The Courier 1238

CO OURIER THE

thecourieronline.co.uk · Issue 1238 Monday November 14 2011

The Independent Voice Of Newcastle Students

Park life

Toon Abbey

music, page 26

fashion, page 18

Est 1948

The only way is aristocracy

Catching up with Maxïmo frontman

Students witness large police presence during march page 6

Newcastle students take to the streets of the capital to protest the Government’s plans to raise tuition fees to £9,000 annually. Organisers believe some 15,000 people attended the march whilst the Police put the figure at 2,000 Photography: Gabe Mason

‘Tequila’ barred from Riverside Explicit �lyer compels Council to take action Helen Lam Online News Editor

Popular student nightclub Riverside has been formally banned from running one its newest student nights because of the publication of an explicit �lyer.

The popular Wednesday night, ‘Tequila,’ has come under criticism for its circulation of promotional material depicting a woman on her knees in front of a man and the word ‘censored’ covering her, with the slogan ‘come and swallow’ next to the photo.

The �lyer, which was distributed around residential areas in Jesmond, led one annoyed mother of two to complain that “it landed on my doormat and my youngest child saw it. I think it’s outrageous that this material was circulated. It takes no consideration of the people who might pick it up”.

The council quickly responded to these complaints with Stephen Savage, Newcastle City Council’s Director of Regulatory Services and Public Protection commenting: “The content of the �lyer is appalling and suggests a signi�icant �law in management control.”

Darren Traynor, Divisional Director of Riverside, also responded to the allegations saying “the �lyer in question

was produced by Stage One Events – an external promoter and not by Riverside.

“Our contact with Stage One Events clearly states all materials should adhere to strict ASA [Advertising Standards Authority] guidelines and must also be approved by us prior to use.

Sadly, this was not done and the �lyer in question was distributed without our approval or knowledge. We have terminated our contract wit h them.”

An internal repercussion of the controversy has also lead to the sacking of promoters for violating their contracts.

The event manager, Tarquin Van De Vaart, however, defended the �lyer, commenting: ”We at Tequila see no problem with the �lyer. It’s up to the

reader’s interpretation as to how they view the �lyer. Those with a crude mind may think the worst.”

Other promotional ploys used by

1000

The amount of students that attended Tequila on a weekly basis

‘Tequila’ were the sending of overtly sexualised text messages under random female names. Such texts included content like ‘last week I was covered in love goo for days. I’m going to get soo wet’, ‘you can’t say things

like that if you’re not next to me’ and ‘tonight I’m planning on creaming in every ori�ice of your body’.

One female recipient of such texts, remarked to The Courier: “I don’t know how the club promoters got my phone number, but I found the texts pretty violating and the content of them a bit much.”

Many students have reacted negatively to the closure of the night, however, with 150 people joining a Facebook group protesting the banning of the night.

Mark Davis, a third year Geography student attended the night and thought “it was a really decent night and getting shut...

Continued on page 2

News

2

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

News Editors Wills Robinson and George Sandeman Online News Editor Helen Lam courier.news@ncl.ac.uk

thecourieronline.co.uk/news

Contents Newcastle professor �inds News dietary cure for Diabetes To The Brink 4 Vice Chancellor is interrupted during a speech at The Sage

The Gender Gap

Research shows that more women graduate than men

6

Comment

Jesus’ Occupation

Would Jesus have really sided with the current Occupy movement?

Feminists Online

9

11

Why blogs are deemed the online miniskirts for chauvinist abuse

Sport

Saturday in Salford

39

Intra Rugby

41

‘Match of the Day’ �inds a new home

Catch up on the latest Intra Mural rugby from Close House

Participants in the trial had to stick to a strict regime of liquid formulas and non-starchy vegetables

Photography: Biswarup Ganguly

Jonny Farrar-Bell Research done at Newcastle University by Professor Roy Taylor has shed new light on groundbreaking ways of treating and curing type 2 Diabetes.

Taylor recruited 11 sufferers of Type Two Diabetes and through a stringent, eight week long, 600 calorie a day diet, proved that it can be possible.

In order to keep to the diet the participants were forced to drink a liquid formula and only allowed nonstarchy vegetables such as broccoli and lettuce, with normal food and alcohol being banned.

According to Prof Taylor the main complain was not tiredness or hunger but ‘boredom with what they were eating’. The results of the 8 week long trial were utterly extraordinary and blow open traditional views on the treatment of the illness.

On average the participants lost 15kg in weight and after 3 months fat levels in the pancreas were back to normal, resulting in a complete loss of their diabetes. This breakthrough in treating diabetes may lead to what Prof Taylor is calling a ‘patient revolution’ with sufferers not willing to put The Courier Editorial Team is:

NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940

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/getinvolved for more information.

up with the pills any longer and instead trying to reverse the procedure through the diet method. In fact, the researcher has had to deal with thousands of emails from those who are already trying it for themselves.

Taylor, who is director of the Newcastle Magnetic Resonance Centre, used a technique called magnetic resonance, somewhat similar to an MRI scanner, to measure the fat levels in the pancreas. Taylor along with the ‘world-beating team of physicists’, were funded by Diabetes UK in their research.

The Diabetes Association, however, ‘have got their head in the sand’ over the new discoveries, according to the professor, as they are perhaps not yet willing to realign their position on the treatment of the illness. But with the illness costing the taxpayer a reported £9 Billion a year (a tenth of all NHS spending) and with 2.5 million sufferers, attitudes are surely likely to change.

For all his optimism, however, Professor Taylor only estimated that 5 – 10% of sufferers would have the will power to go through with the gruelling 600 calorie diet. But with its success now proven one can only think you would be silly not to.

Editor: Kat Bannon Deputy Editor: Elliot Bentley News Editors: Wills Robinson and George Sandeman Online News Editor: Helen Lam Politics Editor: Bethany Stauton Comment Editors: Sophie McCoid and Susie May Beever Online Comment Editor: Jack Torrance C2 Editor: Aimee Philipson Lifestyle Editors: Olivia Mason and Ben Parkin Online Lifestyle Editor: Emma Balter Fashion Editor: Victoria Mole Online Fashion Editor: Rosanna Sopp

The disease, which can cause blindness, foot amputations and shortened life, has been on the increase in the West. High levels of obesity due to bad and overeating has resulted in the number of cases spiralling out of control. With levels now at 5% in the UK and 40% in some countries it has been talked about as the �irst real 21st Century epidemic.

Type Two used to be known as ‘adult onset diabetes’ and is caused by too much glucose in the blood and is often related to obesity. Type One, however, develops when children cannot produce enough of the hormone insulin to turn glucose from food into energy.

Whilst all sufferers of Type Two at the moment have to take pills as a method of treating the illness, Prof Taylor’s thought was somewhat simpler.

He proposed that as Type Two is contracted as a result of becoming overweight with fat levels building up in the pancreas; if we were to force people to lose weight through a low calorie diet then surely the fat levels would diminish curing the sufferer. But this notion that the process can be reversed had up to now never been thought possible.

Arts Editors: Sally Priddle Online Arts Editor: Lisa Bernhardt Film Editor: Chris Binding Online Film Editor: Hayley Hamilton Music Editors: Ben Travis, Chris Scott Online Music Editors: Graham Matthews Sports Editors: Colin Henrys, Harry Slavin and Rory Brigstock-Baron Online Sports Editor: Grace Harvey Design Editors: Gabe Mason and Tom O’Boyle

Copy Editors: Alice Sewell, Adam Rummens, Rachael Day, Charley Monteith, Dave Dodds, Sarah Collings, Marleen van Os, Emily Waller, Emily Wheeler Rachel Moon, Rebecca Markham, Grace Marconi

Publicity of student night criticised

Continued from the front page

just because of the �lyers seems a bit ridiculous. I understand maybe changing the �lyer, but banning the night is extreme.”

The night that attempted to ‘“seduce” Newcastle sold cut-price drinks, including £1 for shots of Tequila and £1.50 for Jagerbombs.

“Tequila,” which was originally started in Leeds 18 years ago. It originally started as the ‘Tequila Appreciation Society’ at the Leeds Student Union.

It developed into more than just a group of friends into one of the countries biggest student nights.

It had only been running at Riverside for three weeks when the action was taken. However this is not the �irst time Newcastle nightclubs have faced criticism for inappropriate promotional material.

In 2007 ‘Venue’ nightclub, was forced to change the name of a popular student night ‘’Debauchery’’ after police and local authorities believed it to be irresponsible, encouraging excessive drinking and unsuitable behaviour. ‘’Attic’’ nightclub, which closed in 2010, was also reprimanded for introducing a night named “Trashed,”

The night...sold cut price drinks including £1 for shots of Tequila and £1.50 for Jagerbombs with promotional material stating that the club helped people get “nailed, battered, done in and, well proper ****ing trashed.”

Other material, boasted that the club planned to breathalyse each person as they left, with the most intoxicated person gaining free entry the following week and that if attendees were “legal to drive at 3am” then they would “refund your entry money because in our eyes, you’re not Trashed, so we’ve failed our mission.”

Despite the implementation of a citywide ban on the night, promoters for the night are claiming on Facebook that Tequila “will return” and “will win.”

The Courier is printed by: Harmsworth Printing Limited, Northcliffe House, Meadow Road, Derby, DE1 2DW. Tel: 01332 253013.

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 Union Society or Newcastle University.

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

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news

We will remember them Wills Robinson and George Sandeman News Editors

Armistice Day saw the university observe a two-minute silence at 11.00 in remembrance of those who gave their lives in the Great War. Eleven poppy-red balloons were released outside the Armstrong Building by students and staff from both the University and the Students’ Union.

The dead were formally saluted with blank rounds fired from the roof of the Building Sciences Building to signify the start and end of the silence.

The Estate Support Service, who organised the event, felt the releasing of balloons would produce a poignant symbol to commemorate the dead as well as demonstrate the University’s respect beyond the university campus.

Each building on campus was also encouraged to observe the two-minute silence to extend participation beyond those invited to the formal commemoration. Speaking to The Courier Gary Mason, of ESS, said: “When there is a great focus on conflicts around the world, and whilst British soldiers are still in fighting for out country all over the globe, it is still highly important to show respect for those who have paid the ultimate price.”

He added: “The University always observes Remembrance on the Sunday closest to the Armistice. The service in the Armstrong Building is always well attended, and, because not all the staff are able to attend, other ways for employees and students to pay their respects are encouraged.”

The issue of wearing a poppy has been an issue of heated debate. Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow famously branded a viewer’s request for him to wear a poppy when on air as “poppy fascism.” Commenting on Channel 4’s Snowblog a user called Stan said: ”Do you ever think of the hundreds of thousands of British troops who gave their lives in World War II to keep our great country free.

You alone dishonour them by not wearing a poppy.”

Long-time newsman Snow replied: “Stan, they died that we might be free to wear a poppy whenever we wish. I wish to wear mine on Remembrance Sunday… in concert with others, in church, not on telly.” He added: “When you wish to wear yours is your business. Compelling people to wear poppies because you think they ought to is precisely the poppy fascism, or intolerance, that I have complained of in the past.”

Similarly, the group Muslims Against Crusades were banned from protesting the day before Armistice Day because of their plans to interrupt the two-minute silence with a “surprise.”

The group, formerly named Islam for UK, gained notoriety after burning two large poppies near the Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Day last year and were subsequently banned.

The England football team has also been at the centre of controversy after requesting to FIFA permission to wear poppies in a match against Spain. FIFA initially rejected the request but then gave the team a concession allowing players to wear poppies on black armbands. Lobbying FIFA officials to create the exemption were Prime Minister David Cameron and HRH Prince William.

Staff and students from the University and Students’ Union came together to remember the dead. They released balloons and decorated a commemorative plaque Photography:

Moises Bedrossian

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THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

news

Protestors crash Vice-Chancellor lecture “Dif�icult” questions put to VC at public talk on fairness Elliot Bentley Deputy Editor A public lecture on the subject of ‘fairness’ given by the Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University was disrupted last week as a group of students used the event to attempt to publicly humiliate the VC. Members of the anti-fees and anticuts student group, Newcastle Free Education Network, arrived at the talk with placards and �lyers accusing Vice-Chancellor Chris Brink of “leech[ing] off the University”. The talk was hosted as part of the Radio 3 Free Thinking Festival at the Sage, and focused on Brink’s role as chair of the newly formed ‘Fairness Commission’.

Newcastle Free Education Network (NFEN) last year occupied the Fine Arts building in protest of the University’s stance on tuition fees. The occupation ended after 17 days when the University threatened students involved with legal and disciplinary action.

A Facebook event listed on the group’s of�icial page stated that Brink, who grew up and studied in South Africa during Apartheid, had “no right to lecture us on fairness” and encouraged students to “[express] their disgust at his scandalous abuse of position”. Brink was formely Vice-Chancellor at Stellenbosch University where he led a transformation agenda.

Jennifer Stott, a third-year Geography student present at the talk, told The Courier that tensions were high from the very beginning. A group of students entered carrying placards that read ‘Newcastle Free Education Network’, were swiftly asked by the organisers to set them down.

The group remained quiet for the course of the talk, but raised their hands to ask questions afterwards.

According to Stott, BBC presenter Juliet Gardiner, who was chairing the talk, then avoided picking any members of the group until urged to by an unrelated member of the audience.

Regarding the Vice-Chancellor’s answers, Stott told The Courier that she thought Brink did appear to be listening to the group’s questions, but described them as “dif�icult to answer”.

Pete Campbell, a member of NFEN present at the event, told The Courier that he thought it was “naïve of the BBC to not expect [critical] students to turn up”, and that he “didn’t think they handled it very well”. Campbell was also left unsatis�ied by the Vice-Chancellor’s answers: “[Brink] answered lots of the questions by saying, ‘my statements about this are online already’”.

Once the Q&A session ended, the group stood up to reveal that they had written the message “Is he really fair?” across their backs for the audience behind them to see. The ViceChancellor then spent half an hour speaking offstage to the protesters in person, which Campbell said was “appreciated”, but that they “weren’t entirely happy with the answers”.

Flyers handed out by the group before the speech, entitled ‘Why are we here?’, included claims that Brink “supported the �indings of the Browne review and lobbied for the removal of the cap on tuition fees”.

This is not strictly true, since the

Above: A still from a video taken by one of the protestors when speaking to Vice-Chancellor Chris Brink (left). Below: Members of Newcastle Free Education Network drape a banner over a balcony in the Sage.

Photography: Gabe Mason

Fliers given out by protestors before the lecture, which were criticised as being “inaccurate and inflammatory” by the University.

Vice-Chancellor made a public speech in November last year at the Equality Challenge Unit annual conference, accusing the government of “consciously and deliberately disinvesting from higher education” and “creating an incentive for its young people to leave”.

“At the time, he was siding with the Russell group,” responded Campbell.

“It’s in the last year that his tune has changed.” The �lyers also misreported �igures revealed by The Courier last year relating to the Vice-Chancellor’s expenses. They concluded: “All this adds up to a man who has no right to lecture us on fairness. While going about his day job, he leeches off the University, which has until now been funded by the tax payer and the University’s students.”

A University spokesperson, who described the �lyers as “inaccurate and in�lammatory”, said: “The main focus of Professor Brink’s talk was to outline a set of principles that have been developed by the [Fairness] Commis-

sion to ensure that important decisions affecting people right across the city are made in a fair way.

“It is a pity, therefore, that a few Newcastle University students used this as an opportunity to make a very personal attack on the Vice-Chancellor.” Campbell told The Courier that he

didn’t think of the protest as personal, responding: “I don’t think it’s right that the Vice-Chancellor is using my fees in this way. It was an attack on people in power abusing that privilege.” When asked what he thought the Free Education Network’s actions had achieved, Campbell said: “I think

we highlighted to the audience the hypocrisy of giving a talk on fairness while earning a six-�igure salary.

“It’s important that a public �igure is held to account for their words,” he added. “We wanted to let the ViceChancellor know that the issue hasn’t gone away.”

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THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

news

Students protest in capital for first time since March Beth Staunton Politics Correspondent A coach of Newcastle and Northumbria students made its way to London last Wednesday for the first student demonstration of this academic year.

The march went relatively troublefree, with over 20 arrests being made by 4,000 police officers on duty.

Estimates have varied regarding the number of protesters out on the streets, with the organisers saying between 10,000 and 15,000, while the police put it closer to 2,000.

4000

The amount of police officers on duty during the march in London

The march was organised by the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts and supported by the NUS. Although the vote for £9,000 tuition fees was passed last year, despite a 50,000 strong student protest and university occupations across the country, many students remain resistant to the government’s education policies.

Katy Hargreaves, Welfare and Equality Officer, organised transport to the demonstration and believes that it’s still worth protesting. “The outcomes of the white paper have no student benefits and will result in students paying much more money to re-

“In general, protest movements are... actions of a minority.”

David Hiscocks Commentary On Wednesday November 9, thousands of students from across the country protested in London against planned education cuts.

They are following in the footsteps of the Chartists of 1848 who were amongst the first British protesters of a democratic nature; to the more recent protesters against the Iraq war. It is a sign of a healthy democratic system that it can absorb and cope with such dissent.

Indeed, without the ability, nor the desire to protest, democracy cannot exist. A democratic system is built upon the ability to peacefully voice one’s opinion, even if one is in the minority, without fear of government repression. Although the Government was criticised for its use of controversial police tactics such as ‘kettling’ in reaction to last year’s student march, in general, British governments have been admirable for their ability to cope relatively well with dissent. According to BBC News Middle East, this is in marked contrast to the current situation in Syria where ‘opposition is repressed’.

ceive a lower standard of education,” she said. “Protests are so important; doing nothing does nothing! They are a catalyst for local action and more awareness, eventually resulting in change.”

The police, most in full riot gear, were intent on keeping a tight control of the crowds. They closed off side streets around London to avoid break away groups and keep the protest in one place.

Third-year Gabe Mason said that “The march was largely uneventful and quiet. The most defining thing of the march is how much the police have changed their tactics. They now control the march in a much stricter way, outnumbering protesters.”

The protest was directed away from passing the occupation outside St Paul’s, and electricians who had gone on strike were prevented from joining the march. Police had warned protesters previous to the demonstration that they were prepared to shoot rubber bullets, which is said to have dissuaded many young people from attending. However, despite a few scuffles, generally the protest passed off peacefully.

Second-year students Martha Taylor-Rowe and Ruby Smith felt the day had gone well commenting, “We came last year and got a buzz from it, and we’re still really angry about tuition fees. It was a good day, and quite serious. People are really passionate about these issues.”

By protesting, dissenters are displaying to the ruling government that contrary opinions do exist that they should be aware of. It is for the right to ‘freedom of expression’ that we saw citizens throughout the Middle East rise up in the ‘Arab Spring’.

Therefore, on this basis, we can applaud all those going down to protest in London as they are fulfilling a vital democratic role, exhibiting a contrary aspect of public opinion.

However, there is a problem. In general, protest movements are, by their very nature, actions of a minority because the Government has to act with the support, or at least apathetic resignation, of the majority. On Wednesday, the majority of protesters were students, or young potential students.

A sign of a strong democratic government is to enact the will of the majority, and resist the ‘tyranny of the minority’. Unfortunately for the students protesting, it appears that public opinion is remarkably apathetic in regards to education cuts.

Therefore, the government has no reason to pay any attention to student demands as they are acting as a minority group.

This does not mean that students and other minority groups who have grievances they wish to air should be dissuaded by the difficulty of getting their opinions acted upon. Far from it. They should protest. They should voice their dissent. But the student protesters are unlikely to achieve real change, due to the very system of government that allows them the opportunity to protest.

The majority of people at the protests were students marching against the recent white paper on higher education Photography: Sam Tyson

“Instead of working in the protesters’ favour, many fear it will have the opposite effect.”

Tessa Tyler Todd Commentary In 1990, 200,000 people protested against the poll tax, in 2002 close to 2 million protested against the war with Iraq and in 2010 over 50,000 protested against the rise in tuition fees. On Wednesday thousands more added their voices to the ongoing tuition fee campaign; but will it make a difference or will it go down in history with one of the others, where the people spoke and the government didn’t listen?

As with the poll tax protests of 1990 these protests are happening under an already unpopular government. The Liberal Democrats, who once pledged to not increase tuition fees, went back on their word.

Furthermore with the huge cuts the Coalition government have had to make, the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats are doing badly in the polls. Instead of working in the protesters’ favour, many fear it will have the opposite effect. It is looking increasingly likely that the Liberal Democrats will not be in power again for a considerable time, and in a move to stay in power for as long as possible they will carry on putting forward different policies due to the “compromises of the Coalition Government” for as long as possible.

This sadly means that no matter how many people protest we are unlikely to see a change in policy from this government.

In 2002, millions marched against

the war in Iraq, not just here in the UK but across the world and even from this, the largest protest seen in living memory, we saw no change in government policy. The only result of such marches was the public becoming more and more disillusioned with those supposed to represent them.

Looking back over past protests, and seeing no direct change in Government policy from any of them, leads us to question the effectiveness of marches as a protest. Sure it provides a voice, but it also provides us with scenes of violence, of increased police presence, and most importantly, it provides us with mass frustration at being ignored.

Many say the riots over the summer were the result of people feeling that the government doesn’t care and all these marches do is highlight that.

Yes it’s great giving people a voice, but what use is a voice when those who can change things choose not to

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

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news

‘Gender gap’ could see reversal of family structures Lisa Bernhardt The Universities Minister David Willetts has expressed his concerns about the increasing ‘gender gap’ in terms of university graduations.

In an interview with Sky News, Mr Willetts explained that by the time they reach the age of 30, 50% of women in the UK will have achieved a degree in comparison to 40% of men.

He calls it a “rather striking gap” that is an issue of major relevance for society.

But the differences in “educational performance” do not just occur in The ‘gender gap’ could see more men staying home to look after the kids Photography: bodymindhealer (Flickr)

higher education. It seems girls have been outperforming boys on a primary and secondary school level for years.

One of the implications, according to Conservative MP Willetts, will be the “changes in the pattern of household living” once women receive higher wages than men because a larger number of them are university graduates.

The Minister‘s claims are underpinned by a study from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service from October 2011, which showed that from the ages of 22 to 29, women earnt, on average, more than men.

Figures from the Institute of Higher

Education Policy also show that women are more likely to gain upper second or higher degree classi�ications and to hold places at top research institutions.

The ‘gender gap’ has been the subject of several public debates over the recent years.

A BBC News article from 2007 reported the decreasing number of male applicants to university, linking this trend to boys’ lower achievements at school and A-levels.

It was also revealed in a study by the Department of Education last month that these �indings can be traced back to nursery school level.

Willetts’ claims have raised ques-

tions about the appropriate approach to young children by the current school system.

As boys at primary school age are usually less evolved than girls, they might be put at a disadvantage by a system that expects the same standards from both genders.

Moreover, the idea of re-introducing comprehensive same-sex education has been put forward within the debate by referring to the success of world-renowned boys-only schools such as Eton College.

In an article about Mr Willetts, the Daily Mail expanded the issue to an interpersonal, post-university level.

While women tend to achieve great-

er academic success than men and thus are �inancially independent, they face problems in �inding a partner.

According to the article, well-educated women are increasingly forced to �ind less educated men and consequently “marry down”.

It is also suggested that the rising numbers of high-�lying women will reverse the traditional family structure with more men staying at home to take care of the children.

Mr Willetts himself highlighted in the Sky News interview that “it is great that women have these education and employment opportunities” and he is “not against women having those advantages”.

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

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news

Frantic changes made to fee charges Georgie Moule Over a fifth of British Universities have applied for last minute fee changes, weeks before the UCAS application deadline.

Twenty-seven institutions have submitted applications to the Office for Fair Access, in order to take advantage of a new system launched by the Government.

The new scheme would allow universities charging less than £7,400 a year to expand by bidding for up to 20,000 extra places. Newcastle University is not amongst those to apply.

Universities were required to submit their plans for tuition fees by April, along with any bursary or feewaiver schemes, to the OFFA, who then assessed them.

However, this was several months before the Government published its White Paper on Higher Education, introducing the new incentives for lower fees, which was published much later than originally intended.

These incentives will be widely seen as a knee-jerk reaction by the Government to combat fees being unaffordable for many after more universities than expected announced plans to charge the maximum £9,000.

The Office for Fair Access has stated that these new applications will be assessed and an outcome announced

by November 30.

They have also ruled that any applicants that are affected must be contacted. However, for many would be applicants this may be too late, as students are increasingly encouraged to apply early in order to maximize the possibility of gaining offers for limited university places.

In addition to the 27 universities that have applied for a possible fee change, OFFA has confirmed that

they will still accept further applications from other institutions eager to capitalize on the new policy, despite the fact that 70,000 students have already applied for entry in 2012.

West London University decided to lower its fees from £7,498 to £7,400 in order to be able to bid for the 20,000 extra places, after the way in which average fees is calculated was changed at late notice.

The Vice-Chancellor of the University has said that recent policy change had added “much uncertainty to applications in an already uncertain environment.”

Nine weeks before the application deadline, it remains to be seen how the process will pan out as many are still confused by the new system.

Some wrongly believe that fees will need to be paid upfront. The VicePresident of the NUS has hit out at the Government, calling the new fee system “incoherent”, and claiming it continues to “wreak havoc on students and universities”.

Not only will students be unsure of what they will be paying in the future, many will also be affected by the new system of ‘fee waivers’, a system about which very little has been revealed.

It is not just students who have voiced their opinions about the change in policy; of the new fees, the general secretary of the UCU Lecturers Union said: “Leaving universities and students to scramble around trying to save a few quid here and there is no way to run a world-class university sector”.

The new change has once again brought criticism, with many accusing the Government of introducing an ill-thought out policy, and scrambling to fix the problems that have begun since the new tuition fees were introduced.

Echoing the sentiments of thousands of students, Labour’s shadow

Education Minister said: “It is unbelievable that students have had to apply for courses before knowing how

much they will pay in fees. The cuts go too far, too fast, with universities unable to plan ahead, and frustrated

students without the full information to help them apply.”

Calls by students for tuition fees to be lowered have been met by some universities Photography: Monica Ciapala (Flickr)

Will the National Demo make a difference?

News Editor George Sandeman and Joe Wood asked four students for their thoughts on last Wednesday’s tuition fee protest Niall Bowerman 1st Year History

NO

“There were huge amounts of protests prior to the actual raising of fees and it didn’t do anything.” On paying £9000 for a degree as a concept Niall said: “I think it’s definitely putting people off from less fortunate backgrounds because university is already dominated by the middle class and it’s not exactly helping trebling the fees; you’re going to have even less social mobility.”

Ellie Radcliffe 1st Year History

NO

“Worth doing it because it shows that you feel strongly on the issue but it doesn’t mean the Government will take it into account.” When asked to suggest how the protests could be improved in order to draw the Government’s attention, Ellie said: “you have to have an even bigger demonstration with more widespread discontent.”

George Seed 3rd Year Linguistics

NO

“On the whole, probably no.” However, George commented that “it’s worth doing because, often, there is very little else that you can do ... But I wouldn’t say it is the most effective method necessarily. Protest in your own university and ask them to lower fees, speaking to them directly is a more effective means [of protest]. George also suggested that “the way students can really [express displeasure] about fees is by going to places which have lowered them.”

Rowan Leslie 2nd Year Music

NO

Rowan Leslie felt the rise in fees wasn’t so bad. He said: “You’re not paying it up front anyway, you still get the money. You’re probably not going to pay it back, the Government is going to miss out in the end. It’ll be fine! It wouldn’t stop anybody going to university, there’s not much difference. You’re still getting a loan, it’s not like your parents are forking out [thousands of pounds] for you to go. The situation is not quite as good but it’s alright.”

8

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

national student news

Sir Jimmy money to bene�it Leeds medical students Wills Robinson News Editor Medical students at Leeds University are set to bene�it from a generous donation on behalf of the late Sir Jimmy Saville.

A generous bequest from Sir Jimmy will continue to fund a scheme that allows medical students to undergo research. In 2008 Sir Jimmy gave £300,000 towards the scheme and the new money will help it to continue.

An institute to help cardiac patients across Yorkshire will also be set up as a result of the money left in his will.

Job Title: Lifeguard Employer: David Lloyd Leisure Centre Closing date: 15.11.11 Salary: TBC Basic job description: A lifeguard is required to work part-time. Our Lifeguards support the club management team in ensuring the smooth operation of the poolside areas, promoting participation in all activities and the positive member experience. It is about full adherence to the Health and Safety guidelines, ensuring the poolside is a safe and healthy environment for all staff and members.

Person requirements: Must have great Teamworking and Customer service skills.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne.

Job Title: Grocery Colleague Employer: ASDA Closing date: 16.11.11 Salary: TBC Basic job description: Grocery colleague required to work 16 hours per week at the ASDA store in Hebburn. Main duties include: Providing excellent customer service; recommending additional products to meet customers’ needs; helping to maximise sales (and customer satisfaction) by keeping shelves replenished and products always available.

Person requirements: We’re looking for helpful, outgoing people who can get along with and support others.

Location: Gateshead.

Job Title: Postgraduate Researchers Employer: Newcastle University Closing date: 16.11.11 Salary: £13.67 per hour.

Basic job description: We are looking for at least 6 postgraduate students to act as a support team to iridium, a project which aims to produce a complete holistic plan and infrastructure for Research Data Management at Newcastle University. This role is for approximately 8 hours per week for 18 months Person requirements: We need representation from all 3 faculties by postgraduates who expect to be at the University until 2013. We are looking for: People who are resourceful, enthusiastic and motivated, have excellent communication skills with a good standard of written English and have IT literacy with proficiency in MS Office.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne.

Sir Jimmy died two weeks ago at the age of 84. He was one of the most celebrated names in British TV and radio in the 60s, 70s and 80s, with a stint as Top of the Pops presenter being one of his most prominent roles.

In 1997, the former presenter of ‘Jim’ll Fix It’ underwent a quadruple bypass as a result of a hereditary heart condition, of which his mother and sister were also victims. During his time as a patient, he struck up a friendship with Mohan Sivananthan, who will head up the planning for the new institution. He said: “I feel very privileged to have got to know Sir Jimmy over the years and valued his friendship and support extremely highly.

Job Title: Leisure Assistant Employer: Newcastle City Council Closing date: 25.11.11 Salary: £12,787 - £13,589 pro rata Basic job description: 2 Leisure Assistants are required to work at Benfield Centre for Sporting Excellence at Benfield School.

Post 1. 13 hours per week (Fri 4-10.30, Sat 11-6.30), Post 2. 9 hours per week (Sun 8-5.30).

Person requirements: We are looking for staff that have experience delivering exceptional customer service and the ability to work unsupervised as well as part of a team. You should be highly motivated, enthusiastic and everything you do must be to the highest standard. A good operational knowledge of leisure facilities is essential and supervisory/ management experience is desirable.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne.

Job Title: Online Dictionary Project Assistants Employer: Linguee GmbH Closing date: 30.11.11 Salary: From £9 per hour Basic job description: Linguee GmbH provides a translation search engine in the languages English and German. Following it‘s huge popularity, Linguee has expanded and now provides the additional language combinations of English-French, EnglishPortuguese and English-Spanish. Within the scope of a three month project, you will be helping expand our dictionary by adding new vocabulary. You will be working from home and will be provided with the necessary software. You will be fully trained and instructed in all aspects of the program.

Person requirements: You are a native English speaker and study one or more foreign languages, you are familiar with grammatical expressions and are able to recognise various “parts of speech”, word classes and tenses, you have computer and internet access (high-speed - preferably DSL or above) and are able to work from home.

Location: Working from Home.

Job Title: Customer Service Advisor Employer: NRG - Northern Recruitment Group Closing date: 01.12.11 Salary: £16,000 pro-rata Basic job description: A Customer Service Advisor is required by ‘Insure the Box’. Your main responsibilities will include: to provide an efficient/effective front line service to

“I was absolutely delighted to hear that Sir Jimmy decided to remember us in his will, it is the sort of generous gesture which was typical of him and his commitment to helping other people.” He has also been a �inancial benefactor of the hospital since the 1960s.

The former DJ spent much of his time volunteering as a porter at Leeds hospital and continually showed his level of support for the hospital and its patients.

Money has been set aside in his will to allow the scheme to continue.

He also raised £20m for the creation of a National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke, which is also set to bene�it from the fund.

all our customers and potential customers, process sales and service activity using a computerised system and respond to enquiries in a professional manner. The shift pattern includes working evenings and weekends.

Person requirements: The ideal candidate will have: a minimum of 2 years’ experience in a customer facing role; good negotiation and influencing skills; high level of both verbal and numerical reasoning; professional insurance, risk management experience or other relevant qualification; understanding of the FSA regulatory regime, FOS ethos and TCF initiatives.

