www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 5 November 2012 Issue 1257 Free
THE VERDICT: INTERVIEW: NICKI IN THE NEWCASTLE CRIBS
ALL ABOARD! METROLINE GUIDE FEATURES P.14-15
LGBT students report Uni sports clubs ‘unwelcoming’ By George Sandeman News Editor Nearly half (46.8%) of LGBT students have said they find the culture surrounding university sport alienating or unwelcoming. In a report published by the National Union of Students, just over a third (34.6%) of LGBT students participated in organised team sports with nearly 40% of those individuals closed to their teammates and coaches about their sexual orientation and gender identity. Nearly 15% of students said they had experienced homophobia, biphobia or transphobia and that it had put them off participating. The Out in Sport study featured nearly 1000 student participants and was backed by well-known sportsmen Gareth Thomas and Steven Davies. Thomas, the first openly gay Rugby Union player, said: “NUS’ Out in Sport project is truly groundbreaking and I am delighted to support it. “Attitudes have changed and the time is right for sport to start accepting openly gay people in the same way other areas of society have in recent years.” Davies, the first openly gay professional cricketer, said: “Out in Sport sends a positive message to other LGBT people - that they can do it too. The report also identifies room for improvement and
positive practices that can make a very real difference to participation.” “Most LGBT students participate in individual sport or fitness activity through their students’ union or university, and as the report shows, most have a positive experience.” “But too many who don’t participate in sport find the culture around sport alienating or unwelcoming, and many had negative experiences at school or experienced d i s c r i m i n at i on which put them Nearly half off participating.” (46.8%) of The report also LGBT students showed that runhave said they ning was the most form of find the culture common sporting activsurrounding ity amongst LGBT university sport students whilst going to the gym alienating or was most popular unwelcoming amongst gay and bisexual men and rugby amongst lesbian women. It also identified that just over 40% of LGBT students had a negative experience at school regarding their sexuality or gender that meant they didn’t want to participate at university. In accordance, nearly 50% of surveyed students said tackling discrimination and prejudice at school was one way in
which sport could be made more inclusive. The report, compiled throughout 2011 in the run up to the London Olympics, sought to recognise the positive impact organised sport has on LGBT students but to also highlight areas in which sports teams and students’ union could improve. Surveyed students said celebrating LGBT role models in sport would help improve the culture surrounding sports teams as would a clear and visible equality policy plus specific training for sports staff and societies. Another recommendation made by students was to adopt a zero tolerance policy regarding homophobic, biphobic and transphobic abuse to ensure LGBT students feel safe and accepted to participate in sport. Other possible improvements include making changing and shower facilities more gender neutral with 12.8% of respondents saying that current provisions were unsatisfactory. The report states that students should have the option to use single-cubicle showers as part of wider gender neutral facilities and that, should new facilities be built, it should have input from LGBT students and have the purpose of being inclusive to all. continued on page 4
Music, p.33 Features, p.18-19
Pole dancers look for historic spin News p.6
International Student jailed for ‘sham’ marriage By Susie Beever News Editor A Nigerian student has been jailed for 18 months following allegations that she arranged a sham marriage in order to prolong her right to stay in the UK. Chimezie Emeronye originally came to stay in Newcastle back in 2008, using a legally valid student visa, despite her course lasting longer than allowed. The student’s attempt to remain studying in the UK resulted in an arranged marriage with Pavel Gabco, from the Czech Republic, who Emeronye had never met. Local vicars drew attention to the story
back in May 2010, when the scam couple visited a church in Benwell, Newcastle, near to Emeronye’s residence at the time. Reverend Tim Ferguson of the Venerable Bede Church, West Road, told how he became suspicious upon realising the two didn’t speak the same language and had great difficulty communicating with each other. “When I met them, they couldn’t speak a word of the same language. It was immediately fairly obvious something wasn’t right.” Rev Ferguson told The Courier, “This is not something that happens very often, and I haven’t seen them since.”
Shortly after, Reverend Catherine Pickford, of nearby St James’ Church in Benwell, was also visited by the couple, who were told to come back in six months due to similar communication problems. Gabco has since disappeared without a trace with the authorities unable to locate him presently. Emeronye was arrested four months later at her house in Benwell, and has this week been convicted for conspiring to remain unlawfully within the United Kingdom. It has been reported the former student married someone else shortly before her recent sentence. Newcastle Crown Court was told how
the 26 year-old woman came to the country four years ago, with the hopes of starting her three-year course in 2010. “When I met Her visa howthem, they ever expired at couldn’t speak the end of this month, and it the same was for this realanguage, and son Emeronye had difficulty carried out a communicating.” sham marriage in order to be able to remain in the country. Judge Paul Sloan QC told the defendant: “In order to achieve your goal you
set about entering into a sham marriage with a Czech national with whom you had no relationship whatsoever.” “This type of offending calls for a deterrent sentence.” Bill Donnelly, Emeronye’s lawyer, argued: “She came here lawfully and undertook the study she was here to pursue.” He added: “She has not been a burden on the taxpayer, she has been funded by her family and has found work in accordance with her visa.” UK border agency Paul Foggin has also warned: “We are cracking down on sham marriages all over the country.”
News
2
thecourieronline.co.uk/news
NEWS
5 6
PEEPING TOM JAILED
Newcastle council worker jailed for ’spying’ on the public
NIGHTCLUB SCAM Nightclub ‘Liquid’ caught up in latest drinking controversy
COMMENT
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
News Editors: George Sandeman, Susie Beever and Anna Templeton Online News Editor: Aine Stott courier.news@ncl.ac.uk | @TheCourier_News
Newcastle medical researcher challenges PM By Aine Stott Online News Editor A medical researcher here at Newcastle has signed an open letter to David Cameron regarding changes to A&E departments across the country. 140 senior doctors have signed the letter challenging the Prime Minister on the wave of reconfiguration plans to hit Accident and Emergency departments. Cameron has called for the closure of A&E units across the country in aid of developing larger, more technologically advanced hospitals. The proposals will mean patients travelling further for treatment which could carry serious risks in cases of emergency. The plans have induced a national outcry, generating opposition from both inside and outside of the medical profession. Speaking earlier this month at a demonstration against the A&E closures, Eve Turner of the Ealing TUC stated: “We cannot be fooled that [the closing of A&E departments] is about improving or modernising, it’s really about cuts […]It is vital everyone come together to improve the state of our health services,
and save it from deterioration.” Lesley Kay, a medical researcher at Newcastle University, offered her support by signing the letter. It urged the Prime Minister to “take seriously the concerns of the many professionals and patients over the serious risk these A&E reforms pose to people’s health”. It also expressly called for “no further change” to A&E units without full independent consultation and the approval of local residents. The letter was inspired by The Mail on Sunday’s campaign against the changes that have so far placed 26 casualty departments across England and Wales at risk. The breath of support casts doubt on claims by the Department of Health that the cuts are supported by clinicians. Among other signatories is Professor Sir David Weatherall, a former Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford University, one of Britain’s most distinguished medical scientists. 26 A&E units in the UK will be largely affected if the proposals are accepted. So far, the Department of Health has not responded to the campaign other than to reiterate previous policy statements.
10 12 Uni looks to strengthen Indonesian ties Death on SPORT
NATURAL DISASTER What effects will Hurricane Sandy have on elections?
A CIVIL ISSUE Simon Harwood argues in favour of gay marriage
LOVE/HATE The Marmite stars you love to hate
40 47
A SHARP VICTORY
Newcastle fencers slice down Scousers
By George Sandeman News Editor
The University has signed an agreement with top Indonesian universities to raise educational standards. Last Thursday, Prime Minister David Cameron hosted a ceremony to celebrate the growing links between the two countries with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in attendance. With universities minister David Willetts present, Newcastle University’s Mark I’Anson signed the agreement with the Rector of the country’s leading educational establishment, Universitas Indonesia. The agreement paves the way for the setting up a Newcastle-Indonesia Doctoral Training Centre in Newcastle. Due to open in 2012, the new centre will be focused on the broad area of biomedical research, including medicine, dentistry, and nutrition. Based in Newcastle University’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, the new centre is capable of accommodating up to 40 trainee doctors a year from Indonesia and provide them with the skills needed to conduct medical research important to supporting their country’s health ser-
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.
RESHUFFLE
Senior medical professionals oppose David Cameron’s proposals to change A&E departments across the UK. Image: The Prime Minister’s Office
Halloween
vice. Students will be provided with mentoring from Universitas Indonesia upon their return to the South East Asian country. Mark I’Anson said: “The signing today builds on our long-standing relationship with Universitas Indonesia and paves the way for future collaborations. “It recognises our expertise which is offering students the chance to pursue
medicine. Newcastle’s existing links to Universitas Indonesia and Universitas Airlangga has meant that 11 students are on the programme this year – with 12 last year. Building on this success a joint PhD is now being offered with the first students starting in April 2013. The flourishing links with Indonesia have also offered opportunities for increased understanding of global health.
a career in research and they in turn are helping increase our understanding of some of the health conditions in a worldwide context. “I am delighted to be joining leading businesses and universities from the UK and Indonesia at Number 10 today to celebrate these successful collaborations.” The University currently offers an MRes (Masters in Research) in Newcastle for students from Indonesian universities. These students are trainee doctors taking a year out from their undergraduate studies allowing them to join other students specialising in research in Bio-
Current studies include looking at the ageing populations in both countries and how research can lead to healthy ageing. In addition, the University is exporting its teaching by providing advice on how to set-up specialist companies involved in research and relevant collaborations.
A statement from Northumbria Police has confirmed the death of a 20-yearold man. “At 3.59am on Police attended Thursday, Noa 20-year-old vember 1, police received a report man seen of concern for unconscious welfare of a on Lime Street. the 20-year-old man He was taken seen unconscious to the RVI but on Lime Street in Newcastle under pronounced Bridge. dead at 05:30 theHeByker was taken by ambulance to the RVI but was pronounced dead at 5.30am. A report is being prepared for the coroner.”
The Courier would like to make an apology to Dr. Thom Brooks, who is the University’s reader in Political and Legal Philosophy. This is due to an error whereby his name was not cred-
ited in an article in issue 1255, entitled ‘Tremendous Turnout for Miliband Talk’. The event featured would not have been possible without the efforts of Dr. Brooks.
The centre is capable of accommodating up to 40 trainee doctors a year from Indonesia
Editor Ben Travis News Editors George Sandeman, Susie Beever and Anna Templeton Online News Editor Aine Stott Comment Editors Georgie Moule and Laura Wotton Online Comment Editor Jennifer Evans Features Editor Tom Nicholson Listings Editor Sally Priddle Lifestyle Editors Lauren Stafford, Emily Rae and Catherine Davison Online Lifestyle Editor Victoria Mole Fashion Editors Elissa Hudson and Lizzie Hampson Online Fashion Editor Sally Greenwood Beauty Editor Annie Morgan Online Beauty Editor Amy Macauley Arts Editors Lisa Bernhardt and Millie Walton Online Arts Editor Grace Harvey Film Editors Hayley Hamilton and Sam Hopkins Online Film Editor Chris Binding TV Editor Chris Taylor Online TV Editor Ben Parkin Music Editors Chris Haywood and Sam Summers Online Music Editor Sophie Coletta Sports Editors Ralph Blackburn, Nick Gabriel and Lucy Williams Online Sports Editors Freddie Caldwell and Jack Gelsthorpe Copy Editors Harriet Andrews, Helen Battrick, Georgina Grant, Rachel Horrocks, Maddie McNeill, Charley Monteith, Leanne Penning, Amy Preston, Tom Rhodes, Gemma Thompson, Jessica Timms, Chris Smith
By George Sandeman News Editor
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
news.3
Monday 5 November 2012
English graduate Tom wins GQ writer a-Ward By Ben Travis Editor
IT’S A KNOCKOUT
Newcastle University graduate Tom Ward meets Muhammad Ali at an award ceremoney after winning the Norman Mailer Student Writer Award 2012. Photography: Stephen Lovekin
A Newcastle University English graduate has been awarded the Norman Mailer Student Writer Award 2012. Tom Ward, who graduated this summer with a 2:1 in English Language and Literature, submitted a 3,000 word piece of non-fiction writing to the competition run by GQ magazine in association with The Norman Mailer Center. Speaking about the winning piece, Ward explains: “It’s called Four Night Stand, and it’s about sleeping with a girl and trying to be really macho about it. Rambo’s on the TV and the guy’s just been reading Charles Bukowski and trying to affirm his masculinity, but it’s kind of nonsense and the guy makes a fool of himself.” Tom submitted the essay in June towards the end of his degree. “I was trying to enter as many writing things as I could. When it got to our last exams at the end of third year I didn’t think I’d have as much of a chance, but I just thought there was no harm in entering. I found a piece I’d written which was most suitable, and I sent it off.” As well as receiving £1000, Ward attended the award ceremony in New York amongst a variety of celebrities. His piece will be appearing in GQ magazine in January, and he is currently visiting the Norman Mailer Foundation writers’ colony in Massachusetts. “I get to go there for a month, all expenses paid. I’m going until 2 December. That’s so you’ve got time to write and relax, and I guess it’ll just be a nice environment to be in.” On the subject of the ceremony itself, Tom states: “I was really nervous beforehand. Just thinking, how have I come to be here? I met the guys from
GQ - I thought they might be a bit too cool for school, but they were all lovely people.” Also in attendance was Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin, acclaimed film director Oliver Stone and Muhammad Ali. Whilst at the ceremony, Ward managed to make a few connections in high places. “I went over to Oliver Stone and said hey. He said ‘Oh, you’re the guy who won, I really liked your speech, how was short and quick it was’. He said he’d really like to read some of my writing. I sat down next to him, he gave me his card and everything. He’s emailed me a few times, he’s really polite and responds really quickly. Just a really nice guy, not how you’d expect from a massive director. “I started writing a novel in Berlin called City of Arsonists. I sent that to Oliver Stone, and today I had a message back from him. He had got the person who reads scripts for him to go through it, and she’s given me loads of really helpful notes.” Tom also voiced that studying English at Newcastle considerably bettered his writing skills. “Doing my degree, you read stuff that you’d never normally read. The modules - you can’t always just pick what you want to do, which is good because it broadens your horizons. I think through reading stuff is how you really learn to write, seeing what others have done.” The Norman Mailer Student Writing Competition is once again taking submissions until 15 December. Entry details can be found on the GQ website. To read Tom’s writing, visit his tumblr blog at http://renegadeviper.tumblr. com and follow him on twitter at @RenegadeViper
4.news
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
MedSin to host ‘Newcastle’s Got Talent’ By Alix Pickles Newcastle society MedSin is holding its very own varsity talent show. The event will take place next Monday, on the 13th November at 7:30 in the NUSU venue. The money raised will be split between Tyneside Rape Crisis and the refurbishment of the Paediatrics Unit in the Komfo Anokye teaching hospital in Ghana, making it more child friendly and purchasing essential medical equipment. Katrina Abernethy, president of MedSin, said that they chose to sponsor Tyneside Rape Crisis because of a “think global, act local” approach. This charity provides counselling to rape victims, with all money raised going towards their access fund, as well as providing people with transport and child care in order to use the service. The event consists of Newcastle University societies putting on 15 minute performances in a bid to win the title of ‘best society’ and a trophy. Audience members will be able to vote for their favourite at the end of the show. Those competing include: the pole dancing society, the comedy society, Musical Medics, NU Theatre, Irish dancing and the Gilbert and Sullivan
society. As well as putting a series of entertaining acts on stage, short campaign videos will be shown between performances. These will promote both a global health theme and give information on Those compet- local Newcastle volunteering include the based ing projects. pole dancing MedSin is a society, the registered charcomedy soci- ity which has over thirty branches ety, Musical across the UK. Medics, NU Here in NewcasTheatre, Irish tle, MedSin run dancing and volunteering prothe Gilbert and jects such as ‘Sexwhich Sullivan society. pression’ teaches peer led sex education to secondary school children and ‘Homed’ which sends volunteers to support local homeless charities. There will also be a sign up list for the Bone Marrow clinic and a preview of the new film They Go to Die, about the problem of Tuberculosis in South Africa, being shown on the night. Tickets to the talent show are available at the NUSU reception for just £4 each.
HEALTH ISSUES
Newcastle’s Medsin society aim to raise money for local charity Tyneside Rape Crisis Photo: Medsin Newcastle
“We are having a trans awareness week on the 19th-23rd November” continued from page 1 Giving her thoughts on the report, Welfare Officer Esta Innes said: “We obviously want all our students regardless of sexual orientation or gender to feel like they can access all opportunities and facilities like any other student here at Newcastle would. “If any LGBT student feels like they are unable to participate in any sporting activities I would urge them to come and see me confidentially so I can help improve this. “This year myself, Laura Mason the Athletic Union officer, Christos the LGBT officer and Emily Waller our Gender Equality officer are going to work together to compile our own data off the back of this report and find out exactly how our students feel and determine what we need to do to encourage inclusion and widening participation in sport.” “We are also having a trans awareness week on the 19th- 23rd November which we will make sure our sports teams are aware of.” LGBT Christos Mexias said: “This summer Britain pulled off an amazing celebration of sport and honoured a number of sporting achievements, many of them by openly LGBT athletes. I am glad that the NUS LGBT campaign has seized on the importance of sport as a tool of self-expression and I would like to see that as an ongoing trend.” “There are also plans for all club officers to receive dedicated training on how to tackle and eliminate these issues.” “Coming to university is about developing your confidence and becoming the person you want to be, whether it’s through participation in sport or any other activities. I would encourage LGBT students to consider giving sport a go and also ensure them that as a Union we are working hard to make sport at Newcastle inclusive.” AU Officer Laura Mason commented: “I believe that everyone should be able
to take part and enjoy sport at Newcastle, especially with it being such a big part of Uni life. It is important that there is an atmosphere where everyone can feel they can be open and comfortable with their sexuality and gender.” “Newcastle has a large range of sports available from lots of single sex sports to mixed-gendered sports, there really is something for everyone.” “The Sports Officers (Committee) receive training at the start of the year, in which Equality and Diversity training given by the Welfare and Equality Officer. It is a good idea for next year that we expand this include training on zero tolerance to homophobia.” “At Newcastle, if you are committed to your sports team and work hard in training and competitions, I feel it doesn’t matter your sexual orientation or gender.” “Some ideas that we have already discussed, to look more specifically at our students and our sports clubs to collect our own data, so we can react to the needs of the student at Newcastle.” Speaking about the sport centre, Mason said: “At Newcastle the sports facilities have been audited and are to a high standard. There are the options for separate cubicles if required. The Sports Centre has a very good transgender policy to help and provide support for those that need it.” A Newcastle University spokesman said: “The University confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of equal opportunities for all employees and all students in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the University.” “In relation to the Centre for Physical Recreation and Sport, our policy is sport and exercise for all. We have no barriers in the way for anyone and our facilities are available to staff and students irrespective of gender, background, sex, race etc.”
The Courier
news.5
Monday 5 November 2012
‘Peeping Tom’ sentenced for indecency By Catherine Bundy A 32 year-old Newcastle man has been charged with indecent behaviour after it was discovered he had placed film cameras to spy intimately on unknowing members of the public. Normally you should feel safe in the knowledge of privacy for the brief time that you are using a toilet or changing room during a busy day. However, not if you were a victim of this week convicted ‘peeping tom’ Liam Gormley.
one of the devices was discovered. The court heard how the council worker planted cameras in Newcastle’s Dance City Studio, Sports Central, and the Blyth and Cramlington leisure centre. He also filmed colleagues in staff toilets at the Civic Centre, committing a serious breach of the hard earned trust of his co-workers. Gormley even carried out his behaviour during a family holiday to a Butlins holiday camp in Skegness, enabling him to collect footage involving small children to add to his collection. He will serve two and a half years in
Gormley was able to collect more than 700 films, which he had methodically catalogued and disguised as a harmless music file on his computer.
The respected employee from Newcastle City Council’s procurement department was hardly subject to suspicion for such outrageous crimes. Newcastle Crown Court has charged Gormley with voyeurism, possession of indecent images of children, distribution of indecent images and possession of extreme pornography. The man was able to collect more than 700 films, which he had methodically catalogued and disguised as a harmless music file on his computer. He even possessed tiny cameras, disguised as two ordinary looking pens. Gormley wasn’t arrested until last January, when
prison in addition to being registered as a sex offender for the next 10 years. Judge Wood ruled that “the offences are so serious only custody can be justified and the sentence must also be seen as a deterrent as well as a protection to the public”. This is especially important as there is a “high risk” of Gormley committing further offences of a similar nature in the future. Shaun Routledge, who led the defence, added that Gormley was suffering from “an obsession” which has cost him everything that he has worked so hard to achieve.
EYE SPY
Council worker Liam Gormley has been jailed for planting cameras in public toilets throughout Newcastle city centre Photography: Cristiano Betta (Flickr)
Student entrepreneurs speeding to success By Faye Chivers
It’s taken just eight months for Newcastle University graduates Charlie Warburg and Will Clowes to go from opening their business, Uni Car Ads, to winning awards in the industry. Competing against numerous other businesses from the North East, Uni Car Ads has won both the Business Award and the Creativity and Design Award at the Blueprint Business Planning Competition, making it the first company to win both of these categories. The rigorous process, which requires a business plan, presentations, and a final pitch for each category, was a storming success for the two recent Business graduates. However, working all day, every day, for the last It seems it won’t be long eight months to turn the business before into a success students all hasn’t left much over the coun- time for dwelling try are making on awards. While this prize gives the most of the company having their great recognicars with them tion and publicity, Warburg and at university Clowes aren’t motivated by praise. It’s all about expanding and looking to the future, with Uni Car Ads now operating in Newcastle, Durham, Edinburgh and Leeds, and launches in Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham to follow in January 2013. It seems it won’t be long before students all over the country are making the most of having their cars with them at university. Their idea seems to be a simple one:
students can earn money by renting advertising space on their cars, and businesses get easy access to the thousands of students living in typical student ar-
eas like Jesmond. But, in order to make the business fly the pair has had to tap into the people who know students best: students
themselves. Uni Car Ads have maximised their access to what students want by hiring them to work with them, especially with graphic design. In fact, as
Cowes pointed out, “Some of the best designs have been done by students… They know what students want to see and we pay them for doing what they’re good at.” It was students who designed the Pizza Express and Meat Merchant adverts, the captions of which have gone on to be used on Metro Radio. By employing students, the company not only gains better insight into what students want, After such a provides paid taste for entre- but work experience preneurial in return. So what does living, there’ll the future hold for be no sliding Uni Car Ads? Afback into ter such a taste for ‘normal’ busi- entrepreneurial living, there’ll be ness life any no sliding back time soon into ‘normal’ business life for these two any time soon. Self-described as being “ambitious but realistic”, give them another eight months and who knows how far this company can spread?
BLUEPRINT AWARD After winning a Blueprint business award, Uni Car Ads race towards a bright future Photo: Uni Car Ads
If you’re interested in signing your car up to Uni Car Ads visit: www.unicarads.co.uk
6.news
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Charitable pole dancers swing for world record By Evgeniya Boykova Newcastle University have a second chance at a Guinness world record this Autumn. The student Pole Dancing Society will attempt to break a world record for the “Longest Pole Marathon“. From 2pm on Sunday 4th of November, until 8pm on the 5th, beginners, intermediate and advanced dancers from the society will try to pole dance continuously for 30 hours to beat the current record of 24 hours. The record attempt will work on a rotation principle with two poles. When the dancer at the first pole gives the sign she is tiring, another girl will start to dance at the second pole. This means there is no stop in the performance. The society wants to use the occasion to support their two chosen charities: Raising And Giving (RAG) – a student run organization raising money for six nominated charities, and The Infant Trust. The latter is a UK-based association that aims to break the cycle of violence, abuse and rape against young children in South Africa. All raised money will be split between the two organizations. Those who want to help donate online, or at the actual event, where donation buckets for the causes will be provided. The dancers decided 30 hours is a good milestone. They hope that if successful, their record will not be broken for at least a year. Apart from this, their aim is to raise £1,000 pounds for their chosen charities. After a summer of careful preparation, over 60 volunteers and meticulous
scheduling, the dancers feel confident in their chances for success. The helpers will act as witnesses, security and other positions required by the Guinness rules. Every minute is accounted for and final training sessions have taken place. There will also be a training pole, so the most nervous will be able to have a final try before show time. No matter the final outcome, the organisers believe this event will help members integrate in raise money for exThe record tremely worthattempt will while causes. work on a rota- Melissa Whipp who is the societion principle president will with two poles. ty’s pole dance alongWhen the side the secretary, dancer at the treasurer and sofirst pole gives cial officer of the during the sign she is society the least popular tiring, another night shift and girl will start to will otherwise act dance on the as facilitators. There are 3 othsecond pole. er pole dancingrelated Guinness world records, but the organising committee decided the marathon was best for involving more members and improving the inter-society relationships.
Any donations can be made to:
www.justgiving.com/GWRPoleMarathon
POLES APART
The pole dancing society are looking to enter the record books with a 30 hour pole marathon Photo: Newcastle Uni Pole Dance Society
The Courier
news.7
Monday 5 November 2012
Nightclub target trollied teenagers with 59p drinks By Anna Templeton News Editor LQ nightclub, on New Bridge Street West, could lose its licence for promoting and selling 59p drinks. Newcastle City Council will investigate the nightclub, which is the site of the student night ‘Broke!’ The Friday night event advertised single vodkas for only 59p and a double for 99p. An 18 year old “paralytic” girl was found slumped behind a fast food van
of deal only occur when people abuse it,” argues an anonymous student. “If people knew their limits and when to avoid buying another drink, there would be no problem. Why should we all have to pay more because of a few exceptions?” Despite objection to rising drink prices, Tyneside doctors are campaigning for a minimum price of 50p per unit as they are concerned that alcohol is responsible for putting young people’s health in jeopardy. Cabinet member of Quality For Life,
The Friday night student event called ‘Broke!’ advertised single vodkas for only 59p and a double for 99p after a night in the venue. Her mother has since complained to Newcastle City Council, who are now examining the club to assess whether they are breaching their licence by offering such low-priced drinks. The concerned parent, who wishes to remain anonymous, said that: “I asked her how she managed to get so drunk as she is normally reasonably sensible when it comes to nights out and I have never seen her in that state.” Due to the prices of the alcohol offered, the mother said: “she had drunk more of them as they were so cheap”. However, other students have been concerned by the potential closure of the club. “Negative associations with this type
Cllr Henri Murison said that: “The majority of premises sell alcohol at a sensible price, and serve alcohol responsibly...it is only a minority who fail in this regard but we will take action to ensure that they sell liquor responsibly in our city.” The manager of LQ nightclub, John Gillen, apologised to the mother and daughter, saying: “it was not very good customer care.” Mr Gillen added the 59p single and 99p doubles, aimed specifically at attracting young people, were part of a one-time offer on Friday October 19th, saying: “We have fairly robust procedures in place to counteract what occurred. We want people to leave the venue in a fit state to get home.”
TIPSY TEENAGERS
LQ nightclub has been criticised for targeting teenagers with extremely low drink offers Photo: Susie Beever
Multimillionaire Blair agrees to pay interns minimum wage after graduate revelations The private office of former Prime Minister Tony Blair have said they will now start paying interns minimum wage in his profit-making businesses. This change in company policy comes after it was revealed the multimillionaire’s office had turned down a qualified candidate for an unpaid internship after he asked to work a four-day, rather than advertised five-day week, so he could work part-time elsewhere to earn some money. Evidence of the possible minimum wage infractions was then handed
someone who was available for the full 5 days.” In the interview the candidate, who graduated from a top London university, said: “I was elated when I was offered the internship with Tony Blair’s private office – he was my idol growing up and it seemed like the opportunity of a lifetime to work for a former prime minister. I was distraught when the offer was later retracted, after I realised that I would have to give up my part-time job in order to work full-time without a salary. “London is one of the most expensive cities in the world and I realised my rent
over to HM Revenue and Customs last Wednesday before the change in policy was revealed the day after. Blair’s Labour government introduced the landmark legislation in 1998 and has called it one of his proudest achievements during his time in office. Speaking to the Graduate Fog website, the candidate explained that after a lengthy application process he was offered the unpaid internship but after he explained he could only do four days a week, he received an email saying: “Sorry…the role has now been filled by
and travel costs alone would amount to over £550 a month. There was no way that the lunch and travel expenses offered would cover that. “Even though the internship sounded like a huge opportunity, I just couldn’t afford to give up my only source of income. It would have been amazing for my CV and my future prospects. It’s very disappointing that a prime minister who dedicated himself to equal opportunity for all has effectively made this internship available only to those who don’t need to be paid to work.”
By George Sandeman News Editor
The change in policy comes after it was revealed the multimillionaire’s office had turned down a qualified candidate after he asked to work a four-day week
DINING OUT
Former PM Tony Blair is reported to have earnt up to £20,000 for giving a speech Photo: World Economic Forum
8.news
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Shoplifting duo conceal £1000 worth of loot in suitcases By Matt Tate Two women from the Newcastle area were arrested after going on a shoplifting spree and attempting to conceal their loot in suitcases. Stacey Cree, 21, from Benwell, and Deborah Spires, 19, were arrested on multiple counts of theft after they targeted Newcastle branches of HMV and Primark.
games, again able to walk out without being caught. Their defence alluded to the ease with which they were able to carry out the theft. Michael Gibson, one of the defenders said: “Miraculously, they were able to get out of HMV. I don’t know what the security is like there, but it is obviously good in Primark because the security guard became suspicious. It wasn’t a professional operation they planned. Both girls struggle financially.”
