thecourier thecourieronline.co.uk Gaming The muchanticipated Red Dead II has arrived Page 36
Beauty Gabriela Szczepanska investigates Kendall’s dubious Vogue shoot Page 21
Monday 12 November 2018 Issue 1377 Free
Housing pullout Your Welfare Officer, Jack Green, takes you through housing top tips Page 9-12
Will.I.Am visits Newcastle University The independent voice of Newcastle students
Molly Greeves News Editor
“To trust or not to trust?” That was the question posed by Atom Bank and Newcastle University as they discussed their three-year research project at the Urban Sciences Building on the 5th of November. Atom is the UK’s first bank that works exclusively on smartphones and tablets. With the aim of improving digital banking, they are collaborating
With the aim of improving digital banking, Atom are collaborating with Newcastle University to create FinTrust
with researchers from Newcastle University to launch FinTrust, “a million-pound multidisciplinary project launched to explore trust in financial services.” The scheme aims to use insights from both social and digital science to improve artificial intelligence and create more “human” interactions. This idea was discussed at the event by three main speakers: Professor Aad Van Moorsel, Professor of Cyber Security at Newcastle University, Edward Twiddy, Chief Innovation Officer at Atom Bank, and the musician and philanthropist Will.I.Am, who was made the strategic board adviser of Atom Bank last April. FinTrust was formed by the idea that “people are becoming more reliant on technology”, but in spite of this, “distrust of technology continues to grow... social media has the potential to manipulate and people worry about the safety of their personal data. Understanding how to design credible services and build customer trust is vital to the future success of digital financial services”. As Atom’s strategic board adviser, Will.I.Am visited Newcastle University to announce what he believed would be an “awesome” project. His involvement in the project appeared to be based on an interest in data protection, a topic he finds “fascinating”. He opened his speech enthusiasm for the future of technology, saying: “In 2021, we’re going to be living in a day and age where we own our data. “I own my songs, but I don’t own my facial map. I own my DNA and blood, and I can
sell it... but I can’t sell my data. Other people can access (and use) my data, but I can’t. He identified what was, for him, a key issue: the fact that companies can profit off of our data, but we cannot own it ourselves. “If I’m signing a contract, I need people there. If I’m giving away my data online, ain’t nobody signing no contract! “Data is money,” he said, “but not for people, not for communities... and that’s going to change. “In the near future, (selling data) is going to be a reality. There’s going to be systems in place that don’t exist right now. Right around the corner tomorrow is really awesome.” Due to the rising distrust of technology, one of FinTrust main aims is to develop artificial intelligence that customers feel they can trust. Presumably referencing the 2016 elections in the US., where the Russian government interfered with the presidential race, Will.I.Am stresses that protecting our data is becoming more important than ever. “I come from an awesome country and data was breached... hopefully that’s the last time something like that happens. But it probably won’t be the last time something like that happens.” One of the fundamental questions that the project aims to answer is: can we understand
As Atom’s strategic board adviser, Will.I.Am visited Newcastle University to announce what he believed would be an “awesome” project.
bias? IBM Research states that there are over one hundred and eighty human biases such as race, gender and sexuality, and these can find their way into the AI systems that are designed. The existence of these implicit biases can “erode trust between humans and machines that learn”. All three speakers identified that this is a huge hurdle to overcome. Edward Twiddy stated that these biases are “based on the past and not what we want to create in the future”. Eliminating biases whilst maintaining security is one of the main things that the project aims to achieve.
The event took place in the Uni’s new Urban Sciences Building Image: Atom Bank
10 years of Singapore graduations Last month saw Newcastle University’s Singapore campus celebrate 10 years of graduations from the faculty. Newcastle University embarked on its teaching project in Singapore 11 years ago, in 2007. Over 1,000 students have walked out of Newcastle University’s Singapore set-up as skilled young professionals, and this year’s 10th anniversary is another great step forward. Newcastle University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Chris Day, was present at this year’s graduation ceremony and told the University: “Congregations are a highlight in our University calendar. For our students, it is a time to celebrate with the family, friends and tutors who have supported them throughout their University studies; a time to look back and reflect with pride on all that has been learned and achieved; and a time to look forward to all
that the future holds in store.” Alongside Day were two other guests of honour in Scott Wightman, the British High Commissioner to Singapore, and Dr Bicky Bhangu, the President at Rolls-Royce for South East Asia, Pacific & South Korea and President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Singapore. Far from The Arches here in Newcastle, the ceremony took place at the Nanyang Polytechnic Auditorium. The event was led by the Deanship of Professor Ian Postlethwaite, who returns to the UK at the end of 2018, the control engineer has a first class reputation for his research contributions to engineering. “It’s been a great privilege to be the Dean and CEO of Newcastle University in Singapore”, Postlethwaite reflected when speaking to the University. “The growth of our operations here includes a new partnership model with
A turn of events...
Long distance journeys
the Singapore Institute of Technology, and we have opened our own research institute demonstrating our commitment to education and research in South East Asia.” The degrees available on Newcastle’s Singapore campus are developed in partnership with the Singapore Institute of Technology and with the facilities of Ngee Ann and Nanyang Polytechnics. Diplomas include ‘chemical engineering’, ‘electrical power engineering’, ‘marine engineering, offshore engineering and naval architecture’ and ‘mechanical design and manufacturing engineering’. For its 10th anniversary, more than 369 students graduated from Newcastle University Singapore, joining the community of over 200,000 Newcastle alumni worldwide. More than 50 prizes were presented to students in recognition of outstanding achievements and projects.
Inside today >>>
Review: Under Milk Wood Nothern Stage’s Geordie take on the Dylan Thomas classic is reviewed by Carys Rose Thomas Arts, page 34
Science, Beauty & Fashion A double page spread on the ethics of our style choices and whether we’re all being ripped off Feature, pages 26,27
Blind date with a twist this week, as our lovely lady tells us about her run-in with a mystery man Blind Date, page 17
Going somewhere exotic soon? Dominic Lee fills you in on some invaluable long-haul flight tips Travel, page 25
North-South Divide
The Courier Comment writers investigate the divisions in British society Comment, page 15
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thecourier The Courier is a weekly newspaper produced by students, for students. It’s never too late to get involved in the paper, whether you’re a writer, illustrator or photographer. Just visit thecourieronline.co.uk/about for more information. Editor Louise Hall Deputy Editor Isabel Sykes Copy Editor Laura Staniforth News Editors Grace Dean, Molly Greeves, Sidney Pinsett and Steven Ross Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Caitlin Disken and Alexandra Sadler Life & Style Editor Sophie Henderson Lifestyle Editors Phoebe Fielder, Holly Margerrison, and Ella Williams Fashion Editors Poppy Couling Joe Hood and Miranda Stoner Beauty Editors Laura Buckle, Susanne Norris and Nimra Rafique Travel Editors Jenny Franken and Bianca Ionci Culture Editors Alex Moore and Carys Rose Thomas Feature Editor Ally Wilson Arts Editors Rosie Mccrum, Julia McGhee Russell and Scarlett Rowland Music Editors Charlotte Boulton, Rory Ellis and Jess Taylor-Weisser TV Editors Jacob Clarke, Tom Cooney and Chloe Mullins Film Editors JImmy Athey, Helena Buchanan and Joe Holloran Gaming Editors George Boatfield, Kelly South and Matthew Neville Sports Editors Sydney Isaacs, Rebecca Johnson and Harry Parsons Online Editors Rory Cameron, Jodie Duddy, Amanda Goh, Thomas Hardwick, Max Hobbs Orestis Katsoulis and Chris Wilkinson The Courier NUSU King’s Walk Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QB Tel: 0191 239 3940 The Courier is printed by: Trinity Mirror Printing, Barton Road, Riverside Park Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS2 1UT Established in 1948, the Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of the Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of the Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.
NSR show of the week:
Hannah & Harriet Wednesdays 6pm-7pm
Hannah Williams and Harriet Cotton On Wednesday evenings 6 ‘til 7 on NSR you will find Hannah Williams and Harriet Cotton talking all things controversial with a bit of music thrown in.
This show will be sure to get you thinking and singing
This is a discussion show that will tie in all those debates that you have in the kitchen at 2am, like the pressures of relationship struggles or that perfect first dance song. Covering topics such as mental health, politics and representation in the music industry, each show promises to bring lively discussion over
related issues with relevant music throughout to mix it up. Each week features a wide variety of songs broadly relating to our topic, but always promising to bring a smile to your face and a bounce to your step. We play music new to us and new to you, along with the classics that we all know and love. Themed weeks such as Halloween, Christmas and Eurovision will be sure to get you in the mood for the season and clue you up with all the issues and traditions you need to know. We welcome the opinions of listeners to broaden the discussion and open our eyes to other perspectives. Always sandwiched between iconic tunes, this show will be sure to get you thinking and singing.
STU BREW beer of the week: Bald Eagle Bitter £2.35 per pint
Tom Nesfield Our brewery bash last Friday gave us the chance to try our new house beer brewed for Pacific House, just off Northumberland Street for the first time. One of the two beers we’ve designed is a traditional bitter named ‘Bald Eagle Bitter’. The taste is predominantly from the complex malt bill. The beer has a subtle chocolate taste which is complimented by a slight bitterness and a creamy smooth texture. This Friday (16th) it is getting launched at its
Student Spotlight Fossil Free and FemSoc Craftivism event Isabel Sykes Deputy Editor On Saturday 17 November, Fossil Free Newcastle and FemSoc are joining together for a Craftivism Workshop entitled ‘Crafting the Resistance’. The societies are aiming to encourage Newcastle University to divest from fossil fuels. The workshop is a place for people interested in the cause to make banners and badges and write letters to create publicity, supporting the divestment campaign being carried out by the Fossil Free University group. On Fossil Free’s event page for the workshop, they detail the importance of the cause their Craftivism workshop supports: “The university is still investing £8million in fossil fuels, while climate change is getting worse every year and it’s already making casualties, especially among people from minority backgrounds, indigenous people and people from the Global South. We want the university to instead move its money to companies and projects investing in sustainable projects, aimed at creating positive social change.” The workshop will take place between 10am and 5pm in the Life Room of Newcastle’s Fine Arts Department. Fossil Free emphasise that anybody is welcome to the event and there is no previous experience needed. Helena Buchanan, Self-Care Officer for FemSoc, commented on the upcoming event: “This is going to be a really positive event for a really valuable cause, which we hope people will want to get involved with.” Visit Fossil Free Newcastle University’s Facebook page for more information about the event and how to get involved.
permanent home, Pacific House from 8pm. The beer will cost you a bargain price of £2.35 per pint, so why not pop in for a pint or two. Our lovely events team will also be running beer pong and other activities throughout the evening so come along and say hi!
Monday 12 November 2018
Whats on near you:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Arts: 12:30pm-3pm: GIAG Candle making class. Location: The Lounge, 1st floor NUSU building. Lifestyle: 12:30pm-3:30pm: GIAG real ale and cider tasting. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. TV: 1pm-4pm: GIAG BBC Newcastle backstage studio tour. Location: Meet outside Hatton Gallery. Sport: 2pm-2:45pm and 2:45pm-3:30pm: GIAG Horse riding. Location: Stepney Bank stables. Travel: 5:30pm-7pm: GIAG Mandarin beginner language class. Location: Language Resource Centre, Old Library Building. Arts: 6:45pm-945pm: Comedy Club Night. Location: The Stand Comedy Club. Music: 7pm-11pm: Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons. Location: Venue, NUSU.
Volunteering Opportunity: 11am-3pm: Post Pals, “Brightening the lives of sick children”. Location: INTO building. Sport: 530pm-7:30pm: GIAG Vertigo rock climbing. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. Arts: 7:15pm: Preti Taneja in conversation with Sinéad Morrissey. Location: Culture Lab.
Film: 6:15pm-9pm: FilmSoc screening of War Horse. Location: Barbara Strang Teaching Centre, Room 1.46. Lifestyle: 5pm-7:30pm: GIAG Eldon Square Grub Crawl. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. Sport: 5:15pm-7:15pm: GIAG Golf. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance.
Friday Sport: 2pm-3pm: GIAG dodgeball. Location: Newcastle University Sports Centre. Lifestyle: 5:30pm-8pm: GIAG cocktail making masterclass at Revolution. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. Music: 7:30pm-3am: IndieSoc Gig Night: King No-One. Location: Think Tank Underground.
Volunteering opportunity: 12pm-2pm: Making ‘Wiggly Bags’ for children with Hickmen lines. Location: INTO building. Film: 2pm-5:15pm: GIAG Bohemian Rhapsody at Tyneside Cinema. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. Arts: 6pm-7pm: William Morris comes to Newcastle, talk by John Stirling. Location: The Lit &Phil.
Saturday Travel: 8am-8pm: GIAG Edinburgh Christmas Markets. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. Music: 7pm-11pm: Sam Fender UK tour. Location: Venue, NUSU.
Sunday
Travel: 9:15am-12:30pm: GIAG Beamish wild - Tall trees adventure. Location: Meet outside Hatton Gallery. Sport: 11:30am-12:30pm: GIAG swimming lesson. Location: Royal Grammar School, Jesmond. Lifestyle: 1:15pm-4pm: GIAG Sausage making workshop. Location: Meet outside NUSU front entrance. Sport: 5pm-6pm: GIAG Badminton. Location: Eldon Leisure, Eldon Square.
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@TheCourier_News courier.news@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/news News Editors Grace Dean, Molly Greeves, Sidney Pinsent, Steven Ross Online Editor Jodie Duddy
Newcastle University student faces charges of stalking and revenge porn Molly Greeves News Editor
Last month, a Newcastle University student pleaded guilty to stalking his ex-girlfriend and sharing an explicit video of her. Jefferson Young and his ex had started dating in first-year, but after they broke up, he bombarded her with emotionally abusive messages and threatened self-harm in an attempt to make her get back together with him. In January 2018, messages were sent to the victim’s ex-boyfriend containing an explicit video of her, which was reported to have humiliated the victim and impacted her studies. She contacted the police in June of this year after he showed up at her place of work. During the hearing in October, Young pleaded guilty and received twelve months of community service and a restraining order preventing him from contacting his ex or going to the immediate area around her home. His defense solicitor referred to the incident as “a sad case (of) two young people away from home and away from their friends and family” and blamed his actions on “the student culture” of the university. She also added that Young had received “mixed messages”
from the victim and that he had learned from the incident. Some students have expressed that the university should take some responsibility for trying to prevent these kinds of incidents. In light of the event, an anonymous Newcastle University student commented: “I feel awful for the girl. I think the university should make an effort to prevent people from sending explicit messages so that people cannot humiliate others. I think raising awareness for this kind of thing is important.” When asked to comment on the incident, a Newcastle University representative said: “The University takes any reports of harassment or sexual misconduct very seriously and will investigate in accordance with the Student Disciplinary Procedures. However, the University is unable to disclose the outcome of any investigation to third parties. In the hopes of preventing future occurrences of this nature, NUSU’s Welfare and Equality Officer reminds students that “the Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union takes appointments regarding personal relationships of any nature. Nightline is also available to listen to any student’s issues or concerns. Students should be reminded of the impact their actions may have on others.”
Revenge porn is becoming more common as technology becomes more accessible Image: Flickr
Newcastle academic’s husband saved from deportation Sidney Pinsent News Editor The husband of a Newcastle academic has been given a residency permit by the Home Office after being told he must return to Australia or be deported. Dr Alison AtkinsonPhilips, an Oral History Research Associate, set up a petition with her husband to keep the family together and gained more than 2,700 signatures.
“I am so grateful to everyone who helped raise the profile of our case. It has been a stressful time, but I am so pleased we can now all get back on with our lives.”
Dr Alison Atkinson-Philips, Newcastle University
Alison Atkinson-Philips is an Oral History Research Associate Image: Twitter
Alison Atkinson-Phillips said: “I am so grateful to everyone who helped raise the profile of our case. It has been a stressful time, but I am so pleased we can now all get back on with our lives. No one wants to be in a position where they have to choose between their career and their family.” Dr Atkinson-Philips moved to Australia at the age of 13 but was born in Sunderland. There she met Jeff Philips – who became her husband and father of their two children. They lived in the UK for 2 years from 2002 but return to Australia where Dr Atkinson-
Philips completed a PhD in oral history. After joining the new Oral History Unit at Newcastle University in January, Alison’s family joined her in Shieldfield while their Daughter Mia, 13, joined a new school and son Tijaan, 19, found work in a local pub. This was before Jeff was refused the right to remain in the UK by the home office. “It’s been a pretty huge shock,” Alison said at the time. “I knew the immigration situation here has changed since we were here last and I know things are different - I was told it was probably going to be harder than it would have been in the past.” Alison’s husband Jeff initially came over from Australia on a tourist visa and In August applied for the right to remain in the UK. However, his application was rejected from the Home Office because there are no “unsurmountable obstacles” to the family returning to Australia, despite Alison having only just started her new job at Newcastle University. “I’m British, my kids have got British citizenship”, Alison said. “I couldn’t really see any reason why they wouldn’t give Jeff a visa. They rejected it on the basis that he didn’t apply from outside the country. “When we got the rejection letter Jeff was given 14 days to leave the country and he has nowhere to live - it was really stressful.” Newcastle East MP Nick Brown and Newcastle University Vice Chancellor Professor Chris Day joined the campaign by writing to the Home Secretary. The letter asked the Home Office to rethink the decision saying Alison should not be made to choose between her family and her job. Alison has been described as a “valued member of staff” by Professor Chris Day and someone who has made a “significant contribution” to the university.
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New scholarships for Indian students introduced at Newcastle University Vaishali Ramesh
Pro Vice Chancellor of Engagement and Internationalisation Professor Richard Davies announced new scholarships for Indian students applying to Newcastle 2019 onwards. An improvement from previous years, the scholarships are now open to all subject areas and an increase in the number of scholarships being given out. There will now be thirteen 50% scholarship waivers and two full tuition fee discounts. In addition to these, students will also be given an automatic partial tuition fee waiver ranging from £1,500 to £5,000. Alongside these institution-based scholarships Newcastle University also welcomes recipients of the Commonwealth and Chevning scholarships. This is an immense advantage for Indian students applying to Newcastle University. The scholarships were announced in hopes of increasing the number of students applying to Newcastle University. The institution currently has 115 Indians with international scholarships on their student body. This is also not the only connection that Newcastle University holds with India. In the past, this historic institution has had tie ups with premier institutes in India such as IIT-Mumbai and IIT-Delhi. As an Indian myself, I am of the opinion that this a marvellous decision by the university. Often students find themselves unable to bear the brunt of the tuition fees. More scholarships would provide potential students
with an impetus to further their careers with a course at Newcastle University. One of this year’s scholarship winners Niveditha Sankar said that she thinks this is a great move on behalf of Newcastle University. She received the 50% Vice-Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship which she says helped to reduce the burden of the financial cost so that she could focus more on the course and its requirements than funds. She further commented that often students feel unappreciated for their academic achievements and hence lose motivation to carry on. It is her belief that scholarships like these not only reward hard work and dedication but also assists students in following their desired path. She is confident that future students will definitely gain the momentum required for improving their careers through these scholarships. Through these various announcements, it seems like Newcastle University is opening its doors for a more diverse set of students. It is an even greater advantage since the new set of scholarships are not restricted to certain subject areas. These scholarship announcements were based on the latest International Students Barometer results where overall satisfaction with the university was at 93% and nine out of ten students were very satisfied with the Careers Service. This is indeed a prestige that most students are satisfied with the university and its facilities. By attracting more of international students, ties with various countries may be strengthened and moreover it gives every international student a fair chance to make their mark on the world.
“Guardian of The Great Wall” gives talk at Newcastle Joe Molander Some students spent Halloween drinking or partying, but like all journalists, your correspondent lacks the social skills or friends to do either. Instead, he spent the 31st sat in
He casually mentions how “I’ve won many medals, I’ve become very famous”, and in fairness, he does have much to be proud about
a lecture theatre as William Lindesay gave a talk about the Great Wall of China. Part of the Insights lecture series at Newcastle, the talk made it obvious that Lindesay – an honorary senior research fellow at the University of Liverpool, and dubbed “Guardian of the Great Wall” by the Chinese media – is far from an ordinary scholar. In 1987 he completed a trek across the Great Wall – primarily built by the Ming dynasty (which existed from 1368-
William Lindesay was the first foreigner to walk the Great Wall of China Image: Flickr
He answers a ridiculously obscure question from a member of the audience about whether the Nomads used stirrups with impressive detail.
1644) – walking 2470km on foot, becoming the first foreigner to walk the Wall at a time when the Communist government prohibited foreign access. Lindesay boasts he was
arrested nine times (he later shows a picture of him and one of the men who arrested him, taken years after. He jokingly relates the quote “You don’t know anyone until you’ve fought with them”, which he passed off as a Chinese proverb. It is in fact a quote from The Matrix Reloaded. Lindesay’s enthusiasm is obvious. He answers a ridiculously obscure question from a member of the audience about whether the Nomads (whom the Wall was built to protect against) used stirrups, and with impressive detail (explaining how Nomads used bow and arrows on horseback unaided, only using stirrups from around the 3rd century onwards). Between Powerpoint slides explaining how increased tourist activity around the Wall has led to the build-up of rubbish, he says “This breaks my heart”, and after proudly
Clearly, he is a man of inexhaustible energy. Asked if he has further plans with the Wall, he replies “Always”.
showing us slide after slide of pictures of the wall looking immaculate – most of them taken by him – you believe it. The other thing that’s obvious about Lindesay is his pride: he casually mentions how “I’ve won many medals, I’ve become very famous”, and in fairness, he does have much to be proud about: his 2011 exploration of the Gobi desert in Mongolia revealed a new part of the Great Wall that had been lost since the 12th century. His writings have been published in the National Geographic, and he has authored five books. Clearly, he is a man of inexhaustible energy. Asked if he has further plans with the Wall, he replies “Always”, and goes on to relate his idea to hold an international exhibition for the Great Wall, and have a 20-lecture course all about the Wall taught at China’s top universities. “The future of the Great Wall will not be in good hands unless it’s studied more”, he warns, and one can only hope the people who follow in Lindesay’s footsteps have half the passion he does (and a tenth of the pride).
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Top LSE Acedemic gives Brexit Lecture Shwetha Vasan There seems to be a sense of confusion and uncertainty in the UK about what’s actually going to happen with Brexit and everybody is waiting for the big decision on the 29th of March 2019. A study of the timeline shows no definite progress till date. Like the weather, Brexit seems to have become a topic to start conversations. People are curious and confused.
The cultural elite support such measures only to keep up the British values. Mike calls them ‘imperial racists’.
Niveditha Sankarlk was one of this year’s winners of the Scholarship Image: Newcastle University
Seats were full before long as people from different nationalities and age groups thronged Curtis Auditorium. Professor Mike Savage from the London School of Economics and Political Science was here to speak about Brexit from a social point of view, claiming the difference of opinion between the elite and populists is widening. It is important to know why some of them are opposing the change citing social concerns. Blatantly labelling them as conservatives or racists would be unseemly. First of all, one must understand that Eu-
rope as a continent does not function the way America or any other continent does. People here are divided by culture, language and a sense of national pride which is country-specific. People in one corner of Europe are not concerned about people on the other end. Distinctly, Britain is characterized by a high degree of national coherence. It is progressive and capable of doing much more. Also, people here don’t seem to be getting excited about the European culture anymore. Young people are attracted towards America’s liberalism with Hollywood gaining prominence and a lot of factors have contributed to this mindset change. Professor Mike Savage explained the famous ‘Elephant graph’ which depicts the shift of monetary power from 1998-2008. Europeans are now less dominant among the globally affluent. Back in the 1990s, they constituted 35% of the top 10%. In 2016, it has dipped down to only 10%. Hence, people wanting to shift to Atlanticism is justified. But the economically weaker section is quite unsure whether this change might help them in any way.
in 1991, professionals and skilled workers were more racially discriminated than the working class. But in 2013, the scenario is exactly opposite. The big question here is “Why is the working-class discontent?” Some argue an increase in immigration is taking away the opportunities of the poor and Austerity has added up to their misery. People at the bottom of the economy have lost faith in the government and the differences are only growing. The culturally elite support such measures only to keep up the British values.
Brexit is not simply a product of nationalism. It is much more complicated
Racism has an important part to play in all this. The ‘liberal’ Britain scenario has changed over the last 20 years due to war, terrorism and other campaigns. Results show that back
Mike calls them ‘imperial racists’. The liberal middle class has adapted to multiculturalism in a big way. The battle between the economic and cultural elites continues. The ones supporting the European way and the economically weaker sections have merged but this isn’t going to last for long as their causes do not resonate. Brexit is not simply a product of nationalism. It is much more complicated than one can possibly imagine. The big story is yet to unfold, stay tuned!
Professor Mike Savage visited the university Image: Newcastle University
Durham University claims Initiations: are they to crack down on initiations uni’s responsibility? James Nash
Durham University has claimed that they “do not tolerate initiation ceremonies of any sort” following the inquest over the death of Newcastle student Ed Farmer. Pro-Vice-Chancellor Owen Adams released the statement following criticisms of Durham’s own initiation culture, one notorious for heavy drinking, challenges, and nudity. Just under a year ago, the Trevelyan College Rugby Club was indefinitely suspended, following mass outrage over their plans to host a ‘Thatcher vs. Miners’ social event, with
Adams commenting that all activities “both on and off the field” would cease with immediate effect. Despite Durham’s hard-line approach, initiations are still commonplace amongst the University’s societies. Known now as “Welcome Drinks” in an attempt to evade detection, these events still take the form of traditional initiations, and are apparently “anything but welcoming”. Speaking to the Courier, a Durham student, who wished to remain anonymous, gave examples of challenges, such as initiates having to “run from one college to another with a shot of vodka in your mouth”, and having bottles of alcohol strapped to your arms and
being forced to drink it all. The student also commented that “loads of [initiations] include nudity” and “streaking across town”. Other incidents over the past few years have hit the press, such as cooking oil being poured in initiates’ eyes, and heads being shaved as a consequence for losing a challenge. Many of these ‘challenges’ are introduced by the sports teams – where most initiations take place, according to our anonymous student. Durham University has issued warnings concerning the consequences of being involved in initiation ceremonies, with punishments including suspension, unpaid work, and even prosecution. Whether students will heed these warnings remains to be seen.
Durham University say they do not tolerate ceremonies Image: Wikipedia
James Nash discusses the topical initiations issue
James Nash
The tragic death of first-year student Ed Farmer in December 2016 has led to valid questions concerning the dangers of University initiation events.
The responsbility lies on everyone, university, societies, and students alike, to take care of each other
Newcastle’s answer to accusations of carelessness and indifference has been that initiations of any form are banned at the University. However, an Agricultural Society initiation did happen, and a student died – should the University be held responsible for failing to stop it? It has been suggested among the student body that these events, albeit to a lesser extent, still take place. So are initiations virtually unstoppable? The culture of initiations has long belonged to that of American college fraternities, but in recent years, initiations, like many other cultural traditions, has found its way across the pond. Whether it’s the money burning antics of Oxbridge or David Cameron’s pig-gate, being forced to prove yourself to your peers by committing ridiculous and depraved acts has somehow embedded itself into British university life. These ceremonies are heard to involve excessive amounts of alcohol, eating strange items and bizarre competitions and challenges – sometimes leaving the initiates
worse for wear. Overseeing the well-being of a student body of over 20,000 isn’t an enviable task, but it’s a promise that Newcastle, and every university, holds itself to. Boasting over 150 societies, the University places its trust in their student leaders to provide a fun, safe environment in which others can explore hobbies, sport etc. Is this trust misplaced? Nine times out of ten, no – societies are brilliant extra-curricular activities that can be both rewarding and a lot of fun. But when something does go wrong, who is held accountable? The lines between University-run and student-led are somewhat blurred, complicating the issue further. Is it therefore the responsibility of those running the events to take care of their initiates? The trouble with this blanket statement lies in the issue of age and consent. Initiations that have taken place more recently have, allegedly, emphasised the lack of peer pressure involved – no one is forced to do something they don’t want to do. Every initiate is eighteen or over and can make decisions for themselves, without relying on the safety blanket of the University or their peers. However, in place of peer pressure comes self-inflicted pressure – an overwhelming desire to make friends and prove yourself, and an immense fear of social exclusion. This is far harder to stamp out, not only manifesting in initiations, but in social nights, Freshers’ week, even academic study, and cannot be monitored by anyone other than the individual themselves. Whilst the University has failed to prevent initiations, no-one can accuse Newcastle of lack of trying. Messages explictily stating initiations are banned have been sent to students, and talks advocating safe drinking have been scheduled in for first-years. The responsibility therefore lies on everyone, University, societies, and students alike, to take care of each other and ourselves, and hope that what happened to Ed Farmer never happens again.
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NUSU launches campaign for trans awareness
Marginalised Genders Officer Charlotte Boulton tells the Courier about plans to raise awarness in an annual trans campaign CHARLOTTE BOULTON
A member of the Feminist Society and NUSU’s Marginalised Genders Officer
NUSU is kicking off its extended campaign to raise awareness of the experiences of transgender and non-binary students by producing a series of videos and providing useful resources. The Trans Awareness campaign is led by Charlotte Boulton (Marginalised Genders Officer) and Lauren Sykes (LGBT+ Officer), with support from Jack Green (Welfare & Equality Officer), to provide trans students with a platform to be seen and heard. Why are we running this campaign? The campaigns aims’ are to improve visibility of transgender students, as these students can sometimes be overlooked in more general campaigns, and to increase the awareness from the wider student population about what it means to be trans. We hope to strike a balance between awareness and action by providing long-lasting resources that will remain relevant beyond the initial campaign launch week. This launch week coincides with the national Trans Awareness Week from the 12th to the 18th November and will also incorporate the Transgender Day of Remembrance on the
20thNovember. Trans Awareness is an important campaign which has a strong focus on raising awareness for those who would not normally engage with LGBT+ and trans spaces and discussions. We believe it is vital that all students have an understanding of gender identities in order to promote respect, appropriate language use and acceptance. By involving various trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming students in the planning and production of the campaign, we hope to give them a platform to tell other students what they think they need to know. Trans Awareness cannot be confined to just a week – it is an ongoing project as we are all always learning and improving ourselves! What are we doing for Trans Awareness? The campaign will revolve around a series of videos that are intended to provide visibility to trans students across Newcastle University. They will include personal experiences, explanations of language and preferred terminology, and some information about the support available to trans students or those questioning their gender identity. The videos will be shared on social media and will be shared on this page in the coming weeks. Alongside the social media video campaign, we are holding two events in the SU to celebrate Trans Awareness. On Monday the 12th of November, 6.308.30pm, we will be kicking off the week with the ‘Being trans in Newcastle’ discussion. This
Sharon Mavin recognised for oustanding research
Professor Sharon Mavin Image: Newcastle University
Steven Ross News Editor Professor Sharon Mavin, the director of Newcastle University Business School and first woman to hold the position, has been recognised by the Academy of Social Sciences. She has been made a fellow of the academy for her
“I enjoy building something and helping other people. It’s about getting the right people in the right place at the right time”
Sharon Mavin, Newcastle University Business School Director
extensive work in the field of gender in management and leadership. Mavin is an international scholar in gender,
women’s leadership, identity, learning, dirty work and organization studies, and has supervised her students in these areas. She has published over 100 academic papers on women in business. most recently; ‘Gender Should be on the Agenda of Business Schools’. The process of being chosen as a fellow involved nomination by scholars and professional academics, followed by a peer review to determine if the nominee made a significant impact for the benefit of the public. According to a Guidant Financial survey, just 26% of business owners in the UK are women. Moreover, the major obstacle for women starting a business is a lack of starting capital. Recognition of the achievements of women in field of business is therefore important as diong so will hopefully help to make business a more accessible area for women to enage and progress in. When talking to the Chronicle, Mavin said of her life philosophy; ‘I’ve learned that I enjoy building something and helping other people. It’s about getting the right people in the right place at the right time, doing the right thing, so they’re enjoying work. That’s the key thing - it’s all about the people’.
will be an informal discussion led by trans students about their personal experiences with their gender identity and how this impacts their life at university, work and home. We welcome all interested people to come along and learn about these issues in a safe space for honest conversation. If you are someone who knows a lot or a little, you’re welcome to get involved regardless of your own gender identity. Location: The Lounge (1st Floor NUSU). Find the ‘Being Trans in Newcastle Discussion’ event on the NUSU Part-Time Officers
Facebook page to find out more and register your interest in attending the event. On Friday the 16th November, 6.308.30pm, we will be hosting a Panel: Trans Lives and Experiences, to construct a more formal discussion of gender and being trans. The panellists will be trans students who have been involved in the videos and organisation of the campaign, and we will facilitate discussion beyond the assigned questions. Again, all interested people are invited to attend and learn more! Location: The Lounge (1st Floor
NUSU). Find the ‘Panel: Trans Lives and Experiences’ event on the NUSU Part-Time Officers Facebook page to find out more and register your interest in attending the event. There is information and support available for trans and non-binary students both through the university and NUSU. We will be adding to this list as we create more resources tailored to the needs of trans, non-binary and gender non-conforming students.
the courier
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news
Monday 12 November 2018
Musical Medics’ dazzling theatrical spectacular raises £3500 for charity Grace Dean News Editor
The Musical Medics Society stunned audiences with three performances of the musical rendition of the classic chick-flick to raise over £3500 for charity. Following eight weeks of rehearsals, the Society held three evening performances from 25th to 27th October in the stunning art deco surroundings of the Jubilee Theatre, somewhat perplexingly located in St Nicholas Hospital, Gosforth, to the surprise of many ticket holders. The biggest surprise, however, was that the approximately two hours long performance featured an all-singing all-dancing cast comprised primarily of fourth year medical students, as tradition of the society dictates, alongside some third year and intercalculating medical students. Spectator Tavier Fairburn, who was stunned by the performance, asked, “Who would have thought that medics could sing and dance as well as look good in scrubs!?” The cast of approximately 30 performers wowed the audience with musical renditions of the film’s scenes and impressed the audience with their surprisingly accurate American accents. The show was complimented by
a live orchestra, composed mainly of further medical students alongside some music students who lent their instrumental expertise. The society additionally organised the set, sound and lighting, and ticket marketing and sales. The show, which was performed to a total audience of approximately 600 spectators, raised money for charity through ticket sales, pre-show and interval refreshment sales, and nightly raffles including prizes donated by Grainger Market. It was an excellent show for an excellent cause; the money raised, estimated to be in excess of £3500, was donated to two charities selected by the society, CAMFED and Marcus in Mind. CAMFED is an international charity who strives to eliminate poverty in Africa through educating and empowering women and girls. Marcus in Mind was set up in memory of Marcus Colville, a former Newcastle University medical student who tragically took his own life in December 2017. The charity fundraises to support research and reduce suicide rates among young people. Attendee Charlotte Paton, Geography graduate, was highly impressed by the performance. “I decided to go to support a friend in the orchestra. I thought it was lovely that so
many people were supporting their friends and peers. The music was great and the performances were very humorous. The audience participated actively which brought the overall musical to life. Overall a very enjoyable evening” Commenting on the phenomenal success of the event, Musical Medics President Persia Bowater, who also featured in the show as hairdresser Paulette, said, “I can’t believe it’s over! It’s been the best couple of months rehearsing, and we got such great support at all three shows. Sadly, now we all have to go back to our actual degrees...” Legally Blonde is a 2001 chick-flick based on the adventures of blonde socialite Elle Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon. Following her boyfriend’s announcement that he is commencing studies at Harvard Law School and his resultant end of his relationship with Elle, the blonde bombshell decides that the only way to win back his heart is to be the successful career woman she believes he wants. Thus follows her attempts to be accepted by Harvard Law School herself - and following her surprising success, the film charters her success in the legal world and attempts to win her heartthrob back - who knew that the courtroom could be so glamorous?
