EE
www.InQuireLive.co.uk
FR
InQuire The University of Kent’s student newspaper
Want to write for us?
3 June 2016
Issue 12.2
Contact editor@inquiremedia.co.uk for details
Prepare for your graduation
Kent summer events guide
Features Page 9
Entertainment Pages 12 and 13
Win a LoDo backpack RRP £74.99 Puzzles Page 11 Photo by Graham Richardson
Emergency services call outs dropped by 48 per cent over the past five years Ambulance visits have remained steady while figures show declining fire service and police call outs
Ruby Lyle Newspaper Editor
W
ith the introduction of the University’s new SafeZone app, InQuire chose to investigate how the crime levels have changed at the Canterbury campus over the past five years after submitting freedom of information (FoI) requests to the three emergency services. The statistics have been
largely positive, finding that Kent Police and Fire Rescue Service call outs have been steadily declining over the past five academic years. The year 2011/12 shows significantly higher figures for visits from these services. In that year, Kent Police visited 103 times. In contrast, from September 2015 to the end of March 2016, when FoI responses were received by InQuire, the police only came to
campus on 32 occassions. In total, emergency services came to the University almost twice as often in 2011/12 with 206 call outs to 2015/16’s 108 call outs. The South East Coast Ambulance Service has had a consistant number of visits to the Canterbury campus. In 2011/12, ambulances were called 78 times, in the 2015/16 data, they had already attended
73 times with three months of term left. Following these statistics, InQuire asked the University the following questions: “How does the University feel regarding its handling of crime on the University campus? “Why were there such high figures for emergency services call outs in 2011/12? “The call out figures for the police and fire brigade has
steadily declined over the last five academic years, but the call out figures for ambulances have remained consistently high. Why does the University believe this is, and what efforts are the University making, if any, to reduce this ambulance figure?” The University said they wished to comment after analysing the statistics and their implications. Continued on page 3
2
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
News
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
2015/2016
Editorial contacts:
Just add @inquiremedia. co.uk
Editor-inChief
Kent’s plans should the UK vote to leave the EU
Natalie Tipping
Ruby Lyle Newspaper Editor
Newspaper Editor
T
editor
Ruby Lyle
newspaper.editor
Website Editor
Max Beckett website.editor
News
Judith Allen
newspaper.news
Ruby Lyle website.news
Comment
Sunny Singh
newspaper.comment
Alex Miller
website.comment
Features
Manon Charles
Saga Rad
newspaper.features
website.features
Entertainment
Stephanie Wittman newspaper.entertainment
Katherine Payne website.entertainment
Culture
Calum Collins newspaper.culture
Claire Still
website.culture
Sport Vacancy
website.sport
Photography Liam Megran design
Events
Vacancy events
Distribution Chloe Burke distribution
Vacancy
newspaper.sport
he EU referendum will take place on 23 June and will decide the UK’s future pertaining to its European Union membership. As ‘The UK’s European University”, InQuire asked the University about its plans in the case of the UK voting to remove itself from the EU, what this means for Kent’s previously mentioned slogan, and what this would mean for the University’s various European centres. A Kent spokesperson replied that, “Kent is, and will remain, the UK’s European University”. On the University’s website, Kent describes itself as being “ideally positioned to serve as a global gateway to Europe” and offer an “atmosphere of cultural exchange”. The Vice-Chancellor, Dame Julia Goodfellow, has also said ahead of the referendum that:
“We value our internationalism. At a time when the United Kingdom is facing a referendum
on its continued membership of the European Union, we particularly welcome students,
Vote Leave UKC
Kent: Students for Europe
“Vote Leave UKC believes the future of the UK, for this generation especially, will be brighter, freer, and more prosperous outside of the EU. It is our generation that will suffer from the stagnation of the EU; so it is our generation who must sieze this chance and live up to the promise of Great Britain.” - Stephen Mitchell Co-Chair
“If you’re undecided in the run-up to this election and wondering about your future as a graduate - look to the opinions of the world leaders, the economists, the academics, the scientists, the global and domestic financial institutions, and they’ll all tell you one thing, we’re safer, stronger, and better off remaining in the European Union.” - Kent: Students for Europe
staff, and collaborators from other member states of the European Union. “Our European heritage and European networks help us both to gain new perspectives and new insights, and also to prepare our students to be the global citizens and global leaders of tomorrow. The University of Kent is proud to be European.” The University of Kent holds two student groups from either side of the EU referendum debate. The positions of Vote Leave UKC and Kent: Students for Europe regarding why they believe it is in the best interests for students to leave or stay in the EU are shown in the two provided boxes to the left. In order to vote in the referendum, the deadline to register is 7 June, and can be done online. To opt for a postal vote, students must apply by 8 June. The referendum itself will take place on 23 June.
Johnson to create new univerities
N
ew universities are planned to be established following the release of a white paper by Universities and Science Minister, Jo Johnson. Johnson argues that the current higher education system “protects incumbent providers from competition” and that new institutions are forced to wait too long to gain degree awarding powers based. Instead, under these proposals, new institutions would be streamlined into achieving university status and be able to award degrees to their students. These new universities would face ‘proportionate oversight’, and should the quality of teaching fall, regulatory action would take place. Johnson takes the position that this would give students more choice, fair access, and value for money in higher education through the introduction of innovative and flexible institutions. He stated: “Our universities are engines of economic growth and social mobility, but if we are to remain competitive and ensure that a high-quality
education remains open to all, we cannot stand still. Making it easier for high-quality challenger institutions to start offering their own degrees will help drive up teaching quality, boost the economy, and extend aspiration and life chances for students from all backgrounds.” Three tiers of universities would be introduced. The first, ‘registered’ status universities would be recognised as a higher education institution, but would not be able to access government funding, student support, or a tier four licence (which relates to international students). These institutions would have to meet the academic standards described within the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, and subscribe to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (who is the student complaints body). The second tier, ‘approved’ status institutions, would allow universities to set their fees at any level, but students would only be able to access £6,000 in tuition fee loans each year. The institutions would have to meet
the standards of the Quality Assurance Agency, FSMG checks, the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority, and adhere to the OIA framework. The third and final tier is the one that is currently in operation. ‘Approved fee cap’ status universities have a maximum fee cap of £9,000, and as explained above, will benefit from TEF ranking financial incentives. Loans will be available to students to cover all fees, and institutions will be able to access grants from the government. The third tier status universities will also have to have to meet more stringent FSMG requirements than exist at present. On this proposal, the University of Kent ViceChancellor and Universities UK President, Dame Julia Goodfellow, said: “Established universities are not standing still and are always seeking to improve what they offer to students.
Providing a high-quality, world-leading experience for all students is central to what our universities do. It is important also that any new higher education providers awarding their own degrees or calling themselves a ‘university’ meet these same high standards.” NUS VP (Higher Education), Sorana Vieru was more explicit in her concerns, stating: “We need to know what protections the government will be required to give to students to ensure they are not left in the lurch and ripped off by institutions that may be focused on shareholders rather than students’ interests.” The creation of new universities is the primary focus of Johnson’s White Paper, but it also covers the establishment of an Office for Students, plans to increase access to higher education, and raising tuition fees to incentivise high quality higher education. The full InQuire article can be read on inquirelive.co.uk.
3
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
News
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Student safety at Kent Continued from front page When a response is received, it will be available on InQuireLive. co.uk within an updated form of this article. Recently the University has worked to increase its security provision for students with the introduction of the SafeZone app, which is available at www. kent.ac.uk/safezone. On 17 November 2015, prior to the app’s release, InQuire spoke with Rory Murray, Kent Union Vice-President (Welfare) and Union President (elect) about SafeZone. He said that the app was brought in following the University’s safety campaign, which itself was in response to students and their views on the University’s reception to safety. Talking about the SafeZone app, Murray said that “from a University perspective they are doing more than they have done before, so I think that’s a positive step forward”. InQuire further questioned Murray about the University’s Stay Safe campaign and its ability to encourage students to think more about their safety. “I think it’s a really positive thing that the University are listening to feedback. The feedback from students last year was that they didn’t think any safety matters were communicated, and that they didn’t really know what Campus Security was. I think it’s a really positive step forward and that actually, the University are communicating those safety messages.” Murray continued to express a desire for a Canterbury wide approach to safety, involving a partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University and Christ Church Students’ Union. He described SafeZone as “a
new way for calling for help” and contacting Campus Security. “I think if you’re walking across campus and you think someone is following you, it’s a much more subtle way of calling for assistance, so that should be a really positive move.” Campus Security are available 24/7, 365 days of the year. They can be contacted on 01227 823333 in the case of an emergency, or on 01227 823300 for enquiries. Campus Security have also offered a Walking Taxi Service for students to get home safely since 2000. The Canterbury Street Marshall scheme was also introduced in September 2015 for a trial period of an academic year. It was formed in collaboration with UKC, CCCU, both students’ unions, Kent Police, and CCC. The scheme was in designed to safeguard students and local residents at night and increase positive community relations.
Below shows some crime statistics from the University of Kent which were published in issue 11.8 of InQuire, and provided by Campus Security.
T
he National Union of Students (NUS) has recently undergone a shift in its membership after the controversial election of Malia Bouattia to NUS President, winning with 50.9 per cent of
the vote. Bouattia has been accused of anti-Semitism and of condoning Islamic State following her description of Birmingham University as “something of a Zionist outpost” and in her rejection of an NUS motion on IS as being Islamaphobic. Following Bouattia’s election,
THE University of Kent has released its plans for further campus regenerations over the coming years. On the Consultation Document, the University wrote: “The 1965 Holford master plan took advantage of the location through distributing the original college buildings along the ridgeline. This allowed the dramatic views and very green setting to infiltrate right into the heart of campus, resulting in a theatrical character. “Students and staff alike recognise the attractiveness of the existing campus. It is therefore from a position of great strength that this study has set out to create a vision for the future of the University.” The full consultation document can be found by scanning this QR code.
FAILINGS have been identified at Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust. An FoI request put forward by the Kent Messenger Group has revealed that three suicide victims had not been properly visited by psychiatrists prior to their deaths.
