that it’s there the next year to be built upon is what’s really important and next year Grace will be able to take off from that and they’re within the structure of the paper now so she can build on them. I think that was the same as with the debates in James’s year and live coverage. He created a great foundation that we could then move onto building upon the year after. Writers’ meetings I think have been a massive success this year. We completely changed the format of them and I feel like people feel more comfortable and we’ve seen better engagement as a result of that. I can’t imagine going back to the old way that we used to do them and people were quite sceptical of that in my manifesto to begin with during the debates, so it’s nice to see that pan out successfully. We’ve had some big socials this year which have been good. It was a point in my manifesto to increase engagement and I think collaboration between all three branches and socialisation between all three branches is at an all-time high. That’s lovely to see. So generally I think I’ve touched on most things. Another big thing in your manifesto was online coverage. Obviously we have a team of Online Editors for the first time ever this year. How do you think that’s gone and is there anything left to do in that area? I think Online Editors were a great thing for the newspaper. With the online role there’s been a certain amount of bedding in but it kind of is what you want it to be. There’s the bare minimum of coming in and putting articles online so it could to a certain extent have a sense of less commitment if that’s what someone was looking for. But you can still go above and beyond with this role – we’ve had editors this year create online exclusives, loads of content for their sections, and are some of the most valued members of our team. So I think it’s been a really beneficial step in the right direction for our website and it can only improve from one year to the next. Whether the team needs to be condensed could be one thing, obviously we’ve got quite large this year. Whether we need
to re-examine those roles and have people doing more is also possibly an option, but I wouldn’t want to dissuade people from that role by making it more of a commitment. Great. And finally, what advice would you give to Grace next year coming into the role? Just reach out to everyone around you. There are so many people in student media who love what they do, make use of them as much as you can and where you
can. Put people in the right places and they will flourish and create amazing things. Stay organised as much as possible and find those reliable people who you know will stay with you until 3am on a Friday night to get the paper done because at the end of the day that’s what this job is about really. Just have fun with it, don’t be scared to change the entire thing and make it your own because at the end of the day you have one year and it’s your newspaper to make what you want. So do that, and have fun doing it.
Image: Victoria Wai Photography
A roundup of Student Council 2018/19
A total of six Student Council meetings took place over this academic year (2018/2019). In previous years Council has famously seen heated debates and the passage of motions which have incited real change at the Students’ Union. This year proved no different. Student Council is the highest student representative body at Newcastle Students’ Union, giving people the chance to have a say on what campaigns and events the Union runs and help to make decisions that affect the wider University population. At each Council there are 20 casual voting places available and students can sign up for these up to 48 hours before a Council meeting begins. The first Council of the year took place on 18 October 2018. 10 motions were submitted, 8 were heard, and 2 moved back to the November meeting. One of the most important changes to come out of this Council was the passing of the motion to place a legislative ban on the use of Essay Mill services by a huge 97%. The second Council on 15 November saw fewer motions but no less drama. This Council saw the introduction of Scrutiny Officer Jamie Cameron’s motion to make Ecosia the Union’s default search engine. Ecosia is a social business that uses their profits from searches to plant trees, and was introduced in a bid to improve NUSU’s sustainability. After being hotly contested, the motion failed to pass as it was decided more research needed to be undertaken. At Christmas Council the result from the NUS referen-