The women are said to have entered HMV and filled a suitcase with 56 Nintendo games, before leaving the store and packing the remainder with clothes in Primark
The pair both have three year old sons at the same nursery so were acquainted before the robbery took place. They are said to have entered HMV and filled a suitcase with 56 Nintendo DS games, before leaving the store and packing the remainder of the case with clothes in Primark. A security guard noticed the suspicious behaviour of the two women and approached them to discover the extent of the theft. The estimated worth of the stolen items was over £1000. Newcastle Magistrates court discovered that Cree had entered HMV on October 7th and was able to leave undetected with a stash of games, which she sold. Encouraged by how easy it was, she returned the next day with her friend, and the two loaded a suitcase with more
As the two women do not have any previous convictions, district judge Stephen Earl only issued them with a 12 month conditional discharge, on the basis that this is to be their first and last offence. Though he warned: “If I see either of them again, I will move the severity of the sentence rapidly up the chain. “The idea that you met up at your sons’ nursery and hatched a plan for a theft spree, fills me with horror.” Cree was also ordered to pay compensation for the games she initially stole, and an additional £50 in costs. What’s your opinion? Response to articles can be left at:
www.thecourieronline.co.uk
LOOT-CASES
The duo conspired to shoplift at the nursery attended by their 3 year-old sons Photo: Stephen Moretti (Flickr)
The Courier
nationalstudentnews.9
Monday 5 November 2012
STUDENT STORY OF THE WEEK
Slimming down from The Shining By Kathryn Riddell Indulging in sweets during Halloween might not have such an impact on your waistline if you watch a horror film. A study by the University of Westminster has revealed that watching scary films causes calories to be burnt, potentially leading to weight loss. Scientists at the University, who were supported in the study by movie rental company LoveFilm, recorded heart rate, oxygen intake and carbon dioxide output of participants while they watched a selection of horror films. They discovered that when a person felt fear, adrenalin was released and
Job Title: Student Workers Employer: 1st Storage Centres Closing date: None given. Apply asap. Salary: £6.25 per hour + bonus Basic job description: We are seeking motivated students partaking in a degree to work 20 hours + per week in the summer and about 10-15 hours / week during term time. Duties will include: Conduct onsite customer visits, face to face packaging sales, audit stock levels, inbound telephone sales calls, office duties and warehouse duties. Person requirements: Driven, motivated and looking for a challenging role within a local business. Fluency in English is essential as the role is primarily customer facing, and availability outside term times is essential. Location: Gateshead. Job Title: Shop Assistant Employer: Rehill’s of Jesmond Closing date: 02.11.2012 Salary: National Minimum Wage Basic job description: Rehill’s of Jesmond are looking to recruit a Shop Assistant to work part-time hours (to be discussed at Interview) at their store in Jesmond, Newcastle. In this role you will be undertaking general shop duties which include: Replenishing stock, handling cash and occasional lifting of heavy goods. We are looking for an individual to commence work ASAP. Person requirements: We are looking for an individual who is punctual, reliable and in Newcastle for the full academic term. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Front of House Staff Employer: Gourmet Burger Kitchen Closing date: 30.11.2012 Salary: To be confirmed. Basic job description: Gourmet Burger Kitchen is opening in the Metrocentre soon and we are looking for new staff to join the front of house team and kitchen teams. You also have the opportunity to be multi-skilled (and move up the career ladder quickly). Person requirements: If you want the job you MUST have a brilliant manner with customers, love working as part of a busy team and be available to work weekends and evenings. Previous experience using a till system is also a bonus. Location: Gateshead.
metabolic rate increased to a level which could burn 113 calories in 90 minutes – equivalent to a 30-minute walk.
cessful calorie burner. Participants burnt off 184 calories whilst viewing The Shining - the same
Scientists discovered that when a person felt fear, adrenalin was released which could burn 113 calories in 9 minutes Dr. Richard Mackenzie of the University of Westminster said: “Adrenaline is known to lower the appetite, increase the basal metabolic rate and ultimately burn calories.” A favourite among horror fans, The Shining, was discovered to be most suc-
Job Title: Waiting Staff Employer: Cafe Rouge Closing date: 15.11.2012 Salary: £6.19 per hour Basic job description: Waiting Staff are required to work between 4-16 hours per week at Cafe Rouge in the Metrocentre, Gateshead. Duties will include: Liaising with customers on menu choices, cash handling, waiting and serving full menu to customers and meeting targets. This is a temporary contract with a view to a permanent contract for the right candidate. Person requirements: Previous Full Service Waiting experience is essential. The successful candidate must have excellent customer service, communication and numeracy skills and is able to work as part of a team. The successful candidate must be fully flexible as you will be asked to take on extra hours and shifts and you must be able to work across all Christmas/Bank Holiday days and hours. Location: Gateshead. Job Title: Sales Associate Employer: GAP Closing date: 09.11.2012 Salary: Competitive Basic job description: A Sales Associate is required to work 8 hours per week at the GAP concession within the House of Fraser, Gateshead. As a Sales Associate in store you will be at the front line in delivering an excellent in store experience for your customers, you will be confident in your communication skills, and both your knowledge and passion around your product will mean that you will be able to meet their every need. Person requirements: Confident with great communication skills. Location: Gateshead. Job Title: Christmas Elf Employer: Groundwork Trust South Tyneside Closing date: 06.11.2012 Salary: National Minimum Wage Basic job description: You will appear as an elf in our ‘Santa’s Winter Woodland’ Christmas events. You will be responsible for providing a high quality, magical festive experience to families. Duties could include supporting families to make wooden toys from kits in Santa’s Workshop; helping families navigate the festive forest; and facilitating festive themed activities with small family groups. The post
number of calories typically found in a chocolate bar. Other films which made it to the top five best calorie burners were - Jaws, The Exorcist, Alien and Saw. These films burnt 161, 158, 152 and 133 calories respectively.
is temporary for the month of December. Working hours will be mainly weekends and evenings. Person requirements: Experience of working with children and families, good customer service, team working, communication and interpersonal skills. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne. Job Title: Breakfast Club Assistant Employer: Gateshead Council Closing date: 06.11.2012 Salary: £12,787 - £13,589 pro rata Basic job description: A Breakfast Club Assistant is required to work 7.5 hours per week (Mon-Fri 7.30 am – 9.00 am) at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School in Gateshead. The key roles of this post will include: 1. Providing a safe and secure environment in which pupil learning and socializing can take place, 2. Planning and delivering age appropriate activities for Breakfast Club pupils, 3. Liaising with parents on a daily basis about issues of immediate concern, e.g. receiving Breakfast Club monies, pupils and their belongings, 4. Helping pupils to select breakfast options and to serve same with due regard to health and hygiene requirements. Please note this position is fixed term until 19/07/2013. Person requirements: You must have good communication and teamworking skills. Location: Gateshead. Job Title: Passport to Work Employer: Various Closing date: 14.12.2012 Salary: N/A Basic job description: Are you struggling to find a job due to a lack of work experience on your CV? Passport to Work gives you the opportunity to gain unpaid work experience and work shadowing in areas such as hospitality, customer services, retail, reception, bar work, housekeeping and catering. You will gain transferable skills and experience in a real work situation to add to your CV. You will also get a certificate outlining the experience you’ve gained to show employers when you’re looking for work. Person requirements: Current student of Newcastle University. Location: Newcastle upon Tyne.
Rise in mumps at UCLAN
Initiation scandal at Swansea Uni
University of Central Lancashire
University of Swansea
A rapid rise in the number of cases of mumps at UCLAN has led to the university urging students to get vaccinations. The number of suspected cases is currently at twenty seven with the University stating many were at a particular risk as they were too old to receive the two injections which constitutes a full vaccination. This follows a similar outbreak at UCLAN last May when forty seven students were affected, w h i le t h e r e was also a recent outbreak at the University of Exeter. A University spokesman claimed the seven cases currently confirmed at UCLAN “are recovering well.”
“Revolting” initiations have taken place for various sports clubs within Swansea University. An anonymous intra-mural footballer claimed “We had to down a can of beer, then a bottle of wine, then throw up into a bucket, swap buckets then drink each other’s sick”. All such practices are outlawed at Swansea with Owain Harries, their head of intramural football, stating: “All team captains have denied that any ‘initiation’ nights t o o k place. If strong evidence suggests that such a night took place, the teams responsible will be removed from the league with immediate effect.”
Scotland vow to a free higher education pledge
Oxford canteen sparks off student protest
Scottish Higher Education
Oxford University
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have committed themselves to “free higher education in Scotland”, actively distancing themselves from the decisions of their English contemporaries. MSP Liam McArthur describes in an article published on the National Union of Students website how “Society benefits when education is offered on the principle o f ability to learn”, a n d that by “standing up for students, we are standing up for a strong economy.” The decision has been received warmly by both student leaders and NUS Scotland president, Robin Parker.
A decision to alter the way students at Oxford University pay for their meals has sparked a protest in the form of soup kitchens. Certain students are boycotting the school canteen amid fears the changes, which are to come into effect from 2013, will have a damaging impact on those from poorer backgrounds. Oxford Un i v e r sity students c u r re nt l y pay for their meals when they eat them, however under the new plans they will have to pay a fixed catering charge similar to many other Universities. A spokesman for the college said: “We remain fully committed to attracting and supporting the best students regardless of background.”
Photography: Ein86 / missy & the universe (Flickr)
Ciaran McKenna
10.comment
The Courier
Monday 5 November 2012
Will Sandy take Romney by storm? SIMON HARWOOD
I
t’s been a nervy few months for Democrats across America. Many of us in the (relatively) free world have been considering if the impossible could really happen come November 6th. Could Barack Obama, the political demigod who waltzed into power surfing the biggest wave of optimism in recent memory, be brought crashing back down to Earth by a Mormon, former management consultant multi-millionaire Republican named Mitt Romney? After the ‘Hope and Change’ euphoria died down, Obama had a less than comfortable first term in office. He was forced to deal with a monumental global financial crisis and a whopping budget deficit ($977 billion). Unemployment has risen where Obama has promised it would fall (23 million Americans are out of work.) Terror suspects still languish in Guantanamo Bay, despite his pledge to close it. Troops die Afghanistan on a daily basis and the fierce debate about healthcare continues. Reading all that, you would be forgiven for thinking Obama would be political roadkill by now. But, incredibly, he is still very much in what is one of the tightest presidential races in recent memory, thanks to several saving graces. Firstly, Obama got Osama. He oversaw an operation that killed a man who had loomed over the American public like the Grinch in the decade after 9/11. The rather primitive celebrations following his death proved his administration had quenched their thirst for vengeance. Obama has also undoubtedly been helped by the calibre of his opponent. The Republican Party could not have
found a more inept bunch chewing tobacco at a NASCAR rally. This is apparent to anyone who watched the Republican nomination debates that featured Tea Party evangelicals like Michelle Bachmann, Rick Santorum, so conservative he’d fit in on the Mayflower, and a man called Newt. Out rose Mitt Romney, a former Governor of Massachusetts, and probably the most normal Republican candidate. This really is saying something.
“Obama has undoubtedly been helped by the calibre of his opponent” There’s been relatively little examination of what Romney actually believes in. He is a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, or a Mormon. Mormons, entitled to a ‘celestial kingdom’ after death, believe Israelites came to America 600 years before the birth of Christ, and that God spoke to a man called Joseph Smith (a known conartist) through the use of golden plates. The Church is also haunted by claims of anti-black racism. Given the extent to which Christianity and politics are intertwined in the states, it’s a semi-biblical miracle Romney has made it this far. At times good old Mitt attempted to sabotage his own campaign, presumably dizzy at how seriously Americans were actually taking him. He claimed at a fundraising dinner recently that 47% of Americans are “victims” about whom it is not his job to worry. A trip to London before the Olympics, intended to boost his foreign policy credentials, resulted in him offending an entire nation, and his invitation for
STORMING AHEAD
Could Superstorm Sandy provide the boost Obama needed? Image: VOA (Wikimedia)
a slightly dishevelled Clint Eastwood to speak on his behalf at a campaign rally led to the Dirty Harry actor ad-libbing with a chair to the bemusement of those of us not versed in conversational furniture dialogue. This week, Obama was gifted with a golden opportunity to remind voters why he’s in the White House. A disaster like Superstorm Sandy will take the focus away from the race and shift it onto him and his reaction, as well as threatening to squeeze Mitt Romney out of the political lens.
“It’s a semibiblical miracle Romney has made it this far”
If Obama deals with the crisis in a clear, statesman-like manner, expect to see him serve out another four years. However many rallies he attends, however many adverts he pays for, Romney simply can’t compete with Obama being seen doing his job, especially if he does it well (remember the effect Katrina had on Bush). Come Tuesday, Sandy may well have blown Obama past Mitt and the Republicans, if only by the skin of his teeth.
This week’s best online responses
Responses to: ‘Should poorer students get preferential treatment?’ Rafiq Ahmed says:
Mr Unsworth, I can tell by your comments and by the language used in your argument that you have clearly never A – lived in poverty B- lived in a council estate or C – lived in a broken or violent family whom show no concern for the wellbeing of the children in their care. Many children do not even attend school, how can it then be judged if these people are the ‘elites’ or not that you mention unless they are given the chance to show their worth in HE. Anyone who thinks the human mind is complete at 18 has clearly lived a very sheltered life or lacks basic levels of maturity. I agree those who have succeeded at a younger age have an advantage, but there is nothing to stop someone who has not attended school or been given the same opportunity’s at a younger age succeeding just as much. University should be about giving chances to people, a fresh start and a clean slate, a chance to start their own
life on a level playing field with ‘elites’.
Ben Son says: I agree that helping the disadvantaged in an effort to make the system fairer can, if taken too far, result in the selection process being unfair for those who AREN’T classed as ‘poorer students’. If universities really want to cater for ‘the very best’ then they need to see beyond the well family supported, perfect test scoring applicant because believe it or not, the ‘very best’ doesn’t just come from what you call the elite. To say that ‘university is not a tool for social mobility’ is wrong and, quite frankly, worrying. If anywhere is a place for social mobility it is university; a place where the best minds from all walks of life can leave whatever their social status, or stigma is behind and come together as equals to go onto anything they want with no limits. Undoubtedly a huge number of students are let into university because they have an extensive support network and have been to the right school which ensures them top grades…Does this mean they have more academic potential to a state school applicant who comes from a broken home but has one
inferior A level result? Definitely not
Rosie says: I think Jake is completely in the right. It devalues the whole system by changing the criteria to get in. Surely, the question should not be, should we automatically give poorer students fast track entry into university? The question should be, why is it, the state education system is failing to educate poorer children properly? Life is about self-determination, and if you want to succeed you will. It’s sad that people look to the state for a hand out not a hand up.
Responses to: ‘Student activists protest against Uni’s attendance proposals’ Pete says: There are many potential problems with biometric scanning, not to mention that not one single student has been asked if they think this is a good idea or not. The students of Newcastle Free Education
Network decided that we wanted students to know about it, and allow them to have a say in what happens. That sounds like quite an important thing to do to me. Sometimes people think that by actually doing something the world can get a little better. If you don’t, feel free to take your obnoxious prejudices somewhere else.
Dan says: What on earth is wrong with the university recording attendance via biometric methods? Are you worried people skiving off lectures will get in trouble? Or are you imagining some Nineteen Eighty-Four scenario? The university can do what it wants seen as it’s university property. “Even if the technology is 99% accurate what happens to the students who are inaccurately recorded as absent?” has got to be one of the stupidest points I’ve ever heard. I’d assume sign in sheets are much less accurate so they shouldn’t be used either? What if student finance gets hold of it? Worst possible consequence is people taking the p*ss and not going to lectures might have money stopped being wasted on them. And before you say what if people are ill blah blah that can easily be dealt with by emailing lecturers etc. I’m sure if they annoy people or cause an obstruction etc. then there will be a general
backlash from the student population as a whole and we don’t need do-gooders like you warning us. I’m guessing the student body would be less than bothered seen as a lot of courses monitor attendance anyway. Good luck trying to make the world better, but I’m sure there are much more pressing issues than the university checking who is attending lectures.
Chris says: These students are paying money for their education, and for the majority this will be the first time in paid education. If they don’t want to go then that is their decision and their money they are wasting. Sometimes, however, some lectures are that poorly led they genuinely are not worth turning up to. If they don’t fulfil their potential because of a high absence rate at lectures/ seminars then that is their fault, all of the students are 18+ surely this is old enough to make your own decision?
To respond to this week’s articles visit thecourieronline.co.uk/
The Courier
.11
Monday 5 November 2012
Comment
Comment Editors: Georgina Moule and Laura Wotton Online Comment Editor: Jennifer Evans thecourieronline.co.uk/comment courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Comment
F**K FEES
Newcastle students protested against the tuition fee rise back in 2010. Image: Briony Carlin
Were the tuition fee reforms ideological rather than economical? ADAM THOMPSON
YES
A
government think-tank report has recently been published, claiming that the rise in tuition fees will actually cost the economy £1bn more than the model it replaced. The reasons for this are a little complicated for us mere mortals to digest. Essentially they misjudged what the average university would charge and miscalculated the rise in graduate earnings over the next 30 years; even the most conservative estimates seem well wide of the £100,000 average suggested by the government. This, in turn, will lead to an increase in the Consumer Price Index and people will need higher pensions and benefit payments. Phew! To put it simply, the government is either rampantly incompetent or increased tuition for fees for ideological reasons. I have spent the last few weeks watching nothing but The Thick Of It on DVD, so I’m taking the former as a given. The idea of cuts to university funding
as an ideological charade cannot be totally ignored however. Such negligence suggests an ulterior motive from the very start. Just how can one justify rushing into the biggest re-modelling of our education system in decades if it costs us more money than it saves?
“‘The government is rampantly incompetent” What more can be expected from an administration made up of the most meagre spectrum of social backgrounds – white, posh, Eton-educated, jowlwobbling men? If any re-strategising of the education system was going to occur, the cards were destined to fall for those who could pay the fees anyway. This latest twist in the tail makes the original decision all the more baffling. What was due to save the economy a relatively derisory sum in the first place, when compared to the storied bankers’ bonuses, is now set to harm the economy recovery still further. Not only have working and lowermiddle class teenagers been deterred from entering higher education, they have been sacrificed for no recognisable gain other than to keep them out of
places of study altogether. If too many people wished to attend university then the means of sifting them should never have involved monetary concerns and should instead have focused on a more gradual change in our culture of education in generally. We should do away with lesser universities and give more scope to colleges with regards to BA’s on offer; increase entry requirements and reduce the number of qualifications offering the study of David Beckham and Business Studies (an inexplicable personal prejudice of mine). Something here does not add up and it leaves a bitter taste.
CHRISTY OAKES
NO
W
hen the Conservatives entered office in 2010 they were confronted with a catastrophic economic reality. The Labour government had left with an unsustainable deficit, with public debt amounting to 59% of our Gross Domestic Product. One option was to keep spending
recklessly and hope this would stimulate economic growth. The Government instead decided to do the responsible thing and began with the process of reducing government spending. Imagine if the government had kept spending huge amounts of cash and had failed to stimulate growth. The government needed to cut three billion pounds worth of funding to universities. So here is where the rise in tuition fees comes into play. If Newcastle University received less funding they would have to provide services of poorer quality. If teaching standards would drop there would be fewer books in the library, fewer computers on campus and we as students would have lost out.
“Taxpayers cash can be used to reduce government debt’”
Yet the rise in tuition fees covered the loss of government funding. The rise in tuition fees means that the government can now spend less on funding towards universities while maintaining high standards. Yet because student loans are relatively easy to acquire and pay off, there are still large numbers of students attend-
ing university. When asked, only 10% of A-level students said the rise in fees put them off going to University. As there is not a substantial decrease in University goers the government still has a large amount of graduates ready to take on important jobs and contribute to reducing the deficit. This is evidence that the rise of tuition fees were for purely economic reasons. The government allowed the responsibility of paying for students studying at university to move from the taxpayer to the student. Graduates under the new system that are more successful will pay back more of their student loan. This means that taxpayers will not have to cover those who earn more after university. This of course means that the government can use this taxpayer cash to reduce government debt. It appears now that the rise of tuition fees may actually cost the government more than they save. Yet this cannot be used as evidence that the government did not raise tuition fees for economic reasons. This is something that happened after the event. Just because the policy is close to costing the government more money than the old system, does not mean that it was not done for economic reasons, it simply means it was a poor policy. Nick Clegg has now apologized for allowing tuition fees to be raised; yet at the time when they were rising he made it clear that it was essential for the economic wellbeing of Britain. Just because the policy did not have the desired economic results does not mean that it was not an economically motivated project.
12.comment
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Let’s be civil about it JOE WOOD
I
n 1897 Oscar Wilde wrote the Ballad of Reading Gaol, inspired from events he witnessed whilst incarcerated. He was imprisoned for ‘offences of homosexuality’, which at the time were considered criminal. Today in the UK gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual people are, by most, viewed as being equal to any heterosexually orientated person. Despite this, there are still divisive issues surrounding how far this equality can stretch – in particular with the issue surrounding gay marriage. The issue has been raised in the UK and in the US, with President Obama stating openly his support for marriage between two people of the same-sex. Unsurprisingly, there are great outcries in America against gay marriage, including opposition from Mitt Romney. Opposition to gay marriage is also finding its feet in the UK, with core Tories and members of the Anglican Church pleading to David Cameron to drop his pledge to ‘legislate for gay
marriage by 2015,’ under this coalition government. Former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe spoke out against the Prime Minister, stating he had caused “damage to the party” and should “drop this measure now.” She has also openly supported therapy ‘treatment’ for gay people unhappy with their sexuality, with the intention of ‘turning them straight’. At a Coalition for Marriage conference in Birmingham, the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, in response to anti-gay marriage activists being referred to as “bigots,” appealed to his audience. “Remember the Jews in Nazi Germany. What started it against them was when they were called names; that was the first stage towards that totalitarian state.” However, other Church officials including Desmond Tutu and Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop in the United States, have become symbols of acceptance towards the gay community by the Church. In 2010, Desmond Tutu spoke at the UN about the importance of protecting people of any sexual orientation – “that to reject people on the grounds of their sexual behaviour is a denial of God’s creation.” Britain prides itself as being a beacon of freedom in a world where so many are persecuted and rejected for their
beliefs and the way they choose to live. For figures such as Ann Widdecombe to cruelly suggest being homosexual is a mental affliction, which requires a cure, seems abhorrent and in total opposition to the values so many of us uphold – the liberty to choose who we love. We may be far removed from the days of Oscar Wilde, when to be gay was criminal, but we cannot claim full equality or freedom for our nation until all civil liberties are accounted for. It is our privilege to live in a free society; it is our duty to uphold it for all. It is each individual’s right to disapprove of anything they choose to – this should never change. But when that person’s view impedes the freedom of another individual, it must remain personal and not be implemented as law. And so, to quote the mighty words of Peter Griffin, “If gays want to get married and be miserable like the rest of us, then I say let them.” It’s up to others to decide if and who they want to marry; we only possess the right to decide for ourselves.
To respond to this week’s articles visit thecourieronline.co.uk/ comment
EQUAL?
The Gay marriage debate has been gaining momentum Image: G.dallorto (Wikimedia)
Work experience: The job from hell? SALLY PRIDDLE
W
ork experience: we are nearly all made to do it in year 10, when most people go to a school and wonder whether you were this annoying when you were a child, but nowadays work experience and internships are nearly as important as your degree itself when it comes to being employable. But to what extent are employers taking advantage of that? I have completed over 1500 hours of work experience in my life, for which if I was on minimum wage I would have been paid nearly £10,000 for. Instead, I have to settle with the knowledge that the experience was invaluable and I have made ‘some really useful contacts’. This may be true, but on the other hand when I am staring at my bank balance I think how much nicer it would look if I had been paid for all those hours I put in. I do believe that it is necessary for students to gain experience before entering the world of work, and that does mean you have to power through the stage of being utterly crap and just generally a hindrance, but at the wise old age of 21 I feel I am able to contribute at least something to a job I am partaking in. The Work Experience, the new show on E4, makes a satire of overenthusiastic interns trying to make it in the world of work, with a completely fictitious PR agency. Some people have criticised the show for taking advantage of young people eager to join the world of work, but I think although it is making light of the world of interns, it also raises the important ridiculousness of some of the tasks that interns can be made to do for little, but most of the time no money.
I think it is important that employers, particularly big companies, do recognise that the work interns do is actual work and deserve some form of appreciation. Even though I agree it is understandable at times for companies not to pay all their interns or work experience as they can be useless, a hassle or generally just can’t afford it, I do think that an intern or student on work experience should never be forced to be out of pocket. Their travel costs or lunch should be covered.
“It is necessary for students to gain experience work” When there is such a current emphasis on the importance of experience in a work environment where there is extreme competition for each job, I understand that students are willing to do work for nothing if it puts them in better stead for later life, but I think it is unfair of employers to take advantage of their enthusiasm.
Want to contribute to the Comment section? Come along to our meetings: Mondays, 3pm in the History room on Level 1 of the Student’s Union
The Courier
comment.13
Monday 5 November 2012
LYDIA CARROLL
ON THE BLOG
#4 - Halloween: Tit or Treat?
Should 13 yearolds have access to contraception without parental consent? LAURA RITCHIEROBERTS
YES T
he recent story of young teenagers being given contraception at school without parental consent has provoked widespread criticism. However teen pregnancy remains one of the largest social problems in the UK today and this is a problem that cannot be fixed simply by condemning those who choose to have sex under the age of 16. The number of contraceptive devices being distributed to teenage girls has risen threefold in the last two years. However, the number of teen pregnancies, long a source of embarrassment for the UK when compared to other European figures, has also fallen at a comparable rate. The number of pregnancies in girls aged 15 to 17 now stands at the lowest it has been since 1969. The implant, which is the method of contraception currently favoured by many schools, crucially is far more reliable than traditional methods of birth control. Studies have shown birth control methods such as the pill or the use of condoms are much less effective at pre-
venting teenage pregnancy than more recently developed contraception methods, which include the implant and the contraceptive injection. Those who maintain that this distribution of contraception is tantamount to endorsing promiscuity need only to look to teen pregnancy rates in the US. Paradoxically, promoting abstinence seems to exacerbate the problem and US states that deliver abstinence-only sex education programmes actually have considerably higher teenage pregnancy rates than the states that promote safe sex. Young people will have sex regardless of the law or the views of their parents. Obviously it is preferable for children to discuss there matters with parents, but if that is not possible it is better to provide contraception than for a young girl to find herself pregnant. Furthermore the availability of contraception in schools does not automatically undermine the role of the parents, as critics suggest. Although bound by strict confidentiality rules, nurses do encourage teenagers to talk to their parents and the withdrawal of contraceptive services will do nothing to encourage more transparency in relationships between teenagers and their parents. Ultimately, the distribution of contraception to teenagers is not the cause of underage sex, but rather a symptom of society’s current view of sex and relationships. Sex education within schools needs to be fundamentally reworked if this is to be rectified.
TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG?
Critics say 13 is too young for contraception Image: happycondom (Wikimedia)
NATHALIE O’DONOVAN
NO A
t the risk of sounding old, children are growing up way too fast these days. It’s a wellknown fact that the age when teenagers start to think about sex, let alone have sex, is getting lower. The idea of increasing teenagers’ awareness to methods of contraception and sexual education in general is more important than ever. The reality is that if teenagers are intending to have sex, then they most likely will. Educating teenagers on contraception is by no means a bad thing, but they should fully understand it before they are allowed to have access to it. If they are going to have sex anyway, then why not safe sex? The problem I have is the idea of them having access to contraception without their parents’ knowledge or even consent. Teenagers as young as 13 are far too young and emotionally immature to fully understand the implications of being sexually active, or to understand what type contraception to use. We have to remember that they are still essentially children and parents are responsible for them, and have a right to know what medication their child is on.
By allowing teenagers to be given contraception (by their school, no less) without the parent’s knowledge or consent is not only irresponsible, but it also doesn’t promote any type of communication between teenagers and their parents.
“Schools should be encouraging parents to talk to their kids about sex” Talking to parents about “IT” can be the most mortifying experience of your life, but if families were encouraged to talk more openly and honestly about these awkward but important subjects, then there would be no need for the secrecy or embarrassment. Schools should be encouraging parents to talk to their kids about sexual education, as the reality is that teenagers are more sexually active than ever. By taking away the need for parental consent, it makes the subject of sex itself, and more importantly safe sex, insignificant and not worth discussing.
How I wish I had counted the girls glimpsed in animal ears and lingerie this Halloween. Or the particularly dedicated; the ones who bought a readymade nylon-polyester-lycra outfit in a sex fantasy version of a policewoman/ nurse/maid. But whatever the number, it’s the motives behind the costumes that I’m interested in. ‘Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.’ Yes, yes, cue the infamous quote from Mean Girls and all that. But seriously? The one day a year you get the opportunity to be anything imaginable and you’d choose just to be the stereotypical image of ‘slutty’? You could be a zebra, or a Lovecraftian monster, or a tampon, or any one of six hundred and forty nine Pokemon. You could be Jimmy Savile (too soon?). Or will it be a cat, with the back of their bra straps hooked together with a safety pin, for extra cleavage? (just like a real cat). The pressure to look attractive rather than creative is huge. I know. I have been there. It was 2008. I was fourteen. I was fourteen, and I refused to dress as a sexy cat for Halloween. It’s worth noting at this point before you read the following paragraph that I was an utter tit when I was fourteen, and still collected scented highlighter pens. “I am a feminist”, I said, off my face on green pen (the best one). “I am a lady. Besides, cats have a very tenuous connection to Halloween, because they are not scary. No, cats are NOT feminist. I will not be letting down the feminist cause all for a handful of shit leftover Quality Street and the patriarchy’s approval. No way, The Man! I must find another costume.” Solution: instead, I was a bat. A ‘cute bat’. Or to be more precise; a girl with a bad fringe in pointed bat ears. Bats, apparently, also have tutus. And wands. With a bat on the end, instead of a star. And a black vest top. When it was below freezing outside. Yes, I had tried to fool myself that the outfit was weighted more towards ‘cute’ than ‘sexy’ but I had still hypocritically fallen into the trap. I was desperate not to let anyone or anything hinder me in my quest to look conventionally attractive in public. Because that’s what this is, really. A Sexiness Quest. Once you start to look at everything in the context of the ‘Sexiness Quest’ everything starts to make a lot more sense. Women are wearing the same ‘sexy’ outfits for the same reason they are tottering across the cobbles of the Bigg Market on six inches of stiletto. Because looking attractive is made a female imperative. Perhaps if I had been slightly less of a moron, and spent less time sticking scented pens up my nose, I might have noticed something else. Why was my brother dressed as massive, ridiculous inflatable pumpkin, when all the girls I knew were decked out as small rodents? This couldn’t be a preference we were all born with. The girls were trying to achieve something here. Am I criticising the way some people chose to dress this Halloween? Well yes, but my real issue is with the pressures that led them to it. Dressing sexily next year? My advice: question your motives. And if you can see your own breath outside, you should probably get a cardigan on that shit.