Declining NUS membership from students’ unions Ruby Lyle Newspaper Editor
At a Glance
the universities of Lincoln, Hull, and Newcastle have voted to leave the NUS. The universities of Exeter, Surrey, Warwick, and Cambridge have voted to remain. Votes on the subject will also be held soon at other institutions such as Oxford, Loughborough, and York. Asking Tammy Naidoo, Kent
Union President, about the Union’s position on its NUS membership, she said: “We are still part of the NUS. In order for us to leave the NUS, students would have to call a referendum, but as of yet that has not happened, so our position will stay the same until students vote otherwise.”
CANTERBURY’S Cuban nightclub was evacuated in the early hours of the morning on 27 May after a drunk man made a bomb threat. The 20-year-old was arrested at the scene and later fined £90 for being drunk and disorderly. THERE has been a theft in the Student Media Centre. The Student Media Manager, Robert Linton, has had two Hotel Chocolat chocolates stolen from his desk. Anyone with information should contact Campus Secruity immediately.
4
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Issues & Analysis
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
The majority of students do not know the date of the EU Referendum
Issues I
n a recent poll produced by YouthSight for Universities UK, a group that Kent’s ViceChancellor is the President of, over 60 per cent of university students were unable to provide the date that Britain votes on its membership of the European Union. While a large percentage showed an interest in the referendum, more than 50 per cent of those who participated in the survey were unsure which
month the voting was set in. Despite the lack of knowledge, students have shown to inhabit in recent weeks, 75 per cent of the individuals surveyed stated that the outcome of the upcoming poll will have a
significant
impact
on
their
Photo by tpsdave
Analysis Sunny Singh Newspaper Comment Editor
T
here seems to be a general lack of trust in the current government by the youth of this country, which is unfortunate considering the current government is usually the one that gets the most media coverage. This leads to the current government metastasizing itself into a synecdoche, representing political movements, all party
Photo by Ssolbergj | Wikimedia
futures. Although over two
leaders, and the abstraction of politics itself. This is problematic when you consider that democracy is a part of politics. Disliking those within politics leads to the dislike of politics itself, decreasing voter turnout rather than motivating people to make a change. This is an issue that is central in voting for political parties. When it comes to the EU referendum, the issue is worse. Conservatives within the party are split, and the other for Stronger In. The two prominent In and Out campaigns are often fronted by David Cameron and Boris
Johnson respectively, both high profile members of the Conservative Party - a party that has enraged students by raising tuition fees and endorsing austerity. A party whose actions increased the pressures in London leading to an all-out, violent riot in 2011, with young people taking to the streets as the embodiments of a system that has raised poverty and taxes whilst exploiting loopholes to keep even their own money from the UK’s economy. It is unsurprising, then, that students have no faith in either of the people that are advocating for two very different sides. The conclusion? Students don’t even care about voting. There is no inherent desire to do extensive research into an issue which has grave consequences to our generation. Yes, instinctively, the majority of students will want to stay in the EU. A poll of 12,000 UK students revealed that 81 per cent are set to vote Remain, but have they done enough research into the issue? Have they registered
Photo by Kent: Students for Europe
million students in Britain are eligible to vote in June’s referendum, the survey also revealed that more than 50 per cent of students would not be in their university constituency where they may already be registered to vote on the day of the referendum, which is out of term time. This would r e q u i r e students to register to vote in their home constituency, or register for a postal vote should they be out of the country. As the matter of Europe is being decided through a referendum, the constituency in which the vote is cast does not affect the value of the ballot. For instance, during general
elections, students may have a higher impact in the Canterbury constituency, as the city has a population made up by more than half of students. In the case of a referendum, each vote is weighed equally. 32 per cent of the 2,000 individuals who participated in the survey stated that they were worried that they would not be in the correct location at the time of voting. Comedian and self-proclaimed activist Eddie Izzard is planning to embark on a major tour to university campuses across the nation in order to get more students registered to vote. Chief Executive of Universities UK, Nicola Dandridge, stated that the survey results were a “real concern”. She also said that universities will be increasing their efforts to urge students to vote and to make sure it is in the right location. The electorate have until 7 June to register to vote, and the referendum will take place on 23 June.
Photo by Vote Leave UKC
to vote? If the date of the vote itself is forgotten, surely this is a marker that suggests that the significance of this vote is lost - implying that not enough research has gone into making the decision itself. Students need to take the initiative to conduct research themselves of course, but it should also be the priority of the government to provide unbiased information. Rather than making the campaigns about fearmongering, which has been the mindset thus far, the fears of either side should be presented and analysed. The financial claims should be subjected
to statistical modeling and analysed for credibility. Arguments regarding security should be justified using examples from the past that do not simply invoke Adolf Hitler. There should be a transparency between source and content in order to, collectively, make the right decision. Power-politics are petty, and students like myself acknowledge that. The arguments for and against Brexit must be given impartially through universities in order for students to both respect politics, and trust it once more.
5
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Issues & Analysis
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Public decency: bare-bummed cyclists come to the city centre Issues
“I wonder if daily issues in going to get a very full view important one, and needed to be Canterbury like dog mess, litter, of the event. “The naked bike shared. “There are far too many foul language, and chewing gum ride will be interesting for drivers on the road who think Judith Allen spat out on the streets that because they’re in Newspaper News Editor bothers them as much a car, they automatically as it does me? have control of the he World Naked Bike Ride “And on summer days road, so it’s a tworeturned to Canterbury when a filthy haze of way street,” she said. on 28 May to protest against toxic air pollution hangs The naked bike rides dependency on oil and raise over the gridlocked city happen all over the awareness for the vulnerability and they are told to world. Many of the - Kasur Udin cyclists have different of cyclists. stay indoors and close The ride started at the windows, First year Film Studies student aims to peacefully 3pm and went through do they meekly protest against war the city. It is an annual obey, or do they organise my parents who are in town or to encourage the use event and follows strict a demonstration to this Saturday - my dad even of more environmentally guidelines, however protest and demand joked he should rent a bike.” friendly transport. - Milly Wernus the naked cycle ride their right to a better, Yet the majority of students Creative expression is First year Social Anthropology cleaner, healthier city?” seemed more concerned with the encouraged, with many of the commonly known as student Students “ride as bare as you dare” at the awareness that the cyclists were cyclists coming in bright body - is not without controversy. “Is a fleeting glimpse of nudity University of Kent have trying to raise than the nudity. paint or revealing c0stumes Every year multiple people really as shocking or as harmful varying opinions on the issue. Lois Hindmarsh, a Politics to draw attention, and parties who are offended by the nudity to children as their deadly One student laughed when student, believed the message being a common feature complain about the event, exposure to nitrogen dioxide? she realised her parents were of cyclist vulnerability was an of these worldwide events.
T
believing it is not appropriate for a family environment where there may be a lot of young children present. Barry Freeman, an organiser, said: “To the small minority who declare that simple, nonsexual nudity is disgusting, shameful, or harmful, I ask where they measure nudity against devastating oil spills and lethal air pollution?
“Cyclists cross red lights more times than I can imagine, I think they raised enough awareness themselves.”
“I think they are going to great lengths to prove their point.”
Analysis Sunny Singh Newspaper Comment Editor
T
he issue fundamental to the arguments made by critics of events such as the World Naked Bike Ride is whether public nudity is ‘decent’, and the answer to this question is straightforward: it’s contextual. If it’s to demonstrate the absurdity of oil and gas dependency whilst celebrating the human body – decency shouldn’t even be an issue. For those that do not wish to see the spectacle, you have the option of acknowledging the ideology behind such an event, before dismissing the view and embracing the message, followed by retiring to your homes. The World Naked Bike Ride is a political statement with several threads, and your offence is not justified. Signing up to the Bike Ride is a process that instils the core political beliefs of the demonstration, those on the bikes simply want to be heard. Like any political
demonstration, to be heard over the rest of the voices in the crowd, a substantial jolt must be made. A jolt that encompasses the ideology of being different – the Bike Ride does this through its nakedness. It is a way to get noticed; a way to get attention. And that’s okay. That’s the point of a
y to b
Pho
political movement. My concern isn’t with the way the jolt occurs, it’s with whether
Chm
a
di ime
ik
|W ee2
the movement is effective in achieving its aims. Whilst the event itself is jovial and lighthearted, taking people to the streets to take pictures and witness the
spectacle, I am sceptical as to whether those that witness the event know of its important ambitions. If a movement does not get across its message in a clear manner, alongside offering ways for the public to help in making a crucial difference, it has not achieved its purpose. For this reason I believe, in
Ph
oto
by
Ke
nt
Spo
tte
d|
Photo by Kent Spotted | Facebook
Fa
ceb
ook
some respects, the World Naked Bike Ride trivialises the issues of oil dependency.
Whilst it can be argued that the concepts of having fun and public outreach are not mutually exclusive, are there any ‘fun’ political demonstrations that have been successful? Would Hosni Mubarak have abandoned his office sooner if the two million protesters revolted in Tahrir Square through knock-knock jokes? Whilst I have no doubt that the organisers of WNBR know of the sincerity of the issue they are shedding light on, I believe their approach needs to be more stringent. It needs to tackle a single issue, whether that be the beauty of the human body or oil dependancy, and centre its events around that issue. The jolt needs to be merely the sieve into a wealth of information regarding the issue. I want naked cyclists to storm prominent oil users and distributors, offering ideas on alternatives, creating pressure that forces the switch to more sustainable transport methods. I want cyclists carrying banners that embody the movement’s core message - stop depending on oil and embrace a way of life which can be sustained and enjoyed.
