The Courier 1274

www.thecourieronline.co.uk Friday 20 September 2013 Issue 1274 Free

The Independent Voice Of Newcastle Students

ON DUTY

OFF DUTY

Est 1948

2.

Welcome

Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

CONTENTS

3 8 10

MEET THE OFFICERS Know your student representatives within the Students’ Union

FRESHERS’ ADVICE Hints and tips from old-stagers on how to handle the next week

THE CULTURE PYRAMID A breakdown of the arty delights the Toon has to offer

11 MEET THE 22 FAMILY

FRESHERS’ WEEK 2013 Your ultimate guide to Freshers’ Week, day by day

FRESHERS’ FAQs

Any pressing questions?

Consult our oracle of all things Fresh

23 Whey aye freshers 28 30

GET INVOLVED See how you can improve student life through Student Council

SOCIETIES A full listing of all active societies

AU SPORTS

Are you ready to step up to the join the Athletic Union?

By George Sandeman Editor

Hello and welcome to Newcastle. The Courier is your student newspaper, it’s written for students and by students of this very university - we also like to socialise now and again.

Including this Freshers’ edition which we hope you’ll find useful as you embark on this incredible week to tee off your academic year.

Whether you’re 18 and have left home for the first time - free of parental control - or a mature student coming to study on a post-graduate course, there

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.

really is something for everybody in the 2013 Freshers’ Week.

In this special edition of The Courier we hope you have a glance at the various areas of the university and city which will come to make your experience.

We’ve got an interview with the four lovely and hardworking people who have planned and organised this incredible week of fun and frivolity - the Freshers’ Week Organisers.

Amey, Henry, Mike and Charlie have worked tirelessly over the last nine months to make this week possible.

In this interview they’ll let you in on what they think are the best events

of the week, tips on living with people you’ve never met before and insight into The Courier is an what their time as your student Freshers’ was like. newspaper, it’s You’ll also find written for stu- a guide to the Freshers’ crew dents and by are the stustudents of this who dent volunteers very university donating their time to you to make the best week possible.

There are also some messages from the city and a welcome from your sabbati-

Editor George Sandeman Deputy Editor Tom Nicholson Web Editor Ben Brown News Editors Anna Templeton and James Simpson Deputy News Editors Sabine Kucher, Peter Wood and Emily Keen Comment Editors Lydia Carroll and Joe Wood Deputy Comment Editor Victoria Armstrong Culture Editor Sam Summers Lifestyle Editors Katie Smith and Elizabeth Archer Deputy Lifestyle Editors Hazel Parnell and Evie O’Sullivan Fashion Editors Amy O’Rourke and Frances Stephenson Deputy Fashion Editors Rebekah Finney Beauty Editors Amy Macauley and Safiya Ahmed Deputy Beauty Editor Daisy Ridley Arts Editors Millie Walton and Charlie Dearnley Deputy Arts Editor Laura Wotton Film Editors Muneeb Hafiz and Jacob Crompton-Schreiber Music Editors Kate Bennett and Ian Mason Deputy Music Editor Mike Slaski TV Editor Beth Durant Deputy TV Editor Helen Daly Science Editor Lizzie Hampson Deputy Science Editors Peter Style and Emad Ahmed Sports Editors Nick Gabriel, Freddie Caldwell and Francesca Fitzsimmons

cal representatives from the Students’ Union.

We’ve also written a couple of articles to help you find your feet during the week; can you bellow bingo?

Then, we have a Freshers’ Week pullout guide to tell you everything you need to know about the daytime and night time events throughout the week.

Proceeding that we have a quick overview of the various arms of the Students’ Union: reprsentation and democracy, welfare and equality, education, student media, activities, societies and athletic union clubs.

We hope you enjoy.

The Courier is printed by: Print and Digital Associates, Fernleigh House, 10 Uttoxeter Road, Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, DE3 0DA. Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge.

The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.

The Courier

organiserinterview.3

Friday 20 September 2013

Meet the team organising the best week of your life The 411 on the best 100% MAKE THE MOST OF freshers’ events, living with strangers and funny stories

THE DAYTIME ACTIVITIES

Welcome to Newcastle and get ready for an incredible week of activities, memorable nights and getting know everyone.

To help you through the week are the Freshers’ Week Organisers and the Freshers’ Week Crew of student volunteers.

To ease you in, The Courier sat the four organisers - Amey, Henry, Mike and Charlie - down and to talk about their time as Freshers’ and what advice they want to pass onto you.

What are your favourite daytime activities this year?

MH: “The BrewDog Experience. It’s down by the Quayside, it’s a little gem.

We sampled it and it was really, really good.”

CL: “Hidden City, it’s a new one. It’s a treasure hunt and it’s all done by a text system with clues, really cool. It takes you all round the Quayside area and we’ve got a massive prize for the winner.”

AH: “I like the beach trip, if it’s a a nice day because you get an amazing fish and chips. It’s a really nice trip down the beach and it’s going to be at the Marshall’s shop which does a locally famous, well renowned The wine tast- fish andchips - it’s ” ing and the St. awesome.

CL: “Cocktail James’ Park training at Vodka tour, they’d be Revs and Tokyo my favourites. with sessions for Oh, as well as 25 people every an hour, it’s the mud-biking half the most popular and quadone.” biking, which is HS: “The wine tasting and the great St. James’ Park tour, they’d be my two. Oh, as well as the mud-biking and quad-biking which is great.”

How are you feeling about the Freshers’ workload?

MH: “It’s the details that gets you.

You’ve planned everything and you sit down and go through it all bit by bit and you’re like, sh*t.”

AH: “You think you’ve nailed it all but then you sit down with members of staff and they point out all the bits you’ve missed.”

HS: “I think we’re definitely ahead of previous years so hopefully it will all go off without a hitch, that’s the aim.”

MH: “We’ve planned for the ideal week so hopefully the more we plan the easier it will be to pull off.”

The night time tea party is new this year, what are you favourite teas?

CL: “I hate tea, I actually do.”

AH: “Well I love tea, it’s the best thing in the world. I like Yorkshire tea, because I’m from Yorkshire, it’s amazing but my favourite is apple and cinnamon. I spend a lot of time in the tea continued on page 4

BECAUSE THAT’S SOMETHING

YOU ALWAYS REGRET WHEN YOU DON’T DO

ENOUGH OF THEM

Amey Holden

Henry Scutt

Mike Holford

Charlie Lambert

Nickname: Admin fiend Course: Information Systems

Nickname: Smooth Criminal Course: Biomedical Systems

Nickname: Bokke Course: Information Systems

Nickname: ‘The Sensitive One’ Course: Architecture

Likes: Horses, Tea, SU Presidents Dislikes: Commitment

Likes: Hawking, David Beckham Dislikes: Plaster board walls

Likes: Lauren, busting moves Dislikes: Thieving ‘bad girls’

Likes: Things in their right place Dislikes: Organised chaos

Drink: Vodka & Diet Coke Tea variety: Yorkshire Tea

Drink: Amaretto Tea variety: Earl Grey

Drink: Rum & Coke Tea variety: Mint

Drink: Rum/Whiskey & Coke Tea variety: I hate tea

Spoon: Little Fancy dress: My little pony

Spoon: Big Fancy dress: Generic footballer

Spoon: Big Fancy dress: Boy band member

Spoon: Little Fancy dress: Popeye

Dance move: Party-boy Flatmate type: M-über clean

Dance move: Shoulder shrug Flatmate type: Perfect child

Dance move: Itchy feet Flatmate type: Lazy (sometimes)

Dance move: Lots of hands Flatmate type: Lazy

Girl crush: Zooey Deschanel Favourite daytime activity: Beach trip to Tynemouth

Man crush: Lewis Litt Favourite daytime activity: Mud-biking and Quad-biking

Man crush: Ari Gold Favourite daytime activity: The BrewDog Experience

Man crush: Walter White Favourite daytime activity: Hidden City treasure hunt

Sage advice: “Join societies also and go on the ski-trip. I’d never been skiing before in my life but went on it and absolutely loved it, it was amazing!”

Sage advice: “I’ll say go into everything with an open mind, don’t have any prejudices because you never what or who you’re going to find.”

Sage advice: “100% make the most of the daytime activities because that’s something you always regret when you don’t do enough of them.”

Sage advice: “Mine would be to join societies. If you leave it until second year and try and do everything then it’s harder because second year actually counts.”

4.organiserinterview

Friday 20th September 2013

The Courier

How do you try and impress someone: “Buy them a drink maybe? I’ve been out the game for a while.” continued from page 3 aisle of the supermarket, I’m guil-tea.”

MH: “The cool thing about the tea party is that they are going to do it in a kind of cocktails-making style but it will be for tea. You actually get to try and make your own tea too so it’ll be a bit more fun than just sitting and sipping tea.”

AH: “Yeah you can choose the ingredients and put in anything you want.

They’ll guide you, tell you what’s good and teach you how to make it.”

HS: “I’m all about the Earl Grey.”

AH: “Boring old man.”

MH: “I like mint tea, that’s mine.”

What’s your best tip for living with other people in halls?

CL: “I had a horrible flat though, I literally only speak to one of them now.”

MH: “Just chip in.”

CL: “Just be civilised. Like I said, I didn’t get on with some of mine and they’d get annoyed at us but it reaches the point where you just need to keep the peace. So volunteer to clean the kitchen or help out someway.”

Which flatmate are you? Lazy, uber clean, Mum, party animal or perfect child?

AH: “I’m definitely Mum and uber clean.”

MH: “A m-uber clean.”

HS: “I don’t think anyone is lazy.”

AH: “I’d say Charlie if anyone.”

CL: “Me? Outrageous! Have you seen my sock drawer?”

AH: “But to live with, you are quite lazy.”

CL: “I cooked for you for like four weeks and I’m lazy? You just stopped eating my meals because I ate too

The cool thing about the tea party is that they are going to do it in a kind of cocktails style making but it will be for tea.

AH: “Just share in it and do your bit.”

HS: “Don’t judge people straightaway because they can change completely from who you think they are initially and they might end up becoming your best friend so keep an open mind.”

much.”

MH: “For Charlie just make a new one and put ‘with sensitive issues.’”

HS: “I think we’re all bit like perfect children but you can’t actually be perfect so probably more party animals,

haha.”

MH: “I’ll be lazy. I can be lazy, I can admit that.”

AH: “Just be careful with Charlie, he’s feeling a bit sensitive.”

CL: “I’m the sensitive one.”

What’s your stock dance move on a night out?

HS: “Mine is the Dad dance.”

MH: “I use my feet, I move my feet a lot.”

CL: “I take the p*ss quite a lot and out of people. I use my hands a lot, I’m very active in the hand region.”

AH: “I party-boy a lot of people.”

MH: “Scutt does the shoulder shrug slash Dad dance. And the creep as well.”

HS: “The creep is a favourite of mine.”

AH: “I party-boy when I panic.”

MH: “That and unintentional grinding.”

AH: “I don’t do that!”

HS: “She’s a bit of a pinballer.”

What’s your standard drink?

HS: “Frosty Jack’s, for the last two years.”

CL; “It varies, I’ve gone in waves.”

HS: “It always used to be a bottle of Londis Somerset dry white cider, that was my staple in first year. But I’ve gone up in the world, I had a bottle of Amaretto for prinks the other day.”

MH: “Literally, like a £25 bottle to himself.”

AH: “Vodka and diet coke every time.

I tried moving onto gin once and it ended tragically so went straight back.”

CL: “I had Londis vodka as standard every time in first year then went to Frosty Jack’s when I was poor in sec-

HS: “Actually yeah, Dr Georgina Carr in the Biodmedical school, lecturer crush.”

Who is on your current man / girl crush list?

ond year and then this year I went onto beer even though I’m still poor but don’t like Frosty’s anymore. And now I’ve got money I’m on whiskey or rum and coke.”

MH: “Rum and coke, preferably Captain Morgan.”

What’s your general approach to impressing someone?

CL: “Get some Dutch courage and hope something happens.”

MH: “Buy them a drink maybe? I’ve been out the game for a while.”

HS: “Mine’s getting them to trust me.”

MH: “What so you can take advantage?”

HS: “This probably shouldn’t go in the paper.”

CL: “It’s much easier when you’re at a house party and then just meet them later in a club. I’m usually horrendous by then but at least I’ve had a conversation with them beforehand.”

HS: “Give them a compliment and try to find something in common with them, then lunge, just lunge.”

MH: “That’s a good one, I took Lauren (his now girlfriend) to lunch.

CL: “He said lunge, not lunch!”

MH: “Oh right, yeah I took her to lunch.”

CL: “This is making me really depressed about what I do on a night out because I have no idea what I dance like, what I say to girls. What’s the Holden move?”

AH: “The Holden move seems to be working a treat.”

MH: “I can tell you what the Holden move is.”

AH: “C’mon then, try me.”

MH: “Play hard to get.”