dum was announced which revealed 52% had voted to remain out of NUS and 48% had voted to remain. NUSU President Raff Marioni’s motion to fund free menstrual products across campus passed with a resounding 100%. This would support his campaign to lobby the University, which succeeded on 25 March. After a more tame Council in February seeing the passage of only 3 motions, it was back with a bang in March where a motion to lobby the University to change their late submissions policy passed with a massive 80%. This is an effort to implement a sliding scale system whereby students lose a % of their mark per working day that their submission is late for seven days. At the moment students are immediately capped at 40% if their work is a minute late. This Council also saw the implementation of the Commuting Officer Part-Time Officer role, the elections for which have just recently occurred. Finally, as The Courier reported last week, the final Council of the year was possibly the most intense, as a formal motion of disciplinary censure against a current PTO was debated and failed to pass. Student Council will resume in October 2019 and will be attended by our brand new Sabbatical Officers and PTOs for the incoming academic year. Students can sign up for casual voting places via the NUSU website. Isabel Sykes
Image: Wikipedia Commons
puzzles
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the courier
Monday 27 May 2019 Puzzle Matriarch Rihanna Puzzle Peasant Over and out Thoughts and Feelings the.courier.puzzluzz@gmail.com The Courier apologises for a mistake made in last week’s puzzles section and any offence caused
So I mean, it’s been a bit of a crazy year, it was a bit of a weird career move for me to be branching into puzzles and I guess sometimes that showed, like, where even is the sudoku, has there ever been a page so thoroughly inconsistent?? But I mean, I’m Rihanna I’ve got shit going on. My new shop just opened in Eldon Square & your girl has been busy. Thanks for turning up week after week just to wonder whether there will be solutions (a strong sometimes) and whether the crossword will actually work (probably not). Love always from your puzzles matriarch Rihanna xxx
Last weeks solutions
Check out this weeks feature for a bumper puzzle special to help you procrastinate your way through exam season on Find it on pages 22-23
Blue Suede Cloos Across 2. This university made her humanitarian of the year (7) 4. Collaborated with this band on Princess of Chine (8) 10. Rihanna is (3, 5) 11. How many seconds? (4, 4) 13. You can [...] umbrella (5, 5, 2) 14. What’s my what? (4) 16. What is her last name? (5) 19. What voice type does she have? (5, 7) 20. Her beauty company (5, 6)
Down 1. She starred in this 2012 film, loosely based on a game of the same name (10) 3. Her first fragrance (4, 5) 5. How many Grammys does she have? (4) 6. 2010 Album title (4) 7. Collaborated with this rapper on Love the Way You Lie (6) 8. What do chains and whips do? (4, 6, 2) 9. Collaboration with Kendrick Lamar (7) 12. Where was she born? (8) 15. Shine bright like a (7) 17. What is her first name? (5) 18. Love is on the what? (5)
Name the last 3 puzzles mascots 2018-2019........................................................................ 2017-2018........................................................................ 2016-2017........................................................................
Feature page bumper puzzle solutions shhhhhh ACROSS 3. Trebles 5. Koh-I-Noor 8. Stars 10. Seahorse 15. Sting 16. Grace Dean 18. Hustler’s 19. Grey 21. Shijo 23. Raff Marioni 25. Stan 26. Quilliam’s 28. Tiger Tiger 29. Eye
32. Contemporary 33. Will.i.am 36. Copenhagen 38. Arya Stark 39. Brown 41. Hatton 43. Civic Centre 44. Gormley 45. True 46. Thomas 47. NEST
DOWN 1. Wear 2. Falcons 4. Hadrian 6. Herschel 7. Give It A Go 9. Park View 11. Eldon 12. Luther’s 13. Raiders 14. The Snowman 17. Planning 19. Giving 20. Castle Leazes
21. Smart Cards 22. Milkshake 24. Fifty-two 25. Spy Bar 27. Sanitary 30. Northern 31. Victoria 34. Sixty 35. Bessie 37. Four 40. Nine 42. Tyne
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sport
Monday 27 May 2019
Comeback kings battle to be Champion Sesha Subramanian takes a look at the main talking points ahead of this Saturday’s all-English Champions League Final
Sesha Subramanian
For the first time since Moscow 2008, two English teams will be vying for the ultimate crown in European football with Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur contesting the showpiece game. The Reds enter their second consecutive final following a stellar European campaign that has seen them negotiate a tough group consisting of Paris St. Germain, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade and then follow it up with knockout round wins over Bayern Munich, Porto and an unforgettable comeback against Barcelona over two legs. Tottenham’s progress into the knockout stages was equally complicated with Europa League looking more likely after three games against Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven. They then had to ease past Borussia Dortmund, had VAR to thank against Manchester City and then mounted an impressive three goal comeback of their own in 45 minutes against Ajax to book their ticket to Madrid.