The performance showcased the talent of medical students Image: Lewis Palmer Photography
Some residents are displeased with prospect of historic student housing Molly Greeves News Editor Newcastle is the home of many historic buildings, some of which have been empty for years. On the 26th of October, Newcastle City Council gave permission for West Wicklow Property Three Limited to turn historic buildings on Pilgrim Street, Hood Street and Market Street into 40 new flats. But not everyone is thrilled about it. The majority of committee members were in favour of the scheme, and there were no objections from heritage groups. In spite of this, some people have referenced the scheme to comment on the rising rate of student housing in Newcastle. No plans have currently been announced for the buildings to be used as student accommodation, however, some people are already resisting the idea that these historic buildings could home students. One resident tweeted: “Newcastle stop selling every single space to student accommodation challenge @NewcastleCC” Another linked to the article and wrote: “@ NewcastleCC Please ensure that these are not developed into more student accommodation. They don’t deserve such buildings.” This September it was revealed that Newcastle has the highest rate of student housing of any UK city, sharing this title with Exeter. One in every fifteen homes is classified as
a student property, and many permanent residents resist the idea that Newcastle is a “student town” due to fears of antisocial behaviour. However, there are others who welcome the scheme in the hopes that it will help revitalise the city centre. Councillor Stephen Powers said: “I have long been concerned that Newcastle was a bit become the curve when
it comes to bringing the city centre back to life and using the vacant space we have above retail units. “For long-term viability of the city centre we need to make sure we bring in residents that live there as well as work and enjoy the city centre... I really welcome the principle behind this development, I think the idea behind it is really good.”
The prospective building Image: Geograph
Spinathon makes a return to campus
Elena Eustace
What is crazier than cycling outside the Student Union at 2am? Some brave students are about to find out. Coast 2 Coast Society’s 48 hour Spinathon is returning for another year. During 13th16th November there will be two students continuously cycling to raise money for Great North Air Ambulance and The People’s Kitchen.
Fuelled on nothing but bourbon biscuits and cheesy tunes these students will appreciate any support you can offer, be it a clap on the back or a donation to these great charities. Coast 2 Coast Society organises a 140 mile bike ride from Whitehaven to Tynemouth over two days. The main ride is on 30th March, so there’s still plenty of time to get involved. If you own a road bike and an undaunted sense of adventure, the society would love to hear from you!
Last year’s Spinathon Image: Coast to Coast Society
DON’T RENT YET
Your ultimate guide to entering the private rented sector JACK GREEN: WELFARE AND EQUALITY OFFICER Renting can be a really daunting experience, especially for many students for who this may be their first time renting in the private sector. Because of this, Students could fall victim to hard sell tactics put on by Estate Agents. It’s important to understand your rights, and things you should think about before entering into an agreement to rent a property. Despite having been through the renting process 3 times now, I am still learning new things that I didn’t know before. For example, did you
know that as soon as you place a deposit for a house, it could be interpreted as that you have entered a non-written agreement to take the property and could be liable to follow through with that agreement unless the landlord backs out. There are so many factors to consider, such as: housemates, location, halls or house, price, bills and quality of property. That is why the Students’ Union is here to assist you in your journey. Housing Fair, which is happening this Friday 16th November, 11-4pm is a great place to start. Here you will be able to speak to advisers from our Student Advice Centre, local services, utility companies as well as local Agents and purpose built student accommodation block
providers. Remember that wherever you end up living, you’ll be calling it home for the year so make sure that its somewhere you’ll feel comfortable. For me, I’ve called Jesmond home for the past 3 years and it has been an incredible few years full of amazing people, and not so amazing houses.
L O C AT I O N , L O C AT I O N , L O C AT I O N Students are here to give you the low-down about what its like to live in some of the infamous students suburbs of Newcastle
Jesmond
City Centre
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live a 5 minute walk from my lectures. This means that I can roll out of bed at 8:45 and be in University for my 9am. There are loads of budget shops close by too, and the Tesco Metro in the centre is quite cheap for my weekly shop. For students on a budget, Grainger market is so close and there is no excuse not to be stocked up on fresh fruit and veg.
flat all love going to ‘The Stand’ which is a Comedy Club on a Wednesday night for £3 entry. It’s a great way to unwind after lectures and because we live so close, we don’t have to pay for travel. It’s quite a big venue when you head downstairs, but the façade of the club doesn’t give any secrets away. I’ve loved living in the City Centre, and for me, I couldn’t imagine spending my year anywhere else.
I’ve loved living in the City Centre, and for me, I couldn’t imagine spending my year anywhere else
Louise McDermott
J
esmond is one of the most popular places to live while you’re a student, and that isn’t a surprise as it’s got so much to offer!
Along with all the bars, Jesmond has so many lovely cafes you can enjoy for all times of the day
To start with it’s very well get to University and the just half an hour if you ten minutes if
Although I live in private halls, there are lots of flats above shops that my friends live in. These flats can be full of character and history, and if you love the city feel then living in the centre of town is perfect. I didn’t realise how many amazing small venues there are in the town. There are some great places to go. My
located, you can centre of town in walk and under you get the Metro. Also, as it has two main metro stops so it’s easy to get
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If you’re looking for somewhere cheaper than Jesmond, then South Gosforth is definitely worth checking out
Finally, amenities aren’t a problem as we lived within sight of both a Sainsbury’s and a pub. The Sainsbury’s was comparable to, if not bigger than, the one by West Jesmond metro, and the pub served amazing (although admittedly mostly very unhealthy) food. It does have its downsides – if you’re wanting to be 5 minutes’ walk away from pre-drinks or the wonders of Osborne Road, or you can’t bear to be more than a 15 minute walk away from town, then you should maybe look elsewhere, but if you’re looking for somewhere cheaper than Jesmond, and with more amenities than the likes of Ilford Road and Sandyford, then South Gosforth is definitely worth checking out. Tom Lowe
Heaton eople think Heaton is far away, but it’s just as close to University as Jesmond, and also has good bus and metro links. Both Chillingham Road and Heaton Road boast a string of independent cafes and restaurants, some attracting queues on weekends for students in need of a decent breakfast. Chillingham Road is a busy shopping area with fantastic independent restaurants and cafes adding to the diversity of Heaton. It also provides everyday necessities such as supermarkets, pharmacies and grocery stores. Heaton Road has a number of great places to eat and while away the weekend and afternoons. A bakery with a huge range of cakes sits close to some of the most popular destinations for breakfast and vegan food.
Gosforth osforth. A place many of you may be unfamiliar with (unless, like me, you’ve experienced the joys of living in Bowsden Court in first year). In my 5th year, I and two other former Bowsden residents decided to move back to South Gosforth to live for a year. But why, you might ask, would we choose to live in such an obscure and faraway place? Firstly there was the price. We were paying £62.50 per week each, and we even had a spare room. Secondly, the location isn’t nearly as bad as many people make out. We lived less than 5 minutes’ walk from South Gosforth metro (which is only two stops up from West Jesmond and is still in Zone A,) and whilst taxis home from nights out were (marginally) more expensive, if money was tight we could always share a taxi with our friends who lived in West Jesmond, and then walk the remaining 15 minutes, unlike places like Heaton or Fenham which are in completely opposite directions.
anywhere, so if you fancied a trip to the coast it’s basically on your doorstep. There is also the lovely Jesmond dene just down the road, where you can relax and visit Pets Corner As so many students live in Jesmond there’s always something going on. Any day of the week you’ll find the bars on Osborne Road packed with students enjoying the cheap food and drinks it has to offer. Along with all the bars, Jesmond has so many lovely cafes you can enjoy for all times of the day, there’s great brunch places such as 1901 and Café Bar One and lovely places you can go for an evening meal like Fat Hippo or Dabbawal as well as loads of coffee shops you can go to catch up with friends. Or if you’re on a bit of budget there’s even a Greggs! With Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and a Post Office you’ve got all the shops you need for any essentials. Martha King
Value for money is a big draw for students looking for the best rental deals, along with a quieter vibe than neighbouring Jesmond
Fenham
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o one ever thinks of Fenham as a ‘student-y’ place, but why not? It’s got everyone else in the world! Not only do I have the cheapest rent out of all my mates, I share my bus route home with friendly bikers, Hare Krishna monks and interesting shopkeepers from around the globe. If you’re Muslim student, Fenham is a perfect find. Not only is Newcastle’s Central Mosque right in the heart of the neighbourhood, it also boasts all the halal takeaways you could dream of. In fact, any foodie would be in heaven here, whether you’re into Polish, Caribbean, or gourmet desserts places (open late -- perfect to satisfy cravings after a weekly watch of Bake Off)! On the more practical side, there’s even an ASDA and an Iceland in short walking distance, so you can be sure to keep up with those supermarket savings. With a whole range of houses and flats all at super-low rates, Fenham is perfect for student budgets without having to stay inside a student bubble. It’s the kind of place where you know your neighbours and recognise friendly faces -- like you’re a real part of the city. Plus, you’d be living along the real historical line of Hadrian’s Wall. What’s more Geordie than that? Much-maligned and unfairly ignored by students, maybe it’s time we start to redefine Fenham as Newcastle’s best-kept secret. If you can survive the hike up Westgate hill, you’ll be well rewarded! Fiona Cunningham
Sandyford
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You can enjoy a bit of nature in the beautiful Heaton Park for picnics and lazy sunny days or frosty winter walks. With a popular pizza restaurant situated right at the entrance, Heaton Park has something for everyone. Value for money is a big draw for students looking for the best rental deals, along with a quieter vibe than neighbouring Jesmond. So if you’re looking for a relaxed, friendly area….Heaton is for you! Jonny Elstob
andyford is the underrated golden boi of Newcastle. It may have a reputation among partyhard first and second-years for being quiet, residential, and full of corner shops and restaurants rather than bars and pubs, but when you get to third year you realise this is actually heaven. The houses in this little pocket of peace and quiet are so much cheaper than those in Jesmond and are pittance compared to the maisonettes in much-lorded West Jesmond. What’s more, instead of a measly flat you’re more likely to get a full family home for you and your mates. As a third year who made the dire error of moving out of Sandyford this year, I can tell you that having a full-sized kitchen, family bathroom and bay windows are luxuries not to be sniffed at. In terms of the surrounding areas, no you may not be a drunken stumble away from Blanc or Spy Bar, but Sandyford has so much more to offer comrades: it’s called culture. Masscalzone is a beautiful little Italian restaurant in the heart of Sandyford that does top-
notch pizzas for reasonable prizes in a classy setting that can almost make you forget you’re paying for it with the last dregs of your overdraft. Alternatively, Harissa is a cool Mediterranean kitchen on Starbeck Avenue that does an amazing mezze box if you’re in the mood for a bougie lunch. The absolute crowning jewel of Sandyford is the corner shop on Goldspink Lane. It will cater to your every need: 1am revision biscuits, alcohol and mixer for pres, emergency toilet roll, you name it. Living approximately 5 seconds away from this haven I can tell you that the owners of this shop have seen me at my very worst (socks, sliders, and pyjamas is a look, no?) Let’s also not forget for all those library hermits, Sandyford is a mere 15 min walk to campus. Don’t be a sheep friends, dare to be different and back your bags for Sandyford - you’ll never look back. Izzi Sykes
HALLS VS HOMES Halls
Homes
Finance • Your contract length could be anywhere from 38-51 weeks. • Your utilities are often included in your rent. • There may be multiple payment plans available. Environment • Your neighbours are likely to be University studetns who are over 18. • Your rubbish will be put into a communal set of bins. • Your accommodation will be managed by a company. • You will live with students on a similar schedule. • Your halls may have its own security person. • Your halls will usually be in a busy area. Facilities • Most halls are en-suite rooms. • You most likely won’t have any outdoor space. • Your rent might include a gym in the building. • Rooms will most likely all look the same.
Finance • Your contract length will usually be around 51 or 52 weeks. • You will more often have to organise your own utilities. Some landlords may offer an all-inclusive option but it will rarely be compulsory. • Your landlord will often set the payment plan for rent payments.
How do living in halls and houses differ? Image: NUSU
Pros • • • • •
Shorter Contract Student Neighbours Security Facilities Inclusive Bills
Cons • Usually more expensive • Less privacy from staff • No outdoor space usually
Environment • Your neighbours could be anyone, including families with young children. • Your house will ahve its own bins. You may have to take these out yourself. • Your house could be managed by a company, or an individual landlord. • Your neighbours might have different schedules to you. • Your house will not come with any private security however local police may do patrols. • If you don’t live in the City Centre, you’ll usually live in a local suburb community. Facilities • Unless you’re a lucky few, you’ll most likely be sharing a bathroom. • You’ll usually have a backyard or garden. • You won’t have a gym in your house, but there is usually a local gym nearby. • Each room in the house will likely be a different size, and character. • You won’t have a gym in your house, but there is usually a local gym nearby. • Each room in the house will likely be a different size, and character.
Pros
Cons
• Can move in over sum- • Non-student neighbours mer • May have to set up own • Local community bills • More choice of room style • May have to travel further • Might have outdoor space • More affordable usually
Know what you’re paying for Holding Deposits
Administrative Charges
Rent
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These are generally non-optional fees. If you rent for a Letting Agency they may well charge you a free, often referred to as an administrative fee.
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Be clear what the rent amount is
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Be sure you can afford it before you commit to it
These checks can range in prices quite widely and may depend on what service or checks the agency is undertaking, such as a credit and reference checks.
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When to start paying/cease paying it by
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When it has to clear ingo the landlords/agents account by
Security Deposit
Holding Fees are generally an optional fee. You don’t have to pay it. If you don’t you might risk the property being let to the first people prepared to pay it.
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However be very careful here… be sure you understand what the Holding Free represents.
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The Holding Deposit is not simply to hold the property until you make up your mind. If you accept the property and secure it with a holding deposit you have entered into a verbal contract where you are committed and legally bound to it.
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The agency may ask you to sign an agreement promising ti pay the fee when they have found you a property that you then agree to take.
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It is also quite common to charge a renewal fee if you wish to continue your tenancy too.
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The signing of the written agreement at a later stage just provides the detail and evidence of what is agreed.
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Payment of the Holding Deposit however is often subject to the landlords/agents check and if you fail to meet those requirements the landlord/agent may retract their offer. Make sure all the documentation/information in respect of the Holding Deposits is very clear before you even agree to take a property.
You may have heard there are plans t scrap Agency fees but this has yet to be made into law. Some agents are pre-empting this legislation and are starting to scrap the fees earlier. Some might only charge fees on certain properties. So shop around and ask agents if they charge fees or if they have properties where fees are not applied.
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Check if the Holding Deposit is refundable if you fail the checks.
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Be sure to ask about fees before you agree to take the property. They could add quite a bit to your initial financial outlay.
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It is against the law to charge you for registering with an agency, promising to find you a property, or just giving you lists of property to rent.
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Letting Agencies must display on their website or in their offices a comprehensive list of ALL fees.
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Adverts should make clear whether charges are per tenant or per property.
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A landlord doesn’t have to take a security deposit.
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A security generally covers rent and damage but can be used for other things.
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On most tenancies this will require the landlord to protect the deposit in a government scheme.
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The landlord has to provide you with information about the deposit protection scheme.
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If the agent is just signing you up and not managing your property, then you need to pay particular attention to the protection as you may find that it has not been correctly protected.
K n o w w h o ’s m a n a g i n g y o u Make sure you know who is going to be managing your property whilst you live there! • Is it a landlord who will manage the property themselves • Is it a lettings agency who signed you up as a tenant for a landlord, but who will then pass on the tenancy to the landlord to manage? • Is it a lettings agency who signed you up as a tenant but then passes on the tenancy to a property management agency to manage? • Is it a property management agency who signs you up and then continues to manage you through the tenancy?
Need Help? Visit the Student Advice Centre The Student Advice Centre are based on the Ground Floor of the Students’ Union. Book in to meet an advisor for help with renting a student property. Call: 01912393979 Email: student-advice-centre@newcastle.ac.uk
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the courier
Monday 12 November 2018
@CourierComment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/comment Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Caitlin Disken & Alexandra Sadler Online Editor Rory Cameron
Anti-Semitism in the US of A
In the wake of the Pittsburgh shooting, Seshadhri Subramanian discusses gun control, hate crime, and the rise of Anti-Semitism
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s a six-year old, Judah Samet had survived one of the worst nightmares of his life when he survived Bergen-Belsen, a Nazi death camp. So many years later, he had sheer luck to thank for defying death once again as he survived a deadly shootout at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania because, as he told The Times of Israel, “My housekeeper kept me for four minutes.” Eleven others, however, were not so fortunate. The victims were all middleaged or elderly and were in various professions including accountancy and medicine. The oldest victim was 97 years of age.
something that is new in the United States. Even during and after World War II, for example, General Patton was a known anti-Semitic. Patton said once that Jews had “no sense of human relationships” and lived in filth like lazy “locusts”. He even criticised the process of denazification of Germany and of German officers. Later in the twentieth century, the academic David
Anti-Semitism is not something new in the United States
Greenberg noted that US President Richard Nixon had a “reputation as a hateful, vindictive anti-Semite”. Even today, there are a number of white supremacist organisations like the Klan, the American Nazi Party and others. Incidences of hate crimes seems to be reported more in the media these days, from the United States. While true figures are not necessarily accessible, it may be possible to argue that anti-Semitic incidence may have increased, even if slightly, under the current administration. Donald Trump has been a divisive President ever since he took office. His handling of the incident at Charlottesville, Virginia set the tone on a national scale – not for anti-Semitism per se but for radical, ex-
The alleged shooter was a person named Robert Bower, a truck driver from Pittsburgh who lives near the Jewish synagogue he ultimately chose to attack. Bower was described as a man who kept to himself mostly – his neighbour had seen him occasionally but had forgotten his name. Despite his quiet exterior, he was very active on a social media platform for the far right called Gab. Shortly before the shooting, he posted, “I can’t sit by and watch my people get slaughtered. Screw your optics, I’m going in.” AntiSemitism is not
tremist groups to feel more confident about projecting themselves. President Trump did attend a memorial for the deceased, along with First Lady Melania Trump, but his visit was the subject of some protests by angered Pittsburgh citizens. Another debate that such an incident raises is that of gun control. There are a lot of other issues that America has tried to cite as causes for mass shootings at various points in time, including mental health issues. While all that may have played a part in these killings, the underlying issue is that the US of A has a gun problem. Americans can raise their voices about the Second Amendment, and that scrapping it would cause all hell to break loose; but the unregulated sales of arms within the United States, the easy access that the common citizen has to it, and an organisation called the National Rifle Association are the reasons that things go horrendously wrong. And before you say that it is impossible to maintain gun control through a series of governmental measures and legislation, it might be worth taking a look at Australia. The island nation has effectively almost ended gun violence by passing laws denying their citizens the right to carry arms for personal protection. As a vindication for this measure, Australia saw 32 homicides committed with a gun in the year 2014 – the last year for which these statistics are available. By comparison, more than 500 people died through gun related crime in the city of Chicago alone in 2017.
The underlying issue is that the US of A has a gun problem
Image: CNN on YouTube. Radio. com on YouTube
A lot of factors go into a mass shooting with regard to the assailant – the kind of person that they were, their belief system, their mental health and so on and so forth. But by far, the biggest impediment to a solution is when people find easy access to guns. Combined with a politically volatile environment where extremist elements can find a voice and appear to be legitimate in a country where anti-Semitism has never truly been eradicated, the result is a shootout in a Jewish synagogue that leaves behind a trail of bodies.
Bolsanaro and Brazil: a political jungle?
Following Jair Bolsanaro’s election as Brazil’s President, Sophie Hindhaugh assesses the impact this may have on the Amazon
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hope you all like dogs as much as you say you do online, because they’re going to be one of the few animals we have left. Jair Bolsonaro’s election is a disaster - for the Amazon rainforest, and obviously, (or what should be obvious) us. Often referred to as the lungs of the planet, the Amazon is under threat by a guy nicknamed the ‘Trump of the Tropics’. His election, and the effect he will have on climate change, is the equivalent of going from smoking a 20 pack a day to a Shisha a day. With just 12 years remaining to prevent catastrophic climate change and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, electing a guy who wants to privatise the rainforest, put a bloody pavement through it, mine the shit out of it, and log the habitats of one the most biodiverse areas on the planet- is quite possibly the worst thing we could have done. Brazil has pretty much voted for planetary suicide. And they’re happy about it. There has been overwhelming support for the far right authoritarian populist, but everybody seems to love voting for super villains lately, so while its terrifying, it is not surprising.
We seem to be moving backwards, not forwards, during this tenuous time
My issue is, don’t people want to live? Don’t people care? More importantly, have people not paid one ounce of attention in GSCE science? The rainforest is literally vital
to our breathing; it’s the biggest source of trees we have that filter the carbon dioxide out of our atmosphere, and y’know, make it liveable. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to wear one of those ugly air pollutions masks. And I also don’t want to live in a world where up to half of our plant and animal species face extinction, because of climate change caused by big corporations and evil men like Jair Bolsonaro, a man who isn’t just bad news for the planet we all live on, but the people of Brazil. They have voted in a man who will set in motion the genocide of the natives of the Amazon, a man who has compared homosexuality to paedophilia, a man who notoriously said to a congresswoman in 2014 ‘I wouldn’t rape you because
you’re not worthy of it’, one who openly says he wouldn’t pay a woman the same as a man on live television, one who wants to stop current motions to allow elective
abortions up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. We seem to moving backwards, not forwards during one of the most tenuous times we have faced globally as a planet. A better world is possible; let’s just stop bloody voting for idiots who d o n’ t believe in basic science.
Image: Pexels, Wikipédia
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comment
Monday 12 November 2018
England: a divided nation? Our writers discuss a recent study that highlighted the divisions between the north and south
Stanley Gilyead
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he North-South divide has existed for almost as long England has been a nation, with it speculated to have originated from William the Conqueror’s sacking of the north. The divide deepened post-war with the industrial north suffering most from the decline in heavy industries and domestic tourism. It’s no coincidence that the two towns with the highest proportions of deprived neighbourhoods in the country, Blackpool and Barrow, were heavily reliant upon these industries. Regeneration projects and the proposed HS2 rail link have helped make Manchester one of Europe’s fastestgrowing cities, and has led to substantial property development in Leeds and Liverpool. However, it has done little to help other northern towns robbed of the industries upon which their economies were built, with 18 of the 20 most deprived districts in the country being in, or north of, Birmingham.
Caitlin Disken
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hen the annual train timetable changes were released in May, I have to say I felt a deep sense of relief. Despite the chaos and confusion that reigned across the North for months after, I was one of the few beneficiaries of the new timetable. All this was down to one simple change: Northern Rail were only operating one train an hour from my local station. The rest of the trains would be run by the undeniably better TransPennine Express. To say that TransPennine Express is better than any-
Little has been done to help areas suffering from industrial decline
Despite government promises of extra funding for the north, London still takes a lion’s share. The capital receives 2.5 times more infrastructure spending per person than the north and hospitals receive more money per person, despite life expectancy in areas of the north being 8 years younger than in parts of London. Northerners are also 20% more likely to suffer premature death than Southerners, partly due to suicide disproportionately affecting those in poverty. A recent report has suggested that the house price divide between the north and south will narrow over the next 5 years, with prices in the north expected to rise by 20%. Whilst this may ostensibly benefit Northerners as the value of their properties increases, it may be problematic for many. 8 of the 10 English cities with the lowest employment rates are in the north, whilst in none of the Northern regions does the average person earn over the national average wage, the price increase may therefore simply make it even harder for people to buy their first home. Locals in the Lake District have complained of second-home buyers pricing them out of owning a home where they grew up and this could become more widespread as prices rise across the north. Despite government promises little has been done to help areas of the north that have been suffering due to the decline of vital industries for decades. Only major investment can bridge the divide, with it essential that this funding is seen across the north, not just in relatively well-off regional hubs like Manchester and Leeds.
thing is a bold statement, especially con- sidering the amount of time I’ve spent watching the train that I was meant to board pull out of the station, people packed like sardines into the metal tube. But when the other option is com-
monly nicknamed ‘Northern Fail’, Northern commuters find themselves between a rock and a hard place.
People in the north have less opportunities than southerners
What has my slightly incoherent ranting about train travel got to do with a North-South divide, I hear you ask? Well, a recent study into the socio-economic divisions of Britain’s geography found that fatal traffic accidents are far more common in the North. Researchers have given a possible reason for this: the fact that transport infrastructure in the north is incredibly poor. The majority of transport infrastructure is invested in the south, especially in London. An IPPR study found that, since 2008, an average of £708 per person was spent on transport in London. In the north, however, this figure fell to just £289 per head. If the north had the same amount of money ploughed into transport as London, then an extra £63bn would have been invested over the ten years. This consistent and major funding problem could have solved a lot of the north’s problems. If the government were to suddenly commit to providing the north with long-term funding in order to better its infrastructure, then road traffic accidents would inevitably decrease. Better paved roads, as well as investment in traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and speed-bumps would all contribute to safer roads in the north. Adding to this, increased funding in public transport, such as trains and buses, would surely also reduce road fatalities. If trains run on time and are clean and quiet, people are more inclined to commute to work, rather than drive. Continued investment across all transport mediums would inadvertently improve transport conditions across the board. In other words, less people would die. Transport is not the only issue the north faces. If I had the time, I could rant on for hours about how the NorthSouth divide is damaging for everyone, northerners and southerners. Instead. I’ll try end on a more positive tone. The north is not a cultural and economic backwater. It is a diverse and incredible region, bursting Image: Pixabay, with bright cities, bright people, Wikimedia and bright attitudes. All too often Commons northerners are portrayed as thick, the butt of many jokes. Yet this is not the case. People in the north have had less opportunities than their southern counterparts. This is still the case. More lobbying for funding for the north is needed. Until that happens, however, I know that myself, my northern pals and my northern family will continue to see the north for what it really is: a reyt good place filled with reyt good people. And ask any northerner - they’ll be chuffed to be northern.
Midterm maelstrom and threats
SOAPBOX
TIME TO SAY BYE TO GUY?
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Tom Stone
he human race has developed drastically in terms of science, technology and society since its inception. You’d have thought that a weak attempt at blowing up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 would soon be forgotten and our primitive obsession with fire dissipated. Think again! Every year on the 5th November, Brits gather in their thousands to mind-vacantly drool over some burning wood and a few big bangs, as if such technological advances have done nothing to get rid of our barbaric nature. Fully grown adults cheerily wander down to a muddy field, in the midst of the chilling autumnal breeze, accompanied by their partners and new-borns, and pretend as if the 20 minute trek and the £5 entrance, accompanied by a nagging spouse and a whinging, ungrateful little baby was worth it for a frankly wasted evening. This sort of animalistic enjoyment really makes me question whether we truly are the cleverest species on this planet. As a society, we really need to get over the terrorist plot that Guy Fawkes foolishly cocked-up almost 500 years ago and move on.
ROAST OF THE WEEK
FACT OR FAD
F
Jack Coles
or clarification, a nutritionist is not the same as a dietician. A dietician has qualifications, needs to be registered with the Health Care and Professions Council, and work with doctors and nurses to treat conditions ranging from obesity to IBS. A nutritionist is literally anyone. I could call myself a nutritionist, and you wouldn’t be able to prove otherwise. Things get a little more insidious when I call myself a nutritionist and then try to push my fad diet; making all these claims about how it will completely transform your health and make your skin glow and cause your stools to loosen and detox your liver and other nonsense. If you encounter a nutritionist (and they’re easy to spot as they tend to be reasonably athletic types trying to sell you all-in-one meals), just stay away. If it sounds too good to be true, then it’s probably bollocks.
TOAST OF THE WEEK
Elisabetta Pulcini comments on the recent bomb scares and the climate of fear in the US
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n the midst of midterm elections, the United States was hit by a wave of bomb packages, sent to prominent Trump critics, including Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and CNN. While none of the explosives worked, the message was clear. Animosities, which largely arose during the 2016 election, have now reached alarming levels. Loss of common decency, exhibited in toxic behaviours by prominent politicians, causes people to demonize whatever is perceived as ‘otherness’, be it a news outlet or a former president. When the cult of personality is the defining characteristic of a president, people are going to have polarising opinions about that person. This inevitably causes extreme reactions. While not a great orator, Trump has divided a population with his speeches, and one theme that he seems to have mastered is the ability to create a constant narrative of ‘us vs them’. This rarely arises from a place of disagreement on policies; his attacks are much more personal. Numerous examples come to mind, but a glaring one is the ‘lock her up’ chant, that refers to Hillary Clin-
ton’s email scandal. Now, while many politicians would have exploited this scandal to get ahead in the campaign, there is something particular in Trump’s methods; not only does he attack the people who stand in his way, he dehumanises them. To most Trump supporters, Hillary appeared as a target to be struck down. These toxic behaviours on the campaign trail have served to embolden those who felt forgotten, and have created an unbreakable bond between Trump and his supporters.
Trump has created a constant narrative of ‘us vs them’
Many elections in the US have resulted in a divided country, and part of it is simply due to the bipartisan system, which demands that citizens pick a side. However, the rise in hate crimes has shown that this division is being fuelled by the White House. The President’s attitude
towards those who disagree with him is causing people to feel emboldened not just to support policies, but also to lash out at those perceived as ‘others’. The loss of respect for fellow humans is not to be attributed entirely to Trump, as the use of social media has largely contributed to this. Behind a keyboard, people feel entitled to strike down their target with whatever means necessary, even if such actions exhibit a complete lack of empathy. An inevitable victim in this political divide are media outlets, and the political inclination of outlets like CNN and Fox News is now at the forefront of their identity. This is caused by Trump either delegitimising them, with phrases like ‘fake news’, or putting them on a pedestal, through his endorsements on Twitter. At the end of the day, Trump is not a politician. He does not talk, act or reason like one. His actions show a lack of understanding of the responsibilities he took on when he became the President. The lack of nuance in his accusations has served to create an alarming narrative of ‘us vs them’, which has reached the point of being used to legitimise terrorist acts.
CAFFEINE FIX
A
Alexandra Sadler
h, coffee. After falling asleep far too late, sleeping through three alarms, and running late to a 9am lecture, there’s nothing quite like it. Whether you prefer plain black coffee or any variation laced with a combination of spices and sugar, Brits apparently drink 95 million cups of the stuff a day. I love tea as much as the next stereotypical Brit, but this is an ode to coffee because I’ve had two hours sleep and am currently fuelled by three very strong cups of coffee. Now that I’ve finished my editorial duties for this edition, I can lie to myself about going home to do dissertation work instead of taking a nap.
the courier
Monday 12 November 2018
life&style
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@CourierLifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle Life & Style Editor Sophie Henderson Lifestyle Editors Phoebe Fielder, Holly Margerrison, Ella Williams Online Editor Amanda Goh
Blind date
We find out how they got on. . .
Charlotte Lam meets Mystery Man*
So did you have fun? Yeah, I had a really lovely time Where do you go? We went to 97& Social Thats so funny, loads of our dates seem to go there. Yeah, it’s just such a prime location and right next to Waitrose. Was he a nice guy Really nice! And what were you expecting? To be honest the worst, I hadn’t signed myself up my mates had. As soon as he started speaking I realised he was from Liverpool (where I am from) and that took away some of the akwardness for me. Did you talk about anything wierd Yes! but you would probably rather I did not say! Fair enough, how did you deide to leave? Well we were both going out later , so we agreed to try find each other Did you manage to? Sadly not, we both went to different places in the end. .. Will you see each other again? Proboably not, and I think that feeling is mutual, we have each other on facbook now though.
