thecourier thecourieronline.co.uk Lifestyle Real or fake? What christmas tree should you be buying this year Page 12
Arts Editor Alumni Tamsin Daisy Rees discusses her writing success Page 44
Monday 10 December 2018 Issue 1381 Free
Feature Festive snacks fight to the death in the banquet of the ages Pullout page 16
4% turnout in NUS vote The independent voice of Newcastle students
the SU’s referendum on whether or not to rejoin or remain out of the National Union of Students (NUS). Newcastle Students voted to remain out of the NUS, with a 52% majority. However, the turnout for the election did not hit the quorum, the minimum quota of students required to vote, for the result to be binding. This means that the decision will go to the trustee board next week for a final decision. Marioni implied in council that the trustee board should honour the wishes of those students who did vote. 1088 students voted in the election – roughly 4% of Newcastle students. When asked why
he thought the turnout was so low, Marioni said “I think a lot was done to spread awareness in terms of videos and social media”, as well as praising Emma Dawson and Scarlett Rowland, leaders of the Vote Yes and Vote No campaigns respectively. The total social media reach of the campaign was 26,395 and total number of email opens during the campaign reached 28,303. Rowland, leader of the winning Vote No campaign, was disappointed with the result. “Although it was good to hear that the student body had decided to vote against re-joining the NUS, turnout was still disappointing. I hoped that we would hit the quorum of 5%, as I think it is really important for students to get engaged”. Although the campaign had had a reach of over 25,000, it only received 2,880 engagements. Dawson, leader of the Vote Yes campaign stated that the “increase in students voting yes compared to last referendum is really promising”. And speculated that the University’s absence from the NUS for 3 years means “students may have forgotten about the benefits of affiliation” with the NUS. During council, NSR Station manager, Harry Parsons, asked the Sabbatical Officers why voting turnout did not hit the quorum. Marioni stated that he thought the lack of turnout showed a level of apathy towards the NUS among students: “we obviously left the NUS in 2016, when I was in first year. Naturally, the student cohort has moved on and there is a group of students now at the university who have never been at a university that is part of the NUS. Clearly they aren’t inclined to think that the NUS caters to their interests.” Under current Students’ Union protocol, the next NUS referendum will be held in 2021.
Amanda Goh Online Editor
ally tragic incident and Emma’s family are understandably devastated as they look to come to terms with what has happened.”
An 18-year-old killed in a ‘hit-and-run’ in Newcastle was a student from Oldham On Friday 23 November 2018, police received a report of a collision along Wingrove Road North in Fenham. The collision involved an unknown vehicle and Emma Guilbert, a Newcastle University student. Emma was rushed to hospital in life-threatening condition when she was hit by the car which failed to stop at the scene. The ambulance and a trauma car was sent to Fenham Hall Drive where she was taken to RVI after CPR was performed. It was confirmed that she passed away on Monday night. Inspector Ian Cutty, who was overseeing the investigation, stated that: “this is a re-
‘We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the death of such a bright young woman’
Carys Thomas Culture Editor
52% of students who voted voted no to joining the NUS
At a council meeting on the 6th of December, Newcastle University Students’ Union President Raff Marioni announced the results of
‘Although it was good to hear that the student body had decided to vote against re-joining the NUS, turnout was still disappointing’
Scarlett Rowland, Leader of the Vote No campaign
Christmas Special Inside today >>>
Est 1948
Festive foodbanks
The output of foodbanks is expected to be a record high this christmas Comment, page 9
Gift giving guru
Lifestyle have us covered for those frantic last minute purchases and where to find them Lifestyle, page 13
Flops or bops?
Our music writers take us through the best, worst and most controversial christmas songs Music, page 19
2019 Film Preview
What can we expect in the next year on the big screen? Our writers tell us all what to expect Film, page 22
Parties around the world Find out about New Years’ Eve in the big apple and the best christmas market in the world Travel, page 17
Jingle bills
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As Gateshead council announce cuts, our sports writers explore the effects on sports facilties Sport, page 31
Newcastle student killed in hit and run Professor Gwyneth Doherty-Sneddon Head of Newcastle University’s School of Psychology
A large section of the road in Fenham was sealed off on Friday night as the scene investigators worked. Officers could be seen to be using torches to examine the road and several numbered evidence markers were laid out.
Locals stated that police had been knocking on doors looking for witnesses and CCTV footage. Emma, the 18-year-old psychology student, was described as a “bright” and “much loved young woman” by the head of Newcastle University’s School of Psychology. Professor Gwyneth Doherty-Sneddon said: “we are all shocked and deeply saddened by the death of such a bright young woman. Emma had already shown much promise during her time here at Newcastle University” An anonymous woman at the scene commented: “I just heard a bang and saw a car. I saw the girl in the road, then the ambulance came. It looked really bad… I just feel for the girl… I wish I had got the car registration.” While enquires into the incident itself are ongoing and a 31-year-old man has been arrested. He was arrested in connection with
the incident which remains under police investigation. It was further believed that the vehicle involved was a “grey or silver Peugeot 307”. Police are still finding witnesses who have not yet spoken to the them to come forward, particularly those who may have seen the Peugeot in the area shortly before or after the incident.. Inspector Cutty is further urging people who have been sharing CCTV footage of the incident on social media to stop and remove the posts. “A teenage girl has lost her life and not only is this a live investigation, it is also incredibly difficult for the family to know the footage is being circulated.” Councillor Rebecca Shatwell, who represents the Wingrove ward on Newcastle City Council said plans were being made for a public meeting to address residents’ concerns.
2018 Christmas Pullout
Check out our exclusive 18 page Christmas pullout, with features from all your favourite sections.