Epigram Issue 378

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The University of Bristol's Award Winning Independent Student Newspaper

Between the Sheets NEWS

Carla Denyer: Meet your new MP Read ead more on page 4

FEATURES

Image Courtesy of Unsplash

Freshers Survival Welcome (back) to Bristol! We are your eyes

and ears on the ground, keeping you up to date on everything student-adjacent on campus and Annie McNamee and Amaan Ali beyond.

Co-Editors-in-Chief

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ou studied for hours, you packed up your childhood bedroom, and you’ve finally made your way to Clifton to begin your life as a student.

In the Roman times when the word was coined, originally drawn from the noun of the verb ‘studere’ (to study), students were highly disciplined masters of a single craft. Now, they’re more associated with their unique ability to stumble home at 5am and still make it to a 10am lecture – this, by the way, is a skill you will lose at 20. Do not

take it for granted. Whether you’re new to the hallowed halls of the ASS (Arts and Social Sciences Library) or have already spent many miserable days and nights between its brutalist walls, we are here to guide you. Both Amaan and I are going into our fourth years at Bristol, (making us old enough to be your grandparents by university family standards). We’ve decided to bestow upon thee the highest honour we can give; our advice. Read the following, recite it, commit it to memory, for this

is handed down in tablets from the ancients:

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Stop worrying and learn to love the rot.

Your halls are going to get grimy.

The bins won't get taken out when they’re supposed to be. You will have silverfish in your bathroom.

These are unavoidable facts of freshers, and the sooner you come to terms with them, the easier your year will be.

Read more on page 2

Max Fosh: 'Online there's no hiding.'

Sofia Webster Co-Deputy Editor

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ax Fosh is an ideas man who follows through. From writing ‘Welcome to Luton’ for passengers as they land at Gatwick Airport to cooking a meal in an active volcano, Fosh is like a medieval jester with a camera. Epigram recently spoke with the comedian ahead of his 'Loophole' show in the Bristol Hippodrome to find out more about what goes on in his weird, wonderful mind.

Read more on page 2 Image Courtesy of Matt Crockett

Pages for readers, Opportunities for writers

Beyond the books: Social spaces on campus Read more on page 10 ARTS

The Art of 'brat' Read more on page 14

MUSIC

In Conversation with Joy Division's Peter Hook Read more on page 18

Contents 2 3 6 9 12 13 15 17 19 21 23

Editorial News Opinion Features Wit & Wisdom Pop Out Poster Arts Film & TV Music Sci-Tech Sport

Editorial 3

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

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Punters in clubs are good for free drinks, not for taking home.

They may look good under the sweaty, drunken lights of Lizard Lounge, but they are not going to be your future spouse. Plus there’s nothing more annoying than waking up hungover with a mediocre man in your bed. Bonus points if you’re a fresher and he’s a third year, and bonus bonus points if he has a mullet. Sorry lads.

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osh is most widely known for his Street Smart interview series, where a video of him mistaking a pomegranate for a grapefruit went viral.

Since then, Fosh has grown a global audience of over 4 million YouTube subscribers. He is no stranger to performing in Bristol, having previously done so on his ‘Zocial Butterfly’ Tour (2022), stopping at the Hen & Chicken in Southville as one of the performances.

Some of Fosh’s most popular content involves pulling off the most wacky and creative stunts, often involving working out a kind of 'loophole'.

Max explained how this new tour originated from an idea he had 6 months ago, which ultimately turned into an international tour.

Despite our conversation about his upcoming tour, it would be a wasted opportunity without mentioning his timeless ‘I don’t know my fruits’ video, which has garneredmillions of views on TikTok and counting.

Everyone’s just as confused as you are.

When you first step onto campus, it’s easy to feel like everyone else has it all figured out - But here’s the secret: most people are just as lost as you. The key difference? Some have mastered the art of faking confidence. Take comfort in the fact that it’s totally normal to feel out of place, but embrace the confusion as part of the experience. It’s how you learn, grow, and eventually, you’ll find your stride.

Beware: the hills.

While skipping a morning lecture might be tempting when faced with a steep climb, it's worth the effort. The trek up those hills not only gets your blood pumping but also gives you a chance to mentally prepare for the day ahead. Just remember to master the art of pretending you're not out of breath when you finally reach the top and walk into the lecture hall. Plus, being present in lectures helps you grasp the material firsthand, engage with the content, and clarify any doubts on the spot.

Over time, those hills will

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Speaking on his viral video success, Fosh shared that it came about on a night where he and his producer were not having much luck finding people that wanted to be filmed, by chance he saw Eleanor, a sister of a friend of his, who agreed to be a part of the video and the rest is history.

A few months later, TikTok arranged for them to reunite for another video, giving them an opportunity to reflect on their brush with virality.

We joked about a false conspiracy theory claiming they had dated, but he was insistent this wasn’t true.

Max Fosh is an example of a comedian that has crafted an immensely successful career with the help of the Internet to make world class video comedic content, that has coincidently reached viewers and fans from all over the world. Fosh’s niche was not something he had intricately planned, 'it is a challenge,

start to feel like a minor hurdle compared to the benefits of staying on top of your studies.

Embrace the climbs as part of your academic journey. Your legs – and your grades – will thank you.

And there’s tons more where that came from. Throughout these pages you will find the combined wisdom of dozens of writers, each with their own unique take on student life – we are like an ancient oracle, if it knew its way around the Arts Complex. Epigram is the place that will bring you news that you need to make sense of the world as it hits students hard, we will allow the opinions that matter to have space, not the white noise that pollutes, and we’ll be a friend at the ties when you need us.

We can’t wait for the year ahead, and we hope you’ll join us to keep on top of breaking news, find the coolest new music venues, and fully immerse yourself in everything Bristol has to offer. Find us across campus monthly, or on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for more timely updates.

Whether you’re a reader, a writer, or just a curious mind, we can’t wait to meet you.

finding out what works.'

The process of developing an online niche means giving the audience so much power. It is therefore a journey of figuring out what works best for you and your audience and evolving with that, and that ultimately for any aspiring comedians, the best time to start is right now. Adapting from video content to performing live on stage will come with challenges, as it involves adapting to a different medium and means there is 'no hiding, you are always receiving immediate feedback from your audience.'

Nonetheless, it's a challenge he's excited to meet head on.

Editorial Team 2024/25 Co-Editors-in-Chief: Amaan Ali and Annie McNamee Deputy Editors: Sofia Webster and Will Standring

News 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, Cerys Larsen Opinion Editor: Karen Mends Co-Deputy Editors: Alex Creighton and Hannah Moser Subeditors: Ellen Jones, Riana McConochie Features Editor: Nel Roden Co-Deputy Editors: Jessica Cohen and Daisy Yates Investigative Corrospondent: Benedict Chester Subeditors :Reuben Kerbes, Illona Hoffman

Arts Editor: Bruno Bridger Co-Deputy Editors: Elizabeth Abbott and Ella Heathcote Correspondents: Patrick Chandler and Julia Anna Masluszczak Subeditors: Eve Davies, Bobbi Carsley Film & TV Editor: Max Bradley-Cole Co-Deputy Editors: Meadow Wattret and Chien Wen Sow Subeditors: Nadiya Jackson, Marianne Chatburn Music Editor: Benji Chapman Co-Deputy Editors: Aditi Hrisheekesh, Megan Foulk Subeditors: Amelie Peters, Sophie Scannell Sci-Tech & Gaming Editor: Corin Gabriel Hadley Deputy Editor: Miles Gilroy Subeditor: James Lewis Sport Editor: Faniki Deche Deputy Editor: Sean Lawrenson and Adam Mountain Subeditor: James Lewis

Lead Designer Julia Mullins Designer Alexandra Hill

Want to write for us? epigram.org.uk/get-involved/ Follow us on: Instagram: @epigrampaper_ Twitter: @epigrampaper TikTok: epigrampaper

News

Co- Editors Josie Hodgson and Maud Humphries Deputy Editors Beatrice Learmouth and Rhiannon Jenkins News subeditors Will White and Sofia Lambis Otto Proctor and Cerys Larsen

epigram 13.09.24

General Election 2024: Bristol's New Electoral Map The 4th July 2024 saw a landslide victory for Sir Kier Starmer's Labour Party, defeating the Conservatives after their 14 years in Government.

But how did Bristol vote in the recent General Election?

Maud Humphries News Co-Editor

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This was one of four seats won by the Green Party.

Bristol East: Labour hold A turnout of 61.9%, saw a Labour hold of the Bristol East seat, with Kerry McCarthy being re-elected.

Bristol North East: Labour hold A turnout of 60.2%, saw Damien James Egan elected as MP for the Labour Party.

esults in the five Bristol constituencies, Filton and Bradley Stoke, saw four LaBristol North West: Labour hold bour holds, one A turnout 65.1%, Labour victory saw a huge victory 'A turnout of 69.4% for the Labour Parfrom Conservative, and one saw Denyer gain the ty's Darren Jones.

Bristol Central seat Green Party victory from Labour.

Bristol South: Lafrom Labour' The individubour hold al constituenThe lowest turnout cy results were as follows: out of the Bristol constituencies at 57.7%, saw Labour's Karin Smyth re-elected as MP. Bristol Central: Green Party gain A turnout, well above the national average, of 69.4%, Filton and Bradsaw the Green party's Carla ley Stoke: Labour gain Denyer gain this seat from a This constituency saw Laprevious Labour strong seat. bour gain 9.7% of the vote

share, and a 25.4% loss from the Conservatives.

A turnout of 65% led to Claire Hazelgrove being elected as MP. Epigram interviewed Green's newly elected Carla Denyer for Bristol Central pre-election.

The co-leader of the Green Party highlighted her priorities to addressing the housing crisis in Bristol, experienced heavily by students, the mental health crisis, and her party's stance on the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Last term, students at the University of Bristol created an encampment which was active for over 2 months, protesting for the university to cut its ties with Israeli arms manufacturers.

When asked, Denyer reiterated her party's calls for a ceasefire in Gaza, and supporting the protest, citing it as an integral part of a healthy democracy.

Alongside Starmer's victo-

ry, a big story of the election was the success of Nigel Farage's Reform UK Party.

Despite winning only 4 seats, Reform's percentage of the vote share was at 14%, reflected in 1% of the seat share.

In comparison, the Conservatives won 24% of the vote share reflected in 19% of the seat share.

Both Reform and Green were impacted by the UK's First-Past-The-Post.

Sys-

tem, which meant their number of seats in Parliament disproportionately reflected their percentage of vote share.

Another important statistic of the election was the percentage of vote share falling for Labour significantly in large Muslim communities, falling about 23 points to 39%.

This has widely been attributed to their stance on the Israel/Palestine conflict.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

Declining international student enrolment sparks financial woes for UK universities Rhiannon Jenkins News Co-Deputy Editor

in July 2024 compared to the same period last year.

This decline appears to be exacerbated by government policies that have restricted international students and health and care visa holders from bringing family members.

comes in contrast to the record-high levels of international student enrolment universities experienced in 2022, of which are likely to ensure international student enrolment continues to remain above pre-pandemic levels.

ecent government data has revealed a concerning trend for the UK's higher education sector, with a sharp drop in applications for study, skilled worker, and health and care visas from workers and their family members.

Data shows such applications fell by more than a third

The previous Conservative government introduced these restrictive policies, and the current Labour government has not yet indicated any plans to make any changes to them.

The Home Office's initial figures reveal that sponsored student visa applications dropped by around 15% from July 2023 to July 2024. This

The financial implications of this decline are significant.

Since 2016, the £9,250 annual tuition charged to UK home students has seen its real-term value decline to the equivalent of approximately £6,000 due to recent surges in inflation. This has made universities increasingly reliant on tuition fees

The UK's higher education sector may face significant financial blows as the number of international students enroll-

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paid by overseas students, rendering them vulnerable to fluctuations in their international student populations.

The University of Oxford's Migration Observatory has cautioned that the drop in international student enrolment could force universities to make difficult "trade-offs" as they grapple with dwindling revenues.

This concern is echoed by reports indicating that at least 67 educational institutions are already undertaking redundancy and restructuring initiatives, which pose the threat of heightening risks of increased labour disputes.

According to recent analyses by PwC and the OfS, the higher education regulator in England, as many as 40% of the country's universities are expected to operate at a deficit in the coming year.

This is a worrying prospect, particularly as the impact of recent nationwide anti-immigration riots on international student enrolment remains to be seen.

What is clear, is that this impending financial crisis poses a significant risk to the quality of education and the overall well-being of the UK's higher education system.

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epigram 13.09.24

Resilience and tenacity of 2024 graduate cohort celebrated at summer graduation From Tuesday 23 July to Thursday 1 Aug 2024, the bi-annual graduation window saw thousands of students officially graduate on campus in the Wills Memorial Building, live-streamed from the Richmond Building.

Josie Hodgson News Co-Editor

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ccompanied by two guests each, new graduates took up their opportunity to participate in the prestigious endof-degree ceremony, involving the individual procession in the renowned Wills Memorial Building, which was opened by King George V and Queen Mary in 1925.