“We were both from Liverpool”
“I hadn’t signed myself up my mates had”
*Disclaimer* Unfortunately the male counterpart to our date would not like to be featured in the newspaper this week.
How did you find the date? It was good, I enjoyed it Did you have anything in common? We were both from Liverpool What did you talk about? A lot about back home, then like interests and that sort of thing. Like what careers we were interested in and what we each do in our spare time If she were an alcoholic drink what would she be? AG&T Any reason? Would you meet again? Yeah
Are you unlucky in love? Email us at c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
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life & style lifestyle
Monday 12 November 2018
Cleanse the soul: a social media detox
Amy Harris tells us how to unplug and take a step back from technology
At first, I thought I would have a big sense of FOMO
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hile you wait for the bus you scroll through Facebook; if you have a quick five minutes between lectures you browse through Instagram, while you wait for the kettle to boil you peek at the Twitter moments page. Scrolling through our social media platforms is something we do without even thinking about it. It has become such a natural habit that we don’t even think about it, it is second nature to us. I thus undertook the Social Media Detox Challenge for one week to see whether we, as students, are addicted to social media and whether we could cope without it. I decided to remain on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp as that is my main method of communication with my family and friends, but social media apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and Pinterest were the ones I decided to stop using. On day one of my social media detox I was spending the day with my family, as they had come up to Newcastle for a visit, so I didn’t spend a lot of time on my phone going through my social media apps. At first, I didn’t uninstall the
Midnight breakdown? Call the nightline
Image: Pixabay
Lori Harper on how talking helps at any time of the day
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ith this month marking the annual anniversary of World Mental Health Day, social media has been bursting with messages of positivity towards a whole host of mental health issues, raising awareness and encouraging all of us to be honest about what’s really going on inside our heads. Student life is not always fun and care-free, increasingly, university can mean a time of stress, depression, loneliness and anxiety. With large concerns about future job prospects, money worries and academic pressure, it is no surprise that students today struggle with their mental health during university. In fact, a recent article published by City Mental Health Alliance this month revealed that a shocking two thirds of us students and graduates believe ourselves to be mentally unwell. At Newcastle University, options are available for students to seek counselling and support for mental health concerns - however, more and more these fall short due to long waiting times and limits on the number of sessions being made available. And what happens if its 10pm and there’s no one else to speak to? Nightline is the university’s non-judgemental, confidential listening service ran by students for students, operating between the late hours of 8pm-8am, when other welfare organisations are usually closed. According to the Nightline Association, it is well acknowledged that students prefer speaking about their personal problems with other students rather than their academic tutor. A fact further compounded by a study showing that as many students turned to other students (54%) than as those who sought help from a family member (60%). Receiving 299 calls last year between September and June, with the largest proportion of issues reported being
about anxiety, stress and other mental health problems, Newcastle Nightline has offered students an ear to listen, both for personal and academic worries. Student callers have praised Nightline, agreeing that the service provides “A friendly voice, a safe space, a support system” and that “It is anonymous, so you never feel like you are getting judged…just knowing someone was there made a great impact.” Despite this, Nightline faced major difficulties last year when the funding of the service was cut by two thirds, from £3000 to just £1000. However, the committee did not discover this until they had already spent 90% of their budget, Abbi Roberts- former Nightline Coordinator said that ‘it was very disappointing that not only was our budget cut, but the union neglected to inform us of this cut, meaning we were unable to implement the advertising campaigns we had spent a lot of time planning’. Such a loss to funding affected the service across all areas, from being unable to clean the office to a lack of calls and volunteers due to poor advertising. Abbi said that ‘this year Nightline is being ran under Go Volunteer rather than the Student Union. I’m hoping this will improve things but there is still nothing protecting Nightline’s budget.’ At a time where student mental illness is at an alltime high, why are we cutting the budget of one of the crucial lifelines available to students? With only 36% of students seeking professional help from a doctor or counsellor, it is apparent that we should be encouraging one another to seek support through protecting valuable organisations such as Nightline. More should be done to safeguard the funding so greatly needed by this important service. If you’ve been affected by any of the issues mentioned, you can contact Nightline on 0191 261 2905
apps or turn my notifications off, so I was still getting a lot of notifications from different channels which I had to keep dismissing or ignoring. Due to not being on my phone for the whole day I didn’t really miss not going through my social media apps. The only time I missed being able to scroll through Twitter and Instagram was before going to bed after having nothing else to do. Instead I ended up reading a new book - something I hadn’t found the time to do before. On day two I noticed myself automatically gravitating towards Instagram, my thumb went naturally to click on it without even thinking, so I did have to stop myself and lock my phone. I could see that people were tagging me in things on Twitter and Facebook, so I had to turn my notifications off properly as I was so tempted to just quickly check them. At first, I thought I would have a big sense of FOMO and I did when snapchats were being sent to me and I couldn’t open them but after a while I didn’t become as bothered by it. By the third day I felt like I was missing out on seeing things that my friends were discussing. My housemates and I all talk about what we’ve seen online and things that are funny on Twitter and Instagram, so when everyone was talking about something that I hadn’t seen I felt very out of the loop and didn’t relate to what they were talking about, which made me realise how ingrained social media is on m y
Written with help from Abbi Rober
day to day life and conversations. On day four it was one of my oldest friend’s 21s birthdays. Those of us that have had Facebook since we were thirteen years old know that you are somewhat expected to comment on your friend’s Facebook wall to wish them a happy birthday, so when I couldn’t wish my friend a happy 21st birthday with funny photos of us growing up together I felt a sense of guilt, like it didn’t look like I cared enough. Day four of my social media detox was also Halloween, so I really wanted to scroll through Instagram to see what everyone’s costumes looked like and I wanted to share my own photos from Halloween, but I couldn’t, so I did miss not being able to share my own photos. Coming to the end of the week when I was waiting
quite a few of our conversations are related to what we have seen on our social media apps for the Metro or waiting for a friend instead of scrolling through my Twitter feed or looking at snapchat stories I started reading a lot of articles and stories on my news apps and I found that was such a more productive way to spend my time.I wasn’t accidentally trying to open my social media apps anymore. One thing that became very obvious from the Social Media Detox Challenge was that quite a few of our conversations are related to what we have seen on our social media apps, so when people were discussing incidences they had seen shared on Facebook pages and Twitter feeds I began to notice that if you completely cut yourself off social media you would probably feel very out of the loop. Additionally, taking myself off social media made me look at my surroundings more and I noticed that a lot of people spend hours and hours on social media. I found myself sat there watching everyone around me scroll through multiple different platforms and normally I would be doing the exact same as them. The realisation of how long we spend on social media was shocking. It just shows how ingrained the social media platforms we use are in everything we do. I believe I would be able to cope without social media for longer than a week, especially as I spent the time I would normally use on social media doing something more productive. As students, and avid social media users, we are yet to see how our addiction will affect us in the future.
Image: lickr
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lifestyle life & style
Monday 12 November 2018
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Cooking with With Fenwick’s Christmas window in full force, Lori Harper weighs up whether it’s Hope Coke too early to begin the festivities or if jollyness should officially begin
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here are a couple of signs in Newcastle which begin the Christmas countdown; the lights going up and Hadrian’s tipi are some, but perhaps the most iconic Christmas signifier is the Fenwick Christmas window. It’s impossible to walk past the Northumberland Street store and its large windows without feeling even slightly festive. But with that said, is this year’s display just a little too early? With the big reveal hitting us only 2 days after Halloween, Fenwick have barely given us time to throw away our pumpkins before we think about buying all our Christmas gifts. This year’s display celebrates 40 years of Raymond Brigg’s magical tale, The Snowman. Like many others, I endured last Friday’s hour-long queue just to catch a glimpse of the display.
I have to say, Fenwick’s never disappoint. Classic Christmas songs played, and a snow machine allowed little snowflakes to fall on top of the crowd while the heart-warming display was unveiled. Each window portrays a scene from the beloved childhood tale, where a young boy, James, wakes to discover his snowman is alive. Children gazed in amazement as Fenwick brought the familiar family tale to life through the journey of James and his snowman to the North Pole, with the final window reminding us of the touching scene when James and the Snowman say goodbye to one another. Fenwick have captured the nostalgia of the tale down to the smallest detail, from the penguins at the snowman party, to the toy train that both James and the snowman play with. In recent years, Fenwick have also impressed us with eclectic displays such as Alice in Wonderland, Beatrix Potter and last years Paddington. But Fenwick have been pulling out all the stops with their Christmas windows since 1971. Traditionally, the grand reveal takes place every year on the first Friday in November. Yet every year, for the past 5 years, this seems to creep increasingly
there should be a transition between the autumnal celebrations of Halloween and Bonfire Night
closer. In 2014 the reveal was a week after Halloween, giving us some breathing space between the two festivities. It has become universally acknowledged that Christmas comes earlier every year, and certainly that may be the case when we see stores such as Paperchase stocking Christmas cards as early as September. Now, by this I don’t mean to sound like a scrooge - I love Christmas as much as anyone- but does prematurely getting our spirits up, only leave us feeling more deflated by January blues when it’s over? It seems that as soon as summer’s over we begin to look forward to the winter holidays. But when should the Christmas countdown really begin? Perhaps rather than overlap, there should be a transition between the autumnal celebrations of Halloween and Bonfire Night, before we recline into the prolonged festive season. Nonetheless, whether you agree that the Fenwick Christmas display has hit us slightly early this year or not, you will not fail to be blown away by the enchanting and endearing The Snowman theme. So, wrap up warm, prepare for the slow queues and get on board the Christmas hype by giving Fenwick a little visit.
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e students don’t know how good we’ve got it up here in Newcastle. Too often weekends can go to waste, as we sit wallowing in our workload and spending every waking minute wishing we were a). at home in a warm house or b). washing away our worries with a large glass
Serves 2 Ingredients: 1/2 a medium sized cauliflower 2 leeks 100g green beans 160g frozen edamame beans 125g brown rice 1 tbsp curry powder salt and pepper, to taste 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp miso paste juice of 1 lime 1 tsp honey a handful of fresh mint, and/ or coriander Optional, to serve: Fried eggs or tofu, chilli flakes, a handful of chopped roasted peanuts. Directions:
@TheCourierLifestyle @thecourierlifestyle
Lifestyle Ed Holly Margerrison on the joys of this famous seaside market in the festive period
Books to bonkers vintage collectables, plants to plant-based food and a fruit market to rival Grainger’s!
ow that winter is closing in, I’m craving food that’s full of vibrant flavours to help kick any cold weather lethargy. Enter my spiced cauliflower, greens and rice, which should banish all memories of soggy school cauliflower cheese. In this dish the humble cauliflower is given a punchy makeover, roasted with leeks, green beans and spices and tossed with a sharp miso and lime dressing. Add in brown rice and edamame beans for heartiness and you’ve got an exciting, flavour-packed dish with minimal fuss. I love it topped with a fried egg, but you could opt for some crispy tofu or just leave it as it is if you’d rather keep it vegan.
Image: F lickr
‘tis the sea-sun... for Tynemouth Market of wine. But alas dear students, there’s more to the tipsy toon than our alcohol infused brains may assume. Craving fresh air, fish and chips and, frankly, just a fun day out, my housemate and I planned a trip to the beach. No-one can argue with a £5 metro ticket when it transports you to the beautiful beaches of Tynemouth. Sometimes you’ve just got to seas the day… What we didn’t Image: Holly Margerrison anticipate was the glorious market that was to greet us in Tynemouth station. On a sunny Saturday, both sides of the platforms were heaving with our local Geordies and students galore. Standing proud beneath the glass canopy are a whole range of stalls. Books to bonkers vintage collectibles, plants to plant-based food and a fruit market to rival Grainger’s competitive prices. It was even rumoured there was a Nazi memorabilia stall – although fortunately we didn’t witness it. We treated ourselves to a festive gingerbread and cinnamon latte – baffling how a coffee can taste of Autumn – before I succumbed to the aroma of baked goods. Mr macaroon man manoeuvred his freshly made masterpieces from out of the oven and gave us one for free… Each! What student doesn’t love a good
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Spiced cauliflower, greens and rice
freebie? But even if the macaroon man can’t entice you with one of his warm fudge and banana miracles, it’s well worth just looking up to admire this botanical building on your trip down to the beach. Could the plant stall be situated in any better setting than what is essentially a glass greenhouse? If you’re wanting to spruce up your drab student house, adding a living plant works wonders and the market caters to all needs. Stressing about those stocking fillers? Fear no more, friends. A relatively inexpensive jewellery stall sells some quirky pieces, as well as offering local artist’s work in the format of coffee coasters or paintings. For the festive fiends amongst you, there’s a stall dedicated to tree decorations and bits for the home. Let the countdown begin… As our greed for fish and chip grease grumbled, we decided not to explore the other side of the market and to save it for another day.
I assure you that a trip to the salty sea air is good for the soul One of our Courier editors informs me that it is often books sold on the other side. With further research, I have discovered Tynemouth market hosts a farmer’s market every third Saturday of the month, annual book fairs and more festive stalls as we approach Christmas! University can often feel like a lonely place at times, but I assure you a trip here to the salty sea air is good for the soul. Who knows, you may even recognise a little piece of yourself in all the women chattering with too many shopping bags – or the men complaining about how unnecessary a lavender plant is.
Image: Hope Coke
Preheat the oven to 220 degrees C and start by preparing the vegetables for roasting. Chop the leeks into rounds roughly 2cm thick, then trim any stringy ends off the green beans and cut them in half so that they’re in short batons. Chop up the cauliflower into roughly 3cm chunks, including any of the outer leaves if still attached, which are delicious and crispy when roasted. Transfer all the chopped veg to a large baking tray and scatter over the curry powder, then drizzle over the olive oil. Toss everything together until well combined, then spread in an even layer on the baking tray, transfer to the oven and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until everything is tender and starting to brown and crisp in places. While the vegetables are roasting, bring a pan of water to the boil, add the brown rice and cook according to packet instructions (usually around 25 minutes). Add in the frozen edamame beans towards the end of the cooking time (they usually take 6-7 minutes, but again check the packet instructions). When the rice and beans are both cooked through, drain, rinse and set aside. When the roasted vegetables are ready, remove from the oven and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Now make the dressing by combining the miso paste, lime juice and honey in a small bowl and stir until smooth. It should be a pourable consistency, so add a little water to thin the dressing it if seems too thick. Spoon the vegetables, rice and edamame beans onto a large serving plate or bowl, then drizzle over the dressing and toss together until everything is well combined. Finally, roughly chop the mint and/ or coriander and scatter over the veg and rice. And you’re ready to serve! Divide between two bowls or plates and top each portion with a fried egg or tofu, the chilli flakes and peanuts if using, and any other accompaniments you fancy.
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life & style beauty
courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk Beauty Editors Susanne Norris, Nimra Rafique Laura Buckle Online Editor Molly Taylor
the courier
Monday 12 November 2018
A new Kardashian kontoversy? Last week, the beauty section debated Kim's tactics. Now, Gabriela Szczepanska investigates Kendall's dubious Vogue shoot
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nce again, Kendall Jenner has stirred the pot with her recent Vogue shoot. On the 18th of October she posted a picture on Instagram from a shoot meant to celebrate 15 years of the Vogue/ CFDA Fashion Fund, but that's not what caught everyone's attention. Her hair had been teased and
Image:@kendalljenner
curled in a way that very much resembles an Afro. It seems that there's a lot of people who claim that calling that hairstyle an Afro is extreme, that it's meant to be a 60s/70s big-teased-hair look, but just as many people are calling it cultural appropriation. Personally, I see it as cultural appropriation. Kendall
has access to many experts and consultants, and after her horrendous Pepsi commercial she should've known better than to continue being ignorant. I fail to believe that she couldn't have contacted an individual with more knowledge on the matter, such as an academic WOC working within the field of cultural appropriation. I'm trying to see both points of view, but it seems like if Kendall had learned anything from her past mistakes she should be more careful about the messages she sends out. What makes matters worse is that her friend Justine Skye had warned her about potential backlash to the shoot. Justine is a WOC who's clearly more socially aware than Kendall, and despite the advice Kendall was given, she didn't listen. This just means she either feels like she can do whatever she likes with no repercussions (which can also be derived from the fact she still hasn't taken the image off Instagram) or the paycheck was just too good. At least American Vogue issued an apology, claiming that they “certainly never meant to offend anyone”, but Kendall has yet to address the issue. On the other hand, with all the insanity going on in the world in 2018 it seems quite pointless arguing about some reality TV star’s hairstyle. I mean, it is just hair. But it's also a small part of the bigger picture. Cultural appropriation is real, and using the parts of another culture when and how it suits you is insulting. When there's still WOC who are punished and
oppressed for their Afros and braids, when hairstylists and makeup artists refuse to style dark skin models because they haven't learned how to do so, there's no excuse for someone with Kendall Jenner’s influence to pull a stunt like this. Also, if Vogue wanted to achieve this specific hairstyle, why not use an actual black model? Someone who naturally has hair of such a texture? Is that not just common sense? As we seem to become more socially aware, it's up to companies like Vogue to be more critical of what images they're selling. It's not enough for them to shrug their shoulders and claim “well we didn't know it was offensive”. They should do their research properly to ensure issues like this do not occur. A huge company like Vogue has more than enough resources to ensure they're within the lines of appropriateness. After the completely tone-deaf Pepsi commercial you'd think Kendall Jenner would have learned a thing or two, but Image:@kendalljenner clearly not.
Faking freckles Glow in the snow
The freckle trend was popularised by influencers over a year ago now. Emily Cartwright weighs up the pros and cons of it
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hen I was at school freckles were mocked. They were aligned with having braces, wearing glasses, or having ginger hair…all of which now, funnily enough, are socially embraced. People are actually paying to have braces, wearing glasses that don’t have a prescription because they look cool, and dying their hair ginger. People are choosing traits that were once mocked and out of fashion. Freckles have also jumped onto this bandwagon, with people drawing freckles on with an eyeliner or eyebrow pencil. Fake freckles have been endorsed by the runway and you can even buy a ‘fake freckles’ kit from Lottie Tomlinson’s range Lottie London at Superdrug for £9.99. To some extent, we could say this is a good trend because it allows people with freckles to feel embraced and appreciated by society. It makes freckles socially acceptable, and ‘cool’ to have. However, I think this is the problem. I can see that people who draw them on may have the intention of supporting those with freckles, but unfortunately, I don’t think it works out that way. Having to be ‘socially accepted’ by runways, brands and therefore the general public, to result in a feature of skin being made a trend is a terrible thought. And if that isn’t bad enough, this enforces the individual with freckles to like them because everyone else does. So, if you were bullied as a child, or if you don’t like them as a feature, you ought to forget about your dislike as they have become a cool trend. What’s more, those who draw them on get to wash them off at the end of the day, unlike people with real freckles. Those with real freckles have to think about the repercussions of having them – such as staying in the sun too long or not wearing enough sun protection, resulting in potential skin damage. Even skin cancer (which is more common in people with freckles) is mocked in this trend because we can’t wipe something so terrible off. Those who draw them on also choose where they want them – people with real freckles can’t do that. Freckles might be in embarrassing or awkward places too, but people who draw them on forget about this fact and paint themselves a few freckles where they think looks pretty (namely the bridge of the nose and onto the cheeks). Some people with freckles don’t even have them there, but that’s the trend. This specific placement of fake freckles is an example of how this trend is not really in favour or inclusive of all types of freckles on other part of the body. This freckle trend is in fact quite selective as it suggests that the freckles
are only ‘cute’ if placed on certain areas of the face. It can be quite discouraging for those with natural freckles who don’t have control over the placement of their freckles, as they might feel their natural freckles won’t be accepted according to the beauty trend.
people with real freckles can't just rub them off as society has gotten bored
The fake freckles trend then, can surely only make people with real freckles feel worse about them, as their beautiful skin has become a trend in society. We ought to ask ourselves, what happens when fake freckles go out of ‘fashion?’ The people with real freckles can’t just rub them off as society has gotten bored of them. They have to endure the fact that their skin has gone out of fashion, undoubtedly making them feel worse. Freckles may just go back to being mocked again for all we know. Thus, I come to the conclusion that the freckles trend is a terrible trend that ought to be stopped, because of the potential effects it may have on the self-esteem of those with natural freckles.
Image:@onetribeit
Poppy Couling understands the importance of keeping your face hydrated in winter. She shares top tips for beautiful skin
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nfortunately, alongside the perks of the bracing winter weather, such as pumpkin spiced lattes, Christmas window displays and ‘cute’ fingerless gloves (still don’t see the practicality or the appeal), comes the threat of dry and dehydrated skin. This requires us to come to terms with the fact our base make- up may no longer sit on our face as flawlessly as usual, and the lips may succumb to the frosty bite of the air and become chapped. However, fear not. There are some great affordable, and slightly on the more high end products that you can revive every winter to ensure your skin remains nourished. The first thing to remember is that, despite the fact your skin may not feel as oily, exfoliating is still vital in order to keep the surface smooth and avoid any areas of extreme dryness. This is the tie to ditch stripping products like the St Ives scrub, and replace it with a gentler and more nourishing one such as Glow Tonic by Pixi that allows for a more hydrating experience. Cleansing is still also very necessary, and it must be flagged that if there was ever a worst time to rely on any make- up wipe, it would be in this impending season ‘to be jolly.’ These said wipes, as convenient as they are, are as about hydrating as sandpaper, so please leave them to one side. In their place, try Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Botanical Cleansing Oil for a deeper, overnight treatment, or I would highly recommend Osika’s Renaissance Cleansing Gel that leaves the skin feeling so clean it almost tingles. It goes without saying that the winter months provide an honourable platform for moisturisers far and wide, but don’t be fooled into thinking SPF still doesn’t matter, because those rays are still there and can still be very damaging. In light of this, a slightly richer moisturiser can come in very handy, with one of my favourites being Caudalie’s Radiance Moisturiser Broad Spectrum. Paired with this, it’s only human to not want to resemble a ghost post- Halloween, so treat yourself and apply some self tanning drops to your palm before applying any cream to give yourself a little radiance boost. For this, lean towards with Tax-Luxe’s Illuminating Tan Drops, or Clarins’ Tan Drops, neither of which smell particularly horrific, although note to self- remember to wash your hands after application otherwise you will wake with unfortunately orangetinted hands.
Image:@kiehlsuki
As well as the skin, it’s important to also look up to our lovely locks as they also fall victim to the cold and can be left looking dry and lifeless. For this, I prescribe Percy & Reed Wonder Overnight Recovery, a product I like particularly for its targeting at fine hair (not ‘thin’ hair as so many people brand it as, it’s just FINE.) The other product that would be a wise investment would be the heavenly scented Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor, part of the Aussie family of gorgeously rich and lavishly scented hair products that work for all hair types at all times. In fact, just buy the whole selection if in doubt. They’re fabulous. Finally, try to routinely rub a little hand cream on from time to time, and even a drop of cuticle oil to keep the nail beds nourished. This is particularly vital if you are to dabble this party season in the horrifically drying and scratching glitter nail varnish that rears its head during this time.
the courier
21
beauty life & style
Monday 12 November 2018
Topshop beauty bargain Beauty ed Laura Buckle discusses the latest re-vamp of Topshop's well-loved beauty range
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nce upon a time, your average Highstreet clothing store sold only variations of outerwear, footwear, trousers, tops and everything in between. Yet more recently, it’s actually a bit odd if a highstreet clothing store hasn’t jumped on the “beauty bandwagon” and Topshop definitely isn’t shy to following the trend. Topshop first launched its beauty line a whole 8 years ago and just short of a decade later, many beauty gurus and makeup lovers wouldn’t know what to do without some of Topshop’s iconic and affordable products. The craze seemed to begin with their lipstick range; leaving youtubers and instagrammers alike raving over their collection of lipstick bullets and pencils. Next it seemed to be their highlight collection which I must admit, I also went a bit crazy for. I often wouldn’t dream of finishing off a makeup look without a spot of Topshop’s “Glow” potted highlighter in the shade Polished in my inner corner or beneath the eyebrow arch. And equally, people seemed super impressed by their pan and “chubby stick” style highlighters; the Highstreet giant had suddenly become a beauty-world hit overnight. But there is one thing undeniable, whether you lusted after their highlighter or lipstick range, it was their “cutesy” spotted or striped white and black packaging which made it recognisable. Unlike any other Highstreet beauty brand, Topshop didn’t appear to “rip-off” any premium brands, seen frequently with Revolution and Too Faced, and remained fairly original with their mix of matte and sheen finishes and chalk-like artworks. More increasingly, regardless of a product’s origin, many consumers are often very packaging-specific regardless of the quality within. For example, I know I personally opt for a black chic, sometimes matte, packaging and sometimes cringe at the thought of a bright fuchsia palette sitting in my makeup case (sorry Jeffree Star). Guilty to the trend myself, a product sometimes must be ridiculously impressive to earn a place in my collection if it’s parcelled in a neon, unicorn-embossed or even sparkly case. I, like many others online, just prefer organisation and consistency in aesthetics (seems silly I know). Yet
we can expect to find 83 different lip shades and textures
Topshop had no worries when impressing me and any other aesthetic-obsessed beauty lover in the market. Their monochrome design with their signature handwrittenstyled font for product names and shades began to flood every Topshop store and beauty guru’s collections alike. It was simple, sleek and not too “in your face”. And alongside the quality within their packaging and prices starting at as little as £5, it was no surprise that Topshop Beauty became a real hit. However, 2017 brought some disappointing news to the Topshop Beauty fans of the world; it was being discontinued and slowly but surely, as seen on their current website, their “Beauty” range became filled with other brands like Carmex, Eylure, Gypsy Shrine and one of their latest and most popular in-house brands, Doll Beauty. Although we can still purchase “beauty” within Topshop, their much-loved beauty range has dwindled hugely. But the wait is finally over as earlier this month Topshop revealed a highly-anticipated relaunch of their beauty collection; to be released on the 2nd November. But although we may anticipate the return of their highlighters or much-loved lipsticks, it is clear from their recent press release that their iconic monochrome packaging is not making a return. Whilst their use of matte detailing remains, Topshop’s new packaging appears to follow a geometric theme; blushers, bronzers, eyeshadows and lipsticks being much ‘squarer’ and ‘chunkier’. The only product which seems unique is their almighty highlighters for this time, their pan, liquid and potted variations are quite literally “highlighted” in gold chrome packaging with the simple “Topshop” logo. It seems everything follows the same chic, black simplistic design (yey for me).
Yet, packaging aside, lets get to the important stuff: what’ inside. So, this November we can expect to find 83 different lip shades and textures, six different eyeshadow finishes in a variety of colours, glitters, glosses, liquid highlighters, makeup tools and everything in between (foundation, powder, blushers, nail polish, bronzers, liners…the list goes on). Whilst they’ll be keeping some their firm favourites, the whole collection is apparently rebranded, reformulated and re-parcelled for our delight. Not the price though, the price starts at just £5! And wait wait, there’s one more thing: it’s even Cruelty Free. I’m sold. Affordable, ethical and aesthetically pleasing… I guess the only thing left to do is go swatching. Hopefully the new formulas won’t dampen Topshop Beauty’s highly anticipated return.
Image: @amber.jordyn
You're making me blush Fashion ed Miranda Stoner advises on her fave blushers; covering all budgets and formulas
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lusher has come a long way since its beginnings in the time of the Ancient Egyptians when ground ochre and fat were mixed and applied to the cheeks and lips. Today blusher comes in every shade and texture. There is so much variety in fact, that it can be difficult to know where to start. With blush there is no one product to fit all, but it’s worth persevering with because when applied right, blusher can add dimension to an otherwise flat look. There are also loads of formulas to choose frompowder, cream or tints, such as Benefit’s Benetint. These can react differently to different skin types. For dry skin creams are harder to apply but can look more natural
Image:@eveandboy
and are less likely to crack than powders. Whilst for normal skin, powders are the most fool proof of the options although they can rub off during the day. Tints are very versatile and they can be used on the lips. They are also longer lasting than other textures, but if you overdo it it’s hard to go back. It can take some time and experimentation to find which products work for you, if you’re really struggling try asking at make-up counters for advice on your specific skin type. The biggest worry with blusher is picking a shade too powerful for your skin tone and ending up looking like a pantomime dame or an extra from the Wizard of Oz. My rule of thumb is that for pale skin tones the perfect pick is
a peachy pink or shell shade such as Too Faced Sweetie pie or NYX Baked Blush in ladylight. Both of these have a subtle gold shimmer which will also help warm up your face and make you look more alive without appearing too unnatural. For darker skin tones reddish-browns are a great choice, although if the product is pigmented enough then bright pinks and oranges can also look stunningthink Becca Luminous Blush in Snapdragon. For an extra highlighting effect choose blushers which include shimmer to add glow but be careful with anything labelled glitter as this can often be more over the top than au natural. To bypass the danger of your blusher looking too outlandish choose red based pigments over orange. If it’s an extravagant look you’re going for however, then orange and fuchsia are great choices. If you fancy mixing up your blush without being too eccentric then draping is your answer. This is the art of contouring with blusher. Use a light ballet pink such as MAC well dressed swiped across the tops of the apples of your cheeks up past the eyeline and above the eyebrows à la Rihanna’s 2017 MET Gala look. Recently there has been an upsurge in blush palettes which make it easier for us to sculpt our faces. The NARS Orgasm Infatuation Palette (£35) is a perfect example. It contains 3 shades; a bronzer with gold shimmer, a peachy pink blush with gold shimmer and a highlighting blush which is a few shades lighter. To make this pop apply the bronzer with light circular motions across the forehead, cheekbones and jawline and the tip of the nose. Next blend the blusher over the apples of the cheeks- any excess can be blended into the bronzer. Finally using a highlighting brush sweep the highlighting blush over your cheeks and across the tip and bridge of your nose. A cheaper alternative to the NARS palette is the Sleek Face Form Contouring Palette in light (£9.99) or Revolution Blush Palette in Blush Queen (£6) which has 8 beautifully blendable shades. Whilst the variety and diversity of blusher and blusher palettes on the market can seem overwhelming, they are also a chance to experiment with your look and breathe a breath of fresh air into your make-up drawer.
Big-up beauty brand lovin'
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have always made a conscientious effort to look after my skin. I developed spots and then acne at a pretty young age – so, looking after my skin has always been a must for me. Over the years, my skincare routine has changed massively. I went from using Garnier’s pink grapefruit scrub (useless, wasn’t it) to No7’s Early Defence day and night creams. My routine changed depending on what my skin needed at the time. Last year, I found myself in a bit of a dilemma. My acne had largely disappeared – I could use overnight spot gels to target break outs. So, my priority switched to fighting any early signs of ageing/keeping my skin looking young for longer. But this came at a cost. While No7’s products were undoubtedly good, they weren’t so friendly for a student budget. I discovered Botanics when I was working as a writer for Women’s Health. I picked up some of their products in a beauty sale, just with the intention of trying them out as I was running low on my usual products. I fell in love. Their products boast mostly organic ingredients, soothing facial care and luxurious results for so little a price. My go-to products are all found in their ‘All Bright’ range. I use a few of their products together to form a day and night beauty routine and couldn’t be happier with how radiant my skin looks. I even incorporate it into removing my makeup. I begin with their cleansing face wipes and then move onto micellar water to ensure all my makeup is removed. After this, I can cleanse properly and deeply. Their gentle cleansing cream may sound pore-blocking, but in actual fact does everything it says on the bottle. It’s a great consistency and leaves my face feeling fresh and bright. It’s also a winner for anyone with sensitive skin. As someone who has suffered in the past with eczema as well as acne (thanks for that, genes) I am super-picky about what I’ll put on my face. This formula has never left my skin irritated and is an all-round great cleanser. Admittedly, I use a Pixi toner rather than the one Botanics offer. But, with amazing reviews on Boots it’s definitely something I’d consider when December rolls around and I’m too broke to invest in Pixi. However, after my toner, I revert back to Botanics. I use their radiance concentrate serum to keep my skin looking plump and fresh. The formula is so gentle it can even be used for the under-eyes, so no need to invest in costly products. I finish off with a day or night cream. Again, the formula can’t be faulted, it massages into skin perfectly and is completely non-sticky. Incorporating Botanics into my skincare routine has been so beneficial. Whilst I can only sing the praises of the ‘All bright’ range – as it’s the only one I use – I’ve heard great things about their other products too. I recommended this brand to my mum after trying lots of their products, and she’s now a convert from No7 too. So, whatever your age or skin type, it’s a winner. And, with cheap prices and 3 for 2 offers at Boots who could say no?
Susanne Norris
Image:@botanicsuk
Instagram @moschino
the courier
22
life & style fashion
c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk Fashion Editors Miranda Stoner, Poppy Couling, Joe Hood Online Editor Molly Taylor
Monday 12 November 2018
The science of sports dressing Charlotte Cooper takes us back to the chemistry classroom with her summary of the science behind the best sportswear
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rom Primark basics to Lulu Lemon luxury does it really matter what materials our sports clothes are made of? Actually, Yes! Whilst I’m not about to suggest you fork out £78 on a sports bra from Lulu Lemon, I would recommend you look into what materials your gym wear is made from because the truth really is in the science. The terms ‘breathable’ and ‘moisture reducing’ are thrown around when it comes to brands such as Nike or Adidas and we are told these materials help us ‘Just do it’ creating the mindset that ‘Impossible is nothing’ but are they really essential? Sports and exercise physiologist at the St Mary’s University London, Dr Jessica Hill, explains that some sports garments are more important than others. She believes that the likes of compression clothing don’t actually give any advantages to athletes during their sport. Compression garments are said to increase blood flow and therefore allow larger amounts of oxygen to be taken in. Dr Hill however, suggests there is no scientific proof behind this theory. So, why do Nike, Adidas and Puma all produce a range of compression-like clothing for athletes? Nike’s famous Dry-Fit collection is made of polyester materials which apparently keep the body dry allowing athletes to work harder for longer and have a more comfortable moving pattern. Adidas have also launched their version of dry technology clothing, Adizero. First used by professional footballers in 2014 Brazil World Cup, Adizero is designed to enhance ventilation and to feel like a second skin on the players.