6
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Comment
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Political correctness corrected Daniella Golden
W
hen we speak, we open up a chasm of meaning according to the words we use. Language makes us feel: something which gives it unrivalled power and most importantly, responsibility. So what happens when words become a mediator of a crisis? When ‘refugee’ twists into ‘migrant’ in Cameron’s mouth and, like a water ripple, our island has absorbed, unconsciously perhaps, a whole different story to the reality. We follow our ‘leader’ and a distorted image is perpetuated, which professes there is a choice in leaving a place where civil war dominates. This is both inaccurate and absurd. It is an orchestrated stripping of humanity, which leaves a blurred otherness: something we cannot empathise with because it is elsewhere, mentally and physically. Cameron’s comment in January that the Calais
refugees are a “bunch of migrants” sparked huge controversy. Why? Because even the use of ‘bunch’ suggests something inhuman. The irony is that by using ‘migrants’ Cameron has bunched thousands of stranded lives into a category that ultimately binds their freedom. In two words, he places double binds on people already in manacles of displacement and uncertainty. And this ideological subjugation is not exclusive to the refugee crisis and how we discuss it. How often is ‘third world’ used when referring to poverty and a less economically stable situation? I hear it thrown about essentially as a comparison to the West. It is used to conjure a quick image of a world away from the ‘advances’ of our ‘own world’, (because apparently we cannot share the same earth when our lives are supposedly so different). This binary oppositional
rhetoric is uncomfortable. Supposing that there are two distinct worlds implies we live so differently we may as well come from separate planets. What is not ‘developed’ to us is ‘alien’: living without screens and systems is backward. Thus, we are the ‘developed’ countries, hurtling towards a meltdown of the earth with our industrialised modernism and our progressive ways. So, while ‘developed’ and ‘third world’ are derogatory in implication and frankly quite absurd when you think about what they actually mean, we should realise where a word comes from. Third world and first world simply don’t make sense today. They were conceived after WW2. The countries within the American influence sphere were coined the ‘first world’, while ones in the Eastern bloc of communistsocialist areas were put into the ‘second world’, and anything else that didn’t fit into either category was plonked into the
‘third world’. How the term came to be used to refer to entire populations is probably a product of Western idealism. That, and ignorance. It seems to refer to a number of things, among them: political rights and civil liberties, the gross national income of countries, poverty, freedom of information within a country, and human development. These factors can vary within a country hugely, so labelling them as ‘undeveloped’ or ‘third world’ because they, for instance, have a large amount of poverty, can be inaccurate when they may be economically developing: India would be an
example of this. What should we do? By thinking about the words that we as individuals use, we can stop the propagation of rhetorical subjugation and prevent a dangerous chasm of ‘us’ and ‘them’ forming across the world. Be specific, if you’re talking about a country’s lack of civil rights, say that, if you’re talking about poverty, say impoverished places. Changing rhetoric changes power politically and socially. If we do this, we might abolish the injustices we reason as ‘how the world is’ through our separational categories.
Photo by John Englart | Flickr
The EU Referendum from the outside Katrine Solvaag
T
he days are ticking down towards 23 June – the day on which British citizens countrywide will find their way towards the polls in order to vote on whether or not the UK should remain within the EU. As a Norwegian student, there is little I can do but sit idly by and twiddle my fingers while waiting for the judgement which could potentially change my career plans. Naturally, the effect wouldn’t be immediately noticeable if the UK chooses to leave, due to the two-year review period following the decision. This allows the UK government time to go through all EUderived laws in order to determine which to keep and which to scrap, before the official exit date. If, however, people decided to remain, the regulations would still be tweaked in accordance with the agreement David Cameron discussed with the European Union earlier this year. The arguments against Britain
Photo by Nicolas Raymond | Flickr
remaining in the Union often follow the line that it “imposes too many rules on businesses and charges billions of pounds a year in membership fees for little in return”, as well as wanting to take “full control of its border and reduce the number of people coming here to work”. As if being separated from the main continent by sea
wasn’t enough, they would now like to hinder the current free movement between the countries as well. Depending on the deal negotiated after the vote, if the UK were to leave, it would not only affect those coming into the country, but also anyone with a desire to go out either on vacation to France or with plans to retire to Spain.
The arguments for remaining in the EU highlight the importance of close trading routes between the island and the continent. They also feature the flow of immigrants being a positive as many of them are young and willing to work, which “fuels economic growth and helps pay for public services”. I’ve now been in the country for two years studying. I’ve not only been paying the insanely high overseas tuition fees that support the University, but have also been paying rent to local landlords and buying products and services from shops and businesses. If I were to decide to stay and work for a few years after my degree before returning home, I would be contributing more to the British government in the form of labour and taxes. No matter the arguments, after a while it becomes alienating to read things again and again relating to immigrants when remembering that you yourself are one, despite having made yourself a
home in a small English town. I know people who have been shocked by the University’s open encouragement for staying within the Union despite its slogan of being the “European University.” The diversity is incredible, one of the many reasons I chose to come here. During my two years here I’ve shared a house with people from the US, Greece, Ireland, France, and South Korea. During my time here I’ve been allowed to get to know people from China, Spain, Malawi, Italy, Mexico, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, and many more places! It is this sharing of culture that has provided me with the greatest experiences while studying here. The idea of a Britain that attempts to hinder such a flow of culture baffles me. While the arguments may be rooted in the economy, it affects so many people around us. It’s a vote that will make a huge difference on a daily basis. Be sure to make an informed decision.
7
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Comment
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Direct democracy can only be used in a complete utopia Anh-Khoi Nguyen
S
ooner or later we all come to realise that the most important things in the world tend to be the most boring. Maybe that’s a side effect of them appearing exclusively in droning monologues by squares who keep telling you off for slipping notes to your vaguely attractive neighbour. But when it comes to democracy, perhaps it’s also a case of inherent dullness. Nobody likes to talk about pluralities, majorities, how many seats a district can assign and which house can vote on which iteration of what legislation. Democracy is big, boring, and bureaucratic, notoriously slow and complicated, and still manages to leave everybody unhappy. But that’s a good thing. Feelings are nice, and cheering on people that you like feels good. In 2014 I was as happy as any German to see my team win the World Cup, and I’m as addicted to Game of Thrones as most. But politics isn’t a sports game. Politics isn’t even a TV show about politics. It is an intricate, interminable sequence of filing, signing, and nitpicking, and everyone involved tries to be at their pedantic worst. This is because the final decision will be enforced, without mercy or exception, through triplicate documents, fines, tear gas, and batons. For those who do care about pie-charts and decisionmatrices, the hip indie-kid is direct democracy. The wet dream of anarchists, the supposed silver bullet to youth apathy, direct democracy takes the power from the hands of elected representatives and places it at the feet of the ordinary people. Opposed by professional politicians as the main threat to their livelihood, the system is only used at low levels in most modern republics, with the notable exception of Switzerland, the wild-haired maverick among
Photo by Nicolas Raymond | Flickr
democracies that opts out of anything that becomes mainstream. With the upcoming referendum, I hear again from many fellow students (some of whom could not even be bothered to vote for the few elections they are entitled to): “Why don’t we get a direct democracy? Wouldn’t it make everything so much better?” The first question is easy: the representative system is owned by the Establishment, and the Establishment always wins. Try changing the voting system first. The second is more interesting. Switzerland
seems to be doing all right, and with the Internet many practical problems could be solved with little cost or effort. Should those who are subject to laws and regulations not be entitled to have a bigger say about them? My answer is yes, and therefore no. Direct democracy has no parties, and thus no opposition. No gridlock, and thus no safety brakes. The majority is not just the government, the majority is the king. And kings tend to be tyrants to their enemies. A key concept of democracy is an educated public, and the
news media claim to provide just that. In representative systems, an educated public is kind of a bonus feature, not a requirement. Politicians can do their thing regardless, often even much more effectively, if nobody cares. It doesn’t matter how low the turnout is, as long as your seat is safe. But what if it isn’t? What if people start getting interested in what a charismatic outsider has to say? What if the newspapers turn against you? And what if the majority starts disliking the minority you happen to have been born into? Recent years have shown that
Photo by Lucas Theis | Flickr
this is not purely speculative. Populist parties know that the public doesn’t want to be educated by some condescending intellectuals, they know that what gets people to sports games will also get them to polls: feelings. Dissatisfaction, anger, fear. Newspapers are companies, and companies need money, and in the age of reality TV and social media they need to print what really sells: resentment, simplification, fear. Life can be hard, and things don’t seem to get easier, as all the smart people in suits keep promising and explaining without anything changing. It’s only natural to point your finger at those who aren’t like you. Discontent, hostility, fear. Would a system empowering a moody, impatient majority really make this go away? Would millions of people with long jobs and hungry children really spend more time and resources on finding out the pros and cons of every little clause of legislation? Would the newspapers stop selling easy lies about greedy doctors and dangerous refugees in favour of balanced, dry reporting? Would the majority suddenly start imagining themselves as the minority, of a different gender, skin colour, and sexuality, before making decisions that would be binding for everyone? Was the Swiss law banning the construction of minarets, passed by referendum in 2009, really an example for a system that is fair to those it governs? Not everybody thinks so. The founders of one of the first modern republics didn’t think so. One of the founding fathers of the USA called ancient direct democracies incompatible with personal rights, saying that they were: “As short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” Alexander Hamilton, lately of musical fame, added that they “never possessed one good feature of government. Their very character was tyranny; their figure, deformity”.
8
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Features
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Go tech-free for summer W
hether you’re attempting to flush out toxins by drinking teas, or taking a well deserved week off from heavy nights out, we’re all familiar with the concept of a detox. But could you survive a technology detox? This summer could be the perfect time to find out. With the long summer days stretching ahead of us, it’s easy to spend too much time with technology. Here are some top tips for minimising your tech usage. Before beginning, give yourself a time frame. Whether it’s a day, a week, or a month. By giving yourself a time frame, you can focus on your end goal and motivate yourself to keep going! And remember, before turning the phone
off, let some of your nearest and dearest know that you’ll be unreachable for a while, to ensure they don’t worry when you suddenly stop snapchatting and instagramming. Once you’ve ditched the phones, games consoles, and televisions, you could find yourself with a lot more time on your hands; take this perfect opportunity to start a new hobby or sport. By filling your time with something fun and different, you won’t feel the absence of technology in your life. We’ve all been in the situation where we feel our phones vibrate only to find that there’s no new notification. This sensation is actually called Phantom
Vibration Syndrome and during a recent study, almost 70 per cent of participants partaking in a tech detox suffered from it. So stay strong and ignore the urge to check the mysterious buzzing. Hopefully, by going techless, even for a short while, you’ll be able to feel some benefits. You’ll be refreshed and revitalised, and might even realise that sometimes you’re too tech-dependant. The experience doesn’t have to be life altering however, after all, who doesn’t love a cheeky Instagram stalk sat in front of the TV? I’m just saying that you might be surprised at how much good a week cut off from technology can be for you.