Professor Judith Squires, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Image courtesy of Isabel Bill Provost at the University of Bristol, congratulated this officially graduated after 41 incoming Masters student in year’s graduates, celebrating years this July, following an Bristol, this graduation was their ‘intelligence, hard unpaid accommodation bill of a celebration of his degree in work and tenacity’: ‘Gaining £64.80 which had prevented spite of the restrictions which throughout his from graduating remained a degree is a significant him achievement. We are proud previously. The bill, caused first year. ‘Involvement with of each and every student by an unruly pet parrot, has people in my course I felt was who crosses that stage.' now been written off by the hampered by […] pre-recorded material’, whereby ‘valuable ‘From me, and everyone University. social aspects of meeting here at the University, a were lost, Speaking with Epigram, course-mates’ huge well done to everyone who has just graduated.’This Carter explained why it meant Osborne said. ‘[Graduation probably the most year’s graduation adopted so much to him to graduate was] a contrasting tone to the alongside his father. ‘It was rewarding part of my course… winter graduation last amazing to graduate with my [it was a] celebrati[on of] December, largely dominated dad … it was important for us all the work [I] put in.’ This by controversy following the as a family, because all of us sentiment was echoed by University’s removal of the have gone to Bristol and it was fellow Biomed graduate, Niamh who described great for my dad Kathrens, UK national a n t h e m 'A number of student to finally close how graduation served as an from future stories made headlines out our years of opportunity to come together c e r e m o n y in major news outlets, study’. Resilience with friends and family to determination in further celebrate programmes, including the Guardian was embodied by an unprecedented context, s p a r k i n g and BBC News' many of this especially after an ‘isolating’ debate online - most notably from Sir year’s new graduates who first year. ‘[I felt] so many belong to the 2020 and 2021 different emotions … [it was] Oliver Dowden. cohorts, arriving following honestly one of the best days of This summer, the resilience a tumultuous and uprooted my life. ‘It was full of love, and of Bristol students was instead Sixth Form experience caused we were all so proud of each Covid-19 lockdowns. other, and so happy that we front-and-centre, with a by number of student stories Accompanying this, as with got to share the day together making positive headlines much of the rest of the celebrating.’ Whilst many of in major news outlets, world, post-Covid ‘hangovers’ the graduating students have studies for including The Guardian and resulted in many of these completed their BBC News. Carter Clothier, student-turned-graduates a 'typical' three or four year Biology graduate, was one having experienced online degree, the week of celebration such student whose joint learning, and initially even also involved students who graduation with his father isolation stints, in their first had been studying for periods made the news. Carter’s year. For Thomas Osborne, beyond this frame. graduate and father, Jonny Clothier, Biomed

Xander Van der Poll, medical would not believe you at all. ‘If school graduate and now you allow yourself to see where Doctor, graduated after seven the journey takes you, and years of study. Following an seize all the opportunities that accidental fall from a tree, you get, life can be so amazing Van der Poll became paralysed and beautiful. 'As the new from the waist down, resulting student cohort adapt to their in him needing to take his homes in Bristol, the recent first year medical exams graduates have set the tone for from a hospital bed. In future students, embodying the conversation with Epigram, determination and persistence shown year-onVan der Poll spoke 'Staying positive year by Bristol on his journey to graduation. ‘It through these times students. Whether means a lot to be was tough, but I navigating a world celebrating …it's took each challenge recovering from a deadly pandemic, been a very rough as they came' adapting to a new and long road through medical school and disability, or even graduating Bristol. It’s funny looking back decades later, Bristol students to where I’ve come from and have shown tenacity throughout to where I am now. ‘Staying all contexts. positive through these times When asked for advice for was tough, but I took each challenge as they came… if I current and future Bristol was having a bad day, it wasn’t students, Kathrens said: ‘The because I was in a wheelchair world is yours, literally. When you graduate you will feel so … it was because many different emotions. A I am human. ‘Everyone sense of sadness that you are struggles and everyone has leaving the best years of your bad days. Isolating each life, living away from home challenge allowed me to [...] with all your best friends you get a sense of perspective.’ have made. But also immense With Xander now training happiness that you will have for the 2028 Paralympics, a degree at the end of it.’ For graduated students, alongside his work in medicine, newly he spoke on how he hopes to the Alumni network offers an inspire others. ‘I want to put opportunity for students to out a message of hope. ‘If you remain connected with peers told me after graduating that and previous students. For more a) I'd be in a wheelchair, I'd be information, visit https://www. horrified; But then b) that I’d bristol.ac.uk/alumni/.com. be training to compete in the Paralympics, and running quite a successful Instagram page, I

Image courtesy of Unsplash

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epigram 13.09.24

Bristol counter-protestors celebrate 'victory' against far-right rioters saying ‘no, we are not going to how they felt about the prospect enhanced stop Bristol. Many premises in granted tolerate racism and fascism,’ of further violence, protesters Old Market boarded up their and search powers. ‘They he added. ‘We are not going remained optimistic. windows as a precaution, saw what happened [on ‘I think to stand by everyone will show up,’ said said and other businesses across Saturday],’ while the far Lewis. ‘Everywhere will have a the city issued warnings one protester, who '‘I feel so supported. right attacks counter-protest bigger than a to remain to staff about traveling wished friends, protest.' According to Afrin, ‘it’s ‘They I feel like I belong.’ our through the city. ‘It’s been anonymous.

‘Bristol is for n e i g h b o u r s , OK to be afraid.’ dead [since 15:00],’ said didn’t want to come families, Leila, assistant manager at back.’

‘Not everywhere might be as everyone.' public service Afrin, a UWE student Rough Trade, a record shop lucky as Bristol,’ she said. ‘But I Will White workers, or the most vulnerable who showed up to support, on Nelson Street.

‘There’s would like to request for everyone News Investigation Editor people in our communities.’ a weird feeling in the air.’ said she was ‘surprised and to look out for each other. You While courts across the don’t need to be violent, but The nationwide riots began amazed’ by the turnout. ‘I’m country continue to prosecute not a native Brit; this is all so following disinformation speak up.’ ounter-protesters those involved in the violence, vastly outnumbered spread online about the close to my heart and that’s police forces nationwide remain any right-wing pres- identity of the Southport why I’m here today,’ she said. on high alert for further unrest, a t t a c k e r, ‘I feel so supported. I feel ence, and avoidsuch as the subsequent violence w h o like I belong.’ ‘Bristol is for ed violent scenes in Belfast. When asked about as seen in other Counter-protesters m u r d e r e d everyone. It’s our Bristol,’ she cities across the vastly outnumbered t h r e e added. Chris Roche, Regional any right-wing c h i l d r e n , Organiser for UNISON South c o u n t r y. T h o s e and injured West, was also present at the present at the presence According ten others, counter-protest. scene described in a knife to Roche, there is ‘power in the turnout as a ‘victory’ and praised the attack on the 29th July unity and community.’ ‘There sense of ‘unity’ among the this year. Far-right groups are hundreds of workers from community. Many held signs and commentators used UNISON out today protesting a g a i n s t reading slogans such as ‘im- speculation as the violent migration built our nation,’ to the identity far right,’ ‘Bristol welcomes refugees,’ of the attacker 'Not everywhere Roche. incite might be as lucky as said and ‘Keep Bristol Anti-Racist.’ to ‘Whether it’s Members of the local hatred online, Bristol' public service community, students, and c l a i m i n g workers or he social activists, began that gathering around 19:00 was an ‘illegal migrant’ communities facing abuse, following rumours and claims and ‘alleged to be a together we have the power that right-wing groups would Muslim.’ Preparations for the to push back and make target immigration lawyers expected violence included this society more equal for in cities across the country, hundreds of paramedics everyone.’ ‘In Bristol itself including one on West Street, on site, and police officers and elsewhere people are Image courtesy of @williamalexanderphotography Thousands of anti-fascist counter-protesters gathered in Old Market and the surrounding area on Wednesday, August 7th, amid threats of further violence by right-wing rioters following widespread violence up and down the country.

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Fishies takes over The Brass Pig and Daisy's in highly anticipated return After nightclub Gravity’s shock closure back in April, student sports night Fishies has been relocated to The Brass Pig and Daisy’s for the new year. The event will take place on a Wednesday night as before, but will take on a slightly different format from previous years.

Beatrice Learmouth News Deputy Co-Editor

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peaking to Epigram, Fishies organisers confirmed there

would be two events: ‘Brass Fish’ at The Brass Pig, and ‘Fishco’ at Daisy’s. ‘Brass Fish’ will be largely similar to the original format in Gravity with the upstairs becoming a silent disco, and downstairs being comparable to Gravity’s main room. ‘Fishco’ will take place across the street at Daisy’s and ‘will be playing disco, cheese and house music.’ When asked about the costs of the night in comparison to previous years they confirmed that, ‘the entry and the drinks tariff will be a student tariff that will be the

its location to The Brass Pig as same as before.' They will ‘people love the venue and it’s also have ‘two dates at SWX in a location very accessible to per term where all sports UOB students.' This decision teams will come together’ has sparked following the success of the SWX 'This decision has c o n t r o v e r s y a m o n g s t show on the 29th of sparked controversy some of the May last year. The first of these will amongst some of the student body student body' as The Brass be held on the Pig is less like 25th of September. a traditional night club, being much smaller than Gravity and After Gravity’s closure, resembling a bar.

Fishies was held several times at Lola Lo’s at the end In their announcement on of last term. However, they Instagram, Fishies organisers decided to permanently move

acknowledged the venue is ‘different from Gravity,' but they were keen to keep the event on the ‘sacred triangle.'

The inclusion of Daisy’s is likely to dispel some of this criticism as it enables more people to attend the event and gives students and societies more flexibility. Daisy’s is a 70s bar that opened back in June and it has already gained huge popularity amongst students following the nightclub, Mbargo’s , closure.

Opinion

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

Opinion | Don’t spectate, participate! Why you need to get involved in student politics Nowadays, it's easy to sit back and watch political events unravel without considering the impact students can have through our involvement.

However, student protests still play a significant rule in instigating change.

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politics is important. This much is clear. But that doesn’t mean it’s straightforward. In this article, I’ll tell you why you should get involved despite apparent complications and provide a three-step guide to what makes effective and well-thought-out student activism.

Firstly , let’s deal with these complications head-on.

Are they so significant that

Image courtesy of Unsplash provided with the narrative students should think twice that student activism- and about organising behind a political activism more broadcommon cause? In media, ly- is characterised by vioconversation and literature lence and disruption when the we often see student protruth is far more nuanced. So, test portrayed as a negative whilst we might be told stoforce; protest is disruptive, violent and disorganised. This ries about how negative and violent movements like these narrative can complicate alcan be, we shouldn’t always truistic motivations we might believe them. Understandcite as reasons for activism, making getting involved more ing this helps paint a more accurate image complex. of political But these nar'More excitement means involvement. ratives aren’t more views which means Not violent but the whole more eyeballs on more deliberative. picture. Let’s adverts. This means that take a closer the protests covered by the So if you have look. Media media are usually the most an issue you’re disruptive ones.' passionate outlets provide about, or see us with a great a problem you think needs deal of the information we solving, you shouldn’t let bad consume about the world. press put you off. Instead, As a result, they play a large you- or rather, we- should get part in creating narratives about activism. These outlets involved and get our voices heard. also make money through But what does ‘getting inclicks, creating a formula volved’ look like, and how can which incentivises sensationwe navigate the complexity of alism. A case in point is the the political world? Here are social movement Black Lives a few tips. Activism is best Matter (BLM). BLM protests practiced when well thought in 2020 received greater out. That’s why education coverage on the occasions should be the first step of when violence occurred political involvement. This can than their many peaceful take many forms. Education demonstrations. The mecan be found in the pages dia didn't cover the hours of books, the columns of a of stakeholder meetings, newspaper or the frames of peaceful marches and years a video. Regardless of how of grassroots organising that you go about it, the goal never culminated in confronshould be to become better tation. In other words, we’re

informed about the issues you care about. But education is a process, not a goal in itself. At some point, you have to take your knowledge into the world and see how it compares with other people’s understanding.

To do this, you have to organise with others. Here you can build solidarity, be part of a community and continue to develop knowledge through action. Perhaps a discussion group, political party, charity or student society will be your platform.

The final step is reconstruction. Reconstruction means putting your ideas into practice and enacting the change you want to see. What this looks like isn’t for me to say, but for you to decide. Educate, organise, reconstruct.

This mantra provides a rough guide to getting started with student activism, but the rest is up to you.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

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Opinion | Is Free Speech Really Under

Threat?

stirring racial hatred through false communications, pending further enquiries. Her arrest, along with others for crimes online, are part of what Edward Grange (a criminal defence lawyer) considers the Online Safety Act’s ‘first significant test’. This misidentification of the Southport Luke Buckland, Year 2, attacker did have a significant Politics & International impact on the violent disorder which followed in the last n the 16th of August three weeks. However, it was 2024, Kieran Ushnot just due to Ms Spofforth’s er became the first post. Channel3Now followed adult in the United Kingdom up with a story that also to be charged with a riot identified the attacker as ‘Ali offence. No such historical Al-Shakati’. The seemingly firsts are to be expected when reputable news page no doubt dealing with disinformation garnered legitimacy to the which has fuelled violence story and gave disinformation during the recent riots. This traction in social media spacfact demonstrates that free es. And yet no one at Chanspeech is not under threat. nel3Now has been arrested.

If anything, what we need is Image courtesy of Unsplash This simple fact highlights more control over the spread dia companies will no doubt of disinfordown by paying for verificaMs Spofforth’s arrest on false Defined by Merriam- the limiting grab the attention of the practical realities mation. tion ticks which promote your communications is qualified Webster, disinformation is largest companies. But it does that uphold free Cases content.

This all makes for a by the fact that it stirred up information ‘deliberately not go far enough. Its status speech and limit like Kieran social media platform which racial hatred.

This is a proband covertly spread in as a UK law means there is Usher’s seem order to influence public persecution. incentivises spreading sensalem that the Online Safety Act little safeguarding from harmFirst, there is relatively tionalist news stories to gar2023 does not fix.

False comopinion' ful online content spread from the simple fact unsurprising. ner the most interactions and munications must also cause abroad. And crucially, without of geography.