Location: Newcastle upon Tyne.

Job Title: Domestic Assistant Employer: NHS Closing date: 17.11.11 Salary: £13,903 to £14,614 pro rata Basic job description: Domestic Assistant is required to work 20 hours per week in the Midwifery Led Unit at North Tyneside General Hospital. The role consists of maintaining the standard of cleanliness as specified throughout the designated work area by means of approved cleaning methods.

Person requirements: If you are a friendly, conscientious and highly motivated individual with good organisational and communication skills and enjoy working as part of a team we would like to hear from you. The successful candidate should have previous experience preferable in a care setting and be able to maintain excellent standards of cleanliness and hygiene in the Ward and surrounding areas.

Location: North Tyneside.

Job Title: Retail Sales Assistants and Stock Room Workers Employer: The Retail People Closing date: 31.12.11 Salary: £7.00 - £8.30 per hour Basic job description: The Retail People are responsible for managing the shops at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer. We are looking for fun, honest, enthusiastic, hard-working and passionate individuals to help us to run the biggest event merchandising operation ever.

Person requirements: If you thrive and enjoy the thrill of working in a unique, fast paced and exciting environment we want to hear from you!

Location: London.

Results of survey demanded Helen Lam Online News Editor Loughborough University Students at Loughborough University are demanding to know the results of a performance survey on their lecturers, as the information is currently unavailable to the public.

Loughborough Students’ Union (LSU) believes that the results from the performance assessment, which had been collated from student responses, are not being published because of a con�identiality clause between the University and the lecturers. LSU President, Rebecca Bridger, commented that because students are paying high tuition fees, they should be allowed to know how good or bad their lecturers are performing.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching at the University stated, however, that meetings have taken place between the University, the Students’ Union and the lecturers’ union, adding that the University take the “module feedback process extremely seriously.’’

The LSU have stated that as a last resort they will use the Freedom of Information Act to get the assessment results.

Students protest at school closure

University of East Anglia More than 200 students from the University of East Anglia have been protesting at the proposed closure of its music school. This follows the University announcing in October that it was reviewing its degree subjects.

However, an of�icial decision on the fate of the school is expected to be made by UEA’s governing board on November 28.

Reasons behind the closure of the music school stem mainly from �inancial issues. In order for the school to remain open, the University states that they would have to divert funding from other departments, potentially placing them at risk.

A petition opposing the plans has collected over 7,000 signatures, including those from Coldplay - who performed at the University last month - and over 80 academics from around the world. The closure of the school would also mean the loss of seven jobs; however the 149 students currently enrolled would be able to �inish their degrees, with the last to graduate in 2014.

Danni Minogue gets honorary degree

Southampton Solent University

Southampton Solent University have presented Dannii Minogue with a honorary degree for her “outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry.”

The former X Factor judge is now a doctor of media. The singer said: “I’m honoured and I’m shocked to receive this degree.

You start working in the entertainment industry and you don’t really stop and look back at what you’ve done.”

A spokesperson for the University commented that: “we can quite understand the cynical kind of impression (of the award) but it is not the case. We would never give a degree to someone without some connection to the University of the work of the University.”

Dan Prendergast, President of Southampton Solent student’s union said: “She is a musical inspiration to many students…and made a big contribution to the music business.”

Trolley thefts at Essex Tesco University of Essex

Students in Colchester are suspected of being the culprits of a spate of shopping trolley thefts from a local Tesco.

The supermarket is now facing weekly losses of £3,000 of because of the stolen shopping trolleys.

A spokesperson for the University said that they have recognised the issue, however defended the students in stating that the students could not be held responsible for all of the missing trollies. They added: “We are happy to continue educating our students about the need to return trollies to the store after using them.”

As a result of the thefts, the Hythe Tesco is now introducing coin-locks to its trolleys. A Tesco spokesperson said that “we hope this new system will help reduce the number of trolleys that are going missing. We have a positive relationship with the university and we are working with them to �ind a long-term solution to the problem.”

Plymouth student dies as a result of fall

Plymouth University

A 21-year-old male student studying at Plymouth University has died after falling 2.4m over a wall and landing on concrete. Plymouth University has said that it is supporting his fellow students over their tragic loss.

The accident happened at around 2.15am last Saturday.

Police are currently investigating; however, the death is not thought to be suspicious.

It is believed he fell over a low wall outside a house, which originally had metal railings covering it.

He is said to have been socialising at the Union the same night. However, a post-mortem has yet to be performed to establish the level of alcohol he consumed.

Plymouth University commented: “We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of one of our students following an accident at the weekend.

Our thoughts are �irmly with the family and those closest to the deceased.”

Comment

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THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Comment Editors Sophie McCoid and Susie May Beever Online Comment Editor Jack Torrance courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk

thecourieronline.co.uk/comment

Banksy artwork’ within the occupied grounds at Banksy artwork in the St. Paul’s cathedral. grounds of St. Paul’s Photography: Duncan demonstrates anti-cap(Flickr) italist feelings of anger.

Photography: Duncan (Flickr)

Preachers should not pass go, should not collect £200 Susie May Beever Comment Editor

A

particularly memorable quote has sprung to my mind countless times over the past month, ever since London’s Occupy movement began on the sacred ground at St Paul’s. That is, one Guardian columnist claimed, “the �inancial system is not broken; it was created in the �irst place so that the rich would get richer, and the poor poorer”. For this, I shall demonstrate the mark of an educated mind and refrain from jumping too hastily onto any band wagons. Yet it is partly true.

The Occupy protests seem to represent a different kind of protest, one

that has not been fuelled by (at least not too many) lashings of violence and burnt out cars and shop windows. It is the protest against more detrimental holes in our society which are at the root of our �inancial crisis: a protest against corporate greed and a world which steals from the dinner tables of the poor in order to prime the plump.

With last week’s resignation of the dean of St. Paul’s, Graeme Knowles, and its canon chancellor Giles Fraser, the notion of a link between capitalism and Christianity has bore �iercely into the pages of British newspapers. Do faith and �inance walk hand in hand? Evidently not, yet there is a vast difference between religious tellings and religious values, with the latter being opposed to the modernday gluttony for lavish lifestyles and six-�igure pay cheques which are so unjustly corrupting the less advantaged. The hesitant campers outside St. Paul’s, who are expected to re-

main there well into the festive season, have given much scope to the question over whether Jesus himself would have been stood alongside the protesters, holding painted signs claiming ‘we apologise for inconven-

This is not about religion. It’s about human solidarity against corruption. ience during global improvement works’ whilst posing for BBC photographers.

But perhaps Jesus would not be amongst the protesters. Nor would he

be sat squatting on the gilded throne above. I’d personally like to think he’d be impartial. A fence-sitter, if you like.

Pesky things. The fact is, once religion is brought into anything, the argument ultimately becomes misconstrued and far, far too easily blown out of proportion by atheists and devout followers alike. This is not about religion. It’s about human solidarity against corruption. A stance against having to bail out those who are perverting the system in the �irst place.

And although the two largely intersect, they should not be mistaken for one another.

Besides, it is dif�icult to argue a case for the church; protesters may claim that it is their place to protect the vulnerable and side with those who feel cheated, yet with St. Paul’s cathedral charging just short of £15 for an adult ticket to visit Wren’s opulent interior, and the addition of a gift shop which sells items up to the range of £235, perhaps St. Paul’s aren’t shy of cash-

ing in on the capitalist trade and consumerism themselves?

Many of the Occupy protesters who have settled at the site of St. Paul’s want nothing but reconsideration about the way in which our current system is run, the entertaining of an alternative which does not render the more vulnerable to lose out every time. Religion or no religion, the ousting of such sleaze and voracity in the �inancial world is undeniably a desirable concept. The protests have been described as a ‘movement’, and despite us not knowing where or when it is moving exactly, perhaps it is a golden opportunity to make bankers and gluttonous politicians sit up and listen.

Emails in response to the articles should be sent to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk

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This week Employment prospects are grim up north I’ve learnt...

Becky Orwin

...if twenty Scousers are invading your �lat, leave.

One of my �latmates is from Liverpool, and he’s lovely. Crazy, but lovely. So I didn’t see the big problem when I glanced at the �lat calendar and saw ‘SCOUSE INVASION’ scrawled across the �irst weekend in November; I only felt slightly uneasy. I felt slightly more uneasy when the said �latmate asked if I was going home that weekend, to which I said I wasn’t as I’d been home the previous weekend, and he looked me right in the eye with a completely serious face and said, deadpan, “I’m so sorry.” Now that should ring alarm bells.

Anyway, the dreaded day arrived, and I came home to �ind literally more than twenty Scousers in my �lat. Generally, I’m a fairly sociable and chatty person, but everybody has a cut-off point, and this was way beyond mine.

I’m only slightly embarrassed to admit that the way my friend and I dealt with it was to barricade ourselves in my room with cake, hot chocolate and High Fidelity. Apart from the noise, things started off relatively tamely – sure, we had to put the subtitles on to hear the �ilm, but that’s fairly standard for Ricky Road anyway.

The point of anxiety began on hearing my �latmate in the bathroom, shouting, “NO! Don’t piss in the sink! Don’t piss in the sink!” The (I think justi�ied) worry increased a bit when I heard something shatter in the kitchen, and the loud chorus of “WEEEEEYYYY!” that followed. When I could no longer pretend that I didn’t need the loo, I had to ignore the fact that there was a vacuum cleaner in the shower (I have no idea why, either), but the queue of boys did, very chivalrously, let me use the toilet �irst.

Eventually (thank God) campus security clocked on to what was happening, put their foot down and turfed the lot of them out, and they all staggered off in the direction of Sinners or Riverside, or somewhere equally out of earshot. When my friend and I eventually dared venture out to inspect the damage, we were relieved to �ind that nothing important had actually been broken, it just looked like a Frosty Jack’s-loaded bomb had gone off in the living area/kitchen.

As opposed to the usual dirty-dishes loaded bomb, I suppose.

Though actually, to be fair to them, when I spoke to a few of the Scousers the next day in more manageable group-sizes, they were actually really nice lads. Really nice lads. In essence, I think all of them were very decent people with a great sense of humour and a very active sense of fun. And my �latmate did clean up with hardly any assistance and virtually no threats or nagging. Sadly, that doesn’t change the fact that if there’s ever another ‘Scouse invasion’, I’m going to leg it onto the �irst train home, and pray that the �lat is still there when I get back.

Anna Templeton Forget the stereotypical image that forms at the mention of an Anti-Social Behavioural Order, or the infamous ASBO; there’s a new acronym on the scene: the NEET. ‘NEET’ describes those aged between 16-24 who are ‘not in education, employment or training’. According to Simon Cox of BBC News, the acronym is “the latest buzzword for teenage drop-outs.”

A recent report by the Work Foundation, a job market thinktank, and the Private Equity Foundation charity found that nearly a quarter of 16-24 year olds can be classi�ied as NEETS, with this �igure predicted to rise in the next few years.

The report is unique in the way it maps out concentrated areas of the UK in order to focus on regional differences, opposed to branding all young people with the same brush.

Whether surprising or not, the results showed a discernible divide between certain areas of the UK. The majority of ‘NEET black-spots’ were in the north of England, in areas with history of industrial decline.

In such areas, deteriorating production generally means a heavier reliance on public sector employment.

Apart from Birmingham, out of the 53 towns and cities researched, most places were on the outskirts of major cities, with low-skilled citizens and were places that struggle to attract private sector �irms.

Academics warned that in some areas, there was beginning to be a “sense of no future” and that the coalition’s cuts were “needlessly sacri�icing” young people. However, there can be no generalisations about this issue. In some cities, such as Oxford, Aberdeen Cambridge and York, the proportion

of NEETs is fewer than one in 10 – far below the national average of 15.6%.

Yet whilst some (possibly more af�luent) areas manage to fall below the national average and stay out of the ‘black-spot danger zone’, other areas of the UK have more worrying statistics. In Grimsby, Doncaster and Warrington, one in four under-25s are NEETs; in north-east London, a �ifth are. The same is true in Birmingham, Newcastle, Barnsley and Swansea.

The latest �igures show the number of NEETs hit a record high at the end of last year in England with 938,000 young people been classed as such.

Connexions, the career and advice service, was the government initia-

tive placed to help those classi�ied as NEETs. Schemes like this may work for the motivated but less success is generated on big estates. Connexions advisor Elwyn Lonque spends her days in Barking in London looking for teenagers to help, but results are often frustrating: “If they can’t get out of the house, there’s not much more I can do.”

The Guardian reported in 2011 that, since 2003, there has been a 15.6% decrease in people aged 16–18 in employment, but a 6.8% increase in those participating in education and training. Therefore, perhaps the reemergence of the NEET category puts emphasis not just on criticising young

people for not holding down a secure job, but concentrates on the vital education and training that leads to the sought-after position of employment.

It becomes apparent that responsibility lies just as much with the government in providing education and training, as it does with young people in motivating themselves to seek employment.

If the ‘blame culture’ in society can be removed, there’ll be a greater opportunity for a better relationship to be created between the young people and the state. Ultimately, with effort and co-operation, this could mean future deterioration of the NEET categorisation in the UK.

Grimsby is one of the revealed towns in which one in four young people are labelled as ‘NEETs’.

Photography: niznoz (Flickr)

Papandreou to bail on a Greece-y situation?

Joe Wood George Papandreou, the former Greek Prime Minister, resigned from his position on November 6 after emergency talks with Antonis Samaras – leader of the main opposition party – and Greek President Karolos Papoulias, left him with no alternative but to leave government.

Papandreou’s resignation came after days of criticism in regards to his proposed referendum over Greece accepting a new European bailout strategy, causing horror for his own party members and a loss of con�idence in their leader.

This referendum was hastily retracted, with markets falling after the announcement, and the Prime Minister being summoned to Cannes by Greece’s unof�icial masters – France and Germany. A coalition will now be

established, with the hope of stabilizing a country in desperate fear of its own economic future.

Greece has already been deemed the black sheep of Europe, with a debt amounting to 151.9% of its national GDP - the second highest de�icit in Europe - bond yields sky-rocketing above all other European nations at 18.04%, and unemployment – in particular youth unemployment (43.5%) – reaching the staggering heights of 17.6%.

The long term problems faced by the Greek economy, along with political outbreaks such as Papandreou’s resignation and the Athens riots, suggests that the relationship it has with the Eurozone is not sustainable.

Liberal Democrat MEP and chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs, Sharon Bowles, described the situation of Greece as like “being between a rock and a hard place.”

Greece is a major problem for the Eurozone, as it has considerably diminished the wealth of other European nations, namely France and Germany, by continuing to be a member.

The reason it is so great a problem for Eurozone countries, rather than

for non-Eurozone countries such as the UK, is due to the use of a single currency – the Euro. By having Greece in the Euro, countries which are more economically stable, like France and Germany, are dependent on the Greek economy succeeding.

If the other members of the Eurozone had reacted quicker to the ‘Greek situation’, by removing it from the Eurozone, many problems could have been avoided. Sharon Bowles commented that it might have been better to have “cut Greece loose ages ago.”

Unfortunately for the so called ‘Eurozone masters’ (France and Germany), it is not as simple as merely cutting Greece out of the Eurozone.

The ‘masters’ have such a phenomenal stake in the Greek economy, through the multitude of bailout packages they have supplied it, that they cannot easily drop their dealings with the country.

However, the effects of failing economies, like Greece’s, on the Eurozone can already be seen. France’s growth forecast has settled at no more than 1%, while the French government has introduced cut-measures and a rise in the pension age from 60 to 62 in

2017 to tackle the country’s mounting de�icit. Figures for Italy’s borrowing costs have also risen to a worrying 6.6%, while the Italian parliament is deliberating on a crucial budget vote, coinciding with a loss in con�idence for Berlusconi from his coalition partners.

The problems faced by Eurozone countries, such as France and Italy, may eventually lead to Greece being abandoned for the simple fact that the other nations cannot afford to sustain it.

The choice is hard for the Eurozone nations. A great deal has already been invested in Greece, but if they allow the problems of one country to impact any further on their economies the result may be a disastrous economic downturn.

The ideal solution for the most economically powerful countries in the Eurozone, Germany and France, would be to remove Greece from the Euro entirely. This would allow for recovery, albeit a slow one, while providing added funds to prevent other countries (France, Italy, Spain) suffering the same economic calamity as Greece.

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Hard measures should be taken on sidelining of ‘soft’ subjects Laura Wotton As an English Literature student here at Newcastle it is perhaps unsurprising that I feel exasperated when I read of schools’ proposed cuts to the ‘softer’ arts subjects. Research published by the NASUWT insinuates the stripping of ‘cultural learning’ from the curriculum of one in eight British schools. Gratifyingly, a ‘star-studded’ campaign against the scheme had been instigated with �igures such as Kevin Spacey and Tate director Sir

Nicholas Serota headlining what the Guardian terms a ‘concerted cultural backlash’ against governmental proposals.

It is true to say that in this period of economic change and �inancial regression, the arts and humanities subjects do not qualify for positions such as economists, bankers and �inancial governors. Yet the arts subjects are by no means futile. An alliance report named ‘The Case for Cultural Learning’ put together by leading artistic �igures, exposes that children and teenagers, when exposed to a variety of cultural experiences, ultimately improve their attainment in all subjects.

Children’s cognitive skills have also been proven to advance when partaking in subjects such as art and music, which, according to the Cultural Learning Alliance “have the power

to transform young people’s lives.”

Consequently government plans to ‘sideline’ such subjects may be more detrimental than bene�icial.

Back in April this year, unrest at the proposed cuts to arts and humanities subjects bubbled to the surface in the form of protests by anti-cuts activists, but such opposition seems to be ignored. The resistance that clashes with the proposed cuts raises a variety of questions concerning the future of British arts education. Indeed back in April, Paul Thompson, rector of London’s Royal College of Art, spoke with vengeance against governmental propositions stating that politicians had “swung a sledgehammer” at an arts-focused education.

A NASUWT report appeals to the governmental authority in education for all pupils to be exposed to

a wide variety of arts and heritage subjects. Such experience, it states, will contribute to a generation of children capable of facing both social and economic dif�iculties. In addition to this, evidence has been cited that less privileged children will get a more successful ‘shot’ at university entrance having studied structured art-centered subjects that reportedly ‘improve learning’.

Indeed who better to showcase the value of an arts education than the artists themselves? Jarvis Cocker, frontman for the band Pulp, describes his arts education as an exhilarating step into a new world and that “on a deeper level [he] was taught to think about things in a non-lateral way.”

Lord Puttnam, the British �ilm producer and Labour peer, outlined the necessity of exposure to the arts in his

statement that “If we fail to offer our young people the opportunity to participate in the arts and culture, then we fail to support them in becoming the leading thinkers, innovators and creative business and community leaders of the future.”

Cultural learning, in my belief, is a monumental necessity for the advancement of a child’s cognitive skills and sidelining this broader education only serves to damage British cultural heritage in future years. The education budget must extend to support subjects above and beyond what the government naively terms purely ‘vocational quali�ications’.

donation, there are after all nearly 300 people awaiting a critical organ transplant, yet I would criticize this Welsh proposal in its handling of such a sensitive issue. Opponents believe that the system of ‘optingout’ will reduce trust and create suspicion in the scheme, the almost ‘compulsory’ measures diminishing the much sought after ‘freedom of choice’. Glyn Davis, MP for Montgom-

reasonable to have a presumptive attitude [...] But if there’s presumed consent, then there’s a suspicion and I think that does effect trust.” Adding to this, one must consider that, in the words of Davis, “It does not deliver but a fraction more organs.”

Furthermore, the practicalities of presumed consent might not be quite so straightforward. Religious and ethical concerns surround this proposed legislation. It is surely wiser to have a system that strongly encourages organ donation rather than forces it. Dr. Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales, outlines such concerns stating that “people’s organs should be donated as a gift to others and not as an ‘asset of the state’.” His fears extend to the consideration of whether any state should be granted the right to legitimize this power when dealing with an issue of such high sensitivity. Instead, the pro�ile of organ donation, he believes, must be raised and in this way the procedure can be a matter of free choice not of duty, ultimately encouraging others to follow suit in their own freely embraced decision without volunteers becoming conscripts.

The fear also remains that critically ill patients won’t have started or completed their ‘opt-out’ registration by the time of their death, consequently resulting in a ‘presumed consent’ and the removal of the organs of the deceased. The unnecessary distress brought on by such a circumstance would not only wreak havoc in the family of the departed but also create extensive oppositional publicity resulting in a drop in overall organ donation.

It is also wise to consider the views of the transplant recipients themselves. Of course the scheme is designed to bene�it them, but many recipients have added that a donated organ, although ultimately a lifesaver, is dif�icult to accept when it has not been given positively, only as an action of default, an easy occurrence in presumed consent. In addition to this there are worries surrounding the possible medical risks involved in the procedure when a full discussion with relatives has not been employed.

Family can be key to deciphering previous health issues of the deceased, problems that could potentially render the donated organ invalid.

Organ donation is undeniably a vital procedure yet, in my opinion, there should be a degree of free choice in such a delicate affair, ultimately injecting a level of trust in medics and thus encouraging positive donation.

Emails in response to the articles should be sent to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk

Should England adopt new ‘opt-out’ laws on organ donation?

Natasha Hosford

Yes

The new presumed consent law, which the Welsh government plans to have in place by 2015, would result in an opt-out system of organ donation.

It would require people to register to ‘opt out’ of donating their organs, rather than opt in as with the current system. This idea is by no means a new one and has already successfully been in place in various forms in a number of countries across the world, such as Spain and Belgium, for more than a decade.

There is no doubt that there is a signi�icant issue with the status quo in the UK, with an estimated three people dying each day whilst on the waiting list for an organ transplant. It is clear that the system needs to change.

At the moment an estimated 90% of people in the UK support organ donations, but of that only 28% have ‘got round’ to joining the organ donation register. Of this 28%, too many people forget to carry a card, lose it, or even don’t get round to signing it.

The proposed presumed consent law seems to be the way forward. For those who are strongly opposed they have the right to refuse donation. The individual simply has to register on a national database, which they can change at any time. This addresses the issue of volunteers being turned into conscripts, as they would still be given the free will to choose. The support of this law depends very much on the publicity it receives as it could easily give the image of doctors ‘harvesting’ patients.

The ‘soft’ as opposed to ‘hard’ form the law will take, means that the deceased’s families will still be consulted. Though the permission of the family is not required for organ retrieval; organs may not be removed if the family takes the initiative to oppose donation. As the deceased has made a conscious choice and does not oppose donation, it frees the family from any responsibility and guilt from making the wrong decision.

Although organ donation is viewed

positively, few of us have actually spoken about it and expressed our wishes to our next of kin. Therefore, when confronted with the death of a close relative, family members normally �ind the decision on organ donation to be extremely traumatic. As a result they tend to have hesitant feelings, and whatever their decision, continued remorse can result.

If asked when faced with life or death whether I would have an organ transplant I would without hesitation say yes, along with the vast majority of you I’m sure. If presumed consent does work, it will save multiple lives simply from the decision of one life.

Who are we to refuse other people that option?

There is no doubt that the presumed consent law would increase the number of organs available for transplants, perhaps even enable the UK to use live organ donors only as a last resort. It would also save NHS resources on number of treatments such as dialysis for kidney patients.

Most importantly it would lead to organ donation being accepted by the vast majority and would mean its application would no longer be a matter of controversy.

Laura Wotton

No

The idea of organ donation is all a bit grisly, and even more so now Wales plans to implement a new law requiring people to ‘opt-out’ of organ donation (as opposed to opting in). The terminally ill, if the legislation passes, will be subject to reams of paperwork and a guilty conscience in order to preserve their organs in death, a consideration that will haunt the older generation. The fear remains whether Britain will propose a similar legislation on its population, a proposition that would inspire controversy over the much-debated issue of ‘free choice’.

I do not in any way undermine the importance and necessity of organ

It is surely wiser to have a system that strongly encourages organ donation rather than forces it. eryshire, spoke unfavorably upon the proposed change, stating that “I don’t mind moving towards a presumptive attitude because almost everybody is in favour of organ donation so it’s

Wales’s new implementation of an ‘opt-out’ system for organ donation has sparked fierce debate in the House of Commons Photography: Best in Plastics (Flickr)

12

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

comment

No place on blogs for new ‘cyber-chauvinism’ Lauren Stafford Internet ‘trolling’ started in the 1980s. It is not a new phenomenon. A ‘troll’ is de�ined as someone who goes out of their way to unsettle an online community by leaving abusive comments or interrupting discussions, usually with the deliberate aim of provoking other members. It’s true that any website soliciting comments is often subject to this kind of abuse.

Men insulting men, women insulting women, people expressing discriminatory remarks about race or sexual persuasion. These all exist online.

However, misogynistic hate speech is particularly prevalent. It’s not exclusively directed at feminist bloggers either, it seems that women expressing any kind of sentiment are targets.

In the last week, blogger Sady Doyle responded to the debate by posting the hashtag #mencallmethings on Twitter. Now it’s gone viral and women around the world have been sharing their stories. This revealed a horrifying array of comments which were not only sexist, but also sexually

threatening.

I asked a fellow student about her experience of sexism online.

“I got told to staple up my c*** once during an online debate. I was also told by a guy I’d never met before that I was ‘too ugly to f***’. This quickly descended into about six of them repeatedly posting phrases like –‘f***ing ugly c***’, ‘you couldn’t handle my d*ck’ and ‘just because you could never get a man, you ugly slag’.

This continued for about twenty minutes. I had said nothing to provoke them to mention anything about my appearance or sexual desires”.

This tactic of undermining a woman’s voice by reducing her to a mere sexual object is common. It seems, if a man can portray a woman as a vessel for sex and sex alone, her opinion is no longer valid. We live, supposedly, in a progressive, society yet there is something inherently caveman-like about these attitudes.

Kelly tells me that she’s not deterred from commenting online but the situation made her wary.

“I felt like I needed some validation, that I wasn’t being stupid, that it wasn’t okay for them to be saying these things to me. The speed with which they became aggressive and threatening was frightening”.

You might argue, what’s the fuss?

It’s only name-calling. These are not physical attacks and there are no bruises to show for them. After all,

Women are now using online blogs to speak out against threatening comments.

Photography: baronsquirrel (Flickr) they can even be called impersonal.

It’s only the internet and everyone says nasty things online. Nevertheless, it’s still discrimination, even if it’s not face to face. For many ‘trolls’ being caustic and vitriolic is �ine as long as they’re basking in the backlight of their laptop, feeling safe in the knowledge that their anonymity is relatively intact. Whilst I do think that those who hide behind the guise

of the internet are cowards, this kind of behaviour is often relentless, blindly hate-�illed and quick to escalate. It re�lects the mentality of a would-be rapist or perpetrator of domestic violence. Threats to rape or murder are of�icially illegal, but currently the maximum penalty for ‘trolling’ is six months in prison. More can be done, super�icially at least, to stop ‘trolls’ leaving gender-related in�lammatory

insults on the web. Moderators can take a more active role on social-networking sites such as a Facebook and Twitter. Offenders should be traced.

Yet, the point is that sexist abuse online is only the tip of a very disturbing iceberg. The more that misogyny becomes normalised in our culture, the more hate speech against women will turn into hate crime.

Best of this week’s online responses Re: New policies to impact on popular student areas.

JD: The problem is when a neighbour complains and gets the house number wrong and means to complain about another house.

The university and the police seem to take a guilty until proven innocent stance and darken your name to your lecturers, then when found innocent you don’t receive any apology whatsoever. I sort of understand what they’re trying to do but my experience of this new policy was that it was appallingly implemented and I felt probably more harassed by the university and the police when the incorrect complaint was made than the neighbours who complained probably did. I don’t see why I should have to explain my behaviour in my own private residence to the university anyway but that’s beside the point.

Anonymous: I find the reporting of this story quite disappointing if I am being totally honest. Both on the online version and the print version of the Courier it all seems very biased. It doesn’t seem as if anybody actually asked anyone working for the university or student union what their opinion is on this issue. Additionally, I think especially in the print version, but in parts in the online version – the figures used are quite misleading. Figures seem to be banded around for example “7,648 noise complaints, an increase from 6,318 the previous year.” Can we please bear in mind here that this is the total noise complaints made – about other residents as well as student. If we were to dive into the figures I think you would find that the overwhelming majority of these numbers are not complaints made against Students – I’m not sure the article does enough to highlight this….seems like large figures are

just being added in for shock value as opposed to actually reporting the truth.

Re: Poundland get picky about poppies Anonymous: It’s horrendous that anyone should be actively told not to wear something which symbolises pride and respect to those who not only made the ultimate sacrifice in the first and second world wars, but also to those today who are fighting in Afghanistan. Poundland should be ashamed.

Re: Five reasons why...whoever suggested The Stone Roses reunion is a floppy-brained chump.

M: Obviously fake!

Will Smith: @M – You’re right. This article is obviously fake. OBVIOUSLY. Actually, wait, I have no idea WTF you mean.

Cheeky Monkey: I agree with Will Smith, what do you mean this is fake? a) it exists and b) it’s a bit of light hearted writing with the intent of putting a smile on your face. Like this :) when you get a refund from the surgeon who removed your sense of humor, come back and read it again, you might actually enjoy it. If not, stick to reading page after page on Wikipedia. Just stay well clear of anything to do with folklore or legend, as there’s a good chance it is fake.

To respond to this week’s articles visit

thecourieronline.co.uk

Taking a walk with the Park Music max out with lead singer and local legend Paul Smith page 26

Getting Down and decadent Dressing for the endless weekend page 18

lifestyle fashion music ďŹ lm arts science tv careers

14

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

lifestyle

thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk

Bespoke your bicycle

Lifestyle Editor Olivia Mason shows you how to style your faithful ride Light up Bike lights are a must buy; why be dull when multi-coloured LED disco bike lights are on the market. See Nite Ize’s spokelight.

Keep your bum cosy

Bars

Buying coloured drop bars will make a road bike look chic but bar tape can be used on any bike and there are thousands of colours and patterns out there. It’s also very easy to apply.

Invest in a posh Brooks leather bike seat (www.brooksengland.com) for retro glam or, if funds are tough, just buy a colourful cover for your seat.

Basket out

Make it a �ixie

Having a basket on the front of your bike adds an instant bit of kitsch. But why stop there? With some ribbons, �lowers and bells you could make a basket a really eye-catching part of your bike.

Join the scenesters and convert your bike into a �ixed-gear or single-speed.

This involves having the sprocket, or cog, threaded or bolted directly to a �ixed rear hub, so the bike has no freewheel and cannot coast. Any bike shop or Recyke-y-Bike in Byker should be able to do this for you.

Make a noise

Top Tips

Why buy a boring bell when there are vintage horns

Top Websites

Wheels

www.bricklanebikes.co.uk www.recyke-y-bike.com www.�ixedgeargallery.com www.velodrama.co.uk Illustration: Emma Rawsthorne Illustration: Jennifer Dodsworth

Colour-coordinate - never underestimate the power of a good colour scheme. These days you can get buy almost every part individually and in every colour. Think a pink frame, white tyres, and a green chain!

Coloured wheels will instantly transform your bike.

Getting a whole coloured rim set will set you back a fair amount, but coloured tyres are a cheap and easy alternative.

Keep it clean - what’s the point in putting in all that work just to ride about on a muddy frame?

Use second-hand parts - you can pick up bargains and have your bike with exactly the parts you want without paying a fortune.

Ask Aunty Angela After a firey weekend everyone’s favourite Aunty is back to solve solutions to all your burning questions care with washing in the morning. Don’t make a big deal of it and don’t do it as a group. This will make him feel ganged up on and embarrassed.

I absolutely love my new �latmates this year, but the problem here is that one of them really stinks! He’s such a lovely guy and is probably my favourite person I’ve met at university so far. Do I tell him that he smells? Or will this damage our friendship?

I don’t think it will damage your friendship - if anything, done right, it will make it stronger. I’m sure he’d prefer for someone he knows and likes to tell him rather than someone he doesn’t know being heartless about it. What you have to do is take him to one side and just say that sometimes he needs to take a bit more

Me and my boyfriend always used to have amazing nights out together and with our friends. But recently he’s started drinking insane amounts of alcohol. I’ve ended up in A&E with him twice because he’s fallen and hurt himself. I’m really worried that it might get worse or somebody else might get hurt. What do I do?

I think your boyfriend is either developing a problem or is just hitting it a bit too hard. Could there be a reason for the sudden change? A family �ight? Work increase? Something that has stressed him out and he’s trying to escape it by drinking more than he used to? I think you should talk to him because he could end up hurting himself or someone else if he is not careful. Be sure to get the timing

right though - you don’t want to end up �ighting about it. Or maybe ask if there is something wrong and work it through with him. You may �ind that if it is a problem, and you sort it together, the drinking may decrease on its own.