AH: “Yeah! Pretend it’s not going to happen.”

MH: “But secretly, deep down she wants it to happen.”

AH: “That’s pretty spot on really.”

MH: “Amey is like a tortoise. She’s got a hard shell on the outside but on the inside she’s a softie.”

AH: “Yeah, play hard to get, act like I don’t care but I actually do.”

Did you have a secret crush in Freshers’ Week? If so, how did it turnout?

CL: “Of course, everyone does. Mine

AH: “Zooey Deschanel, off New Girl.

All the films and TV shows she does, she’s hilarious. So funny, absolute babe.”

CL: “Ah, Walter White from Breaking Bad. Serial killer yes, but he’s awesome!

And his alias is Lambert. How cool is that? It’s just meant to be.”

HS: “The guy off Suits, Lewis Litt. ‘You just got Litt up!’”

MH: “The guy off entourage who plays Ari Gold, Jeremy Piven. That guy in the show is just so cool.”

HS: “Actually no, John Prescott? No, Nelson Mandela is cool. Wait, Justin Timberlake. I saw Robert Winston at the British Science Festival the other day, he’s cool.”

How do you sleep at night? On your back like a Saint? On your side, leg out the duvet?

HS: “With other people, haha.”

MH: “Definitely on the side, leg out the duvet.”

AH: “I sleep on my front.”

MH: “That’s so weird!”

HS: “I’m a front sleeper too.”

CL: “I think I’m a bit of a foetus which is why I think I hate spooning because I like to curl up and that’s ruined if you’ve got be to join sociearound someone.” ties. That MH: “I love sounds really small spoon.” standard but if CL: “Small you leave it un- spoon is awebig spoon til second year some, a job, it’s a job.” and try and do isAH: “Obviously everything it’s little spoon, love harder because spooning.”

CL: “You’re such second year snuggler.” actually counts a What’s one bit academically of advice you would give to a Fresher this year?

MH: “100% make the most of the daytime activities because that’s something you always regret when you don’t do enough of them.”

CL: “Mine would be to join societies.

That sounds really standard but if you leave it until second year and try and do everything then it’s harder because sec-

Actually no, John Prescott? No, Nelson Mandela is cool. Wait, Justin Timberlake. I saw Robert Winston at the British Science Festival the other day, he’s cool.

100% make the most of the daytime activities because that’s something you always regret when you don’t do enough of them never went anywhere, zero success rate.

She was in a relationship so it was never going to happen. She was just stunning and cool, and I was like, yeah I’m in love, on Day 1.”

AH: “The only guy I kind of fancied I successfully pursued and that was that for my Freshers’ romance.”

HS: “Not really, too much choice.”

MH: “Yeah, Lauren. She was on crew and I was a fresher. She said I was hot, that was me sorted.”

ond year actually counts academically.

As in first year you can just do loads of them and when you find something you like you can just stick with it properly.”

AH: “Mine would be join societies also and go on the ski trip. I’d never been skiing before in my life but went on it and absolutely loved it, it was amazing!”

HS: “I’ll say go into everything with an open mind, don’t have any prejudices because you never what or who you’re going to find.”

The Courier

freshersweekcrew.5

Friday 20 September 2013

Fresh to death

A who’s-who of the volunteering crew who will be looking out for you day and night, all of this week It’s not just the Freshers’ Week Organisers who make your week happen - there are 300 returning students who had such an amazing time during their own Freshers’ experience that they’re not just coming back to re-live it, they’re here to make sure you have an equally incredible time.

Selected through a rigorous interview process, the Freshers’ crew will

take you on all the daytime trips, look after you during the night time events to make sure you have tonnes of fun in all the activities you get involved in.

You’ll see them in these t-shirts wearing fancy dress all week long and they are here for you, so make sure you say hi when you get the chance.

Here’s a look of the various roles within the team, down to a tee.

These select few are Freshers’ Week experts having been involved in an impressive number of Freshers’ Weeks between them over the last few years.

They are fountains of knowledge and work very closely with the organisers behind the scenes to make sure everything is running smoothly, whilst also looking after a number of supervisors and their crews.

The supervisors are one step above crew and are given a radio to prove it.

Each looks after a crew of ten who are decked out in the supervisor’s choice of fancy dress.

Having been hand-picked for their knowledge, enthusiasm, reliability and previous experience, supervisors know how to make sure everyone’s up and raring to go all day, every day!

These guys and gals are the people you will see around most during the week.

Full of energy, very-hardworking and dedicated to making sure you have a week to remember!

A lively bunch, crew will be on hand right from the start, helping you move in and discover your new city.

Grab one of the gang if you ever have any questions.

You’ll catch our highly dedicated chief drivers outside the Students’ Union co-ordinating your transport throughout the entire week.

With years of Freshers’ Week driving experience between them, they make sure that all the minibuses are getting you to and from your activities and halls at the right time.

This lot are vital to the week and take you to all the exciting activities taking place off campus during the days, as well bringing you down to the Union for the evening events and taking you home again at the end of the night for free.

They work really hard and have late hours so always give them a smile and a big thank you!

Media crew will be around all day and night for the whole week recording your week in videos, photos and interviews.

Make sure you seek out the resulting coverage in The Courier, in TCTV videos and NSR radio shows.

Don’t be afraid to tell them how brilliant a time you’re having if they approach you with a microphone!

6.policeguidance

Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Beat the burglar - advice for students Northumbria police issue guidance for new and returning Newcastle students

By Peter Wood Deputy News Editor Northumbria Police are advising Newcastle University students to keep their home and their property safe from burglars ahead of the new academic year.

In a joint campaign between Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner Vera Baird, they have issued guidance to students about how to best protect themselves from burglars who may target student flats and halls as there’s usually rich pickings with their laptops, iPods and mobiles.

Advice such as ensuring that you lock all doors and windows when you go out to prevent a burglar from literally walking in and helping themselves may seem obvious, but Northumbria Police said: “Yes, it does happen.”

Additionally, they advise watching out for anyone ‘tailgating’ - following students into halls or flats. Thieves can try to sneak in by following the crowd.

Other advice includes keeping valuables away from windows. Leaving your laptop, iPod or car keys in full view can make them easy pickings for a passing burglar.

Also, if you’ve bought expensive items, don’t leave the empty boxes outside in full view but rip them up and put them in or under a bin: “Leaving boxes outside lets thieves know exactly what goodies you Officers are have inside your handing out house.” crime The police also prevention advise students to get their goods advice to insured, but to remind remember students to be also that some insurmore home ance companies security won’t pay out if a thief has got in conscious through an unlocked door or window.

Additionally, students are encouraged to put their appliances to their full potential by using built-in GPS tracking systems such as the Find My iPhone app, and that they register their goods

missioner Vera Baird added: “I want students to enjoy their time at university and not become victims of crime.

“By working together we can ensure we minimise We know the risk of crime. thieves take By keeping an eye any chance on belongings and to help them- ensuring homes selves to your are not accessible to thieves, stuproperty so can get on don’t give them dents with their studies the opportunity knowing they are to steal from keeping opportunistic thieves at you and your bay.” flatmates PC Al Gibson, Newcastle University’s Campus Police Officer said: “We know thieves take any chance to help themselves to your property so don’t give them the opportunity to steal from you and your flatmates.

By keeping an eye on belongings, students can get on with their studies knowing they are keeping opportunistic thieves at bay with www.immobilise.com, the free national property register.

Police are also increasing patrols in areas of private rented student accommodation in order to deter thieves and to call in at student flats to give crime prevention advice.

Inspector Louise Cass-Williams of Newcastle East Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Jesmond and Heaton are popular areas for students and neighbourhood officers are making sure they visit these areas specifically to help them. Officers are handing out crime prevention advice to remind students to keep a close eye on their belongings and to be more home security conscious.

“Last term we did have a number of burglaries reported by students and in several cases they happened when doors were left unlocked and windows open.”

Northumbria Police and Crime Com-

“Leaving doors and windows open really is an open invitation to thieves. Unfortunately we do have criminals who go around an area trying doors to see if they’re open.

“It takes seconds for them to slip inside and steal anything they can find.

We’ve had students who’ve had laptops iPods, digital cameras and cash stolen last semester.”

PC Gibson is based in the Armstrong Building and will also be at the Freshers’ Fair - 23 and 24 September - with information and to offer advice on keeping your home and property safe.

Northumbria police advise any student with concerns about crime or disorder where they live should contact their local neighbourhood policing team on 101, ext 69191. Or visit www.northumbria.police.uk

The Courier

Friday 20 September 2013

sabbwelcome.7

Welcome to the Toon! Get ready for the best three years of your life

Live, work or play we’re here to help to you get the most out of your Newcastle experience First of all - massive congratulations to you on securing your place at the best university in the world!

It’s a big claim but one we stand by and we’re sure you’ll be sharing a similar opinion in the not too distant future.

We are the six sabbatical officers and we were elected by you, the students, in February and all graduated in July.

Our paid full-time job for this academic year is to run the Newcastle University Students’ Union to the best of our abilities and in your interest.

We are independent of the University but work closely with them to ensure that, as much as possible, the student voice is represented and that everything at the university is done to benefit you.

You’re all automatically members and between the six of us, we look after all the things the SU does to make sure that we’re here for you whenever you need us and to maximise the student experience here at Newcastle University.

Calum Mackenzie is the President of NUSU and he sits on the high level meetings of the University’s management to represent student opinion. In addition, he represents Newcastle students at meetings in the city and at local government level.

He says: “It is impossible for me to properly represent you and help you get the most out of your union without hearing from as many of you as possible. So whether you have idea, question or just want to chat about anything to do with your time here at Newcastle, send me an email or just stop by my desk!”

Eve Berwin is the Education Officer and she heads up a team of course and school student representatives who feedback to her ways in which their degrees can be improved and she brings these ideas to the high level university meetings she sits on.

She says: “None of this would be possible without you: every student has the opportunity to be a course rep. If you are interested in representing the other students on your course, speak to your personal tutor or contact me.”

Emily Waller is the Welfare and Equality Officer. She looks after you on a whole range of issues from sexual and mental health to housing and financial advice. She also runs a number of campaigns to raise awareness and create change on a number of issues affecting students.

She says: “If you’re unsure about where to go for a certain issue, I am a good place to start – if I can’t personally help you, I’ll know someone who can!”

Rosie Leatherland is Activities Officer for this year and her job is to oversee the enormous number of societies here and look after the ‘Raising and Giving’ activities.

She says: “I am here to guide you through the 175 societies we have here at NUSU and to add something extra to your time at Newcastle University.”

Katie Rimmer is the Athletic Union Officer for 2013/14 and she looks after everything sports-related.

She says: “The Athletic Union has 59 clubs on offer so there is definitely something for everybody and getting involved is a brilliant way to lift your experience at Newcastle to new levels.”

Lastly, but hopefully not least, there’s me, George Sandeman. I’m the Editor of The Courier - this university student newspaper - and I look after everything media-related including the radio and TV stations.

Student media is a great way to have fun, enhance your CV and make friends.

It’s our job to inform and entertain you.

Ultimately, we’re here to represent you so, no matter the reason, get in touch!

WE WERE ELECTED BY YOU THE STUDENTS YES REALLY! - TO BE YOUR REPRESENTATIVES

SABB FAM

From L-R: George, Katie, Calum, Eve, Emily, Rosie

Get in touch!

Calum - President

president.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUpresident Facebook: /NUSUpresident

Eve - Education

education.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUeducation Facebook: /NUSUeducation

Emily - Welfare

welfare.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUwelfare Facebook: /NUSUwelfare

Rosie - Activities

activities.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUactivities Facebook: /NUSUactivities

Katie - AU

au.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUau Facebook: /NUSUau

George - Editor

editor.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUeditor Facebook: /NUSUeditor

8.culture

Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Survival of the freshest Josh Nicholson talks you through his tips for getting the most out of your Freshers’ Week, or at the very least staying out of the hospital Stock up on caffeine To live as a student in Newcastle you must learn the art of balancing normal fluids with alcohol.

Most of us end up pretty much living on vodkafueled hospital drips by the end of Freshers’, but if you want to survive for the whole week a sugary coffee or tea is key to recovering for the next night.

After all, you don’t want to peak at Prohibition, do you?

Drugs, lots of drugs When it all gets too much, and you’ve had enough of morning after toilet trips and fasting, then these three are the kings of the stomach-calming world.

Alka Seltzer will sort you right out if you have that stomach churn and make you feel human again, Rennie stops the heartburn caused by several nights on the toon and Ibuprofen is like that friend who slaps you in the face when you feel like the world is going to end and tells you that actually, it could be worse. You could be a poly.

Bacon + Bread = Cure It may be unhealthy, and it may be crass and wrong

in every way – like that joke you made about your mate’s girlfriend – but trust me, the healing powers of this dish’s two components are incomprehensible.

