Epigram Issue 380

Website - https://epigram.org.uk

Instagram - @epigrampaper_

Twitter/ X - @EpigramPaper

TikTok - @EpigramPaper

f 88

Est. 19

The University of Bristol's Award Winning Independent Student Newspaper

01.11.24

Dola Re Garba: Celebrating Navratri and the Power of Community Photo courtesy of: Shivam Patel

Rhiannon Jenkins News Co-Deputy Editor

O

n the 12th of October, 17 universities were invited, and over 400 students from across the South of England attended Dola Re Garba at the University of Bristol’s Student Union to celebrate Navratri. Hosted in collaboration with the Bristol SU, the Bristol Hindu Society, and the National Hindu Students’ Forum (NHSF), the event included exhilarating Nritya Kathak and Taal Band performances, as well as a stunning dance from the Bristol Bollywood Society.

Garba, a dance native to Gujarat, is central to Navratri celebrations, which honour the Hindu Goddess Durga, embodying divine feminine strength and empowerment.

Participants dance in circular formations, symbolising the cycle of life while paying homage to the goddess's nine forms. Dola Re Garba went beyond just showcasing Indian culture; it provided students with an opportunity to connect with their heritage and create lasting memories with friends.

Bristol Hindu Society and NHSF: Building Community Hosted by the Bristol Hindu Society in collaboration with the National Hindu Students’ Forum (NHSF), the event included exhilarating Nritya Kathak and Taal Band performances, as well as a stunning dance from the Bristol Bollywood Society.

Garba, a dance native to Gujarat, is central to Navratri celebrations, which honour the Hindu Goddess Durga, embodying divine feminine strength and empowerment.

Participants dance in circular formations, symbolising the cycle of life while paying homage to the goddess's nine forms. Dola Re Garba went beyond just showcasing Indian culture; it provided students with an opportunity to connect with their heritage and create lasting memories with friends.

The NHSF, one of the largest Hindu student organisations outside of India, unites over 40 Hindu societies from universities and schools across the UK. Its work extends beyond hosting events, as it also represents students on important issues such as combating Hinduphobia and advocating for access to education and employment.

During Dola Re Garba, NHSF representatives encouraged attendees who were less familiar with Navratri to learn about the festival's significance and engage in the customs.

The Bristol Hindu Society, who were instrumental in organising the event, offers a welcoming space for students to explore Hindu traditions. It runs a wide range of activities, from cultural celebrations and dance classes to weekly Aarti sessions and sports. Events like Dola Re Garba, the Jyoti Diwali Ball, and East Meets West provide opportunities to experience Hindu culture in a fun and inclusive environment.

A Sense of Belonging For many, Dola Re Garba was about fostering community and finding a sense of belonging. Sarita, Co-President of the Bristol Hindu Society, reflected on how joining the society gave her a sense of comfort when she first moved to Bristol.

"We’re really excited to be hosting the South Zone Navratri today; this event means a lot by bringing several cultures together… not just Hindus but all of our friends to an event in celebration of Goddess Durga, the embodiment of divine female empowerment or shakti".

The event also gave many the chance to learn more about their cultural roots.

Another student shared...

"I've never attended a Garba before,

Opinion

SciTech

ARTS

FILM & TV

Saying Goodbye to the Tories after 14 years

Our Celestial Visitor, the 'mini-moon'

The Nostalgia of Halloween Season

What's So Horrifying About Horror Films?

Pages for readers, Opportunities for writers

but it is my culture, and it's really nice coming to uni and tapping into that culture. Especially since I’ve grown up in the UK, I’ve not really been to big events like this before, so for me, it's amazing that the university does stuff like this"

Dance, Music, and Festivities The atmosphere at Dola Re Garba was absolutely electric, with attendees dressed in vibrant traditional attire and dancing to energetic music. As Vice Chancellor Evelyn Welch, a historian of early modern European fashion, observed, the "intensely colourful, beautiful fabrics" created a spectacular...

For the full article, go to epigram.org.uk

Contents 2 Editorial 3 News 6 Opinion 9 Features 12 Adverts 14 Arts

16 18 20 22 24

Film & TV Music Sci-Tech Sport Beyond Campus

02 EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Editorial Our Team Editorial

Co-Editors-in-Chief: Amaan Ali and Annie McNamee Deputy Editors: Sofia Webster and Will Standring

News

Annie McNamee and Amaan Ali Co-Editors-in-Chief

Co-Editors: Josie Hodgson and Maud Humphries Co-Deputy Editors: Rhiannon Jenkins and Beatrice Learmouth Investigations Editor: Will White and Sofia Lambis Subeditors: Otto Proctor and Cerys Larsen

Opinion

A Time for Reflection and Action Amaan Ali Co-Editor-in-Chief

A

s November rolls in, bringing with it shorter days and a distinct chill in the air, it’s natural to reflect on the challenges we've faced this year and look ahead to what’s next. For many of us, before we begin to make plans for the Christmas holidays this time of year serves as an academic midpoint a chance to reassess our goals, adjust our strategies, and prepare for the demands of the months ahead. It also marks a period of reflection and gratitude as we begin to prepare for the new year and look back on how much we have grown and changed in the past few months.

This period of reflection is especially relevant for students who embarked on their university journey just a few months ago.

The transition from the familiar to the unknown is never easy, but it’s a process that allows us to grow, adapt, and find our footing in new environments. Whether you’ve been balancing lectures, societies, and the ever-looming pressure of assignments, or if you've faced personal challenges, this season is a reminder to pause and acknowledge how far you've come. Each step you’ve taken is a testament to your resilience and determination.

As we navigate these changes, November also offers a chance for solidarity; a reminder that we’re not alone in our struggles. This time of year can bring homesickness,

differ, our shared resilience creates stress, or the winter blues, making a powerful bond, reminding us that it all the more important to lean on we are not alone in our journey. those around us. In this season of This November let’s channel gratitude and reflection, the power that resilience into action. Whether of community becomes even more it’s participating in discussions, evident. From grabbing a coffee standing up for what matters, or with a classmate to reaching out simply sharing your story with to university services or checking someone who needs in with a friend who’s been distant, "The transition from the to hear it, let’s make small actions can familiar to the unknown is our presence felt. As make a world of never easy, but it’s a process students, we have a unique power to difference. It’s in that allows us to grow, these moments adapt, and find our footing question, challenge, and shape the that we realize how in new environments." world around us vital it is to have and this starts someone to rely on right here, on campus. during the darker, chillier months.

So, as the days grow colder and For people like me from assignments pile up, let’s remember underrepresented backgrounds, the warmth of the community we and those who’ve made it to are building together. Let’s keep university despite immense in mind that progress whether odds, this time of year can feel academic, personal, or societal is not particularly difficult. It serves as a a straight line. Most importantly, reminder of why we’re here not just let’s celebrate every step forward, to pursue a degree but to carve out no matter how small, knowing a place for ourselves in spaces that that each effort brings us closer to haven’t always been welcoming. our unique and important goals.

While the struggles we face may

Editor: Karen Mends Co-Deputy Editors: Alex Creighton and Hannah Moser Subeditors: Ellen Jones and Riana McConochie

Features

Editor: Nel Roden Co-Deputy Editors: Jessica Cohen and Daisy Yates Investigative Correspondent: Benedict Chester Subeditors: Reuben Kerbes and Illona Hoffman

Arts

Editor: Bruno Bridger Co-Deputy Editors: Elizabeth Abbott and Ella Heathcote Culture Editors: Anushka Dongare and Natalia Dewhurst Correspondents: Patrick Chandler and Julia Anna Masluszczak Subeditors: Eve Davies and Bobbi Carsley

Film & TV

Editor: Max Bradley-Cole Co-Deputy Editors: Meadow Wattret and Chien Wen Sow Subeditors: Nadiya Jackson and Marianne Chatburn

Music

Editor: Benji Chapman Co-Deputy Editors: Aditi Hrisheekesh and Megan Foulk Subeditors: Amelie Peters and Sophie Scannell

Sci-Tech & Gaming

Editor: Corin Gabriel Hadley Deputy Editor: Miles Gilroy Subeditor: James Lewis Head Researcher: Harrison Phillips

Sport

Editor: Faniki Deche Deputy Editors: Sean Lawrenson and Adam Mountain Subeditor: James Lewis

Design

Lead Designer: Julia Mullins Resident Designer: Alexandra Hill

Business

Managing Director (President): Livy Naylor Deputy Director (Vice-President): Angelica Singh Finance Director (Treasurer): Ella Mason Marketing Director (Social Secretary): Claudia Tipper Ads & Sales Director: Anika Sharma Media Ethics & EDI Officer: Lily Wheeler Head of Technology: Dhillon Thurairatnam

Want to write for us?

Photo courtesy of: Annie McNamee

epigram.org.uk/get-involved/ Follow us on: Instagram: @epigrampaper_ X/Twitter: @epigrampaper TikTok: epigrampaper

EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Maud Humphries and Josie Hodgson .......... Co-Editors Bea Learmouth and Rhiannon Jenkins....... Deputy Editor Will White and Sofia Lambis.......................... News Investigations Otto Proctor and Cerys Larsen ...................... Subeditors

03

NEWS

Public appeals to Banksy for assistance with missing student investigation It has been over six months since Jack O’Sullivan, postgraduate law student, went missing in Hotwells. The police investigation continues, and members of the public are now calling on Bristolian street artist Banksy to help.

Gemma Gray, Fourth year Politics and International Relations, and Tabby Glover, Third Year Law

J

search for Jack, has also been made.

ack O’Sullivan has been missing since Saturday 2nd March after attending a birthday party in Hotwells. The 23-year old was last confirmed to be seen at 03:17, close to Brunel Way, and the Avon & Somerset Police say his phone remained active on Find My Friends until 6:44 am.

Jack has not been seen or heard from since.

The O’Sullivan family filed a formal complaint against the Avon & Somerset Police and have since sought additional private search teams using surplus funds from the GoFundMe that raised £20,000 to be used as a reward for any information about Jack.

The Avon & Somerset Police issued a renewed appeal for information on Monday 2nd September, marking six months since Jack’s disappearance.

They say searches are still ongoing, and that more than twenty different police teams and other agencies have been involved in the investigation.

'my aim on this earth at the moment is to find Jack' Catherine O’Sullivan, Jack’s mother, told BristolLive that they have been using specialist search dog teams also used by police to search areas around Bristol, and that these have recently revealed ‘renewed areas of interest.’

Assistant Chief Constable Joanne Hall said: ‘Our staff and officers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been, and continues to be, for his family.’

Catherine also told the BBC: ‘my aim on this earth at the moment is to find Jack.’

The GoFundMe page set up in an ef-

Now, the Facebook group, ‘Find Jack’, set up by Jack’s family and friends and containing over 70,000 members, are raising the idea as to whether elusive graffiti artist Banksy, who is originally from Bristol, could help in the search for Jack

'the biggest coup of all would be a Banksy " FIND JACK" Mural' fort to support the ongoing search can be found by searching 'Jack O'Sullivan' on the GoFundMe website.

One member posted, ‘Is there anybody that does graffiti in Bristol that can do a FINDJACK?’

If you see Jack, please call the police immediately on 999 and give the reference 5224055172 to the call handler.

In response one contributor said, ‘Could Banksy help…just a thought.’

Appealing to lic following, .

the artist’s pubanother replied photo courtesy of: FIND JACK Facebook page

'Our staff and officers remain committed to doing everything we can to find Jack and we do not underestimate what a distressing time this has been' - Joanne Hall

‘For maximum publicity the biggest coup of all would be a Banksy “FIND JACK” MURAL.’ In reply to this one member said, ‘Wow that’s a brilliant thought.’

The group have also been calling on other local celebrities such as Stephen Merchant and

Russell Howard to help increase awareness and assist in the search for the missing student.

An appeal by the Facebook group encouraging users of the fitness tracking app Strava to look over their app data, which may provide additional valuable information to help in the

If you have any other information about his whereabouts, or have some footage which could aid the investigation, please call the police on 101, or contact them through the website at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk.

Alternatively, you can email: findjack23@gmail.com.

04 EPIGRAM 01.11.24

NEWS Demonstrators Protest at Bristol’s Forced Swim Tests on Rats UoB's Vice-Chancellor was interrupted by Protestors from PETA at a recent talk Rhiannon Jenkins Third Year Politics and IR

D

uring a visit to Yale University on September 27, ViceChancellor Welch was interrupted by protesters from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) while delivering a talk.

The demonstrators can be seen holding signs that read “University of Bristol: Ban Animal Torture”, in a video uploaded to TikTok by the account @itsjamiescorner that has since amassed 4.1 million views.

One man seated in the audience can be seen leaving the auditorium following the ambush, stating: That’s awful, that’s actually terrible... forcing rats to swim and then drown? That’s disgusting...There’s modern human relevant methods available... I’m severely disappointed. Do better Chancellor Welch.'

Some commenters underneath the video voiced frustration towards individuals in the audience who were seen smiling and laughing throughout the demonstration.

With one user commenting, 'The woman in the crowd laughing?!?!! I’m infuriated!!!'

Jamie Logan, one of the demonstrators featured in the video, shared with Epigram: 'When I grabbed the mic, it

wasn’t just about disrupting a speech - it was about giving a

computer models, cells grown in the laboratory or human volunteers.

voice to the terrified rats forced to swim in the University of Bristol’s near-drowning tests. PETA and its supporters won’t be silent while cruel experiments continue in the name of so-called mental health research. The university must drop the forced swim test now'.

When these methods are not suitable to address the scientific gaps, and therefore only when absolutely necessary, we use animals in research to improve our understanding of health and disease in both humans and animals.

