Issue 1463

thecourieronline.co.uk Est. 1948

A love letter to my younger self A guide to acing studies while in love

Marvel Rivals: the death of Overwatch?

Newcastle University responds to job losses and UCU’s industrial action

Baker - Opinion Sub-Editor

The Courier spoke to the UCU and the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education about the job losses and the upcoming strikes.

In an exclusive interview with the Chair and Secretary of the UCU, Matt Perry and David Bates respectively, and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education Ruth Valentine, The Courier investigates the situation at Newcastle University in terms of redundancies, industrial action, and the impact on the student body. In light of the £35 million deficit that Newcastle University is facing, they have declared in a recent communication to staff that they are looking for 300 people to take voluntary severance (staff will receive full pay for 9 months) from both academic and professional services staff across the different faculties. However, the University stated in their email to staff that they “will continue to plan for the possibility of compulsory redundancies”, ultimately looking for a 5% reduction in staff costs. In response to this, the UCU branch at Newcastle University have voted in favour of industrial action. In their press release on the 11th of February, they cited the University’s plans to axe 300 jobs “in response to falling numbers of international students” as the cause. As of Friday 14th of February, the UCU have declared strike action affecting dates throughout March. The University had also previously “sparked anger among staff in September” with a promotion freeze, ban on travel expenses, and halting of staff recruitment in their attempts to fill in the £35 million deficit. In his interview with us, Matt Perry also highlighted that the job loss had already started as some casual staff simply “just didn’t get the email” in September. David Bates clarified that the strike action would be about job loss as a whole - not just focused on the losses that would impact full time staff. He stated that this was “the red line” the Union felt had been crossed. In their interviews, both Matt Perry and David Bates spoke of the next steps. As the University is talking about redundancies, they legally have had to enter into a consultation period with the trade unions. David Bates said that it is during this time “that employees

are entitled to put forward counter suggestions” and that in order to do so, they need the University “to give us a lot of financial information, which we’re currently waiting for. So there’s quite a bit of water to flow under the bridge yet”.

Ruth Valentine told The Courier that she is “really hopeful that there’s constructive discussion with the unions” in order to “get through this year and make sure that the students all get the teaching that they’re here for”. She emphasised that “we don’t want to be in strike action or action short of a strike”, even going so far as to say she was “really disappointed that [the UCU] met the mandate [...] because my worst nightmare is that there are strikes and it affects the student experience”. David Bates agreed that from the Union’s perspective, “we hope it won’t come to [strikes]”. He said, prior to the announcement of the strikes, that “we’re gonna fight tooth and nail for it not to come to that”.

Indeed, this wave of redundancies, and the consequent industrial action, is coming amidst a wider crisis in Higher Education. Matt Perry, Ruth Valentine, and David Bates all agreed on the point that the current system is flawed. David Bates stated that “if you rely on international recruitment to subsidize everything, then it’s a recipe for disaster”. Ruth Valentine also said: “I agree with UCU on this, we can’t just keep relying on international students” as there are “about 14% less international students in the UK”, a massive drop that Newcastle University did not anticipate. Despite monitoring the situation, the University, like the rest of the sector, was caught unawares, “but obviously we are learning from that” Valentine added.

“I agree with the UCU on this, we can’t just keep relying on international students” ~ Valentine

According to David Bates, the crisis the Higher Education now faces is “the culmination of something that started in the early 2010s when the Tories got rid of the Block Grant and increased tuition fees”. He called on the Labour government “to act and act quickly, because it will damage the economy of the North East, and it’ll damage the aspirations of young people who want to do a degree”. An article in the Guardian spoke of an estimated 10,000 job losses across the Higher Education sector. The UCU branch’s website at Queen Mary’s is dedicated to keeping track of Current redundancy & Restructure

programmes happening nationwide. Matt Perry spoke of how the UCU are facing the crisis on the national scale, beyond Newcastle University. He said that “the industrial action will run alongside a wider campaign: a political campaign in relation to Bridget Phillipson”. Bridget Phillipson is currently the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South, working as Labour’s Minister for Education. The UCU have written an open letter to the MP asking for reform. David Bates said “we need publicly funded higher education”. Matt Perry rounded off that “there’s a Financial crisis in HE and Bridget Phillips is playing Tory culture wars”. Ruth Valentine compared our government funding with the much larger amount that many European governments put into their universities, stating that “you could say a government grant would be a helpful option” to avoid “putting the pressure on students to pay more”. However, despite agreeing on the wider issue at hand, the UCU and the University both differ on how best to handle this flawed system in the meantime. According to David Bates, the University “seem to have taken a particularly draconian approach” in terms of the required 300 staff cuts, “so they need to have a look again, you know, in my opinion, or let other people have a look”. However, Ruth Valentine said “we are really hopeful that the voluntary severance scheme will be successful this time, and we don’t have to go down redundancies”. Whilst David Bates said “we’re taking industrial action, you know, because that’s unacceptable. You’ve got to listen to us. You’ve got to negotiate in good faith”, Ruth Valentine felt that the University had “been open and transparent all the way through”. When asked what else the University would be changing in light of the economic deficit due to relying on international students, Ruth Valentine’s answer

referred to the university’s investment in their international campuses, despite agreeing “with the union that higher education funding is flawed”. She spoke of the scholarships they had launched to attract international students, that “we are looking at other possibilities of branch campuses”, the reason for Chris Day’s recent visit to India. She highlighted how this would “diversify our offer” and “enhance all of our student experience by having those opportunities”. Matt Perry spoke of this investment, coupled with the fact that Chris Day is on a salary of £407,000, as frustrating for staff. He said that “it’s the culture of turning universities into businesses when primarily they’re funded by public finance”. He highlighted how this only exacerbates the stress staff feel whilst their jobs are at risk, which David Bates identified as “a mood of anger and defiance”, whilst Matt Perry said it caused “a lot of pain for a lot of colleagues”.

“...the increasing cuts both funding wise and job wise were creating concerns about workload...”

Matt Perry also pointed out how the increasing cuts both funding wise and job wise were creating concerns about workload, and how that impacts a teacher’s ability to interact effectively

with students. He highlighted how the “World Health Organization has said for over a decade now that the biggest workplace hazard is stress”. David Bates concurred, speaking of the frustration many are feeling “that it is their jobs that are going to be on the line, when really it’s an issue of the mismanagement of the sector a very high level”, especially as “the unions have been warning about this for a long time”. Despite the different measures proposed, Ruth Valentine assured The Courier this would not have drastic impact on current students. She said that under no circumstances would courses be cut whilst there were still students on them. However, in order to increase timetable efficiency, she said like every year they will review and cut modules “instead of having 1000 modules in the database”, whilst maintaining that “its really important that we’re not reducing the research capacity”. However, Matt Perry talked grimly of the future of academia under this plan, of how “the culling modules and programmes where there isn’t high student demand” as well as cutting jobs creates a real danger of introducing “a dysfunctionality that gets worse each time you go through cuts”, reducing research areas. Academia is “a career for life”, Matt Perry explained, “you spend eight years training, you eventually get a job in academia, and then we go and then we’re all under threat of redundancy”. Matt Perry ended on the statement: “it is political dynamite”, and The Courier will continue to monitor the situation to see where it goes next.

Amelie

Article Highlights: 17th February

Current Affairs | News

Increasing number of students getting scammed

From fake student loan discounts and part-time work. here is how to spot them | Page 5

Life & Style | Lifestyle

What are Newcastle's best supermarkets for students?

Tossing up saving your pennies or your legs... | Page 15

Creative Careers

|

Interview with the Poetry books society. In coversation with Alice Mullen & Megan Robson | Page 29

Culture | Travel

A bad trip: is volunteering abroad really ethical?

Why taking the time to pick the right program is so important...| Page 26

Student Spotlight |

Your Education Officer has started a new scheme across the three global campuses. Have a read of the winners | Page 29

NSR & NUTV |

Hear from your station managers about what is going on in the world of TV and Radio Get ready for the upcoming elections! | Page 29

Puzzles! |

Pick your brain with our puzzles

Wanting to test yourself?| Page 40

Sports |

Newcastle Women's Rugby dominate Northumbria in Varsity

Newcastle end Northumbria’s dominance at Varsity | Page 44

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

We are so back! It feels like too long since I was last writing this editor's note, but it has been super busy over in The Courier office. We welcomed six lovely new students onto our editorial team in January to make sure that you continue to get the content that we are so proud of. They have all settled in super well and I can't wait to see what they get up to on the team. Behind the scenes, I have been so happy to have students back in the office, especially because of how empty the office has been over the winter break - although I've slipped into a worrying habit of talking to myself that is having to be controlled! This issue has a whopping 44 pages our editorial team has been working

Hi everyone! My name is Gabbi, and I have the absolute pleasure of being your Student media Officer and Editor-In-Chief this year. Over the summer, I’ve been working hard behind the scenes alongside the Editorial team and NUSU to bring you this Freshers’ issue. Not only will you find loads of incredible articles written by our fantastic sub-editors, you’ll also find a one-stop guide to Freshers’ week, including an introduction to the Freshers’ week assistants who have put together an amazing programme of daytime activities for you all.

Freshers’ week is a time to get to know more about Newcastle University, but also the city as your new home. After calling Newcastle

super hard on, including the creative careers pull-out to give details about the event that is coming up towards the end of February. If you are (or think!) you could be interested in a creative career but unsure how to get there, these talks would be an amazing opportunity to have a listen and network.

Our SMA's came back with full swing and it has been lovely to see the busy room full again. We are welcoming some impressive guest speakers in the next few weeks and have already had the wise words of James Honeyborne so keep an eye out on socials for that (@thecourieronline).

The biggest thing to let you know about is that elections for you Sabbatical and Liberation Officers are coming up, where YOU can vote for the next me! There wll be an elections rally event on 24th ebruary to launch

the candidates and voting wll be 4th March to 6th March. Stay tuned!

That's all I have to say for now, I hope you enjoy our issue :)

THE COURIER SECTIONS

Editor

Lucy Bower

MediaOfficer.Union@newcastle.ac.uk

Social Media

Poppy Bedford

Current Affairs

Senior editors: Grace Boyle

G.Boyle3@newcastle.ac.uk

Anna Nix

A.Nix2@newcastle.ac.uk

News

Ebony Maude

Marcus Williamson

Oscar Jenkins

Safia Adia

Tom Wood

Campus Comment

Amala Parry

Jess Mooney

Scarlet Davies

Opinion

Addie Dodson

Amelie Baker

Margaux Martinez

Science

Charlotte Atkinson

Matthew Barratt

Sport

Senior editor: Adam Tibke

A.S.Tibke2@newcastle.ac.uk

Adam Symes

Dylan Seymour

Megan Grimston

Noelia Fernandez

Perez

Deputy Editor

Libby Griffiths

L.Griffiths9@newcastle.ac.uk

P.Bedford2@newcastle.ac.uk

Life & Style

Senior editors: Marina Snyder

M.Snyder2@newcastle.ac.uk

Charlotte Burley-Hnat

C.Burley-Hnat2@newcastle.ac.uk

Relationships

Emma Stephenson

Jess Hughes

Rosie McKenna

Blind date and Agony Aunt:

Abi Ogden

Lifestyle

Ruby Tiplady

Emma Hunter

Fashion &

Beauty

Agnes Kargbo

Mia Wijayatilleke

Trinity Eadie

Travel

Ellen Pinch

Sophie Jarvis

Food & Drink

Barbora Pacherova

Erin Matthews

Esther Arnold

Culture

Senior editors: Sarah Tunstall

S.Tunstall2@newcastle.ac.uk

Adam Lovegrove

A.Lovegrove2@newcastle.ac.uk

Music

Bertie Kirkwood

Oli Free

TV

Cory Gourley

Kirsty Dow

Film

Alex Paine

Charlotte Thompson

Ciara Rivers

Gaming

Amy Mescus

Milly Thompson

Arts

Keira Gratton

Phoebe Clark

Puzzles

Poppy Bedford

Image credit: Grace Boyle

£8M market

refurb

Marina Snyder

-

Head of Life & Style

Restoration has begun at Newcastle's iconic Grainger Market.

Amulti-million-pound project to restore and enhance Newcastle's historic Grainger Market is officially in progress, promising significant improvements to the iconic destination.

Newcastle City Council, in partnership with Robertson Construction Group, is leading the renovation of the Grade I listed building. The ambitious plans include the introduction of two new pavilions, upgraded toilet facilities, and enhanced entrances to improve accessibility and visibility.

The transformation commenced in September with the demolition of the central arcade, marking the first step in the market's extensive refurbishment.

A substantial £8.2 million of the project funding has been secured from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund, as part of a broader initiative aimed at revitalizing city centre spaces. The renovation seeks to create a vibrant hub for cultural activities while preserving the market’s appeal for its loyal customer base.

“An

outstanding opportunity to improve a key Newcastle

Neil Kennedy, Regional Managing Director at Robertson Construction North East, emphasized the importance of the project, stating:

"The Grainger Market project is an outstanding opportunity to improve a key Newcastle landmark. We are looking forward to working alongside the traders and local communities to make Newcastle City Council’s vision a reality."

The restoration is expected to be completed by summer 2025. However, the council has acknowledged several challenges associated with the site, including ageing utility infrastructure and the presence of a listed air raid shelter beneath part of the market.

As work continues, stakeholders remain committed to preserving the market’s historic charm while adapting it for a modern, diverse audience.

Newcastle student’s parent calls for reclassification of Ketamine

New pledge to upgrade Ketamine from a Class B to Class A substance following student death.

The mother of Newcastle University student, Jeni Larmour, calls for the reclassification of ketamine as a class A drug after her daughter’s death in 2020.

Jeni Larmour died aged 18 on her first night at Newcastle University after taking ketamine given to her by a flatmate. The architecture and urban planning student from County Armagh, Northern Ireland, flew into Newcastle from Belfast on 3 October 2020, and just hours later consumed a fatal combination of the drug and alcohol.

“Jeni died aged 18 on her first night at Newcastle University”

Since her tragic death, Jeni’s mum, Sandra Larmour, has appealed to have ketamine reclassified as a Class A drug and has expressed this should be ‘urgently approved’. Currently, ketamine is classified as a Class B drug, having been upgraded from Class C in 2014 due to the increase in evidence of harmful physical and psychological effects. The push for a reclassification of ketamine to Class A follows record levels of illegal ketamine use.

In her support for reclassifying the drug and thereby increasing the maximum sentence, Sandra stated: ‘The dangers of ketamine are real, and those involved in the supply need to be dealt with accordingly’.

Sandra works with the Daniel SpargoMabbs Foundation, named after 16 year-old Daniel Spargo-Mabbs who died after taking ecstasy at a rave in 2014, to educate children and young people on the risks and dangers of taking drugs. Spurred on in her campaign by the memory of the daughter she lost, Sandra says ‘I have said previously in my requests for reclassification, please do not let Jeni's death fall into the statistics of our country'. An urgent final plea from a mother, to discern that her daughter's death has not been in vain.

“Please do not let Jeni's death fall into the statistics of our country”

According to the Home Office, the government is currently seeking expert advice on reclassifying the drug, meaning it will be aligned with other class A substances such as cocaine, heroin and ecstasy.

Despite its prevalence on the party scene as a hallucinogenic, ketamine can lead to harmful side effects on the bladder and kidneys. The drug can also induce psychosis and cause neurological damage, and can be lethal when mixed with alcohol. The maximum prison sentence for producing and supplying ketamine is 14 years in prison, which a reclassification would raise to a life sentence.

Rising Chinese investment in Russell Group universities

Timothy Daw

Increasing foreign investment causes concern over economic independence

Chinese investment in UK higher education, particularly within the 24 prestigious Russell Group universities, has increased significantly in recent years, leading to growing concerns over economic dependence and national security. Over the last four years, the total value of Chinese funding flowing into British universities is estimated at nearly £50M. This investment has been concentrated within some of the UK’s top institutions, with Oxford being the largest beneficiary, receiving £24M. Notably, £3.3M of this amount came from undisclosed Chinese sources, raising concerns about transparency.

The University of Oxford also received £1.8M from Sichuan University, which has been labelled as 'very high risk' by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute for its links to China’s nuclear weapons and cyberespionage programmes.

The US government Entity List also lists

the university as an alias for China’s primary nuclear warheads research facility - the Chinese Academy of Engineering Physics.

Cambridge University also received between £12M and £19M from Chinese sources, £2M of which came from the Beijing Institute of Aerospace Control Devices, a state-owned corporation at the forefront of military drone research and production.

The University of Edinburgh has received between £5.3M and £6.2M in Chinese investment, including up to £500,000 from Huawei, the Chinese tech giant banned from UK telecommunications infrastructure in 2020 due to concerns over its ties to the Chinese government.

Sheffield University, meanwhile, secured £2.4M, including £360,000 from the CRRC Zhuzhou Institute - a subsidiary of the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation, designated by the US Department of Defence as a Chinese military entity.

These investments raise concerns about the growing influence of Chinesebacked funding in UK universities, particularly as they involve companies with links to the Chinese Communist Party and its strategic interests.

“Reliance

on Chinese investment is not limited to research funding”

The financial reliance on Chinese investment is not limited to research funding. A crucial source of income for monetarily constrained UK universities comes from the growing number of Chinese international students.

According to the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), the number of Chinese students attending UK universities rose by 41% between 2017 and 2021, reaching over 150,000 students. Chinese students now account for 22.3% of the total international student population in the UK.

This comes at a time when threequarters of UK academic institutions are purportedly facing financial issues in 2025 despite recent increases to domestic tuition fees. Overseas students, with tuition fees nearly two and a half times higher than domestic students, account for 30% or more of the UK’s total university income.

On top of this, many communities, particularly resurgent post-industrial cities such as Sheffield, Durham, and Newcastle, have become increasingly

dependent on student spending, granting China tacit economic influence.

Despite this growing dependence, university leaders have insisted that they carefully scrutinise all funding and collaborations. An Oxford spokesperson rejected suggestions that its academic independence is at risk, stating that its funders have no influence over its research decisions.

Similarly, a Cambridge spokesperson pointed out that less than 1% of its annual research grant comes from Chinese investment, and all funds received are heavily scrutinised.

Ben Moore, head of international policy at the Russell Group, defended international partnerships, stating that UK universities work closely with UK intelligence services to “de-risk” collaborations and ensure national security. Critics, meanwhile, argue that the growing reliance on Chinese funding and student spending could have serious consequences for academic freedom.

Former Conservative Party leader and co-chairman of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, has warned that UK universities are becoming too dependent on Chinese money, leading to academics 'kowtowing' to the Chinese state. Sir Iain said that this dependency could stifle free speech, particularly in areas related to China’s human rights abuses. While none of these universities are accused of any related wrongdoing, including improperly accepting funds, China's rising influence on UK higher education means UK universities now find themselves balancing desperately needed investment with concerns over academic independence and national security.

Emily Pocock

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Image credit: Daniel Foster, Flickr

Image credit: Pixabay

Labour announces National Health Service reform

Lauren Wilkinson

Keir Starmer is attempting to re-establish Labour’s governmental stance through reducing waiting lists under the NHS.

Labour has announced plans to cut NHS treatment times through a range of NHS reforms.

Labour’s ‘Plan for Change’ aims for patients to be waiting no longer than 18 weeks, from referral to receiving treatment by 2029. The BBC stated that this target is currently being surpassed. The waiting list now has 7.5 million people on it, including 3 million of them who have already been waiting 18 weeks.

One of the government’s manifesto promises was for 92% of patients to be given the all-clear or start treatment within 18 weeks. This is now a part of the government’s six main priorities and is hoped to be accomplished by the end of this Parliamentary term.

“NHS treatment waiting list now has 7.5M on it including 3M”

The BBC has communicated Labour's plans to reach 65% by March 2026, which would reduce the build-up by more than 450,000 patients.

Other planned reforms on the NHS

include improving accessibility for patients, through increasing their power and control. One method is to publish minimum standards that patients can expect from their healthcare system, which aims to be implemented by September 2025. Another way is to actively promote the rights patients have to choose when and where they receive care.

To add to this, the government is also striving to provide ‘same day service’, as well as offer follow-up consultations on the same day. Therefore, scans and tests can be given earlier on, which allows diagnosis and treatment to commence at a quicker speed.

As reported by the Guardian, a recent survey completed by NHS Providers uncovered the level of faith individuals have in the new reforms. It revealed that 71% of the leaders and 100% of acute care and ambulance runners believe that the developments intended to be

accomplished by 2029 are unlikely.

Amanda Pritchard, the Chief Executive of NHS England, has declared there are 'too many people' who are 'waiting unacceptably long for care', according to the Guardian

“Labour's 'Plan for Change' aims for patients to be waiting no longer than

18 weeks”

However, Pritchard continued and praised NHS staff for the “huge progress” they had made in lowering long waiting times for patients since the pandemic. Labour’s planned reforms for NHS aim to improve healthcare services for citizens by reducing waiting lists and advancing accessibility.

Tyne Bridge: restoring an icon

Oscar Jenkins - News Sub-Editor

The Grade II* listed structure was last refurbished and painted in 2001, and is welloverdue restoration works.

Restoration work on the Grade II* listed landmark first began in September 2023, after an inspection in Summer 2022. This uncovered corrosion to steelwork as a result of damage to the road surface, drainage, and paintwork on the bridge. In a press release issued to The Courier, Talk of the Tyne, an event hosted by the Northumberland and Newcastle Society, outlined the ongoing project of the Newcastle icon.

Councillor Marion Williams, cabinet member for Newcastle City Council, and Pamela Holmes, Assistant Director of Transport for Newcastle City Council, discussed the task of restoring the structure. Williams’ and Holmes’ speech noted how balancing this while managing traffic flow of up to 70,000 vehicles a day has created a sizeable logistical puzzle that restoration has to work around.

Esh Construction is delivering the project on behalf of both Newcastle and Gateshead councils. The £35.3 million programme was granted by

the UK Government as part of their Network North plan to improve local transport in the North-East. The project began on the main bridge deck in April 2024, with grit blasting to remove 96 years of previous paint coatings, this allowed for steelwork to be cleaned and repaired where required. This was then repainted in its distinctive ‘Hollybush’ colour and first unveiled to the public

phase of the bridge restoration'.

Councillor Juna Sathian added, '2025 is shaping up to be another busy year on site [...] and we will share further updates on these next stages of the project as this viral work continues.'

Over the course of the project, 20 phases of the structure will be clad in scaffolding to allow for continued grit

Challenged

Oxford campus protests

Leeds Uni Quits Twitter / X UNIVERSITIES

Leeds University are no longer using X, previously known as Twitter, stating that the social media site, 'no longer aligns with our university values.'

The uni has become the first Russell Group university to announce they will no longer post content on the platform, however, they will keep the account live for messages.

The University put out a statement stating, 'the nature of the channel has also changed over the years and no longer aligns with our university values of collaboration, compassion, inclusivity and integrity.'

“No longer aligns with our university values”

The departure from X is part of a broader exodus of businesses, institutions, and individuals distancing themselves from the platform. This is largely noted to be because an increase in polarisation and extremist views.

Leeds University joins 60 German universities who jointly departed from X on January 10th over Musk's links to the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) Party.

X was bought by the controversial businessman and political figure Elon Musk, in 2022. The $44 billion investment aimed to make Twitter a 'platform for free speech around the globe', with Musk hailing free speech as a 'societal imperative for a functioning democracy.'

“Societal imperative for a functioning society ”

In 2022, Musk was met with immediate controversy upon acquisition of the platform. Accounts that were previously de-platformed were reinstated. This increased the ability to post hate-speech and extremist views on the platform. In the build-up to the 2024 US Presidential election, Musk used the platform to

On Friday 24th

January, several members of the group Oxford Action for Palestine (OA4P) took control of the Radcliffe Camera, on the University campus, renaming it the Khalida Jarrar library.

The Oxford Action For Palestine (OA4P) is a student-led collective who are 'dedicated to the liberation of Palestine and call their university to divest from and boycott Israel’s criminal regime' . This protest comes after the establishment of a 3-stage ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, however, the OA4P states that, To take our eyes off of Gaza now would be an abdication of our responsibility to the struggle for Palestinian liberation.

“To take our eyes off of Gaza now would be an abdication of our responsibility”

Jarrar is the leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and was one of the prisoners released by Israeli authorities earlier in the week as per the terms of the ceasefire agreement.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine is recognised as a terrorist organisation by Israel, the EU and the US.

The building is part of the university’s Bodleian libraries who responded to the action on X with a post stating, we are working with the University and the emergency services to engage with the occupiers and resolve the situation safely. We sincerely apologise for the disruption and thank you for your patience.

The OA4P have been engaging in protests on campus since the onset of the conflict including setting up an encampment on campus in May and June of last year that was ultimately dismantled by the university.

The protest was later shut down by police forces who resorted to scaling down the building to reach the protestors and arrest them. Around 16 of the protestors were said to have been arrested.

In response to these actions, the University of Oxford made a statement saying that 'while the University supports the right to peaceful protest, this action plainly goes beyond the bounds of acceptable protest and is a clear risk to the safety of protestors, students, staff and members of the public.

Lauren Wilkinson The first Russell Uni to leave the platform.

Georgia Mulligan OA4P take over the Radcliffe Camera.

Image Credit: iStock

Image Credit: Number 10, Flickr

Increasing numbers of Newcastle University students getting SCAMMED

Callum Borkowski

From fake student loan discounts and part-time work. here is how to spot them

Agrowing number of university students are being financially scammed including fake student loan company scams, fake tuition fee discounts and fake part-time work. Many feel too ashamed to seek help.

As the number of frauds in the UK rises, the number of students falling victim, specifically international students is also rising. A scam is an illegal plan for making money by tricking people and students must stay vigilant on spotting scams and be infomed on how to report it.

“A scam is an illegal plan for making money by tricking people ”

Martin Richardson, senior partner of the National Fraud Helpline solicitors said, 'students we speak to seem to be particularly ashamed that they have fallen victim to a

scam.' Students need to be aware that they are entitled to recover their money. It is important to report an issue of fraud to your bank.

There is a variety of different scams that students should look out for:

1. Rental Fraud

Student accommodation scams are a detrimental issue for students, given the growing housing demand in the UK. Students are often targeted by people posing as fake landlords who will usually offer good value accommodation. Often, they will incentivise students with a discount for the entirety of the annual rent being paid upfront. Therefore, potentially taking thousands of pounds away from students. Students should ignore social media adverts offering accommodation. Even if you use a trusted website, such as Rightmove, you need to ensure that you have carried out extra checks and fully inspected the property.

2. Student Loan and Tuition Fee Scams

For many students to cover the cost of their tuition fees, accommodation and living expenses are dependent on bodies like Student Finance England (SFE). However, when it comes to applying for loans, the process can be confusing and difficult to students. Which subsequently can lead them to

be unaware of impersonation scams. Scams can include emails claiming students should expect a call from a withheld number to clarify their payment details.

Scammers can pretend to be from a university offering discounts if students pay their tuition fees in advance, leaving students unable to afford their course. It is vital that students ignore these calls and independently log on and check their account to review the status of their loans.

3. Job Scams

Many students often look for a parttime job or internship to help them earn money while they are at university to help with the increasing cost-ofliving.

Never respond to random job offers that are not advertised by the established business’s own social media accounts. Even be aware of using job platforms like Indeed or LinkedInalways double check the company page. Scammers will often offer fake jobs that involve students advertising a product or content creation in return for a wage. Yet, once a student is owed the money, the scammer can withhold the wages and then demand more for the wages to be released. Students, if they are looking for a part-time job, should ensure that the business that they are applying to is reputable.

Newcastle University can FINE students for house parties

Courtney Knights

Newcastle University has confirmed to further crackdown on student house parties.

Newcastle’s infamous student nightlife is well known for its club nights, trebles, and a love for house parties. However, this culture is now at the detriment to students, as Newcastle University can fine students for hosting disruptive house parties. Though this policy isn’t entirely new, it reflects the university’s ongoing efforts to implement a balance between the beloved student lifestyle, with the concerns of community disruption.

“Newcastle University had reportedly issued £27,000 in fines for house parties over three years ”

“Fines for noise nuisance and/or anti-social behaviour' could be as high as £300 ”

In 2018, The Tab Newcastle stated Newcastle University had reportedly issued £27,000 in fines for house parties over three years. It seems the university won't be easing up on their policy either, as their updated ‘fines and charges’ policy now denotes that, as of September 2023, fines for ‘noise nuisance an/or anti-social behaviour in the community’ could be as high as £300. Though this effort to improve community life may have some success, the debate continues over the economic burden on students who face fines and as a result. Additionally, there is the potential for restraints on the social lives of those affected, with added stress resulting in students to feel

4. Visa Scams

International students are specifically targeted by these scams. Scammers can pretend to be from the UK Home Office, contacting students by email or phone, claiming that a student has been involved in illegal activity and could even face deportation.

Further stating that a “bail fee” needs to be paid to keep the visa. The Home Office would rarely contact students directly regarding these situations. If a scammer claims to be from the Home Office, tell them that they need to provide proof of their identity. If you

have followed the regulations of your visa.

It is very important to be aware that, if any scam-related issue are causing you problems, NUSU will be there to support you. They have a variety of online resources on how to spot scams.

You can always go directly to the Student Advice Centre to book a free appointment to receive advice on scams. Alternatively, if you are a victim of fraud, you can contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Please don’t be afraid to seek help if you have been scammed.

List of highest UK taxpayers released

The country's 100 highest taxpayers have been revealed

disconnected from their peers due to the pressures.

Ultimately, whilst it is understandable that the community shouldn’t tolerate anti-social behaviour from students, it also has been argued that fining students for social gatherings, including house parties, undermines the student culture that defines Newcastle. This reiterates the question as to how Newcastle University could attempt to mitigate anti-social behaviour in the community, as well as maintaining the

The Sunday Times has released a list of the estimated top 100 taxpayers in the UK, which includes some of the nation's top artists, entrepreneurs, and authors.

Atop the list sits CEO and billionaire hedge fund manager Sir Chris Hohn, who paid HMRC £339M last year. Hohn founded ‘The Children’s Investment Fund Management’ which is currently the 2nd largest in the UK and 6th largest in the world.

Hohn is closely followed by the Done and Coates families, owners of the bookmakers Betfred and Bet365, respectively. Denise Coates, founder and CEO of Bet365 is the richest woman in the UK, worth £7.67B according to Forbes.

In 7th is Mike Ashley, founder and former CEO of the Fraser group, which owns the likes of Sports Direct, GAME, and House of Fraser. Ashley is also known for having previously owned Newcastle United Football Club, after purchasing the club for £134M in 2007. His unpopular tenure (including two relegations from the Premier League) ended when the club was sold to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) for £300M in 2021, netting the retail tycoon a cool £196M in profit. An estimated current net worth of £4.4B

ranks Ashley as the 18th richest in the UK.

Elsewhere in the top ten, Sir Tim Martin - the CEO and Founder of JD Wetherspoon - finds himself 8th, in the company of the Rubin, Weston, and Morris families (all high-street business owners), and Mark and Lindy O’Hare, who sold their data firm Preqin for £2.55B in the summer.

27th in the list is JK Rowling, author of the highly successful Harry Potter series, who paid £47M, followed at a distance by Ed Sheeran in 60th, who is estimated to have paid £19.9M.

“With inheritance tax changes on the horizon, future tax rankings may look quite different ”

Down in 92nd is the band Queen, who paid out £11.8M - a new entry into this year’s top 100 after earning £19.8M in dividends from their music catalogue. The list is closed out by Graham Day and family, owners of a Swansea-based car dealership founded nearly a century ago, paying a total of £11.1M to HMRC. With potential inheritance tax changes on the horizon, future rankings may look quite different as families and businesses seek strategies to reduce their tax liabilities under the new policies.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Image Credit: Lucy Bower

Cavan Smith

Image Credit: NUSU

Will Chris Day Pay? Newcastle staff vote on strike action

How would staff redundancies affect the students of Newcastle University?

The staff at Newcastle University continued to make national news after a vote on strike action was announced by the University and College Union (UCU).

This is in response to ongoing attempts to fill a £35m shortfall. The University have brought in a promotion freeze, travel restrictions and a voluntary redundancy scheme across all staff. “Unfunded research” is also a target of cuts.