Liverpool come one the back of a highly impressive title challenge accumulating 97 points in the Premier League
Liverpool come on the back of a highly impressive title challenge which saw them accumulate 97 points in the English Premier League, falling just a point short of champions Manchester City. Most of the team is fit to play with no real
injury worries. The only real worry was Roberto Firmino who missed the second leg
Liverpool come on the back of a highly impressive title challenge which saw them accumulate 97 points
against Barcelona as well as the last two Premier League games against Newcastle and Wolverhampton. However, as of the time of writing, he has stepped up his rehab process and is on his way to playing in the final. Mo Salah, who also missed the game against Barcelona at Anfield has recovered fully and will be available for the game. Tottenham Hotspur, having secured a top four finish in the Premier League, will now be looking to enter next year’s competition as defending champions. Their talisman Harry Kane has missed most of the second half of the season because of injury but if his celebration at Amsterdam is any indication, he will be good to go against Liverpool at the Wanda Metropolitano. Harry Winks is also recovering from injury but Tottenham do remain confident that they will be able to play in the final. The Reds and Spurs will both probably line up in their usual formations (4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1) going into the game. The big question for Liverpool is who will be alongside Fabinho and Jordan Henderson in the midfield triumvirate. Naby Keita has done well in the last few months and James Milner offers solidity and work ethic but Gini Wijnaldum, given his performance over the last few
games – especially against Barcelona at Anfield might be the person that Jurgen Klopp calls upon. On the other side Dele Alli is likely to play alongside Son Heung-Min and Lucas Moura behind Harry Kane. Eric Dier, Victor Wany-
ama and Moussa Sissoko will be vying for the two places in central midfield. The two sides have met twice in the Premier League this season and the Reds have won both their encounters by the same margin of 2-1 with their defeat at Anfield most
notable for a late own goal by Toby Alderweireld. Spurs will be hoping to avoid mistakes like that while they chase their first ever European crown while Liverpool would love to get another win and cap a brilliant season off with a trophy to show for it.
Spurs will be looking to ensure Liverpool finish runners-up in a second trophy this season Image: Instagram @hm_son7
NUSU brings you one-quid wonders during exam season
Sports Editor Sydney Isaacs gives you the low-down on what’s available
The Newcastle University Students Union recognises the importance of keeping a healthy body and mind during the exam period and of taking regular revision breaks. Whether you’re concerned about the health risks of cigarettes, you’ve developed an allergy to the town moor grass or you’re finding that hancock pints just aren’t the brain-fuel they’re cracked up to be, NUSU have your back, having sorted you a host of prime procrastination activities which will set you back a mere pound.
Tai Chi
Qualified instructor Mel Richardson is running introductory Tai Chi sessions, allowing our students to have a taste of this ancient path to “Good Health of Body and Mind”. NUSU said “Before you know it, you’ll have mastered the ‘Crane cools its wings’, ‘Shoot tiger with bow’ and ‘Golden Rooster stands on one leg’.” The remaining session is on Tuesday 28th May from 12:15 to 13:13 in the Planning Room, Level 1 NUSU. Cost: £1. The sporting activities are part of the ‘Stressed out Students’ scheme Image: Sydney Isaacs
Badminton
If whacking shuttle cocks is your stress reliever of choice then you’d be a fool to miss out on the £1 sessions available on Saturday
1st june and Saturday 8th June from 17:00 to 19:00 in the sports hall at Newcastle University Sports Centre. All equipment is provided, just bring your opponent and let the shuttle meet the, erm, racket. Cost: £1.