14.features
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
All aboard
Not sure where to whet your whistle as you shamble toward Tynemouth? Features Editor Tom Nicholson presents this guide to which pubs and bars to stop off on your jolly old way to the seaside For too long, the medical students have had something of a monopoly on the riotous rite of passage that is the Metroline pub crawl. They already poke corpses about a bit and get first dibs on harvested organs - why should they have all the fun? The challenge - to start at Central Station and have a drink at as many places as you can - seems immensely stressful to me. Take it easy, keep your sensible hat, your reasonable trousers and your steady-on-lets-just-calm-down-a-sec cravat, relax, and enjoy the ride up the Tyne
Central Station
Monument & Haymarket
The area around Central Station is stuffed with topnotch pubs in which to begin your journey into the wilds of Northumbria. Take your pick from the Head of Steam (open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays, so you can loop back on yourself for a swift half before home following a successful run to Tynemouth), the slightly more upmarket Forth behind Gotham and the Town Wall which lies opposite the Forth. The Town Wall has massive tables with bench seating, so if there’s a big gang of you I’d recommend going there. If any hipsters in your party need convincing of the Town Wall’s merits, tell them it also has a big picture of James Murphy from LCD Soundsystem on the wall.
Moving up into the centre of town, the obvious choice of pub is The Charles Grey situated only twelve long strides from the Grey Street exit of Monument metro station. Its upper floors give fantastic panoramic views of Grainger Town, and if you go on a Friday or Saturday night there’s a better-than-evens chance of seeing the police grab people in headlocks and chuck them in their van, which is always entertaining. Slightly further afield on Pilgrim Street are Alvino’s (magnificent cocktails; cheap pizzas) and Baccus (looks like a 1930s ocean liner inside; CAMRA Tyneside Pub of the Year four times in a row this year) Sgt. Pepper’s bar, just off the top of Northumberland Street opposite Haymarket metro is one of Newcastle’s prime hunting grounds for cougars (so I’ve heard), but is, alas, for over-21s only.
Jesmond & West Jesmond Ah, Osborne Road – the hub of Jesmond’s nightlife, a river of happy hours and happier patrons running between the two Metro stations. Take your pick from Berlise (very stylish), Bar RU (treble gins and whiskies for £3; large boudoir area; occasionally play Madonna), Osborne’s (no-lose happy hour button-smash game; cocktail area; never play Madonna) and Billabong (excellent strawberry daiquiris). You’ll probably be hungry for grease and carbs by this point so stock up at Mistletoe 24-hour bakery. The Lonsdale by West Jesmond metro is perfectly fine if you don’t mind hanging about for a bit in a bog-standard Wetherspoons. They do extremely cheap cheeseburgers, so if you need a quick pit-stop then you could do worse. Well, I’ve yet to sample their extremely cheap cheeseburgers but a friend certainly survived them. He’s not really been the same since but I put that down to a general malaise rather than digestive problems.
Ilford Road & South Gosforth
Picture: Peter Clarke (Wikimedia Commons)
I am a big fan of pubs which keep resident animals. If you are too, head over to The Brandling Villa and visit their dog, which I imagine is called Smoggy or Monty or something else adorable. By all accounts the Brandling Villa’s burgeoning reputation as a Gosforth institution are reflected in the drinks prices – for something a little more down-at-heel, head to The Millstone or the Victory nearby.
The Courier
features.15
Monday 5 November 2012
Whitley Bay
Whitley Bay has got itself a bit of a reputation as a town full of strip clubs and stragglers from hen and stag parties. This is, to an extent, true. However, where there’s muck there’s brass - try the Rockcliffe Arms or the pleasingly named Hairy Lemon.
Cullercoats
Don’t scupper yourself by over-reaching and having an unnecessary pint so close to your goal. Go straight on through to your final destination.
Tynemouth West Monkseaton & Monkseaton The Hunting Lodge near West Monkseaton station was been given a bit of a bashing by one patron who was shocked that his children were only given the “one choice of Fruit Shoot (pineapple)”, but it’s perfectly reasonable besides that.
Northumberland Park & Shiremoor The choice here seems to be between being surrounded by screaming children at Pavilion (memorably reviewed by one punter thus: “Poor service, too pricey, looks like a BMW garage”) or putting on a flat cap and heading to Shiremoor Working Men’s’ Club. At this point I’d advise eating a scotch egg, even if you don’t really want to. Have a scotch egg. Go on. Have a scotch egg. You’ll feel better.
Congratulations, you’ve made it to the end of the line! If you’re still in good shape, reward yourself with fish and chips from the feted Marshall’s chippy on Front Street and a victory pint at The Cumberland Arms or The Turk’s Head (the latter has a stuffed dog in a case, if that’s your kind of thing). Then, wander to Tynemouth Priory above the beach before heading back to the Metro station and sifting through the various wonders to be found at the market held on the station platform every Sunday. Now plop yourself back on the train home. Remember to set an alarm so you don’t drift off and accidentally get stuck in Palmersville forever.
We’re getting into the hinterlands here, people. Have some free tips for not attracting the attention of browbeaten Geordies who will probably not appreciate your inimitable brand of student bants. Pretend I’m Ray Mears telling you how to not get yourself caught in a mantrap on the Devon moors. • If your friends are named Rolando, Tarquin, Biggleswade or similar, try calling them Gaz or Daz or something else ending in –az. • If someone asks if anyone is using a seat at your table, give it away happily even if the person in it has just gone to the bar/gone to the toilet/briefly stood up to re-adjust their jeans/is still sat in it. • If you bring a packed lunch, try to avoid making your sandwiches with focaccia, paninis, ciabatta or anything else that is neither sliced white or stotty cake. If you simply must have your speciality Italian breads, wrap your precious ponce-food in a paper bag from Greggs. • Do not ask for anything other than beer or lager. Girls will be permitted white wine and nothing else. If you attempt to order a woo woo you will be given a pint, and then very probably be taken round the back and shot for your perversity. • For the love of God, do not be tempted to go in full pub golf getup. It’ll be fun in town, a bit embarrassing by Gosforth and downright life-threatening in Whitley Bay.
Tyne & Wear Metro: THE MUSICAL In anticipation of the Metro’s thirtieth birthday, BBC Look North joined up with service provider Nexus to work on a suitable celebration for our endearingly ramshackle transport system. They decided to make a musical. One can only imagine what ideas the committee disregarded. Sailing a 300foot tall effigy of a Metro driver down the Tyne? Converting all trains to sail power? Swapping the ticket inspectors with whacky waving inflatable arm-flailing tube-men?
“No”, they decided, “let’s invite Metro patrons to quite literally sing the praises of the Metro system.” “What should it sound like?” asked one of the committee members. “Let’s reflect the rich folk heritage of the area”, said one. “Nah, the kids won’t go for that - let’s autotune the fuck out of it”, said another. “I don’t care as long as my nephew can do a rap about charvers getting nicked for not buying a ticket” said a third. In the end, all of these things were included, and more. El-
Palmersville What is Palmersville? You might well ask. I’m not sure the people of Palmersville really know. Some are convinced they’ve died and are trapped in Purgatory. Others wander around listlessly, banging pots and pans together in an attempt to alleviate the boredom. Do not stop at Palmersville. It will grind down your soul. Also you can’t get a pint for love nor money.
Longbenton, Four Lane Ends & Benton The Benton Ale House has a good, solid name and serves good, solid ales to good, solid people . By all accounts if you go to the Black Bull you’re taking your life in your hands. Mind you pack your shinpads. The Ship Inn’s probably a safer bet.
ACHTUNG, PET!
Picture: Chris McKenna (Wikimedia Commons)
derly women sing about how surprised they were by an escalator. A bloke plays the smallpipes on a boat. A young man with a haircut from 2003 and a T-shirt from 1997 emotes in front of a CGI green screen from 1853. Best of all, an old gent rhymes “through the sleet” with “It’s alreet”. You need to see it to believe it. YouTube it now and set your face to “What the actual fuck?” For all its faults, it’s still a better use of the licence fee than the entirety of BBC3.
16.features
Monday 5 November 2012
Treats from the East
The next time you’re feeling peckish around the Students’ Union, you don’t need to settle for the same old Mars bar or an apple for a snack. Seek out the new international vending machines by local company Street Vendor - but be careful, it’s a jungle of mystifying foreign symbols, shrink-wrapped products and vibrant packaging out there... The Courier does the taste-tests so you don’t have to
Drinks Aloe Vera King
Beancurd - Chilli flavour IT’S A HIT!
The berry slush puppy but with weird bits in it. Georgie - 6/10 – It was like drinking a straw e, like orange juice bits but weirder. lumps inside were like nothing I’ve had befor na with an added chewy surprise in the form Lauren – 6/10 – It was like strawberry Ribe of floating ‘bits.’ er There were weird bits in it and I was furth Ben – 6/10 – It smelt like fruity shampoo.the texture of frogspawn. It was nice and relike put off when Tom pointed out it was vation Award’ for nothing. freshing; well you don’t win a ‘Beverage Inno texflavour but a less pleasing frogspawn-like Tom – 8/10 – It had a great pomegranate of eating baby frogs. idea ture. However I could get used to the favours. . However the weird lumps in it did it no Jack – 7/10 – It was very sweet yet refreshing
Mogu Mogu peach drink
so ed because of the smell of peach shampoo Georgie – 2/10 – I hate peach. Once I gagg s! drink my this was awful. I don’t like chewing had to chew (there were instructions on the Lauren – 5/10 – I’ve never had a drink you o but otherwise the flavour was refreshing. comb /food drink packet). It was a confusing e It’s the first drink I’ve ever had to chew. Th s Ben – 5/10 - There were so many bits in it! eriou myst with jelly y runn think re, textu peach flavour was delicious, but it was a weird juicy chunks. er venience having to chew it. I needed anoth Tom – 5/10 – Nice taste but it was an incon drink afterwards to cleanse the pallet. shing. The chew through it. It was too thick to be refre Jack – 5/10 – It tasted lovely yet you had to . ones Vera than the Aloe Mogu Mogu tadpoles are more advanced
A&W Root Beer
dentist and had deep heat sprayed into Georgie – 4/10 – I feel like I’ve been to the my mouth. Not pleasant, not happy. heat, very medicinal. Not sure what Lauren – 4/10 – There was an aroma of deep pointing. Disap r. eithe qualifies it in the ‘beer’ category would say it was a-Bismol. It tastes like Ben – 3/10 – It tasted like Pepto Bismol. I the dentist. the fact it is brown. It tastes like an amalTom – 4/10 – It’s only allegiance to beer is st’s room floor. gamism of TCP, deep heat rub, and a denti is pretty fizzy mouthwash, which as you can imagine Jack – 5/10 – It is far too sweet. It tastes like rica. Ame in lar rank. I don’t understand why it is so popu
IT’S A HIT!
Vitasoy coconut
y, but it tasted like sun cream. I couldn’t Georgie – 6.5/10 – The packaging is lovel n. drink a whole carto ty bar. It came in a nice retro carton. Lauren – 6.5/10 – It tasted like a liquid Boun , but coconut is delicious. Much Ben – 6/10 – I wasn’t a fan of the creaminess too much of it but if you can handle drink n’t could You tastier than I’d anticipated. well with this. a fair amount of Malibu you would get on nut flavour, it was not overbearing Tom – 8.5/10 – It had a nicely balanced coco e. eranc intol se and won’t aggravate my lacto couldn’t drink not a huge fan of soy but I love coconut. I Jack – 8/10 – It was surprisingly nice! I am cing. -indu algia Nost . cream ice nut too much of it. It reminds me of coco
The Courier
Feeling adventurous? Keep an eye out for the products we’d recommend
IT’S A HIT!
Beancurds
Georgie – 3/10 – It was like cat food! It was strange and fell apart in a way I have never seen before. It was wet but dry at the same time and stayed in my throat for minutes afterwards. Lauren – 2/10 – The most disturbing aspect of it was the texture; it was exceptionally slimy and jellied. I would not recommend it. Ben – 2/10 – Wow, this did not taste good. I was not a fan of the bean curd texture, it felt like lumpy sick after a while. How can something so gooey taste so dry?! Tom – 2/10 – It looked like jellied eels. It tasted of bean curd and then suddenly tasted of chilli and the flavours combined horribly. It really clung to my throat as well. Jack – 1/10 – It resembled what you fed cats in the morning and stuck in the throat. It was greasy yet dry at the same time. I have never tasted cat food but if it tastes like that I feel sorry for cats.
Beancurd - Barbecue flavour
Georgie – 3.5/10 – It had a disconcerting appearance but was better than I expected. However it was still unpleasant. Lauren – 2/10 – It was worryingly meat-like, very greasy and the BBQ flavour was negligible. It came in an unpleasant vacuum-sealed package and that made it look even more unappetising. Ben – 1/10 – It think it’s safe to say I am not a fan of bean curd. Five minutes after putting it in my mouth I was still chewing it and grimacing. An…acquired taste. Tom – 1/10 – It was almost entirely flavourless and it had a weird undercooked texture. Urgh. Bad. Jack – 1/10 - The rubber-like texture was pretty foul. It had a weird perfume flavour. It kind of looked like processed poo with sesame seeds in. It was tough; normally if something is tough you get a reward. I have most definitely not been rewarded.
Beancurd - Beef flavour Georgie – 5/10 – The taste was nice but the texture was terrifying. It was the least offensive of the bean curds. Lauren – 0/10 – Deceptively chewy. Just horrible. Ben – 3/10 – It think we’ve established by now that bean curd isn’t for me. This was the least offensive of the three for me but that might have been the merciful thought that this was the last bean curd product. It had a slightly convincing beef flavour. Tom – 0/10 - It was so very chewy and had a clingy aftertaste. It was like very thick gravy poured on slugs. Jack – 0/10 – Please, no more! It looked like sick, and tasted like oxo cubes mashed with spicy liquorice. I spat it out. Harrowing.
Words: Georgie Moule, Lauren Stafford, Ben Travis, Tom Nicholson and Jack Gelsthorpe
The Courier
features.17
Monday 5 November 2012
Orange and cream croissant
Croissants
Georgie – 4/10 – It was really hard to swallow. Very stodgy and bizarre. I feel about orange how I feel about peach. I do not like it.
Seaweed-flavour ramen noodle crackers
Georgie – 8/10 – I really like them! I like the way they crumble apart and the spiciness. It created a pleasing mouthfeel but there was a weird aftertaste.
Lauren – 4/10 – It was over-ambitious and the pastry was below par. Ben – 4/10 – I sat eating this looking longingly at the chocol ate croissant next to me. Orange and cream mushed into a croissant? Not my thing. Tom – 5/10 – It was like eating an orange éclair. The pastry was very stodgy and marmalade on croissants is extremely unnatural at any rate. Jack – 7/10 – It was strangely decent. I thought it was going to be rubbish. It was very sweet but I enjoyed it, possibly due to the fact that this got rid of the taste of the bean curd.
Chocolate croissant
Georgie - 3/10 – It tasted too ‘alcohol-y’ and not like chocolate. It was very stodgy with a whisky aftertaste. I’d been looking forward to this one...
Ben – 8/10 – I thought they’d look more green and unappetising but they were like less-offensive-tasting Bombay Mix. They were actually really tasty and I would eat a whole pack. Tom – 7/10 – They look like liquorice allsorts. There was a pleasing mouthfeel with quite a ‘seaweedy’ tang. The flavour intensified after swallowing. I would argue that they are a better version of scampi fries. Jack – 6/10 – The texture was too strange, they were very crumbly as well. The taste was slightly fishy with a tang and I felt sick after about four bites.
Dried dates on a stick
Georgie – 1/10 - It looked like meat at first glance and I felt very apprehensive. The only pleasure I got from it was knowing that the more I chewed it, the closer it is to being gone. It was like eating boots.
Ben – 3/10 – Oh chocolate croissant I had such high hopes for you! You were even The chocolate was really grim with bad pastry. Unpleasant.less appetising than your orange cousin.
Lauren – 0/10 – By now I’d reached the point that anything vacuum packed is hiding a sinister secret. Vile. It lasted a disturbingly long time in my mouth. Took some chewing.
Tom – 4/10 – The aftertaste of whisky was pleasant but not enough to redeem the miserable effort of the chocolate sauce thing. Jack – 6/10 – It was alright. Pretty uninspiring, the chocol ate filling was pretty drab and the pastry was too stodgy.
IT’S A HIT!
Mr Brown iced coffee
right. It was too sweet but I like Georgie – 5.5/10 – It was palatable but not quite Mr Brown as a character! chap and his coffee wasn’t bad Lauren – 7/10 – Mr Brown looks like a friendly cks anytime soon but overall it Starbu in it nd fi to going not bly either. You’re proba . was satisfyingly sweet and milky am more of a black coffee fan. It Ben – 5/10 – This was a bit too creamy for me, I Mr Brown. , Sorry hake. milks a being to ay was almost halfw Popeye. It tasted more like a Tom – 6/10 – Mr Brown looks like a character from coffees; Mr Brown knows his my have I how y exactl t almos is It ee. coff a latte than dual. indivi orthy trustw stuff and seems a coffee flavour but the packaging and Mr Brown Jack – 7/10 – It was refreshing, not my favouriteMr Brown! reassured me. I would drink it again. Well done
IT’S A HIT!
Pepero biscuits Georgie – 6/10 – It was nice but nothing special like a margherita. It was almost savourty, too small, and not satisfying. Lauren – 5/10 – It tasted savoury at the ends. Novel and thin but still I would rather have a custard creme.
Ben – 8/10 – The biscuit sticks were quite that savoury and the chocolate dark, but I think the would make them decent snacks through t swee over mind your up make day if you can’t and savoury. was Tom – 7/10 – The main body of the stick so. less much very le hand the very pleasant, way The sweet and savoury ends are the wrong g a round. It’s like eating profiteroles then havin ed sandwich. The choice of dark chocolate work well. Jack – 8/10 – It was very nice. The sticks were ks. too dainty. I am a man who likes big chun CHUNKS!
IT’S A HIT!
Hello Panda biscuits Georgie – 9/10 – Nom nom nom. These were tasty. I liked the panda pictures on the biscuits. Tackling my hatred of peach was worth it for these. They are too small though, and not enough in a box.
Lauren – 9/10 – The pandas were definitely up to scratch. Extra points for cuteness. ‘Fun filled’ indeed. st Ben – 9/10 – Hello Panda biscuits are almo re as good as their packaging. Tasty, good textuthat (crunchy and gooey), the only drawback isyou everyone will ask if they can try one, and don’t get many in a packet. and Tom – 10/10 – Fabulous crumbling action real 43% re they’ e sham a It’s . blast chocolate panda, but needs must. Thank you Singapore! bly Jack – 9/10 – They were so light, very crum ng maki for gh thou mark a lose ey Th and tasty. rds. me consume such happy pandas. The basta They are endangered enough.
IT’S A HIT!
Lauren – 5/10 – They resembled strange-shaped Shreddies. There was a lasting aftertaste which lingered then intensified and I think that it would be hard to eat a whole packet as they get worse the more you eat.
Lauren – 3/10 – It was strangely boozy. Not chocolate as we know it. It sounded promising but it didn’t deliver.
Iced coffee
Snacks
Ben – 4/10 – The taste of this wasn’t that bad, but it was an absolute workout for your jaw. Tom’s ‘rhino hide’ comment was pretty accurate. Tom – 2/10 – It was like eating dehydrated rhino hide, it had a tough texture and tasted roughly the same. It lets down other great stick-based foods such as candyfloss and kebabs. Jack – 5/10 – You shouldn’t have to try so hard to enjoy food! It had the toughness of old car tyres. The flavour was okay but I was too frustrated by the end of the mouthful.
IT’S A HIT!
Sweets Kinder Country
IT’S A HIT!
Georgie – 6/10 – It was like a freddo but German. I liked the milky flavour but not the bits. WHY SO MANY BITS IN EVERYTHING!? Lauren – 6/10 – It was essentially a chocolate bar embedded with sugar puffs. A bit too earthy and very small considering the calorie count. Ben – 7/10 – The oatiness of this was a bit it’s a weird, but it’s got a nice creamy filling and good snack-size chocolate bar. the Tom – 5/10 – It was confusingly small, as us country is large. The milky bit was tremendo ever but the nutty, oaty bit was very weird. How oats are very good for slow release energy. it and Jack – 8/10 – I am confused. I sort of love the loathe it. The milk chocolate part is ace yet with oaty bit irks me. This chocolate bar fills me much woe.
Apple chews
sure Georgie – 6/10 – It was so juicy! I wasn’t There if it was gum or more akin to a Starburst. last was lots of confusion in my mouth but at something tasty! a Lauren – 7/10 – It was like apple Hubba Bubb ). hope (I e but edibl apple Ben – 9/10 – These were really nice juicy r. A sweets. They’re kind of like Maom but tastiere, pack of these would get you through a lectu they’re dead chewy. nted Tom – 9/10 – It was juicy on an unprecede e. rienc expe ing chew fun dibly incre an and scale able chew of s term in us of d ahea Japan is years sweet technology. ed Jack – 9/10 – The extremely tangy juice gush too not yet tangy was It bite. rst out from the fi lecsour. I would happily chew these during a nar, ture to pass the time. But not during a semi it is too chewy for that.
18.features
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Jammin’ with the Jarmans
Before their show at O2 Academy, Matty Aston sat down with Gary and Ryan Jarman, the acclaimed twin-brothers of cult indie-band The Cribs and talked about the new record, Johnny Marr, leaving Wakefield behind and a possible collaboration in the future with Queen
I
barely have time to sit down before Ryan and Gary, those recognisable and raucous twins from acclaimed Wakefield-ites The Cribs, begin discussing their new record, In The Belly of the Brazen Bull. They come across like proud parents, and why what’s wrong with that? The record has after all been met with overwhelming acclaim from the outset from fans and critics alike.
“It’s reaffirmed our position since switching back to a three-piece,” Gary explains. “I think from a chart point of view, it was cool to have a top ten album and commercial success as well as re-engaging with your fans as a threepiece.” “I feel like the fans really seem to like this record, that’s a good sign really,” claims Ryan, “they’ve connected to us as a three-piece and with that sound coming back.” It’s clear that there were some initial worries about the
album’s reception, however, with Gary adding, “for me, I was more concerned that the idea of having somebody leave the band was something that, from a press angle at least, could be picked up as a negative. It’s nice that we’ve managed to make it into a positive, which was the thing I was happiest about.” Regarding the title of their fifth record, released in May, Ryan confessed his brother should take all of the credit. “We’d had it for a while and we’d nearly used it before,” admits Gary. “It came from when we were going to play in Iceland in 2006, and Ryan got a book on executions and all the different forms of executions,” he continues, “it was the most barbaric thing. The story behind it is an ancient tyrant had this metallic ball crafted from brass that he would put people in and start a fire underneath it and be burned alive inside of it. It was just a really gnarly, awful, terrifying thought. It just captured my imagination. We started using the phrase a lot and started to look at a way to use it.” When pressed on any particular bands that influenced the sound of the album, arguably their heaviest to date, Ryan recalls, “the bands that we grew up with were wide left, I don’t feel like we’re influenced by the stuff we hear currently.” “It’s been an interesting cyclical thing for us,”
Gary remarks, “when we first started out as a band we were very much influenced by the more obscure American bands and back then that wasn’t totally trendy. It was all about rock ‘n’ roll and leather jackets and stuff, so our influences were maybe a little prior to that.” The new record has already spawned hit singles ‘ChiTown’ and ‘Come On, Be a No-one,’ yet Ryan’s favourite is one of their more edgy numbers, ‘Back to the Bolthole.’ “When we first started making the record it was one of the first things we wrote. It encapsulates the record really. Out of all the songs, it’s the one I really kind of like.” It’s clear that Gary’s real passion lies in the recording process more so than on the road. “I see myself as a musician because I have to be to make music,” he adds. “I don’t see myself as a musician because I take particular joy from playing instruments, it’s because I like to
write songs. Recently we’ve started embracing all the technology in the studio and not just using it as a means to an end. I love recording.” The Wakefield outfit are clearly happy with their progression as a band since breaking onto the scene in 2002. “I feel like there’s been a marked progression through all the records,” declares Ryan, “I think that certainly in terms of this record. I feel most artistically satisfied with it and that to me is the best way to judge whether or not I’m happy with the progression. I feel it’s progressed to a point where I’m getting more and more satisfied by the records.” “I like the fact we can look back on each record and whether or not each record is radically different, they all have a different feel and approach,” Gary acknowledges. “You can see it go from naive stuff on the first record to angrier on the second record and then the gender politics of the third record and obviously the
“We don’t take anything for granted. It’s nuts that we even ended up he re.”
The Courier
features.19
Monday 5 November 2012
The Cribs O2 Academy, Newcastle Monday 29 October
T
aking the stage to Kiss’ ‘God Gave Rock ’N’ Roll To You’, The Cribs are immediately reminiscent of a time when indie music was at its prime, and the word ‘swagger’ had no Cher Lloyd connotations whatsoever. In an oversized German Military coat and the skinniest of jeans, lead singer Ryan Jarman launches his band into recent single ‘Come On, Be a No-one’. The band excels at the art of performance, proving themselves as true indie icons. After a quick introduction, they thrash out raucous versions of ‘Our Bovine Public’ and ‘Girls Like Mystery’ and the tone is set. By the show’s mid-point, a pattern is beginning to emerge. Songs from The Cribs’ early back-catalogue go down a storm, sending plastic pint glasses and indie kids through the air. However, despite the latest album receiving rave reviews, for one reason or another, material from it just doesn’t provoke the same reaction. And it isn’t just from me; after a few tracks from latest release The Belly of the Brazen Bull (‘Glitters Like Gold’, ‘Jaded Youth’ to name but two) the crowd demanded some ‘old school’ material. With typical devil-maycare aplomb, Jarman shrugs off the audiences hostility, however, gratifying their whim with a version of ‘You Were Always The One’ fraught with nostalgic energy.
maturity on the fourth record and the fifth one we’re just enjoying the liberty of being back together as brothers.” Now based in Portland, Oregon, Gary discussed the advantages of living outside of the UK. “I’ve been living there since the third record and what it does is give me an escape from England because in the UK, it’s such a small country that if you’re in a band and a band that does well, it’s very much like a public concern. In America though you can be a band like us and then still remain disaffected by what’s going on in pop culture.” A great deal of the writing process takes place in the States, Gary admits. “We do write a lot out there, a lot of the stuff for this record, you feel really shut off and secluded and we go out there to write when we just want to really concentrate.” Reflecting on their work with legendary Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr, who left the Wakefield band in 2011 after four years with the group, Ryan explains, “we definitely enjoyed working with him and we remain friends, we saw him at the Q Awards last week. I feel like we did write together but I enjoyed playing guitar with him and I enjoyed that dynamic we had as guitarists.” “He’s a good guy and he’s a fun guy and he’s good to work with,” Gary comments, “and I think that when it was The Cribs plus Johnny Marr, that was something we enjoyed, but now it’s just The Cribs again and we’re quite happy really.” Quizzed on whether they’d class themselves as better as a three-piece, Gary states, “I don’t want to say better because I think that’s very much a subjective thing, but I think for us and what we set out to do it’s more akin to that. With Johnny, it was a cool project that we enjoyed doing but as far as being what we want to be, as a threepiece it allows us to be more like that.” A number of the bands that broke onto the scene at
the same time as the West Yorkshire boys have found it difficult to sustain such high levels of success. Asked whether it’s much more difficult to remain relevant these days in the pop-domi-
nated music world, Gary insists, “just avoid it, avoid relevance, avoid the mainstream, and you’re totally fine really.” Ryan reveals the secret to their success: “the fact that we didn’t become part of
what it was, or didn’t want to become part of what it was, a lot of the other bands wanted to become part of what it was. The mainstream changes quite a lot.” The band is seemingly happy with their position in the music industry. “I think we’re comfortable on the level we operate on,” Gary explains, “because when you look at this tour we’re doing, like you said, a lot of the bands that were bigger back in the day, they aren’t doing tours like that anymore. We’ve managed to maintain a pretty consistent level of touring. We just don’t take it for granted, it’s nuts that we ended up here.” Following their heavy touring schedule this year in support of In The Belly, the band plan on scaling back their commitments in 2013, however another release may be in the pipeline in the not too distant future. “There will definitely be a few more shows,” Ryan confirms, “I wanna finish the record we started with Steve Albini, hopefully we’ll finish that next summer, it depends how much time we’ve got.” In regards to any major ambitions for the future, Gary delivered a rather surprising admission. “I’d like to play with Queen, they played a couple of shows at the Hammersmith Apollo and we went to one of them and it was amazing,” he continues. “We tried to get a support slot for that show but they played for three hours and didn’t have a support. It would have been something to check off the list like the (Sex) Pistols. I’ve always loved the Pistols and out of the Pistols, Nirvana and Queen, I think only two of them are vaguely possible, so it would have been a nice thing to check off the list.” Gary jokes, “Maybe in the future; maybe they’ll read this interview and be like ‘oh, that’d be rad!’ Maybe they will.
“The Cribs’ performance has lost none of its raw intensity, it’s just that their material has.” Despite the crowd’s mixed reaction to the new material, The Cribs’ set is an enjoyable one nevertheless. The backdrop (although seemingly lifted from Club Tropicana at Florita’s), lent an air of Glamorous Indie Rock n Roll to the stage. With Hawaii-inspired floral decorations, clearly a lot more thought has gone into their live set. On the surface it looked all very grown-up, but the brothers from Wakefield soon tear it up. Equipment is abused as mic stands and guitars are hurled to the floor, and at one point an electric fan is used as a plectrum. The boys are allowed to run riot though thanks to live recruit David Jones’ (of Nine Black Alps fame) solid performance on second guitar. A particular highlight was the anthemic ‘Be Safe’, which was accompanied by a video of Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo reciting the spoken word poem sampled in the song. On-stage antics abound, The Cribs’ performance has lost none of its’ raw intensity, it’s just that their material has. Perhaps the Geordies are just suckers for the old classics, but the more recent tracks barely provoked reaction, while tracks like ‘Mirror Kissers’ and ‘Hey Scenesters’ were received with rapture. Frontmen Ryan and Gary still cannot sing to save their lives, and it still doesn’t matter in the slightest. Born entertainers, to watch them wreak havoc and give the roadies the run-around is a real privilege, and worth the ticket price alone. Lewis Lister
20.fashion
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Fashion Editors: Elissa Hudson and Lizzie Hampson Online Fashion Editor: Sally Greenwood
Course: Law Year: 2
Course: English Language Year: 3
Coat: £35, H&M Jumper: £75, Lyle & Scott Chinos: £32, ASOS High tops: £85,Nike Air
Boots: £65, Marks & Spencer Jumper: £30, eBay Jeans: £25, River Island Shirt: £18, eBay Glasses: £20, Specsavers
Total cost of outfit: £227 Why it works: David is the definition of urban street style. His outfit is put together immaculately, the colours compliment each other perfectly without being too well matched. Cable knit jumpers are a big hit for both guys and girls and David has teamed this navy number with burgundy chinos which compliment it perfectly. David says… “I tailor my style to be chilled for Uni whilst still maintaining my urban edge. My high-tops and coat were both great investment buys, they go with everything.”