As gold, frankincense and myrrh were to Jesus, the gift of a bacon sandwich will stop babies crying, solve any problem and end any argument.

If you’re too hungover to make one just pop to the ‘spoons by Haymarket. Either way is good.

Don’t be a hero A casual ‘getting to know everyone’ pre-drinks in flat E might seem nice, and it is, until the drink starts flowing, the games come out, the ‘We like to drink with…’ song arrives and the night takes a turn.

If you profess to be a drinking juggernaut you will be tried, tested and potentially be found wanting.

So be warned: it is a brave fresher who takes on the ‘down it fresher’ challenge and comes out the other side.

Primark is your friend There will be a lot of messy nights during Freshers’.

Some events, such as Pandamonium, will provide

you with their own t-shirts, but the other nights will be shirt-destroying sweat-baths.

Abercrombie and Fitch or Jack Wills may seem cool, but do you really want anyone think that you are some stuck up southern posh boy in the middle of Newcastle city centre?

You will soon learn the virtues of Primarni and its £5 animal print leggings or the £3 novelty sunglasses that you previously thought nobody would ever buy.

Through ethically questionable, Primark produce the perfect range of bog-standard clothing for Freshers’ week. Buy it, wear it once, bin it.

Wrap it up You know the feeling you get when you wake up in bed next to someone with more fingers than teeth? Well knowing you didn’t use protection only makes the situation worse.

The STI people come round halls on a regular basis and should be there in the first week, so if you don’t have a Dad like mine who drags you down that aisle in Sainsbury’s and makes a point of people knowing you’ll be safe, your appointment with that little yellow tube might just be the most important piss you’ll ever take.

Prink responsibly We all know that everyone is in Newcastle to get themselves some form of liver damage and prinks are a must, but try a few of these tricks to avoid the inevitable mess.

First, always claim that you have the cleaner the next day and don’t want a fine for being too messy.

Second, nobody wants to wake up in the morning for an induction meeting and find the communal area a minefield of glasses and various spirit bottles you’ve never heard of so keeping it under 36 people per room in one room is vital. Also, 36 people in one room can be outrageously sweaty.

Map it up It might not seem trendy to walk around with a map, but have one in your bag.

Lecturers get annoyed when you turn up late, but that’s not that important. What’s important is the fact that the jokes will flow if you burst into the lecture theatre twenty minutes in all sweaty and flustered. You don’t want to make a name for yourself as the late one. Nobody wants or needs that.

Be vigilant.

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Freshers 2013 AD 270X170.indd 1

14/08/2013 16:13:43

The Courier

culture.9

Friday 20 September 2013

“Don’t look too keen in Tesco’s reduced section” Our grizzled, elderly, postgraduate Deputy Editor Tom Nicholson offers his advice to you whippersnappers from the comfort of his bath chair

H

ello and welcome, younglings, to what we all hope is going to be a really bloody good few years of life. As a grizzled old-stager, I’ve been tasked with prepping you for what to expect. I’d love to be able to say “EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED GUYS IT’S GONNA BE WILD” but frankly that’d be irresponsible. This is meant to be a sensible guide full of sensible advice, unlike m’colleague on the facing page.

Probably the most pressing issue facing you right now is Freshers’ Week. I remember, in my day, he said, swaying gently in his rocking-chair, his eyes misting over, that at first the whole thing seemed be an exercise in pretending I was having fun at the expense of actually having fun. There were people I didn’t know everywhere. I had no idea where the nearest branch of Games Workshop was. My bedroom had seven walls. In short, the whole Freshers’ Week thing made me anxious. However, on the Tuesday afternoon a friend in second year gave me some advice which I have since passed on, with trembling fingers and sweating palms, like a precious family heirloom, to any and all freshers who would listen. She said to enjoy the week while it lasted, and not to worry about anything that may or may not happen because it was completely irrelevant to the entirety of the rest of university. It’s one enormous communal lucid dream from which everyone wakes up very abruptly and says to one another, “well that was fun/weird/exhilarating, now let’s all have a nice sit down and watch Pointless”.

That bit of “wisdom” might not be Earth-shattering, but it can be rather useful in reframing the experience as a helter-skelter nearly-no-strings hullaballoo rather than The Most Important Week Of Your Life™. You’ll probably feel a little bit ill both physically and spiritually over its course, but Freshers’ Week is most fun when you just let it happen to you.

The other bits of student life you might be worried about will probably be written and spoken about with much more aplomb and good sense and third-hand aphorisms than I can reasonably manage, so I’ll try not to be too condescending.

With regards to the abject penury which you will no doubt sleepwalk into at some point this year, I could speak at some length about your friend and mine Mr Tesco Reduced Section and his close associates Mrs Freebie Frenzy and Mr eBay Fire-Sale.

No doubt you’re already fairly well-acquainted with these fine (metaphorical) pillars of the student community, but it’s worth clarifying some of the etiquette around each of them.

Firstly, it’s vital not to look too keen when browsing reduced sections. It only takes one person to squeal excitedly at a slightly mouldy basil plant to attract the attention of other bargain hunters.

Once the herd mentality takes over, there will only a matter of seconds for you to grab what spoils you

“There’s only a relatively brief window of time in which you can legitimately use the phrase, ‘we’re students – what did you expect?’ as an excuse”

can before being crushed by hordes of OAPs. I realise one doesn’t find a medallion steak for £1.09 every day, but at least try to keep your excitement to yourself until you get to the checkout. At that point, you may feel free to jump up and down a little bit, or perhaps give the checkout operator a wink-and-thumbs-up combo as they scan the item(s) through.

Secondly, if one is willing to make small sacrifices on the part of one’s dignity, the free sample circuit can be an enormously useful source of emergency foodstuffs and impossibly tiny samples of mid-range fragrances. Got no teabags? Get onto Twinings, order two sample teabags and you’ll be sorted out in only six to eight working days. No Joop to hand? Wipe yourself down with one of the tiny scent-soaked rags which Hugo Boss will dole out gratis. You could just pay a toilet attendant for some, sure, but if you do that too often people might start questioning your motives for hanging about in toilets for most of the evening.

Thirdly, I need hardly elucidate the bacon-saving

properties of eBay. If you’ve never heard of eBay, imagine a huge car boot sale, but held on the internet (or “world wide web”) instead of a provincial community centre.

Finally - and I wouldn’t normally do this kind of thing - but as a wizened, gummy postgraduate I feel I’ve definitely earned the right to deliver a sanctimonious lecture about the next few years of your life, so please indulge me. If you get bored, put on that song Baz Luhrmann song about the sun cream and read the following over the top of it. It’ll make it seem almost profound.

The best things about university are, in my experience, the things you never expected to be brilliant when you arrived. Some of the most exciting things you’ll discover will be very mundane, but don’t let that put you off being excited about them.

By the same token, try not to become the boy I saw in a club once wearing a t-shirt which proudly shouted in spewing primary colours, “UNAY – NO

Freshers’ Week 1936 gets off to a roaring start (Photo: National Library Of Wales) BEDTIME”. Nobody looked at him with anything except incredulity. However, while not having to get into my jammies at 8pm sharp anymore wasn’t a key factor for me in choosing university, the essential point that your time and space is entirely your own is certainly an extremely exciting and empowering revelation. Get into the city – explore its veins and capillaries. Newcastle is small enough to quickly form a solid working knowledge of but big enough to evolve, to build itself again and surprise you. Take advantage of the apparently boundless time afforded to you to indulge your intellectual curiosities. Stretch yourself a bit. Go for a paddle in the lake of pretentious waffle. Above all, remember that there’s only a relatively brief window of time in which you can legitimately use the phrase, “we’re students – what did you expect?” as an excuse. Seriously, you can get away with anything. Not murder, though. Please don’t do that.

We’re trying to run a respectable university here.

FRESHERS’ WEEK BINGO Upon introduction to Cross off these a new flatmate you imcommon Freshers’ mediately forget their Week occurrences name and try to style as and when they it out by referring to happen. If you get them as mate/chief/big man/pal/dearest a full house, bring your completed bingo card to the Someone puts on S Courier offices and Club 7’s seminal ‘Reach’ receive your prize: at pre-drinks; all a hearty awkwardness dissipates handshake from immediately our Editor

After five days, the flatmate you have been referring to as mate/chief /big man/ pal/dearest begins to suspect you don’t know their name

A small fire occurs in your flat; second-degree burns written off as ‘just one of those things’

The overabundance of A busy Freshers’ Week new names and numbers leads to a large promonin your phone brings on tory of rubbish in the a minor mental breakcommunal bin; strucdown when you realise tural engineers declare you can’t remember the tower unsafe and what any of them look carry out a controlled like demolition An unnamed individual makes a temporary home in your flat; it is two weeks before it’s discovered that he isn’t actually anyone’s mate

A local farmer condemns the annual harassment of the Leazes Park cow populace as “really not on”

A hitherto reserved An attempted game of flatmate goes postal surprise-leapfrog turns during a paintballing into a 3am visit to A&E session, taking a Freshpunctuated by thinlyers’ supervisor hostage veiled threats of bloody before making a bid for retribution freedom over 10 miles of uninhabited moorland

10.culture

Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Newcastle’s Pyramid of Culture

By far Newcastle’s biggest venue, for a sizeable fee Newcastle has established itself as one of the major artisyou can enjoy the opulent sets of pop megastars, the tic hubs of the UK, with an endless supply of great gigs, stadium-sized riffs of indie godheads and the tonedeaf tomfoolery of the X Factor tour, complete with movies, art and - most importantly - valuable hispter enough foam fingers to make Miley Cyrus blush and almost enough dubious-looking hotdogs to assemble a full street cred. Culture Editor Sam Summers takes you pig. If music isn’t your thing - and let’s be honest, I think it’s on a guided tour of Newcastle’s cultural hotspots, had its day in the sun - you can always sit back and watch a grudge match between a load of hulking beasts you thought ranked here from mainstream to were extinct at either Walking With Dinosaurs or WWE Live. alternative using that most hipster of shapes, As much as they’re the Starthe triangle bucks of small You know the score: more screens than you can count showing pretty much every major release you can think of, in as many dimensions as you’d like (minimum 2; maximum 3). Yeah, it’s a bit generic, but there’s still a lot to be said for the transcendent experience of sitting in an enormous sold out theatre and taking in one of the better summer blockbusters. Plus, it’s right in the middle of chain-restaurant Mecca The Gate, and if you get a meal with your movie they give you free parking. You’d be a fool not to go, really.

If you’d rather look at representational watercolours than whatever dead animal Damien Hirst’s decided to put dots on this week, then the Laing Art Gallery is the place for you. Their collection includes work by artists of both local and national importance - from John Martin and Ralph Hedley to JMW Turner and Edward Lear - and that’s in addition to their rotating programme of exhibitions and their growing contemporary collection.

They’ve even shown paintings and plates by every literature student’s favourite Hell-fixated nutjob, William Blake, and they provide adult art classes so that you too can die an unappreciated loner.

The North East’s premiere independent cinema is home to all those festival headliners, Oscar nominees, critical darlings and hidden gems that you can never find at your local multiplex. They also have a tendency to bring back old classics for anniversary celebrations or by popular demand, and if you want to relive those carefree 1940s you can pop in any day of the week for free screenings of their vintage newsreels. The three screening rooms are easy on the eye and fitted with the comfiest seats you’re likely to come across, which come in especially handy during their legendary 24 hour film marathons.

Found in the university’s Fine Arts Building, the highlights of the Hatton Gallery’s programme are, of course, the BA and MA degree shows, with each year’s Fine Art students bringing a unique mix of styles and ideas to the exhibition.

That’s far from all the gallery has to offer though, with regular historical and contemporary exhibitions and a large collection which includes work from Francis Bacon and Kurt Schwitters’ seminal Merzbarn Wall.

A gorgeous little venue which doubles as a bespoke rehearsal space, not only do they manage to lure the coolest indie acts from the beating heart of Newcastle to the deepest recesses of the Pitchfork-o-sphere, but they’re committed to making everything as cheap as possible for both the bands and the punters. This has found them at the brink of closure, but they’ve bounced back and the artists keep getting bigger and bigger. Oh, and they have their own vintage shop, so it’s about as chic as you can get.

Music Venues Cinemas Live Shows

venues, there are certain breeds of artist that will only ever be at home in an O2 Academy: the pop star without an album, the indie darling without a crossover hit and, most poignantly, the faded legends who never seem to stop touring.

During your first year at Newcastle you are guaranteed a chance to see each of the following: Bowling For Soup, The Stranglers, Europe, The Damned, The Pogues, and Electric Six, twice. Much like Starbucks, the O2 is far from cool, but it’s nothing if not reliable.

C onquering the quayside skyline like a colossal shining bottom, The Sage is the place to be for classical, folk, jazz, world music and other alternatives to the alternative. Its signature concert hall boasts probably the best acoustics in the city, attracting orchestras from all over the world, as well as legendary troubadours and more highbrow pop acts - think Belle & Sebastian and Laura Marling. Bafflingly, Huey Lewis is also putting in an appearance soon, so make of that what you will.

