aAh! Magazine Issue #8

Featured Artist Georgia Harmey

Featured Artist Tyler Devine-Scott

GEORGIA HARMEY

Georgia Harmey is an illustrator from Dorset, now living in Manchester. She is a student at the Manchester School of Art, studying a Masters in Illustration. Harmey illustrates digitally while replicating traditional processes like printing and pencil drawing with her tablet computer. She uses bright colours, textures and energetic lines, drawing inspiration from vintage art and culture, specifically from the 1960s and 70s. Music and movement are the driving force behind Harmey’s work and her featured illustration is inspired by the single ‘Diving Woman’ by indie pop band Japanese Breakfast. Follow @georgiah.illustration

TYLER DEVINE-SCOTT

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

We are always looking for student writers, editors, social media marketers, illustrators, designers, filmmakers, and photographers on an ongoing basis to help make aAh! an informed, inspiring, witty and opinionated collection of student voices and talent that make our city brilliant. Get involved and be part of your student magazine.

FEATURED ARTISTS

Tyler Devine-Scott is an artist originally from Derby, now studying Fine Art in Manchester. Working in a range of forms such as photography, drawing and music, his work revolves around themes of the city and the everyday, and how we interact with those things. Drawing from personal experiences and the world around him, Tyler exaggerates aspects of our dayto-day lives which may usually go unnoticed. He also touches on themes of nostalgia, the mundane and personal struggle, all in the context of navigating city life. Follow @tylerdevinescott

08

NIGHT & DAY: PROTECTING THE ESSENCE OF MANCHESTER

34 24

FASHION Q&A: JEWELZ BY MEALZ

SPOTLIGHT: CATALOG BOOKSHOP

ENTER SHIKARI: A KISS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

26

10 27

FOOD: ENERGY-BOOSTING GRUB WITH METMUNCH

36

BOOKS LISTICLE: BOOKS TO REIGNITE YOUR LOVE OF READING

THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS KILLING CREATIVITY

METMUNCH DISHES UP GOOD MOOD FOOD

37

OPINION: PROTECTING YOUR ENERGY IS A PRIVILEGE

16 30

MEET THE MCR ARTISTS RAISING CLIMATE CONSCIOUSNESS

UNEARTHING TANZANIA’S PLIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

EMBRACING THE GREAT OUTDOORS

38 18

14 28 40

“MATCH DAY LIVE HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING ABOUT UNIVERSITY FOR ME”

COFFEE SHOPS: PLUG IN OR SWITCH OFF

CREATIVE WRITING

PHOTOGRAPHY: LIVING OFF GRID

TOP 3 CLASSIC FILMS ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

42 32 20

HEADS UP: WHAT’S ON

Design Laufey Guðnadóttir

letter editor s

Energy: a single word inviting an abundance of opportunities to interrogate a number of pressing issues and ponder some personal interests. Welcome to The ENERGY Issue.

The word ‘energy’ is everywhere at the moment. The cost of energy and the energy crisis is on everybody’s lips. This issue invites you to explore the many complex interpretations of the concept of energy. You may think first of the global energy crisis and your mind might instantly venture to the record high cost of oil and gas. But it also takes positive energy – energy of a different type – for a person to wake up, switch on their TV or mobile phone and gather the strength to go and protest against the energy crisis.

Energy is always there, whether positive or negative. This issue explores how you channel energy in your life. Energy is excitement, passion, vibrance, motivation, drive, power –and so much more. At your favourite band’s concert, energy is needed to power the speakers, the lights and the sound desk; the performers give off energy and feed off the energy of the audience. The reaction of the crowd – its energy – is what universally defines a good show.

Energy is something we use every day. It’s fuel for your mind, body and soul, as well as what powers your home. It can be as perplexing as what fuels our planet or as simple as what food makes you feel most energetic. Your body converts food into energy, whether that’s plant-based eating or experimenting with different health foods.

From exploring life off-grid to focusing on energy problems in Tanzania or finding a quiet corner around town to recharge your own energy, this issue looks at everything from the cost-of-living crisis to energy-boosting grub to artists who are tackling the climate crisis head-on.

I hope you enjoy The ENERGY Issue and are inspired by what you read here, and that – after re-energising with some food in a cool cafe or restful spot – you get up and use that energy!

Elena John

issue energy the

STUDENT MEDIA COORDINATOR

Natalie Carragher

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Elena John

GRAPHIC DESIGN ASSISTANT

Lisa Silva

EDITORIAL TEAM

Cecile Fardoux

Christine Johnstone-Swift

Daniel S. Martin

Finn O’Leary

Georgina Hurdsfield

Megan O’Sullivan

PICTURE EDITORS

Brodie Whittaker

Jessica Platt

GRAPHIC DESIGN COLLECTIVE

Anita Belous

Bradley Sansom

Faye Byrne

Kate King

Laufey Guðnadóttir

Laura Sheridan

ILLUSTRATION

Ellie Kilshaw

Georgia Harmey

Kate King

PHOTOGRAPHY

Joshua Fielding

Lucy Warburton

Maxine Douglas-Morgan

CONTRIBUTORS

Abigail Black

Ameena Ceesay

Anna Torrance

Callum Pickup

Callum Scott

Ed Tucker

Georgia Downham

Hannah Ladmore

Jane Ashworth

Kate MacAlister

Keja Isaac Sofekun

Orrin Saint-Pierre

Macy Evans

Ruby Qaimkhani

Samuel Ethan Jolly

Snehal Dhanwate

Thomas Mansbridge

Tyler Devine-Scott

Zac Mcmenemy

SPECIAL THANKS

Alicia Hart

Haleh Moravej

Jeremy Craddock

Matchday Live

MetMUnch

Nathalie Griffith

Philip Drake

Sam Heitzman

Vince Hunt

aAh! is distributing copies on Manchester Metropolitan University campus and across Manchester. A wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business are available. Get in touch to find out more.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Manchester Metropolitan University.

aAh! Magazine

Manchester Metropolitan University

Grosvenor East Building

M15 6BG

aAh.editor@gmail.com

@aAh_mag 0161 247 1951

Design Bradley Sansom

NIGHT DAY: PROTECTING THE ESSENCE OF MANCHESTER

By Callum Pickup & Samuel Ethan Jolly

The Night and Day Cafe has become a legendary stop on Manchester’s music scene, but now faces closure because of a complaint about noise. The Oldham Street venue has been a key part in the development of many bands who have gone on to become household names, such as Elbow, the Arctic Monkeys and the Manic Street Preachers.

Two years ago, Manchester City Council served a Noise Abatement Notice (NAN) on the cafe after a single neighbour complained. The neighbour had moved in during the silence of the COVID-19 lockdown, when all music venues were closed. This notice could force the venue to close, wiping out 30 years of Manchester music history.

Night and Day has received huge support in a change.org petition with 97,000 signatures asking for the council to reconsider. Jennifer Smithson, the owner, is appealing against the notice, saying the council should take responsibility for allowing warehouses around the venue to be turned into flats in 2000 without the proper soundproofing. The council says the notice will only affect DJ sets after midnight, but that’s when the venue does most of its trading, with the weekend profits allowing them to support artists during the quieter weekday nights. This allows the cafe to foster new talent.

The noise abatement notice simply adds to the woes of a venue struggling, like many other grassroots music venues in the UK, with rising energy bills and the cost of living crisis. A recent report titled ‘The Future of Live’ showed that 46% of its respondents did not attend a live music event this year, and for Night and Day, the notice only added to their troubles.

Reece Ritchie, the in-house promoter at Night and Day, says: “Absolutely no-one from the council has made an effort to help keep the Manchester music scene alive and to look into these issues. The noise notice is like: ‘Here is another two feet of water, paddle harder!’’

Richie adds, “The problem is the council has laid the full responsibility on our doorstep when they should have taken it upon themselves to ensure the flats had proper soundproofing.”

A petition set up by the venue sets out much of their grievances with the council: “After receiving a copy of the MCC [Manchester City Council] planning file for […] where the complainant lives, we were shocked and appalled to find that a crucial acoustic report had not been provided. This was a condition of the planning consent for conversion of the building next door, to ensure that residents were not disturbed by noise.”

They go on to say that they “feel strongly that Night and Day has been mistreated and that this is the Council’s problem to resolve”.

A former Oldham Street chip shop, Night and Day was opened in Manchester in 1991 by Jan Oldenburg, a Dutch music fan, and the cafe went on to host early shows for bands such as Doves, The Courteneers, I Am Kloot, Badly Drawn Boy, Elbow, Arctic Monkeys and Manic Street Preachers, to name just a few. Jan died in 2018, aged 71, leaving the city to mourn the loss of a maverick musical entrepreneur, a regenerator of the Northern Quarter and preserve his live music legacy in Night and Day.