In our �lat we generally like to be quite quiet when we’re not going out. But other people in our building don’t seem to have the same lifestyle and it’s hard to get to sleep at 3am when someone is playing “I’m Sexy and I Know It” at full blast and screaming their head off. What can I do to make it stop?

How many times do I need to express my love for ear plugs?! I’m serious! They work wonders! If that doesn’t work, you’ll have to talk to them about keeping it down at unsociable hours. You’re not telling them to stop completely but just to have a bit more compassion for their neighbours who don’t want to be dancing every night at 3am. Don’t be mean or an-

gry about it because then they’ll do it just to spite you. But if they don’t stop then you have my permission to go upstairs, remove their speakers and hide them until they apologise.

If you have any problems you need help with, email Aunty Angela at c2.lifestyle@ ncl.ac.uk

Aunty Angela, help! My boyfriend has decided to do Movember this year and although I am completely supportive of his charitable intentions I just can’t stand the tash. I hate the way it looks, the way I can feel it when we kiss, and worst of all it looks more like fuzz than anything else.

Back in my day moustaches were quite the thing for sophisticated young gentlemen. They were seen as a sign of good breeding! While I appreciate you don’t feel the same way, maybe try and embrace it as a new fashionable quirk.

Perhaps it could be the new spark in your relationship - get some role play involved!

If you still can’t get on board, remember it’s not for life and be happy you have a

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

sex&relationshipslifestyle

Lifestyle Editors: Olivia Mason and Ben Parkin Online Editor: Emma Balter

Blind Date

Tashin’ on in the Toon

Rory Davies, 3rd year Sociology, meets Felicity Mortimer, 2nd year History

Victoria Mole

Felicity on Rory

Rory on Felicity

First Impressions?

First Impressions?

Not good because he didn’t text me �irst! Jokes. He was friendly and talkative so it wasn’t too awkward. I also rang him when I was wasted in Sinners the Wednesday before, but I don’t remember any of it so it doesn’t count!

What did you talk about?

We did the usual chat - where we go on nights out, where we lived in �irst year, etc (disagreed about which of our halls was better - Ricky Road beats all, obviously!), and I remember speaking about camels for some reason.

Any awkward moments?

Seeing our mates in Mens Bar was pretty awkward, but I guess we expected that. And when my mate took a photo (or four) of us, because we’re fussy and we didn’t like our hair. When he went to check his hair he said his head was too big for the mirror so he couldn’t sort it out.

Anything in common?

We like to make sure our hair looks all right before having a photo taken and both had a few drinks before we met each other.

Best thing about them?

He was really easy to talk to and friendly. There was no real awkwardness between us at all.

Did you go anywhere afterwards?

Yeah we went to CCTV, which he had never been to before (not cool). We don’t remember much of the night though of course! I ended up texting the lifestyle editor ,thinking it was Rory, saying, ‘where are you?’, ‘tell me where you are!’ I now realise why I didn’t get a reply...

Would you meet again?

Yeah, I think I would, because we got along well. I could see us going for a drink or something.

Marks out of ten?

8 because the date was an overall success apart from the fact that I didn’t get to say goodbye on the night because I bailed quite early, thanks to too many double vodkas and jagerbombs. Sorry Rory!

15

Just that she was attractive, maybe a bit northern, but there’s nothing wrong with that - I guess! She seemed talkative straight away and it wasn’t weird meeting her for the �irst time or anything. I was pretty curious as to how she was roped into going on a blind date, which is de�initely what happened to me.

What did you talk about?

Camels and how they could hold loads of water or milk or whatever it is. Which courses we were doing, life in Jesmond, how awkward it was going to be meeting each other’s mates later, preferred nightlife destinations, Sinners, alcoholics, football (brie�ly) and work. We also talked about halls; it became apparent that Felicity was of the belief that Henderson Hall isn’t as good as Ricky Road, which is obviously a load of rubbish.

But we talked about pretty much everything really (nothing too in depth).

Any awkward moments?

Talking about alcoholics was probably not a good idea, that was maybe an awkward moment.

Meeting her mates wasn’t too bad, but still de�initely falls under the category of “awkward”. They played drinking games that I just did not understand at all.

Anything in common?

We discussed how we both like Sinners, and both being stupidly drunk at CCTV later, and... hair colour? Ha.

Best thing about them?

The best thing about Felicity was she was very chatty and always had something to talk about, so conversation never really ran dry. She was also just a bit of a joker, which is always a good thing.

Did you go anywhere afterwards?

We went to CCTV afterwards at the Union.

I hadn’t been there before so didn’t really know what to expect. It was pretty good, very busy; that camera booth is ridiculous.

Would you meet again?

We already have met again to try and take a photo for the paper! Reasonably unsuccessfully, but yeah, I’d be cool with meeting her again.

Marks out of ten?

I think 8 is a fair mark out of ten she was nice, pretty and chilled, but up for a laugh, so yeah, 8.

For the lucky among us, housemates double up as guardian angels - guardian angels that encourage us to down beverages of questionable content and are ready to digitally capture the resulting display for everyone to see the following afternoon.

Fortunately when you’ve been ‘papped’ in the act, your dignity can be saved by ‘de-tagging’ (this will need to be done the approximate amount of times you attempted to profess that you were sober).

Your housemates will also make your Facebook audience aware that you can have a lot of fun with a cucumber and that it’s your undying wish to be a northerner.

Several of us have witnessed a residential boyfriend wearing too little clothing, usually along the lines of your housemate’s dressing gown, far too early in the morning pre-coffee. When they’re around for a long time they become a much-loved part of a student house: like a house pet, both get fed, groomed and a cosy bed. It’s not only partners that might be caught less than fully clothed; relationships between housemates may reach new levels as a result of the dreaded toweldrop. One of my housemates is able to see into our shared shower through his window; ironically, he’s gay. As relieving as it is that he won’t be sneaking a peek, it’s almost a shame that, should he see anything accidentally, he wouldn’t appreciate the view.

For the cheekier singletons out there, your housemates are the ones that stay faithfully on ‘bum-watch’ to prevent any unfortunate �lashing, but will happily step aside and let you engage in public displays of affection with inappropriate partners. There should be force �ields to prevent us from partaking in PDA with coursemates and bouncers.

One of my �lat mates in �irst year had a radar for when one of us had someone back, she could even tell whether they were a regular visitor or a �irst-timer in the �lat from their voices. Regular hookups also earned themselves a nickname - ‘Sweaty Mess’, and what we can only assume was his favourite t-shirt, will forever haunt a particular corridor. We could always expect the ‘I know’ look from her the next day.

Housemates will also be there for you when things are of a more serious nature.

If you’re left heartbroken they’ll be DTS (down to spoon) with hot chocolate and the DVD of your geekiest, favourite �ilm, which they will de�initely know from living with you. If at university you ever need a friend for support when going for an embarrassing health check-up, perhaps after a liaison with a lapse in judgement, someone will be there to giggle with you in the waiting room at the �lavours of the freebies on offer.

Drama is far too frequent in relationships; half an episode of Jeremy Kyle is more than enough to demonstrate this. If you fall back into the arms of a mistake you’ve already made, it’s the duty of housemates to knock some sense into you with a broom; and should someone fork and then forsake you, you can guarantee they would be after them with a shovel.

Men (literally) come and go, but housemates? You’re stuck with them.

16

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

lifestyle

thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk

Winter warmers

Lauren Cordell mulls over some festive flavours

Shorthand Hitch

Who? The Hitch Society

Sounds worryingly like an awkward date my mother would arrange for me…

Well, unless she sends you half way round the world every time she gets her hands on that family ‘friend’ she’s so keen on, then no. It’s hitch-hiking, the best - and cheapest - way of travelling through Europe and beyond (or so we’ve heard).

You’ve got me. What else can you impart?

Croatia, or Morocco, take your pick: beer for under a pound, sleeping on roof tops and ‘some of the most interesting people you will ever meet.’ Throw in free travel, and some great friends (a boy must - for safety reasons - be part of your group) and then you’re good to go.

Funny you mention safety. I always thought hitch-hiking was a bit risky.

(My mother certainly wouldn’t approve of it…)

Not at all, and certainly not with Newcastle’s society. To take part, a sum of money must be raised for the charity Link (a highly regarded ‘grassroots’ organisation which �ills in the missing bits larger charities ignore, providing things from stationary to internet, enabling schools and communities to function and develop worldwide). The charity itself ensures safety and insurance for traveller, and in 20 years there have been 7,500 people taking part with no major incidents.

Marvellous. When are we leaving?

Calm down keeno. Hitch-hiking must take place between March 16 and April 29, but many stay on to travel. One girl we talked to spent three weeks touring the whole of Morocco, and guess what it cost!

It’s that time of year again; the days are getting colder and the nights are drawing in. But as they say, every cloud has its silver lining and this season’s may just be the delicious warming drinks that we can use as an excuse to indulge in. Whether you need a respite from some hectic pre-Christmas shopping or are just looking for somewhere to cosy up and keep warm, here’s a rundown of the top �ive this winter:

granted your surroundings are perhaps a little dif�icult to compare to the Italian dream, the bog-standard chain-cafe setting is nice enough. And did I mention the Chocolate Milano? It is probably as near as you are going to come to a real Italian hot chocolate without jumping on a plane.

Drink responsibly.

Orchard Pig Mulled Cider @ The Fair Trade Inn

Gingerbread Latte @ Café 1901

St Lawrence Road, Upper East Quayside, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (£2.50)

St George’s Terrace, West Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (£2.80)

Think cider and most people think of an ice cool refreshment in the summer sunshine, rather than a warming mug of mulled cider, but this tasty tipple is most de�initely worth the effort of going a little out of your way. Minutes along the Quayside from the Millennium Bridge, The Fair Trade Inn is a hidden treasure, seemingly time-warped from a recent past. Window seats at this shabby-chic pub give brilliant views back along the river, whilst oldschool tunes drift from the free jukebox.

As for the cider, it’s a warm, applely affair, infused with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and cloves topped off with a slice of orange - and at £2.50 a mug it’s quite the bargain.

Realising this place exists is half the experience. In the cold winter months, most people walk by the limited outdoor tables and chairs outside Jesmond Methodist Church without a second thought. But those in the know head inside into one of Newcastle’s best cafes. The homely interior comprises an eclectic mishmash of different furniture, whilst the art on the walls is all for sale. Cosy down on one of the sofas at the back and slurp away on a gingerbread latte. Sounds strange, but oh it’s so good. The combined taste of a gingerbread biscuit, hot milk and the best coffee in Jesmond is guaranteed to leave you wanting more. Caramel, Vanilla, Hazelnut and Butterscotch Lattes also available.

36-38 Brentwood Avenue, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

If you’re not much of a tea or coffee drinker or just fancy something a bit different, this hot and fruity number is a great alternative at this friendly neighbourhood deli-come-cafe. And with the cakes and pastries on offer it would be almost criminal not to indulge in an accompanying snack. The freshly baked scones may be the best I’ve ever tasted whilst the rocky road and brownie also receive rave reviews. Go on, treat yourself.

137 Northumberland Street, City Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Hot Chocolate Milano @ Caffè Nero

37-39 St George’s Terrace, West Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne (£2.95 – £3.55) The iconic American coffeehouse has come up with a festive “red cup exclusives” range this winter, which includes the Eggnog Latte - advertised as unique to Starbucks and back by popular demand.

The drink consists of rich, creamy eggnog spiked with an espresso and dusted with

28-34 Clayton Street, City Centre, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Forget bland powder-based hot chocolate, this is the real deal. Close your eyes and imagine yourself in a cosy Venetian café sipping a warming, sumptuously rich chocolate drink. Open your eyes, and

Do-it-yourself Christmas cordials Elissa Hudson offers the liquid low-downs Mulled Cider

Spiced Hot Chocolate

A less sophisticated, but far more student appropriate alternative to the classic mulled wine is a tumbler of mulled cider.

For a second there I thought we were able to make a clean breakaway…

Afraid not. Mother playing cupid from home is still a potential worry, but you’ve got 900 miles between the two of you even if you choose Croatia, the ‘land of 100 islands’, which is closer, so chances are you’re sorted. But don’t just take our word for it, �ind out for yourselves. First social is this Thursday, and that’s just the start!

1. First, buy a few bottles of your favourite cider – stay away from the Frosty Jacks though, no matter how tempting the price is, you’ll end up regretting it!

2. Pick up a few apples (one per bottle of cider), a packet of dried apricots, some brown sugar, cinnamon sticks and any other winter spices you fancy adding to the mix 3. Thinly slice your apples and apricots and any other fruit you want to add 4. Pour the cider into a saucepan and warm it up (don’t let it boil though), and throw in all your other ingredients - use as much sugar as you like; just keep tasting it until you get it right 5. Strain into tumblers and enjoy!

If you have more of a sweet tooth, try this hot chocolate recipe with a festive twist. You just need hot chocolate powder, some nutmeg, chilli powder and milk. The kick you get from the chilli powder and the nutmeg makes this the perfect winter warmer.

Nonie Heal

Hot Pear @ Stewart & Co

Eggnog Latte @Starbucks

I have no doubt you’re about to tell me! £150. And that’s including actually getting there. We’re advised to try the camel trekking in Morocco; one hitcher spent her 21st birthday on one in the midst of an electric storm.

I thought you said it wasn’t dangerous…

Get over it! It’s not. There’s a 24 hour number you can call if you’re really in trouble, as well as website which is updated when you text (it’s compulsory) each day as to your whereabouts.

ground nutmeg. Also available are the Toffee Nut Latte, the Gingerbread Latte and the Praline Mocha.

1. Mix the cocoa powder with ½ a teaspoon of grated nutmeg and ½ a teaspoon of chilli powder 2. Then just add milk as normal (don’t skimp on this part and use water instead, it’s just not the same!)

3. If you’re feeling adventurous, add some whipped cream on top (Starbucks style) and a cinnamon stick

Illustration: Emma Rawsthorne

of the season Eggnog Coffee For those who need a regular caffeine �ix, eggnog is perfect for making your coffee feel a little bit more seasonal.

1. First, just make a cup of your usual coffee, however you like it 2. Then add a good splash of eggnog and give it a stir 3. Whipped cream is always a good addition, but you can give it a miss if you’re counting the calories 4. To �inish it off; grate some nutmeg on top, as much or as little as you like, there are no rules

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

lifestyle

Lifestyle Editors: Olivia Mason and Ben Parkin Online Editor: Emma Balter

IanJonesPennyPincher IanJones How to have a cheaper night out

Nights out are one of the most quintessential student experiences and if you’re a fresher, or very keen third year, you should be going out several times a week, This get inexplicably expensive. and no one wants to play the ‘I can’t afford it card’ while it would be patronising to try and introduce you to the ancient ritual of “pre drinks”, however beyond this widespread practice, there are further ways to cut the costs of a night out.

Value Products

For the majority of students, the �irst and most essential ingredient of a good night out is an unhealthy dose of alcohol. On average the difference between the cheapest and dearest bottle of gin or vodka on a supermarket shelf is somewhere between thirty �ive and forty percent. That’s the difference between paying £8.72 or £14.29 for a 70cl bottle of vodka or gin.

This slight change can therefore give you a huge saving over the course of a year.

Better Quality Mixers

Review

Teasy does it

By buying cheaper alcohol, you’re obviously compromising the taste a little. If you’re prepared to spend a little bit more on your mixer then you can easily counteract the marginal difference in taste between a brand name or Tesco value spirit. Spending a little bit more on a decent mixer can make all the difference to the �lavour of your drink, but still allow you to savour your drink.

In Town

So you’ve got out of the taxi and realised that you’ve only got a tenner in your pocket. Cue whipping out the plastic and treating half your mates. Everyone knows that it’s impossible to be responsible with a debit card on a night out, so why bother bringing it at all? As long as you withdraw enough

How to take it teasy:

Location: 150 Heaton Park Road Cafes in Heaton are like Happy Hours Heaton on Osboure Road; alluring, copious, and Newcastle always trying to do something that little bit NE6 5NR different.

Teasy does it is the latest reincarnation of Email a former daily diner to spring up on Heaton tdinewcastle@ Park Road. All mismatched chairs, exotic gmail.com prints and bright furnishings, evoking that ‘I’m at one of those quirky hidden gems I Website: have to tell my friends about’ feel. www.teasydoesit.

Being different, the Teasy way, is all about com tea. Goodbye english breakfast, move over Earl Grey: this is time to sip your way into a whole new drinking palette of aroma fuelled, strangely coloured hot waters.

Opting for ‘Christmas in a Cup’, which, once over the prematurity of the festive addition to the menu, then the realisation that it is actually November, I found crisp, fruity and, well, Christmassy. Although perhaps slightly over industrialized, presented complete with mini teapot, drainer, extra cups and tray.

Gimicky, but �loral enough to win me over.

Especially after trying the choco mint dajo; hot chocolate, without the sickly bloating and inevitable regret.

Eats wise, Teasy serves a variety of breakfast, brunch and lunch options, including fry-ups, sandwiches and paninis all priced in the reasonable £3-4 range. Garlic and herb mushrooms are a must try.

Sweets change daily “depending on what they feel like.”

Luckily for us, it was chocolate and hazelnut brownie day. Wouldn’t mind it being that time of the week next time I visit.

Kat Bannon

Illustration: Jenny Dodsworth

cash before hand to last you the night, then by leaving your card safely at home you can prevent your drunken alter-ego from needless spending. If you’re not �inishing the night in a large group, then it’s normally a good idea to try and split a taxi with others back to Ricky Road/ Jesmond or wherever you may be going.

Unless you’re tough enough to walk home that is.

Be Creative

Tried and tested it may be to combine your spirits with either orange or cranberry juice, it may not always be convenient and juice is hardly strong enough to outweigh the notorious pungency of vodka. Vodka jelly is also a cheap, if not entirely practical, way to start an evening. If you really want to experiment, then try getting a pack of marshmallows and stuf�ing them into vodka bottle, but you’ll need to freeze the marshmallows �irst to prevent them sticking to the inside of the bottle neck.

MattAspin StudentSupper Naan bread pizzas with home-made tomato sauce

This pizza is a great way of reinventing a fast-food dish that is usually labelled greasy and fattening. By using naan bread instead of a traditional dough base, you can make an acceptable meal that doesn’t cause its consumer to have to loosen their trousers after eating! Naan bread is both lower in fats and carbohydrates than usual pizza bases as well as being more �lavoursome, thus creating a pizza base that is healthier and tastier – and not to mention, cheaper!

Such a versatile base can be topped with a variety of items, and although cheese and tomato form the basic pizza ingredients, more toppings should be added in order to make the most of the bases.

Chorizo and chicken work particularly well, as do ham and mushroom! The tomato sauce is easy to make, and the pizzas take around 25 minutes all together.

2 naan breads serve 3-4 people. Preheat your grill, and get ready to enjoy!

Ingredients (Serves 3-4)

2 Garlic Naan Breads 400g chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp tomato purée 3 cloves garlic ½ medium onion, �inely chopped 1 tsp dried oregano 2 tbsp olive oil 300g cheddar/mozzarella.

Toppings of your choice

17

What’s Hot Movember

Although that facial fuzz does not suit everyone. try andlook beyond the awful facial debris this month and give the guys credit for putting aside all vanity to raise money for a great charity.

Skating@Life

Make the most of the freezing north east weather and get yourself down to the Ice Rink at the Life centre. This outdoor ice rink will be up until the 19th of February so that’s plenty of time to brush up you ice skating skill.

Fenwicks window

OK, so it’s not quite Christmas yet but this heart-warming display from Fenwicks cannot fail to impress and get you excited for the Festive season.

Grainger Market

If you’ve been a bit indulgent in the �irst month and a half of Uni and moneys looking tight, you don’t have to compromise on luxury.

Mid Term Deadlines olive and onions in a saucepan until the onions have reduced and are softened.

2. Add the garlic, tomatoes, tomato purée and oregano and simmer for 8-10 minutes until the sauce is spreadable.

Season with salt and pepper.

3. Spread the sauce over the naan bread, leaving a ½cm crust around the edge. At this point, add your toppings.

4. Grate (cheddar) or slice (mozzarella) your cheese and add to the tomato sauce and toppings (It may seem strange to add the toppings before the cheese but trust me, it stops your pizza becoming greasy as the juices from your toppings soak into the sauce and naan!)

5. Grill for approximately 10-15 minutes, or until the naan is warmed through and the cheese is melted and becoming crispy.

We are coming up to the most stressful time the term, mid-term assessment deadlines. Tension is growing in the library as it slowly

Jesmond Shopping

With potentially the most expensive Tesco’s outside London, and now a Waitrose, students in Jesmond are paying a high price for convenience.

The North East

The North East is literally not hot and as students, we are all reluctant to turn on the heating until we feel the �irst tingle of frostbite. Looks like the only answer is layers, layers and more layers.

What’s Not

Cooking Instructions

1. To make the tomato sauce, heat the

Shanna Lennon

18

fashion

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk

Uptow Down That familiar fear of forgetting our P.E. kit and being forced to wear somebody else’s gym shorts left from yesteryear; that certain charity-shop smell - not to mention those iconic, gigantic shoulder pads. Not so long ago the very thought of wearing old, second-hand clothing would have sent shivers down the spines of the fashion-savvy amongst us. However, our perception of second-hand clothing over the past few years has transformed from the shamefully shabby to one of “oh darling! is that vintage!?”. Why is this?

Firstly, period dramas such as Downton Abbey with their decadent costumes call us back to ‘ladylike’ dresses and soft feminine prints - easily found in any good vintage retailer; these have captured our hearts and definitely our wardrobes! Couple this with contemporary fashion icons such as Alexa Chung and Chloe Sevigny channelling their floral tea dresses and vintage denim into our magazines and minds on a regular basis, it’s no surprise that vintage clothing has made it out of the charity shops and into the limelight.

Perhaps vintage fashion is escapism for fashion lovers, a way to express ourselves and give a nod to the eras that inspired our favourite new designers and trends. Whatever the reasons for this vintage revolution, I say embrace it! Have fun and connect with ages gone by.

Lizzie Hampson

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Fashion Editor: Victoria Mole Online Fashion Editor: Rosanna Sopp

fashion

35

wn look goes ntown Abbey

Photography by: Moises Bedrossian and Lauren Cordell Modelled by: Nikki Doherty, Adam Ebrahim, Laura Nicholson and Holly Waghorn Hair & Make-up by: Abi Heath Directed by: Victoria Mole and Rosanna Sopp Location: Old Hall, Henderson Hall

Black high-waisted skirt by H&M White vest tops by Marks & Spencer Champagne jumpsuit/black shrug/white pinstripe blouse/scallop-detail tunic top/black heels by New Look Black maxi skirt by River Island Black open-toe heels by Topshop Nude wedge heels by Primark

20

fashion

fashionista etiquette being chic in all situations

When you want a brand new look but aren’t able to fund additions to your wardrobe, one thing you can make a change to that will impact every ensemble you put together is your hairstyle!

Keeping up with the effervescent do’s of designers would be impossible to maintain but it’s easy to opt for a new cut and colour or even add more techniques to your style repertoire.

Red tresses

Whether it’s just an auburn tint a la Emma Stone or full on cherry red Rihanna style, this look is relatively easy to achieve. Fair skins have always been famed for suiting red hair, however it’s not limited to them - there are a variety of shades to suit everyone, from warm copper tones to the cooler purple-infused red.

Dip dye

A major hair craze of the past year that’s ideal for brunettes. The most �lattering shades are ones that aren’t too much lighter than the rest of your hair for a sun-kissed look. However you can be more daring as dip-dye is purposely to be noticeable and you don’t have the problem of worrying about your roots.

Don’t fade into the background

This one is only for the adventurous. A ‘fade’ is shaving the small area of hair by your face. This looks good with a strong sweeping fringe and can be used to show ear piercings. From grungy attire to a one-shouldered party dress this hairstyle is exciting and on-trend.

Back-combed beauty

Not all of us are blessed with Cheryl Cole’s hair’s bounce (or her styling team) so to achieve the luscious look, always back-comb your hair in small sections. Use a comb or a brush and plenty of L’Oreal Elnett hairspray of course!

French fancy

These are really useful for those in the awkward inbetween stage of growing out a fringe or if you just want a change from your usual style. It looks impressive and does take practice- watch how to tutorials on YouTube.com for help.

Bobbing between styles

The long bob; current style of Olivia Palermo and Fearne Cotton. To achieve this look, make sure that hair is cut to the same length the whole way around. Perfect for those with long hair wanting a change, but aren’t quite brave enough for a dramatic chop.

Part with your current parting

This is an instant change, especially when moving from side to middle. This style can narrow the forehead and soften the jawline to make your face more ovular. Curl the front two strands of your face to add some wave to the style if you �ind a straight middle parting too harsh!

Pixie-crop shock

Only for the adventurous, but guaranteed to get you noticed! Make like Emma Watson who left her Hermione Granger days behind her with her shortened tresses.

Mermaid locks

Usually associated with WAGs, hair extensions can still look natural with authentic human clip-in ones that won’t break the bank. Can be worn special occasions or when growing out short hair.

Top-knot

Previously just a way to pull your hair out of your face and now a fashion statement. Start by putting a hair tie around a ponytail high on your head and then on the next tie tuck the ponytail in and ruf�le to complete the look.

Olivia Gillespie-Norris

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk

campusfashionUSA

Olivia Gillespie-Norris interviews students from the Fashion Institute of Technology

Emily

Edward

Fashion Communication and Promotion

Sophomore

Dress: Free People Top: Topshop Jacket: H&M Bag: Vintage Moschino Sunglasses: H&M Boots: Vintage

Scarf: Market Jumper: Buffalo Exchange Jeans: Levi Bag: Nike Shoes: Vintage

Opinion on British fashion:: ‘’Anything goes in New York but I think even more so in Britain. Any combination of out�its will not make you stand out in a bad way.”

Opinion on British fashion: “The British are more creative with their fashion compared to the more sophisticated New York look - but up and coming designers have more of a chance in New York as there is more money in the fashion industry here than in London, and so it makes it the best place to be fashion wise.”

Coat: Vintage Jeans: Buffalo Exchange Boots: Spring Bag: Vintage

Hoodie: American Apparel Shirt: Wrangler Jeans: Diesel Sunglasses: Buffalo Exchange

Opinion on British fashion: “British fashion is a lot more edgy than in New York people push the boundaries more in what they wear everyday which is great. I also love ASOS.com - at least we can have it shipped over here!”

Opinion on British fashion: “I think New York in particular and also London fashions have no restrictions on what should be worn and when.

London is just a more relaxed version of New York.

To me- its great!”

Second Year

Senior

Laura

Reed

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Fashion Editor: Victoria Mole Online Fashion Editor: Rosanna Sopp

bargain hunt

vintage at fair prices

Amy Macauley and Hannah Walsh went to Judy’s Vintage Fashion Fair in Northumbria Student’s Union on 5th November with the challenge of �inding the three best bargain vintage pieces!

Find: Muted orange maxi dress From: Talula Vintage Price: £20 A vintage gem that can be worn with marl grey knits for an effortless laid-back style. You wouldn’t be able to �ind this style of chic on the high-street.

Photography by: Yordanka Georgieva

stylingfashion Find: White patterned bag From: Yellow Jelly�ish Price: £8 We found this beautiful white patterned bag and fell in love with it, only to �ind out that it was a steal at under a tenner. This is perfect for any occasion.

Find: Fur stole From: Kerry Clear Vintage Price: £6 With these going for around £20 in Top shop, we were amazed when we picked up this winter warmer for only £6.

21

22

arts

The book that...

I couldn’t put down.

Catherine Langley lets us know why picking up Ian McEwan’ s Atonement will be one of the best things we could ever do.

A

s an English Literature student, my passion for books and reading is not unexpected. Therefore, it is dif�icult to nominate a single book that I enjoyed so much I could not put it down. However, if I had to pick, it would be Ian McEwan’s Atonement. I read it after �inishing my exams in year 12; my parents and my sister had already read McEwan’s masterpiece and so passed it in my direction.

As soon as I opened its pages I became trapped in the world of the Tallis family, their grand, extravagant house and the events of that hot summer day just before the outbreak of the Second World War. McEwan very quickly lulled me into his narrative with his perfectly constructed characters that are described in their privileged �inery in the early scenes (creating an image in your head that is only distorted when you watch the �ilm). After the events of the opening of the story, you are thrown into the turmoil of the Second World War, from strenuous nurse training in London to the trauma and pathos of the Dunkirk crossings, constantly emphasising and drawing you into the loss and inhumanity of con�lict.

McEwan plays with your emotions as he cuts between the viewpoints of the central protagonists, creating a tapestry by intertwining their experiences of war. There are many revelations, twists and turns unravelled throughout the novel with the fate of many of the characters left in the balance, and so my attention was held throughout, allowing me to sail through this initially daunting volume. Despite the potentially clichéd trope of love versus the tyranny of war, McEwan brings something different through his masterful storytelling and child protagonist, Briony, that I found quite compelling.

Taking the dramatic setting of World War Two and combining it with a love story of epic proportions, proves to be a winning partnership. Although I enjoyed the �ilm remake, with Keira Knightley not ruining my image of Cecilia Tallis too much, there is something about the book that is just more compelling.

I would recommend the read to anyone who loves a book that is enjoyable, easy, and addictive, but most importantly has a very enviable sex scene.

Atonement by Ian McEwan combines the romantic, historical and the tragic in equal measure. It was a truly mesmerising piece of literature that kept me guessing until the �inal paragraphs of its 370 pages.

And if my pitch doesn’t sell it to you, it features on TIME Magazine’s 100 books to read before you die - what could be a better reason to pick up a copy?

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

thecourieronline.co.uk/arts c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk

Plain pretty or pretty pretentious?

Lauren Stafford explores the key steps towards reaching your inner cultured self 1. Open your mind.

Many of us will, at some point, �ind ourselves blankly staring at a piece of art and thinking ‘nice’ but ‘what’s the point?’

For this reason, it can be intimidating, but it’s a myth that appreciating art takes a phenomenal amount of cerebral energy.

The only thing the Arts, whether visual, literary or performing, require us to do is to think laterally and challenge our own perspectives. The point is to question, not necessarily to understand. Besides, not everything is inherently pretentious or complex and it pays to be at least a bit open-minded.

2. Be more attractive.

Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip once said ‘Thou shalt not use poetry, art or music to get into girls’ pants...use it to get into their heads’. It’s true, irrespective of gender, that knowledge of the Arts is an inherently attractive quality. Granted, having an informed opinion on the Turner Prize will not make you instantly irresistible but it might offer some conversation outside the awkward ‘and what are you studying again?’ bracket. Culture opens up a range of extracurricular activities that once proved unattainable, which means new venues and new people to socialise with. As soon as the theatre

becomes your friend, the trebles bar will no longer be the centre of your social life. Okay, so maybe this isn’t completely true, but arguably a trip to the art gallery makes for a more sophisticated Saturday night than going anywhere that claims a mechanical bull as its star attraction.

3. Culture doesn’t cost much.

Most galleries and museums are free and, as students, we can take full advantage of concession prices.

Keep an eye out for opening nights and previews- not only will you feel like a V.I.P but it also means the possibility of free champagne and nibbles (and who are we to turn those down?). Newcastle is a great city full of creative types and it’s well worth investing time to �ind those hidden

cultural gems.

4. It’s not just a humanities thing.

Just because you’re a medic or mathematician doesn’t mean you’re excluded.

The Arts should be accessible to everyone. If you’re looking for some solace from the day-to-day drudgery of life, here’s your answer. It’s not necessarily productive to drown your sorrows at the pub. As an alternative, pop down to the The Stand Comedy Club for some well-deserved giggles or, if you’re feeling particularly aggrieved, maybe it’s time to channel your anger into some inventive heckling. If this isn’t enough to convince you, it’s been well documented that academic improvement in students is often linked to their extracurricular participation in Arts-based activities, and employers appreciate candidates with a diverse range of interests. In short, you’re allowed to take off the scrubs and put on your culture hat once in a while.

5. It’s relevant!

Illustration: Emma Rawsthorne

Kids and grown-ups love it so, the happy world of... art?

No one’s suggesting you become an expert overnight but the Arts in�iltrate our lives whether we realise it or not. After all, creative thought is what separates us from machines.

Commercial or culture, asks Millie Walton of the wide world of adverts

T

his has been a sore point in the art world for years with artists criticising advertisers for devaluing the true meaning of art and making it too commercial. However, the link between art and advertising is inescapable. They inevitably feed and in�luence one another, so much so that it has become almost impossible to draw a line between the two.