Rebekah Finney
Tom Rhodes
David Morris
Campus fashion
Total cost of outfit: £158 Why it works: Tom has made sure he doesn’t look the same as everyone else by buying some of his clothes from eBay, which is always a good idea. The patterns, textures and colours on his shirt and jumper clash nicely, adding extra interest to the outfit. His brogue-style boots add a more masculine feel to this traditional choice of footwear and are perfect for winter. Tom says… “I love winter, it means I get to bring out the jumpers! I don’t look good in t-shirts, so it’s a good job I love wearing shirts instead. They look good under jumpers too.”
Skinted to minted
No matter what your budget is, Frances Stephenson proves there is a parka to suit everyone Primark, £25
Internacionale, £39.99
Mint Velvet, £149
A/W12 has seen the reinvention of the parka to include luxe leather sleeves, but if you feel like this trend might bite the dust next season then this androgynous Primark parka is the perfect way to update your look without breaking the bank.
The parka design is modelled on the Inuit’s of the Arctic, so its only right that they feature a cosy oversized fur lined hood. The hood also makes a great hiding place for when you run into someone you’re trying to avoid!
If you’ve got the cash, this Mint Velvet parka is a great investment. Twisting the classic khaki, opting instead for navy, the colour will suit those of us who suffer from the attractive ‘washed out’ look in winter.
The Courier
fashion.21
Monday 5 November 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion c2.fashion@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Fashion
Highland fling
Autumn/winter has seen the return of tartan to the British high street. Nicole Stevenson fills us is on its fashionable comeback
Fashion Blog of the Week
www.whatoliviadid.com
Coat: £85, River Island Trousers: £32, Next Bag: £35, Next Shoes: £22, Next
A
utumn/Winter 2012 brings back the tartan trend with flying colours. This season, vintage meets avant-garde as tartan has taken on new forms since its prominence during winter 09/10, increasing its wearability through a shift from the original red/black colours and by extending the use of the print to make statement outfits. These innovative ways of wearing tartan agree with the contemporary view of fashion as a tool to define personal style and individuality, not forgetting that it is one of the best examples of tasteful style. It is an established fashion that has been refined by time, which makes a tartan item desirable and an essential piece in your wardrobe. The most common key tartan piece is the scarf, which can be found in various shades (and most likely, in your mother’s wardrobe) and is classically celebrated in its original red/black fusion. It is impossible to go through the winter and not spot a tartan scarf. Its appeal does not stem from mere trend-
following, but its timelessness, as with all successful fashion. As well as this continuing piece, the new boldness tartan carries is exemplified by the blue tint tartan trousers that convey cool winter colours, showing that this fabric has the adaptability of colour to suit all the seasons. It is an extremely versatile trend; from schoolgirl skirts, to rocking tartan leggings, to the casual indie style of the tartan shirt; the tartan look is well-recognised despite its varying styles. You can look on-trend for a price that suits your budget, as tartan scarves and shirts can be picked up on eBay for next to nothing, meaning you don’t have to worry about brand name prices. This is a great advantage that makes tartan universal and accessible. Finally, it is everything youthful and eccentric, classic and refined, matching all personalities with one consensus - that tartan continues to be an undying fashion.
Fashion editor Lizzie Hampson shows us how to style some of this season’s toughest-to-pull-off trends Purple
Oversize
Throughout history purple had been seen as the colour of luxury and passion, only worn by the elite of society, but this season it’s time to rediscover the power of purple! Avid fashion followers will take on this trend by wearing head to toe purple and contrasting it with colours on the opposite end of the spectrum. Even though this look is surprisingly effective it is definitely not for the faint hearted. A muted way to channel this trend without rushing out to buy a whole new purple wardrobe is to invest in a dark purple lipstick, it’ll make an interesting change from red or pink and add an autumnal feel to your outfit.
You would be forgiven for thinking that oversized clothes should be hand-me-downs from your slightly larger, older cousin or reserved for lounging around the house in. However, this season oversized clothes are chic rather than slovenly. Cocoon coats, loosely structured trousers and flowing skirts are what you should look out for to channel this trend. The real beauty of oversizing is in its ability to flatter any figure. For a daytime look try an oversized Aran jumper with skinny jeans and Chelsea boots; the contrast between the volume of the jumper and the streamline of the jeans will give the illusion that the slim silhouette is continued.
When choosing an outfit, the general thought when it comes to footwear is “what shoes will go with this”, but now the trend tables have turned and it’s the shoes that demand an outfit to go with them. From crystal shaped heels made out of Perspex to exquisite artisan style carpentry, these shoes definitely aren’t made for much walking and are probably best left for special occasions. When they start appearing on the high street look out for lots of detail, a mix of fabrics, intricate beading and bold patterns. Decorative heels are made to grab the limelight, so keep your outfit simple and let your shoes do the talking.
Follow Olivia on Twitter: @livpurvis Elissa Hudson
Tricky trends
Decorative heels
After being crowned ‘best new fashion blog’ at the 2011 Cosmopolitan Blog Awards, What Olivia Did has gone from strength to strength. Nineteen-year-old Olivia’s style is best described as girly with a vintage twist, so if that’s your thing then you’ll love her blog. Scattered amongst her fashion posts are features on cooking, music and beauty, as well as interviews with celebrities such as Cherry Healey and Lydia Bright.
Heritage The heritage trend is ideal for those who wish to emulate countryside chic without having to participate in hunting trips and polo. This style is smart, effortless and screams wealth and thus is a favourite of fashionistas, however this doesn’t mean it can’t fit into your student wardrobe. Long black riding boots in the winter give your outfit a nod to the trend whilst also staying versatile. Stick to traditional materials by wearing plaid, corduroy and tweed and you wont go far wrong,
Online Shop of the Week www.yayer.co.uk
Yayer.co.uk sells vintage-inspired clothing alongside actual vintage pieces, making it ridiculously easy to create that edgy ‘just-stepped-outof-Topshop’ look without anyone knowing where your clothes are from (or actually having to step foot in Topshop.) Their aim is to make sure that all of their customers ‘walk to their own fashion beat’, so you can guarantee you’ll be wearing something that can’t be found on the high street. Think highwaisted shorts, oversized jackets and unique playsuits, all in one place, and all at the click of a mouse. Follow Yayer on Twitter: @YAYERSHOP Rosie Devonshire
The Courier
beauty.23
Monday 5 November 2012
Beauty Editor: Annie Morgan Online Beauty Editor: Amy Macauley
How to: ‘60s Make-Up
In the 1960s, make-up looks tended to be heavier on the eyes, with more neutral skin and lips. Using the Sixties’ most recognizable model Twiggy as her main inspiration, Emma Hill demonstrates how to achieve a simple, quick-to-do 1960s make-up look.
Step 1:
thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty courier.beauty@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Beauty
Tip of the week
The tools you use to apply your make-up are just as important as the make-up itself if you want to achieve a flawless, professional finish. If you have invested in some make-up brushes, you want to keep them clean in order to get the best results and prevent your skin from breaking out. Heather Ratcliffe explains how to care for your brushes using a D.I.Y penny saving tip. Just as you wash your face to avoid breakouts, it is particularly important , to clean your make up brushes regularly ld too! Ideally, it is advised that you shou two y ever t leas at shes bru r you wash weeks. This helps to stop the build up of dirt, oil and bacteria, which are not things you want sitting on your skin and potentially breaking you out.
1
Pour a small amount of washing up liquid into a saucer. To this, add an equal amount of olive oil: this combination will both cleanse and soften your brushes.
Skinted VS Minted
Is it worth spending more? Rachel Spedding puts two moisturising lip products to the test.
Skinted? Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter - £7.99 Boots This product is incredibly moisturising and the colour range is extremely varied. The lip butter is on the pricier end of high street makeup but is definitely worth the investment as Revlon is a goto for excellent quality products (and has been for over 80 years - that must say something!)
2
At this stage you can additionally choose to scent your brushes by adding a drop of natural vanilla or lavender extract. Alternatively, for spot prone skin, try including a drop of tea tree oil into the mixture.
3
Then you can begin dipping your brushes into the mixture, making sure they are completely coated.
4
My inspiration for this 1960s look is sixties style icon Twiggy. To start off, apply your base products (foundation set with powder) and liquid eyeliner flicks on top of the lid. To achieve a neat eyeliner flick, close your eyes and pull the skin taught then follow the line of the lid next to the eyelash and extend about 1cm.
Next, rinse your brushes under a warm tap using your fingers to lather them up until the water runs clear.
5 Use a soft towel and gently pat dry your brushes or if possible leave them over night to dry fully.
Step 2:
Make Sure To Go Cruelty-Free Because: Synthetic brushes are easier to clean. They repel dirt and bacteria better than real animal hair. They shed less (or most often, not at all!) No animals are harmed in the process. Recommended Affordable & Crue Free Brands: Real Techniques, EcoT ltyools & The Body Shop.
Next cover the lid right up to the brow with a pale white/cream eye shadow. Within the crease draw a fine line with charcoal coloured eye shadow, making this thinner toward the tear duct and thicker on the outer corners. Then, use a sharpened soft eyeliner to draw a neat line following the eyelid crease. This makes the line more defined as it is a major feature of Sixties-style makeup.
Step 3:
Minted? Bareminerals ‘Pretty Amazing’ Lipcolor - £15.00 bareminerals.co.uk This bold coloured creme gloss is one of many shades guaranteed to add impact to a day or night-time pout. The colour is easy to blend and long lasting, however the texture can sometimes feel too thick and a bit cakey.
Which one wins? Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter
The Best Base For Your Skin Type
When choosing a foundation, it is not only important to find a suitable shade for your skin, but one that compliments your skin type, too. Hayley Durrant reveals what kind of foundation is best for you. £££: Luxury option £: Cheaper option
Sensitive Skin (Mineral Foundation) £££ bareMinerals Original Foundation (£18.50) £ Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (£10.99)
Although these foundations may be powders, when applied they create a cream-like texture on the skin. The coverage is complete and better still they are free of preservatives, talc, oil, waxes, fragrances, and other chemicals that can irritate skin and cause breakouts.
Using the above liquid eyeliner flick as a guide, line the lower lashes using the soft eyeliner. Follow the flick outwards whilst maintaining a clearly defined separation between them both.
Step 4:
Oily/Combination Skin (Oil-Free Foundation) £££ Laura Mercier Oil-Free Supreme Foundation (£33) £ Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation (£5.99)
Finding a foundation for oily skin can be challenging but these foundations deliver a perfect matte finish that lasts all day long without getting oily or cakey. The texture of the foundations is smooth and feels very light on the skin and there is no need to reapply make-up throughout the day to combat the grease.
Normal Skin (Radiant Foundation) £££ Yves Saint Laurent, Le Teint Touche Éclat (£28) £ Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum (£10.99)
You cannot go wrong with these buildable foundations. The YSL foundation has been 10 years in the making and delivers similar results to the iconic Touche Eclat pen, by highlighting and contouring the natural structure of your face. The result is that problem areas are covered and skin is left glowing and looking radiant. The Bourjois foundation has a similar formula and leaves the same kind of dewy effect on the skin.
To finish the sixties look apply lashings of mascara a touch of shimmer blusher to define the cheek bones and some neutral pastel pink lipstick. For an even more exaggerated sixties eye, add some thick fake eyelashes for more of a glamorous, dramatic finish.
Dry Skin (Liquid Foundation) £££ Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation (£24) £ Collection BB Secrets Beauty Balm (£5.99)
A medium but buildable foundation is perfect for dry flaky skin; the Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation is extremely hydrating being a gel-based foundation, which is what dry skin craves. The Mac foundation is long-wearing and water resistant with a natural satin finish but most importantly this product revitalizes tired dry skin and thoroughly moisturises it. If your skin is particularly dry, you can always opt for a moisturising BB cream if you already have good skin.
24.listings5-11November
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Listings Editor: Sally Priddle
Monday
Monday Night Film Club Venue, Students’ Union Every Monday, free film showing, with drinks and food offers .
Tuesday Conor Maynard 7pm O2 Academy
Best known for his singles ‘Can’t Say No’ and ‘Vegas Girl’. Tickets from £19 available from O2 Academy website or box office.
Matraca Berg 8pm Hall Two, The Sage
A beautiful singer who scored her first US number one at the age of 18. Her latest album, The Dreaming Fields, examines the tides and seasons of women’s lives, aches and triumphs. Tickets from £15 available from The Sage website or box office.
Andi Ohso: All the Single Ladies 7pm The Stand Comedy Club
Frank female comedian who you may know from TV appearances on Mock the Week and Michael Mcintyre’s Comedy Roadshow. Tickets from £15 available from The Stand’s website.
Wednesday One Book Reading Challenge - In the Country of Men
Hisham Matar will be reading from his novel In the Country of Men in conversation with William Fiennes. Tickets free for all Newcastle University Students. Book your free ticket at www.ncl.ac.uk/ncla
Red Raw
7pm The Stand Comedy Club
This weekly showcase for beginners lets the newest comedians in the North East try out their material in front of a live audience for the first time. Tickets £2 on the door.
Thursday
Student Council
5.30pm The History Room, Students’ Union
The Students’ Council is the highest democratic body in your Students’ Union. It exists to ensure that students have a say over their Union from the top to the bottom of the organisation. It can’t work without students though, so go along and have your say.
Motorhead and Anthrax 7pm City Hall
Motorhead and Anthrax, need I say more? Get down and get your rock on. Tickets from £27 available from City Hall’s website or box office.
The Courier
5-11Novemberlistings.25
Monday 5 November 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/listings courier.listings@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Listings
Friday Michael McIntyre 8pm MetroRadio Arena
A man who needs no introduction. His classic stand up has taken the UK by storm. Now is your chance to see him at his finest. Tickets from £35 available from the Arena’s website or box office.
Something for the weekend Andy Fury, Carl Hutchinson and Phil Butler
Saturday 10 November, 7pm Hyena Comedy Club
[Spunge]
Some classic North East comedy in a brilliant setting, this is one of the best alternative Saturday nights you could wish for. Tickets £12 available from The Hyena website or box office.
6.30pm O2 Academy
Not in Newcastle...
With the Metro going to Sunderland, trains to Durham only £5 return with a Railcard and special weekend deals on trains and buses to Scotland there really is no excuse for your weekend or evening activities to be limited to the Toon. Expand your horizons and find out what the whole of the North East and beyond has to offer.
Starlight Express
race is truly back on! Tickets from £19.50 available from The Sunderland Empire’s website or box office.
13 November - 24 November
Bill Kenwright presents one of the best loved and longest running musicals in theatrical history. The sensational Starlight Express explodes back onto the stage with a new production for 2012, destined to take the UK by electrifying storm. Light years ahead of the rest, this futuristic tale about love and hope in the face of adversity promises to take you on the ride of a lifetime – with two hours of speed, spectacle, energy and turbo charged excitement, combined with an electrifying soundtrack, dazzling sets and costumes, extraordinary roller-choreography and some of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable musical hits. Buckle up; the
Radio show of the week: Supercheese Radio Show
Touring year on year and amassing over 800 shows to date, the band are hot favourites with the likes of Kerrang! and Metal Hammer. Tickets £9.50 available from the O2 Academy website.
Need some encouragement to get your Friday feeling on? Well the answer to your prayers is here in the form of Supercheese! ‘your favourite feel-good friday radio show’ that play anything to help brighten your day, we have weekly themes such as motown, ladies and spy week.
CCTV
Saturday 3 November, 11pm Students’ Union
When do you tune in? Fridays at 2pm
Need I say more?
W T Feaster Band and Billy Walton
Something free: Debate
8pm The Cluny
Previously described as a ‘rock/blues hurricane’ this band took the North East by storm last time they came. Get ready for an evening of fiery passion where the boys promise to ‘set the Toon alight’. Tickets £12 available from The Cluny website or box office.
1pm, Monday 12 November Venue at The Students’ Union
Jon Richardson: The Greatest Hits so Far Tour Sunday 11 November, 8pm The Mill Volvo Theatre
Star of 8 Out of 10 Cats, this obsessively hilarious comedian is one not to miss. With a second date put on for popular demand, this show promises to be a winner. Tickets from £17.50 available from The Mill Volvo Theatre’s website or box office.
JukeBox at The Other Rooms
11pm-3.30am The Other Rooms at Digital Newcastle’s finest weekly alternative music session. £1 entry before midnight.
Come experience the taster session with the debating society with fun exercises and games as well as a show debate. Topics range from serious current issues such as tuition fees and other hotbeds of news, to light hearted topics such as zombies. Please bring pens, paper and your wits. If you want to book your place please email: giag.union@ncl. ac.uk with ‘Debate’ in the subject line.
Something to look forward to: Medsin Newcastle’s Got Talent 13 November, 7.30pm Venue, The Students’ Union
Newcastle Medsin presents its first varsity talent show in aid of Tyneside Rape Crisis and the refurbishment of the Paediatrics Unit of the Komfo Anokye teaching hospital in Ghana. This will be an evening of unforgettable entertainment where YOUR societies compete for the winning title, including:Newcastle University Theatre Society (NUTS); ComedySoc; Musical Medics; Irish dancing society; Pole dancing society; Gilbert & Sullivan society and many more! Tickets available for £5 on the door, or £4 in advance from NUSU or Medical School Foyer
@CourierListings
26.lifestyle
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Lifestyle Editors: Lauren Stafford, Em Rae, and Catherine Davison Online Editor: Victoria Mole
Go with the flow: music is my hot hot sex When you have someone round to warm your winter nights, it’s important you set the right mood. Candles can end in disaster and fireextinguishers, and rose petals just make a mess, but the right song can set the tone just right... use our flow chart to help you choose a tune or two
Khia My Neck, My Back
Do you want to put a lot of effort in when you’re getting intimate?
Yes Which is your preferred ice-cream?
The Circle Jerks Group Sex
How do you eat your Kit-Kat?
Sugababes Freak Like Me
Both at once
Passionfruit
Plain old vanilla
Do you cry when you climax a.k.a cry-max?
One bar at a time
No
Would you suck on someone’s toes?
HELL YEAH!
Usher Climax
No
Yes Are you prone to lock jaw?
No
Take That It Only Takes A Minute
I’d rather not A healthy amount, thanks
Marvin Gaye Sexual Healing
Every time How often do you have sex?
Only on annivesaries
Spandau Ballet True
Bon Iver For Emma
The Courier
Monday 5 November 2012
sex&relationshipslifestyle.27 thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Life
Blind Date Alesha Sethia, 3rd year English Literature, meets Conor McCue, Foundation Year Civil Engineering Alesha on Conor
Conor on Alesha
What kind of guy do you go for normally? Yeah I would say I have a usual type that I go for. Lookswise I always seem to go for blue eyes and blonde hair, no particular reason why it just always seems to work out that way. Personality wise I like confident guys, I do Promo work so I’m pretty confident myself. They have to know how to keep a conversation going. First impressions? Initially I thought he looked really sweet. He was a sweet guy and kind of looked like his personality... if that makes sense. He was very much the gentlemen and offering to buy me drinks. He was polite too, even offering me the better chair. Any striking conversation topics? We talked about loads of different things really, we were in Mensbar for a couple of hours. We discussed embarrassing stories from nights out and our music tastes. We also talked about the Olympics and what sports stars we’d met. Any awkward moments? I don’t think there was any awkward moments actually; or at least not that I noticed anyway. There could have been some but we were both pretty laidback. I noticed he kept pushing the conversation forward, which was kinda nice. I don’t really get awkward to be honest. What was his most attractive quality? Lookswise, he had nice blue eyes. I hope. Let’s hope so anyway. Also he was quite witty at points. I like someone who’s quick witted as you have to be on the ball, it interests me. What was his worst trait? Im not a massive fan of his hairstyle. It was kind of shaved but then with a longer bit on top. Either have your hair shaved or not. If you were to take them home do you think your parents would approve? Yes and no. Yes in terms of his manner and behaviour. However he’s on the dole at the moment as I think he’s having a year out as he failed last year, or something like that. He wrote a CV for the first time last week. Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss? No, just no really. I didn’t really feel that kind of connection with him, at least not in a ‘I fancy you’ kind of way. What would be your ideal date? It sounds weird but it would be quite cool to explore a remote island. You’d have time to talk to them and also anywhere hot would be good. Marks out of 10? I’d give the date a 7. Would you meet up again? As friends maybe. Definitely not anything more. It wasn’t an awkward date so if I saw him on the street, I would ask how him and the job hunt were doing.
Lavinia Eastwood
What kind of girl do you go for normally? I don’t know really; I wouldn’t say I have a particular type that I always go for. I guess blonde hairs always good. Also I like to be with a girl that is funny, that you can have a good laugh with. It’s important not to take yourself too seriously. First impressions? From the beginning she came across as really nice and she’s pretty too. It was cool as she seemed really relaxed straightaway. Any striking conversation topics? We chatted about all kinds of things. Obviously we talked about boring stuff like what course we do and where we’re from. However we also chatted about things that we’re both into. We both like sport and she talked about her time at Wimbledon. Any awkward moments? I can’t recall any particular awkward moments or pauses in the conversation. She was easygoing and relaxed about the situation which helped. We moved on from one topic to another pretty seamlessly. What’s one thing you learnt about your date that surprised you? She said that she works on Friday and Saturday nights doing Promo work for Guinness in an air hostess outfit. Wouldn’t have expected that from an English student. What was her most attractive quality? She had nice eyes. I think they were brown, well, I hope. In terms of personality she was pretty funny and knew how to have a good laugh which is always attractive. What was her worst trait? It’s really hard to think of a worst trait as I didn’t really pick up on one on the date. I guess her worst trait is probably that she’s from the Midlands. If you were to take them home do you think your parents would approve? Yeah I think they would like her. She’s a nice girl obviously and I didn’t come across anything off-putting about her. Were you tempted to lean in for a kiss? No not really actually. The opportunity didn’t exactly arise either. What would be your ideal date? A first date to Alton Towers would be pretty decent. Marks out of 10? I’d give her an 8. Would you meet again? I’m not sure. Guess I’d have to see whether I can fit her in my busy schedule.
Unlucky in love? The Courier is here to help! Send your details to c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk
Diary of a Party Girl #2 - Second Year Upon entering second year, there has been a strange turn of events. It would appear from my current situation that I have lost my Fresher’s capacity for going out two nights on the trot. Having recovered from nearly crying because I briefly thought my curry didn’t have a microwave option, I’m sitting eating it in a pair of heels that I’m trying to make comfortable enough to wear out again tonight, and wondering how I ever did this last year. First year may only have been mere months ago, but it seems I am a changed woman. This is probably because the bright lights of Jesmond offer so many more options than just heading out every night. You have a real house, with bathrooms and sofas and everything; which makes staying in a much more attractive option than it did in first year. As a fresher, you either went out or spent time in your ‘room’ being endlessly entertained at the fact it was possible to touch all four walls from one standing point. Alternatively, you could sit and hear once again from your fellow Freshers how really excellent the Full Moon Party/tubing/general soul-searching in Thailand is. Second year is different. Gone are the days where you’re given a disciplinary for being dragged round Leazes’ corridors on a duvet whilst playing the ukulele. The only people you annoy by setting off the fire alarm are your own housemates now. Congregating in tiny communal areas for pre-drinks has been replaced by heading down to the sea of flat caps and high tops on Osborne Road for happy hour at Blanc. Instead of late night gatherings by the vending machines you’ll find yourself sharing takeaways on the landing. Among the various perks of your second year student-hood is the twenty-four hour bakery on Mistletoe Road. A twentyfour hour bakery. Nothing about that concept is bad, especially post-Koos, when all that’s left to do is console yourself about the oncoming hangover with a slice of pizza. However, after asking a friend his opinion on the differences between first and second year in Newcastle, his verdict was “We go a little bit harder”. Maybe he’s right. The pressure of making (and keeping) new friends is off, we know our way around town and we’ve got a lovely place to come back to when it’s all over. So, maybe it’s time to man up, break in my heels and enjoy what Newcastle has to offer. Second year may be set to be another cracker, but it’s probably worth bearing in mind…this time, it counts towards your degree.
28.lifestyle
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_life
Naked Bakin’ Bonfire Night Parkin Horoscopes
Aries 21 March - 19 April Rising transport costs will become the bane of your life this fortnight. Sidestep the schmucks on the Metro by creating a toboggan run on imported Norwegian snow. Taurus 20 April - 20 May You will face difficulties this week. You will take on the role of a doctor who is scared of blood and dislikes social interaction, but is also friends with Neil Morrissey. Your reaction? Rejoice! For you are Martin Clunes. Gemini 21 May- 20 June The next fortnight will reward long-term investments over instant gratification. With this in mind, stick a grand on Trust Me, I’m A Stomach and a score each-way on Massive Bereavement at Redcar on November 6th. Cancer 21 June- 22 July Buy a mop. When it happens, use the mop. Quickly. Leo 23 July- 22 August You might benefit from a head massage before the day is out, but beware of who you ask. Virgo 23 August- 22 September Look out for a woman called Fat Pat. She is a useful ally. Don’t get too close though. She may try to steal your brain, snap it in half and use it as a pair of kneepads. Libra 23rd September- 22 October Libra rules the kidneys and lumbar region, so unsurprisingly Librans are prone toward weakness in the lower back. However, the cast-iron resilience of Ursa Major will protect you this week. Bench-press 400kg. Scorpio 23 October - 21 November The moon is currently waxing gibbous, which will put you in a reflective mood. Why is the moon gibbous? Does it mean gibbons? Do gibbons control the moon? Should we destroy the moon for our own safety? Yes.
Summer is most definitely over; it is ridiculously cold outside and a night out is looking less and less appealing, so why not have a night in getting hot and sticky instead? This recipe offers you the perfect chance - of course, I am talking about the intense treacly goodness of the Yorkshire classic, parkin. It is a traditional pudding generally served around Bonfire Night; made with ginger and spice, this cake has a unique kick to spark a fire in anyone’s stomach. If you haven’t popped your parkin cherry yet, this recipe’s dense and goo-ey mix will ease you in gently.
This unique cake combines oatmeal, spice and sticky dark sugar to make an utterly irresistible treat that once tried will just leave you wanting more. As half of my housemates are extremely proud of their Yorkshire roots this recipe had to satisfy some high expectations, but luckily it did the job, so I can promise that this recipe comes with a seal of approval. This is your chance to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. You will need: A bowl and wooden spoon A metal tin of medium size 110g soft butter 110g soft dark brown sugar 2 tablespoons black treacle 4 tablespoons golden syrup 225g medium oatmeal 110g self-raising flour 2 tsp ground ginger (85p in Tesco)
4. Add the eggs and milk and stir the hell out of it (it takes a bit of effort).
2 medium eggs, beaten 1 tbsp milk
6. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
1. Preheat the oven to 140C/120C fan/Gas Mark 1 and find a suitable tin (cover it in foil to save on washing up) - by this I mean anything medium sized that can go in the oven without melting.
7. You need to store parkin for a day before you cut it. Cover it with a t-towel/kitchen roll fully and hold your excitement for cutting.
1 tsp ground mixed spice
2. In a pan, gently heat the butter, sugar, treacle and
8. The next day you can cut and indulge until you are fully satisfied. Sally Priddle
Restaurant Review Sky Apple Café
Opening times: Monday: 10am - 4.30pm Tues - Sat: 10am to 4.30pm, 6pm to 10pm Sun:11am - 4pm 182 Heaton road Newcastle upon Tyne 0191 209 2571
Capricorn 22 December- 19 January You will be contacted in the next few days concerning your availability to judge a Horse of the Year competition. Make sure you know your Arabian from your elbow (quick tip: Shire horses like relaxing with smooth jazz, while Mustangs will only listen to late-period Ramones).
Pisces 19 February - 20 March Pluto’s negotiations with Jupiter (re: Can We Swap Orbits For A Bit, I’m Bored Out Here) will reach a conclusion this week. Stamp on a pigeon’s face for good luck. Tom Nicholson
3. Sift in the dry ingredients into a bowl and make a hole in the middle. Pour the sticky mixture into the hole and fold them together.
5. Pour into your baking tin. Bake for 1 1/2 hours, although check it after an hour as it can easily get dry. You are look for the cake to spring back when gently pressed (sticking your finger straight in isn’t the best idea).
Sagittarius 22 November - 21 December The big theme of the next fortnight is the interrelatedness of all things. This may mean you realise you need to rewire the plug on your iron, or that you will marry your cousin.