Ritchie explains the importance of grassroots music venues to aspiring artists: “We mention bands like Arctic Monkeys and Elbow not because we think they’re more important than our developing local acts, but because they only got noticed and became successful as bands because they had the opportunity to play in places like Night and Day.”

Elbow lead singer Guy Garvey has described the venue as ‘the beating heart of the city’s creative scene’ and credits it with playing a significant role in the development of Northern Quarter nightlife. There’s no doubt that the Manchester music scene plays a significant part in the culture and feel of the city, and the quirky music bars and cafes that line the streets of the Northern Quarter attract new visitors, workers and students alike.

The city council says its intention is not to force Night and Day to close, merely to restrict noise after midnight. But the notice will limit the cafe’s ability to trade during its busiest hours and mean the council could remove equipment from the cafe at any time. Court hearings had taken place throughout November, hearing from both the neighbour and venue owner. Before a third and final hearing was supposed to occur on the 17th of January, Manchester City Council called off the meetings in hope of reaching an agreement with the cafe. The rearranged date has yet to be announced while discussions are on-going.

The city council says its vision is to be in the top flight of world-class cities by 2025, but at what cost to our culture?

Are the councillors overlooking the significant contribution of live venues like Night and Day to the Manchester music scene and the thriving night-time economy that attracts so many visitors to the city centre?

If this noise abatement notice proves to be the downfall of Night and Day – a venue central to the development of Manchester’s independent musical spirit – this would indeed be a great loss, musically, historically and culturally.

Design & Illustration Kate King

ENTER SHIKARI

A KISS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD

By Georgina Hurdsfield

Enter Shikari have not only been championing the rock music scene for the past 14 years, but they’ve been shouting about the energy and climate crisis, and rallying in support of scientists. The British rock band have never shied away from channelling their criticism of the devastating impact of capitalism and unjust wars through their genre-defying explorative rock/rave-core music.

Design Laura Sheridan

Photography Georgina Hurdsfield

Truly standing for what they believe in, the St Albans rockers have developed a strong purpose in the world of music. From ‘Juggernauts’ on their sophomore album, Common Dreads, to ‘Arguing With Thermometers’, ‘Mytopia’ and ‘Take My Country Back’ on later albums, Enter Shikari speak loudly and proudly about current issues impacting the future of society. And they were doing it before it was ‘cool’.

When working on their latest album A Kiss For The Whole World, set to be released in April 2023, Enter Shikari proved they practise what they preach. They set out to lessen their own impact on the energy crisis by carefully considering the energy sources they would use to create the album.

In Spring 2022, the band took up a short-term residency in a dilapidated farmhouse in Chichester to record, which lead vocalist and producer Rou Reynolds describes as going “back to basics”. He says, “This band – my best friends – bundled into an old farmhouse, miles away from anywhere. Off-grid, and ready to rediscover ourselves.”

Not only did the band break new ground musically, but they paved the way for greener future music production, using only solar power to create the album. “This album is powered by the sun, the most powerful object in our solar system,” says Reynolds. “And I think you can tell. It’s a collection of songs that represent an explosive reconnection with what Enter Shikari is. The beginning of our second act.”

Enter Shikari’s actions as a band clearly match up to the significant messages evident in their work. But this is nothing new. At Reading and Leeds Festival back in 2019, the group used a powerful image of Reading University’s ‘Climate Stripes’, created by world-leading climate scientist, Professor Ed Hawkins, as their stage backdrop.

On stage with Chris Batten (bass), Rory Clewlow (guitar) and Rob Rolfe (drums), Reynolds described the image as “one of the most crucial images of our time”. The image visually demonstrates how temperatures have continuously risen in every corner of the globe since 1850, a stark warning of how human action has contributed to an accelerating global warming.

For Enter Shikari, music is an unlimited energising fuel source, and they use this influence to support activists and scientists in the work they’re doing to change the world, all while soundtracking the lives of their fans. The band continues to revitalise audiences in 2023, with their latest single ‘(pls) set me on fire’ described by Reynolds as a “projectile vomit of positive energy”.

‘It Hurts’ follows this lead single and brings with it a call to ‘switch up our worldview and reassess the ways in which we judge ourselves’. “Lyrically, ‘It Hurts’ is about perseverance, and the importance of reframing failure as a fruitful and, in fact, pivotal route to progress,” says Reynolds.

Themes of perseverance and progress seem particularly poignant for the band who went on to help reopen live music following the Covid-19 pandemic with a headline set at Download Festival Pilot in 2021, performing to 10,000 fans at Donington Park.

The pandemic not only turned the world upside down, but also the band, who paused writing for two years. “At the time it felt like we ourselves, as musicians, were experiencing the death of our band,” says Reynolds.

This performance was a turning point in their history and a chance for the band to reignite their writing progress, as well as an opportunity to reconnect with fans:

“I just didn’t realise that the human and physical connection to other people were so central to how I write,” Reynolds adds.

Once again we are seeing a reinvigorated act as Enter Shikari embark on their latest creative mission which will see them take up residencies in UK cities throughout

“THIS ALBUM IS POWERED BY THE SUN, THE MOST POWERFUL OBJECT IN OUR SOLAR SYSTEM.”

COST OF CRISIS

By Megan O’Sullivan

Every morning Isobel wakes up “absolutely freezing”. Shivering while she sleeps, even with three or four blankets over her, she still wakes up cold. With her university clothes laid out on her bed, she begins to get ready for her day. Boiling the kettle, she places her hands on the hot surface in an effort to warm up. Stepping out into the bitter air Isobel walks to uni, opting to keep warm by walking and saving on travel costs by not taking the bus. This is the reality for many students during this cost of living crisis.

Across the country, students are battling rising costs to heat their homes, which is affecting their ability to work creatively. According to the Office for National Statistics, 50% of students feel like they have financial struggles, with 15% describing these as ‘major financial difficulties’.

“A lot of students are staying in university longer than they usually do just to keep warm,” says Isobel, an MA Graphic Design student.

With student loans no longer covering living costs, more and more students are finding it hard to balance university and part-time jobs in an effort to support themselves, and are spending longer on campus to avoid having to put their own heating on.

A survey conducted by the student accommodation group

Unite Students found that almost half (49%) of students are working part-time to support themselves at university. Among those, 64% work seven hours or more per week and more than half are concerned about the impact that a part-time job has on their studies.

For Performing Arts student Fin, it’s a struggle to balance work and university life, particularly as he travels home for work. “It’s more convenient for me to travel home from university to work because it’s more flexible than a job in Manchester,” he says. “I’m finding myself going home more as I am actively working to earn money.”

Some students are faced with the difficult choice of whether to miss university seminars and lectures as they simply cannot afford to live unless they work. This is a vicious circle that is on Fin’s mind a lot. He has a job so he’s earning, but it’s at home so he’s away from university, and missing classes. He feels that he’s falling behind with his studies - which he probably is - but he needs that money to be able to afford to live in Manchester.

“It’s affecting my work ethic and degree course,” he says. “I’m too worried about money to fully focus on the degree itself.”

Budgeting as a student can be difficult, particularly during a period of rising inflation, energy bills and other costs. A survey by the National Union of Students says 32% of students are not confident their student loans will cover the cost of essential educational materials such as books and specialist software.

As a graphic design student, Isobel is conscious of the costs related to her course which include printing and other materials. She is concerned about how this will affect her overall performance in her degree, and the worry about budgeting is holding her back creatively.

“I would love to be really experimental and produce loads of sheets and different types of work looking for various outcomes but I think: ‘Oh my God, I can’t do that because it will be such a waste of money,” she says.

“The other day I was screen printing and when I had finished everything, I checked the work and realised I had made a spelling mistake. And that’s £2 for screen printing and 80p worth of paper down the drain!”

Isobel says many students are becoming increasingly anxious about making errors and wasting material because of the high costs of producing artwork, which only results in further blunders.

“It doesn’t sound like a lot at that moment, but if you are making small changes or mistakes over and over again it builds up.”

Filmmaking student Lui is paying for actors and buying props to complete his assignments and it’s costing him more than expected. Lui says there is no additional support for students on his course to fund their projects and no promise of when they will make these costs back.

With his goal being to submit his film to a festival, Lui pays his actors a daily rate, or as a minimum, covers their travel costs. Lui is well-motivated and wants to succeed, but feels his work may not be as good as it could be as he is going to have to cut back on props and sought-after actors.

Many students have felt a strain on their mental health since coming to university. This is certainly the case for Fin. “I am more conscious of money and spending because everything adds up making me feel more stressed about my financial situation,” he says.

Isobel has also felt increasingly worried due to the cost of living crisis: “Looking back from when I started university, I could go out whenever I wanted to and money was never an issue,” she says. “You could enjoy yourself, treat yourself and not have to worry too much about money. Nowadays everything is tighter, everything is more expensive.”