A large percentage of the population cringe at the idea of going to an art gallery, fearing they won’t be able to understand the sporadic splashes of paint on a canvas, but what they don’t realise is that the advertisements they see everyday are an art form in themselves, bringing new movements in art and design to universal attention. Take the 1983 Silk Cut cigarettes campaign in which Paul Arden and Charles Saatchi stretched a mile of purple silk across an American canyon and created a packet of cigarettes out of a loaf of bread; this didn’t just sell cigarettes, it sold surrealism.

Andy Warhol is often seen as the pioneer of this creative fusion between art and advertising. He closed the divide between art and commerce, successfully crossing from advertising to art galleries. Perhaps the most obvious example would be his Campbell soup cans which, although not initially intended for advertising, almost quadrupled the company’s pro�its.

This is where celebrity endorsement comes in. Artists may not be what you’d

describe as a ‘standard’ celebrity, but they can de�initely sell products. Warhol and Dali, for example, starred in some very surreal TV commercials in Japan and this Friday saw the release of the posters for the London 2012 Olympics designed by famous artists such as Bridget Riley and Chris O�ili.

How do we differentiate art and advertising then? To some extent art and advertising exist for the same reason: to evoke a feeling. Just as good art evokes a response from the viewer, good advertising makes you feel something towards a brand, but unlike art, advertising is for commercial gain. There are exceptions to this of course - Damien Hirst, Britain’s richest living artist, springs to mind - but it’s normally understood

that art is about expressing creativity, not about making money. However, just like everybody else in the world, artists need money and here enters advertising: a way to express your creativity and make money. Perfect. Andy Warhol himself said that “Business Art is a much better thing to be making than Art Art”.

So is advertising always art? If it’s good, yes; if it’s bad, not really, it’s just irritating. But advertising can offer an art form that’s accessible and universal, a way of subtly feeding culture to the population.

arts

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Arts Editor: Sally Priddle Online Arts Editor: Lisa Bernhardt

previews

The Nutcracker Northern Ballet Theatre Royal November 15-19

The internationally celebrated Northern Ballet is returning to the North East for the �irst time in over ten years, performing their spell-binding production of The Nutcracker. This Christmas spectacular encapsulates the joys of childish imagination, whilst providing the audience with a visual feast including Charles Smith’s sensational set-designs and David Nixon’s exquisite costumes.

The Nutcracker follows the enchanted tale of a young girl on Christmas Eve as she is taken on a fantastical journey by her magically-animated Nutcracker doll.

The story captures the imagination of the audience and dancers alike as together they are thrown into a �ictional world of magic, winter wonderlands and sugar plum fairies. This timeless classic has been the festive favourite of ballet companies all over the world and will give the Northern Ballet a chance to showcase the best of their extraordinary talent.

The critically-acclaimed Northern Ballet Sinfonia promises to be a sensation in itself as it provides the perfect homage to Tchaikovsky’s enchanting score.

Tickets range from £9.50 - £35 and are available from the Theatre Royal Box Of�ice or from their online ticket shop.

Alexandra Walker

reviews

From the Odd/ Balance of Things

Phil Jupitus Live Tour ‘Stand Down’

Northern Stage November 23-29

The Stand Comedy Club November 6

A night of fantastical, twisted tales is coming to Newcastle this month; two storytellers retelling traditional fairy tales, myths and folklore in absurd but mesmerising performances that cannot help but captivate.

The dazzling Tim Ralphs and Michael Harvey will be providing an evening of quirky, spellbinding, and probably gory stories that you shouldn’t miss!

Tim Ralphs, 2007 Storyteller of the Year, performs ‘From the Odd’ a collection of stories apparently collected from a bin in Shef�ield, which is a medley of myths and fables, chosen on the night by the audience. Told, read and sung, Ralphs will transport you to a land of weird and wonderful hilarity with his bewitching performance.

‘The Balance of Things’ is more than just a retelling of traditional French folklore.

Harvey has received rave reviews for his fairytales with a comedic twist. From beauties to beasts, twists and turns, his grown-up stories will draw you into a world where everyday life and the marvelously eccentric collide...

Tickets start at £7 from Northern Stage Box Of�ice.

Lucy Hutton

Located in the city centre, Newcastle Arts Centre, founded in 1981, is one of the most active independent art centres in England. Boasting over 82,000 visitors every year, it has brought back to life nine abandoned 18th century merchants’ houses.

Although from the outside the centre looks nothing more impressive than a small craft shop, when you enter the venue you can see why it is one of the best places to exhibit your work in the city.

The centre homes numerous studios and individual craft businesses, such as glass, ceramic crafts and picture framing, as well as a full-time gallery exhibition which aims to promote work of regional importance from all eras.

The current exhibition is ‘Leonardo the Inventor’, which includes small models based on Leonardo Da Vinci’s scienti�ic works and reproductions of his drawings alongside work from a community project from Charles Street Community Association which attempts to bring together art and science. This exhibition allows you to experience Da Vinci’s genius in a whole other dimension. These small models are also available to buy as ‘build your own’

As Phil admitted in the opening of his show, you may recognise him from ‘every show on Dave’, but with a return to stand-up after a break of ten years, Phil entertained with a different kind of comedy this weekend at new comedy club The Stand.

I don’t know what I was expecting from the show as I only really know him from Never Mind the Buzzcocks, but on the basis of his sharp wit and cutting remarks on the pop quiz, I was prepared to be offended, shocked, and laughing till I cried.

Despite the consistent erection jokes and inappropriate yet hilarious ‘celebrity climax’ game, I was most shocked by Phil’s new slim-line appearance. Having lost six stone since January, he was applauded on his weight loss as he revealed his secret – less food and more masturbation. He did brie�ly talk Buzzcocks, con�irming that Noel Fielding is a lovely man, Dappy has hats and Lorraine Kelly is indeed the Queen of the MILFs. I wouldn’t recommend his shows for the faint-hearted, or if you are related to him, due to the amount of family sex confessions, but if you enjoy Phil’s downto-earth, straight-talking humour and you love a good �ilthy joke, Phil’s your man.

Aimee Philipson

A Night of Monologues Trent House November 6

Lorraine Kelly is Queen of the MILFs

On Sunday night, the intimate venue of Trent House was host to A Night of Monologues, presented by the Remote Theatre Company. The thought-provoking evening of performances starred both past and present members of the Newcastle University Theatre Society.

The performance was simple and informal; apart from quirky mismatched lighting, the actors were stripped back to the bare essentials with no frills or distractions. Those on the front row found themselves almost on the stage, with the monologues drawing audience members in as if they were the individual recipients of the story being unravelled.

Each one of the ten held their own as everyone brought a different character to the table and exposed human behaviour through various tales ranging from the secret obsessions of internet relationships to drunken evenings spent in clubs; the turmoil of heartbreak and even a Big Brother Diary room-style piece.

Overall, it was a great success, and a very worthy way to spend a Sunday evening. The event was free; however there was a donation pot at the back in case you thought the actors were worthy. Personally, I did.

Jemima Carvill

artintheeveryday

Culture Shock

Newcastle Arts Centre

23

sets in the cosy and original centre shop.

Outside the gallery space is a beautifully unique café, selling homemade soups and sandwiches, a perfect place to go for lunch with friends or even the parents. As well as the café, nestled in the characterful courtyard behind the gallery is the underground ‘Black Swan Venue’, a performance venue showcasing musicians, theatrical events and classical concerts. The venue is an unexpected treat with a cellar bar, that runs salsa and cabaret evenings.

The centre is also home to an extensive and popular art materials shop ‘Details’, a reliable retailer for art supplies, which can also be accessed online. A very popular culturally rich centre which is de�initely worth a visit, even if it is just for a cup of tea. With a chance to explore, learn, dance, sing, drink and eat, there is no reason not to give this venue a visit.

Amy Bolton

...metal sculptures on the Quayside

24

listings14th-20thNov Monday

Global Entrepreneurship Week All Week Careers Service

Global Entrepreneurship Week is a celebratory worldwide movement of entrepreneurial people. Rise Up is bringing the movement to Newcastle University by hosting a week long competition with a sustainable twist, sponsored by Tedco, during November 1418 2011, in King’s Gate.

Rise Up is part of the award-winning Newcastle University Careers Service and is leading the way for a student-led entrepreneurial revolution. Whether you want to develop enterprising skills, discuss an idea, work for yourself or grow your business, Rise Up offers you expert guidance, training, resources and opportunities to help you explore and develop your entrepreneurial side.

Wednesday

Thursday

Madventurer Info Evening

Celebrating student research: vacation scholarships and expeditions 2011

How to Succeed at Interviews

7pm The History Room, Students’ Union

SEE THE WORLD and MAKE A DIFFERENCE! Projects talk on all Summer 2012 Projects that Newcastle University MADSoc is supporting!

Find out more by joining MADSoc on the NUSU website and by visiting MAD HQ in the Union. www.madventurer.com

Friendly Fires 7.30pm O2 Academy Newcastle

Don your Hawaiian shirt, grab your maracas and shimmy on down to see Friendly Fires tonight at the O2 Academy. Expect a parade of hits from the carnivalesque Pala.

8pm Journal Tyne Theatre

All week

CH Week is a week that is designed and run by CH students, in order to highlight the benefits of being a combiner, guide combined students on how to sell their graduate skills, and also help improve those skills! The more events you attend, the better chance you’ll have of winning a meal for two at fab new Mexican restaurant Las Iguanas or drinks vouchers for As You Like It! Workshops include: How to stand out from the crowd, writing a CV, interview skills, skills gained from a Combined Honours degree, how to get good work experience, alumni event to find out what past combiners have done after graduating (not to be missed!), postgraduate study and some fantastic social events!

To sign up, pop down to the Combined Honours Common Room and pencil your name onto the workshops you want to attend.

Newcastle Law Fair

1-3.30pm Bamburgh Suite, Lev. 4, St James’ Park

Come along and meet over 50 of the UK’s prestigious law firms, course providers and professional bodies. The fair is open to both law and non-law students from all universities. If you have any queries about the event, please contact angela.smee@ncl.ac.uk. www.ncl.ac.uk/careers

thecourieronline.co.uk/listings c2.editor@ncl.ac.uk

Tuesday

Jerry Sadowitz

Combined Honours Week 2011

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Catch this fantastic comedian - and one of the greatest card magicians in the world - tonight in the Toon.

Tickets are available from the website below. www.journatynetheatre. co.uk

How to make winning applications

1-2pm Bamburgh Room, King’s Road Centre

This workshop is for those who want to know how to stand out from others when completing application forms. You will examine good practice when applying for jobs in the UK, understanding the 3 key principles behind what makes a successful application.

Big Green Idea Competition

12-2pm The Elevator, Careers Service

The week will begin with the launch of the “Big Green Idea”, a campus wide competition to find the best green business idea. We want students to use their imagination and think of a sustainable idea that in practice could change the business world!

We want students to submit their ideas in the Elevator in the Careers Service, on the ground floor of King’s Gate and the best idea will win £50 Eldon square vouchers. www.gew.org.uk

5.30-7.15pm Curtis Auditorium, Herschel Building

Five presentations from undergraduate students will take us inside their diverse summer projects and expeditions, which reflect the broad range of academic interests across the University.

Talks will include: ‘The Hellenistic levels at Kilise Tepe in their wider context’, ‘Nextgeneration sequencing in families with inherited cardiac arrhythmias’, ‘‘Survival of the bitterest’: Taste-rejection behaviour of praying mantids and the evolution of distasteful toxins in prey’, ‘Tunbergdalsbreen Expedition, Norway’ and ‘Critically examining the Zulu ethnic identity in contemporary South Africa and the socio-economic effects of the 2010 South Africa FIFA World Cup on the Durban beachfront and the townships of Umlazi and Clemont’. www.ncl.ac.uk/events

1-2pm Bamburgh Room

Interviews can be nerve-racking. Get yourself prepared by understanding what employers are really looking for at interviews and how to answer their questions confidently. This workshop gives practical tips and tackles common questions to help you become a success at interviews. www.ncl.ac.uk/careers

Ceilidh Fundraiser 7pm The Venue, Students’ Union

Join the Engineers Without Borders Society at their fantastic Ceilidh fundraiser, raising money for RedR UK who help to provide aid for victims of natural and man-made disasters.

How to find a job in the North East 1-2pm Bamburgh Room

Almost half of our 2010 graduates found work in the North East, so if you would like to remain in the region, this workshop will help you to find out how they did it! www.ncl.ac.uk/careers

Give It A Go: Culture Challenge 1-4pm Venue, Students’ Union

Culture Challenge is a series of activities and challenges for home and international students to work together to win prizes and have some fun, including dance and art workshops! Last year prizes included iPods, cash and vouchers so it’s worth keeping an eye on the Students’ Union website for more information or email giag.union@ncl.ac.uk for more info.

Get Your Kit Off 6pm Mens Bar, Students’ Union

The traditional post-match entertainment is back at the Union and kicks off as soon as the first Wednesday fixture ends. Get your kit off after the match, dump it in the SU cloakroom, then hit the bar with all the other AU team in preparation for ‘Road’ at Tiger Tiger.

Food is also available from the Mens Bar menu, as well as the Subway round the corner, so you’ve got the best of both worlds! www.nusu.co.uk/events

Edgelands: Journeys into England’s Last Wilderness 7pm Percy Builidng, Room G.05

In Edgelands (2010), Paul Farley and Michael Symmons Roberts write about mobile masts and gravel pits, business parks and landfill sites in the same way the Romantic writers forged a way of looking at an overlooked – but now familiar – landscape of hills and lakes and rivers.

England, the first country to industrialise, now offers the world’s most mature post-industrial terrain and is still in a state of flux. Edgelands takes the reader on a journey through its forgotten spaces so that we can marvel at this richly mysterious, cheek-by-jowl region in our midst. Tickets £6 www,ncl.ac.uk/ncla

Newcastle Christmas lights switch-on 5.30pm Grey Street, Newcastle

Don’t miss the annual Christmas lights switchon for 2011, lighting up Newcastle city centre during the festive period.

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

14th-20thNovlistings

C2 Editor: Aimee Philipson

Friday

GEW Finale 1-4pm King’s Gate L1.20

Professor Paul Younger will be present to judge the final pitches of the ideas formed in the previous sessions. The winning group will win £500 to spend on whatever they like! We will end with a short keynote speech from Professor Younger who has worked alongside visionaries in sustainability such as Sir Richard Branson and former US President Bill Clinton. If you want to get involved, head to the Careers Website and click on ‘Events’.

Bitesize Workshop: How to Write a Covering Letter

1.15-1.45pm Bamburgh Room, King’s Road Centre

Bitesize Workshops: NEW for 2011!

A covering letter pitches your unique selling points in your CV and shows an employer why you’re interested in them. This 30-minute workshop will show you the format and points to include in producing a well-written covering letter. www.ncl.ac.uk/careers

25

Something for the weekend Lumiere Festival Thurs - Sun Durham, various locations

It brought in over 70,000 visitors last year and it’s guaranteed to be just as aweinspiring this weekend. The four days will be packed with dozens of artists, light designers and a beautiful series of installations, artworks and illuminations all over the historic city of Durham. A variety of talks will also be held throughout the weekend including ‘But is it Art?’, ‘Science, Art and Belief’ and ‘The Science of Light’. Check out the full programme of events and installations at www.lumieredurham.co.uk.

Christmas at Beamish

19th November - 2nd January Beamish Museum, Durham

The ‘Living History of the North’ is all decked out for Christmas so get ready for some yuletide fun from time of yore. Not only will there be plenty of Edwardian gifts to buy for unusual Christmas presents, kids can visit Santa in his grotto and there will be a range of seasonal snacks on sale to warm you up after you’ve been for a spin on the ice rink. www.beamish.org.uk

East Durham Food and Craft Market

Ice Rink at the Life Centre

A fantastic opportunity to buy some delicious home-produced food, local drinks and arts and crafts from local suppliers.

Grab yourself some wintry treats or stock up on some early Christmas presents. A great chance to wrap up in your woollies, test out your new winter boots and get a change of scenery. www.thisisdurham.com/events

Every winter, Life hosts the region’s favourite ice rink on Times Square, right outside the Science Centre. You can enjoy a skate with family and friends seven days a week.For admission prices, opening times and and terms and conditions visit the website. www.life.org.uk/whats-on/skating-at-life

Saturday Dalton Park, Murton

12th Nov 2011 - 13th Feb 2012 Life Centre, Newcastle

26

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

musicinterview

thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk

Going missing: the imminent return of Maxïmo Park

Music Editors Ben Travis and Chris Scott catch up with frontman Paul Smith from Newcastle indie legends Maxïmo Park to talk local bands, the difficult second album and Noah’s ark, and find out just what exactly the band have been up to for the past few months

“O

verall, the Newcastle scene is more diverse than it used to be, but the music industry is based in the South and record labels don’t want to sign something unless it’s a dead cert. For us, we were signed by an independent record label and we remain true to ourselves in that respect.

And when I see bands doing a similar thing to that and don’t conform or try to �it in, it excites me.”

As one of the few surviving bands from last decade’s indie explosion, one could argue that that’s how Maxïmo Park have retained their popularity; from their wellloved 2005 debut A Certain Trigger to 2009’s Quicken The Heart, the band have endured not only due to their top-notch alternative anthems, nor their reputation for high-energy live shows but their streak of independence. Despite their success, the band haven’t �lung themselves at major money-spinning labels or decamped to America. In fact, three �ifths of Maxïmo Park still remain in Newcastle, the other two heading elsewhere with signi�icant others.

One of the three still hanging around the North East is frontman Paul Smith; often to be seen down at the Head of Steam clad, of course, in his trademark bowler hat, Smith grew up near Stockton-on-Tees and graduated from Newcastle University. Aside from Paul releasing solo album Margins last year, Maxïmo Park have remained quiet for a little while. Just what exactly have they been up to?

“We’ve had a little time off and all been recharging our batteries. We also kind of reinvigorated our raison d’être in the band, �iguring out what we do well, why we’re here, what we want to do, what the people expect us to do and put all that

into a pot and see what comes out,” Smith rattles off, barely pausing for breath.

Having rediscovered the band’s focus, fans can rest assured that new material is on the way.

“We’ve been doing a lot of demos in Newcastle - we have a little studio, although I think studio is a little bit posh for what it is!” the frontman reveals. “We recorded demos and some of our B-sides there on the last album. We had a bit of money left from touring, so we recorded a few tracks the next record is well on its way, and if we can �ind some more money from somewhere, we’ll record some more in December and January and then that will be that. It’ll be nice to start on the artwork and get on with the other jobs, and hopefully put out a record next year.”

Returning from their hiatus to play at the BBC Radio 3 Free Thinking Festival last week, Maxïmo Park found themselves on a bill alongside renowned poet Sean O’Brien and Skellig author David Almond, though Paul is unpretentious about the band’s inclusion on the bill.

“I’m well aware that our music has its limitations - it’s pop music, and the lyrics are lyrics, not poetry, but there are poetic elements to the lyrics, which is something I’d like people to be aware of when they’re listening to the music,” he admits. “It’s in there; that more romantic world view that we share with other more romantic bands. We’re essentially a pop band that play quite aggressively on stage, but there is a more thoughtful aspect to it which will hopefully come out.”

With a reputation for explosive live performances, Maxïmo Park remain a �irm favourite on festival billings. Not only do they have a whole roster of crowd-pleasing tunes such as ‘Graf�iti’, ‘Apply Some Pressure’ and ‘Books From Boxes’ under their belts, but Paul Smith’s erratic stage presence always makes for a captivating show.

“There’s quite a random factor going

on when we’re on stage,” Smith states.

“Whether it’s the rubbish I talk between songs, it’s kind of based on spontaneity but the more you play the songs, the more you get into the rhythm of them…

I guess it looks like a mixture of professionalism and amateurism, which is probably very accurate!”

It was partly this live show which garnered attention from further a�ield than the local scene and made the band stand out from the rest of the indie land�ill.

“I look back and I didn’t want to be one of those guys with the Liam Gallagher haircuts, and that’s still the case in many local bands these days,” Paul remembers. “I’d rather not be so super�icial as to judge people on the way they look, but you can tell a lot about a band from their press photos and stuff.

We always tried to do something a little different within our means - we weren’t dressing up like Kate Bush or Björk though! I think these days the music scene is more diverse, due to the success of bands like ourselves and The Futureheads from the region. It’s shown people they can do it their own way.”

Unlike so many indie bands who achieved similar commercial success around the same time as Maxïmo Park, Smith and co. managed to avoid the dreaded dif�icult second album syndrome with their 2007 sophomore effort Our Pleasures. Paul speaks pretty Earthly Pleasures frankly when talking about why so many bands trip up at such a signi�icant juncture.

“I think being good helps - I know that sounds terrible on �irst listen, but many bands don’t take care about being good �irst. Those bands that disappeared after the second album, if you hear their �irst album again after the hype dies down, you realise that it didn’t display good song writing, and we’ve always been based on the songs being good �irst and foremost,” he openly admits. “I don’t want to sound like the campaign for real rock and authenticity, but our ethos has always been about whether you can play a song on the piano or the acoustic

guitar, or if the vocal is strong enough so you can play it a cappella. If those foundational blocks are there, then we’ll move on, if not then the song isn’t there yet.”

Once again, though, partly it’s Maxïmo Park’s independent ethic which has helped them to survive, free from the pressures of major labels to increase sales from record to record.

“I do feel sorry for bands that get dropped after their second album for other reasons; bands that were very good but got in with the wrong labels,” Paul sympathises. “It’s all about making money to large labels. People shouldn’t kid themselves that labels nurture the bands - those are few and far between. It comes down to ‘did it sell as well as the last and if not, let’s move on from them’ and I feel sorry for those bands.”

Prior to joining the band, Smith studied at Newcastle University, undertaking a combined honours course in English linguistics, drawing and art history, before doing a masters degree in the Americas, the history of societies and cultures.

“That course gave me the opportunity to study 20th century American literature and poetry and discover the birth of

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Music Editors: Ben Travis and Chris Scott Online Music Editor: Graham Matthews

modern pop music,” Paul says.

Speaking of his time spent at University, he adds: “I really enjoyed myself! I feel I didn’t really get into the swing of things until third year; until then I was quite tentative, as I’d come from a small town and was quite conservative in my views.

For me, it was always a good place to be because it was more traditional and a place of higher learning than a place to mess around. But at the same time, it’s a place where you can mess around and get to meet people who you would never have normally met, whilst developing your knowledge of something, I mean that’s amazing! I really enjoyed my time there.”

With his head still stuck �irmly in the North East, Smith

says that he still keeps an eye on the local music scene, and takes the chance to see local bands when he can.

“A few of my friends are in a band called Silver Fox. When your friends are in a band you go along to see them and it’s a good fun night, but honestly, the �irst time I saw them I was blown away,” he enthuses. “They remind me of The Raincoats, kind of female post-punk stuff like The Slits but with a more poppy edge. You don’t often see many all-female bands in such a male dominated industry which is good to see” Particularly on �irst listen, one of the most distinctive aspects of Maxïmo Park’s sound is Paul Smith’s North East accent, a comforting reminder that the band were

interviewmusic never going to be one to forget their roots as soon as they hit the big time.

“I sing as I speak and what I wanted from the band was for it to be honest and emotionally based,” says Smith of his vocal delivery. “Whether the emotion is funny or sad, to take it down to its most basic level it still needs to come from an authentic place, and the best way to do that is to sing how you speak, and for there not to be too much of a barrier between you and words. I didn’t realise I was doing that until our �irst concert and people said ‘that was a bit weird actually, you sing how you talk’. The longer it went on, every time I met people they mentioned it, so in the end I thought it’s a good thing - its distinctive and works, and not many bands in the North East do that.”

Not only are Maxïmo Park a band here to stay, they’re not leaving their Newcastle roots behind either. With new material well underway and promises that they’ll be “touring on a big level next year”, get ready: Maxïmo Park are about to explode back onto your radar.

27

If you were on Noah’s ark and you could kick off any animal, what would it be?

Lets’ see... dogs are quite noisy, but it depends on the type of dog, if there are any aggressive dogs, I’d probably kick them off the ark, they might keep you awake at night. I would de�initely keep the giraffes though, they’re cool.

If you could change one fact on your Wikipedia page, what would it be?

It’s usually completely wrong; I check it from time to time, especially when people in an interview ask things that are wrong. So I’d probably just delete the whole page. People don’t need to know anything more about me other than the music we play.

You’re informed that the Queen is coming to your house and you must provide refreshments – what nibbles do you leave on the table?

Well, if it was up to me, I’d probably leave some houmous and rye bread, keep it quite upmarket, but I’m not sure she likes houmous. I think she’d like some Ritz crackers and a probably a bit of Red Leicester.

I didn’t want to be one of those guys with the Liam Gallagher haircuts

28

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

musicreviews

thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk

Ceremonials

Sound of the Overground Sam Summers takes you on a magical journey through this week’s pop chart, finding the odd diamond in the rough, but mainly just finding the rough on his way.

‘With Ur Love’ falls somewhere between Robert Mugabe and the Bubonic Plague on the long list of things that are better than ‘Swagger Jagger’. Cher Lloyd’s sophomore effort is a frustrating listen because, at its heart, it is not horrible. Underneath all the ridiculous posturing and guest verses and dadadadadumdums is buried a Proper Pop Tune. ‘With Ur Love’ is a beautiful creature hiding behind a veil of bad decisions, like a stripper wearing a dress made out of smaller, uglier strippers. In the pre-chorus, for instance, Cher �inally proves that she can sing, and invests her words with heart and soul.

Unfortunately, one of those words is ‘swag’. Later on, just as the chorus begins to convince you that it’s not nearly as irritating as you �irst thought, Mike ‘Who?’ Posner stumbles in through the back door, bringing with him one of the most ill-conceived, phoned-in guest spots in recent memory. So yes, to the surprise of nobody, the new Cher Lloyd song is completely unlistenable. But only just.

Is it too bold to say Ceremonials is one of the most anticipated albums of the year? Probably not; after all, Florence + the Machine are one of the most hyped British acts of recent years, mastering the art of remaining somewhat ‘nonmainstream‘ and distinctive in their style (you just KNOW it‘s Flo and her Machine when you hear their songs).

So due to all the pressure from the press, fans and snotty self-proclaimed music experts, the successor of their widely acclaimed debut Lungs from 2009 must be a failure to be mercilessly slated by everyone who might think themselves knowledgeable about music. Well, we‘re all entitled to our own opinions after all, but Ceremonials certainly doesn‘t need to fear any scorchers - it’s a compilation of very good tracks.

It is different from Lungs, less rock orientated, but still full of rhythm with a strong baroque-pop in�luence heavily featuring bells, harps, organs and tambourines; suitably, considering the title of the album, almost all songs can be imagined being played in a church or any other somewhat

It is different from Lungs, less rock orientated, but still full of rhythm with a strong baroque pop in�luence.

sublime interior, reverberating within the walls and creating an overwhelming wall of sound. The buzz single ‘What the Water Gave Me’, ironically reminiscent of Lykke Li‘s ‘I Follow Rivers’, gives you a good idea of the overall album, although this conclusion hints at its slightly repetitive nature.

‘Spectrum’ and ‘Heartlines’ stand out from the rest with their stronger bass lines and faster paces which doesn‘t mean they‘re unpleasant to listen to. In fact, all songs on Ceremonials are well made, enjoyable and won’t disappoint anyone who loves the dramatic, mysterious, anthemic sound of the band. Florence Welch once again proves her powerful vocal ability, singing her heart out throughout the album.

Long story short: Ceremonials is a fabulous record and a praise-worthy follow-up to Lungs. It should satisfy critics, longterm fans and Machine-newbies alike, with an intriguing sound and great lyrical content which stays true to the band’s roots; if the Machine keeps on working like this, the future looks promising for Florence and co.

Florence + the Machine

Recommended download: ‘Shake It Out’ Lisa Bernhardt

Adequately talented schoolgirl ‘songstress’ Birdy gained recognition for her unbearably saccharine cover of Bon Iver’s ‘Skinny Love’. Her latest track is an unbearably saccharine cover of Cherry Ghost’s ‘People Help The People’. Needless to say, it’s one of the most boring things I’ve ever heard. Here instead is a much more exciting birdy:

Hollandaze

Also knocking about in the charts is enigmatic ‘banger’ ‘Danza Kuduro’. I can’t tell you much about this song. I can’t tell you who performs it. It has variously been credited to someone called Lucenzo, someone called Qwote, and someone called Don Omar. Pitbull may or may not have been involved. I can’t tell you what it sounds like, because I turned it off after the �irst few seconds. Suf�ice to say it was ‘clubby’. Apparently it belongs to the genres of ‘Danza’ and ‘Kuduro’. Huh. ‘Danza’ is a dance that originated in a Puerto Rican city called Ponce. That made me laugh.

Anyway, yeah, don’t listen to it.

Odonis Odonis

Johnny Foreigner vs.

Everything Johnny Foreigner

‘Try With Me’ is the single from the upcoming re-release of Nicole Scherzinger’s Killer Love album. I was optimistic going into this; ‘Don’t Hold Your Breath’ is the Greatest Number One of 2011 by a long way, packing more emotion into a dance song than anyone’s managed since Robyn perfected the art last year. Scherzinger’s album failed to deliver on the promise of the single, but when I heard there was a two-disc edition on the way I decided to give her another chance.

Annoyingly, ‘Try With Me’ starts off as a regular ballad, then segues into a regular dance song, totally bypassing the magical danceballad soft spot. There are worse songs out there, but if you’re waiting for Nicole to deliver the next crying-on-thedance�loor mega-anthem... Don’t hold your breath. BAM!

Odonis Odonis, despite being a fairly fresh band, appear to have already discovered and created a distinct style for themselves in their debut Hollandaze. And it’s brilliant. Tzenos’ haunting, reverbed-to-thepoint-of-illegibility, powerhouse of a voice carries the record through a whirl of discordant, eerie guitars, battered drums and Kim Deal-esque bass riffs. Bloody lovely.

The band’s comparisons to artists like Pixies are most evident in tracks like ‘Basic Training’; the simplistic but effective opening bass hook could easily have been written by Deal. The lyrics too could easily have been written by Frank Black - a desperate stream-of-consciousness style of writing that is so rich, so honest, that it grabs the listener’s attention before the song ends abruptly, leaving them dazed and a little bit weary.

But Odonis Odonis are not merely an imitation band. They are seemingly focused on the experimentation and exploration of sounds, occasionally shifting their style from short, snappy, powerful songs to more ‘melodic’, slower paced tracks such as ‘Seedgazer’: a song that stands out with its long intro and rising vocal patterns.

The album is grimy and often messy – exactly what makes it great. Not an album for easy listening, but de�initely worth your attention if you like an unhealthy amount of discord.

While Waited Up ‘Til It Was Light was an incredibly fun, energetic label debut, after their self-released proper debut, from the Birmingham trio, Johnny Foreigner seemed to fall to the dreaded ‘dif�icult second album’ curse with the relatively unexciting Grace and The Bigger Picture.

Luckily, Johnny Foreigner vs Everything has managed to capture the punky magic of Waited Up. It does fall foul of being a bit too long, as did Grace, with Waited Up being the perfect length. There are quite a few �iller tracks in here and you can get a bit worn out with energetic track after energetic track - and the less said about the mental track titles the better.

But everything seems much more focused and tighter. The back and forth shouty vocals between Alexei and bassist Kelly are much more exciting and the slower tracks, such as the magni�icent ‘200X’, make a return, offering a nice sip of water among a train of whiskey shots.

It does seem a bit weird to have a piano ballad in the form of ‘Johnny Foreigner vs You’ from the band, but it de�initely shows they’re capable of more than just ripping your face off with mental guitar riffs. Just enough change to make something different that still sounds familiar.

Sam Summers

Rachel Evans

Chris Taylor

Recommended download: Nicole Scherzinger- ‘Try With Me’

Recommended download: ‘Basic Training’

Recommended download: ‘200X’

Stereo Typical Everything seems much more focused and tighter, and the backand-forth shouty vocals between Alexei and bassist Kelly are much more exciting.

Rizzle Kicks

Contrary to popular belief, these boys claim to have been going since most of us were rolling around in mud and still enjoying Teletubbies. Rizzle Kicks met in around 1996 and reunited again in 1998 over Sunday league football. As they say, the rest is history and the fruitful product of their relationship can be seen today in the form of their debut album, Stereo Typical.

With Fearne Cotton singing their praises at every available opportunity, it’s hard not to have heard at least one of their tunes. An impressive array of instruments have been used, including an accordion, jazz piano, and of course, as the smash hit suggests, numerous trumpets. All collaborate to produce a fresh, jazz-infused sound, with its roots �irmly embedded in the late 80’s hip-hop camp.