This includes cardiovascular and cancer research, diseases associated with infection and immunity and, in the case of forced swimming, advances in the understanding of stress-related disorders.

'It was about giving a voice to the terrified rats' A University of Bristol spokesperson said in response to the protest: 'We recognise there are differing views about the use of animals in research, including some concerns around whether it is ethical.

'The University of Bristol has a successful track record of translating scientific discoveries into realworld advances. The majority of our biomedical research uses non-animal methods for example

'We are committed to a culture of openness and transparency regarding the research carried out here and make publicly available short summaries of all the projects approved at the University.'

This protest is the most recent in a series of events that reflect an ongoing three-year dispute between animal welfare activists and the university.

photo courtesy of: Tiktok @itsjamiescorner

Labour U-turns on Tuition Fee Rise Plans announced to rise tuition fees to £10,500 in line with inflation.

Anastasia O'Reilly Fourth Year Theology and Religion

T

he Labour government announced plans at the end of September to raise annual tuition fees to £10,500, in line with inflation. Annual tuition fees in England and Wales have been capped at £9,250 for the past seven years.

University students in England and Wales are already faced with a hefty debt after leaving university. On average, students are left indebted to £45,600 after completion of a three year course. But new plans by the Labour government

could increase that debt to over £50,000, according to The Standard.

Aid will be needed for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, with reported plans to reinstate grants of up to £3,500 The decision awaits approval from chancellor Rachel Reeves. When asked about the possible plans ,Second year Electrical and Electronic Engineering student Jasper said: “This decision has definitely tarnished my view of the [Labour] party” “Luckily I already enrolled in university, otherwise I might not be able to consider it as an option”.

Even though the raise may not directly impact students now,

Jasper states that “the prospect of the higher debt is scary because interest rates are so high that if they increase the tuition loan you end up paying a lot more as the interest compounds”.

The decision comes after a string of previous pledges by the party to reduce or even scrap tuition fees.

During the leadership campaign in 2020, Sir Keir Starmer said that tuition fees would be abolished. In July of this year education secretary Bridget Phillipson, stated that international student recruitment would support universities so that tuition fees for home students would not need to be raised.

However, the party has since gone back on these pledges due to the rise in inflation and concerns around NHS waiting lists being the priority for spending.

Labour politician Peter Mendelson told the Guardian that “England’s universities have reached an inflection point” with severe and worsening financial pressures, supporting a rise in fees which are capped at 2.5% increase.Liberal Arts student Verity acknowledged that “everything is going up in life” but that “students are one of the many groups who are being let down by labour failing to take a stand”. She stated that Labour continuously failed to “prioritise the welfare of people as much as they have promised to”. It has been acknowledged that aid will be needed for students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, with reported plans to reinstate grants of up to £3,500 for students in this category, something that the Conservative government removed for English students in 2016.

“This would massively help relieve the pressure” says Jasper, whose current maintenance loan received from Student Finance England “isn’t enough to cover the cost of living”.

“I have to work alongside my studies which affects the amount of time that I can put into my studies and overall affects my accomplishments in my degree”.

In 1998 the Labour government, under Tony Blair, tuition fees of £1,000 were introduced to fill a funding gap, with the reason being that students with a degree will benefit from higher pay in future.

“It's not something that I want to go to, but I do recognise that over time the value of the fee has eroded,” said Bridget Phillipson.

01.11.24 EPIGRAM

05

Co-Editors ..........Maud Humphries and Josie Hodgson Deputy Editor ....Bea Learmouth and Rhiannon Jenkins News Investigations .........................Will White and Sofia Lambis Subeditors .....................Otto Proctor and Cerys Larsen

Anti-Abortion Protesters Clash with Bristol Students Outside of Beacon House 'It just felt like they wanted to have a go at you': students clash with anti-abortion protesters on campus outside of study centre Beatrice Learmouth, News Deputy-Editor, and Josie Hodgson, News Co-Editor

In the early afternoon on Friday 18th October, a group of three prolife campaigners sparked heated reactions from students outside Bristol University building Beacon House on Queen’s Avenue. The protesters, one of whom was holding a sign that read ‘Truth Matters", ‘Abortion is murder: You shall not murder’

and "Change My Mind,’ challenged students passing by as they were entering and leaving Beacon House.

The protesters were part of the ‘Spirit for Life Reformed Baptist Church’, and claimed that they were there as they ‘believe in the authority of God’s word.'

photo courtesy of: Beatrice Learmouth

The group, led by controversial street preacher Dia Moodley, previously held a protest in March last year outside of Beacon House where Moodley was arrested for common assault after he pushed a woman. However, speaking to Epigram, Moodley claimed: ‘One of the students assaulted me and broke my finger. I’m taking the University and the police to Court, but I’m not doing this out of revenge. I want to have some assurance that people at the University are able to think freely.'

Multiple students took issue with Moodley's conduct in particular within the group, describing how his challenge to ‘Change My Mind’ on his sign was misleading and contradictory, and that the protest was not driven simply by a desire to encourage freethinking amongst the student body.

promoting these ridiculous absurd views … you don’t get pro-choice people standing outside doing this.

the sight of a male protester delivering speeches regarding women’s reproductive rights was patronising.

‘University students are sexually active, and therefore some will inevitably have had experiences that are terrible and may have required abortions.

This could potentially trigger a lot of women, and that’s simply not fair.

Imagine wanting to go and study, and then being put into a bad mental health space by this guy,’ she said.

Meghan, a First Year Economics and Management student, explained that she doesn’t normally involve herself in political confrontations, but explained that ‘this is something I felt I had to get involved in … especially when it’s a man standing up there saying stuff about a woman’s body.’

In response to this, Moodley claimed: ‘If we ever saw any of the women or men upset by the situation, we would step down. We are Christians, we don’t want to disturb the peace.'

‘His sign says ‘Change My Mind’, but he’s trying to change other people’s minds, and is acting as if he is in the right.’ said Izzy, First Year Sociology student.

A First Year Sociology student, who wishes to remain anonymous, observed that Moodley kept interrupting the people who were trying to talk to him. He admitted that he was trying to change people’s minds, but claimed that he was open to reflecting upon his own opinions.

Similarly, Saskia, Third Year History student, who stopped to confront the protestors as she was passing by, told Epigram that their intention was not to discuss abortion, but to intimidate students.

However, Charlotte, First Year Law student, didn't believe that the protesters were ready to listen to students' views. 'They’re not receptive in any way, shape or form. It just felt like they wanted to have a go at you.'

‘I’m really angry … he’s standing outside of a student building and

For many students who stopped to watch, particularly female students,

FLASH NEWS Bristol Hosts Filming of 'Young Sherlock' Series Directed by Guy Ritchie Cerys Larsen, News Sub-Editor This month, Bristol city centre was home to the filming of a new television series, Young Sherlock, directed by celebrated filmmaker Guy Ritchie. The eight-part series is based on Andy Lane’s novel Young Sherlock Holmes and is set to debut on Amazon Prime in 2025. photo courtesy of:

Alongside the emotional distress that the protest caused, the campaigners' presence also stirred unease over privacy concerns, as multiple students reported that they were being filmed without consent.

The group stated that they were filming for their ‘own safety', having 'previously been assaulted', and 'the safety of those who are talking to us.'

Moodley was fined £150 for his actions by the Council, but said the City Councillor ‘couldn’t say what law I was breaking.'

The protest comes as UK universities are seeing an increasing number of anti-abortion societies on campus and activists targeting students, as the debate surrounding freedom of speech at universities continues. At the University of Manchester in March this year, disputes between pro-life activists and students led to a violent altercation, prompting the police to intervene.

To read more go to epigram.org.uk

Bristol SU launch new Gender Expression Fund Tabby Glover, Third Year Law Bristol Students’ Union have launched a new Gender Expression Fund, allowing trans and nonbinary students to apply for up to £100 to spend on gender affirming products.

photo courtesy of:

06

EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Opinion From coalition to crushing defeat: saying goodbye to the Tories after 14 years Evan Raw

Editor's Choice:

Second Year, Civil Engineering

A brilliantly written piece elucidating the history of the conservative party. The conservative party's 14 years in power have been marked by a mix of successes and failures with five Prime Ministers coming into power and countless ministers cycling through roles. Now, with Rishi Sunak's term coming to an end in a crushing electoral defeat, the Tories face an uncertain future.

I

f you’re a similar age to me then the Conservative governments of the past 14 years may be the only governments you ever remember being in power. From their coalition days, to Sunak’s soggy election announcement, they have delivered many memorable moments. The impacts of their policies brought about by their five Prime Ministers, seven Chancellors, eight Foreign Secretaries, eight Home Secretaries, and hundreds of MPs are felt by us every day. So let’s, avoiding potholes and Just Stop Oil protestors, take a trip down memory lane and look at some of the highs and lows of the Conservatives’ time in power.

Perhaps the second biggest coalition to come out of 2010, after One Direction, was the Conservative and Lib Dem coalition government. Fronted by the silk-tied duo

photo courtesy of: Fabien Barral

following his renegotiation of the the awarding of PPE contracts, some of the damage done to the of David (now Lord) Cameron and UK’s terms of membership to the Test and Trace failures, and Parcountry by his predecessors left Nick Clegg, they oversaw return of EU. This was a decision that split tygate among many other failures. his approval ratings frighteningthe economy to pre-2008-recession this Union-Jack-flagged ship down In a recent ITV interview, Boris ly low heading towards the inevlevels, the legalisation of same sex the centre, as well as dividing stated that he regrets giving a pubitable election. Announcing the marriage, and Britain’s success in Cameron’s own party. Weak camlic apology for the Partygate scanelection in the least auspicious the 2012 Olympic games. But do we paigning from Cameron’s remain dal - showing clear disregard for way possible - in the pouring remember them for this, or their camp, and bus-sized lies from the how his decisions during the panrain, without an umbrella, and raising of tuition fees and the beleave campaign left us with the demic affected the general public. to the tune of Labour’s old camginnings of austerity? The former infamous 52/48 result which beThroughout the pandemic, Johnpaign song ‘Things Can only get was a policy the Lib Dems were came the Conservative’s self-imson’s approval ratings steadily deBetter’ - it was clear that the Constill apologising for before the elecposed responsibility to honour. clined and a mass-revolt by minisservatives were on their way out. tion, and the latter - despite putting ters saw 62 resignations that forced the balance But do we Cameron’s resignation Johnson’s resignation in July 2022.

It was, therefore, Sunak’s job to ensheets back gave the Tories a new sure his party picked up as many remember them for this, in line - has leader, Theresa ‘Strong Following a leadership contest that seats as possible even if the bookies led to 148,000 or their raising of tuition and Stable’ May who saw the Conservative party memwere only predicting a one percent excess deaths fees and the beginnings of was set on delivering bership pick the more right wing of chance of a Tory majority. Howevaccording to reausterity?

Brexit with a fair deal. the two final candidates, Liz Truss er, his campaign was littered with search by UCL. Her political instincts became our prime minister, giving unpopular policy announcements failed her in the 2017 general us perhaps one of the most hectic like ending ‘low-quality’ degrees, A somewhat unexpected election election where she lost the Conpremierships this country has ever cuts to welfare and civil service victory in 2015 saw the Tories servative’s small majority, leaving witnessed. 49 days in power, three numbers, social care cost caps, take complete control of the ship, her in an awkward coalition with high-profile resignations, the crashand most famously, national serwith captain Cameron steering it Northern Ireland’s Democratic ing of the pound to a 37 year low, vice for 18-year-olds. Along with head-first into an EU referendum Unionist Party which the lowest apgeneral discontent for the Conmade it even more Cameron’s resignation gave proval rating of a servative party, these announcedifficult for her to prime minister in ments sealed a crushing defeat for the Tories a new leader, pass a deal through YouGov’s history, Sunak’s party leaving them with parliament. Over her Theresa ‘Strong and Stable’ and eventually their worst election result ever. three years as Prime being outlasted May. Minister we not by a lettuce; I Looking over their lengthy tenure only saw how bad of a dancer she think it’s fair to say things didn’t it’s clear many bad policy decisions was, but how poor of a negotiago well for her. Another leadership were made, leaving the country tor she was too. After her many contest was held worse off, with damproposals and efforts, and a teary that saw all candiaged public services, 49 days in power, resignation we saw Boris Johnson dates bar one drop and a reduced presthree high-profile take control of the country and he out and thus Rishi ence on the world’s swiftly called for the 2019 election.

Sunak (who placed resignations, the crashing stage. Many of their second in the pre- of the pound to a 37 year successes were A much better election result bevious leadership simply repairing low, the lowest approval fell him in following promises of race) was ‘selected’ problems created ‘building back better’ and having as the new leader. rating of a prime minister by their own paran ‘oven-ready’ Brexit deal, giving liament. It’s clear in YouGov’s history, and his party an 80-seat majority. CeleSet on calming the that factionalism eventually being outlasted brated by a countdown clock proeconomic storm has brought about by a lettuce. jected onto Downing Street, the that brought about many problems for UK left the EU - the Conservatives Truss’ mini-budget, the Conservatives had finally delivered a promise.

Sunak managed to drag inflaand that if they want a future as Besides Brexit, Boris is probably tion down from its high point of a major party in British politics, most famous for his handling of over nine percent, to under three then they need a strong leader and the Coronavirus pandemic. Depercent by the end of his tenure. a unified party. With their current spite successes with the vaccine But along with this, he gave us approval rating close to Labour’s, rollout and the establishing of cranky policies such as the Rwanthere is still hope for their party ‘Nightingale Hospitals’ in areas da scheme, cuts to the arts, the but with Labour’s super-majoriwhere NHS capacity was low, the abolition of the human rights act, ty it’s a possibility that they’ll be Tory’s handling of the Covid-19 and plans to curb ‘woke’ ideology. waiting a couple of terms before pandemic is tainted by PPE shortHis failure to bring about more their leader will be in with a shot ages and subsequent cronyism in meaningful policies to repair even of being the resident of number 10.