Squash
NUSU have booked courts and equipment at Eldon Leisure Centre (Grey’s Quarter, NE1 7XY) for “Rock up and Play Squash” on Thursday 30th May and Thursday 6th of June. Could there be a more tempting offer? With sports assistants on hand to either explain the rules or referee your match, the session is perfect for every level. Cost: £1.
Yoga
Stretch your body and your mind. With no pre-requisite experience required and catering for the full spectrum of flexibility, yoga with the renowned Sally is the chilled out release that you probably need. NUSU state “We’ll prodvide everything you need, simply bring your open mind”, so there is really no excuse for missing the sessions on Wednesday 29th May 10:00 to 11:00 or Thursday 30th June 15:00 to 16:00 in the Newcastle University Business School - Room 1.04. Cost: £1.
Massages
The Students union have referred to him as “the man, the myth, the legend” but you may address him as ‘Wan’. The NUSU masseuse offer’s free massages on a first come first served basis. All you have to do is simply find him and ask. To aid you with the former, we bring to you Wan’s weekly schedule of locations where he will willingly relieve your head and shoulder tension up until 7th of June:
Mondays 16:00 – 18:00 Philip Robinson Library Tuesdays 16:00 – 18:00 Marjory Robinson Library Wednesdays 12:00 – 15:00 Students’ Union Wednesdays 16:00 – 18:00 Robinson Library
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Monday 27 May 2019
Knockout: Deontay Wilder breaks Breazeale resistance in first round
Sports Editor Tom Hardwick brings you the details of last Saturday’s WBC world heavyweight Fight in Brooklyn Deontay Wilder produced a furious firstround knockout of Dominic Breazeale at the Barclays Centre, dispatching his opponent with a powerful right hand to leave fans clamouring for a unification clash with Anthony Joshua. The build-up to the fight was marred by controversy, with Wilder stating that “this is the only sport where you can kill a man and get paid for it at the same time, so why not use my right to do so?” His comments were widely condemned by the boxing community, but Wilder was not to be punished for his reckless insensitivity as he stepped into the ring with Breazeale.
His comments were widely condemned by the boxing community, but Wilder was not to be punished for his reckless insensitivity as he stepped into the ring with Breazeale.
At first, it seemed as if Wilder might be frustrated in his efforts to add to his collection of first-round KO’s. The challenger did attempt to establish himself in the fight, going toe to toe with Wilder and delivering some sharp shots after withstanding a wild flurry from his opponent.
97.5%
Wilder’s knockout to win ratio
against Andy Ruiz Jr on June 1st, then a much-anticipated encounter between Joshua and Wilder must surely be on the cards. Al-
Should this impasse continue, the door might open between wilder and the only man he failed to beat, with Fury being typically vocal
though the two have repeatedly expressed their desire to meet in the ring, there seems to be some reluctance behind the scenes from both parties, much to the infuriation of the countless boxing fans who are itching to see these two fighters trade blows with their belts on the line. Should this impasse continue, the door might open for a rematch between Wilder and the only man he failed to beat, with Fury being typically vocal following the Bronze Bomber’s victory. The Gypsy King challenged the man he entitled a “big dosser” to a
bare-knuckle fight in New York City, and if Joshua cannot or will not do battle with the American, then Tyson would surely be willing to take his place. Wilder laid down a comprehensive marker to his heavyweight rivals by crushing an opponent that Joshua comparatively laboured against, leading fans to speculate who might triumph in a hypothetical Wilder vs Joshua bout. Whether Wilder and Joshua finally engineer a unification fight or Fury gets his chance at a rematch, there ought to be some colossal heavyweight fights on the horizon. Wilder vs Breazeale was a mis-
match and it appears that Joshua vs Ruiz Jr may follow this pattern,
and if these fighters want to lay a conclusive claim to the title of the greatest active heavyweight boxer, then their paths will need to cross sooner rather than later.