Aquarius 20 January- 18 February The Jazz Man will offer you a flyer outside Campus Coffee. Take it. Go to his Jazz Club. Decide you don’t like jazz. Leave. The Jazz Man cries a single tear as you shut the door.
golden syrup, until it is all melted and mixed, but don’t let it bubble. Once combined take off the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Situated in Heaton, one would not expect to come across this quirky, vegetarian delight. After a 40 minute journey from the safety net of Jesmond, we were feeling somewhat apprehensive and frankly needed a sit down with a glass/bottle of red. The bright pink and slightly worn exterior, with condensation covered window panes (from lack of double glazing, we observed) did not look the most promising of venues. On entry everyone looked confused and vegetarianesque, complete with dreadlocks and crocs. The décor was shabby chic: pale blue walls with
DIY clouds, mismatched pinewood furniture with a hint of MDF (very 60 Minute Makeover), wilted geraniums and an impressive selection of herbal teas. Having scrutinized the menu online earlier on in the week, we had expected fine gourmet dining rather than a happy-go-lucky lunchtime caf. A busy Friday night meant the waitresses were not quick to take our order but this pause gave us time to soak up the atmosphere and examine the clientele. After placing our order, the starter arrived promptly: stuffed brie pancake and Mo! Sushi. We
“one simply can’t go wrong with golden brown pastry” were slightly disappointed with what we suspected to be Green Giant sweetcorn and ready shredded lettuce along with a lack of seasoning. Being cheese connoisseurs, we found the brie palatable and one simply can’t go wrong with golden brown pastry. Hidden danger wasabi aside, the sushi was well presented. Our favourite was the mushroom nigiri, which complimented the correct consistency of the rice. The carbonara main course took an interesting twist on the well-known classic; featuring olives, sundried tomatoes, courgettes and a poached egg to finish. The flavour combinations complimented each other beautifully and were filling but not overwhelming. Having been warned on order that the Mushroom Wellington would take half an hour to prepare from scratch, we had high expectations for its arrival and it did not disappoint. An unusual pate of stilton, port and walnut worked wonderfully with the well cooked carrot and potato rosti base. The atmosphere and good food made for a pleasant main course, although the inconsistent combination of Elbow and silence was unsettling. By this point we had consumed a bottle of wine; topping up on a regular basis considering the glasses were more like egg cups. Dessert was a blur but the homemade pecan pie was a treat for the taste buds. Slightly concerned by the prospect of the apple and lavender frangipane with custard, it turned out to be the best of the two. The veggie among us was happy to have free choice from the menu and the carnivore surprisingly did not miss a meat filled meal. We look forward to sampling the breakfast and lunchtime menu, perhaps in one sitting and when we bring the rents, as at £25 a head for 3 courses it wasn’t cheap - but excellent for an unusual treat. Ellie Cropper and Ellyn Bramley
The Courier
lifestyle.29
Monday 5 November 2012
Lifestyle Editors: Lauren Stafford, Em Rae and Catherine Davison Online Editor: Victoria Mole
Four members of Dance Society take to the ice in a swap with Ice Hockey Club As avid fans of Dancing on Ice for many years, the prospect of an ice hockey taster session was something met with great excitement by much of Dance Society. Following the excellent efforts of the Ice Hockey boys at our ‘Bring a Boy Day’ for a previous society swap, it was soon time for us to return the favour and take to the ice. Four members of Dance Society headed down to the Whitley Bay Ice Rink to attempt a beginner’s session of Ice Hockey, armed with extra thick socks, gloves and full dental insurance. It’s fair to say that as people who (in theory) possess balance, co-ordination and agility, dancers should be able to hold their own on the ice. From the moment we stepped out on the rink however, it was obvious that this was no place for Torville and Dean. Not only were we expected to stay upright on our skates, a concept one member of Dance Society found particularly challenging, we also had to be able to stop, pass and shoot a puck, a small black disc that apparently is rather important in a game of ice hockey. After five minutes of skating around, attempting to keep control of the puck, the illusion of immediate recruitment into the Ice Hockey team was well and truly shattered. Along with the other beginners, we had to gather round one of the goals in a large semi-circle, and using the curved side of the hockey stick, whack the puck into the net. A move performed with great ease by the Ice Hockey players around us, it was challenge enough to even hit the disc in the first place, let alone getting it anywhere near the goal. Nevertheless, after several attempts we had all scored at least once, so were feeling relatively pleased with ourselves. Maybe this ice hockey lark wasn’t so bad after all. Our confidence increased, until we were shown a new move involving chipping the puck into the goal with such force that, when demonstrated against the wall of the ice rink, the resulting crash silenced the entire circle of beginners. Ice Hockey goalkeepers are officially insane. We gave it our best shot, but soon discovered that attempting to hit a puck off the ground and into a small goal with any kind of force, whilst
balancing on two thin blades and wearing an oversized helmet, is not as easy as it looks. Overall, the session was a lot of fun, if only for the amusement of watching one member of Dance Society aim for her puck with such enthusiasm that, upon missing it entirely, she was rendered flat out on the ice, giving all the beginners an excellent impression of an upturned beetle. Big thanks to the Ice Hockey boys for not laughing at us too hard, and giving us the chance to try out our best warrior moves. Charlie Burt
Fancy trying something new and promoting your own society in the process? Get involved with Society Swap! Email us at c2.lifestyle@ newcastle.ac.uk or tweet us @Courier_Life.
Have you played ice hockey before? A couple of us had skated before but not played! Were there any awkward / funny / embarrassing moments? Lots of falling over, especially when we were trying to learn to skate backwards. There was one particularly memorable moment when one of the girls aimed for the puck too enthusiastically and ended up on the ground (and also missed the puck completely). What did you think of the kit?! We had to wear gloves and helmets which were generally way too big and all smelt disgusting (stale sweat, lovely!) Did you have any preconceptions about ice hockey before you went? I think we were just worried about being able to stay on our feet…
Hottie of the Week Oskar Nillson, 22
Would you go back again / take it up as a hobby? We had lots of fun - a few of the girls had to leave to go to dance auditions but the others enjoyed it so much they stayed behind. Judging by our abilities in goal though we won’t be match standard anytime soon…
Course: Business Management stage 2 Status: Single His ideal type of girl: Robin Scherbatsky from How I Met Your Mother His best chatup line: Hi, I’m Swedish... Any dating horror stories? I went home with a girl and we were in the kitchen chatting, when her brother came home. It turned out that he was in (the Swedish equivalent of) the Navy and looked very unimpressed at me being there… I made up an excuse and left pretty quickly… How to impress him: Come up to me and say hi.
Top Tweets of the week @sixthformpoet: “I’ve got chills, they’re multiplying, and I’m losing control. I’ve got pneumonia.” Sixth Form Poet remains undoubtedly the best account to follow on Twitter, the above being a classic example. @joshweller : “For Halloween I’m dressing up as the meal with your family directly after you heard your parents having sex.” Can’t imagine how this fancy dress outfit would pan out, terrifying as it sounds… @Carrie_Br4dshaw: “Scratching your balls really turns me on said no woman, ever” Everyone who has a pair of breasts should follow Carrie Bradshaw. Enough said. @PippaTips: “Want to keep abreast of latest goings on in the world? Then newspapers or websites or news programmes on TV or radio are brill” Pippa Middleton inspires the nation with her series of genius and innovative ideas. A favourite also being, “a heart-warming way to bring about a bit of joy is to form friendships with people you like.” Well said, Pippa. @pundamentalism: “I told my dad I’d never write double entendres like he does. Then he came into my room and caught me rubbing one out.” Forthcoming one-liners from Twitter’s punniest guy. Susie May Beever
With George Parnell October 31st New night tonight; Relentless @ Legends. Halloween launch. £2 on the guestlist before eight, it’s £12 after but you get a free UV wristband. We’re doing this new thing where we spill loads of diesel on the floor before everyone arrives. Stickier the better. Never too sticky. Dotted some electric heaters around. Just to make it extra sticky. Got some sick DJ too. Straight from Ibiza. He worked the seasons out there for like, thirty years, but now he just buzzes off the Newcastle scene. When my boss told me we’ve got DJ Trauma headlining tonight, it made me remember why I love doing Promo. Standing outside Tesco Jesmond for three years finally paid off. Intense flyering this last week, up to Leazes to promo and saw some old friends from county water polo, stopped by at Ricky as well cause it’s a hot spot for new talent. It’s fucking freezing though. Good thing I’ve got my yellow puffer, furtrimmed, obvs. Left my snapback at home though, gutted. Might head down to the launch party early, gotta pick up my iPad from Charlie’s though. November 1st Epic night last night. Saw Olive and Louisa looking sick in their costumes. No idea what Olive was supposed to be. So many slutty cats it was like a fucking cattery in there. This one bird was dressed as Hannibal Lector, weird as fuck. She was trying it on with Charlie, but he was having none of it. I mean she was wearing a restraint mask. That’s why I love Legends. Got a night off tonight, first one since the start of the semester. Will still be promo-ing through the day though before hitting Pine Tree gym, standard procedure. November 2nd On the Jesmond Tesco shift today with Mills, will just be asking everyone if they’re out tonight and giving them flyers and bands for guestlist. Got kicked out by that old coffin dodger for flyering by the value vodka last week. Don’t know what his problem was. You wouldn’t get that sort of service in Waitrose. Did a few hours and then headed home, had a shower then bounced to Blanc. It’s Rory’s birthday, one of the old boys from Sleazes back in first year. Man that feels like a lifetime ago. Best time of my life. Girls above me, girls below me, if you know what I mean. When I got there my boy Freddie had already got me a double rum and coke. Standard. Sat outside on the benches and ordered a burger and curly fries cos I was fucking starving. When it came I couldn’t be arsed eating it so just had a chip and left it. Waitrose had shut so Freddie lent me a roll-up till I could get my hands on some menthols. Turns out everyone was up for going to Apex so I thought screw it, YOLO. Might hit up a lecture next week – gonna ask my tutor if I can give a shout-out for Relentless - such a great promo opp. Probably see you on the town. Ellie Cropper, Ellyn Bramley and Frances Allenby Illustrations: Daisy Billowes
30.arts
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Arts Editors: Lisa Bernhardt and Millie Walton Online Arts Editors: Grace Harvey
Print Versus Popcorn
Exploring new worlds with John Auckland
Arts Editor Millie Walton talks to novelist John Auckland about sci-fi, racist grandmothers and The Lord of the Rings
J This week, our columnist Shaun Thomas discusses the fear factor of The Shining on paper and on screen
I
t is Halloween season once again, and that means one thing for film lovers: horror movies. There are many great options this year, but for me there was only ever one. In select cinemas around the North East, an extended edition of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining will be showing for one night only. The Shining is regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all time, and one of Jack Nicholson’s most legendary performances. The film, based on the book of the same name, was written by horror legend, Stephen King. Released in 1977, three years before the film, The Shining was King’s third novel, and one of his first best sellers. It follows Jack Torrance (Nicholson) and his family as they watch over the Overlook Hotel during the off-season winter months. Jack’s son, Danny, has the ‘shining’, a gift tuning him to the thoughts and feelings of those around him and giving him ghastly premonitions of the things to come; a talent the hotel wants for itself. One of the main differences between the film and the novel is the plot. King stays on familiar ground with the story line, focusing more on the hotel itself, than on the Torrance family. In the novel, it is clear through Danny’s horrific visions and ghostly appearances from various characters from the Overlook’s past, that it is the hotel which is the antagonist of the novel. It gives the story a slow, creepy, supernatural feel. The feeling of horror in the novel does not come quickly, but settles deeper with you. The film, on the other hand, only suggests this. The supernatural is placed into the background, and the breakdown of Jack to the foreground. The plot of the film is terrifying as it is about a man void of human company, living in a large empty hotel surrounded by harsh weather and how he copes with it. It is a physiological horror, not a supernatural one. When Jack begins to see things it is easy to dismiss the hotel as the suspect, instead deciding that it is Jack himself and his deteriorating mental state. In the novel, because the hotel is identified as evil, it is easy to pity Jack when he descends into madness. This is because we are told all the pressures he is under. That said, in the film, Nicholson, really makes the character shine. What it takes King hundreds of pages to put across to the reader, Nicholson does with a manic smile and upturned eyebrows over a few seconds. Nicholson and Kubrick force a quicker decent into madness, making Jack more dynamic as a result. When people think of the film it’s of Nicholson with his head through the broken door, saying: ‘here’s Johnny!’, and not much else. For me, the film is a lot stronger than the book. Though the novel is undoubtedly very well crafted and unnerving, it does not quite match the quality of the film. Kubrick made The Shining more vibrant, more believable and, with help from Nicholson, genuinely terrifying. What do you think? Join the discussion at www. thecourieronline.co.uk/arts
ohn Auckland used to work in the cooperate entertainment industry, now he’s a newly published novelist and director of copy writing agency, ‘Thread Writers’, but how did he go from organising murder mystery evenings to creating new universes via the genre of sci-fi?
The answer is simple: He quit while he couldsomething the majority of people are never brave enough to do. ‘Organising the events was great fun and definitely got me into writing, but I was still young and had nowhere else to go in the company’. Leaving the comfort and security of events man-
agement far behind, John decided to develop his creative writing skills at the University of Brunel and the rest is, as they say, history. His first novel, The Adventures of Nana Barb, Book 1: Lost in Time, is a quirky science fiction novel - think The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy - based around the adventures of an old woman called Barbara who turns out to be ‘the chosen one’. Though sci-fi fantasy may seem like a fairly niche genre, John says it has ‘ a surprisingly large fan-base’ which is something he wanted to enter into, using a similar approach to Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett, two of John’s main inspirations, who were ‘doing something more interesting and funny with the genre’. I am still intrigued to know where the story’s central idea came from; it’s pretty unusual to have a grandmother in search of a cup of tea as the protagonist. John explains, ‘I had to do an exercise on comedy at uni in which we had to choose a character and put them in an unusual setting, so I chose my sister’s boyfriend’s grandmother and put her in space. You know how old people have a tendency to be racist? Well she was always saying hilarious things and I just thought she’d be a brilliant character.’ John advises any budding writers out there that it’s often easier to build characters out of people you meet and know. ‘Try to think what makes people you meet so memorable. Characters carry the story- they are the ones that make it interesting.’ He also encourages writers not to shy away from comedy. ‘Comedy is no different from observing- observe what is funny’. Basically a great excuse to steal other people’s jokes then. Finally I ask him: ‘If you could read one thing this month what would it be?’ Without a moment’s hesitation, John answers, ‘The Lord of the Rings. It’s my desert island book and is long enough to keep me going for the month.’ A refreshingly unliterary answer and one I’d have to agree with.
‘The Adventures of Nana Barb, Book 1: Lost in Time’ is on sale now. Watch our for our book review, coming soon at www.thecourieronline.co.uk/
Inspiration, watching and getting involved: Poetry in the North East of England Sally Priddle explores the poetical potential and treasures of the Toon, the Tyneside and beyond
I
know what you are thinking when you hear of the North East and the English language: It’s probably not the most eloquent of speech and you might imagine your drunken Saturday nights when all words slur into one noise and all vowels sound similar to ‘aye’. However, despite the general preconceptions, the North East is actually a hub of literary culture, home to some of the poetical big wigs and moreover has been inspiration for poets all over the country. And when you look beyond The Gate and the Diamond strip to the actual beauty and history the North East has to offer you can see why. J. B. Priestly, best known for writing An Inspector Calls, noted when visiting Gateshead: ‘We passed some little streets named after the poets, Chaucer and Spenser and Tennyson; and I wondered if any poets were growing up in those streets. We could do with one from such streets; not one of our frigid complicated sniggering rhymers, but a lad with such a flame in his heart and mouth that at last he could set the Tyne on fire.’ Demonstrating (what I am sure you know already) there is a special something about Newcastle that attracts you and just makes you fall in love with its magic. For those of you who are interested in getting involved in the poetry scene of Newcastle, your best place to start is aptly named the ‘Poetry Society of the North East’ whose motto or hypothesis, as they like to call it, encapsulates their belief about what they are trying to do with their work: ‘Poets
and Scientists are the same: just people trying to understand the world and their place in it.’ Your next chance to experience their work is coming up on 3rd November at the Live Theatre; Indiana Jones and the Extra Chair, is Simon Mole’s (a local poet) one man show which ‘combines the spoken word, riotous adventure, laughs a-plenty and tasty culinary delights’, taking poetry in a whole new direction. So why not go down and experience first hand the poetry of the north east? And for those of you think that you have what Priestly was talking about, the passion and fire of the Tyne running through your blood, then you can get involved with The North East Poetry Journal, which publishes every two months and celebrates writers of the North East. Or how about spoken poetry, getting your passion out there in public? Well look no further than The Cumberland Arms on James Place, where every fourth Thursday of the month they hold ‘Take Ten’ a popular open mic night for poetry lovers, writers or first timers. Or maybe you fancy a more student-based experience? How about The Trent House on Leazes Lane where you can test out your poetry skills at their night ‘Jibba Jabba’ which is held on the third Saturday of every month. So why not sit on Northumberland Street and take in the atmosphere and the unique inspiration that the North East has to offer? Poetry expresses and inspires emotions, providing the perfect opportunity to let out all your grievances, and what students don’t have any of those?
The Courier
arts.31
Monday 5 November 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/arts c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_arts
Preview One Man Two Guvnors Arts Editor Lisa Bernhardt gives you a taste of the hit comedy coming to the Theatre Royal very soon “I‘ve got two jobs - how did that happen? You’ve got to concentrate, with two jobs... I mean, I can do it, as long as I don’t get confused... but I do get confused easily...” This quote more or less gives you the gist of one of the undoubtly biggest West End hits of the recent years. Critically acclaimed and equally praised by all major newspapers from one end of the political spectrum to the other, with The Daily Telegraph calling it “comic perfection” and, according to The Guardian,, it being “one of the funniest productions in the National’s history”, One Man Two Guvnors is based on the Italian Commedia dell’Arte play Servant of Two Masters from 1743 by Carlo Goldoni. Richard Bean’s awardwinning version of the comedy is set in Brighton in the early ‘60s and tells the story of Francis Henshall, who, after being kicked out of his skiffle band, starts working for the small-time criminal Roscoe Crabbe. As it turns out, Crabbe is actually his own sister Rachel who pretends to be him after Roscoe was killed by Stanley Stubbers, another local gangster and Rachel‘s lover. For the chance of obtinaining an extra meal ticket, Francis‘s constant hunger makes him take up another job for Stubbers, so he has to make sure they don‘t find out about him being involved with both of them. Sounds confusing? Well, that‘s the whole point of the plot which proves that the theatrical theme ‘confusion around identities‘ does not only work in a century-old play, but also in a modern adaptation- similar to Shakespeare‘s work dealing with timeless themes and issues. One Man Two Guvnors premiered in June 2011 at the National Theatre in London, starring James Corden in the lead role; in early 2012, the play celebrated its debut on Broadway, again with Corden in the role of Francis Henshall for which he won a Tony Award. On the current UK tour, the lead role will be played by comedian Rufus Hound, best known for his appearances on 8 out of 10 Cats Cats, Celebrity Juice, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Brit-flick The Wedding Video. Hound and the rest of the cast will be accompanied by a skiffle band for some catchy live music and to make it a funny, light-hearted theatre experience that comedy and musical enthusiasts alike should not miss. One Man Two Guvnors appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 6 - 10 November 2012. Tickets are £9.00 - £30.00 and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office (in person or via telephone) or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
previews
Andi Osho
Bunker Blues
ward-winning Andi Osho, best known for her appearances on Live At The Apollo, Mock of the Week and Stand Up For The Week, is hitting the comedy circuit once more with her second-stand up tour. In her show, Andi dissects the perils and pitfalls of dating, reporting her findings to the audience with hilarious frankness and making all singletons feel slightly less loserish. She has built a stellar reputation from her first stand-up tour, Afroblighty, in 2011 and her never-ending list of theatre, film and writing credits. The Sun applauded her as “hilarious”, and The Guardian commented “Osho is so adept at conducting the laughter of recognition; she might as well be waving a baton”. She is trail-blazing a path for all the other lonely hearts in the world to turn their dating mishaps into comedy gold. Calling all single ladies, head down to The Stand for her one night only performance.
unker Blues is set to be an exciting journey into history, exploring the lives of young women inhabiting a bunker in the Second World War. The production is directed by Amy Golding from the Newcastle theatre company ‘Theatre Auracaria’, which aims to produce provocative and vibrant plays. The action takes place in Kenton on 15th August 1940, a significant day in history when the North East faced the threat of a bomb raid and the Kenton Bunker prevented a massive attack. Drawing on the wartime memories of Kitty Brightwell, a local member of the Woman’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) and a resident of the bunker, Bunker Blues portrays the experiences of several women and their first encounters of working life, becoming successful and falling in love. Energetic dance routines and singing will be woven into the play, bringing life to the stories and providing an insight into the entertainment the women enjoyed and the harsher realities of the wartime lifestyle. Overall, it promises to be an interesting and personal snapshot of life on a historic day in the North East.
Anya Thaker
Jess Kadow
A
The Stand 6 November
B
Jon Richardson
Northern Stage 9 - 10 November
I
Tyne Theatre 11 - 12 November
f you’re a fan of 8 Out of 10 Cats and Stand up for the Week, you will of course recognise one of Channel 4’s favourite comedians, Jon Richardson. With appearances on pretty much every comedy show on the BBC and Channel 4, Richardson has definitely established himself as one TV’s most sought after comedians. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the name, I recommend you-tubing a few of his stand-ups and for those who are already fans of the likes of Michael Macintyre and John Locke, I can guarantee you will love him by the end of the 12 minute-something clip. Despite his blunt, grumpy and typically English outlook on life, Richardson’s observational humour is always an easy and reliable source of entertainment. This November Jon’s bringing his standup show to Newcastle and for the first time will be performing at the Mill Volvo Tyne Theatre. Due to popular demand, an extra date has been added to his visit and, with tickets limited to two nights only, I can guarantee they will be in huge demand so don’t hang around! Alexandra Walker
reviews
Blue Boy
Vampires Rock
Radikal Words
ampires singing AC/DC and Alice Cooper songs- sounds like the ultimate Halloween treat, doesn’t it? Well, in this case you might be disappointed to hear that the scariest aspect of this production was its quality: it was actually blood curling in its horribleness. Written by Steve Steinman who also played the lead role as Baron von Rockula (not even kidding!), the show wasn’t an actual musical but rather a compilation of someone’s favourite rock songs loosely tied together by an almost non-existent storyline with inbetween banter so bad it sent a chill down your spine- a panto from the tomb. Apart from the appalling plot and the cheesefest that was the stage setting, the singing was mostly below the standard you’d expect from a ‘musical’ with the uninspired choreographies not being a great help either, except for the aerial performance, which was admittedly pretty decent. On the cringeworthiness scale, Vampires Rock almost managed to reach the level of Edward Cullen. But maybe I’m just a pretentious snob. After all, the middle-aged ex-Meat Loaf groupies in the audience, all dressed up in an attempt to reclaim their former glamour, enjoyed it.
adikal Words promised a worldclass evening of music and poetry, and delivered in every respect. Upon entering the darkened auditorium, I found an eager audience listening to the pacifying tones of Leanord Cohen. After an invigorating warm up by the quirky folk quartet ‘Brodie Jackson and the Arbour’, the poetry began in earnest. Bob Beagrie’s folklore inspired works were something of a slow starter, but the following act, renowned slam poet David Johnson kept the audience in hysterics with his offensive outlook on the poetic establishment. The real talent, however, came after the interval. The enigmatic Mike Edwards had the audience completely captivated with his impassioned yet minimalistic illustrations of modern life in all its pomp and shallowness. Headlining was Zena Edwards whose smooth rhythms, sensual beats and vivid images combined a myriad of themes in an awe-inspiring manner as she explored wild party atmospheres in Anne’s House and attacked the cultural abuse of women in As Property Protests. Radikal Words was a real triumph and if you get the chance to see either of the Edwards’ featured on the bill, take it.
Lisa Bernhardt
James Ross
Sunderland Empire 24 October
V
Northern Stage 24 October
Northern Stage 25 October
R
H
ighlighting a combination of otherworldly aspects, mental health problems and hard-hitting current political issues, Blue Boy successfully turns a familiar and seemingly safe environment into a warped and terrifying mental prison. The setting, being an office at night-time, was ordinary and realistic, intricately designed to the very last filing label. However, it was evident from the start that a sense of eeriness was set to develop through the ominous and grinding soundtrack and the accompanying intense blackouts. What may at first seem like an innocent boy’s plea for a place to stay and for some understanding, quickly mutates into a supernatural haunting, and the audience begins to thoroughly question whether the nameless teenager is a corporeal presence or simply a figment of overworked Reagan’s imagination. Gradually it becomes increasingly apparent that the boy is a sinister haunt, representing manager Reagan’s guilt over a child’s suicide during social care. The ‘office-gothic’ genre becomes prevalent as it unfolds how the ordinary world can become incredibly menacing. The ending is truly harrowing, leaving us questioning our own susceptibility to the entrapment of our minds. Chloe Emmerson
32.musicreviews
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Music Editors: Chris Haywood and Sam Summers Online Music Editor: Sophie Coletta
Chapman Square
How To Buy...
Lawson
Riot Grrrl
I
Angry women make music and express their being-fed-up-ness with social gender inequalities in witty lyrics and intense guitar riffs - what’s not to love? For Beginners: Le Tigre Le Tigre
If you’re new to music from the Riot Grrrl era and still struggle with the aggressive lyrics and sounds blasting out of your speaker boxes – OMG they have a feminist agenda! OMG Feminism! Did I just use the F-word? OMG hairy legs and burning bras! – try the self-titled debut album by Le Tigre, the band formed by former Bikini Kill frontwoman Kathleen Hannah. Technically, the band was formed after the Riot Grrrl movement had come to a standstill, but thanks to Hannah’s background their lyrics were heavily infused with gender and LGBT issues. However, unlike many other albums from the movement, the songs on Le Tigre combine political messages with melodic dance-ability instead of ear-battering punk guitars, with ‘Deceptacon’ being an under appreciated dancefloor gem.
For Experts:
Bikini Kill The C.D. Version... Without a doubt, Bikini Kill were one of the most popular groups emerging from the movement and are often referred to as the Riot Grrrl pioneers, calling for ‘Revolution Girl Style Now!’ According to Rolling Stone, lead singer Kathleen Hannah even inspired Nirvana’s signature track ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ by spraying it on Kurt Cobain’s bedroom wall. Long story short: a pretty awesome band making pretty awesome music and inspiring lots of people. This compilation of two former EPs contains some of their best songs – including ‘Rebel Girl’, the unofficial Riot Grrrl anthem – and truly represents the spirit of the movement: aggressive punk rock sound and highly politicised lyrics that are great for a moshpit and fist pumping whilst spreading a euphoric feeling of empowerment.
For The Bin:
The Frumpies Frumpie Once Piece First things first: this is not necessarily a bad album. It just seems that The Frumpies didn’t put much effort into making their sound appealing to the audience. To be fair, this wasn’t the point of Riot Grrrl music anyway, but attempting to keep their music down and dirty doesn’t work for me personally. The fact that the album consists of 24 rather short tracks doesn’t help either, it merely makes it look cluttered. Nevertheless, check this album out, maybe it is something for you and I’m just being pretentious. Lisa Bernhardt
f I was to sit down one day and someone was to hold open my mouth and pour in about three bags of sugar, loads of teenage girls, four identical quiffy haircuts and an absolutely massive shit, I’d throw up. I think that after I’d thrown up, the sweet, girly, quiffy and shitty product that emerged would be Chapman Square by Lawson. I can say that, too. I can say that they are an example of modern music being dredged through the catacombs of manufactured bollocks, and that I’d probably rather discover bestiality than listen to them at any great length, because they have loads of dedicated fans. They’ll get shit like this all the time, so I wouldn’t worry too much about what I say, to be honest. There’ll still be rooms full of mad little girls diving around gleefully to Lawson’s sultry collective tones and wanky falsettos. Anyway, on to the songs. Lou Reed once penned the amazing ‘Perfect Day’ in which, through the power of a heavily disguised yet brilliant metaphor, he described his love for heroin. Eric Clapton wrote ‘Tears In Heaven’ as a tribute to his deceased child. Lawson wrote ‘Gone’: ‘Everything I learn from you is never gonna be true / Said I’d give my heart to you, but you don’t even want me to.’
Their genius at manipulating the delicate English tongue to convey the intense heartbreak they obviously experienced invokes a certain pathos that only truly diabolical songs can induce. Another review I read credits Lawson for their ability to write their own songs and play their own instruments; this is about the only credible thing that I found on the album.
Melody’s Echo Chamber
Zeros
Former Lives
I’d rather discover bestiality than listen to them at any great length... After all this I look forward to their (probably) sell-out arena tour with baited breath, a toaster and a bath.
Recommended download: ‘Taking Over Me’
The Soft Moon
Melody’s Echo Chamber
H
If you like this, try ... The Wanted Battleground
Kris Holland
Ben Gibbard
aving never heard of Melody’s Echo Chamber I was naturally open minded and it is always nice to be pleasantly surprised in such a state of neutrality. The album is the work of Paris-based Melody Prochet, a classically trained musician who hoped to step away from her classical background and into a funkier foreground and this album certainly does that vision justice. Her desire to experiment with new sounds led her to psychedelic rock band Tame Impala, who she supported on their European tour. Tame Impala guitarist Kevin Parker, who helped to produce the album, has helped to give the album the edge Prochet was searching for. Having moved away from her musical restrictions, Prochet has succeeded in producing an individual and original sound. Each song has the psych-pop feel and her ethereal vocals help each song to pass breezily in and out of each other like a kaleidoscope. There is a sense of restlessness in her sound, heightened by the occasional song with French lyrics, something Prochet had not previously done. All in all, the album is an interesting compilation of experiments and influences, as melodic as her name suggests and really worth a listen.
eros, the sophomore album by San Franciscan band The Soft Moon, could not be more ‘80s if it came with a complimentary pair of neon leg warmers and a ‘Coal Not Dole’ badge. We’re not talking Kenny Loggins here: The Soft Moon seem to take their cues entirely from the dark, depressive synth-pop and gothic rock that was kicking around before Duran Duran came along and tarted everything up with a yacht and some guy-liner. Think the eerie electronica of Gary Numan and John Foxx, married to the mechanical gloom of Joy Division and Killing Joke. There’s no room for jollity on this album - vocals are hissed or wailed but never sung; guitar melodies are repetitive and sweetly sinister; everything is underpinned by brooding bass lines, robotic drums and swathes of claustrophobic synths. With The Soft Moon clearly more interested in conveying a certain heavy despondency through their music than in creating a palette of distinctly different ideas, the ten songs on Zeros do become somewhat indistinguishable, blurring into 34 minutes of moody synth-rock - but their bleak, immersive beauty goes some way to making up for this. Exactly the sort of thing you need for those days when all you want to do is lie on your bed, staring at the ceiling and reflecting on the ultimate futility of human existence.
Z
Y
Recommended download: ‘I Follow You’
Recommended download: ‘Die Life’
Recommended download: ‘Dream Song’
Becca Price
For tonnes of web-exclusive playlists and live reviews, check out The Courier music section online.
Kate Bennett
ou’d be forgiven for thinking that Ben Gibbard’s debut solo album Former Lives is a carbon copy of every one of his Death Cab For Cutie LPs with a bit of Postal Service thrown in for good measure. But even from my first listen, it’s quite clear that the latest effort from the front man is a patchwork mix of music from the numerous phases of his eighteen-year career. Opening with a weird and wonderful acapella song, which quickly melts into an irresistibly sleek stand-out track aptly titled ‘Dream Song’, you are instantly thrown into the ever-familiar world of the indie veteran. However, it’s a very disjointed album from the outset, with experimental efforts such as ‘Shepherds Bush Lullaby’ being strangely juxtaposed with slow and sweet songs such as ‘Lily’, and it makes it quite obvious that there isn’t an intended narrative flow from one track to another. Everything has been jumbled together to make something very familiar but altogether rather different. If you’re a Death Cab For Cutie fan like me, or even just the kind of person who searches out those shoegaze indie songs that have you yearning for a wistful think or two, then you’ll not be too disappointed with this album. It’s not Gibbard’s best work, but it’s certainly not his worst.