The mental health charity Manchester Mind has seen a 40% increase in the number of people contacting their information line about difficulties with financial matters such as welfare, unemployment, and personal debt.

“Poor mental health can make earning and managing money harder and worrying about money can make your mental health worse. It can start to feel like a vicious cycle,” says Sam Harwood, Manchester Mind’s communications manager.

Manchester Met has set up a new student hub to offer advice and helpful links to students and has ‘significantly increased’ the Student Hardship Fund. The information covers ways to manage budgets, save money, seek help for health and wellbeing, find a part-time job through Jobs4Students or apply for financial support, while the Student Hardship Fund covers day-to-day support, bridging loans, bursaries, support with accommodation fees and help for estranged or disabled students.

The hub includes guidance on how students can apply for hardship support, and warns them not to wait until they are running out of money before they do. The university explains its Day-to-Day Support payments ranging from £100 - £3,000 are limited and that ‘students only ever receive the maximum support in very exceptional circumstances.’ They also state at least a third of applications for hardship support may be rejected.

Despite the latest pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, creative students like Isobel are trying to remain positive: “I do go out and enjoy myself every now and again, because it is important to enjoy yourself in life. But when I spend, I only buy the basic things, and it is really hard to have anything left to put money into your craft.”

Manchester Met’s Student Hub is on hand to give advice to students about the cost-of-living crisis. The Student Hub is accessible 8:45am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday in the Business School building or via phone on 0161 247 1000.

MEET THE MANCHESTER ARTISTS RAISING CLIMATE CONSCIOUSNESS

The climate crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing the world and artists across the globe are using creativity to highlight this problem. We’ve collated some of the most prominent Manchester-based artists who are foregrounding environmental issues in their work.

By Elena John

Author-illustrator Emma Reynolds is passionate about environmental activism and storytelling and is the founder of the #KidLit4Climate campaign. The campaign encourages children to draw in protest against the climate crisis. Her 2021 debut story Amara and the Bats brings the campaign into practice. Written and illustrated by Reynolds, it is a stunning story with the important message that we must save our wildlife. Her work is set to feature in another illustrated book later in 2023, a graphic novel called Drawn to Change the World emmareynoldsillustration.com

Sculpturist Brigitte Jurack focuses on appreciating the natural world and shifting towards sustainable futures. Originally studying in Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, Jurack now works in the UK and is currently Head of Sculpture and Time-Based Arts and Programme Leader at Manchester School of Art. Her first solo exhibition Fieldnotes featured at the Manchester venue HOME and ran until January 2023, exploring issues of environmental sustainability, craft and labour.

brigittejurack.de

Working across a range of media to face the realities of the climate crisis, Hilary Jack’s work has been exhibited across the UK and internationally. Her recent climate-focussed projects include Microplastics (2020), dynamically depicting the presence of climate change on our environment. The outdoor art installation Unsettled Ground at Salford Art Gallery and other venues across Manchester explores the effect of policymaking and the cycle of degeneration and regeneration on human and animal communities. She particularly emphasises the use of ‘found’ objects in her work.

hilaryjack.com

Illustration Georgia Harmey

Queer fine art muralists CBLOXX (Jay Gilleard) and Aylo (Hayley Garner) come together to form the Manchester-based duo Nomad Clan. Named ‘one of street art’s finest female duos’ by Widewalls magazine, their giant dynamic street murals tackle pressing topics including socio-economic inequality, local history and environmental issues. Spanning the globe their murals channel climate issues from their 2018 ‘British Sea Power’ mural in Hull to ‘Pray for Rain’ in Mexico.

nomadclan.co.uk

EMMA REYNOLDS

BRIGITTE JURACK

NOMAD CLAN

HILARY JACK

Design Laufey Guðnadóttir

UNEARTHING TANZANIA’S PLIGHT AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

By Zac Mcmenemy

My lights have flickered out. Another electricity blackout. For me, a student on Manchester Met’s African Wildlife Ecology and Conservation course taught in Tanzania, this power loss means a few hours without wi-fi. Although this is a minor inconvenience for me, the increasingly unreliable energy supply is indicative of a much more concerning reality for Tanzania.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that current temperatures are at least 1⁰C above pre-industrial levels, and are expected to rise rapidly over the coming decades, with the world’s poorest populations forecast to be hardest hit. Tanzania is already feeling the heat.

“Climate change is a real thing and in Tanzania, as one of the developing countries, we are affected by it – it is severe,’’ says Dr. Gabriel Mayengo, a lecturer at the College of African Wildlife Management (CAWM).

“We are experiencing irregular climatic conditions,” he continues. “We can vividly see the impact in our communities.”

The World Bank predicts further temperature rises of 2⁰C in as little as 20 years, which they warn could lead to food shortages, ecological disasters and economic depressions. The forecasts are bleak: more droughts and flash flooding across Africa, and the loss of up to 80% of land used for crops.

The threats posed to agriculture are particularly worrying to Tanzanians. Lazaro, a student at CAWM, told me how his father, a rice farmer, has struggled over the past year, with the price of rice doubling as climatic conditions became less favourable.

‘’People are closing down,” says Lazaro, a fate he fears may await his father.

These anxieties are endured across the nation. The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report highlights a 34% drop in agricultural productivity growth in Africa since 1961. As a direct result of climate change, this figure is only expected to grow, leaving people wondering how they will put food on the table.

Dr. Mayengo attributed this decline to irregular weather patterns. The disruption to the rainy/dry season regime affects not only agriculture, but all aspects of life in Tanzania. I had presumed, perhaps ignorantly, that the electricity blackouts that frequented Mweka, the village I am staying in on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, were commonplace.

Dr. Mayengo explains that these were virtually non-existent as little as a year ago. “Most of the rivers that used to be the main source of hydro-electric power have dried up and it has become a challenge to generate enough electricity,” he says.

He remains optimistic though, noting new government initiatives to tackle “the electricity problem”’ but these may involve an increased dependence on fossil fuels, thereby feeding a vicious cycle.

Tanzania’s wildlife is crucial to global conservation as well as vital to the country’s economy through tourism revenue. It remains one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, but many species that call the East African country home already find themselves listed as endangered on the ‘red list’ compiled by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Potentially devastating consequences await if temperatures rise by 1.5°C, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change forecasting a 30% loss of all species. Lazaro, who is passionate about the natural world, admits he is “very, very worried, because we will lose a lot of species”.

“WE ARE RECEIVING A PUNISHMENT FOR A MISTAKE WE HAVE NOT MADE”:

Tanzania boasts the largest area of protected land in Africa, including vast unfenced national parks. With conditions deteriorating in the parks, animals have sought refuge elsewhere.

“Animals don’t have borders,” says Lazaro. In search of water and food, they are moving into farmlands and other areas, increasing conflict between humans and wildlife. Dr. Mayengo says this was previously not the case and that, with threats to local livelihoods and wildlife at risk, opposition towards conservation is rising.

The true travesty in all of this however, is how little Tanzania and Africa as a whole have contributed to the horrors that are bedevilling the continent. According to a report by the environmental impact charity CDP, Africa contributes 3.8% of all global greenhouse gas emissions, but has been forced to deal with the worst of the impacts of climate change.

Dr. Mayengo echoes this. While his country makes only a minimal contribution to global emissions, he says, “we are highly impacted”. Lazaro too is frustrated: “We are receiving a

Dr. Mayengo had this message for governments of polluternations: “You just emit and then you refuse to assist the fight against climate change. I think that’s not fair, for the present and for future generations.” He urges these governments to consider climate change in policy so that his compatriots could “live peacefully, like they used to.”

While Africa is badly hit by the consequences of climate change, the continent gets little help in coping with the aftermath. The IPCC reports that Africa received just 3.8% of global funding for climate-related research. This alarming statistic further illustrates the neglect shown towards the ‘Mother Continent’.

Notwithstanding the drastic impact of climate change on their lives, Tanzanians do not shy away from taking action. Lazaro urges his country to “do more conservation, more education and to have discipline […] to not over-exploit,” he says.

“By doing that here and globally, we will be in a position to solve the challenges that are now facing Tanzania.”

Despite this optimism, there is a growing sense that the issues beginning to plague Tanzania are out of its control, and that even organisations highlighting climate change and its consequences for local populations, such as the IPCC and the World Bank, cannot agree on a consistent approach. They advocate for change but rather than call for global solutions, they recommend adaptive action within the countries worst affected.

Dr. Mayengo describes the countries contributing most heavily to climate change as “selfish” and doubts the willingness of polluternations to make the changes needed. He is proud of his country in this David versus Goliath style fight, pointing to reforestation programmes by Tanzania’s Forest Services and National Park Authority but he concedes these are short-term approaches. Like Lazaro, he calls for the world to recognise the problems and identify solutions – or watch the lights go out completely.