Photo by Josemarques | Flickr
Science and Technology news N
ew research conducted at Indiana University in Bloomington has estimated that the earth could be home to almost one trillion species. Even more startling is the fact that only one-thousandth of a percent of these species have been identified. The scientist used huge sets of data about previously known microbes, plants, and animals across the planet, and applied complex statistical models to the figures in order to predict the total. This project is thought to be more accurate than previous studies, as it takes into account a huge number of microorganisms that were overlooked before. The true number of unidentified species remains unknown however.
C
Photo by Gail Hampshire | Flickr
ould our keyboards be influencing our preferences? According to a new study, people tend to prefer products and videos that use more letters from the right hand side of the QWERTY keyboard. The study looked at the way that the positioning of the keyboard can influence our thoughts by likening letters from the right side to positivity, and the left to negativity. They analysed data from websites, including looking at top rated videos. This study is similar to one conducted in 2014 that found that baby names containing more right-side letters became more popular. The study doesn’t explain why this effect exists, but paves the way for further analysis.
Photo by Benny Lin | Flickr
Go go gadget anything Manon Charles Newspaper Features Editor
I
n this day and age, there is a gadget for everything. From kitchen tools to time-savers, they are responsible for making our lives so much easier. Here are some kitchen products you should definitely consider buying in order to enhance your cooking experience. Spiralizer This is one of my favourite purchases. Courgette spaghetti has become the new go-to pasta substitute for those looking for a lower carb alternative. And while many health enthusiasts boast
big contraptions that can do a variety of things, a spiralizer doesn’t necessarily have to be a fancy machine, and there are some out there that are as small as
a regular peeler. From prices as low as £2, there’s no excuse not to give it a go! Pasta measurer If you, like me, can’t quite get the hang of pasta portions - seriously, why is it so difficult? You might benefit from having this handy gadget. It lets you measure out your pasta by portion, so you don’t make too much or too little. However, I would recommend giving this product a miss if you believe ignorance is bliss when it comes to portion sizes. Grater and bowl Are you the type of person that ends up with more grated cheese on the table than on the plate? Then this could be
the product for you! Although it may seem like a simple concept, a grater that fits onto a little bowl is actually a genius invention. This is a product I feel like every student should own. Mini blender During summer, there is nothing more refreshing than a nice fruit smoothie, or an iced coffee drink. The perfect gadget for this is a little mini blender. If you can’t afford the price tag of a well known brand, there are many cheaper alternatives out there. Another option is to buy a hand blender, which is perfect for soups, and who knows what else you could create with it?
9
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Features
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Put a smile Are you prepared on your face for your graduation? Manon Charles Newspaper Features Editor
1. What do you call a computer that sings? A-dell!
Amber Murphy
G
raduation is rapidly approaching with most students having finished their exams this year. Here are a few things you need to consider in the lead up to graduation: 1. Register First things first, you should have registered for your ceremony via Tempest ticketing. You will need your student number and date of birth to register, and if you forgot to do it before the deadline, some extra tickets may still be available. 2. Hire your gown Next you’ll need to hire your gown and cap via the Graduate Gowning Company, you’ll need to know your height and head measurements to ensure you get the right fit! But don’t worry if you get it a bit wrong, there are stocks of spare gowns just in case! 3. Book accommodation If you or your guests need accommodation you’ll need to book in to a hotel as soon as possible, as there may be three ceremonies on the same day. That’s a lot of people to contend with for that prime budget hotel. 4. Choose your outfit Time to choose your outfit! Make sure you pick a good one or that photo on the mantelpiece will haunt you forever. Boys, find the nicest suit possible. Girls,
Photo by Alan Light | Flickr
it’s always a good idea to wear heels you can definitely walk in, as the Cathedral aisles are rather long, and everyone will see if you fall! 5. Save the date! Make sure you’ve told your guests the date well enough in advance so they can book time off work if necessary. 6. Check VISAs No, not VISA debit cards - travel VISAs! If a visa is required for you or your guest, the form must have been filled out by 3 June. 7. Clear the debts All university debts must be cleared by 10 June (this does not mean anything funded by student finance). So if you have any outstanding library fines from that book you got out with every
intention of reading but never did, make sure they’re paid off ahead of time! 8. Special requirements The corporate events team should be contacted on congregations@kent. ac.uk by 24 June about any special requirements for you or your guests. 9. Check SDS Make sure your full legal name is correct on your student record via SDS, I certainly don’t need to hear Alba Murray being called out in my place believe me or not, it’s happened before! 10. Check the ceremony timetable Lastly, check the timetable for your ceremony so you can familiarise yourself with where you need to be when, i.e. arrival times, where to collect your gown, and guest information.
Let’s go to the beach Jessica Duncan
F
ulfilling the British stereotype, the population knows that when the sun comes out, the shorts go on, even if there isn’t the heat to go with it. With the weather getting nicer and festivals fast approaching for some, it’s time to rummage at the back of your wardrobe or shop for those summer clothes. When going to festivals such as Glastonbury, we can’t all wear clothes like those who attended Coachella, so forget about the flowing, designer dresses such as those seen on the models attending the American festival, and buy some chic basics for the muddy festival season. High waisted shorts are always a must, as well as jean shorts, which, paired with a white tee, are a staple outfit and can be accessorised to appear as different outfits each day,
with either bags, jewellery, or coverups. Sometimes the British weather doesn’t allow us to wear shorts all summer, so having a back-up pair of patterned trousers to pair with an off the shoulder top is a good idea when heading to the
Photo by Elliot Scott| Flickr
beach or festivals. Taking you from day to night, this combination is both cool, and it keeps you covered up in the evenings or when it gets a bit breezy at the sea front. Tassels add another layer to any outfit, whether on your bag or along the bottom of tops. If you have an old t-shirt that you think needs revamping, why not take inspiration from Coachella and cut the bottom into strips, roll, and make tassels - there are many YouTube tutorials out there for this. This season it’s hard to walk into a shop and find a bag without the trend! To protect yourself from the small amount of sunshine that we do get, kimonos are light and can be bright. Perfect for wearing to the beach over your swimwear or over outfits for a bit of a cover-up, it barely feels like you’re wearing anything.
Photo David Kryzaniak | Flickr
2. What do you call a blind dinosaur? A Doyouthinkhesaurus. 3. What do you call fake noodles? Impastas! 4. What do you give an ill bird? Tweetment. 5. Why don’t oysters give to charity? Because they’re shellfish. 6. What’s at the bottom of the ocean and shivers? A nervous wreck. 7. Who’s the king of the classroom? The ruler. 8. Why did Adele cross the street? To say hello from the other side. 9. What did the pony say when he had a sore throat? Sorry, I’m a little hoarse.
Photo by Tim Green | Flickr
10. What type of music do mummies listen to? Wrap music.
10
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Features
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Refreshing Elderflower Cordial Ingredients 2.5kg of white sugar, granulated or caster is fine 2 lemons 20 fresh elderflower heads, stalks trimmed 85g of citric acid - you can get this from the chemists
Method 1. Put the sugar and 1.5 litres of water into a large saucepan - the larger the better! Gently heat this mixture without boiling it, until the sugar has dissolved. 2. Take the zest off the lemons using a potato peeler, and slice the lemons into rounds. 3. When the sugar has dissolved into the water, bring the pan to the boil, then turn off the heat. 4. Fill a washing up bowl with cold water. Give the elderflowers a wash to get rid of any residual dirt. 5. Transfer the flowers to the syrup mixture with the lemons, the zest, and the citric acid, and stir. 6. Cover the pan and leave to infuse for 24 hours. 7. Line a colander with a clean tea towel, then sit it over a large bowl or pan. 8. Pour the mixture slowly into the colander, and let it drip through. 9. Discard the bits left in the tea towel. 10. Keep the mixture chilled and serve over ice for a lovely refreshing summer drink. This cordial will keep in the fridge for six weeks and can also be frozen!
e h t r r fo
five
e r u t u f
If you would like to help, text FUTU23 £5 to 70070 to donate to Kent Union and make a difference today. JustTextGiving by Vodafone.
Photo by BBC Good Food
Graduating this year? Fancy giving something back to your Union? We are launching Fiver for the Future, where we are asking recent graduates, Alumni and final years to donate £5 back to the club or society who have made their time at University better. It’s a fiver for your friends, a five for your Kent Union family, a fiver for the future.
