INSIDE: Bottled Water referendum/ sexting/ horror games/ Plastic surgery/ drugs
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The independent student newspaper of the University of Sheffield. Est. 1946.
Issue 75 Friday October 24 2014 @ForgePress /ForgePress
INSIDE
Features
The Forge Press budget bible
9 in 10 say uni 4Students living at halls deposit Crookes Valley Church 4Housing management stopped responding to emergency calls charges “unfair” See page 3 >>
SU bans Bindel
iForHomes faked Uni endorsement Patrick O’Connell
Screen
The best foreign horror flicks
Comment Tom Schneider
Nudity is not pornography
The Students’ Union President has spoken out against a prominent feminist author whose upcoming talk was cancelled on the basis of alleged trans and bi-phobic remarks. Julie Bindel had been invited to speak on Thursday October 23 at an event organised by The Exchange, an organisation that aims to bring high profile political speakers to the University. After being told of the cancellation, Ms Bindel said she was “very disappointed”.
Although she has apologised for the remark, in 2004, Bindel wrote “think about a world inhabited by transsexuals. It would look like the set of Grease.” Four years later, Bindel said “I for one do not wish to be lumped in with an ever-increasing list of folk defined by ‘odd’ sexual habits or characteristics. Shall we just start with A and work our way through the alphabet? A, androgynous, b, bisexual, c, catfancying, d, devil worshipping. Where will it ever end?” Two years ago she wrote: “if
bisexual women had an ounce of sexual politics, they would stop sleeping with men”. SU President Yael Shafitz explained that the Union has an LGBT friendly policy: “this policy aims to ensure that all activities and events operated by the Union are LGBT friendly and open to all LGBT students.” Due to its status as a working committee as opposed to a society, Shafritz said that The Exchange “is a core part of Union functionality and therefore has to be inclusive”. Continued on page 3 >>
The student housing company iForHomes, responsible for the botched Crookes Valley Church accommodation, had incorrectly claimed they were endorsed by the University of Sheffield. When documents were submitted to Sheffield City Council’s planning department in 2012, iForHomes claimed they were accredited by the University. But the Leeds based company had not received backing. University lawyers threatened action against the claim that the company was endorsed by propertywithUS, the University of Sheffield’s property advice scheme. Welfare Officer Tom Harrison said: “Preliminary legal action by the University was taken and any reference to propertywithUS or the university had to be removed.” “iForHomes is categorically not registered from propertywithUS, or will ever be endorsed by Sheffield Students’ Union. I strongly condemn their practices and I would encourage students not to rent with them. “I would also encourage students to always go to the Student Advice Centre before making any decision on housing and to get contracts checked with them.” iForHomes’ 102-room development on Crookesmoor Road has been beset by problems with Wi-Fi, heating and electricity since tenants moved into the property. In June, iForHomes was suspended by Unipol, a Leeds charity which regulates student housing providers, for breaking its code. The Unipol complaints tribunal found in favour of the complainant, a former tenant. iForHomes had failed to “attend to reported maintenance problems, including water penetration and damp issues, within timescales required by the Code.” iForHomes were not available for comment.
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Elsa Vulliamy
DEPUTY EDITOR Tom Schneider Managing Editor Jon May fuse editors fuse@forgetoday.com Phil Bayles Kate Lovatt HEAD OF ONLINE matthew.smith@forgetoday.com matthew Smith News news@forgetoday.com Patrick O’Connell Neelam Tailor Adela Whittingham Estel Farell Roig Will Morgan Keri Trigg Comment comment@forgetoday.com Lauren Archer Isaac Stovell COFFEE BREAK letters@forgetoday.com Helen Hiorns Features features@forgetoday.com Kemi Alemoru Will Ross Polly Winn Lifestyle & travel lifestyle@forgetoday.com Isabel Dobinson Nikita Kesharaju Sport sport@forgetoday.com Joseph Bamford Edward McCosh Thomas Pyman Music music@forgetoday.com Rachel Bell Rebecca Stubbs Games games@forgetoday.com Samantha Fielding Robin Wilde Screen screen@forgetoday.com Joe Brennan Sophie Maxwell Arts arts@forgetoday.com Chloe Coleman Joscelin Woodend COPY EDITORS Lucy Barnes Elizabeth Cunningham Frederike Dannheim Declan Downey Helena Egan Claire Fowler Ellie Tudor Karen Wong M edi a H u b, U n io n o f Student s, We s t e r n Bank , S hef f ie ld, S10 2T G 0114 2 2286 46 // f or gepr e ss@f o r g e t o day.co m
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in brief...
HEALTH
EVENT
Adela Whittingham
Keri Trigg
Technology jointly developed at the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals will lead to the introduction of a new system that will improve the detection of precancerous abnormalities of the cervix. Patients at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals will be the first to benefit from the Zedscan device. The system offers real time and more accurate detection of precancerous cells than the standard procedure, meaning that faster diagnoses can be offered.
Academics from The University of Sheffield will be running events at Off the Shelf Festival of Words for the second year running. These include eight ticketed events on the main programme, running throughout October and November, including Simon Armitage and two talks by Professor Vanessa Toulmin The event, run annually by Sheffield City Council since 1992, is one of the UK’s largest literary and media events, and includes workshops, exhibitions, talks and readings.
FOOD
EMERGENCY
HEALTH
Adela Whittingham
Patrick O’Connell
Keri Trigg
The winners of Eat Sheffield awards - a project at Sheffield Hallam Business School - were announced on October 13. Award winners include Nonna’s on Ecclesall Road for Top Mediterranean restaurant and Smoke BBQ in the city centre, which won Newcomer of the Year. New categories this year included Bartender of the Year, which was won by Urban Quarter’s Adam Clark.
Firefighter rescued a Rotherham woman whose fingers were stuck in an olive oil tin. Metal cutters and pliers were used to bend back the tin to free her fingers. Watch Manager Adam Bramall, said: “Rescuing someone from a tin of olive oil is certainly a first for us. It’s just another example of the unusual incidents we come across on a day to day basis.” The woman escaped with only minor cuts.
The University of Sheffield has been awarded £7.5million towards a ground-breaking study into lung disease. The funding will expand research into clinical lung imaging, with hopes to speed up detection and treatment of lung conditions. The scheme, developed by the Academic Unit of Radiology involves inhaling small amounts of noble gases into the lungs, which are then viewed through MRI scans.
ART
EVENT
Adela Whittingham
Adela Whittingham
An exhibition has opened at a Sheffield gallery exploring digital literature such as web and app-based fiction, and electronic text adventure games. The event at Bank Street Arts has been put together by experts in digital fiction and literary linguistics from Sheffield Hallam Universit and forms part of the Reading Digital Fiction project at Sheffield Hallam and Bangor University, The exhibition will run until November 14.
Contours Festival, a University of Sheffield students’ union music festival that took place in May, has raised over £1,000 for Sheffield Young Carers. The festival was organised by a team of over 40 student volunteers and held at five venues around the union. The event raised a final amount of £1,049 for the charity, which offers the city’s young carers support and respite holidays.
News from the Steel City
Eat Sheffield awards
Cancer detection device
Woman escapes olive oil
Off The Shelf festival
Uni’s lung disease study
New digital art exhibition Contours’ funds totalled
Bank Street Arts
Photo: Facebook
STUDENT FINANCE
Mature disabled student Gill MacLaine turned down by Student Finance England Estel Farell Roig A mature, disabled Archaeology student is raising funds for her final year after Student Finance England told her she was no longer eligible for funding. Level three part-time student Gill MacLaine, 44, explains in her Kickstarter page: “When I started my course in 2008, I received full funding for my tuition fees, which are £820 per year. “I was also awarded with the Disabled Student Allowance. But, other than the option to reclaim core books and printing expenses, I receive no financial assistance from them”. Gill, who moved to Sheffield in 2003, completed level one and two of her degree, but took the 2012/2013 academic year out for health reasons. She said: “I took a year out because of exhaustion and depression and, when I returned to university in September 2013 for my fifth year, I was informed by Student Finance England I was no longer eligible for funding.
“The reason given to withdraw the funding was that I was not going to graduate in six years – it will take me seven years”. The Student Advice Centre from the University challenged the ruling but was unsuccessful. The University waived her tuition fees for the 2013/2014 academic year. However, she needs to secure the funds for this academic year herself. Gill wants to write her dissertation about the making of buttons in people’s homes, using Heeley City Farm as a case study. She said: “The main challenge to complete my dissertation will be my medical conditions. “The most debilitating one is chronic fatigue, which is a symptom of my balance disorder”. After developing a balance disorder in 2006, she was away due to illness for almost year before finally leaving her job. She said: “I felt useless, worthless and misunderstood as those around me struggled to understand my invisible medical condition. “By 2008, I was feeling suicidal
so I was assigned a therapist, who suggested I returned to studying on a part-time basis. “I started the course to counter my isolation, promote interaction with others and build my confidence. It worked - as each year passed, I began to believe in myself”.
Psychiatrists have told her that her university course is a vital part of her recovery and that it is essential that she graduates. She said: “I will graduate as a whole person, inclusive of my disabilities, rather than despite them”.
Gill during an excavation in Heeley in 2011
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YOUR UNIVERSITY
Shef students lose £100k in deposits Stephanie Crisp and Elsa Vulliamy Nine out of ten students surveyed feel they were overcharged by Accomodation and Commercial Services (ACS) in deposit deductions after living in university accommodation. Students who move into university residences must pay a £150 deposit which will be returned minus any deductions for damage, as assessed by ACS. Last year, ACS took £100,000 in deposit deductions. A survey conducted by Forge Press of over one hundred students found that 89 per cent of students fined for damages to their student halls felt they were overcharged. Keri Trigg, a second year
student said “My charges were extremely unfair, and they don’t seem to reflect the damage caused”. Joss Woodend, another second year student said she also thought that explanations of these charges were too vague: “The explanation of charges isn’t clear enough,” said Joss. “For example my flat was charged for 16 apparently cracked ceiling tiles. When we questioned it, they said slight marks or fonts counted into the category of broken. How were we supposed to notice small dents after a week of living there?” Several students also told Forge Press that when they complained to ACS about the unfair charges they were given the money back after proving they were wrongly
fined. This suggests that ACS need to be more careful with their charges. Emily Boswell, a 19 year old student who lived in Endcliffe Village last year was angry about being charged: “I felt I was charged unfairly for poster marks on my walls, which were already there when I moved in. “Luckily, I had taken photographic evidence of this, dated for when I moved in, so I was able to prove my case and was only then refunded £48.” Ian Jones, Head of Accommodation Services at the University of Sheffield, said: “Where student damages occur, and costs are incurred to correct these, it is important that the students responsible
for the damages are charged appropriately. If this is not done then the costs can only be covered through the rents of the students arriving in the following year, which would be unfair. “We have clear procedures for identifying, documenting and charging for damages, either by invoicing residents during the academic year or deducting from deposits after the year end. These are in line with the accommodation contracts and financial regulations. “For all University-owned accommodation, the inspections are undertaken by trained members of staff, using an online system which is linked to the inventory that was completed by the resident upon arrival.”
Technology
Experimental Ebola vaccine to undergo clinical trials Following success in non-human primates, the first Ebola vaccine will undergo human trials. The vaccine consists of a chimpanzee “cold” virus modified to contain an Ebola gene. This vaccine virus cannot grow within the body, but will deliver the Ebola gene to human cells which can “show” the gene to the immune system; preparing it for an Ebola infection. The gene used makes it impossible for the vaccine to cause an Ebola infection. Owing to the severity of the crisis the vaccine passed through trials at an unprecedented rate. Robert Smith
YOUR CITY
Convicted rapist releases statement Tom Schneider
Ched Evans’s video statement
SCIENCE &
A petition calling on Sheffield United not to reinstate the convicted rapist, Ched Evans, has been signed by over 150,000 people despite his public pleas to return to the game. The Wales international was released from prison last Friday having served half of his five-year sentence for raping a woman in a hotel room. The 25-year-old said he is “ashamed” of his actions but expressed no remorse over his crime and continues to insist that he is innocent and is determined to get his career back on track. The petition on change.org said that allowing him to do so would be a “deep insult to the woman who was raped and to all women like her who have suffered at the hands of a rapist”.
YOUR UNIVERSITY
SU bans Bindel
Continued from front page democratic. Tom Schneider “We are committed to But Chair of The Exchange, having a conversation with Richard Walker said that “we The Exchange next week to stand by our decision to book make sure this sort of thing Ms Bindel. doesn’t happen again,” Park “The Exchange is said. a politically neutral Julie Bindel reacted by organisation that aims to tweeting a link to an article facilitate political debate and bemoaning the “petty do not in any way endorse censorious policies” that her views. Our Q & A session ensured “a babyish climate at would have made sure that British universities”. there is an opportunity for When asked for comment, her views to be challenged”. Bindel told Forge Press: Walker said Bindel’s talk “I have nothing to say as I was due to be on how the value my mental health too LGBT liberation movement much to pay this any more had lost its radical edge and attention than it deserves”. he “had no reason to believe” The Students’ Union any transgender or bisexual is investigating further issues would be raised. regarding the allegations and “Anyone can be offensive whether the speaker would to anyone and although it’s contravene the Union’s a difficult one to know, we LGBT safe space policy. In did not feel her comments the meantime, the talk has constituted hate speech,” been cancelled to avoid any Walker said. potential repercussions from The decision to cancel the the contents of the event. event was taken by a vote of The SU is liaising with The Societies Committee. Phillip Exchange to ensure that any Park, who chairs this body, of its speakers do not conflict said that the Committee with the LGBT policy. ensured this process was
“The message is that men who commit such atrocious crimes will suffer only a small penance whilst the women they attack suffer for the rest of their lives. Sheffield United Football Club must not reinforce that message.” Jean Hatchet, who started the petition under a pseudonym in April said she been targeted by “relentless abuse like one man who told me ‘it’s a shame you and Peter Sutcliffe never crossed paths!’ Some of it leaves me cold like the one threatening to rape me with my own petition”. The TV presenter and Sheffield United patron Charlie Webster said she would quit her role with the club if the player was resigned. Evans was jailed for rape in 2012 but at the time of his conviction he said “It was
something that should never have happened. I cheated on my girlfriend and had sex with this girl – but it was definitely consensual”. On Thursday October 22, he made a “personal and profound” video statement on his personal website. With his girlfriend, Tasha, by his side Evans said “it is a rare and extraordinary privilege to be permitted to play professional football. “It is my hope that I will be able to return. If that is possible, I will do so with humility having learned a very painful lesson”. He once again made no apology to the victim. His former club have insisted that, contrary to media reports, they have not offered the former player a new contract and that they are “continuing to deliberate” on whether to resign the convicted rapist.
Lab-grown penises on the way Lab-grown penises are well on their way thanks to a new wave of funding from the Armed forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine in the USA. The research, originally intended for ex-army soldiers who were injured in battle, can also be applied to men with cancer or erectile dysfunction. Unfortunately, to avoid rejection, the lab-grown penis must be grown from cells taken from the original penis; meaning this treatment will not be available for transsexual men. After successful animal trials, with rabbits being able to procreate after the surgery, human clinical trials are expected to arrive in four to five years. Joey Relton
YOUR CITY
PCC candidates grilled ahead of election Matthew Smith
The four candidates to replace the disgraced Shaun Wright as South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) spoke at Sheffield Hallam University on Wednesday night, ahead of an election that UKIP are strongly tipped to win. Jack Clarkson, for UKIP, along with the Reverend Dr. Alan Billings (Labour), Ian Walker (Conservatives) and David Allen (English Democrats) spoke at the Pennine Lecture Theatre about their bids to replace Wright, who resigned in the wake of the Rotherham child abuse scandal. The candidates spoke on a number of topics, including on student safety. Billings said he would aim to increase contact with Students’ Unions: “Whatever issues concern you as students, as PCC, I want to help you”. Clarkson spoke of the need for safe student routes, safe student housing, and “most importantly, where to drink safely”. Walker said he would aim to go out bi-monthly into the community to speak to the people of South Yorkshire, including
to universities. The candidates heard a question from a victim of the Rotherham abuse. Under the pseudonym ‘Jessica’, she told the room of being made pregnant twice between the ages of 15 and 17 by the abuse, and how the police didn’t respond to her parents when they complained about the abuse. Billings and Clarkson also confronted each other when the debate over party politics arose. Clarkson spoke about the need to bring calm to Rotherham’s streets, and said that he wants the NCA child sexual abuse investigation overseen by a “judge or FBI director” and claimed Billings would only continue the Labour mismanagement of police activity seen under Wright. However, Billings retaliated: “It wasn’t a Labour police force when you were a member for 30 years. Where were you, whistleblowing on all this at the time?” The vote will take place on Thursday 30 October. Numerous political commentators, including Michael Crick for Channel 4, have said “Ukip must surely be favourite to win the PCC by-election.”