The police revenue for us‘non-trivial ' This is because harm laws against disinformation, Their main office is reported and justice system dealt with ers. Ultimately, psychologimust occur first for pre-emptive action cannot be to be in the United States. riots in 2011. They have the this means cal harm’ or disinformation to be taken against those who post This makes charging anyone tools to identify suspects and the spread of threaten or deemed illegal or provocative but not directly at Channel3Now as culpable prosecute based on clearly disinformation cause physidangerous under the is no longer ‘harmful’ disinformation. This for violence in the UK increasdefined laws. Prosecution for cal harm. The act.' means there is an existing ingly difficult, as to commit violent crimes is expected. contained to threat of £18 platform for all on social mean offence under the Online Cases are largely relativethe usage of million or 10% dia to spread disinformation, Safety Act 2023 you must ly straightforward. Cases powerful political actors (i.e., of global annual turnover with little worry of a threat be a habitual resident in the are largely straight forward Russia’s role in the 2016 against social media compato free speech. Unlike Kieran UK. The same problem occurs however in the 2024 riots US presidential election). nies for not guarding against Usher’s case, there will be with popular commentators. disinformtaion has wdiely Now any, and every, political this harm is significant. But no symbolic charging against Renowned podcaster Joe been seen as a catalyst for commentator can spread disit does not force social media disinformation. What is Rogan posted about 4000 arviolence. Where there has information with little consecompanies to ensure disinforneeded now is an overhaul of rests in Britain likening them been disinformation directly quence. mation does not spread if the legislation to match the threat to ‘thought police’ in Soviet causing violence or harm, Free speech, in other words, only crimes under the act are disinformaRussia, something which Elon there have been arrests. But triumphs over identified as needing to cause 'In fact, you can earn tion holds.

Musk reit is disinformation which does regulation of harm. This ultimoney by spreading We need a posted. not directly cause harm that disinformation. mately means that ' The threat of £18 disinformation and going coordinatHis claims is more dangerous as it is less Of course, the the law precludes million or 10% of global viral. Musk’s social media ed global were catlikely to be dismissed as inOnline Safety action which might annual turnover against be pre-emptive company X introduced enforcement egorically flammatory. It is this rhetoric Act 2023 is not social media companies in any form. This ad revenue sharing for X system, wrong, online that shows that free totally without for not guarding against is because harm account holders.' which outbut their speech is not truly infringed merits. In fact this harm is significant.' must occur first for laws disincomments upon. it has been formation as a lone offence. reached Consider the disinformation used successfully against disinformation to be Only then can the swift and the front pages of newspapers which was spread in an atgenuinely violent and hateful deemed illegal or dangerous comprehensive work to stamp nonetheless, legitimising antempt to identify the attacker rhetoric online. Both Jordan under the act. Therefore, any out riots over the last three ti-government rhetoric in the in the Southport stabbings.

Parlour and Julie Sweeney’s potential harm by disinforweeks be matched by stampriots. Yet, as commentators Bernadette Spofforth posted arrests fell under the terms of mation is not combated by ing out disinformation. from abroad they effectively on X that the attacker was ‘Ali the Online Safety Act 2023, current UK laws. cannot be reached by the law, Al-Shakati’, labelled a Muslim showing how a clear definition In fact, you can earn money even if the content had directasylum seeker who arrived on of the law online can lead to by spreading disinformation ly caused harm. a small boat and holds a place effective police work against and going viral. Musk’s social Second, no current UK laws on MI6’s watch list as a terror those who commit a crime. media company X introduced guard against disinformation suspect. She was arrested Also, the possibility of signifad revenue sharing for X acas a lone offence. Notice that and bailed on suspicion of icant fines against social mecount holders. You can double Some may argue that free speech has become a limited phenomenon in today's world.

However, is freedom of speech really under threat or are we as a society clapping down on the spread of disinformation?

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Alex Creighton, Year 3, Politics & International Relations tudent politics is important.

A scan of the headlines or a flick through history books will show you how true this is. In the last month, Bangladeshi youth and student groups successfully deposed the autocratic leader Sheikh Hasina. In the last year, we’ve seen a global outcry from students and many others against Israel’s war in Gaza.

This century, the Occupy movement, the Save Darfur Coalition and countless other acts of collective student resistance have helped push back against government mismanagement, discrimination, violence and injustice. Student politics can be effective, exciting and emancipatory. Student

epigram 13.09.24

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epigram 13.09.24

Opinion | Is Freedom of Speech Really Under Threat?

Images courtesy of Unsplash

this right with other important values.Yet some critics argue that we get this balance wrong, that political correctness and social media policies are silencing voices.

I’d contend that these critics are wrong, and existing Daniel Gordon- Jacobs, restrictions are necessary to Year 3, Politics & Internapromote a fair and inclusive tional Relations society.

Here’s why. Firstly, freedom of speech has often been reedom of speech is weaponised against marginalone of the cornerstones ised groups, subjecting them of democratic societies, to harassment, discrimination, underpinning the exchange and violence. By establishing of ideas, the pursuit of truth, norms that discourage hate and the scrutiny of authorspeech and promote respectity. It’s a liberty that allows ful dialogue, society takes a individuals to express their moral stance against bigotthoughts, beliefs, and critiry and intolerance. This not cisms without fear of governonly protects ment retribution. However, 'Critics argue that political vulnerable recent debates correctness, social media communisuggest that censorship, and so-called ties but also this funda‘cancel culture’ are eroding enriches public mental right our ability to speak freely. discourse by might be under Yet these concerns may be ensuring that a wider range threat. Rather overstated.' of voices is than underminheard. Freedom of speech ing freedom of speech, the also carries with it the responevolving dynamics of public sibility to consider the impact discourse can be seen as efof one's words on others. Enforts to create a more inclucouraging individuals to speak sive and respectful society. thoughtfully and respectfully But first, let’s take a step does not equate to censorback. To get a handle on this ship; rather, it promotes debate we need to know what a culture of empathy and freedom of speech is, withunderstanding. Moral maturity out the jargon. Freedom of involves recognising that our speech is the right to express words have power and can one's opinions and ideas cause harm, and choosing to without fear of government use that power constructiveretaliation or censorship. It ly. Evidence of this in action is entrenched in numerous is the #BeKind movement, international human rights which gained prominence instruments, including the following high-profile cases European Convention of of online bullying and harassHuman Rights (ECHR), which ment. This movement encourdocuments how everyone ages individuals to reflect on has the right to ‘freedom of the potential impact of their expression’ without interferwords and promotes a supence by ‘public authority’. By portive and positive online allowing for the exchange of environment. diverse ideas, this right is one Furthermore, creating vital for the functioning of any spaces where everyone feels democrac. safe to express their ideas is But that doesn’t mean it’s crucial for genuine freedom of without limits. Most demospeech. If certain groups are cratic societies impose reconsistently silenced or marstrictions on speech to protect ginalised by hostile speech, other important values. Hate their freedom of expression speech, incitement to viois effectively curtailed. By lence, and defamation are setting standards for respectcommonly restricted forms of ful communication, we can expression. The key question ensure that more voices are is, therefore, not whether included in the conversation. we should have freedom of However, these arguments, speech, but how we balance Everyone cares about freedom of speech and wants to make sure that it's protected. But what happens when the speech in question attacks and restricts the freedom of marginalized groups?

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whilst important, only capture a certain aspect of this issue.

When we talk about ‘speech’, we don’t just mean spoken words. The transfer of political debate into the digital realm makes this starkly obvious.

Social media platforms, such as Instagram, X, and TikTok, serve as arenas where ideas are exchanged and debated on a massive scale. Social media has empowered diverse voices and movements, amplifying often neglected societal issues. It has facilitated global conversations on crucial topics such as racial justice, climate change, and political corruption. Yet, this expanded reach comes with its own set of complications. The line between free speech and harmful content can become blurred, leading to debates over what should be moderated or censored.

These platforms have implemented community standards to mitigate harmful speech and foster healthier online environments. While these policies are not perfect and can sometimes result in increased censorship or increased visibility of hateful content, they intend to balance free expression to protect users from abuse and misinformation.

Cancel culture, a phenomenon where individuals are publicly held accountable for their actions or statements, is another issue. Critics claim it stifles free speech by creating an environment where individuals fear expressing controversial opinions due to the threat of being ‘cancelled’—faced with public backlash, loss of professional opportunities, or social ostracisation—which may lead people to self-censor or avoid discussing important but ‘touchy’ topics. This fear of retribution can undermine the principle of open dialogue, which is essential for democratic discourse and intellectual growth.

There is also concern that the swift, and sometimes unforgiving, nature of online reactions might not allow for nuance or forgiveness, potentially disregarding the possibility of growth or re-

demption. But from a moral viewpoint, cancel culture can be seen as a form of social accountability. When someone faces backlash for harmful behaviour or rhetoric, it sends a message that such actions have consequences. This can be a powerful deterrent against speech that perpetuates harm and makes individuals think carefully when expressing ideas and challenging debates. In sum, freedom of speech remains a cornerstone of democracy, but it must be balanced with the moral imperative to foster a society where all individuals can speak and be heard without fear of harassment or discrimination. By embracing this nuanced approach, we can ensure that freedom of speech truly benefits everyone, not just the loudest or most privileged voices.

Features

Editor Nel Roden Co-Deputy Editor Jess Cohen Co-Deputy Editor Daisy Yates Subeditor Ilona Hoffmann Subeditor Reuben Kerbes Features Correspondent Ben Chester

Join that society: Trying Beyond the books: Social spaces on campus something new at university Holly Smithurst discusses the benefits of joining a university society.

Holly Smithurst Fourth Year, History and Spanish

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niversity life can often feel limited to two aspects: academics and drinking culture. However this year, freshers (and returning students) should be encouraged to explore joining a society - a fantastic way to meet like-minded individuals and discover new interests. Freshers Week is an exciting experience, but can also be a nerve-wracking one. While it’s widely expected that you’ll meet your best friends in lecture halls or shared kitchens, for some people this won't be the case – that's where societies come in.

A university society is a group formed by students with a shared interest in a particular area. Student Unions (SUs) at universities across the UK host various clubs or sports groups where you can become a pro-netballer, or even share a mutual love for cheese with fellow students.

The University of Bristol is home to over 400 student societies, so there is bound to be something for everyone.

Most societies meet regularly to partake in whatever their mutual interest may be, offering a great way to break up the university week and let off some academic steam.

Not only this, but societies are also an opportunity to mingle with students outside of your university course and accommodation, helping you to build a diverse group of friends.

As you progress through university, you will have the opportunity to join a society's committee, allowing you to take on additional responsibilities that enhance your CV. In today’s job market, employers seek more than just a degree, so having this extra experience can significantly set you apart from other candidates.

Your time at university can be defined by the socie-

hosted by societies to attract ties you join; the people you new members. It’s an opportumeet and the memories you nity to meet committee memmake can do nothing but add bers and fellow students who to the experience. Speaking are considering joining, as well to Epigram, Charlotte Bramas a chance to try out your mer, a fourth-year medic, said chosen pastime. Many people ‘Honestly joining canoe club in attend these events on their first year was the best thing own, so don’t be shy! Further I ever did. It really made my information on these will be first-year experience because available at The Welcome Fair.

I made new friends and it got Another useful tool is Insme out of my comfort zone’. tagram. You may miss a few The Welcome Fair is the stalls at the ideal place to 'Most societies have Welcome Fair, discover what an Instagram page but most souniversity life where they post all cieties have has to offer. At the information about an Instagram the fair, you Welcome Week and page where will find stalls becoming a member' they post all set up by varthe important ious societies information about Welcome and services, such as career Week and how to become a advice and well-being support, member. You'll also find inwhere you can engage with formation about the societies the society representatives themselves here too, and even and learn more about what have the chance to message their groups have to offer. them with any questions. Once Be sure to bring your Ucard you’ve successfully navigated (university ID) for entry, and the Welcome Fair and given don't forget to bring a bag to it a go, you will be all set to collect any leaflets or freebies! choose which societies to join.

Navigating an event like Whether you are trying this can be overwhelming. Besomething entirely new or gin by approaching the stalls continuing a sporting career that interest you the most and from home, your time in a explore the fair from here, society will enrich your expetaking it section by section. rience at university immenseYou could even take a notely, offering you many more pad or have your notes app opportunities to make new at hand to jot down any imfriends and lasting memories. portant dates or information you don’t want to forget.

In addition to The Welcome Fair, ‘Give it a go’ sessions are also on offer for both new and returning students throughout Freshers’ Week. These introductory sessions are events

Alannah Mylechreest delves into the importance of social spaces on campus.

Alannah Mylechreest Third Year, English and German

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hat comes to mind when you hear the word ‘studying’? Most likely late nights at Wills, stress levels at an all-time high, your head buried in flashcards and, crucially, alone. While solitary time to focus on your studies is undoubtedly important, collaborative study sessions with a group of friends can be just as productive and oftentimes even more rewarding.

Social study spaces are scattered throughout The University of Bristol campus, encouraging group work and communal studying, as well as functioning as areas where students can simply relax and catch up with friends.

The upcoming academic year is the perfect opportunity to explore the social spaces Bristol has to offer.

Studying with a group of friends can have a multitude of benefits; collaborative learning opens up opportunities to share different perspectives and different experiences, including new studying techniques. Testing each other on tricky concepts, discussing essay plans, or simply sharing your woes about the stresses of revision are all things that aren’t possible in the silent zone in libraries, but are encouraged in social spaces.

Working as a group means that you can motivate each other as well as check up on one another’s well-being.

Martha, a third-year modern languages student, enjoyed using a wide variety of study spaces last year. She told Epigram that although no talk zones in libraries can be useful for concentrating on essays, these can sometimes feel ‘too

'he post-pandemic era has seen an increase in discussion about the lack of third spaces in modern society.'

Image courtesy of Jess Cohen

intense’, meaning that she has recently been trying out the social study spaces for revision activities like language learning: ‘As someone who used to study independently for almost everything, it’s been so nice to switch things up recently and study with my coursemates'.

The post-pandemic era has seen an increase in discussion about the lack of third spaces in modern society. The term, coined by Ray Oldenburg in 1989, refers to spaces that are separate from the home and the workplace, in which people are free to socialise in a low-pressure environment.