The University has previously said this is linked to a shortfall in international students, and aims to take £10m from “non-pay budgets”, and £20m from “colleague costs.” An internal email reveals targets being allocated to departments for the number of people they should aim to make redundant. This totals 300 fulltime equivalent jobs. Vice-Chancellor Chris Day has not ruled out compulsory

redundancies. In response to the cuts, the UCU is balloting over 1,000 union members on strike action. The previous consultant ballot saw 74.6% vote in favour of a strike.

One Newcastle University lecturer, who asked not to be named, noted: “The people that they want to get rid of are the people who actually

some members were “concerned that there is a lack of empathy” from the University Executive Board. There are also questions about disparities in pay, with 246 individuals at Newcastle University being on annual salaries of over £100,000.

Students are already feeling the impacts of redundancies, with one third-year undergraduate saying they were “disheartened and annoyed” about a cancelled module “I am now stuck doing a module that I don't enjoy or find interesting.”

do the work. There are other ways to save costs rather than getting rid of people because that's their livelihoods…why don't those people on very big salaries take a small percentage cut?”

An earlier survey by the UCU found

They also noted that previous strike action in 2023 had had a “huge impact on (their) education”. In an earlier Courier interview, Chris Day said: “We've got time to take the right decisions for how we manage this great university going forward to protect the student experience”.

Newcastle University UCU branch chair Matt Perry has said that members “refuse to pay the price” for financial mismanagement, stating: "We will be voting for industrial action because the cuts profoundly damage us, our students, and our research.”

New Year, Same Stuggles: cost of living continues to rise

inflation for essential items is lower than the heights seen in 2022 and 2023, students in Newcastle and across the UK are still facing a cost-of-living crisis.

Are students destined for another year of financial uncertainty?

Budgeting is one of the most stressful parts of student life. The everworsening cost of living crisis has made the already tiresome task of classifying cash unbearable for students.

This article isn't a guide to a cheap night out or affordable meal prep- for that, other sections of this paper may be more appropriate! Instead, I will highlight the difficulties of student finances, particularly within the renting sector.

The most significant cost for students is often their Rent. Save the Student found that rent easily takes the biggest chunk of students' finances. While Newcastle University estimates that students spend around £200 per month on nightlife, these leisurely activities cannot be enjoyed by many students with such high rent costs.

The average student maintenance loan has increased by 2.5% to reflect mainline inflation. Already lower than current inflation rates, this increase is significantly less than the increases in renting costs and essential goods. Although current

Save the Student also found that the average maintenance loan falls £504 a month short of covering living expenses.

With 58% of students believing student finance offers the bare minimum required to survive, this is unacceptable and highlights the extremely desperate state of student finances.

“Rent costs in Jesmond have reached an average of £150 per week.”

Newcastle University has raised its accommodation prices by an average of 6.3%, while the cost of privately rented accommodation such as Marionettes and flats, which are extremely common for Newcastle students, has increased by 6.5%.

These increases make it extremely difficult for students to afford to Rent, nevermind enjoy student life!

Rent costs in Jesmond, a particularly popular area for Newcastle Students, have reached an average of £150 per week, with the lowest costs still being reported as around £125-£130 per week.

and often with people who they have only just met.

The cost of deposits so early into the calendar year often causes significant upset to student finances. The Labour Government 'Renters Rights Bill,' particularly an amendment by Leeds Central MP will make it illegal for landlords to charge more than a month's rent for a deposit. This legislation will grant significant advantages for student renters and not allow students to feel more comfortable with their finances in 2025 but allow for much greater protections against rogue landlords and unfair treatment.

The extortionate costs of renting, alongside the autumn scramble for properties, lead students into signing costly contracts with little protection

Dissertation Diary

Amala Parry - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

How do you start a research project?

Dear Diary,

Choosing my research topic for my dissertation was no mean feat. I circled between many different ideas before settling on my project title: 'Examining the Role of User-Generated Content in Shaping The Societal Narratives and Discourses of the Menopause.'

To break it down, for the non-media or journalism students, 'user-generated content' is simply a fancy term for social media, or media generated by the individual rather than the masses. My dissertation project intends to uncover the role of UGC (still User-generated content, just abbreviated...) in shaping societal narratives and discourses (experiences and expectations) of menopause.

The idea for my research topic came from the increasing social media discourse and discussion on the menopause, predominantly as a result of celebrity exposure (big thanks to Davina McCall). I thought it would be incredibly relevant and important topic to explore, ignited by my passion for women's reproductive rights.

“I considered several different avenues before selecting menopause as my key focus.”

I considered several different avenues before selecting the menopause as my key focus. These included online discussions on abortion and reproductive rights, and the representation of women's reproductive

health in relation to conditions such as PMDD or endometriosis.

Now that I'm in the second semester of my final year, I already have 2200 words of my dissertation under my belt. My Literature Review, though difficult and timely to construct, provided a good basis for my project, highlighting key theories, studies or texts that will be relevant to my research. Now that the Lit Review is done, with a few pending edits to be made, I'm in the crux of my Methodology and Research Analysis.

Though terms such as 'Literature Review', 'Methodology Chapter' or 'Research Analysis' might have sent shivers down my spine this time last year, I've found that I'm settling into my research project surprisingly well (do I dare say...I'm even enjoying it?). I've already conducted a survey, which has provided some very interesting results and a crucial insight into people's perceptions and experiences of the menopause. I also have plans to conduct focus group interviews with groups of women and menopause campaigners to gather their opinions.

I'm aware that there's likely many hours of hard work left of my dissertation- and no doubt blood, sweat and tears- but I'm also excited to see where my project goes and what conclusions I come to at the end. What was once a terrifying prospect is slowly becoming my main purpose at University, and an interesting exploration into an important topic that I'm passionate about.

Emily Naismith

Joe Morris

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons

Campus

Love in the time of deadlines: a guide to acing studies while in love

Ella Saint

Can you keep the fires of love burning while studying for your degree?

University life is a unique blend of academic challenges and personal growth. Balancing these aspects—studying hard for your degree and nurturing a relationship—can seem daunting, but it’s entirely possible. With the right strategies and mindset, you can excel academically while keeping the romance alive.

Strong communication is key in any relationship, but it becomes even more crucial when you're balancing university life. Between lectures, assignments, and exams, it’s easy to let time slip by without checking in with your partner. Make sure you set aside time to talk about your day, express concerns, and share your successes.

Time management is your best friend at university. Having a clear study schedule will allow you to make time for romance without sacrificing your academic success. Once you have a schedule in place, look for opportunities to plan time with your partner. For

example, if you know you have a quiet afternoon with no assignments or exams looming, plan a cosy date with your partner afterwards. Conversely, if you have an intense study session coming up, let your partner know in advance and plan for a fun weekend together once it's over.

"Strong

communication is key to any relationship."

Long romantic dates might not always be feasible when you’re buried under assignments. Instead, focus on making the most of the time you have. Small gestures—like sending a thoughtful message during the day, sharing a quick coffee break, or taking a few minutes to talk after class—can go a long way. Even when you can’t spend hours together, being intentional about your time ensures you aren't neglecting your relationship. Finally, it's also far too easy to forget about self-care when juggling academic responsibilities

"You

A reflection on my time at Univeristy...

Scarlett Calverley

Is University really the best time of your life?

can make the most of both worlds...It's all about striking the right balance."

and a relationship. But taking care of yourself—physically and emotionally—is just as important, if not more so, than tending to a relationship or your academic responsibilities.

University can be an exciting time to grow, both intellectually and emotionally, and with a little effort, you can make the most of both worlds.

A chronic condition life

Marina Synder -Head of Life & Style

Having a chronic condition is one of the loneliest experiences I’ve ever had. It’s exhausting, both physically and mentally, and often, it feels like your own body is working against you. Everything you’ve built—your health, your relationships, your career aspirations—can come crashing down in an instant, leaving you feeling like you’re starting from zero again.

Navigating a condition is challenging enough, but doing so at university adds an entirely new layer of difficulty.

Last week I was catching up with friends, going to the cinema and going out. I felt energetic and sociable and was genuinely enjoying my lectures. It felt as though the light was shining in through my windows and yet just a couple of days later, the curtains were pulled over. Suddenly, I was waking up at 5 am every morning in seething pain, unable to eat or move out of bed.

Having a chronic condition can be incredibly isolating because it often feels like no one really understands. While people may sympathize and say, “That sounds awful,” they’ll never fully grasp what you go through and what you end up sacrificing. You might even hear comments like, “Again? It seems like you’re always ill,” or “There’s always something going on with you,” as if the very definition of ‘chronic’ isn’t that it never goes away. It’s a lifelong battle, and sometimes, it feels like you’re fighting it alone.

Then there’s the guilt. When you’re

feeling okay, you make plans to catch up with friends, go to events, or do activities you’ve been looking forward to. And then, suddenly, your condition flares up, and you have to cancel. You feel like you’re missing out, and often, people can't comprehend that. They think that you don’t put in enough effort.

It’s frustrating because, deep down, you wish more than anything that you could just show up. Losing friendships and opportunities over something completely out of your control is not only frustrating, it's heartbreaking. But it’s something you end up having to come to terms with.

It's important to have a support system, but this is something that can't always be possible for everyone. It’s often easy to feel like you’re failing at adulthood, unable to take care of yourself while others seem to manage just fine. That's why it's so important to remember to be kind to yourself, take one day at a time. You're trying your best.

Most of the time, if you asked me to rate my pain on a scale—like they do at the doctor’s office—I’d say 10 without hesitation. And yet, despite that, I’m expected to excel at university, avoid getting fired from my part-time job for taking too many sick days, contribute to group projects even when I physically can’t show up, and still find the time and energy to build friendships and relationships.

So, on behalf of every university student living with a chronic condition: we are exhausted.

There needs to be more discourse around chronic illnesses. In society, pain is treated as something uncomfortable to acknowledge—something people would rather ignore. But the truth is, what’s happening to our bodies isn’t fair, and it isn't easy. The least we can ask for is kindness, understanding and a little slack. Both from other people, but also from ourselves.

Iam a third year uni student, studying English Literature, and I will be the first to say that my uni experience so far has been an absolutely wild ride - if I had to sum it up in one word, I’d say it’s been intense.

University overall is just an intense time full stop: you’ve moved to an entirely different place, you’re surrounded by strangers and you’re adjusting to an entirely new academic challenge, whilst trying to not be desperately homesick.

case for me; large parts of it were incredibly difficult. I wanted to reassure any anxious first years or struggling second years of two things - first, that it definitely gets easier, and second, it’s okay if it sucks.

"University had a pendulum-swinging emotional effect."

I had only ever visited Newcastle once before I moved, I knew one person and my hometown was three hundred miles away, so it was definitely a rude awakening. The one thing I couldn’t help thinking about amongst the excitement of all this change, was that everyone always tells you Uni will be the best three years of your life.

I have absolutely loved studying and living here, but that was just not the

University for me had a pendulum-swinging emotional effect. Some days I felt amazing and was having the best time, and then other days, everything was stressful. When I graduate in a few months, I will leave with a wealth of life experience and a degree I love, but also knowing that these were not the happiest years of my life, and that’s okay. Instead, these years have been some of the most formative. I’m glad to be graduating knowing what’s next for me, but also with the fervent hope that adult life gets better than this!

Current or Crumbling: What should change on campus?

Scarlet Davies - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

One writer tells us what they'd change about our University campus.

I’ll preface this by saying that I love the Newcastle University campus. It’s easily accessible from town, with gorgeous red-brick buildings and a Coop in the Union (and right below the Courier office!). As Universities go, it’s hardly the most ugly or inconvenient campus to attendbut if I had designed the campus in 2025, I might have done a few things differently.

Luther’s:

This is going to be a controversial one. Listen, I love Spoons as much as everyone else- but surely student bars on campus are supposed to be cheaper than normal ones in

the city? Somehow, Luther's is more expensive than Five Swans, a fiveminute walk down the road. While we’re lucky that Newcastle is incredibly cheap for alcohol, it seems to be a misdirection if our student bar’s prices are skyrocketing and a drink costs more than your tuition fee. The whole point of a student union is to be a cheap alternative for students. Luther’s doesn’t achieve that if it’s only used for convenience and is usually empty by 7 pm.

Lecture Theatres:

Some lecture halls are better than others. My 9 am lectures do not need to be on the fifth floor of some abandoned building that barely anyone can find. Even the lecturers turn up late because they can’t find the room- and then inevitably the WIFI isn’t working, the lecturer can’t project the slides and it takes twenty minutes for the lecture to start. I understand that not everyone can be on the ground floor of the Armstrong Building all the time; but the last time I checked, I didn’t sign up for a degree in floor-planning. On a more positive note, it does get my step count up.

Central Heating : While I’m complaining about things that won’t ever change, I might as well mention the weather. Having to get up a 9 am while it's still dark is bad enough, but having to walk to class while it's raining? I can’t focus on a lecture if I feel like I’m about to catch

hypothermia and there are another 200 drenched students around me shivering as if it’s the Ice Age. You know it’s bad when half the students still have their coats on indoors. Would it hurt to turn on the heating sometimes? But I digress. On the whole, Newcastle is a beautiful campus and is a large part of why students decide to attend. After all, who doesn’t love aesthetic campus photos? Just try reminding me of that when it’s 8 am and I’m struggling to connect my WIFI while soaked to the skin, trying to warm my hands with a hot drink from Luther’s (that has now gone up to £1.71!). Bring on the

summerat least expensive coffee can be romanticised when the sun comes out.

Image Source: Stockvault, RawPixel, Pex els.

Image: Source Raw Pixel

Image: Source FMT

Sub-Editors: Adelaide Dodson, Amelie Baker, Margaux Martinez

Billionaire turning Politician: Elon Musk’s political influence ahead of upcoming German Elections Opinion 8

Christine Soloch

An investigation of the implications of Elon Musk's involvement in German politics, and its potentially disastrous consequences.

On the same day that we watched the transition of US leadership, Elon Musk took the stage and delivered not only a speech, but a particularly polarising moment: a controversial salute that immediately sparked a heated debate. While some people may not read too much into this salute, for others it marks yet another troubling chapter in Musk’s growing entanglement in world politics.

Just weeks prior, Elon Musk hosted an interview on X with Alice Weidel, leader of the right-winged AfD (”Alternative für Deutschland”) and potential German chancellor candidate. I, and I’m sure many other Germans, see this interview not simply as a

How

casual conversation and exercise in free speech – it was an endorsement of the party’s electoral programme. Musk has previously labeled the party as “the only solution for Germany”. Given their nationalist and xenophobic agenda, this comes as no surprise.

However, it does leave me sad, raging, and questioning how we arrived at this moment, where a billionaire entrepreneur, with no mandate and no accountability, wields such influence over national

discourses – and people actually listen and agree?

Germany stands on the brink of its Bundestag elections, and the stakes could not be higher at the minute with the Christian Democrats (CDU) and the AfD currently being the popular choices for most people. Even during my very short visit back home over Christmas I noticed the shift in the way people discussed politics. Particularly after the tragic incident at the Christmas Market in Magdeburg, conversations seemed charged with fear, anger, and a creeping acceptance of far-right rhetoric.

This incident seems a lot like the final push people needed to justify populist narratives, and Musk’s meddling is only adding fuel to the fire. What’s even more unsettling is how Musk doesn’t seem to face any consequences for his recent actions. His salute at the Trump rally, to me, was an unmistakable gesture, for which he would have faced jail time

many

politicians could

it possibly take to change a carpet?

Emily Naismith

Keir Starmer has spent £80,000 of taxpayers money to remove the “Tory blue” colour from No 10’s media briefing room.

It doesn’t take a marketing genius to understand why Keir Starmer doesn’t want to stand in front of a Tory blue background when talking; especially after growing accusations that Labour is not all that different from the Conservatives.

The media briefing room, originally added to Downing Street by Boris Johnson at a whopping cost of £2.6 million, has recently been renovated by Labour for £80,000.

The blue backdrop, blue panels and blue carpet have all been replaced with grey, to form a ‘politically neutral’ setting.

I think the renovations make sense to some degree, and I empathise with Labour’s need to distance themselves from the previous 14 years of Tory rule.

I also think media focus on the refurbishment is perhaps more an attempt to discredit the government then any genuine criticism of the

party’s real faults. For example, maybe Labour could squash the Tory-lookalike rumours by scrapping the 2-child benefit cap, imposing a wealth tax and nationalising public services. Anyway, I digress.

Following the criminal misspending of taxpayers’ money by the Conservatives, this £80,000 seems like tuppence. But it is also important that we do not compare finances to a Tory government that lost 75% of the £12 billion it spent on overpriced or inadequate PPE in the first year of the pandemic.

This is a lot of money to spend on the refurbishing of a room. Although I understand the importance of clearing out the Tory branding, £80,000 would be a huge amount of money for any of the 2.3 million people in the UK that used a food bank in 2023/24.

I do think it’s important that we stay critical of all government costs; even if

in Germany. However, he walks away unscathed, protected by the cult trying to reframe his actions as “misunderstood” or attributed to being “on the spectrum”.

What I find most alarming is how Musk seems to operate above the rules of ordinary citizens, facing no repercussions whatsoever for his behaviour, allowing him to do just about anything. His influence nowadays isn't merely confined to the tech world, but bleeds into politics, where he immediately enjoys a high standing due to his influence as an entrepreneur.

At his most recent surprise appearance at an AfD event in Halle, he called for the restoration of pride in German culture and values. While there is nothing inherently wrong with national and cultural pride, it makes me extremely uncomfortable when it comes from someone who isn’t even German, especially if such rhetoric becomes stripped from historical awareness.

He said “children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents”. While I agree that our generation cannot carry the guilt of our great-grandparents, I think that the type of guilt that we have is healthy and revolves more around memory, acknowledgement, and education. As a German I take pride in the fact that our culture is built around upholding the

memory of the Holocaust, honouring its victims and working towards a future that can never allow such a thing ever again. Musk, however, is trying to rebuild this society around forgetting. There should never be a time to move on from this history just to repeat it all over again.

Nevertheless, Musk’s framing makes populists feel even more empowered to shed historical accountability and redirect blame for the country’s issues onto non-German citizens. Given the proximity to the Bundestag elections, the German government has already expressed its resentment towards Musk’s interventions, but this problem is going beyond Germany. He has somewhat of a track record of endorsing populists all over the world: from Nigel Farage to Italy’s Giorgia Meloni. Such endorsements are worrisome as the billionaire’s influence normalises farright rhetoric and severely diminishes safeguards around democratic discourse.

Musk’s defenders often argue that he’s just an unconventional thinker and innovator. But that’s exactly why his influence is so dangerous; he’s a private citizen with immense power and no accountability. And when he uses that power to reshape the political landscape — through manipulation and spectacle — we should all be alarmed.

The lamentable plight of political parties at Newcastle University

Henry Bateson

Are students at Newcastle University completely apathetic to politics?

The Labour and Conservative societies at Newcastle University both have 16 members each. With around 28,000 students, the two main political parties can only muster support from 32 people. And that ignores the fact that some of the Conservative and Labour members have memberships of both societies, knowing full well importance to keep the other alive. That equates to only 0.1% of Newcastle University that have

memberships of the two main political parties.

It is true the requisite threshold of 15 has been surpassed (a necessary requirement for a society to exist). But with such small numbers, it shows one very clear problem for university students: conspicuous

disenchantment with politics. I can sense a general, deepening frustration with the Tories and Labour. Tories balled up, crashed the economy, weren’t remotely conservative and failed on so many metrics; and the Labour party, since the 2024 general election, have proven to be unpopular with their high tax agenda.

Students are fed up with astronomical rents, escalating utilities and high tuition fees. Many are looking to alternative parties, hell-bent on changing the status quo, such as Reform UK and

fragmentation in British politics indicates that the two-party system is looking more fragile by the day. Interestingly, there is not a Green or Reform UK society.

However, there are societies that are political in orientation. The Feminist society, Amnesty International and Palestine society are examples of societies that raise awareness of pressing and topical concerns. I believe their memberships are strong. Political allegiances aside, it would have been a disaster if the Conservative and Labour societies folded. Their respective points and policies help foster nuance in debate and allow for opinions to be challenged. It was not far off ceasing to exist at Newcastle University. We should support both of them – or support any new startacademic year.

Image: WikimediaCommons & Flick_SimonDawson & FMT

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Trevor Cokley, Haisollokopas, Mmxx

Image Source: Wikimedia Commons, UK Parliament, Kristy O'Connor; Pexels, Blue Bird

Labour’s missing piece of the political puzzle

Charlie Dawson

Can Labour master the art of 'spin' to put things in their favour or has the public already given up?

It hasn’t been an easy ride for the Labour Party since their landslide election victory. In seven months, Keir Starmer and Labour’s popularity has decreased significantly. According to a recent YouGov voting intention poll, Labour’s vote share of 33.7% at the general election has shrunk to 27%. Keir Starmer’s approval rating has also slumped to -35%. This has allowed Reform Uk, to close to within 4% points of Labour’s vote share, despite winning 406 less seats in the General Election.

Over Labour’s short period in Government, they have struggled to control the narrative and establish the facts behind events and decisions, such as the Southport riots and the inheritance tax raid on farms. It is my opinion, that Labour’s failure to control the narrative has had a significant impact on their popularity as reflected in the recent polls. I believe that Labour’s inability to control the narrative is the result of a lack of ‘spin’.

I believe that a government cannot be deemed successful if it does not master the art of spin. Spin is a political tool which attempts to change or manipulate the way in which the public perceives an event or situation.

A clear recent example of this is the grooming gang scandal. As reports of these horrific crimes swept across the UK, the Government were in the process of passing ‘The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill’. This bill set out to protect vulnerable children and provide funding for breakfast clubs. The Conservatives then tabled an amendment to the bill, calling for a national inquiry into grooming gangs. However, if this amendment

were passed, the bill would die. Therefore, Labour voted against it. The Conservatives were able to spin this situation, painting Labour as voting against protecting young people.

Simultaneously, Labour spun this situation to accuse the Conservatives of failing to protect vulnerable children because they voted in favour of the amendment. I believe that the Conservatives out spun Labour in this scenario, as they were able to exploit public anger at these horrific crimes and direct it towards the Government for failing to call a national inquiry.

Another example of Labour’s failure in spin, was the decision to remove winter fuel payments for pensioners

who are not receiving pension credit or other means tested benefits. The Conservatives and Reform were able to spin this decision, creating the message that Labour were willing to let pensioners suffer in the winter cold. The Conservatives even released a video which displayed pensioners who would be affected by this decision (even though one pensioner was wearing a Rolex) Labour were unable to establish the narrative that only the highest earning pensioners would be affected. This resulted in the government being accused of not supporting the elderly and ‘raging a class war’.

Keeping up with the White House

Ali Choudhary

What the f*ck is happening?

In the first weeks of Donald Trump’s second presidency, the United States is no longer a nation in decline — it is in freefall.

My proposal would be to take a more aggressive, narrative first stance. I suggest that whenever they announce policy, or a certain event happens, they must quickly release statements on all their platforms, which establish the facts and analysis behind it. They also need to gain the backing of centre left media outlets; The Guardian, and the Daily Mirror for example, so they can use these platforms to spin the narrative into their favour. The Government needs to have greater clarity on their stance, as well as continuing to attack the opposition for theirs.

If Labour are unable to tighten their loose grip on the narrative, and improve their image, I fear that right wing populism will continue to rise as the public become increasingly polarised against the Government.

The countdown continues: 89 seconds to midnight

Amala Parry

-Campus Comment Sub-Editor

Is it too late for humanity?

On the 28th of January, the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists revealed the annual doomsday clock. The clock was revealed to be 89 seconds to midnight, one second closer than the previous two years, signifying the closest humanity has ever been to an extinction event. However, is there still time left to turn back the clock or are we really doomed?

The doomsday clock was generated by the Chicago Atomic Scientists in 1947, after their participation in the Manhattan Project (nuclear research and development during the Second World War, which led to the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki). Two of the most notable scientists involved in this project included Albert Einstein and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the latter of whom is often referred to as the 'Father of the Atomic Bomb.'

The clock metaphorically represents how close we are to global disaster, or a mass extinction-level event, as proposed by the world's leading scientists. Midnight signifies the end of humanity as we know it, with the 'distance from midnight' implying how much longer we have left to act. Evidently, 89 seconds is not very long...

In 1947, the Doomsday Clock was

set to 7 minutes to midnight, in response to the first use of nuclear weapons in Japan at the end of the second world war. The use of atomic weapons was a turning point in our history, warning us of the mass destruction that future wars could bring.

Since 1947, the clock has been wound backwards 8 times and forwards 18 times, fluctuating depending on the severity of global threats. The furthest time from midnight was 17 minutes in 1991 (oh, to be alive in the 90s), and the closest is...you've guessed it....89 seconds.

"... the clock has been wound backwards 8 times and forwards 18 times...”

But why are we closer than ever before to human extinction? What can we do to prevent ourselves from creeping ever closer to Midnight?

2024 was a tumultuous year, filled with political unrest, climate catastrophes and advancing technologies. The IsraelGaza war left thousands of civilians dead or displaced and was an eyeopening display of ruthless violence, while the war ragged on in Ukraine as Putin solidified himself as even more of a global threat. In the world of politics, Donald Trump regained power in the US, endorsed by his pet billionaire Elon Musk- who has become one of the most powerful and dangerous men in the world.

Advancing technologies are becoming more of a threat every year, with AI becoming a recognised part of everyday life. Meanwhile, the warning signs of

climate change are ever-present, with rising sea levels, the wildfires raging through California and unprecedented storms and hurricanes causing destruction across the globe.

With all the aforementioned threats to human life, it's no surprise that leading scientists assume Armageddon is just around the corner.

However, it's not all doom and gloom. We've brought ourselves back from the brink of extinction many times before, so what's stopping us from doing it again? In our vastly developing world, where technological breakthroughs and advancements are daily occurrences, surely we already have the answers to saving the human race?

According to the Bulletin of Atomic

responsibility of bringing the world back from the brink of destruction, and it is up to them to set their differences aside and work together at this crucial hour.

Though there is little that you or I can do to prevent the chaos that nuclear war or the accelerating climate crisis might bring, we can do our part by pressuring our governments to address these issues and make positive changes before it's too late.

Though it can be difficult to sit back and watch while the world crumbles around us, we must remember that 89 seconds (though it doesn't sound like long), may still be enough time to save humanity.

Swinging an increasingly orange hand around, Trump has signed dozens of executive orders, from pardons for the January 6 rioters, eliminating DEI, and withdrawing from the Paris climate accord. Currently, preparations are being made for a detention facility at Guantánamo Bay that Trump said could be used to hold up to 30,000 immigrants deported from the US. The election of Trump is not just an aberration but a turn towards fascism. Removing DEI efforts and eliminating “gender radicalism” in the military will not solve the economic crises the country finds itself in.

Yet this regime champions that which stifles its growth. Trump’s foreign policies are dictated by ego rather than strategy. In reference to Gaza, it is no surprise the avaricious business mogul openly declared against the Palestinian people, saying: “Gaza's interesting. It's a phenomenal location. On the sea, the best weather...Some fantastic things could be done with Gaza”. The President of the Real Estates of America continued the discussion days later, stating: “You're talking about probably a million and a half people, and we just clean out that whole thing”.

This administration’s policies would be laughable if they were not so destructive: tariffs are choking innovation, and censorship is thinly veiled as patriotism. The Trump cult—who are consumed by their own irrationality—publicly celebrate on social media the mass deportations of children, workers, and families by the ICE, describing them as “criminals” and threats to the American people.

What is clear is that the brilliant MAGA logic transcends the ideas it unwaveringly stands by. According to the election results, criminals and rapists should not just be in the country, they deserve to be in the Oval Office itself. Donald Trump— with thirty-four felony convictions, two impeachments, and accusations of rape—now makes the decisions for the American people.

The White House and the country have become a parody of itself,

Image: Wikimedia Commons, Gage Skidmore, The White House

Image Source : Flickr, Simon Dawson; Pixabay; Wikimedia Commons, MrX

Love is in the lab: Tech for labgrown sex cells on brink of viability

Emily Pocock - Deputy NUTV Manager

Advances in fertilisation science

could begin a new age for biological parenting

Lab-grown eggs or sperm, also known as in-vitro gametes (IVGs), could be a reality in under a decade. Almost 50 years after in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) brought science fiction to family planning, in-vitro gametes could be on the brink of viability. Lab-grown eggs and sperm could be a significant milestone in humans’ conquest of nature and biology.

According to the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) board, lab-grown eggs and sperm have progressed so rapidly that they could be a reality within a decade.

“They could be a reality within a decade”

In-vitro gametes are genetically reprogrammed embryonic stem cells or skin cells in a process called

in-vitro gametogenesis, which results in viable eggs and sperm that can then become embryos.

The advance in fertilisation technology could be the birth of a new age for biological parenting as IVGs could allow for the possibility of older, multiple or same-sex parents.

Researchers in Japan have led significant developments in the field of in-vitro gametes, having created the first functional female eggs from reprogrammed mouse skin cells. Following IVF using these egg cells, a healthy baby mouse was born.

In March 2023, Professor Katsuhiko Hayashi, one of the lead Japanese researchers, announced the successful creation of mice with two biological fathers.

“The advancement opens the door

increase significantly, described as ‘the complete extreme of incest’.

There are also ethical concerns that the ability to create large quantities of embryos in a laboratory and, therefore, screen extensively for genetic traits could lead to eugenics.

to myriad ethical issues”

However, the advancement opens the door to myriad ethical issues.

In the event that the sperm and egg cells were created from the same person, the risks of genetic disorders

Killer caterpillars

You could say they're the cater-killers

Caterpillars are a widely used metaphor for growth and transformation as they emerge from their cocoons as blossoming butterflies. The unassuming caterpillar is overlooked in this allegory, as the simple predecessor of something much more significant and beautiful. However, there are hundreds of caterpillar species around the world with poisonous venom strong enough to kill a human being. Caterpillars may be poisonous (toxic to touch) or venomous (injecting poison through a sting). They can leak acids, have poisonous hairs, feed on poisonous plants like milkweed and store poison inside their bodies. While most of bugs exist extreme climates than the UK, several of these species can be found in our own back gardens.

A recent scare concerning a swarm of caterpillars ‘invading’ the UK told of the brown-tail moth, spotted in southern England, whose toxic hairs cause rashes and disrupt regular breathing with severe reactions

resulting in asthma.

Another caterpillar with toxic hairs is the oak processionary moth, one of the few species that is poisonous to both humans and animals.

“Scientists may be encouraged to select less desirable traits”

This is relevant to

Are clouds the next secret weapon to fight climate change?

Charlotte Chantler

A smart idea in theory, how clever in practice?

Climate change is still increasingly worrying, with irreversible effects on the environment.

As temperatures are increasing, wildlife is dying and the way our Earth functions is changing. To battle this change, scientists have looked into the 'brightening' of

The hairs along the body of this caterpillar hold toxins that cause irritation to the eyes and throat as well as rashes on the skin.

The most venomous caterpillar in the world, identified in the Guinness Book of World Records, is the lonomia obliqua, a species of moth from South America. This caterpillar has been responsible for several deaths, especially in Brazil. This is because its venom contains anti-clotting agents which can cause internal hemorrhaging in its victims. It was not known that caterpillars could produce venom capable of killing a human being prior to this discovery.

“The hairs along the body of this caterpillar hold toxins that cause irritation to the eyes and throat”

Considering this, the lonomia obliqua is not the only caterpillar with this lethal reputation.

The saddleback caterpillar, named after the green saddleshaped patch on its back, is another species of caterpillar with venom that has extraordinary

Its venom targets and kills blood cells, making its sting a very real threat to a human being.These poisonous caterpillars are quite unremarkable as fully developed moths, as they shed their poisonous hairs in the cocoon, leaving their toxicity behind them as they emerge as adult moths and fulfil their full metaphorical potential.

and thicker clouds. On top of this, the same merging happens within pollution particles, meaning that pollutants will not be a problem when spraying the aerosols.

This theory is yet to be performed on a large scale, and virtually all assessments have been derived from models. Because of this, scientists are still unsure on how effective it will be and if there could be any damaging side effects.

Marine cloud whitening involves making clouds brighter or whiter so that they can reflect more sunlight and solar radiation back towards space. This reflection will result in less heat being absorbed into the Earth's atmosphere and will combat the challenges of climate change.

