Issuu

thecourieronline.co.uk

Thursday 19 September 2019 Issue 1392 Free

The independent voice of Newcastle students since 1948

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

thecourier

The Courier is printed by Trinity Mirror Printing, Barton Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1UT.

Editor Grace Dean Deputy Editor Molly Greeves Email editor.union@newcastle.ac.uk

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.

8 6 8

13 16

19 16

Across

1 The Students’ Union bar (7) 4 A student diet staple (5) 8 The rival university just over the road (11)

11 The famed noodle bar in the SU (5) 12 The classic Newcastle pasty shop (6)

14 A friendly way of expressing your gratitude (2) 16 Rowan _____, Newcastle alumni and creator of Mr Bean (8) 19 A small, flying ball of yellow and black fuzz (3) 21 A female deer (3) 22 A popular North East coastal destination (9) 23 At the end of your foot (3)

Down

1 The animal in the Newcastle University logo (4) 2 A sight-seeing expedition (4) 3 What you can do in Whitley Bay if it’s warm (4) 5 A trip to observe animals in their natural habitat (6) 6 The Yorkshire way of saying “pardon” (2) 7 What you need to wear to attend all the fantastic freshers’ events (9) 9 The river Newcastle lies on (4) 13 The word denoting people from Newcastle (6) 12 Lady ___, pop sensation (4) 13 Harry Potter cape worn to graduation (4) 15 Husband of Queen Victoria (6) 17 Someone aged 13-19 (4) 18 Thing (4) 20 A furry or scaled friend who sadly can’t live in Leazes with you (3) The solution is available on p15.

Your ultimate freshers’ week guide Just what are sabbatical officers? Get involved with student media A-Z of societies & how to get volunteering Stay safe this freshers How can I make change on campus?

14 20 22 24 26 29 Make the most of sport with Team Newcastle 30

Stu Brew has the perfect pint for any beer drinker. This week we’ll be starting with one of our oldest and best loved beers, Lab Session. Lab Session is a light refreshing Pale Ale that comes in at 4.2%, an excellent brew for starting your time at Newcastle University. It’s a simple beer in terms of body and malt character but it definitely doesn’t lack flavour due to all the hops it’s got in. It’ll be on tap in Luther’s all week so get down there and try it. Also keep your eye out for our first Brewery Bash of the academic year

on Friday 4 October, where we’ll be opening the Brewery (Merz Court car park) up to students and the public alike for the evening with plenty of food and beer available. It’s also a great opportunity to find out more if you want to get involved with the society. This week, starting on Monday 26, Stu Brew will also be having a tap takeover at the Town Mouse (by Haymarket Metro). Find out more in the spotlight on Stu Brew on p16.

Life & Style - travel, beauty, fashion, food, lifestyle 6 Culture - music, film, TV, gaming, arts, science 10

Daniel Wolstenholme Stu Brew connoisseur

Comment - opinion pieces & current affairs 5

20 18

Lab Session (4.2%)

What’s in this week? News - what’s happening in the Toon 3

STU BREW beer of the week

TV p13

Travel p6

Freshers’ weeks from the archives

Spare a thought for these freshers who had to put up with far worse than Castle Leazes’ catering options, as Grace Dean looks through the archives to find the good, the bad and the ugly of first week experiences 10 YEARS AGO

20 YEARS AGO

Freshers starting at Newcastle in 2009 really took the plunge – by taking a dip in a bathful of beans. This was part of a campaign by Taybarns restaurants to promote their £4.99 buffet offer to students. 14 eager freshers accepted the challenge, which offered quite a tempting grand prize – a free meal at the restaurant every week for a year. The prize was won by 1st year Ancient History student Tom Nicholson, who described how “freshers’ week is all about new experiences, and it’s not every day that you get to jump in a bath full of beans”. Beany baths weren’t the only surprise for freshers that year, however; Princess Eugenie of York, who at the time was sixth in line for the throne, arrived at Newcastle to start studying Combined Honours in English, History of Art and Politics, from which she graduated in 2012 with a 2:1. Eugenie stated that she chose to come to Newcastle “because it’s a great city”, though this may have been before she first set foot inside her room in Leazes. While living there, Eugenie had round the clock protection from Metropolitan Police, which Hello! Magazine claims cost £250,000 a year. Her admission to Newcastle University, however, has recently caused controversy, after it was alleged that she was initially rejected from studying English Literature and only offered a place on the Combined Honours course after staff noticed her royal credentials.

Plans to hold a mass “snogathon” and feature in the Guiness World Book of Records were scrapped after Vice-Chancellor James Wright expressed concerns that it could put freshers at a heightened risk of contracting meningitis. Such concerns, however, were not reflected

Bean there, done that

Snogathon axed but students forced to share rooms

Eugenie outside the Armstrong Building during freshers’ 2009 Image: A Wilson, Courier Archive

among the freshers themselves, who didn’t see the threat of meningitis as a barrier to their first sexual experiences at Newcastle, with one saying “I’ve gone and lost my [freshers’] wristband while I was having rampant sex”. Two freshers were even made to share not just a bedroom but a bed at Ricky Road, which has since been replaced by Park View, after an accommodation blunder allocated two students to the same room. Angry Alastair Brown claimed: “I’m much too cute to run that kind of risk”. Another pair had to share a room in the same Ricky Road flat too, with the Courier describing how the students had to share “a set of BONK beds”. Safety was clearly at the front of the University’s mind in 1999, as alongside the meningitis concerns it was also reported that Education Policy Professor James Tooley had appeared on Richard and Judy over that summer, suggesting that students’ unions should close their bars. He argued that “the best way to fight student poverty would be to close the bars”, after having previously publicly stated that students come to university “to prolong the joys of youthful irresponsibility and decadence”. This stemmed from his belief that the working classes shouldn’t be subsidising the cost of higher education if students then spend this money unwisely.

23 YEARS AGO

Parent crashes fair

A parent was removed from the 1996 freshers’ fair after “ranting at several stallholders”. The Courier reported that “the forceful father was progressing round the stalls shouting at them all in turn. At the Labour Club’s table he started that their party’s quality of debate was not up to standard and proceeded to argue with fervour in an attempt to stir things up”. The first year celebrations included a kilted Ceilidh, and a somewhat more unorthodox “Crazy Carnival”, which featured “a bloke performing obscenities with a banana [which] would have been enough to shock even the most liberal of souls”. Further chaos was caused by the banning of Guinness from students’ unions across the country following a decision by the NUS buying consortium.

32 YEARS AGO

‘I want my mummy’

The University Housing Office was blasted after 200 students were initially left without accommodation, as 245 students were promised temporary Castle Leazes accommodation for during freshers’ week despite only 45 rooms being available. Despite this hiccup being resolved, first year students from 1987 had mixed reviews of their first week at Newcastle, with remarks ranging from “I want my mummy” to “sod off”, “cold” and “hall food terrible”.

news

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Free sanitary products available across campus Charlotte Boulton

Marginalised Genders Officer 18-19 Newcastle University is making history as the first university in England to offer free menstrual products to all of its students. Although the Students’ Union already offer free emergency period products in the Student Advice Centre, and now also in baskets in the level one toilets, these new provisions will provide a much higher level of support across campus. The plans were brought forward by Raff Marioni, last year’s Students’ Union President, in a Student Council motion following petitions and fundraising events by the Speech and Language Therapy Society which showed a real student desire for increased menstrual products for those in need.

Newcastle is the first university in England to offer free menstrual products to all students

The University and Union worked together across last academic year to organise the introduction of eight vending machines offering a variety of menstrual products. They will include tampons and sanitary pads in a selection of sizes to cater for different needs, and will be restocked regularly to maintain avail-

ability. The vending machines will be located in different locations across campus including the Business School, the Medical School, the Marjorie and Philip Robinson Libraries, and the Armstrong Building. Any student can access the machine by swiping their smartcard; information about usage is used only to monitor stock levels and popularity of the machine, rather than keeping track of individual students’ usage. The machines are intended to improve access to menstrual care for any student, whether out of need due to poverty or simply forgetting to bring their own products with them. The machines are intended to be up and running in time for the start of term to ensure all new and existing students can benefit. Katie Smyth, this year’s Students’ Union President is continuing the work from last year and commented: “We’re all extremely excited for the introduction of sanitary products onto campus, and are proud to be the first union in the country to do so. Obviously huge thanks to Raff, the rest of the sabbatical officers and all the other students that played a vital role last year and the time and effort they put into getting this off the ground in the first place”. It is important to remind students to be mindful about the amount of times they use the machines to respect the needs of fellow students and avoid misuse of the provisions to ensure everybody in need can access these important free resources.

A range of sanitary products are now available for free across campus Image: Marco Verch on Flickr

Whey Aye man! Quayside to welcome largest observation wheel in Europe Em Richardson News Editor Newcastle City Council has granted permanent planning permission to the ‘Whey Aye’- a giant Ferris Wheel set to be built in the Quayside area of the city. Standing at 460 feet tall, the wheel will be taller than the London Eye and indeed the tallest observation wheel in Europe, and will be built on a site where the Spiller’s Flour Mill was once located. The land in question has been empty since 2011.

The project will cost around £100 million

The developers are hoping that the project will attract more tourists to the city Image: World Wheel Company

The project will cost an eye-watering £100 million to build, but its creators, the World Wheel Company, claim 261,000 extra visitors will travel to Newcastle annually to see the wheel, generating £15 million of extra revenue, each year, for local businesses. It is forecast that the development will also create up to 800 jobs. The company is planning to propose that a giant LED advertising board is attached to the centre of the wheel, and the area surrounding the ‘Whey Aye’ is also expected to receive new developments, including a virtual golf experience and a new food and drink hall. Councillors are said to have approved the wheel’s planning permission in hopes of boosting the city’s economy. However, the project is not without its critics, with local councillors expressing concern that interest in the wheel will be short-lived, providing only a small boost to the economy. The planning committee itself was equally divided, with the

project only being approved by a margin of eight votes to four during a fourhour meeting. Dr Edward Wainwright, of Newcastle University’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, claimed that the ‘Whey Aye’ will provide ‘little or no direct community benefit’ for the local area. He went on to argue that visitors to the site will increase traffic into the city, and put strain on local roads and public transport. The scheme has also prompted a mixed reaction from students. Whilst many are excited for the new attraction, Charlotte Boulton, Culture Editor for the Courier, has claimed that if the development process “ruins Ouseburn” she will personally “fight the wheel”. Courier Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson adds that her “head is spinning” as to why this decision was made. “The worry is that the development will take away from Ouseburn’s trade

The ‘Whey Aye’ is expected to be open to the public in late 2020 or early 2021

and independent businesses in favour of a massively commercialised new construction,” Boulton claims. Ouseburn residents expressed similar concerns on the ‘Ouseburn Valley’ Facebook page, calling the wheel “inappropriate” and “hideous”. Despite these criticisms, the development will go ahead with the wheel expected to be opened to the public in late 2020 or early 2021.

sts er

the courier

news

Thursday 19 September 2019

‘Bollocks to Boris’: over 2000 protest parliament prorogation Molly Greeves Deputy Editor

Grey’s Monument has been the backdrop of many protests in the last year, from Extinction Rebellion’s “die-in” last May to the infamous milkshake-ing of Nigel Farage during his Brexit Party campaign. But an even larger spectacle was made on the 31st of August, exactly two months until Boris Johnson’s Brexit deadline, when over 2000 people swarmed around the landmark to protest Boris Johnson’s plan to suspend parliament. ‘Parliament prorogation’ is a formal way of temporarily suspending parliament and ending the legislation currently being discussed. This usually occurs around this time of year, and as this parliamentary session has been the longest in 400 years, we are due a suspension. However, Johnson’s plan differs from the norm in that he wants to suspend parliament for five weeks, while prorogation usually lasts less than a week. Additionally, with the Brexit deadline swiftly approaching, parliament has tried to pass a law that would prevent us leaving the European Union without a deal. The Prime Minister’s call for prorogation is controversial as it is viewed by many as an attempt to achieve a no-deal Brexit without the support of parliament. A petition titled “Do not prorogue Parliament” gained over 1.6 million signatures in just two days and #StopTheCoup protests

have been held all over the country since the Queen agreed to the prorogation request. Many people at the Newcastle protest held up EU flags and banners with slogans such as “defend democracy” and “stop Boris”. The atmosphere was reportedly lively with protestors chanting “stop the coup” and “bollocks to Boris”. There were also fourteen speakers at the event, most notably Labour MP Ian Lavery and the North Tyne major, Jamie Driscoll. Tony Dowling, chair of North East People Against Austerity and organiser of the event, claims that people are right to be “outraged” at Johnson’s “outrageous attack on democracy”. “I’m sure this is only the beginning,” Dowling states. “We need to defend and extend democracy in this country and we need a general election now to get rid of this unelected Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his attacks on our democracy.” Charlotte Boulton, a postgraduate student here at Newcastle, attended the event and had this to say: “The prorogation protest was a great reminder of the importance of rallying together as a community, with many excellent local speakers representing different groups who fear the impact that the government’s decision to halt parliament during one of the most tumultuous times we’ve ever known will have on their jobs and lives. It was a re-energising gathering and the reassurance that there are at least over 2,000 in Newcastle who care about

Black History Month at NUSU Sara Elkhawad Welfare & Equality Officer For as long as I can remember, the history I have been taught at school and higher education, through media, art and literature, is a white history. Even the month that is marked out specifically for black history too often focusses on the same historical narrative: white empire and slavery. But black history, and more importantly, black excellence, achievement and royalty was being made long before colonialism where Nubian royals ruled the lands of Sudan and Egypt for 1400 years, never to be dominated by the Roman empire, and black queens ruled kingdoms across Africa including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, Madagascar and Zulu Kingdom. As the first woman of colour as Welfare and Equality Officer I am keen to change and reclaim the narratives currently dominating our Black History “celebrations”, and honour the black beauty and excellence that our black students deserve. Which brings me to the month’s theme: Black is Gold.

The opening night features dance, spoken word and music performances, a fashion walk, an art exhibition and traditional Trinidadian cuisine, whilst the closing party will take place in World Headquarters with DJ sets from black student DJ’s. The month will also hone in on current issues affecting blackness, with a panel on racism, toxic masculinity, colourism and hyper-femininity, as well as interviews with black students about their lived experiences. All the events are free to attend and are open to students from all backgrounds who want to learn more about black history and experience some of the beautiful black culture here in the Toon. Keep an eye out for posters and social media posts for dates, times and venues, as well as a full guide in the Courier for the events for the month. If you are a black student and have a keen interest or skill in black history, music, DJing, poetry or dance and want to get involved in the event just drop me an email at welfare.union@ncl. ac.uk or pop into the Your Voice office on the ground floor of the SU to have a chat!

The Black Lives Matter movement is significant in contemporary black history Image: Wikimedia Commons

Many protestors felt that Johnson’s decision was an attack on democracy Image: Charlotte Boulton

what’s happening encouraged me to feel less hopeless about people coming together to oppose Boris Johnson’s selfish decisions.”

However, not everyone viewed the protest in such a positive light. In the Facebook comments to The Chronicle’s news article about

the event, one person called the march “antidemocratic” and another called it “any excuse to whinge”.

New building honours slave abolitionist Em Richardson News Editor

A £35 million Newcastle University building is set to be named after 1800s anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass. Douglass, thought to have been born in 1818, was born into slavery in Maryland, USA. Whilst still a slave, he secretly taught himself to read and write. Douglass attempted to escape slavery several times, finally succeeding in September 1838.

Douglass visited Newcastle University in 1846 to give an antislavery lecture

After his escape, Douglass married, and became a licensed preacher. When not completing his role at church, he regularly attended anti-slavery meetings and protests,

and become known as an anti-slavery orator. In 1843, Douglass began a speaking tour of the Mid-Western and Eastern United States. He published his first book, describing life as a slave, in 1845, and went on to publish several more over the course of his lifetime. His books told of the horrors of life as a slave, and took a firmly anti-slavery stance. After Douglass’s friends expressed concern that touring the US drew too much attention to Douglass, and could encourage his former owner to attempt to reclaim his ‘property’, he decided to tour the UK and Ireland. In 1846, Douglass visited Newcastle, to give an anti-slavery lecture. It was during this visit that he finally gained the legal status of a ‘free man’, after a local woman named Anna Richardson, and her sister-in-law Ellen, started a campaign to raise funds to legally ‘purchase’ Douglass from his American owner. During his visit to Newcastle, Douglass stayed with the two women, in a house in Summerhill Square. Fittingly, the building that will be named after him is situated near the Square, at the Helix site. The Frederick Douglass centre will open at

the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year, and will seat 750 people in its main auditorium, as well as an additional 200 in a smaller lecture theatre. The building’s upper floors will be home to a variety of seminar rooms.

The Frederick Douglass Centre will seat 750 people in its main auditorium and 200 in a smaller lecture theatre

Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, Professor Suzanne Cholerton, believes that the building will be a “fitting tribute to [Douglass’] role… in the region’s local and global real-life struggles for freedom. “The Frederick Douglass Centre as a purpose-built educational space is a major boost to our commitment to deliver... excellent facilities for learning and teaching for our students and staff.”

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

@CourierComment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment

comment

Are Extinction Rebellion getting it right? Joe Molander

Humans’ relationship to change, ironically, often stays the same. Throughout history, the four steps of necessary social change are that it is proposed, opposed, succeeds, and then further opposition becomes unthinkable. The Suffragettes wanted votes for women, were met with scorn and branded terrorists, then ‘won’, and now any initiative to remove women’s suffrage –something that was once considered laughable – would be met with the appropriate disgust. When that necessary social change is trying to combat climate change, we’re teetering between steps two and three – opposition and success – and one group trying to get us over the hump - willingly or otherwise - is Extinction Rebellion. Opposition to them is understandable, in that we’ve seen it before. People didn’t deem black civil rights as worth the trouble of the methods being used to bring them about, so opposed them. The fight for same-sex marriage was once one fought only by those on the extreme left, and now any attempt to repeal gay marriage would be met fierce opposition.

Direct action has always been considered ‘annoying’ but has brought about vital social change

There’s no denying Extinction Rebellion’s methods are annoying, or to use the slightly politer term, obstructive; that is the nature of direct action. It was ‘annoying’ when Suffragettes chained themselves to rails, and ‘obstructive’ when civil rights activists conducted sit-ins, but all of these were pivotal to enacting necessary social change. Yet, there are still people who believe that Extinction Rebellion’s actions are unnecessary. But the more educated we become about climate change, the weaker this argument becomes. It is beyond doubt that global warming is happening (average global temperature in 2016 was 1.1 degrees Celsius higher than in the pre-Industrial era), ‘extremely likely’ that this is mainly thanks to human activity (as concluded by

the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in 2013) and that this will have drastic effects on the planet (more extreme weather, rises in sea level and increased risk of hunger when food supplies are disrupted). Thus, the three ‘demands’ made by Extinction Rebellion - for the state to declare a climate emergency, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2025 and to create a Citizen’s Assembly – are perfectly reasonable. More than that, they are desperately needed, meaning the benefits of introducing them far outweigh the costs, such as disruption to public services. A lesser but nonetheless important point is that these costs are often exaggerated: Extinction Rebellion insists it is committed to non-violence beyond the odd broken window. Protest leaders work with the police to ensure ambulances are redirected past protest sites, and the pride the group takes in its “decentralisation” of leadership makes organising larger events that could pose a greater threat difficult. Not only are Extinction Rebellion trying to bring about vital change, they are doing it in a way that continues a decadeslong tradition of using direct action to achieve social goals. Before Extinction Rebellion, climate change was given lip service, and any action besides recycling and taking public transport was rarely discussed. Now, Extinction Rebellion - along with other activists such as 16-year-old

Greta Thurnberg - have made climate change a hot button issue. In one year the environment has climbed from voters’ 7th to 3rd most important issue, behind only Brexit and the NHS, ahead of the economy, education and crime, according to pollster YouGov. It’s easy to scoff at Extinction Rebellion, and it’s hard to deny that in the short run, they are a nuisance. In t h e long run, though, they are helping to create a new and desperately needed era of environmental consciousness. In the very long run, future

Image: Emma Monaghan

historians will find they were on the right side of history, just as we did with the activists of old who were denounced in their time.

Max Habib

Extinction Rebellion, founded in late 2018, has been present in the media intermittently, often disappearing as quickly as they appear. They first came to the forefront with their open letter in October 2018, signed by ninety-four academics, attacking the government and calling for “a Citizens’ Assembly to work with scientists on the basis of the extant evidence and in accordance with the precautionary principle, to urgently develop a credible plan for rapid total decarbonisation of the econo m y .” I certainly found the language dense, as well as p o l it i c a l . The letter, titled “Facts about our ecological crisis are incontrovertible. We must take action”, can be read on the Guardian website. Their biggest mistake, in my opinion, is the manifestation of their protest — the “respectful disruption”. Due to the nature of any

successful democracy, one of the most effective ways to bring about change is to convince the majority. Extinction Rebellion cites many fighters and movements against injustice from history, including the Suffragettes, Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Occupy London. However, one important aspect that all these fights have in common, which is lacked by the people of the UK in regard to climate change, is the oppressed. When the Suffragettes caused disruption for the right to vote, they caused disruption in the name of women; when Gandhi stood against the British in India, he did so on behalf of all the Indian people; when Martin Luther King rallied against the American establishment, he did so for the African-American population; and when Occupy held protests outside the LSE, they protested for those who suffer from economic inequality. In each case, the change trying to be brought about involves a downtrodden people who are inspired by those who sacrifice on their behalf. Extinction Rebellion has an oppressor to attack but no oppressed to inspire. The oppressed in their fight is the Earth and the Earth cannot speak for itself. The advantage that having an oppressed people has, when it comes to winning the fight, is that you have a recruiting pool from which you can gather supporters. When it comes to disruptive protest, that pool is necessary, as without it, you are alienating far more than you are convincing.