Songs vary from the upbeat ‘When I Was A Youngster’, to the slower ‘Traveller’s Chant’, revealing the multi-faceted talent of the twosome. ‘Mama Do The Hump’, produced by Fatboy Slim is typical of his crazy-carnival style while remaining lyrically seductive. ‘Trouble’, with its relaxed, lazy bassline and �lirty piano gives credibility to their harmonious vocals. Stereo Typical is well worth a listen, and will undoubtedly brighten up the long, dark winter days with a mixture of funky chunky beats and lemonade-cool lyrics.

Recommended download: ‘When I Was A Youngster’

Rory Smith and Matt Valenzia

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

featuresmusic

Music Editors: Ben Travis and Chris Scott Online Music Editor: Graham Matthews

Live: Boss Sounds Festival.

Northumbria University Students’ Union, October 29 The crowd gathered outside the Northumbria University Students’ Union truly represented the motley nature of the music on offer at Boss Sounds, from the denim-clad, balding Madness fans there to see Lee ‘Kix’ Thompson’s Ska Orchestra, to the vibrant throng of Rastafarians enjoying Dawn Penn and the 73-year-old Prince Buster. A strong turnout from the students of both Newcastle and Northumbria made a telling statement that there is still a place for 2Tone, Ska and Jazz in today’s musical climate.

This crowd made a small but energetic tribute to the acts before them, pressed inside a room that has seen the likes of Mark Ronson and Zane Lowe perform

Preview:

It was the warmth of Dawn Penn that was most impressive amongst the steady basslines of her male counterparts.

over the past year. If openers Dub Cats and Winston Francis felt any pressure, there was no sign of it affecting their performance. However, it was the warmth of Dawn Penn that was most impressive amongst the steady basslines of her male counterparts. Her slow, seductive performance was punctuated with anecdotes and pearls of wisdom from her timeless career. City Life, her most recent EP, really encapsulates what Dawn Penn is about.

The backing track cut from DRT’s ‘Rising Sun’ blends perfectly with Dawn’s haunting lament, a �itting moment of re�lection amidst an evening of bass-line celebration.

Normal service was resumed with Owen Gray and the boisterous Ska Orchestra,

who performed with great enthusiasm and spunk, if a little inaccuracy. The show �inished rather abruptly and with great confusion - an encore did not follow, and walking out into the cold air brought the crowd back to Newcastle, and back into the 21st century.

Rory Smith and Matt Valenzia

Battles

Gateshead Old Town Hall, November 17, £15

In 2007, New York quartet Battles released their debut album Mirrored. Those who’ve heard it will know that, simply put, it sounded like the future. As Brian Eno stated after seeing the band live: “Damn!

Why didn’t I think of that?”

Though lead singer Tyondai Braxton might have left during the writing of second album Gloss Drop, released earlier this year, the record saw a whittled-down Battles striding forward blinking into the sunlight. Drenched in vibrant hues, funky grooves and infectious rhythms, it will doubtless be appearing on many critics’ Best of 2011 lists come December.

Pigeon-holing the band into a single genre feels wrong – Battles occupy a space in the middle ground of rock, electronics and sheer experimentalism. Hypnotically rhythmic and thrillingly pioneering, for a band with their heads so locked into precise beats and time-signatures, they’re equally adept to cutting loose – see recent single ‘Ice Cream’ with its fantastically bouncy organ riff, or the stunningly frenetic ‘Wall Street’.

Frankly, it’s incredible that this band is coming to Gateshead. Renowned for being unbelievable live, the opportunity to see Battles on your doorstep isn’t one to pass up lightly. Have I mentioned that they sound like THE FUTURE? Ben Travis

SceNE: Hyde and Beast

Delving into the explosive North East music scene every week to bring you your new favourite local band.

Who are Hyde and Beast?

Dave: I’m Hyde and Neil (drummer of Golden Virgins) is Beast. I went into Neil’s recording studio with some songs I’d been fannying around with whilst recording with Futureheads (Dave being the band’s drummer).

Neil: And then I started to nip him and take

29

Live: The Arctic Monkeys

Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, November 5 Widely acclaimed as one of the bands of our generation, the Arctic Monkeys certainly lit up the Metro Radio Arena on Bon�ire night.

Following an impressive set from this year’s indie darlings The Vaccines, Alex Turner and co. took to the stage and treated the capacity crowd to a set boasting hit after hit. With an extensive back catalogue to choose from, the Arctics could not fail to please their adoring fans and the opening trio of ‘Don’t Look Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair’, ‘Teddy Picker’ and ‘Crying Lightning’ showed they meant business.

As performers, it is fair to say that the band have changed signi�icantly since bursting onto the scene back in 2005 with their seminal debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not. Turner undoubtedly seems more at ease on stage although crowd interaction is still kept to a minimum. You can sense that they prefer

control.

How do you both know each other?

Dave: We just used to go to the same gigs ages ago in Sunderland; I was underage at the time.

Neil: He’d come round trying to ask for money for drink and cigarettes.

What have you done with the band so far?

Neil: We’ve released an album even though we never intended on giving it to anyone else; at �irst we thought it was really weird sounding. This is our �irst proper tour though.

Summarise the band in �ive words.

Neil: Wonky, lazy rainbows stealing hearts.

Who are your musical heroes?

Neil: One song was actually in�luenced heavily by listening to Ethiopian funk. But generally, we both tend to listen to stuff from about 1974 back; we set out to make something that had the same warmth and honesty as that music.

What was the �irst album you everbought?

Turner undoubtedly seems more at ease on stagealthough crowd interaction is still kept to a minimum.

You can sense that they prefer to let their music do the talking.

to let their music do the talking and who can blame them?

Classic indie-rock staples ‘When The Sun Goes Down’ and ‘Fluorescent Adolescent’ are interspersed with more recent hits including ‘She’s Thunderstorms’ and ‘The Hellcat Spangled Shalalala’ to please fans new and old.

Following an encore featuring a well-received acoustic rendition of ‘Mardy Bum’ and usual set closer ‘505’, the Arctics exited the stage to a rousing reception from the Geordie public who were left wanting more.

Having last been in the city back in 2009, there is no doubt that the Arctic Monkeys have improved signi�icantly as a live band.

Whilst not quite managing to blow me away with their performance, they arguably gave their fans everything they wanted, plus a little bit more.

Matty Aston

Dave: Velvet Underground’s White Light/ White Heat. At the time, I didn’t really like it; I was 13 so it was just noise to me. I like it now though.

What’s your favourite venue in Newcastle?

Dave: Cluny2 probably. Or the Academy; I’ve played that a lot with Futureheads but we’ll be playing there soon with Hyde & Beast.

Who’s your favourite band on the Newcastle scene?

Neil: I really like Let’s Buy Happiness; that’s why we’ve asked them to support us tonight.

What’s next for the band?

Dave: The rest of the tour and then hopefully SXSW; that’s a dream we have. And then maybe Europe next year.

Where and when can we see you next?

Neil: Stockton is the last date of this tour Dave: Then December 10, we’re playing Split Festival at Sunderland University.

Chris Haywood

Check out The Courier Music section online for a whole host of webexclusive live reviews, Chris Taylor’s Ocean Of Noise

On the record Classic albums Fresh perspective

Until last week, I had never listened to Pixies’ Doolittle.

To me, the Pixies have been one of those bands I’ve just never got round to listening to, despite the fact that they went on to in�luence a whole host of my favourite bands (look at most bands’ MySpace pages and they will probably have put the Pixies as an in�luence). In every direction you seem to look in the music industry, the Pixies have left their subtle mark. But they somehow managed this with seemingly very little mainstream publicity and, more importantly, without selling out.

The �irst listen through this album resulted in me pulling a bit of a confused face - I wasn’t too sure what to make of it.

The vocals are very marmite and, normally preferring more melodic tones, it took a while for me to warm to that layer of the track. But I instantly fell in love with the scratchy, almost dirty, guitar riffs and ,being a stickler for bass, I was glad to hear that the whole album was laced together with incredible bass lines. The more I listened, the more I began to appreciate the smaller, less apparent, �ine-tuned aspects of the album.

I instantly fell in love with the opening track ‘Debaser’ and ‘Hey’ and, as you play Doolittle, it seems to plunge you into a whole range of songwriting styles, experimenting with different genres throughout its duration; with ‘Here Comes Your Man’ sounding very in�luenced by ‘70s mod-rock in places, to the more prog-rock ‘Monkey Gone to Heaven’ with all its biblical imagery and ‘La La Love You’ sounding as though Morrissey had been asked to do the vocals.

Doolittle de�initely deserves all the acclaim it’s been given and I can now see why people just adore the Pixies; it really is an infectious album that just continually grows on you and leaves you just wanting to play it on repeat, as you continually discover new aspects of the songs. Also, with all the tracks being quite short and sweet, it’s an easy album to digest.

It’s hard to put down in words just how good Doolittle really is, but the best way to describe this album is simply ‘cool’; it’s just oozing with style, from the �irst track to the last. This album makes me want to go out and buy the complete back catalogue. It’s won me over so much that my only regret about this album is not giving in to temptation and listening to it sooner! After hearing the album so many times now, I’ve come to the decision that if there’s ever a �ilm made about me, I want this album to be the soundtrack.

Chris Scott

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

filmfeatures

Top 5

Studio production disasters 5) Terminator: Salvation

If you haven’t listened to Christian Bale’s swear-�illed rant, as he �ires excessive abuse at a helpless crew member, YouTube it now. It’s really quite unbelievable.

Tarnishing the �ilm as well as Bale’s reputation, this embarrassing and disgraceful moment is one that he’ll want to forget.

4) Passion of the Christ

Controversy is never far away from Mel Gibson, with the man being accused of racism, sexism and homophobia in recent years. There was no exception during the production of The Passion of the Christ, perceived as having antiSemitic overtones, which damaged its credibility, although not its box-of�ice success.

3) The Crow

Only eight days before the scheduled completion of the �ilm, Brandon Lee was shot and killed on set, due to a series of short-cuts taken by inexperienced crew regarding the preparation of a prop gun.

Despite Lee’s untimely death, the movie was completed and has since become a cult classic.

2) Twilight Zone: Movie

Vic Morrow and two child actors, aged 6 and 7, died in a horri�ic helicopter accident as the pilot struggled to navigate through pyrotechnics, causing the low�lying helicopter to spin out of control and crash, instantly killing the three actors. This tragedy caused regulations to be tightened concerning children and special effects.

1) The Conqueror

Although not conclusive, it is widely believed that thanks to the exterior locations being shot near the US Government’s atomic bomb testing facilities in nearby Nevada, radioactivity caused 91 of the 220 cast members to contract cancer. This eventually claimed 46 lives, including director Dick Powell and the legendary John Wayne.

Zak Branchette

thecourieronline.co.uk/film c2.film@ncl.ac.uk lm

Blacklisted?

Rod Lundgren discusses the myths and realities of studio internships

“Unpaid interns are usually too scared to speak out [because] it will hurt their chances of �inding future jobs,” said attorney Adam Klein. His clients Eric Glatt and Alex Footman are suing Fox Searchlight over their work as unpaid interns on the international blockbuster �ilm Black Swan.

The lawsuit claims they performed secretarial and janitorial work. Further to taking out the trash and preparing coffee, only Mr. Glatt provides further detail saying he prepared purchase orders and cash forms.

The lawsuit claims that the bene�its to the employer far outweigh the bene�its to the intern. Mr. Footman, a production intern, will graduate and become a production assistant, the �irst step to becoming a producer. Likewise, Mr. Glatt, an accounting intern, will become an accounting assistant before becoming an accountant. The tasks asked of them were normal for their respective departments. If they’re entrusted with tasks a paid employee performs, it provides them a great resume point and a leg up over other candidates in the job market.

Labor laws require internships to be learning experiences. Having interned at Universal Pictures, I had many respon-

Illustration: Emma Rawsthorne

30

sibilities including, but not limited to, copying scripts and updating productions binders. While these seem menial, photocopying scripts allowed me the chance to read them and develop my own writing, likewise updating production binders gave insight into changing budgets, updated �ilming schedules, and location changes. This knowledge could be used in my own �ilm productions.

Local film creates waves at Tyneside

Every now and then a �ilm comes out that is quintessentially North Eastern, immortalising the region’s iconography and settings, with Get Carter coming to mind.

Rising Tide, not to be mistaken for another mundane eco –documentary, is the latest addition to this category following a group of college students trapped on Lindisfarne ‘Holy Island’ plagued by a ghostly apparition. Described as a ‘coming of age story of friendship, loss and revenge’ and shot around Northumberland with a cast of local young actors, the �ilm’s beautiful aesthetics and fresh concept render it one of the more accomplished recent products of North-East �ilmmaking.

Finishing college, a tight-knit group of friends decide to go on ‘one last trip’ together to a festival, with new member of the gang Izzy tagging along. Being kicked off the bus, they �ind themselves stranded on an island at high tide - and when tensions �lare and people start to disappear, things become horrifyingly surreal. Beautiful direction, a haunting sound track from renowned Northumbrian musician Kathryn Tickell, and striking performances are amongst many of Rising Tide’s assets, with several comedic moments complimenting the

A coming of age story of friendship, loss and revenge

Press. Play. Enjoy Press –Play has long been an important component of the North East, organising a variety of special events in and around Newcastle. From November 17-20, their latest effort has produced a programme of eclectic �ilms at the Tyneside Cinema exploring interesting individuals and sub-cultures.

The rich programme starts with two �ilms on the 17th: Crowdsur�ing, a practical discussion advising young �ilmmakers on funding and distribution , with a variety of industry talking heads in attendance, while Just Do It documents a group of activists over a year as they tackle

horror. However, it isn’t perfect, with the fragmented plot and confounding mystery, which director Philip Shotton con�irmed ‘may have been a dream’, dropping this sigh-provoking revelation at the Tyneside Q&A. Nevertheless, for a �ilm made on a shoestring budget of £23,000 it is an impressive effort, and with a sequel continuing the elliptical plot already shot (with the same cast) and plans to release the two �ilms as a double-bill, let’s hope the �ilm’s potential will be realised within a franchise.

Chris Binding

climate change. On the 19th, Australian doc Shut Up Little Man explores the story of a viral internet sensation produced from the secret recordings of two punks’ �lamboyant neighbours, while Winnebago Man chronicles the impact of Jack Rebney, ‘the angriest man in the world’, as a historical phenomenon in viral internet culture. Canadian �ilm Beauty Day (Nov 20) looks over the life of Ralph Zavadil, whose televised shenanigans in�luenced MTV’s Jackass and the festivals closing film Vigilante takes an ironic look at a new breed of superhero, ‘the anti-graffiti vigilante’.

With a playful mix of entertaining, bizarre and personal themes at the heart of the weekend programme, Press- Play have evidently worked their magic yet again.

Chris Binding

Lawsuits by people other than overworked child actors or writers with allegedly stolen ideas are relatively new to Hollywood.

In recent years, child stars from The Kite Runner and Slumdog Millionaire have sued studios for being overworked and underpaid. Likewise, writers have sued over similarities in their works to such �ilms as The Hurt Locker, Locker The Hangover Part II and many more. Klein claims there will be more lawsuits �iled in the near future over Hollywood’s internship practices.

An internship is what you make of it.

With a positive attitude and ef�icient working method, an intern becomes memorable in the minds of busy executives. In my experience, executives offered guidance and introduced me to executives outside Universal. And, while these internships are very competitive, you can wow by polishing your resume to perfection, networking ‘til you’re numb, and being the anti-Debbie Downer.

The plaintiffs worked on this Academy Award winning �ilm with Darren Aronofsky and Natalie Portman. If they claim to have not had a ‘learning’ experience then it seems right to claim they didn’t make the most of their internship and that their lawsuit stems from their desire to cash in on this indie �ilm’s $329 million gross. In fact, Footman said the $13 million dollar budgeted �ilm has now earned more than enough money to pay the interns. It seems these audacious, opportunistic Hollywood hopefuls will be walking away with no money and no hope of working in Hollywood again after admitting the true motives of their lawsuit.

Not just since director Park Chan-Wook‘s thriller Oldboy won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival in 2004, Korean cinema has grown in popularity and established itself amongst international audiences; the fantasy drama Il Mare was remade with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves in 2006, and the rom-com My Sassy Girl from 2001 was the highest grossing Korean comedy �ilm ever made, outselling several Hollywood blockbusters and triggering a number of remakes.

Despite the tremendous national and increasing global success of its �ilms, Korea is not yet regarded as one of the leading ‘movie meccas‘. The London Korean Film Festival, set up by the Korean Film Council, is thus aiming at introducing a broader audience to the country‘s cinema, and in its sixth year of running, the festival will screen a variety of genres from animation to contemporary work in numerous venues in and outside of London.

The Tyneside Cinema in Newcastle will host three �ilms at the end of this month, the �irst being Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Woman on November 20, an Inspector Clouseau-inspired comedy about the eponymous hero chasing a serial killer in 16th century Joseon. On November 22, Dance Town tells the story of a woman who, after escaping to South Korea from the North, �inds herself in a state of complete isolation and begins to �ight her loneliness. The third �ilm will be Ryoo Seung-wan‘s 2010 crime drama The Unjust on November 24, an intense cat and mouse game set in Seoul after the police fail to close a case of numerous murders in the city and are forced to ally with a gangster in order to avoid public attention.

Lisa Bernhardt

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

reviewsfilm

Film Editor: Chris Binding Online Film Editor: Hayley Hamilton

31

Wuthering Heights A film adaptation of Wuthering Heights focusing purely on Heathcliffe and Catherine’s relationship is brilliant in theory, however in practice Andrea Arnold’s attempt falls short.

While dramatic shots of the Yorkshire moors are visually stunning the phrase ‘too much of a good thing’ comes to mind.

Arnold turns one of the greatest works of English Literature into a nature documentary, and one which does not involve sharks attacking. By the thousandth shot of two animals roaming together I think any audience will have understood the ‘subtle’ suggestion that Catherine and Heathcliffe are two wild animals. With the symbolism and nature appreciation being so overdone the story itself loses focus.

Though most viewers would be familiar with the novel, characters appear and situations change without explanation, ultimately sparking a loss of interest.

The first half of the film focuses on Catherine and Heathcliffe’s childhood relationship. Performances by newcomers

Tower Heist

Solomon Glave and Shannon Beer were faultless but could not save this section feeling drawn out, again due to copious nature shots. The rare dialogue Arnold allowed herself to include, rather than reassure audiences of a good reason for its absence, actually alerted to the possibility that a decent script writer was out of the budget. Stilted, unnaturally phrased lines between the adolescencents belonged in the playgrounds of Waterloo Road, not on the pages of Bronte.

Straw Dogs

In a role that evokes the actions of Bernie Madoff, Alan Alda plays a slimy investor and hotel owner who has embezzled the pension fund of his employees. Ben Stiller and other lowly workers therefore plan to steal back the money from his exclusive New York apartment.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of Tower Heist is its eclectic cast. Assisting Stiller with the heist is a hapless downtrodden Matthew Broderick. Although always good to watch, his dialogue sadly doesn’t match the quality of his lines in 1999’s superior comedy Election. The arrival of Eddie Murphy as a professional crook was met with trepidation due to his recent work which has been very poor. Luckily though he brings some energy to the screen and his liveliness leads to some of the funnier scenes.

Much use is made of photogenic Manhattan, with overhead shots of the skyline used liberally. Events coincide with the Thanksgiving Day parade which provides an interesting backdrop, even if the heist itself only begins halfway into the film’s runtime.

Whilst Tower Heist is fun and enjoyable, the quality of the jokes varies hugely, with certain scenes being much stronger than the film as a whole. The story essentially concerns the little guys taking on the clichéd greedy banker. That in itself is hard to disagree with, but it would have greatly benefited from a sharper satirical edge and wittier dialogue to make it a more enduring and original comedy.

Verdict: Whilst it offers nothing particularly original, Tower Heist is an entertaining and enjoyable comedy with an interesting cast list. However, it needed to have a much sharper script and greater consistency in the quality of the jokes

It doesn’t take long to form an opinion on Straw Dogs. This remake of a controversial 1971 classic readily lacks the intelligence of the original through the poster alone. Almost identical to the original, the new poster makes the grotesque additions of a disgustingly obtrusive bad guy and tag line. But any hope that this was just tastelessness on the studio’s part is lost in the film’s opening five minutes.

Unlike the original, this remake patronises the audience into boredom, with every action explicitly explained. This is quite spectacular, given the film still manages to be almost a shot-for-shot remake.

Moving the action from a British village to a town in the American south, Dustin Hoffman’s character, David Sumner played by James Marsden who moves to his wife Amy’s (Kate Bosworth) hometown for some whilst writing a movie.

Despite trying their hardest to fit in with the locals they end up at odds with them, driven by their intolerance of a mentally handicapped individual The two leads, Marsden and Bosworth – who seem to latch on to any blockbuster they can – have pretty average acting talent, which is not helped by a lacklustre script from writer/director Rod Lurie.

Their dialogue seems to switch inexplicably from kooky out-of-towners to overlyserious sometimes in the same sentence; not a pleasant experience on a film that is already quite grating.

Verdict:Though it could be regarded as fairly average if it were an original film, this remake hardly deserves a star, taking a masterpiece and mutating it into an unsubtle, disturbingly Hollywood-style movie, and bringing about as much excitement as taking a turd.

Jeremy Trotter

Patrick Mchugh

Kaya Scodelario’s Catherine is outshone

by James Howson’s intelligent portrayal of an adult Heathcliffe. However due to the continued stilted and unnatural dialogue provided, Scodelario’s performance could be attributed to poor material. More scenes between the two were definitely needed to build up the chemistry, and would have probably saved the film.Triumphs include Arnold’s decision to focus on Heathcliffe and create an understanding of him, aided by both

In Time

Good old Justin Timberlake, or J-Timbz as I like to call him, continues his foray into Hollywood having tried his hand at the Oscar-bait drama (The Social Network) and a few rom-coms (Bad Teacher and Friends With Benefits), turning his sexyback on those genres in favour of sci-fi thriller In Time.

In a world where time is literally money, Will Salas (J-Timbz) lives day to day – working the 9-5 to get an extra 24 hours of life. At 25 years old, all citizens stop ageing and are given one extra year of life in which to earn more time to live. Should the neon-green countdown genetically engineered into your arm strike zero, you’ll immediately drop dead.

It’s a set-up which works better than you’d expect, and the first hour of In Time actually does a great job of setting itself up. In taking a ‘show, don’t tell’ approach to its central idea, this dystopian alternative universe makes for a surprisingly exciting place to explore.

However, once the plot sets itself in motion the film’s second half never lives up to the promise of its opening, instead opting for a standard on-the-run-andagainst-the-system narrative as Salas and Sylvia Weis (Amanda Seyfried) take on a Robin Hood-esque mission to distribute time from the immortal bankers to those in the slums. How very topical.

Timberlake does alright in his first leading action role, faring better than Alex Pettyfer who cements his title as the worst actor in Britain with a woeful turn as a gangster.

Verdict: In Time makes for a surprisingly entertaining ride, it’s just a shame that the second half lets down what could have potentially been a much more memorable film. Although it’s still fun to see J-Timbz trying to be Karl Marx for two hours.

Ben Travis

Whose line is it anyway?

Glave and Howson’s performances. Both actors create sympathy for the character in a way Ralph Fiennes never did. And the lighting and sound are particularly inspired ,especially the rain, emphasise the novels gothic elements. The camera work could have made this list, the first few shots of an object or person out of focus brought into focus are artistically stunning but after a while it began to feel like the cameraman had just discovered the focus slide on the camera.

Andrea Arnold tried to create something edgy, so far so that she even searched a Romany camp to find unknown actors for her cast. However the final result has left me unconvinced, and possibly even Arnold, who places the most famous cast member with the least screen time, top of her credits (Scodelario).

Verdict:If you liked Terrence Malick’s The New World, you will probably enjoy this film, ditto if you are a Wuthering Heights devotee, otherwise you may be watching the clock instead. One for the eyes but not the ears.

Mallory Mcdonald

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

David Sumner: There is one thing in the bible i do believe.

Charlie: Oh, whats that?

David Sumner: Thou shall not covet thy neighbour’s wife.

Charlie: What happens when thy neighbour’s wife covets you?

One of the most common themes in film history is friendship, especially the friendship between women; which seems to be an equally fascinating and mysterious phenomenon for writers and directors.

While it is mainly depicted in a superficial , cliché-loaden manner found in a plethora of predictable rom-coms, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, loosely based on a novel by Lisa See, deals with the concept of ‘laotong‘, a relationship within the culture of the Chinese province Hunan, bonding two girls together for eternity.

Straw Dogs In present day Shanghai, the successful business woman Nina (Li Bing Bing) begins to reconsider her past and disturbed relationship with her laotong Sophia (Gianna Jun) who has fallen into a coma after a car accident; the modern day narrative is contrasted with the story of the women‘s ancestors Snow Flower and Lily (again The average Bing Bing and Jun) in 19th century China apartment in and their struggle to maintain their deepthe Tower costs rooted bond through times of hardship.

Despite the three stories being coher5.6 million dolent and logically connected, the constant lars. We have flashbacks make keeping track a bit the best views, tricky on occasion and weaken the ‘arc of the most adsuspense‘. The bland tone could also be vanced security caused by the plot which is admittedly not systems, but the most original piece of writing on the you know what market. But then again, it is a nice, very these peounintrusive narrative within a beautiful ple are really setting that even features an awkward, but somewhat funny Hugh Jackman cameo. buying? Rick Verdict: A refreshing unusual approach Malloy: White to friendship that refutes the actually neighbours? outworn, but unfortunately existent stereotypes of relationships between women.

Nevertheless, it will probably fail to hook a Tower Heist broader audience or anyone without an interest in Chinese culture and history.

Lisa Bernhardt

32

science&technology

5 things you need to know about The strangest deaths in history

1) Death by the prediction of death itself Gerolamo Cardano is considered the father of mathematical probability theory hence his nickname ‘The Gambler’. His skills went further than mathematics with an occasional dabble into inventing, philosophy and �inally astrology, and there lay his downfall. Not only did he earn himself an inquisition through his horoscope of Christ but he also used his astrological skills to predict his exact time of death. When this time came and death did not, rather than lose his credibility, he committed suicide. Insanity, perhaps.

Commitment to studies, de�initely.

2) Death by the lack of a home cooked meal The mathematician and logician Kurt Gödel demonstrated the existence of paradoxical solutions to Einstein’s �ield equations in relativity. He even presented them as a 70th birthday present to the man himself. Most would see the giving of ‘paradoxical solutions’ as a gift as a sign of insanity but this unfortunate fate did not occur until his later life. Prior to his demise, Gödel had an obsessive fear of being poisoned and refused to eat food which was not prepared by his wife, Adele. When Adele was hospitalised for six months, Gödel died of ‘malnutrition and inanition caused by personality disturbance’.

3) Death by the plot of a graphic novel Although the scientist Louis Slotin’s death was strictly not written into a graphic novel, the parallels with ‘Watchmen’ are there to be exploited for an eye-catching subtitle. Whilst working on the Manhattan Project, Slotin accidentally began a �ission reaction (much like Dr Manhattan although not due to a misplaced watch).

The radiation levels created (equivalent to standing 4800 feet away from an atomic bomb) killed Slotin in the second incidence of a death caused by a criticality accident.

4) Death by a Nobel Prize Perhaps the most famous on the list, the chemist Marie Curie was killed by the subject of her Nobel Prize winning research, radioactivity. Curie is the �irst and only person to receive two Nobel Prizes in science in two different �ields. She eventually developed leukemia and died in 1934 due to her prolonged exposure to high levels of radiation.

5) Death by the cure for balding It’s hard to �ind something that Alexander Bogdanov did not try his hand at. The physician, economist, philosopher and science �iction writer’s legacy is perhaps best seen in his work on blood transfusions. As well as establishing the Soviet Union as a base for research in the �ield, Bogdanov claimed to have successfully suspended his balding and improved his eyesight through blood transfusion.

Unfortunately for him, the lack of understanding in the �ield caught up with him and he died after contracting malaria and tuberculosis from a transfused sample.

Mark Atwill Science Editor

The death of cremation Helen Culley discusses the greener side of death

W

e’ve all the heard the rumours of Walt Disney being cryogenically frozen; idyllically preserved in time until science provides a way to deal with the small issue of lung cancer and give him a new lease of life. Despite the fact that these rumours are false (the �irst documented cryogenic freezing took place a mere month after Walt’s death) the ways in which we treat human remains is becoming increasingly varied.

If Promession were to feature in a glossy magazine’s Hot or Not section, it would be scorching – ironic as it is the process of freezing human remains to -196°C with lashings of liquid nitrogen. Promession is a process that any fallen eco-warrior would opt for. In contrast to Cremation (so last season), there are no environmentally harmful emissions - such as mercury and carbon monoxide- and no fossil fuels are used in the process. Just as well considering today’s oil prices.

So what’s the science behind this all?

The idea is a very simple one; essentially freezing the body to such a low temperature that it becomes so brittle it is able to be shattered into tiny particles when subsequently vibrated. The �irst step is applying the liquid nitrogen directly to the body. This causes the water present inside all of our cells to crystallise and become hard.

When the body suf�iciently resembles a human Popsicle, it undergoes ultrasonic vibration to reduce it to dust; a rather damp dust, as the human body can be up to 75% water. This must be removed by the process of freeze-drying, allowing the frozen water trapped in the cells to change directly to gas in a process called sublimation.

To round off this oddly futuristic process, the desiccated “promains” are packaged into a biodegradable casket and buried. Guidelines for the process state that this will reduce to compost in approximately 6 weeks time, serving as

a source of nutrition for a tree planted above the burial site. Sounds great, as long as no passers-by end up taking a bite out of an apple with an eerie resemblance to your Great-Aunt Mildred.

Another option is the descriptively named, Liquefaction.

Approved in some states of America, this process involves exposing the body to a solution of water and alkaline Potassium Hydroxide, in order to liquefy �lesh. After weighing the body and calculating the amount of solution needed to ensure complete liquefaction– presumably meaning no chunksthe water and highly thermally stable Potassium Hydroxide are heated to over 100°C. In a pressurised unit, the body lies submerged in the heated solution for up to four hours, until all Illustration: Mark Atwill that remains is bone and a completely sterile ef�luent.

The bone, made soft by the liquefaction process can be crushed and given to the family as a powdery momento, whereas the ef�luent has a slightly more stomach-churning destination. After being returned to a neutral pH by the addition of an acid, it is suitable to be used on watering plants if requested, or simply to enter the general water supply. The nicest possible way of saying that you’re nearest and dearest will be heading down the drain. Similarly to Promession, this alternative is gaining in popularity due to it’s lack of environmental detriment. Only 1/7th of the energy needed for a tradition Cremation is used in this process and as

Blistering success

University scientists lead research into the genetic treatment of skin blistering diseases Scientists at Newcastle University are heading up a British Skin Foundation funded team performing pioneering research into curing genetic skin blistering diseases that devastate the lives thousands across the UK. Diseases cause by defective proteins, such as epidermolysis bullosa can be cured by cutting out the gene responsible for the protein using zinc-�inger nucleases (ZFNs), enzymes which locate and snip the speci�ic gene from a larger DNA sequence.

Julia Reichelt leads the group, which has utilised auto�luorescent skin stem cells in their published work, showing the removal of the implnated gene responsible for �luorescence in 20% of the cells by ZFNs. This suggests a potentially transmissable level of deactivation of the proteins that cause disease.

Extreme diseases like epidermolysis bullosa (EB) can cause the skin to be se-

verely damaged by the slightest contact; effecting 1 in 17000 children born in the UK, it is estimated 5000 people live with the disease today. Growing media attention in the form of the BBC programme Stormchaser: The Butter�ly and the Tornado and the 2004 documentary The Boy Whose Skin Fell Off has brought the potential severity of such conditions into the public domain.

This result is the �irst step in a long process of research, as Dr Reichelt explains: “We are still in very the early stages of being able to develop an actual form of therapy. The idea is to isolate skin stem cells from the patients, then treat these skin stem cells with speci�ic ZFN in cell culture in order to switch off the disease causing gene.”

Provided an effective method of transplantation of the regrown skin can be developed, similar therapeutic methods

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

thecourieronline.co.uk/science c2.science@ncl.ac.uk

Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It’s the transition that’s troublesome.

Isaac Asimov

the mercury present in dental �illings doesn’t vaporise, these dangerous emissions are nil.