Design Kate King Photography Zac Mcmenemy

LIVING OFF GRID

By Orrin Saint-Pierre

Orrin Saint-Pierre is a young artist and photographer from Blackburn, Lancashire. He is currently based in Manchester and studying at the Manchester School of Digital Art. Orrin’s personal practice centres around documentary portraiture –particularly in creating long-term socially engaged documentary projects around groups or individuals. He primarily works with analogue equipment, which both helps him to engage with his subjects through a slow and intimate workflow while also creating the aesthetic present throughout his work.

In September 2020, shortly before the second Covid-19 lockdown, Orrin was invited to travel across the country with a family friend to stay in an apple orchard in Iden, near Rye in East Sussex. In Norse mythology, Iðunn (Idunn) was the goddess of rejuvenation and the coming of spring. She was the keeper of the sacred apples of Immortality, which the gods ate to preserve their youth. Orrin liked to imagine the little village along the south coast derives its name from the Norse goddess, and although he couldn’t find any concrete evidence to back this up, it felt like too much of a coincidence to ignore. To him, and many of the people who live there, Iden is indeed a little garden of freedom and youth away from the world.

SCOTT

Photography Orrin Saint-Pierre

Design Faye Byrne

MAI

Mai lives with her parents Ana and Dave in their trucks, along with her older brother Brân. She has also commandeered a trailer of her own and started making YouTube videos. In June, Mai’s family travelled down south for the picking season, and then returned back to Wales, working the winter planting trees. Her brother was thinking of staying down south this winter - he’d got into kickboxing and was thinking of renting a flat in Hastings. Ana and Dave both rebelled against their parents and traditional upbringings, and in turn, their children have begun to ‘rebel’ back towards a more traditional lifestyle. Maybe the need to push back against your upbringing is inevitable.

THE BRIGHTON BUNCH

@orrin.pierre orrinsaintpierre.com

The ‘Brighton Bunch’ as they’d been dubbed, were camped together in the far corner of the orchard. Work was as important as play for the group. Whether they were picking apples, identifying and collecting mushrooms, using berries as slingshot ammo, or taking off on their bikes to fish in the stream nearby – it was all just as significant as the fire-lit party that followed. I’d met two of them, the brothers Leo and Eli, the previous year. Leo had recently bought a horse trailer which he was converting into a live-in space, though he’d yet to find a car to tow it with.

PHIL

I met Phil coming back from the picking one day. We bonded over our mutual attire - wearing raincoats in the heat of the day. With the trees being so dense, a raincoat is your best bet in order to protect yourself and your arms. ‘Grumpy old Phil’ has become a bit of a staple at the orchard. Most people come and go with the picking season, but he’s been camped there for the past three years. He told me stories of all the places he’d been - often finding himself solitary one way or another. Though he is content with his own company, I still got the feeling that he finds it lonely living alone in the orchard most of the year.

AJewelz by Mealz FASHION

By Keja Isaac Sofekun

Say hello to the new jewellery brand lighting up the Manchester fashion scene. Jewelz by Mealz specialises in unique jewellery made from upcycled materials –discarded but repurposed creatively – and encourages ethical consumption.

There’s little chance you’ll be wearing the exact same look as someone else because these items are limited made-to-order pieces. Manchester Met Fashion Art Direction student Amelia Godel, who’s 21 and the brains behind the brand, sat down with us to celebrate its two-year anniversary.

Where did the inspiration for Jewelz by Mealz come from?

I am inspired by nature and wildlife. I take lots of inspiration from the ocean and its inhabitants, organic formations, and from mushrooms – with their vast range of patterns, textures and colours and the way they have always influenced our planet in many unseen ways throughout the centuries. I am also really inspired by some of my favourite musical artists, particularly ones with rich and complex visuals such as Caroline Polachek or Arca. I like to make jewellery that I could imagine existing in the worlds they create.

What are the brand’s values?

The core values of Jewelz by Mealz include promotion of sustainable living and the importance of positive actions towards our planet, a rejection of fast fashion and encouragement to consume more ethically. I also donate profits from different drops to various charities and each time I do this I want people to learn as much as possible about the causes I am supporting. I do this by raising awareness alongside funds, tying each piece of art to a tangible cause and encouraging transparency with my customers by showing exactly where their money goes and what they are supporting when they buy a piece of JBM jewellery.

How did you first become interested in sustainability?

I have been vegan/vegetarian for eight years now after finding out the impact that animal agriculture had on the environment. Around the same time, I started shopping secondhand because I knew it was a more sustainable choice and I was frequently disappointed by the quality of fast fashion clothing. Since starting JBM, I have continued to learn a lot about the importance of sustainability. I want my brand to encourage others to think about the impact their actions have on the environment and hopefully inspire them to make more planet-friendly decisions.

How can we shop more consciously?

Supporting smaller independent brands like mine or shopping secondhand is a great way to participate in trends whilst not encouraging mass production of new pieces, and often enables you to give money to important causes at the same time. Buying secondhand pieces also ensures you will have a much more distinctive wardrobe and you are very unlikely to wear the same top, dress or skirt as ten other people around you who bought from a fast fashion brand online. The most sustainable thing people can do is wear the clothes they own already, just styled in a different way or adopted to fit the new style they want. This move towards up-cycling existing items was definitely one of the best things to come out of the pandemic, in my opinion.

How do you come up with each piece?

At the start of Jewelz by Mealz, I was given a lot of old jewellery from my Grandma to rework into new pieces, which was really special. I source my materials from vintage fairs, flea markets, car boot sales, online marketplaces like eBay and Vinted, charity shops and auctions. When creating a new piece, I get inspired a lot by the materials I have at that moment, and will usually make a piece with one specific pendant, bead or charm as a starting point and then work around that.

Do you have a favourite?

Only a few days after I first started selling necklaces, I made a piece called ‘The Moon and All Her Stars’ commemorating the loss of musician SOPHIE two years ago. It was the first time I understood channelling emotion into art and making it into something beautiful. The necklace is a very complex and sculptural piece and making it inspired me to continue using jewellery to channel emotions and feelings within our existence and translate them into wearable art pieces.

Design Bradley Sansom

Photography Lucy Warburton

ENERGY-BOOSTING GRUB: SWEET POTATO AND CHICKPEA CURRY

By Megan O’Sullivan

Keen to reduce your meat consumption in an effort to protect the planet? This energising veggie curry will boost your motivation, serve up the majority of your 5-a-day and help you do your bit for the environment too.

Serves 4

Ingredients Equipment

• 2 sweet potatoes

• A tin of chickpeas

• Approx. 8 mushrooms

• 2 large handfuls of spinach

• 1 red pepepr

• Mixed herbs

• 1/2 a jar of Thai Green Curry paste

• A tin of coconut milk

• Microwaveable rice

This quick, easy, flavoursome recipe is one that can be enjoyed by everyone. It will give you mountains of energy and ensure that your body gets all the vitamins you need in a day.

• Wooden spoon

• Teaspoon

• Large pan

• Colander

• Chopping board

• Sharp knife

• Vegetable peeler

1 2 3 4 5

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into small chunks. Then put them into a large pan and boil in water for around 10 minutes or until they are soft.

While the sweet potatoes are boiling, chop the mushrooms and red pepper into bite-size chunks.

Once the sweet potatoes are soft, drain them through a colander until all the water has been removed. Then put the sweet potato, chickpeas, mushrooms, pepper, and spinach into the pan with a small amount of olive oil and stir for a couple of minutes until all of the vegetables have softened.

Next, add half a jar of Thai green curry paste and a small tin of coconut milk. Stir well until all of the ingredients are covered in this mixture.

Leave the curry to simmer until the chickpeas are hot, stirring every few minutes. While the curry is simmering, prepare your rice.

6 SCAN FOR NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Finally, serve and enjoy.

Approximate cost per serving: £1.25 6

BY @METMUNCH

METMUNCH DISHES UP GOOD MOOD FOOD

The GROW Café in the Manchester Met Business School encourages students to think more consciously about the food they eat, and to consider issues of sustainability and plant-based eating when choosing what to have for their lunch.

A collaboration between the University Catering Team and MetMUnch, GROW offers a meat-free, nutritious alternative diet that is more sustainable and low carbon, as well as serving up a space to share ideas and collaborate.

MetMUnch was founded by senior lecturer Haleh Moravej in 2011 as a student-led enterprise and it has gone on to win many awards and become known around the world as pioneers of nutrition, sustainability and wellness. Haleh and the MetMUnch team know their food serves two purposes – to fuel the body and educate the mind.

“Gut bacteria is super important as it makes up around 2.5kg of our gut,” says Haleh. “Our energy for everyday activities actually comes from the gut and acts as the puppetmaster for our brain.” She adds, “A highly-processed diet will destroy the good gut bacteria as it is accumulated throughout your life and therefore we are heavily dependent on a good diet. Healthy gut bacteria can take up to six years to rebuild.”