Ultimately Extinction Rebellion has an oppressor to attack but no oppressed people to inspire

My advice to Extinction Rebellion would be to target those in power and appeal to the common person. I cannot imagine daily commuters’ spare thoughts for the zealot who delays them.

Boris’ pesky Parliament prorogation

Joe Molander discusses recent Brexit developments and the consequences of the Prime Minister’s shock announcement

oris Johnson has prorogued Parliament, or shut it down, without calling a general election. The building usually used to give Britons everywhere a voice and to make major political decisions is empty. Clearly, this was never about the will of the people, and it was never about sovereignty. Those who wanted Brexit wanted Brexit, nothing more, and simply armed themselves with this vocabulary – which had the double advantage of making their side sound legitimate in a democracy and not being accessible enough for the layman to challenge it – and used it for as long as it served their interests. The Remain and Leave camps are both broad churches – each being home to around half the population of Britain – so it is of course unfair to say that the events that have transpired

in the past week reflect the views and wishes of everyone who voted out of the European Union. Regardless of who does and doesn’t support it, it has happened. Whether people agree with it is almost insignificant, certainly to those at the top of the Conservative Party and at Number 10, who have made their contempt for political representation and what the public think clear: what matters now is what happens next. Last month, Caroline Lucas was derided for her proposal of an all-female antiBrexit Cabinet. The right, by now wearily well-versed in the politically correct lexicon, beat Lucas at her own game and suggested that such extreme positive discrimination was sexist, while other opponents criticised the move for not offering a single position to a non-white woman. In principle, an organised antiBrexit cabal is still a good idea, though,

provided the ‘principle’ is understood to be an opportunity for those at the forefront of top-tier anti-Brexit politics to unite on strategy. The left are often said to be overly interested in ideology, leading to disagreements and fracturing that usually make such unity difficult. That trend was bucked when Jeremy Corbyn announced that he and other opposition leaders were coordinating plans to pass a law blocking a no-deal Brexit, which sounds promising to those who are against ‘crashing out’ (who make up the majority of Britons, by a landslide: only 34% of people would choose a no-deal Brexit if no new deal was agreed by 31st October, according to pollster YouGov in August 2019, who presented people with a raft of options [though it should be noted a no-deal Brexit was still the most popular option, more so than re-

maining in the EU or holding a second referendum: however, those in favour of other options vastly outnumber those who want no-deal]). However, excitement was cut short by the proroguing of Parliament. Thrown

This was never about the will of the people and it was never about sovereignty

out onto the cobbles, MPs are now little more than grassroots activists, and their parties (including the not insignificant faction of the Conservative Party who are keen on Europe) pressure groups. A team at Number 10 willing to suspend

the only major check on itself does not care enough about accountability to listen to activists or pressure groups: if Brexit can truly work for Britain (if it can work at all, with most projections of its impact on GDP being negative, compared with staying in the EU), it will come with the seal of approval from the people, which will be delivered to the government by Parliament. Without Parliament, the government have minimal incentive to pay any mind to the will of the people between elections, and so for Brexit to work successfully (and for democracy to work at all), Johnson must restore Parliament. It was said above that the left are over-reliant on ideology: the other side of that particular coin is that the right have a penchant for pragmatism. Now more than ever would be a good time for the leader of the Conservative Party to prove it.

life & style

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

guide to Newcastle

Take a tour of the North East Your dream Geordie grub crawl Want a weekend off from seminar work? Lucy Lillystone lets Emma Dawson is here to give you the foodie’s tour of the Toon oving to university is a big experience wich is, Dene’s Deli is almost guaranteed to be able you know where to add to your North East travel list this year and you’ll want to find out a lot about to make. Nudo, a chain selling Japanese small eats

fter a long week of lectures, seminars and time in the library, the weekend is often the best time for a little break. Here’s some of the North East’s hidden beauties in travelling distance for your weekends during term time!

Beamish

Beamish is an open-air museum educating people about the North East during the Edwardian and Victorian eras. Located in the County Durham countryside, Beamish provides a fun weekend day trip for friends. Featuring farms, towns, pit villages, railway stations and tram rides alongside perfect spots for a picnic, Beamish is packed with history, Victorian treats and a nice relaxing break from university work – and if you do History then it counts as revision, right?

Tynemouth

A quick metro ride away is also the beautiful coastal village of Tynemouth. Get yourself some fish and chips and visit the local gift shops before heading to the beach for a nice stroll beside the sea. If you’re feeling cultured, you can even visit Tynemouth Priory. In the summer, Tynemouth is the perfect place to have a disposable barbeque with a side of Dark Fruits and catch up on what’s been happening with your friends during the week, and if you’re feeling brave then a dip in the sea is a must.

Bamburgh Castle

Known as the ‘King of Castles’, Bamburgh Castle is a prime weekend spot to learn all about the history of the castle and the rebellion and bloodshed that occurred there. Surrounding the castle is also Bamburgh beach, one of the most beautiful vast beaches in the North East, perfect for the ‘gram. This location provides the perfect opportunity for a peaceful weekend day out after a hard week slaving over essays.

Alnwick

Alnwick could take up a whole weekend of adventures. If you’re a fan of Harry Potter, chances are

you’ve already got your eyes on Alnwick Castle (pictured below), where you and your friends can learn to ride broomsticks. Alternatively, if you are a nature lover and want to get some beautiful botanical photography, Alnwick Gardens provide the perfect spot for that Instagram shot. And finally, my personal favourite spot: Barter Books. This second-hand bookshop in Alnwick’s Victorian former railway station has all the aesthetics. It’s the perfect destination to stop for a little coffee. A must visit for book lovers!

The Metro Centre

If beaches, museums and books aren’t your thing, maybe the Metro Centre is more up your street. With bigger shops and food outlets than Eldon Square and easily accessible by bus, the Metro Centre is perfect for anyone wanting to shop till they drop! And just close by is Ikea, where you can get all the bits and bobs to decorate your new digs all at a low price. If you end up in Ikea, don’t hesitate to stop for some classic Swedish meatballs; they’re to die for.

Hadrian’s Wall and Fort

Hadrian’s Wall is a must visit for a day out at the weekend if you’re craving natural wilderness and stunning views with a dash of history. The historical site has just recently been praised on the news for being one of the most popular and best tourist attractions in the North East. And the masses of visitors aren’t wrong; it offers the opportunity to have a nice peaceful walk along the wall while visiting the remains of a Roman fort. The history friends amongst you will definitely be geeking out. Get yourself out of that dingy library and go and experience some fresh air and nature at one of the North East’s hidden gems while the sun’s still out.

your new city once you’re settled. One thing about Newcastle that really sets it apart is its constantly growing food scene that caters for all tastes With several hundred restaurants and cafes squeezed into a compact city like Newcastle, you could likely eat dinner in a different restaurant every week and never eat in the same place twice, but it’s still wise to have a few ideas about where to start. First thing’s first, we all need a few ideas for quick lunch places to grab something between lecturers that’s a bit more exciting than a sad egg and cress sandwich. Just off Northumberland Street, Ridley Place offers two budgetfriendly student favourites - Zapatista and Frankie and Tony’s. Zapatista offers a selection of popular Mexican dishes like fajitas, burritos and quesadillas which you order like you would at Subway, with a wide choice Image: @ZapatistaBurrito on Instagram of fillings for whatever meal you choose. Lunch here won’t set you back much more than a fiver. Frankie and Tony’s provides a wide selection of sandwiches made to order, and it’s common to see the queue out the door and down the street. If you’re feeling adventurous or live nearby, the award-winning Dene’s Deli in Jesmond is worth the trip for the outstanding selection of sandwiches as well as homemade cakes and biscuits. However unusual and quirky your perfect sand-

like dumplings and sushi, is also worth a try. Going out for dinner is a great way to treat yourself when you’re a student and get to know your new friends better. Newcastle offers an impressive array of cuisines from Korean to Peruvian as well as exciting developments in vegan dining. If you’re wanting to make your money go further there are a handful of buffets that are excellent go-to choices for eating out. Laus 202 covers pretty much all bases when it comes to Chinese food and also offers sushi and made to order desserts. Aneesa’s on the Quayside will satisfy if you’re looking for Indian food, and if you just can’t decide, Za Za Bazaar in the Gate offers international cuisine with student discount. Watch out for offers during freshers’ week. And finally, a couple of tips for foodie success. Make sure to check out Chinatown, which includes a fantastic supermarket, two buffets and Dojo, an outstanding Japanese restaurant that even has a Hello Kitty karaoke room. Newcastle also has restaurant week, occurring both in January and August, in which many restaurants offer two- and three-course meals for £10 or £15. Not only is it a great chance to see what is on offer, but it can also mean savings on the regular menu price, so make sure to try out some new places then. Newcastle really is a foodie’s dream so eat well and enjoy yourself!

the courier

life & style

Thursday 19 September 2019

The best leisure & fitness facilities Get glam Catherine Entwistle’s talks you through the best yoga and gym facilities that Newcastle has to offer

I’m sure you will have all heard of, seen or been to a Pure Gym by now. Scattered around the country, Newcastle actually has two to its name: Pure Gym Eldon Square and Pure Gym St James. Both offer 24-hour gym access in the centre of Newcastle and both are walking distance from most first year halls. They offer a variety of memberships, with the cheapest starting out at £12.99 a month! Having had a Pure Gym membership in my first year, I can confirm the classes are great and the gym has an abundance of machines and facilities.

As you explore Newcastle, you will no doubt come across Stack. Stack is a creative social hub for entertainment, culture, work and play and boasts an array of the North East’s best up & coming local independent businesses, eateries and bars. Think Shoreditch meets Newcastle. Yoga Therapies is a yoga company with a number of studios based in and around Newcastle. The Den is their Stack studio and offers great membership options. It is a very small studio but I had a great yoga class here last year. When I visited, my first class was free which was a great way to try it out. They offer pay-asyou-go options as well as monthly payment options including a single class for £10 or unlimited access at £40 a month for students (usually £50). Check out their website to find out more: www.yogatherapies.co.uk.

The Gym

Give it a Go

Pure Gym

The Gym is very similar to Pure Gym. The comparable no-frills aesthetic means that it comes at a very low price and they also have great student deals. There is one in the city centre at the bottom of The Gate, and another slightly further out in Benton (this one has free parking on site). Both are currently offering a student deal of £109 for nine months, which works out at just over £12 a month! I had a The Gym (Benton) membership in second year and thought it was good for the price. The only catch is that you do need a car. In my opinion, the classes aren’t as good here as they are at Pure Gym but it depends what you want.

The Sports Centre

The university gym is located in the Sports Centre, opposite Park View. It is well equipped and has a good range of machines including a weights room. In terms of membership, there are two options: silver and gold. With silver membership, you do not get access to the gym itself. This only gives you access to sports centre activities, exercise classes (£3 per class), intra mural sports and use with university sports teams. This is priced at £66.50 and must be purchased if you join a sports team. With gold membership, you get everything you would with a silver membership, plus unlimited gym access and free exercise classes. I personally prefer Pure Gym and The Gym to the university gym (you bump into less people!) but

If you want to try something completely new and exciting at a discounted price, Give It A Go is the perfect choice for you. This is a Students’ Union scheme which offers free and heavily discounted exercise classes, activities and sport taster sessions. It’s a great way to help you meet new people, blow off some steam and have a bit of fun while you’re at university. In my second year, I tried out women’s lacrosse for the first time and ended up playing on the second team at university level so I would urge anyone who fancies trying something new to not hesitate and give it a go! More information about Give It A Go can be found at: nusu.co.uk/getinvolved/ giveitago/

Body Zone Fitness

This is another gym option with similarly great student deals such as £109 for eight months. Again in the heart of Newcastle, this gym offers personal training and classes as well as a Ladies Only Gym, supervised by female personal trainers. If you are a total gym beginner, they offer a free 45-minute personalised induction session with o n e of their P e r s o n a l Tr ai n ers in the Ladies Gym.

If fitness classes are more your thing, why not try ODFC Fitness? Slightly more expensive than other gym options mentioned here, they offer outdoor and indoor exercise classes for all abilities, including a running club. For students, the first month is £25 and every month after that is £35. What a great way to get fit and explore different parts of Newcastle at the same time!

Catherine Entwistle’s guide to the Toon’s hair and beauty gems

Jesmond Swimming Pool

For the swimmers out there, Jesmond Pool is the nearest swimming pool to the city and offers lane swimming, adult swimming lessons and late evening chill out sessions. They also have a gym, which offers spinning classes, yoga, pilates and much more. Students pay £3.40 to swim and between £2 and £6 for individual classes. There are also plenty of membership options including gym only, swim only or all-inclusive. West Jesmond metro station is only a few minutes walk away, making it easily accessible for first years!

Barre Fitness

Images

Yoga Therapies at Stack

ODFC Fitness

Domain

some people prefer going to the gym on campus in between lectures.

Image: P ublic

ewcastle is a fantastic city with plenty to do and see, as I’m sure you’ll find out over the next three years. Your time at university is a fantastic opportunity to explore new places and try new things. For the active ones amongst you or for those looking to kickstart a new gym or exercise routine, why not check out the best options in and around Newcastle for gyms and exercise classes?

For all-round body conditioning, why not try Barre? While being one of the more pricey options, it offers a great way to work every muscle in your body with low impact, repetitive moves. You don’t have to be a ballerina to do it! They offer a range of classes including ReAb, Beautcamp and Barrdio and pricing options include: 2 for 1 intro offer for £14, £7 for a single session or a range of packages ranging from £55 to £200.

Park Run Newcastle

Whether you’re already a serial park-runner or you’re thinking “what on Earth is that?”, Park Run gives people of all abilities all over the country the chance to run, jog or walk 5km every Saturday at 9am. Newcastle Park Run is in Exhibition Park, and as with all Park Runs, it’s run by volunteers and is completely free. All you have to do is register online before your first run. Some of you may find this a great way to shake off a hangover and kick-start your weekend!

Image: Kaz on Pixabay

hether you love beauty or you just need the occasional brow wax, Newcastle has it all on offer. Residing in the North certainly has its perks, as pretty much everything has a much smaller price tag compared with the South so treating yourself now and again won’t break the bank. If you thought you’d have to forfeit your full head of highlights or regular acrylic nails in order to fund a weekly shop, think again. Here’s a round up of the best student beauty deals the city has to offer.

LET YOUR HAIR DOWN

David Harvey Hairdressing - 64 St Andrew’s St This salon is near China Town and has some great student deals. They offer a 20% discount on all services for students available Monday – Friday. Closest halls: The View, Verde and Liberty Plaza. Boilerhouse – 9 Acorn Road, Jesmond This is a fairly high-end salon in Jesmond but they have a wide-range of hair and beauty treatments and they also have amazing offers such as 30% off for students on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (does not apply to: blow dries, hair up services, HD Brows and Fake Bake spray tanning). Easily accessed on the metro, as it’s only a few minutes walk away from West Jesmond station. Collective Hairdressing - 52 Northumberland St This salon is right in the centre of town making it perfect for a quick trim between lectures. They offer 20% student discount Monday-Wednesday. Other current offers include half price cut & blow dry on your first visit and 50% off colour with a full price cut & blow dry.

THE CLAWS ARE OUT

I. Nails Express - Eldon Square They offer student discount with a valid student card. This salon is located very close to uni and most halls. It can get busy at times so be prepared to wait, but the service is efficient and high-quality with most services costing under £20 so it’s worth the wait!

BEAUTY BABES

Newcastle Hair and Beauty Clinic - 52 Northumberland St Huge range of treatments and services on offer, including facials and massage. They don’t seem to do any discounts specifically for students but for new customers, there’s a £5 voucher on offer to be used when you spend £25 or more, which can be found online. They also currently have a great offer of any three treatments for £60 (choice of 13 treatments). Humphrey & Wilson – 124 Heaton Rd They offer 10% student discount on all treatments on Wednesdays and provide a good range of beauty treatments, as well as hairdressing and lash extensions. A 10-minute car journey or Uber ride away!

CALLING ALL LASH QUEENS

Image: Matthew Hartley on Flickr

If lashes are your thing, then you’ll already know that they’re not the cheapest beauty trend on the planet but there are definitely student-friendly options on offer in Newcastle. A number of the salons mentioned above offer extensions and a full set of lashes can cost anything between £40 and £88 (depending on what style you’re after). A more purse-friendly option is to book in with a lash technician within the student community who mostly operate on Instagram and offer much cheaper prices for students than salons. A couple worth taking a look at are @lashes_by_catherinee and @millylondonlashes as both offer a student price list.

life & style

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Cheers to your new home

Whether for food, quizzes or a pint with friends, Aimee Seddon recommends some of the best pubs our city has to offer

our first week at university can be really daunting, especially when faced with a whole flat of strangers. But one of the best ways to get to know everybody in a relaxed but fun way is to head down to the pub. First off, Newcastle is great for pubs. Being a city, there are obviously plenty to

choose from. The prices too will be a happy surprise for the southern students amongst you! Some offer delicious meals during the day, while others host regular quizzes. I’ve compiled a quick run through of some standout pubs as a guide.

The Hancock

The classic. Whilst it is further away from some of the larger accommodations, it is super close to the Windsor and Park Terraces and the libraries. This pub definitely has the best smoking area, with a large outside area filled with long tables and covered seats for rainier days, and even working heaters outside. It’s one of the only pubs where you can fit your whole floor on a table if you wish to!

The House

Image: Geograph

Trent

Just down the road from Leazes Park, this is a tiny and characteristic pub. It’s the ideal

choice for a date, because, unlike most pubs, you won’t see 20 familiar faces (probably because the Trent can’t fit them in). This place is also a historical Newcastle icon, opening in 1861. Plus, The Trent House is owned by the same people who own World Head Quarters, one of the best clubs in Newcastle (but that’s a story for a different article).

The North Terrace

This is a nice pub - one worth taking your parents to when they make their first visit. This pub is right by the Sports Centre, so after cleansing your soul on the treadmill, why not balance it out with a pint? It’s really close to most of the accommodations, whilst also being nicely tucked away from the busy city centre. They do pretty good pizzas too, which are on offer Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.

Cosy Dove

Situated right behind Castle Leazes, it is mostly frequented by students from this halls. It is yet another pretty pub and their food is of excellent quality, a nice break from super noodles and toast. They also have an extensive gin menu if you’re feeling fancy. Student quiz nights are always very popular there too - perfect for breaking the ice with new friends.

Wetherspoons

It goes without saying that Wetherspoons is always a good bet. The comforting familiar name is likely to get even your shyest flatmate out for a chat. And of course, the prices here are a godsend, especially for us students. Luckily for us, Newcastle city centre has four to choose from! Whilst the menu stays the same, each has a slightly different vibe, so here’s some basic pointers for you freshers!

The Five Swans is the most popular Spoons choice. Situated on St Mary’s Place (the very top of Grainger Street), this is the closest to campus and student accommodations. In fact it’s so close to campus, you would have every right to spend your breaks between lectures here with your new pals.

The Quayside is located in a beautiful riverside building from 1515

The Quayside, as the name suggests, is the Spoons located right on the Quayside. This is the prettiest Spoons, not only because the back outside area gives you a great view of the River Tyne, but the building itself is gorgeous. It’s a medieval riverside building, erected around 1515 as a warehouse, and also ideal for basking in the rare sun! The two other spoons are called The Keel Row (inside The Gate) and The Mile Castle (near to Central Station). Whilst still safe choices, they fall slightly by the wayside of The Five Swans and The Quayside. The Gate has a slightly odd vibe, being within a retail complex, whilst The Mile Castle feels more like an eatery. They are of course still worth going to for the cheap prices and easy-going vibe, plus it’s nice to have a change sometimes! But no matter which pub you go to, and, if you’re on the vodka shots or orange juice, it’s bound to be one of the nicer ways to settle in to Newcastle student life. Cheers!

Your guide to looking fresh and feeling fresher Rashida Campbell-Allen shares her ten favourite beauty products to keep you looking gorgeous for freshers’ and beyond

tarting university is without a doubt one of the most exciting times of your life. Freshers’ week will most likely be one of the most socially charged, memorable and enjoyable weeks of your student life. Ultimately, freshers’ week is that time to let your hair down (both literally and metaphorically) and get totally stuck in! Whether it’s your trusty concealer or a glitter nail varnish, here’s a list we’ve compiled of the top 12 essential beauty and skincare items that every student should pop into their bags ready to slay freshers’ everyday. 1. The Eyeshadow Palette: (Morphe 35B Color Burst Artistry Palette) From a muted, barelythere shadow to a vivid cut-crease fit for the gods. Endless looks can be created with just one varied palette and a perfect way to experiment with whatever outfit you are wearing. Best thing is this palette is suitable and has a lasting pigment on all skin tones and shades. 2. The Lip Gloss: (Natural Collection) Gloss is everything when it comes to effortless daily looks. It can be the finishing touch or the only touch, as you don’t need a full face of make-up when you can simply pop on some clear gloss and, hey presto, you’re ready to go. Apply on top of a good quality lip moisturiser also, such as Blistex lip care to keep them looking and feeling healthy. 3. The Mascara: They say your eyes are the window to your soul, so open them up! The most important thing to remember is to always go for waterproof so you’re protected from both Newcastle downpours and sweat-tastic bars. 4. The Leave-in Conditioner: (Cantu Leave-in conditioning cream) Whilst you are getting used to the late nights and early mornings of freshers’, giving

Image: Morphe

your hair a full MOT is not always possible, so a leave-in conditioner is vital to breathe some life back in as they add moisture and detangle. 5. The Micellar Water: We’ve all been there. Back from a night out, stomach full from a takeaway on

the journey home, desperate to finally be horizontal and call it a night, but the realisation hits that our make-up is still sitting firm and tidy on our skin and our pores are not happy about that at all. A splash of micellar water on a biodegradable cotton

pad (Body Shop £2.50) is essential and pretty hassle-free, so take a moment and your skin will thank you the next morning. 6. The Nail Varnish: Rich in colour, rich in life! And if you don’t already have a star-studded glitter varnish in your cosmetic stash, then are you really ready for freshers’? Barry M sell cute polishes in a wide range of colours for prices that won’t put a dent into your student loan. 7. The Face Mask: (L’Oréal Clay Pots) Underrated. Essential. Important. The pace of freshers’ week can take its toll on our skin. One needs to take a moment for oneself, whether it’s on a day you can lie-in or whilst having dinner before pre-drinks commence, to pop on a face mask. Lush sell tons of masks for different skin types that will last ages and, luckily for you, they have a store in Eldon Square. 8. The Earplugs: Everyone needs their beauty sleep! A well-rested student is a happy student and noise-cancelling earplugs may be the thing you never realised you needed in your life. Specifically the foam ones that mould to you ear for a perfect fit are great and will ensure a thorough sleep, despite the occasional bass drop and chatter down the corridor. 9. The Suncream: OK, so Newcastle may not be summer all year round, however suncream or an SPF based product should be worn daily to maximise protection and improve skin wellbeing in the long-term. Prevention is better than cure, so protect your precious skin cells from those UV rays and maintain that glow. PSA - sun creams also act as a pretty good primer so it’s a win-win. 10. The Setting Spray: Will have your looks popping and lasting from sweaty Soho to the postnight McDonalds trip.