While it puts on an excellent programme of house acts, recurring shows and touring stars, by far the best thing about Newcastle’s biggest comedy club is its weekly ‘Red Raw’ night. Every Wednesday night, in exchange for a paltry £2, you’ll be treated to sets from ten different comedians, ranging from established comics trying out new material to rookies popping their stand-up cherry. If you sit at the front you’ll probably also be treated to a barrage of insults, but it’s all in the game. The foods pretty great too.

Art Galleries

The towering centrepiece of Grey Street known as the best street in Britain - the Theatre Royal is 175 years old, and bloody magnificent inside and out. Highlights of their programme include the nation’s hottest stand-up comedians and large-scale productions of the biggest West End hits, but the absolute peak of the Newcastle theatrical calendar is the annual pantomime starring Danny Adams and Clive Webb. Its mega-budget set-pieces and surprisingly sharp humour more than makes up for having Danny’s decidedly unsettling settling smile plastered all around the city for four months.

In 2011 the Baltic hosted the Turner Prize, the first time it had been held outside of a Tate gallery. It went on to attract more visitors than any Turner Prize exhibition ever, solidifying Newcastle/Gateshead as a major cultural force in the UK. The Baltic has been at the centre of the city’s art world since it opened, its constantly rotating galleries showing work from major stars such as Damien Hirst, Beryl Cook, Patti Smith and Brian Eno. One time they also showed footage of two turtles shagging, but it was art, so there.

Situated on the first floor of Pilgrim Street’s Commercial Union House, itself quickly becoming one of the city’s artistic hubs, Vane functions as both an intimate gallery space and as an agency, working with local, national and international artists to develop their work and raise their profile. Their programmes include work from invited artists as well as those they represent, and they have a history of showing artists on the cusp of making it big, with up-and-comer Narbi Price currently exhibiting.

Named one of Britain’s best small venues by NME, The Cluny welcomes all those bands everyone always talks about on the internet but no one ever talks about in real life. They also get some of the best crowds in Newcastle, and you can usually expect a bit of a party, especially if there’s a local hero onstage. Plus there’s a world-class pub upstairs, with a wide selection of drinks and a top-notch burger, and the theatre-style Cluny 2 venue next door for those bands where you’d be better off sitting down.

Yes, that building opposite the union with the bust fence on the roof is not just home to one of Newcastle’s more puzzling pieces of modern art, it is in fact a functioning theatre. You’ll find innovative productions of old classics, performances from children’s groups, the work of our very own NUTS, and complete mindbenders like Insane In The Brain, a breakdancing hiphop musical based on One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Prices are cheap for live theatre, and they’ve got something to suit every mood.

If you prefer films that can be described without irony as ‘audio-visual projects’, the Star and Shadow is probably the cinema for you. It has one of the most unique film programmes your likely to come across, including art-house ventures, indie documentaries and political thinkpieces, many of which come complete with in-person appearances from the filmmakers, and very few of which you’ll ever be able to watch anywhere else.

presents your guide to...

ON DUTY

The Courier

.13

Friday 20 September 2013

Sunday

And so it begins.

What better way to start your time at Newcastle than by pledging undying allegiance to your halls via the time-honoured medium of fancy dress?

Get on your gear and assemble with your clan, then do battle with your rivals on the dancefloor.

Liberty Plaza Theme: Musketeers Meet: Students Union

ON D

UTY

OFF D

Bowsden Court Theme: Pirates Meet: Students Union

Castle Court Theme: Roman emperors Meet: Leazes Dining Hall

Castle Leazes Theme: Roman soldiers and gladiators Meet: Leazes Dining Hall

Henderson Hall Theme: Vikings Meet: Henderson Hall Lawn

Home students/private rented Theme: Ninjas Meet: Students Union Leazes Parade Theme: Egyptians Meet: Students Union

UTY

Marris House Theme: Cowboys Meet: Central Green @ Richardson Road

St. Mary’s Theme: Cavemen Meet: Lawn area @ St. Mary’s

Postgraduate Theme: Egyptians Meet: Students Union

Victoria Halls Theme: English Knights Meet: Students Union

Richardson Road Theme: Native Americans Meet: Central Green @ Richardson Road

Windsor Terrace Theme: Scottish Rebels Meet: Students Union

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Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Monday

Daytime events Evening events American football: 12pm-6pm

Angel of the North trip: 3pm Aquarium trip: 2pm Archery: 2.30pm Baking society: 1.30pm Baltic Gallery tour: 3pm BBQ: 2pm Beach trip: 11.15, 2.15 Beamish games: 10.30am-3.30pm Bowling: 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm Boxing ring inflatable: 10am-4pm Centre For Life trip: 2.30pm City sightseeing bus tour: 10.41am, 11.11am, every hour to 2.41pm, 3.11pm Cocktail training: Half-hourly 10.30am to 3.30pm Crazy golf: 11.30am, 2pm, 3pm Discovery Museum: 3pm Gladiator inflatable: 10am-4pm Go Ape: Hourly 10am-3pm Hancock Museum: 3pm Hidden City treasure hunt: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Ice skating: 10am, 2pm Jesmond bar tour: 12pm, 2pm Jesmond Dene bike trip: 11am, 2.30pm Laing Gallery: 3pm Live theatre tour: 2pm Metrocentre & Ikea trip: 3pm NUDJ society: 10.30am-3.30pm Paintballing: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Quad biking & mud-buggying: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm Rock climbing: 2.30pm, 3.30pm Rodeo bull: 10am-4pm St James’ Park trip: 12pm, 2pm Tynemouth beach trip: 11am, 2pm Victoria tunnels: 2.15pm Volleyball: 2pm-4pm Wagamama’s trip: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm ON DUTY

OFF DUTY

Cinema trip: 7pm Grub crawl: 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm Pub quiz: 6.30pm Tea party & swing lessons: 8pm

The Courier

.15

Friday 20 September 2013

Red wristband Monday Blue wristband Tuesday Calling all guys and dolls, gangsters and molls - Prohibition is back in force in Newcastle, so get on your gladrags and come down to the Union’s secret speakeasy. We’re really putting on the ritz, with the hottest electroswing sounds in town and drinks offers you can’t refuse. Whether you’re an angel with a dirty face, or just a dirty-rotten-no-good rat, Venue is the place to be from 8pm.

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Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Tuesday Daytime events American football: 10am-4pm Angel of the North trip: 3pm Aquarium trip: 2pm Archery: 2.30pm Baking society: 1.30pm Baltic Gallery tour: 3pm BBQ: 2pm Bowling: 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm Boxing ring inflatable: 10am-4pm Centre For Life trip: 2.30pm City sightseeing bus tour: 10.41am, 11.11am, every hour to 2.41pm, 3.11pm Cocktail training: Half-hourly 10.30am to 3.30pm Crazy golf: 11.30am, 2pm, 3pm Discovery Museum: 3pm Gilbert and Sullivan society: 6pm Gladiator inflatable: 10am-4pm Go Ape: Hourly 10am-3pm Hancock Museum: 3pm Hidden City treasure hunt: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Ice skating: 10am, 2pm Jesmond bar tour: 12pm, 2pm Jesmond Dene bike trip: 11am, 2.30pm Laing Gallery: 3pm Live theatre tour: 2pm Metrocentre & Ikea trip: 3pm NUDJ society: 10.30am-3.30pm Paintballing: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Quad biking & mud-buggying: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm Rock climbing: 2.30pm, 3.30pm Rodeo bull: 10am-4pm St James’ Park trip: 12pm, 2pm Surfing: 2pm, 3.15pm Tynemouth beach trip: 11am, 2pm Victoria tunnels: 2.15pm Volleyball: 2pm-4pm Wagamama’s trip: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm ON DU

TY

OFF DU TY

Evening events Cinema trip: 7pm Dog racing: 6pm Gilbert & Sullivan society: 6.30pm Grub crawl: 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm Star & Shadow cinema trip: 7pm Tea party & swing lessons: 8pm

Blue wristband Monday Red wristband Tuesday

Photo: National Portrait Gallery

The Courier

Friday 20 September 2013

.17

Good Vibrations is here to take you on a magical mystery tour through the groovy toon, with the soundtrack of four decades of musical goodness lighting the way. Whether you’re a day-glo raver or a punk rocker, a hip-hop head or just a hippie, we’ve got it covered.

Think dancers, photobooths, and a visual spectacle from the people at world-renowned super-club Digital. Meet at the Union at 8.

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The Courier

Wednesday Daytime events ON D

UTY

Angel of the North trip: 3pm Aquarium trip: 2pm Baltic Gallery tour: 3pm Beach trip: 11.15am, 2.15pm Beamish games: 10.30am-3.30pm Bowling: 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm Centre For Life trip: 2.30pm City sightseeing bus tour: 10.41am, 11.11am, every hour to 2.41pm, 3.11pm Cocktail training: Half-hourly 10.30am to 3.30pm Crazy golf: 11.30am, 2pm, 3pm Dance society: 1.30pm Discovery Museum: 3pm Greyhound Racing: 10.30pm Go Ape: Hourly 10am-3pm Halal Tasting & Halal: 10.30am Hancock Museum: 3pm Hidden City treasure hunt: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Ice Hockey: 11.15am, 12.15pm Ice skating: 10am, 2pm Jesmond bar tour: 12pm, 2pm Jesmond Dene bike trip: 11am, 2.30pm Laing Gallery: 3pm Live theatre tour: 2pm Metrocentre & Ikea trip: 3pm NUDJ society: 10.30am-3.30pm Paintballing: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Quad biking & mud-buggying: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm Real Ale & Cider tasting: 2.00pm Rock climbing: 2.30pm, 3.30pm Rodeo bull: 10am-4pm St James’ Park trip: 12pm, 2pm Surfing: 12.45pm, 2pm, Tynemouth beach trip: 11am, 2pm Victoria tunnels: 2.15pm Volleyball: 2pm-4pm Wagamama’s trip: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

Evening events OFF

DUT

Y

Cinema trip: 7pm Comedy hypnotist: 9pm Wine tasting: 6pm

Live music all day outside the Union building featuring: Will Connor Jonny Stemp Lion Hall Emergency Door Release The Deets What Gorilla?

Unsung Lilly

We don’t half spoil you sometimes. Not only do you get an evening of frivolities at the Gate, but Freshtival also includes an all-day musical smorgasbord from midday, featuring the cream of the North East’s burgeoning new music scene. Music Editor Ian Mason caught up with indie rockers Emergency Door Release ahead of their appearance Formed in 2011 while students at Newcastle University, Emergency Door Release have made waves in their short time together. Having already undertaken and equally impressively made a profit on their first nationwide tour, selling out a variety of dates after national airplay on Tom Robinson’s 6Music show, they now have plans to hit Liverpool’s Parr Street Studio to record a pair of EPs. EDR describe themselves as alt-indie, drawing influence from Arctic Monkeys, White Lies and The Courteeners, and for those who like what they hear and want to catch more after the festival, the band have generously offered to put on a secret warm up show for a lucky few who message them with the code Courier15 via their Facebook page, where you can also stream a selection of their older material. Preparing for the show, we sent our man down to speak to frontman James and bass player Dave to get a feel as to what we should expect come their performance at Freshtival.

How did the band actually get together?

We actually came together via Internet listings.

I [James] wanted to put a band together and ad-

vertised online. We’ve actually changed line up a couple of times since the evolution of the band, and while we play as a four-piece, we are currently looking for a permanent drummer so should anyone like what they hear and think they’re up to the task they’re more than welcome to get in touch. At the time we were all students at Newcastle, I’m actually about to go back to undertake my Masters in Business Management while our guitarist Tom is there reading chemistry.

What should we expect from your performance at Freshtival?

Well, for ours we saw a selection of early 90’s pop stars, we think it was Blue and maybe parts of S Club 7, so we’re a little different to that. We share their energy onstage in that James isn’t a frontman who likes to stand still, but that’s about the extent of the similarity. We’ll play around a 30 minute set, and we’ll do our best to cram all the material from both of the new EP’s in. Our live shows have gone down really well in the past, so hopefully it’ll be a great show.

The Courier

Friday 20 September 2013

.19

Tonight the Gate opens its doors to all years at 9pm for Freshtival.

Celebrity guests will be dropping in for a taste of Newcastle’s party spirit: • Basshunter • Fatman Scoop • Spencer Matthews • Duncan Bannatyne • Chelsea Ferguson • Dirty Sanchez • Big Beat Bronson • Artful Dodger • Bionik Funk Anyone hoping for a Made In Chelsea v Geordie Shore punch-up will be disappointed though - when we asked him last year, Spencer described Gaz et al as “really lovely, actually”. What a nice chap.