11
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Features
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Fun & games
Puzzles by Matthew Sapsed
1
2
3
4
Crossword Quick Across 1. Low vibrating sound (4) 4. Secret agent (3) 6. Circular
5
metal band (4) 8. Breaded shrimp (6) 9. Take out of a roll (6) 10. Nuisance (4) 12. Most memorable moment (4,4) 13. Examiner (6) 15. Formal (6) 16. Definite (5-3) 18. Memo (4) 20. Difficult (6) 21. Merciful (6) 23. Garden party (4) 24. Tear (3) 25. Fill (4)
6
7
8 10
9
11
12 13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22 23
Down 2. Father’s brother (5) 3. Male sheep (3) 4. Pass smoothly (7) 5. Juvenile (5) 6. Slump (9) 7. Ill at ease (7) 11. Go away! (US informal) (4,1,4) 14. On the loose (2,5) 15. Mend (5,2) 17. Roll of tobacco (5) 19. Pick-me-up (5) 22. Chart (3)
24
25
26
Arrowword W E O I L S C O N S I S T E M E I T A R T A C L I N H U B P E D E S S E T
R E S T I D E R I C F U T R S T
D R E E N T N T O A A L A D L D G E I A N E E D
Crossword General Across 1/19. Leicester City
6. Cup 8. Ranch 9. Pasteur
Sudoku Easy 1 3 5 2 8 6 4 7 9
Crossword General
6 8 4 1 9 7 5 3 2
7 2 9 4 3 5 1 8 6
2 1 6 7 5 4 8 9 3
9 5 3 6 1 8 7 2 4
8 4 7 3 2 9 6 5 1
Last issue’s answers
Crossword Quick Across 1. Diner 4. Might 8. Pic 9. Cast aside 10. Even 11. Pitiless 13. Corral 14. Superb 17. On the sly
19. Pure 21. Ceasefire 22. Bow 24. Patch 25. Trend Down 1. Dip 2. Nuclear 3. Rock
4. Misfit 5. Gracious 6. Tribe 7. Feasible 10. Encroach 12. Pavement 15. Equable 16. Sleigh 18. Tramp 20. Feat 23. Wed
10. Cane 11. Wormhole 13. Lisbon
14. Prompt 17. Ned Kelly 22. Devotee
23. Islam 24. Nun 25. Manhattan
Sudoku Hard 3 6 2 8 7 1 9 4 5
5 7 1 9 4 2 3 6 8
4 9 8 5 6 3 2 1 7
5 3 2 8 9 6 4 7 1
1 6 8 4 7 5 3 2 9
4 7 9 1 2 3 5 8 6
2 5 1 7 3 9 8 6 4
7 8 4 2 6 1 9 3 5
6 9 3 5 4 8 7 1 2
9 1 5 6 8 7 2 4 3
3 4 7 9 1 2 6 5 8
8 2 6 3 5 4 1 9 7
Down 1. Lyric 2. Innings 3. Echo 4. Tipton 5. Rosemary 6. Credo 7. Portent 12. Momentum 13. Langdon 15. Maillot 16. Alleyn 18. Devon 20. Yemen 21. Diva
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
film starring Judi Dench and Billy Connolly (3,5) 14. A musical note having the time value of an eighth of a whole note (6) 16. Mexican liquor made from fermented juices of an agave plant (7) 17. Dorothy L ___, 19th20thC English author who created the character of Lord Peter Wimsey (6) 19. A Spanish island in the West Mediterranean, one of the Balearic Islands (5) 21. Bulky greyishbrown eagle with a short wedge-shaped white tail (4) 22. Informally, twenty-five pounds sterling (4)
8 10
9
11
12 13
14
15
16
17 18
19
20
21
22 23
24
25
Across 1. A 2014 UK number one single for Calvin Harris (6) 5. In anatomy, any hollow cylindrical body structure (4) 9. The text of a popular song (5) 10. A grant, especially for a student to study (7) 11. An unimportant lie, especially one told to be tactful (5,3) 12. Any small songbird of a subfamily of thrushes (4) 14. The largest province of Canada (6) 15. A person who delivers a speech (6) 18. In botany, the main stem or root (4) 20. A meal at
26
which food is cooked outdoors over an open grill (8) 23. A part of a broadcast serial (7) 24. In Greek mythology, a giant Boeotian hunter eventually slain by Artemis (5) 25. The ___ Song, a 2011 UK number one single for Bruno Mars (4) 26. Ice cream served with a topping (6) Down 2. A republic in southeastern Europe; formerly a European soviet (7) 3. An edible bluish-green North Atlantic fish (8) 4. Margot ___, Australian actress whose
films include Focus (2015) (6) 5. The surface of land matted with the roots of grass etc. (4) 6. An area of sand sloping down to the water of a sea (5) 7. A 2003 UK number one single for Kylie Minogue (4) 8. A bivalve shellfish used as food (6) 13. 1997 drama
Sudoku Hard 1
2
6 8
2
2 5 7
9 4
5 8 1 1
6 4 3 7
To win the LoDo backpack, all you have to do is be the first person to complete this puzzles page correctly and return it to the Student Media Centre office.
6 3 6
4 2
7
12
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Entertainment
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Preacher makes fantastic debut
Calum Collins Newspaper Culture Editor
P
eople have been trying to bring Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Preacher comics to the big screen for years now, and they have finally been brought to AMC by none other than Seth Rogen (of stoner comedy fame) and Sam Caitlin (who worked on Breaking Bad). The setup is just as mad as it should be: an ancient spirit is possessing priests of all kinds (but making them explode) and it finally settles in the body of small town preacher, Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper). He then teams up with Irish vampire, Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun), and his assassin ex-girlfriend, Tulip (Ruth Negga), to go and find God, who has gone missing. I know it sounds bizarre, but hear me out. This pilot is one of the best pieces of TV I have ever seen. The tone is a bit of a mish-mash. When the spirit is travelling through space at the beginning of the episode, the special effects are very reminiscent of fifties science fiction. In the town of Annville, Texas, the Western vibe bleeds through onto the screen. It swings from serious to comedic in a snap. All the titles are big and bold, working with the comic book style. Performance-wise the show is ace. Dominic Cooper does a passable Texan
Photo by Angela George | Wikipedia
accent and brings the right degree of weariness as a hard drinking priest with a dark past (I can forgive the cliché backstory because it’s so wrapped up in mystery). Joe Gilgun as Cassidy steals the show however. He proved himself on Misfits as the emotionally unstable Rudy, but here, he is given a true chance to shine. His Irish accent is thick and he speaks so quickly that he’s occasionally difficult to understand, but I never minded because he was so funny. Ruth Negga’s character, Tulip, is interesting as a chirpy and upbeat mercenary/ assassin: a sequence involving a cornfield and a helicopter was laugh out loud funny. I have to give a fair warning: this show is violent. More violent than Game of Thrones and Breaking Bad combined. Plenty of jumps and squirming, and in one particular fight I made a sound I’m not proud of. It’s foul mouthed and the humour is extremely black. In terms of directing, Evan Goldberg
Phot
o by
b to
o
Ph
lle
i yV
re En
terta
inme
nt
Runs until 18 June
s rè
d
InQuire’s summer 2016 entertainment guide Photo by Ilham Rahmansyah | Wikimedia
Photo by Ian Smith | Wikipedia
difficult to follow visually, but Preacher keeps everything clear cut. Preacher is by far the most exciting debut for a TV show I’ve seen in a good long while. The first episode has its own characters, but is very clearly setting up for bigger things to come. It’s going to be a wild ride.
Canterbury Comedy Fringe Festival
a
rc
a eB
Futu
Photo by Gage Skidmore | Flickr
and Seth Rogen teamed up for the first episode and it’s solid. Their direction fits the tone of the scenes. The Texas segments fit that languid, small town pace: long shot lengths and excellent landscapes convey the setting well. The fight scenes as well are vivid and clear: too often, fist fights on screen become
The Jolly Sailor Canterbury
Party in the Car Park 4 July University of Kent Canterbury campus
Crea Festi
23 Ju
Victoria Ashfo
ate ival
uly
a Park ord
13
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Entertainment
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
10% DISCOUNT IN ESSENTIALS ON CO-OP BRANDED PRODUCTS
OFONR 1L2YMO£NT1H2S Whitstable Oyster Festival 21-31 July The Shuck Whitstable
LeeFest Presents: The Neverland 28-30 July John Darlings Farm Edenbridge
Ramblin Man Fair
Chilled in a Field Festival
23-24 July
29-31 July
Mote Park Maidstone
The Hop Farm Family Park Paddock Wood Tonbridge
The Social Festival 9-10 September The Kent County Showground Maidstone
14
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Entertainment
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Before Sunset Trilogy review Lydia Rugg
M
inimalism at its finest, the ‘Before’ series is an American romantic drama film trilogy that explores the meetings of two strangers that connect through discussions on life, love, and philosophy. The films follow Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) from their first encounter in Before Sunrise (1995) on a train where Jesse strikes up conversation, to the pair disembarking in Vienna where they share just one night together and plan to meet exactly six months later at an agreed spot.
Julie Delpe | Photo by Wikipedia
The ending of the first instalment is authentically rich in its realist plot, leaving so much left to explore. That is where Before Sunset comes along in 2004, when the two meet again nine years later in Paris. It is only when you have seen Before Midnight (2013) that you can fully appreciate these two characters individually, through watching them co-exist around Europe together, in a true wanderlust sensibility. Before Midnight perfectly balances out the seemingly troublefree escapades of Sunrise, and Sunset showcases the reality of marriage and long-term connections. Of course, as a modern day viewer, the possibility of meeting someone that you could instantly connect with as is displayed in the Before series is highly improbable. Although, the bare, stripped back notion of conversation can sometimes be tossed aside nowadays with technology and the pace of life, so I would say that watching this trilogy in your early 20s will be an enlightening experience. This is not only through developing relations and interactions with other people and offering hope in the seemingly bleak dating world of today – dominated by merciless dating apps such as Tinder –but, as cheesy as it sounds, it can help you better identify with yourself in your communications and behaviours. This trilogy offers a truly cathartic experience, drawing you in to becoming
intensely invested in these two characters. They are the only characters until Before Midnight, where we see the couple’s interaction with friends who share similarly enthralling personas that contribute to the captivating flow of conversation. This series offers arguably the most literal display of ‘chewing the cud’ we have seen since the naturalism of the French new wave. If anything, these films will inspire you to travel. You never know, you could meet your own Jesse or Celine in a crowded carriage and strike up the longest conversation you’ll ever have.
any of the storylines of the games, however it makes explicit use of the concept provided. This sensational snippet of film definitely captures the adventurous, dark and illustrious feel of Assassins Creed. The music used within this rather tantalising trailer is undoubtedly powerful, but it does not pay homage to the games, which had iconic soundtracks and are intrinsic to the franchise. Though this may be the case, it looks as if the film incorporates and stays
true to several other iconic features of the games. Wide panoramic cityscapes, the daring parkour, and the defining eagle dive, this trailer will give any Assassins Creed fan a strong sense of nostalgia, particularly if they’re a fan of the Assassin’s fighting style and the incredibly clever hidden weapons that complement them so well. It’s only a small teaser that has been bestowed upon us, but it looks more than promising. Let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint.