Photo: healthmad.com Ebola and its consequences Ebola is not only causing major issues on the short term but is dismantling long-term efforts to control other major diseases in Africa. The Kenema General Hospital in Sierra Leone was the largest treatment centre for Lassa, a haemorrhagic fever that kills over 5,000 people a year. Since June, Kenema has had to shut down its research unit. More than half of their specialised Lassa staff have died of Ebola and its wards are overloaded. The peak Lassa season has begun and there have been fewer reported cases than usual. Furthermore, patients seem reluctant to go to hospital which is a major step back for disease control. Megan Jones
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YOUR UNIVERSITY
UniNEWS NUS Black officer backed by students
Interesting stories from other universities around the world
Students marvel at course in Spiderman and Thor
A new course at the University of Baltimore will see students studying the actions of Spiderman, the Hulk and Thor as they work towards a qualification in the Marvel Movies. The first-of-its-kind qualification entitled ‘Media Genres: Media Marvels’, covers a syllabus including the X-Men, Avengers, and Guardians of the Galaxy films. It takes a critical look at the characterisation of the comic book heroes in cinema by delving into their plotlines and backstories. Lecturer Arnold T Blumberg claims that the new course will give students a knowledge of heroes in modern culture.
Estel Farell Roig The Students’ Union Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) Committee has launched a campaign in support of the NUS Black Students’ officer Malia Bouattia. Students have has photos taken with messages of support as part of the #SheffieldSupportsMalia campaign. Bouattia has been receiving violent threats and misogynist, racist and Islamophobic abuse on Twitter since last week, when it was reported that the NUS had voted against condemning the Islamic State (Isis). Several media outlets reported that Bouattia spoke against the motion and led the vote against it. BME Committee member Sharmin Jahan
Keri Trigg
Shorter showers save shillings
Two students at the University of East Anglia (UAE) have started an initiative urging the university’s 15,000 students to change their morning shower routine. Chris Dobson and Debs Torr’s campaign, called “Go with the Flow”, says that if all students were to have their morning wee in the shower it could save the university up to £125000 per year, increasing to £42.5 million if the whole population of East Anglia were to take part too. The reaction to this has been mixed, with one disgruntled Twitter user remarking that with UEA it’s “either ‘go wee in a shower’ or ‘home of UKUP’s finest’”. William Morgan Student jailed for explosive material
A 19 year old international student has been sentenced to two years in jail by Newcastle Crown Court after being arrested in June for the possession of highly explosive material at Newcastle University accommodation. Vladimir Aust of Russia was arrested after staff at Newcastle University raised concerns with the police about his behaviour, leading to a raid on his flat. Detective Chief Superintendent Ian Wilson stated that “a large amount of differing and concerning substances were discovered” not just inside his room but also “within communal areas” and that there is no “indication what Aust planned to do”.
William Morgan
Photo: Estel Farell Roig
Student tabloid the Tab reported that Bouattia said: “We recognise that condemnation of Isis appears to have become a justification for war and blatant Islamophobia. “This rhetoric exacerbates the issue at hand and in essence is a further attack on those we aim to defend”. Chair of BME Committee Nazmin Jahan said: “We decided to launch a campaign supporting Malia because we do not support racist and sexist comments towards someone who is only trying her best to support all the BME people. “People were sending her horrific messages and threatening her in ways which were disgusting. It is just unacceptable”. It has been announced that a new motion will be taken to the next committee meeting on December 4. Malia posted on Facebook on October 13: “A motion will be taken to the next NUS National Executive which truly reflects the situation. “This motion will pose a condemnation of the politics and methods of Isis as well as unequivocal support for the Kurdish people. It will, in no way, pander to Western imperialistic intervention or the demonization of Muslim peoples”. Former Students’ Union
YOUR CITY
Hallamshire to house Ebola surge wards Alice Farmery As the NHS prepares for the possibility of Ebola reaching the UK, Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital has been named as one of the four hospitals in England that would treat suffers. This announcement puts Sheffield on the front line in the UK’s defence against the pandemic which has killed more than 4,500 people in West Africa, with the populations of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea most severely affected. At present, anyone suspected of having contracted Ebola will be taken to the high-level isolation unit located in the Royal Free hospital in London, which currently has the capacity for 2 patients (although plans for expansion are being made). If the number of infections was to overwhelm this facility, suffers would then be transferred to infectious disease units located at the Royal Liverpool hospitals, Royal Hallamshire Hospital in
Royal Hallamshire Hospital
Photo: Graham Hogg
Sheffield and Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle upon Tyne. Anyone undergoing treatment for Ebola at the Hallamshire hospital would be under the care of a highly-trained team of healthcare professionals, including the Professor of Infectious Diseases at The University of Sheffield, Robert Read. The in-patient ward at the Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine has 33 dedicated beds, of which more than half are single negative pressure isolation rooms. Despite a statement from the World Health Organisation claiming that Ebola represented “the biggest danger posed by a disease in modern times”, the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt was keen to downplay the threat to the UK. Speaking to MPs in the commons last week, Mr. Hunt said that he expected fewer than 10 victims in Britain. In an interview with the Guardian last week, Benjamin Black, an obstetrician with Médecins sans Frontières, commented that “it’s very unlikely that there is going to be any sort of widespread disease here... Ebola has slightly taken on a sort of mystical element. It’s not mystical. It’s a disease and [can be countered with] basic hygiene measures that we are very equipped with in this country – soap kills Ebola.”
President Abdi-Aziz Suleiman, who is now a member of the NUS National Executive said: “In reality, we agreed with almost all the motion but wanted to bring a clearer motion to the next meeting. “This wasn’t a major issue, more procedural than anything else, until a very lazy journalist gave it a Daily Mail spin and went with the headline ‘NUS refuses to condemn Isis because it’s Islamophobic’. “I think it says something about the culture we are living in: so many people have believed the headline, so many began sending violent and sexist abuse to the Muslim Black Students’ Officer and so many journalists have reprinted without an attempt to find out what actually happened in that room”.
Women’s Officer Miriam Miller Photo: Estel Farell Roig
An abusive tweet sent to Malia
YOUR UNIVERSITY
Thousands sign Uni Arms petition
Joshua Hackett
A petition which asks the University to protect the University Arms from demolition and signed by over 1700 students has been handed in. Organised by local Liberal Democrats, the petition was a response to the Campus Masterplan, which closed for consultation on Tuesday October 14. The 109-page document set out a decade of improvement works, including new green spaces, pedestrianised streets, cycle hubs and new buildings. One option presented in the document involves the demolition of the University Arms, replaced by a new Faculty of Science building. The Arms, which was refurbished this summer, has catered to the general public since 2007, having previously operated as Club 197 the staff club for the University. It is known particularly for its selection of
University Arms
locally brewed real ales. Harry Matthews, Liberal Democrat candidate for Crookes, said; “The University says that they wanted the public to respond - and they have. It is clear that University must not proceed with their proposal to demolish the University Arms.” In an interview with Forge TV, Matthews continued; “The plans put forward don’t include replacing it with anything, so we’d see a net loss of social space. “It’s so distinct from anything else on campus – it’s not like Interval, it’s not like Bar One.” Matthews s listed as an “asset of community value” if the University pushes forward with the existing proposal. Such a listing would add additional regulatory hurdles to any demolition process. Marcus Foster, co-chair of Sheffield Liberal Youth, said; “Demolition would be a big loss to staff, students and residents.”
Photo: Patrick O’Connell
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YOUR UNIVERSITY
Devonshire demolition faces hundreds of objections
Neelam Tailor Hundreds of Sheffielders, including the Arctic Monkeys drummer, are backing a collection of independent shops threatened with demolition. The application seeks to replace 162 to 170 Devonshire Street with three storeys of commercial space, 10 studio apartments and four one-bedroom apartments. The planning application was submitted to Sheffield City Council by Primesite Ltd on September 17.
The iconic book and music shop Rare and Racy has been established on the site since 1969. Zora Hamaidia, who has worked at another independent shop on the street, Filibuster and Booth, for nine years, said: “This is supposed to be a street of independent shops. People don’t want to come here anymore, it costs 25 pounds to park here for the day. Since they put the Starbucks in, rent has gone up and it’s ruining it. “If they knock down all those shops, we will be one of the only
independent shops left and it’s not right”. As well over 600 comments from the public on the planning application, a petition has been set up and has over 14,000 signatures. The popular site has also been backed by Arctic Monkeys drummer, Matt Helders, who said on twitter: “You can’t let em knock down these shops! Classic, independent businesses in Sheffield”. Paul Blomfield, MP for Sheffield Central, has voiced
concerns over the demolition of the popular independent shops. He said: “Devonshire Street is home to some of Sheffield’s mostloved shops. The character of the buildings has attracted a great range of independent retailers and I’m concerned that they could be lost with the proposed development. The city centre must offer something different to Meadowhall and independent shops are central to that.” The Sheffield Green Party has also pleaded with the council to save the shops. Green Councillor
Jillian Creasy said: “Losing the shops at the shops at the end of Devonshire Street will be the final nail in the coffin for small independent businesses in the this area like Rare and Racy and Filibuster and Booth, as the character of the area becomes clone-club or clone-coffee house” After the application was received, Sheffield City Council submitted queries to the developers and is waiting for the amended application before they schedule a meeting to discuss the proposals and objections.
What do Sheffield students think of the potential demolition of Devonshire Street’s independent boutiques? Amy Hughes, second year Politics and Philosophy student “I disagree with it because these are independent businesses which have built up the reputation of the area as a trendy place and for big business to come in and take advantage of that is really not good. You don’t get many shops like this, so it’s important that they don’t get demolished.”
Sam Worrall, second year Linguistics student “I don’t think it’s good at all. Big business has business all over the place. There is no need to knock down these very nice shops. Especially the Rare and Racy, I love that bookshop and there aren’t many bookshops around these days.”
Polly Winn, second year History and Sociology student
Tom Parker, fourth year Ecology PhD student
“When I came to Sheffield I particularly loved that area and thought it had a really particular feel and culture to it. To get rid of it I feel would be to lose some of Sheffield’s character, and part of the reason why I came here in the first place”
“I think it would be a shame because they look like really cool individual shops which add a nice feel to the end of the street. And also the buildings are all probably about 100 years old so it would be good to keep that heritage in Sheffield.”
YOUR UNIVERSITY
STUDENT LIVING
Students to march again Gaza scholar reaches Sheffield Daisy Marshall Student groups are set to march through London in protest of the current university fee regime and privatisation of higher education. The march, which will take place on November 19, is organised by the Student Assembly Against Austerity (SAAA), National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC) and Young Greens. With the NUS voting in April to support free education through taxing the rich, and a general election just around the corner, student activist groups are keen to mobilise student action and bring the issue to the forefront of political debate. Beth Redmond, from the NCAFC said: “With a general election in May, we will be putting free education onto the political agenda, not by softening our position but by making our ideas impossible to ignore.” Aaron Kiely from the SAAA praises
Germany’s recent move to drop all university fees and suggests the UK’s current policy is failing. He said: “When the Tories say there is not enough money for free education, they are lying. The trebling and trebling again of tuition fees has not only kicked away the ladder of opportunity – it’s also losing the government billions of pounds.” Recent student campaigns have been successful in halting government action to privatise student debt, the SAAA’s #StopTheSellOff campaign got the support of 76 MPs and resulted in a complete U-turn in plans to sell the student loan books to private debt collectors. However the UK still has the highest tuition fees in Europe and debts and cuts are hitting students hard, making higher education unattainable for many. Students wanting to take part should contact their union.
Estel Farell Roig Gaza Scholarship student Omarali Falyouna arrived in Sheffield yesterday. Education officer Malaka Mohammed, who was awarded the scholarship last year, said: “I am so happy that he is here now. We have been waiting for this moment for nearly six months. “I contacted someone from the embassy and that accelerated the process. It normally takes three weeks to get your Visa and, in his case, it took a lot less. “Also, my father helped him register for the border because he knows some people there. Apparently, he was told: ‘your hair is beautiful, we will let you go’. “However, they only let a few buses through the Rafah
border every day. His was the last one and that is why he had to cross on Wednesday in the end”. Palestine Society President Khalid Omari said: “We are extremely happy that all our hard work and effort has finally had results. “We have tasted a little bit of his suffering. We have lived with him every moment and we know better now what it is like to be a Palestinian”. The education officer said: “Based on my experience, cultural shock will make his first few days here a little bit difficult. You have to learn how everything works in a new country. Language tends to be an issue in the beginning as well. “But I hope things will get better with all our support and that he will end up having
and amazing, exciting time in Sheffield”. “I am so proud of the people who have helped him – the University’s Pro Vice Chancellor Paul White, his department, the Students’ Union and the Palestine Society. “Without their support, he would not be here now”. Omarali’s plane from Cairo touched down at Manchester Airport yesterday at 2pm. Arriving in England, he said: “It feels incredible, I cant believe it.”
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STUDENT LIVING
Student vote could swing 2015 general election results Neelam Tailor Students hold the key to winning more than a quarter of parliamentary seats in next year’s general election according to the National Union of Students (NUS) President Toni Pearce. She said: “There are 197 seats across the country where the sitting MP has a majority of 10 per cent or less so each of these seats would need a swing of no more than five per cent to change hands entirely”.
In all but six of those constituencies the number of students living there is larger than the swing required, giving students the power to potentially sway almost 200 seats. Pearce said: “Students are a force to be reckoned with at the ballot box” NUS will be encouraging students to vote with a new online tool to compare whether voting in their home versus their university constituency would be more likely to affect the balance of
power in the general election. According to a NUS poll conducted in August 2014, 73 per cent of students are registered to vote in the election compared with only two thirds in 2010. Pearce said: “Young people aren’t bored of democracy, they’re angry with its process”. This is reflected in the four per cent outcome of students who said they identified strongly with any political party. The recently launched NUS election manifesto,
titled ‘New Deal for the Next Generation’, is made up of 30 policy asks addressing issues in education, work, and community, tackling specific policies to reduce financial hardship for students. Pearce went on to criticise Nick Clegg’s broken tuition fee promise. She said: “It severely undermined any trust in politicians.” NUS polls show that 77 per cent of students disagree that politicians can be trusted to keep their promises.
Toni Pearce
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YOUR CITY
“Sheffield still safe” despite recent crime spate André Rhoden-Paul Police bosses maintain that Sheffield is a safe night out after a man pleaded guilty to a fatal attack in the city centre. Police reassured the public, as Nathan Tomlinson, 24, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Anowar Tagabo last May. University of Bradford student Anowar, 25, was attacked on the corner of of Carver Street and Division Street. Suffering severe head injuries in the attack,
YOUR UNIVERSITY
Anwoar died nine days later. Last month Liverpool man, Jon-Paul Smith, 42, was attacked on the corner of West Street and Eldon Street. He died in hospital a day later. South Yorkshire Police Superintendent Colin McFarlane, said Sheffield remains one of the safest cities in the UK. He said: “I am quite confident we are a safe city but you can never say you will not get someone who will have a spontaneous fight with someone.”
The constituency of Sheffield Central had the 14th highest crime rate in England & Wales between September 2013 and August 2014 according to UKCrimeStats.com. Jillian Creasey, councillor for Sheffield Central praised the policing of the clubs and bars in the city centre. Speaking to Forge Press, she said: “I know for a fact that the police are very very stretched… I think the police in Sheffield have got their act together with the
night time economy. “They do have a good physical presence late on Saturday night, Friday night and other nights, so I think they’re doing everything they can. “They do a lot of preventative work particularly at the beginning of the new term with students who are particularly vulnerable.” On the fatal attacks she said: “I think those two attacks are isolated events and you should take them in context of the tens
of thousands of people who go out and enjoy the nightlife in the city centre every night, every weekend.”
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Trio nominated for Guardian Student Media Awards Estel Farell Roig Three University of Sheffield students have been shortlisted for The Guardian Student Media Awards 2014. Aidan Phillips, 21, has been shortlisted for student reporter of the year and Rhys Handley,19, for student critic of the year. Forge’s website forgetoday.com, managed by Matthew Smith, 22, has also been nominated for student website of the year. Head of Online, Smith said: “I was surprised but delighted that the site got nominated, and now I’m just looking forward to the evening - anything can happen. “I think the website has been shortlisted because
it is simple to use and informative. “It is full of content from all parts of Forge, which is always of a really high standard. “No way would the site have been nominated hadn’t the input from all people involved in Forge been so fantastic.” Phillips, who was a News editor for Forge Press last Eear, said: “It is a great award to be up for so I am chuffed just to make the shortlist. “The Guardian is one of the outlets I would most like to work for one day, so for them to choose me as one of their top student reporters is really inspiring.” Handley, who has reviewed, amongst others,
Game of Thrones and Dr Who, said: “I really didn’t expect to be shortlisted. I only put my name in on the off chance and it’s such an honour to even be considered out of so many students.” Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the Guardian offices in London on November 27. Newspapers shortlisted for student publication of the year are: Impact, from the University of Nottingham, Oxford Medical School Gazette, from the University of Oxford, and three titles from the University of York - Nouse, The Lemon Press and York Vision.