While typical student hangouts like cafes and pubs fall under this definition, they have become increasingly less accessible, primarily due to rising prices. This issue is particularly pronounced in Bristol, which was recently ranked as the fourth most expensive city to be a student.

The university’s social spaces are therefore needed now more than ever as students are on the search not only for places to study but also spaces to take a break and connect with friends.

Incoming students may be wondering where to look for these communal spaces. The best place to start would be one of Bristol’s many Source Cafes, which offer food and drink at student-friendly prices. Beacon House and Senate House are two of the most popular, but there are also other cafes dotted throughout campus. Priory Road and the Biomedical Sciences Building are some excellent examples that are close to teaching spaces, giving students the chance to take a breather with friends in between lectures.

Many faculty buildings have common room spaces where students (of any subject) can hang out and study. The social spaces in Woodland Road where the Faculty of Arts is based are only one example of a fantastic place to relax with coursemates.

Across the road is the Hawthorns Study Lounge, a slightly smaller but no less charming location that offers a cosy atmosphere for social studying.

Wherever you choose to study, don’t limit yourself to the fluorescent, no-talking zones of the ASS – give one of Bristol’s social study spaces a try!

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epigram 13.09.24

Trust the process: A guide to thriving and surviving in halls for things you might pick up in the first few weeks; photobooth pictures from nights out or stickers from the Welcome Fair. This way, you can begin to feel the excitement Kashvi Cox of settling into this new city, and can look forward to all Second Year, English the memories still to come!

Perhaps your room at home oving out of home hasn’t had a revamp for a and learning to navwhile, or you have had to igate living indeshare with siblings. Now is the pendently can make the first opportunity to put down your few weeks of university seem marker and go to town with the daunting. However, it is impordécor that just screams you. tant to remember that these Just rememfirst few weeks ‘It is a good idea to ber though, will pass, it get involved with this room is on gets easier Junior Common Room loan to you. and there is Be respectful much to be (JCR) events to get of the property excited about. to know others in and keep things Here are some your accommodation’ relatively clean tips on surand tidy – you will only have viving and – most imporyourself to thank when it’s time tantly – thriving during your to move out in the summer. first year living in halls.

Once you’ve taken care of Starting university usualyour room, it is time to turn to ly means August is dedicated something a little less predictto Dunelm trips and farewells able – namely, new flatmates. (amongst a lot of nerves). It’s This can be one of the biggest a huge mix of emotions; eager anxieties for new students, but to move on with life and gain everyone is in the same boat – independence, yet shaking at you can use the thought of living in a new ‘The fact that students this to your advantage. city with peohave the option of Start conple you’ve never changing their first-year versations met. There are accommodation is often about things a lot of dauntreadily overlooked .' you all have ing aspects to in common, consider, many like how you’re going to decof which will be out of your orate your room or which socontrol, but there are a few cieties you’re interested in. things you can do to get yourGoing on a walk to explore the self off to the best possible new area or cooking a meal start in your accommodation. together are also great ways First, let us start with the to forge connections early on. thing that is completely in However, it is important to your control: your room. While recognise your relationships you may not be able to guarwith your flatmates might not antee which room, building always be smooth sailing and or location you’ll be allocatthat is okay too, as long as ed, you can make the most of you still feel safe and comfortwhat you get. Fill it with phoable sharing tos, fairy lights, 'It’s also a good idea a flat. It is a fake plants (or real ones if you to save some space on good idea to can keep them your pinboard for things get involved with Jungoing!) and you might pick up in ior Common anything that the first few weeks.'

Room (JCR) makes you smile. events to get You want to to know others in your acmake your room feel like commodation. You can find a home away from home, out about these by following somewhere you’ll feel comyour JCR on Instagram or by fortable spending time in joining their WhatsApp group. throughout the coming year.

Events last year included It’s also a good idea to save quiz nights, pottery painting some space on your pinboard

Kashvi Cox explores the simple strategies that can ease the daunting transition into university halls.

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Image courtesy of Jess Cohen trips, and scavenger hunts.

The first few weeks are a whirlwind of fun and excitement, but there are a few other important things to consider as well. Cleaning and bin rotas are two crucial matters to iron out with flatmates, and doing this early on will set you up well for the rest of the year. Katie, a second-year student here at Bristol, suggests setting up a group chat

‘Within the first few weeks because it becomes more awkward as time goes on’.

While some issues are common in first-year accommodation, it’s important to remember that you are not alone if there is something more ser ous going on. Residential Life is a team of full-time, trained support staff who offer free, confidential, and expert support to all students living in University accommodation.

Image courtesy of Unsplash

The fact that students have the option of changing their first-year accommodation is often readily overlooked. If you are struggling to get on with your flatmates or the location isn’t working for you then you can apply to move.

Epigram spoke to Helen, a second-year Medicine student, about her experience moving accommodations...

Read more at Epigram.org.uk

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epigram 13.09.24

Finding the balance: Academics and socialising during Freshers' Week Emma Yeo explores how students can start the upcoming academic Emma Yeo Second Year, English

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he 9th of September marks the start of Freshers’ week here at the University of Bristol. On social media, Freshers' Week can seem to revolve around non-stop partying and constant socialising. However, it is easy to forget that it is also an ideal time to focus on productivity and academic preparation in the week leading up to the start of term. However, with 60 per cent of students struggling to keep up with the workload, it is becoming even more important to use Freshers’ Week not only as an opportunity to engage with others but also to get back into the studying mindset.

If it is your first year at the University of Bristol, it can be useful to familiarise yourself with the different facilities available around campus – particularly the study spaces and libraries. With 14 different study venues around the city, the university has provided a helpful guide to show the location, opening hours, and resources available at each site.

It is also worthwhile exploring the specific equipment and facilities at each location, from silent study rooms and group study spaces to printers and adjustable desks. Alternatively, if the university study spaces aren’t for you, check out the casual study spots that are available for a more relaxed work environment – this is also a great way to become better acquainted with the city!

With impending weekly reading lists, Freshers’ Week can be a great time to start working through your assigned

texts. Most faculties send out reading lists a few weeks before the term begins, so if you find yourself with some free time during Freshers' Week, why not start reading a few pages to ease back into the world of academia? Reading lists can be long and arduous, but there are certain skills and strategies that can make them more manageable.

For example, you could make notes as you read, learn to skim a text, or even explore whether chapter summaries help with retaining key points.

Alongside this, it is a wise idea to establish a clear plan as to how you will take and store your notes over the year.

The options are vast, with many students opting for programmes such as Notion, Microsoft Word or OneNote (as well as those sticking with the classic pen and paper). Ultimately, the choice is personal and depends on what features

are important to you. As such, it can be useful to explore and experiment with a few different options before choosing one, and Freshers' Week is the perfect time to do this at your own pace. If you are struggling to make a decision, need advice, or simply want more information, the university has set up a site dedicated to exploring different ways to take notes, ensuring they are as useful as possible.

Freshers’ Week can also provide time to explore and learn about different study techniques and schedules. For most people, it is easy to know whether you study better in the morning or at night, and you may already know how to revise effectively from your GCSEs and A-Levels. However, this does not necessarily mean that you should stop experimenting with different study methods. There is a large variety of study techniques that

can be explored easily during Freshers’ Week. This site explores 10 different study techniques and methods, including the Feynman technique and the Leitner system. This can also be paired with the resource from the University of Bristol's study skills page, which provides further ideas and inspiration for how you can find the best techniques and routines that suit you.

It is easy to find yourself overwhelmed and confused about where to start with trying to get back into the swing of academic life. Taking small, manageable steps – like reviewing your reading list or exploring new study methods – can help you gradually ease back into your routine and provide a productive way to fill those quieter moments during Freshers’ Week.

Socialising as a sober student this Freshers’ Week Kyia Small offers a roundup of the best non-drinking events for sober students this Freshers' Week.

Kyia Small Fourth Year, English and Spanish

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rom seaside trips to alcohol-free raves, here’s a rundown of the best events and activities for non-drinkers within the University and wider community this Welcome Week.

The new academic year brings with it a unique set of challenges, but having a social life as a sober student should not be one of them. As more and more young people are embracing a sober-curious lifestyle, alcohol-free meet-ups and nights out are now becoming popular social alternatives, and Bristol is no exception.

While many of the Student Union’s 400 societies integrate sober socials, students who seek guaranteed alcohol-free

options have a choice of 101 boozeless activities to explore and enjoy. Amongst other things, you can try drum and bass boxing, part-take in a LUSH workshop and sail the harbour – but if none of those float your boat, you can always start your own. In an interview with Epigram, Eleanor, a second-year English and Classics student, vouched for the ‘café visits and walking tours, which do not involve drinking by default’ as great ways to feel included without compromising your core values. Eleanor also believed that these spaces allow students to ‘accept others without judgement and form part of a community’. For those who are not looking to try alcohol this Freshers’, why not try your hand at a new skill by signing up for the SU’s free and diverse range of Give it a Go taster sessions? After all, Bristol has been rated the 10th Best University for Clubs and Societies in the UK this year! Perhaps pub and bar crawls have become synony-

mous with university life, but the only round at Sober Circle is in the name. The founder, Sammy Hall, spoke to Epigram about how her non-profit Facebook group, which has gained 1800 members since 2019, is helping young people ‘connect [with one another] in a way that is comfortable and casual’.

With a growing 18-25 demographic, Hall hopes to attract more students to her meetups with tailored events and promotions at the Freshers’ Fair. ‘I’m pleased that universities are talking about sobriety and not making everything alcohol-focused’ says Hall, ‘students should know that sober circles exist and that there are other options out there’. If a no-booze pizza night sounds exciting to you, then Sober Circle is a space where, according to Hall, ‘people of all ages and genders can meet up and have fun’. Or perhaps meeting students from around the world without the pressure of drinking is your thing? If so, then the university’s cul-

Image courtesy of Unsplash offers a refreshing tural hub, The Global Lounge, is well worth a new initiative. Every month, the shot. This welcome week, the Bristol Drugs Project hosts open group are organising a board- mic nights with homemade food game hangout, crafts ses- and mocktails to normalise sosion and even a treasure hunt briety. This August, Bristol Sober around the city. As alcohol-free Spaces will transform the club events, students can expect scene with its second-ever Soa relaxed atmosphere whilst ber Rave at Basement 45. So, if exchanging not only personal you do not drink for religious or but also cultural thoughts and health reasons, preference, reideas. Alternatively, you can covery or just sober curiosity, Someet other like-minded people ber Spaces is offering all students through the BAME, disability a night to (actually) remember.

With its exclusively teetoand LGBT+ networks where students arrange awareness tal events and start-ups withevents and casual socials with- in the wider community, the out the pressure of drinking. University of Bristol is provFor any non-drinkers who en- ing that a vibrant and excitjoy live performances and club ing Freshers’ Week does not nights, Bristol Sober Spaces have to revolve around alcohol.

Beyond Campus Annie McNamee Co-Editor-in-Chief

Careers Corner 3

'Sometimes less is more.'

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We all need to get hobbies.

People forget to ask the basic questions,' says Laura.

She cautions against being overly ambitious during interviews, whether they be with regular people on the street or the Secretary General of the UN (both of which she has experience with). What should you do instead? Ask open questions, never leading ones. Never assume things about your interviewee, always go in with an open mind. And always ask the obvious – often they're the questions that get you the best answers.

Not many of us will witness firsthand a world-changing event. Laura Trevelyan has reported on several.

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In the three and a half decades since she graduated from the University of Bristol, Laura has had the sort of career that makes you immediately want to read her autobiography. As a political journalist at the BBC she reported on, from the ground, the IRA ceasefire in Northern Ireland, the January 6 Capitol Building riots, and day-to-day life in Gaza to name just a few.

After discovering family ties to the Atlantic slave trade, she left her full-time position as a BBC news anchor to devote more time to the fight for reparatory justice in the Caribbean. In July, she returned to the Wills Memorial Building, this time to receive an honorary degree for her work. She also has great hair.

Basically, you'll want to hear what she's got to say.

Students were lucky enough to catch up with her, as we picked her brains on all things journalism, US politics, and making the world a better place for future generations. Here's five things she taught us.

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'The basics never go out of style.'

After a breezing through her BA in Politics with only minor hiccups (she originally applied to do English Literature but

When not interviewing world leaders or campaigning for social justice, Laura tells us she plays a lot of tennis.

'Everyone needs a hobby outside of work,' she explains.

After a stressful day, she finds being active therapeutic, and encourages everyone else to get involved in a sport if they can.

5

In 2022, Laura travelled to Grenada, where members of her family had owned slave plantations in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Local historian and expert in reparations Nicole Phillip-Dowe showed her around the island, encouraging Laura to really take in the enormity of the past. 'She wanted us to touch the torture devices they used to use on enslaved people. I was particularly upset by a flogging device used to beat the enslaved for rebelling.'

Laura cannot, of course, right the wrongs of the slave trade on her own, but she believes there is power in

'just couldn't hack' Beowulf), Laura headed to Cardiff to complete a postgraduate diploma in journalism. Although the course was taught on typewriters, she believes that everything she learned back in 1990 remains relevant in 2024. '

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'Healing begins with acknowledgement'

'Get off your backsides!'

trying 'Nicole said to me during my visit to Grenada that "healing begins with acknowledgement." That will always stick with me.'

It becomes clear quickly into our conversation that Laura is essentially a journalistic sniffer dog – she can smell a great story long before the rest of us mortals have even started to look for it. And there's no excuse in her books for not chasing a great story.

You can find a full recount of our conversation with Laura on our website... Epigram.org.uk

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 charicatures – we promise.

For more, follow them on

No biggie but i have to tell you something... if my uncle dies my brother will be a lord.

That's what I want from a vape, that it's so strong it makes me reevaluate if I want this with my life and everytime I think yes.