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Your fresher fashion fix

life & style

Do you even needs heels for a night out in the Toon? Phoebe Eyles discusses true student style

t is a struggle knowing what clothes to bring for university – attempting to fit your entire wardrobe into a suitcase is no mean feat! University is the perfect time to try new things and this includes fashion. We have compiled our fashion essentials for freshers in case you need to top up your wardrobe now you’ve arrived in the Toon, or to inspire you to try new styles.

Puffer Jacket

No surprises here - this is an essential if you want to survive the cold Newcastle winter months ahead. Luckily, puffer jackets have become an on trend item in recent years meaning you can be warm and stylish all in one go. Puffers are perfect for walking across the wind tunnel that is Leazes Park on those frosty mornings in December. Paired with some flares and Nike Air Forces, this look is perfect for going to lectures in. North Face puffers are incredibly popular here, but if you want an inexpensive alternative Zara has a good selection.

Flares

Flares are one of the most common items of clothing on campus. This doesn’t mean you will merely

blend in when you wear them though; available in a range of colours and materials, you are bound to find a pair that fits with your style. Flares are a comfortable option to wear to lectures but are equally stylish when worn on a night out. Team flares with a bandeau or bralette for a sleek night out look. Most high street retailers sell a range of flares, but be warned when ordering online as some sites tend to sell incredibly long trousers!

Hoodie

Whilst not exactly a high fashion item, hoodies are a lifesaver at university. They are easy to throw on over a top for extra warmth and are incredibly comfortable to wear in lectures. During the colder months, bringing a hoodie on a night out instead of a coat or jacket is so useful as you keep slightly warm on the walk but can easily tie it around your waist in the club instead of frantically looking for a cloakroom.

Black trainers

Black trainers are a stylish essential for freshers. Wearing white trainers on a night out will last about two weeks before you realise they are too dirty to keep wearing. This is where black train-

ers come in. They look equally as good with your outfits as white trainers yet they are much easier to keep clean. If you plan on wearing black trousers or a skirt then black trainers seamlessly complete the outfit better than white trainers would. Black slip-on Vans or Adidas Gazelles are great options if you are looking to invest, or you could take a trip to Primark on Northumberland Street and find an affordable pair that you won’t mind getting ruined.

Fancy Dress

Whether your part of a sports team or not, you will need fancy dress at some point this year. Halloween is only a month away anyways and there will be multiple themed nights out to celebrate. In order not to break the bank on costumes you will only wear once, it is best to stock up on accessories for different outfits such as a police hat, cat ears or an angel halo and create the rest of the look from what’s already in your wardrobe. Glitter is also a great essential for fancy dress so stock up early on.

Instagram: @butyourecurvy

From Florence to Pisa: your companion to an Italian getaway Cathedrals, palaces and complementary coffees: Tom Moorcroft is here to show you the many delights Tuscany has to offer

or any freshers reading, first of all: welcome to Newcastle University. I’m sure you’re going to have an amazing experience in the city, enjoy a new lifestyle and indulge in the culture that the city has to offer. However, I want to make you think about another location, one a bit to the east and a lot warmer. Anyone lucky enough to have already visited Italy will relate to my experience, but for those of you who haven’t yet visited the country of religion, fine dining and art, I’m here to discuss my experience with you. Something which was dominant on my holiday experience, but not a guarantee for yours, would be a fear of flying. For the veteran holiday go-ers of Newcastle University, this won’t seem like a big deal, but for people like me who can’t fathom the idea of being in a metal box flying through the air at 35,000 feet, it’s a scary experience. This predetermined fear, accompanied with turbulence, and my dad doing the sign of the cross upon take off, meant that, quite literally, the

only way my holiday could’ve gone was up.

Saving some Euros for English-speaking tours will be crucial to your experience

After doing a silent prayer when my feet touched the ground, and taking a swift taxi to our hotel, I did what any sane person would do after being awake for around 24 hours - sleep. However, rest assured that after waking up to an authentic Italian breakfast of pastries, and as many complementary mochas as I could stomach, I was very much wide awake for the rest of my holiday. The first two or three days of my holiday

were quite similar to that of any holiday-goer: seeing the sights. The beauty of the Duomo, the sanctity of The Cathedral of Santa Croce, and the architectural beauty of the Uffizi art gallery and the Palazzo Vecchio palace, all with their outstanding cultural significance, were crucial landmarks to visit in the city. Furthermore, the wide array of museums, ranging from the Leonardo Da Vinci Museum to the Home of Dante (famous author of the Divine Comedy), all served to increase my knowledge of the city. And if one city wasn’t enough, the one-day excursion to Pisa was the cherry on the cake (tiramisu would maybe be a more appropriate analogy here). Seeing the notorious Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Piazza del Duomo, and also learning about the religious significance that these monuments have, were all

outstanding experiences. I would keep in mind that if anyone is thinking about going on holiday to a cultural location, which includes various museums and landmarks, then setting some money aside for English-speaking tours will be crucial to your experience. Although the undeniable beauty of Florentine art needed no explanation, a little historical context didn’t go amiss. I’m afraid to say that no amount of words nor pictures will truly be able to embody my experience of Italy. The only way to fully experience a city is by seeing it through your own eyes. I can, however, tell you that for anyone wanting a short city-break, a whole lot of history, and some Student Finance left over, Florence is the place to be.

Flickr: Greg_Men

The Courier’s culture

Tunes of A cinephile’s tour of the Toon the Toon L Joe Smith discusses his favourite venues for live music across the city

othing is more disappointing for live music fans than a rubbish venue. It can either make or break a gig. Luckily, within Newcastle, most venues are incredibly suited for the type of acts they attract. I’ve made a list of the top three music spots in Newcastle you should definitely go to for all your live music needs.

Think Tank

Located on the top floor of Digi, Think Tank is a brilliant little venue which always seems to host the next big acts. You’ll be sure to see its iconic ‘What the Fuck Have You Done’ sign littered all over the Instagrams of the people you’ll meet in freshers’ week. The venue’s walls and ceilings are plastered with black and white photos of bands long gone (and still going), which adds to the general rock ’n’ roll atmosphere of the place. Regarding the acts it hosts, Think Tank tends to deliver shows by the best up and comers in the industry. Wolf Alice, for example, played there in the May of 2014 and Sam Fender played there just last summer. Think Tank is a catalyst for the growth of great music and is one of Newcastle’s finest music spots.

Fan of film? Joe Holloran recommends Newcastle’s best places to fulfil your every cinematic craving

et’s face it, budgets and Jägerbomb tolerance can only stretch so far. Not to worry, though, because Newcastle is also a great city of culture. Newcastle area is home to seven cinemas, but today I would like to tell you about our three favourites here at the Courier.

TYNESIDE CINEMA

First up is a Toon institution, the Tyneside Cinema. Located at 10 Pilgrim Street near Grey’s Monument in the city centre, this independent, BFI-supported cinema features four dedicated screening rooms, alongside spaces devoted to the teaching and training centres. If that is not enough, the entire building is one big beautiful art deco throwback, with interiors designed by local hero Ridley Scott, no less. If it’s indie charm you want, then the Tyneside Cinema is the place for you. While the cinema does regularly show the latest big blockbusters, it is better known for its screenings of the latest indie releases, from both the UK and abroad. Fans of classic cinema, international films and documentaries are also catered to with the cinema running festivals celebrating the works of specific directors, actors or eras. Here’s a little tip – get there early and spend some time either in the upstairs café Tyneside Coffee Rooms, which is open til 7pm on weekdays, or, if you fancy something a bit stronger, head down to their ground floor Tyneside

Bar Café and kill the time before the start of the movie which has a delicious menu of both food and drink.

CINEWORLD

Let’s face it, we cinephiles love to go on and on about the latest flick that those who are not as cool as us haven’t even heard of. “Oh, you simply must see the latest Bulgarian documentary on soil erosion”. I get it, I’m one of those guys. But you would have to be crazy to not indulge yourself in some of the latest blockbusters during you time here at Newcastle, and for that there is only one place. On the top floor of The Gate shopping centre on Newgate Street, just down from St. James’ Park, sits Cineworld, boasting an incredible 16 screening rooms, including the brand new 4K-HD 396-seat ‘superscreen’. If you are feeling peckish before the movie starts, then Cineworld is perfectly located. The Gate complex houses multiple bars and restaurants. Plus of course there is no shortage of sweets and goodies on sale at the cinema itself. Put simply, Cineworld is where to watch all the blockbusters during your time here in Newcastle.

STAR & SHADOW CINEMA

Lastly, we come to the Star & Shadow Cinema on Warwick Street, not far from us on the other side of Northumbria University’s main campus. This volunteer-run, politically-engaged cinema and

performance centre regularly showcases the latest works from underground artists in all sorts of mediums comedy, visual art, performance art and film – from all over the world. With a reputation for political and abstract content, the Star & Shadow is a great place to meet those with likeminded ideas while enjoying thought-provoking material. While it may not show as many films as other cinemas, its choses them with great care, often showcasing those works that reflect the big issues of the day. It is truly a throwback to the days of activist art centres, and if that’s your bag then you will have no shortage of things to experience over at the Star & Shadow.

CINEMA AS A STUDENT

But I hear you cry, “I am but a poor student; however shall I afford to enjoy these wonderous places?” and “How can I let others know my many, many opinions about the films I see?”. Well, we are here to help. Each week during term time the Courier Film section has a choice of films for you to review. Come along to our weekly writers’ meetings and put your name down for the film you want to review. We pay for and organise the tickets, you just go and enjoy. That’s all there is to it. I do hope you take the chance to enjoy as many cinematic delights as possible during your time here. Trust me, by exam time you’ll definitely need it.

The Cluny

Situated in the expensive safe haven of Ouseburn, The Cluny is a fantastic place to watch some of the most exciting and somewhat unusual musicians that visit Newcastle. While mainly frequented by quirky second- and third-year students getting tired of nights out in the Toon, The Cluny is a pivotal venue in the Newcastle gigging scene; it’s where new bands often play their first support slot and where musicians discover if they are loved or hated in the Toon. Offering two venues (the other aptly named ‘The Cluny 2’) as well as lovely pub which provides a great place to sit and wait for the music to begin, The Cluny sits proudly as a music hot spot. As for the people who have played there, Arctic Monkeys graced the stage of The Cluny in the August of 2005 for their first Newcastle show and Solange played there in 2008 on her first UK tour. Being a place that has housed acts of such high caliber, The Cluny is a must go venue for any music fan.

Riverside

Along the river and not too far from the Quayside spoons lies Riverside, a nightclub-cum-venue that can provide to any set of musical needs. Riverside can be seen as an iconic stepping stone from the smaller to the bigger venues, and indeed as a rite of passage for many a musician. Recently Black Honey and IDLES have delivered killer performances on the stage that offers no barrier between the crowd and the act, creating an enthralling and immersive experience for everyone in attendance. The steep, uphill walk back into town is worth it for a night of great music in a terrific venue.

Image: Charlotte Boulton

All in all, Newcastle certainly delivers when it comes to gigs. The venues are unique, the acts are always fantastic, and naturally there’s always a place to go for a pint after the show is done.

Image: Tyneside Cinema

Newcastle’s best comic relief

Joe Molander discusses comedy with North East-based comedians Raul Kohli and Jordon Best What’s the North East Comedy scene like? Raul: It’s lit. We have one of the best comedy clubs in the world in the Stand. You have Grinning Idiot still running in coastal parts of Newcastle: Tynemouth, Cullercoats etc. There’s also the Jesterval Festival where you have a mini Fringe shoved into a weekend of shows every summer in the city centre of Newcastle. Bobiks has started over in the Ouseburn too which looks to be a really different type of stand-up with their DAFT! chat nights. You’ve finally got Kai & Gav Humphries running Punch Drunk North of Tyneside, who are literally starting a revolution. It’s not just the biggest names in comedy they bring down. They also raised money to help a kid get lifesaving medicine in America and do an insane amount of community work. Jordon: On a personal level, having moved from another country, it’s been the easiest way to meet people and make friends. It’s a warm community to walk into. It’s a bit like being a kindergartener: “you like jokes? I like jokes! Let’s be friends”. Has it changed since you started performing?

J: I’ve only been gigging in the UK for about a year: what’s changed then is jokes have moved from Trump to Boris. R: Nights rise and fall in the blink of an eye in comedy. One of the big losses was the Hyena Cafe. Older than the Stand and an absolute battleground. You could go to The Stand to see more leftfield creative comedians, or go Hyena to see a comedian earn their stripes battling hecklers. The biggest loss for me was Long Live Comedy at The Dog & Parrott: The Longest Running Open Mic in Newcastle. George Zach used to run it. Sarah Millican, Chris Ramsey, Reginald D Hunter even. Everyone who’s anyone in the North East Comedy scene has cut their teeth there. Losing that was gutting ‘cause while Red Raw is the nicest comedy night out there, it has a long waiting list. How do you think it compares to the comedy scene in the rest of the country? J: It’s one of the best, the acts are absolutely brilliant and it’s super well-saturated with great talent. Raul Along with what the uni students are doing, the spoken word, hip hop & techno scenes and the Lindisfarne Festival,

I’d say it rivals most big cities for comedy within Europe, and creativity within the UK.

Where are the best places to watch comedy in the North East? J: Absolutely The Stand, they put so much energy into making sure gigs are good and I can never get over how special and wonderful Red Raw is considering it’s an open mic night and takes place on a Wednesday. The North East is a wonderful crowd. The Fell Comedy Club is one to watch, too. The Punch Bowl is hosting nights run by Bobiks, and that is just an insanely cool place to watch comedy. R: Best places in my opinion is The Stand, any TenFeetTall and Hilarity Bites nights! I have not been to Bobiks but I would like to check it out. Are there any good open mics to perform at? R: Red Raw is great. J: Axolotl Laughs at Ernest is class! I think there is soon to be an open mic night with Bobiks, too, which I would keep an eye on.

e guide to Newcastle

A treasure trove of exhibitions Amber Marwick gives you a personal guided tour of some of Newcastle’s art galleries and their upcoming exhibitions

ewcastle is more than just a party city – it has a thriving arts and culture scene that you’d be sorry to miss during freshers’ week. Between club nights and booze, why not take a gander through the city and get to know some of its many galleries?

Hatton Gallery

King’s Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB Mon-Sat, 10:00-17:00 If you’re feeling a bit fragile this freshers’ then don’t worry - you won’t have to travel far for the Hatton Gallery as it’s situated right on campus. University-owned and open to the public, this relaxed and airy exhibition space boasts a diverse collection of over 3500 works, including pieces from Richard Hamilton and Francis Bacon. Be sure not to miss the internationally renowned ‘Merz Barn’ by Kurt Schwitters, as the avant-garde piece - that once featured in the Nazi ‘Degenerative Art’ exhibition - has been made into a permanent feature of the building. Hatton is dropping some serious names this term, with the Roy Lichtenstein exhibition running from 28 Sept – 4 Jan. The newly commissioned mural ‘Fairground Attraction’ by Lothar Gotz will also be viewable 5 Oct – 4 Jan, so keep your eyes peeled.

Baltic

S Shore Rd, Gateshead NE8 3BA Mon-Sat, 10:00-18:00 The Baltic is as much an iconic Geordie landmark as the Tyne Bridge and the Sage. But this beautiful exflour mill is more than a great picture opportunity – the gallery has a fierce mission statement regarding the role

of contemporary art in society. Through their exhibitions they aim to “create greater understanding of the world through outstanding, experimental and inspiring contemporary art which has power, relevance and meaning for individuals and communities”. Oh, and their gift shop is really cool, too. Catch John Akomfrah’s ‘Ballasts of Memory’ (6 Jul – 27 Oct), a series of powerful moving image installations reflecting on black diaspora, and the culture that’s emerged from it in the UK and beyond. ‘Survey’ (6 Jul – 29 Sep) will feature artworks from 15 early-career artists, ranging across many themes and disciplines, as an exploration of emerging UK talent.

Laing

New Bridge St W, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AG Mon-Sat 10:00-16:00 Art history geeks will have a blast wandering around the Laing, acosy, more traditional gallery just off Northumberland Street. Established in 1901, it houses an impressive collection, including big names such as Henry

Moore, Paul Gauguin and William Hollman-Hunt. Are women in nineteenth-century paintings simply ornaments in a “gilded cage”? ‘The Enchanted Interior’ at Laing (12 Oct – 22 Feb) will explore this, exhibiting PreRaphaelite masters alongside their female peers to reveal the objectification of women in art. An absolute must-see if you enjoy a feminist critique of art history.

Vane

39 Pilgrim St, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6QE Wed-Sat, 12:00-17:00 Since its founding in 1997, Vane has had its finger on the pulse of Newcastle’s contemporary artist community. Today the gallery – which is both an open gallery and flexible workspace – represents artists from the North East and beyond, acting as a platform for both new and established artists to showcase their work. Situated in the heart of the city centre, the gallery is only a stone’s throw away from the campus (and some great bars too, for the all-important post-gallery pint). Vane is hosting ‘A Foul and Awesome Display’ by Kirsty Harris (31 Aug – 28 Sep), a multimedia exhibition exploring nuclear bomb tests and the relationship between manufactured violence and human nature. Don’t miss her ‘Artist Talk’ on Sep 28 from 3pm.

Image: Hatton Gallery

Spotlight: Alphabetti Theatre Amber Marwick shines a light on one of Newcastle’s smallest yet quirkiest - and cheapest - peformance venues

f lively independent theatre, music and comedy is your cup of tea, then you need to get yourself down to the Alphabetti Theatre this freshers’. The cosy little venue may be small but it’s packed with character and good old local Geordie talent. Situated on St James Boulevard – only a stone’s throw away from the stadium – it’s got a relaxed vibe, with on-site café-bar and a black box style theatre space. Make sure to look out for the resident dog, Rex, for some pre-show cuddles! The one uniting factor of Alphabetti productions are their homegrown, experimental feel. In their own words, “we strive to make theatre that is relatable and accessible to all, and are constantly looking for new ways to challenge ourselves, physically, mentally and conceptually – we believe that by challenging ourselves we inevitably challenge the audience, creating engaging and original experiences.” You only need to take a quick glance at their programme to see this mission statement in action – from gothic puppet shows to competitive improv comedy, there’s a clear desire to create original, think-outside-the-box theatre.

From gothic puppet shows to competitive improv comedy, there’s a clear desire to create original theatre

Images: Lauren Stone

This freshers’ week is the perfect opportunity to dip your toes into Alphabetti Theatre and see what they’re all about. Catch “Bost-Uni Plues” from the 24-26 September, an award-winning show following three clowns as they finish university and jump into the real world, with real jobs and real responsibilities. Expect slapstick humour, honesty and plain silliness. If improv comedy is more up your alley, then you need to get yourself to Rat Race on Saturday 28 September. This improv comedy game show promises heavy audience participation, songs, sketches and jokes – performers must improvise based on audience suggestions, competing to

win the favour of the crowd. And of course there’s a voting system, meaning it’s guaranteed to get pretty brutal. If you give it a go in freshers’ and you find that you want more, then there’s plenty on throughout October to keep you happy. Cabaret of Curiosity is where creepy puppetry, comedy and magic meet. You can meet the one-eyed host Count Ocular and his friends on 1-3 October, where his weird and wonderful puppets are sure to leave you unsettles and amazed. And on 5 October you can see “A Nineteenth Comedy Night That Passes the Bechedel” Test’, a stand-up night of laughter by comedy duo Lauren Stone and Liberty Hodes.

culture

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

The resurg strong fema Human-animal chimeras: the new

Amy Brown discusses the representatio

future in studying human disease? T Seshadhri Subramanian addresses the ethical debates over the creation of human-monkey chimeras

team of Spanish researchers based in China have stirred up an ethical debate once again as they were able to create chimeras of monkey embryos with human cells. A chimera is an organism which is formed by the combination of two or more “individuals”. Scientifically speaking, chimeras contain at least two different sets of DNAs with each of them capable of forming a different organism. The team of scientists, based in China but from the Salk Institute in the United States, have produced monkeyhuman chimeras according to Spanish publication El Pais. The research was done in China due to their concerns over legal issues that might arise in other countries. Chimeras are not a new or a recent phenomenon. In fact, some chimeras may occur naturally. In humans, that can happen when a foetus absorbs its twin. This can occur with fraternal twins, if one embryo dies very early in pregnancy, and some of its cells are “absorbed” by the other twin. The remaining foetus will have two sets of cells: its own original set, plus the one from its twin. There was even an episode of the medical drama House MD based on exactly this phenomenon. Often, these people do not know they are chimeras and can be perfectly normal until genetic testing is done for some medical condition. A famous case was that of Karen Keegan in 2002 where during genetic testing for kidney transplantation, it was found that her DNA did not match her sons. Eventually it was figured out that she was a chimera. Other chimeras which can happen include those that are formed after bone marrow transplants – where the red blood cells formed posttransplant resemble the donor and not the recipient - and after pregnancy when some foetal cells can find their way into the maternal bloodstream. Chimeras are seen as a possible solution to address the lack of organs that are available for transplantation. The idea is that particular organs matched to the genetic nature of specific individuals

could one day be grown inside the animals. The method involves the reprogramming of adult human cells into stem cells which can then give rise to any organ cells in the body under the right conditions. Prof Juan Carlos Izpisúa Belmonte, the leader of this particular project, has previously also been involved in

loom large over such projects. Prof Robin LovellBadge, a developmental biologist from London’s Francis Crick Institute, said to the Guardian. “I don’t think it is particularly concerning in terms of the ethics, because you are not taking them far enough to have a nervous system or develop in any way – it’s just really a ball of cells.” News of human-monkey chimeras closely follows on the heels of reports that the Japanese government gave its support to researchers like Professor Hiromitsu Nakauchi to create mouse-human chimeras. Combined with the lifting of the ban on allowing these embryos to develop beyond 14 days, this could potentially mean that these chimeras can be brought to life although the Japanese professor has no such plans of doing so. Aside from helping with organ transplants, chimeras could also potentially be good subjects to study diseases that afflict humans. This is especially true of neurosciences where studying the complex effects of the central nervous system and the diseases affecting it would be made much easier if it were studied with a developed nervous system. However, the possibility of this coming to fruition is low given the evolutionary gap between the different species involved. The gap between humans and mice in terms of evolution is Image: OpenClipart Vectors on Pixabay about 10 million years which is three to generating chimeras with pig and sheep embryos. four times less than the gap between humans and The ethical implications of such projects, however, monkeys – and given that the efficiency of humanis not as concerning because they have not been mice chimera are low, it seems quite unlikely that allowed to get to the stage of organ formation. If human-monkey chimeras would be realistic in the they do get there, however, the ethical questions near future.