YOUR UNIVERSITY
Photo: Aidan, Matthew and Rhys (from left to right)
Photo: Estel Farell Roig
YOUR CITY
Sustainability library opens in SU Green Space
Sheffield chosen to host European Outdoor Summit in 2015
A Sustainability Library has opened its doors in Sheffield Students’ Union, loaning out eco-friendly items to students and staff members for free. The library, located in the Students’ Union’s Green Space, first opened on Monday October 13 2014. Since then, university members can borrow sustainabilityrelated items, such as books and DVDs, gardening tools, camping equipment, energy monitors and cycling gear, using their uCard. The service is free of charge, with only a two pound deposit applicable for non-book items. Kiran Malhi-
Sheffield has long impressed the nation with its aptitude in diverse outdoor facilities. Recently, international prospects have put Sheffield on the map for it’s alfresco reputation to host the European Outdoor Summit (EOS). The EOS is globally recognised for its efforts in developing the outdoors industry. But with Sheffield’s outdoor economy, already, generating an influx of around £93 million a year, local brands are increasingly thriving. At the end of this year’s summit in Munich, Germany -
Malte Rohwer-Kahlmann
Kiran in the Green Space
Photo: Malte Rohwer-Kahlmann
Bearn, the project manager, was very happy with the first week. She said: “People have been really interested. We’ve had quite a lot of people borrowing things, which is fantastic.” The library is part of Green Impact Student Homes (GISH), a NUS-funded project for more sustainable private student housing in Sheffield. They run a competition for students to lead an eco-friendly life by offering a month’s free rent as a prize. Initially, GISH planned the Sustainability Library as part of the competition but then decided to open it up to the whole university. It is hoped that the project will encourage students to think about more eco-friendly living. Kiran said: “That’s an aspect of sustainability, it’s about resource sharing. On a normal street every house might have their own lawn mower but do we really need a lawn mower for everyone?” Books can be borrowed and returned between 9am-5pm on weekdays, with other items able to be reserved online and collected from the library between 12-1.30pm when volunteers are on duty. Anyone interested is being urged to get involved.
Amelia Schwanke
Peak District
CEO of the Outdoors Industries Association - Andrew Denton was delighted in Yorkshire being chosen for the event. He said: “We put forward a comprehensive bid to host the EOS and I’m really pleased and proud that we have been awarded the opportunity to organize the 2015 event in the U.K,” As the host of the upcoming 2015 EOS, Sheffield will be presenting the outdoor industries capabilities as an active city. Outdoor recreational activities are seven per cent higher than the national average in Sheffield. National audits have revealed that the climbing
capital has more local businesses than neighboring cities and a local community of 10,000 climbers. Sheffield’s location near the Peak District makes it the prime location for outdoor activities with locals boasting about its hybrid setting of urban infrastructure and natural scenery. Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for business, skills and development, Leigh Bramall said: “This is the start of something really exciting for our city. As a Sheffielder, I know that the city and surrounding region is home to some of the most spectacular outdoor pursuits,” Bramhall said.
Photo: Wikimedia
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Poem gone with the wind Patrick O’Connell
The damaged poem
Photo: Twitter @LyricSheffield
In Praise of Air, the poem displayed on the side of the Alfred Denny Building, faced Mother Nature’s wrath after heavy winds battered Sheffield. A large rip appeared on the nanotech poster’s fabric on Tuesday October 14. The poem, which first appeared in May, was a collaboration between the University’s Professor of Poetry Simon Armitage and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Science Professor Tony Ryan. The damaged 10m by 20m poster, which was coated with microscopic, pollution-eating nanoparticles of titanium dioxide, was removed from
the building’s facade the following day. The poster absorbed nitrogen oxide pollution created by about 20 cars every day. The Armitage poem’s final line was: “My first word, everyone’s first word, was air”. The poster took its last breath on Wednesday October 15, before workers rolled up the remains and removed it from the site. In Praise of Air was scheduled to remain on the wall for a year. Elliot Pick, chair of Creative Writing Society, said: “It’s a shame because it was a thought-provoking poem and an innovative idea.
YOUR CITY
Takeaway boss in job dispute with Sheffield graduate Lauren Archer Protesters will gather outside a popular student takeaway for the second time this weekend, following the alleged illegal dismissal of one of their workers. Tomasz Frymorgen, a former University of Sheffield student, was purportedly dismissed after challenging boss Dennis Mouzaki’s “physically aggressive” behaviour. Frymorgen, a member of the radical trade union the International Workers of the World (IWW), staged a picket outside the deli last Saturday. The picket, which called on Mouzaki to end alleged unpaid trial shifts and reinstate
Frymorgen, was attended by around 50 supporters. Frymorgen told Forge Press: “This dismissal took place without any investigative or disciplinary procedures and I have not been given the right of appeal. “In response, my union, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) are demanding that Dennis treats his workers with respect, that he end the unpaid trails of up to 20 hours that staff are forced to work and that I am reinstated with back pay. “The IWW will be taking industrial action until these demands are met. Unfortunately incidents such as this are far from isolated in the catering
industry – one of the lowest paid in the country. “This is part of a much larger effort by the IWW to push for better conditions in the industry. We are showing catering and hospitality workers that it is possible to stand up to bullying bosses and illegal employment practices.” A spokesperson for the Greedy Greek refuted the claims, saying: “We do not accept any of the accusations levelled against us. The matter is presently in the hands of our solicitors.” Frymorgen and the rest of the IWW are calling on students and Sheffield locals to boycott the restaurant until their demands are met.
CRIME
Child abuse victims let down by SYP Elsa Vulliamy Hundreds of sexual abuse victims under the age of 18 have been let down by South Yorkshire Police, a whistleblower from Sheffield’s sexual exploitation service has claimed. The service was originally set up in 1997 to address the problem of young girls engaged in prostitution in the city. Ann Lucas, who ran the service, up until her retirement in 2012 claimed that she regularly passed on information about alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse of hundreds of young people to South Yorkshire Police but was told that the issue was not a priority. Despite being given names, addresses and car registration details of alleged abusers, Lucas claims that South Yorkshire Police failed to act, telling her that they were prioritising burglary and car crime. The force were already facing an investigation after an independent report led to similar accusations, saying that the police were letting down young abuse victims in the nearby town of Rotherham. After hearing claims that girls were being taken from Sheffield to different cities, Lucas took the information to the Human Trafficking Centre, who then asked South Yorkshire Police to investigate the claims. The investigation led to the conviction of six men, all of whom were given 10 year prison sentences. Since then, South Yorkshire Police, claim to have reassessed their priorities. They have issued a statement in light of Lucas’s allegations saying “South Yorkshire Police is dedicated to tackling child sexual exploitation. We are now operating with a deeper understanding of child sexual exploitation.”
National News
Sheep get high on £4,000 of marijuana
A flock of sheep found themselves high on class B drugs after eating through bags of rubbish dumped in their field. The animals were feasting on a different type of grass than they were used to, and had eaten around £4,000 worth of cannabis by the time they were discovered. Farmer Nellie Budd noticed the black carrier bags in the fields of Fanny’s Farm in Merstham, Surrey. The greedy group, who were found stumbling around the field making strange noises, have also hindered the investigation into the origins of the stash by eating most of the evidence. Estel Farell Roig Mike Read pulls plug on UKIP Calypso tune
Former BBC 1 Radio DJ Mike Read has requested a song he wrote in support of UKIP be withdrawn from sale following complaints that it was racist. The ‘UKIP Calypso’ outlined the party’s policies along to a catchy reggae tune, and was available for purchase on Amazon for 79p. By Wednesday, the song had reached number 21 in the midweek singles chart. The lyrics, read in a fake Jamaican accent, slam “illegal immigrants in every town” and claim that “We can trade with the world again, When Nigel is at Number 10”. The party said all proceeds would go to the Red Cross to help fight Ebola, but the charity said it would not accept them. Adela Whittingham
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SCIENCE
Sheffield scientist’s UoS leads growth rainforest warning outside capital
Olivia Goddard High-yielding oil palm crops will lead to the loss of tropical forests rather than helping to preserve nature, according to scientists from the University of Sheffield. Improving crop yield is often seen as a popular solution to demands for food productivity to meet the needs of an increasing glboal population. However, a team of scientists, headed by Dr David Edwards from the University of Sheffield has warned that the use of high-yielding oil palm crops will transferthe agricultural footrpint from areas such as North America and Europe to the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, South America and Africa. Dr David Edwards, from the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences said: “In theory yielding twice as much crop on the same amount of land should be a positive thing because it can reduce demand for further forest clearance”. However, he also warned that: “using high-yielding oil palm
crops could in fact lead to further tropical deforestation because it becomes so cheap on the global food markets that it outcompetes alternatives grown in temperate regions.” Cecilia Larrosa, author in the study comments: “ Oil palm which is used in a huge number of household products including shampoo, soap, margarine and chocolate, is already one of the main drivers of deforestation in the tropical rain forests of Southeast Asia”. Members of the research team from Sheffield, Imperial College London and the National University of Singapore have urged scientists to help governments to pre-empt and plan for the negative consequences of advances in crop production. Professor E.J Milner-Gulland of Imperial College London said: “It’s really important that when we consider the potential of new technologies we look beyond their immediate impacts”.
Bradley Neen The University of Sheffield is at the forefront of a new movement of universities helping to increase regional economic growth outside of London. In a report published by The City Growth Commission this month, Sheffield was named one of the leading institutions outside of the capital. City Growth Commission chairman, Jim O’Neill, said: “While London dominates the UK’s economic clout, we have a wide geographical spread among our best universities.” The University of Sheffield was praised as an example of a university pioneering progressive practices that enhance economic impact. The University has invested in the Advanced Manufacturing and Research Centre, which over 70 companies pay an annual fee to access. Sir Keith Burnett, ViceChancellor of the University said: “We are extremely fortunate that visionary work on advanced
manufacturing is now not only a national but an international focus,” London is regarded as one of the best cities to study in the world. However with living costs significantly higher in the capital, and the credentials of Northern universities on a yearly rise, more high achieving students are instead opting for universities away from London. The report suggests that the UK needs to maximise its impact outside of London. As well as proving a healthier economic position in the Sheffield area, this will also help break down the traditional North/ South divide. The number of Sheffield students deciding to stay in the city after graduation is increasing year-on-year. Aside from academic merit and healthy job prospects, Sheffield ranks highest for “student experience”, while universities in the capital make up half of the bottom 20, according to the Times Higher Education Survey.
You can pour your own pint with iPubs
A pub in Swansea is revolutionising the process of ordering a beer by installing iPads and lager pumps onto its tables. The Westbourne is the UK’s first ‘iPub’, funnelled £20,000 into developing the system, which allows drinkers to pay for and pour their pints from the comfort of their seats, using a special card purchased at the bar. Landlord Mark Lingwood has rebuffed criticisms that the iPads are taking jobs away from bar staff, claiming that the computerised system does not replace them, but makes their job easier. Keri Trigg
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should the Students’ Union go back to bottled water?
James Snowden Three years ago over 3,000 Sheffield students voted to ban the sale of bottled water in the Students’ Union, following Leeds SU’s ban in 2008. Since Leeds’s ban the Ecologist has estimated that, per year, around 146,000 fewer water bottles have ended up in landfill sites. The equivalent of 22,000 barrels of oil, which would have been used for their production, have also been saved. Sheffield’s ban has yielded similar results. Sheffield Students’ Union has also installed five new water fountains, to add to those already dotted around the campus, at which students can refill and reuse bottles. Given the relative success of the ban, why is there a need, in the upcoming referendum, for students to reverse the decision? Well, economically and ecologically there isn’t. Granted, buying a bottle of water on a hectic day is far more convenient than hunting down one of the poorly advertised fountains with the refillable bottle you’re bound to have left on the kitchen counter. However, if you look deeper into what the bottled water industry is doing to the environment and your wallets, strong reasons for you to remember that bottle emerge. Bottled water is 500 times more expensive than tap water, despite being almost exactly the same quality. In fact, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation argues that bottled water doesn’t actually provide any nutritional benefits over tap water. A 1999 US survey found that one third of bottled water brands were in some way violating state law or industry standards. Showing, at a time when Yorkshire Water claims their standards have never been higher, paying 500 times more for water doesn’t mean in the slightest that you’re getting 500 times better quality.
The effects on the environment are even more shocking. With Britain drinking around 3 billion bottles per year, research from The University of Nottingham’s Environmental Technology Centre suggests the incurred production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET, the plastic resin used to make bottles) uses around 480, 000 tonnes of oil and releases 350,000 tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Add in CO2 emissions from distribution, and estimated collective greenhouse gas results are monumental. Similarly staggering are the recycling statistics. According to The Water Project, only around one in five water bottles is actually recycled. The rest end up in landfill sites, hedgerows, rivers and the ocean, where it is estimated they can take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to degrade. These facts are especially troublesome considering bottled water is essentially just needlessly overpriced packaging for something we get from the tap. When you really think about it, there is only one way to vote in the upcoming referendum. After all, water of the same quality as bottled is free and readily available from the taps in your house and the fountains dotted around campus. Just by remembering to take a refillable bottle with you every day, you will not only save yourself money, but you will also be helping save the planet. We should be proud to be members of one of only a few students’ unions that has encouraged this step forward. Think of the difference we’re already making. Don’t go back to bottled.
Jack Hunnaball The intentions of the bottled water ban currently enforced are pure in heart. In practice though, it’s impractical and ineffective in significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the University as a whole. Arguments about the negative impact of bottled water have merit, but surely it’s best to put the power into the hands of the customer. The environmentalist groups here campaigning for a continuation of the ban have the ability to convey information to the customers, enabling them to make a better informed choice. Whether they then choose to buy bottled water or not isn’t the important factor; what’s important is that they have the choice. While I believe some of the items banned from the Students Union stocks are justified (such as the Sun because of its demeaning pornographic content), I believe that bottled water is in far too high demand to justify a ban. Another argument as to why the ban should be overturned is the lack of relevant infrastructure to replace it – i.e. campuswide conveniently available reusable bottles and water fountains. Even if current and proposed solutions to these problems could effectively solve these issues, which again is questionable, there is still an
information issue. How and where will students find out about the locations of water taps and provision points for reusable bottles? If we continue the ban, at the very least this information should be made considerably more accessible. Then there’s the lack of an overall meaningful environmental impact, which is brought about by the ‘loophole’ of flavoured waters. Simply adding a hint of lemon and lime to bottled water makes it a different product, enabling it to be sold in the Students’ Union after all. This undermines the claim that the ban has saved emissions through reducing bottle usage; because what is effectively bottled water is still being sold. When many students pop into the SU to get their meal deal now, they’ll merely frown at the unavailability of normal bottled water and unthinkingly opt for its carbonated or flavoured relative. In this situation there is no beneficial environmental impact; a plastic bottle is still being used and probably thrown away, and meanwhile students are forced, by lack of alternative, into consuming a likely unhealthier beverage. In fact in a few cases, the massive additive and sugar content of such special-flavouredH2O results in some of this bottled ‘water’ being more unhealthy than standard fizzy drinks, especially diet alternatives. If the ban of the sale of bottled water was lifted it wouldn’t mean that the SU’s ethical stance couldn’t be maintained. There are many alternative bottled water companies that offer the product more sustainably and ethically: for instance the manufacturer Belu has a commitment to using recycled plastic in 50 per cent of their bottles, and the company One Water donates all of its profits to fund water development projects in Africa. It seems therefore, that there are compromises possible in this debate. Solutions are possible that both keep ethical standards and retain the power of consumer choice.
Voting for this referendum opens 10am on Monday 27th October
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The media blackout of the left needs to end Chris Saltmarsh The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky recently inspired outrage amongst Green Party supporters by inviting Ukip and not the Greens to take part in the General Election Leadership debates in April 2015. Many Greens consider themselves to be on pretty equal footing to Ukip, despite the latter's scarily insurgent popularity, due to having one MP, 3 MEPs, 162 councillors, and similar poll support to the Lib Dems. The outrage, though, is not just in response to this case of being sidelined, but comes from the increasingly noted idea that this incident is indicative of a wider media blackout of the general left-wing/ anti-establishment movement, including the Greens. Supposedly impartial, the BBC is particularly guilty considering their obsession with Ukip and disregard for
progressive movements. Whilst Nigel Farage and his tweed-clad mates have become a seemingly constant presence on Question Time (to which the Greens are rarely invited) and Daily Politics, BBC news has consistently neglected to report mass protests like those organised by the People's Assembly Against Austerity. These leftist groups are trying to engage with a political system which is inherently corrupt and in opposition to their goals, but they're doing it with integrity. The Green Party refuses corporate funding and resultant losses in autonomy. Their policy is democratically decided by their members. They've gone against the trend of electing PR-savvy, presidentialist leaders in favour of Natalie Bennett. Her forehead may not be as shiny as Clegg's or Cameron's and her suit may not be as expensive, but she is an organiser, a woman who promotes the Greens' ideals with passion. The four parties invited to debate are led by white, upper-middle-class,
middle-aged men. They are all advocates of authoritarian neoliberalism with little ideological difference between them, all defenders of the establishment.