Beth Durant
Follow The Courier music section on Twitter - @courier_music
Gig announcements, updates on the Newcastle music scene, track recommendations and exclusive articles. Oh, and plenty of #hashtags!
The Courier
localmusic.33
Monday 5 November 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_music
SceNE: Introducing... Ajimal
Delving into the region’s exploding music scene, Rachel Horrocks brings you a sample of what the North East can offer you...
Confessions of a
Failed Rock Star
M
y band started, as many things did back then, on Myspace. A call to arms bulletin was sent out to literally tens of friends and, luckily for me, I had no problem filtering through the replies from potential Dave Grohls and Jon Paul Joneses I only got one – from a friend of a friend who played bass who had a mate who could play a drums a bit. Fireworks went off, somewhere a lamb was sacrificed and a feeling of realisation hit me: that Mick and Keef had just found their Charlie and Bill. It felt as though the only obstacle that could stand in our way would be that one of us would ‘do a Brian Jones’ or ‘pull a Kurt’. That would have scuppered a lot and caused some very awkward conversations.
Latest Release
Ajimal Footnote to Love (E.P.)
A
jimal, previously featured in SceNE in May, is being rightfully brought back into the lime light. Ajimal is Fran O’Hanlon’s brain child, a collaborative project between the likes of Mick Ross (Frankie & The Heartstrings), Martin Longstaff (The Lake Poets), Simon Walker and Joe Frankland. Ajimal writes about how topics such as music and medicine, art and science, stories and hallucinations have a habit of combining and intertwining, and does all that with utmost sensitivity and delicacy. O’Hanlon has an extraordinary talent of pooling together emotive and original sounds to
produce a nostalgia that listeners just can’t shrug off, not that you’d want to anyway. This is particularly prominent in the single ‘Footnote To Love [Part One]’, from the EP Childhood, wherein the sincerity in the vocals is complemented by the delicate acoustic backdrop producing a whirlwind of emotion heightened by, at points, dramatic instrumentals that really deliver a narrative. The B-side of the EP, ‘Amputated Years’, is another highly emotive performance revealing O’Hanlon’s beautifully delicate vocal qualities. The intensity of the tone at times fuels the verisimilitude behind the overall mood and really sets the tone of the record. Ajimal captures fragility in its rarest form, yet paradoxically retains the strength needed to carry the song through, their EP is truly compelling. Anyone unacquainted with his work should get acquainted, and soon. In the latest interview with Fran, we asked what his concept of Childhood was exactly. O’Hanlon explained his concept of the record as being a
means to tell a story, or explore an idea. Childhood does this via a narrative that tells an experience of growing up – something we are all familiar with, and can all relate to. He talked of his collaboration with a number of ‘amazing musicians’ on this project, fulfilling Ajimal’s aim of being an open and fluid collective rather than a fixed line up. We were dying to see where Ajimal has come since our last encounter, and it sounds like he’s having a blast. O’Hanlon explained the hard work he’s put into his newly finished debut release, which is to be released next year. Heads up - I have a feeling it will be a good one. Obviously the hustle and bustle of the industry gets to all artists; nevertheless, regardless of being super busy, Fran O’Hanlon still fit in a mini-tour performing in Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester and London recently. On reflection of this tour he explained to us how the shows ‘blew him away’ and were ‘incredible’.
Oh, What A Night
Nicki Minaj: Metro Radio Arena, Thursday 25 October God, Nicki Minaj, man. It’s a bit of cliché now to go on about the wild dichotomy of her music; the wildly profane, so-insane-they-border-onunlistenable rap tracks and the chart-friendly Barbie Princess pop hits. Needless to say, her recent gig at the Metro Radio Arena was mainly attended by fans of the latter and, needless to say, these fans were mainly pre-teens. Needless to say, Nicki Minaj did not give a bee’s ass. It was a happy accident that I ended up sitting directly behind a seven year old girl and her mother, whose reactions I was able to chart throughout the night. The woman visibly gasped the first time support act Tyga said ‘fuck’, then again when he started dry-humping audience members. When Nicki Minaj, in full Barbie regalia, landed on stage in a pink replica of Wallace and Gromit’s spaceship and started singing her mental ode to forced fellatio, ‘Come On A Cone’, the mother completely lost her shit. ‘Ooo-ooh, dick in your face’, Nicki crooned; the poor woman stood helpless, trapped between moral outrage and wanting to make the most out of her hundred quid purchase. After about half an hour of similarly inflammatory hip hop tracks, Nicki cooled down for a bit to address the audience. Now, Nicki Minaj’s onstage banter is one of the oddest things I have ever witnessed. To clarify, Nicki Minaj is out of her god damn mind. She goes from moral preaching – ‘If You ain’t planning
on dropping out, make some noise!’ – to Britishaccented raving – ‘What’s the best tea out here?’ – to spouting schizophrenic gibberish about her gay male alter ego ‘Roman’ and his prissy English mother, ‘Martha’. She has full on conversations – with herself – in the personae of these two characters. The conversations weren’t funny, but they weren’t supposed to be. They were completely in earnest. It was one of the strangest things I’ve ever seen. Eventually she started rolling out the hits, and ‘Va Va Voom’ and ‘Super Bass’ went down brilliantly. She performed her career-defining verse from Kanye’s ‘Monster’ for the hip hop fans, and David Guetta’s ‘Turn Me On’ for the idiots who like ‘Turn Me On’. Things got a bit wet in the middle, when she decided to play all four of her ballads (Nicki Minaj has ballads?) in a row, but she wrapped things up nicely with megahit ‘Starships’, bringing the event to a rather spectacular close. Nicki Minaj was wildly entertaining throughout, and this was probably the best gig I’ve ever seen in which 90% of the songs were shite. Sam Summers
Read an extended review, including support acts Misha B and Tyga, at www.thecourieronline.co.uk/music
How could we balance an arena tour with our food tech GCSE? A date was set for a practice, and we met at a place called Audiozone in Wakefield, all of us with our own ideas as to what we should do and how we should do it. How could we balance an arena tour with our food tech GCSE? At this stage I must say that our first rehearsal was not a memorable one. We obviously played our now-much-better-than-the-original Jamie T cover, and the mandatory Arctic Monkeys song. Then I think we may have hobbled through a bit of Blink 182 before realizing that it was quite hard, and getting annoyed by it. On our walk from the practice rooms back to the train station we were bouncing names around for our band. No-one could think of anything decent, until we walked past Wakefield’s premiere emporium of consumerism, The Ridings Shopping Centre. This should never, ever have been the name of our band, but it was instantly adopted as a provisional. We axed the shopping centre bit. Here I would like to make the point that, if you are going to play in and around a city for the best
part of 3 or 4 years whilst you try to get gigs elsewhere, don’t be named after the shopping centre in said town. It is difficult to be taken seriously when every response to your band’s name is a snigger. It’s why Franz Ferdinand waited 90 years before their name was a goer. But shit name or no shit name, this was undoubtedly now a group. Whilst our first outing wasn’t quite what we expected, we were all under the impression – correctly – that we were Shit Hot. The world was our oyster and, as per, we were certain we were soon to own it.
Kris Holland
34.musicfeatures
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
I predict a riot
Imprisoned Russian punks Pussy Riot have been making waves in the music world, with two of their members recently sent to prison camps. Charlie Dearnley takes a look at the controversy caused by their protest...
R
ussian punk band Pussy Riot have been jailed after their demonstrative performance in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow. One member has now been released whilst the other two have been separated and sent to prison camps hundreds of kilometers away. The accused members were charged with ‘hooliganism motivated by religious hatred’. The band has made it clear that their intention wasn’t to offend people’s beliefs, but instead to raise awareness regarding the growing ties between the Orthodox Church and Vladimir Putin. In a time when both the church and Putin are becoming more unpopular, an unofficial allegiance provides mutual benefits. The band was very successful in inducing a debate over the situation, and the resulting prosecutions will undoubtedly fuel further criticism of Putin’s regime, which is descending further and further towards totalitarianism. Pussy Riot formed with the sole purpose of combating Putin, and their lyrics epitomize this endeavour. If you delve beneath the shouting, the lyrics of their ‘Punk Prayer’ are actually quite powerful and poetic. Lines like ‘freedom’s phantom’s gone to heaven’ despair at the lack of liberty concern-
ing gay pride and feminism, as women are typecast into ‘making love and babies’. The chorus calls on the Virgin Mary to ‘banish Putin’, making clear their opinions and views in a way that is shrewdly mocking of the Russian Orthodox Church, as the words are sung with an ecclesiastical feel. The use of this choral section to open the song provides an initial false illusion of tranquillity, making the sudden descent into abusive energetic punk all the more shocking and powerful, especially when performed to a group of nuns and church goers. In the heat of the panicked performance, band member Yekaterina Samutsevich didn’t even manage to remove her guitar from her case before being removed from the cathedral by guards. Her lawyers have argued this point to secure her freedom, a verdict that was met with cheers and hugs from the other two band members. Even after this controversial and stressful incident, Yekaterina has expressed that she will continue to act with Pussy Riot in defiance of Putin, but will have to do so carefully as she believes that the Russian government are listening to their telephones. This only exemplifies how their act of protest, performed in a country that allegedly allows free speech, has been met with exceedingly severe discipline.
Angry birds
The other two band members were not so fortunate and have been sent to separate prison camps hundreds of kilometers from the capital. The lawyers of both members pleaded for them to remain in the capital close to their families and young children, but these requests were unjustly refused. With a strict work routine, harsh discipline and freezing temperatures, this decision is irreverently cruel, and completely unwarranted. The case has received massive criticism from the west, with the Russian population remaining less sympathetic towards the band members. Many western politicians, musicians and artists - including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Stephen Fry and Madonna - have expressed concern regarding the fairness of the trial, calling for the release of the jailed singers. Pussy Riot have been overwhelmingly successful in acquiring a huge body of support and creating a negative outlook on the Russian government. They have effectively created controversy, adhering to the true nature of Punk Rock. Punk has always been about shouting an opinion, creating controversy, and promoting change. Back in the 1970s, The Sex Pistol’s notorious hit ‘God Save the Queen’ had the tabloids calling for the public hanging of the band on account of treason.
With their ‘Punk Prayer’ Pussy Riot are voicing an opinion in a very powerful way that has reverberated across the world. The prosecuted band members have been rendered figurative martyrs for their cause. Though I believe their imprisonment to be completely unjustifiable, it has indisputably strengthened their support. They are a band that can’t be judged solely on musicality, as their intention isn’t to create technically difficult works of art. Their goal is to create controversy and anarchically encourage change, freedom and improved rights, defying the regimented control of the Russian government. Pussy Riot are symbolised by women in a colourful balaclavas, and the general public used this image to take to the streets in protest following the court case. Recently in Marseilles, the French police interrupted a peaceful protest of women in multi-coloured balaclavas outside the Russian consulate. It is evident that Pussy Riot are not just a band - they are a movement, an identification and an image that anyone can adopt. We are all Pussy Riot if we want to be; any of us could wear a balaclava and further their support, reinforcing the fight for freedom and spreading controversy. We are all punk rock. We are all Pussy Riot.
Inspired by Pussy Riot, Lauren Stafford looks back at some notable feminist music acts in history... ‘I don’t give a damn about my reputation/ I’ve never been afraid of any deviation/ An I don’t really care if ya think I’m strange/ An’ I don’t have to please no-one’, no-one’ screeches Joan Jett in ‘Bad Reputation’. Hailed the queen of rock and roll, Joan Jett started in the music business at the tender age of fifteen. First in The Runaways, then in The Blackhearts, she inspired a generation of teenage girls to get bad haircuts and pick up the guitar.
Joan Jett
Frontwoman Poly Styrene decided she wanted to start a band after watching The Sex Pistols in Hastings. She loved punk, hated being objectified and allegedly once stated that she’d shave her head if anyone tried to turn her into a sex symbol. As a band they came onto the scene with a new attitude and sound. ‘Oh Bondage Up Yours!’ was a loud, unapologetic ode to those girls who wanted to be seen and heard.
X-Ray Spex
Is it a penis? Is it a vagina? No, it’s Peaches and she’s playing with our perception of gender norms. Typing her name into Google isn’t for the faint-hearted; expect to see her adorned with an array of explicit accoutrement. In one picture she’s smothered by her t-shirt, covered in reams of inflatable breasts. A performance artist as well as a multitalented musician, this Canadian electro-pop artist embodies a satisfying mix of flamboyancy and suffragism.
Destiny’s Child advocate self-sufficiency and independence from men. They formed in 1990 and since then Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Roland and Michelle Williams have been fiercely shunning patriarchy and the fiscal ties that bind them to their male counterparts. In simple terms, they buy their own diamonds and they buy their own rings. ‘Independent Women Part 1’ is an anthem of female empowerment. These girls are survivors and they’re not gonna give up [on the Feminist cause].
Peaches
Destiny’s Child
36.tvlistings
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
TV Editor: Chris Taylor Online TV Editor: Ben Parkin
Troopers of Telly Matt Tate reveals all about his love of Davina McCall. Probably a bit too much, but we’ll let him off
D
avina McCall is the queen of reality television. No, scratch that, she’s not. She’s more like an angel. A really posh, sexy, but kind of motherly guardian angel of entertainment. Many would wrongly assume the pinnacle of Davina’s long career to be her ten-year stint as the presenter of Big Brother. They are incorrect. That’s not to discredit what she did with Big Brother though. Almost since its inception in 2000, both the media and the general public have derided the show. It’s controversial and brave to some, moronic and excruciatingly brain-dead to others. But none of that ever bothered Davina. A carnival made up of the nation’s most extravagant freaks, weirdoes and the odd middle-aged ex-politicians crawling around on the floor pretending to be a cat. She was the playful Circus Master. She revelled in the controlled chaos of it all, and made no apologies for the program taking up the television schedule of about eight and a half months of every calendar year. All she had to do was a cheeky wink at the camera, and it restored credibility to the whole affair. Far more than Channel 5 and that annoying Irish bloke can ever hope to do now. But like I said before, that’s just a teeny part of McCall’s amazingness. We’ll ignore the druggy dates with Eric Clapton, and remember instead Don’t Try this At Home. If you don’t remember that, YouTube it, and watch Davina bravely take one for the team as it were, and walk over a plank of wood suspended between two buildings hundreds of feet in the air, managing to maintain a chat with the cameraman whilst doing so. Not enough for you? Well then, how about when Davina agreed to play a zombified version of herself in Charlie Brooker’s Channel 4 Big Brother satire, Dead Set? Maybe you’ve worked out to one of her fitness DVD’s? No? Still not convinced? Well, Davina McCall has a tattoo of an alien on her arse. And I bet not a lot of people saw that one coming. She is also brilliant on the game show The Million Pound Drop. I’m convinced that if she could get away with it, she would lend a hand to the oftenbumbling contestants to ensure they walk away with all the money. Hardly an accolade you’d bestow on Chris Tarrant and the like. No, Davina is one of us, the people’s celebrity. She’s a courageous, smiley, fit, funny, undead and totally rock n’ roll trooper of telly.
we wait
h: As News Flapsatiently for the
(not so) s of Arrested new serie we’re satisfying nt, Developmewith the news that our needsichter and Conan Andy R set to star alonge O’Brien ar y other returning n a side m as Henry actors suchd Scott Baio Winkler an
Last Resort hat do you get when you mix Tom Clancy with Lost? An unlikely mixture, sure, but it comes out looking like the newest edition of Sky1’s Autumn line up, Last Resort. This exciting original series sees Navy submarine captain Marcus Chaplin refusing to fire nukes on Pakistan at the order of a shady message from the government. Such a decision has terrible consequences that lead his own countrymen to chase down his sub in an attempt to destroy it and everyone on board, while he attempts to grapple with the ever increasing frustrations of his crew as
they take over an island in French Polynesia (also known as The Island from Lost. Seriously, it’s the exact same island. ABC clearly just thought, “Let’s go back to Hawaii”). It’s a strange premise that might not necessarily work but what we have in the first few episodes sure is exciting. Tensions rise exponentially as the crew members of the Colorado come to terms with the fact they are now deemed traitors to the United States, hiding on some tropical island. These tensions aren’t helped by the local inhabitants of said island, including Julian, the local crimelord, unhappy with the recent visitors. And then, back home, we see struggles to root out a conspiracy in the government as well as the fallout of having family members be deemed traitors, as with the Executive Officer’s wife. The highlights come in the performance, with
Marcus Chaplin played by Andre Braugher, one of those masters of monologues who could sell you your own trousers. His presence is both authoritative yet paternal; a more than believable lead for a show such as this. The supporting cast is not to be laughed at either, featuring Robert Patrick in full jowly angry mode as Chief of Boat Joseph Prosser and Scott Speedman as Executive Officer Sam Kendal. There’s also plenty of “them from that thing” material here including Taylor from The OC and Sierra from Dollhouse. Whether it will last more than a season is yet to become clear, but for now let’s just sit back and watch one of the best original series to come out this Autumn.
Attenborough’s Ark
Misfits
History of the World
W
E4, Sunday 10pm
BBC2, Friday 9pm
S
iberian tigers, western lowland gorillas and leatherback sea turtles, you may recognise these animals as some of the worlds most endangered species, worthy, perhaps, of trying to save. However, David Attenborough chooses to omit these from his top ten list of animals he would choose to save from extinction and we are made to question why? The latest of the Attenborough adventures, aptly named Attenborough’s Ark sees our favourite explorer/tv personality embark on a quest to find the top ten animals that he believes should be saved from extinction. Not only are his choices weird and wonderful (what else would you expect?) but he also gives us an insight into the lives of animals we may have previously been unaware of. For example the olm, a salamander that can live to a hundred years old, and a species of frog in which it is the male that gives birth. So we may think we are doing the best we can by sponsoring a panda in China after being stopped by the overly excitable people on Northumberland Street (seriously guys, it’s 9am!), but alas there are way more animals in need of our help than meets the eye. Attenborough, as always, is here to lead the way with his ever comforting voice and vast knowledge of the animal world into his Ark.
Bonnie Stuart
Chris Taylor
BBC1, Sunday 9pm
N
ow, perhaps surprisingly to some, Channel 4’s outrageous teen superhero drama Misfits has just kicked off its fourth series. Only Curtis (Nathan Stewart-Jarett) remains from the original cast after it was revealed earlier this year that Lauren Socha, who played Kelly, would not be returning. Misfits introduced Joe Gilgun as Rudy in the last series, and his split personality power and unashamedly foul mouthed antics proved great entertainment. But while he did an adequate job of replacing fan favourite Nathan, this series introduces a host of new characters to the fray, and it will be interesting to see whether they can be developed to the same level of their predecessors. What is certain from the opening scenes of the first episode though, is that Misfits still says and does things a lot of shows won’t go near. Finn (Nathan McMullen) is one of the new characters, and from the moment he cracks a pretty horrible joke about his mother, it is clear that the show is not letting up anytime soon, and the beauty of it is that literally anything can happen. With new powers, new characters and no doubt a few more people somehow affected by the powerenducing lightning storm (and not in an electricity saving kind of way), who knows where the series is about to take us.
Matt Tate
A
fter the relative success and acclaim of his previous two series The History of Modern Britain and The Making of Modern Britain, Andrew Marr has decided to go global in his third with History of the World. A somewhat broad subject, being the history of everything ever, Marr has to pick and choose what he covers, achieving this remarkably well, missing out such huge, widely covered events as the Crusades and focusing on Genghis Kahn and his attacks on the middle east. Perhaps what sets Marr’s latest effort apart from other ‘world history’ programmes are two things. First of all, and most importantly, it focuses on more than just the history of western Europe, as many other similar style programmes do, and instead shows the viewer the comparative histories of west and east Europe, all of Asia, Africa and all of the Americas, in equal amounts. The second thing that sets this series apart from others is the presentation of it. This isn’t a BBC4 highbrow series with a boring old historian at the helm. This is primetime 9pm Sunday night on BBC1, and Marr’s style reflects this, being engaging and vibrant, his narration complementing the drama-doc style well. The most important aspect of this series, and why it is well worth a watch, is that it is interesting and entertaining, with the drama aspects adding a bit of pizzazz, but it also teaches you a lot about the lesser known bits of history.
Tim Sewell
The Courier
featurestv.37
Monday 5 November 2012
Showdown at sundown
thecourieronline.co.uk/tv c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_tv
Home from Uni at 5 o’ clock, many are faced with a decision; Pointless or The Chase? Chloe Carroll takes the side of Pointless whilst Aidan Armstrong stands by The Chase. Grab your pistols and meet us in the TV wilderness for the greatest showdown of 2012!
Pointless
W
e gave one hundred people one hundred seconds to name as many… This has now become the catchphrase for one of the biggest TV quiz shows today; Pointless. What was once a little known programme hidden away on BBC2 has become a cultural juggernaut that is the centrepiece of BBC1’s teatime schedule. Like Family Fortunes in reverse, the aim of the game is to give the most obscure answer you can think of and find that ‘all-important pointless answer’. In this case, no points mean all the prizes. But why is it that it has transformed into such a phenomenon? Unlike so many other quiz shows today, this one is rather unconventional. With a wide range of options to choose from, it’s not just the case of saying the right answer; you have to find something that’s correct but be sure that it will be obscure enough for it to score low. It may not be as highbrow as QI or University Challenge but it still has you wracking your brains every night, furiously competing against family and friends as to who has the best knowledge on UK Number 1 albums of
the 1980’s. With question topics ranging from EastEnders characters to types of lettuce, there is something for everyone with Pointless. Living in a world where we are obsessed with shows like TOWIE and Made In Chelsea, it’s great that this show is so entirely different and isn’t afraid to be that little bit geeky. It can make anyone feel clever for five minutes, emulating that “I got one right!” moment on University Challenge a few more time than just once every five episodes, and it is refreshing to see a TV programme that can be both entertaining and intelligent. But the thing that really makes Pointless head and shoulders above the rest is its presenters; Alexander Armstrong and his pointless friend, Richard Osman. These two are fast becoming one of TV’s most popular double acts, with Alexander’s effortless charm and Richard’s schoolboy geekiness being the perfect foil for each other. While both extremely clever (they went to Cambridge University together), you never feel that they are pretentious or patronising. The pair’s banter is continually hilarious, gently poking fun at the contestants and each other while never crossing the line into meanness. The show’s popularity has increased so much it even has its own board game and book, and the BBC have commissioned over 100 new episodes to be filmed. It doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon and it’s safe to say, this quiz show is anything but pointless.
The Chase
T
he greatness of The Chase cannot be understated! From the start to the end there is drama and tension combined with a ridiculously varied quality of questions and contestants. If they gave out an award for most chaotic daytime quiz show, it would win hands down. Most importantly it is accessible to all, a key factor in making a successful quiz show. While there are bafflingly difficult questions there are also stupidly easy ones, insuring that the audience feel they could go toe to toe with the chaser and not be humiliated. As with the quality of questions, the contestants varied knowledge adds to the unpredictability of the show. The four team members don’t know each other which mean there is the odd twist or argument along the way. Each contestant has their own cash builder and individual chase and the twist often comes when they get offered a lower amount (sometimes a minus number) in the individual chase and take one step closer to home and safety. They also get the opportunity to take a higher amount that takes them one step closer to the chaser and elimination. Go for glory or be a coward and risk the wrath of your team? The brilliance in this approach is the variety of possibilities, helping to make each final chase unique, with the amount of money contestants could walk away fluctuating greatly. From a measly £10 just to get into the final to £10,000+ if they go for the risk in order to bring home the bacon, it’s all here.
VS
The other great variable which makes The Chase so unique is its use of four different chasers each with their own personality and specialist knowledge. I particularly enjoy when a chaser stumbles over something which could be considered common knowledge. Everyone has their favourite chaser they love to see loose, there’s something about Shaun Wallace’s smug arrogance that really makes me want to see the stupidest contestants take a large sum of money away from him! On the other hand I do have a bit of a soft spot for Paul Sinha and his sarcastic put downs, which betray his sympathetic personality. All this without mentioning the presenter. The backbone of the show, Bradley Walsh gives the impression that he genuinely enjoys his role as quizmaster. He is the perfect host for an afternoon quiz; keeping the atmosphere light and the action moving. The combination of Walsh’s sense of fun and the innovative format create a unique show each day. While there may be more difficult quizzes out there, there certainly aren’t any more entertaining.
Getting right into The Thick Of It As the final series of the groundbreaking political comedy comes to a spectacular end, George Sandeman takes a look at how pervasive it is in our political culture and why many ministers are afraid it’s some sort of oracle for their careers
P
ointing at his body, with veins protruding from his temple, he bellowed: “This is a fucking husk. I am a fucking host for this fucking job.” These were some of Malcolm Tucker’s final words, the fictional political spin doctor, whose scheming and slashing persona has been die-cast into the collective minds of the fan politic. During it’s time, The Thick of It has become cult viewing for all political aficionados, journalists, civil servants and politicians as well as those purely taking notes on the exquisite methods in which
you can verbally dismember someone. The show’s impact on the Westminster village is clear with Labour leader Ed Miliband even attempting to wheel out a Tucker insult during a session of Prime Minister’s Questions when he described George Osborne’s budget as an “omnishambles.” Armando Iannucci’s creation is, without doubt, the most engaging and accurate portrayal of the hidden machinations of British politics since Yes Minister of the 1980s which depicted, with worrying accuracy, the inner workings of Whitehall and
embedded Sir Humphrey Appleby in the public consciousness as the quintessentially obfuscating and manipulating civil servant. This ‘life imitating art’ trait is a central pillar to the success of The Thick of It both in terms of characters and events. Tucker’s character incorporates elements of the humour and temper of former Tony Blair spinner Alastair Campbell with the dark cunning and resurrectional qualities of New Labour godfather and enforcer Peter Mandelson. Meanwhile, fictional strategist Stewart Pearson bears a remarkable resemblance to former Cameron advisor Steve Hilton, with both being advocates of ‘blue-sky thinking’ techniques and a shared fondness of all things green and progressive that include wearing sandals at every available opportunity and never wearing a tie. In terms of events, this series unfolded against the backdrop of a Leveson-style inquiry into the leaking of confidential documents and the relationship between politicians and the press. Similarly, a week after an episode depicted the launch of a new micro-financing bank, the real world Business Secretary Vince Cable launched a spookily similar community bank featuring the same aims and targets. However, what makes The Thick of It such addictive viewing is the hugely enjoyable, if not sadistic, systematic building-up and subsequent demise of
central characters so emblematic of British political careers. The show’s very first episode sees Tucker firing a minister within the first five minutes and sets the premise for the show in that the man everyone needs to fear is the one behind the scenes. This series sees perhaps the best crafted and most cutthroat exit of any character in the show’s history. With Leader of the Opposition Nicola Murray on a train out of London, Tucker sets in motion the cogs of political betrayal as he engineers a situation in which Murray is forced to resign without an opportunity to defend herself. The political brutality, and real life likeness, came full circle in the show’s last ever episode when Tucker had to resign in acrimonious circumstances amidst a press storm much like former Tory spinner Andy Coulson did this year at the height of the News of the World phone hacking scandal. The success of The Thick of It, particularly with viewers across the pond due to the demise of The West Wing, led to the film In The Loop which proved so popular that television network HBO commissioned the similarly formatted Veep. As religious viewers such as myself cope with the grief of losing the show for good, I can’t help but be reminded of Tucker’s searing words at the end of series three: “You will see me again, you will fucking see me again.” To my eternal disappointment, I’m afraid I won’t.
38.filmfeatures
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Film Editors: Hayley Hamilton and Sam Hopkins Online Film Editor: Chris Binding
Top
5
An Animated History
Disney Classics
5
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Walt Disney’s first animated feature film is a true classic. The greatness of the 1937 film propelled Walt Disney Pictures into the successful future it still enjoys today. With memorable characters such as the Seven Dwarfs, Wicked Queen and of course Snow White herself, this charming animation set the standard.
4
The Jungle Book
The final animated film to be produced by Walt Disney before his death, The Jungle Book remains popular 45 years after its release. Following the adventures of a young orphan boy, Mowgli, this fun filled adventure features five songs from the talented Sherman Brothers including the catchy tune ‘I Wanna Be Like You’.
The Little Mermaid
From 2D sketches to stop-motion and CGI, Jacob Crompton-Schreiber looks back over one hundred and twenty years of animation
Animation. It is everywhere. From video games to the Internet to TV adverts and most importantly: film. Animated films have played a part in everyone’s childhood with Disney films becoming a hallmark of childhood life and dreams. Animation has been around longer than one would think and it has changed drastically over the numerous decades since its inception; so let’s take a look back at the history of animated film. Animated film really began to take-off in the early 20th century though Reynaud’s Theatre Optique is the earliest projected animation, shown in 1892 in Paris. Originally 3 animations, only 1 survives today: Pauvre Pierrot (which is actually on YouTube along with most of the early animations I will mention). Considered to be the first animated cartoon ever, Fantasmagorie (1908) by Cohl deserves a mention, as it is also one of the first hand-drawn animation films. With both Cohl and Reynaud hailing from France, the French were clearly not just the early pioneers of cinema, with the Lumiere brothers, but also the pioneers of animated films. Stop-motion animation became popular soon after and a famous example is The Cameraman’s Revenge from Russia in 1912. It has a very dramatic plot concerning a jilted husband filming his wife and lover for the local cinema; and all this filmed with beetles and bugs in stop-motion! It sounds rather bizarre but it is a technically amazing little short considering the time when it was made. The next major milestone for animated films happened in 1928 with Disney’s Steamboat Willie. Starring Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse in their debut cartoon; it was the first animated film to fea-
ture a fully post-produced soundtrack and one of the first cartoons with synchronised sound. It has now become a very famous cartoon and helped launch Mickey Mouse to worldwide fame. Disney continued to grow and started to play a major role in animation. In 1937, Disney released the now classic Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. This was the first feature length cell-animated film in motion picture history and the first animated feature film produced in the USA. More Disney classics soon followed such as Pinocchio, Dumbo and Bambi, which were all released before WWII began. Now we fast-forward to 1995 when CGI, or computer-generated imagery, began its rise up the ani-
mation hierarchy. Toy Story from Pixar, released in 1995, was the first fully computer-animated feature film. This was the first of many Pixar films, which have now become hallmarks of modern animation and turned Pixar into a household name. Current animated films now mostly use CGI and also 3D to bring the films to life even more. Many are cynical regarding 3D and we will see if it is in for the long term or just a fad like it has been in the past. As you can see, animation has enjoyed a long and rich history with some technological revolutions along the way and I hope animated films continue to be popular for many more years ahead.