Films to fill your freshers’ Lucy Lillystone suggests her top picks for your first flat film night - now all you need are the snacks

t’s freshers’ week, you’ve all got the flu, and you’re not feeling ready for yet another hangover. We all know the feeling. Rather than spend more money you just don’t have, why not get to know your new flatmates a little bit more through a good ol’ classic film night? Here are some of the films that got me, and my flatmates, together snuggled up on the sofas in our pajamas during freshers’ week: Most rom-coms are cringey and if you’re living with guys, they most definitely will not want you to crack out another Ryan Gosling film. Trust me, as much as I love him, The Notebook is not freshers’ week material. However, Bridesmaids is. Filled with hilarious lines and actors, Bridesmaids is the Star Wars to a girl’s perfect movie night, and the boys, although they won’t want to admit, will secretly love it. Kristen Wiig balances both the humour and the seriousness, and this movie is perfect. Why even consider any other rom-com for movie night? There’s no doubt you’ll have a Potter fan in your mix. To find out, just whisper the name Harry Potter – or your overwhelming desire to emancipate house elves from their woeful servitude

- and they’ll start screaming. Trust me, I am that person. Even so, if you’re looking for a set of films that will last you until the early hours with the right amount of action, plotline and nostalgia for a world of magic, these are the films. In addition, the Harry Potter films are also perfect for drinking games, and if you’re brave you can even attempt to make your own butterbeer. If Harry Potter is not your cup of tea, Lord of the Rings is another biggie that’ll keep you up until the early hours doing Gollum impressions.

The Breakfast Club encapsulates your freshers’ experience

Get the popcorn ready as for those who can’t get enough of a scary film, The Silence of the Lambs alongside Seven and Saw are perfect for a freshers’ movie night – if you can stomach the popcorn through all the gore. With suspenseful thrilling scenes, you and your flatmates will all be on the edge of the sofas. Watch out, though, as there’ll

definitely be someone among you that will come up behind you and scare the shit out of you when you’re least expecting it! Can’t handle horror? I don’t blame you. If you want something that everyone can stomach, The Breakfast Club is a classic golden oldie that, by the law of film, must be watched and re-watched regularly. Portraying students from different styles of life come together to form new friendships, it encapsulates everything you as freshers will be going through as you’re meeting new flatmates and new coursemates. Also, nothing is going to beat that soundtrack. Every single song is a banger. Is it really a flat movie night if you don’t have a good comedy in there that gets everyone laughing together? What better than American Pie? In its hilarious exploration of growing up, losing your virginity and simply trying to live your life, a lot of freshers will relate to this film. I love American Pie so much that I’ve seen it I don’t know how many times and I can quote almost the entire thing. It’s the perfect movie to get everyone having fun and giggling away together after all the exhaustion of your first week at university.

he plight to create diverse casts on TV appears to be improving every day. Living in 2019, the need for representation is more important than ever. In the last research cycle, women made up only 40 percent of speaking roles on broadcast networks and streaming services. The percentages of women of colour are even lower. The idea of the “strong female lead” has a certain stigma attached to it. Some characters that fit into this box, frequently written by men, end up being far-fetched and not actually relatable to female viewers. We need real, not perfect. Improvements still need to be made, but we are going to take this opportunity to celebrate the representation we have so far.

“Strong female leads” end up being far-fetched and not actually relatable to female viewers

The creation of director and actress PhoebeWaller Bridge is a standout. She writes, produces and stars in Fleabag. The sitcom follows a woman battling loss, a complicated family and unhealthy coping mechanisms. The character, of which we never are given the real name, is entirely realistic. She is deeply honest and even unlikeable at times. Known for often breaking the fourth wall, Fleabag has a voice like no other. She is witty, flawed and unapologetically herself. Nothing is off limits in Fleabag. A newer show on the scene, Pose, explores African-American and Latinx LGBTQ+ culture in New York City in the 1980s and ‘90s. It focuses on ballroom culture, a safe space for LGBTQ+ people at this time. This show has many strong characters all worth discussing, but the support system of the show is Blanca RodriguezEvangelista, portrayed by Mj Rodriguez. She is a trans woman living with HIV/AIDS and acts as a mother to multiple young people rejected by their own families. She does everything to teach, love and

the courier

culture

Thursday 19 September 2019

binge gence of the Review: the 1975 Netflix essentials male lead? R B

on of women in modern television

nurture her family while dealing with her own struggles and living in a world that rejects her. This show on FX Network is finally providing mainstream exposure for this community. Pose is essential representation and a truly revolutionary TV show.

The future looks positive for diversity in television

Sweeping the 2019 BAFTA Television Awards was BBC spy thriller Killing Eve. This breakout show that began in 2018 is carried by its female leads, Jodie Comer as Villanelle and Sandra Oh as Eve Polastri. This work tackles a traditionally male-dominated genre with women in charge and it does so brilliantly. They take on an area of TV often riddled with misogyny and smash through damaging stereotypes whilst creating a thrilling work with unmatched performances. The future continues to look positive for diversity in TV and we can only keep pushing so future generations of young people c a n feel represente d a n d heard.

Tom Moorcroft reviews the band’s set at Leeds Fest this summer

eading and Leeds Festival: a staple of the English music scene. An opportunity for you and your mates to enjoy some of the greatest music acts that the time has to offer. 2019 was no exception. When I woke up on Saturday morning to make my way down to Leeds, It hadn’t really sunk in my head what exactly the day had in store for me. I was more worried about two things: drinking as much as I could in the car over (so I didn’t have to rely on the ungodly amount of money a pint costs at the festival), and putting some sun-cream on, to avoid the 28 degrees Celsius temperatures I would be exposed to for the day. Making our way through to the main arena, weaving our way through a wave of desperate festival go-ers, we emerged into the landscape of music, food and drinks, the three ingredients for any good time. There were so many amazing acts I saw on Saturday at Leeds Fest, but I’ll just highlight my favourite: The 1975. As soon as the lights went low on the main stage, and the crowd started screaming for the imminent arrival of the band, I was hooked. Starting their performance with their new single ‘People’ (one of the more experimental songs on The 1975’s discography) encouraged the high energy from the crowd needed for their set. This energy carried on

to high power songs such as ‘Give Yourself A Try’, ‘Love Me’ and ‘TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME’. However, the band proved their diversity when they blasted out slower, more melodic songs, such as ‘Sincerity Is Scary’, ‘Loving Someone’ and, my favourite song of theirs, ‘I Always Wanna Die (Sometimes)’. I’m not afraid to admit that I got emotional at that last song; the blasting of white light from the stage, the unity of the crowd and the rhythmic strumming of Matty’s acoustic guitar got to me, and in that time I thought “This may be one of the best performances I’ve ever seen”

I’m not afraid to admit that I got emotional

The final songs they performed, including ‘The Sound’, were massive crowd favourites, and Matty Healy’s encouragement to “fucking jump” left the crowd leaping around as a solid unit. When I was walking back to the car park after their performance, and reflecting on my previous plan to watch Dave the rapper instead, I couldn’t stop saying, “I can’t believe I was going to miss that”. I’ll have to save Dave for another day!

What I’m playing: Mortal Kombat 11 Kat Maracle shares with us her most recent gaming addiction

don’t want to begin this feature of the freshers’ issue with controversy, but - wait for it - this latest entry in the Mortal Kombat series is the first one I’ve played. I know, I know, I’m awful. But please, blame my parents - they (perhaps rightly) thought it was too graphic for little me to play. But now, battle-hardened from my time at university, the time for fatalities had arrived, and I don’t regret a thing.

I’d never played a game that felt so much like directing a Hollywood fight scene

Being new to the world of Johnny Cage, fatalities, and words beginning with a K rather than a C (seriously, what is with that?), I was amazed by Mortal Kombat 11. I’d never played a game that felt so much like directing a Hollywood fight scene. This was maintained by the story, grippingly authentic to action movie parody, and the graphics, which I reckon are pretty unmatched. I began with story mode, though you can completely skip it at the expense of cosmetic rewards. I already had a rough idea of the story of the previous MK games, so catching up wasn’t difficult for me at all but if you jumped into this blind you’d be pretty lost. Most of the characters allude back to events and characters from other games, such as Mileena, Shinnok and Sindel. The story allows you to play up to fourteen different fighters across twelve chapters, with each chapter giving you four fights per fighter. The only downside I found was that I didn’t like being thrown into using a fighter with no idea how to play them effectively. Once you finish the story, there is a lot of “end game” content, if you could call it that. ‘Klassic Towers’ allow you to play as any fighter against a bunch of other characters and then the final boss,

where you can then unlock different character endings for each fighter you use. This was something that I loved grinding, as each ending was completely different and showed so much about your chosen character, even Baraka. ‘Towers of Time’ are slightly harder challenges that allow you to unlock rare cosmetic items and augments (buffs) for your chosen f i g h t e r. Then there is the Krypt - an RPG like area where you get to explore a puzzle laden castle and unlock tons of loot, from skins to character art. In addition there is an online mode where you can fight other players. The highlight of the game for me was the longtime novelty of the series: fatalities. Seeing the brutal finishing moves happening in glorious gory detail and cringing behind my controller at D’Vorah’s disgusting techniques was my favourite part of playing the game. Either that, or Cassie Cage making fun of every character in the game in her intros. The combat runs well, the AI is challenging and there is so much to do. I’d highly recommend picking this game up and giving it a shot.

eing a fresher means that you may have some time on your hands at first, and no parents to tell you off for staying up late at night on your laptop, so it’s the perfect time to start binging a new show. If you want a long show or shorter episodes to watch, here’s my recommendations of shows on Netflix to binge. If you love dark comedy and haven’t seen It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, now’s the time. This show is quite hard to describe to people without them thinking you’re a terrible person. The best way to describe it is Friends but all the characters are horrible people who you aren’t really meant to like, and instead of living in New York apartments they run an unsuccessful (but somehow still open) Irish-themed bar in Philadelphia. There’s 13 seasons (season 14 coming in September), but each episode is only about 20 minutes long, so it doesn’t take that much time to watch through. It’s the only show that makes me laugh out loud and continues to do so every time I rewatch it. Its quotability is unlike any other show, and honestly is one of a kind. In contrast to It’s Always Sunny, if that isn’t your cup of tea, then Jane the Virgin is definitely worth a binge. I started this show later than a lot of people I know because I heard the title and thought it sounded cliché and cheesy. And yes, it is. But the way the show carries itself has a charm that I couldn’t not enjoy. If you’re unaware of the plot, it revolves around a Catholic woman called Jane who gets accidentally artificially inseminated when she is a virgin and engaged to another man. The story itself is interesting and in the style of a telenovela, and the twists and turns it takes every episode make its binge-ability high because every episode ends on a cliff-hanger. The show revolves around love, family and hardships, whilst having never-ending optimism. Also, the show recently finished so if you haven’t seen it before, now you don’t have to wait for new episodes weekly. Now, here’s a show for the adult cartoon lovers. A show that simultaneously brings me immense joy and crippling sadness whenever I think about it - Bojack Horseman. Even if you don’t like cartoons, I’d give this show a chance because the writing is impeccable. Bojack Horseman revolves around an actor-horse whose careered peaked in the 90s on a show called Horsin’ Around (basically Full House) and his desire for relevancy whilst ultimately being selfdestructive. The show deals with many topics such as mental health, addiction, sexism and trauma much better than any other show I’ve seen. The characters are well fleshed-out and loveable, in spite of their own personal flaws. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions because of its wit and realism, and the animation style is quirky. Sophie Hicks

Images: IMDb

the courier

Freshers

Thursday 19 September 2019

Meet your freshers’ week organisers Hannah Cuthbert

Hannah Finney

Beth Bradley

Best night activity? The return of Pandamonium! We’ve got the whole Gate booked out. Favourite eat4less flavour? Southern fried chicken panini. There. No messing. Done. Best day trip around the North Earth? Down by the Quayside on a hot day for pints by the river. Favourite place to nap between lectures? I just fell asleep wherever the mood took me. Favourite place to eat in Newcastle? Lola Jeans. Did you know there’s a burger there with pickled onion Monster Munch in? Wild! Do you read the Courier? I sometimes carry it under my arm to look sophisticated. Any advice for freshers? Relax. Have fun. Join societies. Party. Make mistakes. Come and see us during freshers’ week.

Why did you want to be a Freshers’ Week Organiser? I had an amazing time being part of the drivers’ team last year, and felt like I could really make freshers 2019 amazing. Best day activity? Dog and Scone café. I just love dogs! Best night activity? Rudimental – I cannot wait! Favourite eat4less flavour? I’ve never eaten there – the queues are always too long! Best day trip around the North Earth? Honestly, I just couldn’t pick - there is so much to do all over! Favourite place to nap between lectures? Always at home on the settee with my dog. Favourite place to eat in Newcastle? Nudo Noodles behind the Gate – not to be cofused with the Nudo Sushi chain. It’s so good! Robbo or Marj? Robbo for individual work, Marj for group. Do you read the Courier? I like the word searches! Any advice for freshers? Try to get as much out of your time at university. There is so much on offer at the SU! The best place to start is with buying the wristband.

Why did you want to be a Freshers’ Week Organiser? I had a great time during my freshers’ and also doing freshers’ crew. I really liked the idea of being behind the scenes and helping produce something memorable. Best day activity? Axe throwing is so much fun – but also cocktail training. Best night activity? Rudimental on campus! Also Bingo Revolution. Favourite eat4less flavour? I can’t remember what I had. Best day trip around the North Earth? I really enjoy going to Longsands in Tynemouth and swimming in the sea – if it isn’t too cold. Favourite place to nap between lectures?

Why did you want to be a Freshers’ Week Organiser? Freshers’ crew has been a large part of my time at university, so I wanted to go further and be the boss! Also, I had a great start at university and I wanted freshers to have that too. Best day activity? Going to the top of Monument – great views and photo opps! Best night activity? The return of Pandamonium! I loved it during my freshers and missed it so much last year. Favourite eat4less flavour? They have an amazing bean and cheese jacket potato – a classic! Best day trip around the North Earth? I love having a walk and pint by the Quayside. Favourite place to nap between lectures? I had heardly any contact hours so I never needed a nap. Just always had a lie-in! Robbo or Marj? I’ve never even been to the Marj! Do you read the Courier? Every so often – I love a good crossword. Any advice for freshers? Do as much as you can! University will be the best time of your life, so make as many memories as you can – even if it sounds cheesy.

Left to right: Hannah Cuthbert, Beth Bradley, James Howlett & Hannah Finney Image: NUSU

The Snug in the Walton Library. Favourite place to eat in Newcastle? I really like HWKRMRKT on the Gateshead Quayside as it has loads of variety. Do you read the Courier? I like it when it has blind date! Any advice for freshers? Get the wristband! Do as much as you can and hang around campus because sometimes you can get on activities that aren’t full.

James Howlett Why did you want to be a Freshers’ Week Organiser? I’ve been volunteering for freshers’ week for several years. It’s exciting and rewarding work. Best day activity? The Escape Rooms. When we tried it we got to free a witch from prison.

Responsible drinking this week

Em Richardson explains how to drink safely - or even stay sober - and still have the time of your life during Freshers’ week

reshers’ week. On paper, it’s a great opportunity to make new friends, and get to know your university town. In reality, it’s often little more than an excuse to go wild, now that you’re safely away from Mum and Dad. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a few drinks during freshers’, this article will provide a few tips on how to do so safely. Remember that freshers’ lasts a whole week This might sound obvious, but freshers’ lasts for a whole week. That means that there’s a whole week’s worth of events for you to enjoy. However, making the most of every night of freshers’ can be difficult when you’ve ended up in A&E, spent all your cash, and given yourself an evil hangover, all by the end of night one. If you plan on going out every night of freshers’ week, it’s important to pace yourself. You don’t want to drink so much alcohol on night one that you’re out of action for the rest of the week, whether that’s due to injury, illness or lack of funds. Don’t ever let yourself be pressured into exceeding your limits, or trying something dangerous You are totally capable of turning down another drink (or even your very first drink, if you’d rather stay sober), if you think drinking more alcohol could make you dangerously drunk. If any of your new friends think this makes you ‘boring’, then they’re not someone worth befriending, anyway. When it comes to people encouraging you to take illegal drugs, remember how dangerous they can be, and never allow yourself to be pressured into taking an unknown substance. Whilst I can’t condone the use of drugs, if you are going to take them, ensure you tell a trusted friend exactly what

you plan on taking, and never take them whilst alone. This way, someone will always be able to seek medical assistance for you, if needed. Make sure you’re fully prepared for a night out If you want to have a safe night on the Toon, and to reduce your chances of being ill, then you should take the following steps before you’ve even left your accommodation. Firstly, you should always ‘line your stomach’ before drinking, preferably by eating something high in carbohydrates, to reduce your chances of getting too drunk too quickly, or making yourself ill. Before a night out, you should also make sure your phone is charged. This way, you can call your friends if you get separated while you’re out, and you can always call a taxi to take you home. Speaking of which, it’s a good idea to research licensed taxi firms operating in the Newcastle area before your first night out, so you know that any taxi you take is safe and operating legally. (Deputy Editor interrupting here. Also make sure to download a Google Map of the areas that you are likely to go. Just trust me on this one). Practise sensible drinking while you’re out A good way of ensuring you don’t get too drunk whilst out is to drink glasses of water, or a soft drink, in between alcoholic drinks. This is particularly important if you’re drinking shots. Never leave your drink unattended In order to avoid your drink being ‘spiked’, make

sure you keep an eye on it at all times. At the start of the night, make an agreement with a friend that if one of you goes to the bathroom or smoking area, the other will watch their drink. It’s also a good idea to decline any offers to try strangers’ drinks, unless you’ve actively observed them drinking from the same cup. No man gets left behind If you go out as a group, make sure you return home as a group, too. This is especially important during freshers’, when you’re unlikely to know your way around Newcastle just yet. If you have a friend w h o seems

Image: PeakPX

an app

likely to want to go off on a solo adventure after a few drinks (let’s be honest, there’s always one!), then it might be a good idea to download Find My Friend, so you

can monitor their location and make sure they get home safe. On the subject of friends, it’s also important to actually be a good friend during freshers’. By this, I mean that you should remember your friends’ safety always comes above any drinking game or challenge. Never encourage someone who’s overly intoxicated to drink more, even if it seems funny at the time, and be sure to help them home. If you do get separated from your friends, remember that members of freshers’ crew are always situated around the city, and are easily identified by their bright t-shirts and fancy dress. They’ll be more than happy to help you home. Remember that a sober freshers’ week is not a bad freshers’ week If reading this article has simply confirmed that you don’t want to drink alcohol during freshers’ week, then that’s fine, too. A sober freshers’ week can be great fun! You can enjoy many of the university’s daytime events, and there are always ‘alternative’ evening events scheduled, which don’t focus on alcohol. If you enjoy dancing, you could even go to the same events as your friends, and simply order a soft drink at the bar. If you feel at all self-conscious about not drinking alcohol in a club, ask for your soft drink to be served with a slice of lime or lemon and, if anyone asks, tell them it’s a spirit and mixer. It’s perfectly possible to have a great freshers’ week, without a horrible hangover the next day. However you choose to celebrate freshers’, have a fun and safe time, and remember that drinking as much as possible doesn’t have to be the sole aim of your week.

the courier

Freshers

Thursday 19 September 2019

The who’s who of freshers’ crew

During freshers’ there will be over 450 volunteers around campus with the sole purpose of making sure you have the absolute best week possible. From their t-shirt colour you can figure out who’s who and what they can help you with during the week. Where you’re lost on campus, unsure how to sign up for activities, or feeling unwell on a night out, this team is your port of call.