Songs on repeat
Giacomo Palmieri
The Wholls - “Roll Out” Creeper - “Honeymoon Suite”
Cassia - “Moana” Biffy Clyro - “Animal Style” Mystery Jets - “Bubblegum” Craig David - “One More Time”
Ethan Hawke | Photo by Wikimedia
Assassin’s Creed film trailer released Stephanie Wittman Newspaper Entertainment Editor
F
ootage has been released! The new fantasy-adventure film, based on Assassin’s Creed and directed by Justin Kurzel, due to be released in December 2016, stars Michael Fassbender as protagonist Callum Lynch. For those who aren’t aware of the franchise, Assassins Creed is a series of video games with a key concept running through all of them: the protagonist lives in the real world during current times, a machine called an ‘Animus’ is used in order to send the person’s mind into a simulated world where they relive their ancestor’s life and gain their skills and knowledge to bring that into the present. The film stars several award winning actors such as Fassbender himself, (having starred in Ridley Scott’s Prometheus), Marion Cotillard (The Dark Knight Rises, Macbeth) and Jeremy Irons (The Lion King, Batman vs Superman) creating a bubbling pot of fantastic big-screen personalities. The film does not seem to follow
Assassin’s Creed Logo| Photo By Wikimedia Commons
Radiohead - “Daydreaming” Flume - “You Know” Metronomy - “Old Skool” The Bay Rays - “New Home”
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
This page is sponsored by The
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
‘United We Stand’: Director’s Interview Calum Collins, Newspaper Culture Editor, caught up with the director of Musical Theatre Society Summer Showcase director, Isaac French to chat about the show. Calum Collins Newspaper Culture Editor
K
ent’s Musical Theatre Society have their Summer Showcase ‘United We Stand’ coming up soon at The Gulbenkian. I chatted with Isaac French, the director, about the production. So the showcase is coming just after your production of Legally Blonde. What are the challenges of presenting a showcase compared with a full show? A showcase is a wonderfully flexible performance and directing opportunity. I think one of the challenges comes from the variety of characters the cast members play. Almost every song is from a different musical, meaning there is a real opportunity for a cast to have fun with every character they play throughout the whole performance. As you said, the showcase is working from a variety of different sources, but you’re working under one title, ‘United We Stand.’ How did that title come about from the muscials you chose? Actually, the title came well before a lot of these songs. I really wanted to do a showcase under the theme of being together and being apart, and so I intentionally looked for musicals like Les Miserables, Once, and Billy Elliot, which all have this sense of relationship and trust intrinsically. I think the title really encapsulates what the big
Photo by Isaac French
numbers are all about and it made it very easy to find songs for my title. So it is a full-on uplifting style? Without wishing to put you on the spot, do you have a favourite? That’s a very difficult question, and the honest answer is no. They all bring something incredibly different to the show from the all cast numbers to the dance heavy songs and the onstage solos. I will just say that the finale moment of this showcase will be a moment of serious pride for me on a personal level, but I love all the songs. The finale is going to be big then? What’s it like working with such a big team, as a director? The finale is a very powerful couple of songs that I hope the audience feel is a very strong ending to the show. The cast is huge, juggling people’s time
Photo by Ben Zeng
and other commitments such as exams and interviews for graduate places has been challenging, but with the help of my admin assistant, Tasha Saxby, who helped me with the rehearsal schedule, rehearsals have gone quite smoothly. They are a loud and very talented group of people, and working with them can be difficult, but it’s always a pleasure and I always get home and think how hard they have worked and how much we have done up to this point. You enjoy working with the team so much, what would you say to people who wanted to get involved with MTS? That it gives you the opportunity to enjoy musical theatre, to perform in professional venues, to make some of the best friends you will ever make and if you want to, to direct an amazing group of people and an amazing show.
15
Culture
What’s on at The Gulbenkian Dance Highfliers and Confidance
Fri 24 June - 7:30pm This double bill of contemporary dance presents exciting new performances. Highfliers offers stunning new choreography, and Confidance showcases community performances from dancers with and without learning disabilities.
Theatre The Importance of Being Earnest (Recorded)
Wed 29 June - 6:30pm With Poirot star David Suchet, this production of Wilde’s Victorian satire plays up the pomp and hypocrisy that makes the play so funny. When two friends both start chasing the same woman, their deceptions eventually catch up with them.
Art Leonardo Da Vinci: The Genius in Milan
Thu 16 June - 6:30pm A chance to see some of the most incredible art in the world, through cinematic presentation. At the Palazzo Real, this tribute to Leonardo Da Vinci explores his world and the legacy he left behind.
Opera Photo by Ben Zeng
The society certainly is going from strength to strength, last year you won the Society of the Year award at the Kent Union Awards. This year you’ve had some really successful shows. What are the plans for the society going forward? I think it’s just to keep putting on high quality shows, to keep members happy and involved however we can, and to make sure we take every production and every event as it comes. I am very grateful to have been a part of this society through what has been an amazing period of growth, so to leave after this production and see where the next committee will take it is a very exciting prospect. MTS Summer Showcase The Gulbenkian 12 June - 7:30pm Tickets: Full £8/Concessions £5
Glynbourne: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (Live) Tue 21 June - 6:30pm Directed by Annable Arden, Rossini’s most popular comedy tells the misadventures of Figaro the Barber, who must ensure that his master wins his chosen bride’s hand in marriage. This production heralds the return of this masterpiece, which has not been seen in 34 years. Presented in Italian with English subtitles. Royal Opera House: Werther (Live) Mon 27 June - 7:30pm Streamed from the Royal Opera House, this production is based on Goethe’s novel ‘The Sorrows of Young Werther.’ The story recounts how the poet is unable to be with the woman he loves. The music is often put forth as Massanet’s finest work, full of beauty and passion. This performance has four acts in French.
16
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
This page is sponsored by The
Culture
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
How can you give a score to poetry? Simon Pressinger
I
t’s chatty up on campus and the Slam is about to begin. This poetry event is ‘open’, which essentially means anyone can enter. The audience take their seats. Some guy is already on his third pint, his friends constantly reminding him to stop worrying about that rubbish exam he wrote. It’s just a number, man. You were nervous. Look at the moody purple lighting. A functionary hands out sets of score cards to five random audience members who know none of the performers personally. Hang on… they’re scoring art? This isn’t a diving competition. Do these
people know how to judge spoken word? They don’t know what’s coming. Do they know what to look for? The diving judges do. Then again, there’s a lot of the same dive, isn’t there? It’s not like open slam poetry where you don’t know what’s coming. A dive is over in seconds, but our poets often use all of their three given minutes. More to remember, in other words. So how will these randomly-picked judges do justice to a just-performed poem, under extra pressure from a time-conscious MC? And, crucially, what exactly are they judging? In the Paris Review, literary critic Harold Bloom said slam poetry is
Photo by Very Quiet | Flickr
Photo by Ichwarsnur | Wikimedia
“judged by an applause meter that is actually not there”, and I see his point. The audience does have an impact on the judges’ decisions. A judge isn’t seated behind some officious judges’ table; his friends are with him, friends who like to nudge him into holding up a certain number; he might or might not be softened by something alcoholic; he wasn’t sure about that last performer (who everyone loved) but he doesn’t want to spoil the atmosphere by risking anything below a 5; and of course the MC picked on him last time, all in good fun, for holding up a 4. The fact is, he, like everyone else in the audience, came to have a good time. A friendly bit of competition is a nice way to structure and drive the evening. Bloom might be right to suggest environment influences the judges, but to then say that slam poetry spells “the
death of art” is as narrow-minded as you’re going to get. There’s no death here, just resurgence and innovation. Marc Smith, the guy who founded slam poetry in the 1980s, gave poetry a new lease of life by replacing poetry ─ i.e. self-indulgent, elitist mumbles and moans ─ with a looser, freer form that is conscious of a diverse and immediate audience. So why the scoring system? A shy first time performer might go away thinking her paltry 15 points was what the public thought her excellent material was worth. But what does that number even mean? There was so little time for reflection, her words hadn’t had a chance to sink in. Perhaps we, the audience, would all do well to remember poet Allan Wolf’s maxim: “The points aren’t the point, the point is the poetry.’
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
This page is sponsored by The
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Literature in translation: the top five books Calum Collins Newspaper Culture Editor
E
very year the Man Booker International Prize recognises the best literature from around the world, translated into English. Won this year by Han Kang’s brilliant novel The Vegetarian, I thought I’d put forward my top five books in translation. HHhH By Lauren Binet Translated from French, this book recounts the true story of the assassination of the ‘most dangerous man in the Third Reich,’ Reinhard Heydrich. It tells the story of Heydrich’s rise to power as Himmler’s right hand man, as well as the plot to assassinate him, organised by the British and carried out by Czechoslovakian parachutists. More than simply being a nerve rattling story, Binet’s voice frequently comes into the narrative to ponder the role of the author in fictionalising a true story. The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Quite possibly the most famous piece of literature in translation, when Gregor Samsa woke up one morning to discover he’s been transformed into a giant insect, the world of literature gained the word Kafkaesque. No other story quite clearly illustrates the challenge
4
1
2
harsh brutality of this story is not for the faint of heart. When the editor of a magazine is blackmailed into solving a disappearance, he teams up with the unforgettable character Lisbeth Salander, a hacker and researcher who has a traumatic past. This book would come to define an entire genre, but it is not an easy read. Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett While technically a play, not a book, this absurdist masterpiece is widely regarded as the best play of the 20th century. Written and translated by Samuel Beckett, two men wait by a tree for a man named Godot. In the meantime, they bicker, clown around, and talk with the locals. A fascinating study into whether life is really worth living. Sworn Virgin by Elvira Dones In parts of Albania when there are no men to inherit land or money, a woman may decide to become a sworn virgin: she will become a man and remain celibate her entire life. The story of one of the members of this unusual tradition is that of Mark, who is given the opportunity to emigrate and resume her life as a woman once again. Equal parts sad and uplifting, this book examines the gender politics of the West from a unique position.
Photo by KlickingKarl | Wikimedia
of translation: what Gregor precisely transforms into is the subject of some debate. The word used to describe him, ‘Ungeziefer’ variously translates as ‘bug’, ‘vermin’, and ‘unclean animal.’ The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson Published posthumously, this book has come to define the Scandinavian Noir genre. Dark and unsettling, the
3
5
What interactive fiction is brings to novels Stephanie Wittman Newspaper Entertainment Editor
T
he internet as an online platform provides an entirely new medium for storytelling, producing and offering an interactive element to stories, but what classification do we give to this new medium? Are these stories closer to novels or video games? Interactive fiction such as Depression Quest have taken advantage of these potential possibilities. For example, taking an inside look into Depression Quest, it takes the form of a short story using the second person pronoun ‘you’ for an immersive effect. Depression Quest uses literary features to create the world you become a part of. It doesn’t stop there, however. Interactive features allow the story to take on qualities of a role playing game (RPG), by which you are allowed to choose your response via the pre-created options. It is this RPG quality that also allows the tailoring of outcomes in this game and the responses of the story.