01.11.24 EPIGRAM

07

Editor ....................Karen Mends Deputy Editor ..................Alex Creighton Deputy Editor .................Hannah Moser Subeditor ..........Riana McConochie Subeditor ........................Ellen Jones

Student progression | Growing pains in final year A riveting piece highlighting the nostaglia and uncertainty that comes with being a final year student Luana Crosta Fourth Year, International Business Management

T

his piece is for all my fellow final years also caught up in the whirlwind of emotions, expectations and responsibilities that come with this significant time in our lives.

As much as we didn’t want to believe it, we were all told our years at university would fly by - and indeed, they have. I’m sure university has been an incredible time for many people, but that’s not to say it’s always smooth sailing for everyone.

This year, we face many more hours in Wills as most of us encounter our biggest academic challenge

I change my mind weekly about my I am aware this piece jumps from yet. If you’re anything like me, future career as I struggle to envi- complaining about the struggles you’re still unsure of what career sion myself in just of final year to offering advice, but path to even go Remarks about how this one role. This week the reason for writing is the hope down, yet the Postwould be the best time of our I am a newspaper it brings some comfort to anyone Grad gods have Often feeling the same. I chose to title conjured up their lives loaded on the pressure writer!(?) for us to make the most of this is framed as a it 'growing pains' because that’s deadlines to fall at the beginning our time here before we had negative and, for a what I’m experiencing most acutelong time, I viewed ly. I assumed by now, after 3 years, I of term, as we’re even arrived it as such. Howev- would have found my footing. But desperately trying er, after many conversations about the reality is each year of univerto establish that golden routine. the future with friends and fam- sity brings its own set of challengily, I’ve come to see it differently. es and we grow alongside them.

It’s not just the academics or caPerhaps I’m telling myself this for 18-year-old me moving into Hiatt reer decisions weighing us down; comfort, like how I am babbling Baker Halls is vastly different to the social aspect of university life 21-year-old me writing to my universiadds its own unique pressure. As this piece, except for ty’s newspaper we enter the last year of our preWe feel compelled to the fact I have the same as a strange cious student experience, we feel carve out time for these form of cathar- relationsjips, quite rightly, in people I met in those an urge to cherish each moment halls sitting beside me sis. But I truly with the friends we have made order to continue building in our freezing fourthbelieve that who have become like family. All memories together. year house helping me those of us unthe while, in the back of our minds, edit this column. This sure about our reminding ourselves that we post-graduation lives should not growth we’ve all gone through should be knuckled down, focused feel trapped by this uncertain- is thanks to the opportunities, as on earning a first and sending off ty, since this is one of the only well as challenges, university life cover letters. To put it simply, final times in our lives where we have has thrown at us. Whether you’re year feels like we’re simultaneousthe choice to do exactly what we a first year reading this, struggling ly preparing for the future while want to do, when we want to do it. with connecting with your new racing to keep up with the present.

flatmates, or a fourth year feeling completely different from what I’ve described, it’s important to remember that growth presents itself differently on everyone.

There is no single correct path to follow through university, and these growing pains are just the small price we pay for entering our fabulous twenties!

photo courtesy of: Bonnie Kittle, Unsplash

True crime on trial: the ethics of crime dramatisation Are we going too far with modern crime adaptations?

Shreshtha Sane First Year, Economics and Politics

I

t’s high time we questioned whether our obsession with true crime is about social justice, or a thinly-veiled excuse to indulge our morbid curiosities.

As Halloween season looms, the entertainment industry continues shamelessly exploiting our fascination with the macabre. In recent years, the ‘true crime’ genre has exploded into a cultural phenomenon, with podcasts like Serial and TV series like Making a Murderer (2015) captivating audiences worldwide—but at what cost?

While some argue these stories may spark discussions about injustice

and vulnerability, we’re treading a dangerous line. True crime stories risk trivialising real human suffering for entertainment, and it’s high time we questioned whether our obsession with true crime is about social justice, or a thinly-veiled excuse to indulge our morbid curiosities—whether we as a society learn and grow from these stories, or simply become desensitised to violence and tragedy. The true-crime trend is a double-edged sword, and I fear we may be cutting ourselves in our eagerness to consume it.

The appeal of true crime lies in its ability to transform real-life tragedies into addictive, binge-worthy content—but this often involves a glamorisation of perpetrators which is not just distasteful, but downright harmful. In its trivialisation of the suffering of victims and their families, the genre fosters a disturbing, voyeuristic culture of feeding on others’ pain.

Recently, the Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez

the lens of the show’s creators.

The perspectives deemed important in Monsters (2024) are those which align with the creators’ vision, and the selection presentation of these views undermines the show’s commitment to the truth.

By exploiting the story in this way, the creators miss a crucial opportunity to provide viewers with an understanding of it and the issues Erik Menendez, The show has undeniably the younger of captured public attention but underlying it. This approach does a disthe Menendez it's also raised serious ethical service both to those brothers, has concerns. directly affected, and criticised the the audience, who are denied a show for its depiction of the brothmore meaningful exploration into ers’ abuse claims and the doubt the case’s societal implications. it casts upon them; some argue that the show has suggested these Another Netflix show, Inventing claims were made up to garner Anna (2022) has been criticised for sympathy, while Ryan Murphy, the glamorising fraud and white-colseries’ co-creator, claims to preslar crime, and it’s a critique which ent multiple perspectives within highlights a fundamental ethical the show. But with the parents dedilemma in true-crime as enterceased, the lawyers silent, and the tainment. By dramatising Anna Sobrothers uninvolved, this assertion rokin’s audacious schemes, Netflix falls flat and the perspectives are risks glorifying her criminal behavinstead primarily filtered through Story has dominated the UK’s topten list for over three weeks, sparking intense debate over the truecrime genre's tendency to blur the lines between fact and fiction, reality and entertainment. Though it has a responsibility to present a balanced and accurate portrayal of events, it seems to have prioritised sensationalism over substance.

iour and trivialising the genuine pain she inflicted upon her victims, who are reduced to mere plot points, and whose distress is the very aspect of her crimes we need to be reminded of. Yet the popularity of the show only serves to amplify the public’s fascination with Sorokin herself, overshadowing the stories of her victims altogether.

The streaming giant’s own profits from these stories further raises serious questions about the exploitation of real tragedies for entertainment. Netflix, like all platforms, seeks to produce engaging content, but there’s a line between telling a story and profiting directly from someone else’s misfortune.

It’s time for audiences to demand more responsible storytelling that doesn’t amount to anti-hero worship and the celebration of criminal acts, where sensitivity and depth aren't sacrificed at the altar of viewer ratings. Ethical storytelling in true crime is not just a moral obligation, but a necessity.

08

EPIGRAM 01.11.24 Editor ....................Karen Mends Deputy Editor ..................Alex Creighton Deputy Editor .................Hannah Moser Subeditor ..........Riana McConochie Subeditor ........................Ellen Jones

Opinion An engrossing piece analyzing univeristy drinking culture and its effects.

Rhodes Bray, First Year, English

photo courtesy of: Zetong Li, Unsplash

The Fresher’s Mindset: Do we ever go too far?

‘Y ou have to keep drinkWolf’s on a Tuesday or a Thekla ing…like you said!’ Thursday, there always seems to be The infamous phrase seems to an event that CANNOT be missed. have been all the more prevaReady to then crawl into bed for lent during the first few weeks of a few hours before dragging oneUni – we all seem to be driven by self to that 9am and preparing to this ingrained nodo it all again. tion that living in This then poses the a constant state of Why do we do (potentially) problematic semi-hangover IS it? Why do we question of: Why not? So the Uni experience. insist on drinkthen more shots (there's a ing permanentdeal!), another drink and My question is why? ly? Is it anything As in, why put to do with the a stumbling trip to the yourself through it? Donervan on the way home. s o u l - c r u s h I, alongside many ing case of others, would argue that the vast FOMO if we decide to stay sober? array of Bristol nightlife calls for Maybe the reason a night in is it, encourages it even. With every largely out of the question is benight of the week being claimed by cause it will inevitably be plagued a different club, you’ll never find by the anxiety of missing someyourself without somewhere to thing crucial, like the next inside go on a weekday. Whether it’s Mr joke that is going to fuel the friend

group for the rest of the year! (This is largely unlikely, and the pub will not be as groundbreaking or revolutionary of an experience as we fear). Yet, the so-called Fresher’s FOMO insists upon dampening a much-needed movie night, so much so that what is supposed to be a relaxing night, ends up becoming so stressful that it’s probably better to just go out anyway.

It saves a lot of angst if anything.

Perhaps this stress simply accompanies the move to a new city, alongside an entirely new group of friends. The stability of our home lives is replaced with a seemingly precarious social circle that would, according to our own expectations, abandon and shun anyone who refuses to drink on a weekday. It’s insane! We seem to forget that every-

one else is in the same boat, and will not only understand, but perhaps be grateful for the suggestion of a night off from time to time.

Not only does the fresher’s mindset entail paralysing stress, but it also seems to be a given that we are completely up for drinking at any particular moment. This also begs another irrefutable question: Can we not interact with our flatmates in a sober situation? Is it possible to hanwg out sober? Will we even like each other? This begins a sort of dependency, that, until we come to our senses and realise that people aren’t so different intoxicated and sober, will fuel the drinking, and perpetuate the clubbing at any and all times. read more go to epigram.co.uk

The girl from your lecture: the perfect student fallacy You're not doing it wrong! It always seems like there's someone more on top of everything than you but we need to take things at our own pace.

Lindsay Shimizi Second Year, English

T

may help her study later. When the lecture is over, she and her friend get up to leave. She places her laptop, covered in perfectly curated stickers, into a chic shoulder bag leaving you to cram your slightly oversized laptop into your backpack from three years ago. You've attended the same lecture, you are in the same modules, and maybe you don't know her, but you know she is perfect. And you are not.

here is something wrong with You should study and try hard to you. You don't have the confiachieve academic success. You dence that your essay will earn you want to apply yourself to your a first. You made a mistake during a course, and you have been doing seminar that makes you look ridicthe readings each week. But you ulously unprepared and scattered. also chastise yourself when you You got lost in the Arts Complex stay home to study yet again. Now, You should be interested, when you could you sit in your lecture and the this is the degree you chose be going out with girl next to you after all, but you don't seem friends. You’ve been told you need to has been intently to have the motivation. prioritise your menlistening to the lecturer drone on and on about tal health, but your attendance at Tristram Shandy. As you try to your seminars is vital to staying on pay attention, you cannot help but top of your coursework. You feel get overwhelmed every time you off balance but choosing to go to glance at the girl next to you with university was your choice. You perfect Notion outlines that actu- knew it would be difficult, and now ally look as if they are effectively that you are struggling, it is easitranslating the technical jargon of er for you to believe that you are the lecturer into something that the problem instead of believing

that uni life is unfair or difficult. seeking approval to confirm that This would all be easier, you think, you truly deserve your place in your seminar. You want if you were the She probably has better to belong, to know that girl from your time management than you fit in, that you lecture. Since coming to uni- you, she isn't consumed by aren’t too stupid to reversity, you relooming deadlines, and is ceive higher education. alise just how still finding time to go out Here is the thing. If you anonymous with her friends. are comparing yourself your course is. With the anonymity of univer- to anyone at university, if you feel sity, it’s not hard to mystify and inadequate, and if you feel like an exalt her. You think you remem- imposter, you are normal. Universiber her name, but that’s about it. ty life asks you to be a student first You don’t know if she’s done the and a human second. The perfect weekly reading. You don’t know student might be able to read all what her marks are, and yet she of Pamela, fit in a secondary readadopts a warm glow of perfection. ing or two, show up to the seminar You can’t help but assume that her with annoyingly clever insight, and essays keep receiving high marks still manage to make it to a club soand that she’s figured out the se- cial in the evening. But at the end cret to balancing academic work of the day, she is a figment. You are and a social life. But inside you is mortal. To survive university, as the shadowy truth: the girl from backwards as it may seem, you have your lecture is not the perfect stu- to remind yourself that before you dent. She is the projection of your are a student, you are just a person. own insecurity and inadequacy. You may be a person who knows Think hard as to why you feel the how valuable higher education need to compare yourself to this is and wants to work hard, learn, perfect student. For your entire and be successful. But you have to academic career, you have been do so knowing that perfection is constantly reminded of how im- a fallacy. You will make mistakes. portant scholastic success is. Since Your coursework will confuse you. being at university, you have been You will give into checking your

phone one too many times during a lecture. These reminders, as obvious as they may seem, go ignored when we convince ourselves that we might actually one day be like the girl in our lecture. Let’s not kid ourselves. Let us all be imperfect together. The perfect student never struggles, but if that is the case she isn’t learning. So, while you may not be the girl from your lecture, you might just be better. Because you are real. You are trying, and maybe for now, that has to be enough.

photo courtesy of: Zetong Li on Unsplash

EPIGRAM 01.11.24 Nel Roden.................. Editor Jess Cohen.................. Deputy Editor Daisy Yates................ Deputy Editor Ilona Hoffmann........ Subeditor Reuben Kerbes.......... Subeditor

09

Features

In Conversation with Sandwich Sandwich Daisy Yates Deputy Features Editor

Editor's Choice:

For this month’s Editor’s Choice, I bring to you our Deputy Features Editor’s interview with the much-loved and renowned Bristolbased business, Sandwich Sandwich. In her conversation with Josh Kleiner, who runs the business alongside his family, Daisy gets the scoop on the origins of the family-owned shop, as well as all the details on the business’ newly opened sister shop in London.