Haleh explains a balanced diet is needed to boost your mood and therefore you should avoid anything which gives you a high sugar rush. So we asked Haleh and the MetMUnch team to serve up top five good mood food tips to help boost wellbeing and give you energy. Here they are!

1. FRUIT & VEGETABLES

Containing a range of antioxidants, researchers suggest that you should have 30 different-coloured fruit and vegetables a week. When eating vegetables, you will feel a positive mood improvement as they are providing good bacteria for your gut as well as boosting your immune system.

2. FERMENTED FOODS

Fermented foods are a great way to include probiotics in your diet. Kimchi (Korean fermented vegetables) and Kombucha (fermented black tea) are both great examples of fermented foods which can be included in your diet. Additionally, sauerkraut is a fermented cabbage condiment, loaded with vitamin C and K as well as iron and fibre, rich in probiotics which contain healthy gut bacteria.

3. HEALTHY FATS

Healthy fats are very important for your mood as your brain is made out of 65% essential fats. They are called ‘essential fats’ as our bodies don’t produce them. Therefore, we need to get them externally. You get essential fats from oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines which are full of omega 3 and are good for your brain. If you are vegan or vegetarian you have to get omega 3 from nuts and seeds such as walnuts, brazil nuts, pumpkin seeds, almonds and chia seeds. Avocados are another fantastic food for mood but are not as sustainable as other fruits or vegetables. However, they are a fantastic source of vitamin C, E, K, and vitamin B6: all of these are good for stress management.

4. EGGS

Eggs are a good source of amino acids which are the base of protein. They are cheap, affordable, and provide energy directly to the brain. Make sure you know how the eggs have been farmed if you are concerned about the various methods.

5. DARK CHOCOLATE

Dark chocolate with a 95% high cocoa content is good for the brain and will help with a boost of energy Some nutritionists even recommend 25g a day.

Design Anita Belous

Illustration Kate King

ByRuby Qaimkhani

When the cold weather sets in, our motivation to brave the great outdoors can take a hit. But studies like Connect Health’s ‘The benefits of winter walking’ have shown that walking and fresh air can kick the immune system into high gear and enhance your body’s ability to fight infections.

Awareness of the health benefits of getting outdoors led Haroon Mota, a marathon runner from Coventry, to found a new hiking group called the Muslim Hikers. They take aim to tackle health inequalities and the underrepresentation of Muslim and South Asian communities in green spaces, while enjoying the great outdoors.

Haroon Mota says: “If we’re not accessing the outdoors, we’re depriving ourselves of the wellbeing benefits. Muslim communities tend to be the ones affected by the greatest health inequalities, especially the South Asian community.

“We make up a large proportion of the British Muslim community, particularly people from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. If we’re the ones affected by these inequalities, we need to do something about our lifestyles. It’s not surprising we’re also the same communities that have the lowest levels of physical activity.”

The under-representation of the South Asian communities in numbers of visitors seeking exercise outdoors plays a big role in this too, Haroon explains: “Government statistics show that less than 1% of visitors to the UK national parks come from ethnic minorities and that is quite shocking.”

For some, it can be tough to find a hiking group that shares a love for the outdoors while making them feel accepted. One fan of the Muslim Hikers group is Zeni Aslam from Rochdale, who says: “I’m always looking for activities with diverse groups that offer a positive influence.”

The Muslim Hikers’ events are advertised on Eventbrite and sell out quickly. Their first two events of 2023, walks in the Peak District, sold out in under 12 hours. “I’m on the waiting list for their February event; a weekend’s walking through the Hope Valley,” says Zeni. “However due to the high demand I doubt I’ll get a ticket.”

Another group serving this demand and aiming to get Muslims out into the country to enjoy its health benefits is the South Manchester Muslims Walking Group (SMMWG).

SMMWG was set up in 2018 by GP Dr Amir Hannan, Amna Choudry, who works in psychological therapies and mental health, and IT consultant Riz Qureshi.

Data is collected to show regular and new participants what could be improved and what they collectively enjoyed the most.

Results from the latest walk showed that four out of five attendees selected benefits which related to health, mood and a sense of connection. Less priority was given to body image and keeping their weight in check, which was a common trend among the past five survey results.

One regular attendee of the SMMWG sessions is Khadiza Jahan who first joined the walking group as she loves nature walks. After attending ten sessions with the group, she had the opportunity to create and lead her own route from Didsbury Mosque to Ivy Green.

When asked what keeps her coming back to the group, Khadiza says: “I love meeting new people and the walks are on weekends which works best for me. Ultimately, I do it for my own satisfaction.”

Design Lisa Silva

Photography Zeyn Lambat

‘‘ ”

IF WE’RE NOT ACCESSING THE OUTDOORS, WE’RE DEPRIVING OURSELVES OF THE WELLBEING BENEFITS.

MATCH DAY LIVE

Ed Tucker and Callum Scott reflect on the transformative effects of their roles at Matchday Live

“I was definitely a very fed-up student after two years of Covid and an internship that didn’t work out,” says Ed Tucker, a 23-yearold third year Multimedia Journalism student from Arundel, West Sussex. “But then I got involved with Matchday Live, and that has definitely been the highlight of my university career – 100 percent.

“Doing commentary on live games made me nervous at first but I wanted to try it, and I found out that I was quite good at it. I absolutely love it: netball, futsal, rugby, football – just give me the mic. Now I want to be a professional commentator, and I’ve got 15 hours of commentary to choose from for my showreel!”

Ed pauses to take a bite of his spicy Indian samosa, snacks that have become an integral part of the Matchday Live production experience at the Platt Lane Sports Centre.

The Manchester Met sports livestream show was launched this year from the university’s sports hub in Rusholme by Sports Journalism unit lead and former BBC producer Vince Hunt and university Technical Specialist Sam Heitzman. Sam has built a sector-leading broadcast system at Platt Lane from scratch, with remotely-operated cameras indoors and outdoors showing live coverage of university sports teams playing football, rugby, basketball, volleyball, netball, lacrosse and more recently, a Sunday morning futsal team cup run.

In its first term of Wednesday afternoon and evening broadcasting on the MMU Sport YouTube channel, Matchday Live notched up a global audience of 16,000 viewers.

“Aside from the actual experience itself including the discipline of prepping for the game, doing research and talking to the players and coaches, it has definitely made me more focused on my uni work,” adds Ed.

“It’s given me an outlet for journalism I enjoy doing, where before it felt like: ‘Here’s your work, here are your deadlines; now go off and do it.’ And sometimes I’d be thinking: ‘Nah, I’m not doing this anymore.’

“But Matchday Live has completely changed that. I’ve got Firsts in both [of the assessments] I’ve submitted for this first semester, and maybe I’m trying a bit harder, putting more effort in, because I’m enjoying being here more, too. And the things that I’m doing, like the interviews after the games, have made me so much more confident.

“I’m thinking to myself: ‘I can do this on the fly, and I’m able to interview people I’ve done research into’. That’s given a real boost to my confidence and helped me grow into the role. Now I’m way more confident when I open my mouth – which is a lot, to be fair –and I’m confident in front of a camera, on a mic, talking to players, coaches … everything, in fact.

“I’d go as far to say it’s changed everything about university for me. Without it I would not be enjoying myself right now, being a third year. My house is a bit depressing right now, and Matchday Live has kept me going.”

More than 40 students have worked on the 18 games streamed since its launch in October 2022, reaching an online audience including France, the Netherlands, Spain, South Africa and Australia. The student broadcasters and journalists come from a background of disciplines, including filmmaking, marketing and multimedia journalism.

Preparation for the weekly show involves student journalists working closely with MMU Sport’s team coaches, recording preview interviews and researching and making contact with visiting sides.

MATCHDAY LIVE HAS CHANGED EVERYTHING ABOUT UNIVERSITY FOR ME.

‘‘ ”

The show then goes out live from a dedicated studio, with directors and vision mixers working in technical roles alongside the commentators and producers. Featured games are trailed and live-tweeted by a social media team. Away from the classrooms of the campus, the studio becomes a place where innovative teaching can happen, as Vince and Sam train students in industry methods using state-of-the-art equipment.

“The students who have worked on Matchday Live are some of the most dedicated and energising colleagues I’ve ever worked with,” says Sam. “They have enthusiastically defeated every single challenge they have been posed during the broadcasts, and once you go live, you just have to deal with it.

“I love the way this project is giving students like Ed the chance to blossom, develop their talents and get a new sense of direction as a result. I can’t wait to see what amazing things they all do in the future.”

A former Sports Journalism student, Callum Scott was among the first volunteers and seized the opportunity to host the first show live, reading to camera from an iPad autocue he developed himself. Before long Callum was interviewing coaches immediately post-match, and enjoying the thrill of the live broadcast environment.

“For me, Matchday Live has offered me experience in areas that I needed to improve, as well as giving me access to the very best equipment to do that,” he says.