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Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Thursday Daytime events

Afro-Caribbean society: 3pm Angel of the North trip: 3pm Aquarium trip: 2pm Arts & Crafts: 11.30am Baltic Gallery tour: 3pm Beach trip: 11.15am, 2.15pm Beamish trip: 11.15am Bowling: 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm, 3.30pm Brew Dog experience: 2.30pm Centre For Life trip: 2.30pm City sightseeing bus tour: 10.41am, 11.11am, every hour to 2.41pm, 3.11pm Cocktail training: Half-hourly 10.30am to 3.30pm Crazy golf: 11.30am, 2pm, 3pm Discovery Museum: 3pm Fell walking: 1pm Go Ape: Hourly 10am-3pm Hancock Museum: 3pm Hidden City treasure hunt: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Ice skating: 10am, 2pm Jesmond bar tour: 12pm, 2pm Laing Gallery: 3pm Live theatre tour: 11.45am, 2pm Metrocentre & Ikea trip: 3pm NUDJ society: 10.30am-3.30pm Paintballing: 10am, 12pm, 2pm Poker: 2.30pm Quad biking & mud-buggying: 10.30am, 12.30pm, 2.30pm Real ale society: 2pm Rock climbing: 2.30pm, 3.30pm Rodeo bull: 10am-4pm St James’ Park trip: 12pm, 2pm Surfing: 3.15pm Table tennis: 12pm Thai boxing: 11.30am Tynemouth beach trip: 11am, 2pm Victoria tunnels: 2.15pm Volleyball: 2pm Wagamama’s trip: 11.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm

Evening events Cinema trip: 7pm Grub crawl: 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm Theatre trip: 6.30pm

The Courier

.21

Friday 20 September 2013

Welcome It’s here at last - the final night of Freshers’ Week 2013.

Alas! But try to hold back the tears for the moment, because we’ve still got the daddy of Freshers’ events to round it all off. Back once again for the fifth consecutive year is Pandamonium, starring multi-platinum-selling, arena-filling, festival-smashing pop behemoth Example and his good friend DJ Wire, no less. The party starts at the Union at 8, so get on your best panda fancy-dress and dance like you’re a member of an endangered species.

OFF DUTY

ON DUTY

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Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Friday

Daytime events All 10am - 4pm

Info Garden Surf & Sea Glass Jewellery Ouseburn Coffee Company Brownie Bar Tasty Thai Deli New Zealand Pie Company Papa Ganoush Ellen’s Cosmetics Pizette The Sugar Down Bakery Free Haircuts Green Fund Creature Encounters Home Brewed Beer Free Massages Laceys Cheese Stall Caricaturist Vintage Boutique Newcastle Soupie OFF DUTY

ON DUTY

Freshers’ FAQs

Whoever you are, Freshers’ Week is an amazing time to meet new people, so here is a short guide to the most common questions students ask us about it.

I don’t drink alcohol, is Freshers Week for me?

Absolutely! We organise a vast variety of activities during the week both in the daytime and the evening.

During the day, we have paintballing, trips to the coast, shopping trips to the Metrocentre and bike tours to name just a few.

In the evenings, we have grub crawls where you get a 3 course meal with a starter, main and dessert in different restaurants; cinema tickets where you pick the film; theatre trips to see the ‘wet house’ or ‘a fiddler on the roof’; and a tea party at the Union.

Our larger evening events such as Pandemonium and Freshtival are also for all, you do not need to drink alcohol to come along and enjoy them and don’t forget our de fresh day on Friday.

We also have meet and greet drop in sessions for Post Graduate, Mature students and International students.

Are places limited for activities?

Yes, all places are allocated on a first come, first served basis but we put each activity on a number of times to you give you as much opportunity as possible.

Spaces for activities are released on the day at 8am so Monday’s activities will be released at 8am on Monday morning, Tuesday’s activities

will be released at 8am on Tuesday morning, and so on.

Each day, from Monday to Thursday, we have up to 60 trips going out as well as activities in and around the Students’ Union.

There is so much to do, and a fair bit of free food around as well – it is up to you how much value you get from your wristband.

I am struggling to make friends and not sure what to do with my time?

Come along to the info garden outside the Students’ Union, grab a cuppa and have a chat with one of our Chief Supervisors.

We can help you to get involved and if you are needing more specialist support, we can also let you know where you can access this.

Do I need to go to my introductory lectures, sometimes FW activities are on at the same time as these?

Yes, you do and all of the activities that might be on during the morning are always repeated after 2pm so there is no need for you to miss them. It’s likely you’ll have a chance to go on everything.

Just make sure you get down to sign up at 8am and get booked in for the afternoon for those activities that require sign up.

The Courier

presidentwelcome.23

Friday 20 September 2013

Your democracy, get involved Hello Mr President

S

tudent Council is your chance to have your say, be heard and make a difference to students’ lives. Through Council students make changes to your Union, your Campus and your Community.

Jason Watson, the Chair of Council, agrees: “Apart from meeting many great people, Council meetings are incredibly interesting. We discuss issues from a large variety of backgrounds, from lower bus pass prices for students, to fi-

nancial support for Syrian students and the introduction of the living wage for Union employees.”

Getting involved is really simple – just turn up.

Any student is welcome at Council - to ask questions of their elected Officers, to hear about what the SU are doing or to debate the hot issues of the day.

There are 6 meetings a year and none are scheduled to last any more than an hour and a half. So there is really no ex-

cuse not to come along, there are even sandwiches and cookies.

Want to be more involved? Get voting!

8 of 69 Council seats are open for any interested student.

Stand for election (don’t worry, it isn’t overly complicated or formal, just a show of hands), it’s something that Jason would We discuss recmany issues, strongly o m m e n d : from lower “Those who atbuss pass tend Council are able to follow and prices for students to the influence these discussions and introduction understand the of the living arguments bewage for Union hind certain decisions. Becoming employees a Councillor also looks great on anyone’s CV!” The meeting is on 10th October at 5pm in the History Room of the Union.

Even without a vote, you can set the tone of the debate.

If there’s something you really want to do, something that is really winding you up and want to see fixed, then you can submit a motion that will be discussed and voted on.

Or even easier: change one thing. If you have a really pressing idea, but don’t want to write a motion, why not post it now on Change One Thing? https:// apps.ncl.ac.uk/nusu/changeonething. aspx.

If your idea receives over 40 ‘likes’ by students in a month, it will be taken to Council to be debated and voted on by students.

New chief at the Students’ Union Calum Mackenzie welcomes you to the Toon

Hi! Firstly welcome to Newcastle, you really are in for the time of your life.

From the moment you step on campus, you’ll become involved in the Students’ Union.

We are responsible for societies, sports teams, and volunteering opportunities as well as many much. We aim to be as inclusive as possible and offer as many opportunities as we can.

It’s a great way to get involved in university life as a first year. There is hopefully something on offer to appeal to every single person.

This year I want to make sure that we engage with as many different students as possible, no matter if they are a first year undergraduate or a 25-year old PhD student, we are here for all of them.

Getting involved in Union activiallows you Freshers’ Week ties discover your is the perfect to favourite sport opportunity to (hockey anyone?), your favourite discover the many activities, pastime (poker? making?) clubs, societies cocktail or your artistic and events talent (comedy, that your Union dance, theatre?).

M a y b e has to offer you’ve always wanted to learn a new language or have a go at writing for a newspaper, whatever it is, you’ll find it here.

Freshers’ Week is the perfect opportunity to discover the many activities, clubs, societies and events that your Union has

HI CALUM!

President president.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUpresident Facebook: /NUSUpresident

to offer. I’d recommend getting involved as much as possible. It is a great week and a great opportunity. Don’t worry about it too much and just throw yourself in. Meet new people, get involved in as many different activities as possible and try new, different things.

I remember wandering around the old Students’ Union in a badly constructed panda outfit as part of pandamonium, and these are memories, which are going to stay with you for a long time to come so make the most of it!

I’ve had a great 3 years here and really want to make sure everyone has exactly the same chance to enjoy Newcastle as much as I have done, so whether you have an idea, question or just want to chat about anything to do with your time here at Newcastle, send me an email or just stop by my desk which you’ll find in the Student Union.

The Courier

rep&demwelcome.25

Friday 20 September 2013

Well wonderful Educating HI EMILY!

Welfare and Equality Officer welfare.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUwelfare Facebook: /NUSUwelfare

Hi! I’m Emily and I’m your Welfare and Equality Officer for this year.

Throughout Freshers’ Week you’ll find me in the Info Garden outside of the Union with lots of useful information

don’t be pressured into it, no matter how ‘cool’ it might seem. If you drink, please be safe, know your limits and have some water or a soft drink in between - check the deals, some bars have free soft drinks.

I might also approach you with a strange request – to pee in a pot. More than 1 in 10 students have chlamydia so we will be giving out free test kits throughout the week, the results are completely confidential.

Freshers’ Week is about having fun, but it can also be quite intimidating because there is a big expectation to immediately have fun.

If you feel a bit down, want a listening ear or are simply a bit lost, have a chat to one of the officers, they’re all wearing purple hoodies and will be able to help you.

There is also the Student Advice Cen-

“I will be here for guidance on all things to do with student welfare, from sexual and mental health to housing and finances” about student life at Newcastle.

Freshers’ Week is about having an amazing time, so make the most of it.

When people talk about Newcastle Freshers’ Week, it is because of the incredible daytime events, so get stuck in.

Sign up for clubs, societies and Union events and meet as many new people as possible.

But remember that a drink too many can easily turn a fantastic night into a nightmare. You don’t have to drink, so

tre in the Union and Nightline, our confidential student listening service.

After Freshers’ Week, I will be running several big campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness Week.

I will also be here for guidance on all things to do with student welfare, from sexual and mental health to housing and financial advice.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, my drop-in session is Wednesday, 122pm, but my door is always open.

Newcastle I’m Eve and I have been elected by the students at Newcastle University as this year’s Education Officer. My job is to make sure you have a say in your own education while you are studying here at Newcastle.

While you are at Newcastle, you have the opportunity to influence and shape the structure of your course. Every year, each course elects students to become course reps who attend staff-student committees where they tell their lecturers what the students really think about their course, both positive and negative.

If you’re not happy with something, you

can moan about it as much as you want, but by telling your course rep you can make a real change. This information is then passed on to a student whose job it is to represent your whole school: your school rep. Your school rep. then reports back to me so I can present all this feedback at senior university committees to make sure your voice is heard.

As well as this, being a Course Rep is a great way for you to improve your CV, enhance your employability skills and gain recognition for your hard work. By becoming a course rep, you could also apply for an NCL+ award and possibly

HI EVE!

Education Officer education.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUeducation Facebook: /NUSUeducation

win £300 reward for your efforts!

To celebrate academic excellence and inspirational lecturers, we also run the Teaching Excellence Awards, where you can nominate your lecturer in a number of different categories. There are very prestigious awards and there will be a big ceremony in May to celebrate.

During Freshers’ Week you’ll see me around campus and I will be giving induction talks, too. Afterwards, please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any problems relating to your course or academic experience, drop into my office or send me an email.

newcastlesu

twitter.com/

whey

AYE!

26.studentmedia

Friday 20 September 2013

Thinking about a career in the media industry? Then look no further than the opportunities on offer from the three arms of student media here at Newcastle University Students’ Union – that is, The Courier (this very newspaper), NSR (Newcastle Student Radio) and TCTV (The Courier Television).

If you have an interest in becoming a journalist, working for The Courier is the best addition for your CV that your time at university can offer.

Named Publication of the Year at the 2012 Guardian Student Media Awards and nominated again in 2013, The Courier newspaper has been part of student life at Newcastle University since 1948.

Released every Monday during term time at a standard length of 40 pages, along with a daily updated website, The Courier is one of the largest weekly student newspapers in the country and plays a crucial role in informing and entertaining the student population.

It’s distributed across campus - to halls of residence, the Robinson Library, the Sports Centre, the Medical School, the Law School and the Students’ Union building.

With a strong national reputation,

many contributors to the newspaper have gone on to have successful careers in newspapers, television, publishing and public relations.

To highlight just a handful of names over the last few years: Simon Murphy won Reporter of the Year at the 2011 Guardian Student Media Awards, current Editor George Sandeman was named Student Journalist of the Year at the 2012 NUS Awards.

Gemma Davies now works at Sky Sports News, Dave Coverdale is a football reporter for The Sun whilst Fran Infante, Larisa Brown and Wills Robinson are all at the Daily Mail with Alice Vincent an entertainment writer at The Telegraph.

Even if you don’t want to be a journalist and are just looking for an activity to enhance your student experience, The Courier offers opportunities in writing, reporting, photography, artwork, web

Broadcasting online 24 hours a day and around the Students’ Union, NSR is the voice of Newcastle University and Northumbria University students, keeping you up to date and on the pulse of all the latest student news and gossip, locally and nationally.