Clouds over marine environments, like the ocean, are thought to be easiest to brighten. Although it is a smart idea in theory, how smart is it in practice? Scientists propose that the clouds can be sprayed with aerosols that will act as a 'condensation nuclei' in clouds. The aerosols also contain particles of sea salt and this mixture is thought to encourage water particles to merge and therefore lead to brighter

Science for Scousers: research centre opening

Liverpool could become a global hotspot for life science

With major pharma companies investing more and more, Liverpool is looking to become a global leader in vaccine development and infectious disease research.

US pharmaceutical company Bristol Meyers Squibb (BMS) is set to unveil a new laboratory building in May this year. This state-of-the-art facility will house around 250 scientists and operational staff.

It will monitor the effectiveness of existing drugs, test impurities, and, therefore, look to extend shelf life. The growing presence of companies like BMS is more than a scientific win; it’s an economic one, bringing thousands of jobs and millions of investments to Merseyside.

Liverpool is the only place in the UK officially designated a "high potential opportunity" area for vaccines, and its leadership in tackling infectious diseases is already well-proven. The

Another company that could be the key player in Liverpool’s rise as a life science hub is AstraZeneca. In talks with the UK government, the company wants to expand funding for its childhood vaccine factory in Speke.

“Liverpool's growing life science sector is strongly backed by the government"

The facility would transform into a more considerable research and manufacturing center, shifting from egg-based to cell-culture-based vaccine production. The vaccines made in Speke are sent to the US for final processiWng, but an expansion would allow full production in the UK.

Expanding this multinational company in Speke itself could signal the city’s dedication to innovative medicine, potentially inviting more investors in the future. Liverpool’s growing life science sector is strongly backed by the government, with funding, job training, and apprenticeships available to attract and upskill workers.

The UK’s scientific expertise and

There has been contradictory results from tests, including the idea that cloud brightening could effect precipitation patterns and therefore effect vegetation and food production. Another study showed decreases in temperature in one region, but increases in another, making the practice of cloud brightening less equitable. One of the only physical experiments was small-scale in Alameda, California, where after a month of testing, the experiment was put to a halt after a public meeting voted to stop it. Due to the lack of real-world experiments and evidence that cloud brightening is effective, it is not clear whether or not it could be a good mechanism to address climate change. With ever prevalent speculation towards climate change, it is difficult to continue experiments without wider support.

NASA's new alien mission

Alex De Koning

Another leap towards answering the question: what’s really out there?

Are we alone in the universe? Due to the vastness of space, most scientists think alien life is inevitable. So, why haven’t we discovered it yet?

In the Milky Way, there may be as many as 20 billion potentially habitable planets outside our solar system (also known as ‘exoplanets’), any one of which could contain some form of life.

Yet we’ve only searched 7,000 of them. As computer scientist Professor James Davenport says: “if the night sky was comparable to an ocean, we’ve only searched a hot tub equivalent.”

But how does one search an entire planet over 25 trillion miles away? The way to do so is through biomarkers; chemicals in a planet’s atmosphere –such as oxygen, ozone and methane – that can only be explained by biological processes.

With the announcement of NASA’s new telescope – the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) – combing for biomarkers may now become significantly easier. The HWO will not only be more powerful and potentially bigger than the current best telescope (the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)) but specially designed to examine evidence for life.

Christine Soloch

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Amelia Hunter

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Image credits: Pixabay, Unsplash

Aquarius Aries Taurus

January 20th - February 18th

With Venus being activated, this is a promising week for love!

And it's no surprise, with many of your birthday's falling over Valentines day, this will be a great time filled with love and passion...and cake!

Gemini

PTisces, this season of love you should focus on relaxation. Have a bath, submit some PECs and delete Hinge.

hough the weather may still be chilly, Gemini, you will be feeling HOT. With Mercury in Pisces, this season you will have love on your mind: love for bad decisions, that is.

Libra, you will be thinking about gestures of love this season, aiming to do small things for the people you love, to show that you care. Now if only your flatmates could do the same and gesture towards the kitchen to wash their dishes!

Cancer, this season of love you'll have people's eyes rolling...this could either be in bed, or because you said something stupid...yet to be determined.

This is the perfect time for you to express your needs and desires. Might be good to find out what you want first - time to end that roster and make a decision.

With the moon being in Taurus, this time will be all about YOU! You don't need anyone this Valentines but yourself (and your tired credit card)...treat yourself to some (even more) retail therapy.

Mercury in Pisces will activate a more intimate and vulnerable side of Leos this week, you may be more prone to crying when watching the new Bridget Jones film.

S

corpio, an intense sign, this Valentine's month is no exception for you. Things will be intense for you - Situationships, Linkedin notifications and probably just everyday life. Good luck!

Pluto in Aquarius suggests friendships will play a pivoWtal role in your life this season. Perhaps buy them some flowers, afterall, they're there for you more than any hinge date has been.

With your planetary ruler coming into play, you will be thinking more in depth about the current relationships in your life. You may feel as though you're giving more than recieving, if that's the case...it may be time to cut ties.

Love will be showing up in unexpected places for you, Capricorn. Perhaps on a night out at Casa or perhaps while working on your dissertation in the library. Either way, you may be surprised.

love this new version of myself? I just feel lonely all of the time!

From: A Reader

Whether you're stressed about assignments or not getting along with your flatmates, Agony Aunt is here to help!

Dear Agony Aunt, I need help Agony Aunt! I have recently broken up with my boyfriend and I'm feeling really lost. We were together for two years and were inseperable so now I'm really struggling to get back on my feet and enjoy being independent. The breakup was a mutual decision and we both knew it was for the best but now I'm starting to come to terms with being single again it's much harder than I anticipated. How do I learn to

Dear Reader, Break ups are tough, especially when your previous partner was such a significant part of your life. Here as some ways to help you get back on track. Firstly, it's important to allow yourself time to deal with all the emotions and feelings that have come from your breakup. Don't rush yourself into getting back to normality because all those feelings will have to come up at some point, so it's better to deal with them now than to have them bubble back up later. Having said that, dealing with a break up is not linear, don't beat yourself up if you find yourself getting emotional weeks or months from now! The best piece of advice I can give you to for finding yourself again is to surround yourself with people that make you feel happy and comfortable. Whether this is family or friends,

prioritise spending time with the people that mean the most to you, as this should help you deal with your loneliness. Secondly, you might want to try 'dating' yourself. Investing time into yourself to relearn who you are is really impor tant. Push yourself to do things on your own, such as going for coffee or going on a solo-shop ping trip. Forcing yourself to do things alone that you used to do with your partner will give you a new confidence and independence. I would also recommend starting a new hobby or activity. Investing time into learning something new will not only distract you from your breakup, but also give you an oppertunity to spend time on something that your partner was never involved in. Which will give you the chance for a 'fresh start' feeling. Being single

Abi Ogden - Blind Date and Agony Aunt Co-ordinator

Image Source: Canva, Pixabay

My relationship with male validation

Callum Borkowski

One of our writers discusses the complex relationship with male validation as a gay man...

Male validation is something that seems to govern the actions and attitudes of many people. Whereby someone’s self-worth and fulfilment, will solely be based on their desire for seeking the approval of men. The validation from a male can therefore replace one’s own personal sense of appraisal as they will begin to look at themselves through the ‘male gaze’ and manufacture themselves into becoming what a man wants Personally, my relationship with male validation revolves around not fitting the stereotypical expectation of being a man who is masculine. As a feminine presenting man, I am antithetical to the societal norm. Although freedom of expression is championed in contemporary society, toxic masculinity is still somewhat persistent and therefore can create attitudes that view feminine men as weak and shameful. This has led to a struggle in trying to have the courage to authentically portray myself.

“You should never sacrifice your integrity for validation..."

There are moments when I struggle to validate my own feminine appearance as a man. This challenge is amplified by how trying to enforce a

traditionally masculine appearance upon myself can incur a greater lack of self-validation as I would not be expressing myself in a manner that makes me happy.

“My relationship with male validation can transpire into many different aspects of my personal life, friendships, and relationships."

My insecurities surrounding male validation have been heightened by the difficulty I have had making straight male friends.

Before I can even try and befriend a man, he can analyse my appearance and because I do not look like the other guys around me it can be difficult to develop a friendship. However, the issue of trying to gain the male validation from a guy within a friendship context extends into the differences surrounding interests and sexuality. Although, with these experiences comes the retrospective that if I was desperately trying to fit into a male social circle by changing myself then I would be validating their apprehensive attitudes. Yet, it is more important to have an awareness that opportunities for male validation are not always sincere and genuine. You should never sacrifice your integrity for validation . The complication of male validation is also prominent within a dating context, as I can be quick to make assumptions that I will not be someone’s type. This stems from the common

preferences of gay guys being that they usually want to date a more masculine guy. Consequently, it can manifest doubts over having to submit to any opportunity for male validation. Overall, my relationship with male validation can transpire into many different aspects of my personal life, friendships, and relationships.

How love is celebrated around the world

Explore how different cultures express their love throughout the Valentine's season...

Valentine’s Day! Who doesn’t love the sweetest holiday around? Well, probably most single people, but the thought is there. There are lots of ideas of what makes the best Valentine's date, such as a beautiful bunch of flowers, a candlelight dinner, or even a game of mini golf, but there is so much more out there in the world that we are yet to uncover or even try.

Let's look at Brazil, their version of Valentine's is called Dia dos Namorados, and it even sounds romantic. Instead of celebrating on the classic date of the 14th of February, this celebration is actually in June on the 12th which is the eve of the feast of St Anthony who is the patron saint of marriage, an appropriate date for the celebration of love I would say. The Brazilian date still celebrates the traditional way with gifts and romantic dates with their partner.

“This country celebrates 'The Day of Love' as opposed to Valentine's Day on the first of May.”

Heading over to the Czech Republic, this country celebrates ‘The Day of Love’ as opposed to Valentine's Day on the first of May. The traditional way

of spending ‘The Day of Love’ for those in this country would be for couples to visit the statue of Czech poet Karel Hynek Macha located near a cherry tree grove and kiss underneath as a sign of good luck- I think Britain could do with stepping their game up to be honest.

“...heading over to the Philippines ... they host a huge marriage ceremony so hundreds of those in love can tie the knot...”

We all know that the most common symbol of romance and Valentine's Day is the heart, right?

Well, if you’re bored of seeing that everywhere your best bet is to head over to Germany. In this country, the tradition is all about pigs. You heard that right pigs! German couples will often give gifts in the shape of a pig, it is supposed to be a symbol of both love and lust.

A very bold show of affection comes from South Africa where, on the 15th of February in honour of the Roman festival Lupercalia, women will quite literally wear their heart on their sleeves as they pin the name of their loved one onto their sleeve! In my opinion, I saved one of the best till last. When heading over to the Philippines the government has got you covered, they host a huge marriage ceremony so hundreds of those in love can tie the knot, what better way to show your love than getting married in a room full of hundreds of strangers

Loveorhate:our thoughts on Valentine's Day

Rosie McKenna, Jess Hughes and Emma Stephenson - Relationship Sub-Editors

Rosie: I think Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to reignite sparks in your relationship and friendships. However, I think people should be cautious to the fact that companies are trying exploit your love interests so that you spend money on junk you don't really need. I'd much rather make my loved ones a homemade card with a home cooked meal!

Jess: Valentine's Day is a great chance to appreciate your loved ones! Whether that may be your friends, family or partner it is the perfect time to practise gratitude. It's important to remember that Valentine's Day is not just limited to romantic love.

Emma: I love to love, but Valentine's Day can feel like a commercial obligation. The act of loving someone everyday, in my opinion, is enough for me. I much prefer to spend quality time with the people I love and value rather than buying them gifts they may not use. Yet, Valentine's Day can be the perfect reminder to us all to focus on the relationships in our lives.

Handmade Valentine's gifts - cute or cheap?

Mia Wijayatilleke - Fashion Sub-Editor

Are DIY gifts more meaningful than storebought?

Amid the gift-buying buzz of early February, opting for a handmade Valentine’s gift may seem like the perfect solution to avoiding meaningless memorabilia and climbing expenses. Whilst handmade gifts hold the potential for a true show of love, where do we draw the line between sentimental crafts and a cheap cop-out?

Handmade gifts are a good option for partners who seem to have everything they want already. Making a gift instead of buying something for the sake of gift-giving is a great way to save money, as well as add a sweet, personal spin on your Valentine’s present. Some classic examples include handwritten love letters, photo collages, or paintings.

When a gift is handmade, it will most likely have taken time. Investing your labour and creativity into a project for your partner is a clear demonstration of your love - a concept which is most definitely cute, not cheap. However, to avoid looking cheap when choosing the handmade route, you will have to make sure that you do invest real time and effort into the gift.

One way to ensure this is by gifting some store-bought goodies as well as your handmade masterpiece. These do not have to be expensive but really help to elevate the presentation of your gift and highlight that you have put lots of thought in. Presenting your carefully-written, hand-painted love letter along with some chocolates or flowers will save you from potential disappointment when your partner gives you a wrapped gift, and in exchange you give them what looks like

a single piece of paper.

When a gift is handmade, it will most likely have taken time. Investing your labour and creativity into a project for your partner is a clear demonstration of your love - a concept which is most definitely cute, not cheap.

Think about places, songs, or memories that are special to you both as a starting point for your handmade gift. You could create a map of places you’ve been on dates to using collages or your own illustrations, or print a photo of yourselves over the album cover of a song that you both love. Consider what you love about your partner and put this into words - either in a conventional love letter or card, or in creative ways like decorating a pack of cards to tell them ‘52 things I love about you’. If you need some inspiration, Pinterest and TikTok are good places to look!

Therefore, when made with genuine thoughtfulness and effort, handmade gifts are not cheap as they hold value in their sentimentality.

Isla Cordes

Image Source: Pixabay, Arkidyo & Ronhvass

Image Source: Med Ahabchane,

Image Source: ronhvass, Pixabay

Image Source: Unsplash, Gaël Gaborel

Carry on strutting: a love letter to my younger self

Cory Gourley - TV Sub-Editor

First and foremost your skin won’t have cleared up by the time you reach the age of twenty but that’s ok, we still have twenty-five- so fingers crossed! Oh and also stop trying to draw eyebrows on with a sharpie, they will grow into luscious slugs by the time you’re sixteen. Carry on strutting around in your leather jacket and raspberry beret, they will still laugh and stare but in time they will smile and appreciate your individual streak, your boldness. The things that once made you question yourself, will be the things that people end up loving about you. Carry on pretending to be an X Factor Judge on a Saturday Night, Carry on pretending to be a This Morning presenter during the school holidays and an EastEnders character of a night time- it’s fun, pure and simple, it’s fun and you will need lots of that to get you through what’s to come, what people say and do, who you will love and who you will lose.

So, carry on screaming ‘get out of my pub’ in the playground and carry on pretending you’re doing the Waltz in front of Alesha Dixon and Craig Revel-Horwood at lunchtimes instead of playing football and joining in with Top Trumps- it will build your character, a character that will become hard for others to break.

Not to go all morbid but, as I have already said get ready for loss not necessarily death but loss in all different forms. This world you see before you, Granny knitting in front of re-runs of Brookside as Grandad makes corned beef and pickle on toast, your ‘perfect’ family of four on Christmas day playing guess who and watching Christmas editions of The Royle Family, with buckets of quality street will not last forever, it’s all temporary, so enjoy it, enjoy that feeling of security, of eternal safety that is created for you because one day you will have to create that safety net for yourself.

“Hold your grandparents that little longer, that little tighterthey will make up most of who you are.”

So, with that in mind I know you hate hugs and affection, it’s still something we are trying to deal with but try and carry on holding your loved ones that little longer, your mum, aunt, uncle, cousin’s and make sure your arms stretch, as there will be new people who come into your life, into your family that you will love and want to smother with love. You will not have to worry about mum, she will not be alone forever, she will find someone who makes her happy and in return makes you happy too. You will have incredible friends and

A budget conscious Valentine's in Newcastle!

Tiahna Fox

The best budget-friendly gifts and activities to surprise your partner with in the Toon...

Valentine’s Day does not need to break the bank, especially on the student budget. Here are some budget-friendly gifts for the special people in your life.

1. Handwritten letter: It may sound cliché, but you can’t go wrong with a thoughtful letter to express your love through words of affirmation.

2. Hand-made:

DIYs are the perfect way to keep gifts affordable and personal. How about a zine, scrapbook, collage, origami, pop-up card, or crochet? The list is endless, and Pinterest is your best friend

3. Super-market dine in deals: Places like M&S and Tesco offer starters, mains, desserts and drinks at a deal price. Perfect for a night in and it adds some fun by doing rock-paper-scissors for who chooses what.

4. Make use of your student discount!

Many places offer 10% or more which is perfect when buying gifts! And you can’t go wrong with a card, some chocolates, and flowers

Or, maybe you're wanting to surprise your partner with a fun but cheap activity around the Toon. If so, look no further. Here is a list of local spots for Valentine’s Day.

1. Tyneside Cinema: Celebrate with your beau or gals and check out their screening of Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, on screen from the 13th-19th of February.

2. Take them on an adventure!:

Depending on the weather the Jesmond Dene, Whitley Bay, Heaton Park, Big Waters Nature Reserve and Long Sands Beach are all beautiful places to take someone, combined with a picnic, makes for a romantic trip out.

3. NQ64:

This arcade bar has something for everyone, with game-themed cocktails and retro arcade machines. Have a dance off and enjoy their student discount!

4. Junkyard Golf: Enjoy three different exciting golf courses while sipping specialty cocktails at a reasonable price.

5. ATG Theatre: Hop on a metro to Sunderland and go to the theatre with their student tickets discounted at £25!

6.Babucho:

Despite the restaurant’s sophisticated atmosphere, the food and drink prices are surprisingly affordable with £5 cocktails.

7. Museum and Galleries:

Check out the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, the Life Centre, and the Great North Museum. Whilst a change of pace from usual date spots, it is nice to get out to learn and see new things together.

8. Don’t forget the power of a date night at home: Surprise them with a cooked meal, flowers, and their favourite movie – acts of service and quality time can go a long way.

people who you treasure and care about, you will have people who help provide your life with meaning and love.

But hold your grandparents that little longer, that little tighter- they will make up most of who you are. Take every cuppa soup granny gives you, every pair of white sports socks she buys you (even though you hate them).

Treasure every holiday down to Yarmouth with them, inhale that smell of damp in the chalet, the smell of wet dog and snakebite and black that lingers round the clubhouse and every dribble of Turkish delight ice cream that granny devours. Enjoy walking up that bleeding market day in day out, feel every wrinkle on her hand as you walk down the pier with a poke of chips on your first night there. It will all be ancient history before you know it.

Listen to every Bob Dylan and Lou Reed track that Grandad tells you to listen to as one day you will quite like it after all. From Halloween Parade and Dirty Blvd to Desolation Row and Subterranean Homesick Blues, listen to every single word as they will all appear on your Spotify wrapped one day (you also don’t know what that is but believe me it’s not worth the hype!)

Carry on writing them scripts on the sofa, they may just win you an award someday (wink wink).

Don’t cry when you look around this concrete jungle, or feel worthless when you stare at the tower blocks across from our little maisonette’s porch, or shake when the car breaks down or there’s no money for petrol or the electricity goes out because

one day all them worries will go away. You will find yourself free in the bohemian, eclectic, beautiful city of Newcastle. Born in the East Midlands, raised for a time in West Lothian and made in the North East.

“The thing that once made you question yourself, will be the things that people end up loving about you.”

Finally, as cliche as it sounds, be kind to yourself, it’s not easy out there. Remember that every experience you go through is merely just a learning curve, a hurdle to add to your character profile. Oh, and I promise, it will give you something great to write about in Uni seminars in ten years time no matter what.

So as we part ways, remember, be kind, embrace every negative as a positive, be flamboyant, be loud, be creative, be weird and be strange because that’s being you.

With Love, Cory Gourley

A singleton's guide to surviving Valentine's Day

Hyper-aware that you're single this love season? Here is your go to guide on managing...

It happens to more of us than you might expect – you’re ploughing through the hellscape that is midFebruary, counting down the days for spring to arrive, and all of a sudden your friends are going on lavish dates and showing off their presents on social media, reminding you how chronically single you are.

But Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be another February hardship to be endured. Instead, it can be a chance to reflect on your relationship with yourself, or at least a good excuse to treat yourself.

You’re not alone

According to Statista, a whopping 42% of Brits aged between 18 and 29 are single. When there are so many of your friends posting rose bouquets and romantic picture collages to Instagram it can be easy to forget that being single in your 20s is really not that unusual. Keep in touch with your fellow singletons this Valentine’s Day and get an idea of how they’re feeling. It can be reassuring to know that you’re not the only one feeling left out of the party. Embrace your freedom

time and freedom to do whatever you want. Feel like spending an entire morning sipping a hot drink at Olive & Bean? You can do that. Feel like going to bed and reading a book at 8pm? You can do that too. Embrace your freedom whilst you have it – when you do find your partner, you may end up missing it.

Avoid comparisons

Books and movies tell us that romance is wonderful and exciting, but being single can be just as fun. Not having a partner to please gives you

When you see happy couples on your feed this Valentine’s Day, be careful not to be fooled into assuming their lives are happier than yours. Romance can be fulfilling, but it can also be incredibly messy, stressful and painful. You can never really know what someone else is going through, so it’s best to avoid any comparison in the first place and focus on making your own life as content as it can be.

It’s all a scam anyway St. Valentine’s Day was once a feast day honouring an ancient Christian martyr, but is anyone really thinking about that when 14 February rolls around? No, because in the 2000-odd years since then Valentine’s Day has transformed into a heavily commercialised festival, co-opted from its religious beginnings by company CEOs hoping to squeeze as much money out of you as possible. Ask yourself: is this really something worth participating in anyway?

You’ve got more important things to think about, namely your Olive & Bean beverage order.

Bertie Kirkwood - Music Sub-Editor

Image Source: Pixabay, andsproject

Image Source: Pixabay

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What are Newcastle's best supermarkets for students?

Adam Lovegrove - Head of Culture

Tossing up saving your pennies or your legs?

For almost every Newcastle university student, there are three things on their mind more than anything else: what they’ll wear to university that day, where they’ll go out that night, and where they’ll do their food shop. Oh, and studying is important too, I guess. As a third year student who’s shopped in nearly every spot in the city, these are my top supermarkets in Newcastle, for everything from weekly food shops to picking up little things throughout the week.

Aldi, Gateshead, NE8 3LG

Gateshead can sound like a serious trek at first, but thanks to the Metro you can get there from Haymarket in less than ten minutes. After a short walk from Gateshead Stadium, you navigate layout and cheap prices, it’s a great spot for students looking to do a weekly food shop on a budget, offering both great variety and taste for

less. The only problem is that getting the train can feel like a hassle, but with journeys only costing £1 with a Pop Card, you’ll most likely save more on your shopping than you spend on travel.

NUSU Co-op, NE1 8QB

We’ve all been there before. You’ve got lectures and seminars dotted about from 9am-5pm, and don’t have the time to head home or to the shops inbetween. The NUSU Co-op may not be the best place for bigger shops due to its small size and lack of variety. But if you’re in a hurry and in need of either a quick lunch or just a couple of bits, the convenience of it is spectacular. I’ve bought more meal deals from here in my three years than I’m proud to admit, as it’s one of the best offers out there. The Co-op app is what truly seals the deal, offering you discounts on so many products and two exclusive offers a week to save on your shop.

Tesco Express, Percy Street, NE1 4PW

A ‘best supermarkets’ list wouldn’t be complete without Tesco. They’re the biggest chain of shops in the UK by a mile, first popping up long before Dixie Dean was scoring goals for Everton. There’s a fair few options to pick from here, but my go-to has always been the one opposite Eldon Garden. It’s in a very convenient spot, as it’s around the

corner from the centre of campus and only a few minutes’ walk from St. James’ Park. And with it being open until midnight, every night, it’s the perfect place to grab some ingredients for some late-night cooking (or to pick up some booze before a night out).

Sainsbury’s Local, Jesmond, NE2 3HQ Ok, this one might expose a gap in my knowledge here. I’ve admittedly never lived in Jesmond, and so I’ve never had to do much of my shopping there. But considering it’s the top-rated living spot for students in Newcastle, I felt it was only right to include at least one shop in the area. The Sainsbury’s by West Jesmond station is the one I’ve used the most, and although I doubt many people are getting all their meals for the month from here, it’s a decent option thanks to it’s easy accessibility and 11pm closing time. It was either this or Waitrose, and I doubt many of us can actually afford to do our shopping there.

Ranking Newcastle's five most popular student neighbourhoods

A guide to help you choose where to live...

Newcastle is a relatively small city with a strong local identity, uniform Victorian homes, and a thriving social scene. That is not to say, however, that choosing where to live boils down simply to walking distance to uni. Newcastle’s student population has helped to foster distinct cultures within different neighbourhoods and areas, contributing to Newcastle’s rich cultural tapestry.

5. Gosforth Gosforth is a quieter area, a vibrant community with less focus on nightlife, but still plenty to do between its parks, pool, rugby clubs, its high street, and pubs. It has a diverse demographic; you’ll meet families and professionals as well as students. Student housing is accessible and on the cheaper side, with properties available through typical agents such as Rightmove, but also through the university itself, who own Bowsden Court, with rooms for single people and flats for families. You can take a pretty straightforward route across the Town Moor to walk to uni, but this could take around 45 minutes. If you live close to Ilford Road or South Gosforth metro stations, public transport is easy to access, but it’s easy to get stuck in Gosforth without a car, which is something to bear

students, or students who want a quieter area and don’t mind more of a commute.

“Jesmond is Newcastle’s quintessential student neighbourhood... it's its own microcosm of culture and style...”

4. The city centre

Many students will live in the city centre as freshers, with most accomodation centring on proximity to nightlife and the exciting events on in town. Whether you enjoy clubbing, the theatre, shopping, or spend your life in the library, you have a wide range of options in the city centre. You are guaranteed to be walking distance to just about everything - uni, shops, clubs, pubs, gyms. That being said, as with any city centre, you pay a fortune per square metre. You’ll save a fortune moving further afield in second year, or double your floor space.

3. Jesmond

Jesmond is Newcastle’s quintessential student neighbourhood. It’s the subject of countless social media posts (see @jesmondunfiltered on TikTok), has its own microcosm of culture and style, and attracts like-minded students who love the feel of the suburb, and everything there is to do there. From Jesmond, you could walk or use Newcastle’s metro to get around the city with ease, but you hardly feel like you’re in a city when you’re there. You’ll find plenty of trendy stuff to do, from shopping at Oliver Bonas to reformer pilates. Osborne Road is a vibrant hub of nightlife, and you’re surrounded by other students, guaranteeing you a busy night out any night of the week. Unfortunately, though, there is some tension with non-student residents, and there are perceptions of elitism from some students, as Jesmond becomes increasingly inaccessible to lower-income students who can’t afford the ever-increasing rent.

2. Sandyford

less than a ten minute walk into Jesmond itself, and is close to Heaton, Ouseburn, Shieldfield, and the Quayside. While you can easily walk into town, you’re on the doorstep of some of Newcastle’s most iconic restaurants and cafes, like Aiden’s Kitchen, a Sandyford staple. You’re a stone’s throw from great pubs, like Cog and Wheel, and from a bar crawl in Ouseburn, with a vibrant cultural scene perfect for fans of live music. There’s plenty of parking, with some streets being free, which you’ll be glad for if you ever need to do a big shop; unfortunately, Sandyford leaves you reliant on public transport or driving to get to a shop bigger than Spar can provide, unless you have hands of steel and can make the walk back from Byker Morrisons.

1. Heaton

Heaton is up-and-coming, but has a strong foundation; you won’t find a Starbucks in Heaton, but many local cafes and coffee shops. This reflects Heaton’s identity - individual, small-business focused, and completely unique. Whether you want to go vintage shopping, grab a coffee, pick up some freshly baked bread, sit down for tea, or grab a burger to go, Heaton has plenty of options for any activity. There’s a huge expanse of green space in Heaton Park, or plenty of places to stop off if you stroll through the suburb itself. Best of all, it’s one of Newcastle’s cheapest areas to live. North Heaton might leave you reliant on public transport, but there are plenty of metro and bus stops that bring you directly to the city centre and uni. Life in Heaton is never boring, but don’t take it from me, take it from the Times, who ranked

Why do we pay such high train fares?

Katy Woods

There are a lot of factors that go into your overpriced ticket...

Did travelling back to university take a big chunk out of the student loan this semester?

Travelling to Manchester and back without a railcard can cost almost £100 pounds, and that’s at off peak times. It’s even worse if you want (or need) to make your way further south; today, it can cost you almost £400 pounds for a return ticket from Manchester to London, first class. That’s nearly three times as much as it would’ve cost thirty years ago: a first class return ticket from Manchester to London in 1995 would have cost £134.

On the 2nd of March 2025, train fares in the UK will rise by 4.6%, and most rail cards will increase in price by £5. While 45% of train fares are regulated by the UK government, the rest belong to the private companies who own rail companies, meaning the UK public have very little say in the matter.

"The rest belong to private companies, meaning the UK public have very little say in the matter. "

Many may blame these prices on inflation. “Everything has gone up in price! The value of money was different back then!”. However, in thirty years, the price of a train ticket has increased at up to three times the rate of inflation. But why? The prices of train fares have simply been out of government and public control, since the late 1990s when train companies were privatised. Since then, the worsening weather, rising cost of infrastructure and even Covid-19 have all contributed to the rising costs of train fares.

The worsening weather, attributed to global warming, means that train lines have more breakages and require extra maintenance. Train fares then go up to fund this required maintenance. Reports also read that the lack of revenue due to the stay-at-home orders of 2020 means that ticket prices after this were increased, to make up for lost revenue.

So next time you’re on your way home, try not to think about the global warming and pandemics which make travel so expensive. If there’s one thing that may comfort you, at least there’s a 67% chance your train will arrive on time! And doesn’t that just make all the money worth it?

Sandyford is Jesmond’s cheaper little sister. It’s

Ruby Tiplady - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Image source: Chabe01, Wikimedia Commons

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Image source: Alisa Anton, Stocksnap

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Will the "pub over club" mindset help sober students?

Rowanne Holmes

If you've cut down on drinking, your social life doesn't need to radically change...

Dry January is bigger than ever, with even the most unlikely avid Wednesday social-goers turning down the drink. Since Gen-Z is already supposedly the most sober generation yet, it's no surprise the “pub over club” mindset is becoming more popular than ever. But with February now in full swing, both chilled-out pub nights and an eagerness to get back to clubbing call.

Whatever reason for your sobriety, the pub offers its own set of benefits creating a more idyllic experience for those staying off the booze. Some aspects of clubbing - getting ready with the hum of your favourite music in the background, trying to down enough alcohol to make up for the lack of jacket - will be missed, but you can still enjoy the excitement of going to the pub with friends by listening to your favourite tunes while picking out a warmer outfit, so you can enjoy Newcastle's nightlife without shivering in queues.

There is nothing worse than that familiar feeling of waking up to check your bank account and finding you might have to take out a small loan to see you through until SFE cough up. With pub drinks already landing cheaper than the club, a sober night out saves you even more money - plus, no one notices the difference between a half of

Pepsi and one with vodka for double the price. If you’re looking for a fresh scene to trial a sober pub night out, Ouseburn has plenty to offer, with an array of pubs along the riverside, ranging from the picturesquely set Tyne Bar, with cozy fairy lights right beside the water, to Billy Bootleggers with live music a little further up the river. The welcoming atmosphere of the pubs dotted along the Ouseburn river have a less daunting experience of sober pub-going than others, like the disco floor of The Mile Castle. A relaxed pub night allows you to sit back and gossip with friends without having to try to keep up dancing with your mate, who might’ve had one too many 3-for-10 Jägerbombs. Don’t get me wrong, some of us might be able to stomach a clubbing atmosphere stone cold sober, but the barging of stumbling, sweaty clubgoers can even the drunkest fed up, so try a new pub!

The crisis of pant poverty

Lila Cooksley

The organisation helping women through difficult periods...

For many women, putting on clean underwear is just part of the daily routine- something so simple, we rarely think twice about. But for an estimated 500 million women across the world, access to underwear is a luxury, not a given.

Let’s Get our Knickers in a Twist (LGOKIAT) is a female-led non-profit organisation tackling this overlooked issue by providing brand-new underwear to women in need.