At my primary school there were 30 people in our class and 15 of them owned farms

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1. Bristol SU Website (to join societies and freshers events) 2. Bristol Mental Health and Wellbeing services 3. Headspace, meditation and mindfulness app (85% student discount) 4. Mind, Student Mental Health Services Societies can be scary but are worth it to meet new people and try new things. You might end up lowing them Go out as much as you can! (refer to ‘A Guide to Thriving and Surviving in Halls’) It’s completely normal to feel homesick! This feeling will pass, and trust me, this is a new experience for everyone

Wills Memorial Building for all your dark academia needs Richmond Building home of the Student Union

Grace Reeves Study Centre (it has a whiteboard!)

Wilson’s Bakery freshly baked bread and pastries

Hope and Anchor pretty outdoor space and great cider, what more could you want?

Rolling Italy amazing coffee in a van (will make you not regret going to your 9ams)

Vittoria known for a good happy hour

Can’t Dance Coffee (cheeky 10% student discount)

Mr Wolfs jazz + the best vodka cran = a great night

Flour House wonderful atmosphere and staff

Make sure you note down and understand the layout and format of your first year assessments Form a good relationship with - this could include weighting, your first year flatmates (refer to Spend time researching number of assessments, etc.

‘A Guide to Thriving and cheap and healthy Surviving in Halls’) recipes!

Don’t panic if you don’t get on with your flatmates, you’ll find your people

The White Harte if you fancy a game of pool

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Use your weekends as an opportunity to windown from the week. Go on walks, find green spaces, fill your cup with activities to better your mental health in the long run

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Arts

Editor Bruno Bridger Co-Deputy Edi- Elizabeth Abbott & Ella Heathtors cote Sub Editors Bobbi Carsley & Eve Davies

The Art of brat- How design has proved itself fundamental to the conversation of youth, gender and politics Image courtesy of Name /Unsplash

Ella Heathcote examines the design process behind the style of the summer.

Ella Heathcote Arts Co-Deputy Editor

B

rat is the sensation of the summer, and its cover is a disaster. Charli XCX’s sixth studio album embodies a messy, club-going, un-selfconscious lifestyle; a welcome return for the ‘recession pop’ of the late 2000s and early 2010s, headed by artists like Kesha, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

Charli defined the character of 'brat' as being "trashy": "just like a pack of cigs and a Bic lighter and like, a strappy white top with no bra.” Brat welcomes the long-awaited rival to the ‘clean girl’ aesthetic that has dominated social media for the past few years. It is a rejection of the ceaselessly image-obsessed society which shackles us and forces us into narrow definitions of how we must present ourselves. And yet the iron fist of aesthetic reigns supreme. It was never going to be long before brat marketing surfaced, and TikToks of ‘brat outfits' and makeup tutorials started rearing their heads.

The album cover (see right) is central to the buzz revealed that the design surrounding brat. The covprocess involved choosing beer’s pixelated, stretched tween 500 shades of green, arial font evokes MySpace before landing on the most and LiveJournal user icons, off-putting one, described by a symptom of the current Charli as 'quite disgusting'. yearning for the early digital The singer claimed that the age. We’ve seen this desire aim of the cover was to start in the re-release of the Nokia conversations about desir3310 (originally ability. In released in 1999) 'Brat is a rejection of this way, and the glamthe cover the ceaselessly image- mimics the orisation of Y2K obsessed society aesthetics online. album’s The placement subversion which shackles us and and size of the of feminine forces us into narrow text is deliberideals and definitions of how we ately jarring and refusal to unappealing, and bend to the the cover’s distinctive slime entrenched standards for green background was equalwomen. ly thought-out.

So the impact of colour ragBrent David Freaney, dees on. Historically, colours in signer of the album cover, art took on significance based

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epigram 13.09.24

Epigram Arts’ freshers guide to exhibitions, events and venues Epigram's Arts team recommends a few must-visit venues for those new to the city of Bristol.

Bruno Bridger and Bobbi Carsley Arts Editor and Arts Sub-Editor Donald Rodney's 'Visceral Canker' @ Spike Island Spike Islands' newest major exhibition, a retrospective of the work of the late artist Donald Rodney, includes works that span from his early sketchbooks to final masterworks, and

Arnolfini, one of Bristol's most renowned galleries, 60 years on from its opening as a small gallery on the Triangle.

Elizabeth Abbott Third Year, History and In 1961, The Arnolfini had just opened as a small gallery above a Bookshop in the Clifton Triangle. Now, just over 60 years later, the gallery holds pride of place on the harbourside, located in a Grade 11 listed property which welcomes hundreds

Time and time again, colour proves its authority outside of the artistic sphere.

Naturally it hasn't taken long for brands to start catching on. Clothing and makeup companies are promoting products in 'Brat green' , while Vogue Buisness reported that searches for items in the 'brat-style' slime green increased by 17 percent in just two weeks.

It seems our world has a way of ingesting every attempt at liberation from a system and regurgitating it for mass consumption, but perhaps we can see through that. At its core brat is about an attitude, so in order to truly embrace it we must drop our pretences, stop buying, and enjoy our youth.

AUTOICON, an early piece of internet art, provides a view into where Rodney seemed to be taking his career later in life. A pioneering interest in cybernetics and installation is on display, whereby those visiting the gallery are encouraged to interact with a computer programmed

by Rodney himself. Visceral Canker is a career retrospective that cannot and should not be missed by students in Bristol. It reveals an artist far ahead of their time, whose career and life was tragically cut far too short.

Centrespace Centrespace’s characteristic location is part of why I love it. Walking down the graffiti flanked alley just off St Nicks, your artistic experience begins the moment you step off the main street. Exhibitions in Centrespace frequently change so your attention is repeatedly being reclaimed and makes the gallery flexible to cater itself to everyone’s different interests. Open studio events are another special event to keep an eye out for. I defnitely recommend everyone to take the time to discover it for yourself.

Cafe Kino Cafe Kino encompasses much more than a cafe. It more aptly captures as a common gathering point for forms of self-expression.

While enjoying a cheeky chai latte the cafe also plays host to events that are frequently at the epicentre of Bristol’s cultural scene - a top pick being Kino’s queer life drawing sessions. It’s a place where LGBTQIA+ individuals can have a chance to breathe in a safe environment and try new artistic modes.

The Arnolfini: rethinking our relationship with the human body Elizabeth Abbot visits The

on how hard they were to ‘blackest black’, a shade source - purple for example which absorbed 99.956% came to represent royalty of light, giving everything it as a result of the expentouched a deceptive flatness. sive process of making the In trademarking Vantablack, Tyrian dye - and to this day Kapoor legally banned anyone , new colours are discovered else from using it which proand come to bear associvoked artist Stuart Semple to ations with class, political retaliate by creating his own alignment, emotions and colour that he branded as the character. As quickly as they 'pinkest pink'. are discovered, 'The cover design He then put it colours become on the market process involved owned. In the for everyone but choosing between 500 1960s, Yves Anish Kapoor, shades of green, before making consumKlein bought the rights to landing on the most off-ers of the paint his signature putting one, described sign a document ultramarine stating that they blue. In 2016, are not Kapoor, or purchasing contemporary artist Anish on his behalf. 'Brat green' has Kapoor famously bought its own monopoly over the Vantablack, at the time a summer, much how Barbie new paint known as the pink reigned over the last.

reveal a deep interrogation of the predominant themes that pervade his work, illness, disability and race. Standout pieces such as Rodney’s lightbox work John Barnes (1991) (pictured), a lit presentation of the infamous image of footballer John Barnes reacting to racist abuse from opposition fans, as well as one of his most notable installation works Doublethink (1992), reveal a body of work in conversation with the legacy of the African diaspora and its continued struggle against prejudice and outdated public and media perceptions. Alongside these works, Rodney’s piece

of thousands of visitors each year. The space champions various art forms; from visual art to film, to music and dance.

Founder Jeremy Rees named the gallery after his favourite painting, The Arnolfini Portrait. He wanted the gallery to challenge visitors perceptions and for them to above all, ‘enjoy’ themselves.’

Presently, the downstairs studio hosts Nengi Omuku’s exhibition The Dance of People and the Natural World.

Inspired by her herbalist mother, Omuku's work nodds to the healing power of the natural world, combining

Image courtesy of Elizabeth

humans and nature in her art to demonstrate the potential for harmony and peace when both are united.

Okumu’s art depicts personal locations like her garden in Lagos, Nigeria, alongside imagined places, and those far away like Monet’s Garden.

She plays with dreamy colour palettes and incorporates soft human figures to depict ‘psychological spaces’ that move beyond traditions of colonised landscapes where terrain was taken and controlled. Instead, she presents a mutual relationship between man and his surroundings, with the Image courtesy of Elizabeth marvellous tones of blue, pink and green suggesting wonder ports visitors inside the brain and awe from both sides. of Bolaji as he ponders sociOmuku paints on Sanyan, a ety’s perceptions of beauty. pre-colonial Nigerian textile The walls of the rooms are woven from moth silk and covered with sketching from cotton, celebrating Nigeria’s his notebook as he asks, tradition of craftsmanship.

‘Does art need beauty?’ and The cloths are hung from ‘Where do we find beauty, the ceiling to allow visitors inside or outside ourselves?’ to walk behind the painted With some of his thoughts appearing more assertive such sides revealing the unstitched as: ‘I said beautiful…not perhalves. This connects Omufect.’ The walls have cut-outs ku’s act of painting with the with small screens showing creation of the cloth she a film of him discussing such painted on, allowing her to thoughts. play with temporality and the We see less-literal reflecnotion of creative connectedtions on beauty too. Bolaji ness. presents a photograph of It is a truly beautiful, medihimself, with painted blue tative, colourful exhibition lips, glasses with pearl edges, reminding visitors of the bond painted nails, and a long black between our human souls and coat and beanie perhaps nodthe heart of the earth. ding to masculine beauty in The floor upstairs is home unconventional terms. We see to Adébayo Bolaji’s exhibition acrylic and oil paintings like In Praise of Beauty.

The Vessel (2024), drawings, The chain of rooms trans-

and a mythological-inspired sculpture The Head of Medusa (2024). There is also a film titled I Love You (2024) which plays on a loop upstairs.

Alongside the exhibitions, The Arnolfini has rooms on the top floor dedicated to visitors exploring their own creativity. There is an art room and a reading nook, with books, art materials, and even yoga mats provided.

Downstairs, there is a delightful bookshop full of fun and eccentric books. Next to this, there is a café for you to think about the gorgeous art you have seen over a cup of tea.

The Arnolfini's latest exhibitions, The Dance of People and the Natural World and In Praise of Beauty are running until 29th September.

Film & TV

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

A rundown of UoB's film & TV societies Four banging societies that cater to every last wish and whim of Bristol Uni’s bustling film community.

Max Bradley-Cole Film & TV Editor The University of Bristol is a goldmine for students who are passionate about Film and TV. Whether you are dreaming of becoming the next Scorsese, fancy yourself a budding critic or simply want to sit back and watch a movie with your mates, Bristol’s film societies have got you covered. So, here is a short rundown of the top societies you must check out if you are even slightly interested in the silver screen or want to become the biggest film BNOC.

InFilm

Have you ever watched a film and thought, “Psht, I could literally do that”? Well, look no further than InFilm for your chance to show off your filmmaking chops. InFilm is UoB’s only filmmaking society. It does matter whether

InFilm runs on a bi-weekly schedule that alternates between workshops and socials.

Their workshops are designed to show you the ropes of filmmaking, from scriptwriting, to camerawork, to editing. They have also had workshops run by industry professionals, ooh fancy! These can teach you some extremely valuable lessons for breaking into the industry and what to expect.

But all work and no play makes InFilm a dull society, so InFilm also host a variety of socials, from pub crawls (wehey!) to movie nights, giving you the chance to fob off your course and hangout with the coolest people at UoB. (Not that InFilm or Epigram recommends fobbing off your course.)

If you have a dream project in mind and need some extra hands to actualise it, they will post your project, listing the roles needed and help you find others who are eager to join. Or, if you are looking for experience and have no idea where to start, you can post yourself and your skills and watch all the desperate film students snap you up.

And, who knows you could become the next Spielberg.

I Saw The TV Glow: A tale of selfhood How to find yourself and what happens if you deny your true self.

Maisie MacDonald 3rd Year, Geography I Saw The TV Glow is Jane Schoenbrun’s coming of age film following the ever-distant Owen (Justice Smith, Ian Foreman) through three stages of life. The scared and shy Owen perpetually appears to be struggling

no further than UBTV alumni Lindsey Russell, who went on to become the newest Blue Peter presenter. You’ll learn many valuable skills that will help you in any career, especially media and you will also have a cracking time doing it!

you are already a master at cinematography or you still think a “boom” is what happens when you drop a microphone, InFilm welcomes anyone regardless of their skill level and hopes to teach you new skills or reinforce the ones you already have.

with his family and social life.

However, through forming a friendship with fellow weird kid Maddy (Brigette Lundy-Paine), he develops a fascination with The Pink Opaque, a TV show reminiscent of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The big bad of The Pink Opaque is the aptly named Mr Melancholy. The pair become entangled with the show, where their lines between reality and fiction become increasinly blurred.

Maddy and Owen are both outcasts and find solace in The

and the chance to be showcased at BCA’s annual exhibition, where everyone can see your genius unfold and when you win that Oscar, they can brag and say they knew you at university.

UBTV

Watch out Alison Hammond, because the UK’s next national treasure is just around the corner. UBTV is UoB’s very own student-run online television station, and they are always looking for fresh talent. Whether you want to be in front of the camera and the star of the show, or behind the camera and making sure the presenter looks presentable, UBTV has got something for you.

Open to all degrees and all year groups, UBTV requires no prior experience and provides you with plenty of training from interview technique, to writing, to research, and editing. UBTV also know how to have a good time with a variety of socials and fortnightly meetings, where you are welcome to pitch your own ideas and get involved in as many projects as you can.