I’ve chosen this article not only for its brilliant interview style but also because Sandwich Sandwich, beloved by students and the wider Bristol community, exemplifies the best of Bristol-based businesses. I hope you enjoy reading about the origin story and exciting developments of this cherished local gem!

F

or over a decade Sandwich Sandwich has been providing the people of Bristol with incredible lunchtime options. What started as a small side business in 2012 has since grown into a much-loved institution, famed for its hearty portions, fresh ingredients, and loyal customer base.

Epigram sat down with Josh Kleiner, who helps run the business alongside his family, to discuss their recent London expansion, notable career highlights, and the journey of Sandwich Sandwich.

Speaking of the early days of the business, Josh said ‘It started 12 years ago, my dad started it, he’s always been in the restaurant industry, he’s owned restaurants and wine bars in London, opened a restaurant in Bristol called Juniper, and the restaurant industry, typically, is very difficult.

photos courtesy of: Sandwich Sandwich

You’ll find a lot of chefs working from 10 in the morning prepping, and not finishing until 2:30 the next morning after service.’

‘It was very difficult for him, he had 2 young kids at the time, so he opened a coffee shop next door to the restaurant, it was almost like a cupboard it was such a small space, it used to do sandwiches, quiches, scotch eggs as well, but that was called Cotham Sandwich Company originally’. Josh explained that ‘he enjoyed the customers more, a lot more friendly, a lot less stressful especially, so he opened up another one [...] that was on Baldwin Street, and during this process, he spoke to my grandfather and they talked about a bit of a rebrand and at that point Sandwhich Sandwhich was born.’

‘Our sandwiches were great but they weren’t what they are now,

they were smaller, a lot smaller, I’d say 25 per cent of the size. They weren’t as creative, we had no brand image, we only had about 800 followers on Instagram and this stayed for about four or five years’.

Like many businesses, Sandwich Sandwich took a severe hit from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

After working for ‘two to three years helping the family business’, starting when he was 16, Josh experienced this first hand. ‘A lot of businesses were faced with very difficult times, but because we had multiple locations with high rent we were weeks away from closing - we shut our doors for 18 months’.

‘We realised we needed to change a bit more, we needed to become more exciting, work harder on how to schools and charities, the busiour sandwiches taste. The flavour, ness was struggling and not doing the profile, the layering, [...] and very well but we still wanted to do obviously building a brand and do things for the community’. Josh demore for the community’. He exscribed what a mammoth job this plained that ‘when we came back was, ‘trying to get a team of 30 staff we had a skeleton amount of staff to make 2,000 sandwiches until two so I took over the social media [and] in the morning - we put everything over time we grew.

'Sandwich Sandwich has into that and peoWe are now on ple loved it, it was a been named "Resturant about 200,000 folmassive success. All lowers, which is a of the Year" in the UK and these little things great achievement over time add up to Ireland in 2023. ' for the business.’ build a communiAfter having such a setback from ty - we’re as family-run as you can the pandemic, Sandwich Sandwich get, it's me, my brother, my mum, has grown phenomenally in the my dad, and even my girlfriend is past few years, expanding to three involved, and it’s just so lovely to locations in Bristol and recently see the support from everyone’. opening a fourth in London. Josh However, this was just the becredits this to the fact that ‘Bristol’s ginning of the accomplishments food scene is phenomenal. The supfor Sandwich Sandwich, when in port from the people of Bristol is 2019 they won ‘Best Independent like no other for independents’. He Sandwich Retailer in the UK’. Josh also highlighted the impact that explained that ‘it motivated us so Sandwich Sandwich’s community much to be able to achieve an acwork has had for both the business colade of that merit, it gave us a bit and the people of Bristol, which he of self-belief in what we are doing thinks ‘people have never forgotten’. and working so incredibly hard to ‘Just after Covid, that first Christachieve. At the time my Dad was mas, we gave away 2,000 Christmas working one in the morning until sandwiches to the general public. three in the afternoon every sinWe delivered sandwiches to the gle day and winning an accolade NHS, we delivered sandwiches like that makes you realise that

what you’re doing is worthwhile’.

Since then Sandwich Sandwich has been named ‘Restaurant of the Year’ in the UK and Ireland in 2023, winning £100,000 at the awards ceremony hosted by Uber Eats.

This year marked a huge step for the business as they opened their first location in central London in July. Josh explained that the expansion to London ‘felt like it was an opportunity now or never to prove ourselves in the capital and prove that this business can go as far as our imagination. We want everyone in the country to be able to experience Sandwich Sandwich one day and we are going to try our absolute best to make that happen’.

However, new opportunities do not come without new challenges.

Josh said that ‘we had police attend our opening purely because they knew how busy it was going to be, but Londoners are incredibly understanding that we are new to the scene and we are trying our absolute best. We have 48 members of staff in this one new site in London [...] but they’re smashing it and they’re doing an amazing job’.

This is just the beginning for Sandwich Sandwich...

To read more, go to Epigram.co.uk

10

EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Features ‘I just felt really overwhelmed’: Understanding the psychology behind procrastination and how to tackle it Isabelle Lepine investigates the psychological factors behind academic procrastination Isabelle Lepine Fourth Year, French and Politics

T

he art of procrastination amongst students is one that is heavily relatable, no matter what level of academic prowess a person is perceived to have. Many will find themselves aggressively scrubbing a toilet to avoid their next set of readings or completing tasks they have been meaning

to tick off for months in lieu of planning the next looming essay.

Understanding the psychological roots of this all-too-familiar phenomenon can provide effective strategies for overcoming it and fulfilling one’s academic potential.

According to various scholars published in PubMed Central, academic procrastination is a type of domain-specific behaviour that refers to the tendency of students to delay or postpone completing tasks, such as essay writing, seminar preparation or general studying for an exam, even though they know they should perform these actions and have a specific deadline for completion. Psychology Today suggests procrastination can develop from a constant desire to achieve perfection, general task aversion, a lack of motivation, and a sense of duty rather than interest.

But why do over 80 per cent of students struggle to get out of this procrastination pit?

Much of the scholarship investigating the psychology behind procrastination, as posited by the New

It goes without saying that the York Times, suggests that the brain impact of this added stress is detfavours immediate rewards over rimental to the wellbeing and long-term goals. Students notorioverall experience of an individuously struggle with anxiety from al's student life. Many report long the surmounting pressures placed term-effects on self-esteem, which on them by university, financial in turn compounds on the vicious struggles, relationship and friendcycle of avoidance. Amy, a third ship management, and being far year History student at the Univerfrom home. Because of this, they sity of Bristol, reported how her often seek a quick solution to this sleep pattern suffered stress through 'I totally misunderstood during what she demanageable and one of my questions. I scribed to be an ‘essay fleeting achievements like basically had to scrap the crisis’. The culprit? Ageold procrastination. administrative whole thing' ‘I just felt really overtasks, answering whelmed by my assignments at emails, and cleaning. Similarly, by the end of second year; [the deadignoring the task at hand, they find lines had] all fallen at once and I themselves emotionally regulating totally misunderstood one of my or masking, what could actually be questions. I basically had to scrap a fear of failure or behaviour that the whole thing and then couldn’t mirrors self-sabotage all for the face starting it all over again, until fleeting hit of serotonin that comes I was literally forced to two days from fulfilling a task. However, this before it was due.’ Juno, a fourthcomes at a considerable cost, with year Law student at the University a study conducted at the Universiof West England, found himself ty of Durham showing a clear link in a similar position of panic... between procrastination and high levels of anxiety, stress and depresTo read more, go to Epigram.org.uk sion, particularly among students.

photo courtesy of: Unsplash / Unseen Studio

The graduate market: Is it all doom and despair?

Anna Johnson interviews five graduates about their experiences searching for jobs Anna Johnson Fourth Year, English and French

G

iven that the UK is currently experiencing a financial recession, the graduate job market could be more challenging.

While it is undeniably competitive, there is still room for optimism.

On average, employers received 86 applications per vacancy for graduate schemes last year – this may seem daunting, but should not be cause for discouragement.

Over half of UK job vacancies (57 per cent) in 2023 were at graduate level, indicating that students

skilled, full-time job. While graduentering the workforce remain a ate schemes from top companies valuable and sought-after resource. offer attractive starting salaries and October is flying by and, as the strong job security, it’s a common term advances and the days shortmisconception that most graduen, applications for summer inates enter these roles straight from ternships and graduate schemes university. In reality, are beginning to open.

Although not every- 'it can take graduates only 11.4 per cent of manage one may feel this pres- anywhere from three graduates to eighteen months' to land a corporate sure, it is common to grad scheme position. experience feelings Epigram spoke to Katie, who gradof overwhelm related to graduate uated in 2023 and is now pursuing anxiety. Epigram spoke with five a master’s in health economics. Last graduates about their job-hunting summer she successfully completed experience after university and a summer internship with the Civil the advice they have to offer. If Service. However, when speaking you’re ready to start your search to Epigram, Katie admitted that for an internship or skilled job but she ‘applied to over thirty summer aren’t sure where to begin, read on. internships and got rejected from There’s no rush to land the perfect all of them’. Despite the challengposition immediately after univering nature of the job market Katie sity. Studies show that it can take provided a sense of optimism: ‘The graduates anywhere from three following summer, on a whim, I to eighteen months to secure a

I landed a position with a catering applied for the Civil Service incompany as a social media and ternship, and it ended up being the marketing assistant’, she recalls. only one I applied to. For whatever Zhara emphasizes that even if you reason, they liked me. It just goes find a suitable job after graduating to show it is really the luck of the you don’t have to stay in it if it isn’t draw and you have to persevere’. fulfilling. After a year, she felt the Zhara wasn’t sure what she wantrole wasn’t challenging enough, so ed to do when she graduated with she took the leap and quit her job, a bachelor’s in Criminology in using her savings to travel: ‘It was 2022. ‘I didn’t want to go for a grad scary, but so worth it.’ When she rescheme’ she explains. ‘I knew it was turned, Zhara decided to pursue a the most secure option, but it was master’s in Broadcast Journalism at also the one that would make me City St George’s, University of Lonfeel most trapped in a single cadon. ‘It ended up being reer path.' She wanted to pursue something 'if you find a suitable exactly what I wanted she enjoyed while job after graduating, to do’, she notes, ‘but I figuring out her long- you don’t have to stay never would have reterm goals. With the in it if it isn’t fulfilling' alised that right after graduating.’ If you find experience of writing yourself in a similar position, feeling a food blog already under her uncertain or ready for a change... belt, she decided to focus on social media content creation roles.

To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk ‘After applying to hundreds of jobs,

01.11.24 EPIGRAM Editor Deputy Editor Deputy Editor Subeditor Subeditor

11

.................Nel Roden ................Jess Cohen ...............Daisy Yates ......Ilona Hoffmann .........Reuben Kerbes

Single-use costumes: The fastest fashion?

Charlotte Kyle explores the hidden costs of singleuse Halloween costumes Charlotte Kyle Social Media Manager

A

s Halloween approaches, parties and events begin to be discussed in group chats and many of us find ourselves reaching for our laptops and browsing the familiar sights of Amazon or Shein for outfit options. But as the world’s landfill sites continue to spill their waste into our natural spaces, damaging local environments and communities, is it time for us to kick the habit and try something different?

The darker side of the fashion industry is something that many

retailers were shipped to huge secof us are aware of, but equally it ond-hand markets in Accra. Howremains the victim of an increasever, much of these textiles are uning ‘turn a blind eye’ culture. As sellable due to their poor quality, students with tight budgets, buymeaning huge quantities end up ing from ethical fashion brands in illegal landfill sites. This waste is often out of the question. But then often enters local waterways, does this mean that we must meaning fishing is now impossible continue feeding the second in large parts of the ocean near Acmost polluting global industry? cra due to the sheer The idea of ‘waste 'approximately seven scale of plastic and colonialism’ is a clothing waste. relatively new conmillion costumes are cept, but one that thrown out in the UK each Hubbub is a UKbased environoffers a shocking year' mental charity insight into the that carried out research into way in which the many countries Halloween waste, and they disthat lived under British rule still covered that approximately seven feel the impact of our greed. Durmillion costumes are thrown out ing the colonial regime in Ghana, in the UK each year and that 83 people were forced to wear Westper cent of these use non-recyclaern-style clothing to access many ble oil-based plastics which will key public services or buildings. inevitably end up in landfill sites This practice persisted, meaning such as those creating so many many unsold items from British

issues in Ghana. With the issue already at such a terrifying scale - what are we able to actually do?

Epigram spoke to the University of Bristol’s Fashion Forwards Society for some insights into reducing fast fashion consumption. The society itself offers various sustainable pop-up markets,

second-hand fashion shows, and clothes swaps throughout the year, and shared advice on buying second-hand this Halloween. They told Epigram; ‘a definite major tip is always to source second-hand from charity shops and look to supporting small businesses... To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk

photo courtesy of: Unsplash / Beth Teutschmann

‘It has no nuance’: Is Student Finance England’s maintenance loan sufficient?

Kyia Small investigates the issues surrounding how Student Finance England determines eligibility Kyia Small Fourth Year, English and Spanish

U

niversity is a place where students engage in a wide range of learning experiences, from learning within the context of their chosen course to living independently among peers. However, for many current students, an unexpected learning curve involves grappling with the current rising cost of living. With numerous English-resident students relying on Student Fi-

photo courtesy of: Student Finance England

nance England (SFE) to cover their living expenses, issues surrounding how SFE determines eligibility and allocates financial support have become a growing concern.