Pant poverty is a silent crisis affecting many vulnerable women who have been victims of addiction, homelessness, and abuse, who are involved in sex work, and who have been in contact with the criminal justice system. While second-hand clothing is widely donated, underwear cannot be reused or resold for hygiene reasons. This creates a serious accessibility gap, leaving many women without this most basic necessity.

comfort, and self-expression. Different types of underwear can be empowering to different people, and specific occasions often various styles. A fresh pair of underwear isn’t just fabric; it’s a step towards restoring confidence and normality in the lives of those who have faced unimaginable challenges.

LGOKIAT is more than just a donation-based organisation; it’s a movement fostering community, empowerment, and solidarity. They bring together women and marginalised genders who are passionate about making a difference, creating a space where volunteers and fundraisers can share their stories, discuss women’s issues, and celebrate femininity in a safe and supportive environment.

The lack of clean underwear is more than just an inconvenience - it’s a crisis that affects women’s health, confidence, and dignity. Firstly, it’s a hygiene issue. Without access to fresh underwear, women are at higher risk of infections, poor hygiene, and gynecological health issues. The discomfort and health complications that arise from wearing old, unwashed, or no underwear at all can be serious. Pant poverty also comes hand in hand with period poverty. Many menstrual products require underwear to be utilised effectively and without this access to underwear both pant and period poverty persists. This often leads to an alarming lack of attendance at school or work.

Spring has almost sprung: Newcastle's best walking routes to make the most of the weather

Millie Smith

Whether you're a seasoned hiker or only walk to the corner shop, we have a route for you...

In Newcastle, we are so fortunate to be surrounded by picturesque countryside, beautiful coastline and famous landmarks that can make for a lovely day out. Whether it’s a solo walk to clear your mind, a good excuse to meet up with friends and do some fun exercise, or a more advanced hike through the great outdoors, there are so many great walking routes available to us right on our doorstep.

If you are looking for the perfect circular route to explore Newcastle’s best sights, the loop beginning at Newcastle Castle, which is accessible by public transport, and ends at the Town Moor, is perfect. It takes you past views like the River Tyne and Jesmond Dene Falls, as well as iconic architecture such as The Millennium Bridge. This route is roughly 7 miles long and is classed as an intermediate hike so be prepared!  Fancy a more coastal route? This 8.2 mile hike beginning at Monkseaton takes you through Whitley Bay, where there are plenty of places to stop for a coffee or an ice cream (depending on the weather). You’ll come across

a great view of Curry’s Point and Seaton Sluice, and end on a calming stroll through Holywell Dene which is a great option on its own if you’re looking for a slightly shorter walk. Holywell Dene is both family and dog friendly and a great choice for all fitness levels, with easy to follow paths and a chippy halfway around, The Harbour View; it’s perfect for a weekend adventure this Spring.

A great Instagram account to take inspiration from is @geordieramblers, who share outdoor hikes and adventures in the North East. There is also access to an online walking group called ‘Tyne to Summit’ which is a perfect opportunity to meet likeminded people that share your love

Through a variety of impactful fundraising efforts, LGOKIAT ensures that the act of giving is as empowering for the donors as it is for its recipients. These events range from small gatherings with friends to larger functions and school or university fundraisers.  By collecting donations of new underwear or financial contributions to purchase them, it creates a sustainable cycle of support, uplifting both those who give and those who receive. Underwear may seem like a small thing, but for women facing hardship, it’s a vital step towards reclaiming dignity and security. Clean underwear is not just about hygiene- it’s about self-worth, comfort, and the right to feel valued.

LGOKIAT offer a variety of styles, recognising that all women deserve choice,

By raising awareness about pant poverty, and ensuring women have access to highquality, stylish underwear, LGOKIAT is proving that every woman, regardless of her circumstances, deserves to feel confident and respected. Through this mission, LGOKIAT empowers women, one pair at a time.

Hobby Hub: Horse Riding

Sasha Cowie

One of our equestrian writers tells all about the hobby that became her way of life...

For as long as I can remember, horse riding has been more than just a hobby—it has been my sport, my passion, and a huge part of my identity. From the age of three, I’ve spent countless hours in the saddle, forming deep bonds with horses and immersing myself in a world that has shaped me in ways I never imagined. Since starting university, I’ve had to take a step back from riding, and it’s only made me realise how much I miss it. Everything changed when I was thirteen and got Smartie, a sassy little mare who became the turning point in my riding career. She wasn’t just a pony—she was my partner, my teacher, and the one who took me from an inexperienced rider to a serious competitor. With her, I started pushing myself further, learning what it truly meant to compete. When I turned fifteen, I decided focus on show jumping since the type of riding I enjoyed the adrenaline, the precision, the between my horse and I was like nothing else.

"The biggest privilege I have had has been creating a relationship with each of my horses."

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of competing all over the UK, reaching international level, competing for my county and region, winning national titles and experiencing all the highs and lows of the sport. But the biggest privilege I have had has been creating a relationship with each of my horses. Having owned nine different horses over my riding career and producing one of them

myself, I have had the privilege of having a true connection with each of them. To myself and riders across the world, horses are not just animals we ride or our partners in the sport; they truly are our best friends; we trust them with our lives, and they trust us with theirs. None of this would have been possible without my parents. My dad has always been my biggest supporter, standing by me through every triumph and setback. My mum, however, is the reason I even got the chance to chase my dreams. She was the one driving me to training and competitions, tacking up horses, grooming them, caring for them (and me), and making sure everything ran smoothly. She funded the competitions, the training, and everything else that made my success possible. I truly owe it all to my

Most recently, I’ve had two incredible horses: Doris, a mare I broke in and trained myself, is now competing at 1m10 and proving be an incredible young mare with so potential, and Lady, a talented but demanding horse who needed more than I could provide while balancing university. I made the tough decision to sell her to a home where she could thrive, and she is truly having the best time with her new owner.

Stepping away from riding has been hard, but it’s also made me appreciate it more. There’s no feeling quite like riding, and nothing can ever match the adrenaline rush I experience when sitting on a horse. Riding gives me a sense of freedom I haven’t found anywhere else, and without it, there’s been a huge gap in my life. This time away has only reinforced that horse riding isn’t just something I do—it’s who I am. Whether I’m competing or just spending time with horses, I know I’ll always find my way back to the sport that has given me so much and made me the person I am today.

Image Source: ClkerFree-Vector-Images, Pixabay

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Image Source: Pickpik

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Sub-Editors: Agnes Kargbo, Trinity Eadie, and Mia Wijayatilleke

Fashion & Beauty

Fashion in film: La La Land

Noelia Fernández Pérez - Sports Sub-Editor

A timeless piece not only for film but for fashion...

The 2016 film La La Land, directed by Damien Chazelle, captured audiences' hearts with its vibrant story of love and dreams in Los Angeles and made a lasting impression with its impeccable fashion.

The film’s costumes, designed by Mary Zophres, play an integral role in setting the tone of the story, blending classic Hollywood glamour with contemporary sensibilities. Through its colourful wardrobe choices, La La Land is a celebration of both vintage style and modern chic.

From the very first scene, La La Land exudes a sense of timelessness, especially in its fashion. The film's vibrant opening number, 'Another Day of Sun', features a dazzling parade of traffic-stopping outfits— think bright skirts, bold prints, and structured coats.

the Rain the glamour Grace Kelly, bright colours, and tailored suits Hollywood's golden age, transporting viewers to a dreamy, cinematic past.

“A visually stunning tribute to both Hollywood history and present-day

These clothes are reminiscent of classic movie musicals from the 1950s and 60s, like Singing in

Emma Stone, who plays aspiring actress Mia, channels this retro-glam vibe throughout the film. Her wardrobe evolves as character's journey unfolds, with simple yet elegant pieces that feel both aspirational and relatable. From the mustard yellow dress she wears on her first date with Sebastian, to the red gown she wears at the Oscars-inspired scene, Mia’s outfits highlight her growth

A Chanel dream: Sofia Coppola feat. Gracie Abrams

Rising popstar turned fashion icon?

The Chanel collection that combines the classy femininity of fashion and music. “@ sofiacoppola, you are a hero of mine.”

Over the past year, Gracie Abrams has become a fully-fledged popstar. Her opening act on Taylor Swift’s record-breaking Eras Tour, alongside her hit album The Secret of Us, has increased her monthly listenership to a staggering 51.2 million on Spotify, making her the 44th most listened to artist on the platform. Passing the likes of Hozier, Olivia Rodrigo, and Harry Styles, it is safe to say that Abrams is one of the more successful artists among her peers. Alongside her hit songs, including ‘I Love You, I’m Sorry’, ‘Close To You’, and ‘That’s So True’ –which appeared at number 6 on the Billboard Top 100 – Abrams has always seemed to have an eye for fashion. Her elegant and graceful style has consistently been popular among her fans, often wearing popular designers Dior, Miu Miu, and Prada in her magazine features. It is unsurprising that Abrams has now risen to fame in the fashion industry, as well as the music.

I was looking around and the room was full of girls in bows... it felt like a secret society

timeless pieces. On choosing Abrams for the campaign, she explained that the singer “has an elegance that’s rare for me today. To me, Chanel stands for elegance and culture.”

"I was looking around and the room was full of girls in bows... it felt like a secret society."

Incorporating Abram’s own style was an important aspect of the campaign. Known for the bows she wears while touring – which has become a concert staple for her fans –Coppola knew this must be incorporated into the photo shoot. When attending one of the singers’ concerts before the two met, Coppola

tribute to both Hollywood history and presentday fashion.

“The costumes offer a beautiful fusion of past and present.”

One of the most striking elements of the film's fashion is its use of colour. The costumes play a crucial role in setting the mood of each scene. Mia’s yellow dress in the opening number symbolizes hope and new beginnings, while her red gown at the film’s pivotal moment echoes passion and ambition.

The colour palette of the film—rich blues, reds, and yellows—mirrors the emotional highs and lows of the story, reinforcing the characters’ internal struggles and desires.

Fashion in La La Land is more than just a visual feast; it is an essential part of the film’s storytelling. The costumes offer a beautiful fusion of past and present, paying homage to Hollywood's classic glamour while also embracing modern-day sensibilities. Through its fashion, La La Land not only captures the essence of Los Angeles but also underscores the timeless allure of the city of dreams.

Rosé stuns as the face of this year's SKIMS

Valentine's Day collection

Zoe

Looking at the new SKIMS collection through Rosé-tinted glasses...

Skims has unveiled its highly anticipated 2025 Valentine’s-themed collection, and this year, the brand has taped none other than global pop sensation Rosé, from K-pop band BLACKPINK, as the face of the campaign

highlighted her reasoning for her special relationship to Valentine’s Day: “Valentine’s Day has always held a special place in my heart. Maybe it’s also because it’s only a few days after my birthday, it feels special to me, almost like a second round of a birthday. This collection captures that feeling with pieces that are both romantic and cute. I had an amazing time shooting this campaign, and I hope everyone feels as confident and beautiful in these pieces

Becoming a Chanel Ambassador in October of 2024, Abrams has finally made her debut with the brand – under esteemed director Sofia Coppola’s direction. Known most recently for her hit film Priscilla, during which Coppola told the often-ignored story of Priscilla Presley, who met her future husband Elvis at just 14 years old, Coppola took on Abrams for her next project. Having worked closely with Chanel since she interned with them at 15 years old, Coppola stated it was a “childhood dream,” of hers to direct a campaign

their

and

The collection, which dropped on January 23, embraces the projected theme of ‘classic romance’, featuring an array of heartprinted loungewear, velvet slip dresses, and lace-trimmed pyjamas, alluding to both comfort and allure.

“I hope everyone feels as confident and beautiful in these pieces as I did.”

Shot through the artistic lens of renowned photographer Carin Backoff, the imagery captures the effortless elegance and charm that has made the pop star a fashion icon as she flaunts the Sultry Velvet Lace Slip Dress, the Soft Lounge Hoodie and Boxer set, and the Romance Cami and Short Set.

When asked about the collaboration, Rosé

Rosé's partnership with Skims marks yet another milestone in what has been a record-breaking year for the K-pop star. Her debut solo album, Rosie, made history by soaring to no.3 on the Billboard 200- making it the highest charting album by any Korean female soloist. Furthermore, her collaboration with Bruno Mars on the hit single “APT” saw her become the first Korean female artist to break into the Billboard

The BLACKPINK star joins an illustrious list of past Skims ambassadors, including Charli XCX, Kim Cattrall, Ice Spice, PinkPantheress, SZA, and many more. With a stunning campaign that perfectly blends romance and modern femininity, Rosé’s collaboration with Skims proves to be a match made in fashion heaven.

Maddalena

Image Source: Wikimedia commons. David Lee

Image Sources: IMDb

showcasing

iconic

Melissa O'Reilly

Image Credit: Carin Backoff, SKIMS

Fashion & Beauty

Fashion's girls’ girl: the revival of girly fashion at Hollister

Evie Bateson

How Hollister has captivated Gen Z with its feminine rebrand..

Hollister is a girls' girl and we’re loving it. But how and why has the brand regrown in popularity in recent years, and what does this show about women’s fashion more broadly?

Known for their noughties fashion, Hollister, a sub-brand of Abercrombie & Fitch, has upped its game in recent years, with profits having more than tripled in 2023-24 versus the year prior. Through rebranding, capitalising on social media and aligning their product designs with long-term rather than disposable fashion trends, Hollister have affirmed themselves as one of the top 10 most popular fashion stores in the UK for Gen Z.

A key part of their rebrand is a shift in visuals, particularly in their clothing, but also in the brand’s stores.

Hollister are switching the dimly lit, labyrinthine store layouts which characterised them in the early 2000s to lighter, airy alternatives, tightening their brand image to reflect their beachy, Californian roots and improve customer experience.

seen successful transformations, it is the women’s section which captivates the most consumers, primarily due to its focus on soft, girly aesthetics and comfortable yet functional styles. Many of these items see pastel tones of pink, blue, yellow and cream to name a few, with intricate details such as lace, pointelle print and florals popular.

“The revival of girly fashion provides an antidote for those trapped in this inexpressive and restrictive minimalism.”

Whilst both the women's and men’s clothing have

Do you need to be fashionable to date?

Aarya Shenoy

Is fashion actually a factor when we’re looking to date? Honestly? Not really. In the long run, looks may fade and style may change - but your personality will stay the same.

Despite this, I will say that first impressions do matter. We’d all love to say that we choose to go on dates solely based on personality rather than looks, but that’s not entirely accurate. Appearance and fashion can say a lot about who you are and the type of person you may be. Speaking from a woman’s experience, we use fashion to infer a lot about the other person. I’ve been reliably informed that men seem to care less. It’s not really about what you wear, but how you wear it. There is a concept called ‘enclothed cognition’ which explains how clothing can affect our mindset and behaviour. Wearing clothes that make you feel confident means that naturally, that confidence will shine through, directly translating to our attitude and outlook. Finding your own style means you can be comfortable, confident and put-together when looking to date.

“The important thing is to wear what makes you feel confident.”

‘The Girlfriend Effect’ shows us that fashion doesn’t necessarily affect everyone’s decisions when choosing who to date. 'The Girlfriend Effect’ (the capital letters are deserved) is a social media trend wherein people claim that men become more fashionable and stylish after entering a romantic relationship due to their girlfriend's influence on their appearance. It shows us that when we look to date someone, we’re not too bothered about face value, but rather the person within – so conforming your style to social norms is not a requirement to date. There is, however, an exception: dressing to the style of the date. Going on a hike? Athletic wear is your best bet. Dinner date? Please do not show up in a tracksuit, I beg of you.

Trending on social media and in popular culture though artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Lana Del Rey and Madison Beer, the bow has also been consistently featured in Hollister’s clothing, aligning their pieces with the ideas of femininity and girlhood being revived in fashion and media. The brand’s presence on social media outlets like Instagram and TikTok have been pivotal in marketing these trends to their target audience, Gen Z. Channeling whimsical, soft femininity, Hollister’s rebrand reflects a broader, societal shift in women’s fashion and how media and culture interact with expressions of female identity.

Although women have for many years rejected ‘girly’ fashion trends for fear of being ridiculed, instead wanting to look sophisticated, controlled and attractive for the male gaze, the popularised revival of girly fashion as shown in Hollister’s resurgence provides an antidote for those trapped in this inexpressive and restrictive minimalism. By offering comfortable pieces which resonate with the female gaze, Hollister and other brands on this bandwagon are encouraging women to embrace their individual styles and sense of self, rather than trying to ‘fit’ into a societal mould of an ideal woman. Hopefully, this attitude to fashion and identity is not just a trend and continues to grow and evolve through the industry!

Are skinny jeans back in fashion?

Hannah Sexton

One of our writers discusses the potential return of this controversial garment...

Trend prediction:Jellycat bags

Charlotte Burley-Hnat - Head of Life and Style

These fluffy companions have already stolen our heartscould they be the next addition to our wardrobes?

n the fashion world, trends can emerge from the most unexpected places, and these must-have accessories prove that the cuddly can also be chic. Jellycat, the beloved brand known for its irresistibly soft plush toys, has expanded its reach beyond nurseries and gift shops - this time, straight into With its latest collection of plush bags and bag charms, Jellycat is making a bold (and adorable) statement in the accessory space. Jellycat has long been a staple for whimsical and luxurious plush toys, but their recent foray into accessories has fashion lovers and collectors alike taking notice. Their growing collection of tote bags, crossbody bags, backpacks, and keychain charms reimagine their signature cuddly creatures as wearable companions. From the classic Bashful Bunny to the cosy Amuseable Avocado, these soft and playful accessories are both practical and nostalgic, tapping into the ongoing trend of comfort and childhood-inspired fashion.

from fuzzy boots to oversized scarves - Jellycat’s soft and tactile accessories fit seamlessly into the current wave of texture-driven fashion trends.

“A plush bag or charm adds a whimsical touch without compromising on functionality.”

Why are Jellycat bags gaining traction? The answer lies in their unique blend of practicality and playfulness. As quiet luxury continues to dominate the fashion scene, many are searching for statement pieces that still feel personal and expressive. A plush bag or charm adds a whimsical touch without compromising on functionality, making it the perfect conversation-starting accessory. Plus, in an era where dopamine dressing is key, these cuddly companions bring an element of joy to everyday outfits.

Jellycat plush toys have already taken over social media, with collectors and content creators sharing their ever-growing “Jellycat families” across TikTok and Instagram. So, the transition from plush toys to wearable accessories feels like a natural next step, offering collectors a way to carry their favourite soft friends everywhere they go.

As fashion continues to blur the lines between functionality and fun, Jellycat’s accessories could be the next cult-favorite item. Whether worn as a bold statement piece or a subtle nod to childhood nostalgia, these plush bags and charms are proving that fashion doesn’t always have to take itself too seriously.

Lately, a number of questions surrounding the return of skinny jeans have been cropping up in the fashion community – and I’m not sure that was on anyone’s 2025 bingo card. Of course, 2017 me, whose Topshop Joni skinny jeans were an absolute staple and the only appropriate choice for a ‘Home Clothes Day’ at school, would probably be thrilled. However, with all resurging trends, it’s good to take a look at all the pros and cons before buying back into something that, just maybe, became ‘out’ for a reason. In an age where oversized clothes, and baggy jeans in particular, have become all the rage, one might wonder why on earth we’d resort to the torture again of squeezing ourselves into tight jeans again when clearly, we’ve all just come to appreciate the comfort, and edgier vibe of baggier clothing. I think this was also influenced by the COVID19 pandemic, which saw comfort become the biggest priority in fashion – skinny jeans became the first victim of everyone’s lockdown wardrobe clear-outs. Moreover, I personally think baggier jeans often just pair better with most outfits: despite factors such as height or shape, I generally think they frame the silhouette nicely on anyone.

“Autumn/ Winter '24 runway shows featured skinny jeans styled across a number of models, leaning heavily into the Y2K aesthetic.”

The important thing is to wear what makes you feel confident, and you’ll find the right person that is attracted to your outside and inside.

This January, model Irina Shayk was spotted sporting Jellycat's Smudge Rabbit Tote Bag whilst on a chic walk around NYC with her dog. The sighting quickly set social media and fashion news outlets abuzz, sparking speculation that Jellycat bags could be the next viral fashion statement. With celebrities and influencers already embracing the “plush-core” aesthetic - seen in everything

So, will Jellycat be the next brand to take over our wardrobes? If recent trends are anything to go by, these cuddly companions are well on their way.

However, that’s just my opinion! Turning to those with more authority in the fashion world, it’s clear that some designers, such as Miu Miu and Celine, don’t agree – their Autumn/Winter 24 runway shows featured skinny jeans styled across a number of models, leaning heavily into the aesthetic of Y2K and the early 2000s era. And I have to say, those models do look stunning – paired with large fur coats, knee high boots over the jeans, or even visions in double denim, these designers have shown that skinny jeans can look sophisticated and a bit ‘grunge’, at the same time. Similarly, it’s clear that for many celebrities, skinny jeans never left their wardrobe. I see paparazzi photos all the time of Gigi Hadid, or Kendall Jenner, running errands or grabbing coffee in their skinny jeans – and they do look good! That being said – can I ever fully get back on board the skinny jeans train? I’m not sure. Perhaps finding a pair in a charity shop and attempting to style them again might be the forward before buying back into a trend just for the sake of it. I guess we’ll see heading into Spring fashion!

Source: Unsplash, engin akyurt

Image Credits: Charlotte Burley-Hnat, Trinity Eadie

Image Sources: Pixabay, Johanna84 / Wikimedia Commons / Mia Wijayatelleke

Sub-Editors: Barbora Pacherova, Esther Arnold and Erin Matthews

Esther Arnold

Wylam Brewery's veggie fest! Foody Focus: Salparo

- Food and Drink Sub-Editor Aerin Harrison

Wylam Brewery's first Food Battle of the year packs a punch...

With the first of many muchloved Food Battles already blessing our tastebuds, 2025 has started off with a BANG! 44events brightens up Veganuary with Flower Power for its fifth annual festival, capturing the hearts of veggies, vegans and good 'ole' food lovers across Newcastle.

Curious about continuing your streak after Veganuary? Wylam Brewery presented some of the best and tastiest vegan street food options that Newcastle has to offer. Wylam hosts plenty of fests throughout the year, and with a beautiful venue, scenic lake view, and plenty of craft beer, it’s the perfect place to hang out and indulge in some tasty treats. Starting their ingenious concept of food battles in 2015, the creators have rallied the street-food entrepreneurs of Newcastle together, bringing scrumptious new dishes to delight the crowds. Though Battle of Burger was the flagship the team have expanded contests to the wild and wonderful, with Lord of the Wings and Slice Wars only a taste of what is to come this year. Searching for the best street-

food aficionados to be named victor, only one can be crowned, though this gastronomic grapple is certainly a friendly one.

Despite the storm trying to dampen the mood, sellers valiantly held on to their hats as they dished out their best takes on British classics and world cuisine. If you’re in need of some top-notch vegan street food recommendations, here’s the run-down on the unbelievable spread provided at Wylam’s all-vegan extravaganza.

We started out with vegan fish and chips from Saving Nemo, a gorgeous platter of piping hot chips, crispy battered tofu, and a mountain of mushy peas, sprinkled with salt and vinegar. The Durham-based street-food seller also makes climate-conscious decisions by recycling all their cooking oil. These nifty businesses don’t just aid the planet by steering clear of meat! Saving Nemo jumbo battered sausages, calamari rings, and all the vegan sauces your heart could desire, definitely worth a warming visit in this frosty spring

Our next pick was a gloriously indulgent pulled jackfruit birria taco, courtesy of Birria Bandits. This flavour bomb was served with a deeply flavourful consommé, fresh lemon, and open access to some seriously tasty hot sauces. Birria Bandits also offered a buffalo mushroom taco, as well as some mouthwatering brownies, alongside generous service with a smile, for a delicious display of

To follow up these hearty bites, we headed to Veganatomy, serving up unbelievably realistic vegan sushi with some amazing flavours. We opted

for the tempura sushi roll, packed with fresh and pickled veg, deep fried in a satisfyingly crispy tempura batter, and smothered with vegan teriyaki sauce and gochujang mayo. Offering such delights as vegan banh mi, generously loaded rice bowls, and all the sushi you can imagine, I highly recommend giving Veganatomy a try.

"Wylam Brewery’s Flower Power feast was an unforgettable celebration of vegan street food..."

The highlight of the night, in flavour, value, and vibes, was Scott & Wilson with their Mac Attack UFO burger – a perfectly succulent and extra thick Beyond Meat burger paired with an indulgently creamy mac 'n' cheese and a bright, tangy sweet chilli, all encapsulated in a satisfyingly soft yet perfectly crispy UFO style bun. Scott & Wilson offer a variety of super satiating beyond meat and chickn’ burgers for exceptionally reasonable prices, and their upbeat energy and sunny service is off the charts.

Wylam Brewery’s Flower Power feast was an unforgettable celebration of vegan street food, showcasing the unbeatable diversity and creativity of Newcastle’s ever-innovating vegan scene. Whether you’re continuing your Veganuary streak or simply seeking some flavourful vegan delights, start your exploration of plant-based scran with the mouthwatering offerings from these vegan venders and venues.

Sad you missed the first of the year? We would be too… but don’t worry! You can visit all these brilliant plant-based connoisseurs across Newcastle. Just give Flower Power a search and you can find the list of vendors on the 44events Facebook page.

Why do food shows take up so much TV time?

Whether it's hours of TikTok recipes or 'Is it cake?' episodes, why can't we stay away from foody content in the media?

In a generation that loves doom scrolling, we spend the most time looking at food content. Whether it is viewing countless reels about recipes to looking at food ASMR tiktoks and watching cooking shows, watching food being made has an almost hypnotic effect on people. But why is that? As a chef, people naturally assume that all I watch in terms of visual content is food videos and shows. Well, it’s true. But did I choose to become a chef because of Masterchef? Well, no, but also yes. We have all grown up watching food being made. Whether it’s at home, at a Subway or a shawarma shop, or even on TV, watching food being prepared is almost like viewing art in its most tactile form.

"We, as people, like chaos. And what better way to enjoy chaos, than to see someone have a meltdown..."

We are obsessed with seeing these chefs or creators turn random ingredients into something that looks so tantalising, we would probably give anything to be there at the tasting station. It’s almost magical, seeing this transformation happen right in front of our eyes. There are ways

where food reality TV plays out like an action thriller, but with moments of profound emotion (and sometimes stupidity) woven in. Nothing gives me more joy than sitting in my sweats, eating a bowl of instant ramen, and watching some poor sod completely mess up their gourmet dish on TV. It relates to my sense of inner hubris, thinking, “Oh, I could totally make that”, while I proceed to overcook my instant ramen (it happens!).

"...if we are not making the food, we are eating it, and when we are not eating it, we are watching it being

We, as people, like chaos. And what better way to enjoy chaos, than to see someone have a meltdown after their baked alaska didn't turn out right and throw it in the bin!

Shows like Masterchef, The Great British Bake Off, Hell’s Kitchen, to name a few, are the best versions of reality TV that can ever exist. Seeing food being made by these experts, while also seeing them at their most vulnerable, being so prone to mess up, makes them all

the more real to us. We like to see things may seem out of reach in our day-to-day lives, but seem so close that we can almost touch them through the TV screen.

The food business is one that can never go into recession, as our experiences as people are intrinsically tied to food. There is a reason why open kitchens and the concept of tableside cuisine exists, as if we are not making

Amy Marsh

Our first Foody Focus to kick off 2025 brings a taste of Greece as well as 25% off food all week with a valid student ID...

In the heart of the Quayside, Salparo is a charming Greek restaurant which offers a diverse array of vegetarian, meat and seafood sharing plates.

Dining here allows you to indulge in authentic Greek food without having to leave Newcastle, as if the front door transports you to the streets of Greece.

Arriving eagerly as the restaurant opened at 5pm, we were the first customers to be seated in the attractive interior, which filled up surprisingly quickly to create a lively atmosphere. We were excited to see bottles of Mythos on the drinks menu – the same lager that we drank lots of in Greece last summer. In fact, the majority of food and drinks served in Salparo are brought in directly from Greece, allowing authentic flavours to shine throughout your dining experience. Sipping on our Mythos, we pondered over what to choose from the extensive food menu.

"The chicken souvlaki skewers were grilled to perfection..."

Starting off strong with the classic yoghurtbased dip tzatziki, we enjoyed dipping triangles of freshly baked pita bread into this flavourful side dish. Salparo’s take on tzatziki was simple with perfectly balanced flavours: a creamy texture with garlicky undertones and grated cucumbers stirred through, served with a drizzle of olive oil.

Moving on to the vegetarian sharing dishes, we ordered zucchini balls: deep-fried balls of grated courgette mixed with spring onions and feta, served with a yogurt dill sauce. These topped the courgette balls we ate in Greece! We also ordered loukoumades feta: deep-fried which were crispy on the complimented by the melted inside. These feta parcels were a stand-out dish for us, as the honey drizzled on top added the perfect amount of sweetness to counteract the

considered akin to

The final two dishes were the showstoppers. The chicken souvlaki skewers were grilled to perfection, with the lemony acidity combining exquisitely with the charred taste of the grilled chicken. Finally, the prawn saganaki was delightful: prawns served in a rich tomato sauce, topped with

These dishes confirmed Salparo as one of our favourite restaurants in Newcastle- once you have been, it will be one of your favourites too!

To truly celebrate Salparo's delicious cuisine, they are generously providing 25% off on all food from the 17th to the 22nd of February.

Dhwani Masand

Jesson Mata, Unsplash

2025 Creative Careers

26th - 27th February

Interested in pursuing a music career, publishing your poetry or getting involved with our very own student media? Then creative careers is the week for you! There will be a variety of opportunities including workshops and panels delivered by professionals in their fields. If you're looking to get into the creative sector, then there's almost certainly something worth

Some of our special guests include visual artist Yunuen Perez, events company MARISAM and saxophonist Joe Reeve. As well as this, the week will be full of events hosted by professionals such as director Richard Johnstone, TalkSport writer Lewis Thompson and members of the Poetry Book Society. If any of this interests you, check out the schedule on page 24 and make sure not to miss out!

Image credits: Lucy Bower Zoe Panganiban, Adam Lovegrove. Victoria Wai, Erin Reid. Noelia Fernandez Perez, Charlotte Burley-Hnat

Image source: Unsplash

Creative Careers

"The arts should be for everyone" in conversation with Yunuen Perez

Adam Tibke - Head of Sport

For many, a career in theatre and the performing arts seems almost impenetrable. However, for Yunuen Perez, her humble beginnings proved no hinderance to her creative passion and ambition.

Born in Mexico City, and growing up in Puebla, Yunuen’s early life was characterised by a strong desire to “live overseas” and “see the world.” Her exploratory aspirations stemmed from a fascination with other cultures, something that would influence her later artistic work. Upon completing an undergraduate degree in Communication Sciences, Yunuen was offered a chance to study for a Master’s in Production Design at the Victorian College of the Arts at the University of Melbourne in Australia. Filled with wanderlust, Yun leapt at the opportunity and never looked back, spending the next seventeen years in Melbourne before coming to Newcastle. Theatre and the performing

arts have always been a significant part of Yunuen’s life. She can distinctly recall her first theatre experience at the age of four, remembering the show, the sets, the costuming, and the lighting. Yun was “so inspired by that world that [she] saw in front of [her],” So much so, that she “decided to join the play and jump onstage.” Yun’s first taste of performing was only brief, as she was escorted off the stage by an usher, but it sparked a passion that’s been burning ever since.

A lot of Yunuen’s creative work has focused on the “diversity, inclusion, and representation of the Latin American diaspora.” Despite Australia generally being described as a “melting pot of different cultures,” Yun felt as though her community was under-represented, something she has strived to remedy through her art and creative projects.

A lot of her earlier work reflected her experiences as a Latin American “migrant woman” moving to Australia. It was through this work that Yunuen found her niche in the industry: “rather than […] supporting others to tell their stories, I was telling my story and helping others in my community to tell their stories and take a space,” Yunuen explains.