As unnerving as it is to talk about what happens after we die, it’s something that needs to be discussed if we want to keep our planet green and the polar bears in good health. Can’t bring yourself to sign up for either? Well there’s always Tibetan Sky Burial (being eaten by birds atop a mountain). Personally, I’m going for Taxidermy- no harmful emissions and not a chance I’ll end up as someone’s bathwater. The choice is yours...

11/11/11

irk of the GreInevitable? Banal? A qu but last Friday , eed Ind gorian calendar? :11 the time 11 at d an , /11 was 11/11 palindrome it and date formed a 12 dig a century. for n see that hasn’t been ? Probon asi occ the rk ma Did you in all it, e ably not, but let’s fac l be wil us of ne likelihood no t nex the for d un aro one. with ZFNs could be utilised in the treatment of various skin diseases. As Dr Reichelt adds: “ We and other researchers in the �ield are very enthusiastic about the usefuness of ZFN technology.” The ultimate aim is to develop a permanent one time curative therapy; although this will take time, steps are certainly being taken in the right direction.

Mark Atwill

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

33

science&technology Technology Environmation

Science Editor: Mark Atwill Online Science Editor: Shaun Butcher

Emma Summerscales discusses the environmental sins we inadvertantly make

Mobile phones

Constant news coverage from across the world thanks to the wonder of today’s communication technologies can desensitise us, but it is important not to forget that our comfortable lives are a million miles away from the war waging in the Democratic Republic of Congo. One such technology funds the violent gangs who make the war so bloody; the mobile phone. Militant groups control the mines which provide the big companies with their precious metals such as tantalum and tungsten, the latter of which enables your phone to vibrate. It has been reported that the late Steve Jobs recently admitted he couldn’t guarantee that Apple products were free of these so called ‘con�lict minerals.’

Jeans

Everyone loves a pair of jeans, but our love for faded and worn looks is more costly than you might think. ‘Labour behind the Label’ has recently looked into the conditions for workers producing our garments, and reported scenes where employees must sandblast jeans for hours on end in sealed cabinets, where they inhale silica particles that cause serious damage to the airways. As authorities have been made aware of this appalling practice more and more countries are making it illegal, but our lust for denim has resulted in a cat and mouse chase around the world where companies simply move location every time a new law is introduced. Go to killerjeans.org to �ind out more.

LCD TVs Unfortunately once again our insatiable appetite for technology and our willingness to pay big bucks for the latest TVs means the tech giants actually think it’s feasible to mine deep sea hydrothermal vents for rare minerals needed to make our beloved �latscreens. They are targeting unregulated areas around Papa New Guinea and Fiji as traditional supply chains from China are becoming unreliable. This will cause irreparable environmental damage to ecosystems in the oceans that we haven’t even begun to explore, as well as coral reefs and plankton species to mention just a few. Visit oceansandcommunities.org for more information.

Talking Tough

Open up to Mouth Cancer Awareness Week

The British Dental Health Foundation has urged Pharmacists to promote mouth cancer awareness, with this month dedicated to the cause. Recent research has shown that one in six people with the condition will visit their local Pharmacy �irst, rather than going to the doctor or dentist. Mouth cancer is commonly viewed as a rare form of the disease, but cases have risen by nearly 46% between 1997 and 2008. In 2006 there were more cases of mouth cancer diagnosed than cervical cancer and testicular cancer combined. The huge increase has lead to the Foundation estimating 60,000 people in the UK will be diagnosed with mouth cancer in the next decade. Worryingly, without early detection it is estimated one in every two people won’t survive the disease.

Not surprisingly, the biggest risks for mouth cancer, found in around 90% of cases, are tobacco smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Persons who both smoke and drink carry a particularly high risk, making them 30 times more likely

Illustration: Mark Atwill

Laptops

Coffee

When the time comes to purchase your next laptop, what will you base your decision on? The size of the hard-drive? How much memory it has? Whether or not it comes in pink? All important factors, but what about how many people committed suicide at the hands of the technology giant that manufactured it? We are all too aware of the link between sweatshops and some high-street clothing, but the story has been reported to be worse in the laptop industry. China Labour Watch has reported that since 2009, thirteen employees have taken their own lives due to the working conditions. Refurbished laptops suddenly look a lot more appealing.

We are all aware of the ethical side behind coffee thanks to various ‘Fairtrade’ and ‘Rainforest Alliance’ campaigns endorsed by some of the major chains. Despite this, issues relating to unfair treatment of the people who grow the coffee continue. ‘Black Gold’ state that just 2p from a £2 cup of coffee is seen by the producers. The markets are twisted and complicated, so that buyers can push up the prices without the producers seeing any of the pro�its. Next time you decide to grab a coffee in-between lectures, think about what you’re buying and how you can improve your choices. to contract the disease than those who do not. Cancer research also states that chewing tobacco or betel nut carries a high risk. Scientists have found a link between bad diet and mouth cancer, estimating it is the cause of 10-15% of cases.

Although the disease commonly affects people over 50, more recent cases have involved younger people.

Dentists are trained to check for signs of mouth cancer, which is one of the reasons regular check ups are so important.

Symptoms of the disease are not always associated with pain, but if they last longer than three weeks you should seek advice from your doctor or dentist. The most common signs are ulcers or sores in the mouth or on the tongue, a red or white patch in the mouth or an unexplained pain in the mouth or ear.

Some other signs can include an unexplained lump in the neck, a sore or painful throat and a croaky voice or dif�iculty swallowing. The dental health foundation’s message to everyone is ‘If in doubt, get checked out’. An early diagnosis can save lives

Lauren Tough

sciencemeetsarts

2011 is the year of Marie Curie

144 years ago last monday, Marie Curie was born in Warsaw, Poland. Later to win two Nobel Prizes in the separate �ields of physics and chemistry for her work in radioactivity, she has been honoured with her very own google doodle on the search engine’s home page, joining the great pantheon of revered scientists like Thomas Edison and Gregor Mendel.

A simultaneously inspiring and tragic �igure, the 2009 New Scientist ‘most inspirational woman in science’ suffered the untimely death of her soul-mate and husband Pierre, and grieved his loss until her death from aplastic anaemia in 1934, a disease thought to be caused by her prolonged exposure to radioactive elements.

Portrayed in �ilm by Oscar-nominated actresses, the life of Curie was last month given new vitality when Lauren Redniss’ Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie: A Tale of Love and Fallout became the �irst non�iction book to be named a �inalist for the US National Book Award.

An esteemed and honoured �igure, Marie Curie forever changed the landscape of science, and the perception of women in an erstwhile male dominated world.

Happy birthday, Madame Curie

The English Death Star

We all know sci-�i is, well, science �iction, but are the seemingly unrealistic literary forecasts simply a product of their time? Will they become reality? Could they become reality? There is a constant �lood of what seem to be impossible ideas inherent throughout the sci-�i genre including �lying cars, space travel, and the unimaginable Death Star from Star Wars. Some of these books that contain potentially apocalyptical ideas, such as The Death Star, you’d think, would be burnt and the ashes brushed away into a cupboard labelled ‘Too dangerous to contemplate’ and forgotten about, never to be experimented with. However, that doesn’t happen. Consequently, The Death Star will be coming to a planet near you: Earth - more precisely, England.

The Extreme Light Infrastructure Ultra-High Field Facility, or ‘superlaser’, will, apparently, be used to hold particles away from each other to stop them doing whatever they do to create a black hole. It is said to be capable of producing a beam of light so intense that it would be equivalent to the power received by the Earth, from the sun, focused onto a speck smaller than a tip of a pin. Scientists claim it could allow them to boil the very fabric of space – the vacuum. The sceptical among us will no doubt be thinking that the real use of the ‘superlaser’ will fall into the hands of a Darth Vader like character who will be parading around Earth, breathing heavily, with various missions to annihilate rival planets in the solar system. A very scary thought, I know.

Technology such as this can be quite daunting; once the trigger is pulled, nobody will be able to stop the laser and what happens will remain unknown until that point. The fabric of space will be torn apart and anything could climb through. I, for one, am not ready for that. But, maybe it’s just my active imagination – maybe I should write a sci-�i book? I’m not alone in that thought though: Dr Thomas Heinzl, an associate professor of theoretical physics at Plymouth University, said: “ELI is going to take us into an uncharted regime of physics. There could well be some surprises along the way.” Do we really want to know what these ‘surprises’ will be? Are we ready for it? However, we are still eagerly awaiting the Hadron Collider to �ind the ‘God particle’ - maybe this will be yet another overly ambitious scienti�ic project that doesn’t come into fruition.

Although we can wish - dream even for something we see in the sci-�i genre to become reality, it is probably just a coincidence that certain things do. The in�inite monkey theory springs to mind: with so many writers coming up with so many ideas, it has to be a coincidence when a literary forecast becomes reality.

Doesn’t it?

Shaun Butcher Online Science Editor

Illustration: Mark Atwill

34

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

tvfeatures

thecourieronline.co.uk/tvandradio c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk TV Editors: Sophy Fairhead and Nicole Stevenson

Frozen Planet

A day in the life...

of Corrie’s Sally Webster

Lauren Cordell explores our fascination with the latest David Attenborough series Capturing the attention of almost 7 million viewers with its �irst episode, Sir David Attenborough’s latest offering, Frozen Planet, has �irmly established itself as one to watch in the coming weeks. The series explores the wildlife that manages to survive in the most inhospitable and changeable environments which have been dubbed the last unexplored wildernesses; the Arctic and Antarctic.

The �irst episode pictured the legendary Attenborough, 85, on location at both the North and South Poles showing what can only be described as heroic dedication.

We followed the tribulations of polar bear courtship whilst everybody’s favourite �lightless bird, the penguin, surfed in the shallows, only to be followed by a sea lion.

The clumsy chase that ensued had viewers shouting at the screen, egging the gentoo penguin on to escape certain death.

Elsewhere, a young bison was tragically crushed by a panic-stricken elder, but it has to be the ingenious hunting techniques of a pod of killer whales that really stole the show. Shown selecting a hapless seal vulnerably perched on a small iceberg, the pod continually swam underneath their prey in close formation to create waves strong enough to �lip the ice and knock the seal into the water. Finally, exhausted, the seal heartrendingly gave in.

Episode two introduced us to spring, the �irst of the seasons and the time of year of breeding and babies. The episode managed to ingeniously humanise a ‘criminal’ penguin that made his nest by stealing the pebbles of others’ and a boisterous polar

Catch Up

Catch Up: The Experiments

If there’s one programme that should reign above doing extra reading this week it’s Derren Brown’s latest episode in ‘The Experiments’.

Available on 4oD, the master hypnotist and expert in mind control takes to our screens once more to baf�le and bemuse the public. From sceptics to avid fans of Derren’s work (I would place myself most de�initely in the latter here) his new fourpart series investigating how far you can push the limits of human behaviour will captivate you all.

The episode this week entitled ‘The Guilt Trip’ discusses the power of false memories and what guilt can make you do. A scenario is set up in which a member of the general public attends a conference in a stately home (note the Cluedo references throughout the show!), unaware that the other attendees are all actors. Unknowingly, Derren plays with his memory and makes him question his own mind and judgement. The premise of the show is to see whether it’s possible for someone to confess to a murder they didn’t commit.

This show will make you laugh out loud, question your own memory and intrigue you once more as to how Derren does it.

Not one to be missed.

Emily Rae

bear cub that wasn’t too old to be put in the ‘naughty corner’, touching the hearts (and smiles) of viewers nationwide. Later, we were treated to an insight into the weird and wonderful in the form of otherworldly creatures such as sea gooseberries, swimming snails and narwhals, the so-called unicorns of the sea. Incredibly, we followed the woolly bear caterpillar as it successfully cryopreserved itself over thirteen winters before eventually becoming a moth (Walt Disney eat your heart out!).

But it’s not just the wildlife that keeps viewers glued to their screens. Oscarwinning composer George Fenton, winner of an Emmy for Outstanding Musical Composition for Attenborough’s two previous and now legendary series The Blue Planet (2001) and Planet Earth (2006), returns for this latest series. His inspired musical compositions alongside the King of Natural History’s soothing tones effortlessly blend humour, fear and tragedy in poignant perfection. In addition, the use of ground-breaking photography makes the series visually stunning, from the eerie �light of a great grey owl over a pristine expanse of snowy nothing, to the thunderous breaking

Farewell Downton Abbey

I for one am dreading the onset of Sunday Blues next week. Now that we have nothing to look forward to after X-Factor I am struggling to get to grips with the prospect of a miserable 9 o’clock bedtime.

Over 10 million viewers switched on last Sunday to experience the emotional rollercoaster ride that portrayed lives upstairs, downstairs and in the ladies’ chambers. It wasn’t all good though; what has happened to Lord Grantham? Hugh Boineville used to be such a hero, and we cannot fathom the moment of weakness in his lordship’s solid character as he consorts with the new housemaid behind Cora’s back. Forgive me also for wondering why we are still following Ethel’s struggle with her baby? We have really lost interest with her and we feel that producer Julian Fellowes might have too. Perhaps if he had cut out those bits and concentrated on fewer plotlines, critics might see less television aerials and double yellow lines in the Oxford village of Batham where it is �ilmed.

However, the vast majority of us don’t really care and thoroughly relish the Mary vs Matthew tension (secretly glad Lavinia is now out of the way), and we all enjoyed a good blub as the new Mr and Mrs Bates were separated by stern-looking police-

Frozen Planet, Wednesday, 9pm, BBC One

Baby Adelie penguins chase the adults for food from the sea at Cape

Our favourite quotes from the Dowager Duchess

“So, that’s Mary’s replacement. Well, I suppose looks aren’t everything.”

“He looked so well.

Of course it would happen to a foreigner. No Englishman would dream of dying in someone else’s house.”

“Don’t be defeatist dear, it is terribly middle class” “What is a weekend?”

Lady Mary: “Sybil is entitled to her opinions.”

Lady Grantham: “No. She isn’t until she is married, then her husband will tell her what her opinions are.”

off of an iceberg. Filmed exclusively in HD and making use of time lapse technology and the aerial camerawork pioneered on Planet Earth, viewers are nevertheless made aware in the episodes’ closing ten minutes of the complexities and challenges cameramen face in order to get the “feeling whale-breath on your face” shots.

The seven-part series continues over the following weeks, focusing �irst on the different seasons and the dramatic changes they bring, before turning to human activities and climate change. Viewers can look forward to more from the cute polar bear cubs, charismatic penguins and calculating killer whales. And with the convenience of iPlayer, there really is no excuse not to be watching.

These daughters of mine are really running me ragged. I mean, there’s Sophie’s insistence on this engagement and all this nonsense with John Stape, not to mention all the grief I get about Jeff. Oh poor Jeff… he’s been dragged into the chaos right from the word go. If it isn’t those two, it’s Kevin with his new �lipping baby. He’s a charming man is my Jeff, and clean (unlike Kevin), but I’m just not sure I want to settle down yet. It’s caused me so much bother in the past. Besides, I’ve got to focus all my attention on my new job at Frank’s.

It sickens me to think of the hours “Honestly, the of graft I put into Underworld, only silly woman to be laid off by deserves that nutter Carla everything Connor! I mean she gets” for goodness sake – as if my ex-husband’s lottery win has anything to do with me. Though after hearing that she’d �inally lost it and sacked her entire workforce, Frank and I had a right laugh. Honestly, the silly woman deserves everything she gets.

Talking of supposed ‘victims’ I’m really sick of bumping into Fiz’s little followers in the Rovers. Let’s face it: the woman’s guilty. How can you be married to a serial killer and not have the foggiest idea? If you ask me, little Hope’s probably better off without her too. Mind you, what’ll happen then? That young Chesney will probably take her and he’s barely old enough to ride his pushbike. Well, the whole thing’s ridiculous.

Estelle Bill

men (even if we were less than turned on by their bedroom scene). It has everything a Sunday night should – tears, lust and laughter - and my housemates and I will be rewatching the boxset in an attempt to �ill the void of life after Downton.

Sophia Fairhead TV Editor

Hottie of the Week Spencer Matthews

I know what you’re thinking. Or at least what most of my female friends are thinking: ew. But I would like to put forward the idea of Made in Chelsea star Spencer Matthews as ‘most improved hottie’.

I had always noticed Spencer’s potential in the �irst season but his disgusting gelled-back mane and unnecessary amount of facial hair just ruined it for me.

So imagine my surprise when he came back radiant in season two, a few pounds shed, hair cut short and caveman beard trimmed down to sexy stubble. My �irst reaction to the second season wasn’t to the new cast additions or Hugo’s in�idelities, it was “when did Spencer get hot??”

The transition I believe was not only based on his physical improvements, but also on his character change. His tedious relationship with model and dancer Funda Onal was a bit of a turn-off whereas now he is portrayed as more of a ladies’ man, �luttering from his casual sex encounters with the beautiful Louise to his near conquest of Binky.

If I was Caggie Dunlop and had come off that plane from New York to see what Spencer had become, I would de�initely not have gotten sidetracked into Proudlock’s arms.

Emma Balter

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

thecourieronline.co.uk c2.editor@ncl.ac.uk

featurecareers

Graduate Profile If you are thinking about becoming a solicitor or barrister, with or without a qualifying law degree, then you should consider applying to The College of Law, like Newcastle graduate Louisa Button.

After three enjoyable years, I graduated from Newcastle in 2009. With a keen desire to head to London and a handful of interviews lined up that summer, I had hoped becoming a solicitor would be relatively straightforward.

It wasn’t to be and after a year out, an internship in Shanghai and a bucket load of unsuccessful applications, I found myself embarking on the LPC at The College of Law, Chester.

The College of Law was an obvious choice for me. During my time at Newcastle, I had attended a number of the College’s talks and seminars.

I had spoken to tutors and current students alike and was impressed by both their enthusiasm and encouragement.

I had also attended an Open Day to learn more about the course and most importantly, the careers service.

I was soon convinced it was the right place for me.

Before starting, I was aware of the practical nature of the LPC but had expected it to be similar to university.

However I was surprised to �ind there were no lectures but workshops – two and a half hours in length (it goes faster than you’d think!) combining teach-

ing with group work, individual exercises and presentations.

Although they required a fair amount of preparation, I found the workshops a very effective way of learning.

Anyway enough of work, onto the socials!

The infamous ‘booze cruise’ got the year off to a good start and

was followed by a number of other events – a Christmas Ball, an end-of-exams party and a Summer Ball to name just a few.

There were also a great number of clubs and societies with which to get involved: Football, Rugby, Netball through to a choir and an orchestra. There really was something for everyone.

There were plenty of pro-bono opportunities to sample, with a vast array of activities run by the College itself and external organisations.

As I mentioned earlier, the careers service was a key factor in my decision to study at the College.

The careers advisor – with over twenty years’ experience – was always on hand to help with applications and interview practice, as well as providing practitioner talks and networking sessions to ensure we were given the best chance of securing that all-important training contract.

And it de�initely worked; I start at Clyde and Co. in September 2012.

If my ramblings still haven’t convinced you, I strongly recommend attending one of the many open days/ evenings put on by the College.

They really give you a chance to experience life as an LPC student; I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

If you are a non-law graduate but fancy yourself as a hot-shot lawyer, bear in mind The College of Law as they offer a conversion course – the GDL. Searhc for the Newcastle University College of Law Facebook Group to get more information or to contact Louisa.

Career Crackers Careers fairs

Newcastle Law Fair

Monday 14th November 1-3.30pm Bamburgh Suite, Level 4, St James Park

Newcastle Careers in Computing Fair

Monday 28th November 12-3pm The Venue, Students’ Union

Marine Science & Technology Careers Fair Wednesday 23rd November 10am-3pm King’s Hall, Armstrong Building

Postgraduate Study Fair 2011

Wednesday 23rd November 10.30am-4pm Manchester Central, (formerly the G-Mex Centre)

Postgraduate Study and MBA Fair Monday 25th January 2012 1-7pm Macmillan Hall, Crush Hall, Beveridge Hall and Chancellor’s Hall at Senate House, University of London

35

Tribulations of a soonto-begraduate Lucy Alexander This week I am avoiding any more work on my dissertation, by writing my column about how horri�ic they are. The irony involved in this form of procrastination is deeply felt my lovely readers, but my kitchen is spotless and my washing is done: there is nowhere left to hide.

All over campus this week, freshfaced third years have been entering into this so-called ‘rite of passage’ with at least a small degree of optimism. Surely older students have exaggerated about how horrible the dissertation is, in order to mitigate their grade gained through a lack of study time and too many cocktails on Osborne Road in their �inal year? Surely lecturers and future employers have banded together in order to make it seem more taxing and/or important than it actually is?

I think I speak for all third years when I confess to facing the ‘dreaded’ dissertation with a small amount of casual condescension; this perpetuated myth will be just that. I’ll be �ine, and I won’t need to cut down my Sinners time in any way this year. It’s just an essay! Right? Anybody?

It’s only proposal weekend, and I’ve already moved into the Robinson and drunk more overpriced coffee than I would care to admit. This ‘essay’ has already grabbed me by the metaphorical scruff of my neck, and �lung me to the �loor. And then spat on me. And taken my metaphorical lunch money.

I now know why people rarely refer to it by its full name, and merely use ‘D-Word’ to suf�ice.

Now freshers and second-years (�irst of all, I hate you), you might be thinking: ‘This sounds horrible! Why would anyone pay to put themselves through this? I’m going to go and jump out of the nearest window, to avoid ever getting to that undesirable location called third-year.

You’d be partially right, although please don’t jump out of that window!

There are plenty of awesome things about third-year, and I may even get round to mentioning them in my column one of these days.

Now when one of your engineering �latmates is adamant that she is curing the blind as part of her dissertation (I for one am not going to burst her bubble, it would be more than my life’s worth), it certainly puts your own topic into perspective.

There’s nothing remotely valuable to society or even vaguely academic about sexuality in ‘Little Red Riding Hood’. Is there? No, de�initely not.

Mostly people laugh in a nervous kind of way when I tell them my dissertation subject. Then I get nervous too, and say something like: ‘Yeah but you know, obviously that’s only part of it! I’m also doing a wider range of things, really important academic things...’ Or I rabbit on about how there are so many hidden meanings in ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ and other well known fairy tales, basically ruining the childhoods of anyone brave enough to ask.

So I may not be curing the blind, but my research is pretty interesting all the same. The most obvious upside is that when you show people a book you’re reading entitled ‘Pornography, Fairy Tales and Feminism’; you’re pretty much guaranteed not to get asked too many follow-up questions.

36

Puzzles

Sudoku

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

You can find the answer s to this week’s pu thecou zzles at rieronli ne. co.uk/p uzzles

thecourieronline.co.uk/puzzles c2.puzzles@ncl.ac.uk Puzzles Editor: Laura Armitage

Crossword

Across

1. Garret (5) 4. Communicative interaction (7) 7. Hassle (7) 8. Smithy’s block (5) 9. Tooth (5) 10. Reaches out (7) 11. Pact (6) 13. Strategy (6) 17. Time off (7) 19. Stroll (5) 21. Rough (5) 22. Eight-sided polygon (7) 23. Imagined (7) 24. Watercourse (5)

Down

1. Try (7) 2. Supernatural creature (5) 3. Floorshow (7) 4. Mentally quick and resourceful (6) 5. Go forward (7) 6. Stories (5) 8. Pertinent (3) 12. Gourmet (7) 14. Disorderly (7) 15. Everlasting (7) 16. Unit of time (6) 17. Perspicuous (5) 18. Employ (3) 20. Start (5) the

f ne o Be o e to com d or fiv first e crossw n’s th Me plete nd into ree f ha and to win a r Ba meal!

Work out the word or phrase that is depicted in the image.

Dingbats

Alphadoku Same principle as normal Sudoku but each square and row must have the letters A-I. Good luck!

Riddle Who spends the day at the window, goes to the table for meals and hides at night?

Duckett and Haye

Sport

37

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Sport Editors Colin Henrys, Harry Slavin and Rory Brigstock-Baron Online Sport Editor: Grace Harvey courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk

thecourieronline.co.uk/sport

What were they thinking?

The Courier Sport sit in as football’s bad boys face up to some tough questions*

Name: Antolin Alcaraz Club: Wigan Athletic Crime: Spitting at an opponent

Antolin Alcaraz, you are accused of committing a crime most foul – spitting at Richard Stearman during your recent match against Wolves at Molineux. What do you have to say for yourself?

No no no my amigo. Spitting? Es horrible.

But you have been caught on camera, Antolin. Surely you cannot deny it.

No, you have me all wrong. I was having a friendly chat with my amigos Richard and Christophe. We talk about how I am excited for returning to Paraguay this week and getting away from this horrible weather.

Christophe tell me he is going to Cyprus with his Scotland team. I say very nice, but my cold very bad and a bit of spit came out.

But we are not talking about a little bit of spittle, we are talking about a great big nasty cob of spit.

But my cold very bad. We are in the home of the Wolves, which was

Name: Carlos Tevez Club: Manchester City Crime: Refusing to warm-

Carlos Tevez, you have been charged with gross misconduct following your refusal to take to the �ield against Bayern Munich, do you have anything to say for yourself?

Yes, the manager wanted me to play, but I was very comfortable on the bench, Aleksandar Kolarov and I were playing 20 questions and I had only asked two so far, you don’t happen to know any other restaurants in Manchester do you?

But Carlos, you’re under contract, you can’t just refuse to play.

The contract is like a marriage, I entered in to it in love, and I would lay beside my love and perform because I wanted to perform, It was like making love.

Now, the love has gone, and when I am asked to perform I cannot, I no longer feel the blood rushing through my veins, I go limp.

Getty Images

not as mucho exciting as I thought. I see a few stray cats but no wolves and I cannot have my Wigan pie with the wolves.

Roberto tells me to wrap up warm but he does not know.

He has lived here a long time and also in the land of Swans and whales. I visit there at the start of the year. Es even worse than the home of the wolves.

So you are saying that having a bad cold led to you spitting?

(Cough, sniff) Es not my fault.

Roberto tells us ‘if in doubt, get it out’. I used to think he meant the ball, but just look around at the rest of the team. The ball is never out of our half so what else could he mean?

I feel a big greenie in my mouth, I get it out. Footballer’s spit all the time. The papers, they say I got caught in the spit storm, but I did not spit storm I spat spit. Besides my amigo Richard was

But Mr Tevez, what about the fans, surely you owe it to them to play when called upon?

Football is like the tango, it requires passion, it requires heat, it requires love. The love has gone. I can never dance with Manchester again.

I see the fans, the way they look at Aguero, that loving stare of expectation and excitement, that used to be me, but they’ve moved on, and so has Carlitos.

When I �irst came to Manchester City it was like falling in love, falling in love with a beautiful woman, one that had never previously been a beautiful woman, but had spent millions to become a beautiful woman. We danced the tango, she screamed for me, she said

**As imagined by Sports Editors Colin Henrys, Harry Slavin and Rory Brigstock-Barron. the man who caught it.

Footballers might spit all of the time, but you do not see it landing on other people.

But of course you do!

El-Hadji Diouf has done it several times. Are you trying to say that he does it deliberately? Lovable El-Hadji Diouf, patron of The Dioufy Foundation and all round good guy footballer – surely not!

But El-Hadji Diouf was once described as being ‘lower than a sewer rat’.

But, erm, but, err…

What? Spit it out man.

No not… You �ilthy boy.

Kick him out.

Colin Henrys Sports Editor

Name: John Terry Club: Chelsea Crime: Alleged racial abuse

John Terry, you stand here in front of us today accused of the crime uttering racist remarks towards a fellow professional, what do you have to say for yourself?

Which ones? Oh the Anton Ferdinand remarks, I remember that, it was all one big misunderstanding. See a few days before we played QPR I went round to the Ferdinand’s for a sleep over with Anton and Rio and, well, it all got a bit out of hand.

Explain?

tainly ain’t and I told him that anyone could see that Willis was a ghost from the start, calling him a ‘blind so and so ‘ in the process.

Is that honestly all that happened?

No, unfortunately it wasn’t. See Paddy Kenny had overheard us discussing the movie and was furious that I’d given away the ending cause he had it saved on his sky plus box to watch that night. In all honesty I was a little shaken up by the whole incident, I never meant to cause such uproar and I just want to put it behind me now.

Do you not think as a professional you have a duty as a role model to younger people though, and that these types of altercations should be altogether avoided?

Well you see, Mrs. Ferdinand let us stay up a little longer than usual to see the end of this scary movie called the Sixth Sense. It was really creepy and unfortunately Anton couldn’t handle it and got upset when all the cupboard doors in the kitchen got left open so he had to go up to bed while Rio and me sat and watched the rest of the �ilm.

Oh de�initely, but I do feel that I go to great lengths to preserve my role model status, for example I was voted Father of the Year in 2009 and I always make the effort to tip the man in the bog when I’m on a night out in Chelsea, manners cost nothing.

Where is this going Mr. Terry?

Getty Images she loved me, even more than she had loved Shaun Goater, I don’t know who that is but I appreciated it.

But now the fans have turned their back on me, and to make things worse they keep jumping up and down when they do. I don’t know why. This is why I refused to play.

What do you say to other professionals who have hit out at you for your refusal to play?

If I don’t want to play I don’t have to, nobody’s going to tell me what to do amigo, the only thing in this world that gives orders is balls. Balls. You got that? A lot of people have asked me why I’m always so unhappy, what I want. I want what’s coming to me.

What’s that?

The world Chico, and everything in it.

Are you just quoting Scarface?

Say goodnight to the bad guy!

Rory Brigstock-Barron Sports Editor

Well the next time I saw Anton was on the pitch at the QPR match and I thought I would tell him how the movie ended so that he didn’t have to worry about it any longer.

But when I told him that Bruce Willis had been a ghost all along and that’s why the little boy could see him, Anton didn’t believe me and, if I’m being honest, got a little temperamental.

He called me a liar, which I most cer-

Getty Images

To Be Frank Mr Terry, this isn’t your �irst misdemeanour is it? I suggest you need to buck up your ideas and start acting like the responsible professional you are supposed to be.

Case dismissed.

The Courier’s Bad Boys 1. El Hadji Diouf

Since coming to the premier league he has done little to endear himself to English fans. Diouf’s favourite party is spitting at fans and players a like and is now at Doncaster, let that be a lesson.

2. Joey Barton

What can we say about Joey, attacking teammates in training, a stint in prison, a nice liver shot and even a bit of play acting. very unlucky not to top our list.

Harry Slavin Sports Editor

3. Paulo Di Canio

Paulo Di Canio is perhaps most well known for pushing over referee Paul Alcock. The firey Italian has taken his temper in to his managerial career as well, having a physical fight with his own player in the tunnel this season.

4. Erick Cantona King Cantona could also look after himself, famously dropkicking a fan in the face earns Erick bad boy status

38

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

featuresport

Olympic �lame to illuminate Toon With the 2012 route mapped out James Docherty assesses the role of the torch relay

Last Monday saw the unveiling of the Olympic Torch Relay Route in the build up to the Games. 1018 places will be visited across a 70-day journey.

The �lame is scheduled to arrive from Greece on May 18 amongst tight security and delivered to Land’s End, where its journey to Stratford and the Olympic Stadium will start.

For the next 10 weeks, an entourage of elite athletes, organisers, celebrities and members of the public will escort it on a journey taking in every English county and administrative areas of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales.

On its sojourn around the UK, it will participate in a veritable Lonely Planet sampler of British signs and events; from train journeys on historic lines (where presumably the No Smoking Rules will have been relaxed) to visiting places as diverse as the Eden Project, The Giants Causeway and Brands Hatch Racetrack.

The route has been designed to take in as much of the population as possible, with the London Organising Committee promising that 95% of the population will be within 10 miles of the torch across its 8000 mile journey.

In the North East, the Torch arrives in Alnwick on June 14, passing through Newcastle on the 15th, Durham on the 16th and Middlesbrough on the 17th, slowly zigzagging its way down the East Coast from Edinburgh to Hull.

Cities that have been selected for evening stopovers are concocting memorable celebrations, with Newcastle planning to zip-wire the �lame from the Tyne Bridge to the Quayside as part of their festivities (well, it’s one way to avoid tripping on the stairs).

Many will argue that the thousands spent on transporting a glori�ied cigarette lighter that looks like a cheese grater simply because the �lame it contains was forged by Prometheus and lit by Vestal Virgins at Olympia is a shocking waste of time and money; with a well-mapped route meaning the relay can easily be disrupted by protesters – as happened during the Beijing Games.

However, these naysayers are also the people who complain that the Olympics is too London centric, despite events taking place in locations as diverse as Weymouth, Glasgow, Cardiff and Newcastle.