Crew

Most of the volunteers are crew members. They’ll help you move in and they’ll take you on activities. They are full of energy and they’re dedicated to making sure you have a week to remember! Where you can find them: literally everywhere.

Chief Drivers

Supervisors

Each supervisor looks after ten crew members and ensures they’re in the right place at the right time. Full of knowledge, enthusiasm and reliability. Where you can find them: there will often be one wherever crew members are.

Drivers

These guys co-ordinate transport for our whole week and make sure our minibuses and drivers get you to daytime and nighttime activities on time. Where you can find them: in the drivers’ tent in The Forum (where the big heads are).

This lot are vital to the week, taking you to all the exciting activities, night-time events and then home again after for free! Where you can find them: in a minibus, chauffeuring you to both nighttime and daytime activities.

Chief film crew

Film crew

The chiefs coordinate the rest of film crew and ensure that all major freshers’ events on campus are being covered. Where you can find them: all over - filming and photographing every aspect of your week, or coordinating coverage from the Courier office.

Film crew are here to document your Freshers’ Week. They’ll be armed with cameras and microphones both day and night so be sure to give them a wave when you see them! Where you can find them: all over - filming and photographing every aspect of your week.

Chiefs

Almost experts - they can help you with any niche questions you have. Often they have multiple years of crew experience, and a love of walkie-talkies. Where you can find them: there’s always one outside the main entrance to the Students’ Union.

Crossword solution (page two) L UT H I O O U NOR T Y N G R E T A G A T K P E E E T Y NE

Organisers

The top dogs. These four have spent the whole summer planning your freshers’ week, from dog cafes and day trips to DJ sets. Where you can find them: frantically running around campus with their radios to their ears.

Each week the Courier features a dazzling page of fantastic puzzles for you to take a wellearned break between seminars (or even midlecture if the topic isn’t floating your boat). Make sure you pick up the next copy of the Courier, available on campus from Monday 14 October, for a wonderful full page of puzzles. Each week you can expect a mix of crosswords, wordsearches, sudokos, quiz questions and much more

E R S P A W 8 W E I H U MB R I I S H G G S T O B W A I N S O N T D O E MO U T H

S T A A F A G R E I J O R A D L I B E E E R T O E

Freshers

the courier

Freshers’ wristband Thursday 19 September 2019

Daytimes during freshers’ week aren’t just for nursing hangovers and attending induction sessions. Whether you fancy checking out the sights - and food - of the North East, or want to pummell your new flatmates under the pretence of paintballing, as a wristband holder there’s an incredible array of daytime activities on offer. Here you can find details about each day’s programme to ensure you get the most from your wristband - a dot next to an activity and a day means that the activity will be running on that day. The exact times can be found listed outside the tent on the grass opposite the SU. For most activities you’ll need to sign up in the morning in the tent, which is also the meeting point for the activities. You can also sign up to a limited number of activities on the SU app the night before.

Indoor activities Bathbomb making at Lush Bowling Escape Key: escape room Massages by Wan outside the SU Microvolunteering with Go Volunteer Mr Mulligan’s Space Golf Spot White: snooker and pool Stu Brew student brewery tour

STU BREW TOURS

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

. . .

Friday

. . .

Stu Brew is Europe’s first student-run microbrewery based at Newcastle University. Stu Brew is a sustainable volunteer-led microbrewery ran in partnership with the School of Engineering and sells products at venues across the University campus along with pubs and bars around the city.

The BALTIC is the UK’s largest dedicated contemporary art institution, located on Gateshead Quayside by the Millennium Bridge. Even for those who don’t enjoy art, the gallery is well worth a visit for the beautiful views over the Quayside offered by its outdoor terrace and indoor viewing panel on the higher levels.

Image: Stu Brew

Trips & tours

Images: NUSU, Creative Commons, Wikimedia Commons

Monday

Angel of the North BALTIC gallery tour (more info above) Beach trip with fish and chips Blue Reef Aquarium, Tynemouth Campus tour City tour Discovery Museum Durham Grainger Market tour Great North Museum IKEA Laing art gallery (more info on p11) Metrocentre Monument tour Newcastle Castle Ouseburn Farm Pets Corner at Jesmond Dene St James’ Park tour Victoria Tunnels tour

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Image: NUSU

BALTIC CENTRE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART Thursday

Friday

. .

. . .

. .

the courier

d daytime activities Thursday 19 September 2019

Food & drink CatPawCino: cat café Cocktail masterclass Eldon Square grub crawl Fat Hippo Jesmond grub crawl Kafeneon: Greek banquet Lola Jeans Longhorns Mog on the Tyne: cat café Pots and Pancakes Purple Bear Revolucion de Cuba: tapas Tea Sutra: tea tasting and vegan food The Dog & Scone: dog café The Gate grub crawl The STACK Zapatista: Mexican burritos

TEA SUTRA TASTING

Monday . .

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

. .

Friday

. .

Tea Sutra is a tranquil haven in Newcastle’s bustling city centre. Just five minutes’ walk from campus, the tearooms offer 100 teas from all across the globe, as well as an array of vegan food. While both the tea and food are excellent, what really sets Tea Sutra apart is its stunning decor, adorned with fairy lights, blankets and cushions. It’s difficult to walk down Percy Street and not let the heady tea aroma draw you in.

Image: Grace Dean

Sports & outdoors Combat archery Axe throwing Battlezone Laser Bubble football Climbing Hotpod yoga Ice skating Inflataspace Kayaking at Cullercoats Paintballing Quad biking and mud buggying Salsa classes at Revolucion de Cuba SNUG yoga Trampolining

Cullercoats is a coastal village between Whitley Bay and Tynemouth with a semi-circular sandy beach featuring cliffs and caves. Should you be lucky with the weather, or brave enough to face the cold, Cullercoats is the perfect place to take the plunge and kayak.

Monday

Tuesday

Image: Andrew Curtis, Geograph

KAYAKING AT CULLERCOATS

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

. .

. . .

. .

Freshers

the courier

freshers

Thursday 19 September 2019

F R E S H ERS’ WR I S T B A ND N I G HT- T IME EV E NT S SUNDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

LOCATION: OUTSIDE THE STUDENTS’ UNION TIME: 6PM It’s your first night of freshers’ and we’re kicking it off with a big one. Join us on campus for your exclusive gig headlined by Rudimental DJ and then the official Newcastle Freshers’ 2019 Afterparty down in Venue.

MONDAY 23 SEPTEMBER

LOCATION: VENUE THEN BIGG MARKET TIME:7PM-11PM (VENUE), 10PM-3AM (BIGG MARKET)

BIGG FRESHERS NIGHT OUT Maura Hi gi ns from

Start your evening with our headliner comedian who’ll have you laughing away with your new besties. Then get ready to hit the Toon with Maura Higgins (Love Island) in Tup Tup as you get to know all the hotspots in town.

TUESDAY 24 SEPTEMBER LOCATION: VENUE THEN DIGITAL TIME:7PM-11PM

Get ready to release your inner Rockstar as you join us in Venue for Massaoke. The live-band, sing along sensation will have you belting out all the best pop, indie and rock hits from across the years. Stage fright? Don’t worry you can sing your heart out in the crowd, we’re all in this together! Follow this up by heading to the largest club in Newcastle, Digital.

the courier

freshers

Thursday 19 September 2019

WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER

LOCATION: VENUE TIME:7PM-11PM

We’re bringing bingo out of the halls and giving it a whole new lease of life. With wacky prizes and a whole lot of fun you don’t want to miss this. Want to try something a little different? Why not hop on one of our evening activities from axe throwing to Ghost Tours, try something new and make friends for life

THURSDAY 26 SEPTEMBER

LOCATION: THE GATE TIME:9PM-3AM

Lo v e Isl a n d ’s An t o n

DJ Iron ik

FRIDAY 27 SEPTEMBER

LOCATION: VENUE TIME:7PM-11PM

Join us at The Gate as pandamonium returns with a fully immersive UV festival experience featuring bars, brand new superclub Eden, big name DJ’s and celebrity PA’s (cough, cough… Anton from Love Island), live entertainment, glitter painters, food, pandas and more!

C HI L L ED F RIDAY

Okay, so you’ve had five days of fun filled activities and now its time to kick back and relax. Join us on campus for all the great daytime activities and some free food on campus. Because all that fun is going to leave you needing to refuel.

SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER

BIG GEORDIE QUIZ: 6-9PM (LUTHER’S) FOAM PARTY: 10PM-3AM (VENUE)

After the Big Geordie Quiz with the Sinnerman

With super blaster foam cannons and a giant foam pit, you’ve never seen anything like our Foam Party. With some fantastic DJs providing the tunes, we’ll have you in a lather all evening! Alternatively, take part in the ultimate test of general knowledge with the Big Geordie Quiz hosted by none other than Paul ‘Sinnerman’ Sinha from the Chase in Luther’s Bar 6pm - 9pm.

the courier

MEET YOUR 2019-20 SABBATICAL OFFICERS

Thursday 19 Setember 2019

WELFARE & EQUALITY OFFICER ATHLETICS UNION OFFICER

PRESIDENT

welfare.union@newcastle.ac.uk

president.union@newcastle.ac.uk

SARA ELKHAWAD

I am a smiley, energetic, compassionate person that loves the cheery atmosphere of Newcastle having come from a rather busy and sometimes cold city of London. I studied English Literature for my undergraduate and though I cannot, draw, sing, or dance, I consider myself a creative and like writing poems. I applied for the role of Welfare and Equality Officer because I love my background as a woman of colour and feel as though marginalised cultures could be better celebrated on campus. I also have some quite unique and quirky ideas for campaigns so keep your eyes peeled! My role at the SU is to ensure students of all backgrounds and cultures, including those from marginalised groups, are represented on campus, and to ensure the provision of welfare support and facilities. You’ll see me running various campaigns throughout the year, or helping students running their own campaigns on issues that matter to them. It’s easy to find yourself making friends on your course or from cultures that you naturally gravitate too. But as Newcastle University is such a vibrant and diverse space, I am keep to help students celebrate and share their experiences with students from all different walks of life. Mental health is also a big priority of mine, knowing that the financial, academic and social pressures that come with university can sometimes get quite overwhelming. There is lots of support available for you through both the university and the union, and across this year I’ll be running a mental-health campaign to raise awareness on some of the key mental health issues students face and the different ways to tackle these issues. This includes looking at alternative mental health provisions for students, such as art (music, art, creative writing) wellbeing workshops that allow students to develop their creative side. This year also I want to expand on our key campaigns for marginalised students including Black History Month and LGBT+ Awareness Week. To ensure that as many views and voices as possible are represented, I want to provide more advice for students who want to set up their own campaigns. In addition, I want to ensure there is more emphasis on the importance of sexual consent in freshers’ week and SHAG (Sexual Health and Guidance) week. Alongside this, I want to make drug and STI testing more readily available on campus.

JOE GUBBINS

au.union@newcastle.ac.uk I’m originally from Great Ayton, a village in North Yorkshire just outside Middlesbrough, and have spent the last four years in Newcastle studying for a Masters in Mechanical Design and Manufacturing Engineering. Sport has been a huge part of my university life here at Newcastle, and most of this has been facilitated by the Students’ Union. I’ve been a part of the Ice Hockey club for four years, both playing and coaching, and played 5-a-side with my housemates through Campus Leagues. My role at the SU is to make sure all of you can improve your university experience through sport, whether that be through competing at an elite level in BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport), getting together for a casual game of rounders, joining campus leagues with your house or course mates or just getting a bit more active. We have so much sport on offer here that there really is something for everyone. Whether it’s sports-related facilities, welfare or finances you want to talk about, I’m here to help you make the most of Newcastle’s sport opportunities. This year one of my aims is to create a really inclusive environment for the whole of Newcastle sport, celebrate our disabled athletes and improve our disability sport offering. One way I plan to do this is to bring both disabled and able-bodied athletes together through sports such as Boccia and Goalball. These can be played by all and are a great way to socialise and just have a laugh, while trying something that will probably be new for a lot of you. To kick this all off I’ll be running a campaign celebrating disability sport so look out for that and get stuck in! Alongside this I want us to push to maintain our top 10 ranking in BUCS, as well as supporting all the clubs who compete outside BUCS. I’m really keen to get down to training sessions to see how your clubs work and find out what we as an SU can do for you, both as clubs and as individuals. During my time at university I’ve been a club President, Treasurer and Team Captain so I’ve got loads of experience in the day-to-day problems you might come up against as club committees and members. You’ll find me upstairs in the SU on the Activities floor where I’ll probably be wearing my sport kit; I’m always up for a chat so pop up if you have any questions.

KATIE SMYTH

I’m a Scouse, hardworking, fun-loving gal trying to battle the stereotype that all history students become teachers. You’ll most likely hear me around campus before you see me, but when you do I’m always up for a chat. You might not see my 5ft 2” self behind my desk, but I’m there. My role is to represent the student voice and make sure everyone’s aware of all the Students’ Union can provide and support you with in terms of social, advisory and wellbeing aspects of the Union - there’s so much on offer. We all know there’s lots of ways the Union can be improved and I want to try and make sure to drive and focus on this this year. I’m keen to know what you lot think, so any issues let me know. As President I also take a lead role on the beautiful red-brick Students’ Union building, and this year I will looking at how we can revitalise our spaces on site. As part of this I have already worked closely with the commercial team to provide a student voice regarding the development of a Co-op franchise in our very own Union building. This year I want to get more people involved in the Union. I want to achieve this by making sure the Union is a port of call for any issues students face – we offer a fantastic Student Advice Centre which offers confidential and independent advice related to financial, housing and academic queries, and I want more students to be aware of the help this offers. I hope to work with the Education Officer to look into a re-distribution of printing credits. Welfare is a key priority for me, and I want to make sure campus is a safe space for everyone. As part of this, I will work closely with the Activities Officer to encourage more societies to introduce Welfare Officers, which will ultimately be made compulsory for all societies in 2020. I also will liaise with Sara, your Welfare & Equality Officer at the Union to raise awareness of sexual assault and offer more provisions for people affected. I also hope to collaborate more with international support services. International students make up such a large proportion of our student body, and undoubtedly bring so much to the University, especially in terms of differing cultures and beliefs. I want to make sure they feel well-represented here at NUSU and to ensure their voices are heard across campus.

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

POSTGRADUATE OFFICER

ACTIVITIES OFFICER

EDITOR OF THE COURIER

pg.union@newcastle.ac.uk

activities.union@newcastle.ac.uk

editor.union@newcastle.ac.uk

KARINA SORRELS

Born in Texas, USA and raised in Connecticut, USA, I completed a double bachelors degree in English: Culture and Media Studies and History & Global Studies at Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada before following my passion for British History at a Masters level in Newcastle. At my time in Newcastle as a student, I found a passion for student representation through my work as a Course and School Rep, which led me to run for to be Newcastle University Students’ Union first ever Postgraduate Officer to continue raising awareness of and campaigning on key postgraduate issues. My passions outside of academia include travelling, attending concerts, binging on YouTube, and the Arts. My role at the SU is to ensure the inclusiveness of Postgraduate Taught and Research students within the wider university. Transferring into postgraduate studies is a quite daunting event whether you have come straight from an undergraduate study, taken a break, worked, or are returning as a mature student. In order to ease this process you’ll find me either around the campus running campaigns to promote the postgraduate experience, or in the office working on more internal programs, and answering any questions, concerns or comments you may have. My role incorporates all aspects of postgraduate life at Newcastle, meaning that I can offer both academic and welfare support for our students. I am here to represent and help you throughout your time at Newcastle University so feel free to drop in and have a chat. One of my key policies is to reform the SSP (Student Support Plan) to be more inclusive to postgraduate students. I similarly want to campaign for more mental health resources directed to the needs of postgraduate students. I want to ensure that postgraduate students are as integrated as possible into student life here in Newcastle. I will achieve this by working to ensure the inclusivity of postgraduate students within societies, clubs and the general University. My ethos for the year is based around a policy I have developed called CARE which stands for Change, Advise, Represent, Enhance. Through this policy I plan to engage the postgraduate community through tailored events, and help postgraduate students recognise and understand the resources available to them provided by my position, the Union, and the University.

ELEANOR KILLNER

I thoroughly enjoyed my three years and university and found being Secretary of the History Society really rewarding. University isn’t all about the academics, so I wanted to run for Activities Officer and provide you all with great extra-curricular opportunities, which add to your overall university experience. I personally love music, photography and the arts but am looking forward to getting to know all the societies and what they have to offer all of you. I’m your new Activities Officer and my role involves organising and supervising all the societies and activities as well as volunteering within the Students’ Union. For this I work closely with the teams at both Go Volunteer and Give it a Go. University offers so many unique opportunities, and here at Newcastle we are particularly fortunate to have such an incredible breadth and diversity of extra-curricular activities. I am here to ensure that students really make the most of everything available to them. Want to get involved in something you already love, or find a new hobby you didn’t even know existed? Then joining a society is something you should do! There are so many options available and I’m here to help you find what you love. This year I want to make collaboration between societies even broader and easier to achieve through an online hub and system to engage every society in the socials they are up to throughout the year. Go Volunteer is a fantastic programme we have here at the Union, and I want to encourage more people to join. All of you in societies have great skills and many exciting opportunities to offer so why not widen your scope to the outside community. I want to be the point of contact and provide societies with the chance to reach outside the university. For some people, a society is more than a hobby: it could be their future. I want to help societies create a stronger link with the outside world, to help you all post-university. Networking with different people who are used to the working environment can be very daunting on your own, especially if what you want to do isn’t necessarily your university degree. By working with the Careers Service, I want to provide a link between societies and the vast number of alumni we have here at the university to make it less scary for everyone involved!

GRACE DEAN

Originally from Bradford, the crown jewel of the North, I moved to Newcastle in 2015 to start a four-year degree in German & Business studies. I have been involved in the Students’ Union from the start, including being Treasurer of both Modern Languages and Baking Societies. Following encouragement from a friend, I joined the team at the Courier and discovered a passion for creative writing. This led to me becoming Journalist of the Year and a News Sub-Editor, culminating in me being elected as your current Editor of the Courier. As Editor of the Courier I oversee the three branches of our student media: our award-winning newspaper the Courier, Newcastle Student Radio (NSR), and Newcastle University Television (NUTV). Both NSR and NUTV have their own Station Managers, who are work tirelessly to ensure the quality and quantity of output of their respective media branches, but I am there for any support they need. I am responsible for the production and publication of a 40-page newspaper every week of term-time, which releases content including current affairs, life and style, culture and sport. Our most popular features, however, are arguably our puzzles page – perfect for taking a break between seminars! – and our Blind Date spread. All three branches of student media are produced for students by students, and offer the opportunity for anyone to get involved. Through student media you can bulk up your CV, develop new skills, make friends, and create memories for life (a bit naff I know, sorry). There are a few keys points I hope to achieve this year. The Courier is our student newspaper, and thus I want it to celebrate all the incredible things our students are achieving. Societies have always played an important role in my university life, yet their successes often remain unsung. I want their fantastic campaigns, events and achievements to be celebrated in our student newspaper. This includes introducing training for committee members on how to write articles promoting society events or write match reports celebrating sporting success. Furthermore, I want to look at strategic distribution to increase our readership – we already have a fantastic newspaper, and I want more people to read it. Finally, I want to introduce a Food section to the Courier – Shijo may be great, but there’s only so many katsu curries a student loan can buy.

EDUCATION OFFICER PABLO CHARRO DE LA FUENTE education.union@newcastle.ac.uk

I am originally from Madrid, and I have lived in Newcastle for the past three years studying Marketing. During this time I have involved myself in many different academic projects, and have been the International Officer at the Students’ Union, and ultimately this motivated me to nominate myself for Education Officer. I strongly believe in the importance of student representation to improve the experience of students at university. For that reason, I work very closely with all the undergraduate Course and School Reps to enhance the education at the University. My role at the Students’ Union is to liaise with the University to enhance the education experience of students. In my role I ensure that the University adapts its learning and teaching strategies to students from all backgrounds and cultures. My ultimate goal is to ensure that every student feels supported and comfortable with their education. If you have ideas that you think can improve the education at university, or if you think I can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. During this year, I want to improve the learning tools available to students at university, especially the digital ones. These means need to be improved and adapted to create a more useful and efficient learning environment at Newcastle University. I want to focus on improving the use of the facilities as well. Newcastle University has exceptional spaces around campus, and the use of them shouldn’t be restrained to specific activities. In this role, I want to remove the structural barriers, and think of more functional and useful uses of the spaces. This will improve the experience of students at University, and result in a more efficient system for all stakeholders. Ultimately, I want to create a learning and teaching environment that is affordable, and concerned with both the wellbeing and the employability of the students. If you have ideas that you think can improve the education at university, or if you think I can help you in any way, please do not hesitate to contact me. You can easily come visit me in the Your Voice office, opposite the Co-Op at the SU), which I share with the President, the Welfare & Equality Officer and the Postgraduate Officer, or you can email me at the address listed above.

the courier

media

Thursday 19 September 2019

What student media means to me

s an English Literature fresher with a vague interest in student journalism, largely fostered through Gilmore Girls, I could never have predicted that by my final year I would have the absolute pleasure of being Deputy Editor of the Courier. Now a graduate, the fact that I am still more than willing to sit here and write for this wonderful paper proves that it continues to be important to me. Over the years, what student media means to me has been very varied, never boring, and generally quite mad, but most of the time it’s just having a genuinely cracking time with lovely people and producing something fantastic while you’re at it. Unquestionably, the best part about student media at this university is the people you meet. The friends I have made through working on the paper are now some of my very closest, and the things I have learned from them are as valuable as anything my degree has taught me. It can be so daunting as a fresher trying to find those people you fit in with, and you would be hard pushed to find a more welcoming bunch than the student media lot. To the freshers of 2019, if you want to be part of real change at the university, create something amazing, and make some good friends, please do consider giving student media a crack.

tudent media gives us an independent voice around campus. It brings light to hidden issues and holds the university representatives accountable to their actions. However, this does not mean deliberately condemning the university. Yet, when issues from excessive staff spending and society initiations arise, students deserve the right to know; these issues affect us all. Reporting on the negative aspects undoubtedly bring positive developments to our university experience. Student media is not limited to newspaper reporting. Issues can come across too from the radio and television student station, allowing students to actively engage with the news. Information overload from reliance on the internet can contribute to the dangerous distribution of fake news. This can lead to public misinformation, mistrust and manipulation. Student media ensures objectivity and truth are put in place in covering issues and events. You don’t need prior experience to get involved with the student media. All you need is passion and determination to uphold your own voice.