There are many qualities of a video game it does not have. You do not control a character with a controller, as many popular video games do, and you are mainly reading and interacting with the world you have created via reading the text as opposed to a world created by game designers. Short stories need to put a point across in fewer words than a novel; interactive stories such as Depression Quest allow for this through online interactive features. One example would be that some of the options in Depression Quest are cancelled out in order to
show the reader/player how these reactions aren’t an option for people with depression, and to almost educate the reader as to how a person with depression may think. For me, stories such as Depression Quest should fall into their own category of storytelling and gaming, as otherwise the line will be blurred between novels, stories, and games. This being said, they are brilliant and inspired other formats, making use of the technological platforms that are available today!
17
Culture
Student poem of the week What is it like to be opaque? By Daniella Golden Guzzling coffee like a blackbird sucks up the last dew drops in the Indigo Hour before the sun strikes. Your expression As when you swing A bowling ball: eyebrows up, mouth pressed Into a hard line. Stone underwater, Stuck, stuck, stuck: I want to spit pomegranate seeds In your face, to break The silence of your hard-boiled eyes. You tip the flask upwards, draining the last Of that sugary black liquid you love so much. First light falls on your pointy shoes, You pull them under you and leave When the sun crawls over your face. I sit in your place, Drink in the light and wonder, What is it like to be opaque?
Seven Alan Bennett quotes about books “A book is a device to ignite the imagination.”
‘You don’t put your life into your books, you find it there.” “A bookshelf is as particular to its owner as his or her clothes.” “Definition of a classic: a book everyone is assumed to have read and often thinks they have.” “One reads for pleasure... it is not a public duty.” “Books are not about passing the time. They’re about other lives. Other worlds.”
Photo by Daniel Lundgren
“Books did not care who was reading them or whether one read them or not.”
18
This page is sponsored by The
Culture
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
The Full English Festival: a review and roundup
Katrine Solvaag
T
he week of the Full English Festival has now passed, and the marquee has been packed up and placed away until next year. As an organiser, it was a long and intensive week, while at the same time being a surreal experience after half a year of planning. We began early on in September, before the arrival of Freshers’ and returning students, with deciding on the dates and brainstorming potential events. By Christmas we had a rough line up and began thinking about timetabling – only to then shift everything again a month later as new events emerged and old ones got cancelled. It’s a long and timePhoto by Daniella Golden consuming project, but the result made it all worth it. introducing the method perfection, something we noticed Kickstarting the week we of the poetic journal through train cancellations and other had Iain Sinclair talking and Emmi emerging problems. But all in all, it’s about the inspirational Itäranta, a an unbelievable experience to have walks he took in former Kent participated in organising something order to produce MA student at this level, and developing skills his novels ‘London and now that will prove valuable in the future. Overground’ and published And all of this wouldn’t have been ‘Black Apples of author, possible if not for the funding from Gower.’ Ending giving the School of English and the Kent the day we helpful Opportunity Fund, as well as the aid of had Anthony advice on the Hogwarts, Quidditch, Stage Spiders, Anaxagorou, a wellwriting, Paper Stage and Poetry societies with known performance setting, the creation of events. poet and author, and I hope this can inspire those with come and perform his character. similar large scale projects in mind to work, as well as answer Following just begin the planning – trust me, you Photo By Katrine Solvaag questions related to his this, Emmi can accomplish a lot more than you past, career, and publishing opened up about the think. If anyone would be interested in company. difficulties of writing in getting involved with next year’s festival The second day contained a string two languages, with both of her novels you only have to reach out to either of various events from Quidditch, to written simultaneously in Finnish the Literature Society or the Creative a photo/film inspired and English, and the differences in Writing Society, who workshop, a the publishing industry between the would be thrilled poetry and art countries. to hear your exhibition, To end an amazing week, ideas. and finally we had the Paper to the Stage visit us in Creative the marquee for Writing a reading of Society’s Shakespeare’s own A Midsummer Anthology Night’s Dream, Photo by Daniella Golden launch, with cookies bringing and tea. The together people festival was brought from different to a close with the societies. Wednesday continued this incredible Harry variety, the day was highlighted by a Baker performing workshop and performance by Anna his poetry, filled with Freeman, a treat both for those new to alliteration and maths, her work and those who attended her followed by several local feature in the November Gulb Slam. poets. Photo By Katrine Solvaag Thursday proved a very literary As good a week as it was, day, beginning with Nancy Gaffield nothing can ever be planned to
Summer cultural travel destinations Calum Collins Newspaper Culture Editor Musée d’Orsay Paris Forget the Louvre: this is where it’s actually at. With one of the most incredible collections of Impressionist paintings in the world, visiting this gallery is a delight. Built in an old train station, the light and airy setting is much more pleasant than the oppressive underground vault of the Louvre. Their Van Gogh exhibit has to be seen to be believed.
Photo by Benh | Wikipedia
The Lowry Manchester For those travelling inside of England, The Lowry theatre and art gallery puts on some of the best shows, as well as interesting exhibits. The industrial landscape paintings of L.S Lowry are some of the most detailed paintings ever created. Rijksmuseum Amsterdam A mix of art gallery and traditional museum, the beautiful Rijksmuseum houses some of the finest examples of work by Rembrandt and Vermeer. In displaying paintings of the Napoleonic Wars, they display the weapons and artefacts of the conflict alongside them. The Globe London Why wouldn’t you go to The Globe? The recreation of the Globe is stunning, and whether the productions are period accurate or contemporary reimaginings, the performances are always excellent. The exhibition that accompanies the theatre about its construction and Shakespeare’s world is also worth visiting.
Photo by Another Believer | Wikipedia
19
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Editorial
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
There is nothing wrong with embracing Neverland
Ruby Lyle
Newspaper Editor
T
here seems to be a tradition in the final editorial of InQuire in an academic year. They tend to focus on the frightening prospect of graduating, entering the real world, and the fear of leaving any vestiges of your childhood behind. I’m terribly sorry everyone, but this editorial is no different...On the plus side, I’m not about to be too bleak seeing as I’m returning next year for my masters (muhahaha, you’re not getting rid of me just yet). I will, however, rant to you all about the importance of not forgetting the lessons of Peter Pan. (At least I’m not talking about Mary Berry or Jeremy Clarkson as I have previously
when it has been my turn to write one of these). Whether you’ve grown up with Disney’s wonderful adaptation, have grown to love the 2003 live action adaptation starring Jason Isaacs, or enjoy sitting in the garden on a warm evening and reading J.M. Barrie’s childhood fantasy, there really is something there for everyone. Admittedly, the Disney version is somewhat lighter than the surprisingly dark undertones of the book and 2003 film, but all three tell you to respect the importance of holding onto childlike wonder, even in the face of having to grow up. Even though you’re now supposed to
establish the career you wish to spend the rest of your working life in, how your degree relates to that, if at all, and how on earth to get employed, it really isn’t the be all and end all. You have the rest of your life to figure it all out. Easy for me to say, staying on for another year, I know, but I’ve seen in my friends just how frighteningly easy it can be to lose perspective and expect yourself to have it all figured out straight away. You won’t. Of course you won’t! For goodness sake, let the child in you out for a bit, remember to see new things in wonder, and look for every adventure in life.
Of course, the other important thing that happens to the Darling children is that they always have their parents waiting for them. Even if you do screw up, your parents will likely be
waiting for you to come home, hug you, and tell you that it will be okay. But these are all doom and gloom thoughts, Peter Pan is about a lot more than that: friendship, love, and most vitally, faith, trust, and pixie dust. As I put in the headline, there is absolutely nothing wrong with embracing
OPENING TIMES OPENING TIMES MON - FRI 9AM - 10PM MON FRI 9AM 10PM SAT - SUN 10AM - 5PM SAT - SUN 10AM - 5PM
Neverland. Holding onto these values and allowing yourself to feel all the good in the world can’t possibly be bad. Have a picnic in the sun, grab some bubbles and friends and go to the park, honestly, just do whatever it takes to make yourself feel light and happy. Look on the bright side of life and just let yourself feel happy and childlike. Just because you’re entering a new phase of life doesn’t mean that it’s bad, you’ve found a whole new world to explore. If none of these points have swayed you towards taking on the Barrie philosophy on life, I have a feeling that this one might. Peter Pan has absolutely no problem with solving his problems with sword fights. Let’s not forget that. I reckon it’s the most important message of all.
20
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Classifieds
Teacher of Mathematics
Ref: 1699 £12,000-£25,000 Full-time Based in Ashford Are you interested in a career in teaching and have a Maths related degree? A school in Ashford is looking for Maths Teachers!
Activities Programme Coordinator
Ref: 1698 £17,000 Full-time Based in Canterbury campus A local summer school is looking for an Activities Programme Coordinator to plan and administer the activity and excursion programme.
Residential Care Worker
Ref: 1695 £18,000-£20,150 Various hours Based in Dover Are you a dynamic individual who could make a positive impact on a child’s life?
Receptionist/ Paralegal
Ref: 1696 Pay to be confirmed Full-time Based in Ashford A solicitors in Ashford is looking for a Receptionist/ Paralegal with the potential for a two year training contract.
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Web Designer/ Developer
Ref: 1691 £8.20 per hour Flexible hours Work remotely An expanding joinery company is looking for a Web Designer/ Developer. You will be given an iMac to use and you will be able to work remotely!
Holiday Camp Activity Leader
Ref: 1688 £7.20 per hour Various hours Based in Ramsgate If you are looking for a summer job and genuinely enjoy working with young people this could be the job for you!
Live In Charity Fundraiser
Ref: 1599 £7.50-£10 per hour Various hours Various locations Are you looking for a seasonal job that offers an excellent benefits package? Do you enjoy speaking to new people?
Office Admin Assistant
Lifeguards
Ref: 1700 £14,156-£14,465 Various hours Based in Canterbury A local leisure centre in Canterbury is looking for Lifeguards. A lifeguarding qualification would be ideal but not essential.