“Coming into my third year, I’d [built up] experience producing plenty of written content with The Northern Quota, and covering elections gave me a good range of live coverage experience but I knew that I needed to develop my on-camera portfolio too.

“Presenting was something that daunted me initially, as I’d never done anything like that before, let alone doing it live, but we talked through what I needed to do and say – and when to speak and when to stop – and we gave it a go!

“Standing in the foreground of a basketball double-header, the nerves were jangling. I had Sam’s voice in my ear counting down to when we were on air, and Vince racing behind me to bring over the team coaches I needed for the interviews.

“Manchester Met lost, and the commentary team were waxing lyrical about the visiting team’s performances. We cut to me about to interview the star player of the winning side, Nottingham Trent’s Moho Adekeye. Having known I was going to interview him for all of 30 seconds before we came to air, this was something that you might call an ‘industry standard challenge’!

“But the feeling of interviewing him well, of responding to his delight at the victory and me getting the sequence over the line without a hitch was something I’ve never felt before: a mix of pride and relief.”

Callum adds: “You can’t get better experience than a day of sport at Matchday Live, and you can build yourself a portfolio powered by a great team, and excellent samosas…”

Matchday Live launched its second season in January 2023 and is open to all interested in gaining live television production experience. To get involved, contact Sam Heitzman at s.heitzman@mmu.ac.uk

As aAh! went to press, 3rd year BA Filmmaking student Callum Hughes became the first Matchday Live Hall of Famer, accepting a job as Junior Technical Operator at EuroSport.

Design Anita Belous

Photography Joshua Fielding & Maxine Douglas-Morgan

Aspiring TV presenters Dorthe Berger and Amelia Tatford present live coverage of university sport on Matchday Live.

TOP 3 CLASSIC FILMS ADDRESSING THE CLIMATE CRISIS

Sometimes films are a welcome distraction from the problems affecting the world, and sometimes they are big, juicy metaphors for what we should be paying attention to. From a giant science fiction adventure to a post-apocalyptic wasteland these films address the climate crisis (in one way or another!)

By Thomas Mansbridge

THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW (2004)

Dennis Quaid (playing Jack Hall, a name strangely similar to Jake Gyllenhaal who plays his son) must make a dangerous and daring journey to find Jakey G in the midst of a new Ice Age. The environmental catastrophe makes for a dazzling disaster movie with some impressive set pieces. It’s a climate change film that shows us how bad things can get. The freezing icecaps and giant waves are certainly not something we’d want to experience, however much fun it looks! It’s a real thrill, though perhaps it’s an Ice Age film that is not for children.

“My name is Max, my world is fire and blood.” Opening with a desolate wasteland, the fourth film in the Mad Max franchise looks at a world that has torn itself apart. Plants no longer grow, trees are referred to as “that thing” and water is a privilege (dropped from the top of a waterfall in the least efficient way possible). The film is a demonstration of what happens when you let the world burn, an allegory for what we are currently doing to this planet. If we don’t all make some changes we’ll be destined to a life on the Fury Road.

Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi epic looks at a world that has been so affected by climate change that it is now uninhabitable. The world is recognisable to us with a few notable changes; a layer of dust covers everything and sandstorms are as normal as snow. Children are raised to be farmers instead of scientists as space travel is no longer important (spoiler alert: it is). Set in a potential future that seems like a step back in time, the dying planet means there is no need for digital jobs: presumably all the influencers are now growing crops. NASA, now in hiding, recruits Cooper (Matthew McConaughay) to go out and find a new planet. They have lost all hope of saving our world, so we must find a better place. As Cooper says, “Mankind was born on Earth. It was never meant to die here.” Let’s hope we don’t get to that point.

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)

INTERSTELLAR (2014)

Design Laufey Guðnadóttir Illustration Georgia Harmey

SPOTLIGHT:

With a fresh take on indie book publishing, Catalog Bookshop has forged its own direction right outside All Saints’ Park on Oxford Road. It’s worlds apart from any other independent bookshop in Manchester because Catalog runs on wheels… literally.

By Keja Isaac Sofekun

Launched by Peter, who is originally from Greece but moved to Manchester for love, Catalog strives to offer its supporters a unique experience. He aims to prioritise quality over quantity and thrives off discovering unique and diverse titles which can’t be found anywhere else in the city. We sat down with Peter to see how he turned his passion into a career.

Where did the inspiration for Catalog come from?

When I first came to Manchester in 2015, there was a bookshop in the Northern Quarter called Magma. It has since closed down due to the pandemic, but [Magma] was my introduction to independent magazines. I didn’t know these kinds of magazines existed! I was fascinated and started going there everyday, flicking through different titles. I got hooked from there. But my love for books has always been there since I was a child. I was stuck in a job that I didn’t enjoy and I just wanted to find a getaway: to find something that I liked. The pandemic was the key thing for me to reconsider my options. After the 2020 lockdown, I decided to start my own business and that’s how I started Catalog.

Why would bookworms love Catalog in particular?

I think the unique thing about Catalog is that it’s a mobile bookshop – I don’t think there’s anything like it in Manchester. The whole idea of being able to be in different locations is great. I think people like this and also the fact that I can guide customers. If someone messages me about a title or asks me for suggestions, I’ll get back to them and find what they’re looking for. I’m not saying that other places don’t do that, but I kind of have more flexibility towards these kinds of things.

How do you maintain a sustainable business?

I try to source magazines either directly from the creator or a distributor. But if I don’t sell that issue then the magazine stays with me so I have the option to either keep it or chuck it in the bin. I don’t want to ever have to throw titles in the bin, so if I have leftover covers or magazines I donate them to the Manchester School of Art and the Manchester Fashion Institute so they can be upcycled. That’s how I try to maintain sustainability.

What do you find special about indie publications?

I think indie publications have come a long way. What I like personally is that people have so much creativity. The creators of indie books have got a bit more flexibility to get away from the norm and offer a unique story to their readers. For example, Dazed [a style mag founded in 1991] has a set format, whereas small indie magazines don’t have to follow one. I like how flexible they can be and I like the unique stories.

What are Catalog’s main principles?

I try to stay as connected to my customers as possible and offer the best [service] I can. I’m a one man business so it is quite easy to be in control of a lot of things and stay close to my supporters.

What are your plans for the future?

I’ve been in the process of expanding for just over a year now. The problem now is when the weather is bad I can’t be outside so I’m looking to expand in size. I have a shipping container which I will convert into a little bookshop - that would be the first step. If I’m able to do that, I’m looking into getting out to different locations, like having a licence in Chorlton or Didsbury. I’m going to try and stay away from becoming a conventional bookshop.

Design Faye Byrne

Photography Emma Ledwith & Jim Holland

“I DON’T THINK THERE’S ANYTHING LIKE THIS IN MANCHESTER.”

BOOKS TO REIGNITE YOUR LOVE OF READING

Whether you’re sick of Booktok’s cheap thrills or bored of dreary academic drawls, we’re championing five books to invigorate your disenchanted inner bookworm.

SMALL PLEASURES BY

CLARE CHAMBERS

Small Pleasures depicts ageing journalist Jean’s investigation of an alleged immaculate conception. With neat, pretty prose and a few love stories, the novel’s mystery is captivating. Profound curiosity is certain to propel even the most uninspired readers to the novel’s end, and what an enigma that ending is, being both predictable and highly unprecedented. A timeless read, Small Pleasures is sure to get your reading cap back on. It’s the perfect refreshing novel for anyone feeling lost on their reading journey.

MY YEAR OF REST AND RELAXATION BY

OTESSA MOSHFEGH

Ironically, My Year of Rest and Relaxation is a stirring novel, following the strange pursuit of one horribly privileged woman. She’s beautiful, rich, white, upper class and living in New York (eurgh, how awful!) This hedonistic protagonist is so lazy she can’t even be bothered to share her name, while committing to plunging into a drug-induced sleep for an entire year. The result is a plethora of funny and slightly terrifying drug-fuelled antics. Another fantastic novel from the 2016 Booker Prize-shortlisted author, it showcases Moshfegh’s delicious dark humour exquisitely and her take on those who like to enjoy too much of ‘the finer things’ is hilarious. You won’t want to take a reading rest after this one.

REBECCA BY

DAPHNE DU MAURIER

An enduring romance, Rebecca is saturated with love, loss, lust and betrayal. Our plain little unnamed narrator suddenly finds herself in the arms of a mysterious rich older man, Maxim de Winter. Hardly believing her luck, they marry and she’s swept away into his Gothic mansion and tormented past. His home is dominated entirely by the overwhelming presence of Rebecca, his dearly departed, terrifyingly beautiful wife. You can practically feel the protagonist’s obsession with Rebecca swelling from the pages. She has her claws in everyone, including the reader. It’s hard to let Rebecca go.

TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW BY GABRIELLE

ZEVIN

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, a novel about childhood, love and video games is sure to tap into childhood nostalgia. Sam and Sadie meet following an accident which leaves both Sam’s foot and spirits crushed. The pair are together then apart, then together again … but video games remain a constant throughout their lives. A multi-layered novel, the full scope of human emotions is explored through the most Gen Z of backdrops; that of video games. You won’t be able to drag yourself out of this alluring world.

By Elena John

Design Laufey Guðnadóttir

Opinion: PROTECTING YOUR ENERGY IS A PRIVILEGE

In the long shadow of the New Year and quickly-broken resolutions, my social media feed is once again filled with one very similar message – protect your energy. It’s phrased differently across platforms but at its core, the message is the same: shut off from social media, turn the other cheek, adopt slow living, and enjoy the little things. In theory, it’s sound advice, but the reality is more disheartening.

As I scroll through TikTok and discuss the sentiment with friends, I realise this message is perpetuated by the same group of people. White upper-middleclass influencers, whose day-to-day existence is alien to their millions of adoring online followers.

Social media can be toxic. Young people say that four out of five major social platforms make their anxieties worse, according to Health Assured. Studies have also found a strong link between heavy social media exposure and an increased risk of depression, anxiety, loneliness, self-harm and even suicidal thoughts. But telling people their mental wellbeing will improve simply by turning off their phones, doesn’t get rid of the real problems we face in life.

Some of the most regurgitated techniques for ‘protecting energy’ are simply unattainable for the everyday person, especially the younger generation who are facing an uncertain future saturated with economic and political turbulence. How can you set boundaries and reduce stress when you are struggling to make your rent? How can you take time for yourself and work on saying ‘No’ when a networking event might be the make-or-break step for your career? How can you limit your exposure to stress and negativity between customer service roles, mountains of university work and inescapable newspaper headlines of detrimental policy changes piled high next to that much-needed coffee?

The mindfulness movement is starting to sound a lot like the work-life balance conversation. It only applies to those with the financial and social stability to work less and live more. I have spent the past three and a half years working alongside my degree, doing internships, working in retail, social media management, and remote office jobs; I’ve seemingly done it all. Between all this, I have made everlasting friendships, gone to concerts, read books in the

park, hosted weekly movie nights and generally been very happy, but I have certainly not been mindful or rested simply because I’ve not had the time nor the money! And, talking to other students, I know they feel the same.

The real modern origins of self-care unsurprisingly did not start with social media but in 1960s America with the Black Panthers, an anti-capitalist revolutionary Black political organisation. Leah Thomas, the founder of Intersectional Environmentalist collective, explained in an interview with Vice that the Black Panthers “had some really radical frameworks around self-care and how to refuel ourselves” in order to “dismantle systems that are oppressing us”. The Black Panthers focused on community initiatives including the Free Food programme which encouraged emotional wellbeing and a focus on absolute necessities. American activist and poet Audre Lorde too promoted radical selfcare in her collection of essays, A Burst of Light. Lorde described self-care as self-preservation rather than selfindulgence, calling it “an act of political warfare”. However, this message has been lost in the age of social media. Instead, we’re seeing an undeniable shift towards self-indulgence. Self-care no longer means looking after your mental state but has become entangled with capitalist desire.

If we listen to our social media feeds, we are not protecting our energy unless we spend £30 on a gratitude journal. We are not looking after our bodies unless we buy ten different types of vitamins and drink from a high-tech aesthetic water bottle. Just scrolling through the selfcare tag on TikTok there are 20 different people telling us to ‘run, not walk’ to grab another life-changing product. There are Pilates classes, self-help books, sunset lamps – even rings that monitor our heart rate to track stress levels constantly. I fall victim to it as much as anyone else but in the end, buried in daily planners, anti-anxiety candles and self-help books, I came to a realisation that I do not have the privilege of truly protecting my energy. However, I can protect my happiness.

Searching ‘happiness’ on our feeds instead unearths advice that seems much more in tune with the

By Georgia Downham

everyday lives of most people. Stretch for five minutes in the morning. Find something positive in every day without having to write it down and share it. Spend time with friends. Appreciate nature on your walk to work. Talk to people about your struggles and listen to them in return.

It’s easy to say and hard to start, but once you do, your immediate destination may not be total peaceful mindfulness, and being oblivious to everything else, but it will certainly be a step in the right direction.

Design Bradley Sansom

Illustration Hannah Ladmore

Coffee shops plug in or switch off?

By Ruby Qaimkhani

Ah, coffee. The world’s most influential hot drink (after tea) connecting modern hearts and bringing us all together. This rings especially true in our Northern city as, according to research by coffee machine maker Gaggia Milano, there are more coffee shops in Manchester than in Milan. Mancunians are crazy about the stuff it seems.

In keeping with this love for espresso, we’ve narrowed down our favourite coffee shops. We’ll show you places to

drink your Americanos in peace while you get on with your work and focus on deadlines… And switch it up by spotlighting cafés operating laptopfree zones to ensure you enjoy the conversation and atmosphere as much as the soothing lattes and grub. Because let’s be honest, sometimes we need that extra bit of encouragement to force ourselves to switch off and focus on the finer things.

There’s no coffee house quite as photogenic as La Vie Café. A pink and floral interior with exquisite food displays and gold accents adorn this luxury brunch lounge. When here, you really won’t want to be on your laptop. Put it away and take in the buzzing atmosphere. With a quick turnover of tables, the motto here is order and eat, pose for pics, post them on socials, and then get back to reality. Can we also take a moment to appreciate that La Vie is one of the cafés open the latest, closing at 11pm? Love that!

Toast take pride in being a fast-paced food and drinks café and have declared themselves a laptop-free zone since May 2021. They boldly claim: “The only people we want working in the building are us! We want our customers to eat, drink, have a nice time and relax.” While the original Toast is being renovated, its smaller branch Toast Kitchen next to The Christie Hospital has stepped up to the plate to feed their adoring fans. It’s the perfect spot to

Design Bradley Sansom

Illustration Ellie Kilshaw

DITTO

61 Oxford St, M1 6EQ @ditto.coffee

Did you know Ditto Coffee is related to the online music distribution company Ditto Music? Us neither! While not strictly a laptop-friendly café as they do operate a ‘no laptop rule’, this only runs between 12pm-2pm during the lunchtime rush. You won’t find a better music-filled atmosphere to study in, or a better place to grab a truly work-free lunch break.

FEDERAL

No2 Circle Square, Oxford Rd, M1 7FS @federalcafebar

Dining at Federal doesn’t leave you much time to work, making it a great spot to recharge. It’s well-known on the Manchester food scene for ALWAYS having a queue. They don’t take reservations so trust us, they’re some busy bees! This is precisely why they opened a new branch at Circle Square on Oxford Road, their third shop in the city alongside sites in Deansgate and the Northern Quarter, with other Feds at Media City and Altrincham. The coffee at Federal may be a tad on the small side, but its rich taste and packed tables are worth every minute of the wait. Leave the laptop in your bag and indulge in some French toast too.

CHAPTER ONE

23 Lever St, M1 1BY @chapteronebooks

This has arguably the best interior on our list. Think Arabian-style cosy corners for when you need chill vibes to get your creative juices flowing, and standard tables and chairs for when you want to get your head down and crack on. While we admit that you may get a tad distracted by all the buzz and leave the deadlines for yet another day, you won’t have that guilty feeling as you’ll be sure to strike up a conversation with someone else looking for a quick procrastination break between essay writing.

Ezra & Gil

20 Hilton St, M1 1FR @ezraandgil

Ezra & Gil have dedicated the window seats to workers on their laptops so you can watch the world passing by while you’re wrapping up an assessment. While E&G gives you a time limit on how long you can set up camp with your laptop, this soft deadline might just help you become more motivated to finish your work. It also helps the business too, if you’re nursing just a single latte during your visit.

REBOOT

JANE ASHWORTH

You drag me to your training session, knowing I hate all these shuttle-running, sweaty fuckers. Back slapping smiley pricks. Did you always know I’d surrender? Well, it’s not like I’ve got anything better to do, since. . . well, since all the shit hit the fan. It’s not good to wallow in a fetid hangover fug forever, going over and over the same old stuff.

You yank me out of my pit, no sympathy, week three. You say, Get your lazy, miserable arse in gear. This room reeks, open the fucking window, mate. Enough is enough. You look like shit. Plenty...

Don’t say it.

Plenty more...

Don’t say it.

Plenty more fish.

You do and I retch. Again.

A drizzle of lurid yellow bile dangles from my chin.

You know this can’t go on. You’re employing the tough love, the only love you know. Even if it’s not love, it’s better than being left to my own devices, which is to grind to a halt, go to sleep and never wake up. Although, that is still an option. After training.