Isabel Sykes, Deputy Editor of the Courier 2018/19

Carl Smith Valdez, NUTV Deputy Production Manager & Courier News Sub-Editor 2019/20

bloody love the Courier. Obviously, or I wouldn’t be writing this whilst juggling a masters, multiple jobs and society committee positions too. As a Media student, writing for the Courier felt like a no-brainer decision to get some writing experience that wasn’t all graded and drowning in academic jargon. I started writing in second year, before taking the plunge and applying to be a Music Editor for my third year – and the perks of free gig tickets were definitely a highlight. The Courier becomes like a family, and getting to know people from different courses and sections has given me some amazing new friends. I’m beyond happy to be given a cheeky promotion to Culture Editor this year. Being part of this team has given me some fab opportunities and memories, and I can’t wait to try my hand at radio with NSR (somehow I’ll find the time) to spread my wings into even more student media homes. To anyone reading this, I encourage you to get involved – write an article! Join NUTV and NSR! If my almost embarrassing enthusiasm hasn’t encouraged you yet, perhaps the idea of taking part in Couriermas – our annual Christmas bash that goes from afternoon to night with some festive fun in our own little office – can tempt you to give us a go. Charlotte Boulton, Courier Culture Editor 2019/20

ngaging in student media was one of the highlights of my first year at university. University can be really daunting but it’s a great time to try something new. For me student media allowed me to host my own radio show something I never thought I’d be able to say! Some of my fondest memories from my first year were made in the NSR studio. Whether it’s blasting your favourite tracks on the speakers, presenting your show alongside your mates, or even learning how radio is produced, NSR is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable student groups to be a part of. NSR also gave me the opportunity to interview incredible bands such as You Me At Six and Sea Girls which were such surreal experiences. Joining NSR is also a great way to meet new people and make lifelong friends. We have socials, group shows and the media awards - the highlight of the student media calendar. So if you’re looking for something new to try this year NSR might be for you. Also, as Co-Head of Music for this year I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t tell you that we host a weekly music show where we discuss the week’s top tracks and much more! Dominic Lee, NSR Co-Head of Music & Courier Music Sub-Editor 2019/20

Write wrongs on campus with the Courier

Editor of the Courier Grace Dean introduces you to your new student newspaper and tells you how you can make your voice heard The Courier is an award-winning independent student publication both written and edited by volunteers at Newcastle University Students’ Union. Originally founded as King’s Courier in 1948, the Courier now publishes a 40-page newspaper every week of term-time. The Courier is available for free around campus for students, staff and visitors in Castle Leazes, both Robinson libraries, the Students’ Union Building, the King’s Gate Centre and school common rooms, plus many more locations. The Courier now has 14 different sections, split into Current Affairs, Life & Style, Culture and Sport. Each print edition also features a page of fantastic puzzles for taking a break between seminars. The Courier has over 200 volunteer writers who contribute articles both for our website and for our print editions. The sections are managed by a team of roughly 50 sub-editors, who liaise with writers, edit articles and lay up the pieces using specialist software. These sub-editors are in turn overseen by a team of senior editors. The Courier is ultimately led by the Editor, who is an elected sabbatical officer at the Students’ Union. This year your Editor of the Courier is me myself, Grace Dean, a former News Sub-Editor who was involved in the Courier for three years before becoming Editor. Anyone who is a student at Newcastle University can write for the Courier. Whether you want to review of your favourite film, comment on worldwide issues, update students about what’s happening on campus or hold your university to account with some investigative journalism, there’s space in the Courier for everyone’s voice to be heard. The Courier enables you to hold the University to account and make real change across campus. Recently we

courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk

c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk

c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk

courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk

courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk

c2.music@ncl.ac.uk

To be confirmed

SPORT

CULTURE

courier.news@ncl.ac.uk

LIFE & STYLE

CURRENT AFFAIRS

Image: Louise Hall

have covered contentious topics such as the limited opening times of the University’s Muslim prayer space and period poverty on campus, cooperating with last year’s Students’ Union President to lobby the University to introduce free sanitary products across campus. We hold weekly writers’ meetings in the Planning Room of the Students’ Union on Wednesday afternoons. These are drop-in sessions from 1:30pm to 2:30pm, meaning that you don’t have to come for the whole hour. Each of our sections will have a stand with a sub-editor there and a list of articles for the week. Don’t like the look of any? Our sub-editors are always enthusiastic about writers proposing their own article ideas, so just let them know what you want to write about and they can support you. Unable to attend the writers’ meetings? No worries! All our leftover articles get posted in our Facebook groups, so make sure you join them all. Simply search “the Courier [section] writers 2019/20” on Facebook, or email the section you’re interested in for more information. Our first writers’ meeting will take place in the Planning Room of the Students’ Union on Wednesday 2 October, and will operate as a drop-in between 1:30pm and 2:30pm. You can also find out more at the freshers’ fair on 23 and 24 September, where the Courier will have a stall. Whether you want to build up a portfolio, experiment with creative writing, have your say or merely see your name in print, you can open a world of opportunities by becoming a writer for the Courier. In recent years, writers and editors have developed careers at the Guardian, ITV News, The Sunday Times and Good Housekeeping.

c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk

c2.film@ncl.ac.uk

c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk

courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk

c2.science@ncl.ac.uk

courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

the courier

media

Shout loud & clear with NSR Thursday 19 September 2019

Rory Ewart NSR Deputy Station Manager 2018/19

James Johnson NSR Station Co-Manager 2019/20 I won’t be the first person to say it, but saying “I’ve got a podcast” is basically 2019’s equivalent of saying “I’m in a band”. Well, a radio show is basically like that but a whole lot better. Every 60 minutes during term time between the hours of 9am and midnight, a different set of students, some of them on their own, some in herds, squeeze their way into the NSR studio and take control. What happens in that hour is in their hands: they choose the music, the conversation, the comedy to make, the artist to mock, the band to celebrate, the song to shout about or the problem to try and solve, all while letting the students of Newcastle listen in with them.

NSR is an award-winning student radio station, the official sound of Newcastle University. Run by students for students, NSR has no boundaries and no real limits, and since we were first on air in 1998 we have run 24 hours a day seven days a week. NSR prides itself on its diversity and being manned completely by students means that whether you’re into grime or indie, comedy or sport, entertainment or news, NSR has got something for you! NSR doesn’t stop at the studio door however; last year we showcased 10 student election debates, provided live punditry and commentary for a series of student fight nights, and completed a non-stop 24-hour charity show. On top of this, we’ve had the privilege of interviewing a ridiculous number of artists including Sam Fender, Jorja Smith, the Wombats, Wolf Alice, Scouting for Girls and countless others. We’ve held live sessions with more bands

than you could shake a stick at, provided commentary for university sports events, and DJ’d at a multitude of events across campus. With an eclectic blend of entertainment, music, sport, news and more, it is students that determine what NSR looks like and how it sounds. If you’re looking to unlock your inner potential then why not get involved? At NSR we have a wide range of opportunities to learn the tricks of the radio trade, from hosting your own show to event organisation and live punditry. Whether its presenting, producing or behind the scenes roles you’re interested in, come and give us a go! You need no experience at all, you don’t even need to listen to radio. We welcome everyone of all abilities and backgrounds to come and join us and add something different to NSR. Throughout the week we will be outside the Students’ Union providing the soundtrack to freshers’ week, along with some giveaways, so why not come and say hi? Or, if you want to see what we’re about, have a listen to our pres playlists, broadcasting live nightly throughout freshers’ week.Oh, and if you’re not convinced already, like all areas of student media, we’re not a society so we are completely 100% free to join.

Two years ago I arrived in Newcastle full of anticipation to kick-start the Journalism, Media and Culture degree I had been anticipating throughout sixth form life at school. Media, naturally, was something that I had always been keen to get involved, however, I never imagined being as intertwined in student media as I am now, a year and a half later. My earliest recollection at freshers’ fair - at the time I was happy to place my name onto the NSR email register, though a the same time, I thought realistically that it wouldn’t likely come to much in the future. In second year, I was proud to be involved on a weekly basis at the radio. Having been elected as joint deputy-Station Manager with the semi-decent Luke Oddie, we were lucky enough to be able to work along with a fantastic exec team to produce a full weekly schedule of diverse and creative radio shows. Harry Parsons, Station Manager last year and all-round top bloke, was a constant guide throughout, second year introducing me to the Courier towards the end of first year. I am eternally grateful for his constant support, without which, I would not be writing this article today.

Student media has granted me opportunities that I never thought were possible

Today, along with a fantastic sports team, I now edit for the sports section of the paper on a weekly basis. This is something that I began in January 2019, so this will therefore be my first full year editing for the section, something which I have been looking forward to throughout summer. Student media has not only opened my eyes to the processes to which media in the real world runs, but has additionally granted myself opportunities that I could never imagine would have been possible whilst at university. From interviewing members of the Harlem Globetrotters to commentating at St James’s Park, student media hasgranted myself that I will forever be grateful for.

Broadcast the next big thing with NUTV

Images: NUTV

Haaris Qureshi NUTV Station Manager NUTV is NUSU’s high-action and fast paced television branch. Founded in 2007, the youngest of the three branches has certainly taken leaps and bounds in progress, committing itself to producing both on-demand and live broadcasts throughout the academic year. NUTV aims to be a platform to allow as many students as possible, regardless of their academic or personal background, the chance to experience the world of TV production. We produce content covering current affairs, entertainment, music, student talent and lifestyle, sports, and more! Have an idea for a brand new

show? Come and make that show a reality, as we’re always looking for new show concepts! NUTV’s flagship shows have included Bigg Market Banter, where we send out hosts to investigate the antics students get up to on nights out; Student Sessions, showcasing music talent from both the local student body and more established bands; a selection of entertainment videos where we sit down students in front of a camera and task them a variety of challenges; and current affair videos, bringing the news across campus to you! We also provide a service in covering student activities, from society events to sporting fixtures, Students’ Council and Student Elections, and the variety of campaigns. Last year NUTV received a grant, which allowed

us to invest in some brand new kit to improve and streamline our live broadcast capability, making easier than it has ever been to present, produce, direct or film live television at Newcastle University. We will also be working closer with the University in helping to provide content to the wider student body, so content you have developed, filmed or even presented could be making the rounds across campus! NUTV also aims to help bridge connections into the industry for anyone looking to pursue a media career. We are a NaSTA affiliated station, allowing us access to the workshops and industry trips the Association runs throughout the year, including the annual conference in Easter and the highly sought NaSTA Awards! Some of our NUTV team

have even worked with NaSTA as executive officers and trustees! We also have local connections with the Royal Television Society and professional individuals from local and national TV broadcasting studios.

We are a NaSTA affiliated station, allowing us access to workshops and industry trips

Whether you want to present in front of camera, direct and produce from behind the scenes, flex your editing muscles, or write and develop ideas, check out NUTV

societies a-z

the courier

Thursday 19 Setember 2019

Why Go Volunteer? The capacity for students to be a force of good and real change makers in the world is never more evident than in the rise of volunteering. Go Volunteer, based at the SU, coordinates a full range of student volunteering opportunities. These include 30 internally led projects - where a student has come to us with an idea for a project which we have funded and lent staff support to – and opportunities with local charities. We also run Into Schools, working with clubs and societies to deliver sessions in local schools. Keen to have a social voice and lend their enthusiasm and dedication to society’s key challenges, Go Volunteer has seen a huge increase in students volunteering, with close to 2500 Newcastle University students lending their time to various causes over the last year. Recent graduate Alex McVeigh was a lead volunteer on INTOgration – a peer to peer project designed to help international students develop their English conversation skills and learn about local culture. Alex said: “my confidence, ability to work effectively in a team and presentation skills have increased massively, alongside my cultural awareness. Most importantly, I’ve been able to meet people from all over the world and learn about their cultures while simultaneously teaching them about mine.” Fabian McLaughlin is a student volunteer leader responsible for N.E.S.T Explore, an offshoot of N.E.S.T which is an award winning refugee and asylum seeker support project. Fabian says: “we organise and deliver trips around Northumbria for asylum seekers and refugees. It’s hard to summarise how incredible volunteering has been. It has improved my mental health, helped me develop my skillset and helped me to meet some fantastic people (we say that N.E.S.T is more of a family than an organisation and it couldn’t be more true).” At any one time we usually have around 200 different projects for students to choose from, however if you don’t see anything that takes your fancy you can apply for a grant to develop a new volunteering idea. The majority of our projects are student-led, which means there’s lots of opportunity to gain a range of employability skills and experience such as the ncl+ scheme and our employability workshops, both online and offline, as well as an advanced leadership programme accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Volunteering is not only an opportunity to develop and enhance your skills set, helping you stand out in the graduate job market, but your chance to make a difference and leave a lasting, positive impact. Check out nusu.co.uk/govolunteer for all our volunteering opportunities and follow our social media on @nusugovolunteer to get the first pick of our latest opportunities.

Course & Career

Archaeology - Bringing current and aspiring archaeologists together through nights out, day trips, educational activities, a trip abroad and more. BioSci - Fun socials alongside careers events for those studying biosciences, so don’t miss out on one of Newcastle’s largest societies. BioSoc - For all studying biology or related courses. Array of socials and summer ball plus academic and career events. Sports teams too. BUSSOC - Providing opportunities to meet those interested in business through a variety of social, academic and professional events. CEG - All those studying Civil Engineering or Geosciences/geomatics welcome. Regular nights out, charity events, trips and industry talks. Classics - For all those who are fascinated in the ancient world (not just those who study it!), we have a multitude of events and opportunities such as a trip abroad a, football and netball teams, toga themed socials and even a podcast! Computing & Technology - Providing a forum discussing programming, web design, and all things computing. Economics - Here to support students who study economics and related studies through workshops and exciting events. Eldon (Law) - For anyone interested in all things law! Social and careers-based events for both law and non-law students including client interviewing, negotiation classes and mooting competitions. Emergency Medicine - Caters to students who have interest in critical care and pre-hospital emergency medicine through unique access to activitybased teaching weekends, lectures from experts in emergency medicine and observer shifts with ambulance and air ambulance organisations. Engineering Projects - The Engineering Projects Society takes on exciting projects and is currently focused on the design and construction of submersible marine vehicles for various competitions. Engineers without Borders Society - International development organisation with projects tackling issues such as pumps and shelters in developing countries. Hands-on workshops included. English - Stimulate your brain...then let it run wild with a night out, all whilst surrounded by your coursemates. Entrepreneurs - Create and supportive community providing students with key business skills. Workshops, seminars and networking events. Geography - Social society aimed at geographers and similar degree programmes, bringing likeminded students together to make the most of their Newcastle experience. History - Historically the best society on campus, doing fun socials, balls, and a trip abroad Media & Culture - Whether you are passionate about the current media environment, aspire to work in the industry or just like keeping up with the latest in (pop) culture, our socials are sure to cover a wide range of inter-

ests and hobbies. Modern Languages - The Modern Languages Society is for anyone interested in learning languages, enjoying different cultures and meeting people from all over the world! During the year you can expect to take part in our regular themed socials, film nights, conversation clubs, trips abroad and of course our amazing End of Year Ball. Newcastle Sport and Exercise Medicine - Hosting evening lectures and master-class events from various speakers and consultants. Nutritank - Perfect for medics and non-medics alike, we provide events such as cooking classes, recipes and teaching on nutrition and lifestyle medicine with opportunities to meet professionals in the field, plus exclusive discounts at healthy food outlets in Newcastle Paediatrics - Focused on children’s medicine, with clinical opportunities, exciting talks and our annual conference in a warm welcoming society! Planning - Socials and events for planning students to meet others on course and become part of the community. Events range from day trips, nights out to extra-curricular sessions. Politics - legendary Christmas drinks and summer balls. Radiology - From interpreting X-rays to hands-on practical sessions like USS-guided biopsy and interventional procedures ShockSoc - Social activities for the Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering students as well as inter-society events and industrial talks. Sociology - To allow new and existing students to meet coursemates and enjoy the Newcastle student life. Support on course material available. Speech & Language Therapy - Social, educational and fundraising opportunities (e.g. pub quizzes, makaton training, comedy nights), whilst raising awareness of speech and language therapy. Surgical - Support medical students seeking a career in surgery. Activities include viewing autopsies, skill sessions and careers advice. WetSoc - Society involved with the school of Marine Science and Technology MAST. Trips near to bring people together plus trips here and abroad. Wilderness Medicine - Promote interest in the outdoors alongside teaching skills such as assessing and treating casualties in remote and challenging environments, all while on day trips and weekends away.

General interest

Left to right: Christian Union, Islam Society, Irish Dance Society, Mind the Gap, Gilbert & Sullivan, A Capella, NUTS, Comedy Society

20 Minute - Reach our location in 20 minutes and you can join our wide range of amazing socials, including paintballing, space golf, and cocktail training, alongside a Mystery Holiday Anime - Weekly meetings to watch and discuss anime. Trips to cosplay and comic cons during the

year and cinema trips to watch anime films. Baking - No more soggy bottoms with our weekly baking sessions, practising everything from cake to pastry making as well as masterclasses, afternoon teas and cinema trips. For beginners and experts alike - you don’t have to be Mary Berry to take part Cheese & Wine - A fun, sociable and inclusive society which allows you to meet new people while sampling and sipping two of the tastiest things! Chess - Non-profit society offering relaxed, affordable classes. Suitable for all levels to improve strategy, critical thinking and concentration. Debating - Learn to debate and attend competitions from Athens to Aberdeen while building confidence and public speaking skills DJ - DJing workshops with the opportunity to practice on industry standard equipment. Film - Weekly film screenings and socials with a huge variety including every genre of film you could possible dream of. We also hold filmmaking workshops and run student film projects throughout the year for those looking to get creative and develop new skills! Indie - If you are interested in indie music, gig discounts and meeting new friends with similar music tastes - this is the society for you! Literature - Fun and friendly space to find a new favourite book, meet fellow bookworms and discuss all things literary in our cosy café meetings. MUNSoc (Model UN) - Fun with flags; represent a country at the General Assembly of the United Nations for a light-hearted debate on today’s current world affairs! Poker - For those of all abilities, weekly meetings, playing for points and fun prizes not money. Real Ale and Cider Appreciation – Pub crawls, brewery trips, tastings and weekends away for those who are passionate about good beer or cider and want to something new. Rock - Friendly atmosphere for all types of fan, from goth to grindcore, punk to prog rock, indie to industrial. If you love rock, we are for you. Scout and Guide - Kickstart or continue your Scouting & Guiding adventure – lots of fun opportunities including socials, camps and adventure as part of a national organisation! Table Top - For those interested in table-top gaming and board games, promote live action roleplaying plus organising social events. Vegetarian and Vegan - Finding Newcastle’s hidden veggie haunts to holding cooking competitions, we have a lot to sink your teeth into. Video Gaming & eSports - THE society for anyone who enjoys video games of any genre, and for participating in esports across the country!

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Sport

Coast to Coast - A social and welcoming cycling society for people of all abilities, running weekly training rides throughout the year in the run up to cycling the Coast to Coast (a charity ride from Whitehaven to Tynemouth) in March Fellwalking - Walks every weekend range from difficult ascents to easy valley rambles taking place up and down the UK. Lively social calendar. Motorsport – Brings people together at socials and motorsport events. Chance to go karting and maybe even compete for university in the BUKC. Pilates - Weekly classes with a professional instructor, providing a friendly and fun atmosphere. We cater for everyone and hold regular socials. Pole & Aerial Dancing - Lessons for all abilities alongside burlesque and aerial workshops Rounders - A social non-competitive sport society suitable for all levels of fitness and ability. Social Tennis - We provide fun tennis coaching and match play twice a week and regular socials for anyone at any ability, beginner to advanced. Yoga - We offer affordable classes for different styles of yoga. Suitable for all abilities, whether you are a novice or are more experienced.

Arts

A Capella - For people who like singing to the accompaniment of no instruments. We have four groups of both un-auditioned and auditioned A Cappella singing, including the nationally acclaimed mixed competition group ‘Tune Army’ Caledonian – Teaching you to dance Scottish reels and revel in traditional Scottish music. The dances are easy to pick up and a great for making friends. Creative Writing - A society (open to anyone) with creative writing workshops, themed writing sessions, and fun socials! Comedy - A welcoming environment to try out or practice stand-up, improv or writing and performing sketch comedy, with performances locally and as far away as the Edinburgh Fringe. Gain experience in creation, production and performance. Fashion - NUFS allows its members to explore the fashion industry from different avenues depending on the members’ interest, from sewing, blogging, photography and modelling to fashion show planning, PR and socials. Gilbert and Sullivan – Performing comic operas in a fun and welcoming atmosphere; accepting members for cast, orchestra and tech crew, no previous acting/singing experience required. Irish Dance - Weekly classes to learn, practice and perform traditional and modern Irish dance, total beginners to seasoned competitors welcome Jazz Orchestra - Newcastle University’s longest running big band, playing funk, soul and swing and performing regularly at society and fundraising events and private functions, and in public. Latin and Ballroom - An opportunity to take weekly classes from award winning teachers and compete in national competitions throughout the year, holding regular socials too! Musical Medics - For medical students who aim to put on a musical show to raise money for charity. Open to all abilities, no experience necessary. Photography - We welcome all passion-

ate photographers, beginners and professionals to learn and develop their photography skills through classes, photowalk, city trips and more. Salsa - Hour-long contemporary salsa lessons for beginners, as well as regular socials, two fabulous balls and attendance at the Teesside Salsa Festival. Student Orchestra and Choir - Opportunity for students to play and sing music. Concerts in the winter and spring terms. Active social calendar. Theatre (NUTS) - With 12 full shows a year, a festival of new student writing, and an original show at the Edinburgh Fringe, NUTS is a great, welcoming society for those interested in theatre, be it as actor, offstage or panto horse. Windband – A fun society for musicians of any ability to play a variety of music!