French Teacher
Ref: 1689 £24.89 per 50 minute lesson 12 50 minute lessons Based in Canterbury Are you a native speaker of French? A local language school is looking for a French Teacher!
Ref: 1687 Pay exceeds minimum wage Part-time Based in Medway Are you looking to gain some experience in an office environment? An expanding property management firm in Medway is looking for an assistant.
Receptionist/ Customer Host
Ref: 1684 Pay meets minimum wage Part-time Based in Canterbury A local car dealership is looking for a Receptionist/ Customer Host. You will be meeting and greeting customers, as well as assisting the sales team where needed.
Tour Guide
Ref: 1685 £7.20 per hour Part-time 14.5 hours per week Based in Canterbury Would you like to work for one of Canterbury’s most popular attractions?
Junior Microsoft SSRS Report Development Consultant Ref: 1675 £150 per day plus travel expenses Full-time Based in London £150 per day plus travel expenses, Full Time, London An excellent opportunity for the right candidate to gain some work experience at an independent consultancy firm in London.
Postgraduate Scholarship
Event Staff
Ref: 1614 100 positions available Pay meets minimum wage Various hours Various locations Would you like to work at some of the biggest events such as Glastonbury and get paid for it? Now’s your chance!
Bar/Waiting/ Kitchen Support Staff
Ref: 1560 Two positions available Pay dependent on experience Part-time Based in Canterbury Bar, Waiting and Kitchen staff needed to work at a family run pub located in a picturesque village on the outskirts of Canterbury.
Ref: 1676 Tuition fees and living costs covered Full-time Based on Canterbury campus Are you interested in postgraduate study? The School of Physical Sciences has an excellent scholarship available.
Customer Service Representative
Ref: 1677 £7.20 per hour Full-time Based in Canterbury Do you have excellent customer service skills? A local company is looking for a Customer Service Representative to work with them this summer.
TO APPLY FOR ANY OF THESE ROLES, GO ONLINE TO: inquirelive.co.uk/jobshop
21
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Classifieds
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
ADVERTISEMENTS • EVENTS • SALES • WANTED email advertising@inquiremedia.co.uk • call 01227 816101 • visit inquirelive.co.uk/advertising
KENT TECH www.kenttech.co.uk
SOUND LIGHT STAGE POWER
theyouthacademy.org.uk
Your ad here 01227 816101
MARCH
ASAD SIAB
For creating the Chemistry Society, and running regular socials and guest lectures. Asad has also done a fundraising even in aid of UNICEF.
FREE AD Student groups Template text. are
NUS EXTRA CARDS Template text.
entitled to a free ad in InQuire.
Save on top brands including Amazon and Jack Wills, as well as on local restaurants.
Email us to find out more information
ONLY £12 visit Mandela Reception
read more online www.inquirelive.co.uk
APRIL
KARL SPIRES
Karl goes the extra mile making sure that Outreach projects go to plan, and has presented training, support, and dedication to everything he’s worked on.
CANTERBURY’S COMMUNITY & STUDENT RADIO STATION 01227 258 258 www.csrfm.com 97.4 FM in Canterbury @csrfm
22
Friday 3 June 2016 InQuire
Sport
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Summer of Sport 2016
T
his summer is the perfect time to get involved with sport, and with so many great sporting events coming up, you’ll have plenty of inspiration to fulfil your goals and get fit for the new academic year! Wimbledon The annual tennis competition held just outside London will take place this year from 27 June until 10 July. It promises to be as great as ever, and will no doubt motivate people to get active and try to be the next Serena Williams or Novak Djokovic. Euro 2016 For football fans, the thrills of this year’s Premier League will be nothing compared to the Euro Championships. Taking place in France, this competition is sure to be hotly
contested, and hopefully England will make it further than they have done in recent years. This competition will run from 10 June until 10 July. Will Spain be able to bounce back from the 2014 World Cup to retain their title for another four years? Summer Olympics The 2016 Rio Olympics has been a topic of contention in recent weeks, with health concerns for those travelling to Brazil for the competition
due to the ongoing threat of the Zika virus. The competition is still due to go ahead however, offering many sports to get your teeth (or more likely eyes) stuck into, from swimming and diving to shotput and gymnastics. Running from 5-21 August, this is two and half weeks of sport that you won’t want to miss. Formula 1 There are loads of great races coming up in the Formula 1 World Championship, including the Canadian Grand Prix from 10-12 June, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix from 1719 June, and the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, which is on from 8-10 July. Tour de France The ultimate cycling challenge, and a favourite of many Brits due to our success in recent years, the Tour de
France starts in Normandy on 2 July, and finishes, as always, on the Champs Elysees in Paris on 24 July. This is the ultimate endurance test for cyclists, with every day being different from the one before, and is sure to motivate you to get up off the couch if those guys can keep cycling up mountains day after day. Klitschko v Fury Not for the faint-hearted, this boxing match is sure to pack a punch (get it?) in Manchester on 9 July. Fury and Klitschko will compete for the WBA Super and WBO Heavyweight titles, so expect smack talk and plenty of drama around this match. London Anniversary Games The London Anniversary Games will be held at the Olympic Stadium at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 22-24 July, and will incorporate the International Association of
Athletics Federations’ (IAAF) Diamond League meet, and the International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC) Grand Prix Final.
Photo by Ticketmaster
THIS CARD IS THE ONE Your KentOne card is your student ID. You can use it as a cashless purchasing card in 12 catering outlets across the Canterbury and Medway campuses and every time you use it, you will receive a
5% DISCOUNT KentOne card: • Saves you money – only KentOne card users receive the exclusive 5% discount. • Safe and secure – instead of carrying round cash, top up your card online and if you lose it the balance will be transferred over to a replacement card. • Saves you time – get through the tills quicker than by using debit or credit cards.
www.kent.ac.uk/kentonecard
23
InQuire Friday 3 June 2016
Sport
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquirelive canterbury_media
Kent Union Vice-President (Sport), Nina Mehmi:
CANTERBURY The team set off from the Canterbury campus at 9am on 26 May.
“What a trip of a lifetime! I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the saddle sore at this point, but cycling to Paris to raise money for the Access to Activities fund is by far one of the best things I’ve done as an officer! If anyone tells you the seven valleys route to Paris is easy - they’re joking!! Spending time with people from Kent Union was such a laugh, and we really bonded as a team. It was a fantastic few days, and it’s fair to say I won’t be eating any flapjacks for a while now, and need to get rid of these horrendous tan lines. I look forward to being involved in future challenges to raise money for such a great fund.”
DOVER The Kent Union cyclists reached Dover just a couple of hours after they left Canterbury, and boarded a ferry to Calais.
Kent Union CEO, Jim Gardner:
CALAIS Once the cyclists made it to Calais, they had another 180 miles to cycle before reaching their final destination of the Eiffel Tower.
“Two days later and my legs are still sore and I am still trying to catch up on sleep, but I had an absolutely fantastic time on the three day Cycle to Paris challenge. Despite missed trains and one of our team turning up with a mild (yeah right!) hangover and only two hours’ sleep, we did manage to cycle to Dover in time to catch our ferry. On arrival in Calais, our phones struggled to connect to French mobile providers, meaning that we struggled to download maps, however, after an hour or so of faffing, we eventually headed off. We hadn’t appreciated that the ‘seven valleys’ on day one would be quite so tough and we finally got to our hotel at about 10pm absolutely shattered. Days two and three were easier and we all enjoyed the beautiful countryside, fewer hills, and picturesque villages and small towns. We ate well throughout the trip, and cycling into Paris, around the Arc de Triomphe and finishing at the Eiffel Tower was amazing.”
PARIS The team made it to Paris on 28 May at around 1pm. They had cycled 240 miles over three days.
Kent Union Director of Operations, Tony Logan: “I found the challenge a great experience. It was tough going in places and starting second leg in Calais later than planned at 3pm, meant we cycled in to hotel 60 miles later at 10pm! The cycling team were awesome, but not as great as support team; Rob, Jane and Rory. They were incredible and meant we could all focus on riding and getting up the long hills!”
Sport www.InQuireLive.co.uk/sport
facebook.com/inquiremedia @inquiremedia canterbury_media
InQuire
Kent Union Cycle to Paris Challenge
Photo by Kent Union | Facebook
Natalie Tipping Editor-in-Chief
F
rom Thursday 26 to Saturday 28 May, members of Kent Union staff and the Sabbatical Officer team cycled 230 miles from Canterbury to Paris, to raise money for the Kent Union Access to Activities Fund. The team of seven staff members left Canterbury campus early on Thursday morning, and cycled to Dover, where they caught a ferry to Calais. Once in Calais, they faced a 180 mile cycle over two
days to reach Paris. The Cycle to Paris Challenge was set up to raise money for Kent Union’s Access to Activities Fund, which was created to help disabled students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain access to the wealth of extra-curricular activities here at Kent. The fund was increased to £4,000 this year, and hundreds of applications were received from students wanting to get involved with sports clubs, societies, or other student groups. This challenge aimed to raise £10,000 to help to fund
the venture for the next couple of years. The team consisted of Kent Union CEO Jim Gardner, Vice-President (Sport) Nina Mehmi, Director of Operations and GK Unions Tony Logan, Activities Team Leader Daniel Hatfield, Business Development Manager Chi Lau, Retail Catering Assistant (Bake and Bite) Jack Burdon, and Facilities Assistant Martin Fleet. Between them they have so far raised £2,832.84 from JustGiving, with more raised on campus through collection buckets.
The team, along with other members of Kent Union staff, also completed a 24-hour cycle ride to raise awareness of the challenge outside Essentials on 11 and 12 May. The final total for money raised through this and through collection tins has not yet been released. Speaking about the experience, Kent Union CEO Jim Gardner said: “The best thing about the trip though was definitely the company - what a wonderful bunch of people - and the beer in Paris at the end of the three days!” Vice-President (Sport) Nina
Mehmi wrote: “I’m not sure I’ll ever get over the saddle sore, but cycling to Paris is by far one of the best things I’ve done as an officer.” Students wanting to support the Access to Activities fund can still donate through one of the JustGiving pages linked to the Cycle Challenge, by heading to kentunion.co.uk/cycletoparis. Inside: More about the Kent Union Cycle to Paris Challenge, including reaction from those involved.