Agreed, the torch does spend a great deal of time in and around London, with the whole last week of stopovers having the relay travel solely within the M25, but, with the exception of people north of Inverness, everyone who wants to join in the celebration and build up to having the pin-

nacle of sporting events take place in this country should be able to head to a nearby town and see the torch pass by.

This will more than likely be in the hands of an Olympian, or someone who dedicates their time to ensuring sport is

there for everyone, long after the �lame has been extinguished and re-lit in Rio and beyond.

These events

should be celebrated and promoted, in the hope that they will inspire people to pick up a racquet, discus or bow and discover a talent they never knew existed.

Jonathon Edwards (right) and Sebastian Coe (left) holding 2012 olypic torch Getty Images

39

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

Manchester move forces MOTD facelift

featuresport MOTD presenter Gary Lineker Join1goal (flickr)

Freddie Caldwell breaks down the new look Match of the Day format It’s Saturday night; realistically you have two choices. You can either be in Sinners stocking up on trebles, or you can spend an evening in front of the television watching Match of the Day. I know that many of you will question why anyone would choose the latter option, but the few of us that did were treated to a rather changed experience last week.

In 2010 the BBC decided to move some of its departments, including sport, to Manchester. Given the way that the Premier league has gone so far this season, it seems like this was a good choice of location and as a result of the move Match of the Day has got a new studio and will also now be broadcast in high de�inition.

As soon as the famous theme tune �inished however, it became clear that the producers have used this opportunity to make a few aesthetic changes as well.

Firstly, the studio has been done up in a different colour scheme - the familiar red and white is gone and in its place is a new red and blue design. Now, whilst this may not have sent shockwaves around the footballwatching community, it does still matter.

Sky Sports have already made red and blue familiar to the world of foot-

ball broadcasting and there are surely many football fans who are upset that their weekend viewing will now be made up from a more limited palette.

However, this change was perhaps not that surprising given that the BBC has often seemed to take cues from Sky’s football coverage; Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson have been squeezed into increasingly tight clothes over the last few years and it wouldn’t be all that surprising if Gary Lineker started presenting in Jamie Redknapp’s trademark shiny grey suit.

The in�luence of satellite TV is also evident in the new seating arrangements: the pundits have now been given individual chairs in place of the spherical sofa that occupied the old studio, which is going to make it a lot more dif�icult for them to power nap during the last few games.

The graphics department has also been busy updating themselves for the switch to Manchester - apparently the audience will better understand the number of corners in a game if they can view that statistic in the form of a bar chart.

This is not annoying in itself, but they have chosen to insert these graphics at an angle into the postmatch interviews. This means that Sir

Back of the net Video of the week

Alex Ferguson and his colleagues now take up much less of the screen, and they end up staring at someone’s Microsoft Excel creation rather than at the audience which is rather bizarre.

The move also heralds the coming of high de�inition to BBC football, which is certainly welcome when it comes to the football footage, provided that you have the necessary equipment to actually view the program in this format. If nothing else it means that you can switch between BBC HD and BBC One to see if you can notice the difference when you get bored during Wigan vs. Fulham.

HD also makes a noticeable difference when it comes to the studio footage; the button detail on Colin Murray’s cardigans is now much clearer which will undoubtedly please football fans up and down the country. It is also now possible to see Mark Law-

renson’s rather half-hearted attempt at Movember as he continues in his effort to become the scruf�iest man on television.

In general, high de�inition does not seem to help studio-based television programs; it simply seems to put increased strain on the make-up departments, and presenters tend to end up looking worse than they did in standard de�inition. A notable exception to this rule would be Georgie Thompson on Sky Sports News; sadly Match of the Day is not so well endowed with pundits that suit the new format.

Although there are some problems with the changes to the program, it is worth considering the practical reasons behind them. The move further North is designed to help the BBC represent the UK better and it could certainly be argued that the North

Tweet of the week

-@JimmyAnderson9 November 10 “When I heard that St.James’ Park had been renamed I was upset and thought my trips to Exeter would never be the same... #SportsDirectArena”

England quickie Jimmy Anderson makes light of “Ashleygate”

Referees judging to the letter of the law is one thing, but in a game between Ukranian premier league sides Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and Karpaty Lviv, referee Oleg Derevinskiy perhaps went too far when he showed Samuel Inkoom a second yellow card for removing his shirt whilst in the process of being substituted.

Whilst one of course feels sorry

for the dismissed Inkoom, spare a thought for Dnipro substitute Evgeniy Shakhov who was warmed up and ready to take the �ield only to have the oppertunity snatched away from him by his teammates innocent mistake.

Surprisingly Inkoom’s manager Juande Ramos had no sympathy for the player who he claimed had made an “unforgiveable mistake”

1.) Who was the �irst captain to lift the Premier League and FA cup double?

2.) Which tennis player won singles gold at the Atlanta Olympics 96’?

3.) Who is the only footballer to have played for both Manchester clubs as well as liverpool and Everton?

4.) How many cricketers have scored more than 1500 test runs?

5.) Which current sprinter ran the second fastest 200m of all time in september?

1) Steve Bruce; 2) Andre Agassi; 3) Peter Beardsley; 4) 1, (Sachin Tendulkar; 5) Elena Balta

Bizzare red card in Ukrainian premier league -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dtnDG3HAWY

Testing times

This week in history

Nov 14 1984 Intra Mural: A close 6-4 victory for for Miners against Armstrong seconds sees “the worst conditions of the season” as “the Close House pitch suffered” some things never change...

Nov 15 1989 National: Sachin Tendulkar makes his Test debut for India against Pakistan.

Nov 18 2009 National: Thiery Henry’s contreversial hand ball keeps Republic of Ireland out of World Cup. Nov 19 2003 BUSA: Newcastle Wild Cats crushed Nottingham Mavericks 17-0 in an ice hockey clash at the National Ice Hockey Arena.

West is more focused on football than London where the show used to be based.

The new design also means that the BBC only has to rent the studio for two days a week, rather than the whole time, as was the case with the previous setup. This seems sensible at a time when the corporation is under pressure to make spending cuts - probably best not to mention Alan Hansen’s £40,000 fee for each episode.

Match of the Day should primarily be focused on the football highlights themselves and the switch to HD has certainly improved this aspect of the show. This at least should help regular viewers to tolerate a few more pie charts and a clearer view of Alan Shearer’s increasingly strange array of shirts.

Birthday Week

Nov 14 1971: Adam Gilchrist Legendary Aussie wicket keeperbatsman turns 40 on monday. “Gilly” holds the record for most test sixes as well as most test centuries for a wicket keeper.

Nov 15 1967: Gus Poyet Famous for his volley against Sunderland in 1999, current Brighton manager Poyet turns 44 on tuesday.

Nov 16 1974: Paul Scholes Possibly the best passer but also the worst takler the premier league has ever seen. Scholes enjoys his �irst birthday as a coach.

The Longshot

This week sees the premier leagues only two remaining unbeaten records on the line as Manchester City and Newcastle go head to head at the Etihad stadium. City are big favourites to take the victory with Ladbrokes at 2/7 with the Magpies virutally counted out at 7/1. We at the courier would like to see both of these runs continue and will be putting our money on the draw at:

4/1

41

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

IntraMuralsport

Engines fail against Titans

Defending champions maintain unbeaten start to their new season at Close House Intra Mural Rugby Titans

19

Engines

7

Ed Weeks at Close House On a fairly cold November day, defending champions Titans squared up against a new look Engines team with both sides looking con�ident in the warm-ups. Titans entered the match on the back of three wins out of three so far this season but knew that it was essential to keep their winning run going given Armstrong’s outstanding start to the season.

2009 champions Engines meanwhile, with two wins and one defeat to their name so far in this campaign, needed a result to keep themselves in touch with the top sides.

Titans, sporting a fresh new strip, unknowingly took to the �ield with

only 14 men. Peter Osborne was the man responsible for bizarrely forgetting to take his place in the starting line-up.

Nevertheless, from the �irst whistle Titans applied good pressure. The kick off was claimed well by the Engines but a rushed kick saw a charge down resulting in the Titans putting on pressure in the 22.

A good backs set piece saw Gus Edgell break the line only to fumble the ball with the line at his mercy. Titans maintained the pressure though and a clearance kick from the Engines full back gave Dave Fagan the chance for a drop goal, which narrowly missed.

The �irst score appeared inevitable and after an exchange of plays, which included Tom Wright dropping the ball and breaking the line, Titans went over for their �irst try; �ly-half Henry Cunningham bulldozed his way to the line, with Fagan converting to give his side a 7-0 lead.

The lead was soon extended too as Titans struck again straight from the restart. A chip from the 10 metre line

resulted in a �ly hack and long run in from a labouring Dave Fagan.

Engines managed to get themselves on the board before half-time though, when their �ly-half ran through between a broken ruck for a score under the posts, which he himself converted.

Sensing a way back into the match, Engines ensured that the second half was a much more even affair as both sides applied pressure despite having no further points to show for it.

With the clock ticking down however, Titans �inally managed to close the match out; an unrelenting attack saw Justin Ra�i break the line to supply Freddie Foxely with a delicious wide of�load.

Foxely beat the covering defenders to score in the corner and while Fagan unsurprisingly missed the touchline conversion, Titans held on to secure a 19-7 win and extend their 100% winning start to the season to four matches.

For the Intra Mural Rugby Union league table see p.44 Photography: Sam Tyson

stay top after Heaton mess for Ladies Armstrong fourth successive whitewhile Fairies �ind wings wash of the new season Tequila ban �ires Cunnigham’s side back on track

Intra Mural Rugby

Southern Fairies

44

Cheeky Ladies

21

Jamie Galbraith at Heaton This has been a week where the word “Tequila” has sent shivers down the spines of permanent residents in Newcastle. The newest club, the top club some may say, in Newcastle is banned.

The men who were wearing the shirts with the word on their backs – Southern Fairies - seemed like they were out for revenge, angered by the fact that there would be no WKD waiting for them when they returned home.

The Fairies took on the Cheeky Ladies who were a place above them in the League and with tensions running high and both teams under pressure to resuscitate their title bids, the match started in controversial fashion.

It is likely that most people would agree that the referee deserved a yellow card himself for missing what was potentially the most blatant knock-on of the match in just the �irst minute.

It really could have been a start to a “Should’ve gone to Specsavers” advert but although baf�led and irritated, the men in blue and red drove on and despite falling behind were soon back in the match.

A good kick from Fraser Clarke lev-

elled the scores at 3-3 however and then it all seemed too easy for the Fairies. The speedy brute Gonzalez in the centres ran the �irst try home linking well with the new found Gibraltar international that recently just came back from international duties away in Belgium.

Bath scored a well-�inished try in the corner and even Gibraltar produced a �ine swallow dive under the posts. It could have got even worse for Cheeky Ladies too when Southern Fairies’ captain Ivo Cunningham produced a drop goal from just outside the 22 which only just missed. Nevertheless the Fairies were �lying.

Even number eight Ashton got in on the act, making a darting run down the wing, which could have really rubbed salt into the Ladies’ wounds.

The only cheeky thing about the Ladies’ �irst half performance was the kicking. Their kicker just needed a whiff of the posts and he sailed the ball through, however such whiffs were few and far between.

It should have been game over shortly before half-time too when, with the famous sounds of the bagpipes echoing around the ground, there was a moment of sheer class from Fairies’ Williamson. He claimed an awkward high ball, sailed around one Cheeky player, then a second and then, incredibly, a third. Like a lion escaping poachers he glided past them all and as lovingly as ever delivered the ball to Clarke who was away, only to be hauled back by the umpire once again for a forward pass. Specsavers was the word on the assembled crowd’s lips.

Williamson did get a deserved try though, his �ifth of the match, before half-time however.

The second half produced a different bunch of Ladies, however, prompting rumours that they had swapped shirts with one of the girls’ teams that were playing next door.

However they did it, they suddenly started to play real rugger. Although they were still kicking the ball too much giving possession back to the Fairies, the Ladies did soon get their �irst try of the match, and this was soon followed by a controversial second. Despite the ball being dropped and knocked on, the umpire found himself unsighted and on the wrong side and thus allowed the try to stand.

The Fairies were resilient and held their lines with some extraordinary tackles from the usual suspects, Gonzalez, Gibraltar and mad man Kevill Mears, but there was also some great kicking from Weeks and Fraser Clarke who put more pressure on the Ladies.

As expected another Fairies try was scored as Clarke followed up Cunningham’s kick to put the game beyond all doubt.

It proved to be a great performance from the Southern Fairies. A ludicrously organised line of backs and a beautifully led pack proved the catalyst for their victory, and while the Ladies did manage to get a late score – a �ine interception and run from their own 22 – the Fairies fully deserved their win and will look to reignite their challenge for the title over the coming weeks.

Intra Mural Rugby round-up Colin Henrys Sports Editor

Despite being one of the longest-serving teams in the Intra Mural rugby competition, success has been very limited in recent years for Armstrong.

Known for their big-hitting tackles and powerful pack, they have instead become synonymous with mid-table �inishes; beating the rest, but rarely beating the best.

Based on their opening to this season however, that may well be about to change. In four matches this season they are yet to concede a single point.

In more than �ive hours of rugby not one opposing team has managed to earn even a solitary score against Hugo Snape’s side.

Meanwhile they have ran in 189 points, earning four bonus points in the process and leaving them sitting rather pretty at the top of the league following their 34-0 victory against Larrikins.

Beneath them, defending champions Titans also have a 100% start to the season, but having not earned as many bonus points already �ind a gap opening up between themselves and Armstrong above them.

The two are scheduled to meet on 23 November in what will undoubtedly be the match of the season so far.

Athough comfortably the two teams to beat already this season, they are not the only side to be undefeated so far. Agrics 1 have also avoided any reverses, but their dismal 3-3 draw, a result that still seems unbelievable no matter how many times it is written it down, means that they are �ive points behind Titans already. They do have a game in hand however, and their 59-0 victory over their second team a fortnight ago points towards a resur-

gence in form.

Currently �loating in mid-table obscurity are three teams who at the start of the year will have harboured high hopes of mounting title challenges. Southern Fairies impressive victory against Cheeky Ladies, left, has put their season back on track and sees them level on points with Agrics 1.

For the Ladies, who won this league so comprehensively two seasons ago,but have seemingly never fully recovered from a shock cup �inal defeat to Titans in the same year, the defeat only serves to prove the gulf between them and the top teams in the league.

Added to their 57-0 defeat to Armstrong at the start of this month and THAT draw with Agrics 1 and it has made for a very disappointing start to the season for Cheeky Ladies.

It is the same story for another former champion, the 2009 victors Engines, who have failed to build on a solid 2010-11 season. Their indifferent start of two wins and two defeats is perhaps a bit misleading however, given that their two losses have been to Titans and Armstrong.

At the other end of the table, this week perhaps brought the most surprising result of the season to date where Agrics 2, so often the whipping boys of the division, stunned big rivals Medics by beating them 13-0 at Close House. Wins for Agrics 2 are so few and far between that most people who have experienced one still dine on them today. This one will no doubt be no different as captain Grant Walker enters folklore as having earned a win while in charge of the side.

For the Medics it is just the latest in a line of awful performances so far this season. Losing heavily to Armstrong and Titans can be forgiven, but to lose to Agrics 2 as well is just embarrassing.

42

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

sportIntraMural

Late winner gives Newhist the last laugh Heartbreak for Shavin as last-minute Pickering strike seals victory in seven-goal Cochrane thriller

Intra Mural Football Division Two (Weds) Newhist FC

4

Ar U Shavin A Laugh

3

Colin Henrys at Cochrane Park It is not uncommon for football commentators to react over-excitedly to dream performances as being akin to Roy of the Rovers. For Newhist’s Tom Pickering however, the comic hero is most de�initely the perfect metaphor for his contribution to his side’s victory over Ar U Shavin A Laugh.

Pickering’s Wednesday began with only thoughts of a history lecture to occupy him. Just two hours before kick-off however, he received a late call-up to the Newhist side and came off the bench to score the winning goal in the dying minutes to secure a 4-3 success at Cochrane Park.

His late goal may have stolen the headlines but in truth it was just the icing on the cake of an epic Intra Mural encounter. Two goals from Newhist’s Rory Brigstock-Barron either side of a Jake Wimshurts strike and a disputed Martin Windebank penalty saw the sides go in to half-time level at 2-2.

Wimshurts struck again in the second half and looked to have given Ar U Shavin a priceless victory but a late equaliser from Josh Walton and Pickering’s even later winner gave Newhist a famous win.

Both sides entered the game in need of points as they looked to steer clear of the bottom of the table; Ar U Shavin looking to bounce back from defeat to The Hurricanes and Newhist looking to build on their �irst ever point against Newcastle Medics 2nds the previous week.

Newhist, despite missing defenders Rowan Northcott and Colin Henrys from that draw, started brightest; Walton seeing an early shot go nar-

Newhist’s hero Tom Pickering runs at the Shavin defence Photography: Hubert Lam

rowly over and Will Robinson heading just off target from a corner.

At the other end Windebank and Wimshurts saw plenty of the ball too, but could only muster a few weak shots that were saved easily by James Thornton. The game burst into life however when Newhist’s BrigstockBarron intercepted a defensive pass to �ind himself one-on-one with the ‘keeper and slotted home with aplomb to make it 1-0.

Newhist lost a third defender, Raymond Wen, to injury shortly before the half-hour mark however and Ar

U Shavin levelled shortly afterwards when the otherwise impressive Broadbent missed an interception to allow Wimshurts to level proceedings.

Shavin soon took the lead for the �irst time too, although Newhist were left feeling slightly aggrieved at the awarding of a penalty after the ball struck Tayo’s arm in the box. Despite protestations that it had hit his shoulder, the decision stood and Windebank beat Thornton from the spot with an inch-perfect penalty into the bottom corner.

With Shavin in the ascendancy they piled pressure on the Newhist backline but Robinson and Matt Holmes, who excelled in place of Northcott, performed well at the back and Thornton was rarely troubled.

Shavin were guilty of their own undoing however, as with half-time looming they were penalised when a defender illegally shouted ‘leave it’, resulting in an indirect free kick in the box. In truth it was a harsh decision from the referee but rules are rules and having already been punished in the middle of the pitch for a similar

incident, Shavin ought to have known better.

They were made to pay the ultimate price too, as Brigstock-Barron backheeled the ball to Walton from the indirect free-kick, and when the initial shot was blocked on the line, followed it up himself to bring the score back to 2-2.

Shavin started the second-half brightest and hit the crossbar from one long-range effort before Wimshurts restored their lead. That prompted the introduction of Pickering for Newhist however, and a change to �irst 4-4-2 and then 4 -3-3 as they chased an equaliser.

Newhist piled pressure on the backline, but with the Shavin defence holding �irm it looked as though their time would run out.

The equaliser did �inally arrive however; Robinson met a long Shavin ball up�ield with a huge header from the back, Pickering ducked underneath the ball and in doing so sold the defender a perfect dummy to free Walton. Walton’s cool �inish levelled the score at 3-3 and sent Newhist wild but the best was still to come.

With time running out, Pickering received a through ball on the left-hand side, took the ball into the box and while most other strikers would have used their left-foot, unleashed a rising shot with the outside of his right to beat the goalkeeper and give Newhist the victory.

In truth, while Newhist arguably deserved their victory, Shavin at the same time did not deserve to have lost. Nevertheless the New Boys now �ind themselves in sixth place in the league; their disastrous start to the season now well behind them.

Division Two (Bottom)

Pld Team 5 The Hurricanes 4 4 6 Newhist FC 7 Boca Seniors 5 5 8 Ar U Shavin

GD Pts +1 4 -9 4 -6 3 -15 3

Magic strike late to stun Senseless Last minute equaliser sees spoils shared in Division Three clash at Close House

Intra Mural Football Division Three (Weds)

Shagther Senseless 2 Brown Magic FC

2

Robbie Cachia at Close House In another highly anticipated encounter Shagther were left devastated as Brown Magic produced an equaliser in the dying minutes, denying the Senseless back to back victories for the �irst time.

Following their 2-0 victory against Jesmondino last week, con�idence was high in the Senseless camp but Brown Magic’s walkover win against

NCL Galacticos had pushed them up the table and given James Burns’ side a week off after their 8-1 thrashing of Newcastle Dynamos.

Renowned as slow starters, Shagther unusually began the game brightly dominating possession and their opening goal came in the sixth minute. A great ball down the right found Hugh Grosvenor who showed skill to beat his man before delivering into the box for Declan Ferry who arrived at the back post to head past the Magic ‘keeper.

Shagther, 1-0 up and looking comfortable, began to lose their grasp on the match however with Brown Magic �looding the middle of the pitch and creating chances, shots �lying wide from promising positions. It took the outstretched leg of keeper Ben Lamont to keep the score at 1-0, again showing his quality between the sticks.

However a stroke of fortune came 10 minutes before half time as a ball was miscontrolled by one of the Magic mid�ielders but fell straight to Eddy Hill. Finding himself onside and one on one with Lamont, he rounded the Senseless keeper and slotted in a neat �inish to make it 1-1.

That signalled the coming of halftime and both teams seemed satis�ied with the opening proceedings as they went into the interval.

The second half was controlled on the most part by Shagther who looked comfortable at the back with Cachia and Sleath coping in the middle, and Brown Magic only causing them trouble from set pieces. Going forward the Senseless gained particular success down the �lanks with Ferry and Georginho �inding plenty of space, however they were unable to make the �inal impact. The game looked like a hard fought 1-1 before

super sub Tom Eagling, on his return from injury scored a wonder goal 15 minutes from time which looked like the winner.

However the Magic showed their resilience and determination as they piled the men up the �ield searching for the equaliser. With Shagther unable to �inish the game off on the counter, the air of inevitability was satis�ied by a Brown Magic equaliser.

A soft free kick was conceded by left back Chris Pugh and all but three of the Magic’s player were in the Senseless box as it came in.

Ben Lamont bravely challenged for the ball but his punch fell straight to the opposition who’s misguided attempt fell to Lewis Cockerill on the back post whose looping header into the net. Cue devastation for Senseless and delight for the Magic as the linesman ran onto the pitch to celebrate with the team.

It was hard on Senseless who came within minutes of recording their third victory of the season, but on the balance of play it was probably the fairest result.

Both teams now sit comfortably in mid-table on seven points, just two points off second place. With much of the season still to play they will be hopeful of building on their encouraging starts to the season and begin to mount promotion pushes.

Shagther face second from bottom Combined Honours in their next match where they will no doubt be keen to keep to build on these last two weeks and begin to mount an extending unbeaten run.

For Brown Magic FC meanwhile, it is a dif�icult trip to Longbenton to face top of the table Roman Villa.

Full results, league tables and top goalscorer charts on p.44

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

IMleaguetablesp44>>>

Hurricanes run out of steam as Lokomotiv grab unlikely point

Second half capitulation sees Hurricanes meekly surrender four goal advantage Intra Mural Football Division Two (Weds) The Hurricanes

5

Lokomotiv

5

Harry Slavin at Longbenton 3G The Hurricanes’ turbulent start to the season took another twist on Wednesday when they let slip a four goal halftime lead against Lokomotiv.

In truth, Hurricanes were lucky to escape with a point after a second half collapse that saw them overrun by a rejuvenated Lokomotiv side. The �inal stages of the match saw Loko’ create and squander numerous opportunities to complete a sensational turn around and produce a result that seemed virtually impossible after The Hurricanes �irst half performance.

Both teams came into this match on the back of impressive performances; Lokomotiv had just picked up their second win of the season after a dazzling display against Boroussia Forsyth saw them triumph 5-1 while The Hurricanes had grabbed their �irst victory of the season, defeating Ar U Shavin A Laugh by the same scoreline.

It was the Hurricanes that took the initiative in this encounter and looked determined to build on their strong performance from the previous week.

Their dominance of the �irst half proceedings was in evidence from the kick-off, creating a couple of chances

within the opening �ive minutes and putting themselves ahead moments later thanks to the left boot of Harry Slavin. One then quickly became two when Adam Duckworth sprung the offside trap and raced through on goal to slip the ball past the on rushing keeper.

Barely twenty minutes had been played when The Hurricanes found themselves three goals to the good, Andy Thomas’s careering run down the right hand side saw him create enough space to slide a low ball into the box that deceived everyone, including the keeper, and found its way into the far corner of the net.

Despite the relentless pressure from Hurricanes there had been warning signs that Lokomotiv were still in the match and these were not heeded as free kick aimed towards the back post found Scott Bowman who’s looping header caught out ‘keeper Ben Mile and put his side back in with a shout. This was as good as the opening period got for the red and blacks as The Hurricanes upped the ante once more, Chris McCrory’s dash into the box cut short by a wild lunge that gave The Hurricanes a chance from the penalty spot. Adam Duckworth took the ball and placed it past the keeper for his second of the match and he was soon completing his hat trick as another cool �inish seemingly put The Hurricanes in complete control at the break.

However there was only one team that turned out in the second half and the tone of the half was set instantly as a sweeping move from Lokomotiv saw them reduce the de�icit, Bowman �iring home to give his side the small-

est glimmer of hope. That glimmer slowly began to grow throughout the half as Lokomotiv’s belief grew while The Hurricanes let a mixture of complacency and panic wreak havoc with their con�idence.

The comeback gained yet more momentum when Jamie Elwood struck from just inside the box to reduce The Hurricanes lead to just two and when Josh Robinson’s cross looped into the far corner the unthinkable comeback was well and truly on.

It was �inally complete ten minutes from the end when a scramble in the box saw the ball �inally turned in by Jamie Elwood despite the despairing dives of The Hurricanes defence. The goal was greeted by disbelief from both sets of players, the jubilant celebrations from the Lokomotiv camp drowning out the stunned silence from The Hurricanes players.

Unsurprisingly it was Lokomotiv who pushed for what would have been a sensational winner, with the shellshocked Hurricanes side struggling to get out of their own half for the �inal �ive minutes of the match. And it was only the heroics of their ‘keeper Ben Mile that made sure they escaped from the match with a point still intact after a �ine double save in stoppage time. At the full-time whistle, the draw will have felt like a win for

Lokomotiv while the result will be an extremely dif�icult one for The Hurricanes to take after blowing their sizable advantage. The result will undoubtedly have repercussions for both sets of players, the result giving Lokomotiv a new con�idence to build their season around while The Hurricanes will have to dust themselves down and look to the next match to shake off the aftershock of this horrendous result.

Elsewhere in the Second Division, Newcastle Medics 2nds maintained their position at the top of the pile with a comfortable victory over Boca Seniors. An own goal set the Medics on their way to yet another win and victory was made sure by Alex Rhodes who put his 2-0 up in the second half.

That result meant that second place Ecosoccer had to win in order to keep in touch with the league leaders.

However an impressive display from Boroussia Forsyth saw them run out 6-2 victors, with hat trick hero Archie Norman stealing the show.

free kick found the infamous head of Tom Islip, which knocked the ball down to top scorer Oliver Grif�iths who had no trouble in smashing the ball into the bottom corner.

Villa continued to dominate, looking dangerous on the �lanks, and it was not long before the archaeologists doubled the score thanks to a cross from Drew Johnston, which found Grif�iths one on one with the keeper to coolly slot the ball home and grab his second of the game.

Within minutes, Galacticos game plan looked dead and buried, as Grif�iths outpaced Sean Mongan into the opposition box before slotting in Rob Grady whose shot Galacticos goalkeeper Hussain could only fumble into the goal.

Roman Villa kept in control of the game with some great passing and an assured defensive display from Islip and Tristan Rhodes. They continued to look the more likely to score with Oscar Francis and Oliver Grif�iths peppering the Galacticos goal with chances. The only real Galacticos chance came toward the end of the half when Intra Mural legend Carlos Totti received the ball from a quick corner and almost managed to get a shot off before it was charged down.

NCL Galacticos decision to substitute the keeper at half time was about

the only change that this game experienced in the second half. Roman Villa continued to play with con�idence and the Galacticos struggled to get a hold in the game. Villa were once again rewarded for their dominance when Drew Johnston’s sweetly struck free kick found the bottom right corner of the goal to make it 4-0. Galacticos reacted by making a second change of the afternoon to their goalkeeper.

Villa thought they should have had a penalty minutes later when Rob Grady took the ball past the Galacticos keeper who brought the captain down just inside the box, however a penalty may have been a harsh decision as the ball was already out of play.

Another penalty was appealed for just after, however this time it was at the other end of the pitch and this time it was given. Totti’s through ball was met by Duke Ubong Ata, who was taken down clearly in the box. Ubong Ata stepped up for the penalty, and slotted it home to give the Galacticos some hope of getting back into the game.

This hope was short lived, as Villa continued to dominate, and this dominance paid dividends with their �ifth and sixth goals. The �ifth was thanks to a Tom Islip cross which was met by the head of Andy Carey who con-

verted it into the back of the net. The sixth was added soon after as Oscar Francis sliced open the defence with a nifty through ball, which was slotted home by Grady for his second of the day, putting the game beyond all reasonable doubt.

The result could end up being crucial for Villa in this season’s title race, and Galacticos will have to regroup after such a surprising and devastating defeat. Fans favourite Carlos Totti looked a dejected �igure after the game, having had little of the ball in what he seemed to feel were unfavourable playing conditions.

The apparent gulf between the teams that this game seemed to show is not really a true illustration however, and NCL Galacticos, along with Carlos Totti may still come back to haunt Villa.

Roman rule at Redhall Drive Galacticos hit for six as Villains go clear at the top of Division Three

Intra Mural Football Division Three (Weds) NCL Galacticos

1

Roman Villa

6

Owen Evans at Redhall Drive What seemed set to be a close top of the table clash in Division Three last Wednesday turned out to be a demolition job for Roman Villa on a bitterly cold day at Redhall. Villa showed why they are top of the division, and why according to fans and pundits alike, they should be playing at a higher level.

Roman Villa entered the match on the back of three successive victories as they chase their second consecutive title, while the NCL Galacticos impressive start to the season had been undone as they were forced to concede a 5-0 walkover to Brown Magic last time out.

After a slightly late kick off due to the referee’s decision to be fashionably late, Villa’s �irst goal came within a matter of minutes. A Niall O’Hanlon

Division Three (Top)

Team Pld GD Pts 1 Roman Villa 4 +16 12 2 Politic Thistle 4 +2 9 -5 9 5 3 Galacticos 4 Brown Magic 4 +11 7

43

IntraMuralsport

The Secret Intra Mural Footballer #5 Newcastle: vice-city

As a footballer/student in Newcastle, and one that enjoys a drink, I understand how easy it can be to get hooked on a certain pastime, be it drinking with the boys, or going all in on green or black.

I like to think that I can handle my drink but the old ‘One drink, two drink, three drink, �loor’ has been proven to full effect on far greater men than me by certain bars in Newcastle.

Rumours including the words ‘cheap vodka’, ‘antifreeze’ and ‘Sinners’ are doing the rounds at the minute. No wonder people aren’t managing four.

Even the name encourages sin. Throw in Aspers next door and you have a poisonous cocktail that might even match what Sinners are selling.

What choice do young, unsuccessful, unpaid, slightly overweight footballers have when placed in such an environment?

My team are often advised not to go out on a Tuesday or Friday night, because the manager knows that should we migrate from Jesmond to the Diamond Strip, the result could determine our result the next day, with players turning up bruised, painted or high, and some still hammered from the night before.

Gambling is a problem with footballers, not just at Intra Mural level, but also the slightly higher professional level. Just last week the second best player to ever wear Newcastle’s No.28 shirt, Michael Chopra, admitted to losing as much as £2m through betting, sometimes gambling as much as £20k a day.

While Intra Mural players have a fraction of the income that Chopra has had over the years, I have heard stories of students gambling student loans on the roulette wheel.

After nights out I have known players that have lost amounts of money at Aspers that could have paid their rent and fed them for a week.

Maybe Intra Mural players have too much spare time on their hands. Regular training sessions are unheard of, while one or two games a week is clearly not always enough to keep a player focused.

Oh, and there are university courses, but they rarely restrict a player/ student too much if he wants to go out, get p*ssed, or gamble his money away.

The bible tells us that ‘he who is without sin cast the �irst stone’ (John 8:7).

I guess the silence surrounding the drinking and gambling culture among students suggests that people are more religious than I thought.

44

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

sportIntraMural Intra Mural Hockey round-up The display from Group B of Intra Mural’s only mixed sport on November 6 con�irmed just how temperamental some stick and ball games can be.

Despite being the clear dominators, with powerhouse ‘Quinny’ controlling as ever in mid�ield, the Gunners only came out top against bottom of the league Combined Honours by a slim 2-1 margin. Toby Crow was the �irst to put it past the Honour’s ‘keeper, tallying two in two games and hence securing him the top goal scorer title. An equalizer before half time levelled the playing �ield, but it was Gunners’ Sam Mawer’s effortless one man weave from �ive yards inside the opposition’s half to the goal line that earned his side the three points to take them top of the table.