International cultures

Afro-Caribbean - A society with a focus on celebrating African and Caribbean culture by putting on educational and entertaining events throughout the year which welcomes anyone who’s interested or part of the culture! Anglo-Chinese - Encourage relationships between students studying Chinese and Chinese natives. To broaden interest in Chinese culture. Anglo-Japanese - For anyone interested in anything Japanese. Opportunity for Japanese students and other students to meet. Meals, parties, trips and fundraising events for earthquake relief funds. Arab - To unite Arabs from all over the world and to introduce the culture to Non-Arabs Bulgarian - Bulgarians and people from other nationalities are all welcome to join us on the path of maintaining the Bulgarian culture and traditions. Chinese Student & Scholars Association - Holds various career-focused, social and cultural events. Greek & Cypriot - Brings Greeks, Cypriots and people from other nations that wish to learn more about the Hellenic culture together. Expect tons of delicious Greek food and fun activities. Hong Kong Public Affairs & Social Service - A place where you can understand and experience Hong Kong’s local culture and discussing all the international affairs happening nowadays. International - Drawing together students of different nationalities with trips to popular parts of the UK to help integrate international students. Latin American - Sharing Latino culture through socials, food and fiesta! Lithuanian - Support, understanding and easier integration into new culture. Variety of activities such as camping, hiking, films and formal events. Malaysian - A society for anyone who is interested in knowing and experiencing Malaysian culture in Newcastle. We provide a fabulous social platform for Malaysian students and other communities around the University to meet new people and to exchange cultural experiences. Mauritian - Trips to places of interest, meals, film nights, cinema trips, ice skating, paintballing and go-karting. Also c e l ebrate key Mauritian festivals. Pakistan Bringing people from all walks of life together to enjoy Pakistani culture through f u n

filled events and socials Saudi Students – Offering cultural and social events that represent Saudi Arabia Singapore - Activities throughout the year such as city tours, parties, pub crawls, key festival celebrations, including Christmas and Chinese New Year. Thai - From BBQs to sports activities, the Thai Society offer a range of opportunities for members to meet throughout the year.

Faith & belief

CathSoc - We are a fun and welcoming community centred on exploring our Catholic faith and developing friendships together, open to everyone regardless of faith. Christian Union – Aiming to encourage people in their faith, the Christian Union meets every Friday night to worship together and socialise. Hindu & Sikh - Providing a taste of Hindu and Sikh culture for all students interested by holding many social events throughout the year and celebrating major festivals like Diwali. Islamic - Maintains a prayer room, arranges regular lectures, study circles and social events. Hold outreach events to engage the wider community such as ‘Discover Islam Week’. Jewish - A forum for Jewish students to meet for social, religious and educational purposes regardless of religious background or denomination.

Representative

Conservative - a group made up of members from all corners of the U.K. and beyond who align with the Conservative and Unionist Party and other strains of conservative thought. Disability and Neurodiversity - DANsoc is a community society, based around support, shared experience and knowledge and campaigning for change as well as facilitating accessible events. Feminist - Engaging members in debate and activities relating to feminist issues. Holds socials for members to get to know each other. It Happens Here - We support all survivors and allies of sexual violence on campus through campaigns, self-defence, self-care and support groups LGBT+ - A society for all LGBT+ students to meet others, socialise, discuss issues within the community and participate in a host of activities Marxist - We’re a forum to discuss Marxism. We get involved in activism, run regular Wednesday meetings and hold reading groups. Mind the Gap - Newcastle’s mental health awareness society, putting on discussions about current topics, providing help through stress reducing socials and peer support groups, in addition to volunteering in the local community to raise awareness and educate!

Volunteering

Amnesty International - Affiliated with the wider organisation Amnesty International, a human rights organisation fighting for individuals suffering from injustice around the world through campaigning, protesting, lobbying and fundraising. Engineers without Borders - International development organisation with projects tackling issues such as pumps and shelters in developing countries. Hands-on workshops included. Friends of Medicins Sans Frontiers - We are the voice of MSF on campus, working hard to raise awareness of MSF’s incredible work. Join us and help organise campaigns, fundraise and speak out on behalf of people caught up in emergencies, disasters and epidemics. LINKS (St. John’s Ambulance) - Student wing of the first aid charity, providing regular, relaxed first aid training sessions to learn useful skills. Marrow - Student branch of Anthony Nolan working to raise awareness and sign up more people to the national stem cell register to save the lives of people with blood cancer Oxfam - Campaigning, petitioning, events and fundraising to support Oxfam International’s goal to improve the status of women, wages and working conditions. Raising and Giving - A charity-based society focused on raising money by hosting fundraising events throughout the year, with a huge seven day fundraising event in January Sexpression - we go to schools on Wednesday afternoons where we teach young people inclusive, reliable sex and relationship education. Student Brewing - Members can get involved in the practical side (brewing tasks, beer tasting sessions, beer design, professional lectures and trips to different breweries) and/or the business side (marketing, finance management, public relations) of running a microbrewery on campus. Teddy Bear Hospital - A rewarding volunteering opportunity to teach children about health alongside like-minded people. Uniboob - We represent the breast cancer awareness charity, Coppafeel. We encourage you to check your boobs regularly and educate you on signs and symptoms of Breast Cancer. We welcome anyone and everyone to help us spread the boob love! UNICEF on Campus - Aims to raise vital funds for UNICEF UK to give vulnerable children an education, safe water, good health and a future. We are Donors - Visiting local schools and educating young people about organ donation and how it saves lives, encouraging discussion about the important topic. Women for Women International - Ensuring the women in conflict affected countries have the ability to proudly stand on their own two feet Youth Stop AIDS - We raise awareness and campaign through direct action where we engage with those in power to ensure that they stay committed to the goal to end AIDS by 2030.

welfare Stay safe in Newcastle

26 14

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

How to become a freshers’ flu fighter

Caitlin Rawlings helps you Rebecca Johnson gives her top tips on how to look after both yourself and your belongings to stay healthy this freshers’

reshers’ week is one of the most important weeks in the student calendar. Thousands of new students flood into Newcastle from every corner of the world to begin their studies. At some point, every student experiences freshers’ flu. The combination of clubbing, kebabs and little sleep, mixed with meeting new people every day, will test the resilience of your immune system like never before. Here are some handy tips for fighting off the flu this freshers’ week. 1. Choose H2O rather than Heineken Always remember to keep yourself hydrated. Water will help flush out the toxins from your body and help you on the road to recovery. There are various water refill stations dotted around campus. 2. Keep it clean & maintain your personal hygiene Do not allow your room to become a hoarder’s paradise. Get rid of those McDonalds boxes. Take out the bins. Bust out a Henry Hoover. Make sure your space is clean so that you do not feel like rubbish when you are in it. 3. A little sweat ain’t never hurt nobody This is advice from Queen Bey. You have to resist the urge to lie in bed and binge a Netflix series because it will only make you feel worse. Get up, get moving and get busy. See pages 30-32 for a guide to the sports opportunities available at Newcastle which can cater to every whim, from Ultimate Frisbee to Ice Hockey, and for advice on how to keep active on a budget. 4. Have an early night for a change If you are clubbing every single night, you’ll burn out. Your body will not be able to keep up with the pace. So, pull out a face mask, switch your fairy lights on and have a movie night rather than charging into Munchies at 2am. Take advantage of the other evening activities available with the freshers’ wristband – your body will thank you for it.

Staying fit after freshers’ week

Cecilia Adamou explains how to stay healthy after this week Drink water

The importance of hydration cannot be overstated. It’s easy during the hustle and bustle of freshers’ week to forget to do little things like drinking water every now and then. Drink two to three litres of water a day as dehydration can not only make you feel rubbish, it can be dangerous too!

Eat carbs before you drink alcohol

A bowl of pasta or chips can be the difference between a really memorable night out and one that you can’t remember at all! Carbohydrates line your stomach and absorb some of the alcohol you drink, heightening your tolerance and making it less likely it’ll irritate your stomach and make you sick.

Vary your diet

It is easy enough to have a cheese toasty or McDonalds for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but poor nutrition can make you feel sluggish and unwell after a while. Counteract this by making an extra effort to eat a variety of foods from all the food groups and don’t repeat meals too often.

Get some fresh air

Remember to go outside and enjoy some fresh air! It is tempting to stay wrapped up in bed when you don’t have to be anywhere, but doing this day after day will eventually dampen your mood and your general wellbeing. Go explore your new surroundings - getting out frequently and breathing in the fresh Geordie air will benefit your overall health.

Although it may not be on your list of top priorities, it takes no time to find your nearest GP - go in and register. Doing so could really be a saving grace if you fall ill. You’ll thank yourself later!

ell here you are, you’re on your way to study at Newcastle University. You’ve got your parents’ car jam-packed with the essentials for student living: cushions, throws, mattress protector, pots and pans and a big ol’ crate of beer. You’re driving out of your stale old town to come to one of the best cities in England for three or more years. However, once you’ve been dropped off at your new student digs, met your new flatmates and said your goodbyes to your parents, it can feel like you’ve been left to fend for yourself in this strange and new city. It’s pretty important, therefore, to know how to stay safe as your kickstart your university career.

Accommodation

The bulk of you freshers will be living in student accommodation, which tends to be fairly secure. However, students tend to be prime targets for burglaries and thefts. In fact, security firm ADT suggest that one in four students could be the victim of a burglary during their time at university, so it’s essential that you take extra care to make sure that you take the necessary precautions to prevent this. Valuables: Don’t leave your valuables on display on your desk or in the lounge, even more so if you’re in a ground floor flat/room. Burglars want to get in and out of your house quickly, so they won’t want to be scuffling around trying to hunt down your laptop. Make sure to keep your valuables well-hidden and in a safe place. A further idea is to ensure all your packagaing is well disposed of; seeing a big TV box by the bin will only entice burglars in. Doors and Windows: I can’t stress this one enough, it doesn’t take two minutes just to check that your doors and windows are shut and secure before you leave your flat. Over a third of all student burglaries are facilitated by unlocked doors and windows. Whether you’re on your way for your 9am or heading into town, check all the locks on your doors and windows. Even if your door closes on a latch, don’t take the risk and double lock it. Bikes: The handy mode of transport is very popular with students, which naturally means it’s very popular with thieves. An estimated 376,000 get stolen every year in the UK, making them a prime target. Investing in a solid lock for your bike may cost a bit more than your bog standard chain, but you’d rather this than fork out for a brand new bike. If you can, keep your bike inside your house/ accommodation, otherwise keeping it in a back

Image: Mike Goad on Pixabay

garden is better. Usually, student accommodations have bike shelters so make use of those too. Insurance: It’s well worth getting some contents insurance for your room just to take that extra safe step. If your parents/guardians have contents insurance, it can sometimes extend to your new student digs so it’s worth checking that out. If not, providers such as Protect Your Bubble don’t charge an arm and a leg to insure items.

Try and get your bearings

Take yourself and your new flatmates and just go for a bit of a wander around in the daytime. Although all the freshers’ activities and practical things to do (like register with a doctor!) will seem overwhelming and like a priority, just find an hour or two for a potter around. Familiarise yourself with how to get to and from your accommodation from town and university. You’re better off getting lost sober and with a group of people whilst it’s light rather than a bit squiffy and being potentially separated from your mates later on. Further still, whilst doing this it’s a good chance to get to know your new best pals and perhaps stumble upon some hidden gems within the city! Get to know the road leading off Northumber-

You’re better off getting lost sober and with a group of people whilst it’s light

land Street, and navigate your way around the maze of steep inclines down to the Quayside you’ll thank me later. Most importantly, ensure you know various possible routes back to your accommodation from all corners of town.

Nights Out

Now, as much as you’ve convinced your parents that you’re solely here to study, it won’t come as a surprise that you’ll go on the occasional night out. It’s so important, especially now that you’re in an unfamiliar city, to take extra precaution. Make sure you know where your keys are, whether they’re on a lanyard, in a particular area of your bag or in your left pocket, keep them safe and sound after you’ve locked up. Otherwise if you lose them, you’ll encounter the university’s Estate Service, who probably won’t be too thrilled to let you in at 3am on a Sunday morning. It may be worth considering getting a cheap pay-

as-you-go phone for nights out if you’re a clumsy person - this way, whether you drop or lose it on a night out, it wouldn’t be as much of a financial burden to you. When you’re on your night out, have fun but

Students are usually stereotyped as easy targets for lacking care when it comes to staying safe

keep your wits about you. Stay close with your mates and watch your drinks. Make sure you know where your keys and phone are and that you’ve got a plan to get home. Chanting the mantra “keys, phone, plans to get home” as you leave the door really helps. Whether you’re walking or taxiing back, stick with your mates and get home safe. Whilst you may have your new-fangled Uber app ready to whip out if you’re a bit lost, still save a couple of taxi numbers in your phone. Not only can Uber can be unreliable sometimes by cancelling at the last minute, but if you run out of data you’re a bit scuppered. There’s nothing more reliable than a good old-fashioned phone number to bail you out. Here’s a couple of useful taxi numbers: Budget Taxis: 0191 298 5050 BlueLine Taxis: 0191 262 6666 If you really find yourself in a muddle and lose your belongings on a night out, Budget Taxis offer a scheme where you can “pay” your fare by handing over your student card to the taxi driver. You are asked to sign a docket and can get your card back by repaying your original fare at the Students’ Union. Students are usually stereotyped as easy targets for lacking care when it comes to staying safe. Don’t get caught out and use your common sense. Keep your valuables hidden, doors and windows locked and try and start to get your bearings around the city. Doing this will not only put you at ease, but it’ll allow you to enjoy your time more at Newcastle University. If you have any further questions or concerns about safety at university, Newcastle work closely with Northumbria Police. Our Neighbourhood Beat Manager is PC Mick Miller, who holds two drop-in sessions on campus each week. For further information on these, contact either the Student Advice Centre or King’s Gate.

27 15

the courier

welfare

The importance of Need a helping hand?

Thursday 19 September 2019

consent

Charlotte Boulton discusses why sexual consent and the right to say “no” should be at the forefront of every fresher’s mind

ight, let’s cut to the chase. It can feel weird or “uncool” to be thinking about sexual consent when you’re coming to university; it’s the place to be uninhibited and free and maybe finally get some privacy and independence. Let’s do away with any scoffs or worries here and now because we need to set some things straight. Consent in its simplest terms is about agreeing to an action and is commonly used to refer to consenting to particular sexual activities. Easy stuff, right? We should always be wanting to hear a clear and enthusiastic “yes” from any partner, whether it’s a long-term relationship, a friendswith-benefits situation, or someone you’ve met on a night out. We need to always treat all our potential sexual partners with respect – and that means respecting their right to say no. Important note: people can say yes to some things and then decide actually no they don’t want to do anything more, and that is totally chill! Yeah, you might feel a bit confused or disappointed for a minute, but it doesn’t cost anything to respect their boundaries and decisions.

62% of students nationally reported experiencing sexual violence last year

It is admittedly not fun at all to be thinking about this stuff, but when 62% of students nationally reported experiencing sexual violence in a report last year, it’s clear something needs to be said. We should all feel safe at university, in our halls, lecture theatres, and out and about in Newcastle. The small minority of people who sexually assault others should not be given any lenience or a second chance because they don’t know any better; here’s your education, so there’s no excuse. You cannot simply take what you think you deserve after taking someone on a date or buying them a

drink – nobody is entitled to anybody else’s body or intimacy under any circumstances. If you don’t understand, repeat that in your head until you do! Anybody can be affected by sexual assault, regardless of your gender, sexuality, race or any other factor. It’s important we look out for each other, and be aware of our own interactions with others and how they could be seen as creepy or ignoring consent. If you or someone you know does unfortunately experience any form of sexual violence at university, there is so much support available. Only 6% of the 62% of students who were sexually assaulted felt able to report to their university, and this number needs to rise. Reporting your experience can help you receive justice and closure, and enable the university to take stronger actions to improve their sexual violence prevention and support measures. Report to NUSU on their Help and Support page, where you can choose to remain anonymous or ask for further support from the Student Advice Centre. You can report to the University on their Wellbeing website, with the option to name the perpetrator if they’re another student and proceed with the Students Complaints Procedure. The Wellbeing team can also provide short-term counselling to help you deal with your experience, as well as refer you to local charity support from REACH and Rape Crisis. As well as these options, the student-led society It Happens Here work to raise awareness of sexual violence on campus and are an important source of support and advice for any student affected by sexual violence at any point in their lives. It Happens Here run regular peer support groups that students can go along to and receive support from students trained in support group facilitation who understand what you’re going through. Consent needs to be in the front of everybody’s mind. When every person is aware, educated and respectful, we can end the epidemic of sexual assault. Let’s start that right now.

Image: Denise M. Nevins, Ellsworth Air Force Base

The Student Advice Centre offers all students free, confidential and impartial advice with financial, health, housing, social, personal and academic queries

he Student Advice Centre (SAC) can be found on the ground floor of the Students’ Union building (across the corridor from the Co-op). SAC’s friendly advisers, Jill, Ruth Alexia and Louise are here to help you with any questions or queries you have during your time as a student at Newcastle University as well as offering advice for recently graduated students. Whether you need to submit a Personal Extenuating Circumstance (PEC) form, solve housing disputes with your landlord, or are experiencing financial stress, the SAC is here to offer words of wisdom and practical advice (term-time) Monday-Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4.30pm, as well as being open (at reduced hours) in vacation periods. Either visit their webpage on nusu.co.uk/ support/sac to book your appointment online, call 01912393979, or pop into reception to book in with SAC’s lovely administrative assistant Lauren. Once you’ve booked, you can chose to take your appointment over the phone, over email or face to face with the specialist adviser.

The service is independent and confidential which means that the advisers will not speak with the University external staff or family members unless you request the advisers to do so. Where an adviser cannot provide assistance, they will signpost you to expert agencies and charities, such as Shelter for housing problems or Mind for mental health guidance. The SAC also stocks a wide range of brochures and leaflets on a variety of matters, and what’s more, in term time, they are visited by Wan the massage man on Wednesday afternoons! For regular updates, you can find us on Twitter (@NUSUadvice) and Facebook (NUSUStudentAdviceCentre).

Don’t blow your budget

Emma McLaren explains how to make your student loan last longer than just the first month

eptember is here and you have made it to Newcastle. Here starts three years of blue trebs, amazing memories and financial freedom. The buzz of freshers’ means that it’s easy to get carried away in your first few weeks of financial independence. Make your life easier and don’t let your spending get out of hand! Whatever your student budget, here are some tips on how to make your loan last. 1) Figure out your budget! It’s a whole lot easier to keep track of spending if you know how much you can actually afford to spend each week; dust off those GCSE maths skills and do some quick calculations. After scary adult stuff (rent and bills), how much cash do you have left to spend each week? This isn’t just a night out budget; it has got to cover food, toiletries and transport. Make sure you stick to this budget each week. 2) Bulk buy to cut your food costs. Cooking meals in bulk is a good way of saving money and making your food last. Freeze it in individual portions; this way you’re not throwing away extras and during the weeks you’re eating these up you can save on your food budget. 3) Another food one - go cheap. An affordable spot to get all of your essentials is Grainger Market. Everything is affordable, all in one place and, an added bonus, there is less plastic packaging! Also, don’t be fussy about brands. Abandon Dolmio pasta sauce and Robinsons squash for supermarket own ranges and save money without even thinking about it. 4) Don’t get carried away with online shopping. Having an in-house postal service at your accommodation is exciting but try and keep the Pretty Little Thing and Amazon Prime orders to a minimum! Spend your money on the necessities first and treat yourself to online purchases if you have money left over. 5) Use cash. If you are trying to have a cheap week, leave the debit card at home to resist the tempta-

tion of the contactless tap. When spending on your card it’s easy to forget that you’re dealing with real money. Use cash to be more aware of what you are spending, and maybe that extra drink might not seem so worth it. 6) One that your mum would approve of - invest in a clothes airer. If you have yet to discover the horrors of Circuit Laundry, you soon will. It is pretty pricey and often goes horribly wrong. Dry your clothes on an airer and save using the expensive tumble driers. 7) Remember that some weeks will be more expensive. Bigger costs like laundry detergent, travelling home, or just all of your toiletries running out at once, means that some weeks will inevitably be more expensive than others.

you will have throughout university. Joining a society is one of the best ways to combat loneliness, as they will constantly be putting on events for you to go to, to get you out of your student accommodation and for getting you mixing with new faces. There will be lots of socials put on by societies, ranging from zoo-themed nights out to pub quizzes, trips to the cat café or even a weekend abroad, to keep you smiling throughout your degree. Finally, take some time for yourself. Whether this is just an hour or two, or a whole day, remember to look after yourself. If you enjoyed going running at home, do that now to clear your head. If you enjoyed scrapbooking at home, then make a

scrapbook of your first year at university. If you enjoyed going to the cinema with friends then go to one of the many cinemas here. You know your hobbies and interests, and do not let them slip at university, because your state of mind is crucial to thriving at uni. All in all, look after yourself. If you are an introvert then spend some time on your own, but make sure that you do meet some new people and try some activities as it will definitely help you feel at home. If you are an extrovert then grab on to any opportunity you can to go out and meet friends, but don’t be afraid to admit that you miss home. Sophie Wilson

Leave the debit card at home to resist the temptation of the contactless tap

8) Exploit the companies fair. There are loads of freebies offered at the fair, from Domino’s and Subway vouchers to free pens; take what you can get! 9) Don’t go too mental in freshers’. Yes, have an amazing time, and don’t turn down every new opportunity, but equally, don’t spend £50 on drinks in one night because the money has gone to your head. 10) Finally, don’t stress too much about it! You are a student - sometimes you will be skint and that’s okay. Just think about where you CAN cut costs. Some weeks it will be worth eating 30p noodles every night so you can afford that new outfit or big night out. It’s definitely not worth excluding yourself from chances of meeting new friends during freshers’ - just be smart about what you’re spending and cut costs where you can.