Animation Studio Scrap: 3 DreamWorks vs. Pixar
This 1989 film stars Ariel, a sixteen year-old mermaid princess curious to explore the human world. Entertaining characters such as Flounder the fish and Scuttle the seagull combined with a sweeping, Academy Award winning musical score from Alan Menken make this fantasy adventure so good that it should not be missed.
Sam Summers tackles the two giants of animated film that have battled at the box office for over a decade. From Toy Story to Shrek, who will come out on top?
2
The Lion King Set in Africa, this 1994 film is undoubtedly one of Disney’s most popular and well-loved classic animations. Opening with a royal pride of lions celebrating the birth of their future king Simba, audiences are taken on an exhilarating, entertaining and at times frightening journey of discovery through spectacular animated scenes.
1 Beauty and the Beast Beauty and the Beast is Disney’s timeless animated classic. Released in 1991, this musical fantasy has it all, from a talking candlestick to a memorable musical score. Compelling throughout, Belle’s story has something for everyone. Drama, comedy and an enchanting ballroom scene make this a film that you will not forget. Alex Gray
Ever since Mickey Mouse went up against Bugs Bunny in the ‘30s and ‘40s (and got his arse absolutely handed to him by the way), the animation industry has been dominated by two duelling studios; one art and story oriented and one focussed on snarky attitude and pop culture-based humour. Back then it was Disney and Warner Bros; today it’s Pixar and Dreamworks. Dreamworks Animation was founded by Jeffrey Katzenberg; an ex-Disney exec bent on revenge against the studio that betrayed him. If that sounds a tad overdramatic, consider that their first two CGI films were Antz, a deliberate move to sabotage Disney/Pixar’s A Bugs Life and Shrek, a vicious attack on the Disney aesthetic. Both were good movies, but both were born from pure, unholy hatred. Unfortunately for Katzenberg, the real competitor turned out not to be Disney, but Pixar, a studio famous for having a strict art-over-commerce attitude, and yet still making ridiculous amounts of money. For a long time, Dreamworks were repeatedly shown up by Pixar. Their movies did well at the box office, and were often very funny, but they simply couldn’t compete with Pixar’s unbroken streak of critical adoration. Recently, though, things have started to ever so slightly change... When How To Train Your Dragon came out, critics were calling it the first Dreamworks film to pull
off Pixar’s trademark ingenuity and emotion, but it never really did it for me. It was the same ‘outside come good’ story we’re used to seeing from them, only without any jokes. A lot of people seem to have mistaken this for emotional weight; I just found it a bit dull. Maybe that’s just me. Maybe Dreamworks are about to not just return to form, but create a brand new form, a natural progression of their signature style. Or maybe next summer they’ll release Turbo, a movie about an outsider snail, voiced by Ryan Reynolds, who dreams of becoming an Indy 500 racer. Maybe the tagline will be ‘Go For It’ and maybe it will co-star Samuel L. Jackson, Ken Jeong and Snoop Dogg. That was not a joke. That film exists. After that their slate is a mix of sequels to some of their bigger hits and adaptations of children’s books you’ve
never heard of, because How To Train Your Dragon was a children’s book and by god, Dreamworks will milk that cow until it’s teats are withered ropes. Examples include such ridiculous titles as Pig Scrolls, Gil’s All Fright Diner and, I kid you not, Dinotrux. So how are Pixar holding up these days? Well, after the critically panned Cars 2 and the alright-butdecidedly-un-Pixar Brave, they badly need their next film – prequel Monsters University – to be a critical and commercial hit. They’ve definitely got the latter in the bag, and it seems like a nice idea, being essentially Animal House with monsters. The only worry is that they’re running out of ideas, with Finding Nemo 2 due in 2012 and with most of their shorts these days being Toy Story spin-offs. Pixar have the distinction of having made some of the greatest sequels ever with the Toy Story trilogy, but they’re also known for their originality, which seems to be slowly wearing thin. Fortunately also in production is a film called The Good Dinosaur, about a world in which dinosaurs never became extinct, which is one of the best premises I’ve ever heard. So I guess the future of both studios is...uncertain? Ah well, such is life. If we’re lucky, Pixar will keep up their only slightly broken streak of stone cold classics, Dreamworks can buck their ideas up once and for all, and Turbo will go down in history as the greatest animated feature ever made starring Snoop Dogg. Sorry, Arthur and the Invisibles.
The Courier
reviewsfilm.39
Monday 5 November 2012
thecourieronline.co.uk/film c2.film@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Film
Skyfall (12A) The word ‘refreshing’ comes to mind when talking about the latest James Bond film. Marking the fiftieth anniversary of Bond’s first film, Skyfall does a lot to bring the series into the 21st century whilst paying homage to, and bringing the series back in line, with the 007 we remember by re-introducing various classic elements. This might seem like a complex balancing act but the film handles it well (possibly well enough even to wipe Quantum of Solace from our memories) and delivers one of the best Bond films in years. It’s not long after the typically bombastic opening scene before Bond is on a jaunt around the world to prevent the death of M (Judi Dench) at the hands of Silva (Javier Bardem), who entertains as an ex-spy driven mad by M’s betrayal. Revenge on this personal level rather than world domination is a simple, un-Bond-like plot that focuses on the relationships between the key characters. Daniel Craig’s portrayal of Bond is arguably his best to date. His gritty determination is still there but the story calls for a more wary Bond who’s been emotionally damaged and Craig nails the subtleties brilliantly. It’s also fun to see his banter with other members of the cast, which adds to the surprisingly dry wit which permeates the film. Every-
one else is also firing on all cylinders. M is given a deservedly more central role this time; the relationship between her and Bond adds an emotional heart that the recent films have introduced to good effect. I also liked the stunning Bérénice Marlohe who is excellent in an intriguing yet seriously under used role that acts more as a plot device than a fully formed character. Skyfall is a beautiful film to watch. The cinematography is quite striking, especially in the final third of the film with rolling Scottish mists and barren landscapes providing the background for the explosive final act. In addition, the Shanghai sequences were some of my favourite scenes. Reminiscent of Bruce Wayne’s brief eastern adventure in 2008’s The Dark Knight; the use of lighting in contrast to the night time backdrop created some visually dynamic settings. Additionally, I was pleased to see Skyfall move away from some of the Jason Bourne influences that previous films had begun to mirror just a little too closely. Fight sequences aren’t as closely cut and you get a chance to see all the spectacular action. The film continues being a treat for the senses with the soundtrack. Adele delivers a stunning theme song which can be heard melodically woven
into many areas of the score, which always matches the action to a tee. Credit should clearly go to director Sam Mendes (American Beauty/Road to Perdition) who brings a level of class to the filmmaking perhaps not previously associated with the Bond films.
Preview: The LOTR Trilogy All-nighter (12A)
Stitches (18)
Keyhole (12A)
Ginger and Rosa (12A)
Ross Noble as a killer clown? Can’t go wrong with that. Noble plays Stitches the Clown, a foul mouthed, grouchy and unsuccessful children’s entertainer, almost illegally identical to Psychoville’s ‘Mr. Jelly’. A party of misbehaving children cause his accidental death, but a clown who dies without finishing a birthday party may never rest in peace; so he comes back to wreak bloody revenge on the now-teenage party guests. The film tends to go along on the same track as most horror films: a teen is tracked down and murdered in a gruesomely funny way. Ross then signs off with a cheesy pun and sniffs out the next one with his squeaky red nose. Seeing how immediate and imaginative his comedy usually is, it feels like a waste to limit his script to Batman and Robin level one-liners. Still, there’s a definite joy that comes from seeing him chase after a group of Skins extras on a tiny tricycle, brandishing a carving knife and cackling. The biggest laughs are usually from the absurdly gory deaths (brains being carved out with ice cream scoops, balloon animals being made out of intestines etc). The teenage cast are also more likeable than the usual set of High School slasher victims, with a surprisingly long ‘character establishing’ intro giving insight into their little squabbles and tensions before they all get decapitated with household objects. It’s a straightforward horror comedy, but could have still been a little more inventive given the potential. Seriously: Ross Noble as a killer clown. Imagine.
Watching any Guy Maddin film is usually for someone with a very acquired taste in film. Often his work seems very displaced and drowned in constant themes of obscurity or insignificance. While one can’t deny the man has a very powerful visual style, his latest picture Keyhole is a challenging film to digest. The plot is a supernatural drama which follows the story of a washed up thirties gangster Ulysses Pick (Jason Patric) who must navigate the labyrinth of his haunted home to get to his cancerridden wife locked in their bedroom (Isabella Rossellini). Along the way he meets a bunch of oddball characters that play an intricate piece to this monochromic puzzle. Keyhole is rich in qualities that the average film lacks; it’s imaginative, playful and completely original, however it’s thematically sporadic and often bogs the audience down with unnecessary information which renders the viewing experience very heavy. The acting is terrific as it echoes the work of play writer Bertolt Brecht due to its alienating effect, but simultaneously it leaves the audience at a distance which results in lack of concern for what happens to the characters. The music is an impressive part of the film, as it provides an eerie backdrop to the unravelling puzzle. If Maddin had spent more focus on character depth rather than murky sub-text it would be a more enjoyable tale. His artistic images are inspiring but are so bewildering that he doesn’t quite reach the cultural status he so clearly is trying to grasp.
Set against a back drop of the Cuban Missile Crisis in a Sixties London that is not yet ‘swinging’, Ginger and Rosa is a coming-of-age story with a bit of a difference. Ginger (Elle ‘sister of Dakota’ Fanning) is a precocious, young teenager, fixated on the threat of nuclear disaster and clinging to her slightly more mature and sexually open best friend Rosa (Alice Englert). The story follows their relationship, as Ginger grows more alert of the threat of destruction and Rosa begins to seduce Ginger’s radical father Roland (Alessandro Nivola). Considering that the four main actors in the film are not British, the acting is quite impressive. Elle Fanning gives a performance way above her tender years (she was only 13 at the time of filming) and shows us all that the girl can cry! Both her, Englert and Nivola hold consistently convincing London accents. The same, however, cannot be said for Mad Men star Christina Hendricks who plays Ginger’s mother Nat. Although exceedingly glamorous; her shocking attempt at an English accent feels forced and she seems a little out of her depth. Sally Potter (the director) draws parallels between the threat of the missile crisis and Ginger’s crumbling world, caught between her parents failing relationship and her best friend’s betrayal. The cinematography is wonderfully delicate and makes what could have been an incredibly heavy insight into the ‘Ban the Bomb’ protests fit with Fanning’s thoughtful portrayal of the troubled poetic teenager.
VERDICT: Visually Keyhole is wonderful and moving; it has elements of a potential classic however it feels like it’s trying far too hard. While its evocative and surreal narrative is an alternative change of pace, most people will find it overwhelmingly prolific to truly relish.
VERDICT: With captivating performances by both the young actresses, and a highly climactic final scene, Ginger and Rosa does set itself away from the traditional coming-of-age story and offers something different. Whilst it’s never going to be a smash hit, it has a certain charm and is worth a watch purely for Fanning’s wonderful performance
Luke Hearfield
Jennifer Leighton
To celebrate the release of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit (13th December 2012), Tyneside Cinema is showcasing all three Lord of the Rings films back to back. Catch this excellent all-night event on: Saturday 8th December (Electra Screen) - 10.30pm Saturday 8th December (Classic Screen) - 11.00pm
Preview: The Twilight Saga All-nighter (12A)
What better way to get ready for the last installment of the Twilight Saga than by watching them all back to back? Empire Cinema presents all four films on the 15th November, leading into the midnight screening of Breaking Dawn: Part Two on the 16th.
VERDICT: Stitches is enjoyable, gory fun but still feels limited. Ross Noble rarely gets the opportunity to inject his talent into the film, which would have helped made up for its more predictable elements. It’s good for a quick blood-splattered laugh, but probably not worth a second viewing. Becca Price
VERDICT: It seems that with a 50-year history behind it, this film will inevitably be compared to what came before it. Nevertheless, Skyfall should definitely be remembered as having an identity all of its own and being an excellent film in its own right: a great addition to the Bond canon.
Still Showing Paranormal Activity 4 (15) Madagascar 3 (PG) Beasts of the Southern Wild (12A)
Richard Jones
40.sportfeatures
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Sporting marmite
This week, The Courier has chosen to discuss some of those well-known contentious sporting superstars Luis Suárez: the marmite of the English Premier League; you either love him or you hate him, and despite an overall appreciation for his footballing skill, I can safely say the majority fall onto the side of hating him. Since Suarez joined Liverpool Football Club in January 2011, he has always been at the centre of controversy, and thus proved a divisive figure. From his propensity for diving to his part played in the Patrice Evra racial abuse incident, his actions have often left with him very few supporters aside from that of Liv-
erpool fans. In the recent Merseyside derby, the Uruguayan tried to endear himself to his critics by showing he had a sense of humour. Prior to the match, Everton manager David Moyes launched an attack on Suarez saying the striker had a history of diving and he feared his antics could turn fans away. Therefore, when Suarez scored a crucial stoppage time equalizer in the derby, he celebrated in true provocative fashion by running over to the dugout and diving onto the ground in
front of the amused Moyes. However, the celebration has been seen as yet another reason to dislike the player, and it seems Suárez is destined to remain a villain no matter what. The consistent spates of vilification aimed at Suárez has left us thinking why is there always at least that one person in every sporting field that you would not get tired of ranting about all day long. Regardless of anything positive they do, there will always be sporting people we just love to hate. Lucy Williams
hair. However, it is not just ill-discipline which gives people cause to hate Ashton, he is also perceived by many to be arrogant. This view probably stems from his exuberant try scoring celebrations, specifically his swallow dive, which he often performs whilst in the act of scoring. After doing this against Wales in the opening game of the 2011 Six Nations, Ashton was reprimanded by the then England manager Martin Johnson, however, he then did it again
twice in the next match against Italy. For some, Ashton’s arrogance is what makes him such a successful player and it is certainly a characteristic that he shares with many great sportspeople. However, there will always be people who dislike this attitude, and they are not necessarily just spectators; anyone who has seen Manu Tuilagi land a three punch combination to his face will surely agree. Freddie Caldwell
Chris Ashton When the England rugby union side take on Fiji in their opening autumn international this weekend, they will be without one of their star players in Chris Ashton. This is due to him receiving a ban after being given a yellow card for a dangerous tackle in a match against his former club Northampton; this offence alone would not have been enough to see him banned, but because he has already received two other yellow cards this season he now faces a one week suspension which covers the Fiji game. There can be little doubt that Ashton is a very talented rugby player, he has terrific try scoring records at every club he has played at in both rugby league and union as well as scoring 15 tries in 26 appearances for England. However, his tendency to behave stupidly on the rugby field, which usually results in some form of ban, is frustrating for his supporters, and makes it easy for those without a positive predisposition towards him, i.e. people who are not fans of his current club Saracens, or England, a good reason to dislike him. Another instance of poor discipline occurred last season when Ashton was banned for four weeks for pulling Alesana Tuilagi off the pitch by his
Chris Ashton doing his signature move Photography: Getty Images
Back of the net Video of the week
Giroud and Coquelin have to get their shirts back from the Arsenal fans as they didn’t realise their match against Reading went into extra time. Or maybe the fans just didn’t want their shirts.
- Emile Heskey- @HeskeyHeskey “Chamakh beauty, Downing screamer, Giroud goal and Heskey overhead kick in the last week. Fair play God, you have a great sense of humour.”
(30 Oct) Unfortunately it is from a parody account, not the real Emile Heskey, who is too busy tearing it up in Australia.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. Figures the general public love to hate are prominent in boxing. The British public readily mock Audley Harrison each and every time he enters the ring. However, across the Atlantic Floyd Mayweather Jr. is at an altogether more complex standing within his nation. His talent is undisputed, a professional record of forty three professional wins, twenty six via knockout. However his ostentatious flaunting of his considerable wealth, leading to him acquiring the nickname ‘money’, grates with many the US in the midst of an economic crisis. He is also remarkably ‘self-assured’ with his official website opening with “Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather is without question the best and most talented fighter in boxing today.” He displays an unprecedented mix of speed, power and natural instinct every time he steps into the ring”. This, along with a string of run in’s with the law-the latest seeing Mayweather handed a ninety day custodial sentence and one hundred hours of community service for violence towards his girlfriendhas disillusioned many who see him as a self-indulgent thug. Despite this, a considerable propor-
Spot the ball A
Testing times
1)What is the only American city where all of the professional sports teams wear the same colours? 2)What is the only sport to be played on the moon? 3)Which side did Kevin Pietersen make his England ODI debut against? 4)How long does a rugby player have to sit out of the game if given a yellow card? 5)What place did Floyd Mayweather Jr. finish in on Dancing with the Stars?
1.) Pittsburgh (black and gold); 2.)Golf; 3.) Zimbabwe; 4.) 10 minutes ; 5.) Ninth
Giroud and Coquelin throw and get back their jersey (funny) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1lrdNQLoD0
Mayweather- the ultimate sporting villian? Photography: Getty Images
1 2 3
Tip of the week
4
These are the odds offered by William Hill for England to win a World or Euro cup before 2043. Do they know something we don’t? Stay away.(Odds from William Hill)
5
2/1
6
B
C
tion of the population also cite him as an inspiration. His upbringing is a story of triumph in the midst of adversity as despite being born into a family that contained three professional boxers, one a world champion; his mother was addicted to drugs while his aunt died of AIDS due to her drug use. His father sold drugs and served five years in jail when Mayweather was just sixteen. Mayweather claims, “I basically raised myself... When people see what I have now, they have no idea of where I came from and how I didn’t have anything growing up.” For such a talent to flourish having stemmed from such an environment is a source of hope to many. Added to this his conspicuous charity work with The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation makes him even more of a hit with his supporters. Also he regularly distributes sandwiches and water in person to the homeless around Las Vegas stating “My desire to give is as strong as my desire to win”. Floyd Mayweather is a paradox that will eternally split opinion. Ciaran McKenna
D
E
F
The Courier
featuressport.41
Monday 5 November 2012
Let’s get fact up
This week Jack Mackenzie looks at the return of KP, a one-sided World Series, madness at the Madjeski, a crazy Uruguayan not named Suarez, more broken NFL records and the man behind Sebastian Vettel’s success
Pietersen in his alternative role as a spin bowler Photography: Getty Images
Kevin Pietersen To the majority of English cricket fans, Kevin Pietersen is the epitome of someone you love and loathe. His natural talent combined with his unyielding strength in batting has earned him plaudits from all over the cricketing world. In 2012, The Guardian voted him ‘England’s Greatest Modern Day Batsman’, and even the staunchest opponent could not disagree with that. His ability to perform under severe pressure, his passion, and more importantly his flair has graced the hallowed wickets in the most iconic grounds. It has also led to many clubs in the Indian Premier League unscrupulously throwing ridiculous amounts of money around in order to obtain his services. His most popular knocks, such as his 158 under severe pressure in the 2005 Ashes Test at The Oval and his 227 in Adelaide during the 2011 series, still draws gasps of astonishment and appreciation, even from those who do not especially enjoy cricket. His attempts at off break bowling are also viewed with much amusement, as his lack of real skill is made up with an immense sense of belief, as if no one has told him that he is pretty useless, or he has just chosen not to acknowledge them. ‘KP’ brought cricket to the masses: his huge sixes and ultra-aggressive mentality excited those who thought that test cricket was out-dated and there is no doubt that his England career has so many positive aspects to it. However, whilst his personality draws many admirers, it has also led to multiple controversies. Pietersen’s short tenure as captain of the England test and ODI teams still leaves a bitter taste in many people’s mouths. After a successful ODI campaign against South Africa, ‘Big KP’ completely lost the plot in the subsequent test and one day series against India. It culminated in a public dispute with head coach at the time, Peter Moores, and KP coming out in public
saying that they had an ‘unhealthy relationship.’ The inability to keep the furore private led to the sacking of Moores and the resignation of Pietersen as captain of England. This episode would ruin the careers of normal people yet not KP, our talisman from the English county of, erm, South Africa. The more recent controversy surrounding this deeply flawed yet deeply talented individual concerns his ‘retirement’ from international cricket in May earlier this year. The much-publicised reason behind this was due to text messages sent to South African players, angering the ECB and the apparent fallout with many English players. This is another instance where dear old Kevin’s ego got in the way (it wasn’t hard) and many admirers of his talent were completely let down by the unnecessary strop and finger pointing that ensued. Professionals such as Moores and the rest of the English team do not get on with Pietersen probably due to his overinflated sense of self and this is further shown domestically as, after stating his intention to leave Nottinghamshire CC, his kit bag was thrown from the balcony onto the pitch breaking his beloved bats. Kevin’s subsequent reaction was as if they had just killed his cat. The man does not make many friends. Kevin Pietersen is a ridiculous human being. He is very much like the eccentric host of a fantastic party which draws the great and the good from all around the world, yet these ‘friends’ talk and snigger behind his back. He is a necessity to English cricket yet we would rather do without him. He is a pacemaker. He is diet coke. He is that letter you have to write to your family after every Christmas thanking them for ‘that’ oversized knitted sweater, which always comes in mustard yellow. He defies any logic or convention and for that we love him, sort of. Jack Gelsthorpe
This week saw Kevin Pietersen return from his self-inflicted and well-published exile from the England cricket team. His derogatory texts about former captain Andrew Strauss to South African opponents saw KP removed from the England squad and his central contract terminated. Having sufficiently grovelled to the ECB and coach Andy Flower, the extravagant batsmen will line up against India in the forthcoming test series. Many commentators see that the return of ‘Dumb Slog Millionaire’, and his impressive 40.55 test average in India, can only help a side who have recently been deposed from the top of the world rankings. Pietersen’s return is also seen as timely because of the side’s historical struggle against spin on the sub-continent - of the 712 wickets England have lost to bowlers in India, 499 (70%) have been to spinners - and the middle order batsmen is seen as one of England’s best players of spin. However, it is worth recalling that in England’s last visit to the sub-continent, against Pakistan in the UAE earlier this year, the man the Australian’s call ‘The Ego’ averaged a measly
11.16 as his side were comprehensively beaten. Only time will tell to see if ‘FIGJAM’ (‘Flip’ I’m Good, Just Ask Me) will prove the difference in England’s quest to win in India for the first time since 1985. The Fourth Round of the League Cup saw an extraordinary game between Reading and Arsenal at the Madjeski Stadium. Racing into a 4 goal lead, The Royals seemed destined to snap a 9 game losing streak against the Gunners, only to see Theo Walcott’s injury time goal complete a remarkable comeback as normal time finished at 4-4. Despite Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud and Francis Coquelin throwing their shirts into the away end, the tie was not over and entered extra time. The madness didn’t stop there though as Marouane Chamakh’s goal was equalised by Pavel Pobregnyak before injury time goals from Walcott, completing his hat-trick, and Chamakh again ensured the game finished an incredible 7-5. This surpassed the previous high scoring League Cup game; Aston Villa’s 8-3 win over Wycombe in 2005, although the previous record was achieved inside 90 minutes.
Clattenburg’s display at Stamford Bridge pales iin comparision to that of Uruguayan ref Leodan Gonzalez Photography: Getty Images
Reading now have the ignominy of holding the record of losing the highest scoring game in both the League Cup and the Premier League (their 7-4 defeat to Portsmouth in 2007). Reading are also the first team in the either the League Cup or FA Cup to score five goals and lose. Arsenal are also no strangers to high scoring games in recent times, losing 8-2 to Man Utd and losing a 4 goal lead to Newcastle, last week’s villain Cheick Tiote’s stunning volley earning his side a point. (There was also Chelsea 5-4 Man Utd this week!) Last week also saw one of the major sporting events in the US, the World Series, which received next to no coverage in the UK press. However, the finale of the baseball season saw the San Francisco Giants whitewash the Detroit Tigers to become the first National League team to sweep the final since the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Oakland Athletics in 1990. This week also saw referee Mark Clattenburg hit the headlines after his handling of Chelsea’s contest with Man Utd, but this doesn’t compare to crazy Uruguayan referee Leodan Gonzalez. Taking charge of the First Division game between Wanderers and Juventud, the referee red-carded eight players from each team after the 3-3 draw descended into chaos. Having already dismissed one player in normal time, Gonzalez brandished 17 red cards in total as the sides engaged in a mass brawl after the final whistle. The Indian Grand Prix saw Sebastian Vettel extend his lead in the Championship as he won 4 races in a row for the first time. However, the man behind the success of the German, and the Red Bull team, is Chief Designer, Adrian Newey. Cars designed by the Brit have been hugely successful and since joining William’s in 1991, his cars have won 34.69% of all Grand Prix. The obligatory NFL-based statistics this week see the New England Patriots set an NFL record at Wembley, making their 17th straight game with at least 350 offensive yards, beating the previous mark of 16 by Sunday’s opponents the St. Louis Rams. San Francisico 49ers victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Monday Night Football saw 49er’s quarter-back Alex Smith throw 19 passes with just one incompletion, beating the previous record of 18, held jointly by Fran Tarkenton (1977) and Craig Morton (1981).
Follow Jack on Twitter @jackmack48
Fancy writing for The Courier Sport? Email us: courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Make sure to check out The Courier Sport Online: http://thecourieronline.co.uk/sport/ Follow us on Twitter: @Courier_Sport For more sports coverage, search for TCTV on facebook and listen to NSR: http://nsrlive.co.uk
42.sportintramural
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Time to Borussia teeth: Forsyth put to bed by superb Medics Intra Mural Football Borussia Forsyth
0
Medics 1sts
5
By Ralph Blackburn Sports Editor The Medics 1sts illustrated their title credentials with a convincing 5-0 win over Borussia Forsyth last Wednesday, on the grass at Longbenton. Striker Nathan Campbell scored a sublime hat-trick, as the Medics dominated throughout the ninety minutes, with man of the match Dan Jones and captain Matty Anderson also getting on the score sheet. This was always going to be a tough fixture for newly promoted Borussia Forsyth against one of the top divisions’ perennial achievers. Having lost almost the entire side which took them up last season, it was unsurprising that Forsyth looked fairly disjointed, with some of the players still getting to know their team mates’ names. The Medics’ dominated possession from the start, however with Forsyth
packing the midfield and sitting deep, it was a tough task to break them down. It took a sublime reverse pass from Medics’ Tom Watkinson sending his striker partner Campbell through on goal, to open the scoring. With only the ‘keeper to beat Campbell took the ball round him, before being felled and the referee rightly pointed to the spot. The ref surprisingly chose not to brandish a card to the flailing Borussia ‘keeper, Charlie Thomas, and Campbell, who has just left the University 1sts to play for the Medics, showed his class and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner. In the 25th minute the Medics eventually managed to double their lead. A quick throw in caught Forsyth off guard as right back Andy Harris was able to swing a beautiful ball in for the unmarked Anderson to head home. It was at this point the referee began to get increasingly involved, blowing up for several non-existent free kicks. Every time there was a hint of backchat, in a Clattenburgesque performance, the referee spent several minutes talking to players. On a dark, cold afternoon, with a powerful wind blowing in off the North Sea, this hardly added to the spectacle. It was the referee who stopped Borussia’s only chance of the first half. After breaking up play in the centre circle,
Photography: Ralph Blackburn
centre midfielder Simpson clipped a ball over the Medics’ back line, sending lone striker Stuart McAvoy through. As he was about to shoot, he found himself
halted by the referee’s whistle bringing back play for the slightest handball. The Borussia players protested incessantly, however a free kick thirty yards out, which they proceeded to waste, was all they were given. After half-time, the superior fitness of the Medics began to tell. Borussia
found themselves pinned back further and further. The Medics had over ten corners in fifteen minutes of the second half, with influential midfielder Dave Edwards twice going close in goalmouth scrambles. It was fitting then, that he set up the Medics’ third in the 70th minute. A poor Borussia goal kick was returned strongly by Edwards’ head. With one touch Campbell had flicked the ball past Will Whiter and was through on goal, dispatching past the ‘keeper clinically. Medics’ centre back Jones, who had moved forward to midfield, then capped a peerless display with a goal. Intercepting an attempted clearance on the left hand side of the penalty area, Jones coolly shimmied past several tackles before stroking the ball in the back of the net. Campbell secured his hat-trick and notched the Medics’ fifth when a slide rule pass from the excellent Josh Davison again slipped Campbell through. Checking back onto his right foot on the left hand side of the area, Campbell curled a sumptuous shot into the top corner, leaving Thomas with no chance. The Medics were excellent value for their win, moving joint top in the wake of Crayola’s shock win over league leaders Henderson Hall. Borussia meanwhile are being cast adrift at the bottom of the league. Captain Hugo Tapp will need to hope his side begin to gel in the second half of the season. Man of the Match: Dan Jones
Colour me surprised! Crayola stun in-form Hendo Intra Mural Football Crayola
3
Henderson Hall
0
By Tom Womersley at Close House Crayola secured their first win of the season as they outclassed Henderson Hall winning 3-0 at Close House on Wednesday. Coming into the game with a 100 percent record, you could have been forgiven for thinking the result would be a formality. On paper the encounter looked set to be an extremely one-sided affair, but to quote Andy Gray’s commentary from Fifa 11, “football isn’t won on paper”. Fittingly on the day of Halloween, what would have been Henderson Hall’s worst nightmares before the game quickly became an alarming reality. Crayola started slowly, so slow they were actually twenty minutes late for kick off. Things got worse for Crayola as their keeper Pepe Rennie had to be subbed off with a dislocated shoulder within five minutes. However, one man’s loss is another man’s gain and up stepped George Magill to don the gloves and prepare for the onslaught that surely was to follow. Crayola were the first to break the deadlock as Alex Hind stunned the in-form Henderson with a left footed screamer from 20 yards, leaving the keeper with absolutely no chance. Henderson tried to establish a foothold in the game, but Crayola dominated the inner sanctum of the midfield, boasting three of the most gifted central
midfielders in the league in Tom Wood, Theo Strong and Alex Eaton. As a result, it came as no surprise that Crayola struck again soon after. Alex Hind pierced the Henderson defence with a perfectly weighted through ball into the path of Tom Womersley who, having outpaced his marker, clipped the ball over the oncoming goal keeper with a Lionel Messi-esque finish. With Crayola 2-0 up, Henderson did not know what had hit them. Meanwhile, Crayola started to believe what, prior to kick-off, appeared impossible. Henderson eventually began to pass the ball around and camped themselves in the Crayola half in the period before half time. Their dominance was fruitless though due to some fine defending from the blue and whites led by the stand in ‘keeper Magill. The game was wrapped up ten minutes into the second half when Chris Hindu scored a corker from six inches having ghosted into the box following a deflected shot from the majestic Eaton. The three goal cushion was more than comfortable for the perfectly set up Crayola side. Henderson continued to put pressure on the opposition goal, but the defence stood firm. Some heroic performances from Sam Turner, Simon Hetherington, Adam Cook and Max Chapman helped record the side’s first clean sheet in living memory. Credit must be given to the newly appointed manager Harry Bell. So delighted by his team’s first half performance, words were not needed at the break, choosing instead to light another cigarette and turn his attention to Saturday’s cup game. Crayola’s dominant display was greeted with chants from the touchline of “top of the league, you’re having a laugh”. Man of the Match: Alex Eaton
The Courier
intramuralsport.43
Monday 5 November 2012
Secret Intra Mural Footballer: #3 Diving
The Newhist fullback in action Photography: Leela Prasad
Newhist edge past Thistle to remain unbeaten Intra Mural Football Newhist FC
2
Politic Thistle FC
1
Both sides arranged themselves in a basic 4-4-2 formation, but Newhist attacked through the center for most of the game. Newhist’s winger ‘Genius’ did a particularly good job closing down on Thistle’s midfield and linking up with the forwards. Thistle’s player-manager Owen Elias came off after halftime due to a hamstring problem. He made the necessary substitutions but it had no effect on proceedings whatsoever. However, one of his substitutes Jack Legind did manage to get himself sent off for a rash challenge, as Thistle ended the game a player short. Newhist winger Ray Crisp made a good run to receive a through ball and chip it over the onrushing Thistle goalkeeper. Down by two goals, Thistle did not sit back and let the clock run down. This-
By Leela Prasad at Close House On a breezy Wednesday afternoon, with the clouds still undecided on ruining Halloween day, Newhist edged to a 2-1 win over ten man Politic Thistle. Goals from Gill Robinson and Ray Crisp on either side of half-time secured Newhist their third straight win. Thistle almost equalised just before half-time when Newhist defender Jacob Murphy pulled off a goal-line clearance to deny Thistle a much deserved goal.
tle striker Henry took on three Newhist players, jumping over challenges, feinting, and fighting for the ball all at the same time. His mazy run was stopped by the last line of Newhist defence and the ball was cleared from danger. Thistle sensed a weakness. They attacked relentlessly and they were presented with a 1v1 chance. On this occasion Henry superbly wrapped his foot around the ball and was unlucky to see his effort come back off the bar. During yet another wave of attack from Thistle, a low-cross from the left was deflected into the goal with a Newhist player getting the last touch. Thistle players rushed to pick up the ball from the back of the net and hurried back to the halfway-line. Unfortunately for Thistle, it was too little too late as there was hardly enough time to mount another attack on goal. The match ended moments later.