But, researcher at Heidelberg University, Dr Engel, suggests that the effects of compression isn’t strong enough to enhance the performance during sport, but it is during the recovery period. Once athletes have finished exercising it has been suggested that the technology in compression garments help prevent injury. Puma’s tight jersey material used in many professional team kits uses a compression tape that is stitched into the clothing. This stimulates specific muscles used during performance as well as aiding breathability and freedom of movement.
For those of you who go to the gym once or twice a week or play 5-a-side on a Saturday, maybe breathable, dry compression technology isn’t a necessity for you
Sport and gym-going has become the latest trend and with high street retailers stocking their shelves with gym leggings, vest tops and trainers, there is a vast range of clothes available. From the thin, cheap materials that some activewear is made from to the more supportive
Dressed to express
and luxurious fabrics the question is how much do I really need to ‘improve my performance’? For those of you who go to the gym once or twice a week or play 5-a-side on a Saturday, maybe breathable, dry compression technology isn’t a necessity for you. But, for those competitive souls looking for that advantage I would have a look at what your go to exercise outfits are made from. After all, full body swimsuits didn’t get banded in 2010 for no reason, maybe all the aerodynamics really do shave off swimmer’s time.
Instagram: @coolcoreau
Instagram: @puma
Instagram: @lululemon
Pick and Mix
Fashionsta Xin Lee shares all of her own favourite past fashion Fashion editor Molly Taylor gives us her top style picks and experiences and why wearable art means the world to her efore thinking about why fashion is self-empowerment and confidence. It is something explains how to mix up the ways in which we wear denim
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important, we need to understand exactly what fashion is. For me, fashion is not only about beautiful dresses, shiny expensive luxury items or the latest popular trends, it is about our aesthetics and our attitude towards life. The pursuit of beauty reflects our positive attitude and hope to improve our life’s quality as well as expressing our thoughts. It’s a way to express who you are on the inside, through people seeing what you look like on the outside. Fashion always inspires me to be an open-minded person and try new things, break my boundaries and push the limits. Fashion is not far away from us, which can be easy to forget when we concentrate only on Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel or those other big brands. When I was a little kid, I didn’t know what exactly fashion was, even though I was surrounded by it and I wasn’t never really into it at the time. My first birthday gift was a Barbie doll which my mum gave to me. As soon as I got her, I was totally impressed and amazed by her silky curly hair, slim figure and stunning vintage dress. She was like a princess! She was definitely the inspiration of my early aesthetics. With time passing by, I wasn’t satisfied with buying clothes for my Barbie from the shops anymore. I tried to select my favourite fabrics and make little hand sewn dresses for her by myself. I couldn’t afford a sewing machine at that time. Here fashion helped me to become more creative and develop my own ideas which I can express through the medium of fashion and share them with other people. In my opinion, fashion is the ultimate form of self-expression. Every day you make the decision of what you are going to wear or how you will dress up, how you want to express your feelings, even if there is a dressing theme for the day. You handle your decision of your outfits well as you handle your life decisions. For example, if you are tired, you could wear comfortable sweatpants and take a break. If you want to look awake and sparkling, you might wear high heels and your favourite dress. I love fashion for more than just labels and designers, what’s important to me is also the art that goes into each piece that is created. It's literally wearable art and I think that’s what makes it so unique and important. More than self-expression, fashion is a means of
that can influence my feelings. Sometimes I will feel more confident with myself because I am wearing a specific pair of shoes from Erdem or an H&M dungaree skirt. I feel very satisfied whenever I wear something I truly like, I feel good in it and it helps me to build my confidence and my selfesteem. The best in fashion for me: I am who I am, I can show the world who I am and I feel more confident about it. Fashion is also important because it reflects every culture in the world. You can see different fashionable elements from different culture. It combines people from different backgrounds and absorbs the best part of their cultures and aesthetics to provide the diversity of beauty. I have had an internship in the fashion magazine COSMO in China. I was so lucky to have this opportunity to get involved into this incredible industry. During the internship, I saw how the editors work and how the fashion industry truly runs—it is stressful but all about enthusiasm and affection of life. Fashion is so important to me and it started to influence me unconsciously a long time ago and now has become an essential part of my life.
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enim has, and always will be in the jeans of fashion. You just can’t keep a good staple fabric down. However, mixing up how you wear your Denim can be a tricky situation when you’re stuck in the never-ending loop of Topshop’s Joni jeans. Here are 4 ways to wear your favourite Denim pieces all year round.
Double Denim
It’s been 17 years since Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears sported all denim outfits on the AMA’s red carpet, creating the taboo surrounding the look. However, I am not condoning a double Denim date, just suggesting the pairing of similar washes and finishes of the material together. Black on black is one of my favourite looks, its simply yet chic and not too much for the conservative dresser. Keeping your tee and shoes casual is a must, as denim is a hard-wearing, rugged material, it works best when it is the centre of attention. If you’re looking to make a statement, the Canadian tuxedo is a confident, pulled together style.
Rework your Denim
Denim can be expensive, and with the lack of student discounts at this time of year it isn’t always substantial to be investing in new pieces. Reworking old jeans into new pieces of clothing is something I’ve always done by either fraying hems or creating rips for the rugged look. Experimenting with dyes or bleaches can also achieve a new wash but be careful not to ruin those expensive jeans you once longed for, or the whole DIY process will have been worthless.
top’ allows your denim counterparts to have a new lease of life. Wrap tops, sheer blouses and, dresses over jeans paired with contemporary denim leaves you with a stylish look that made for dinner and drinks. By using your jeans as a blank canvas, you are able to build up style around them. Subsequent to Missguided creating a ‘jeans and nice top’ section on their website, many other clothing sites have followed. Check out Pretty Little Thing, I SAW IT FIRST, and In The Style for night out realness.
Colour kick
Forget the bland blues, denim can come in any colour and with summer 18s coloured denim jacket fad, I’m sure a few of you own one. But who says it’s just for summer? Throw out the rule book and swap out your winter coats for layering jumpers underneath that summer denim jacket. The great thing is, a denim jacket goes with most outfits, so there’s no need to worry whether the outfit underneath matches, 9/10 it will. Just because the weathers dismal doesn’t mean your dress sense has to be too. (Although maybe keep the white denim jacket for summer!)
Demin shirts
A western fantasy which is more versatile than you may think: the denim shirt. Easily dressed up, or down, but if you’ve gone head-to-toe cowgirl, you’ve gone too far. But, opting for adding a few western trends to your outfit, like double denim, boots or a large buckle belt, can immediately make your look chicer and more fashionable. This aesthetic is one which always come back around into fashion, so going wrong is nothing to be worried about.
Jeans and a nice top Image: Author’s own
Mixing up the ‘jeans and a nice top’ is one of the hardest dress codes. Nevertheless, switching up your ‘nice
Instagram: @foreign_denim
Simply put: Denim is not just jeans
the courier
23
fashion life & style
Monday 12 November 2018
Come on skinny love
Emily Jackson takes us on a trip down memory lane and calls for a resurgence of skinny jeans
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aybe it’s time to go back to the skinny jean life. My legs are screaming out for some halfdecent insulation as gale force winds blow a continuous icy gust up the legs of my wide leg jeans. Seriously, I feel like I may just take off into the air any second now.I’m beginning to question whether the desire to look ‘cool’ or ‘stylish’ quite makes up for the chronic goosebumps I battle everytime I leave my front door in the winter months. Wide leg jeans have become my go-to, whether I’m in a major rush from sleeping in, or I have meticulously planned out an outfit, they always seem to be a firm favourite. When you know something looks good, you tend to stick with it and in the last couple of years they’ve became the only style of jean I even browse both in-store or online.
There was a time when skinny jeans reigned supreme, they were basically a religion for young girls all across the UK
It wasn’t always this way. There was a time when skinny jeans reigned supreme, they were basically a religion for young girls all across the UK. The trusty Topshop Jamie Jean was a desert island must-have and the wrestle to get them on every morning became as much a part of my day as waking up. The whole ‘Jeans and a nice top’ night out phenomena was built on the basis of a form-fitting classic
pair of skinny jeans, and it worked. In the last 3-4 years we have seen a shift both on the catwalk and the high street towards a vast range of jeans styles and cuts, drawing inspiration from times past as well as the introduction of new innovative designs. I hopped straight onboard as many of the on-trend styles, fortunately for me, didn’t require a severe unbuttoning after large meals! The mom jean, the flared, straight leg, girlfriend or boyfriend jean… we’re spoilt for choice and it’s easier now more than ever to inject personal style into a simple pair of jeans. Denim is arguably at its most exciting, and each season I can’t wait to see what they come up with next. However, let’s remember not turn our back on old friends (well soul mates really). Whatever happened to the skinny jean? They never really went away, they just sat gathering a lot of dust at the back of your wardrobe; the forgotten Woody to the brand new Buzz Lightyear toy if you like, grimacing at the sight of your shiny new Zara flares. It’s about time that you gave those babies a spin in the washing machine and whipped them back out for the colder months. Winter is coming, and so is the return of the skinny jean. Skinnies are reappearing everywhere. From our TV screens and cinema to the world of fashion, namely across social media. Skinny jeans are a natural successor to the athleisure trend which has been ruling Instagram of late, where we have seen a lot of tight-fitting trousers (leggings or joggers) matched with a looser top. This has also been coined as the ‘off-duty Model’ look (à la Bella Hadid) and skinny jeans are fast entering this realm, repeatedly being styled up with a classic chunky trainer and cropped sports sweatshirts. Many of the UK’s top fashion bloggers are making skinny jeans a staple once more; both @meganellaby
and @inthefrow are reinventing the way we look at figure-hugging denim and styling them up to compliment contemporar y trends. Let’s look at the long list of pros of going back to the skinnies; they’re warm, figureflattering, look smashing with a boot and are often a lot cheaper than other cuts of denim jeans. My top picks this A/W are the River Island Harper Jean, ASOS own brand skinnies and the Levi Mile High Jeans if you’re after more of an investment staple. Don’t abandon the poor things any longer, bring the skinnies back!
Instagram: @maxximjeans.co
Fashion editor Joe Hood delves deep into the horrors of knock-off fashion’s black market
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Supreme, are all victims to this ‘free advertising’, but also damaging market. Alec found that you could pay “$25 for a supreme box logo hoodie”, which were readily available on most street corners and markets. He found that South Koreans being so obsessed with the mainstream brands, meant that they didn’t seem to know or care they were wearing fakes. If you watched the documentary, which I highly recommend you do, you would have seen how convincing some of the items were. It’s almost impossible to tell them apart from the real deal. This is all because, as Leacher puts it, the young Koreans desire to stay relevant and dress like famous K-pop stars. You know K-pop…that genre of music most of us don’t lyrically understand, but the beat sounds cool!
I mean who really wants to spend £1085 on Balenciaga’s ‘T-shirt Shirt’ just to look like you got dressed with both eyes closed that morning
Image:veganizedworld.com
Leacher concluded that, the reason for fakes being made and brands being ‘ripped off’, was down to designers building their business around hype. A very bold statement but true none the less, if it wasn’t for the need to copy the fashion of the West, then the counterfeit markets wouldn’t be as relevant. However, the question of why we feel the need to buy fakes and conform to a society where we are judged by our wealth of style arises. Even though these products aren’t the real deal, not to get all Freudian on you all, but people psychologically convince themselves that these items are real so much so that they actually
Holly Margerrison gives her top tips for wrapping up warm this frosty season
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Do you rate counterfeit?
he counterfeit market is evolving and it’s getting harder to distinguish the fakes from the real. So, grab your surprisingly cheap, possibly fake, Gucci t-shirt and listen up. Fake designer goods have always been in circulation, whether it’s that dodgy Sunday market stall selling ‘Louis Vuitton’ backpacks with awful typos, or online eBay stores exporting ‘authentic’ designer goods. It wasn’t until I watched Highsnobiety’s recent fashion documentary, that I realised how insane it is. Alec Leacher, producer of the documentary, went to Seoul to see for himself why it’s the home of counterfeit culture. He discovered that South Korea was obsessed with the West and this led to the boom in the counterfeit industry. Brands we all love like: Off-White, Yeezy and
Ready Layer One
Image: sssmagazine
Image: sssmagazine Image: redbubble.com
begin to believe it. We shouldn’t feel ashamed of not being able to afford high-end goods, I mean who really wants to spend £1085 on Balenciaga’s ‘T-shirt Shirt’ just to look like you got dressed with both eyes closed that morning – not me anyway. But, if you do feel the need to ‘rip-off’ this design, I’m sure your DIY skills will come into great use. A new approach more ‘affordable’ brands are taking at the moment is shamefully recreating expensive brands products, but tweaking them just enough that they don’t have a lawsuit on their hands. When I say ‘shamefully’ this isn’t my opinion of the tactic, I actually find it to be fair and it’s about time brands level the playing field and allow everyone to experience typically ‘high-fashion’ trends. However, I personally will happily decline Zara’s opportunity to delve into the ‘trainer-sock’ trend – I mean come on, is it a sock or is it a trainer?? The big question is whether it damages the reputation of the brand, and to be honest it kind of does! I can go on Depop right now and source a pair of fake Yeezys for less than £50, whether they look legit or not is another thing. The fashion’s ‘black market’ is too easily accessible, even the dark web has some top-secret way of accessing it, yet none of us really care because, say it with me, WE ALL LOVE THE HYPE.
Image: Instagram @the_fashion_pheromone
s we wave adios to Autumn’s crunchy leaves and crisp air, November has rocked up with, frankly, a mushy sludge underfoot and the notorious question: ‘what will the weather be like today?’. As much as I love the descent into Winter, November can sometimes feel like an in-between phase, so dressing accordingly turns into a nightmare for me. As if adapting to this seasonal change wasn’t enough, we all know that Newcastle has a mind of its own. It’s somewhat bipolar weather leads you into a false sense of security – luring you into wearing that sassy bomber jacket, when the artic winds remind you a puffer coat would be more practical. Nights out become more hectic than ever – tights or no tights? Jacket or no jacket? Dare you risk gloves to the club? But comfy and warm doesn’t have to equate to frumpy and unstylish. Fortunately for us, layering is a trend of its own this year. We’re being encouraged to be experimental by pairing items we wouldn’t normally consider doing. Suddenly the feminine jacquard skirt looks cosier with an oversized, knitted jumper. For those still wanting to keep a streamlined silhouette, fine knit jumpers over a non-lumpy dress answer your woes by wrapping you up warm and tight. Thankfully, the Autumn/Winter lines have us covered – literally – with head to toe knitwear. Go beyond the confines of your average sweater. This year the shops have blessed us with knitwear in every possible format – daring dresses to the promise of a polo neck, figure hugging flares to chunky yet funky cardis. Think zig zag print, stripes and patterns galore. I love a huge scarf to tie a look together and the high street has not disappointed; the rails are stacked with a surplus of knitted wraps.
Student life could not be more suited to the art of layering
Even better, this year’s peak in athleisure wear allows layering to become that middle ground. Comfy sweats and a chunky boot with a fur jacket – it all sounds a bit mismatch. But check out fashion influencer Dina Torkia’s website for this weird but wonderful combination (it really does work!). The maxi coat also elevates the layering process to a level of formality. Whilst the underneath garments may be casual, the coat puts a whole new spin on the look. From wool blends to teddy coats, they smarten up any outfit. It’s the best of both worlds – you can enter the Robbo library looking chic, whilst festering in the comfiest athleisure wear once settled in your seat. For the cold days to come, the look can be spiced up with a knit beanie. Student life could not be more suited to the art of layering. Of course, we all want that look that screams; ‘oh, this old thing? I just threw it on with my Mum’s vintage jeans!’… Whilst still looking somewhat put together. Seminar rooms can often be deceptive temperature-wise. I found myself at a loss when I wore a thin top with a huge coat on top this week – I was in need of a few more layers to put on and take off! So, what’s layering all about? Combining styles, mixing and matching textures and having fun experimenting with fashion! But mainly, just making sure you’re bloody well wrapped up for those cold mornings out in the toon.
the courier
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travel life & style
Monday 12 November 2018 courier.travel@ncl.ac.uk
Travel Editors Jenny Franken, Bianca Ionci Online Editor Amanda Goh
Himalayan Trek Long-haul flight Dos Shwetha Vasan's soul-enriching adventure in the Himalayas
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ravelling enriches you as a person, widening your perspective about life beyond horizons. However, I had no idea I was going to experience all of this in the next ten days of my life. It was an impromptu decision that, for my first trek, I chose a 15,000-ft. pass located in the lap of mighty Himalayas. The reminder emails and internet searches about the difficulty level made me realize how unprepared I was. A frenzied call to Sir Ranjit Singh, the only professional trekker in my circle, was what followed. The very next day, fixing a meeting at 6 am for a trial run, we decided to take the difficult route to reach atop Yogi Hills. Sir Ranjit, my former geometry professor, would narrate incidents justifying his shift of interests from being a math teacher to a K2 (second highest mountain in the world) aspirer. A small hill that would take him around 10 minutes took almost an hour for me. A bit of dragging and a few motivational lines led to a splendid view atop and a sense of achievement. The hustle and bustle of the Decathlon store on Ghodbunder Road is where trekkers, cyclists, joggers and sports enthusiasts convened. Hiking shoes, poles, gloves and windcheaters made their way into one big orange backpack. A list of precautionary dos and don'ts followed.
Spiti Valley, Himalayas - Instagram @ankitraj09
Continuing with my tradition of never reaching places on time, I was the last of the whole lot to board the train from Bandra Terminus. Travel, psychology, mythology, politics - discussions rolled over one after the other, and interestingly all the topics seemed interrelated. Diverse opinions; unifying interests. The base camp was in Rumsu Village, Himachal Pradesh. Although having stayed in Central India for most of my life, this remote northern mountainous region practically never existed for me. This place was my first introduction to the Himalayas. Although the village was small and scarcely populated, one could find several things to learn about and explore. Though most of the
locals weren't formally educated, they were not short of courteousness. The manner in which they revered Mother Earth was something one must definitely appreciate. Covering Chika, Balu Ka Ghera, Shia Ghoru and other smaller places on the way, we moved towards our target, Humta village. Finding our way through the 4 ft snow was a little difficult, but the group spirit made it possible. We would slide, bruise our knees and relentlessly climb back again. It was more of self-learning and experimenting that worked. The early morning sun shone brightly as I got a clear view of the spherical rainbow surrounding the sun. It was magical. I was actually experiencing things that I had only read and heard about. While descending, we were to halt at Spiti. Spiti Valley is well-known for its beauty and was one of the reasons I opted for this trek. The horses in the valley walked around royally. The lush green mountains, flora and fauna, echoing rivers made it a perfect painter’s inspiration. Accompanying us, the Himalayan Mastiff was an expert climber and sharper than the city breds. The dogs were with us till the end of our journey. The Chandra Taal lake was the final spot in our itinerary. Reflections on the crystal-clear water surface seemed to emphasize the importance of introspection. I sat there for a while enjoying the symphony of migratory birds. The colourful prayer flags swung along with the breeze creating a soothing disturbance over the mild ripples underneath. I could stay there all my life and surely, the mountains would have lessons to teach every single day. During and after the trek, there was an unmindful change in my attitude towards people and everyday life. Worries no longer seemed to make me sulk. My frivolous miseries hardly mattered in front of the herculean ranges. Interacting and conversing with strangers became easier. The climb is a test to one's determination and patience. It teaches us to balance our emotions and use the mind effectively. I left from home with no aim, objective or motive but returned with plenty of them. There were no names on the Himalayan map when I left but I returned with more than 50 must-visit places and loads of selfconfidence.
There was an unmindful change in my attitude towards people and everyday life
No book or traveller would be able to describe the Himalayan experience fairly. One would fall short of adjectives. To me, it appeared like a great saint meditating calmly; detached yet one with the cosmos. It is strong, absolutely pure; yet ego-less.
Be a pro-couchsurfer How to dazzle as a Couchsurfing guest & host, by Rae Farren
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A different, more conscious way to travel
ouchsurfing - an online platform which connects travellers wanting to stay in people’s homes with locals who want to welcome travellers into their homes. It has been equated to a free version of Airbnb, although this is misleading as rather than lack of payment being the main point, it is simply a convenient consequence of the Couchsurfing ethos. My Couchsurfing experiences are relatively limited having used it a few times while travelling but I never hosted anyone. However, I hope I can give a competent outline of how it should be used. As a guest, the most important thing to remember is to not just be a freeloader. If you simply want a free place to crash and don’t care about the human connection, you’re in it for the wrong reason. Couchsurfing is primarily about getting to know people – a different, more conscious way to travel. This also involves respecting the fact that you are in someone’s private home, meaning you might have to adjust yourself to their routines and way of living. For example, while some hosts are happy to give you a key and let you come and go as you please, others aren’t; if this is the case you may have to go out early in the morn-
ing and stay out until the evening. Continuing along similar lines, remember that your host’s house is not a hotel. Offer to wash the dishes, hoover the floor or even cook for them. Couchsurfing is fundamentally based on kindness and this needs to flow both ways. If you want to host, the most important thing (for students at least) is to check with the people you live with. Remember that while you might feel ready to welcome a stranger into your home, your flatmates might not be – you must consider their boundaries as well as your own. If you’ve decided that you can host people, make sure you have accurately described your home in your profile. Will your guests have a room to themselves? An air mattress on your bedroom floor? A sofa in the living room? It is also important to outline your personal agenda – whether you need them to follow your schedule, or any household rules. It is possible for misunderstandings to occur between guests and hosts, and the best way to avoid this is to be totally clear from the outset. Finally, the key to being both a guest and a host is to have a good profile. Put some effort into describing yourself and add a few good quality photos which show your face and things you enjoy doing. You want people to be comfortable with the idea of sharing a home with you; this is very unlikely if your profile simply says “I like travelling” with a grainy picture of you on a night out five years ago. But most importantly: Couchsurfing is a fun and fulfilling way to travel. Enjoy!
Dominic Howard gives tips on how to survive long-haul flights
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hilst it’s pretty much common knowledge that you can fly across Europe for nothing these days, it’s now also getting increasingly easier to find long flights for cheap – you can easily cross the Atlantic for little over £200 nowadays (and sometimes less if you look hard enough!). However, for some of us, the prospect of a long-haul flight fills us with the anxiety, and it’s often more than warranted being stuck for 9 hours in a pressurised tube between two strangers who will, with 100% certainty, claim the entire arm rest can really grind us down a little. With that in mind, I want to share some of my best tips for braving a long-haul flight before reaching your longawaited destination. For me, the first stage of a tolerable long-haul flight lies in the booking process. It’s definitely important to use tools such as Google Flights to see what amenities are available on the aircraft itself – I personally always aim to get a USB port to charge my phone (because you really don’t want to brave a long-haul flight with a dead smartphone), a personal TV screen (staring at the back of a seat isn’t even fun for half an hour, let alone nine of them), and at least 79cm of legroom. The legroom tends to average around 79-81cm on long-haul flights, to put that into perspective, Jet2 have 71cm – and you can definitely feel the difference!
Many airlines these days have started introducing wifi on their flights for a fairly high, but not unreasonable, fee (for example, a full flight’s worth of wifi on Qatar Airways will cost you about £20). As you can imagine, wifi makes the time pass a lot quicker, and the novelty of Facetiming someone at 40000 feet for the first time is pretty surreal. ’Where are you?’ ‘Somewhere over the Atlantic! What about you?’ If you end up on a plane without wifi, make sure you’ve got plenty of games on your phone to play offline, as well as some downloaded playlists on Spotify. Also, if you’re like me then you get hungry as soon as you get on the plane, so remember to pack travel snacks! Whenever I do a long flight, I find it pretty much essential to book an aisle seat – direct accessibility to the aisle will save you the awkward climbing over the sleeping stranger next to you when you have to go to the toilet. Also, sitting for that many hours is sooner or later going to get really uncomfortable. Your aisle seat will allow you to stretch your legs occasionally. I like to go for a quick walk to the galley, maybe talk to the cabin crew for a while. It just breaks up the monotony a bit, you’ll be doing them just as much of a favour as yourself. Finally, if you’re only going for a week or so, take hand baggage only – waiting for half an hour at the carousels whilst jetlagged at 4am is a far from fun experience!
Unsplash @eva-darron
Making hostel pals101
Rebecca Doneghan helps you to make hostel friends for life
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aving backpacked through Europe and Australia on my own several years ago, I know first-hand how hard it can be to get talking to people you’ve never met before. You get used to travelling alone and keeping yourself company, but why not take this opportunity to make friends from all over the world? Hostels are a haven for new friendships, sharing stories and exchanging advice on trips to take. Here are some tips that helped me to make friends on the road that I hope will encourage you to say hello too. The first friends I made in a hostel were two great guys in Nice, Southern France - Alec and Scott. Having made it to the same hostel from Canada and Australia, Alec and Scott were also making their way across the world and had gotten good at making friends along the way. Where did I meet them? In what should be considered as the heart of every hostel; the kitchen! Every person staying at the hostel will need to use these amenities at some point, so there’ll always be someone there. Why not take the plunge and go and say “hi”? Ask where they’re from and where they’re headed. It worked for me, and I had dinner with Scott and Alec that night and the following night. A simple hello can work a treat. Chances are that they are wanting to say hello too!
company on a walk around the city and exchange stories? It is also common for hostels to host their own events. For example, many around Australia often arrange trips to a local beach for a barbecue. Before travelling, be sure to have a look at your chosen hostel’s website or social media pages to see what they have going on. That way, there will be plenty of sympathetic people to start a conversation with and you’ll be prepared to get talking. Other events I attended included a “champagne party”, and a weekly pizza and beer night. Don’t be afraid to go along – a debate about Australian cider versus British cider was a great starting point for me one evening! Almost everyone that I met during my backpacking days was willing to sit and hear about where I was from and where I was going. Many of these fellow travellers I still keep in touch with today. No matter where in the world you’re planning on visiting, there will be someone who wants someone to talk travel – be brave, and say the first hello!
Invite them along to where you're headed for the day...why not keep each other company?
Another hotspot to get chatting to people – dorm rooms. Like-minded people in the same place as you for the same reason, how could you not get chatting to them about what you’ve been getting up to?! For me, dorm rooms in various hostels were where I got some of the best travel advice that made my trips even more memorable, and that I still use today. Additionally, invite them along to where you’re headed for the day. Why not keep each other
Rebecca (author) with Alec & Scott in Nice, France
Getting r the courier
26
feature
Monday 12 November 2018
Feature Editor Ally Wilson
Techstiles: how the fashion industry is evolving Fibre optic dresses and vegan trainers - Miranda Stoner tells us what the future of the fashion industry looks like
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ashion design requires new technologies for creative development. Fibre optic dresses such as the Zac Posen ball gown worn by Clare Danes to the 2016 Met Gala make the relationship between physics and fashion obvious, however there are more subtle nuances to the impact of technology on fashion. Everything from design to textiles to manufacturing methods are linked to science. Recently, conversation about sustainability has generated a greater demand for ‘green fabrics’. Perhaps bamboo and organic cotton are the first to spring to mind, but before you dismiss these early ‘eco’ alternatives as unglamourous and expensive experiments, consider Stella McCartney’s animal-free silk instead. Stella McCartney partnered with Bolt Thread, a biotechnology company, to develop a silk fabric based on the DNA of spider webs made from sugar and yeast. The resulting fabric is soft, strong and sustainable. McCartney was particularly excited about this breakthrough as it shows “everything is finally coming together and the dots are being connected between fashion, sustainability and tech innovation.” The eco-conscious designer has also just released a vegan version of the Stan Smith sneaker, showing that science really does come into all walks of life.
Other innovators such as Linda Loudermilk have brought ‘vegetable cashmere’ to the table. This is a yarn made from the waste products of the soya food industry, woven into luxury jumpers. Pineapple leaves and algae mass have also been modified to fulfil our fashion needs. These fabrics have multiple benefits as not only are they better for the environment, but they can also benefit the body as they are natural and non-toxic.
This is a technology so miniscule you probably were’t aware it existed Another branch of the technology and fashion tree is intelligent textiles or ‘smart fabrics’. These have functional aspects, for example, Korean Born designer Dahea Sun invented a natural cabbage dyed dress that acts as a pH indicator. This comes with a mobile app, allowing you to track the concentration of acid rain in your city and compare
it with others around the world. Wearable solar fashion is another eco-alternative which allows us to charge our phones or laptops on the go and of course, the wonders of microencapsulation are not to be forgotten. This is a technology so miniscule you probably weren’t aware it even existed. It is the science behind your anti-bacterial socks or your mosquito-repellent scarf. Tiny smart- i e s of repellent or sanitiser are encased in a delicate shell and then incorporated into the garment’s fabric. When t h e wearer moves, the coating is worn down and eventually breaks, releasing the repellent or anti-bacterial particles. However, textiles aren’t all about function: there has to be an element of aesthetics. Technology can also enhance this and a perfect example of tech-y textiles are the creations of Dutch designer Iris van Herpen. Her designs are beyond anything else you’ve ever seen, as early as 2013 she was 3D printing designs for Paris Fashion Week. Yet, whilst using textiles of the future van Herpen still manages to maintain a solid grounding in the present, through the clear influence of natural forms in her designs. This ranges from the mesmerising water dress, which genuinely looks like a splash of water surrounding the wearer, to the more abstract feathery shapes of this year’s SYNTOPIA collection. Something really refreshing about these designs is that they are made to be worn and they flow with the wearer. Her dresses can often seem completely different from varied angles due to the plastics and laser cutting in her designs.
However, all this is only the beginning. Fashion has come so far but it still has a long way to go in terms of becoming more sustainable and more intelligent. Research into fabrics made in a completely carbon neutral process is underway, as well into those which can monitor your heart rate or maintain your optimum body temperature. Scientists are lining up at the starting line on a journey to smarter solutions. Ready. Tech. GO!
The Science of Be
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Image: Flickr
Image: Pixabay
Animal testing and cosmetic cruelty
Ellie Irving and Eleanor Gratton discuss the facts behind our fashion and the backlash of our beauty regimes
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very year millions of mice, rats, rabbits, primates, cats, dogs and other animals are used for experimentation – stress caused by their environment and the procedures they are forced to endure often leads to some of the animals developing neurotic behaviour. Although some experimentation on animals is required by law, most of it isn’t. Luckily, there are many non-animal test methods available, but a huge number of top-loved cosmetic brands still choose to test their products on animals. The use of animals to test cosmetic products is banned in the UK, and since 2013 it has been illegal to sell products newly tested on animals within the European Union. However, in other countries – such as, China and America – cosmetics and their ingredients are still tested on millions of animals every day. This means that a lot of major brands that sell their products in the UK as well as in America and China continue to test their products on animals. Some of the cult-favourite brands that are not cruelty-free include MAC, Benefit, Clinique, Clarins, Maybelline and L’Oréal. If you want to lead a crueltyfree life, one of the first steps you can take is to only buy cruelty-free cosmetics and cleaning products – look for the cruelty-free bunny logo on the front or back of the product packaging. There are so many amazing beauty brands that are cruelty-free: Charlotte Tilbury, Anastasia Beverly Hills, First Aid Beauty, Glossier, Lush, Sukin and Pai Skincare to name a few. With this amount of alternative options available to us, there really is no need to support companies that test their products on animals. So, I’ll finish with a quote from Marc Bekoff, author of Animals Matter (2007), ‘make ethical choices in what we buy, do and watch. In a consumer-driven society our individual choices, used collectively for the good of animals and nature, can change the world faster than laws’. Ellie Irving
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heories about what goes on behind the scenes of the cosmetic industry and the use of animal testing has been splashed across the news for years. Since it first started in around 1938, some sources claim up to 200,000 animals
a year suffer directly as a result of the cosmetic industry. This includes animals considered to be household pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs being exposed to either an ingredient or a whole cosmetic substance before retail release to humans, which has sometimes resulted in animals being in discomfort and pain. As a result of controversy in the public and the actions of organizations such as RSPCA, Cruelty Free International and Animal Aid, testing cosmetic products and their ingredients on animals was banned in the UK in 1998 and across the EU in 2013. So, what are the alternatives to testing on animals, what is the science behind it and are the ethics a
Legislation for outside of the EU does not ban animal testing little more complicated than what you first thought? Animal testing has always been one of the most controversial topics in the cosmetic industry. The tests usually include assessing overall toxicity, which basically allows manufacturers to gauge what amount of a substance can be used before it has damaging effects in an organism. It also involves testing cosmetic products on animals to see how the ingredients of a cosmetic substance my change in certain conditions. For example, retinol, a vitamin A supplement used in face creams globally, may make someone more susceptible to UV damage when under ultraviolet light exposure. Therefore, manufacturers can then advise the general public based on how to use a particular cosmetic product using these results which prevents cosmetic products being dangerous. Unfortunately, despite the main reason of this testing being to double check and minimize potential negative effects in humans, people do still suffer from reactions to cosmetics, with Cruelty Free International claiming that skin allergy tests in guinea pigs only predict human reactions 72% of the time. Does this then undermine
the entire point of testing on animals to improve the safety of the products on human beings? In recent years, there has been a range of alternative methods introduced into the cosmetic industry in an attempt to prevent animal testing. For example, one way this is accomplished is through the use of ingredients that were previously tested on animals, as when a safety assessment already existed for an ingredient in a new cosmetic product, the animal study wouldn’t have to be repeated so animals wouldn’t be tested repeatedly for the same cosmetic product, preventing unnecessary pain. Another option for cosmetics manufacturers is quite simply to avoid an ingredient or group of ingredients that have not clearly shown safety in terms of animal testing. Finally, cosmetics companies can and usually do test their products on cell and tissue cultures, or human volunteers. However, this could bring in the debate that if it is deemed immoral to test on animals, how can it be OK to test on humans? Unfortunately, animal testing is not banned everywhere, with legislation for countries outside of the EU not banning animal testing. For example, in the USA revenue generated from the cosmetic industry amounts to $62.46 billion, yet animal testing is not illegal. Therefore, whilst there has been significant improvements in other regions of the world to reduce and even stop animal testing in the cosmetic industry, there is still a large shift in attitude required in some of the largest regions of the world for it to be prevented completely. There are also loop holes in the legislation, as substances that have both cosmetic and medical uses can still be tested on animals as they are exempt from cosmetic regulations as they have a medical purpose. For example, wrinkle treatment Botox is also used in medicine to treat certain eye disorders such as Strabismus (crossed eyes). On the other hand, whilst there is no denying that inflicting pain on animals for the sake of ‘looking good’ is completely unethical, maybe the initial reasoning behind animals testing isn’t as black and white as you might think? Initially, animal testing with cosmetics was brought into place to prevent any severe reactions in humans, so is it not for the greater good of human health that testing takes place before
a product is released to the market when alternatives had not been discovered? However, even if some of the justification behind the animal testing being for the greater benefit of human health, is that really justifiable in a day and age where such good alternatives are available? It seems that whilst there has been a large amount of progress in preventing animal harm for non-medical research, there is still a long journey to go before testing in the cosmetic industry is banned globally when some of the biggest leaders in the cosmetic industry still allow animal testing. Eleanor Gratton
Image: Instagram Image: Wikimedia Image: Pixabay Comons
ripped or ripped off? the courier
27
feature
Monday 12 November 2018
Getting ripped or ripped off?