The station is crammed with some 200 volunteers (but we’re always after more), top quality equipment (and getting better all the time) and our listeners go for everything from synth-pop to huge disco tunes.

We also pioneer some incredible chat shows and promote the newest spoken word, radio plays and interviews produced and written by our own students.

What better place for a student interested in the media to get their first years of hands-on experience?

Managing the constant studio chaos are Bridget Hamilton and Peff Soulsby, third year students and enthusiastic costation managers.

Peff has hosted stacks of DJ events around Newcastle and is your go-to girl for anything entertainment related.

Bridget is a marketing guru and is always open to new ways of promoting

the NSR brand.

Together, their aim is to produce interesting, engaging radio that Newcastle Students can be involved in and relate to, and – most importantly – have fun doing so.

Like union societies, NSR has its own very active social calendar so DJs and producers can get to know each other.

We also put on a range of events and live DJ sets throughout the year, including weekly sets with the NU:DJ society and outdoor live sets during Freshers’ Week, RAG Week and Union Week.

Many of the station’s members going on to run club nights around Newcastle and even start promotion companies of their own.

Get Involved, we want you!

Whether you’re looking to present a show, gain marketing experience, write for broadcast, join our technical wizardry crew or just to take part in the fun there’s a place for you within our station.

To find out more email us at nsr.stationmanager@ncl.ac.uk and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

and design.

This year The Courier will cover News, Comment, Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Music, Arts, Film, TV, Science and Sport along with daily updates online.

Whatever your interest, you can try your hand at a variety of different reporting and writing styles, while helping keep our readers informed and entertained about everything happening on campus and in student life.

A hand-picked team of around 40 sub-editors are responsible for engaging with new writers, editing their material and laying it up on the pages and web-

s i t e which you then read.

They are all full-time students and often work around 20 hours a week alongside their studies to make sure The Courier maintains its nationally recognised high standards.

To get involved, sign-up at The Courier stall during the Clubs and Societies Fair in the Sports Centre on the 23 and 24 September.

Keep an ear out for more about our introductory Freshers’ meeting on Tuesday 1 October in the History Room on Level 1 of the Students’ Union building – there, you’ll be able to meet the edito-

The Courier

rial team and find out how you can get started with the next edition out on Monday 14 October.

For more information on how you can get involved with us, feel free to contact via email (editor.union@ncl.ac.uk), on Twitter (@NUSUeditor) or on Facebook (facebook.com/NUSUeditor).

You can also get the latest from The Courier on Twitter (@CourierOnline) and Facebook (facebook.com/thecourieronline).

The Courier is open to everyone and we hope to meet you soon!

The Courier

studentmedia&activities.27

Friday 20 September 2013

A fan of Panorama? Is Sun, Sex and Suspicious Parents a guilty pleasure?

Got what it takes to be the next Rageh Omar or even Ant ‘n Dec? Interested in getting involved in production? Ever thought what it might be like to work in front or behind of the camera?

Well TCTV is the Newcastle University Students’ Union television station and we are dedicated to producing high quality and student-focused information and entertainment.

So if you are interested in anything from presenting to editing, filming to producing, or even creating animations and script writing, TCTV really does cover all areas of being involved in TV. We offer a supportive environment in

which we aim to develop each individual’s skills, so whether you are a beginner or well practiced, we’ve got something for you.

We’ve run a wide range of shows over the last couple of years: from Bigg Market Banter to The Unmastered Art of Baking and from Newcastle Takes On... to The Core.

And we’ve got a whole lot more to come this year, particularly with out own student based drama!

Join our lovely team and enjoy covering all of the campus’ key events as well as much more, whilst you build up your CV, improve your employability prospects and make some new friends in the process.

SCAN (Student Community Action Newcastle) was established in the 1960s and helps students access volunteering opportunities across the North East.

We currently offer a huge range of volunteering opportunities in the community as well as running a successful programme of young person-led projects, and one-off/taster volunteering opportunities.

Volunteering with SCAN is free and gives you the chance to develop great skills in loads of different environments.

Whether you are wanting to beef up

your CV, meet new people or just have a break from studying, SCAN will have a project for you.

Warning: Side effects of volunteering may include, a greater feeling of well being, an increase in friends and being able to sleep easier at night (though please note, there is absolutely no evidence to support the latter claim!)

SCAN also offers SCAN One-Off projects. It’s a simple concept – for a half or full day (often on Wednesday afternoons), volunteers help out in a community-based project to get a task done.

Previous activities have included tree

Go Global focuses on boosting awareness of all things international on campus.

We want to improve the experience of both home students and international students by increasing cross-cultural understanding which is done through teamwork challenges in Go Global activities as well as through our weekly ‘Conversation!’ meeting.

We also focus on pairing students from different home cultures and letting them work together to solve particular challenges. ‘Conversation!’ is about meeting new students and sharing different perspectives and learning about the world from someone else’s point of view.

We will have one-off events throughout the year as well, so check out the Students’ Union website for those.

For more information visit http:// www.nusu.co.uk/international or email global.union@ncl.ac.uk

Fancy something new?

Ever wanted to try something new but been too scared of the commitment? Or felt you didn’t have the right skills or experience? Well don’t panic, now you can!

Give It a Go offers you opportunities to try out new activities, visit new places and test new things without having to have had any past experience and without wanting to commit to the cause, (however if you do like what you’ve tried then there are plenty of options to take your new found love further).

The programme runs as taster sessions over the course of the year, and consists of free (yes you read that right!) or low cost activities which you can try out on a one-off basis.

This term we’ve got trips to the top Go Play! is the ‘alternative sports programme’ at Newcastle University, giving students an opportunity to try a new sport, pick up an old one or just dip in and out without needing to commit.

There are no membership fees, no commitments and no pressure to compete – it’s just fun and friendly sport for all!

We offer many different sports every term, each one running for six weeks. You don’t need any experience or equipment – every session is suitable for beginners and all equipment is provided. Most sports are £3 per week or £10 for six weeks, but some are FREE, so look out for those!

Sports we’ve put on have included: golf, lacrosse, netball, basketball, dodgeball, fencing, archery, orienteering , table tennis, kickboxing, climbing and much more so come and join us!

For everything except the ‘turn up & play’ sports, you need to book a place, as they

planting, river clean-ups, beach surveys and gardening work.

These projects don’t require a regular commitment, are a great taster for anyone new to volunteering and often you can just turn up and go. With these projects, you’ll learn new skills, meet new people and see the difference you can make in a few hours.

To find out more, email Phil using scan@ncl.ac.uk or visitnusu.co.uk/scan.

With SCAN your volunteering won’t go unnoticed! ‘Vfifty’ is a national charity promoting youth volunteering. If you’re aged 16-25 years, then you can get recognition for all the hard work you’re putting in to benefit others.

You can apply through SCAN for a ‘vfifty’ award if you complete 50 hours of volunteering in any 12 month period.

There is even a certificate for One-Off volunteering!

Getting involved is dead easy - everyone involved with SCAN is friendly and are there to help! You don’t need an appointment – just pop into our office in the Students’ Union building for a chat on Level 1 in the Activities Centre.

of Grey’s M o n u ment in the city centre, a day Caving through the Yorkshire Dales, tours through Newcastle’s Victoria Tunnels, and sessions including pole dancing and Capoeira - a Brazilian cross between martial arts and acrobatic dance and much, much more. There is something for everyone!

If you’re interested to see what else we have on offer, you can visit us at: nusu. co.uk/giag or have a chat with us and pick up a brochure in the Activities Centre on Level 1 of the SU building.

If there is something that tickles your fancy, be sure to register your interest early as places are often snapped up quickly.

You can do this by emailing Tim using giag.union@ncl.ac.uk or popping into see him at the Activities Centre.

If there is something you wish to share, or think others would enjoy feel free to drop Tim an email as well.

Go on…Give it a Go!

are limited and go quickly.

To sign up, just drop by the Students’ Union and pay a visit to the Activities Centre (1st floor) at the Go Play desk.

You can pay for just one week, or all six weeks of one sport – the choice is yours!

28.societies

Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Welcome to the not so secret societies Performing? Political? Pilates? Pokémon? Whatever floats your boat, you’ll likely find it here. Indulge your interests and make new friends

H

ello, I‘m Rosie Leatherland and I’m your Activities Officer for 2013-2014. I know the Students’ Union inside out and have a passion for enhancing the student experience through all that the union has to offer. There is something for everyone, and getting involved alongside your degree is a great way to enhance your CV, your social life and your experience as a student.

I am here to guide you through the 175 societies we have here at NUSU and help you add something extra to your time at Newcastle University. There is so much to choose from so whether you need help joining a society, running a society, or if you can think of something we’re missing and want to start your own, just get in touch!

HI ROSIE!

Activities Officer activities.union@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUactivities Facebook: /NUSUactivities

Course & Career Accounting - Social and academic group for anyone with relevant interest. A forward-thinking society with career workshops, intra-mural sports and regular socials.

Agricultural - Fun loving society for those looking for a break from uni with a host of socials and intramural sports teams. Non-agrics welcome.

AIESEC - Platform for youth leadership development offering student exchanges. Active in 110 countries with 60,000 members, the world’s largest student-run organisation.

Ancient History - Far from boring, this society offers a wide range of socials, field trips to the UK and Europe and exciting guest lecturers. Academic support is also available.

Archaeology - Casual socials for people interested in archaeology. Guest lectures, ‘Night at the Museum’ at the Great North Museum and céilidh, culminating in an end of year ball.

Architecture –Bringing together students from all stages. Includes intramural sports, beach trips, annual balls and trips abroad. Gets you discounted art materials at Blackwell’s and reduced club entry.

Art - Welcomes enthusiasts from all disciplines to join in workshops, attend film nights, go to exhibition and gallery openings or let your hair down at the clubs. Exhibition opportunities available.

BioSci - For those doing biomedical and biomolecular science. Plenty of socials including old favourite ‘Mad Scientist Bar Tour’ and a BBQ. Also fundraise for charity.

BioSoc - For all studying biology or related courses. Array of socials and summer ball plus academic and career events. Sports teams too.

CEG - All those studying Civil Engineering or Geosciences welcome. Regular nights out, charity events, a Christmas ball, trips and industry talks.

Chemical Engineering - Socials, industry talks and excursions, including Frank Morton Sports Day 2014. For everyone studying in the School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials.

Combined Honours - Meet people studying a range of different subjects. Variety of socials and events and loads of sporty stuff to get involved in.

Creative Writing - Engage in creative activities and exercises. Attend themed social evenings, starting with a Dr. Seuss theme, and visits to cultural events to learn about career opportunities in writing.

Economics - Make friends on your course going on big nights out after stressful deadlines, going paintballing or visiting the big financial institutions in London.

Eldon (Law) - Activities throughout the year from socials to careers to academic events such as client interviewing, negotiation classes and mooting competitions.

Emergency Medicine - Teaching, lectures and work experience for undergraduates. Talks, training days and revision sessions on emergency medicine and pre-hospital care including air ambulances.

ENACTUS Newcastle - International non-profit where participating students apply business concepts to outreach projects that improve people’s quality of life. Includes fun weekly socials.

Engineers without Boarders Society - International development organisation with projects tackling issues such as pumps and shelters in developing countries. Hands-on workshops included.

English - Join for cultural events such as theatre, museum and cinema trips. A variety of exciting socials including meals, bar crawls and picnics are on offer.

Environmental Science - Bringing together likeminded people to socialise. Expect pub quizzes, cinema trips, nights out and trips to Alnwick Castle and Edinburgh zoo among others.

Finance - Educating members about careers in Finance through great speakers, external seminars and visits at big financial institutions.

Bloomberg Aptitude Test exams can be taken.

GeogSoc - Aims to be at the centre of the Newcastle geography community.

Socials, sports teams, trips and formal events.

Look out for the Annual Geography Textbook Shop to save some money.

History - Committed to promoting socialising and visiting historical places amongst History students and those with an interest in the field. Highlights: History Society Annual Trip and Annual Ball.

Linguistics - Aims to promote socials and networking activities between linguistic and language students. Expect bar crawls, fancy dress socials, meals and legendary quiz nights.

Management - Running socials and workshops such as interview skills and placement years plus intramural sports. Get involved in planning and promoting the business school ball.

MarkSoc - Helping you make the best of your student experience with monthly socials at Newcastle’s best clubs, offering work experience, and valuable workshops.

MathSoc - Run by students for students and one of the largest societies on campus, hosting a wide variety of events like pub quizzes, Christmas and Summer Balls, career talks and weekends away.

MACS (Media and Culture) - New for 2013/14, MACS provides a community for Combined Honours, Media and Culture students to socialise or learn more about academic and work opportunities.

Medsin - A student network and registered charity tackling health inequalities through education, advocacy and community action. Take part in lectures, debates, socials and charity fundraising.