They have three departments, News, Culture, and Entertainment & Nightlife (wehey!). So, plenty to sink your teeth into.

And if you are wondering just how employable UBTV can make you, you need look

Film Society

BCA

No, BCA is not an AA adjacent society for those addicted to Bristol Cinema, it stands for Bristol Collaborative Arts.

For those who like their Film with a side of Music and Theatre, BCA is where all the cool nerds go to realise their artistic dreams. BCA is a unique interdisciplinary society that aims to collaborate (surprise) and create art aimed at bringing together students from the best creative disciplines, Film, Music, and Theatre.

Most importantly BCA is about getting your work SEEN. Throughout the year they post your work on their ever growing social media pages. They also host dedicated feedback sessions as well as pitching sessions where you can pitch your projects to the society.

The best ideas receive funding

If your definitely cool like me, because cool people say they’re cool all the time, your idea of a perfect night involves grabbing as many sweets in Lidl as you can and watching a great film. If so, then UoB’s Film Society is calling your name. This is the first and only stop necessary for Bristol cinephiles, whether you are looking to expand your filmic taste with an artsy-fartsy arthouse cinematic masterpiece, or dazzle your brain with a pew, bang, boom blockbuster, or anything in between, Film Soc have got you covered.

They host FREE weekly screenings that are open to all – no membership required! But I recommend joining (for a mere £3). you’ll get access to some extras like free entry to their amazing pub quizzes!

Images courtesy of Bristol SU

Pink Opaque. Consuming the show allows them to explore themselves and exist in a place and self other than being sad teens in suburbia. Through identifying with one of the characters Owen is able to explore himself and his identity.

However, we see him at odds with the act of exploration.

This terrifying and dangerous choice of whether to escape the confines of one’s situation and run away to be their authentic selves presents itself. However, the safe and comfortable option to stay and conform to societal expectations is also explored and the consequences of this. What happens if you deny yourself?

The film’s repeated motifs and items lends it-

self to a rewatch to notice how The Pink Opaque may have been surrounding the protagonists throughout.

The bisexual palette is enough to make anyone jealous and offers feelings of nostalgia even if it is a tad predictable for a film of this genre and themes.

The cinematography is paired with stereotypical sad girl music from an impressive array of artists such as Phoebe Bridgers and Coraline Polacheck.

Go check out the full review on our website!

Image courtesy of IMDb

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epigram 13.09.24

Watershed - Must see freshers' films Here are some of the best upcoming films to see at the Watershed during Freshers!

West. Here are some of the upcoming films you can go see this September at the venue.

Sing Sing (2023)

Anna Luna Biddle 4th Year, Film and TV When thinking of Freshers Week, the first thing that comes to mind is endless socialising, and for some, endless drinking.

But to survive the chaos, we propose a calmer activity. One that can be carried out with friends, but also as me-time, when those first Stoke Bishop flat parties have drained your social battery. One that will cost you the price of two VKs (or of a vanilla oat iced-latte), but keep you entertained for hours. It is a suggestion that many Fresher's guides tend to leave out, an underrated lifesaver. The activity in question?

A trip to the cinema. And since it's Bristol we're talking about, the location is Watershed.

Watershed is an independent venue on the harbourside, with a cafe/bar and an exciting programme of independent films and festivals. Its cozy screens and spacious seating make you never want to enter a commercial/shopping centre cinema ever again, let alone its £5 anytime tickets available for students. A creative gem at the heart of the city, it was named the leading film culture and media centre in the South

For the A24 fiends starting university, this inspirational account of a prison theatre program has received stellar reviews. It tells the real-life story of how inmates of a New York penitentiary found their voices through an artistic rehabilitation project. And Sing Sing's director, Greg Kwedar, chose to do so with a magnificent cast of former prisoners, who experienced the program themselves. It is a statement on the transformative power of the arts, guaranteed to please any of us film/theatre geeks.

Images courtesy of IMDb The Outrun (2024) Based on Amy Liptrot's memoir, this drama stars Saoirse Ronan as 29-year-old Rona, who returns to her Scottish island hometown after rehab from alcoholism, in an attempt to come to terms with her past.

It is an introspective journey that leaps back and forth in time to cover the main character's descent into the mess of addiction. If there's one thing Saoirse Ronan does well, it is the conflicted female character coming of

age, and her performance in The Outrun has praised by critics.

ing, its enough to make you as uncomfortable as a good psychological thriller should.

Starve Acre (2024)

The Disappearance of Shere Hite (2023)

In this folk horror, Matt Smith plays an archaeologist who moves back to his rural England hometown with his family. What follows is an interaction between his memories and the occult, leading to a descent into supernatural darkness. You know you are in good hands with the same executive producers of The Zone of Interest (2023) and MaXXXine (2024). The trailer is chill-

If you're looking for something more educational, then this documentary about American feminist icon Shere Hite should be on your firstterm bucket list. In 1976, Hite published the 'Hite Report', which challenged the commonplace perceptions of female sexuality at the time.

After years of hostile reception and personal attacks

from male public figures of the time, she was forced to escape to Europe.

This documentary does justice to her legacy, exploring her life and prominence, all through the voice of Dakota Johnson. Although it will not be playing at Watershed in September, it has been confirmed for some time in the remaining months of 2024, so keep an eye out and don't forget to check out our review on here if in doubt!

Bridgerton season three: Hard to love, even harder to hate While I recognise its pitfalls, I think this season did exactly what I wanted it to do – it was 8 hours of carefully crafted televisual comfort food.

Marianne Chatburn Film & TV Subeditor Based upon the bestselling book series by Julia Quinn, Netflix's romance drama explores how the members of the wealthy Bridgerton family manoeuvre their way between the upper echelons of regency era society while under the watchful eye of Lady Whistledown – Bridgerton’s very own Gossip Girl.

By now, viewers are well

aware that Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) is in possession of the infamous Whistledown alias, and with years of watching lovers from the sidelines, season three promised her a long-awaited romance with Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton).

As each new season rolls around, Shonda Rhimes is faced with the colossal task of convincing her avid viewership that the newest romantic pairing is even more lovable, shiny, and exciting than the last. Following the immense success of season two’s Kate (Simone Ashley) and Anthony (Jonathan Bailey), it was

clear that season three’s Penelope and Colin had big, well-polished boots to fill.

Despite the element of lifelong friendship disturbing the usual romantic formula, Penelope’s decade of internalized affection for Colin seems to work to the writers’ advantage as we have spent the previous two seasons

waiting expectantly for their platonic relationship to unravel into something more.

This season commences with Colin returning from his grand tour around Europe where he seems to have found himself as well as a new barber.

Although I found the re-introduction of Colin’s newly weathered character some-

what clunky and implausible, Coughlan salvaged the storyline by presenting Penelope’s realistically conflicted reaction. It is comforting to know that our protagonist is just as frustrated as we are, upholding the fine-tuned everyman relatability that defines her alternate identity.

Coughlan and Newton’s on-screen chemistry also consistently elevates the script, as they work around the friendly dialogue that the characters share and add the subtle but crucial evidence of romantic yearning something that can only truly be captured by expression.

For the full review , please head to our website!

Image courtesy of IMDb

Music

Editor Benji Chapman Co-Deputy Editor Aditi Hrisheekesh Co-Deputy Editor Megan Foulk Subeditor Amelie Peters Subeditor Sophie Scannell

In Conversation with Peter Hook How many British musicians have been in not one, but two of nation’s most influential bands?

Benji Chapman Music Editor Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of suicide

H

ow many British musicians have been in not one, but two of nation’s most influential bands – each in a completely different genre? Starting out in Joy Division, Peter Hook began his musical career as the group’s bassist; a twenty-year-old punk rocker who didn’t know his amps from his speakers, or bass from electric guitar.

With the tragic and premature passing of Ian Curtis he went on to found New Order, Gretton's personal favourfronting the spearhead for a ite, Red Stripe, before he more danceable and electronswitched to his new preferred ic period of British music. We drink of choice, the costly sat down to talk Joy Division, Sapporo lager upon its disMancunian Uber drivers, and covery in Japan. ‘How bonkers New Order’s longstanding is that!’ Hook chuckles. As the beef with nightclub manageonus of responsibility to fiment. Peter Hook is just as nance, produce, and promote protective about his Uber a band falls more and more rating when ordering a taxi on the members themselves, in Manchester as I am. ‘You Hook comments that ‘IDLES should do what I do. Don’t will not be able to open a club use them and stay at 4.7.’

- I can guarantee you - or be Hook, or Hooky, may now be able to entertain a city for residing in Mallorca between seventeen years the way New tours with his new band, The Order did, with cheap drinks.’

Light, but as I was quick to Upon his second dry cackle, discover, he is still as groundthere’s a distant twinkle in ed by his Mancunian roots his eye that’s sparkling with as he was when Joy Division recollected fondness; membegan in the city in 1976. ories of what I imagine were Manchester has both given to some duly hedonistic nights and taken from the bassist; that trickled one of the into the early few constant ‘The next thing we morning, during backdrops in knew, we were 750 the glory days of his impresthousand quid down, the ‘Madchester’ sively diverse with this huge overscene. Indeed, musical caPeter Hook has designed club that reer. After his inadvertently betime in Joy basically nobody come somewhat Division, he wanted to go to' of a chronicler co-founded for the UK’s ever-changing the city’s Haçienda nightclub music scene, witnessing and alongside New Order and Facpersonally participating with tory Records in 1980, before its transition from punk rock witnessing its unfortunate to dance music. As he shares closure seventeen years down however, his seminal role in the tracks: ‘The architect the ‘90s dance scene begins was given a blank cheque to in a deceptively unassuming create whatever he wanted, fashion inside a music shop, and we didn’t know.’ ‘The next with a twenty-year-old Peter thing we knew we were 750 Hook learning what a bass thousand quid down, with guitar was for the first time. this huge, over-designed club ‘That’s only got four strings, that basically nobody wanted my mate’s has got six to come to for a long time.’ strings!’ Hooky recalls telling The so-called ‘blank cheque’ the shop’s owner, who realso set a precedent for some plied bluntly, ‘that’s cos your interesting bar selections; the mate’s is a guitar, knobhead. only beer available was Rob

Image courtesy of Ivan Karczewski This is a bass.’ Forced to use this? This doesn’t sound like only a shoddy £10 speaker the Sex Pistols?”’ The tradethat he purchased after misoff for the initially disgruntled takenly buying an amplifier band was that they could with no speaker cab, he learnt revisit their more angsty to play unconventionally sound live, while lead produchigh-pitched melodies up the er Martin Hannett sealed the top end of the neck since it slower and more ambient ascouldn’t articulate conventionpects onto the studio album: ally lower bass frequencies. ‘It ‘Live we were a lot different, sounded like we were very ten quid’, he aggressive. We ‘We were your age grimaces in got the best of (20) when we made recollection. both worlds. He that record (Unkown ‘We were gave us a great Pleasures), and I don’t record that had your age know about you, but (20) when the wonderful we made we didn’t know our arse gift of timelessthat record ness: the reason from our elbow.’

(Unkown you’re listening Pleasures), and I don’t know to it years later is because of about you, but we didn’t know Martin Hannett’s production.’ our arse from our elbow.’ As I ‘If me and Barney were let jokingly look to check where loose, I probably wouldn’t my elbow is resting, there’s a be sat here talking to you’, mutual understanding in the Hooky says while shrugging. call that the age is not necesChannelling the young memsarily one when you write the bers’ slightly impatient vivacone of the most seminal postity was supposedly no easy punk records of all time. feat for Hannett, and Hooky But the fantastical irony of imitates his 20-year-old self the band’s success was their reaching sporadically into the unknowingness of this fact. air, rattling his laptop's cam‘We were writing music that era on the desk of his sun-lit we couldn’t tell how good it flat. ‘In those days, you had was... We wanted Unknown to seize the moment – you Pleasures to sound like the were a kid. What do people Sex Pistols,’ Nevermind the say to you nowadays? “Don’t Bollocks: big guitar, rip your rush, take your time” and you head off. Total punk. We go: “no! no! I want it now!”’ wanted a punk LP.’ ‘Martin And as Hooky shares, the Hannett realised that our feeling of an adolescent Joy songwriting had far outDivision being unable to stop stripped our mental capacity’, during its rise to popularity Hooky laughs, between sips had devastating effects for of an Arizona Iced Tea. ‘That’s its members. With the suhow daft we were. We were icide of Ian Curtis in 1980, just kids messing about… and Hooky describes how ‘He was I must admit, when he gave suffering from something that us Unknown Pleasures, we he needed to correct, but were going “what the f*ck is he didn’t understand it… He

didn’t want to lose the impetus, so he forced himself on as well as he could, and in the end, he decided that - for many reasons - he couldn’t carry on.’ After Isaac Wood’s departure from Black Country, New Road - another British post-punk outfit - in 2022 in order to address his mental health, I presented this to Hook as a point of reference for how the music industry, and society more broadly, has perhaps strengthened its education around mental health.

‘It’s better now, and I’m better educated. If I had had the education I’ve got now, then I wouldn’t have let him play.’ Hooky says in response.

‘I would have took him home and I would have sat on him until he got better.’ Recalling a gig in Bournemouth where he held Curtis’ tongue for over an hour during a seizure, the extent to which Curtis underemphasised his struggle could not have been made clearer

by Hook. He explains how ‘We took him to the hospital, and he came out of the hospital and said “right are we going for a drink?” and we’re going “Ian, you’ve just been on the floor for an hour.” Could we stop him? No.’ It's touching how Hooky so vividly recalls his time in Joy Division, even amid the passing of Curtis, who was so central to the band: the first to instruct Hooky to play so high up the neck in Hooky’s now signature style – ‘really it was at his behest’ he says. ‘I still feel guilty about Ian now, the same way I feel about a lot of my friends who have passed away.'...