“This is the only sport where a man can kill a man and get paid for it at the same time, so why not use my right to do so?”
However, any early promise dissipated upon the landing of Wilder’s destructive right hand, with the champion sending Breazeale to the canvas with a crushing shot. Breazeale couldn’t make it back to his feet before the count, with Wilder claiming his 41st professional victory and retaining his WBC heavyweight belt. As it stands, the only blemish on Wilder’s boxing record is his draw to Tyson Fury last December. If Anthony Joshua can navigate what appears to be a relatively routine bout
The build-up to Saturday’s fight was frought with controversy Image: Wikimedia Commons
Wake up and grab life by the swing-balls Culture Editor and soon-to-be graduate Carys Rose Thomas makes a passionate plea for a Swingball Soc next year
Swingball is normally known as a fun family game Image: Flickr
I have never been a sporty person. Following my outstanding win in Sheffield’s y5 Quick Cricket tournament, I decided to go out of my sporting career on a high and never ever ever touch any sporting equipment again. That was, until my friend drunkenly spend a £10 Amazon voucher that she was given on a swingball set. One evening following a nightmarish day in the Robbo, I trudged to meet my pals on the field by West Jesmond with a few beers, to be greeted by none other than the single best game known to man. Had I not finished university last week, you can bet your life I would be setting up a Swing Ball Soc next year and I can guarantee that after my pitch there is no way any of you could say no. What is the biggest problem with tennis? In a nutshell, it is way too fucking hard to keep control of that ball. Not just tennis, actually, but a majority of ball-based
sports. Would it not be so much easier if, say, you could rest save in the knowledge that the ball was only ever going to travel within a neat and tidy 1.5-metre radius? Well here, I give you swing ball.
It is often thought of as a mere two-man sport, but swingball can be played by whole flocks of teammates
What is typically thought of as a childish pastime for racket sport amateurs is actually
a highly skilled game, which deploys one’s mind as much as their body. It is often thought of as a mere two-man sport, but in actual fact, swingball can be played by whole flocks of teammates in one go. Admittedly, I am yet to actually attempt the game with anything more than two-man teams, but from what it has shown me so far I have every faith in its ability to handle larger teams. If anything, the teams themselves have ways to go if they are going to live up to the might and power of the swingball itself. In all seriousness, I cannot stress how little I usually like to exercise. But this game has genuinely brought quite a bit of joy to my life recently and I reckon it would be nice if more low-key sports societies for un-sporty people were set up. Then again, I’m out of here now so what do I know. Alright that’s me over and out.
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Monday 27 May 2019
Daftest moments of the year Our editors and writers have compiled some of the most baffling blunders and hilarious happenings of this sporting season
Ice Hockey: Russian President Vladimir Putin falls on his face Rebecca Harrison Sport Writer One of the daftest sporting moments of 2018-19 happened just the other week, and involved everyone’s favourite Russian President. After playing in a charity ice hockey match – and scoring either 8, 9 or 10 goals (Russian and Western newspapers unsurprisingly can’t agree on which) – Vladimir Putin took to the ice for the victory lap, smiling and waving at the crowd. Totally absorbed in the atmosphere, he seemingly forgets about the red carpet set up to present the winning team with their award, and skates right into it, promptly falling flat on his face. Having first watched the video in the pub
40+ winning team, Skon-Ural from Yekaterinburg, received a certificate for the construction of an indoor skating rink for their home city as their grand prize. After the final, the winning team then played a charity game against a team of Hockey Legends, made up of former players
and prominent societal figures, for which Putin plays annually wearing number 11. The Hockey Legends beat Skon-Ural 14 goals to 7 at the Bolshoi Ice Arena, Sochi, with the Kremlin reporting that 9 of them were scored by Mr Putin himself. Not bad for a 66-year-old.