Every summer, SFE releases a report detailing how it plans to distribute its funding for the upcoming academic year. The report explains that a Bristol student who depends on their parents and starts a full-time university course after 2016 will be eligible for £10,227 if their household income is less than £25,000 per year. However, that figure drops to £7,304 once the household income reaches the threshold of £45,000 and continues on that downward trajectory if the combined total of ‘parental income’ is any higher.

Despite regular review, the maintenance loan qualification system appears to be failing in today’s shifting socio-economic landscape.

It only takes a quick glance at the figures to see why there might be a shortfall in maintenance loans.

According to the Office for Na-

tol taking on too many students tional Statistics, there has been an and the amount of resources loan almost 7 per cent annual increase companies can provide to meet in the cost of private monthly rents this demand. ‘These institutions in Bristol, rising from an average are spreading themselves too thin’, of £1,657 in 2023 to £1,772 in 2024. they note, ‘the monetisation of edFurther statistics from last year’s ucation is not okay.’ In favour of a National Money Survey by Save complete overhaul of the loan disthe Student highlight the bleak retribution system, one fourth-year ality of university life on a budget.

German and Spanish student exAs it stands, 64 per cent of students plained to Epigram that the system are skipping meals to cut costs, ‘needs adjusting […] with a further 64 because my costs are per cent report'64 per cent of students are increasing and were ing that their m a i n t e n a n c e skipping meals to cut costs' never even fully covered in the first place.' loan falls short Data gathered by Save the Student by an average of £582. points out that more and more stuWhat appears to be troubling both dents are needing to work alongstudents and Dr Tim Bradshaw, side their full-time studies, with CEO of The Russell Group, is that some occasionally resorting to less ‘rent now takes up most of the avconventional forms, such as social erage student maintenance loan’, media (4 per cent) and sex work leaving very little left over for food, (3 per cent). Students are going to bills and miscellaneous expenses. great lengths to cover their costs, Although SFE and universities are and whilst the university touts separate institutions, one third-year the importance of well-being...

Philosophy and Politics student believes that there is a correlation To read more, go to Epigram.org.uk between the University of Bris-

Join our WhatsApp Communities To write for us, simply join a WhatsApp community!

Each section releases commissions at the first of the month

NEWS

Opinion

ARTS

FILM & TV

SciTech

FEATURES music

SciTech

FEATURES

FILM & TV

ARTS

music

Opinion

NEWS

SPORT

SPORT

You don't have to write to be part of Epigram's community...

•

Be the first to hear breaking news on campus and student analysis on a wide variety of issues at university and nationally

•

Take part in Epigraft, Epigram's blind date column, exclusive to the print!

•

Keep up with our editorial team behind the scenes.

...follow our socials!

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

TIK TOK

Interested in photography? photography??

We are looking for photographers to contribute on an ad-hoc basis.

Your role would consist of taking high-quality photographs that we can use both in print and online.

In order to apply, please email editor.epigram@gmail.com with 1) Your name, course and year group 2) Two examples of your photography

14

EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Arts Age of the Rave: Psychedelic Art at Tribe of Frog Bobbi Carsley Arts Subeditor

Editor's Choice:

Arts Subeditor Bobbi Carsley introduces our readers to the experimental world of Rave art "Gone are the times when art is confined to the restriction of gallery walls. You find it while walking along roadsides, staring at you from neighbouring street walls. But the artistic habitat that has cultivated the growth of a specific, potentially overlooked, art genre is that of raves and clubs. The art I’m referring to? Psychedelic."

P

sychedelic art first entered British mainstream consciousness as a movement in the 60s. The time of the kaleidoscope and the hippie was at a peak and every band and gig poster seemed adorned with the luminous colours, curved lines and warped typography that has since become iconographic to the era of flower power. Psychedelia has gone through evolutions and transitions and many of them linked to the changing club and music scene.

Clubs have always been a focal hub for music, but I think for the art scene as well. Think of the rise of the acid-house scene in the Hacienda in the 1980s, the LGBTQ+ subculture of ballroom in the US. This is because clubs have not singularly been places where music is played, but fashion debuted, and artistic expression and identity played with.

An excellent example within BrisPsychedelic art's connection to the tol’s club scene of psychedelic decoclub is partially due to its close asration helping to enhance the musociation with partying. It is in the sical club experience are the Tribe name, visualising the experience of of Frog events hosted at Lakota in being inebriated and intoxicated.

Stokes Croft. Tribe of Frog has reWhat is intriguing is the extent to cently celebrated its 24th birthday which modern club and festival of being on the club and festival culture have made such a spectacle circuit. However, speaking as someof the artistic makeup of an event one who has been going regularly such as the lighting, decoration and for the past few years, it is showing staging. It is arguably a phenomeno signs of getting old. The music non to rival the music played, and Tribe puts on is as kaleidoscopic as undeniably an element that enthe art showcases at hances your muits events. Seamlesssical experience. ly moving between 'there is art in every Take for example techno, psychtrance, Boomtown, it fibre of the night, and in liquid dnb and more is impossible to every member of the through Lakota’s varcomment on the crowd' ious rooms. Time is festival’s music beautifully lost as lineup without you embrace the immense lineup thinking about the immense artistic of djs and artists, with the event sculptures that make up the stages. not ending until 7am. Focusing on the aesthetic, the visual display of Tribe never ceases to get any less impressive. It is constantly expanding with suspended inflatable caterpillars, butterfly bunting draped from the ceilings, psychedelic paintings plastered on every inch of wall and rainbow strobe lighting illuminating the crowd.

The art showcased at Tribe of Frog events is hands down some of the best art in Bristol. Your experience at Tribe goes beyond the remit of standard club night and into artistic immersion. Fire breathers and dancers perform on stage in the smoking area and face painting artists chart UV constellations on people’s faces. There is art in every fibre of the night, and in every member of the crowd. Some of the regular ravers at this event, affectionately called ‘froggers’ by the Tribe of Frog team, are like psychedelic sculptures come to life. A personal favourite of mine is when I once almost walked into a woman carrying a 4-foot, green, papier mâché alien across her shoulders called ‘Bob.’

Image courtesy of Molly Lawson

Image courtesy of Bobbi Carsley at Tribe. The complete embrace of Recognising the immense artistic psychedelic into a beautiful musitalent and fashion of its attracted cal and artistic performative fusion audience, Tribe of Frog has prizis what makes Tribe of Frog such es and competitions for the best a brilliant example of dressed raver 'Think of the acid-house how psychedelic art at each event.

Fashion show scene in the Hacienda in the enhances your club experience. I would can then also 1980S' recommend anyone be added to who wants to experience Tribe of the jack-of-all-trades lineup that is Frog for themselves to buy tickets Tribe of Frog. If you thought some for their 26th of October HallowUniversity of Bristol students came een event on their website. You to lectures like Vogue shoots, prewill have to be quick because tickpare to be out dressed in the most ets famously sell out super quickly. incredible way when you set foot

01.11.24 EPIGRAM

15

Editor ..............Bruno Bridger Co-Deputy Editor ..............Ella Heathcote Co-Deputy Editor ............Elizabeth Abbot Subeditor ..............Bobbi Carsley Arts Commisoner ...........Patrik Chandler Arts Correspondent .........Julia Masluszczak

The Nostalgia of the Halloween season Anika Shwarma delves into the aesthetics of spooky season nostalagia.

Anika Sharma, 3rd Year History (BA))

R

inging doorbells, chewing sweets mum doesn's usually let you have, constant running TV, chill night air, constantly adjusting your teeth and wig. Why does Halloween feel so nostalgic? While now it is celebrated with house parties and clubs with ‘Thriller’ on repeat, it still allows adults to tap into their child-like playfulness.

Normalising adults dressing into famous spooky characters once a year is perhaps what makes Halloween unique from other traditions. The activities of this spooky season will continue to be drowned in nostalgia- just think about the ‘Treehouse of Horrors’ series in The Simpsons!

But I want to know why we associate Halloween activities with simpler times, and how it makes this holiday so much more special.

When we think about Halloween, we think about scary movies.

Something about scaring yourself in the middle of the night with

a horror film and then instantly switching to a sitcom to balance it out, screams Halloween. Films arguably have framed the spookiness of Halloween from cult classics such as Stephen King’s ‘The Shining’, to our new canon horror films like ‘Corpse Bride’. But what do these films have in common?

'the activities of this spooky season will continue to be drowned in nostalgia' Firstly, the element of bringing the dead back to life is almost seen as a rite of passage in great horror movies. Jack Torrance’s ability to see people who had worked or visited The Overlook Hotel, along with the isolated area it is situated in, results in Jack going insane. Similarly, Tim Burton’s magical illustration of Victor and Victoria in ‘Corpse Bride’ and ‘Frankenweenie’ with the revival of Sparky, the dead terrier, evokes nostalgia. This ‘cosy horror’ genre is the key ingredient for an evening in, allowing us to return back to childhood film nights. Only this time, you are not too scared to go up the stairs after the film ends.

Pumpkin carving also takes shape in our childhood memories, serving

as a chaotic activity involving much more mess than imagined. The origins of carving pumpkins have relations to a ‘Stingy Jack’ who would haunt those on Halloween with a lit, carved-out turnip. Therefore, families would carve out turnips with faces to hinder the evil spirits of 'Stingy Jack’. As pumpkin carving is less life-threatening, our only worry is if we have the best pumpkin amongst our fellow carvers.

We cannot forget about Halloween costumes, the competition to have the most niche but well-known outfit, where you're left wondering ‘How have I not thought of that before?’. Childhood Halloween costumes never used to have this much thinking involved. It was usually associated with an animal, Disney character or popular book/ TV show. Costumes ranged from someone having a sheet with two holes cut out to the tailored Halloween costume sewn by Mum. Wherever you place yourself on this spectrum, the nostalgia of dressing up seems like one of the few activities we continue as adults.

Ultimately, Halloween remains one of the few holidays where we can feel a mixture of nostalgia and childlike playfulness. It is one of the only excuses adults have to tap into their childhood, with the combination of

photo courtesy of: Getty Images dressing up, carving pumpkins or even just snuggling up to watch a spooky film. Regardless of how you celebrate this season, it is important to remember that while we are old-

recommended reading:

To read more go to epigram.org

In Conversation with Rhys Nicholson

Tattoos and Self Expression:

Sofia Webster, Epigram Co-Deputy Editor

are people more likely to get tattoos now then ever before?

Sofia Webster chats to Stand Up Comedian Rhys Nicholson about their new tour 'Huge Big Party Congratulations'

Meabah Macaskie, Third Year History BA Meabah Macaskie analyses the rising trends of body art within Gen-Z and students, tracing the popularity of the tattoo through history and towards the present day.

Review - Shaxcase

Sally Rooney -The Suffering of the female body

Amelie Patel , 2nd Year Shakespeare socities first showcase of the year is reviewed, displaying a persuasive mix of tragedy, comedy and innovative student theatre

Gaby Turner, Comparative Literatures and Cultures MA Gaby Turner investigates recent critisiscm of Sally Rooney's work following the publication of her new novel 'Intermezzo'.

er- and trick or treating might not be one of the activities this holiday brings- it is imperative to absorb the magic and curiosity of a time that was a little less complicated.

photo courtesy of: Monica Pronk

photo courtesy of: Unsplash

16

EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Film & TV What's So Horrifying About Horror Films?

Meadow Wattret Film and TV Co-Deputy Editor

Editor's Choice:

In honour of the spookiest month of the year, we tasked one of our writers with sharpening their sleuthing skills to uncover the essential elements of a truly bone-chilling horror film. Is it simply the blood, guts, and gore or is there something more sinister and psychological lurking beneath the bloody veneer of these macabre movies? Read on to find out, if you dare...

I

am not an adrenaline junkie. I still get nervous sleeping in the dark, I tremor walking over the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and I absolutely loathe rollercoasters.

The first time I watched something terrifying was a different story.

It was just after Halloween. My friend from primary school and I sat cross-legged under a DIY den made from a duvet sheet. We put on Henry Selick’s spooky animation Coraline (2009), and I was horrified. I’ve come to realise that while I avoid the outside of my comfort zone like the plague, I find it more fun watching peopo spook me, I try and comfort myself with the facts: none of that will happen to me.

A lot of us watch films comfortably (for the most part). We curl up in a sofa or cinema, stashes of confectionary waiting on our laps, and we share the moment with the company of ourselves or others. Coraline, on the contrary, lives on an eerie ancient estate. She gets stalked by an evil spidery-shapeshifter-thing.

She puts her life, and her eyes, on

photo courtesy of: IMDb

the line. That contrast, a contrast between our safety as watchers and the terror on-screen is noticeable in every horror. It’s actually something we tell ourselves when the film starts to get a bit much and the panic sets in – they might not be safe, but don’t worry, we are. So why does what we witness still freak us out? Maybe because it’s just as horrifying to know that what we’re seeing might happen.

The awful scenario, person, environment in front of us has now been brought into our heads. I presume that most people don’t go around considering all sorts of twisted scenarios, so I guess before we watch scary things we’re in some sort of blissful ignorance. I hope no one really thinks about what would happen if someone’s eyes got plucked out and buttons sewed in. But horror films do. We are introduced to grotesque scenarios we’d otherwise entirely avoid and once the screen fades and credits roll, we become fearful of our imagination. What will it do now it’s

been fed something unthinkable?

A lot of horror invites the audience to see the possibilities this nasty world has to offer. Coraline, Sidney Prescott in Scream, Dani in Midsommar, just to name a few, all act as the audience’s vessel as we’re led to live vicariously through them. When these characters are chased after, struck down, or worse – the audience feels like they’re being chased after, struck down or worse. In a way, they act as a bridge between gap between the fictional horror we see and the horror we’re meant to feel. In fairness not all horror fits quite so simply under this umbrella: take Bodies Bodies Bodies.