Parmveer Singh helps us decide whether our sportswear is enhancing our active performance or just our overdrafts
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h e n most people picture an athlete, they will think of an individual that is wearing a well fitted outfit made of synthetic materials that conforms to their body. These specially made garments are meant to
enhance an athlete’s abilities. Of course, these clothes sometimes come at a very steep price. This begs to ask the question: Does sportswear really enhance athletic abilities? There are many different types of sportswear that all claim to enhance athletic abilities in one way or another. Compression sports clothing is a category of sportswear used by athletes. A major claim of compression tops and bottoms is increased circulation of blood to muscles due to the applied surface pressure. The surface pressure helps to push blood back through the heart and lungs. With blood being pumped more efficiently, muscles will receive more oxygen, which is important to muscles for the continuous production of energy. Muscle cells will undergo aerobic respiration, which will produce the main energy source of a cell, ATP. Without a steady supply of oxygen, anaerobic respiration will occur and result in the buildup of lactic acid, leading to muscle soreness and fatigue. This theory was confirmed by a 2006 study in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness that showed compression tights improved calf muscle oxygenation. Additionally, compression stockings are known to help patients with circulation problems.
Other stated benefits of compression clothing include reduced muscle vibrations and increased awareness of joint and muscle movement. Muscles are known to vibrate involuntarily, which uses up energy and power when they are needed for other purposes. The pressure of compression clothing prevents the muscles from moving unintentionally, thereby delaying muscle fatigue. Increased awareness of your body’s movement could also potentially indicate when your joints and muscles have reached their limits, which would prevent injury. Theoretically, claims that compression sportswear will improve an athlete’s strength and endurance seem correct. However, the scientific research does not provide much support for enhanced abilities. For instance, a study funded by Nike indicated compression clothing did reduce muscle vibrations, but they found that this did not lead to a decrease in muscle fatigue after a 30-minute run. Additionally, a 2016 systematic review published in Sports Medicine indicated that compression clothing had no significant effect on oxygen uptake by muscles, lactic acid concentrations in the blood, and overall running performance. However, there was evidence for reduced muscle fatigue and soreness. There are also some other more general and less expensive forms of sportswear, such as moisture wicking clothing and yoga tights. These types of clothing are meant more for comfort than for enhancing abilities. Moisture wicking clothing moves
perspiration away from the body and towards the exterior of the shirt, allowing the sweat to evaporate more quickly and keeping the athlete cool and dry. Yoga wear allows for more freedom of movement, which makes it more comfortable to stretch and exercise. Currently, there is not much conclusive scientific support for the use of sportswear such as compression clothing to improve athletic abilities. However, many athletes and coaches disagree and whole-heartedly believe that the clothing is beneficial. It is possible that this is just a placebo effect boosting the confidence of the athlete. “Enclothed cognition” is a well-researched phenomenon that occurs when an individual’s psychological processes are affected by what they are wearing. Thus, it may be worth investing just a little bit in sportswear to enhance your abilities, even if it is all psychological.
eauty and Fashion
ges: Instagram
Image: Flickr
300
the amount of tonnes in thousands of clothing binned in the UK every year
56%
of people find recycling too ‘inconvenient’, accordign to study carried out by Garnier
1000
the number of years that plastic mascara packaging takes to decompose
Images: Flickr, geograph.org.uk and torange.biz
Are your garms causing environmental harm?
Is the fashion industry sustainable? Are we concealing our planet out of existence? Holly Fry investigates
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he sustainability of both the fashion and beauty industries has been under massive scrutiny of late, and even with calls for reform from campaigners and politicians alike, there is still
Image: Flickr
growing concern over the consumer driven industry of ‘Fast Fashion’. So why is fast-fashion so bad for the environment?
You could end up eating your own clothes The latest report by Campaigners Wrap suggests that about 300,000 tonnes of clothing is binned in the UK each year- that’s a bin-load of clothing disposed of every second. It is also estimated that of all fast-fashion products purchased, over half of these are disposed of within a year. With most of this not being recycled, it is no wonder that the fashion industry is the third most polluting industry in the world. The toxic chemicals used in the dying of textiles are a huge polluter of clean water globally, just second to the agriculture industry. These chemicals are hazardous, and are strictly controlled or banned in numerous countries, due to their carcinogenic properties and disruptive effect on hormones.
The unsustainable production of cotton is another major problem in the fashion industry. High levels of water are needed, which can be incredibly unmanageable in third-world countries due to a lack of sufficient water sources – leading to drought. More concerning are the devastating real-life examples of the effect of the cotton growing on the farmers and communities involved. The chemicals used in the manufacture proved fatal for a US cotton farmer, who suffered with a brain tumour as a direct consequence of the farming.As if this wasn’t bad enough, even just washing your polyester garments will shed microfibres, which end up in the ocean and, ultimately, in the food chain (That’s right, you could end up eating your own clothes!). The fashion industry isn’t the only culprit here, as the beauty industry is has equally appalling consequence for our environment. Over 120 billion items of packaging will be produced every year for beauty products worldwide, most of this is not recyclable. Shockingly, the plastic packaging of your average mascara will take over 1000 years to decompose. Even though half of packaging is recyclable, most of us don’t bother to do so. A study by Garnier has found that 56% of people find recycling too ‘inconvenient’. Then there is the actual cosmetic merchandise itself.
Products such as glitter have become increasingly popular, but there is a general ignorance over the effect of the toxic micro-plastics on the environment and our oceans. Recent research published in Journal has revealed that deodorants, hairsprays and perfumes will pollute the air just as much as car emissions. The ingredients can also be unsustainable, such as Palm oil – which is used in around half of cosmetics and is to blame for widespread deforestation of species extinction. So what can we do? The easiest way to help is to increase our recycling of clean containers. Brands offer rewards for the recycling of their products, for example if you return 5 black pots to lush they will treat you with a free facemask! There are also programmes in place, such as Terracycle and Return to Origins, which will offer free recycling of all beauty product packaging, regardless of brand. We can also change our consumer habits and buy cosmetics or clothing from a more sustainable source. A good way of doing this is to look out for Fairtrade and Rainforest alliance logos. Sustainable brands to try include H&M, Lush and Stella McCartney’s range. Maybe if we put as much thought into preserving our world as we do into preserving our appearance, we would be leaving our planet in a much better state.
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culture music
the courier
c2.music@ncl.ac.uk Music Editors Charlotte Boulton, Rory Ellis, Jess Taylor Weisser Online Editor Max Hobbs
Monday 12 November 2018
Musicians changing up their tune...
Liam Austen and Callum O’Callaghan discuss whether artists overhauling their sound and switching genres is a good thing
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or any recording artist or band, there comes a time in their career in which their sound begins to change, begins to develop, and in some cases, can even begin to cross lines of genre altogether. When this begins to happen, the recording artist faces a partisan reaction from their fan base; some will embrace the change, whilst some are alienated by it. This in part comes down to the very nature of music, being that it is subjective, and that one listener’s treasure may very well be another’s trash. However, within modern music fans, there seems to be a change in the way we approach music and it could perhaps be linked to changes in the way our world operates. At one time, music was an industry dominated by career musicians, often classically trained in their craft, working tirelessly to attain fame and success as an artist. Over decades the industry has transformed dramatically, and nowadays the artists at the top of the charts, and at the supposed pinnacle of the profession, are for the most part overnight success stories. Some went viral with a song online and kick-started a career, others won televised talent shows, or simply got bored of being film stars and decided to try their hand at auto-tune. With the increasing role of the internet in music, more and more overnight superstars and chart-topping breakthrough acts appear at a seemingly exponential rate. And, seemingly, just as quickly as they emerge, they fade into irrelevance, becoming victims of a pop culture that is as fast-paced as it is fickle. It could be said that this widespread conveyor belt style of consumption has led to a lack of patience, or a shortening of the attention span within music fans. This, it seems, could play a role in the negative opinions people may hold on an album that sounds completely different from the rest of an artist’s discography. If that album doesn’t adhere to expectations or preferences, it will be pushed aside by something that does, rather quickly for that matter, as it didn’t immediately grip its listener. However, perhaps once the listener looks past that change and listens with no pre-existing ideas of what it
should sound like, they would perhaps begin to appreciate the growth or maturity within the artist’s decision. For the most part, deciding to experiment with one’s sound comes from a genuine desire to pursue creative diversity, harnessing the ability to master multiple disciplines or avenues of their profession. Therefore, do we not at least owe the artist a little depth to our critique of these sometimes daring shifts in style? Should we not at least try to understand this development? Far too often when an artist commits to this do we hear “That new album isn’t my cup of tea, I prefer their older stuff”, or words to that effect. Everybody is entitled to their opinion and perhaps this
statement has come from a proper, considered analysis of the record, however it seems that in many cases, as soon as people hear something out of the ordinary they lose interest. Whilst this is testament to the effect the original style of an artist has had on the listener, it is a shame, as any true fan of an artist should aim to listen to the music for what it is, not what they expect it to be. Whilst some cases of bands shaking things up musically have played out badly, and indeed the music has suffered, some cases have been considered as moments of creative genius - it can go either way. So maybe it’s worth giving a second listen to that latest album from your favourite band that you thought was a little bit “too out there” for you: it might be genius after all. Liam Austen
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rtists redefining themselves through genre shifting can make for exciting new projects. It keeps things fresh at a point where things are starting to sound a bit too similar. However, there is a fine line between successfully evolving your sound, gaining new fans in the process, as opposed to alienating your fan base and destroying your previous reputation in the process. The obsession with demanding change from album to album has become too extreme. Some artists are well suited to emulating past success through enhancement and further exploration into a style or lyrical topic they already have started to perfect. The thematic and sonic approach songwriters and artists take to each piece of work they produce is usually going to reflect what stage they feel they’re at in their careers, i.e. singing and taking inspiration from personal experiences or perhaps a reflection of the current political climate they are writing in. Why ask them to change for the sake of changing if that means losing an authenticity to their work? Versatility should be applauded but not at the expense and downplaying of those who have found their niche. The line of work of artists and songwriters is about creation, meaning there is obvious expectation to avoid repetition. Fans want a honing of skill and something innovative to come from each new production. However,
that doesn’t mean a general theme cannot be repeated and adapted differently. A prime example is Blossoms. Their self-titled debut album and follow-up sophomore album Cool Like You have similar lyrical and sonic themes recurring throughout as they return to the melancholic pop that worked so well on their debut. The addition of the increasing synth riffs gives the album a more uptempo 80s feel; a welcome change, but the underlying romanticism of the lyrics ensures fans of the first album are likely to enjoy their follow up. I am not advocating for artists to churn out records remarkably like their previous work but merely that fans do not feel let down if artists decide to try and repeat their success in a similar field. Impatience is seemingly a major factor in this area. If an artist were to go through their entire career only ever releasing one style of music with no experimentation, then they are unlikely to go down in history. Change is refreshing and when it comes off, it can regularly take artists to a new level and gain new admirers. Successful change is not the issue; for me the demand and pressure on acts to produce something completely different upon the release of each new LP is becoming excessive and can be detrimental to an artist’s progress. Identifying the correct time for change is crucial and should only come when an artist no longer feels they are in the same headspace as they were previously, rather than from industry demands. Change creates and helps maintain longevity of an artist’s work, making it more applicable to those that have been around for a number of years. The genre-shifting of the likes of Brockhampton or Arctic Monkeys comes as a result of having gained a status where they know that whatever they do isn’t going to have a severe detrimental impact, as a result of how well established they are. For artists still in their infancy it should not be a necessity for them to change after one record - give them a chance to develop and decide what direction they want to take. Ultimately, departing from the genre that has made you successful can be a risk but one worth taking as long as it comes as an internal decision and not the result of external pressures. Callum O’Callaghan
Human-Animal Relationship Awareness Week: Pet Sounds
For those of you missing your pets back at home, our writers share a handful of songs that remind them of their beloved animal friends
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n a hungover morning when I was 16, lying in bed regretting how many Strongbow Dark Fruits I had consumed the night before, we met. As softly as she could, my mum nudged my bedroom door open and in her arms was the prettiest boy I had ever seen: Wilfred Bunny. “Your dad just found this in the church yard. He’ll be back soon but I have to go out now, can you look after him for a couple of hours until the RSPCA come?” Wilfred is a vagabond, a rascal, and adventurous daredevil who (I like to believe) escaped from the merciless clutches of his previous owner to come and live with me and my family. Whilst I waited for the RSPCA to arrive, he and I sat in my front room eating cold takeaway pizza and watching Romeo + Juliet, a film I was absolutely obsessed with at the time. He spent the film pottering around the room, sniffing various pieces of furniture and licking my foot. After it had finished, I put on Dire Straits’ ‘Romeo And Juliet’ and plucked up the courage to pick him up and gently bop him around while the song played. He placidly sat there in my arms, which I took as great appreciation for the song. Nobody ever claimed him from the RSPCA, and just three weeks after we first found him, they returned him to our doorstep where he has lived in happiness ever Image: Carys Rose Thomas since. Carys Rose Thomas
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heba is a mellow-souled golden teddy bear. Stealing the show wherever she struts around, be prepared to kiss goodbye to receiving even an ounce of attention when she’s in your presence. Every time I hear ‘Team’ by Lorde I think of her. Her cool, calm and collected demeanor is encapsulated in this track from Lorde’s debut album Pure Heroine.
It takes me straight back to many a camping trip we’ve shared together, cruising around the splendours of Snowdonia, blasting this bassy mystical tune on a bleak March morning, with her sunshine-smothered face peeking out from over the back seat like some all-knowing dog god, gracing us with her presence. Emily Rose Jackson
way, it is a welcome gift and can be traded for a hearty stroke and a compliment said in a stupid-dog voice. ‘Begging’ - Frankie Valli: How can you refuse those pleading eyes when you’re enjoying a sandwich and poor Dylan hasn’t had any? Even the smallest glimpse of his begging face will force you to cave in. ‘Blowing In The Wind’ - Bob Dylan: Where this lovely boy’s name came from, an absolute banger at that too. All my love, Dyl! Ally Wilson
Image: Instagram @Fridarichter1
H Image: Emily Rose Jackson
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pon visiting my close friend’s Instagram account recently, I was drawn into one of her old posts. It features her cat Hermione, snoozing at a desk of school work. Hermione is literally my spirit animal. She resonates with me at times when I pro-catstinate, simply napping for a few hours instead of doing work. In that way, I consider her as my ‘virtual pet’. This encapsulates the essence of ‘The Lazy Song’ by Bruno Mars. The feeling of not “doing anything” and just relaxing for a while. ‘The Lazy Song’ is something every student can relate to. Everyone can feel overwhelmed at some point at university. Hermione paw-sitively reminds us that it is okay to take a break occasionally, lay back and enjoy life. Carl Smith Valdez
aving been cruelly deprived of an animal companion myself, I therefore must write this ode to pets about my best friend’s dog, Dylan Hesk (Hesk being his surname as he is most definitely a member of the family). And what a gorgeous boy he is too - a giant polar bear of a retriever with the cutest paws and the saddest eyes. He’s probably the most chilled out dog you’ll ever come across and despite the slobber is also one of the most adorable. Here’s a lil group of songs in his honour. ‘Golden Touch’ - Razorlight: His gorgeous golden locks are to die for; he is such a handsome Image: Ally Wilson boy, all owners of female retrievers should lock them away. ‘New Shoes’ - Paolo Nutini: Every time you arrive at Chez Hesk, Dylan delivers you a shoe, sometimes your own, sometimes a random selection from the hallway. Either
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onker is maybe twelve, thirteen, or fourteen years old. Nobody knows for sure, but that just adds to the mystery. He is an elusive cat that spends most of the day out the house. In fact, he spends all his time out of our house because he spends it in number eight’s living room. Only once my neighbour came to my front door on her way back from a boozy night out, demanding for her ‘ginger prince’, did it all make sense. Now that I’m Facebook friends with said neighbour I get to see regular updates of him lying in a cream blanket in front of an electric fire. But part of me loves that he still comes back from time to time naively asking for food like I haven’t seen him being hand fed chicken on social media. ‘Moving On’ by Roosevelt suits him perfectly. Rory Ellis
the courier
33
Monday 12 November 2018
Nao Saturn
I
fell in love with Nao in the summer of 2016, when ‘Fool to Love’ was all I could play. Naturally, I was really excited for the release of Saturn, and sure enough, the electronic-soul goddess did not let me down. Saturn has everything an audience wants in a second album; it has all the funky electronic goodness Nao fans loved about her debut album For All We Know, while exploring new territory. While the songs ‘Don’t Change’ and ‘Another Lifetime’ show off her unique voice and impressive range, this album shows Nao as a producer first and foremost. Her ability to blend funk, soul, R&B and to make electronic music that doesn’t rely on danceability makes her one to watch, with standouts like ‘Curiosity’ showing instrumental beauty on par with artists like Flume. Lyrically, Saturn can be described as a break-up album, and yes, it could be said that this trope has been done to death. But if you think that there is nothing else to say about losing love, think again: against a backdrop of smooth soul-driven R&B, Nao explores not only the theme of love but the feeling of post-break-up transformation. The album’s title comes from the idea of the ‘Saturn return’, which is known as a period of transformation in your late twenties and early thirties. The record itself sounds like it came from outer space, and Nao uses the idea of the cosmic to explore periods of change. Opening with “I hope you find your way, sorry we couldn’t make it”, she sets up an album that is driven by her honest and original point of view. From ballads to bops, Nao captures the pain of realising a relationship is not meant to be, and the hope that can be found in exploring what else is out there. But while being lyrically meaningful, Saturn also has no shortage of feel-good songs, with tracks such as ‘Love Supreme’ and ‘Yellow of the Sun’ providing the summertime feeling I desperately need as we approach the end of the year. As far as second albums go, Nao has knocked it out of the park. Molly Greeves
Live Review:
The Third Wheel Tour
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midst the progressive indie scene, upcoming indie bands BlackWaters, RedFaces, and Retro Video Club equally rocked the THINK TANK stage with their very distinguishable sounds. Announcing their Third Wheel Tour, all three bands co-headlined their shows together, which was ingenious marketing, establishing it as a must-see gig for all indie fans. Indie-punk band BlackWaters opened the night with their heavy riffs and shout-style punk-rock vocals. The four-piece Guildford band played one of the most entertaining sets I’ve watched in a while. For lovers of Slaves and LIFE, Blackwaters similarly have the aggressive tone of critically acclaimed punk bands, with an indie-rock ‘n’ roll edge, which transforms their set. Their epic stage performance involved the guitarist carrying the frontman around the stage on his back, whilst jamming mid-set. Their alternative chic and unmatched energy make their songs ‘Let The Good Times Roll’ and ‘People Street’ two to listen to. Sheffield band RedFaces were next up with their indie garage-pop style. RedFaces shaped the night with more chill indie vibes, similar to that of The Vaccines, bringing a much more relaxed aesthetic, complimenting the angsty punk-rock feel of BlackWaters. RedFaces took the stage with two notable band t-shirts including Supergrass and Idles, which reflected two of their musical influences. Their tunes ‘Wise Up’ and ‘Messed Up Feeling’ showcased their vocal harmonies and indie-rock melodies which established them as a notable upcoming indie-pop band of 2018.
Image: Abbie Rose Herring
Headlining the night, Retro Video Club (above) brought a much more developed and assured sound. The Edinburgh indie-rock band performed a set as convincing as that of other professional rock bands. With their Stereophonics-esque sound, Retro Video Club’s songs ‘Chemistry,’ ‘Psycho’ and ‘3am’ have the Biffy Clyro sound with an indie edge. Their driving rhythms and upbeat melody authenticated RVC as classic indie-rock band, their Scottish roots and accents providing them with the stand-out tone the band needed. Abbie Rose Herring
Robyn Honey
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obyn is officially back! Way back in 2010 she released her last album: Body Talk, which earned her the status of pop icon. ‘Dancing On My Own’ was so ahead of its time we still listen to it obsessively. However, this new record Honey is quite different from what we know and love her for. We had to wait for it for 8 years, but Robyn actually began working on the album in 2015. She was influenced by the death of close friend and collaborator Christian Falk and her breakup with Max Vitali. This theme is immediately obvious as the album begins with a song called ‘Missing U’. I interpret it as a part 3 to ‘Dancing On My Own’ and ‘Call Your Girlfriend’. It has a similar style of beat, quite energetic, but the melody and words are slower and nostalgic. Robyn herself described this feel as “a sensuality and a softness that I don’t think I was able to use in the same way before”.
Robyn’s expressive vocals make the words feel authentic and relatable
The whole album carries this sentiment, as with the second track ‘Human Being’ with its many vocal levels. Robyn and Zhala whisper and shout, contrasted with muted and clear backing vocals, making the song extremely sensual. ‘Because It’s In The Music’ especially sounds like she is singing from her heart. It includes an amazing melody, which reminds us of classic disco. Also many familiar tropes from other ‘love songs’, but Robyn’s expressive vocals make the words feel authentic and relatable. Similarly, ‘Baby Forgive Me’ is so simple and soft in sound, but in combination with the lyrics, to quote the previous song: “it makes me want to cry”. It develops smoothly into ‘Send To Robin Immediately’, which in turn is an intro to the title track and works amazingly to ease the listener into it.
boygenius boygenius EP
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or this EP, indie rock artists Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, and Lucy Dacus create boygenius, having decided to write these tracks together during their joint tour. Separately each of these women are a force to be reckoned with, and together they have created an album that would move the most steadfast of souls. Each track sings of a different sorrow the women have faced, each track varies in its frontwoman, and each track makes me want to cry at least a little bit. The EP starts with ‘Bite The Hand’. This song speaks to everyone who has had that relationship which fell apart from someone falling out of love. When this song begins, it is not dissimilar to the rest of Lucy Dacus’ discography, but as soon as the chorus hit and both Bridgers’ and Baker’s vocals come in supporting the lyric of ‘I can’t love you like you want me to’.
Together they have created an album that would move the most steadfast of souls
Now if you are looking for well-crafted lyrics filled with strange metaphors and weird wordplay - this is not the music for you. Their lyrics are painfully simple and honest, speaking to many of my own experiences, from the previously mentioned ‘I can’t love you like you want me to’, to the heartbreaking ‘I look at you and you look at a screen’ from ‘Stay Down’ - a song seemingly about dealing with a partner whose attentions are few and far between. ‘Salt In The Wound’ is probably my least favourite of the album, although that really means nothing since it’s just the track I haven’t fallen in love with as much as the rest. It starts off slightly weak with some grungy chords and lack-
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‘Honey’ will hopefully finally earn Robyn her first Grammy next year. She needs to be recognized for this as it’s a masterpiece – unusual pace, amazing dance beat and a hook that gets us from the very start. We have been waiting for a pop song like this for a long time and we want more.
5
Number of Grammy awards Robyn has been nominated for, including Best Dance/ Electronica Album twice
The only problem I have is that after the punch of ‘Honey’, the last three tracks are nowhere as exciting; they blur together a bit. Nevertheless, ‘Between The Lines’ has some great writing and 90s style house beats. The next one, ‘Beach2k20’ is my least favorite. It would work as an interlude, but it’s the longest track on the album and it definitely shouldn’t be. However, ‘Ever Again’ is great, as the lyrics make it stand out from the rest. It makes the record a closed narrative, both lyrically and musically.
Unusual pace, amazing dance beat and a hook that gets us from the very start
Honey overall has a very good flow to it. Most of the songs work on their own but sound even better together in the chosen order. Robyn gave us a version of herself that is softer, more sensual and addictive, just like honey. But fear not, you’re still going to dance. A lot actually. JagodaWaszkowiak
Image: Benoît Derrier (flickr)
lustre lyrics, but by the halfway mark Baker’s vocals lift up the song, elevating it to the rest of the EP. And as suddenly as the EP was released, it’s over - lasting only 21 minutes. Although the last track, ‘Ketchum, ID’ is quite possibly my highlight of the EP. This song is distinct from the others, seemingly recorded in a more relaxed atmosphere with more echoing, simple and yet not bare with just one acoustic guitar and the three voices. Its inspiration pulls from Dacus’ folkier sound, with the chorus intertwining vocals you can feel the desire that these women feel to be close to other people whilst living their lives on the road, performing gigs. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Dacus commented that whilst recording this song, “every verse that someone would sing, we just had our hearts broken” - and there is no doubt that any listener would be able to hear that. It is not an inherently feminist album, there are no shouts of “Down with the patriarchy” or “Fuck all men”, but by purely existing as a supergroup creating such a mournful but full sound, I cannot help but feel listened to and looked after by these women. Scarlett Carroll
boygenius deconstructed Julien Baker
Named as a “fresh take on folk music”, Baker has released two solo studio albums. She has previously supported Paramore and Death Cab For Cutie.
Random Review ANOHNI HOPELESSNESS
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his week’s random review features a transgender artist, to mark the Trans Awareness campaign running throughout the Students’ Union as part of national Trans Awareness Week (12-18 November). When I say the words “protest song” it will probably conjure up images of Bob Dylan and Billy Bragg with their guitar chords and aesthetically down-to-earth singing styles. However, Anohni’s debut solo album Hopelessness offers the protest song in a different form. Categorised as “electropop, dance, experimental and synth-pop”, it is a collection of eleven simple political statements on subjects ranging from global warming to government surveillance via military imperialism.
Anohni uses ugly sounds in such a way it forms a twistedly beautiful whole
At first the lyrics felt somewhat forced because they lack the subtlety and metaphor that many traditional protest songs are known for. Pretty soon though I realised that this is precisely the intention – Anohni goes straight to the point with unparalleled bluntness. She presents a dystopian view of our modern world usually reserved for blockbuster films set far in the future. With the album’s title a constant theme, she calls on the rulers of the world to ‘Drone Bomb Me’, ‘Watch Me’ and ‘Have No Mercy On Me’. The only track which at first doesn’t appear to fit this theme is ‘I Don’t Love You Anymore’ (track five), which seems like a standard lament over an unnamed ex-lover. However, in the wider context of the album, it becomes a clever message of lost patriotism; the ex-lover is actually the nation which she was brought up to love but has let her down.
A dystopian view of our modern world
The other instantly noticeable aspect of the album is the production. It is full to the brim with strange sounds, evocative of the increasingly mechanised and digitised world we live in. What strikes me the most is how Anohni uses ugly sounds in such a way that it forms a twistedly beautiful whole. This is perhaps to emphasise the way our world can seem beautiful when in fact it is falling apart at the hands of the ruling elites and rampaging greed. The use of stereo sound to create spatial effects is also exemplary – to properly appreciate this the album should be listened to through either headphones or a really good stereo sound system. This is not an album which I would normally have listened to, but I’m glad that I have. It’s incredibly important to publicise the work of transgender musicians as we are too often ignored; and when we are given a morsel of media attention it usually triggers a public debate over our very existence. It’s a pleasure to have Anohni’s work brought to my attention. Rae Farren
Phoebe Bridgers
Once opening for Baker on tour, Bridgers has released two indie folk albums and has had singles featured in TV shows including Castle and 13 Reasons Why.
Lucy Dacus
An indie-rock rising star who dropped out of a film degree to pursue a music career. She has released two LPs with Historian receiving critical acclaim.
Image: Instagram @_oldrookie
Image: Instagram
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28
culture TV
the courier
c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors: Jacob Clarke, Tom Cooney, Chloe Mullins Online Editor: Max Hobbs
Monday 12 November 2018
No thank you, don't come again Tom Cooney and Elisabetta Pulcini explore the many pros and cons surrounding Apu's axing
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pu Nahasapeemapetilon is a character fundamental to the cultural phenomenon that is The Simpsons, and has been for over 25 years. He has been at the centre of some of the show’s very best episodes, but will be no longer as showrunners have announced plans to axe him in the near-future. This decision is the next step in a path originating with Hari Kondabolu’s enlightening 2017 documentary, The Problem with Apu. The film triggered an international debate over the character: whether his portrayal really is deeply problematic, or just in-fitting with a cultural institution constructed by stereotypes of all kinds. Since then, voice-actor Hank Azaria has expressed his willingness to be replaced by an actor of South Asian heritage – building up hopes of fans scared that their favourite character would be given the chop. However, when The Simpsons attempted to address the controversy in an episode themselves, it became crystal clear that the writers did not know how to handle such a significant change of approach. For that reason, the time has come to let Apu go.
It became crystal clear that the writers did not know how to handle such a significant change The scene in question sees Marge and Lisa discussing an old book filled with unacceptably dated content, with Lisa turning to the camera and stating, “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?” Without even commenting on the abysmal lack of subtlety here, by simply shrugging off the real-world issues of cultural stereotyping, racial slurs and microaggressions that Kondabolu has brought to light demonstrates the inability of Matt Groening and co. to find a worthwhile solution to ‘The Problem with Apu’. It can undoubtedly be argued that getting rid of Apu is an easy way out for The Simpsons writers to avoid con-
fronting the issues that he presents, potentially preventing more positive representation of Indian and other South Asian characters on TV. However, it has already become clear that this is a show incompatible with such a progressive move. Tom Cooney
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here is no question about the problems with Apu’s character. He is a highly stereotyped version of South Asians that frankly does not belong in 2018. Yet this is not its biggest flaw. Apu has the misfortune of being one most prominent South Asian characters on primetime television in the US: this carries with it a lot of responsibility. In fact, lack of representation is at the heart of this dispute. The stereotypical nature of his character would have been less shameful had he been one of many South Asian characters on television, but because he is one of few, it is important to recognize that stereotypes might be harmful to those who do not see themselves represented on television. However, removing the character is Credit: YouTube not the solution. By sim-
ply getting rid of Apu, the writers have lost an opportunity to revive the show by using the character to self-reflect and comment on the use of stereotypes on television. Moreover, the inevitable backlash against political correctness could have been avoided by giving the character more depth, hiring diverse writers, or simply introducing South Asian characters that are not defined by their race. It is no secret that The Simpsons has lost its edge. It has gone from being a ground-breaking series to having barely any cultural relevance in the last few years. Matt Groening dismissed the criticism on Apu, saying, "people love to pretend they're offended". This misguided statement highlights why this show will never be able to recapture what made it great in the first place: instead of opening up an important dialogue and letting creativity run free, the showrunners have decided to reject criticism by avoiding taking any risks. Removing Apu was a safe-bet, which will contribute to keep The Simpsons in the dark for the rest of its run. Elisabetta Pulcini
Naomi Watts cast in new Newshowalert: Game of Thrones spinoff Years and Years Tom Cooney reports on the casting decisions for the prequel P A roduction for Russell T Davies’ new show Years and Years has begun in Manchester, staring an impeccable smorgasbord of actors including Russell Tovey, Jessica Hynes, and Emma Thompson. The show will take the form of a six-part series following one family surviving the future. The past few years have gifted British society with a basket-load of political instability and a host of technological advancements that move too fast for any average person to keep up with. The show will follow the Lyons family and how their complicated modern lives all come to a head on a single night in 2019. The show proceeds to cover the next 15 years of their lives and how they unfold following this confusing, unpredictable contemporary moment we live in.
s we move further and further out of the Game of Thrones wilderness that is 2018, more news of its upcoming spin-off is being revealed – all before the landmark series finally returns, and ends, next year. The latest development regarding this new HBO project is the casting of Naomi Watts in a key role. Watts is best known for her roles in both mainstream Hollywood blockbusters such as Peter Jackson’s King Kong, as well as in critically acclaimed indie flicks such as David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. It is with Lynch that the English actress has most recently made a splash, appearing in a recurring role in his 2017 continuation of the cult classic, Twin Peaks. Of course, Twin Peaks was another television project for Watts, proving that she’s no stranger to the small screen. Whether you’re watching her in the cinema or in your living room, there’s no denying that this is a huge name to have attached to the project.