Having first watched the video in the pub on that Friday night, and immediately passing the phone around to show everyone, I can truely say it’s worth a watch
that Friday night, and immediately passing my phone around to show everyone, I can truly say it’s worth a watch. Vladimir Putin founded the Night Hockey League for amateur players in 2011 alongside several former hockey players. This year’s
Tranmere Rovers: Mike Dean is a fan
Rebecca Johnson Sport Editor
The sporting world has seen many marvels this season. From Manchester City winning the treble to . However, not are quite as spectacular as Premier League referee and football personality Mike Dean’s celebrations when Tranmere Rovers reached the League Two Play-Off Final. Tranmere won 2-1 on aggregate against a Forest Green Rovers side reduced to ten men. As the full-time cameras panned across the jubilant Tranmere Rovers fans, they focused in on one fan in particular. Upon first glance, he looked like anyone’s da celebrating a Wembley trip, but upon closer inspectionit was none other than Mike Dean amongst the masses pumping and shaking his fists into the air as Tranmere secured their place in the final. The biggest surprise out of this moment came not from actually seeing Dean in the
self and cheering on his team as they reach a play-off final was a delight to see. Never change Mike, never change.
Upon first glance he looked like anyone’s da
stands, but instead discovering that he is a Tranmere Rovers fan. The majority of the football community were under the impression that the referee was in fact a Spurs fan, after that infamous clip of Dean seemingly celebrating a goal from Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele against Aston Villa- whilst he was refereeing the game. Mike Dean is everything wonderful and wrong about the beautiful game. His egotistical refereeing style has seen him become almost like a pantomime villain amongst fans. However, seeing him actually as a fan him-
Image: Flickr
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Rugby Union: Burns’ early celebration
Football: Suspicious work from Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting
Sydney Isaacs Sport Editor
Jack Smillie Sport Editor
The Seventy-fifth minute of Bath’s opening European cup match against Toulouse back in October saw a brutal moment for fullback Freddie Burns and Bath Rugby. With the score 20-22 to Toulouse, Burns skilfully slipped past the Toulouse defence securing himself with a clear run for the try that would put his team in front. Burns stylishly slowed from his sprint as he approached the try-line, flicked the ball into his right hand, blew a kiss to his fans and tapped his club badge twice with his left. In his haze of glory, Burns was unaware of Toulouse’ Maxime Meddard who had not given up the chase and was quickly making ground. As Burns lowered the ball to seal the deal, it was met by Meddard’s foot and Bath’s assumed match-winning try evaporated. Since the match The Guardian have branded subsequent showboating blunders as “doing a Freddie”, as they called for “players to
Image: Youtube
stop behaving like 12-year-olds”. Burns reached out to support ulster player Jacob Stockdale after he committed a similar embarrassing blunder in April in the Champions Cup quarter final against Leinster, tweeting: “People will tell you what you
Burns was unaware of the fact that Toulouse’ Meddard had not given up the chase and was quickly making ground
thought, what you felt and paint you in an untrue light. All you can do is bounce back, prove them wrong and do it with a smile on your face. I’ve been there and I have no doubt that @JacobStockdale will do just that. World class player!”
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting raised a fair few eyebrows when he made the unexpected switch from Stoke City to Paris Saint Germain at the start of the season. Choupo-Moting caught all our attentions back in April with his more-than-suspicious footwork. With the score at 1-1, Choupo-Moting’s teammate Christopher Nkunku had produced a wonderful piece of skill to chip Strasbourg goalkeeper Matz Sels. The ball was destined to roll over the line and came an inch within doing so. Choupo-Moting managed to touch the ball, stop it on the line and stumble awkwardly into the netting, in what only can be described is the most suspicious act of football I’ve ever seen.