To audience it may initially seem that the character of Bee is our way in, the one we identify with.

She, just like us, is an outsider trying to find her place in this closeknit friend group. But it’s also possible that the film is told through the lens of Amandla Stenberg’s Sophie. Where the film starts Sophie’s been a distant friend, so distant that the group expresses their surprise not only when Bee arrives, but when she does. In this horror, we are refused a set of eyes to look through for longer than ten minutes, so we find it difficult to identify with a character through which we can experience the film subjectively. Nonetheless, it remains a scary film.Bodies Bodies Bodies ends up in a blood bath, and that’s horrifying mostly because these people did it to themselves. The enemy is within.

Surely these filmmakers know that those who pay to go and see their work intend on being entertained by fear. It is no surprise that most traditional narratives, whether that be the supernatural, psychological or plain old gory killing sprees, are consistently being depicted. To maximise unpleasantness nowadays, gross stuff isn’t enough – audience’s need to be surprised. Returning to Coraline, there is one moment that gets me every time. Coraline feels she has finally outsmarted her villains

photo courtesy of: IMDb and gleefully climbs through the claustrophobic purple portal to get back home. However, she arrives to find her parents have been locked in a snow-globe and are slowly freezing to death. Until this point, audiences have been lured into a false sense of security and because we’re closely attached to Coraline, because she’s a likeable, curious heroine, we’ve begun to relax.

She’ll be fine and the audience’s fearful imaginations can finally rest. This is stopped in its tracks by an immense twist that spices up the narrative with an even scarier realisation that the war isn’t over.

Sometimes it’s not simply the death of characters that induces our terror. When the hope for resolution is killed off, the feeling doubles.

Whether you love it or hate it, horror remains one of the most prolific genres, it has more faces than pumpkins on Halloween.

All its incarnations allow an audience to feel something unsettling.

Although, the genre may struggle now considering there is a strong desire for ‘real cinema’ with people wanting nuance and subtlety over crash-bang-wallop, I expect the genre will adapt to fit these needs and will muster up more and more groundbreakingly unnerving ideas Nonetheless, these films will always be wanted, since adrenalin junkies and their poor wimpy friends that have been dragged along just can’t help their insatiable desire for more. It’s one of the only situations in which fear is considered fun. It’s not just about murderers or other-mothers, there must be no room for comfort anywhere in the film. A good ‘horror film’ knows that the clue is in the name.

What do you think is the key to a great horror film?

01.11.24 EPIGRAM

17

Editor .............Max Bradley-Cole Deputy Editor ...............Meadow Wattret Deputy Editor .................Chien Wen Siow Subeditor .........Marianne Chatburn Subeditor .................Nadiya Jackson

Has Streaming Made Life Dull?

We no longer need to go on walks or, in the extreme, converse with friends because Tiktok and Netflix are more than willing to scratch that itch.

Harry Scott 2nd year Economics and Philosophy

Not that any of us wanted to see it coming, but society's (oftentimes self-absorbed) introspection has now pointed its crosshairs at streaming sites. I do not intend to be a mouthpiece for the whole of society, but I suppose I'm giving it my best shot. I've found that in the same way a toxic friend's superficial fun can distract you from life's turbulence, it seems streaming sites are no different. They are also the type to slowly, subtly drain your energy, and dim your light and yes, keeping your cir-

photo courtesy of: depositphotos.com

cle small and protecting yourself might mean giving Netflix the boot.

As the unfortunate beginning of most recent stories go, it is best to start with COVID. Lockdowns reshaped our lives in many ways, particularly the way we watch films. The replacement for the cinema seat was your own sofa and the closest thing to a cinema screen was the laptop screen shining Netflix at you. Film productions paused or had to make-do by releasing films onto streaming services and thus commenced our current familiarisation with this new way of watching films.

Cut to two years later, our relationship to technology (best shown with social media) now paints a similar image to a demanding baby in a pram crying for their parents.

Dopamine and 'joy' are bestowed to us by Mother every time we open our phones to supress the outburst that would occur without that soothing feeling from scrolling. We no longer need to go on walks or, in the extreme, converse with friends because Tiktok and Netflix are more than willing to itch that scratch.

Flick Picks: Must-See Films for Halloween

What has been lost is best explained by Barbenheimer. Whether you dressed up as Barbie, an Atomic Bomb, or God forbid in your own clothes to watch this cinematic phenomenon, you unwittingly engaged in the greatest cultural celebration of cinema in recent years. In this period the world turned drastically pink, it was a time that reminded audiences that films are more than their runtime, or a source of pure comfort and ease. Instead, people understood that films have the capacity to inform the zeitgeist and bind communities across the globe.

Cannes Film Festival announced that films produced by Netflix are banned from competing. That means that 3700 Netflix originals are out of the running! Critics, including director Steven Spielburg, believe that these streaming titles

photo courtesy of: pexels.com produce superficial storylines that create passive viewing, which is parasitic to the excitement that should come with cinema.

Our heavy reliance on streaming sites filled a large hole during the pandemic and ease is nice when we want to watch films and switch off from our busy lives. But films are not created as a background whilst we scroll on TikTok, especially when they have the power to inject excitement into our lives with the likes of Barbenheimer. I feel what is needed, which Cannes’ and Spielberg’s stances suggest, is to relegate Streaming Sites to a service that does not act as a substitute for cinema. We should resist the dullness it has of recent been fed, and fend off these passive, grating, addictive forms of entertainment.

Lima Assi MSc Environmental Science

Crimson Peak

The Killing of a Sacred Deer

Guillermo Del Toro Guillermo del Toro’s Victorian era haunted house blasts all other haunted houses out of the water. Frankly, it’s not frightening, it’s not gory, and it’s barely even ghoulish. But it sure is a sight to behold, with a story that seems like it’s been plucked straight out of a Mary Shelley novel.

Yorgos Lanthimos Presented as a psychological horror, don’t let the strange atmosphere, stilted dialogue, and discordant music fool you into being scared - this film is hysterical and intentionally ridiculous. One must assume the film is aware of its own absurdity when Ellie Goulding’s “Burn” makes an unforgettable feature.

An American Werewolf in London John Landis This film is exactly what it says on the tin. The story centres on two American backpackers who fall victim to a werewolf attack in the Yorkshire Moors. Whilst this film is the ultimate embodiment of body horror, the film is simultaneously camp, comedic, and devastatingly tragic. It is unlike anything you've ever seen!

To read more go to epigram.org

Jennifer's Body Karyn Kusama She is a soul-sucker, a man-eater, and yet just a girl. What could be more frightening than a monster hiding in plain sight? She is in total control, enacting her revenge plot for being offered up as a human sacrifice. When her best friend accuses her of killing people, Jennifer clarifies, “No. I’m killing BOYS.”

18 EPIGRAM 01.11.24

music Does Bristol's music scene have a clear obligation to be political? question—why? And are artists Massive Attack primarily focuses expected to follow this trend? on the climate crisis outside their With so many of Upon closer inspection, this 'trend' music. There’s no indication that isn’t a trend at all. To understand Bristol’s biggest names IDLES felt obligated to be politpolitics in Bristol's music scene, a ical due to the activism of bands involved in political deeper question before them, like causes, it begs the 'This shows that arises: what does Massive Attack. question—why?

Bristol musicians it mean for an artIf IDLES and Masist to be political? sive Attack repengage in politics not out Alice James A tweet criticizing resent opposite of obligation but because Third Year, History & government policy, ends of the politFrench they want to.' a song about class ical spectrum in inequality, or a benmusic, Portishead efit event for a charity are all difsits somewhere in between. Like olitics took center stage in the ferent actions. However, they can IDLES, they performed at the 2022 Bristol music scene in August easily label an artist as political.

War Child gig, raising money for 2024. Over the bank holiday weekThe intersections of politics and the cause with the help of Friendly end, IDLES headlined their second music in Bristol aren’t one conRecords. However, unlike IDLES, charity gig for War Child, while sistent movement; they are varpolitics isn’t a major theme in Massive Attack held a sustainaied actions for different causes Portishead’s music. Their success bly powered concert the followaiming at different outcomes. The isn’t tied to any political stance. ing day. Political events over the AuInvolvement in political caus'Involvement statements like gust bank holiday es by Bristol’s biggest bands can these are not new perfectly illustrate create the illusion that success in in political causes by for either band this. IDLES headthe city is tied to activism. But in Bristol's biggest bands can or the city itself. lined a benefit gig for reality, these artists use their succreate the illusion that Bristol’s music War Child, a charity cess to promote political causes history is steeped success in the city is tied to supporting children rather than the other way around. in politics, from in confl ict zones.

This shows that Bristol musicians activism.'

Po r t i s h ea d ’s Meanwhile, Massive engage in politics not out of obli2022 War Child performance to Attack’s concert focused on lowgation but because they want to. the underground scene of the ering the music industry’s carbon Portishead’s 2022 performance, 1980s and early punk bands like emissions. Both were political acts their first in seven years, can’t be The Primates. With so many of but completely isolated from each seen as an attempt to boost their Bristol’s biggest names involved With no obligation for Bristol artother. IDLES have long spoken out image, as their last album came in political causes, it begs the ists to be political, the bigger queson a range of social issues, while out in 2008. For IDLES, politics is tion becomes: why do so many more complex. It’s embedded in of them choose to be? It may be their music and success, but this due to the city’s cultural and poaligns more with the punk scene litical atmosphere, or maybe it’s as a whole rather than being spejust a long-running coincidence. cific to Bristol. It’s hard to considOne factor that has spurred reer fundraising efforts as personal cent activism in Bristol is Friendly gain. Any band relying on ticket Records. The independent record or record sales for charity must shop in Bedminster has been inalready have a solid fan base to strumental in organizing political make the endeavor worthwhile. events. They’ve worked with War Of course, Bristol’s music scene Child for years, helping put on is far more than just its biggest both the 2022 and 2024 benefit names. They may shape the imgigs and raising money through age of Bristol’s music as politically record and merchandise sales. charged, but what about the rising Though they’ve only existed since artists who live in their shadow?

2016, Friendly The same rules apRecords has proply. Newer acts aren’t ' The community vided opportuobliged to follow that Friendly Records nities for Bristol in the footsteps of more established art- represents is a vital part of artists to unite for political causes. ists or to be political Bristol's music scene.'

Even artists like in order to succeed.

Willie J Healey This has always and Katy J Pearson, who are less been the case, even in the early politically involved, performed days of Portishead and Massive at the 2022 War Child event.

Attack. Bristol-based artists like Friendly Records emphasizes the Katy J Pearson, Getdown Servicimportance of community. They es, and Willie J Healey are all risraise money for Bristol-based ing stars who are thriving without charities and collaborate closely engaging in political activism. photo courtesy of: Instagram @friendlyrecords

P

photo courtesy of: Benji Chapman with local artists. The community that Friendly Records represents is a vital part of Bristol’s music scene. They’re part of a network of local venues, bands, and labels that support each other, celebrating the city’s independent and diverse music culture.

For Bristol’s emerging artists, music has real power. It forms communities, embraces differences, and offers support. It’s more than just music. Perhaps this is the key to understanding why Bristol’s music scene is so closely linked with political action.

In conclusion, the intersection of politics and music in Bristol is less about a strong obligation and more about a genuine desire for social change, community building, and self-expression. The biggest names in the city's music scene – from Massive Attack to IDLES to Portishead – have each embraced political action on their own terms, driven by personal convictions rather than any expectation from the scene or industry. This has created a vibrant culture where activism naturally thrives, yet it is not a prerequisite for success.

01.11.24 EPIGRAM Editor Co-Deputy Editor Co-Deputy Editor Subeditor Subeditor

19

...................Benji Chapman ................ Aditi Hrisheekesh ........................ Megan Foulk ....................... Amelie Peters ....................Sophie Scannell

The Prospect Building: Behind the Curtain AMAAD, the promoters behind commented in unison that, 'We’re the magic, have been working thrilled to open The Prospect The lineup till New tirelessly to integrate the space Building and bring this incredible Year's has been into the local cultural landscape. space to life. Our mission is to crereleased featuring Andy Rather than conate a venue that C and Joy Orbison 'Coming in at 25,000 supports both structing exclusively a late-night venue, square feet, the monstrous the local commuBenji Chapman venue boasts two distinct nity and interthe team have reMusic Editor national talent, sponded to concerns performance spaces' while shaping surrounding the fuocated in a thriving hub of ture of nightclubs by offering a Bristol’s future cultural landscape.' development for Bristol, The musical and cultural experience Coming in at 25,000 square feet, Prospect Building is situated on that doesn't rely on ticket sales the monstrous venue boasts two Feeder Road in St. Philips. Only a for club events only. Events will distinct performance spaces as well fifteen-minute walk from Temple vary in nature: from more con- as an outside area; but alongside Meads station, the new space is part ventional DJ sets and live shows, its awareness of both local and of a spread of new development to vintage clothes sales, circus international artists, the buildin the Temple Quarter, following performances, and food festivals. ing is not intended to be overthe continued construction of the Speaking to Epigram, co-founder whelming despite its scale. With University of Bristol's enterprise Will Harold discussed how 'Bristol an intimate 'Room Two' space, campus within has been lacking a a smaller area allows members the same area. building at this ca- of the audience to bask in the 'Bristol has been lacking With the venue's a building at this capacity pacity range', with six-point surround sound system team containthe 3,500 capacity away from the larger 'Room One'. range.' ing individuals venue seeking to at- The main room of the building feabehind festivals and nightclubs tract bigger names than ever be- tures an impressive centre-stage, such as Junction 2, Love Supreme, fore to the city. He emphasised that framed by a network of integratand Printworks, it was hardly by working with local creatives, ed screens and lasers that can be a surprise to see first-hand that however, the project would also be programmed to produce hypnotThe Prospect Building has some- a locally co-operative endeavour. ically synchronised visuals. Adjathing interesting to offer Bristol. Respective co-founder Paul Jack cent to the stage are viewing plat-

L

photo courtesy of: Sarah Ginn forms that can be accessed for an elevated view of the crowd itself.