One piece of work that Yunuen was particularly proud of was a photographic exhibition called Mextli: Mexican Goddesses, a visually

striking installation she worked on in collaboration with a Mexican cinematographer and old university friend Sissy Reyes. Working with her husband, Newcastle University academic Dr Antonio Gonzalez, another exhibition Yunuen developed was named Building Bridges: From Latin American Stories to Victorian History. It was about “highlighting our [community’s] contributions to the State of Victoria’s history, economy, and culture,” recalls Yunuen. After moving to Newcastle, Yunuen began working for Northern Stage as their Communities Manager. Reaching out to under-represented communities remains at the heart of her work, as she works with groups whose lives would benefit from a relationship with the performing arts. “The arts should be for everybody” as Yunuen puts it. When asked to offer some words of advice for anyone hoping to enter into a career in theatre and the performing arts, Yunuen simply answered “don’t be shy, ask for favours, and put yourself outside.” This straightforward mantra has permeated Yunuen’s career. From arriving in Australia not knowing anyone, to a chance encounter with a local actress, to working her way up the Melbourne Theatre Company, Yunuen’s ambition, determination, and confidence aided her in getting to where

she is today. Yunuen attributes her success to her own character, imploring people to not “shy [their] personality or where [they] come from.” Yunuen also stressed the importance of attending networking events and workshops. However, Yunuen acknowledged the difficulties of working in the industry in this day and age. A lot of theatres and performances spaces haven’t recovered since covid, so opportunities can be limited, especially outside of London. Nevertheless, Yunuen advises voluntary work as an alternative route to enter the performing arts: “start with an internship […] once you are in, it is likely that places won’t let you go” she says. Yun also notes that the administrative side of theatre is just as important as the creative side, so versatility and adaptability is important as you may have to compromise in the shortterm to bag your ideal role in the long-term. Currently,

Northern Stage are looking for two marketing students from Newcastle University to help them develop an audience engagement plan. Entering an industry like theatre and the performing arts isn’t easy, something Yunuen makes no effort to disguise. It takes hard work and a lot of patience. Yet, if you have the dedication and the drive, along with the confidence to pursue your ambitions, there is no reason why you won’t succeed. Yunuen’s career is a testament to those values and what can be achieved with a little bit of grit and a lot of determination.

Exploring Creative Careers with Alice Mullen and Megan Robson at the Poetry Book Society

Rosie McKenna - Relationships Sub-Editor

Alice and Megan will be attending the Creative Careers Day to speak about their professional journey into publishing, the skills needed to be successful in the industry and the career options available to students within the arts. Students can expect to feel inspired and informed about the job prospects available to them after attending this talk. In this article you can get a sneak preview of what to expect on the day!

Where did your creative career begin?

Megan: In my late teens and early twenties my career began in volunteering and internships for creative organisations and festivals. I did that for quite a few years before landing a paid role at Waterstones.

Alice: I went to a local state school then studied English Literature BA at Durham University. Over my summer holidays I worked at Seven Stories the Centre for Children’sBooks, and I got a real buzz from being in the book world. My first job after university was for 3 years with Waterstones. While working I did an internship with Bloodaxe Books, volunteered at Durham Book Festival and Oxford Literary Festival and took a short course at the Publishing Training Centre. However, I was not having any luck breaking into the publishing industry. So, I took a risk and quit my job and volunteered at Shakespeare and Company Festival in Paris. It was a risky strategy, but the

experience gave me an edge at my next interview, and I managed to get my first publishing job at a brilliant independent poetry publishers called Carcanet Press in Manchester. Over 6 years I worked my way up to Marketing and Events Manager and had lots of poetry adventures. In 2016 my dream job came along at the Poetry Book Society, which was founded by TS Eliot to share the joy of poetry. I’ve delivered poetry presentations at Jaipur Lit Festival with the British Council, given poetry books to the Queen Mother of Bhutan and represented the UK at a Beijing Poetry Festival. It has been quite an incredible and sometimes surreal career journey so far!

What does a typical day in the life look like for a Manager (Alice) and Operations Assistant (Megan) at Poetry Book Society?

Megan: My role varies massively. On a ‘normal’ day I chip away at sales statements, chase receipts from colleagues, but I also have a customer and client facing role where I communicate via email and phone calls. We have a huge online poetry shop which keeps us busy, but I make sure to have many cups of tea!

Alice: It’s an incredibly varied role and every day is different. We’re a small organisation so I span editorial and production to sales and marketing and events, which would be separate departments in a bigger publishing company. One day I can be working on Excel pivot tablesor typesetting our magazine in Indesign and the next attending the TS Eliot Prize award ceremony. It certainly keeps me on my toes!

What skills do you need to progress into a career like this? Is there anything students can be doing now to sharpen these skills?

Megan: Your customer service and overall people skills must be sharp! With such a varied role it’s important you can prioritise tasks and show excellent time management. Try fit some volunteering into your schedule. Remember, everyone will be speaking about their love for books, so think about what else you can bring to the table.

Alice: Try to combine your love of books with a strong commercial sense and awareness of the book trade. The industry requires you to have strong communication skills, attention to detail, enthusiasm, creativity and be sales savvy – it is not all poetry and Paris!

For most people, a creative career is a risk. What advice would you give to students who are thinking about a creative career but are unsure where to start / what is accessible to them?

Megan: Unpaid labour is not right but it can be valuable to volunteer with organisations because you end up doing varied roles! I was lucky to live with my parents, but I did have a job. You could try volunteering with Books on Tyne or Juice Festival – both are in Newcastle! Volunteering is a great place to build your skills and your network.

Alice: I did lots of internships and volunteering on my days off whilst working fulltime in bookselling. There are more opportunities for paid internships than before, and we work with New Writing North’s First Edition Industry Placements to help

facilitate this. Jobs in the arts can be precarious - it isn’t a career which will make you wealthy and there should be more transparency around this, but it is really rewarding in other ways.

I’m a big advocate of seizing every funded opportunity you can findwhether that’s arts council mentorships, paid internships or British council fellowships - you can make exciting things happen on a shoestring and it’s all valuable experience.

Thinking long term, what does progression in your role look like?

Megan: In this industry, people tend to stay in the same job but move sideways or upwards. I do not want to up sticks and move, but careers in the arts does often mean moving. Luckily, my role developed without having to change jobs entirely.

Alice: In a tiny company like PBS there isn’t much upward progression, but we always learn new skills and expand the remit of our jobs! A creative career isn’t always a linear progression. A former colleague recently moved from publishing into the charity sector then back into publishing at a Big 5 Publisher – so sideways movements could lead to your dream job.

Students receive 10% off PBS Choice Membership using the code STUDENT at the checkout. Members enjoy a year of curated poetry book boxes and our lively quarterly poetry magazine, plus 25% off all book orders. Get your discounted membership online at https://www.poetrybooks.co.uk/ products/choice-membership

To continue reading this article, head to The Courier Online.

PBS is running a FREE event with NCLA at the Culture Lab at 7pm on the 27th February with

two poets, Oluwaseun Olayiwola and Yomi Sode.

Image credit: Sissy Reyes

Image credit: Alice Mullen Image credit: Megan Robson

Notes on success : an interview with saxophonist Joe Reeve

Ebony Maude - News Sub-Editor

Joe Reeve first picked up a saxophone at the age of six, but it wasn’t until his second year at university that he seriously considered a career in the music industry. His path wasn’t necessarily straightforward, after struggling with the practical-heavy nature of his A-level music course, he took an extra year at college to boost his UCAS points before securing a place at Newcastle University. Proof, perhaps, that academic grades aren’t always indicative of success.

Since then, Joe has had a decorated career as a saxophonist. One of his first post-university gigs was playing in the brass section at Kendal Calling, followed by performances at various smaller festivals. His talent has also taken him to high-profile jobs for brands like Porsche and Gymshark. While he enjoyed playing recreationally in sixth form, it was his time with the university jazz band, paired with securing part-time paid gigs, that cemented his ambition to go pro.

Today, Joe is a sought-after musician, performing at nightclubs, bars, weddings, corporate events, private parties, and music festivals.

Ahead of Newcastle University’s Creative Careers event, I spoke with Joe (now an alumnus) to discuss this

journey breaking into the industry and the key qualities needed to make it in the arts.

Did you take the traditional route when learning to play the Saxophone?

''I did all the grades, which is not necessary, but it is recommended that you have it for Newcastle University. I got my grade 8 practical and then my grade 5 theory. But I say with grades, it's sort of like learning to drive a car, the lessons are useful to teach you to pass a test, but personal style comes with practical application.''

"Lessons are useful to teach you, but personal style comes with application"

He then explained although he took the almost obvious route studying an instrument, achieving a Contemporary and Popular Music BA Honours, ''it was more what I received on the journey, than on paper.'' Although he later added, he is happy in hindsight with his chosen degree, noting ''it really helped me improve as a player.''

Can you tell me about a standout moment in your career?

''I have supported artists that have made music that has done well in the charts. However, for me when I started going into music full time, although supporting big names in the industry has been great, it was more about the music. So, mainly once I was able to

make a living from making music, that was the real defining moment.''

The music industry is obviously very competitive, how do you manage to maintain and build connections for your business?

“You start by meeting people at gigs, and that initial groundwork is key. When I was in Newcastle, I had business cards made and personally visited bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to introduce myself. That led to my first nightclub residency, and once I was on the management’s radar, regular work followed.

It’s like a tree—the initial connections are the trunk, and everything else branches out. That’s how I broke into the wedding industry; people would see me perform and ask me to play at their own events. The turning point for leaving Newcastle, to the north-west, came after a wedding in the Lake District. From that one gig, I was booked for the bride’s brother’s 40th and then a bridesmaid’s engagement party. It created a domino effect, and word of mouth has been the biggest driver of my career ever since.”

“It's like a tree- the initial connections are the trunk, and everything else branches out”

To continue reading this article, head to The Courier Online.

Marketing with Ellen Hedley at Vida Creative

Marina Snyder

- Head of Life & Style

For students aspiring to enter the creative industry, marketing offers an exciting blend of creativity, and strategy. I had the opportunity to interview Ellen Hedley, cofounder and director of Vida Creative to discuss her career journey and advice for students looking to break into the field.

Founded in 2016, Vida Creative specializes in branding, website development, and organic content marketing, handling everything from social media and press releases to animation and bespoke WordPress sites.

When applying to a role like in Marketing, what are Creative Careers looking for when hiring?

For those looking to enter the field, here are ways you can stand out:

• Gain hands-on experience

• Build a portfolio

• Be proactive

• Stay open-minded

What are the key traits you look for in new hires?

"If someone really wants the job and is excited to do the job then I’m interested. I think it's so underrated but if I see that you're really interested and even if you may not have the skills, you want to learn about them, then that stands out."

Communication skills and the ability to work as part of a team also appear to be crucial qualities to have. “You might have a really unique view on something, but if you're not speaking up, no one will know about it.” Ellen suggested. Project management skills, meeting deadlines, and creative problemsolving were also noted as essential attributes that help marketers thrive. For students hoping to land a marketing role, gaining practical experience is also key. Being able to develop a portfolio and sharing this with a potential employer can help you stand out, showcasing your experience and passion for the industry, even if students haven’t had professional experience. Have you got any last advice for students wanting to enter the industry?

"Marketing is so broad. For me it was useful doing an internship to see what it was about and learn what people actually do...you can go into anything within marketing so maybe have a think about what you want to do, try it out and don't be afraid to ask questions."

If you're interested in a career in marketing or joining a company like Veda Creative, don’t hesitate to reach out to industry professionals— people like Ellen— to ask questions and demonstrate your passion for the field!

In Conversation with MARISAM:

'It's

important to target student demographic, they are the future'

Noelia Fernandez

- Sports Sub-Editor

MARISAM is a female-led events company based in the Northeast

founded by two Newcastle University alumni, Maria Winter and Sam Harris. With the upcoming Creative Careers event happening on 27 February, I was able to interview Maria Winter and we chatted about the adversities of discovering the creative industry in the Northeast.

When talking about their biggest successes since leaving university, she talked about launching their business: ‘This was created through a module when we both did our degree, BA Contemporary and Popular Music’. She mentioned one lecturer, Jale Nolan, lecturer in Music Enterprise, module which inspired the creation of MARISAM.

"It's a massive success and amazing achievement for us to go from university with this business idea already and then to have actually pursued that outside

once graduating"

After talking about how their business was built, she mentioned the creative scene in the North-East: ‘It's definitely been tricky, especially as young females. I think right off the bat, we didn't get taken seriously, especially with some of our event concepts’.

“We're trying to make sure we create really inclusive spaces within our events”

She mentioned that if the events were unfamiliar to the venue owners, they would usually turn them down: ‘We're also trying to make sure we create really inclusive spaces within our events, both with our musicians, but also with our audience members as well’.

MARISAM wants to bring a focus to music-driven events, bringing innovation to ‘shake things up in the North-East’: ‘Because it’s such a small creative scene, you often get a lot of the same names. It's really important to try and pick out those people who are maybe slipping under the radar a bit’.

One of their more recent projects is Late ‘n’ Live, a musical pub quiz that mixes live music and pub quizzes to make an innovative mix: ‘Every round is a music round. We have genre-based rounds,

missing lyrics, connections… literally anything you can think of’.

"The band hosts the whole night and they perform every question, up to a minute of it, so it just gets the audience singing along"

Apart from hosting pub quizzes, one of their most famous events in Late ‘n’ Live: Karaoke, where the audience just go up to the band and they get the opportunity to sing alongside the band, making it really interactive with the people attending: ‘Really, you can just get up on stage and sing with the band, choose whatever song you want. They've got a huge repertoire’.

Recently, they’ve also launched ‘Platform 22’, a local live music showcase where they give musicians based in the North-East the spotlight. Maria described it as a ‘battle of the bands, but in a nicer setting’.

When talking about how these events would help with the growth of the creative scene in the North-East, she mentioned that sometimes she thinks that ‘certain venues like to stick within a certain niche just because that's what they're used to, but we've kind of gone in and taken this new concept and it's worked really well, and they've it's brought a whole new clientele to their venue.’

One of their biggest features as a business is that they try and collaborate with students as much as possible to

give them a rough idea of the music industry: ‘It's really important to target that student demographic just because they are the future. They are the ones coming into these jobs, and we want to make sure that they have the opportunity to integrate themselves in the industry’.

“It's really important to tap into that (student) demographic”

She was keen to talk about her change of perspective from being a student to a business owner, and she mentioned that one of the biggest lessons she’s learnt was to stay in touch with all the aspects of university, such as the Career Services: ‘We went through the startup grant that the Career Services offered a few years ago. We managed to get 2000 pounds of funding to kick start our business. So, if we didn't have those contacts whilst we're at university and after, we wouldn't be where we are today’.

After making their debut in the

Pérez

Image credit: Maria Winter and Sam Harris

Creative Careers

Events:

Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 16:00-17:00

Speakers: Alice Mullen - Poetry Book Society Manager

Megan Robson - Operations Assistant

Are you passionate about poetry? Want insights into publishing? Tap into the world of independent publishing with Alice Mullen and Megan Robson. This session will introduce you to two leading Newcastle-based publishing companies. With over 15 years of experience across bookselling and publishing, our expert panel will share tips and advice about their routes into independent publishing and how to get your poetry to publication. Don't miss your chance to learn about what publishing involves and inspire your own future creative career.

Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 15:00-16:00

Speakers: Lewis Thompson - Sports Writer, TalkSport

Craig Hope - North East & England National Team Football Correspondent, Daily Mail

Joel Bland - Newcastle Alumni, Marketing and Recruitment for Newcastle University, freelance sport journalist and podcaster

Are you passionate about sports and/or interested in a career in journalism? Join Craig Hope, Lewis Thompson and Joel bland as they share expert industry insights. Learn tips on finding exclusive stories, networking, building relationships, conducting successful interviews with celebrities and sports stars.

Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 15:00-16:00

Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 11:00-12:00

Speakers: Richard Johnstone - Director and First Assistant Director, freelance Caz Broome - Floor Manager, freelance John Stead - Programme and Digital Editor, ITV Tyne Tees

Curious about what it takes to succeed in the TV and the film industry? Hear from our expert panel of industry professionals as they lead in-depth discussions on the TV and Film industry.

Even wondered what it's like to work at a creative agency?Join the expert team at Vida Creative for a practical workshop designed to give you deep insights and first-hand experience in marketing and branding. Take part in a real-life strategy exercise that Vida Creative undertakes with their clients and gain practical insights into what a career in a creative agency could involve! You'll also have the oppertunity to ask the team any questions you might have about working in the industry during a Q&A session.

Please note: This is a practical workshop so you will need to bring a device with you.

Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 14:00-15:00

Speakers: Helen Walkinshaw, Co-Founder of Index Music LTD and creative freelancer

Maria Winter - Co-Founder and Director of Marisam Events

Joe Reeve - Director and professional freelance saxophonist

Are you interested in pursing a career in the music industry? Gain fresh perspectives into the music industry at our Panel Insights session taking place during Creative Careers 2025. Hear from Helen Walkinshaw, Maria Winter and Joe Reeve as they discuss their experiences and advice, offering you valuable insights in this exciting industry.

Date: Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 16:30-18:00

Speakers: Yunuen Perez - Communities Manager, Northern Stage Lucy Lopes - HR Assistant, North East Museums Georgina Ascroft - Museum and Gallery Manager

Iain Wheeldon - Senior Lecturer in Mueseum and Gallery Studies at Newcastle University, host of Cultural Peeps podcast Love all things arts and culture? Join our expert panel for in-depth discussions on the inner workings of mueseums, galleries and theatre. Get fresh perspectives, a deeper understanding of the industry and learn about the exciting careers that could await you within arts and cultural venues.

Date: Wednesday 26 February 2025

Time: 13:30-14:30

Would you like to get involved with our University student paper, radio station or production team? The Student Media Afternoon is a weekly event where all Student Media Branches, The Courier newspaper, Newcastle Student Radio and Newcastle Uni TV give the oppertunity to take article commissions, host a radio show or become crew on audio-visual projects. Meet like-minded creatives, gain hands-on experience, and be part of our award-winning student media scene. Don't miss outcome along, chat, and start building your skills!

Date:Thursday 27 February 2025

Time: 13:00-14:00

Curious about the magic behind successful PR campaigns? Dive into the world of public relations with experts from O Agency. This session will guide you through routes into PR, an overview of what PR involves and insights into exciting projects the team have worked on. Learn the essentials of building and promoting an impactful campaign idea and ask the team insightful questions during a Q&A session.

Publish Your Passion: An Introduction to Indie Publishing with Inpress & Poetry Book Society

Marketing in Action: Workshop with Vida Creative

Sidelines to Headlines, Careers in Sport Journalism: Panel Insights

Making it in Music: Panel Insights

PR Unwrapped: Workshop with O Agency

NUSU Student Media Afternoon

Behind the Scenes of TV and Film: Panel Insights

Exploring Arts & Culture Venues: Panel Insights

Student duo reach for the stars with dreams of plant-based food business

Esther Arnold and Barbora Pacherova

- Food and Drink Sub-Editors

A deep dive into the aspirations of fellow foodies out there...

Take a look behind the scenes of the Toon’s food entrepreneurs as we speak to Luke Zollman Thomas about his aspirations within the meatless street food industry.

Meeting with Luke before Christmas, we ventured into the world of food trucks and Mexican delights as the psychology and nutrition student told us of his plans for the future. Gaining inspiration from his godfather who owned a veggie burger van at Glasto in the 80s, Luke and business partner Zak wanted to branch out and create a food business that provides the public with “food that makes you feel good”! Having travelled across Mexico and found their love for the vibrant food devoured whilst out there, the two students decided that this was the life they sought after.

Their plans had to be adapted due to truck conversion actually costing a pretty penny, Luke and Zak are still aspiring to make their dreams come true and bring Zazo (a clever combo between Zak’s first name and Luke’s surname) to life! "I realised there's a load of really streamlined

Lv e

b i t e s

Struggling for Valentine's gift inspo?

Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to show your loved ones just how much you care, and one of the sweetest ways to do that is by giving them a thoughtful treat.

Whether you’re celebrating with a partner, a friend, or family, here are some creative and heartfelt Valentine’s Day treat ideas that are sure to make their day extra special. Nothing says love like something made with your own hands. Baking heart-shaped cookies is a timeless Valentine’s tradition, and it’s an easy way to show someone you’ve put time and effort into their treat. You can customize them with your loved one’s favourite flavours, and decorate them with colourful icing, sprinkles, or even edible glitter for an extra special touch.

A classic Valentine’s treat, chocolatedipped strawberries combine the indulgence of rich chocolate with the freshness of ripe strawberries. This treat is both delicious and visually stunning. To elevate them, try adding toppings like crushed nuts, shredded coconut, or a sprinkle of sea salt. Pack them up in a cute box with a personalised note for an added thoughtful gesture.

If your loved one is a fan of warm drinks, a jar of homemade hot chocolate mix is a cosy and charming gift idea. You can layer cocoa powder, mini marshmallows, crushed chocolate, and even cinnamon or peppermint. Simply tie a ribbon around the jar with a little tag that explains how to make the perfect cup. It’s a simple but meaningful gift that shows you care. Read the full article online at https://www. thecourieronline.co.uk/ to read more!

options out there which don't involve kicking out a whole heavy truck with some custom-made stuff" Luke informs us, touching on the issue of funding, which most business starters experience, from the off.

"Set-back number one, cool, bring on the rest"

Though initially part of a group of three, Luke tells us of the challenges they have faced already. Losing their engineer in the group, the team took a hit, but the members of Zazo ploughed on. "Set-back number one, cool, bring on the rest". Confidence is key it seems. Of course, the mention of money dampens the mood, but Luke’s positive outlook clears the air. “Setbacks are a part of it” Luke reveals boldly, and despite trying to plan the near future whilst both working towards graduation, it seems they are prepared to overcome any challenge coming their way!

Positively beaming whilst answering all our burning questions, Luke told us that after working in a food truck himself, serving South Indian curries to the public, he has seen into the

world of street-food on wheels. Watching the owners bulk buy endless amounts of spices and keep the fresh produce flowing, Luke tells us he wants to mix the “popular and the niche”, bringing firm favourites like chilli con carne (minus the meat) and veggie tacos.

In terms of hunting down the perfect meat alternatives, Luke explains how chilli, when done right, doesn’t actually require much adaptation, with a large variety of beans and freshly prepped veg making up the majority of the ingredients list. Jackfruit did receive an honourable mention, as it is one of the most popular meat alternatives in plant-based dishes, and we also discuss the pros of using soy protein instead of beef, which makes up a lot of Central American cooking. "We're gonna creative trialing out some recipes in the coming months", Luke tells us. With friends and family being the recipients of "a big trial phase" of recipes and prospective dishes, all we have to say is lucky them!

As well as providing the public with

Breakfast: done right

Brekkie ideas to start 2025 right...

What better way to begin your year than with a nutritious breakfast?

This new year is the time to reset your old and boring breakfast habits. Let’s be real, morning can be rough with alarm rings, you hit snooze, and before you know it, you’re already late and rushing out the doors, stomach growling, running purely on caffeine. But wait! What if I told you that starting your day with a nutritious breakfast could help you to have an unstoppable, energetic version of yourself? Fine, maybe not literally, but at least close enough. Having a day start with a good and healthy breakfast wakes up your metabolism, fuels your brain, and stops you from turning into a hungry monster by lunchtime.

As we usher in the new year, we are all thinking about resolutions and fresh starts. Starting your year with the resolution of having a perfectly nutritious breakfast every morning is a more concerted effort towards healthy eating.

Not all breakfasts create equal benefits. A sweet muffin might be delicious, but it won’t be much good for you and ends up giving you a temporary sugar rush. A balanced diet should have:

Healthy Fats- Good for your brain and energy levels

Protein- Keeps you full and helps you in building muscles.

Fiber and Carbs- Gives you long-lasting energy without any sugar rush.

A nutritious breakfast doesn’t have

wholegrains foods, protein, and fats can help you fuel your body and have a great start to the day. And here are some protein-packed, and full-of-fibre breakfast ideas that I have been personally following this year to stay energized the whole day.

"Skipping breakfast or not having a healthy breakfast might seem harmless, but your body needs fuel to function all day."

Overnight Oats: In my busy mornings, I started having this breakfast, which is not just healthy but also fantastic. This full-fibre rolled oats and chia seeds meal with low-calorie almond milk is the best breakfast. Ingredients like honey, dark chocolates, fruits, and nuts will add extra taste to your breakfast. This meal fuels your body and boosts your energy

Protein-rich scrambled eggs with avocado toast: Eggs are rich in protein and are essential to keep you full and maintain muscle health. Pairing them with whole-grain toast and avocado adds up healthy fats and fibre, making a perfect and balanced meal.

Skipping breakfast or not having a healthy breakfast might seem harmless, but your body needs fuel to function all day. Whether you’re a morning person or not, this year is the right time to give yourself a chance with a nutritious breakfast. This makes a huge difference in your energy, focus, and overall health. So grab your avocado toast, whip up your smoothie,

nutritious and delicious dishes, these food fanatics have also thought about wider values of their business. Wanting a part of the profits to go to a food-orientated charity, Luke was inspired by his involvement with Magic Hat Café near the Laing Art Gallery, aiding their zero food waste project to cut back on the perfectly good grub we all unnecessarily discard and encouraging him to continue making a difference through contributions to the charity sector.

"Creating joy through food and just having a blast"

It is clear that they have the workings of a great establishment and have plenty of experience in the food industry in order to follow their passions within healthy living, ultimately building the courage to start a business from scratch. Bringing together funds from various part-time jobs and planning on getting the foundations of Zazo built this summer, it is clear that the enthusiasm is there. Like all who strive to start a business from scratch, they will definitely come across some difficult challenges, but the ultimate goal Zazo's founders want to achieve is "creating joy through food and just having a blast"!

If you have any advice, want to get involved or simply wish to know even more about Zak and Luke’s entrepreneurial adventure, please email l.zollmanthomas@ncl.ac.uk with any questions!

Rowanne Holmes

This week's food fixationthe power of the pickle...

Scrambled eggs are fine - just fine. At their poshest they can be a brilliant start to your morning, but at their worst you're left with a miserable breakfast, a ruined day, and a sentencing at the International Criminal Court.

Scrambled tofu, the vegan counterpart, has no such downsides. Simple to make, cheap if you know where to look, delicious, and above all: vegan. Scrambled tofu has it all. Just take your tofu block and attack it with a fork whilst frying in vegan butter, and you've got a spectacular 15 minute meal.

Tofu acts as a flavour sponge - it will taste like whatever you cook it in. Try putting hoisin sauce in your eggs, and you'll be shunned by friends and family. Try putting hoisin sauce in your scrambled tofu, and you'll see heaven for 30 seconds.

Image Source: monicore, Pixabay

Image Credit: Luke Zollman Thomas

Image Source: kavita joshi rai, Unsplash

Noelia Fernandez Perez - Sport Sub-Editor

Payal Rathore

Sub-Editors: Sophie Jarvis and Ellen Pinch

Travel: Volunteering Edition

A bad trip: is volunteering abroad really ethical?

Emma Hunter - Lifestyle Sub-Editor

Why taking the time to pick the correct volunteering program is so important...

Brits are notoriously bad travellers. We jet off, stomp red-faced around a foreign country and annoy the locals with our drunken antics. Volunteering abroad, or voluntourism, seems at first glance to be the perfect antidote: a chance to go on holiday not just respectfully but to have a true positive impact on the community. But underneath the rosy surface lies a tangled ethical mess. In this article I picked at it, and it all started to unravel.

Putting myself in the shoes of a budding voluntourist, I searched for a programme on one of the most popular voluntourism platforms, volunteerabroad.com, and quickly landed on the ‘Safari and Community Outreach’ trip in Tanzania. It promises a blast of hiking, safari camping and cultural day trips alongside a vague ‘community outreach placement’. Oh, and it costs £300 a week.

It’s with this price tag that the problematic side starts to arise. Payment means business model. So despite its claims, the platform can’t really have helping at its heart, because if every project brought about sustainable change there’d be no community left to help and that’s the end of your business model. In this sense volunteers are not really volunteers, they are customers. They are buying the experience of exploiting other people’s hardships to get a fun holiday. These very real, complex problems are a consumer seduction.

Once you know this you cannot shake off the feeling volunteers are like ‘white saviours’, like rich westerners who come in and solve everything. This has been a theme throughout colonial history, and, as we know, it’s been messy.

It’s doubtful whether these rich western volunteers are doing any saving anyway. Voluntourism can do quite a lot of damage, for example by volunteers undertaking jobs that could be done by local workers, in turn damaging the economy. And in most cases the ‘help’ provided is only a performative sticking plastic that looks impressive on a CV and on Instagram but does not tackle the root cause of the issue. A singular well in a village does not solve a systemic water infrastructure problem. This trivialisation of a complex problem is insulting – how dare you assume that your ten-person volunteer group can do something a whole government can’t? Voluntourism perpetuates the dangerous impression that poorer countries are helpless without foreigners’ help.

In fact, the presence of volunteer groups absolves the government of the responsibility of a problem. When the smiling Safari and Community Outreach volunteers fill the potholes in a road in Tanzania, the Tanzanian government sees they don’t need to provide road maintenance services, because the rich foreigners will do it for them. The problem is complex and multi-faceted, so the solution must be too. It may be more popular than ever, even a right of passage for many twenty-something travellers, but voluntourism is viciously ugly. You’re better off stomping drunkenly and trashing the place on your city break.

American summer camps: are they really like the movies?

Taylor Roth

The ins and outs of an American summer sleepaway camp...

While watching American media one might ask: is it really like that? Is it that overthe-top and extravagant?

And if you’ve ever crossed the pond, more often than not, the answer is yes. In the case of films showcasing American summer camps, such as The Parent Trap and Camp Rock, it is, to an extent, accurate.

Yes, those camps filled with wooden cabins around a large lake do exist. Parents ship their kids off for weeks at a time to these camps, sometimes states away, to spend their summer break meeting kids across the country and participating in various activities, like horseback riding and archery. They stay in bunks, congregate in mess halls, sing camp songs, and wear matching camp merch. There are even camps for special interests, like in Camp Rock. My friend attended an audition-only viola camp a few states away; however, they did not randomly burst out into performing competitions. The one thing the movies are missing is the counselors watching over. While campers have a lot of freedom at camp, they can’t roam around alone as the movies suggest.

While these camps exist, it’s important to note

that they are not all on the same scale, and not everyone attends them. Some of them are just as big and as fancy (I saw one where the counsellors unpacked the campers' bags for them), while some are much smaller and laid back. What is going to separate the camps is the price. The one near my hometown is pretty in fanciness and costs almost $14k for around 8 weeks. Yikes. guess the Parent Trap kids’ friends must also have millionaire parents.

"They

are not a realistic summer experience for all American children..."

I would say day camps are much more common and cheaper and were what I attended as a kid. Some would be specialised, like arts or STEM-based, but many kids went to a general, local camp. Days consisted of

common 2000s outdoor activities: going to the pool, kickball, playing cards, and making string bracelets. Don’t forget the almighty snack time with bright red Kool-Aid with Scooby-Doo gummies. End the day with freeze-tag on the playground and hope the ice cream truck stops by before you get

Brits abroad after Brexit: navigating work in Europe

Amy Jones

A look into Brits post-Brexit and the struggle for European work opportunities...

As I am sure we are all aware, many young people love to travel and explore the world before life’s hurdles really start to kick in. Britain’s membership of the European Union granted citizens the right to live or work in any European country without the need for any paperwork.

Before the UK left the EU, this freedom was easily accessible, much cheaper and there were minimal barriers.

Now, young people must apply for work visas, costing them hundreds of pounds. Due to the younger generation typically being in lowerearning employment, those who could previously move European country for work with little struggle, now don't have the same options to do so.

Pre-Brexit, the Erasmus Plus Programme provided a plethora of opportunities for youngsters across the EU. Following the UK’s dramatic withdrawal, then-Prime Minster Boris Johnson opted out of the Scheme with no sight of re-joining.

In response, the Turing Scheme was introduced

to replace the programme. It has provided the opportunity for young people in the UK to attend European universities and take on employment abroad. Although, the process is much slower and restrictive, compared to the pre-Brexit period. Gaining jobs abroad, experiencing the cultures of other countries, and adapting to alternative ways of life could previously be achieved with guaranteed ease. Money has now become a notable requirement that many of us often do not have. Even if you have been offered a job in a neighbouring European country, the process of visas considerably pushes back the starting date and many positions require companies to sponsor their stay under new regulations. Brexit has largely reduced work opportunities in Europe, primarily to financial reasons although, this does not mean it is not possible. If you are truly passionate about working abroad and gaining cultural knowledge of a European country, or anywhere in the world for that matter, save up every penny and budget your earnings. For all you know, you could be passing the Eiffel Tower on your way to work and breathing in the smell of fresh pastries every morning (just to name one possibility)!

Fancy seeing the world whilst making a difference? Newcastle Uni can support you! Undertaking a global experience at university is an incredible opportunity with a whole host of benefits to enhance your personal and academic experiences.