Read more at Epigram.org.uk Yet, if the departure of Isaac Wood from his band has signalled anything, it’s that there is a newfound - and growing - awareness within the British musical community surrounding the extent of the pressure applied to musicians, and more than this, an acceptance that taking time off is ok. ‘We’re not afraid, I’m not afraid, to say “I can’t do that”’. Hooky tells me more directly, ‘You should always look after yourself, I’ve learnt, because the world keeps turning. You just get back on six months later.’... Read more at Epigram.org.uk

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epigram 13.09.24

Musically mapping Bristol: a fresher's guide The task of a fresher to find their way around Bristol musically is not always an easy task.

Aditih Hrisheekesh Music Co-Deputy Editor

I

t’s the first day of university, and you are sucked into a capsule of hedonistic technicolor that is Freshers Week. A fever dream of a week - the students are everywhere, figurines scattered across a Lego City. It all feels a bit unreal at first and it can be difficult to find your footing within the city. It’s Bristol, a city renowned for its buzzing nightlife and broad scope of music suited to various tastes. It is the home of trip-hop, birthing the likes of Massive Attack, Portishead, and Tricky, as well as being the thrumming heart of drum and bass. Graffiti-clad walls adorn Stokes Croft, historic King Street pubs sometimes feel like a 2000s time capsule. There is a pulse that thrums out of the city’s music, brimming with an avant-garde collision between tradition and modernity. But don’t fret; for here is a guide to nightlife through the student hub of

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the city for lovers of different types of music. Located on St Nicholas Street, Mother’s Ruin is a haven for rock lovers.

This dive bar, with its eclectic decor and walls adorned with rock memorabilia, offers two floors of hard-edged live music, hosting gigs on average three times a week. Themed club nights cater to fans of punk and new wave, and notable bands such as IDLES and Catfish and the Bottlemen have graced its stage. With its dark, grungy interiors and a cave-like basement, dive into this vessel of unfiltered rock.

For indie and alt-rock enthusiasts, Thekla is a must-visit on Thursdays. This unique venue, moored on a boat in East Mud Dock, spans two floors: shout your way through ’90s Britpop and other indie classics on the bottom deck – perfect for lovers of Blur, The Strokes, and Arctic Monkeys. Occasionally, the soundscape is graced with Radiohead (there is something surreal about clubbing to 'Just' or literally any Radiohead song – music I associate with solitude and being freshly fifteen).

Top deck, a more intimate space, caters to those who enjoy harder-edged emo and

alternative tunes, with hits from My Chemical Romance, Panic! At the Disco, and Pierce the Veil puncturing the air (again, these tunes are a nice salute to my fifteenyear-old self). Don’t miss the 2-for-1 drink deals, making it the prime spot for a memorable night out for students.

For those who crave live music with a time-travelling twist, The Fleece is your go-to. This venue regularly hosts tribute bands, paying homage to legendary groups like The Doors and The Stone Roses. It is also a hotspot for alternative and indie nights – whether you’re reliving the classics or discovering them for the first time, The Fleece is a musical time machine, pumped with nostalgia.

Nestled on a bustling street at the heart of the city, this intimate dance venue boasting live music on Tuesdays is a must for students. Featuring live jazz that reinterprets modern hits, layering them with a fresh, improvisational energy that makes you hear old favourites in a new light; the sound is rich and full in a room of shadowy purple light with rainbow fairy lights. Harbouring a

colourful beer garden, an almost bohemian atmosphere is created – a beehive of dancers. At the heart of Bristol’s rave scene, Lakota is the legendary stronghold of underground music, looming on the edge of Stokes Croft like a colourful relic. From the outside, it’s unassuming, almost secretive with a brick façade. Inside, it is a labyrinth of low ceilings and fluorescent lights. The DJ booths are gritty sanctuaries of sound, with music that is relentless - drum and bass, techno, jungle - pounding through the speakers like a heartbeat, primal and raw.

It’s the kind of sound that gets under your skin, reverberating through your body, urging you to move even if you didn’t plan on dancing. A night out so quintessentially Bristol, it is a rite of passage for Freshers. A restaurant that turns into a bar, head to The Canteen for a laid-back vibe, the venue offering a mix of live jazz and salsa nights. With red decor and chill music, it is a great place to unwind after a lovely meal there during the day.

If reggae is your jam, then Cosies in St Paul’s is where

University of Bristol's Freshers Playlist

you need to be. This intimate basement bar is renowned for reggae Sundays, with thick bass and laid-back grooves piercing the air of the underground venue. Dim lighting and vintage decor exude a timeworn feel and, as per the name, a cosy charm. For folk lovers, The he Eldon House is a hidden gem in Clifton, radiating an old-world charm that meshes with its modern comforts, perfect for those who prefer a night out with a pint and mellow folk tunes.

Sometimes, one yearns for cheesy pop hits of the 2010s on a night out. Step into the cartoonish realm of La Rocca, Rocca where whimsical neon-tinted nostalgia spins across a kitchen-style dance floor. Let loose on a Friday night and sing along to the soundtrack of your youth wherever you decide to go for your first musical experience in Bristol, there's not a dud among them, and the sheer variety of venues on offer proves that there truly is something for everyone. Whether it's drum and bass into the early hours, or a coffee with some live improv; Bristol has you covered.

Ultimate

Are you a fresher? Have you ever been passed the aux at a Bristol University house party before? ...

No? Lucky you. You'll need this article to survive.

Will Buckley Second Year Politics and International Relations

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f your Freshers Week goes anything like mine, you’ll move to Bristol from a small town and instantly be overwhelmed by the city’s intense music culture. Your flatmate will claim his mate’s mate has a Boiler Room set coming up (he doesn’t).

You’ll meet people who claim they’ve seen secret pop-up Massive Attack shows (they haven’t). Simply put, you’ll realise that you need to become a music snob, and quickly. This is where the University of Bristol Ultimate Freshers Playlist comes in.

Throw this on at pres or afters and you’ll be convincing people in smoking areas that you’re a local scene insider in no time.

Credit: London Records Credit:Virgin Records

Credit:Heavenly Recordings

Credit:Parlophone Records

Unfinished Sympathy

by Massive Attack

Beautiful Soul

by Katy J Pearson

It was always going to start here. Massive Attack are indispensable Bristol music, the band that typified and furthered the city’s image as a cultural hub. 'Unfinished Sympathy' has the perfect balance between chill instrumentals and a solid, pulsing beat which makes it perfect to play at any point in the night. And – it’s not as obvious a pick as 'Teardrop', so your music snob cred is safe here.

Country indie breakout Pearson’s 'Beautiful Soul' is in many ways the perfect song for Freshers Week.

The week is all about meeting as many people as possible, and after saying ‘oh, wow, biomed? Too hard for me haha’ three hundred times in one evening, this burst of positivity will be needed. Also, the coda of 'Cause you’re a beautiful soul / You’re the beautiful soul’, closely resembles the drunk conversations you’ll have with the strangers in smoking areas you’ll bond with and then never see again.

You're Not The Only One I Know

by The Sundays Though they’re more tenuously Bristol-based than other acts mentioned, The Sundays’ status as alumni, in my view, wholly qualifies them to be on our playlist.

Unlike other songs, this one (or any of The Sundays’ work) isn’t exactly a party banger, so don’t play it before heading to SWX. Best enjoyed on the way to the library.

Inner City Life

by Goldie As Amol Rajan says: 'we need Jungle, I’m afraid.'

Another entry in the canon of Bristol songs you just can’t not know. Bonus points if you play this in your headphones while you walk past Turbo Island and knowingly smile at the people there like a fellow traveller, even though you were born and raised in Guildford.

These picks give you a very basic introduction to the Bristol music scene, and help you survive being indie-checked by a bitter Carhartt-covered third year.

Enjoy Freshers Week, and welcome to Bristol!

SciTech

Editor Corin Hadley Deputy Editor Miles Gilroy

You stink and people love it Perhaps 'having chemistry' is more than just a turn of phrase.

Corin Hadley Second Year, Chemistry

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nother night, another group of strangers.

The smells, the lights, the voices - your overstimulated senses. Perhaps, in a sweaty club, you pass someone you can’t help but look back at. Under the Sauvage and Alien, are there other chemicals in the air responsible for your fluster?

Pheromones are excreted in bodily fluids such as sweat,

saliva, urine and genital dis- survive and reproduce. They charge. And yet, when we are often described as ‘sexy smell the sweat of someone chemicals’, but have also been we fancy, it’s not so offen- shown to play a major role in sive. Perhaps our tolerance of communicating danger and these usually repulsive fluids identity in the animal world in those we are attracted to think mice playing dead in the is down to how agreeable the face of danger, or dogs marking their territory. right phero'Pheromones are mones can be.

We know that excreated in bodily Pheromones in many organfluids such as sweat, isms, pheromones are responsible for a whole saliva, urine and genital are indicators of discharge.' world of chemhealth and lifestyle. When dogs ical communication that is mostly beyond sniff each other’s arses upon our sensory abilities. This abil- meeting, they are actually exity to share information with- changing a complex cocktail of in a species helps organisms chemicals in which information about identity, health, diet and even behavioural tendencies in encoded. Animals are also known to use pheromones as a way of expressing the contents of their genetic code, often in order to find the most biologically compatible mate.

Brisol ballooning basics Ever wondered how a hot sac of air gets these iconic flying machines off the ground?

James Lewis Second Year, English

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ristol’s Balloon Fiesta, which takes place every August, began all the way back in 1979. With visitor numbers reaching as many as 100,000 on each day of the fourday festival, Bristol is very proud of its association with this spectacular sight. But how exactly do hot air balloons work?

New chemistry continues to explain life, on our planet and beyond

Miles Gilroy Second Year, Astrophysics

that even from birth a child knows where its safe place is.

Even if we don’t know what we’re smelling, perhaps these kinds of chemicals are subconsciously noticed to help steer us towards a partner. It was shown by a team of researchers at Université Paris Diderot that people prefer the smell of those whose genetic immunity differs most from their own.

Offspring from such partners would have resistance to a wider range of diseases, and would therfore be healthier. It has also been shown that humans are able to identify partners with who they are likely to have more reproductive success based solely on smell.

Photolysis: the key to life on Mars?

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wo of the biggest questions faced by scientists at the moment are that of the advent of life on Earth and the possibility of life outside of Earth. Whilst these questions have been around for potentially millenia, they still remain unsolved, but we may have just moved one step closer.

be a big element of it that is fundamentally individual.

You would be forgiven for losing interest in the idea of alien life or the beginning of life itself since all new discoveries seem to fizzle out into nothingness within a matter of weeks. However, what if I told you that a single discovery, made by the Curiosity rover on Mars, took us a definitive step closer to answering both these questions at the same time?

is lighter than carbon-13, alarm bells at the Universiit is photolysised faster. ty of Copenhagen. A team of researchers, led by Prof MatNormally, carbon-12 and thew Johnson, a chemistry carbon-13 are present in the professor at the university, ratio 99:1, but, due to the had been investigating the mismatch in the rates of phophotolysis of CO2 (carbon ditolysis, when photolysis has oxide) within the Martian atoccurred, there is a larger mosphere, a process in which amount of carbon-13 in the the Sun’s UV rays break down CO2 than there should be CO2 molecules into CO (car(enriched CO2) and a smallbon monoxide) and oxygen. er amount in the CO than This research started 12 there should be years ago when CO).

Johnson and his 'we may have found the (depleted team ran simu- process that kick-started This means that the isotopic ralations of a CO2 life on Earth' tios in the CO2 rich atmosand the CO act as two differphere under UV conditions to ent fingerprints that can be form predictions that could act used to identify photolysis. as fingerprints to spot where photolysis had happened, A few years ago, a meteeven billions of years ago. orite of Martian origin landed on Earth and Johnson and To understand these finhis team were able to degerprints and, hence, answer termine that the CO2 in the the burning questions above, rock had been enriched with it is first necessary to have carbon-13, one of the fingera brief understanding of the prints of photolysis. This was process of photolysis and its an exciting discovery for the effects on the ratios of carbon team, but, realistically, they isotopes (bear with me). The would need to find both finmost stable isotopes of cargerprints to be able to prove bon are carbon-12 and carthat photolysis had occurred bon-13, so these are the two in the atmosphere of Mars. isotopes that are found naturally and, since carbon-12 That’s where this recent discovery comes in. The samples analysed by Curiosity this year show the depletion of carbon-13 in the CO, thus providing Johnson with enough evidence to confidently say that photolysis had occurred in the Martian atmosphere billions of years ago.

But how does all this help us

solve the question of extraterrestrial life? Carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide are known as organic molecules.

Critically, these are not necessarily molecules produced by organisms, they are just molecules containing carbon.

But what's exciting is that whilst these molecules aren’t necessarily made by living things, in fact photolysis proves the contrary, they can act as the building blocks for life. This means that photolysis, which we now know has occurred within the atmosphere of Mars at some point, could be the initial process that starts the chain of processes that eventually form living organisms.

Despite not much being known about what exactly pheromones are telling us about each other, we know that they are an important part of attraction and recognition.

One well documented function of human pheromones is in telling newborns which nipple to suck on. A breastfeeding woman’s nipple produces a strong, unique chemical signature that ensures

The perfume industry has tried to capitalise on this idea, Perhaps the limited reand despite their deeply persearch on the subject shows sonal and specific nature, that even scientists, with ‘pheromones’ have found their their desire to dissect and exway into many plain everything, consumer know they have 'there are some goods. Some no chance of unimportant things that of the most derstanding love. famous notes nature has decided are One thing science in perfumes best smelt, not heard.' does highlight is like Sauvage how complex it and Alien (amis, and how many bergris, musk, lavender, civsenses might be contributing et) are in fact plant and anito that feeling. The emermal pheromones, which have gence of so much self-imbeen chosen because they provement, ‘jacked in thirty are similar to human bodidays’ content has pushed the ly smells. But though these idea of attractiveness as an perfumes smell great, to call absolute quantity, that can be them ‘pheromones’ in a prodbought or earned. Beyond the uct for humans would be to igclothes, gym pass or beauty nore the deeply personal and products you buy there are specific nature of these chembiological constants, personicals. However you might try al to you, to which only certo bottle up and sell sex and tain people will ever respond. attraction, there will always

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The very simple answer – hot air rises. There are typically two canisters of liquid propane that sit in the gondola of the hot air balloon, which are attached to their own burner. It’s essentially the same fuel that powers your barbecue. Pretty high tech right?