I hope he manages to take this perfect line up of actors and create something measured
There's no denying that this is a huge name to have attatched to the project While specific details of Watts’ character are being kept under wraps, it has been announced that she is playing ‘a charismatic socialite hiding a dark secret’. Despite being very vague, this statement leaves much to ponder. Whereabouts in Westeros – if that is indeed where the series is going to be set – must this character be to be considered a socialite? In what time period does she exist? And what is her ‘dark secret’? We’ll only learn the answers to these questions in time, but what we do know from author George R. R. Martin and showrunner Jane Goldman is that the series is a prequel to the Song of Ice and Fire books, set thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones. It’s always an exciting time to be a Thrones fan, but with news like this preceding the show’s imminent finale, now is more thrilling than ever.
Credit: Gage Skidmore (Wikimedia Commons)
Emma Thompson, unarguably the biggest name on the cast list, will play celeb-turned-politician Vivienne Rook. I’m sure we can all think of a certain orange who springs to mind when we think of someone in that line of work. My personal hope is that the show manages to make some interesting comments on our contemporary culture - both that which is to be celebrated and condemned - as well as making some measured, well thought out prediction for what this unpredictable moment we are living in might transform into. Best known for his excellent run as executive producer on Doctor Who, I hope Russell T Davies manages to create something as spectacular in Years and Years. Russell T Davies described the casting as a ‘dream cast’. I hope he manages to take this perfect line-up of actors and write them something measured, realistic, and perceptive about our society and the years and years ahead of us (pardon the pun). Carys Rose Thomas
TV Time Travel Credit: monkeywing (Flickr)
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he American nuclear-family has been a mainstay of US TV going back to the birth of network television in the 1950s. Shows like All in The Family, The Dick van Dyke Show and The Brady Bunch were immensely popular and filled the small screen for decades. Then, in the mid ‘80s, FOX came along. The network would go on to reinvent the televised family unit in shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy, but it all started in 1987 when two young writers piloted a show called Married… with Children. Featuring the talents of dramatic actor Ed O’Neil (Modern Family) and former jazz singer Katey Sagal (Futurama, Sons of Anarchy), the pilot was met with a level of enthusiasm that shocked the network who had no faith in it. Married…with Children’s ‘dysfunctional’ family group - consisting of mom Peggy, dad Al and their two teenage children Kelly and Bud living their upper-working class lives in suburban Chicago - touched a nerve with the nation. For the first time on television a huge number of American families could see themselves represented on screen, warts and all. The show ran for eleven seasons from ’87-’97 on the FOX network. It never received much critical acclaim, with many critics criticizing its vulgarity and ‘toilet’ humour. However, its viewing figures never wavered and its influence is undeniable. Put simply, none of the modern family-centred sitcoms from either side of the pond would exist without the exploits of the Bundys. So, why is the show so great? There are many reasons, but the most vital is the performance of Ed O’Neil as the depressed, sardonic, sarcastic, and glorious Al Bundy. Al is a women’s shoe salesman in a mega-mall who dreamed of becoming a running quarterback, a dream ended by a busted knee in senior year. He married out of high school to his materialistic and slow-witted wife Peggy and soon two kids came along. Suddenly the youthful dream was dead and the reality of mundane life ground on. So often on television is there a strict paradigm to follow regarding the working man. He is to be a buffoon, unintelligent, tired but generally happy with his limited lot in life. In Al Bundy, audiences saw a more realistic portrayal of the drudgery of adult life. This attitude is exemplified as when Peggy asks Al whether he's missed her after coming back from a shopping spree, he responds “with every bullet so far." The truth is that life for most of us can be a slog. Marriage, job, mortgage, and kids provide comfort for some, but not all. That is why Married…with Children is so brilliant, because it can show the truth of this life and do so with tremendous humour. Today, it is likely that the show wouldn’t be made for censorship reasons, but its spiritual successors are clearly influenced by its legacy. If you find sitcoms to be too wholesome and unlike your own family then do yourself a favour and hunt down Married…with Children immediately. Joe Holloran
Credit: Nicholas Andrew (Flickr)
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TV culture Safety in the spotlight: Is the spectacle worth it? Netflix: Lucy Lillystone investigates the multiple measures put in place to protect actors during filming Pick ‘n’ Mix A Monday 12 November 2018
lthough it may seem all glamorous with the fame, fortune, and glorious opportunities to play a wide range of different characters, acting is often not all it’s made out to be. In reality, it can be an extremely dangerous job and more intense than any of us could imagine. As directors and producers are competing with one another to gain a whole plethora of awards, every TV series attempts bigger and better things with every new release. From absurdly dangerous stunts to the most explicit and sexual scenes, millions of actors are forced to put themselves in compromising situations in which they could come away from filming with a strained body part, bruises all over, or a profound sense of embarrassment after being given hugely uncomfortable demands while filming a sex scene.
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Number of sexual assault allegations made towards Harvey Weinstein last year. Showing us why safeguarding, especially for scenes of a sexual nature is an
Despite this, there are in fact health and safety measures put in place to ensure the wellbeing of actors. For example, with the help of stunt doubles, the dangerous scenes certain roles may demand are made much easier as experts Credit: YouTube
Reviews ...Bake Off Finale
Available on 4OD now
Credit: YouTube he Great British Bake Off is now over for the year and the finale has once again caused quite the stir. The finalists, Kim-Joy, Rahul, and Ruby had one of the strangest challenges to ever occur on the show. Firstly, they were asked to make donuts, which is very odd as this seems to be quite simple for bakers on one of the most watched shows in the UK. However, what really caused the controversy was the technical challenge, which was to make pitta breads using an open fire. Not only is this an unusual task, but technically is not even baking. The definition of baking is to ‘cook by dry heat without direct exposure to a flame, typically in an oven’. Clearly, cooking pitta bread directly on an open fire is NOT baking, so why was it featured on The Great British Bake Off?
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Crew members involved in the production of ...Bake Off every year.
The finale showstopper was to make a landscape dessert. Rahul had an eventful start when his glass container literally exploded from the heat in the tent, so he had to re-start everything he made. Thankfully, they gave him the time he lost due to the incident, but it must have been awful for the baker to have all cameras on him when he was last to finish. Honestly, I was underwhelmed with the showstoppers and found them quite underwhelming for the final piece. Despite Rahul’s piece literally looking like a swamp, he was declared the winner due to his flavours. As a fan of Kim-Joy, I was quite disappointed because she was in the line to win until her showstopper, and many went online to complain about the final result. Overall, there was so much division over which fanfavourite would win, I don’t think there could have been a result where the masses were happy. Sophie Hicks
@CourierTV thecourieronline.co.uk/TV
come in to do what the other actors cannot manage, or help train them if they are adamant on doing the stunts themselves. Yet, even as these stunt doubles take on the more danger- ous and demanding elements of acting, it is still a risky field. It has been known for stunt doubles to get injured, and in the past years there have been incidents where stunt doubles – due to the level of risk involved in their work – have died. We may be safeguarding our favourite celebrities, but who is safeguarding the stunt doubles? And then there’s the sex scenes. Take Game of Thrones as an example; when fan-favourite character Cersei Lannister was forced to do the walk of shame, naked for
almost at least twenty minutes of an episode, producers brought in a body double to protect and safeguard actress Lena Headey. Thanks to the work of Rebecca van Cleave, the scene was performed as if it was Lena herself. Doubles are not the only protective regulation put in place for these explicit scenes either. For example, actors are often given a genital guard that they can attach to themselves so it appears as if the two actors are actually having sex, when in reality they are not.
A Discovery of Witches
House of Cards
Available on Sky now
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Credit: YouTube
In the past years there have been incidents where stunt doubles – due to the level of risk involved in their work – have died. While due to the work of many body and stunt doubles we are able to protect and ensure the safety of many actors and actresses in the film industry, there is still an increasing risk on-set to these specialists. And let us not forget about the dangers of the set in general:= the amount of equipment; the crowding of everyone working together to make it work. Acting, ultimately, is a lot more dangerous and risk-involved than you may first imagine.
Available on Netflix now
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Discovery of Witches has only been on air for little over a month, but has captured everyone’s attention within this short span of time. The picturesque series is set in Oxford and based on the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. It’s seeming to charm audiences and draw them in to binge watch over two days – perhaps even making the viewer ignore their assignments. The story line is not too convoluted. It has demons, vampires, witches, and one book that they’re all looking for. With a straightforward storyline, Mathew Goode of The Imitation Game fame delivers a spectacular performance as Dr Clairmont. He relentlessly pursues Diane Bishop in the hopes of getting his hands on an alchemy book that no one has been able to retrieve in years. Teresa Palmer as the lead Diana Bishop was a very good choice for the role: with her expressive eyes and mannerisms she has a magnificent screen presence. The supporting cast meanwhile are wonderfully cast and seem to be the perfect fit for each of their roles. The best part about the series is seeing the lead female as a strong and highly-educated woman, an all-too-seldom role seen onscreen. Diana Bishop’s character has a history all to hersef but manages to portray a strong sense of independence and an ability to overcome hardship. However, with the storyline being so straightforward it is filled with plot-holes: mainly one where they fail to clearly explain what Diana’s powers are and why at times she is so easily swayed by Dr Clairmont. Overall, the series is a pleasure to watch. It is fast paced and new elements are added in almost every scene. Unlike other stories of similarly supernatural beings, A Discovery of Witches is quite sophisticated and does not hold any typical clichés about the species.
fter a long and controversial production period, House of Cards finally returns to Netflix with its sixth and final season - with a notable absence. Robin Wright continues to portray Claire Underwood’s tragic, manipulative, Lady Macbeth-esque character to perfection. However, her consistent quality doesn’t make up for the elephant in the room: Kevin Spacey. Spacey was of course fired from the series after sexual assault allegations came to light last year, forcing the production team to cut him from the show and rewrite the entire script without the presence of the infamous Frank Underwood. Whilst Spacey’s character and his misdeeds are often referred to by other characters, he is never seen or heard. Even a magazine reporting on Frank Underwood’s death deliberately cuts his face out of the image. However, despite Spacey’s actions in real life leading to his firing, the absence of Frank is hard to ignore. His manipulative and power hungry grab at American politics alongside his wife was what made the series intriguing and a thought-provoking look at the continued oligarchical nature of the US Government. His absence is felt in every scene, making the show feel like a shadow of its former self. I believe that this would be same if Robin Wright had left instead of Spacey. It’s their partnership that made it worth watching. This isn’t to say the new series isn’t good. It still has incredibly clever writing, complex characters and Shakespearean monologues. However, even this isn’t enough to save the final season of House of Cards, especially after the underwhelming final episode which ends on a very frustrating cliff-hanger. This is not the way House of Cards was supposed to go. This is not the momentous downfall of the Underwoods we wanted to see from Netflix’s very first original series.
Vaishali Ramesh
Jacob Clarke
Alex Darbyshire watches Planet Earth Credit: CMetalCore (Wikimedia)
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lanet Earth’s reputation very much precedes itself - the voice of David Attenborough is instantly recognisable amongst even the most casual of documentary fans. For many of those reading this article, Planet Earth may have been the first nature documentary to truly immerse them, as it was certainly one of mine. But what makes Planet Earth so memorable, and does it endure scrutiny even after 12 years? Rather than the whole series, I’m going to be putting the most popular episode, ‘From Pole to Pole’, under a microscope. As openings go, this is short and sweet, and its simplicity definitely kept me watching, as I was promised vast landscapes and wildlife and I wanted to see more.
Credit: YouTube As promised, we are first bounced between the most extreme points on earth, between the Antarctic and the high Arctic. As many viewers were, I was hooked by Attenborough’s clear passion for this series, as it seems he marvels at each creature the series covers. The mother polar bear and her cubs we are shown tenderly introduce us to a world of the most extreme conditions, as we feel as vulnerable as these cubs as they struggle their way across the tundra in search of food. I was then enchanted in an altogether different fashion soon after, greeted by an endless herd of caribou. The sense of scale I then realised this series brought reasserted itself. We see both enormous herds such as these caribou, and their predators, as we are kept in suspense in a chase between a young caribou and a wolf. It seems Attenborough himself does not know the outcome. It is here that another aspect of the series shines, its refusal to sugar-coat nature. It is not afraid to keep the camera on this young caribou as it is hunted and caught by the wolf, undoubtedly to its death as we see the wolf’s jaws close around it.
It is here where another aspect of the series shines, its refusal to sugar-coat nature Much of the remaining runtime of the episode is dedicated to tracing the path of water around the world, rising from the sea, all the way to the Himalayas, descending to African plains where we see herds travelling from across the country to drink. Again, both the scale and brutality of nature is encompassed here, as the viewer is now shown the exploits of African hunting dogs, strategically hunting impala, with bird’s eye angles that reinforce the sense of urgency and closeness of the chase. I was particularly impressed by the construction of a kind of story, despite the chaotic nature of filming wildlife, as I was somehow invested in the wanderings of a herd of elephants, in search of water. It is truly impressive and an entirely unfamiliar kind of filmmaking to me. Creatively written and masterfully shot, Planet Earth clearly holds up today, even against modern documentaries. Finally, there is a timelessness that Attenborough brings to the series that draws in the viewer every time.
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culture film Golden Oldies Image: FreePhotobank
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c2.film@ncl.ac.uk Film Editors: Jimmy Athey, Joe Holloran
#MeToo & Film One Year On
Theo Turvil examines the impact #MeToo has had on the entertainenment industry one year on
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he #Metoo explode onto the world stage in the Autumn of 2017 with half a million people engaging with the movement on twitter in the space of 24 hrs of its conception. Triggering the movement were the accusations made against indie film mogul, Harvey Weinstein. The case evolved to become #Metoo’s flag ship, with Harvey Weinstein fired from the company he built with-in a week of the allegations first publishing. He is currently involved in court preceding’s, denying three counts of rape and sexual assault, being granted $1 million bail.
(1986)
abyrinth follows teenager Sarah (Jennifer Connelly) who wishes that goblin king Jareth (David Bowie) would take her baby brother away, she’s then forced to solve Jareth’s labyrinth to save him. I would definitely recommend Labyrinth. The magical elements remain just as enthralling today and many of the characters continue to capture the hearts of viewers For example, the worm that invites Sarah in for tea only appears for two minutes but is unforgettable as he balances out the seriousness of the previous action with his comedic, cheery disposition. Another scene that jumps to mind is the ballroom scene, the detail of which is extraordinary. The guests are all
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wearing creepy goblin-esque masks that contrast perfectly with Sarah’s flawless make-up and huge white ball gown. Unfortunately, the ball gown has not aged as well as the film because although it would’ve been glamorous in the eighties, I just can’t get past how tacky it looks. Bowie’s vocals and bittersweet lyrics add to the magical effect of the ball as we become completely absorbed in following Sarah and Jareth. However, the creepiness here cannot be ignored, not only because Sarah is a minor and Jareth is twenty years older but also because Sarah had to be drugged to facilitate the scene. This is forgotten until Sarah and the viewer snap out of the hypnotic effect that the song helps to maintain. Although creepy, nothing more sinister seems to happen in the scene or the rest of the film as Sarah grows to resist Jareth’s illusions. Despite this, the film is still a classic and a good watch, a testament to this is that you will feel like one of Sarah’s ‘friends’ in the labyrinth and you’ll invest in her progress whilst cheering her on to defeat Jareth.
Chloe Mullins
Weinsteins case evolved to become #MeToo's flagship The movement charged on, toppling an assortment of notable men in an assortment of vocations; politicians to tech-heads, no-one was spared. After Weinstein, came House of Cards protagonist Kevin Spacey, leading him to be dropped from the show. In April of this year it was revealed that the once widely beloved and outwardly endearing Bill Cosby, was actually a Quaalude carrying sex fiend, and has now been put behind bars for three to ten years on top of a fine of $25,000. Very saddening to hear that people capable of bringing so
much enjoyment were also capable of being so monstrous. With the media storm swirling around these successes have there actually been any concrete changes to the wider entertainment industry, or society more broadly? The black activist Tarana Burke who pioneered the #metoo campaign stated: "If we keep o n
Image: YouTube
'making statements' and not really doing the work, we are going to be in trouble." Hollywood is still in a state of turbulence, though there have been some clear signs that the wind is on the turn. Equity, a 43,000-strong British actors’ union have seen a strong link between the #metoo movement in the increasing number of requests for specialist training in healthy and respectful conduct in the workplace, a trend that doesn’t seem to be so strongly replicated in other industry sectors. Within the industry there has been a cultural, seismic shift with a zero-tolerance policy on any kind of misconduct. No longer will it be the industrystandard to turn a blind eye. The Time's Up Legal Defence Fund was launched by over 300 actresses, writers and directors, helping raise £15 million in its first month to fund the legal assistance of survivors, with a prioritisation of from lower wage, non-traditional, and QUILTBAG+ and other minority backgrounds. The Movement has led to the film industry taking a new direction with the very scripts and characters we see before us. The Russ & Roger Go Beyond (Nicknamed ‘the King of Sexploitation’); a biopic of the late film director Russ Meyer, 10 years in the making and starring Will Ferrell and Josh Gad was axed over-night after the Weinstein News began to circulate. The director of Harry potter and The Cursed Child felt that the #metoo movement has impacted on the way the public perception, often leading to a focused gaze on the all to often over looked characters such as Ginny Weasley in the hit Broadway production, as a strong woman, independent of her famously scarred Romeo. The writing of the production saw no alteration, but the public perception has and that fundamentally has changed the discourse surrounding it.
The Downfall of Depp
Scarlett Rowland looks at the latest installement in the steady fall of Johnny Depp, as it is announced that he is saying goodbye to playing Captain Jack Sparrow
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n recent weeks, news has been released that Jonny Depp will not be returning to the character of Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. It is quite understandable why this has happened. Disney want to be able to make as much money as possible from their franchises. With all this past controversy that Depp has gone through these last four years, many people who loved these films don’t want to support him anymore: by keeping Depp, Disney will be losing money.
Image: YouTube
/NewcastleCourierFilm @Courier_Film
Monday 12th November 2018
Image: YouTube
Disney are smartly, yet quietly, following suit with what other production companies have been doing with other
actors w h o have had allegations held against them in recent years. As we have seen in recent stories, actors such as Kevin Spacey have been cut from their current project, and projects in the works have been halted for refilming to remove the actor in question. To decide to stop working with Depp at this point, Disney have made a smart move, although significantly too
late, means that any future issue that may arise with him won’t affect the franchise. This effect on the franchise can be considered with Depp’s inclusion in the new Harry Potter film, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindlewald. As I would have predicted, and as written about by Scott Mendelson – a box office commentator for Forbes, this film would perform lower than the first Fantastic Beasts film. It is, of course, impossible to know whether this was due to Depps involvement – but we can draw our own conclusions, I guess. By association they are damaging their reputation. Not only Depp been accused of abuse, in a Rolling Stone interview last year, during which Depp allowed a reporter full access to his life for a few days, he revealed more about his money issues. Not helped by his settlement with Heard, Depp has been suffering with money issues. Oddly, this a settlement was made this summer with his management company, which he was suing for mismanagement of his money, for an undisclosed amount of money. But apparently his money worries are more than over … That being said, Depp has had a rough couple of years and with the talk of his drinking problem and pictures released over this summer - I know this does not excuse past behaviour, but maybe it can explain it, and maybe he just needs help. Ultimately, I’m not going to lie, I haven’t seen many of the last Pirates of the Caribbean films. Not whole due to issues with Jonny Depp, but also the franchise seemed to be getting tired. With Dead Men Tell No Tales performing so poorly, it is no wonder that the creators think it’s time for a reboot.
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Monday 12th November 2018
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Frackin' Hell!: Slaughter House Rulez (12A)
film culture Indie Spotlight
Al Ridley discovers if the lastest outing of Pegg & Frost lives up their other comedy outings
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ne of the safest live-action films in years Slaughterhouse Rulez is a comedy without risk, horror without surprise, the same school story that’s existed for centuries, a Pegg and Frost film that takes after Paul rather than Hot Fuzz. Nothing is novel, nothing is challenging, its greatest claim to fame that it is one of the first major-budget antifracking films released in cinemas. It’s aesthetically pleasing, decently well-acted and its own kind of private-school fun, but it’s nothing we haven’t seen before and will see again. We’ll start with the good: Slaughterhouse has a pretty
while Simon Pegg is a mewling milquetoast of a teacher, an upper-class Gary King at his worst who spends every second of his excruciating screen time whimpering. Tom Rhys-Harris is excellent as a Malfoy-esque prefect, a genuinely menacing screen presence who prowls around dorm rooms like a jumping spider. Nick Frost’s role as a drug-dealing hippy is barely worth mentioning, however, with about five minutes of screen time in all. The real joy of the film is in its setting. The daily opera-
Frost's role as a drug dealing hippy is barely worth mentioning
Crispin Mills The films director Crispin Mills is best known as front-man and guitarist of psychedelic indie rock band 'Kula Shaker'.
Image: Wikimedia
good cast, whose performances sell the prestigious private school atmosphere the first half mostly nails. Finn Cole of Peaky Blinders fame takes the lead as Don Wallace, a delightfully Northern teenager attending a prestigious private school filled to the gills with English school stereotypes. Asa Butterfield echoes his role in Ender’s Game as snuffsnorting outsider Willoughby Blake,
Utoya - July 22 (15)
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ased on true events, Norwegian director Erik Poppe takes on the challenge to re-enact the shocking events of 22 July 2011 that shook the Norwegian nation. July 22, the date is a synonym for one of Norway´s biggest traumas, when it was hit by two terror attacks carried out by a Norwegian right-wing extremist. The detonation of a bomb in Oslo´s city centre caused the death of 8 people and was followed by the terrorist shooting 69 young people in a summer camp on the island of Utøya. The movie is a fictionalised account of the events and focuses on retelling the attack on the summer camp from the perspective of the victims. Utøya devotes 72 minutes of its 90 minutes running time to the attack, which mirrors exactly the duration of the real attack in 2011. The camera follows the young adult Kaja (impressive performance by Andrea Berntzen), who is a fictional character rebuilt on recollections of several survivors. The audience follows her trying to hide and survive the attack. The plot is driven forward by her attempt to find her sister, from whom she was separated at the beginning of the attack. Being shot in one take, director Poppe manages to create an intimate relationship between the audience and the characters by putting us into their situation. Our knowledge about the attack is just as limited as theirs, which establishes a constant feeling of insecurity. Subjective shots, shaky frames and tracking shots transport the audience right into the narrative. Another important contribution to construct such a tense atmosphere is the film´s soundscape. Absent of music, Utøya focuses on diegetic sound to create a heightened sense of danger. The recurring sound of gunshots represent the omnipresent threat of the terrorist and appear to be even more alerting in contrast to the silence. In this unsettling environment every step or breath becomes potentially dangerous. Many things could have gone wrong with this movie, but director Erik Poppe seemed to be aware of his responsibility dealing with such a highly sensitive topic. Utøya avoids politicizing this mass murder and does not exploit the tragedy. It comments on a very current topic in Europe, namely not to forget the dangers of extremism and is, besides its technical realization, worth watching for this alone. Julia Hoepfner
tion of Slaughterhouse is a delicately amusing mixture of private school snobbery – aristocratic British accents, oak classrooms, crosscountry runs in the rain – and the excessive decadence of the mythical Upper Sixth, who wander around with assault rifles and style themselves as ‘gods’ in Bacchic orgies, complete with Latin dirty-talk. There’s a certain anarchic thrill to watching Rhys-Harris play drill sergeant while the other characters in House Sparta bond conspiring to best him. Even if the whole ‘fish out of water’ plot is stale, Slaughterhouse is at its best in, well, Slaughterhouse. But the cracks start to show as soon as the horror begins. Shady government workers that don’t take the monster seImage: YouTube riously? Leading lady stripping down to
Been So Long (15)
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her nightshirt? Shaky-cam monsters that contribute nothing except a physical threat and tepid chase scenes? It’s all here, and all disappointing. The film is paced horribly too, the monsters artlessly crammed into a second act that struggles to manage three simultaneous stories: Cole trying to get a girl, a subplot about teen suicide and random character comedy. Slaughterhouse would be packed to the gills even without an awkward transition into a schlocky horror. The further the film progresses, the more Slaughterhouse gets destroyed and the more characters die, the less fun it is. Slaughterhouse slides miserably to a final act that trades character moments for monsters you can barely see. There’s the odd bit of fun to be found, but it’s trying to be so many things that its approach is scattergun, missing much more than it hits.
Image: Linnaea Mallette
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A The Other Side of the Wind (15)
(2004)
stand-out indie feature that everyone should watch at least once. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a philosophical journey, showing a love story like no other. This film follows Joel (Jim Carrey) and Clementine (Kate Winslet) through a unique journey. Adding into the mix a corporation that offers a procedure which entirely erases people from your memory, it subverts any exceptions you may have. The couple have a rough break-up and you can guess what happens next. Any official trailers of this movie depict it to be a light-hearted comedy and while it does have a few laughs, it is actually a dark, quirky and thought-provoking drama. With flashes of confusing images and flashbacks, it can be dense so do not look away for a second. Writer Charlie Kaufman, who also brought us
Image: YouTube
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omance, rage and revenge. That’s what the copywriters at Film 4 promised me of Been So Long. Instead the only things it delivered were predictability, tepidity and chaos. Having heard it (very generously) deemed “The Black British La La Land,” my expectations for Been So Long were sky high. I wanted to fall head over heels for this film; if for no other reason than the sheer excitement of seeing a fellow dark-skinned black woman with a shaved head as a romantic lead. However, it was evident within the first ten minutes that the leap from stage to screen adaptation was too ambitious. Set against the backdrop of contemporary Camden, Been So Long is a romantic musical following the life of headstrong single mum Simone (Michela Coel), whose sole focus is her daughter's upbringing. Until on a rare night out, she finds herself drawn to a handsome ex-con, Raymond (Arinzé Kene). Though instantaneous, Simone and Raymond’s chemistry is palpable and compelling. Coel and Kene’s voices are powerful and gritty, complementing each other perfectly. However, it is everything other than their romance that makes it difficult to get totally immersed in Been So Long. The film would have been infinitely better had it delved deeper into Simone and Raymond’s backstories, omitting the often distracting, futile and sometimes bizarre subplots littered throughout. More so, the immemorable, half-arsed musical numbers made me feel as though I was sitting in on a first rehearsal rather than the finished product. I want to it be known that Been So Long is not all bad. One of its strengths is how characters with disabilities are imbedded without demanding a backstory from them. There are no hackneyed explorations of their “struggles and strife,” therefore providing representation without hyper-visibility. It is also a visually captivating spectacle. Director of photography, Catherine Derry, did a wonderful job with vibrant but inoffensive neon lighting that adds tenderness and sensuality, as required. Despite its flaws, if you’re a sucker for a rom-com, I would strongly recommend this film for your next Netflix & Chill session.
Natalie Chigariro
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satirical documentary film directed (in part), written, produced and edited by one of films brightest ever lights, Orson Welles, The Other Side of the Wind has finaly been released posthumously over thirty years after his death. The film stars John Huston as Jake Hannaford, an aging former film director who returns to Hollywood from a self-imposed exile to try and create one last innovative work of art. However, Hollywood has changed. A new wave of young avant-garde film makers dominate the industry and Huston must try and find his place within this bizarre new world. It is not a laugh-out-loud comedy, rather it is a satire of the highest quality, deliberately using visual aesthetics and excellent dialogue to truly show the break in culture from the Old Hollywood of Welles to the New Hollywood of Scorsese. Welles may have been dead for thirty-three years at this point but that is irrelevant, the film is truly of his style and those who have taken on the mantle to complete the work, such as legendary producer Frank Marshall have done him proud. The only downsides are unfortunately quite important. The films audio quality is poor, and the odd editing style doesn’t work well in all cases, meaning the film is at times a frustrating watch lost for those where art-house styles are unfamiliar. Overall, The Other Side of the Wind is a triumph and after a viewing it is clear why those close to the agedWelles fought so hard and for so long to finish the film and see it released. Like a long-forgotten sketch by Van Gough or an unearthed relic of art history, this film is a must see for those of us whom appreciate the debt cinema owes to one of its greatest artisans. A sister film and true documentary called They’ll Love Me When I’m Dead about the last years of Welles and the production of this film has also recently been released and is worth a watch if you well of Welles is not yet full.
Joe Holloran
Image: YouTube
another indie favourite Being John Malkovich, outdoes himself with this film that now has a huge cult following. Many people were surprised that this film was an independent one, what with all the big names starring in it, but it goes to show that film does not need huge budgets and or big studio systems. It works effortlessly as a piece, no heavy special effects or gimmicks. In true indie style, the visuals are artistic and hypnotising. Jim Carrey as Joel is mesmerizing. An actor you will have seen in multiple comedic roles goes serious for this film and it is his most vulnerable and honest performance by far. Kate Winslet plays beautifully alongside him, portraying free-spirited Clementine and showing us a different side to her that we’ve previously seen. Their chemistry works in a surprising way and the raw emotion between Joel and Clementine will stay with you. It strikes me as a true classic indie film, riddled with existential and meaningful tones and you won’t be able to forget it, even if you wanted to. Amy Brown
Image: YouTube
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culture arts Book Review
The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson LIV BLACKHAM
c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk Arts Editors Scarlett Rowland, Julia McGee-Russell, Rosie McCrum Online Editor Scarlett Rowland
the courier
Monday 12 November 2018
These Kinky Boots are made for dancing Georgia Meredith reviews the recent performance of Kinky Boots musical at the Theatre Royal I f you like shoes, show-stopping musical numbers, and sequins galore - then what better way to spend an evening than with the kinkiest cast in Newcastle. If you were a fan of the film, prepare for it to really come to life in Theatre Royal’s produc- tion of ‘Kinky Boots’ that features a host o f incredibly talented actors that seem to defy the laws of physics by being able to dance so well in stiletto heelsthese boots were most certainly made for dancing! Set in Northampton, Charlie Price finds himself with the task of saving the family shoe business from financial ruin when he meets Lola, a truly fabulous drag queen with a penchant for high heels, who helps him realise the ‘niche market’ in making shoes for drag performers. What follows is a performance filled with glitz, glamour, and great tunes. Not only will the show make you want to strut
around in your highest heels and wish you could pull off the comical, sassy one-liners from Lola, but it also touches on the hardships of gender identity, family pressures, and the importance of accepting people for who they are providing the audience with full-hearted sentimentality as well as a whole lot of fabulous numbers. From Lola’s ‘angels’, who managed to make throwing shapes in six-inch stilettos seem easy, to the lovable factory workers who provided a lot of the comedy: the ensemble cast were superb. While the entire cast work amazingly with each other, Callum Francis and Joel Harper-Jackson truly stole the show in their central roles as Lola and Charlie by giving likeable and energetic performances while displaying genuine chemistry with one another. A great, versatile set that was able to capture both
the inner workings of the ‘Price and Son’ shoe factory and the glamour of Lola’s drag performances, disco lighting, and a conveyer belt prop that also served as a movable dancefloor made this show a real treat for the eyes. The costumes featured some of the glitziest dresses imaginable as the red, glittery high-heeled boots sparkled their way around the stage as did the iconic image of the musical justice. The music written by performance industry legend Cyndi Lauper, featured impressively sang ballads such as ‘Soul Of a Man’ while high energy bops such as ‘Sex Is In The Heel’ and ‘Raise You Up’ had all the audience on their feet and showing their kinkiest moves by the end. With a stellar cast of actors, catchy tunes, and the fiercest set of drag queens since RuPaul, this is guaranteed to be an even better night than Pink Rooms, so don’t be a drag and get yourself down to this ultimate feel-good show!
Image: ncla_instagram Image: Johan Persson
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repare yourself for an incredibly biased book review as we delve into the magic that is my favourite book. A novel that has earnt that title for me deserves truly to be showed to the world. Now, bear with me for the true beauty behind this novel despite its slightly turbulent plot. The story centers around Lennie in, arguably, one of the most painful points in life- the death of a family member. As she wades her way through her grief over the death of her older sister, Lennie stumbles into many problems by the names of Toby, Gram, Sarah, Big, and Joe. Interspersed in Lennie’s daily heartbreak are poems written in the strangest of places that bring the novel full circle by the end. Thus, creating one of those moments where you’re completely filled with love and hope in the greatest way.
Love triangles belong to the lowly likes of Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins - not Jandy Nelson
Now, I know, it sounds like I’m describing the most amazing book and in so many ways, I think it is. For years, it was my bible and a very battered bible at that. Lennie understood my feelings better than anyone real could (as dorky as that sounds). And, I think that’s the charm. Everyone has felt that loss and Nelson’s exploration is so heart wrenchingly truthful that you feel validated. However, if I’m being honest which with books, I find I must, there are some downs. Many a time did I want to physically beat Lennie for her actions with Toby (no spoilers) and I may very well have shouted some angry words during the several hundred times I have read the book. Nelson herself is not excluded from these feelings either as points of Lennie’s love triangle are past the line of unbelievable. Love triangles belong to the lowly likes of Stephanie Meyer and Suzanne Collins- not Jandy Nelson.