Not only can a global opportunity enhance your employability and broaden your perspective beyond academic horizons, but they can also help to develop crucial soft skills such as adaptability and cultural awareness. Plus, according to Universities UK International (UUKi), students who participate in work or study opportunities abroad tend to perform better academically! Global Opportunities (GO) have helped to facilitate experiences relevant to future academic study or jobs in the future across all continents, with students giving the service an overall experience rating of 92%.

There are a range of short and long term opportunities up for grabs, including summer schools, internships, volunteering and online experiential learning. Students can attend drop-in sessions and chat to global ambassadors at King’s Gate with additional 24/7 information available on their website through their appointment booking systems.

To find out more info on opportunities available to you, visit the GO website: https:// www. ncl.ac.uk/mobility/experienceworld/short-termopportunities/.

Sophie Jarvis and Ellen Pinch -Travel Sub-Editors

Image source: Pixabay

Image credit: IMDb

Saddle up! Volunteering on a Patagonian horse ranch

Poppy Morris

Dreaming of adventure but strapped for cash?

Volunteering could be your golden ticket!

When I found myself with a three-month gap between English teaching placements in Argentina, I knew I wanted to travel further afield through South America. But let’s be real – my budget wasn’t going to stretch that far. Determined to find an experience that matched my skill set, covered food and accommodation, and (crucially!) looked fun, I stumbled across Estancia La Peninsula. Their polished website and picturesque Instagram showcased the dream setup: basic hospitality duties, feeding the dogs, and collecting firewood in exchange for free lodging in the middle of Patagonia’s heavenly Last Hope Fjord. I mean, what more could you ask for?!

The estancia was the perfect place to level up my Spanish since most of the staff didn’t speak English. But I still got a linguistic break when bilingual guides came each day with Englishspeaking tourists. My daily tasks? Simple –laying tables for meals, sweeping floors, and

washing up. With only five hours of work each day and plenty of breaks in between, I had loads of free time to call home, explore the grounds, or go horseback riding with the staff. It was a peaceful, remote bubble, and after weeks of nonstop backpacking, I welcomed the chance to stay put for a while. Sure, the monotony kicked in occasionally, but waking up each day to breathtaking landscapes more than made up for it.

That said, remote is an understatement – La Peninsula was perched on a fjord, only accessible by boat! The farm ran on an 11-days-in, 4-days-out work schedule, so I had regular opportunities to escape to the neighbouring town of Puerto Natales for a change of scene. I could stay at the estancia during my days off, but if I wanted to head into town, I of course had to plan my own food and lodging. A hotspot for hiking enthusiasts, there were many cheap and cheerful hostels to choose

The whole experience was a dream, and I’d honestly go back in a heartbeat. The team was beyond welcoming, always making sure I had fun outside of work. And the skills I picked up? Unreal. I learnt how to ride and gallop like a gaucho, cook an asado lamb, herd sheep with the sheepdogs, saddle up horses, and even shear a sheep – things I never imagined doing before!

"I can’t recommend volunteering enough."

Volunteering with Erasmus

Sofiia Korol

How

to choose the right volunteering trip for

you...

My name is Sofiia, and over my time on Erasmus, I spent three months volunteering in Italy.

My time at La Peninsula gave me memories to last a lifetime, and I can’t recommend volunteering enough. The concept isn’t just about giving back – it’s a way to truly experience a place beyond the tourist attractions. You’ll connect with locals, immerse yourself in their rich culture, and gain a deeper understanding of the world while make a real impact. Plus, it’s an adventure that broadens your perspective, establishes lifelong connections, and is more often cheaper than traditional travel. Why just visit somewhere when you can be part of something bigger, for less?

BarcelonActua volunteering: supporting asylum seekers

Finn Wilson

Looking for inspiration for volunteering this summer? Make a real-life impact...

It’s the second-highest city in Spain for asylum seekers, just after Madrid. In 2017, the number of asylum requests doubled, reaching almost 3,500 (OECD). With Spain being so close to Northern Africa, it attracts a lot of immigration to its Mediterranean cities.

Unfortunately, when asylum seekers first arrive in Barcelona, they face major challenges before they can fully integrate into local life. Immigrants often deal with xenophobia, workplace discrimination, and significant language barriers. After living there, I wanted to understand more about the integration process and do what I could, however small, to help. That’s when I found BarcelonActua, an NGO focused on supporting asylum seekers every step of the way on their journey toward integration.

Founded in 2011, BarcelonActua has made a serious impact on the lives of young migrants. One of their most important missions is called Landing, a social space where migrants and locals can reciprocally learn languages. Landing’s informal process allows for relationships to be

fostered with locals, which is a key step towards integration. I volunteered for a few weeks with another mission, called BACStation. The organisation runs a network of houses that offer a temporary housing for vulnerable young people. The key idea is to provide a stable living environment which allows them to enter the world of work. Volunteers had the chance to cook, clean, and get to know these young people. Socialising is key component of this voluntary work, as it is a crucial part of network building. At present, there are two BACStation houses in the city, each with around 20 residents. I felt a strong sense of community in my time there and could really see the positive impact of the camaraderie for the asylum seekers.

"...volunteering for BarcelonActua was a brilliant and eye-opening experience for me..."

I had the chance to interview Lina, a senior staff member at BarcelonActua, who shared some insights about the integration process and the importance of building a support network for migrants. She told me, “The most rewarding part of working at BarcelonActua is seeing so many people come together to create a ripple effect, building a strong, supportive network.” She also talked about challenging the cultural hierarchy through promoting values like respect and equality. “It’s inspiring to see citizens, migrants, businesses, and other groups come together to make a real difference.” The hardest part of the whole process towards full independence is housing. Lina explained the issue, saying, “There are major barriers, like the lack of affordable housing and racial discrimination in the (housing) market. I quickly realized how important volunteers are to BarcelonActua. In

2023, the organisation supported over 620 people with the help of 900 volunteers. Volunteering abroad has been a great way for me to connect with the local culture and meet a lot of like-minded people. But most importantly, I’ve loved being part of such an impactful organisation, learning how it runs, and making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people. Lina pointed out that the biggest challenge to their work is “Racism that reinforces prejudices and holds back progress toward a more inclusive society.” BarcelonActua is working to fight this by building a strong support network for asylum seekers. It was great to see the impact of that network firsthand, and having a dedicated group of volunteers is key to making it all happen. I found that volunteering for BarcelonActua was the definition of a win-win situation – a brilliant and eye-opening experience for me, and, most importantly, the chance to get involved in some valuable work that is making a huge

At first, I looked for projects in special Facebook groups; I sent emails to various organisations, sharing my own volunteering experience, trying to introduce myself. Some organisations wrote back to me, who were not averse to conducting an interview with me. But in May, I received an offer from the NGO "Center for European Initiatives" about a project that was to take place in Italy, in Florence. And the cards turned out so that I got what I wanted.

I had an office job and I worked about five hours a day. We were engaged in organising youth exchanges, and I had to plan them, think over workshops and actually conduct them. There were about five such projects per year. In principle, my organisation had a fairly flexible schedule. For example, I could take a weekend or vacation whenever I wanted.

At first, it was very difficult to get used to a new country. For about a few weeks I felt uncomfortable and awkward, because I had few acquaintances and friends there.

So these first weeks are the most important, because you need to not give up and not cancel the project. I just know that there are cases when misunderstandings occur with the host organisation and other volunteers. You still need to be adaptable to changes and easy to get back on track. Everyone can have downs and very, very difficult situations. It is simply important not to close yourself off and leave your comfort zone.  So the following months were better. Before the trip, I made a list of things to do and desires, which I even exceeded during volunteering. As a result, I am very pleased that this happened.

For example, every month, which you can then accumulate and take a vacation for a week or more to travel or even go home. Sometimes I went to other cities even twice a month.

"Volunteering changed my life..."

After volunteering, I returned home for two months. And I had a bit of a shock: the same thing happened to me at the beginning of my life in Italy. I had to get used to Ukraine again, because after living abroad everything seemed strange. I remember going to the supermarket and being shocked that the cashier didn't even say hello or wish me a good day.

Volunteering changed my life, not least because I got into Newcastle University. In fact, I had thoughts about studying abroad even before volunteering. But at that time it seemed very expensive and unrealistic. But after living in Italy, I understood how everything works and decided to try it. Read the full version at www.thecourieronline. co.uk.

Image source: Pixabay

Image credits: Finn Wilson

Image source: Pixabay

Image credit: Poppy Morris

The Student Spotlight: December

NUiS Singapore: Teck Heng

Teck Heng consistently works to enhance the experience the student experience through the opportunities he has facilitated in his role as Vice President of the Student Management Committee for his course. His student-focused mindset has made a lasting impact on campus life.

Newcastle campus: Hiruni Fernando

Hiruni inspires others in her dedication to advocating for estranged students, whereby she shares her own experiences and uses online platforms to raise awareness. She also goes above and beyond in her work as the National President of Marrow Society, showing her commitment to making a difference.

The Student Spotlight is a new monthly celebration of the everyday achievements of our students across all three Newcastle campuses. Every success, big or small, is worth celebrating, so let’s put a spotlight on those who bring positivity, hard work, and creativity to our student community.

NUMed Malaysia: Ahmad Hosam

Ahmad is a 'bundle of bright energy' who positively influences those around him through kindness, patience, and a commitment to helping others, as demonstrated by his founding the Emergency Medicine Society. Ahmad's leadership and selflessness, in big or small tasks, make him a wonderful role model for his peers.

The Student Spotlight: January

NUMed Malaysia: Bhumika Jethnani

In her role as President of the Paediatrics Society, Bhumika created the annual paediatrics conference. She always supports her peers and juniors, and makes their voices heard. With her kindness and bright personality, Bhumika brings out the best in those around her.

Newcastle campus: Alfie McMonagle

Alfie has created a supportive volunteering community for the Student Pantry, co-ordinating weekly restocks, training and visits to warehouses. This work supports the cost of living crisis, making cupboard essentials readily available to those who need it most.

NUiS Singapore:Robin Toh Zeng Yong

Robin has earned the recognition of his peers by motivating students to actively participate in students voice, making the most of his position as Chairperson of the University-level SSC to encourage more people to take on leadership roles in the student community.

Updates from your radio and TV

With the new semester kicking off, NSR is gearing up for more great radio. This time, we’re levelling up with brand-new tech that’s set to make the station better than ever! We’ve upgraded to a new desktop and highquality headphones, making our shows sound better than ever and letting the talent at NSR truly shine. The blackboard wall in the studio has also been freshly painted, it is now a blank canvas! Whether you want to doodle your show’s logo, leave a shoutout, or simply make your mark, grab the colorful chalk pens and get drawing. This month is a really busy and exciting month for us. We have over 10 radio shows playing at StuBrew’s monthly bash at the end of the month! Taking place from 5-11 pm, StuBrew, Europe's first student-run brewery, will be serving their very own great-tasting student-brewed beers alongside NSR, who are there to keep the music flowing throughout, whether you’re there to chill or enjoy a pint. Due to the amount of interest we received, we hope to make this a monthly event showcasing the passion and talent of NSR. If you’re attending, expect an eclectic mix of tunes and great beer!

NSR is also working hard at the Elections Rally later this month to raise awareness of the Elections campaign. We’re committed to keeping students informed and engaged, bringing you all the latest updates and giving candidates a platform to share their ideas. Expect live coverage, interviews, and exclusive insights as we help you stay in the loop of the student elections! And that’s not all - the committee is working hard to plan some very fun socials this semester designed to allow you to meet fellow radio show hosts and make NSR even more of a community, so keep your eyes out for that! A bar crawl social collaboration with Media and Journalism Society is in the works for the end of this month, with a very fun dress-up theme… With new tech, fun opportunities, and big events it’s shaping up to be a really exciting semester for NSR!

Alicia McEvoy - NUTV Station Manager

Hi everyone! It’s been a crazy start to semester 2 for NUTV. With Student Elections coming soon, we’re more excited than ever before to get the team together and show off what we’ve been working on behind the scenes. With new graphics and (hopefully) everyone remaining calm if there’s issues, we’re ready for all of the viewers - so make sure to check our channel for that on the 24th Feb. We had a lovely end to semester 1, with Charlotte becoming our new communications manager, Fight Night and Student Council streaming becoming easier with every try. Thank you to everyone who’s been getting involved recently - we’re always happy for more people to give it a go!

Jess Hughes

- NSR Deputy Station Manager

It's all over now, film review: Looking at A Complete Unknown

Will the Bob Dylan film leave our two fanatics tangled up in blue?

Since 2018’s Bohemian Rhapsody, everyone and their nan has featured in a music biopic. So, when rumours spread that Dylan’s story would be adapted for the silver screen, fans were justifiably apprehensive. Was A Complete Unknown going to be a gold standard for the biopic genre, or 2h30m of terrible impressions and awful harmonica playing? Having made my pilgrimage to The Gate Cineworld, I can safely mark it down as the former.

Timothee Chalamet will certainly capture the headlines and hinge prompts, but his performance is amplified by a brilliant supporting cast. Indeed, the biopic would be nothing without Edward Norton (Pete Seeger), Monica Barbaro (Joan Baez), and Boyd Holbrook (Johnny Cash). Norton in particular steals the show – just picture The Narrator from Fight Club (1999) as a mildmannered folk musician.

The film isn’t afraid to portray Bobby as “kind of an asshole”, (not my words, but the movie version of Joan Baez’s). It’s no worship piece, and this creates an interesting debate surrounding the 1965 Newport Folk Festival. Was Dylan’s decision to play an electric set an act of artistic genius, or the

selfish betrayal of the folk community? Through its excellent portrayal of both Dylan and Seeger, A Complete Unknown lets you decide.

A good range of Dylan’s early discography, as well as music by Seeger, Baez and Cash, is covered faithfully throughout. Chalamet doesn’t overdo Bob’s signature accent, immediately easing fears and winning hearts. Special mention has to go to Monica Barbaro who, despite having never played guitar before being cast, produces the best vocal performance of the movie.

Of course, with every biographical film the director often takes some creative liberty in the stories they choose to tell. As someone who knows a lot about Bob Dylan some scenes were admittedly hard to watch. Saying that however, if you choose to make a biopic about Bob Dylan there is always going to be some inaccuracies.

Dylan has been making up his past for decades.

A Complete Unknown is loosely centred on Elijah Wald’s similarly named book and attempts to pack in as many details from these four infamous years (1961-1965) of Dylan’s career. There are just a few inaccurate details,

some so minor only the top Dylan fans would point to and some exceedingly obvious that viewers were left confused.

The more obvious ones are of course Sylvie Russo (played by Elle Fanning), a recreation of Suze Rotolo, the infamous girlfriend on the face of A Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Russo’s character inhabits all Rotolo’s qualities, and we see some events being retold from her book A Freewheelin Time. I stepped out of my second viewing of the film to hear an elderly woman shout in disbelief of Rotolo’s replacement thinking it was down to purely creative freedom. The issue risen with Fanning’s character was a request from Dylan himself. He wished that Suze’s name be changed as she was always a private person in her relationship with him and his career. With her passing in 2011 it seemed even more appropriate to keep her life private.

AI: The future or the foe?

This writer looks at the way AI is currently being used in cinema, and if it can be used for good...

Over a year after the Writers and Actors strikes ended in 2023, where victory was claimed over artificial intelligence due to regulations specifically for AI being agreed, Hollywood is once again embroiled in a debate around AI in film.

Two of the biggest Oscar contenders this year, The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez scrutiny as people debate whether their use of AI should be awarded, or even accepted, on cinema’s most prestigious stage. Both films used the Ukrainian ‘Respeecher’ software to alter their lead actor’s voices. The Brutalist Brody, who goes into the Oscars race with a Best Actor Golden Globe under his belt, so that his Hungarian accent would be supposedly indistinguishable from local Hungarians by refining certain vowels and letters. Whereas Emilia Pérez used the same Ukrainian software to extend the vocal range of lead actress Karla Sofía Garsón, who makes history at the Oscars as the first trans woman to be nominated for Best Actress. These utilisations of AI have been justified by some as simply being part of post production editing, with The Brutalist’s director Brady Corbet saying the AI was used to alter Brody’s accent with “creative intent” and to keep the accent as accurate as possible. However are these small uses of AI a sign of the future some predict AI will have in film? Whilst there was not a huge amount of AI used in both of these films, it suggests that the studios are beginning to see the possibilities of what AI can

be used for in cinema. However, just because technology such as Respeecher can enable filmmakers to create art in what seems to be an ‘easier’ way, does this not go against what film and art is supposed to be about?  Film is at its core an art form for expression,

“Studios will continue to encourage large scale use of it”

and if we remove the human nature of creativity, learning and mistakes from art, then we lose the very meaning of art itself. Whilst I can understand the desire to have Brody’s accent sound as accurate as possible to all audiences, an actor is supposed to push themselves to

There are many other events that were pushed slightly in the film. As a Dylan fanatic I did spend most of my time mentally noting all that was inaccurate with the film. But, as I said before, what is more Dylan than some explicitly wishywashy scene portrayals and a pushing of the truth?

James Mangold took Dylan’s suggestive declarations through his career and ran with it, and I can only appreciate a Dylan biopic that screams Dylanesque qualities within and throughout.

What are we watching?

This week's recommendations from our sub-editors...

Alex:

The Artist (2011)

Fancy a past Oscar fix? Then check out The Artist. The Best Picture winner in 2011 is a wonderful throwback to the silent comedies of yesteryear, and a heartwarming tale of old Hollywood.

Charlotte:

If Beale Street Could Talk (2019)

Nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score in 2019, If Beale Street Could Talk is a tender and thoughtful adaptation of James Baldwin's successful novel of the same name.

Ciara:

Sound of Metal (2019)

Taking home Oscars for Best Film Editing and Best Sound, Darius Marder's visceral drama tells the story of a heavy metal drummer who loses his hearing. In my opinion, Riz Ahmed's emotionally raw performance was equally Oscar-worthy.

Companion review: Sophie Thatcher Stuns in Blood

Ali Choudhary

A horror film with Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid? Sign us up!

It’s difficult to miss a work featuring the phenomenal Sophie Thatcher who recently starred in horror movie, Heretic, and returns to television screens this February in the third season of the delicious American horror drama, Yellowjackets. But Companion, directed by Drew Hancock, is a delightful addition to Thatcher’s previous filmography and this movie emerges as another visceral and fresh piece from the landscape of science fiction cinema, expertly crafting a narrative that intertwines elements of horror and dark comedy.

“Companion is a movie that embodies the feminist slasher genre and kills toxic misogynistic men who mask their entitlement

The film opens with Iris (Sophie Thatcher)—donning pastel headbands and outfits imbued with a retro aesthetic—joining her boyfriend, Josh (Jack Quaid), whom she is endlessly devoted to, on a weekend retreat to a secluded country house owned by the enigmatic but obviously licentious Sergey (Rupert Friend). However, in the setting of this spacious, white-

walled modern compound, there is a sense of fear and unknown that lingers in the crevices of the shots, anticipating something. It turns out that Josh’s pristine and unquestioning girlfriend is a robot programmed to compliment him and offer sex on demand. Like a Barbie doll, she arrives packaged with an included wardrobe and even got a supermarket meet-cute programmed into her, which was selected off a romcom list. This disgusting dynamic adds its own commentary on consent, objectification and the sex doll market. Quaid, who has also previously portrayed another incel loser boyfriend in Scream 5, plays the role of the manipulative and conceited man well. But Iris reclaims her body and saysto Josh, in a brilliantly hitting line: “Your days of controlling me are over.” That line is memorable, joining another moment in which Iris crisply critiques her sociopath is a movie that embodies the feminist slasher genre and kills toxic misogynistic men who mask their entitlement behind a façade of the ‘good guy’. The film is executed well, and those who would desire a rom-com version of Don’t are sure to enjoy the performances from Thatcher and the ensemble cast. It’s a charm from its opening sequence for horror fans and a probably a nightmare for

One final key epiphany I had after the movie that became immediately clear, though: Iris should have

Dylan Seymour & Sarah Tunstall - Sports sub-ed and Head of Culture

Abigail Charnley

Image Source: IMDb

Sub-Editors: Olivia Fee & Bertie Kirkwood

Balloonerism by Mac Miller:

"If I die young, promise to smile at my funeral"

One of our writers reviews the revered Mac Miller's newest posthumous album.

Mac Miller’s Balloonerism is nothing short of a time capsule from a decade passed, offering an unfiltered look into the mind of a struggling, but extraordinary talented young artist teetering between life’s inevitable highs and lows and grappling with the realities of fame.

Recorded in 2014 and released on the 17th of January this year, the album is Miller’s second posthumous album following Circles from 2020. Unlike this first project, which was originally intended as a companion piece to 2018’s Swimming, to create the Swimming in Circles project, Balloonerism doesn’t pretend to be a polished farewell to a much-loved artist, but instead a raw, unedited gift from Mac to his fans, giving them the opportunity to resonate with his music once more.

Released alongside a short film directed by Samuel Jerome Mason, the album is both a return to the archives and a poignant reminder of where Mac was at this time of his career. Following the success of his frat-day rap on K.I.D.S it was a time of introspection and experimentation, which eventually brought us Macadelic and Watching Movies with the Sound Off. The lyrics on Balloonerism offer an insight into the pondering of the young Mac and his very existence at this time in a way that is now eerily prophetic. The rapper tragically passed away from an accidental drug overdose in 2018 before he was due to embark on his next tour.

A large portion of Balloonerism had already been leaked on SoundCloud, with many fans clinging to unofficial releases as a way to feel closer to Miller and his music. In many ways, this release gives the album the proper platform it deserves and allows fans to convene once again in celebration of his life in music. Importantly, the producers of the album made a conscious decision to leave the tracks largely untouched with no reinvention or heavy editing. The roughness of some of the album is no mistake or coincidence, but rather a crucial part of its production and charm, a gift from high above the clouds if you will.

Musically, the album leans into simple beats and a relatively sparse production, allowing the lyrics to take centre stage. They are harrowing, and reflect the troubles that Miller experienced with substances even in the early stages of his career. There is an underlying playfulness, wit and wordplay characteristic of Miller’s style, but with an undeniable weight to other parts, which are only heavier now following his passing.

The album closes with the almost haunting 11 minute track, 'Tomorrow Will Never Come', a piece that leaves listeners with the uneasy silence of an unanswered answerphone. Ringing out until the last notes of the song, it is a heartbreaking reminder of the fragility of the album’s core and it’s creators' struggles and the tragic echo they leave behind.

"I've had a lot of uncomfortable,

difficult conversations": North East DJ Amelia Leigh on breaking gender norms

Olivia Fee - Music Sub-Editor

Amelia Leigh talks about her journey as a female DJ in the North East.

Alongside dominating the majority of Newcastle’s event line-ups, North East based DJ Amelia Leigh is making waves not just behind the decks but also as a driving force for inclusivity. Passionate about empowering women and marginalised groups, she is dedicated to helping others step out of their comfort zone and embark upon their own DJ journey.

“I’ve been wanting to DJ since I was like 18, and it just never really happened for me”, Amelia recalls. Reflecting on her first experience at a DJ society social, she shares, “I walk in, and it’s a room full of lads and I was like oh my god… genuinely I was so scared”. Having started Newcastle University during the peak of COVID-19, DJSoc events were her only real avenue to get involved – a space that unfortunately was overwhelmingly male-dominated. Despite this, Amelia says that “it made [her] more motivated.” For her, the goal was never to better her own career but to inspire greater representation in the scene. “It was never a personal gain thing. It

was more just like let’s get more female DJs and marginalised genders involved. I think there’s always more that can be done.”

"The goal was never to better her own career but to inspire greater representation"

Reminiscing about her first time on the decks, she laughs. “It looked like a spaceship. I had no idea what I was doing”. Determined to learn, Amelia invested in her own equipment from eBay and taught herself the basics via YouTube tutorials. “I started doing house gigs and garage gigs at the start to kind of get my foot in the door”. Her career gained momentum after being picked up by ROOD! record label – which she now manages –and securing a regular spot at Newcastle’s very own World Headquarters. The DJ describes how her career “snowballed”. She acknowledges, “I’m very grateful for my progression, because obviously there was a lack of both DnB and female DJs”.

When asked about the role of male-run events and promoters in increasing diversity, Amelia admits that she had to engage in “a lot of uncomfortable, difficult conversations” with promoters to push for more women on line-ups in the North East. While progress is being made, the pace of change remains

slow. Amelia is actively creating opportunities herself, running weekly two-hour sessions alongside fellow DJ Ellie Suddick (Sudik). “For women, marginalised genders, non-binary, you know, all the good stuff” Amelia says, “we kind of get them from zero to 100 basically.” Additionally, she highlights L.A.D.S (Ladies and Decks), a well-regarded initiative at Cobalt Studios, saying “they’re absolutely amazing.”

For those looking to discover new DJs in 2025, Amelia shared her top recommendations for ones to watch. “All of the ROOD! girls: Layla Lu, Missy, Titch, Neenzy,” she lists, before praising Melba: “Her mixing and productions are just crazy.” She also gives special mention to rising talent Molly “her sets are really

With some transcendental spinning under her belt and a mission to level the playing field, Amelia Leigh is not just shaping the future of DJing in Newcastle – she is redefining it.

Éire Time: Is Irish music having a moment in the UK?

Sasha Cowie

Irish music is booming in the UK; here's who to look out for.

Irish music has long been celebrated for its rich history, but in recent years, a fresh batch of Irish artists have been making serious waves in the UK. Whether it’s gritty post-punk, irreverent hip-hop, or genreblurring indie, there is an undeniable surge of talent capturing attention across the water. From festival line-ups to streaming charts, acts like Fontaines D.C. and Kneecap have pushed Irish music into the British mainstream, proving that the country’s musical influence extends far beyond traditional folk.

Fontaines D.C. have arguably led the charge, their raw, poetic brand of post-punk resonating with British audiences hungry for authenticity. Their Mercury Prize-nominated albums and electrifying live performances have cemented them as a serious force in alternative music. With their thick Dublin accents and unapologetic Irishness, they’ve proven that you don’t need to dilute your identity to succeed internationally. Their deep connection to Ireland is evident in songs like 'I Love You', 'Dublin City Sky', and 'Skinty Fia', which explore themes of national identity, nostalgia, and cultural commentary. In "I Love You," frontman Grian Chatten sings, "This island's run by sharks with children's bones stuck in their jaws," a scathing critique of corruption and historical injustices in Ireland. 'Dublin City Sky' takes a more sentimental tone, painting a wistful picture of love and longing against the backdrop of Dublin’s streets, while 'Skinty Fia' delves into the experience of Irish identity in exile.

On the other end of the spectrum, Kneecap have turned heads with their politically charged, bilingual (Irish and English) rap. Their provocative lyrics and rebellious attitude have drawn both controversy and admiration, but one thing’s for

associated with traditional music but less so with modern genres like rap. This bilingual approach makes their music stand out and connects deeply with both Irish-speaking audiences and those unfamiliar with the language, who are drawn in by the beats and energy of their tracks.

One of their most well-known songs, "Cúpla Focal," highlights this blend of political activism and linguistic pride. The song, with its hardhitting beats and aggressive delivery, uses the Irish language as a tool of defiance and expression, representing a generation of young people who are reclaiming their heritage in a modern context. Their music isn’t just about the beats; it’s about challenging the status quo, confronting issues like British occupation, poverty, and inequality in Northern Ireland.

Despite - or perhaps because of - their

" Whether it’s punk, rap, indie, or pop, there’s an Irish act redefining the sound of modern music."

The surge of Irish music in the UK is more than just a trend - it’s a testament to the sheer talent coming out of Ireland right now. Whether it’s punk, rap, indie, or pop, there’s an Irish act redefining the sound of modern music. And if this current wave is anything to go by, the UK’s love affair with Irish music is only just beginning.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Image source: Flickr

Image credit: @chriscue_media

Ellen Pinch - Travel Sub-Editor

A year of great pop: a look back on the Grammy Awards 2025

Emma Monaghan

Beyoncé won Album of the Year, whilst Kendrick Lamar's hit 'Not Like Us' swept five categories.

The 2025 Grammys were truly a show to watch, filled with monumental performances, new names and faces, and some welldeserved wins. Under the shadow of the devastating LA fires, the Grammys held a different, sentimental atmosphere of togetherness this year, with an opening performance of Randy Newman’s ‘I Love LA’ from local band Dawes, with many drives for donation and condolence throughout the night.

Beyoncé triumphed in the Album of the Year category for her country album Cowboy Carter, being the first Black woman since 1999 to do so. Kendrick Lamar swept five awards for his controversial but incredible diss track 'Not

Like Us', including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Newly emerging Doechii stunned the audience with her performance of 'Catfish' and 'Denial Is A River', to then win her first ever Grammy for Best Rap Album. She accepted the award with a powerful message to inspire Black female voices in the industry. There was a blast from the past in the Alternative category, with The Beatles winning Best Rock Performance for their reworked track 'Now and Then'. Hackney Diamonds Best Rock Album, being the Rolling Stones’ fifth Grammy. 'Flea' by St Vincent also won Best Alternative Performance, with Green Day, IDLES, Clairo, and Fontaines D.C. all missing out on awards this year.

"2024 was a huge year for women in pop music."

2024 was a huge year for women in pop music, with the infamous ‘pop girlies’ taking over the charts and media. Sabrina Carpenter took to the stage with an incredible performance of the chartdominating singles 'Espresso' and 'Please Please Please', before winning her first ever Grammy, for Best Pop Solo Performance. The inspiring Chappell Roan predictably won Best New Artist, giving a controversial acceptance speech on the industry and lack of care for artists. She gave us a colourful yet emotional performance of her hit 'Pink Pony Club', which she declared was a "love song" to LA. Surprisingly, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish missed out on awards in seven categories despite their recent Grammy success, with both artists winning Album of the Year in previous years.

The 2025 Grammys closed with a performance nothing short of iconic from Charli xcx—a rendition of 'Von Dutch’ and ‘Guess'. 2024 was the year of BRAT, with Charli bringing back electronic music and party girl vibes into pop, resulting in three Grammys from 10 nominations this year.

“We have to look out for one another in this precarious world”: Geordie talent Mezanmi on making music in uncertain times

Christine Soloch

Toon-born singer-songwriter Mezanmi sat down with the Courier to discuss his new album, Always Upwards.

Newcastle-born, London-based artist and composer Fran O’Hanlon has entered a new artistic chapter as Mezanmi. His recent album Always Upwards  is his most personal yet, revealing fresh and unique sounds as well as exciting musical collaborations with the likes of Jessie Buckley and Sandrayati. The Courier sat down with O’Hanlon to discuss his journey into music, the themes behind his latest release, and his enduring connection to Newcastle.

O’Hanlon’s musical career began in a band in Newcastle before he went off to study medicine in Edinburgh. Music remained a constant in his personal life, though, as he began recording his very first album with Mick Ross, now CEO at Newcastle talent development agency Generator. Soon enough during his early medical career in Sunderland he realised the importance of nurturing his creative side, leading him to juggle both professions. Alongside his musical pursuits, he now works as a part-time palliative

care doctor.

The two worlds, although they couldn’t be more different in nature, are in synergy for O’Hanlon. Inevitably, his career, especially in palliative care, shapes his songwriting as he encounters people during very profound moments in their lives. However, he doesn’t want his music to be solely defined by this profession.

"'It's easy to look at issues you see in the world and be critical, but not take responsibility yourself.'"

With Always Upwards, O’Hanlon’s focus switched towards self-examination. “It’s easy to look at issues you see in the world and be critical, but not take responsibility yourself”, he says. This shift is most evident in his song 'Again, Again'.

Originally written from a more detached perspective, he flipped the narrative to look at his own role in societal problems.

“It felt more genuine, a real turning point - if I’m gonna complain about things, then eventually I need to own up to being part of the problem too.”

Sonically, this album pushes boundaries, seamlessly merging folk, electronica and classical elements. “I love to see the way the three of them can melt together,” he says. In his long-standing collaboration with Grammy-winning

Pitch perfect: four of the greatest love songs for this Valentine's

Multiple writers

To celebrate Valentine's Day, we asked our writers for their favourite love songs to get you feeling hopelessly romantic.