“The four parties invited to debate are led by white, uppermiddle-class, middle-aged men.” So why is the media orchestrating a blackout of all groups whose ideas could threaten the durability of the political and economic status quo? They may claim that they don't justify attention because they lack support, but the Greens' membership has surged, despite a lack of coverage, and 50,000 people recently marched through Central London with the People's Assembly Against Austerity, largely unreported by the BBC. The British left is facing a catch-22; they apparently 'lack enough support' for sufficient media coverage, but lack the media coverage to increase their support.
The website voteforpolicies.org.uk showed in extensive survey responses that if given the anonymous choice of policies alone, the Greens are the most popular English party, commanding support from 25.52 per cent of voters. The Greens' ideas are not unappealing; they are under-represented. Ukip have thrust themselves to political prominence thanks to donations from wealthy benefactors, incoherent populist policy and fallacious opposition to the establishment, despite being very much a part of it in ideology and personnel. There is much talk about Britain's 'democratic deficit' but I assert that our situation is much worse. We have a democratic vacuum perpetuated by the mainstream media. Why isn't there a Ukip of the left, we so often ask ourselves? The Greens have integrity and a coherent set of principles. This is why the establishment is trying to ignore them into submission. But it isn't going to work, because the fightback is on. Photo: The Weekly Bull
Nudity is not pornography Ravers unite against the police state Patrick O’Connell
Tom Maguire-Wright Two decades ago, the Major government introduced one of the most singularly draconian pieces of legislation: their 1994 Criminal Justice Act. In a nutshell, it took away citizen’s rights and increased police powers, including stop & search and the collection of ‘intimate’ body samples. The Act removed our ‘right to remain silent’—now courts can infer untruth if a defendant remains silent upon arrest. Among the groups targeted by the act were squatters, football fans, travellers, civil disobedients, and ‘ravers’.
“The Beastie Boys’ song ‘(You gotta) fight for your right (to party)’ played out first as farce and then as tragedy”
In July and October of 1994, mass protests were held against the act. The Beastie Boys’ 1986 song ‘(You gotta) fight for your right (to party)’ played out first as farce, and in 1994 as tragedy. A mass of people literally took to the streets, alongside lawyers, leftwing sects, unions and squatters, to defend their right to free parties. Public gatherings with music “wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats” would be banned by the Act. Soundsystems contravening the Act would be forfeited, those attending the free parties arrested. Of course, this had been happening since the rave scene began. But where before police discretion was used to crackdown on free parties, now the
state’s opposition to the rave scene was enshrined in law. From 1994, more resources were committed to fragment and rip apart the rave scene—perceived as dangerous because it provided a communal form of leisure, whose values lay outside of state or market control. This is part of a longer process where our leisure is controlled and directed to ensure it is ‘responsible’. Market society increasingly demands that we are ambitious, aspirational and competitive: that, even in our free time, we negotiate every part of our existence through a sanitised market environment. And underlying this, as shown so well by the Act itself, is a police apparatus, bloated with violence, ready to crack down on us if we step outside the bounds of what is “responsible”. On the 5th of November, in London, is the ‘million mask march’ held by the amorphous activist collective Anonymous. More importantly, there is a Ravers United Against the Police State bloc, promising “social disobedience and dancing in the streets”. Starting 6pm in Trafalgar square, the protest is a reaction to the continued attacks on free parties by the police. Over twenty years since police repression against free parties began, the subculture exists in a fragmented and marginalised form. The police have no right to discipline and destroy the basic act of people coming together to have a good time. I don’t know what will happen on the demo, but I’ll be attending—to fight for a future where we have control over our enjoyment. And if the demo doesn’t come to much, at least there’ll be rigs playing good music—something too often absent at national demos.
The tongue-in-cheek tradition of naked calendars has long graced the walls of many homes. There’s even been films about them – most notably, Calendar Girls, the 2003 surprise box office hit which told the story of a group of Women’s Institute members who stripped off to raise funds for a leukaemia charity. But this month the University of Warwick rowers’ annual naked charity calendar was banned on Facebook. The calendar, fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, was apparently “pornographic”. Nudity and pornography are too often conflated together – but this should not be the case. There is a major difference between sexually explicit material and mere nakedness. Facebook wields the power to play arbiters of taste with content posted to its site. Their policy remains unclear, but according to its own community standards, Facebook “imposes limitations on the display of nudity.” For the Warwick rowers, their Facebook page was reinstated following a wave of criticism directed at the California-based social network. But this is not the case for most of Facebook’s one billion users who have seen their content removed or bans enforced. Until recently, Facebook enforced bans on photographs of women breastfeeding their children. Breastfeeding is not a sexual act – breastfeeding is biology. Parents have found themselves banned from Facebook for posting pictures of their babies wearing their birthday suits. Facebook’s American origins may account for its conservative views on nudity. But stranger still are those who have their seemingly innocuous content removed for breaching Facebook’s nudity policy. Those who flag images as inappropriate remain anonymous and bogus accusations of nudity often result in content being unfairly removed. Facebook needs to alter its approach to nakedness. Full frontal nudity can be broadcasted on British television at any time of day, provided that the nudity is not sexualised. Last week ITV’s breakfast television programme Lorraine featured a breast exam live on air. Or three months
ago, during a feature on penis enlargement on This Morning, viewers were shown before-andafter shots of penises following surgery. However, the distinction between nudity and pornography continues to blur. Last week Chris Grayling, the Justice Secretary, announced a ‘revenge porn’ bill that would be a criminal offence with a maximum sentence of two years in prison. But the offence will be to post online images showing “genitals exposed”. Naturists have already complained that this proposed law fails to distinguish between nudity and pornography. It seems that Facebook is not alone in confusing the two – the government is too. How many people could potentially break this law? Speaking to the Telegraph, naturist writer Rayner Otter said: “thousands, if not millions, of Britons who take innocent photographs of their friends and families in the nude would technically become pornographers”. A knee-jerk reaction to simple nakedness is inappropriate and heavy-handed. Nudity is not explicit. Facebook needs to forgo its modesty and bare all.
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COMMENT
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You can mock Kim but leave his Korea out of it Beth Cunningham Last month Kim Jong-un, Supreme Leader of North Korea, seemingly disappeared.
His absence from two major political events spurred the western media on to wild speculation. One widely discussed theory suggested that overindulging in posh cheese had made him so fat he had developed health issues. More serious reports claimed that it was likely he had been deposed in a military coup. So when Kim reappeared six weeks later, limping but apparently fine, you could almost hear the collective sigh of disappointment from western observers. This rather unimpressive return didn’t line up nearly as well with how we like to view Kim – as both the terrifying face of tyranny or as a laughable chubby brat. Googling the Supreme Leader easily shows how Kim has become a figure of amusement. He appears in memes
as a gluttonous egotistical fool. And actually, I think that’s appropriate. There is nothing wrong with flouting his demand for international respect, and each joke at his expense makes his cult of personality just a little less powerful. I have no problem with people denouncing a ruthless dictator, but what I find uncomfortable is that western media has extended that to ridicule and demonization to the North Korean people. Their lives speak into the dark truth of North Korea; despite the satire it isn’t unreasonable to fear Kim Jongun. He is the third in a uniquely despotic family line, professing deep hatred towards nations which criticise him (i.e. most of them), and continues to develop a nuclear arsenal despite UN condemnation. Deep-rooted human rights abuses and economic mismanagement have crushed and dehumanised Kim’s citizens; far from being complicit, they’re victims. But they are not presented as such. Any reference to the North Korea in western media is rife with striking images of elaborate military parades and civilians openly weeping by colossal statues of their departed leaders. This encourages us to view them as a population just as war-hungry as their commander, completely brainwashed by the fiction of their nation’s eminence. In reality, North Koreans are the product of an intensely insular nation with no freedom of expression. Only the very eldest remember Korea before its division. For the rest, this is all they have ever known. By law, portraits of the Kim family must hang in every house. Children are taught nursery rhymes about shooting ‘Yankee bastards’. All media is state-controlled, full of reports about the threat posed
Editorial Trick or... Forge Press? Hi everyone, Here at Forge Press, we like to get into the Halloween spirit, so you’ll have to forgive us if you see the odd pumpkin pop up while you’re enjoying our scarily good articles (yeah, I really did just say that). This fortnight our editors have been working hard to bring you some really hard-hitting news stories, fascinating features and thought-provoking comment articles, and as usual Fuse have all the latest in arts and entertainment. We’d like to thank all our new contributors who have started attending our meetings and who have helped us make this one of the best issues yet. We’re always happy to meet new writers, artists and photographers, and so we’ve included a page in this issue which tells you all you need to know about getting
involved with us. I’m all too aware that deadlines and exam panic is starting to set in all too early, and for that I can give you but one piece of advice: google ‘cats in halloween costumes’ and/or ‘stuck cow’. I especially recommend the latter. That’s about it from me, so grab some Halloween candy and/or a pumpkin spice latte and happy reading!
D.A.R.T.S.
Got an opinion on the topics discussed this fortnight?
Contact us: letters@forgetoday.com
Forge Press takes its satirical aim
Gove’s uncomfortably pathetic shot Twitter account of the fortnight at being “in touch” of the fortnight
“I am the God of tits and wine.” This fortnight, Michael Gove stood in a garden and talked awkwardly about Game of Thrones, in what we can only assume was a half-arsed attempt by the Chief Whip to appear to be anything other than a cold-blooded reptilian overlord, occupying the dusty shell of a confused middle-aged white man who inexplicably thinks he can pull off indigo knitwear. It didn’t work. Even worse, it opened up a whole Pandora’s Box of ‘inspirational Tyrion Lannister quotes superimposed over pictures of Michael Gove in a garden’, which probably isn’t going to go well for him. Ah well, nice try Michael.
Air kiss-related overreaction of the fortnight Paul O’Grady, on having his air kiss intercepted by David Cameron at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain awards: “It was like Anne Frank blowing a kiss to Hitler.”
Quote of the fortnight Elsa Vulliamy - Forge Press editor elsa.vulliamy@forgetoday.com
by ‘imperialist’ nations. If we’d grown up in this environment, wouldn’t we also believe it? Of course there are those who dare mistrust the propaganda, but harsh punishments make speaking out extremely dangerous. Expressing your doubts to the wrong person could see your whole family sent to a prison camp. Many caught trying to flee the country have been publicly executed. Several defectors have told how they spent years hiding even the slightest hint of their disbelief from everyone. We can assume there must still be many North Koreans in the same situation. So by all means, satirise and condemn Kim Jong-un how you like. Just keep in mind that for those who have to live under his rule, where life is not quite so free; doing so may mean disappearing.
“I’m happy to be done for indecency” Neelam Tailor, News Editor and exhibitionist
Once your mum’s favourite privately educated warbler, James Blunt had a firmly set place in musical history, nestled cosily between Coldplay and, well, Coldplay, in the bland/ mediocre section. Recently, however, the ‘Goodbye My Lover’ star has taken on a slightly more risqué persona as a man willing to hit on or insult pretty much any Twitter user that crosses his path.
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Friday October 24 2014 Forge Press
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The Forge Budget Bible Student surveys show that four in five students are in a state of worry about money. Monetary issues add to the high levels of stress experienced by students and can also impact students’ diets, mental health and studies. So, Clodagh Brennan has put together this nifty budget bible, to help take some weight off your shoulders.
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Don’t worry
f you are one of the four in five that are concerned about money, taking the time to actively manage your finances is the best thing you can do. Part of the student experience is increased independence and with that comes responsibility. Learning to effectively manage your finances now will help you for the rest of your adult life. Take an hour, get your calculator out and start by thanking yourself for taking a place at the University of Sheffield instead of a more expensive city.
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How to make a budget
budget is essentially a list of your monetary income and outgoings. In an ideal world your income is higher than your expenditure, but you’ll soon discover that this is never the case for students. A budget will help you know exactly how much money you actually need, so that you do not run out before the year is over. Make three lists of the following:
A Money coming in: Include any loan, grants, jobs or financial support from family. It is helpful to have a figure of how much you receive a month so divide a yearly total by 12. Most courses run from the September to July which is around nine months. B Fixed expenditure: In this section include things like rent, bills and any contracts such as your mobile phone or TV license. C Living costs: This section includes necessities such as food and books but perhaps more importantly clothes, socialising and all of the little things that add up. If you are not sure how much you are spending, work from your last bank statement and make a category for when you are not sure.
The worst part is A-(B+C)=£. Remember that most students spend more than they have coming in. This article is about managing this problem. If you are taking a loan out for your tuition fees , then there is no need to include them in your budget as Student Finance pays the University directly. To make creating a budget simpler there are lots of tools online. Themoneycharity.org.uk has a great budget builder which allows you to save your budget and update it easily, which you should do around twice a year and when you have a change in situation.
Keeping track
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f you found listing your expenditure difficult you will need to start keeping track of where your money is going. The easiest way to do this is through purpose built apps. The majority of banks now have a mobile app so that you can easily check your balance on the go. Some banks also offer a text service where they send your balance to you once a week. Thankfully, many of these apps also have a money tracking function where you enter how much you have spent in different categories. Recommended apps for keeping track include many free services such as Toshl or Mint, which also links with your bank account. Get into the habit of updating it regularly before losing receipts. If you do not have a smart phone or tablet try a free downloadable spreadsheet from Vertrex 42, which works with Microsoft Excel or the Google Docs template gallery which includes a number of budget spreadsheets. If you cannot keep track, try an envelope budget: once you have figured out how much money you have for C, living costs, take this out in cash at the beginning of the week and keep it in an envelope. Your card should only be used in absolute emergencies. Physically looking at how much money you have helps you to make smarter decisions and stop impulse buying. Any change at the end of the week can go in a savings jar.
Make your money go further
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our student card is for more than getting into the library. It also opens up a whole world of discounts. Every time you pay it is worth asking if there is a student discount and signing up for newsletters such as from Studentbeans.com or Unidays lets you know what deals are currently on offer in store or online. My Voucher Codes even uses
GPS to show you discounts in your nearby vicinity. Also, shop second hand in the various vintage and charity shops around Sheffield - you can even get second hand furniture in the large British Heart foundation store on Arundel Gate. Lastly you could try swapping or borrowing items instead of buying. You can swap amongst friends or try out the University’s new Sustainability Library in the union, which lets students borrow items for a small deposit. The list of items will be available on their website soon and you can make suggestions of what you and others would find useful.
Thank yourself for coming to the University of Sheffield instead of a more expensive city. How to increase your income
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tudent Finance: Make sure you are getting all of the money available to you from student finance. If your family’s situation has changed since you first applied for your maintenance loan, you may be able to get reassessed for a grant. Scholarships: The University finance pages also include scholarship programmes. These are competitive but could help you to fund a master’s, study abroad or unpaid work experience. If you want to apply for any support through the University, it is easy to make an appointment with the Student Advice Centre located next to the SSiD. Overdrafts: This is the only time you will ever be able to borrow with zero per cent payback. Overdrafts are widely used by students. Just make sure you do not go over the limit and you know when you have to pay it back by. Most banks will increase your limit as you go on with Halifax offering the largest overdraft with up to £2000 available. Even if you do not rely on this money, have the overdraft set up for emergencies.
Forge Press Friday October 24 2014
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J.o.b vs BSc
efore resigning yourself to working through your degree, check out all of the above money saving tips. If there is still a significant gap between your income and outcome you may have to work. Part-time work is not a bad thing. Some jobs allow high levels of flexibility to fit in with your studies and it is essential to have something for your CV when applying for graduate jobs. Many students could scrape by without part time work, but prefer to put in a few hours to live comfortably or are able to find paid work over the summer to save for the following year. Part time work can also contribute to the Sheffield Graduate Award. The Student Jobshop in the Union lists part time jobs as does their online service myVacancies. The Careers Service also has helpful information on writing a CV and application. They also offer one to one appointments in which they can check through your CV and give advice. Make sure you know what your rights are as part time workers you should recieve the same benefits as full-time employees, including holiday and sick pay. Beware of relying on a zero-hour contract as you may not get shifts when you need them. The current minimum wage is £5.13 if you’re aged 18-20 or £6.50 for 21+. You should not be paying tax if you earn less than £10,000 a year and students’ loans and grants do not count as taxable income. International students are subject to further restrictions on working within the UK. The maximum hours you can work during term-time are normally printed on your Visa or Biometric Residence Permit. Check ukvisa.org.uk for more information. If you do not want to work in a standard student job, get creative and assess what you are good at and how you can make money from it. If you need a hand, Save the Student has put together a list of money making ideas form tuition, to working as an extra, to self-publishing an eBook.