A Geordie twist on ‘Under Milk Wood’ Carys Rose Thomas reviews Northern Stage’s Geordie adaptation of ‘Under Milk Wood’
‘A
play for voices’. That’s the subtitle for Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood, currently on at Northern Stage. In its most literal sense, the subtitle points out that the play was originally written as a radio drama. But it also highlights the emphasis put upon voice and more generally sound in the play. Thomas himself wanted audiences who saw or heard the play to feel that they had “come to know the town as an inhabitant of it” by the end. The stage was set up in the round, with speakers overhead and at opposing sides of the circle. Recordings of voices gossiping, singing and the general sounds of Llareggub, the imaginary town where Thomas sets his play, circle around the audience, blurring the lines between stage and seats. It felt as though the two actors were our storytellers, and we the townspeople. They characters within the play are its glue. It is through the eyes of all 50-something townspeople that we come to understand how the town operates. It was astonishing to see how the two actors playing all these roles did them all so well. Both Christina Berriman Dawson and David Kirkbride played a broad range of characters, seamlessly switching between each one. A particular favourite duo had to be stifflipped Mrs. Pew and her repressed, murderconspiring husband. The way the two snapped between short silence and explosive anger was hilarious to watch - just one example of the great diversity of both actors. Northern Stage’s production played upon the fact that it was originally a radio drama through showing the audience various wonderful ways foley sound effects are made using inanimate objects. This transparency around how sound effects were made didn’t distract or ‘break the world’ of the play at all. If anything it made the play more
interesting by giving its audience an insight into audio production they aren’t usually granted. Coming from a long line of fervently Welsh people from the very same town as Thomas, I am passionate about how quintessentially Welsh Under Milk Wood is. It was a bold move for director Elayce Ismail to eradicate the characters’ Welsh accents. Saying that, translating the piece into Geordie accents with the occasional Scottish and Yorkshire thrown in there worked well. There is a shared sense of the North East and Wales as slightly out-of-theway, forgotten corners of the U.K. Safe to say, I felt right at home in this Geordie-speaking welsh seaside town. The accents also share a singsong quality which is perfectly suited to the singsong nature of Thomas’ traditionally poetic writing. Although, at times it was hard to follow exactly what was being said. Thomas’ quick wit, wordplay and alliteration is hard enough to understand in your Standard English access, let alone Geordie. The play works like Shakespeare in this respect; you’re not always sure what’s being said, but you know what’s going on. Sometimes it was ok to just sit back, tune out of what was being said for a while and focus on the steady paced tune of the words, using the actors’ expressions and gestures to discern what was happening. Northern Stage’s Under Milk Wood manages to maintain the traditional and regional feel of the piece, whilst still updating the production into a work which explores the boundaries of live performance and theatrical spaces. Funny, witty and a perfect reminder of home. This play makes you want to return to the Welsh seaside town you never knew. “What did you think of that then?” Asked the man sat next to me as soon as the production finished. “Pretty
great” I said, “Yeah, can’t say I had a clue what was going on” - he said “but great. It was great!”
Image: Pamela Raith
Mohsin Hamid in conversation with Neelam Srivastava
The Sky is Eveywhere becomes more than a book Julia McGee-Russell comments on Newcastle University’s One Book Event talk on Exit West but just short of a religious ctober 29th saw Mohsin Hamid; author of a mirror, as ‘the reader is provided with an unstable situ- tain and showed us all the inner workings of writing. Moth Smoke, The Reluctant Fundamentalist, ation about which they don’t know enough’ forcing them experience How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia, and Exit to provide the untold half of the story themselves.
Yet, this is not just a powerful story about the experience of loss, it is the most captivating love story I have read. Full of hope and love and terrible mistakes just like life and that is the true beauty to Nelson’s work. Every situation she places her characters in, the reader feels for themselves and it becomes more than a book but just short of a religious experience. For the end of this review, I will leave you with one of the most poignant parts of the novel in a last-ditch attempt to encourage you to read it. ‘Grief is forever. It doesn’t go away; it becomes a part of you, step for step, breath for breath... Grief and love are conjoined, you don’t get one without the other.’
@TheCourierArts @thecourierarts
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West, in conversation with reader in Postcolonial and Comparative Literature Neelam Srivastava. Hamid has been shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize twice and selected as winner or finalist of more than thirty awards. His new novel Exit West is a tale of migration and love in a time of unrest and violence. Despite a few sound issues, Hamid and Srivastava had an illuminating and engaging discussion about Hamid’s new novel. However, the highlight of the evening was the Q&A. Humorous and friendly, Hamid skilfully answered questions on each of his novels. Often, authors are reticent about explaining the specific intentions behind the techniques employed in their literature, yet this was not the case with Hamid. In response to an audience question on why Hamid does not address issues facing his home country Pakistan in his novels, Hamid replied that he was, in his own way, as the problems facing Pakistan are universal. In response to another question, he explained how the structure of the Reluctant Fundamentalist is similar to
Rather than glorifying his talent, Hamid drew back Oz’s curtains and showed us all the inner workings
Attending this lecture was enlightening, as Hamid’s extensive and detailed explanations to questions showed that he had definitive intentions behind each narrative choice in his novels. Often, authors are portrayed as superior beings blessed with ever-mysterious ‘inspiration’. Although the content of Hamid’s novels is unquestionably inspired and interesting, his responses to audience questions revealed his hard work and time-honed technique. Rather than glorifying his talent or leaving the audience with questions unanswered, Hamid drew back Oz’s cur-
Image: ncla_instagram
the courier
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arts culture
Monday 12 November 2018
In Discussion: Rupi Kaur
In a clash of the editors, Charlotte Boulton, Music, and Scarlett Rowland, Arts, discuss the work of Tumblr’s darling poet, Rupi Kaur, questioning whether her work is as groundbreaing as her supporters claim, or whether she’s really just nothing special
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first discovered Rupi Kaur and her poetry in summer 2016, when I was ‘dealing’ (terribly) with my emotions after a brutal text messaged break-up from a guy I was seeing quite intensely. To say I needed some kind words that understood my feelings was an understatement. I turned to books, my long-time friend, and found Rupi Kaur.
Just because she doodles next to her work doesn’t make it any less meaningful or talented
I found such comfort from Kaur’s milk and honey (her first collection of poems) and they helped me break out of how sad I was feeling. As I have always been a writer anyway, but had never tried poetry, her simple lyrical style of turning words into poetry intrigued me. Kaur started me on writing poetry and even performing some, and I will always be grateful for the introduction to these new experiences. I don’t want to turn this into a dramatic tale of how poetry saved my life, because it didn’t, but it certainly helped me make sense of it. Being able to open up about traumatic and upsetting experiences through words was so healing and validating. Critics argue that Kaur’s poetry style is too simplistic and that simply cutting a sentence into words on multiple lines is not a poem. Firstly, the whole point of poetry is that it can be in different forms; from a sonnet Image: rupikaur_ to acros-
Poem Box
The Return of the Wind
The wind has come home. He flies through parks, His tiny kingdoms,
Nudges horse chestnuts till They drop. Makes stones roll into fractured puddles. A waxy leaf turns. There’s an ice-cold dew. Lampposts loom in empty streets
tic to lament to freeform. Poetry is there to help you say something and it’s ridiculous to judge how someone chooses to format their deepest thoughts and feelings. Also, do I detect a hint of elitism with this argument? As if the only poetry worth reading is in iambic pentameter and written centuries ago by an old white dude. Kaur is refreshing and honest, part of a new wave of poets that symbolise what the form is all about. Let’s face it, most of the poems studied at school are old and restricted by rules; poets need to adapt and discover new ways of telling their stories. Poetry is about expression and her bravery to express her struggles with her race, relationships, and abuse is admirable. Just because she doodles next to her work doesn’t make it any less meaningful or talented. I personally love the visual representation of the words through her drawings and feel it makes everything even more personal and intimate. The simple style of the poems cries out for an accompaniment and the doodles do this wonderfully. If Kaur’s poetry isn’t your cup of tea, that’s fair enough, art is subjective after all. But I just don’t think it’s right for people to mock her and create parodies of her style; these poems are real and matter and that should not be made fun of just because you don’t like the style. Kaur has spoken about the critiques of her work, asserting that “I don’t fit into the age, race or class of a bestselling poet”. Her inability to fit the mould of what is expected of a poet is likely the cause of many of the criticisms against her; she’s too honest, too simple, too outspoken. It’s what I love about her. And clearly, with 1.4 million book sales for milk and honey, it’s what many others love too. Charlotte Boulton
shakespeare is dead wordsworth and keats too long gone are the romantics the beat generation t.s.eliot – who? movements come and go but critics stand still “where is the iambic pentameter” they cry “what is a poem without a rhyme” they despair “your stanzas make no sense” they howl “oh why even pick up a pen” they judge and jeer and then wonder why poetry is yawned at by pupils forced to consider love through the ages again and again (and again) “the youth of today don’t understand it!” you never gave them a chance! sonnets are not for everyone they just can’t see the appeal of strict structure restricting emotion let them write poetry – however they damn well like! and if it ends up looking like this (and you get your knickers in a twist) ….get over it !
Image: pixabay
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s someone who grew up on the internet, Tumblr was not far from my grasp. I would sit, and read, and enjoy the weird Kaur-esque poetry that flooded my news feed. I’m not a great lover of epic, romantic, classic poetry. My disinterest in her work doesn’t come from a place of elitism– I just think that Kaur’s poetry is nothing special. For me, poetry must speak to my soul. I find Kaur’s work to be blunt at times, and this doesn’t sit well with me. One of my all-time favourite poets is Spike Milligan, and honestly, he’s been doing the doodle and weird freeform shtick since before Kaur was born. But what he has that Kaur doesn’t is an absurd sense of humour that fills me with so much joy, and that both childhood and ‘adult’ me adore. Not only is there this humour, but in ‘Open Heart University’, having suffered from numerous nervous breakdowns, Milligan also able to write very seriously about mental health. This is poetry I want to share with my hypothetical children. Her Instagram tells an odd story. Her work spliced in between images of a seemingly perfect life. There seems to be a disconnect. For an artist who surely understands the issue of presenting a perfect front and the effect it can have on consumers of media, especially since her audience is predominantly young women, I find it confusing that she would present herself in such a put together way. Perhaps it is meant to be inspiring, but I’m unconvinced. I understand that so many people have found solace in her words, and it’s wonderful that people have found this in her work. It’s honestly just not for me. Scarlett Rowland ‘Your Words’ the rain falls puts out my cigarette much like your words put out my fire
Exploding Collage: An explosion of creativity
Shwetha Vasan urges all local art lovers to experience this display of art, at the Hatton Gallery
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walk straight past the Armstrong building for classes almost every day. Happening to notice the poster put up for the Exploding Collage at the Hatton Gallery, I was quite curious to see and know more about this art form. Apparently, this practice emerged in the early twentieth century. The Exploding Collage exhibition, featuring Nadia Hebson, Linder, and Ursula Mayer seeks to acknowledge the contemporary repercussions of this loss on our ideas of what a collage is, especially with regard to the work of female avant-garde artists, many of whom have historically been overlooked and undermined. The first section displays Linder’s work. She is internationally recognized as a leading figure of feminist art, best known for her early collages in which domestic objects and sexualized female bodies are combined as a comment
And spider webs cling fast to drainpipes. Smothered beetles tremble in gossamer, Billowing with the early morning’s breath. His moan touches the eaves, Drips through window casements Like a secret reaches an ear. You can feel him. Fluttering gently in the corner, Cool but comforting, Like a reminder of festivity soon to come Or a soft embrace. Imogen Davis Image: pixnio
‘newsflash: poetry evolves !’
Image: Shwetha Vasan
on the treatment of women in society. Very unique and meticulously organized, this was my favourite out of all.
Audio and video flash alternately between two screens, leading to a completely different experience
The next was a film titled ‘Lunch in Fur’ by Ursula Mayer. The film is structured around a fictional meeting between Oppenheim and two prominent women of the Parisian Avant-garde. An African American performer, a World War Two spy, a civil rights activist, and surrealist photographer, these women reflect on how artistic contributions can too easily become forgotten. It was very aesthetic. Peculiarly, it jumped sharply between black & while and colour film. At times, the women speak over each other and their words become reassembled into new surreal patterns. One cannot speak of collage without a mention for Kurt Schwitters. The next section was a recreation of his famous Merz Barn Wall. He was the one to apply the spirit of collage on an architectural scale. Adjacent to this, a separate wall is allocated to Merz Barn which tells us more
about him, his life, and the importance of the wall. Next, ‘The loud and soft speakers’ is Heather Ross’ iteration of Kurt Schwitters lost performance piece ‘The Silence Poem’. Screens are set up parallel to each other. Audio and video flash alternately between the two screens, leading to a completely different experience. The exhibition ends with Nadia Hebson’s display. Her work explores clothing and apparel as instinctive forms of collage, an idea which the artist approaches through an implicitly feminist lens. In all, this exhibition is a must visit for all art, history and film lovers.
Image: @hatton_newcastle
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culture gaming
Games library
Three of our writers review the best books on their shelves
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Crash Override George Boatfield
rash Override is as much a handbook for what author Zoe Quinn describes as “internet hygiene” as it is a harrowing recount of her experience with Gamergate. Beginning in 2014, she became the target of violent misogynistic harassment under the guise of concerns about ‘ethics in games journalism’. Throughout the book, Quinn dissects the actions of her abusive ex and those associated with him, and looks at ways to both prevent and mitigate the damage caused. She does this through the lens of the Crash Override Network, an organisation Quinn has since established to help others facing online abuse.
Crash Override brings Gamergate back down to earth
Gamergate has become a nebulous term to many, but Crash Override brings things back down to earth with a narrative of events and emotions from the person at the epicentre of it all. Not only does it set the facts straight for anyone that doesn’t have the full story, but it’s also an excellent look at how something like this could happen to anyone, and just about everyone can do something to reduce the chances of that.
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RedDeadRedemptionII Can Rockstar re-capture the spirit of the old West? Matthew Neville saddles up to find out
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ed Dead Redemption II is a special game. While 2018 has seen no shortage of great releases, Rockstar's latest makes its competitors look merely serviceable when compared with the incomprehensible level of care and detail poured into every facet of its open world journey. While some wrinkles in design do present themselves, they cannot make a dent in what Rockstar has accomplished with this western epic. The first thing that struck me upon starting the game was its visual identity. When it comes to presentation, Red Dead Redemption II is second to none. Its crisp, lush scenery is layered with atmospheric effects, making this one of the most grounded and inviting open worlds to explore this generation, even if you do spend most of your time in said world falling off your horse and getting caked in mud. This too extends to the game’s cinematics, which evoke
This is one of the most grounded and inviting open worlds to explore this generation
the spirit of classic Western films with use of staple filmic techniques such as intense close-ups and grand, sweeping shots of breathtaking landscapes. But despite all of the enthralling imagery, the writing and characters are where this sequel really shines. Dialogue is written with the sharp, dry wit of a Tarantino production, and the voice acting is solid across the board. While I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the first game’s tough but loveable John Marston, new pro-
tagonist Arthur Morgan is certainly a worthy successor. Although he's a more malleable character than Marston, he's nonetheless a charismatic and worldly figure to take you through the rich narrative on offer. However, no game is perfect, and Red Dead Redemption II has some pretty glaring issues which some will
17m+
The number of copies of Red Dead Redemption II sold in its first eight days of release. The orginal took eight years to sell 15million.
struggle to overlook. First and foremost, the game's stringent adherence to realism can make even basic actions such as hitching your horse fiddly, and comes across as overly pedantic and self-indulgent at times. What’s really most frustrating about this issue is that it could be so easily remedied if Rockstar were less inclined to show off all their lavish animations so constantly. Yes, the granular level of detail on display does often impress, but when you’re watching Arthur intently inspecting the nutritional value of the latest can of dried fruit he’s gone to pick up, you can’t help but wish such things were dialled back to streamline the experience. Another obvious area in which the game stumbles is one in which plagues most Rockstar releases, and that is the strictly linear mission design. While you're free to go about the world and do as you please for most of your play time, story missions hold your hand with the vicelike grip of a controlling mother. This is necessary
to allow scripted sequences play out properly, but it's a shame the player is given no real room for expression in how they tackle objectives, with the exception of a few opportunities to choose between one of two fairly distinct approaches and order your fellow gang members about. Yet these complaints amount to very little when analysing the game as a whole, especially given both its breadth and depth in terms of content. Ultimately, if you’ve played any of Rockstar’s recent releases, you’ll know what to expect from Red Dead Redemption II: cutting-edge visuals, punchy combat, memorable characters, and a vast, meticulously detailed world full of life and systems with which to engage. Although the game features a more measured pace and subtle writing, it's nonetheless a worthy inclusion in Rockstar’s peerless pantheon of stellar games.
Ratchet & Clank Comics James Troughton
. J. Fixman, the writer behind every Ratchet and Clank game from Tools of Destruction onwards, also wrote a six issue comic book to bridge the gap between A Crack in Time and All 4 One. Old characters, concepts, and planets return when a presidential candidate, Artemis Zogg, turns mad upon his defeat. He then attempts to seek justice by stealing planets and placing them into a model solar system around Helios, an artificial sun. Yet another victim created by the fallout of Captain Quark’s egotism and general ignorance, Zogg has good intentions. The artwork itself worried me when I first started reading as Ratchet looks a lot younger. However, the other characters and villains are fantastically drawn by Adam Archer and appear almost identical to their video game counterparts. Overall, the comic is very well written and tells a much nicer, smaller story to bridge the gap between the games. It features a healthy amount of fan-service organically intertwined into a narrative that brings together a cast of characters from an era gone by.
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courier.gaming@ncl.ac.uk Gaming Editors George Boatfield, Matthew Neville & Kelly South
the courier
Monday 12th November 2018
Halo: The Fall of Reach Alex Darbyshire
ungie clearly planned a rich multimedia expanded universe from the beginning of the Halo series, with the first novel written by Eric Nylund alongside the production of Halo: Combat Evolved. A lot of care was clearly put into this novel. Nylund deftly uses the character of John, who will soon become the series protagonist, to introduce the much broader universe of Halo to readers. The narrative begins with John as a child and the experience of reading through this, growing up with the Master Chief, and immediately moving onto the game (which takes place right after the book’s epilogue) gives a true sense of distance travelled, both by us and the Chief himself. Nylund begins every chapter with a report of time and place that both immediately grounds the reader in terms of plot and reinforces the military stylings of the novel. The novel reveals that - believe it or not - the one tonne, genetically enhanced super soldier actually had friends, affirming a human side to him which is not often touched on in the Halo games. This is precisely where The Fall of Reach shines: it reveals to us a world far beyond the main series of games, and while not hugely moving literature, definitely foregrounds the moral dilemmas that are undertones of the Halo franchise.
Image: IGDB
Battle Princess Madelyn nears release
Amazingly co-created by a seven-year-old, Al Ridley weighs in on this retro-inspired indie game
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etting into the video games industry is hard: programmers are expected to have what feels like decades of experience with programming languages created months ago; working conditions are infamously terrible; and the sheer market saturation means that you can go years without a hit. Not so for Madelyn Obritsch, head of indie studio Causal Bit Games. With little prior programming
Image: YouTube
experience and no portfolio, she’s the co-creator of retro Ghouls ‘n Ghosts-esque sidescroller brawler Battle Princess Madelyn. She’s even led the company through a successful Kickstarter campaign, raising over $212,655 CAD. Oh, yeah... did I forget to mention she’s seven? Battle Princess Madelyn, similar to comic sensation Axe Cop, is a game with creative direction spearheaded by two generations of Obritsch: Madelyn and her father Christopher. Madelyn acts as concept designer, the game includes her own ideas for enemy archetypes and stage theming, while ex-graphic designer Christopher produces, animates, and refines them into polished Castlevania-esque detailed sprite graphics. Working with the rest of Causal Bit Games - which includes programmer Daven Bigelow and accountant Angelina Obritsch - Battle Princess Madelyn has now almost reached completion. PC Gamer reports that Christopher Osbritch says prospective players should expect a hard release date to be announced “VERY shortly”. The game owes its existence to an obsession, shared between the father and daughter duo, with hack and slash arcade games. Madelyn gave Christopher the idea to create the game – and to have her feature as the eponymous Battle Princess – while watching him play through an early level of Ghouls ‘n Ghosts, telling him that she wanted to fight the first stage boss in place of Sir Alfred.
Christopher’s history with arcade games and arcade programming, however, is extensive and fundamental to his design ethos. Causal Bit Games’ previous title, Insanity’s Blade: The Chronicles of Thurstan, was a sidescrolling beat ‘em up reminiscent of Castlevania and Altered Beast with a few tweaks, chiefly Contra-like speed. In this upcoming game Madelyn’s influence is evident with dynamic projectile weapons, bulky suits of armour, and a skeleton-filled aesthetic created brought to gorgeous life by Christopher’s art and sound direction. At her young age Madelyn hasn’t been inundated with many of the tropes and conventions that define a lot of modern game design. Her ideas are therefore refreshingly new and unfiltered, allowing Causal Bit to draw on an untapped well of childish imagination to inform creative decisions. Sometimes this works - a level taking place entirely on a descending slide has made its way into the final game - and sometimes it doesn’t - her idea for ‘Level Cat’, simply a corridor filled with cats, was killed at concept. One way or another, Battle Princess Madelyn represents a much-needed fresh pair of eyes on a gaming industry that enjoys its safe moneymakers, full of clichéd characters and predictable plotlines. Battle Princess Madelyn is coming to PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PS Vita and even the Wii U later this year.
the courier
Monday 12th November 2018
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@Courier_Gaming thecourieronline.co.uk/gaming
gaming culture
Call of Cthulhu review
Is this adaptation as tainted as Lovecraft's legacy? Jacob Clarke descends into its twisted depths
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his direct adaptation of the classic tabletop roleplaying game, which itself is a homage to H.P Lovecraft’s cult horror short stories and the ensuing mythos by other authors, landed last week to mixed reviews. However, Cyanide Studio’s latest love letter to Lovecraft is one of the best descents into the realms of madness I’ve seen in a video game. The narrative revolves around the character of freelance detective Edward Pierce, as you investigate the death of the wealthy Hawkins family on the forgotten island of Darkwater in 1924. Although not everything is as it seems. This becomes obvious very quickly as you uncover the dark and hideous motives of almost every character you come across, whilst vying to ensure Pierce’s mind stays stable. Your fight to understand what is real and what is being fed to you by some other, unknowable force is not only a struggle for Pierce, but for the player too. You will often get swept up in visions and illusions simply by looking at books filled with knowledge so horrifying they could send Pierce over the edge. As far as the RPG elements of the game go, they stay pretty true to the genre: earning character points, or CPs in order to rank up various helpful skills such as the famous “spot hidden” from the tabletop RPG, and others such as “investigation” and “strength”. These help in dia-
logue and when finding in-game objects to unlock more information and further unravel clues to the mystery. Though it could definitely be said that some of the skills are more important than others by a long way - “strength”, for example, is a skill rarely used, whilst the detective’s “investigation” abilities are very worthwhile.
You uncover the dark and hideous motives of almost every character you come across
The game does, however, fall down slightly in terms of its non-cinematic graphical quality. The NPC animations, especially facial animations during dialogue, look very dated and it’s obvious the majority of the budget was spent on the more intense and compelling cinematic moments. However jarring the graphical quality can be at times, the game more that makes up for this in its adherence to the Lovecraftian atmosphere and canon. It combines the mystery and cosmological horror of incomprehensible entities perfectly. Every slight nod to the mythos, a slight mention of Azathoth here and there, the use of cultish
languages and elder signs, all signal that small details were a very imp o r t a nt part of development. They certainly make y o u feel like you are in a true Lovecraftian horror story from the get go.
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Image: IGDB
Alex Darbyshire covers the highlight of Halloween (and the latest bad news for Fallout fans)
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which was re-released in HD for Playstation 4 and Xbox One in 2016. This shows us that Capcom once again cannot resist throwing their well loved titles onto modern platforms. A strategy that, due to usually low price points for these remasters, has remained popular in recent years. An additional pull to fans is the unique position that the Switch holds as a portable, high definition console. Expect a few zealous fans around campus, shooting zombies in the library whilst they should be finishing an assignment,
Image: IGDB
but with games of this quality (and at this price) who can blame them? It’s not all good news for the Switch, unfortunately, as Bethesda have announced that Fallout 76 will not be coming to the platform. In seeming contradiction with previous positions regarding the Switch, Bethesda vice president Pete Hines has stated that the November blockbuster will not be landing on Nintendo’s platform.
Playing Resident Evil 4 anytime, anywhere is exciting to say the least
Bethesda has previously been a flagship third party publisher for the Switch, with releases such as DOOM, Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus and Skyrim gracing the Switch in its earliest months. The gaming giant has undoubtedly had a large hand in building a healthy library for Nintendo’s console. So why the sudden change in direction? Well, Hines has cited hardware limitations as being the main factor keeping 76 off of the Switch. Yet while this may be initially disconcerting for Switch players, with rumours of a Nintendo Switch Pro on the horizon all hope may not be lost.
The Vatican launches a Pokémon Go clone Haaris Qureshi wonders whether Pope Francis could even catch 'em all... I t’s been just over two years since Pokémon Go was released to mixed reviews, but nevertheless popularising the concept of augmened reality location-based games. Niantic are planning on releasing a follow-up in the form of Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, but in the meantime several developers have released their own clones, including ones based on Jurassic World, Ghostbusters, and Garfield.
I guess that they chickened out of naming it the far superior Popémon Go
But a new challenger approaches, in the form of the perhaps not so eloquently named Follow JC Go (I guess that they chickened out of naming it the far superior Popémon Go). Developed by evangelisation foundation Fundación Ramón Pané, this clone has you recruit saints, Biblical figures, and other religious personages to your ‘Evangelization Team’ (also known as your ‘eTeam’, because presumably the devs don’t understand what the prefix ‘e-‘ stands for, nor the power of pop references to The A Team). Instead of throwing balls which imprison your captee in a small metal sphere, which understandably might be a bit inappropriate when you’re
After the surprise release of Deltarune, Jack Coles looks at Toby Fox's breakout hit t’s difficult being a white male with a contentious opinion. Merely voicing it provokes annoyed braying from the vocal majority, but for what it’s worth I think scientists should rule the world, Italian food is better than French food, trebles are just awful, and Undertale is the most overrated piece of media since The Beatles. Undertale isn’t bad, let me just say that right away - it’s just a bit of a mixed bag. Let me rattle off the bits that I like so we can get to the fun, sardonic bits: I like the music, although the sound quality’s a little low; the little twists in the gameplay are fun and inventive; and the writing is generally solid.
Resi coming to Switch, Fallout is not orror fans all over the world rejoiced as Capcom announced that the original Resident Evil remake -Resident Evil 0 - and Resident Evil 4 are coming to Switch. Despite giving a fairly nebulous date of some time in 2019, the thought of playing classics such as Resident Evil 4 anytime, anywhere is titillating to say the least. This trio of Capcom classics have all been remastered in recent years, with the most recent being Resident Evil 4,
Autopsy: Undertale
faced with St. Francis, one must answer a question of trivia to successfully add that person to your collection. The game also allows one to donate to churches they are in the vicinity of, while being prompted to make a prayer. With the blessing of the Vatican itself, it looks like Follow JC Go can avoid the variety of technical issues which plagued Pokémon Go during its launch. The game is available internationally and I have actually downloaded the game myself to give it a go. Unfortunately, my ability to fully enjoy the wonders of being questioned by religious icons in return for a digital copy of themselves is hampered by the game currently only being available in Spanish. The developers have promised that an English version is incoming, so if you feel like you need to get back in touch with your faith through the means of a mobile AR video game, Images: flickr (@ Catholic Church England and Wales) & PublicDomainPictures you know where to look.
Image: IGDB
Now for the bad parts. Which one shall we go for? Well, the gameplay is a fat, juicy target. It’s… not great. The idea works on paper; avoiding attacks with little bullet-hell minigames while trying to either kill the enemies or make them go away somehow. In practice, it means that two enemies will combine their attacks to make a clusterfuck that goes one step beyond chaos theory. Other bugbears mount up. It uses pixel graphics, which give me a headache, and the fact that they’re in black and white half the time does nothing to alleviate this. The final boss’ appearance and attacks literally made me feel nauseous. Additionally, backtracking to buy healing items or talk to NPCs is a chore because your character moves like a snail going to a French abattoir. I don’t care if your game is as deep as an ocean if I’m navigating it with concrete overshoes.
Undertale's UI sucks more balls than a bubble tea enthusiast
And oh my fucking lord, the user interface. Yes, I’m reviewing user interface. Not really something most critics do since it’s largely just there but it takes something spectacularly bad for it to get a mention. And Undertale’s UI sucks more balls than a bubble tea enthusiast. There are no tooltips, the character information is practically useless, and there’s no way of easily comparing armour and weapons. It’s just awful to navigate. Perhaps my biggest issue with the game is that the joke setup is a bit wonky. How these things usually go is that you spend a bit of time establishing a core idea before knocking it over and making hooting noises. This happens half the time in Undertale.
Image: IGDB
At other times, the joke is ready and standing as soon as you arrive before it gets knocked over, such as one segment at the very beginning which is clearly meant as a Pokémon parody. If you’ve played Pokémon before, it’d probably work. Personally, I’ve only played half an hour of one of those games, so it had the air of one of your friends telling you an in-joke from their days at primary school and then getting huffy when you didn’t find it hilarious. I suppose what I’m saying is that Undertale has some nice ideas, but these are executed badly, like Archimedes was.
selzzup 38
One to nines at the ready, Sudoku’s coming home
finally editor, they’re but anyway for tiques, comments please email the. com We like to kee things we only take written we may not take them triarch (and supreme really cares) Be the change you PZLZ page, isn’t a
Hi guys,
found an like whatever, any queries, criand conundrums courier.puzzluzz@gmail. informal here at pzzzzlz but complaints, and even then seriously: respect the maoverlord but like who want to see in the but, like this democracy.
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the courier
Monday 12 November 2018
Puzzles Supreme Overlord Sudoku Puzzle Matriarch Rihanna Puzzles Editor Sudoku Sudoku Sudoku Hangover Sudoku Level of Hysteria Sudoku the.courier.puzzluzz@gmail.com
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I want them grrrreen!!!
Courier Catchphrase
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See if you can guess (catch) the common idioms (phrases) shown in these picture combos?
CROSSWORD
Clue Suede Clues
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Across
2 Deep fried batter (7) 4 Cold soup (8) 5 Frederic Garcia _ _ _ _ _, play-write (5) 7 Painter in Court of Philip IV (9) 8 Catherine of _ _ _ _ _ _ (6) 13 Spanish rice dish (6) 14 Lobster phones// Dripy clocks (4) 16 Painter, ‘The Greek’ (2, 5) 17 Author of Don Quixote, Miguel de _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (9) 18 Architect responsible for the state of Barcelona (5) 19 Surrealiest film, Un Chien _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (7) 20 Bull-fighter (7) 18 21 Pablo (7)
Down
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1 Capital of the Caliphate ruliing Al-Andalus (7) 3 Spanish Designer (10) 6 Bird Island (6) 9 Capital of Spain (6) 10 Opera set in Spain (6) 11 Traditional Spanish Dance (8) 12 Small-plates of food (5) 14 Wine Cocktail (7) 15 Spanish Omlette (8)
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Find that Rihanna If you couldn’t find her, you were not trying hard enough, have some respect guys.
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Last Week’s Solutions Crossword Across
Down
3 Crumbs
1 Deosit
6 Microwave
2 Guacamole
10 Old Blue Tack
3 Choas
13 Pineapple
4 Neopolitan
14 SORRY GUYS,
5 Tupperware
WHO KNOWS...
7 Vinagrette
15 Vienetta
8 LOL Sorry again,
16 Charcoal
guys
17 Maelstrom
9 Pigsty
18 Wind
11 Baked Beans
19 Disarray
12 Storage 15 Vortex 20 Ikea
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sport
Monday 12 November 2018
No shoes, no shirt, no service
Ollie Pearce and Jimmy Athey discuss the controversy around the booking of Leicester’s Demarai Gray Ollie Pearce
The build-up to the most recent set of Premier League fixtures was overshadowed by the tragic death of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, alongside four others in a helicopter crash outside the King Power stadium. Nevertheless, Leicester’s match against Cardiff went ahead. In the 55th minute forward Demarai Gray tucked the ball away giving the Foxes the lead, provoking frenzied celebrations amongst both travelling supporters and playing staff. Gray removed his top to reveal the message ‘For Khun Vichai’ emblazoned upon his undershirt, a fitting and inoffensive tribute to the man who had contributed so much to the club and the city of as a whole. However, as the Leicester City players trotted back to their own half, referee Lee Probert showed Gray a yellow card for the removal of his shirt- a cautionable offence. Reactions have ranged from the righteous indignation of, Good Morning Britain anchor, Piers Morgan labelling Probert a ‘bloody disgrace’, to those who felt the referee had been right to follow the letter of the law. In truth both responses perhaps missed the mark. The controversy stems from a clause under Law 12 of the IFAB Laws of the Game which reads a player must be cautioned for ‘removing the shirt or covering the head with the shirt’. FIFA justified introducing the ruling in 2004 claiming ‘removing one’s shirt after scoring is unnecessary and players should avoid such excessive displays of joy’. As a wider point I find it interesting that the ‘powers that be’ find a footballer’s bare torso so intolerably offensive yet see no issue with nine out of 20 Premier League sides advertising gambling sites on their shirts this season. However, football is a game fuelled by passion, emotion and feeling. By attempting to regulate what does and does not constitute ‘excessive displays of joy’ football lawmakers are overstepping their remit and setting
a dangerous precedent. To claim the act of removing one’s shirt is, without context, a bookable offence fails to take into account any situational factors. In the case of Leicester City, Gray’s goal celebration was an act of remembrance not excess. There seems to be a great hypocrisy in the lengths the FA go to in insisting the poppy is a symbol of remembrance that holds no political message. Yet at the same time, by definition labels Leicester City’s unambiguous act of remembrance as ‘excessive’. By attempting to prescribe a universal code of conduct, the laws in this case create more controversy and distracts from the real tragedy. Probert was put in a situation where he forced to caution the player as obligated by the law. However, on an issue where there is clearly such vagueness as to the motivations and intentions for removing the shirt, it seems wrong to legislate. As Dickens’ puts it ‘if the law supposes that…. the law is a ass’.