Taylor Roth 'Pancakes For Dinner' by Lizzy McAlpine

Have you been crushing hard for ages and been postponing telling them? If so, this song is for you. You love fantasizing about love but need another minute or two (or a million) to ever reach out for it. While McAlpine's music is often sad, this song is a real pick-me-up and brings out that school-kid giddiness. This song has so much whimsy and makes you want to giggle, kick your feet, and twirl your hair. This Valentine’s Day, blast this tune and dance along in your pyjamas until you build the confidence to make your crush your valentine.

'Best Part' by Daniel Caesar and H.E.R. This is when you are in love in love. You have fallen head over heels. This song feels like a perfect night at a cosy bonfire snuggled up next to your partner. Life cannot get better. I aspire to find a love that feels like this song. Top-tier. No feedback. The two artists' voices melt into such a dreamy and calming melody, making you release a sigh of that unknown tension you had before. I would recommend this song to anyone celebrating a long-term relationship and looking to slow dance in their living room.

Rebecca Martin

'Here, There and Everywhere' by The Beatles

producer Guy Massey, the two like to experiment with bold sounds, continually pushing creative comfort zones.

"Mezanmi still believes success is about finding a creative community, wherever you are."

Beyond its rich sonic textures, Always Upwards carries a deeper message–questioning society’s illusion of endless progress. “We can’t just keep expecting for things to get better. We have to look out for one another in this precarious world.”

Despite his move to London, O’Hanlon’s ties to Newcastle remain strong: “The North East is still my spiritual home,” he admits, acknowledging evolving music labels start to in forming in the area. While London provided him with essential collaborations, personally, he still believes success is not tied to a move to the capital, but rather about finding a creative community, wherever you are.

As for a return to hometown stages?

“There’s so much fantastic music and musical friends in the North East, so I wanna keep exploring these collaborations, too.”

Mezanmi's debut album, Upwards

Paul McCartney has never found himself struggling for words when it comes to crafting the most ethereal, romantic ballads. During his time in The Beatles, he cemented his place as the champion of passionate melodies, undoubtedly encapsulating the romantic ethos of the swinging 60s with many hits. Though, when discussing Paul McCartney’s most treasured love songs, ‘Here, There and Everywhere’ sticks out. Appearing on Revolver, McCartney’s lyrics of intense longing (“Changing my life with a wave of her hand”), paired with the subtlety of the rhythm guitar come together to form not only one of the greatest songs ever, but also one perfect for Valentines Day.

Ashley Levy 'Mama, You Been on My Mind (Studio Outtake - 1993)' by Jeff Buckley (Bob Dylan cover) What do you get when you combine Jeff Buckley’s vocals and Bob Dylan’s writing? Emotional devastation, that’s what. "Please understand me / I have no place I'm calling you to go / I'm just whispering to myself so I can pretend that I don't know Mama / You're just on my mind". Are you insane? The best love songs are written when love is lost. They’re mournful and lamenting and they’re really love letters in song, and not one does that better than this one, a song full of yearning and so much sadness: "I don’t even mind who you’ll be waking with tomorrow / But then, Mama, you’re just on my mind".

Image source: POPDUST

Image credit: Alex Kozobolis

Image source: Ed Griffith

The Perfect Match: What to watch during the month of love

Scarlet Davies - Campus Comment Sub-Editor

One of our Sub-editors suggests the perfect Valentine's Day watchlist.

Bridgerton

Ah yes, the classic. This show incorporates Regency-Era London with plenty of longing glances across ballrooms and steamy sex scenes in carriages. It has a diverse cast and also tackles social and sexual boundaries whilst still maintaining that Disneylike, dreamy quality. With each series focusing on a different Bridgerton sibling, there’s no doubt that everyone will find a character that they can relate to and enjoy watching this Valentine’s day. Besides, who hasn’t fantasised about being swept off their

feet in a historical drama? Minus the sexism and rotting teeth, of course.

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Pride and Prejudice walked so Bridgerton could run. This six-part series is the cause of most people’s undying crush on young Colin Firth; the adaptation is more truthful to the novel than the 2005 version, which is more condensed and has less time to develop the characters. It is in both parts serious and comedic, with Lizzie and Darcy’s enemies-to-lovers arc completely stealing the spotlight. Elizabeth holds onto her independence whilst also falling in love with a tall, dark, handsome suitor. Don’t be put off by this being your mum’s comfort watch, it really is as good as she says.

If there’s anything better than period pieces, it’s love triangles. Jane is a young religious woman who has sworn to remain a virgin until marriage, but finds that

Are Gen Z Over

TV Sex Scenes?

Do TV Sex Scenes need to be updated for the next Generation?

The "ick" – that sudden, inexplicable feeling of cringe that makes you question everything about a person you were once attracted to – has become a defining term of Gen Z dating culture. Maybe it’s the way they pronounce “moist,” or how they run for the bus with their backpack bouncing. Once you get the ick, there's no coming back. But this phenomenon isn’t just limited to relationships – Gen Z seems to be getting the ick from something else too: sex scenes.

Gone are the days when a steamy scene in a film or TV show was the highlight of the evening. These days, if a couple starts undressing on screen, Gen Z is more likely to roll their eyes, fast-forward, or check their phone until it’s over. But why? Have they suddenly become prudes? Not quite. It’s more that they’re questioning whether these scenes actually add anything to the story –or if they’re just thrown in for shock value. After all, who hasn’t sat through an awkwardly long, unnecessary sex scene and thought, 'Was that really needed?'

Part of this shift comes down to Gen Z’s obsession with authenticity. Raised on the internet, they can smell forced, unrealistic content a mile

away. A passionate kiss before the camera tastefully fades to black? Fine. A ten-minute sequence of tangled limbs and unnecessary heavy breathing? Instant ick. If a scene doesn’t feel natural or is obviously there just to be “edgy,” they’re not interested. And let’s be honest – a lot of sex scenes aren’t even that sexy. Weird angles, awkward noises, bad dialogue – sometimes it's less steamy romance and more second-hand embarrassment.

Ultimately, Gen Z isn’t against sex in media, but they do want it to be done right. If it’s important to the plot and handled with care, great. But if it’s just there for the sake of it? Instant fast-forward. Maybe the ick factor isn’t killing sex scenes – maybe it’s just forcing Hollywood to do them better.

she’s been injected with sperm from a donor during a gynaecological appointment. Jane is caught between her fiance Michael, and Rafael, the rich sperm donor who she has a surprising connection with. But don’t worry if the serious topics scare you; the tv show still knows how to make fun of itself, with telenova-style narration and plenty of mishaps. Despite the premise of the show being every students’ worst nightmare, it’s a notably good watch.

Pushing Daisies

This show mixes elements of mystery and fantasy, revolving around Ned - a man who can bring the dead back to life. However, the only catch is that if he touches them again, they’ll die. The show centres around his love interest Charlotte, who he brought back from the dead and therefore cannot touch. Although the show only has two seasons, it includes some great characters and some even better mysteries. If you enjoy a detective-style show laced with two characters who can’t be together but spend most of the show gazing at each other, this might be the one for you. Nothing more romantic than some unresolved sexual tension, right?

Heartstopper

And of course, everyone’s favourite

comfort show. It focuses on Nick and Charlie, the main couple, but over the seasons every character becomes fully fleshed out and creates a likeable cast. It touches on some deep topics - such as Charlie’s eating disorder and experience with homophobia - but mostly remains optimistic and almost unrealistically cute, complete with animations by the comic-creator Alice Oseman. Maybe no one else’s high school relationship was ever that romantic, but we can all dream of falling in love with someone across a classroom. It would certainly make lectures more interesting.

Top romantic telly moments

One of our writers discusses their most romantic TV scenes of all-time.

In the lead up to Valentine’s Day, we want to remember the most romantic moments that have graced our screens. Whether you're needing a show to watch on date night, or just wanting the comfort of seeing your favourite characters in love, here are my top romantic moments: Gilmore Girls is a show full of romance and reconciliation. A favourite series of mine, I could have chosen at least ten scenes as the most romantic. I had to pick a Luke and Lorelai scene, a fan favourite couple due to the long winded ‘will they, won’t they’ trope. For me, their most romantic scene is their first kiss, in which Luke said to Lorelai, “Will you just stand still?” before a naked Kirk runs between them whilst sleepwalking. A classic moment, whilst also providing fans with what they had been waiting for over four seasons. is a must watch for all romantics. Jake and Amy’s relationship is a highlight of the show, and one of my favourite couples on TV. Whilst their proposal scene will go down as one of the best, Jake explaining when he realised he wanted to marry her, is my personal favourite scene. Amy’s anger at “a typo in this crossword puzzle,” sums her up perfectly, and shows just how much love

The couples in New Girl are some of the best on TV. Whilst Schmidt and Cece, Winston and Aly, and Coach and May have incredible love stories, Nick and Jess are the firm fan favourite for a reason. Their reconciliation in the season 6 finale with Lorde’s ‘Green Light’ playing in the background is, in my opinion, a perfect scene. Shameless isn’t a show you would describe at romantic. Despite this, the relationship between Mickey and Ian, whilst at times rocky, becomes the epitome of a flawless TV relationship. Even bringing Ian’s father Frank to tears, the so-called ‘Gallavich’ wedding is a particularly emotional scene which sums up their tumultuous 10 season long relationship.

If you are reading this with your partner, or whilst listening to Taylor Swift’s heart-breaking ‘loml’ on repeat, I hope this list completes your perfect Valentine’s Day plans.

Aarya Shenoy

Melissa O'Reilly

Image sources IMDb

Imogen Snook

One of our writer's discusses the traitorous phenomenon.

Studio Lambert’s The Traitors was avidly watched by over 10 million viewers. Its success has much to do with its difference from recent reality TV shows. It doesn’t depend on beautiful people intending to date each other, but rather casts ordinary people as detectives in a life-sized game of Cluedo in a beautiful Scottish castle. But there is something else which makes the show so popular, and no, it’s not Claudia Winkleman’s eccentric outfits or humorous commentary. Rather, the game is compelling because of its primal nature and psychological implications.

The Traitors has roots in another game, called “Werewolf”, invented by a Russian student of sociology who wanted to prove his thesis that an uninformed majority will always lose a battle of information against an informed minority. Those chosen as “Traitors”, who commit murders each night, are almost always able to completely manipulate the “Faithfuls”. Hidden

information gives the Traitors this power. In response, the Faithfuls’ primal instincts, to protect their own and to survive, kick in. What follows seems to be a psychological experiment, demonstrating how quickly people form “tribes”, containing the people they trust, and that a herd mentality will triumph evidence and reason.

When the players reach the Round Table each night and decide to “banish” one person, hoping to catch a Traitor, they almost always get it wrong. All it takes is for the name of one player to be mentioned in two or three conversations, and soon the votes for their banishment will be rolling in. The Traitors know this, and use it to their advantage: Season 3 Traitor, Minah, voiced her suspicions about a group of four Faithfuls, calling them a “clique”. This idea spread through the players’ conversations like wildfire and led to the banishment of one of these four that same evening. All it takes is for the name of one player to be mentioned in two or three conversations, and soon the votes for their banishment will

be rolling in.

The viewers witnessing this psychological phenomenon are in a similar position to the Traitors – they have the insider knowledge. The show therefore provokes its viewers to shout at the telly and wonder how the Faithfuls keep getting it so “obviously” wrong. It’s the kind of show which gives out false confidence, making people say, “I could do that. I’d make a great Traitor”.

This year, despite several commentators pointing out flaws in the game, such as the controversial role of the “Seer” and the lack of forfeiture when Faithfuls are banished during the Finale, The Traitors almost doubled it's audience since the first series. The show’s immersive examination of society, humanity and survival contributes to its uniqueness and widespread

Right person, wrong time...

Iris Rushton

On-screen ships that should have happened.

There was much deliberation with this question over a shepherd’s pie one night with friends and we came up with quite an interesting list. Excluding some silly suggestions like ‘Robbie Rotten and Sportacus’ and a throuple consisting of Richard Hammond, Jeremy Clarkson and James May, these are just a few that we came up with:

Friends - If she hadn’t ended up with Mike, then I think that Phoebe and Joey would have made a really good couple. Throughout the series, they just got each other. They shared interests, had lots of fun together, like sampling Emma’s baby food and playing with the chick and the duck but most importantly, they were always supportive of each other. When Phoebe was pregnant and upset over craving meat, it was Joey who gave up something he really loved. They laughed, cried, listened, cared for and saw each other at their best and worse and didn’t judge who the other was – they simply let them be themselves. They were clearly attracted to each other and had undeniable chemistry, so it seems that this is ship is something that the writers wanted as well.

Criminal MindsJJ and Spencer. In series one, it’s obvious that Spencer has a crush on his co-

worker JJ, even asking her out on a date. In later series, even though she is married, she confesses that she loves him. They’re both young, smart and both get on really well. It may just be because I am a huge fan of the show and the characters but I would have loved (and I think others would have too) to have seen a relationship between them slowly grow over time. It just seems that the timing for both of them was never right but the writers wanted to show that at some point, they could have been quite happy together.

The Rookie - Tim and Lucy. While they briefly dated, it seemed clear to me that they should have gotten together a lot sooner. For a while, it looked they were flirty with each other, with Tim’s tough exterior making him seem a little emotionless. Not only were they attracted to each other, the bond they had was one that grew and was nurtured over time. They were colleagues, and then more. When Lucy traumatised by Caleb and Rosalind, Tim was always there for her and never let her forget how strong and brave she is. Wrong timing just got in the way. With the latest series just starting to air, I’m hoping that they

Our Top Traitor's

Kirsty Dow

& Cory Gourley

- TV Sub-Editors

Cory: You won Leanne, Enjoy the money I hope it makes you happy. Ok, hear me out but Charlotte was by far my favourite traitor this series. She was as camp as christmas, direct and cut-throat, for me that is what this show is all about. I personally loved that she threw her 'friends' under the bus to get what she wantedwouldn't we all? P.s. Do not trust this woman!

Kirsty: Queen Minah deserved that money, and I will be forever gutted that her time on was cut short mere days before the final. A traitor since day one she worked hard throughout the show, taking the unusual - but refreshing route - of being kind to her fellow Traitors, including asking permission to throw them under the bus, for that I would have loved to see her be rewarded with the prize money.

The Traitors: The secret to its success Actor Spotlight

Actor Spotlight's Creator features Anna Madeley.

Astandout in many a British drama, (having starred in series set in almost every time period, from Regency’s Sense & Sensibility, to present day Deadwater Fell) you’d be forgiven if you didn’t realise how often Madeley blesses our screens - she’s a total chameleon! Embodying her characters in such a way that even if her physical appearance has not been altered, the audience is quickly mesmerised by her craft, forgetting that she’s the actor behind it all. With so many credits to Madeley’s name, this spotlight could run forever, but I’ve narrowed it down to a few of my personal faves.

All Creatures Great and Small (2020)

This cosy historical drama based on the books by James Herriot is a comfort show for many, and at the heart of it all stand’s Madeley’s character, the remarkable Mrs Hall. A minor character in the books and original series, the reboot makes her one of its most powerful. So much more than a Housekeeper of a busy Veterinary Practice, she is the heart and soul of Skeldale House, without whom the created family we’ve come to know and love on-screen would not exist. Always there to patch up any problems between those she loves with a warm smile or a reprimand, this role showcases Madeley’s embodiment of character. Mrs Hall’s strong Yorkshire accent, her tone, her mannerisms, and even the way she holds herself, are completely different to Madelely in real life. There’s just something about the way she plays this character which

allows her to completely transform.

Lewis - 'For Whom the Gods Would Destroy' Starring in the very first episode, Madeley sets the tone for the long-running Oxford based crime drama. Following Newcastle’s own Kevin Whately as Geordie Detective Robert Lewis, Madeley stars as Anne Sadikov, a steadfast wife seemingly trapped in her marriage to an explosive husband. Spoiler - all is not what it seems - she’s been orchestrating the string of murders in the episode all-along. However, it’s a tragic and complex case, devoted to righting an incredible wrong. The episode is poignant, allowing Madeley to encompass a whole range of emotions, from almost saintly, to cold-blooded and calculated. It’s all in her eyes, the way they switch from hardened to haunted, soft and grieving.

Special mention - Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: A Pocket Full of Rye Madeley is unrecognisable as Adele Fortescue, a peroxide blonde trophy wife who stands to inherit her older husband’s entire estate when the horrid man is murdered. Previous roles mentioned in this list have been complex, but this one is childish and spoiled which goes to show Madeley’s diverse range. It’s also a moment to appreciate her brilliant accent work, each role mentioned here is delivered in an accent that is not the actor’s own, and they never fail to hit the mark. The character is so divorced from her usual look that I had an argument with my parents over whether Madeley played her at all, further showing the actor’s aforementioned chameleonic abilities!

Kirsty Dow - TV Sub-Editor

Birdsong review: A spectacle of love, war and tragedy

One of our writers enjoyed a night at The Theatre Royal to watch Birdsong

Rachel Wagstaff’s stage adaption of Sebastian Faulks’ novel establishes an immersive setting for the audience right from the beginning. A desire for love and belonging is a theme underpinning the entire performance.

The drama encapsulates the severe hardship workers were forced to endure at the time, even outside of war. Social structures and the insistent power-hungry elites pushed this agenda onto desperate, starved individuals, who were looking for a way to survive. Throughout the play, this feeling of seemingly inescapable suffering of everyday people flourishes.

However, the story proved to the audience that even through all of this, love provides people with life meaning. Whether that be family, close friends, or partners.

"Love provides

people with life meaning. Whether that be family, close friends or partners."

The Battle of Somme 1916, one of the deadliest

Pantone's colour of the year: Mocha Mousse

Pantone, a company based on creating colour information for the creative industry, has named ‘Mocha Mousse,’ as this year's colour. From observing each year's trends and global mood, their aim is to blend culture and colour into a hue.

It seems quite fitting to have an earthy, warm pink-brown colour after this year's fashion trends. From the clean girl ‘no makeup, makeup’ aesthetic, Sofia Richie’s old money look to Hailey Rhode Bieber's skincare brand, Mocha Mousse is screaming to be the 2025 colour of the year. It resonates with chocolate, coffee mornings, cosy nights and when the leaves in Autumn start to fall. Mocha Mousse is nurturing us in its warm blanket while the political world falls around us.

Modern seems to be the right word for Mocha Mousse, it cleverly evades the muddy look, attempting to make brown ‘cool,’ a colour that has never quite had its moment. An understated, classic, sophisticated nude, it reminds me of the 90s lip liner that is still the item to have.   However, it could be said that without the trends of the winter trench coat, and minimalist two-tone outfits that Kim Kardashion’s, Skims, has put into the fashions dictionary, the colour could have been seen as an office, notebook boring brown that has been left on the shelf. Or as a child could say, a ‘poop’ brown, a colour, uninspiring and bland.

For the likes of interior design, where maximalist and bold colours are embracing homes, it is surprising that a bright blue or purple wasn't in the mix this year. However, the understated brown is an elegant touch to one's living room decor. I can see Hollywood actors and Italian designers already itching to use this colour.

battles in human history, was at the centre of the play. Over one million soldiers were either killed or wounded throughout the fighting, as stated by BBC News. Having been set in France, Birdsong tragically envisions the horrific effect of this battle on those who fought in it, their loved ones and the locals.

"Wagstaff's Birdsong heartshatteringly strikes the audience."

Heroism and bravery are often associated with going to war. Propaganda swarms the streets, in an attempt to motivate soldiers to fight. Those who volunteered were overcome with praise, applause, and gusto. Birdsong teaches the audience that no matter what the history books try to teach us, only those who fought in the war will truly know what it was like.

The ineliminable memory haunted the soldiers following the commencement of the war. Shell shock was a severe consequence for those who put their lives at risk to fight for their country. Birdsong captures this horrific ordeal and how it impacted the men’s lives post-war. Lashing out at people and unpredictable, erratic behaviour ensued. Complete pandemonium often followed for the family, friends, and individuals involved, which the play tragically encompasses Lighting often plays a prominent role in performances, typically simulating the good

and bad elements of a story. In Birdsong, the contrast of the dark and white light imitates the complexities of war itself. For instance, many young boys had lied about their age to be able to fight in the war. Wagstaff portrays the impacts of this in a way that heart-shatteringly strikes the audience. Yet, on the surface, this particular choice of young boys was showcased as a form of courageousness and valour. It was largely viewed as males protecting their country, the citizens of it, and everything it stood for, no matter the cost.

As we follow along the story of Isabelle and Stephen, we gain an insight into what life was truly like in these tragic times.

What is the true meaning of love?

Does war worsen this, as people attempt to survive the threat of war?

All in all, the stage adaptation of Birdsong is a must-see for everyone who is itching to see a tugs on their heartstrings, reestablishes the meaning of love, and brings a tear to

Do artistic people always have to date other creatives?

Creative people, often have a form of liberation within their lifestyle; whether it's emotional, physical or spiritual. The dynamic between a creative and their partner needs to be of understanding and balance as with every healthy relationship.

It is much more complicated for a creative to be with a creative than. for example, a doctor with a doctor. Creativity, even if of the same medium practice can vastly vary due to the liberation creation of art provides. A creatives lifestyle is more flexible (especially if freelance), but it is not impossible. Because the majority of work in the medical field holds an emotionally and physically draining result, if two medics are dating each other, they have that understanding - the understanding of space, time and routine is likely to lead to a successful partnership.

If you imagine a classic persona of an artistegotistic, ruthless, unhealthily ambitious- and from the outset you excuse their behaviour as an artistic 'quirk' (cough, cough flaw) – bad news. They're simply not a nice human, or at least irresponsible with their emotions. Treating you awfully to save their art will do the opposite to your relationship. If they're only like that in the moment of peak creation, then the responsibility would be to collaboratively discuss space away from each other during those times. Responsibility is the key here.

Despite being a creative, even this responsible decision can be challenging – how long is this burst going to last? Will you stay in contact, or will your relationship be frozen for the next two weeks? This would be challenging for anyone, so it's not for everyone, but if the person is worth it and treats their passion retrospectively to your relationship, then it may be manageable.

A prominent challenge between two creatives, specifically of the same medium, may come from an undercurrent of competition. Whether it's you constantly comparing and competing with your partner or vice versa, it is unhealthy and will create resentment.

Even though many creatives meet through

Heart in Art: romantic portrayals of 'the kiss'

Romance and love have long been a profound source of inspiration for artists across centuries. Whether through depicting heartbreak and longing or using vibrant colours to symbolize the euphoria of new love, it has the power to capture both the agony and the beauty of human connection. Through brushstrokes and symbolism, artists explore the depth, complexity, and mystery of love in all its forms. One of these forms that have always seemed to undeniably take hold, however, is through the symbolism of a kiss.

Klimt used gold leaf to create a luminous, almost sacred aura, drawing viewers into the intensity and passion of a couple's embrace. The painting depicts a man and woman locked in a tender yet all-consuming moment, their bodies entwined as if love itself has enveloped them. The shimmering gold background dissolves the boundaries between them and the world, suggesting that love has the power to transcend everything else, making reality fade into something ethereal and infinite.

Tenderness and passion through the act of a kiss are also captured in Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s Au lit: Le baiser (1892). Part of his provocative "bed series," which portrays intimate moments between prostitutes, this painting delves into a more raw and sensual depiction of love. Unlike the ethereal purity of Klimt’s The Kiss, Toulouse-Lautrec’s work presents two women locked in a passionate embrace, their kiss full of deep sensuality and desire. The painting’s candid portrayal of intimacy and human connection reveals love’s complex, sometimes unrefined nature, showcasing its physical and emotional intensity.

events, viewings and exhibitions where their interests initially connect them, they can simultaneously disconnect them. However, this most definitely says more about the person competing. If one finds oneself monitoring and resenting the successes of one's partner and subconsciously competing with them, it only mirrors one's internal insecurity of not being good enough. However, limited or distant knowledge of your creative pursuit or anything art-related can lead to a vast disconnect. Your partner may struggle or be unable to understand your passions and ways of seeing life – leading to a challenge in connecting with the exterior world and being unable to experience things similarly together. This can also inspire some, specifically finding an alternative perspective on life and your surroundings.

A relationship between a creative and a noncreative may be challenging. The shut-off period (if the creative individual has them) may be difficult for someone who doesn't experience such.

The tight schedule of a 9-5 workday, in comparisonto a self-led day where the creative may be working night, may lead to the pair not even crossing paths or spending quantitative time to begin or maintain the relationship.

The artists who speak through their art rather than through conversation may not be the right fit for you if you strive for traditional communication forms, similar to those who communicate through sex rather than discussing a problem. Even though this may not suit every person, if a couple have a mutual understanding and it works for them, it works for them!

So, If you're a confident individual you can date anyone, including other creatives, other than insecure ones! But suppose you struggle with confidence around your creativity. In that case, it may be best to be around people who don't subconsciously place pressure on your creativity and distract you from your individual pace. At the end of the day it all depends on you. Even though being with a creative isn't straightforward, the majority of people aren't straightforward, so maybe having an artistic quirk is better than being with a skydiving instructor?

For those of you who are not fans of Valentine's Day, you’ll be pleased to know that where love can be found in art, there is also pain and heartbreak. Often, artists project deeper meanings through the notion of a ‘kiss,’ and this can lead to more haunting and melancholic portrayals.

René Magritte’s The Lovers (1928) also features a couple sharing a kiss, but in stark contrast to Klimt’s tender portrayal of love, Magritte’s painting has been described as "a masterpiece of sexual frustration." In this unsettling work, both figures are obscured by cloths covering their heads, preventing them from truly seeing or feeling each other. The lovers' inability to connect fully symbolizes the emotional distance and suffocation that can exist within relationships. Through its surreal and darker symbolism, The Lovers suggests that love, no matter how intimate, often comes with barriers—whether emotional, physical, or psychological—that prevent us from ever truly knowing or understanding the other person.

Similarly, at first glance, The Kiss by Edvard Munch seems to be an emotional portrayal of intimacy, with a man and woman in a close embrace, their faces merging into a shadowy, indistinct form. However, a deeper analysis reveals that Munch’s depiction of love is far from joyful—it carries unsettling and complex undertones. The blending of their faces suggests that falling in love can result in a loss of self and identity, as the boundaries between individuals blur. In The Kiss, love is not a source of bliss, but rather an experience fraught with anxiety and existential dread, hinting at the profound vulnerability and fear that often accompany deep emotional connection.

Whether you view love as a skeptic or a romantic, whether it’s seen as an embodiment of passion, joy, and life—like artists such as Klimt envisioned—or as a warning of heartbreak and pain, as Munch projected, love remains inescapable in the world of art. It captivates the creative mind and soul, transcending time and culture.

No matter the decade, love will always pulse forcefully through art, with its interpretations continuously evolving, reflecting the complexities and contradictions of human experience.

Marina Snyder - Head of Life and Style

Imogen Hayes

Image credit: wikimedia commonschristpher down

Amy Jones

Varya Darling

Image credit:s pixabay

Men used to build cathedrals Love on a budget: Valentines crafts

Amelia Hunter

Now all they do is lie...

The castles and cathedrals of Europe cannot be denied status as some of the greatest architectural achievements in the world.

From the Sistine Chapel to the Palais de Versailles, the skill, dedication, and ornate excellence of old European architecture attracts millions of tourists each year. Most of the cathedrals and churches in Europe were built between the 11th and 17th centuries, begging the question of how modern architecture has become so boring despite the technological advancements of the last few centuries.

Modern architectural marvels are mostly constructed of glass and metal. In the 21st century almost all new buildings are feeding the pandemic of detail deprivation, with minimalism reigning supreme and millennial beige expanding its territory with each home renovation. The towers and turrets of cathedrals and castles have been removed from architects’ handbook as modern skyscrapers follow the same pattern of flat, glass facades. The ornate detailing, sculptures, and gargoyles that feature on blueprints from the Middle Ages to the Victorian era have been neglected, and the modern love of glass is inarguably bland and unexciting in comparison to the stained-glass of old churches and cathedrals.

These buildings were created as a statement of man’s commitment to and fear of the glory of God, the spires extended towards the heavens and the time, money, and physical resources needed for the construction were an extension of this honouring of God. St Paul’s Cathedral took 35 years to build, and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel alone took Michelangelo 4 years to paint. Now, it seems architects and construction workers are primarily concerned with the quantity and effectiveness of their productions and all character features are slowly dying out.

Modern housing estates display large-scale uniformity and boring square houses, millennial ‘beige moms’ on social media are ruining preexisting houses by tearing out all signs of historic character, and lists of 21st century architectural ‘masterpieces’ consist of increasingly voyeuristic glass constructions.

“Crafted architecture may be lost to passage of time”

It feels like the art of crafted architecture may be lost to the passing of time, a tragedy for which we have no excuse or explanation only apologies to our ancestors who succeeded in the construction of such marvels in the absence of the technology we have since developed and prioritise ChatGPT over castles.

Alicia McEvoy - NUTV Station Manager

Show your love on a student budget

Despite being a day of love, Valentine’s Day shouldn’t be about the amount you spend, but the time and effort you spend on your person. A little creativity and effort can make the day just as special without breaking the bank!

A memory jar

A custom playlist

You could find a jar, and on different coloured paper, write down your favourite memories together, reasons that you love them, quotes and song lyrics, or even future date ideas. The handwritten element shows you’ve put the time into reminiscing on times you’ve shared.

A homemade scrapbook

Similar to the first one, you can write down the same type of things on different pages, but it would allow you to have a selection of photos that are associated with each memory, as well as giving you the chance to write heartfelt letters which express your love and appreciation for the other person. You can put more time into having both of your personalities expressed in a book.

This is one of my favourite ways to show my appreciation for someone. You can fill it with songs that remind you of the other person or use it as an excuse to introduce them to some of your favourite songs. I always love to spend time making sure that the order is right, with the perfect cover photo.

Baking

This can either be done alone or by inviting that special person over to help you. You can never guarantee that baking will go smoothly, but you will both laugh about it. It’s a chance for you to find out their favourite sweet treat, and you get to make it with love – rather than buying it from the shop. Finding a cute box will make it feel extra special too.

Cooking a homemade meal

This will help you avoid the stress of finding a restaurant at the last minute. You can light candles, set the mood with music (maybe the custom playlist you made), and combine elements of your favourite meals. It will be a lot cheaper, and you don’t feel like you’re shouting to have a conversation.

A look inside Gdańsk's viral World War Two Museum

Amy Mescus - Gaming Sub-Editor

TikTok trend or worth the hype?

Desperate for a sense of relaxation in between exam/assignment season and the beginning of semester two at university, my

Museum was only a scenic, 15-minute walk along the Motława River. It was brisk. Very brisk. However, I went towards the end of January so it was no one's fault but my own. Gdańsk also offer plenty of rental bikes if you'd prefer to travel that way.

Upon arriving at the museum, I was very impressed with the architecture. The building stands proudly with a total area of over 34,000 square metres, and features a fascinating angled glass wall with a bold orange colour all around it.

I saw many people on social media saying to go early because there is so much to see, and I'll be honest - I doubted them. They just don't get museums like I do. But trust me when I tell you, you will be there for literal hours and you'll probably need a sit-down break every now and again. I was very lucky in the sense that the main exhibition, which was closed for renovation, opened on the Tuesday I was there! So I had no excuse to miss it.

“Top tip: go on Tuesdays - it's totally free!”

The main exhibition is allocated an area of over 5,000 square metres and starts off with a projector in a dark room. The video introduces you to WW2 and how it started. Although this is semi-common knowledge through history lessons at school, the video was incredibly captivating and informative in a way that I hadn't anticipated. A small detail that I noticed (and loved) was that there was a timestamp in the corner of the projector to let you know how long the video is. The following rooms displayed a plethora of Nazi propaganda posters from WW2, and uniforms belonging to the Gestapo. As well, there was

an original sculpture of Hitler's head displayed in a glass case. The sculpture was unearthed in Gdańsk in 2015 by construction workers and was crafted by Josef Thorak, an official Third Reich sculptor, in 1942. The artefact was in good condition despite its half-century slumber underground, deeming it an impressive piece in the city's WW2 Museum.

“An entirely fake street that mimicked what Gdańsk would have looked like”

The next area of the museum was my personal favourite. Within the exhibition was an entirely fake street that mimicked what Gdańsk would have looked like during the Second World War. The attention to detail was mesmerising and the whole experience felt so immersive. Another minute feature that I adored was the hallway of the main exhibition was built directly where Weilka Street was, until it was mostly destroyed in 1945; the museum incorporated the lasting cobblestone into the floor to honour this.