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Bills
omparison websites such as billmonitor.com and uswitch.com check that you are on the cheapest tariff. Stop wasting energy to save money! If your landlord is registered with propertywithUS you can take part in the Green Impact Student Homes project to minimise your energy consumption. If that’s not possible here are some simple tips: • Turn your thermostat down. We are not suggesting that you freeze in your homes but turning the thermostat down by one degree could save around £60 a year.
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• Microwave. It is faster and more energy efficient than heating up an electric oven, especially if you are cooking alone. If you do use your oven, leave the door open when you have turned it off to warm up the house. • Only fill the kettle with how much water you need. Heating water with electricity is three times the price as gas, so stop boiling extra water. • If you are lucky enough to have a dishwasher it is also more energy efficient than washing by hand. • Wash clothes at lower temperatures and share loads if you do not have enough for a full one. • Remember to turn your boiler off over summer if no one is in the house but set it to low over the Christmas holidays to stop the pipes bursting.
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Food
ooking together saves both time and money and is also sociable. Shopping in bulk can also save money, but is best done in a large store with a car or with online delivery. Sainsbury’s has a discount for first time online shoppers of £15 off orders over £60 but it ends in October! Try out Sheffield’s market for fresh produce which is now located at the Moor. Attempt one of Forge’s Cheap Eats, which are printed in the lifestyle section.
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Europe for one or two semesters. During this time you do not pay fees to the University of Sheffield. If you do not speak a second language, remember that a lot of universities offer courses in English, particularly in northern Europe. If you have made a budget and are still unable to live within your means, go to the Student Advice Centre for support. They can help you with all aspects of finance including if you are already in debt. Budgeting will help you regain control over your money and stop the worry building up about your finances.
Tuition Fees
he student loan system means that you should not worry about paying tuition fees. Even when you start to work, you are not expected to pay your fees quickly. If you still worried about paying back high student fees, you can lower the cost by participating in the Erasmus scheme. Erasmus allows students to study for free at a host university in
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Friday October 24 2014 Forge Press
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Alice Farmery explores... Picture Credits: :Kew Gardens, and @MrMushroomMan
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ou may have heard the well known idiom ‘people in glass houses shouldn’t get stoned’, but the organisers of the recent attraction at Kew Gardens in Chiswick have chosen to ignore this advice. Intrepid visitors are being offered a chance to ‘achieve spiritual enlightenment’ by sampling ‘a small amount of one of four plant-products that are…attributed to certain psychoactive, mind-altering properties’. The event is run by Bompass and Parr (a company that describe themselves as leaders in ‘flavour based experience design’) as part of Kew’s ‘intoxication season’, which explores the history, chemistry and biology behind some of the world’s best known drugs. The festival has been responsible for a comparative 20 per cent rise in visitor numbers, and a talk by former government advisor Professor David Nutt (who was sacked over a controversial comment that ecstasy was no more dangerous than an addiction to horse riding) proved to be a sell-out. Although this event may be seen as a way of generating publicity and increasing ticket sales for the gardens, it raises the interesting and controversial issue of the role of psychoactive drugs in different cultures. It also leads us to question society’s attitudes towards these drugs, and how this has changed over time. This issue has become more topical in recent years, with debate over the decriminalisation dominating the political agenda in California, Jamaica and Greece, as well as in the UK. At the launch of the Liberal Democrat’s draft election manifesto in September, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg promised to consider the proposal, after they were advocated in a policy paper. A campaign within the European Union with the
aim of starting a debate in Europe about the legalisation of the production, sale and use of marijuana was launched in February 2014, and in the first four months had gained over 100,000 signatures. A recent article by the Guardian journalist Stuart Jefferies cited data from the Office of National Statistics, which revealed that Britons spend more on illegal drugs than personal grooming. The drug industry contributes an estimated £6.62 billion to the UK economy every year, a figure which has led many to call for the controlled legalisation and taxation of drugs to help tackle national debt. The use of certain types of psychoactive drugs (for example cannabis) is widely stigmatised in our society, and those who take them are negatively stereotyped. There is no way of refuting the devastating personal costs and wider social problems caused by drug addiction, but it is clear that the laws regarding drug use need reforming to stand the best chance of mitigating these harms. Another interesting issue raised by Kew’s ‘intoxication season’, is that although the use of cannabis is viewed as dangerous and illicit, most of us sustain low levels of addiction to coffee, tea, chocolate and alcohol without considering ourselves drug users. Although many people point to history as an explanation for these ‘socially acceptable’ drugs, substances such as laudanum (a tincture of opium which was fashionable in Victorian Britain) were no longer seen as respectable once their detrimental impacts became well-known. Mycologist (mushroom expert) Andy Letcher (author of the definitive cultural history of the magic
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Forge Press Friday October 24 2014
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mushroom) has observed that “the ‘drugs’ that are sanctioned in our society are coffee, which makes you a more productive worker, and alcohol, which helps you wind down after a hard day’s work. These are drugs that are compatible with the capitalist project; whereas tripping out for six hours doesn’t really fit …” He also notes that “other cultures view hallucinogenic plants in a very different way from here in the West. Here we see them as problematic, whereas in Mexico, with its long history of shamanism, they are viewed as potent tools, as instruments of healing, and as a way of accessing a level of reality that is more real than the here and now.” In nearly every traditional culture, plant-derived substances played a key role as hallucinogens for recreational and spiritual purposes, providing relief from pain and hunger. Some of the plants on display at Kew have properties prized by humans for thousands of years. For example, Mazatec shamans in Mexico ritually use Salvia divinorum (also known as Diviner’s Sage or Seer’s Sage) to help facilitate visions during healing sessions. Psilocybin mushrooms (known colloquially as ‘magic mushrooms’) were known to the Aztecs as teonanácatl, which literally means “divine mushroom”, and were used at important events such as coronations, communions and divinations. The powerful psychedelic compound mescaline can be found in the Andean San Pedro cactus and Mexican peyote cactus, from which the Aztecs extracted the drug for their personal use. Public opinion is understandably divided on the issue of psychoactive substances, and the debate does not show any signs of cooling off. One of the country’s leading plant scientists, professor Monique Simmonds, has
warned that the loss of the strict controls on drug use enforced by traditional cultures is a danger to modern users. Plant compounds can react with each other in unexpected ways, with potentially fatal consequences. In recent years the rise of online substance trading has caused the number of drug-related deaths to skyrocket, as young buyers seeking to experiment with mind-altering substances are unwittingly being sold dubious concoctions in fatal doses. So where do you stand on this controversial issue? A group of anti-drugs campaigners have claimed that the literature from the exhibition at Kew ‘reads like an invitation for children to experiment with drugs’, while the curators were keen to highlight that the festival aims to deliver thought-provoking content, but will in no way condone the use of illegal drugs. A spokesman for Kew explained; “we are aiming to show visitors how plants’ identities have been manipulated through time, sometimes portrayed as friend, sometimes as foe”. Overall, the point of intoxication season is to demonstrate how ‘in actuality no plant is inherently a drug, a medicine, or a poison. In fact, they can be all three.’ Visitors to this exhibition may come with the hope of experiencing a ‘mind-altering’ natural high, but are much more likely to come away with a deeper insight into the powerful biochemistry of plants and our relationship with the natural world.
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Friday October 24 2013 Forge Press
Forge Press Friday October 24 2014
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The recent so-called ‘fappening’ and the media scandal that came alongside it has sparked a lot of debate over our individual right to our own privacy and perhaps more significantly, the social demand for explicit content. Abbie-Jayne Burford has given Features her own social commentary on the debate, which will hopefully provide you with some food for thought.
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t’s no secret that many a relationship has been affected by the dreaded P word - porn. Nowadays, pornography is easier to find than ever and more popular too, with the industry doubling in worth to £61 billion over the past 9 years, despite the fairly recent trend of ‘sexting’ – or as defined by the Oxford Dictionary “A sexually explicit photograph or message sent via mobile phone”. After the recent leaks of nude photos of famous celebrities such as Ariana Grande and Kirsten Dunst it seems that the photo side of sexting isn’t as secure as it may seem. In fact, by sexting, you could be unknowingly contributing to the porn industry - just like Jennifer Lawrence, another celebrity whose nudes were leaked at the end of August, after a breach of Apple’s iCloud software. There are plenty who like to preach about the rights and wrongs of sending explicit images, but hypotheticals aren’t going to address the underlying issue, and mostly for the same reason. Jennifer Lawrence recently commented in reaction to her own exploitation; “I was in a loving, healthy, great relationship for four years. It was long distance, and either your boyfriend is going to look at porn or he’s going to look at you.” Coming away to university can provoke this sort of concern between one or both halves of a couple. Sexting often offers a way to keep the intimacy despite the distance. It’s something many couples do, with 58 per cent admitting they send images to their partner. And it seems to work, as 71 per cent of couples that admitted to sexting each other said it had improved their relationship. This does, however, encourage one to question society’s view on sex nowadays. Why do we choose to sext? As a modern species, mankind seems to have a need for porn and this is not just a recent phenomenon the first provocative drawings were painted on cave walls. Arguably, the creation of porn itself could’ve sparked this need, but it only became an industry when some clever chap realised that all-important fact - sex sells. Answer me this, why would Philaenis of Samos in the third century BC waste her ink and papyrus writing the first recorded sex guide if she thought no-one would buy it? Despite it being an intimate act, most people partake in sexual activities. Throw in the invention of the camera in 1880 and hey, presto! The porn industry is born. But, flash forward about 130 years and you’ll see just how much insecurity porn has brought into not just relationships, but society in general, which brings us back to Jennifer Lawrence. As far as today’s society is concerned, most people of a certain age
consume porn. However true that may be, this pushes girls in particular to be overprotective about their partners getting themselves off to the image of someone else. The high-flying actor basically said that she felt she had to take explicit images of herself in order to prevent this. Not only does this disfigure trust in a relationship but it also makes couples feel that they have to expose themselves to each other. According to an NSPCC/ChildLine survey, six out of 10 teenagers say they have been asked for sexual images or videos – proving that this is an issue that affects the majority. More worryingly, another survey found that 11 per cent of underage girls (1316) are sending/posting these images of themselves. Not only is this classed as child pornography, and therefore a criminal offense, but it also shows that girls in particular are experiencing sexual pressure from a younger age. The nudes released earlier in the year were of adults, and although extremely humiliating and an exploitation of their privacy, it seems that there’s a high risk of this happening to even younger girls in the future. It may seem biased that the focus of sexting dangers is based on the participation of women, but they are more vulnerable to this influence and exposure. Notice that the leaks in August seemed to all be of women, and the same applies to the stats mentioned above. Historically, the porn industry has been driven by males, leading to the objectification of women. This could be a significant reason why porn still exists and is so popular today, because, although increasing amounts of women are viewing it these days, it’s still very much a male-dominated industry. Historically, women were thought to not enjoy sex, their role was simply to satisfy their husband and reproduce, though luckily this has and is still becoming more and more outdated. Then there are those still seem to believe that women are objects where porn is concerned, the first example being Big Bang Theory’s Penny, played by Kaley Cuoco, yet another victim of August’s mass exposure. Although she did admit that she found the hacking “disturbing” her reaction was very different to that of Jennifier Lawrence; she decided to “take it into [her] own hands and made a joke about it, because what else are you going to do?” A pretty casual response in comparison. But she then turned the industry on its head by releasing ‘new nudes’ but blurring out the ‘good bits’ of the pictures, disappointing many but proving her point magnificently. Pop star Rihanna has also took
matters into her own hands by posting explicit pictures of herself on social networking site Instagram however this resulted in the closure of her account for breaching the terms of use for the app. Porn is becoming a much more accessible industry in today’s society, especially as women are now openly viewing it too. However, this accessibility does present some negativity, and often leads to sexual exploitation. There is nothing illegal about adult sexting, so by all means have fun and enjoy it. But it is important to know exactly what you’re getting into before you send that image. For more on boobs and willies, see Patrick O’Connell on p.9
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Fri day O c to ber 24 2014
LIFESTYLE&TRAVEL
Lifestyle loves by Niki Kesharaju
Vintage Style Me
Fashion
Fronted by the 20-something vintage lover, Rhiannon Alexander, Vintage Style Me is one of online fashion’s best kept secrets. Having been around since 2011, Vintage Style Me has really developed a fashion identity of its own. The Vintage Style Me signature style is the print. From florals and tartan to kooky dinosaur and unicorn prints, their dresses and co-ords come in a range of statement cuts and colours. The best bit is that they’re all hand-made by Rhiannon and her team of makers. Every one dreams of having that dress with the perfect fit, and being handmade means that you can send Vintage Style Me your measurements and requirements and your dress is tailored to perfection. Vintage Style Me is not just a woman’s label though. The Forest Collection is a range of casual t-shirts for men with printed pocket detailing. The next time you want something new, try going quirky and hand-made with Vintage Style Me. Image: Vintage Style Me
Food
George Foreman Grill
This grill has bailed me out from settling for a greasy takeaway many a time. Ranging anywhere between £15 to £70 depending on size, the four portion George Foreman grill, setting you back a mere £20 from Amazon, is a must-have student kitchen appliance. It scores a perfect 10 for ease of use and cleaning, ideal for when you are in a rush to get to places or when you are too tired to cook. The best part is just how much healthier it makes your food. Fatty meats like sausages can be easily dealt with. Chicken can be cooked in just under 10 minutes. The fat just drips away into a tray which you can wash up later. The grill is also so versatile, you can grill veg on it to accompany your main meal or you can make a sandwich and pop it into the Image: Wikimedia grill to create a winter appropriate toastie. You can even make burgers in them out of mince meat, great for impressing friends.
Cologne
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vel If you are thinking of going away for Christmas, you will need to start booking tickets now. Cologne is that perfect weekend getaway towards the end of term. If architecture, good food and drink sound like your idea of fun, Cologne is the place to be. It is known especially for its Christmas markets and this year, the markets will be around from November 24 to December 23. You have a choice of sevImage: Wikimedia en Christmas markets, the main two being near the beautiful Dom (or Cologne Cathedral) and at Alter Markt, the Old Town of Cologne. If Christmas markets aren’t entirely your scene, Cologne has lots of great restaurants and bierhauses serving Kölsch, a local beer. Othwise, the Rhine spans across the city and makes for lots of photo opportunities.
Food
F O RG E P RESS
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The Doctor’s Orders Review
by Isabel Dobinson
The team at our Broomhill favourite, the Fox and Duck have re-launched Glossop Road’s the West End into the fresh and quirky medical themed pub, The Doctor’s Orders. Lucky Lifestyle editor, Isabel Dobinson tells us why she would recommend this new student pub as the place to go after a long day of lectures.
As suggested by the name, The Doctor’s Orders is kitted out in creative yet subtle medically themed décor with green leather sofas and dark wooden panels. However, the friendly student atmosphere is a lot more welcoming than the gothic style doctors the theme is based on. Its convenient location, wide selection of hand pulled ales, cider and creatively named cocktails along with its 10 per cent student discount makes this relaxed and quirky pub perfect for a place to wind down after a long tiring day.
Keeping with the medical theme, the clever Jekyll and Hyde menu offers a range of sharing food, salads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts. Of course, I couldn’t resist the nachos and was greeted with a mountain of tortilla chips generously covered in sour cream, guacamole, salsa and melted cheese. Let’s just say it was certainly good value for money, as no matter how hard I tried I could barely make a dint in the seemingly never ending bowl.