Modern Languages - For students with a passion for languages to make friends, try a new language, go abroad or just have a great time at the cinema,

the bar crawl and the salsa tasters.

Music - At the heart of the uni’s music scene, bringing music lovers together through gigs, themed nights out and getting involved.

Neurological Society - Raising awareness of clinical and non-clinical aspects of Neurology through lectures, conferences and workshops.

Philosophy - A platform for students to explore philosophy through talks, films and debates. Socialising with like-minded people afterwards.

Planning - Socials and events for planning students to meet others on course and become part of the community. Events range from day trips, nights out to extra-curricular sessions.

Politics - For those from any course interested in political issues and politics in general. Socials, trips abroad, debates and our own Question Time.

PsychSoc - Expect tons of fun at organised nights out in Newcastle City Centre, the Ball, Paintballing or sports in the park, maybe even a trip abroad.

Shock - Providing social activities for the Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering students as well as inter-society events and industrial talks.

Sociology - To allow new and existing students to meet other people on their course and enjoy the Newcastle student life. Support on course material available.

Speech Therapy - Academic society for speech therapy students or those interested to raise awareness of communication difficulties. Socials include themed nights out, beach trips and more.

Surgical - Aims to support medical students seeking a career in surgery.

Activities include viewing autopsies, skill sessions and careers advice.

WetSoc - Society involved with the school of Marine Science and Technology MAST. Trips near to bring people together plus trips here and abroad.

Wilderness Medics - Promote interest in the outdoors alongside teaching how to treat people in challenging environments. Trips during year - for teaching or just brilliant company.

Hobby & Interest Anime - Weekly meetings to watch and discuss anime. Trips to cosplay and comic cons during the year and cinema trips to watch anime films.

Baking - Social baking for any level, meeting biweekly to bake. Also host socials, fundraising events for charities and baking workshops.

Chess - Non-profit society offering relaxed, affordable classes.

Suitable for all levels to improve strategy, critical thinking and concentration.

Circus - Weekly workshops where members can practice and learn a variety of skills. Performance opportunities, socials,

trips to shows. Highlight: Fire spinning workshops.

Cocktail - Drink making and tasting sessions, bar crawls, quizzes and parties plus various opportunities to attend local cocktail master classes.

Comedy - Puts on stand up, sketch and improvised shows, locally and as far away as the Edinburgh Fringe. Opportunity to gain experience in creation, production and performance.

Computer Music Bringing together DJs and producers. Developing members through workshops, shared resources, collaborations and promoting members’ music.

Conservation - Doing worthwhile conservation work whilst having a good time, tree planting, coppicing and dry-stone walling. Frequent socials guaranteed.

Dance - Wide range of classes from ballet to street, for all levels. Perform in competitions, but the year’s highlight is the incredible show in which everyone participates.

Darts - Meeting once a week to play against one another as well as participating in competitions and friendlies. Trips include the Premier League Darts meeting.

Debating - Having tons of fun discussing everything and anything (even zombies) while developing public speaking and presentation skills and building confidence.

DermSoc - Brand new society dedicated to those with an interest in dermatology aiming to raise awareness of skin conditions through talks and practical sessions.

NU:DJ - Providing DJing workshops with the opportunity to practice on industry standard equipment. Also get members sets at club nights around Newcastle.

Erasmus - Social integration and support for participating students, cultural exchanges and learning opportunities for local students.

Fellwalking - Walks every weekend range from difficult ascents to easy valley rambles taking place up and down the UK. Lively social calendar.

Gaming - Calling all gaming-enthusiasts! Come along for online gaming sessions, LAN and split screen events as well as trips to gaming conventions and socials at Bar Loco.

Gilbert and Sullivan – Putting on two Gilbert and Sullivan shows a year the society provides a good laugh for everyone, just come along. No auditions for the chorus.

Irish Dance - Weekly practice and great opportunity to meet new people. Annual show plus performances in St. Patrick’s Day events, fund raisers.

Jazz Orchestra - Big band playing funk, soul, swing with regular gigs including balls, functions and fund raisers plus jamming and improvisation.

Latin, Ballroom and Salsa - Weekly salsa, Latin and ballroom classes, all abilities welcome. Regular socials and trips to dance festivals. Highlight: 2 yearly balls.

LINKS - Student wing of the first aid charity St. John Ambulance providing regular, relaxed first aid training sessions to learn useful skills.

Motorsport – Brings people together at socials

The Courier

and motorsport events. Chance to go karting and maybe even compete for university in the BUKC. Musical Medics - For medical students who aim to put on a musical show to raise money for charity. Open to all abilities, no experience necessary.

Nerd - For those interested in table-top gaming and board games, promote live action role-playing plus organising social events.

NU-Think - Organise speaker-led events and seminars and socials. Centred around promotion of scientific and political issues, ethical debate.

Oikos Newcastle – Aiming to initiate projects to inspire and promote sustainable development ideas in Newcastle University.

People and Planet - Campaigning on ethical and environmental issues. Discussion of issues relevant to students and the university.

Pilates - Weekly classes with a professional instructor, providing a friendly and fun atmosphere.

We cater for everyone and hold regular socials.

Pokemon – Bi-weekly meetings to play Pokemon games, have tournaments and watch movies from the franchise. Socials and trips to other universities.

Poker - For people of all abilities, weekly meetings, playing for points not money in a league with prizes won at the end of each semester.

Pole Dancing - Lessons for all abilities. Additional activities such as burlesque and aerial workshops with nationwide competitions and trips to showcases.

Pool - Provides members with the opportunity to meet up once a week to play pool, snooker and other cue sports at The Hustler (try their nachos!). Regular socials.

Real Ale and Cider Appreciation Society – Discover Newcastle’s finest pubs while trying the best real ales, ciders and perries through regular socials.

Rock - Friendly atmosphere for all types of fan, from goth to grindcore, pung to prog rock, indie to industrial. If you love rock, we are for you.

Rugby referee - Responsible for providing officials for the intra-mural rugby union league and cup fixtures that occur weekly for the first two terms.

Sankirtana – Provides an opportunity to de-stress and relax when uni becomes too much.

Meditation in conjunction

with music will help you.

Socie-Tea – Bringing tea lovers together.

Activities include tea reading, tea sampling, and enjoying all tea has to offer.

Social Tennis - Every Sunday with a mix of singles and doubles in each session. All abilities welcome with the main aim being enjoyment.

Student Orchestra and Choir - Opportunity for students to play and sing music.

Concerts in the winter and spring terms. Active social calendar.

Theatre - We produce 12 full length shows a year and put on the NUTS Drama Festival, offering students a chance to write their own plays.

20 Minute Club - Spontaneous events and activities.

Members will be told via text message where to meet in 20 minutes time for any given outing.

Windband – The Newcastle University Windband allows musicians to come together and play fun, familiar music and put on PHOTOS: MARCEL GRIEDER (FLICKR); ROB CHANT (FLICKR)

societies.29

Friday 20 September 2013

concerts. No auditions necessary.

Yoga - We offer affordable classes for different styles of yoga. Suitable for all abilities, whether you are a novice or are more experienced.

Religion & Culture Afro-Caribbean - Bringing together African and Caribbean students for a ‘home away from home’ experience. Socials, networking, charity events, debates, parties and food fairs.

Anglo-Chinese - Encourage relationships between students studying Chinese and Chinese natives. To broaden interest in Chinese culture.

Anglo-Japanese - For anyone interested in anything

Japanese.

Opportunity for Japanese students and other students to meet.

Meals, parties, trips and fundraising events for earthquake relief funds.

Bulgarian - Aiming to celebrate Bulgarian traditions and promote Bulgarian culture. Provides a meeting point for Bulgarians and those interested in Bulgarian culture.

Caledonian – Teaching you to dance Scottish reels and revel in traditional Scottish music. The dances are easy to pick up and a great tool for making lots of friends.

CathSoc - Works with Catholic chaplains to provide a comfortable environment for students to socialise, meet new people and make new friends.

Christian Union – Aiming to encourage people in their faith, the Christian Union meets every Friday night to worship together and socialise.

Cultural and Heritage Engage in discussion with activities such as heritage site and gallery visits, gigs, lectures, parties and balls.

Desi - Chance to discover South Asian cultures and traditions.

Events include Bollywood dance classes, British Bhangra artists and an annual charity ball to support MacMillan Cancer.

Hellenic - A society established to bring Greeks, Cypriots and people from other nations that wish to learn more about the Hellenic culture together. Expect tons of delicious Greek food and fun activities.

Hindu & Sikh - Providing a taste of Hindu and Sikh culture for all students interested by holding many social events throughout the year and celebrating major festivals like Diwali.

Hong Kong - Uniting Hong Kong students studying at Newcastle University. Organises social activities and gatherings for members.

International - Drawing together students of different nationalities with trips to popular parts of the UK to help integrate international students.

Islamic - Maintains a prayer room, arranges regular lectures, study circles and social events. Hold outreach events to engage the wider community such as ‘Discover Islam Week’.

Jewish - A forum for Jewish students to meet for social, religious and educational purposes regardless of religious background or denomination.

Libyan – Opportunity for members to attend lectures, visits and other activities. Great place to learn more about Libya or getting support when settling into university life as a Libyan student.

Lithuanian - Support, understanding and easier integration into new culture. Variety of activities such as camping, hiking, films and formal events.

Malaysian - For anyone interested in Malaysian culture. Platform for Malaysian students to meet new people and exchange cultural experiences.

Mauritian - Trips to places of interest, meals, film nights, cinema trips, ice skating, paintballing and go-karting. Also celebrate key Mauritian festivals.

Nigerian Students - Bringing people together to do activities promoting patriotism. Socials, networking, volunteering, welcoming new students.

Pagan - Spreading awareness on campus and a forum for members to socialise.

Trips to local beauty spots, ancient sites, as well as open ritual.

Saudi – Support base for new students from Saudi Arabia and those interested in its culture. Variety of events such as gatherings in celebration of holidays, trips and sport activities.

Scandinavian - Want to meet friends, and experience Scandinavian traditions?

Come along and experience Lucia celebrations, Christmas baking, trips to Ikea, national day celebrations and more.

Singapore - Activities throughout the year such as city tours, parties, pub crawls, key festival celebrations, including Christmas and Chinese New Year.

Student Life - Hosts a variety of social evenings and activities with the opportunity to explore the nature of faith and talk about life’s big questions in a relaxed environment.

Syrian - Variety of activities that introduces Syrian culture to other people. Includes parties, Syrian Day, presentations and competitions.

Turkish - Promoting cultural events such as food festivals, movie nights and parties.

Building relationships with students of other countries.

Representative Business School Board of Students – Help to shape the Business School student experience by organising career and networking events, the Business School Ball and meet great people.

CSSA - Chinese Student & Scholars Association supported by the Chinese Government holding various career-focused, social and cultural events.

Conservative - Youth wing of the Conservative Party, holds regular meeting providing a space for casual and friendly discussions on current affairs.

ELSA - Local branch of the European Law Students’ Association. Contributes to legal education at uni through debates, educational trips and conferences.

Feminist - Engaging members in debate and activities relating to feminist issues. Holds socials for members to get to know each other.

Labour - Affiliated with the Labour Party. Regular meetings throughout the year attending various

Labour Party events, we also organise a trip down to Westminster to meet with MPs. Law4NonLaw – Providing information and advice for non-law undergraduates looking to break into law. Mooting competitions, networking and careers events.

LGBT - Social and support society for all lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students at the university, both under- and postgraduate.

Mature Student (MatSoc) – Regular social events at least once a month, to encourage like-minded people to interact and socialise together.

Newcastle Free Education Network - Campaigning for free, publicly funded education for all. This year we will be continuing to raise awareness about cuts and privatisation in HE.

Volunteering Coco - Functions to raise money for the local charity Coco supporting education and healthcare projects in Africa through events such as quizzes and bake-sales.

International Development - Promotes overseas development through organising events, talks, conferences to highlight development issues.

Kids Action Overseas Co-operates with the Light in Africa charity to recruit volunteers to spend 4 weeks in children’s homes in Tanzania.

Marrow - The student branch of charity Anthony Nolan aims to save lives by recruiting donors to the bone marrow register and raise money for research.

Oxfam - Promoting and supporting the aims of Oxfam by collaborating on local campaigns and hosting fundraisers on campus.

Many more volunteering opportunities are offered through NUSU’s SCAN charity.

Visit the Clubs and Societies Fair this week to get involved!

Monday 23rd 12pm - 6pm and Tuesday 24th 10am - 4pm at the Sports Centre or visit nusu.co.uk/soc

30.intramural

Friday 20 September 2013

The Courier

Flatmates? Coursemates? Mates? You have some, so why not sign yourselves up and take on the rest of Uni

By George Sandeman Editor

Intra Mural. No, it isn’t some kind of Banksy-inspired artwork imprinted upon an archaeologically important building.