“I would recommend that anyone go at least once in their life”

Without spoiling too much, the main exhibition is also home to some amazing objects like a Russian tank and a replica of a life-sized atomic bomb that was used on Hiroshima, Japan. There was even an entire section dedicated to the concentration

camps and the people who devastatingly lost their lives in them. It's hard to pinpoint how exactly to feel when exploring these rooms. Of course, the museum itself is extraordinary, but reading about the tragic context behind each display evokes a sense of distress and emotions like no other.

I could speak about this museum all day but I would recommend that anyone to go at least once in their life. Not only is there the magnificent main exhibition, but there are temporary exhibitions to check out as well. From beginning to end I was captivated by the museum and I hope anyone who is ever in Gdańsk takes a few hours from their day to visit.

Image credit: OpenClipart-Vectos, Pixabay

Image credit: OpenClipart-Vectos, Pixabay

Image credit: YoshisMom, Pixabay

Image credit: YoshisMom, Pixabay

Image source: Amy Mescus

Image source: Amy Mescus

Image credits: Jozefm84, Fauzan291 Pixabay

Co-op games to play with your partner on Valentine's!

Ditch the dinner reservations and stay in this Valentines...

If you’re unsure what to do with your partner this Valentines, why not stay cosy with the best CO-OP games! Whether you’re a complete novice or regularly enjoy gaming, these picks vary in difficulty. Although be warned…there may be a few disagreements along the way!

Unravel 2

Unravel 2 is a two-player experience, and sequel to the original Unravel. The game is available on most platforms, and normally a good price. You play as tiny characters called Yarnys, who are connected to each other by a piece of thread. The mysterious storyline is immersive as you navigate through forests, buildings and urban landscapes. There are a variety of well designed levels and puzzles that force players to cooperate. The levels progressively become harder to test players cooperative skills and their knowledge of the games mechanisms. However, it still remains

friendly for beginners as there are level hints and checkpoints to allow for a satisfying gameplay experience. I would highly recommend to play this game with your partner, as its charming characters and puzzles make you want to keep playing. Kirby and the Forgotten Land

For those Nintendo fans, the release of Kirby and the Forgotten Land brought the characters first full 3D game. This vibrant, charming and fun game has solidified itself in the Kirby franchise and has made staggering sales for the Nintendo Switch. The game has the option for co-op gameplay, as one person controls Kirby and the other plays Bandana Waddle Dee. Together using different abilities you can explore the various colourful worlds, defeating enemies and finding hidden achievements. The game provides a laid-back experience, but continues to encourage both players to work together to complete challenges - perfect to play with your partner!

Overcooked

If you and your partner are looking for the ultimate co-op player challenge, then Overcooked is what you should play! The franchise includes a few spin-offs of the original, and the company Team17 have made other great co-op games to check out. However, Overcooked is

Newcastle gaming market

Adam Lovegrove - Head of Culture

widely accessible on most platforms and is one of the most memorable games I have played. The games simple concept of cooking and creating meals against the timer is very rewarding and visually appealing. The beginning levels allow you to understand the demands of the game, however the levels soon ramp up in difficulty. The game is designed to challenge your cooking skills and test your relationship! There is a possibility that you will have some disagreements with your partner… It Takes Two

Marvel Rivals : the death of Overwatch ?

Emily-Maisy Milburn

Has Overwatch officially lost its hero-shooter crown to Marvel Rivals?

The hero shooter genre has become an over-saturated minefield in the last eight years or so, with the biggest video game fail in recent history being Sony’s 2024, PlayStation 5 exclusive title Concord, a hero shooter that only lived for a meagre 12 days before the plug was pulled and a full refund was issued to all who purchased due to its significantly low active player base (its peak active players being only 697 by the end of its run).

In 2016, Blizzard Entertainment launched a game that revolutionised the gaming industry as a whole, as it is the only hero-shooter to win the prestigious Game of the Year award. Overwatch set out to capitalise upon the highly popular Valve title Team Fortress 2 by building upon the popularity of online battle arena games which emphasised cooperation and teamwork.

I can recall installing the game for the first time and being greeted by an anthropomorphic gorilla eating peanut butter, the style was intriguing and appealing. Overwatch's gameplay worked on a 6v6 basis, usually in a 2-2-2 manner (2 Tanks, 2 DPS, and 2 Healer) against another team of 6. I am using the past tense here because as of 2020, Blizzard decided to shut down the once prestigious title in favour of a sequel.

“When it released, the game became a sad husk of its former glory...”

Overwatch 2 promised a focus on story missions, new maps, new game modes, and new heroes. When it was released, these missions were cancelled and the game became a sad husk of its

former glory, counterproductively removing content from its predecessor and favouring a more profitoriented focus with the introduction of a battle pass and charging unreasonable amounts for once-free cosmetics.

In recent months, Marvel Studios announced its plans to create a hero shooter with its IP. Unlike Blizzard, NetEase, the creators of Marvel Rivals, decided to stick with the traditional 6v6 format. This led to many previous, disappointed Overwatch players migrating to Marvel Rivals regardless of whether they care for the Marvel IP or not. I have played both quick play and competitive Marvel Rivals and in its current state, it blows Overwatch 2 out of the park.

Despite the game obnoxiously cramming Marvel characters and lore down your throat, the character roster is well-balanced (for now) and team compositions aren’t as black and white as in Overwatch 2 due to the game not featuring any sort of restriction on how many roles a team can have in contrast to Overwatch find that the game's budding community support, fan content, and memes remind me of early Hay Day with montages, in-jokes, and sharing clips of players' massive ults consistently appearing across my social media. In conclusion, I think that as a replacement for Rivals definitely holds strong as my current hero shooter of choice, however, it won’t compare to the early days of I don’t think it ever will.

The UK's biggest gaming market are set to return to the North East on the 2nd March 2025, hosting their event once again in the Gateshead International Arena. Fans will have the opportunity to come along and browse thousands of collectables and merchandise across a range of stalls.

The lineup will feature a variety of traders partnered with Replay Events, with names such as retro games store Console Passion already confirmed to be in attendance, as well as retro book publishers Bitmap Books, who are sponsoring the event alongside shopping service Zenmarket.

If you’ve played CO-OP games before, you have probably heard of It Takes Two. It has sparked a popularity due to its unique levels and surprising storyline. The game is a split-screen experience, as both players complete well designed puzzles to reconcile the games’ married couple. If you’re looking for a game with a deep story progression, It Takes Two has created a divide over some representations in the game. However, the gameplay and art style remains impressive…so go and see for yourself.

The

Newcastle Gaming Market is an amazing opportunity for finding some of the best retro gaming goods out there. Whether you're a seasoned hobbyist looking to expand your collection or just looking to pick up some gaming merchandise, the market has something for everyone.

Tickets can be secured on the eventbrite page, so if you're looking for a rare piece of memorabilia or want to get inside as soon as possible, don't miss out on the early entry tickets! Otherwise head over to their website for more information.

best couples in video games

We all wish we were like these couples...

In celebration of Valentine's Day, let’s look at some iconic video game couples and pairings amongst gamers. From the more iconic choices to some niche picks - here are some of my personal favourites.

“Peach

is no longer just Mario's damsel in distress.”

Firstly, there’s of course Princess Peach and Mario. Since Super Mario Brothers' release on the Nintendo Entertainment System, Mario has devoted himself to rescuing Peach from King Bowser's tyranny. Peach's presence in most Mario games arguably makes these two the most recognisable video game couple. However, in recent years with the release of The Super Mario Bros movie (2023) and her playability within games such as Super Mario Wonder, it is evident that Peach is no longer just Mario’s damsel plumber to come rescue her.

“You see these characters truly grow together...”

Personally, one of the best video game relationships that had me connected to the characters is Arno and Elise from the game Assassin’s Creed: Unity. Their connection goes back to when they were kids and messing with the guards in a courtyard, as Elise was the heir to a wealthy fortune. What I love about the relationship though is you see these characters truly grow together with Arno working his way up through the ranks of Assassin and butting heads with Elise as she joins the Templars. But, once both characters realise their rival beliefs are both corrupted, they band together to avenge Elise’s father, tragically resulting in Elise’s passing in a harrowing and emotional death sequence.

“It's clear these two heroes are much more than just friends.”

Finally, mentioning Mario necessitates mentioning his rival, Sonic. Now most people would think of Sonic and Amy, but I believe that the dynamic that the two other characters display is much more loving. Those characters are Blaze the Cat and Silver the Hedgehog. Both come from an alternate dystopian future tasked with stopping the end of the world, this couple seems almost inseparable within the Sonic franchise. For example, when Silver travels back in time, his first response isn’t to see if it works but rather to call out for his partner Blaze. The franchise has not yet officially confirmed this couple, but it's clear these two heroes are much more than just friends.

Charlotte Thomas

Keyon Snoek

Image source: IMDB

Gaming

The Sims 3 vs The Sims 4

Margaux Martinez - Opinion Sub-Editor

Iwish to preface this by saying that the last time I played the Sims 4 was in 2014 when it came out. I have not played the Sims 1 or 2 either. One could say that I am not the best for the job. However, I am passionate and rarely wrong.

for lack of sleep but refuse to get in a bed which ultimately leads to its demise? Yup, you guessed it, the Sims 3 provides only the best services.

"If

anything goes wrong in real life, we can always live out our dreams in the Sims 3..."

another new house. What makes the Sims so special is that it lets you create your own world. You can play God, design dream homes, live out wild scenarios, or simply create a virtual family. While I still miss the Sims 3’s freedom, the Sims 4 excels in storytelling and creativity.

The Sims 3 came out in 2009 when I was 5 years old. 3 years later, it was ours. Year after year, my sister and I collected the expansion packs to add more gameplay and loads more fun.

When we were younger, we would only be allowed two hours per weekend to play it, so we made the most of it. I remember one time when she made our Sims-grandpa drink a rejuvenating potion (thank you Supernatural expansion pack) and made him get re-married to a robot. I was fuming, I don’t think I played the Sims for a full month after that. But where else could that exciting incredulous story have happened?

Since then, I had grasped onto the endless possibilities of the Sims and could not part ways.

Now I do appreciate the Sims 4 for its diversity in packs as well as in hairstyles but the nostalgia of the Sims 3 will never be beat.

Recently, having had sales (another major plus, because no one buys it anymore), we purchased the expansion pack University Life. My entire flat now exists in the Sims and we all have our dream jobs (my friend Tasha became a psychic). If anything goes wrong in real life, we can always live out our dreams in the Sims 3 with a reminder that nothing is ever truly perfect and bad fashion is timeless. Now, could the picture-perfect Sims 4 provide you that kind of service? Though I genuinely have no idea, I highly doubt it.

Alicia McEvoy - NUTV Station Manager

T"The

Sims 4 excels in storytelling and creativity."

Growing up with the Sims was a rollercoaster of excitement and frustration. It was everything I needed, for someone that didn’t really ‘game’ much - an open world, deep customisation, and endless possibilities. I could explore the entire town without a loading screen, create complex family legacies, and truly feel like my Sims had unique lives.

FC25 saved by a new patch?

Oliver Parrish

Has the new update improved the game from its previous state?

In preparation for arguably the most anticipated content drop of this FC25 cycle, EA decided to address the outstanding issues crippling players’ enjoyment. Nothing sells store packs like a game that works, after all.

Well, as much as I love to hate this game and it's parent company, I have to admit that this patch has been a definitive success.

You want the most horrific memories of the 2010s outfits? It has it all, lowest-waisted jeans ever made included. You want a glitch to make your sims be bald no matter how much hair you give them? Yes, you are right, it happens more than you’d think. You want your sims to continually pass out

he Sims franchise has been a huge part of my life since I was a kid. I remember spending hours on a game, where the characters had a little green shape above them, completely fascinated by the freedom it gave me to build houses and control little digital people.

I was obsessed with the open world and endless customisation. In a way, it helped me to ignore the harsh reality that was high school. I could come home and feel creative when I would design yet

I remember buying the Sims 4 in lockdown. I had nothing better to do than make elaborately designed mansions for people with such random jobs. The first house I made back in 2020 hosted a criminal and an astronaut – the perfect couple. Then the real world reopened, and I had to temporarily close my virtual one.

But even now, I still love the Sims franchise. I went from spending years playing it myself to spending years watching YouTubers play it. Despite progressing from Sims 3 to Sims 4, I can still get lost in the hours of stressing over what job for the character or where to put the mint green fridge I bought with the ‘motherlode’ code.

February Release Roundup: games releasing this month

Milly Thompson - Gaming Sub-Editor

The shortest month of the year doesn't bring a shortage of new games to play...

February is packed with exciting new game releases across all platforms. No matter what genre you enjoy playing; this month has something for everyone. Here’s a look at the most anticipated games launching in February 2025.

Kingdom Come Deliverance II – (PS5, Xbox

betrayal and discovery.

Release date: 4 February

Rift of the Necrodancer - (PC)

Rhythm game lovers, you are in luck this month. Rift of the Necrodancer the follow-up game from its previous counterpart from 2015, Crypt of the Necrodancer. Navigate Cadence through musical battles with monsters in a strange new world.

Release Date: 5 February

Big Helmet Heroes – (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Nintendo Switch)

Get ready for your new favourite co - op game with Big Helmet Heroes, a game that blends humour, combat, and adventure.

Release date: 6 February

with enhanced graphics and a modern gameplay in this remastered trio of games collection.

A Game About Digging a Hole - (PC)

This minimalist indie game stands as developer Cyberwave's first release since 2021. The name is in the game: it's all about digging a hole in your garden and investing in resources to dig further. It's only a couple hours long, but for less than a fiver it could be the perfect game to play for a relaxing weekend.

Release date: 7 Febuary

Civilization VII – (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch)

The legendary strategy series seeing the growth of human civilisation is back, with the new instalment already receiving positive reviews. It's the first game in the series with VR capabilities, and promises to be bigger and better than any installement before.

Release date: 11 February

Tomb Raider IV-V-VI Remastered –(PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Nintendo Switch)

Relive classic Tomb Raider adventures

February - (Xbox Series X|S, PC)

Obsidian Entertainment return with their first RPG since the award-winning The Outer Worlds. Set in the fantasy world of Eora, Avowed allows players to use magic, melee weapons and firearms to battle foes and explore it's large zones.

Release date: 18 February

Like A Dragon: Pirate Yakuza In Hawaii – (PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC)

Sega's Like A Dragon series takes a new turn, bringing pirate adventure to sunny Hawaii in this high-octane RPG.

Release date: 21 February

Yu-Gi-Oh! Early Days Collection – (PC, Nintendo Switch)

A must-have for fans of the iconic trading card game, this collection revisits classic Yu-Gi-Oh! titles with modern enhancements; including some games which were only released in Japan.

Release date: 27 February

Monster Hunter Wilds – (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC)

One of the most anticipated games of the year and the sequel to Monster Hunter: World, Monster Hunter Wilds brings us a new world, new monsters, and new actions and moves.

Release date: 28 February

February is packed with incredible releases across all genres. Whether you're a strategy mastermind, RPG enthusiast, or actionadventure fan, there’s plenty to look forward to.

Pre-patch, FC25 gameplay was – to be polite – a steaming pile of garbage. The game felt new, sure, yet somehow within this new focus on realism, nonsense persisted. For starters, pace as a concept seemed to have been removed from the game entirely. Now I did appreciate a shift towards a slower, more tactical style of game closer to that of real-life football, but, last time I checked, if Salah gets played in behind most defenders, he’s not getting caught.

"Somehow within this new focus on realism, nonsense persisted."

The pre-patch reality was starkly different. Picture that scene in Jurassic Park when Jeff Goldblum checks his mirror, only to be met with a T-rex ‘closer than it appears’. Well swap out the T-rex for an opposition centre-back, and swap out his character’s lucky escape for an unavoidable interception, minus the teeth and death and whatnot. It was a sorry period, especially for through ball merchants like me. On top of this, interceptions were woefully inconsistent. It could take three attempts to win a ball you should’ve on the first, yet at the same time, defensive AI (particularly on newgen consoles) was at an all time high, with the strategy pre patch literally being to not control your centre-backs. Just switch to your CDM, AI can do the rest.

But then, a miracle. EA listened to community feedback (this should not be overlooked it quite literally never happens). They patched the aforementioned issues. The shape of the game has changed completely.

Gone are the days of Simeone-style 10man AI defence, because the responsibility is firmly back in the hands of the player. Manual defending returns, and, my word, it had been missed. No-one can defend, so mind-numbing, gridlocked CDM wars have given way to high scoring thrillers. Attacking feels fluid, fun, actually feasible! The death of realism has been the rebirth of fun.

Oh, and pace. Pace is very back. I had been trudging my way through pre-patch games with an evolved 94 pace Iñaki Williams and getting caught every time. Now he just dusts people. This patch has been heavenly for me. The through ball is here to stay.

Zuzu!

Image source: IMDB

Word Search

Words

Alison

Mike

Thomas

Fanny

Kitty

Captain

Mary

Robin

Julian

One of these lines is the regular alphabet. The other is a secret code. Use this decoder to find the secret message below.

Crossword

Across

1) Which former president is said to haunt the white house since his assassination in 1865? First name. (7)

2) Famous ghost ship the ------ Dutchman which shares a name with an Opera by Wagner (6)

4) The 'Well of Hell' is found in this country (5)

5) The Headless -------- (8)

7) Charles Dickens' novella 'A Christmas -----' has 4 ghosts working to change the fate of an old man at Christmas (5)

9) Commonly known as Ghost ----, this plant is scientifically classified as the Monotropa Uniflora (4)

11) Common name of the Dalgyal Guishin. a Korean Ghost, the --Ghost (3)

12) ---- Ngepet, a boar demon from Indonesian folklore (4)

15) Katarina is said to haunt this fortified city in Northern Malta (5)

Down

1) The most common ghost in the tower of London? (4,6)

3) Kate ------. A ghost who haunts California hotel, Hotel De Coronada (6)

6) Famous ghost from the Tennessee ghost trials of 1817 (4,5)

8) King ------, a character from a Shakespeare play (5)

10) Famous Nigerian ghost who haunts schools, ----- Koi Koi (5)

13) --- Nak, Ghost from the reign of King Rama IV (3)

14) -----, a Demon or Giant from Islamic tradition (5)

16) Lady in --- is a type of ghost, the jilted lover (3)

Riddle Answer: The Moon

Kyle Walker moves to AC Milan: what other options do Manchester City have?

Joseph Chisholm

As the right-back leaves for Serie A, who can be his replacement?

Six Premier League titles, four EFL cups, two FA Cups and of course, That Champions League title; it’s safe to say Kyle Walker has had his fair share of success at Manchester City. But now at 34 years old, Walker is taking up a new venture abroad, wearing the iconic red and black stripes of AC Milan. With City now trailing in the title race and being without their veteran in defence, it begs the question, what other options can the Cityzens turn to?

Walker’s blistering pace and rock-solid defending have been ever-present at the Etihad since 2017, but now without this, Pep Guardiola may have to turn to some younger options to fill the boots at right back.

"Pep could well turn to the youngster"

At just 19 years old, Rico Lewis has already made a name for himself in the city fanbase, showing excellent ability to play in numerous positions such as in central midfield as well as full-back. He has displayed impressive technical ability and has

demonstrated a mature understanding of the game playing in a very tactical Pep Guardiola side. As an academy graduate, Rico has already proven to be a solid right back, leading him to make his senior England debut against North Macedonia last year, and putting in consistent top performances in the Premier League. In the absence of Walker, Pep could well turn to the youngster to be the new goto option at right back, and could even have the potential to surpass Walker’s achievements.

Despite Pep bringing him in as a central midfielder, Matheus Nunes has also proven

to be a solid option in the right back over the last few games. Signed from Wolves in 2023 for £53 million, Nunes had a tricky start to life in Manchester, playing just 17 games in the Premier

Trump's threat to trans athletes

Logan Best

Since his inauguration on 20th January 2025, US President Donald Trump has signed a number of executive orders that restrict the rights and wellbeing of transgender and nonbinary Americans. Most notably, this has included the classification of “male” and “female” as those sexes assigned at birth, signalling his government’s uncompromising stance on the position of trans men and women in American society. The order emphasises the role of federal agencies to enforce this “biological reality of sex” and erase prior progress towards transgender recognition and legal protection.

This has been accompanied by a slew of anti-trans policies which are systematically targeting trans Americans’ access to transition care and government programmes. Trump has particularly highlighted his intention to prevent trans women from participating in women’s sports, a commitment which may appear less drastic than his attack on trans healthcare but is indicative of his administration’s larger war on trans identity at every level of American society.

The issue of trans women competing in women’s sports has long sparked conservative backlash, with many attempts over the past

base who oppose trans women competing in women’s sports, or the participation of trans athletes more broadly. This attitude is broadly underpinned by the false assumptions that transgender women possess inherent advantages over their cisgender counterparts, and that women are therefore disadvantaged compared to male athletes, assumptions which have consistently proven to be incorrect and malicious.

In contrast, multiple studies have concluded that trans women do not possess a biomedical advantage over cis women in sports, with nutrition, training and class backgrounds providing significant variations in the

Sports have well-documented benefits to our physical and mental health, as well as providing social and even academic opportunities, particularly in the context of school sports. Research into sports in schools and universities has demonstrated that participation in sports is linked to improved physical health, selfconfidence and general wellbeing, with student athletes reportedly experiencing lower levels of anxiety and depression and higher academic performance. With transgender teenagers and students among the most vulnerable social groups in America, it should be the imperative of any government to secure opportunities such as sports as a form of exercise, self-expression, and socialisation which can provide all the benefits above. This would further negate some of the hostility and discrimination which devastatingly characterises the trans experience in America.

“Hostility and discrimination (...) characterises the trans experience”

To deprive transgender athletes of these opportunities is an explicit attack on trans lives and wellbeing, an affront to the promises

£60 million on young defensive players, clearly focussing on adding youth prospects. Brazilian international Vitor Reis, 19 years old, and Uzbek defender Abdukodir Khusanov, 20, add further cover across City’s backline that can grow to become top players playing in blue.

If Walker does permanently move after his loan, it would come as no shock if City opted to add another natural right back to their squad.

According to the BBC, City have listed Nigerian full-back Ola Aina as a possible replacement, who has been a standout in an impressive Nottingham Forest side this season, who sit above City currently in the league.

Aina’s adaptability and Premier League experience would make him a perfect option if the title holders choose to turn to the summer

Despite City losing a club legend, they undoubtedly have plenty of options to fill Kyle Walker’s boots and carry on his legacy, hoping to bring even more titles back home. "They undoubtedly have plenty of options to carry on his legacy."

The Courier's Sport Playlist

Image Source: Gage Skidmore, Mjdemay, Wikimedia Commons

Northumbria dominate at Varsity Rugby League Match

Tom Wood - News Sub-Editor

In the first Varsity event of 2025, Newcastle Rugby League Men’s 1st team hosted local rivals Northumbria on a frosty January night under the lights at Cochrane Park. The home side, seemingly not yet defrosted from the festive period, were put to the sword in a 0-70 drubbing.

Sitting bottom of the BUCS Men’s National League with one win in nine, and on the back of a 74-6 disintegration against league leaders Leeds Beckett, Newcastle would have been hoping that derby day unpredictability might bring a change of fortunes.

Northumbria on the other hand, sitting pretty in second having lost only to unbeaten league leaders, Leeds Beckett, would have entered this fixture brimming with confidence having won their previous four games on the bounce, most recently dispatching Exeter 50-6.

Meanwhile, Northumbria’s favourable record against Newcastle – winning the previous varsity fixture in March 2024 and comfortably winning 66-4 at Coach Lane in November –indicated that if the home side got anything from this clash, it would be a serious upset.

Whilst both teams steeled themselves in the changing rooms to the clacking of studs and the ripping of sports tape, tension mounted outside.

Steam rose from hot drinks to mix with the visible breaths of spectators leaning out from the clubhouse balcony, while nervous chatter hummed from the spectators clad in puffer jackets and woolly hats that lined the pitch-side barrier below.

In days gone by this might have been a night

filled with the meaty aroma of Bovril poured from flasks to ward off the cold. On this occasion it was the beer-jacket that was favoured in the form of pints and bottles of smuggled wine.

Nervous tension gave way to eager anticipation as cheers and clapping heralded the emergence of both sides from the tunnel; the home side in blue dashed with red, the visitors in black.

Northumbria kicked off, and it looked to be a bright start for the boys in blue, who earned a set restart almost immediately, before capitalising on some poor discipline to pin the away side down in their own half. Five minutes in and the home side’s sustained dominance of the territory might have permitted the careful whisper of a question - could this be the start of something special?

"Could

this be the start of something special?"

At the first changing of possession, however, Northumbria’s whippet fullback wasted no time dancing through a dog-legged Newcastle line into the opposition half.

A last-ditch effort from a frantic cover defence was all that stood in the way of Northumbria scoring against the run of play. The deadlock came to an end when a Northumbria player scooted from dummy half to give us the first

try of the evening, converted by Northumbria’s number seven, Hansen. Not the ideal start then, as Northumbria led 0-6.

A communication mixup at twenty minutes from Newcastle’s right wing and fullback meant a looping Northumbrian punt went unclaimed, bouncing conveniently into the hands of Northumbria’s left winger who gratefully gave us try number two. A missed conversion kept the score momentarily respectable at 0-10. Shortly thereafter, déjà vu struck as another punt ended up in the arms of a man in black via the grass, whose try was converted to make it 0-16. This was immediately followed by quick passing to Northumbria’s touchline-hugging right winger who was felled deep inside Newcastle’s half by a limb-grasping, fabric-pulling cover defence, only for Northumbria’s number five, Alfie Heppenstall, to finish up a well-executed, but unconverted, move on the opposite side.

Five minutes from half time, hard running from Northumbria’s forwards had the home side on the backfoot, leaving an open gate behind the markers for Northumbria to cross Newcastle’s line for a fifth time. A failed conversion, and the half was brought to a close, 0-24.

It was looking like a long night for Newcastle’s men who ambled into the tunnel for some respite whilst their opponents jogged past.

Durham claims trampolining Varsity victory over Newcastle

Ahighly anticipated trampoline varsity between Newcastle and Durham University, on January 25, drew a large crowd of students, staff, and sports enthusiasts. W

This annual event, which pits the best athletes from both universities against each other in a thrilling display of acrobatic talent, lived up to its reputation for excitement and intensity.

The competition, held at Durham University’s Sports Centre, featured a series of individual and team performances across various trampoline events. Athletes from both universities showcased their incredible skills, including flips, twists, and high-flying routines that left the audience in awe. The level of talent on display was truly remarkable, with competitors pushing themselves to new heights to secure victory for their respective schools.

Athletes like Laura Scott (Level 1) and Purdie Clifton (Level 2), managed to secure first place in their respective categories whilst the duo made by Brooke Webster and Tilly Hesmondhalgh came third in in the High Synchro category.

In the end, results came down to the wire, with Durham University clinching the win by a narrow margin of just 0.75 points. This incredibly close result highlighted the fierce rivalry between the two institutions and the high calibre of athletes involved.

Despite coming up short in the final tally, Newcastle University was far from discouraged. Their athletes put up a valiant fight, with several members securing personal bests and impressing the judges with their technical precision and creativity.

what's happened, especially from the start of the year, we've made such like improvements as a club’.

Solid performances from Newcastle earned them a well-deserved second place, and the event's atmosphere remained one of camaraderie and sportsmanship, with both teams congratulating each other on their efforts.

The 2025 competition marked another exciting chapter in the long-standing rivalry between Durham and Newcastle. Both universities so many aspirations for the teams, and this event showcased the best of student-athlete dedication and competitive spirit.

Brooke Webster, the club’s president said to The Courier that she ‘could not be prouder, because everyone has shown so much growth… So no matter

Tyneside's ‘Tramps’ are already preparing for the BUCS competition, hosted in Sheffield on 22 February and 23 February. When asked about their preparation, Brooke said that ‘BUCS is typically more stressful because you're competing against universities from the whole country instead of just northern universities’

Having placed 5th in BUCS last year, will they be able to bring home a better result?

Noelia Fernandez Perez - Sports Sub-Editor

Image Credits: Raffaele Trasatti and Tom Wood

Women’s Rugby Varsity clash ends up in Newcastle victory

Rachel Carron

Newcastle end Northumbria’s dominance at Varsity

This year’s women’s rugby varsity marked a year since NUWRFC beat their Northumbria rivals for the first time in 10 years. Off the back of the historic victory and a very successful season there was a strong sense of pressure, determination and quiet confidence amongst the “uni” squad.

On top of the desire to continue our winning streak against Newcastle’s rivals, this match also determined whether or not NUWRFC 1XV would be the outright winners of their BUCS league, (Northern Premier). They needed at least four tries to: (1) win varsity; (2) come out on top of a tough league (for the first time ever in the club’s history); (3) have a chance to play off a Southern team to be promoted into Super BUCS. So, on Wednesday the 5th of February, under the floodlights at Coach Lane, the game was on.

The game kicked off in front of a substantial and growing crowd featuring an equal number of supporters for both teams and one lion with a megaphone.

“An equal number of supporters for both teams and one lion

Both sides looked and started out playing as though they were hungry for a win. The Newcastle side’s attack stood out as particularly strong, elegantly overwhelming the Northumbria defence and scoring two solid tries in the first half, converted skilfully by our resident kicker, Ellie Thompson. The opposition replied with their own, admittedly, impressive try with a cross field kick and

At the half time whistle the score stood at 14-5. Newcastle were halfway to their 4 try goal and both teams came tearing back onto the pitch with something to prove. Nerves now dissipated, the second half is where the game truly swung into action.

Newcastle went from ecstasy to despair as one of the back row, Hermione Farmer, charged through a wall of Northumbria defenders over the try line and landed in a heap of bodies. We were hopeful but the referee inspected the dog pile and made the call, “held up”. As the half progressed it seemed as though Northumbria faltered in momentum, making too many unforced errors which the uni side deftly took advantage of.

On the other side, however, Newcastle’s second half was calculated, consistent and merciless - scoring not only the allimportant 2 tries but an additional

by one of the Northumbria wingers. Catching a highball in her own half, the winger breezed past the scattered Newcastle defence and up the right hand wing at breakneck speed. Whilst everyone was waiting for the referee to whistle a try, there was a shocked roar from all sides of the pitch. In a fashion of absolute tragedy the Northumbria player had accidentally let the ball slip from her arms before she had a chance to score. There was disarray, some opposition players falling to their knees in grief. The Newcastle team ended the game in the same joyful, supportive, and uplifting feeling which carried this impressive

“Northumbria did not back down without a fight”

squad through a whole season of tough fixtures.

Newcastle won with 6 try’s and 4 conversions (scored by Grace Ross, Abbie Dixon, Holly Robinson, Kate Eley, and Hermione Farmer) versus Northumbria’s 2 making it a 40-10 victory. Almost as soon as the final whistle blew, Coach Lane was flooded with Newcastle supporters who showered the squad in hugs and congratulations. Having accomplished their goals and having won Varsity, the Newcastle squad will face Brunel in the North/South play off to determine which team will be promoted to the country’s top BUCS league.

All in all, it was another nerve-wracking but exciting varsity clash as Newcastle rode the high of the end of an era of Northumbria domination.

Alex Duggan - Athletic Union Officer

Your AU Officer gives you a rundown of the first BUCS features of

Wow—what a start to the term! BUCS Wednesdays are back, and they’ve been nothing short of incredible so far. As your AU Officer, I’ve been working hard to catch as much of the action as possible over the past few weeks, and I’ve loved every second of it (even if it’s been exhausting!).

Huge shout-out to the following teams for their outstanding performances recently:

Men’s Football First Team: Crowned BUCS Northern Prem winners—what an achievement!

Men’s Rugby First Team: For the third year running, they’ve won the BUCS Premier 1 League. Next up: a North vs. South playoff against Brunel.

Men’s Futsal First Team: Wrapped up the league title last weekend— amazing work!

Special mention to the Women’s Rugby First Team, who delivered a stellar win against Northumbria in the BUCS North Prem league. Not only did they secure vital Varsity points, but they also clinched the league title. It’s been incredible to see how far the club has come since 2020, going from fielding just one team to this level of success.

The team headed to Brunel for a North vs. South playoff to fight for a place in the Women’s BUCS Super Rugby League. Sadly, despite their amazing efforts, the girls fell just short of clinching promotion this year. Here’s to more success and memorable moments this season— keep smashing it, everyone!

Image Credit: Chris Bishop

Image Credit: Daisy Whitlie, @d.wphotographs