I did however, manage to finish the next course, which was a delicious pulled pork sandwich accompanied with a side salad and chips. It may be a bold statement, but I am not exaggerating when I say that the portion of generously sized chips were some of the best I’ve ever tasted. For dessert, my friend and I shared the vodka-flavoured sorbet, which was as expected: very alcoholic and very delicious. All this makes The Doctor’s Orders a great place to relax in between seminars with a pint and the perfect place for a catch up with friends over a sweet cocktail or a tasty and generously portioned dinner. Images: Isabel Dobinson
Reading Week Escapes
York
The City of York is a picture perfect city that won’t break your fragile student bank account. If culture is what you are after, then visit York Minster, one of the largest cathedrals in Northern Europe, and for a small price (£15) you can have a guided tour. For those of you wanting to let your hair down and relieve reading week stress, York has a bustling nightlife. A good place to start would be Coney Street, offering a variety of bars and pubs at reasonable northern prices. If it is retail therapy you need, shopping in the city is equally impressive – York Designer Outlet offers the great selection of shops at low prices. If you just want to relax, stroll along the cobblestone streets and visit world famous Betty’s café tearooms for a well-earned break. How to get there: train (1 hour) Cost: Under £15 return, with a RailCard by train from Sheffield. Where to stay: The Fort Boutique Hostel, 1 Little Stonegate, York, York, England. (Dorms and Rooms from £20 pp. per night)
The Lake District
If peace and quiet is what you are after, then head to the Lake District. This National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty comprised of 885 square miles of mountains, woodland, lakes, and vast open spaces. If you love being outdoors this is definitely the escape for you. There are endless walking routes for those on a budget, as well as opportunities for all kinds of water sports, including climbing, abseiling and cycling for adrenaline junkies. Try visiting Britain’s largest lake, Windermere, or the World of Beatrix Potter, and when you get tired of walking, visit one of the many charming tearooms for a spot of tea and cake. How to get there: Train from Sheffield to Kendal (2 hours 40 minutes) Cost: £43 standard return, with a railcard. Where to stay: Lake District Backpackers Lodge, High Street, Windermere, Lake District, England LA23 1AF (Dorms from £16 pp. per night)
Haworth, West Yorkshire
A little bit closer to home is Haworth. Home to the Brontë sisters, Haworth is a must-visit for all literature lovers. The famous village is a wonderful day escape with a jumble of quaint tearooms, bookshops, old sweet shops and many cobbled
Travel
by Charlotte Gomes
streets to wander. Why not visit The Parsonage (now a museum and archive) where the sisters wrote their novels? You could head to one of the many pubs for a hearty Sunday lunch, for which Haworth Old Hall is highly recommended. This chocolate box village is the perfect escape if you want English charm, relaxation and a cheap accessible day away the Steel City. How to get there: Train from Sheffield to Keighley (1 hour 26 minutes) Cost: £12 return, booked in advance with a RailCard.
The Cotswolds
If you are looking for somewhere to escape the encroaching northern winter then The Cotswolds is an ideal country retreat from essay stress. The Cotswolds is an area of rolling hills nestled between Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, and Oxford. Enjoy pretty villages, a manor house and explore dry stonewalls, country pubs and walks, which are characterized by the honey-coloured Cotswold stone. For serious walkers, try the Cotswold Way and Thames Path, whilst budding historians should visit the medieval town of Tewkesbury and explore the 14th century Norman abbey. Don’t forget to explore Blenheim Palace and gardens where Winston Churchill was born, or sample the towns of historic Cirencester and Georgian Bath for shopping and nightlife. How to get there: Trains from Sheffield to Oxford (2 hours 16 minutes) Trains from Sheffield to Bath (3 hours 10 minutes) Cost: Return booked in advance with a RailCard from £52 Where to stay: YHA Stow on the Wold, The Square, Stow-on-theWold, Gloucestershire, GL54 1AF (Dorms from £17 pp. per night)
Whitby Whitby is the perfect seaside ‘staycation’. This cute town is well worth the long journey up into North Yorkshire. Although not exactly vast, Whitby offers a selection of boutique shops, quirky streets and cutesy charm. Chippies and amusement arcades line the promenade for your evening entertainment and a variety of vampire related experiences litter the town where Bram Stoker created Dracula. Don’t forget to climb the famous 199 steps up to the architectural wonder of Whitby Abbey, the gem of this Yorkshire beauty. Full to the brim with history and seaside delights, Whitby has something for everyone. How to get there: Train from Sheffield to Whitby (3 hours, 18 minutes) Cost: off peak return, booked in advance with a RailCard from £35 Where to stay: YHA Whitby, Abbey House, East Cliff, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4JT (Dorms from £15 pp. per night) Images: Charlotte Gomes
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LIFESTYLE&TRAVEL Society: Polo
Society spotlight
by Emma Templer
Every fortnight, Lifestyle teams up with a society or a charity to show what you can get involved in at our university. With the help of society member, Emma Templer, why not ditch the hockey sticks, football boots and pompoms and have a go at polo, with the University Equestrian Society.
Image by: Imogen Payne
Polo is a quirky, fun and fast paced sport and is perfect for students looking to start something new and unique. For those who have never heard of polo before, it is a sport played on horses in teams of four with the aim of hitting a small ball into the goal posts at either end of a pitch using a wooden mallet. The basic yet best way to describe it is that it is similar to hockey but played on horses and at a very fast pace. The pitch is 274 metres long by 146 metres wide, giving you plenty of space to make the most out of your defensive and attacking moves. A game is split into sections lasting seven minutes, called a chukka. In these seven minutes, the team that scores the most goals are the winners. There are a few rules in place to ensure safety for the rider and the horse and to make sure no accidents can occur.
Whether you are a beginner at horse riding or have bags of experience, polo is definitely something to give a try, even for those who have never ridden a horse before! The society offers lessons at the Vale of York Polo Club which is located about 45 minutes away from University. As a member, an hour long lesson costs ÂŁ25 and you can learn all the rules of the game and practise hitting the ball whilst on the horse (it is a lot harder than it sounds!) All you need is suitable clothing, such as tracksuit bottoms and boots, preferably with a slight heel but more importantly plenty of enthusiasm. All the equipment you would need is provided by the club, including a riding hat if you do not own one. At the end of the year, we usually put our practise into play and take part in tournaments against Hallam, which are great fun and a perfect opportunity to socialise and take part in the team spirit. You can imagine how exhilarating it is galloping across the polo pitch and shooting goals for your university. We also have regular socials, which are a great opportunity to meet other horse minded people and get to know your team mates.
Image by: Maria Loftus Photography
The Equestrian Society offers a range of other activities such as horse riding lessons, BUCS competitions, horse ball and trekking, all of which are fun and a great way to meet new people. The club caters for complete beginners to international riders, so anyone can get involved and give it a go!
Concourse couture
Fashion
Annie Second year, English Literature Wearing: Coat from Primark, skirt from Topshop, shoes from eBay
by Hope Cunningham
Barney Waller First year, English Literature Wearing: Jeans from New Look, shoes from Debenhams, other items from charity shops and Amazon
Lilly Bridger First year, Law and Criminology Wearing: Coat from Primark, top from Monki, jumpsuit from Hollister, shoes from Office
Owen Davies Second year, English Literature Wearing: Coat from Topman, jeans from River Island, shoes from Dr Martens
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LIFESTYLE&TRAVEL
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Brits, Botox and Bald Patches
Lifestyle contributor, Anna Gillies, examines the growing trend of cosmetic surgery and how it is affecting men and women in and around Sheffield in the 18-24 student age group.
Image: Transform Brits, Boobs and Botox tool
Statistics from a 2014 British Social Attitudes Survey found that only 63 per cent of women between the ages 18-34 were satisfied with their appearance. This same survey showed that the problem of poor self-image was not only limited to women; only three-quarters of men were satisfied with themselves. Cosmetic surgery has forever been in the public eye, but lately, it is becoming a common solution for those in the student demographic. Transform Cosmetic Surgery have teamed up with Victoria McMahon to analyse four years of data to create the ‘Brits, Boobs and Botox’ geographical tool. It is an online facility which displays the number of enquiries into cosmetic procedures by area. You can pick a city or area in the UK and a cosmetic procedure and see the number of enquiries for that procedure in the area. Potential patients can then see the popular procedures in their town or city and read accounts from those who have undergone a particular procedure. The tool identifies where certain procedures are most popular; for example South West London is the UK’s Botox capital with men and women making 279 enquiries in total for Botox injections. From a local perspective, the top enquiry in Sheffield for surgical procedures is breast augmentation which is a whopping 36 per cent of all enquiries made and 39.8 per cent of enquiries made by women. One rather unusual procedure also in the top 10 list is blepharoplasty, or correction of eyelids, which took 2.9 per cent of all enquiries in Sheffield. While the top two procedures for women, rather unsurprisingly, are breast enlargement and liposuction, men have been affected by this need to pursue perfection too. 19.4 per cent of enquiries made by men in Sheffield are for hair transplants. That is shortly followed by 13 per cent of gynaecomastia enquiries or reduction of ‘man boobs’. This new data highlights some interesting points for both men and women but how do social factors impact these types of procedures becoming more popular? If we focus on data fitting the student profile, it is possible to make some connections between procedures and why the demand for them is growing. In the 18-24 year old student category, the most popular procedures were found to be breast enlargements, liposuction and nose jobs. In an age where ‘selfies’ dominate social media and celebrity endorsements of body correction such as Kim Kardashians’s admission to having had ‘everything lasered’, it is not hard to see where this emphasis on a perfect image has come from. Non-surgical treatments such as lasering and chemical peels were also found to be highly sought after, creating a safer option to those afraid of going under the knife. Wanting a cosmetic procedure to correct perceived imperfection has been around for a while, but what seems to be rising, particularly in the student age category, is what might be labelled ‘trend-induced’ surgery, a product of celebrity and media culture. For example, the rise in popularity of using gap toothed fashion models such as Lara Stone and Georgia May Jagger has seen an increase in dental procedures to imitate these perceived fashionable features. The highest number of enquires by 18-24 year olds for non-surgical procedures were dental. Men have also been sucked into the vortex of this celebrity induced phenomenon; following Wayne Rooney’s hair transplant in 2011, there has been an 88 per cent increase in enquiries on this procedure since. The impact of the media on the types of procedure seems most prominent
amongst 18-24 year olds. We are a visual society. Apps like Snapchat and Instagram have erupted in popularity recently, both using photos as new methods of communication. The ability to add a filter to enhance photos on Instagram encourages an unrealistic expectation of beauty. Everybody now has the ability to Photoshop from their mobile phones. Consequently, we are now experiencing the full force of the idea of the perfect ‘selfie’. This constant desire to appear what is socially and culturally considered attractive and the need to please others is increasingly affecting young people’s self image. . The 18-24 year old age group boasts the most enquiries for labia reductions and bum implants than any other. Nipple correction is also popular for this age range. This seems to correlate with the growing ‘designer vagina’ phenomenon which has appeared as a result of the supposed ‘porn aesthetic’. Is the high number of enquiries into these procedures along with the growing number of women who opt for breast enlargements a result of the pornographic portrayal of what women ‘should’ look like? Pornographic imaging often portraying an unrealistic deceptionl of women’s bodies, which have often been subject to airbrushing and enhancements, seem to be the source of the growing interest in this area of surgery. It is no secret that celebrities, media and porn are some of the underlying causes for 18-24 year olds wanting to alter their bodies. But with so many developments in cosmetic surgery and a whole array of non-surgical procedures, it can be argued that the real reason for cosmetic surgery is a society that largely places value on appearances. Image: cdn.buzznet.com
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LIFESTYLE&TRAVEL Travel
On a shoestring : Venice Travel writer, Alice Farmery let’s us in on the secret to visiting the beautiful Italian city of Venice without breaking the bank. Venice is a tourist hotspot best known for its romantic charm, impressive basilicas and rich culture. The group of 118 small islands (separated by a network of canals and linked by numerous bridges) is definitely one for the ‘bucket list’, yet a reputation for extortionate pricing often acts as a deterrent to students on a shoestring. But never fear! It is possible to experience this magical city without maxing out your overdraft, and still have some euros left over for a gelato (or three).
When it comes to accommodation, a bit of time spent browsing websites such as Tripadvisor and AirBnB can really be worth the effort. One hidden gem is the ‘Rainbow BioGarden’, a small family-run campsite on an organic farm, located 30 minutes from Venice (buses run regularly from the end of the road). This is a fantastic place to meet like-minded travellers from all over the world, with great facilities including a wellstocked communal kitchen, swimming pool and bikes that you can borrow for free. Organic vegetables and freshly-laid eggs are available to all the guests for a small donation, and if camping is
By Alice Farmery
not your thing, indoor accommodation is available. If you’re looking for somewhere more central, Venice has a surprising large number of hostels, most of which offer basic dormitory beds or more luxury private rooms.
Travel between the islands is an essential component of your trip, but those fares can stack up, especially if you are staying outside of the city. To solve this problem, the first thing you should do when you arrive in Venice is buy a ‘Rolling Venice’ guide. This booklet contains some discounts and useful information, but the guide’s main selling point is that it allows you to purchase a young person’s travel card which lasts for 72 hours, and is valid on all boats and buses within the Venice municipality (excluding lines to and from the airport).
There are so many great sights to see in Venice, from art museums to the sandy beaches of the Lido. To get your fix of frescos and stunning sixteenthcentury architecture, make sure you pay a visit to the churches of Santa Maria della
Halloween fashion - ghostly or ghastly? By Niki Kesharaju
It’s nearly Halloween and hopefully by now, your outfit has been sorted for the big night out and an obscene amout of face paint and coloured hairspray has been purchased. While for some people Halloween is just a bit of fun, for others, it’s a fashion statement. By ‘fashion statement’ I am not talking about a cleverly constructed Halloween costume. In fact, I welcome the idea of fancy dress involving hours of DIY with open arms. I am not even against a poorly thought out Halloween costume; a white sheet thrown on top of the head with holes for eyes, a mouth and a nose is also marginally acceptable. I am talking about the growing trend of high street shops using cliché Halloween motifs on clothing and accessories that I find is almost a non-trend. Costumes are meant to be exactly that - a costume. It’s a fancy dress outfit that you spend a lot of money on to get a few compliments, or maybe a few laughs on the big day and then it finds a home in the depths of your wardrobe and never sees daylight again. Halloween fashion however, is only just on the precipice of being costume. It sits in the awkward gap between being too conservative for a costume and not being ordinary enough to wear on a day-to-day basis.
The worst part of it, is that Halloween fashion runs it course so quickly. Wearing Halloween themed clothes is only acceptable for the week of October 31. Unlike Christmas, where you can show off the embarassingly garish jumper from Cow for a whole month, Halloween fashion doesn’t quite have the same effect. Christmas jumpers are a lovable tradition, sporting a pumpkin print t-shirt is a very oddly placed fashion statement.
For example, take this Halloween themed sweatshirt by Pop Boutique for ASOS. It ticks all the right boxes for Halloween. A cat, ghosts and carved pumpkin lanterns definitely scream Halloween all over the sweatshirt. But priced at £22, it might be a pricier investment, considering you can only use it for a couple of weeks per year. The usefulness of this sweatshirt wears off almost as quickly as you thought buying it was a great idea. Skull prints have been omnipresent in the world of fashion. Inspired by rock music and dark colours, it makes for an iconic motif that many designers, like Betsey Johnson, have reworked. However, kitted out in head-to-toe skull and skeleton print almost lightens the effect of what is essentially a powerful print. These skeleton print meggings by ASOS may have a comedic tone for a costume, but £18 for a pair of bottoms that you can’t wear again outside the comfort of your own house may not be the most student loan friendly decision.
I may take a cynical stance on the issue of Halloween inspired fashion, but I do admire those that can really embrace this trend, pushing the boundaries of what is considered “fashionable” and what isn’t. I might be a bit biased as a cat lover, but this Halloween black cat clutch bag by New Look (also sold on ASOS) is the kind of item that can easily be worn outside of October. It may not be perfect for lectures, but for the more fashion forward of us, the cat clutch is a great example of an accessorry that turns heads. Afterall, isn’t that what fashion is all about? All images: ASOS
Salute and San Giorgio Maggiore, which are both free to enter. You cannot miss the famous St Mark’s Basilica located in St Mark’s square. Although the queue may seem dauntingly long, it moves quickly and the basilica is well worth the wait. Entry is free (provided you are wearing churchappropriate clothing), but expect to pay an admission fee if you want to climb the bell tower or visit the museum. If you fancy a spot of island-hopping, Burano, Torcello and Murano can all be reached easily by the water bus, and for the slightly more adventurous the nearby town of Padua is perfect for a day-trip.
Venice has some top-class restaurants if you are willing to splash out, but there are also some pretty shocking ones that are equally pricey, so be careful! It is common practice for restaurants in Italy to add a cover charge to the bill, meaning that the overall cost of a meal can be much higher than expected. Your best bet for lunches and snacks is the supermarket, where you can pick up fresh and tasty sandwich ingredients for a fraction of the price charged by cafés. Even the smallest supermarkets have their own bakery and deli counter, with a much higher quality of food than you would find in the UK. All images: Alice Farmery
Lifestyle’s D.I.Y Beauty Anti-Winter facial scrub
by Jay Harrison
Winter is upon us, and with the change of seasons comes the inevitable evil of dry skin. To ease the transition from summer to winter, try this gentle facial scrub which is packed full of natural ingredients designed to revitalise your skin.
Bananas are an emolient, helping to lock in moisture, and provide essential fatty acids to give you skin a bit of tender loving care. Honey is an anti-oxidant which soothes and combats red patches, while oats have been used for thousands of years to treat sore and irritated skin. Finally eggs provide the protein required for repair. For a balanced and even skin tone, add lavender oil. Ingredients:
. 1 banana . Two tablespoons of oats . One medium egg . Two teaspoons of honey . Four/five drops of your favourite essential oil (optional: I used lavender) Method:
1. Slice the bananas into small circles and mash them into a gooey pulp.
2. Beat the egg and pour it into the banana, stirring with a fork. 3. Slowly mix the oats and honey into the mixture, stirring constantly. 4. Add essential oils if using.