League Tables
Wednesday 11-a-side Football
Division 1 1
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Newcastle Medics 1sts
4
3
0
1
17
4
9
1
Man of the match: Michael Minto
Division 31
Division 2
Team
Speaking after the match, Newhist captain James Thornton was pleased with his team’s effort. “We started brightly and gave ourselves a great chance by going 2-0 up. “Although we didn’t perhaps play our best football, it was good to see the lads dig in and grind out a result against a good opposition.” When asked if his team could carry the momentum till the end of season he said, “Hopefully we can maintain our position at the top of the league. “It’s good to have the points on board and though we are taking each game as it comes, if the squad can stay injury free then we are capable of matching anyone in this division. “If we can continue our early season form we should be up there at the end of the season.”
Team
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Aftermath FC
2
2
0
0
15
8
6
1
More controversy this week as intramural football became embroiled in its very own ‘diving’ scandal. Although the ‘play-acting’ debate has been raging for a while now, a series of high-profile incidents have caught the wider public’s attention in recent weeks, leading one manager to call for the immediate production of a red card to combat this despicable form of cheating. This suggestion seems a little harsh given that the last two years have seen roughly one red card dished out in all tiers of our beautiful game. Many have argued that incidents of play-acting have coincided with the recent influx of international superstars opting to play their football in Newcastle, and that the two developments must be related. I tend to agree, although I also believe that the culture of ‘cheating’ is now so firmly embedded in our game that it is something which can afflict the most ‘British’ of fourth-division warriors. I can confess to having dived myself in the past, although just the once. My effort was such an embarrassing shambles that even Phil Neville was laughing at my expense. Funnily enough, such was the quality of the referee that day, he gave us a penalty for my efforts! Even so, I won’t be doing it again in a hurry. It is important that we do not ostracise our international counterparts for their contribution to this less glamorous side of the game. The quality in all divisions has clearly been given a boost by their arrival and worldwide TV screening of intra-mural football is now in the offing. Clearly, there is much about our league that has attracted them to come here; not least the high-quality facilities on offer at Close House. Yet another part of the game which remains so vital to its success is the honesty and integrity with which it is played. Perhaps incidents of cheating can only be reduced by educating our sportsmen raising awareness of the lost culture of ‘fair play.’
Division 41
Team
Pld
W
D
L
F
A
Pts
Newhist FC
3
3
0
0
9
3
9
Team Team 1 1 FCBarca Bayern Law Toonic Na
Pld Pld WW
DD
LL
FF
2 12
01
02
1950 3 15 628
29
AA
Pts Pts
2
Henderson Hall F.C.
4
3
0
1
9
6
9
2
Ecosoccer
2
2
0
0
7
2
6
2
Brown Magic FC
2
2
0
0
7
2
6
2 2 Thundercats Newcastle Medics 1sts
2 12
28
02
02
1736 2 20 626
3
Newcastle Medics 2nds
3
2
0
1
12
4
6
3
The Hurricanes
3
2
0
1
10
9
6
3
Jesmondino FC
2
1
0
0
11
5
4
3 3 Sub-Standard Henderson Hall Liege
2 12
27
01
04
1141 4 29 622
4
Dyslexic Untied
2
1
0
1
4
6
3
4
Roman Villa FC
4
2
0
2
10
13
6
4
Newcastle Dynamos
3
1
1
1
4
5
4
Dyslexic Untied 4 4 The Establishment
2 12
16
01
15
7 32 6 26 319
3
5
Lokomotiv
3
1
0
2
12
13
3
5
Politic Thistle FC
3
1
1
2
7
13
3
2 12 1 12
05 03
00 00
27 19
3 12
01
01
5
Crayola
2
1
0
1
4
8
6
Barca-Law-Na
2
0
0
2
2
4
0
6
Boca Seniors
1
0
0
1
2
6
0
6
Multiple Scoregasms
3
0
0
3
5
10
0
Crayola FC 5 5 Geomatics Aftermath 6 (R) Crystal Phallus
7
Borussia Forsyth
3
0
0
3
2
18
0
7
Castle Leazes
3
0
0
3
2
7
0
7
Bio Neverlosen
2
0
0
2
0
5
0
CastleHappy Leazes 7 (R) Trigger
Top Goalscorers 3: Nathan Campbell (Medic 1s)
Top Goalscorers 2: Armani Zafar, Liam McAlliser (both Henderson)
4: Adam Jones (Aftermath) 3: Oli Golzari (Aftermath)
Top Goalscorers 2: Adam Duckworth (Hurri- 2: Josh Walton (Newhist) canes), Rob Stacey (Ecosoccer) Hugh Grosvenor (Scoregasms),
Top Goalscorers Ollie Thornton (Politic Thistle) , 1: Ben Hughes (Politic Thistle)
7: Jake Wimhurst (SubStandard Liege) 5: Tom Pritchard (Thundercats)
3: Matt Carnell, Joe Harley (both Thundercats)
Intra Mural Round-Up Results Henderson Hall FC 0-3 Crayola Borussia Forsyth 0-5 Newcastle Medics 1st Newcastle Medics 2nd 2-1 Barca-Law-Na
Results Castle Leazes 1-2 Roman Villa FC The Hurricanes 4-7 Aftermath FC
3 18 1122 015 0 14 9 47 0 9 3 10 3 12 2542 0 4
Results Newcastle Dynamos 1-0 Bio Neverlosen Newhist FC 2-1 Politic Thistle FC Multiple Scoregasm 1-4
Results Trigger Happy 2-8 Thundercats Geomatics 2-6 FC Bayern Toonich
The Courier
featuressport.45
Monday 5 November 2012
Durham’s Golden Girl
Paralympic Gold Medallist and Durham student Lily Van Den Broecke talks to The Courier’s Richard Speir about London, Rio and crossing that line... At the halfway point of their Paralympic rowing final, the Great Britain crew realised that the Germans were going to snatch the gold from their grasp. The Cox, Lily van den Broecke, had prepared them for this moment, “I had briefed them on how much I was going to push them if we were down. The idea was to make a positive out of a negative. This was an opportunity, if you can make a move now then you’re going to weaken them mentally and they’re going to panic.” If GB were going to win gold then Lily was going to have to play some mind games with the Germans. The LTA (Legs, Trunk, Arms) Mixed Coxed Four is a wordy description of a boat that must have two women and two men, with the disabilities ranging from being blind, to having a fused or amputated limb. Lily, however, has none of the above. She was the cox and therefore didn’t require a disability to compete. Instead, she was asked to join by GB officials, “to keep me interested in a possible place at Rio, in 2012 they wanted to try me out for the Paralympics. It turned out I got the seat and we did quite well!” If ‘quite well’ means winning a gold medal, then Rio can be eagerly anticipated by Paralympics GB. Coxing a Paralympic boat requires a different attitude. As half the crew were visually impaired, Lily was going to have to adapt pretty quickly. “I remember my first ever session, I had told them to watch the ‘riggers’ (things that stick out from the side of the boat) as we left the boathouse, and then promptly heard an almighty bang! I realised things were going to be a bit different and that I was going to have to keep an eye out for them a bit more. That was at the very beginning, and I probably patronised them too much to begin with. They can do whatever they need to do – they still train just as hard as everyone else.” It was just the start of an incredible experience for Lily and her crew, “the games completely exceeded my expectations. I was utterly overwhelmed by everything. I just couldn’t believe how much money had been pumped into it! We’d finished racing by the time we moved to Stratford and I was just overwhelmed by the rooms, the view and the food hall which had every type of cuisine on offer. I could talk about it for hours.” But nothing, could match the experience of crossing the line first in a Paralympic final. “We were in second at the halfway point, but we knew that we could move through the Germans. We just thought, ‘we’ve done this before and we can do it again’.” Lily had to relay that in the most concise way and minutes later they had taken the lead. Lily particularly recalls the latter stages of the race, “I didn’t really have a job to do in the last 250 meters, because the crowd were going absolutely mad for it – I could just sit back, relax and enjoy it.” “There will be nothing”, Lily continues, “to compare to that feeling unless I go to the Olympics again. It was bizarre! My body actually had a physical response to winning, which never really happens. Usually I’ll be emotional and happy, of course, but this time I was shaking, out of breath, crying – an absolute wreck – mainly because you have to hold it together for so long before.” After that the crew were “inundated by the response from the British public and media.” They were whisked from studio
Lily Van Den Broecke, on the right, celebrates winning Paralympic gold at London 2012 Photography: Getty Images
“There will be nothing to compare to that feeling unless I go to the Olympics again. It was bizarre! My body actually had a physical response to winning ... this time I was shaking, out of breath, crying - an absolute wreck ” to studio to give as many interviews as possible, “I had one meal in two days and two hours sleep. We didn’t want to say no to things because if it can put disability sport on the map then you’ve got to run with it. I did meet my childhood hero, Matt Baker, though.” Every Van Den Broecke and her crew celebrate crossing the line. Photography: AFP/ Getty Images
cloud… Hearing the story of Lily’s Paralympic adventure was inspiring. We sat in a quaint little café in Durham with my pen, paper, and dictaphone at the ready. Within moments she had produced the gold medal from her pocket – decorated
with a ribbon of rich purple. I held it in my hand in bewilderment. Still a student of PPE at Durham, Lily jokes that she might cash it in at the local pawn broker to help fund her student life.” I think it’s silver inside, actually (not
solid gold) but don’t tell the kids because they just think it’s chocolate.” Paralympic rowing is only in its second Olympiad, but is coming to prominence at terrific speed. “I think this year has put the Paralympics on the map and it is such a great thing to be a part of.” Lily reflects on the legacy of the Paralympics and what it can do to promote disability sport, and awareness of the disabled. Although she freely admits that those who make the worst jokes about the disabled are disabled themselves, Lily is sometimes astounded by how blunt people can be about disabilities. “Over the past few years I’ve learned that there’s a fine line. People have approached a guy standing next to me who doesn’t have legs and said, ‘What happened to you?’ out of nowhere, and I just think that’s very rude. I have a warped perspective, but I hope that people in the wider community are taking an interest. Whether it be sport or not, people with disabilities do a lot of stuff. There’s nothing different that should define them.” Here at Newcastle, students can look forward to Disability Awareness Week promoting this aspect of the London legacy, and Lily would encourage anyone to get involved in the many diverse disability sports on offer. “Football, Rowing, Wheelchair Tennis, Boccia, anything, and I just hope that there are the means for people to get involved and make that move.”
46.sportbucs
Monday 5 November 2012
The Courier
Royals’ stuttering start to the season continues Mens’ Football
Newcastle 1sts Leeds Met 1sts
1 2
Irvine
Duggha
By Joey Barton at Longbenton
Auld (c)
Norman
Sexton
Sweet
Wheeler
Aimes
Newcastle University’s poor start to the football season continued on Wednesday as they fell to a 2-1 home defeat to Leeds Met Carnegie at Longbenton. On a bitterly cold day Newcastle, who began the week at the foot of the Northern 1A table, fell to their second successive home defeat due to a 73rd minute winner from Leeds frontman Nick Black. Newcastle had earlier battled back to be level at half time, with Tom Stapleton on the scoresheet, but on balance they failed to do enough to earn their second point of the season. Playing in a 4-4-2 formation, altered from the 4-4-1-1 employed in their previous home game against Chester, the Royals were under the cosh in the early stages. Black, who formed an impressive strike partnership with Josh Cartman, twice went close early on for Leeds Met and it was only thanks to some last gasp blocks that the deadlock wasn’t broken. Carnegie enjoyed five corners within the opening five minutes as Newcastle found themselves struggling to adapt to the strong wind which blew across the pitch. The first twenty minutes were not without positives for the home side as both Alex Auld and Curran Duggha stood particularly firm in defence. In addition there were benefits to Newcastle being forced to play on the break. The most obvious was the chance it gave to exploit the pace of Ben Wheeler down the left hand side. The fiery haired winger continuously got into good crossing positions without delivering the killer final ball. Midway through the first half Leeds took a deserved lead when Gary Storer, who got forward confidently from right back from start to finish, beat two players with ease before pulling an accurate ball back for Cartman to crash home from 10 yards out. This goal will have gone a long way to erasing the memories of Leeds Met’s previous trip to the North East when they were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Durham. Buoyed by breaking the deadlock the Met went from strength to strength, as Newcas-
Stapleton
Salisbury
Black
Cartman
Mack
Wanda Williams Ward
Southgate
Devonish
Greenout Allen
Storer
The Royals build down the right. Photography: Joey Barton
Smith
tle struggled to deal with the strong and combative style of Cartman. On 27 minutes, more great play down the right hand side from Storer, whose attacking display was near faultless, led to Cartman again firing past Nick Irvine between the Newcastle sticks, only for the striker to see his goal ruled out for offside. Twelve minutes before the break, and rather against the run of play, Newcastle found themselves level thanks to a wonderful curling strike from Stapleton, his second goal in as many home games. A long accurate ball from Johnny Sexton found Stapleton rather isolated just outside the box yet the frontman managed to unleash a superb curling strike, which left the Leeds keeper Dom Smith motionless. Whether it was due to the swirling wind, as the Newcastle substitutes seemed to suggest, or thanks to a simply stunning strike the Royals did not care as it allowed them to go into the break level on the scoresheet, if not on the shot count. The Royals improved after half time and for the first time in the match began to have their own sustained periods of pressure. The long throws of Duggha started to cause consternation in the Leeds Met box and it was by luck rather than judgment that the away side stayed level in the game. However, due to the fast paced, free flowing nature of the game it was often the side forced to play on the break who appeared more dangerous. This
was proven when Cartman was twice superbly denied by Irvine from point blank range. However, with just 17 minutes remaining, the pace of Black and Cartman proved too much for the Newcastle defenders as a quickfire onetwo between the pair resulted in Black slotting coolly past Irvine from close range. As darkness drew in and the temperature became almost unbearably cold for
Shots
Liverpool 1sts Newcastle 1sts
12 20
By Chris Griffiths in Liverpool The Owls made a long trip last Wednesday to take on second placed Liverpool University. Despite the tiring journey, Newcastle ran out comfortable winners, in a game that could go along way to deciding the Championship. Hindered by the absence of starting centres Myles Hudson (job interview) & Matthew Jones (visiting his girlfriend at Northumbria), NURL welcomed Dean Noble and edgy wannabe Charlie Hyndman into the centres. Wet and windy conditions once again proved a difficult factor to allow any team to play great rugby, but this didn’t stop George Matthew going over early on from a delicately placed Chris Griffiths kick. Moments later Griffiths turned scorer as he stepped numerous baffled Liver-
pool University defenders to slide over the whitewash just to the right of the sticks. The conversion was added swiftly afterwards to increase the Toon’s lead. Hooker Matthew Woods finally began to make an impact on the NURL 1st XIII, putting in an impressive 80 minutes petrifying Liverpool at every moment his soft little hands touched the ball. Lager lout and womaniser Dan Caparross had a superb game with countless carries and career ending tackles. Connor ‘Cupcake’ Ellison was his usual silly self and couldn’t even be trusted as a linesman for the game. Sporting a nasty looking scar on his left eye from an early collision, George Matthew soldiered on and managed to go over for his second of the day putting The Owls in cruise control with Dave Knox reliably steering the wheel. Not to be outdone, Griffiths later weaved over for his second try of the day giving the English Language lothario a total of four for the match. Beanzy’s son Tom Clarke looked certain to go over in the corner late on to rub further salt onto the Liverpool slugs but managed to bomb a simple two on
Corners
3
On Target
3
On Target
17
Shots
Shots
5
Newcastle
Leeds
Newcastle
one- his team mates left furious. Louisa Rigby’s brother, Harry, was the most angered but this was nothing some of his ‘spooky Halloween special brew’ couldn’t sort out on the long victorious journey home. Four wins from four for the AU’s most admired and treasured club, sees the Owls head the table. No complaints from Frazer at head office - yet. If you want to support the Owls, their next game is at home, at Cochrane Park on Wednesday the 7th of November against Sheffield Hallam. As we can see from the table below, Sheffield have not made the greatest start to the season, and it should be a good chance for NURL to get another win on the board
Fouls
4
Team
Pld
W
Pts
L
Newcastle 1sts
3
3
6
0
2
Liverpool 1sts
3
2
4
1
3
Leeds Met Carnegie 2nds
4
1
2
1
4
Edge Hill 1sts
3
1
2
1
5
Sheffield Hallam 1sts
2
1
2
1
6
Liverpool John Moores 1sts
4
1
2
1
3
On Target
9
11
10
Leeds
Newcastle
Leeds
Men’s Rugby Union Round Up
Men’s 1sts lost 29-10 to Nottingham 1sts. After a fantastic performance against a strong Leeds team last week, the boys in the 1s were unable to crack on this Wednesday against league new boys Nottingham, in blustery conditions. A frustrating afternoon for the lads; one possibly to forget, despite a stirling effort from George Cullen for Uni’s only try. With a by-week next week, and a tough game in two weeks time against league leaders Durham, the lads will look to make amends and push on in a game they’ll be confident in getting a result.
Men’s 2s beat Sheffield 2s 3310
BUCS National North League 1
On Target
On Target
12
hopes of moving off the bottom of the table this week. Leeds Met assumed pole position in the table following the win moving a point clear of early pacesetters Chester. Newcastle will be looking to kick start their season next week at home to the Met’s cross town neighbours Leeds University, who currently sit just a point and a place above Newcastle in the table. Man of the Match: Gary Storer (Leeds)
4
4
What a hoot! Owls fly to the summit Mens’ Rugby League
the few spectators, Newcastle, perhaps inspired by Arsenal’s late show the previous day, pushed hard for an equaliser. Leeds rode their luck, surviving plenty of goalmouth scrambles, yet despite the bombardment, Newcastle could only fashion one late clear cut chance. The ball fell to the recently prolific Stapleton who could only fire straight at Keeper Smith from a tight angle. With that chance went the Royals
The lads in the two’s extended their unbeaten run in this years BUCS comwith a strong performance Fpetition A against Sheffield 2s. 9 3 Despite a miserably sloped pitch and 12 4 bitter winds against them in the first 10 3 half, Newcastle started strongly with 1 2 outstanding scores from Jonny Camera and4Robbie McGowan. 1 dominance was maintained 1 Th8is
throughout the game and two tries and a terrible celebration from Ibi Fashawe topped off the match to extend the boys winning streak this year. Next week the 2s take on Leeds Trinity 1s in the cup in a game they’re expected to smash.
Men’s 3s beat York 2s 37-6
Even though Newcastle faced a strong headwind in the first half they managed to impose themselves, with only silly penalties letting them down. However in the second half the boys let rip, scoring tries. A quality response to last weeks disappointment, and this is the kind of form the boys need to take into next weeks game against Sheffield Hallam.
Men’s 4s beat Hull 2s 53-5
The boys rounded off four wins from four this year turning Hull 2s inside out, again in windy conditions, as if travelling to Hull wasn’t bad enough. Yet the boys managed to light up the pitch running in scores’ of tries. Next week they face Durham 3s in the cup in what will be a tough test for the boys. Ted Bunn
The Courier
bucssport.47
Monday 5 November 2012
Fencers skewer Liverpool to remain unbeaten Men’s Fencing
Newcastle 1sts Liverpool 1sts
135 73
Danny ‘Calves’ Ming (right) prepares to take on his Liverpudlian opponent Photography: Freddie Caldwell
By Rich Parry and Andrew Dixon It is not known who produces the BUCS fixture list, but it is safe to assume that it is either a faceless man in a small, darkened room, or some sort of misanthropic computer. Whoever or whatever fulfils the role, it is certain that they have some sort of vendetta against Newcastle, having scheduled two significant grudge matches, against Northumbria and Liverpool, at the start of the season. Having comfortably dispatched the Poly last week, the Mens’ 1sts were hoping to repeat the victory that they achieved over Liverpool in last year’s cup final. Newcastle lost the toss, which considering the team’s impressive form, must count as one of their biggest defeats in recent times. Liverpool chose to open with the sabre, and looked to press home their advantage, opening up a narrow lead. The Royals recovered well, with Danny ‘Calves’ Ming exploiting some Liverpool inexperience to secure a 45-39 win. Next up was the foil, with Newcastle carrying through their momentum from the sabre to win comfortably 45-21. The weapon also saw a notably good performance from Sam ‘Narcis-
sus’ Ridley, who stabbed his opponents like a stabby thing in a stabby mood, on a bank holiday set aside especially for stabbing. The Royals were looking to improve on an inconsistent performance in last
week’s epee against Northumbria. They didn’t disappoint, with Sam Ridley and Andrew ‘Long’ Dixon giving the Liverpool team a lesson in cold, brutal efficiency. The performance rounded off a very pleasing 135-73 win, with little
Manchester look to build an attack Photography: Ralph Blackburn
reason to suppose Newcastle’s unbeaten run won’t continue for some time yet. Next week the team face Lancaster away from home. The Toon currently sit unbeaten at the top of the table, and are looking good to repeat their champion-
ship win of last year. Fencing is actually Newcastle’s top sport, contributing the highest amount of points to their current BUCS ranking of 9th, with a large amount of the Elite Athlete Squad being fencers.
Newcastle put on fine ping-pong show continued from page 48 Despite this early setback, Newcastle showed considerable mental fortitude to drag themselves back into the tie with some intense performances in the next round of games. The athletic abilities of both teams were being tested to the full with a Manchester player ending his match sprawled across the laminate wood flooring in vain as Newcastle tied things up at 4-4 at the halfway point. By this point it was evident that the result was probably going to go down to the wire and the atmosphere was helped by the cheers from Multipurpose Room B for the successes of the Men’s 1sts Fencing team. Athletic Union Officer Laura Mason turned up to provide further encouragement, but unfortunately this did not act as a fillip for the Newcastle side who fell behind 7-5 after the 3rd set of singles matches with only captain Barella emerging victorious. This meant that they needed to win
the Manchester pair started brightly taking the opening set 11-5 whilst the rest of their team cheered them on vociferously. The second set began in the same vein with some bright play from the Mancunians, however, Newcastle managed to gain some momentum winning several consecutive points but were still unable to prevent Manchester taking it 11-8 to leave them within a set of overall victory. Barella, who as part of the Elite Athlete Squad knows all about the mental attitude required for these sorts of situations, delivered some strong words inbetween sets. This seemed to have the desired effect as Newcastle stormed to a 10-4 lead at which point Manchester were stunned back into action saving four set points before eventually succumbing 11-8. The momentum was now firmly with the home side who took the fourth set 11-4 putting the whole tie in the balance.
“ The contest will surely go down as one of the greatest that Multipurpose Room A has ever seen”
Last Wednesday, Newcastle Mens Hockey 1st team fell to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of an impressive Manchester outfit. The loss was the side’s first of the season, and sees them drop down to third in the BUCS North 1A division.
three out of the last four singles matches to level the match before the doubles, and once again it came down to Barella, who was involved in the last match with Newcastle already having recorded two victories. True to form, he triumphed in four sets which left things delicately balanced at 8-8 with just the one doubles match left. It was decided that Barella and Jitendra would contest this deciding match, both of whom had had good results in the preceding singles games. However,
Manchester were now definitely feeling the tension as they trailed 5-3 at the change of ends. From this point Newcastle took complete control taking this deciding set 11-4 and sparking jubilant scenes in the Sports Centre and prompting a smile from Director Colin Blackburn. Credit must go to the entire Newcastle team who all performed so admirably. The contest will surely go down as one of the greatest that Multipurpose Room A has ever seen.
Sport
www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 5 November 2012 Issue 1257 Free
thecourieronline.co.uk/sport
Sports Editors: Ralph Blackburn, Nick Gabriel and Lucy Williams Online Sports Editors: Freddie Caldwell and Jack Gelsthorpe courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Sport
THE COURIER SPEAKS TO PARALYMPIAN GOLD MEDALIST LILY VAN DEN BROECKE - P45 Hapless Manchester left without a paddle Men’s Table Tennis Newcastle Men’s 1sts Manchester Men’s 1sts By Freddie Caldwell Online Sports Editor
Photograph: Lucy Williams
Newcastle Knights gallop to a dominant victory Women’s Basketball Newcastle 1sts Leeds 1sts
97 21
By Rosie Wowk at Newcastle Sports Centre
With the devastating and emotional loss against the fiery dragons of Bradford looming over them, Newcastle Knights went in to battle against Leeds on home ground. Trying to put this defeat behind them, the Knights walked out onto the court with their heads held high. Despite this, a shaky start for both teams meant low points up on the board. With Egle Duleckyte back on form, the captain sunk the first of her four three-pointers of the game. With scrappy play from Newcas-
tle, the Knights could not knock their shots down even against the poor defence from the away team. Towards the end of the quarter, the well -drilled plays came into motion for the home team with lightning bolt Corinne Vaughan powering up the court for a fast break. With a lead of 20 points, the Knights now played composed and set up some fancy plays around the key. Great vision and tough French defence from fresher Amelie Bareille allowed her to get four fantastic steals for the Knights. Action Jackson began heating up from the cow field and was firing shots from all over the court. Knights started to make a few poor shot choices, but giants Olivia Bowles and Rosie Wowk were on hand to clean up under the basket making contested bank shots. The Knights ended the half on a high with a lead of 27 points to 10. The second half showed some weak discipline by Newcastle with the team giving away several unnecessary fouls.
Luckily, poor formation from Leeds led them to miss ten free throws from the line. After a telling off from statistician Toggs, Tasslem von Streng stepped up her game collecting rebounds from both ends of the court. After an own goal attempt from a Leeds player, Jackson swooped in under the basket for a smooth rebound to secure yet more home points.
“I know the girls have the ability to come out on top ”
The latest Lithuanian addition to the squad, Daniele Stukaite, started off the final chapter of the game with a swishing three pointer. Leeds began to lose their cool on the court, as they allowed unchallenged passes to be sent around the key for the home team. Without
breaking a sweat, the Knights took some easy steals from Leeds, which were converted into fast break lay ups to increase the score even further. Unlucky to break a century, the game finished with an effortless win for the Knights with a final score of 97-21. After the match, Eagles basketball stalker, Coach Bunten, expressed his delight with the game. In an emotional speech, he said, ‘I am so proud of the girls for bouncing back after the disappointing loss of last week. We have now put this behind us and can look forward to next week’s game against UCLAN which will be challenging, but I know the girls have the ability to come out on top.’ Next week, the Newcastle Knights will face the University of Central Lancashire and it could prove to be their toughest game yet. They will go into their match as blind as their coach with no previous knowledge of this newly promoted team.
9 8
There was a tense atmosphere in Multipurpose Room A of the Sports Centre on Wednesday where Newcastle Men’s 1sts faced a crucial match against Manchester with both teams having aspirations for a high finish in this year’s table. It had been a strange start to the season thus far for Newcastle, who travelled to Sheffield for their first fixtures without several key players, resulting in a 16-1 loss and then they received a walkover against York in their second fixture. Consequently, the team was keen to get some actual wins under their belts. The scene was set for a great contest as the spectators filed in past the Butterfly Space Saver 25 and Donic Delphi 25 tables. For those unfamiliar with Multipurpose Room A, its main feature is the punching bags hanging from the walls which lends a slightly gladiatorial feeling to the arena, however it remained to be seen who would be the metaphorical punching bag in this match-up. In the first round of games, Newcastle captain, Graeme Barella enjoyed a commanding victory 11-1, 11-3, 11-3, which set the tone for his performances throughout the afternoon. Continued on page 47
Photograph: Freddie Caldwell