Not done anything like this for years, not since school. Irritatingly positive, you are adamant I don’t stick out like a sore thumb, flabby, shit kit, borrowed stick. No gum shield.

You say, You’ll be fine, and grip my shoulder.

You indicate I should copy you, stretching and bending, dizziness ensues, vomiting is not totally out of the question.

Swallow it down

You lead a jog round the pitches, then nod encouragingly whilst handing out bibs. They smell worse than my room, ripe with other people’s sweat. Putrid stale onion base layer. You have not given yourself one. Why would you?

You push the ball towards me, but not at your usual pace. It’s your kind, ‘playing with the loser’ pace. Dad to kid. I return it. I like the sweep, the crack of the ball as it’s slapped back to you on this cold winter’s night. Pitch (’scuse the pun) black with floodlights burning my retina out. I return the second ball and the next. You mis-trap it.

Yeah, fuck you, I’m not as useless as you think

It flies off the pitch. You are more annoyed than surprised. Game on.

We engage in intense warming up, pushing, slapping, hitting that ball as hard as we can. I take my sweatshirt off, already regretting the remaining two layers. You grunt as you get low and fire the ball at me, sympathy evaporating swiftly.

You excavate the old me, the together, in control me. In a rising spiral of something I can’t describe, we pass the ball between us and I grow taller, stronger, better, bigger. You raise an eyebrow. Expected me to be utter shit? Come on, I’m just knocked. A bit not me. You know I’m not always weak, unplugged, inert. Dead. We split into teams. I’m sent forward, to goal hang. The defender cuts in front of their right wing’s cross at the other end. Defender looks up, spots me. The intercepted ball is twatted the length of the pitch and...

Finds it way onto the end of my stick. Fuck.

I do go. I fall forwards, I grunt, I push the ball past the goal keeper, I score. Gooooaaaaaallll.

Something clicks, a connection, Ratatouille being struck by lightning. Experiencing the new flavour? A shift, something rejoined, kick started. A goal.

You high five me. My heart pumps madly, out of time with my nonchalant return swagger to the halfway line. Buzzing as you drop me home. Head quiet, body alive.

Georgia Harmey

(L)IGNITE KATE MACALISTER

A bucket wheel excavator in the 240,000 class alone consumes an average of 200,000 kW a day - electricity enough for a small town with 17,000 inhabitants.

I.

i walked slowly towards the edge of the world eyes front, a single black flag courageously torn i hold tight to

all these abandoned cities all these forests fallen and fled all the rivers poisoned and thin inside of me

it is hard to keep the score of everything lost in this economy it is hard to conserve some energy for the crises

This is where home lies.

except it doesn’t not even a ghost town to bear witness to skeleton houses

haunted with riches excavated like the bones of ancient creatures

why can’t we stop visiting these graves?

the metallic growl carried on the wind dust to dust.

we live and die with the ashes flowing on every breath

talk me off the ledge but i won’t ever get myself to wipe off the soot on my boots i want to walk past the picket fences with proof of this wound always with me for all to see look, this is where it hurts.

II.

how dare we just stand here at the break off edge of the sleeping soil with nothing but stolen dreams and empty promises when the house has already burnt down?

what do we want? what did we want when we were given it all? what do we want? the prayer is left unfinished.

an antidote to the generational curse of wake work die repeat

lies

in each others arms in tearing down the walls in building the barricade higher than the profit margin

let me feel the songs of the dying earth in the palm of your hand in each beat of every heart breaking where the ground has been made unholy

this is where we all bleed this is where it hurts this is where it ends

this is where they bury us this is where we cover them in the flowers of disobedience this is where resistance blossoms a fireweed set ablaze

it is never civil. it’s new blood and no regrets hope is untameable and wild it feeds on the rotting heart of the ever starving beast

it is burning. it is dreaming. it is. waking up.

Lützerath, 2022.

Note: Luetzerath is a village near Cologne, in the Rhineland lignite mining area, Europe’s largest source of carbon emissions. Lignite coal, the most climate-damaging energy source, is mined and burnt here by the cooperation RWE.

For 2.5 years, people have been occupying the village of Luetzerath to block the expansion of the Garzweiler II mine and to fight against the worldwide destruction of our climate. They have been committed to organising themselves in a grassroots democratic and internationalist way and managed to save 5 other villages in the area.

heads up: What’s on?

Is your 2023 calendar looking a bit dry? Well, look no further. aAh! rounds up the latest events in Manchester that we think you’ll love.

March

MANCHESTER FILM FESTIVAL

10/03/23 - 19/03/23@ ODEON Manchester Great Northern

Calling all film buffs! Manchester Film Festival is back with a line-up of films from around the world. From narrative features to animation, there’s a vast expanse of genres to explore. Grab some popcorn and take a seat.

APRIL

PARAMORE

18/04/23 @ AO Arena

By Anna Torrance

MaY

HATERS ROAST

30/03/23 @ O2 Apollo Manchester

A drag comedy spectacular hosted by Drag Race UK winner, The Vivienne! Nine unforgettable queens star in this nationwide tour, ensuring a night of laughs and fun.

CUPCAKE DECORATING CLASS

11/12/22 - 13/04/23 @ Hey Little Cupcake!

Fancy jazzing up your bakes? Then this is the class for you. Ongoing cupcake decorating classes will be held throughout March. Classes are small and you can take up to six cupcakes home! What’s not to like?

Don’t miss the iconic American rock band, Paramore, as they hit the stage here in Manchester. The band have teamed up with environmental non-profit REVERB to tackle the climate crisis and will be hosting an eco-village at the show where fans can take action on environmental issues.

CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF

24/03/2023 - 29/04/2023 @ Royal Exchange Theatre

Roy Alexander Weise’s spin on the Tennessee Williams classic will be hitting the stage for a month this year. Get ready to be transported from damp old Manchester right into the heart of the stifling Mississippi heat.

RNCM 50th ANNIVERSARY: MADE IN MANCHESTER 03/05/23 @ Royal Northern College of Music

The Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) celebrates its 50th birthday in 2023 with a three-day Manc music festival. Brand new music will be introduced, all created by staff and students alike.

FLASHBACK FESTIVAL

20/05/23 @ Platt Fields Park

Flashback Festival is returning this May, serving you oldschool 90s and 00s dance anthems right in the heart of student-central Fallowfield. After their successful sell-out debut in 2022, Flashback will be serving up nostalgia including artists from Katy B to Alice Deejay.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WEEKENDER

28/05/23 - 29/05/23 @ Victoria Park

PARKLIFE FESTIVAL

10/06/23 - 11/06/23 @ Heaton Park

Liven up your summer with Manchester’s biggest music festival! Packed with pop, indie, rock, hip-hop, grime and club music, this is one festival not to be missed. With a line-up featuring The 1975, Central Cee, Camelphat, Loyle Carner and Megan Thee Stallion - there’s truly a bit of something for everyone.

JUNE JULY

YOU, ME AND THE BALLOONS

29/06/23 - 28/08/23 @ Factory International

The renowned Japanese contemporary artist, Yayoi Kusama, brings her artwork to life through giant dolls, tendrilled landscapes and polka-dot spheres. Visitors can escape reality and take a tour through Kusama’s trippy world.

AUGUST

MANCHESTER PRIDE FESTIVAL

26/08/23 - 29/08/23 @ Manchester City Centre

Manchester Pride brings together tens of thousands of people to celebrate queer people of all backgrounds. The event will feature the world-famous Manchester Pride Parade, the Gay Village Party, Candlelit Vigil, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR, Superbia Weekend and Human Rights Forum.

Neighbourhood Weekender returns this summer with a packed weekend of live music. Headliners Pulp, The Kooks and Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott will hit the main stages alongside The Wombats, Anne-Marie, Ocean Colour Scene, Sugababes, Ella Henderson, Everything Everything, The Enemy, Reverend And The Makers, and more!

SABRINA CARPENTER

14/06/2023 @ O2 Apollo Manchester

The 23-year-old pop-icon is gracing Manchester with a spot on her first-ever UK tour. From Disney to pop star, Carpenter will be touring her 2022 album Emails I Can’t Send which has seen 320 million global streams.

SIX

18/07/2023 @ Opera House Manchester

Manchester is welcoming the 2022 Tony Award winning musical, Six. Henry VIII’s disgruntled wives tell their side of the story through song.

WIGAN INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

07/07/23 - 10/07/23 @ The Village on the Green

One of the UK’s longest jazz festivals, this event features some of the world’s best musicians and is considered one of Europe’s finest jazz festivals.

POWER UP

25/07/23 - 31/12/23

@ Science and Industry Museum

Power Up is an interactive gaming experience not to be missed. Featuring the very best video games and consoles from the past five decades, you can try out over a hundred different consoles including classic Mario Kart, Pacman and Pong. You can even test out some of the latest virtual reality experiences.

Design Lisa Silva