5. Pour into a sealed container for use later.
Remember to keep it in the fridge, ready to use again.
Image s: Jay Ha
rrison
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COFFEE BREAK Halloween Alternatives
For those unintersted in pumpkin spiced lattes, avoiding trick or treaters or planning to stay in and hide on the 31st, coffee break has found some alternative festivities to embrace.
October 24th is National Bologna Day! Occsionally spelt and pronouced ‘baloney’, Balogna is a suasage and a commonly used luncheon meat. Depending on the type of Bologna, it could include pork, beef or chicken, along with spices. The easiest way to celerbrate Balogna day is to give it a try, so Coffee Break sincerely hopes you end the 24th truly full of baloney! October 27th is National Tell a Story Day! Exactly six months after it’s American counterpart, National Tell a Story Day celebrates story-telling of all kinds. Throughout Scotland and England, libraries will be organising story-telling events for kids on this Monday. Get into the spirt of this celebration by telling story or two of your own.
@FPCoffeeBreak /forgepresscoffeebreak
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now k u o y id
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Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday . The fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia October 29th is National Cat Day! Sponsored by the Animal Miracle Foundation, National Cat Day was created in 2005 to help publicise the estimated four million cats entering shelters every year. Since it was founded, National Cat Day has helped save the lives of over a million cats. October 29th is also Hermit Day! Coincidentally on the same day as National Cat Day, National Hermit Day calls indivuduals to find a secluded spot to spend time alone. Celebrate by locking yourself in your bedroom, turning off your phone and your computer and enjoying temporary hermit-status.
Originally, O’Lanterns made from
Jack were Turnips
The word ‘witch’ originates from the Old English ‘wicce’, meaning wise woman. Despite widely known historic fears and witch hunting, wiccan were once highly respected people.
Your horror-scopes according to... Mystic Mug
Libra If darkness is falling across the land, and the midnight hour is close at hand, it very well may be a killer, diller, chiller, thriller here tonight. Scorpio It is easy to sink into the quick sand of confusion during this time. Clarity may be found by seeking out correct grammar and determining whether knowing which witch is which is really central to maintaining interior equilibrium.
Cow of the fortnight
Word of the fortnight Bowdlerise, verb: 1. To expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.
Aires - In recent times, you have been reaching out for an apparition like figure to guide and lead you through the difficult avenues of choice. This individual’s transparency is not to be trusted. He is actually just a ghost.
Cancer If there’s something strange in your neighbourhood, or if it’s something weird that doesn’t look good or, especially pertinent, if there’s an invisible man sleeping in your bed… try calling the Ghostbusters.
Taurus Someone close to you has changed and the distance in your relationship is jarring. When seeking internal resolution, keep an open mind… but if your romantic partner has turned Zombie, keep in mind that could legally count as necrophilia.
Leo Your romantic situation takes a turn over the coming fortnight. A previously mellow relationship develops a certain bite. When dealing with this situation, remember that the Twilight Saga did make a lot of money. Virgo - You feel trapped and bound by circumstances beyond the scope of your control. However, with the aid of introspection you will discover that the situation is not as you previously thought. In actual fact, you can easily unwrap the toilet paper involved in your mummy costume.
Gemini If you’ve been apple bobbing in a sea of disappointment and tedium, do not let your hope dwindle. Opportunity knocks. Or trick or treaters. Actually, I think they are just trick or treaters. Sorry.
Sagittarius Decisions you have made appear to have permanent consequences. These stains may turn to self-deprecation and angst. Remember that Vanish is great at washing out that pesky fake blood. Capricorn - You may feel pressure from external forces to change your outward expressions this fortnight. Remember, if someone sticks a knife in your face and tries to carve out a smile, you are not a pumpkin and that is very illegal. Acquarius - With the moon in the sky, fiends may be hidden in attractive packaging. Recall that there are always those willing to redraw the distinction between Frankenstein and Frankenstein’s monster. Use this knowledge to your advantage. Pisces - As a bone deep weariness settles upon you, hold close your awareness that black cats are often seen as both lucky and unlucky. Despite this split opinion, they are always considered a cop-out Halloween costume.
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COFFEE BREAK
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Puzzle Page: sudoku Medium
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Quotes of the fortnight
“ Hold on, Man. We don’t go anywhere with ‘scary’, ‘spooky’, ‘haunted’ or ‘forbidden’ in the title.
”
From Scooby-Doo
“Where there is no imagination there is
no horror
Arthur Conan Doyle, Sr.
”
dingbats
Dingbats are visual word puzzles from which you must identify a well-known phrase or saying. 1.
Across:
Down:
1. Babe, good friend of Charlotte (3) 3. A young swan (6) 6. 19th Century art movement; Monet, Renoir, Pissarro (13) 10. Drinking vessel, usually for beer (7) 11. A deep track; a habit or pattern of behaviour that is difficult to change (3) 12. Innocence; a lack of experience or wisdom (5) 13. A tortilla chip, often topped with cheese and salsa (5) 14. To vocalise meldoically (4) 17. Street performer (6) 18. Used in comparisons or similies (2) 19. Viscous liquid from petroleum (3) 20. Extinct mammal; of great size (7)
2.Place for indoor sports (3) 3. Poultry, popular meat (7) 4. A holy building (6) 5. Quick witted female lead in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing (8) 7. Assumption of importance and intelligence, especially when exaggerated to impress (11) 8. Great or excessive interest in oneself (12) 9. Innocent until ______ guilty (6) 15. A number of geese; collective noun (6) 16. Underground vault, chapen or place of burial (5) 17. Oily, resinous substance used to soothe (4) 21. Sweet often eaten at celebrations (4)
2.
3.
Give Give Give Give Ice3 All Earth
Get Get Get Get
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Improve your CV • Develops your skills in writing for journalism and/or editing a newspaper section • Gives you experience working within a team, managing time and developing organisation skills Training • If you become an editor, you will receive full training in Photoshop and InDesign, both heavily used in the newspaper industry and beyond Working for the student paper was the best thing I did at Sheffield. It taught me everything I needed to pursue a career on Fleet Street, including how to turn around tidy prose after a liquid lunch. Guy Adams - Daily Mail writer, former Independent LA correspondent
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HOW? Want to write for us? • Email editor@forgetoday.com to get on the mailing list or send in an article. • Attend our fortnightly contributor meetings: times and locations all listed on www.forgetoday.com/get-involved. • Visit us in the Media Hub on Level Four of the SU - we’d love to see you. Getting involved with Forge Media was one of the smartest things I ever did. Many of the skills which make me employable - and led to my job at the Mirror - I learned in the Media Hub. Mikey Smith - Former News Editor
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SPORT
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Matchdebating
Is Rugby League violence being sufficiently punished?
The field of play is also Rugby League already has its thin blue line the scene of crime Danny Armstrong For decades, the codes of rugby football have been framed by the iconic old summation that it is a ruffian’s game played by gentlemen, but Oscar Wilde’s famous words never sounded more redundant than on the weekend of the Super League Grand Final. For all the frequent melees and punch-ups in rugby league, the sport’s governing body the RFL is commendable in the way that it regulates and governs its game, masking rugby’s violent undercurrent with a taut system of discipline. Invariable brawls are accepted, and usually end as quickly as they start. The referee makes a decision and the game rattles on with gusto, with more serious matters brought before a disciplinary board if needed. But, what happened in the game between St. Helens and Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford last Saturday is something that transcends the authority of the powers that be. With just two minutes of the contest for Super League’s top prize played, Saints standoff Lance Hohaia came in late on Ben Flower after the Warriors’ man fumbled the ball. The Welshman responded with a sucker punch followed by another blow as Kiwi Hohaia lay stricken on the turf. He was unconscious before he hit the ground. After the red mist cleared a red card emerged and Flower walked, becoming the
first man to be dismissed in Grand Final history. Rugby is a fiercely physical game and on a pitch bubbling with testosterone and adrenaline altercations are expected and inevitable. That background is important to note as it is a rather tired and irritating argument when observers generalise an event and remove it from the context culminating in the worn-out “what if that happened in a pub” line.
“After the red mist cleared a red card emerged and Flower walked”
But here, there is no need to theorize. This happened on a pitch, not a pub, but the outcome should be the same: Ben Flower should be arrested and charged with common assault and the fact that the incident happened on the field of play is wholly irrelevant. Flower’s first punch was rash, his second was unnecessary, arguably premeditated and unquestionably brutal. Is it right that the two punches are reprehensible only by the RFL? If there had been a third, fourth or fifth punch it would be ridiculous to say they fall under their jurisdiction. Where would the line then be drawn? Is it still a matter only for the sport’s governing body if Hohaia’s face had been beaten to a bloody pulp? The RFL have handed Flower a lengthy six
month ban, but for them to not hand matters over to the police is to effectively legalize beating a prone man senseless. In 2008, Joey Barton received a four month suspended prison sentence for a training ground attack on team-mate Ousmane Dabo. What that did was send a message that such actions not only cost you your time on the field but could also relieve you of your freedom. If this message is not delivered in this instance, it will widen the chasm in lifestyle and its associated benefits between celebrities and the common man. To further reinforce that point, Ben Flower was a man at work when he assaulted another man. In the ruthless boardrooms of the City, carnal tension is almost palpable, but if company employees punched one another when a deal isn’t brokered t h e y would be the subject of legal scrutiny just as Flower should be here. P o l i c e involvement is necessary not only to ensure the gentlemen who play the ruffians’ game remain exactly that, but also to highlight that they are no different from the gentlemen that don’t.
Jack Wignall At this moment in time, Ben Flower is the most infamous man in sport. The Wigan prop caused outrage when he was sent off during the Super League Grand Final for twice punching St. Helens halfback Lance Hohaia, once while lying on the floor. Since the incident at Old Trafford, both men have been found guilty by the Rugby Football League (RFL) for their actions in the incident which saw Flower become the first man to ever be sent off in Super League’s end of season title decider. Hohaia was first found guilty of a Grade B offence for striking Flower with his forearm in the lead up to referee Phil Bentham showing Flower the red card. Flower was charged the following day with a Grade F offence for a violent and aggressive punch. Flower’s punishment is a six month ban, which is the longest in Super League history, and will see him miss the first 10 games of next season’s competition. But the question a lot of people have been asking is whether a ban is punishment enough for what ended up being an assault on New Zealander Hohaia? With the police currently investigating the incident, we ask ourselves if there is a line between heated competition on a sports field and general thuggery and assault on another human being? It is not
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the first time and I’m sure won’t be the last that this argument is raised after an incident on a sports field, but how should it be analysed and dealt with in this particular situation?
“Let’s not forget that Flower was aggravated by Hohaia with a forearm smash across the face” Now, I am not defending Flower’s actions in any way, in fact I’m doing the opposite. However, I do think the context has to be taken into consideration. Firstly, let’s not forget that Flower was aggravated by Hohaia with a forearm smash across the face, which saw him retaliate with a punch of his own. With that in mind, the first punch is not what has caused any uproar, as that can be typically seen in rugby. What has come under scrutiny is the follow up punch that Flower landed on a helpless and grounded Hohaia. Adding onto that, I think that within the heat of battle on Super League’s biggest stage, tempers will flare, and with the stakes so high, it is very easy to lose your head especially when provoked like Flower was by Hohaia. In Flower’s case, I don’t believe that, in the context of the incident, his case should be taken as far as the police. I also believe any penalty should be kept between the RFL and the relevant sports authorities. I think within sport there is an unwritten as well as a written code of conduct between players which is the real line that shouldn’t be crossed.
Flower certainly did cross that line and any further action should be kept within the boundaries of the sport. He has rightly been hit with the harshest charge possible in the Grade F offence and a lengthy ban, but taking the case further would be the wrong action to take. The fact that neither Hohaia or any other party hasn’t wanted to press charges highlights the fact that the penalty given is a fair enough punishment for Flower. The physicality and pace of the game alongside the amount of testosterone flying around between 26 players on a field, who all enter games with the knowledge that they will be involved in a substantial and intense physical activity, will always fuel anger and can quite easily push people over the edge, which is where the clashes come from. That is an accepted thing in Rugby League and there are sanctions in place for when players do go too far from the designated authorities. This means that each incident, including the one in question, has an appropriate sanction in place to punish the guilty party. The incident is all about context. The repercussions of a pub fight, for example, would be totally different as only the police can get involved and punish the individual for his actions. But with the rules and authorities in place to deal with such an event in a sporting environment, incidents such as these should be handled within the sport and its governing bodies.
Forge Sport editor Ed McCosh chooses his heroes and villains of the week Semesa Rokodoguni From serving in the British Army to selection for the England Rugby Union squad - a meteoric rise for Rokoduguni.
üü
Bayern Munich
ü
Even the Pope was keen to praise the German champions for their stunning 7-1 victory away to AS Roma in the Champions League.
Vito Mannone Although every Sunderland player should take responsibility for their 8-0 humiliation against Southampton, the Italian keeper takes the fall.
û
Ben Flower
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See above. That should just about explain it.
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Sports personality of the week Forge Sport’s Tom Pyman met Pippa Corbett of the equestrian club for an interview
For those that don’t know much about equestrian, can you tell us a little about the sport? My particular discipline is dressage, best known as the ‘dancing horses’! You compete by performing a routine which is marked by judges. The movements the horse has to perform are athletic so it’s like gymnastics or ballet for horses! Both horse and rider have to be fit and technically knowledgeable. Most people think that horseriding doesn’t require the rider to do anything and they look like they just sit on top. But that’s the idea! Dressage is about grace and control, performing complex movements with a half tonne animal all using your core and seat muscles in such an effortless way that the judge can’t see you moving excessively on your horse. Equestrian sport came from a military background: the cavalry would use dressage techniques to make their horses more agile to be able to turn in battle. A particular movement called piaffe which requires the
horse to stamp their feet (sort of!) was used before battle to make a loud noise to scare the opposing army off. After the Olympics in particular, do you think there has been greater interest in equestrian? Amongst the horse riding community dressage has definitely become more popular and the public even know what I mean now when I talk about the sport, after seeing the dancing horses on the TV! The fact that Charlotte Dujardin ( Olympic double gold medallist) has continued to break records and win titles in dressage has also brought the British reputation of dressage in Europe up. There is still not as much money in dressage as there is in racing or showjumping but the increased publicity and success has increased the number of sponsors!
I have been riding since I was four years old and competing since the age of 11, this will be my third year representing GB. I have a sister, and we are both on the GB Squads so have been competing against each other all year. My horse is called Saphier VH Overwater (or stable name Reg) and I have had him for four years. We are competing internationally in the under-21 category and hope to compete at Grand Prix this year, which is the level performed at the Olympics.
What aspects of the sport do you enjoy the most? Spending time with my horse as he has a great personality, and the feeling of achievement when you finally manage to get a movement you’ve been practicing for ages right! I also really love competing - any kind really, but dressage is a perfectionist’s sport. You also can’t push a horse to work all day like you could push yourself in the gym which makes it harder. There is always your horse to consider before yourself, the level of responsibility is huge, because even if you have a national competition you really want to do, if your horse is improperly looked after or ill for some reason you will have to pull out. What do you enjoy most about being part of a university sports club? Meeting like-minded people. Horses are kind of all or nothing so most people in the sport are ‘horse crazy’ and it’s great to get to talk about it all. Uni work can be really hard and so
How long have you been involved in the sport?
it’s great to represent the uni doing something you know you can do and are good at! Sport in general is also a great release from the pressure of uni, but being with horses in particular can be very relaxing. How important are events like Varsity in terms of maximising exposure and interest for the club? I think Varsity is really helpful for equestrian because when everyone is talking about it you can say ‘oh yeah we got our point too’ and then people learn that equestrian is actually done at university! What are the club’s aims for the season? Last year we managed to qualify for the BUCS regionals so this year we are heading for the nationals! And to win our Varsity match again of course!