The Prospect team also expressed their keenness to appeal to and address changing attitudes concerning sobriety among young people and students. By offering a space that intersects several aspects of local culture, at various times of day, the venue promises to celebrate events that are accessible to students of all cultural interests, musical tastes, and approaches to sobriety.

With recent confirmation of the lineup in the coming months, the spread of artists on offer is impres-

Upcoming Gigs !

photo courtesy of: Hewavenly Recordings

photo courtesy of: Chess Club Records

sive. Global drum and bass leaders RUN are kicking things off on the 2nd of November, headlined by Andy C, before the garage kingmaker Conducta takes over the venue on the 28th of December.

Following the festivities will be Joy Orbison and Friends' New Year party that puts all others to shame.

As the clock reaches midnight, the Prospect Building will surely be the place to be as Bristol continues to grow as a hub for the electronic genre following Nia Archive's opening of The Underground during the 2023/2024 academic year.

To read more go to epigram.org.uk

photo courtesy of: Distiller Music Group

photo courtesy of: Instagram @royelotis

Katy J Pearson

Alfie Templeman

Sports Team

Royel Otis

SWX, 29th November

Thekla, 9th November

Trinity Centre, 24th November

Marble Factory, 26th November

Feeling shaky after a frightful Halloween? A round of sound therapy, courtesy of Bristol's very own Katy J Pearson may be just what the Student Health Service ordered. Fresh off the heels of her latest album Someday, Now a favourite of the University of Bristol's most whimsical students brings a signature sense of dreaminess to the venue.

Though these may be the feelings you associate more with a bleary-eyed 9 AM lecture, take a chance on Pearson to challenge your perception. Who knows- you might even leave a better student (though use of the check-in app at the venue is not required).

With the release of 2024's Radiosoul, a collaboration with Nile Rogers signals a point of reference for the success of Alfie Templeman. Taking stock of his career in light of such an achievement, he looks back fondly on his career with his latest album, complete with the authenticity and wonder of a twenty-something making it big in the world. Hosted inside a vessel whose dancefloors are no stranger to late-night boogies, a home for the treasured Thekla Thursdays and Saturdays takes a break from grungier offerings thanks to some pristine rhythm-work and crisp R&B style.

Returning to Bristol after two years to kick off their campaign for their third album release Boys These Days, Sports Team brings their raucous sound to the Trinity Centre. The quintessentially British and tongue-in-cheek lyricism have had their previous two albums carried to critical acclaim by folks across the UK, who are rewarded with the noise and anarchy brought to the band’s live shows, often accompanied with a pub voyage afterwards dictated on the band’s socials. We’re expecting this show to be no different, with the band coming back with a bang in the form of their single release 'I’m in Love (Subaru).

Australian duo Royel Otis are seizing their near-immediate rise to fame after their viral 'Murder on the Dancefloor' cover for Triple J’s Like A Version earlier this year floating to the surface of a Saltburn-crazed internet.

Touring their debut album PRATTS & PAIN, this gig is sure to encapsulate the excitable, energetic sound of a group in their early stages of world-wide success. The fresh-faced band will take to The Marble Factory in Motion, one of the nation’s most beloved and ever-evolving venues, with an equally exhilarating night of dance tunes afterwards.

20 EPIGRAM 01.11.24

SciTech Editor's Note: It's been a very exciting month in SciTech! A new template (thanks Jules), a lot of collaborative projects underway and, most importantly, a load of you guys writing! It's been so enjoyable hearing all of your ideas and stories! I hope these (vaugely) spookily themed articles will encourage more of you to write! Big love and happy autumn - Corin

Cages to Canopies: Rewilding Spider Monkeys in the Peruvian Amazon

By Alex Hulley 4th year, Engineering Design

T

he country of Peru and the Amazon has fascinated me for many years, but the idea to actually travel there was planted during my year in industry when I worked in a factory. My job in manufacturing was monotonous, uninspiring, and negatively impacted the environment. I was in desperate need of some renewed inspiration, and I knew that I would find that by volunteering abroad. I found a research station deep in the Peruvian Amazon which needed volunteers, so I sent them an email.

After an 18-hour flight, a 10-hour bus, and a 2-hour boat ride, I arrived at Kawsay Biological Station in the Amazon rainforest. The Amazon is the most biodiverse region on the planet and is home to 10%

of all global species, covering an huahuaco “Tree of Life”, are home to the largest birds in the Amazon, area roughly the same size as the United States. Kawsay was set up as well as the beautiful macaws.

These birds are incredibly vulnerby a man named Raul, who beable to the habitat loss caused by came the owner of the land after he detected illegal loggers. Raul deforestation and logging practices, thus these has dedicated his 'the monkeys life to the protecspecies become would try to break into very dependent tion of spider monkeys in the Amaon there being a the cabin and steal our zon, and his work stable population toothpaste' has resulted in of spider monkeys. Therefore, the decline in Kawsay becoming the only rescue centre to successfully reintroduce the spider monkey population occurring in Peru disrupts the spider monkeys into the wild. ecological chain of bird species, Spider monkeys are some of the jeopardizing the delicate balance of the Amazon's ecosystem. only mammals which can reach and eat the fruits of the tallest Every single spider monkey at trees, and thereafter play a vital Kawsay was found caged or abanrole in their seed dispersal. Some of the trees, such as the ancient Shidoned after having been illegally kept as pets for families. The first stage of rewilding the spider monkeys begins at Taricaya Rescue centre, a neighbouring station around a 15-minute boat journey away from Kawsay. At Taricaya, groups of monkeys who have been there for a longer time will teach the new monkeys how to live in the wild again. It is imperative that spider monkeys live in groups, as they would certainly die if they were released alone. It is truly incredible watching a group of monkeys teach a new monkey how to eat, climb, and live together again.

Once they are ready, the monkeys are taken to Kawsay, where they are released into the jungle. The monkeys often like to stay a little too near to the station itself – I experienced this during my time at Kawsay, when the monkeys would try to break into our cabin and steal our toothpaste! Luckily, we were all armed with water guns to protect our toiletries, and we

photo courtesy of: Alex Hulley

were strictly asked not to make eye contact with the spider monkeys, since we wanted them to be uninterested in us at the station.

photo courtesy of: Alex Hulley

there is so much good going on out there. For any adventure seekers looking to volunteer abroad, reaching out to research stations As they felt ready, the monkeys directly, and not through agencies moved further into the rainforest. can be a cost effective and quick Inside the jungle, our teams monway to get involved. Most conseritor the monkeys vation efforts are around the clock; non-government 'This experience has Raul even taught funded and rely on us the monkey completely inspired my call which we interest in conservation work international volunteers, so it can could use to bring and was proof that there is so be your chance to the monkeys to us go on an advenmuch good going on'' in the mornings. ture and make a Giving these monreal difference. keys a second chance in a way as unique as this was truly incredible, and I got the feeling that Kawsay was doing something very special.

This experience has completely inspired my interest in conservation work and was proof to me that

For anyone interested in going to Kawsay station, you can get in touch with Raul directly here: https://www.kawsaycenterperu. org/, or follow their Instagram here: Kawsay Biological Station

01.11.24 EPIGRAM

21

Editor ............ Corin Hadley Deputy Editor .............. Miles Gilroy Deputy Editor .............. James Lewis Subeditor .............. Ellie Barnes Researcher .......Harrison Phillips

Our celestial visitor, the 'mini-moon' The moon's got a friend!

Alice Guskov Second Year, Astrophysics

I

f you have ever looked up at the sky and thought "The Moon needs a friend", don't worry!

From the 29th of September to the 25th of November, it will have a visitor.

Scientifically known as 2024 PT5, a mini-moon was detected by Carlos de la Fuente Marcos and Raul de la Fuente Marcos at the Complutense University of Madrid on the 7th of August 2024 using NASA's Asteroid-Terrestrial Impact Alert System in Sutherland, South Africa. Approximately 10 metres in diameter, it is relatively small compared to

both the Earth and the Moon.

Unfortunately, this means it will not be visible to the naked eye, but may be observable with a professional telescope.

rather a horseshoe-shaped orbit by the time it leaves us and returns to its toasty home near the sun.

According to the University of Sydney, 2024 PT5 is the It also means 2024 PT5 is not fifth mini-moon discovered by really a moon, it's an asteroid. astronomers. The first known I know, I was disappointed too. mini-moon was 1991 VG, After the discovery, Carlos de which orbited for two months la Fuente Marcos told Space. between 1991 and 1992. The com, 'The object that is going second was 2006 RH120, which to pay us a visit belongs to visited Earth between July the Arjuna asteroid belt, a sec- 2006 and July 2007. Next was 2020 ondary asteroid belt made of CD3, which stayed the longest, space rocks that just over two years! 'from the 29th of follow orbits very 2022 NX1 was the September to the 25th of similar to that of last discovered Earth at an averbefore 2024 PT5, November, it will have a age distance to the and also hailed visitor' Sun.' The asteroid from the Arjuna originally orbited the sun but was asteroid belt. They were all disrecently pulled into Earth's orbit, covered through long-term proclassifying it as a mini-moon. jects designed to search for Marcos added that it will not asteroids, and more could complete a full circular orbit but be discovered in the future.

photo courtesy of: NASA/ Unsplash Why should we care? In addition to sounding very cool, mini-moons enable astronomers to research asteroids to reveal their composition and behaviour. These factors are essential in determining where they come from and how they formed, giving us insight into how the universe works. They are also imperative in planetary defence initiatives that

identify potentially hazardous objects to the Earth, which 2024 PT5 is not, in case you were worried.

If you don't get the chance to become acquainted with 2024 PT5 before it starts the journey home, you are in luck. You only need to wait 31 years until it's predicted to check back in on us, so mark your calendar.

Facing your fears: The Strange World of Phobias What causes us to fear balloons, clowns or teeny tiny insects?

Sanya Saxena Second Year, Neuroscience

W

e are a strange species. We have accomplished the seemingly impossible, yet somehow, many of us are terrified of things like balloons, clowns, or teeny tiny insects. Whereas fears are in response to something genuinely life threatening, phobias occur when there is no real danger. So what is it that’s causing us to practically jump out of our skin?

Scientists have long believed that certainphobias helped our ancestors avoid threats in their environment.

Imagine this: A bunch of cave-

a confined space during childhood.

However, research has demonstrated phobias may be a type of learned response. If a child sees their parent or any older figure afraid of something, they may also develop this fear, regardless of whether they have any personal experiences with it. This learning process can be explained through social learning theory, developed by Albert Bandura, which suggests children look towards adults as ‘models’ of how to interpret the world. The emotion'is it likely? Probably not. al bond that parAre you still scared? Yes.' ents and children For the psycholoshare will strengthgy buffs, you will be familiar with Sigmund Freud. en this process of observationHe hypothesized that our fears al learning. So, if you do have debilitating unexplained as adults stem from unresolved any childhood traumas. Essentially, we phobias perhaps check whethmay associate our trauma with er your parents have them too. specific objects. The NHS has acknowledged that claustrophobia Pop culture has turned us into cowmay come from being trapped in ards. A sensationalized news report men chilling, playing with rocks, then suddenly a saber tooth tiger appears. Their fear response is activated and off they go, running for dear life. That fear prevented them being torn to shreds.

However, most of us won’t encounter a saber tooth tiger in our lifetimes, so instead of fearing menacing predators we irrationally fear little creatures like butterflies or mice. While they may be harmless, our brain is hardwired to fear the unfamiliar or alien to protect us.

comes out about a man finding all know that no girl with long black snakes hidden in his kitchen. Per- hair is going to crawl out of the TV haps now you’re a bit wary as to screen at 3 in the morning. But afwhether there are snakes hidden ter watching The Ring, 2002, any in your kitchen. Is it likely? Prob- time you spot long hair draped over ably not. Are you still scared? Yes. someone's face, your brain goes, ‘It's happening. She's coming for me.’

Our fear response learns from the dramatic and emotional ex- Whether rooted in ancient survivperiences we have through me- al mechanisms, traumatic childdia, and builds fears to protect us. hood moments, or media-induced Research has shown that movies scares, phobias remain a fascinatand TV shows have a miraculous ing part of the human experience. way of triggering phobias. Now, we

photo courtesy of: Clement Falize

22 EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Sport Biceps, quads and brains: dissecting sports psychology at the University of Bristol Adam Mountain Co-Deputy Sports Editor

Editor's Choice:

Epigram joined Connor Grant, University of Bristol’s Performance and Wellbeing Consultant, to discuss his role in training student-athletes’ brains to maximise performance levels.

A

whether it's to make our biceps bigger, or our reaction time better, but very little due diligence."

"It's about tryIng to meet the intersection of using our brains and performing in sport. It's thinking about how we make this idea of mental fitness. We work so hard,

Connor’s experience, which includes working with Australia’s top tennis juniors, and the double-Olympic winning Fiji rugby sevens team, has left him wellequipped to take University of Bristol’s sports training to a more professional level. Attending one of his mental fitness skills workshops, student-athletes could receive guidance on any number of techniques.