Choupo-Moting managed to touch the ball, stop it on the line and stumble awkwardly into the netting
As a result, PSG had to wait for their Ligue 1 winners party and someone somewhere might have made a lot of money. Nonetheless, it was a daft idea to hijack Nkunku’s certain goal so goes down as one of The Courier’s daftest sporting moments of 2018/19.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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Monday 27 May 2019
Raiders finish season on top
Men’s volleyball assured themselves a place in the BUCS premier league next year after a series on 7 consecutive 3-0 wins to culminate the season.
Volley volley volley, win win win!
2018/2019 in sport at Newcastle University Tennis ace it Men’s tennis first team have kept a clean sheet of wins with a whopping set difference of 80 sending them straight through to the Northern A league next year.
END OF YEAR BUCS POSITION Pos
University
Pts
7
Bristol
2944.5
8
Birmingham
2935.5
9
Newcastle ■
2505.7
10
Stirling
2170
11
Oxford
2131.2
Slam dunk home record for mens basketball
Basketball Men’s 2s won their league and every home fixture this season.
The Boat Race of North: Newcastle university Boat Club beat all 6 of Durham’s teams taking home a full sweep of victories in May
sport the courier
Monday 27 May 2019 Issue 1390 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
Tackling the year in University sport Page 43
American football are among teams featured in our BUCS highlights reel Image: Nick Woodruff
Liberty FC sneak in final victory MENS 5-A-SIDE Jack Smilie in Gateshead After an arduous season of 5-a-side, it turns out that Liberty FC really can tough it out on cold, wet and windy Tuesday nights in Gateshead. Liberty FC, a team of first year Newcastle University students, were crowned champions of Student Soccer’s F league on Tuesday, in a promotion race that went right down to the wire. The season got off to a tricky start. Liberty FC found themselves helpless against more experienced teams who were clearly prepared to win at all costs. Essentially all inex-
perienced 5-a-side players, Liberty FC found it hard to adapt from 11-a-side. The winter months proved challenging. Teams found themselves playing in the driving rain - hail at times - and the green astro turf invisible beneath a thin sheet of white snow. Liberty FC only found their form in the turn of the year having acclimatised to the North East and seemingly found a winning formula. Goalkeeper Janis Andersons proved indispensable, saving his team on numerous occasions, proving once more than the goalkeeper position shouldn’t be overlooked in this game. The league was decided in the final game, with Liberty FC battling it out against second place Dirty Mike and The Boys. Liberty went into the game with a 2 point lead, so needed
to avoid a defeat to claim the prestigious trophy.
Liberty FC were able to come from behind to muster an 8-7 victory, with jamie Robinson scoring the winner
Dirty Mike and The Boys started brightly, bagging two early goals through swift passing and intricate diagonal runs. However, they paid for their intense start and no subs to compensate. Towards the end of the game,
Liberty FC were able to take advantage of this. In their penultimate game, Liberty FC were able to come from behind to muster an 8-7 victory, with Journalism student Jamie Robinson scoring the winner with literally the last kick of the game. Proper squeaky bum time stuff. This game was much the same. The final score of 7-6 to the Liberty reflected how close and competitive these two teams have been all season. Kartik Ratnakumar’s masterful hat-trick exposed fundamental weaknesses in Dirty Mike and The Boys’ defence. Kartik’s lowto-the-ground agility and skilful footwork proved too much to handle; at one point he successfully took on three outfield players with one movement. The Chemistry student
got bundled over to provide for Liberty’s first goal of the night; no wonder he’s in the University futsal team. The Student Soccer 5-a-side league operates at Powerleague in Gateshead and runs weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays throughout University term time.
11
a-side football is what awaits for the team next season
The Liberty FC squad plans to return to 11-a-side next year and will make up the majority of the English Society’s new intramural football team.
Inside Sport today >>>
Daft moments of the year
Our Sport Editors compile the most bizzare things that happened in sport Page 42
Wilder vs Breazeale
Sport Editor Tom Hardwick gives you the low down Page 41
Roundup of this year in sport at Newcastle Page 43