Meanwhile NUSSC faced Green Sticks in a game that could go down in IM history; all four men’s Uni captains were on the pitch. Passes were pinpointed, shots were sharp and the pace was fast and furious. Thrown in with controversial umpiring by NUMHC Vice President Charlie Henry (remember who’s team you’re on) and it was a clash of the titans like no other.

NUSSC captain Sam Harris-Wright wound through the Sticks’ defence with speed and �lair, gliding through the hard work before pressure in the ‘D’ saw him top more balls than could be repaired by the solitary shot that hit the backboard.

It was then left to Sticks’ Chris Ashton to slot the ball past an otherwise �lawless Drew Johnston on his near post to see a share of the spoils.

Football Wednesday 11-a-side

Netball 4pm-5pm

Team

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Net Assets

Intra Mural W D L F A <<<<>>> round-up 4 4 0 0 66 26

1

Barca Law Na

4

4

0

0

22

0

12

2

Uni Hockey

4

4

0

0

59

20

16

2

Crayola

4

2

0

2

5

6

6

3

Biology Netball

4

2

1

1

33

43

10

3

Henderson Hall

4

2

0

2

9

11

6

4

Leazes Ladies

4

2

0

2

44

53

8

4

Newcastle Medics 1sts

3

1

2

0

9

2

5

5

Agrics B

4

1

1

2

45

41

6

Mansoc

4

1

0

3

32

33

4

Division 1

Team

Pld

Pts 16

5

Dyslexic Untied

3

1

1

1

4

3

4

6

6

Aftermath

4

1

0

3

3

19

3

7

CHS

4

1

0

3

44

47

4

1

8

RRB1

4

0

0

4

3

63

0

Agrics B Net Assets

9 15

RRB1 CHS

0 19

Mansoc Leazes Ladies

11 8

Uni Hockey Biology Netball

17 3

7

Castle Leazes

4

Castle Leazes Crayola

0 3

Dyslexic Untied Newcastle Medics 1sts

1 1

Henderson Hall Barca Law Na

0 5

0

1

3

5

16

Top Goalscorers 7: Jamie Hurworth (Barca) 5: Chris McKee (Barca) 4: Dave Edwards (Medics) 2: Dave Eccles (Aftermath) 2: Joel English (Medics)

5pm-6pm

Division 2

Team

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Chem Eng

4

4

0

0

51

37

16

2

Netball Ninjas

4

3

0

1

67

21

12

Team

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Newcastle Medics 2nds

5

4

1

0

14

3

13

3

Agrics

4

3

0

1

50

26

12

2

Ecosoccer

4

3

0

1

22

11

9

4

CHS

4

3

0

1

36

18

12

3

Boroussia Forsyth

5

3

0

2

12

11

9

5

NUSSC

4

2

0

2

39

30

8

4

Lokomotiv

4

2

1

1

19

13

7

6

Polly’s Dollies

4

1

0

3

26

39

4

Intra Mural Netball round-up

5

The Hurricanes

4

1

1

2

15

14

4

7

The History Girls

4

0

0

4

13

53

0

6

Newhist FC

4

1

1

2

9

18

4

8

Architects

4

0

0

4

5

63

0

7

Boca Seniors

5

1

0

4

12

18

3

Biology Netball’s hopes of a title challenge were dented by a heavy defeat to Uni Hockey last week. The 17-3 reverse to the Hockey girls – Biology’s �irst defeat of the season – means that they are now already six points off the top of the table, where Uni Hockey and Net Assets share the lead.

Both sides have four wins from their opening four matches, with the Assets 15-9 victory over Agrics B giving them the lead by just a solitary goal.

At the other end of the table, defending champions Mansoc and CHS both got their �irst wins of the campaign, the former coming out of a tough encounter with Leazes Ladies with a narrow 11-8 victory.

CHS meanwhile were the high scorers of the day as they piled more misery on RRB1’s torrid debut season.

Sarah Addison’s side put 19 unreturned goals past the newcomers, to leave RRB1 bottom of the league with no points and a goal difference of -60.

In the later 5pm-6pm league, there was further misery for pre-season title favourites NUSSC who were thrashed 16-1 by the free scoring Agrics. The rural ladies have now scored 67 goals in their �irst four matches and lie second in the table behind Netball Ninjas, the only team to have beaten them so far.

The Ninjas are now four points clear at the top after in�licting Chem Eng’s �irst defeat of the season. The Menge never really got going as the impressive Ninjas secured a comfortable 11-3 victory to maintain their 100% start to the campaign.

CHS join them and Agrics on 12 points after a 10-6 win against The History Girls, as they look to match their achievements of two years ago when they were second only to NUSSC in the league table. For The History Girls, however, it marked a vast improvement after a poor start to the year, and will no doubt give them a huge con�idence boost.

8

Ar U Shavin A Laugh

5

1

0

4

7

22

3

Boroussia Forsyth Ecosoccer

6 2

Newhist FC Ar U Shavin A Laugh

Lokomotiv The Hurricanes

5 5

Top Goalscorers

4 3

9: Josh Batham (Ecosoccer) 8: Zack Goddard (Ecosoccer) 6: Archie Norman (Forsyth) 6: Adam Duckworth (H’canes) 5: Scott Bowman (Lokomotiv)

Newcastle Medics 2nds 2 0 Boca Seniors

Division 3

Netball Ninjas Chem Eng

11 3

Polly’s Dollies Architects

15 0

NUSSC Agrics

1 16

The History Girls CHS

6 10

Rugby Union Division 1 Team

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

1

Armstrong

4

4

0

0

189

0

20

2

Titans

4

4

0

0

122

29

16

Team

Pld

W

D

L

F

A

Pts

3

Agrics 1

3

2

1

0

74

8

11

1

Roman Villa FC

4

4

0

0

19

3

12

4

Southern Fairies

4

2

0

2

90

67

11

2

Politic Thistle

4

3

0

1

12

10

9

5

Engines

4

2

0

2

61

57

9

3

NCL Galacticos

5

3

0

2

12

17

9

6

Cheeky Ladies

4

1

1

2

67

111

7

4

Brown Magic FC

4

2

1

1

16

5

7

7

Larrikins

4

1

0

3

38

74

5

5

Shagther Senseless

5

2

1

2

7

6

7

8

Agrics 2

3

1

0

2

13

87

4

6

Jesmondino FC

4

2

0

2

8

8

6

9

New Uni Freshers

3

0

0

3

28

119

0

7

Combined Honours

5

1

0

4

8

15

3

10

Medics

3

0

0

3

12

142

0

8

Newcastle Dynamos

5

0

0

5

5

23

0

Armstrong Cheeky Ladies

57 0

Armstrong Cheeky Ladies

57 0

Armstrong Cheeky Ladies

57 0

Armstrong Cheeky Ladies

57 0

Combined Honours Politic Thistle

1 2

Jesmondino FC Newcastle Dynamos

5 1

NCL Galacticos Roman Villa FC

1 6

Shagther Senseless Brown Magic FC

2 2

Top Goalscorers 7: Ollie Griffiths (Roman Villa) 5: James Dunn (P Thistle) 5: Rob Grady (Roman Villa) 4: Duke U Ata (Galacticos) 4: Lewis Cockerill (B Magic)

The Courier Online Check out www.thecourieronline.co.uk every week for up-todate league tables, exclusive match reports and round-up’s of all of the University’s Intra Mural competitions.

45

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

BUCSsport

Raiders run wild in the Cougars den Newcastle prepare for Northumbria clash with huge win against Teesside American Football Teesside Cougars Newcastle Raiders

0 84

Olivier Masnyk at Teesside The Newcastle Raiders visited Teesside Cougars for the American Football Team’s first game of the season hoping to get their season off to a flying start. Despite playing away on Teesside, against long-standing rivals, the Newcastle Raiders managed to demonstrate outstanding skill and determination, as indicated by the score line.

The opening drive of the game saw Newcastle immediately dominate the field, the defensive team proving strong against a frail opponent. During pre season the team had focused on fitness, strength and set pieces and the defence utilized this opportunity to put into practice the skills learnt over the previous weeks, although minor errors in some of the prepared sequences of play revealed necessary points of improvement for upcoming fixtures. Comprised of a mixture of experienced and new players, the

match proved a useful opportunity for the fresh talent to experience valuable game time and the chance to impress their more established teammates.

The offensive team quickly found themselves on the field of play due to the exceptional performance by the defencive team. Following on from their example, the offence were keen to match the standard of their defensive comrades, and did so by racking up the points, particularly in the latter stages of the game. The offence deployed complex plays for the first time under game conditions, the extra training sessions throughout preseason proving beneficial. Such plays were one of a number of factors which enabled the team to coast to the easy victory the team deservedly earnt.

During the second half of the match, Newcastle increased their point score even more significantly with even the defence getting themselves in on the act, returning an interception for a touchdown and as a whole the defensive performance proved promising, the group displaying initiative and ambition outside the traditional perception of their role.

Newcastle Raiders’ performance

aside, the Teesside Cougars failed to truly challenge their rivals in a manner which would justify the wellknown animosity and rivalry between the teams. Their weaknesses across their team allowed the Raiders’ to access key areas of the pitch with little

and spending ninety percent of the time in their attacking half, the forwards were finding it difficult to convert goals, striking balls straight to the keeper for easy saves. Skilful play from Roxanne Morris in the ‘D’ led to multiple short corners and despite multiple attempts on goal, the scores were still even at 0-0.

The tempo of the match began to rise as the attack grew more goal hungry in order to produce a score more reflective of their excellent play.

A lucky break from the Leeds Met forwards led to speedy tracking back from defending duo Coral Lapsley and Susanne Hill.

However, this solid pair weren’t letting any balls through leading to Goalie, Rachel Wilson, only touching the ball once in the first half. Newcastle’s tireless running began to wear out the opposition, leaving space on ei-

ther wing for the forwards to run into.

Gayle Telfod picked up a great ball on the right hand side of the pitch dribbling it expertly up to the baseline before squaring across the ‘D’ to where Sophie “foxy” Fox, was eagerly waiting. After much celebration for Foxy’s first goal of the season, the whistle was blown for half time.

After encouraging words from Captain Millie Karlsen, the girls weren’t about to let the tempo drop for the second half, bouncing back onto the pitch with seemingly even more energy than before.

As the growing number of spectators gathered around the pitch, the royals dominated the game with short sharp passes hardly letting Leeds Met touch the ball. Despite some dubious umpire decisions and the Leeds coach getting increasingly more frustrated on the sideline, the girls continued to

play with force, keeping possession in their attacking half.

After an awful slide tackle just outside the ‘D’ from the Leeds Met defence, a penalty corner was awarded.

Gayle Telford’s straight strike flew past the keeper bringing the score to 2-0.

An excellent performance by the ladies Second team, who are set to do well in the Conference Cup should they continue to play to perform at this level.

Boat Club

places behind the GB Four looking set to be sent to the Olympics in 2012.

They fought hard eventually finishing ninth in a tough event.

Second to go down the course from Newcastle was a Women’s Coxless Quad of Gemma Hall, Philippa Neill, Franziska Horbach and Nicole Lamb.

They had a storming race, looking sharp as they passed under Hammersmith Bridge to cheers from the fans.

This showed in their result as they finished fourth out of a total of 38 crews, placing as the top University of the day. Yet again this excellent result sets NUBC in excellent stead for the summer season and compounds our status as one of the best rowing universities in the country.

The Raiders kicked off their season in style at Teesside Photography: Gemma Fisher

difficulty, a point the Newcastle players should be aware of in following matches as such victories will not come as easily in the future.

Outstanding players included Ben Cross, of the defensive section of the team, who performed exceptionally throughout the whole game. His contributions in particular in terms of tackling, as well as scoring a touchdown, demonstrated his versatility in all areas of the pitch. Such attributes were further displayed in the special teams. As well as Cross, there was an impressive display from the returning Ed ‘Oblivion’ Green, his two sacks on the quarterback and all round performance something which the new players on the defensive line can definitely learn from.

Touchdowns were scored by a range of players, Josh Pratt, Joe O’ Sullivan and Dan Sleuth to name but a few, while Alex Hind got his name on the scoreboard in his first ever game for the Newcastle Raiders. Noteworthy performances from rookies such as Alex McPeake, and Ross Howells bode well for future encounters and a great first match sets a high standard for the rest of the season.

Cunning Fox sees off Leeds Met

Ladies’ Hockey Leeds Met 2nds Newcastle 2nds

0 2

Vikki Monk in Leeds After an early 7.45am start, the ladies’ hockey second team, set off for their first away match against Leeds Met threes. After multiple ‘team naps’ and waiting around for almost six hours, the team finally got on the pitch just as it was getting dark.

However, this wasn’t going to faze the girls as they started the match with fighting force.

Ball speed was quick on the new Leeds Met pitch, and the Royals were using this to their advantage, moving off the ball well, and soon they were dominating play.

Despite having all of the possession

Up for the cup?

Sadly the Seconds result was not reflected elsewhere: Newcastle 3rds 0 - 7 Leeds 2nds Newcastle 4ths 1 - 4 N’bria 2nds

Fireworks on the Thames for NUBC Charlotte Irving in London

NUBC’s coxed Men’s Fours had a successful trip down to London Photography: NUBC

Fireworks were not only going off in the night sky on November 5, but also on the River Thames between Chiswick Bridge and Putney.

A top Men’s Four and a Women’s Quad from Newcastle University made the trip down to London to set their store against tough Club, University and School competition at Fuller’s Head of the River Fours.

Newcastle’s Elite Men’s Coxed four George Rossiter, Sam Arnot, Ed Ford, Tim Clarke and Charles Barry- raced the 6.8 kilometre course in the reverse direction of the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race.

They set off number 39, only two

Cup success but Firsts lose in Trophy

Netball

Fiona Moss Netball correspondent

Birmingham 1sts Newcastle 1sts

30 27

With memories of last year’s disastrous journey down to the Midlands still etched into the minds of the First’s old girls, the team looked towards this fixture with slight anticipation.

However, following such a successful start to the season, the girls were confident that they could reverse last year’s result and the opening quarter finished with the two teams being separated by only a single goal.

Although the scores remained tight, Birmingham did continue to edge ahead but Newcastle were not a team to be left behind and kept pushing at Birmingham’s score. Although the girls managed to win the final quarter by three goals, it was not enough to steal the win from the home side and the girls lost 30-27.

The entire team played exceptionally well against a team of a much higher standard than those they have been playing this season, with super interceptions coming from last week’s and this week’s players of the match, Sally Burden and Mia Archer.

This unfortunate loss saw the girls exit from the BUCS Trophy, however it gives them great confidence in their own abilities looking ahead to a successful season and possible promotion.

Durham 3rds Newcastle 2nds

23 41

Despite a slow start to the match, Newcastle maintained the upper hand but it wasn’t until the second half that the girls really found their feet and began to make a distinctive goal difference. The defence were solid with Eustacia Hamilton and player of the match Lauren Barnett picking off countless interceptions down the court; whilst the defensive practice that the girls worked on in training really proved to be an asset to the teams game with Emma Richardson getting numerous tips. This was a great win for the second team, who now move on to the next stage of the cup.

Leeds Met 4ths Newcastle 3rds

28 45

Despite not performing at the same level that they have done in the previous weeks, the Thirds managed to keep control of their match and depart with a win, passing through to the next round of the cup. Even though the team was shook up by an injury to centre Holly Nuttall, the attack played particularly well with great shooting from Anna Rosenburg and man of the match Laura Wilson.

Newcastle’s Fourth team received a bye into the second round of the cup where they will play York Seconds away. The Second team will now play Leeds Fourths in the second round and Newcastle Thirds will host Teesside Firsts.

46

THE COURIER Monday November 14 2011

sportBUCS

Stirling make Royals pay t

Shootout heartbreak for Firsts but Seconds and Thir

Men’s Football Newcastle 1sts Stirling

3(3) 3(4)

Nick Gabriel at Longbenton 3G

Newcastle’s Men’s Football 1st XI suffered penalty shootout heartbreak in the �irst round of the BUCS Football Trophy. The shootout followed a hard-fought 3-3 draw with a determined Stirling University second team on the Longbenton 3G. The Royals came into the game brimming with con�idence, boasting two wins on the trot in the BUCS league, including an impressive 6-3 triumph at home to Liverpool Uni in last week’s �ixture.

As such, it came as no surprise that the home side shaded the scrappy opening exchanges, with the Royals’ �irst chance falling to Ed Savitt, fresh from his hat-trick scoring display last time out. On this occasion, the inform striker drilled an effort into the side netting after a whipped cross from winger Rishi Dhad, was only half cleared.

The home out�it were, however, eventually rewarded for a period of sustained pressure. Although lively winger Dan Clements just failed to get on the end of a terri�ic inswinging ball from the left foot of Savitt, the two combined moments later to create the opening goal.

This time it was an inswinging free kick from Savitt that Clements met with his head, superbly glancing the ball into the far corner of the net.

Newcastle continued to dominate proceedings right up until the half time whistle. They were even unfortunate not to double their advantage soon after, as a low cross from forward Tom Stapleton found Clements at the far post, who saw his �irst time effort acrobatically tipped over the bar by the Stirling keeper.

The second period began with Newcastle looking as if they would continue their �irst half dominance. A neat interchange of passes eventually saw Savitt �ire the ball over the bar from 12 yards out, admittedly after being forced on to his weaker right foot.

However, with the home side looking increasingly comfortable, the �ive-minute spell that followed was labelled “nothing short of disastrous” by head coach Mark Woodhall, talking after the �inal whistle.

The away side drew themRoyals keeper Weston Murau unable to keep out six of the seven penalties faced.

Photography: Alexander Wilson

selves level after the Royals were slow to react to a quickly taken free kick 30 yards out. The ball was shifted right to an opposition player who was given far too much time to set himself and �ire the ball goalwards. Although keeper Weston Mukau got a hand to the rasping effort, he couldn’t keep it out.

Things got even worse for the Royals as, moments later, a rash challenge inside the area, from the otherwise imperious centre-back Charles Igolu, gave the referee no option but to point to the spot. The penalty was coolly converted. Inexplicably, the home side now found themselves 2-1 down.

A period of frustration then followed for the Uni out�it, as they struggled to get near the galvanised Scottish side.

However, an inspired substitution from Woodhall saw the home side’s fortunes at last begin to turn.

Holding mid�ielder Adam Fearn was brought on to replace the tireless Stapleton, enabling centre mid�ielder Tim Rakshi to push into a slightly more advanced role, just behind centre forward Savitt.

The extra numbers in mid�ield worked well in bringing the home side back into the game, as the Royals began to dictate play from the middle of the park.

The change in tactics was eventually rewarded. Centre-half Igolu made amends for giving away the penalty by nodding home a looping cross from right-back Kurran Dhugga. Soon after, Newcastle were unlucky not to regain the lead, as Rakshi saw his header cleared off the line, in what proved to be last chance of the 90 minutes.

It was the home side that then drew �irst blood in extra time. Rakshi showed great endeavour to chase down a long ball over the top before eventually rounding the keeper and stabbing the ball home from a tight angle. The goal came against the run of play, as the Scottish out�it had hit the woodwork on three occasions in the 30-minute period amidst a series of frenzied goalmouth scrambles.

However, the home side’s joy was short lived as, in the middle of yet another goalmouth scramble, the referee pointed to the spot following a seemingly innocuous challenge from mid�ielder Tom Smith. Once again, the spot kick was coolly tucked away, taking the game to a penalty shootout.

Unfortunately, the home side went on to lose 4-3 in the shootout, with missed spot kicks from Fearn and Rakshi proving decisive. As a result, the Royals saw their cup run come to an abrupt end, in spite of a laudable display.

Whilst Woodhall was understandably disappointed with the result, he was quick to praise the performance of his players after the game. “The lads showed �irst class attitudes out there today,” he said. “Aside from that nightmare �ive minute spell in the second half, I can’t fault them one bit.”

He went on to show great humility, even in the context of a cruel loss.

“Whether you feel a refereeing decision was right, wrong or [you’re] indifferent, it’s how you react that matters,” he observed. “We’ve learned one or two lessons today, hopefully we’ll be stronger for it in the long run.”

Newcastle first string lose despite a sterling effort.

Photography: Alexander Wilson

Men’s Football Newcastle 2nds York St. John 3rds Edward Holden at Longbenton

2 1

Newcastle’s second string were drawn at home against the lower ranked York St John’s third team in the �irst round of the BUCS cup. The Toon team were on a high after a big victory over their local rivals the week previous and were optimistic of a win against York.

Newcastle started the game on the front foot, getting the football down and playing to feet, not allowing York St John’s a touch of the ball. The Newcastle passing display was carefully orchestrated by the little man in mid�ield Jonny ‘Scouse’ Randalls. Newcastle peppered the St John’s goal, with

multiple efforts from the potent strike force of Chris Holt and Mark Turner, so it was inevitable when the breakthrough came via a lethal through ball from Sexton, splitting the defence apart, connecting with Turner, whose well timed run saw him latch on to the ball and apply a sweet �inish to send the home side into the lead after just 20 minutes.

After the goal the away side rallied and managed to retain possession for a sustained period, putting the Newcastle side under pressure. Yet, the well marshalled defence lead by Captain Eddie Holden repelled the onslaught competently. However, York were eventually rewarded for this pressure and pulled a goal back via a lucky lob from 30 yards out which caught the Royals keeper Jackson off guard and send the teams in at half time level at 1-1.

The injured club president, Arthur Okonkwo, led the half time team talk, emphasising the Royals superiority in possession for the vast majority of the �irst half, despite �ive minutes where Newcastle switched off and conceded the equaliser.

Okonkwo’s words seemed to spring Newcastle into life, and they started the second half in a similar fashion to the �irst. With many of the freshers stamping their mark on the game, the onslaught soon returned. The whole of the second half saw the youthful looking Royals side camped within the York St John’s half. The full back pairing of Jack Callaghan and Eddie ‘cushions’ Holden saw plenty of the ball, bombing forward to stretch the defence even thinner. Yet the York defence held resiliently against the Royals forceful onslaught, to the increasing frustration of the Newcastle

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BUCSsport

Local rivals Teessed by he penalty rock solid NWR defence ds go through in cup Women’s Rugby

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Newcastle 1sts Teesside 1sts

Emma Boyle Cochrane Park

NWR 1st 10 - 5 Teesside 1st Knock Out Trophy – 1st round Off the back of two wins in their first two league matches, NWR were feeling confident going into the first round of the Trophy against Teesside at Cochrane Park. Confidence can lead to complacency though, and what ensued was an ugly, physical game which lacked creativity and flare.

It didn’t start out too badly for NWR. Despite finding themselves defending in their 22 from the kick off, they soon won possession and with some nice hands from the backs and a couple of well placed kicks Newcastle were attacking in the opposition’s half. It didn’t take long for the ball to find speedy Winger Elizabeth Severs to allow her to put 5 points on the board for NWR. From then onwards though, Teesside fought back and NWR constantly found themselves on the back foot, defending in their own 22. One onlooker even commented that birds had started to land in Teeside’s half

because Newcastle were unable to gain possession and break out of their own half.

The situation was not helped by the huge loss to the team of Captain and Fly-Half Phoebe Lebrecht who had to leave the pitch due to injury. However, despite spending almost 30 minutes constantly defending in their 22, Newcastle’s defence held strong and they didn’t concede a try. A try-saving tackle from Centre Holly Malins and strong rucking from Scrum-Half Hannah McShane were notable contributions to the defensive effort.

The second half continued in the same vein with NWR struggling to convert what little possession they had into attacking opportunities.

Constant knock-ons and poor discipline meant a stop-start game and a lot of hard work for the forwards who grew weary and the backs struggled to stay switched on.

It wasn’t all negative; Newcastle stayed strong in defence with Props Charlotte Flint and Sarah Bannon refusing to let anyone through them, showing their teammates how it was done. In a rare moment of NWR having possession, simple hand-outs to Winger Livvy Coombs allowed her to make a break and run at least a third of the length of the pitch making much needed ground for the team.

Newcastle continued with this attacking momentum with the whole team putting their all into retaining possession and pushing forward. Strong running from the forwards and looping from the backs eventually put number eight Araba Chintoh across the line to make it 10-0 to Newcastle.

With 10 minutes left to go, Teesside still refused to back down. With Newcastle tiring from the constant defending and struggling to keep their cool due to the un-sportsman like conduct of some of the opposition, Teesside’s forwards managed to drive across the line to get one try back. It wasn’t enough though and when the whistle blew for full time, Newcastle had managed to scrape the win despite only having about 10% of possession for the entire match.

Back of the match went to fresher Rosie Neal for quickly adapting from Winger to Centre and making cover tackles all over the pitch. Forward of the match went to fresher Rhian Hockey for instantly making an impact with a huge tackle when subbed on. Player of the match was awarded to Araba Chintoh for her work rate and consistently being in there in support of runners – Captain Phoebe Lebrecht told Chintoh “NWR wouldn’t know what to do without you.”

Knights to remember

Another dominant victory for women’s basketball

Women’s Basketball Newcastle 1sts Manchester 1sts

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Rosie Wowk at the Sports Centre

players. Nevertheless, the defensive efforts could only last so long, with Newcastle draining the energy of their opponents bit by bit through their confident possession play. And yet again the breakthrough came through Mark Turner with his 26th attempt on goal, giving the Toon side a 2-1 lead. Striker Turner, who looked like he couldn’t score in a brothel before Wednesday’s game, was evidently delighted with his brace, and this set the tone for the remainder of the match.

The Royals attempts continued, and saw efforts from Sexton, Holt and Marks go agonisingly close. The game closed with a 2-1 win for Newcastle seconds, but the score line did not show just how much they dominated the game. However, a win is a win, and so onwards and upwards for the second string in the cup.

Men’s Football Newcastle 3rds Leeds 1sts John Colville at Longbenton

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Without a win so far this season, Newcastle’s Third team made the short trip to Bullocksteads to face Northumbria Fourths in the first round of the Conference Cup. In a classic cup tie which saw two own goals and a Poly red card, Newcastle came out on top 4-3 winners thanks to two goals from Nathan Campbell and one each from Medics’ captain Josh Davison and winger Paddy Noble.

Read the full match report at www. thecourieronline.co.uk

Newcastle went into this cup game against Manchester with high spirits and expectations after performing well in their previous two games.

Buoyed by their efforts in recent weeks the team put in a rewarding weeks training and were fully prepared for Manchester when they took to the court on Wednesday.

The game started off with both teams looking extremely strong, with Manchester getting some great shots up underneath the basket. To match that talent, the home side were also penetrating into the key with fantastic drives from the point guards.

Pocket-sized Eglė Duleckytė dominated the court with a great move to basket with her fouled perfect finish giving her a shot from the free-throw line to add to the score. Due to lack of rebounds from the Knights at both ends, the girls were endlessly running up and down the court, but this did not stop them playing great defence, with the first quarter ending 20-13 to Newcastle.

Corinne Vaughan started off the second quarter with some more stunning drives to the basket and some great assists giving the option for the

now reliable Rosie Wowk to put up an easy bank shot. With some battering stands in the key, Manchester were denied points and the Knights were able to run through some perfectly performed plays at their end of the court. Like a scene from the team’s favourite film, Coach Carter, Silvia Montserrat took a step back to be outside the three point line and sunk a sensational three with a roar of applause from the bench. With some fierce passing, Newcastle were able to break down the opposition’s defence creating space for the home players to take several composed shots, pushing the score up to 38-19 by half time.

Manchester were not here to lose and came out incredibly hard in the second half. With a newly instated press, Newcastle were struggling to get the ball smoothly into the other half, letting the score drop from a twenty point lead, to just ten. Technical fouls were dished out to Manchester for their feeble attempt to put players off when taking shots, allowing Newcastle to gain some unchallenged baskets. Rebounding improved massively in the second half with giantess Tasslem Von Streng proving white girls can jump by grabbing the ball after missed shots. Local celebrity Alice Holloway made her presence felt with an assortment of superb post moves under the basket.

The score was boosted again when more threes were sunk by Duleckytė, who has recently been awarded the

title ‘best three point shooter in the world’.

As the match reached the final quarter, the pressure mounted; Manchester’s score getting worryingly close as they clawed their way back into the game. WNBA player, Emily Jackson, made the game look easy by infiltrating the defence and putting up a couple of baskets. Deafening noise from the bench spurred on the Knights as they stepped up their defence, creating fast breaks with well executed finishes from lefty Inga Vareikaitė. The tension in the air could be cut with a knife, but only Manchester suffered as they began to make ridiculous fouls, resulting in free shots for Newcastle, who kept their composure to sink the free shots. The Knights finished with a great score 66-57 after a tiring last quarter.

Founder of the charity ‘Action for the Blind’, Chris Bunten reflected positively on the game saying “It has been my most satisfying win in my eleven years of coaching. All the players were fantastic, showing such dedication and an amazing attitude in training. The work has paid off and I’m so happy to be a part of this team and have fallen in love with coaching women’s basketball!” Next week will be a huge challenge for the Newcastle Knights as they play this week’s victims again in a league game on Manchester’s home turf. But with a similar and stronger performance they know they can continue their quest to becoming league winners yet again.

Sport

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Ladies hockey: Leeds lose out

page 47

thecourieronline.co.uk/sport

Intra Mural: BB shoots down Shavin page 42

NWR lock horns with Teesside in Trophy Third successive win sees women through

Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage: Newcastle’s pack faced their toughest test so far this season, but managed to edge a low scoring cup tie against local rivals Teesside Firsts Photography: Hubert Lam

Royals stick it to Strathclyde Men’s Hockey BUCS PWC Trophy Strathclyde Newcastle 1sts

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John Colville in Strathclyde Last Wednesday saw Newcastle Men’s 1st team travel across the border to Glasgow in their opening game of the BUCS PWC Trophy, winning comfortably 5-2 and preserving their unbeaten record.

Aware of the importance of the Trophy for the University and a chance to instantly guarantee some BUCS points, Newcastle made the journey to Glasgow knowing a win was essential. What lay in their way of victory, however, was a relative unknown in

the form of Strathclyde.

After a delayed start, the game got underway at the Stepps playing �ields in terrible playing conditions. With rain falling heavily and in the dark, the hosts’ �loodlights struggled to cut through the rain meaning the game was largely played out with poor visibility.

Despite the adverse conditions, however, Newcastle got off to the perfect start, Max Underwood converting a well-worked penalty corner routine into the bottom right corner off the ailing Strathclyde keeper.

However, aware of the knockout nature of the trophy, Strathclyde came back strongly with a skilled attacking line and looked particularly threatening on the break.

With large shadows being cast on the pitch, the hosts managed to �ind a Newcastle Foot in the “D” to win a

short corner which they converted to bring the scores level early on. Struggling in the rain Newcastle suffered a lapse in concentration and with communication not up to scratch, some poor marking allowed an overlap to develop on the right-hand side of the pitch, which Strathclyde utilised with lethal precision to score a wellworked goal to take the lead on 25 minutes.

After a discussion at half-time Newcastle came out a better side in the second half. Dribbling less and supporting each other more in attack, Newcastle began to get a foothold in the game again and were able to drive into the Strathclyde defence to cause problems. The pressure told �ive minutes into the half as Ben Underwood saw a reverse shot �ind its way in at the near post courtesy of some goalkeeping as questionable as the Roy-

als’ forward’s choice of facial hair.

Minutes after, Ben Gowing put the visitors ahead for the �irst time since the opening moments, tucking the ball away neatly from the �lick spot.

Indeed Newcastle had the chance to extend their lead shortly after with two golden opportunities. The �irst fell to Rob Ramsden, who, from a few yards out, missed to the left of the goal when it seemed easier to score, and the second a snap shot from Perth man Marcus Adams with only the post denying him a goal on his 1st XI BUCS debut against his fellow countrymen.

Newcastle pushed on, however, and Kieran Borrett made it four soon after, calmly placing his shot past the keeper following a driving run into space. Strathclyde, aware they were about to be eliminated, did not give up and Newcastle were forced to defend

resolutely, calling on some quick reactions from Calum Mackenzie to clear the ball inches off their own goal line.

However, indiscipline, with 10 minutes remaining, was to effectively end the game as the Glaswegians were reduced to ten men following a yellow card. Comfortable with the extra man the Royals calmly saw out the game even having time for Max Underwood to grab a second, and cap a �ine individual performance to end the game 5-2 in favour of the men in blue, and set up a last sixteen tie away against league rivals Liverpool John Moores on November 30.

With their �irst win on Wednesday, the Royals now turn their attentions back to 1A and will look to get an essential three points against struggling Liverpool University.