Tepid Wednesday stung by rampant Hornets Football Championship Sheffield Wednesday Watford
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Ed McCosh Sheffield Wednesday slumped to a 3-0 defeat at Hillsborough on Saturday to gift new Watford manager Slavisa Jokanovic a dream start to his Hornets career. The Owls were well aware of the threat that their opponents, sitting in third in the Championship before kickoff, posed as the Hertfordshire outfit had won the last two Hillsborough encounters by the same 4-1 scoreline. Once again the Watford attack proved too hot to handle, with the triumvirate of Matej Vydra, Fernando Forestieri and Odion Ighalo causing all manner of problems from the off. Wednesday were the quickest out of the blocks yet Stevie May’s blocked shot, after an adventurous early run from Liam Palmer on the right, was all Stuart Gray’s side had to show for it. The home side were scuppered after just seven minutes when Sam Hutchinson, on his first appearance back from injury, suffered a recurrence and was withdrawn. With him went the momentum that Wednesday had strived to build in the early stages. Referee Jeremy Simpson had already attracted the ire of the home faithful with some contentious decisions but his nadir came with 20 minutes gone, as Vydra latched on to a Forestieri through ball while clearly in an offside position before squaring for Ighalo to tap home. Between Simpson and his assistant the offside was missed
and Wednesday were behind. The red mist had descended and Wednesday’s previously confident game became fractured and undisciplined, with Watford’s attacking trio cutting time and time again through a languid defence. Another major blunder gifted Watford a second goal, but this time the usually reliable Kieren Westwood was to blame. Almen Abdi’s shot trickled towards Westwood but the Irishman somehow contrived to let the ball squirm through his hands. The game, which in the first half lurched between end-to-end action and periods of tepid play, was brought to life in the second half by the introduction of ex Real Madrid and Everton winger Royston Drenthe. The diminutive Dutchman has gone off the boil somewhat since his glory days at the Bernabeu, but straight after replacing Hallam Hope he presented Gary Madine with a gilt-edged chance to peg Watford back. A Jacques Maghoma piledriver was fisted away by Heurelho Gomes and Drenthe was first to react, firing in a cross that Madine could only guide over the bar with a header. Vydra continued to harass the Wednesday defence, skipping past Loovens before his cross, deflected into the path of Ighalo by the backtracking home captain, was fired over the bar from eight yards by the Nigerian. Yet for all the stress Vydra was causing the home defence, Drenthe was doing the same to the visitors whenever Wednesday came forward. His free kick may have caused Gomes’ heart to flutter as the goalkeeper backpedalled sharply to catch the dipping ball but a thirty yard piledriver had no such effect as it whistled into the Kop. Vydra, pulling the strings for
Hillsborough, the scene of Wednesday’s Saturday defeat Watford throughout, played in Forestieri, but with the goal at his mercy the Hornets striker could only slide the ball out of play via the outside of the post. Wednesday could feel a goal coming, and both Palmer and Drenthe were causing havoc on the right with the latter drifting inside to fire in a low shot that Gomes was equal to. As it turned out, another goal was coming – but it was the away side that got it. Just moments after Juan Carlos Paredes replaced Forestieri, the right back played a neat ball through to Vydra. The Czech forward had done all but score in the preceding hour but took his chance to get on the scoresheet with aplomb, delicately lifting the ball over Westwood. With defeat all but confirmed for Wednesday, the home fans turned not on their own side but Simpson, whose decisions continued to cause controversy.
Twice Wednesday players went down in the Watford penalty area: Maghoma’s air shot, he claimed, was due to a kick in the ankle. Simpson waved him away. And when Drenthe tumbled after a run into the area, the referee gave the Wednesday winger a booking for simulation to cap off an afternoon of frustration for the home side. The full time whistle was met with a chorus of boos from the 20,909-strong crowd, with the exception of chants of “We are top of the league” from the Watford fans in the Leppings Lane end. While Watford boss Jokanovic left with the first three points of his reign secured, Wednesday manager Stuart Gray reflected on a tough afternoon for his charges. “These things tend to happen in threes” he told the press. “Sam (Hutchinson) getting injured probably set us back,” he added. “There’s going to be more setbacks this season. It’s how we react to them.”
Photo: Joe Bamford Gray also aired his frustration at the two refereeing decisions that left his side feeling hard done by. On the first Watford goal Gray stated “The boy was blatantly offside – as soon as it was played through I thought he’d put the flag up. My analyst has shown it to me and he’s clearly offside. I said to the players that these things happen in football – it’s the second half that’s important. It’s how you react.” And on the booking for simulation for Drenthe, who he claimed “gave us a lift”, Gray remarked “How (Simpson) can book him I do not know” The Wednesday manager spared some praise for the visitors however, adding “We’ve played one of the best teams in the Championship today. One thing I will say is that they’ll be there or thereabouts – they’re the best team we’ve played this season with the ball. “We’ve been punished today.”
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Historic Hallam win for Uni girls Women’s Basketball BUCS Northern 2B
University of Sheffield 1s Sheffield Hallam 2s
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Hannah Reeves University of Sheffield took away their first ever victory against Sheffield Hallam with a 72-29 thrashing of their close rivals. The women’s 1s pulled out a jaw-dropping performance in their season opener, garnering an advantage of 43 points. Coach Shannon Schneider Robinson said: “I am extremely impressed with how my girls
came together and played as a team for a first game.” Early in the match Hallam were pegged back by Uni, who led 18-6 after the first quarter with Woman of the Match Courtney Shaw scoring an impressive eight points. They stretched their lead to 3013 by half time, with Ho Yu Chan’s defence proving exceptional. A 26 point burst in the third quarter saw the team at their best, and Uni were suddenly 5619 up. Uni then scored 10 consecutive points before Hallam finished the game with the final two points bringing the total score to 72-29 for Sheffield.
Photo: Hannah Reeves
Coach Robinson added: “It’s made me hopeful for great things for the rest of the season. With some hard work and by never underestimating our opponents, we could go far in this league” Uni continued their fine form with a 63-54 win over the University of Hull 1s. The second successive win for the 1s propelled them to the top of the embryonic BUCS Northern 2B table.
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Women’s football humbled in Hallam horror show Women’s Football BUCS Northern 1A University of Sheffield 1s Sheffield Hallam 1s
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Matthew Drew 12 goals conceded made sure a battling but bettered University of Sheffield women’s 1s team endured a miserable afternoon against rivals Sheffield Hallam. Uni came back with two
late goals, but they were little consolation in a heavy defeat. Not letting their heads drop, Kate McGreavy carved out a goal from a messy bundle following a corner on 79 minutes. Five minutes later, Emma Guilder scored from a tight angle after UoS had an initial chance saved off the line. Ultimately though, it was not to be their day. Coming up against a Hallam team on a high from their 11-0 win against Manchester University last week, it was always going to
be difficult for the ladies in black and gold to get something from the game. A brave performance in goal from Fran Meakin did all it could to limit the inevitable damage, with her defensive line showing signs of flair - such as a delicate drag-back and turn from April Taylor - that they had no business pulling out considering the rainy and miserable circumstances. The front line was also led commendably by captain Sophie Williams who, ably assisted by the blistering pace of winger Tina
Pafiti, gave the Hallam defence no chance of an easy day out. In the end though the University of Sheffield attackers found themselves out-muscled, as did the team as a whole who went down to a loose goal from a deceivingly looping touch at the back post with just eight minutes gone. From there on in it was a fairly ruthless display of bombardment from the Hallam team which boasts England under-23 Jess Sigsworth as well as the coach of Northern Premier Division 1
side Guiseley AFC Vixens, Julie Grundy. Long shots, dances into the box and one on ones; the attack repeatedly stormed through an understandably shaky Uni defence to bring their total up to double figures for the second time in the two games this season. University of Sheffield will look to bury the memory of this defeat against Liverpool John Moores University on October 29.
away to Liverpool John Moores in the opening set of BUCS Northern 1A division fixtures, but it was the away side that started the brightest. It was Newcastle who opened the scoring, with a floated cross from the left leading to a backheel which left goalkeeper Harvey stranded. Sheffield, so comfortable at the end of the first half, kicked off the second in the worst possible fashion. A Newcastle corner evaded the defence, allowing an unmarked
forward to drift into space and thump a powerful header home with ease. The second goal seemed to spark Sheffield into life. A neat through ball was latched onto by Igusi, whose shot was parried wide by the sprawling Newcastle goalkeeper. The home side’s pressure was eventually rewarded when a shirt tug in the penalty area gifted them a golden opportunity to get back into the game from 12 yards. It was a gilt-edged chance, and
Bland made no mistake from the penalty spot, rifling the ball down the middle. Just as after the opening goal, the game descended into a fractured and hot-tempered affair, with a player from both sides booked for their part in a scuffle following a 50-50 challenge. Sheffield committed themselves to the pursuit of an equaliser and were eventually punished with 10 minutes remaining as more poor marking from a corner allowed Newcastle to add a third.
With the points in the bag, Newcastle were able to maintain their two goal lead and see out the remainder of the game with confidence. The full time whistle confirmed a second successive defeat for the 1s, but a trip to the University of Liverpool next Wednesday provides the perfect opportunity to recover from early setbacks and secure a much needed first victory.
not given much of an airing on this chilly evening. Both sides took their time warming into the game; while Bob Harris and Jamie Murphy combined well for United on the left, the final ball failed to find inform striker McNulty. At the other end, Yeovil squandered a good chance to score as James Hayter swivelled and fired over the bar from close range. As it turned out, it would be the only clear-cut chance that would fall the 35-year-old’s way. In the end it took a 17-year-old to break the deadlock. Midfielder Louis Reed’s shot from 20 yards proved too strong for Yeovil goalkeeper Artur Krysiak to grasp and McNulty reacted quickly to poke home and grab his fourth goal in as many games. United took control after McNulty’s opener, yet with experienced central defensive pairing Jay McEveley and Neil Collins missing the defence still looked nervy. Jordy Hiwala did his best to put Harrison McGahey and Chris Basham under pressure, but Mark Howard was untroubled in
the United goal for much of the game. At the other end, Stefan Scougall latched on to a terrible backpass by Yeovil defender Ryan Inniss, but just like teammates McNulty and Murphy did just moments later the Scot failed to take advantage. Just as momentum began to build, the half time whistle blew, and the second period began with a complete absence of clear chances. If anything, the visitors seemed to take control of the game, yet even with nervy defending from the Blades, Gary Johnson’s side failed to register a meaningful attempt on goal. Even when Basham conspired to gift Hiwala the ball inside the United penalty area when seemingly under no pressure at all, the striker could only scuff the ball tamely into Howard’s hands. Yeovil’s brief window of opportunity slammed shut just five minutes later. The impressive Reed struck a sumptuous ball out to the left, and Murphy was on hand to charge forward with the
aid of a perfect first touch before slotting past Krysiak. With the advantage doubled, the home side were content to see the game out, and the final quarter of the game was merely a tepid procession. With ten minutes left, substitute Kevin Dawson flashed a header narrowly wide from Liam Davis’ cross, but it was a rare concern in an otherwise routine win for United. The attempt that framed
Yeovil’s performance much more aptly was a wild strike from Nathan Ralph that flew out for a throw-in. While the Glovers returned to Somerset having dropped into the relegation zone, home fans filtered into the cold Sheffield night warmed by the knowledge of a second successive win and the Blades’ subsequent rise up to sixth place in the League One table.
Men’s football haunted by mistakes in home loss Men’s Football BUCS Northern 1A University of Sheffield 1s University of Newcastle 1s
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Anthony Phillips The University of Sheffield men’s football 1s succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Newcastle 1s at Norton on Wednesday. Sheffield were looking to bounce back after a 2-1 reverse
Sharp Blades put toothless Yeovil to the sword Football League One Sheffield United Yeovil Town
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Ed McCosh Sheffield United registered a second 2-0 win in a matter of days with a comfortable victory over Yeovil Town on Tuesday night. The 19,353 supporters who crowded into a freezing cold Bramall Lane hoping for a heated affair weren’t rewarded much by a game which struggled to gather momentum, but goals from Marc McNulty and Jamie Murphy warmed the spirits of the home faithful. In a week dominated by affairs off the pitch, Nigel Clough’s side were focused on building on an impressive two goal victory away to Bradford on Saturday. In the end, apart from the odd muffled chant of “one Chedwyn Evans” from the Kop, the debate that will continue to divide supporters in coming weeks was
Players warm up before United’s win over Yeovil Photo: Jordan Byrne
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Uni netballers bully Beckett Netball BUCS Northern 2B University of Sheffield 1s Leeds Beckett 2s
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Rob Milne The University of Sheffield netball 1s outfought Leeds Beckett 2s to claim a convincing 34-26 victory on Wednesday night. The visitors had led the league prior to the match and were thought to be one of the favourites for promotion this season. Sheffield had fallen short against rivals Hallam in the opening fixture, and suffered a heavy loss to Leeds Beckett at the back end of last season as well. Sheffield were looking to kick-start their season against a heavyweight. The first quarter was a tight one with interceptions and mishandling the ball the theme of the quarter, yet from the beginning it was evident how much effort Sheffield were willing to put in, forcing mistakes through good, consistent pressure on the ball. An integral cog to the Sheffield defence was Issie Rotherham, playing at goal defence. She impressed with instinctive interceptions and was alwas anticipating rebounds to ensure the defensive effort stayed strong. This continued throughout the clash, as the defence continually pressured opposition shooters and forced mistakes. It is arguable that the defensive shift won this game for Sheffield. The defensive tandem around the basket played well again in
the second quarter as the home side began to push out into a lead. Club captain Courtney Hill found some form and looked confident when given the opportunity to score, towering over her marker, ensuring a 1915 lead at half-time. The third quarter saw Sheffield take hold with the high intensity performance continuing, as Leeds Beckett struggled to find any space. Error followed error and before long a nine-point lead had been opened up. The strong crowd at Goodwin were clearly enjoying the display. More of the same was seen in the final quarter as Sheffield continued to make plays on the ball. They built the lead to 10 points, showing great composure in the late stages, without losing the high tempo defensive and offensive effort that had been on show all game. The teams tired in the dying minutes, before the final whistle was blown to signal a 34-26 victory, Every player in Black and Gold pulled a shift in an outstanding team performance. The result will give Sheffield plenty of confidence going into their next game. On Wednesday night’s showing, this netball team has the potential to challenge right at the top of the Northern 2B this year.
Rugby League Ed McCosh
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Photos: Joe Bamford
Sheffield Makepeace in Leeds battle Women’s Hockey BUCS Northern 3B University of Sheffield 2s University of Leeds 1s
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Danny Armstrong The University of Sheffield women’s hockey 2s overcame trying conditions to beat local rivals Leeds. A fluid Goodwin surface, bitten by the first hints of winter and dampened by rain, provided the stage for the second game of the season for both Northern 3B BUCS League sides. Leeds kicked the game off and after immediately applying pressure that resulted in a cleared long corner, Uni swept the ball up field and broke down the right, with the ball finding its way to Elle Rosario inside the penalty circle. Two shots in quick succession, the second a show of sharp reflexes after her first effort rebounded off the keeper, provided the only real danger for Sheffield in front of the Leeds goal in the first ten minutes. A few moments later and at
the other end, Leeds were played clean through on goal but were thwarted in their attempt to score by the fearless onrush of Uni keeper Olivia Donut. It underlined a start that saw both sides display a certain diligence in defence coupled with forlorn forward play to ensure the score sheet stayed unblemished for a large portion of the first half. That was until Uni’s Maddy Makepeace poked the home side into the lead to snatch momentum for Sheffield. After a moment of disarray that produced a game of pinball in the Leeds penalty area, Makepeace stabbed home from close range to edge Uni ahead in a game badly in need of a leader. Not long after the restart Donut was called into action once more. As Leeds broke and bore down on goal she gave further insight into her intrepid characteristics between the sticks, dashing out towards the ball and blocking just as the shot was made. But, any threats mounted to the Uni lead were ultimately vanquished when Ruth Thomas found a second for Uni to instil some comfort in a formerly fragile lead heading into the break. Any comfort that the second
Eagles fly the nest
goal conjured turned out to be brief as just moments into the second half Leeds pulled one back thanks to some nimble stickwork. Uni managed to stem the tide of pressure from their opponents and saw the game out to make it
two victories from two games, and take maximum points from their opening fixtures into their next game away to Hull.
The Sheffield Eagles are in negotiations to move to a third home in as many years after new league regulations forced an exit from their Owlerton base. The Eagles moved to Owlerton for the 2014 season in the wake of the announcement that their former home, the Don Valley Stadium, was to be demolished. However the introduction of a new season-ending Super 8 tournament involving Super League and Championship sides, which will be broadcast live by Sky, prompted the Rugby Football League to introduce new standards for the quality of stadia in the second tier. As the RFL had already allowed the Eagles exemptions to their former minimum standards, such as allowing early kick-offs to negate the lack of floodlights, a change in regulations was always likely to force a move. Now the Championship side are in negotiations to find a new ground, with an announcement on the matter to be made once arrangements are finalised. It is expected that the Olympic Legacy Park, built in place of the demolished Don Valley Stadium, will provide a permanent home for the Eagles once it is completed in 2016. John Gilburn, managing director of Owlerton, said: “Owlerton hosted the Eagles’ first ever game 30 years ago and, without our support for the 2014 season, Sheffield would have lost one of its most well-loved sporting organisations. “We would like to wish the Sheffield Eagles all the very best for the future.”
This week’s contributors Joe Bamford Ed McCosh Tom Pyman Danny Armstrong Matthew Drew Rob Milne Anthony Phillips Hannah Reeves Jack Wignall
Photo: Joe Bamford