These include visualisation, which is used to improve performance by rehearsing a specific movement or scenario in the mind, or reflexive practice, a process that helps athletes and coaches analyse their performance for improvement. Ultimately, Connor aims for these sessions to “champion psychology for people, rather than the classic image of psychology working against us.”

mastery over the mind is perhaps one of the lesser recognised attributes of today’s elite athletes. It is safe to say that most footballers would prefer to just practise a set-piece routine rather than doing a half-hour visualisation session for it. Equally, a tennis player would rather serve for this time and a golfer would take to the driving range. Many athletes may not even be able to explain what such a session involves, or why it is beneficial. For Connor this is all part of the process of getting to grips with sports psychology, and so his work with students often begins with an explanation of what his role in their training is:

Novak Djokovic: the epitome of mental fortitude.

Image courtesy of Andy Wong

Breaking down these typically negative associations with psychology stands at the forefront of what Connor does. Explaining why he thinks many athletes initially show scepticism to engage with sports psychology, Connor said, “it might be where the word ‘psychology’ comes from and it can scare people. It was definitely a scary word for me as a young athlete, but I think we’re moving beyond that now and starting to realise that psychology does not necessarily mean there will be someone in a lab coat!

“It’s about this idea of mental fitness. We work so hard, whether it’s to make our biceps bigger, or our reaction time better, but very little due diligence is paid to things like our focus or recovery.”

Tailoring training to each team or individual is a key aspect of Connor's approach, and therefore requires him to use a variety of

Image courtesy of Connor Grant approaches. On working with individual athletes Connor said, “It is much more comprehensive, so we can go for a coffee, a walk in nature, or I can even join them for a mental skills session while they practise their penalties. You’ve got so much more time to understand behaviours, thought patterns, histories, strengths and opportunities.”

On the other hand, when working with a team Connor is “looking for those ‘quick wins’. This might be a team that wants to be more cohesive, may want to have more players take leadership, or may want to build a culture. So while you may not be able to go as deep with a team, you can still do really good work through empowerment and giving players autonomy, which then reverberates across the club.”

As a nationally-ranked junior tennis player, Connor naturally spends much of his time working with the University of Bristol Tennis Club (UBTC), where his expertise is highly valued in a sport defined by holding the psychological upper-hand. The Men’s First Team’s triumphant promotion to the BUCS Premier South Division marked a fitting end to UBTC and Connor’s 2023/24 season.

But Connor’s ability to participate in a wide variety of sports beyond tennis is an important aspect to the personalisation of his training, as well as the comforting impact it has on athletes. He said, “I can work with most athletes in their own playground, which is critical.

As soon as that person has seen you join them […] then they see that this is all about developing

"Tennis is a mental game.

Everyone is fit, everyone hits great forehands and backhands" - Novak Djokovic your mental fitness, which breaks down boundaries very quickly.”

So in a sporting world where physical strength and technical prowess often take centre stage, Connor remains set on breaking down these boundaries to prove that mastering the mind is just as crucial as mastering the body.

And as more athletes embrace the mental side of their training, it’s clear that the future of University of Bristol’s sport lies not just in biceps and quads, but in brains too.

01.11.24 EPIGRAM

23

Editor ..................Faniki Deche Co-Deputy Editor ............Adam Mountain Co-Deputy Editor ..............Sean Lawrence

Women's futsal becomes more available at the University of Bristol Epigram explores the growth of women's futsal and how you can get involved.

Weronika Lecka First Year, French and Spanish

Image courtesy of University of Bristol Futsal Club

I

f anyone at Bristol wants to play futsal, then currently there are B:Active sessions held for female students every Friday at the Indoor Sports Centre 5-6pm. They are

completely free and all that participants would need to do is sign up on the UOB Active app and sign in with their UCard at reception.

Of course, since the sessions take place indoors then indoor shoes would be required, but there is no need to purchase the newest Joma’s – any indoor shoes will be fine as the sessions welcome all abilities and levels of experience.

The sessions are led by Milen Harris and India, who set up different drills and matches for participants to test their skills. These usually consist of dribbling, passing and receiving the ball in a more futsal way – with the sole of the foot rather than the side. This helps participants to understand the key differences between the style of play in futsal, as the gameplay is a lot faster, the pitch is smaller, and the ball is smaller and heavier compared to football. Also in these sessions there is support from UoB men’s 1s futsal captain, Max Cuello-Wolffe, who uses his experience playing regular futsal with the university

to demonstrate different skills to participants. The sport also uses differently sized goals to football, which may be similar to handball goals, in order to get players used to shooting at a smaller target.

There have only been three sessions so far, with the next being Friday 11th November, but they have been successful with many participants coming each week. The first session on the 19th September was mainly an introduction session to meet the session leaders, but also to learn and understand the different skills needed to play futsal. In the two sessions after that, the group has been doing passing and shooting drills in order to fully practice and improve match skills. However, the structure of the session is mainly focused on having small sided 3v3 games, which involves splitting the group into four small and equal teams of three people and splitting the sports hall in half - which helps players understand the fast pace and smaller space that futsal has. This also allows for the sessions to be welcoming for all,

as again the group is split evenly, regardless of ability or experience level in the sport. Near the end of the session, the full width and size of the sports hall is used, alongside the bigger goals, in order to play a larger and more realistic futsal match.

I found out about this opportunity through the Freshers’ Fair 2024, where UoB Futsal organised a Giveit-a-Go session in the sports activity corner. Members of the club set up two cones either side and organised a panna match for people to take part in – to use skills such as rolling the ball or passing it quickly in order to move the ball through the opponent’s legs and into the goal.

My friend Emily (UBWFC 2s) and I took part in these matches against some members of UoB futsal and really enjoyed it. We were encouraged to use our best skills, and when we were able to effectively defeat our opponent, there were cheers from the club members and people watching around. We were told that there is no official women’s futsal team at the moment, but if futsal

were to become more popular with female students over time, then they can consider creating a women’s team alongside the already two BUCS male futsal teams available.

Therefore, if you have ever thought of playing futsal during your time at Bristol, now is the time to take part! There are regular updates about futsal sessions on the UBFC Women’s 24/25 WhatsApp chat, where there are polls created asking ‘who’s coming today?’ and links provided to book the session for the next week on the UOB Active app. This makes the group very interactive and welcoming for everyone. There are also a few opportunities for those looking to officiate futsal. After completing the FA Futsal course, trainee referees can officiate BUCS matches or Futsoul360 league games at Cotham School. The BUCS matches are affiliated with the FA, meaning that they can help you complete your 5 matches in order to officially qualify as a Futsal referee with the FA. To read on go to Epigram.org.uk

Why are sports societies so expensive?

Epigram explains why university sport has become so expensive Siân Clarke Second Year, Classical and Ancient Studies

F

or most students, playing a sport at university is an excuse to get plastered on a Wednesday night in Fishies, to keep themselves active while both doing something that they love, and, in the least cliché way possible, make friends for life. But for those less financially privileged, the high costs of participating in sports societies can quickly become a nightmare.

The Conversation published an

article in 2021 stating that ‘poorer students are less likely to take part in sport at university’, and with the ever-increasing cost of living crisis, who can blame them?

With memberships for performance and BUCS (British University and College Sports) players frequently in the mid £200 mark minus kit costs, it is no wonder that sport has quickly become a marker of wealth amongst the standard struggling students. And that does not take into account the climbing prices of socials, which players are expected to participate in on a weekly basis. The sports discount codes to club entry only take £1 off the ticket, and that’s without a supply of VKs to keep you entertained throughout the night.

What about the activity hardship fund? Surely those who are less

well-off can get the money needed to pay for memberships through the Student Union (SU)? Well, in theory, yes, but the stark reality is that many students are simply too intimidated or embarrassed to plead with the SU for money, especially after paying thousands to the university itself for an education. And we shouldn’t blame them. Filling out the form was a deeply invasive experience: from explaining that no, my parents do not give me any money while I study, to then using EXCEL to break down exactly how much I spend on a weekly food shop, to finally proving everything I am unable to do without their money. Additionally, the maximum funding you are able to receive is £200, hardly covering, if at all, a place in the BUCS squad for many societies. To top it all

off, the first period in which the money is allocated occurs after the majority of sports require you to have purchased memberships, with the committee then taking up to seven working days to let you know their decision, which is after the BUCS player registration deadline.

This leads to students gambling

on the success of their application in order to continue playing the sport they love, or risking being stuck in a non-competitive, over-subscribed social squad.

To read more go to Epigram.co.uk

Image courtesy of: Siân Clarke

24 EPIGRAM 01.11.24

Beyond Campus Careers Corner

‘You want me to destroy the hills?’ – Count Binface is ready to serve Bristol Count Binface is the creation of comic writer Jon Harvey, who has written for shows like Have I Got News For You, Only Connect, and the Thick of It. Whether in Binface or ‘human avatar’ mode, he’s creating sharp satires exposing the absurdity of today’s political landscape.

Annie McNamee Co-Editor-in-Chief He’s conquered galaxies and beaten fascists, but now Count Binface is embarking on his most difficult challenge yet: coming bin-to-face with the British general public.

Things have changed since he first landed here in the UK, way back in 2018. In his six years here on Earth (which, he reminds me, is a holiday resort for him) he has made it his mission to save us from ourselves, and stand against prime ministers and mayors alike. 2024 has, ‘been such a year

for intergalactic politics,’ he says, ‘I finished sixth in the general election – my highest ever result.

It was so high that the BBC had to put me on their graphics. That was very nice.’

In the wake of all this success he has decided to embark on a journey across the country to hear directly from us, the people, but most of all to ‘celebrate democracy’ one city at a time.

Even all the glitz and glam of space travel can’t save the Count from technical difficulties, and although his camera is off when we sit down to chat on a Friday morning, his passion is evident.

Perhaps back on his home planet, Sigma IX, they’re simply more emotive than we are here in the UK, or maybe the distance makes him able to discuss the current state of the country with the incredulity it deserves; either way he’s definitely the most straight-to-the-point politician of our time.

But the most surprising thing isn’t his lack of elusive answers, it’s a genuine respect

for the student population. ‘It’s a terrible time for students. How you find the wherewithal to live at all while you’re studying is incredible,’ he says. So what would he do to help us out?

Quite a lot, actually.

Housing is a huge issue to students at the moment. Rent is high and the quality of flats is generally quite low, but Binface has a solution: ‘I want to build one single affordable home.

‘That will be helpful for you because in the current situation I’d imagine a student might hear that and think “one affordable house is accommodation for about 25 undergraduates.”

I’d requisition the homes of royals and oligarchs to end homelessness, but I think we could also use some of that to help out the student housing crisis.’ And that’s not all. ‘I’ve also got further plans afoot.

‘I want to sort the tuition fees – that would save you some cash,’ the Count explains when I ask what he thinks about the prospect of universities

EPIGRAM X OVERHEARD AT UOB We've paired up with Overheard at UoB to share with you some exclusive quotes from campus. The following are actual things people have said in and around the University of Bristol, not made up caricatures – we promise.

Follow them on Instagram: @overheardatu0b

"You can get on the Epstein list by stepping foot in any of the clubs on the triangle"

"I just bought Waitrose hummus to get a taste of home" "The shag wasn't too bad, but we had to stop and pull out google translate"

Photo courtesy of: Count Binface

potentially raising fees for home students. ‘It’s disgusting how your tertiary education has been treated,’ he tells me. ‘I want all student tuition fees paid for by Nick Clegg. I used to say it should be any politician who ever voted for them, but I’m now moving towards old ‘Cleggy paying the lot… I have a visceral hatred for that man.’

Nick Clegg and his former cabinet-mates David Cameron and George Osborne may have a space reserved ‘in the phantom zone’ if the galactic traveller ever gets his way, but not all politicians will end up in purgatory under his watch. ‘I have a lot of time for the Greens,’ the alien explains, ‘huge congratulations to Carla Denyer, it’s great to see that representation in Bristol as well as just Brighton.

I’m here to put rocket boosters on their attempts to stabilise catastrophic climate change.’

For a man with the face of a trash can, he’s very passionate about keeping the planet clean.

‘I cannot understand why you humans have this desire to destroy your own planet. I’m lucky, I can go home when I want– coming to Earth is my light relief from ruling the Sigma quadrant– I even get the odd person asking “Can I come with you?” and I go “No, piss off ”.

You lot don’t know how to look after a planet!’ he laments.

The Count Binface Party conference national tour will be the first time the alien will set foot in Bristol, but he’s already coming up with solutions to our city’s biggest issue: the hills. Although

at first he seems unsure about how to fix such a big problem – ‘Do you want me to… destroy the hills?’ he asks doubtfully – he is quickly able to come up with some creative solutions.

‘I’m a big fan of segways,’ he says, seemingly excited just by the concept of the two-wheeled transporters.

‘I could invest in segways, and put them at the bottom of the hills. Plus then I could do segway racing as an alternative to Formula 1. Imagine Max Verstappen and Lando Norris cruising around Bristol on Segways.

It could be called the Bristol Segway Experience – BSE.’ Now that’s big picture thinking. Take notes, Keir Starmer.

It’s obvious that this Bin is overflowing with high quality policies, but when I offer the Count a chance to speak directly to you, the students of Bristol, he’s got one simple message: ‘On behalf of your parents’ generation, sorry.’

‘You’re the first generation to be worse off than your parents, that’s disgusting. I want you to know that I’m on your side. I think you students will agree with me that Brexit, maybe not the best idea, and statistically those who voted for it are now dead.

They’ve bequeathed you with a right old shitshow.’

Oh, and vote. ‘There are forces trying to degrade democracy. I want the good students of Bristol to celebrate democracy with me, and vote,’ he enthuses, ‘whoever you are, vote.’

Students, Count Binface is on your side from all the way across the galaxy.