As energy is applied to the molecules inside the balloon, the molecules begin to move much faster, smashing violently into each other and the balloon itself. The space between each molecule increases, meaning the density of the air decreases.

Now soaring above the beautiful city of Bristol. At 600 metres off the ground, you can see everything – Thekla’s hallowed hull and that guy with a flag on his back giving out free tickets to SWX. But how do you steer? The wind is dragging you to Avonmouth!

One burner vaporises the propane before ignition: this uses the fuel most efficiently and is the one used for launch.

The other burner known as the liquid burner, burns the propane while it remains – you guessed it – in liquid form.

When flying over residential areas or close to livestock, this much quieter burner is used.

In the same way that a ping pong ball floats in water, a balloon full of hot air lifts from the ground, because it’s less dense than the cooler air outside. The denser cold air is dragged by gravity under-

While hot air balloons can only be manipulated up and down, a skilled pilot can alter the direction of travel by tapping into different currents of wind at different altitudes.

This type of navigation is part science, part art, but is quite safe despite its inaccuracy.

A pilot, when asked where they will land, will assure you ‘on the ground’.

Even though the technology and mechanics originate from the 18th century, the sport has been revolutionised over and over again, while still maintaining its acoustic charm. The first balloons were made with cotton canvas and fuelled by a fire of wool and straw. Today, the balloon is built from nylon, chosen for its strength-to-weight ratio, its resistance to tears and abrasions, its heat resistance and its general durability.

In humans, with language skills that let us communicate complex ideas, pheromones are mostly redundant. And yet, there are some important things that nature has decided are still best smelt, not heard.

Images courtesy of Fulvio Ciccolo and Hannah Gibbs /Unsplash

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neath the balloon, pushing it up – this is known as buoyancy. It’s the same reason that your attic is hot, while the ground floor remains cool.

Earlier this year, the Curiosity rover was wandering through a Martian crater as per usual; collecting samples of rocks, enjoying the views; when a sample analysis rang

Images courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Images courtesy of Matthew Staples and Kevin Lofthouse /Unsplash

Now, what about life on Earth? Back in the early days of the solar system, Mars and Earth were very similar. Once they had formed solid surfaces, they both became volcanically active, releasing CO2 and forming atmospheres. This is the point at which we believe photolysis occurred on Mars, since the atmosphere was so rich in CO2, so it is likely

Charmingly, gondolas are still made from wooden wicker constructions, which offer advantages in weight, but nowadays they are reinforced with steel to ensure safety.

that it also occurred on Earth.

Taking our knowledge of organic molecules and how they are produced via photolysis, we can accurately say that life on Earth possibly started thanks to this process. The next step comes in the form of working out why/ how Earth’s atmosphere went on to become so much more complex than Mars’. This answer likely lies in the water that was present on the planets at the time, but that's an article for another day.

All in all, this is very good news for astrobiologists. We know that photolysis occurred in the early Martian atmosphere, meaning it is possible that there is, or at least was, a complex array of organic molecules knocking about, ready to form life (whether it did or not, we still don’t know).

Also, thanks to our new-found knowledge of photolysis and our existing knowledge of the similarity between early Mars and Earth, we may have found the process that kick-started life on Earth.

So, the next time you see one of these ballooning beauties sailing across the sky, just know that they really aren’t that complex. The science is simple – as is the adrenaline rush of sitting 600m above Bristol in a wicker basket.

Sport

Editor Faniki Deche Deputy Editor Adam Mountain Deputy Editor Sean Lawrence

University of Bristol Team Guides Have a look at what a number of our sports societies have in store for the upcoming 24/25 season.

of conduct and we are proud to have brought change to protect students not only in sport but throughout the uni.

UBLHC

We are a club committed to having fun first and foremost and this is of course what we intend to continue doing in the incoming season.

UBAFC

fect way to cap off our season.

What to expect this year?

Well, the club has been going from strength to strength so be sure to expect plenty more success in the coming 24/25 season, as the Saturday team is developed further, and our BUCS teams seek further promotions to even higher divisions.

UBNC

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In addition to our sporting goals, we will continue to hold the SU to their commitments on improving the welfare of students within the university’s clubs. Last year we made complaints to the SU surrounding their failure to protect a member of our club after a case of sexual assault. After which, we worked with them to amend the issues with the student code

Liam McKenzie Second year, Chemistry

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Jodie Welton Third year, History he 24/25 season is set to be an exciting one for UBLHC. We will be entering six teams into our BUCS competition with four also playing in a Saturday league. We also have one friendly team who play in the intramural league.

This year we hope to see success for all the teams within these leagues with several teams narrowly losing out on promotion last year and wishing to rectify this! With so many teams we are a big club and are excited to invite incoming freshers to join us.

Spartans Basketball

Harley Mackenzie Second year, History

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y name’s Harley and I’m UBAFC’s social media sec who joined men’s football last year through the September trials.

Being able to play for the official football club at the university has been an amazing opportunity, allowing me not only to represent my university but also creating a platform to meet lots of new and interesting people, within our diverse sporting community.

Last year was a rollercoaster campaign that was ultimately successful. In BUCS (British Universities and College Sports), we saw two of our six teams being promoted, with an array of great performers across all of our teams. The season also saw the beginning of the Saturday League team, a UBAFC team competing in the Hellenic Division Two West, a competitive men’s league.

The team ended up winning the League Cup Final, a per-

Rebekah Williams Third year, Biochemistry Libby Rowe Second year, Law

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BNC is an ever-growing society and we are looking forward to having our best season yet! Our Head of Netball is current Team Bath Assistant Coach, Chani Wopara.

At UBNC, we have social and development teams, as well as 6 teams competing in BUCS. All the BUCS and development squads train twice a week, with matches every Wednesday. Having achieved our Gold Award for the 2024 season, we have proven our place among the teams under the Performance Sport programme, giving us access to specialised Strength and Conditioning coaching.

At UBNC, freshers aren't just first-year students; they are anyone joining the club for their first season. UBNC is fun, welcoming and you’ll build lasting friendships with students across all year groups, and create unforgettable memories both on and off-court. We offer year round sport and social events including Christmas and End of Season formals, Derby Day and we even had one of the girls representing us at Fight Night.

Over summer, we went to Valencia, for a mix of teamwork, adventure and laughter. During term time, we hold weekly socials, both drinking and alcohol free, which included hilarious themes everyone can get involved in, fun challenges and city explorations.

e are Spartans, the basketball society at the University of Bristol! Whether you're a seasoned player or a beginner, we offer a vibrant and competitive environment. We proudly support three men’s and two women’s teams, host give-it-a-go sessions and our weekly Spartans League, whereby players who are not part of a team can participate.

Last year was a landmark season as we were awarded the Bristol SU Sports Team of the Year! Our men’s first team earned promotion to Western 1A. The women’s first team not only earned promotion to Western 1A undefeated, but also clinched the Conference Cup. The women’s second team also showcased their talent, finishing runner-up in both league and cup to our first team. Lastly, the men’s third team won their WEBBA league We excitedly await this season as brings challenges for all our teams! Last February we took our annual trip to Paris and in May we held our All-Star weekend which brought the whole club together plus alumni. Joining our club is more than just playing basketball; it’s about becoming part of a close-knit community that supports one another and has fun on and off the court!

UBDC

Louie Fine Third Year, Business and Management The University of Bristol Darts

Club (UBDC) is a society for all players, from beginners to oche-regulars. Darts is a social sport with no gender or age boundaries, where accuracy and the ability to keep calm under pressure are the only things that matter.

We host free practice and tournament nights on Thursdays at All Stars where equipment is available to borrow and drinks are discounted. The club have teams that compete against other universities in the University Darts UK South West division, with regular home and away fixtures throughout the year.

This year we are hoping to establish a B team allowing more players to compete against other universities and are planning to attend several of UDUK’s singles tournaments held across the country.

The highlight of the year is our varsity night which takes place in the spring and allows the year’s top players to play against a rival university on stage in front of an Ally Pally-like crowd. This event has hundreds of spectators every year and we host qualifiers to assemble our team. We have a free social membership for the Thursday night sessions and a competitive membership for those who want to play in our teams.

UBHMC

Oli Evans Fourth year, Aerospace Engineering The University of Bristol Men’s Hockey Club is a welcoming, inclusive and open community for players of all skill levels. We field five teams that compete on Wednesdays and weekends, ranging from regional levels to a semi-professional standard. We take pride in our fun and inclusive atmosphere, with members representing

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all areas of the university.

Our 1st XI have recently won the England Hockey Conference West for the second time in three years meaning they will be playing in the second tier of England Hockey in the Division 1 South league. The 2nd XI followed suit by winning their league to earn promotion to West Prem. They both compete at high standards in BUCS as well.

Our lower teams, although successful on the pitch, prioritise the enjoyment of hockey over results. These squads are perfect for anyone who may have less experience playing hockey or who have not played for a while to build up their skills, fitness, and confidence through match play.

Overall, we are an open, successful and friendly society who welcome all members of any hockey standard.

Bristol Dance Society is beyond just a place to dance, it is a community.

Bristol Dance

With 23 classes a week, ranging from street to ballet in all levels, and specialised workshops collaborating with other societies, there is something for everyone. Classes are a place to socialise, exercise, and build skills.

In second term, classes are also a time for students to learn pieces for our annual show in March. This is both a time for our dancers to showcase their hard work, and for Dance Soc to give back to their community, where all proceeds go to two charities of the societies choice.

Morgan Neville Masters, History

As well as the show, regular fund raising activities and workshops ensure that Dance Soc is

always working with the local community to contribute to charities.

There are often performance opportunities throughout the year, including guest performances at other societies balls, however, if you fancy competing, we take 10 competitive sides to nationwide

These competitions include Sheffield and Manchester, where we not only win best team spirit!

Whether you’re a seasoned competition dancer or a total beginner, there’s something for you at Dance Soc.

In conversation with Ella Lovinbond Epigram discusses future plans for University Sport with our 24/25 Student Union Sports and Development Officer

Adam Mountain Third year, History

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lla’s sporting journey at the university has been an unusual one.

Accepted into the University of Bristol on a Vice-Chancellor’s sports scholarship for her rugby, Ella’s opportunities to represent the university at BUCs level were limited by covid, paving the way for her Bristol Bears career to begin. This was not always an easy task for Ella: “Balancing rugby with university was hard, but having the support of Sports, Education and Health (SEH), the Scholarship Performance Team, and my tutors as well has been so useful.”

Playing for Bristol Bears ultimately capped Ella at only a few appearances for University of Bristol Women’s Rugby Football Club (UBWRFC). Not wanting her talent to go to waste, however, Ella was encouraged to ply her trade for UBWRFC in the form of coaching, an experience which certainly prepared her for the position of sports officer: “Even though I wasn’t allowed to play for university, I loved being involved in the university set-up and I really wanted to help make a difference. There is a lot I can bring from England camps, or Bears set-ups. I know a lot of the

previous sports officers have been club captains or committee members, so I think it’s nice to have someone come in with a different perspective.”

These experiences of both elite-performance and BUCs sports are exhibited through Ella’s aims of improving university sport this upcoming year, as she reiterated that “our [SU team] priority is collective wellbeing, that being mental and physical health, while equally we will continue to work alongside SEH to support those elite-level athletes at the university.”

In this vein, one of the main goals of Ella is to introduce a university-wide sporting injuries group: “Unfortunately, I know how frustrating and lonely being injured can be, and how much it can mess up you’re university studies. So I think it is really important to bring in a support group for everyone who is injured and for these players to feel a new sense of community after your sport has been taken away from you.”

A clear example of Ella implementing something from her experiences with the Bears, she is committed to “creating specific rehabilitation spaces and sessions, as well as doing injury-friendly events, which would be accessible to all sports, at all levels. From a mental health perspective, it becomes so challenging with injuries, so we need to support that with the right wellbeing.”

Ella was also complimentary of her sports officer predecessor, Pat Gibbs, stating that she is keen to develop “some of the projects that he couldn’t quite finish. One of these would be making a mandatory wellbeing role within all sports committees. We know that many clubs do already have a welfare secretary, but because it is not mandatory we do not know who these individuals are and can’t support them well enough.”

Last year Pat also went to great lengths to improve the Activity Hardship Fund, a grant offered by the SU to support students who would otherwise be unable to afford the numerous costs associated with university sport, such as membership fees and trips. Ella remains keen to continue this initiative too, saying that “Pat did a lot of work on the activity hardship fund and effectively tripled the pot. So we want to con-

tinue with that to increase the maximum amount a person can apply for to £200.”

Yet despite her action-packed schedule for the upcoming year, Ella understands the importance of setting time aside to interact with and learn from the students who her policies will be impacting:

sity of Bristol’s sporting world could not be in safer hands.

For both our new freshers and returning students, let this be the encouragement you need to get involved in a sport society this year, regardless of your playing level. And when you do, you can be sure that Ella will be there to roar you on.

sport society will “I want to be very visible, What by having a good presence you be joining this year? on campus, as well as being at Coombe [Dingle] on Wednesday afternoons. I just want to be available for anyone that wants to talk to me! I’ll be taking part in some of the give-it-a-go sessions in freshers week as a chance to get to talk to some of our new freshers. I know I’ll be doing a lot of yoga!”

So with Ella at the helm as our 2024/25 Sport and Student Development Officer,

it feels as though the Univer-