Jimmy Athey Film Editor Even with the hefty football fixtures such as Arsenal versus Liverpool, perhaps the most important match of the weekend was Cardiff versus Leicester; a match that does not scream importance to neutrals, but with the passing of Leicester’s beloved owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha it became an event of all football fans to pay tribute to those who tragically died in a helicopter crash on 27th October. But the day did not escape controversy, with Lee Probert booking Demarai Gray for taking off his shirt when celebrating the game’s only goal, but Gray had on his underarmour ‘For Khun Vichai’ so the question remains why should Gray get booked on such a special occasion? The argument has caused nationwide discussion, bringing the rules of the game in to the spotlight with people across social media criticised the referees use of his yellow card.
Unfortunately, the Premier League’s refereeing has been what can only be described as abysmal for many years and with the likes of this happening it only illustrates the incompetence that some show. Lee Probert had a shocking game overall – missing a clear goal-line handball from Sol Bamba – and did not make anything better when showing Demarai Gray the yellow card. His reasoning for the yellow card may have been a way of making up for his mistake on the handball to the eyes of his employers, and if true has once again been a poor decision. We must remember also that players get fined for red and yellow cards, even if the fine is minimal compared to the players earning £50k or more a week. The referee was only following rules, as FIFA state that cannot remove your shirt when celebrating and players receive yellow cards for taking off their shirt almost regularly, but as it’s such a special occasion I feel like the rules should have wiggle room, and the referee should have noticed the touching tribute that Gray and possibly many other players had under their shirts.
The referee was only following the rules, as FIFA state that a player cannot remove their shirt when celebrating
In any case, the controversy is trivial when looking at the bigger picture. After a harrowing week for the people of Leicester football club and its city, the fact that Demarai Gray received a yellow card is not the reason we should be discussing Saturdays game. It was a game of remembrance, a game of tribute to Vichai and the four other people who lost their lives, and Saturday was a great reminder of how football can unite people in such unfortunate times.
Demarai Gray was booked for taking his shirt off to reveal a tribute to the late Leicester City owner Image: Wikimedia Commons
Who do they think they are?
Jack Smillie and Sesha Subramanian consider sporting stars who have switched national allegiances
Jack Smillie
Despite the opprobrium, the issue of sportsmen and women changing national allegiances has recently been cast high in the public eye. All this has begged the question, is playing for various national sides acceptable? Well, in short, yes it can be. When Gareth Southgate and co showed interest in Declan Rice, we learnt a considerable amount about both Southgate’s ruthless streak, but also how the
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The number of French players in the 23-man World Cup winning squad who come from a migrant family background
France victorious in 2018 Image: Wikimedia Commons
public at large hold national allegiance changes with considerable contempt. Despite being born in London and benefiting exclusively from the English footballing system, since youth level Rice has been representing the place of his father’s parents’ birth, Ireland. It’s important to re-
The public at large hold national allegiance changes with considerable contempt
member that Rice hasn’t played a competitive game for the senior Ireland squad yet so thus far has not contravened any FIFA rules. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with Rice selecting his nation of choice upon becoming of age, when he was younger he may have felt a stronger allegiance to his family’s heritage than his place of birth. But who should blame Rice if he now feels more English than Irish? Aside from Rice, deciding which national football team you wish to represent can be a problem for any player with a migrant family background; this is a situation which very few of us are ever go-
ing to experience. After all, what does it even mean when to be ‘fully’ English? Take the German and French national teams as examples. Of the 23-man World Cup winning French squad, a whopping 17 came from a migrant family background. The German team is living proof of how immigrants can be integrated into society through sport. Whilst Rice is ostensibly choosing England ahead of Ireland, Fulham’s dynamic captain, Tom Cairney, is yet to decide between the land of his birth, England, and Scotland, his father’s country. Having represented Scotland at youth level and in senior friendly matches, Cairney is in a similar situation to Rice. Perhaps us England fans may be biased, knowing that Cairney’s precision passing could be a great improvement to our national side’s midfield. Indeed, the England interest in Cairney resulted in Alex McLeish admitting Scotland are “vulnerable” to “English raids”. Unlike Rice, Cairney’s not at the early stages of his career. A change of national allegiance now could be seen as a tactical career move, possibly with an aim to further his career. It may be hard to ever truly believe their newfound passion for England. But, would this necessarily be a bad thing? I don’t think so. Whilst international football should ar-
guably be about pride, players like Cairney and Rice - who are both being left out of the Scotland and Ireland squads respectively - could greatly bolster our national side and improve our chances of ending those awful 52 years of hurt. Some say that changing allegiances is akin to a cardinal sin, but in reality this seems little more than a gross hyperbole.
Sesha Subramanian Born in Lagarto, Brazil, Diego Costa – the current Atletico Madrid striker – it would have been natural for him to don the famous yellow and blue of the Seleccao. Indeed, when Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari called him up for two friendlies in London against Italy and Russia, it looked like he was set for a stellar career for his birth nation.
In 2013 Costa declared publicly his intention to play for Spain
However, in September 2013, The Royal Spanish Football Federation submitted
a request to FIFA to call up Costa for the Spanish team and on October 29th, 2013, he declared publicly his intention to play for the country whose nationality he was granted in July of that year. The move did not go down too well with the Brazilians as Scolari said, ““A Brazilian player who refuses to wear the shirt of the Brazilian national team and compete in a World Cup in your country is automatically withdrawn. He is turning his back on a dream of millions, to represent our national team, the fivetime champions in a World Cup in Brazil.” Costa made his Spain debut against Italy
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The number of appearances Costa has made for Spain
in March 2014 at his club home ground, The Vicente Calderon and scored his first goal for Spain against Luxembourg in a 4-0 Euro 2016 Qualifying win away from home. Till date he has made 24 appearances and scored 10 goals for Spain in all matches and was a key player for the Spaniards in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
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sport
Monday 12 November 2018
Sibling sacrifices and family face-offs Our sports writers take a look at some of the siblings and families who have made their mark in sport in time
Family in football By Josh Gregory
Family ties in football are not all that uncommon; and you can find numerous examples littered through the history of the Premier League. Arsenal Legend Ian Wright and sons Shaun and Bradley Wright-Phillips have all enjoyed time with some of top teams in England, Peter Schmeichel and son Kasper have both held the Premier League trophy aloft and the Ferdinand dynasty of Les and his cousins Rio and Anton all enjoyed premier league careers (with varying degrees of success). In more recent years the brothers Hazard, Eden and Kylian have all spent time with Chelsea; as well as twins Fabio and Rafael Da Silva both spending time at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson. Another set of twins, Steven and Ryan Sessègnon currently grace the Premier League, following in the footsteps
Tom and Sam Curran By Stanley Gilyead After becoming the first brothers in nearly 70 years to take all 10 wickets in a County Championship innings, Surrey bowlers Tom and Sam Curran have become only the 6th set of brothers to play in the same England side. Younger brother Sam marked his arrival on the test scene this summer with a man of the series performance against India, whilst Tom has been terrifying batsman with his 90mph pace bowling for 18 months as part of the England limited over squad.
Alistair and Jonny Brownlee By Rebecca Johnson Arguably one of the most well known pair of sporting siblings in the UK, Alistair and Jonny Brownlee are the triathletes who hail from Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. The Brownlee brothers have competed in various triathlons together across the world. The Brownlee mantlepiece is completely covered in medals and trophies. Looking at
of their cousin Stéphane; and of course who could forget the Ivorian institution of the Toure brothers Yaya and Kolo? Family members meeting on the pitch representing different clubs is a slightly rarer incident, but still not unheard of. Phil and Gary Neville enjoyed the best of their playing days together at Old Trafford but faced off against each other multiple times following Phil’s transfer to Everton. Andre and Jordan Ayew briefly shared a dressing room at Swansea, although famously both brothers scored when their sides met in 2015 whilst Jordan was at Aston villa. Alesser-knownmeetingofcousinsoccurred when Mark Viduka and Luka Modric went head to head in 2008 when Viduka’s Newcastle beat a Tottenham side including cousin Luka. Who knew those two were related?! Although family connections occur relatively frequently in the world of football, occasions of 3 family members sharing the same pitch, let alone 3 brothers, are far more rare. However this once-in-
a-blue-moon event occurred in a meeting of Arsenal and Manchester United’s Under-23 squads back in May 2017. The Willock brothers, Joe (19), Christopher (20) and Matthew (22) were all present on the Emirates turf simultaneously following Joe’s introduction at the start of the second half, making history in the process. Matthew helped his team fight back from 2-0 down to achieve a draw against his brothers’ Arsenal side. All three brothers were previously part of Arsenal’s renowned youth academy before Matthew was released at the age of 15, who then joined Manchester United after trials at Reading and Sunderland. The only other instance of three brothers playing in the same game was when brothers Danny, Rod and Ray all turned out for Southampton against Sheffield Wednesday in 1988; 35 years prior to the Willock’s game in 2017. The Willocks, particularly Joe and Christopher, look like exciting prospects and are tipped for exciting careers; so remember the name, or names for that matter.
The pair come from good cricketing stock, their father Kevin was a leading Zimbabwean all-rounder throughout the 1980s and brother Ben is a batsman at Northamptonshire. Graduates of the successful Surrey academy the pair rose through the ranks before Tom made his first team debut in 2013. Sam followed in his footsteps in 2015, becoming Surrey’s second youngest first class cricketer. The pair have since become a regular fixture opening the bowling, both taking over 100 County Championship wickets, winning the cricket writer’s club young player of the year and helping Surrey storm to a runaway 2018 County Championship title.
Whilst Tom is the older and more developed cricketer, able to bowl much faster than his brother’s left arm seam, Sam has set himself apart with his batting ability. Having scored 13 first class half centuries he impressed on his test debut with a composed 63 to help his team out of a sticky situation following a mid-order collapse, before top scoring in his second test with an innings of 78. Still only 20 and 23 the brothers have time to improve, and with England openers Anderson and Broad expected to retire in the next few years they will be hoping to cement their place in the test side and become replacements for the two England greats.
the stats and awards from the last few years, the Brownlees have dominated the triathlon in various competitions, with the pair of them usually featuring somewhere in the top three. Although it does appear that Alistair has one up on his younger brother, with two Olympic golds and two Commonwealth golds. That doesn’t mean to say Jonny hasn’t had his own successes, he’s won Olympic bronze and silver and has a gold and two silvers from the Commonwealth games. The Yorkshire pair may dominate the tri-
athlon but they also made global news in the World Triathlon series in 2016 when Alistair helped Jonny cross the finish line. Jonny was ahead of Alistair when fatigue hit and he started stumbling. As Alistair got closer, he appears to mouth “f**king hell” and hoists his brother’s arm around his shoulder and jogs with him before pushing him over the finish line. In an act of brotherly compassion, Alastair gave up his chance to win gold to help his brother out. I hope my sister is taking note here.
Women’s sport on the rise
Sports Editor Rebecca Johnson explains why the recent funding for England netball is a step forward for the professionalism of women’s sport
It has recently been announced that the England netball team have been given assured funding which would allow the team to continue playing beyond 2019. Earlier this year the Chief Executive of England netball Joanna Adams expressed concerns about funding allocations, with the possibility that the national team would not be able to continue beyond 2019. However, it was announced that there would be a threeyear partnership with their current sponsors Vitality which would ease the pressure for England netball, especially as Liverpool are hosting the 2019 netball World Cup. The funding allocation itself says a lot about how women’s sport is being taken more seriously. Netball is now creeping out of the shadows to become a professional sport. It comes as no surprise that women’s netball is following in the footsteps of other growing women’s sport, like football and cricket. Just take the women’s football for example. England Lionesses have soared with the right backing. In the 2017 Euro’s they reached the semi finals only to be knocked out by hosts the Netherlands. In the 2015 World Cup they reached the semi-finals but were knocked out by Japan. It just goes to show that with the right support a lot can be achieved. The
England Netball are currently ranked second in the world Image: Wikimedia Commons
Lionesses are currently third in the FIFA World Rankings, again illustrating this point. The funding for England netball is a fantastic thing to see. Although England have always had a netball team who have done well, it’s arguable to say netball has had a meteoric rise in recent years under the stewardship of Tracey Neville. The England netball team have done fantastically well in recent years. As of June 2018 they are ranked second in the world for the sport, only behind Australia. The England sides have proven their capa-
bilities as they beat the Aussies in May 2018 to become Commonwealth champions. This funding is the first stage towards England netball becoming a professional sport, like football and cricket have done. Australia Netball are ahead of the game, with the foundation of the netball league “Suncorp Super Netball” which has eight paid teams competing. Although England have the Vitality Superleague, hopefully this recent bit of funding can give the team a push towards Australia’s model.
The Brownlee Brothers became household names in 2012 Image: Flickr: sunofmarc
A lengthy World Series Dominic Lee With at least 18 innings of Baseball left to play, the Boston Red Sox sealed their ninth World Series title on October 29th with a 5-1 win in game 5 over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The victory capped off a season where the Sox were the best team in baseball pretty much all the way through, finishing with a 108-54 record; the best in the Major Leagues. The Red Sox were dominant throughout the series with the Dodgers largely due to stellar pitching from starter David Price, who pitched 6 innings in Game 2 allowing only 2 runs in a 4-2 victory for Boston. However, the real hero for the Sox was World Series MVP Steve Pearce- a midseason acquisition from the Toronto Blue Jaysas the first-baseman finished the series with 4 hits in 12 at bats, 3 home runs and 8 RunsBatted-In. Red Sox stars Mookie Betts and J.D. Martinez were also integral to Boston’s victory, with both earning league MVP nods. Nonetheless, the stars on the field were not the biggest names in the stadium in game 5 Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, stars of Good Will Hunting, supporting their home team Boston while talk show host, and long-time nemesis of Damon, Jimmy Kimmel cheered on the Dodgers. The Sox most recent World Series championship prior to this year was 2013. How-
ever, the same cannot be said for the Dodgers whose most recent championship victory came all the way back in 1988, pretty poor for one of the richest teams in baseball, and back to back losses to the Astros and Red Sox respectively in 2017 and 2018 only made the pain worse. Yet, I can’t help feel like LA deserved to lose this one, using underhand tactics in the previous series against my Milwaukee Brewers, bearing in mind I’m probably going to be biased here. Dodgers main man, Manny Machado deliberately stamped on Brewers first baseman Jesus Aguilar’s ankle while being run out at first and yes, I am a sad Brewers fan but that’s just downright cheating!
7
The number of hours Game Three took, the longest ever World Series Game.
Boston on the other hand won fair and square beating the Dodgers 4-1 in the series and though it ended 2 games early the series was not without memorable moments. Game 3 was the longest ever World Series game lasting 7 hours and 20 minutes long. As much as I like a ballgame I think even I might have got a bit restless during that one! Yet, this series will not be remembered as lengthy in its entirety, what will be remembered instead was a dominant victory in a dominant season at Fenway for the Boston Red Sox.
the courier
42
sport
Monday 12 November 2018
Pettitt Talks: What even is a sport?
Goal line, scoreline, finish line; lines have the final say throughout sport, but when drawing the line between what is or isn’t a sport, where do we start? Former AU Officer Clara Pettitt discusses...
How do you define sport? That ambiguous question that just seems to have no definite answer. I debated this topic a lot last year when deciding if a student-run organisation should be a club or society, the initial response being quite certain and final decision being quite the opposite.
We could go on forever naming childhood games like Ludo, Scrabble and Chinese Whispers sports
Some may immediately think that sport is a competitive physical activity, but definitions vary from place to place and seems to be subjective to the situation. I recently spoke to an avid sportsperson who stated that it is
‘anything where there is competition and the object of the exercise is to win’. However, the Google dictionary states it is: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.” These are very different definitions that could lead to very different activities being labelled as sports. Going with the first definition, both bowling and chess would be classed as sports. This is not unheard of as both have gained Olympic recognition by the IOC, however they are not competing sports in the Olympic Games. I’m sure many would argue that chess does not require physical exertion but since it is competitive it seems to have been given sporting status via various organisations recently. To me this is something that I think needs a bit of control, we could go on forever naming childhood games like Ludo, Scrabble and Chinese Whispers sports, just because they
have a competitive aspect. It seems perfectly fine for these games to have international
Since the modern Olympics began we have seen the disappearance of croquet, polo, lacrosse and motor boating
competitions if there is demand for them, but should they be defined as a sport? And then there is the question of what makes an Olympic sport, why has the IOC chosen certain sports to appear in what many may call the greatest international multi sporting competition of all time? Is it their demand, their tradition and their excitement
or is it because they are skilled physical activities? One could argue that shooting does not require physical exertion whilst endurance running doesn’t require much skill but both have been included in the competitive programme. We are seeing more and more sports added to the Olympic programme each year but also the removal of several. Since the modern Olympics we have seen the disappearance of croquet, polo, lacrosse and motor boating whilst in 2020 we will see the introduction of baseball (returned), karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing. The undefined nature seems to cause controversy and debate and definitely did so last year when I was deciding if clubs should be a club or society. One approach was to follow Sport England’s set of recognised sports but this would leave many martial arts unclassified when they are in fact recognised by BUCS. The other option was to follow BUCS sports, but again there are many sports that are not in BUCS that are quite obviously
sports such as Ice Hockey and Dodgeball. In conclusion it seems that many different organisations have their choice as to which sports are significant for their programme and which aren’t. Of course there is no overarching decision that needs to be made, it is only a word at the end of the day and you can interpret it however you want. But it is something that has been loosely defined for years.
Want to compete in surfing at the 2020 Olympics? Check out the surf forecast on p39 for a heads up on when you can train!
Hardly Athletic head to victory against Borussia Modernlangbach Are last year’s underdogs actually more athletic than we may have thought? INTRA MURAL FOOTBALL 11s
Hardly Athletic 2 Modernlangbach 0
Tom Smith at Longbenton
Hardly Athletic edged past Borussia Modernlangbach with a 2-0 win on Saturday afternoon at Longbenton, moving them up to third in Division 3, whilst the Languages boys slipped down to sixth.
chance to regroup and make tactical changes, and it Borussia who started the second 45 looking more likely to score. However, Athletic’s Sam Dawson found himself with the ball on the left flank after a quick break forward and thumped a cross-shot into the mixer that, to the surprise of every player on the pitch, snuck underneath the crossbar and
Sam Dawson found himself with the ball on the left flank and thumped a cross-shot into the mixer
After a fairly even start to the tie, Hardly opened the scoring when Jay Layfield caught the end of a cross from the right and produced a Van Persie-esque looping header. This left Modernlangbach goalkeeper Harry Gadd with no chance of averting the ball’s fate. Borussia started to press in search of an equaliser and came nail-bitingly close just before the break when winger Ross Miller fired inches wide from close range. The half-time whistle gave both teams a INTRA MURAL Football 11s 3rd division
Pld
W
D
L
Pts
1 Mech Eng 11s
4
3
0
1
9
2 SS Ladzio
3
2
1
0
7
3 Hardly Athletic
3
2
0
1
6
4 ACS Tigers
3
1
1
1
4
5 Combined hons
2
1
1
0
3
6 Modernlangbach
3
1
0
2
3
7 CompSci FC
4
0
0
4
0
Hardly manager, Dan Haygarth attends all of his team’s matches. Image: Harry Parsons
nestled in the back of the net. Modernlangbach refused to be disheartened and were determined to find a way back into the matchup. Midfielder Sam Davey managed to direct a header goalwards following a Borussia corner, but Hardly goalkeeper Wanlai Liu pulled out a fantastic save to keep his clean sheet intact.
Midfielder Thomas Smith then whistled a free-kick just over the bar before striker Edd Owen tapped wide following a goalmouth scramble. In the end, it just wasn’t the Languages boys’ day and Athletic managed to close out the feisty encounter with some solid defending. Overall, lots of positives can be taken from
Borussia’s, who were missing a number of key players on the day, performance and they will look to bounce back next Saturday against ACS Tigers. Hardly will hope to continue their strong form when they face Combined Hons on the same day.
the courier
43
sport
Monday 12 November 2018
Newcastle lacrosse net pole position Men’s first lacrosse were a cut above Sheffield last Wesnesday at rainy Longbenton with a score of 15 to 2 against Sheffield
MEN’S LACROSSE
Newcastle 1sts 15 2 Sheffield 1sts
Jack Clohessy at Longbenton
With an excellent team performance on a cold rainy night, men’s lacrosse beat title rivals University of Sheffield 15-2 to claim table-top position.
12.3
seconds, the nickname of Newcastle player, Joe Chartres
George Drurey won the opening face-off which lead to a Newcastle barrage on the Sheffield goal without end product. Luke ‘Rambo’ Ramsbottom and Nick ‘The Champ’ Beauchamp both had good chances but some good goalkeeping kept them out. The deadlock finally broken by a classic Drurey goal getting around the hapless defender for an easy one-on-one with the keeper. After some unsportsmanlike words from the Sheffield defence, Patrick ‘Patrice’ Kearney turned on the style to assist Frankie Lees for his third goal of the season. Any possession Sheffield had lacked threat as they were shut down by the watertight Newcastle defence, Jack Clohessy having to make the occasional routine save.
In what is possibly the greatest goal ever scored, Rambo took a low pass and pirouetted around several stationary defenders before lashing the ball home
The second quarter produced much of the same with Sheffield coming up with little to answer the Newcastle offense. In what is possibly the greatest goal ever scored, Rambo took a low pass and pirouetted around several stationary defenders before lashing the ball home facing the wrong way and shoot-
ing over his own head. Cheers from the crowd echoed around the colosseum that is Longbenton as Jasper Piper opened his goal scoring tally for the season. Just like buses a second came soon after with a sumptuous fast break culminating in Jasper unleashing an underarm cannon leaving the Sheffield keeper out of ideas, luck, and dignity. Despite the first half schooling on how to play lacrosse, Sheffield came out of half time with plucky spirit managing to bag two goals in quick succession from the face-off. Drurey decided that he had done his bit for charity and won the next face-off stopping any sort of Sheffield comeback in its tracks. Back on top Newcastle scored a few more with Joe ’12.3 seconds’ Chartres burning the entire Sheffield midfield for pace and ‘The Champ’ scoring yet another scorching outside shot.
A huge moment for Michael Barbato in achieving what he described as his “lifelong ambition” to have his ear pierced
The fourth quarter was all about damage limitation for Sheffield. With a 10-2 deficit they couldn’t keep a lid on it. Newcastle twisted the screw to cap off a near perfect game, bombarding the keeper with a late flurry of goals from Nick ‘The Champ’ Beachamp, Luke ‘Rambo’ Ramsbottom and Drurey. Honourable mention to the defence who silenced any Sheffield attacks. Man of the match went to Jasper Piper for breaking his four game duck and bagging two goals. And a special mention to Michael Barbato our Loyola native, having been in the country two months has had his ear pierced, a huge moment for him in achieving what he described BUCS Men’sLacrosse Northern 1A
Pld
W
D
L
GD Pts
1 Newcastle 1st
5
4
0
1
48 12
2 Sheffield 1sts
6
4
0
2
40 12
3 MMU 1sts
3
3
0
0
27
9
4 York 1sts
5
2
0
3
-9
6
5 Lancaster 1sts
3
0
0
3
-12
0
6 Northumbria 1sts
4
0
0
4
-94
0
FOOTBALL
BUCS RESULTS
BADMINTON
M1 v Sheffielh hallam 2nds W1 v Birmingham 1sts W2 v Sheffield 1sts
BASKETBALL
M1 v Northumbria 1sts M2 v Bradford 1sts M3 v Salford 1sts W1 v Northumbria 1sts
FENCING
M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v Lancaster 1sts W1 v Liverpool 1sts W2 v Lancaster 1sts
8-0 4-4 4-4 69-90 62-57 56-87 54-67 93-135 50-135 94-135 51-135
M1 v Leeds Beckett 1sts M2 v Manchester Met 3rds M3 v Cumbria 1sts W1 v UCFB (Etihad) 1sts W2 v Leeds Beckett 2nds
GOLF
Mix1 v Durham 2nds Mix2 v Hull 1sts
HOCKEY
M1 v Manchester 1sts M3 v Sheffield 4ths W1 v Leeds 1sts W2 v Durham 4ths W3 v Edge Hill 1sts W4 v Sheffield 4ths
LACROSSE
M1 v Sheffield 1sts W1 v Durham 2nds W2 v Leeds 2nds W3 v Manchester 2nds
6-1 5-1 3-1 2-0 1-11 4.5-1.5 4.5-1.5 1-0 7-0 1-0 0-2 2-2 3-3 15-2 16-9 9-12 3-7
Number 2 chose a white and yellow theme to complement his Newcastle kit. Image: Jack Clohessy
NETBALL
W1 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts W2 v Leeds 3rds W3 v Durham 2nds W4 v Lancaster 1sts
59-47 56-42 25-40 35-38
RUGBY UNION
M1 v Leedws 1sts 22-3 M2 v Manchester Met 1sts 19-14 M3 v Hull 1sts 15-12 M4 v LJMU 1sts Ncl Walkover M5 v Salford 1sts 24-7 W1 v Edinburgh 1sts 12-50 W2 v Liverpool Hope 1sts 10-10
SQUASH
M2 v Manchester 1sts M3 v Bradford 1sts M4 v Liverpool 3rd W1 v Durham 2nds
RUGBY LEAGUE M1 v Hull 1sts
M1 v Sheffield 2nds
TENNIS
M1 v LJMU 2nds M2 v Durham 5ths W1 v Durham 2nds W2 v Durham 4ths
22-18
15-2 Ncl Walkover 10-2 2-10 0-12
VOLLEYBALL
M1 v Manchester 1sts W1 v Nottingham 1sts W2 v Liverpool 1sts
WATERPOLO 1-4 3-1 Lpl W/o 4-0
OVERALL BUCS POSITION
TABLE TENNIS
M1 v Liverpool 1sts M2 v Manchester 1sts W1 v Manchester 1sts W2 v Manchester Met 1sts
3-0 0-3 7-16 7-16 3-37 4-17 0-26
Pos
University
Pts
9
Cardiff
1365
10
Newcastle ■
1290
11
Nottingham Trent
1141
12
Northumbria
1136
SURF FORECAST
Tynemouth Longsands
Last week brought us some unexpectedly tidey waves, but im afraid bouys and girls, that they’re likely to disappier. Winds are low and the sun will be out, so since we’re all in the same boat, why not keep your stresses at bay and explore some more of Northumberland with your pals whilst we wet for the north sea gods to answer our prayers?
sport the courier
Monday 12 November 2018 Issue 1377 Free @Courier_Sport courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk thecourieronline.co.uk/sport Sport Editors Rebecca Johnson, Harry Parsons, Sydney Isaacs Online Editor Tom Hardwick
Wetter luck next time NUWPC Sports Editor Sydney Isaacs takes a deeper look to understand what went wrong for Newcastle waterpolo last wednesday
WATERPOLO
Newcastle W2 0 Manchester Met W1 26 4 Newcastle W1 Manchester W1 15
3 Newcastle M2 Manchester M1 37 Newcastle M1 7 Liverpool M1 16
Venue: Manchester Aquatics center Newcastle University Water Polo club faced a washout last Wednesday as all four teams had their dreams of victory dampened by some strong opposition. At Manchester Aquatics centre, the women’s first and second teams clashed with Manchester University and Manchester Metropolitan respectively, whilst the Men’s seconds conceded their match due to getting thoroughly rinsed by Manchester firsts and played a friendly. The men’s First team suffered a defeat at home from a hungry Liverpool side.
Women’s 2nds
Kicking off the days events, the women’s second team faced Manchester Metropolitan in a clash that was never going to be plain sailing. The Man Met squad Included five national League players, three of whom have represented GB, making for an intimidating line-up particularly for the three polo fresher’s on the Newcastle team. Despite the fact that their combined water
polo experience could probably be surpassed by your average holiday sports rep, the Newcastle side dived into the pool with optimism. Taking a personal best score the previous Sunday of 23-3 to Lancaster as a sign that they were on the right track, the team believed that a goal difference below 30 was on the cards.
3
The number of players on the Man Met team sheet who have previously played for Great Britain
Just a couple of minutes into the first quarter of the game, Newcastle fresher, Zara Roche conceded an exclusion, and Manchester Met capitalised, scoring their fourth goal. Newcastle pushed back up the pool, but unfortunately for them, Man Met stole the ball for a counter attack. With all the toon’s players in their attacking half of the pool, Man Met attackers had opportunistically hung forwards who were able to win the ball and score. This process repeated some more, resulting in a score of 9-0 at the culmination of the quarter. Although unable to stem the flow of naughty little counters coming from the home side, the Newcastle girls displayed some fantastic defensive work during the quarter, forming an impenetrable arc on multiple occasions. Captain and goalkeeper Sydney Isaacs addressed the team: “I’m absolutely made up with this, it’s the best we’ve ever played!” before coach, Andy Little gave some pointers for the subsequent quarter, along the lines of, “prepare for the counter, it’s better safe than soggy.” The second quarter was played a little more
Ella McCaffrey (center back) excelled in her first ever waterpolo performance for W2s Image: Beth Laidlaw
defensively than the first, with one player hanging back at all times to curb Man Met’s countering capability. But having one less attacking player did not stop Newcastle from progressing forwards and placing the ball in the hand of Ellie Rogers, who’s brilliant attempt was foiled by the irritatingly low cross bar. Newcastle’s defensive play forced Man Met players into shooting from less desirable positions and were under more physical and time pressure than in the first quarter. This meant that Isaacs was able to save more goals which lowered the score-per-quarter average significantly. The half time whistle blew with the score at a respectable 13-0 to Man Met.
Having one less attacking player did not stop Newcastle from progressing forwards and placing the ball in the hand of Ellie Rogers
Shortly into the third quarter, a Man Met exclusion left Newcastle a man up. Newcastle passed the ball between free players to maximise the twenty second advantage before fresher Phoebe Lloyd-Hazel-Greaves made a fantastic effort on goal. The unlucky miss was picked up by the GB goalie, and lobbed over to a man met attacker, who was immediately pressured by Newcastle. Assuming defensive positions, Newcastle made it an impossible fight for Men Met, with Issy Denn-White stealing the ball from their centre forward and safely delivering it to Isaacs. Implementing Man Met’s old trick, Newcastle transported the ball quickly to their attacking half, and where a drive from Katherine Fisher finished with another strong yet unfruitful attempt on goal. Starting the fourth quarter just 22 goals down, the Newcastle girls were feeling the pace, but concentrating on using the clock in their favour, they did not back down. Two more excruciatingly close misses from Fisher and a mere four goals to Man Met later, the game closed. Former NUWPC president Megan ‘Lord of the pool’ Lord commented: “An unflattering score-line but some sterling performances from the girls”. Second year, Denn-White said “I actually enjoyed that”.
Women’s 1sts
Immediately ensuing the efforts of the second team, Newcastle women’s firsts took to the pool. With a comfortable home win of 28-4 against Manchester University already under their belts this season, the firsts were ready for a close away leg. Katherine Fisher claimed the first touch of
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Duff (left) did not let her painful jaw injury interfere with her game play. Image: Sydney Isaacs
the ball, winning the swim-off for Newcastle. The team dominantly moved the ball between players and to Georgia Bosworth, who made her first shot on goal within the initial thirty seconds of the match. Unaccustomed to the alternative goals that Manchester have, Georgia hit the cross bar. An early man-up to Newcastle held promise for the girls, but they were unable to profit, and Manchester took advantage with a counter. Three more Manchester counters, one of which saved incredibly by Jess Newman, bumped the score up for the home side. In the final minutes of the half, Newcastle’s Ellie Sowerby made a drive towards goal culminating in a powerful shot but it was met by the Manchester keeper. A late goal from Manchester closed the quarter at 0-4.
The second quarter began with an easy swim-off win from Charlotte Duff
The second quarter began with an easy swim-off win from Charlotte Duff, who passed the ball out to her team mates. Aggressive gameplay resulted in a steal by Manchester, who launched their attack, and went a man up following the exclusion of Ellie Sowerby. With their player advantage, Manchester made a shot on goal, but Newman again produced a phenomenal save, neutralising their threat. Solid defending allowed Newcastle to hold Manchester off from shooting, using the shot clock to engineer a perfect counter-attack which finished with an inch-too-high shot from captain, So-
phie Sowerby. Another stunning save from Newman rounded off the half; the score table showing an unrepresentative 0-12.
The final segment of the game was the only section where Newcastle were paid for their efforts
The third quarter featured many frustrating chances for Newcastle, but to no avail. Aggression in the pool remained high, with key player, Duff, receiving a nasty kick to the face, but this did not distract Newcastle who exhibited some flawless defensive work, keeping Manchester’s goal increase to a minimum. The final segment of the game was the only one in which Newcastle were paid for their efforts. With four minutes to go in the match, Ellie Sowerby found a space above the Manchester keeper’s head, changing the dynamic of the game. Less than a minute later she attempted a long shot from the wing, but this time missed small gap she aimed for. The game from now on was Newcastle’s, but just not for long enough. Another two goals in quick succession were produced by both the Sowerby sisters, younger sister Ellie delivering the ball neatly into the top left corner of the Manchester goal from the 5 meter line; an impossibility for the goalie to save. In the final seconds of the match Sophie made one last amendment to the scoresheet, to finish the game at 4-15.
P43: LACROSSE TOP THE TABLE Jack Clohessy reports on the men’s firsts win over Sheffield firsts at Longbenton