Actually, Intra Mural is a chance for all you social sportsmen and women to band together and play for bragging rights before going out and spending too much of your student loan on Osborne Road in postmatch celebration or sorrow.

Offering one of the largest schedules of weekly recreational sport in the country, the Intra Mural Sport programme at Newcastle University enrols over 2500 participants.

Students of all sporting abilities are welcome to get involved, with the emphasis firmly on enjoyment and camaraderie rather than winning at all costs.

All the sports are extensively covered by The Courier so keep an eye out for your name in the weekly match reports, particularly if you’ve just been anointed the Lionel Messi of Longbenton after that incredible goal you scored last week.

The programme gives you the flexibility to get involved in the sport you want, to play when you want,

and with the people you want.

You’ll be spending copious amounts of time coming up with a witty team name you can be proud of. In previous years, we’ve had rib ticklers in the form of Not In Your Mum’s Forest, Tony and The Yeboahs and the ever-present Dyslexic Untied.

If you’re not feeling too condent about We’ve had rib firepres ent ing ticklers with Team Newcas‘Not In Your tle, the highMum’s Forest’, est echelon of ‘Tony and The c o m p e t i t i v e Yeboahs’ and sport at the Un i v e r s i t y, the ever-preIntra Musent ‘Dyslexic then ral is a great Untied’ place to start.

If we can guarantee you one thing, it is that you will make some fantastic friendships to add to the ones you’ve already made in halls and on your course.

Without fail, each year of Intra Mural Sport is rammed with drama and excitement. Be prepared to get bitten by the bug and to throw yourself wholeheartedly into it, you won’t regret it.

IF MIXED SPORTS ARE YOUR THING THEN TRY INTRA MURAL HOCKEY

BATTLE THE NEWCASTLE Sports on offer for 2013/14 WEATHER IN INTRA MURAL SPORT Football Netball 5-a-side Thursday 4pm– 5pm or 5pm – 6pm Friday 5pm – 6pm or 6pm – 7pm Sunday 5pm – 7pm

Entry Cost: £160 per team Venue: External pitches (Cochrane Park, Longbenton, Redhall, Close House) Saturday 10.00am – 11am or 11am – 12pm Start Date: Term 1 – 5/9 Oc- Tuesday 4pm – 5pm or 5pm tober 2013 – 6pm

Entry Cost: £25 per team Venue: Sports Centre

Rugby Union

Entry Cost: £30 per team Venue: Sports Centre

Start Date: Term 1 – 6/10/11 October 2013 Start Date: Term 2 – 26/30/31 January, 2014

Saturday 2pm onwards

Start Date: Term 1 – 8/12 October 2013

Entry Cost: £300 per team Venue: External pitches (Cochrane Park, Longben- If you would like to know ton, Redhall, Close House) 7-a-side more about playing Intra Wednesday 5.30pm – 6.45pm Start Date: Term 1 – 9 Octo- Mural sports or register a or 6.45pm – 8pm team, visit ber 2013 www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/camEntry Cost: £35 per team pus/intra-mural Venue: Longbenton 3G pitch Or contact Denis Murphy By email: denis.murphy@ Sunday 3pm – 7pm Start Date: Term 1 – 9/13 ncl.ac.uk October 2013 Or telephone: 0191 222 5349 Cost: £35 per team Start Date: Term 2 – 26/29 Entry Venue: Longbenton Artificial Please note: January 2014 Hockey Pitch All individual participants 11-a-side have obtained their Start Date: Term 1 – 13 Oc- must Wednesday 2pm onwards Silver or Gold Sports Centre tober 2013 Saturday 10am onwards membership at least 24 hours in advance of playing.

Mixed Hockey

The Courier

BUCSsports.31

Friday 20 September 2013

Hey, you! Why not join the AU?

Whether you’re ready to take on Chris Froome or just taking off your stabilisers, the AU could be the place for you. Take a look below at all of the clubs on offer

M

y name is Katie Rimmer and as your Athletics Union Officer and member of the Students’ Union sabbatical team, I am responsible for all things to do with sport at Newcastle. At present you can choose from over 50 different sports clubs ranging from the well-known such as rugby, football, hockey and netball to the less traditional in caving, jitsu and ultimate frisbee.

Whether you want to play sport competitively, against other universities in the BUCS (British University and College Sport) leagues or in Intra Mural competitions with your friends, it is a great chance to improve your skills, meet new people, and get fit. I have had the best 3 years of my life studying at Newcastle University, but I have gained so much more than a degree. Being involved in sport has undoubtedly played a huge part in this.

So, if you fancy getting involved in sport at Newcastle make sure you come to the Clubs and Societies Fair on Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th September of Freshers’ Week at the Sports Centre (opposite Richardson Road Halls) and have a chat with the people already involved.

Every Wednesday, 44 of these clubs compete in the BUCS league against other universities all over the country and Team Newcastle is currently ranked a brilliant 10th! If you are looking for something slightly less competitive, intra mural sport is calling your name where students compete weekly within the University.

Every year, Team Newcastle as a whole competes against Team Northumbria in the varsity competition we call ‘Stan Calvert’. This year we will be fighting to retain the trophy for the 7th year running. As if all that’s not enough, the social side to being in a sports club is next to none and offers the perfect way to let your hair down every Wednesday night.

Below are details of the clubs that the University has to offer; for more information simply go to http://www.ncl.ac.uk/sport/performance/athletic/clubs.htm

Rugby

Aikido

Cricket

Kickboxing

Sub Aqua

American Football

Cycling

Kite & Windsurfing

HI KATIE!

Athletic Union Officer au.union@newcastle.ac.uk Twitter: @NUSUau Facebook: /NUSUau

This powerful method of self protection is based on turning and spinning movements.

Contact: c.henderson2@ncl.ac.uk Regular weekly training and fitness session and socials including Super Bowl party.

Contact: raiderspresident@gmail.com

Archery

Indoor and Outdoor archery with full coaching available.

Contact: a.cross@ncl.ac.uk

Athletics and Cross Country

Athletics team train at Gateshead International Stadium. Cross-country team do hill training and steady runs.

Contact: t.e.davies@ncl.ac.uk

Badminton

Competitive and social sessions for all abilities.

Contact: j.wilkins@ncl.ac.uk

Basketball

Several competitive BUCS teams for men and women.

Contact: Men - j.beresford@ncl.ac.uk Women - r.e.wowk@ncl.ac.uk

Boxing

A great way to get into shape and stay healthy, a sport for everyone.

Contact: k.coyne@ncl.ac.uk

Canoe

Weekly pool sessions and socials, river trips every other week, and the opportunity to play canoe polo, all kit provided.

Contact: canoe@ncl.ac.uk

Caving

Weekend trips to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales every two weeks.

Contact: l.j.anderson@ncl.ac.uk

Cheerleading

Routines formed from a mixture of tumbling, dance, stunts, jumping and cheers performed at national competitions and sporting events.

Contact: b.wadham@ncl.ac.uk

Clay Target Shooting

Shoot at grounds around Newcastle and compete at shoots across the country.

Contact: c.garcia-miralles@ncl.ac.uk

Men’s and women’s teams with an additional noncompetitive team in the Summer Term Contact: m.darby@ncl.ac.uk Downhill, cross-country and road section for all abilities. Compete in BUCS and other events across disciplines.

Contact: j.howlett@ncl.ac.uk

Fencing

Training for all levels, great for fitness and technique.

Contact: a.r.hawke@ncl.ac.uk Lessons for beginners and practice sessions for experienced sailors Contact: v.lyras@ncl.ac.uk

Lacrosse

Fun, tactical and energetic. Improve endurance, core stability and plyometrics. All welcome and full kits provided.

Contact: d.j.ming@ncl.ac.uk

Regular training with both competitive and friendly matches. Fast-paced, physical and exciting. Kit is provided.

Contact: Men - mens.lacrosse@ncl.ac.uk Women - alex.fitzroy-stone@newcastle.ac.uk

Football

Mountaineering

Regular training and matches, also the opportunity to compete at futsal.

Contact: Men - jake_salisbury@hotmail.co.uk Women - k.fisher@ncl.ac.uk

Gaelic Football

Previous playing experience is helpful, but not essential.

Contact: e.mcclean@ncl.ac.uk

Golf

Coaching and range sessions for two competitive teams.

Contact: j.o.k.hodson@ncl.ac.uk

Gymnastics

For all abilities, in a fully equipped academy with external coaches.

Contact: a.harper@ncl.ac.uk

Hockey

Many competitive men’s and women’s teams, some previous experience necessary.

Contact: Men - mens.hockey@ncl.ac.uk Women - ladies.hockey@ncl.ac.uk

Ice Hockey

The Wildcats play at Whitley Bay Ice Rink, regular ball hockey sessions are also organised.

Contact: j.k.ward@ncl.ac.uk

Jitsu

Based on traditional Jiu Jitsu, compromises a system of throws, joint locks and strikes. All abilities are welcome.

Contact: h.birt@ncl.ac.uk

Judo

A grappling martial art that is open to all abilities.

Contact: j.s.rzeplinski@ncl.ac.uk@ncl.ac.uk

Involves everything related to climbing and mountaineering, participating in all aspects of the sport.

Contact: numc-info@ncl.ac.uk

Netball

Weekly training and matches for four teams.

Contact: s.j.l.blain@ncl.ac.uk

Orienteering & Adventure

Take part in events in the Lake District or the Yorkshire Dales.

Contact: r.purkis@ncl.ac.uk

Parachute

Qualify to skydive and then continue to practice the sport.

Contact: nupc@ncl.ac.uk

Competitive matches and training - some contact, some strength and conditioning.

Contact: Men (Union) - k.o’hanlon@ncl.ac.uk Women - s.driver@ncl.ac.uk League - harry_t_rigby@hotmail.co.uk

Sailing and Yachting

Welcome any level of sailor with open arms. Great team racing squad.

Contact: k.j.law@ncl.ac.uk

Shotokan Karate

Four dedicated black belt instructors, compete in local and national championships.

Contact: sandy.tes@ncl.ac.uk

Skiing and Snowboarding

For all skiers, snowboarders and those who’ve never tried snow sports. Largest university sport club, two trips a year.

Contact: laurie@nussc.org

Squash

Play to a high standard in local and BUCS leagues.

Contact: Men - tiezheng.yuan@newcastle.ac.uk Women - h.dowson@ncl.ac.uk Offers SCUBA diving both in the UK and abroad.

Contact: t.rowland@ncl.ac.uk

Surf

Weekends at Tynemouth with special prices on surfboard hire. Annual trip abroad.

Contact: k.marshall2@ncl.ac.uk

Swimming and Waterpolo

All abilities welcome with BUCS level competition. 10 different training sessions a week.

Contact: www.nuswpc.co.uk

Table Tennis

Competitive and social sessions.

Contact: d.dymowski@ncl.ac.uk

Taekwondo

Separate sessions that focus on the sports and traditional parts of Taekwondo.

Contact: o.nistor@ncl.ac.uk

Tennis

Training with and without a coach at the Northumberland club as well as competitive matches and strength and conditioning training.

Contact: d.pym@ncl.ac.uk

Thai Boxing

Fitness involving Muay Thai techniques which include kicking, punching, kneeing and elbowing.

Contact: j.r.wright@ncl.ac.uk

Trampoline

One of the oldest and fastest team games.

Contact: j.h.steen@newcastle.ac.uk

For all levels of skill and fitness with opportunity for higher level competitions. Fit in some socials as well.

Contact: r.e.cornall@ncl.ac.uk

Riding

Triathlon

Polo

Caters for riders of all abilities.

Contact: a.cross@ncl.ac.uk

Real Tennis

Fast paced sport favoured by Henry VIII Contact: g.w.r.green@newcastle.ac.uk

Rifle

Shoots indoor at 25 yards and outdoor up to 1000 yards.

Contact: n.grimm@ncl.ac.uk

Rowing

NUBC is one of the leading University Boat Clubs in the country.

Contact: nubcfreshers@gmail.com

Multiple weekly training sessions, affiliation with local clubs and trips to local and BUCS races.

Contact: a.rendall@ncl.ac.uk

Ultimate Frisbee

Combination of netball and American football.

Men and women of all abilities welcome.

Contact: r.chapman@ncl.ac.uk

Volleyball

Men’s, Women’s and mixed teams, no previous experience needed.

Contact: l.m.cilloni@ncl.ac.uk

Weightlifting

Includes olympic lifting, power lifting and bodybuilding. Qualified coach.

Contact: m.j.bowa@ncl.ac.uk

Is there such a place as Eden Lovely and serene Oh yes there is my bonny lad Valley of emerald green Eden of my father Newcastle upon the Tyne Eden of my childhood Wondrous and sublime Could there be a spot of heaven Abandoned by the Gods Sitting here on earth To survive against the odds Look around my bonny lad Each treasure will be thine Such it is your heritage Oh Newcastle upon the Tyne - Alfred Irving Graham