Overcoming homesickness

oving away from home is just a whole lot of fun, right? Well, for many it leaves a bittersweet taste in their mouths. Yes, freshers’ week is about to start, and there will be a seven-day whirlwind of meeting new people and trying new activities. But what happens when freshers’ week ends, and a little bit of loneliness overcomes you? Here are four tips for how to handle that dreaded homesickness. First and foremost - you are not alone! Most people feel homesick. Yes, even those people who pretend not to care about home will think about their life before university and become all nostalgic. Homesickness is not a weakness. You have moved

away from a life that you have been living for up to eighteen years, and that is no small feat. Secondly, it is not a weakness to call home. Talk to your parents, your friends, your cousins, whoever it is that you miss. There is no point missing them and then texting them saying that you are having the time of your life to not worry them. They are not going to judge you for needing to speak to them. There is a reason why these people are so important to you – they care. A really important tip is to keep busy. Keep trying new societies and clubs or going out for coffees your new coursemates, flatmates or society friends. The more people you meet now, the more friends

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Student Council: have your say

Stephen Dawes

Chair of Student Council 19/20 Student Council is the democratic body of your Students’ Union. It is here that students propose changes to your union, your community and your university. Student Council is the forum where student politics essentially takes place though a parliamentary-style voting system. Your Student Council needs you in order to work. Getting involved is a great idea if you want to make a positive impact here at Newcastle University; it can help you build up experiences and meet new friends. Getting involved with Council is easy and very simple – just turn up. All students are welcome at Student Council - you don’t have to be an elected

representative, just a member of Newcastle University Students’ Union, which you automatically are when you become a student at the University. At Council you can ask questions of your elected union officers and hear about what the SU are planning on doing. There is also ample opportunity to debate the issues of the day in the Council chamber. Recent motions have included attempts to make Ecosia the deafult search station on all Union computers, and a vote on whether the University should provide free menstrual products campus-wide for students in need. There are six meetings of Student Council every year, each scheduled to be an hour and a half. Free pizza and other refreshments are always available at Student Council so there is no excuse not to come along; the more savvy students turn up hungry.

Free refreshments are always available so there is no excuse not to come along; the more savvy students turn up hungry

If you want to be more involved in the formal process of voting and passing bills there are permanent voting places for interested students available. These can be obtained by standing for election at the first Council of the year (this is a simple process that you can receive help with at Council). As well as these there are 20 casual voting places available for people to apply for before each Council session - the application form for these is on the NUSU website. Anyone can apply for a casual place for any Council, just be sure to do so 48 hours before the meeting is scheduled. For more information on Student Council dates and ways to get involved, go to the Your Voice tab on the NUSU website or email me, your keen bean Chair of Council. Council is your chance to have a say and make campus a better place, don’t waste it.

making change on campus

Shape your campus At NUSU there are plenty of opportunities for you to represent your fellow students. There are three main types of rep positions that any student at the University can apply for: Academic Reps, Community Reps and Hall Reps. These are all voluntary roles through which you can make a huge difference to your university experience.

Community Reps and Hall Reps

Community Reps ensure that students living in residential areas of Newcastle are represented. They are assigned to one of six designated areas in the city where there are high numbers of Newcastle University students living. They also work alongside the City Council and local residents to enrich the local community and student involvement within it. In the first two months of the academic year, NUSU will be looking for volunteers from all University managed halls of residence to become Hall Reps. The purpose of the Hall Rep role is to represent students in their hall. Hall and Community Reps attend Hall and Community Exec meetings chaired by the NUSU President, Katie Smyth, and attended by staff from the University’s Accommodation Services and external services. This meeting prov i d e s Hall and Community Reps with the opportunity to make suggestions o n how to improve the living experiences of Newcastle University students. Not only will becoming a Student Rep look great on your CV, you will have the opportunity to meet loads of students from across the University, plus there will also be chances to develop your skills and have your say on how the Students’ Union should be run.

Academic Reps

We work in partnership with the University to support over 1200 Academic Reps. Academic Reps represent students’ academic interests and work with the University staff to create positive change for students. There are a number of Academic Rep positions you can put yourself forward for during your time at Newcastle. Course Reps are students elected their peers to represent the academic interests of the students on their course or programme. They provide the official link between students and staff by attending Student-Staff Committee (SSC) meetings where they pass on your views and help find solutions to the issues that have arisen. At the beginning of the year your course will be looking for Course Reps and you just need to contact your School Office and they will guide you on how to become one. Your SSCs are also chaired and supported by students. So if you become a Course Rep, you could consider putting yourself forward for the SSC Student Chair and Secretary roles. Finally, School Reps attend and represent the views of you School’s students at senior Faculty meetings. You also get to work closely with your Head of School and other School Reps from across the University. This role is a great opportunity to develop your employability skills. School Reps learn how to communicate complex ideas concisely and negotiate with senior staff at the University, as well as how to efficiently organise their time. If you want to volunteer to get involved in one of these student representative roles visit nusu. co.uk/yourvoice/reps/ for more information.

sport 30

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Become a part of Team Newcastle American Football w.bulmer@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: 29 Sept (2:30pm) at Cochrane Park, with a meet at the Students’ Union Archery k.shoesmith@ncl.ac.uk Trials: 24th Sept, 25th Sept, 2nd Oct & 4th Oct (all 5.30-8.30pm) Athletics and Cross Country s.haston@ncl.ac.uk Badminton a.chow@ncl.ac.uk Trials: 27, 28 & 29 Sept (all 3-6pm) Men’s Basketball j.szymanisl@ncl.ac.uk Trials: 28 & 29 Sept (both 1-3pm) Women’s Basketball d.bensadon@ncl.ac.uk Trials: 25 & 26 Sept (both 5-6pm) Boat k.bulmer@ncl.ac.uk Boxing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and MMA d.diez@newcastle.ac.uk Canoe j.endean@ncl.ac.uk Introduction to kayaking &

BBQ: 28 Sept, Exhibition Park Caving d.keegan@newcastle.ac.uk Cheerleading h.morris3@newcastle.ac.uk Tasters: 28 Sept (10am-4pm) & 29 Sept (10am-4:30pm) Clay Pigeon Shooting a.r.lindsley2@ncl.ac.uk Tasters: Wed 2 & Wed 9 Oct Climbing e.l.partington@newcastle.ac.uk Cricket e.mellor2@newcastle.ac.uk Cycling d.maguire@newcastle.ac.uk Freshers road ride: 2 Oct Freshers MTB Ride: 6 Oct Dance e.o’shaughnessy1@ncl.ac.uk Tasters: 28-29 Sept (12-6:30pm in Studio 2, Sports Centre) Darts m.alcindor.day@newcastle.ac.uk Dodgeball j.brothwood.ncl.ac.uk Trials: Fri 27 Sept (1-3pm), Sun 29 Sept (8-9pm) Riding s.ragg@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: 10 Oct (flat), 16 Oct

(jumping) Fencing f.houlker@newcastle.ac.uk Men’s Football n.chilufya@newcastle.ac.uk Women’s Football t.coyle2@ncl.ac.uk Trials: 28 & 29 Sept (both 111pm) at Cochrane Park Futsal t.james@newcastle.ac.uk Golf c.power@newcastle.ac.uk Trial: 2 Oct at Parklands Driving Range Gymnastics f.hughes@ncl.ac.uk Taster: 2 Oct at Newcastle Gymnastics Academy, time TBC Men’s Hockey j.houltby@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: Wed 25 Sept (12-3pm), Fri 27 Sept (12-3pm) Ladies’ Hockey e.hartley2@newcastle.ac.uk Ice Hockey z.dunnett@newcastle.ac.uk Jitsu y.jeon2@ncl.ac.uk Judo s.boyd@newcastle.ac.uk

Tasters: Mon 30 Sept (8:3010pm) & Thurs 3 Oct (7:008:30pm) Karate k.knox2@newcastle.ac.uk Kendo t.smith11@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: 23 & 26 Sept Kickboxing f.severwright@ncl.ac.uk Korfball c.baker@ncl.ac.uk Tasters: Thurs 26 Sept (5-6pm), Sun 29 Sept (12-1pm) Men’s Lacrosse j.brown18@ncl.ac.uk Trials: Wed 25 Sept (5-6.30pm), Sun 6 Oct (3-4pm) Women’s Lacrosse l.brophy@ncl.ac.uk Motorsport h.jones10@newcastle.ac.uk Netball k.matthews@ncl.ac.uk Parachute f.holden@newcastle.ac.uk Polo z.merity@newcastle.ac.uk Pool & Snooker j.r.bone@newcastle.ac.uk Real Tennis

Rifle k.witts@ncl.ac.uk Men’s Rugby j.starkey@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: Wed 25 Sept (2-6pm) & Thurs 26 Sept (12-5pm), both at Cochrane Park Women’s Rugby s.mawer2@newcastle.ac.uk Taster: Sun 29 Sept, 12-3pm at Heaton Sports Ground. No previous experience is needed to join, however experienced players who may be eligible for scholarships. Rugby League j.earl@newcastle.ac.uk Sepak Takraw k.ramos@newcastle.ac.uk Ski and Snowboard e.beresford-west@ncl.ac.uk Squash j.crowther4@newcastle.ac.uk Sub Aqua b.monk@newcastle.ac.uk Surf h.mawdsley@newcastle.ac.uk Swimming b.meer@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: Sun 29 Sept (9-11pm) at RGS

Table Tennis k.roberts6@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: 25 Sept (6-8pm), 29 Sept (10am-1pm) Taekwondo c.mcnally@ncl.ac.uk Tennis a.dodd@newcastle.ac.uk Trials: 28 & 29 Sept at The Northumberland Club, Jesmond. Times TBC Thai Boxing c.carmichael@ncl.ac.uk Triathlon f.gainsborough@ncl.ac.uk Ultimate Frisbee a.constantine@ncl.ac.uk Tasters: Wed 25, Thurs 26 & Fri 27 Sept (all 2-4pm) at Exhibition Park, beach trip Sun 29 Sept Volleyball m.shipillis@ncl.ac.uk Trials: 27 Sept (women’s 6-7:30pm, men’s 7:30-9pm), Newcastle University Sports Centre Waterpolo j.cooke3@newcastle.ac.uk Weightlifting p.hardy2@newcastle.ac.uk

Welcome freshers, and meet your new local sports teams

Are you a sports fan who’s new to Newcastle? Allow the Courier writers to introduce you to your new favourite teams

The Falcons - Tom Moorcroft

The Newcastle Falcons - hoping to get off to a flying 2019/20 season. The Newcastle Falcons: a team 142 years old, located at Kingston Park, and recently relegated to the RFU Championship after a rather poor season. Not exactly the greatest selling point to persuade someone to go watch them play, but I can assure you that if you’re not a fan of rugby, you’ll be a fan of the atmosphere. Only costing £15, the same amount as five pints (welcome to Newcastle, Freshers), how can you go wrong? For any Freshers wanting a day out, perhaps with your new flatmates, it’s a great opportunity to take the Metro, watch some rugby and experience what Newcastle-based sport has to offer. When I saw them take on the Bristol Bears on 18 May, even though they were 19-0 down in the second half, the Newcastle crowd certainly did their part, cheering on their team as if it was their last game in the league - which it was. Fans of ages young and old, and a group of 20 lads all in Hawaiian t-shirts on a stag do, all joined together chanting for their team, and in the last 10 minutes the Falcons did manage to score two tries not enough to win the game, but enough to put a smile on any Newcastle fan’s face. With tickets ranging from around £10-15 per game, if you’re wanting to see some (hopefully) quality rugby, in a quality destination with a quality crowd, then the Newcastle Falcons are your RFU Championship team.

The Magpies - Toby Bryant

If you’re coming to live in Newcastle, then you’re going to have to get along

with football. In particular, with Newcastle United. Few places in the UK breathe the sport like the Toon. There’s no need to ask a Geordie which team they support; the answer will always be Newcastle. The club keeps the city’s daily life ticking by. Founded all the way back in 1892, the club have played at the prestigious St. James’ Park ever since. You can see the towering stands on the Newcastle skyline from across the city and, on match days, the crowd’s goal celebrations can be heard for miles around. Students can often score special price tickets from the Students Union, although you’ll have to be fast as they are hot property! In recent years the club has suffered turbulent times thanks to a rocky relationship with owner Mike Ashley – the chap behind SportsDirect.com. Yoyoing between the Premier League and Championship, the recent acquisition of Rafael Benitez as manager brought a smattering of optimism to Magpie fans. However, Benitez’s patience with Ashley ran out this summer and the pleasant, yet not so prolific, Steve Bruce has taken over. A few big summer signings, including £40 million striker Joelinton, might have suggested a positive year ahead. However, at the time of writing, back to back losses in their first Premier League games is not the sign Geordies were hoping for. Can Newcastle survive the drop again this year?

Non-league - Stan Gilyead

Newcastle is often referred to as a one club city. But alongside the world-famous Magpies, Tyneside also boasts a handful of non-league clubs that, whilst

having none of the glitz and glamour of their famous cousin, provide live football, a good atmosphere and a community feel at student-friendly prices. The area’s two foremost non-league sides, Gateshead FC and Blyth Spartans, both ply their trade in the National League North after turbulent summers off the field. Despite the tumultuous times at the two clubs, attendances have remained stable, with the dedication of the hardy sets of supporters a highlight of any trip to The International Stadium or Croft

St James’ Park is located in the heart of Newcastle Image: Geograph

Park. Gateshead’s International Stadium is a rare non-league all-seater stadium, with the Heed faithful making a racket from behind an athletics track. The stadium is a 20 minute walk or a quick trip on the metro from town, making a visit to Gateshead FC a hassle free way to sample live football in the toon. A trip to Blyth offers a more traditional non-league experience, with the club’s intimate, all standing stadium, Croft Park, offering all the usual non-league novelties including the chance for sup-

porters to change ends at half time and a proper clubhouse with cheap pints sold in real glasses. The ground is serviced by a regular bus from Newcastle which takes around 40 minutes. Both clubs are set apart by their community feel, they provide a hub for the towns they represent and fans quickly become known to one another, sharing a laugh and a joke whilst coming together to support their team. The offer of £5 student tickets means the clubs also provide a budget friendly alternative to the bigger North East clubs.

the courier

Thursday 19 September 2019

Team Newcastle reaches BUCS top ten

Rebecca Johnson celebrates Team Newcastle’s sporting success in the 2018/19 academic year Newcastle University finished in the top ten of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league table for the 2018/19 season. 1,350 league points and 1,192 individual, knockout and cup points combined to leave Team Newcastle with 2,542 points, meaning the university finished 9th in the league out of 160 institutions. This is also Newcastle’s

Newcastle finished ninth in the league out of 160 institutions

highest ever BUCS points score, beating 2017/18’s score of 2,345.8. Regarding Newcastle’s BUCS league finish, 2018/19 Athletics Union officer, Maggie Elstob said: “I’m incredibly proud to see Newcastle University Sport retain its top 10 BUCS ranking by mov-

ing up a place to 9th this year. I loved my year representing these students and am delighted to see their success confirmed. “We have some of the best student athletes in the country; they are dedicated to running their clubs, and balance academic work with representing their university. Newcastle University should be so excited by this news, and what it means for our students in the future.” Newcastle entered 83 teams into BUCS this season. 20 of these teams won their leagues, which is the highest amount of league titles in any season for Newcastle. This year saw six teams from Newcastle reach the final of their Conference Cup competitions; Men’s Badminton 1sts, Men’s Basketball 2nds, Women’s Football 1sts, Men’s Hockey 3rds, and Men’s Tennis 1sts all won their finals, whilst Women’s futsal 1sts reached the final. Success for Newcastle was also seen on the water. The Canoe Club recorded their best set of results in White Water Racing and Slalom events. Furthermore,

the Boat Club became successive Victor Ludorum champions and won six gold, seven silver and three bronze medals at the BUCS regatta. Incoming AU officer for the 2019/20 season, Joe Gubbins, hopes to continue the successes that Team Newcastle have seen this season, saying: “I think a 9th place finish with our highest ever points total is a massive testament to all the hard work put in over the year. The student athletes, committees, everyone up at the Sports Centre and Maggie put in a huge shift and it’s been rewarded! “As well as the BUCS success, we’ve seen some really impressive performances and results from our non-BUCS clubs too and they deserve that recognition too. Let’s take it forward and have another strong year.” The increase of Newcastle’s sporting success is also reflected in the construction of new sports facilities on campus. Almost £32 million has been invested into developing sport at Newcastle Uni-

versity, including the building of the new University Sport and Fitness Centre, which is due to open in September 2019. The new centre will include an eight-court sports hall, four squash courts, multi-purpose rooms, a range

sport

Intra mural

Almost £32m has been invested into developing sport at Newcastle University

Sport and Exercise Science Labs, an environmental chamber and a gait track. Work has also been undertaken at Cochrane Park with the building of three new floodlit 3G pitches, a rowing ergo facility and an improved pavilion. A larger car and coach parking space has also been built as part of this work.

Image: ACC on Flickr

Intra Mural Sport is a huge programme of weekly recreational sport within the University, with over 3200 participants annually. It features a series of league and cup competitions for students of all sporting abilities, which is perfect if you enjoy playing in a friendly but competitive arena, either with your hall, coursemates, society or group of friends. 5-a-side Football Weekly leagues on a Tuesday evening, plus monthly tournaments 7-a-side Football Weekly leagues on a Thursday evening 11-a-side Football Weekly leagues on a Wednesday and Saturday

The Boat Club were also victorious at the Boat Race of the North Image: Katherine Bulmer

Get active on a student budget

Head of Sport Rebecca Johnson lets you know how to break a sweat without breaking the bank

Newcastle University offers a range of sports to try out without the need for a university sports membership. Having a sports membership allows you to compete against other universities and be part of a club, but there are also chances to play sport recreationally whilst still getting the chance to meet new people and have fun. There’s a range of sports societies to join at Newcastle at a low cost.

Campus Leagues

Newcastle University runs a variety of sports under the Campus Leagues programme. Campus Leagues does not require a university sports membership. The principle aim of the programme is that any person of any ability can play the sports available through the scheme. Although the initiative is recreational and designed to have fun, that doesn’t mean to say that it’s not competitive!

Play football, netball or badminton at bargain prices

Campus Leagues has a mixture of team and individual sports to participate in. Enter a team sports as part of your academic course, halls of residence, society, or just a group of friends. You can also just turn up by yourself and join a team on arrival.

The provisional programme of sports available for the 2019/20 academic year include football, badminton, touch rugby, indoor cricket, basketball, dodgeball and netball. Each sport boasts qualified coaches and referees and the chance to just have fun and meet new people outside of lectures. Though the whole scheme is low cost, prices differ slightly for each specific sport; for example, there’s a £30 entry fee per team for 5-a-side football. For more information visit the Campus Leagues page on the NUSU website or email the following: activitiesmanager.union@ncl.ac.uk inclusive.union@ncl.ac.uk

Many of these societies also offer free or low-cost taster sessions should you be scared to take the plunge. Make sure to visit Freshers’ Fair to see the full range of sports Newcastle University has to offer, both with and without the need for a sports membership.

Dance Societies

The Students’ Union offer over 100 participation bursaries of £200

The University boasts a massively diverse range of dance societies to get involved with. The Newcastle Dance Club requires at least a silver sports membership to participate. However, Newcastle University Students’ Union additionally offers a variety of societies that are devoted to a specific form of dance. If you fancy getting your dancing shoes on and trying something new, the following dance societies do not require a university sports membership and are open to people of all abilities: Irish Dance, Latin and Ballroom Dancing, Pole Dancing, Salsa, and Swing Dance. For further information visit their stalls at Freshers’ Fair or visit the societies page on the NUSU website to find out a bit more about each dance society.

Netball Weekly leagues on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, plus monthly tournaments Rugby Union Weekly 15-a-side league on a Wednesday afternoon, plus 10s and 7s tournaments Mixed Hockey Monthly 7-a-side tournaments on a Sunday

Access Bursaries

Futsal Weekly coaching men and women (separate sessions) on a Friday evening, plus monthly tournaments

And if there is a club you’re absolutely dying to join that costs a bit more money, the Students’ Union offer over 100 participation bursaries that first year students can apply for during term time. As long as you meet one of the six eligibility criteria, you could receive £200

cash to go towards club and society fees, making that £60 for Sports Centre access half less daunting. You can use the bursary towards anything to supplement your participation in sport or societies, from buying your kit to a pint with the team after a (hopefully!) successful match. If you’re more of a spectator, you can always join our team of writers to cover sports for the Courier.

Women’s Football Weekly pitch up and play on a Sunday evening, plus an 11-a-side team who competes in a local league

Squash Weekly coaching for men and women on a Saturday, plus monthly tournaments Mixed Basketball Weekly coaching on a Sunday morning, plus monthly tournaments Women’s Basketball Weekly coaching on a Monday evening, plus monthly tournaments

Playing sport can often be a costly hobby Image: Flickr: Bank of England

If you would like to get involved or require more information, please contact Liam Isaac: liam.isaac2@ncl.ac.uk 0191 208 8185 www.ncl.ac.uk/nclsport/campus/intra-mural/ Please note that all sports which operate in a league format require a gold or silver Sports Centre membership.